Livingston Life May 2023

Museum Spotlight: InfoAge Science and History Museums (Wall Township)

By Steve Sears

Steve Lang, a trustee, and marketing chair of Wall Township’s InfoAge Science and History Museums, talks about

the key to the 45,000 square foot facility.

“The youngsters that visit, they are asking questions,” he says. “That is our key. When they walk out of here, we want them asking questions.” He then adds, “To get a semi-look at everything that’s here, you’re probably going to make two or three trips –10 to 15 hours.”

InfoAge Science and History Museums, located on the former Camp Evans site that was in possession of the United States Army from 1941 up until 1997, became incorporated as a 501 c3 in 1998.

InfoAge, whose first exhibits opened in 2005, is dedicated to scientific,

historical, and educational exhibits, and programs. Aptly described, it is one large museum with 21 mini-museums under that umbrella. Some displays are in the main building near the welcome area and gift shop, but most are out in the campus area. But the displays and exhibits are hardly “mini,” especially in worth and learning. You will spend a good day here in one spot, and as Lang says, you will not only need but want to return.

Michael Ruane is the InfoAge Chief Executive Officer. “We have been talking about STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) since the beginning. We have been saying STEM because it is more easily recognized, but when people come in here, we also talk about STEAM (the above four components but

with the addition of Arts) because we have definitely had STEAM events.”

Visitors to the InfoAge Science and History Museums have ventured from as far away as Brooklyn, Rockland County, New York, and both northern and southern New Jersey. Many homeschoolers also visit for the educational benefit, school visits themselves have doubled since 2022, and InfoAge also works on projects with scout groups.

Gleaned from the website, here is the mission of the InfoAge Science and History Museums: The MISSION of the Information Age Science and History Museum and Learning Center (InfoAge) is to preserve, educate, and honor scientific innovation to inspire new generations of thinkers, dreamers, and visionaries.

Our mission is broken into three Sub-Missions: DEVELOP an Interactive hands-on Learning Center focused on the evolution and preservation of communications, electronics, and related technologies; Learning Center: As a National Historic Landmark, INSPIRE people – especially children

– to learn and appreciate information technology to improve their lives and career opportunities; and Memorial: As New Jersey’s WWII Living Memorial, HONOR the accomplishments and service of veterans, civilians, and military contractors by recognizing their contributions and

by preserving this unique historic site.

Our VISION: Our parking lots filled with yellow school buses and students who are motivated to pursue the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math. Consider some of the offerings. Radio and

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800-939-JUNK

Services offered:

9th Grader, Kim, Wins Poetry Honors Across Counties

by Jeff Garrett

To be recognized honorably in your community is one thing and in your region, is another. For one talented academic teenager, she’ll take that honor.

That’s the case for Daila Kim, a member of the Class of 2026 at Livingston High School, who was crowned a “Poetry Out Loud” winner in the Region 5 Contest at the South Orange Performing Arts Center on Feb 9.

Kim beat out eight fellow competitors from Essex and Union Counties where students presented memorized recitations of three different poems

over three rounds of competition.

As area winner, Kim went to the POL state championships representing Livingston HS in March at Count Basie Center for the Arts. Her teachers Dr. Michael Sunga, Public Speaking & English; Mr. Tim Callahan (English I Honors) and Mrs. Jackie Pascale, Community Period, attended the Feb. 9 competition and supported Kim at the state championships.

New Jersey Poetry Out Loud is a project of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, in collaboration with Mayo Performing Arts Center, and ArtPride

Museum Spotlight...

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New Jersey Foundation. The project was originally founded as a co-sponsored program with Writers Theatre of NJ. Poetry Out Loud is a partnership of the National Endowment for the Arts, The Poetry Foundation, and the state arts agencies of the United States. The program is administered with a host of regional partners including the Bergen County Division of Cultural and Historic Affairs, Rutgers Camden Center for the Arts, South Orange Performing Arts Center, Count Basie Theatre, Appel Farm Arts & Music Center, and CavanKerry Press.

Communications Tecnology; LenniLenape Native Americans, European Colonization, and Independence; New Jersey Shipwreck Museum; Trains; Fallout Shelter Theater, and much more. In the main building there is a self-guided tour, but when you exit that structure and trek to the other buildings, experienced tour guides and docents on site are prepared to explain the displays and engage in discussion.

Annual events are also held at InfoAge. Lang and his group at the Trains museum often hold a three-week model train show where over 2,500 people have come through the front gates. The Computers exhibit, which has 60 rare computers displayed, in April welcomed almost 1,000 avid computer buffs when the Vintage Computer Federation held its annual event at InfoAge. “The events bring people in,” Lang says.

InfoAge Science and History Museums are always growing. The Radio and Communications Technology museum is the most popular, but there are still more buildings to be open for events and

displays. Discussion has included opening a café, and a new Firefighting building will be unveiled soon.

A visit to InfoAge Science and History Museums will benefit and engage anyone, but children especially are wowed by what they see and can do at the facilities. “If you want to bring children in, we have military vehicles, fire trucks, and trains. You have all these different things here,” Ruane says. For more information, visit www. infoage.org

Visit a recreated WWII living room at the WWII Homefront museum (credit: Stefanie Sears)

Visit a recreated WWII living room at the WWII Homefront museum (credit: Stefanie Sears)

Four Paws Inn Hosts Fundraiser for Jersey Pits Rescue

By Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta

Samantha Sulse, owner of Four Paws Inn, is a huge advocate for Pitbulls. She educates the public about them via seminars and works with dogs who have been abused and rehabilitates them.

Sulse has teamed up with Jersey Pits Rescue, Inc. to present “Peace, Love & Pitties,” a spring fundraiser on Saturday, May 20, 2023, from noon to 4 p.m., to help raise money for Jersey Pits Rescue, Inc.

There will be food trucks, live music, raffles, and adoptable dogs. The location is currently slated to be at 1 Fredrick Pl., Chester, but call Four Paws Inn or Jersey Pits Rescue prior to confirm location.

“They’re a 501 c,” said Sulse. “Everything is run by volunteers. No one gets paid. They don’t get money from the state. The money goes to the vet for dogs that have been severely abused, mistreated, abandoned…They [Jersey Pits Rescue] help educate the community. They neuter and spay dogs before they get adopted.”

