MyNorth Inspired Life Spring 2021

SPRING | 2021

LIVING BETTER AFTER 55 IN NORTHERN MICHIGAN

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VOLUNTEER AT A LIGHTHOUSE THE NEW ASSISTED LIVING CSAs THAT WILL SURPRISE YOU ONE ACTIVE RETIREMENT

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Clarity

There are times when the choice is crystal clear.

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The markets move, and so do we.

On February 1, 2021, Greenleaf Trust opened the doors to our new office at 160 East State Street, Suite 200. Rehabilitating and moving into Traverse City’s old city hall is a pretty big move, even though we’re staying in the same great neighborhood with the same friendly mail carrier. Also staying the same are the familiar faces of your client centric team, email addresses and phone numbers, and our exceedingly high level of personalized service. Parking will be free and convenient.

Greenleaf Trust looks forward to welcoming you to 160 East State Street, Suite 200.

We think you’ll agree it’s a move in the right direction.

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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

CONTENTS 4

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BE A VOLUNTEER KEEPER Ever dream of being a lighthouse keeper—maintaining a local landmark and continuing a Great Lakes tradition?

Now’s your chance.

DISCOVER YOUR FAMILY’S HISTORY Kristyn Balog, executive director of the Harbor Springs Area Historical Society, shares tips on mapping your family’s history at home.

LOCALLY SOURCED CSAs offer seasonal fruits and veggies—and way more. Local bakeries and breweries are getting in on the subscription-based action.

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ASSISTED LIVING 8.0 Baby boomers are changing the face of assisted living, asking for delicious food, beautifully designed spaces and physical and intellectual activities.

WAYS TO STAY CONNECTED COVID-19 has taught us there are many ways to stay connected with those we love.

We’ve compiled a list of ideas to make the most of virtual time together.

RETIREMENT REDEFINED Fran Alfs has built her dream “active retirement” around biking, skiing, swimming, reading, sharing art and more with like-minded people. Here’s how.

WILDFLOWER RESCUE Leelanau Conservancy’s Wildflower Rescue Committee goes beyond saving native plants from destruction—they also educate about their importance in our ecosystem.

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WHAT’S NEXT FOR LORI We have a choice in how we age. That’s one of the biggest lessons Lori Wells learned during her 30-year tenure as manager of the Grand Traverse Senior Center Network.

COVER PHOTO BY COURTNEY KENT

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

All rights reserved. Copyright 2021, Prism Publications Inc. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.

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BE A VOLUNTEER KEEPER Have you ever dreamed of being a lighthouse keeper—doing your part to maintain a local landmark while helping to continue a Great Lakes maritime tradition? This empty-nester’s dream came true. You’re next!

BY KATHY BELDEN | PHOTO BY COURTNEY KENT

MISSION POINT LIGHTHOUSE

There’s something enormously satisfying about checking off an item on a bucket list. Being a volunteer lighthouse keeper at the Mission Point Lighthouse had been on that list for me, and when I became an empty-nester, suddenly the dream became a reality. The week-long lighthouse gig was a perfect chance to spend a little more time in a place that I love, and immerse myself in a bit of Michigan’s remarkable maritime history.

Michigan has 129 lighthouses—more than any other state in the nation. However, there are only about a dozen volunteer keeper programs in Michigan. Mission Point Lighthouse was built in 1870 to help ships safely navigate both arms of Grand Traverse Bay and the treacherous waters of Lake Michigan.

Visiting the lighthouse over the years, I was intrigued by its charm and spectacular views of the bay. I’ve been coming Up North since I was a kid—my mom’s cottage on Torch 4

Lake has been my own true north. Whenever I make the 450-mile northward trek from my home in Canton, Ohio, I can almost feel the car driving itself to get here.

The keeper program requires two people during the busy summer months. I enlisted Jan Biliti, of Brighton, Michigan.

Jan is a fellow Torch Laker, and she loves being Up North as much as I do. She also happens to be my cousin.

Many times during my stay at the lighthouse, I thought about all the hardships that must have existed for the early keepers of days gone by. While we weren’t hauling whale oil up the steps, being a volunteer keeper is still work. During the busy summer months, the main duties are running the gift shop as well as collecting the admission charge to tour the lighthouse (no retail experience is necessary). In true keeper fashion, I kept a daily log of our activities. Here are a few of the entries.

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M ORE V OLUNTEER PR O GRAMS Check out these Northern Michigan lighthouses with volunteer keeper programs. Daily duties generally include greeting visitors, providing historical information, helping in the gift shop and offering tours, and your downtime can be spent exploring the area!

—Kaitlyn McLintock

G RA ND TRAVERS E LIG HTHOUS E | NORTHPORT W E D N E SDAY, J U LY 22 I’m up at 6:30 a.m. and have coffee on the front porch before starting the day’s chores. The lake is like glass. The solitude is temporarily interrupted by hundreds of seagulls having a noisy meeting on a little island of trees in the water, just offshore. They disburse after a few minutes.

I put up the flag, and inspect the beach for trash.

Thankfully, there is little.

Jan tackles sweeping inside the lighthouse—we’ve nicknamed it “The Sand Management Program.” It’s a constant battle. The 37 steps up to the top of the lighthouse need to be swept daily, as well as the entire house, the outside boardwalk and the steps that lead to the beach. Jan says she can’t imagine doing this job in a long dress, as keeper Sarah Lane must have done in the early 1900s.

After a long day, we treat ourselves to dinner at the Peninsula Grill (about seven miles south on M-37). I order the Parmesan-crusted whitefish; Jan opts for the flatbread pizza. We wash it down with a Bell’s beer. Delicious. We get back just after sunset; the sky is a delicious shade of orange.

F R IDAY, JULY 24 Visitors today include folks from Alaska, Hawaii, Japan and Korea. When we ask faraway visitors why they’re visiting the area, the answer is almost always the same—“family.”

I smile to myself knowing the magic that the Grand Traverse region has in drawing families together.

And, they are all in awe of Michigan’s beauty. A visitor from New Jersey remarks that he “had no idea how beautiful Michigan is.”

Late afternoon brings members of our family to the lighthouse. Keepers are allowed to have company in the evening—it’s encouraged—and our little group enjoys having the lighthouse to themselves after the crowds leave; however, no overnight guests are permitted.

