Oregon Family Magazine by Oregon Family Magazine

Our Contributors

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1. RICK EPSTEIN

A Dad’s Eye View contributor, also award-winning columnist, and journalist. Author of Rookie Dad (Hyperion) and The Right Number of Kids (McKenna Publishing Group). His wife and three daughters run a living laboratory in which he is constantly tested, analyzed, and experimented upon. It’s as if a guinea pig could write.

2. BONNIE HARRIS

Bonnie is Oregon Family Magazine’s resident Movie Review Master Extraordinaire. She enjoys watching movies of all kinds, and has been doing movie reviews for over 9 years and counting. She lives in Eugene with her family, enjoys gardening and cooking.

3. CHERYL MAGUIRE

Cheryl Maguire holds a Master of Counseling Psychology degree. She is married and the mother of twins and a daughter. Her writing has been published in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Parents Magazine, AARP, Healthline, Your Teen Magazine, among other publications.

KERRIE MCLOUGHLIN

Homeschooling mom of five, serial volunteer, and freelance writer, Kerrie enjoys teaching, traveling, and creating anything related to words. She loves to share her hacks and helps from being a mom for 23 years. You can find

her online at The Published Parent. Current great-grandmother to nine Aussie puppies and basketball mom.

TAJ BARNHART MORGAN

Taj Barnhart Morgan is the Director of Content Strategy for Travel Lane County. A journalism graduate from the University of Oregon, Taj has two decades of special event management and hospitality marketing experience in San Diego, CA and Maui, HI. Passionate about mothering, and back to her Oregon roots, she is discovering the Eugene, Cascades & Coast region all over again through the eyes of her daughter.

BECKY RAINES

Becky Raines works as the Marketing and Business Assistant at the Museum of Natural and Cultural History. She loves being in the sunshine, pet-sitting, and talking to her houseplants. At the museum, you can find her watching the squirrels play in the Native Plant Courtyard.

7. RODDY SCHEER

Journalist and photographer specializing in environmental issues, the outdoors and travel. When he is not out in the field taking pictures, Roddy runs EarthTalk, the non-profit Publisher of the syndicated EarthTalk Q&A column and the EarthTalk.org and Emagazine

Oregon Family Magazine is distributed monthly in the greater Lane County area at over 150 high-traffic commercial locations. PUBLISHER Pacific Parents Publishing EDITOR Sandy Kauten GRAPHIC DESIGN/LAYOUT Springer Design & Illustration

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DEAR EARTHTALK

As What are some “nature-based solutions” to fight climate change?

WE COME to terms with the growing effects of climate change, many are turning to so-called naturebased solutions, which are holistic approaches that promote biodiversity and ecosystem preservation. Nature-based solutions harness natural processes to address problems rooted in climate change. Countries such as Africa, the Philippines and Brazil are at the forefront of using nature-based solutions.

One example of a nature-based solution is reforestation, the replanting of native trees in areas subject to deforestation. Many initiatives are underway to restore regions of the world negatively affected by logging, burning and land use change. For example, Africa’s Great Green Wall project aims to restore 100 million hectares of degraded land across 20 countries. This is already dramatically reducing atmospheric carbon in the region while providing a livelihood for local communities.

— J. M, VIA EMAIL

Mangroves are a lesser-known climate champion, essential for both carbon storage and coastal protection. The Zoological Society of London (ZSL) is

New York City’s High Line, a 1.5-mile long track that was previously abandoned before it was transformed by Friends of the Highline who now use it

spearheading an extensive mangrove restoration program in the Philippines where over 50 percent of mangrove habitats have been lost. By regrowing the mangroves that line the islands, they are building a defense against rising sea levels.

Urban greening is perhaps one of the most easily accessible nature-based solutions and is most advantageous in areas with little to no nature already present. An example of this is

as a community space to grow native plants, host events and display local art. Urban greening is highly effective, easy, and beneficial to communities.

Agroforestry integrates trees and native brush into farms to mimic natural environments. In Brazil’s Atlantic Forest, agroforestry has been instrumental in transforming disrupted land into systems that support biodiversity without costing communities who rely

on farms. Such projects promote soil health, improve water retention and support the spread of nutrients. Planting trees around farmland or introducing wildflower seeds at the edge of a property can be instrumental in promoting ecosystem health.

