Montana Senior News Jun/Jul 2009

June/July 2009

Vol 25 No 5

COMPLIMENTARY! TAKE ONE! FREE! Red Bus Driver “Jammer Joe” Is An Icon Of Glacier National Park

Antique auto photo

by Becky Hart

[Photo courtesy of Glacier Park, Inc.]

By Dianna Troyer After he settles himself behind the driver’s seat of his red bus to give a tour of Glacier National Park, Joe “Jammer Joe” Kendall, 79, adjusts his microphone and shares a secret with his passengers in a confidential tone.

“These buses used to have manual transmissions and gears, so I used to be a gear jammer,” says Joe of the red vintage style 17-passenger touring coaches with tan canvas rollback roofs, “but now the transmissions are automatic, so I’ve become a shiftless jammer.”

Whatever he calls himself, “Jammer Joe is an icon of the park,” says Alicia Thompson, Glacier Park Inc. sales and marketing manager.

Since 1997, “Jammer Joe” with his humor and vitality has endeared himself to red bus passengers and other park employees and even has a pizza place, “Jammer Joe’s,” named after him at Lake McDonald on the park’s west side. Among the drivers, who all wear crisp white shirts and pressed khaki pants, “Jammer Joe” is easily recognizable with his handlebar mustache. Also, he is the only driver who occasionally slips into a grizzly bear costume to surprise passengers returning from a short hike.

For the past six years, “Jammer Joe” has driven the Great Lodges of Glacier tour, a six-day journey to the park’s historic lodges. His high school sweetheart and wife of 55 years, Geri, is tour director.

“We’re so happy we can be here together working in the summers,” says Joe. “I feel so fortunate to see the most beautiful area of the country every day and to show this delightful, wonderful land of Glacier to others.”

Glacier Park encompasses 1.3 million acres and is known for its active glaciers, 700 miles of trails, dozens of alpine lakes, diverse and abundant wildlife and flowers, and mountains resembling Europe’s Alps.

Joe’s personality makes his passengers want to know as much about him as the park.

Every season, Jammer Joe says passengers ask him how he keeps going at his age. The retired farmer from Galva, Illinois, a town about 50 miles northwest of Peoria, says he never tires of answering.

“I grin and tell them, ‘I just keep breathing,’” says Joe, whose birthday is February 22. Then Joe, who has completed several marathons, shares a favorite quote from Dr. George Sheehan, a runner and author.

“Most people live no where near their limits. They settle for accelerated aging, and an early and precipitous fall. They give aging a bad name.”

Joe attributes his vitality to exercise and having a positive attitude.

“Every morning, I walk for about 45 minutes,” he says. “When I was 50, I started running, and after that I completed 14 marathons. The first half-mile is the hardest, then the endorphins start pumping through your system, and you feel so good. About three years ago, I started walking because I damaged a tendon in my knee while ice-skating. In winter, I use a treadmill.” (Cont’d on page 28)

PAGE MONTANA SENIOR NEWS

JUNE/JULY 2009

Hearing, and the Solution for the Rock Generation People often associate hearing loss with the aging process, prolonged exposure to loud noise is a far more common cause of the condition.

In America, around one in six Baby Boomers have hearing loss. There are actually more people aged 45 to 64 with hearing loss than those over 65… and the reality is that more people are losing their hearing earlier in life.

Baby boomers are likely candidates for noise-induced hearing loss, particularly the kind that results from continuous loud noise over an extended period of time (like a 115-decibel rock concert). Factory noise, home power tools, lawn mowers, or the roar of construction sites are also to blame.

“They’re the first of that rock ’n’ roll and DoIt-Yourself generation,” said Shawn Parker from HEARINGLife, “the first to really grow up with loud music, personal stereo systems and ready access to power tools.”

The realization that hearing is no longer sharp can provoke feelings of anxiety about age. Ironically, many people worry that wearing hearing aids will lead them to being perceived as old. However, the symptoms of hearing loss – mishearing people, frustration, feelings of isolation and withdrawing from difficult situations – are more likely to promote the perceptions of others that someone is ‘old’.

This reluctance has motivated hearing aid manufacturers to develop devices to attract age-phobic, style-conscious Boomers. For example, Sonic Innovations has just released the virtually invisible ion400.

“Whenever I’ve referred to my hearing aids, people say to me, ‘Oh, are you actually wearing hearing aids?’”, explains Owen Jacobsen.

Powerful and providing a sound quality previously unheard, it is also fully-automatic.

The ion400 instantly adjusts to changing hearing environments to provide the best possible hearing outcome. So wearers can be reading at home, then head off to a busy shopping center, watch a movie and answer their telephone during the course of a day, without ever having to think about, or adjust, their hearing aids.

Darryl Cockburn is amazed by the changes his hearing aid has made to his life and how others have reacted to his improved hearing – he only wishes he had done something sooner.

“The other day I was at a birthday party for one of my grandkids and I could hear everything she was saying – both good and bad”, he remarks with a chuckle. “She was saying – Pop, you have new ears … and I guess I really do in that situation”.

HEARINGLife clinics are offering FREE road tests and home trials of the ion400 hearing aid at all of their clinics. For your nearest clinic see below.

Kelly Marrinan received her Doctor of Audiology degree from the Arizona School of Health and Science.

All forms of health insurance are accepted including: Medicaid, Medicare, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Worker’s Compensation, Sterling, TriWest, Veteran’s Affairs, Lehrerleut Huetterite Benefit Plan, Lion’s Club, United, and many more.

If you can relate to more than a couple of these symptoms, it is likely that you suffer from hearing loss.

You strain to follow conversations in noisy environments, such as meetings, parties and restaurants Often ask people to repeat what they’ve said You mishear words and sentences Telephone conversations have become more difficult for you You watch peoples’ lips when they talk Small children – who have higher voices – are particularly hard to understand You often feel that people are mumbling, rather than speaking clearly

Research has revealed the costs of hearing loss are significant – hearing loss has been linked to short-term memory loss, fatigue, anxiety, depression, even lower income – on average, up to $11,000 a year less than for their peers who use hearing aids.

Others complain that you have the TV and radio turned up too loud Some sufferers experience a persistent ‘ringing in the ears’, known as tinnitus What hearing aid?

The ion400 is virtually invisible

Hearing loss never sounded so good.

Montana Audiology 1102 Ninth Street South - Great Falls (406) 727-3115

Virtually invisible

www.hearinglife.com

Free hearing screening & Free trial Take this coupon to your nearest HEARINGLife location for your Free hearing screening & Free trial of the latest digital hearing aids.

JUNE/JULY 2009

MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE

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 www.montanaseniornews.com email: montsrnews@bresnan.net

Thank You For The Great Paper!

What a lovely surprise! Thank you for publishing my story and poem in the February/March 2009 issue of the Montana Senior News. I forgot that I had sent them to you. Just another senior moment, I guess.

Also, thank you for continuing to send copies of both the Idaho and Montana publications. They address the interests of senior readers with both facts, and often, a dollop of humor. With our world being what it is today, if we can’t enjoy an occasional laugh, what’s left?

Pearl Hoffman Los Angeles, California Thank you for your wonderful newspaper! I’m a long haul trucker (42 years driving). I found your paper at Eddies Corner truck stop, Hwy US 191 & US 87. It’s great reading! I would like to subscribe for the next two years.

Also, any of your readers know of DVD ads for Art Linkletter’s interviews of kids back in the 50s? I bought one at a Cracker Barrel restaurant.

Bobby Raby Old Hickory, Tennessee

This Fitness Ditty Will Liven Workouts

Hi, I am the activity director at Discovery Care Centre in Hamilton. We do armchair fitness and to spice it up we sing songs etc. I wrote a marching song that we sing and I think it might be amusing to your32readers.

PAGE MONTANA SENIOR NEWS

Leader: I don’t know, but I’ve been told.

Chorus: I don’t know, but I’ve been told.

Leader: It’s no fun gettin’ old.

Chorus: It’s no fun gettin’ old.

Leader: Your bones begin to creak and groan.

Chorus: Your bones begin to creak and groan.

Leader: You make more trips to the throne.

Chorus: You make more trips to the throne.

Leader: Your hair turns white or it falls out.

Chorus: Your hair turns white or it falls out.

Leader: Can’t hear a thing unless they shout.

Chorus: Can’t hear a thing unless they shout.

Leader: For all your aches, there’s little pills.

Chorus: For all your aches, there’s little pills.

Leader: Your blood pressure rises like your doctor bills.

Chorus: Your blood pressure rises like your doctor bills.

Leader: But let’s look at it another way.

Chorus: But let’s look at it another way.

Leader: Let’s be glad we’re here today.

Chorus: Let’s be glad we’re here today.

This song always puts a smile on our faces.

Hope your readers like it.

Dominic Farrenkopf Hamilton

Beautiful Bitterroot Quilts

The Bitterroot Quilters Guild is presenting its Gems of the Bitterroot quilt show June 27-28 at the

(IGHGATE 3ENIOR ,IVING 2EVIEW

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The Montana Senior News is published six times each year in February, April, June, August, October and December by Barrett-Whitman Co., 415 3rd Avenue North, Great Falls, MT 59401 and is distributed free to readers throughout the state of 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 Production Supervisor

Advertising Sales Kathleen McGregor Advertising Sales Angie Erskine Advertising Sales Becky Hart

Graphic Artist Peter Thornburg Distribution Sherrie Smith Admin/Production Assistant Contributing Writers Bob Campbell Connie Daugherty George Engler

Clare Hafferman Sue Hart Kim Thielman-Ibes Gail Jokerst Bernice Karnop Craig Larcom Liz Larcom

Michael McGough

© 2009

THE NEED FOR COUPLES TO CONTINUE TO LIVE TOGETHER BUT AT THE SAME TIME WE ALSO KNOW THAT THE CAREGIVER SPOUSE MUST HAVE HELP IF THEY ARE TO MAINTAIN ANY PERSONAL QUALITY OF LIFE !T (IGHGATE A COUPLE MAY RESIDE IN THE SAME APARTMENT AND WE CAN PROVIDE THE CARE AND ASSISTANCE NEEDED 4HIS GIVES THE WELL SPOUSE OPPORTUNITY TO CONTINUE WITH THEIR OUTSIDE ACTIVITIES AND AVOID THE STRESS AND DEPRES SION ASSOCIATED WITH CARING FOR A LOVED ONE 7E HANDLE THE MEALS MEDICATIONS

HOUSEKEEPING LAUNDRY DRESSING AND HYGIENE WHEN NEEDED AND EVEN THOSE NIGHTTIME NECESSITIES SO THE WELL SPOUSE GETS A GOOD NIGHTS REST 7E CAN PROVIDE CONTINUOUS CARE AND YET THE COUPLE CAN REMAIN IN THE SAME APARTMENT !T (IGHGATE A COUPLE MAY RESIDE TOGETHER IN THE SAME APARTMENT EVEN WHEN ONE SPOUSE HAS A NEED FOR CARE WHILE THE OTHER SPOUSE DOES NOT 4HERE IS NO NEED TO MOVE ONE SPOUSE TO ASSISTED LIVING OR A NURSING HOME 4HE BEST NEWS IS THAT THERE IS NO LARGE hUP FRONTv MOVE IN FEE TO BE PAID BEFOREHAND !T (IGHGATE YOU PAY ONLY A MONTH TO MONTH RENTAL THAT S ALL &OR FURTHER INFORMATION REGARDING CARING FOR A LOVED ONE AT HOME OR THE RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO SENIOR COUPLES PLEASE CONTACT (IGHGATE 3ENIOR ,IVING

#ONTACT (IGHGATE 3ENIOR ,IVING

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(IGHGATE WILL PROVIDE A CONTINUUM OF CARE THAT CAN ACCOMMODATE THE CHANGING NEEDS OF A RESIDENT s ,OVELY 6ILLA DUPLEX HOMES OR APART MENTS FOR THOSE WHO ARE INDEPENDENT AND NEED NO ASSISTANCE OR FOR COUPLES WHO DESIRE TO CONTINUE TO RESIDE TOGETHER BUT NEEDING HELP WITH CAREGIVING OR hDAY CAREv s !SSISTED LIVING FOR THOSE NEEDING HELP WITH ACTIVITIES OF DAILY LIVING INCLUDING ENHANCED CARE FOR THE DECLINING SENIOR NEEDING FULL ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORT s h%ARLY 3TAGE -EMORY #ARE 0ROGRAMv WHICH WILL GIVE FAMILY PEACE OF MIND KNOWING THAT THEIR LOVED ONE WITH DIMIN ISHED MENTAL AWARENESS WILL RECEIVE LOVING ATTENTION AND REASSURANCE WHILE PROVIDING DIGNITY AND INDEPENDENCE s ! SECURE -EMORY #ARE #OTTAGE WILL PROVIDE LOVING INDIVIDUALIZED CARE IN A SAFE HOMELIKE ENVIRONMENT FOR SENIORS WITH !LZHEIMER S DISEASE OR OTHER FORMS OF DEMENTIA !S OUR POPULATION AGES SENIORS AND THEIR ADULT CHILDREN ARE FACED WITH FINDING QUALITY LIVING CHOICES FOR THEIR LOVED ONES (IGHGATE 3ENIOR ,IVING WOULD LIKE TO HELP YOU MAKE THAT CHOICE &OR FURTHER INFORMATION CALL (IGHGATE 3ENIOR ,IVING AT OR STOP BY 7 /AK 3T )N "OZEMAN TO VISIT OUR COMMUNITY

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PAGE MONTANA SENIOR NEWS

JUNE/JULY 2009

Ravalli County Fairgrounds in Hamilton. We extend an invitation to everyone to see the quilts we have been making since our last show two years ago.

Proceeds from the show purchase fabric and batting to make quilts for donation to Ravalli County kids in need; to families who have lost their home or possessions to fires or floods; to patients during treatment of lingering or terminal illnesses; to displaced elderly; and to victims of abuse. These quilts are given freely as a token of our love and as a gesture of caring to our community.

These beautiful quilts are truly works of art.

Admission is $4. Saturday visitors will vote for the best quilt. For additional information, call 406777-1070.

Linda Powell Hamilton

Response To Alzheimer’s Disease Research

I am responding to Mary Adams’ letter from Columbia Falls concerning Alzheimer’s disease research in the December/January 2009 issue.

McLaughlin Biomedical Research Center (nick named “The Mouse House”) in Great Falls is studying and researching Alzheimer’s disease as well as prion disease in animals, i.e. mad cow disease and cancer plus other diseases.

While this does not help Mary and her husband financially, the research center here in Great Falls

Remember when you were young and your mother, father, or grandparent used an expression for a certain situation and you would look at them in wonderment? What were they talking about!

Our winning Remember When contributor, Jim Meade of Great Falls, has given us a long list of archaic, colorful expressions in his submission A Lick And A Promise. Thank you and congratulations to Jim, the winner of our $25 Remember When prize.

Remember When contains our readers’ personal reflections,

is working very hard to find solutions to these diseases.

I live four blocks from the research center and contribute financially because their only way to research these projects is by contributions and grants.

Emma White Great Falls

Great Restaurant

If you happen to be traveling along Montana 16 between Culbertson and Plentywood, you might stop at a little café in Medicine Lake where the donuts don’t stay on the counter very long. They are soft and delicious.

They are of a special recipe and the only way you can find out is to stop and have one (or two) because they are that good. So you had better come early to be sure to get one.

While the Laketonian café serves other meals that are just as good, you might also try the super Laketonian burger or the foot long chili cheeseburger at a good price.

For seniors who happen by around noon there is the congregate meal five days a week. A good healthy meal.

I just thought you would like to try one of them out.

Clarence Sherman Medicine Lake MSN

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 August/September 2009 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.

Montana State Pride Limited Historical Edition Rifle

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JUNE/JULY 2009

A Lick And A Promise

Submitted by Jim Meade, Great Falls 9. Been through the mill - had a rough time “I’ll just give this a lick and a promise,” my of it. mother said as she quickly mopped up a spill on 10. Between hay and grass - not a child and the floor without moving any of the furniture. not an adult.

“What is that supposed to mean,” I asked as 11. Blinky - between sweet and sour as in in my young mind I envisioned someone’s tongue milk. licking the floor.

12. Calaboose - a jail.

“It means that I’m in a hurry, and I’m busy can13. Catawampus - something that sits crooked, ning tomatoes so I am going to just give it a lick such as a piece of furniture sitting at an angle. with the mop and promise to come back and do 14. Dicker - to barter, bargain, or trade. the job right later.

15. Feather in your cap – to achieve a sig“A lick and a promise” was just one of the nificant accomplishment. This came from a time many old phrases that our mothwhen warriors might receive a Some will understand this. feather they would put in their cap ers, grandmothers, and others For the rest, it will be used that had been passed down for defeating an enemy. a learning situation. from the generations before and 16. Hold your horses - be paare now disappearing. This is untient! fortunate because some of them are appropriate, 17. Hoosegow - a jail. colorful, and humorous.

18. I reckon - I suppose.

Some of these old expressions follow: 19. Jawing/Jawboning - talking or arguing.

1. A bone to pick - wanting to discuss a dis20. Kit and caboodle - the whole thing, situaagreement. tion, etc.

2. An axe to grind – having a hidden motive.

21. Madder than a wet hen - very angry.

This phrase presumably came from Benjamin 22. Take down a notch or two – setting a perFranklin who told a story about a devious man son straight who thinks too highly of himself, as in who, in asking how a grinding wheel worked, tightening the notches in a belt. ended up walking away with his axe sharpened 23. No spring chicken - not young anymore. free of charge.

24. Persnickety - overly particular or snob3. One bad apple spoils the barrel - one cor- bish. rupt, dishonest, or misbehaving person can have 25. Pert-near - pretty near, almost. a negative influence on others if you don’t remove 26. Pretty is as pretty does – a person’s acthe spoiler. tions create a more positive impression than their 4. At sea - lost or not understanding some- looks. thing.

27. Red up - clean the house.

5. Bad egg – a person who is not good.

28. Scalawag - a rascal or unprincipled per6. Barking at a knot – effort that is as useless son. as a dog barking at a knot.

29. Scarce as hen’s teeth - something difficult 7. Barking up the wrong tree – discussing, to obtain. analyzing, or contemplating the completely wrong 30. Skedaddle – move away quickly. issue with the wrong person.

31. Sparking – courting.

8. Bee in your bonnet – having an idea that 32. Straight from the horse’s mouth – reliable one can’t let go of. information directly from (Continued on page 42)

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PAGE MONTANA SENIOR NEWS

JUNE/JULY 2009

Our winning quiz for this issue is a little bit different. Lana Toren of Columbia Falls has given clues that refer to items that are found on almost any table. Change your train of thought and have some fun. Thank you, Lana for this different Table Terms quiz.

Congratulations to Eleanor Fuge of Missoula who submitted the winning answers to the Rock And Roll Memories quiz that appeared in our April/ May 2009 issue. Thank you, Eleanor.

Announced here is the winner of the $20 prize for the Easter Egg hunt that ran in our April/May 2009 issue – Jennie Klasna of Sidney. Congratulations Jennie and thanks to all who tried their luck.

Two $25 cash prizes are awarded from the “Contest Corner” in each issue of the Montana

Senior News. One prize goes to the person who submits the entry that our staff selects as the featured quiz or puzzle in the “Contest Corner” for that issue. Be creative and send us some good, fun, and interesting puzzles!

The second $25 prize goes to the person who submits the most correct answers to the featured quiz or puzzle from the previous issue. When there is a tie, the winner is determined by a drawing.

Please mail your entries to the Montana Senior News, P.O. Box 3363, Great Falls, MT 59403, or email to montsrnews@bresnan.net by July 10, 2009 for our August/September 2009 edition.

Be sure to work the crossword puzzle in this issue and on our website www.montanaseniornews. com.

Table Terms

Submitted by Lana Toren, Columbia Falls Below is a list of clues that refer to items found on almost any table. Think about a nice meal with your family or friends and the items that are set before you. Answers may be homonyms (sound the same but be spelled differently) of the actual table item. Have some fun and send us your answers! You may win $25!

1. An important baseball position.

2. Found at home base in baseball.

3. A term for the clergy.

4. What a sailor is often called.

5. Name of a division in a road.

6. Used by a golfer when driving off.

7. Used on July 4th to make noise.

8. Used to make windows.

9. College football games played after the season.

10. Given at the 25th wedding anniversary.

11. What a young couple does in the moonlight.

12. A partly open door is a…

13. What you refer to when you’re in a tight spot.

14. Some people refer to money as…

15. Fog is often said to be as thick as…

16. When you take advantage of a situation to the very extreme.

17. When you brown-nose.

18. This item is supposedly flying when spotted as a UFO. 19. A term you would call someone you really cared for.

20. Santa’s belly shakes like a bowl full of…

21. This term is used to encourage dog teams to move ahead.

22. A common constant used in geometry calculations.

23. Used to anchor a tent.

24. Diamonds are measured in this unit.

25. A real sneeze starter.

26. What usually happens when you step on something.

27. This happens when you win a game.

28. What the Easter bunny brings.

29. Club for young girls.

30. What you are doing when you are putting on your clothes. MSN

JUNE/JULY 2009

Answers to Rock ‘n Roll Memories

1. C) The movie’s over, it’s 4 o’clock 2. B) Blackboard Jung 3. A) Angel 4. C) Blueberry Hill 5. A) Mr. Sandman 6. C) Sun

7. B) Charlie Brown 8. A) MacHeath 9. C) Tutti Fruitti 10. C) Alan Freed 11. A) Little Richard 12. C) Annette Funicello

April/May 2009 - Page 43

By Miles Mellor

1. Properly inspected 6. A Mazda 10. VW convertible 11. Luxury classy car 12. Supercharged auto 14. Decay 15. Weight measurement 16. “Back to Black” singer, Winehouse 17. Sun ___ 18. Chrysler ____ 21. Cut staff 23. Student score (abbr.)

25. How horrible!

26. On show, but not in mass production 27. Piece of advice 29. Egyptian King, for short 31. Mimicked

33. Yes in Mexico 34. Torrent 37. M100, for one 39. “Fearless” star 41. Film distributor and record company 42. Beetle promoter 46. Spectra is one of their models 49. ____ Dhabi 50. Speed measurement, abbr.

51. Get now, pay later (3 words)

Down

13. B) Don and Phil 14. A) Jiles P. Richardson 15. C) Motown 16. A) 77 Sunset Strip 17. B) Sandra De 18. B) The Monotones

Answers To “Test Your Sports Knowledge”

What Do You Know About Cars?

Across

MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE

5. 70’s Dodge 6. Early 20th century auto maker, Joseph 7. Morgan car (2 words) 8. Futhermore 9. A Bond car (2 words) 13. Kid 19. VW sedan 20. Honda Civic, for example 22. Pink slip holder 24. Toyota marque 28. Company going public has it 30. “Born in the ___” Springsteen song 32. Rep’s opposite 35. Mercedes class letters 36. Goes with hers 38. Admired 40. Mexican resort 41. Engineer, abbr.

43. Expression of surprise!

44. Means 45. Accelerate, ___ the engine 47. Quality of communication 48. US car maker

1. Vehicle history reporter 2. Race 3. Mandatory coverage 4. 4 door, 5 passenger Lexus (3 words) PAGE 32 MONTANA SENIOR NEWS

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2007

If you have difficulty understanding words clearly over the phone, just fill out this form!

You may qualify for free assistive telephone equipment through the Montana Telecommunications Access Program!

MSN

The Montana Telecommunications Access Program (MTAP) provides FREE assistive telephone equipment to those who qualify, making it easier to use the phone to do business or keep in touch with family and friends.

F Yes, I want to learn more about MTAP! Name: ____________________________________ Address: __________________________________ City: ______________________________________ State: _____________ Zip Code: _______________

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PAGE MONTANA SENIOR NEWS

JUNE/JULY 2009

JUNE/JULY 2009

MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE

PAGE 10 MONTANA SENIOR NEWS

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Full-Court Quest: The Girls from Fort Shaw Indian School Basketball Champions of the World by Linda Peavy & Ursula Smith; University of Oklahoma Press, 2008 Reviewed by Connie Daugherty In March 2009, the Montana Book Award Committee - a statewide group established in 2001 by the Friends of Missoula Public Library - announced its annual winner. At the time of the announcement, I was attending my granddaughter’s 6th-grade basketball games, and March-Madness was in full swing. So, naturally I picked up Full-Court Quest.

From the first page I knew I’d found a treasure.

While the story is obviously about basketball, women’s basketball, it is also about the U.S. government’s experiment in American Indian boarding schools. It is about growing up, forming friendships, and crossing societal boundaries. It is a story that was all but lost in local lore until these two talented researcher-authors chanced upon a team photo. Their curiosity and interest was aroused and after ten-years of extensive and detailed research, Full-Court Quest became a reality and includes not only that familiar inspirational photo, but also others the authors collected along the way.