Sulse shared the story of Sunday, a Pitbull who was shot in the head and left to die by a train station. “Jersey Pits Rescue found her and is in her hands,” Sulse said. “She’s a trooper. She’s still surviving. She had a surgery and is still in critical

condition.” Another dog named Bunny was found chained and malnourished; and Noah who is blind and “sweet as pie” according to Sulse.

She explained, “They’ve gone through so much, and are extremely good with people. There are a good amount of people that are cruel to animals. It’s our voice to defend them and help them.”

Sulse’s love for animals began when she was very young. “I find them all so

innocent,” she said. “When I see an animal in the street, I don’t even think about it, I just go and help.”

She started Four Paws Inn in 2015 after leaving her nursing career. “I started as a dog walker,” she said. Going from nursing to dog walking was a huge change, financially, for Sulse, but it was just in her heart, so she had to go for it. Nevertheless, her business grew. “I don’t even advertise,” she said. “It’s word of mouth. People

trusting my knowledge. I got my license for training and education for pet psychology. I am also in the process of getting certified in nutrition for dogs. I have over twentyyears’ experience with animals.”

Four Paws Inn is a four-in-one local pet service that provides doggy day camp, dog walking, customizable boarding options, a very popular pet taxi service, and more. The staff is made up of four, including Sulse’s son who helps out part-time.

“Our core is training, but we also do dog visits. If you’re running behind, you can call us to drop by for fifteen minutes, feed your dog, let them out,” said Sulse. “If your dog isn’t socialized, we come and stay with your dog, take him out, feed him.”

When dogs that led a bad life come to camp day, Sulse’s heart melts when she sees how happy they are. “You can literally see their smile!” she said.

Sulse plans to continue with Four Paws indefinitely. “This is going to be forever,” she said.

For more information on Four Paws Inn, visit: https://fourpaws-inn.com/

For more information on Jersey Pits Rescue, and to purchase tickets to the fundraiswer, visit: https://shop. jerseypitsrescue.com/jpr/shop/home

By Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta

Growing up in Sussex County, Keri Mack Karmozyn’s family had rescue dogs. But her true passion for dogs came when she met her husband and his two dogs, a Shepherd/Pitbull mix and a Lab. “They changed my life,” she said.

Though an English major, Karmozyn spent most of her adult life in the restaurant business. It started with her working a summer job at her brother’s restaurant—and stayed onboard for the next 20 years working 13- to 14-hour days managing.

She later transferred to catering, thinking it would be easier, and according to Karmozyn it was harder, but she embraced every minute of it. “I worked for five-star chefs and loved it.” By then she was in her late 30 and experienced burnout. She longed for something she was more in tune with.

Karmozyn began her career with dogs by starting her own doggy day care in Bedminster, where she lives with her

husband, John, and five rescue dogs. Her clients were local and came via word of mouth, Facebook, and Instagram.

January 2021, Karmozyn stopped doggie care and started her rescue service, naming it Buddha Pooch Dog Rescue Project. It’s a non-profit 501c3 devoted to saving abandoned and neglected

Dog Rescue Project...

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dogs from local high-risk shelters and connecting them with their new home, giving them a second chance.

Karmozyn pulls dogs from shelters that are in desperate need. “Dogs that need surgeries, I always step in,” she said. “I tend to go to the dogs on the senior side. I rarely have a puppy in my rescue. I advocate for the dogs that need the voice—owner surrenders, people dumping their dogs. Everyone says it’s the Pitbull breed, but so many other breeds too. Unfortunately, owners pass away, and no family member wants to take care of the dog. I go in to pull one dog and I come out with four. Rescue is so hard. It hurts your heart every day. I literally cry all the time.”

Women who assist Karmozyn in running the rescue are K.J. Magers, founder of Bonnies Bark ‘n Board, Bedminster; Courtney Connors, founder of Beyond K9 Training, Far Hills; and Theresa Hart, who fosters any dog that needs help out of the shelter.

“They help me foster, train, and advocate for both the rescue dog and the adopter,” said Karmozyn. “Without them,

I’d be lost. Support—emotional, financial, you name it—is everything in rescue!”

During the humble beginnings of the rescue, Karmozyn said she started so naively. “There is no such thing as going to ‘rescue school’,” she said. “You just want to give a dog a warm home and a place to lay their head. And that is not the case. These dogs were abused, neglected. They are fearful. The animals have been through such tragedy. They break down in shelters. They don’t eat. It’s very, very sad, the cycle of the dogs.”

Though the job is difficult, Karmozyn finds her reward when a dog becomes alive again after being so broken. She shared, “They find the home. You get the update and see this dog that was emancipated and shaking, sitting on the couch with a big smile on his face. You can’t save them all, but just that little bit changes so many lives. It takes so many hearts to heal just one.”

For more information on Buddha Pooch Dog Rescue Project, and to view dogs that are up for adoption, please visit: http:// www.buddhapoochdrp.com/

I Remember Dad: Prayer Is The Key To Open Thy Heart

By Richard Mabey Jr.

One of the saddest things I’ve endured in my life is listening to a father complain about his son, or vice versa. The solemn sadness those words would bring to my heart, would be of such an immense depth.

For over 20 years, I served as an Assistant Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 170. For over 15 years, I served as a parttime Youth Minister. And, I have worked with young people through organizations such as 4-H and Toastmasters. Sadly, it was not uncommon to hear a father complain about his son, or to hear a son complain about his father.

I was blessed beyond my wildest dreams to have a strong father with a kind heart. My father was a veteran of the Second World War. As a boy, he survived the tough times of the Great Depression. These experiences brought a great respect for self reliance upon my father’s subconscious mind. My father was one of the wisest men whom I have ever known. My father had a deeply kind heart.

I walked hundreds of miles of the Appalachian Trail, by my father’s side.

I have taken several week-long hikes along that famous long and winding, mountainous wooded trail. I shared a canoe with my father, for a week-long journey down the Delaware River, five separate summers. My father taught me to hold a deep respect for the forest land, the wild creatures, the streams and lakes, and the birds flying in the air.

If you are a father, who is less than happy with things your son is saying or doing, complaining solves nothing. The first step for any man to have a good, wholesome, blessed relationship with his son, is to pray, pray and pray about it. And then, pray more about it. Complaining only feeds the wound. Complaining only widens the gap.

