October/November 2011 FREE
Mammograms can be useful, comfortable ... and free to those with financial need Coupons: Let’s make a deal!
Celebrate pennies from heaven Pizza pockets can be healthy
Maximum
LIVING A WELLNESS MAGAZINE FOR WOMEN
ON THE COVER:
Puzzles
BRAVO! ART PROJECT
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They are all over town and in businesses throughout the area. They have been decorated with feathers, beads, cutouts, pins and paint. They are decorated bra entries in a competition that is part of Reid Hospital’s new breast cancer awareness initiative, BRAvo! Busting Out Against Breast Cancer. The competition, and some special events, are fundraisers for the hospital’s program that provides no-charge mammograms to those who have financial need. A cocktail gala is planned at 6 p.m. Oct. 22 at the hospital’s MacDowell Gallery and Lingle Grand Hall. All of the decorated bras will be displayed in one venue and the winners will be announced. There will be hors d’oeuvres, wine, music and auctions. Reservations are $75 each and may be made by calling (765) 983-3102. In addition, a free open house is planned from 1-3 p.m. Oct. 23 for the public to see all the bras. Billed as “a fun way to talk about a serious cause — breast cancer,” the website where photographs of all the embellished bra entries October/November 2011
is receiving a record numbers of hits. On the website www.reidbravo.org, viewers can see the bras. The nearly 150 bedecked bras have been on display this month in small groups at sites throughout Wayne County and in Eaton, Ohio. Each bra is not only a contest entry, but the story of how a life has been touched by breast cancer. There are bras made by breast cancer survivors, bras made by family members of women who triumphed over breast cancer and by those whose loved one succumbed to breast cancer. There are bras by health care workers, men, women and families. Similar bra-decorating projects have been done across the country and even in Liberty, Ind., as a fundraiser for the local American Cancer Society Relay for Life. Organizers talked with people in Liberty to gain suggestions and worked to make the idea their own. In addition to encouraging creativity, a primary goal of BRAvo! is to urge women to get regular mammograms.
in this issue • Mammogram financial aid available. 4 • Advice can make mammogram easier. 7 • Cancer can’t take away memories. 8 •Tips for living with osteoarthritis. 10 • Pizza pockets can be healthy. 12 • 6 quick tips for health. 13 • Help a loved one with grief. 14 • Celebrate pennies from heaven. 15 • Art offers light in the darkness. 16 • Make the most of vacation photos. 21 • Local events calendar. 22 • Pros, cons to extreme couponing. 23
SHARE YOUR ADVICE If you’d like to contribute quick tips or thoughts on health, saving money, caregiving or other topics of interest to local women, please send them in care of Millicent Martin, Maximum Living, 1175 N. A St., Richmond, IN 47374 or to mmartin@pal-item.com. Information will be considered for publication in future issues.
PALLADIUM-ITEM MEDIA GROUP MILLICENT MARTIN, Editor (765) 973-4468
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mmartin@pal-item.com
JUSTIN ASHBAUGH, Creative Director (765) 973-4448 | jashbaug@pal-item.com
STEVE KOGER AND JOSHUA SMITH, Photographers (765) 973-4487 | skoger@pal-item.com and jossmith@pal-item.com
ADVERTISING CATHY CLINE, Advertising Director (765) 973-4421 | ccline@richmond.gannett.com
CONTACT US EDITORIAL: For comments about editorial content or suggestions for the next issue, contact Millicent Martin at (765) 973-4468.
ADVERTISING: To advertise, contact Cathy Cline at (765) 973-4421. SUBSCRIPTION: To request additional copies of the magazine, contact Heidi Lipscomb at (765) 962-1575. © 2011 Maximum Living The wellness magazine for women is a product of the Palladium-Item Media Group. These materials are the sole and exclusive property of the Palladium-Item Media Group and are not to be used without written permission. October/November 2011
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No money or time for a mammogram? Think again By Millicent Martin
service line director and women’s health service line director at Reid. Women can easily put off having a The biggest advantage to the Wommammogram or other potentially life- en’s Health Day is its convenience, saving wellness exams. Witter said, because women can get Those delays can be caused by two to three appointments concerns about the time it done at one time. will take or the cost. “It’s a time-saver, especialBut Reid Hospital & ly for working women who The Health Care Services is have to take time off to go,” trying to make it even Witter said. easier not to procrastiIt helps reduce the numof nate. ber of appointments women The hospital is now would need to make, which offering a Women’s makes it easier for them to Health Day on the third use a couple of hours of vaThursday of each month. cation or sick time to leave Women can receive their work. annual mammogram and Women can call Reid CenPap smear, along with an tral Scheduling at (765) 983optional DEXA osteoporosis screen3358 to set up the appointment and ing, plus a complimentary chair mascheck to see if their insurance covers sage and gift bag during a two-hour the tests. appointment. The hospital can see a limited However, patients are usually in number of women on each Women’s and out in an hour to hour and 20 Health Day. The program began more minutes, says Kelly Witter, oncology than a year ago and has been popular.
POWER PINK
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Participants can even get follow-up tests, information and a consultation that day if they have an abnormal result from an exam. Test results also will be forwarded to the patient’s regular physician for her file.
Benefits of mammograms The benefits of taking time for a yearly mammogram are even more apparent these days to Pat Murrah, community benefit coordinator at Reid, who is also glad the Women’s Health Day is being offered. “It doesn’t need to interfere with their life quite as much,” said Murrah. Murrah, who has a family history of breast cancer, says she’s “quite thrilled” by the new digital mammograms available. She said it’s interesting to compare side-by-side what can be seen on an old film mammogram next to a new digital mammogram. Those reading the mammograms can zoom in or enlarge areas they want to inspect more closely. So, especially as digital mammograms can help detect cancers even more easily
than the old style of mammograms, Murrah personally reacted strongly when she heard a recommendation that women can go every other year for a mammogram instead of every year. She immediately thought the suggestion to reduce the frequency of mammograms was influenced by the idea to reduce costs for insurance companies. “I don’t know any woman who wouldn’t want to get a mammogram every year,” Murrah said. “The importance of early detection can’t be stressed enough. Since we don’t know what causes breast cancer, why not take advantage of early detection? Going every other year for a mammogram to me is not acceptable.” Murrah says women can’t tell any difference in the procedure for digital mammograms as they might have experienced with film mammograms.
