July 25, 2012

Senior OCUS A Special Publication of the Vilas County News-Review

S U M M E R / FA L L 2 0 1 2

and The Three Lakes News

f

Trees For Tomorrow offers Elderhostel program Retirees must make five key financial decisions Vilas, Oneida aging departments make move

Page 2

Senior Focus — Summer/Fall 2012

VILAS COUNTY

NEWS-REVIEW Eagle River Vindicator Established 1886

Eagle River Review 1890

Publisher KURT KRUEGER Asst. Editor ANTHONY DREW Production Manager JEAN DREW Circulation Manager ELIZABETH SCHMIDT Graphic Design SHARINA ADAMS, CARLY RATLIFF

Vilas County News 1892

Editor GARY RIDDERBUSCH Lifestyle Editor PATTI KATZ BLACK Asst. Production Manager ELIZABETH BLEICHER Accounting Manager TERRY POSTO Advertising KURT KRUEGER, TAMMY KLEIN, SUE MAINES, MARCIA HEYER, MARY JO ADAMOVICH

Published by Eagle River Publications, Inc., P.O. Box 1929, 425 W. Mill St. at Eagle River, WI 54521 erpub@nnex.net • vcnewsreview.com ~ Phone 715-479-4421 • Fax 715-479-6242

Kirby D. Redman, O.D. • Michel P. Gelinas, M.D. • Benjamin K. Redman, O.D. 141 B South Willow Street — Eagle River

(715) 479-9390

Toll Free (800) 441-0717

Optical (715) 477-1602

NorthwoodsEyeCare.com Offices in Park Falls and Woodruff

NEW RHINELANDER LOCATION TO OPEN MARCH 2013

Rehab & Nursing Specialties: • 24-Hour Nursing Care • In-House Staff Therapists • Physical, Occupational & Speech Therapy • One-to-One Patient-to-Theraplist Treatment • Outpatient Therapy • Pre-discharge Home Evaluations • IV Therapy, IV Antibiotics

• • • • • •

Advanced Wound Management Hemodialysis Management Infectious Disease Tube Feedings Assistance with Insurance Authorization Stroke, Orthopedic, Neuro-Muscular Insufficiency & Cardiac-Related Problems, Pulmonary Rehab, Neurological Disorders

Amenities: • Private Rooms & Suites Available • Respite & Hospice Care • Dedicated Rehab Wing • Spacious Lounge Areas • Wireless Internet

• • • • •

In-Room Telephones Admission Transportation Provided Whirlpool Spa Beauty Shop Scheduled Social Activities

Please Call Today! • (715) 545-2589 • 2383 State Hwy. 17 • Phelps, WI 54554

Senior Focus — Summer/Fall 2012

Page 3

Office also includes ADRC

Vilas County Commission on Aging moves to new facility on Wall Street ___________

BY KEN ANDERSON NEWS CORRESPONDENT

___________

The Vilas County Commission on Aging (COA), partnering with the multi-county Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC), have a new home at 521 E. Wall St. in Eagle River.

Under the direction of COA Chairman Erv Teichmiller, the former Wood Shed gift house was redesigned to aid the many programs offered through the commission, according to interim supervisor Susan Richmond.

The COA was previously located in crowded office space at the Vilas County Courthouse.

“This (new building) affords space for each staff member to conduct confidential interviews and accommodates two ADRC specialists as well,” Richmond said. “It’s triple the former space we had in the courthouse.”

Richmond said Teichmiller’s vision, followed by county board approval for the facility, was developed into a warm and welcome atmosphere.

The new facility is handicapped accessible and has off-street parking behind the building with an entrance on Fourth Street.

Teichmiller said the mission of the COA is dedicated to advocating for the community, working with consumers to access resources, and empowering them to make positive life changes.

The facility includes a conference room that can be used by the elderly-benefit specialists, caregiver coordinators, nutrition advisory council and transportation subcommittee.

The annual budget for the COA is a combination of federal, state and county funds, along with donations, totaling $737,000. Federal and state coffers each contribute 27%, while county dollars total 29% and donations are at 17%.

Richmond coordinates the nutrition and transportation programs, Mary Kapke coordinates the Alzheimer’s family support, Amie Rein is the health and wellness coordinator and caregiver support, and Connie Gengle and Pamme Williams are the elderly-benefit specialists.

One of the most visible services of the COA is the senior meals program with sites in Eagle River, Phelps, St. Germain, Land O’ Lakes, Boulder Junction and Lac du Flambeau. In addition, meals can be delivered to those who are homebound. In 2011, 25,210 meals were served, including 11,922 home deliveries.

The ADRC of the Northwoods programs focus on persons age 60 and older, as well as individuals with disabilities ages 18 to 59,

The Vilas County Commission on Aging staff includes, from left, Sue Richmond, Mary Kapke, Karen Crochier, Pamme Williams, Amie

according to coordinator Julie Livingston.

(See a related story on the ADRC of the Northwoods in this special section).

“We work with rehabilitation centers, hospital discharge planners and the Commission on Aging,” Livingston said. “We are part of a consortium of county and tribal efforts to provide services. We determine eligibility for programs and create ways to accommodate the needs to the elderly and those who may have disabilities.”

Counties included in the ADRC of the Northwoods are Vilas, Oneida, Forest and Taylor, along with Sokaogon Chippewa at Mole Lake and Forest County Potawatomi in Crandon.

Livingston indicated a disability benefit specialist will soon be added to the staff at the new Eagle River office.

For more information, Vilas County COA offices can be reached at (715) 4793625 or 1-(800) 374-1123. The ADRC can be reached by calling (715) 479-3779.

Rein and Connie Gengle. The staff is dedicated to advocating for the elderly in the community.

—NEWS-REVIEW PHOTOS

The new Vilas County Commission on Aging office is accessible from Wall Street, but also features an off-street parking lot with an entrance on Fourth Street.

Page 4

Senior Focus — Summer/Fall 2012

Oneida County Department on Aging moves to new building in Rhinelander Oneida County has announced a move of the Department on Aging to a new location in the heart of downtown Rhinelander.

“Location, location, location,” said Dianne Jacobson, Department on Aging director. “We are finding our one-mile move has already made a huge difference, increasing the number of folks taking part in our programs and services,” said Jacobson.

The new location is a two-story building at 100 W. Keenan Street across the parking lot from Trig’s Riverwalk Centre.

The building previously housed the Northern Advantage Job Center and is now renamed the Oneida County Health and Aging building.

The Department on Aging provides a wide variety of traditional county services for older adults such as a noon dining site, home delivered meals, transportation options, caregiver programs, durable medical equipment loan closet and an elder benefit specialist for assistance with benefits such as Medicare and Social Security.

The department also operates the Oneida County Senior Center, which offers a number of recreational, social and educational programs.

The new location has tripled the amount of space for programs like arthritis exercise, cribbage, Zumba Gold, support group meetings, mahjong, card club, bridge class and craft groups.

“We are also happy to announce the opening of our brand-new Aging & Disability Resource Center (ADRC) of the Northwoods, Rhinelander office, made possible with our move,” said Jacobson.

The ADRC is a new state program to help older adults and adults with disabilities obtain options for staying indepen-

The Oneida County Department on Aging has moved its offices to 100 W. Kennan St. in Rhinelander across from Trig’s Riverwalk Centre.

dent in the community. The ADRC of the Northwoods is a partnership with Oneida, Vilas, Forest and Taylor counties and all

Oneida County senior dining sites Oneida County Department on Aging — 100 W. Keenan St., Rhinelander, WI 54501, (715) 369-6170 or 1-(800) 3797499. Various lunch settings throughout the area provide delicious hot meals for those 60 or older and their spouses. There are no income requirements but donations are appreciated. Call the dining site one day in advance for reservations.

Locations, service days and the number to call for reservations are as follows: • Oneida Senior Center, Rhinelander — Mondays to Fridays, Senior Center, (715) 369-6170; • Lakeland Community Senior Center, Woodruff — Mondays to Fridays, Senior

Center, (715) 356-9118; • Reiter Center, Three Lakes — Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, Angela (715) 490-2798; • Ray Sloan Community Building, Lake Tomahawk — Mondays and Wednesdays, Elaine, (715) 490-2875; • Cassian Town, Cassian/Harshaw — Tuesdays and Thursdays, Linda, (715) 282-6220; • Nokomis Town Hall, Nokomis — Mondays and Wednesdays, Judy, (715) 453-1058; and • Sugar Camp Town Hall, Sugar Camp — Tuesdays and Thursdays, Jolene, (715) 490-1710

The Aging & Disability Resource Center of the Northwoods also has its Rhinelander office in the facility.

—Contributed Photo

the tribal communities in the geographic region.

The first floor of the new building is occupied by the Department on Aging and the second floor will be used by the Oneida County Public Health Department

when that office moves in later in August.

For more information about the Oneida County Department on Aging, call (715) 369-6170 or toll free at 1-(800) 379-7499 the ADRC of the Northwoods at 1-(800) 699-6704.

Senior Focus — Summer/Fall 2012

Page 5

More Than A Meal Café stays true to its name Eagle River nutrition site moves to new location ___________

BY DALLAS PULVER NEWS-REVIEW INTERN

___________

The Vilas County Commission on Aging has partnered with the American Legion and Auxiliary to host More Than A Meal Café in Eagle River.

A social dining center for senior citizens, the new nutrition site is located at the American Legion building on Highway 45 South, away from the congestion of downtown.

Site manager Jennie Johnson said the new location is a change of pace and may draw a new crowd.

The facility has a large parking lot and is completely handicap accessible. Bright and spacious, the building provides a comfortable dining atmosphere, said Johnson.

Nutritious meals are prepared by Lynn’s Catering and are served to guests with coffee, milk or ice water. The suggested donation for diners age 60 and older is $4.

The hot meals are nutritious and many visitors say the cafe really does provide “more than a meal.” People come before lunch or stay after to visit over coffee at the outdoor picnic tables.

Lenny Osuchowski said he comes to the café every week for the good conversation and stories.