Standing on the beach at sunset, my brother, Rob, remarks that the view in front of us is the same magnificent view as the early Michiganders saw. He’s right: nothing has changed.

T U E SDAY, JU LY 2 8 We spend our final morning doing the usual routine chores and opening the gift shop for the day. We finish packing and clean our quarters in preparation for the next pair of incoming keepers. It’s been a week of phenomenal weather, hard work, great times and good food! We leave the lighthouse feeling happy, knowing someday, we’d return.

Between April and December, spend a week in the former assistant keeper’s quarters at this 1858 lighthouse perched on the tip of the Leelanau Peninsula, within Leelanau State Park.

The tower offers spectacular views of Lake Michigan and Grand Traverse Bay and the state park is home to the Cathead Bay trail system (8.5 miles total) and a sandy beach. Find the application at grandtraverselighthouse.com.

B IG SA B LE POIN T LIG HTHOUS E | LUDINGTON Stay and play on the shores of Lake Michigan at Ludington State Park for two weeks through the Big Sable Point Lighthouse volunteer keeper program. The 1867 lighthouse has a recognizable black and white tower, standing more than 100 feet tall, and sits on a beautiful sandy beach. Downtown Ludington and its many restaurants and shops are just 10 minutes away. Apply at splka.org.

LITTLE SA B LE POINT LIG HTHOUS E | MEARS Volunteer for a minimum of one week at Little Sable Point Lighthouse (lodging within Silver Lake State Park). Or, join in the day keeper program, in which locals or those staying in the area work the lighthouse on Mondays for a transition day while one group moves out and the next group moves in. The lighthouse, which dates back to 1874, stands alone at the base of Lake Michigan, nestled among the Silver Lake State Park Sand Dunes. Apply at splka.org.

LUD IN GTON N ORTH B REA KWATER | LUDINGTON This lighthouse was built in 1924 and is located minutes from the various shops and restaurants of downtown Ludington. Like Big and Little Sable, it’s managed by the Sable Points Lighthouse Keepers Association. Volunteers can stay for a minimum of one week or take part in the day keeper program on Mondays. Apply at splka.org.

C RIS P POIN T LIG HTHOUS E | NEWBERRY For one to five days, volunteer on the shores of Lake Superior at Crisp Point Lighthouse. The picturesque tower was built in 1875 and named after one of its original keepers, a strong-willed boatman named Christopher Crisp. For more information, and instructions on how to apply, go to crisppointlighthouse.org.

AU SA B LE LIG HT STATION | PICTURED ROC KS N ATION A L LA KESHORE Au Sable Light’s volunteer keeper program requires a month of living at the lighthouse and usually requires two people, as one person works at the museum and the other helps park staff with lighthouse tours. Volunteers work five days a week from 9–5. After work, visit nearby Grand Marais and take in incredible views of dunes and mighty Superior at Log Slide Overlook, located within the national lakeshore. Visit volunteer.gov to apply.

DETOUR REEF LIG HTHOUS E | D ETOUR V ILLAGE Experience what it’s like to stay at this 1931 offshore lighthouse for a weekend. The 83-foot tall lighthouse marks a dangerous reef located one mile offshore in northern Lake Huron between DeTour Village and Drummond Island. It was built to guide ship traffic to and from Lake Huron and Lake Superior via the St. Marys River.

Go to drlps.com to apply.

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DISCOVER YOUR FAMILY’S HISTORY How to get started with genealogy as a hobby.

BY CARLY SIMPSON PHOTOS COURTESY OF HARBOR SPRINGS AREA HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Kristyn Balog, executive director of the Harbor Springs Area Historical Society (HSAHS), loves helping people explore their family's story. Prior to the pandemic, the historical society regularly hosted genealogy events, welcoming guests to drop in to learn the basics of ancestry.com.

Kristyn plans to bring back these events in the future, also adding structured workshops focused on specific topics, like how to use census records to help people dig deeper into their research.

Here, Kristyn shares tips on how to begin mapping your family’s history at home.

What’s the very first information to collect?

I recommend getting started by collecting all the information you already have about your family. Ask your parents/grandparents about a family tree, look through a family Bible or scrapbook, search out vital records in your attic, etc. Building a family tree can be helpful, especially as a way to organize all the facts and material you gather.

Building from a solid foundation makes the rest of the research process easier. Start with an ancestor you know a lot about; I recommend a grandparent. You need to know approximately what year they were born in, where they’ve lived and other details like the names of their siblings. Once you’ve managed to find enough facts about that person, you can work backward in time from that solid base.

What tools/resources are available online?

Ancestry.com is great and it’s free to have an account, but you have to pay for advanced features like the family tree builder and access to international records. Ancestry. com also has a lot of free content and resources for getting started with family history research, reading certain types of records, etc. FamilySearch is another free website that uses the same archival databases as Ancestry but they have a free family tree builder. I find ancestry.com to be easier to work in and worth the monthly membership for their family tree builder.

I also recommend searching the online databases of local historical societies, county and state governments, libraries, etc. Often the only cost associated with these searches is for copies of records or research assistance from employees.

What are the common problems people run into?

The most common problem beginners run into is starting their search with a relative they don’t know enough about.

Many people want to know about their great-grandparents, but only have a name or a location to search by. Most beginners think there couldn’t possibly be another “Mabel Agnes Smith” in Ohio in 1860, but quickly find that either they are getting hundreds of results to sift through (with 15 “Mabel Agnes”) or nothing comes up at all. Working back in time from a firmer foundation usually helps keep things clearer.

If you know the names of all of Mabel Agnes’ children, you can more easily decipher which Mabel Agnes out of the 15 possibilities is “your” Mabel.

I’ve also discovered that beginners often don’t know how ancestry.com works. The site is a database; it pulls digital records from thousands of sources into a searchable archive.

Because it’s built from digitized sources, it changes all the time. When a state decides to scan and post old vital records online, those can become part of Ancestry’s collection. There are new databases added every day and it’s worth re-running a search that didn’t work in the past after some time has gone by, in case a new and relevant source has been added.

