ZesT
August 2010
50+ Living
速 Fair-ly creative
June Anderson and Mickie Luke use their talents to enhance the Meeker County Fair
duties of the 速 The McLeod County Fair veterinarian Days gone by:
Memories of fairs past
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Contents
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10 Bring on food on a stick: Fair season set to kick off The twinkle of lights, the clatter of carnival rides, the smell of farm animals and the sweetness of cotton candy are sure signs a county fair is in full swing. I can almost sense them all now as fair season approaches. The Meeker County Fair is Aug. 5-8 in Litchfield. The McLeod County Fair is Aug. 18-22 in Hutchinson. Each August for the past five years I have attended a county fair in a work capacity. While walking around the grounds snapping photos of volunteers dishing out ice cream or 4-H’ers bathing their prize show cows, one thing became abundantly clear: Fairs take work, dedication and commitment. From the young
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August 2010 Vol. 1 No. 6 zestforlife.mn
5
Calendar: County fairs are here
6
COVER STORY: Fair-ly creative
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Days gone by: Memories of fairs past
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FEATURE STORY: Making the fair a healthy affair
16
Recipes: Jumbo seafood shells
17
Travel and Leisure: Tips to get the best tee times
18
Puzzles
20
Money Matters: A financial review
21
Ask Marci: What is “the doughnut hole?”
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Last Word: Declare your wishes by Merline Duering, executive director at Prince of Peace
people exhibiting livestock to fair board members seeing that events run smoothly, a county fair is only as good as the effort put into it. In this August edition of Zest, we celebrate those people responsible for the success of the area’s county fairs during the past century. Meeker County residents June Anderson and Mickie Luke are doing their part to ensure that the tables inside the exhibitor buildings have plenty to display. Anderson supplies an assortment of cakes, breads and embroidery for judging; while Luke enters hostas, lilies and sewing projects. Both ladies said the fair is fun and engages them in the community. In McLeod County, fair animals receive top-notch care thanks to the services of the fair veterinarian. For most of the 1970s, ‘80s, and ‘90s, Dr.
Virgil Voigt held that position. Today, it belongs to Dr. John Froning. The job of fair vet is more than tending to animal illnesses and injuries. It is about helping to promote rural living and educating the public in animal health. If you an idea for a story, a favorite recipe or just comments, please send them to me. You can reach me at winter@hutchinsonleader.com or send a letter C/O Katie Winter to Hutchinson Leader 36 Washington Ave. W., Hutchinson, MN 55350 or Independent Review 217 Sibley Ave. N., Litchfield, MN 55355. See you at the fair! Katie Winter
ZEST / August 2010 3
Opinion
Bailing on bailout program By David Uffington The government’s Making Home Affordable mortgage bailout programs haven’t been as successful as was expected. The programs were designed to lower mortgage payments, allowing homeowners to keep their homes and avoid foreclosure. As it’s turning out, the vast majority of homeowners who get a lowered mortgage end up defaulting on their mortgages anyway. There are quite a few reasons for the failure of the programs: • Banks weren’t initially asking for proof of income, automatically putting homeowners into a trial program. Once paperwork was completed during the trial period, it was discovered that many homeowners had too much income to qualify and were taken out of the program. • Paperwork was lost or homeowners failed to send in required documents. • Homeowners are giving up and selling their homes. Those who agree to a short sale or just give the house back to the bank qualify for $3,000 in moving expenses. • Homeowners haven’t been able to get through the trial program successfully before the new modification deal is final. • Even with mortgage modification, homeowners still have other debts to juggle. Not only did they have late mortgage payments, but other bills had stacked up before
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David Uffington writes the Dollars and Sense column for King Features Syndicate., Inc.
Trusted Care Keeps You Safe at Home
P U B L I S H E D BY Litchfield Independent Review PO Box 921 Litchfield, MN 55355 (320) 693-3266
they applied for help. Those bills must still be paid. The number of people applying to the programs has plunged, but a new one, starting in August, could encourage thousands to seek help: the Unemployment Program. Some of the eligibility requirements include: • Mortgage must have originated prior to Jan. 1, 2009. • Home must be the principal residence. • The mortgage wasn’t already modified by one of the programs. • Mortgage payments are late, but not more than three months. • The payment is more than 31 percent of the homeowner’s income. • The homeowner can prove unemployment by receiving unemployment benefits. At this point there are a number of programs available: Home Affordable Refinance Program, Home Affordable Modification Program, Second Lien Modification Program, Home Affordable Unemployment Program and Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives Program. For more information, go to www.makinghomeaffordable.gov or call (888) 995-4673.
