March 2021
Unique
POTTERY CREATIONS are Anne Crabbe’s passion
Submitted photos Anne Crabbe enjoys spending time at the wheel at her studio in North Carolina. In this photo taken a few years ago, she is making a more traditional bowl. Her recent creations have become more whimsical.
four years.” It was then that she realized she wanted a studio of her own. nne Crabbe always had an “We had a full basement at our affinity for art, but it wasn’t cabin and my husband stored his until her retirement that she fishing boat in half of it,” she said. was free to explore it in new ways. “One year, when the boat went Her first studio was in the garage out, the thought came that maybe at the residence on Big Mantrap I should turn the basement into a Lake where she and her husband, pottery studio for the summer and James, lived for five months of the shove everything back when it was year. time to put his boat away for the She liked art as a child and winter.” majored in art at the UniversiThat is exactly what they did. “I ty of Wisconsin. “I discovered worked in that studio for three or that I wasn’t really that good, so four years,” she said. “When he I dropped out of art and ended up got sick and could no longer come teaching,” she said. up to the cabin, I brought everyCrabbe went on to earn a masthing from my lake studio here to ter’s degree in textile and interior design. Her doctorate from the This exquisite bowl is adorned with North Carolina. We added a room onto our house for my studio with University of Nebraska is in art magnolia leaves and blossoms. two wheels and two kilns. I work education. in porcelain. It’s a kind of clay. It’s “I’ve never considered myself an artist,” she said. “I love art, I taught art, but I am a little more difficult to work with because it’s like not talented enough to make a living at it. I had just throwing with butter. Most of my stuff is quite eletaken up pottery when we first built our little cabin. gant and decorative. It's not earthy and clunky, but I would go over to Gary and Marsha Wolff’s pottery light and shiny. China dishes are made of porcelain. studio and they would let me work there. I was also Earthenware everyday dishes are often a heavier a member of the Leech Lake Art League for three or material.” By Lorie Skarpness lskarpness@parkrapidsenterprise.com
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POTTERY: Page 11
Art Beat Quarterly Regional Guide
Inside this issue... 2 Plan ahead as pandemic continues to affect gardening supplies 3 Staying safe when the winter weather is dangerously cold 4 Elder-friendly tech to stay connected during COVID 4 The gift of human touch 5-8 Art Beat 9 Many mushrooms 10 Cut your risk of medication errors with these tips
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Photo by Alyssa Goelzer / The Forum High demand for seeds could create shortages again in 2021, so shop seed racks early.
Plan ahead as pandemic continues to affect gardening supplies
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e’ll likely be gardening pandemic-style through the spring planting season and beyond. People gardened worldwide in record numbers last year, causing shortages in vegetable seeds and creating high demand for landscape plants and flowers. The trend is predicted to continue. With an increased interest in spring garden products expected, it might be wise to plan ahead. The following are suggestions for avoiding the spring rush and possible shortages. ► Vegetable seeds are expected to be in high demand once again. Shop seed racks early, especially for carrot, green bean, cucumber, squash and lettuce seeds, which sold out early last year. ► Because the gardening surge is nationwide, and other areas begin spring planting before the Upper Midwest, order material soon from seed catalogs, so other regions don’t deplete the supply before it’s our turn. ► Be prepared to accept substitutes that might be comparable. If your favorite lettuce variety is sold out, try another. ► Plan ahead and buy just what you need, so we don’t cause hoarding-induced shortages. One packet is often all you need, especially with types such as lettuce, radish, spinach and others. ► If the smallest quantity of seed offered is more than you need, consider sharing with a friend or store extras in a lidded jar in the refrigerator. ► If you have seeds left from last year, test germination by laying 10 seeds on a moist paper towel, roll the towel, enclose in a plastic bag, and place in a warm, 75-degree location. Check in seven to 14 days and determine the germination percentage to be sure the seeds are viable and worth planting. Generally, larger seeds have a shorter shelf life than tiny seeds. ► Highly visible seed racks in chain stores often sell quickly. This is a good time to support locally owned garden centers by shopping their seed racks. ► Look closely at the description for “days to maturity” when comparing varieties of tomato, pepper, watermelon, cantaloupe, cucumber, sweetcorn, cabbage and other types sensitive to season length. For example, main season tomato types for our region should be about 70 to 78 days, which is
Plants that are accustomed to growing under the high light conditions of a greenhouse will quickly languish if bought early and held in a garage or other indoor home location. If purchasing plants early before the preferred planting dates of mid- to late May, keep outdoors during the day in a sunny, wind-protected area, and move indoors on chilly nights.
Growing Together BY DON KINZLER Columnist the average number of days required from the time the tomatoes are transplanted into the garden until reliable harvest. For melons to ripen in our region, check for maturity lengths between about 70 and 85 days. ► If you intend to grow vegetables in pots and planters, check catalogs or seed packs for types identified as container-growing varieties. Standard types meant for in-ground planting might become unwieldy in pots. ► Flowers and landscape plants were also in high demand, as people remained home and beautified their spaces. Develop a plan now if you’d like to make landscape or flower bed additions. ► Check with your local garden center for the list of flower or landscape trees and shrubs they’ll have available this spring. Planning your landscape or flower beds with known availability will help avoid seeking material this spring that isn’t being stocked. ► It might be tempting to buy greenhouse plants early this spring to beat the rush, but be careful.
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Don Kinzler, a lifelong gardener, is the horticulturist with North Dakota State University Extension for Cass County. Readers can reach him at donald.kinzler@ndsu.edu.
