New Horizons August 2019

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A publication of the Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging

August 2019 VOL. 44 • NO. 8

ENOA 4780 South 131st Street Omaha, NE 68137-1822

PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID OMAHA NE PERMIT NO. 389

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New Horizons old • er 74 adul ts since 19

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

ENOA CELEBRATING 45 YEARS!

The women and men of the Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging have proudly served older adults in Douglas, Sarpy, Dodge, Cass, and Washington counties since 1974.

See page 3.

The art of aviation Leo Adam Biga profiles Robert & Karen Duncan.

Four generations of Duncans have worked at Lincoln’s Duncan Aviation.

During their 50-plus year marriage, Robert and Karen have also built an amazing art collection.

See page 8.

Notre Dame Housing/Seven Oaks Senior Center You’re invited to visit the Notre Dame Housing/Seven Oaks Senior Center, 3439 State St. for the following: • Second, third, and fourth Friday: Community food pantry @ 1 p.m.

• Third Wednesday: Community food pantry from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• Aug. 6: National Night Out (east parking lot) from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

• Aug. 12: Lunch & Learn program on ENOA’s programs and services @ 12:30 p.m.

• Aug. 20: Birthday party featuring music by Pamela Sue sponsored by the Merrymakers @ 3 p.m.

Other programs you can enjoy this month include: • Aug. 13: Exercise Your Brain @ 1:30 p.m.

• Aug. 21: Monthly health clinic from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

• Aug. 21: Fair housing counselor from 10 a.m. to noon.

• Aug. 21: Medicare/ Medicaid assistance from 10 a.m. to noon.

• Aug. 27: Successful Aging @ 1:30 p.m.

Notre Dame Housing/ Seven Oaks Senior Center is open weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Lunch is served at noon. A $4 contribution is suggested for the meal. Reservations are due by 11 a.m. the business day prior to the lunch you wish to enjoy.

For meals reservations and more information, please call Brenda at 402451-4477, ext. 126.

Omaha Computer Users Group You’re invited to join the Omaha Computer Users Group, an organization dedicated to helping men and women age 50 and older learn about their computers regardless of their skill level.

OCUG meets the third Saturday of each month from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Swanson Branch Library, 9101 W. Dodge Rd. Participants will learn how to solve their computer problems.

For more information, call Phill at 402-333-6529.

RSVP RSVP is recruiting men and women age 55 and older for a variety of volunteer opportunities. For more information in Douglas, Sarpy, and Cass counties, please call 402-444-6536, ext. 1024. In Dodge and Washington counties, please call 402-721-7780.

• The VA Medical Center needs volunteers.

• Partnership 4 Kids is looking for volunteers to mentor Pre-K through high school students.

• Food Bank for the Heartland needs volunteers to help with the SNAP program.

• The Fremont Low-Income Ministry wants volunteers for its food pantry.

• The Blair and Fremont Car-Go Program needs volunteers to drive older adults to their appointments once or twice a week.

• Care Corps Family Services is looking for volunteers Thursdays from 1:30 to 5 p.m.

• Fremont’s Habitat for Humanity wants volunteers for a variety of duties.

• Fremont Health needs volunteers.

• Nye Legacy Health & Rehabilitation is looking for volunteers to help with its bingo games Tuesdays.

• Premier Estates of Fremont wants volunteers to assist its activity director.

Omaha Community Centers Men and women age 75 and older are encouraged to use the City of Omaha’s community centers at no cost for open gym, weight areas, open and lap swimming, aquacise, and ice skating.

Tai Chi classes are offered at the following locations and times: • Adams Park 3230 John Creighton Blvd.

Mondays & Wednesdays 9:15 a.m.

• Camelot 9270 Cady Ave Tuesdays & Fridays 10:30 a.m.

• Florence 2920 Bondesson Ave. Mondays & Wednesdays 10:30 a.m.

• Montclair 2304 S. 135th Ave. Thursdays 8:30 a.m.

For more information, please call 402-444-4228.

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Items collected for, donated to LifeHouse as part of ENOA’s 45th anniversary celebration

Some of the nearly 2,600 items collected by ENOA staffers, members of the agency’s Advisory Council, and Fremont Friendship Center participants.

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n 1974, Douglas, Sarpy, Cass, Dodge, and Washington counties came together to create the Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging. Flash forward to 2019, and ENOA continues to provide a variety of programs and services designed to keep older adults living in their own homes with dignity and independence for as long as possible.

“ENOA’s programs have grown considerably during the past 45 years and one of the most important reasons for the success and growth has been the amazing number of long-term employees that have kept the focus on that mission and provided steady leadership agency-wide,” said Dennis Loose, ENOA’s executive director.

Headquarters for the Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging and its staff is 4780 S. 131st St.

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ast month, ENOA celebrated its 45th anniversary. As part of that celebration, agency employees held a competition to collect toiletries to make “Life Bags” for men and women served

by LifeHouse in Fremont.

LifeHouse is an agency that works with families in Dodge County through its pantry, thrift store, and rentutilities assistance program.

Also joining in on the donation to LifeHouse were members of ENOA’s Advisory Council and Fremont Friendship Center participants.

Through this competition, ENOA employees collected nearly 2,600 toiletry items including shampoo, bar soap, wipes, toothpaste, toothbrushes, lip balm, razors, and deodorant to put into the Life Bags.

“While ENOA employees are dedicated to serving older adults in our fivecounty service area, they also understand there are others needing different types of assistance,” Loose said. “Each year we choose an organization in one of the five counties who could benefit from a donation of items they usually don’t receive but that are critical to those who need them.

“I’m very proud of ENOA’s staff members for all their dedicated service during the last 45 years.

They are the best of the best and this effort to help other agencies and people in need is just one reason why they’re a special bunch,” Loose continued.

“We look forward to serving older adults in our five-county service area for many years to come.”

August 2019

New Horizons New Horizons is the official publication of the Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging. The paper is distributed free to people over age 60 in Douglas, Sarpy, Dodge, Washington, and Cass counties. Those living outside the 5-county region may subscribe for $5 annually.

Address all correspondence to: Jeff Reinhardt, Editor, 4780 S. 131st Street, Omaha, NE 68137-1822.

Phone 402-444-6654. FAX 402-444-3076.

E-mail: jeff.reinhardt@nebraska.gov Advertisements appearing in New Horizons do not imply endorsement of the advertiser by the Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging. However, complaints about advertisers will be reviewed and, if warranted, their advertising discontinued. Display and insert advertising rates available on request. Open rates are commissionable, with discounts for extended runs. Circulation is 20,000 through direct mail and freehand distribution.

Editor....................................................Jeff Reinhardt Ad Mgr................Mitch Laudenback, 402-444-4148 Contributing Writers......Nick Schinker & Leo Biga ENOA Board of Governors: Mary Ann Borgeson, Douglas County, chairperson; Lisa Kramer, Washington County, vice-chairperson; Janet McCartney, Cass County, secretary; David Saalfeld, Dodge County, & Jim Warren, Sarpy County.

The New Horizons and the Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging provide services without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, marital status, disability, or age.

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Corrigan Senior Center

Good sleep leads to a healthier life

You’re invited to visit the Corrigan Senior Center, 3819 X St., this month for: • Aug. 1: Volunteer Appreciation Day @ 10 a.m.

• Aug. 8: The Merrymakers present music by Kim Eames @ 11 a.m.

• Aug. 15: Farewell to Summer party featuring the Dancing Grannies @ 11 a.m.

• Aug. 27: Beach travel video @ 10 a.m.

Other activities include jewelry craft and social hour Wednesday @ 10:30 a.m., bingo Monday and Thursday @ 1 p.m., ceramics class Wednesday @ 1 p.m., and Happy Hands crochet group Tuesday @ 10 a.m.

The Corrigan Senior Center is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Lunch is served at noon. A $4 contribution is normally suggested for the meal. Reservations are normally due by noon the business day prior to the meal you wish to enjoy.

For meal reservations or more information, please call 402-731-7210.

Millard Senior Center You’re invited to visit the Millard Senior Center at Montclair, 2304 S. 135th Ave., this month for the following: • Aug. 2: Treat Day. Bring treats to share.

• Aug. 5: No hot or deli lunch served today. A box lunch will be served instead.

• Aug. 13: Presentation on Preplanning Before Going Into the Hospital @ 10:45 a.m.

• Aug. 14: Board meeting @ 9:45 a.m.

• Aug. 16: Step Out for Seniors Walk-a-Thon @ Benson Park @ 8:30 a.m. See page 7 for more information.

• Aug. 20: Movie outing. Time and movie we’ll attend will be announced later.

• Aug. 21: P.A.W.S. meeting @ 10 a.m. Please consider volunteering to read to students from Montclair Elementary School.

• Aug. 27: Blood pressure checks @ 9:30 a.m.

The center is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Lunch is served @ 11:30 a.m. A $4 donation is suggested for the meal. Reservations are due by noon the business day prior to the meal the participant wishes to enjoy.

Other center activities include walking, card games, dominoes, quilting, needlework, chair volleyball, and bingo.

For reservations or more information, please call 402546-1270.

By Michele Ostrove Danger lurks while we sleep. But, there’s no reason to lose sleep over it. Since a good night’s sleep is linked to a healthier life, and we spend about one third of our lives sleeping, it’s important to kick worry out of the bedroom. Here are five simple ways to give you the peace of mind to sleep soundly and safely: • Close your bedroom door: Whether from candles, clothes dryers, faulty wiring, or countless other causes, many fires start at night while people are sleeping. Closing your bedroom door each night is a simple, yet little-known measure that can save your life. Many more people die of smoke inhalation than from flames, and a closed bedroom door can keep smoke at bay and buy you precious time to get yourself and your family outside via the safest route.