Nature-based solutions may often be presented as large-scale initiatives, but such solutions are still vital and more accessible in a smaller context. Consider joining an ongoing project in your area, or starting one yourself, taking inspiration from other established programs around the world. ✦

CONTACTS: The role of agroforestry in restoring Brazil’s Atlantic Forest: Opportunities and challenges for smallholder farmers, https://besjournals. onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/ pan3.10297; Mangroves as a solution to the climate crisis, https://www.worldwildlife. org/stories/mangroves-as-a-solution-tothe-climate-crisis; The High Line, https:// www.thehighline.org

EarthTalk® is produced by Roddy Scheer & Doug Moss for the 501(c)3 nonprofit EarthTalk. See more at https://emagazine. com. To donate, visit https://earthtalk.org. Send questions to: question@earthtalk.org

Mangroves are a lesser-known climate champion, essential for both carbon storage and coastal protection.

Coping with Co

Role Reversal WHEN CARING FOR A PARENT

BY CHERYL MAGUIRE

WHEN LISA, AGE 57, FIRST NOTICED THAT HER MOTHER SEEMED confused, she assumed it was typical behavior from an 80-year-old. She continued to take it in stride when her mother tried to make a phone call using the TV remote. Lisa became somewhat concerned when her mother started sautéing onions in a pan and then walked outside to get the mail, forgetting the stove was on. When her mother began seeing her long-dead mother in bed with her, Lisa realized there was more to the picture than normal aging. She knew her mother required full-time care.

HOW MANY PEOPLE PROVIDE CARE FOR PARENTS?

Lisa is not a rarity. According to the Pew Research Center, there are 40.4 million unpaid caregivers of adults ages 65 and older in the United States. Ninety percent of those caregivers are related to the care recipient.

More families in the coming decades will be faced with what is referred to as being the “sandwich generation,” meaning that adults will provide care for both their parents and their grandparents, says Dr. Lisa HollisSawyer, Gerontology Program Coordinator at Northeastern Illinois University.

HOW DOES BEING A CAREGIVER FEEL?

Hollis-Sawyer says, “Families rarely anticipate that their parent will need care.” This lack of planning can result in a breakdown of communication, leading to stress and frustration among family members. She recommends discussing a “care plan” with your parents before it becomes necessary.

Hollis-Sawyer researched daughters who provided care for their mothers. She found their previous relationship influenced how the daughter felt about their role as a caregiver. If the daughter had a positive relationship with their mother, often they felt happy to be a caregiver since they thought they were reciprocating care their mother provided for them as a child. On the other hand, if the daughter had a negative relationship with their mother when growing up then they felt resentful about their caregiver role.

Hollis-Sawyer found that the care recipient felt guilty or a burden on their child regardless of their previous relationship. Even though it is no fault of their own that they required care, the care recipient felt as if they failed at being a parent.

HELPFUL COPING STRATEGIES

Your role as a caregiver can be less stressful if you have open communication with other family members and with the care recipient. Hollis-Sawyer stresses the importance of asking for help when needed and expressing your feelings about the situation. She also suggests talking to the care recipient about their feelings or what they need assistance doing and ways they can be independent.

“It is important not to assume the care recipient is unable to do anything,” says Hollis-Sawyer. Allowing the care recipient to complete everyday tasks within their capability may help them to feel independent. The caregiver and recipient should figure out together what the care recipient is capable of achieving.

Self-care is an important aspect when you are caring for others. Hollis-Sawyer recommends the key to self-care is understanding yourself by writing in a journal or diary on a daily basis. This will help you to recognize when you need a break or when to ask for help to prevent burn-out.

It is also important to find social support for both the caregiver and recipient. There are many different forms of social supports such as counseling, community resources, senior centers, friends or other family members. “These social supports can help the pair identify both frustrations and triumphs which can optimize coping strategies”, says Hollis-Sawyer.

STAYING POSITIVE ABOUT YOUR NEW ROLE

Through her research, Hollis-Sawyer witnessed many positive effects of daughters caring for their mothers. “Daughters learned about their own aging process which helped them understand how to prepare for it,” says Hollis-Sawyer. She also noticed that the grandchildren benefited from seeing a role model of good care experience.