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March 2021
Staying Safe when the winter weather is dangerously cold
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e sneaked by January before Old Man Winter said, “Hey, wait a minute, I forgot to make Minnesota the coldest place on earth!” The effects of the aging process leave older adults at a greater risk of experiencing a cold emergency. As we age, the body’s ability to regulate temperature decreases. Certain diseases and medications can contribute to this inability to regulate efficiently. Talk to your doctor to see if you are more susceptible to decrease temperature regulation. Hypothermia, an abnormally low core body temperature (under 95 degrees), is of special concern for older adults. Reduced muscle mass, slower metabolic rate, decreased blood flow, and reduced shivering response can all contribute to an older adult becoming hypothermic. For some, living on a fixed income might result in not keeping their home adequately heated. Also, it is important to understand that hypothermia can turn into a dangerous problem before a person knows that it is happening. And it can occur inside a home that is too cold, as well as outside in the elements. But there are things you can do to keep yourself safe.
Inside your home
► Dress warm. Dressing in layers allows you to be in control of how cold you get. Put on a sweater, cover up with a blanket, put on a cute hat (or a handsome fedora), even if you are just inside your home. When going to bed, throw on an extra blanket or put on some thermal underwear under your pajamas. ► Check the thermostat. Keeping the temperature in your home too low can be dangerous. Try to keep the temperature at 68 to 70 degrees. Close the curtains on all the windows and shut the doors to the rooms you are not using to save on energy bills. ► Eat. Yes, eat. Eat enough food to keep your weight up. Body fat helps keep you warm. ► Communicate. Ask a family member or a friend to check on you daily to make sure you are doing okay. If you have concerns about being home alone during extremely cold days, stay with someone for a few days. The company will help each of you forget about how cold it is outside.
If you need to venture out
► Cover your head. We lose a significant amount of body heat through our head and neck. So, cover them up to conserve your body heat. ► Dress in layers. If at any time any of those layers get damp, change them as soon as you can get indoors. Damp clothing pulls body heat away from you and will make you get chilled faster. ► Keep your time outside at a minimum. Wind chill does not have any effect on inanimate objects. But it certainly does on the human body! Pay attention to the wind chill warnings. It only takes a couple of minutes for our body to start to feel the
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Boomers on the Move BY CONNIE TROSKA Columnist effects of the bitter cold.
What does a cold emergency look like?
Well, there are clues to look for. What is the temperature inside the home? A cold house can cause hypothermia gradually, so it is likely that a person living in the house will not realize the changes associated with a cold emergency. There are early signs of hypothermia, and there are late signs. The sooner it is recognized, the better the outcome. Early signs are as follows: ► Being sleepy. ► Behavior changes, such as anger or confusion, or both. ► Shivering (as hypothermia progresses, shivering will stop). ► Slurred speech or talking slower than normal. ► Pale skin. ► Cold hands and feet. Later signs include these: ► The “umbles.” When a person stumbles, mumbles, fumbles, and grumbles. Whether it is only a couple of the
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“umbles,” a person should be seen by emergency services. Call 9-1-1 and request an ambulance. ► Slow, shallow breathing. ► Losing consciousness. Call 9-1-1 immediately if you or someone else is experiencing any of the symptoms listed. While waiting for EMS to arrive: ► Move the person to a warmer place. ► Cover them with a blanket, including the top of their head, but not their face. ► Do not rub the person’s legs or arms to try and warm them up. This practice can cause more damage. ► Do not put them in a warm bath. The drastic change in temperature can cause problems with their heart. While we need to be vigilant about safety in cold weather, remember, the day is not too far off where we can open the curtains and let the sunshine in, and we can venture out to take a deep breath of spring. And that’s not too far off in the distance. This article is made possible with Older Americans Act dollars from the Land of the Dancing Sky Area Agency on Aging. Call the Senior LinkAge® One Stop Shop at 800-333-2433 to speak with an information specialist, or check out our website at MinnesotaHelp.info. MinnesotaHelp.info is an online directory of services designed to help people in Minnesota find human services, information and referral, financial assistance, and other forms of help.
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Elder-friendly tech to stay connected during COVID
s we know, COVID-19 infections are particularly threatening for older adults. This has led to distressing choices for families and professionals, the hardest being the need to limit or ban visits with older adults in facilities, and even in their homes. However, isolating older adults, particularly those living with cognitive challenges such as Alzheimer’s disease, can also lead to decline. This challenge has brought about an intense scramble to develop and market technology that can help families stay connected to their older loved ones virtually. None of these products can replace in-person attention, but they do help. Since we are now in a (welcome) new year, it seems like a good time to highlight some of the newer and/or most well-received communication products that I’ve heard about. Amazon Echo Show: The Echo Show is a success for many caregivers whose older adults have trouble using most face-to-face technology. With this device, once set up, you can “drop-in” on your older loved one at any time, eliminating their need to answer your call. The best guide that I’ve read about getting started is on Daily Caring at https://dailycaring.com/amazon-echo-for-dementia-technology-for-seniors. Alexa Care Hub: Alexa Care Hub is a new, free
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CAROL BRADLEY BURSACK Columnist feature in Amazon’s Alexa app that provides a way to remotely check on vulnerable people. It also notifies you if they ask for help. The RAZ Mobility smartphone: This smartphone is specifically made for people with cognitive challenges, so the simple home screen only shows the preset images of people to call. The confusing technology is hidden. Since the device is always on, the elder simply touches the image of a face and the call goes through. There’s no need to remember how to answer a call. For more information, visit https://www.razmobility.com/solutions/memory-cellphone. ViewClix: This is an enhanced version of an electronic picture frame. In addition to photos, though, ViewClix accommodates drop-in visits, so it’s a multipurpose product. You might want to compare this with Amazon’s Echo Show for the features
Carol Bradley Bursack is a veteran caregiver and an established columnist. She is also a blogger, and the author of “Minding Our Elders: Caregivers Share Their Personal Stories.” Bradley Bursack hosts a website supporting caregivers and elders at www.mindingourelders.com. She can be reached through the contact form on her website.
