Inspired Life March 2020

TRAVEL AT EVERY AGE • BETTER BALANCE & STABILITY • SAVE FOR LONG-TERM CARE • LOCAL SENIOR DISCOUNTS SPRING | 2020

LIVING BETTER AFTER 55 IN NORTHERN MICHIGAN

BE YOUR BEST SELF!

UP NORTH EXPERTS SHARE SECRETS MEET UP

FIND YOUR CAUSE & JOIN THE CLUB!

EAT HEART HEALTHY A TC BUSINESS MAKES IT EASY

STAY FIT

THE FREEDOM OF E-BIKES

A supplement to

A visit to Bay Ridge can take the pain out of a difficult decision.

Family Owned Caring Service Since 2000

Independent Living 231-995-9385 & Assisted Living 231-932-9757 3850 Scenic Ridge, off Silver Lake Road Traverse City MI 49684 TTY #800-649-3777 www.villageatbayridge.com

INSPIRED LIFE WELCOME TO INSPIRED LIFE. At the heart of this magazine; the idea that at every age, we share a common love of this place we call home. Meet new neighbors embracing adventures—both big and small. Find real advice for taking good care of the assets and places we hold dear.

Tap into a true joy for the outdoors that keeps our inner lives vibrant and our bodies well.

Connect. Join in. Find smart and new ways to inspire your life Up North. —the Editors

ADVERTISER DIRECTORY

CONTENTS

Alliance for Senior Housing............................................................................................ 9 Boardman Lake Glens....................................................................................................... 8 BrightStar Care.................................................................................................................26 Central United Methodist Church............................................................................... 22 Chef Lady for Seniors..................................................................................................... 22 Cherry Suite Assisted Living.........................................................................................20 Covell Funeral Homes....................................................................................................... 8 Culver Meadows..............................................................................................................20 ETNA..............................................................................................................................18/19 Fit For You..........................................................................................................................26 FOR Investment Partners................................................................................................ 4 FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Centers.........................................................................20 Gauthier's Shoes and Repair..........................................................................................10 Grand Traverse Pavilions - Wellness Center............................................................. 22 Grand Traverse Resort and Spa.................................................................................... 27 Greenleaf Trust.................................................................................... Inside Back Cover Harbor Care Associates..................................................................................................10 Hemming& Wealth Management Inc..........................................................................14 McNally Elevator Company............................................................................................ 8 Monarch Home Health Services...................................................................................10 Munson Healthcare .......................................................................................Back Cover Senior Benefit Solutions................................................................................................26 Swenson Memorials......................................................................................................... 8 The Village At Bay Ridge..................................................................Inside Front Cover

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WON'T YOU BE MY NEIGHBOR?

BALANCING ACT

SAVING GRACE

FUEL YOUR TOMORROW

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BRING THE GRANDPARENTS UP NORTH

BELOVED MR. BENNETT

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JOY RIDING

REST INSURED

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PADDLE ON!

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MINDFULNESS AT ANY AGE

TURNING POINT

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LET'S MAKE A DEAL

POTLUCK POWER FOR THE PEOPLE

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TWO'S COMPANY, THREE'S A CLUB

MAKE YOUR BATHROOM SAFE FOR SENIORS

MyNorth Inspired Life is produced by MyNorthMedia. Advertising and editorial offices at: 125 S Park St., Suite 155, Traverse City, MI 49684. 231.941.8174, MyNorth.com.

All rights reserved. Copyright 2020, Prism Publications Inc. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.

MyNorth INSPIRED LIFE | SPRING 2020

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INSPIRED LIFE

Won’t You Be My Neighbor?

The found wisdom of Joyce Groleau Lundberg, 93 years old.

BY SHEA PETAJA | PHOTOS BY MICHAEL POEHLMAN

I have moved 37 times. You heard me, thirty-seven times. I wasn’t an “Army brat;” I am a builder’s daughter. We danced the spec-house dance. Build, wait, sell, repeat. Later, moves came with college, internships, jobs, more college then more jobs. I lived with families, roommates and alone. Finally, by my mid-thirties, I was ready to find my own home. My dad suggested we build something, but I wanted a place with history. I looked for two years until I found my piece of the Traverse City pie. From the minute I walked in the door, I knew: It had a story, the solid bones and the 1950’s grandma’s cottage vibe I was searching for. What I didn’t know is that it would come with the best neighbors. Joyce’s house is located stage left. She was a “Navy brat” by marriage. Originally from Williamsburg, Michigan, her husband Andy’s career took their family of nine around the globe.

They settled back home, like so many of us do, eventually making us neighbors. Lucky me; Joyce was the first neighbor I met. Andy’s health had taken a turn and I would meet him at their 70th wedding anniversary party at the nursing home right before he passed away.

Over the last 30 years on the block, Joyce had become best friends with the next-door neighbor, Marilyn Byers; some knew her as “Brownie.” Marilyn’s husband, Jim, was quiet but loyal. He brought Joyce her mail every day. If Marilyn left for the night, she would leave a vase in the kitchen windowsill that faced Joyce’s bedroom to let her know she was away and okay. They watched out for each other the way neighbors should. When I asked how Joyce knew Marilyn had passed away, she said, “She was gone and the vase wasn’t in the window. I knew.”

When I bought my house, I didn’t join a neighborhood, I joined two families; the Byers and the Lundbergs. I’d like to think that Marilyn and Jim were looking out for both of us.

Or in the words of Joyce, "Shea is finally home.”

Since not everyone is lucky enough to be Joyce Groleau Lundberg’s neighbor, I thought I’d share some of her wisdom.

After all, perhaps the best way to be a neighbor is to listen.

How did you stay married for so long?

When you get married—it’s for life. We both knew that.

You drift apart, you come back together. You must accept the changes in others and yourself because it affects everyone.

Also, we both got out of life what we wanted. Andy got to be in the Navy, and I got to travel. That’s important.

You raised seven children and they all get along; how did you accomplish that?

We traveled from base to base and they got along because they needed each other. I also kept family traditions. We ate every breakfast and every dinner together. We accepted each other for who we were that day. And whatever you earned, that was yours. I let them fight. That’s where you’re supposed to fight—with your family. That’s where you learn to adjust to the real world. I never killed their curiosity. Kids want to come to you—not the other way around. No one is short on love.

You lost a child when she was 27 years old to cancer. What advice do you have for parents who have lost a child?

Let the tears flow, let it all out. Feel all the pain. I cried four years straight. I cried for her son who wouldn’t have his mother. Before that, I never felt old in my life. But I felt old when Patty died. I was 52 when that happened.

What was the highlight of your life?

(Joyce lights up and smiles.) The summer I spent working at Yellowstone Park. I was 55 years old and went by myself. No husband, no kids. I packed up the truck and drove alone. I cried the entire first day wondering what I had done.

It was hard to leave, but I had to do it. I love the mountains and how they make me feel small. I climbed 11,000 feet that summer. When I reached the top, I was overwhelmed.

There is nothing you can compare to the joy of having a baby, but that experience was the closest.

When did you lose your independence?

