August/September 2014 by Montana Senior News

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Running with the Music

By Connie Daugherty Helena’s Robert Loveridge runs with the music in every way possible. “I have a built in IPod in my head,” he jokes. Rob isn’t a big man – he’s slight of stature, soft spoken, and would not stand out in a crowd. That is until he steps up on that platform in front of 200+ band students and picks up the baton, until he pulls away from the pack at

the finish line of another marathon, or until you really look into his eyes and listen to his words. Then you know there is something extraordinary about this seemingly ordinary man. What is extraordinary about Rob Loveridge is what he does within the bounds of the ordinary – making him so awesome – his personal favorite word. Also, that is why he was chosen by his fellow teachers as Helena’s 2014 Teacher of the Year. Robert Loveridge was born in Billings, raised there, went to college there, met his wife, Brooke, and started a family there. Ordinary? Not quite. He started playing trumpet in fourth grade. “I just loved it,” he says. “It was something I could do really well.” That is a bit of an understatement. Rob made all-state band each of his three years in high school. Then he was chosen to join an All American band sponsored by the Shenandoah Music Conservatory in Virginia. The band, made up of students from all over the country, toured a dozen European countries doing community concerts and USO shows that summer. “It was a great experience, he says. Back in Montana, he started college and continued to play his trumpet. He played in the Billings City Symphony as well as the college band, and continued to compete and perform around the region. In his senior year, he had an opportunity to go to Romania. “I said I would go if Brooke could go too,” he says. Those in charge agreed so the young couple spent a month touring Romania. “That was a good time,” he recalls. Rob credits much of his success as a musician to the people who crossed his path during those years – teachers and professional musicians. “I’ve been influenced by great people all along the way,” he says. While college offered him exceptional (Continued on page 37)

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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

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The Governor’s Conference On behalf of all of the staff and volunteers of the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program of Flathead County – thank you so much for your thoughtful and very thorough coverage of the Governor’s Conference on Aging in Kalispell. We were very excited to see some of our RSVP volunteers in the pictures and so happy to see your write-up on the cribbage presentation. What a blessing this is for the Governor’s Conference, Agency on Aging, Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, and for our community! Sue Holst RSVP Director Kalispell

Attitude I enjoy reading your paper, and I wanted to share something put upon my heart. And that something is… attitude. So many people’s hearts and minds are wrong. Look at the state of things today. Today we have more dangerous drivers, bullies, shootings, failed marriages and families, greed, price gouging, and selfishness than ever before. Why? Because we cause it. And instead of “nipping it in the bud” and really stopping it, we’d rather “fix the problem” with law after law, cause after cause. Ribbons, laws, and all that hoopla really, truly change nothing. We must stop this destructive juggernaut. The answer to it has already been given to us, years and years

ago. It worked. But we insisted upon “fixing what was never broken.” God gave us the answer in the words spoken by Jesus. We really should listen. So, let’s look to the past, listen to the way our elders were raised, listen to the truth, and pay attention to what it tells and shows us, with a pure heart and open mind. The answer lies there, and in us, in our attitudes. Looking to the past, in today’s condition, is not a bad thing… it’s the right thing. Let’s learn “how” to think… not “what” to think. We think we know better what’s right. But we don’t! Let’s live with truth, love, honesty, and give with sacrifice and humility. Melanie Fennell Great Falls

Humor I have taught high school math, chemistry, and physics. I’ve found such subjects to be dull for some and I have found that a bit of humor – a good clean joke – lightens things up. Recently I saw a copy of MSN where I was working and thought your humor was great. I will submit some of my fun things for your use as you see fit. You may have used some before. Keith Moyer Superior

Alone I was visiting your “awesome” state – as my MSU granddaughter says – and read in your Mon-

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tana Senior News about the ALONE program in Ireland this morning and feel compelled to join in this wonderful program. Make a new friend – pen pal! Thanks so much for providing such a wonderful opportunity. I too am a widow in my early 80s so I chose Joan the 93-year-old lady. I have enclosed a brief introductory note addressed to her. Please send it on. I have also enclosed a check for help with postage. I would be delighted to hear the response to this program. Perhaps my home state might participate in such a program. Now I shall go back to finishing the rest of the Montana Senior News. Ann Pepmeyer Fort Lupton, Colorado

One Day We Will Get It Right The way I got it figured out is that MSN is trying to put one over on me simply because I live in New York City. There I was, very well aware that June 25 was the anniversary of Custer’s Last Stand. So knowledgeable was I that I had told my archery buddy Bob all about it, causing him to state that I am a treasure trove of trivial information. Living as I do here smack-dab in the heart of darkness that is NYC, there is not too much call for Montana-type stuff, but crossword fill-in-puzzle-type history like that one still never fails to get an audience. Having told Bob that I bet there would be Custer reenactments going on; I checked the June/July issue of MSN for news about that. Imagine my joy when I got to page 62 and the article Relive History At Custer’s Last Stand. On the other hand, imagine how gobsmacked and gimlet eyed I got when I found the very same article on page 78! MSN must think that just because I live a tad east of the Treasure State that I wouldn’t notice that you had printed the article twice?! What do you take me for?! Why, “paranoia” is practically my middle name! Only joking. Double the pleasure! With best wishes, John F. Early New York City

Montana-North Dakota I thoroughly enjoyed the story by Kay Kalidja of Missoula. Her story concerns the setting of the Montana-North Dakota boarder by railroaders. Was it a true story? It reminded me of a joke I heard some time ago, at least I thought it was a joke. Perhaps it’s related to her story. It seems that a farmer in the extreme northwest corner of North Dakota received word that since a recent government survey, his farm was actually in Montana, not North Dakota. He said, “Thank God, I couldn’t stand another North Dakota Winter.”

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I enjoy your paper. Mostly I like the historical articles. Jack Darlow Stevensville Status Of Aid In Dying Challenged I am writing to update your readers on the status of assisted suicide in Montana, sometimes referred to by the euphemism, “aid in dying.” I am President of Montanans Against Assisted Suicide (MAAS). We are in litigation against the Montana Medical Examiners Board over the status of assisted suicide in Montana. As part of that lawsuit, we succeeded in getting the Board to remove a position paper implying that assisted suicide is legal.

Under the Baxter decision, a doctor and anyone else who assists a suicide can be charged with homicide. For more information about our lawsuit, which is pending in the Montana Supreme Court, please see our press release at montanansagainstassistedsuicide.org/2014/02/maas-appealsmedical-examiner-board.html. Problems with legalizing assisted suicide include that it encourages people with years to live, to throw away their lives. Legalization also creates new opportunities for elder abuse, for example, when there is an inheritance involved. Bradley D. Williams President Montanans Against Assisted Suicide MSN

I speak to everyone in the same way, whether he is the garbage man or the president of the university. - Albert Einstein

Rules For Living From Two Of Our Greatest Presidents And Benjamin Franklin By Bob Campbell Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln are remembered for their courage and leadership when our country needed visionaries, and they left us many bits off wisdom. Jefferson said: l. Never put off until tomorrow what you can do today. 2. Never trouble another what you can do yourself. 3. Never spend your money until you have it. 4. We never repent on eating too little. 5. Take things always by the smooth handle. 6. When angry count to ten before you speak; if very angry count to a hundred. Lincoln advised: Do not worry; Eat three square meals a day; Say your prayers; Be courteous to your detractors; Exercise; Go slow and go easy. Then Lincoln added, “Maybe there are other things that your case requires to make you happy, but my friend, these I reckon, will give you a good lift.” Of course Benjamin Franklin was the bestloved newspaper printer of his day and left us these thoughts: 1. “They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.” 2. “There never was a good war or a bad peace.” 3. “Little strokes fell great oaks.” 4. “We must all hang together, or assuredly we will all hang separately.” Let’s all try to live by these wise guidelines! MSN

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Nothing is more destructive of respect for the government and the law of the land than passing laws which cannot be enforced. - Albert Einstein

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Death Al Dente by Leslie Budewitz; Berkley Prime Crime, New York; 2013 Reviewed by Connie Daugherty Summertime and the living is easy; so is the reading. Summer is when I like to pick up an enjoyable, light reading type book. The kind you can take anywhere, to the lake or the mountains, on a camping trip or tucked inside your bag for the plane or train. I have even been known to leave a book behind in a rented cabin or hotel – with a recommendation note of course. Death Al Dente, a Food Lovers’ Village Mystery, by Leslie Budewitz is one of my noted summer reading recommendations. The who-dunit-murder mystery is intriguing from the very first page. It is spiced with small town secrets and sweetened with subtle humor with a very unexpected twist at the end. There are even some delicious – readily available ingredients – recipes included. Set in an easily identified, though renamed, small Montana town, Death Al Dente captures all the flavor of the place and the people. “Jewel Bay is not what people expect in a Montana town. Cutting-edge art and lip-smacking restaurants instead of cow pies and shoot-outs on dirt streets.” Although the old west is still alive and well not too far away, Jewel Bay, on the shore of the largest fresh water lake west of the Great Lakes, is a BASIC DENTURES (SET)...$295 bastion of the new west. BASIC CROWN (UNIT).....$495 Erin Murphy has returned home to Jewel Family Dentistry • Check Ups Cleanings • Digital X-Rays • Partials Bay after fourteen years Bridges • CareCredit® Financing away to help revitalize Delta Dental, MetLife, Guardian & over 200 Others Accepted the old and recently struggling family business. “Working with – 2 Locations: for – my mother wasn’t MID-AMERICA DENTAL & always easy, but we HEARING CENTER-HWY. 1050 W. Hayward Drive • Mt. Vernon, MO 65712 were still the Murphy 1-800-354-1905 girls.” And the Murphy girls always prevailed MID-AMERICA DENTAL & one way or another. HEARING CENTER-LOOP 558 Mt. Vernon Blvd. • Mt. Vernon, MO 65712 Erin is determined 1-800-372-4554 to transform the Merc, formerly the Glacier www.MidAmericaDental.com Hablamos español! Mercantile, into a Dr. Hildreth & Associates are Missouri licensed General Dentists. They are not licensed in Missouri as specialists in the advertised dental specialty of Prosthetics. unique specialty shop

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in a village full of specialty shops. “We were more like a co-op… I wanted to prove that even a small mountain town with long winters and a short growing season could do a lot… In the two months since I’d been back in town, we’d redefined our goals and realigned our product mix.” With a lot of hard work, everything seemed to be falling in place for the Murphy girls. Then, on the night of the big Festa, a woman – a former employee – is found dead at their back gate. Not just dead, but murdered! Murder in a town like Jewel Bay is almost unheard of. At first people don’t quite know how to react so… “the party must go on and all that.” Inside the courtyard, gourmet food and wine are served and people continue to socialize. But soon enough, the rumors start to fly. Neighbors begin to suspect neighbors and a sort of ‘them against us’ atmosphere develops. “Someone had ruined the Festa. He, she, it – they – had shattered the peace and quiet of a rare town that still had peace and quiet. And they’d killed a good woman…. Clearly, all was not sweetness and light in Jewel Bay.” A rock is thrown through the front window of the Merc. The dead woman’s son is poisoned and almost dies. And when Erin’s old best friend, now a sheriff’s deputy, makes it clear that Francesca Murphy is the prime suspect, Erin decides to do her own investigating. While she is positive her mother did not murder the young woman, she has to admit, if only to herself, that her mother is hiding something. Erin finds herself suspecting everyone and trusting nobody. Meanwhile, life goes on in Jewel Bay. The Festa activities continue, tourists begin to filter in as the weather turns warm; the planned nature walk goes off perfectly. Vendors come and go and business is actually booming at The Merc. “Except for the plywood window, the dead ex-employee, and the deputy sheriff’s threats to arrest my mother, life was good,” Erin muses. However, as she fills in the cells on her spreadsheet with possibilities, she discovers more about the people in her hometown than she ever imagined. “Talk about ridiculous… Pleasant people have secrets they’d rather not expose. Unexpected tensions buzz just beneath smooth surfaces.” As Erin pokes and prods those smooth surfaces questioning her friends and neighbors, she also

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2014

finds herself looking back. Back to that awful time when her father died, back to how her mother reacted, how she and her sister reacted, and how her best friend reacted to the tragic loss. She realizes she didn’t then and doesn’t now understand the complete picture. “When nothing is as it seems… take another look from another angle. Stand on your head if you have to.” Erin stands on her head, and against all advice and logic pushes buttons and digs into places that would be best left alone – at least by an amateur and naïve sleuth. Too often, “searching for one thing, you find something you didn’t know you were

looking for.” And Erin is not quite as prepared as she imagines herself to be. Real life – even in Jewel Bay – can be dangerous for the unprepared. Death Al Dente, the first in a new series, will leave you wanting more. More story, more recipes, and more from this award-winning author. Leslie Budewitz, a writer and a lawyer, loves to cook, eat, hike, travel, garden, and paint. She is passionate about good food and great mysteries. She lives in northwest Montana with her husband and their Burmese cat. MSN

Grannies can read your mind By Bill Hall The mother of an adolescent know-it-all, a surly 12-year-old, urged the boy to pay attention and tell the waitress what he wanted for lunch. “She can’t read your mind,” the mother said of the waitress. “Yes, she can,” said a man nearby, speaking of the waitress. “She’s a grandmother.” Almost everybody within earshot laughed. They all knew that not only can grandmothers read your mind in the here and now but also they can peer into the future and read what is likely to be running through an aging kid’s mind 20 years from now. Grandmothers have had enough experience with a lifetime of runty rascals to have a good idea of which kids are likely to stay out of jail in life, and I don’t just mean Wall Street’s slippery bankers. By the time a kid is three or four; his savvy grandma has seen enough of those kinds of genes to read a small mind before it becomes fully ripened. You can tell as soon as a pumpkin appears on the vine what it’s going to look like at the end of the growing season and kids are often no different. That’s why everyone but the kid laughed at the man’s observation. The kid didn’t laugh because he found it difficult hanging out with adults. He couldn’t manage more than a sneer as he rolled his eyes at such simpletons. He and several million just like him right now are classic examples of a remark attributed to Mark Twain about sassy 14-year-olds. Apparently, he didn’t actually say it; but he could have because it’s funny and it rings of truth. Alas, Twain was much younger than 14 when his dad died so he never had a chance to be obnoxious with his father. As I researched the quote, I encountered multiple comments by serious researchers who say it appears that Twain never said any such thing, even though the comment fits him like a Missouri glove. Although there are several variations, Twain said something like, “When I was 14, my father was so stupid I could hardly stand to be in the same room with him. But when I was 21 or so, I was surprised how much the old man had learned in seven years.” That was the same attitude displayed the other day with that crabby kid who had been condemned to spend a few hours with his elders rather than hang out in the real, happening world. You can’t blame him that he’d rather be where 14-year-olds look down on their elders from on high, which in their case is about as tall as a skateboard. I am not saying that there aren’t scads of 14-year-olds who would love a few hours with their grandmas, especially if it’s at a contemporary clothing store and she’s buying. And I’m not saying most kids, even when they are being weird about other generations, won’t eventually reach that magic age where their parents suddenly get smarter. Look at how well Bill Clinton and George W. Bush eventually turned out. But why can’t all kids be like Barack Obama and Mitt Romney? Biographies I have read about both of them reveal that they went a little goofy for maybe a few months of their adolescence. But they cleaned up their snotty kid acts in record time and came out of the whole thing openly loving and respecting their family elders. However, if the truth were known, some elders are still a bit too full of themselves on into their 80s. That includes campaign specialists who make their living smearing nice guys like Obama and Romney. I’m not saying decent politicians are correct in many of their big ideas, but they deserve at least 80 percent of the respect that grandmas have earned. And there is justice in the world – the useful, edifying kind of justice that causes grumpy half-baked kids to realize that their old man isn’t so stupid after all. It’s only a decade or two before those former kids become the victims of their own unmanageable little twits. Meanwhile, providence has given grandparents the great and generous gift of a fading memory. That allows people my age the bogus belief that they never sassed nor disrespected their own sweet grannies. Bill Hall may be contacted at wilberth@cableone. net or at 1012 Prospect Ave., Lewiston, ID 83501. MSN

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The dog days of summer are here... it’s true! Ice cream evenings and fall harvest celebrations are around the corner. Hot days and cooler nights are filled with activities that are so much fun to do with a friend. What better time to find a new companion and with whom to share your life. Take time today to write a personal ad or reply to one of the 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 respond to 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 submit your correct address plainly printed, so you can promptly receive responses. Respond to the ads in this issue, and also sit down now and prepare your 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 October/November 2014 issue, the deadline is September 7, 2014. SWM seeks single lady who likes to cuddle. I do not smoke or drink. I live in Great Falls. Looks and age unimportant. Photo and phone please. I will answer all replies. Reply MSN, Dept. 30601, c/o Montana Senior News, Box 3363, Great Falls, MT 59403.

SWM, 81, 5’6”. I like to be home, and I like yard sales, country music, and going to church. Looking for someone with similar interests. Reply MSN, Dept. 30602, c/o Montana Senior News, Box 3363, Great Falls, MT 59403. SWF, 71. Blonde, slim. I love fishing, going for walks, country music, dancing, and going out for drinks. Reply MSN, Dept. 30603, c/o Montana Senior News, Box 3363, Great Falls, MT 59403. SWM, 68, 6’, 220lbs. Would like to socialize with female of similar age. Live in Kalispell area. Spend time watching sports, movies, and current events on TV. Enjoy getting out and going to restaurants, walking my dog, gardening, and lakeside activities. Will reply to all local responses. Reply MSN, Dept. 30604, c/o Montana Senior News, Box 3363, Great Falls, MT 59403. SWF, 70, classy lady. Are you a gentleman, have high morals, love home-cooked meals, and a clean home? Then the jackpot would be me! I like gardening, one day trips, or to just enjoy home life. Hope you are the forever guy. Reply MSN, Dept. 30605, c/o Montana Senior News, Box 3363, Great Falls, MT 59403. SWF age 73, 5’5”, 125 lbs. Seeking a friend or more to share this part of my life. Trustworthy, kind soul would be great. I enjoy pets, laughter, conversation, nature, walking, TLC, country drives, boating, and travel. Polson/Flathead area. Maybe a photo exchange and phone number. Reply MSN, Dept. 30607, c/o Montana Senior News, Box 3363, Great Falls, MT 59403.

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Would you love to share new hiking trails, road trips, museums, and dancing with an actively health conscious, easygoing gentleman? 5’10”, retired military with companion loving pup. Love biblical and historical studies. We wish to share NW with slender, outdoor lady… more than share mountaintop breeze and picnic by the brook. Add your desires to spice the path through God’s creation. Phone, address, and photo appreciated. Reply MSN, Dept. 30606, c/o Montana Senior News, Box 3363, Great Falls, MT 59403. SF 58, 5’4”, 130lbs. Well traveled lady with city smarts, and a country heart. I am eclectic spiritually. I enjoy public broadcasting and love music of all genres. My life is outdoors in beautiful NW Montana. I love to hike, bike, swim, canoe, all skiing, horseback riding, etc. I am a bit of a tomboy, but all woman inside and clean up real nice. My other interests include gardening, cooking, yoga, and peaceful quiet times. I also like to get out, and enjoy theatre, concerts, and dining. I am looking for friendship initially with an open minded, emotionally mature, financially secure gentleman with good dental hygiene who has similar interests. Serious inquiries should respond with a short note to include address or phone number for initial contact. Reply MSN, Dept. 30608, c/o Montana Senior News, Box 3363, Great Falls, MT 59403. SWF in N.E. Montana looking for a healthy gentleman 70-80 years young. I am looking for an intelligent, secure nondrinker or smoker who has high morals and would like to meet a tender loving, fashionable, classy, blonde lady who looks much younger than her 80 years. I am very active, of average weight, tall, and a country person who enjoys home life, gardening, western movies, important sights and places, and especially dogs. If

MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 9

interested in starting a new friendship send photo and phone number. Reply MSN, Dept. 30609, c/o Montana Senior News, Box 3363, Great Falls, MT 59403. SWF, 62, I love country living, horses, and other animals. I enjoy attending rodeos, carnivals, and flea markets. Outdoors is where to find me, gardening, riding horses, and doing yard work. If you share some of these same interests, are in your 60s and looking for friendship and companionship please write. Reply MSN, Dept. 30610, c/o Montana Senior News, Box 3363, Great Falls, MT 59403.

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SWM, 67, Retired and financially secure I was college educated in Montana and am a non-smoker. I enjoy gardening, pets, geology, fishing, bird watching, dining out, botany, photography, and most anything outdoors. I would like to meet a lady near my age that shares some of my interests and would like to visit the Montana State Parks, or National Wildlife Refuges. Montana has 55 state parks, so there is plenty to see within our borders without having to go to an airport. Please send and letter and photo, and I will respond. Reply MSN, Dept. 30611, c/o Montana Senior News, Box 3363, Great Falls, MT 59403. WWF slim, good health, active, would like to meet a gentleman in his 70s in the Billings area. I do not smoke or drink. I like to walk for exercise, go to movies and plays, some travel, and go to church. Phone and photo would be nice. I will answer all replies. Reply MSN, Dept. 30612, c/o Montana Senior News, Box 3363, Great Falls, MT 59403. MSN

It’s All About Averages A biologist, a chemist, and a statistician were out hunting. The biologist shot at a deer and missed five feet to the left. The chemist took a shot and missed five feet to the right. The statistician yelled, “We got him!”

Computer Science 101 How easy is it to count in binary? It’s as easy as 01 10 11.

The Fall of Rome A Roman walked into a bar and asked for a martinus. “You mean a martini?” the bartender asked. The Roman replied, “If I wanted a double, I would have asked for it!” Another Roman walked into the bar, held up two fingers, and said, “Five beers, please.” MSN

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Every Kind Of Help Is Available At Area IV Agency On Aging For seniors, finding resources can be overwhelming. Area IV Agency on Aging (AOA) at Rocky Mountain Development Council is a onestop resource in six south-central Montana counties. The staff is up-to-date on ALL services that benefit seniors – housing, transportation, legal services, in-home help, assisted living and nursing home facilities, Medicare, supplemental health insurance, Medicaid, reverse mortgages, or how to reach Adult Protective Services. AOA helps seniors be smart consumers of services. AOA does not endorse specific facilities or businesses. It does not make decisions for seniors, but helps seniors make their own good choices.