The caregiver and recipient often develop a stronger bond that was not there prior to their new roles.

“There is much to be gained through increased self-awareness and learning for all involved,” says Hollis-Sawyer. ✦

Father Daughter Spy Game

BY BONNIE L. HARRIS

AS FAR AS SEQUELS

go, My Spy: The Eternal City tries a little too hard to bridge the parent teenager communication gap, but overall it’s a pretty good action comedy adventure. Sophie, the pint-sized spy, is growing up and her guardian, JJ, is the oversized CIA operative

MY SPY: THE ETERNAL CITY

Amazon MGM Studios, Rated: PG-13

Streaming on Amazon

who’s trying to be a read dad. The dialogue sometimes drifts into the raunchy zone, but there are several very funny bits that keep the tone light, if not altogether clean. While on a high school choir trip to Italy, Sophie and JJ discover that a clandestine villain stole the location of over 100 suitcase nukes and kidnapped Sophie’s best friend, Collin. Collin’s father just happens to run CIA covert operations and the teenager’s ransom is the nuclear codes so a bomb can wipe out the G7 leaders. Sophie’s first impulse is to ditch JJ and

have fun with her friends, but when Collin is kidnapped, she teams up with JJ to find the criminals and deactivate the bomb. High speed chases, lots of fist fights, and some very nasty canaries set against the backdrop of Venice, Florence, and Rome make for interesting visuals and are paired with an impressive soundtrack. Thank goodness Collin speaks Italian because Sophie realizes that he’s more than just a friend after his rescue, and her main crush

FOR the PARENTS

Love Another Chance

THE FALL GUY

Universal Pictures, Rated: PG-13

Streaming on Amazon

TWO OF MY favorite actors, Emily Blunt and Ryan Gosling, in an action movie about making movies with a murder mystery twist topped off with a love story? Yes, please, and it’s every bit as zany, fun-filled, edge of your seat as it sounds. Ryan Gosling plays Colt, an injured stunt man who gets back on the horse to be a stunt double for superstar, space cowboy Tom Ryder and is framed for murder. On the sci-fi movie set, first-time director Jody Moreno, played by Blunt, nurses a broken heart and is dismayed to find her former boyfriend, Colt, is standing in for her star actor. But just when things are going well for the rekindled lovers, Colt finds himself in a manhunt and must use all his skills to outrun the police, find the real killer, and make sure Jody’s movie gets made. Together, they stage a stunt to get a confession amid explosions, a helicopter crash, massive car rolls, and an amazing 125 ft jump to nowhere. Colt and

turns out to be a wimp. Sophie’s relationship with JJ also moves to the next level as they save each other while saving Vatican City. Be advised that there’s quite a bit of foul language and an F-bomb so it might not be the best choice for younger viewers, but tweens will enjoy Chole Coleman as Sophie and her take no prisoners attitude. The final Italian moment is a sweet first kiss at sunset then back home so JJ can be both dad and super spy. ✦

Before the accident.

Jody finally reunite and Colt’s name is cleared with the help of the dedicated stunt crew. When the credits roll, it’s a standing ovation and a happy ending for the unsung stars doing the stunts.

Sophie takes the wheel.

LANE COUNTY

S Family Paddle

BY TAJ BARNHART MORGAN

CHOOL MAY BE BACK IN SESSION, BUT there is still time to get out onto the water! Paddling season continues with early fall’s warm days and extended daylight. Push off from the banks in your kayak, canoe or on your stand-up paddle board for one last glorious autumn adventure.

Before heading out, check the water levels of the reservoirs, monitored by the US Army Corps of Engineers. If you have a non-motorized watercraft over 10 feet long, you’ll need a Waterway Access Permit (WAP) available online through the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. Additionally, plan on a day-use permit (federal, state or county), typically $5 - $9 per day, per vehicle or an annual permit. All children 12 years and under must wear life jackets.