I know first-hand, how tough it can be to survive in the corporate world. “Mr. Big is flying in from Los Angeles in three days, we’ve got to have those reports completed by then!!!” It’s all so easy to get lost in the demands of work life and fall behind upon feeding the bond with a son. I know it’s important to make a good living. But the very minute a job begins to rob a man of having time to spend with his children, is

the time a man needs to find a new job.

I know that some of you may accuse me of being chauvinist in this column. Please know that I have prayed about this subject a great deal, that of the conflict that can happen between a father and a son. I felt a true calling to focus on this subject for this column.

In general, when you complain about someone, you’re really not working toward healing that human relationship. Complaining only strengthens the conflict.

And, that is exactly what Satan wants to happen. Prayer opens the human heart. Love burns conflicts to ashes. Forgiveness is the greatest tool for healing broken relationships. And, compassion is the candle that lights up the darkness of misunderstanding.

Richard Mabey Jr. is a freelance writer. He can be reached at richardmabeyjr@ hotmail.com. Please put on the subject line: I Remember Dad.

18,000th Paring of Seeing Eye Dogs Occurs in Morristown

by Jeff Garrett

If you ever wondered how a seeing eye dog earns its socalled certificate to practice, The Seeing Eye, Inc. nonprofit organization in Morris County, NJ is an institution which knows, having graduated thousands of dogs to folks in need in history. The organization recently celebrated its 18,000th pairing.

The facility at 1 Seeing Eye Way in Morristown, helps match puppies with over 130 volunteers to train them. Some are repeat, recurring trainers while some are newbies giving it a go for the first time having received training themselves – earning their pedigree of sorts.

“Volunteers start to raise puppies as early as 8 weeks,” says Michelle Barlak, Spokesperson and Senior Specialist of Public Relations of the organization who runs the Sussex County, NJ club in Ogdensburg. “Then they are home for a year with a trainer where they learn things like house manners, house seeing eye dog facility where they undergo a veterinary exam to ensure they will be reliable seeing eye dogs and thereafter, spend four months with a paid fulltime instructor. That elevates the dogs to where they can be paired with someone in need where they spend two to three weeks getting acclimated to their new master.

There are breeding clubs in New Jersey, eastern Pennsylvania, Maryland and Delaware. At each club puppy raisers get lots of support according to Barlak. “The dogs receive veterinary care and the trainers get a stipend for dog food. There are puppy club meetings and classes run by puppy club leaders which help new raisers.” If you become a leader, these folks must do things away from

the site club and in the community such as taking dogs to malls, fairs, festivals in outings where the dogs get increased socialization opportunities. This is particularly advantageous for the dogs since they need to be ready to assist their new owners navigating social settings.

Veterans training these dogs gain admittance to the “21 Club,” when they’ve successfully raised 21 Dogs. Trainers are kids, teens, adults and senior citizens – some as young as 9 some in their 70’s and 80’s. If you’re a younger trainer and plan on going to College, there’s a scholarship program the non-profit offers to graduating seniors. In fact, each August there’s a “Family Day,” which is an appreciation event for many and where scholarships are awarded.

With a sophisticated program in place, one might wonder how all of this is financed. “It costs $73,000 to breed, raise and train puppies,” added barlak, which seems like a staggering amount, with donations from areas each club serves as there main funding source; the organization doe not receive a penny of government funding.

If one needs a dog, it costs $150.00 for the first animal and $50.00 thereafter for each subsequent one. Veterans get dogs for just $1.00, a benefit of sorts to those who’ve served.

Since a dog’s life span is usually much shorter than that of most people, one in need could need up to several dogs in their lifetime; receiving one for $50.00 becomes quite a cost-saving boom.

One trainer who has made a name for herself is Bonnie DiCola of Boonton Township in Morris County. Her club,

“4-Footed Leaders,” goes so far as to be integrated into the curriculum at Cedar Hill Elementary School where she works as the school nurse. She’s trying to get students to appreciate this Service, on some of them may need at some point in their lives.

In it’s eighth decade of service, The Seeing Eye shows no signs of slowing down, which is what those in need of help from K-9 furry friends of fours look for, as the need itself, hardly slows down.

For more information on The Seeing Eye, Inc., logon to https://www.seeingeye.org.

It Happened in NJ: Remembering New Jersey Heroes this Memorial Day

By Peter Zablocki

One does not think of parades, medals, or American flags on the battlefield. The soldiers often recall thinking of the person standing directly next to them and how to keep them safe. Many speak of the natural duty to one’s nation and flag. Still, when bullets, mortars, or human charges come at them, and the automated instinct and training take over, most tend to recall extraordinarily little, apart from wanting to survive.

Originally known as Decoration Day in the years following the Civil War, Memorial Day is an American holiday honoring those soldiers who, against all their intentions, never made it home to share their stories with their loved ones.

It is not known what spurred the movement to make the tradition a unified national day of remembrance. Research points to May 5, 1868, when General James Garfield made a speech before thousands of those gathered at Arlington National Cemetery to lay flowers on the graves of

the fallen Civil War soldiers. The future President of the United States dubbed the day Decoration Day. Following the event, the loved ones of those who had fallen and, later, other townspeople across the nation began holding springtime tributes to the soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice.

These independent gatherings across local United States cemeteries and within distinct communities led to decorations, flags, and flowers gracing countless graves of American veterans and, in many instances, became synonymous with the official start of spring. With each town or state choosing its own date in May, and some not at all, to commemorate those fallen in battle, Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act in 1968. The legislation designated the last Monday of each May, Memorial Day, making it an official federal holiday.

With the state’s position as one of the original thirteen colonies and later states,

the citizens of New Jersey have been involved in every significant American military conflict, beginning with the American Revolutionary War, which

established the nation’s independence. The majority of America’s first war as an independent country, where nearly

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Peter’s son near the Vietnam War Memorial

It Happened in NJ...

seventy thousand Patriots died throughout the conflict, including many from New Jersey, was fought in the Garden State. By the time of the Civil War, the bloodiest and most costly war in United States history, more specific recordkeeping denotes that nearly 6,300 New Jersey soldiers died between 1861 and 1865. Thirty-five of those men earned the nation’s highest military decoration, the Congressional Medal of Honor. Their

stories, while all unique, follow a similar pattern of bravery to that of Corporal Charles F. Hopkins, who stayed behind during a fierce battle near Gaines’ Mill, Virginia, to carry a wounded soldier to safety while being twice wounded in the act.