In addition, the program provides financial support for congregate and home delivered meals in Jefferson, Broadwater, and Lewis & Clark counties. Similar offices are located throughout the nation, established by the National Older Americans Act. Although each office has slightly different services, Area IV staff provides ombudsmen assistance – located in Bozeman and Helena – at long-term care facilities, referrals of all kinds, and other assistance for individuals who are trying to

remain in their own home of choice, as well as health insurance counseling. “We offer unbiased information to seniors on many different topics, including Medicare,” says Program Manager Charles Aagenes. “In our experience, everyone struggles to understand Medicare and to make good choices about plans. They get bombarded with advertisements.” Reach out to AOA today by calling 1-800-5513191. MSN

Lewis & Clark Library Foundation Making A Great Library even Better! The Lewis & Clark Library Foundation purchased eight Early Learning Stations to provide access to the learning tools necessary to help children succeed academically. These stations offer children the latest research-based, early learning tools to help them develop the skills they need to succeed in school. Unlike traditional PCs, these Early Learning Stations, offer dynamic all-in-one digital learning solutions for children ages two thru eight. Local public libraries serve as a community hub for healthy child and family development, and often the Lewis & Clark Library System is the only place that many of our county’s children can access educational programming and developmental

resources. Thanks to the work of the Lewis & Clark Library Foundation, the Library has the opportunity with these Early Learn Stations to help bridge the early education and learning gap in our community. According to Lewis & Clark Library Director Judy Hart, “These Early Learning Stations provide content that supports the Six Skills and Five Practices as part of the Every Child Ready to Read initiative from the Public Library Association.” For more information on the Early Learning Stations, or the Lewis & Clark Library Foundation, contact Lewis & Clark Library Director Judy Hart at 406-447-1690 ext 117 or email jhart@lclibrary. org. MSN

Age is something that doesn’t matter, unless you are a cheese. - Billie Burke

By Bill Hall The words “Call the Midwife” have been heard frequently in our house these past few weeks, though not because of any recent births in our family. The births in question are those decades ago that were aided by kindhearted and competent nurses and nuns. They helped the pregnant women of England with pre-natal care and with deliveries of babies as part of a healthcare system developed soon after World War II. The PBS television series Call the Midwife is taken from the book by Jennifer Worth. It’s based on her service as a nurse and midwife in a rough section of London where the poor would not otherwise have had the godsend of professional baby birthing. The characters and story line will make you laugh, make you cry, and knock your socks off. But, I give you fair warning: Like an irresistible book you can’t put down, the production will cost you sleep. If you are easily addicted to a television series available on Netflix, then you can watch a whole season of episodes in a couple of days. It’s called binge viewing, and it’s like discovering 50 years ago that you didn’t have to go to the movie theater each Saturday morning for one installment of a cowboy series and then wait a week for the next episode. It’s like being told that you will have the option of watching all the installments, back to back, on a single Saturday. If you are a person with a gluttonous appetite for entertainment, you may curse me in the wee hours of the night after watching one Call the Midwife segment after another. I am guilty of such lustful conduct myself. That’s how I came to learn about those admirable young women in the show. I felt grateful at first that such angels exist in the world, be they nurses, doctors, non-wealthy clergy, or our military defenders who not only protect others but do so at the cost of their own limbs and lives. Sadly, after our Call the Midwife viewing binge had ended, something about those nurses and nursing nuns filled me with unseemly jealousy. We were told at the beginning of each episode that those women – and the www.buƩrey4senate.com ResƉĞĐƟng and ProtecƟng the Values of our Seniors doctors and hospital caregivers who worked with them – functioned in the Paid for by Ed BuƩrey for SD11, 410 Central Ave, Ste 611, Great Falls, MT 59401 1950s. That (Continued on page 70)

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MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 11

Hack Attack Q: I am one of the 1.3 million people whose information was compromised during the recent hacking of the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services server. Aside from signing up for the free credit monitoring and insurance that the state is offering to the victims of the data breach, what other things can I do to protect myself in the future? A: Unfortunately, falling victim to online hackers is becoming increasingly inevitable. About 432 million online accounts belonging to 110 million Americans â&#x20AC;&#x201C; roughly half of all adults â&#x20AC;&#x201C; were hacked in cyber attacks during the past year, according to new findings by the Ponemon Institute, a data-collection research firm. The risks are so widespread that two-thirds of 3,110 respondents to a Consumer Reports survey said they do nothing to protect themselves â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the apathetic result of what experts call data-breach fatigue from the seemingly nonstop parade of high profile hacking of customer records at Target, Neiman Marcus, Adobe, and others. Bad move. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The most effective defense against an international onslaught of shadowy hackers is a wellinformed and vigilant individual,â&#x20AC;? notes Consumer Reports. Five Things You Should Start Doing Today to Protect Yourself From Hackers 1. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t share anything you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to. That includes your Social Security number at the doctorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s office or on medical forms (if needed, your insurer can provide it); where you live, work, shop, or vacation; on social media; or any personal or financial information in phone calls or emails you do not initiate. 2. Monitor your financial life. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t rely solely on monthly statements from your bank or credit card companies; check account activity online or by phone at least weekly for quick indicators of fraud. Also, do what many Americans donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t: Access your free credit reports every four months at AnnualCreditReport.com.

3. Protect your technology. In addition to using strong and different passwords on different accounts and on all electronic devices, change them frequently (take note, Smartphone users). Take an extra step, too, by checking for updates on security software, just in case not all are automatic. 4. Be a smart shopper. Use a credit card over a debit card when shopping online, traveling, at the gas station, and most everywhere else. Never shop (or do any financial transaction, including checking, banking, or credit card accounts) on public Wi-Fi networks. And when online shopping (ideally from a secure home account), always try to type website addresses yourself; relying on links in emails, advertisements, or online searches can take you to a scammer-run site or download malware to your computer. When using your Smartphone to shop, use retailersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; dedicated apps, rather than your phoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s browser. 5. Be skeptical. Those â&#x20AC;&#x153;Dear Customerâ&#x20AC;? emails from retailers with which you do business? Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re likely bogus (they have your email, but do they have your name?), so donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t click on their links. And even with a personalized email, before clicking, hover your computer mouse over the link and you should see a full website address. If itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not what appears in an email-offered link, assume youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re being directed to a scammer-run website or about to download malware. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t trust emails, text messages, or phone calls that ask you to confirm recent transactions (legitimate retail sites will send an order confirmation, usually with instructions on how to track the delivery of your purchase, but they will not ask for confirmation). Also beware of â&#x20AC;&#x153;warningsâ&#x20AC;? from your bank asking you to confirm your account â&#x20AC;&#x201C; look up the phone number yourself if youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re worried. Remember, the best defense against hackers is you!

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If you’ve been scammed, notify local law enforcement and the Idaho Attorney General’s Office of Consumer Protection at (800) 432-3545 or www.ag.idaho.gov/consumerProtection/consumerIndex.html. You may also contact the AARP Foundation Fraud Fighter Center at 877-908-3360. Go to the AARP Fraud Watch Network at www. aarp.org/FraudWatchNetwork to find out more about prevention of scams and fraud or to sign up for “Watchdog Alerts.” MSN

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2014

The Saga For Fall Bulbs By Clare Hafferman This month I want to tell you about my adventures finding fall bulbs either to plant out or pot up for indoor growing, and the results of those efforts. I learned something about the attitudes of business owners and managers and the clerks they employ. Since I’ve been both, an owner and a clerk, I wasn’t wading into water I couldn’t tread. My mother was a gardener and tended a perennial border at our farm, where she gathered bouquets in the summer and then displayed them in old pitchers set around the living room. In the fall, she saved shelf space in what was called the fruit cellar in the basement – a storage room for all the canning jars she had filled. That shelf space would house a pot or two of paperwhite narcissus that she would bring upstairs once they were ready to bloom and perfume the air. Having enjoyed those flowers, I had been successful with the paperwhites and some hyacinths. My attempts at growing daffodils inside had come to nothing, but that could have been because I didn’t chill them long enough. That=s no worry with the other two. I began my search in September because as I remembered, it takes six weeks for the hyacinths to bloom. I checked at a local nursery. They had paperwhites but no others, so my next stop was at one of the box stores, where two willing clerks said if there were any fall bulbs, they were gone now. Would I like an amaryllis? I said, ANo thanks,@ because at home I was trying to resurrect last year=s amaryllis that had spent the summer in the fern border, and Mr. Crocker of the Victory Garden had advised I could get a second bloom out of it. Onto the second big boxer, where there was a well-stocked display of tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths, with a price tag of $6.98 for each package. I asked a clerk if she knew if they would be marked down later because two years ago they had been. I told her when I had checked last year, all the bulbs seemed to

have disappeared. She said that was because somebody, obviously not a gardener, had moved the bulbs to an un-heated part of the store where they had been frozen and then thrown out. AYou wouldn’t believe the waste around here,@ she added. I agreed. Hopefully to prevent that from happening again, I decided to either call or stop at the store when I had an errand nearby. At the end of September or early October, the bulbs had again been relegated to an unheated space, but it was still mild weather so I didn’t worry. The clerk that day told me that only the store manager knew when the bulbs would be marked down. I asked to see him but he was absent. Two more weeks passed. The manager still absent, I asked for the address of their regional office. Somebody was not paying attention and there was hundreds of dollars of merchandise that would go in the dumpster if it got cold enough to freeze very long. I didn’t write the letter but I did call. The weather was still mild, the bulbs were still in the back, and the price hadn’t changed. At the end of October, I called again and the clerk recognized my voice and gave me another piece of information. After my last visit she said she had found out that the store manager could not reduce the price until the company who had sold the bulbs, gave him and the other stores, permission to do so. So far, I had been told by two clerks that only the store manager had that ability. I had also been informed by another employee that those bulbs were part of the merchandise never marked down. I hung on, hoping. By the end of November, I had to pick up a pair of glasses nearby and decided to give it one more try. I called the store and a man in the plant department said the bulbs were still there and thought they had been marked down. When I approached the bins, there were still plenty of bulbs, but no sign of a price. I took two packages up to the front counter and asked, AHow much are these now? AWell, would you look at that!,@ she exclaimed. “They are only $1.75!@ AThere=s no sign back there to advertise that,@ I said. “How do you hope to get customers like

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me, if you don=t put up sign?@ What could she say? She said, AI know.@ AOkay, I said. AHold those two and I’ll be back.@ I had a ten-dollar bill and that covered my purchases for the day. I felt that I=d done some good by being persistent, but what else had I learned? I am not a difficult person to wait on and I=m civil when I ask a question, but it seemed that the policies of box stores are beyond the suggestions of customers and clerks, if either one cares enough to say anything. Big business cares about the bottom line but how they get there is their business. So I took my finds home and potted some up for nearby friends and relatives. I mailed some to others. I gave three to my faithful hair cutter. And yes, I did learn something from this. On reflection, it made me glad again, that when I was employed, it was once more in a business that did care. MSN

Green Burial: A Final Statement By Bernice Karnop For people who have lived in an environmentally sensitive way, a traditional burial at the end of life feels like a contradiction. Why put embalming fluid, casket metals, concrete vaults, and polished granite headstones into the earth? Why pollute the air with carbon dioxide by cremation? Many feel they don’t have much choice. States and counties regulate burials. Most cemeteries require a concrete vault, mowed, and watered grass, etc. But, more environmentally friendly options are emerging. While a true green burial may not be possible for everyone, people can find different levels of being environmentally responsible in their passing. Dahl Funeral Home in Bozeman, Montana, was one of the first in the state of offer natural burials,

MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 13

starting in 2007. Owner Irene Dahl is quick to admit they can’t offer a totally green burial. “It’s a process, not perfection,” she says. “Do what you can.” She points out that in the state of Montana bodies don’t have to be embalmed for burial. The law states that within 48 hours after death a person must be buried, cremated, embalmed, or refrigerated. Refrigeration will buy time. Unless the deceased has a communicable disease, open

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AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2014

wounds, or infections, a family may have a family viewing with the body. There is even good news for situations that embalming is required or desired, according to Dahl. Chemical companies today are offering more environmentally friendly embalming fluids. Funeral homes offer basic wood caskets but most cemeteries require an outer container to go around the casket. There are cemeteries, however, including Sunset Hills in Bozeman, which do not require a vault. A green burial in such cemeteries could use a plain wooden casket – no vault and a native rock headstone. Those looking for a completely green burial will find one in the Swan Valley in Montana and one near Leadore in Idaho. The Natural Cemeteries in the Swan Valley was set up by Peter Meyer and his parents, Henry and Joan Meyer, on their 120-acre plot of family land tucked between the Bob Marshall Wilderness and the Mission Mountain Wilderness areas. “It’s probably the nicest one in the lower 48 because of the location,” says Peter. Lion Creek, a major tributary to the Swan River runs through it. Bull trout spawn in it, and the area is home to elk, mountain lions, grizzly bear, and many other treasured Montana critters. Henry and Joan bought it when they were 19, for a staggering $2,000, built a log cabin and lived there simply and in harmony with the environment for the nearly 7 decades since. Although it is worth many times that purchase price, in the Meyers’ minds, the value of the land has little to do with money. They don’t want it developed, ever. And they don’t want their heirs fighting over it. They considered a conservation easement but found it wasn’t as secure as they wanted. Creating a natural cemetery they felt, put enough teeth into the agreement that it can never be developed. Peter takes the long view. He says, “In 200 years it will be like a beautiful park in the Swan.” Jim and Bonnie Lockes established Mountain View Green Cemetery on their ranch south of Salmon, Idaho, near Leadore. It’s on a sagebrush hillside near the Lemhi River with a backdrop of the Continental Divide. Those buried in the Natural Cemeteries are not embalmed. They may be placed in a simple wood casket, a wicker basket, or cardboard carrying box that may be purchased at a funeral home. The body may be wrapped in a blanket or shroud. Families are encouraged to plant a tree or native wildflower like bear grass or lupine at the gravesite, or they may place a flat native stone on the grave. The loved ones may also add a flat native rock to a peaceful memorial site consisting of a ring of sixfoot-high native rocks arranged near the creek at Natural Cemeteries. While the Natural Cemeteries don’t generally allow embalming, according to Peter, they would consider exceptions for such cases where the person needed to be transported a long distance, such as military personnel killed in war. State regulations in Idaho are similar to those in Montana. At Mountain View Green Cemetery, the Lockes have sold plots to people who request

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2014

burial in blankets, pine boxes, and mummy bags from the Army store. One person wants to be wrapped in an elk hide shroud. They can purchase a pine box from the Lockes for from $350 to $500 and also mark the grave with a natural stone or a planting. One of the challenges to creating the natural cemetery in Montana was concern for the resident grizzlies. Would they dig people up and be harmed by medical devices like pacemakers? No says Peter. The cemetery rules say they have to bury bodies six-feet deep in the rocky soil. They are very careful to protect the land, forest, wildlife, fish habitat, and the water quality. At Mountain View Green Cemetery, the Lockes don’t go quite as deep, about 4.5 feet. An important advantage of green burial is cost. Natural Cemeteries requires that one buy a membership for $50. The family may use a funeral home or lay the deceased out at home. They may have a service at home or elsewhere, and transport the body to the cemetery themselves. They may choose to have a funeral home care for the body and transport it. Natural Cemeteries opens and closes the grave for a charge of around $1,600. It is a non-profit cemetery and fees go to maintain the cemetery. At Mountain View Green Cemetery, one can lay a loved one to rest for as little as $750, which includes the plot and backhoe costs. “My reward is not financial,” Jim states. “My reward is helping people.” Natural Cemeteries did its first burial in 2007 but less than a dozen have been interred there so far. It is too far out for many and some simply aren’t into green burial, according to Peter. “It’s meant for people who like the environment and who view the traditional funeral as expensive,” he says. “A lot of Montana people have that mentality.” The Idaho cemetery hasn’t buried anyone yet, but has sold 11 plots. The Lockes have had people asking about their service from Boise, Pocatello, Blackfoot, and more. They even had one call from Washington, DC. Jim believes it’s the cemetery of the future, but right now people have a hard time changing the way things are done. He hears people say that this is how they want to go, but they don’t follow through and actually do it.

MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 15

“It’s pretty simple. Kind of like they did in the old John Wayne days,” says Jim Lockes. A few generations ago, this kind of burial where the body goes back to the earth naturally was familiar to folks. Funeral home owner, Irene Dahl is committed to giving people the options they want at the time of a death. They do about two green burials a year. Irene says green burial is part of her burial plans. She’s committed to a lifestyle of being as environmentally friendly as possible, and that includes having her body return to the earth without putting a bunch of chemicals, metals, or other things in to the ground. “I want it to be a little healthier for the environment and that means I will have a natural burial,” she says.

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For more information about green burials, contact Peter Meyer at Natural Cemeteries near Seeley Lake, Montana, 406-754-0136. Contact Jim Lockes, Mountain View Green Cemetery, Leadore, Idaho, at 208-768-7095, 208-768-7404, or visit mountainviewgreencemetery.com. Contact Irene Dahl at Dahl Funeral & Cremation Service, Bozeman, Montana, at 406-586-5298, dahlcares. com. Be sure to inquire about green or greener burial options available from your local funeral home. MSN

Just because everything is different doesn’t mean anything has changed. - Irene Peter

Passing The (Gas Grill) Torch Of course, it isn’t really the food, is it? It is the “happening” of it all - the people who are there, uncles and aunts, grandparents and cousins, neighbors, and friends. By Harvey Silverman, Senior Wire The backyard cookout. Half a century ago, it meant the three-legged grill, charcoal lit with crumpled newspaper, and a lot of blowing. My dad cooking the burgers, my mom’s homemade potato salad. The excitement when hearing the parental suggestion, “Let’s have a cookout.” Celebrate a birthday, or the Fourth, or a visit from family. Or just because. “The food tastes better,” they say, and I think so, too, whether by the power of adult suggestion or because it really does. Of course, it isn’t really the food, is it? It is the “happening” of it all - the people who are there, uncles and aunts, grandparents and cousins, neighbors and friends. Later, my dad discovers charcoal lighter. The burgers still seem to take forever to cook; my mom’s potato salad remains a constant. Still a “happening,” though the people who attend slowly change - there are births and deaths, marriages and kids, some people move away. Gradually, over a number of years, the location changes from my folks’ home to mine. I am the cook, the charcoal grill is now propane, the burgers cook faster, and potato salad is often store bought. Uncles and aunts are replaced by nephews and nieces, my folks are the grandparents, the cousins now include those of my kids. It remains a “happening” - really a tradition - even if an irregularly scheduled one. A time for family and friends coming together, to gather and visit, to catch up, to just enjoy each other. Different from Thanksgiving, or Christmas. More casual, it is outside, in summer, the food is simpler. New reasons to celebrate. A son goes off to study in Germany, another to work in China. A visit from a sister and brother-in-law from Australia. Graduations. Anniversaries. Retirements. We, my wonderful wife and I, continue this for years more. It is our pleasure, a happiness. Time passes. Age happens. It remains a joy but seems a bit harder. We are tired now at the end of the day. Our 20-something son and his wife invite us to their new home. Energetic and enthusiastic. A cookout. A celebration. Our 40th anniversary. I stand with him and watch him cook on his new gas grill. The menu changes to thick, well marbled steaks, shrimp, marinated chicken. The food is perfect... everything is perfect... perfect. With beverage in hand we toast him and her, and all mark and celebrate the passing of the (gas grill) torch. MSN

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2014

MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 17

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Leading Tanzanian Wildlife Safaris And Planting Trees: The Perfect Pairing For Doreen Stokes By Gail Jokerst / gailjokerst.com The animals initially lured Doreen Stokes to Africa in 1984 – the migrating wildebeest herds, rhinos, and prides of lions lolling in the savannah sunshine. But the hospitable impoverished villagers Doreen encountered on her first safari touched her heart. Meeting them prompted her to return to Africa six more times and eventually partner with Safari Legacy and World Discovery Safaris to lead some of their tours. It also prompted her to embark on a project she was well qualified to helm – reforesting an arid landscape. “On my first visit to Tanzania, I saw the imbalance created because so many trees were being harvested. Trees in a third-world country are a life-giving force. They provide fuel and fodder for animals, medicinals, and carving materials for art that will bring in income. However, the population was growing faster than the resources could stand,” notes Doreen, owner of Future Generations Reforestation, which plants trees for entities such as the BLM, USDA Forest Service, the state of Montana, and private industry. Over the past 30 years, this Plains resident estimates her company has planted some 10 million seedlings around the Pacific Northwest. Along with her husband, Jim, son, Ian, and work crews, she has helped restore toxic mining sites with mock orange, bitterbrush, and sage shrubs; rejuvenated trampled stream banks with willow seedlings; and repopulated clear-cuts with evergreens. So it is not surprising that the random logging she observed in Tanzania concerned Doreen. In addition, she noticed the meager resources available to the local Maasai tribe inhabiting the landscape. “These people are happy for what they have but they have so little,” states Doreen. “As Americans, we are blessed in so many ways. Even the poorest of us are rich in comparison to the people in a third-world country. I felt like I had to do something.” Consequently, when Doreen began leading safaris she included stops in Tanzanian villages, which acquainted Americans with the local populace. She soon discovered that the individuals on her wildlife safaris felt much as she did about Africa – very compassionate. And as her 15-day safari itiner-

ary makes clear, she presents ample opportunities for travelers to share their abundance, should they choose to. “The people on these safaris go to see herds of elephants and flocks of flamingos, the giraffes, cheetahs, and zebras but they end up introduced to the many different tribal cultures as well. They find it’s not about driving by the people and waving at them. They go to the schools and visit orphanages. When leaving the orphanages, even the most talkative groups are speechless,” says Doreen. “They see children wearing mismatched shoes and sharing beds and want to do what they can to help.” When Doreen learned that the owner of one of the safari companies she worked with had donated seven acres to build a school for Maasai children, she set a goal of planting 4,000 trees on the land. She knew that fig, acacia, and breadfruit trees would supply everything from shade, wildlife habitat, and food to replenishing soil nutrients. She also knew these hardy indigenous trees would fare well in a climate where it is dry for a good portion of the year. The project perfectly suited her tours considering that travelers could plant trees as part of their safari adventure. And she rightly suspected that participants might want to plant trees once they saw how much good that small contribution would make. But one obstacle remained before the project could fully move ahead – water. “The closest water source is a 50,000-gallon holding tank two kilometers away. We had to figure out how to get

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water to the school for the trees and for the children as none is available at the school. They have two latrines for 400 children and no running water,” explains Doreen. Additionally, the project will benefit the 3,000 Maasai making their home in this region of Tanzania. To raise the money needed to build the gravityfed system that will funnel the water to the school, Doreen mounted an Indiegogo online campaign. It garnered the $14,000 required to buy the equipment for installing the transport system. The villagers will provide the labor to dig the pipe trenches and cover them with dirt so meandering elephants and buffalo do not crush the pipeline. Although not everyone can afford to go on safari, Doreen points out there are other ways people can support her efforts on behalf of this magnificent landscape and the humble people who inhabit it. “Fifty cents will buy an entire outfit for a child in Africa – shoes, shirt, pants, socks,” says Doreen. For a dollar, we can plant and maintain a tree.”

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2014

Despite the Tanzanian reforestation project being only in its beginning phase, Doreen feels encouraged about its progress and attaining her goal. “Success in life isn’t about money and what you have,” she will tell you. ”It is about acting on your passion and accomplishing your goals. It’s

not the things you do that you regret but what you don’t do. For me, it just doesn’t feel right not to follow my passion.” To learn more about Doreen’s African safaris or about donating to the school, tree-planting project, or Tanzanian orphanages, contact Doreen at 406826-5766 or at herbs@blackfoot.net. MSN

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2014 AUGUST 15–16 Gates of the Mountains Cruise and Helena, MT. 22–23 Philipsburg, MT, 19th Century Mining Attraction SEPTEMBER 6–7 Lewistown Chokecherry Festival, Charlie Russell Chew Choo Train & prime rib dinner; ‘What the Hay’ Contest; Utica Annual Day Fair. 12 Heart Mountain & Cody, WY.  9–17 Italia Classica (Rome/Florence/Mogliano Veneto/Venice/Milan & more.) Including roundtrip air from Billings

19–27 20–27 22–23 24–Oct 4 30 – Oct 3

 New England & Canada Autumn Cruising. Trains & Canyons of the West (Utah, Colorado, New Mexico) Fall Colors in Yellowstone National Park and surrounding areas. The Legendary Blue Danube River Cruise SOLD OUT (Czech Republic, Germany, Austria, Slovakia & Hungary)  Norsk Hostfest, Minot, ND, featuring Daniel O’Donnell, Gaither Vocal Band, Doc Severinsen and many other great artists.

$295/ppd $278/ppd $334/ppd $148/pp $3689/ppd $1,499/ppd + air $1899/ppd + air $220/ppd $2999/ppd + air $898/ppd

Add $377 for single; deduct $12/pp for triple with 2 beds. $300 dep by 6/30/14; bal. due 7/31/14.

OCTOBER 6–13 13–15 18–31 DECEMBER 6–14 30–Jan 3

New England Autumn Foliage Rails & Sails. 3-Day Deadwood Getaway, SD Add $69 for single. Australia & New Zealand (begins in Sydney & ends in Rotorua, a geothermal wonderland; returns from Auckland, New Zealand.)

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Tropical Costa Rica! Including roundtrip air from Billings. Tournament of Roses Parade, California.

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2015 JANUARY 23 FEBRUARY 11 18

8-Day Baja California Cruise, featuring San Diego, Catalina and the Hotel del Coronado 3-Day Snowcoach in Yellowstone National Park 9-Day ISRAEL Tour, A Biblical Journey, featuring Tel Aviv, Jaffa, Caesarea, Acre, Nazareth, Cana, Capernaum, Bethlehem & Jerusalem Including RT air from Billings, if booked by August 18, 2014

MARCH 13

10-Day Hawaii by Land & Sea Including RT air from Billings, if booked by September 12, 2014

23 APRIL 7 9

10-Day Classic Italy by Rail 7-Day Civil War Series: SURRENDER AT APPOMATTOX 5-Day/5 Meals in New York City Includes Roundtrip air from Billings, if booked by Oct 2, 2014

MAY May 4 May 6

11-Day Tulip Time on the Romantic Rhine and Mosel River Cruise, featuring The Netherlands including Keukenhof Gardens, Germany, France & Switzerland 8-Day Cruising Ecuador’s Galapagos Islands 16-Day Heart of the British Isles Tour, featuring England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland Including RT air from Billings, if booked by 9/30/14.