You do eventually hit roadblocks and the “information well” does begin to run dry. But new sources and records are being digitized all the time so there’s almost always something more to discover.

What’s something cool an HSAHS genealogy event participant has discovered?

One woman was looking for information about her birth family. She had names and dates but not much else. We were able to find a scanned high school yearbook with several pictures of her father. She actually started crying when she saw the photographs and said she’d never seen a picture of him before. That was very special to be a part of.

Any advice you want to add?

Once you’ve discovered as much as you can about an ancestor or hit a roadblock in your research, I recommend learning more about the history of the town or the era they’re from. Learning what life was like for your ancestor helps forge a connection with them and makes that history even more personal.

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L O C A L LY SOURCED Connect with regional farmers through Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)

BY CARLY SIMPSON & ALLISON JARRELL | PHOTOS BY KELLY REWA

Today, CSAs don't just offer seasonal fruits and veggies.

Local bakeries and breweries are also borrowing the concept.

Here's how it works: Farmers and makers sell a certain number of "shares" and consumers pre-pay for a membership or subscription. In return, consumers receive a box of fresh produce or other goodies each week throughout the season.

And CSAs aren't limited to summer—fall, winter and spring options are often available, too.

Here are five we love.

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MULTI- FA RM C SA L E E L ANAU COUNT Y | MI FARMCOOP.ORG This year-round CSA, offered by a multi-farm cooperative in Leelanau County, provides seasonal produce and goods from more than five local farms in one box. Expect to receive a dozen eggs, a loaf of bread, fresh greens, 2-4 pounds of seasonal veggies and 2-4 pounds of seasonal fruit for $47.50 per week (total cost is $380 for spring 2021, $760 for summer 2021 or $570 for fall 2021). Members can also add on

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to their boxes—options vary season to season, but include chicken, beef, flowers and extra eggs. Multi-Farm CSA offers Tuesday pick-up times at five locations in Traverse City and Suttons Bay. E A RT H E N A L ES TR AVE R SE C I T Y | E A RT H E N A L E S .CO M Earthen Ales offers several four-week beer CSAs (Community Supported Ales—very clever!) throughout the year. Watch for release dates on Facebook and their website.

Subscribers get two four-packs of 16-ounce cans each week for $115. (Mug Club members pay $105.) Don’t need that much beer? Sign-up for a half-share for $60 and get one fourpack each week. You can also add a 12-ounce bag of coffee from Fortunate Coffee Co. (formerly BLK\MRKT) for $15 per week and/or eight ounces of cheese from the The Cheese Lady TC for $10 per week.

H A RV E ST T H YM E FAR M CH E BOYG AN | H A RV E ST T H YM E FA R M .COM Founded by Brendan Prewitt and Greta Jankoviak in 2014, this 5-acre, bio-sustainable farm offers fresh produce and cut flowers through its farm share (CSA) program, as well as area farmers markets. Harvest Thyme, which sits on land that was originally homesteaded by Greta’s family in the 1890s, serves Cheboygan, Indian River, Mackinac Island and St. Ignace, and offers “farm cards” that make the CSA process a breeze—purchase a pre-loaded card on their website and use it to order online for pick-up at the Cheboygan Farmers Market or at Harvest Thyme’s farm stand.

CO MMO N GOOD BAK E RY TR AVE R SE C I T Y | CO M M O N G O O D B A K E RY.COM The Community Supported Bakery program at Common Good has a lot of crusty perks. Members pay $4.50 a loaf compared to $9, can pick up their bread any day of the week, are treated to $1 baguettes and get a complimentary coffee or tea with each purchase. A $100 minimum (which equals a six-month subscription with one loaf a week) is required to join the Rebel Bread Club, though you can add more money to your club card at any point to purchase as many loaves as you like. “It’s a CSA without rules, for the rebel at heart,” says Joy Martin Omar, assistant general manager/marketing manager.

T H E MAY FA R M FR A N K FO RT | T H E M AY FA R M .CO M Touting “trustworthy food raised close to your table,” The May Farm raises rotationally grazed beef, lamb and broiler chickens at their Frankfort pasture. In previous seasons, CSA members have had access to 100 percent grassfed beef by the quarter, 100 percent grassfed lamb by the half or whole and pastured broiler chickens. At the time of publication, details were not yet available for the 2021 season. For information on prices and availability, head to the farm’s website to sign up to receive their spring flyer.

HOW TO GET THE MO S T OUT OF YOUR C SA CSAs, especially produce-based subscriptions offering pounds of fresh fruits and veggies, can be intimidating at first blush.

But prepping your produce and utilizing it each week doesn’t have to be daunting. Here are some tips for planning and cooking up delish, locally sourced meals: Prioritize produce: While some fruits and veggies can last days or weeks, others need to be consumed or preserved sooner rather than later. A good first step after picking up your CSA box is to take inventory and prioritize: eat produce like greens, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, zucchini, broccoli, berries and bruised fruit as soon as possible. (This is also a great time to plan and meal prep for the week!)

Prep your haul: Speaking of prepping—this can be the most labor-intensive step in the process. We recommend getting some of the work done right away. Once you have your box, take an hour (or less) to pre-prep your produce—wash lettuce and store it in a container lined with paper towel, and chop up your veggies. You’ll be more inclined to use these ingredients in a dish or snack on them throughout the week.

Blend it up: A great way to use up those pounds of produce— throw them in a large crock pot for a soup or stew, or experiment with your fruit and veggies and test out different smoothie combinations.

Preserve any excess: Sick of making salads? Whip up some fresh pesto with your leftover greens, or pickle those beets, carrots and cucumbers.

Swap what you can’t use: Maybe you’re not a fan of beets, or there’s a certain leafy green that’s not your cup of tea. Why not swap these items with a neighbor, or just give them away for some karma points?

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PRE-RETIREES: PLAN NOW FOR HEALTH CARE COSTS If you’re close to retirement, you’ll have several financial issues to consider. But you’ll want to pay attention to one of the most important of these issues: health care costs.

How can you prepare yourself for these expenses?

First, get an early start on estimating health care costs.

More than two-thirds of those planning to retire in the next 10 years say they have no idea what their health and long-term care costs will be in retirement, according to the Edward Jones/Age Wave Four Pillars of the New Retirement study. And some people don’t worry much about these costs, which may be considerable, thinking that Medicare will pay for most of them.