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Calendar
Calendar of events The McLeod County Fair is Aug. 18-22 in Hutchinson.
The Meeker County Fair is Aug. 5-8 in Litchfield.
Wednesday, Aug. 18: 5 p.m. midway opens. Grandstand: 7 p.m. Auto Cross. North Corporate Stage: 8 p.m. Shaw Brothers Thursday, Aug. 19: 1 p.m. midway opens. Pavilion Stage: 11:30 a.m. Chuck Thiel. North Corporate Stage: 8 p.m. Hat Stand Jack. South Corporate Stage: 4 p.m. Prairie Rose. Grandstand: 7 p.m. Moto Cross. Promise Stage: 9:30 a.m. Big Fun Family Circus; 10:30 a.m. Zoo Mobile. Friday, Aug. 21: 1 p.m. midway opens. Pavilion Stage: 11:30 a.m. Lyndon Peterson. C&L Stage: 8 p.m. to midnight Hairball. Northeast fairgrounds: 1 p.m. Good Old Days Threshing Bee. Grandstand: motocross at 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 22: 11 a.m. midway opens. C&L Stage: 10:30 a.m. Cogley Sisters. Pavilion Stage: 12 p.m. – 3 p.m. Dueling Bands – Lester Schuft & Willy Pikal. Promise Stage: 7 p.m. Veggie Races. Grandstand: 7 p.m. autocross. South Corporate Stage: 8 p.m. Ladies of the 80s. Sunday, Aug. 23: 1 p.m. midway opens. Show Arena: 1 p.m. McLeod County Talent Contest. Grandstand: 12:30 p.m. Antique Tractor Pulling; 6 p.m. demo derby. Corporate Stage: 4 p.m. White Sidewalls; 8 p.m. Clover.
Bandshell and beer garden schedule Thursday, Aug. 5: 3:30 p.m. 4-H Arts-In Performance; 6:30 -10:30 p.m. Wagon Wheelers. Friday, Aug. 6: 12:30-1:30 p.m. Kingery Family; 1:30 p.m. Senior Citizen Program Century Farm Awards; 2-3:30 p.m. Augustana Variety Show; 5-6 p.m. 4-H Share The Fun/Arts-In; 7:3010:30 p.m. Pure Country; 8:30-10:30 p.m. Wally Pikal in the Beer Garden. Saturday, Aug. 7: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Underwater World Adventure Aquarium; 2:30 p.m. Ocean Educational Program; 7:30-9:30 p.m. Greg Michaels in the Bandshell; 9:00 p.m.-midnight Back Roads Band in the Beer Garden. Sunday Aug. 8: 10:30 a.m. Ecumenical Church Service with First Baptist Church, Grove City; 1-1:45 p.m. Sherwin Linton Show; 2 p.m. Talent Show; 6 p.m. 4-H Arts-In; 7-8:30 p.m. Grandstand line up: Thursday, Aug. 5 7 p.m. Demo Derby Friday, Aug. 6 7 p.m. Donkey Races Saturday, Aug. 7 6 p.m. Demo Derby Sunday, Aug. 8 1 p.m. Fun Demo Derby
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Cover Story
STAFF PHOTOS BY KATIE WINTER
June Anderson is at home in her Litchfield kitchen where she bakes numerous cakes, breads and muffins for the Meeker County Fair.
Fair-ly creative Open class exhibitors use their talents to enhance county fairs 6 ZEST / August 2010
Mickie Luke and dog Maggie stand in one of Luke’s flower gardens in rural Darwin. Luke enters many of her flowers and plants in the Meeker County Fair.