• Download a weatheralert app: How can you know if there’s a tornado or a hurricane warning in the middle of the night? Download a Red Cross or other weather-alert app that issues automatic tornado, hurricane, and flood warnings, which often come with only a few minutes to take action. The Red Cross mobile

WHITMORE LAW OFFICE Wills • Trusts • Probate

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Have a question about estate planning? Give us a call!

AARP Legal Service Network • No Charge For Initial Consultation

7602 Pacific Street, Ste 200 • (402) 391-2400 http://whitmorelaw.com

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app, for example, will detect your exact location via GPS and will sound an alert. It's always a good idea to know the county you’re in when you’re traveling, since many alerts use county, rather than town names.

• Be sure your mattress is made with certified foam: Indoor air quality is an important consideration to a growing number of consumers who want to be certain the foam used in their mattress and upholstered furniture is free from restricted and potentially harmful chemicals. Be sure to buy foam that has been certified through the not-for-profit CertiPUR-US® foam certification program. Certified foams meet rigorous standards for content, emissions, and durability, and are analyzed by independent, accredited laboratories. Find a list of companies offering certified polyurethane foams at certipur.us.

• Don’t ignore snoring or other signs of sleep apnea: Sleep apnea is a serious and possibly fatal disorder that afflicts an estimated 12 million Americans. Yet some 80 percent of sufferers go undiagnosed, according to the American Sleep Apnea Association (ASAA). People with sleep apnea briefly stop breathing during the night, sometimes dozens of times. The sleeper is generally unaware of these breath cessations because they don’t trigger a full awakening. Left untreated, sleep apnea can have serious and lifeshortening consequences: high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, automobile accidents caused by falling asleep at the wheel, diabetes, depression, and other ailments. The ASAA offers simple tests to help you determine if you may have this common disorder.

• Protect yourself when you’re sleeping away from home: When sleeping in unfamiliar surroundings, we can face a variety of situations that are out of our control, from crime to fire to natural disasters.

There are a few basic things we can pack and do while traveling to provide the extra measure of safety we need to sleep soundly. Be sure to double-lock your room door and familiarize yourself with the location of stairs and escape routes which are posted on the back of the door. Always pack a working flashlight and keep it near your bed. It can help you navigate during a power outage or get to outside safety more easily in an emergency. Just knowing you’re protected can help you sleep more soundly and make the most of your trip.

(Michele Ostrove is a writer based in Santa Fe.)

UNMC study examining if implanting device can reduce stroke risk in people with atrial fibrillation

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he University of Nebraska Medical Center is involved in a clinical research study that will test whether a device approved by the Food and Drug Administration to reduce the chance of stroke in people with atrial fibrillation, can be safely implanted in people without using blood thinners.

UNMC is enrolling patients in the ASAP TOO trial to test the WATCHMAN™ Left Atrial Appendage Closure Device for a common heart problem – atrial fibrillation – a leading cause of stroke. The condition affects approximately 20% of men and 8% of women at some point in their lifetimes.

UNMC is the only institution in the region participating in the research. Globally, 880 patients will be enrolled at 130 sites in 20 countries. Researchers will follow patients for up to five years.

Atrial fibrillation happens when the heart’s electrical system gets “short circuited,” reducing the expulsion of blood from a pocket in the heart called the left atrial appendage. Stagnant blood in the left atrial appendage can result in clots.

The WATCHMAN™ normally requires patients to take 45 days of blood thinners following implantation during which time the lining of the heart grows over the device to prevent clots.

People who cannot tolerate blood thinners for 45 days have previously been unable to receive the device which has been available since 2015.

The ASAP TOO trial is designed to test whether the WATCHMAN can be used without blood thinners. “Stroke rates in patients with atrial fibrillation are extremely high,” said HorizonAD-2010:HorizonAD-08

Andrew Goldsweig, M.D., assistant professor of interventional cardiology, who is principal investigator of the research study at UNMC. “Blood thinners such as warfarin prevent clots. But if you can’t take blood thinners because of various health reasons and have atrial fibrillation, your default therapy has been nothing.”

Dr. Goldsweig, an interventional cardiologist for Nebraska Medicine – UNMC’s hospital partner – said in the ASAP TOO trial, patients will take 90 days of aspirin and an aspirin-like medication; no blood thinners at all.

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he research study is randomized and will compare patients who can’t take blood thinners who get the device to patients who can’t take blood thinners and get no device to determine if a device without 45 days of blood thinners is better than no device.

The device is a filter that’s implanted at the opening of the left atrial appendage via a catheter from the leg in a minimally-invasive procedure under ultrasound and X-ray guidance. A one-night hospital stay is typical with no other significant recovery time.

Dr. Goldsweig said clinical trials have immediate and long-term importance. They offer new therapies to those who otherwise wouldn’t have access to them. If you have a condition that’s not ideally treated by a standard therapy, somebody is actively developing a better therapy for your condition. After rigorous testing in non-human models, the new therapy becomes available when approved for trials by the Food and Drug Administration.

“Participating in clinical trials is an altruistic act because it not only affects your health, but also, it potentially improves the health of hundreds of millions of other people,” he added.

(UNMC provided this information.)

Get tickets through mail, at door

Theatre organ show scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 18 at the Rose Theater

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he River City Theatre Organ Society of Omaha’s annual concert is scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 18 at the Rose Theater, 2001 Farnam St. The 3 p.m. performance will feature worldrenowned theater organist Brett Valliant and the Sing Sing Swing Big Band.

Tickets are $20 at the door the day of the concert or $15 by mail through Aug. 8.

To order tickets by mail, send your check – made out to the RCTOS – to Jerry Pawlak, 8825 Executive Woods Drive, #85, Lincoln, Neb. 68512.

For more information, please call 402-421-1356 or go online to rctos.com.

2/4/10

8:00 AM

Dora Bingel Senior Center You’re invited to visit the Dora Bingel Senior Center, 923 N. 38th St., this month for the following: • Aug. 2, 6, 7, 9, 13, 14, 16, 20, 21, 23, 27, 28, & 30: Ceramics @ 9 a.m.

• Aug. 5, 12, 19, & 26: Al-Anon meeting @ 7 p.m.

• Aug. 7: Holy Communion served @ 10 a.m.

• Aug. 7, 14, 21, & 28: Tai Chi @ 11 a.m.

• Aug. 8: Book Club @ 10 a.m.

• Aug. 14: Merrymakers presents music by Kim Eames @11:30 a.m. Lunch is $3.

• Aug. 28: Birthday party luncheon @ noon. Eat free if you have an August birthday.

Lunch is served on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. A $1 donation is suggested for the meals, other than $3 for Merrymakers.

Round-trip transportation is available for $3.

Reservations are required 24 hours in advance for all meals.

Other activities offered at the facility include: Tuesday: Joy Club devotions @ 10 a.m., matinee @ 12:30 p.m. Wednesday: Devotions at 10:30 a.m., bingo @ 12:30 p.m., and Bible study @ 12:30 p.m. Friday: Bingo @ 12:30 p.m.

For more information, please call 402-898-5854.

Ralston Senior Center You’re invited to visit the Ralston Senior Center, 7301 Q St., this month for the following: • Aug. 8 & 22: Line dancing @ 10 a.m. Bingo @ 1 p.m.

• Aug. 13: Bus trip to WinnaVegas Casino in Sloan, Iowa. The bus leaves @ 7:30 a.m. and returns around 4 p.m. The cost is $5. Call Dorothy @ 402-553-4874 for reservations.

• Aug. 14: Board meeting @ 10 a.m.

• Aug. 14: The Merrymakers present music by Joyce Torchia @ noon.

Other activities include exercise on Tuesday and Friday @ 10 a.m.

Lunch is catered in on Wednesdays. A $4.50 contribution is requested. Reservations are due by noon the Tuesday before the meal you wish to enjoy. Call Diane @ 402-8858895 for reservations.

The handicapped-accessible facility can be used for weddings, memorial services, reunions, etc. on weekends.

The center will be closed on any day the Ralston Public Schools are closed due to the weather.

For more information, please call Diane West @ 402339-4926.

Florence Home Healthcare Center Is a Four-Star Facility!

We offer quality post-acute and long-term clinical services by people who truly care in an environment that promotes healing and wellness.

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OUR SERVICES INCLUDE: • Skilled nursing • Cardio-pulmonary rehab • Respite care • Long-term care

Attorneys at Law William E. Seidler Jr.

www.seidler-seidler-law.com 10050 Regency Circle, Suite 525 Omaha, NE 68114-5705

Inspiring the individuals we serve to live life to the fullest.

Call 402-827-6000 for a personal tour OMAHASENIORCARE.ORG

402-397-3801

Delivering quality legal services since 1957.

August 2019

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It’s never too late to start living

Fremont Friendship Center You’re invited to visit the Fremont Friendship Center, 1730 W. 16th St. (Christensen Field), for the following: • Aug. 6: Alzheimer’s Association presentation @ 10 a.m.

• Aug. 7: Music by pianist Wally @ 10:30 a.m.

• Aug. 8: Presentation on advanced directives.

• Aug. 14: Music by Bill Chrastil @ 10:30 a.m.

• Aug. 15: Presentation on breathing techniques @ 10 a.m.

• Aug. 21: Music by Billy Troy @ 10:30 a.m.

• Aug. 22: Presentation on new closed captioning products @ 10 a.m.

• Aug. 28: Music by Wayne Miller @ 10:30 a.m.

• Aug. 29: Presentation on living with sensory impairments @ 10 a.m.