The roughly 2,000 New Jersey cemeteries are full of soldiers who, like Hopkins, buried in Greenwood Cemetery in Boonton, New Jersey, fought and many

times died to remind future generations that freedom is not free. In fact, the ever-growing number of veteran burials in the state prompted Governor Thomas H. Kean to dedicate the Garden State’s first state-operated veterans’ cemetery in 1986, named after U.S. Army Brigadier General William C. Doyle and located in Wrightstown.

New Jersey is full of individual stories of courage, many recorded for posterity in various levels of detail since the Civil War. As we drive by local burial places blanketed with small American flags and flowers this spring, may we consider the sacrifices and bravery of the men and women underneath the red and white flowers held together with blue ribbons. The Garden State was the home to many heroes. Private Frank J. Bart, buried at Flower Hill Cemetery in North Bergen, when in France during World War I, picked up a heavy machine gun and ran ahead of his line, squeezing the trigger. His heroic charge allowed his compatriots to escape an enemy ambush and save their own lives.

Some World War II stories of New Jersey soldiers have made it to the big screen, as

was the case with John “Manila” Basilone, depicted in the critically acclaimed The Pacific. Yet, there are countless others that, although requiring a bit more research, are just as extraordinary.

Captain Carlton R. Routh, buried in Berlin Cemetery in Berlin, New Jersey, first stormed an enemy machine gun nest, then lurched at a Japanese grenade thrown amidst his wounded men and placed his body between them and the explosion. An event he would miraculously survive.

Stories such as these apply to the Korean War, Vietnam, and the more recent wars in the Middle East, reminding us that behind each little American flag wavering in the wind near a grave this Memorial Day is a deed once noble yet sometimes forgotten. Let this year’s holiday, and the ones that follow, be a reminder of a sentiment once shared by American President Abraham Lincoln; “Any nation that does not honor its heroes will not long endure.”

Peter Zablocki is the author of the upcoming New Jersey and the Medal of Honor (November 2023) and the cohost of the History Teachers Talking podcast. For more information, visit www. peterzablocki.com

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Learn the Meanings Behind Popular Mother’s Day Flowers

Mother’s Day is a time to express love and appreciation for mothers, sentiments that are often expressed with gifts. Flowers are a popular present to bestow on Mother’s Day, as they can brighten a room and bring a sweet aroma to any household.

While any flowers may ultimately suffice on Mother’s Day, gift givers may want to select flowers for Mom that convey specific messages. The language of flowers has been recognized for centuries. Though perhaps not as heralded as it once was, flower symbolism persists to this day. Here’s a look at some of the meanings behind certain types of flowers to help guide Mother’s Day gifting.

• Amaryllis: These plants start as bulbs and are naturally spring-blooming flowers. The name comes from the Greek word “amarysso,” which means “to sparkle,” and they symbolize pride.

• Aster: These daisy-like flowers are delicate-looking perennials. Asters make great gifts because they symbolize love and daintiness.

• Begonia: There are more than 2,000 types of begonias, and the flower symbolizes deep thoughts. Begonias were made famous by French horticulturist Michel Bégon, who thought the blooms looked like beautiful girls.

• Bleeding heart: These flowers are red and pink blossoms that look like the

perfect heart shape with a teardrop at the bottom. They’re beautiful and symbolic of love and affection.

• Buttercup: These are associated with youthfulness and cheerfulness and can call to mind childhood days spent picking buttercups and holding them under chins to reveal that you like butter. The flower is known for its beauty and innocent charm.

• Camellia (white): White camellias stand for purity and innocence, but they also symbolize admiration and respect. Camellias make beautiful additions to any bouquet.

• Daisy: Daisies are happy-looking flowers, and according to Norse mythology they represent motherhood and children.

• Delphinium: Delphiniums come in pink, white and blue varieties and embody youth and renewal. They’re a good pick if you want to convey a continued or renewed affection for a person.

• Tulip: Tulips with an orange hue are thought to represent understanding and appreciation. They can express appreciation for Mom or another special person. Yellow tulips symbolize happiness, while pink tulips are symbolic of love. Red blooms should be reserved for sweethearts.

Various flowers symbolize feelings people want to express to their mothers, grandmothers and other special women on Mother’s Day.

Spring into Planting with Morris County Farms

Home gardeners count the days to no more winter frost; so they can bask in the warmer weather, and extended hours to prep the garden for spring.

Relish in Morris County Farms lush foliage and kaleidoscope of color.

“We were there for smaller potted plants and a few larger items (mostly hydrangeas). It is a beautiful and well-stocked nursery,” says Scott Reynolds, adding that whoever designed the greenhouse they walked through is talented; the suspended bicycle is a nice touch.”

MCF’s spring/summer season starts in mid-March, as the nursery yard comes to life with numerous perennials, shrubs, trees… while the back greenhouses boast annuals, garden supplies, as well as garden decor. The season culminates in August.

From eye-catching small but thick leaves to brilliant foliage, all in stunning tones and textures, check out Morris County Farms’ Monrovia display of succulents,

including varieties that can produce early summer flowers.

All are water-wise, easy-care, droughttolerant and excellent for ground-cover, containers or rock gardens.

For mid-April choices, Morris County Farms say bright yellow trumpet flowers put on a butterfly-attracting, deer-resistant and low-maintenance display.

And fast-growing, flowering jasmine vine with glossy green foliage can climb or trail fences, trellises, arches, arbors or pergolas.

This hardy, easy-growing variety performs well in moist, well-drained soil — and partial to full sun. Once established they have good drought tolerance. Pruning after flowering is not needed unless to reduce size. It’s fragrant and uniquely beautiful.

Mother Nature is definitely telling us to get planting.

Morris County Farms is a one-stop nursery and garden center for all your

indoor and outdoor needs. Take a stroll through their greenhouses brimming with annuals, herbs, vegetables… and a tropical greenhouse. They carry indoor/outdoor decorative containers, fountains and much more.

Annuals perform their entire life cycle from seed to flower to seed within a single growing season.

According to Morris County Farms; for many gardeners, annual flowers are a quick way to fill empty spots in flower beds, and annuals make great additions to container gardens. A mix of annual plants can offer a colorful solution for window-box plantings. However, for any garden, there are dozens of annuals that might work for particular sun/shade situations, soil conditions, and color/plant preferences.

