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A publication of the Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging
Aug. 2021 Vol. 46 No.8
PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID OMAHA NE PERMIT NO. 389
en oa. org
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New Horizons lde 4• r ad ults since 197
Nebraska native Tom May has been a professional folksinger for more than four decades. In addition to performing around the world with stars like Gordon Lightfoot, Alabama, and Willie Nelson, Tom produces and hosts River City Folk on more than 100 radio stations across the USA. Leo Adam Biga tells May’s story beginning on page 8. nba
An artist’s impressions Ralston artist Debra Joy Groesser paints and sells beautiful oil landscapes and portraits including Faith, Strength, and Perseverance (right) created in 2012. See page 9.
ENOA’s recruiting older adults to become Senior Companions, Foster Grandparents
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en and women age 55 and older who want to earn a tax-free stipend while making an impact in their community are encouraged to join the Senior Companion Program and the Foster Grandparent Program. Sponsored locally by the Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging, the SCP and FGP are national programs of AmeriCorps Seniors, formerly the Senior Service Corps.
Senior Companions help other older adults maintain their independence by visiting them at home to discuss the news, read mail, play cards, run errands, etc. Foster Grandparents serve as positive role models for children who need special attention with education, healthcare, and social development in schools, Head Start programs, and child development centers. SCP and FGP volunteers must meet income guidelines and complete an enrollment process that includes references and background checks. In exchange for volunteering 10 hours or more per week, Foster Grandparents and Senior Companions receive a $3 an hour tax-free stipend, mileage reimbursement, an annual physical examination, supplemental accident insurance coverage, and other benefits including an annual recognition luncheon. The stipend does not interfere with rent, disability, Medicaid, or other benefits. For more information on the FGP and SCP, please call 402-444-6536.
Challenging perceptions, inspiring others By Lyn Slater
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ere’s some advice to help challenge the misconceptions about aging while inspiring people of all ages to live their best lives. • Enjoy your second act: First, accept the age you are and try to cultivate a positive mindset about aging. Research shows if you have negative cognitions about being or getting old, you’re at higher risk of cardiovascular death. That can take seven years off your life. Read the research about what you can do to keep your body and brain healthy and implement the lifestyle changes recommended about what to eat and how to exercise as well as exercises and activities that keep your brain active. • Secrets to longevity: It’s all about attitude and mindset. I have a positive perspective about what it means to be an older person. I’m always learning and doing something new. Focus on maintaining good health. I eat a plant-based diet and exercise regularly. Trying not to be stressed is important, too. • Go beyond macro/micronutrients with cellular nutrients: There’s so much research coming out now about the critical importance of diet and what you eat when it comes to nutrition. As I dug deeper – to the cellular level – I found my diet needed some support. • Putting yourself first: As I get older, I live in and appreciate every moment more.
I don’t care about pleasing others or what they might think, and I have more free time to do the things I love. • Self-care is key: By eating well, doing yoga every day, keeping a journal, continuing some of my social work projects, spending time in nature, and spending time with those I love, I’m able to focus more on me. • Beauty secrets: Drink lots of water, minimize exposure to blue light, use a good sunscreen, use clean makeup and beauty products, and pay attention to how you dress. • Following your passions: It’s never too late to start something new and completely different from what you did before. I was a social work professor who started a fashion blog when I was 61, not knowing anyone in fashion or having experience in that field. But many of the skills and knowledge I gained throughout my life got applied, letting me make a great success out of it. So, go for that passion.
THEOS THEOS, a social organization for singles age 60 and older, will meet on Monday, Aug. 9 at 12:30 p.m. at the Montclair Community Center, 2304 S. 135th Ave. The meeting will include bingo. For more information, please call Zella at 402-885-8897.
Living With Vision Loss? Outlook Enrichment Can Help! • Connect with local resources • Build skills to live independently • Find encouragement and support • Stay active with recreation, art and cultural activities • Learn new ways to keep doing what you love
Call 531.365.5051 for more info Support our services at outlooken.org
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Your post-pandemic travel guide By Chris Holbert
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ravel bookings continue to surge as pandemic restrictions lift, more people have been vaccinated, and the threat of Covid-19 remains low in the U.S. People can’t wait to get out of their houses to visit new destinations, old favorites, and reunite with family and friends. While a lot of the details of traveling will be the same, some things have also changed for good. Anyone who has health conditions that make them vulnerable to any illness, let alone Covid, will still need to take certain precautions and plan ahead when making travel plans. • Have a healthcare plan: Just because you’ve been vaccinated doesn’t mean you’re 100% protected against Covid. Recently, two people on a cruise who were vaccinated underwent a routine Covid screening and tested positive. While they were asymptomatic, they still had to quarantine. If you’re traveling a long way from home and have to
quarantine due to a positive Covid test or get sick, you’ll want to have a plan in place about where and how you’ll be able to receive medical care and where you’ll be able to stay. • Overpack medicine and vital supplies: It seems like a different product or industry is still facing shortages every day. While you don’t walk into a grocery store and see bare shelves anymore, that doesn’t mean you won’t have trouble getting certain supplies while you’re traveling. Planning ahead and bringing extra medication and other items you need to maintain your health on a daily basis is a necessary precaution as shipping delays and sourcing continue to be a challenge. • Keep friends and family informed: Everyone has a cell phone, but you never know if you might get caught in a situation where you have no signal or the battery dies. It’s best to provide friends and family with your travel itinerary before you leave home. If you make any changes update them along the way. A check in every few hours with an updated location is a good idea when driving so if anything goes wrong, people know a general area of where to look for you. • Put technology to work: Portable power is a must for the road or air travel to ensure your phone is always powered. Keep any mobile personal emergency response devices you may have in an accessible garment pocket. This way if you have an emergency and can’t dial your phone it’s within easy reach to call for help. Consider downloading helpful weather, route guidance, gas station finders, and other relevant travel apps to your phone. These can give you alerts about bad weather, where to find gas, traffic delays, and other local news alerts. There’s always a lot to get done when planning and packing for a trip. This year the planning may take extra steps and require extra gear, but after months of staying at home the investment in a well-planned trip will be well worth the extra effort. (Holbert is the CEO of SecuraTrac.)
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 five-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@enoa.org 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 9,000 through direct mail .
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; Janet McCartney, Cass County, vice-chairperson; Lisa Kramer, Washington County, secretary; Pat Tawney, Dodge County, & Angi Burmeister, 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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Ralston Senior Center You’re invited to visit the Ralston Senior Center, 7301 Q St., Suite 100 this month for the following: • Aug. 10: Bus to WinnaVegas Casino in Sloan, Iowa @ 7:30 a.m. The bus will return around 4 p.m. The cost is $5. Contact Diane @ 402-885-8895 for reservations. • Aug. 11: Board meeting @ 10 a.m. • Aug. 12 & 26: Bingo from 1 to 3 p.m. • Aug. 18: Pizza luncheon. Contact Diane @ 402-8858895 for reservations. • Aug. 25: The Merrymakers present music by John Worsham @ noon. • Tuesdays and Fridays: Exercise from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Exercise at your own pace. Stand-up or sit in a chair. Lunch is catered in on Wednesdays. A $4.50 contribution is normally suggested for the meal. Reservations are due by noon on Tuesday. Play games and bingo after lunch. Contact Diane @ 402-885-8895 for reservations. Renew or obtain a Ralston Senior Center membership. Persons who renewed for 2021 before the center closed due to the pandemic won’t be charged for the rest of 2021. Those who haven’t renewed, will be charged $5 for the rest of 2021. The annual cost will be $10 in 2022. The center may be used for various activities (memorials, birthdays, anniversaries, etc.) on weekends. For more information, please call Diane West @ 402339-4926.
Intercultural Senior Center You’re invited to visit the Intercultural Senior Center (ISC), 5545 Center St. The facility – open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. – offers programs and activities Mondays through Fridays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Persons attending the ISC are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and bring their vaccination card with them the first day they attend the facility. The ISC offers a light breakfast, lunch, fitness classes, programs, and activities. Lunch reservations are due by 9 a.m. A voluntary contribution is suggested for the meal. Please call 402-444-6529 for reservations. The ISC’s annual fundraising event is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 19. Monthly food pantries are available for adults ages 50 or older. Older adults are invited to visit the ISC’s new Grandparents Boutique. ISC’s SAVE bus can bring case management services to your doorstep. For more information, please call 402- 444-6529.