I absolutely love to drive, but I gave up my license. It’s the most isolating experience. I don’t like to rely on anyone but myself. My dad raised us to be independent.

How can someone be a good neighbor?

Respect boundaries, time and privacy. No matter where you live, respect your neighbors and they will respect you.

Last words?

What women can’t do physically, we can figure out mentally.

Most difficulties aren’t catastrophes.

MyNorth INSPIRED LIFE | SPRING 2020

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INSPIRED LIFE

THE RIGHT FIT As fiduciary investment advisors, Traverse City-based Mecky Kessler-Howell and Kristi L. Avery of FOR Investment Partners want to know what you care about most.

“When considering life after work, I like clients to ask themselves, ‘Where do I want to be? Who do I want to be?’ Once I have a clear idea of your values and goals, FOR Investment Partners will help you look at how to balance work and leisure, and how to make smart choices for the future.”

Adds Mecky, “We work FOR you. As independent advisors, we have only your best interests and goals at the forefront of our advice.” Best of all, both Kristi and Mecky strive to help create an intentional alignment with financial investment goals and your values and missions. “I feel it is my personal social responsibility to help my client reach their financial goals according to their own values,” says Mecky. “Combined we have over 30 years of experience helping clients invest with their intention. Our goal is to help align your financial resources according to your values, and plant seeds for financial returns.”

FOR YOUR FAMILY. FOR YOUR FUTURE. FOR YOUR LIFESTYLE.

It’s easy to reach out...

2226 South Airport Road West, Traverse City 231.933.4396 | forinvestmentpartners.com kavery@wisdirect.com | mhowell@wisdirect.com Securities and Investment Advisory Services offered through Western International Securities, Inc., Member FINRA/SIPC. FOR Investment Partners & Western International Securities, Inc., are separate & unaffiliated entities.

ADVERTORIAL

INSPIRED LIFE

FUEL YOUR TOMORROW

BY COURTNEY JEROME | PHOTOS COURTESY OF FYT HEALTH FOODS

SAMPLE THIS! Here’s an example of a six-meal plan for a heart-healthy diet.

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Gluten-free. Low-sodium. Ketogenic. No matter your dietary concern, if you have one, it’s a demanding task to pay attention to every detail of every meal. And, you’re likely accustomed to spending extra time seeking out special foods—and spending extra money on them.

Well, now you can have a personal team of chefs that delivers gourmet meals right to your door, geared exactly toward YOUR health concerns, without the extra price tag.

Meet Kaylee and Kelsi Davenport. The culinary couple’s military travels took them from metro Detroit to Washington D.C. to Sicily. Now they call Traverse City home, starting a new business at The Village at Grand Traverse Commons called FYT Health Foods.

FYT (Fuel Your Tomorrow) provides clean sustainable meals—including cuisines from across the world—for all diet types and lifestyles. Grab-and-go meals are available as well as made-to-order soups, salads and sandwiches. They’re best known for their meal plans, which start at six delivered meals a week for $80.

“The question we get asked most is: ‘Can you do THIS diet?’” shares chef Kaylee Davenport.

The answer is yes.

“It’s 100 percent customizable and we can absolutely work with your dietary needs, no matter what they are,” explains Kaylee. “The basis of these lifestyle plans—they’re not really diets as this is your long-term lifestyle—is they all come down to just being healthy. Good grain, protein, low sugar and lots of veggies and fruit. That’s the basis of every diet. After that, we adjust accordingly.”

A lot of FYT’s meal plans go to residents at Cordia—the neighboring, all-inclusive senior residential community at Grand Traverse Commons. “With our meal plans, we offer many things that are geared toward health concerns, such as diabetes or diet restrictions like low-sodium,” Kaylee says.

“We separate all cooking so there’s no cross-contaminating.”

If you don’t have any dietary restrictions but are interested in a meal plan, FYT Health Foods offers non-diet specific plans as well. FUELYOURTOMORROW.COM

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Spinach & Walnut-Crusted Chicken Salad with Strawberry-Basil Vinaigrette

Fire-Roasted Heirloom Tomato Soup, Flax-Grain Croutons

Shaved Asparagus and Carrot-Ribbon Salad with Blueberries & Quinoa

Pan-Seared Salmon, Lemon-Kissed Green Beans & Herb-Roasted Sweet Potatoes

Chicken Cauliflower Fried “Rice”

Grilled Tuna Steak with Braised White Beans & Kale

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INSPIRED LIFE

Beloved Mr. Bennett For decades this incredible teacher has inspired Petoskey High School musicians and brought joy to the Up North community—and beyond.

BY CHRIS LOUD | PHOTO BY DAVE WEIDNER

If you’ve heard the popping Caribbean sounds of the Petoskey Steel Drum Band, you know you’ve witnessed something special and out of the ordinary in Northern Michigan. If you haven’t, please do yourself a favor and remedy that.

After being captivated by a steel drum performance at Central Michigan University back in 1994, Barry Bennett wanted to bring the instrument to the students and people of Petoskey and officially started the group in 1996. “In the beginning, there were only about 12 people in the band, and that included a few adults,” remembers Mr. Bennett. “The learning curve was very slow because no one in Petoskey had ever played a steel drum before, including me.”

Over the last 23 years, the band grew from 12 members to about 45 members.

They’re now one of the largest steel bands in the country. The band has performed in New Orleans (yep, during Mardi Gras), Chicago, Hawaii, the Caribbean Islands and Disney World. This spring, director of the steel drum band, Mr. Bennett, is retiring after more than 30 years with the program.

Mr. Bennett’s influence goes beyond endowing students with musicality and the self-respect that comes with being a part of a team. He’s also created influential experiences for the students by way of percussion. "Having been to Mardi Gras twice with the band, we've witnessed first hand the large dancing crowds when the trailer rolls by,” says Cindy McSurley, a parent of two children who went through the band program. “The parade routes of hundreds of thousands of spectators are about 20 times the size of our hometown."

The performances can be incredibly fun and memorable, but they’d never happen without the work ethic instilled by Mr. Bennett. “He was one of those teachers who taught kids the discipline we really needed for the real world,” says former student Ean Greer. “I am thankful for all those summers with 14 gigs in two weeks. It gave me the performance stamina I needed to be successful in a performing arts college.”

The benefits of musical education are known to have a great impact on all endeavors, but in some cases, the time spent with Mr. Bennett translated directly into musical careers. The Michigan Rattlers is a great example of this, now a nationally known folk-rock band. “All of these kids performed in the steel band, the jazz band, the marching band and the concert bands,” remembers Mr. Bennett.

“They did it all. It is great to see them have so much success doing something they love to do.”