No-charge mammograms offered Many insurance companies cover mammograms as part of their wellness program, CONTINUED ON THE NEXT PAGE
October/November 2011
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but those who don’t think they can afford a mammogram do have somewhere to turn. Reid offers a community benefit mammogram program that funds two mammograms per day (520 per year) for women who wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford one. Women do not need to fill out an application to qualify — they just need to tell their doctor about their financial need. Jason Troutwine, Reid Foundation director, says women need to be advocates for their own health and tell their doctors that the cost of a mammogram would prevent them from scheduling one. Doctors can then call Reid and recommend their patient be part of the program. Murrah says women who receive no-charge mammograms are not treated differently than those who are paying for their test with insurance or cash. They go through the registration process like anyone else. The mammogram technicians don’t know which patients are part of the community benefit program. It’s just coded in the computer not to send a bill to the patient but instead send it through the hospital, she said.
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“There’s no scarlet letter attached,” Murrah said. Murrah said the community benefit program is even more important these days when women who might have had health insurance have lost their jobs or have had their hours reduced so they no longer qualify for insurance. “They still need to get mammograms,” Murrah said. Murrah calls the program “wonderful” and says she’s glad to hear that women who otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford a mammogram are receiving them, such as selfemployed farmers who don’t have health insurance. The program is currently funded through Reid’s operating budget, which is set at the first of the year. Those who would like to donate to the program should send a check payable to Reid Foundation to 1100 Reid Parkway, Richmond, IN 47374 and write BRAvo! Mammograms on the check, Troutwine said. For more information, call (765) 983-3102 or email ReidFoundation@ReidHospital.org Donations also can be made to other designated programs at Reid, such as cancer care.
October/November 2011
Contact Millicent Martin at (765) 973-4468 or mmartin@pal-item.com.
wellness
Make mammograms useful, comfortable The American Cancer Society offers these tips to help you have a good quality mammogram: µ If it is not posted in a place you can see it (often near the receptionist’s desk), ask to see the FDA certificate that is issued to all facilities that offer mammograms. The FDA requires all facilities to meet high professional standards of safety and quality in order to provide mammogram services. Facilities that are not certified may not provide mammogram services. µ Use a facility that specializes in mammograms and does many mammograms a day. µ If you are satisfied that the facility is of high quality, continue to go there on a regular basis so that your mammograms can be compared from year to year. µ If you are going to a facility for the first time, bring a list of the places, dates of mammograms, biopsies, or other breast treatments you have had before. If you have had mammograms at another facility, you should try to get those mammograms to bring with you to the new facility (or have them sent there) so that they can be compared to the new ones. µ On the day of the exam, don’t wear deodorant or antiperspirant. Some of these have substances that can show up on the X-ray as white spots. If you’re not returning home, you might want to take some with you apply it after your exam. µ You might find it easier to wear a skirt or pants, so that you’ll only need to remove your top and bra for the mammogram. µ If you are still having periods, try to not schedule your mammogram for the week just before your period. Schedule it when your breasts are not tender or swollen to help reduce discomfort and get a good picture. µ Always describe any breast symptoms or problems you are having to the technologist who is doing the mammogram. Be prepared to describe any related medical history such as surgeries, hormone use, and any breast cancer that you or a family member has had. Also talk to your doctor or nurse about any new findings or problems in your breasts before
having the mammogram. µ Before having any type of imaging test, tell your radiology technologist if you are breastfeeding or if you think you might be pregnant. µ If you do not hear from your doctor within 10 days, do not assume that your mammogram was normal; call your doctor or the facility. What to expect when you have a mammogram µ You will have to undress above the waist to have a mammogram. The facility will provide a wrap for you to wear. µ A technologist will position your breasts for the mammogram and will take at least 2 X-rays of each breast. Most technologists are women. You and the technologist are the only ones in the room during the mammogram. µ The whole procedure takes about 20 minutes. The actual breast compression only lasts a few seconds. µ You might feel some discomfort or even pain when your breasts are compressed. If you are in pain, tell the technologist so she can try to make the compression more comfortable for you. µ All mammogram facilities are now required to send your results to you within 30 days. In most cases, you will be contacted within five working days if there is a problem with the mammogram. µ On average, only two to four screening mammograms of every 1,000 lead to a diagnosis of breast cancer. About 10 percent of women who have a mammogram will need more tests, but most will only need another mammogram. Don’t panic if this happens to you. Only 8 to 10 percent of those women will need a biopsy, and most (80 percent) of those biopsies will not be cancer. µ If you are a woman age 40 or older, you should get a mammogram every year. You can schedule the next one while you’re there at the facility. Or you can ask for a reminder to schedule it as the date gets closer. Some women schedule the next year’s mammogram and ask to be reminded of the appointment a few weeks ahead of time.
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Last month, Jeni’s niece got married. In the family picture: Jeni, her sisters, her brother and her dad. But not Jackie. Photo by George Killian
Cancer can steal friends but not fond memories Whenever Breast Cancer Awareness Month comes around, the first thing I’m aware of is anger — anger at the number of amazing women stolen away by this insidious disease. Yes, I know breast cancer can affect men too and I’m certain that amazing men have been among its victims. But women are its primary target. The disease is so prevalent among women that I venture to say all of us have a female relative, friend or acquaintance whose life was torn apart by it. That makes me angry. Angry on behalf of the survivors that they should ever have had to experience such a thing, but especially angry for the lives lost. For the friends I have lost. LYDIA
COLUMN BY LOUISE RONALD
Lydia taught me the meaning of charm. I was in junior high when she moved back to Indiana with her husband. They must have been in their late 20s or so. You know. Old. Lydia was the daughter of friends of my parents, so I had always known her. Saw her at church when she came home from college. Maybe even went to her wedding — I can’t remember. But one evening after she 8 | Maximum Living
and her husband moved back, there was a dinner in the church fellowship hall and I ended up seated directly across from her. I was astonished that she knew who I was and even more astonished that she cared who I was, that she wanted to know more about me, that she evidently thought I was interesting. I basked in her attention. I found myself becoming more and more interested in her life. I was absolutely entranced. Then she was diagnosed. Then she was gone. SHEILA
Last year about this time, I made a phone call to my computer repair person. She picked up, but sounded a little odd. She was in the hospital just about to undergo her first round of chemotherapy. She didn’t make it to this October. I miss her and our long chats as we waited for the computer to do its thing. I miss how we kept discovering more and more things in common — hobbies, tastes, friends. We had even been in the same high school graduating class but hadn’t known each other back then.