The facility will be closed on Aug. 16 so participants can attend the Step Out for Seniors Walk-a-Thon. See page 7.

The Fremont Friendship Center is open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Lunch is served at 11:30 a.m. A $4 contribution is suggested for lunch.

Reservations must be made by noon the business day prior to the meal you wish to enjoy.

For meal reservations and more information, please call Laurie at 402-727-2815.

Fontenelle Tours

Omaha/Council Bluffs

712-366-9596

Quoted prices are per person, double occupancy. For more information about our tours, please call Ward or Kathy Kinney at Fontenelle Tours at the number listed above.

Motorcoach Branson Christmas. November 4 – 7. $739 ($779 after 8/4/19). Enjoy The Duttons, Daniel O’Donnell, The Beach Boys California Dreamin’, Neal McCoy, the SIX Christmas Show, and your choice of either “Miracle of Christmas” at the Sight & Sound Theater or Christmas Wonderland.

Laughlin (There are currently no Laughlin trips available out of Omaha. Check with us for updates on these very reasonably priced charter flights to Laughlin, Nevada.

They typically sell out fast.)

Holy Land Pilgrimage Holy Land Pilgrimage. January 20 – 31, 2020. $2,995 plus airfare. 12 days – 11 nights. Join Fr. Glen Wilwerding to walk in the footsteps of Jesus at many of the most important and well-known biblical locations in the Holy Land, including daily Mass. Discover the sites with an expert local guide, enjoy sightseeing including a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee, Holy Hour in the Garden of Gethsemane, visit the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, travel to Cana, Nazareth, Jerusalem, and more.

Contact 952-388-2736 at Magi Travel to register.

In Partnership with Collette Vacations We started working with Collette in 2009 when we were looking for a way to offer international trips to our travelers. We wanted to find a company that shared our core values of providing quality tours, well hosted at a reasonable price. We were not looking for a low-cost alternative. Our first personal experience was when we took about 24 people on the "Shades of Ireland" tour. It was an incredibly positive experience!

Since then we have helped others to experience Collette Tours on: Historic Trains of California; New York City; Canada’s Atlantic Coast with Nova Scotia; Pilgrimage to Fatima & Lourdes; Austrian Delight - Oberammergau (coming up again in 2020); Pasadena Rose Parade; Islands of New England; Canadian Rockies & Glacier National Park; Islands of New England; Reflections of Italy; Canadian Rockies by Train; Tropical Costa Rica; Alaska Discovery Land & Cruise and others. Please call if you have one of Collette’s many destinations on your bucket list. We can help make it happen!

Watch New Horizons and our website www.fontenelletours.com for our trip schedule.

2708 Franklin Ave, Council Bluffs, IA 51501

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W

hen I was in my 20s, I assumed once a person reached 50, their life was set. Life’s achievements were complete, and it would be a downhill slide after that. Then I met Clo who wasn’t finished living even though she was well past age 50. Clo learned to ride a bike and swim in her 50s.

She taught me a profound lesson that stagnation at any age isn’t inevitable; it’s a choice.

A useful metaphor for stagnation is that of “being asleep.” We don’t know we’re stagnating when we’re asleep and only realize our state when we “wake up.” Wake up calls raise our consciousness about what is or isn’t happening in our lives. It’s only when we’re awake that we can make choices about our future direction.

For example, a health crisis often functions as a wake-up call. My brother experienced a heart issue, a surprise to all of us since heart disease isn’t common in our family history. His response was to wake up to his diet, choosing to eliminate foods that weren’t good for him. He changed his lifestyle and, without prescriptions, has returned to a healthy, active life at age 80.

Another wake-up call comes through changes in relationships. As humans who become preoccupied with the demands of everyday living, we can easily take for granted those family members and friends who surround us. Unfortunately, the wake-up call often comes when they’re no longer with us.

Perhaps it occurs when our grown children move far away with the grandchil-

dren. Did we really enjoy their presence when we could?

Or it may be a death that wakes us up. Did we call the sibling enough when we could still talk? Did we say “I love you” to the spouse when she or he could hear us? Did we cherish the presence of our loved ones and let them know?

To be awake to our relationships means we connect as often as we can at a meaningful level. The goal is to have few regrets because we connected when we had the opportunity.

Conscious Aging

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By Nancy Hemesath

life-changing wake-up call comes when we realize material things aren’t what make us happy.

Neither is it the status or praise from others that give our own lives lasting value. Rather our value and joy come from somewhere deep inside us.

For many this wake-up call comes when the children are grown, the career is complete, and we have time to reflect on what our lives have meant. We see all our accumulations haven’t provided deep meaning and happiness. We then embark on a spiritual journey which brings us face to face with our true selves.

Have we grown into loving human beings at peace with ourselves? Do we look for ways to share that peace with others? Are we unafraid of death because we’ve fully lived our lives the best we could?

The truth is that none of us are fully awake all of the time. Life offers us opportunities to wake up through circumstances we encounter. Whether or not we respond is dependent on our attitude toward change and growth. If we want to be fully conscious, wide-awake people who are constantly learning and growing, there’s no limit to our personal growth. Our joys, sufferings, and challenges continue to stretch us every day of our lives.

Oh, did I mention that Clo lost her eyesight and continued to write poetry until her death?

(Hemesath is the owner of Omaha’s Encore Coaching which is dedicated to supporting people in the “third chapter of life. Follow her blog at lifencorecoaching.com. She also provides personal coaching and book studies for those in the retirement transition. Nancy can be reached at nhemesath@cox.net.)

Elder Justice Training set for Aug. 20

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he Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services’ State Unit on Aging, AARP Nebraska, the University of Nebraska-Omaha’s Department of Gerontology, the Creighton University School of Law, the Nebraska Bankers Association, and Legal Aid of Nebraska are co-sponsoring the 2019 Elder Justice Training on Tuesday, Aug. 20.

This 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. session is open to professionals including long-term care facility administrators, attorneys, bankers, law enforcement officials, and medical professionals.

The program will be streamed live from Lincoln by the Nebraska Educational Television network and is available for

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viewers at the Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging, 4780 S. 131st St. The training will encompass a variety of topics including advance directives, a high-profile financial exploitation case review, legal services available to older Nebraskans, pharmacy-related issues, and how to deal with frauds and scams.

The closing remarks will be given by Kathy Greenlee, president & CEO of Greenlee Global, LLC. Ms. Greenlee is the former Assistant Secretary of Aging in the Administration for Community Living within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

The training is free, but registration is required. Visit dhhs.ne.gov/agingtraining to register and for more information.

ENOA recruiting vols for Ombudsman Program The Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging is looking for men and women age 21 and older to join its Long-term Care Ombudsman Program which is co-sponsored by the Nebraska State Ombudsman Program.

ENOA’s Long-term Care Ombudsmen volunteer in local long-term care facilities and assisted living communities to protect the residents’ rights, well-being, and quality of life.

Long-term Care Ombudsmen must complete 20 hours of initial classroom training and 12 hours of additional training every two years. During the training, the volunteers learn about the residents’ rights, aging issues, Medicare, Medicaid, communication skills, how to investigate the residents’ complaints, the importance of confidentiality, and about the federal and state rules, regulations, and laws regarding Nebraska’s long-term care facilities and assisted living communities.

Before being assigned to a long-term care facility or an assisted living communi-

ty, new volunteers will make four visits to a site with an experienced Ombudsman Advocate to learn more about what the program entails. After a three-month probationary period, the new volunteers are certified as Ombudsman Advocates.

Certified Ombudsman Advocates will be assigned to a long-term care facil-

ity or an assisted living community where they’ll visit for two hours a week to meet with administrators, residents, and the residents’ family members to address concerns.

For more information about ENOA’s Long-term Care Ombudsman Program, please call Beth Nodes at 402-444-6536.

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he Widowed Persons Group of Omaha hosts a luncheon the third Monday of each month at 11:30 a.m. at Jerico’s Restaurant, 11732 W. Dodge Rd. For more information, please call 402-278-1731 or 402493-0452.

Alzheimer’s Association programs The Alzheimer’s Association is offering a series of free programs this month. For more information, please call 402-739-8636.

Here are the dates, programs, and locations:

Held at Benson Park

August 6 Know the Ten Warning Signs Fremont Friendship Center 1730 W. 16th St.

Step Out For Seniors Walk-a-Thon is scheduled for Friday, Aug. 16 The Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging and the City of Omaha are presenting the annual Step Out for Seniors Walk-a-Thon on Friday, Aug. 16 at Benson Park, 7028 Military Ave. The walk will start at 9 a.m. with registration beginning at 8:30 a.m.

Proceeds from the walk will benefit ENOA’s 24 senior centers in its five-county service area.

The cost to walk is $15 for adults and $10 for children, or $10 per person for groups of seven or more.

Registration includes access to the Lifestyle Expo featuring Tai Chi in the grass, massages in the pavilion, a line dancing demonstration, a hot dog lunch, vendors with information on health and wellness, and a raffle of baskets donated by local businesses For more information, please call Christina Ochoa at 402-444-6513.

August 2019

Widowed Persons Group

August 7 Know the Ten Warning Signs LaVista Senior Center 8116 Parkview Blvd.

August 8 Effective Communication Strategies Think WholePerson Healthcare 7100 W. Center Rd. August 13 Know the Ten Warning Signs North Bend Senior Center 240 E. 14th St. August 20 Know the Ten Warning Signs Christ Community Church 404 S. 108th Ave.

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New Horizons

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Page 7

Duncans’ ‘eclectic’ collection reflects their personalities

Robert Duncan

Karen Duncan

By Leo Adam Biga Contributing Writer

W

hen it comes to visual art, there are institutions devoted to its display, and then there are Karen and Robert Duncan. Married 50plus years, the Duncans are serious art collectors whose patronage extends to individual artists, museums, artist residencies, and cultural endowments.