While Medicare does cover many medical expenses, it also has its own costs. You probably won’t pay a premium for Part A (inpatient/hospital coverage), since you likely had this cost deducted from your paycheck when you were working. But if you are hospitalized, you’ll have to pay deductibles and coinsurance (the percentage of costs you pay after you’ve paid your deductible). Part B (doctor’s visits) requires a premium, deducted from your Social Security checks, and you must pay an out-ofpocket deductible. After you meet this deductible for the year, you typically pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for most doctor’s services. And when you enroll in Part D (prescription drug plan), you will likely also have to pay a monthly premium, an annual deductible and coinsurance or copays.

To help pay for the Medicare deductible, coinsurance and copayments, you may want to get supplemental insurance, known as Medigap. Premiums for Medigap vary, depending on the plan you choose.

As an alternative to original Medicare, you could select Medicare Advantage (sometimes called Part C).

Medicare Advantage plans are offered by private companies approved by Medicare, but the benefits and

costs vary by plan. These plans generally will incorporate Medicare Parts A and B and will provide additional medical coverage, such as prescription drugs.

When you incorporate all the above, the annual outof-pocket costs for traditional medical expenses likely will be about $4,500 to $6,500 per year, per person – not insignificant, but certainly a number that can be addressed by careful planning.

But there’s one more expense to keep in mind: long-term care. The average cost of a private room in a nursing home is more than $100,000 per year, according to the insurance company Genworth. And Medicare typically pays few of these expenses.

Clearly, between regular medical costs associated with Medicare or those not covered by it, and costs resulting from the possible need for long-term care, your health care bills can mount. To meet these costs, you need to plan ahead – and take action.

For example, it’s essential that you incorporate health care expenses into your overall financial strategy. You can also work with a financial professional to run some “what-if” analyses to see if your strategy would be derailed by a potential long-term care stay. And the professional you work with may be able to suggest specific protection vehicles that can help you meet the costs of long-term care.

The best time to prepare for your health care costs during retirement is well before you retire. So, if you haven’t already started, now is the time to do so. When it comes to paying for health care, the fewer surprises, the better.

This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor. Edward Jones, Member SIPC

Edward Jones is a licensed insurance producer in all states and Washington, D.C., through Edward D. Jones & Co., L.P. and in California, New Mexico and Massachusetts through Edward Jones Insurance Agency of California, L.L.C.; Edward Jones Insurance Agency of New Mexico, L.L.C.; and Edward Jones Insurance Agency of Massachusetts, L.L.C.

Call a local Edward Jones Advisor for an always complementary review of your investments or insurance policies.

Your Local Financial Advisors

Financial Advisors in Traverse City AAMS®

Heather J Boivin, 3285 South Airport Road West 231-933-5263 Yancy Boivin, AAMS® 3285 South Airport Road West 231-933-5263 John W Elwell, AAMS® 3588 Veterans Dr 231-947-0079

Jamie Keillor 4110 Copper Ridge Dr, Building D, Suite 202 231-252-3561 Jim Mellinger 12935 SW Bay Shore Dr, Ste 310 231-947-1123 Steve Meteer 125 Park Street, Suite 250 231-947-3032

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Claudia F Rodriguez, AAMS®, CRPS® 125 Park Street, Suite 250 231-947-3032 John Tredway 806 S Garfield Ave, Suite B 231-932-1290 Andrew Weaver 318 S Cedar Street 734-780-5541

Financial Advisor in Interlochen Bill Collin 9672 Us Highway 31, Ste 400 231-276-1355

Call or visit any of our financial advisors in the area.

Greg Williams 513 S Union St 231-933-0881

2/8/21 3:06 PM

es.

ASSISTED LIVING 8.0 Baby boomers are rewriting the priorities for aging with assistance.

BY KIM SCHNEIDER PHOTOS COURTESY OF CORDIA

BEAUTIFULLY DESIGNED SPACES THAT OFFER SOCIAL OPPORTUNITIES, LIKE THIS OUTDOOR CORDIA SPACE, ARE HIGH ON THE BABY BOOMER LIST.

Tables in cozy nooks, divided by graceful arches, are set for white table-clothed dining along walls of butter-yellow brick in a century-old Grand Traverse Commons building. The scene could be the setting for the James Beardnominated Trattoria Stella, just a half-mile down the hall.

However, these tables are set for independent and assisted living residents of Cordia at Grand Traverse Commons, who get their own sophisticatedly plated meals from a culinary team led by lauded farm-to-table chef Michael Bauer. This dining experience is one box ticked on the list of today's aging baby boomers’ requirements who want flexibility and out-of-the-box thinking in their dining options as well as in almost every aspect of daily life.

Bauer brings high-end dining to daily changing menus that include options like breaded calamari with sweet chili sauce, panko-crusted goat cheese salad, lamb lollipops and a cinnamon pavlova with blueberry compote. What he and the other chefs don't bring is institutional experience—and that's by intention.

“We knew we could train or teach someone about seniors' dietary needs,” says Cordia Founder and CEO Karen Anderson, “but we wanted someone from the hospitality industry whose personal mission was to make delicious food, beautifully presented, fresh in ingredients and with a lot of rotation of the menu.”

Interesting, nutritious and delicious food—eaten on their own schedules—is just one of the things baby boomers are looking for in their independent and assisted living choices. Add to that beautifully designed spaces, intellectual and physical activities and a community of like-minded people who become friends and with whom they can age. Because, notes Anderson, no one, as we age, wants to wake up and live the same day over and over as if stuck in their own version of the movie “Groundhog Day.” The biggest revolution in living models for seniors, including at Cordia, has been the addition of radical flexibility, and that goes beyond having both a formal dining room and

pub onsite. The one-size-fits-all model has morphed into treating each resident as an individual and helping them to mold what makes an interesting life journey to them.

“When I first entered the industry, you'd look at a program calendar and it'd be no different from the daily activities at a children's Y camp: art and crafts, Bingo, singalongs.

Games, music and art have a place in most people's lives, but not at a childlike level,” Anderson says.