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I miss her enthusiasm about life, about her family and her work. I miss her stubbornness and her determination to figure out what the heck was going on with my computer. I miss the opportunity to get to know her better. EDIE
Edie I did get to know. We worked together tutoring children and adults who faced difficulties in learning to read. I knew Edie as a trusted and creative colleague, a tutor much loved by her students, an intelligent and enthusiastic teacher. I knew her as a devoted wife, mother and sorority sister. I knew her as a friend — funny, warm, silly and sweet. Edie was wearing a turban when I first met her. Her hair was growing back. She seemed to have licked the disease. Then one day at lunch she told me, “I think it’s back.” There’s a fear that is hard to reach, a comfort that is hard to give. There is something truly awful about watching a life so precious slip away. JACKIE
My childhood friend Jeni had three little sisters and later, when we were teenagers, a surprise little brother. I was the youngest in my family and loved going over to Jeni’s. I was delighted by the chaos of having all those little kids around.
Jackie, Jeni’s mom, must have been swamped with things to do, but she never seemed to mind having one more kid underfoot. She was a strict but loving parent. She combined an iron will with a delightful sense of humor. I liked her when I was a little kid. I loved her as I got older. It got to the point that, if Jeni wasn’t home when I went over, I would sit and chat with Jackie for awhile. Jackie must have been in her 70s when breast cancer took her. Not an untimely death like the others. Still. Just last month, Jeni’s niece got married. There was a family picture on Facebook: Jeni, her sisters, her brother and her dad. But not Jackie. The family has adjusted in the 10 years or so since Jackie died. Jeni’s dad has remarried a very nice woman. Still, I can’t help thinking how much Jackie would have enjoyed that wedding. I can’t help thinking how much more I might have learned from Lydia, how many more students Edie might have reached, how much more fun high school reunions would be with Sheila around. But remembering them like this has made me feel a little less angry and a little more grateful. I’m blessed to have known them. And breast cancer can’t take that away.
October/November 2011
Louise Ronald is a copy editor for the Palladium-Item.
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You can still live a full life with osteoarthritis There are more than 100 different types of arthritis, with osteoarthritis (OA) being the most prevalent form of the disease. OA affects almost 27 million Americans and, along with other types of arthritis, is the leading cause of disability for adults. A 20-year study published in a 2008 issue of Arthritis Care & Research suggests that 45.5 percent of Americans BY SHEILA could suffer from osteoarthritis of the SPEARS knee before reaching age 85. Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage that cushions joints deteriorates, allowing the bones to rub against each other and leading to swelling and stiffness. Eventually, osteoarthritis could result in the need for surgery. Primary osteoarthritis is associated with aging and wear and tear on the joints. While it is associated with aging, OA is not necessarily a natural result of aging, as 10 | Maximum Living
not every elderly person gets it. Secondary osteoarthritis can happen at any time in life, and usually is the result of a precipitating cause, such as an injury. Risk factors While osteoarthritis is not an inevitable result of aging, the increased wear and tear on the joints that comes with age can result in OA. Being overweight also is a risk factor for OA, as body weight puts pressure on the lower limbs, particularly the knees. Every additional pound of weight adds four pounds of pressure to your knees and six pounds of pressure to your hips. Keeping your weight under control or losing excess weight can decrease your risk for developing OA and lessen the symptoms if you already have it. Athletic injuries and repetitive use of the same joints due to work demands can increase the risk of getting OA. Genetic abnormalities such as bowleggedness can cause cartilage
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to form abnormally and lead to OA. Weak muscles around the knees can also increase the risk of developing osteoarthritis. Symptoms and diagnosis The first signs of osteoarthritis might be joint stiffness or pain early in the morning, during or after physical exertion, or after periods of inactivity. Swelling also may occur, but you can have osteoarthritis and no swelling around the affected joints. The joints most frequently affected are the knees, hips, hands and shoulders. Your doctor can assess your symptoms during a routine physical exam, paying special attention to the movement of your joints and any symptoms that might suggest you have osteoarthritis. If joint pain and/or swelling are persistent, your doctor might order an Xray to determine whether there is damage to cartilage and then make a diagnosis of OA. Treatment Osteoarthritis is a chronic disease with no known cure. If you have OA, you could work with an orthopedic specialist, a physical therapist, and an occupational therapist in addition to your primary care physician. People with OA can manage their symptoms with pain relievers, anti-inflammatory drugs, exercise, and alternative treatments. Surgery might be necessary but usually is only used as a last resort. Drugs such as aspirin and ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) can relieve both pain and swelling. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) relieves pain, but does not affect swelling. Acetaminophen might be a good option for people whose arthritis does not include inflammation and who are sensitive to aspirin or ibuprofen. Check with your doctor to see what might be appropriate for your condition. While it might seem counterintuitive, it is important for people with osteoarthritis to exercise. All three types of exercise-flexibility, strength training and aerobic-are crucial not only for overall health, but also to strengthen the muscles around your joints, keep bones and cartilage strong, and combat joint stiffness. Exercise also can help you lose weight, thus relieving the pressure on arthritic joints. Consult your physician, physical therapist, or occupational therapist to determine what exercises are appropriate for your specific condition. Aquatic exercises are particularly helpful, because the buoyancy of the water allows movement while decreasing the pressure on your joints. If you have not exercised for a long time, start out with flexibility and strength training while building in endurance (aerobic) activities as you become stronger. Gradually work your way up to 30 minutes of aerobic
For more information Central Indiana Arthritis Foundation Office www.arthritis.org/chapters/indiana 615 N. Alabama St., Suite 430 Indianapolis, IN 46204 Telephone: (317) 879-0321 E-mail: info.in@arthritis.org Office Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. MondaysFridays Arthritis Foundation Aquatic Program www.arthritis.org/aquatic-program.php Centers for Disease Control Arthritis information www.cdc.gov/arthritis
exercise at least five days per week. Always include warm-up and cool-down activities in your exercise sessions. Alternative treatments for osteoarthritis are also popular. The Arthritis Foundation estimates that twothirds of those with arthritis have sought some form of alternative therapy. Yoga and tai chi, which combine movement and stretches with proper breathing, are effective at increasing flexibility and improving balance. Acupuncture can bring short-term pain relief. Clinical trials have shown that the popular supplements glucosamine and chondroitin are not particularly effective for treatment of arthritis. The supplements might not cause harm, but since they do not appreciably affect the symptoms and progression of OA and could interact with other medications, be cautious about using them. People with allergies to shellfish should avoid taking glucosamine, because it is derived from crab and oyster shells. Always inform your doctor about any supplements that you are taking or plan to take. Surgery for osteoarthritis is usually only used as a last resort when other treatments have not worked to relieve pain or when joints have become so stiff and damaged that they no longer function. Arthroscopic surgery involves a surgeon inserting a small scope into the affected joint to remove damaged cartilage and flush out loose cartilage and bone fragments. Joint replacement surgery could be required if other treatment options have not worked and the pain and stiffness from OA significantly affect your ability to perform daily activities. A diagnosis of osteoarthritis does not have to significantly change your daily activities. With proper management of symptoms, exercise and consultation with your health care team, you can live a full life. Sheila Spears of Richmond writes for Maximum Living.
