Northwest Boomer and Senior News Lane County Edition May 2016 by Northwest50Plus

Pioneer days

LANE COUNTY EDITION MAY 2016 • FREE!

Senior volunteers help recreate the old times for youth By VANESSA SALVIA BOOMER & SENIOR NEWS

Courtesy photos

At Singing Creek, volunteers dress in period costume: Left, Willa Alvord and Karen Rainsong visit with a participant at the granary building; above, Sherrill Necessary is the “prairie godmother”; top, Karen Rainsong at the Living History Festival.

INSIDE

caleNDar of eveNts

SEE WHAT’S COMING UP IN MAY Page 16

1-877-357-2430 • nwboomerandseniornews.com

A program in Eugene that recreates history is a big hit with both children and seniors. Singing Creek Educational Center offers summer camps and other year-round educational programs, and relies on some senior volunteers to help bring its programs to life. “We bring history to life with pioneer stories, games, activities and outdoor exploring time,” says Singing Creek director Karen Rainsong. “Our programs are specifically geared toward kids and families of all ages and we do have a lot of grandparents that love to come out and experience what we have to offer.” The program began several years ago on a 25acre homestead and farm owned by Willa and John Alvord. Then called Alvord Farm and Museum, the program offered the chance for children to interact with baby farm animals, explore natural history specimens, enjoy seasonal crafts and act out pioneer activities from “Little House on the Prairie.” In 2007, Willa Alvord turned the program over to Rainsong, who ran and expanded it until 2015. “We were doing pioneer programs and they really took off,” she says. “I really saw a need for

See PIONEER p. 2

DiGGiN’ it

healthy vibes

Page 12

Page 7

WHEN PLANTS NEED A RESCUE

ACT ‘FAST’ WITH A STROKE

Oregon’s oldest & largest boomer and senior publication

LANE COUNTY EDITION

NW BOOMER & SENIOR NEWS • MAY 2016

PIONEER CONTINUED FROM P. 1

it. We had packed summer camps and programs and it just didn’t seem like there was anything else being offered like this in the area.” As the program grew, it moved into a new location near Junction City on the farm of Tom and Sue Hunton, owners of Camas Country Mill. Alvord, 79, still volunteers with Singing Creek’s programs, although not as much as she used to. “I’m really excited that Karen’s been able to go ahead and develop it and keep it going at Singing Creek,” Alvord says. “I still go out and help be the ‘grandma’ on pioneer days.” She has a hand-held grain mill that receives an enthusiastic response. “We get all different kinds of grain and grind it.” Alvord says. “Grinding your own grain makes the greatest pancakes. And then we make our own butter. “I do the kitchen stuff and try to help out with that side of it.” For Alvord, the fun part is being around children. Her interest in working with children started with natural history and turned into pioneer reenactments over time, because she had a collection of pioneer items. Now retired from teaching elementary and high school, Alvord says her parents were scientists, so she appreciates the joys of sharing knowledge. “I really enjoy having children around and working with them, whether it’s as a pioneer or something else.” Rainsong says she has opportunities for older adults to help out in several ways, like sitting at a raffle table, checking people in or hosting a booth with a craft activity. In June, Singing Creek will host a living history day; last year, several volunteers helped at the raffle and bead craft tables. “They had a blast,” Rainsong says. “It’s a great opportunity to meet peers, meet new friends and interact with kids. I love what seniors bring to our programs. They are a wealth of knowledge and experience, and have a patient and caring attitude.” One of her volunteers has a number of antique butter churns that are put to use during camp days. One person does wheat weaving, while another

Courtesy photo

Singing Creek volunteer Bob Morrell (right) explains about cordage and traditional materials at the Living History Festival.

“It’s a great opportunity to meet peers, meet new friends and interact with kids.” Karen Rainsong Singing Creek director

weaves cornhusk wreathes. Another volunteer has a specially-carved wooden bowl and paddle that belonged to her grandmother so, Rainsong says, there is an opportunity to share precious items with a new generation. Another volunteer shares her knowledge of birds through a birding class. Monetary donations are encouraged and appreciated, as well as pioneer items that could be donated, such as a butter churn. Sherrill Necessary, 70, is involved as a seamstress. Necessary and Rainsong met about six years ago when Necessary’s grandchildren were visiting from out of state. Necessary wanted an activity for her granddaughter to do that she would get excited about. “She attended the camp and absolutely loved it,” she says. “I have two other grandchildren and when they became old enough they did it, too. I like that it’s outside and it gets kids involved in thinking about what life was like way back when, before we could use batteries and plug things in.”

Necessary volunteered because she saw how much the children liked the program and she wanted to give back. She made pioneer outfits for her family members who attended the camp, and another parent asked if she would be willing to make other clothing items. “I said sure, and that became my niche for how I can give to Singing Creek,” she says. Now, the bonnets and aprons are sold as a fundraiser for the program. “I do my sewing and craft projects behind the scenes, when it fits my schedule, and that’s the perfect thing for me.” The 45-year-old Rainsong was an art teacher who discovered the pleasure of living history about 10 years ago. “I’ve always been interested in history but I didn’t know that people dressed up and portrayed folks from the past,” she says. “Once I discovered that this was a job, that this could be a career, it was really exciting to me. It’s educational and creative at the same time. I love to dress up and have fun and to see the kids learning is an extra bonus. We make all of their activities interesting so they

learn without even trying.” Just over a year ago, Rainsong began searching for a new location for the program, and found a home at Camas Country Mill. The Huntons had recently purchased and relocated a one-room schoolhouse from Alvord that was slated to be demolished. Sue Hunton was herself a schoolteacher, and the couple felt a desire to preserve the building, which dates back to 1888. Now, they are focused on creating a commercial kitchen and bakery in the building. “I was really excited to work with them because their values are similar to mine, in learning where your food

of note

singing creek educational center, 541-968-1986, singingcreekcenter.org

volunteer opportunities: Lead nature studies on topics such as birds, butterflies, reptiles, bats, geology, etc. Promote events by taking fliers to libraries, community center, retirement centers, and more. Dress in pioneer costumers and play the roles of community members, such as the postmaster, schoolteacher, etc. living history festival, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 11. The program needs booth sitters, folks to do natural history interpretation, safety monitors, first aid, raffle table helpers, etc. scandinavian fest, aug. 11-14, Junction city, for tabling and crafts projects with kids. Grandparents tea, sept. 11. Dress in pioneer costume and help serve tea and scones to grandparents and grandchildren in a historic one-room pioneer schoolhouse.

Vol. 18 - Number 5 Oregon’s oldest & largest 50+ publication Publisher David Thouvenel dthouvenel@nwseniornews.com Managing Editor - All Editions Michelle Te mte@nwseniornews.com Graphics/Production - All Editions Pam Cooley-Newberry pcooley@nwseniornews.com Accounting - Barb Calvisky bcalvisky@nwseniornews.com Circulation Bob Buhrer - knotphc@msn.com

comes from and appreciating the land that your food comes from,” says Rainsong. “They are letting me use a different building on the property called a granary, which I’ve turned into a pioneer homestead so it looks like you’re walking into a pioneer home from the 1850s.” Rainsong has spring break and summer camps there, along with nature programs on the weekends and a special monthly workshop. School field trips take place in the spring. Summer camps are for ages 6 to 10, and older kids have the opportunity to be camp counselors. Why is living history so important? A lot of youth are used to spending time in front of electronic media, so being out in nature doing things like tracking animals or creating a craft out of leather is a refreshing experience. “A lot of kids don’t get these kinds of opportunities,” Rainsong says. “There is so much wildlife out on this property that just being outside, breathing the fresh air and looking at all the interesting animals out on the pond in an educational setting is different for a lot of kids.” Also, says Alvord, it’s important to help them understand that they can live life without all the modern gadgets. “We would do things like pretend that we have no lights and no electricity,” she says. “How would you live? A lot of people in the world do still live that way so it’s important for them to understand that you can make it and you don’t need a cell phone or a computer. You can make it, but it’s hard work.” ■

4 Editions serving Boomers and Seniors: Linn-Benton, Marion-Polk, Metro Portland and Lane 4120 River Road N., Keizer, OR 97303 503-304-1323 / 1-877-357-2430 FAX 503-304-5394 Email: nwsn@nwseniornews.com Subscriptions: $22/year Visit us online: NWBoomerandSeniorNews.com

Northwest BOOMER & SENIOR NEWS is published monthly and locally owned and operated by Eagle Newspapers, Inc. The entire contents of this publication are copyrighted by Northwest Boomer and Senior News. Any use of all or any part of this publication is prohibited without written consent of the publisher. This publication is printed using soy-based inks on paper with post-consumer recycled content. No VOCs are released into the atmosphere.

Advertising Executives Portland/Metro/Vancouver Edition Joan Riley: joan4freedom@comcast.net Tamara Hollenbeck: tamarahollenbeck@yahoo.com

Marion-Polk/Coast Edition Clark Seeley: cseeley@nwseniornews.com Jack Wallrich: jackwallrich@comcast.net Dan Holz: beachcombernow@gmail.com

Linn-Benton Edition Clark Seeley cseeley@nwseniornews.com Jack Wallrich: jackwallrich@comcast.net Lane Edition Jo Schechter josuccess@comcast.net Contributing Writers: Maggi White, Pat Snider, Grace Peterson, Barry Finnemore, Deb Allen, Mary Owen, Dan Christopher, Vanessa Salvia

Writing about Bigfoot MAY 2016 • www.nwboomerandseniornews.com

LANE COUNTY EDITION

Many believe the furry monster has taken up residence in Oregon By MARY OWEN BOOMER & SENIOR NEWS

Once upon a time, high in the mountains near Idanha, Ore., a woman lived in the woods with her husband when the Green Veneer Mill was still operating. “One nice day, she was hanging out laundry when a Bigfoot emerged from the woods and approached her,” Joe Beelart recounts of a story he insists is not “just a fairy tale.” “A long, staring standoff ensued which ended when she had an overwhelming premonition that the giant was going to kidnap her,” Beelart continues. “She ran to the house, terrified, tearing at the screen door latch. Turning, she saw her monster was gone. That evening, her husband and a band of men searched the area, finding only one track of large footprints which headed up Mount Jefferson.” After finishing his tale,

Courtesy photo

Joe Beelart (right) teamed up with his friend Cliff Olson (left) to write a “quirky little book” about Bigfoot “sightings” in Oregon, mainly in the wild forest of the upper Clackamas and Breitenbush rivers.

Follow the path to healthier joints Whether you’re hiking through wilderness or strolling through the park, don’t let joint pain get in the way. PeaceHealth Medical Group Orthopedics can help keep you moving with surgical and non-surgical care including fracture management, joint replacement and repair. peacehealth.org/shmcjoint Õ}i iÉ-«À }w i ` 541-222-6245

peacehealth.org/peace-harbor/ortho Florence

541-997-7104

Beelart says people delegate Bigfoot, or Sasquatch, to the same category of happenings as UFOs and ghosts. “People see them, but there is no hard scientific proof they exist,” he says. Beelart recently teamed up with his good friend Cliff Olson to write what they call “a quirky little book about our barefoot friends.” The book, “The Oregon Bigfoot Highway,” is a collection of 31 Bigfoot sighting reports, 43 track finds, and 26 Bigfootrelated incidents in the wild forest of the upper Clackamas and Breitenbush rivers. “Incidents have included things such as finding ‘teepees’ made from trees much too large for men to tip,” says Beelart, who hails from West Linn. “Not surprisingly, some incidents have happened to fishermen. We have gathered reports from six fishermen ranging from a simple report of a fly fisher describing Bigfoot climbing the slope on the other side of the Breitenbush River, to a terrifying encounter near Hoover Campground at Detroit Lake.” Beelart says a fly fisherman and his children were backed out of a stream bed in the North Fork by a Sasquatch, which repeatedly bumped into the tip of his 9-foot fly rod.