The gift of human touch
ave you ever really looked at your hands and thought about what all they have been through so far in your life? When that song came out, “Daddy’s Hands,” I remember thinking about the words and becoming quite emotional because it was almost as though it had been written about my dad. Dad could be a bit rough around the edges in our early years of life, and I remember that, because of the work he did, his hands were like sandpaper. As the years went by, Dad’s hands became much softer and so did his spirit. He realized that spilled milk or spilled sugar on the floor really didn’t bring the world to a standstill and started to laugh more and hug often. Dad was diagnosed with a rare incurable cancer. I used to go up and visit and just loved watching him and Mom hold hands while sitting at the kitchen table. His hands had become so gentle and quiet and he would sit and visit about life and how much his life had meant to him. The day that our first grandchild was born, Dad’s first great-grandchild, I watched as his large hands gently held Ben and cradle him. As Dad smelled him, he looked at me and said, “There is nothing more precious than the sweet smell of new baby.” Those big hands could run across the keys of a piano, making such amazing music which he played by ear. He would always want me to come and sit with him so we could play piano and sing together. And his hugs were the very best! I miss him so much. I have learned a lot about hands from my dad, and always think of him when I place my hands together in prayer, knowing that he and Mom were the first ones to teach me how to fold my hands to pray. As we all go along in this life of ours, we have no
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offered. More information can be found at https:// www.viewclix.com/. Notes to Brighten: If you like the idea of your older loved one receiving a weekly greeting card from you, but shopping for cards or even remembering to mail them regularly is a problem, you may like this service. You can personalize cards, but they will take care of choosing, mailing and remembering. No need for you to go out and shop. https:// www.notestobrighten.com. Candoo Tech: This company provides tech support and training geared toward older adults. The live, online lessons cover topics like introductions to tablets, email and Zoom. A questionnaire is used to help decide what skills people need to develop or sharpen. There is also assistance for those with hearing or vision impairment. For more information, visit https://www.candootech.com. That’s it for now, but I’ll continue to watch for new products. Feel free to drop me a note if you use a helpful product that I haven’t mentioned. Meanwhile, take care of yourselves while you take care of others.
The Family Circle BY LAUREL HED Columnist idea how our hands will be used. Will we find ourselves a caregiver to our parents, spouse, children, neighbor? Our hands can be gentle and calming to a loved one who is crying or can cool a fevered brow with a cool cloth and gentle words of encouragement. Our hands can write notes/letters to those that we miss and share our love through the written word. Our hands can reach out in a handshake, hug,
wave and clap in celebration. I think this is what I have missed the most during this time of COVID. When I meet with my clients, or continue to wait to see my mother again, I can’t reach out to greet a client or hug a friend or family member. We, as humans, need that human contact/ touch. All the inventive ways of “seeing” each other has helped, but will never replace that wonderful feeling of someone hugging you and saying “I missed you.” I pray that by the time this is printed we are once again reunited with our family members, friends, clients and the neighbor down the street – at which time, we will get to do more than wave, but use these hands to hug and share an encouraging pat on the back or handshake. Laurel Hed is a licensed social worker and geriatric care manager for the elder law attorneys of Thomason Swanson and Zahn Law Firm.
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Art Beat
Spring 2021
Quarterly Regional Guide
Ant-Venture sculpture will be installed this spring Thanks to a Park Rapids Community Fund grant, Heartland Arts and the Park Rapids Rotary Club, a large fun sculpture will be installed at Deane Park this spring. The Park Rapids Parks & Beautification Board and Park Rapids Arts & Culture Advisory Commission are leading this project first proposed last fall by Liz Smith, who was serving on the Parks Board at the time. Smith saw the purchase as an opportunity to add a permanent sculpture in a city park and contacted Al Bellevue of Puposky, who created the Ant-Venture sculpture that is being purchased. She had seen the sculpture when it was on display as part of the Red Bridge Park Sculpture Trail in 2018. Bellevue offered the artwork at a good price and Smith began working on grants to cover the cost. Bellevue’s own description of Ant-Venture is that its unique construction is well suited to outdoor public display. It is interactive – a sculpture you can go into and sit on some granite ant eggs with no sharp edges or dangerous projections. It sits on ground or cement. It also acts as a unique display of Minnesota geology including amethyst from the North Shore of Lake Superior. Belleveau adds, “It is designed to portray an ant hill and is handicap, wheelchair accessible. Ant-Venture has a Queen ant on top welcoming you in, a teacher ant inside with a schematic of below ground chambers, mimicking
Katie Deschene took this photo of Club 309 kids when they visited Ant-Venture on the Park Rapids Sculpture Trail in 2018.
the above ground stone and steel construction.” Deane Park is a community park of approximately three acres with primary users being families, groups enjoying picnics, reunions, graduation parties and group events. The park has new handicapped accessible bathrooms, many picnic tables, grills, an open air shelter and very outdated playground equipment. The equipment consists of two swing sets and two climbing play structures. The park is used heavily by young families and this sculpture will give children and adults the opportunity
to use their imaginations as well as the sculpture itself. They can crawl into it, around it and even stand upright. It blends perfectly with the park’s woodlands, Smith says. Ant-Venture is a sculpture originally commissioned by the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum for an exhibit about the things underground. It was on display there for six months. The sculpture has spent a year on the Sioux Falls Sculpture Walk, two years on the Bemidji Sculpture Walk, a year at the St Cloud Sculpture Walk, a year at the Red Bridge Park Sculpture Trail and in-between times at Belleveau’s studio. The purchase is timely in that it supports a regional artist in these Covid-19 challenged times, supports the original intent of the Park Rapids Sculpture Trail and adds to the community’s arts and cultural assets. The Parks and Beautification Board will determine the precise location for the artwork in Deane Park. In addition to the sculpture purchase price of $6,000 in hand, donations are still welcome for other project costs including moss grass, installation and a plaque to recognize donors. Heartland Arts’ portion of funding for this project was provided by a Region 2 Arts Council Grant through an appropriation by the Minnesota State Legislature and the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund passed by Minnesota voters on Nov. 4, 2008.