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9–17 Italia Classica Group Destination Planners 12 Heart Mountain & Cody, WY Group Destination Planners 15–17 Deadwood Getaway Group Destination Planners 19–21 Coeur d’Alene Casino Big Sky Bus Tours 19–27 New England & Canada Autumn Cruising Group Destina tion Planners 20–27 Trains & Canyons of the West Group Destination Planners 9/22- Fall Foliage Tour 10/8 Minot Departure Satrom Travel & Tour 22–23 Fall Colors in Yellowstone Group Destination Planners

A&B TOURS PO Box 2176 Minot, ND 58702 701-852-8144 800-440-2690

23–24 CDA Casino Rocky Mountain Tours 9/26- Fall Foliage Tour 10/12 Satrom Travel & Tour 9/29- Blue Danube River Cruise 10/9 Satrom Travel & Tour 9/30- Norsk Hostfest, Minot, ND 10/3 Group Destination Planners OCTOBER 2014 6–13 New England Autumn Foliage Group Destination Planners 6–20 Safaris in Africa Doreen Stokes & World Discovery Safaris 6–22 Colors of the Carolinas A&B Tours 14–15 CDA Casino—Casino/Gaming Rocky Mountain Tours 18–31 Austrailia & New Zealand Group Destination Planners NOVEMBER 2014 1–7 Branson Country Christmas Satrom Travel & Tour 1–9 Branson Christmas Tours A&B Tours 12–14 Deadwood Getaway Group Destination Planners 15–23 Branson Christmas Tours A&B Tours 21–23 CDA Casino—Bingo/Machines Rocky Mountain Tours 28–30 The Grinch Escape Tours DECEMBER 2014 4–7 NYC Theatre Tour Satrom Travel & Tour 5–7 CDA Casino—Holiday Light Show Rocky Mountain Tours 6–14 Tropical Costa Rica Group Destination Planners 12–14 CDA Casino—Holiday Light Show Rocky Mountain Tours 12/30- Tournament of Roses Parade

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2014

Pleasant childhood experiences with a grandparent form some of the fondest and vivid memories that we have – instantly available to relive the warmth and love as though they were with you this moment. Smell the farm, feel the warm summer sun and the green glow of the vegetable garden, and taste the warm rich milk right from the cow – every sense alive in the presence of that wonderful grandparent who accepts you without condition and the burden of being a parent. Simply put, grandparents are the best! Remember them as you celebrate National Grandparents Day this year on Sunday, September 7. This issue’s winning Remember When selection is by Melanie Fennell of Great Falls who shares the love she felt for her grandparents and how they helped shape her childhood. Thank you, Melanie for sharing this memory with our readers. We have also included a piece by Kalispell’s Clare Hafferman, one of our regular contributing writers,

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who fondly describes her early memories with her very different grandmothers

Remember When contains our readers’ personal 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 October/November 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 406-761-0305. Visit us online at montanaseniornews.com.

Remember The Special Times With My Grandparents By Melanie Fennell, Great Falls When I think about growing up in a small town, I don’t think of a fishbowl, I think of my relationship with my paternal grandparents. I remember their modestly small, one-story house with its spacious backyard. And I remember their two dogs, Buckwheat and Tiny. Those two furry friends cemented in me a real love of animals. I remember the many family gatherings, and the many times it was just my grandparents and I. I remember the love. I remember being four years old and picking a handful of dandelions and other weeds out of Grandma’s backyard, running back to the house, giving a “bouquet” to Grandma. She smiled and put them in a vase, a mason jar with water in it. I felt so grown-up and proud. I remember the smell you could enjoy throughout the house of delicious home cooking. Grandma almost always made everything from scratch. I remember special times with Grandpa. When I was a baby and teething, he’d sit in his favorite wooden rocking chair and comfort me. And he let me chew on the arm of the chair. (To this day, my tooth marks are still there.) He called me, “his little chipmunk” and I loved

it. He also taught me for the very first time to cut the grass on their riding mower. He watched me carefully, yet with loving concern. He never disciplined me without letting me know how much he loved me. I was always so happy to please him! Grandma and I also had something special that was just ours, owls – her favorite animal. Everyone in the family knew this, so anytime I gave her a gift (birthday, Christmas, or whatever) it was always an owl gift. She always said it gave me a special place in her heart that I remembered. How I loved her! I remember being sick with a cold, and Grandma’s giving me weak tea and coca-cola syrup for my tummy ache, and letting me sleep in her bed. Her loving hands checking to see if I was hot with a fever. I was her grandchild. Whether I was visiting or staying overnight, it was always one of my favorite places to be. Not because of the house or yard, but because of Grandma and Grandpa. Whether helping them, being disciplined by them, laughing with them, or just simply being with them… the simple love of Grandma and Grandpa is one of my most precious memories. MSN

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PAGE 20 MONTANA SENIOR NEWS

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What My Grandmothers Taught Me By Clare Hafferman I had two grandmothers, but because they were widows, I did not know my grandfathers. My maternal Grandma Murphy was a small thin woman – a wonderful cook and baker and she did it all on a wood cook stove. If we had a family Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner, she would supply dinner rolls that could float to the ceiling. She also made nutmeg enhanced sugar cookies, which I often stopped to sample on my way home from school. She made her own mincemeat and served it in a tender flaky crust. She was also a woman with a sense of humor. One morning when I had slept over at her house, I spied a piece of that pie and asked her if I could have it. “Go ahead,” she said. “Only Irishmen eat pie for breakfast and you are one, so it’s yours.” She lived in a two-story brick house at 601 West Main in Bozeman. Supposedly, it was the oldest house in that part of town. To be truthful, Grandma Murphy was a snoop. I remember once when Mother and I had stopped to see Grandma and she wanted to show Mother a letter she had picked out of the garbage and Mother said, “I don’t want to see it!” That taught me two things. Grandma was a snoop, and my Mother, probably suffered from that as she grew up. Mother never read any letters we got from other relatives or friends without our permission. Nor did she check our drawers to see if we We Preserve the were hiding something. Knowledge, Stories & She trusted us to live Wisdom of a Lifetime by the rules she had already given us, and she was not interested in snooping. Grandma Belshaw lived in what would now be called low-income housing. She had a two-room apartment on Main Street above a drugstore and soda fountain. The bathroom

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for her apartment was down the hall. In the bigger room, there was a large window with a view of the alley and the garage where she kept her Model-T Ford – her method of escape if she wanted to go to the library. This grandma liked music and books. In the first room of her apartment was a couch that served as a bed and a closet for her clothes. The room had a small table for her telephone, and one corner held a wind-up Victrola phonograph that had the circle of a little dog listening to his master’s voice. Next to the Victrola was a stack of records. She would let me wind up the phonograph, carefully put down the arm with the needle, and then I would listen and memorize the words. One song I remember in particular was The Big Rock Candy Mountain. This all came back to me years later while listening to Montana Public Radio from Missoula. As Burl Ives was singing, “And the little streams of alcohol, Come trickling down the rocks,” I could sing right along. Grandma Belshaw’s second room was mainly a kitchen with a dining table. She had a small icebox for milk and eggs, and she cooked on a two-burner kerosene stove. I remember walking up the block with Grandma to the bakery to get day old bread and an occasional jellyroll or doughnut. Then there was a Farmers Market on Saturday on Main Street. We usually came home with cottage cheese and sometimes with especially good chicken and dumplings. My sister Judy would sometimes join me on a visit to Grandma’s. When the weather was good, Grandma would make a picnic lunch of peanut butter sandwiches, hard-boiled eggs, and lemonade to take to one of the city parks. Grandma would watch as Judy and I played our games. On other days, we would go to the library and check out books. Grandma had an ample lap and if I found a good book, she would read to me as long as I wanted. She liked to read and I liked to listen. She was a perfect child entertainer. She read me all the Mother Goose stories, which I think were excellent for a child’s memorization. I learned a lot from both my grandmothers. From time spent in Grandma Murphy’s kitchen, I learned the pleasure of cooking and baking, and from Grandma Belshaw and our trips to the library and every band concert, I learned to love books and music. I was very fortunate in life to have had two such good and loving teachers! MSN

Senior Advocate Introduced Legislation to: Increase the property tax credit for low income Seniors from $1,000 to $1,500 If you’re looking for an apartment and you can’t get in—because of the barriers like steps, steep slopes, and lack of curb cuts—or if you find the kitchen or bathroom is not accessible, please call. The Fair Housing Act requires most multi-family dwellings built since March 13, 1991, to be accessible to people with disabilites. We will investigate to make sure the building complies with federal law.

Montana Fair Housing (406) 782-2573/MT Relay 711

Increase public paratransit funding for Seniors and the disabled ELECT BRIAN

Senate District 13 Open Minded • Balanced • Informed Paid for by Hoven for Legislature • Cheryl Nelson, Treasurer • P.O. Box 506 • Great Falls, MT 59403 • 761-8533

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2014

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Competitors Met At Senior Olympics In Great Falls

The more I want to get something done, the less I call it work. - Richard Bach

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Little’s Lanes in Great Falls hosted these funloving bowlers at the Montana Senior Olympics. Left to right are Cheryl Rounds and Betty Marshall, from Chester; Betty Heil, from Pahrump, Nevada, but who used to live in Roy; Doris McCorkindale, from Lewistown; and Dick Moore from Missoula. Betty Marshall started bowling when they opened the bowling lanes in Rudyard in 1959. It’s her fourth year at the Montana Senior Olympics, and last year talked Cheryl into joining her. Dick Moore (89) and Betty Heil (85) also competed in a soggy golf game at the Olympics. Betty, who’s been in the Senior Games almost since they started, adds shot put, javelin, and discus to her entries. Dick, wearing his Honor Flight T-shirt, took the trip for World War II veterans to Washington, D.C. in 2014. He was a B-24 bomber pilot in Italy during the war, was called back up for Korea, and then served in Viet Nam. He retired to Missoula and has been competing in the Montana Senior Olympics for 25 years. [Photo by Bernice Karnop]

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Anything is more fun when you do it with friends – Missoula swimmers Charlotte Orr, Suzanne Schweitzer, Dolores Malovich, Brad Leonard, and Cookie Grimes with Lucy Keller (seated) and Sue Falsey (beside her) (not shown is Larry Shaw who was warming up for a race). Their first decision a year ago was to improve their swimming skills. Lucy Keller, who is their inspiring swim teacher at the Peak, challenged them at that time to compete in the Montana Senior Olympics. “We’ll swim if you will,” they said, and that’s how they all ended up at Great Falls High, having a whale of time. When asked how old they were, one gal teased, “We’re all over 50!” Some of the group competed in other events including running and cycling. Brad Leonard competes faithfully in triathlons, and will be at the national triathlon competition in Milwaukee, Wis. in early August. After that, he’ll go to the World competition in Edmonton, Alberta, in late August. He earned first place in the triathlon at Nationals when they were held in Palo Alto, Calif. Brad grew up in a small town in Rhode Island. He says he was too small for football and too short for basketball. “I was not good at anything so I decided I might as well do everything,” he says with a laugh. He and his wife retired to Missoula eight years ago. [Photo by Bernice Karnop]

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Carol Nelson from Salmon, Ida. played pickle ball in the Montana Senior Olympics in Great Falls in June. The Montana Games are a qualifier for the National Senior Games in Minneapolis next summer, and Carol plans to be there! Carol is shown here with her pickle ball partner, James Edwards of Billings. Although they don’t match in size, they did match in competitive spirit. She learned to play pickle ball eight years ago in Apache Junction, Ariz., where she and her husband winter. Before retiring, she raised Holstein calves. Growing up on an Ohio dairy farm, she loves calves and loves being active. “Now that I found pickle ball I don’t need dairy,” she jokes. [Photo by Bernice Karnop] (Continued on page 34)

“Experience All Things Fly Fishing” by the IFFF Livingston Montana will be the scene for the International Federation of Fly Fishers (IFFF) 49th annual International Fly Fishing Fair. Fly fishers from across the United States and the around the world will be meeting to celebrate “All Things Fly Fishing” on August 5-9, 2014. The exhibit hall will be open August 7-9 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. All activities will be based at Park High School, 102 Vista View Drive in Livingston. With over 90 workshops and clinics on casting, fly tying, and on-water fishing techniques, this is a premier event dedicated to the art and sport of fly-fishing. Well-known instructors, Bob Jacklin, Wayne Luallen, Frank Johnson, Floyd Dean,

Bruce Richards, Molly Semenik, Charles Jardine, and others will teach educational workshops. The workshops are designed to appeal to a broad range of fly-fishing interests and skill levels. In addition, the fly fishing fair features exhibits with the latest in gear, outfitters, conservation information, and other topics. While attending the Fair, come visit the IFFF Fly Fishing Museum located at 5237 US Highway 89 South #11. Hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, year-round. Get complete details at www.fedflyfishers.org or call 406-222-9369. MSN

Trying to Keep My Eye on the Prize By Ernie Witham Great news for the suppliers of ace bandages, ibuprofen, ice packs, and physical therapists everywhere... I’m playing golf again. It’s not that I’m a bad golfer; I’m just a bit inconsistent. I can hit a long drive straight down the fairway then skull my approach shot right into the woods. Sometimes my pitch shot bounces off two or more trees, ricochets off a large rock, careens off my forehead, and ends up on the green three feet from the pin. I can then easily four-putt. So, knowing that I’m not a championship-level hacker, my first inclination was to say no to my buddy Roger when he asked if I wanted to play in a celebrity fundraising tournament at Sandpiper, a course that offers not only regular hazards but also the opportunity to hit the ball into the Pacific Ocean on many holes.

But then Roger said, “It’s the Santa Barbara Vintners Golf Tournament so there’s free wine and lunch.” “Well. Seems like my civic duty then.” I got there early so I could support three local wineries: Foxen Vineyard, William James Cellars, and Jaffurs Cellars. They were each offering tastings of about six wines. I went around four times, realizing after my 72nd tasting that I had “parred” the wine tasting. I tried high-fiving other participants, but without a lot of success. Many of the wine offerings were pinot noirs. There were no merlots. That’s because it was the tenth anniversary of the movie Sideways and Rex Pickett, who wrote the novel that became the movie, was the tournament host. Rex is a good golfer. In one scene in the movie, Miles (Paul Giamatti) and Jack (Thomas Haden Church) are playing the 8th hole at the Alisal River Course in Solvang. When the impatient group behind hits up on them, Miles takes their ball and drives it right back at them, hitting their golf cart. Only Paul Giamatti couldn’t hit a golf ball to save his life. So Rex is actually the one who hit that ball that hit the cart. I know because I was there that day as an extra, or as they more aptly referred to me “background” because I am so far away I could have been naked and no one would have noticed. Other guest celebrities that played in the tournament included Richard

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2014

Karn (Home Improvement), Don Ford (LA Lakers), Kathleen Bradley (The Price is Right) and Lydia Cornell (Too Close For Comfort). They also had contests like Closest to the Pin, Longest Drive, and Longest Putt, a Sideways knowledge trivia contest, and a $30,000 car for a Hole-in-One on the 18th hole. Plus, they were selling raffle tickets for a bunch of prizes, including a $20-per-ticket grand prize, which I entered because the proceeds benefitted local charity Santa Ynez Valley People Helping People, and because I’d had a lot of wine (I was now quite a few tastes over par). Fortunately, just before we teed off I got in line for the Georgia’s Smokehouse truck for my free lunch. I got a very nice kale salad... okay, so I didn’t get a salad, I got the largest pulled pork sandwich they had with a bucket full of hush puppies, which I got all over myself, the golf cart and several other participants on the next fairway. Each group was supposed to include one of the celebrities and I had

MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 27

worn my Montecito Journal hat just in case they were a celebrity short. “Hi Ernie Witham here. Ernie’s World? You’ve probably heard of me.” “No. Nope. Not really.” I was a bit disappointed, partially because my buddy Roger was one of the negative votes. Fortunately, it didn’t matter because we had Kathleen Bradley in our group. She had been one of “Barker’s Beauties” on The Price is Right. And she was a very good golfer. Our foursome ended up just one over par. We didn’t win, but we all had a good time. After the round was over, there was more free wine, sandwiches, and prize drawings, including the grand prize of two nights stay at the posh oceanside Bacara Resort, a free dinner in their Bistro, a free wine tasting, and a free round of golf for two at Sandpiper. And... I won! I hope I can help at future charity events. MSN

Club Car Tip Sheet for Buying a Golf Car From Craig’s List or E-Bay –Avoid Buyer’s Remorse With These 6 Tips Pre-owned golf cars can be great investments, or they can be rolling money pits. According to Ray Bentley, director of aftermarket sales and operations at Club Car, most pre-owned golf cars sold by wholesalers and dealers are former fleet electric cars, reconditioned for personal use. This often includes a speed upgrade. “Make sure the car you buy has a maximum speed of 20 mph. Anything over that can lead to legal and safety concerns,” Bentley says. Bentley also suggests buyers: • Identify a clear serial number. This reveals the origin of the vehicle. If the number has been hidden or removed, the seller may be trying to hide something. • Determine the age of the batteries. The batteries are the most expensive components on electric cars. Lift the seat and find the month and year of

manufacture. Look for a car with batteries that are no more than two years old. Months are represented by letters, with A for January and L for December. Years are designated by numbers, with 1 standing for 2011, 2 for 2012 and 3 for 2013. • Check the batteries. Look for leaks and corrosion and make sure the battery fluid is clean and clear. Inspect the battery cables and ask if the charger shuts off automatically when the batteries are charged. This is a better option than a manual timer is. • Inspect the body and frame. Look for misuse, rust, or body damage. Look underneath the car for welds or other signs of frame damage. If possible, buy a car built on a rustproof aluminum frame. • Make sure the vehicle has taillights, turn signals and other safety gear required for street use. • Look for tire wear. MSN

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AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2014

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Max MacNamee Is Butte’s Bibliophile Article & Photo By Connie Daugherty Everyone who has anything to do with books in Butte, especially used books, knows Max MacNamee – just Max to most. He is a wanderer, a collector of stories, both in print and in bars. Max has worked with nearly every library book sale since he moved to Butte in 2000. He is well acquainted with the owners of the used bookstore, Second Edition Books. He buys books, he sells books; he totes books from one place to another collecting donations and helping to set up book sales. Max is truly Butte’s best bibliophile buddy. Max grew up in New York, “right on the Canadian border.” He could look out the windows of his childhood home and see Canada. As a teen, he would take the ferry across the St. Lawrence River into Canada just to be doing it. He especially recalls “the last ferry in the fall and the first ferry in the spring.” There was something meaningful and symbolic about these crossings for the young man. He tried going to law school, but that didn’t work out. It was 1966 and, with the threat of the draft looming, he tried the Air Force. That didn’t work out and he found himself in Washington, D.C. for a while in the early ‘70s. Then he moved to Connecticut and eventually wandered into a newsroom. “I knew that was where I belonged,” he says. He recalls the noise – the sound of voices and manual typewriters. He remembers how glamorous it seemed for a young man who loved words and stories. He wrote book reviews and some humor articles – didn’t much like the role of a traditional reporter. He did however, like working as a copy editor. He held that job for several years. “It was something I could do, something I loved doing,” he says. Max also loved wandering – not traveling in the formal sense, but rather going from place to place without a definite plan or destination in mind. “I would work for five years then take five years off to travel,” he recalls. Another reason he liked the newspaper business in the day – you could do that. He’d pick up jobs doing just about anything as he wandered. He even wrote the “great American novel.” “At least that’s what my resume says,” he jokes. While he did write a book, Max was more willing to put his time

and energy into searching out already published treasures than in publishing his own work. So, as he traveled he would buy books and sell books, something he had been doing since his college days. “It paid some of the expenses and I love buying things,” he says. But, having lost everything including about 3000 books when his apartment burned Max learned not to trust things. And while he still thinks about what he lost, he has come to value the act of “letting it go” even more. The buying and selling of books, like the copy editing, was something he could do and do well because of his love for books and his innate sense of what other people wanted. “Buy a book in one state and sell it for a profit in another state and pretty soon you’re in business,” he explains. He made some mistakes, but had more successes. “You learn what you’re doing. And it’s a fun thing to do.” He was a book dealer without the encumbrances and overhead of a store. He was always on the lookout for a treasure – a unique collectible treasure tucked away on the shelves of a used bookstore. That was – and still is – part of the adventure of it all for Max. Then about 20 years ago when he saw computers take the glamour, the tradition, and the fun out of the newspaper business, Max retired. He

MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 29

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eventually headed west. He recalls driving across Canada then dropping down through Montana on his way to Laramie, Wyoming where he had worked during a previous expedition. He stopped in Butte just to look around. That was fourteen years ago and he’s been here since. “The people were friendly and it was fairly inexpensive,” he says. Although Butte cannot claim to be a Mecca of great literature, it is a place with great stories and Max could never resist a good story. “This is one of the reasons I spend a lot of time in bars,” he says. “Everyone in the bar has a story.” And they are usually good stories. “Particularly if you’re Irish – an Irishman had a duty to make his life more interesting for other people than it has been for himself,” Max, who has traced his ancestry back to 1100 in Ireland, insists. With plenty of bars, Irish, and near-by mountains to hike, Butte seemed to be a perfect place to stop. During his time traveling and selling books, Max got involved with library book sales. “Instead of standing in front of the doors waiting for them to open, I’d be inside looking out and getting to look at the books before anyone else did,” he says. He worked library sales throughout

the United States and Canada so it seemed only natural that he would volunteer to help with the public library sale in Butte. For the past fourteen years, he has been a mainstay in the library sales. “Nothing good happens to a book in storage,” he insists. He sorts, totes, and sets out books for sale. He is also often there to help clean up after it’s all over. Eventually he discovered the Friends of Montana Tech Library book sale and began volunteering there as well. “My specialty is old books,” he says. “The older the better.” So he helps researching and valuing the older books that have been donated. Like with the Butte Public Library, Max has become a fixture at the Montana Tech Library book sale. Because he still loves to buy things, he routinely attends yard and estate sales, especially if the sale might include books. “If you go everywhere you find them; though I don’t keep anything very long,” he says. Even at seventy-one, Max MacNamee will go just about anywhere to find that treasured book and then make sure it gets out there for the world to share. MSN

Exploring Uptown Butte By Connie Daugherty Every community has its old part of town, generally called the “downtown.” You know the place; it was once the thriving business district before malls and big box stores. Now it’s where the old buildings sit – some of them run down, some restored and divided into offices or boutiques, a few of them the same as they were 100 years ago. In Butte this old part of town is called the “uptown” not because it is or ever was classier than any other part of town, but simply because it was up hill from the rest of the town as it grew. It is also called “the hill” to distinguish it from “the flats.” It extends from the old business area through a residential section of old mansions and hotels to the Montana Tech campus on the west. Old mine head frames abound. It is also distinguished from the residential areas to the north – Centerville and Walkerville, which is its own incorporated town. Let’s face it; Butte has its own language and its own way of looking at things. And Uptown Butte is perfect example of that unique perspective; it is also part of the nation’s largest National Historic District. There are new restaurants like the Pita Pit, organic food options like the Hummingbird, and

old established favorites like Gamers or the Uptown Cafe. There are new bars like the Quarry (locally brewed beer) and Head Frame Spirits (local distillery) and old bars like the famous M & M, Mahoney’s, and lots more. There are bookstores, boutiques, and antique shops. There are the requisite renovated and restored buildings and too many empty buildings. Uptown Butte is where nothing is happening and where everything is happening depending on your perspective and the time of the year. In the summer, Uptown Butte is where everything is happening. It is where the history is kept and memories are made. The local Farmer’s Market closes down two blocks for about four hours every Saturday morning from May until the end of September. While Butte admittedly does not have many local farmers, two blocks of spaces are regularly filled with artisans and crafters as well as growers from the area and from as far away as Dixon or Conrad. Uptown Butte is the place to be on Saturday morning. In July and August the summer festivals – all free of charge – come to the Uptown and once again streets are closed to traffic but teeming with people. The Montana Folk Festival begins the whole thing in early July – with international folk music on five stages covering about a square mile area. The picturesque Original Mine Yard stage with its grassy hillside is on one end and the dance pavilion with an expertly constructed wooden dance floor under a big tent is on the other. In between are tents and open stages with constant music, talks, and activities. There is a craft market and food and drink vendors are everywhere. It is for music what Sturgis is for motorcycles. Uptown Butte has its motorcycles too. The last weekend in July is Evel Knievel Days. Named for

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the famous Butte daredevil, this is a weekend of motorcycles and dirt bikes and stunts galore. Just as much fun, and just as entertaining as the music festivals, it is also the place to be. Uptown Butte is back to music the second weekend in August (8-10) with An Ri Ra, a festival dedicated to the Irish â&#x20AC;&#x201C; music, history, and language classes. This is more about being Irish than drinking Irish as internationally renowned bands and dancers perform beside local entertainers while families â&#x20AC;&#x201C; from the grandparents to the babies â&#x20AC;&#x201C; sing and dance, eat, and share stories. It always feels like a great big Irish family gathering and this year the entire venue will be held on the Original Mine Yard grounds with no charge for admittance. Between festivals â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and year round â&#x20AC;&#x201C; you can explore the history of Butte with the guides from Butte Historical Tours â&#x20AC;&#x201C; from the underground speakeasy to the Dumas brothel, building ghost signs, and historic mansions. Book a

MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 31

stay at the Clark Mansion â&#x20AC;&#x201C; built by copper king, William A. Clark and now a museum and bed and breakfast. Stop by the Butte Silver Bow archives with its rooms of historic documents to research, not only Butte, but also Montana history. After the excitement and fun of the festivals die down, Butte people continue to gather in Uptown. There are monthly art walks. There are more concerts and outdoor movies on the lawn at the Original Mine Yard. There is a pumpkin patch in the fall. Winter is a time for the locals to gather in Uptown Butte for the Christmas Stroll, Festival of the Trees, the ice carving competition, the Chinese New Yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s parade, or just a Friday night out with friends. Something is always happening in Uptown Butte where the past and the future meet. MSN

United Way of Butte and Anaconda Helps So Many in Need Did you know that United Way of Butte and Anaconda provides grant money to 20 different Agencies in Butte and Anaconda that provide as many as 26 different programs? United Way funding to partner Agencies provides shelter and food for the homeless; a safe haven for women and their children who are victims of domestic abuse; programs with activities for community members with developmental disabilities; summer camp for children from low-income families; classes to help develop parenting skills â&#x20AC;&#x201C; to name just a few. Through donations and pledges, United Way relies solely on the generosity of corporations, small businesses, and very importantly, individuals such as you. How can you help? You can donate to United Way of Butte and Anaconda

Bob McMurray Is Mining the History of Butte Article & Photo By Connie Daugherty Bob McMurray didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t grow up in Butte â&#x20AC;&#x201C; he was born in Sharon Pennsylvania, he didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t grow up with an interest in history, and he was never much for talking in front of groups. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I barely passed high school history,â&#x20AC;? he says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;And I flunked speech class.â&#x20AC;? Now this tall, thin, unassuming man spends his days immersed in Butte history. As owner and main guide of Old Butte Historical City Tours, he talks to groups of people every day as he leads them through often hidden, and always interesting, historical landmarks of Butte. Part of what makes these stories of Butteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s past so intriguing is Bobâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s presentation and his obvious love of the history. The light in his eyes and the excitement and enthusiasm in his voice are infectious. When Bob isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t guiding tourists he is working hard at researching and preserving that same history. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It just sucks you in,â&#x20AC;? he says. And he is determined to save the unique past that is hidden away in Butte. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This stuff needs to saved and shared,â&#x20AC;? he insists. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want Butteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s history to get lost.â&#x20AC;? A self-described â&#x20AC;&#x153;tinkerer,â&#x20AC;? Bob has always been good with his hands, always creative, always clever. He recalls taking an engine apart when he was thirteen, putting it back together again, and getting it running perfectly. But it is with his talent

by making a secure payment online at www.uwbutteanaconda.org You can also send a check to United Way of Butte and Anaconda, 1880 Harrison Ave, P.O. Box 4447, Butte, MT 59702. Ninety-nine percent of the money donated stays here in Butte and Anaconda! What a great way to help those less fortunate than to have donated money stay in our communities! If you would like to learn more on how you can Give, Advocate and Volunteer, please call FREE ADMISSION 406-782-1255! MSN

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PAGE 32 MONTANA SENIOR NEWS

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2014

as a carpenter that he found his true calling – even though he had been told he could never make a career as a carpenter. An accident when he was five-years-old left him blind in one eye. “I walked into the middle of a race riot in Pennsylvania coming home from my first day of first grade,” he says. “I was pronounced DOA at the scene,” he adds. With three doctors working on him they managed to not only save his life, but the eye as well. “It’s my own, but it’s useless,” he explains. He spent several months in the hospital, much of it in total darkness as he recovered. “I don’t remember ever seeing out of two eyes,” he adds. His limited physical vision did not stop Bob’s mental vision. His ability to visualize, create, build, and even invent comes from his heart and his clever mind. “Know your limitations, but always try to surpass them,” is Bob’s motto. And one he seems to live by. Being told in high school that he would never be able to work as a carpenter because of his sight, made him even more determined to succeed. “It blew people’s minds that I was left handed, blind in my left eye, and I was a FROM IRELAND carpenter swinging a hammer. I was able to Open Hours train myself to where I Monday...........12–5 could take a 16-penny Tues–Fri..........10–6 nail and hit it and bury it in one swing.” Saturday...........10–5 He can read blue Sun.........Seasonally prints and draw blue 131 W. Park | Butte prints; he thought about 406-723-1183 being a structural encountryceltic.com gineer for a while, but was always drawn back into hands-on construction and carpentry. He built several houses, Bob . Back in the game | Butte, Montana often coming up with the practical adjustments necessary to make speBob was coaching college football when an accident during cial construction cona tough practice left him with a broken pelvis and injured cepts possible. Bob has shoulder. Learn how he quickly returned to the game, at that unique ability to montanaorthopedics.com determine a potential structural problem, visualize a solution, and (406) 496 - 3400 then make it all come

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together. His exceptional carpentry skills got him into working with hazardous material containment when the construction industry slowed down. His tinkering skills – or visionary thinking – led him to design and build practical mobile containments for the complex process of “chasing a pipe” as they cleaned up sections of contamination. He was the superintendent of abatement and clean-up projects and his solution earned him a letter of commendation from the Rocky Mountain Arsenal. It was while he was living and working in Denver that he met his wife, Debbie and he eventually followed her to Butte. Like the adventurous explorers who settled Butte 150 years ago, they selected a place on the map and headed out. Then when health issues for Debbie and another accident for Bob made it difficult to continue in their careers, they created themselves a new path. “We’re adaptable,” he says. They opened a small shop selling handcrafted Montana made products and collectibles. Debbie managed the shop and Bob did remodeling of the store. A couple years later, they joined forces with another newly established business, the Butte Historical Walking Tours. They moved to a new building, and eventually took over the tours business as well. And it has been growing ever since. “We’ve added new tours, and new sites to the old tours,” Bob says. In doing the remodeling work necessary to get their first store going, Bob discovered his first nugget of historical artifacts. Then he started working with Denny Dutton, who had established the Historical Walking Tours and was introduced to Butte’s history. Bob’s carpentry skills came into play again, as he helped to repair some of the old historic buildings and in the process he discovered more hidden treasures. “Some of the stuff we’ve found, most people didn’t even believe existed.” One thing, one discovery, led to another, and he was hooked like a miner following a shining vein of ore deeper into the mountain. Graffiti on basement walls, labeled bottles and boxes, invoices and business ledgers, walled over doors – each added a piece to the story. “Like a jigsaw puzzle, it just clicked and fit,” he says. Debbie continues to manage the shop and set up the tours. Bob guides the tours and is constantly working to make hidden away places, especially the underground museums, accessible. He has done lots of clean up, wiring, and lighting in order to open up new areas, especially of the underground museums.

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;Basically we are stabilizing whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s there and keep it all as original as possible,â&#x20AC;? he explains. Butte has become home to both Debbie and Bob McMurray and because the community is home, and the unique history of the place is im-

MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 33

portant to them. So Bob will continue mining for historic treasures in basements, behind walls, above ceilings, and he will keep telling the stories that bring those treasures to life because you never know what he might discover next. MSN

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Will we ever find a home?â&#x20AC;? Big Hole Battlefield National Monument Revisited Photos & article by Dean & Nancy Hoch Considered the site of one of the most devastating battles fought between Native American tribes and U.S. Army forces following the Civil War, what occurred at the Big Hole Battlefield in Western Montana marked a major turning point in the battles that shaped the American West. This dark spot in American history took place during an early morning surprise attack led by the U.S. 7th Infantry on August 9, 1877, and is often referred to as â&#x20AC;&#x153;the last Indian Battle.â&#x20AC;? Out of the band of 800 men, women, and chil-

dren of the Nez Perce tribe who were camped in this spot, approximately 90 were killed, while 31 soldiers also died. For a period of two years, from 1885 to that fateful date in August, as they struggled to find a home, this band of 800 beleaguered Native Americans had been pushed by U.S. military forces from Northeastern Oregon, through Idaho, and into Montana. Following the battle, the remaining members of the tribe struggled to reach freedom in Canada but were stopped a final time by the U.S. military, and it was here that Chief Joseph declared, â&#x20AC;&#x153;[ ]I will fight no more forever.â&#x20AC;? The generally peaceful Nez Perce were obviously tired of being on the run with skirmish after skirmish and battle after battle on their 1,170-mile trek. Small wonder a little Nez Perce boy would say, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Will we ever find a home?â&#x20AC;? This home for a time was to be in Oklahoma where many died. However, in the century after the great dispersion of the tribe, the Nez Perce have increased to over 5,000 members residing on three reservations in the Northwest. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Holeâ&#x20AC;? in the context of the Big Hole Battlefield derives from a French term referring to a valley set among high mountains, as in Jackson Hole, Wyoming and other such mountain towns and villages. In other words, a large valley becomes a hole. While summertime is the most hospitable for hiking the area of this battlefield, wintertime is also great for quiet, undisturbed reflections in

the recently redesigned battlefield museum and for thoughts of members of the Lewis & Clark expedition who passed through this same part of Montana. This, of course, was the return trip of the explorers from their conquest of the American West in the early years of the 1800s. A recent wintertime visit was special because we were the only guests at the site on a cold March afternoon. The nearby mountains were snow-covered, and the actual field of battle white with snow. We had Park Ranger and Superintendent Steve Black all to ourselves to take us on a tour of the impressive museum and answer our many questions. We also felt unrushed watching the 26-minute video of what happened in this spot sacred to the Nez Perce tribe. In explaining the significance of the site, Black related â&#x20AC;&#x153;how incredibly special the site is to a lot of people â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a meaning to them beyond words â&#x20AC;&#x201C; that in spite of the tragedy of what happened here over a hundred years ago, the Nez Perce people are alive and well, and many come back to honor those that died here.â&#x20AC;? The battlefield is located about 85 miles southwest of Butte near Wisdom. You will enjoy driving along the scenic Big Hole River as it winds through valleys crested by lushly forested mountainsides. August 9 of each year is a good day to get a greater feel for the day the battle occurred. De-

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scendants of the Nez Perce survivors meet and the peace pipe is smoked, indicating a willingness of the tribe to accept what occurred in years past â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and to move on into the future. For more information, visit www.nps.gov/biho/ index.htm or call 406-689-3155. As an aside, when we left the monument, Ranger Black advised us that anyone can volunteer to work six hours a day, four days a week, to help host the site. Jobs can be anything from welcoming groups, to deskwork, to cleaning bathrooms, or whatever. Pay is $10 a day, but most of the reward is in just being a part of a great American historical site. MSN

PAGE 34 MONTANA SENIOR NEWS

Senior Olympics

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2014

- continued from page 26

At the Montana Senior Olympics in Great Falls, Larry Seekins (70) and James Edwards (59) of Billings, relax between bouts on the pickle ball court. James is a tennis player, but after watching pickle ball, he asked Larry to teach him. Now the former basketball player says pickle ball is his number one sport. “I love the game. I can grow old with it,” he says. He stays young as youth director at the YMCA where he serves as coach, referee, and instructor of kids and adults for a list of different sports. Larry taught James play pickle ball only nine months before the Games in Great Falls. “Now he beats me,” he says. He’s not the first to do that. Of the hundreds that Larry’s taught to play this fastest growing sport among seniors, three have become national champions. “I get them started and they just take off,” he says. He also helped introduce pickle ball to the Huntsman Games 13 years ago. This year the Huntsman limited the number of pickle ball players to 500 people. They were already full when they printed their brochures this year. Larry started playing after reading about it in a newspaper in 1977. He didn’t play it right, he admits, but when they moved to Hillsboro, Oregon, he took lessons. Now he does know how to play the game correctly. Before he started playing regularly the former Forest Service employee was out of shape and unwell. Today he’s exceptionally well. “Pickle ball saved my life!” he says. It’s a happy sport, according to Larry for three reasons. Competitors always come in at least in second place, players get a full body, low impact workout, and finally, they get to play with great people. “Psychiatrists would be out of work if everyone ate Dairy Queen and played pickle ball,” Larry jokes. [Photo by Bernice Karnop] Ted Nyquist (79), here warming up for the basketball shooting competitions at the Great Falls High gym, was attracted to the Montana Senior Games more than a decade ago after reading about the basketball shooting events in the newspaper. His love for the game started as high school player in Boulder, which he still considers a great little town. Later, rather than taking jump shots, Ted jumped from airplanes to put out forest fires. As a smokejumper he was able to rebound from some tense situations. In 1964, a piece of the propeller flew off the Ford tri-motor plane in which he and a team of smokejumpers were riding. It threw the plane off kilter and it shook like a jackhammer. The disabled engine came loose and fell off, and eight men jumped out. Ted stayed aboard to help the pilot who knew they had one chance to land safely, and that was to put the erratic machine down in the Elk City mill yard. They needed to thread the plane between two piles of logs. The pilot managed to do that, but when the plane landed, the tire, which had been hit by the falling engine, blew out. The plane pivoted 270 degrees but miraculously they survived. A flying propeller fragment hit the gas tank, made a deep crease, but failed to puncture it. The men who jumped also survived, despite one man’s dodging deadly flying debris. Ted looks forward to a reunion of smoke jumpers in 2015 in Missoula. [Photo by Bernice Karnop]

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2014

MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 35

Helenaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Montez Melech Keeps Adding to her Rich Store of Memories By Bernice Karnop him. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t do that! You have to talk nice!â&#x20AC;? she said. Montez Melech is 94 years old and an avid Montez has many good memories of their ten and bowler. Sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s at the Sleeping Giant Lanes in Hel- a half years together. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We laughed all the time. ena at least three times a week Laughter is so good for us,â&#x20AC;? and travels to tournaments she says. around the state, including to Attitude has so much to the Montana Senior Olympics. do with life, according to MonHowever, she didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know the tez. She wishes she could tell first thing about bowling for the people who donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get along first 75 years of her life. Two of that itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not worth it. Be happy. her brothers suggested she try Get along. it after she lost her husband of Montez has always loved 52 years. They thought it would people. She credits growing not only be good exercise but up in a loving family. She was also a good opportunity to be born in Livingston where her with people. Montez loves to dad worked for the Northern be with people. Pacific Railroad. He had two So she went out and bought sisters, her maiden aunts, who a ball, shoes, and a bag. And Montez Melechâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s grandfather told her to read a lot. They asked if they then she said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Now what am I live with one foot in this world and one in could name the baby girl Mongoing to do? I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know how the next. â&#x20AC;&#x153;When your time is up, just shift tez. It annoyed her as a child your weight and walk on in.â&#x20AC;? She apprecito bowl.â&#x20AC;? The pro introduced ates his wisdom more now that she is a to have people always asking her to a man who gave les- youthful 94 years old. He said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Plan today her to repeat it, but now sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sons. His name was Larry and like you are going to live forever and live fond of her unusual name. today like you are going to die tomorrow.â&#x20AC;? he was very nice. Because of Montezâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s reâ&#x20AC;&#x153;He seemed to think I was spiratory problems their doctor a natural,â&#x20AC;? she says with a laugh, â&#x20AC;&#x153;but maybe he suggested they move to a lower elevation. They was just making points.â&#x20AC;? They bowled and traveled moved to Oklahoma, where her dad worked for to tournaments together, and yes, she admits, farmers. The Great Depression meant troubleâ&#x20AC;&#x153;Pretty soon it developed into something pretty some times. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t buy a job if you had a special.â&#x20AC;? They married a couple of years later, with the blessing of all of their children. Montez became a good bowler. One time For All Your Railing Needs... she threw five strikes in INTERIO3 t &95&3*OR a row. RESIDENTIA- t $0..&3$*AL â&#x20AC;&#x153;What are you doing?â&#x20AC;? Larry asked. $BMM 5PEBy! â&#x20AC;&#x153;Well, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m talking to Senior Discount my ball,â&#x20AC;? she replied. He turned to his ball &,(E&'*E#+,& v and said a few choice words before she stopped

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AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2014

million bucks to pay for it,” she says. Worries were the parents’ concern, but as a child she remembers it as a great time of family fun and closeness. In the winter they sat around the fireplace cracking nuts, eating popcorn, and pulling taffy which their mother made from sorghum molasses. The children had no overshoes but their dad cut strips of burlap and wrapped them around their pants legs and feet to keep the snow off when they walked to school. They all got good grades. “Mom and dad saw to that!” she says. When a preacher came to their church Dad hitched up the wagon and filled it with straw. The services were in the evening so the kids piled into the wagon and snuggled into the blankets. She remembers the feeling of peace and security as they rode home in the dark. Her mother and dad sang while the youngsters listened and watched the night sky until their eyelids dropped. Her dad walked to work. The kids sat on the front porch and waited for him to come home in the evening. Before he came into sight, they could hear him singing. They nearly burst with excitement because, “Daddy’s almost home.” Her mom created good meals out of little or nothing, she says. Her mom’s brothers had good jobs in the oil fields and they sometimes sent her money. Montez still remembers the banquet of pork chops and mashed potatoes they enjoyed after one of these gifts. Another longed-for treat on the table that day was catsup! A real luxury. Her parents raised eight children to be good citizens. Behind the good behavior were rules and certain helpers to reinforce the lessons. When her older brother decided he’d try smoking a weed, he sent Montez into the house for matches. He climbed up into the hay loft and was ready to light up when mom, who must have suspected something, appeared. She saved the barn that day and Montez, who was six at the time, remembers the incident clearly. “That razor strap carried a bite!” They moved to town so the kids could all attend high school. Montez received a scholarship and attended Oklahoma Baptist University for one

year. When her parents moved back to Montana in 1940, she left the University to go with them. In Livingston, she met a young man at church who was visiting his parents from Iowa. They fell in love and he never returned to Iowa. They married in 1942, when she was 23 years old. After Pearl Harbor, he signed up for the service. To her relief and his annoyance, they wouldn’t take him because of his ulcers. Instead he worked on a government project at the mines south of Columbus, constructing buildings. They lived in a cold trailer court and she walked half a mile to work in a restaurant. It was a scary walk in the dark through the crunchy snow, but she got used to it. They moved to Helena in 1954, where they raised their son and daughter. Montez worked for the Department of Public Instruction before she retired. Montez relishes her loving heritage, and says it’s the way families should be. But her eyes don’t linger in the rearview mirror. Right now, she’s busy with wedding plans for her granddaughter who lives with her. She loves to drive her car to her son’s Lewistown cattle ranch where she can sit and look at the green hills and see the new calves. After the wedding she’ll fly to Portland and visit her brother and his family; she’ll drive to Great Falls to visit her sister-in-law; and she’ll spend a week with family in Arizona so she can catch up with the friends she and Larry made when they spent winters there. She has great grandchildren in Billings and Spokane whom she adores. She uses her computer but insists, “I don’t have time to sit in front of it all day!” Another thing she doesn’t have time for is worry. “There’s no point in it. You don’t gain anything.” She prays instead, and loves to go to church. “I really depend on God for so many things and he’s never failed me,” she says. And she bowls. Bowling gets her out with people and lets her forget her troubles if she has any. The doctor who repaired a hole in her heart recently confirmed that bowling is one of the best exercises you can do because it exercises both your upper body and your lower body. “I always bowl whenever I get a chance,” she says. MSN

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Running With Music - continued from cover musical opportunities in the process of getting his bachelorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in education, Rob says that he really learned to teach during the two years he took off to serve a mission for his church in New England. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I developed people skills,â&#x20AC;? he says, â&#x20AC;&#x153;and learned to show respect for everybody.â&#x20AC;? Respect for everybody, his personal love of music, a gently persistent work ethic, and the determination to provide his students experience as well as knowledge are what make Rob Loveridge a teacher of the year. His ability to inspire rather than simply instruct is what changes an ordinary classroom experience into something extraordinary. Rob remembers many special moments and experiences he had as a student and eagerly works to create something similar for his students wherever he is teaching. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fun to share that knowledge with my students,â&#x20AC;? he says. From his earliest days of teaching in small Montana towns, he had his students traveling to various parades and competitions in the northwest. He would bring in professional musicians like Buddy Rich when he could. Then while he was teaching in Sheridan, Wyoming, he discovered the national competition in Orlando. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t beat it,â&#x20AC;? he says. The bands compete in a national music festival with other bands from all over the country. They are judged by adjudicators from prestigious universities. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s really hard to score high,â&#x20AC;? he says. This spring two of the Helena High concert bands and the jazz band all received superior ratings in Orlando. Even the freshman band received an exceptionally high rating. It was a fantastic year all the way around and Rob insists all the credit goes to his students and their hard work discounting his own hard work in preparing for their moment to shine. While music, teaching, and performing are

definitely integral to who Rob Loveridge is, he also appreciates his quiet, alone time. He had always enjoyed hiking and getting outside. In his thirties he started running, â&#x20AC;&#x153;casually to relieve stress,â&#x20AC;? he says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a good time to think, a good time to meditate.â&#x20AC;? It wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t something he worked particularly hard at, but he always thought about maybe running a marathon. Then in 2005, he became seriously ill and nearly died. When he finally recovered months later, he started running and training seriously. In 2007, he ran in his first Governorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cup. Since then he has run 33 marathons all over the country including four times at the Boston marathon. He remembers seeing the Boston marathon for the first time in 1975 when he was on his mission and thinking that it might be fun someday to run in it, never really thinking that he would. Now, â&#x20AC;&#x153;running down those streets almost gives me chills,â&#x20AC;? he says. Rob won several of the 33 competitions in which he has participated and placed in several others. Even when he doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t win or place, he knows he has succeeded just because he has completed the journey. The discipline and the ability to escape into the rhythm of a piece that he learned through years of playing and teaching music, Rob has brought to his running. He runs in the morning and then again in the evening. He runs every day in all kinds of weather.

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“I love running in snowstorms… when it’s 20 below,” he says. This past January he participated in the Dopey Challenge at Walt Disney World. “In four consecutive days I ran a 5-k, a 10-k, a half marathon, and a marathon,” he explains. He won his division in the 10-k. He proudly shows his championship trophy with Minnie Mouse on the side. He ran in the Governor’s Cup again this June and hopes to “run the Boston marathon when I’m eighty.” Meanwhile he will continue to teach, to share special moments with Brooke and their children and grandchildren, and to embrace the song that is his life with its high notes and low notes, soft, gentle tones, and crashing crescendos.