The private contemporary collection cultivated by the couple is notable not only for its size (2,000-plus works), but also its “high quality and stylistic diversity,” said Flatwater Folk Art Museum director George Neubert, who was formerly director of the Sheldon Museum of Art in Lincoln.

“I’ve been able to visit numerous private art col-

lections across the United States and Europe, and many are fantastic. But often they have the same 25 artists. A lot of collections look a lot alike. This (the Duncans’ collection) does not have that look because of their unique selection and the way they go about it.”

“Eclectic” is how the Duncans describe their art trove that ranges across mediums with a strong three-dimensional object emphasis.

Neubert joins other veteran art world professionals familiar with the holdings in saying the collection has “national significance.”

Unlike most collections that feature work by a particular artist or cohort, the Duncans have assembled work by many artists spanning the contemporary art scene both geographically and stylistically.

This stainless steel piece created by Indian artist Subodh Gupta in 1964, is one of the many works of art that adorn the Duncan’s property in Lincoln.

“The only thing they all have is our personal interest,” Robert Duncan said with wife, Karen, nodding approval beside him in the kitchen of their Lincoln home. “They reflect our personality and who we are.”

“Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, right?” Karen asked rhetorically.

Where some collectors retain a consultant to advise selections, the Duncans trust their own instincts. They can’t conceive of someone choosing for them.

“That’s no fun,” Karen said.

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Page 8

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New Horizons

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August 2019

The Duncans also can’t relate to art as a commodity.

“We never buy art for investment. Lots of people do, but we don’t,” she said.

“We buy art for our own pleasure. Some of our art has increased in value. But we never bought it for an investment. We see something and we have to have it – because we love it.”

Similarly, they don’t purchase a work just to fill a niche.

“We never buy art with a place in mind,” Robert said.

“We buy the piece because we love it and we find a place for it or we don’t.”

The Duncans generally purchase art from galleries, sometimes directly from artists, and other times at an auction. The pair travel far and wide visiting museums, galleries, auction houses, and artist studios. On their journeys, which have taken them as far as India and China and to the art capitals of the U.S. and Europe, they operate as a team.

“Collecting art is always a joint effort,” Robert said. “We agree on the pieces we’re going to buy 99.9 percent of the time.

We won’t buy anything of consequence unless we both agree.”

“If we don’t agree on it,” Karen said, “then we’ll go look at something else.”

“Our tastes have developed together. Forty years is a long time,” Robert said of their collecting experience.

By now, they share the same discriminating eye for what they feel has merit.

But they don’t always get it right.

“We’ve made a lot of mistakes, too,” Robert said, “but we get better and better at it. I think both of us have

got a really good eye now to collect good art.”

T

he Duncans’ alignment is uncanny.

“If there’s a roomful of art, he’ll walk around, and I’ll walk around separately, and we find we have the same piece in mind,” Karen said.

While some collectors keep their art out of sight under close wraps, the Duncans enjoy sharing their treasures with others. When word spread of their collection, they began fielding requests from university art departments for tours. Other groups followed suit.

Then, when the couple built an art repository that doubles as their residence, they received overtures from architectural and design schools. Today, the Duncans or their in-house curator, Anne Pagel, accommodate private tours as schedules allow.

The couple frequently loan out works for exhibitions at museums and galleries.

“Things move all the time,” Karen said. “They’re loaned out all over the place. I don’t worry about them, but I do miss them.

You have to have pieces that travel easily. Some pieces are impractical to loan.

They’re just too big or too difficult to ship, so they’re here permanently.”

“Sometimes we’ll go for a show (featuring their work). It’s fun to see people experience it,” Robert said.

“And to talk about when and why you bought it,” Karen added.

To share more of their art, the couple developed the Assemblage gallery in --Please turn to page 9.

Couple’s Lincoln home doubles as a gallery, repository

Robert and Karen Duncan said they buy art for their own pleasure, not to fill a niche or as an investment.

--Continued from page 8. downtown Lincoln. It’s open only by appointment.

To bring art to their hometown of Clarinda, Iowa, the Duncans opened the Clarinda Carnegie Art Museum, whose exhibitions include work by artists they collect.

T

he couple’s art adorns the Lincoln headquarters of Duncan Aviation, the national business jet service and supply company Robert Duncan took over from his father, Donald.

Robert’s son. Todd Duncan, leads the firm today.

The family-owned company has now reached four generations with grandsons following in the fold.

Duncan art pieces also brighten company facilities in Battle Creek, Mich. and Provo, Utah.

The most impressive receptacle for the art, however, is the Duncan’s home on the outskirts of Lincoln.

The classical structure designed by London-based architect Dimitri Porphyrios was built per the Duncans’ express wishes, with permanency in mind through quarried stone and other durable materials. The eightyears-in-the-making home project is a highly livable edifice that also functions as a gallery with museumgrade lighting, temperature controls, and dedicated art spaces.

The house rests on gated property of nearly 40 acres studded with sculptures, including some monumental pieces. The house may one day transition from the Duncans’ residence to a fully-dedicated museum. “We’re still talking about it,” Robert said. “We’ve got several options. We haven’t made that decision yet. We need to get busy and bring it to a conclusion.”

The couple also keep homes in Mexico and Colorado.

A

rt has been a vital part of their lifestyle for decades but especially since Robert retired from Duncan Aviation 12 years ago. Travel and looking at art have dominated their lives since then.

Selecting a work may come down to a gut feeling, but there’s also

research involved.

“I’m the reader of the two of us,” Karen said. “We get these art magazines and I read them all. Robert’s on the phone talking to artists and planning where we’re going next, which is as important as all the reading I do.”

The pair also comb art auction catalogues looking for potential buys.

“We go through them in detail and mark the pieces we’re interested in or that are similar to pieces we have so we can do price comparisons,” Robert said. “Art shows are another great way to educate yourself because you see thousands of different pieces – many by artists you’ve never seen before.”

After doing their due diligence, the Duncans plunge into major art markets such as Art Basel Miami, an immersive, weeks-long exposure to countless works.

Karen said staying abreast of trends, keeps them busy. “India is one of our favorite destinations.” she added. The couple has traveled there four times. “This last trip to India, we spent every day looking at art for three weeks.”

They only took a break at the urging of a fellow traveler worried the Duncans were near exhaustion.

The intrepid couple will be off to Paris Photo at the Grand Palais in November.

They prefer traveling with others when possible.

“We are very good friends with Marc and Kathy LeBaron, who also collect contemporary art. We travel and do all kinds of art things together,” Karen said.

“They’re 10 years younger than we,” Robert said of the LeBarons.

“They will say to this day we were their mentors.”

The Duncans acknowledge not everyone has the means to pursue their passion the way they do.

“We’re fortunate we have the time and the resources to travel,” Robert said.

Art networking leads to unexpected connections.

“We were introduced through a gallery to a sculptural collector in Cleveland,” Robert explained. “En

The Duncans were founders of the Clarinda Carnegie Art Museum in their hometown of Clarinda, Iowa. route there Karen and I went to an art function we support in Chicago, where we met 50 artists. Then we went onto Cleveland to meet this guy who has an incredible collection. He’s going to come out here and see our collection sometime and we’re going back to visit him again.

Then we’re going to Yale University to view its collection and a new storage facility we want to see. It just goes on and on.”

O

f all the couple’s myriad art activities, repurposing the former Carnegie Library in Clarinda, Iowa into a museum is “the most gratifying,” Robert said.

“We were both born and raised in Clarinda. We love it,” Karen said.

“I practically lived in the library.

I rode my bike there almost every day. So, when that building came up for auction, it was ‘my’ building.”

The Duncans purchased it for $33,000 and spent much more renovating the museum that opened in 2014. Thousands of people visit the site every year.

Clarinda holds memories for the couple, including farm pond skinny dips. The former Karen Kent was a music prodigy. She’s a concert-level pianist. Robert applied his entrepreneurial innovation at Duncan Aviation.

“I’m more creative and imaginative than I am a professional manager,” he said. “A lot of the things Duncan has done were ideas for new businesses I created that really developed into major parts of the business. That’s one of the things I’m most proud of.”

His parents were adventurous enough to learn to fly. That led Donald Duncan to purchase surplus government aircraft and resell them.

He became a Beechcraft, then a Learjet distributor. That morphed into having the first Learjet authorized service center. Today, the Lincoln-based Duncan Aviation is a leader in the repair, maintenance, overhaul, refurbishing, and painting of business-class jets.

Robert learned the business from the ground up.

“I pumped gas. I flew charters, I sold airplanes,” he said.

August 2019

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Karen’s family, meanwhile, were not risk-takers. She doesn’t recall much adventure growing up.

“My parents worked all the time.

We didn’t go anywhere. I wanted to go, I wanted to spread my wings.

So, I married this guy, and we did, didn’t we,” she said, nudging Robert.

“The thing I’m most grateful for is that we both have a sense of curiosity and…

“Fearlessness,” Karen said, finishing her husband’s sentence.

It shows up in the wanderlust that’s seen them make cross-country treks by air and motorcycle to follow their art quests to exotic locales.

He’s a licensed small jet pilot and a Harley rider.

“One of our first travels was to Spain,” Karen recalled. “It was there we went into the first gallery we’d ever been in together. We met the artist. He had a book with his art. We bought his book and a piece of his Spanish Impressionist art. I still kind of like it. I wouldn’t buy it today, but it’s not a bad painting.

Robert hand-carried it home. That was our first piece and after that we hit the galleries and museums hard.”