This incident was taken seriously by the U.S. Forest Service as the report was essentially of a huge naked man approaching children, he adds. He also tells of how, in 1953, three young teens were interviewed by the U.S. Forest Service about an incident at Round Lake just north of Detroit. “They were told ‘the hermits’ up there don’t hurt anyone,” he says of the teens’ encounter. “The rangers were mainly interested in the species of fish the boys caught.” In “The Oregon Bigfoot Highway” are several discussions of geographic names related to Sasquatch, Beelart says. A1924 U.S. Geological Service logbook reads, ‘We came upon an old prospector living with a group of apes,’” Beelart adds. “At the time, ‘Tarzan, the Ape Man’ by Edgar Rice Burroughs was a wildly popular book, so the surveyors named the nearby springs, Tarzan Springs. “About half way south of Tarzan Springs toward Detroit and near Round Lake, there is Ogre Creek, not to be confused with Ochre Creek which is about two miles north,” he adds. “One can only speculate what the sur-

See BIGFOOT p. 4

LANE COUNTY EDITION

BIGFOOT CONTINUED FROM P. 3

veyors experienced to name the creek ‘Ogre.’” According to Beelart, the name of the creek flowing through the ‘new’ town of Detroit is Monkey Creek. “Before the dam flooded the ‘old’ Detroit, Monkey Creek was on the maps recorded before 1900,” he says. “And the list of Bigfoot-related geographical names goes on. Devils Peak abuts Breitenbush Hot Springs. There is Skookum Lake, the Memaloose, Devil’s Ridge and more.” For 15 years, Beelart and Olson and a loosely-knit group of adventurers called The Sasquatchians Clackamas scouted the area and gathered seemingly genuine accounts relating to Bigfoot from persons of diverse professions from loggers to lawyers. “When we accumulated over 100 reports, the project was done,” Beelart says. “It could have gone on forever, we think.” Beelart says one of the

of note

“the bigfoot highway” is available on amazon.com, and signed copies are available from wepress@ comcast.net. for more information or to arrange a speaking engagement, call beelart at 503-5570963.

most interesting reports was of a major track find in July 1994 below the Big Cliff Dam, east of Gates near the Santiam River. In a shallow beaver pond, a banana-shaped in-and-out track line was filmed with a video camera along with two dead beavers from which the creatures had eaten “the delicacies.” “One track was cast, and it clearly shows the suction action of a two-part foot, as theorized by academics dabbling in Bigfoot theory,” Beelart says. “In any event, even after seeing the tracks, the grandfather who owned the property didn’t believe in Bigfoot, but his son said he

started carrying a shotgun every time he visited that neck of his woods.” Beelart, who has wandered the mountains for decades, reports personally seeing the elusive ape-like creatures twice, once in the Oregon Coast Range and once in the upper Clackamas forest. “The coast range sighting was 23 years ago along the side of the road late one evening,” he says. “The other sighting was when one came into our camp at Cabin Creek. It just stood past the bed of the pickup and watched me quite a long time. “There are episodes where these ‘things’ have told people things, given instructions like ‘leave here now,’” he says of telepathic thoughts the creatures convey. “Most likely, they were protecting their young.” During his 39-year career with Portland General Electric, Olson also spotted the elusive creature. “Cliff lived his first 13 years at the Oak Grove Fork powerhouse project in the heart of the Mount Hood

NW BOOMER & SENIOR NEWS • MAY 2016

Courtesy photo

Joe Beelart, shown here at Mount Jefferson, says his book is a collection of 31 Bigfoot sightings. It includes maps and GPS coordinates. National Forest,” Beelart says of Olson. “There he found his first unmistakable track in 1957.” For those who hunker hunting for Bigfoot themselves, Beelart says, “Our book has 13 specially drawn maps and lists numerous GPS coordinates, which are handy for use with Google Earth. In this way, people can find and

enjoy the beauty of our forest while scaring the bejesus out of themselves reading about our hairy forest pals.” The rule of thumb for a Bigfoot sighting is the Hewkin-Sullivan Rule, Beelart says. “Hewkin was a state of Oregon biologist and Sullivan a science teacher,” he explains. “Their rule is ‘spend 200 hours, feet on the ground, in an area they are likely to be.’ And you may either find one piece of solid evidence like a good track or have a sighting.” Two hundred hours is not an easy stretch, but Beelart says enthusiastic Bigfoot seekers might find it worth putting in the time. “One such man, John Glen of St. Helens, put in his umpteenth 200 hours and was rewarded in April last year with a 15-second sighting in the middle of the Clackamas River Ranger District,” Beelart says. “This sighting was personally investigated on site by Cliff Barackman of the television show ‘Finding Bigfoot’ along with his Bigfootin’ dog Sochi.” ■

Inpatient & Outpatient Rehabilitation Services Extended Care Community Offering 20 Private Rehab Suites

Come join us. We are now hiring dedicated Nurses and CNAs to become part of our caring team.

541-686-2828

Come for a tour!

2300 Warren Street • Eugene • www.lcca.com/valleywest

We’re there when you need us

Maybe you or a loved on just got out of the hospital and could use some help with medications, personal care, cleaning, cooking or shopping. Or perhaps you are just overwhelmed right now. That’s where we come in — let us help. Our caring and qualified staff is experienced and ready to lend a hand in your home.

A little help can make life more enjoyable. Call us to set up a free care consultation and assessment.

We’re here to help

We offer a full array of services for people who need help in their place of residence. Whether it’s housekeeping or round-the-clock nursing care, we’re there for you.

Companions/ Homemakers

Care available any hour, any day • Locally owned since 1985 1345 Olive Street, Eugene 541-687-8851 Offices also in Florence 541-997-8115, Corvallis 541-752-9059 and Salem 503-400-3000 www.newhorizonshomecare.com

Medication Service

Personal Care Assistants and CNAs Nursing Services

volunteers needed to be senior companions MAY 2016 â&#x20AC;˘ www.nwboomerandseniornews.com

Are you a â&#x20AC;&#x153;people personâ&#x20AC;? who truly enjoys making a difference in the lives of others? As a volunteer for the Senior Companion Program, you can help frail elders and adults living with disabilities stay independent and connected to others by providing them with weekly ongoing visits. Volunteers are needed in Springfield, Eugene, Cottage Grove, Creswell, Florence, Junction City, Veneta and Oakridge. You earn a tax-free hourly stipend of $2.65 per hour, as well as reimbursement for meals and mileage. Comprehensive training is provided. Senior Companion Program volunteers must be age 55 and older, meet low-income guidelines, serve 15 or more hours

weekly, and pass a physical exam and criminal background check. Contact Beth or Elaine, 541-463-6260, for more information. Get program details at lanecc.edu/SCP, or by visiting the office at Lane Community Collegeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Downtown Campus, 101 W. 10th Ave., Eugene. Look for the program on Facebook as Senior Companion Program of Lane County. The federal Senior Companion Program has been sponsored locally by Lane Community College for almost 40 years. If you are looking for help from a Senior Companion or other resources, contact the Aging and Disability Resource Connection at 541-682-3353 or adrcoforegon.org. â&#x2013;

Successful Aging plans May classes

The Successful Aging Institute of Lane Community College recommends some of these class offerings in May: Beginning Yoga â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 7:15 to 8:30 p.m. May 11 to June 8. Cost: $38 at Eugene Yoga. Get a Job at 50-plus â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 10:30 a.m. to noon May 5. Free, at Campbell Community Center, 155 High St., Eugene. Hawaiian Italian Delicacies â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Noon to 3 p.m. May 14 and 21. Cost: $59 at Pepperberries, 2538 Willakenzie Road, Eugene. Memory Loss, Dementia and Alzheimerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 10 a.m. to noon May 6 to 20, at River Road Park, 1400 Lake Dr., Eugene. Optimizing Social Security Benefits â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 6:30 to 8 p.m. May 19, at Hilton Garden Inn, 3528 Gateway St., Springfield. â&#x2013;

LANE COUNTY EDITION

Courtesy photo

Being a senior companion means spending about 15 hours per week helping frail elders and adults with disabilities to live independently and stay connected.

Cottage Theatre presents

June 10, 11, 12* 16, 17, 18, 19* 23, 24, 25, 26*

A fanciful fun-filled farcical frolic!

*matinee

By Frank Dunlop and Jim Dale Directed by George Comstock

ssponsored pon o ssored ons ored red ed by: ed by::

t 7JMMBHF %SJWF t $PUUBHF (SPWF t XXX DPUUBHFUIFBUSF PSH t 7JMMBHF %SJWF t $PUUBHF (SPWF t XXX DPUUBHFUIFBUSF PSH $20 AAdult, dult, $15 YYouth outh (6-18)

A comfortable place to

CALL CALL HOME HOME

Actual Spectrum Residents

Enjoy all the comforts of home â&#x20AC;&#x201C; with extra perks! Rŕ§ź FRPPXQLW\ IHH Âą OLPLWHG Rŕ§ź FRPPXQLW\ IHH Âą OLPLWHG DSDUWPHQWV DYDLODEOH FDOO WRGD\ D SDUWPHQWV DYDLODEOH FDOO WRGD\

Book review

LANE COUNTY EDITION

“Brooklyn” By Colm Tóibín Published by Scribner

Reading a novel after seeing the movie version raises the potential of experiencing the fictional journey solely through the filmmaker’s vision. Fortunately the novel “Brooklyn” easily stands on its own. While the movie, an Academy Award nominee for this year’s best film, sets a tone, the book has plenty of riches on its own, as was

NW BOOMER & SENIOR NEWS • MAY 2016 clearly noticed at the time of publication. Listed by numerous publications as a best book of the year, “Brooklyn” was also nominated for several major book awards. This is the author’s sixth book. First published in 2009, “Brooklyn” is a very human story, touching on experiences we all share: the choices that must be made in life, how life changes are often dictated by unforeseen and sometimes sudden happenings, and how inner observations are made of outer events and of other people. Set in the early 1950s,

NEW LOCATION NOW OPEN SERVING EUGENE AND LANE COUNTY!