“It’s a quiet paradise with amazing quality and quantity of the most beautiful plants I’ve ever seen,” Samantha Della Torre says of Morris County Farms.

Founded in 1955 by Adrian Baierl, who

was later joined by his brother Norman “Chubby” Baierl. Originally, the business was established as a roadside farm stand on Route 46 in Parsippany. In the early 1970s, the business moved to its current location in Denville, with a small selection of annuals, cut-flowers, azaleas, mums, fruits, vegetables and eggs.

James “Jim” Moore took ownership of the business in 1989, expanding their goods to meet the wholesale needs of florists, landscapers, interior designers and loyal customers. They mourned the loss of James In 2013, with sons Jim and Tom taking ownership of the farm, and all continue to carry on James’ vision. Marie Vreeland revels in the peaceful experience.

“It is so nice to stroll through a greenhouse of plentiful plants,” Vreeland says she’s loved this place for years. “Such a treat.”

How Small Businesses Can Attract and Retain Employees

Small business administrators are typically among the most competent multi-taskers, but even the most talented jugglers occasionally end up with too many balls in the air. Attracting and retaining employees doesn’t have to be part of your juggling act; in fact, having the right team can make the rest of your business run smoother.

As a small business administrator, you may wear many hats, such as running the front desk, ordering supplies, managing accounting, onboarding and more. When you have extra hands to allocate the work, your business is likely to be more efficient and productive. Make employee retention a priority for your business with these practices:

Create a positive work culture

When employees enjoy coming to work each day, it shows. Your customers recognize it, and your internal team can feel it, too. A positive work culture encourages excellence, forgives mistakes, and leaves plenty of room for having fun. You can create a positive culture by making sure expectations are clearly defined and giving feedback that is consistent and fair.

Provide an appealing salary and benefits package

A competitive salary that aligns with expertise is an obvious edge in hiring top talent. You can become a more attractive employer by offering a benefits package that includes paid time off, insurance and other extras.

Voluntary benefits, such as those provided by Unum and Colonial Life, offer customizable solutions for businesses

LIC. #19HC00364200

and their employees. These benefits can provide flexibility to employees by catering to certain stages of life and lifestyles and to employers by offering various funding options like 100% employee-paid or employer-employee shared funding. With low premiums, many small business owners can achieve significant returns and invest in benefits to attract talent and retain loyal employees.

Allow for flexible schedules

In large part due to the pandemic, employees have learned to juggle their work and home lives like never before. The businesses who recognize this need have an edge, particularly for employees who need flexibility to care for family members. The degree of flexibility you can offer may vary depending on the business model. Communicating with your employees and working to make reasonable accommodations can go a long way toward attracting strong candidates and retaining current employees.

Provide opportunities for growth

Employees typically look for opportunities to learn and grow through additional responsibility, compensation and rewards for performance that encourage long-term commitment. Working with employees to understand their career goals is an important step on a path for growth that is mutually beneficial.

Find more solutions to help small businesses at Unum.com and ColonialLife. com or download The Essential Small Business Benefits Guide to learn how to add voluntary benefits to reduce total benefits costs. (Family Features)

Paws of War Helping Children with Autism by Pairing Them with a Service Dog

April was Autism Awareness Month and the first anniversary of the autism pilot program by Paws of War. A year ago this month, they paired a child with a service dog, and they are pleased to say that it›s been a successful program so far. When 11-year-old Cale’s dad was deployed with the U.S. Marines, it created a lot of anxiety and stress in his son, who has autism. Paws of War stepped in and provided the child with a service dog named Lexi, and it’s made a world of difference.

“This is the first time we have placed a dog with someone who has autism, so we are excited that we can help in this situation. This is a dedicated military family to whom we are thrilled to give back,” explains Robert Misseri, co-founder of Paws of War. “Unfortunately, not every child with autism will benefit from a service animal, but in Cale’s case, it’s ideal. It’ll help him navigate anxiety and sleep issues, and Lexi will play many roles in his life as a service animal and therapy animal. It’ll give Cale the ability to give back. We know the dog is perfect for Cale, and he will work with Lexi regularly with a trainer to accomplish everything he wants.”

Cale lives in Alexandria, Virginia, with his parents, Brandi and Chris Nolting. Chris serves in the U.S. Marines and often works demanding hours. During this, Cale becomes deeply unsettled, struggling with insomnia,

anxiety, and being overwhelmed. Nothing worked to help him, so he had to resort to medication. During a doctor’s visit, Cale met a therapy dog, and his parents noticed how he gravitated to the dog and was comfortable in his presence.

That chance encounter led to reaching out for assistance from Paws of War, which typically provides service dogs for Veterans with traumatic brain injuries and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, the organization has the means and wants to help a hero’s son - knowing the difference service dogs make.

Misseri delivered Lexi, a rescued 3-yearold English cream, to the family to ensure she would be the perfect match when Cale and Lexi instantly connected. She has been by his side since. Cale is doing well, and he and Lexi have formed a strong bond. His level of distress has greatly reduced, and the hope is that he will be able to gradually reduce his medication as he becomes even more confident and can regulate his routine.

Cale also feels much more confident now that he has Lexi by his side during stressful situations like school assemblies or fire drills. In fact, she even helps him get through difficult conversations with other kids who don’t understand his disability. The bond between these two has grown stronger every day since they met last spring. Cale has also been able to learn responsibility through his

training with Lexi. He knows that he must care for her as she cares for him, and this has helped him develop an understanding of the structure and outcomes of his actions.

“They can rely on each other. With her being a rescue, she can learn from Cale, I hope. They can grow together and have a better foundation among each other,” adds Chris Nolting. “If we could do anything to further Paws of War’s cause, it would be a win for everybody if other kids like Cale were able to receive similar support.”

The presence of a service dog in the home brings peace of mind to military members who have to leave for deployment - knowing the dog is a comfort to their child and the family. Service dogs provide friendship, confidence, and calming ability to children who find social interaction and many daily situations over-stimulating, and the dogs offer calm reassurance. They can reach children on a level that other people often can’t. Paws of War provides ongoing training for Lexi and assistance for the family. To help support the pilot program, visit its site at: http://pawsofwar.org To see Cale’s story, visit YouTube.