October/November 2011
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Pizza pockets can be healthy By Rocco DiSpirito for The Associated Press
Kids today are eating themselves into an early grave. So many children are not just overweight, but obese. And everyone from parents, schools, food producers, even the government has had a role in this. That’s the bad news. The good news is that they also all can have a role in reversing it. I don’t have all the answers, but I do know that one of the first — and easiest — ways to combat childhood obesity is to teach ourselves and our children to cook wholesome, nutritious foods. Which doesn’t mean you or the kids need to sacrifice the foods you love. Pizza is a great example. Kids love pizza. Heck, I love pizza! I could eat it hot, cold, morning, noon and night. If there was pizza-flavored toothpaste, I’d eat it. But pizza is one of those foods with more sodium, fat and calories than anyone needs. A large slice of pizza has 600 or more calories with 26 grams of fat. My version? Just 226 calories and 8 grams of fat for two pizza pockets. OK, technically my recipe isn’t a classic pizza. This is a “pizza pocket” made from nutritious whole-wheat bread and stuffed with traditional pizza toppings. Those fillings are easily adapted to your tastes; I’ve used lean Italian turkey sausage, shredded fresh zucchini, fresh mozzarella cheese, a natural marinara sauce and fresh basil — all lowcalorie ingredients. Plus, this recipe is something your kids can help with. And when kids help make something, they are much more likely to think it tastes good. Just be sure to resist the temptation to use processed low-fat mozzarella cheese, the sort of shredded cheese so often used on regular pizzas. I used it for years until I experimented with fresh mozzarella. It has a sweet, rich, milky quality, and a low melting point, which allows it to meld with flavors like basil. The fresh variety, unlike the shredded processed form, adds pizzazz to the pockets. And best of all, I have found it as low as 60 calories per ounce, compared to 80 to 100 calories for regular mozzarella. I know what you’re thinking — why not just buy frozen processed pizza pockets and toss them in the microwave? Fine, if you like preservatives along with your fat and sodium. Plus, it’s important for parents to set a good example by eating and serving healthy, nutritious foods as often as possible. Part of this is teaching kids that convenience foods should be an occasional treat, not a dinner staple. Children also need to understand that meals are made from ingredients, not pulled from boxes. Those are two critical lessons that are easy to forget in the weekday rush to get dinner on the table. That’s why I love recipes like this one. It’s fast. It’s easy. And it replicates a convenience food your kids will love, but that you can feel good about. Tips: µ Hide any vegetable your child doesn’t like in these pockets. I bet the kids will devour it once it’s covered in sauce and melted cheese. µ Choose bread slices that are square, such as Ezekiel sprouted grain bread. Square slices are easier to fold in half than rectangular slices.
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Rocco DiSpirito is author of the “Now Eat This!” and “Now Eat This! Diet” cookbooks.
Pizza Pockets
Start to finish: 30 minutes Servings: 4 (2 pockets per serving) 1 link raw Italian turkey sausage, casing removed (about 4 ounces) 1 small zucchini, coarsely shredded 2 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, coarsely shredded 1/2 cup no-salt, no-sugar, fat-free marinara sauce (such as Pomi) 12 leaves fresh basil, torn into bite-size pieces 8 slices whole-wheat bread, flattened with a rolling pin Extra-virgin olive oil cooking spray Heat the oven to broil. In a small saute pan over medium heat, cook the sausage until cooked through, using a wooden spoon or spatula to break it into crumbles as it cooks. Drain off any fat. In a medium bowl, mix the zucchini, mozzarella, marinara, basil and the cooked sausage. Place the flattened bread on a work surface. Spoon the zucchini mixture evenly in the middle of each piece of bread. Fold one corner of each slice to the opposite corner and seal the edges by pressing with a fork. Trim off the excess crust. Place the pockets on a baking sheet. Lightly spray both sides of each pocket with olive oil cooking spray. Place on a rack 4 to 5 inches under the broiler and broil until browned and crisp, 2 to 3 minutes. Flip each pocket and then brown the other side under the broiler, 1 to 2 minutes more. Nutrition information per serving (values are rounded to the nearest whole number): 226 calories; 8 g fat (31 percent of total calories, 3 g saturated); 29 mg cholesterol; 25 g carbohydrate; 15 g protein; 4 g fiber; 501 mg sodium.
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quick tips Making small changes like these can have a big impact on your well-being.
Change your toothbrush To maintain good oral health, make sure you change your toothbrush at least every 6 months. Sunscreen Sunscreen is need any time you are outside, even on cloudy days. There are several places that are forgotten and are easily burned. Don’t forget the back of your neck, tops of your ears and the top of your head if you are balding. Know your research Almost daily we hear of a new research study proclaiming certain results. Not all research is valid. For example, Company XYZ might announce the results of a new study proclaiming a certain drug helps a specific condition. When you read the details, you might find that Company XYZ is the manufacturer of the drug and paid for the study. Read the details of the study and discuss any questions you might have with your health care provider. October/November 2011
Storing produce It is important to include lots of fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet. To store fresh produce follow these suggestions: • Bananas — store on the counter top • Celery — will keep longer in the fridge if wrapped in aluminum foil • Onions — store in the pantry away from heat and light • Potatoes — store in the pantry away from heat and light • Apples — store on the counter top. If you do put apples in the fridge, don’t store them near other uncovered fruits or vegetables. The ethylene gas from the apples will spoil the produce. Lavender for sleep There is some information that indicates lavender may have calming properties and might help you sleep. Sprinkle your sheets with lavender before bed and relax into a good night’s sleep. Set an example As a parent or grandparent, you set an example for children by always buckling your seat belt while in the car. Make sure you also set an example by not texting while driving.