> Companion Care > Bathing & Dressing Assistance > Meal Preparation > Medication Services > RN Oversight > Days & Nights

> Contact Us 24 Hours For Scheduling & Support > Flexible Hours > Shopping & Errands > Guaranteed Compatibility® > Respite & Family Relief > Dementia Certified Caregivers

NOW HIRING > Caregivers

> Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs)

Call For A Free In-Home Assessment

BrightStar Care® of Lane County

541 632 7800 www.brightstarcare.com Independently Owned & Operated

“Brooklyn” is a deceptively simple tale told in unassuming words and easy sentences. It is the story of a young Irish woman, Eilis Lacey, who has lived all of her life in an economically depressed small Irish town where chances of anyone finding gainful employment are rare, “no matter what their qualifications.” In a fortunate turn, Eilis is given the opportunity of going to America — to Brooklyn — where work with “good pay” is said to await. Good fortune is helped along by the behind-the-scenes efforts of Eilis’ glamorous but content-with-her-life sister, Rose. It is not helped along by their needy, dependent widow of a mother. Eilis, though, brings her own abilities pointing to a better future: mainly honesty and diligence along with a skill at bookkeeping, and the desire to learn more. What she does not bring is much worldly knowledge, a naivety that slowly dissipates as the story progresses. As a good judge of character, Eilis closely observes how others she sees as sophisticated behave, and then experiments with what is noticed. For example a tone of voice or an assured way of walking demonstrates what can be used to bring a desired end. One result: Eilis evolves slowly, finally at the end emerging into “a woman in full possession of herself.” She is helped all along the way by people who already know the ropes and take her under their wing. Still, leaving her only known home is not easy, as Eilis realizes “she would never have an ordinary day again in this ordinary place, that the rest of her life would be a struggle with the unfamiliar.” After arriving in Brooklyn, following a rocky ocean voyage, her realization comes true. Working in a retail shop and living in a boarding house with other young Irish women, Eilis experiences an almost debilitating homesickness, leading her to wonder why she

ever left Ireland. “She was a ghost in this room, in the streets on the way to work, on the shop floor.” Yet here again kindness is shown by others, who ease the funk, steer Eilis toward school, on the way to mastering bookkeeping and accounting, and onto the next stage of her life. Meeting a young man of Italian descent, Eilis falls in love, and it seems that might be where the story goes, until tragedy back home in Ireland pulls her back for a visit, and subsequent temptation and urging of others, particularly her mother, to stay. Having returned with American airs, and a more sophisticated look, Eilis is now more attractive both as an employee and as a potential mate for a young man too shy to approach her before she left. Slowly drawn back into the routine of life that had been left behind, and postponing the trip back to America, Eilis begins to wonder about Brooklyn and the young man awaiting a promised return. It is a romance she mentions to no one. “It made her strangely feel as though she were two people, one who had battled against two cold winters and many hard days in Brooklyn and fallen in love there, and the other who was her mother’s daughter, the Eilis whom everyone knew, or thought they knew.” In the end, Eilis is faced with making the most difficult of decisions: Whether to remain in small-town Ireland where she was becoming more comfortable, or go back to Brooklyn. The choice she has to make reflects a culmination of a growing worldly maturity plus practical necessity brought about by someone who knows a secret about her undisclosed Brooklyn romance. Yet deep down, Eilis must balance the reality of being where she is at the moment, against the dream of Brooklyn … that place far away. Reviewed by DAVID R. NEWMAN

HEALTHY VIBES

MAY 2016 â&#x20AC;˘ www.nwboomerandseniornews.com

LANE COUNTY EDITION

In case of stroke, remember to act FAST By ELAINE SKALABRIN, MD

May is Stroke Awareness Month. There are approximately 795,000 strokes in the United States every year; 140,000 people will die from stroke this year â&#x20AC;&#x201D; thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s one death every four minutes. Stroke is the fourth-leading cause of death in the United States and the fifth leading cause of death in Lane County. Part of what makes stroke so deadly is that symptoms often go undiagnosed for hours, or even days. In the case of stroke, time is very precious â&#x20AC;&#x201D; every second that treatment is delayed equates to brain cells lost. Specific-ally, two million brain cells die every minute during a stroke, increasing the risk of permanent brain damage. There are two types of stroke: Ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke. Ischemic stroke occurs when arteries are blocked by blood clots or by the gradual build-up of plaque and other fatty deposits. About 87 percent of all strokes are ischemic. While ischemic strokes are more common, hemorrhagic strokes are more fatal, causing 30 percent of total stroke deaths. The symptoms for both types of stroke are almost the same. Nearly three-quarters of stroke victims are above the age of 65 while the risk of having a stroke doubles with each decade after 55. Women and African Americans have higher rates of stroke. As part of Stroke Awareness Month, please take a moment to review the symptoms of a stroke and learn what actions to take if you suspect you or another person is suffering a stroke.

Know the symptoms: The FAST test outlines the main signs of a stroke and the action to take if a stroke is suspected.

f = face: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop? a = arms: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward? s = speech: Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. Does their speech sound slurred or strange? t = time: If you observe one or more of these signs â&#x20AC;&#x201D; call 9-1-1 immediately.

seek immediate medical attention: Stroke is a medical emergency. If someone exhibits one or more of the above signs of stroke, call 9-1-1. If possible, try to determine how

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Helping You Adapt Your Home to Your Current Needsâ&#x20AC;?

RICK HARRIS

long the person has been experiencing these symptoms.

Prevention: Nearly 80 percent of strokes could be prevented by a change in lifestyle. Eliminating bad habits and keeping an eye on key health measures like blood pressure and cholesterol are the best ways to lower your risk of stroke. To help reduce your risk for a stroke, do the following: â&#x2013; If you have high blood pressure, work with your doctor to lower it through exercise, diet and â&#x20AC;&#x201D; if need be â&#x20AC;&#x201D; medication. â&#x2013; Ask your doctor about atrial fibrillation. Atrial fibrillation can cause blood to collect in the chambers of your heart which in turn can form clots. Your doctor can detect atrial fibrillation by

carefully checking your pulse. â&#x2013; Work with your doctor to manage cholesterol â&#x20AC;&#x201D; keeping levels of LDL cholesterol low can greatly reduce the risk of stroke. As with blood pressure, diet and exercise can help lower cholesterol but â&#x20AC;&#x201D; medication is sometimes needed. â&#x2013; If you are diabetic, follow your doctorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s instructions carefully as having diabetes increases your stroke risk. Smoking doubles the risk for stroke, as can high levels of alcohol consumption. Stop smoking and limit your alcohol intake. Last year, the stroke center at Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend treated 657 patients. The best treatment for stroke is the administration of clot-busting

~ FREE ESTIMATES ~

541-729-3460 CCB#150537

medicine. This medication only works if given early in the course of a stroke, within 4 Â˝ hours of symptom onset. Sacred Heart Medical Center has a multidisciplinary team that helps treat the stroke patient. Once you call 9-1-1, the team will be notified of a potential stroke patient prior to their arrival to the emergency department. This early notification allows the stroke team to be ready to quickly evaluate whether this medication will benefit the patient. Stroke is preventable, treatable and beatable. Act immediately if you believe you are having a stroke. â&#x2013; Elaine Skalabrin, MD, is co-medical director at the PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend Advance Primary Stroke Center.

APPLY NOW !

Aster Apartments

St. Vincent de Paul is now accepting wait list applications for HUD Senior Housing. Senior Housing in Springfield

CONTRACTOR & HANDYMAN â&#x153;&#x2DC; Window & Gutter Cleaning â&#x153;&#x2DC; Pressure Washing â&#x153;&#x2DC; Debris Hauling â&#x153;&#x2DC; Deck Building â&#x153;&#x2DC; Wheelchair Ramp Building â&#x153;&#x2DC; Bathroom & Kitchen Remodeling â&#x153;&#x2DC; General Home Maintenance

There is currently a wait list for this property

For persons 62 years or older Low income (rent is 30% of adjusted income) 1 bedroom/ 1 bath units â&#x20AC;˘ 3-Story high-rise with elevator Close to shopping & bus â&#x20AC;˘ Onsite laundry & community room Water/sewer/garbage & electricity included in rent

APPLY AT: 2890 Chad Drive â&#x20AC;˘ Eugene, OR 97408 866-739-0867, contact Waitlist Dept @ 541-743-7164 â&#x20AC;˘ TTY/TDD 711 St. Vincent de Paul does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, disability status, familial status, national origin or marital status in the admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its federally assisted programs and activities.

Cindy Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Brien 541-345-9224 www.StrongBonesStrongBody.com Certified Senior Fitness Specialist Personal Trainer, Better Bones & Balance, Arthritis, SilverSneakers, Zumba & Zumba Gold

â&#x2014;&#x2020; Exercise DVD available â&#x2014;&#x2020;

â&#x20AC;˘ Class - Zumba Gold ~ Gentle on Joints ~ FUN â&#x20AC;˘ Tues 3:30-4:30 pm - Campbell Center 541-682-5318 â&#x20AC;˘ Thurs 1:30-2:30 pm - Willamalane Adult Activity Center 541-736-4444

â&#x20AC;˘ Class - â&#x20AC;&#x153;Strong Bones Strong Bodyâ&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;˘ â&#x20AC;˘ â&#x20AC;˘ â&#x20AC;˘ â&#x20AC;˘ â&#x20AC;˘

Mon 10:30-11:30 am - Campbell Center Tues 1:30-2:30 pm - Willamalane Center 32nd St. Tues 4:30-5:30 pm - Campbell Center Wed and/or Fri 10-11 am - Willamalane Adult Activity Center Wed 1-2 pm - Falcon Wood Village Club House Thurs 3-4 pm - Campbell Center

â&#x20AC;˘ Class - â&#x20AC;&#x153;Strong Bones Strong Bodyâ&#x20AC;? SBSB Advanced (includes floor exercises) â&#x20AC;˘ Wed and/or Fri 11-12 - Willamalane Adult Activity Center â&#x20AC;˘ Mon 11:45-12:45 pm - Campbell Center

(#),5 )/-#(!51#."5 ,0# -5Â&#x2018;5 " #&#. .#)(I %#&& 5 , 5 (75 ( 5 /.* .# (.5 " #&#. .#)(5 " , *35Â&#x2018;5 )' 5 &."5 To learn more about how our services may fit your needs, call (541) 687-9211.

â&#x20AC;˘ Class - â&#x20AC;&#x153;Stretching for Strong Bonesâ&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;˘ Tues 5:30-6 pm - Campbell Center â&#x20AC;˘ Thurs 4-4:30 pm - Campbell Center

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Gain Strength with No Painâ&#x20AC;?

"MM GBJUIT PS CFMJFGT BSF XFMDPNF

living with Parkinson’s

LANE COUNTY EDITION

While movement is essential, the disease also brings on a creative surge

PA R K I N S O N ’ S D I S E A S E

By VANESSA SALVIA BOOMER & SENIOR NEWS

Living with Parkinson’s disease means facing a future where muscles get stiffer, tremors become stronger — and the brain gets a new focus. Most of this is lifechanging, but it’s not all negative.

NW BOOMER & SENIOR NEWS • MAY 2016

David Kolb, 76, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease just before moving to Eugene nine years ago from Maine, where he was a professor of philosophy and his wife was a university administrator. “We wanted a college town that had a milder climate than Maine,” he says. “I had been tested and was diagnosed with Parkinson’s just at the time we came here.” Once here, he found an exercise group and attended a conference about Parkinson’s through Parkinson’s Resources of Oregon. Kolb recommends that those with Parkinson’s — or any issue really — to get into a support group. “You get in touch with people who are themselves keeping in touch with developments in the field,” Kolb says. “You end up talking with people more freely because they have the disease or they are caregivers of people who have the disease, because you can ask them questions. It’s relieving to be able to talk to people who know the symptoms and don’t get abashed by them and can possibly help you.” Because there is no definitive test for Parkinson’s, symptoms may appear for years before receiving an

Courtesy photo

David Kolb attends a large Parkinson’s disease support group in Eugene. Here, he’s shown at the February Eugene/Springfield PD Support Group, where about 100 people came to hear the speakers. accurate diagnosis. Researchers are hoping to develop a blood test to detect the disease early on. “Everyone admits they had symptoms years before their diagnosis that they didn’t recognize,” Kolb says. “One of the earliest symptoms that people

don’t pay attention to is a weakening of sense of smell, but what I began noticing is tremors and my physical therapist, who I was seeing for something different, noticed certain things about the way I was walking which he should have ID’d as an early Parkinson’s thing, but he didn’t.”

creative surge The outlook for people with Parkinson’s may seem like there is a dearth of good news, but Libby Kennard, program coordinator for Parkinson’s Resources of Oregon in Eugene, says there is a bright spot that she enjoys encouraging. “There’s a phenomenon where some people

“A Community of Friends”

See SURGE p. 9

YA-PO-AH TERRACE Retirement Apartments

Affordable Retirement Living for 62+ 1, 2, 3 Bedrooms (Hawthorne Park) Rent Includes Electricity Market Rent and Subsidized Section 8 If qualified, rent as low as $25 per month. 541-689-4451 TTY: 711 3400 Hawthorne Ave. Eugene, OR 97402

350 Pearl Street, Eugene, OR 97401 Apartments with Beautiful Views Dining Room • Grocery Store • Gardens Laundry • Beauty Shop • Library 24-Hour On-Site Staff • Ya-Po-Ah Bus Kitchens in All Apartments Utilities Included (except telephone & cable) Affordable Market Rent Rent Subsidy Available

541-342-5329 www.yapoah.com

Extra Services on the Third Floor: ✧ 2 Delicious Meals ✧ Weekly Housekeeping ✧ Maid Service ✧ Personal Laundry ✧ Transportation Mention this ad when you call for a tour.