He thought about being a lawyer, but he couldn’t leave the music, “it’s so addictive.” He thought about going into administration (and got his Masters degree in 1982) but he couldn’t leave the classroom and the students. “I embrace the kids. Money cannot compare to when you’re teaching kids and you see them feel the joy of a great performance.” He is exactly where he belongs and has been there for over thirty years – a seemingly ordinary man accomplishing the extraordinary simply because he cares. What is truly extraordinary about Rob is not the Teacher of the Year award, nor the dozens of trophies from his marathon wins – what is extraordinary about Rob Loveridge is the influence he has on every life he touches every day. MSN

Explore Science And Understand The World ExplorationWorks, Montana’s Science Center in Helena, knows how to help visitors of all ages have fun with science. The great thing about science is that it’s with you from the moment you’re born and you can’t possibly out-grow it! At ExWorks, we begin introducing kids as young as 18 months to science and technology and we’re especially proud of our Science for seniors and Explore After Hours programs for parents, grandparents, and seniors. Visiting with your grandkids? Little Sky Country is especially for the pre-K crowd. Depending upon the season, you may encounter a hive of bees busily creating Helena honey or watch trout hatchlings gradually grow to releasable size in Montana’s rivers. Navigate the physics of water at our water table and experience hurricane force winds. Design your own air pathways at the Air Maze. Wear your creative hats designing reverse designs at the Pin Impression Board. And while you’re here, enjoy PerkWorks

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coffee cart featuring a wide range of beverages custom crafted to your specifications. You never know what you will encounter at Montana’s Science Center in Helena. Come explore with us! To stay in touch with our exhibits and programs, visit explorationworks.org, follow us on Facebook, or call 406-457-1800. MSN

MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 39

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“The Magic of Music” Brings a Joyful Note To National Assisted Living Week, September 7-13, 2014 By Bernice Karnop “The Magic of Music” is the focus for National Assisted Living Week this year. According to the National Center for Assisted Living’s Executive Director, David Kyllo, the musical theme “celebrates the role music plays in the daily lives of assisted living residents.” The American Health Care Association (AHCA), a non-profit federation of health care organizations, established National Assisted Living Week in 1995. Music is amazing stuff. It’s fun, but more than that, it is downright transformational. It connects patients to their family and to their faith. It reduces pain and anxiety. It has the power to dredge up forgotten memories, deliver comfort, and elicit a grin. Over a million Americans need assistance with daily living needs, including the elderly, disabled veterans, and others. The AHCA provides education, information, and tools to encourage quality care and quality of life for this vulnerable population. During National Assisted Living Week families, individuals, businesses, and the public are encouraged to recognize and appreciate not only the folks in assisted living, but also the health care professionals who provide daily care for them. So put a song in the hearts of residents and the staff who serve them. Bring cookies, flowers, or other tokens of appreciation during National Assisted Living Week – or any time of year. A simple visit adds a joyful note, not only to the resident but also to the workers who care for them. MSN

Structured physical activity program can help maintain mobility in vulnerable older people A carefully structured, moderate physical activity program can reduce risk of losing the ability to walk without assistance, perhaps the single most important factor in whether vulnerable older people can maintain their independence, a study has found. Older people who lose their mobility have higher rates of disease, disability, and death. A substantial body of research has shown the benefits of regular physical activity for a variety of populations and health conditions. But none has identified a specific intervention to prevent mobility disability. In this large clinical study, researchers found that a regular, balanced, and moderate physical activity program followed for an average of 2.6 years reduced the risk of major mobility disability by 18 percent in an elderly, vulnerable population. Participants receiving the intervention were better able to maintain their ability to walk without assistance for 400 meters, or about a quarter of a mile, the primary measure of the study. Results of the large clinical trial, conducted by researchers at the University of Florida, Gainesville, and Jacksonville, and colleagues at seven other clinics across the country, were published online on May 27, 2014, in the Journal of the American Medical Association. The researchers were supported by the National Institute

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on Aging (NIA) and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) of the National Institutes of Health. “We are gratified by these findings,” said Richard J. Hodes, M.D., director of the NIA, which was the primary sponsor of the trial. “They show that participating in a specific, balanced program of aerobic, resistance, and flexibility training activities can have substantial positive benefits for reducing risk of mobility disability. These are actionable results that can be applied today to make a difference for many frail older people and their families.” The Lifestyle Interventions and Independence for Elders (LIFE) trial included 1,635 sedentary men and women aged 70-89 at risk of disability, who were randomly assigned to a program of structured, moderate-intensity physical activity or to a health education program focused on topics related to successful aging. The diverse participants were recruited from urban, suburban, and rural communities. Participation in the study averaged 2.6 years. The physical activity group of 818 people gradually worked up to the goal of 150 minutes of weekly activity, including 30 minutes of brisk walking, 10 minutes of lower extremity strength training, 10 minutes of balance training, and large muscle flexibility exercises. Their programs took place at a clinic twice a week and at home three or four times a week. The 817 people in the comparison group participated in weekly health education workshops for the first 26 weeks, followed by monthly sessions thereafter. They also performed five to 10 minutes of upper body stretching and flexibility exercises in each session. Participants in both groups were assessed every six months at clinic visits. Adherence to the program was measured by attendance at sessions and by questionnaires in which participants recorded the number of hours per week that they were physically active. In addition, participants’ activity was recorded for one week during each year of the trial through an accelerometer, a small belt device that measures physical activity.

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“At the beginning of this trial, all the participants were at high risk for mobility disability,” said Evan Hadley, M.D., director of the NIA Division of Geriatrics and Clinical Gerontology. “At the start, they were able to walk about a quarter of a mile without a cane, walker, or help of another person. But they did have sedentary lifestyles and low scores on some standard physical tests that measure risk for disability. The study shows it is never too late for exercise to have a positive effect for a significant portion of frail older people.” Principal investigator Pahor noted that participants attended more sessions and stayed in the study longer than anticipated. He also noted that people in the intervention group were very enthusiastic about the exercise program. “When we finished the exercise program at our site, the people were so disappointed that the classes were over,” he said. “We know that many of them are continuing to exercise and we are so pleased that they have kept up with this.” In 2011, NIA launched Go4Life®, a national exercise and physical activity campaign, based on previously demonstrated benefits of exercise for healthy community-dwelling adults age 50 and older. The LIFE study adds to that evidence with findings that older people vulnerable to disability can also be included among those who could reap rewards from regular physical activity. Go4Life® emphasizes endurance, strength, flexibility, and balance exercises. For additional information, go to www.nia.nih.gov/go4life. Part of the National Institutes of Health, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) plans, conducts, and supports research related to the causes, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of heart, blood vessel, lung, and blood diseases; and sleep disorders. The Institute also administers national health education campaigns on women and heart disease, healthy weight for children, and other topics. NHLBI press releases and other materials are available online at www.nhlbi.nih. gov. MSN

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Montana Independent Living Project By Tami Hoar – Program Director Montana Independent Living Project (MILP) is a nonprofit agency that promotes independence for people with disabilities. Any individual of any age or any disability or chronic health condition may receive services through MILP. Independent Living can mean many things to many people, but for thousands independent living simply means having equal access to the same opportunities as the rest of society. MILP services include Information and Referral, Independent Living Skills Training, Individual and Systems Advocacy, Peer Mentoring, Orientation and Mobility, Self-Directed Personal Assis-

tance, and Home Modification and Accessibility. All information obtained from the referral, assessment and provision of service delivery process is held in strict confidence. Payment for MILP services may come from several different resources including the consumer; health and liability insurers; workplace benefit resource programs; and/or state and federal assistance programs. A MILP Independent Living Specialist is available now to assist in identifying, applying for, and securing all benefits for which an individual is entitled. Contact MILP at 1-800-735-6457 or visit www.milp.us. MSN

Exploring A Legal And Ethical Gray Area for People with Dementia Should advance directives enable people with dementia to refuse food and water as a means of hastening their death? Commentaries and a case study examine potential benefits and harms. (Garrison, NY) Many of the legal and ethical options for refusing unwanted interventions are not available to people with dementia because they lack decision-making capacity. But one way for these people to ensure that they do not live for years with severe dementia is to use an advance directive to instruct caregivers to stop giving them food and water by mouth. This is an ethical and legal gray area explored in commentaries and a case study in the Hastings Center Report. People with decision-making capacity have the legal right to refuse treatment of any kind and voluntarily stop eating and drinking. In states where physician aid in dying is legal, people with decision-making capacity who are terminally ill can ask a doctor to help them end their lives. For people who lose decision-making capacity, an advance directive can express their wish to refuse life support, including a feeding tube. But

it is questionable whether there is a legal right to use an advance directive to refuse food and water given by mouth when a person can still swallow but lacks decision-making capacity. In the lead article in the May-June issue, Paul T. Menzel and M. Colette Chandler-Cramer express support for such directives and say that they “are arguably already legal” because they follow logically from the legal rights to refuse life support and to voluntarily stop eating and drinking. Menzel, a professor of philosophy emeritus at Pacific Lutheran University, and Chandler-Cramer, a retired physician assistant and a member of a hospital hospice team in Washington State, propose guidelines for implementing such directives to guard against misunderstanding and abuse, and they offer a sample advance directive. A commentary by Rebecca Dresser calls the proposal “both appealing and unsettling.” Dresser, who is Daniel Noyes Kirby Professor of Law and Professor of Ethics in Medicine at Washington University in St. Louis, writes that this use of an advance directive “is appealing because it offers some relief to people seeking to avoid the prolonged decline and extreme incapacity they have witnessed in relatives and friends with advanced dementia,” but she cautions that it fails to protect incompetent patients. A case study with

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commentaries concerns a 75-year-old woman with Alzheimer’s disease who, in discussions with her husband, “was adamant about not coming to the point where she would be unable to recognize herself, her husband, or their son and daughter.” She made a plan voluntarily to stop eating and drinking (VSED) on a specific date. “She asked her husband to promise, should she ever waver and request nutrition or hydration, to remind her of the reasons she had chosen for pursuing this path,” said the case study. However, after voluntarily stop-

MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 43

ping eating and drinking, the women asked her caregivers – friends and hired professionals – for food and drink. While she sometimes exhibited decision-making capacity, she often did not recall having chosen VSED. The commentaries explore whether health care workers can follow a family member’s request to honor their loved one’s VSED plan when the patient’s advanced dementia makes disciplined voluntary action difficult. The commentaries are written by Ross Fewing, director of ethics at St.

Joseph Medical Center in the PeaceHealth System in the Pacific Northwest; Timothy W. Kirk, an assistant professor of philosophy at City University of New York, York College; and Alan Meisel, the Dickie, McCamey and Chilcote Professor of Bioethics and professor of law at the University of Pittsburgh Schools of Medicine and Law. The entire report is available at www.thehastingscenter.org/Publications/HCR/Detail. aspx?id=6876 or contact the Hastings Center at 845-424-4040 for additional information. MSN

Understanding Hospice Care and Medicare Coverage By Ron Pollack Medicare hospice benefits are available to patients who are eligible for Executive Director, Families USA Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) and who are certified as having six If someone in your family needs hospice care, this column explains what months or less to live (if the illness runs its normal course). Patients must it is and what Medicare covers. sign a statement choosing hospice care instead of other Medicare-covered What is hospice care? benefits to treat the terminal illness. Hospice care is a program of care and support for patients who are terIt is important to remember that Medicare will still pay for covered benminally ill. These patients may no longer want to try to cure a terminal illness, efits for any health problems not related to the terminal illness. Medicare or their doctor may have determined that efforts to cure an illness are not will also pay for a one-time only hospice consultation, and it will pay for this working. To qualify for hospice care, the patient’s regular doctor and a hospice medical director must certify that the patient is terminally ill and has six months or less to live. A decision about hospice care can be emotionally difficult for the family, and the patient should be part of this decision whenever possible. What is the goal of hospice care? The goal of hospice care is to help patients who are terminally ill live comfortably. Hospice services may include physical care, counseling, drugs (including pain medication), and other treatments that can help a person feel more comfortable physically and at ease emotionally. Hospice care can include doctor and nursing services, home health aide and homemaker services, social worker services, IMBER REEK ILLAGE grief and loss counseling, and short-term care in a SSISTED IVING OMMUNITY medical facility for pain and symptom management. Columbia Falls & Havre Care is generally given in the home but can also be provided at an inpatient facility. Columbia Falls 406-892-3400 | Havre 406-265-3111 What Medicare benefits are available for www.timbercreekvillagecommunity.com hospice care?

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consultation even if the patient does not go into hospice care. Once a patient is certified as having six months or less to live and has pro-actively chosen hospice care, Medicare covers a full package of services related to hospice care. There is no deductible or upfront amount the patient must pay before coverage begins. The copayment or charge for each prescription drug or for products for pain relief and symptom control cannot be more than $5. All services a patient receives while in hospice care are covered under original Medicare, even if the patient has a Medicare Advantage plan (like an HMO or PPO). If the patient has original Medicare and a Medicare supplemental policy (Medigap), the Medigap policy covers copayments and charges for drugs and respite care. And the Medigap policy covers health care costs not related to the terminal illness. What are the terms and conditions for hospice care? Once a patient chooses hospice care, Medicare will no long cover treatment or prescription drugs intended to cure the terminal illness. However, hospice patients always have the right to stop hospice care at any time. At that point, health care for the terminal illness and services not related to that illness are covered as usual under Medicare.

To qualify for Medicare hospice coverage, a patient must get hospice care from a certified hospice provider. Once that hospice provider is chosen, all care for the terminal illness must be given or arranged by that provider. A patient can’t get the same type of hospice care from a different provider unless the patient officially selects a new hospice provider. Medicare does not cover room and board if a patient is receiving hospice care in the home, in a nursing home, or in a hospice inpatient facility. If the hospice team determines that the patient needs short-term inpatient care (or if the patient’s caregiver needs respite services) and the hospice provider arranges the stay in a facility, Medicare will cover the ambulance transportation and stay. Respite care for the caregiver is covered for up to five days. (Respite care is temporary care provided so that a family member or friend who is the patient’s caregiver can rest or take some time off.) Respite stays can be covered by Medicare more than once, but they can be provided on an occasional basis only. There may be a small copayment for the respite stay. For more information about Medicare rights, visit Medicare.gov/appeals or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users can call 1-877-486-2048. MSN

Living Well With Parkinson’s Disease By Lisa M. Petsche Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a chronic, progressive disorder involving damage to nerve cells in the brain that control muscle movement. According to the National Parkinson Foundation, 1.5 million Americans currently have the disease and approximately 60,000 new cases are diagnosed each year. Incidence increases with age and the majority of cases develop after age 60. The main symptoms of PD are shaking (known as tremors), slow movements, rigidity (due to muscle stiffness), and balance problems.

Other symptoms may include low energy, loss of coordination, loss of facial expression, difficulty initiating or continuing movement (freezing), stooped posture, a shuffling walk, decreased speech volume, and depression. Early symptoms are subtle and may be overlooked. Diagnosis follows a thorough examination by a neurologist, who may order tests to rule out other conditions with similar features. Although symptoms and rate of progression vary among individuals, usually PD advances slowly and patients can lead active lives for many years. While no cure exists, medications are available that alleviate the symptoms. In cases where medication does not work, surgery may be considered. Lifestyle modifications are an important part of any treatment plan. Upon diagnosis of a degenerative condition such as PD, patients typically experience shock or disbelief. Subsequent emotions may include anger, fear, anxiety, and sadness. Once they accept the reality of the disease, they can focus on taking control of their situation as much as possible. If you have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, here are ways to empower yourself mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Mental well-being Learn as much as possible about PD and its management, and educate family and friends. Be receptive to learning new ways of doing things. Concentrate on what you can rather than cannot do. Recall past life challenges and how you over-

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AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2014

came them, to remind yourself of your resilience. Cultivate an attitude of gratitude. Learn to live in the moment and enjoy lifeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s many simple pleasures. Find role models such as celebrities or other people who are living well with PD, from whom you can draw inspiration. Emotional self-care Allow yourself plenty of time to adjust to your illness and the changes it necessitates. Recognize that your family and friends will also need time to adjust. Let them know how you wish to be treated, and keep the lines of communication open. Find an outlet for expressing your thoughts and feelings. Consider attending 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. 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. Seek help from your family doctor or a counselor if you continually feel sad, angry, or overwhelmed. Depression is highly treatable. Spiritual well-being Set aside quiet time each day, to nurture your spirituality and help keep you grounded. Do things that provide you with meaning and purpose, such as writing a family history or helping someone. If applicable, turn to your religious faith for comfort and strength. Practical tips for daily living Because PD is incurable, the goal, from a medical perspective, is to achieve the highest possible level of functioning and prevent or minimize complications. The following are some strategies that can help. Find a neurologist whom you respect and trust. Follow the management plan prescribed by health professionals, which might include medication, diet changes, exercise, rest, adaptive aids, lifestyle changes, stress management techniques, and regular medical check-ups. Let them know right away if the plan is no longer working. Join an exercise class for people with PD. To locate one in your area, call the American Parkinson Disease Association at 1-800-223-2732 or go online to www.apdaparkinson.org. Use a cane or walker when recommended, to minimize the risk of falls. If mobility issues prevent you from getting around in the community, rent or buy a scooter or wheelchair. Set up a record-keeping system to organize your health information. Ready-made products can be found in office supply stores and bookstores. Do as much for yourself as possible. Set priorities, simplify tasks, and learn to settle for less than perfection. Find substitutes for enjoyable activities you can no longer engage in.

Top Ten Recommendations For Dementia Eldercare By Jacqueline Marcell, Senior Wire When people hear about what I went through during the year of caring for my elderly parents, they often ask what I would do differently if I had to relive the experience with the knowledge I have now. I sigh and say, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Oh, if only I could. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d know exactly what to do to help my parents much sooner and I would be able to save so much time, money, and a fortune in Kleenex!â&#x20AC;? If you are heading into the eldercare years, please learn from my mistakes and do not reinvent the wheel. Here are my top ten recommendations: 1. Consider buying long-term care insurance while everyone is healthy. 2. Consult an elder law attorney to get all legalities done â&#x20AC;&#x201C; durable powers of attorney for health and finances, as well as living wills, trusts, etc. 3. Realize when your elder says and does things that strike you as strange or illogical or irrational â&#x20AC;&#x201C; they are! Do not wait and just chalk it up to old age or second-guess yourself. Call the Alzheimerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Association (800-272-3900) and ask for a referral to a neurologist specializing in dementia who will perform a battery of blood, neurological, and memory tests to diagnose accurately what type of dementia it is. 4. Ask the doctor about the medications Aricept, Exelon, Razadyne, and Namenda, which can mask and slow down dementia symptoms, keeping a person in the early stage longer. Make sure vitamin B-12, folate, thyroid, and depression are checked, which can cause dementia-like symptoms. Have the doctor evaluate all medications for interactions. Optimize nutrition and fluid consumption. 5. Ask the doctor to consider prescribing an anti-depressant for your elder if needed, which will help to smooth out bad moods. And if you need an anti-depressant for yourself â&#x20AC;&#x201C; get one! 6. When dementia surfaces, live in your elderâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s reality of what is true for them at the moment. Do not argue, question, or try to force logic or reason. Agree and use calm non-threatening body

MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 45

Just do not overdo it. Make your home as safe as possible â&#x20AC;&#x201C; for example, remove scatter mats and install handrails along stairs. Arrange for an occupational therapist to perform a home assessment, to identify hazards and recommend ways to carry out daily activities more easily and safely. If your homeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s accessibility is inadequate, renovate or move before a crisis develops. Accept offers of help and ask for assistance as needed. Research services in your community that can help you now or in the future. Lisa M. Petsche is a medical social worker and a freelance writer specializing in health and senior issues. MSN

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PAGE 46 MONTANA SENIOR NEWS

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2014

Discover Americaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Favorite Assisted Living Communities Emeritus Senior Living ÂŽ

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language, while you distract and redirect their attention to things they are interested in. Get them reminiscing about the old days, thus capitalizing on their long-term memory. 7. When illogical demented episodes surface, realize that your loved one may be trying to work through unresolved issues of a lifetime. Validate their frustrated feelings, go with the flow, and do not contradict, which may help them bring some degree of closure to difficult past experiences. 8. Enroll your elder in adult day health care, where professionals are trained to manage dementia patients. By maintaining a daily routine and keeping loved ones engaged during the day, everyone will sleep better at night. 9. Call your Area Agency on Aging and the Eldercare Locator (800-6771116) for resources, and attend a support group regularly. 10. Shift your perspective to being grateful for the lessons you are learning, even though they are hard. Celebrate the life that is left and stop focusing on the dying. You are required to make sure your elderly loved ones are safe, that they have good doctors and the right medications, but you are not required to let caregiving destroy your life â&#x20AC;&#x201C; nor would they want that for you. Jacqueline Marcell B.S. is an eldercare advocate, author, speaker, and radio host. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Elder Rage, or Take My Father... Please! How to Survive Caring for Aging Parentsâ&#x20AC;? was selected by the Book-of-the-Month Club. MSN

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and one bedroom apartments Studiosavailable for seniors. For more info please contact us at: 406-228-2208 or visit us on the web at: www.prairieridgevillage.com | Glasgow, MT

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Submitted by Julie Hollar The following are actual comments made by a number of police officers in the line of duty. They were transcribed from actual police car videos or radio transmissions. 1. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You know, stop lights donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t come any redder than the one you just went through.â&#x20AC;? 2. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Relax, the handcuffs are tight because theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re new. Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll stretch after you wear them a while.â&#x20AC;? 3. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If you take your hands off the car, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll make your birth certificate a worthless document.â&#x20AC;? 4. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If you run, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll only go to jail tired.â&#x20AC;? 5. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Can you run faster than 1,200 feet per second? Because thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the speed of the bullet thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be chasing you.â&#x20AC;? 6. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know how fast you were going? I guess that means I can write anything I want to on the ticket, huh?â&#x20AC;? 7. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Yes, sir, you can talk to the shift supervisor, but I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think it will help. Oh, did I mention that Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m the shift supervisor?â&#x20AC;? 8. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Warning? You want a warning? Okay, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m warning you not to do that again, or Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll give you another ticket.â&#x20AC;? 9. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The answer to this last question will determine whether you are drunk or not. Was Mickey Mouse a cat or a dog?â&#x20AC;? 10. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Fair? You want me to be fair? Listen, fair is a place where you go to ride on rides, eat cotton candy, and corn dogs, and step in monkey poop.â&#x20AC;? 11. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Yeah, we have a quota. Two more tickets and my wife gets a toaster oven.â&#x20AC;? 12. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In God we trust, all others we run through the NCIC.â&#x20AC;? (National Crime Information Center) 13. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Just how big were those â&#x20AC;&#x153;two beersâ&#x20AC;? you say you had?â&#x20AC;? 14. â&#x20AC;&#x153;No sir, we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have quotas anymore. We used to, but now weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re allowed to write as many tickets as we can.â&#x20AC;? MSN

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2014

Food Fantastic – The Las Vegas Restaurant Scene Can’t Be Beat By Kim Thielman-Ibes The transformation of Las Vegas from gangsters and gambling into a world-class destination resort would not have been complete without the parallel gastronomic evolution of the ubiquitous buffet. Las Vegas has come a long way from that first 1940s buffet – El Rancho’s, all-you-can-eat-for-a-buck Midnight Chuck Wagon Buffet – created to entice patrons to stay into the wee hours of the morning. Those early feasters would hardly recognize today’s Vegas buffets with swanky furnishings, upscale clientele, sophisticated menus, and eye-popping abundance. But it is not just the buffet that has undergone a delectable metamorphosis. The world’s top chefs have flocked to Sin City, from James Beard award winners and Michelin stars, to celebrity chefs. Today, the food scene in Las Vegas is reason alone to venture into this veritable Mecca for foodies. With over 1,450 restaurants and 258 buffets, choosing is not easy. Hmmm… fine dining or that dinner hot spot? Power lunch or check out Gordon Ramsay’s Pub and Grill? Maybe the basics and a simple buffet? Whatever your inclination, here are a few selections to get your taste buds moving towards these well-set tables. A moveable feast, akin to what royalty may have experienced in the old world, is simply called The Buffet, a fine dining experience in the luxuri-

ous Bellagio memorable for its high quality faire and excellent service. “The key for us is the involvement of our employees,” explains Bellagio’s Executive Chef, Edmond Wong, “They’re involved, happy, and take ownership in what they do, insuring that even as big as our buffet is, every little detail in its preparation and service is important.” From grilled vegetables to tempura rolls, beef tartar to pizza, American, Chinese, Italian, Japanese, and Chinese – experienced chefs are behind each specialty. Their caviar tray was voted best dish in all of Vegas for 2013. “It’s like an orchestra,” adds Wong, “Each of our chefs has their own experiences and strengths, commitment and passion for food, and that’s what it’s all about.” Under Chef Wong, The Buffet has introduced a unique twist on the buffet experience with the Chef’s Table complete with a chef attendant, tableside carvings, and unique desserts – including a dark chocolate fondue from the 2012 American Chocolate Master Chef. “It’s meant to be an interaction between the chef and the table,” says Wong. Prices for the Buffet run from $18.99 for Breakfast, $22.99 for lunch, $33.99 to $39.99 for dinner, and $53.99 to $59.99 for the Chef’s Table.

The Montana State University Billings Foundation presents

An Evening with

Rudy Giuliani Thursday, October 2, 2014

Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani will speak at the Big Horn Resort in Billings. Tickets are $75 each, with dinner at 7 p.m. We expect to sell out, so call 406.657.2244 today to order tickets. Join our Chancellor’s Circle with a $1,000 contribution to the MSUB Foundation and have the opportunity to personally meet and be photographed with the mayor. Members will also receive an autographed copy of Giuliani’s book, Leadership.

