Northeast Ohio Boomer & Beyond | January February 2020

Boomer Northeast Ohio

BETTER LIVING AFTER 50

and Beyond JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020

Å Christian Bernadotte A new heart.

A little luck.

A healthy future.

Get a PLAN

We'll Show You How MONEY, RETIREMENT, HEALTH & MORE

Raising Grandkids A Guide for Encore Parenting

No Wheels?

No Worries Here’s How to Get Around Anyway

Is Your Smart TV Smarter Than You?

FREE

Our Tech Expert is Here to Help

NortheastOhioBoomer.com

INSI DE

Jan/Feb Å 12

Champagne Wishes Bubbles, Bubbles Everywhere

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TV Smarts Master That Remote, Connect That Cable

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NEO Grandparent Cold-Weather Fun, Encore Parenting

22

Good Grief It’s Okay to Not Be Okay

Get a Plan

Wheel Choices Leave the Driving to Someone Else

Christian Bernadotte at his Shaker Heights home makes plans for a healthy future.

We'll show you how you can, too.

DEPA RTMENTS 8

13

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WORTH NOTING

FOOD

LEGAL

Cedar Point Memories, Impact Awards

Tweak Your Technique, Break the Rules

Estate Planning Changes; What to Know Now

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Better Living After 50

32

CAN’T MISS MUSEUM EXHIBITS

Our Region’s Best

50

ANNIVERSARIES

Been There, Celebrated That

COVER AND TABLE OF CONTENTS PHOTO: KIM STAHNKE

Å 26

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New heart, new plan

EDITOR´S NOTE

My Plan?

It’’ s Around Here, Somewhere It

O

ur theme, “Get a Plan,” seemed like a tidy, ambitious topic to kick off 2020 when we hammered out our editorial lineup for the year.

Plans are good. Plans are necessary. I like plans in theory. Execution is another matter. Plans are fine for other people but my failure rate is too high to embrace much planning.

PRIVILEGE AND PLANS Clutter is a first-world problem. I’ve read about people in other parts of the world who collect cigarette butts, separate the pieces, and sell the bundles by the pound — you read that right, by the pound, to earn a bare-bones living. I’m assuming that’s a clutter-generating enterprise.

I’ve got first-world clutter: too many shoes and coats and casserole dishes and — I’m just realizing — a significant collection of drinking glasses. I planned to clear things out after reading Marie Kondo’s, “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing.” I skimmed the book (too busy), fast-forwarded the show on Netflix (too impatient) and dove in (too hopeful).

I ruthlessly bagged up my castoffs and dropped them at donation bins.

I rolled sweaters, sorted clothing by colors, and rethought my casserole dish collection. The dogs thought they were the next to go.

The minimalist lifestyle suited me, but only for a minimal amount of time.

I soon was back to my old habits, cruising consignment shops and hitting estate sales. I was a junkie who craved actual junk. My decluttering plans sputtered and then died in a heap on the closet floor.

That’s just one example of failed plans. Each January, I plan to carefully pack away my Christmas lights so

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Better Living After 50

Boomer Northeast Ohio

I never have to untangle them again.

Eleven months later, I’m untangling Christmas lights.

Here’s another: I plan to watch higher-quality TV — more PBS and less Bravo — but deep down I’m drawn to the Kardashians and “My Big Fat American Gypsy Wedding.” My DVR has hours of “Beachfront Bargain Hunt,” “Botched,” and “A Very Brady Renovation” waiting for me.

I’ll watch every episode. I have lots of time for bad TV; I’m too busy for an exercise class.

I planned to write this column two weeks ago. I was sidetracked by junk stores and junk TV. Don’t get me wrong. “Get a Plan” is a great topic, despite my personal failures. It’s important to make plans to stay healthy, financially secure and intellectually challenged.

And, so what if the reality falls short of expectations? No one plans to fail, they only fail to plan (I forget where I heard that but it was worth stealing).

Since starting this column, I’m rethinking my plan to not make plans.

I don’t want to be disloyal to this issue’s theme. I’ll start small and build from there. A few early successes might be just what I need. I’ll start with drinking more water and let you know how it goes.

I have to finish this column. “My 600Pound Life” is on TV now and I haven’t seen this episode. Here’s to a great 2020 filled with successful planning and minimal failures. I hate water. Wish me luck.

P.S. Our “Get a Plan” section starts on page 26 with a package of stories that I hope will inspire a few plans of your own. No pressure.

and Beyond

VOL. 6 ISSUE 1

Jan/Feb 2020 Northeast Ohio Boomer and Beyond is a property of Mitchell Media LLC

PO Box 1088 Hudson, OH 44236 330-822-4011 NortheastOhioBoomer.com /NEOhio​Boomer

​/​NEOhio​Boomer​

PUBLISHER - Brad Mitchell brad@northeastohio​boomer.com 330-714-7712 EDITOR​- M​arie Elium​ ​marie@northeastohio​boomer.com COPY EDITOR/DIGITAL/ ASSISTANT EDITOR​ - Estelle Rodis-Brown estelle@northeastohio​boomer.com EDITORIAL SUGGESTIONS editor@​​northeastohio​boomer.com CALENDAR LISTING SUBMISSIONS calendar@​​northeastohio​boomer.com CONTRIBUTORS Margaret Briller, Dr. Reuben Gobezie, Wanda Haynes, Donna Kastner, Kathryn Kilpatrick, Judith Macek, Dr. Steve Marsh, Traci McBride, Breanna Mona, Mike Olszewski, Estelle Rodis-Brown, Tak Sato, John Selick, Karen Shadrach, Michael Solomon ART DIRECTOR- Laura Chadwick laura@northeastohio​boomer​.com ADVERTISING SALES Chris Geer, 330-614-8471 chris@northeastohio​boomer.com Janyse Heidy, 330-671-3886 janyse@northeastohio​boomer.com Sherrie Kantarovich, 216-299-5455 sherriek@northeastohio​boomer.com Samantha Olp, 330-636-6127 sam@northeastohio​boomer.com Yvonne Pelino, 440-971-0595 yvonne@northeastohio​boomer.com Michelle Vacha, 440-463-0146 michelle@northeastohio​boomer.com OFFICE MANAGER Kathleen Mitchell, 440-533-1208 kathleen@northeastohio​boomer.com EVENT MANAGER​ Tara Tonsetic tara@northeastohioboomer.com DISTRIBUTION INQUIRIES info@northeastohio​boomer.com PUBLISHERS OF

M​arie Elium​

​marie@northeastohio​boomer.com

Boomer

BOOMER EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD

Northeast Ohio

and Beyond

Mindi Axner Executive Director National Council of Jewish Women/Cleveland

Coming in the March/April Issue March 13 •T here’s an app for that: doctors, groceries, investing & more

Sharon Dundee Director of Marketing & Communications Cleveland Hearing & Speech Center

•N EO Grandparent: Surprise! How to be the fun grandparent

Kathy M. Hirko Owner KAZ Company Jeanne Hoban Marketing Communications Director Benjamin Rose Institute

• Favorite public gardens Special Section: Home Improvement & Modification/Real Estate

Kathryn Kilpatrick President Memory Fitness Matters, LLC

Stephanie Manning The American Heart Association, Cleveland

Susan Lieberman Director of Marketing & Public Relations Montefiore and The Weils

Steven Marsh Dr. Steve Marsh, DDS

Kelsey Loushin President Eldercare Professionals of Ohio

Fatima Perkins Director of Community Outreach Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging

Bob Pontius Director of External Relations Danbury Senior Living

Candyce Traci Vice President All Media Design Group

Leslie Royce Resnik President Royce Public Relations

Nancy Udelson President and CEO Alzheimer’s Association Cleveland Area Chapter

Laurie G. Steiner Partner, Solomon, Steiner & Peck, Ltd.

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WORTH NOTING Compiled by Marie Elium

Cedar Point Fun House, circa 1970s

What’s Your Favorite Cedar Point Memory?

What a Ride!

Cedar Point is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year with new rides, a nightly parade and plenty of souvenirs. One thing that the nation's second-oldest amusement park is missing: your memories.

Here’s one: getting panic-stuck in the tube slide at the Fun House. A teen worker slid down and coaxed the young park-goer through. Her family still teases her about it. We’re omitting the name to protect the magazine editor’s identity.

Share your memories, photos and videos at cedarpoint.com

Introducing …

Boomer & Beyond 2020 Impact Awards

I

t’s time to celebrate! We’re marking the magazine’s fifth anniversary by honoring those who make a positive impact in the lives of people 50+ throughout the region.

We’ve had the privilege of being introduced to many influential people and organizations who

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Better Living After 50

are making a transformative difference in the lives of Northeast Ohio’s older adults.

Now it’s your turn to tell us who is changing the aging game to make life better for all of us.

We’ll start taking nominations this spring for our inaugural

Northeast Ohio Boomer and Beyond Impact Awards. Finalists will be announced in July and then we will profile the winner in the September/October issue of Northeast Ohio Boomer and Beyond magazine. Stay tuned for further details.

PHOTO COURTESY OF CEDAR POINT

Honoring Those Who Are Changing the Aging Game

””””” ””” Boomers, We’re OK

...And We Prove It Every Day “Just wait until you’re our age.” That’s what you might

Stamp of Approval

want to say the next time a millennial or another younger person dismisses your advice or mocks your opinion. The catchphrase, “OK, Boomer,” gained popularity last year as a rebuttal to boomers who were perceived by millennials, Gen Xers and others as being

Stan Hywet Goes Postal

Set among an estate and grounds with jaw-dropping rooms and vistas, Stan Hywet’s graceful Birch Tree Allee is a picture-perfect standout. The U.S. Postal Service thinks so, too. A photo of the Akron estate’s gray birch allee is part of the postal service’s American Gardens’ first-class stamp collection, set for release in May. The series features 10 garden scenes, both public and private, including Biltmore Estate Gardens (North Carolina); Brooklyn Botanic Garden (New York); Chicago Botanic Garden (Illinois); Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens (Maine); Dumbarton Oaks Garden (District of Columbia); The Huntington Botanical Gardens (California); Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park (Florida); Norfolk Botanical Garden (Virginia) and Winterthur Garden (Delaware).

out of touch or judgmental.

Of course, every generation has people who are judgmental and out of touch; that’s not just reserved for boomers. But OK, we can take a joke, even an ageist one. Let’s hope the term fades with the New Roaring ’20s (that’s 2020 for you younger folks).

Fact Finders Teams Kick Off Mind Challenge Competition

T

hey’ve been sharpening their trivia skills and adjusting their thinking caps. Now it’s time to discover who knows what for the second annual Mind Challenge for the New Majority.

For the next four months, teams from rec and senior centers throughout Northeast Ohio will be competing weekly in the Mind Challenge trivia competitions. The six-member teams represent more than 20 communities.

The semi and final matches are set for May 6 at JACK Thistledown Racino. The first-place team gets $3,500; second place $2,000; third $1,500 and fourth place $1,000. Prize money goes to the sponsoring center or agency. The bragging rights are priceless.

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WORTH NOTING

B OOK SHEL F

It looks like 2020 is gearing up to be a wonderful year for readers, although those of us who love books think that every year is a great year for readers. We asked Melissa Vavra, a reference associate at Brunswick Library, to share the names of this year’s most anticipated books. Let the page-turning begin!

American Dirt

By Jeanine Cummins

Expected Publication: January Why not start off the New Year with a saga that is already being hailed “a new American classic?” Lydia lives a fairly idyllic life in Mexico until her family falls prey to a drug cartel.

Her terrifying journey to the United States with her young son makes for an emotional novel brimming with courage, sacrifice and hope.

The Glass Hotel

By Emily St. John Mandel

Expected Publication: Feb. 15 A plot involving a couple whose lives are dismantled by a greedy schemer is just one strand in Mantel’s marvelous literary web. Readers will also be captivated by her lyrical prose and the depth of her vast cast of characters which are woven together into this hauntingly beautiful morality tale. (Mandel’s novel, “Station Elevelen,” was Medina County Library’s One Book One Community Read of 2016).

Deacon King Kong

By James McBride

Expected Publication: March 3 The residents in a New York City housing project are the heart of this 1960s crime drama. A church deacon murders a drug dealer and every witness has their own idea as to why it has occurred. McBride is a genius at bringing his characters to life, as their stories intertwine to tell a larger one of faith, fear and a community in the grip of change.

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Better Living After 50

Darling Rose Gold

By Stephanie Wrobel Expected Publication: March 17

Rose Gold stuns the community when she agrees to care for her mother, who has just been released from prison. Has Rose truly forgiven her mother for the lie that destroyed her childhood, and has her mother forgiven Rose for testifying against her? Or are mother and daughter just waiting to exact their revenge? Wrobel’s psychological thriller promises to be deliciously deranged and sizzling with suspense.