Mr. Bennett knows retiring will be an adjustment, but he’s ready for the challenge. “It will be very difficult to walk away, having dedicated so much of my life to this program. However, I will be leaving the program in the hands of two of my former students, Patrick Ryan and Duane Willson. Both were percussionists in the Petoskey Bands. They know the program well, and will do a good job of moving it forward.” PETOSKEYBANDS.ORG/STEEL-DRUMS/ MyNorth INSPIRED LIFE | SPRING 2020

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CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF SERVICE Much has changed through this time,” says Ms. Hintsala. “Independent living apartments are more accepted by retirees and paying rent is no longer taboo. Assisted living and adult foster care homes are providing higher levels of care, and nursing homes offer more beds as a short-term rehabilitation stay. Also, Ms. Hintsala continues, “We now have the Sandwich Generation. Those people who are still working, have aging parents and have grandchildren or children of their own at home.” Being of the Sandwich Generation herself, Connie recognizes the signs of caregiver burnout and understands the challenges (and guilt) associated with caring for aging parents and spouses.

YOUR GUIDE THROUGH THE MAZE OF SENIOR HOUSING Challenge: Your spouse or parent has been in and out of the hospital. Once home, things fall apart again. Where do you start in the maze?

Which way do you turn or who do you call?

Solution: An expert guide to take you through the maze. A person to walk alongside you through the process of finding the right home.

Connie Hintsala, owner of Alliance for Senior Housing, is that guide. Whether it be an independent living apartment or you’re in need of care and assisted living, or adult foster care is the right choice; this free service is the solution.

What is the value of starting with a placement service versus doing the search on my own? First, we will meet with you in your own home (nursing home or hospital) and listen to your needs, what you desire and your financial situation. Secondly, within that first meeting, you’ll receive information on: • Types of housing and amenities (Independent living and assisted living) • Continuum of care complexes • Cost and funding options • Medicare, Medicaid, MiChoice Waiver, and Aid & Attendance Pension (VA) • Resources and attorneys’ names that you may need That first meeting is to educate you and narrow your choices. Then we will arrange tours and visit the residences selected. You’ll be able to select where you’d like to live. Whether you’re in a crisis or looking for the future, we’ll guide you through the entire process.

Connie Hintsala, Senior Housing Expert at Alliance for Senior Housing

AND YES, IT’S A COMPLETELY FREE SERVICE.

Call Connie at 888-816-4040 for a FREE assessment—we come to you!

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INSPIRED LIFE

REST INSURED Retiring Up North? There might be a few insurance surprises. Here’s what to keep in mind.

BY CARA MCDONALD | PHOTO BY MAE STIER

There’s a lot to plan for when you make a retirement move (or simply make the move to retirement). Chris Branson, president of the Bonek Agency in Suttons Bay, suggests that you sit down with an insurance pro to reassess and make sure your policies are up to date, coordinated and in line with your new home and lifestyle.

First things first—if you’re new to Michigan, you’ve got 60 days to change your driver’s license: Your auto insurance follows your driver’s license and state of residency, and auto insurance is overseen by state government, so every state writes a different and unique auto policy. “There is a cost surprise there,” says Branson—Michigan has one of the highest personal auto rates in the nation (20–40 percent more than neighboring states like Ohio and Indiana), but it offers unlimited medical expenses to the owner of that policy and their family. You’ll need to budget for rate changes as you age, too. “We’re now seeing some rate increases based on age,” Branson explains. “An 80-year-old will pay more than a 60-year-old with the same record and car. Because, statistically, they are more hazardous on the road.” He says you can expect an increase of around 25 percent more during that time span.

Once you’ve plugged in that important piece of the insurance puzzle, it’s time to look at some other insurance issues unique to retirees up here. For example, say you’re moving up to the family cottage and making it your full-time residence.

Planning to upgrade the kitchen, add a master bedroom,

build a garage? “That should be an ongoing dialogue,” says Branson. “Any good professional will ask you about plans to remodel. Those substantive changes affect the value of the structure and mean you need to update and assess.”

Another key consideration is looking twice at home coverage options if your new digs have lake frontage. “There’s a new lakeside living endorsement available that picks up coverage for all your stuff that’s at the beach,” Branson says.

That means furniture, dock, shore station, kayaks—if it’s stolen or destroyed by wave action, you’re covered. Most policies start at as little as $80 a year.

And with recent record high water, people are nervous, adds Branson. “We’re writing a lot of flood insurance for losses due to high water,” he says. “And a lot of banks and mortgage companies require flood insurances on properties that have mortgages and have frontage. It’s not easily avoidable.”

Last, you’ll want to update or add an umbrella policy.

“Your need increases as your net asset value increases, so you want to protect what you’ve accumulated over your lifetime,” Branson says. It’s especially important if you want to travel, which is a priority for most new retirees. He recalls clients who declined umbrellas in Michigan, but spent several months a year in Florida—a risky choice, as a whopping estimated 30 percent of Florida drivers are uninsured.

“For cases like this, and if you travel internationally, that umbrella provides some coverage that just gives you that extra peace of mind.”

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PHOTO BY CATHY FITZGERALD

INSPIRED LIFE

MINDFULNESS AT ANY AGE This winter, Kay Epple and Cathy Fitzgerald welcomed two grandchildren to their families—bringing their total to 29 grandchildren combined!

For Kay, she was first attracted to the concept of mindfulness when she started having grandchildren.

“I realized that I had flown through my parenting years in a blur,” Kay says.

“Busy schedules, homework and commitments led to skating through days barely remembering what end was up. When I had grandchildren, I was able to step back from the busyness and could see how important it is to be fully present.”

This concept of being present is something Kay and Cathy emphasize in their business, Just Bee Yoga + Well-being. The Traverse City-based registered yoga teachers specialize in yoga for children, teens and families, and are passionate about providing lifestyle tools that not only reduce anxiety but also lead to more mindful lives.

“The term mindfulness can sound like something big, but it’s really very simple,” explains Cathy. “Instead of ‘mindlessly’ going through your day, it’s consciously bringing your awareness back so you can ‘mindfully’ go through your day. It’s just a practice of being aware of yourself and your senses.”

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PHOTO BY CATHY FITZGERALD

BY COURTNEY JEROME

INSPIRED LIFE

CATHY AND KAY SHARE A FEW TIPS ON INCORPORATING MINDFULNESS INTO YOUR EVERYDAY LIFE, NO MATTER YOUR AGE

SPEND TIME IN NATURE. Take a walk outside. Think about what the ground feels like under your feet. What do you smell? What do you hear? Connecting with nature can be very powerful.

KEEP A GRATITUDE JOURNAL. Take time each morning or night to write down three things you are grateful for.

NOTICE YOUR BREATHING. Sometimes we don’t notice the stress building in our bodies until we listen to our breathing. If it’s shallow, try taking deeper breaths to calm your nervous system. We have the power to activate our parasympathetic nervous system with our breathing and bring ourselves back to a calmer state of mind.

EAT SLOWLY. Take time to notice the textures, smells and tastes of your meals.

PUT AWAY TECHNOLOGY. With all the technology and noise in this busy world, it can feel amazing to be quiet and still. Give yourself permission to just be.

PHOTO BY JOSH HARTMAN

GIVE YOUR BRAIN NEW EXPERIENCES TO KEEP IT HEALTHY. Instead of doing daily activities like brushing your teeth or taking a shower on autopilot, notice the sights, sounds, smells, tastes and what you feel during all of these activities. Little tricks like brushing your teeth with your eyes closed can exercise the brain and help with cognitive abilities.