Games and activities, such as trivia and fun contests, are offered for those who want to participate. Some guests even share their talents, such as playing the violin.

“We want people to have a comfortable

place to relax, eat and visit with friends,” said Johnson. “The café also is a great place to meet people.”

Anyone is welcome to More Than A Meal Café and there are no requirements to eat there. However, guests under 60 years of age must pay the full price of meals.

Groups and organizations using the facility are welcome to eat before or after meetings.

Transportation to the nutrition site is offered through the senior bus. Driver Werner Kant is willing to help seniors with their shopping or other small errands on the way to and from lunch.

Home-delivered meals are available based on eligibility, according to Johnson.

Workshops and programs also are hosted at the facility, including the Alzheimer’s Association Workshop July 31 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. This event is free of charge.

More Than A Meal Café is open yearround from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Meals are served at noon. Friday’s menu includes Poorman’s lobster with butter and lemon, a twicebaked potato, coleslaw and poppyseed cake.

Funding for the program comes from Title III Older Americans Act dollars, state dollars and from participants who donate toward the cost of their meal.

The nutrition site depends on its volunteers, according to Johnson. Volunteer

Meals for the Vilas County dining site in Eagle River are prepared by Lynn’s Catering.

Above, site manager Jennie Johnson serves dessert.

—NEWS-REVIEW PHOTOS

drivers are Lois Healy, Ed Gallagher, Carol and Tom Miles, and Irene and Fred Schellinger. Lucille Nowak provides help in the kitchen, while Pat Chopp and Senta Kant assist both in the kitchen and on the

road delivering meals.

For reservations or more information, call Jennie Johnson at (715) 891-1221.

Reservations are required 24 hours in advance.

Vilas County senior dining sites Vilas County Commission on Aging — 521 Wall St., Eagle River, WI, (715) 4793625 or 1-(800) 374-1123. Various lunch settings throughout the area provide delicious hot meals for those 60 or older and their spouses. There are no income requirements but donations are appreciated. Call the dining site one day in advance for reservations.

Locations, service days and the number to call for reservations are as follows: • More Than A Meal Café, Eagle River — Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, American Legion building, 530 Hwy. 45 S., Jennie Johnson, (715) 891-1221;

More Than A Meal Café in Eagle River offers diners nutritious food and an opportunity for meeting new friends. Many come before lunch to visit over a fresh cup of coffee.

• Phelps Senior Center, Phelps — Mondays and Fridays, Sandy Mutter, (715) 545-3983; • State Line Restaurant, Land O’ Lakes — Thursdays and Fridays, Kathy Niesen, (715) 547-6071; • The Boulder Beer Bar, Boulder Jct. — Wednesdays and Thursdays, Carol Young, (715) 479-8771; • Fibber’s, St. Germain — Mondays and Fridays, Verdelle Mauthe (715) 5422951; and • Lac du Flambeau Senior Center, Lac du Flambeau — Tuesdays and Wednesdays, Senior Center, (715) 588-4360.

Page 6

Senior Focus — Summer/Fall 2012

For improving health, socialization, try the YMCA of the Northwoods ___________

BY JULIA JOHN AND MARILYN DUSCHL YMCA

OF THE

NORTHWOODS

___________

The YMCA of the Northwoods at its Eagle River and Rhinelander facilities is filled with active older adults.

On any given day, you will find folks well in their 60s and beyond working out, socializing and improving their health.

They choose to come to the Y for various reasons. There are active older adult members who lift weights, use the many cardio machines, attend educational programs, volunteer and participate in social events.

The Y has a unique family feel and our members and visitors are quick to make friends with one another and the Y’s exceptional staff. Because of this, not only can seniors achieve physical wellness, they might just end up sharing or learning something new, or making a new friend.

There are several ways to get involved at the Y. Members and visitors can simply come in and use the gym on their own.

Some members prefer group exercise classes. Classes are available to members and visitors and accommodate all activity levels and goals. The Y offers classes specifically designed for the active older adult with instructors knowledgeable of the special needs of this population.

There are many success stories from Y senior members who participate in group classes. A few of their stories follow: The Total Body Senior classes are held in both Rhinelander and Eagle River and are vigorous classes that improve strength and flexibility.

“I swim a lot, but the chore of hoeing the corn fields was still difficult for me to do.

After being in Total Body Senior just these few weeks, I’m happy to report that hoeing was noticeably easier. I couldn’t believe I did the whole corn field without stopping!” said Marge.

“I used to have a hard time carrying the 30-pound bag of dog food from the store to the car. After just a few weeks of training with the Total Body Senior class, I can carry that dog food with one hand,” Marty said.

Senior Yoga, held in Eagle River, is a chair-based class that improves flexibility, coordination, strength and balance.

“I can’t miss one gentle yoga class or I feel stiff and can’t move like I would like to,” says one senior yoga participant. “I have learned so much and am able to do the exercises on my own.”

The new Gentle Senior Exercise class taught by 84- year-old Corinne Lester is also a chair-based class that uses flat, large rubber bands. Participants challenge their muscle endurance by moving their limbs in a full range of motion while holding onto the bands.

The YMCA of the North Woods, with facilities in Eagle River and Rhinelander, offers a variety of group exercise classes for seniors.

“The stretching and moving is a proven method of easing arthritis symptoms,” said a regular participant.

The SMART weight loss program is offered three times a year in Rhinelander.

“When I started the SMART Weight Loss for Seniors program, I was drinking two sodas a day and was not happy with my weight”, said Pam. “During the sevenweek program, I learned to exercise more and eliminate sweetened drinks. When I went to get a dress for a wedding, I was able to buy a size 10 instead of a size 16.”

Weekly water exercise classes are held at the Beck Family YMCA on Rhinelander’s northeast side, less than 20 miles from Eagle River and Three Lakes.

“I’m not sure what I would do if I couldn’t attend my weekly water exercise classes,” she said. “I feel I am able to do everyday activities with less strain; I enjoy the social atmosphere and enjoy meeting my Y friends.”

Active older adults at the Y also enjoy Arthritis Foundation programs, water exercise, SilverSneakers, basic Zumba, Golden Adventurers, and Lunch and Brain Games.

Members also stay connected with the YMCA through volunteering. The Y staff invites all to share their life experience in bettering the community by joining in planning committees, event facilitation or even simple day-to-day operation.

The Y at both locations offers classes specifically designed for the active older adult.

—Contributed Photos

The YMCA of the Northwoods offers trips by coach bus to a variety of locations, ranging from sightseeing in the Upper Peninsula to dinner theaters in the city.

Some health insurance companies provide free membership to the YMCA as part of the Silver Sneaker program. For more information about that and about YMCA of the Northwoods group exercise schedule, visit ymcaofthenorthwoods.org, stop in or call the Eagle River YMCA at (715) 479-

9500 or Beck Family YMCA in Rhinelander at (715)362-9622.

Julia John is program director at the YMCA Eagle River Branch and Marilyn Duschl is the active older adult coordinator for the YMCA of the Northwoods.

Senior Focus — Summer/Fall 2012

Page 7

Safari in the grandeur of the North Woods Trees For Tomorrow offers Road Scholar outdoor programs For those greenhorn or seasoned adventurers who have an attraction to and insatiable curiosity for the natural splendor northern Wisconsin possesses — with its glaciated topography, remote azure lakes, dense forestlands and spellbinding diversity of wildlife — Trees For Tomorrow’s Road Scholar© programs are the quintessential travel plans.

Founded in 1944, Trees For Tomorrow Natural Resources Specialty School in Eagle River has taken on the responsibility of bringing objective natural resources education to students, teachers and adults of all ages and abilities.

The center is a fully accredited learning institution which during the school year serves more than 5,000 students from Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota and Michigan.

The school itself is situated on the banks of the Eagle River on approximately 40 forested acres, including property under permit from the U.S. Forest Service.

Road Scholar educational adventures are created by Elderhostel Inc., the not-forprofit world leader in lifelong learning since 1975. Road Scholar is dedicated to providing exceptional learning opportunities at a good value. The programs range from $535 to $629 and there is a reduced cost for double occupancy.

With Road Scholar’s high-quality programs offering up a bountiful variety of challenging physical, intellectual and cultural course offerings, one may easily discover their niche. To find the program that best suits the participants’ needs and abilities, each program has an activity level rating from easy to challenging.

Programs are held throughout all four seasons, giving rise to unforgettable terrestrial and aquatic journeys by skis, snowshoes, canoe, bike and foot. Eight distinctive and active outdoor programs are currently offered at the Trees campus during the 2012-’13 season.

Trees For Tomorrow’s professional staff of naturalists guide participants, allowing for up-close and personal observation in many untouched and bejeweled locales.

Road Scholar program instructors are selected for their expertise, experience and ability to teach adult groups.

Attendees receive instruction primarily from Trees For Tomorrow’s diverse and talented staff of full-time naturalists, possessing varied backgrounds in disciplines such as water chemistry, environmental education, forestry and biology. Two esteemed feathered friends also make up the teaching staff — Apollo, a red-tailed hawk, and Orion, a great horned owl.

Road Scholar guests stay on-site, encountering a rustic stay in Civilian Conservation Corps dormitories built at Trees For Tomorrow in 1937. Meals originate at the historic campus dining hall where staff prepare home-cooked meals and continually find ways to use local or sustainable food

Trees For Tomorrow Natural Resources Specialty School in Eagle River offers educational adventures for seniors through the Elderhostel

products. All palates are catered to and evening wine and cheese socials are a classy affair during most Road Scholar programs.

Past attendees have raved about the entire experience, exclaiming Trees For Tomorrow’s Road Scholar programs are “outdoor learning at its best! Pristine places to play, stellar staff eager to share their extensive knowledge, fun companions, time to commune with nature. Five times isn’t enough; I’ll be back!”

Whether by wings or by wheels, orchestrating travel plans to Trees For Tomorrow is convenient and civilized, as the center is located six hours from Chicago, Ill.; five hours from Minneapolis, Minn.; and seven hours from Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Commercial air service is available to Rhinelander, just 30 miles from Trees For Tomorrow.