I Want You To Know We’re Still Here: A Post-Holocaust Memoir

By Esther Safron Foer Expected Publication: March 31

Esther is the child of parents who lost their entire families during the Holocaust, and her upbringing ached with tragedy and loss. As an adult, it is revealed to her that there is more to the story, so she travels to Ukraine in search of the truth about her identity. This multigenerational memoir radiates life and love, even in the darkest of moments.

All Adults Here

By Emma Straub Expected Publication: May 5

Straub is known for penning pitchperfect stories of dysfunctional families and her newest sounds right on the mark. When matriarch Astrid witnesses a bus accident, it unlocks a memory that makes her consider how her parenting has affected her adult children’s ability to thrive. This funny and insightful book explores what it means to “grow up,” no matter what your age.

WINE WITH WANDA

Bubbles, Bubbles, Everywhere Champagne Wishes

By Wanda Haynes

C

hampagne is a great way to celebrate the start of a new year. True Champagne is from the Champagne region of France. The French monk, Dom Perignon, invented champagne around 1697.

There are three basic grape varieties used in the production of Champagne: chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot meunier. Most Champagnes are made from a blend of all three grapes, with the exception of blanc de blancs, meaning white Champagne from white grapes. These Champagnes are made from 100% chardonnay.

Blanc de noirs’ white wine from black grapes are Champagnes made solely from pinot noir, pinot meunier or a mix of the two. The whimsical, silky bubbles become present in the second fermentation, and those bubbles are made by introducing sugar and yeast to the Champagne.

After the yeast has devoured all of the sugar, it’s time for “disgorgement,” when the yeast is expelled from the bottle and the aging process begins. Non-Vintage (NV) Champagne is required to have a minimum of 18 months aging before it can be released.

The minimum for a vintage cuvees (batch) is three years.

Most Champagne houses age the Champagne much longer. When it comes to residual sugar (RS): Brut nature (na-tour) is the driest Champagne, brut is dry, demi-sec is off-dry, and doux is sweet.

Serve Champagne in an ice bucket filled with cold water and ice. All champagne pairs well with oysters, lobster, omelets and caviar.

For vintage Champagne such as Dom Perignon, expect to pay between $175-$200 a bottle. It has tastes of cream, strawberries, nuts and vanilla bean.

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Better Living After 50

Å

ÅÅ Å GLASS TIPS Drinking sparkling wines in white wine glasses has become stylish, due to better aeration from the larger glass size. However, a Champagne glass is the traditional way to drink this fine wine.

• The model for the coupe Champagne glass was formed on the left breast of Madame Marie Antoinette. The coupe is a small wine glass and holds very little wine and is seldom used today. The “tulip” Champagne glass is much larger, was very popular in the ’80s and looks beautiful on a dining room table. The classic “flute” is a narrow and elegant version of a Champagne glass.

• The sophisticated double-walled Champagne glass debuted in the ’60s. This version of a Champagne glass doesn’t allow the hand to touch the actual wine glass; the outer glass prevents this from happening. As a result, the wine stays colder for much longer and the wine is showcased in this beautiful stemware. They cost much more than a typical Champagne flute and can be ordered from several online websites.

• Wash all wine glasses separately with baking soda and dry with a paper towel.

Careful, wine glasses break very easily and cannot be safely repaired. If you break a wine glass, pick up the large pieces and use a thick, wet paper towel to collect any fragments. Dispose in a metal container.

Wanda Haynes is a Canton-based, nationally published wine columnist, a certified sommelier and a Boomer and Beyond blogger. Read her other columns at northeastohioboomer.com.

FOOD

Tweak Your Technique Go Ahead, Break the Rules

By John Selick

O

ne of the first lessons I received as a cook happened on my first day on the job.

The chef asked me to dice tomatoes for a Milanese garnish; he demonstrated one tomato for me and then had me do one under his supervision. He found it acceptable and left the kitchen.

Then the sous chef quickly came over to show me a better way to complete the task. I learned right away, “there’s more than one way to skin a cat” would be a saying that I would use many times in my cooking career because even though traditional techniques have given us consistent results for years, there’s always a better way.

Learning technique is the best way to learn to cook without a recipe but many longheld beliefs are being challenged by modern-day chefs. Home cooks should take note!

DIFFERENT CAN BE BETTER For example, many recipes or techniques require cooking a pound of pasta in four to six quarts of salted boiling water, which translates to a gallon and a half of water. The professional kitchen I work in has pots that can accommodate cooking pasta for hundreds of people, but at home, my largest pot is a gallon and a half. I’ve had to cut the water ratio out of necessity and it’s giving me better results in many ways: it uses less energy to boil the water, uses less water, and the water that is used for the pasta becomes even starchier.

The starchy pasta water is the oldest trick in the book for restaurant-style cooking that home cooks should try

to adapt to adjust the consistency of tomato sauce. Pasta water also improves the taste of jarred sauce.

Another classic culinary technique says to use a large pot of salted water (without a lid) for boiling green vegetables. Cooking without the lid allows you to see when green vegetables are perfectly cooked.

The rules say a lid traps acids, creating brown, mushy vegetables.

I followed this rule for many years, not once thinking of breaking it until one time at home I was making dinner for my family and I didn’t want to get the big pot; it was in the back of the bottom cupboard. Plus, I didn’t want to wait for that big pot to come to a boil.

I grabbed a medium pot that was big enough to hold the broccoli I needed. I brought it to a boil with the lid on, added the broccoli and then covered it again to help the boil recover. The broccoli turned out great. It cooked faster than normal and fast is the key to cooking green vegetables.

I can still dice tomatoes pretty quickly, thanks to my early lesson – not the first lesson, but the second lesson from the sous chef. I’m also getting dinner on the table at home quicker because of the new ways I’ve learned to do things over the years.

My old chef might be disappointed to hear I’m dicing tomatoes in a different manner than I was originally shown, and he would really hate to hear that when I cook fresh vegetables at home I do it in the microwave: place them in a bowl filled with a third of water, cover with plastic wrap and cook for two minutes. I would tell him this is the “New French Style” of cooking.

John Selick is the senior culinary manager at Sodexo Healthcare Services for University Hospitals in Cleveland.

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TECH TALK

TV Smarts

Streaming 101 - A Beginner’s Guide

By Tak Sato

I

love analogies to demystify technology but I can’t take credit for this one. Peter D., retired engineer and the oldest graduate of our free Discover Digital Literacy! program says, “Streaming is like receiving transmission.” Brilliant.

Do you remember TV rabbit ears?

“Barney Miller,” “60 Minutes” and other shows — with commercials every 13 minutes — came “over the air.” Cable and satellite are other transmission methodologies.

Streaming is the latest in the transmission evolution.

INTERNET CONNECTION Streaming on a computer requires either a wired or wireless internet connection. The latter means private Wi-Fi at your home or free public Wi-Fi at places such as libraries and coffee shops.

Remember, when connected to public Wi-Fi, avoid online shopping, banking, or anything that criminals may intercept.

Once connected to the cloud, you can view both free (adsupported) and paid (subscription) programming by simply launching your browser such as Google’s Chrome, Mozilla’s Firefox, Apple’s Safari, or Microsoft’s Edge, and visiting streaming service providers’ websites.

TV STREAMING Any device with the “smart” prefix means it can connect itself to the internet. Each smart TV manufacturer has its own remote control. Don’t be intimidated by the different appearances; the principle is the same: in the “Settings” or “Configuration” menu, find something along the lines of “Network” and follow the prompts to connect it to the internet.

Before starting a wireless connection, jot down your wireless network name and password. The network name is usually labeled as “Network Name” or “SSID” on the side of your Wi-Fi router.

If connecting via network cable, you should be able to plug a network cable from your Wi-Fi router and the smart TV’s network connection port (possibly labeled “ethernet” port).

After connecting to the internet, download the necessary “Apps” (short for applications) onto the TV. Both free and paid streaming service providers have apps for content for smart TVs, smartphones and tablets. Apps are similar to TV channels.

DEVICE TO STREAM TO

INTERNET CONNECTION

STREAMING MEDIA PLAYER

SUBSCRIPTION TO STREAMING SERVICE

Smart TV

need

optional 1,2

optional

Dumb TV

need

need Requires HDMI port

optional

Computer

need

optional

Smartphone & Tablet

need

optional

1 If smart TV is old and built-in smartness is not supported 2 If built-in smartness is too cumbersome to operate

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Better Living After 50

DUMB TV What if you have a TV that displays gorgeous images but is not smart? I affectionately call it a dumb TV, and there is no need to replace it if it has an available HDMI connection port.

If it does, or if an HDMI connection port can be made available by using an HDMI splitter device ($30 & up), you can get a streaming media player such as Roku, FireTV, AndroidTV, or AppleTV. Media players convert a dumb TV into a smart TV. Many offer wired and wireless connectivity to your Wi-Fi router or residential gateway. Keep in mind that their “stick” form cousin that usually is cheaper offers only wireless connectivity.

When smart TV shopping, don’t be swayed by the smartness of the set but instead, look at image quality. You can always add a streaming media player if the proprietary smartness is lacking, cumbersome or even become somewhat obsolete.

As long as you have an internet connection, you can instantly enjoy at least the ad-supported free streaming services with your smart TV or with a streaming media player for a dumb TV, as long as you have an available HDMI connection port to plug in a streaming media player.

You can also kick the tires of paid streaming services. Many offer trial periods. Even if they don’t, there is no long-term commitment.

Tak Sato is the founder of the Cleveland-area nonprofit Center for Aging in the Digital World (empowerseniors.org).

Free streaming service providers supported by ads; with potentially limited functionality • YouTube (videos) • Tubi (movies, TV shows) • Pluto TV (movies, TV shows, videos) • Spotify (music) • Pandora (music) • iHeartRadio (music from radio stations)

Streaming services supported through public libraries (and universities for “Kanopy”) • Hoopla (movies, music, audiobooks, e-books) • Kanopy (specializing in films)

Streaming services with monthly subscriptions but without long-term commitments • Netflix (movies, original shows) • SlingTV (live TV, a la carte add-on subscriptions to channels) • YouTube TV (live TV including local channels in many Northeast Ohio zip codes) • Hulu (TV shows, movies, live TV tier offering) • Amazon Prime Video (movies, original shows, shows from traditional networks, a la carte subscription to channels) • Spotify (music) • Pandora (music) • iHeartRadio (music from radio)

PHOTOS COURTESY OF TAK SATO

TVs usually come with multiple HDMI ports to attach different input devices

Wired (Ethernet) connection port on a smart TV

HDMI connectors on the ends of the cable

Streaming Media Player stick’s HDMI connector plugged into available HDMI port on TV

HDMI connector of the HDMI cable

Google NEXUS AndroidTV and included remote controller

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LEGAL

IRA and 401K Changes How Will They Impact Estate Planning?

By Michael Solomon

Congress passed major changes regarding distributions from 401k plans and IRAs effective in 2020. The changes do not apply to pension plans. Meet with your attorney for further explanation on how these may affect your estate planning.

When must I take money out of my IRA or 401k?

The existing rule provided that in the year you turned 70 ½, you must begin taking your minimum distributions from a traditional IRA and/or 401k plan with certain exceptions. (This is the tax law, so of course there are always exceptions.)

The new rule changes the date to age 72. If you are 70 ½ in 2019 or earlier, you're covered by the old law. There are no required distributions for your Roth IRA. Going forward, as long as you did not turn age 70 ½ by 2019 or earlier, you are eligible for the age-72 rule.

How long can I contribute to an IRA? Congress has eliminated the age restriction on deductible contributions to an IRA, so you can continue to make deductible contributions to an IRA after age 70 ½ as long as you have wages or self-employment earnings.

Can I still leave my IRA or 401 k to my children?

Under the old law, if a child or grandchild inherited your IRA, they could take minimum annual distributions based upon their life expectancy rather than yours. This allowed decades of income tax deferred (or income tax free if a Roth) distributions from the IRA. Under the new law, distributions have to pay out over a period no longer than 10 years beginning the year after your death. You can pay it out during the 10-year period or wait until the 10th year. There are exceptions for a spouse, minor children (not grandchildren),

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Better Living After 50

a disabled person, a chronically ill individual, a person with special needs, or a person who is no more than 10 years younger than you.

Will this change in IRAs impact my estate planning?

It might. If your primary beneficiary is your spouse, there is no change since your spouse can roll the IRA over — income tax-free — into his or her own IRA and take the funds out over his or her life expectancy.