JUSTBEEYOGA.COM

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INSPIRED LIFE

FAMILY ROUND TABLE

Family meetings are valuable, whether discussing aging parents and their wishes, siblings sharing the responsibilities of care and support, or parents wishing to bring their children up to date on their financial strategy. Success comes from making decisions in a low-stress, collaborative environment.

Hold a family meeting before a crisis to avoid making decisions under pressure.

Let us help continue the conversation. embrace.

Introduce the family, executor, financial advisor, CPA, and attorney for optimal collaboration.

Create a safe environment to ask questions or share concerns. Clearly explain your objectives and the values that are driving your decisions.

educate.

Clear discussions with practical suggestions to resolve unanticipated issues. Understand the assets, how they’ll be distributed, costs to maintain them, and any tax consequences. Create a directory of resources.

empower.

Make decisions with confidence. Coordinate the financial plan regarding assets, taxes, spending needs, and estate documents.

DAWN HEMMING, MBA AUTUMN C. SOLTYSIAK, CFP® SUZANNE D. STEPAN, CFA®, CFP®

600 E. Front St. Traverse City, MI 49686 231.922.2900 | info@hemmingwm.com hemming& Wealth Management, Inc. (“hemming& Wealth Management”) is a Registered Investment Advisor (“RIA”) with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

ADVERTORIAL

INSPIRED LIFE

LET’S MAKE A DEAL During retirement, all play and no work makes ... your wallet lighter. The good news?

Discounts abound for seniors, including helping hands when things get tight.

BY CARA MCDONALD

What’s great about settling into life after work? Every day is like Saturday. But the bad news for budgeters is that Saturdays are statistically the days we spend the most money.

Time to play, shop and entertain ourselves means more money heading out the door. But with a little bit of sleuthing, you can enjoy some great senior discounts in Northern Michigan.

Speaking of all play, one of the best recreation bargains going is a lifetime senior parks pass, which provides access to more than 2,000 recreation sites nationwide managed by the National Park Service, US Fish & Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management and more (hello, Isle Royale adventure!). The passes cover entrance and standard amenity (day-use) recreation fees and provide discounts on some expanded amenity recreation fees. Lifetime passes are $80 for 62 years and older, or $10 annually; buy them at any federal recreation site, or for an extra $10 fee you can purchase them online at store.usgs.gov/senior-pass.

Around town, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the good life for less. The State Theatre/Bijou has an $8 admission for seniors; ride there on the BATA bus system, where seniors snag a 50-percent discount. Old Town Playhouse has an “Aged to Perfection” senior pricing, with a suggested donation of just $5 per ticket instead of the usual $28. The

Petoskey Cinema will knock $2.25 per ticket off your movie price—seniors enjoy films for just $7.

For savvy meal planning, Oryana has 5 percent discounts on Wednesdays for the 55-and-up crowd, while Tom’s Food Market has weekly senior discount days (which vary by location; check toms-foodmarkets.com/senior-discount-days).

With retail; you’re most likely to find deals at big chains (like Banana Republic’s 10 percent off daily discount for 50 and up), but absolutely check in with your favorite boutique or indie shop for incentives.

Some seniors will find themselves needing a hand with things like yard work and transportation, which is where services like the Benzie Senior Resources and Grand Traverse Commission on Aging come in. Aimed at improving mobility and helping seniors age in place, they offer services like a free shuttle bus, BATA passes, cab vouchers and vouchers for lawn mowing and snow removal for those in need.

Hungry for more great deals? Our local senior centers host an amazing variety of lunches, talks, classes and sports (pickleball, anyone?) and more for free, or pennies on the dollar.

And the Traverse City Newcomers Club caters heavily to the 50- to 70-year-old set, offering fun and often free events like language lunches, poker, book clubs, film groups and more.

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INSPIRED LIFE

Two’s Company, Three’s a Club

BY KANDACE CHAPPLE

Thanks to social media, joining a club has never been easier. Here’s the first thing to do: Jump online and check out a club’s website or social media. Go ahead, go straight to the photos. Be a stalker. Get a peek into the group you are about to join.

Do they look like everyday people who, like you, love … dogs, bikes, books? It’s probably worth a shot, isn’t it, to go find your people? Maybe just once … especially if their dogs are cute.

FOUR LEGS & OPEN FIELDS

The Northwest Michigan Golden Retriever Club started three years ago as the brainchild of Jeff Rabidoux, a real estate agent with Crystal Mountain Realty in Thompsonville.

“I may have started the club, but my dog, Fisher, is more famous than I’ll ever be!” Jeff says with a laugh. Fisher is the K9 ambassador for Crystal Mountain Ski Resort (go ahead, look up this gorgeous guy on Instagram @resortk9), and he can be found on the labels of three Glen Arbor Wines (Lake Dog, Snow Dog and Dune Dog). The club started when a small, private gathering blossomed into a Facebook page.

“For years, we attended an annual invite-only gathering of Goldens, hosted by Betsy Van Westen,” Jeff explains. “But I was always sad when it was over, thinking it would be another year before we gathered again. So I decided to create a Facebook page, and Betsy shared it with her friends and I shared it with all of Fisher’s fans. Soon, there were magazine and newspaper articles, and radio and television appearances for Fisher. And here we are!”

The group’s Facebook page has more than 2,000 followers and plenty of fur. They host events about once a month, such as hikes at The Commons in Traverse City or gatherings on fenced-in property so that the Goldens can play.

“We have 20-50 dogs at any one event,” Jeff says. “Quite a few of our members are retired, but we don’t ever ask the age of the humans… just the dogs!”

Last summer, the club hosted “The Second Largest Gathering of Golden Retrievers.” Despite a monsoon of a rainstorm, 148 Goldens arrived with their people—undeterred.

(The largest gathering is an annual event in Golden, Colorado.)

“The club is the perfect social activity for both the humans and their dogs,” Jeff says. “Dog owners are fanatical

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about their fur babies, and you form friendships with likeminded people and get out for some exercise. The dogs get to enjoy all the same benefits.”

This month, watch for the signature fluffy, feathery tails en masse in Traverse City’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Check out their Facebook page “Northwest Michigan Golden Retriever Club.”

TWO WHEELS & OPEN ROADS

This club might not be much quieter than 148 Goldens rocking an open field. Meet Stilettos on Steel member Vicki Beam, 56, from Williamsburg.

She rides a Harley Softtail Deluxe and while she often rides with her husband, Jim (yes, Jim Beam, but not the Jim Beam), she loves to take gals-only rides, too.

Stilettos on Steel was founded in 2011 in Madison, Wisconsin, by two women who love to ride motorcycles and the club now has chapters in 11 states, according to Vicki.

“My first event was last January at PMS (Parked Motorcycle Syndrome) in Stanwood, Michigan,” Vicki says. “The club members met at Tullymore Golf Resort and dressed up in 1950’s outfits, danced and dined.”

Vicki, who works as a financial advisor and college planner, was introduced to Stilettos on Steel by a client.