The book is written in a touchingly personal style that pulls the reader in and provides understanding as well as bushels of detailed historic information. We have all heard the theory that the fluttering of a butterfly’s wings in one part of the world creates a wind across the globe. This is sort of what happened with this bit of history. In the telling of the tale, Peavy and Smith show how all the individuals and separate incidents come together at one magical place in one magical moment in history - the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair.

“The story of the Fort Shaw team’s journey to St. Louis had its beginnings a dozen years earlier, in 1892, with the establishment of an off-reservation government school for American Indian children at an abandoned military fort in central Montana, and at almost the same time - but on the other side of the country - with the invention of the game of

basketball,” explain the authors in the preface of Full-Court Quest.

In January 1892, James Naismith published an article detailing the rules of his new game in The Triangle, the YMCA’s monthly journal. “[T]he new sport’s critical quality was teamwork…. In the late nineteenth century, with immigrants pouring into the country, American society was becoming increasingly diverse, and… increasingly fragmented…. [A] game demanding teamwork… could be a means of building a sense of community within ethnic groups… ultimately… assimilating them into American society.”

Basketball, like most sports of the time, was never intended to be a woman’s sport. It was considered much too rigorous for a woman’s constitution. But almost as soon as the game was established it was discovered and adopted by an energetic physical education teacher at Smith College and, “basketball would alter forever… girls’ perception of appropriate physical exercise for women as well as their perceptions of themselves.”

By 1896, the three-year-old Fort Shaw Indian Boarding School was well established and growing with students coming from all corners of Montana and Idaho. Indian children were not only learning to read and write English, they were also learning to be bakers, seamstresses, and cobblers. It was also the year that girls’ basketball came to Fort Shaw – brought by a former student/worker who had discovered the sport while attending the famous Carlisle Indian School in Oklahoma. By 1897, an exhibition game was included in the annual spring closing exercises at Fort Shaw. “[T]he school was the only educational institution in Montana - white or Indian, college or high school - to incorporate basketball into its physical culture curriculum.” At the very least, it was the only school to allow public exhibitions of girls playing this new sport. Girls, who had to put aside their long, confining skirts in exchange for bloomers and middies.

Although the team at Fort Shaw might have been the first team to offer a public exhibition of basketball, the new sport was not unheard of around the state. But it wasn’t until 1902 that the Fort Shaw girls would have a chance to compete against any other teams. Once begun, these public competitions not only grew beyond expectations, but had unexpected consequences as well.

When the residents of Sun River and Great Falls turned out in record numbers to watch this new sports competition, they adopted and supported the Fort Shaw girls as their local team.

“Relations between the

JUNE/JULY 2009

valley’s white settlers and the Indian children in their midst had come a long way in ten years.”

Meanwhile the director of the Fort Shaw School decided to capitalize on the growing popularity of the game and use the girls’ skills as a recruiting tool. During the summer of 1903 he took his girls on a tour of the state enabling the girls to play in their own hometowns for the first time. “Not only had his girls carried the gospel of Fort Shaw - and of the federal Indian policy… they had carried the gospel of basketball. Indeed… Fort Shaw was spreading basketball fever across the state.”

Successful as the tour had been it was only the beginning of travels and adventures for the girls of Fort Shaw. Plans for the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair were moving along with every passing day.

Because the theme of the fair was the Louisiana Purchase, it would naturally include an Indian Exhibition. That exhibit would include a Model Indian Boarding School and Fort Shaw had been invited to send “seven to ten” specially selected students to be part of the student body that would be a “living exhibit of the success of the government’s education program.” For Superintendent Campbell the choice was almost foreordained.

“The basketball girls were, without a doubt, mature enough, responsible enough to take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

Although, as expected there were obstacles to overcome, on June 17, 1904 the Fort Shaw girls who had never before traveled east of Montana’s border, along with their chaperones arrived in St. Louis. And within twenty-four hours they were performing their first exhibition game. “Everything in their lives had come together to bring them to this moment.”

But simply playing exhibition games could not transform the Montana Basketball Champions into World Champions. The Fort Shaw team was ready, but society was not. Once again, an old prejudice - not race, but gender - stood in the way. It would take prodigious efforts by several advocates behind the scenes, as well as the girls’ own popularity and skill to produce the much-anticipated contest.

“The stage that gave the young women from Fort Shaw their moment in history was… ephemeral…. They did not set out to shatter preconceptions. They simply set out to play a new game… when the game opened up new opportunities; they acquired the skills needed to seize those opportunities. They were placed in a landscape… not of their own choosing, but one they shaped to their liking.”

The butterfly’s wings analogy of one seemingly unrelated happening leading to another until finally they come together in one place and time in history that can never be repeated is appropriate to this tale. Full-Court Quest is much deserving of the 2008 Montana Book Award.

The annual Montana Book Award recognizes literary excellence in a book that is set in Montana or is written or illustrated by someone who lives in Montana, or that deals with Montana themes or issues.

Linda Peavy and Ursula Smith began their collaborative work in women’s history and biography in Bozeman. They have co-authored ten books and have given presentations and workshops across the country including the Library of Congress and the White House. MSN

Summer has finally arrived and it’s time to find someone special to share summer activities.

Those weekend picnics, rodeos, and county fairs might be even more fun with a companion.

To those who wish to respond to any of these personal ads, simply forward your message and 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. If you answer an ad in this section, there is no guarantee that you will receive a response. That’s up to the person who placed the ad. Please make sure you submit your correct address plainly printed so you can promptly receive responses.

Respond to the ads in this issue and also sit down now and prepare your own ad to run in our August/September 2009 issue. There is no charge for this service and your ad may bring a breath of fresh air to your heart as well.

Responses to personal ads appearing in this column can be submitted at any time. However, to

place a personal ad, the deadline for the August/ September issue is July 10, 2009.

SWF, attractive, fluffy, and in my 50s. Own my own home in Hamilton and can’t relocate. Can you? I’m not the athletic, outdoor type, but do have a wide variety of interests including, camping, picnics, dancing, singing, art, 60s music, plays, cards, movies, dining out, and quiet evenings at home. I’m friendly, faithful, and real.

In search of a dependable, stable, ND, NS, non-gambling Conservative Christian gentleman 45-70 with similar interests to share life’s journey beginning as friends.

I prefer someone who still believes in chivalry, is into a healthy lifestyle, is affectionate and romantic, has good personal hygiene, and a good sense of humor. Working a 12-Step Program is a plus. Please send photo. I will answer all responses. Reply MSN,

MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 11

PAGE 12 MONTANA SENIOR NEWS

JUNE/JULY 2009

Dept. 25501, c/o Montana Senior News, Box 3363, Great Falls, MT 59403.

White male, 5’8” tall, 175 lbs, and blue eyes.

I am 66 years old, but people guess my age at about 55. I don’t do drugs, smoke or drink, but don’t mind if others take an occasional drink. I like to hike, hunt, fish, and enjoy the outdoors. I am affectionate, healthy, and in good shape. I am looking for a lady who likes mountains, outdoors, and the simple life. I would love to hear from you.

I live in SW Montana. Please send a photo. Reply MSN, Dept. 25502, c/o Montana Senior News, Box 3363, Great Falls, MT 59403.

Single, retired, male, mid 70s, 180 lbs, white, and live on my small ranch 11 miles from Superior.

I have a great view. I like to fish, enjoy the outdoors, camping, etc. I don’t smoke, drink, or do drugs. I enjoy dancing, cards, time with a companion, dinner out, etc. Will answer all letters. Reply MSN, Dept.

25503, c/o Montana Senior News, Box 3363, Great Falls, MT 59403.

I am a 59-year-old looking for a man 59-70 for companionship and possibly a long relationship.

I have dark hair, green eyes, 5’2”, 140 lbs, and am Native American. If interested, please write and include a photo. Reply MSN, Dept. 25504, c/o Montana Senior News, Box 3363, Great Falls, MT 59403.

65 years old, female, white, 5’ 1/2”, 160 lbs, looking for white man, non-drinker, no-smoker, no drugs, financially secure for long-term relationship.

I have been a widow for 2½ years, love long walks, gardening, and animals. I own my own home and want someone to share it with me. Please write.

Reply MSN, Dept. 25507, c/o Montana Senior News, Box 3363, Great Falls, MT 59403.

I am a 66-year-old white male with blue eyes.

People usually guess my age at about 55. I am 5’8” tall and weight 175 pounds. I don’t smoke, drink, or do drugs. I was a crop duster pilot for 36 years until I had brain surgery about 4 years ago. I eat right and exercise, consider myself to be healthy and in good shape. I enjoy hunting, fishing, hiking, and other outdoor activities. I am comfortable with small groups of people, but usually not with larger groups. I live between Dillon and Jackson on Hwy 278. I would like to meet a lady in her 50s or early 60s to be a friend that could eventually develop into something more. Reply MSN, Dept. 25508, c/o Montana Senior News, Box 3363, Great Falls, MT 59403.

SWF, looking for one sincere, trustworthy, loveable, healthy guy, who is active, and fun loving. Non-smoker, who enjoys dancing, eating out, traveling, RVing, camping, family, friends, and quiet times. I am a loving Bozeman area gal in my late 60s, good natured, love life, and am very active.

Desire long term relationship with guy who has similar likes and is close to my age. Prefer a man from Gallatin County or close by. If this sounds like someone you would be interested in, please send a recent picture, phone number, and address. We can meet over a cup of coffee! I will respond to all letters received. Wishing you many happy trails.

Reply MSN, Dept. 25509, c/o Montana Senior News, Box 3363, Great Falls, MT 59403.

To the man I would like to meet: I’m an active lady who values family and friends and a spiritual relationship with God. I’d like to get to know a man who feels the same. I am 59 years old, 5’11”, 145#, and have blue eyes and strawberry blond hair.

I enjoy walks, the first snowfall of the season, nature, dancing, and bike riding. If this letter interests you, please write and include a photo. Reply MSN, Dept. 25505, c/o Montana Senior News, Box 3363, Great Falls, MT 59403.

SWF, 53, and one teen at home. I love western Montana. It’s God’s country to me. I’m looking for SWM, 5’8”, 180 lbs, 74 on July 27th, blue eyes, a man around my age who likes to work and play. brown hair, no tattoos, I’m not a beauty or slender, but am nice, talented, and am anti tobacco/ and intelligent. Companionship is what I’m after. gambling/drugs. Healthy, Someone who enjoys cribbage, sports events, all teeth, no pierced body fishing, mushroom hunting, and just everyday parts, social drinker, living­. No drugs, alcohol, or smoking. You either amiable, pleasant look- please. Financial security is a must and the true, ing, and Helena area right relationship with God. You can teach me how resident. Alaska mala- to love again if you are the right one. Reply MSN, mute fancier, outdoorsy, Dept. 25510, c/o Montana Senior News, Box non-hunter, and good 3363, Great Falls, MT 59403. eyes. Home and forested land owner, intelligent, I’m WDF in my late 60s, 4’8”, 130 lbs, blue seeking compatible lady eyes, grey hair, and freckles. I don’t smoke, drink, for LTR. Healthy home or do drugs. I live in town, own my home, like to cooking, veggie garden- fish, camp, hike, and take day trips. I like to watch ing, wild salmon, and baseball on TV, a Yankee fan, and also like to etc. Swimming, biking, watch wrestling. I have been divorced for 12 years friendly sports, and hugs. and it gets very lonesome by myself. I would like RSVP! Reply MSN, Dept. to just talk or visit with someone. I have one child, 25506, c/o Montana Se- who lives in Kalispell and visits on weekends. I nior News, Box 3363, don’t drive or have a car, so I do a lot of walking.

Great Falls, MT 59403. If you are lonely too and want to talk to someone,

JUNE/JULY 2009

drop me a line and picture and I will do the same.

Reply MSN, Dept. 25511, c/o Montana Senior News, Box 3363, Great Falls, MT 59403.

Male in my late 70s looking for a lady companion in her late 70s or early 80s who likes fishing,

MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 13

going out to dinner, and traveling. I want someone who is a non-smoker, non-drinker, and no drugs of any kind. I own my own home in Butte. I will answer all who send a letter. Reply MSN, Dept. 25512, c/o Montana Senior News, Box 3363, Great Falls, MT 59403. MSN

Too old for that sort of thing...

Not! It is sex not shuffleboard for today’s baby boomers.

Award-winning author wants your love story for her new book, Sex After Social Security.

“We still have this stereotype of older people with their bath chairs and canes, staggering around, who couldn’t possibly be having sex but that isn’t the case,” said Dr. Petra Boynton, University College London in a recent BBC News interview.

“More than one in four seniors in 2000 reported having sex once or more a week, compared to only about 10 percent in the 1970s,” reported Tara Parker-Pop in the New York Times.

More couples over 70 are having sex - and finding it satisfying - than in previous generations, a British Medical Journal survey suggests as reported on BBC News.

“From a societal perspective, I would say that older people are young people later in life,” said Dr. Stacy Tesler Lindau, lead author of the federally funded study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Study after study has reached the same conclusion and now, in an interesting twist, Eileen Barish, award-winning author is seeking submissions for her new book, Sex After Social Security. Ms.

Barish is the author of two novels, a dozen travel essays, and a contributing writer to Newsweek, National Geographic Traveler, Time, and other publications.

The concept of the book is to provide a glimpse into the love and sexual lives of people over the age of sixty who might be considered too old for that kind of thing.

The emphasis will be true stories that touch the heart, lift the spirit, and confirm the sexual identity of people old enough to collect social security but young enough to enjoy the pleasures of a sex life. The vignettes can cover a range of personal experiences: love and sexuality found late in life; a reawakening of love and sexuality; sex and love after the loss of a spouse; a tale of enduring love; or any story along those lines. Like other aspects of life, the stories can be happy, sad, or unique in one way or another.

The names of those included in Sex After Social Security will be changed to assure anonymity.

To submit your story, visit www.sexaftersocialsecurity.net or email Ms. Barish at sexyseniorwriter@ gmail.com. If your story is selected, the author will contact you. MSN

So You Think You Know Everything? Think Again Peanuts are one of the ingredients of dynamite.

Rubber bands last longer when refrigerated.

“Stewardesses” is the longest word typed with only the left hand and “lollipop” is the longest word typed with only the right.

The average person’s left hand does 56% of the typing.

The cruise liner, QE2, moves only six inches for each gallon of diesel that it burns.

The idea for the microwave oven came after a researcher walked by a radar tube and a chocolate bar in his pocket melted.

The sentence: “The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog” uses every letter of the alphabet.

The winter of 1932 was so cold that Niagara Falls froze completely solid.

The words “racecar,” “kayak,” and “level” are the same whether they are read left to right or right to left (palindromes).

There are 293 ways to make change for a dollar.

There are more chickens than people in the world.

There are only four words in the English language that end with “dous”: tremendous, hor-

rendous, stupendous, and hazardous.

There are two words in the English language that have all five vowels in order: “abstemious” PAGE 26 MONTANA SENIOR NEWS and “facetious.”

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By Dr. Michael R. McGough It was spring and as had been his practice for several years, he did his spring-cleaning. Most years it was a rather lackluster effort that accomplished little to reduce the mass of his accumulated holdings. He was a keeper, so throwing things out did not come naturally to him. In fact, it was tough for him to part with almost anything. He justified saving things by telling himself that either he or someone else may need it. As a result, he had accumulated a good deal of stuff over the years.

Luckily, he was a somewhat organized person, so his collection of stuff at least had some semblance of neatness and order. That was fortunate for if he had not been semi-organized, there may well have been no room for him in his own life.

Even so, the total mass of his accumulations was enormous. He had so much that he had long ago lost track of it all. He once told a friend that he needed a paint brush and that it was easier to go and buy one than try to locate any of the ones he had saved over the years.

During one particular year, his spring-cleaning took on a new twist. He realized that he had been holding onto some stuff that was not in his basement, his attic, his garage, or any of the several small storage buildings he had built over the years.

He was also a keeper of old personal stuff. For example, he was involved in several activities in which he had lost interest long ago, but he could not give them up. Even though he was a mild mannered individual with a forgiving nature, he

JUNE/JULY 2009

Dump the Junk was hanging on to some old hurts and angers that surfaced in his thinking from time to time. He also periodically lamented some opportunities that life had not afforded him and some instances where things just did not work out as he had wished. And mixed in with all of that, there were some personal fears that had been around since childhood. None of this personal stuff was debilitating in nature, but on the other hand, it did not serve any good purpose either. And when viewed collectively, it did deserve his attention.

So in addition to throwing out five boxes of coffee cans, a closet full of clothes that he had worn more than thirty pounds ago, a pair of cracked water skis that he had never used and had no intention fixing or ever using, he decided to toss some personal junk that he had been hoarding.

Just as he had done with the junk around his house, he began with a careful inventory of what he was personally keeping. As he worked his way through this emotional stash, he asked himself a series of questions.

One of the first questions he asked himself was how long he had been holding on to a particular fear, a special hurt that he wanted to retain or some grudge that he simply could not let go. If it

had been around for a while and nothing had come of it, he took that as an indication that it was not worth keeping any longer.

The second question he asked himself related to his past efforts to deal with or make any sense of some fear, a particular resentment, or some previously unquestioned perception that seemed to linger from year to year. He figured that if he had been unable to do anything to resolve them, there was a good chance that simply moving beyond them was a prudent option.

A final question focused his attention on the potential good that could come to him or anyone else by retaining the personal junk he had been storing. Unless there was some compelling, or at least sensible, rationale for doing so, he resolved to clean them up and move them out.

In the end, he was able to dump some personal grievances that had been around for years, one of which went back to junior high. He neatly packaged up two fears that were now useless to him.

He politely, yet firmly, dropped out of two groups in which he had long ago lost interest. For years, he had dragged himself to monthly meetings and a summer picnic by the sheer force of habit.

Although the process of managing the stuff of life effectively, whether it is coffee cans or old grudges, is never over, periodically taking stock and resolving to dump the junk can produce pleasant results. Reducing the load that you carry each day, even if just by a little, can easily become a quality of life exercise that may produce surprisingly positive results. MSN

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PAGE 16 MONTANA SENIOR NEWS

JUNE/JULY 2009

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By Bob Campbell After a long winter, summer is finally here.

We have many things for which we can be thankful. Our stress level is getting lower as the weather warms and the Legislature leaves Helena for another twenty-one months. Now we can enjoy the many outdoor attractions that our beautiful Montana has given us.

Each year I talk to high school students about Law Day on May 1. Briefly I give them an overview of federal and state governments and provide them with information they should know as they reach 18 and face the enormous problems of the economic crisis and political turmoil across the globe.

As the digital frontier increases young people’s access to the world, they may not be adequately familiar with the foundations of government and social systems that would be beneficial to their being able to understand and participate in order to improve the quality of their lives. For example, I do not know anyone who has not been financially affected by this international recession.

Many university graduates have found that their four-year degrees do not provide the job opportunities that they expected when they started their course of study. Some have quit because of the high cost of student loans.

The lack of job prospects has prompted them to enroll in technical training where the job prospects are greater. Parents whose net worth has decreased are now wondering how they will survive, much less put a child through college.

Fortunately, we live in one of the five states that do have budget surpluses. With the additional federal dollars, we can navigate this crisis successfully because we have so many factors in our favor. We have an exceptionally large state with no urban centers, and we are blessed by natural resources that if wisely used will provide long-term security.

We have an endless supply of natural beauty that attracts visitors from around the globe.

This summer my trips are within driving distance and in June, I cannot wait until the snow is plowed and Glacier Park opens. In August, I am staying at the Old Faithful Inn where I stood in the lobby fifty years ago when the Madison canyon earthquake hit with such destructive force.

If a person had three lifetimes to live, you could never see all the wonders that Montana has hidden in every corner. I urge everyone to take time to smell the flowers and enjoy this land that has been so bountiful for thousands of years. MSN

Montana’s Historic Summer Theaters

By Kim Thielman-Ibes As the Treasure State, Montana has many fine traditions and treasures beyond our natural wonders that remind us of our distinguished western heritage and culture.

The theater arts in Montana began long before Montana attained statehood in 1889 and a few of these grand establishments are still thriving today.

Three particular theaters have witnessed much of Montana’s history as they have stayed true to their historical roots through their architectural integrity or their historical beginnings. The Opera House Theater Company in Philipsburg, the Fort Peck Theater, and the Virginia City Players and Opera House sprang up on Montana’s open prairie, in its vigilante-filled gulches, and along the mountain valleys that yielded opal and sap-

0LEASE #ALL /UR -ONTANA #LINIC s OR

phire and are noteworthy today as prosperous descendents of Montana’s tumultuous formative years.

The first theater company in Montana formed in 1864 in Virginia City, the largest town in the inland Northwest at the time.

Virginia City was the territorial capital of Montana and was regarded as its cultural center, although its moniker “Social City� likely came as much from its rowdier forms of entertainment as from its more refined dances, balls, and theater.

Originally built in 1864 and known as the Smith and Boyd Delivery Stable, today’s Virginia City Opera House with its Virginia City Players is on the National Register of Historic Places. In the early 1940s, Charlie Bovey - the father of preservation in Virginia City, converted the original building into the Opera House and hired Larry Barsness to manage the Virginia City Players. “The opera house is amazing. Charlie put in a new floor, and he brought in these comfortable fold-down and padded theater chairs from Deer Lodge,� says Janna Norby, Curator for the Montana Heritage Commission in Virginia City. Norby notes that Mr. Bovey kept the original livery doors that open into a beautiful lobby draped in velvet curtains and that the theater still uses a Cremona photo-player, the only one in use in the United States today and one of only three in operation in the world. This instrument was popular in the early 1900s with small theater owners, providing music and clippity-clop accompaniment for silent film.

For more than 20-years the Virginia City Players wore original period clothing. Today these period treasures are be-

JUNE/JULY 2009

ing preserved, and a Virginia City seamstress sews and fits costumes for each season. This year the theater company is celebrating its 60th anniversary with turn-of-the-century melodramas and “… a varied vigorous vagary of vivacious variety acts.”

While Virginia City stakes its claim to Montana’s oldest summer stock company, the Philipsburg’s Opera House Theater Company boasts the oldest continuing operating theater in Montana. Just a few years after sapphires were discovered on the West Fork of Rock Creek, Angus McDonald and his wife built this two-story opera house in 1896.

The McDonald’s spared no expense in building their opera house constructing it with plumbing, a high loft to accommodate scenery backdrops, a spacious balcony, and a generous stage that attracts actors and audiences alike.

On loan from the Granite County Museum, five of the original six backdrops painted for the Opera House by Edgar Paxson in the late 1800s found their way back to the Opera House in 1998 after having changed hands many times.

Like the Virginia City Opera House, the beautiful Philipsburg Opera House building is on the National Register of Historic Places and has been

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through many incarnations including as a livery stable, a soda pop bottling firm, and a bank. Andrew Crow saved the building from demolition in the 1980s and later sold it to the present owners, Tim and Claudette Dringle who have undertaken a complete restoration of the opera house to its original beauty. With seating for 350 and with musical accompaniment, the Opera House Theater Company runs well-acted, fast-paced melodramas from late June through early September.

The Fort Peck Summer Theater, known as the playhouse on the prairie, was originally built under Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal program in 1934 when the eastern, fossil-covered shores of Fort Peck Lake swelled to a population of more than 35,000. Here in the middle of the prairie grass covered hills, the Fort Peck Navy was born. Built

by The Army Corp of Engineers as a movie theater to entertain the large number of workers brought in to build the Fort Peck dam, the movie theater ran 24-hours a day, 7-days a week filling every one of its 1,209 seats.

Unlike the Victorian-style of the Virginia City and Phillipsburg opera houses, the Fort Peck theater was built in an unlikely prairie style to resemble

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MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 17

a Swiss-style Chalet complete with open-truss construction and handcrafted light fixtures.

In the 1960s, the Fort Peck Fine Arts Council formed specifically to save the theater from demolition, and in 1983, it too was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. The council has seen the building through much renovation and today draws on both regional and professional talent to produce live shows throughout the summer from late May through early September. This theater puts on Broadway-style shows and its 2009 schedule includes Hello Dolly, Grease, and the Wizard of Oz. All three of these historic theaters remain true to their varied pasts and continue to provide immense pleasure to their lucky audiences.

