M AY / J U N E 2 0 1 5
YOUR LIFE UP NORTH
GOODlife DOWN ON THE
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2 YOUR LIFE UP NORTH
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CONTENTS
10
18
19 features
G. Randall Goss/GoodLife
6 Good To Go Warm up first!
14 Good Word Anne Kelly
8 Good Thought Tricia Drenth
16 Good Read Glen Young
9 Good Kids Get into the Swim
18 Good Health Surviving cancer
10 Cover Story Down on the Bluestem Farm
19 Good Taste Peanuts, anyone?
20 Good Idea Help 23 Nod to Nostalgia 1970 22 Good Humor Katie McInnis
GOODlife 3
GOODlife MAY/JUNE 2015 - Volume 6, Issue 4 PUBLISHER DOUG CALDWELL EDITOR JORDAN SPENCE PHOTOGRAPHY G. RANDALL GOSS LAYOUT AND DESIGN RENÉE TANNER FOR ADVERTISING INFORMATION CONTACT ADVERTISING DIRECTOR CHRISTY LYONS (231) 439-9329 clyons@petoskeynews.com ADVERTISING SALES ERICA NIESEN JEFF GENSCHAW MATT HAUSLER JOY HOLMES HANNAH BROGGER HEIDI MACNICOL
© GoodLife, all rights reserved, 2015. Reproduction in any form, in whole or in part, without express written permission, is prohibited. The views expressed herein, whether expressed as fact, fiction, opinion, advice or otherwise, are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the ownership or management of this magazine. The publication of any advertisement does not reflect any endorsement for any products or services by the ownership or management of this magazine unless it is specifically stated in such advertisement that there is approval for such endorsement. GoodLife is published bi-monthly by Northern Michigan Review, Inc. GoodLife Magazine 319 State St., Petoskey, Mich. 49770
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GOOD TO
GO
Warm up, first D Photos by G. Randall Goss, GoodLife
ean Tahtinen, physical therapist at First Choice Physical Therapy, with offices in Petoskey and East Jordan, offers tips for warming up muscles before engaging in spring or any season sporting activities. Along with a good warm up, one of the best ways to prevent injury is proper stretching. Recent studies have demonstrated that dynamic stretching is more
effective at reducing muscle stiffness. Less stiff muscles are less likely to be injured. The basis of dynamic stretching is to actively move the limb to the end of the available flexibility. To stretch your thighs, try to kick your butt. To stretch your hamstrings try kicking as high as you can; 1-2 minutes of each will loosen up your legs and prepare them to be active.
Leg kick Begin both exercises in a straight up standing position.
Kick leg straight out while reaching with opposite hand. Repeat on other side.
Recommended to do two sets of 20.
Butt kick Keeping posture upright, bring heel to your butt. Return foot to floor and repeat on opposite leg. Recommended to do two sets of 10.
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GOODlife 7
GOOD THOUGHTS
Like mother, like son M
y mom recently found a family letter she had written when I was around 31/2 years old. She said I, the youngest of five children, “Will either be a great lady or a real pain in the neck.” I once, at the age of 2 or 3, responded to my grandmother’s request to eat my macaroni by telling her to stop looking at me and eat her own macaroni. I was never an easy child. I would get easily frustrated and had difficulty handling my emotions, as I would have to excuse myself to another room and scream to let it all out from time to time. I suppose I spent much of my childhood similar to water in a teakettle warming up, occasionally needing to whistle and blow steam whenever I got overheated. Well, as they say, what goes around comes around. My youngest son, who will be four at the end of May, has frequently caused me to say the phrase, “You are sucking the life out of me.” He is a sweet boy, very cuddly and quite attached at my hip (literally, if he
8 YOUR LIFE UP NORTH
by Tricia Drenth
always had his way). He is also very stubborn, ornery at times, and strong-willed. He has had an expansive vocabulary since he was quite young, so communication was never the problem. His emotions give him the greatest difficulty. His voice often comes out in a delightful, high-pitched whine, similar to nails on a chalkboard. Other days he is much more cheerful and talks (and sings) all day long, in a joyful tone, barely taking a breath. At the grocery store the other day a woman, who spotted us throughout the store several times and was witness to his litany of this and that, asked if he is a Gemini. It turns out he is and she reported that Geminis are talkers. She also said they are the smart ones. I take this as a good sign. Parenting two children who are similar in many ways, yet, have very different temperaments has certainly been humbling thus far. Before our second son was born, I couldn’t imagine why a child wouldn’t gladly allow you to brush his teeth or easily stick to a nap routine. It is interesting as
they develop and you catch glimpses of yourself in each of your children, for better or for worse. It is an exhilarating, rewarding and exhausting journey and I know we are just at the beginning. At least my mom told me the other day she was glad I turned out well; otherwise, she said, all of that turmoil might not have been worth it. I think and hope if my husband and I continue to do our best and seek continual strength and patience, we might make it through as well and far too soon will see before us a grown man, capable of keeping his emotions in check, among many other good qualities.