“She knew I liked to ride,” Vicki explains. “There are a lot of women in the group who are over 55. We have some women riding who are even ‘wiser’ than 55! What I love about the group is that there are all ages, all types of bikes, and all backgrounds ... and everyone gets along.”

The group connects on Facebook to set up events and connect personally.

“We have been there for each other through surgeries, accidents, breakups, divorces and deaths,” Vicki says.

One unique aspect of the club is that there aren’t traditional meetings, just events that members pick from to attend.

“We’ve gone ziplining, riding, dancing and even on a scavenger hunt on motorcycles,” she says. “I can’t go to all of the events, but I'm still treated like family!”

This month’s event is a “Rosie the Riveter Day” Ride on March 21 to Yankee Air Museum in Belleville, Michigan. Visit stilettosonsteel.com to feel the roar.

PHOTO BY TAYLOR BROWN

PHOTO COURTESY OF JEFF RABIDOUX

INSPIRED LIFE

BUDDIES & OPEN BOOKS

Book clubs are the classic excuse for a social gathering.

Heck, you don’t even need to read a book, in some cases!

But for Linda Gagnon, 68, of Traverse City, she loves reading so much that she’s in two book clubs.

One is a private club at a friend’s house that has been underway for 10 years (and yes, there’s wine!, Linda says).

The second is Books & Brewskis, hosted by the Traverse Area District Library (TADL).

Brewskis, you say?

Yes, brewskis. The club meets at The Filling Station Microbrewery, a restaurant set in a vintage train depot, right next to the library. Wood-fired flatbread pizzas and a selection of ales like Rail Sleeper Bourbon Stout, make it a little more of a night out. Linda and her husband, Karl, have been attending since the club’s inception six years ago.

“The other members of the group are all becoming friends,” Linda says. “And Karl and I treat it like date night!”

The group meets on the last Tuesday of every month at 7 p.m., with about 12-15 members in attendance.

The book club is social, but it has bigger ramifications, too.

A recent selection, Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers by

Mary Roach, made a significant impact on one club member, Linda notes.

“There was a section in the book about how your body is used if you donate it to science,” she says. “One lady in the group ended up having a tough conversation with her family, and she decided that was what she wanted to do when the time came.”

And those kinds of impacts are what Linda likes most about her clubs. Different ages, experiences and book choices bring new ideas to the table.

“We have time for book clubs when we are older, retired or have a less hectic lifestyle as empty-nesters,” she says. “But when it comes to book clubs, I enjoy having young people in the group, too. Sometimes they offer a very different perspective. And new topics get us out of our comfort zone.”

Choices for the Books & Brewskis club are voted on from a list presented by a TADL librarian. In March, the book is A 1000 Mile Walk by Loreen Niewenhuis, and the group meets March 31. Look for this club and others at tadl.org/bookclubs.

MyNorth INSPIRED LIFE | SPRING 2020

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INSPIRED LIFE

BALANCING ACT The secret to healthy mobility and limber living?

Balance. Here’s how to keep your body on track.

BY CARA MCDONALD

Dole has lots of advice she wishes seniors would think about before they start to feel unsteady or face recovery from a fall. The short version? “You rest, you rust,” she laughs. Here are a few more tips:

1 2 3 4

Don’t wait for a fall to happen to work on balance: Strong balance will prevent falls.

We’ve got to keep joints lubricated, through motion. The more often we move, the better.

Those little aches and pains? The longer you ignore them the harder they become to treat later.

Physical therapy is a great starting point, but you’ll need a long-term maintenance program. “I encourage people to join me at the senior center for exercise,” says Dole. “There are lots of free or inexpensive exercise programs. Silver Sneakers is one and participants’ health insurance covers it.”

When clients start losing balance, things in their body get out of whack quickly. So certified clinical exercise physiologist Beth Dole, of Fyzical Therapy & Balance Centers, has a simple attack: “I start with the neck.”

Why the neck? Dole explains how things can cascade. Say your neck is a little stiff due to an injury or arthritis. “Stiff necks mean you turn your body without turning or tilting your neck, but that doesn’t stimulate our vestibular sense,” says Dole. “Within our ear we have three canals on each side, and when we tip our heads forward/back, or left/right, that’s how we stimulate those, and the more we do it, the better our balance becomes.”

Without our vestibular sense, we lose balance. That can lead to a slip and fall, or a broken hip or elbow. Then comes rehab, loss of muscle tone, strength, cardiovascular fitness ... and suddenly, that stiff neck has caused a whole heap of trouble.

To help her clients preserve a well-working vestibular system, she gives them two minutes of neck work each day. “As adults, we sit, we go forward, but we don’t go side to side. The more we work those planes of motion, the better.”

Another aspect to consider with balance as you age is vision. To illustrate, Dole suggests you try to stand and do a calf raise with your eyes closed. Not so simple, is it? “Our vision is our primary driver for our balance and when we don’t see as well, our balance gets off,” she explains.

That’s because our vision is providing information to other sensory systems that help us feel and understand where our body is in the world. So regular eye check-ups and good corrective lenses can have an impact on how stable we feel.

Dole also goes after the hips, explaining that hip work helps to strengthen the knees, but also helps the gait—our gait can become wobbly due to weakness in our glutes, “so strengthening the hips helps.”

MyNorth INSPIRED LIFE | SPRING 2020

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INSPIRED LIFE

SAVING GRACE How to finance and save for senior care.

BY CARA MCDONALD

A broken hip, a sudden stroke, memory loss—none of us like to think of a future in which we’re laid up or need long-term care, but sticking our heads in the sand won’t pay the whopping bills. According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, if you turn 65 today, there’s a 75 percent chance you’ll need long-term care at some point in your life.

“As hard as it is, this is part of a conversation we have every day with our clients,” says Claudia Rodriguez, a financial adviser with Edward Jones in Traverse City. “It’s a conversation ideally to have in your 40s into the 50s.” Why so soon? Because one of the most common methods of funding, long-term care insurance, looks at issues of insurability just like health and life insurance would. And, as Rodriguez points out, “we are all just one doctor’s appointment away from a diagnosis that can render us uninsurable.”

Rodriguez notes, however, that long-term care insurance is just one of three major options you should have on your radar.

The first is a DIY approach, using savings and other funds and investments to set aside an amount large enough to cover extended care. But you’ll need to be disciplined—a private room in a full-care facility can run about $100,000 a year, and even recovery from something like a cardiac event or broken hip can bleed savings dry in just a matter of months.

The next option is long-term-care specific coverage which, Rodriguez points out, many seniors overlook because options in the past used to be expensive, with constantly escalating premiums. These products have changed dramatically in recent years. “It’s a better type of option than it

used to be in terms of costs and coverage,” she says. "Now you can funnel a lump sump of your retirement up front.

You may not have gains on it, but for some policies you are even guaranteed to get your premium back.”

The third option is a hybrid product; a permanent life insurance policy to which you can attach a rider for chronic or long-term care needs. “It’s something you’re buying into that’s going to get used regardless to protect your assets,” Rodriguez says. “To me that’s one of the best case scenarios and it can create extra wealth for your heirs, or you can tap into it. Permanent life and care policies are dependent upon your age and health. We start having that conversation even with clients in their 30s. It locks them in at better rates and we can supplement them with term insurance for 10- to 20-year needs.”