On one of the couple’s visits to Mexico, Karen adopted a stray puppy she named Chica. The dog’s become such a fixture in their lives that Karen recently published a children’s book called Chica. Duncan wrote it and Omaha artist Joe Broghammer illustrated the book.

J

ust as Duncan Aviation started small in a single office before growing to 2,000-plus employees at dozens of sites, the art collection began humbly and grew over time. Watching each evolve has been satisfying.

“In business we’ve really been opportunists,” Robert said. “All along we’ve taken advantage of opportunities and we’ve made good decisions. We’ve made some bad ones, too. You don’t hear about those, but they cost money and time. But all in all, we’ve always been steps forward with perhaps one back.

“This is something pretty terrific --Please turn to page 16.

New Horizons

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Page 9

Hearing loss group meeting on Aug. 13 The Omaha Area Hearing Loss Association of America, a support group for hard of hearing adults, will meet next on Tuesday, Aug. 13 at Dundee Presbyterian Church, 5312 Underwood Ave. Participants are asked to enter the church on the Happy Hollow (east) side.

The 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. meetings feature social time and a speaker.

The Omaha Area Hearing Loss Association of America meets the second Tuesday of each month from September through December and March through August.

For more information, please contact Verla Hamilton at 402-558-6449 or verlahamilton@cox.net.

Lifestyle Health Alliance

Volunteers needed to drive vets to VAMC

he Lifestyle Heath Alliance is sponsoring a community event called Healthy for a Lifetime on Saturday, Oct. 19 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the CHI Health Center Omaha, 455 N. 10th St. Participants will have an opportunity to learn how to improve and maintain their health at all stages of life while avoiding or reversing chronic health conditions by using food as medicine.

Guest speakers will include Dr. T. Colin Campbell and Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn, two 85-year-old physicians whose life stories were featured in the documentary film, Forks Over Knives.

For more information, go to healthyforalifetime.org.

The Disabled American Veterans need volunteers to drive veterans one day a week to and from the VA Medical Center, 4101 Woolworth Ave. in Omaha.

T

While the volunteer drivers don’t need to be veterans, they do need a valid driver’s license, and be able to pass a drug screening and a Department of Transportation physical given at the VA Medical Center.

Drivers will be given a lunch voucher on the day they volunteer for the DAV. For more information, please contact Command Sergeant Major (retired) Lance Fouquet at 402-5051482 or sgmman1447@ gmail.com.

Increase your planting options when garden space is limited

By Melinda Myers

R

aised beds and containers expand our planting options. They allow us to grow edible and ornamental plants even where there’s no plantable space to garden. Use them to make planting, tending, and harvesting convenient by bringing the garden to your back door. Fill them with pollinator-friendly plants to enjoy the colorful hummingbirds and butterflies that visit and flit past the window, deck, and balcony.

The need for frequent watering may have discouraged you from growing in raised beds and containers. The limited soil mass and increased exposure to wind, heat, and sunlight make fast-draining potting mixes dry out more quickly than in-ground gardens.

Self-watering raised gardens are now available, making these gardens a realistic option; even for the busiest gardener. Consider one with a large built-in water reservoir, like Gardener’s Corrugated Metal Self-Watering Raised Bed, that extends time between watering.

Create mixed plantings of edibles and flowers for beautiful combinations in raised beds. Include some edible flowers like nasturtiums, pansies, and calendulas that you, the hummingbirds, and butterflies will enjoy.

Lettuce, parsley, kale, Swiss chard, and red cabbage combine nicely with most flowers, and chives provide an edible vertical accent.

Select compact vegetable varieties like Patio Choice yellow cherry tomato, Patio Pride peas, Mascotte bush beans, and Astia zucchini suited to the container and raised bed culture. If concerned about maintaining the integrity of the patio or deck surface, consider a Patio Raised Bed with Base (gardeners.com) that protects the underlying surface.

Elevated gardens raise your plantings to a comfortable height. No bending or kneeling are needed to plant, weed, and harvest. These are basically containers on legs. Many have wheels so you can move them out of the way or into the sunlight as needed.

Look for those with built-in trellises and supports when growing vines like cucumbers, pole beans, and Malabar spinach; and tall plants like tomatoes, dinner plate dahlias, and cosmos. Like containers, they dry out more quickly than in-ground gardens and need frequent irrigation.

Look for easy care, self-watering containers like the Self-Watering Standing Garden with large reservoirs to maximize the time between watering. Look for those with fill tubes and water-level indicators to help you determine when to water. These features help keep your garden looking and producing its best.

You’ll have plenty of fresh greens for salads, herbs for seasoning, drinks, meals, and flowers to dress up your table.

Don’t fret if you already have a raised bed or elevated garden that lacks these easy-care features. Do It Yourself irrigation kits are available and easy to design for these types of gardens. Select systems that allow you to customize and fit the irrigation layout to your gardening needs.

Further reduce maintenance by incorporating a slow release fertilizer at planting. These types of fertilizers release small amounts of nutrients over a longer period of time. No weekly mixing and applications needed. Just give them a mid-season boost if needed according to the fertilizer label.

Reducing ongoing maintenance of raised beds and container gardens makes it practical to expand your gardening space. Just be sure to fill them with a quality potting mix and plants suited to the growing conditions, and in no time, you’ll be enjoying the flavor and beauty these gardens provide.

(Myers has written more than 20 gardening books.)

AARP program on Aug. 13 University of Nebraska at Omaha gerontology professor Dr. Lyn Holley will be the featured speaker at a free AARP-sponsored program on Tuesday, Aug. 13 at AARP’s Information Center, 1941 S. 42nd St. (Center Mall) Suite 230.

Page 10

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August 2019

Coping with Advancing Age will be the topic of Dr. Holley’s 1:30 p.m. presentation.

To register or for more information, please call 402398-9568.

You don’t have to be an AARP member to attend.

Octogenarian singers are entertaining audiences at nursing, rehab facilities

D

an Sullivan, Mike Healey, and Terry Finney, each wearing a black top hat on their head and an orange, green, and white Irish sash around their waist, moved into position in front of the room at Via Christe, 3636 California St. The audience – consisting of facility residents, their family members, and Via Christe staff – settled into their places for an afternoon of musical entertainment.

During a 40-minute show, the trio, known as Three Young Irishmen, regaled a welcoming crowd with a selection of songs including Oh What a Beautiful Morning, When Irish Eyes Are Smiling, I’m a Yankee Doodle Dandy, and America the Beautiful.

At times, the men and women in attendance sang along word for word with the tenors.

“What’s your name?”

Healey asked a resident seated nearby.

“Mary,” replied the lady.

Seconds later, the Three Young Irishmen broke out into the song Mary.

“I haven’t heard that in years,” the woman responded. “Thank you.”

Midway through the show, Healey sang It’s a Long Time, a song he wrote in 1958 for Judy, a girl he was dating at the time and later married.

he origins of Three Young Irishmen came more than a year ago when Sullivan and his neighbor, Finney, discussed using musical entertainment as a way to improve the quality of life for older adults living in local skilled nursing facilities and rehabilitation centers.

Finney asked Healey – a

T

Alzheimer’s support groups The Alzheimer’s Association Nebraska Chapter offers several caregiver support groups and specialty support groups in Cass, Douglas, Washington, Dodge, and Sarpy counties. These support groups offer valuable space and educational opportunities for families impacted by Alzheimer’s disease or a related form of dementia to engage and learn. For more information about any of the groups listed below, please call 800-272-3900.

DODGE COUNTY • FREMONT Second Tuesday @ 5:30 p.m.

The Heritage at Shalimar Gardens 749 E. 29th St. DOUGLAS COUNTY

The Three Young Irishmen are (left to right): Mike Healey, age 81, Dan Sullivan, age 82, and Terry Finney, age 82. friend of his since childhood – to round out the musical trio, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Following eight weeks of rehearsals at Sullivan’s home, Three Young Irishmen made their debut in late 2018.

Sullivan, 82, is still active as a chemistry professor. He’s taken his lively CAPOW (Chemistry and Physics on Wheels) show on the road doing scientific experiments for 50 years.

“I’ve done demonstrations for more than a million kids in the United States and Canada,” he said.

Dan and Sarah Voss have been married for 25 years.

He has two children, three grandchildren, seven great grandkids, and “a slug of stepchildren.”

Healey, an 81-year-old widower (he and Judy were married for 57 years), spent more than four decades as a social services administrator for Douglas County and the state of Nebraska. He has two children and three

The Three Young Irishmen entertained an audience recently at Via Christe, 3636 California St.

grandkids.

Finney, age 82, was a Catholic priest for 15 years.

He also had a career counseling family members of persons with chemical dependency issues. He and his wife, Connie, have been married for eight years.

Each of the Three Young Irishmen has his own level of musical experience. Healey has been singing all of his life. Sullivan performed in high school and church choirs, while Finney took up singing in his 70s.

The three share a sincere love for singing to and visiting with audience members.

“We get as much back as we give,” Healey said. “We could bomb and still feel loved.”

“It’s always fun to hear the people telling their stories,” Sullivan added.

“The best part is seeing how our show lifts their spirits,” Finney said.

First Thursday @ 6:45 p.m.

King of Kings Lutheran Church CORE Conference Room 11615 I St. Call Karen @ 402-584-9088 to arrange for adult day services.

Third Tuesday @ 6 p.m.

Temple Israel 13111 Sterling Ridge Dr.

• OMAHA Second Thursday @ 10 a.m.

Second Thursday @ 5:30 p.m.

Country House Residences 5030 S. 155th St. Call Christina @ 402-980-4995 for free adult day services.

Every other Monday @ 7 p.m.