Armory Arts & Event Center opens for small groups to gather If you’ve been wondering what’s happening at the Park Rapids Armory - wonder no more! The Armory Arts & Events Center (AA&EC), previously known as Armory Square, has a Board of Directors closely watching the Minnesota and federal COVID-19 guidelines to allow us to open our doors to community events once more! AA&EC held a Facebook Live Celebration May 25, 2020, to signify transfer of ownership from the developer to the City of Park Rapids, with bonding money provided by the Minnesota Legislature. This exciting event took place just as COVID-19 was beginning to have devastating effects on our families, businesses and nonprofits. The City of Park Rapids now leases the Armory to the Midwest Minnesota Community Development Corp. in Detroit Lakes and MMCDC is subleasing the Armory to the Park Rapids Armory Arts & Events Center, previously known as PRCDC. AA&EC’s Board of Directors is responsible for management and operation of this unique community space. Just as events were gearing up for summer events to take place in the Armory, AA&EC had to close its doors to large group events to comply with all COVID guidelines to keep people safe. Months have passed with the Armory sitting quietly waiting for the ability to serve the community. In January 2021, AA&EC’s Board of Directors moved to open The Armory Arts & Events Center to small groups of 10 or under!
So if you are looking for a space to meet in person and indoors during these subzero temperatures with the space to stay six feet apart the Armory is available. The board has contracted with Julie Kjenaas for Operations and Events Management to assist individuals looking to book the Armory. Please call Julie at the newly established Armory office at 218-237-3722 if you’re interested in booking events or with any questions you might have pertaining to the AA&EC. Her office is located in the northeast corner of the Armory building A tour of the many spacious rooms at the Armory can be arranged by appointment. Events must comply with all current and prevailing COVID-19 restrictions. One more thing! AA&EC has established a capital fundraising campaign to obtain funding to acquire telescopic seating and other needed improvements for more flexible utilization of our space when the Armory doors again open wide and host large events, such as the very popular Northern Light Opera Company summer productions. If you are interested in supporting The Armory Arts & Events Center in their fundraising endeavors, contact Julie and she will gladly provide you with donation information. AA&EC looks forward to providing a wonderful event space to the community in this new year of 2021 and beyond! Thank you for your interest and continued support of this important community asset. Go to https:// parkrapidsarmory.org to learn more.
Heartland Concert Association DON’T WAIT TO BE ASKED. JOIN NOW!
The Armory Arts & Events Center is currently open to small groups for socially distanced events. A fundraiser is underway to pay for seating and other needed improvements.
HEARTLAND CONCERT SERIES FOR 2020-21 SEASON IS CANCELLED
Due to COVID-19, many postponements and the uncertainty of restrictions for gatherings, plus the unknown venue restrictions, the Heartland Concert Association Board of Directors had to make the difficult decision to CANCEL the 2020-21 concert series. We apologize, but the health of our audience and artists is our top priority. We look forward to seeing you in 2021-22!
VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE INFORMATION
www.heartlandconcertassociation.org This activity is funded in whole or in part by a Region 2 Arts Council Grant through an appropriation by the MN Legislature, and the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund passed by MN voters on Nov. 4, 2008
Art Beat Quarterly Regional Guide
Small donations can lead to big things Since 2005, Heartland Arts (formerly Park Rapids Lakes Area Arts Council) has relied on arts and cultural organizations, project champions and grants to support our efforts. In addition to our goals of coordinating arts calendars, sharing information and incubating interest in new arts projects, Heartland Arts has sponsored 12 projects in a variety of arts disciplines: dance, music, visual arts, etc. Some projects have been-one-time events, like the recently completed mural in Downtown Park Rapids. Others are a series and a few are ongoing or will be in 2021 if they can be done safely. Heartland Arts also maintains a secure website - www.heartlandarts.org.
All our efforts support our mission to promote excellence in the arts through creation, education and performance. For the first time, Heartland Arts is asking the community to help the arts council expand opportunities for youth, artists and arts organizations in the Heartland Lakes area. Some grant support comes with strings attached. Donations would add money to our Medici Fund, which provides young people with financial assistance for lessons, workshops and other arts endeavors. Contributions also would allow Heartland Arts to respond to requests such as those we have received in the past for Century School PTA field trips, the 5th-H Performing Arts Club, Park Rapids Arts and Cultural Advisory Commission and Hubbard County DAC.