For more information, contact: • Phillipsburg Opera House Theater Company at 406-859-0013 or visit www.operahousetheater. com • Virginia City Players and Opera House at 800829-2969 or visit www.virginiacityplayers.com • Fort Peck Summer Theater at 406-228-9216 or visit www.fortpecktheater.org. MSN

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A Trio That Toots Its Own Horns from Trio son, n r o t l Wa Alph e. tana ght: Pau arol Fre d n o i M r n C a o d left t Free, an of John ree] F y n l s h o e Jo urt Car to co [Pho

By Gail Jokerst Should you ever find yourself in Glacier National Park around sunset, head straight to Lake McDonald and keep your fingers crossed. As the sun dips behind Howe Ridge on the lake’s northwest shoreline, you may be fortunate enough to hear The Montana Alphorn Trio performing in one of the world’s grandest natural amphitheaters.

For the past 14 summers, Flathead musicians John and Carol Free and Paul Watson have toted their long horns weekly to Apgar, where the trio plays tunes for its own pleasure and that of the park’s many visitors. Their dulcet melodies draw an appreciative crowd as the notes echo off the mountains and transport listeners into a scene befitting The Sound of Music.

“We’re sure we’re in more pictures of Glacier Park than bears and that’s a fact,” jokes John, who usually dresses in traditional lederhosen when performing.

When asked to describe the difference between alphorns and other horn instruments, John simply states, “They have more resonance.” Considering these horns can be heard from two miles away and that one echo can last as long as 15 seconds you know he’s not exaggerating.

“They’re impressive because of their size, yet they create such sweet harmonic sounds. They’re soothing tones - mellow and soft,” adds John’s wife, Carol. “They can be loud but not sharp or brassy.”

From the moment the Frees first heard an alphorn, while visiting Munich’s biggest beer hall in 1990, the old-time instrument fascinated them. John knew instantly he wanted to own one. After Carol overcame her awe of the horn’s size, she, too, vowed to own one.

Since both Frees can lay claim to German heritage and enjoy folk dancing, their interest in alphorns surprised neither friends nor family. Combine that with a love of camping, hiking, birding, and canoeing and it’s easy to see why this wooden instrument so strongly associated with the outdoors attracted them.

Upon returning home, the Frees researched the history of the alphorn and discovered it dates back some 2,000 years.

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PAGE 26 MONTANA SENIOR NEWS

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“It goes back to the time when the Romans invaded Europe. The horns were used both for music and for signaling to other villages either that all was well or that help was needed. Although no longer a daily means of communication, these and similar natural horns still hold a place in the hearts of Swiss, German, Scandinavian, and Tibetan mountain dwellers,” says Carol, who soon began looking for a source for alphorns. She and John wrote to the German Consulate, which sent them a roster of Bavarians known for handcrafting musical instruments. Although none was an alphorn maker, the Frees contacted every name on the list.

“We wrote letters in German and English asking them to write to us if they made alphorns or to pass along our request to someone who did,” recalls John. Several months later, their efforts paid off. They found an envelope in their mailbox from a Bavarian cabinetmaker, who also built authentic alphorns out of spruce.

“He sent us a price list and asked what key we wanted,” remembers Carol, who chose the key of F. “The cost varied by the horn’s size and the intricacy of the floral artwork decoration.”

After the 12-foot horns arrived six months later, Carol and John were understandably excited about their purchases. However, neither had a clue how to play them.

“There wasn’t a soul to teach us; no one else owned one in Montana as far as we knew,” says Carol. “So we had to home school ourselves by reading books and practicing the tunes that came in a booklet with the alphorns.”

“Aside from songs, we can now play several mountain signal tunes but don’t know what they mean,” laughs John.

“For all we know, we could be playing ‘The Mongols are coming’ or ‘I’ll be late for supper, honey.’”

According to Carol, one of the biggest challenges in playing alphorns is mustering enough lip and lungpower to create pleasing melodies. This natural

horn has no valves or holes, just a mouthpiece from which players coax different sounds by changing mouth positions.

“You’re playing what amounts to a long tube with a cup at the end of it,” says Carol. “That’s all you’ve got to work with. Because of the construction, you have to support the sound from your lungs and diaphragm. It takes lots of practice and muscular lip power and can make you dizzy if you don’t get enough air.”

As soon as they could make some distinctive sounds, the Frees brought their instruments to a Flathead Valley Community Band (FVCB) practice session. Their fellow musicians lined up to try out the instruments. Within the next year, when FVCB trumpet player Paul Watson had his first chance to play the alphorns, he, too, was hooked immediately. Before long, he became the third member of the trio.

“He had to have one,” remembers John. “We decided to play together just to see how it sounded.

The three-part harmonies were so much fuller.

We were all pleasantly surprised at how rich the sound was.”

If you can’t get to Glacier Park on a Thursday evening this summer to hear one of their live performances, you could catch strains of The Montana Alphorn Trio’s music at other venues. In the past, the group has played during Missoula’s First Night and at Kimberly, British Columbia’s annual accordion festival. In addition, John and Carol perform with the Bavarian Echoes, a local polka band that is an offshoot of the FVCB. The Frees folk dance to the music and during intermissions, they and Paul treat the audience to a brief alphorn concert.

“We don’t make any money from this - we’re total amateurs,” explains John. “We do it to share our music because we like the sound of it. I gave up fishing 15 years ago to make music. I was not a good fisherman anyway and I’m not a great alphorn player either. But I’m a much better alphorn player than fisherman.” MSN

Building A Community Forest One Partnership At A Time: Pat Young And Foys-to-Blacktail Trails

By Gail Jokerst Some folks choose easy-to-reach goals for themselves like walking an extra block a day or cleaning out a closet weekly. Then there is Pat Young, who really welcomes a challenge. As one of the founders of the organization, Foysto-Blacktail Trails (FtBT), Pat wants to protect 320 acres of forested land for future generations of Flathead residents.

All she and FtBT’s other members need to do to reach their objective is raise two and a half million dollars by September 2009. Right!

“Granted, it’s a huge mountain to climb,” admits Pat, who has seen wal-

lets open as word spreads about what is at stake here. “But development has prompted people to wake up and start preserving land. All over the state, communities are beginning to save trails because land is being developed. Historically, Montana is a place where farmers and ranchers have been open to the idea of letting the public use their land. That’s changing now. Many farmers have sold to out-of-state buyers, who are fencing off their property.”

For as long as Flathead locals can remember, these 320 acres near Herron Park have been open to the public. People head to this network of weaving paths - just five minutes from Kalispell’s city limits - to walk dogs, watch birds, and ride horses. They also flock here to cross-country ski and snowshoe as well as hike, picnic, and pedal bicycles.

“This parcel is the most heavily used portion of the trail between Kalispell and Blacktail Mountain near Lakeside,” states Pat. “But one of the hard things is getting people to understand it’s not part of county-owned Herron Park. They assume it is. If the land is sold and developed, it could be closed off to the people of the Flathead forever.”

When the privately owned acreage came up for sale in 2007, Jim Watson, a member of the Flathead County Parks Board, approached The Conservation Fund (headquartered in Washington D.C.) to purchase it. Realizing this property was the gateway to the rest of the trail system, Jim and

JUNE/JULY 2009

FtBT knew they needed to move quickly to take the vulnerable parcel off the market. Fortunately, The Conservation Fund agreed to act as an interim buyer. This provided a two-year grace period to raise the needed dollars.

As Jim notes, this is an important project that, “enjoys broad support from parties such as the Montana Logging Association and Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks. A bunch of different people with a common interest are working together for a community forest.”

Once FtBT has the parcel, Flathead County would accept ownership. Deed restrictions would then safeguard habitat and grant permanent easements allowing trails and recreation.

“This is an asset to our valley and state. You feel like you’re in the backcountry but you’re actually close to home,” remarks Pat, an avid equestrian who has ridden the hillsides above Foys Lake for 22 years. “The area is full of rolling trails - very private with loads of hills and valleys. It has spectacular views of Glacier Park in the distance as well as Smith Valley to the west, the Mission Mountains to the east, and Flathead Lake to the southeast.

You can also see wildlife - bluebirds, hawks, owls, badgers, grouse, deer, eagles, and elk.”

Established in 2001 to create a linked trail system from Kalispell to Blacktail Mountain, FtBT has a volunteer board, which has pursued partnerships with individual landowners, businesses, and government agencies. In its quest to gain access to strategic sections needed for completing the trail system, FtBT has chalked up some heartening successes such as obtaining a donated recreational trail easement from brothers John and Myron Chase of Great Falls.

“During the 19 teens and 20s, my grandparents would put packs on their backs and hike from Kalispell to a cabin on their ‘ranch’ and stay for a week. They emigrated from Bremen, Germany where ordinary folks didn’t own a forest, so their purchase was a big thing for them,” recounts John, a retired teacher, who intends to keep the Chase family’s 160 ridgeline acres as forest land.

“Our first priority was to protect the property by donating a conservation easement to the Montana Land Reliance. The Foysto-Blacktail group helped us establish contact with the Reliance and make the easement possible,” says John. “The trail proj-

Happy Father’s Day

[Photo by B. James Jokerst]

ect is the last opportunity for something like this to happen in the Flathead. Developers don’t want trails cutting across their property.”

John felt so strongly about supporting FtBT’s efforts, he often hiked out to watch the progress and visit while Montana Conservation Corps (MCC) workers built portions of a single-track trail across his family’s land, which he says, “has never been closed to public access and never will be. It was wonderful to see something concrete accomplished here,” adds John. And, thanks to a four thousand dollar grant from Plum Creek Timber Foundation, FtBT has additional funds to continue work on the trail system this year.

Another FtBT coup was obtaining a trail permit (easement work in process) from Plum Creek Timber Company. This allowed them to build a connector trail across Plum Creek acreage to the Chase’s boundary. In addition, Plum Creek has authorized FtBT to place signage along their portion of the approximately 20-mile corridor between

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Herron Park and Blacktail Mountain.

“Plum Creek has been interested in the project from the beginning,” says Pat. “We’re working together with them and Stoltze Land and Lumber to secure even more easements.”

The two lumber giants have also made stewardship a priority, requesting FtBT maintain the trails and keep people from wandering off trail.

“We see our role as caretakers of the land, too,” agrees Pat, “and assume responsibility for educating people as well as picking up litter.”

For Pat, one of the fringe benefits of the FtBT

project are the wonderful partnerships forged among this all-volunteer organization and MCC, Plum Creek and Stoltze lumber companies, government agencies, and individual landowners.

“A lot of people are working together to make a beautiful spot for people to go,” says Pat. “It’s an empowering experience for everyone who wants to help.”

To make a tax-deductible donation, volunteer to help, or learn more, visit www.foystoblacktailtrails. org or call Pat Young at 406-755-9229. MSN

“Jammer Joe” - Icon Of Glacier National Park - continued from cover Joe says he also tries to have something to look forward to. As his season at Glacier was winding down in September, he was looking forward to working again in Antarctica from October to February.

After completing his red bus duties on September 21, Joe left for Antarctica on September 30 to work as part of a 1,100-member support team for the National Science Foundation at McMurdo Station, an American research post.

He drives a variety of vehicles designed for snow travel, from 56-passenger buses with 10-foot tall tires to smaller web-tracked vehicles. He shuttles researchers to their destinations within McMurdo and to outlying areas.

“Last year I had the opportunity to work down there for the first time,” he says. “I first heard about the job from an office clerk here at the park who had worked there. I applied six times before I was

accepted. I’m going back this year and hope to go to the South Pole. I want to be able to walk around the pole, and say I walked around the world Sketch courtesy in less than a minute.” of Glacier Park, Inc. As “Jammer Joe” navigates the park’s winding roads, dispensing details about grizzlies, glaciers, and the Going-to-the-Sun Road, he recalls the delight he felt during his first summer in Glacier.

“I came to Glacier 59 years ago,” he says. “My brother and I washed dishes at Lake McDonald Lodge. I came back a second season and was a bus boy at the lodge. After work, I hiked and explored. Like many others, I fell in love with these mountains. They are special and get into your system, and you don’t want to leave them.”

Although circumstances forced Joe to leave the Montana mountains, his memories of Glacier never left him as his life progressed. He was drafted in the Army for two years, married, and helped rear their five children on their farm, where he raised grain, hay, cattle, hogs, and Shetland ponies.

“I still love my farm and have the best of both worlds,” says Joe, whose neighbor cares for his farm while he and Geri are working in Glacier.

After their children graduated from college and Joe began pondering retirement, he heard seniors

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were being hired at Glacier.

“I was so excited,” he says. “I was willing to do anything to have the opportunity to go back for the summer.”

In 1997, he was hired and worked in a warehouse. That summer he was asked if he would like to drive a red bus the following season.

“I said, ‘You betcha.’ The job has been every bit as good as what I thought it would be.” Joe says he had such a good experience during his 1997 season at Glacier that he persuaded his wife, Geri, to take a leave of absence from her job as tour director for Mayflower Tours and join him. She was hired to work in the East Glacier Lodge administration office.

In 2002, when the Great Lodges of Glacier tours were launched, Joe was assigned to the program as a driver and Geri, with her previous work experience, was hired as tour director.

Every May, Joe and other red bus drivers begin their season by washing and polishing the fleet of 33 red buses.

Of the 50 to 55 red bus drivers, about 60 percent are retirees, says David Eglsaer, Glacier Park Inc. transportation manager. Seniors like Joe are ideal employees, because they tend to provide excellent customer service and are patient, he says.

To become a red bus driver, applicants must pass a physical, then take a rigorous two-week class in which they learn about the park’s history, geology, plants, and wildlife. They also learn first aid and CPR, obtain a commercial driver’s license, and practice driving the 25-foot-long buses.

Joe provides customer satisfaction - with his particular brand of humor.

Several years ago, when some passengers said they were disappointed at not seeing a bear, he knew what he would do.

“I ordered a grizzly bear outfit,” he says. “People love it, and have their pictures taken getting a bear hug from me.”

“Jammer Joe” plans to return to Glacier for the 2009 season, with his grizzly bear outfit, ready to dispense a bear hug to red bus passengers or anyone else who might need one. MSN

KC Warner is the lady in the locomotive

By Gail Jokerst Some girls dream of becoming a ballerina or a nurse when they grow up. Not Kay Colleen “KC” Warner.

From the time she was big enough t] okers J to ride her pony to the border of her il a

by G [Photo family’s farm and watch freight trains rumble by, she yearned to be the person waving from the engine’s window and sounding the horn. Thirty years later, her wish came true.

Although KC has been a locomotive engineer for the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) line for 15 years, her railroad career began more humbly.

The year was 1976 when she filled out a BNSF application after learning the railroad was hiring women for the first time. Because her prospects with the railroad did not look encouraging, KC took a job in Alaska rather than sit home waiting. To her surprise, nine months later the railroad called offering her work as a gandy dancer.

For this Columbia Falls native, there was no debate about what to do. She raced back to Montana and was laying steel for tracks and putting in ties within three days. As part of a 40person gang including four women, she found the work exhausting but rewarding.

“There were long days in the hot sun and cold wind plus lots

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of heavy lifting. You had to be tough,” recalls KC. “The men were not excited about having women in the gang. They gave you a difficult time ‘til you proved yourself and they saw you would work hard. I’m the only woman left of that group and I have watched 60 others come and go in the last 32 years.”

Despite the rigors of gandy dancing, KC liked the job. She enjoyed the people with whom she worked. She appreciated the decent wage she earned. And she loved having Glacier National Park as her outdoor “office.”

KC stayed with that gang two years until she was promoted to switchman, where she performed physically demanding tasks such as switching boxcars in rail yards and breaking apart trains.

From there, she inched her way up the railroad’s career ladder as a brakeman doing repair work and troubleshooting for the trains she rode. After that, she took on the conductor’s mantle, which involved handling paperwork and managing the crew for each route she worked.

Finally in 1994, BNSF gave her the opportunity she had been waiting for since childhood: They offered her the job of locomotive engineer. After six months of rigorous training and testing, she captained her first freight train.

As an engineer, KC is responsible for running trains up to 8,500 feet. Her main task is controlling four engines - two up front, two in the rear - that pull and push over one hundred linked rail cars through this state’s mountainous terrain.

“You have to take into account things like steep grades and slack between cars when gauging your speed. And you have to get the brake settings right to safely bring a train off a mountain,” explains KC. “A train can have 200 feet of slack. If handled incorrectly, you have a crack-the-whip effect and the train breaks apart. Things happen slowly with a train unless you’re in trouble. Then they get hairy quickly. In severe winter conditions, the tiniest thing can go wrong. On a level piece of track, it’s no problem. But on a steep grade at 20-below zero, it can turn into a nightmare instantly.”

Her cargos vary and include everything from containers full of electronics to tank cars loaded with petroleum.

One thing, though, that remains a constant is grain transport. Wheat, corn, and barley that used to be hauled during and after harvest season now ship year-round on BNSF - 15,000 tons at

a time.

Like all railroaders, KC puts in a maximum of 12 hours per shift before a replacement takes over.

However, when her shift finishes she has no advance notice when her next work stint will begin.

“Trains run 24/7/365 but train crews never know when the train will arrive on their section of the route. All we’re sure of is when we are rested after eight or twelve hours off, we are subject to call again,” she says. “We receive a phone call giving us one hour and fifteen minutes’ notice - day or night - telling us to report for duty. Our lives are programmed to work that way.”

What is not programmed is how each new trainload will be managed. Since KC never knows what she will be hauling next, she has to treat each train uniquely when it comes to adjusting speed and applying brakes.

“Every day you get handed a new equation.

The loads are different; the empties are different; the length of the train is different,” notes the fourthgeneration Montanan.

As you might expect, being a locomotive engineer is not for everyone, male or female. It calls for personality traits that do not belong exclusively to either sex.

“You have to be gritty; the hours are so demanding. This job has the no-schedule schedule.

Besides that,” she adds, “you have to be able to concentrate for hours at a time and keep focused on the train, the track, the weather, cars in crossings, and more. And you have to be prepared to troubleshoot problems before they happen. We jokingly describe it as hours of unrelieved boredom interrupted by moments of sheer terror.”

KC considers the views she enjoys from the engine’s window as one of the best perks of her occupation. She has spotted just about every form of wildlife that makes its home in Montana.

The short list includes grizzlies, wolves, coyotes, foxes, bobcats, elk, and mountain goats. When it comes to scenery, her favorite countryside is the corridor between Libby and Bonner’s Ferry along the Kootenai River.

“It’s still pristine through there when you leave the Yak,” she notes. “There’s nothing back there.

It’s beautiful and you can’t be in that spot any other way unless you’re on a train.”

While that scenery has altered little since KC’s railroading days began, other aspects of this business have changed. The length of trains is much longer than in yesteryear, the engines are also bigger, and the brakes better. Railroads are also major participants in the computer age.

“It’s surprising how fast things are getting so technical. We’ve watched it go from old-time track work done by hand to auto-scans on engines, remote controls, and satellite assistance,” explains KC. “Coordinates are typed into a computer and ballast trains dump rock by satellite control.

Payroll and train line-ups are done by computer now, too. We went from a 60-person accounting group in Whitefish to no clerks at all.”

Should you dream of a railroad career as KC did and happen to be a woman, she offers the following advice: “It won’t be easy and it isn’t fun all the time. But it’s a good job that pays really well. There are going to be some tough days when you want to quit. But if you can make it through, things get better. It takes a unique woman to fit into a man’s world and do this kind of work. It takes physical strength and the right personality plus a little bit of moxie.” MSN

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Busy Hands, Happy Heart

By Connie Daugherty communities throughout the Midwest while Clarice The classy, spry woman came down the stairs was growing up. “I tried to be involved somehow toward me. As I met her, she said there was an wherever we were,” she says. Being involved elevator that I was welcome to use it if I did not want and interested just comes naturally to to climb the stairs. However, she would meet this lively out-going woman. me on the second floor, because she By the time she finished high “always uses the stairs.” school, Clarice was determined to “I’m blessed, go to college - she wanted to be I’m just so a librarian. Even though she had blessed,” says to put it off a year due to family Butte’s Clarice finances during the depression, Richardson. At she managed to get herself to ninety-one, Claa college in Oklahoma near rice appreciates where her family lived in Texand lives each day as. During the first months to the fullest. She of her freshman year, she is proud of her good met George Richardson, health, her abilities, a young law student from and is determined not eastern Montana. It was to waste any of them. not long before they So she walks severstarted dating and not al miles a week, swims much longer before when she gets a chance, he proposed - for the works at her pottery wheel, first time. designs and makes her own A l t h o u g h ] silver jewelry, and sings in y she was fond of rt ghe u a the Butte Symphony Chorale.

George, she was D nnie o “I’ll continue doing as much as determined to finish colC y to b o I can for as long as I can,” she lege.

Finally, in her sophomore year h [P declares. she agreed to marry him after she graduated Music has always been a from college. He returned to Montana to finish his part of Clarice’s life. Born in Gary, Indiana to studies, pass the bar, and establish himself in a musically talented parents Clarice was playing the practice in Butte. And he waited for her. “Can you piano and singing by the age of six. “My mother believe that,” she declares. As soon as Clarice taught piano and voice,” she explains. “There was graduated she and George were married and in always music in our house.” Her father’s job as a 1940 headed for Butte. civil engineer took the family to several different “My parents gave us $100 as a wedding gift,” she recalls. On the drive back to Butte from Oklahoma, Clarice told her new husband that she wanted to buy a piano with that money. Shortly after they arrived in Butte, they bought a $75 piano even though money was tight and living quarters even tighter.

“We lived in a one-room place upstairs across from Hennessy’s with a bathroom down the hall we shared with everybody else,” she recalls. But Clarice had her music, and she also had her rocks.

The Richardsons had their priorities straight.

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Her husband who was a member of the Butte Mineral & Gem Club wanted to share his interest with Clarice so he bought her a membership and she quickly “learned to like rock hounding.” During those early years she was the only woman involved in the club. However, it would be a few years until she could turn her newly found interest into the metal smithing and jewelry making that she does now.

“The babies started coming along nine and half months after we got married,” Clarice recalls with a chuckle. Over the next years they had ten children, “the youngest - the twins - were born 20 years after the oldest,” she says. Even though she was “tied up” raising children for a few years and the rock hounding excursions were limited, music was always a focal point of their home.

They moved from that one room apartment to a bigger apartment, and finally into their own home. And there was always a piano. “I wore out that first piano,” Clarice chuckles. They bought a spinet and finally the grand piano that graces the living room of Clarice’s retirement center apartment today. “That’s how I chose this apartment,” she explains. It had to have a place for my piano.

Even though I didn’t like yard work or having the big house I wouldn’t have moved if I couldn’t find a place for my piano.”

With the music always there and the children growing, Clarice found more time to spend with the rocks she had collected. All along she had remained active in the Butte Gem and Mineral Club and even served as its first woman president.

Over the years she learned to make cabochons - the polished rounded, unfaceted gemstones you see in jewelry. But she also wanted to do more.

By that time, the twins were toddlers and the oldest two children were attending college at MSU in Bozeman. When a summer workshop in metal smithing was offered, Clarice jumped at the chance. “I had a place to stay with my daughter,” she explains. “I had to take the youngest ones with me.” But she did it. This was also where she discovered the joy of pottery making.

As with the jewelry making, Clarice insisted on doing pottery her way. She dug her own clay - Montana clay - and mixed it herself. “I liked it,” she says. “I wanted to fire at the temperature I wanted it to fire.” She still loves the feel of working with clay and the process of throwing a pot. “I can’t do the big ones now,” she explains. “I don’t have the strength so I’m making teapots.” She has some of her favorite pieces cleverly displayed in her apartment.

“Life goes on,” Clarice says. The children grew up and finished college. Clarice taught swimming at the YMCA and worked at a gem shop. She and George continued to grow even closer as they shared their interest in gems and minerals. George supported Clarice’s pottery making and encouraged her in selling her pots and jewelry.

Then George became ill and developed Alzheimer’s. “Even when it got so bad he couldn’t talk, he knew us though,” Clarice says. “You could see it in his eyes.” Clarice kept him at home getting occasional help from the family and from Easter Seals. “I sang to him each night,” she says. Then he was gone. The house was quiet and lonely. “I didn’t have anyone to sing for and I missed that,” she says.

That is when she saw the advertisement in the paper; the Butte Symphony Chorale was holding auditions. “I was nervous,” she says. “But I told myself I wouldn’t be any worse off if I didn’t get accepted.” She did get accepted. That was five years ago when she was only 86.

“A lot of things I didn’t do. A lot of things I could do, I did,” Clarice says matter-of-factly. Today she is busy preparing for the spring concert. “I practice my singing every day.” She attends pottery classes at the high school with her son and works on her own between classes. She does not do much metal smithing. “I just don’t have time to do it all,” she explains. But the equipment is there and she has some designs ready to go. Meanwhile Clarice Richardson will keep on keeping on with a song on her lips and a project in her hands. MSN

MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 33

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Butte’s Renaissance Man Is Glenn Bodish

By Kim Thielman-Ibes Glenn Bodish, Executive Director of the ButteSilverbow Arts Foundation, may have grown up in Allenstown, Pennsylvania but he has Butte, America written all over him. “My grandfather was a coal miner and ironically that’s what I ran away from,” says Bodish whose leadership has sparked a revival of Butte’s rich and illustrious artistic past and created a finely tuned vision for its future.