Brighton Gardens 9220 Western Ave. First & third Monday @ 1:30 p.m.

New Cassel’s Franciscan Centre 900 N. 90th St. Call Melanie @ 402-393-2113 for free adult day services.

Third Tuesday @ 5 p.m.

Immanuel Fontenelle First floor classroom 6809 N 68th Plz. Second Tuesday @ 6:45 p.m.

For caregivers of individuals with an intellectual disabilty/dementia.

Barbara Weitz Center 6001 Dodge St. (UNO campus)

SARPY COUNTY • BELLEVUE Third Monday @ 7 p.m.

Bellevue Senior Center 109 W. 22nd Ave. First Wednesday @ 1 p.m.

Eastern Nebraska Vets Home (Vets and non-vets welcome) 12505 S. 40th St. • PAPILLION Fourth Thursday @ 6 p.m.

Hillcrest Grand Lodge 6021 Grand Lodge Ave. WASHINGTON COUNTY • BLAIR Third Wednesday @ 6 p.m.

Memorial Community Hospital Howard Conference Room 810 N. 22nd St.

The New Horizons is brought to you each month by the Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging.

N

ear the conclusion of the program on a humid summer day, Healey recited a poem he wrote for his wife on their 50th wedding anniversary.

The Three Young Irishmen then doffed their top hats as their new friends in the room applauded.

Before leaving Via Christe, Sullivan, Healey, and Finney visited with several of the residents. It was hard to tell who enjoyed the afternoon more, the Three Young Irishmen or the men and women they entertained.

For more information on booking the Three Young Irishmen for a free performance, please call Finney at 402-551-0859.

August 2019

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New Horizons

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Page 11

Broghammer’s work on display A selection of illustrations

by Joseph Broghammer created for Karen Duncan’s book Chica (see page 9), will be on display through Aug. 24 at El Museo Latino, 4701 S. 25th St. in Omaha.

Display hours are 10 a.m.

to 5 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday; Tuesday and Thursday from 1 to 5 p.m.; and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday.

For more information, please call 402-731-1137 or log on to elmuseolatino.org.

Camelot Friendship Center You’re invited to visit the Camelot Friendship Center inside the Camelot Community Center, 9270 Cady Ave., this month for the following: • Aug. 1: VNA presentation My Shoes Don’t Fit Today @ 11:45 a.m.

• Aug. 7: Birthday bash.

• Aug. 8: Book Club @ 10:15 a.m.

• Aug. 9: Senior Council meeting @ 12:15 p.m.

• Aug. 13: Music by Kim Eames sponsored by the Merrymakers @ 11:45 a.m.

• Aug. 14: Food tasting presentation by Michaela from ENOA @ 11:45 a.m.

• Aug. 15: Jackpot bingo @ 12:15 p.m.

• Aug. 20: Presentation on vision @ 11:45 a.m.

• Aug. 21: Presentation on protecting yourself against fraud @ 11:45 a.m.

The center will be closed Aug. 16 so the participants can attend the Step Out for Seniors Walk-a-Thon (see page 7).

The center is open weekdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Lunch is served at 11:30 a.m. A $4 contribution is suggested for the meal. Reservations are due by noon the business day prior to the meal you wish to enjoy.

Regular center activities include Tai Chi, bingo, art classes, and card games.

For meals reservations or more information, please call 402-444-3091.

Free yoga classes from VNA, church The Visiting Nurse Association’s Healing Motion Physical Therapy clinic and the Second Unitarian Church are partnering to offer free Tai Chi for Balance classes in the Omaha area. Tai Chi is a great way for older adults to improve their balance and strength, while decreasing their chance of falling.

Physical therapist Kris Lausterer –a certified Tai Chi for Balance instructor for two years – will teach the ongoing classes which are open to everyone regardless of their experience with Tai Chi. The classes are held on Tuesdays at 5:15 p.m. at Second Unitarian Church, 3012 S. 119th St. Registration will occur immediately before the class.

For more information, please contact Lausterer at 402-346-7772 or klausterer@vnatoday.org

Might help candidates with voters

Japanese study examines the importance of smiling As candidates jockey for position heading toward the 2020 U.S. presidential race, their policies and political experiences might not be the only factor in winning votes.

It could also come down to their smiles. A recent study from Japan says candidates who smile more win more votes.

From presidents to celebrities and everyday people, the power of a smile has been the subject of many articles, books, and studies. Dental professionals say people comfortable with the appearance of their teeth tend to smile more than those with crooked teeth. Also, studies have shown people with a confident smile make a more favorable impression on others and are seen as more successful and desirable than those with misaligned teeth.

“A smile truly can be transformative,” says D. Douglas Depew, a Georgia-based orthodontist and author of Change Your Smile, Change Your Life: Your Guide to Orthodontic Treatment.

“It’s been shown that straight teeth and the bright smile that comes with it change perceptions and change lives,” Depew adds. “One of the best experiences in the world is seeing the life of a patient transformed through orthodontic treatment.”

Depew offers five ways a smile can be powerful and transformative in someone’s professional and personal life: • You’ll feel happier and more relaxed. When someone smiles, their brain releases tiny molecules called neuropeptides. “These help deal with stress and manage emotions, including happiness, sadness, fear, and anger,” Depew says.

“When you smile dopamine, endorphins, and serotonin flood your body, lowering blood pressure and heart rate, allowing one to relax.”

• You’ll be more confident. “When you smile, you give off a more confident air that everyone around you can feel.

You no longer want to hide your teeth and shy away from conversation,” Depew says.

• People will perceive you positively. Studies have shown part of what makes a person more appealing to be around is their smile affects others around them.

“People consider you more trustworthy when you make eye contact and smile,” Depew says. “It’s easier to connect with important people and those who can influence your life.”

• You will be healthier. People with straight teeth are less likely to have cavities and gum problems.

“When you have crooked or misaligned teeth, it’s easier for food to get stuck between your teeth and gums, which can lead to tooth decay, gingivitis, and gum disease,” Depew says.

“With orthodontic care, you have a straighter smile that’s easier to clean and less prone to infections. Also, misaligned teeth cause some people to suffer from headaches and TMJ pain. Teeth that don’t meet properly lead to a higher risk of chipping and/or wearing of your teeth.”

• You will make others happier. “Did you ever smile at someone who was having a bad day and they then immediately perked up?” Depew asks.

“Others naturally respond to a smile; it lifts their spirits and causes them to smile, setting off a positive chain reaction. When you make eye contact and smile at someone you are showing that they matter.

“So much in life comes down to how we feel about ourselves, and a healthy, radiant smile brings out our best and attracts people in social and professional experiences.”

Any size heating & air conditioning system installed for

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Page 12

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August 2019

402-905-5279

Florence AARP chapter

Survey: Americans don’t take enough vacation days

M

ore than a third of Americans took their last vacation more than two years ago, and 51 percent haven’t vacationed in more than a year, according to the 11th annual Vacation Confidence Index released by Allianz Global Assistance. A vacation is defined as a leisure trip of at least a week to a destination that’s 100 miles or more from home.

When asked if they were confident they’d take a summer vacation this year, only 42 percent responded positively. Despite the prevailing thought that work prevents many Americans from using all their vacation time, financial concerns far outweighed professional obligations for those who weren’t confident they’d be taking a vacation soon.

Nearly half (44 percent) said they don’t have the money to spend on a vacation, while 19 percent don’t want to spend the money on a vacation. This compares to 14 percent who said they aren’t confident they’ll take a summer vacation because they can’t take time off work.

Those ages 18 to 34 (25 percent) and men (20 percent) are most likely to say they can’t take the time off work.

Interestingly, 12 percent of Americans who aren’t confident they’ll take a summer vacation report they don’t want to take the time off work. Other reasons include they’re unable or disinterested in taking the time away due to a personal obligation outside of work (20 percent), or they find planning a vacation is too stressful and time consuming (10 percent).

For the first time in the survey’s history, the Vacation Confidence Index also explored the relationship between a boss and employee’s vacation habits. On average, working Americans take 41 percent of their entitled vacation days. Two in 10 don’t take any vacation, while more than one-third

take less than a quarter of their allotted time off.

A sizable 52 percent of Americans say they take about the same proportion of vacation time as their bosses, which suggests supervisors may be leading by example.

Employees report their bosses take 51 percent of their entitled vacation time.

“Americans are still consistently underutilizing their paid time off, with the average working American taking fewer than half their vacation days and a third of Americans reporting they haven’t vacationed in more than two years,” said Daniel Durazo, director of marketing and communications at Allianz Global Assistance USA. “Whether finances, work, or another reason are keeping you from booking that summer trip, the positive health benefits of taking a vacation have been widely documented.”

This year’s Vacation Confidence Index noted just 19 percent of Americans who said an annual vacation is important aren’t confident they’ll take one. This means the Vacation Deficit, or those who think a vacation is important but aren’t confident they’ll be able to take one, has decreased 2 percent from last year. One possible explanation for this is the rise in “microcations,” or shorter trips fewer than five nights, which may replace the need for an annual seven-day vacation and make travel more accessible, among millennials.

Two in 10 Americans (21 percent) took their last vacation in the last three months, which is up three points from last year and seven points from 2017. The importance of taking an annual vacation has also edged upwards slightly to 60 percent (up two points from 2018), but still ranks lower than three years ago (65 percent) and 2009’s historic high (67 percent).

The Florence AARP chapter meets monthly at Mountview Presbyterian Church, 5308 Hartman Ave. The programs begin each month with a noon lunch followed by a speaker.

For reservations, please call Gerry Goldsborough at 402-571-0971. Rides to the meeting are available by calling Ruth Kruse at 402453-4825.