PERKINS PENINSULA POINT

OREGON STATE PARK, VENETA

Just minutes from Eugene, this family-friendly park on Fern Ridge Reservoir is easy to visit. Along with picnic tables, grassy lawns and restrooms, there is a swim bay, boat ramp and dock. If it’s busy, there are two other options at Fern Ridge: Richardson Park and Orchard Point. Or slip your canoe into the quiet waters of the Coyote Creek Nature Trail on the other side of Highway 126. Nearby: Our Daily Bread bakery in Veneta

SILTCOOS RIVER CANOE TRAIL

SIUSLAW NATIONAL FOREST, FLORENCE

On the Oregon Coast, this designated recreation area is popular for camping, hiking, fishing and paddling. Launch your craft at Siltcoos

Fern Ridge

Alton Baker Park Canoe Canal

Lake or at any access point along Siltcoos River for a paddle toward the ocean. The gently drifting river trail is a family favorite. Nearby: Sandland Adventures with dune buggy rides and go-karts, Historic Old Town Florence for lunch

ALTON BAKER PARK CANOE CANAL

CITY PARK, EUGENE

Right in town, with no parking fees, it doesn’t get any more convenient than this! The canal is ideal for beginners and if local concessionaires are not already staked out in the park, local outfitters may be able to meet you there with rental watercraft. This side channel to the Willamette River is great for wildlife watching. Nearby: Eugene Science Center, Willamette River Trail for cycling, Oakway Center for lunch

BAKER BAY PARK

LANE COUNTY PARKS, COTTAGE GROVE

Dorena Lake is a jewel with easy watercraft access from Baker Bay Park. There is a boat ramp, dock and swim area. Please note that flush restrooms are currently closed but there are portables on-site. The campground and marina close at the beginning of October. Nearby: Historic Downtown Cottage Grove, Row River Trail and Covered Bridges

LOWELL STATE RECREATION SITE

OREGON STATE PARK, LOWELL

With a playground, picnic tables, flush restrooms, boat ramp, dock and a swim beach, this is a very family friendly spot. Paddle the edges of Dexter Reservoir and fish from your watercraft. This lake is popular with water skiers and larger boats. On the opposite shore is Dexter State Recreation Area with a disc golf course and more boat access. Nearby: Rattlesnake BBQ at Dexter Lake Club, Lowell Covered Bridge Interpretive Center

WALDO

LAKE

WILLAMETTE NATIONAL FOREST, OAKRIDGE

The shoreline access has been altered due to wildfires, but the Shadow Bay Day Use Area is still open through September and has a boat ramp. Waldo Lake is known for its super clear water and restricts certain motorized boats. Nearby: Salt Creek Falls, Uptown Oakridge, Office Covered Bridge and Alpine Trail

CLEAR LAKE

WILLAMETTE NATIONAL FOREST, MCKENZIE

RIVER

Like Waldo Lake, Clear Lake has pristine water and is a lovely place for paddling. Clear Lake Day Use Area offers non-motorized boat rentals and a boat ramp accessible for personal watercraft with a small fee. Nearby: Sahalie and Koosah Falls, Belknap Hot Springs Resort

MAKE A BIGGER SPLASH

While the leaves are changing color, squeeze in that last family rafting trip on the McKenzie or Willamette Rivers. Even later in the season, book a river tour by jet boat or a fishing trip in a McKenzie River drift boat. Also, check out the River House with the Eugene Recreation Guide – they often offer paddling excursions or camps for kids and families. ✦

Siltcoos River Canoe Trail

Willamette River

Perkins Peninsula Point

SCAMS Tips for Older Americans to Protect Against S

CAMMERS ARE getting better at what they do all the time. According to the Data Book, Americans reported losing $10 billion to scams in 2023, a full $1 billion more than in 2022. While anyone can be a victim, elderly people are often targeted, as they are presumed to have more savings.

According to CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professionals, you can help safeguard your financial future with these tips:

SLOW DOWN

From romance scams to debt and IRS scams, many scammers use emotional appeals to scare or charm their victims into giving up personal information or their money. Before acting, take a deep breath and speak to a trusted friend or relative who may be able to help you spot a potential scam. Remember that the IRS initiates contact only through the U.S. mail, not via email, text or social media.

You can also do a bit of investigative work yourself. For example, if you receive an email claiming to be your bank or another institution asking you to click on a link, first make sure the request is legitimate. Do the return address and URL look right? Are there spelling errors? If you’re contacted by text or

with a phone call, look up the number of the bank or company and call them back directly, not with the number provided.