MAY 2016 • www.nwboomerandseniornews.com

LANE COUNTY EDITION

SURGE CONTINUED FROM P. 8

with Parkinson’s have a creative surge, and it’s often something new to them,” she explains. Research into the cause shows it probably has something to do with the neurotransmitter dopamine that is key to Parkinson’s along with the medications that affect dopamine. “I think it’s lovely,” Kennard says, “because usually we’re talking about not being able to do the things people want to do physically, but for some people this new realm opens up for them and they get engaged in some type of artistic endeavor that brings new life to them. That’s fantastic and I want to celebrate that.” Last year, PRO offered a wine and cheese presentation to highlight this research and the artwork by Parkinson’s patients. “That room was just buzzing because people were engaged, talking to the artists,” Kennard says. “The artists loved being able to share their stories and it was thrilling for people to say, ‘Wow I don’t have to give up everything and I can actually start something new.’” Kennard says the event was inspiring, whether those creating the art saw themselves as artists. “Some of these people have been lifelong artists and some people have just started taking community classes after they got diagnosed, and either way it’s been very therapeutic for them.” Exercise is vital in a Parkinson’s journey. “Motion and exercise is really important with Parkinson’s,” Kolb says. “Exercise is the one thing they know will really help with the disease. Motion is life and if you don’t keep moving you stiffen up and die.” He enjoyed an exercise group twice a week until recently as he was preparing

Photo by Vanessa Salvia

LIBBY KENNARD for a household move. He also joined a hiking group, made friends and attended picnics. He says the instructor was “ingenious” at working out different exercises for people with Parkinson’s and related issues. Many opportunities exist in the community for activities that can help Parkinson’s, such as tai chi, but Kennard says that those with Parkinson’s enjoy activities just for them. She’s planning an “exercise sampler day” at Willamette Oaks retirement community in Eugene. “We’re always looking to further develop the Parkinson’s disease customized wellness classes,” she says. One program that is popu-

lar with Parkinson’s patients is Argentinian tango, offered two Sundays a month. “That has been studied as a very useful exercise for people with Parkinson’s,” Kennard says. “And the Blazing Paddles Table Tennis Club has been a big supporter of us and has made a special effort to make their club welcoming to people with Parkinson’s. They have special coaching sessions for people with Parkinson’s, and ping pong is a super exercise for the brain.” Hilyard Community Center offers a music therapy class suitable for Parkinson’s patients. There’s no need for any special musical training in this program, and Kennard notes that singing is good exercise for the voice. “But there’s also exercises that work on neuro-motor issues, because the instructor is having people do different drumming,” Kennard says. “Although it’s playful and fun and makes you feel good, you can see that it is really designed to be a brain exercise.” The Fourth World Parkinson Conference takes place in Portland this September. “This is a really big deal,” Kennard says. “Movement specialists and people with Parkinson’s will be there from all over the world. It’s a fantastic educational opportunity.” Kolb believes the future will hold a diagnosis and possible treatment for Parkinson’s and related diseases. Attending this world confer-

of note

lane county Parkinson’s resources of oregon, 207 e. 5th ave., eugene, 541-345-2988, parkinsonsresources.org, for a list of support groups. ■ care Partner Walk, 9 a.m. Wednesdays, valley river center (Jc Penney entrance) ■ social Group, 10 a.m. Wednesdays, riverwalk café (formerly theresa’s), 355 Goodpasture island road, suite 102. Details: susan starr, 541-3451375, or Donna snyder, 541-681-9247. ■ hiking Group, 9 a.m. thursdays, varies by location. Details: David German, 541-683-4908 or Pro office. ■ fourth World Parkinson conference, sept. 20-23, Portland. Worldpdcoalition.org. Pro offers many programs and classes. register in advance by calling 541-345-2988 or pro.eventbrite.com. ■ communication skills Group, a safe place to learn and practice new skills and strategies in speech and swallowing, 5 to 6 p.m. thursdays, Peacehealth Medical Group. ■ creativity Program, art exhibit, meet a talented community of local artists displaying their work. ■ chair yoga, 1 to 2 p.m. thursdays, through June 30, ballet North West academy. ■ tai chi, 2 to 3 p.m. thursdays, through June 30, ballet North West academy. ■ exercise extravaganza, June 29, Willamette oaks.

ence and other events, including support groups, is a way to stay informed as the frontier on Parkinson’s research changes. “Parkinson’s is a varied disease and it may actually be a family of diseases, they don’t know,” he says. “So other people’s symptoms may be very different from yours. It’s very relaxing and hopeful and scary because you see people worse off than you are and you see people who are progressing in the disease

slower than you, so it’s sobering but also encouraging.” He believes others tend to be scared of support groups at first, because they think they are going to walk into a room and see their own scary future. “There is some of that,” he admits, “but they really are supportive, the people are helpful, you get ideas you hadn’t thought of, you discover that there’s a whole network of support and in the Pacific Northwest, it’s really quite good.” ■

HEALTHY LIVING DIRECTORY NAME & LOCATION

BrightStar Care of Lane County Home Care and Medical Staffing 935 Oak Street, Suite B Eugene, OR 97401 Call us 24/7 at: 541-632-7800 www.brightstarcare.com/ lane-county

Valley West Health Care & Rehabilitation Center 2300 Warren Street Eugene, OR 97405 For further information: 541-686-2828 www.lcca.com/valleywest

SERVICES OFFERED

It’s not just what we do, it’s who we are. Locally owned with care teams led by our Director of Nursing, it is our mission to improve the health and well-being of those entrusted to our care. • Companion Care • Bathing & Dressing Assistance • Meal Preparation • Medication Services • Days & Nights • RN Oversight on every case • Flexible Hours • Shopping & Errands • Respite & Family Relief • Guaranteed Compatability • Contact us 24/7 for Scheduling & Support Call us today for a FREE assessment of your loved one! Offering 20 Private Rehab Suites. Surrounded by trees and gardens in the hills of Eugene, Valley West Health is a family-oriented community providing excellent care and rehabilitation to the surrounding communities. • Skilled nursing care/Innovative wound care • Excellent in-house therapy team • Palliative, Hospice & Respite Care • Transportation from Acute Care Facility • Large campus-like setting • Excellent activity and dining programs • Long-term care options available We are Medicare/Medicaid Certified, and accept most insurance plans.

Dealing with another person’s addiction

LANE COUNTY EDITION

NW BOOMER & SENIOR NEWS • MAY 2016

Editor’s note: If someone you care about struggles with an addiction to drugs or alcohol, you are not alone. In our January issue, we highlighted the problem in Oregon, noting that it is an escalating problem infiltrating all aspects of society.

of note

Kevin Graves, thereishopeinterventions.com, 541-764-4025 or 541992-2528 for a complimentary phone consultation. ■ Nar-anon family Groups, nar-anon.org/ find-a-meeting

By DEB ALLEN BOOMER & SENIOR NEWS

Witnessing the devastating effects of addiction on someone you love, and desiring to help them, can be extremely perplexing, frustrating, heartbreaking and even terrifying. “It’s important to realize chemical dependency is a family disease and it effects everybody in the family,” says Eugene therapist Kevin Graves. Graves speaks from experience. He has a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy, and a master’s in theology. He earned clinical experience during nine years of private practice followed by more time working on the staff and with families through four different churches. But his experience doesn’t stop there. “I grew up in an alcoholic home and so I have that kind of experience,” Graves says. “So even though my dad quit when I was fairly young, a lot of the dynamics stay in place after they quit, and that’s part of recovery work, to rectify the damage, heal the damage that’s been done by the disease.” However, Graves became an alcoholic himself. His own work of recovery with his wife and family adds an intrinsic depth of empathy and understanding to both the chemically dependent and their families. “I was a functional alcoholic for a long time,” he says. “But just because I was pulling it off at work doesn’t mean it wasn’t affecting my home life. I thought my wife was overreacting. The addict becomes very self-serving with how they see their world and their relationships, and there’s a dishonesty that occurs and they kind of hear what they want to hear and dismiss other things.” He feels what occurred in his marriage serves as an example. “She tried to communicate to me and she was left to a place where she thought, ‘The only way he’s going to really hear me is if I act,’” he says of his wife. “She filed for a legal separation, and that felt like overkill. But it was the only way in her mind that she could get my attention and communicate.” Chemical dependency, Graves says, is a complex, multifaceted, and arduous

■ beginner’s basics Nar-anon 101, 6 p.m. tuesdays, Wesley United Methodist church, 1385 oakway road, eugene.

Courtesy photo

With 22 years of personal sobriety, Kevin Graves enjoys taking walks on the beach with Sue, his wife of 33 years. He is passionate about helping families dealing with substance abuse as a therapist and interventionist. journey to navigate. “I find that the family’s journey parallels the addict’s journey to a great degree,” Graves says. “And just like the alcoholic or the addict (who) want to believe that they can do this on their own, families want to believe they can do this on their own (too). (Families) just aren’t really equipped to deal with some of the dynamics they find themselves in.” Understanding the challenges, many individuals who were once chemically dependent themselves dedicate their lives and careers to helping others find recovery.

the intervention Graves’ father, Sam, cofounded Serenity Lane in Eugene in 1973. When he retired, he trained his son in the work of conducting interventions. An “intervention” is an orchestrated event where a family takes its best shot at judiciously confronting the chemically-dependent person and, at the same time, offering treatment. Graves took the framework given by his father, but adjusted it to fit his own philosophies. Because he had been the recipient of a negative intervention, he feels his experience serves as an example of how not to do things. “This will be my 11th year doing interventions,” Graves says of his current occupation that covers 95 percent of what he does. Drawing from his years of both professional and personal experience, Graves is willing

to share important considerations for families dealing with this issue. “You’re wanting to do a couple things in having a conversation with your loved one,” he says of the intervention. “First, you do want to be clear about the fact that you think that they need help and you want to tell them what you think that help should be.”

taking the right approach Families tend to underrespond to chemical dependencies, Graves says. “They’ll want to throw things like counseling at it,” he says. “Or AA and NA meetings oftentimes work, but they’re not usually the good first step. You want to give your loved one their best shot at this and I think treatment oftentimes gives them their best shot.” He goes back to his own personal experiences. “One of the difficulties in these conversations is the person; they don’t see their problem, their disease, for what it is,” he says. “There’s these big blind spots and that’s one of the reasons they underrespond. You want to have a conversation where you’re helping them to see how this is affecting their life and to do that in a way that they can receive, and that’s difficult. And that’s where professional intervention can sometimes help, not always, but sometimes.” Regardless of what may appear as an intervention that failed, Graves does not believe in cutting off the relationship. “I don’t think it has to be an either-or kind of scenario,” he

says, “You also need to be careful, because you can become an enabler and become part of the problem, and that’s worse than not doing anything. So there’s that balance.” Once a family takes a position, they need to hold it and wait for the other person to come back, or wait for another opportunity to intervene. “You continue to be available, you continue to offer relationship,” he says, “you just can’t offer material support. And that’s not a relational cut off. It’s really important that the person not feel like they’re being exiled or punished because they gave the wrong answer.” Graves offers caution about the dynamics of maintaining relationships. “In chemical dependency there is a breakdown in communication that occurs in the family and there’s some reasons for that,” he says. “Some of it is mystifying. In spite of the family’s best efforts to try all these different ways to communicate, they’re still not successful and there’s reasons behind that. It can be helpful for the family to understand some of the different dynamics of chemical dependency. And that’s not a five-minute explanation, there’s a lot that goes into that.”