However, if you leave funds to a child or grandchild or a trust for the benefit of a child or grandchild then the 10year rule applies except as described above. The problem is, you might have already set up a trust for the benefit of a child or grandchild, that might have been designed to take advantage of the long pay out over the old rule.

Under the old rule, you could protect the IRA from a financially immature child or grandchild and keep the funds in the family and protected from in-laws, in what we call a Bloodline Trust. Under most trusts, the IRA must pay out over the mandatory payout rate. So, rather than have the trust hold a major asset in a protected trust for decades, under the new law, the trust has to pay out the entire IRA by no later than 10 years.

Michael Solomon is a partner with Solomon, Steiner & Peck, LTD in Mayfield Heights. To see a complete Q & A on this topic, email him at info@ ssandplaw.com, go to the website ssandplaw.com or call 216-765-0123.

Grand Northeast Ohio

Supplement to

Boomer Northeast Ohio

and Beyond

ď ”

Snow Play Indoors & Out

Raising Your Grandchild

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d n a r G

Raising Your Grandchild

I

f you’ve found yourself back in the role of loving parent, but this time, for your grandchild, you are far from alone.

About 99,877 Ohio grandparents are living with and raising grandkids, according to Grandfamilies.org.

“It was really scary at first,” says Beverly of Shaker Heights —a retired special education teacher who had custody of her granddaughter for about six years. “I was like a fish out of water.

I didn’t know what to do.” (Beverly did not want her last name published to protect her grandchild’s privacy.)

When Beverly’s daughter could no longer raise her child, Beverly stepped in and gained custody. She carefully combed through resources and found the support she needed.

Resources, Guidance and Encouragement

By Breanna Mona

A staff member with the Kinship Permanency Incentive Program (KPIP) through the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services plopped a nifty resource guide in her hands — the Ohio Resource Guide for Relatives Caring for Children (also available online).

“That was very, very helpful. It was my little Bible,” Beverly says. The guide covered medical care, legal issues and financial arrangements.

Beverly’s situation became more complicated because of her granddaughter’s behavioral disorders, separation anxiety, Attention Deficit Disorder and other issues.

Beverly contacted OhioGuidestone — a foster care and family services

• What is Kinship Care cfs.cuyahogacounty.us/en-US/What-Kinship-Care • C uyahoga County Community Based Services cfs.cuyahogacounty.us/en-US/NeighborhoodCollaboratives.aspx • OhioGuidestone ohioguidestone.org • Government Information childwelfare.gov/topics/outofhome/kinship/resourcesforcaregivers/ legalinfo/ For an expanded version of this story, go to northeastohioboomer.com Resources: Ohio Resource Guide Odjfs.state.oh.us

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Better Living After 50

organization that offers mental health and residential care services.“I called on a Friday and they came in the following Monday and went through the whole process of getting her evaluated.”

EYES ON THE PRIZE No matter how difficult the journey becomes for grandparent or child, it’s important to focus on the outcome.

“What they’re doing is not only a gift, but it is critical to the success of our young people,” says Joe Jackson, Senior Manager of Community-Based Services and the Kinship Permanency Incentive Program of the Cuyahoga County Children and Family Services.

When a child ages out of their

system, they face greater levels of imprisonment, unprepared-for and unexpected pregnancy, greater odds of not completing school and only a 1 percent chance of completing college.

“What we know is, when children are with a caring, loving, permanent adult —especially kin— they tend to be more stable, have healthier emotional and physical outcomes, do better in school and have more stability in their own relationships in the future. You literally are a critical component in creating a healthier adult, and therefore, a healthier community,” Jackson says.

SUPPORT WITH EVERY STEP “Our staff is there to support them, whether that means providing beds, providing assistance with clothing — we can do purchase orders for those types of items,” Jackson says. “We want to make the transition from our agency to home, whether it be a foster home or another caregiver into their home as seamless as possible.”

Even if your grandchild is not in the system, there is still support.

“We work with grandparents who have never touched the system, but there is money that Ohio has made available to them to provide additional assistance and they can use it for whatever they like,” he adds.

Community-based services (CBS) can also help. “We have 13 neighborhood houses — also called collaboratives — that are around Cuyahoga County and they are very aware of the resources within their communities. They can help that person walk through finding their resources even without coming to the agency,” Jackson says.

Beverly wants grandparents to know they are not alone.“They’re thousands of us out there. Look for resources, get that Ohio Resource Guide — it tells you everything.

“Don’t give up. Even if they go back to their parents, that bond that you’ve built with them will never be broken. Love conquers everything.”

Fun with the Grandkids

1/18-19 Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live. Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live is returning to the Wolstein Center at Cleveland State University.

Wolsteincenter.com

1/24 Family Fireside Night. Bundle up to search for animals in their outdoor winter habitats. Hot chocolate and snacks will be provided. 6:30-8 p.m. Nature Center at Shaker Lakes, 2600 South Park Blvd. Cleveland, 216-321-5935, shakerlakes.org 1/24-26 IMS (International Motorcycle Shows) Kids Stacyc Zone. STACYC hosts youth demo rides on a STACYC-only course aboard 12eDrive and 16eDrive STACYC electric bikes at the Cleveland IMS Show. I-X Center, 6200 Riverside Dr., Cleveland, ixamusementpark.com 1/26 Family Snowshoe Lessons 101. Discover what snowshoeing is all about at this introductory program to snowshoeing. 11 a.m-noon, Penitentiary Glen Reservation, 8668 Kirtland-Chardon Rd., Kirtland, 440-256-1404, lakemetroparks.com

1/28-29 The Very Hungry Caterpillar. The Very Hungry Caterpillar follows the adventures of a very tiny and very hungry caterpillar as he eats his way through an amazing variety of foods on his path to becoming a beautiful butterfly. 10 a.m. & noon.

Mimi Ohio Theatre, 1511 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 216-348-7909, playhousesquare.org 1/31-2/2 The Miracle Worker. The inspiring story of how a lonely teacher breaks through barriers to communicate with a blind, deaf, and mute child: the wild and willful Helen Keller. 7:30 p.m.

Magical Theatre Company, 565 W. Tuscarawas Ave., Barberton, 330848.3708, magicaltheatre.org 2/15-16 Monster Jam Triple Threat Series.

An action-packed, live event on four wheels, where world-class drivers compete for capacity crowds around the globe. Rocket Mortgage Field House, 1 Center Court, Cleveland, monsterjam.com/en-US. $25-95 3/24 Grandparents in the Park: Spring Break. Come out for a fun day of indoor and outdoor nature activities for all ages. 1:30-3 p.m., Big Creek Park, Meyer Center, 9160 Robinson Rd., Chardon, geaugaparkdistrict.org

Breanna Mona is a Northeast Ohio freelance writer.

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d n a r G

Snow Play Indoors & Out

Shovels of Fun for Everyone

By Karen Shadrach

I

BRING THE OUTDOORS IN If the weather is just too cold to venture outside, or if a child is sick and cannot join others, you can bring the snow inside to them. To absorb the melting snow, place a beach towel on top of your table. I also place a cookie

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Better Living After 50

sheet underneath their play area to collect the drips. Find a large or small cupcake pan and place it on top of the cookie sheet. Step outside and fill a few bowls with snow. Throw in some measuring cups and spoons, and they’ll love to make snow cupcakes, or even attempt to make a little snowman.

Sled riding is always a favorite winter activity. You can pull the grandkids around on their sleds on unshoveled driveways or, if you are feeling especially adventurous, you can take them for a ride around the neighborhood. They enjoy pulling each other around in the snow or taking a favorite stuffed animal or doll for a sled ride. If you have access to a small hill in your yard or nearby, great. A lot of energy will be expelled pulling the sled up and riding back down, over and over again WHO WALKED THERE? Another great winter activity to share is a hike in the woods. Here, you can look for animals that have not hibernated this season and identify footprints in the snow. The trees are beautiful, covered with snow and ice — so very peaceful. You can take a short walk

Our Grammy on the Go’s grandkids love snowy-day sled rides.

on a path through the woods to the Brecksville Nature Center and handfeed a chickadee. On Saturdays and Sundays, they will provide the birdseed and instructions to make this a memorable experience.

After your snow adventure, come back inside and warm up with a cup of hot chocolate and some cookies.

Winter can be a lot of fun!

Karen Shadrach is an on-thego, in-the-know Northeast Ohio grandmother of two sets of twins. Read her grandparenting blog at northeastohioboomer.com.

PHOTO BY KAREN SHADRACH

t seems like yesterday that I was writing on how to keep the grandkids cool. Now, it’s already winter here in Northeast Ohio! For those of you that have not escaped to Florida for the season, we should find ways to embrace the snow and have fun outside with our grandchildren.

After bundling up as well as possible, yet allowing room to move, venture outside into the snow to play.

The children love to just run and romp in the snow. Let them make snow angels and show them how to form and throw a snowball.

If possible and the conditions are right, you can help them build a snowman. I’ve created smaller snowmen and built them on a back deck or near a window so that the kids can look at them easily from inside the house. They can decorate their snowmen with stones or acorns and find a special hat and scarf for Frosty to wear.

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ALS O G E V A

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Good Grief

YOUR MIND

It’s Okay to Not Be Okay

By Judith Macek

Grief is an emotional response of deep, sorrowful feelings we naturally experience after a loss. Although most of us associate grieving as the state we experience following the death of a loved one, there are various forms of loss that can result in grief. Ended relationships, health issues, relocating, job loss, unfulfilled dreams or missing a beloved pet are other types of loss that can lead to intense feelings of sadness.

Although many of us have encountered significant loss in our lives, it can still feel like unchartered territory each time we experience it. This is because each loss is different. The level of emotional intensity we endure depends greatly on the quality of the relationship.

YOUR WAY There is no order to the emotions accompanying loss. Shock, anger, confusion, denial, sadness, despair, loneliness, guilt, anxiety and acceptance are common threads associated with grief. Though these can be uncomfortable, they are all natural to undergo. One of the important things to remember is to allow yourself to have these feelings. It’s okay to not be okay. Validate how you feel and do your best NOT to avoid feeling. This may be very difficult since grief can be quite painful.

Grief has no boundaries with time. When someone close to us dies, the following year can be the most difficult. It’s a time of experiencing “firsts” without our loved one. Moving through holidays, birthdays, and vacations are all reminders of the void left by their absence while adapting to the changes. As life continues, it’s common for grief to wax and wane with the feelings of loss intensifying during various reflective moments and milestones. Certain smells, songs, occasions and experiences can bring back vivid memories accompanied by waves of emotions.

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TIME MATTERS Another aspect of time is how prepared we are prior to the loss.

It’s not unusual to begin grieving for someone, without realizing it, at the onset of a terminal illness or declining health due to age. When someone dies suddenly, we are not afforded the opportunity to prepare ourselves, if possible, emotionally.

Keep in mind that grief is not something we “go through,” move on from” or “get over.” Our life changes when we go through loss and the difficulty lies in coming to a place of acceptance. Holding onto our grief keeps us feeling close to the loss.

We don’t want others to forget what has happened. Coming to a place of acceptance, we begin to give grief permission to loosen its hold on us. It’s also the realization that continuing to live our life doesn’t mean we’re leaving the loss behind us. It is a part of us forever, yet we slowly learn how to transition back into life, different than before, in our new circumstances. There is no right or wrong way to grieve, as long as you allow yourself to grieve.

Judith Macek is a licensed professional clinical counselor in Portage County who works with all ages and diagnoses, specializing in anxiety, depression and grief counseling. To reach her, call (330) 398-5000.

HEALTH

Ask the Ortho What Do Your Knees Need?

By Reuben Gobezie, MD

QUESTION:

Is a knee replacement my only hope for relief from severe arthritis pain?

ANSWER: As we age, we all likely will get some form of osteoarthritis of the joints. The severity of the arthritis will determine how much intervention may be required to ease pain.

Osteoarthritis is essentially the breakdown of the cartilage of your joints over time. We sometimes compare this to when the brake pads in your car wear out. This can occur through normal wear and tear of the joint as we age but can be accelerated by other causes such as obesity, injuries, surgeries and genetics.

To use another simple analogy, think of your cartilage like the tread on a tire. Over many miles, the tread wears down based on the load placed on the wheels, the alignment of the vehicle, daily impact and the type of use. When that tread wears down too much, it’s

time to get a new tire. The cartilage on our knee joints is very much the same.

As the cartilage breaks down, eventually the bone and nerve endings are exposed and can be painful.

TREATMENT OPTIONS The first line of treatment is to manage the pain with over-the-counter or prescription medications. Physical therapy can be helpful to strengthen the weakened joint and improve range of motion. Many patients find short-term relief with cortisone shots for pain and/or gel injections that lubricate and increase the shock absorption of the joint.