Cover Story By Katie Winter
T
ucked away from the midway and grandstand on the Meeker County Fairgrounds are the exhibition buildings, where some of the area’s most creative residents showcase their talents, earn prizes and participate in the fair. The open-class competition includes categories for the arts, such as photography, painting and woodwork, as well as the popular categories of horticulture, canning and baked goods. Each year, the Meeker County Fair receives hundreds of entries in the open-class competition for food, including homegrown produce, canned goods and baked treats. June Anderson, 86, does her part to contribute to that total with the assortment of cakes, breads and rolls she has baked and entered in the Meeker County Fair for nearly 25 years. The Litchfield baker loves spending mornings in her kitchen, mixing batter and putting pan after pan into the oven. “It was relaxing to do all these things,” Anderson said. “I have nothing against boxed cakes, but I like to make them homemade myself. That’s been really fun.” Relaxing, though, does not translate to lax for Anderson, who takes her baking seriously. She relies on recipes from a Betty Crocker cookbook and only uses Gold Medal flour. From the quality of ingredients to the appearance of each baked good, Anderson is a self-professed perfectionist. “I want everything to be perfect,” Anderson said. “I really have to read the recipes. It isn’t always perfect. They go in the garbage sometimes.” Her insistence on entering only high-quality baked goods in the Meeker County Fair has earned Anderson a grand champion ribbon for her chiffon cake and a champion ribbon for her sweet rolls. She also is proud of her more unconventional creations,
like dill bread and seven-grain bread. “I keep trying,” Anderson said. “I’ve made as many as 27 things for the fair and as few as one or three, depending on the year. I finally got grand champion on my chiffon. I was just so happy to have finally made it.” Cake has featured heavily in Anderson’s life, spanning back to the days of her childhood peering over the countertop as her mother mixed ingredients. Later, Anderson spent 40-odd years at Litchfield’s New Bakery, decorating and inscribing cakes. Now, baking and exhibiting at the fair serves as a way for her to stay active in the community. “I’ve had a good life making all these things,” Anderson said. “I just can’t stand it that I’m going to sit down, then that’s the end of you. I either embroider or I’m in the kitchen or going someplace. That’s what I do.” Besides an array of baked goods, Anderson also enters embroidered wall hangings and dish towels in the fair. She said bringing projects to the fair helps in a small way to keep the fair thriving. “What makes the fair is what people bring and make,” Anderson said. “A lot of people bring things to the fair and you see a lot of people. It’s just kind of a fun thing.”
PHOTOS COURTESY OF MICKIE LUKE
Mickie Luke has been taking hosta leaves and quilted wall hangings, like these to the Meeker County Fair for about 20 years.
From kitchen to garden The kitchen is not the only studio where fair projects come to life. The garden also blooms with possibility for many exhibitors. The Meeker County Fair receives hundreds of entries in the open-class competition for horticulture, including flower specimens, flower arrangements and fresh produce. Mickie Luke takes her soil just as seriously as Anderson takes her oven. Luke, 73, from Darwin, began taking her flowers to the Meeker County Fair in the early 1990s. Today, she is up to nearly 20 project entries, including sewn items.
ZEST / August 2010 7
Cover Story “If you want the fair to go on, somebody has to participate,” Luke said. “I like to take part as much as I can.” As a member of the Meeker County Horticultural Society, Luke has gained a fair bit of knowledge about the day lilies, petunias and hostas she takes to the fair. She said understanding the needs and behavior of her flowers makes it more likely to have a quality product to bring to the fair. During the warm days of spring and summer, Luke is busy acquainting herself with the season’s newest blossoms. “You never quit learning,” Luke said. “I just thoroughly enjoy working with the plants.” For Luke, the county fair is a tradition that began as a child when she was allowed to take her penmanship book to fair for judging. She then transitioned into her first passion, horses. During her teenage years, Luke participated in the fair’s western horse show. Her two daughters eventually carried on the horse riding and fair tradition before Luke began entering projects of her own again. “The fair is a fun thing,” Luke said. “It’s a get-together. I
like being around people and it’s something I would miss if I didn’t do it.” For Luke the key to an enjoyable fair experience is not only creating project entries, but also admiring the work of participants of all ages. She particularly likes walking through the 4-H building, taking note of the changes since her youthful days at the fair. “I still got 4-H in my blood,” Luke said. “I still always spend time looking at what the kids are making and how it’s changed. They’re getting into quilting and that’s fun to see.” Luke’s fair contributions stretch beyond that of an exhibitor. She also has volunteered in the horticulture building, assisting the judges with paperwork and watering the plants. It is just one more way to keep active, Luke said. “I can go out early in the morning and forget all about breakfast,” Luke said, “and in the evening too. I’ll go out and it’s dark before I know it. It’s what keeps my strength up.” The Meeker County Fair is Aug. 5-8 in Litchfield.