Source: Pat Murrah, community benefit coordinator for Reid Hospital & Health Care Services
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Help a loved one with grief A family death. A home destroyed. A career cut short. These are just a few examples of events that can cause devastation and despair. Loss is part of all our lives, but what do you say to someone who has experienced a recent loss? We often wish we had a magic wand to erase the pain of our family members and friends. And the uncertainty of not knowing what to do or say can produce anxiety and lead to the option of doing nothing at all. While there is no one formula for personal loss recovery — no neat plan to help one overcome great sadness — there are a number of ways to help someone regain hope and a future with some light when we thought there was only darkness. Here are five suggestions to be a helpful and caring support for someone who is currently experiencing or has previously been through a difficult loss.
Realize loss is personal There are many events throughout life that can create intense emotions of sadness or sorrow. It is important to recognize the loss, but also vital to realize loss can be just as personal as it can be painful. Everyone has a unique set of values, dreams, desires, goals and definitions of what is important. Perspective in loss comes only from the person experiencing it. All other opinions are just that — opinions and ideas of what that loss might mean. Thus it is important not to jump to any conclusions upon hearing about a loss experienced by a friend, coworker, family member or anyone else. COLUMN What we might assume is devastation BY SUSAN might not be so for another. Or, what we GILLPATRICK feel is normal or “meant to be” could be distressing and debilitating for another.
Be sensitive in your speech Many comments that come from genuinely caring people can in fact be most harmful. We want to say something to bring hope or healing to someone in pain, but instead often make comments that attempt to soothe our own pain or discomfort. The words we choose can have pinpoint power to produce insult or emotional injury to those we care about. Here are some examples of common remarks that can be perceived as insensitive, unkind and inappropriate: “Try not to be sad.” “I know how you feel.” “You will get over it.” “That's no so bad; let me tell you what happened to me.” “It could have been worse.” “No one ever said life was fair.” “At least he/she lived a long life.” “It was his/her time to go.”
Share care over solutions We can offer care and compassion without the pressure of providing solutions. It might be difficult but it 14 | Maximum Living
is important to become comfortable with negative emotions shared by the person experiencing the loss. Sometimes just being present with the grieving person and saying nothing can be most helpful. Sometimes a gentle touch, a hug or allowing the person to cry is worth millions, where no words can match. We can still show our love and support while withholding judgment and advice. Here are some comments that can show compassion and care: “You are important to me.” “I wish I had the right words, please know I care.” “I am always just a phone call away.” “I am so sorry for your loss.” “I am thinking about you.”
Help honor memories When someone loses someone or something they love, that doesn't mean the memories are lost as well. If your friend has experienced a family death, talk about that loved one. Speak their name. Recall and share all that you appreciated about that person. Write a handwritten letter outlining all that you enjoyed, respected or learned from them. Talk about what you will miss most. Don't be afraid that bringing up their loved one will add to their grief. Their grief is already fully present regardless. Avoiding the subject only minimizes their loss. Loved ones often fear that death might bring an end to their very alive memories. It is important to help honor the memories that loss holds.
Create new traditions Many things can change from year to year. If the circumstances surrounding a loss have left your friend or family member without a special relationship, a home or even a job, then holiday season can be a very difficult time. But you can help turn their attention to creating new memories and traditions. In the case of a family death, consider spending a day celebrating the life of your loved one and what brought joy to them. Spend an afternoon bowling instead of fighting the mall crowds. Or, watch old movies that inspire or bring humor. Begin thinking of ways a new year can offer possibility instead of pain. Celebrate the good times, honor the past and be intentional in creating new direction despite the loss and grief you or your loved ones have survived. Susan Gillpatrick, M.Ed., LPC, CTS, is a crisis specialist for Centerstone, which offers services in the Richmond area. She may be reached at susan.gillpatrick@centerstone. org. Centerstone, a not-for-profit provider of communitybased behavioral health care, provides a range of programs and services for children, adolescents, adults, seniors, and families living with mental health or addiction disorders. If you or someone you know needs help, contact Centerstone at 888-291-4357 (HELP).
October/November 2011
inspiration
Celebrate pennies from heaven “So don’t pass by that penny when you’re feeling blue. It may be a penny from heaven, that an Angel’s tossed to you.” — Charles Marshburn I’m surprised to find others who believe lost pennies should be picked up. Why am I surprised? Because I’ve seen so many people give lowly pennies only the briefest of thought. Pennies aren’t worth bothering with is their message. Years ago, I began the habit of picking up every penny, and other coins as well, which I found. When I find one, I tell myself, “This penny is an angel’s kiss from heaven.” It all started as a fun thing to do. I would pick up the penny. I would leave it where I could see it and be reminded of that angel’s kiss. Superstition? I don’t think so. Doing this made me feel good in some unexplainable way. After I enjoy the penny being around a few days, I tuck it into a coffee-can bank for my granddaughter, who lives away. In the last three or four years, I have taken her probably five or six one-pound coffee cans full of coins. Amazing, isn’t it? That’s a lot of lost pennies. I found research for this article enlightening in many ways, because bunches of folk do the same thing as I. At least in believing they are communicating with or being kissed by an angel, when they find a penny. Most psychic types feel Spirit can be communicating in this particular way to give guidance or affirmation in our lives. They say when we heighten our awareness and increase our consciousness, we will find personal signs. I firmly believe I am gifted with a wonderful world full of everyday epiphanies for my enjoyment and without doubt, know nature (and picking up pennies!) is my personal sign of God’s holy spirit. My Judeo Christian view says God controls all things. That said, I do believe some folk are more “attuned, intuitive, reflective, or sensitive” and perceive personal signs or events unseen by others. Our granddaughter recently called to see if I was all right. She said I appeared in her unsettling dream the night before. I thanked her for calling and said I appreciated it. I told her I was fine, just had lots going on, but understood her intuitive feeling. The same happens to me and I usually do just as Mikayla did.