Fremont Friendship Center You’re invited to visit the Fremont Friendship Center, 1730 W. 16th St. (Christensen Field). The facility is open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. A meal is served weekdays @ 11:30 a.m. Reservations, which are due by noon the business day prior to the meal the participant wishes to enjoy, can be made by calling 402727-2815. A $4 contribution is suggested for the meal. This month’s activities will include: • Aug. 3 & 11: Music by the Links @ 10 a.m. • Aug. 4: Movie Wednesday with Marv’s marvelous popcorn @ 9:45 a.m. • Aug. 5: Presentation by occupational therapist Kathy Kirby @ 10 a.m. • Aug. 11: Drawing for a motorized wheelchair @ 11:30 a.m. Tickets are $5 each or five for $20. • Aug. 18: Music by John Worsham @ 10:30 a.m. • Aug. 24: Board meeting @ 12:30 p.m. • Aug. 25: Music by Julie Couch @ 10:30 a.m. • Aug. 31: Bus trip to Horseshoe Casino from 10:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. The cost is $15. Lunch is on your own. The 43rd annual Parks & Recreation Craft Show is scheduled for Dec. 4 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. For meal reservations and more information, please call Laurie at 402-727-2815.
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Tips for losing weight after age 55 By Dr. Amy Lee
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he perks of entering into the golden years, things like working less and slowing down, are on everyone’s mind. Living your best life should take top priority. Refocus on your priorities and practice healthy living with nutrition, movement, and stress management. As we grow older, we’re more at risk for weight gain and there are many contributing factors that play a role. Understanding these factors and working on solutions is a big part of a weight loss plan. • Consider what you’re eating: There’s a loss of lean muscle mass as you age. An overall decrease of muscle density can lead to a decrease in your metabolism, which means you can burn less calories as you age. The only things in the body that burn calories are lean mass (muscles and organs) that are metabolically active. That’s a part of aging, and no one can stop it. Slow down the inevitable by acquiring more amino acids derived from the protein foods you eat. These things could be whole foods such as eggs, yogurt, chicken, fish, meats, and/or from meal replacements from protein shakes, smoothies, and nutrition bars. Look at your daily meals and consider adding more lean protein. • Regularly see the doctor to find any underlying issues: Deterioration of your organs happens. A we age, we shrink. Our brain mass, muscles, thyroid, liver, heart, kidneys, etc. shrink. When a functional organ shrinks, its role also decreases. Your insulin level may not be at an optimal level in your 50s compared to your 20s. People may develop elevated sugars into their later years even though they eat the same foods. Get a physical exam to screen for changing conditions of your metabolic risks. • Avoid having excessive weight become an issue: We tend to be more active when we’re young but for some reason, we acquire more pain and aches as we age. It isn’t unusual to develop nagging pain and aches in the knees or lower back from years of wear and tear. You may find yourself feeling less motivated for that daily walk or consistent exercise. Lack of activity can put the body into further deterioration and deconditioning. Avoid weight gain in the first place. Being overweight can put a lot of stress and inflammation on the joints. Consider seeking help from a chiropractor or physical therapist to learn the right ways to move without the risk of further injuring the body. Once that’s optimized, increasing intensity and duration of activity levels helps maintain lean mass and slows deterioration. That way, you’ll continue to burn calories and not store them. • Don’t brush off a small sickness: A simple flu or urinary tract infection in an
older body can take more days for recovery. It could also become life threatening if not treated quickly. Fighting off an acute illness adds a lot of stress to the body and mind and could take weeks and months for a full recovery. When deconditioned, a lot of people find themselves not feeling good and end up staying sedentary. This leads to weight gain from the body’s ability to store fat in places such as the belly. Seek medical help early. Resolve the issue quickly so you recover sooner and remain healthy. • Form a good social circle: A good social circle is an important aspect to motivation and initiation to a healthy lifestyle. Studies show who we surround ourselves with can have a major impact on our health. Call it peer pressure or a stress outlet, but human beings are social beings. It’s important to exchange conversations, discuss current events, or reduce stress by troubleshooting. Often, we make agendas with others which create physical activities that relate to psychological well-being. Having a group of friends, family, or acquaintances that take part in more physical activities is a great way to motivate yourself. (Dr. Lee is the head of nutrition for Nucific.)
Flaherty Consulting Flaherty Consulting offers free group sessions where family caregivers discuss topics of their choice and receive input from the facilitator and individuals in the group. Participants learn how to deal with different caregiver issues, obtain skills and knowledge, and engage in great discussions with a special focus on caring for loved ones with dementia. While there’s no charge, registration is required to attend these sessions which meet approximately every other month at: • The Servite Center of Compassion 72nd Street & Ames Cr. • St. Vincent de Paul Church 14330 Eagle Run Dr. • St. Timothy Lutheran Church 510 N. 93rd St. • Faith Westwood United Methodist Church 4814 Oaks Ln. Contact Nancy Flaherty at 402-312-9324 to register for a meeting or for more information. Flaherty is also is available for private consultations. Visit flahertyconsulting.net to learn more about available resources and programs.
Participants needed for exercise, food choice study
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en and women are needed for an exercise and food choice research study through the University of Nebraska Omaha’s Department of Gerontology. The study is designed to better understand the relationship between exercise and food
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choices. Participants must be ages 65 to 75, a healthy, non-smoker of stable weight, able to bicycle for 45 minutes, provide blood samples, attend one Zoom session and three lab visits in Omaha including two overnight fasts and two supervised exercise sessions. Compensation is available for participants who will also receive free food and an explanation of fitness and body fat. To learn more, visit gerontology.unomaha.edu/eatfc or contact Sarah at shubner@unomaha.edu.
Hug-a-Bears
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ug-a-Bears, a project that creates stuffed Teddy bears for children and persons with Alzheimer’s is looking for someone to lead its group of volunteers and for a place to assemble the bears.
Started locally in 1996 by the Telephone Pioneers General Assembly, Hug-aBears has made and donated nearly 52,000 bears locally during the last 25 years. For more information, please contact Joe Bonaiuto at 402-333-6101 or Steve Dawkins at 402-319-3602.
Millard Senior Center You’re invited to visit the Millard Senior Center at Montclair, 2304 S. 135th Ave., this month for the following: • Aug. 4: At 9 a.m. we’ll be making sun dresses that will be sent to Africa. • Aug. 9: THEOS (Together Helping Each Other Socially) @ 12:30 p.m. • Aug. 11: Board meeting at 9:30 a.m. If you have any suggestions or concerns, please contact Tamara Womack or a board member. • Aug. 13: No lunch. Treats and coffee. Bingo @ 11 a.m. • Aug. 23: Book Club (Eternal by Lisa Scottoline) @ 1 p.m. Every Friday is Treat Day. Bring treats to share. August is Wellness Month. Check with Tamara to see is PAWS is going to start again in September. For more information, please call 402-546-1270.
Know the facts about COVID vaccinations
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OVID-19 has changed how we live and how we feel. Vaccines are now widely available and getting vaccinated is the first step in a process that will get us back to doing what we miss most. GetVaccineAnswers.org offers five things you and your family should know about COVID-19 vaccines so you can make informed decisions about being vaccinated. • You won’t get COVID-19 from a COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccines are safe and effective. Researchers began developing vaccines for COVID-19 in January 2020 based on decades of understanding immune response and how vaccines work. Thousands of volunteers participated in clinical trials that started that spring, making sure we can trust the vaccines to be safe and effective. • The federal government is providing the vaccine free of charge to all Americans. Insurance providers will cover the vaccine’s cost and the government has set up a system to cover the costs for those without insurance. No one can be
denied a vaccine even if they’re unable to pay the administration fee. • Health providers shouldn’t discriminate against undocumented individuals from getting the COVID-19 vaccines. Some personal information – which will vary by site – might be requested. Although fear is a reality for members of the undocumented community when giving out personal information, it’s important to seek information from community allies. Speak with a local trusted source about how you can get a COVID-19 vaccine in your state and what personal information will be needed. • Researchers made sure the trials included adults of diBe simply confident verse backgrounds, races, ethnicities, and geographic areas. on the go • Continue wearing masks, stay six feet apart from people you don’t live with, avoid crowds, and wash your hands frequently. For more information, go to getvaccineanswers.org.