“What makes the fair is what people bring and make. A lot of people bring things to the fair ... It’s just kind of a fun thing.” – June Anderson
STAFF PHOTO BY KATIE WINTER
June Anderson’s skills also extend outside the kitchen. She is a gifted knitter and crocheter, creating everything from pillows to wall hangings. 8 ZEST / August 2010
News
Are you Minnesota’s next superstar? Have you ever watched “American Idol” and thought, “I can do that”? If you can sing, dance, play an instrument or wow an audience with your variety act – and you’ve celebrated at least 50 birthdays – here’s your chance. The producers of the Seniors Expo are holding auditions for the 50+ Strut Your Stuff Talent Contest to be held during the Seniors Expo, Oct. 56 at Mystic Lake Casino Hotel. “We’re going to have a rousing good time with this. Much like the TV show, we plan to invite the public to rally around their favorite contestants,” said Robin Kocina, president of Mid-America Events & Expos. “We have been producing seniors’ events for 10 years and we know for certain that there are lots of very talented seniors out there. I predict we’ll be blown away by the caliber of the par-
ticipants.” The contest is open to all Minnesota residents who reached their 50th birthday by April 6, 2010. To make it an even playing field, only amateurs can enter. Tryouts will take place in late summer/early fall. Contestants will be evaluated on tal-
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ent, creativity, enthusiasm and appearance. Those with the highest scores will be invited to perform in the final contest. Prizes will be awarded to the first, second and thrid place winners. Entry forms and complete information are available at www.101expos.com/seniors or by calling 612-798-7237. There is a $10 entry fee per person. Mid-America Events & Expos, producers of the Seniors Expo, is donating 50 percent of all ticket sales from its 2010 expos to Hope Chest for Breast Cancer, which also will be given a booth at each show. Admission is $3 with the half price coupon from www.101expos.com, and free to kids 17 and under when accompanied by an adult. More information is on the expo hotline, 612798-7256.
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Days Gone By Generations of children have fond memories of the thuds and giggles that came with riding the bumper cars at the McLeod County Fair.
Memories of fair days gone by PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE MCLEOD COUNTY FAIR
Well-groomed horses hitched to decorated wagons often were paraded across the McLeod County Fairgrounds.
The demolition derby has long been a favorite event at the McLeod County Fair with thousands of spectators watching the destruction of the cars through clouds of dust and exhaust. 10 ZEST / August 2010
Days Gone By
Bright lights, big fair The midway at the Meeker County Fair is awash with lights and activity as the midnight hour strikes.The array of carnival rides, games and food keep fair-goers entertained for hours.
PHOTO COURTESY OF MEEKER COUNTY
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Feature Story
Making the fair a healthy affair Throughout the years, veterinarians at the McLeod County Fair have cared for hundreds of fair animals
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE MCLEOD COUNTY FAIR
Veterinarians, Dr. John Froning and Dr.Virgil Voigt spent much of fair week making the rounds throughout the livestock barns at the McLeod County Fair, checking for signs of illness or injury among the hundreds of cows, horses, chickens, pigs, sheep and rabbits.
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Feature Story By Katie Winter One week a year for nearly 20 years, Dr. Virgil Voigt rose early from his bed, dressed and headed out the door. He had a special set of rounds to make and hundreds of potential patients waiting for him. Some were four-legged, some were feathered and others had udders. Such is the life of the McLeod County Fair veterinarian. “I used to go there early all the time,” Voigt said, “because if I got to the fair, say like at about 6 in the morning, the barns were all quiet and I could just walk around in there and I could see a lot of stuff I couldn’t otherwise see.”