Understanding the disease As an introduction into some of the dynamics of the addictive personality, Graves talks about the Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde aspect of this disease. “Mr. Hyde – that guy doesn’t act in good faith,” he says.

■ celebrate recovery, grouplocator.crgroups. info. this is a christcentered recovery program created to address recovery from substance abuse and other types of “habits, hurts and hang-ups.” Meets at 6 p.m. tuesdays, eugene christian fellowship, 89780 N. Game farm road, eugene.

“You have to know when you’re dealing with the one or the other, and how to deal with that more malevolent side of the disease. You don’t want to treat the person in a way that’s going to crush them or break their spirit. You also don’t want to coddle or try to reason with that addictive personality.” And knowing how to discern the difference is where professional help can be vital, he adds. “In my work with families I do want them to understand this Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde dynamic,” Graves says. “The addictive personality can be very charming, very seductive, it can make you feel for it. It’s a little like an emotional terrorist, it’s hard to always know – am I dealing with my loved one or am I dealing with this manipulative thing that’s just trying to work an angle?” He says he titled his business There is Hope Interventions because he wants families to know there is a way through the chemical dependency. Many organizations exist to help addicts and their families. Graves says it’s important to explore the options, because not every organization is helpful to a specific situation. It’s also important to be open and engaging in conversation. ■

Next up: Learn how support groups help addicts and their families, and hear firsthand from individuals who run these groups.

MAY 2016 • www.nwboomerandseniornews.com

LANE COUNTY EDITION

Mennonite Village V illage

A Special Day of Celebration! 17th Annual Older Americ Americans’ ans’ Day Day • FFriday, riday, July July 22 • 8 AM to to 1:00 PM • FREE and Open Open to to All Mennonite Mennonite Village Village invites invites yyou women omen age 55 and ou ttoo ccelebrate elebrate men and w greater gr eater and the man manyy w ways ays in which they enrich our ccommunities. ommunities. OOur ur theme is ""Working Working TTogether ogether ffor or SStrong, trong, HHealthy, ealthy,, aand SSupportive upportive CCommunities," ommunities," which speaks ttoo the opportunities opportunities w wee ha have ve ttoo cr create eate bett better er ccare, are, rreinforce einforce healthier lif lifestyles, estyles, and impr improve ove ooverall verall qualit qualityy of lif life. e. The da The day's y's ev events, ents, thanks ttoo our gener generous ous sponsors sponsors,, will be frfree ee of char charge ge and open ttoo people of all ages and faiths faiths.. Shuttle buses will tr transport ansport outdoor pavilion throughout event. guests ttoo the out door pa vilion thr oughout the ev ent.

FFor or a full schedule of the da day’s y’s ev eevents, ents, visit OlderAmericansDay.org. OlderAmericansDay.org. 7:30 AM Walk AM Walk for for Wellness Wellness Registration Registration 8:00 AM AM Walk Walk for for Wellness Wellness 8:00 AM AM Healthy Healthy Breakfast Breakfast with Music by by DECK 8:00 AM AM Outdoor Outdoor Farmers’ Farmers’ Market Market 8:00 AM AM Active Active Living Fair Fair (36 Businesses Businesses & Nonprofits) Nonprofits) 8:00 AM Mennonite AM Mennonite Village Village Tour Tour of Homes Homes 9:00 AM AM Wellness Wellness Activities Activities & Demonstrations Demonstrations 11:30 AAM M Free Free LLunch unch YYep! ep! TTha That’s hat’s right! right! Music bbyy LLarry Wilder 11:30 AAM M arry W ilder and the Americana Americana TTrio rio

Mennonitee VVillage Mennonit illage is an Inclusiv Inclusive, e, NNot-for-Profit, ot-ffor-Profit, Residen Residential tial and HHealthcare ealthcare CCommunity ommunity • • • •

Independent Living Homes Homes and Apartments Apartments for for Adults Adults AAge Independent ge 55+ AAssisted ssisted Living AApartments partments with Lif Life-Enriching e-Enriching SSupport upport AAvailable vailable 24/7 Memoryy CCare, Memor are, Including OOn-Site n-Site AAdult dult FFoster oster CCare are and Respit Respitee SServices ervices Skilled Sk illed Nursing and Rehabilita Rehabilitation tion SServices ervices - Inpa Inpatient tient and Outpatient Outpatient

Mennonite Village Mennonite Village considers considers and admits people age 55 and older without rregard egard to to race, race, color, colorr, national national origin, rreligion, eligion, gender, genderr,, se sexual xual orientation, orientation, or disability. disability.

275-acree community A 275-acr community in a rural rural setting, setting, Mennonite Mennonite Village Village provides provides living spaces es for for all levels levels of retirement retirement – just a shor shortt driv drivee frfrom om EEugene ugene or spac SSalem. alem. W With ith an aaward-winning ward-winning healthc healthcare are and beautifully landsc landscaped aped grounds, gr ounds, Mennonite Mennonite Village Village is an inclusive inclusive community community of amazing people people..

5353 Columbus Columbus St. St. S.E., S.E., AAlbany, lbany, OOregon regon www.mennonitevillage.org www.mennonitevillage.org www.facebook.com/mennonitevillage www.facebook.com/mennonitevillage

541-928-7232 w www.MennoniteVillage.org ww.MennoniteVillage.org

When a plant needs help

LANE COUNTY EDITION

DIGGIN’ IT!

By GRACE PETERSON MASTER GARDENER

The January air sent a chill through me as I stepped out of the car onto soggy ground. I zipped my jacket and I scanned the open, plant-filled lot for my friends Trude and Barbara. We were meeting here to rescue plants that would otherwise be trampled under the weight of progress. After hugs and hellos, we gathered our gear and began digging. Later, I went home with a trunkload of treasures and a grand sense of satisfaction. That day many years ago was my only experience with saving plants. But, Aloha resident Trina Studebaker is the queen of the plant rescue and runs a plant exchange nursery in her backyard. She not only rescues, she re-pots and resells those treasures to the grateful public. My sister and I had the privilege of visiting Trina at her

home/nursery on what had to be the rainiest day in March. Trina’s garden, even during a downpour, was a delight to explore with cute pathways, well-placed plants and eyecatching garden art. Making our way through a vine-clad allee, we entered the sales area in the back. Several wood benches, built by Trina’s handy hubby, were lined with plants for sale while, off in one corner, the plant “hospital” housed the rescues needing time to convalesce. In another area was a large raised bed for growing vegetables. If the weather had been more hospitable, we would have spent more time exploring. As it was, my sister and I still ended up purchasing several plants. Trina launched her nursery, From My Bed to Yours, in 2011. “I love having a business that feeds my soul and helps to feed others,” she says. How did she come up with the idea? “One day, I visited

NW BOOMER & SENIOR NEWS • MAY 2016

our local used bookstore — where you can bring back your books and get credit to use toward more books,” she says. “As I opened the door to the bookstore, the idea ‘dropped’ on me. That’s what it felt like. I thought, why can’t I do this with perennials? I’d been dividing my perennials for years and having neighborhood plant sales. Why couldn’t I go bigger with it? It would be a way to make gardening more affordable.” Affordable makes it so much more fun, she says, because you get to add more plants to your garden. “A friend of mine had added the rescue part to the idea because people were always bringing me their dying plants,” Trina says. “The business has organically evolved. I now get to go rescue plants from properties and gardens that no longer want/need the plants. I bring them back to my property. I give them tender loving care by potting them in

Photo by Grace Peterson

Trina Studebaker runs a plant rescue operation out of her backyard in Aloha, in addition to her garden design consulting business. nutrient-rich soil and fertilizing with worm castings and fish emulsion. Before long, they are ready to sell. I also come home to plants that people have just dropped off. How fun is that?” Recently Trina helped a client rescue plants from her childhood home. “The house had been demolished and she was devastated because she wasn’t able to save anything from it,” Trina says. “But the plants were still there. She hired me to rescue the plants she grew up with. I just love that we got to do this for her.” You can find all the infor-

mation for From My Bed to Yours by visiting Trina’s website: frommybedtoyours. com. It is full of information on her policies, sales, and events such as classes and demonstrations. She also explains her new potting bar, where you can customize your own potted plant. Trina also does garden design consulting as well as identifying plants that are unfamiliar or rare. With all of the “progress” happening in cities today, having someone like Trina to help rescue the vulnerable plants really makes sense. ■

Word search: cars

MAY 2016 • www.nwboomerandseniornews.com

LANE COUNTY EDITION

Find the words and circle all the words listed below. Words may be horizontal, vertical or diagonal. Words may be forward or backward.

SUBARU

DODGE

FORD

JEEP

ISUZU

SUZUKI

MERCURY

BUICK

OLDSMOBILE

TOYOTA

BMW

SATURN

FIAT

MAZDA RAM

ACURA

PORSCHE

SCION

C L A S S I F I E D

HONDA

PLYMOUTH

GMC

PONTIAC

CHEVROLET

HUMMER

AUDI

MITSUBISHI

NISSAN

LINCOLN LEXUS

CADILLAC

MERCEDES

MASERATI

VOLKSWAGEN

A D S

Ads must be RECEIVED BY the 6th of the month PRIOR to publication. Go to www.NWBoomerandSeniorNews.com for ad form.

9 Vacation Rental 16 Units for Rent LINCOLN CITY OCEAN FRONT, fantastic view, fireplace, TV/VCR/ DVD, 2 bdrms, kit/ dishwasher, no smoking, no pets. Very comfortable. 503-8433157. Email: holton@macnet.com.

HUD SUBSIDIZED UNITS for senior citizens 62 or older, disabled and/or handicapped, available at this time. We are committed to providing equal housing opportunities. All utilities paid. Millwood Manor, 2550 14th Ave LINCOLN CITY OCEAN SE, Albany. 541-928VIEW. Historic We- 2545. coma neighborhood. 3 blocks to beach, HUD SUBSIDIZED UN2bdrm, 2ba. Fully eq- ITS for senior citizens uipped kitchen. DISH 62 or older, disabled TV/VCR/DVD. No smo- and/or handicapped, king. Pets maybe, with available at this time. deposit. Email: deham- We are committed to er7848@msn.com for providing equal housrates & pictures or call ing opportunities. All 503-399-7848. utilities paid. SurfEQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin, or an intention, to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.” Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians; pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18. This newspaper will not knowlingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To complain of discrimination call HUD Toll-free at 1-800-669-9777. The Toll-free telephone number for the hearing impaired is 1-800-927-9275.

wood Manor, 4545 SW NEEDED! Work with Hwy 101, Lincoln City, our editor to determine 541-996-3477. story ideas in Linn & Benton Counties & HUD SUBSIDIZED UN- submit one to two feaITS for senior citizens ture articles on a 62 or older, disabled monthly basis. Must and/or handicapped, have some newswritavailable at this time. ing experience; phoWe are committed to tography experience providing equal hous- helpful but not necesing opportunities. All sary. Payment based utilities paid. Briar- on articles published. wood Manor, 643 Contact Michelle Te, Manbrin, Keizer, OR managing editor NW 97303, 503-981-8614. Boomer & Senior News, mte@nwseniorHUD SUBSIDIZED UN- news.com. No phone ITS for senior citizens calls please. 62 or older, disabled and/or handicapped, Garden & Yard available at this time. Care We are committed to providing equal hous- YEAR ROUND YARD ing opportunities. All SERVICE! Clean-ups, utilities paid. Glen- mowing, weeding, wood Manor, 1687 NW hauling, barkdust, Division St., Corvallis. trimming. Reasonable 541-753-3408. rates. Over 35 years experience. 503-393Help Wanted 2013.