BE CHOOSY

As you age, it’s common to enlist friends and family to help you make financial decisions and with everyday administrative tasks, like paying your taxes or your bills. Select who has access to your sensitive documents and online accounts carefully. Also, never leave bills, statements and

other identifying information lying around. You may want to invest in a paper shredder or a file cabinet with a lock so you can dispose of and store documents carefully. You should also ensure all your online accounts have strong passwords that are known only to you.

Finally, consider setting up automatic bill payments. This not only has the benefit of keeping you up-to-date on payments and helping you avoid late fees, it will also reduce the amount of sensitive paperwork you have in your home and receive by mail.

SEEK ASSISTANCE

If you are the victim of identity theft or another scam, a CFP® professional can help you recover with a smart financial plan. They can also help you avoid becoming a victim in the first place by helping you monitor your accounts and by setting up notifications from your financial institutions when suspicious activity is detected. As a fiduciary, they have an ethical obligation to work in your best interests at all times and can be a valuable member of your money team. To find a CFP® professional near you, visit letsmakeaplan.org. It’s easy to think identity fraud and other financial abuse is something that happens only to other people. But scam tactics are becoming more sophisticated, and anyone can be targeted. The best defense is staying abreast of the latest tactics and arming yourself with the assistance of trusted advocates. ✦

A Dad’s Eye View Clamoring for Cable

BY RICK EPSTEIN

LAST YEAR, IN A FIT OF responsible parenting I had the cable TV disconnected. And we’re not doing Netflix either. Anything we watch must be lugged into the house on DVDs. It’s a crude and backward arrangement for a 21st-century family.

Now we are spending a lot less time sitting slack-jawed in front of the TV than we’d like to. Raised on three hours of TV a day, I miss it more than the kids do. But at least THEY have found a way to fill in the idle hours – they keep busy by pressuring me to restore that precious conduit of endless entertainment.

Last Friday night I walked in the door, beat from a tough week of work, and was handed a petition written by my 13-yearold, a child who, with no cable TV to soak up her spare time, uses it for creative writing.

“To Dad, I have a problem. In fact, it’s not just me. It’s all of us. We want Cable. We only get NBC. They get more channels in Norway. Probably better reception, too. If the cost is an issue, we’ll chip in. Cut my microscopic allowance. Add an extra chore to my endless list, give me a bag of coal for Christmas, but please give me Cable.”

And it was signed by herself (the Patrick Henry of Pay TV), her two sisters AND my wife Betsy! I looked at her the way Julius Caesar looked at his dagger-wielding pal Brutus. Et tu, Betsy? She looked back and stuck out her tongue.

Wendy, 6, is learning to write by taking down, letter-by-letter, the pro-cable messages dictated by her sisters.

Sally, 9, is making a series of crayon drawings. The first one is of herself standing by a static-filled TV screen. In a word balloon, she’s saying, “Dad, do you expect me to watch this fuzzy junk. Get with it. Everyone has Cable!” Another drawing is titled: “How a living-room should look” and it features our smiling family grouped around a well-tuned TV set.

At a big family gathering, my cousin was appalled to learn about our TV arrangement. “No Cable?” he said. “You might want to check with your attorney, but I THINK that’s child abuse!” All the relatives, young and old, were looking at me as though I feed my kids rats. “Why?” he asked.

Why, indeed. I have two reasons, but neither of them sounded very good on the patio over chips and dip.

One reason is sex. The underlying theme of half of what’s on TV is sexual. I figure my daughters will get enough pressure to have early and promiscuous sex from sources I can’t control. They don’t need it in a constant flow from the TV.

The other reason is time. In a typical day, after you subtract school time and time for dressing and eating, a kid has about four hours to invest. Competing with television for that time is homework, reading, ballet lessons,

fooling around on the computer, daydreaming, household chores, clarinet practice, and regular old-fashioned playing.

Every night after dinner, my 9-year-old reads to me while I do the dishes. That homely pastime is pretty pale compared to romping through 200 channels, whose stupidest sitcom can make the black & white pages of even the great Mark Twain look as dull as November in Nebraska. TV producers are spending millions to pull my young reader out of that straight-backed chair near the kitchen sink.

It’s been over a year since I

friends,” the 13-year-old says. “I’d at least like to be able to see the commercials they’re always talking about.”