If these conservative measures are no longer helpful, surgical intervention through a joint replacement may seem like your only option. However, advancements in regenerative therapies are providing hope for many patients struggling with arthritis and knee pain and can delay or possibly even prevent the need for a joint

replacement. These newer treatments use biologic elements such as your own adult stem cells or blood platelets to ease the pain. In some cases, they may regenerate lost cartilage.

With arthritis, the body’s ability to heal in an area with little blood flow, like a knee joint, may have diminished. When regenerative cells are concentrated and injected into an arthritic joint, a new healing response may be activated that reduces inflammation, eases pain and may also stimulate the growth of new cartilage.

Because joint replacements do not last forever, trying these more conservative biologic options first may give patients an opportunity to delay or completely avoid surgery.

January/February 2020

Dr. Gobezie is the founding director of Cleveland Shoulder Institute and Regen Orthopedics. For more information, visit regenorthopedics.com or call 844-786-2355.

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Wheel

Choices LEAVE THE DRIVING TO SOMEONE ELSE

By Breanna Mona

Maybe you’ve decided it’s time to hang up your driving gloves. But where do you find reliable and safe transportation? Lucky for you, Northeast Ohio has plenty of options.

Senior Transportation Connection This non-profit organization has been providing allinclusive, coordinated and affordable transportation to seniors (ages 60+) and adults with disabilities for 13 years.

Rather than just pulling up in front of your destination, STC drivers provide door-to-door escorting for your safety.

STC’s executive director, Janice Dzigiel, says the difference between choosing a traditional busing option or choosing STC lies in their expertise and training. “Our staff are highly trained (in) CPR (and) safety. They are backgroundchecked and we expect them to provide a high level of customer service,” Dzigiel says.

How it works: “The city pays the majority of the fare—the bill—and the rider typically has a small co-pay. So right now, we’re in 27 cities in Cuyahoga County.

We are also a provider of services through the Cuyahoga County Senior and Adult Services program and we subcontract with the RTA. We do between 600 or 650 trips a day,” she says.

Every single trip makes a big difference. Mary Lightfoot, 80, of downtown Cleveland, used STC when her husband became terminally ill. Needing his oxygen tank and wheelchair, public transportation just wasn’t an option.

Not only was STC helpful and convenient for scheduling his medical Senior appointments; it also gave the couple Transportation opportunities for special outings Connection during that tough time.

4735 W. 150th St., “The thing that was so important Ste. A, Cleveland about STC was that it became his 216-265-4101, social life,” Lightfoot says. “Twice a ridestc.org month, on the day I’d get my check and the day he’d get his check, we’d go to the West Side Market, and then go to either the Market Garden Brewery or the Great Lakes Brewery or the café in the market itself, and have lunch. He was so excited, he’d smile all day long,” Lightfoot says.

STC rolled out a new program offering rides on evenings and weekends, too.

“Unlike our business model, it’s a self-pay model,” Dzigiel says. “So, the rider pays $5 to get on the bus, and then $2.25 per mile wherever they’re going.”

“Our intent was not only the older adult community but also the disability community, especially where there’s a need for lifts; people in wheelchairs who can’t access Uber. We take people to weddings, to church, to Playhouse Square, to lunch; options that they wouldn’t have necessarily Monday through Friday, especially if it’s a lift or mobility issue. We’re giving them that access.”

The standard Mon.-Fri. service price depends on the community, so give STC a call to find out more details.

Heard about it but not sure how to use it Lyft & Uber for beginners

S

martphone users, if you’ve got a phone with internet capabilities, you’re in. These popular ridesharing apps make it easy to request a ride with a few clicks on your phone.

Uber: Create an account on the app and follow these simple steps: First, open the app and enter your destination in the “Where to?” field.

Next, you’ll swipe up to see all the drivers cruising around in your area.

Tap the one you want and then choose “UberX” if you’re just looking for the basic, low-cost Uber ride (there are more elite options like Uber BLACK if

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Better Living After 50

you want an all-black car, Uber Select for newer cars with slightly more advanced features, Uber XL for larger vehicles if you’re riding with extra buddies, Uber SUV for—you guessed it—SUV rides, and then Uber LUX for the most luxurious cars available.

After you’ve selected the type, you’ll need to confirm your pick-up location.

You can do this by dragging the little pin on the map or by choosing your precise location on the list of locations. Finish this step by clicking “confirm pickup.”

This sends a request out to all the local drivers in your area.

A driver will then accept your request and you’ll be able to view their location and estimated pick-up time.

You’ll get notified when they are close by.

For future, faster rides, you can save your frequent locations on your account so it’s faster to request a ride next time.

Lyft: The steps are about the same using this app. The only difference is that the pickup location on Lyft is automatically set up through your GPS location.

Red Light, Green Light

GO RIDE-Health A subsidiary of the Ford Motor Company, GO RIDE-Health offers specialized transportation experiences. They collaborate with major hospital systems, health plans, skilled nursing facilities and paratransit organizations.

GO RIDE operates out of Toledo, Dayton, Cleveland and Cincinnati. To book a ride or request information, call (833) 546-7433 or visit goride-health.com.

Not sure if you or a loved one should still be driving? These are a few things to watch about their driving, according to AARP. • Delayed response to unexpected situations

Laketran’s “Seniors on the Go” Program

• Exhibits lane drifting or has trouble

Lake County’s regional public transportation system’s “Seniors on the Go” program offers personalized information and continuing assistance to Laketran help seniors keep cruising.

The flexible program aims 555 Lakeshore Blvd., Painesville Township to meet the mobility needs 440-350-1000, of each older adult and their laketran.com/ridingfamily. Check out their website laketran/seniors-onfor more information and the-go. upcoming event dates.

changing lanes • Runs lights or stop signs • Clips the curb • Has frequent close calls • Misjudges distance • Loses driving confidence • Gets lost in familiar places • Drives too fast or too slowly • Confuses gas pedal and brake • Has been pulled over by police for driving infractions • Causes other drivers to honk often

Breanna Mona is a Northeast Ohio freelance writer.

• Not alert to other cars or pedestrians • Has had accidents, fender benders, car scrapes • Causes family to be worried about their driving

A Ride for Mom You can request a ride for someone other than yourself using both apps.

When you set the pickup destination as somewhere other than your current location, Uber will ask you if the ride is for a family member or friend. Then you can complete the rest of the steps for them. This is handy if you’re booking rides for folks without their own smartphones.

No smartphone?

Both Uber and Lyft have partnered with third-party call centers so that you can give them a buzz to request a ride instead of using the app.

Uber: Grab your Uber ride without the app by calling RideWith24’s tollfree number (1-800-522-1516). You’ll chat with an operator, who will gather information from you and book the ride.

Lyft: To request a ride without the app, Lyft partnered with Jitterbug, a simplified cell phone created by GreatCall. You just press “0” to connect to GreatCall’s Personal Operator Service and a Lyft ride will arrive in minutes.

The fine print. *Pricing: Uber and Lyft cost about the same. Both apps have estimate calculators on their websites so you can know ahead of time about how

much it’ll cost you before you request a ride. When you set up your account, you’ll provide your banking information and it will be withdrawn each time you ride.

Prices vary depending on how far you’re going and when. Remember that prices are higher on holidays and during special events. *Rating: After your ride (using the app), you rate your drivers (on a star scale) and they rate you, too. This way, you can choose riders with higher ratings and they can choose riders with a solid reputation, too. *Safety: Both Uber and Lyft drivers must pass a criminal background check.

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Get a Plan

Who Do You Want to Be?

By Traci McBride

A new month, a new year, a new decade. What will you be and how will you get there?

Create a plan to live out loud. Crash through routines, embrace fresh new activities, support local businesses, enjoy all that Northeast Ohio offers. Ready, set, go!

Set Ground Rules

Who: Is this a solo goal or would you rather team with a friend, spouse or with another couple or group?

What: Who will be choosing the activity? Switching off each time with others can be fun.

When? Weekly, bi-weekly or monthly?

Budget: Assign a 2020 budget for both your time and money for your push to live out loud.

Cool Places

Cocktails or dinner in a winter igloo on the patio at Georgetown in Lakewood.

Invite your coolest friends.

Relive six decades at flowerchildvintage.com chock-full of childhood memories from the 1930s to the 1980s. With stores in Cleveland and Columbus, explore any time of the year.

A Natural High

• Miller Nature Preserve is tucked in the middle of the city’s hustle and bustle. With ever-changing exhibits, its Butterfly House is a favorite place to feed your soul, June-Labor Day metroparks.cc/miller_nature_ preserve.php • Nature Center at Shaker Heights, year-round activities for all ages. shakerlakes.org

Let Them Entertain You

We have a plethora of major museums and theaters. When was the last time you visited?

• Cleveland Public Theatre: cptonline.org • A great Westlake gem: clagueplayhouse.org • Murder Mystery anyone? This can be a hoot with a group. pickwickandfrolic. com/new-murder-mystery Mystery dinners are held throughout the year at Punderson State Park. pundersonmanor.com

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It’s Just Plain Fun Bowling, Bocce and other games will work up a hunger for great food and drinks while providing year-round entertainment.

East: Pinstripes at Pinecrest pinstripes.com/cleveland-ohio Downtown: Punch Bowl Social punchbowlsocial.com/location/cleveland West: Topgolf Cleveland topgolf.com/us/ cleveland

New Skill Thrills

Shop, eat and learn new cooking skills at Architectural Justice Gallery & Cafe in Strongsville: architecturaljustice.com/ architectural-justice-gallery-cafe Learn and eat what you make in a group setting at Loretta Paganini School of Cooking in Chesterland: lpscinc.com Try this website for food-centered activities: tasteclevelandfoodtours.com/ cooking-class Want to experience a one-time cooking class with a friend or two? surlatable. com/classes/in-store-classes

Hungry for More?

Tri-C Encore Campus Friday has a long list of classes to engage your brain and pique your interest: tri-c.edu/encoresenior-adult-programs/encore-campuswest.html Learn just about anything at Polaris Continuing Ed.: polaris.edu/ adult-education If you prefer a more social one-off experience, try Painting with a Twist: paintingwithatwist.com Prefer diving deeper? BAYarts has numerous classes: bayarts.net/ class-list#adults

Good Deeds

Looking to be of service in 2020 to support a worthy charity?

Support local women to employment with Dress for Success Cleveland: cleveland. dressforsuccess.org Lift up children in need a bed with Sleep in Heavenly Peace: shpbeds.org/ Sleep in Heavenly Peace

Rut Busters

Switch Sides- Longtime Eastsiders or Westsiders need to spend more time on the other side. Let’s bust this east vs. west feud.

Make up a challenge based on your passion food. Best Tacos or Best Pizza, Best Fish Fry, etc. – visit the best places to find your very favorite – ask strangers where they go for the ‘Best of…’ and give it a try.

Reach out on social media and ask friends to share their favorites.

Throw out a random invitation to your friends and invite them to join you. Try, “Friday we are going to be at (fill in the blank) for tacos. If you’re in the neighborhood, join us!” See who shows up.

Image consultant Traci McBride of Traci McBride of TeeMcBee. com has passionately been a volunteer with Dress for Success – Cleveland since 2008.

Good Luck, Great Life A New Heart Wasn’t Part of the Plan

By Marie Elium • Photo by Kim Stahnke

C

hristian Bernadotte isn’t a worrier. Until his heart transplant at Cleveland Clinic two years ago, he wasn’t much of a planner, either.

For years, Bernadotte, now 70, was busy raising a family and building a career. He travelled extensively for work. He didn’t eat properly. He smoked. He never went to a doctor. Eventually, his lifestyle caught up with him; the Shaker Heights resident had his first heart attack at 49.

Bernadotte lost weight and kept up with his medical appointments and heart medications. “I lived with a bad heart for 18 years and made the most of it. I sailed. I golfed but I paced myself,” Bernadotte says, sitting in the Shaker Heights home he shares with his wife, Marianne.

Good Timing

Bernadotte carried on with his busy life, all while living with a weakened heart. He became short of breath and had a tough time walking uphill. On Thanksgiving 2017, Bernadotte collapsed at dinner with friends.

Two of them were Cleveland Clinic heart surgeons, Per Wierup and Gosta Pettersson.

A device that had been implanted in his heart jolted Bernadotte back to life.

Recovering at the Clinic, he was placed on the Status 2 heart transplant list.

The following February, Bernadotte was at home and started feeling ill. His wife called Dr. Pettersson, who lived nearby. By the time he got there, Bernadotte was on the floor and wasn’t breathing. Dr. Pettersson started CPR and revived him.