32 Cemetery Plots BELCREST CEMETERY PLOTS, $2000 (Salem). Two choice plots in the old section, $2000 each. Save hundreds of dollars. 503623-3184. BELCREST MEMORIAL PREMIUM LOTS. Lot 5 & 6, section 56, block 30, $7000. Also lot 6, section 6, block 14, $3500. OBO. 1-541935-1222. SKYLINE MEMORIAL GARDENS, 2 side by side lots in Gethsemane. Both for $3500. Includes transfer fee. Call 503-358-7911.

33 Wanted 30+ YEARS TRUSTED, REPUTABLE ANTIQUES BUYER. ALWAYS BUYING: old photos, postcards, costume jewel-

ry, most anything ant- OLD SPORTS CARS ique or vintage. Please WANTED: 1948-1972. call 503-422-8478. Alfa, Austin Healey, Ferrari, Jaguar, MerCASH FOR GOOD CON- cedes, MG, Porsche. DITION reloading eq- “American Classics uipment & supplies. also!” 503-538-8096 541-905-5453. CASH FOR PRE 1980 BASEBALL & SPORTS sport & non-sport MEMORABILIA want- gum or cigarette ed. Buying old cards, cards, model kits, pennants, autographs, comic books, old toys, photographs, tickets, old car or?? Private programs, Pacific collector. 503-313Coast League, etc. 7538. Alan, 503-481-0719. CASH for DIABETIC TEST STRIPS. Help those in need. Paying up to $40 per box. Free pickup! Call Sharon, 503-679-3605. MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS WANTED. Portland Music Co. always buying! Reputable since 1927. Free appraisals. 531 SE M.L.K. Blvd. Ask for Doug. 503-226-3719.

NOTICE: Oregon state law (ORS 701) requires anyone who contracts for construction work to be licensed with the Construction Contractors Board. An active license means the contrctor is bonded and insured. Verify the contractor’s CCB license through the CCB Consumer Website www.hirali censedcontractor.co m or call 503-378-4621.

JOIN THE FRIENDSHIP CLUB — $20 FOR 30 WORDS! FREELANCE WRITER

MAIL responses to: NW Boomer & Senior News, 4120 River Road N., Keizer, OR 97303; (include listing # you’re responding to)

SF, slender, outdoor/animal interest. Homeowner, secure income. ISO SM, no S/D, healthy, with similiar, well adjusted, good moral character. LTR, mutual respect, consideration, sincere communication, compatible goals. Eugene. Photo. #5645

communication, fun. Movies, cards, dinner in/out, USA travel. Honest, healthy, secure, educated, funny. ME: WDM, 76, clean, gentle, open-minded, organized, warm, friendly, quiet life, cuddly, grandpa. #5646 SDM, cleancut, educated, N/S, N/D. ISO funloving female companion for

conversation, laughter, fun day trips & more. Photo optional. Portland area. #5647 ISO WF, 70-85, seeking friendship & romance for LTR. I am WWM, 85+ active, good health, own my home!! I’m flexible. Want lady that needs lots of love!!! #5648

Ad Abbreviations M = Male F = Female S = Single D = Divorced W = White A = Asian B = Black H = Hispanic J = Jewish C = Christian N/S = Non-smoker N/D = Non-drinker

ISO = In Search Of LTR = Long Term Relationship WW = Widowed White WB = Widowed Black WA = Widowed Asian WH = Widowed Hispanic LGBT= Lesbian/Gay/ Bisexual/Transgender

FRIENDSHIP ADS are being suspended until further notice.

YOU: 70± (2-35’s), for companionship,

We will no longer accept friendship submissions. We will, however, accept and forward any Friendship ad RESPONSES through November, 2016.

LANE COUNTY EDITION

NW BOOMER & SENIOR NEWS • MAY 2016

Tickling the ivories

It’s never too late to learn to play an instrument

By MAGGI WHITE BOOMER & SENIOR NEWS

Many homes have a piano, but it has become just another piece of furniture. Not so for Donann Warren, a classical languages professor who also teaches piano to adults. For her, it is an instrument of pleasure. She understands that many older adults don’t quite feel that way. They remember as a child being tutored by a stern instructor who soured the experience. And they may feel it is too difficult to continue learning. However, Warren believes that while adult piano students may have slower reflexes, they know how to learn and are patient. They also have made the choice to study piano, compared to being a child and taking lessons to please their parents. When she was growing up in Santa Barbara, California, Warren had four pianos in her home because her parents operated a retirement home. It seemed inevitable that she would become a professional player and teacher. She also sings, plays guitar and teaches ukulele. Her piano lessons began in grade school and she played in the band through high school, but walked away from music to concentrate on her studies in college.

Photos by NWBSN staff

Top, Donann Warren probably never imagined she would someday become a piano teacher, but she now teaches both adults and children out of her Portland home, tucked back on a dead-end street where she can enjoy her magnolia tree (above).

“Many of us were left with guilt, shame and comparison ... I still carry old memories and have had to get beyond that.”

~ Donann Warren,

on strict teaching methods of the past When she moved to Portland, Warren taught Latin at Lakeridge and Lincoln high schools, then at Willamette University until the commute became too difficult. Now, she is an adjunct professor teaching Latin and Greek at Portland State University. Through it all, music has never left her mind, and in fact she continued to play just for her own enjoyment. When she was in her early 40s and living in Portland, she decided to pursue her interests

and reclaim her musical passions. She had to quiet down the judgmental voices she had heard as a young child learning to play piano. “Many of us were left with guilt, shame and comparison, the judges in our head,” she says. “I still carry old memories and have had to get beyond that. It never really goes away but you work at it.” She attended PCC Sylvania, taking music classes with young college students, then

studied with Professor Mary Kogen at PSU, where she learned how to teach piano. “She helped me segue to teaching,” Warren says. Now 60, she is keenly aware of the benefits of studying a musical instrument. Doing so involves fingers, ears, eyes and brain. Neuroscientists have touted the value of studying a musical instrument for improving memory and cognition. To learn more about the connection, Warren recom-

mends reading “This is Your Brain on Music” by Daniel Levitin, which discusses the positive impact of music on the brain. Learning music is not only a good mental and physical activity, but a spiritual one as well, she says. “All parts of the brain are activated; deep down we are in time with creation.” She notices the difference in the way young people and adults approach learning an instrument. She says music lessons teach young people how to use their time wisely. For adults, it is a recreational opportunity. It’s important to build trust between teacher and student, Warren says, because it creates a more relaxing atmosphere. “When a student realizes the teacher is not that judge of their 8-year-old self, you can feel the change.” A good piano teacher has a deep knowing of where the student is emotionally, meets them where they are and takes them forward. She recognizes the brave step she took in returning to school as an adult, and the nurturing instructors, especially Krogen, who helped her overcome her own selfjudgment. Her approach is to make piano lessons interesting by using sheet music that includes pop tunes from the Beatles, the melodies of Gershwin, and the classics. She also encourages her students to sing. “The voice is the bridge between the brain and the hand,” she says. Warren, a Quaker, sings in a choir and also studies ballroom dancing. She enjoys the dance instruction because she is able to surrender to the male lead. “It’s hard for women who have always been independent to let go, she says, “but it’s fun.” ■

Networking group makes annual financial gift

MAY 2016 • www.nwboomerandseniornews.com

The Senior Provider Information Network of Lane County (SPIN) presented financial gifts to three organizations in support of local older adults at a recent meeting. The proceeds come from the annual Boomer and Senior Resource Fair, which was held at Campbell Community Center last summer. ■ The Lane Senior Support Coalition (LSSC), which helps Lane County seniors remain independent, in their own homes, received $1,500; ■ Meals on Wheels received $500 to support its efforts in delivering nutritious meals, friendly visits and safety checks to the local senior community; ■ The Campbell Community Center received $500 and a second custom brochure rack to display SPIN resource connections. The center offers classes, activi-

Adopt me

EZMAE and SADIE Ezmae and Sadie are the odd couple — they came to Greenhill together as a bonded pair, and we are looking for a home that will keep them that way. Both are good with cats,

LANE COUNTY EDITION

ties, weekly social groups, pre- Center, 155 High St., Eugene. It sentations, support groups and will offer educational resources, special events of interest to entertainment and refreshments. Eugene-area adults and also part- It is free to attend. Call Janet ners with local agencies to pro- Whitty, 541-682-6313, for more vide limited social services. information. ■ SPIN has its monthly education and networking meets at the Courtesy photo center. Norton (right), coClaudia Claudia Norton, co-chair of chair of the Senior Provider the SPIN Fair, made the presenInformation Network of tations. County (SPIN) Fair, Lane SPIN has been meeting in its acknowledges the work of current format since 2004. Its Diane Sconce and the mission is to provide education, Campbell Community information and networking Center. opportunities to professionals of Lane County so they can better serve seniors and peoSeniors helping Seniors ple with disabilities. Save the date: The ninth and Boomers, Too! annual Boomer and Senior Resource Fair is scheduled We are here for YOU from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 6, at Campbell Community

kids ages 10 and up, and are big fans of walks and belly rubs. If you’re looking for a pair of goofs that will complete your family, you’ve found them. Join us for the 23rd Annual Bark in the Park, a walk, run and fundraiser for homeless pets on Sunday, May 15 at Alton Baker Park. Sign up now at GreenHill.org Greenhill Humane Society is open for adoptions and visits 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday to Tuesday, 88530 Green Hill Road, Eugene. For more information call 541-689-1503 or visit green-hill.org. ■

The

627 Country Club Rd, Eugene 541-636-4580

Tom Kruse Principal Broker

541-995-0221

Partner r of C Choice for your Companion Needs Maxim Companion Services offers companion care and in-home assistance so you and your loved ones can continue to live an independent lifestyle. Our experienced caregivers can assist with a variety of nonmedical services up to 24/7 care, including:

Ruth Kuehl Principal Broker

541-554-0324 ’n ruse K d n v’n a Moo in Real e! Estat

Service Directory

Light housekeeping

Cooking and shopping

Personal care

Companionship

Reminders

Much more

Contact us today for a free in-home consultation! 541-205-0359 1600 Valley River Drive, Suite 210 Eugene, OR 97401 www.maximhomecare.com/companion

To advertise your service business here, call 1-877-357-2430 for details.

RETIREMENT COMMUNITY

Live, Laugh

& Thrive Independent Retirement Living

REVERSE MORTGAGE

TREE CARE - ARBORIST

Artistic Arborist Professional Pruning of All Trees, Hedges & Shrubs Tree Service Specialist in Eugene, OR

15% OFF

ALL TREE CARE for Seniors

Doug Hornaday

ISA Certified Arborist & Certified Tree Climber Specialist

541-510-7293

CCB#181356

www.treeserviceineugeneoregon.com

We believe in a complete calendar of games, exercise, crafts, and socials. Our anytime dining room offers a full menu of resident favorites to choose from. Call or visit! Come for a free lunch with us and explore retirement with services. 1202 Jacobs Drive, Eugene, OR www.solvangretirementliving.com

541.461.0490

MEDICARE INSURANCE

No Cost / Obligation Consultation

Call 503-362-8558 Reverse Mortgage Specialists Amber Johnson, Branch Manager/Reverse Mortgage Specialist, NMLS

#368855

Karla Winans, Loan Officer/Reverse Mortgage Specialist, NMLS #1103071

5605 Inland Shores Way N, Suite 108 & 202, Keizer, OR 97303 Universal American Mortgage Company, LLC dba Eagle Home Mortgage - Company NMLS #1058, Company Mortgage License #ML-5079-8, Branch NMLS #803368, WA #CL-803368 Certain restrictions apply. This is not a commitment to lend. Applicants must apply.

INDEPENDENT LIVING APARTMENTS

ELDER LAW ATTORNEY

SENIOR LIVING ADVISOR

COUNTRY CLUB MANOR

Assisting seniors and their families for over 25 years

Considering Senior Living Options?