Here’s are the 2019 programs:

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August 19 Tri-Faith Initiative September 16 Annual picnic October 21 Susan Mitchell Amnesty International November 18 Michael Davis Navy Ship Amber Reed December 16 Greg Owen Christmas music

Medical Reserve Corps

edical and non-medical professionals are needed to respond to emergencies and to support nonemergency community needs by joining the Medical Reserve Corps.

Participants will receive a variety of free or low-cost training and education, opportunities for free or low-cost CEUs, as well as the opportunity to make their community healthier, more resilient, and better prepared.

For more information on the Medical Reserve Corps, please call 402-717-2621, visit MRC.HHS.gov or MRCCoord@gmail.com.

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THEOS

HEOS, a social organization for singles age 60 and older, meets at 1:30 p.m. on the second Monday of each month at New Cassel, 900 N. 90th St. The Aug. 12 meeting will

feature a presentation on fire safety by a representative from the Omaha Fire Department.

For more information, please call Dorothy at 402399-0759 or Mary at 402393-3052.

Omaha Fire Department The Omaha Fire Department’s Public Education and Affairs Department will install free smoke and/or carbon monoxide detectors inside the residences of area homeowners.

To have a free smoke and/or carbon monoxide detector installed inside your home, send your name, address, and telephone number to: Omaha Fire Department Smoke/Carbon Monoxide Requests 1516 Jackson St. • Omaha, Neb. 68102 For more information, please call 402-444-3560.

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211 Network

he 211 telephone network has been established in parts of Nebraska to give consumers a single source for information about community and human services.

By dialing 211, consumers can access information

about food banks, shelters, rent assistance, utility assistance, physical and mental health resources, and support for older Americans and persons with a disability.

The 211 network is open 24/7/365.

Charles E. Dorwart Massih Law, LLC 38 years of legal experience • Wills • Living Trusts • Probate • Healthcare and Financial Powers of Attorney • Medicaid Planning • In-home consultations • Free Initial consultation 226 N. 114th Street • Omaha, NE 68154 Office: (402) 558-1404 or (402) 933-2111 chuck@massihlaw.com www.dorwartlaw.com

August 2019

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You’re the key to your health, well-being as you age

By Ginny Czechut

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e’re all getting older, and many factors play into how you’ll age. Heredity, diet, and activity level are some of the things that will determine your health and well-being as you get older.

You play the most important role in the quality of your life, and there are many things you can do to make sure your golden years are your best years.

What can you do to stay healthy and age happily? Here are some ideas: • Keep stress to a minimum: We all experience stress, and we all react to it differently. The key is to find a good balance and to know what stresses you out and how to deal with it. Overwhelming stress can lead to debilitating effects on your well-being. However, never dealing with a stressful situation can make you completely unprepared and likely to fail when stressors do arise. Every individual’s perfect balance is different. Find one that works for you.

• Stay active: Exercise is so important to staying physically, mentally, and spiritually healthy. Regular exercise can help you maintain physical abilities, and it’s mentally empowering to continue to do activities you’ve done all your life. Starting now can have an impact many years down the road. Studies have shown people who are active in midlife are less likely to develop chronic health conditions in their later years.

NARFE The National Active and Retired Federal Employees’ Chapter 144 meets the first Wednesday of each month at 11:30 a.m. at the Amazing Pizza Machine, 13955 S Plz. For more information, please call 402292-1156.

The National Active and Retired Federal Employees’ Aksarben Chapter 1370 meets the second Wednesday of each month at 11:30 a.m. at the Amazing Pizza Machine, 13955 S Plz. For more information, please call 402342-4351.

• Plan your future: People are living longer than ever, which means our finances and our health have to be ready for more years.

You’ll have the opportunity to live longer and more independently than generations before you.

Start planning your future now. Find something that interests you and you can look forward to such as gardening, traveling, or learning a new skill. Make sure your finances are in order to ensure you can do the things you love as long as possible.

• Remain socially engaged: Maintaining the connections you have in your life with friends, family, and the community is critical to staying healthy, both mentally and physically.

You have the opportunity to learn from your friendships

Nebraska Lifespan Respite Network

D

id you know there are more than 219,000 identified family caregivers in Nebraska?

Family Caregivers need an occasional break and the Nebraska Lifespan Respite Network can assist with respite funding or finding a respite provider.

Please contact your local respite coordinator at 1-866-RESPITE (1-866-737-7483) or go online to nrrs.ne.gov/respite for more information.

and avoid social isolation which can cause depression and affect your physical health as well.

Get out and join a new group. Find a hobby that lets you interact with others. Find something you really love to do, and the rest will follow.

• Change your thinking: Ageism in our society, as well as hearing messages that becoming older means your mind and body are failing you can lead to a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Learning to accept the natural changes that are happening to your mind and body as you age is a huge part of combating the problem.

Everyone will get older.

Maintaining the right attitude about aging and keeping up with your physical health can help you stay young at heart. By looking at getting older as an opportunity – a chance to focus on what’s really important in life – you can actually look forward to becoming happier and healthier with age.

(Czechut is with the Florence Home Healthcare Center in Omaha.)

Bilingual resource information Bilingual information about hospice care, palliative care, helping loved ones with grief and loss, and caregiving is available through the Nebraska Hospice and Palliative Care Partnership.

The number for the Cuidando con Carino Compassionate Care HelpLine is (toll free) 1-877-658-8896.

The service is offered weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Free dental care Area residents will have the opportunity to receive free dental services at Maple Ridge Dental Care – 3585 N. 168th Ct. – on Saturday, Aug. 10.

Dr. Jeffrey Clark and his team at Maple Ridge Dental Care, along with Dr. Anchal Kapila, will be part of Free Dentistry Day, a day dedicated to providing free dental care to Americans without dental insurance. Approximately 108 million Americans are living without dental insurance.

There’s increasing evidence that links oral health to overall health and well-being. The signs and symptoms of more than 100 medical conditions including diabetes, HIV/ AIDS, Lou Gehrig’s disease, and oral cancer may first be detected through traditional oral examinations.

“Dental health is a vital part of a person’s overall health,” said Dr. Kapila. “Through this event, we hope to educate patients on the importance of dental health and encourage them to adopt an ongoing oral care regimen.”

During Free Dentistry Day, cleanings, fillings, and extractions will be provided to patients on Aug. 10 starting at 7 a.m. Patients will be asked to register from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. on a first-come, first-served basis. Patients must be registered to receive treatment.

For more information, please call 402-614-7111 or visit FreeDentistryDay.org.

Please see the ad on page 3

New Horizons Club gains new members $25 Ray & Dee Christensen Reflects donations through July 19, 2019.

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August 2019

Established in Douglas County

CDC: Be aware of deer ticks, known carriers of Lyme disease

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he deer tick, a known carrier of the bacteria that causes Lyme disease, has been established in Douglas County, according to surveillance by the Nebraska Department of Agriculture. The deer tick, also known as the black-legged tick, has also been found in two neighboring counties.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), typical symptoms of Lyme disease include fever, headache, fatigue, and a characteristic skin rash that forms a bullseye pattern.

If not treated, the infection can spread to joints, the heart, and the nervous system. Lyme disease is diagnosed based on symptoms, physical findings such as the rash, and the possibility of exposure to infected ticks.

Deer ticks are roughly one-eighth of an inch in length or about the size of a sesame seed.

You can help avoid tick bites by: • Avoiding tall grass and shrubs.

• Wearing long pants and long-sleeved shirts in light colors.

• Wearing shoes that cover your feet. Sandals don’t provide adequate protection.

• Tucking pant legs into your socks and shirts into pants.

• Applying an approved repellant – the same ones used for mosquitoes are fine.

Keep in mind humid conditions are helpful to tick populations.

When you find a tick, carefully remove it and attempt to save it in a small container that can be filled with rubbing alcohol and sealed. Take it to the Nebraska Cooperative Extension Office or your doctor for examination. You also can call the Douglas County Health Department at 402444-7481.

If you think you may have been exposed to ticks, one of the best things you can do is take a shower. Pets that have been exposed should be bathed.

Lyme disease can usually be treated with a few weeks of antibiotics and most people recover completely. Some people may be left with joint pain that can be treated with medication. While the deer tick can also carry the Powassan virus which can cause encephalitis, human infections with this virus have only been identified in the New England and mid-Atlantic regions of the United States.

(The Douglas County Health Department provided this information.)

New members are needed for the Acappella Omaha Chorus You’re invited to “experience something new” this summer by singing with the award-winning Acappella Omaha Chorus.

New members – who are asked to learn one song and rehearse one hour per week – will receive free vocal training and have an opportunity to perform with the chorus on Sunday, Aug. 18 at the SumTur Amphitheater in Papillion.

Rehearsals are held on Mondays through Aug. 12 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Remington Heights, 12606 W. Dodge Rd. For more information, please call Samala at 402-2135191 or Sharon @ 402-202-8380.

Legal Aid of Nebraska

Healthy adults, caregivers needed for research study at UNO, UNMC

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Legal Aid of Nebraska operates a free telephone access line for Nebraskans age 60 and older.

Information is offered to help the state’s older men and women with questions on topics like bankruptcy, homestead exemptions, collections, powers of attorney, Medicare, Medicaid, grandparent rights, and Section 8 housing.

The telephone number for the Elder Access Line is 402-827-5656 in Omaha and 1-800-527-7249 statewide.

This service is available to Nebraskans age 60 and older regardless of income, race, or ethnicity.

For more information, log on the Internet to legalaidofnebraska.com/EAL.

esearchers at the University of Nebraska at Omaha and the University of Nebraska Medical Center are looking for healthy adults and caregivers for an older adult with a chronic disease (e.g., dementia, cancer, or cardiovascular disease) to participate in a research study. The study involves two visits of 3.5 hours each. Compensation for study participation is available.