There also are car rentals, shuttle vans and taxi services located in Rhinelander.

To register or receive a Road Scholar catalog, contact 1-(800) 454-5768 or roadscholar.org. To learn more about any of the scheduled programs in 2012-’13, contact Troy Walters at Trees For Tomorrow at

Inc. program. Eight courses are offered during the next year, including a canoe, hike and bike adventure.

—Contributed Photo

(715) 479-6456 ext. 228 or troy@treesfortomorrow.com or the school website at treesfortomorrow.com.

Course descriptions Upcoming Road Scholar program dates and course descriptions for 2012-’13 are detailed below (call for prices): Intergenerational program: exploring woods and water of the North Woods Program 18555RJ July 15-20, 2012 July 21-26, 2013 Aug. 4-9, 2013 Explore the forests and waterways of the North Woods with your grandchild (ages 10 to 12) as you gain experience with outdoor skills. Learn to canoe, then paddle into aquatic ecosystems, hike into the vast forested landscape of northern Wisconsin to see what it contains, and learn the vital survival skill of building a fire, orient yourself with a map and compass and shoot a bow and arrow. Study the nighttime world of owls and head into the field at night in

search of them, then make paper and play lumberjack games as you explore Wisconsin’s logging history. Create a dream catcher to learn about the culture of the Native American Ojibwe people, make an original leaf-print T-shirt and a plaster cast of an animal track to take home, view a picturesque waterfall and more. There is an additional cost of $523 per child for this program.

Canoe, hike and bike the North Woods Program 20560 July 22-28, 2012 July 28-Aug. 3, 2013 With an abundance of waterways and public resources away from large cities, northern Wisconsin provides access to a host of canoeing, hiking and biking opportunities to excite the avid lover of the outdoors. By land and by water, study the fascinating and varied biology of the plants and animals that inhabit this rich natural area. Enjoy a range of hikes, bike rides and canoe excursions with professional naturalTurn to TREES, Pg. 8

Page 8

Senior Focus — Summer/Fall 2012

Trees

Tour the North Woods’ less-traveled paved roads by bike with a naturalist from Trees For Tomorrow. The group will stop along the way to explore nature up close and discuss the characteristics of the plants and wildlife found. Multiple route options are available each day and a support van will accompany each tour. Each participant should take their own bicycle and helmet.

FROM PAGE 7 ists who interpret your discovery. Plan on hiking between two and five miles on terrain varying from flat to moderately hilly. Bike rides offer two route options, ranging from 25 to 33 miles per day and canoeing two and one-half hours per trip.

Canoeing Wisconsin’s North Woods Program 9700RJ July 29-Aug. 4, 2012 June 9-15, 2013 July 14-20, 2013 Aug. 11-17, 2013 Boasting more than 1,300 lakes, the glaciated landscape of Vilas County has much to offer water enthusiasts. Participants will take several day trips to paddle many of the area’s pristine lakes and remote rivers, seeing bald eagles and loons along the way. Excursions will be led by our staff of professional naturalists. In the evening, speakers will share their knowledge of the area’s wildlife species and unique natural history. An evening paddle also provides an opportunity for reflection in this beautiful environment. Receive thorough canoe instruction that benefits all skill levels. Beginners are encouraged.

A neighbor you can trust You wouldn’t trust a stranger to handle your final arrangements.

Preplanning can

• Reduce your estate tax • Relieve your family of the financial burden • Reduce your assets in case you ever need to apply for Medicaid • Ensure that your final wishes are carried out

Rely on a trusted friend to guide you through a free, no obligation, preplanning consultation.

Call 715-356-3200 to set up your appointment

FUNERAL AND CREMATION SERVICES Serving the Lakeland Community for over 115 years.

2 Fully Licensed Funeral Directors and 2 convenient locations to better serve you Hwy 47 Woodruff 212 W. Chicago Ave., Minocqua

715-356-3200 www.bolgerfuneral.com

A North Woods skiing adventure is offered through the Trees For Tomorrow Elderhostel Inc. program. The adventure is set for Feb. 12-18, 2013.

—Contributed Photos

Historical, cultural and natural jewels of the North Woods Program 20559 Aug. 12-18, 2012, canceled for 2012; available in 2013 Aug. 18-24, 2013 Learn about the history and culture of the Wisconsin North Woods and experience its stunning natural beauty. In the 20,000acre Sylvania Wilderness Area, hike through magnificent old-growth forests, home to 200-year-old eastern hemlock, yellow birch and sugar maple trees, as professional naturalists interpret all you see. Pay visits to a logging and Civilian Conservation Corps museum and a re-created Ojibwe village, and experience the world’s largest mechanical globe-style planetarium. Canoe with loons and bald eagles on pristine waters, take a pontoon ride on the Eagle River and do much more on this adventure. Expect hiking distances up to 2 miles over uneven terrain and canoeing for up to two hours.

Hike northern Wisconsin and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula gems Program 17732AU Aug. 19-25, 2012 (challenging) Sept. 23-29, 2012 (moderately challeng-

ing) May 12-18, 2013 (challenging) Aug. 18-24, 2013 (challenging) Sept. 22-28, 2013 (moderately challenging) The dense forests of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and Wisconsin conceal diverse wildlife and more than 1,500 lakes. Become familiar with this region on naturalist-led hikes among its spectacular natural resources. Venture into the North Woods habitat of the gray wolf and encounter dramatic illustrations of geology at work on hikes to unusual land formations in Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park. Learn about owls’ adaptations to darkness on a nocturnal excursion, tread the old-growth forests of the region's lake trails and paddle on tranquil Silver Lake as night falls. Human perspectives on this remote corner of the United States emerge in discussions of its mining and logging heritage and a hands-on study of forest management techniques.

North Woods skiing and snowshoeing adventure Program 7310RJ Feb. 12-18, 2013 Enjoy a week of classical skiing and snowshoeing on some of the finest trails in northern Wisconsin. The professional staff at Trees For Tomorrow provides ski instruction for all skill levels. While skiing and snowshoeing, Trees For Tomorrow naturalists will lead participants through an exploration of the unique ways animals and plants adapt to the difficult winter conditions of the north. Multiple route options will be available for each ski tour. Evening programs will focus on the biology and ecology of animals that call the North Woods home.

North Woods birding by trail and canoe Program 8609RJ May 26-June 1, 2013 The knowledgeable staff at Trees For Tomorrow will guide the participants through multiple bird habitats. Moderate hiking and/or canoeing is planned each day. Instruction provided is appropriate for all skill levels. Take a camera, binoculars and a field guide to capture the memories of this Road Scholar trip.

Backroads biking adventure Program 9698AU Sept. 2-8, 2012 Sept. 1-7, 2013

Kalmar center continues meal program for seniors Senior Eagle River Volunteer Enterprise (SERVE) continues a meal program for seniors, called Kalmar Senior Dining, with a noon meal served at Kalmar Senior Community Center in Eagle River.

All SERVE members and persons age 55 or older are welcome to attend. The meals are prepared on site and the cost is $5 per person.

Reservations are required 24 hours in advance for planning purposes and may be made by calling (715) 479-2633 between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. All funds raised are used

for meal costs. The group receives no government funding.

Meals are served Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

SERVE maintained its meal site in Eagle River after the former nutrition program operated by the Commission on Aging moved to the American Legion post south of Eagle River.

Following the meals, a social time with activities is held.

Organizers said they have developed this program to continuing the 25-year tradition of a senior meal site in Eagle River.

All Trees For Tomorrow programs focus on the ecology of plants and animals.

Senior Focus — Summer/Fall 2012

Page 9

Multi-county ADRC adds Eagle River office Staff can answer aging, disability, long-term care questions ___________

BY MARY PLATNER SPECIAL TO THE NEWS-REVIEW

___________

The ADRC of the Northwoods, a new multi-county Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) is now up and running to provide services to Vilas County with an office located at 521 E. Wall Street in downtown Eagle River.

The ADRC is co-located in a newly renovated building with the Vilas County Commission on Aging. The building is handicapped accessible and has excellent off-street parking behind the building with an entrance on Fourth Street.

ADRCs are the first place to go aging and disability questions. ADRCs are “information centers” where individuals can obtain accurate, unbiased information on all aspects of life related to aging or living with a disability.

The centers are friendly, welcoming places where individuals, concerned families or friends, or professionals working with issues related to aging or disabilities can obtain information specifically tailored to their situation. This is a free and confidential service provided regardless of income level.

Besides information and assistance, the ADRC provides long-term care options counseling, benefit counseling, access to funding for long-term care and access to wellness programs to help keep a person’s health and independence.

ADRC of the Northwoods consists of four counties: Vilas, Oneida, Forest and Taylor, and three tribal communities. The tribal communities are the Lac du Flambeau tribe in Vilas County and in Forest County, the Sokaogon Chippewa at Mole Lake and the Forest County Potawatomi in Crandon.

The population being served by the ADRC of the Northwoods is more than 90,000, with approximately 36,000 in Oneida, 21,000 in Vilas, 21,000 in Taylor, 10,000 in Forest and a total of 5,000 from the three tribal communities.

There are two categories of people who are eligible for services: adults age 60 who need information and assistance on issues relating to aging and persons age 18 and older with physical or developmental disabilities.

One example of a request for assistance in the first week of ADRC of the Northwoods’ operation concerned an aging parent who needed medication management and transportation to physician appointments due to the patient being unable to drive and her family living out of the area.

Referral was coordinated with a local senior center to obtain a private pay caregiver who could meet such needs.

Another example was provided by the ADRC disability specialist concerned a person who had recently become disabled and was unable to continue in his current

Julie Livingston, aging and disability resource center (ADRC) specialist, stands in front of the new ADRC of the Northwoods office in Eagle

River. ADRC specialists are available to help people older than 60 who need assistance on aging issues.

—NEWS-REVIEW PHOTOS

occupation. He was helped with obtaining disability benefits and provided with options for training in a different career field compatible with his disability.