HCLL spring programs accessible online Headwaters Center for Lifelong Learning (HCLL) is offering a safe, online Spring 2021 series of eight programs. Participants may watch these programs at any time during March and April by going to HCLL’s Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/ headwaterscenterforlifelonglearningparkrapidsmn for the links. The programs are: “Climbing Denali”: Explorer Lonnie Dupre highlights the challenges of climbing North America’s highest peak, solo and in winter. “Travels to Bhutan”: Professional photographer and world traveler Cal Rice shares photos and tales from his trip to Bhutan. “The Story of Ah-Gwa-Ching”: Cecelia McKeig shares the history of Minnesota’s first tuberculosis sanitarium, which opened near Walker in 1907 and served as a model for all country sanatoriums. “Dorothy Molter--The Root Beer Lady”: Jess Edberg,
Executive Director of the Dorothy Molter Museum in Ely, tells the story of the last non-indigenous resident of the Boundary Waters. “Preserving Africa’s Wildlife”: Fanie Ernst, former resident of Park Rapids and South Africa, shows stunning images and explains the importance of South African game preserves. “1936 Berlin Olympics - The Nazi Games”: Historian David Jones reveals how the Nazis tightly controlled their image and discusses the impact of the 1936 Games on future contests. “Jesse James in Minnesota”: Retired Minneapolis Police Captain and amateur historian Loren Evenrud recounts the exploits of the infamous James gang in Minnesota. “Muddy Jungle Rivers”: Bemidji author Wendell Affield, a Navy veteran of the Vietnam War, tells what it’s like to be in combat when it’s hard to identify the enemy.
Heartland Arts is grateful to those who help us continue to support opportunities for artists and other arts organizations. Please indicate on your check memo line or with a note if you do not wish your contribution to be acknowledged on our website. Contribution levels are: $25 Friend of the Arts, $50 Supporter of the Arts (for families and organizations) and $100 or more Benefactor of the Arts. Contributions may be mailed to Heartland Arts, PO Box 702, Park Rapids, MN 56470. Heartland Arts is a 501(c)3 so donations are 100 percent tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law.
Blank Canvas Gallery Reunion Art Show planned Blank Canvas Gallery opened its doors in June, 2010 on Main Street, Park Rapids. The initial effort provided 20-plus artists an opportunity to exhibit in the Gallery. Subsequently, more than 80 additional artists were included. After a successful five years, Blank Canvas Gallery closed its doors in September 2015. Staying in contact, several artists determined that June 2020 would be an excellent opportunity for a Blank Canvas Gallery 10-year Reunion Art Show. Meanwhile, the pandemic caused major disruption. But the plans remain intact and the old Blank Canvas Gallery group has an August 2021 reservation at The Armory Arts and Events Center. Watch for the 11-year Blank Canvas Gallery Reunion announcement. And, thanks to all patrons for their continued support.
Library to host a Zoom pajama party, book talk with William Kent Krueger
Author Emily Kilgore is originally from Duluth, but now lives in Minneapolis with her husband and kitty.
Put on some comfy jammies, grab a snack, and snuggle up for a bedtime story read by author, Emily Kilgore. After the Zoom pajama party and story time, Kilgore will be available to answer questions. This event will start at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 9. Call
218-732-4966 or email parkrapids@krls.org to register to receive the link. Kilgore will read “The Whatifs,” her debut children’s book. “Cora is constantly worrying about everything. Because of this, the Whatifs love her. They sneak up to her and give her all kinds of doubts: big or small, silly or frightening, likely or impossible. As she prepares for an upcoming piano recital, the Whatifs cling on tighter and drag her down, making her anxious about messing up during the concert. Will she be able to change her worryfilled thoughts into hopeful ones?” Kilgore has been surrounded by the magic of books all her life. As both a writer and elementary school teacher, she strives to create books that foster empathy, welcome imagination and spark a natural curiosity. She has written for various education publications. The Park Rapids Area Library is sponsoring this special event. William Kent Krueger will be doing a virtual book talk about This Tender Land at 6 p.m. Thursday March 11. Join this award winning author for an intimate look at his latest book.
This magnificent novel follows four orphans on a lifechanging odyssey during the Great Depression. In 1932, the Lincoln School in Minnesota is a pitiless place where hundreds of Native American children, forcibly separated from their parents, are sent to be educated. It is also home to an orphan named Odie O’Banion, a lively boy whose exploits earn him the superintendent’s wrath. Forced to flee, he and his brother Albert, their best friend Mose, and a brokenhearted little girl named Emmy steal away in a canoe, heading for the mighty Mississippi and a place to call their own. Over the course of one unforgettable summer, these four orphans will journey into the unknown and cross paths with others who are adrift, from struggling farmers and traveling faith healers to displaced families and lost souls of all kinds. With the feel of a modern classic, This Tender Land is an enthralling, big-hearted epic that shows how the magnificent American landscape connects us all, haunts our dreams and makes us whole. This author event is funded through Kitchigami Regional Library System with funds from the Legacy Amendment.
Art Beat Quarterly Regional Guide
NLOC’s 20-year journey
Paul Dove’s long held dream of starting a light opera company became a reality on Sept. 20, 2001 when nine friends met at the home of Oscar and Pat Pederson to create the Northern Light Opera Company (NLOC). Board was formed, legal papers were submitted to the state, and by midJuly 2002 friends and neighbors had been recruited and two Gilbert & Sullivan operettas were successfully performed two weekends at Riverside Methodist Church for an appreciative audience. Follow as we reminisce about NLOC’s 20year journey. Summers 2003 to 2014. Productions of well-known Broadway musicals were produced at the Park Rapids Area High School auditorium. Cast sizes ranged from 10 to 61 per show, production crew (behind scenes help) ranged from 23 to 73 per show, and pit (instrumentalists) ranged from 5 to 15 per show. Summers 2015 to 2019. The venue changed to the Armory. This presented additional challenges such as building a
stage and audience seating but advantages allowed for more creative staging and better views for audiences. Cast sizes ranged from 31 to-66 per show, production crews ranged from 26 to 54 and pit orchestras ranged from 11 to 14 musicians per production. Additional smaller shows. These five- to 15-member shows were also produced throughout the years at Christmas (Amahl) and mid-year at Long Lake Theater or the Armory (Old Maid & a Thief), (The Apothecary), (Of Thee I Sing). Very Special New Project. A very special project began summer 2016 when producing Annie Get Your Gun. This new collaboration between the Pine Point Indigenous community and Park Rapids provides a Theater Workshop for 8-13 year olds from both communities called NLOKids. The month-long theater camp culminates in an original musical presented for parents and friends. COVID-19’s Impact. The 2020 summer production was cancelled as a result of
A screenshot of Northern Light Opera Company’s virtual concert reprise of "Fiddler" (2009).