“I’m sure there are plenty of other lame-brain topics you can explore,” I suggest with the freedom of speech enjoyed by someone who has no popularity to lose. And who is less popular than the person who stands in front of the TV set when people want to watch it?

I pretend I don’t care. But I do. And the need for my family’s affection will cause me to relent soon. But when Cable is restored, the kids will follow some rules governing the what

Capturing the

WITH THE JAMES WEBB SPACE TELESCOPE

BY BECKY RAINES

MUSEUM OF NATURAL AND CULTURAL HISTORY

HAVE YOU EVER LOOKED UP IN the night sky and wished you could see the stars closer? You’re not alone! Astronomers, scientists who study outer space, worked for 28 years to make the James Webb Space Telescope. Astronomers from the United States, Europe, and Canada carefully designed and assembled the telescope that allows us to see further into the galaxy than humans ever have before.

The telescope has been in space for almost 3 years, since December 2021. It sends us pictures from the deep reaches of the starry expanse surrounding Earth. The telescope observes in red and infrared light, which is a type of light human eyes can’t see. Once the pictures arrive on Earth, scientists use a computer program to translate that infrared light into the beautiful colors we see in pictures of space. This process lets us see all the different parts of the galaxies, nebulas, and stars. Different gasses, clouds of dust, and other chemicals are all represented by different colors.

This picture, taken by the James Webb Space Telescope, shows us a part of space called the Rho Ophiuchi Region. Rho Ophiuchi is a stellar nursery, which is a region where stars form! The bright stars in the photo are young stars. The deep red swirls are jets made of hydrogen gas, which burst out in the moment a star first forms. The other swirls of colors are other gases and dust, which someday may become stars.

The museum has this picture and others on display in our newest exhibit, Capturing the Cosmos. We talk about the telescope, the science behind seeing the galaxy, and the people who study space — including our own students at the University of Oregon! ✦

The museum is located on Kalapuya ilihi, the traditional homeland of the Kalapuya people, many of whom are now citizens of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde and the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians.

COSMOS

Grandparenting Ain’t Easy!

BY KERRIE MCLOUGHLIN

WWHETHER YOU LIVE IN THE SAME house as your grandchildren, an hour away, or across the country, the world of grandparenting can be tricky. How can you make a connection with the grandkids without being pushy? How do you have fun with them while also responsibly honoring the boundaries laid out by their parents? Check out some common issues parents have with grandparents, have a think about it, and get out there and be the best grandparent you can be!

DON’T SAY EVERYTHING THAT COMES TO YOUR MIND

As Jen M.L. of the popular People I Want to Punch in the Throat blog says, “You had your chance to [mess] up a kid and now it’s my turn, so pipe down with all the unwanted advice.” Share those thoughts instead with your friends at work or the community center.

DO SHOW UP!

You don’t need an engraved invitation to a Little League baseball game; if I emailed you the schedule, I want you to come. If you don’t show up to any of the birthday parties because you are mad at me or too busy, that’s only hurting the relationship with your grandchild. Let’s talk it out.

DON’T PARENT THEM (THAT’S MY JOB)

I expect you to spoil them! If I have said, “Go for it,” then give them candy, let them go on a cartoon binge and by all means buy them the entire set of Harry Potter books! Likewise, though, if I ask you to not smoke, drink or watch Dexter around the kids, please respect that.

DO TAKE IT EASY ON THE MATERIAL JUNK

Most kids have tons of random junk they never play with. May I suggest a lovely family gift of a zoo membership next Christmas? Or if you insist on dropping $50 on each

birthday, how about a $20 gift and a $30 savings account donation?

DON’T

BRING UP RELIGION OR POLITICS, PLEASE

This is a loaded topic for grown adults, so don’t bring it up around your kids and grandkids. Your job is to love the grandkids, just get along, and help out if you like. Asking them in private why they don’t go to church is not acceptable.

DO BE SUPPORTIVE

If your grandchild is struggling with something in school or life, it’s not always your kid’s fault. Instead of blaming or

saying your grandchild never acts that way around you, ask what you can do to help. Can you watch the other kids while your grandchild goes to therapy? Come over for a while to cook or just sit and read to your grandchild? Maybe your grandchild is struggling with science and you are a Chemical Engineer. Think help instead of snark.