But, back to “Pennies from Heaven.” Most have heard the popular song with the same title, which was first composed by Johnny Burke and Arthur Johnson in 1936. The last line goes, “So when you hear it thunder, don’t run under a tree. There’ll be pennies from heaven for you and me.” The song was made more popular by the 1981 musical of the same name, featuring Steve Martin and Bernadette Peters. During the song in the film, raindrops fall as pennies. Now, that’s really pennies from heaven! Segueing from the same COLUMN BY JUDY theme and of course, capiMARTINtalizing on its name, the URBAN J.C. Penney store will round up your sale to the nearest dollar and then, with those pennies, make hefty contributions — $4.7 million — to children’s after school programs. Cool, huh? A web site called Pennies–fromHeaven.org is your answer when a helping hand is needed most, particularly with medical emergencies. Another 8 million people share their experiences and belief in “Pennies from Heaven” at www.experienceproject. com. Some of the stories are awesome. You can even personalize your cell phone ringtone with the song “Pennies from Heaven.” My nephew Doug takes an entirely different twist and has designed greeting cards that start — “One day I found a penny … the next day I found another. ...” Paraphrased, his final thought is this, “These pennies have been cast aside as many people have been, but God gathers the outcasts. God says, ‘I have given you the eyes to see these pennies and the conviction to stop and pick them up. I have given you the eyes to see my people and the conviction to pick them up.’” I pick up pennies because they represent godly affirmations to me and if that’s my sign, that’s my sign. I pick them up because they are valuable — as people are valuable. I pick them up to give to my granddaughter Christina. Do you pick up pennies? Look after the pennies, and the pounds will take care of themselves. — English proverb Judy Martin-Urban of Muncie writes Christian fiction and inspirational non-fiction. She can be reached at urbanski4u@aol.com, www.judeurbanski.com and judeurbanski.blogspot.com.
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inspiration
Laurie Lunsford puts brush to paper at nursing facilities and encourages residents to watch her create art and then express their own emotions and thoughts through the paint. Photos by Laurie Lunsford
Light in the darkness “He … brings deep shadows into the light.” -Job 12:22 One beautiful autumn day, I was relaxing in the sunroom of a nursing home. My aging father, who was in the last days of his life, was sleeping in a room down the hall. The COLUMN BY LAURIE sun was a ball of fire bringing forth LUNSFORD vibrant fall colors. I decided it was time to retrieve my watercolors out of the car and set up my easel by the window. Soon after I began painting, many folks in wheelchairs came rolling in. Curious eyes were all around me watching the colors flow. I could feel their joy surfacing as an autumn sunset was birthed onto my paper. I have always known that I had a creative gift, especially in painting. Art has given me an understanding of myself and has brought light into the dark times I’ve experienced in my life. As a result 16 | Maximum Living
of seeing light in my own darkness, my heart has opened to those who struggle, especially those who have no way of expressing themselves verbally or can’t make sense of what’s going on in their own minds. In these last few years I have spent much of my time in nursing homes all over the country, making music with the residents through a recreational music program I developed called “Dancing Hands.” The response was amazing. Those who would not normally participate in activities, enthusiastically engaged in Dancing Hands. I took what I learned with that program to health care conventions and spoke to attendees about the power of creativity in health care. Going to these conventions helped me stay abreast of the current research, and all of it fueled my interest in elders. But now, in the last two years, I sensed it was time to put more emphasis on the visual arts and see what would happen. I offered myself as a visiting artist in
October/November 2011
inspiration
four Alzheimer’s units, one day a week at each place. I limited myself to a three-month personal practicum so that I could stay open to what direction God was taking me. When I’m in a nursing home and have set up my easel, I say to those who have gathered around me, “Watch me paint.” As I model the fun of putting brush to paper, patients look on. When I paint, it is not about a well-executed picture with balance and form. It is all about fun and self-expression and allowing what is inside of me to come out naturally. This gives residents the confidence to let go too and express themselves by experimenting with the paint. I see their smiles develop, and sense their relief and freedom as they express emotions and thoughts through the paint. One day I placed my easel in the hallway of a nursing home, showcasing big brushes and bright colors. There was no timeframe and no pressure. Netta, one of the patients, was doing her usual laps up and down the hallway in her wheelchair. As she got close to me, I placed myself behind her wheelchair and gently guided her to the easel. “Netta, let’s paint,” I said. The nurses were shaking their heads. “She can’t do it. She won’t be able to focus,” one of them whispered to me. But I thought it was worth a try. I left Netta at the easel, wondering what she would do. She picked up a brush and started to paint. She painted for 45 minutes without stopping, stroking color upon color, fascinated by the way the colors mixed and changed. Netta, a woman who had not been able to focus on anything, was concentrating! David, another patient, was a newspaper photographer for most of his life. He now has dementia and also is in a wheelchair. One day, he sat with me and painted a stormy sky with blues and grays. “I’m finished,” he told me a little later, but then he had an idea. He dipped his brush in yellow paint and stroked in a lightning bolt. The surprise was that the lightning bolt turned green as soon as it went on top of the blue. He didn’t seem to be troubled by it. He turned it into a
“A Flowering Cactus in the Storm” by David. green cactus in the storm and when it dried, he painted pink flowers on it. He titled it “A Flowering Cactus in the Storm.” I watched the art of Catherine, another resident, evolve like a well-rounded symphony. Intuitively, her brush became a baton as she waved the colors onto the painting in a joyful rhythm. She dabbed the pink paint all over the paper with an artistic flair. “A little here, and a little up here,” she said as she jabbed her
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inspiration
Netta focuses on blending her colors. Photo by Laurie Lunsford brush in the upper left-hand corner and then all over the page, as her spirit led her. I later learned from a family member that Catherine had lived immersed in music. She played the marimba most of her life and taught and directed children’s choirs. I have watched Ardis paint many times. Her creations come from her soul. She is not concerned with her art being different … almost surreal. She experiences the process as she allows her pictures to unfold. Even with dementia, Ardis is a philosopher at heart. Her communication is childlike, yet profound.