One thing she cautions clients about is not to rely on Medicaid/Medicare. Medicaid requires you to spend down your assets to $2000 plus your home, and Medicare doesn’t cover longterm care at all (anything after 30 days).

Having the conversations that help sort out these choices isn’t easy, Rodriguez says, but definitely sit down and face the tough stuff. Even if you feel like you’ve missed the window to save or are hard to insure, there are products, companies and tactics she and other financial planners work with that can create a safety net plan. “And I tell clients that the best thing to do is utilize what you do have—get a strong estate plan, have all your wills and a trust set up so you don’t put your family through probate, have all your beneficiaries properly set up, preplan your funeral—if something were to happen today these are the things you can do so they’re not having to deal with all those things.”

MyNorth INSPIRED LIFE | SPRING 2020

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INSPIRED LIFE

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INSPIRED LIFE

Bring the Grandparents Up North

BY ELIZABETH EDWARDS

Having a destination wedding Up North and want your grandparent there but traveling is hard for her or him? Want to make sure your grandparents (or great-grandparents) can enjoy the family vacation home they worked so hard to make sure you could enjoy? Amy Northway, owner and CEO of Monarch Home Health Services, shares tips and services that make it possible.

Tell us a bit about Monarch Home Health Services.

Monarch Home Health Services was founded in 2003 by an experienced team of healthcare professionals who wanted to go beyond the home care industry’s basic requirement and set higher standards of excellence, service and professionalism. We work with clients and their families to custom design specific assistance programs to best fit their needs.

Nursing care visits can be combined with home health aide visits for comprehensive care.

We have 30 caregivers on staff, including three RNs. The rest are either Certified Nurse Assistants (CNAs) or certified Home Health Aids. They are all trained in dementia, proper lifting and transfers, queuing medicines and more. They are all carefully screened, have references thoroughly checked (including criminal background and driving record checks), as well as being bonded and insured. CPR and First Aid training are required. We also provide on-going training and education to all of our employees.

You also offer a service you call Vacation/Special Event support. We’d love to hear more about that.

We live in an area where there are a lot of destination weddings and family vacation homes. We began realizing that there is a niche for taking care of people who are visiting for short periods, from just days to weeks. We had clients from New York, for example. Their son was getting married up here and they wanted to bring his grandma but she needed care. They hired one of our caregivers who accompanied her from the rehearsal dinner to the wedding the next day. She stayed the night in an adjoining hotel room.

It turned out to be such a gift for the family—and also for the caregiver. It was a very enriching experience for her to be included in such a warm family event.

You’ve also provided services seasonally?

We have several clients who summer here in Northern Michigan. One in particular is 105 years old. She still comes from Chicago every summer to her family’s 150-year-old homestead on Torch Lake. Her family takes turns visiting throughout the summer but we are with her constantly.

What needs does a caregiver have, in terms of a place to sleep, etc.?

Sometimes our caregivers spend the night in a chair in the room—they know that they are not necessarily going to sleep all through the night. They’ll do quiet work like reading or working on their I-pads. But they stay close to the client—many of our clients have bed alarm systems or monitors of some sort.

Do you have tips for family members traveling with seniors who haven’t arranged for trained assistants?

Yes. You’ll want to make sure to ask for a handicap accessible room, preferably on the main level versus another floor. Bring proper undergarments and other special toiletries in case they can’t get to a bathroom on time. Make a list of their medications and physicians and have it with you. Have the medications arranged and kept in original bottles for travel. It’s a good idea to bring applesauce because it makes swallowing medication easier.

Make sure your senior stays hydrated, gets plenty of rest breaks and has healthy food. Don’t be in a hurry. Seniors tend to get upset if they are rushed especially in a strange environment. Have a buddy system to make sure a family member—child or grandchild—is always with them.

MyNorth INSPIRED LIFE | SPRING 2020

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INSPIRED LIFE LINDA KETTERER

JOY RIDING Ladies and their e-bikes: It’s a thing.

BY KANDACE CHAPPLE | PHOTO COURTESY OF LINDA KETTERER

E-bikes, or electric bikes, have been around for a decade but it’s only been in the last few years that they have … taken off.

An e-bike is a bike powered by a battery. For the sake of this article, we are talking about electric “assist” bikes, where you must pedal to move the bike. Here’s how it works: A sensor on the bike detects your pedaling motion, and then a setting on the bike determines how much power the motor sends to “assist” your pedaling.

The beauty of e-bikes is that riders still get a workout, but can go on longer rides, cover more terrain and keep pace with faster friends. And—bonus—hills no longer take the fun out of riding.

If you start asking around, e-bikes are everywhere. McLain Cycle & Fitness in Traverse City says e-bikes account for 15 percent of its sales now, a number that is growing steadily as the bikes become more affordably priced. Of interest: A lot of buyers are women.

And, it’s a love affair. Every woman we talked to LOVED their e-bike. Here, we take a look at what it’s like (joy!) to ride an e-bike.

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INSPIRED LIFE

LINDA KETTERER, 67, LEELANAU COUNTY Linda rode an e-bike on a bike/barge trip along the Danube River in Europe three years ago. She was hooked. She came home and bought one.“With two knee replacements and a rebuilt hip, my e-bike makes it possible for me to bike the hills in Leelanau and keep up with Ed,” she says. Ed’s her husband, and he’s on a traditional bike.

“He enjoys telling people that he’s had to get used to the fact that I can beat him going up hills!”

Linda says with a laugh. The twosome has two favorite routes to ride together. They bike Lakeview Hills Road to Suttons Bay and back (20+ miles) and the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail from Port Oneida to Glen Haven (also about 20 miles). On average, her e-bike goes about 15 mph on the flats and has four levels of assistance: Eco up to Turbo. “The e-bike is very helpful on the 12 percent grade on the Heritage Trail,” Linda says.

She paid $2,600 for her bike at Suttons Bay Bikes and added another $200 in accessories to get on the road. “I tried all the bike shops in the area,” she says. “There’s quite a difference in the way they feel and ride. Take plenty of test rides to find the best one for you.”

The couple has booked a trip that includes an ebike outing in the Greek Isles this fall. Meanwhile, they’ll be enjoying Leelanau County on two wheels, with stops at Shady Lane Cellars, Hop Lot Brewing Co. and Black Star Farms. “I’ll never give up my ebike!” Linda says.

SARA COCKRELL, 68, GRAWN A retired elementary teacher, Sara bikes with the Cherry Capital Cycling Club. But because she spends her summers hiking, not biking, she can’t keep pace with the group. So, she pulls out her ebike and jumps back into the group each fall.

When asked if she gets ribbed by the “traditional” bike riders, she laughs. “Since I don’t have medical issues, I am self-conscious about riding an e-bike,” Sara says. “But it’s more accepted now than it used to be. Although a few club members

tease me, they did that when I rode a tandem bike, too, like I wasn’t having to pedal then either!”