Bodish, a working artist himself, is mining a new kind of heritage wealth for Butte. In this new era, the artists are the pioneers; their creativity is the raw material while Bodish provides the social economic sculpting to make it all happen.

“There is such a beautiful history here and much of it has been forgotten. It’s our mission,” says Bodish, “to reintroduce that heritage and culture back to the community. It’s an exciting job.”

For Bodish, it is not just about the creative engine, it is art with a purpose. His artists are not only a renaissance of craft and creativity but are having an economic impact on the Butte community.

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[Photo by Kim Thielman-Ibes] take the helm of the Butte-Silverbow Arts Foundation. His leadership, passion, and energy guide the foundation’s mission to foster creative opportunities, stimulate interest in local traditions and art, and maintain and restore the Charles Walker Clark Mansion. Bodish has studied the lessons learned from many other hard scrabble communities where art is the fuel driving their revival, from Chautauqua, New York and Cleveland, Ohio to North Carolina’s HandMade in America.

“Butte has such an incredible legacy it deserves this,” Bodish says earnestly, “As the mining left so did its cultural heritage. I’ve done my research and we’ve developed this plan for the reintroduction of arts and culture back into Butte. It’s the only city in Montana without an art museum and it’s time to change that.” During Butte’s heyday, it played host to the most famous musicians and actors from Gene Autry to Charlie Chaplin and was the birthplace for one of the William Clark art collections. Butte’s mining legacy financed much of this Copper King’s impressive 800-piece collection, including paintings by Degas, 18th century Gobelin tapestries, and one of the most significant collec-

JUNE/JULY 2009

tions of Italian Renaissance ceramics in the nation.

Clark bequeathed the collection to the Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington D.C. and it is one Bodish would love to see find a home back in Butte – at least as a touring exhibit. Before that can happen Butte needs to have an appropriate exhibit space. However, it is not just an art museum and exhibit space that Bodish is after; he wants to make Butte the premier art community in the country.

Bodish is making this dream a reality. In 2007, the foundation purchased Butte’s historic Y.M.C.A. building for one dollar and in the process put the first brick in place for MoFAB - the Museum of Fine Arts - Butte.

“Our new Museum of Fine Arts - Butte is across the street from the Mother Lode Theater and just one block from the Clark Chateau Museum. We’re creating a burgeoning cultural district here,” notes Bodish.

Their plans for this, six-story, 55,000 square foot, classic 1915 structure extends to creating an accredited Art School and arts incubator that will include theater, performance, music, and literary endeavors with a restaurant, commercial tenants, and a 72-room dormitory for visiting artists and youth.

During renovation, the old “Y” houses studios, businesses, a store, and the newly opened Peacock Gallery. “We have a lot of vision for this space,” says Bodish, “You have too.”

“We’ve developed networks and relationships with universities interested in bringing students to Montana once we have MoFAB prepared with dorm rooms and facilities. Two international artists, one from Argentina and the other a professor from the Academy of Fine Arts in Poland, were our artists in residence last year,” says Bodish.

Bodish already has an established track record in Butte. Beyond maintaining the Clarks Chateau and Museum where the Butte-Silverbow Arts Foundation got its start, he has spearheaded the opening of the foundations non-profit venture, the Venus Rising Espresso House (and gallery).

It is a coffee shop, gallery, performance venue, and community center rolled into one. “Seeing the kids come in and get excited about art is what it’s all about,” says Bodish, “They are the future of art. It’s why we have the coffee-shop - a less-traditional location that gets kids involved.”

The Venus Rising Espresso House is also a living breathing example of the foundation’s SMARTjobs program. “The idea behind SMARTjobs,” says Bodish “is to create jobs based on art. We’re already doing that by opening the coffee house and employing bakers, baristas - people in the culinary arts.”

Bodish notes that newly opened Peacock Gallery is another example where they are bringing together artists collaboratively to create products and generate revenue. In the end, they would like to train people in the heritage trades by collaborating with the university system. Over the next decade, the renovation of the old “Y” will create a self-sustaining and revenue producing entity that will help transform Butte from a drive-through location to an artimmersed destination.

MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 35

“Everything we do is thinking about how we impact the economy,” Bodish says, “I’ve been working on this for twenty-years, trying to build networks and connections and working out the ideas to create an arts community.

Here, we’re adding the element of today’s artists with Montana’s and Butte’s historical past and landscapes.” Bodish adds. In the context of the upcoming National Folk Festival, Bodish says, “Art in Butte is not just three days but 52 weeks a year. The folk festival is just the icing on the cake.”

For more information on the Butte-Silverbow Arts Foundation or Glenn Bodish, visit http://www.bsbarts.org, http://www.bsbarts.org/bsb_pages/home/ venus/venus.html, or http://glennbodisharts.com. MSN

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MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 37

North Dakota I to M

I – Intriguing chocolates Should the idea of chocolate-covered pickles and jalapeno peppers seem a tad far-fetched to your taste sensibilities, forestall judgment until you have visited one of the state’s two Widman chocolate shops. You just might discover you like those surprise combinations as well as all of the other sweets found at these two family-run businesses.

From caramel apples in the fall to nut rolls come Easter time, the Widmans have perfected the confectioner’s art. Among their best selling products, you will find unusual temptations such as chocolate-covered flax seeds and potato chips, which are irresistible. They are reason alone to pay a visit to either the Grand Forks or Fargo shops, which are run by third- and fourth-generation candy makers who grew up in a family where chocolate was king. Grand Forks: 701-775-3480, Fargo: 800688-8351, www.carolwidmanscandyco.com.

J – Jamestown Considering Jamestown is known as the “Buffalo City,” no one who visits here expecting to find attractions focused on this all-American symbol will be disappointed. Jamestown has the largest buffalo monument in the world, a 46-foot-long 60-ton bison. It’s also home to a bison herd with three rare white members, Dakota Miracle, Dakota Legend, and White Cloud. The herd belongs to the National Buffalo Museum, which tells the story of the important role this plains mammal has played in our country’s history. Outdoors, the museum’s frontier village provides a glimpse of North Dakota life as it was lived a century ago. The board-walked prairie town includes 24 buildings brought here

from around the state.

Jamestown also lures fans of Western author Louis L’Amour, who grew up here and is rumored to have read every book in his hometown library.

To find out about the local arts scene, visitors can stop by The Art Center to view the latest exhibits created by regional painters, potters, and sculptors and learn about theatrical, musical, and dance performances. 800-222-4766, www.tourjamestown. com.

K - Knoepfla soup (pronounced neff-la) If North Dakota ever held a vote for a state soup, knoepfla would win the contest hands down.

You will find this creamy chicken soup along with its requisite potato and dumpling ingredients listed on café and diner menus wherever home-style food is served. The recipe for this staple immigrated to America when Germans from Russia and Ukraine settled in the Dakotas. Nowadays, it is still popular with the region’s German populace as well as with travelers passing through who are partial to comfort foods like grandma used to make.

L – Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center You do not have to love history to find The Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center in Washburn a fascinating place to visit. Though it does help if you have some curiosity about one of the most exciting periods in American history. The center focuses mainly on the months the Corps of Discovery spent at Fort Mandan during the winter of 1804-1805.

Among the many displays, you will see Native American artifacts, a buffalo robe, a cradleboard replica, and a wooden canoe carved from a large cottonwood. The Fort Clark Exhibit features the

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history of the steamboat era as well as the frontier trade and Native American culture of the period. The center’s Bergquist Gallery houses a complete collection of Karl Bodmer watercolor prints internationally famous for their accuracy in depicting the Upper Midwest Indian cultures. 877-462-8535, www.fortmandan.com.

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M – Museum of Art Drawing some 55,000 visitors annually, downtown Fargo’s Plains Art Museum does a fine job of living up to its motto, “Bringing People and Art Together.” This century-old, award-winning structure with its towering skylight was originally a manufacturing warehouse. Now it contains three main galleries as well as a museum café and store. In addition to its 3,000 piece permanent collection, the museum regularly hosts national and international traveling exhibits.

Every fall, some 40 artists display their talents to the community as part of the Fargo-Moorehead area Studio Crawl. This lively two-day event draws hundreds of art-lovers who flock here to view the creative output of regional sculptors, glassblowers, photographers, painters, and more. For two months prior to the Studio Crawl, you can also preview a sampling of the artists’ work at The Plains Art Museum. 701-232-3821, www.plainsart.org. MSN

Haven’t You Always Wondered About That Huge Bridge In Lethbridge, Alberta? Explore Its History At The Galt Museum

By Wendy Aitkens Curator Galt Museum & Archives, Lethbridge The celebration of a centennial of any sort helps people discover or renew their sense of pride in their history. For over one hundred years, the Lethbridge Railway Viaduct, known locally as the High Level Bridge, has been a spectacular part of the landscape and human fabric of southern Alberta. Locals bring visiting family and friends to see it in hopes of watching a mile long train travel its length, artists capture its many views and moods in paintings and photographs, and the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) hauls a myriad of products across it many times daily.

The opening of southern Alberta to mining, ranching, and farming was heavily dependent on railway transportation to get the coal, beef, and grains to market. Many immigrants, looking for work and a new place to live, arrived by train bringing along their household belongings, tools of labor, and a determination to succeed.

In 1897 and 1898, the CPR constructed the Crowsnest Pass line from Medicine Hat, Alberta into the mineral rich Rocky Mountains. The only major obstacle the surveyors found along this route was the river valley at Lethbridge. The first rail line avoided the chasm and involved a temporary route

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MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 39

Two construction travelers on the almost completed Canadian Pacific Railway High Level Bridge at Lethbridge, Alberta, 1909. Galt Archives 20021037001 that included a long gradual sloping line into and out of two river valleys and across 20 wooden trestles. Within six years this section of the Crowsnest line needed to be repaired or replaced by a better route.

Surveys were done to determine a new route during the summers of 1904 and 1905. It was determined that a new bridge across the river at Lethbridge and a shorter line to Macleod would cost just a bit more than to repair the old wooden bridges and worn out track. The CPR designed a mile long viaduct and from 1907 to 1909, hundreds of men were employed to run draglines in the river, pour concrete piers for the towers, move materials, and join the steel structural elements together with hot rivets.

The viaduct comprised a series of 33 support towers and long spans of steel laid horizontally between the towers. The ties and tracks were installed on the deck of the spans. Tall side rails or girders and an extra set of tracks were incorporated to prevent any derailed car from tumbling off the bridge.

Early on the afternoon of June 22, 1909, the last span was put in place.

Two dignitaries waiting to be the first to step onto the western side were robbed of that glory by two workers who jumped to the ground before the span settled into its permanent location. Within the hour, the remaining track was laid. Later that same afternoon a series of flatcars carrying a hundred men and women dressed in their finest clothes crossed the bridge.

The Galt Museum & Archives developed The Mighty Bridge exhibit as a part of this year’s community-wide bridge centennial celebration. Visitors will enter the exhibit by walking across a painted mural on the floor of the gallery, giving them a sense of walking on the bridge looking down through the railway ties and tracks to the river valley 307 feet below. Artifacts in the exhibit include a velocipede - or rail friendly bicycle, a two-person handcart, a riveting gun on loan from the California State Railroad Museum, a 1950s conductor’s uniform, and a diving suit similar to the one used to check the concrete support piers for flood damage. A 1938 Chevrolet that was converted by the CPR to provide the Superintendent in southern Alberta easy transportation on the rails is also a part of the Galt’s Collection. It will be on exhibit in the show room of Davis Pontiac Buick GMC dealership in Lethbridge.

Because of the iconic significance of the High Level Bridge, many types of memorabilia, souvenirs, and household products sport the image of the bridge. Numerous samples from the Galt’s Collection will be displayed.

Hands-on activities will include building a model of the bridge with Styrofoam blocks, manipulating a Meccano crane, and playing with an elaborate toy train set. Audio sounds of steam powered bridge construction tools and a DVD of footage taken from the engineer’s compartment of a locomotive as it crossed the bridge are part of the exhibit. Treasures from the archives such as copies of the original design engineer’s drawings of the bridge, historic photos of construction of the bridge, commemorative stamps, train timetables, and tickets will also be displayed.

Programs and events reflecting the railway and bridge theme will be offered through September 20, 2009 to complement other community centennial activities celebrating the landmark and icon of the High Level Bridge at Lethbridge. MSN

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MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 41

Titanic - The Artifact Exhibition

By Helen McMullin In 1912, a first class ticket on the ill-fated Titanic cost $4,500 or about $80,000 in today’s currency. Today, for $40,000, you can dive to the Titanic wreck site in a Russian submersible. At the Museum of Idaho in Idaho Falls, you can visit the Titanic for $7 or less. And we promise our iceberg will not sink your ship this time.

Come aboard through Sept. 7, 2009 for Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition, sponsored by the Museum of Idaho and RMS Titanic, Inc. Your voyage takes you through recreations of first and third class cabins, other parts of the ship, and onto the Promenade deck, where North Atlantic Ocean temperatures are maintained to let you experience the freezing conditions that awaited passengers that fateful night. Here too you can see and touch a real life iceberg.

Your boarding pass is printed with the name and personal information of one of the 2,228 passengers who sailed on the “unsinkable� ship’s maiden voyage. At the end of your journey, you will have an opportunity to check the memorial wall to see if your passenger was among the 1,523 who lost their lives on April 15, 1912 or was one of the fortunate 705 who survived.

As you view the 125 displayed artifacts recovered from the Titanic wreck, check the name on your ticket and wonder. Did your passenger fasten those cuff links into the sleeves of his shirt and tuck the handkerchief in a pocket before going to dinner, daub that perfume behind her ears, or slip on those socks or gloves before going on deck for the last time? Were they served their dinner from one of the china dishes, or their wine from the cut crystal carafe? Did they place a cigar or cigarette in their favorite holder as they enjoyed an afterdinner tea, coffee, or perhaps crème de menthe served from a special bottle? Did they clutch the blanket around their shoulders as they waited for a lifeboat or the rescue that never came?

While the sinking of the Titanic is not the

worst peacetime maritime disaster in history, it has captured the hearts and minds of successive generations unlike any other, and continues to be immortalized in stories, books, and movies.

In 1976, Clive Cussler’s novel “Raise the Titanic� and the 1980 movie of the same name brought the great liner up from the bottom of the North Atlantic to finally finish its cruise and dock triumphantly in New York City 68 years after leaving England.

Both created serious discussions about whether or not such a feat was possible, even though the condition and exact location of the wreckage were not known.

That all changed on September 1, 1985 when Dr. Robert Ballard announced to the world that he and his crew had discovered the wreckage after weeks of searching the ocean floor with an unmanned deep diving sled. They first located one of the boilers, which had broken loose during the sinking, and then the bow and stern portions, which lie about 2,000 feet apart, at a depth of almost 13,000 feet and about 13 miles from the Titanic’s final reported position on the night of the sinking.

Dr. Ballard and his crew returned in 1986 for 11 dives on the wreckage, using a manned submersible craft to explore the outside of the wreckage and a remote camera vehicle that allowed limited exploration of the interiors. A large debris field lies between the two, littered with boilers and ship parts, dishes, wine bottles, luggage, and personal

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Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition takes you on a journey back in time to experience the legend of Titanic like never before. See over 125 authentic artifacts rescued from Titanic’s final resting place, re-creations of her famous rooms, and share in the dramatic stories of her passengers and crew.

Mar. 5 – sep. 7 208-522-1400, ext 3001 t www.museumofidaho.org t 200 North Eastern Ave t Idaho Falls, Idaho 83402

PAGE 26 MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 42 MONTANA SENIOR NEWS

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items that spilled out as the ship broke apart and sank. One of the most poignant pictures is of a dainty unbroken teacup sitting on top of one of the massive boilers. Dr. Ballard hoped the wreckage site would be treated as a gravesite and left undisturbed, but this was not to be.

In the years after the discovery, the ship and wreck site have been the objects of a number of court cases concerning ownership of the artifacts and the wreck site itself. In 1994, RMS Titanic, Inc., headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, was awarded ownership and salvage rights to the wreckage. From 1987 through 2004, the company conducted seven research and recovery expeditions to the wreck site, bringing back over 5,500 artifacts, ranging from a section of the hull and various parts of the ship to dishes, wine bottles, personal items, and even coal from the ship’s bunkers.

The journey for these recovered artifacts is not a simple one. Each trip to the wreckage at the bottom of the North Atlantic in a three-person submersible lasts about 12-15 hours, but it takes about two and one half hours to reach the wreck site, another two to return to the surface. Each submersible can deploy a remote controlled vehicle on a tether for exploration inside the wreckage and is equipped with mechanical arms to recover artifacts.

For more information on the exhibit, Museum of Idaho hours, and other information, visit the Museum website at www.museumofidaho.org or call 208-522-1400. MSN

Lick & Promise - cont’d from page 5 a person with personal knowledge of the matter.

33. Stringing around, gallivanting around, or piddling - not doing anything of value.

34. Sunday go to meetin’ clothes - the best clothes you have.

35. We wash up real fine – we can be cleaned/ dressed up to look very good.

36. Tie the knot - to get married.

37. Too many irons in the fire - to be involved in too many things.

38. Tuckered out – exhausted, all worn out.

39. Under the weather - not feeling well - this term came from going below deck on ships due to sea sickness, thus you go below, which is under the deck that is exposed to the weather.

40. Wearing your “best bib and tucker” - being all dressed up.

41. Being not the only duck in the pond - it’s not all about this person.

Putting it all together might produce something like: “Well, if you hold your horses, I reckon I’ll get this whole kit and caboodle done and sent off to you. Please don’t be too persnickety and get a bee in your bonnet because I’ve been pretty tuckered out and at sea lately because I’m no spring chicken.

I haven’t been just stringin’ around and I know I’m not the only duck in the pond, but I do have many irons in the fire. Now, I might just be barking at a knot, but I have tried to give this article more than just a lick and a promise. MSN

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Goodbye Richest Hill on Earth and Hello Festival City - This summer all roads lead to Butte

By Kim Thielman-Ibes In the 1800s, a confluence of events brought people to what would be called the richest hill on earth, and though it was Montana’s heritage metals that brought them - silver and copper - it is Butte’s extraordinary cultural heritage born from its rough and tumble mining past that keeps all of us coming back.

The town flourished and became, as Don Spritzer puts it in Roadside History of Montana, “…the richest, rowdiest, toughest and ugliest town in the Rocky Mountains.” By the start of the 19th century, there were near [Photo 100,000 people in Butte courtesy of and more than half of George Everett] its population were immigrants of 60 different nationalities - certainly the most cosmopolitan and diverse city in the territory. Though predominantly Irish, many also came from Wales, Cornwall, Mexico, China, and other European nations.

Butte’s population today hovers around 35,000 - still with a large Irish contingent. Artists are reclaiming part of the community and the preservation of its buildings, mining heritage, and diverse cultural history gives it the distinction as the nation’s largest National Landmark Historic District.

Thanks to its well-kept and colorful past, Butte has much to celebrate and celebrate it does.

Butte, the Festival City, will host four unique and crowd-pleasing festivals that will attract more than 260,000 people to the mining city this summer: • July 4 – Freedom Festival

It’s A Great Story of Early Billings P. B. Moss - banker, developer, entrepreneur - made Billings his home in 1892. At the turn of the 20th Century he hired Henry Janewway Hardenburgh to design a spectacular home for his family.

This summer plan to visit this fine example of turn of the century architecture. P. B. & Mattie’s elegant mansion features original family furnishings and decorating styles.

You’ll be delighted by this informative guided tour.

Group tours available!

The Mansion is available for weddings & special events.

Call for details!

HISTORIC

OUSE

ANSION

USEUM

914 Division Street Billings, MT 406-256-5100

• July 10-12 – National Folk Festival • July 24-26 – Evel Knieval Days • August 8-10 – Gaelic Cultural Festival Evel Knieval Days - Butte, America grew from the halcyon days of exorbitant wealth and this rich mining legacy made an indelible mark on both Montanan and American culture in the 18th and early 19th centuries.

In the latter 19th century, perhaps no other citizen had more impact on American pop culture than the infamous daredevil, Evel Knievel. His recent passing brought a new melting pot of Americans to his hometown to witness his final blessing in 2007.

America’s legendary motorcycle daredevil was an extreme sports pioneer, although it seemed that it was just another day and another jump for this hard-living kid from Butte.

“The event will be continued this year and will be even larger,” says Bill Rundle the man who started Evel Knievel Day’s in 2002, “We’ve had responses from all over the world and it’s what Evel wanted. He was very proud of this event and he told me that he wanted to keep it going, so that’s what we’ll do.”

This festival has a full venue of thrills, chills and most likely a few spills on tap. Every half hour during this three-day festival a new stunt will be performed - most of them in front of the Victorian mansions and on the streets of historic uptown Butte. Supermoto’s, freestyles, and an X-Game shootout are among a few of the stupefying, tricked-out events taking place. Last year more than 50,000 people passed through this electrifying venue and this year is sure to break records.

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As they say on the hill, there is never a dull moment in Butte.

An Ri Ra Gaelic Cultural Festival - The Irish take back the town when the Montana Gaelic Cultural Society presents the An Ri Ra Montana Irish Festival. Unlike Saint Patrick’s Day, which is an event in itself, this festival has less to do with a pint of Guinness and more to do with celebrating the dance, music, and language of Ireland.

Like the National Folk Festival, the An Ri Ra Festival is a ] at Burns celebration of tradi- [Photo by P tional arts. But these traditions focus on all things Irish and what better place than Ireland’s sister American city, Butte. Prepare yourself to step lively and bring the whole family, as there is a tapestry of musicians, performers, artists, craftspeople, dancers, food, and workshops on tap.

“It’s our identity. It’s who we are,” says Brendan McDonough member of the Executive Committee in charge of the festival, “The Irish in Butte have passed on the traditions of Ireland for more than 100 years. We still practice the same customs, language, and history. There is a very strong link between Ireland and Butte. We have the best performers from all over the world calling to be part of this festival. It’s hard to keep up.”

Everything takes place in historic uptown Butte, Irish step dance and music take place on stages built in the streets while language workshops, plays, book fairs, dancing lessons, and more are presented inside its landmark buildings.

A 5k and 10k race take place on Saturday morning while a traditional Irish mass starts the day

Don’t Miss the National Folk Festival in Butte

By Connie Daugherty It is summer fun at its best. Three days of non-stop music, arts and crafts, and food galore.

And admission to all events is free! The 71st National Folk Festival returns to Butte, July 10–12, 2009. This traveling festival got its start in 1934 during the great depression. It was a way to come together and celebrate the music that is uniquely American - folk music that immigrants brought with them and adapted to their new home. The festival moves to a different place every three years and this three-year run in Butte is only the second time the festival has been west of the Mississippi. Each year is different featuring different musicians and a unique theme.

I went last year - all three days and nights

on Sunday.

The tradition and legacy of Butte lives on, thanks in large part to the many celebrations dedicated to its grand and historic past. Its rich cultural history is well preserved within the surrounding monoliths and scarred landscapes, but even more so within the citizens that have fought so hard for this community and its survival. Butte, America, what will you do next? The only thing we know for sure is that this summer all roads lead to Butte.

For more information: • National Folk Festival - www.nationalfolkfestival. com • Evel Knieval Days - www.knieveldays.com • An Ri Ra Montana Irish Festival - www.mtgaelic.org • Butte Chamber of Commerce - 406-7233177 - http://www.buttechamber.org/ • Main Street Butte - www.mainstreetbutte. org • Art in Butte - www. buttearts.org. MSN

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- and loved every minute of it. It is exciting, invigorating, and just plain oldfashioned family fun. The only disappointing part was that I did not get to see everything.

What I did see was an acre of lawn covered with chairs and blankets.

Babies in strollers, teenagers with cell phones, and grandparents with canes all laughing, singing, and dancing together. Friends and strangers greeting each other. The smell of barbeque and hot dogs and stir-fry was everywhere.

And completing it all was the music - music, music, and more music!

With seven stages situated throughout historic uptown Butte hosting up to 250 performers, there is definitely something for everyone. The main stage is set up under the head frame of the Original Mine and must be experienced to be appreciated. The Park Street stage includes a plank dance floor. A shuttle runs from downtown parking locations and hotels as well as between stages for those who would rather ride than walk. Music traditions include Celtic, Cajun, country, Acadian, rockabilly, bluegrass, blues, mariachi, polka, western, and African American gospel.

There is a family activity area where the children can play instruments and learn arts and crafts. There is also a market place for traditional arts and crafts and a separate First People’s Marketplace that features Native American crafts.