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Acknowledge your feelings, accept them, then seek compassion
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fter major surgery this past month, I spent some days wallowing. I had zero energy and just didn’t feel good. My mood was dark, and I had no patience for anything. Then the electricity at my house went out for three days. Ugh. What to do? My first step was to acknowledge how I felt and why. My body was struggling to regain equilibrium. That part was beyond my control, but I asked myself how I could pull myself out of the emotional funk. I decided to visit with a friend who has been through lots of pain over the past year. She didn’t try to “fix” me but listened with a compassionate ear. That conversation was a release and I started slowly to feel better. There was healing in having the ear of a compassionate friend. Then I decided to reach out to other friends to see what they did for themselves when they were feeling down. There were many interesting and useful
answers that came my way. One friend pulled herself out of a dark place by doing a gratitude journal. Each day she shifted her attention from what was wrong to three things that were right. This changed her mood. Another said reading inspirational material helped
“I am a good person.” For her this statement pulls her away from unwarranted self-blame, an assumption that often accompanies negative feelings. Someone recommended an article encouraging physical movement as a means of quieting negative
Conscious Aging By Nancy Hemesath
her regain a healthier perspective. Reading and reflecting recharged her battery as she went inward to gain the strength to deal with external difficulties. Still another spoke of the importance of social contact by phone or in person. Interaction with others has a way of pulling us out of ourselves, allowing us to see the world from alternative perspectives. One unique response came from a friend who pulls herself out of the doldrums by using the mantra,
thoughts. Even when the body is without energy, a short walk or even a few steps is a place to start. I’m happy to report I’m feeling better even though my body has a ways to go. (Seems like my body takes longer for the healing now that I’m in my 70s). This process has taught me some things I know I’ll need to use in the future. I learned the first step when feeling down is to acknowledge my feelings and own them. The second step is to make a choice to
do something to pull myself out of the dark place. Once I reached out to a friend, it has been steady baby steps of improvement. Each day my capacity to be physically and emotionally active grows. I do an activity and then I rest. This ensures I’m not bogged down by a dark mood that zaps my energy. Perhaps the biggest lesson I learned from this challenge is that each of us has the inner resources we need to deal with our dif-
ficulties. These inner resources vary from person to person and day to day. It’s up to each of us to choose what tactics help us to become unstuck. By listening to friends, by trying new things, by consistent small steps, we pull ourselves from darkness into light. (Hemesath owns Encore Coaching. She’s dedicated to helping people in the third chapter of life. Contact her at nanhemesath@gmail.com.)
A few simple steps to follow to help improve your memory By Lois Jordan think it’s fair to say, we’ve all worried about our ability to remember things like we used to when we were younger. It might also be fair to say the worry over memory changes is compounded when we forget what row we parked our car in at the grocery store or when we tucked something away for safe keeping and days later, we can’t find that item. How many of us have baked our favorite bread or dessert many times and this time, we forgot to add the butter? Does this mean we’re destined for a life of memory problems? Not necessarily. Memory changes can be frustrating to say the least. However, there are things we can do to keep our minds sharp. Learn a new skill. We can continue our education and grow our skill set as we age. Find something you have an interest in or curiosity about and learn all about that subject. Maybe it’s a new craft or maybe you’ve always wanted to learn sign language or gain computer skills. There’s a book, a class, or an internet source available on just about everything you can imagine. Make lists. Write it down. I’ve always been impressed with the waiter or waitress who can take a large group of food orders without writing anything down and the orders come out exactly as requested. Practice this type of memory making and when you don’t want to get home and discover you forgot to buy butter at the store, make a list. Memory jogger lists can alleviate a little anxiety. When you go to the store, look up when you walk in and make a mental note to yourself about what signs are posted in your row of the parking lot? Say it to yourself a couple of times so when you walk out a different door, you know what row to find your car. There are oodles of other suggestions out there that will help us keep our minds sharp. Staying physically active and exercising our brain are important keys to mental clarity. (Jordan is with Midwest Geriatrics, Inc. in Omaha.)
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ADA provides multiple benefits for people who have vision loss
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assed in 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has created more opportunities and access for the disabled. The law ensures equal treatment of all people, regardless of any disability. The sections of the ADA dealing with different aspects of public life include employment, access to private businesses, telecommunications, and to public programs like transportation. This significant legislation benefits people with vision loss in multiple ways including: • Movie theaters must provide audio descriptions to people with visual impairments. Theaters are required to provide closed movie captioning and audio descriptions whenever showing a digital movie that’s produced, distributed, or otherwise made available with these features. • Websites must be made accessible to people with visual impairments. Many people argue the ADA doesn’t specifically address the Internet because it was written before the widespread use of websites and apps. However, the World Wide Web is considered a public accommodation and is covered by this law. A recent lawsuit against Domino’s Pizza demonstrated this point. • Blind and visually impaired voters must receive accommodations when casting their ballots in a governmental election. State and local governments must assist a blind person whether it offers an absentee ballot, reads voting information, and/or provides an accessible voting machine. • When traveling on a public bus or train, the driver must call out stops for visually impaired persons. The ADA also requires public transit agencies providing fixed-route services to offer “complementary paratransit” service to people with disabilities who cannot use the fixed-route bus or rail service because of a disability if 100 percent of their vehicles aren’t fully accessible. Fixed-route services includes any city’s regular bus system, light rail, or rapid transit routes. The local Outlook Enrichment team can answer your ADA questions and connect you to valuable resources to ensure your needs are met in all aspects of life. Call 531365-5051 to speak to our team. (Outlook Enrichment provided this information.)
Multi-organ transplant candidates receive priority over persons who need kidney-alone transplants
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ulti-organ transplantation -- simultaneously transplanting a kidney with another organ such as a liver or heart -- has increased substantially over the past two decades. The reason is a changing population of transplant candidates and modifications to organ allocation policies. Multi-organ transplant (MOT) candidates receive organ allocation priority above those who need a kidney-alone transplant (KAT). Because of a national organ shortage, the increase in MOT use – along with a higher allocation priority – puts KAT candidates at a disadvantage. Nationally, more than 90,000 patients are on the waiting list for a kidney. University of Nebraska Medical Center researchers published a study in a recent print issue of the American Journal of Transplantation that makes a case for changes in the nationwide organ allocation process. “The transplant community continues to grapple with the increased MOT utilization and allocation policy,” said Scott Westphal, MD, University of Nebraska Medical Center assistant professor of inter-
nal medicine, Division of Nephrology and the first author of the article. “I am hopeful this paper will help inform the national discussion on MOT policy and help guide future policy development.” The study evaluated the impact of the current multi-organ transplant allocation policy on KAT candidates. Researchers used a large Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network database from 2002 to 2017 to identify 7,378 KAT next-sequential candidates (those who would have received a given deceased donor kidney had it not been offered first to a higher prioritized MOT recipient). “Despite receiving higher priority, MOT candidates had spent significantly shorter times on the waiting list, were less likely to be receiving dialysis, and had better kidney function than next-sequential candidates,” Dr. Westphal said. “Next-sequential candidates were younger and more likely to be from a racial/ethnic minority group, highlighting the potential for MOT to exacerbate disparities in already disadvantaged groups.” After missing out on a potential organ allocation offer, 2,113 of next-sequential KAT candidates either died on the waiting list or were removed from the list without receiving a transplant. The researchers also found a 55% increased risk in death in the next-sequential candidates compared to the KAT candidates who received the given kidney offer. “As the field of transplantation has evolved, MOT has emerged as a potentially lifesaving option for some patients who may otherwise not survive,” Dr. Westphal said. “However, in an era of profound shortage of donor organs, the increased use of kidneys for MOT may come at the expense of outcomes for KAT candidates.”