There are about six e-bikes at each club ride, with one of the group leaders also on one nowadays.

The group size ranges from 12–40 riders overall.

Sara’s e-bike has three speeds: “The first is like pedaling a mountain bike with no assistance. The second is a little faster than I can ride on my own, with ‘assist.’ The third speed allows me to ride 20 mph. I use that to ride up hills since my bike weighs about 45 pounds. Or I will use it if I want to catch another rider or group.” Typical club rides are 40 miles, and Sara has no problem with the battery.

She’s gone as far as 63 road miles with 3,500 feet of elevation change on one charge. “The bikes are an opportunity to ride faster or longer distances, and to continue to ride with our friends as we age, instead of being ‘dropped’ or riding alone,” says Sara.

Sara spent around $2,000 for her e-bike during a 2017 close-out sale. The thing she likes the most about the new trend is that it brings women into the sport in a new way. “Especially for women who are intimidated by black spandex shorts,” she says.

“I know several other women in their 60s who will soon own e-bikes so they can continue riding.”

LINDA DENEEN, 75, TRAVERSE CITY Linda founded SheBikes, an organization for women who love—or want to learn—to bike. Linda has been a lifelong cyclist, but when she was diagnosed with a rare neurological disorder, TaskSpecific Segmental Dystonia, she had to stop riding completely.

Enter her e-bike.

“My e-bike allows me the privilege and ability to bike again,” she says. “I am mostly a road rider with a Class 1 e-bike, which is a model where the pedalassist cuts out when speed exceeds 20 mph.”

Linda worked with the initial state legislature on where and how e-bikes can be used on area trails.

She encourages riders to check with local trails to make sure e-bikes are allowed, as the interpretation of the law continues to evolve.

MyNorth INSPIRED LIFE | SPRING 2020

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INSPIRED LIFE

PADDLE ON! In Grayling, paddling is big. Like, really big.

BY KANDACE CHAPPLE | PHOTO BY KELLY REWA

Jeff Kolka used to spend his summers chasing down the marathon dream. The canoe marathon dream, that is.

Every summer, on the last Saturday in July, as many as 100 teams gather in thin black canoes, over 18 feet in length and barely as wide as a paddler’s hips, and race down the Au Sable River in the dead of the night. Racing from Grayling to Oscoda, the race takes anywhere from 14 to 19 hours and covers 120 twisty miles.

It’s a whole thing.

Jeff took nine first-place finishes in the Au Sable River Canoe Marathon with his canoe partner, Serge Corbin, and in 2019, Jeff was inducted into the Marathon Hall of Fame.

Nowadays, though, you’ll find his summers include partners of a smaller (shorter, younger, cuter) scale: Youth paddlers.

Jeff coaches the Grayling Paddling Club every summer on Lake Margrethe, where youths gather one evening a week to try their hand at paddling.

There is a “Learn to Paddle” class with single-person kayaks for ages 7-15 and a “Youth Competitive Paddle” for older, more advanced paddlers ages 10-18, who paddle race boats and who just might, one day, be in the big one.

“I’ve always wanted to get more kids into the sport,” Jeff says. “Now I have time for it.”

Jeff, along with friend and fellow paddler, Steve Corlew, worked with the Hanson Hills Recreation Area to get the program going in 2013. “We do everything at the lessons,” says Jeff. “We teach basic safety in the water, parts of the boats and techniques like ruddering the boat.”

One of the biggest safety lessons? Keeping your eye on the sky. “You’ve got to respect the weather,” he says. “Wind can blow you across a lake in a heartbeat.”

Jeff advises paddlers that if they are in trouble on a lake, they need to stop and evaluate their situation and take the best route to shore. “Sometimes it’s smarter to go with the wind,” he tells them. “It might be longer, but it can actually be faster.”

Jeff has three assistant coaches; brothers Jim and Tom Gardiner, and Tom’s wife, Pat Eilers. Together, they have as many as seven boats on the water at a time.

Beginner classes paddle within 30 to 40 yards of the shore, and parents often stay and lend a hand with the group. Jeff says he’s seen kids go from being terrified of the water to learning to purposely tip a kayak and recover safely.

“Learning to paddle takes time,” he says. “You don’t get quick results and satisfaction. But when you work hard and overcome, you’ve earned it, and no one can take that from you. That applies to everything in life!”

As paddlers advance, Jeff encourages them to sign up for the youth race at Spike’s Challenge, which takes place the weekend before the marathon and is when the excitement starts to build in Grayling. The youth race is an hour long, and Jeff loves to see how his students feel after a race.

“Ultimately, no, not everyone is going to win a marathon,” Jeff says with a laugh. “But when someone fights through a race, and you face the demons, the bad luck and the bad odds, but you persevere, you become a stronger and better you. I love to see that in a kid!”

The program counts on the coordination efforts of Wendy Kelso, who keeps things “shored up.”

Visit hansonhills.org/programs.

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INSPIRED LIFE

“I CAME TO REALIZE THAT IT’S NOT ABOUT ‘WHAT’ YOU HAVE, BUT RATHER WHAT YOU ‘DO’ WITH WHAT YOU HAVE.”

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INSPIRED LIFE

Turning Point

BY KANDACE CHAPPLE | PHOTO BY DAVE WEIDNER

Carol Brown’s life changed when she lost her mother in December 2011. As she navigated her grief, she found herself searching for something more, something “bigger.” And she found it, in the most unexpected way: In running shoes … and running water.

She was living in Troy when her church group was challenged to raise money to build water wells in Kenya. Carol was interested, but the fundraising was based on signing up for, training for and running the Chicago Marathon.

The first problem: Carol was not a runner. The longest she’d ever run was maybe two miles, tops. But when she learned about those in need in Kenya—women and children who walked miles each day to fill tubs with dirty water (weighing 45+ pounds) and carrying them home on their heads, her “problem” seemed laughable.

Now, eight years later, that group is a non-profit called Hope Water International (HWI). They have raised $3.7 million, and installed more than 150 water wells in Africa, with teams all over the Midwest participating.

Carol, 59, brought HWI to Traverse City three years ago when she moved Up North after retiring. She started a local team and members have run the Sleeping Bear and Bayshore Half/Full Marathons, and/or the Traverse City 70.3 Ironman, with more to come this year.

THE RUNNING (WALKING!) For Carol, the idea of running wasn’t interesting. The idea of “running with purpose” was everything.

“It wasn’t until I learned, and became passionate about, ‘running with purpose’ that my mileage increased, and I considered myself somewhat of a runner,” she says. “I am not competitive and not fast, I am just grateful that ‘I can.’”

The group follows an 18-week, “very gradually builtup” training plan, running (or walking!) two to three times during the week on their own or with a friend, and then

gathering on Saturday mornings to run their longest mileage of the week.

“We are ordinary folks who share a passion,” Carol says.

“But I also know that it is ordinary folks that God uses to get stuff done! With our weekly gatherings, we form lasting friendships and become like family. Saturday mornings have become my most cherished day of the week—inspiring, encouraging and energizing.”