With his new heart, Christian and Marianne Bernadotte are looking forward to more skiing, golfing and visits with their grandchildren.

The incident bumped Bernadotte up to the highest priority status for a heart transplant. A week later, he had a new heart.

Soon, Bernadotte was back to his active life — this time without having to make accommodations for a weak heart. His plan today includes a much healthier lifestyle.

He feels and looks great.

Dr. Wierup says Bernadotte was “immensely lucky, but you can’t rely on luck. Christian was very sick before his first cardiac arrest and he still ignored all the signs. He was just lucky that when he really started to deteriorate, his buddies were around.”

Warning Signs

The mistake patients often make is thinking that a significant or rapid decline in health is a normal part of aging. Pay NUMBERS TO KNOW attention to what your spouse

BY HEART notices, Dr. Wierup says. Often, a spouse sees health changes, Target Total Cholesterol: <200 mg/dL especially those that are out of sync with theirs.

Optimal LDL “Bad” Cholesterol: <100 mg/dL With his new heart, Above optimal: 100-129 mg/dL Bernadotte has no restrictions High: 130-159 mg/dL on his activities. He’ll be on antiVery high: 160-189 mg/dL rejection medication for the rest Extremely high: 190 mg/dL and above of his life, and as a precaution, Target HDL (“Good”) Cholesterol: ≥50 mg/dL he doesn’t eat raw meat or fish.

“You have to live your life. My Target Triglycerides: <150 mg/dL recommendation is to get your Normal Blood Pressure: <120/80 mmHg regular checkups in your 40s Target Fasting Glucose: <100 mg/dL and 50s, get your cholesterol Target Body Mass Index (BMI): <18.5-24.9 checked and live a healthy Target Waist Circumference: Generally <37 lifestyle.” (men) and <32 (women) February is American Heart Month. See the heart-healthy Check with your doctor if you have heart tips in the chart to the left. disease, risk factors for heart disease, or other medical conditions. Some of these numbers may need to be lower.

To learn more about heart health, visit cle. clinic/loveyourheart.

Marie Elium thinks Christian Bernadotte is the luckiest man in Northeast Ohio.

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Don’t Just Live Longer - Live Better We’ve Got Your Plan • By Estelle Rodis-Brown

As you make resolutions and goals for 2020, consider adopting a few proven strategies for maintaining good physical condition. These will optimize your overall well-being, including your mental, social and emotional health.

M

elissa Winberry is Assistant Director of Rose Centers for Aging Well in Cleveland and she pushes against the assumption that it’s acceptable to become increasingly sedentary with age.

Move More

Winberry says, “Exercise is very personal.

While my top three recommendations are walking, yoga and swimming, my true recommendation is: do whatever will motivate you to stay active and just keep moving. Do what you like.”

The benefits of exercise include a decreased risk of falling, maintaining cardiac health (“your heart is a muscle; work it”) and helping to maintain optimal weight.

The rewards of maintaining your physical well-being extend far beyond the confines of your body. Winberry says, “When our bodies are in a good physical state, that naturally transcends to a positive emotional state. Getting out, keeping busy, maintaining an active mind and socializing with others naturally makes one feel better. Isolation is to depression, as socializing is to connections.

As humans, we’re naturally wired to desire connections with others.”

Adjust Intake

When it comes to her top three dietary recommendations for those 50 and older, Winberry says: 1) Drink water every day. “As we age, we dehydrate faster than when we were younger. If you wait until you’re thirsty to drink, you’re already dehydrated.”

2) Limit sugar. “Sugar is not good for the immune system, which is already weaker in older adults.”

3) M ake 50% of your diet vegetables and fruits. “A diet high in fruits and vegetables fosters a healthy intestinal tract.”

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HEAR THIS! It’s not your imagination; it keeps getting harder to hear. With these stats in mind, Cleveland Hearing & Speech Center (CHSC) recommends getting a hearing screening every three years after age 50. According to Dr. Bridgid Whitford, CHSC Director of Hearing Services, “by age 65, 30% of people have hearing loss and by age 75, that number increases to almost half of people. Unfortunately, it typically takes seven years for someone to seek help for hearing loss.”

Beyond its effect on the physical senses, undiagnosed hearing loss can cause relationship troubles. According to the American Speech and Hearing Association, the insidious nature of hearing loss allows many adults to ignore it for years or decades. One of the first signs of hearing loss is often an inability to hear and understand speech in noisy environments like restaurants. Because of its slow progression, people don’t acknowledge their condition until a spouse or significant other becomes increasingly frustrated by the miscommunication hearing loss creates.

“Detecting potential hearing loss is critical for diagnosis and treatment,” says Sharon Dundee, CHSC Director of Marketing & Communications. Hearing plays an important role in maintaining communication and socialization in adults. Untreated hearing loss affects quality of life — including relationships and other social connections.”

Lean In

Winberry offers these lifestyle tips for maintaining wellness at any age: 1) L earn something new. This keeps your mind stimulated and active.

2) Talk to at least one person, face-to-face, every day, even if it’s a stranger that you pass on the street and say ‘hello’ to. “This keeps isolation at bay; experts are now reporting that isolation is as detrimental to your health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day.”

3) C ontinue to work in your chosen field, whether fulltime, part-time or as a volunteer somewhere. “We all need meaningful work. We need to feel that we are contributing, valued and needed.”

Winberry reminds us that aging is a bonus that not everyone receives, so we shouldn’t take it — or our wellbeing — for granted. “Aging is not inevitable; it is a gift, and if viewed as such, chances are, it will be positive. We cannot control what happens to us. The only thing we can control is our response to it.”

Get Your Finances in Order

Plan Ahead

Understand the Money-Mind-Body Connection

By Estelle Rodis-Brown

W

e all want to be healthy, wealthy and wise. These are worthy goals at any stage of life. With every passing decade, they become even more valuable.

Sonya Edwards helps more than 5,000 older adults annually with finances, housing and social services in her job as the Director of Financial Counseling for Empowering and Strengthening Ohio’s People (ESOP), a subsidiary of the Benjamin Rose Institute on Aging in Cleveland. She makes presentations nationwide about financial exploitation, financial security and integrated programming for older adults.

Here are her top three tips for maintaining financial health: • Make “fiscal check-ups” to maintain financial wellness. Evaluate income, housing expenses, debt obligations, emergency savings, insurance policies and retirement options.

• Exercise self-control for improved health and financial wellness. “If our physical health is poor, it affects our bodies, minds, families and finances,” Edwards says.

• Understand that financial stress damages physical health. Learn strategies to combat all types of stress — including financial stressors — to keep your financial and physical health in check.

Bolster Your Benefits

When it comes to costsaving programs for those in retirement, Edwards recommends: Complete a benefits assessment periodically to discover federal, state or local benefits available to you. Conduct a new assessment when your finances, medical needs or household composition changes.

Save thousands on premiums and copays with a Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) counselor. They can help you evaluate your Medicare Part D plan during Open Enrollment period (October 15-December 7) so you can make the most of changes to annual premium costs and coverages.

Take advantage of benefits including the Property Tax Homestead Exemption for those 65+ or permanently disabled, with an annual Ohio Adjusted Gross Income of no more than $32,800.

Also, explore heating and utility assistance, home repair programs and food assistance programs to fill financial gaps after you retire.

HELP WANTED Maybe you’ve been forced into retirement but you’d rather be generating an income. If you’re 55 or older and you’re looking for a job, the Ohio Department of Aging can help you land one.

The Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) is a paid community service and work-based training program for older incomeeligible jobseekers. The only program funded by the U.S. Department of Labor and authorized by the Older Americans Act, SCSEP provides servicebased training at local non-profit and public organizations.

Among candidates seeking SCEP eligibility, veterans and their spouses, people 65 or older, minorities and those with limited English or literacy skills are given priority. Each SCSEP participant provides an average of 20 community service hours per week to prepare for unsubsidized opportunities within the employer network.

To explore job options through SCEO, log onto aging.ohio.gov/scsep.

Edwards says, “It’s never too early to start planning for the future.

Initiate conversations with loved ones before it’s time to make decisions. Early financial planning and revisiting your financial plan is the best way to ensure your wishes will be carried out.”

As you plan for your financial future, consider: Every Ohio homeowner should file a Transfer on Death Beneficiary Designation Affidavit at the county recorder’s office. This creates a transfer of ownership to any beneficiary over the age of 18 upon death (you can designate multiple beneficiaries). This will help avoid probate court, which can be costly and usually takes nine months to two years.

Consider who should handle healthcare and financial decisions on your behalf. Choose different people for healthcare and finances. “Developing a power of attorney is relatively inexpensive, but it is advisable to use a lawyer,” Edwards says.

Re-examine your healthcare and financial wishes according to the five Ds: decade, death, divorce, diagnosis and decline: Decade: At the start of every new decade in your life Death: When a loved one dies Divorce: When there is a major family change Diagnosis: When a serious health condition is diagnosed Decline: When your health or cognitive ability declines To learn more about all the financial support services ESOP provides, log onto esop-cleveland. org or call (216) 361-0718.

Estelle Rodis-Brown is a freelance writer from Northeast Ohio whose insatiable curiosity secures her enduring commitment to lifelong learning, wellness and pursuit of better living at any age. She also serves as digital/ assistant editor of Boomer magazine.

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Retired?

Make a Plan for an Encore Career

By Donna Kastner

F

or years, careers advanced through three stages: Learn, Earn, Retire.

During the first stage, the primary focus was on acquiring knowledge and skills as a foundation for a thriving career. The middle stage was all about work, with a keen eye on advancement and salary increases.

Then came retirement, which for most, happened around age 65.

A Longer Runway

Today, this journey is far more fluid, with more employers involved from start to finish. Lifelong learning has become the new career catalyst, as businesses strive to recruit talent to help them better compete in a rapidly changing world.

With people living longer, the work runway is extending well beyond age 65.

For some, it’s a choice to stay engaged in work they enjoy. For others, it’s a necessity to bolster their retirement nest egg.

Whatever the motivation, digital options are creating more ways for today’s older workers to stay engaged in meaningful jobs but at a more leisurely pace.

Our Aging Population

In 1900, life expectancy in the United States was 46.3 years for men and 48.3 years for women.

By 2000, we added about 30 more years to the life expectancy clock. Looking ahead, experts predict that by the mid-2030s, life expectancy will top 90 years.

The 2030s will usher in one more stunning demographic shift. Older people will outnumber children for the first time in U.S. history. According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s projections, by 2034, there will be 77 million people 65 years and older, compared to 76.5 million under 18.

Paying for a 30+ Year Retirement We might be living longer, but our bank accounts haven’t caught up.

While nearly 80% of our parents could count on pension income, this retirement revenue stream is disappearing. Only 23% of younger boomers (ages 56-61) expect to receive pension income and only 38% of older boomers enjoy that benefit.

Boomers were also the first generation to fully navigate the shift from defined benefit to defined contribution savings.

This might explain why more people are delaying retirement. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 1996, less than 46% of people age 60 to 64 were working. By 2016, this segment grew to 56% and it’s expected to eclipse 60% in just a few more years.

Digital Sets the Stage

Technology, the very thing that’s posing challenges for businesses, is teeing up richer opportunities for people aged 60+ to stay engaged in work as parttime consultants or contractors.

No doubt, as we age, speed and memory decline gradually, but our ability to connect the dots at a high level intensifies. There are many organizations that would love to tap those skills and legacy knowledge, as they fine-tune future strategies.

Donna Kastner is founder of the Northeast Ohio-based Retirepreneur, a collaborative community for people 55+ interested in flexible and fulfilling encore careers. She is a public speaker, writer and podcaster. Visit her website at retirepreneur.com

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Better Living After 50

Å Loud, Sharp & Groovy Bold Exhibits, Subtle Details Draw Museumgoers This Season

By Margaret Briller

Instruments of rock, both whole and in pieces, are part of the new installation at the Rock Hall.

ROCK & ROLL HALL OF FAME & MUSEUM Play It Loud: Instruments of Rock & Roll Closes: Sept. 13, 2020 1100 E. 9 St., Cleveland, 216-781-7625 rockhall.com The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s mega exhibit celebrates iconic musical instruments that gave rock & roll its signature sound. Play It Loud: Instruments of Rock & Roll offers a rare, in-depth look at the artists and instruments that made possible many of the songs we know and love.

“Play It Loud was co-organized by the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame with the Metropolitan Museum of Art,” says Greg Harris, president and CEO of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. “The exhibit had a blockbuster stint at The Met, topping 600,000 visitors.

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Better Living After 50

This is now the Rock Hall’s largest single exhibit ever – taking over four floors of our museum.

It’s the only time these iconic instruments will be together in one massive collection.