Tricia Drenth is a registered nurse and holds a master of science degree and bachelor of science in nursing degree from The University of Michigan. Drenth works in Charlevoix where she resides with her family.
GOOD KIDS
Get into the swim
I
f you live in Charlevoix or Emmet counties it’s hard to miss the numerous bodies of water. Because of this abundance of water, it’s important to remember water safety for young children. Lessons for summer are offered at three pools, The Charlevoix Area Community Pool, The East Jordan Community Pool and the Harbor Springs Community Pool. Chelsea Biddick, programming coordinator of the Charlevoix Community Pool, said they offer lessons for any age and most kids take lessons on Saturdays. There is a four-week May session. The class meets on Saturdays, May 2, 9, 16 and 30. It costs $30 in district and $33 non-district. In June there will be a three-week session on June 6, 20, and 27. Cost is $22 district and $25 non-district. “Our whole county is covered in water, it’s an essential skill for life,” Biddick said.” We work on everything from being comfortable in water without a parent, blowing bubbles in water. We have ages that range from everything from infant toddler through level 5 which is working on stroke technique.” New sessions for the East Jordan Community Pool will begin Monday, June 1. They last for four weeks and are about half an hour each class. They cost $25 for in district and $30 for out of district. “I’ve been teaching for 13 years and the other gals have been teaching 20 years,” said Megan Wuerth, aquatics instructor for the
by Jordan Spence
To find more information about lessons, times and prices the pools can be contacted at:
Charlevoix Area Community Pool 11905 U.S. 31 North, Charlevoix (231) 547-0982 www.charlevoixpool.org
East Jordan Community Pool
at East Jordan High School 101 Maple St., East Jordan (231) 536-2250 www.eastjordanpool.weebly.com
Harbor Springs Community Pool at Harbor Springs High School 500 Spring St., Harbor Springs (231) 526-4824 www.harborps.org/pool/pool.html
pool. “We take what we’ve learned over the years and also use tips and tricks. We spend a lot of time focusing on the safety aspects.” During the summer, the Harbor Springs Community Pool offers four sessions, which meet Monday through Friday for two weeks at various times during the day; or people have the choice of evening classes where children come in once a week for eight weeks; and there are Saturday classes. Swimming lessons are avail-
able for children as young as 6 months in a parent-toddler class. Once a child turns 4 years old or has been given permission by one of the American Red Cross water safety instructors, they are able to begin preschool classes. “The biggest thing is seeing kids enjoying the water and learning how to do it safely. Water safety is huge thing up here. It’s a lifelong learning process. It’s something they can use forever,” said Wuerth. GL GOODlife 9
COVER STORY
10 YOUR LIFE UP NORTH
The Brower family, of East Jordan, walks across the family’s Bluestem Farm in early April, this spring before the planting season begins.
First-generation farmers set
deep roots By Jordan Spence - Photos by G. Randall Goss
Mary Brower holds 14-month-old daughter Nora, as son Peter, 4, plays behind her. The Browers juggle family and farming at their Bluestem
B
in East Jordan
luestem grass is known to grow deep roots. The plant can easily grow roots 7 feet deep, which is what drew Mar y and Aaron Brower to use the plant as their farm’s symbol. The couple bought an 80 acre
property in May of 2012 and transformed it into Bluestem Farms, 4218 Adams Road, in East Jordan. Their farm now offers certified organic vegetables, pasture-raised eggs and meats and community supported agriculture or CSA shares.
farm in East Jordan. GOODlife 11
Four-year-old Peter Brower (right) watches as his father, Aaron, waters vegetable seedlings in their Bluestem Farm hoop house.