THE WELLS “You put a lot of people together, each doing a little, and much happens!” Carol says. “Each year I send out support letters and explain what I am doing and why. I have never been one who is comfortable asking for money, but also realized I am not raising money for self-serving purposes, but rather for those lacking the most basic necessity of clean water. And each year I am blown away by the people who choose to contribute.”

And, as Carol continues her work with HWI (which is run by volunteers, she notes, and there are no salaries, including for Executive Director Bill Clark), she believes that she’s in the right place at the right time. “I struggled for a very long time and questioned, ‘Why can I walk 10 feet to the nearest sink and get clean water any time I thirst, while others must walk hours in search of filthy water?’” she says.

“I came to realize that it’s not about ‘what’ you have, but rather what you ‘do’ with what you have.”

In her time building HWI, Carol has had the chance to travel to Kenya and experience a “water walk” firsthand. (She found she could not carry the water without help from the local women; a shocking moment, she says.) Her husband, two daughters and son-in-law are also involved with the efforts, and she is looking forward to growing the Traverse City team with others who are also looking to do something “bigger.” HOPEWATERINTERNATIONAL.ORG

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INSPIRED LIFE

POTLUCK POWER FOR THE PEOPLE One nonprofit believes that coming together for a shared meal can rebuild our fraying communities, and maybe change the world.

BY CARA MCDONALD | PHOTO BY TODD ZAWISTOWSKI

A recent study showed that 47 percent of Americans feel left out, alone and without community. You can chalk it up to social media, the death of the neighborhood bowling league or the end of friendly chit-chat in favor of being nose down into our phones. But as we disconnect, we lose not only companionship, but health and wellbeing—loneliness has been estimated to shorten our lifespan by 15 years.

Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities, a nonprofit that collaborates with citizens and leaders to improve daily life and community health in Michigan, recognizes that when we are connected, we thrive. “We’re different from most nonprofits,” says Communications Director Jeff Smith. “We’re built around an idea, a belief that the environment, economy and human health can all rise together, and we need to think of the solutions that allow that to happen.”

In honor of the organization’s 25th anniversary, they decided to forgo a special event in favor of a lasting legacy that would further their mission and engage fellow citizens to support it, too—to foster a culture of potluck meals.

After Smith read Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of the American Community, about the fraying of the fabric of our social lives, he came up with an idea. “The local food piece of our work is very big,” says Smith. “If our farms make more money, they’re more economically stable, they’ll stay in farming, the landscape is better off, they’re selling locally, people are eating better food, and that helps human health which ties into our super scary medical system. There’s an incredibly widespread effect.” So he targeted the idea of elevating the local communal meal.

As a gift to the community, Groundworks is appointing potluck captains and providing them with kits of recipes, discussion topics and ideas tucked in a mason jar. Each captain commits to hosting or ensuring that three potlucks happen in their community or immediate social network in the next year.

“It’s a way people naturally bond,” Smith says, “and it’s something you always wish you did more of but you just kinda don’t. We’re saying as you gather, just take a moment and be a little more intentional and be aware of what this means to your community and your relationships with your friends and family.

The effort is geared toward all demographics, but Smith adds that seniors bring a lot to the table. “They have extended families, time-tested recipes and it’s more a part of their lives, this culture of potluck tradition,” says Smith. “Should they do it? Heck yes.”

GET POTLUCKY!

1

Come prepared. If your dish needs a serving spoon or a trivet, bring those.

2

With many guests, the oven might be booked, so make sure your dish is ready to serve.

3 4

Slow cookers are a great tool to keep easily portable dishes (think rice, mac ’n’ cheese) piping hot.

Reconsider your “dish.” Napkins, non-alcoholic drinks like a fresh local cider, a simple centerpiece—all are welcome contributions to any communal feast.

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INSPIRED LIFE

MAKE YOUR BATHROOM SAFE FOR SENIORS (BUT KEEP THE STYLE!)

BY ELIZABETH EDWARDS

We checked in with Kris Drake, a showroom consultant with Infusion Kitchen & Bath by ETNA in Traverse City, about ideas for renovating a bathroom to make it safe for seniors. She gave us the info—and shared some of the latest products that go beyond institutional-looking grab bars.

So let’s say that my 1990s bathroom is an obstacle course that seems to grow each day as my live-in parent ages.

What is the first step in making it safe for her or him?

Typically our clients meet with a plumbing contractor first to discuss taking out the alcove tub or tub shower surround (the kind you need to step over the side to get in) and installing a low-threshold shower. Next they come to me.

We actually work hand-in-hand with a number of plumbing companies in the area.

And what sorts of decisions do you help the client with?

The biggest need for seniors and other people with disabilities are grab bars.

But you offer some clever, camouflaged ways to give seniors a place to hang-on that don’t look as sterile as the old aluminum bars.

Yes, for instance we have a unique showerhead with a built-in slide bar/grab bar. We also carry a corner shelf that tucks into the shower and doubles as a grab bar. Additionally we have toilet paper holders that assist as grab bars and that help getting to and from (or up and down from) the toilet.

Which brings us to toilets …

Yes, we have taller toilets that are great for seniors.

The Kohler brand also has a new model that is 2.5 inches taller than its Comfort Height (ADA) toilets, which makes this 4-1/2” taller than a standard height toilet. It really makes getting up easier.

Finally, tell us about the walk-in tubs we see advertised?

I’ve heard the biggest drawback is that you can’t get out until the water drains and people get cold waiting.

People are interested in those if they have the room for them. In the newer models the water drains out very quickly. One of our vendors, MTI, uses a specially designed proprietary drain that allows their walk-in tub to drain completely in three minutes, so people don’t have to sit there for long.

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Well-to-do.

It’s what comes to mind, perhaps, when thinking about wealth management. But there’s another way to think about “well-to-do” that’s less about what one has, and more about what one does. You see, clients of Greenleaf Trust (with $14 billion in assets under advisement) tend to be exceedingly generous, so they rely on us for holistic wealth management that integrates ROI with tax planning, trusts, risk management, cash flow, retirement, estate planning, charitable giving, and so on. We have every good reason to succeed, because in our experience the well-to-do, do a lot of good. If that’s you, give us a call.

Client relationships begin at $2 million.

Traverse City 231.778.0050 | Bay Harbor 231.439.5016 | greenleaftrust.com

I have great choices for senior living in Kalkaska.

It’s important to live life well no matter what your age, but it’s especially true as you grow older. Life should be enjoyed, not just endured. Come live well with us.

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Long-term Care Eden Center, our skilled nursing home, has a 5-star rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. This hospital-based home-away-fromhome is full of life, with trusted nursing care as needed and easy access to a variety of health care services.

Short-Stay Rehabilitation In a recently renovated space, our new program is suited for patients recovering from surgery or an unexpected hospital stay. Patients receive intensive, individualized rehabilitation with a physician led team guiding the recovery process. Let us help you get back to your amazing life.

Assisted Living Enjoy all of the comforts of home in your own private apartment. Tasty restaurant-style meals and room service, housekeeping, laundry, and 24-hour personal care services take the work out of living.

To learn more, call 231-258-7500 or visit munsonhealthcare.org/kmhc.