We expect Play It Loud to amp up our normal attendance levels as we welcome hundreds of thousands of visitors over the next ten months.”

Instruments showcased span from 1939 to today and many have never been displayed outside of their original concert performance settings. The exhibit is organized thematically, exploring how musicians embraced and advanced emerging technologies, the phenomenon of the “guitar god,” the crafting of a visual identity using instruments, and the destruction of instruments in some live performances, one of rock’s most defining gestures.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE ROCK & ROLL HALL OF FAME

Don’t hibernate this winter. We’ve got some great ideas that feed your senses instead.

These can’t-miss museum exhibits in Northeast Ohio let you browse, explore and discover what’s happening in our corner of the world in the months ahead. Whether you find your inner “guitar god” or gain insight into the world of quilting, get ready to get cultured.

Kent State University’s Fashion Museum’s display of protest-era clothing.

Check out other exhibits around Northeast Ohio

1 S. High St., Akron 330-376-9185 akronartmuseum.org

Gems of Modernist Brevity: Alice Schille Watercolor Miniatures Closes: March 8

Open World: Video Games & Contemporary Art Closes: Feb. 2

Journey through Mushikui: Works on Paper by Yuko Kimura Closes: March 8

The Distance of the Moon Closes March 15

Cleveland History Center

Lui Wei: Invisible Cities Closes: Feb. 16

10825 East Blvd., Cleveland 216-721-5722 wrhs.org

Master/Apprentice: Imitation and Inspiration in the Renaissance Closes: Feb. 23

Akron Art Museum

Elias Sime: Tightrope Feb. 20-May 24, 2020 Steranko and the American Hero May 3 – July 5

PHOTO: BOB CHRISTY, KENT STATE UNIVERSITY PHOTOGRAPHER

Canton Museum of Art 1001 Market Ave., N, Canton 330-453-7666 cantonart.org Creative Roots: Celebrating Ohio Closes: March 8 Crowns: Crossing into Motherhood Closes: March 8

Proof: Photography in the Era of the Contact Sheet Feb. 7-April 12

Electric, Steam, or Gasoline: Past, Present & Future of Alternative Power Closes: April 30

Women and Politics (new permanent exhibit) Opens: May 22

11150 East Blvd., Cleveland 216-421-7350 clevelandart.org Color and Comfort: Swedish Modern Design Closes: Feb. 9

Breaking the Mold: The Art of Thelma and Edward Winter Closes: August 2

Si Jolie! French Fashion in Cleveland Closes: June 30

Cleveland Museum of Art

Signal Noise: Aaron Rothman Feb. 15-May 17 Ilse Bing: Queen of the Leica March 7-June 28 Golden Needles: Embroidery Arts from Korea March 8-July 26 A Graphic Revolution: Prints and Drawings in Latin America March 14-August 2

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Å Loud, Sharp & Groovy Fashion Museum, Kent State University 515 Hilltop Dr., Kent 330-672-3450 Kent.edu Ohio Quilts Closes: April 12 Wearing Justice: The Significant Role Fashion Plays in Social Activism Closes: May 31 Culture/Counterculture: Fashions of the 1960s and 70s Closes: Sept. 6

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Better Living After 50

Great Lakes Science Center

Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage

601 Erieside Ave., Cleveland 216-694-2000 GreatScience.com

2929 Richmond Road, Beachwood 216-593-0575 Maltzmuseum.org

Curiosity Carnival: The Spectacle of the Midway Indoors Through a STEM Lens Closes: Feb. 17

International Women's Air & Space Museum Burke Lakefront Airport, 1501 N. Marginal Rd., Cleveland 216.623.1111 iwasm.org

Leonard Bernstein: The Power of Music Closes: March 1 Chagall for Children April 17-August

Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland

Diamond Necklace Raffle Closes: February 7

11400 Euclid Ave., Cleveland 216-421-8671 mocacleveland.org The museum reopens Jan. 31.

Walking Tours of Cleveland May 9-November 14

Temporary Spaces of Joy and Freedom January 31 — May 17

Margaret Kilgallen: that’s where the beauty is.

January 31- May 17

MAPS Air Museum 2260 International Pkwy., North Canton 330-896-6332 mapsairmuseum.org CAK Safety Council Presentation: Crisis Communications 7:30 a.m., January 22 Cub Scout/Girl Scout “Spring 2020 Go See It Day” 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., February 22 Margaret Briller is a freelance writer/ storyteller from Northeast Ohio who visits museums for energy and inspiration.

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LEISURE SUITS THE RIGHT STUFF FAMILY FEUD

DOONESBURY SHOGUN THE LOVE BOAT

PET ROCK WATERSHIP DOWN SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE

HEALTH

Take a Bite

THAT’S FIRM AND BRIGHT

By Dr. Steve Marsh

I

n the New Year, many of us make resolutions. For some of us, it may have an emotional component, like “spending more time with our family.”

For others, it may be of a physical nature, like trying to lose weight.

But there may be other physical needs, like fixing your teeth.

When you get your teeth taken care of, it can improve your overall health, chewing function, oral musculature, nutrition and appearance. The goals of losing weight are similar. Walking and exercise are easier. Medical issues like high blood pressure and diabetes are better controlled and you look better, as well. But while weight loss can be achieved by limiting your food/ caloric intake, dental improvements often require the help of a dental professional — like a dental hygienist or general dentist.

WHAT HAPPENS AT THE CHECKUP When you are in the chair, getting your teeth cleaned, the hygienist removes hard deposits (tartar) as well as soft ones (plaque). Though the hard deposits are mostly annoying, the plaque involves bacteria which can be detrimental to your teeth and overall health.

It’s the bacteria that feed off of many of our foods, causing acid to

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Better Living After 50

attack our teeth and gums, causing cavities and tissue problems. You can resolve to do a better job at home, brushing and flossing to remove debris, but a trip to the hygienist two or three times a year can ensure that you are doing it effectively, as well as eliminating the “hard to find” tartar and plaque.

Digital radiographs (x-rays) and photos can be used to look for decay, bone abnormalities and periodontal diseases. The hygienist will also look for possible tissue problems or growths that may or may not be cancer-related.

And at your visit, the dentist plays a similar role in both diagnosing and treating problems. Additionally, she or he can give the patient suggestions on improving the bite as well as other cosmetic options.

On many occasions, I have seen patients who came in with chewing problems due to loose teeth, missing teeth or joint issues. With the help of today’s dental materials and

techniques, including flexible partial dentures, implants and bridges, they have told me they can eat things that they couldn’t chew before, improving their food options and subsequent nutrition. They can now enjoy things like fish, chicken, fresh vegetables and fruit, rather than relying on soups and energy boosters.

These same dental materials and techniques can also lead to an improvement in appearance and self-esteem. We recently treated two women, one who was attending her daughter’s wedding, while the second was approaching her 55th high school reunion. Both patients were kind enough to send “thank you notes” to our team.

The former (about her smile “remade” for her daughter’s wedding) wrote: “I cannot thank you enough; your talent and expertise have given me back my smile.”

The latter (about her 55th reunion) wrote: “I had a fabulous time at my 55th class reunion, smiling and talking the night away.”

These are a reminder of the importance of dentistry and makes us look forward to the future. As we move into 2020, make your year better by improving your oral health, functionally and emotionally.

Dr. Steve Marsh focuses on cosmetic dental procedures and general dentistry. Visit ClevelandSmiles.com for more information.

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Montefiore’s Home Smart Memory Care program offers personalized services and support so individuals can live safely and independently at home as long as possible.

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Better Living After 50

trained and recognizes the individuals behind the diagnosis and their desire for a high quality of life. Together our goal is to ensure the safety and overall well-being of a loved one.

If the time comes when an individual cannot live safely or independently on their own or it’s difficult to take care of them at home, we can help. With exceptionally comfortable and safe environments, The Willensky Residence at Montefiore and The David and Freda Robinson Residence at The Weils offer outstanding care with 24hour nursing supervision. Residents receive individualized and group

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May 14, 2020 LaCentre Westlake

40 Better Living After 50

Å 2/15

WHAT’S

Winter Bird Hike. Hike through fields and forests to collect valuable information for the Great Backyard Bird Count. 10-11 a.m. Wolf Creek Environmental Center, 6100 Ridge Rd, Wadsworth, 330-722-9364, medinacountyparks.com. FREE

Happening CLASSES

TUESDAYS Senior Financial Education.

Rachel from Empowering and Strengthening Ohio’s People (ESOP) will share how older adults can stay financially healthy, living independently and safely in their homes. Maple Hts. Branch Library, 5225 Library Ln., 216-475-5000, cuyahogalibrary. org. FREE FRIDAYS Encore Campus Fridays.

Participants (55+) can take multiple courses for one low registration fee. Three sevenweek sessions are held at Tri-C Eastern, Western and Westshore campuses. 1/24-3/6. tri-c.edu. $99 SATURDAYS Ham Radio Demonstration.

Learn all about this fascinating hobby. Meets the last Saturday of the month. 10 a.m-noon.

Barberton Public Library, 602 West Park Ave., 330-745-1194, barberton.lib.oh.us. FREE 1/18 New Year, New You. Create your own “Traveling” Vision Board for 2020. Why a “Traveling” Vision Board? Because it travels with you wherever you go. This is the

year to take your dreams, hopes and desires with you.

11 a.m.-1 p.m. Stephanie Tubbs Jones Health Center, 13944 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, events.clevelandclinic.org

electronic devices in the process. 6:30-730 p.m. North Ridgeville Branch Library, 37500 Bainbridge Rd., 440327-8326, lorainpubliclibrary. org. FREE

Homemade Soap Making.

Learn to make handcrafted, all-natural soap, followed by a fun lesson on the chemistry of soapmaking and the wellness benefits associated with using handmade soap. noon-2 p.m. The Holden Arboretum, 9550 Sperry Rd., Kirtland, 440-946-4400, holdenarb. org. $80-95

2/2 Turkish Cooking Class. Learn how to prepare Mediterraneastyle dishes. 2-4 p.m. Rocky River Public Library, 1600 Hampton Rd., 440-333-7610, rrpl.org

1/22 Owls: Hunters of the Night.

Come learn about the myths and facts surrounding these fascinating nocturnal animals and their adaptations. 7-8 p.m. Solon Library, 34125 Portz Pkwy., Solon, cuyahogalibrary.org.

FREE 1/27 Cybersecurity Basics For Parents & Grandparents.

Learn how to help young ones navigate websites and apps safely, protecting your identity, wallet and

2/12 Social Security Retirement Planning Seminars. This webinar provides details on the retirement program plus not-so-common filing strategy options. Webinar ID: 529-249-155. Noon. gotomeeting.com/webinar.

FREE 2/20 Grandparenting Today & Tour of Hillcrest Hospital.

Prospective grandparents learn about changes in childbirth, updates in infant care, importance of grandparenting and more.

5:30-8 p.m. 6777 Mayfield Rd., Mayfield Hts., clevelandclinic. org. $15

2/22 Jewelry Junction. Learn to wire-wrap two beautiful pendants using silver- or goldplated wire. 2-4 p.m. Westlake Library, 27333 Center Ridge Rd., Westlake, 440-871-2600, westlakelibrary.org FREE 3/7 Glass Mosaic Mandala.

Create a glass mosaic mandala on a 6-8” round mirror. 6 p.m. Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library, 3512 Darrow Rd., Stow, 330-6883295, smfpl.org. $10

CLUBS

MONDAYS Chess Club. A fun chess club for all levels of ability and for both teens and adults. Meets monthly. 6-8 p.m. 1/27 & 2/24.

Shaker Heights Library, 16500 Van Aken Blvd., 216-991-2030, shakerlibrary.org. FREE TUESDAYS Young at Heart. A book club for adults who love children’s and teens’ books.

First Tuesday of each month.

7-8 p.m. Strongsville Branch Library, 18700 Westwood Drive, 440-238-5530, cuyahogalibrary.org. FREE

Submit an event listing to Calendar@NortheastOhioBoomer.com or go to NortheastOhioBoomer.com January/February 2020

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WHAT´S HAPPENING Change of Pace Book Club.

1/21: “The Professor and the Madman: A Tale of Murder, Insanity, and the Making of the Oxford Dictionary” by Simon Winchester. Feb. 18: “Home” by Toni Morrison.

6:30 p.m. South Lorain Branch, 2121 Homewood Dr., Lorain, lorainpubliclibrary. org. FREE Genealogy Club. An informal, educational program dedicated to genealogy research. Meets the second Tuesday of the month. 10:30 a.m. Barberton Public Library, 602 West Park Ave., 330-7451194, barberton.lib.oh.us. FREE Knit & Lit Book Club. Come share your passion for great literature and show off your knitting, crocheting, counted cross-stitch, embroidery and quilting works-in-progress.