MSU Billings Foundation, 1500 University Drive, Billings, MT 59101

MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 47

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Visit bellagio.com/restaurants/the-buffet.aspx. Equally mesmerizing is the recently remodeled Bacchanal Buffet at Caesars Palace. After a 17-million-dollar redo, the place has a Steve McQueen ultra-cool vibe, and as at the Bellagio, the sheer quantity – 500 dishes daily – an insane quality of food – chilled king crab legs, fresh oysters, hand-made dim sum, house-smoked barbecue ribs and briskets, vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options, make for dining irresistible. The Bacchanal Buffet is essentially nine open kitchens, or restaurants, under one roof. Each master chef starts dishes from scratch and you can bet there will be a unique and special twist on even the simplest of choices: lobster/corn chowder, red velvet pancakes, roasted South Carolina shrimp and grits, and oak-grilled lamb chops are a few standouts. Westerners will feel right at home under sparkling chandeliers surrounded by reclaimed, recycled, and repurposed finishes woven together to create a comfortable atmosphere. Prices vary from $25.99 for a weekday breakfast to $50.99 for weekend dinner. caesarspalace.com/restaurants/ bacchanal-buffet.html#.U1g-4igx_zI. Caesars Palace is also home to Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay’s Pub and Grill. This is the second Las Vegas restaurant for the highly flammable star of Hell’s Kitchen and certainly one that reflects his native English roots. While the Pub and Grill’s decor is authentic English pub including old British telephone booths, a separation wall manned by 175 kegs, and a wait staff uniformed from the early English punk scene, the menu offers distinctly pubish faire served in rugged pottery dishes filled with comfort foods and classics that all play nice with beer. The pub serves 30+ varieties of tap beer plus 60+ varieties in bottles. Menu choices include Scottish Salmon, mac ‘n’ cheese served with black truffles, bonein-beef rib eye, and of course shepherd’s pie. Flat screen televisions play sporting events from

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around the world to help create one of the more lively restaurants serving great food on the strip. Entrees average from $23 to $50. caesarspalace. com/restaurants/gordon-ramsay-pub-and-grill. html#.U1hE2igx_zI. For a more intimate dinner in a sleek, classy setting, try SAGE in the Aria Resort and Casino. Hailing from Chicago, Chef Shawn McLain, an award-winning chef and James Beard recipient, has created a warm and intimate ambiance to serve his clean, sophisticated, farm to table cuisine. “Creative American with a bit of Asian influence,” says McLain when asked to describe the food at SAGE. While the ingredients may be simple, the flavors and presentation are anything but – requiring admiration of each dish before enjoying. SAGE is known for its dinner and wine or beer pairings. Their early evening menu, from $59, features chilled sweet corn soup, Pacific Yellowtail Kampachi, or Shelton’s Farm Organic Chicken – each course exquisitely paired with an enhancing wine or beer chosen by their Master Sommelier. Chef McClain’s Signature tasting menu, from $89, steps it up to include Vancouver Island Kushi Oysters with a Piquillo Pepper and Tabasco Sorbet or Wagyu Beef Tartar, and for the second course your choice between Grilled Spanish Octopus or Maine Dayboat Scallops with Braised Oxtail and a Salted Caramel Reduction. This food is phenomenal, the wine superb, and its surroundings are truly beautiful. aria.com/dining/ restaurants/sage. La Cave at Wynn Las Vegas is great for large parties. Orders from its small plate menu are fun and meant to be shared, tapas-style and casually. Diners can lounge inside where low-slung ceilings, wood paneled walls, and wrought iron inspire a nicely appointed wine cellar, or on the garden patio. Along with oven-fired flatbreads, charcuterie, and innovative small plates, La Cave features a 250-bottle wine cellar with 50+

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2014

varieties available by the glass. This small, fun, yet sophisticated restaurant takes you far away from the strip, but you are still only steps away from the best shows in Las Vegas. Small plates run from $8 for truffle-roasted potatoes, $14 to $17 for flatbreads (including one with Beef filet, caramelized onions, mushrooms, and blue cheese), and $13 to $22 for small

plates from the sea or the farm (like Angus mini burgers with sweet onion marmalade or Cavatelli pasta with veal short-ribs and Brussels sprouts). wynnlasvegas.com/Restaurants/CasualDining/ LaCave. We have only skimmed the surface, but one thing is undeniable â&#x20AC;&#x201C; if you love food, you will love Las Vegas! MSN

The Missoula Community Theatre Debuts Terrific 2014-15 Season The Missoula Community Theatre 2014-2015 season opens on Halloween with JEKYLL & HYDE The Musical. This gothic tale is based on the Robert Louis Stevenson classic story of Dr. Henry Jekyll and the savage, maniacal Mr. Edward Hyde. In December, the WINTER WONDERETTES take the stage! This holiday sequel to The Marvelous Wonderettes (a smash hit from our 2012-2013 season) opens December 12 and is packed with tunes from the 1960s. The whole family can enjoy this trip to a time before iPads and cell phones. CLUE: THE MUSICAL opens January 23, 2015 and will bring to life Colonel Mustard, Miss

Scarlet, Professor Plum, and the rest of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best-known suspects. The audience helps solve the mystery â&#x20AC;&#x201C; there are 216 possible solutions! The non-musical play this season is THE RAINMAKER, set in the Great Depression. This charming drama contains themes of love, desire and magic. Burt Lancaster and Katharine Hepburn starred in the 1956 film version. Finally, SHREK THE MUSICAL comes to life on May 1, 2015. The stage version offers a fresh look at the story seen on the big screen. But like the animated film, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s full of pop-culture references, catchy tunes, adolescent humor and a happy ending! MSN

You Will Hear The Best In Music With The Bozeman Symphony Nothing compares to the magic of live symphonic music! Join the Bozeman Symphony for our 47th season where we will experience the exciting venue of The Commons at Baxter and Love â&#x20AC;&#x201C; with its superb technology and wonderful amenities â&#x20AC;&#x201C; until March when we return to the refurbished Willson Auditorium. Our September concert features Alexander Markov, one of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s greatest violin virtuosos, and October brings Jolyon Pegis, principal cellist from the Dallas Symphony performing the Lalo Cello Concerto. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t miss our Piano Series or our Symphonic Choir concert, of Heaven and Earth, in November and then December brings world famous trumpeter Ryan Anthony. Join us in February for Winters Serenade and our FREE Family concerts, Compose Yourself! March brings a World Premiere Event commis-

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sioned by the Bozeman Symphony featuring a new work by composer Kenneth Fuchs written for electric guitar and orchestra. Do not miss our season finale in April with Ode To Joy, Beethovenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Symphony No. 9 featuring the Bozeman Symphony, Symphonic Choir, and the MSU University Chorus. There is a lot of excitement in the air, and a season subscription to the Bozeman Symphony makes certain that you will not miss one thrilling moment! Call the Bozeman Symphony at 406-585-9774 or visit bozemansymphony.org. MSN

! NOCOATW IONS L

MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 49

PAGE 50 MONTANA SENIOR NEWS

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The Great Northern Carousel Is The Happiest Place In Helena especially for watching grandparents. The spaces between animals leave plenty of room to steady young or physically challenged individuals. Professional carver Ed Roth, who also made some of the animals for Disney’s Japan Carousal, did a marvelous job on these unique creatures. Betty Largent added the magical painting. Her other work includes restoring the Loofe Carousel in Spokane’s Spokane River Park. Todd Goings from Ohio, one of only a few people who still builds carousels, is responsible for the machinery. It spins an impressive 60,000 pounds with a ten horsepower motor, which they say will last 100 years. Another special feature of the carousel is the recognizable Helena scenes on 14 rounding boards. These glass-fired creations were made by Helena’s own Mary Harris. Traditional features of the Great Northern Carousel include the circus music that brightens the mood, red framed and lighted mirror panels, and the chance to catch the brass ring. Riders catch the iron rings and try their skill at tossing them from their moving rides, into a clown bear. The brass ring wins the lucky snatcher a free ride on the carousel. The happiness doesn’t stop after kids step off the carousel. An ice cream cone tastes better when there are 24 different flavors of Montana’s finest Wilcoxson’s ice cream from which to choose. Other drinks and treats are also available. The small gift store carries FAMILY DINING › TAKE-OUT › BANQUET ROOM › BEER & WINE some fun reminders of the day for visitors to take home with them. The Great Northern Carousel, which opened in 2002, was the dream of owner 406-452-2828 Alan Nicholson. One can’t miss the clean red 1525 3rd Street Northwest, Great Falls and white circular buildAccross from Westside Albertsons Pick-Up Window in the Back ing with the blue roof in the Great Northern Order Online at: www.NewPekingGreatFalls.com

Article & Photo By Bernice Karnop The Great Northern Carousel doesn’t claim the title of the happiest place on earth, but one could certainly call it the happiest place in Helena. Those who take their grandchildren to the Carousel claim that their smiles make it worth the drive from anywhere in Montana. Or one can go even without grandchildren. People of any age can enjoy a ride on the carousel and anyone would be impressed with the beauty and quality of this machine. In 2010 some true experts on carousels, visited. These folks from the National Carousel Association praised it saying it is “the finest new carousel in the nation and possibly the finest built carousel in the world.” This Montana-themed merry-go-round is bright and colorful, with all the old-time features of a historic carousel. While many carousels are restored from their hey-day in the 19th century, this one is brand new, from the carved animals to the stained glass work and the machinery that runs it. Among the fairy tale creatures are Montana animals to ride, expertly carved, brightly painted, and a joy to behold. Dazzling big horn sheep, buffalo, cutthroat trout, grizzly bear, otter, bobcat, mountain goat, frog, rabbit and horses float up and down on their shiny golden posts as the platform glides round and round. It’s candy for the eyes

FINE CHINESE FOOD Mon–Thurs 11AM–9PM

Fri–Sat

11AM–10PM

Great Falls Community Concert Association Join us for our 85th Season TODD OLIVER

SIX APPEAL

AND FRIENDS C Comedic variety show T sday, Feb.10, 2015 20 Tuesday,

A A’cappella at its best Thursday, Oct. 30, 2014 Thursday,

CLOSE TO YOU U Music of the Carpenters ers 4 Thursday, Oct 2, 2014

WYLIE AND THE WILD WEST Country music/Yodeling Thursday, Jan.15, 2015

CORNET CHOP SUEY Jazz of all styles T sday, May 12, 2015 20 Tuesday,

BEN GULLEY Award winning tenor Monday, Mar. 9, 2015

Adult Season Tickets $79.00 • Student Season Tickets $40.00 • Student Season Ticket with Each Adult $20.00 • Single shows h $30 $30.00 00 Tickets available at the Mansfield Box Office, Great Falls Civic Center, at 455-8514 or online at ticketing.greatfallsmt.net Box Office Hours Jun-Aug • Mon-Tue-Wed •11:00 am - 3:00 pm / Sept-May • Mon through Fri • 11:00 am - 3:00 pm

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2014

Town Center. Just outside the carousel building individuals of every age can retrace the footsteps of explorers at the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Experience. The Missouri River in concrete guides people on a miniature journey past more than a dozen special

sites and water features. Bronze elk, bear, otter, fish, and more add to the story. Helena’s impressive Exploration Works Science Center is right here as well. This interactive educational center is impressive and fascinating with programs and activities for all ages. Outdoor

MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 51

spaces allow children to experiment with chimes and music makers this summer. A family can make Helena their whole vacation and go home feeling that they have indeed captured the brass ring! MSN

It’s The Thought That Counts By Julie Hollar Three sons left home, went out on their own and prospered. Getting back together, they discussed the gifts that they were able to give to their elderly mother. The first said, “I built a big house for our mother.” The second said, “I sent her a Mercedes with a driver.” The third said, “I’ve got you both beat. You

know how Mom enjoys the Bible and you know she can’t see very well. I sent her a brown parrot that can recite the entire Bible. It took twenty monks in a monastery twelve years to teach him. I had to pledge to contribute $100,000 a year for twenty years, but it was worth it. Mom just has to name the chapter and verse, and the parrot will recite it.” Soon thereafter, Mom sent out her letters of thanks. She wrote to the first son, “Milton, the house you built is too big. I live in only one room, but I

have to clean the whole house.” She wrote to the second son, “Marvin, I am too old to travel. I stay home all the time, so I never use the Mercedes, and the driver is rude.” She wrote to the third son, “Dearest Melvin, you were the only son to have the good sense to know what your mother likes. The chicken was delicious.” MSN

PAGE 52 MONTANA SENIOR NEWS

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2014

You are making the right choice. The Generations Health Network offers a continuum of care including retirement and assisted living, short-term rehabilitation, long-term care, respite stays, memory care, and end of life care. We focus on the whole person and their needs, in addition to their medical conditions, offering personalized services in the environment of their choice.

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Getting the right care is the right choice. WE OFFER A CONT INUUM OF C ARE: REHABILI TATION • MEMORY C ARE LONG TERM C ARE • END OF LIFE C ARE

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Riverside

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Billings Health &

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Enchanted with Montana and Her Favorite Artist: Bozeman’s Charles Russell Soha Although his roots are in Great Falls, Charlie By Bernice Karnop Montanans love western artist Charlie Russell grew up near Seattle. He started working in a whose paintings, sculptures, and stories preserve grocery store when he was only 12 years old and a segment of history that can’t be repeated. They joined the union when he was 13. He vacationed in also love him because he was the kind of man Montana, and chose to attend college at what were Montanans admire: open, honest, funny, compan- Western Montana College in Dillon and Montana State College in Bozeman. ionable, and rough around the edges. After college, he taught in Montana for six But what about the folks who really knew him? They are all gone now, but one Bozeman man, years before going overseas to teach in military dependent schools. His first son, also named Charlie Russell for Charles Russell, was born in France; Soha, knows son number two was born in Germany. He exactly how one also raised two more sons. person felt about Charlie retired after 36 years in the Mr. Russell. That Montana National Guard and Army Reserve person was his with the rank of Colonel. mother. Charlie lived in Virginia and later in Martha Rose North Carolina, Gabrielson grew before coming up on 4th Avenue back to BozeNorth in Great man. Falls when the “One gets Russell’s lived enchanted by the there. She spent mountains, the her teen years freedom, and the and more, workspace,” he says, ing as Nancy’s all sentiments that around house girl the first Charles – cleaning, cookRussell would ing, babysitting, fully embrace. emptying the Today Chartrash, or typing – whatever needed You might say Charles Russell Soha has lie Soha keeps been a fan of Montana artist Charles Rus- busy with real to be done. sell since before he was born. Soha’s mom During their worked for the Russells as a young woman estate developlong relationship, and named her son after Russell. [Photo by m e n t a n d h i s hobby of picture she sat at their Bernice Karnop] framing. He’s table, accompanied them to the Lake MacDonald cottage, and framed his collection of took care of their adopted son, Jack. She knew Russell prints and photheir private lives well enough to write a tell-all tos that came from his book, and she admired them so much she named mother. Nancy Russell her son after Mr. Russell. She never called him gave his mom a couple of Russell’s bronzes but anything else. Charlie Soha remembers one thing his mother they have no original told about the Russells that he hasn’t seen any- prints. “It’s too bad she where else. When they wanted a private word didn’t just pick some of with each other, they used Indian sign language. them out of the waste Russell learned “hand-talking” from his Blackfeet basket,” he jokes. He was at Lake friends and he taught Nancy so they could comMacDonald a few years municate without others listening. Times were tough for Martha’s family. Her wid- ago and drove out to owed mom didn’t make a lot cleaning houses and where the Russell’s taking in ironing. She brought her two daughters to cabin stands. A tree had Great Falls in 1910, from Kenmare, North Dakota, fallen on the privately where she worked as a cook in a railroad hotel for owned structure. No one had bothered to a dollar a day. Charlie admits to sharing some characteristics repair it. Charlie thinks with his namesake. Like Russell, he enjoys meet- that is a shame. “It should be a state ing new people, and he says, “I always looked to older people to learn.” In another way he doesn’t monument of some resemble him at all. “I have no artistic talent,” he kind,” he opines. MSN admits with a grin.

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BUYING or SELLING

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By Eda Suzanne Until we started to pack to move from our home of 35 years, I was sure my spouse was the only pack rat living there. Once I started to go through storage boxes that were on the top of my bedroom closet, I had to admit I was one also. However, the reasons we clung to worthless items were totally different. He kept stuff he felt had potential value, like National Geographic magazines, record collections, and cameras. I stored expensive clothing that hadn’t fit in years and white elephant gifts given by loved ones. When you move, you pay by the amount of cartons and furniture that goes on the truck. And if your new home has fewer closets, you need to be realistic. My cousin, who knew that my husband and I were disagreeing as to what should be discarded or kept, gave us great advice, “Buy another cemetery plot next to yours, and bury the stuff.” Those words, plus my son’s saying, “Either you dump it now, or I will when I move you to assisted living,” sped up the downsizing process especially because the

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plastic statue he held up when he said it was one I took from my mother when we moved her to an assisted living. Sorting through the garage, storage closets, and edrooms that once were home to our sons was beyond our physical capabilities. The cavalry – our two sons – came to the rescue. They packed cartons filled with memorabilia from their childhood – dozens of trophies, yearbooks, and framed team photos. The massive, framed sign-in posters from their bar mitzvahs stood in the rear seat of their cars when they pulled out of the driveway. Our new home office – an office that would no longer be referred to as one son’s bedroom – would be filled with mementoes from our current lives. Even though Florida houses have no basements, and attics are too hot to use for storage, it doesn’t decrease the amount that pack rats accumulate. It is amazing how high boxes can be piled on the shelves in the bedroom and hall closets. After the interior of the house was organized, we tackled the garage, the hardest “room” for my husband to downsize. The cartons stacked on both sides of the garage hid his stash of broken radios, telephone answering machines and other electronics, none of which had any kind of monetary value. Shelves of broken and useless tools as well as his collection of screws and nails were dumped. He wasn’t happy and still is upset about this. He reminds me every time he has to buy nails, ignoring the fact they were never the size he needed.

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We moved into our home, unpacked, and found a place for everything. You could actually see the walls in the garage. I knew in my heart that all the possessions we moved had a place in our new life. My husband and I vowed not to collect useless items and to live clutter free. Five years later, the state of our garage speaks to the validity of that promise. Anyone need a computer key board in perfect condition? How about a burgundy lampshade? Eda Suzanne, the author of Retired NOT Expired, is a freelance writer and humorous speaker. Her website is www.edasuzanne.com and you may contact her at edasuzanne@comcast.net. MSN

Remodeling For Later... By Roger Roemmich, author of Don’t Eat Dog Food When You’re Old Home Depot and Lowe’s loves aging baby boomers. Every day contractors load pickup trucks with lumber, drywall, paint, bathroom tiles, grab bars, bricks, and all kinds of remodeling materials in response to the increased demand for renovations to make houses more conducive to aging in place. With demographic projections putting 8.7 million Americans at 85 or older by 2030, home modifications for aging in place have become big business. The National Association of Homebuilders estimates that the market for remodeling existing homes to better accommodate aging boomers is between $20 and $25 billion, or about 10 percent of the current $214 billion home improvement industry. That’s a lot of loot, but it’s well worth it for people who wish to grow old at home. A MetLife Mature Market Institute report, Aging in Place 2.0, suggests that spending $10,000 for renovations will recoup the expenses in 14 months just by staying at home and paying for limited on-site adult daily services. Three months in assisted living would likely eat up the $10,000 or more. With median long-term care costs at $81,030 per year, according to a Genworth 2012 Cost of Care Survey, of aging in place is not only desirable, but also it is also cost-effective. Modifications run the gamut from chair lifts to ramps, but removing trip hazards is the place to spend first. Falls account for 75 percent of all accidental deaths among people over 65, and they are the chief cause of forced entry into assisted living or a skilled nursing quarters. It is sensible to install grab bars, modify tile floors with non-skid, and to fit stairways with handrails on both sides. Building walk-in showers with seating and widening doors for easier wheelchair use is also common. Costs for full bathroom remodeling and door widening anywhere from $4,300 to $36,200. Many people wait too long to make renovations because they are afraid to spend money. The downside risk is the cost of receiving needed custodial and health service outside the home. Zillow Real Estate Research says 21 percent of those ages 65-74 do not have mortgages. The number drops to 18 percent for those 74-84. In today’s low-interest environment, a home equity loan at a little over 4 percent can be a viable option to cover the renovation expenses. As for ongoing costs for aging in place, there is something called the Federal Housing Administration Home Equity Conversion Mortgage program. It can allow people to access the equity in their homes as income. Also, an increasing number of neighborhoods are falling into a category of housing called “naturally occurring retirement communities,” or NORCs (it rhymes with fork). A NORC is any geographically defined community where 40 percent or more of the population is over 60 and still living in their own homes. The U.S. Administration on Aging says 17 percent of seniors live in NORCs, but AARP puts the figure as high as 36 percent. NORC residents band together to partner with providers to receive services at bulk rates, making aging in place less expensive for individuals. Roger Roemmich earned his doctorate of accounting and finance from Michigan State University. He is also a certified accountant. MSN

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The Elevator Man By Saralee Perel Last week I saw a tired-looking fellow standing in front of a broken down elevator. I had flopped onto a bench nearby after climbing three flights of stairs in this medical building. “I wish you were an elevator repair person,” I said. “I am. I’m not in uniform ‘cause it’s my day off. Most people who see the doctors in this building can’t climb steps.” “Well I, for one, am so glad you’re here.” I pointed to my cane. “I bet you never get thanked because once the elevator’s fixed, nobody knows you’re the one who fixed it.” “It doesn’t matter. I know.” After my doctor’s appointment, my husband pulled up in our truck to the front of the building. But there was something I wanted to do before I went outside. Usually I allow my dreadful nervousness to stop me from saying what I feel in my heart. But that day, I forced myself to say to the elevator man, “I appreciate your helping people like me.” Then I stammered, “You’re an incredibly – special person. I wish I could say more than, ‘Thank you.’” He slowly turned toward me. “You just did,” he said. Then he touched the brim of his cap and nodded goodbye. When I got in our truck, my husband said, “What’s the matter?” “Nothing.”

“It’s more than ‘nothing.’ Your face is all red.” I put my head in my hands. “I hate that I get ridiculously worked up over simple things. When I told the elevator repairman how special he was, my hands shook and I stumbled over my words. I can never calm down and be normal like others.” He touched my hand. “There’s no such thing as normal. And being scared doesn’t matter. To do what’s right, you can’t wait until you calm down because that may never happen.” I sighed. “That’s not very encouraging.” “Yes it is. Being calm isn’t what’s important. What’s important is courage. And real courage is doing what you did, in spite of being afraid.” “But it was just a small thing,” I said. “It wasn’t small to you. Nor to him either.” I looked back to see the fellow leaving the building. When he saw me, he gave me a thumb’s up sign. The elevator was fixed. And so, nobody will know that this extraordinary person went in on his day off and made it so that the people who cannot climb stairs will now be able to see their doctors. He didn’t care that no one would know. All he cared about was that he did what felt right in his heart. And because of my sweet husband’s wise words, that was all I now cared about too. Visit sperel@saraleeperel.com.com. MSN

Love INC Is Mobilizing Local Churches To Transform Lives And Communities In The Name Of Christ Gallatin County Love In the Name of Christ (Love INC) is a local 501(c)(3) non-profit organization composed of over 40 local Christian churches working together to ease the burden of poverty in Gallatin County. Since 1995, this volunteer-based organization has helped local neighbors in need with car repairs, free clothing, personal care products, linens, computers, and any other manageable

need. Life skills classes are offered to assist with budgeting, parenting, cooking, anger management, etc. During 2013, Gallatin County Love INC coordinated 51,729 volunteer hours, which served the various needs of 6,593 adults and 2,920 children. In addition, the Love INC Clothes Closet (Belgrade) provided 10,665 individuals with free clothing. The value of goods and services totaled $1,516,967.83. Love INC believes that when local Christian churches united in the purpose of showing Christ’s love in their community come together, they are a powerful force for transformation – not only to individuals and families, FREE public open house at the Camp facility in Gold Creek but also to the commuincluding lunch, tours & fun Camp activities. Please join us. nity at large. Camp has served over 6,000 cancer patients & survivors to To find out how you date & celebrates its 20th summer season this year. can help, write to Gallatin County Love INC, PO Box 7117, Bozeman, MT 59771; visit www.loveincgc.org; phone our business line at 406-587-6395 or our client help line at 406Learn more about this event & how you can help at: 587-3008 (Mon-Thurs www.campdream.org * 406-549-5987 10 -2 ). MSN

Come experience Camp for yourself! Sunday, August 17 ~ Noon-4 pm

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How Much Do You Know About Montana? So many facts about Montana are unique that discovering them all is probably an insurmountable task, but 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. The world’s largest steer, which attained a height of 5 feet, 11 inches; a length of 10 feet, 4 inches; and a weight of 3,980 pounds, was born in Baker Montana, where the red roan shorthorn steer is now stuffed and on display at the O’Fallon County Museum. It weighed more than the combined weight of the entire starting offense for the Denver Broncos. For many years, outside the Prairie Schooner Restaurant in Three Forks tourists were entertained by two twelvefoot-tall oxen statues that would “urinate” whenever someone in the restaurant turned the secret handle. Gary Cooper abandoned the family ranch north of Helena to become an actor because “getting up at 5:00 in the morning in the dead of winter to feed 450 cows at 40 below ain’t romantic.”