DON’T BE A HELICOPTER GRANDPARENT

Michele P., mom of one, offers, “Don’t be a helicopter grandparent. Let the parents make the same mistakes and learn from them. We all turned out fine.” Unless your grandchild is in serious danger, it’s best to keep your thoughts to yourself.

DO COMMUNICATE REGULARLY

With so many ways to stay in touch, there’s really no excuse for not communicating regularly. Try to remember that if you don’t hear from your grandkids for a while, it’s not because they hate you. Sometimes, it just means they have a lot going on or are more focused on their friends currently, depending on their ages. Keep reaching out!

DON’T TAKE IT PERSONALLY

If your bottle-fed daughter chooses to breastfeed her children, I promise it’s not a personal attack on all your life choices. Likewise, if your public-schooled son tells you he and his partner are going to homeschool the grandkids, it does not mean your child hated every day of school and it’s all your fault. ✦

Help Older Adults Combat Loneliness

THE BONDS FOUND IN friendships and other relationships are an important factor in health and wellness – even science says so. According to the American Psychological Association, forming and maintaining social connections at any age is one of the most reliable predictors of a healthy, happy and long life. Studies show having strong and supportive friendships can fend off

depression and anxiety, lower blood pressure and heart rates in stressful situations and change the way people perceive daunting tasks.

Statistics show approximately half of U.S. adults lack companionship and feel socially disconnected, according to the U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on the Healing Effects of Social Connection and Community. In fact, 12% don’t have anyone they consider a close friend, per the Survey Center on American Life. This “epidemic of loneliness,” as coined by U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy, can take a severe toll on mental and physical health.

As people age, the risks of isolation increase. With America’s older population growing rapidly – the 65 and older population reached more than 55 million in 2020 – discussing how older adults can combat loneliness is relevant to public health and individual well-being.

Consider volunteering, which is one of the best and most rewarding ways to combat loneliness.

VOLUNTEERING COMBATS LONELINESS

People often volunteer to find a sense of purpose, learn new skills, improve their communities or establish new routines after

retiring or becoming empty nesters. For many, making friends through volunteer work is a welcome bonus. The act of volunteering provides proven benefits for older adults.

Forming connections can make all the difference in a person’s volunteer experience and sense of well-being. People who meet through volunteer work inherently share a common interest and something to bond over. These friendships can carry over outside of volunteer work and lead to bonding over other hobbies and interests.

CONNECTIONFOCUSED VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

In addition to making friends with fellow volunteers, many older adults also form relationships with the people they’re serving, especially if those recipients are their peers.

AmeriCorps Seniors is the national service and volunteerism program in the federal agency of AmeriCorps that connects adults aged 55 and up to local service opportunities that match their interests. Its Senior Companion Program pairs volunteers with other older adults or those with disabilities who need companionship or assistance.

Volunteers may help with tasks such as paying bills, shopping or getting companions to appointments. In some cases, volunteers may also provide support and respite for family members caring for loved ones with chronic illnesses.

“We often think of volunteering as ‘giving back,’ but we’ve seen firsthand that it often becomes so much more than that,” said Atalaya Sergi, director of AmeriCorps Seniors. “By spending a few hours each week with another older adult in need of support, our volunteers are not only giving back to others, but they’re adding meaning to their own lives and establishing new connections. They’re helping to fight the loneliness epidemic one visit at a time.”

Growing older can come with challenges, but some of those can be minimized with a positive mindset and commitment to remaining connected and engaged – whether with friends, relatives or fellow community members. Fostering relationships is a key ingredient to a healthier and more fulfilling life. ✦

For more information and to find volunteer opportunities near you, visit AmeriCorps.gov/YourMoment

Simple Recipes that Make School Days a Cinch

Resisting the weeknight urge to call for takeout or order delivery starts with an approachable at-home menu with recipes you can prep in an instant. Especially during back-to-school season when schedules are jam-packed with activities, easy meals and desserts you can rely on to allow you and your loved ones to ease tension in the kitchen. Simplicity is the key to putting dinner on the table in 30 minutes or less, and these Taco Salad and Taco Mac and Cheese recipes offer mealtime solutions that make cooking duty a breeze. Add a kid-friendly dessert you can prepare over the weekend and keep refrigerated for weeknight treats with these No Bake Dragon Fruit Cheesecake Bars.