Cordia residents today shape their days around a host of different activities, all delivered via the iPads each resident is given upon move-in. A weekly menu lets one choose from wellness offerings popular in staving off the effects of age: mindfulness, meditation and fitness and strength-building classes. There are lectures on world history and art, movie nights, open studio time and art classes like “learning to draw stick people for comic relief.” Many baby boomers are passionate about the arts but want to do more than watch them passively. For them, Cordia offers in-house choir and theater groups, resident artists who spin their own yarn in the fiber arts studio and painters and jewelry makers whose work is shared in exhibitions.

Key ingredients also include the benefits of communal living—a shared place where people might even enter before needing assistance. A place like Cordia lets someone enter either the fully independent living section (Club Living) or the assisted living wing (Club Living Plus). Even in independent living, someone could get help from the wellness team of nurses and other professionals on an à la carte basis, while they'd get more regular team help in the “plus” section. Such help might include daily reminders to take medication or something as simple as laundry and cleaning services or dog walking. When a move is needed for health reasons, it can be to the other side of the complex—no need to adjust to a new setting or make new friends.

When Anderson founded Cordia in Boston 25 years ago, she developed a five-pronged approach to wellness focused on keys to a well-rounded life: intellectual activity, physical 4 MyNorth INSPIRED LIFE | SPRING 2021

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BABY BOOMERS ARE LOOKING FOR THE KIND OF SOPHISTICATEDLY PLATED MEALS LIKE THOSE BY CORDIA'S FARMTO-TABLE CHEF MICHAEL BAUER.

A SSI STED L IVING I N THE B ABY B OOM ER W O RL D

strength, spiritual connection, cultural enrichment and emotional balance.

This philosophy hasn't changed over the years, but how the elements are delivered to aging boomers certainly has.

The special architecture of the Grand Traverse Commons posed some initial challenges for the Cordia staff—its historical status limited the ability to change the original structure. But it offered a special opportunity as well, since aging boomers want their surroundings to be as interesting as their activity and food menus. The building was originally designed as an innovative-for-its-time asylum in the model of an Italianate castle. No two rooms in this community of studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments is alike, and residents share 30,000 square feet of interesting common spaces with breezy porches, decks and entertainment spaces.

As a bonus, the club sits within a couple of walkable blocks of both the region's main medical center and a thriving residential village boasting a fair-trade coffee shop, bakery, restaurants, boutiques, a brewpub, winery and bocce courts.

“Just because we've turned a certain age, it doesn't mean we want our days to stop being interesting,” Anderson says. Instead, seniors want them to perhaps be even more so. Aging boomers want to stay engaged with life and to surround themselves with others who do so as well and to build deep friendships along the way.

“That age-old litmus test of independence—'I stayed in my home until I came out feet first'—is a strategy many still employ,” Anderson says. “But when people eat meals together, they eat better; when they see their nextdoor neighbor can ride bicycles and swim, it motivates them to continue to stay fit and keep active. We've seen from the beginning that if you could get people in before they needed the help, it could change the trajectory of the aging journey.”

Kim Schneider is a long-time travel writer specializing in Michigan adventures, food and wine. The Midwest Travel Journalist Association has named her Mark Twain Travel Writer of the Year, and she’s the author of “100 Things to Do in Traverse City Before You Die.” kimschneider.net

Choices. That's what baby boomers want in living options as they age, as does Gen X behind them, says Jane Marie O'Connor, owner of 55 Plus Marketing and a national consultant in the senior housing field.

While the Silent Generation born between 1926 and 1945 likely wanted meaning and choice, too, they were content with what had been offered.

Boomers have other ideas for both living style and location.

“They have disrupted and changed everything they've touched in their lifetimes,” O'Connor says. “They were not conformists. So they don't want to retire and lie back and watch the world go by.

There's a sense of purpose and meaning to their lives, and they want to explore that. They want new adventures, they want socialization.”

Facilities competing for this population have furthered the revolution in senior housing options, offering spots that welcome pets, integrate technology, make wellness an integral part of the day and offer flexibility in both dining times and dining settings. Bistros, cafes and grab-and-go options might better fit a boomer's active lifestyle, as does meal time flexibility that doesn't force someone to head home for dinner in the middle of a pickleball tournament or a stintof reading to local school children.

One newer trend involves the theming of entire complexes. There are communities totally designed for Harley Davidson lovers, boaters, people of a certain religious faith, nature immersion and more. One client, O'Connor says, is developing a wellness community in Mexico that features plantings with aromas that calm or stimulate the mind, Japanese sand gardens and areas in which technology is banned.

“We see people really doing their homework and choosing accordingly,” O'Connor says. “There's always this common aspect of a meaningful purpose and active lifestyle. Boomers are looking for a new adventure and want to know, 'What are the things that are really going to excite me?'”

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STAYING CONNECTED Five kid-friendly ways to stay in touch virtually with loved ones.

BY ALLISON JARRELL

Continued on page 19

MyNorth INSPIRED LIFE | SPRING 2021

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It’s been a year since the COVID-19 pandemic separated us from family and friends outside of our households. For many families, this means not being able to see kids or grandkids in person, shifting to Zoom and FaceTime until it’s deemed safe to reunite. Video calls are a great way to stay connected, and we’ve compiled a list of ways you can make the most of that virtual time together. A bonus? When the pandemic is over, these ideas work anytime when loved ones are a long way away.

P L AY G A M E S T O G E T H E R .

There are seemingly endless options for hosting an online game night with kids of all ages—many board games, card games and trivia game shows have apps that you can download for free and use with others (search the App Store or Google Play). Choose from virtual games like Scrabble GO, Words with Friends, Boggle, Scattergories, Monopoly, Uno!, Yahtzee with Buddies, Jeopardy! or Wheel of Fortune. For families with younger kids, try games like Lego Duplo World or My Very Hungry Caterpillar, based on Eric Carle’s book. And for a local (and more tactile) option, check out Interlochen Public Library’s “Yahtzee on Zoom” every Thursday at 11 a.m. Call 231.276.6767 to pick up your dice and scorecards. Check out interlochenpubliclibrary.org for more information.