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Folksinger Tom May has led a most ‘unlikely’ musical life By Leo Adam Biga Contributing Writer
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nyone who pens a memoir, as 68-year-old Omaha native Tom May did with his I Wouldn’t Count on It: Confessions of an Unlikely Folksinger, has a legacy in mind. The “Unlikely” in the title refers to May growing up in a nonmusical family. Wanting to learn to play the guitar was considered frivolous by his conservative, Depression-era parents. He learned anyway, buying his first guitars with money earned from an Omaha World-Herald newspaper route and, later, working in its circulation department downtown. Though May had little exposure to popular music at home growing up, he heard his share of the British Invasion rock bands and U.S. bands like The Byrds. But it was actually his father, Lyle May, who introduced Tom to the music that changed his life. May wrote in I Wouldn’t Count on It: Confessions of an Unlikely Folksinger: “My father would sometimes sing in our old ‘56 Chevy while we were waiting for my mom to finish shopping somewhere. He had a lovely, mellifluous voice. I recall him teaching me the chorus and singing The Wabash Cannonball, The Arkansas Traveler, and a few others – the first folksongs I ever heard or learned. Those are special memories.” Those infrequent episodes touched something in Tom, who later discovered the 1960s folk-pop strains of Peter, Paul, and Mary; Bob Dylan, Simon and Garfunkel, James Taylor, Gordon Lightfoot, etc. Inheriting his father’s baritone voice, May sang and played guitar at church (Blessed Sacrament) and school (Rummel High), where he also performed in musical theater. His first professional gig came at The Golden Apple of Love in Omaha, the first of many lounges and bars he played. May identifies with Billy Joel’s The Piano Man; only his experience with lonely, inebriated, rude patrons came with a guitar in hand, not at the keyboards. Then the long-haired, bearded hippie mortified his straight lace parents by hitting the road to try his luck as an itinerant folksinger. Tom was barely 20 when he first drove to Canada alone without knowing anyone there, but eager to immerse himself in its burgeoning acoustic music scene. “When I look back on that, that’s really quite brave,” May said by phone from his home in La Center, Wash. “I’m totally amazed when I think about the stuff I did back then. I had no fear. There was something inside me that drove me on, that made me think I could do this, though I had no reason to think so. “I mean, I had very little music education. I had nobody in particular encouraging me to do this. I just got it into my head that this was
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May performed at Portland’s Cafe Artichoke during 2020. something I wanted to do. And then when I started to do it in a serious way people did encourage me and take me under their wing. But early on, it was a leap of faith.” It all worked out for May, a veteran singer-songwriter who’s made music his sole livelihood. He’s released more than a dozen CDs of his original music and played concerts of all different sizes in countless venues from coast to coast in the United States, as far north as Alaska, and across much of Canada. He’s played major events such as the Kerrville (Texas) Folk Festival and the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics. He’s made European sojourns as well. One of Tom’s most memorable gigs unfolded in his hometown when for three nights the Omaha Symphony Orchestra accompanied him for a River City Roundup concert series in 1994. Bruce Hangen, the symphony’s maestro then, had gotten to know May and his music when the singer-songwriter gigged at Trovato’s Italian restaurant in Dundee. Other local venues May played then included the Dubliner and Joslyn Art Museum. But playing with the symphony at the opulent Orpheum Theater marked a special treat. “It was a great thrill,” said May, who headlined the concerts featuring Nebraska music and artists. “I don’t think I’ve ever spoken to another singer-songwriter like myself who got to do something like that. I did a whole set with my music. We closed by bringing back everyone who performed earlier, and we all sang together the Ian Tyson song Four Strong Winds. Most Nebraskans probably know May from the nationally syndicated
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public radio program he founded and hosts, River City Folk, now in its 36th year. There was also a television version of the program. May sold Omaha’s KVNO 90.7 FM on the concept and that’s where it was produced beginning in 1985, until the station changed to an all-classical format. May broke new ground with the show when it launched. “With no folk music radio program on the air at that time” he said, “I really wanted that to happen.” River City Folk began local, then went statewide, before going national. It’s a staple for more than 100 stations around the country. For the last 22 years it’s been produced by May and friend Clete Baker, an engineer and producer who owns Studio B in Omaha. “Clete’s got a passion for the music as well,” said May. “He’s a huge part of the program.” The two men go back a long way as Baker co-produced some of May’s early albums. Their loyalty to each other, May said, epitomizes “the power of friendship, which is one of the great wealths to be had in this crazy business. “I truly believe if we’re lucky enough to have friends in our life that we’re able to collaborate with, then it just doesn’t get any better than that. It’s important to honor that,” May added. While Tom didn’t feel supported at home when he expressed his desire to follow a musical path, two local men played vital roles in his early musical development. The first was his guitar instructor Dean Britton who introduced May to the Chet Atkins finger style of guitar that became his signature. “And for that I’ll be forever grateful to him,” May said of Britton.
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What made the Atkins method so iconic? “His ability to put both the baseline and the melody line together,” said May. “When you have the capacity to do that, you can create an arrangement for the song. That’s one thing many young musicians cannot do now because they have not learned or become familiar with that. It was very common in acoustic music early on.” In this method, May said, “your thumb plays the bass pattern, and your fingers add the melody lines on top of that.” The result, he added, is “one person can sound like much more than one person with a guitar. It’s a unique way of creating this very sonically pleasing sound you can create a whole arrangement around.” Britton made a definite impression in May in another sense. “He was amazingly patient for someone who had worked as a professional musician,” May wrote. “He hailed from across the Missouri River in Shenandoah, Iowa, residence of the Everly Brothers and their parents, who were also professional musicians. Dean had toured and worked with the Everlys and with other country bands, playing a big Gibson ES-355 electric guitar around Midwestern honky-tonks and dance halls.” Hearing his stories, the romance of that life seduced May while Britton did his best to educate him of its perils. “When I would talk about becoming a professional musician someday, he warned me about too much travel and too many temptations,” May wrote. “I didn’t understand or really listen to him then, though occasionally I have wished that I had heeded his words.” Then there was George Shoemaker, a Christian Brother teacher at Omaha’s Rummel High School. “At that point in my life I was discouraged most often, by my mother in particular, and dissuaded about the worth and the value of playing guitar and singing songs. Shoemaker spotted my ability to be able to do this and was very encouraging to me. He had a 12-string guitar that he lent me to play for a while. He even took out a loan so that I could buy an electric guitar to play some of these Chet Atkins instrumentals. “My mom made me give back the money. But I later bought the guitar myself. George was really very helpful. It’s interesting to reflect on how my life would have been different had he not come along.” Even though May concedes he often “bridled at the provincialism of Omaha,” he adds, “I never would have had the opportunities in bigger cities that I had in Omaha to do all the things I got to do and to receive all the kindnesses people showed me. It all happened for me in Omaha.” Including that nationally syndicated folk program he originated --Please turn to page 10.
For Deb, painting is a spiritual experience
Deb painted The Promise on the shores of Lake Michigan in Door County, Wis. following her father’s death in 2012. Several of Groesser’s oil paintings are showcased in the Debra Joy Groesser Fine Art Gallery in downtown Ralston. By Jeff Reinhardt New Horizons Editor
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can the surroundings and you’re immediately overwhelmed by an array of vivid colors as a flow of positive energy fills your mind and soul. Tap into your imagination, then hear singing birds, feel a cool breeze on your face, and smell the ocean saltwater. The hands warm as you wrap your fingers around a coffee mug. Complete the cycle of the senses by sipping the hot beverage as you enjoy the majestic views. Now step back into reality and return to your actual environment in downtown Ralston, Neb. More specifically, inside the Debra Joy Groesser Fine Art Gallery, 5615 S. 77th St. Deb’s gallery and website (debrajoygroesserfineart.com) feature a gorgeous collection of oil paintings of landscapes and portraits inspired by farms, oceans, beaches, rivers, mountains, flowers, friends, and family. Groesser said her artistic style is a combination of “impressionistic realism” and plein air (in the open air), a French method dating back centuries where the artist leaves the studio to work one-on-one in and with nature. Creating her own unique style of art takes Deb to a special place. “Painting is such a spiritual experience for me. Nothing inspires me more than being out on location, capturing the subtle nuances of color, light, and atmosphere that can only be achieved by painting from nature,” she said. Groesser said she wanted to be an artist since childhood. “I don’t remember a time when I didn’t think about art.” At age 3, Deb’s drawing of a baby deer was displayed on the TV program Romper Room while she lived in California with her two younger sisters (three more sisters were born later), and parents Joyce and Albert Baillargeon, a member of the United States Air Force. In 1967, the family moved to Omaha where Deb found an artistic
soulmate in Benson West Elementary School fifth-grader Sharon Hall. “A lot of girls at that age play with dolls. We painted and drew.” Two years later, Groesser won an Omaha World-Herald coloring contest sponsored by Sophir-Morris. First prize – a gift certificate to the Omaha paint store – was used to buy a set of acrylic paints, paintbrushes, and canvasses. When she was 14, Groesser’s parents bought Deb her first set of oil paints, a wooden arts supply box, and a drawing board. “I fell in love with oil painting immediately,” she said. “I love the rich colors, the texture, the smell, and the buttery feeling.”