COVID-19. NLOC’s performers missed the connections with others, so using the genius of ZOOM, a Virtual Concert was organized, which was presented live on Aug. 21 featuring former cast members living in England, New York City, Washington, D.C. and across the nation. Even NLOKids’ original musical was instead a mystery adventure, mostly
outdoors, which was also archived as a video. Creativity provides solutions. Summer 2021 plans are still uncertain. Stay tuned on the website: www. northernlightoperacompany. To help celebrate the 20 years of productions, visit northernlightoperacompanyfacebook, where, beginning with 2002, production info and photos will be posted periodically.
Calling 8-13 year olds who need things to do in early summer NLOKids is a collaborative Theater Camp where kids from Park Rapids and Pine Point play theater games and create an original musical they perform for parents and friends. Because of COVID-19, 2020’s summer project was instead a mystery adventure where kids encountered villains and allies as they solved challenges while taking field trips from Pine Point to Itasca State Park and Park Rapids. These adventures were documented on videos which are archived. 2021’s challenges are still unknown, but plans are to continue with the three- to four- week camp at the end of June into
July. Registration will be handled by Park Rapids Schools Community Ed; more information will be available at www. northernlighopera.org. Comments from NLOKids and parents have been very positive; besides having a fun time, great friendships are created! Northern Light Opera Company is scheduling online auditions for PIPPIN the week of March 26 with in-person callbacks on April 3. The production of PIPPIN is scheduled for the last weekend in July through the first weekend in August. Go to www.northernlightopera.org for further details.
The kids prepared for their last confrontation with the villain on their "Adventure of the Unknowns," as part of NLOKids theater camp in July 2020.
Region 2 Arts Council welcomes Katie Larson to its Board of Directors Hubbard County resident Katie Larson joined the Region 2 Arts Council Board of Directors in January. She brings her passion for theater to the arts council, having spent eight years as assistant technical director of the Park Rapids High School Drama Club. Her commitment to community is evident from her years of service on the County Fair Board, and as a member of the Park Rapids Katie Larson
Downtown Business Association and the Crazy Days committee. Katie received her Bachelor of Science degree in social studies education from Bemidji State University and works as the office manager for Coldwell Banker Clack and Dennis Real Estate. She noted that she’s looking forward to supporting arts activities in the region and that she’s proud to be serving as a Hubbard County representative on the Region 2 Arts Council. Welcome, Katie!
Art Beat Quarterly Regional Guide
Studio 176 showcases works by accomplished artists By Laura Grisamore Studio 176 co-owner
Studio 176, a local art gallery, located in Downtown Park Rapids, has been engaging the community and its visitors with art, creativity, events, artists receptions, workshops and presentations since it opened its doors in 2019. The stunning gallery space boasts 13-foot ceilings allowing for a unique salon style display of original artwork, photography, prints, cards and other merchandise, created by artists and gallery owners Jeremy Simsonson, Dawn Rossbach and Laura Grisamore and features artwork of other local, area and Minnesota artists. Despite the challenges COVID-19 presented for businesses this past year, gallery owners report they were able to safely open in late June. Throughout the summer and late fall of 2020 the gallery featured a Minnesota artist each month, showcasing the work of Heidi Jeub, Tammy Nara, Deane Johnson, Bickey Bender and Joe Hobson. The gallery pivoted from in-person receptions to primarily live online, “Artists Sip and Zoom Receptions,” workshops, presentations and interviews, available to view on their Youtube Channel- Studio 176 and Facebook page. “We had to reimagine our landscape a bit this past
Studio 176 offers beautiful art year round in the gallery and online.
spring and found it opened some exciting new opportunities for us,” co owner Laura Grisamore said. “We were able to engage a broader audience through a variety of online platforms, and allowed for more access to these experiences and art in general.” The studio recently launched a new website. “We are
excited about expanding to an online gallery and marketplace. It is now possible to also view and buy our art from any corner of the globe,” said co-owner Jeremy Simonson. The newly launched site allows customers to customize the size of the artwork, select from a variety of print mediums and utilizes tools such as room view to assist in visualizing room types, wall colors and artwork size. This spring and summer the gallery will take an in-depth look at each of the co-owner’s artwork, along with featuring the work of a few other Minnesota artists. The studio reports it is excited to continue to engage and collaborate with more artists, downtown businesses, the community and its visitors. “We are anticipating an exciting season of new work and we will be winging it with some surprises and fun new perspectives, so keep an eye on us,” Rossbach exclaimed. Studio 176 is located at 176 3rd St. West, downtown Park Rapids, currently open by appointment. Contact studio owners through Studio 176 Facebook page or email artinfo176@studio-176.com. Spring hours will be announced on social media in the near future. Artwork is always available to view and purchase on their website, studio176.art.
Local youth artist talks art and inspirations Clara Buchner, a young, vibrant, emerging artist from Menahga, is currently displaying her artwork at Studio 176 in Downtown Park Rapids and was recently featured in the Park Rapids Enterprise in an article about how art helps to cope during these unstable times. Here she talks more about her artwork, inspirations and future plans through a written online interview with Studio 176. Q: Tell us a little about yourself. A: I guess starting with the basics, I’m 16 and a junior at Menahga High School. I’m an only child and grew up in a very rural area. I think that that isolation (as well as no small amount of free time) was a big part of why I became so passionate about the arts. As well as visual arts, I’m pretty active in theater and music as well. I’ve been in quite a few shows locally and in school. I’ve been in band for six years and enjoy playing and writing music on my own time as well.