SHARE A VIRTUAL DINNER. Pick a kid-friendly meal to prepare—think homemade pizza or nachos—and enjoy a family dinner together while video chatting. Try cooking virtually with older kids and preparing more complex meals together over Zoom, or teach little ones how to bake chocolate chip cookies for dessert!

G E T C R A F T Y. Crafting together while video chatting is a great way to engage with kids while encouraging creative expression. There are an infinite number of project ideas for all ages to choose from online, or check with your local library to see if they have any programs available. The Elk Rapids District Library, for example, offers a monthly Take and Make Kids Craft that you can pick up in the library lobby.

For more information, visit elkrapidslibrary.org.

READ A BOOK. Reading to the children in your life not only keeps you connected, but also helps build vocabulary, language skills and concentration. If you’re looking to freshen up your book selection, check the resources available at your local library—members of Traverse Area District Library have access to numerous eBook downloads, including animated talking books. TADL also has a comprehensive list of books for pre-readers, beginning readers and tweens (tadl.org/youth/reading-lists).

B E P E N PA L S .

Sending text messages and emails to kids and grandkids is a great start, but why not kick it old school and send uplifting letters to each other? Or take the 21st-century approach and try out the TouchNote app—kids can send custom photo postcards from a phone (available on the App Store and Google Play).

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RETIREMENT REDEFINED

BY KANDACE CHAPPLE PHOTO BY DAVE WEIDNER

FRAN ALFS

When Fran Alfs moved to Traverse City in 2008, she didn’t have many friends to call on locally. So, she set about meeting new people with joy and determination. She started a journal with ideas on how to meet people, she joined groups, she printed up 250 flyers and put one in every mailbox in her subdivision: Would anyone like to get together for a walk or be in a book club?

It was months later before a neighbor found the flyer blown into the shrubs, and Fran got a call. More calls followed and, before long, “Wine, Women and Books” was underway.

Fran also went to Horizon Books and learned that the “Don't Bother Me I'm Reading” Book Club was meeting that very night at Amical. She walked in, introduced herself and met people like fifth-generation cherry farmers and local business owners.

“Meeting all these people when I first moved here gave me a historical perspective into this region, my new home,” she says. That was 13 years ago. Since then, you might say, Fran has made a few friends.

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At age 69, her social life sounds more active than most 29-year-olds. On the day we are chatting, she is off to a morning ski with the “Retired Not Tired” ski group at Crystal Mountain in Thompsonville, then heading off at noon to lead a class for SheSkis at Hickory Hills in Traverse City.

“My friends say I’m the poster child for how to retire actively!” she says with a laugh.

Fran moved here after a 34-year teaching career in Southfield, Michigan. After arriving in Traverse City with her husband, Ed, she worked another two years as a part-time special education consultant for TBAISD. She then “retired” and worked at the Michigan Artists Gallery for Sue Ann Round, and later for Michigan Works as a literacy specialist, before finally retiring from paid work and spending more time volunteering and pursuing her love of the outdoors.

All in all, Fran has found the beauty of working and dabbling in a number of ventures can provide a rich stew of possibilities in retirement.

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“ T H E G I F T O F S H A R I N G TA L E N T S A N D PA S S I O N S I S S U C H A PA R T O F T H E C U LT U R E U P H E R E T H AT I T I S R E F R E S H I N G .”

FIN D IN G YO U R T R I B E Fran is a part of a tribe in the area that is centered mostly around the beauty of the outdoors. She is a member of many groups including SheSkis, SheBikes, The Sisterhood, The Vasa Ski Club, Cherry Capital Cycling Club and more—all based on the love of movement and being outdoors. She now finds herself training 12–15 hours a week in many different sports, depending on the season.

The other important world for Fran has been being a docent at The Dennos Museum for 13 years. This community of docents—made up of people who enjoy art, are willing to go through training and love working with children—has been a mainstay for Fran. When the COVID-19 shutdown began, Fran started painting every single day and sharing her paintings online with an artist, friend and mentor, Nancy Crisp, who she knew from volunteering at The Dennos. They would send a daily painting, back and forth. The mentoring online has helped Fran develop an area of her life that had not been realized and further developed a friendship with a kindred soul.

“I feel so lucky to have friends made outdoors and in,” she says. “I tried new things until I found my tribe. I now have three to four people I can call on any day, at the spur of the moment, to just get outside with. Conversely, I have friends I can Zoom for book clubs or share art with.”

Fran offers this advice for those looking to build an active and varied friend circle later in life: Don’t be shy. When she knew no one, she tried many groups and activities, choosing whatever she wanted to try next without hesitation.“Living up here is like being a kid in a candy shop,” she says. “You can try things you’ve never done before.”

SE T T IN G GOA LS Fran also set fitness goals that pushed her to find people who would help her meet them. “You don’t have to commit to a group forever,” she says, “but it’s good to have a goal that gets you out there and connected to people.”

The very first goal Fran had after moving to Traverse City was to swim across the bay. She joined the Northcoast Masters Swimming club, where where she met Kathy Coffin-Sheard, a coach who directs teams at the YMCA. Every summer, Fran still gets a group together to cross the bay. Fran’s second big goal after moving here was to run the Bayshore Marathon at age 60.

“I’d never done a marathon, but Running Fit (a local running store) had a group and offered a six-month program,” she says. Allison Gross, a coach for TCAPS cross-country teams and Running Fit employee, trained her from point zero in running to completing the Bayshore!

Next, she wanted to try biking. She got involved with Cherry Capital Cycling Club (CCCC) and later with SheBikes, a local women’s biking group.

“I hadn’t ridden a bike in many years because I was always working,” says Fran. “But I met Linda Deneen at the Subway parking lot with the CCCC, and we rode up to Suttons Bay, which is 15 miles. I was sure I could not do it. Linda encouraged me, and now I can go on 40- to 60-mile bike tours.”

THE VEN N DIAG RA M From there, Fran met more and more outdoorsy, active people—finding many connected together, like a “Venn diagram” she says, in a place as “small” as Traverse City.

“You join a group, and you might know a couple of them peripherally,” she says. “But then, you go, and you get to know them. It becomes a real connection to your community.”

Also, she admits—sometimes friendships come from competition.“You meet someone who teaches you about a new sport, and it’s contagious,” says Fran. “I tell friends, ‘My goal is to beat you someday!’ We laugh about it!”