The lineage
Since 1996, Froning has been the one making the rounds through the barns and pens at the fairgrounds. Originally from Miller, S. D., Froning moved to Hutchinson in 1994. He obtained his in veterinary degree from Kansas State University. He said the fair vet experience is as much about the people as it is the animals. “I get asked a ton of questions and get into some interesting conversations,” Froning said. “I love the fair. It’s a lot of fun.” The long careers of Voigt and Froning have made them familiar faces at the fairgrounds. While making their rounds they were inevitably bound to bump into a client or the grandchild of a client. Over the years, Voigt said, putting the names to the faces has become increasingly challenging. One name Voigt is likely to never
forget is Dr. A.J. Thompson, the longtime Hutchinson veterinarian who handed down the fair vet title to Voigt. “He was 83 and had been fair veterinarian forever,” Voigt said. “He was one of Hutchinson’s original veterinarians. He basically said that as soon as a new veterinarian moved to town, they’re getting the job. So when he comes and tells you that, you don’t say no.”
Healthy fair, happy fair Both Voigt and Froning have brought their passion for animals to the McLeod County Fair summer after summer. Their stints as fair vets may have started 20 years apart, but their duties differed very little. The No. 1 priority of a fair veterinarian is preventing the spread of contagious disease by conducting a rigorous health inspection and testing
From 1975 until 1993, Voigt cared for the health needs of a diverse collection of fair animals. From lambs and llamas to calves and cats, Voigt treated them all. Voigt was born in Arlington, Minn., conducted his undergrad studies at Minnesota State University-Mankato before attending the University of Minnesota’s veterinary school. He began his Hutchinson practice in 1974. During his time as fair vet he accumulated enough stories and memories to fill a cattle manger. “I always looked forward to the fair because it was another way of renewing acquaintances with everybody. That’s what the fair did for a lot of people,” Voigt said. He retired from the duties of fair vet STAFF PHOTO BY KATIE WINTER after the 1993 fair. Left, Dr. John Froning and right, Dr.Virgil Voigt combine for more than 30 years of service Two years later, current fair vet Dr. John as fair veterinarians for the McLeod County Fair in Hutchinson.Voigt first looked after Froning took the the fair livestock in 1974, while Froning took on the same duty in 1996. reigns.
ZEST / August 2010 13
Feature Story
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE MCLEOD COUNTY FAIR
Horses at the county fair are especially susceptible to the heat and humidity that often accompanies fair days, a fact Dr.Virgil Voigt learned first hand during one McLeod County Fair. for illnesses like bovine tuberculosis and pseudorabies during the weeks before the fair. During the big week, the doctors checked the animals for signs of ailments and treated any injuries that may arise. Froning said a fair with a variety of healthy animals goes a long way toward creating positive perceptions of agriculture and rural living. “From the public perception, we want healthy animals there,” Froning said. “(The county fair) is just a great opportunity to get information out about livestock and pets.” Voigt saw firsthand how the consequences of a disease outbreak at the fair were devastating to not only the event but animal owners, as well. “(One year) it was really humid and the horses started getting really uncomfortable,” Voigt recalled. “And lo and behold the worst possible scenario happens. A horse gets in there with a respiratory problem. It was contagious. I got there that morning and caught that horse was coughing. By the time I made my rounds about
14 ZEST / August 2010
six horses were already doing the same thing. I got a hold of the superintendent and I said ‘we’ve got to get these horses out of here.’ “That was probably my darkest moment as fair veterinarian because I had just wiped out the harness racing and some other type of show, too. There were a lot of mad people, but they understood.”
of pride in showing their animals.” Voigt echoed that sentiment. “The programs for the youngsters, 4-H and FFA, were a tremendous way to teach these youngsters responsibility,” Voigt said. “A lot of the pictures they have of themselves being taken with their purple ribbon and their steer that becomes one of their treasured things later in life.”
Team effort
The fair vibe
The livestock superintendents and owners deserve much of the credit for keeping the animals comfortable and safe during fair week, the two veterinarians said. Everyone from the 4-H and FFA youth and the owners of registered purebreds to fair staff deserve kudos for the significant time and effort invested in preparation. “Pretty much anybody that wins at the McLeod County Fair has a really good chance of doing well at the state show,” Froning said. “There are a lot of well-bred animals and a lot of work that goes into it, too. They take a lot
Even though Froning and Voigt have spent fair week on call, ready to spring to action the moment an animal needs care, they have not missed the chance to soak up the fair atmosphere. “The fair is great,” Froning said. “It really draws people from across the board. It’s a lot of fun. I plan on (continuing) as long as they keep having me back.” “I enjoyed those years as fair veterinarian and the years after that. I enjoy that kind of public service,” Voigt said.