Clara Buchner shows her artwork at Studio 176.
Q: When did you first become interested in art? A: Art is something I’ve been interested in for as long as I can remember. As a child, I drew constantly. It was really just something I was naturally drawn to - I think I just picked up a crayon one day and decided that I never wanted to put it down. (I have managed to move on from crayons since then though.) I’ve always been a very thoughtful and creative person so I think I was drawn to art as a way to express all of the thoughts and feelings I had floating around in my head. In that sense, I’ve been interested in art all of my life. I think that as I grew up though, that sort of organic interest turned into something more focused. I started really thinking about art as something with a deeper significance as opposed to just a hobby of mine and learned to become a better artist. Q: What are your inspirations? A: I don’t think I’ve ever really been able to say that one particular artist or style has inspired me more than anything else. I think I pull my inspiration from things in bits and pieces - a particular collection of colors, a few scratchy lines of pencil, even the feelings associated with a piece of music. I think I also draw a lot of inspiration
Many Heartland Arts activities are made possible by the voters of Minnesota, through the Region 2 Arts Council, thanks to legislative appropriations from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund and the State’s General Fund.
from my feelings and my other interests. What would swimming look like as a color? What would sadness look like as a person? I feel I’m most drawn to artists who succeed in conveying emotions and ideas even through the simplest pieces. Q: In general what types of mediums do you use, and what mediums did you use in the artwork displayed at Studio 176? A: I definitely use just good old-fashioned pencils and paper more than anything else. When I was learning to draw, pencils were what I used the most and they’re still the easiest and most enjoyable medium for me to use. I have been trying to expand what I feel comfortable working with. I think the works I have on display actually do a good job of showing my attempts to become more versatile. My large self portrait is done entirely with graphite and charcoal, and the drawing of myself surrounded by plants is ink and charcoal. The three paintings are a mix of acrylics and watercolors. My last artwork (I believe the one on display in the upper right) is sort of a collage, using sections of magazine pages as well as some paint over the top. Q: Any future plans with art or new projects you have in mind? A: As far as the future goes, I’m really looking to keep improving my skills as an artist. I feel that as far as I’ve come with my technical abilities, I’m still struggling to find my voice as an artist. For now, I’ve really been enjoying doing different kinds of self-portraits. In an odd way, using myself as a subject sort of helps me to feel closer to myself and to show some different sides of me. I’ve been doing more painting recently as well, so I’m excited to gain some more skill there. Concerning the far future, I’m not really sure. I don’t know if I’d want to make art my entire career, but I know for certain that I always want to have some way to share my art with the world. Clara Buchner’s work will be on display at Studio 176 through the month of February. More information available on Studio 176 Facebook page under events or email owners at artinfo176@studio-176.com.
www.heartlandarts.org Facebook: parkrapidsarts
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March 2021
Photos by Sarah Nasello / The Forum Sarah's Slow Cooker Mushroom Sherry Soup is an easy way to create the perfect cup of comfort.
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Multiple types of fungi add up to delicious flavor in this slow cooker soup
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here are few foods more comforting than soup. With an abundance of mushrooms and shallots, this Slow Cooker Mushroom Sherry Soup is rich with flavor and full of savory comfort. I don’t often use my slow cooker for tasks other than keeping foods warm, but I was inspired after finding a similar recipe online. I was delighted with the result — after only 30 minutes of prep time, the soup was in the crock and left on its own to simmer and cook for the next four and a half hours. I used a variety of fresh mushrooms for this recipe, including cremini (baby bella), shiitake, oyster and button, as well as an ounce of dried porcini mushrooms. Using more than one type of mushroom adds depth of flavor and complexity to the soup. You can use any variety of fresh mushroom you prefer, but the dried porcini are an essential flavor-builder. Purists will insist that you should never wash fresh mushrooms with water, as this may prevent them from becoming crisp and golden when cooked, and instead recommend using a dry cloth to tenderly brush each mushroom. As a home cook, I don’t have the patience to dryclean my food, and you have my permission to skip this step as well. To save time, I included some pre-sliced mushrooms in my mix, which are clean and ready to use, as well as a few packages of whole baby mushrooms which I washed and dried before slicing. The flavor-builders can be prepared as the mushrooms are drying (I lay them out on paper towels,
A variety of fresh and dried mushrooms bring complexity and depth of flavor to the soup, and include porcini, cremini, shiitake, oyster and button.
Home with the Lost Italian BY SARAH & TONY NASELLO
Columnist
stem side down). Four shallots are thinly sliced and sauteed with two cloves of minced garlic until tender, and then a cup of dry sherry is added and brought to a boil so the alcohol content can cook off. The sherry pairs well with the meaty richness of the mushrooms and is a key component of the soup. To create a texture that is silky, smooth and still full of mushrooms, I puree just some of the soup and add it back to the pot, and an optional touch of cream can be added just before serving. Fragrant, lush and wonderfully rustic, this Slow Cooker Mushroom Sherry Soup is an easy way to create the perfect cup of comfort.