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One afternoon, we were together at a table, painting, each one of us in our own worlds. “You are a thwarted messer-arounder,” I heard her say. “What do you mean?” I asked. “You are living the creative life as an adult, the life that was thwarted in you as a child.” Ardis smiled knowingly. I was very free-spirited as a child and creatively engaged until I got sidetracked and overscheduled with school, career, marriage and raising children. Life became very straight-laced and frustrating for many years. Ardis was partially correct. I was thwarted for a time, and now my 90-year-old friend was sensing the enjoyment I was having at this “emptynest” time in my life. It has taken an uninterrupted schedule and the emotional connection with people I care about to bring out creative juices again. Perhaps Ardis was thwarted by life’s frustrations too, and now she has the time and freedom to paint what she calls “whimsical paintings.” I continue to paint with her regularly. She is now doing what she calls her “friends” series. It includes childhood friends playing, animal friends, and unusual whimsical creatures. I have continued to work with Ardis and several others in one nursing home, receiving from them in ways I never expected, as I did when one day Ardis
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inspiration
said to me, “Painting is so other people can see what your thoughts are. I don’t think about what I am going to do ... I just get quiet and the thoughts come out through the paint.” She had caught the spirit of the arts! My Saturday mornings are now spent at another nursing home, where I first met David. I have volunteered there for more than two years. Every time I walk in, I feel like a celebrity because of all the hugs and the welcoming faces. They can’t wait. They know that on Saturdays I am coming in with paint and art supplies! Most of my time now is spent in an advanced stage Alzheimer’s unit. This is where I have seen dramatic results. It is a place where 24-hour supervision is needed. Therein lies sadness and frustration. Many are hospice patients. The majority of the patients spend their days, like Netta, wandering the halls. I always invite them to come and spend time with me. Once they’re seated, whether they just watch the whole time or actively paint, they stay there for hours, enjoying the creative ambiance of color and life. Even when they’re putting only a few lines of color on paper, I can see the freedom they experience in the moment. One day the administrator of the advanced unit pulled me aside. “Do you know,” he said, “that the falls these patients normally experience have been cut in half since you started coming here?” Recent research proves that bringing art into health care brings fewer
“Painting is so other people can see what your thoughts are,” says Ardis. “I don’t think about what I am going to do... I just get quiet and the thoughts come out through the paint.” Photo by Laurie Lunsford falls, fewer doctor visits and fewer meds. I feel so privileged to be part of that positive change. God said, “Let there be light, and there was light.” And it was very good. Our creative God started his art venture with a big ball of fire. He continues to bring light into confused darkness. Our creative God made
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inspiration
Laurie Lunsford brings the creative spirit in her encounters with children and older adults. She has a master’s degree in art from Ball State University in Muncie, Ind. Her favorite medium is watercolor. She is most recently certified as an activity director and is “recreationally creating” with older adults in skilled nursing care facilities. She is now the Interactive Arts Specialist at Parkview Nursing Center in Muncie. She is trained in hospice and using the arts with those who are actively dying. Dancing Hands, “Tap Dancing Rhythm for Your Hands,” a new music activity program that Laurie developed, is being used worldwide in health care for “Catherine’s Symphony of Color.” Photo by Laurie Lunsford the aging (www.dancinghandstaps.com). She is also the founder of Transition Rings “Symbols of Hope us in his own image, weaving his artistic nature into for Life’s Transitions,” which can be seen at www. us so that we could share it with others, shining light transitionrings.com. She designs rings to encourage movinto their dark places and opening up the windows into ing forward in hope for those going through transitions their souls when they’ve lost the ability to do that for such as divorce, life-threatening disease, loss, job changes, themselves. What a great God we serve! graduation or retirement. Laurie has three grown sons.
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October/November 2011
inspiration
Photos pop with layered prints Associated Press
Instructions 1) Choose an image that features a person or other strong subject in the foreground and has interesting elements in the background that can be easily divided. The picture I chose features my husband and son on a street corner in Washington, D.C., with a pretty tree behind them and the U.S. Capitol in the far distance. 2) Decide how many different layers your final picture will include and print that many copies onto photo paper, or have multiple prints made. I chose four layers: the people, the street and trees, the Capitol and the sky. If you are combining more than one image, print one copy of your foreground subject and multiple copies of the background image. Make sure your copies are sized to fit in your frame. 3) Carefully cut out your subject from one copy of the image. Continue cutting out the other layers, leaving one copy intact as the background. 4) Use the adhesive foam dots or strips to stick each layer to the one below it, carefully lining up the images. Keeping the dots in roughly the same position on each layer will give the piece more stability. 5) Insert the completed picture into the frame.
Puzzle Solutions
Taking the time to create a three-dimensional work of art that literally pops off the paper is a rewarding way to preserve those perfect — and not so perfect — vacation moments. The beauty of this technique, which involves printing multiple copies of an image, cutting away various layers and reassembling them in a shadow box frame, is that you can switch around subjects and backgrounds. Have a great picture of the Magic Kingdom on your trip to Disney World, but the best picture of the kids shows them in front of a tacky tourist or trash can? Just extract your little ones from their picture and layer them against the more scenic background. This technique also can rescue a photograph where the exposure might be a bit off. For example, if your foreground subject is a bit dark but the background looks good, just print one copy slightly lighter than the rest and use that for the top layer. The result is an eye-catching display that adds depth to the original images. Materials you’ll need: Multiple copies of the same photograph, or a combination of foregrounds and backgrounds; scissors; adhesive foam dots or strips; and a shadow box frame.
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calendar
EVENTS OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER
BENEFITS • Friends of YWCA-Genesis Annual Dinner, 5:30 p.m., Oct. 21, Forest Hills Country Club, 2169 S. 23rd St., Richmond. Keynote Speaker is Kathie Truitt, author of “False Victim.” Social hour at 5:30 p.m. and dinner at 6:30 p.m. Silent auction will also take place. Tickets: $35 each. Call (765) 966-0538 for info/ reservations. • Halloween Gala, 6 p.m.-11 p.m., Oct. 29, Lamplight Inn at the Leland, 900 S. A St., Richmond. Benefits Girls Inc. Cost: $50 per person or $90 per couple. Catering by Jen Ferrell. Cash bar. Vocal auction includes dinner parties and more. Reservations: (765) 962-2362. • Salvation Army Radio Show, 7 p.m.-11 p.m., Dec. 1, Indiana University East, 2325 Chester Blvd., Richmond. Info: (765) 962-1010. • Alternative Gift Fair, Noon3 p.m., Dec. 3, Morrisson-Reeves Library, 80 N. Sixth St., Richmond. This event is organized by a committee of local women and features organizations from all around Wayne County. Give to local organizations in honor of loved ones.