Multiple offices The ADRC provides information on a broad range of programs and services, helps people understand the various longterm care options available to them, helps people apply for programs and benefits, and serves as the access point for publicly funded long-term care. These services can be provided at the ADRC via telephone, through a home visit or visiting an ADRC site.

ADRC of the Northwoods sites are located at Eagle River in Vilas County, Rhinelander in Oneida County, Medford in Taylor County and Crandon in Forest County.

The sites are staffed with a total of 13 ADRC specialists and two disability specialists. The specialists are distributed as Turn to ADRC, Pg. 11

Don Meeder, ADRC disability benefit specialist, poses with a display at the new ADRC of the Northwoods office at 521 E. Wall St. in Eagle River.

Page 10

Senior Focus — Summer/Fall 2012

Eagle River hospital offers lymphedema therapy ___________

BY MATT THOMPSON SPECIAL TO THE NEWS-REVIEW

___________

Do you experience swelling in your legs or arms that might get better with elevation but then returns? Do you experience fatigue when moving the extremity? Does the skin look scaly or resemble the appearance of an orange peel?

These are all symptoms of lymphedema — the chronic swelling of an area that is caused by an obstruction of lymphatic pathways that move fluid in and out of tissue.

According to health-care experts at Ministry Eagle River Memorial Hospital, causes can include surgical removal of lymph nodes due to cancer, trauma, damage to lymph nodes from radiation treatment, infections and venous insufficiency.

“Early interventions with a comprehensive lymphedema treatment program can reverse the lymphedematous process,” said Lori Kramer, registered occupational therapist at Ministry Eagle River Memorial Hospital.

“There are several treatment methods we utilize to reduce swelling in the affect-

ed area,” said Kramer. “The long-term goal is to enable the patient to self-manage lymphedema once the treatment program is complete.”

Following an evaluation from the patient’s physician to determine the source of the lymphedema, a further assessment is completed and a treatment plan is put together by a certified lymphedema therapist.

Treatment includes use of manual lymphatic therapy or drainage, according to Kramer.

“This is a very light manual massage which helps to re-direct the fluid around the blocked or damage lymph nodes,” she said. “This helps reduce the chance of infection because the excess stagnant fluid is being removed.”

Kramer also advocates movement to encourage drainage.

“Performing exercises as part of their treatment promotes lymph drainage,” she said. “Physical conditioning can be done at home using range of motion and strengthening exercises to improve the area affected by lymphedema.”

Wrapping (medical compression bandaging) is another step in the lymphedema

treatment process. An elastic wrap is worn 24 hours a day on the involved limb.

Kramer explains that wrapping acts as a counter force to muscle contraction and promotes lymphatic pumping.

“Once the tissue has shrunk, excessive protein has been removed, and the lymphatic drainage pathways increased, the patient can reduce wearing the compression bandages,” added Kramer. “The patient will progress to a sleeve or stocking to maintain reduction to the affected area.”

The goal of the program is to educate the patient on the tools needed to control the lymphedema once it’s reduced through treatment.

Kramer said self-management tools consist of medical compression bandaging and/or compression garment, lymphatic drainage exercises, conditioning programs, ergonomic adaptations, self drainage and skin care.

To learn more about lymphedema therapy, contact Kramer at Ministry Eagle River Memorial Hospital at (715) 479-0224.

Matt Thompson is the public relations and communications manager for Ministry Health Care – Northern Region.

LORI KRAMER

Wall Street

As a local independent agency, proudly representing Auto-Owners Insurance, we live in your community and are here for you 24/7. Offering you more insurance choices, why would you go anywhere else?

Health Mart PHARMACY

®

Caring for you and about you Managing Diabetes? We Can Help.

Rediscover personal service and care you can count on.

Call or visit us today for all your insurance needs.

We’re here to help you in every aspect of managing your diabetes including up-to-date advice on simple changes you can make to feel more confident and stay healthy. We partner with your doctor to make sure you get the best care.

We can help you to live better with diabetes.

• We’ll listen, provide answers and take the time to get to know you.

• We bill Medicare, Medicaid and private plans for diabetes supplies.

• We have a wide selection of diabetes shoes, inserts and socks.

• We host diabetes education sessions.

• We’ll help you understand what your numbers mean and how your diet, physical activity and medicine affect your levels.

Come in and talk to us today.

Wall Street Health Mart Pharmacy P.O. Box 909, 123 E. Wall St. Eagle River, WI 54521 (715) 479-4282

FOREST GRANITE WORKS Monuments • Markers • Countertops

• Personalized & Professional Services • Hand-carved & Computer Designs • Perpetual Care SECOND GENERATION

Eagle River 715.479.8808 701 N. Railroad

Land O’ Lakes 715.547.3552 4169 Hwy. B

St. Germain 715.542.3949 556 Hwy. 155

Eagle River 715.477.0601 RIPCO Bldg.

www.meyer-ins.com Email: meyer@meyer-ins.com

905 N. Lake Ave.

“Cherish a Life for a Lifetime.” www.forestgraniteworks.com

715-478-3958

Crandon, Wis.

Senior Focus — Summer/Fall 2012

ADRC FROM PAGE 9 follows: three specialists in Rhinelander, two specialists each in Crandon, Eagle River and Medford; and one each in Lac du Flambeau and Forest County Potawatomi.

The Sokaogon Chippewa at Mole Lake has an outreach meeting place.

The two disability specialists cover the entire ADRC of the Northwoods region.

To promote education and awareness of the ADRC of the Northwoods, a website is currently under construction. The ADRC can be reached from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on normal business days at (715) 479-3779.

After-hour messages will be responded to on the next business day.

Specialists can rotate to any of the sites in an emergency and telephone calls to ADRC of the Northwoods may be answered by any of the specialists on duty during normal business days.

The goal is to ensure that consumers speak with a live voice as often as possible and minimize the use of voice mail. State ADRC statistics note that each business day a customer contacts an ADRC every 20 seconds. Therefore, if one phone is busy, it can be answered at any other site.

Pam Parkkila is the new regional manager of the ADRC of the Northwoods.

Parkkila was formerly the executive director of Brookridge Heights Assisted Living and Memory Care in Marquette, Mich.

Parkkila has a bachelor of science degree in social work and extensive experience in hospital social work, Alzheimer’s disease and dementia care. She is responsible for administration and quality control of all the satellite sites in the region, and reports to the ADRC of the Northwoods board of directors.

Erv Teichmiller is chairman of the ADRC of the Northwoods board of directors, which is a 15-member board with members chosen to represent the older adults and the physically and developmentally disabled population. The board is responsible for policy, procedures, budget and programming.

Teichmiller is currently chairman of the Vilas County Commission on Aging and played a leading role as chairman of the Vilas County Board ADRC Committee, which spent the past three years guiding the formation of the resource center.

Some history To understand the scope of ADRCs in Wisconsin, a bit of history is helpful. In 2000, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services undertook a major redesign of the

Wisconsin’s North Woods

North of the Tension Line

Page 11 state’s long-term care system.

The four major goals of the redesign included giving people better choices about where they live and what kinds of services and supports they get to meet their needs, improving access to services, improving quality through a focus on health and social outcomes, and creating a cost-effective system for the future.

What started out as a nine-county system in the early years of ADRCs has now grown to 36 ADRCs and five tribal aging and disability resource specialists serving 63 of Wisconsin’s 72 counties and 10 of the 11 tribes.

The Wisconsin 2011-’13 biennial budget includes funding to expand ADRCs to the remaining nine counties and tribes. It is expected that all Wisconsin citizens will have access to an ADRC in their community before 2013.

Further information about Wisconsin’s ADRCs is available on the Web at dhs.wisconsin.gov.

Pam Parkkila, right, regional manager of the ADRC of the Northwoods, explains some of the services to a visitor at the center’s recent open house.

—NEWS-REVIEW PHOTO

Page 12

Senior Focus — Summer/Fall 2012

The Vilas County Commission on Aging is committed to providing programs designed to enhance the quality of life of older adults.

Services provide the opportunity for choices, encourages health, wellness and living independently.

The 12-member Commission on Aging is appointed by the County Board of Supervisors and is responsible for setting policy on all programs.

521 E. Wall Street Downtown Eagle River Mailing address: 330 Court Street Eagle River, WI 54521 (715) 479-3625 or 1-(800) 374-1123 www.co.vilas.wi.us/coa

Funding for services is provided through federal, state and county governments, private contributions and participant donations. Programs through the Federal Older Americans Act do not have fees, but donations are vital to the success of our programs and are greatly appreciated. No one is denied service because of inability to donate.

Who is eligible for services?

Generally, any person age 60 or older may use services. A few programs have more specific guidelines.

Elderly Benefit Specialist

Help when you need it most!

Health & Wellness Program

The Benefit Specialist helps cut the red tape involved with health care and public benefits, such as: • Medicare • Medical Assistance • Medicare Supplemental Insurance • Consumer Concerns • Supplemental Security Income • Disability Claims • SeniorCare Prescription Coverage • Judicare Information • Homestead Tax Credit • Benefit Counseling

Provides informational programs on health and wellness to enrich the quality of life of our seniors.

Transportation

Friendly Visitor Volunteers visit the homebound or isolated frail older adults, providing companionship, a link to the Vilas community and to other available services. The Friendly Visitors also provide telephone reassurance.

Volunteer escort drivers provide rides for people unable to drive themselves to medical appointments, grocery shopping, personal business, other shopping and personal care needs.

Call (715) 479-3625, 48 hours in advance to arrange a ride.

Bus and van rides are also available to transport seniors to adult day care, shopping, nutrition sites, recreational activities, and other activities are available through the following senior groups: SERVE, Inc. (serving Eagle River) — (715) 479-2633 Lac du Flambeau (serving Lac du Flambeau) — (715) 588-3303 Lakeland (serving Woodruff & Arbor Vitae) – (715) 356-9118 Phelps Seniors (serving Phelps & Land O’ Lakes) – (715) 545-3983 Northwoods Seniors (serving Manitowish Waters, Boulder Junction, Winchester and Presque Isle – (715) 356-2650 St. Germain PrimeTimers (serving St. Germain area) — (715) 479-6310

Alzheimer’s Family Caregiver Support Program Provides information and/or funding to caregivers of family members who have Alzheimer’s disease or other closely related irreversible dementia.