Fran says the motivation also comes from things as pedestrian as swag from completing a race or a new hiking patch for walking 100 miles on the North Country Trail.

“But, seriously,” she says with a smile, “the gift of sharing talents and passions is such a part of the culture up here that it is refreshing.”And the best part, she says, is that you can hit the podium when you’re older, when there are not as many people your age competing. When Fran did the Iceman Cometh Challenge mountain bike race seven years ago, it was a challenge to get to the finish line.

“Afterward, my husband was pushing my bike, I was about to puke and someone says, ‘Hey! You got second place in your age group!’” recalls Fran. “I was like, ‘What!?’ I got $35 or something!”

Her enthusiasm is infectious to anyone who is thinking about getting their old bike out of the garage this spring.

Fran’s advice? Give it a go.

“Follow your activity … and if you don’t like it, ditch it,” she says. “That’s the beauty of it—we are of the age to pick and choose. It’s okay to realize, ‘no, that’s not my group’ or decide that they don’t fit with who you are.”

A lot has changed since Fran arrived in Traverse City, but her advice to newcomers and new retirees comes back to those 250 flyers she first put out 13 years ago.

“All it takes is one person to put it out there, through a friend, a flyer, a Facebook post,” she says. “People are hungry for making pods in the community right now. Do it! There's no bad weather—just wear the right clothes.”

Kandace Chapple is the editor and publisher of Grand Traverse Woman Magazine.

Her essays have been published in Writer’s Digest, "Chicken Soup for the Soul," Literary Mama, Motherwell and more. She loves to mountain bike on Northern Michigan trails, hike with her dog, Cookie, and spend time with her husband and two sons. kandacechapple.com MyNorth INSPIRED LIFE | SPRING 2021

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L E N D A H A N D, S AV E A W I L D F L O W E R For decades, volunteers at the Leelanau Conservancy have saved native flora from being plowed under by development.

TEXT AND PHOTOS BY ALLISON JARRELL

Leelanau Conservancy’s Wildflower Rescue Committee (WRC) began in the fall of 1999 when friends Patty Shea and Joanie Woods decided to join forces to save native plants from destruction.

Patty had previously been involved in a similar group downstate. As she and Joanie watched the construction boom grow in Leelanau, they felt compelled to save wildflowers like trillium and Jack-in-the-pulpit that were being demolished at building sites.

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More than two decades later, their group of dedicated volunteers continues to dig up wildflowers at construction sites each spring, saving countless precious plants from being plowed under. They also take pride in educating the public about the crucial role native plants play in Leelanau’s ecosystems.

Native wildflowers are more than just a welcome sight each May—they’ve evolved over centuries along with animals and insects that share a symbiotic relationship with the local

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PHOTO COURTESY OF LEELANAU CONSERVANCY

ANNUAL PLANT SALE

flora. In order to promote healthy ecosystems, WRC sells the salvaged plants each year over Memorial Day weekend at the Leland Village Green, giving new life to the wildflowers and donating the proceeds to Leelanau Conservancy projects. Any leftover flowers are planted in the conservancy’s natural areas.

Many of the rescued plants have also been donated to public gardens, such as Old Settlers Park in Glen Arbor, Leelanau Children’s Center, The Old Art Building in Leland, Munson Hospice House in Traverse City and the Leland Village Green.

WRC volunteers save primarily woodland and shade plants that are found in hardwood forests. They go into a site before a road is constructed, a driveway is built, a building site is dug, etc., and they remove the flora. Any plants protected by Michigan law are legally dug with the permission of the property owner—volunteers do not dig rare or endangered plants, and all specimens are inspected for disease by the state’s agriculture department.

Volunteers often dig in the spring and fall—the best times for plant survival. While schedules can vary, the group usually digs on Monday, Wednesday and Friday in the morning for about an hour. WRC members always go as a group and only after receiving a signed agreement with the property owner, which releases the owner from any liability. They’ve worked with private individuals, the Leelanau County Road Commission, local excavators and builders, developer Jack Armstrong, The Leelanau Club at Bahle Farms and Cedar Valley Ridge.

Last year brought new challenges with the pandemic— digs were canceled, along with the annual plant sale. At the time of publication, conservancy staff said they intend to resume digs and the plant sale in 2021, but were still planning the logistics.

For the most up-to-date information on the Wildflower Rescue Committee and their Memorial Day flower sale, visit leelanauconservancy.org/wildflower-rescue-committee.

If you’re interested in volunteering, call 231.256.9665 or email Lindy Kellogg, the events and volunteer manager, at lkellogg@leelanauconservancy.org.

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Mecky Kessler-Howell and Kristi Avery, founding partners of FOR Investment Partners, share thoughts on why socially responsible investing is good for you and your investments.

You recently decided to change your company name. What does the name FOR Investment Partners express?

We wanted something that reflected moving in a positive direction, helping clients see the value of investing in things they stand FOR, to see the power of using their assets to bring positive change to the world, not only avoiding investments you are against. The name also emphasizes being responsible FOR financial goals, striving FOR financial results ... retirement, personal, or institutional investment goals.

Why did you decide to focus on socially responsible investing?

Mecky has a lifelong interest in social issues—starting with a youthful stint in the German Peace Corps—and when she became an investment advisor, she came to understand the power that private investment has to influence the world when it is invested to support positive change. Kristi discovered socially responsible investing while working in traditional investment firms. She was delighted to learn there was a way of investing that fit her values, that focused on client goals in both a financial and personal life or organizational mission sense.

What are the biggest myths about socially, responsible investing?

The biggest myth is you have to settle for lower returns. Several academic studies have shown socially responsible investing can match the returns of traditional investing; most studies show either a positive or neutral effect. Taking sustainability factors into consideration may also help to avoid risks posed by unsustainable business practices.

How long have you worked with your existing clients?

WHAT IS YOUR MONEY STANDING FOR?

Our longest institutional client has been with us for over 30 years. We also have many who have been with us 20, 15 or 10 years. These long-standing relationships speak to our commitment to clients and our ability to actively evolve with the sustainable, impact-investing field, while still achieving strong financial performance.

Can you describe your current client base?