The barn was built in 1898 with the house built five years later, the couple said. When they bought the property it hadn’t been farmed in 48 years. “It’s great for us because being an organic farm there was no histor y of pesticide use in the land,” Aaron said. Between the two of them Mar y and Aaron operate the farm. They plan to hire someone full-time this summer as well. They chose to settle in East Jordan because Aaron grew-up about 45 minutes away near Traverse City. Mar y and Aaron met in 2000 in Alaska while they were both working at a trails program
12 YOUR LIFE UP NORTH
for at-risk youth. They later bought and lived on a sailboat. “We farmed other people’s land in New Hampshire and Russia. Before the farm we never owned anything other than a sailboat,” Mar y said. While they lived in Russia they worked on a farm through the Camphill program of Americorps. Volunteers of the program work on farms to help teach the developmentally disabled about sustainability, the arts and community. This time period was what they considered as their formative farming years, Aaron said. “They (Russia) don’t have the industrial farming economy we
have,” Mar y added. “We got a chance to see what real food security looked like and how people supplied all their own food year-round.” Because it’s a new business there is a lot of attention made to building infrastructure and a customer base. This community driven way of life is also incorporated into the different programs offered at the farm such as yoga in the barn, concerts, hay rides and food outreach programs. Through these outreach programs they offer free food to participating schools, a day care, and families with kids in participating HeadStart pro-
grams through their involvement in the Hoophouses for Health program. This program created by the Michigan Farmers Market Association helps vulnerable families gain access to healthy foods. She said the great part about the farm is there is always something to do. A typical day begins with vegetables har vested at daybreak. This is followed by animal chores (they own anywhere from 250 to 600 chickens and 25 to 40 pigs). They then take care of any miscellaneous farm maintenance. Any food deliveries are then made in late afternoon or evening. At their sides during a lot of these activities are their children Nora, 1, and Peter, 4. Peter can often be found helping his parents and has been able to catch a chicken since the age of 3, she said. “When we started there was a lot of being brave and willing to do something different,” “We’ve had to Mar y said. She said as a shoestring carry turkeys operation, they have to figure out innovative in the family ways to make things station wagon. work. “We’ve had to carr y turWe’ve had to keys in the family station use the pickup wagon. We’ve had to use the pickup truck to break truck to break up the field after the tracup the field tor died. People still remind us about the truck.” after the tractor Even with some of these challenges the died. People Browers don’t plan to still remind us move anytime soon. “It’s not something we about the truck.” do for a job,” Mar y said. “It’s our life, it’s a great way to raise a family,” Mar y said. GL
Peter Brower, 4, proudly holds a chicken at the family’s Bluestem Farm, in
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East Jordan.
GOODlife 13
GOOD WORD
The bells of St. Mary’s
I
n the turbulent 60s, I was leading an extremely sheltered life at a small private college in Columbus, Ohio: the College of St. Mary of the Springs. We were not Kent State by any means. And Ohio State ... well that’s where we escaped for football games and fraternity parties. The closest I came to marching for justice was singing Joan Baez songs in a campus folk group and the closest I got to politics was mourning President Kennedy’s assassination via television in the dormitory lounge. Only the Cuban crisis hit close to home since my roommate, Ana, was from Cuba and we spent long hours listening together on a short wave radio for news of her family members stranded there. Our college was a cocoon, protecting us from demonstrations, war and free love. We were challenged intellectually to question and debate. But, in those days, a Dominican education was sheltered by the cloak of St. Thomas Aquinas and was not nearly as radical as if it had been, let’s say, a Jesuit institution, which were considered on the cutting edge of controversy. Here is an excerpt from a poetry assignment for English Literature class, with all due respect to Robert Burns. It says it all:
Flow gently sweet Alum beside our loved Green, Flow gently I’ll sing of what’s oft unseen My day-dreaming 14 YOUR LIFE UP NORTH
by Anne Kelly lassie, my St. Mary’s girl Flow gently disturb not her knit and her purl. Here’s another telling verse: How lofty sweet Alum they neighboring dome Caps the fair campus she’s loathe to call home And daily meanders about in the halls Biding her years ‘til the wedding bell calls. In the 70s, the wedding bells had called and I was a young, married journalist living with a husband and children in Charlevoix.