HEALTH/FITNESS • Finance, Fitness and Fun Fest, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Oct. 25, Ivy Tech Community College, 717 W. 21st St., Connersville. Informational displays from 10 a.m.-noon, lunch and stress reduction workshop from noon-12:45 p.m., digging out of the financial
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hole workshop from 1-1:45 p.m. and blood pressure checks all day. • OSHIIP Medicare Check Up Day, 10 a.m.-11 a.m., Oct. 26, The Gathering Place, 501 Nation Ave., Eaton, Ohio. Learn about recent changes to Medicare, find out how the Oct. 15-Dec. 7 Medicare Annual Coordinated Election Period can work for you, get help identifying your best Medicare coverage for 2012 and switch prescription coverage (Part D) if you desire. Appointments: (937) 456-4947. Bring a list of your medications. • Medicare informational program, 11:30 a.m. Oct. 27, Richmond Senior Community Center, 1600 S. Second St., Richmond. (765) 983-7300. • Finance, Fitness and Fun Fest and Spooky Family Fun Night, Noon-8 p.m., Oct. 28, Ivy Tech Richmond campus, 2357 Chester Blvd., Richmond. Activities: Noon: lunchtime stress reduction workshop; workshops on laughter and yoga, digging out of the financial hole; informational displays by community partners from 3-6:30 p.m.; meals available at food court, 5:30-6:30 p.m.; fun area for kids and hallway of treats from 6:30-7:30 p.m., followed by magic show and children’s workshop; comedic financial literacy workshop for adults by James Cunningham of Funny Money Inc. from 6:30-7:30 p.m.; attendance prize drawings, 7:30-8 p.m. Info: (765) 966-2656 • “We Care” Caregivers Support Group, 2 p.m.-3:30 p.m., Nov. 6 and
Dec. 4, Preble County Council On Aging, 800 E. St. Clair St., Eaton, Ohio. Volunteer caregiver available on-site with advance reservation. Free handicapped accessible transportation is available — call one week in advance. Info: (937) 456-4947 or (937) 456-4376.
CRAFTS • Eastern Indiana Gem & Geological Society’s Christmas Bazaar & Bake Sale, Nov. 4-5, 5199 W. U.S. 40, Centerville, Ind. Jewelry, crafts and baked goods for sale. Info: (765) 962-2524. • Embroidery Club, 2-4 p.m., Nov. 6 and Dec. 4, Nancy’s Fancy’s Sewing Corner, 1446 N.W. Fifth St., Richmond. See new products, learn new techniques, bring show and tell. Program repeated from 10 a.m.-noon the third Saturday of the month. • Holiday Craft Bazaar, Nov. 10-11, The Gathering Place, 501 Nation Ave., Eaton, Ohio. Organized by Preble County Council on Aging. Info: (937) 456-4947. • Christmas Village Craft Show, 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Nov. 11 and 9 a.m.-8 p.m., Nov. 12, Kuhlman Center, 861 N. Salisbury Road, Richmond. Tickets are $2; kids 12 and younger admitted free. Benefits YWCA of Richmond. Info: (765) 966-0538. • Christmas Festival, Nov. 25Dec. 11, Wayne County Historical Museum, 1150 N. A St., Richmond. Hours are Mon. - Fri. 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.; Sat. and Sun. 1 p.m.- 4 p.m. Info:
October/November 2011
(765) 962-5756. Features table top trees and other decorations created locally offered in silent auction. • Senior Opportunities Services bazaar, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Dec. 2 and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Dec. 3, Chase, 4400 E. Main St, Richmond. Sales of craft items benefits Senior Opportunities Services. Info: (765) 962-1010.
LEGAL AID • Free Legal Aid, 1:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m. Oct. 26 and Nov. 30, Morrisson-Reeves Library, 80 N. Sixth St., Richmond. Free legal help will be available to Richmond area residents. An Indiana Legal Services, Inc. (ILS) attorney will offer free 15-20 minute consultations.
MUSIC • Gospel Concert, 7 p.m., Dec. 4, Goddard Auditorium, Carpenter Hall, 801 National Road W., Richmond. Earlham’s Gospel Revelations Choir. Free. No tickets required. Info: (765) 983-1294. Find more events in the daily Palladium-Item newspaper and in the www.pal-item.com calendar. If your group would like to submit an event to be considered for this calendar, please send information to Millicent Martin at mmartin@pal-item.com or 1175 N. A St., Richmond, IN 47374. Information should be submitted by Nov. 10 for the December 2011/ January 2012 issue.
Couponing: Let’s make a deal
COLUMN BY LORI BORGMAN
There is a reason they call it extreme couponing. A few moments ago I found myself pondering the feasibility of having another baby because, as a new online couponer registered at five web sites, I am now awash in coupons for diapers, formula and teething biscuits. Sure, we’ve been empty nesters for three years. And, sure, having another baby would require extensive surgery and be completely ridiculous — but you wouldn’t believe the money we could save. Extreme couponing has awakened my inner shopper. Not that it took much. I have long carried a separate wallet for in-store discounts and coupons. I can shuffle the Macy’s discount cards with a speed and flair that makes clerks ask if I ever worked a blackjack table. Other mothers always told their kids to wear nice underwear in case they found themselves in an accident, I always told mine to carry a Bed, Bath and Beyond 20-percent-off coupon in case they found themselves at a strip mall. And it is true, I might have once told the family to engrave “Never paid full retail” on my tombstone. But extreme couponing takes bargain shopping to a new level. The couponing websites read like spread sheets. They list the normal price of a product, the store’s sale price, less the manufacturer’s coupon, plus loyalty points earned, the final sale price with your combined discounts and the total percentage of savings. It’s like tracking the stock market, only with immediate rewards. When did the Dow last give you $2 off a jar of spaghetti sauce? One minor drawback to extreme couponing is that a lot of the coupons are for foods in the middle of the store — the processed foods with a lot of salt, sugar and fat. Sure, we could find a way to live on mayonnaise, canned corn, Hamburger Helper and sweetened condensed milk, but is the savings really worth a high cholesterol count that would warrant going on statins? Ten boxes of mac ‘n’ cheese versus coronary heart disease. Still, I am mesmerized by the women who pose for pictures in their kitchens, surrounded by mountains of groceries, holding receipts 50 feet long, proclaiming something like, “I only paid $2.97 for all of this, earned enough loyalty points to get braces for Donnie and buy a new car!” In one such picture the shopper was surrounded by juice boxes, cartons of Mountain Dew, Dr. Pepper, Mug Root Beer, two-liter bottles of Orange Crush and big bottles of vegetable juice. There also tends to be a lot of dish soap, laundry detergent, cleaning supplies and paper towels in these pictures. We can deduce that extreme couponers are very clean and well hydrated. I spent Sunday evening surfing coupon websites and organizing circulars. Monday I found myself distracted by the constant email arrival of new coupons. Tuesday I mailed two coupons for baby products to our daughter with twins. The coupons were for a buck. The stamp cost 44 cents. On Wednesday I landed a 70-cent off coupon for peppers. Getting to, and back from, the store that the offer was good at would have burned a gallon in gasoline. On Friday I found a 50 cent coupon for face wash that I used as a teenager. I’m hanging on to it as a definite maybe. I only hope I can realize some decent savings without having to quit my day job. Lori Borgman is a columnist, author and speaker. Contact her at lori@loriborgman.com
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