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lorence Reckmyer and Bob Benzel, her art teachers at Ralston High School, were among Groesser’s early artistic mentors. Reckmyer taught Deb a valuable lesson she shared with her own students and still taps into today. “Don’t paint what you know, paint what you see.” A 1975 Ralston High graduate, Deb earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Bellevue University three years later. After college, Groesser worked as a graphic artist for Omaha National
Bank from 1978 to 1984. From there it was on to a nineyear career as “Ralston’s family realtor” with NP Dodge. On the side, she drew and painted home renderings, note cards, and house portraits for other real estate agents and her first husband’s home building business. She sold her first painting in the early 1980s and began teaching art classes in her home in 1993. Earning enough income with her artistic and teaching skills, Deb left the real estate world in 1996. A quarter century later, Groesser has now sold well over 1,000 paintings including three for more than $10,000 each. “I sell 30 to 40 paintings a year,” she said. on Groesser, Deb’s husband for 29 years and Ralston’s seven-term mayor, has had a major influence on his wife’s life and career. “I couldn’t ask for a more supportive husband,” Deb said. In 1996, the couple – who have three sons, two daughters, four grandsons, and three granddaughters – bought a building in downtown Ralston which became home to Deb’s classroom, an art studio, a picture framing shop, a pottery studio, and an art gallery. That year, Don was elected Ralston mayor for the first time, and Deb had her own “life-changing” experience when she worked with
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Tom Browning at an art workshop in Eugene, Ore. Deb’s career took off in 1999 when she began working with Kevin Mcpherson at a workshop in Bermuda. Mcpherson encouraged Groesser to expand her plein air art collection. “He told me if I stopped painting from photographs and began painting from real life, people would start reading about me,” she said. “That was the push I needed to know I was going in the right direction.” he president, CEO, and a signature member of the American Impressionist Society, Groesser has been featured in several publications including International Artist and Plein Air Magazine. Her paintings are displayed in a variety of venues including Omaha’s Holland Performing Arts Center where a wall hosts Deb’s four-feet by six-feet portrait of the facility’s benefactors Dick and Mary Holland created in 2011. It took her three months of planning and five days of painting to complete the Holland portrait. “The painting portrays the love they had for each other and for the arts,” Groesser said. Deb takes great pride in showing and selling her work. While winning awards is nice, she gets more satisfaction knowing people are willing to spend their hard-earned money on her art. “It is such a blessing and a privilege to be an artist. My greatest satisfaction comes from successfully connecting with the viewer on an emotional level through my work,” she said. “When they feel the emotions I felt as I painted a particular subject, (and) why I chose the subject in the first place. There is so much beauty all around us, even in simple things. My hope is that the viewer may be able to stop and see the subjects I paint in a new light, in a way they never noticed before. I love it when people say they feel calm when they see my art.”
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pend a few minutes with Groesser, and it’s apparent her success is due in part to a deep passion she has for life, people, and her craft. As 20th Century --Please turn to page 16.
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May believes in the message, value of his music
May has entertained audiences for more than a half century.
--Continued from page 8. here. When not recording the show or one of his albums, Tom was usually on the road.
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ifty years of trekking to ply his craft, often in the wilds of Canada and the Pacific Northwest gave May a wealth of stories. Those stories of the people he’s met and the places he’s visited along the way animate much of the book I Wouldn’t Count on It: Confessions of an Unlikely Folksinger. Running through it all is the deep, abiding love for the music that set him off on this road-less-traveled path in 1971. It’s what’s kept him at it all these years later, though he tours less frequently now. Making and performing the music, and experiencing all that’s bound up in it, will be the epitaph of this musician. “I’d like to be remembered for having lived my life doing this because I believed that it mattered, and it was positive. The songs I wrote, the lyrics and music I composed, were a positive force in our world. One of the great things about this music I’ve written and done my whole life is that the basic tenet behind it is being good and kind to each other and telling each other’s stories.” May embraces the devotees of this “esoteric” genre of music and the higher purpose shared. “The people involved with this are by and large good people. They believe in a positive message. They believe in doing good things in the community. They believe in trying to make a difference through this music and whatever they do with their lives. That’s always been a real positive of this life and lifestyle.” May is the founder of Winterfolk, a Portland, Ore. music festival that benefits the homeless. He’s helped organize many festivals around the nation, including Festival at the Fort in Omaha. Underlying his passion is his own
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personal communion with the songs and their audiences. “At the bottom of it all has always been the music and the song and the communication of the song and how that made me feel,” he said. “The chance to be able to share my ideas and thoughts and words and, of course, the response of the audience. Then the incredible experience of traveling to these places that most people have never seen nor will ever see. And to do it on my own terms. It’s been an incredible gift.” The humanistic themes folk music explores is another compelling pull for May. “I believe in the message and the worth of this music. It speaks to what people do with their lives, with their jobs. It speaks to history, which I enjoy writing about in my music. It speaks to the complexity of language. It doesn’t just use a very simple palette of words. It speaks to the common man, but it asks you that make a little effort of your own. And it speaks to the social condition, whether the relationship between men and women, people and government, whatever it happens to be.”
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arly on, May became enamored with a certain “songwriting style about geography and history” made popular by folk legend Gordon Lightfoot who befriended May when Tom first ventured to Canada. May opened for Lightfoot several times. Then there’s the sheer sonic pleasure of acoustic sounds that forever hooked May. “I absolutely adore the sound of acoustic instruments. I just don’t think there’s anything like them. I certainly have used in some of my recordings, instruments that have an electric component to them. But just the unvarnished sound of an acoustic guitar and a human voice, I don’t think can be bested. The sound of a number of acoustic guitars and people singing together can’t be duplicated or improved upon.”
Folk-acoustic music is made for intimate settings and May enjoys being up close with people who appreciate the form, seeing and hearing their visceral reactions right in front of him. “House concerts are a wonderful form of expression, particularly for this grassroots music,” said May, who recently hosted his own house concert. “We jammed 25 souls into my little living room. It was a great experience. I’ve done a lot of those over the years. They really hearken back to a time when it was more personal in the music field. Even Mozart did concerts in the homes of well-heeled people. It’s in the finest musical tradition. A lot of that happens these days and I’m very involved with that.” After most concerts, fans can buy Tom’s CDs and his book I Wouldn’t Count on It: Confessions of an Unlikely Folksinger, and have him sign them. Invariably, he said, some fans share with him how certain songs remind them of loved ones. Sometimes, fans refer to the healing power of the music – that a certain song helped them through a health crisis. The fact people invest so much in the music is meaningful to May. “That’s the stuff that keeps you writing and engaged in what you’re doing,” he said.
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onstrained as a young man in Omaha, Tom found in folk music a means to set himself free and expand his horizons, which immeasurably aided his growth. “I grew up at a time when there was so much going on around us in the world and I felt really insulated against that in Omaha. I didn’t come from a rebellious atmosphere, and I wasn’t instinctually rebellious, but I wanted to get beyond where I lived and how I’d been raised.” Just as house concerts are an old tradition, so is the troubadour on the open road. This wayfarer made his way to places like Toronto, St. Louis, and Boston, learning the ropes of being on his own and “living the musician’s life.” To complete the picture of the
Tom May performed with the Omaha Symphony in 1994.