TACO SALAD

Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy”

TOTAL TIME: 30 MINUTES

SERVINGS: 6

INGREDIENTS

• 1 pound ground beef

• 1 can (15 ounces) black beans

• 1 can (15 ounces) corn

• 2 cans (14 ounces each) diced tomatoes with chilies

• 1/2 cup half-and-half or milk

• 2 tablespoons onion powder

• 2 tablespoons garlic powder

• 2 tablespoons mesquite seasoning

• 1 tablespoon black pepper

• salt, to taste

• 1 lime, juice only

• 1 cup chopped cilantro

• romaine lettuce

• 2-3 cups shredded cheese

• 1 tub (16 ounces) sour cream

• crushed tortilla chips

PREPARATION

1. In pan over medium heat, brown beef until cooked through; drain. Add black beans and corn. Stir in tomatoes with juice and half-and-half. Add onion powder, garlic powder, mesquite seasoning and pepper. Season with salt, to taste. Bring to simmer.

2. Add lime juice; stir. Sprinkle with cilantro.

3. Wash and chop lettuce. Place cheese and sour cream in bowls for toppings.

4. On plates, top crushed tortilla chips with meat sauce, lettuce, cheese and sour cream, as desired.

NO BAKE DRAGON FRUIT CHEESECAKE BARS

PREP TIME: 35 MINUTES

REST TIME: 6 HOURS

YIELD: 16 BARS

Crust:

• 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs

• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

• 2 tablespoons C&H Light Brown Sugar

• 1 pinch salt

Bars:

• 1 small fresh dragon fruit, peeled and cubed small

• 1/4 cup C&H Granulated Sugar

• 12 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature

• 1 1/2 cups C&H Powdered Sugar

• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

• 1 cup plain Greek yogurt, full fat, at room temperature

• 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream, cold

PREPARATION

To make crust: Line 8-by-8-inch baking pan with parchment paper. Leave 2-inch overhang of paper on both sides. In medium bowl, mix graham cracker crumbs, butter, brown sugar and salt until well combined. Pour mixture into prepared pan and press into even layer. Place in freezer.

To make bars: In small saucepan over medium heat, cook dragon fruit and granulated sugar until sugar is completely dissolved, dragon fruit is soft and mixture reduces in size, 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and cool completely.

In large bowl, beat cream cheese until soft. Add powdered sugar and mix until fluffy. Scrape sides of bowl. Add vanilla and yogurt. Beat until combined.

In separate bowl, beat heavy whipping cream until stiff peaks form. Fold cream into cream cheese mixture. Pour half of mixture into prepared crust. Add 5 tablespoons dragon fruit mixture to remaining cream cheese batter. Mix until well combined. Pour over plain cream cheese mixture. Place in refrigerator to set for at least 6 hours, or overnight. Cut into 16 bars.

Rescue Spotlight

How adorable is Boston Terrier mix, AGATHA ! This 7-year-old girl is pure love and happiness! She is super silly, affectionate, friendly, and snuggly! She even makes dinosaur noises! She enjoys short walks outside and chomping on her favorite snackies. We adore her and she can often be found cuddling with our team.

Agatha should meet any dogs in the home prior to adoption and should have a slow introduction to any kitty friends. She would make a wonderful family pup with gentle kids. She is spayed, microchipped, and up to date on vaccines. Whoever adopts Agatha will be extremely lucky!

Greenhill Humane Society is open seven days a week, 11 am – 6 pm at 88530 Green Hill Rd in Eugene. For more information call (541) 689.1503 or visit www.green-hill.org.

The Cat Rescue & Adoption Network presents GILLIGAN (brown tabby) & SKIPPER (sleek black panther), two handsome, bonded brothers about three years old. They are both very shy at first, and need time to acclimate to new surroundings and people. Once they know and trust you, they are very friendly, love being petted and rubbing against you, are high energy, and enjoy playing and running around the house. They are good with dogs but need to be the only cats. With a loving family, Gilligan and Skipper will blossom into wonderful, loyal companions. They have been neutered, vaccinated, microchipped, and are negative for FIV & FeLV. To meet Gilligan & Skipper, please call 541-225-4955 option 1, or visit our website at CatRescues.org for more info.