This year’s theme is the Culture of the Horse in Montana and the American West. There will be a horse parade and a rodeo in addition to all the other activities. While there are several corporate sponsors and individual donors, the work of organizing and putting on the festival is done mostly by volunteers. Admission to all events is free, but that does not mean there are no costs involved. The main expense is the cost of bringing musicians to Montana from all over the country.

Last year approximately 75,000 people attended the three-day event and organizers expect even more this year. Hotels in Butte and as far away as Dillon were full for all three days. Several people who attended last year made reservations and plans to come back before they even left town. This year promises to be even bigger and better so come early; stay late; enjoy!

For additional information visit http://www.nationalfolkfestival.com. MSN

Spiders and Sports: How Golf Has Kept Us Together

By Lois Greene Stone Sure, sure, we’ve all heard of “golf widows,” and even some hotels offer packages that allow those women to have spa or other special sessions while men golf. Well, that is better than being a candidate for Can-ThisMarriage-Be-Saved section of a leading women’s magazine, is it not?

Yuk! When I was a kid, the word widow connoted a creepy black spider that I was warned about before I trekked up places like Mt. Greylock in Massachusetts or other camping sites. Then, it was a harsh word as my mother became one when my father died at age 45; relatives she had entertained treated a single woman as if she were a spider, as we live in a couple’s society. No euphemism could make widow palatable.

My Brooklyn-born spouse loved golf enough to set an alarm and hang out pre-dawn at Long Island’s Beth Page State Park during high school, just to get a tee time. During medical residency, when our child #1 was born in Flushing, he would abandon the household confusion and head for a course. By child #3, he was in practice in Rochester and spending

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When the squiggly child of seven was a time either in the office or on the tee - either summer-camp pre-teen of 12, I golfed with my way, I was alone.

Finally, my youngest was seven; the other mate. I had continued to swing correctly, score two were ten and twelve and off to summer camp exactly, be courteous, follow rules, and heard to learn about spiders and their ilk. I had once others praise my aggressive form. Encouragebeen a fine athlete and had actually instructed ment to compete as a couple allowed a different softball, volleyball, was captain of a college dimension for social contacts.

So, maybe, a how-to-stay-married piece basketball team, and ran track. Still skinny and limber from lifting children/groceries/laundry could be about the sport of golf. It has added piles/toys, my spouse suggested I learn to another positive aspect to our already good play golf. Was he kidding? We live in snow belt marriage as it enables us to take mutually enjoycountry. It would take forever to learn what he able vacations since we’ve plotted the country’s has been doing since childhood. He went from courses we hope to play, checking off those we suggesting, to requesting, to pleading. Okay. But actually get to, and that’s all we do on holidays. why? Once again, I heard the Tarzan phrase, We spend long periods together in solitude and isolation on a course, which is a plus for a rela“Do it for me, please, honey.” tionship. We play with I signed up for five one another every half-hour lessons. My So, maybe, a how-to-stay-married piece Thursday afternoon seven-year-old colored could be about the sport of golf. (doctor’s afternoon under a tree while I was off), every Saturday, given instruction. SomeIt has added another positive and Sunday when he times I left the range and aspect to our already good marriage. is not on call. chased the boy back When he gets a under the tree. How ancall during a round noying it was to keep one eye on the ball and another on a squirmy because the physician covering his practice for kid! My only words to the pro were to teach me that day has a question, I am not disturbed by the correct way to swing, as I was not going to interruptions. We spend our wedding anniverplay-at-golf, and I would wait for the game to saries at a nearby golf course so we feel like happen. (Once I learned the right way to toss we are “out of town,” we have lunch, play, have a ball down a bowling alley, I had a 200 game, supper, and drive home!

Summers, I make no plans for weekend although I did not want that score for golf.)

I’d always thought my digits were long and evenings so we can get whatever starting time graceful until the pro tried to fit me for a glove is available without pressure to get off the course and saw my fingers were too short for women’s because we have a date with someone or somesmall. My starter set was a driver, 3½ wood, four thing. Summer weekdays, sometimes, after dinirons, and a putter. I learned to grip a five iron, ner, dishes are left on the table until dark so we can run out and get in a few holes. swing properly, and five lessons were up.

I am still slender as the day I got married. And “Go practice,” my mate muttered. Suddenly the song “Home on the Range” lost its cowboy I have strange genes that have kept my blonde flavor. “I’ll teach you the rest,” he promised. He hair blonde. While that certainly would make for gently instructed me on the short game, side an attentive marriage, hill lies, sand traps; he was adamant about eti- our golfing together has certainly made it quette, however, and honesty.

I found a school program for seven-year - a more content one. olds that required my dropping him off at 9 a.m. MSN and picking him up at 11 a.m. In between, I drove to the club and attempted to play as many holes as time and endurance permitted.

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Down Memory Lane - The Road To Brain Health

By Dr. Betty Kuffel With seventy-eight million baby boomers reaching retirement age and living longer, it is imperative to improve public awareness of the risks associated with brain health and actions each person can take to promote brain function. Advancing age does not have to be paired with severe memory problems.

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the Alzheimer’s Association have jointly released a guide for action, a roadmap. Not all the answers are in, but following this preliminary guide may decrease the cognitive impairment associated with aging. Cognitive skills are those that involve speech, memory, learning new things, complex thought, and the ability to live independently.

Many families have personal experience caring for a loved one who is physically strong, but because of advancing memory problems requires extensive assistance. If some of this mental disability could be halted or prevented it would relieve a tremendous burden on families and society.

Dementia vs. Alzheimer’s Dementia - Dementia is the generic term for memory impairment. Memory loss can result from multiple small strokes, excessive alcohol, isolation, marked depression, vitamin deficiency, and even hearing impairment.

Alzheimer’s dementia exists when no cause can be identified; it is a diagnosis of exclusion and used only when no other cause is found.

There are no specific blood tests or scans that point directly to Alzheimer’s although some blood tests in development are promising. At this time, Alzheimer’s Dementia can only be positively diagnosed after death.

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possible to treat the disease earlier.

The National Public Health Road Map - The CDC and the Alzheimer’s Association have implemented the “Road Map” to help people understand risks and to educate the public to take actions to maintain brain health. Recommendations include strategies to improve public education, design interventions to improve brain health, and encourage more research to develop interventions to prevent memory loss.

There is no specific action identified that can stop Alzheimer’s. Medications help to slow its progression, but the disease worsens even with treatment. The best we can do is to take action to maintain memory.

In longevity studies, the strongest ties to living longer and maintaining mental function relate to heritage and lifestyle. Those whose siblings, parents, and grandparents live into their nineties are more apt to live to their nineties too. People of the Pacific island of Okinawa live the longest.

They remain thin, physically active, socially involved, work longer using their mental skills, reduce stress - often by practicing tai-chi, and eating a diet consisting primarily of fish, fresh vegetables, and fruit.

For Better Mileage and Brain Health - Do you know the answers to the following questions?

If not, take the list below to your next doctor visit.

1. What is your blood pressure?

2. What is your blood sugar?

3. What is your weight?

4. What is your cholesterol?

5. Are you depressed?

6. Do you exercise daily?

7. Do you eat a healthful diet?

8. Are you socially active?

9. Do you learn something new every day?

10. Do you have hearing problems?

11. Do you use tobacco?

12. Do you drink more than one alcohol drink per day?

• Uncontrolled high blood pressure contributes to memory loss. It must be treated aggressively.

The goal is to attain a normal blood pressure of 120/70.

• Elevated blood sugar damages vessels everywhere; a normal blood sugar of 100 or less is your goal.

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• Ideal weight based on height and a normal cholesterol/lipid panel is essential. Borderline improvements are not good enough.

• Avoid tobacco entirely.

• Exercise regularly.

MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 49

• Use your brain - read, do puzzles, play cards.

Use your checklist as a guide. Get out and have fun staying fit mentally and physically. MSN

Online Resources for Advice Seeking Caregivers

By Jim Miller There is no shortage of free online resources when it comes to caregivers seeking advice. The question is, which websites provide the most practical and comprehensive information and are easy to navigate?

Top Caregiving Sites - With approximately 52 million Americans serving as caregivers today, the need for fast, useful information has never been higher. While there are dozens of sites that offer good caregiving information, here are a few I have found to be particularly helpful.

• AGIS.com: Short for Assist Guide Information Services, this is a fabulous Web resource for caregivers. At www.agis.com you can get information on topics such as home care, daily living aids, long-term care solutions, support services, legal and financial help and more. It also lets you ask questions, links you to other caregivers for support and information, and offers a variety of checklists that suggest tips on what to do as a caregiver and how to do it.

• Caring.com: Relatively new on the scene, www.caring.com is another wonderful site that offers tons of practical information, articles, caregiving to-do lists, links to local resources and much more.

• The Family Caregiver Alliance: This is the oldest and perhaps most respected organization that has helped serve the needs of caregivers. They also have a dandy website (www.caregiver.org) that offers a Family Care Navigator map listing a broad range of caregiving services in each state.

• Family Caregiving 101: Created by the National Family Caregivers Association and the National Alliance for Caregiving www.familycaregiving101.org is a great site for finding assistance, answers, new ideas, and helpful advice for you and the person you’re caring for.

• AARP: At www.aarp.org/family/caregiving you can find tips and worksheets on a wide range of issues including long-distance caregiving, as well as access to their Caregiving Tool Kit. • Strength for Caring: Sponsored by Johnson & Johnson, this site (www.strengthforcaring.com) provides tip sheets on fitness and nutrition for caregivers, balancing work and family, respite care, reducing stress, caring for specific conditions, and home safety.

Medicare Help - To help with your caregiving/ Medicare questions the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services recently created a new website called Ask Medicare. At www.medicare.gov/caregivers you can find out what Medicare and Medicaid will cover, search for and compare home care and long-term care options, and much more.

Alzheimer’s Caregiving - Caring for a person with Alzheimer’s disease or some other form of dementia can present some unique and difficult chal-

lenges. To help, a top resource is the Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org, or call 800-272-3900). It puts caregivers in touch with local resources, support groups, medical professionals, and provides caregiving tips to handle every behavior and phase of the disease. Also see the Alzheimer’s Disease Education and Referral Center at www.nia.nih. gov/alzheimers.

Cancer Care - If you are caring for a cancer patient, a top website is www.cancercare.org, which provides cancer support services including counseling and education, as well as where to find financial assistance and get practical help. You can also call 800-813-4673 and get help over the phone.

Care Coordination - If you are sharing caregiving responsibilities with other family members, friends, or a home care aid there are Web resources that can help you coordinate together.

Sites like www.lotsahelpinghands.com and www.caregiverhelper. com let caregivers post updates about medications being taken,

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doctor’s appointments, meal plans, and anything else you want to communicate. These sites can help reduce the stress and time it takes to inform all caregivers involved so something is not missed or overlapped.

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

Helping A Loved One Battling Cancer

By Lisa M. Petsche When someone you care about is diagnosed with cancer, you may want to reach out to him or her (for simplicity, the latter will be used from here on), but feel unsure of what to say or do. Here is some advice.

Emotional support - Keep your initial reaction simple and heartfelt - for example, “I’m sorry to hear about your illness,” “I’m here for you,” or perhaps even “I’m at a loss for words.”

Do not be afraid to share your emotions. Remember, too, that body language - a touch of your hand, pat on the shoulder or hug - can often convey support and caring better than words.

Educate yourself about your friend or relative’s disease to help you understand the kinds of challenges she faces.

Bear in mind that cancer affects people physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually, however, although there may be similarities, no two people will experience it the same way.

Allow your friend to express all emotions; do not try to talk her out of them or change the subject because of your discomfort. Also, do not take bad moods or uncharacteristic behavior, such as withdrawal, personally.

Recognize and accept that people cope with a serious illness in different ways. Some may alter their priorities and lifestyle, while others may choose to carry on as usual. Some may use humor as a coping mechanism, while others may become more introspective or spiritual.

Keeping in contact - Recognize that you may have to make most of the effort in the relationship. Visit, call, and send cards or notes.

Treat the person the same way you always have. Do not hesitate to

smile, laugh, or tell a joke.

Listen non-judgmentally, demonstrate compassion, and do not give unsolicited advice. Provide words of support and encouragement.

Encourage your friend to take one day at a time and to trust that she will be able to cope with whatever lies ahead. However, do not give false reassurances, such as, “Everything’s going to be fine.”

Do not underestimate the distress your friend is experiencing, do not discourage tears, or urge her to be strong. Do not try to withhold your own tears, either. They are merely a sign that you care.

Take your cues from her as to how she wishes to deal with her illness; do not make assumptions.

If you are unsure, ask whether she would like to talk about her situation, and honor her wishes either way.

Encourage your friend to practice self-care, get adequate nutrition, exercise (if appropriate) and sleep, and keep medical appointments, as well as avoid unnecessary stress.

Help your friend feel good about her appearance. Offer to set her hair, do her nails, or bring her a new accessory, such as a scarf or a piece of costume jewelry.

Surprise your friend with a gift, such as flowers or a favorite movie, magazine, or food treat.

Focus on the present and how you can make your time together enjoyable. Do not be reluctant to make plans, though; it is good for her to have things to look forward to.

Invite your friend on an outing, keeping in mind her energy limitations. Ideas include a trip to a coffee shop, favorite store or park, eating out at a favorite restaurant, or taking a drive in the country or the old neighborhood. If she accepts an invitation, agree upon the condition that she may cancel at the last minute if she does not feel well enough.

Practical help - Assist your friend in practical ways, to allow her to concentrate on her treatment – which may have significant side effects - and ensure needed rest. Walk her dog, run errands, perform household chores such as vacuuming and laundering, or drive her to and from appointments.

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Do not merely let your friend know you are available if she needs help; make concrete offers - for example, “I’m going to the grocery store. What can I get you?” Or simply go ahead and do things like deliver a casserole or mow her lawn. Offer to get information about community resources that may be of assistance.

Keep in mind that emotional support and your time are the two most valuable gifts you can give someone who is grappling with a life-threatening

illness.

One final tip: find an outlet for your own emotions, whether it is talking to someone who is a good listener, writing in a journal, or attending a support group. You need to take care of yourself, too.

Lisa M. Petsche is a medical social worker and freelance writer specializing in boomer and senior issues. MSN

Mauriene & Howard Jacobson Live A Creative Lifestyle

By Gail Jokerst Mauriene Jacobson could be the luckiest woman in Montana. For 63 years, she has been married to a wonderful man, who also happens to be an award-winning dress designer. Mauriene’s husband, Howard, has made all of her clothes throughout their married life and fortunately for her, he shows no signs of stopping anytime soon. Without doubt, this is one couple that means it when they say, “We’re stitched together at the hip.”

Like Superman, Howard is faster than a speeding bullet when it comes to his calling in life. In just one to two hours, he can sketch a pattern, cut fabric, stitch seams, and finish the hem of any jacket, robe, blouse, dress, skirt, or pair of pants he envisions.

[Photo by Gail Jokerst All items of apparel are equally easy for Howard to whip up because he can draw on a lifetime’s worth of intuition and practice to obtain the look he wants. Would you expect anything less from someone who could flawlessly copy Parisian haute couture collections and whose children’s and women’s wear ensembles have graced the pages of McCalls, Parents, and Vogue magazines along with the Ladies Home Journal?

Considering that Howard grew up on a farm in Daniels County along with five sisters in the 1920s, his choice of dress designing as a profession might at first seem odd. But his future vocation came as no surprise to anyone who knew him back then.

“We were captive on the farm and had to entertain ourselves,” recalls Howard, who found no interest in farm chores or things other boys his age loved to do. “I hated fishing and hunting, rid-

ing horses, and milking a damn cow. It just wasn’t me.”

What Howard did love was creating dresses for his sisters’ paper dolls, which he tore from the paper they were drawn on because his mother would not allow her children to use scissors.

By the time Howard had seen Gone With The Wind when he was 14, he was already traveling the artistic road that would lead him to a future in fashion.

“I thought the costumes in the movie were fabulous. After I came back home I began to draw and paint and cut out paper doll dresses based on the dresses I’d seen. I had no concern over what anyone else thought about what I did,” remembers Howard, who credits an aunt with introducing him

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to the world of art and fashion. “She was a beautician in Havre and bought her clothes in Paris.

She would bring me art supplies whenever she visited because she knew I loved to draw and create dresses.”

Aside from designing outfits on paper as a child, Howard also learned to sew by making dresses for his sisters’ dolls using the family’s Singer treadle machine. It proved to be a valuable skill in his future career.

“From the age of 10, I knew how to sew, which wasn’t unusual for someone living on a farm. My father homesteaded on 650 acres near Plentywood, Montana in 1884. He grew flax and wheat and raised cattle. But he could also knit and sew.”

Shortly after serving during WWII, Howard at-

tended the Vogue School of Art Design in Chicago, where he met Mauriene. The couple has been together ever since, pursuing design careers that have taken them across the continent and around the globe to Africa, Europe, and Asia and back to Montana for their retirement years.

During the six decades of her marriage, Mauriene has found numerous outlets, including interior design, for her creative energies. Like Howard, she mastered the art of sewing at a young age. This came in especially handy when the Jacobsons lived in New York City. Mauriene built up her own business designing and making decorative pillows with children’s themes. The pillows sold through department stores such as Bloomingdales and Saks Fifth Avenue as well as through high-end boutiques.

Today, Mauriene channels her creative impulses into different endeavors. She handcrafts lovely greeting cards, makes jewelry from found objects such as wooden placemats, and along with Howard designs themed window displays for downtown businesses. The couple also donates their time and talent to a wide range of fund-raising efforts throughout the Flathead.

“We think we should do something to support the town we live in,” says Mauriene. “Besides that, being creative is a challenge. It keeps your mind going. You’re forever having to imagine what the next thing is you’ll do and how to go about creating it.”

Ever since the Jacobsons retired to Kalispell in 1991 to be closer to their daughter, Jessica,

they have generously shared their flair for fashion with others in their community. They have done everything from organizing a 1776 Fourth of July parade complete with period costumes to designing the decorations, invitations, and posters for events that benefit local museums, churches, and civic organizations.

“Most of the time we think of the theme and get people to help us carry it out,” notes Mauriene.

“But we usually do the tables and centerpieces and bring in the entertainment.”

Among their favorite fund-raising events, Mauriene and Howard cite a wedding tea with antique wedding dresses and a “chair-ity” where local artists painted chairs that were auctioned off to the highest bidder.

Although neither of them needs to work for income at this stage of life, this twosome would not dream of sitting home watching television when they could be creating and out in the community.

They rent studio space upstairs in the First and Main Street Building in downtown Kalispell and show up for work daily between 9:00 and 3:00.

“This is our playpen. We’ve never mixed home and work. We’ve always wanted a separate home life so it’s important to have someplace we can go to and leave behind when we’re done for the day,” explains Howard, whose 1930s vintage Singer single-needle model resides here. He relies on the black no-frills machine to outfit both Mauriene and Jessica and enjoys the interludes when friends drop in to visit or customers stop by to purchase cards, jewelry, or tote bags. (Cont’d on pg 55)

Friendly Computers

By Jim Miller There are actually several friendly computer options on the market that can help you join the computer age. Here is what you should know.

Senior Computers For you and seniors like you who would like to get a home computer, but have little or no computer experience, a SeniorPC is the best way to go. These are Hewlett-Packard (HP) computers offered through Microsoft that come equipped with simplified software that makes browsing the Web, sending emails, and creating letters and files about as easy as it gets. These computers also come with a variety of memory games for keeping the brain sharp, medication-management software that provides reminders of when and what medication to take, and

a wide range of accessibility features that make them easier to see, hear, and operate.

Priced at under $1,300, SeniorPCs are available as desktops or laptops, and each comes with an HP color printer. And for an additional cost, you can get an oversized keyboard or trackball mouse that makes typing and mouse pointing easier. For more information, see www. microsoft.com/enable/aging/seniorpc.aspx or call 888-640-1999.

MSN TV - Another option to consider that will let you access the Web and send and receive emails is the MSN TV 2 (www.msntv.com; 866-466-7688). This small box (with a wireless keyboard and remote control) hooks up to the TV and into an existing phone line. While this system is limited to Internet and email use, it is very user-friendly and costs only $200 (or you can get a refurbished unit for $150) plus a monthly service fee of $10-22.

EMail Only - If you do not feel comfortable with the SeniorPC or MSN TV options, you can still join the email world with a Celery (www. mycelery.com; 866-692-3537), which lets you receive emails, pictures, and documents, as well as send handwritten letters as emails,

JUNE/JULY 2009

all without a computer. It uses a color fax/printer connected to a standard phone line instead of a computer.

How does it work? Sending an email to a Celery is just like sending one to any other email address (you choose a Celery email when you signup – for example cindy@mycelery.com).

After you receive an email, Celery calls announcing a message being sent that is automatically printed out on paper. To reply, you simply handwrite a letter putting the recipient’s name in block print at the top. You then place the letter into your Celery, push two buttons, and the letter is sent to the recipient’s email address as an image document. The system uses handwriting-recognition software to match the recipient’s name to an email address stored in your Celery address book. To eliminate spam, Celery only delivers messages from people you allow. The cost is $119 for the fax/printer machine and a monthly service fee of $14 or $140 per year.

Another neat device to check out is the Presto (www.presto.com; 866-428-0970). This is similar to the Celery where you can receive

printed emails, photos, and even newsletters without a computer, but this device does not offer a way to respond, unless you do it the old-fashioned way – by telephone. Presto works using a special HP printer called the Printing Mailbox that costs $150, plus a service fee that starts at $12.50 per month.

Savvy Tips: If you get a computer and are interested in taking a beginner’s class, your local public library, nearby college, or area aging agency (call 800-677-1116 to get the local number) are good resources to find out what is available in your area. Also check at SeniorNet. org, a national organization for people, age 50 and older, that offers a variety of basic online computer courses as well as instructor-led workshops at 130 learning centers throughout the U.S. A first year membership fee of $40 is required.

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

Staging Your Home In A Down Economy (NAPSI) - It is a tough time to try to sell a house, but Realtors say there are inexpensive ways to stage your home that might make for a faster sale. In fact, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development reports that a staged home will sell at a higher price than an unstaged home. And a recent survey by the Real Estate Staging Association reports that staged homes sell much faster than unstaged homes.

Home staging is the act of preparing your home and its contents for sale, with a special emphasis on presentation and appearance.

According to Realtor.com, the first thing you want to do is clear out the clutter. If your house holds too much furniture, your closets are overflowing, your kitchen and bathrooms are crowded, or you have family photos and knickknacks collecting dust, it is time to pack them up. You also might consider donating unused items to charity or even selling them at a tag sale or on eBay for some fast cash.

“This is also a good time to take a close look at your closets,” says HGTV and CedarSafe home improvement expert Pat Simpson. “A cedarlined closet in the foyer, master bedroom or secondary closet will create a great look and provide a relaxing, cedar scent that will make a positive first impression.”

Cedar planks or panels will also protect the items you store away.

They will prevent silverfish and moths from damaging your expensive wardrobe or even from eating books or important papers. They work with any closet organization system, or even metal or cedar shelving. It will cost a few hundred dollars to line a closet during a weekend project.

Learn more at cedarsafeclosets.com.

While the cedar will provide a fresh scent, Realtors say be sure to bathe your pets and deodorize their living areas, shampoo your carpets, clean your drapes, and always empty trashcans and recycling bins.

Another suggestion: “Curb appeal is critical,” says Simpson. “A fresh coat of paint using neutral colors, plus neat landscaping, will go a long way.” MSN

MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 53

PAGE 54 MONTANA SENIOR NEWS

JUNE/JULY 2009

Dreams Can Come True

Provided by Marquis Vintage Suites All of us dream, no matter what our age. But as our lives progress, sometimes we let go of even our fondest dreams. For residents at Marquis facilities, a special program encourages residents not to even think about letting go so that as long as there are things you want to do, there is always time to write a new chapter. The following story is one example of the joy that was brought to one woman by helping her live one of her dreams.

You would not recognize Cinderella if you saw her today. She is 78 years old and her life-long struggle with cerebral palsy has left her hands curled up near her wrists. It is a challenge for her to speak. However, the few words that she utters often have quite an impact on those around her.

Today, Cinderella goes by the name of Alice Wright. She lives in Gresham, Oregon at Marquis Care at Centennial. She is a tiny little thing who could easily go unnoticed. Her fairy godmother is Susan Bowker, activities director

at the center.

Alice loves country music, and at the top of her list is George Strait – a handsome hunk of a country singer. Pictures of him are plastered on her walls. She even keeps a poster hidden under her bed for safekeeping.

When Susan heard Strait would make a stop at the Rose Garden, she knew she had to get Alice to the show – to meet her prince. And, somehow, Susan would manage to get the prince to spend some time with Alice and let her know just how special she really is.