When I wasn’t juggling kids, I wrote a weekly column for the Charlevoix Courier, alternating between book and music reviews, among other assignments (which brought in a whopping $0.25 per column inch). Though I never became rich with the endeavor, the columns were a nod to my English major and have increased in value (to me) over the years because they recount the story of my life over two decades. I clipped them and stacked them, although they are slightly yellowed and have the distinct smell of mold, they have survived. I came upon these literary treasures as I was rummaging around in old boxes, trying to get a handle on all the stuff I have fallen guardian to over the years. Among other things, I was searching for memorabilia of my years at St. Mary’s for my upcoming college reunion. Serendipity being what it is, I came upon a review I had written of a novel by Rona Jaffe titled “Class Reunion.” Jaffe’s book follows four Radcliffe women as they flash back in time to their college days, on the occasion of their 20th class reunion. “St. Mary of the Springs was not Radcliffe,” I wrote, “... but reading ‘Class Reunion’ is as close as I have come to revisiting my own alma mater ... I had almost forgotten the subtleties of my college education: the sign-in, sign out book, the marble foyer where dates came to call, the litany of rules. There were rules concern-
library.osu.edu
ing lights out, rules about wearing jeans or pants on campus, rules about dressing for dinner in Hamilton Hall, rules about wearing caps and gowns for chapel. We accrued ‘minutes’ (subtraction penalties from our social life) if a transgression should occur from breaking any of the above mentioned rules. We smoked only in the ‘smokers lounge,’ if we smoked, or cut through the cloud of smoke to get to our mail in the numbered mailboxes lining the lounge wall, if we didn’t. There was learning, and learning to knit, learning to play bridge according to Goren and learning to attend and put on teas for 300. Complete with white gloves and petit-fours. Our English Lit professor took great delight in calling his female students ‘the unclaimed treasures on the banks of Alum Creek.’ When you receive the next
issue of your alma mater’s alumni news, consider that the tidbits in ‘What’s Happening to Whom’ column, might conjure up memories and become the makings of a terrific novel. In the 20, 25 or 50 years between then and now a lot has happened. Somewhere in everyone’s dusty photo album are the memories of a Class Reunion or the makings of one.” In 2015, there will be a St. Mary’s reunion. Our college has evolved into a bigger entity over the years and even has a new name: Ohio Dominican University. There are more dorms now, I hear, and a competitive basketball team. There is a student union instead of a basement lounge. I’m sure it’s non-smoking. Some of my closest friends are the friends I made at St. Mary’s. One of my college roommates became my sister-in-law; I met my
husband there just after our school went co-ed, none too soon or I still might be an “unclaimed treasure.” In June, we will all pretend we look great. It will seem like no time has passed. It will seem as if 100 years have passed. I am curious, “Is Alum Creek still flowing?” Time is a funny thing. You feel like the present is all there is ... so important, so much to do, so much yet to do. Then you start rummaging around in dusty boxes and realize most of your life is memories ... or will be by the time of your next class reunion.