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2014

Summit holds the record for greatest snowfall in 24 hours; greatest snowfall in four days; greatest snowfall in five days; and the greatest snowfall in one month when 131 inches of snow fell in January of 1972. Fort Benton, some 3,560 miles from the Gulf of Mexico, is located as far inland as a person could possibly navigate by boat on any continent and became known as the “world’s innermost port.” The bison that served as the model for the buffalo nickel and the 1901 ten-dollar bill can be found at The Museum of Northern Plains in Fort Benton. The Lewis and Clark expedition spent one entire day trying to capture a live prairie dog to be sent back to Washington by forming a bucket brigade and pouring water down its hole until it was flushed out – it survived the trip to Washington, D.C. Elk antlers are one of the fastest growing animal tissues known to science and can grow as much as one inch per day. MSN

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Science fiction comes true By Bill Hall People in a survey who were asked what they would most like to see happen in the future answered that they would like to travel though time. But we are all traveling through time. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what we do until the day we die â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and maybe even beyond. Of course, thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not quite what would-be time travelers mean, especially the young ones just getting acquainted with the beginning of their lives. People who say they would like to travel through time are actually talking about traveling through far more than a normal lifetime. They are talking about traveling hundreds of years backward and forward like a wandering science fiction tourist. I understand their curiosity. They want to have dinner with President Abe Lincoln one day and with Hillary Clintonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s great granddaughter, President Mary Bush, the day after that. Actually, such goals are virtually impossible so far as we know. The future hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t happened yet. There ainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t no there there. But the respondents to the survey are on the right track in wishing for the impossible. The possible is so boring by comparison. Those of us who have actually journeyed through time for 60, 80, or 100 years have seen some of the wildest predictions of science fiction come true. So why shouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t we toy with the thought of coming back from a future that hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t happened to visit a past that occurred before we were born. The New York Times reports that the recent survey by the Pew Research Center and Smithsonian Magazine asked respondents to guess what time will yield over the next five decades. But five decades is a pittance. Millions of us have already done more than that. Sixty years ago, I was among the many young people of 12 or so years who doted on the popular science magazines that stirred our curiosity. Back in the 1940s and 1950s, those imaginative magazines taught us that ordinary people would one day soon be riding rocket-like airplanes to France or Australia or China in a matter of hours. Radio would grow into flat moving pictures three or four feet wide, hung on the wall for our viewing pleasure. Doctors would stop hacking people open with knives and would operate on them instead with a tiny tube inserted into the body cavity through a nostril or a small, discreet slit. Monkeys would ride rockets to the moon and maybe so would human beings. One day polio, smallpox, and maybe even the flu would take a beating from the tenacity and skill of our bold medical researchers. Telephones would become Dick Tracy devices strapped to our wrists. And not only could we carry on audible conversations but we could even have tiny little keyboards on the devices where we would type messages to one another with our thumbs.

Nah, on second thought, people wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be stupid enough to send clumsy messages with their thumbs when they could use their voices instead. Surely not all the guesses on the future would come true. But now that so much of what was once our science fiction future has come true, why not ask people, young and old, what we expect to see 50 years into the future? (Continued on page 69)

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Just like an Apple, You Need a Good Core By Lynn Pribus Our bodies are an amazing collection of bones and muscles, and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important to our health and well-being to keep all the parts working together smoothly. The key is to maintain the health and power of our bodyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s core. Fortunately, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s never too late to develop and increase core strength. What Is the Bodyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Core? The core is comprised of the muscles stabilizing the spine and pelvis. These include the â&#x20AC;&#x153;absâ&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;glutesâ&#x20AC;? plus the illiacus, sartorius, and others, but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not important to know their names or where they are. What is important to know is that core strength is vital whatever your age. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s essential during physical exercise and in everyday life. It helps us maintain good balance and perform activities from golfing to mopping a floor, from hefting a sack of groceries to holding a baby. A strong core helps avoid injury because the muscles act like shock absorbers and reduce the chances of spinal injury or back pain. Protecting the back is an important benefit of a strong core because as many as 90 percent of all Americans experience back problems at some time, often causing pain and curtailing physical activity. Another plus to a strong core is looking good. The core supports the back, helping us maintain the spaces between our vertebrae. The result? We stand straighter, walk taller, and move confidently â&#x20AC;&#x201C; all things that contribute to a healthy appearance. How Do I Develop and Maintain Core Strength?

First, consult your healthcare provider about exercise, especially if you are starting a new program. A key to enhancing core strength is to perform various exercises while keeping your balance because this forces the muscles around the spine to react. For example, hold onto a desk or wall and stand on one foot, then the other for as long as you can. Today ten seconds, tomorrow 15, next week 30. Then move on to balancing without holding on to something. After that, balance while using hand weights or machines. Many people enjoy Pilates and yoga â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and both emphasize core strength. If you have access to a physical therapist or personal trainer, invest in a session on core exercises, then make a second visit within a month to be sure you are performing them correctly. The â&#x20AC;&#x153;secretâ&#x20AC;? is to balance your workouts. Strength training is part of it because the whole body is connected to your core. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important to exercise both left and right, back and front. For example, tight abdominal muscles can affect the spine in a bad way if they arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t balanced by a strong lower back. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also wise to remember that the body adapts to physical demands in about a month and a half, so itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a good idea to change exercise patterns every six weeks or so. If your healthcare provider gives an OK, here are three basic and effective exercises for strengthening the core. â&#x20AC;˘ The Plank: Lie face down with elbows close to the sides, palms down under shoulders, toes on the floor. Lift the body to balance on forearms and toes with the head relaxed and facing down and the torso straight with no sagging. Hold posi-

tion for 5 seconds and work up to as long as 60 seconds. Slowly lower the body, rest, and then repeat at least three times. Easier: keep the knees on the floor. Tougher: Straighten arms, keeping hands under the shoulders. Do not continue if you experience lower back pain. â&#x20AC;˘ The Side Plank: Lie with the left hip on the floor, the left elbow under the shoulder, left hand palm down on floor facing away from the body, using the right hand for balance if necessary. Lift the body to balance on the elbow and the side of the left foot with the right foot resting on top of the left. The right arm can bear some weight. Hold torso straight from head to toe for 5 seconds, then slowly lower hip to the floor. Rest, then repeat at least three times, working up to 60-second holds. Repeat the exercise on the right side. Tougher: lift the upper leg, or lift the balancing arm to point at the ceiling. â&#x20AC;˘ The Bridge: Lie on your back with feet flat on the floor, beneath the knees. Tighten the abdominal muscles and slowly lift the torso to create a straight line from shoulders up to the knees. Hold for 10 seconds, then slowly lower back to the floor. Repeat, gradually increasing from to 5 to 30 times. Tougher: Extend one leg at a time to make a straight line from the shoulders. Whether you perform these exercises at a fitness club or in your own bedroom, you will notice improvements in a few days and results in a matter of weeks. Go for it! Lynn Pribus and her husband live in Charlottesville, Virginia. As part of their personal wellness program, they faithfully perform their planks and bridges at a local gym. MSN

Building a Solid Foundation The Community Hospital and Nursing Home of Anaconda Foundation was established in 1995 with the following mission: To promote, facilitate, and direct philanthropic and financial support for Community Hospital and Nursing Home of Anaconda, as it endeavors to meet the health care needs of the persons in this area. Contributions to the foundation are tax deductible to the full extent of the law and provide funds for services, construction, equipment, and programs essential to the hospital, home health and hospice program, and nursing homeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s growth and development. In 2013, the Foundation pledged over $55,000 to purchase new equipment and another $2,500 toward employee training. In addition, the Foundation provided two $500 scholarships to seniors graduating from Anaconda high school. The Foundation also provided monetary support to the Community Care-A-Van transportation service and the Nursing Home Activities program. Please support our important work today! Make your contributions to the Foundation in memory of a loved one, to honor a birthday, anniversary, or special occasion, or simply to say thank you or thinking of you in a very lasting way. To donate, visit www.communityhospitalofanaconda.org or contact Meg Hickey-Boynton at 406-563-8540 or mhickey@chofa.net. Our community counts on your support! MSN

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MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 63

Statins and Cholesterol: Possible Rewards, Probable Risks By Tait Trussell Are statins to lower cholesterol right for you? Two of the most reliable sources of medical information â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Mayo Clinic and WebMD â&#x20AC;&#x201C; have definite ideas about statins and cholesterol. Americans are spending billions of dollars for such statins such as Lipitor, Zocor, and Crestor. But there are dangers as well as benefits. First, Mayo: Statins can lower cholesterol. They may have other beneficial effects. â&#x20AC;&#x153;But doctors donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know everything about statins yet.â&#x20AC;? Whether you need to be on a statin depends on your cholesterol level along with your other risk factors for cardiovascular disease. If your cholesterol level is 240 milligrams per deciliter, or higher or your LDL, or â&#x20AC;&#x153;badâ&#x20AC;? cholesterol level is 130 mg/ dl or higher, your doctor may recommend that you take a statin. If the only risk factor you have is high cholesterol, you may not need medication because your risk of heart attack and stroke could otherwise be low. High cholesterol, after all, is only one of many risk factors for heart attack and stroke. Before being prescribed a statin, other risk factors should be considered including family history of cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, sedentary lifestyle, obesity, smoking, narrowing of your arteries. If your doctor advises a statin, the dose will depend on whether you need to cut your bad cholesterol. Your lifestyle is still the key for lowering cholesterol. Exercising 30 minutes a day on most days of the week and managing stress. Although statins are tolerated by most people, they do have side effects. Common side effects are muscle and joint aches, nausea, constipation, and diarrhea.

More serious side effects, however, include liver damage. Although not common, your doctor will likely order a liver enzyme test before you take a statin. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You should call your doctor if you have unusual fatigue, pain in your upper abdomen, dark-color urine, or yellowing of your skin or eyes.â&#x20AC;? Another side effect is muscle pain so severe that muscle cells can break down and release a protein into your bloodstream. This can damage your kidneys. Certain other drugs taken with statins also can raise the risk. It also is possible that â&#x20AC;&#x153;your blood sugar (blood glucose) could increase when you take a statin. This could lead to your developing Type 2 diabetes.â&#x20AC;? The risk is small. But the FDA requires a warning on statin labels regarding diabetes. Some researchers have looked into whether statins could be linked to memory loss or Lou Gehrigâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s disease. The FDA has warned of possible memory loss or confusion while taking statins. But these side effects seem to disappear if the dose is decreased. Mayo doctors say your doctor may recommend another medication. And, if you have â&#x20AC;&#x153;badâ&#x20AC;? cholesterol (LDL) and high triglycerides, you may benefit by combining the statin with niacin. Can exercise and diet lower you cholesterol enough? Eating a heart-healthy diet can lower LDL (â&#x20AC;&#x153;badâ&#x20AC;? cholesterol at least 10 percent. If you lose 5 to 10 percent of your body weight, you can cut LDL cholesterol by 15 percent and reduce triglycerides 20 percent. (Triglycerides are the chemical form of fat in the body.) If you exercise at a moderate rate â&#x20AC;&#x201C; meaning you have enough breath to talk but not sing â&#x20AC;&#x201C; for a minimum of 2 and 1/2 hours a week, you cut triglycerides by 20 to 30 percent. At the same time, your â&#x20AC;&#x153;goodâ&#x20AC;? cholesterol â&#x20AC;&#x201C; HDL â&#x20AC;&#x201C; increases.

Mental Health: From Bootstrap Therapy to Tele-Counseling There are several notable dates in our countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s efforts to treat mental illness. On July 3, 1946, President Truman signed the National Mental Health Act committing federally funded research of mental illness, something that had not been a priority of the state and local institutions that housed â&#x20AC;&#x153;insaneâ&#x20AC;? patients. On October 31, 1963, President Kennedy signed the Community Mental Health Act providing grants to states for the construction of community mental health centers especially designed for the delivery of mental health prevention, diagnosis, and treatment in the community. On January 8, 2011, Representative Gabby Giffords was a shooting victim in Tucson reminding us all that our efforts to treat the mentally ill fall considerably short of Presidents Trumanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and Kennedyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ideals. Montana has been ranked in the top five states for highest suicides per capita for the past 40 years. This distinction is evidence that â&#x20AC;&#x153;bootstrapâ&#x20AC;? therapy does not work and is one of the reasons Mental Health America of Montana has initiated a â&#x20AC;&#x153;virtualâ&#x20AC;? counseling center. The project launches this August in northeast Montana. Isolation and access to services are the big obstacles in Montana and the online counseling center is one effort to end limited access and improve our infamous suicide ranking. For more information on how you can help or be helped, visit www.mhaofmt.org or call 406-587-7774. MSN

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According to WebMD, if your doctor says you should take a statin to lower your cholesterol, â&#x20AC;&#x153;maybe you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think your cholesterol levels are that bad, or that you can try harder to eat right and exercise.â&#x20AC;? Probably you do not want to take another medicine every day. High cholesterol levels â&#x20AC;&#x153;have a direct impact on your risk of heart attack and stroke. So, you do not want to make a hasty decision. Make sure the concerns are valid before you reject a statin.â&#x20AC;? There are many reasons to reject statins. In addition to all the risks noted above, clinical nutritionist, Byron Richards, also points out to statin users that they can weaken the lenses of the eye and increase the risk of developing cataracts, according to a large study in the Ophthalmology journal of the American Medical Association. With all the risks to the heart muscle itself, he wonders how a doctor can know when the benefits outweigh the risks. MSN

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Nutrition experts: Debate over value of vitamin, mineral supplements is far from over By David Stauth Researchers from the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University and three other institutions have taken issue with recent claims that “the case is closed” on whether or not a multivitamin/mineral supplement should be taken by most people to help obtain needed micronutrients. The researchers have reasoned in correspondence published in the Annals of Internal Medicine that this type of dietary supplement helps fill nutritional gaps, improves general health, might help prevent chronic disease, will cause no harm and is easily worth the few cents a day that it costs. To “call the case closed” is wrong and “misinforms the public and the medical community,” the researchers wrote. Their statements were a response to an editorial in the same publication last year that argued that such supplements are unnecessary and received widespread publicity. Nutrition experts from OSU, the Children’s Hospital Oakland Research Institute, Tufts University, and the Harvard School of Public Health authored the statement. While most nutrition experts agree that a balanced and nutritious diet is the best way to obtain needed nutrients, the researchers in this commentary point out that many Americans have a less-thanperfect diet – long on calories and short on nutrients - and the vast majority is not getting enough of several important vitamins and minerals. “It’s naïve to ignore the fact that most people have micronutrient inadequacies, and wrong to condemn a daily supplement that could cover these nutritional gaps safely and at low cost,” said Balz Frei, professor and director of the Linus Pauling Institute, and a biochemist in the OSU College of Science. “There’s strong evidence that a multivitamin/mineral supplement supports normal functioning of the body and helps improve overall health, and may

even help lower chronic disease risk,” Frei said. “It’s irresponsible to ignore decades of nutrition research and tell the people of the United States they have no need for a supplement that could be so helpful, and costs as little as $1 a month. “And if they have a poor diet, people should try to improve that as well,” he said. “The two are not mutually exclusive.” Among the points the researchers made in their commentary: • The vast majority of people in the United States do not meet all of the guidelines for dietary intake of vitamins and minerals. • More than 93 percent of adults in the U.S. do not get the estimated average requirement of vitamins D and E from their diet; 61 percent not enough magnesium; and 50 percent not enough vitamin A and calcium. • Many subpopulations have even more critical needs for micronutrients, including older adults, African Americans, obese persons, and some people who are ill or injured. • Concerns about “increased mortality” from supplements of vitamins A and E have been based on extremely high use through supplements far beyond the amount available in a multivitamin, and in the case of vitamin E largely refuted by comprehensive meta-analyses. The value of proper nutrition, on the other hand, is wide-ranging and positive. Micronutrients maintain normal cell and tissue function, metabolism, growth, and development. A supplement that helps a person “cover all the bases” can help protect daily, routine health. Overt deficiency diseases such as scurvy or rickets are increasingly rare in the U.S. due to improved diet and fortified foods. However, certain vitamin and mineral deficiencies are still a major issue in the developing world, especially vitamin A, iron, iodine, and zinc. According to the World Health Organization, more than 650,000 children under the age of five die around the world every year from deficiency in vitamin A. And the potential for vitamins and other micronutrients to help reduce or prevent chronic disease continues to show promise. One of the longest, largest controlled studies ever done, the Physicians’ Health Study II, found a significant 8 percent reduction in total cancer incidence in male physicians – people who, through their education, income, and lifestyle, probably had diets much closer to optimal than the average American. “There are many issues that have helped to mislead people when it comes to the study of micronutrients,” Frei said. “For instance, most research is done without first checking to see if a person is inadequate in a nutrient, and you won’t find much effect from a supplement if it isn’t needed. “In similar fashion, too much research has been done with groups such

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as doctors and nurses who are probably not representative of the general population,” he said. “Whatever has been shown to be useful in such research probably would be even more effective in people who have poor diets or clear nutritional inadequacies.” The researchers wrote in their conclusion that to “label multivitamin and mineral supplements useless, harmful, and a waste of money is wrong.” The Linus Pauling Institute at OSU is a world leader in the study of micronutrients and their role in promoting optimum health or preventing and treating disease. MSN

Exploring Dental Implant Surgery Provided by the American Association of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Did you know that dental implants are frequently the best treatment option for replacing missing teeth? Rather than resting on the gum line like removable dentures, or using adjacent teeth as anchors like fixed bridges, dental implants are long-term replacements that your oral and maxillofacial surgeon (OMS) surgically places in the jawbone. Many patients who have selected dental implants describe a quality of life that is much more comfortable and secure than the lifestyle endured by those with fixed bridges or removable dentures. When they count the benefits they enjoy because of their dental implants, patients say their implants eliminate the day-to-day frustrations and discomfort of ill-fitting dentures. They allow people to enjoy a healthy and varied diet without the restrictions many denture wearers face. With a sense of renewed self-confidence, many people rediscover the excitement of an active lifestyle shared with family and friends and the chance to speak clearly and comfortably with co-workers. For all these reasons, people with dental implants often say they feel better, look better, and live better. After more than 40 years of service, the majority of dental implants first placed by OMSs in the United States continue to function at peak performance. More importantly, the recipients of those implants are satisfied they made the right choice. If properly cared for, dental implants can last a lifetime. A Solution of Choice. Years ago, these patients would have had no alternative but a fixed bridge or removable denture to restore their ability to eat, speak clearly, and smile. Fixed bridges and removable dentures, however, are not the perfect solution and often bring with them a number of other problems. Removable dentures may slip or cause embarrassing clicking sounds. Of even greater concern, fixed bridges often affect adjacent healthy teeth, and denture wearers may suffer bone loss in the area where the tooth or teeth are missing. Recurrent decay, gum disease, and wear and tear often doom fixed bridgework. For these reasons, fixed bridges and removable dentures usually need to be replaced every seven to 15 years. Composed of titanium metal that “fuses” with the jawbone through a process called osseointegration, dental implants never slip, make noises, or decay like teeth anchoring fixed bridges. Because dental implants fuse with the jawbone, bone loss is generally not a problem. Are You a Candidate for Dental Implants? Whether you are a young, middle-aged, or older adult, whether you need to replace one tooth, several teeth, or all your teeth, there is a dental implant for you. With the exception of growing children, dental implants are the solution of choice for people of all ages, even if they have any of these concerns: • Existing Medical Conditions. If you can have routine dental treatment, you can generally have an implant placed. While precautions are advisable for certain conditions, patients with such chronic diseases as high blood pressure and diabetes are usually successful candidates for dental implant treatment. • Gum Disease or Problem Teeth. Almost all implants placed in patients who have lost their teeth to periodontal disease or decay have been successful. • Currently Wearing Partials or Dentures. Implants can replace removable bridges or dentures, or they can be used to stabilize and secure the denture, making it much more comfortable. • Smoking. Although smoking lowers the success rate of implants, it doesn’t eliminate the possibility of having them. • Bone Loss. Bone loss is not uncommon for people who have lost teeth or had periodontal disease. OMSs are trained and experienced in grafting bone safely and permanently. To learn more contact your family dentist. MSN

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Advances in Dentistry… Be Glad You Live in the 21st Century! By Shaun Christensen, DMD As we have gained scientific knowledge in the last 50 years, incredible strides have been made to improve the quality of dental care, and although the dental profession has changed a great deal in the last century, it has changed even more through the ages. Many of the most common dental tools were used as early as the Stone Age. Thankfully, technology and continuing education have made going to the dentist a much more pleasant – and painless – experience. Following is an overview of the history of one of the most important dental appliances. What’s the history of false teeth? Thanks to modern technology, today’s false teeth are largely indistinguishable from real teeth. But this hasn’t always been the case. Perhaps the most famous false-toothed American was our first president, George Washington. Popular history gave Mr. Washington wooden teeth, though this was not actually the case! In fact, wooden teeth are impossible; the corrosive effect of saliva turns them into a mushy pulp very quickly. In fact, the first president’s false teeth came from a variety of sources, including teeth extracted from human and animal corpses. Despite this seemingly gruesome practice, dental practitioners preceding President Washington’s time attempted aesthetic restorations. Ancient civilizations used ivory and bone to create new teeth. Unfortunately, this craft was lost until the mid-1800s. Rotten or damaged dentin was simply extracted, and gaps became a way of life. When false teeth were warranted, threads of silk or tightly coiled springs were used to hold the new teeth in place; it wasn’t much of an anchor and teeth had to be removed before eating lest they literally spring from the wearer’s mouth. Additionally, genuine teeth extracted from the living and the dead and set in another’s mouth soon rotted. Those who could afford it opted to have new teeth fashioned from ivory, gold, or silver. It wasn’t until 1774 that two Frenchmen, a pharmacist and a dentist, designed a set of porcelain teeth. Steady improvements were made on the teeth, most notably in 1808 when an Italian dentist invented a single porcelain tooth imbedded with a platinum pin. These teeth came to America in 1822, and for the rest of the century dentists and technicians tinkered with the design, fit, and feel

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of the teeth. A breakthrough occurred in 1839 with the discovery of vulcanized rubber, which was used to hold false teeth. Today’s dentures are made of either plastic or ceramic. As far as prosthetic teeth implanted into the bone, it appears that humans have attempted to replace missing teeth in this manner for thousands of years. From China, dating back 4,000 years, have been found carved bamboo pegs tapped into the bone to replace lost teeth, and from Egypt, 2000-year-old remains have pegs made of precious metals to replace teeth. Egyptian mummies have been found to have transplanted human

teeth, and in other instances, teeth made of ivory. One Mayan archeological find dating to 600 AD in Honduras is the lower jaw of a young woman with three missing incisors replaced with pieces of shell, shaped like teeth. Bone growth around the implants indicates that they were functional. Modern titanium implants with prosthetic teeth are very natural looking and highly successful with a lifespan of approximately 15 years. As you can see, modern dentistry is better able than ever to address the problems of oral health while providing safety and comfort to the patient. MSN

Five Steps to Help Stop Cataracts Cataracts affects millions of people nationwide, and according to the National Eye Institute, 38 million people will suffer from cataracts by 2030. By age 80, more than half of all Americans either will have had a cataract or have had cataract surgery. However, there are measures you can take to reduce your chances of developing a cataract. World-leading ophthalmologist, Dr. Edward Kondrot, recommends three steps people of all ages should take to stop cataracts. “Cataracts can be caused by a variety of sources, such as aging, nutrition, heavy metals and excess ultraviolet light,” affirms Dr. Edward Kondrot, founder of the Healing The Eye & Wellness Center. He is also the president of the Arizona Homeopathic and Integrative Medical Association, and the clinic director of Integrative Medicine of the American Medical College of Homeopathy. “Most people think that you can only develop cataracts late in life, but cataracts can affect

people as young as 40 years old. By changing your lifestyle, you can reduce your risk of developing a cataract later.” Here are five steps to stop cataracts: 1. Diet. Maintain a healthy diet. Dr. Kondrot recommends the 70/30 diet, which is eating 70 percent raw living organic food and 30 organic that is cooked. Also, avoid white sugar, corn fructose, fruit juice concentrates, and milk sugar. 2. Stay hydrated. It is essential to stay hydrated to keep your body operating at the best of its ability. The Institute of Medicine states men should drink approximately 3.7 liters of water per day and women should have roughly 2.7 liters. 3. Check Lead Levels. Cataracts are linked to heavy metals in your system, such as lead. Chelation therapy is essential to remove heavy metals and one therapy per month is recommended. 4. Cineraria Eye Drops. These homeopathic drops are available over-the-counter. The drops

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have proven effective in preventing the development of cataracts. Use one to two drops in the eye, three to six times daily. 5. Reduce stress. Stress has a negative effect on our bodies, leading to illness and poor health. Exercise, mediation, microcurrent stress

therapy, and light therapy are great ways to reduce your stress. “The first step that everyone needs to take to prevent cataracts is to visit their eye doctor. A professional can determine the best course of action for you to take, as well as your risk.” MSN