The experiment involves completing questionnaires and computer tasks, taking samples of saliva for hormone analyses, and undergoing brain imaging.

T

o be eligible for the study, participants must be 19 to 75 years of age, have comprehension of written and spoken English, the mobility to travel to the UNO campus, and have completed a minimum of two years of high school or higher.

You’re not eligible for the study if you have a diagnosis of a neurological or psychiatric disease (e.g., stroke, schizophrenia), vision, hearing or motor difficulties, or if you are pregnant, have metal implanted in your body, or are taking an antidepressant medication or glucocorticoid-based oral medication or cream (e.g., cortisone).

For more information, please contact Janelle Beadle, Ph.D. at 402-554-5961 or ABELabUNO@gmail.com.

CLASSIFIEDS Cartagena Painting Service

A+ Heartland Concrete Const.

Driveways, garage floors, sidewalks, retaining walls. patio specialists since 1985.

Insured/references.

23-year BBB member

402-731-2094

Some of the nicest, newer 1 & 2 bedroom apartments. Elevator, w & d, heated parking garage. Small complex. By bus & shopping. No pets or smoking.

OLD STUFF WANTED

If you need help CLEANING or ORGANIZING, Call Judy at 402-885-8731

Military, political, toys, jewelry, fountain pens, pottery, kitchen ware, postcards, photos, books, and other old paper, old clothes, garden stuff, tools, old household, etc.

Call anytime 402-397-0254 or 402-250-9389

RICK’S

Big jobs or small, I’ll do them all!

Please support New Horizons advertisers

[Bonded & insured]

402-658-1245

Senior Citizens (62+)

rickfitzlerhomeimprovement.com

Haul away, garage, basement, rental clean out…

Johansen Brothers Call Frank

402-312-4000 Buying or selling?

Use the New Horizons CLASSIFIEDS. Call 402-444-4148 or 402-444-6654 to place your ad.

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Commercial/Residential Interior/Exterior/Insured Free estimates/BBB member 402-714-6063 cartagenapainting@yahoo.com

93rd & Maple • 402-397-6921

(before 1975)

HANDYMAN SERVICES

GET RID OF IT!

Please call 402-444-4148 or 402- 444-6654 to place your ad

Senior Citizens (62+) Accepting applications for HUD-subsidized apartments in Papillion & Bellevue.

Bellewood Courts

1002 Bellewood Court Bellevue (402) 292-3300 Bellewood@KimballMgmt.com

Monarch Villas

201 Cedar Dale Road Papillion (402) 331-6882 Monarch@KimballMgmt.com

Managed by Kimball Management, Inc. PO Box 460967 Papillion, NE 68046 www.kimballmgmt.com We do business in accordance with the Fair Housing Law.

Accepting applications for HUD-subsidized apartments in Papillion & Bellevue.

Bellewood Courts

1002 Bellewood Court Bellevue (402) 292-3300 Bellewood@KimballMgmt.com

TOP CASH PAID

Best & honest prices paid for: Vintage, Sterling, Turquoise, & Costume jewelry, old watches, old quilts, vintage toys, old postcards, advertising items, military items, pottery, and antique buttons.

Also buying estates & partial estates.

Call Bev at 402-339-2856

Monarch Villas

201 Cedar Dale Road Papillion (402) 331-6882 Monarch@KimballMgmt.com

Managed by Kimball Management, Inc. PO Box 460967 Papillion, NE 68046 www.kimballmgmt.com

deFreese Manor

Subsidized housing for those age 62 and over with incomes under $28,600 (1 person) or $32,650 (two persons)

We do business in accordance with the Fair Housing Law.

2669 Dodge Omaha, NE 402-345-0622

ENOA August 2019

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New Horizons

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Robert, Karen are ambassadors for Nebraska art, artists

American Roy Lichtenstein used painted and laminated wood to create Brushstroke Chair and Ottoman, circa 1986-88.

Georgia O’Keeffe’s Abstraction was made from cast aluminum with lacquer.

--Continued from page 9. we’ve put together. The team there now – led by our son, Todd, as chairman and Aaron Hilkemann as president – is taking the company to much greater levels than I did when I was there.

What that means to me is that we have a great culture and great people. In the business we certainly learned to keep our eyes and ears open and look for opportunities, and we definitely do that in the art world now.”

Ever since they began collecting in earnest, the Duncans have made a point of meeting as many of the artists they patronize as possible.

“It personalizes our collecting,” Robert said.

“It personalizes art,” Karen added.

Recently, an artist they visited in Mexico said something that resonated with them. “He told us you collect experiences,” Karen said.

There’s a story behind every artist they meet.

“In fact, we’re seriously considering doing a book sharing the stories of our encounters with artists and our relationships with them,” Robert said.

“Some of them are really worth reading,” Karen said.

Years ago, the Duncans learned of a brilliant but sour Nebraska artist, John Robert Weaver, who’d completed a huge canvas and desperately needed a buyer for the piece.

“We bought it because it’s an amazing painting,” Karen said.

Thus, began an association with the mercurial Weaver who painted several commissions for the Duncans. Then he disappeared from their lives until Karen happened upon him one day in public.

“He looked as bad as that dog I picked up in Mexico,” she said. “I mean, he was in terrible shape – coughing, sick.”

Then there was his abrasive personality.

“He was mean and rude. But he was a great painter. I thought, nobody’s going to care about him if he dies tomorrow, and we’ll have lost one of Nebraska’s best artists. I thought somebody needs to do something. So, I bought him a house, furnished it, and moved him into it. I took care of him for years and provided all the things he needed to work.”

The Duncans also funded the creation of a retrospective exhibition and catalog of Weaver’s work and a feature-length documentary of his life. Weaver, who died in 2018, would likely have never enjoyed such recognition in his lifetime without Karen and Robert’s intervention.

More recently, the Duncans have fallen head over heels with the work of husband and wife artists Charley Friedman and Nancy Friedemann of Lincoln.

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“We love the two of them,” Robert said.

Adopting artists “is Karen’s charity,” Robert said. “She likes to help individuals where she can see the impact.”

Karen works with a Lincoln group that gives at-risk children piano lessons. She not only helps provide lessons; she’s purchased pianos for kids to practice on in their own homes.

The couple’s patronage of Nebraska art is legendary. They’ve been major supporters of the Sheldon Museum of Art and the International Quilt Museum in Lincoln, the Museum of Nebraska Art in Kearney, as well as the Bemis Center for Contemporary Art and the Kaneko in Omaha.

“We both love the University (of NebraskaLincoln’s) art department,” Robert said. “Great people there. We have a lot of respect for them.”

“We buy their art, too,” Karen said.

The couple are also ambassadors for Nebraska art.

“There’s so much in Nebraska. It’s very rich.”

Robert said.

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he Duncans gave California artist Joseph Goldyne a sample of Nebraska’s visual art scene after he arrived for the opening of his exhibit in Clarinda.

“He was amazed,” Karen said.

Such reactions are typical of artists who come to Nebraska for the first time and expect a cultural wasteland.

“They just underestimate us so much,” she added.

Another expression of the couple’s generosity is their Duncan Family Trust, which supports education and aviation-related endeavors.

Daughter-in-law Connie Duncan manages the trust.

“The company funds part of that and part is

New Horizons

British artist Sophie Ryder created Upside Down Kneeling from wire in 2008.

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August 2019

Woman in Armchair (bronze and white patina) by American George Segal in 1994. supported by funds we’ve set up at the Lincoln Community Foundation,” Robert explained.

“People apply for it. The most important part of that is an employee scholarship fund.”

For all their good works and all the jobs created by Duncan Aviation, the thing that most intrigues people about the couple is the art collection they’ve built. It’s a never-ending source of inquiries from scholars, collectors, and journalists.

Robert Duncan has a theory why he and Karen took to it so emphatically.

“I know that both of us have a collecting gene.

We have collecting in our souls because as children we collected (her, butterflies; him, cereal box prizes). As adults, we collect a lot of things.”

Karen’s first edition American novel collection numbers 10,000 volumes. She also has a large handwoven basket collection.

Her own literary efforts didn’t begin with the children’s book. She earlier authored Pieces of Me, a book meant only for her grandchildren.

“It’s vignettes from my life. I wanted them to know I was once their age and I did some stupid things just like all teenagers.

“If I can get myself organized, I’m thinking of doing a second Chica book about her Nebraska friends (the fox, raccoon, and hawk Chica frolicked with on the Duncan’s property).

The collecting gene seems inherited by the Duncans’ two adult children, Todd and Paige.

“They have an interest and they both collect,” Robert said. “I don’t think they’re interested in shouldering the burden of this collection.”

“No,” added Karen. “Besides, they’ve got our art in their houses. We said, come pick out whatever you want, and they picked out good pieces.

They grew up surrounded by it. They knew what to pick.”

As the collection’s grown ever larger, Karen said, “this has all gotten very complicated.”

Thousands of works, multiple sites, plus storage, security, and insurance details. They stay at it though because it’s still fun.

Collecting art keeps them engaged with all the research and travel required. The 76-year-olds not only preach the benefits of mental and physical activity, they live it. He still rides motorcycles and flies planes. She’s turned weightlifting for exercise into competing in powerlifting meets. She’s also a gourmet cook and an expert at Ikebana (Japanese flower arranging).

Much like the work they collect, Robert and Karen Duncan are singular in their boundless curiosity. Mastering the art of living may be their greatest legacy.

(Read more of Leo Adam Biga’s work at leoadambiga.com.)