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Clete Baker co-produces May’s ‘River City Folk’ in Omaha. wayfarer, May occasionally hitchhiked, a guitar slug on his back. All of it was a necessary rite of passage for the young artist. “You need to find out what this profession, what the life and what the music is all about bit by bit,” he said. “Once I got out there, I experienced more of the world. In this profession, we were always exchanging ideas. I was lucky to be around many great musicians and intellects. They were great thinkers who challenged me to read books I had not read and examine ways of life I had not given any thought. That’s what I did. That eventually worked its way into my songs, and the songs made it possible for me to be out on the road. “Particularly in the ‘80s and ‘90s the traveling I did then – the flying and driving around, all the concerts, big stages to small stages, I never wanted for a meal, I never starved. I was really lucky. Bad things could have happened to me. But the freedom was just phenomenal. To be able to travel this beautiful country and other countries and to really experience them, not as a businessman flying into an airport, but as an artist working alongside and singing to folks working their way through life, was just extraordinary.”
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he Vietnam War still waged when May made his break from conformity to go north to Canada. Even though draft eligible, his heading there had nothing to do with avoiding military service, as the draft was suspended by then. “I was really fortunate in that way in that the draft just missed me,” he said. “A number of guys in my class wound up enlisting in the military because they thought they were going to be drafted. And I certainly met a lot of people in Canada a year or two older than I who were up there because of the specter of the Vietnam War.” Picking up and striking out on the road the way May did then in search of adventure and a musical career seems an unlikely scenario today, he said. “I’m just not sure how possible it is anymore, even before COVID, but particularly afterwards, with all the venues that have closed and the cost of living so high. I really question the viability for anybody to do --Please turn to page 11.
COVID’s interruptions required Tom to practice Zen-like discipline --Continued from page 10. it. Although there are still young people starting out buying a van and heading down the road to do it. “When I was a young musician, I could go into a place like Toronto and rent a room for $25 a week. I didn’t have to fill out an application or put down a security deposit. Crossing the border was much easier. It was a less expensive, difficult time to make your way in the arts – acoustic music being part of that.” In his elder statesman role, May mentors a few young musicians trying to make a go of it today. “I’ve got a couple out here I talk to regularly and go see play when I can and encourage. That’s part of our mission as older guys.” Not everyone’s cut out for the life. “You have to be able to not only book the gig for yourself, but figure out how to get there, so you act as your own travel agent,” Tom said. “Then, you have to keep books so you can take care of your financial obligations to the government and to your family. You have to successfully wear a lot of hats.” Many aspects of being a working musician have nothing to do with the art of making music but are still necessary to sustain a career. “You just need to buckle down and figure out how to do it, and that includes everything from copywriting and registering your songs to all the other aspects of booking, marketing yourself, and making sure things are taken care of on the business side. It’s not the fun part of the job, but it’s important.” May estimates his road trips to and from concert dates covered between a million and two million miles all told. “In the old days,” he said, referring to his Canadian road trips, “it was just me” traversing long stretches through isolated wilderness. Treacherous passes and inclement weather were par for the course. He made Omaha home again from 1982 through 1996. “I was traveling all the time – anywhere between seven and nine months of the year – because that’s where the money was. The gigs I played in Omaha paid me a pittance compared to the concerts I played on the road. I would do two months on the west coast every fall and two and a half months on the east coast every spring.” In between Tom played concerts across Nebraska. He eventually settled in the Pacific Northwest. “I’d do (drive) Portland, Ore. to Omaha in two days. I would typically get in the van in Portland and head all the way to Rock Springs, Wyo. That’s a 1,000-mile stretch. Then I’d do the 740 miles from Rock Springs to Omaha the next day, I don’t know how many times I did that. Maybe 75 times.” May’s favorite road trip vehicle was a 1992 short wheelbase Chevy van with a power bed in the back. He nicknamed it “Bessie” after a memorable woman he met in Butte, Mont. who inspired a song and the paternal grandmother Tom never met. “I had it from 1994 to 2003 and put more than 400,000 miles on that vehicle alone. It never broke down in a bad situation.” About everything that can befall a musician has occurred to May, from getting stiffed by promoters to having emergency guitar repairs made to getting lost. But he knows he’s lived a charmed life compared to others. A colleague he admired lost his life in a flash flood. Another died in a plane crash. Still other talents lost themselves to illicit drugs, which he said were omnipresent back in the day but never appealed to him. “Just a car accident could have really put me in a horrible situation, and I never had one of those,” he said. “Lots of other things could have
affected my ability to do it over the long term. But I was fortunately not afflicted by any of those tragedies.” On the other hand, a common casualty of the life, committed relationships, suffered in the process. He confesses in the book he could have been a better husband and father. Now that May’s at an age when people view him as a sage, he’s approached for advice by aspiring and emerging musicians.
part was by air all over southeast Alaska and the second part was all by car up into the Yukon and the Northwest territories.”
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ay pays tribute to persons and events in his work. For example, his father’s long Western Union career began as a messenger boy delivering telegrams. Tom’s song about telegraphy, Words Upon the Wire, celebrates his father and the history of that once ubiquitous, now lost communication conveyance. Songs spring to life in a variety of ways. “A song can begin with an idea, a title, and often for me from reading a book and getting an idea for something I really want to write about. My song about Celilo Falls on the Columbia River was a subject I thought about for a long time – how I would approach it – until something sparked. “The same way with my song about the Battle of Antietam. I always wanted to write a song about the Civil War, but it’s such a big topic. How do you even begin to get your head around it? So, I pondered a long time, then came upon my way into it. I often find an idea, a phrase, a melodic bit I can shape everything around. That’s generally how it works for me.” Rarely do lyrics and music come to him at once. Rather, one usually triggers the other. May concedes most of his songs are rather intricate and complex. He never knows when the spirit will move him, but he did manage to write some new material during the uncertainty of the pandemic, including three “keepers”. Getting through that once-in-a-lifetime interruption meant practicing some Zen-like discipline after COVID forced the cancellation of all the events May had scheduled for his fresh-offTom’s book and its companion CD are the-presses book. available at retail stores and through “It required a lot of mental adjustment to Amazon and other digital platforms. get beyond that basic kind of depression you “I always encourage people to write, because feel when all of a sudden you don’t know what I think writing your own music is important, you’re going to do next,” he said. “But I read and to try to play your instrument as well as you some great books, I did a lot of talking on the possibly can. That’s sadly an art lost among a lot telephone, and I reminded myself on a daily basis of young people who don’t feel like that’s impor- there were folks in far worse shape than I.” tant.” A red wine aficionado, May likes nothing more Tom’s only child, Dylan, who’s touched by than relaxing with a glass of Pino amidst the mathe music muse, is the rare young artist in May’s jestic mountains and natural beauty around him. eyes who dedicates himself to his instrument. For his listening pleasure, he starts his days with “My son’s a great bass player. He’s got a band. classical music and winds down with acoustic He loves funk and blues. He’s played with me a music. number of times. It’s a very special feeling when One constant during the upheaval of COVID we play together.” was River City Folk. Its ongoing success is a Dylan is a fourth-grade teacher who lives result of not only the commitment that he and across the Columbia River from his old man in Baker have for it and each other, but the commitVancouver, Wash. ment guest artists have to appear on the program. From the time he first experienced the gran“People are willing to come in some cases deur of the Pacific Northwest until now, it’s been great distances to appear on the program because May’s nirvana. “I love the geography here.” it gives them a platform for their songs, for their What Nebraska lacks in mountains and bodmusic to be heard.” Tom said. ies of water; it makes up for with its own allure. Like his peers who keep coming back for May got to know its scenic spots and small towns more, May’s never abandoned the calling he as a Nebraska Arts Council touring artist. heeded more than half a century ago. “I still very much cherish the Sandhills and the “There were times in my life where people incredible open spaces there. But there’s somewould say, ‘Well, you could think about doing thing about the Northwest. From my home I can something else as a career.’ But whenever I had see Mount St. Helens in one direction and Mount a chance to make a switch like that, I decided Hood In the other. The Columbia River Gorge is against it, and I’m glad I stayed on the road nearby. The country out here is just magnificent. I’ve been on. I was single-minded and stubborn I can drive up to Timberline Lodge in about two enough to keep doing it, and it actually eventuhours and I can drive to the Pacific Ocean in two ally did pay off for me. hours.” “I’m really fortunate to have this singing voice May’s song Yukon Journey, 45 Below from his and the ability to construct songs and try to make album Blue Rose, Red Wine celebrates the fivemeaning of life through music.” week Yukon-Alaska Northwest Territories tour I Wouldn’t Count on It: Confessions of an Unhe made in 1997. likely Folksinger and a new companion CD can “Now that was really wilderness,” he said. be found in stores, including The Bookworm in “It’s a very upbeat, bluegrassy, highly descripOmaha (2501 S. 90th St.), and online at Amazon tive narrative of that journey. And indeed, it was and other digital platforms. 45 (degrees) below up there. The whole tour was Follow May’s comings, goings, and projects at just amazing. It was an incredible trip. The first tommayfolk.com and on Facebook.