Susan went to work. The tickets were offered by the Trail Blazers, the pumpkin (limo) was provided by Les Johnson. The gown was trucked over

by Dee’s Studio.

A small team of people focused on getting Cinderella ready to meet her prince.

On the day of the show, residents at the facility lined up to see Alice off.

A crowd parted upon their arrival at the Rose Garden, letting them through to their seats. Maybe it was because of the 6-foot tall fairy wearing wings.

Susan may be an imposing woman, but her heart really shows right through her eyes.

No one knew for sure what would happen, or if Alice would meet Strait.

She was a little upset before the show because she was escorted away from her seat.

“What did you do now?” Alice said in a serious tone to Susan.

Alice was sent to the Blazers’ locker room and felt she might miss the show. Several people were there and knew the story. When George Strait walked in, all eyes were on Alice, not the superstar. She had finally met her prince, who even sang a special song for her. A small girl who witnessed the meeting said, “I think Alice is in Wonderland.”

Days later, back at Marquis, things were still abuzz. When Alice sees her friend Susan, all her limbs pull up tight, close to her small frame. She simply clutches a small picture book filled with new memories.

When Susan started her quest, a radio station employee said very seriously, “Lady, you’re asking for the moon and the stars.” Now it seems as if that is exactly what Susan gave Alice. MSN

Live A Creative Lifestyle - continued from page 52

STONE CHILD COLLEGE R.R. 1 Box 1082 • Box Elder, MT 59521 (406) 395-4875 • (406) 395-4836 FAX

Stone Child College is a tribally controlled college on the Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation. Located in Rocky Boy, Montana; home of the Chippewa Cree Tribe.

Stone Child College is an equal opportunity junior college offering both educational and technical programs. The college has been reaffirmed for Accreditation by the Commission of Colleges and the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges.

Degrees Offered:

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“Making our Dreams Happen with Academic Excellence, Culture, and Commitment.”

“We’ve done more since we retired than we ever dreamed possible. Best of all, we can create without worrying about selling or being commercially viable,” says Howard.

The Jacobson’s advice to others who may be considering following a similar creative path comes straight from the depth of their own wealth of experience.

“An artist should stay focused. Don’t give up because someone doesn’t love your work. Have fun with what you’re doing. That’s the important thing,” says Mauriene.

“If you love what you do for a living,” adds Howard, “you never have to work a day in your life.” MSN

JUNE/JULY 2009

MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 55

How To Protect Your Loved One From Scams

By Jim Miller Dear Savvy Senior, Can you offer some tips on protecting people from financial scams? My next-door neighbor’s elderly parents were recently swindled out of several thousand dollars, and I want to make sure my own mother is protected.

Fraud Fighting Cindy Dear Cindy, Financial scams are a big problem! In fact, the Securities and Exchange Commission estimates that some five million senior citizens are the targets of financial abuse each year. Here is what you should know.

Appealing Targets - While people of all ages can be fleeced, seniors are particularly appealing targets to con artists. Why? Money, time, and good manners! Seniors tend to have more money to steal, more free time to listen to sales pitches, are less likely to hang up on or cut off a pushy salesperson, and are more trusting than the younger generations.

Scammers - It is not always easy spotting a con. They range from swindlers, to shady financial advisers, to slick-talking telemarketers, to professional caregivers, and relatives who steal from the very people they are supposed to be looking after. The most common scams targeting seniors today come in the form of free-lunch seminars selling dubious financial products, and high-pressure phone calls and endless junk mail peddling free vacation packages, sweepstakes, phony charity fundraisers, and more. Of course, there is the ongoing problem of identity theft, Medicare fraud, door-to-door scams, credit card theft, Internet and email scams, and family thieves – which make up more than half of all financial crimes against the elderly.

Fraud Protection - The most effective way to help protect your mom is to alert her to the different kinds of scams out there that target seniors.

The easiest way to do this is by visiting the North American Securities Administrator’s website (www. nasaa.org – click on Senior Investment Resource Center), where you can get a rundown on some of the most common scams making the rounds these

Look Out! Puns Below 1. Two silk worms had a race. They ended up in a tie.

2. Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.

3. Atheism is a non-prophet organization.

4. Two hats were hanging on a hat rack in the hallway. One hat said, “You stay here, I’ll go on a-head.”

5. I wondered why the baseball kept getting bigger. Then it hit me.

6. A sign on the lawn at a drug rehab center said, “Keep off the Grass.”

7. A small boy swallowed some coins and was taken to a hospital. When his grandmother telephoned, to ask how he was, a nurse said, “No change yet.”

8. A chicken crossing the road is poultry in motion.

9. The short fortune-teller who escaped from prison was a small medium, at large.

10. The man who survived mustard gas and pepper spray is now a seasoned veteran.

11. A backward poet writes in-verse.

12. In a democracy it’s your vote that counts.

In feudalism, it’s your count that votes.

13. When cannibals ate a missionary, they got a taste of religion. MSN

days as well as a Fraud Awareness Quiz. Also, see www.fraud.org. If your mom does not have access to a computer, print out the materials yourself and use them to start a conversation.

It is also a good idea to keep tabs on her social circle. For example, are you hearing a new name mentioned when you talk to her? Who is giving her advice, financial or otherwise? It is almost like checking up on your kids and whom they are hanging out with. Introduce yourself to the new people entering your mom’s life, just so they know you are involved with her affairs.

Some additional tips that can protect her include reminding her never to give out her Social Security number or financial information over the telephone, in person, or over the Internet unless she initiated the contact. To consider using direct deposit rather than having paper checks (such as Social Security, disability, or stock dividends) sent to her through the mail. And, to register with the National Do Not Call Registry (www.donotcall. gov; 888-382-1222) which will reduce telemarketing scams.

Spotting a Scam - Helping manage your mom’s money is the best way to spot potential scams. But, be aware that this can be a very sensitive topic, so be as diplomatic and graceful as possible. The last thing you want to do is make

her defensive, but even simple tasks such as looking over her financial statements can alert you to questionable checks or large withdrawals.

If she does not want you looking at her financial records, there are other clues, such as, is she getting a lot of junk mail for contests, free trips, and sweepstakes? Is she receiving calls from strangers offering awards or moneymaking deals? Are there lots of cheap items lying around her house like costume jewelry, mini-flashlights or wristwatches, which she may be purchasing in order to win a contest – a common con artist lure.

Also, notice if her spending habits have changed, if she has complained about being short of money lately, or has suddenly become secretive or defensive about her finances. All these may be signs of trouble.

Who to Call - If you suspect your mom has gotten scammed, report it to your state securities regulator’s office (visit www.nasaa.org to find yours). Even if you are not sure, it is important to get regulators involved. They may be able to connect the dots in ways you cannot.

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

PAGE 56 MONTANA SENIOR NEWS

JUNE/JULY 2009

St. Labre Indian School Celebrates 125 Years

By Larry Cunningham The United States Government was in a punitive mood after the Battle of the Little Bighorn.

The tribes responsible for the “massacre” of George Armstrong Custer and his 220 soldiers in June 1876, would have to pay. Part of that payment was to round up as many Northern Cheyenne people as government soldiers could and send them to Oklahoma, a thousand miles from their ancestral homeland in Montana Territory.

Nellie Speelman, with some of her grandchildren who curently attend St. Labre. [Photo provided by St. Labre]

In 1878, Chief Dull Knife (also known as Morning Star) left Oklahoma and began a trek northward with about three hundred men, women, and children determined to lead his people home. Along with Dull Knife, some were caught and incarcerated at Fort Robinson, Nebraska.

On the bitterly cold night of January 19, 1879, about a hundred people broke out of the stockade and resumed their journey. Within a short time, soldiers overtook and killed many of them.

Those who escaped continued on, even eating their moccasins to keep from starving.

Conditions were not any better for those who made it back. Much of their land had been overrun by settlers and the buffalo, their main food source, were long gone. George Yoakam, a former army private, observed their desperate condition and petitioned Catholic Bishop John Baptist Brondel of Montana Territory to provide help.

The Bishop put out a plea, which was answered by six Ursuline nuns from Toledo, Ohio, who arrived in Miles City (Fort Keogh) early in 1884. Three of them together with their Mother Superior continued to the Tongue River Valley where they established St. Labre Indian Mission in March 1884. Under the direction of Mother Amadeus Dunne, a school was soon up and running, bringing a glimmer of hope to the people.

Years of toil and hardship, storms, floods, heat, drought, cold, and lack of funding threatened the very existence of the mission. Religious staff came and went as though passing through a revolving door.

In 1926, a contingent of Capuchin friars and brothers from Mount Calvary, Wisconsin, ar-

rived and secured the work, and their oversight continues today. The Franciscan Sisters of the Diocese of Milwaukee also staffed the school for several years.

Over the years, generations of Northern Cheyenne children have attended St. Labre.

Some have come back to serve and work in various capacities. One such person is Nellie Speelman who began her schooling at St. Labre in 1948, as a first grader. Her mother attended St. Labre in the early years of the twentieth century, and today, a whole new generation of Nellie’s family attends the school.

As for Nellie, she continues to be a permanent fixture at St. Labre. In 1959, as she was finishing high school, she went to work in the administration office. After working various jobs over the years, she became the home/school coordinator and advisor for the Indian Club. As an elder, she often opens cultural events and church services with a prayer, which she offers in her native Cheyenne.

“For many years,” explains Nellie, “St. Labre has been my world. It’s a good place to be

St. Labre student dancers practicing for upcoming summer powwows. [Photo provided

by St. Labre] because I got a good education here. My dad always told me if I wanted to get anywhere in this world I would have to earn it by working hard.

Now I give that same advice to my grandkids.”

It is that same hard work and self-sacrifice from many that have brought St. Labre to the place it is today. The priests, brothers, and nuns led the way, but today, hardworking lay teachers and staff carry most of the load. Community people and parents also donate time and talent to make St. Labre a quality school. Graduation rates meet or exceed those of other schools in Montana, even the large urban ones. Recent graduates of St. Labre have attended and graduated from Stanford University, Dartmouth College, and schools throughout the Montana University system. The goal as articulated in the St. Labre Mission Statement is to ensure that St. Labre’s students are “empowered to attain self-sufficiency.”

None of this would be possible without the support of benefactors from coast to coast who

believe that Native Americans deserve an opportunity to fulfill their dreams and aspirations through education. St. Labre receives no government funds except partial reimbursements from the State of Montana, which help to fund breakfast and lunch for about 700 children each day in its hot meals program.

On June 19-20, St. Labre will celebrate its 125th anniversary at the main campus in Ashland, Montana. Cultural activities, a dramatic production detailing the school’s beginnings, food, games, fun, fellowship, and even fireworks are on tap. Come see this “miracle” for yourself, and enjoy St. Labre Indian School’s matchless hospitality.

For more information about the 125-year anniversary celebration, please call toll-free 1866-753-5496. MSN

JUNE/JULY 2009

By Bernice Karnop “We’re going out so more can come.”

It was outside the box, but having the 2009 Governor’s Conference on Aging (GCA) in a trio of locations across our broad state proved a stellar idea. Ordinary people were able to go because of the lower registration fees, close familiar venues, and fewer travel challenges and costs.

But it was also enlightening for officials. Although they’ve heard about the challenges created by distance and the struggling economy in our state, this time they actually experienced them.

Percy Divine, from the Administration on Aging in Denver, for example, flew into Billings, drove to Glendive, then crossed the high line to Browning the next day.

Governor’s Advisory Council Member from Missoula, Gladys Considine, attended all three conferences - in Glendive, Browning, and Butte.

It helped her understand the challenges people from eastern Montana face when they’re asked to come to Helena for something. “It’s just as far for them to drive to Helena as it is for us to drive to Glendive,” she said, “and they have to go both directions in two days.”

Beverly Barnhart, Bozeman, Governor’s Advisory Council Chair, also attended the conference.

She noticed that people engaged speakers with questions and stories related to the issues being

MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 57

addressed. These kinds of things brought topics such as Medicare, political advocacy, Veterans affairs, and healthcare down to where people live.

Each conference followed a similar format, but each carried the distinctive flavor of its area. The one size fits all approach works only marginally well in our vast state.

The Eagle Shield Center was pleased to host the first GCA to be held on any reservation. Distinctive to this conference were Blackfeet songs and dance, gifts for everyone, and sweet grass, used as a smudge with prayers on special occasions.

Glendive entertained with cowboy poetry and songs. Topics of interest there included land and mineral rights issues.

The mining tradition in Butte came to the forefront when they served pasties, the meat pie taken down into the mines in thousands of lunch pails a century ago.

Conference organizer, Brian LaMoure estimated that 750 individuals enjoyed all or part of the Aging in Your Community GCAs – more than attended last year in Helena.

He says they will decide soon what the conference will look like next year.

Until then, follow this advice given by Percy Divine, “You are the story you tell. You become the story, so live your life, not your age.” MSN

Elsie Fox, age 102 of Miles City, receives from Percy Divine, Regional Director of the Administration on Aging, Denver, a citation from Governor Brian Schweitzer recognizing her as a Montana centenarian. It was presented at the 41st annual Governor’s Conference on Aging in Glendive May 5, 2009.

Elsie who has traveled all over the world, got her start on December 4, 1907 in a sod roof log cabin, south of Broadus near the Wyoming border. Elsie has always been politically active and recently published a book about her life, Elsie Fox: Portrait of an Activist that can be purchased at independent and on-line bookstores. Montana Quarterly Magazine will have a feature article about Elsie in the June issue. [Photo by Brian LaMoure]

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PAGE 58 MONTANA SENIOR NEWS

JUNE/JULY 2009

“Celebrate the voice of Indian people in state government,” said Carol Juneau, left, a Montana state legislator. Nine Native Americans serve in the state legislature, her daughter Denise heads the Montana Department of Education, and Anna Whiting Sorrell is the new director of the Department of Health and Human Services. Carol is enjoying a lighter moment at the Browning conference with her longtime neighbors Kenneth and Ann Goss. [Photo by Bernice Karnop]

Recently appointed director of Health and Human Services, Anna Whiting Sorrell, left, congratulates Chester Centenarian Howard Eveland. Howard, who was born in Waverly, Iowa and came to Montana on the train, says he got his education “by keeping my eyes open and my mouth shut.” He celebrated 100th years of living on February 22, 2009. His secret? Not smoking and eating lots of butter.

[Photo by Bernice Karnop]

You CAN do something about Medicare fraud!

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It happens to you. It happens to your neighbors. It happens in Montana and it adds up to millions of wasted dollars. You can do something--start by carefully reading your billing statements and questioning anything that doesn’t look right. With the help of trained SMP Montana volunteers you can be empowered to stop Medicare waste, fraud and abuse!

This ad was supported, in part, by a grant from the AoA, DHHS. Points of view or opinions do not necessarily represent official AoA policy.

JUNE/JULY 2009

MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 59

Sharon Bladen, from Hamilton is sandwiched between Lieutenant Governor John Bohlinger and Governor’s Advisory Council member Gladys Considine, holding this big check. Sharon, as the Hamilton RSVP director, will use the $1,000 mini grant to jump-start a suicide prevention program in Area VI. Other mini grant winners are Bainville, for Senior Center window replacement; Geyser/Raynesford, for Senior Center repairs; Ronan, for production of a Caregiver Resource Guide; Superior, for paving their Senior Center parking lot; and White Sulphur Springs, for a lap top to track I & A information. Congratulations to each of these groups!

The mini grants go to communities with populations less than 10,000 and more than 25 miles from a city of 10,000+. Funding comes from the Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, Northwest Energy, ConocoPhillips, CHS Incorporated, Crowley/Fleck Attorneys, and other private organizations and individuals. [Photo by Bernice Karnop] “Disability and Aging can work together on long term care and transitional housing,” said Mike Mayer, director of Summit Independent Living Center, Missoula. Summit is an advocacy group for self-directed living.

They encourage, educate, and aid individuals so they have more control over their situations.

[Photo by Bernice Karnop]

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PAGE 60 MONTANA SENIOR NEWS

JUNE/JULY 2009

Jean McDonald, wearing this beautiful, long Pendleton coat with leather fringe, is a freelance writer from Browning. Years ago Jean published a paper in Browning. Then she went to journalism school and quit publishing it because it seemed unprofessional in light of her education. She now realizes that it was an unusual publication to which universities and tribes from around the country subscribed.

The name of her paper, the South Piegan Directory: GREAT FALLS Drum, came to her in an unusual way. Late one Heading: NURSING night while paintingHOMES her office, a phrase came CMR/Client #: 189/9600 into her mind in a language she didn’t underPublisher #:0822she memorized the sounds and stand.

Puzzled, Art I.D. #: later asked18996000428023 an old man what it meant. The words Pub Date: 9.08 were in the Cree language rather than Blackfeet, Close Date: 6.12.08 and translated “the drum will sing.� [Photo by Bernice Karnop]

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Ernie Heavy Runner isn’t impressed with quick access to information at the touch of a few buttons. “We don’t know anything that way. We have to live it before we can understand it,� he said.

And Ernie, 72, knows plenty. Blackfeet is his first language, and language, he insists, is culture. He transfixes visitors from around the world with his knowledge, and he doesn’t need a power point to help him remember what he’s going to say.

Ernie lives in one of the private apartments in the Eagle Shield Center, a spacious, impressive building, with high ceilings and natural light.

On one end of the large room a “small� tipi is set up. Ernie knows tipis, not just as a simple conical structure but an impressive design built in deliberate ways to shed the snow and rain and to withstand the hurricane force winds of the Rocky Mountain Front. One design feature incorporates an inside layer of thin hide about five feet from the ground.

Since the outer layer of the tipi is off the ground, this draws cooking fire smoke out the top and still provides the necessary barrier from the cold. The poles behind the tipi in the photo control the ear flaps. [Photo by Bernice Karnop]

T h e women at the registration table at Butte’s Maroon Activities Center watched a feisty spring snowstorm move into town.

The MAC Center, where the Butte conference was held, provides a bird’s eye view of the Mining City from its perch just south of the Berkley Pit. These friendly volunteers are Ann Reynolds, Dillon; and Barbara Wilson-Green, Marilyn Polich, and Michelle Brenwick, all from Butte.

More than 150 pre-registered for the Butte conference and many more showed up in spite of the weather. Across the street from the MAC Center, a second group met for professional training. [Photo by Bernice Karnop]

Today, life spans are longer than those seen back in the 1900s, according to family practice doctor, Shawna Yates.

Lifestyle changes can make those bonus years healthy and enjoyable. The changes sound easy enough, but they require deliberate effort.

Start with tobacco cessation, nutrition counseling, weight control, healthy exercise, and getting enough sleep. It is also important to get vaccines for influenza, pneumonia and shingles, and regular screening for abdominal aortic aneurisms and osteoporosis. You also need screenings for colorectal, prostate, breast, and cervical cancer. Get regular eye and dental checkups, and finally, work on fall prevention by improving your balance and flexibility. Add friends and fun, and you will be ready to tackle the next decades of life.

[Photo by Bernice Karnop]

JUNE/JULY 2009

Nicholas Little Plume, former head start student from Star School, started learning Blackfeet language, traditions, and dance from teacher, Yvonne Upham before he was six years old.

Nicholas and three other children played a big red drum and sang songs in the Blackfeet language, and then he and Taylor Edward, in colorful regalia, danced energetically as if no one were watching. Later they patiently joined elders dancing in a big slow circle. [Photo

by Bernice Karnop]

“Competent intercultural communications does not imply total understanding. It implies willingness to be openminded,” said Nel Ebby, instructor of intercultural communication at MSU Billings. She’s an enrolled member of the Assinaboine tribe, and her presentation shed light on how the past affects the present and future of Native Americans. Understanding the past can bring forgiveness and true healing Ebby believes.

[Photo by Bernice Karnop]

“People learn by participating and by having fun,” said motivational s p e a k e r, Jane Baker from Wise River. That was easy enough to do at the GCA in Butte, but the Virginia transplant also sent listeners home with a tool for remembering, called the RAVE method. RAVE stands for repeat, a core concept for remembering; associate by attaching it to something you know; visualize using color and action; and exaggerate because you remember the bizarre. It worked. People found out they could repeat the names of the nine planets in order when they finished giggling at the associations.

[Photo by Bernice Karnop]

MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 61

PAGE 62 MONTANA SENIOR NEWS

JUNE/JULY 2009

The meals and snacks served at the Eagle Shield Center put everyone in a great mood, including these friends from Heart Butte.

Seated around the table are Mary Boggs, Carl Gardipee, Ann Goss, (who now lives in Browning), Catherine Rutherford, and Carmen Marceau.

People at the conference seemed ready to tackle and solve problems, rather than just talk. For five years, Carl has delivered commodities on the reservation; it is satisfying because of the real needs he meets, but he knows that if jobs like this paid even a little bit, elders could work part time and supplement their income. This would help them better meet the needs of grandchildren in their care. Grandparents raising grandchildren also need to have daycare available to give the children a safe place while they work or when they need a break. Now many elders do hard physical labor. “It’s a matter of survival. They have to work,” he says.

Carl would like to help young people to do better through good interventions, but ones that are not too interfering. “The Blackfeet Community College has a greater impact than the drug rehab programs,” Carl says. He went through rehab unsuccessfully five times, but earning his degree helped him break his addiction.

“It opened my eyes and helped me to see things in a positive way.

Before, if I didn’t like something I just tipped a bottle. When I sobered up the problem was still there.” [Photo by Bernice Karnop]

Delores Plumage is not only the first woman elected to the Blaine County Commission; she’s the first Native American County Commissioner in the nation. Elected in 2002 after redistricting wrangling that went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, Delores won the respect of many through her efforts to bridge the gap between the tribe and county officials. Her broad view of the issues and her down-toearth, forward-looking approach were refreshing. She’s breaking new ground, however, and it’s lonely, always working with people who aren’t like you.

“Listening to the drums and songs at this conference filled my spirit,” she said. [Photo by Bernice Karnop] To d a y t h e wetlands in the remote Centenn i a l Va l l e y i n southwest Montana provide the solitude needed to encourage a return of the trumpeter swan.

It is considered a wildlife rich corridor between Yellowstone Park and the Rockies.

But even today, few are bold enough to winter in the Centennial, so imagine what it was like more than a century ago for a single woman with a child to settle there. Terry Hanson and his wife Gayle researched the story of his great grandmother who came out from Boston to this area. She built fishponds and established a fish hatchery and best of all, kept journals. They recently published some of this history in The Centennial Valley: A Journey Through Time.

Terry grew up in the Centennial Valley but today the couple lives in Twin Bridges. They brought a carload of people to the GCA in Butte.

[Photo by Bernice Karnop]

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There is no question being a caregiver requires all the resources a person can muster. These three people, Shirley Trevena, Jack Walsh, and Frances Corcoran reached outside of themselves for help from caregiver support groups. The groups provide information that helps them understand dementia and Alzheimer’s, allows opportunity to talk about what is going on with people who understand, and gives access to respite programs. Jim, an octogenarian himself, has been a caregiver for a series of relatives, including his wife, for the past 15 years.

He did not think he would return the first time he attended the support group. “Now I don’t miss a meeting. Otherwise I couldn’t make it,” he says. [Photo by Bernice Karnop]

Appropriate music is an important part of any gathering and this was especially true in Browning. Drummers and singers, Kenneth Old Person, Paul Old Chief, and Tribal Chief Earl Old Person opened Friday’s conference with traditional songs. After the music, Chief Earl Old Person related oral history of the Blackfeet.

He became a member of the tribal council when he was a young man, and spent most of the early years attending to the wisdom of the older members. In those early years, they testified before Congress, with Earl interpreting. The powerful affect of these elders speaking the Blackfeet language was key to their success, he observed.

Chief Earl Old Person an unsung hero whose gentle persuasion brought a great deal of help to the tribe over many years, according to conference chair, Connie Bremner. “The money didn’t just come,” Old Person said. “You have to fight for everything you get.”

Fighting, the way Earl Old Person does it, is quiet, dignified, respectful, and effective. Often he fights for the people no one else notices. “We’re always looking out for them because no one sees their needs,” he said. [Photo by Bernice Karnop]

MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 63

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By Jim Miller The challenges of managing medications can be difficult for many – especially those who take multiple drugs for various health problems. Here are some tips that can help.

Drug Review - Nearly half of Americans, age 65 and older take five or more prescription drugs, and 12 percent take 10 or more. Unfortunately, the more drugs a person takes, the higher their risk for potential medication problems, and the more likely they are to take something they don’t need.

To protect yourself from problems with the medications you are taking, gather up all your bottles (include all prescription drugs, over-the-counter, vitamins, minerals, and herbal supplements) and take them to your primary physician for a drug review.