Robert C. Tozer

*OEFQFOEFOU -JWJOH t "TTJTUFE -JWJOH t .FNPSZ $BSF

Your own Private 1 bedroom Apartment for you to Enjoy Short walk to: Safeway • Bi-Mart Beauty Salon 5 Restaurants City Library & Buses

2477 Cal Young Rd., Eugene

For your private showing Call Max

541-484-1980

Estate Planning & Probate ■ Trusts Guardianship ■ Conservatorship Medicaid Planning NT DE N G PE DE LIVIN N I

541-345-0795

975 Oak Street, Suite 615, Eugene Confidential & Compassionate

My experience helps you for FREE FREE!! t t t t t

(541) 521-9970 www.NobleSenior.com

Donna Johnson

LANE COUNTY EDITION

NW BOOMER & SENIOR NEWS • MAY 2016

April 28 Beyond Toxics, new volunteer orientation party for Walama Restoration Project, 5 to 7 p.m., 601 W. 13th Ave., Eugene.

W. C St., Springfield. $41/$49. 541736-4444. Emerald Valley Opry, 6 p.m., Powers Auditorium, Willamette High School, 1801 Echo Hollow Road, Eugene. $8/$5. 541-5880937.

April 29 Golden Bough, 7:30 p.m., Tsunami Books, 2585 Willamette St., Eugene. $13.50/$15. mmeyer@efn.org. April 30 Eugene Concert Choir, with Eugene Symphony, “Cantata Criolla,” 8 p.m., Hult Center, Eugene. Eugeneconcertchoir.org.

Composting: Decay for the 15 Masses, 2 p.m., Downtown Eugene Public Library, 100 W. 10th

A Women’s Symposium, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wheeler Pavilion, Lane Event Center, 796 W. 13th Ave., Eugene. $15. 503-361-7285. Greta Matassa, “The Lady Swings Again,” 7 and 9 p.m., The Jazz Station, 124 W. Broadway, Eugene. $15/$12.

Ave. 541-682-5450.

Mossbacks Volkssport Club, 8 a.m., Willamalane Adult Activity Center, 215 W. C St., Springfield. Carpool to Oregon City. Mossbacks.org. Lane County Farmers Market, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays, through Nov. 12, 8th Avenue at Oak Street, Eugene.

MAY Blooms, Birds and Bees, 10 a.m. to noon, Mount Pisgah Arboretum, Eugene. $7. 541-747-3817.

Cheese-making workshop, 10 4 a.m. to 2 p.m., OSU Extension Service, 995 Jefferson St., Eugene. $40. 541-344-5859. Writer Reyna Grande, “Crossing Borders: Women’s Stories of Immigration, Migration and Transition,” 6 p.m., Downtown Eugene Public Library, 100 W. 10th Ave. 541-682-5450.

Springfield Lions Club Mother’s Day Plant Sale, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., corner of 58th and Main streets in the Big Lots! parking lot.

Vineyards and Violins silent auction, 5 to 8 p.m., Willamalane Adult Activity Center, 215 W. C St., Springfield. $20/$25. 541-736-4444. Store and Share Photos Online, 10 a.m., Downtown Eugene Public Library, 100 W. 10th Ave. 541-682-5450.

Eugene Symphony Guild offers music, 1 to 4 p.m., Gray’s Garden Center, 737 W. 6th St., Eugene. Also drawing for tickets to Music in the Garden. Chinese 8 Dragon Boat Festival, 3 p.m., Downtown Eugene Public Library, 100 W. 10th Ave. 541-682-5450.

Wildflower Festival, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mount Pisgah Arboretum, Eugene. $8.

Adult Activity Center, 215 W. C St., Springfield. $11/$13. 541-736-4444. Campbell Center trip: Historic Elsinore Theatre Silent Film Night, 3 to 10:30 p.m. $28. 541-682-5318. Memory and More support 12 group, “Ask the Nurse,” 10 a.m., First Baptist Church, 3550 Fox Meadow Road, Eugene.

Emmaus Lutheran Church, 1250 W. 18th Ave., Eugene. 415-686-4291.

Old-time music afternoon with 13 Mary’s Peak Hike, 9 a.m. to Bruce 18 5:30 p.m., leaving from McLennan, Campbell Center, 155 High St., 11:30 a.m., Willamalane Adult Activity Center, 215 W. C St., Springfield. Free.

Eugene. $45. 541-682-5318. Plan Well, Retire Well, 2 p.m., Campbell Community Center, 155 High St., Eugene. 541-682-5318.

Comedy 14 for a Cause, a benefit

Community Ecstatic Dance, a benefit for community organizations, 1 to 3 p.m. Sundays, WOW Hall, Eugene. mmeyer@efn.org. Donations taken. iPad for Beginners, 1:30 p.m., 10 Downtown Eugene Public Library, 100 W. 10th Ave. 541-6825450. Open microphone musical benefit for Habitat for Humanity, 6:30 p.m., Axe and Fiddle Music Pub, 657 E. Main St., Cottage Grove. Donations taken. 541-942-3878. Fitbit for Wellness: Track Your Progress, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., Willamalane

West Winds Flute Choir, 3 p.m.,

for Center for Community Counseling, 7 p.m., Wildish Theater, 630 Main St., Springfield. $25. Wildishtheater.com. Maker Expo: See and Do, 2 to 4 p.m., Downtown Eugene Public Library, 100 W. 10th Ave. 541-682-5450. Mossbacks Volkssport Club, 8 a.m., Willamalane Adult Activity Center, 215 W. C St., Springfield. Carpool to Brooks. Mossbacks.org.

Speech and Swallowing Quarterly Education Series, 4 p.m., Waterford Grand, 600 Waterford Way, Eugene. 541-345-2988. Finding Happiness with life 19 coach Nathan Schulman, 1:30 p.m., Willamalane Adult Activity

Center, 215 W. C St., Springfield. 541736-4444. Meet and Greet: Speed 20 Dating for Seniors, 6 to 9 p.m., Willamalane Adult Activity Center, 215 W. C St., Springfield. $5. 541-736-4444.

Tide Pools and Rhodies: Travel to Lincoln City, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., from Willamalane Adult Activity Center, 215

Campbell’s Got Talent! 6 to 8 p.m., Campbell Community Center, 155 High St., Eugene. $2/$3. 541-6825318.

See CALENDAR p. 18

Feeling left out of the conversation?

FREE

Call today for your At the University of Oregon

CURIOSITY

NEVER RETIRES EXPLORE • DISCOVER • SHARE Engage in lectures, discussions, and study groups with others who know learning has no age limit.

LEARN MORE: 800-824-2714 • 541-346-0697 http://osher.uoregon.edu

No tests, no grades. Annual or six-month memberships available. EO/AA/ADA institution committed to cultural diversity.

HEARING SCREENING

541-997-8866

Visit us online www.bestforhearing.com Serving Florence for over 32 years

An â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;insideâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; scoop on Alaska

MAY 2016 â&#x20AC;˘ www.nwboomerandseniornews.com

LANE COUNTY EDITION

By PAT SNIDER

BOOMER & SENIOR NEWS

May marks the beginning of the busy cruise season in Alaska, and it may well be naturalist John Muir who was responsible for the popularity of this travel experience. In 1879, he sailed northward through the Inside Passage to Glacier Bay where he studied the movements of glaciers to better understand the formation of Yosemite Valley. He sent back a series of glowing, enthusiastic reports, and implored readers of the San Francisco Chronicle to â&#x20AC;&#x153;Go and See!â&#x20AC;? Travelers have followed his advice and the cruise industry now delivers almost a million visitors to Alaska each year to enjoy the breathtaking natural beauty of snow-capped peaks, tidewater glaciers, and abundant wildlife. Beyond the beautiful scenery are ports of call offering opportunities to learn more about the 49th stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s history and native culture as well as try some adventurous encounters with nature from dog sledding to sea kayaking. Juneau, the state capital, is a stop for most ships cruising the Inside Passage and provides a wide spectrum of things to see and do. With the fifth-largest ice field in North America in its backyard, Juneau is an excellent place to try a helicopter or floatplane visit to a glacier. These are expensive outings,

Photo by Pat Snider

A cruise ship sits just outside of Sitka, Alaska, another historic town along the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Inside Passage. It was founded in 1799 by Russian explorer Alexander Baranoff. but still a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. Close to town is Mendenhall Glacier, a short bus shuttle or taxi ride. While you only observe the glacier at a distance, it is nonetheless a remarkable site and worth the visit. The Mount Roberts Tramway begins across from the cruise ship dock and whisks passengers from sea level to 1,800-feet in about six minutes. Viewing platforms and hiking trails provide breathtaking vistas of Juneau, the Gastineau Channel, and surrounding mountains. From here, it is easy to understand why Juneau is the only state capital unreachable by road.

Your Free Personal Senior Referral Agency

North of Juneau is the historic town of Skagway, another popular port of call. As a gateway to the 1898 Klondike Gold Rush, it has retained many original buildings, wooden sidewalks, saloons, and false-fronted shops. Much of the downtown area has been designated a National Historic Park and rangers lead free, narrated walking tours through town. The narrow-gauge White Pass and Yukon railroad follows the route of the gold seekers to the top of White Pass and the border with Canada. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a 120-mile round trip, scenic excursion that is very popular with cruise pas-

sengers. Sitka is another historic small town visited by many ships. Founded in 1799 by Russian explorer Alexander Baranoff, the town retains its Russian heritage with St. Michaelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cathedral, the first Russian Orthodox church in North America. Its onionshaped domes dominate the center of town. The native Tlingit culture is also evident at the Sitka National Historic Park where a pleasant path through the forest showcases a variety of totem poles. Nearby is the Sheldon Jackson Museum featuring an extensive collection of Native

Alaskan artifacts, and the Alaska Raptor Center. While not technically a port of call, Glacier Bay is a cruise highlight and most ships spend the better part of the day in the area visiting several glaciers. This is Alaska at its best: snow-capped mountains, tidewater glaciers dropping down to the sea, floating icebergs, and a good possibility of spotting whales, seals, porpoises and eagles. Ships not stopping at Glacier Bay usually include equally-scenic Hubbard Glacier. Other favorite stops along the Inside Passage include Ketchikan, Haines, Icy Strait and Petersburg. All the ports of call offer a variety of shore excursions for everyone from the extremely adventurous to those who thrive on shopping for souvenirs. No wonder Alaska has become one of the top cruise destinations in the world. One wonders what John Muir would think. â&#x2013;

a Ho meToFitYou. com | 5 4 1 . 9 5 4 . 2 6 0 2 | ro n itc s@co m c ast. n e t

Ronit Cohen, PT Owner

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Great Pizza of course! Mention this ad for a 10% Discount

Enjoy great food dining out, sumptuous food catered for your special celebrations, and delicious baked goodies! Ask your favorite Restaurant, Caterer or Bakery to call Jo Schechter at 541-914-9434 today, to learn more about being a part of this special section.

Come enjoy our

RAPID PIZZA LUNCH BUFFET! â&#x20AC;˘ Mon-Fri 11 am-2 pm â&#x20AC;˘

Special Senior Price $6.95

Pizza, Salad, Breadsticks + Drink!

4006 FRANKLIN BLVD â&#x20AC;˘ EUGENE www.roaringrapidspizza.com

OPEN 7 am - 10 pm

Banquet room available

645 River Rd, Eugene â&#x153;¤ 541-463-7632 www.countrysidepizzagrill.com

LANE COUNTY EDITION

CALENDAR CONTINUED FROM P. 16

NW BOOMER & SENIOR NEWS • MAY 2016 Up Your Energy: 20 Tips for Genealogy: Next Steps, 10 23 Adding 28 Energy to Your Day, 2 a.m., Downtown Eugene p.m., Public Library, 100 W. 10th Ave. 541Campbell Community Center, 155 High St., Eugene. 541682-5318.