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Look at model size, travel needs
Consider the pros, cons of of a travel CPAP machine By David Kohll, Pharm. D.
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continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine is the most commonly prescribed device for treating obstructive sleep apnea disorders. Obstructive sleep apnea causes interruptions or pauses in your breathing, often because your throat or airways briefly collapse, or something temporarily blocks them. A CPAP machine sends a steady flow of oxygen into your nose and mouth as you sleep. This keeps your airways open and helps you breathe normally. Portability is something to consider when buying a CPAP machine. If you travel frequently, a specially designed travel CPAP machine may be the answer. Even if you don’t travel often, there are always going to be situations where you’ll bring your machine to new sleeping environments. A lightweight, portable machine may be a better fit than a large, bulky, heavier machine. Most modern CPAP machines are lightweight, and some come with a carrying case. Travel-sized CPAP machine versions include the ResMed AirMini, Somnetics Transcend, Apex XT Fit, and Human Design Medical Z1. Consider the size of the CPAP machine. Fortunately, those who use travel-size CPAP devices will discover the reduced size makes a huge difference. Many are as small and as light as an alarm clock or a smartphone. With the exception of the AirMini, most popular travel CPAP models can be run off a battery which is available for an additional cost. The amount of time the charge will last varies based on the amount of the pressure that’s being delivered and the potential use of accessory components like a heated humidifier. In practical use, the battery for most CPAP models may be expected to last one to two nights with standard use. The lithium-ion battery used with travel CPAP machines is rechargeable. Unfortunately, the device will be of no use without a power source. This may make it less desirable to carry it into the woods on a hiking or camping trip that lasts more than a night or two unless you also get a solar panel charger. These chargers are hung over your backpack while hiking to recharge the battery. Each model has an AutoCPAP option with default pressure settings that can range from four to 20 centimeters of water pressure. These settings will be prescribed and refined by your sleep medicine provider to optimize therapy. Because these are medical devices, a prescription is required to obtain the equipment. Travel CPAP machines have features that may make them an attractive option for use away from home. Many possess similar design elements that reflect the standard models. There have also been some favorable improvements. Newer technology has resulted in devices that create virtually no noise. This is a big step forward from older models. Some devices feature smaller slimline tubing that reduce the size of the standard CPAP tubing. This makes it easier to pack. It also may add flexibility and ease of movement during sleep. It alters the flow dynamics (smaller tubes will increase airspeed and affect pressure), so it will require a programmed setting to accommodate this change. Various mask options exist for some models. With standard tubing connectors, it’s possible to use a favored mask. Any mask can be used with the tubing used by the other devices. Integrated displays on some models make reviewing settings and usage data easy. Though it impacts size, the visual display – which is often instantly responsive to touch – on some devices eliminates the need to use a smartphone app. This allows for easier changes by the durable equipment provider, physician, and user. There are reasons you might not want to buy a travel CPAP. These may range from relatively minor nuisances to significant detriments that may steer you toward alternatives. Examples include: --Please turn to page 14.
ENOA needs Ombudsman Advocate volunteers
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he 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 cosponsored 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. The next training is scheduled for August 18 and 20. 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 confidential-
ity, 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 community, 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 facility 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.
Diner’s Choice The Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging is expanding its Diner’s Choice program to all Hy-Vee grocery store locations in Omaha and Papillion. The Diner’s Choice program is designed to provide a nutritious meal for men and women age 60 and older at a time that fits their schedule. ENOA will have Diner’s Choice registration sessions at various locations this month. Please call Christina Ochoa in ENOA’s Nutrition Division at 402-444-6513 for sign up times and more information.
Do you need transportation to and from your medical appointments? Check with your insurance provider to see if non-emergency medical transportation is covered under your plan.
Omaha Fire Department
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he Omaha Fire Department’s Public Education and Affairs Department will install free smoke and/or carbon monoxide detectors inside the residences of area homeowners. Please 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.
August 2021
Watch on Nebraska Public Media
Caregiving, end-of-life planning topics of Aug. 17 online event
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f you could see your future, what steps would you take now to prepare for your next chapter? Join us on Tuesday, Aug. 17 at 5:30 p.m. on Nebraska Public Media for an online virtual conversation about aging focused on caregiving and end-of-life planning, with information about resources available in Nebraska. This event – titled Aging in Nebraska: Planning Your Future – will feature clips from Fast Forward, a new PBS documentary that takes a proactive look at aging. The panelists are Michael Eric Hurting, Director/Producer of Fast Forward; Susan Woodruff, a nurse and caregiver featured in Fast Forward; Margaret Schaefer, Managing Attorney of the Centralized Intake Unit for Legal Aid of Nebraska; and moderator Dr. Lakelyn Hogan, a Gerontologist and Caregiver Advocate for Home Instead Senior Care. Representatives from Nebraska’s eight Area Agencies on Aging, including the Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging, will be available in the chat during the online event to share information on local resources and to answer your questions. To watch this event and explore more resources for older adults and caregivers, please visit NebraskaPublicMedia.org/engage. The event is hosted by Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI), Nebraska Public Media, and the University of Nebraska Omaha’s Department of Gerontology, with support from Nebraska’s eight Area Agencies on Aging.
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Advice for safe summer travel
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his summer has been a busy season for travel and vacationing after many Americans spent last summer at home due to restrictions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. The freedom to travel is facilitated by the loosening of COVID-19 restrictions and mandates as the country continues to see an increase in vaccinations. More than 50% of Nebraska residents over age 16 are fully vaccinated. According to TripAdvisor’s 2021 Travel Index, 67% of Americans are planning to travel this summer (June through August), which is a 17% increase from those who traveled this spring (March 1 to May 31). Dr. Maureen Tierney, assistant dean for Public Health and Clinical Research at the Creighton University School of Medicine, offers guidance on how to travel safely this summer: “It is recommended that people wait until fully vaccinated to travel within the United States,” Tierney said. “While it’s safe for some to travel within the United States without the need for testing or selfquarantining, there are still important safety measures to take before, during, and after travel, depending on an individual’s vaccination status and health history.” For those fully vaccinated, Tierney offers the following recommendations for remaining cautious and vigilant while traveling: • During travel, wear a mask covering the nose and mouth on planes, buses, trains, other forms of public transportation, and while in airports and bus/train stations. • Follow all state and local recommendations and requirements including mask wearing and social distancing. • After returning from travel, self-monitor for any COVID-19 symptoms. Isolate and get tested if symptoms develop. Tierney said people with conditions or taking medications that weaken the immune system may not be completely protected even if fully vaccinated. In addition to travel precautions recommended for fully vaccinated people, the CDC recommends the following travel safety tips for people who are fully vaccinated but have health conditions that make them more vulnerable to the effects of COVID-19. Also, anyone who is more comfortable taking these extra precautions to reduce risk should feel free to do so. • Wear a mask that covers the nose and mouth when you’re indoors or cannot socially distance outdoors. • Stay six feet apart from those who don’t live in the same household. HorizonAD-2010:HorizonAD-08 • Avoid crowds and poorly ventilated 2/4/10 8:00 AM areas.
Whispering Roots and The Big Garden are offering a series of summer farm stands where consumers can get fresh, local fruits and vegetables using their Farmers Market Nutrition Program vouchers. Whispering Roots and The Big Garden will match dollar for dollar every dollar spent in Farmers Market Nutrition Program vouchers, allowing consumers to double their voucher values. For more information, please call 402-444-6513 or go to http://biggarden.org/summer-farm-stands. The farm stands will be held at the following locations on the dates and times listed.