Go through each one together. Once you’ve agreed on which ones, if any, to change or drop, make a master list of the remaining ones as a reference, and with every change, update it.

Then take the final list and ask your pharmacist to review it for

possible drug interactions or conflicts. Be sure to discuss interactions with foods, over-the-counter remedies and supplements. If any are discovered, ask your pharmacist to communicate with your physician to resolve the conflict.

Get Informed - Most medicine problems can be avoided or solved by communicating with your doctor and pharmacist. Also, it’s not a bad idea to do some research online at sites like www.drugdigest.org or www.medlineplus.gov, so that you can ask better questions.

Here are some key points to cover when a new drug is prescribed: • Tell your doctor about all the medicines you are currently taking (take your list), whether you are being treated by another doctor for something else, and whether you have any allergies or side effects from any particular medicines.

• Likewise tell your pharmacist about all the medications you are taking and whether you are having any prescriptions filled at a different pharmacy. It is a good idea to have all of your medications dispensed at one pharmacy so the pharmacist has complete knowledge of your situation. Typically, pharmacy computer systems automatically flag potential drug interactions.

Be sure you know the names of any newly prescribed medicines and can read the handwriting on the prescription. If you can’t read it, your pharmacist may not be able to read it either. Also, ask if there’s a lower-cost generic version available.

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• Ask about the possible side effects the new medicine can cause, and what should be done if they occur.

• Find out how and when the medicine should be taken, how much to take, and for how long.

(Note: not taking medication as directed can cause serious health problems.)

• What foods, drinks, other medicines, herbal remedies, dietary supplements, or activities should be avoided while taking the medicine?

• Can a new medicine have an adverse effect on medical conditions other than the one for which the drug is prescribed.

• What should be done if a dose is missed, or an extra one was inadvertently taken?

• When should the medicine begin working, and what, if any, tests are required to monitor your reaction to the treatment?

Medication Reminders - Studies estimate that two-thirds of Americans fail to take their drugs as prescribed, either they don’t remember, can’t afford them, or experience side effects. If forgetfulness is the problem, here are some tips: • Keep your medicines in a place you’ll notice them like your bedside stand, kitchen counter, etc.

Don’t keep them in the bathroom medicine cabinet where they’re exposed to damaging humidity and heat.

• If you can, take medicines at the same time each day. To help remember, try linking your medicine to something you do regularly like brushing your teeth or eating lunch.

• Most pharmacies stock a selection of calen-

Looking to Save on Drugs? Go Generic says AARP

The Generic Pharmaceutical Association (GPhA) recently released the following statement from President and CEO Kathleen Jaeger on AARP’s new RX Watchdog Report that stated while brand prescription drug prices rose by nearly 9%, generic drug prices decreased an average of 10.6% in 2008.

“For seniors, and all Americans, struggling with rising health care costs, generic medicines are simply the right choice for better health. During these difficult economic times, it is truly disturbing to hear reports that our nation’s seniors cannot afford their prescription drug costs. No one should be forced to choose between putting food on their table and paying for needed medicines.

“As this new AARP report concludes, consumers should talk to their healthcare providers about their prescription drug options. With brand drug prices rising higher than they have for the last six years, we’re seeing more Americans switching to affordable generic medicines. Earlier this year, 81% of Americans said they would choose a generic medicine over a brand name drug, according to a nationwide Gallup survey. That’s because generic medicines are the same medicines as brands with the same safety and effectiveness, they just are much more affordable. In some cases, generic medicines cost up to 80% less than the brand drug.

“It is also important to note than in examining specialty drugs that treat serious conditions like

dars, pill boxes, or medication timers (see www. epill.com) as reminders, and to keep your medications organized.

• Keep a written schedule or checklist of the pills you take and how often to take them.

• Put reminder notes around the house.

• Ask a friend or relative to remind you.

• Monitor your disease. Home blood-pressure or blood-sugar testing, for example, can help motivate you to take your medication.

• Remember to order refills in time.

Savvy Resource: The American Society of Consultant Pharmacists offers a free packet of information on medication problems, including a list of dangerous drug interactions. Visit www. seniorcarepharmacist.com or call 800-355-2727.

Send your questions to Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit www. savvysenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of The Savvy Senior books. MSN

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cancer and rheumatoid arthritis, the AARP report revealed that the price of these needed medicines jumped 9.3% from 2007 to 2008. Many of these specialty drugs are biologics and, therefore, do not have a more affordable generic option because FDA has not been given the authority to create a pathway for generic biologics. This means that countless people have no alternative than to pay thousands of dollars a year on medicines they must have to treat devastating illnesses.

“It’s time to do right by our seniors and all Americans struggling with health care costs by approving legislation that brings safe, effective, and affordable biogeneric medicines to patients sooner rather than later. GPhA also strongly believes that increasing funding for FDA would ensure the more timely approval of generic medicines, increasing the opportunity for consumers to save

immediately.

“As our leaders work to reform our healthcare system, reducing healthcare costs while ensuring the delivery of quality care is goal number one.

Increasing access to generic and biogeneric medicines will help our leaders achieve this goal.”

GPhA represents the manufacturers and distributors of finished generic pharmaceuticals, manufacturers and distributors of bulk active pharmaceutical chemicals, and suppliers of other goods and services to the generic drug industry.

Generics represent 69% of the total prescriptions dispensed in the United States, but only 16% of all dollars spent on prescription drugs. For more information about the industry, visit www.gphaonline.org. MSN

Maintain Your Mouth, Strengthen Your Health

By Tait Trussell, Senior Wire enough saliva in your mouth to wash away food The Oral Cancer Foundation estimates that particles and reduce plaque by neutralizing the someone in the United States dies every hour acids that plaque produces. from oral cancer.

Gingivitis, gum disease, and tooth decay often It is a fact that dental care can save your life. occur if dry mouth is not treated. Problems linked Seniors should be particularly aware of dental to dry mouth include hoarseness, sore throat, swaldangers because older people are often most lowing problems, and dry nasal passages. If you susceptible. suffer from dry mouth, talk to your dentist about it.

A research study by the American Academy of One simple saliva substitute is sugar-free candy.

Periodontology (AAP) found that diseased gums Tooth erosion is a problem for older citizens. released much higher levels of bacterial pro-inflam- It is the wearing away of tooth enamel by acids. matory components into the Speaking of acids, soft drinks Because the condition of your bloodstream of patients with can cause extensive damage mouth mirrors the condition of severe periodontal disease to your teeth. Root beer is the your body as a whole, your dentist compared to healthy patients. safest soft drink. And you may may be the first healthcare provider be pleased to know that red Early detection of oral cancer is possible with something wine is good for your teeth. to spot signs of a health problem. called VELscope. It uses light Researchers from Quebec City to detect oral cancers - flourescent light that sup- Laval University found in a study that a component posedly hones in on tissues that glow when ab- in red wine should help to prevent and reduce normal cells appear. periodontitis, the advanced stage of gum disease Because the condition of your mouth mirrors that results in bone loss. the condition of your body as a whole, your dentist If you wear dentures, as some older people may be the first healthcare provider to spot signs do, About.com, advises brushing your dentures of a health problem. with a soft-bristled brush daily. The same goes for The lips, tongue, gums, salivary glands, and your gums and tongue. To avoid breakage when oral tissue all can warn of general health troubles. handling your dentures, hold them over a soft towel “Studies have shown that people with severe or a sink of water. periodontal disease, an inflammation of the gums Dentures can become warped if they dry out that affects an estimated 200 million Americans, or are put in hot water. When you are not wearing are more likely to develop cardiovascular disease them, dentures should always be kept in water or a than those without solution recommended by your dentist. Keep your gum infection,” says dentures out of reach of children and especially the Michigan Dental dogs. You know how dogs will chew on anything.

Association.

Tooth sensitivity is a common problem for Dry mouth is a prob- millions of people, dentists say. Tooth sensitivlem common among ity means suffering pain or discomfort from cold seniors. Dry mouth (xe- air or cold drinks. Sensitive teeth can be treated, rostomia) can cause however. extensive dental probDental problems never seem to fall into the lems. It is the reduced “fun” category. But they can be prevented easily flow of saliva. You need by regular brushing, flossing, eating, and drinking

JUNE/JULY 2009

properly. Slack off the soft drinks, and have regular checkups from your dentist.

Periodontal diseases are serious bacterial infections that destroy the attachment fibers and the supporting bone that holds your teeth in your mouth. When this happens, gums separate from the teeth, forming pockets that fill with plaque and even more infection, the AAP explains.

If you inflict bad breath on others, you are not alone. Bad breath (halitosis) is also embarrassing.

About 85% of people with bad breath have a dental condition. Gum disease, cavities, dry mouth, and bacteria on the tongue are some of the problems that can cause bad breath - along with garlic.

Using a mouthwash or chewing gum to cover bad breath only masks the problem, when a dental

A Healthy Smile May Promote a Healthy Heart Each year, cardiovascular disease kills more Americans than cancer.

And while most people are aware that lifestyle choices such as eating right, getting enough exercise, and quitting smoking can help prevent cardiovascular disease, they may not know that by just brushing and flossing their teeth each day, they might also be avoiding this potentially lethal condition.

An article published in the December issue of the Journal of Periodontology (JOP), the official publication of the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP), suggests that periodontal patients whose bodies show evidence of a reaction to the bacteria associated with periodontitis may have an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

“Although there have been many studies associating gum disease with heart disease, what we have not known is exactly why this happens and under what circumstances,” said JOP editor Kenneth Kornman, DDS, PhD. “The findings of this new analysis of previously published studies suggest that the long-term effect of chronic periodontitis, such as extended bacterial exposure, may be what ultimately leads to cardiovascular disease.”

Researchers at Howard University identified 11 studies that had previously examined clinically diagnosed periodontal disease and cardiovascular disease. The team then analyzed the participants’ level of systemic bacterial exposure, specifically looking for the presence of the bacteria associated with periodontal disease, as well as measuring various biological indicators of bacterial exposure. They found that individuals with periodontal disease whose biomarkers showed increased bacterial exposure were more likely to develop coronary heart disease or atherogenesis (plaque formation in the arteries).

“While more research is needed to better understand the connection between periodontal disease and cardiovascular disease, this study suggests the importance of taking care of your teeth and gums and how that can help you take

MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 67

problem is likely the source of bad breath. Smoking is another source of offensive breath.

If you are interested in dentals implants, small titanium posts are surgically placed into the bone to secure a foundation for artificial teeth. Implants usually take two surgical procedures within a few months’ time. But some dentists now are able to do implants in a one-hour office visit. MSN

PAGE 68 MONTANA SENIOR NEWS

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care of your heart,” said Susan Karabin, DDS, President of the AAP. “With the increasing number of people with heart disease continuing to increase, it is important to understand that simple activities like brushing and flossing twice a day, and regular visits to your dental professional can help lower your risk of other health conditions.”

To find a periodontist or to find out if you are at risk for periodontal diseases, take the Academy’s risk assessment test. A referral to a periodontist, additional information, and brochure samples are available online at www.perio.org, or by calling toll-free 800-356-7736. MSN

Do YOU Have Diabetes?

Do you have diabetes?

• As the weather begins to cool, have you found that you still feel terribly thirsty and dehydrated even though the temperature has gone down?

• Are you tired all the time, because you find that you need to arise frequently during the night to go to the bathroom?

• Have you found that you are having difficulty seeing - not all the time, but sometimes when you watch TV or try to read street signs at a distance, your vision is blurry and out of focus?

• Are you more irritable and have family or coworkers complaining that you are difficult to work with?

• Have you lost a large amount of weight without changing your diet or exercise routine?

• Are you constantly having yeast infections for no apparent reason?

If you answer “Yes” to two or more of these questions, you may have diabetes, and it would be wise to see your medical provider for a blood test to verify your condition.

What if you have diabetes? You can do many things to manage your diabetes, and reduce or prevent the risk of having long-term complications.

• Reducing the amount of carbohydrates eaten, to match the amount of insulin released by the pancreas, is important.

• Increasing your activity, so that your body cells can burn the glucose sugar out of your blood, will give you more energy.

• Consulting your medical provider regarding the right type and amount of diabetes medicine is necessary.

• Then, see a Diabetes Educator who can help you put all these things together, so that you can learn to manage your diabetes.

How can you prevent diabetes? Preventing diabetes may be easier than you think.

Get 30 to 40 minutes of aerobic exercise five days a week. Try these tips: • Park a block or two away from your work place each day.

• Park at the end of the lot when you go shopping.

• Go biking with the grandkids, or take the dog for a walk before breakfast.

• Play softball, kickball, soccer as a family activity, or have a hula-hoop or jump rope contest.

• Wash the car or mow the lawn.

Eating a well balanced diet is a good way to prevent diabetes, too.

• Drink less sugary drinks and more water.

• Eat more whole grain, high fiber foods, like fruit rather than juice, and bread or cereal that lists some fiber on the nutrition label.

• Eat 3 to 5 servings of vegetables and 2 to 3 servings of fruit daily.

• Include 2 or 3 servings of dairy products daily.

Remember, you cannot change genetics, but choosing a healthy lifestyle will improve your chances of preventing diabetes. MSN

DIABETES CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE.

If you have

find out if you have

DON’T HIDE YOUR HEAD IN THE SAND.

GET THE TESTS YOU NEED. Simple blood urine tests will show how well your kidneys function.

&

ALSO . . . CONTROL YOUR BLOOD SUGAR BLOOD PRESSURE.

&

If you have high blood pressure, ask your doctor about blood pressure medicines like ACE inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs). They have a protective effect on your kidneys.

A message from your friends at

This information is brought to you by Mountain-Pacific Quality Health, the Medicare quality improvement organization for Montana, Wyoming, Hawaii and Alaska, under contract with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Contents presented do not necessarily reflect CMS policy. 9thSOW-MT-MPQHF-CKD-09-21

JUNE/JULY 2009

Dermatologists Encourage People To Screen The One You Love For Skin Cancer Treating moms and dads to brunch or backyard barbeques is a great way to honor them on Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, but the American Academy of Dermatology (Academy) hopes more families will start another annual tradition – screening their loved ones for skin cancer.

Based on current estimates, more than 1 million cases of skin cancer will be diagnosed in the United States in 2009. When detected early, most skin cancers can be successfully treated. Performing regular skin self-examinations is an easy way to detect suspicious moles that could be cancerous, and research shows that involving a partner in the self-examination process can improve the early detection of skin cancer.

“People who check their skin regularly for any changes in existing moles or new moles are taking an important first step in detecting the early warning signs of skin cancer,” said dermatologist David M. Pariser, MD, FAAD, president of the Academy. “Asking a partner to help monitor your skin for any changes or to assist in examining hard-to-reach areas can be very beneficial in spotting skin cancer.”

To enhance a patient’s ability to detect skin cancer, the Academy has adopted the revised ABCDs of Melanoma Detection, which include an “E” for Evolving. A mole or skin lesion that is “Evolving” or changing in size, shape, or color should be brought to the attention of a dermatologist. This is in addition to other characteristics of moles for which individuals should check their skin: • Asymmetry (one half unlike the other half) • Border (irregular, scalloped, or poorly defined) • Color (varies from one area to another; shades of tan and brown, black; sometimes white, red or blue) • Diameter (the size of a pencil eraser or larger) A mole with any of these characteristics, or one that is an “ugly duckling,” meaning it looks different from the rest, should be brought to a dermatologist’s attention. A new study published in Cancer (December 15, 2008) examining changes in melanomas diagnosed over 35 years found that melanomas were frequently described by patients as evolving lesions. This study observed important differences in the clinical behavior of nodular melanomas (very rapidly growing melanomas) compared to superficial spreading melanomas (the most common type of melanoma).

Among the key findings, Dr. Polsky reported that more than 90 percent of patients with nodular melanoma reported a history of change in the lesion and these patients were more likely to be diagnosed with thicker, more dangerous tumors. By comparison, 80 percent of patients with superficial spreading melanoma indicated a slower pace of change in the lesion, and over time, these lesions were diagnosed earlier in their evolution, as thinner, less problematic, tumors.

“Nodular melanomas typically do not have the classic ABCD features that one might expect to find when doing a skin self-exam, as they can be one color and have smooth borders,” said Dr. Polsky. “But what’s important to note is that nodular melanomas do change over a few months time, especially in color or height, such as a bump on the skin. So, I think by modifying our detection criteria to include ‘evolving,’ the ABCDEs of Melanoma Detection will better encompass the characteristics of aggressive nodular melanomas

Happy Father’s Day

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and help patients better assess a dangerous mole.”

In addition, the Academy offers a Body Mole Map, a tool individuals can use to track their moles. The map provides information on how to perform a skin exam, images of the ABCDEs of melanoma and space for people to track their moles to determine any changes over time.

Popular holidays, such as Mother’s Day (May 10), Father’s Day (June 21) and Grandparents Day (September 13) are reminders for people to check their loved ones’ skin for suspicious moles using the Academy’s Body Mole Map. The mole map is available at www.melanomamonday.org.

To minimize your risk of skin cancer, the Academy recommends that everyone be aware of sun exposure: • Generously apply a broad-spectrum water-resistant sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 15 to all exposed skin. Broadspectrum provides protection from both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays. Re-apply every two hours, even on cloudy days, and after swimming or sweating.

• Wear protective clothing, such as a long-sleeved shirt, pants, a widebrimmed hat, and sunglasses, where possible.

• Seek shade when appropriate, remembering that the sun’s rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. If your shadow is shorter than you are, seek shade.

• Protect children from sun exposure by playing in the shade, using protective clothing, and applying sunscreen.

• Use extra caution near water, snow, and sand as they reflect the damaging rays of the sun, which can increase your chance of sunburn.

• Get vitamin D safely through a healthy diet that may include vitamin supplements.

• Avoid tanning beds. Ultraviolet light from the sun and tanning beds can cause skin cancer and wrinkling. If you want to look like you have been in the sun, consider using a sunless self-tanning product, but continue to use sunscreen with it.

• Check your birthday suit on your birthday. If you notice anything changing, growing, or bleeding on your skin, see a dermatologist.

For more information about skin cancer, please visit the SkinCancerNet section of www.SkinCarePhysicians.com, a website developed by dermatologists that provides patients with up-to-date information on the treatment and management of disorders of the skin, hair, and nails.

For more information, contact the American Academy of Dermatology at 1-888-462-3376 or www.aad.org. MSN

Control Diabetes Now, See Later A 25-year study of people with Type 1 diabetes in Wisconsin has some good news: People who controlled their blood-sugar levels over the long term were more likely to reverse certain abnormalities caused by the disease in the retina’s small blood vessels.

Then there is the bad news. Serious eye disease is a very common side effect of diabetes.

Based on the Wisconsin findings, 185,000 to 466,000 Americans with Type 1 diabetes may eventually develop proliferative diabetic reti-

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nopathy, a condition that can lead to severe visual impairment.

The study, led by Dr. Ronald Klein, professor of ophthalmology and visual sciences at UW School of Medicine and Public Health, appeared in the November edition of Ophthalmology.

Klein and colleagues have been monitoring the health of 996 southern Wisconsin people who were diagnosed with Type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes before the age of 30. The Wisconsin Epidemiologic Study of Diabetic Retinopathy, funded by the National Eye Institute, began in 1979 and followed participants with Type 1 diabetes through 2007. The research participants had their glycosylated hemoglobin levels (a measure of average blood sugar levels over the previous three months) measured regularly and their eye health checked

through photographs of the back of their eyes (the retina) taken with a special camera. Diabetic retinopathy (signs of damage to the small retinal blood vessels) was detected by grading these photographs at periodic examinations over the 25 years of the study.

Nearly 83 percent of people in the study developed signs of diabetic retinopathy or had their existing diabetic retinopathy worsen. About 43 percent of study participants went on to develop the most severe stage of diabetic retinopathy, called proliferative diabetic retinopathy, in which abnormal blood vessels grow on the retina. This growth can cause bleeding and detachment of the retina, leading to severe visual impairment.

Poor blood-sugar control was strongly related to development of proliferative diabetic retinopathy.

MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 71

Other factors that increased the risk for developing proliferative diabetic retinopathy included being male; being overweight; having higher blood pressure; and having protein in the urine, a sign of diabetic kidney disease.

In about 18 percent of people, the diabetic retinopathy improved. This improvement was more likely in those with better control of their blood sugar.

There is some other good news in the study.

“Interestingly, we saw less progression to proliferative diabetic retinopathy among people who had a similar duration of Type 1 diabetes but who were diagnosed more recently,’’ Klein said. “The biggest reason seems to be an improvement in the management of blood sugar and blood-pressure levels in people with diabetes.” MSN

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Pet Insurance: Is it a good idea?

By Jim Miller Most seniors who have pets treat them like their own children. If your mother-in-law is the type of person who would do anything for her furry family, including spending thousands of dollars on medical care, pet insurance is definitely worth looking into.

Rising Costs - The cost of owning a pet has gone up quite a bit in recent years. New technologies in medical treatment now make it possible for pets to undergo similar treatments as humans for many life-threatening diseases. But just as with humans, these treatments are not cheap.

Pet Policies - Pet insurance is actually very similar to human health insurance. Typically, pet policies come with deductibles, co-pays, and caps that limit how much will be paid out annually. Preexisting health problems and hereditary conditions can exclude many animals, and the older the pet is, the more you will have to pay out in premiums.

Some insurers will not even cover pets older than eight.

Pet policies also vary widely on what is covered. Some policies are comprehensive, including such things as annual checkups and vaccinations, spaying/neutering, death benefits, and even reimbursement for offering a reward for lost pets.

Other basic plans cover only accidents and illness.

Cost too will vary, ranging from around $10-25 per month for basic coverage, to $25-75 for a comprehensive policy.

Shopping Tips - To find a policy that meets your pet’s needs and budget, here are a few tips: • Shop and compare: To compare benefits, copayments, and deductibles of major pet insurers

go to www.petinsurancereview.com. Many insurers offer discounts for insuring multiple pets – be sure you find out. It is also not a bad idea to check with your mom’s veterinarian to see if they have a recommendation. And do not buy a policy from an insurer that is not licensed in your state.

• Know what you are getting: Be clear on what the policy covers and does not cover, and that it works with your vet. Some companies, like Pet Assure (www.petassure.com), are membership discount plans, but only work with the vets in their network.

Cost Cutters - Whether you choose pet insurance or not, here are some other ways you can cut your vet bills.

• Look for discounts: Humane societies often host events or they may know of local clinics where you can get pet care and vaccinations at reduced prices. Also, find out if your vet offers discounts to seniors or offers reduced fees for annual checkups if you bring in multiple pets.

• Get a second opinion. Before committing to expensive treatments or drugs, get a second opinion from another vet. Another option is to consult the Merck Veterinary Manual (www.merckvetmanual.com) for a rundown on her pet’s condition and recommended treatments.

• Shop around for meds. Get a written prescription from the vet (ask for generic if possible) so you can shop for the best price. Discountpetmedicines. com is a good resource that has links to sites that offer lower-priced medications. And it does not hurt to ask the vet if he or she has free samples they can give her. MSN

Attention pet lovers…

If you love animals or cannot have them where you live, you can still fulfill your devotion by being a “pet angel.” Pet angels are sponsors who help homeless pets by donating $10 for updating vaccinations, $35 for spaying or neutering a kitten or cat to help with the overpopulation of unwanted animals.

If you are a dog lover $50 helps with spaying or neutering of puppies or dogs.

Help for homeless pets takes in unwanted, abused, unloved, strays and people’s pets. Some people cannot afford to keep their pets because

of these tough economic times or because of moving somewhere that does not allow pets. We are a no-kill facility that loves the animals that we take care of until they are adopted.

Please consider being a “pet angel” and help our deserving pets. Your sponsorship of $10, $35, $50, or whatever you can afford will help our helpless homeless pets. These animals need your help!

We constantly need volunteers, donations of money, blankets, towels, garbage bags, laundry soap, and bleach, and we appreciate any help that we get!!!

For additional information, please contact us at Help for Homeless Pets, by calling 406-896-1700 or 406-860-8735, writing to 2910 Hannon Road, Billings, MT 59101, or emailing hhpmontana@aol. com. Your furry friends will be thankful! MSN

JUNE/JULY 2009

MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 73

People Needed Where the Jobs Are... and Where They Will Be in Coming Years Tait Trussell Help Wanted!

Professional and business services, just one of the fastest growing sectors in the U.S. economy, will increase by 23.3 percent and add 4.1 million new jobs between now and 2016, according to a new extensive report by the U.S. Department of Labor.

This means more job opportunities and need for older people. Why? Because the 35- to 44-age group will decline by 5.5 percent and the 16- to 24-year-olds will fall by 1.1 percent over those coming years.

The U.S. civilian population is expected to grow by nearly 22 million over the 2006 to 2016 period. This means “more consumers of goods and services, spurring demand for workers in a broad range of occupations and industries,” the Labor Department report continued.