Home Support Program Links caregivers with private agencies or self-employed workers who can help with caregiving or provide respite.

Nutrition Program Serves hot and nutritious meals at congregate sites which provide socialization, educational and recreational activities at the following sites located throughout the county: American Legion Eagle River Area Wellness Center Lac du Flambeau Area Gateway Lodge Land O’ Lakes Area

How do I start?

People interested in participating in any program may call the Commission on Aging at (715) 479-3625 or toll free at 1-(800) 374-1123.

You will be connected with a staff person who can assist you. You may also just walk in. We are always available to tell you about the programs.

Phelps - Senior Center Phelps Area Fibber’s Restaurant St. Germain Area Boulder Beer Bar Restaurant Boulder Junction Area

Home-delivered meals prepared at the nutrition sites are delivered to homebound people throughout Vilas County.

Meal reservations are required 24 hours in advance. Donations are encouraged to maintain the viability of the program, but are not required.

Chore Service Matches workers with people needing light housekeeping and yard maintenance. Our chore workers will provide other services such as shopping or laundry depending upon the needs of the individual.

Volunteer Opportunities Our volunteers are an integral part of the Commission on Aging Programs. If you or someone you know is interested in volunteering for one of our programs, please call our office at (715) 479-3625.

Mileage reimbursement is available.

We need volunteers to be • Escort Drivers • Delivery Drivers for Meals to Homebound Seniors • Friendly Visitors

Senior Focus — Summer/Fall 2012

Page 13

NOW THRU AUG. 8

MORE

SAVE $2,000

FREE Video

Call to Schedule Your FREE Video Otoscope Evaluation

3 YEAR

Warranties On All Beltone Fittings Expires Aug. 8, 2012

3 YEAR FREE Batteries

See Specialist for Details Expires Aug. 8, 2012

3 YEAR

INVESTMENT QUALITY

Ear Inspection and Hearing Test

17 Channels On Our Premier Digital Line Set

SAVE $1,500 9 Channels On Our Advantage Digital Line Set

Lost, Stolen, Damage Insurance

SAVE $1,200

$200 Deductible Applies Expires Aug. 8, 2012

2 Channels On Our Quality Digital Line Set LESS

www.beltone.com Lakeland Senior Center Woodruff, Wis. Corner of 2nd St. & Balsam

1-800-236-4060

Rhinelander 142 N. Brown St.

715-369-4060 1-800-236-4060

Eagle River 720 E. Wall St.

1-800-236-4060

Page 14

Senior Focus — Summer/Fall 2012

Watch for Grand Opening Events at all of our Satellite Offices This Summer Our Mission Statement

Aging & Disability Resource Center of the Northwoods

“Providing information, assistance and advocacy to older adults, persons with disabilities, and their families to promote healthy choices, independence, and an enhanced quality of life. A tradition of excellence. Information and caring beyond expectation.

Here to Help You Plan for Today and Tomorrow What Kind of Service Can I Get from an ADRC? Information and Assistance ADRC Specialists provide you with knowledge about services, programs, and solutions for disability and long-term care issues such as living arrangements, health, adult protective services, employment and training for people with disabilities, home maintenance, nutrition, Social Security, and other publicly funded programs.

Long-Term Care Options Counseling ADRC Specialists offer information about the choices that are available to meet your long-term care needs. The ADRC can help you explore all the factors that need to be considered when making long-term care decisions.

Photo courtesy of Ed Hammer

Bringing People and Resources Together

Here to Help You Plan for Today and Tomorrow Serving Older Adults and Adults with Disabilities 800-699-6704

Health and Wellness Today there are many ways that someone can stay healthy and avoid injury even if a person is getting older or living with a disability. The ADRC can make connections for you that will support your best possible health and safety.

Benefits Counseling

adrcofthenorthwoods.org

Benefits Specialists can provide accurate and current information about private and government benefits and programs that you may be entitled to receive. Benefits Specialists can cut the “red tape” when people run into problems with Medicare, Social Security and other benefits.

SERVING THE COUNTIES

Vital Connections

OF FOREST, ONEIDA, TAYLOR AND VILAS AND THE FOREST COUNTY POTAWATOMI COMMUNITY

If you or someone you know is at risk of abuse or neglect, losing housing or heat, the Resource Center is there to help connect you with someone who will respond to your urgent situation.

Long-Term Care Expenses

LAC DU FLAMBEAU BAND OF LAKE SUPERIOR CHIPPEWA AND SAKAOGON CHIPPEWA COMMUNITY TRIBES

ADRCs can help assess your level of need for long-term care services and work with you to determine if you are eligible to receive help paying for your long-term care needs. They can provide information about all the options available and help you select the solution that is best for you.

OFFICE LOCATIONS

The Aging and Disability Resource Center of the Northwoods is the first place to go with your aging and disability questions. ADRCs are “information stations” where individuals can obtain accurate, unbiased information related to aging or living with a disability.

EAGLE RIVER MEDFORD RHINELANDER LAC DU FLAMBEAU CRANDON MOLE LAKE FOREST COUNTY POTAWATOMI

An ADRC can help you find: • Adaptive Equipment • Assisted Living/Nursing Home • In-Home Personal Care • Health and Wellness • Nutrition Programs • Prescription Drug Coverage • Support Groups • Transportation

• Financial Aid • Housing Options • Respite Care

Senior Focus — Summer/Fall 2012

Page 15

Smart creates quilts from family history ___________

BY JAN HINTZ SPECIAL TO THE NEWS-REVIEW

___________

Three Lakes resident Nancy Smart of the historic Wheeler family is using new technology to bring life to an old craft. Incorporating actual photographs into her work, she’s been making beautiful quilts since the 1980s.

Often depicting her own family history, Smart prints photographs onto chemically treated fabric, which is backed with paper. Once printed, she gently rinses off the excess ink, removes the paper backing and sews the patch into the quilt.

Several of her quilts are displayed in Smart’s home; even her shower curtain is one of her quilts. She has made quilts for her family, friends and special people in her life.

Some of her more practical quilts include baby quilts and bedspreads, while others are bursts of color or whimsical and humorous for everyone to enjoy.

She’s even created quilts as thank-you gifts for her doctors. The one she made for her heart surgeon depicts several images of the human heart. Not the heart symbol one sees in a valentine, but a portrayal of the actual heart made by piecing fabric together.

As a gift to her son who lives in Texas, Smart pieced together a 5-foot by 7-foot Texas flag made entirely of old jeans.

The love for her family and friends and her affection for living in Three Lakes and on Wheeler Island is evident in the quilts that she has made.

The Wheeler family has owned the property now known as Wheeler Island since the turn of the last century. Nancy Wheeler-Smart’s great-grandparents bought the entire island from Benjamin Jones in 1902. Jones had homesteaded the land and acquired it from the federal government in the late 1800s.

Smart’s grandparents developed the island, platted it and laid the road. The intention was to call the island the “Isle O’Dreams,” but, because it was occupied by the Wheeler family, it became known as Wheeler Island. Today, four of the homes on the island belong to Wheeler family members.

Smart has visited the island since she was a baby and remembers that toting water to the house was among her regular chores.

In 1966, she and her late husband, Allen, bought the old farm. Although it had been a working farm, it had not been worked for 12 years and the house was boarded up.

Everyone in the family worked on the restoration and gradually transformed the farmhouse to make it habitable. The Smarts moved to Three Lakes after their retirement and have lived on the island for more than 30 years.

In 1961, Smart’s grandmother Adele

Nancy Smart displayed some of her original quilts, which are inspired by her own family history on Wheeler Island in Three Lakes. She

Graves-Wheeler completed a book about Wheeler Island titled “The Enchanted Isle O’Dreams.” Smart drew illustrations for that book and also illustrated the cover for the family cookbook.

One of Smart’s contributions to the Three Lakes community is her continued involvement with the Friends of the Dem-

prints photographs onto fabric before ultimately stitching them to a quilt.

—Photo By Jan Hintz

mer Library. She’s also worked with the Three Lakes Historical Museum, contributing to the exhibit about families who have deep roots in the area.

Family celebrations and reunions are enjoyed on Wheeler Island. Even though most of the family doesn’t live here, they all think of this place as precious and

come back to visit often.

Smart, who has been associated with Three Lakes and Wheeler Island for more than 80 years, said she’s right where she belongs.

“I can’t imagine living anywhere else,” said Smart. “My roots are in Three Lakes.”

Page 16

Senior Focus — Summer/Fall 2012

Phelps Senior Club lends helping hand ___________

BY SHARON GIFFORD SPECIAL TO THE NEWS-REVIEW

___________

The Phelps Senior Club has been in operation for approximately 50 years and offers a variety of services to senior citizens, including the Phelps nutrition center.

Based out of Lillian Kerr Healthcare Center by Rennes on Highway 17 in Phelps, the club’s nutrition center serves meals and dessert Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at noon.

Site manager Sandy Mutter said the nutrition center is appreciated in the community.

“The seniors enjoy the social atmosphere and nutritional meals,” said Mutter.

Seniors typically play bingo after lunch.

Occasionally, speakers from the UW-Extension office visit to share programs on nutrition, container gardening, recipes and food samples.

For lunch reservations, seniors can call Mutter 24 hours prior at (715) 545-3983.

Dick Peterson, the driver for home-delivered meals, makes bimonthly trips to the Land O’ Lakes food pantry and to Eagle River for shopping.

He also drives for monthly trip outings throughout Wisconsin and Michigan. The transportation cost is funded by the Vilas County Commission on Aging, which coordinates and approves meals for each senior center and interviews seniors to approve meal delivery.