Meets the second to last Tuesday of the month. 7 p.m.

Lakewood Public Library, 15425 Detroit Ave., 216-2268275, lakewoodpubliclibrary. org. FREE Cookbook Club. Join each month as we pick a theme and prepare dishes to share.

1/28 & 2/25. 6:30- 8 p.m.

Green Branch Library, 4046 Massillon Rd., Uniontown, akronlibrary.org. FREE WEDNESDAYS Fishing Club. Meets yearround with seasonal fishing activities. Third Wednesday at 11 a.m. Contact Don at 330225-2205. Brunswick Library, 3649 Center Rd., brunswick. oh.us/recreation/seniorprograms. FREE Senior Strong. Supporting emotional health & combating loneliness 2nd Wednesday of the month at 10 am. North Olmsted Senior Center, 28114 Lorain Rd., north-olmsted. com/senior-center. FREE THURSDAYS Singing Seniors. Do you enjoy singing? Come share your talent with others like you. Patterson Park Community Ctr., 800 Patterson Ave., 330-375-2819, akronohio.gov. FREE

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region. 10825 East Blvd., 216721-5722, wrhs.org CLEVELAND BOTANICAL GARDEN 1/18-3/1 Orchid Mania. Escape the winter weather and enjoy a tropical-inspired escape into a world of beauty and fabulous fragrances. 11030 East Blvd., Cleveland, 216-721-1600, cbgarden.org

1/26 & 2/16 Cold Hike, Hot Chocolate. Cold weather got you hibernating? An outdoor hike is the cure. After hiking the Meadow Loop trail, warm up and relax with some hot chocolate indoors. 2-3:30 p.m. Carlisle Reservation, 12882 Diagonal Rd., Lagrange, metroparks.cc. FREE

Sistas Knit 2. Socialize with other crafters while creating wonderful projects that can be given to family and friends. Meets every Thursday at 6:30 p.m.

Maple Valley Branch Library, 1187 Copley Rd., Akron, akronlibrary.org. FREE Shutterbugs. Photography enthusiasts gather the first Thursday of the month to explore photography techniques, give and receive critiques, and enjoy field trips.

6:30 p.m. Chardon Branch Library, 110 East Park St., divi. geaugalibrary.net. FREE FRIDAYS Spotlight On: Shuffleboard.

This group of shuffleboard enthusiasts meets every Friday and all are welcome.

11 a.m. Willoughby Senior Center, Field House, 36939 Ridge Rd., ourseniorcenter. com. $5/month SATURDAYS Short Story Book Club. The book club you’ll actually have time to read for. Instead of a whole book, read and discuss a short story with your neighbors. 3-4 p.m. Lorain Branch Library, 8216 Lorain Ave., Cleveland, 216-6237011, cpl.org

EXHIBITS

AKRON ART MUSEUM THROUGH 2/2/20 Open World: Video Games and Contemporary Art. Visual artists are gamers too, yet video games are rarely examined as a major influence on contemporary art. Open World draws attention to this phenomenon. 1 S. High St., 330-376-9185, akronartmuseum.org AKRON ZOO ONGOING Get up close to 700 animals, 361 days a year.

Explore Komodo Kingdom, Grizzly Ridge, Penguin Point and much more. Pride of Africa is now open. 500 Edgewood Ave., 330-3752550, akronzoo.org CLEVELAND HISTORY CENTER ONGOING Cleveland Starts Here. A place for Northeast Ohioans to locate their own stories and place themselves in the rich story of Cleveland and Northeast Ohio. A place for schoolchildren to experience, firsthand, the history of Cleveland and the

CLEVELAND METROPARKS ZOO ONGOING Meet animals from around the world. Tour the zoo and the RainForest for an afternoon or the entire day.

3900 Wildlife Way, 216-6616500, futureforwildlife.org THE CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF ART 2/7-4/12 PROOF: Photography in the Era of the Contact Sheet. The photographer first saw positive images on the contact sheet. Digital technology has put an end to that era: the photographer now sees the image instantly, and systems of storage, retrieval, and editing have become increasingly sophisticated.11150 East Blvd., clevelandart.org THE CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY THROUGH 4/26 ‘Ultimate Dinosaurs: Meet a New Breed of Bite.’ Explore the dinosaurs of the Southern Hemisphere who evolved in isolation from the dinosaurs we know and love. 1 Wade Oval Dr., cmnh.org GREAT LAKES SCIENCE CENTER ONGOING Curiosity Carnival. All the sights and sounds of the carnival, from the spectacles to the midway games, are based on science. 601 Erieside Ave., Cleveland, 216694-2000, greatscience.com GREATER CLEVELAND AQUARIUM ONGOING Aquarist for a Day, Stingray Art Experience, Zzzs in

the Seas Overnights.

2000 Sycamore St., Cleveland, 216-862-8803, greaterclevelandaquarium. com

scene. 800 McKinley Monument Dr. NW, Canton, 330-455-7043, mckinleymuseum.org

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S AIR & SPACE MUSEUM ONGOING Amelia Earhart, Ruth Nichols, Bessie Coleman, Harriet Quimby, Katharine Wright, the WASP, Jackie Cochran & more. Burke Lakefront Airport, 1501 N. Marginal Rd., Cleveland, 216-6231111, iwasm.org

ROCK & ROLL HALL OF FAME ONGOING The Garage: It’s Your Turn to Play. Pick up an instrument, crank up the volume and make your own music in the museum.

Designed to evoke the birthplace of rock bands for decades, The Garage is where it’s your turn to play. 1100 Rock & Roll Blvd., Cleveland, rockhall.com

JEWISH FEDERATION OF CLEVELAND THROUGH 4/21 Gallery Open House: “Unfolding Nature: Dancing Through Waves.”

Roe Green Gallery at the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Building, 25701 Science Park Dr., Beachwood, mandelfoundation.org

THE SHAKER HISTORICAL SOCIETY ONGOING First Saturday. Visit the Shaker Historical Museum the first Saturday of the month and discover exhibits of Shaker life, the development of Shaker Heights, art and architecture.

16740 S. Park Blvd., shakerhistory.org

LAKE ERIE NATURE & SCIENCE CENTER ONGOING Schuele Planetarium: Twinkle Tots, Stellar Stars, Family Adventures in Space, Sky Tonight and Full Dome Show. 28728 Wolf Rd., Bay Village, 440871-2900, lensc.org MALTZ MUSEUM OF JEWISH HERITAGE THROUGH 3/1 Leonard Bernstein: The Power Of Music. The first large-scale museum exhibition to illustrate Leonard Bernstein’s life, Jewish identity and social activism. 2929 Richmond Rd., Beachwood, 216-5930575, maltzmuseum.org MCKINLEY MUSEUM ONGOING Stark County Food: From Early Farming to Modern Meals. This exhibition explores food history in Stark County, from the earliest orchards and farms to today’s culinary tourism

MUSIC

FRIDAYS Concerts in the Barn. See some great bands in a truly unique setting. Fridays through May 1st. 7:30-10:30 p.m. Mapleside Farms, 294 Pearl Rd., Brunswick, mapleside.com. $15-20 1/22 Rami Kleinstein - Intimate & Live With The Piano. Case Western Reserve UniversitySiegal Lifelong Learning presents Rami Kleinstein, one of Israel’s most renowned pop superstars, known for his beautiful love songs, soothing voice and delicate piano-playing.

7:30 p.m. Maltz Performing Arts Center, 1855 Ansel Road, Cleveland, case.edu/ lifelonglearning/rami $15-50 1/24 Springsteen Tribute by Swamps of Jersey. Ohio’s Premier Tribute to The Boss. 6 p.m. Music Box Supper Club, 1148 Main Ave., Cleveland, 216-242-1250, musicboxcle.com. $10

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WHAT´S HAPPENING 1/25 The Vindys. The Vindys have become one of the most sought-after, premier bands in the Northeast Ohio area, with their unique blend of pop, jazz and rock.

7:30 p.m.

Canton Palace Theatre, 605 Market Ave. North, Canton, 330-454-8172, cantonpalacetheatre.org. $25 1/26 Concert Series: Tuscarawas Wind Trio.

Enjoy a diverse concert with ragtime, pop and classical music. 2 p.m. Kent Free Library, 312 West Main St., 330-6734414, kentfreelibrary.org. FREE

1/28 Vinyl Revival. Enjoy full-length albums, front to back, and share your thoughts with other neighborhood vinyl addicts.

Bring an open mind and suggestions for our next meeting. 6-7:30 p.m. Tallmadge Branch Library, 90 Community Rd., akronlibrary.org. FREE 2/1 Hotel California: A Salute to the Eagles.

Take a trip down a dark desert highway, feel the cool wind in your hair, and experience Grammy-winning sounds. 8 p.m. E.J. Thomas Hall, 198 Hill St., Akron, 330-5358131, akronsymphony.org. $35-55

2/2 Jimmy Buffett Brunch: Cheeseburgers in Paradise. It’s a Buffett Buffet with Cheeseburgers In Paradise! This band plays many of the greatest Jimmy Buffett tunes, along with other great island, summer, beach, vacation and party songs. Noon. Music Box Supper Club, 1148 Main Ave., Cleveland, 216242-1250, musicboxcle.com. $10 ContempOpera Cleveland: An Afternoon at the Opera. An inspiring afternoon of operatic favorites, ranging from classic to contemporary. 2 p.m. Hudson Library, 96 Library St., hudsonlibrary.org. FREE 2/21 Concert: Blues Deville. Live local music and Sweet Melissa pop-up food. 7-10 p.m.

BAYarts, 28795 Lake Rd., Bay Village, 440871-6543, bayarts.net. $10 2/22 Hard Day’s Night. Hailing from Cleveland, Hard Day’s Night is rated among the top national Beatles tribute groups performing today. 7 p.m. The Kent Stage, 175 East Main, Kent, 330-677-5005, thekentstage.com. $15-20 3/5 Three Dog Night. Three Dog Night hits wind through the fabric of pop culture today. 7:30 p.m. Akron Civic Theatre, 182 S. Main St., Akron, 330-253-2488, akroncivic. com. $44-79 3/8 Lakeland Community College’s Jazz Impact. Jazz Impact showcases a number of Big Band compositions and arrangements by Duke Ellington and songs from the Great American Songbook. 2-4:30 p.m. Bop Stop, 2920 Detroit Ave., Cleveland, 216-771-6551, themusicsettlement.org. $5-7 3/13 Cleveland Pops: ‘70s & ‘80s. Get into the groove with hits from some of the greatest pop artists, including Madonna, Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston and more. 8 p.m. Severance Hall, 11001 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, clevelandorchestra.com. $31-107

OUTDOORS

TUESDAYS Geauga Walkers. Join other active seniors on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month for hikes in Geauga County and the surrounding area. Hikes are typically 1 to 1.5 miles. 1-2:30 p.m. 440-279-2137, geaugaparkdistrict.org. FREE Hiking Seniority. Folks aged 55+ meet year-round every Tuesday at nearby parks for nature appreciation, exercise and camaraderie. 10 a.m.-noon. 440-256-1404, lakemetroparks.com. FREE

44 Better Living After 50

1/18 The 55th Annual Winter Hike. Last January, some 5,600 hikers were treated to the awesome beauty of the sun sparkling on icy waterfalls, and sandstone rock formations covered with newly fallen snow. This yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hikers will hope for the same wintry weather, but will not be disappointed, no matter what the forecast. 9-11 a.m. hockinghills.com FREE 1/19 & 2/16 Coffee with Chickadees. Enjoy a warm cup of coffee and do some indoor birdwatching through the windows of the Lily Pad Gift Shop. 1-3 p.m. Canalway Center, 5712 12th St. NW, Canton, starkparks.com. FREE 1/20 Try-It: Cross-Country Skiing. Discover how fun and challenging cross-country skiing can be. North Chagrin Reservation, 3037 SOM Center Rd., Willoughby Hills, clevelandmetroparks.com. $15 1/22 Winter Walk. Bundle up for a winter walk in the garden and library grounds.

Quietly observe nature, hear a story and warm up with hot cider and a treat.