Primarily large institutional investors, charitable foundations, religious organizations, and high net worth individuals but also clients or families saving for retirement, education, or other financial goals.| CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS | TRUSTS | FOUNDATIONS ENDOWMENTS

2226 S. Airport Rd Suite C, Traverse City, MI 49684 231.933.4396 | 800.499.3000 | FORinvestmentpartners.com Why don’t you list a minimum account size?

| INDIVIDUALS

This has been a point of discussion for a long time between us, ultimately, we don’t want to discourage people from asking us about investing and specifically, sustainable, responsible, impact investing. We feel a social obligation to younger generations. Many of whom are pushing for positive change, but do not understand how investing can help bring about that change while also helping them achieve their financial goals.

Why do you choose to work with an independent broker dealer?

The primary reason is that we are not required to sell proprietary products or meet sales goals that may not be appropriate for a given client. Being affiliated with an independent Broker Dealer gives us the ability to own our name, who we are, and our authenticity, motto and mission. This affiliation makes it possible for us to select the best services and products to address our client’s particular investment needs. We can’t control these if we are flying a brand name flag.

You are an accredited fiduciary, what does that mean?

It means we must act in the best interest of our clients at all times. We have taken extensive training and an oath to do that. Not all financial advisors have this accreditation.

What is the most satisfying part of your profession?

Serving our clients, watching them to reach their goals, and helping them feel attached to their resources, fully understanding what it means to activate their resources in a way that reflects their values.

Where do you see the future of sustainable, impact investing?

Ultimately, we hope to see sustainable investing incorporated into everyone’s portfolio. We believe this type of investing has the power to change corporate behavior and make the world a better place. And the good news is the world is moving this way. The amount of assets being invested in sustainable and responsible ways is growing exponentially.

ENDOWMENTS | CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS | TRUSTS | FOUNDATIONS | INDIVIDUALS 2226 S. Airport Rd. Suite C, Traverse City, MI 49684 | 231.933.4396 | 800.499.300 | FORinvestmentpartners.com Securities & Investment Advisory Services offered through Western International Securities, Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC. FOR Investment Partners & Western International Securities, Inc. are separate and unaffiliated entities.

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2/5/21 11:29 AM

WHAT’S NEXT FOR LORI At successful senior centers, “everybody knows your name.”

BY KIM SCHNEIDER | PHOTO BY DON RUTT

Lori Wells, the recently retired manager of the Grand Traverse Senior Center Network, jokes that she grew in her job alongside the Bingo card.

During her 30-plus year tenure, Bingo went from the most popular offering at the center to one generally (though not always) outshone by activities like yoga on the center's sandy beach, plein air painting, pickleball lessons, wellness classes, massages and group adventures to exotic spots like Africa, Poland, Australia and Hawaii.

Attendance has stretched the small but perfect location on the shores of West Grand Traverse Bay well beyond capacity.

“When I first started, the programming recipe was Bingo, lunch, dances, potlucks and cards,” Lori says. “Those are still important needs for people at a certain point in life. But people don't come to the center necessarily at that age. They come for a way to engage, learn new skills, share their own talents, meet new friends. They want to find a place where people know their name.”

As our population lives longer, today's 55-plus crowd has become the true sandwich generation, one needing a break and support more than ever as they are likely still working full time while caring for aging parents and grandchildren. 4 MyNorth INSPIRED LIFE | SPRING 2021

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“ U S UA L LY W H AT M O S T P E O P L E A R E LO O K I N G F O R I S A R E A S O N TO G E T U P I N T H E M O R N I N G . U N T I L YO U D O N ' T H AV E T H AT, T H E R E ' S N O WAY TO U N D E R S TA N D H OW I M P O R TA N T I T I S .”

At the same time, they're in some ways closer to their 24-year-old self in activity preferences than those who were considered a senior 30 years ago. That's something successful and growing senior centers have kept in mind. In Traverse City, particularly, residents have been drawn by natural amenities and want to enjoy them while staying active. Volunteer-led hikes, bike trips, snowshoeing and cross-country ski outings have been especially popular and have developed groups of friends who gather year-round.

“One of the biggest things I learned at the senior center is, we have a choice in how we age,” Lori says. “I saw there are some more successful ways to go through that aging progress and many made aging something to look forward to honestly.

People are making their best friends as a senior, finding love again, becoming an artist in their 80s.”

Senior center members sought to keep Lori in her job through at least age 75— that last number of the Bingo card. But while she left recently at 55, she's not done helping seniors—or sending as many as possible to the senior center and other community programming. She remains a member of the State Advisory Council on Aging and now works at PACE, a one-year-old program that helps seniors remain in their homes by bringing services to them.

“It can benefit us all to help people stay engaged in the community, give them purpose,” Lori says. “Usually what most people are looking for is a reason to get up in the morning. Until you don't have that, there's no way to understand how important it is.”

Wellness was one programming facet that grew quickly during Lori’s tenure.

When the center first started offering things like massage, reiki and reflexology, she says, “Most of our people thought a massage was a naked Swedish person coming to do something to you.” As people realized the power of touch, those programs became wildly popular as did exercise classes that morphed over time, adding continuing variety. Seemingly simple activities like hiking groups also remained key, since, “While you can take a walk anywhere, what successful centers do is offer the social aspect,” Lori says.

When Lori left her job in the fall of 2020, she was honored with a huge driveby celebration—a procession of cars with folks wishing her well and thanking her for her work. She attributes her popularity among staff and center members to the approach she was taught when taking the job—that you should bring joy and laughter above all. That approach fits the needs of every age group. While she's worked to bring in younger members, a recent “90-over-90” celebration that sought to celebrate 90-year-olds still active in the community attracted 125 people in their ninth decade.

“We have people excited to turn 90 now so they can come to the party!” Lori says. “As time goes on, the eldest are not doing all the stuff they were doing when they were 60, but they're still coming to a place where people know their name.

It's really important to keep the balance and have people feel it's still their place no matter where they might be in life.”

Kim Schneider is a long-time travel writer specializing in Michigan adventures, food and wine. The Midwest Travel Journalist Association has named her Mark Twain Travel Writer of the Year, and she’s the author of “100 Things to Do in Traverse City Before You Die.” kimschneider.net

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