Flow gently, sweet Alum and pity her well Whose life is so weary, a ten-thirty bell The day-dreaming lassie, My St. Mary’s girl Flow gently disturb not her knit and her purl. GL
GOODlife 15
GOOD READ
Joe Heywood is back, but he’s not riding with Grady Service or Lute Bapcat by Glen Young
J
oe Heywood, the Portagearea author of separate series starring both Grady Service and Lute Bapat, has returned to familiar haunts, nonetheless. While the stories in “Harder Ground,” new from Lyons Press, are reminiscent of his two protagonists, this new collection introduces new characters and new adventures. Instead of his long-standing heroes, Heywood’s new stories star Yoopers such as Michigan conservation officer Candola “Pokey” Clare. A woods-smart woman who knows how to talk with both brooding teens and heavily armed hermits. Clare kicks off the collection in “First Day of the Last Day of the World,” when she’s enjoying dinner with friends as all the lights go out. In short order, the restaurant dark and shots fired on a nearby road, she “could almost predict this one: Some old guy with a gun had gotten spooked by the power failure.” Like most of the couple dozen stories here, Heywood takes only a couple pages to demonstrate his knack for 16 YOUR LIFE UP NORTH
rendering both colorful and thoughtful pictures of the Upper Peninsula, the hardy folks who inhabit those environments, and the trials they endure. Many of Heywood’s heroes are female woods cops here, as in “Working the Problem,” where DNR cadet Sidonie Lungcharsky admits, while home for a furlough from the rigorous training that sometimes means long “days of chilled ice tank drills,” among other challenges, her deadbeat husband, Ronald, is a mistake. Convinced she’s partnered with other candidates in more than cold water exercises,
Ronald “was a cling-on.” She knew even before leaving for Lansing, “that this was going to be a problem,” and now she has to “work the problem,” which she does with clear-headed determination. “The Roadrunner Should Make You Laugh” will just as likely make Heywood’s readers shed a tear. Not sappy, but topical, because retired conservation officer Sigmund Bergson suffers with Alzheimer’s disease, telling his daughter Calliope, “like him … a conservation officer” who can “flex her schedule and work split shifts some of the time,” how “Fairytales can come true.” Short story form can trip up even the most experienced writers. Fewer narrative arcs mean less material to develop connection between events and audience. This can mean less empathy for and interest in characters. “Gravy and Bear Breath,” for example, is almost all dialogue, providing the author little leverage to hook readers. It reads more like a notebook exercise than a neatly knit story. In “Dogskin, the Olym-
pian,” though, Heywood reels readers in, again with a tale of generational significance. Conservation officer Cindy Poquette’s parents aren’t orthodox. Her father “had changed his name from Harry to Dogskin in the 60s. Her mother, Annalee, had been “known as Dancing Tulip in those days.” When Poquette stops at their house, “hoping to score a bowl of soup,” she discovers potential trouble instead. When her parents don’t answer her calls, because it is “Iron Mountain after all,” she worries “if one of the local whackadoodles (has) busted in on them.” From the present and possible
crisis, to the past, she remembers how, “her dad opened a military surplus store in Warren, near Detroit,” after Army service in Vietnam, grew the business to 25 cities, then sold it all to move north. Before she retrieves her duty belt to retreat, Poquette learns her parents are training for some special senior Olympics, the sort to make her cringe. A lot. Later, in “Tworiffic,” readers meet Turk, “an
actual and ardent believer in the achievability of world peace, forgiveness, golden rules and all that other goody two-shoes stuff,” who has “his own church, the Church of Christian Compassion in the Here and Now.” Turk’s sister, conservation officer Jerrilyn, though, is the story’s voice, fast on the heels of hunters she suspects of poaching moose, and “to whack moose in these parts was akin to homicide.” Jerrilyn, luckily, is “pretty good at predicting the behavior of certain locals,” which serves “enough of a deterrent by putting them off balance.” She has to worry about tourists, however, because they are “pure impulse creatures” and “often trouble.” What she encounters after spying a suspicious shooter shack, however, leaves her certain that Turk might be wrong; might be it’s “a stretch to get to” the conclusion that we’re all “God’s creations.” There are more than two dozen stories here, and Heywood stretches some almost to the breaking point. Not all these tales convince in the ways his novels do. But when he’s sharp, Joe Heywood demonstrates why the Upper Peninsula’s “Harder Ground” can captivate readers. GL
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GOODlife 17
GOOD HEALTH
Surviving cancer. The next step
M
cLaren Northern Michigan Specialty caregivers from a variety is pleased to announce the of disciplines — including physilaunch of a new rehabilitacians, physical therapists, occupational tion program for cancer therapists, speech therapists, dieticians, patients. It is called the STAR Program, mental health professionals, and others which stands for Survivorship Train— will work together with each patient ing and Rehabilitation. The program on a personalized care plan to increase launches on April 28, and will be offered strength and energy, alleviate pain, and in both Petoskey and Cheboygan. improve daily function and quality of life. The McLaren Northern Michi“Rather than using a “problem-origan STAR Program is certified by ented” approach and tackle each health the Massachusetts-based Oncology issue as it arises, we address the full Rehab Partners, leading experts in spectrum of post-cancer care. When the field of survivorship care. STAR evaluating a patient, in addition to Program Certification uniquely qualifocusing on his or her health conditions fies facilities such as McLaren Northern and symptoms, we take into considMichigan to offer premium cancer eration: diet, sleep issues, existing pain, rehabilitation and survivorship services endurance, strength, exercise habits to people who suffer from debilitatand emotional outlook. All of these ing side effects caused by treatments. factors have an important effect on The health care services offered by physical healing,” states Adriane Corlew, the STAR Program are covered by most MHA, OTRL — Rehabilitation Maninsurance providers, including Medicare. ager at McLaren Northern Michigan.