Feature Story
PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE MCLEOD COUNTY FAIR
Even at the fairgrounds, the dairy cows still needed to be milked. Fortunately the necessary facilities and equipment were available.
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Comfort Foods Jumbo Seafood Shells Ingredients: •Jumbo shells • 1 can crab, drained • 1 can shrimp, drained • 1 cup grated swiss cheese • 1/2 cup salad dressing or mayo • Chopped celery • Chopped onion • Chopped pimento Instructions: 1. Cook jumbo shells and drain. 2. Mix and fill with crab, shrimp, grated swiss cheese, salad dressing or mayo, celery, onion and pimento (optional).
Peaches & Cream Pops
Sausage-Pepper Kabobs By Healthy Exchanges Ingredients: • 1/4 cup olive oil • 2 cloves garlic, crushed • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano • Salt and pepper • 2 large onions (8 to 10 ounces each) • 2 medium purple or
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From the Kitchen Diva Ingredients: • 1/2 cup peeled, chopped fresh peaches • 1/3 cup peeled, pureed fresh peaches
• 2/3 cup nonfat vanilla yogurt • 2 tablespoons honey Instructions: 1. Puree 1/3 cup of the peaches in a blender or food processor until smooth. 2. Using a small bowl, mix together the peach puree, yogurt, honey and remaining 1/2 cup of peaches. 3. Spoon the peach mixture into four ice cream-pop molds and insert the handle. Freeze for at least four hours. Makes four servings.
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green peppers • 3 medium red peppers • 2 pounds fully cooked kielbasa (smoked Polish sausage) • 12 (12-inch) metal or bamboo skewers Instructions: 1. If using bamboo skewers, soak skewers in cold water at least 30 minutes to prevent burning. 2. Prepare outdoor grill for covered direct grilling on medium. 3. In small bowl, combine oil, garlic, oregano, 1/8 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper. Let stand while you cut onions, peppers and sausages into 1-inch chunks. 4. Thread peppers, two at a time and alternating with onion and sausage, onto skewers. Brush skewers with oil mixture. 5. Place on hot grill grate; cover and cook 10 to 12 minutes or until browned, turning occasionally. 6. Place on platter to serve. Serves 12.
Travel and Leisure
Tips to get the best tee times No matter if you are new to the sport or an old pro, most golfers have the same complaint: finding time to hit the golf course. That’s why for many of us, getting in a round of golf is relegated to weekends or vacations. Unfortunately, the weekends are the busiest times for most courses, and securing a good tee time can be tough. By arming yourself with some tricks of the trade, however, there are several ways to land the best tee times, even on the busiest weekends. “It’s all about knowing how to stay a step ahead when competing with other golfers for tee times. This way you can book the best times before others get to them, or can choose to play during lighter periods,” said Ron Ward, general manager of ActiveGolf.com, a website that allows users to book tee times at hundreds of golf courses across North America. Here are some tips from Ward on how to get those prized tee times: • Beat them to it: Most golfers book tee times 2.4 days in advance for most courses, according to statistics from ActiveGolf.com. So book your spot on Monday or Tuesday for the coming weekend, instead of procrastinating until later in the week. You’ll have more choices of courses and
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tee times and lower prices available. • Heat it up: Golfers tend to book tee times more in advance during months when there is more sunshine. Be willing to play in the heat and sun, when others are retiring to the clubhouse. • Book lighter times: According to Ward, most golfers crowd onto the course at the same times -- typically between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. on most courses. So, the early bird or late risers usually can get a tee time, even when booking later in the week. • Tap the web: By going online to book your time, you can move quickly and avoid hassles. Booking online also enables you to secure tee times even in the middle of the night, when other golfers are sleeping. • Take a drive: Go off the beaten path. Drive a bit out of your way to find less-crowded courses. You’ll broaden your horizons and vary your game. And you might even improve your game by tackling new challenges. • Pony up: When all else fails, shell out a little more green to get on the green. The best times at top courses will cost more than other tee times. So dig deeper if you really want that certain spot on a busy weekend.