4-5 p.m. Westlake Porter Public Library, 27333 Center Ridge Rd., 440-871-2600, westlakelibrary.org. FREE 2/2 Coffee with the Birds. Fill your mug with a warm beverage and sit fireside for a peaceful morning discussion at the wildlife viewing area. Discover why this area is a favorite for our winter residents. 1-2 p.m. Liberty Park Nature Center, 9999 Liberty Rd., Twinsburg, summitmetroparks.org. FREE 2/9 Full Moon Walk. Enjoy the sights and sounds of a winter eveningâ&#x20AC;Ś perhaps even hear owls calling. 7-8 p.m. Morgan Park, 8828 State Rte. 44, Ravenna,. co.portage.oh.us/portage-park-district/ events. FREE 2/12 Orchid Growing & Care. Learn how to provide overall care for your orchids in at home, including how to encourage annual blooms, divide and re-pot certain types. 6-7:30 p.m. Cleveland Botanical Garden, 11030 East Blvd., Cleveland, 216721-1600, cbgarden.org. $20-35 2/28 Heart-Healthy Hike. Join a naturalist for hiking at a vigorous pace with few, if any, rest stops. 10:30 a.m.-noon. Tallmadge Meadows Area, 1088 North Ave., Tallmadge, summitmetroparks.org.FREE January/February 2020

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WHAT´S HAPPENING 3/7-8 & 3/14-15 Maple Sugaring Weekends. Discover how trees are tapped with a network of tubing. Sample maple syrup and candy, make a maple craft, help gather sap and learn how to make maple syrup in your own backyard. 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Lake Farmpark, 8800 Euclid Chardon Rd., Kirtland, lakemetroparks.com. $4-7

SPECIAL EVENTS

1/18-3/1 Orchid Mania. Escape the winter weather and enjoy a tropical-inspired escape into a world of beauty and fabulous fragrances. Cleveland Botanical Garden, 11030 East Blvd., Cleveland, 216-721-1600, cbgarden.org 1/24, 2/28 & 3/27 Canvas & Wine on the Rails. Onboard, receive step-by-step instruction from a talented artist while sipping wine and riding the rails through the National Park after dark. 7 p.m.

Rockside Station, 7900 Rockside Rd., Independence, cvsr.com. $50

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1/25-26 Farmpark Ice Festival. Watch the creativity Aaron Costic of Elegant Ice Creations—a nine-time world champion ice sculptor, and other local carvers, who will show off their skills during speed-carving competitions and ice-carving demonstrations. Lake Metroparks Farmpark, 8800 Euclid Chardon Rd., Kirtland, 440-256-2122, lakemetroparks.com. $6-8

2/7 Adult Swim: Wine & Chocolate.

A fin-tastic way to whet your whistle. Mix and mingle among sharks, stingrays and seahorses without getting wet and sample a variety of wines that pair well with chocolate. 7-10 p.m. Greater Cleveland Aquarium, 2000 Sycamore St., Cleveland, 216-8628803, greaterclevelandaquarium. com. $20-40 2/13 Share the Love Charity Event. Join the Cleveland Hearing & Speech Center charity dinner that will feature a 50/50 raffle and cash bar. 6 p.m. Great Lakes Brewing Company, 2701 Carroll Ave., Cleveland, chsc.org/love. $30 2/23 Winter Crawl. Stroll the grounds of Gervasi, and select beer or wine tastes paired with small bites along the way. 1-4 p.m. Gervasi Vineyard, 1700 55th St. NE, Canton, gervasivineyard.com. $34 3/8 Adult Spelling Bee. Spelling bees aren’t just for kids. Keep your mental acuity in tip-top shape by participating in a library spelling bee. 2 p.m. Fairport Harbor Public Library, 335 Vine St., Fairport Harbor, fairportlibrary.com. FREE

TALKS

TUESDAYS Parkfit Mall Walkers Wellness Talk: DO & Osteopathic Treatment.

Visit the Strongsville Library the third Tuesday of each month for a special wellness talk sponsored

by Southwest General. January’s discussion is on osteopathic manipulative treatment or OMT. 10 a.m. 18700 Westwood Dr., strongsville.org 1/21 Let’s Celebrate MLK. Learn about the life and work of Martin Luther King, Jr. and celebrate his legacy. 4:45-5:45 p.m. Sterling Branch Library, 2200 East 30th St., Cleveland, cpl.org. FREE 1/30 Foster Care Facts. Come for an informational session with Lorain County Children Services and one of their current foster parents. 6-7 p.m.

Lorain Public Library, 351 W. 6th St., 440-244-1192, lorainpubliclibrary. org. FREE

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Better Living After 50

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Apply your specialized skills, knowledge and/or experience to an Encore career

WHAT´S HAPPENING 2/3 The Beatles at Shea Stadium.

Author Dave Schwensen takes you behind the scenes and on stage for the group’s legendary 1965 performance at New York’s Shea Stadium.

7-8 p.m. Chardon Branch Library, 110 East Park St., divi. geaugalibrary.net. FREE 2/6 Senior Happenings. A weekly lecture series sponsored by the City of University Heights. 2-3 p.m. University Heights Branch Library, 13866 Cedar Rd., 216321-4700, heightslibrary.org.

FREE 2/18 Getting Started with Medicare.

If you’re nearing age 65 or going on Medicare for the first time, this is your opportunity to understand how Medicare works and how it affects you. 6-8 p.m. Mentor Public Library, 8215 Mentor Ave., 440-255-8811, mentorpl.org

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Better Living After 50

2/28 Friday Film Talk. Discuss films, their history and their impact on culture. This month: Spike Lee. 4:30-5:30 p.m.

South Brooklyn, 4303 Pearl Rd., Cleveland, cpl.org. FREE 3/7 Lake County Master Gardeners’ 2020 Home Gardeners’ Workshop.

Spend the day with speakers delivering 12 sessions, 8:45 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Lakeland Community College, 7700 Clocktower Dr., Kirtland, lake. osu.edu. $48 3/12 Council on Aging: Everything You Want to Know. A representative from the Lake County Council on Aging will explain the services the Council offers and what you and your loved ones should know about aging in Ohio. 7-8 p.m. Willowick Public Library, 263 East 305th St., 440-9434151, we247.org. FREE

THEATER & ARTS WEDNESDAYS Senior Matinee Series.

All programs include a cookie-and-punch reception following the performance.

1 p.m., The Fine Arts Association, 38660 Mentor Ave., Willoughby, 440-951-7500, ext. 103, fineartsassociation.org. $10-15 1/17-2/8 Art of Murder. This comic thriller takes you to the Connecticut countryside estate of an accomplished painter bent on killing his flamboyant art dealer.

Chagrin Valley Little Theatre, 40 River St., Chagrin Falls, cvlt.org. $19 1/17-2/9 Heroes. The play is a softly heroic treatment of three war heroes for whom death is a

familiar presence. Clague Playhouse, 1371 Clague Rd., Westlake, 440-3310403, clagueplayhouse. org. $10-18 1/25-2/23 Clue. It’s a dark and stormy night, and you’ve been invited to a very unusual dinner party. Allen Theatre, 1407 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 216-241-6000, clevelandplayhouse.com. $20-75 1/30-2/23 Sassy Mamas. Back by popular demand, in the autumn of their lives, three sophisticated and successful women find themselves living single and ready to mingle… but this time with much (much) younger men.

Karamu House, 2355 E. 89th St., Cleveland, 216795-7070, karamuhouse. org. $20-45

1/31-2/2 The Miracle Worker.

The inspiring story of how a lonely teacher breaks through barriers to communicate with a blind, deaf, and mute child; the wild and willful Helen Keller. Magical Theatre, 565 W. Tuscarawas Ave., Barberton, 330-848-3708, magicaltheatre.org. $15-19 2/4 Dancing With the Stars Live Tour 2020. Featuring fan-favorite professional dancers wowing audiences with every type of dance style as seen on ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars.”

7:30 p.m. Akron Civic Theatre, 182 S. Main St., Akron, 330-253-2488, akroncivic.com. $49-79 2/7-2/23 The Scottsboro Boys. Set in a Vaudeville show, and a show within a show, with big

musical numbers ranging from flashy and exuberant to mournful and delicate that will feed your soul. Beck Center for the Arts, 17801 Detroit Ave., Lakewood, 216-521-2540, beckcenter. org. $7-33 The Drowsy Chaperone. In this screwball satire of the Great White Way, brides, grooms, gangsters, and one inebriated chaperone come together for a hilarious night of musical mishaps and mayhem. French Creek Theatre, 4530 Colorado Ave., Sheffield Village, 440949-5200, metroparks.cc/ theatre.php. $10-18 2/9 Menopause The Musical.

This hilarious musical parody set to classic tunes from the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s will have you cheering and dancing in the aisles. 3-5 p.m. Canton Palace Theatre,

2/20-3/8 Memphis. Inspired by actual events, Memphis tells the story of a time in America when music brought people together and changed the world.

Weathervane Playhouse, 1301 Weathervane Lane, Akron, 330-836-2626, weathervaneplayhouse.com. $11-27

605 Market Ave. North, Canton, 330-454-8172, cantonpalacetheatre.org. $39-45 2/11-12 The Color Purple. This iconic story follows Celie, a young woman living in early-1900s America. Both heart-warming and heartwrenching, be moved by her tale and the show’s incredible music. 7:30 p.m.

EJ Thomas Hall, 198 Hill St., Akron, 844-765-8432, akrontheater.com. $34-111

3/10-29 Jesus Christ Superstar.

Set against the backdrop of extraordinary events during the final weeks in the life of Jesus Christ, as seen through the eyes of Judas.

Connor Palace, 1615 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 216-2416000 playhousesquare.org. $10-110

2/14-3/1 Charlotte’s Web. The charming tale of Fern Arable and her “humble,” “terrific,” “Some Pig,” Wilbur. Fine Arts Association, 38660 Mentor Ave. Willoughby, 440-9517500, fineartsassociation. org. $20

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Anniversaries

Been There, Celebrated That.

Now It’s Boring

A

new year is upon us and we say goodbye to “the teens” and head into the last year of the second decade. We hope your holiday season was memorable, and if there’s one thing boomers like to do, is remember.

For the past 10 years, we’ve been commemorating everything that happened in the 1960s. Granted, there was a lot to commemorate, from tragedies (the deaths of JFK, MLK, RFK, Malcolm X and so many others), historical events (Apollo 11, The Beatles on “The Ed Sullivan Show”) and entertainment events (the explosion of pop culture on TV, the so-called Summer of Love, the change from AM to FM radio, groundbreaking books like “The Feminine Mystique” and “Catch 22.”

The list goes on and on.

DID YOU KNOW? Sometimes it was a comparison of extremes. The 50th anniversary of Woodstock was celebrated in Bethel, New York. A friend of mine, writer/pop historian Martin Grams Jr., attended the anniversary show and said the promoters did a great job saluting that special moment in time. Oh, and the couple on the

50

Better Living After 50

cover of the Woodstock soundtrack album was even on hand. They met at the festival and have been married since.

Then we have another anniversary just a few months after marking the ill-fated Altamont Raceway show by the Rolling Stones. A free show, lots of Last issue, I asked the name of the landmark Prospect Avenue bookstore that had three floors and was famous for having books stacked everywhere, but the proprietors knew exactly where to find everything. It was Kay’s Books.

BOOM TRIVIA

This past autumn, we visited Ron Adams’ Monster Bash convention and had the good fortune of meeting up with Mark Goddard, who played Don West, and Marta Kristen, who played Judy Robinson, on the TV series “Lost in Space.” They told us stories about just how cheap the production values were to the point where they couldn’t hide their laughter. You see them cracking up in some of the episodes. The robot was an expensive prop. In the series, it was a Class M3 Model B9, and they simply called it the “robot,” but in one episode it was revealed it had another name. It’s a tough one. I’ll have the answer next issue.

BOOM! POP CULTURE CHRON ICLES MIKE OLSZEWSKI

people hurt and the exact opposite of Woodstock. But that wasn’t the end of the ’60s. We have another anniversary in just a few months. No one can pin down the date when the ’60s era started, because it was an event or series of events rather than January 1, 1960. However, many historians agree that the 1960s era came to an end at Kent State University on May 4, 1970. KSU is doing a series of well-planned events throughout the year to mark that anniversary.

One more comment about Woodstock: I had an order form for tickets and I thought it would be great to have it autographed by someone who was there on stage. When I was in radio, I did a lot of interviews and Abbie Hoffman came to town, plugging one of his books. He was there and before he signed it he said, “You know, there was a story that Pete Townshend smacked me in the head with his guitar during The Who’s set. That never happened.”

Later that week, The Who’s CD box set, “Maximum R & B,” came out and sure enough, one of the cuts is Pete clubbing Abbie off the stage. A few years later, I met up with Townshend and asked him to sign the Woodstock ticket order form. His eyes bugged out and he yelled, “Abbie Hoffman!” I told him Hoffman denied that happened and Townshend said, “He would!” and autographed the form.

Mike Olszewski is a veteran award-winning radio, TV and print journalist and college instructor. Contact him at molszew1@ksu.edu.

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