• Frequently wash hands with soap and water or use hand sanitizer if soap and water aren’t available. If travel is necessary for people not fully vaccinated, in addition to the travel safety tips for fully vaccinated individuals, Tierney said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends these additional measures: • Get a viral test one to three days before traveling. • While traveling and outdoors, wear a mask, avoid crowds, and stay at least six feet away from people who aren’t traveling with you. • Wash hands often or use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. • After traveling, stay home, self-quarantine, and take a viral test three to five days upon return. • Even if the test result is negative, continue to stay home and quarantine for seven days. • If the test result is positive, isolate to protect others from infection. • Those who don’t get tested should stay home and self-quarantine for 10 days following travel. • Avoid being around others with increased risk for 14 days whether you get tested or not. • Self-monitor for any COVID-19 symptoms. Isolate and get tested if symptoms develop. “During the busy summer travel months, it is important to remain vigilant and stay up-to-date on COVID-19 trends to protect individuals, their loved ones, and communities,” Tierney said. Additional travel safety tips, including guidance based on destination, are available at cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/ Page 1 fully-vaccinated.html.
Attorneys at Law William E. Seidler Jr.
www.seidler-seidler-law.com 10050 Regency Circle, Suite 525 Omaha, NE 68114-5705
402-397-3801
Delivering quality legal services since 1957.
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Redeem Farmers Market Nutrition Program vouchers at summer farm stands
New Horizons
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August 2021
August 10 Notre Dame Housing 3405 State St. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
August 11 Midtown WIC Clinic 1941 S. 42nd St. 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Sarpy County WIC Clinic 701 Olson Dr. Papillion 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
August 13 One World Community Health Center 4930 S. 30th St. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
August 11 Charles Drew Health Center 2915 Grant St. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
CPAP machines... --Continued from page 12. • Pressures may not be consistently effective. The pressure variance and algorithm responsiveness may mean the device doesn’t work as well. This may require a tighter range and higher pressures to be effective. As a result, you may need to pay closer attention in early use. Setting changes will require your sleep physician’s input. • There may be no humidifier. For users who have stopped using the added water, this may not matter. For those who experience nosebleeds or a persistent dry mouth, this could be a deal-breaker. If nasal saline spray is unable to make up the difference, dryness may undermine the therapy. There’s a reason these devices ultimately integrated humidifiers into all standard models. • Button responsiveness isn’t guaranteed. The buttons on some models seem hard to push at times and are inconsistently responsive. The navigation menu may seem clunky in some models, especially as compared to other streamlined systems. • The size of the device. Though reduced from the standard version, a travel CPAP machine may still be too large to be an attractive travel option. When the battery is connected, the weight and size may become undesirable. If you’re interested in a travel CPAP machine, there are some great options to explore. Many have a degree of reliability earned by companies with years of experience in designing and manufacturing these devices. Though there have been significant strides forward with the latest technology, there are still some areas for further improvement. (Kohll is with Kohll’s Rx in Omaha.)
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Elder Access Line
egal 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. Its hours of operation are 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 9 a.m. to noon on Friday.
T
River City Theatre Organ Society
he River City Theatre Organ Society is hosting its annual concert at the Rose Theater, 2001 Farnam St., on Sunday, Aug. 29 at 3 p.m. Theatre pipe organist Dave Wickersham will be the featured guest performer. Through Aug. 15, prepaid and discounted tickets for older adults are available via mail for $15 each by sending a check made out to the RCTOS to RCTOS, 8825 Executive Woods Dr., # 85, Lincoln, Neb. 68512. Tickets are available at the door the day of the concert for $25. For more information, log on to rctos.com (Events) or call 402-421-1356.
Suggestions for fighting back against summer heat, humidity
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ool water and air conditioning are your best friends this summer. Nebraskans have seen hot weather before, but please don’t ignore the potential health hazards. The summer heat and humidity can have deadly consequences. Recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data shows heat kills more than 600 people per year in the United States. However, those deaths are preventable. When temperatures are well over 90 degrees, the Douglas County Health Department (DCHD) encourages you to take some simple steps to avoid a heat-related illness. “Outdoor time is important,” said recently-retired DCHD Health Director Dr. Adi Pour. “But days like these can present physical challenges.” The DCHD has some basic suggestions to help avoid heat-related problems: • Never leave a person or an animal in a closed, parked vehicle. • Hydrate regularly and before you feel thirsty. At least eight fluid ounces every 15 minutes and no more than 48 ounces per hour are recommended. Drinking small amounts often is better than infrequent large amounts. Water is typically best. • Hydrate before, during, and after physical exertion or outdoor activities. • Avoid drinks with alcohol or caffeine. • Take advantage of air conditioning and shade as much as you can. • Wear light-colored, loose-fitting clothes. • Limit outdoor activity to the cooler morning and evening hours. • Outdoor athletes need special attention and lots of fluids. • Children, people 65 years of age or older, and those with physical or mental illnesses are more at risk. Check on them often. • A sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher should be used when outside. • Consult a news outlet for heat advisory updates, especially between noon and 6 p.m. “You can avoid heat-related injuries with just a little planning,” Dr. Pour said. “Start by staying hydrated.” Charles E. Dorwart Massih Law, LLC 40 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
Sarpy quilt show runs through Aug. 14 Admission is free. The Great Sarpy County Quilt Show The quilt show features more than 60 runs through Saturday, Aug. 14 at the Sarpy County Museum, 2402 Clay St. in Bellevue. historic and modern quilts either made or donated for display. The museum is open Tuesday through For more information, call 402-292-1880. Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Live Life to the Fullest WITH MIDWEST GERIATRICS • Florence Home Healthcare • Royale Oaks Assisted Living • House of Hope Assisted Living & Memory Care • Gerimed & Unimed Pharmacies
Call 402-827-6000
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(before 1975)
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
deFreese Manor
Subsidized housing for those age 62 and over with incomes under $30,750 (1 person) or $35,150 (two persons) 2669 Dodge Omaha, NE 402-345-0622
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
August 2021
Big jobs or small, I’ll do them all. (Bonded & insured)
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Johansen Brothers
ENOA
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402-312-4000
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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.
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New Horizons
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Page 15
Groesser encourages other artists to ‘find their own voice’ my father passed away. I was certain it was sign from my father.” Painting for decades has taken Deb to a deeper place spiritually. “That’s what you strive for as an artist,” she said. Groesser has some advice for
aspiring artists. “Find your own voice, don’t just copy others. Art should be an expression of you.” For more information, please call 402-592-6552 or log online to debrajoygroesserfineart.com.
Deb’s 2011 portrait of Dick and Mary Holland hangs on the wall at the Holland Performing Arts Center in downtown Omaha.
--Continued from page 9. realist artist Andrew Wyeth put it: “I believe one’s art goes as far and as deep as one’s love goes.” Deb said her favorite place to paint is anywhere outdoors, particularly near an ocean. Her favorite painting was a piece called The Promise she completed in Door County, Wis. the day after her father’s death in 2012. Groesser had promised her father – who was battling lung cancer in hospice care – that she would paint “the best
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paintings I’ve ever done” when she last spoke to him. “I cannot even describe the emotions I experienced while painting this piece, but all the while I felt my father guiding me, kept hearing his words,” Deb said. “As I finished, I called for my husband to come see what he thought. At that exact moment, the most beautiful double rainbow I’ve ever seen appeared over Lake Michigan. It looked like the same rainbow our pastor saw the afternoon before shortly after
Groesser at work painting in Wyoming’s Teton Mountains.
e m o c Salem Village! Wel to
We are a 55+ community located in North Omaha; less than a mile from the North Freeway.
Our Residents Enjoy... • Underground parking garage • Secured entries • Elevator • Trash chutes on every floor • Community room where we host bingo, monthly get togethers
• Health awareness speakers,
and immunization assistance
• Resident council
Conveniently located on the North 33rd Street bus route, we also have a park and playground within walking distance.
Want to get involved? Join our resident council!
Call us at
402-614-0414 to schedule a tour!
https://www.npdodgeapartments.com/product/salemvillage-at-miami-heights/
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New Horizons
/product/salem-village-at-miami-heights/
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August 2021