Pat Whitlock’s Eagle Mount Young at Heart Program Will Help You Stay Fit and Sassy When you venture into Eagle Mount’s aquatic therapy center in the morning, the first thing you notice is how WARM it is! (Both the water and the air are a cozy 87-89 degrees.) The next things you notice are the big, happy smiles on the faces of everyone in the Young at Heart water aerobics class! They’re laughing, singing to show tunes, playing ball, and moving freely in the water. Even some folks who have a hard time moving on land find they can bounce around just fine in the water. And the benefits of this healthy exercise carry over into the whole day. After class, the “Swimmin’ Women” head off to enjoy brunch

together. Pat Whitlock teaches Eagle Mount’s Young at Heart classes for people over 50, and for more than 23 years, Pat has brought humor, joy, and most importantly, freedom and strength into their lives. With a master’s degree in physical education, Pat designs activities that are both fun and beneficial. “The only hard thing,” Pat says, “is getting into a bathing suit and coming out of the dressing room!” Come join us! Call Eagle Mount Bozeman at 406-586-1781.MSN

And That’s No Bull! A DEA Agent stopped at a ranch in Montana and talked to an old fellow that ranched along the Canadian border. He told the rancher, “I need to inspect your ranch for illegal drugs that might have been smuggled from up north.” The rancher said, “Okay, but don’t go into that field over there...” as he pointed out the location. The DEA Agent verbally exploded and said, “Look mister, I have the authority of the federal government with me!” Reaching into his rear back pocket, the arrogant officer removed his badge and proudly displayed it to the rancher. “See this badge? This badge means I can go wherever I

want. On any land! No questions asked, no answers given! Do you understand?” The rancher kindly nodded, apologized, and went about his chores. Moments later the rancher heard loud screams, he looked up and saw the DEA agent running for his life, chased by the rancher’s big Santa Gertrudis Bull. With every step, the bull was gaining on the officer, and it was likely that he would be gored before reaching safety. The officer was terrified. The rancher threw down his tools, ran as fast as he could to the fence, and yelled at the top of his lungs, “Your badge! Show him your badge!” MSN

Science Fiction Comes True - cont’d from pg 61 The most obvious discovery of new miracles is in medicine. Several diseases are already on the ropes or nearly so – AIDS, Parkinson’s disease, and several cancers. And from the perspective of my 76 years, the most remarkable breakthroughs that are about to happen will include building new body parts from scratch – legs, lungs, hearts, livers, eyes, noses, bladders. Some of our favorite exhausted body parts will be grown in the laboratory and used to replace those old favorites that no longer function for us. Some of the lesser needs of medicine will also be addressed. For instance, if you have the bad fortune to suffer from the chronic boyhead that denies you the natural, normal manly loss of hair on your mature noggin, be patient. Science will find a way. And don’t be surprised if a safe new growth hormone won’t soon be at our service, letting every high school grow its own basketball team of taller players. Best of all, science may develop replacement skin, letting hasty people be able at last to rid themselves of that tattooed name of the fickle girl who dumped them. Bill Hall may be contacted at wilberth@cableone.net or at 1012 Prospect Ave., Lewiston, ID 83501. MSN

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Winston, War, and Midwives - continued from page 10 rang a bell. It dawned on me that those women were working in an English healthcare system founded on July 5, 1946. The coincidence of the date, so close to our own Independence Day, made me realize that this was what the United States is now struggling to develop – a national system where everyone has access to medical care, even if they can’t afford it. It’s galling to realize that we are only now nearing the possibility of medical care for everyone in this country. And it’s doubly galling to realize that the English achieved that level of public service 67 years ago. This, the richest nation on earth, has taken three generations to reach the point where we now have some hope of achieving what England began long, long ago. We call it Obamacare. The English

should call their version Churchillcare. Prime Minister Winston Churchill, a Conservative, was the foremost early advocate of Britain’s National Health Service. He played a huge role in stopping the looming tyranny that was Nazi Germany in World War II. And after the war, he fostered the creation of a healing army of medical professionals to attack the battle against disease. On March 2, 1944, Churchill declared, “The discoveries of healing science must be the inheritance of all… Disease must be attacked, whether it occurs in the poorest or the richest man or woman simply on the ground that it is the enemy; and it must be attacked just in the same way as the fire brigade will give its full assistance to the humblest cottage as readily as to the important mansion…” He added, “Our policy is to create a national health service in order to ensure that everybody in the country, irrespective of means, age, sex, or occupation, shall have equal opportunities to benefit from the best and most up-to-date medical and allied services available.” Meanwhile, 67 years after England established medical care for all, most of our could-be American Churchills still fail us. We need leaders to show us the way to attack our biological Nazis because disease is an enemy. We need a new birth of medical equality in this nation. For God’s sake, somebody call the midwife! Bill Hall may be contacted at wilberth@cableone. net or at 1012 Prospect Ave., Lewiston, ID 83501. MSN

The Inheritance Submitted by Julie Hollar-Brantley Morris Schwartz was on his deathbed knowing the end was near. His nurse, wife, daughter, and two sons were nearby. “So, I don’t have much time.” he said to them. “Bernie, I want you to take the Beverly Hills houses. Sybil, take the apartments over in Los Angeles Plaza. Hymie, I want you to take the offices over in City Center. Sarah, my dear wife, please take all the residential buildings downtown.” The nurse was just blown away by all this, and as Morris slipped away, she said, “Mrs. Schwartz, your husband must have been such a hard working man to have accumulated all this property.” Sarah replied, “What property? The schmuck has a paper route!” MSN

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2014

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It Is Time To Understand Your Options for Medicare Supplemental Coverage By Ron Pollack, Families USA Medicare health coverage is fairly comprehensive. But if you need a lot of care, Medicare can leave you with significant out-of-pocket costs. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s why most people have some kind of supplemental insurance to help cover the costs that Medicare doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t. Choosing a supplemental plan that makes sense for you is not always easy. Here are some tips that will help. What are the types of supplemental coverage? About a third of people with Medicare have supplemental insurance from a former employer. If you are lucky enough to have this type of coverage, it is probably your best option. Be careful if you ever decide to drop it â&#x20AC;&#x201C; you may not be able to get it back. People with low incomes may qualify for their stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Medicaid program (and other related programs) that cover Medicare premiums and prescription drug costs. `If you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t fall into these categories, you may want to consider buying either a private Medicare supplement plan (often called â&#x20AC;&#x153;Medigapâ&#x20AC;?) or a Medicare Advantage plan. Both options have advantages and disadvantages, and you should do careful research before selecting one or deciding to change your current coverage. What are Medigap plans? Medigap plans work with original Medicare and pay costs that are left over after Medicare has paid what it covers. Depending on the plan, they pay for some amount of Medicareâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s deductibles and

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co-insurance. They do not usually offer additional services, so they will not pay for an item or service that Medicare does not cover. For example, they do not cover prescription drugs, so most people with original Medicare and a Medigap plan also buy a Part D plan. Medigap plans are sold by private insurance companies. These plans come in several differ-

ent categories, each designated by a letter: For example, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Medigap Plan F.â&#x20AC;? Every plan with the same letter must offer the same benefits, so it is easy to compare plans from different insurers. In addition, these plans have to follow state and federal rules. What are Medicare Advantage plans? Medicare Advantage plans are different from

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Medigap plans. Medicare Advantage plans are run by private insurers that contract with Medicare to provide all Medicare benefits. Many of these plans include prescription drug coverage, and some plans offer extra services that are not covered by traditional Medicare. Medicare Advantage plans usually have provider networks that limit which doctors and hospitals you can use. Medicare Advantage plans also have rules about what you will have to pay out of pocket that differ from the rules for traditional Medicare. Sometimes these rules are beneficial and can protect you from high out-of-pocket costs. For example, a Medicare Advantage plan may have a low copayment for office visits. But sometimes you may pay more for a service if you have a Medicare Advantage plan compared to traditional Medicare. What factors should I consider if I’m deciding between buying a Medigap plan and a Medicare Advantage plan? There is no insur-

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ance that is right for everyone. Here are some key factors to consider: • Medicare Advantage premiums may be more affordable than Medigap premiums. • Medigap may offer better protection against high out-of-pocket costs (deductibles, copayments, and co-insurance) than Medicare Advantage. • Medicare Advantage plans may offer extra services not covered by Medicare. • Medicare Advantage plans can change what services they cover every year. Medigap plans usually do not change what they cover, but they can, and do, raise premiums. • Medicare Advantage may limit your choice of doctors to a particular network and may require you to get a referral from your primary care doctor to see a specialist. Medigap will not. One key concern is that in many states, Medigap premiums can increase as you get older. And if you decide to drop your Medigap plan, you may have to pay a much higher premium to get that plan back in the future – if you can get it back at all. So be careful about making any changes to your Medigap coverage. When can I enroll? Normally, you can enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan only during Medicare’s annual open enrollment period, which runs from October 15 to December 7. Once you pick a Medicare Advantage plan, you must stick with it for the whole year (unless you qualify for a special enrollment period). Sign-up periods for Medigap plans vary from state to state. How can I get more information? Anyone with Medicare can get help from a local counselor through their State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). Call 1-800-MEDICARE and ask for a referral to your local SHIP, or go to www.Medicare.gov and click on “Find someone to talk to.” MSN

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Can You Find These Word Clues In The Word Search Grid? Created by Montana Senior News Staff Word searches are a popular type of puzzle so here you go. Hidden in the word search grid below are the names of 42 advertisers that appear in this issue of the Montana Senior News. Your task is to find the bold/italic portion of the advertiser’s name in the word search, and then find the page numbers in this issue where the advertisers’ ads appear. More detailed instructions are included with the clues below. In this word search your challenge is to find the names of the 42 advertisers listed below in the grid, and find the page in this paper where the advertiser’s ad appears. Only the bold italic portions of the names of the following advertisers are hidden in the Word Search grid (letters only without symbols, spaces, or punctuation). 1. In the grid, circle the bold italic portion of each advertiser’s name. 2. On a separate numbered piece of paper write the page number on which each advertiser’s ad appears. 3. Mail your list of page numbers and the completed grid to the Montana Senior News at the address above. By a drawing, three $30 prizes will be awarded from among the correct answers submitted. Good hunting and good luck! 1. AREA V AGENCY ON AGING 2. ASPEN INSURANCE 3. BAD ROCK BOOKS 4. BAGNELL’S SEWING CENTER 5. BANFF LODGING CO 6. BENNY’S 7. BOB’S SEW & VAC 8. CM RUSSELL MUSEUM 9. DAYS INN 10. DOS MACHOS RESTAURANT 11. EAGLE TIRE 12. LUCCA’S RESTAURANT 13. ELKHORN CAFÉ & SUPPER CLUB 14. EXPLORATION WORKS 15. GREAT AMERICAN BAGEL 16. HAVRE BENEATH THE STREETS 17. HOME HELPERS

Three $30 cash prizes will be awarded to the winners of the Advertiser Word Search Puzzle from Contest Corner in this issue of the Montana Senior News. We also award a $25 cash prize to the person who submits the entry that our staff selects as the featured quiz or puzzle for the October/November issue. Be creative and send us some good, fun, challenging, and interesting puzzles! The $25 prize for the winning answers to the

18. HUMANE SOCIETY OF NW MONTANA 19. KNOX FLOWER SHOP 20. LARK & LAUREL BED & BREAKFAST 21. LEWIS & CLARK PUBLIC LIBRARY FOUNDATION 22. MISSOULA COMMUNITY THEATRE 23. MONTANA LEATHER COMPANY 24. OPAL MOUNTAIN GEMS 25. PARADISE LODGE & BUNGALOWS 26. PORK CHOP JOHN’S 27. QUILT-A-WAY 28. RAINBOW CLUB 29. RAZZ MATAZZ 30. ROBBIN’S ROOST 31. ROCKY MOUNTAIN LODGE 32. ROCKY’S UPHOLSTERY AND STITCHING 33. SEXTON GROUP CONSTRUCTION 34. SILVERBROOK ESTATES 35. THE FRIENDSHIP CENTER 36. THE POPCORN COLONEL 37. THE RANCH CLUB 38. THE RIDGE ATHLETIC CLUB 39. THE SITTING DUCK 40. WAYRYNEN RICHARDS FUNERAL HOME 41. WINDMILL VILLAGE 42. YELLOWSTONE COUNTY MUSEUM MSN

Know Your State Trees quiz that appeared in the June/July issue goes to the folks at the Harlem Senior Center – Little Rockies Retirement Center in Harlem. Congratulations to all who participated! Please mail your entries to our Advertiser Word Search Puzzle to the Montana Senior News, P.O. Box 3363, Great Falls, MT 59403, or email to montsrnews@bresnan.net by September 10, 2014. Remember to work the crossword puzzle on our website montanaseniornews.com.

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2014

ACROSS 1. *Hurricane-prone U.S. city 6. Olympic chant 9. British singer-songwriter 13. Gibson garnish 14. Hair goo 15. Subject of the musical, “Evita” 16. Declare invalid 17. Flower necklace 18. Latin American plain 19. *One killed over 200,000 people in 2004 21. Crying like a sheep 23. How many “if by sea?” 24. Chinese dynasty (1368-1644) 25. In the capacity of 28. Chesterfield, e.g. 30. Designated limit 35. “Do ___ others...” 37. Schindler kept one 39. Art class support 40. Pains 41. Torcher’s misdeed 43. Japanese soup 44. Bear down under 46. Dublin land 47. 100 centavos 48. To imbue with soul 50. “____ Las Vegas” starring Elvis 52. Bloodshot 53. Horticultural implement 55. Get it wrong 57. *Warm current 60. *Dry spell 64. “Bye” to Banderas 65. Pastrami holder 67. “Umble” Heep 68. “That is,” Latin 69. Reef fish 70. Artillery burst 71. Unit of force 72. Hole puncher 73. Senior

Answers to Do You Know Your State Trees? By Patty Friedrich, Missoula 1. c – Redwood – California 2. r – Palo Verde – Arizona 3. d – Blue spruce – Colorado 4. y – White pine – Idaho 5. a – Tulip tree – Indiana 6. j – Oak – Iowa 7. f – Cottonwood – Kansas 8. t – Southern pine – Arkansas 9. y – White pine – Maine 10. v – Ponderosa pine – Montana 11. f – Cottonwood – Nebraska 12. p – White birch – New Hampshire

13. m – Sugar Maple – New York 14. i – Buckeye – Ohio 15. x – Douglas fir – Oregon 16. w – Hemlock – Pennsylvania 17. b – Palmetto – South Carolina 18. g – Pecan – Texas 19. n – Red Oak – New Jersey 20. d – Blue spruce – Utah 21. m – Sugar maple – Vermont 22. f – Cottonwood – Wyoming 23. u – Sitka spruce – Alaska 24. s – Black Hills spruce – S. Dakota 25. e – Dogwood – Virginia

If you don’t like something, change it; if you can’t change it, change the way you think about it. - Mary Engelbreit

MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 75

DOWN 1. Castle feature 2. Travelers’ stops 3. Hokkaido native 4. *”_____ St. Helens,” erupted in 1980 5. They come with marriage 6. Wrinkly fruit 7. “___ no evil...” 8. Way out 9. Kosher eatery 10. *1972 deadly blizzard killed thousands here 11. Goes with ding 12. Lennon’s lady 15. *Black Death 20. Dough 22. Mandela’s org. 24. Like a hippopotamus 25. *Measured by seismograph 26. Soviet entity 27. Rand McNally book 29. *It can get wild 31. Pack down 32. Basket material 33. Band on coat of arms 34. *It can happen in a flash 36. 1952 Winter Olympics host 38. Reality TV star Spelling 42. “_____ Say Never” 45. ENT, e.g. 49. Local network 51. Kindle 54. Land of “Gangnam Style” 56. Like country life 57. Whirlpool 58. Property right 59. Facial protrusion 60. “The Farmer in the ____” 61. Embellish 62. Possess or hold 63. *God of thunder 64. *This usually quickly follows disasters 66. Coniferous tree MSN

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Carhenge Is Nebraska’s Wackiest Attraction es are welded to the upright cars. Three trilithons By Bernice Karnop One of America’s Wackiest Attractions sits stand within the circle. Trilithon derives from the use just outside of Alliance, Nebraska. Carhenge is a of three stones, two large vertical stones (posts) supporting a third stone set replica of Stonehenge horizontally across the top in England. Instead of SENATE (lintel). DISTRICT stones, it’s made with Other cars form a heel 4 vintage cars. stone, a slaughter stone, Wacky it may be, and two station stones. but artist Jim Reinders, Thirty-eight vehicles from who built Carhenge, I have been fortunate the 1950s and 1960s spray actually took it seriouspainted grey, make up because all my jobs paid a ly. One has to be imCarhenge. The cars are pressed with the care, living wage. I always had approximately the same study, and precision it access to health care, dimensions as the stones took to replicate the anexcellent educational in England. Theoretically, if cient site. Stonehenge’s opportunities at public one stood back and squintpurpose and use have institutions, and many ed, they could imagine been debated since Sir recreational options on they’re on the Salisbury John Aubrey studied public lands. I want to make the opporplains looking at Stonethe mysterious site on henge. tunities of the “Good ol’ days” available the Salisbury Plains in Even if you don’t care 1648. Thoughts about to future generations. about ancient history you’ll Carhenge will take less Paid for by Taylor for SD4, 432 Idaho Street East Suite C-412 Carhenge in Nebraska is a novelty that reportedly draws have fun identifying the old time to exhaust. Kalispell .5 t Democrat 80,000 visitors a year. [Photo by Bernice Karnop] cars. For starters, the heel Reinders studied stone is a 1962 Cadillac. People traveling Nebraska’s Sandhills Journey Stonehenge when he Scenic Byway, Highway 2, between Grand Island was in England. That experience inspired the and Alliance, can detour on to Highway 87 at Alliartist to recreate the 96- ance and drive two and a half miles to Carhenge. TH TH foot circle on Nebraska’s The 10-acre plot, which was part of the artist’s September 6 & plains. He and family dad’s farm, includes additional sculptures, each Silverwood S ilv lve ve erwo rw wo ood s shows how ho ows ws ttheir he eir a apprec appreciation ppre e ci i ffor G GRANDPAS S&G GRANDMAS S members dedicated it one made of cars and car parts. A visitor center, by b y admitting adm ad dm mitt ittttin ng them them to the the p park arrk ffor free when purchasing a ticket for to his dad on summer gift shop, and information kiosk round out the ata grandchild. For each grandchild who purchases a ticket, they traction. solstice in 1987. will be g given one free ticket for GRANDMA or GRANDPA! You don’t have to be a history buff or a car The circle is made from autos buried, trunk aficionado to appreciate Carhenge. Really, who GRANDPARENTS AR E FREE down, in pits five feet. wouldn’t want to wheel in to see one of the wackiWITH THE PURCHASE OF A @K:G=<ABE= L MB<D Cars that form the arch- est attractions in America? MSN >M :M LBEO>KPHH= L ?KH GM @:M>

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Waterton Park Front Displays its Biodiversity

By Bernice Karnop The abrupt transition where the Rocky Mountains and the prairies collide creates some startling scenery and forms an uncommon area of biodiversity that will knock the socks off anyone who stops to learn about the amazing way nature works. Admittedly, in a time of technological wonders, one may question whether natural wonders can compete. The answer is, “Yes, they can!” One place that illustrates the interaction between wind and weather, soil and plants, animals and birds, wildlife and cattle ranching, is Waterton Park Front. In 1997, Nature Conservancy of Canada began to preserve the special place that borders Waterton Lakes National Park in Southern Alberta. Today it is one of the largest, and arguably one of the most important, private land conservation initiatives in Canadian history. The project involves more than 50 properties and protects more than 32,000 acres. It’s important as part of the critical wildlife movement corridor known as the Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Region, but it’s value goes far beyond that. On the Rocky Mountain Front different ecosystems fit like puzzle pieces into a relatively small area. At Waterton Park Front, the pieces include wetlands, lakes, rivers, prairie grasslands, aspen parkland, montane, and sub-alpine forests. As a result, one can find an impressive number and variety of animals and plants. It is critical habitat for large mammals like grizzly and black bear, cougar, wolf, moose, elk, and deer. They coexist here with cattle ranching in this working environment. A plethora of birds including the trumpeter swan, a crazy array of wildflowers, amphibians like the Columbia spotted frogs, and a host of other surprises, also fit in to the picture. Nature Conservancy Canada protects this bio diverse area and interprets it for the public at the

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MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 77

Near the Waterton Springs Interpretive Trail they have added a Conservation Cache, part of the geocache game played by adults and youngsters around the world. Grandparents with a GPS will want to search for the hidden box and add their reflections on conservation topics. Kids can add their thoughts as well. The Weston Family Conservation Centre is free, and open every day from 8 to 8, starting in late May and continuing through mid-October. The trail is open year-round; however, the access road is not maintained and will be impassable in the winter. According to its web site, the Nature Conservancy of Canada has completed more than 200 projects that protect more than 185,000 acres of this province’s most ecologically and significant land and water. Since 1962, the Nature Conservancy of Canada has protected more than 2.6 million acres across the country, in partnership with other conservation groups, First Nations, non-profit organizations, and governments. For more information or to donate, visit www.natureconservancy.ca. Take time to stop at the Waterton Park Front and see for yourself how nature balances the diversity of life in this fragile environment. MSN Weston Family Conservation Centre and on the Waterton Springs Interpretive Trail. Both are located at the Waterton Springs Campground on the east side of Highway 6, just north of Waterton Lakes National Park. The Weston Family Conservation Centre is adjacent to the campground office in the main campground building. The Waterton Springs Interpretive Trailhead is located at the east end of the campground. The Weston Family Conservation Centre captures the interest of grandchildren with such interactive displays as comparing your arm span with the wingspan of local birds, learning about and creating one’s own cattle brand, and much more. Youngsters borrow a backpack here to take along the Waterton Springs Interpretive Trail. The contents of the backpack encourage bird watching, animal tracking, and nature art. Even little grandchildren can hike the Waterton Springs Interpretive Trail. It is a little more than half a mile long, and there’s no need to rush. Brochures at the trailhead – one for adults and one for youth – help readers understand the cultural and ecological history of the area. Small signs along the way point out interesting features. Visitors can take a guided hike on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays from late May through August and even bring the family dog if it is kept on a leash.

Take A Step Back In Time To The Days Of Glorious Canadian Railroads Since 1978, the Canadian Museum of Rail Travel has been located in Cranbrook British Columbia. The museum features one locomotive and twenty-three rail cars, many of which have been completely restored, while others are partially restored, but still speak to their historical significance. The museum is one of the only places in North America that possesses a complete historical train line. The 1929 Trans Canada, a classic “jazz era art deco” train, crossed much of the continent from Montreal to Vancouver. Rail passengers crossing Canada travelled in luxury in these “hotels on wheels” that included a dining car and fully appointed sleeping compartments. The second rail line nearly restored is the Soo-Spokane. Unlike the Trans Canada, the Soo-Spokane stopped in Cranbrook on its way to Spokane, Washington. Visitors to the Canadian Museum of Rail Travel can get up close and personal with these

trains. Guided tours allow the visitors to enter the rail cars and learn about their magnificent history and how first class travelers enjoyed their scenic travels around the vast expanse of Canada. With audio presentations and anecdotes from tour guides, the guided tours also explain the restoration process and the important part in Canadian history played by these trains. The Cranbrook History Centre is opening a new area focusing on local history including the colorful characters and events that took place in Cranbrook. Another part of the new exhibit includes a replica model train of Cranbrook’s original train

line and an 18-foot model train of the Canadian Rockies that is fully operational. We invite you to come explore the Canadian Museum of Rail Travel and the Cranbrook History Centre. For more information, visit trainsdeluxe.com or call 1-250-489-3918. MSN

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Hidden Meadow Memory Care The Perfect Choice.

family that is searching for a loving, secured, nurturing environment for their loved one with Alzheimer’s Disease or one of the related Dementias will be greatly encouraged after visiting Hidden Meadow Memory Care. The environment is small, home-like, filled with love and respect. Pampering of residents is what we love to do!

Hidden Meadow Memory Care is locally owned and operated by Patricia Zinke R.N. and her husband, Ed. Our high, staff to resident ratio, ensures great care. Nursing staff on duty includes licensed nurses and assistants specialized in the care of residents with memory loss. Third party nursing services such as Physical Therapy and Hospice are also available if needed.

Everyone works together to ensure the highest excellence in care. Hidden Meadow Memory Care is located between Columbia Falls and Whitefish, just off of Hwy, 40 on 12 beautiful acres! The property resembles a true Montana picture with mountains, meadow, and deer! A newly built “healing garden” is being enjoyed by families and residents. It includes: a covered pavilion, flowers, benches, hummingbird feeders, water fountain, and bird bath to entice charming little bird visitors! Patricia Zinke would like to extend an invitation to anyone caring for a loved one with memory loss to visit us. She would be happy to give you a tour and listen to you about the needs of your special loved one. Please call her at (406) 253-6782 to arrange a time for a tour. Hidden Meadow Memory Care truely is the perfect choice.

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