According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, 1 in every 68 children has autism spectrum disorder. It’s a condition that affects children from all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds. They report that there is no “cure” for autism

spectrum disorder, but several interventions can help children learn essential skills that improve everyday life.

Paws of War currently has three other service dogs in training. Due to the success they have seen with Cale, they will be placing the other dogs as well. Currently, they are providing service dogs to children of veterans, active military, and first responders.

Paws of War has been operating worldwide since 2014, helping the military save the animals they rescue while deployed overseas. They have helped veterans with numerous issues, including suicide prevention, service and support dogs, companion cats and dogs, food insecurity, veterinary care, etc. Paws of War has a large loyal following of supporters and looks forward to working with new corporate sponsors to support these life-saving programs. To donate, visit its site at: http:// pawsofwar.org.

About Paws of War

Paws of War is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) charitable organization that assists military members and their pets, rescues and trains dogs to be service dogs and provides companion animals to veterans. To learn more about Paws of War and the programs provided or donate, visit its site at: http:// pawsofwar.org

A Brunch Spread Fit for Spring

From tasty small bites to a filling feast and even dessert for breakfast, brunch options are nearly endless. Take your spring brunch to the next level with recipes that appease appetites of all kinds.

First, start with portioned pastry cups perfect for appetizers. Bring out the protein-packed breakfast burritos for the main course then, for a final touch of sweet deliciousness, offer up lemony doughnuts to cap off the feast.

Find more brunch recipes at Culinary. net

Bite-Sized Breakfast

Appetizer-sized portions and small bites of all sorts are ideal for breakfast spreads, and these Pastry Brunch Cups are perfect for starting a morning meal with loved ones. Or, if a busy schedule looms, try baking a batch and separating into appropriate serving sizes for a simple way to meal prep heading into a new week.

Find more breakfast recipes at Culinary. net.

Pastry Brunch Cups

Servings: 18

2 tablespoons butter

2 tablespoons flour

1 1/2 cups milk

1 cup shredded Swiss cheese

2 sheets puff pastry 18 eggs

2 cups diced ham chopped fresh green onions

Heat oven 375 F.

In small saucepan, melt butter. Whisk flour with butter. Gradually pour in milk, whisking each time. Bring to simmer, whisking until mixture starts to thicken. Remove from heat; stir in Swiss cheese. Set aside.

Use rolling pin to thin out puff pastries. Cut each into nine squares. Line pastry squares in muffin cups, pressing bottoms

down firmly and moving pastries up sides for edges to come up just over muffin tins. Fill each cup with 1 teaspoon cheese sauce. Crack one egg into each cup and sprinkle each with diced ham.

Bake 10-15 minutes until eggs set. Sprinkle with chopped green onions.

Power Brunch with a Protein-Packed Burrito

A well-rounded brunch calls for a multitude of dishes and beverages, but it wouldn’t be complete without a proteinpacked recipe to get the day started.

This delicious Breakfast Burrito is loaded with colorful veggies and Silver Fern Farms 100% grass-fed strip steak. Hailing from New Zealand, home to some of the world’s most natural tasting beef and lamb, this premium cut of beef is aged 21 days and minimally processed with no added growth hormones or antibiotics. The animals are grass-fed year-round and allowed to roam and graze freely, so the beef offers a lean, flavorful texture that tastes just as nature intended.

Visit silverfernfarms.com to find more at-home brunch inspiration.

1 Silver Fern Farms New Zealand 100% Grass-Fed New York Strip Steak (10 ounces) oil

salt, to taste

pepper, to taste

1/2 onion, finely chopped

1 red bell pepper, sliced lengthwise

4 large mushrooms, sliced

1 teaspoon cumin

1 teaspoon paprika

Breakfast Burrito

A Brunch Spread...

continued from page 20

1/2-1 teaspoon chili powder

1 tomato, finely chopped

8 eggs

1/2 cup milk

4 large tortillas

1 cup spinach

1 1/2 ounces feta cheese, crumbled

1/4 cup cilantro

1 avocado lime wedges (optional)

hot sauce (optional)

Remove steak from packaging and set aside 10 minutes. Once steak reaches room temperature, heat pan over medium-high heat.

Rub steak with oil and season with salt and pepper, to taste.

Cook until medium-rare, approximately 3-4 minutes each side. Remove from pan and cover loosely with tinfoil to rest 5 minutes.

Reduce heat to medium and add splash of oil. Add onion; cook 1 minute. Add red bell pepper and mushrooms; cook 1 minute. Add cumin, paprika and chili powder; stir through.

When veggies are tender (about 2

minutes), add tomato and cook until soft. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.

In large bowl, whisk eggs, milk and salt and pepper, to taste.

Heat pan to medium heat and add splash of oil.

Pour egg mixture into pan and cook, lifting and folding eggs until thickened and no visible liquid egg remains. Do not stir constantly.

Lay tortillas on flat surface or plate.

In center of tortilla, add cooked veggies and top with thinly sliced beef. Add handful of spinach, scrambled eggs, crumbled feta, cilantro and avocado. Fold bottom of tortilla and roll.

Serve with lime wedges and hot sauce, if desired.

Dine on Deliciously Sweet Doughnuts

Brunch is never complete without something sweet to cap off the morning feast, and doughnuts are often the perfect complement to an array of main courses.

These Lemon Ricotta Doughnuts pair the bite-sized morsels with lemon curd (if that suits your style) for a sweet-tart combination. They’re made using Domino Golden Sugar, which is made from pure

cane sugar and is less processed than white granulated sugar, as one you can always trust in your favorite recipes. It works cupfor-cup just like white sugar but with a golden color and distinct hint of molasses flavor.

Visit dominosugar.com to find recipes perfect for entertaining and celebrating throughout the year.

Lemon Ricotta Doughnuts

Prep time: 20 minutes

Cook time: 7 minutes

Doughnuts:

Vegetable oil, for frying

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 3/4 cups Domino Golden Sugar, divided

2 tablespoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons lemon zest

5 large eggs

1 3/4 cups ricotta cheese

1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract

Lemon Curd (optional):

1 stick unsalted butter, softened

1 1/2 cups Domino Golden Sugar

2 large eggs

2 egg yolks

4 lemons, zest and juice only

1/8 teaspoon salt

To make doughnuts: In large saucepan, preheat oil to 350 F. Prepare cookie sheet with paper towel to drain doughnuts once out of hot oil.