The monthly outings are planned by Sharon Peterson. Land O’ Lakes and Eagle River area seniors are welcome on outings with pickups at Stateline Restaurant and Pick ’n Save.

Another noteworthy aspect of the Phelps Senior Club are monthly murals drawn on the center chalkboard by Joann Esque of Phelps.

“She always incorporates little animals

Phelps seniors enjoy a meal at the Phelps Senior Club’s nutrition center, which is based out of Lillian Kerr Healthcare Center by Rennes.

The club also organizes monthly senior outings, which are sponsored

by Vilas County Commission on Aging. —Photos By Sharon Gifford

within her pictures, creating a game for the seniors to find them,” said Mutter. “It’s very entertaining and clever.”

The center also is seasonally decorated by the Phelps area seniors.

The Phelps Senior Club officers include Donna Lepisto, president; Leanne Kamppi, vice president; Mabel Dalton, secretary/treasurer; and Jennie Johnson, transportation manager.

For more information about the club and its activities, contact Mutter at 5453983.

Phelps Senior Citizen Nutrition Center Menu Lillian Kerr Healthcare Center

by Rennes Sponsored by Vilas County Commission on Aging

Meals for seniors (60+) are served Mondays and Fridays at noon. Suggested donation is $4.

Make reservations 24 hours in advance to Sandy Mutter at (715) 545-3983.

Senior Club Site Manager Sandy Mutter is available to assist area senior citizens.

Home-delivered meals available, based on eligibility.

Seniors typically play Bingo after lunch, while speakers from the UW-Extension office sometimes visit to share programs on nutrition, container gardening, recipes and food samples.

Senior Focus — Summer/Fall 2012

Page 17

Always giving back Pittelko, Eagle River senior, ready to serve community ___________

BY JOAN MEEDER SPECIAL TO THE NEWS-REVIEW

___________

The North Woods has many residents who quietly give back to their community in many ways, through different means and on several levels. Al Pittelko of Eagle River is one of these.

One of his many activities is serving on the Eagle River Revitalization Program (ERRP) board for most of the time since its inception in 1999.

The local ERRP coordinated the decorative lighting and sidewalks in the city, as well as 40 banners displaying the works of area artists up and down Wall Street.

The board also purchase and puts up about 100 American flags every year with the financial assistance of other organizations.

Meanwhile, many Eagle River community events wouldn’t be the same without Pittelko’s input. For the Fourth of July parades, he organizes the judges’ viewing stand and lines up crossing guards on the street corners. For the past 10 years of the Journeys Marathon, he has helped organize and serve the Friday night spaghetti feed.

During Klondike Days preparation, he can be found co-chairing with his wife, Mary, the antique sleigh rally. The event, which is building in interest, is in its third year. The Pittelkos organize information for the volunteer judges, some of whom come from out of the area and have been involved in antique sleighs and rallies a long

AL PITTELKO

time. Most of the rally participants dress in the time period of their horse drawn sleigh, which is mostly the early 1900s. There are 10 different classes of the horse-drawn sleighs which a growing number of spectators enjoy at the Klondike Days grounds behind the high school each March.

Al and Mary Pittelko moved from Fond du Lac, where he had been part owner of a cheese equipment manufacturer, to Eagle River for their retirement.

Al Pittelko states, “I just enjoy being involved. In my working years, I was travel-

ing constantly and didn’t have a chance to give back to the community. When we moved up here in 1995, I made up my mind to do it.”

Pittelko was the Eagle River Chamber of Commerce Man of the Year in 2007. As chairman of the Sesquicentennial Celebration in 2007, he led a group of 15 committee members for close to a year of planning, meeting once a month and then more as the event came closer. The celebration included Eagle River’s infamous Privy Parade.

For several years, Pittelko has been involved with Cranberry Fest, setting up days beforehand and working at the information booth during the event.

He said, “I enjoy meeting people from all over..”

For the Paul Bunyan Fest held in downtown Eagle River each August, Pittelko assists in setting up food area tents, and directs volunteers in getting food ready and serving it.

For the past four years, the last weekend of August he helps out with the Festival of Flavors which is an ERRP event. Pittelko finds satisfaction in doing set up and being in charge of volunteers. Participants enjoy sampling different foods, including cheeses from all over the state.

One of Pittelko’s volunteer involvements closest to his heart was the recent traveling Vietnam Memorial Traveling Wall. Fifteen months ago, AMSOIL Derby Track manager Todd Achterberg established a committee to coordinate it coming to Eagle River.

Pittelko remarked, “It was a matter of fundraising to get it here, and lining up 25 volunteers a day for five days. We also needed to line up people to guard it at night. It was open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and we had counselors available then.

“People would come to our information/ locator booth and we met some very interesting people, some from far away. One POW briefly shared his days in prison camp with me. There is an unwritten rule that is practiced to this day among Vietnam vets. That is when they see each other, they say ‘Welcome home, brother’ because we didn’t get a welcome when we returned from the war.

“The night of the Fourth of July, there was a nice closing ceremony which got cut short because of the wind. It was very emotional for some people,” said Pittelko. “This traveling wall meant so much to others and to me. I had convinced myself I was over it (the war), but I wasn’t. I had to skip one day.”

Pittelko points to the healing beauty of the whole North Woods area and the citizens who make it up.

“The people here are unbelievable — so giving, willing to help and friendly. You just don’t see this in bigger cities,” he said. “One example of the generosity of our people is the recent campaign for the new library, which has already raised over $600,000!”

To balance Pittelko’s activities in his beloved community, he enjoys the simplicity of being on the water, where he enjoys boating and fishing.

Social Security statement now available online ___________

BY KEN HESS SOCIAL SECURITY PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST

___________

If you would like to get a Social Security statement, which provides estimates of your future benefits, it is now available online at socialsecurity.gov.

“Our new online Social Security statement is simple, easy to use and provides people with estimates they can use to plan for their retirement,” said Michael J. Astrue, commissioner of Social Security. “The online statement also provides estimates for disability and survivors benefits, making the Statement an important financial planning tool. People should get in the habit of checking their online statement each year, around their birthday, for example.”

In addition to helping with financial planning, the online statement also provides workers a convenient way to determine whether their earnings are accurately posted to their Social Security records. This fea-

ture is important because Social Security benefits are based on average earnings over a person’s lifetime. If the information is incorrect, the person may not receive proper benefits.

The online statement provides the opportunity to save or print the document for future reference, or to have it handy for discussions with family members or a financial planner.

According to the American Customer Satisfaction Index, users are giving the online statement a score of 89, making it competitive with our other top-rated, best-in-government online services, such as the Retirement Estimator and online retirement application.

To get a personalized online statement, you must be age 18 or older and must be able to provide information about yourself that matches information already on file with Social Security. In addition, Social Security uses Experian, an external authentication service provider, for further verifica-

tion. You must provide identifying information and answer security questions in order to pass this verification. Social Security will not share your Social Security number with Experian, but the identity check is an important part of this new, thorough verification process.

When your identity is verified, you can create a My Social Security account with a unique user name and password to access your online statement. In addition, your online statement includes links to information about other online Social Security services, such as applications for retirement, disability and Medicare.

For more information about the new online Social Security statement, visit socialsecurity.gov/mystatement.

Ken Hess is the Social Security public affairs specialist for northern Wisconsin. Contact Hess at 2023 Navajo St., Rhinelander, WI 54501 or via email at kenneth. hess@ssa.gov

KEN HESS

Page 18

Senior Focus — Summer/Fall 2012

Nicolet College here to serve seniors Outdoor education, Learning in Retirement programs offered The Nicolet College district is rich with retirees. Some relocated here following their careers while others have spent much, if not all, of their lives in the beautiful North Woods.

To serve this growing population, Nicolet College has created numerous learning, cultural and social opportunities, each designed to enrich the lives of seniors.

While many people know Nicolet first as an institution that offers college degrees, “it is so much more than that,” explained Sandy Kinney, executive director of communications and college and community initiatives.

“Nicolet exists to serve all the people of northern Wisconsin, and this includes retirees, which is one of the largest and fastest-growing demographics in the North Woods,” said Kinney.

Retirees look to Nicolet for opportunities in four main areas: community education classes, the Learning in Retirement (LIR) program, the Creative Arts Series and traditional credit classes.

Community education Want to learn how to use a computer, make your own pasta, or master Couponing 101? Maybe learning swing or ballroom dance, yoga or easy sea kayaking is more your speed.

All of these classes and hundreds of others are examples of what’s available through Nicolet’s Community Education program.

“What really makes this program work — and makes it so popular — is the wide variety of classes we offer,” Kinney explained.

“I look through the course catalog and am constantly amazed at the diversity of offerings. Most people are inquisitive by nature.

They like to learn new things that are of interest to them. These classes allow them to do that in a relatively short period of time and typically in a casual setting.”

General categories include arts and crafts, computers and technology, creative writing, dance, food preparation, gardening, health and fitness, home decorating, music, and personal finance.

Classes are held at locations throughout the Nicolet district, including many in Vilas and Oneida counties. They also are held throughout the year and divided into three sessions, with the spring and fall sessions offering the most classes and slightly fewer offerings in summer.

In summer, many people gravitate to the out-of-doors through the Outdoor Adventure Series. These courses offer residents the chance to learn a wide variety of outdoor recreation skills such as sea kayaking and canoeing while at the same time exploring the scenic lakes and rivers that are the hallmark of northern Wisconsin.

The series also offers numerous hikes throughout northern Wisconsin and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula as well as many natural history hikes and paddles that cover

Computer classes have long been popular classes for retirees at Nicolet College in Rhinelander. The college also offers its Learning in Re-

such topics as wild flowers, birding and geology.

All classes are rated on how strenuous they are and range from very easy to difficult and challenging.

For more information about these offerings, visit nicoletcollege.edu or call Nicolet at (715) 365-4493, 1-800-544-3039, ext.

4493, TDD 711 relay.

Learning in Retirement Many of today’s active older adults enjoy lifelong learning, and no place is this more evident than in Nicolet’s LIR program.