Memory Care • 1 or 2 BR Apartments • Social Activities • Medication Administration • Meal Plan • 24-hr Staffing • All Utilities • Housekeeping and Laundry Services
Independence. Community. Security. For information or to arrange a tour, call Berit Spors at 320-234-0865
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Puzzles
KING CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Grounded flock 5 Castle protection 9 Jazzy style 12 Spiraling motion 13 Part of a foot? 14 Carnival city 15 Small embellishment 17 New England cape 18 Deli purchase 19 Role for Desi 21 "Forget it!" 22 Motif 24 Everything else 27 Street address? 28 Charitable donation 31 Matterhorn, for one 32 Cartesian conclusion 33 - de cologne 34 Dieter's target 36 Expert 37 Dance lesson
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38 40 41 43 47 48 51 52 53 54 55 56
Hex Greeting "- Foolish Things" Soda shoppe order Massage Gridiron tactic using a tee - Khan Latvia's capital Canal zone Apiece Microwave Ohio team
DOWN 1 Early birds? 2 "- Breckinridge" 3 Orsk's river 4 Trig measure 5 Revealing fashion 6 Lennon's lady 7 Performance 8 "Ta-da!" 9 It has its charms 10 Sty cry
11 16 20 22 23 24 25 26 27 29 30 35 37 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 49 50
Shetland, for one Comic Philips "- Little Teapot" Vestige Base runner's goal U.K. fliers Right angle Neighbor of alt Prejudice West of Hollywood Dine Kramden's transport Donut, slangily Copy, for short Shade Snare Ginormous Read quickly Catastrophic Litmus reddener Supplements, with "out" Actress Ullmann Epoch
All answers on page 20
Puzzles
All answers on page 20
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Puzzle Answers
Money Matters
A financial review The way you spend and save money needs to reflect the changes in your life and be adjusted accordingly to keep your retirement planning on track.
Savings, investments Check the rate of return on interest-bearing accounts like savings and CDs. Don’t assume that these interest rates will remain unchanged without your knowledge. Review your statements and watch carefully for notices about changes in your accounts.
Empty nest With the kids grown and gone, you may be paying for phone or cable services you no longer need. Check
for reduced-rate plans that better reflect your current usage. Smaller cars and the savings that go along with them add up.
Credit card fees The best way to manage credit cards is to avoid using them.If you must use credit cards, watch out for interest rates that quietly creep up. Lookout for fees for late payments or penalties for exceeding your credit limit. Some banks count on the profits generated from checking accounts with high overdraft and other fees, so it pays to watch your accounts closely and dispute unwarranted penalties.
The happiest day of the month is when delivery of the fresh, new issue of ZEST arrives in mailboxes and on newsstands. Home delivery subscriptions are available for $18 per year. Subscribers to the Independent Review or Leader can receive ZEST for only $10 per year.
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Ask Marci
What is ‘the doughnut hole?’ Dear Marci, I pay a lot for my medicines and I reach the doughnut hole each year. I have heard that the doughnut hole will be closing. What does that mean? — Elana Dear Elana, The doughnut hole or coverage gap is when you are responsible for the full cost of your prescription drugs in the Medicare prescription drug benefit (Part D). The gap begins when the total cost of your prescriptions reaches a specific amount. This total includes what both you and your plan have paid for covered drugs. Plans can determine when the coverage gap begins, but in most plans in 2010 the coverage gap will begin when you and your plan together have paid $2,830. In all plans the coverage gap ends when your total out-of-pocket costs for covered drugs reaches $4,550. After the gap ends, you will have something that is called catastrophic coverage. With this coverage you will only pay 5 percent of the cost of each drug, or $2.50 for
generics and $6.30 for brand-name drugs, whichever is greater. The new health care reform law will close the coverage gap by 2020. This year, people who enter the coverage gap will receive a $250 rebate. Starting next year, the law gives discounts on both brand-name and generic drugs to people who are in the doughnut hole. In 2011 you will be responsible for 50 percent of the cost of brand-name drugs and 93 percent of the cost for generic drugs while you are in the coverage gap. The amount you are responsible for will continue to decrease until 2020, when you will be responsible for 25 percent of the cost for both brand-name and generic drugs, closing the gap completely. The discounts will be applied automatically when a consumer in the coverage gap fills a prescription. Consumers will not need to fill out forms to receive discounts. —Marci Do you help people with Medicare? Call the Professional Hotline, a national service offered by the Medicare Rights Center to support people serving the Medicare population. Dial (877) 794-3570 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST for info.