Many of these needed workers will be drawn from baby boomers as they continue to age. The 55- to 64-age contingent will increase by 30 percent, more than any other age group.

Until fairly recently a “culture of retirement” had led many people 55 and older to kick off their shoes and retire early. But over the past decade, the percentage of older people working increased from about 30 percent to 38 percent.

The attraction of continuing to work plus the financial need has led some to stay in the work force, or go back to work when retirement became boring. A fortunate development in an era when the supply of younger workers will shrink and of mature workers will grow.

A government inter-agency Task Force on the Aging of the American Workforce was recently created at the request of the chairman and ranking

member of the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging, Senator Herb Kohl (D-WI) and Gordon Smith (R-OR).

The purpose of the task force is to expand opportunities for older Americans who want to stay in the workforce and facilitate the hiring of older workers.

The task force recommended examining barriers to employment and recommended making available educational and financial expertise for older workers. Their knowledge and experience can be invaluable to employers in many fields.

“The 15.6 million jobs that will be added by 2016 will not be evenly distributed across major industrial and occupational groups. Changes in consumer demand, technology, and many other factors will contribute to the continually changing employment structure in the U.S. economy,” the Labor Department report said.

The long-term shift from producing goods to service-providing employment is expected to continue. Service industries are expected to account for close to 16 million new wage and salary jobs generated over the 2006 to 2016 decade.

Employment opportunities are probably greatest in the areas of education and health services.

“This industry super sector is projected to grow by 18.8 percent, and add more jobs, nearly 5.5 million, than any other industry super sector. More than three out of every ten new jobs created in the U.S. economy will be in either the healthcare and social assistance, or public and private educational services sectors,” the report said.

Jobs in professional, scientific, and technical services will grow by 28.8 percent and add 2.1 million new work opportunities by 2016. Employment in computer systems design and related services

Children’s Thoughts On Grandparents And Other Things

Submitted by Julie Hollar 1. She was in the bathroom putting on her makeup under the watchful eyes of her young granddaughter as she had done many times before. After she applied her lipstick and started to leave, the little one said, “But Gramma, you forgot to kiss the toilet paper good-bye!”

I will probably never put lipstick on again without thinking about kissing the toilet paper good-bye.

2. My young grandson called the other day to wish me Happy Birthday. He asked me how old I was and I told him I was 62. He was quiet for a moment and then he asked, “Did you start at 1?”

3. After putting her grandchildren to bed, a grandmother changed into old slacks and a

droopy blouse and proceeded to wash her hair.

As she heard the children getting more and more rambunctious, her patience grew thin. Finally, she threw a towel around her head and stormed into their room, putting them back to bed with stern warnings. As she left the room, she heard the three-year-old say with a trembling voice, “Who was THAT?” 4. A grandmother was telling her little granddaughter what her own childhood was like. “We used to skate outside on a pond. I had a swing made from a tire that hung from a tree in our front yard. We rode our pony. We picked wild raspberries in the woods.

The little girl was wide-eyed, taking this all in.

At last, she said, “I sure wish I’d gotten to know you sooner!” MSN

will grow by 38.3 percent. Businesses’ reliance on information technology and network security will drive the need for new employees.

Management, scientific, and technical consulting services also will grow - at a stunning 78 percent. The Labor Department said employment in securities, commodity contracts, and other financial investments and related activities is expected to grow by 46 percent by 2016.

Opportunities for service workers, ranging from firefighters to cooks, should increase by 4.8 million, says the Labor Department forecast.

Jobs in manufacturing appear relatively bleak.

Overall employment in this broad area is forecast to decline by 10.6 percent. Job opportunities in agriculture, fishing, hunting, and forestry also are expected to decline.

Productivity gains, job automation, and international competition will adversely affect most manufacturing industries. Employment in pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing, however, is expected to increase.

In the leisure and hospitality field, overall employment is expected to increase by 14.3 percent, adding 595,000 employees by 2016. Most of the new job openings (79 percent) will be in the amusement, gambling, and recreation areas.

Employment in construction is forecast to increase by 10.2 percent to 8.5 million jobs.

The retail trade business will need to fill a projected 700,000 jobs by 2016. Finance and insurance together are expected to need 815,000 jobs.

Finally, government - not including education and hospitals - is expected to hire 11.3 million people, the most of all. MSN

PAGE 74 MONTANA SENIOR NEWS

JUNE/JULY 2009

Grand Vacations for Grandparents and Grandchildren

By Jim Miller Taking the grandkids on vacation is what the travel industry calls intergenerational travel, and it’s become increasingly popular in recent years.

Here’s what you should know.

Growing Trend - According to the Yankelovich Partners National Leisure Travel Monitor, nearly 30 percent of traveling grandparents have taken at least one trip with a grandchild over the past year. Vacationing with your grandkids is a great way to have fun and strengthen your relationships, especially if you live far away and don’t get a chance to see them that often.

Travel Companies - Today there are a number of travel organizations and companies that offer specialized vacation packages for grandparents and grandchildren. This is a nice way to go because they plan everything for you, with most activities for the two generations together, but some just for adults so you can get an occasional breather. Available in all

price ranges, these tours are typically designed for children between seven and eighteen and are usually scheduled in the summer, or during winter breaks, when the kids are out of school.

Here are some top tour companies that will take you and your grandkids on a fun, well-planned vacation.

Elderhostel - For an educational and relatively low-cost vacation, Elderhostel, the world’s largest educational travel organization for adults 55 and over, offers a wide variety of trips for grandparents and grandchildren too. Visit www. elderhostel.org (or call 800-454-5768) and click on “Grandparent Travel” for a list of more than 300 vacation plans throughout the U.S. and abroad. Most of the U.S. trips are around five days and cost anywhere from $500 to $1,000 per person, while the international trips typically last one to two weeks and cost between $150 and $350 per person per day. These prices do not include transportation to the destination.

Sierra Club - For outdoor recreation, the Sierra Club (www.sierraclub.org/outings; 415-977-5522) offers a variety of affordable family outings and local outings near you.

They also offer an annual weeklong “Just for Grandparents and Grandkids” outing in July in Tahoe National Forest, California. The cost is $545 per adult and $445 per child.

Grandtravel - This is the first company to send grandparents

and grandchildren (ages 7 to 17) off on vacation together. Grandtravel (www.grandtrvl.com; 800-247-7651) offers 7- to 13-day luxury tours scheduled in July and August with destinations to Washington, D.C. and Williamsburg, Alaska, Italy, London, Paris, and New Zealand. These trips are educational (led by teacher-escorts), limited to 30 or fewer participants, and expensive - ranging between $3,000 and $7,200 per person.

Generations Touring Company - This is another deluxe tour operator that specializes in intergeneration travel. They offer a variety of weeklong tours to destinations like the Grand Canyon, Peru, and the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador. And for sports fans, they have a “Baseball’s Sacred Grounds” summer tour that includes visits to Boston’s historic Fenway Park, New York’s new Yankee Stadium, and a trip to Cooperstown to tour the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Costs for all tours range between $2,100 and $4,000 per person. www.generationstouringcompany.com, 888-415-9100.

Consider Cruising - Another popular option to consider is to take your grandkids on a cruise.

This offers a safe and secure environment that’s affordable with plenty of facilities, activities, and dining options to keep everyone happy. Disney, Carnival, Holland, Royal Caribbean, Princess, and Norwegian cruise lines all offer appealing options for intergenerational travelers. To find out what’s available, contact a travel agent (see www.cruising.org to find an agent who specializes in cruises), or visit Cruises For Families (www.cruisesforfamilies.com; 877-386-9243).

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

JUNE/JULY 2009

Plan a Vacation to Remember...

Call your Travel Agent Today!

FLATHEAD TRAVEL 500 South Main, Kalispell, MT 59901 800-223-9380

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

KARST STAGES 511 N Wallace Bozeman, MT 59715 406-586-8567 800-845-2778

ESCAPE TOURS P.O. BOX 3833 Missoula, MT 59806 406-240-8687 Missoula

MONTANA FUN ADVENTURES PO Box 21905 Billings, MT 59104 406-254-7180 888-618-4386 SATROM TOURS 561 South 7th Street Bismarck, ND 58504 800-833-8787

JUNE 2009

AUGUST 2009 June- Billings Historic Tour TBA Yellowstone Park Tour Oct Montana Fun Adventures Escape Tours

21- New England Fall Oct 7 Foliage Satrom Tours

June- Open Air Jeep Tours 1-5 Oct Montana Fun Adventures

June- A Slice of Country Tour Oct Montana Fun Adventures 3-6

10-12 Experience Glacier Park Flathead Travel 3-14

20 Hutterite Colony Tour Montana Fun Adventures 4-5

24 Weatherman Draw (Valley of the Chiefs) 9-22 Montana Fun Adventures

26-28 Custer’s Last Stand 16-26 Re-enactment

Montana Fun Adventures

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Park

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JULY 2009 4-12 TBA Calgary Stampede

Escape Tours 5-12 10-13 Calgary Stampede

Flathead Travel 6-7 11-12 Blues Festival to Butte

Flathead Travel

The Wonders of Wyoming A&B Tours

27- The Best of Eastern Canada Flathead Travel

Winnipeg Folkorama Satrom Tours

29- Norsk Hostfest Oct 3 Minot, ND Flathead Travel

14-21 Gems of Montana Satrom Tours 16-17 Visit Blessing, ND! Satrom Tours 18-25 Alaska Cruise Satrom Tours 22- Alaska Cruise Tour Aug 3 Satrom Tours

Medora Musical A&B Tours Alaska Cruise Tour Satrom Tours Circling Lake Michigan A&B Tours Yellowstone National Park Escape Tours

29- Hostfest Oct 2 A&B Tours 30- Hostfest Oct 3 A&B Tours

OCTOBER 2009 12-26 Colors of the Carolinas, Fall Foliage A&B Tours 14-20 Fall Adventure to Red Wing, Winona, Wabasha, & Wisconsin Satrom Tours

Yellowstone National Park Interactive Tour 14-25 Country Music Get-Away Montana Fun Adventures Satrom Tours SEPTEMBER 2009 Poland Culinary Tour Flathead Travel Alaska Cruise Satrom Tours Fiddler on the Roof Spokane Opera House Escape Tours

11-13 Lewistown’s Chokecherry Festival Flathead Travel 15-17 Elk Bugling in Yellowstone Flathead Travel 19- Pacific Northwest Fall Oct 1 Foliage Satrom Tours

23-24 Yellowstone National 20-21 Park Interactive Tour

Montana Fun Adventures 29- Alaska Cruise Tour Aug 9 Satrom Tours

Alaska Cruise Tour Satrom Tours

Yellowstone National Park Interactive Tour Montana Fun Adventures

21-28 Roll’n on the River A&B Tours

19-27 President Lincoln’s 200th Anniversary Tour Satrom Tours

MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 75

PAGE 76 MONTANA SENIOR NEWS

JUNE/JULY 2009

Understanding the Complications of Retirement Math And Other Money Matters

2112 Dixon Avenue MissoulA, MT 59801

By Gerald Townsend, Senior Wire Q. I read recently that if I don’t withdraw more than 4% or 5% from my investments when I retire, they should last me 30 years or longer. However, if I am only taking out a certain percentage of the balance each year, it seems to me that my investments would last much longer than that. In fact, if you only take out a percentage of the balance, why would the balance ever reach zero?

A. When you read about a retirement withdrawal rate of 4% or 5%, they are not talking about taking out that percentage each year. If they were, your observation would be accurate. Instead, they are only referring to the initial withdrawal rate, which is the rate in your first year of retirement.

For example, assume you are retiring this year and have $1,000,000 in investments, not including your home. After considering Social Security, pensions, or other income, you believe you will still need to withdraw $45,000 from your investment accounts to cover all your expenses. Therefore, your initial retirement withdrawal rate is 4.5% ($45,000 / $1,000,000). After the initial year, the assumption is that you will increase the dollar amount of your withdrawal each year by an inflation factor.

You are increasing the amount withdrawn each year and your annual investment return is uncertain, but with an initial withdrawal rate in the 4% to 5% range, and assuming a reasonably balanced portfolio allocation, there is a good probability that your investments will last for a normal retirement timeframe of 30+ years.

Q. When my sister travels and rents a car, she buys the insurance the rental agency offers. My brother says it is a waste of money and never buys. Which one is right?

A. They both may be right. The separate insurance offered by the

rental agency may not be necessary if you have a personal auto policy that provides comprehensive and collision coverage, liability, medical expense protection, and personal effects coverage. Keep in mind that if you have dropped your comprehensive and collision coverage as a way to save money, you will not have this coverage on your rental car.

In addition, your deductible on your auto policy will most likely apply to your rental car. Although your homeowner’s policy generally covers theft of personal items from a rental car, if you travel with expensive items such as jewelry or musical equipment, you may need to purchase a rider on your homeowner’s policy to fully cover these items when you travel.

Also, do not forget that many credit cards include some level of collision and theft protection, but this varies by the issuer. Make sure you check with your insurance agent and credit card issuer in advance and know what you need to do before you arrive at the car rental counter.

Q. My mother is a widow in her 80s and lives in another state. She needs help with tasks such as bill paying, bank deposits, and financial organization. How do I find someone trustworthy to help her?

A. This is a common concern and you definitely want to ensure that the person or firm you select has financial controls and insurance in place to provide both you and your mother with peace of mind.

Start by speaking with accountants, attorneys, or other professionals in the area your mother lives and ask for referrals. You might also check with the American Association of Daily Money Managers (www.aadmm.com) which is an organization for people providing these types of services.

Gerald A. Townsend, CPA/PFS, CFP®, CFA® is president of Townsend Asset Management Corp (www.assetmgr.com), a registered investment advisory firm. Submit your question to 5120 Bur Oak Circle, Raleigh, NC 27612 or email townsendcorp@gmail.com. MSN

Getting Your Affairs Organized

By Jim Miller Collecting and organizing your important papers and information is a smart idea and a great gift to your loved ones. Here is what you should know.

Get It Together - The first step in getting your affairs in order is to gather up all your important personal, financial, and legal information, so you can arrange it in a format that will benefit your caregivers, survivors, and even yourself. Then you will need to sit down and create various lists of important information and instructions of how you want certain things handled. Here are some key areas to help you get started.

Personal Information • Contact list: A good starting point is to make a master list of names and phone numbers of family members, close friends, clergy, doctor(s), and professional advisers such as your lawyer, tax accountant, broker, and insurance agent.

• Personal documents: This can include such items as your birth certificate, Social Security number, marriage license, military discharge papers, etc.

• Service providers: Provide contact information of the companies or people who provide your regular services such as utility companies, lawn service, etc.

• Organ donation: Indicate your wishes for organ, tissue, or body dona-

JUNE/JULY 2009

tion including documentation (see www.donatelife. net).

• Funeral instructions: Write out your final wishes. If you have made pre-arrangements with a funeral home, provide their contact information and if you have prepaid or not, and include a copy of the agreement.

Legal Documents • Will and trust: In your files, have the original copy of your will (not a photocopy) and other estate planning documents you have made, including trusts. If you do not have a will, BuildaWill.com is a good do-it-yourself resource for creating a simple will and costs only $20, but you should consider professional help.

• Financial power of attorney: This is the legal document that names someone you trust to handle money matters if you are incapacitated. Talk to an elder law attorney (see www.naela.com) to learn more.

• Advance directives: These are the legal documents (living will and medical power of attorney) that spell out your wishes regarding your end-of-life treatment when you can no longer make decisions for yourself. For forms, visit www.caringinfo.org.

Financial Records • Income and debt: Make a list of all your income sources such as pensions, Social Security, IRAs, 401Ks, interest, investments, etc. And, do the same for any debt you may have – mortgage, credit cards, medical bills, car payment, etc.

• Financial accounts: List all your bank and brokerage accounts (checking, savings, stocks, bonds, mutual funds, IRAs, etc.) including their location and contact information. Also, keep current statements from each institution in your files.

• Pensions and benefits: List any retirement plans, pensions, or benefits from your current or former employer including the contact information of the benefits administrator.

• Government benefits: Information about Social Security, Medicare, or other government benefits you are receiving.

• Insurance: List the insurance policies you own (life, health, long-term care, home, and car) including the policy numbers and agents’ names and phone numbers.

• Credit cards: List all your credit and charge cards, including the card numbers and contact information.

• Taxes: Keep copies of your income tax returns over the last five years and the contact information of your tax preparer. Property: List the real estate, vehicles and other personal properties you own, rent, or lease and include important documents such as deeds, titles, and loan or lease agreements. MSN

Make a gift today because Montana Tech Foundation is securing the future

“The best thing you can do is perpetuate good for generations to come.”

Butte philanthropist Bob Poore made this comment to the Montana Standard over 13 years ago when two sisters donated over $530,000 to Montana Tech through their estates.

Rose and Anna Busch created an endowed scholarship fund along with an endowment to support faculty members. By including Montana Tech in their estate plans, the sisters were able to make an immense impact.

Since their inception in 1995, ninety-nine Montana Tech students have received Rose & Anna Busch Endowed Scholarships and over thirty faculty members have received Rose & Anna Busch Faculty Achievement Awards.

Rose and Anna understood the importance of higher education and by establishing these endowments, they will live on forever in the hearts and minds of Montana Tech and its students.

The Busch sisters decided to leave their legacy by making Montana Tech a beneficiary of their Living Trusts. There are many ways to plan for the future. We would love to talk to you about your options for leaving yours or a loved one’s legacy at Montana Tech.

If you would like to begin a conversation on planned giving, please contact Kayla Sanders at 406-496-4864. MSN

MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 77

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PAGE 78 MONTANA SENIOR NEWS

JUNE/JULY 2009

Countdown to the

Western Montana Fair Continues Does just the thought of the fair make your mouth water for some of those once-a-year midway delicacies? Well, you will only have to wait until August 11-16, 2009 when Missoula comes alive with fair week.

And it is not just the food. Think about all of those exhibits – quilting, floral, photography - the list is endless.

Wednesday, August 12 is free gate admission for Seniors, and if you bring someone younger than you,

they receive half off their gate admission. Regular gate is $6 adult and $3 children 5-13 years old.

Enjoy a “staycation” by staying all day and making it a vacation. Plan to attend the 2009 Noon’s daily red wagon parade that departs the grandstands at noon. Make memories, watch 4H shows, and view hundreds of exhibits while on vacation.

For complete details visit www.westernmontanafair.com. MSN

10 - 9 - 8 - 7

Saturday, July 18, 2009 8:30 PM Carroll College Lawn

Symphony StarS UNDER THE

Some Enchanted Evening The Helena Symphony and Carroll College present a fabulous night of music.

Music by Rodgers & Hammerstein Maestro Allan R. Scott, conducting Helena Symphony Orchestra & Chorale

&

- 6 - 5...

Be A Better Barbecuer (NAPSI) - Whatever your grilling skill level, a new version of a long popular book, “Grilling For Dummies, 2nd Edition” (Wiley) by award-winning author John Mariani and food and beverage consultant Marie Rama, provides the how-to information needed to make this grilling season hot.

It offers tips on equipment, grill setup and maintenance, new techniques, and new and updated recipes.

Brushing up on the advice from this simple guide can help you cook up a backyard barbecue that is better than ever: • Before heating the grill, brush the grid with vegetable oil to keep the food from sticking.

• The best time to salt your food is just before you place it on the grill.

• Create flavorful smoke when grilling pork, fish, or lamb by tossing lemon, orange or lime peel on the coals.

• When grilling burgers, do not press the patty with the flat side of the spatula. This squeezes out the juices, reducing flavor and raising the risk of flare-ups.

• Splash some balsamic vinegar or fresh lemon juice on grilled pork or lamb kebabs for a fatfree flavoring.

• Use a spray bottle to mist and add moisture to rotisserie meats or poultry as they spit-roast.

Fill the bottle with soy sauce, sherry, apple juice or beef broth, herbs and spices. Mist about every 20 minutes.

“Grilling For Dummies, 2nd Edition” is available at all major bookstores and online at www. dummies.com. MSN

Rocking The Flathead: The Belton Blues Band

By Gail Jokerst Some people can bring back memories of the 1960s and ’70s simply by donning a pair of bell-bottomed jeans or by eating a bowl of brown rice.

But for music lovers in the Flathead, the best way by far to remember those decades is to catch the Belton Blues Band in action. When the band lets loose on tunes made famous by The Rolling Stones, Queen, The Animals, BB King, and Led Zeppelin - among many others - you can’t help but flash back in time while hearing the riffs that defined an era.

“We play an eclectic range of music. We’re based in the blues, but we also do rock and country,” explains Fred Vanhorn, one of the band’s three founding members. “Depending on where we perform, we adjust the music to the appropriate venue. That’s one of the fun things about playing with this group. People enjoy listening to the variety of music we play but they never know what’s coming next. It adds an element of surprise that audiences love.”

JUNE/JULY 2009

Interestingly, y Fr audiences aren’t the ed b d i v [Pro only ones surprised when the Belton Blues Band takes the stage.

Sometimes the band itself is surprised by what they see when they gaze at their audience.

“People of all ages come to hear us, even a young crowd,” says Fred. “And the response has been huge. People dance, sway to the music, tap their feet, and sing along. You can tell by the looks on people’s faces how much they’re enjoying themselves.”

Considering these six musicians currently work at other jobs full- or part-time and regard this a hobby band, their devotion to their music is all the more impressive.

“We aren’t a full-time dedicated band. It takes commitment to do this and we all have busy lives.

None of us needs the money; we do it because we love to play. We’re not looking to hit the top 40 - not anytime soon,” adds Fred with a smile.

A retired National Park Service Ranger, Fred plays lead guitar and still helps on fire teams during the summer. Bass guitarist Dan Fagre conducts climate research projects for the U.S. Geological Survey. And Lanny Luding, who Fred says, “has been playing drums since forever,” manages Sperry and Granite Park Chalets in Glacier Park’s backcountry.

The band’s three newest members stay equally active with their day jobs. Vocalist Sunshine Willich nurses at Kalispell Regional Hospital while Leo Govenettio, the group’s harmonica wizard, works construction and guitarist Gary Ludwig deals with Glacier Park weed control.

The band’s moniker evolved over time. Initially, they called themselves The Raging Jicamos. But since most of the members had ties to the canyon and Glacier Park, the name, Belton Blues Band, seemed more appropriate.

“It tied us to West Glacier and made it clear we’re based in the blues,” says Fred, who originally got together with Dan to play guitar at each other’s homes in the early 1990s. Although they had a blast working out songs they both loved, they did not intend to form a band back then.

“It was informal and just for our own pleasure but we soon realized we needed a drummer if we wanted to play rock and blues. That’s when we asked Lanny to join us,” recalls Fred. “Not long afterwards, people started asking us to play weddings, retirement and Christmas parties, and local bars. We’ve received requests for gigs ever since.

Now we’ve added things like First Night in Kalispell and Chamber of Commerce events.”

Although the group had never sought a lead vocalist, that situation changed in 2005 when they played a Whitefish party where they met Sunshine, who asked to sing a couple of songs with them. By the time she had finished Tom Petty’s “Breakdown” they knew she’d qualify for the job if she wanted it. She did.

“Having a woman adds a different dynamic.

She brings a lot of enthusiasm and energy as well as a good voice to the group. And she is always coming up with ideas for new songs and styles things to try and places to play,” says Fred. “That same year, Gary Ludwig, a guitarist and co-worker of mine and Dan’s, joined us, too.”

Of all the band’s members, though, it’s the harmonica player, Leo Govenettio who found his way to the group through the most unconventional orn]

anh ed V

route.

“I was hiking in Glacier Park the summer before last and got to talking with a guy about music up at Swiftcurrent Fire Lookout and mentioned the band,” remembers Fred. “He said he had a friend who played harmonica and who was looking for a band. We exchanged phone numbers and I forgot all about it. Then a couple months later, Leo called and came by to jam with us. He was really good, a virtuoso, and has been with us ever since.

He fills in where a keyboard might for other bands and adds a fuller whole dimension to our sound.”

Despite the challenges posed by summer commitments and daytime careers, the group gets together whenever possible for practice sessions or gigs and does not intend to slow down anytime soon.

“We’re just happy doing what we do. The band’s dynamics are especially important to all of us. We read each other’s moods and when things go well, we draw together. It’s a teamwork exercise, a musician’s high,” explains Fred.

“Besides that, it gives me a chance to interact with people I’d not normally meet. We all have fun and we’ll keep doing this as long as we’re having fun. That’s our primary objective.”

For more information, visit www.jicamos. com, email beltonbluesband@yahoo.com or call Fred Vanhorn at 406-250-1739. MSN

MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 79

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JUNE/JULY 2009