In bowl, mix flour, 3/4 cup sugar, baking powder and salt. Add lemon zest, eggs, ricotta cheese and vanilla extract; mix until well combined.

Use ice cream scoop to scoop small amounts dough into oil, 4-5 pieces at a time. Fry each batch until golden brown, about 7 minutes. Keep oil at or near 350 F; if oil is too hot, doughnuts will turn golden brown but centers may still be raw. Remove from oil and drain in paper towel. Repeat with remaining dough.

While still hot, toss doughnuts with remaining sugar.

To make lemon curd, if desired: In large bowl of stand mixer, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs and egg yolks, one at a time. Add lemon zest, lemon juice and salt.

Transfer mixture to saucepan and cook at low-medium heat until thick and creamy, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and let cool before serving with doughnuts.

Science influences many aspects of daily life in countless ways. It also helps shape the development of life skills from an early age. As children learn to communicate, think critically, make predictions and form opinions based on their observations, they are developing science skills that will last a lifetime.

Through its “Wonder of Science” initiative celebrating bringing innovation to kitchen tables for 100 years, Wonder Bread is helping to support ongoing scientific learning for students across America. In partnership with AdoptAClassroom. org and Emily Calandrelli, an American science communicator, MIT engineer and co-executive producer and host of “Emily’s Wonder Lab” on Netflix, the bread manufacturer is donating $100,000 to provide U.S. middle and high schools with supplies and equipment for science education and presenting an online series of science experiments for students.

Allowing children to put those sciencebased skills to the test at home can be both simple and fun. Whether you head outside to identify clouds and species of animals or work on crafts indoors, there are plenty of everyday learning scenarios that allow parents to get hands-on with their children’s education.

Spark Scientific Discovery at Home

Bake Together

Baking can be a fun (and tasty) way to introduce scientific experimentation by following a recipe to see how the ingredients react together – or with too much or too little of a certain ingredient – and testing the end product against the desired results. As recipes are mixed, heated and cooled, baking introduces a variety of chemical reactions, including water evaporation, caramelization, browning and more.

Conduct Experiments with Everyday Supplies

Special tools and equipment aren’t necessary for discovering and fostering a love of science or conducting your own experiments. By using household items you may already have on hand and following a few simple instructions from Calandrelli, you can create your own homemade rockets or inflate a balloon.

“Getting kids excited about science and interested in how it affects our lives every day is the best part of what I do,” Calandrelli said. “Joining Wonder Bread to spread that message of wonder not just through my show but directly into classrooms is a fantastic opportunity. I can’t wait to share my love of science.”

Start a Garden

One of the best ways to introduce

children to a variety of plant species and the process through which they grow is to grow your own garden. Start by letting the kids pick some plants or vegetables that germinate and produce a crop quickly such as carrots or petunias then choose a location to plant. Test and prepare the soil then plant your seeds and water as needed.

Visit wonderbread.com for more information.

Balloon on a Bottle

Courtesy of Emily Calandrelli on behalf of Wonder Bread

2 tablespoons dry yeast

1 tablespoon sugar

2-3 tablespoons lukewarm water

1 large mouth, glass pint bottle

1 party balloon

In cup, stir yeast, sugar and water. Using funnel, pour mixture into bottle. Add more water as needed to push mixture through bottleneck.

Quickly stretch balloon over mouth of bottle.

Observe bubbles in yeast mixture and watch balloon inflate. Inflation can take 1030 minutes, depending on mixture.

Effervescent Tablet Rocket

Courtesy of Emily Calandrelli on behalf of Wonder Bread

Film canister

Water

1/2 effervescent antacid tablet

Plate

Watch or timer

In film canister, add water until it’s onequarter full.

Add half effervescing antacid tablet to film canister and quickly snap on lid. Place film canister rocket on plate on ground, lid down. Stand back and use watch or timer to count down until launch. (Family Features)

Among the tall grasses and wildflowers that sprout each spring and summer lies a stealth predator just waiting for its chance at an easy meal. Ticks may be small in stature, but their impact on bite victims is potentially significant. Preventing Lyme disease and other tickborne illnesses comes down to following some key steps.

• Learn how common Lyme disease is. Lyme disease affects an estimated 476,000 people each year in the United States alone, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s Division of Vector-Borne Diseases. Lyme disease is most common in New England, the mid-Atlantic states and the upper Midwest. Between 2009 and 2022, the Government of Canada reported 17,080 human cases of Lyme disease across Canada. However, instances of Lyme disease are likely underreported due to undiagnosed cases.

• Know which ticks carry Lyme disease. The black-legged deer tick and the Western black-legged tick carry the Lyme disease spirochete. The black-legged tick is native to the northeastern, mid-Atlantic and northcentral U.S., while the western black-legged tick is found on the Pacific coast.

• Wear light-colored clothing outdoors. When traveling in areas where ticks

Bite Back Against Lyme Disease

reside, it is important to wear light-colored clothing. Long pants and tall socks, longsleeved shirts, and hats also should be worn. It is easier to spot ticks on lightcolored clothing, and covering up prevents ticks from gaining easy access to skin.

• Know where to expect ticks. John’s Hopkins Medicine says black-legged ticks live in moist and humid environments, particularly in and near wooded or grassy areas. Walking through leaves and bushes or through tall grasses can disturb ticks and enable them to jump onto people or pets. To avoid ticks, walk in the center of trails and avoid tall vegetation.

• Be mindful of pets. Even if you do not venture outdoors into tick-laden environments, your dog may. He or she can carry ticks into the house where they may end up on you or other family members. Prescription tick repellent products are available from veterinarians, and there are topical solutions and collars that can keep ticks away.

• Remove ticks quickly and correctly. The CDC says if a tick is removed in less than 24 hours from when it first attached, the chances of getting Lyme disease is very small. Remove a tick with fine-tipped tweezers as soon as it is noticed, being

cautious to remove all mouth parts. Try not to squeeze the tick, as it can regurgitate saliva and other fluids when squeezed.

• Repel ticks when possible. Create less favorable conditions for ticks. Use a product containing DEET or permethrin on clothing to repel ticks. Some people use chemical-

control agents on their properties to reduce the number of ticks in the yard. Discourage deer from the property, as they can carry many ticks, by erecting fences and removing vegetation that deer eat. Various strategies can help people reduce their risk for Lyme disease.