Eugene 21 Symphony concert, 3 p.m., Downtown Eugene Public Library, 100 W. 10th Ave. 541682-5450. Butterflies and Dragonflies Walk, 1 to 3 p.m., Mount Pisgah Arboretum, Eugene. $5. Time 22 Travel: A Dance Evolution, 2:30 p.m., Downtown Eugene Public Library, 100 W. 10th Ave. 541682-5450.

682-5450.

Mossbacks Volkssport Club, 9 a.m., Valley River Inn, 1000 Valley River Way, Eugene. Walk along the river. Mossbacks.org.

Reptiles and Amphibians Walk, 1 to 3 p.m., Mount Pisgah Arboretum, Eugene. $5.

Mossbacks Volkssport Club, 31 8 a.m., Valley River Inn, 1000 Valley River Way, Eugene. Carpool to Florence. Mossbacks.org.

Tech Time, 6 to 7 p.m., 24 Sheldon Branch of Eugene Public Library, 1566 Coburg Road, Eugene. If possible, bring the device you’re having trouble with. 541-6825450. The Japanese Art of Notan: 25 LightDark Design, 1 to 3 p.m., Willamalane Adult Activity Center, 215 W. C St., Springfield. $16/$20. 541-736-4444.

Send your calendar items to: Calendar, 4120 River Road N., Keizer, OR 97303 or email mte@nwseniornews.com by the 6th of the month for the following month’s publication.

Adopt me

never needing too much attention, but she happily accepts it when given. She likes being brushed, adores catnip, She gets along with other easygoing cats after a period of introduction — but she would dearly love to be the only pet. Miss Squeaky P is being offered at a special adoption fee of $20, sponsored by Main Street Mini Storage (our normal fee is $75, which is strictly to help cover our costs). She has tested negative for feline leukemia and FIV, and is spayed, microchipped, vaccinated, defleaed and de-wormed — plus you get a free vet visit. Miss Squeaky P is currently living in a loving foster home where she can be easily visited. For more info, call Beth at 541-2559296. West Coast Dog and Cat Rescue, westcoastdogandcat.org. ■

Reimagined Checkup, 6 26 Life p.m., Downtown Eugene Public Library, 100 W. 10th Ave. 541-

Mossbacks Volkssport Club, 8 a.m., Willamalane Adult Activity Center, 215 W. C St., Springfield. Carpool to Keizer. Mossbacks.org.

682-5450.

Late Spring Bird Walk, 8 to 10:30 a.m., Mount Pisgah Arboretum, Eugene. $5.

Discover Guided Meditation, 1:30 p.m., Willamalane Adult Activity Center, 215 W. C St., Springfield.

MISS SQUEAKY P

Miss Squeaky P is a medium-haired tortoiseshell kitty about 6 to 7 years old. She is an adorable and affectionate companion, and is also very playful. Miss Squeaky P has lots of love to give and is very pleasant to hang out with,

Aster Apartments

1955 3rd Street Springfield, OR 97477 Contact Waitlist Department for information on how to get on the Waiting list. 541-743-7164

Bayberry Commons Assisted Living & Memory Care Community 2211 Laura Street Springfield, OR 97477 541-744-7000 Patty Neuman, Administrator

Pneuman@bayberrycommonsalf.com www.bayberrycommonsalf.com

Chateau Gardens Memory Care Community 2669 S. Cloverleaf Loop Springfield, OR 97477 541-746-9703 Kim Frederick 541-554-4971

www.chateaugardensalz.com

Country Club Manor

2477 Cal Young Road Eugene, OR 97401 541-484-1980 Max Liebreich

Memory Care

Planned Activities

Utilities Included

Transportation

LOCATION

Housekeeping

COMMUNITY

BUY-IN MONTHLY RENTAL No. of Units

Asst. Living/RCF/Foster Care

RETIREMENT LIVING CHOICES Independent Living

“No Buy In”

Low Income HUD subsidized housing All 1 BR/1 BA Approx. 600 s.f.

●

54 Units

No Buy-In

●

1 BR/1 BA: $3995 2 BR/1 BA: $4295 62 Units

“No Buy In” Studios $4695 Semiprivate room $5295 Private room No additional care fees

● ● ● ● ● ●

28 Units

“No Buy In”

41 Units

Elevator, close to shopping and bus, 62 years of age or older, onsite laundry, community room, TV room, computer room, Key card entry, 3 ADA units, free parking, non-smoking, pets allowed. There is currently a waiting list for this property.

Bayberry Commons offers an active elder community with knowledgeable and friendly 24-hour staff to serve you, while respecting your privacy. At Bayberry Commons, we feel this is ● ● ● ● ● ● your home and you are our customer! We strive to provide you with the services you desire while maintaining your independence. We are an Assisted Living and Memory Care Community.

Studio: $3495

One Bedroom Apartments $625

AMENITIES

●

We serve elders diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or other age-related dementia. Private & Semi-private rooms. Our elder-directed services & memory loss programs are designed to improve independence, health & quality of life. We integrate Validation: The Feil Method® and Best Friends Approach into our programming. We are proud members of nationally accredited Institute for Professional Care Education.

Low-cost senior housing located close to Sheldon Shopping Plaza. Monthly rent includes hot and cold water, city sewer, and garbage. Tenants pay for electric, cable, phone. All independent living with other residents who like being independent without paying for services they don’t need. Call Max for an appointment to view your new housing options at 541-484-1980

MAY 2016 • www.nwboomerandseniornews.com

LANE COUNTY EDITION

Crescent Park Senior Living

2951 Coburg Road Eugene, OR 97401 541-227-5294 crescentparkseniorliving.com

Good Samaritan Society

Eugene Abbey

494 W. 10th Avenue Eugene, OR 97401 541-342-6077 Launa DeGiusti, Senior Housing Manager www.good-sam.com

Garden Way Retirement Community 175 South Garden Way Eugene, OR 97401 541-393-2797 Terrie & Jim Powell

Mennonite Village 5353 Columbus St. SE Albany, OR 97322 541-928-7232 Whitney Olsen, Marketing info@mennonitevillage.org www.mennonitevillage.org www.facebook.com/ mennonitevillage

Sorgenfri/Hawthorne “A Community of Friends”

If qualified, rent as low as $25 per month, including electricity.

3400 Hawthorne Ave. Eugene, OR 97402 541-689-4451 TTY: 711

Terpening Terrace Resort Style Retirement 50 Ruby Avenue Eugene, OR 97404 541-689-0619 800-818-7518 Donna www.terpeningterrace.com

Waterford Grand

600 Waterford Way Eugene, OR 97401 541-636-3329 Dorian Arcuri www.waterfordgrand.com

YA-PO-AH TERRACE Retirement Apartments 350 Pearl Street Eugene, OR 97401 541-342-5329 TDD 541-342-5329

“No Buy In” Studio 1 BR/1 BA 2 BR/2 BA Starting at $2285

●

Memory Care

Utilities Included

Planned Activities

Transportation

Housekeeping

LOCATION

Asst. Living/RCF/Foster Care

COMMUNITY

BUY-IN MONTHLY RENTAL No. of Units

Independent Living

RETIREMENT LIVING CHOICES

● ● ● ●

119 Units

“No Buy In” 1 BR/1 BA 2 BR/2 BA

Call for details and pricing.

●

● ● ● ●

47 Units

“No Buy In” Studio 1 BR/1 BA 2 BR/2 BA Call for more information.

●

● ● ● ●

120 Units

A Not-for-Profit Continuing Care Residential Community providing Life-Enriching Services to People of All Faiths and Beliefs.

● ● ● ● * ● ●

Subsidized Rents Based on income qualifications 10 Market Rent Units ● 2 BR/1 BA: $825 3BR/1 BA: $925

● ●

AMENITIES Crescent Park Senior Living residents lead a healthy, happy life without worrying about housekeeping, maintenance, transportation or cooking. Spacious studio, one or two-bedroom apartment homes, affordable month-tomonth rental. Small pets are welcomed. The wellness center has fitness equipment and professionals to be of assistance. Many daily activities. Restaurant-style, chef prepared meals. Movie theater, on-site massage, full service beauty salon, transportation at no additional charge. The Eugene Abbey apartments are uniquely beautiful, completely secure, with fine dining for adults 55 & older. Contains 48 elegant living units of one- & two-bedrooms, within easy walking distance of business and cultural districts downtown. You’ll find plenty of common living area and 12,000 sq. ft. of landscaped rooftop decks and terraces. Free wifi and many other amenities. Closed circuit TV security & parking garage.

Centrally located near the University of Oregon in Eugene, Garden Way is an ideal retirement community for seniors with a zest for life and an active lifestyle. We offer many amenities to simplify your life, including our state-of-the-art movie theater and wellness center, so you can focus on enjoying each and every day. Onsite managers, 24/7/365; safety call system in every apartment. A 275-acre community in a rural setting, Mennonite Village provides living spaces for all levels of retirement - close to Corvallis, Eugene, or Salem. With an award-winning chef and beautifully landscaped grounds Mennonite Village is an inclusive, all-faith community of amazing people. Services include: independent living, assisted living, nursing & rehab, memory care, foster care, respite care, and in-home care.

All ground floor garden apartments. Paid utilities except phone & cable TV. 24-hr. maintenance for emergencies. Residents’ Association plans activities. Near city bus line and bank.

124 Units

No buy-in or long term lease Luxury Studio, 1- & 2- Bedroom Apartment Homes Call for a complimentary lunch & tour. 94 Units “No Buy In” Studio: $2850-$3900 1 BR/1 BA: $3350-$4975 2 BR/1 BA: $4625-$5325 150 Units

●

Live the Grand Life! Waterford Grand sits majestically on the banks of the Willamette River featuring amenities, services and programs designed to nur● ● ● ● ● ● ● ture your mind, body and spirit. Offering independent living, assisted living and memory care services with resort style amenities - all conveniently located near shopping, entertainment and healthcare service providers. Senior living redefined.

Studio, Alcove and 1 Bedroom

Call for rate information and a tour. 222 Units

● ● ● ●

Enjoy an active, independent retirement lifestyle with luxurious surroundings & unparalleled resident services. Amenities include flexible restaurant-style ALL-DAY dining, stimulating activity & social programs, weekly housekeeping & linen service, private dining room, gift shop, library, community kitchens, TV theater, fitness center, computer room, card/game rooms, beauty & barber shop, recreation room, interior courtyard w/walking paths, secured underground parking, & 24-hr. staffing for your peace of mind.

●

* ● ● ●

Located on 3.5 acres in downtown Eugene, gardens, dining room, grocery store, beauty/barber shop, social activities, YaPoAh bus trips, 24-hour on-site staff. Pets OK. *3rd Floor has special services: 2 meals daily, weekly housekeeping, personal laundry, transportation to scheduled doctors appointments.

LANE COUNTY EDITION

NW BOOMER & SENIOR NEWS â&#x20AC;˘ MAY 2016

Advance your care, not your aging As a senior, consider transitioning your care to the experts at PeaceHealth Medical Groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Senior Health & Wellness Center. Our coordinated-care approach addresses the oftentimes multiple health concerns of adults aged 75 and older.

Choose advanced care thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s right for you Schedule a comprehensive health assessment at our clinic by

SERVICES INCLUDE: Â&#x192; Chronic health conditions Â&#x192; Risk for falls Â&#x192; Nutrition and weight loss concerns Â&#x192; Pain Â&#x192; Dementia

calling 541-242-8300 or learn more by visiting

Â&#x192; Depression

RGCEGJGCNVJ QTI RJOI GWIGPG URTKPIĆ&#x201A;GNF UGPKQTU

Â&#x192; Decline in mobility Â&#x192; Medication issues and concerns Â&#x192; Assisted living or nursing home transition help