18 YOUR LIFE UP NORTH
About the STAR Program
The STAR Program is a best practices multidisciplinary cancer rehabilitation service-line model that improves patient care. STAR Program Certification provides health care facilities and clinicians with the tools (education, training, evaluation and treatment protocols, and outcomes support) to develop and deliver stateof-the-art cancer rehabilitation services to survivors who suffer the side effects and after effects of treatments – whether they are in remission, living with cancer or cured. All of the services integrated in the STAR Program, including physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, mental health counseling, and consultations with rehabilitation medicine physicians (physiatrists), are typically covered by health insurance. Learn more at www. OncologyRehabPartners.com. For additional information on the McLaren Northern Michigan STAR program visit us online at northernhealth.org, or call (231) 487-7355.
GOOD TASTE
Peanuts, anyone?
W
hile most nuts grow on trees, peanuts grow underground. They’re legumes like beans and peas and were once called goober peas. High in protein, fiber, magnesium, zinc and vitamin E, peanuts make a nutritious snack that is easy to grow. Peanuts grow from seeds. You can find peanut seeds at your local nursery or online. The best seeds come in shells, which you will have to carefully crack before planting. There are four types of peanuts: Virginia, runner, Spanish and Valencia. Virginia peanuts have large seeds and roast best in the shell. Runner peanuts are more uniform in size and make the best choice for peanut butter. Spanish peanuts have small seeds and a high oil content. Valencia peanuts have bright red skin and a sweet taste. When you have selected some peanut seeds, you should start them inside three or four weeks before the last expected frost date. Peanuts grow best in sandy soil. When the frost is over, you may transplant your peanut plants outside. You should plant two to three seeds per hole, about two inches deep and six inches apart. When you are done, you may cover the seeds, layer them with compost and mulch, and water them regularly. In time, the peanut plants will flower and drop pegs, downward-growing stems, into the ground. Regular watering and hand-weeding are im-
portant at this stage. You will also want to keep an eye out for pests and disease. Peanuts are like any other plants. They are susceptible to pests, like aphids, cucumber beetles and cutworms, mice and squirrels. You may have to spray for insects or fence in the plants to keep out the mice and squirrels. You should harvest the peanuts when the stems start to turn yellow and wilt. Dig around the plants gently, lift them out and flip them over. Hang the plants in a warm, dry place for a couple of weeks to let the peanuts cure. Then pull off the peanuts and let them dry for another couple of
weeks. Healthy plants should have about 50 to 100 peanuts. You may roast your peanuts, grind them into peanut butter or boil them. You can also stock them away for use later. If you store them, leave them in their shells and place them in the freezer or in a dry, dark place. They will keep in the freezer for up to six months and in a dry, dark place for up to three months. Growing peanuts is not hard, but it does take some time. Take a stab at it, and you just might end up with a lot of peanutty goodness. — Creative Outlet GOODlife 19
GOOD IDEA
20 YOUR LIFE UP NORTH
E
The start of a global effort
very day people make it happen in areas across the world. They are America’s volunteers, and one of the largest volunteer organizations in the United States is the Peace Corps. The Peace Corps originated with John F. Kennedy. While campaigning for the presidency, Kennedy delivered a speech at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, asking how many students would be willing to serve abroad to preserve peace and promote development. More than a thousand students responded yes in a petition. It didn’t take long for word of the petition to get back to Kennedy. A few weeks later, Kennedy responded, calling for the development of what would become known as the Peace Corps and pledging to make it happen if elected president. Kennedy was elected president, and it didn’t take him long to appoint his brother-inlaw, Sargent Shriver, to oversee the creation of the Peace Corps. Shriver drew upon his experience serving abroad to create a plan of action and had it to Kennedy by early 1961. By that time, opposition to such an organization had
“Some people want it to happen, some wish it to happen, others make it happen.”
grown. Some thought the organization was completely unnecessary, while others thought it would provide a way to dodge the draft. Some were concerned that participants would not have the maturity and skills needed to complete the tasks set before them. In spite of the opposition, Kennedy established the Peace Corps by executive order on March 1, 1961. Soon afterwards, Shriver hired a core staff and began recruiting volunteers. By August 1961, the first group of Peace Corps volunteers was ready to serve in Africa.