Simple Tips to Attract Hummingbirds to Your Yard

Throughout the warmer months, many backyards play host to a variety of birds, including hummingbirds. When you see flowers and trees begin to bud and bloom and other migrating birds, like warblers, that’s nature’s way of letting you know it’s time to ready your yard for hummingbirds.

It’s enchanting watching hummingbirds – named for the humming sound of their fast-flapping wings – as their tiny size and speed make them natural wonders. Hummingbirds can fly 25-30 miles per hour, flapping their wings an estimated 70 times per second. They fly in every direction, even backwards, which only hummers can do, and float majestically in midair.

The birds get their brilliant color from the iridescence in the arrangement of their feathers, not color pigment. Plus, they have the fastest metabolism of any animal on Earth, burning 1-2 times their body weight in food daily. Hummingbirds draw nectar from its source into their mouths, lapping it up almost 12 times per second.

To increase your chances of observing these petite powerhouses at home, consider these tips from the experts at Cole’s Wild Bird Products:

Be conscious of beneficial insects. Hummingbirds rely on insects, which provide essential protein, to complement the nectar they crave. To attract insects, try placing rotting fruit near feeders and leave it until insects arrive for hummers’ easy eats.

Leave spiderwebs alone: Hummingbirds use spiderwebs as construction material to hold their nests together and pluck insects caught in the webbing.

Offer a water mister: Hummingbirds adore bathing; a mister gives them the fine spray they prefer. Once soaked, they’re off to find a preening perch.

Provide tiny perches. Leave small, sturdy, bare branches for hummingbirds, to perch on for rest, preening and hunting. Perches provide vantage points to see danger and launching pads to swiftly pounce on insects. Once hummingbirds find a favorite perch, they’ll use it repeatedly.

Hang hummingbird feeders first. Feeders are one of the most effective ways to consistently entice and encourage hummingbirds to come visit. However, not

all feeders are created equal. For example, Cole’s Hummer High Rise Feeder is scientifically designed with elevated perches to make hummingbirds feel safe and comfortable, which encourages their consistent return.

Although hummingbird feeders can attract bees and ants, this feeder is uniquely designed to keep pests at bay. It doesn’t drip, so large bees can’t get to the nectar, plus it has a built-in ant moat to keep ants away from nectar when filled with plain water. Since birds drink from the moat, never use any repellents or additives.

Hummingbirds are territorial and not likely to share feeders, so hang multiple feeders far enough apart to attract more birds. To ensure a steady stream of birds, hang feeders in the shade to avoid fermentation of sugar-based liquids, check feeders bi-weekly to keep food fresh and clean feeders as needed with one part white vinegar to four parts water.

Plant flowers. Trumpet honeysuckle, bee balm and sage plants are particularly attractive to hummingbirds and provide rich nectar. Hummingbirds consume 1 1/2 times their body weight daily, eating every 10-15 minutes and visiting 1,000-2,000 flowers per day.

Choose the right nectar. Not all nectar is alike, and hummingbirds can taste the difference. Almost all commercial nectars contain one sugar source – sucrose – because it’s cheaper to make. However, real flower nectar contains three sugar sources – sucrose, fructose and glucose – in varying amounts depending on the flower.

Researched and designed to attract the greatest variety of hummingbirds, Cole’s Nature’s Garden is a high energy, nutrient-rich nectar that combines all three types of organically sourced sugars North American hummingbirds love, with a spring water base. It closely mimics the sugar ratios they favor and provides a healthier, nutritious, all-natural alternative to table sugar.

Don’t forget, hummingbirds have memories like elephants; once they discover your hummer-friendly habitat, they’ll come back every year if there’s a reliable food source. Learn more at coleswildbird. com. (Family Features)

How to Find the Right Doctor

Whether you’re rarely sick or have conditions that require frequent visits to the doctor, having a trusted and skilled health care provider is an important step in protecting your health.

Any number of reasons can result in needing to find a new doctor, such as moving to a new community, changes to your insurance, your old doctor retiring or needing a specialist.

These suggestions from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) can help you be more efficient and thorough as you look for a doctor who is right for you.

Ask for Recommendations

Talk to people you know about whether they have a provider they like. If you’re looking for a new provider because of a move or retirement, ask your current doctor for a recommendation. If you need to make a change with your primary care doctor but see specialists or other medical professionals you like and trust, you can also request referrals from them.

Check with Your Insurance Company

If you have health insurance, you may need to choose from a list of doctors in your plan’s network. Some insurance plans may let you choose a doctor outside your network if you pay more of the cost.

To find a doctor who takes your insurance, call your insurance company and ask for a list of doctors near you who are in-network or use the insurance company’s website to search for a doctor. It’s also a good idea to call the doctor’s office and ask for confirmation they take your plan. You should have your insurance, Medicare or Medicaid card

handy in case the office needs your plan details.

Narrow Your Options

Some of the providers you consider may not be viable options for simple reasons, like their practice isn’t currently taking new patients or they don’t have office hours matching your schedule. You can also consider questions such as hospital affiliations and whether other providers can help if you need emergency care and your doctor isn’t available.

Take a Deeper Look

Online research can tell you a great deal about potential doctors, from biographical information and credentials to ratings by former patients.

When searching for a new provider, another important area to consider is financial relationships. One resource patients can consider is Open Payments, a national disclosure program within CMS that provides visibility into financial relationships between drug and medical device companies and physicians, and teaching hospitals. The government requires pharmaceutical companies, device manufacturers and group purchasing organizations to report funds they give health care providers in the form of meals, entertainment, travel, gifts, consulting fees, research payments and more, promoting transparency and helping uncover potential conflicts of interest.

It’s important to know most health care providers receive payments. Just because financial ties are reported does not mean anyone has done anything wrong. However, patients can use the information to talk with their provider about why they recommend certain medications or treatments,

including asking about generic options, which are equally as effective as name brands but typically less expensive. It’s also an opportunity to start a discussion with a provider about areas of professional interest and expertise based on research or consulting.

Listen to Your Gut

If you’re undecided, request an introductory appointment with a provider you’re considering. Look for a clinic where you are treated with respect and the medical team listens to your opinions and concerns. You should feel comfortable asking questions, and the doctor needs to be able to explain things in ways you understand.

Find more resources for your health care needs at cms. gov. (Family Features)

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

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