Wellness
Water is involved in all body processes. You need the proper amount for all those processes to work correctly. If you lose enough water, your body can’t compensate. You become dehydrated. Basically, you’re drying out. An average person on an average day needs about three quarts of water a day. Signs of dehydration in adults are being thirsty, urinating less often than usual, having dark-colored urine, dry skin, feeling tired or dizzy, and fainting. If you suspect dehydration, drink small amounts of water over a period of time. Taking too much all at once can overload your stomach and make you throw up. If you suspect someone is dehydrated: • Get the person into a
cool place. • Offer fluids like water, fruit and vegetable juices. • Urge the person to lie down and rest. • Encourage the person to shower, bathe or sponge off with cool water. • Watch for heat stroke. It is dangerous and requires emergency medical attention. Symptoms are a body temperature above 104 degrees, confusion, combativeness, faintness, bizarre behavior, staggering, strong rapid pulse, dry flushed skin, lack of sweating or unconsciousness. For more information, contact Gail Gilman-Waldner, Program Development and Coordination – Minnesota River Area Agency on Aging, Inc. at (507) 3898869.
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ZEST / August 2010 21
Last Word
Declare your wishes Health care directives ensure better end-of-life planning By Merline Duering As the waiter approached, the daughter reached over to her mother, patted her on the arm and said, “It’s my treat today… I’ll order for us.” Then she turned to the waiter and ordered two steaks done well. When the waiter walked away the mother said to her daughter, “I really don’t like my steak well done, I would prefer it medium-rare.” The daughter pondered this because she liked her steak well done, she assumed her mother would also. Your children might very well know how you prefer your steak and that you don’t eat lima beans, but do they know the really important things? Do they know your desires and healthrelated concerns? Having a sense of what is important to you can help your decision-makers make health care decisions under difficult circumstances. It is your responsibility to make them aware of your choices. One simple way to do this is to prepare a health care directive. A health
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care directive is a written document that informs others of your health care wishes. It allows you to name a person to decide for you if you are unable to because of physical or mental incapacity, illness, or injury. As of Aug. 1, 1998, Minnesota law was changed to make it easier and less confusing to complete a health care directive. Prior to the law change, the advance directives might have been called durable power of attorney for health care or a living will. With that change, it combined the general purpose of the two directives and simplified the process. You have many choices of what to put in your health care directive. You can be as specific or as general as you wish. You can choose which issues or treatments to deal with in your health care directive. However, there are some limits about what you can put in, and certain requirements must be followed in order for it to be legal. If you want more information about health care directives:
• Contact your health care provider or attorney • Call the Minnesota Board on Aging’s Senior LinkAge Line at (800) 333-2433 • A suggested health care directive form is available at www.mnaging.org/pdf/MSS103-F.pdf • Attend my free workshop at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 11, at the Brownton Congregational Church in Brownton. I will go over the forms, discuss many common questions and have forms available for you to take home. You don’t have to have a health care directive. You still will receive medical treatment if you don’t have a written directive, but writing one helps to make sure your desires are followed. After all, it’s your comfort, your wishes, and your dignity at stake. Merline Duering is the executive director at Prince of Peace Retirement Living, an independent senior living facility in Hutchinson. For more information, visit www.poprl.org.
Regional Eye Center A WHOLE NEW LEVEL OF CARE IN HUTCHINSON
AUGUST IS CATARACT AWARENESS MONTH A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s clear lens. When you begin to develop cataracts, you will experience a gradual painless blurring of vision, fading or yellowing of colors, sensitivity to glare and or bright lights, and trouble driving at night. Approximately 20.5 million Americans age 40 and older have cataracts. New advances and techniques have made cataract surgery one of the most successful and life-improving surgical procedures. Call us for an appointment today to determine if your vision changes are due to cataracts.
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Neck and Back
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The Orthopaedic & Fracture Clinic of Hutchinson is here for you, no matter what’s your game. From minor injuries to total joint replacement, this state-of-the-art facility is your first step to getting your body back. Call us today. Stop hurting.
320.484.4400 HutchinsonHealthCare.com
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24 ZEST / August 2010