Participation in the agency has ebbed and flowed over the years. Ready to make a difference, thousands volunteered in the beginning. Then, when the Vietnam War started and opposition to it grew, participation fell off. President Ronald Reagan revived interest in the Peace Corps in the 1980s, broadening the scope of services offered and allowing for more individuals to participate. More than 170,000 people have served in the Peace Corps since it began, including home improvement expert Bob Vila, political commentator Chris Mathews, entertainer Joanie Laurer, novelist Paul Theroux, singer-songwriter Kinky Friedman, entrepreneur Reed Hastings and director Taylor Hackford. The work can be arduous, and volunteers receive no actual pay, just health care and a stipend to cover their basic living expenses. The rewards come in the work they do, the interactions they have with others and the skills they learn. Many come away from the experience with a better understanding of another culture, lifelong friendships and a deeper appreciation for their own life. — Creative Outlet GOODlife 21
GOOD HUMOR
This is the new ‘um ...’ by Katie Macinnis
E
veryone knows not to tell Polish jokes, or call grown women “chicks.” Why then, does the grammar police round up a short harmless way to pause before speaking: “um?” Every commentator on television finds a way to start all their answers with “so.” Get used to it. Um is yesterday’s word. I’m told we are in the post-modern era, but in so many ways, I haven’t gotten through the modern part yet. How did we get here? Of course, I no longer can tell you this is “above my pay grade,” because that has also changed to “not in my wheelhouse.” Wow! Who knew? There really is no place in my life I feel entirely comfortable. It’s like not knowing how to read, and trying to cover it up. When my husband and I went on a vacation to Washington, D.C., mostly to see museums, we rode the Metro line each day. It was almost like you couldn’t get on the train if you had your
22 YOUR LIFE UP NORTH
head up and looked around. Everyone walked and sat and stood with their head bent forward so they could concentrate on their tablet or smart phone. So many had ear buds, it seemed dangerous to walk around them from behind. They wouldn’t hear your steps or apology of warning. And there are about a hundred shades of black, it turns out. There I was in my pastels. Boy did I stick out! I can’t get used to it. At the clinic where I volunteer each Friday I was taking down the vitals of a young man who had
stomach/abdominal pain. But when I asked him a question and opened the Velcro closer of the blood pressure cuff for vitals he continued to tap away on his phone, head down. I told him, in a measured, slightly louder voice, “put that thing away.” He did. But when I exited the room I drew a small stick figure picture for the doc on a slip of scrap paper. I noted the patient’s comment about his stomach, and I told the doc if he also complained of difficulty in swallowing, the attached drawing might shed some light. He saw the patient. And a while later, while passing a co-worker in the hallway, she stopped and said thoughtfully: “I never would have thought of that … I usually try the other end first!” When old people (like me) talk about the “old” days, they often comment on the loss of good manners. I think manners are important but I am looking for some wiggle room in the word “good.” GL
NOD TO NOSTALGIA - 1970 Music
Top song:
Bridge Over Troubled Water
The top song of 1970 was “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” by Simon and Garfunkel. It was number one on Billboard Hot 100 for more than six weeks. It also won a Grammy award in 1971 for best song.
Misc.
Movie
Love Story
“Love Story” was the top grossing film of 1970. The film starred Ryan O’Neal as a law student who falls in love with a poor music student played by Ali McGraw. The two defy the odds and marry and also encounter tragedy. The film grossed $136,397,186 worldwide.
In the news
RIP Jimi Hendrix
EARTH DAY
The first Earth Day began April 22, 1970. The idea was founded by Gaylord Nelson, then a U.S. Senator from Wisconsin, after witnessing the damages of the 1969 oil spill in Santa Barbara, California.
Legendary guitarist Jimi Hendrix died in September of 1970. The guitarist began to play at the age of 15. He was known for his pioneer use of pedals, guitar feedback and other elements to add to his sound.
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