Membership has grown from a handful of retired and semi-retired individuals when the program started in 1995 to more than 300 individuals today from throughout the North Woods.

The program is structured around two semesters with one covering the fall and early winter seasons and the other running from midwinter through spring.

Each semester features several dozen different classes and discussion groups with topics covering a wide variety of subjects.

Topics commonly include nature studies and outdoor activities, world travel, current events, history, theatre, health and financial issues that affect seniors, along with numerous other offerings.

What many enjoy about LIR classes is

tirement program and arts events that are popular with seniors in Vilas, Oneida and Forest counties.

—Contributed Photo

that they are presented in an easy-going environment.

“There are no tests, no grades, and no compulsory attendance in institute offerings. All you need is a desire to learn,” Kinney said. Each class typically meets once a week for anywhere from one to six weeks.

Along with opportunities to stimulate the mind, the LIR program features social activities each semester.

Annual membership is $35 and runs from July 1 to June 30. This allows participants to attend as many discussion groups and events as they want each semester.

Creative Arts Series Nicolet has a long history of offering arts events that are popular with seniors and the Creative Arts Series continues this tradition. The series is comprised of three main areas: theater events in Nicolet Live!, Art Gallery exhibits, and library-based presentations.

Each year Nicolet Live! features about 20 different performances that include national touring theater troupes and musical groups, documentary films and community theatre plays produced by the Nicolet Players. Many events in the series are free.

The Nicolet Art Gallery features about 10 exhibits every year. The annual highlight is the Northern National Juried Art Competi-

tion, which attracts entries from professional artists from around the country. Other exhibits include themed works by local and regional artists and touring exhibits. The Art Gallery is located on the first floor of the Learning Resources Center on the Nicolet campus. Admission to all exhibits is free.

The Library Series is in its second year and includes lectures, discussions and readings on a wide range of topics as well as cooking demonstrations by a professional chef.

More information about Nicolet College arts series events can be found at nicoletcollege.edu.

Credit classes For seniors seeking academic rigor, Nicolet offers hundreds of credit classes every year. While not a mainstay for the population, every year retirees do enroll in the college’s traditional credit classes. Many of these classes offer an audit option where students do not receive a grade.

“Serving retirees is important to Nicolet College,” Kinney said. “We put significant effort into offering learning opportunities that cover a broad range of topics so that there will be something of interest to everyone. We encourage all residents to explore what’s available to them at Nicolet and take advantage of the many, many different offerings.”

Senior Focus — Summer/Fall 2012

Page 19

Simple lifestyle brought Marshall to North ___________

BY JOAN MEEDER SPECIAL TO THE NEWS-REVIEW

___________

Ever since she was a baby, senior citizen Catherine Allison Marshall had been coming to Three Lakes from Chicago and Pittsburgh to spend summers in her family’s beloved cottage on Little Fork Lake.

She now lives in Three Lakes yearround in a small house on Eagle Creek which she calls her “Winter Palace.”

Marshall reflected on striking a balance between activity and leisure and how her sense of place in Three Lakes kept drawing her back.

“I love being in Three Lakes. I have wonderful friends here and I try to live simply, in tune with the natural world’s rhythms. I love the silence and solitude — time to read, knit, listen to music or maybe write a poem,” said Marshall.

“I first came to Three Lakes because my grandfather came here from Chicago.

He and my father, Sam Allison, built our cottage,” she said. “My father was a friend of Sam Campbell, and he took me to meet him several times.”

Marshall was a ballet dancer in her teens, always having an interest in vigorous, rigorous exercise. And for the past 12 years, she has attended exercise classes at the Reiter Center, enjoying the various physical challenges of physioball, pilates, kettlebells and sword.

Marshall said finds instructor Tori Cihla to be a wonderful teacher who “knows how to keep aging bodies in good working order. Her workouts are so good for us, both physically and mentally,” she says, “The classes have led to new friendships and involvements in the Three Lakes

10% OFF ANY NEW SERVICE EXPIRES 12/31/12

community.”

Marshall said Three Lakes has always welcomed her and her family.

“And now that I’ve retired, I have time to give something back to this community,” she said.

Marshall serves the North Woods community as a volunteer with public radio station WXPR in Rhinelander, hosting “Classics by Request” twice a month on Sunday evenings.

“I have an abiding interest in classical music and enjoy sharing it with other people. It can get a little busy, because it’s a call-in show and I have to juggle playing CDs, answering the phone, making on-air announcements, and tracking down callers’ requests in the music library. But it’s fun, and the hours fly by,” she said.

Marshall is particularly fond of opera.

Several times she has taken small groups of Learning in Retirement students (sponsored by Nicolet College in Rhinelander) to Appleton to see and hear the Metropolitan Opera performing live by way of HD broadcast. She prepared and presented lectures before each trip to introduce the plot and music of the opera.

Marshall also serves on the Three Lakes School/ Community Arts Association board, helping to select performance groups who present to the schoolchildren and community four to five times a year.

She actively supports the Three Lakes Center for the Arts as a member.

Marshall moved to northern Wisconsin from Pittsburgh, where she lived for 30 years and worked as editor-in-chief and assistant director at University of Pittsburgh Press, publishing scholarly books in the humanities and social sciences.

“Being an editor means you get to work in so many different areas,” she

said. “One month you’re editing a book on the Parliement of Paris in the 17th century, the next month it’s a biography of a Latin American dictator or a guide to the amphibians and reptiles of West Virginia.”

She chuckled, “I became an expert in one field after another, though you forget it all!”

Marshall continues to work as a freelancer, editing a series of publications in Russian and Eastern European studies, published by the University of Pittsburgh.

Her career in publishing led her to join the Demmer Library board of trustees and to become an active member of the Great and Near Great Books discussion group, which meets weekly during the school year. Participants read a variety of material and occasionally devote several sessions to a “big book.” She has led discussions on James Joyce’s “Ulysses” and most recently “King Lear.”

Marshall remarked, “This was fun because we watched a video of a live performance from the New York Shakespeare Festival, with James Earl Jones as King Lear as we read the text. It really helped our understanding of the play to see how the words on the page come alive when spoken by talented actors. Our group reads a variety of fiction and nonfiction — it’s intellectually stimulating to read the stuff and rewarding to talk about it.”

Marshall said she surprised a few people when she made the move to Three Lakes.

“I always lived in the city and when I told my friends I was moving to a little town in northern Wisconsin, they said, ‘But what will you do up there?’ I said I planned to be an eccentric recluse. Well, something went wrong.”

CATHERINE ALLISON MARSHALL

Marshall has two daughters, one in Chicago and the other in Pittsburgh, and three college-age granddaughters. They are beginning to think about having a 100th anniversary party for the family cottage.

In the meantime, Marshall enjoys living relatively simply, with no home computer or clothes dryer, pursuing her interests and enjoying the beauty and bounty of the North Woods.

YEAR-ROUND SERVICES Professional Landscape Design & Construction • • • • •

Property Management Spring & Fall Cleanup Dock & Boat Lift Installation & Removal Lawn Maintenance Fertilizer & Weed Control

1144 Hwy. 45 South Eagle River, WI 54521 715.479.6762

www.custom-landscaping.com

1/4 Mile South of Eagle River • Look for the Waterfall

Mmmm.

CULVER’S OF RHINELANDER 620 West Kemp Street, Rhinelander, WI 54501 (715) 369-1800

ORDER “TO-GO” • Fresh Salads • Value Baskets • Chicken To Go

SENIOR DISCOUNT EVERY DAY!

Award-winning news coverage now available on the

vcnewsreview.com ONLINE EDITION: $35 Annually

ONE MAN’S JUNK IS ANOTHER MAN’S TREASURE! Treasure hunters read the North Woods Trader classifieds.

Call (715) 479-4421 with a classified ad for your hidden treasures.

Page 20

Senior Focus — Summer/Fall 2012

Start building a financial strategy Retirees must make (at least) five key investment decisions ___________

BY RICK DONOHOE FINANCIAL ADVISOR

___________

When you’re working, you have a financial strategy that is largely based on one goal: saving money for a comfortable retirement.

You’ll likely have to make many adjustments over several decades to ensure that you stay on track saving and investing. But once you retire, a new goal arises — investing so you can remain retired. To help yourself achieve this goal, you will need to make a number of investment decisions.

Which of these decisions are most important? Here are five to consider: • How much will you spend each year?

Before you can pursue an appropriate investment strategy, you’ll need to know about how much you’ll spend each year. Estimate your costs for housing, food, travel, entertainment, insurance, gifts — everything. Keep in mind that your expenses will likely change annually, especially for items such as health care. Don’t forget about inflation, which will likely cause your expenses to increase over the years.

• How should you balance your investment portfolio to provide sufficient income

and growth opportunities? Clearly, you’ll need your investments to provide a source of income during your retirement years. At the same time, you will need some growth potential to overcome the effects of inflation, which can erode your purchasing power. Consequently, you will need a mix of income- and growth-oriented investments, with the proportions depending on your risk tolerance and your lifestyle.

• How much should you withdraw each year from your investment portfolio? The answer depends on several factors, including your retirement lifestyle, the size and performance of your investment portfolio, inflation, your estimated life expectancy and the size of the estate you’d like to leave. This decision is important, because the amount you withdraw each year will directly affect how long your money lasts.

• From which accounts should you begin taking withdrawals? You may have built three different types of accounts: taxable, tax-deferred and tax-free. It may be a good idea to take withdrawals from your taxable accounts first, thereby allowing your tax-deferred accounts, such as your Traditional IRA and your 401(k), more time to compound and potentially increase in value. If you have a tax-free account,

Curiosity Never Retires at Nicolet College

such as a Roth IRA, save it for last to maximize the compounding on money on which you will never pay taxes. (Roth IRA earnings grow tax-free if you’ve had your account at least five years and you don’t begin taking withdrawals until you’re at least 591⁄2.) That said, this is just a rule of thumb.

• When should you take Social Security? You can begin taking Social Security as early as age 62, but your monthly checks will be considerably larger if you wait until your “normal” retirement age, which is likely 65 or 66. But if you need the money, you may be better off by taking Social Security at 62 and giving your tax-deferred accounts more time to potentially grow.

As you can see, you’ll need a lot of expertise to successfully manage your financial and investment situations during retirement.

If you don’t already work with a financial advisor and a tax professional, now would be a good time to start. Once you’ve got your financial strategy in place, you’ll be better prepared to enjoy an active, fulfilling retirement.

Rick Donohoe is a financial advisor for Edward Jones.

RICK DONOHOE

Gaffney-Busha Funeral Home & Alpha Crematory A FULLY EQUIPPED & LICENSED FACILITY Locally Owned and Operated

ON-PREMISE CREMATORY Free pre-arrangement service available.

Cemetery Marker Sales Contact Tom or Joe Busha or Barry Wallis 304 Division St., P.O. Box 698, Eagle River, WI 54521 Ph. 715-479-4777 www.gaffney-busha.com

Discover the joys of lifelong learning at Nicolet College Learning in Retirement 715.365.4491

Community Education 715.365.4493

Credit Classes 715.365.4493 or 800.544.3039 ext. 4493

TDD/TTY: 715.365.4448

nicoletcollege.edu Nicolet College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in employment, admissions, or its programs or activities.

Senior Focus — Summer/Fall 2012

Page 21

A worthwhile cause UCC Thrift Shop — a place for seniors to volunteer, shop ___________

BY WALLY GEIST SPECIAL TO THE NEWS-REVIEW

___________

The United Church of Christ (UCC) Thrift Shop in St. Germain is a place for seniors to make a gift of their time to a worthwhile cause as well as help the local church’s mortgage fund.

The shop’s goal includes “keeping things inexpensive so that the space we rent is valuable to the community and visitors,” co-coordinator Jerry Sykora explained.

Sykora continued, “Campers, for example, can come in here and pick up something they may need: T-shirts, sweatshirts, dishes, a grill or even a bicycle. I check all of the appliances to be sure they are in working condition.”

Brenda Weber, the other co-coordinator, works with the 30 volunteers to be sure that the schedule is full.

“The Men’s Club from the church decided the shop could be open one more day of the week and staff that, so it is open on Friday as well,” said Weber.

Sykora describes himself as the muscle and the man who carries out the garbage.

He described some of the other jobs for seniors at the shop.

“Judy Manski sorts fabric, glass and other items for Goodwill Industries. We don’t have space to keep it all here, so I take what she decides would be better for the Goodwill to their drop box near the Woodruff Senior Center,” said Sykora.

“We only have one volunteer who is under 50. I think he’s 45,” said Weber. “Helen Steiner, at the checkout, is 86 and her husband, Glenn, who volunteers as a greeter, is probably a little older.

“Volunteer shifts are only three or four hours during any given week,” said Weber, “We have both men and women volunteering.”

Sykora indicated that more hands-on volunteers could be put to work.

“We get a lot of appliances and lamps that aren’t marketable. A handy person could take these apart and we could sell the components such as a socket or a service cord,” he said. “These are all worth money and a person could save by purchasing them here.”

Since it is located next to the Weber’s Wooden Nickel, “Some donated items are shared with the Nickel on a consignment basis, so we try to make as much as possible on each donated item,” added Sykora.

Weber explained the store’s use of sales revenue.

“The store generates enough cash flow so the church treasurer can pay our rent, utilities and such, and keep a minimum of $400 a month for the church mortgage,” she said. “Our store actually started in the church fellowship area and would still be there if Bruce Weber weren’t kind enough to offer us the use of this space at a rate we could afford.”

Most items in the store are priced at $1.

“If there’s a price tag, it might be as much as $5. But, we’ve had some price tags removed so the price is at the discretion of the checkout clerk,” said Sykora.

The store also is children friendly.

“We have books and games at the front of the store for little ones to play with as

The UCC Thrift Shop has enough books for all ages that the section could be called a library.

A reading lamp, desk and chairs are provided for visitors to relax and enjoy a book.

Jerry Sykora and Brenda Weber keep the United Church of Christ Thrift Shop in St. Germain running smoothly during the day-to-day operations.

—Photos By Wally Geist

their parents shop in the store,” said Weber. “At the back of the store is where we offer books, a reading table and chairs for shoppers to relax and try out a book they may be interested in purchasing.”

The store is divided into departments with clothing neatly folded in cubbies or on hangers. The clothing departments include men’s, women’s and children’s. Shoes also are on display.

Weber, born outside of London, England, met her future husband, Wilmer, a U.S. Air Force officer stationed near London, and came to St. Germain in 1957.

Sykora, a lifelong visitor to the area, relocated here full time two years ago from the Chicago area. Both find meaning to their volunteering.

Located in the building adjacent to Camp’s SuperValu Foods, the shop stores seasonal items such as Christmas decorations, golf clubs and water skiing equipment, and rotates the supply as seasons demand. Computers and televisions are not accepted. Furniture is sometimes accepted, but sold on consignment at Weber’s Wooden Nickel.

The store is open Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Volunteers and shoppers are always welcome.

Judy Manski is one of the volunteers who sorts donated items at the UCC Thrift Shop.

Page 22

Senior Focus — Summer/Fall 2012

Pickleball players staying active ___________

BY ANTHONY DREW NEWS-REVIEW ASST. EDITOR

___________

While many senior citizens nationwide struggle to find new ways of staying active, a local group has taken up a unique sport in Eagle River. And judging by the sport’s growing number of participants, playing is a really good time.

The name of the game is pickleball, and it’s played on a court similar to doubles badminton with a perforated plastic ball and wooden (or composite) paddles.

The local pickleball group, spearheaded by area enthusiast Allan Geiger, got its initial start on the blacktop behind Eagle River City Hall in the summer of 2009. However, they arrived at Riverview Park after Geiger finally convinced city officials to allow the group to paint lines on the tennis courts.

“It’s becoming very, very popular,” said pickleballer Neal West over the click-clack noises of a Thursday morning game. “I was down in Arkansas for the winter and they have 120 people involved. They’ve put in eight new courts. It’s getting big.”

West said the group has had a few new people join since last year, adding that Gieger and the players are planning a push for more courts.

“We’re trying to organize to get a couple

more courts added,” he said. “This morning, we had about 15 or 16 people playing.”

Also on the horizon is the possibility of an official pickleball club, which could potentially help teach new players the ropes, host events and print T-shirts.

Many of the local players were headed to the Big Chip Pickleball Classic, which took place in Hayward this past weekend.

The group meets Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 to 11 a.m. at Riverview Park in Eagle River. For more information, contact Gieger at (715) 891-3558.

About pickleball The pickleball court is the same size as a conventional badminton doubles court (20 feet by 44 feet), with a 3-foot-high net. Players volley the hollow plastic ball or play it off the bounce and serve it with oversized pingpong paddles.

Singles or doubles can play pickleball, but the Eagle River group focuses on doubles play.

The game was invented in 1965 in the backyard of former U.S. Rep. Joel Pritchard of Seattle. Pritchard and family members improvised the game on a badminton court after they couldn’t find a shuttlecock.

SO MUCH PLANNING

Eagle River area seniors gather at Riverview Park each Tuesday and Thursday morning for doubles pickleball games throughout the summer.

—NEWS-REVIEW PHOTO

LET US MOVE THE FURNITURE!

GOES INTO RETIREMENT.

HAVE YOU THOUGHT ABOUT TAXES AS WELL? It’s likely that your retirement income may come from many sources, such as Social Security, pension distributions, a 401(k) or IRA withdrawals. That’s why, if taxes are a concern for you, it’s important to choose the right investments for your portfolio.

At Edward Jones, we have many options that can give you more control over your taxes, so you can enjoy what you’ve worked so hard to achieve.

Edward Jones, its employees and financial advisors cannot provide tax advice. You should consult with a qualified tax specialist for professional advice on your specific situation.

Call today to see how our unique, face-to-face approach makes us best-suited to help long-term investors meet their current needs and future financial goals.

LA RRY FA VO RITE – O W NER

ED C ERV – TEC HNIC IA N

Why choose Eagle Carpet Cleaning for your next carpet cleaning? The answers are simple, yet important.

We use the self-contained Butler truck-mount system and its incredibly powerful vacuum system which removes more soil and moisture than competitors and rentals. By using our own softened water, no detergent residue remains. The result is brighter, cleaner carpeting which stays that way longer and dries in a few hours, not a few days.

With two cleaning vans, we can provide prompt service.

In addition to cleaning carpet, we can also clean tile and grout, upholstery, solve pet odor problems, remove difficult spots and handle fire or water damage problems. And, of course, we don’t charge extra for moving furniture! Give us a call today!

O W NER — EAGLE CARPET CLEANING

715-477-0501

Senior Focus — Summer/Fall 2012

Page 23

VISIT US SOON

ACE IS THE PLACE When you need quality products and friendly, professional service.

INTS & STAINS PA

STIHL

SMAN TOO AFT LS R C

Friendly Village & Taylor Park Nursing & Rehabilitation A team of dedicated professionals committed to your healthcare needs Comprehensive Rehabilitation Services Specialized Rehabilitation Suites

Depend on the people at Nelson’s for all your needs.

• Hallmark Cards • Lawn & Garden Supplies • Hand & Power Tools • Carhartt Clothing • Vast Battery Selection • Plumbing & Electrical Supplies & Fixtures • Automotive Supplies • Keys Duplicated • Cleaning Supplies

Nelson’s

Open 7 days a week to serve you

Hardware

606 E. Wall, Eagle River 715-479-4496

Medicare and Medicaid Certified

24 Hour Skilled Nursing Care Long Term Care & Respite Care

Specialized Care for Alzheimer’s & Other Dementia Patients

For Information Please Call: (715) 365-6862 900-903 Boyce Drive, Rhinelander, WI 54501

Visit Us on the Web www.friendlyvillagerehab.com or www.taylorparknursing.com 576428-01

Page 24

Senior Focus — Summer/Fall 2012