Slow Cooker Mushroom Sherry Soup
4 cups water 1 oz. dried porcini mushrooms 1 Tbsp. cornstarch 1 Tbsp. soy sauce (I prefer low-sodium) 1 tsp. kosher salt, divided 3/4 tsp. black pepper, divided 2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil 4 medium shallots, thinly sliced 2 cloves garlic (about 2 tsp.) 1 cup dry sherry 2-1/2 lb. assorted mushrooms, washed and dried, sliced 1/4-inch thick 1 Tbsp. fresh thyme leaves, stems removed, or 1-1/2 tsp. dry thyme 1/3 cup heavy cream (optional) In a medium or large pot, bring 4 cups of water to a boil. Place the dried porcini mushrooms in a medium bowl and cover with 2 cups of Park Rapids Office boiling water; let stand 618 1st St. E., Park Rapids Tuesdays 10 am - 3 pm, other times by appt. to hydrate for 20 minBRIAN HILLESLAND, NBC-HIS utes. National Board Certified Drain the porcini Hearing Instrument Specialist Toll - Free 1-800-631-4946 mushrooms in a colan218-631-4966 der placed over a bowl
and reserve the liquid. Coarsely chop the mushrooms and set aside. Bring the remaining 2 cups of water to a boil. Once boiling, add to the reserved mushroom liquid and stir in the cornstarch, soy sauce, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Set aside. Meanwhile, in a medium pan, heat the oil over medium heat until hot. Add the shallots and garlic and cook, stirring often, until the shallots are tender, about 4 to 5 minutes. Add the sherry and bring to a boil. Let boil for 1 minute then remove pan from heat. In the bowl of a 5-quart (or larger) slow cooker, add the porcini mushrooms, shallot mixture, reserved mushroom liquid, fresh mushrooms, thyme, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Stir together until the liquid is evenly distributed. The mushrooms will be at or near the top of the bowl and will reduce by about half when the soup is ready. Cover the pot and cook on high, stirring occasionally until the mushrooms are quite tender, about 3.5 to 4 hours. Remove the cover and continue cooking until the soup thickens slightly, about 30 minutes. Use a liquid or hand-held blender to puree 2 cups of the soup until smooth. Return the pureed soup to the slow cooker, add the cream (if using) and stir to combine. Taste and add more seasoning as desired. Serve hot with good, crusty bread. Serves eight. To store: Transfer soup to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 1 week or freeze for up to 3 months. “Home with the Lost Italian” is a weekly column written by Sarah Nasello featuring recipes by her husband, Tony Nasello. The couple owned Sarello’s in Moorhead and lives in Fargo with their son, Giovanni. Readers can reach them at sarahnasello@ gmail.com.
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f o k s i r Cut your s r o r r e n medicatio
s p i t e s e with th
Medication errors can happen to anyone in any place, including your own home and at the health care provider's office, hospital, pharmacy and senior living facility. Pixabay
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Mayo Clinic News Network edication errors refer to mistakes in prescribing, dispensing and giving medications. They injure hundreds of thousands of people every year in the United States. Yet most medication errors can be prevented. How can you protect yourself and your family? One of the best ways to reduce your risk of a medication error is to take an active role in your own health care. Learn about the medications you take — including possible side effects. Never hesitate to ask questions or share concerns with your healthcare provider or pharmacist.
What exactly are medication errors?
Medication errors are preventable events due to the inappropriate use of medications. Medication errors that cause harm are called preventable adverse drug events. If a medication error occurred, but didn’t hurt anyone, it’s called a potential adverse drug event. An example of a medication error is taking an over-the-counter product that contains acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) when you’re already taking a prescription pain medicine that contains this exact ingredient. This mistake could cause you to take more than the recommended dose of acetaminophen, putting yourself at risk of liver damage. Another example of a possible medication error is taking a depression medication called fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem) with a migraine drug called sumatriptan (Imitrex). Both medicines affect levels of a brain chemical called serotonin. Taking them together may lead to a potentially life-threatening condition called serotonin syndrome. Symptoms of the dangerous drug interaction include confusion, agitation, rapid heartbeat and increased body temperature, among others.
How do medication errors happen?
Medication errors can happen to anyone in any place, including your own home and at the health care provider’s office, hospital, pharmacy and senior living facility. Kids are especially at high risk for medication errors because they typically need different drug doses than adults. Knowing what you’re up against can help you play it safe. The most common causes of medication errors are: ► Poor communication between your doctors ► Poor communication between you and your doctors ► Drug names that sound alike and medications that look alike ► Medical abbreviations
Know how to prevent medication errors
Knowledge is your best defense. If you don’t understand something your doctor says, ask for an explanation. Whenever you start a new medication, make sure you know the answers to these questions: ► What is the brand or generic name of the medication? ► What is the medication supposed to do? How
long will it be until I see results? ► What is the dose? How long should I take it? ► What should I do if I miss a dose? ► What should I do if I accidentally take more than the recommended dose? ► Are there any foods, drinks, other medications or activities I should avoid while taking this medicine? ► What are the possible side effects? What should I do if they occur? ► Will this new medication interfere with my other medication(s)? If so, how? Your health care provider can help prevent medication errors by using a computer to enter and print (or digitally send) any prescription details, instead of hand writing one.
Participate in medication reconciliation
Asking questions is essential, but it isn’t enough. Your health care providers can follow a process called medication reconciliation to significantly decrease your risk of medication errors. Medication reconciliation is a safety strategy that involves comparing the list of medications your health care provider currently has with the list of medications you are currently taking. This process is done to avoid medication errors such as: ► Missing medications (omissions) ► Duplicate medications ► Dosing errors ► Drug interactions Medication reconciliation should be done at every transition of care in which new medications are ordered or existing orders are rewritten. Transitions in care include changes in setting (such as being admitted or discharged from the hospital), health care provider or level of care. Sharing your most up-to-date information with your health care providers gives the clearest picture of your condition and helps avoid medication mistakes. Here’s what you need to tell your health care providers: ► The name and strength of all medications you’re taking and when you take them, including prescription medications, herbs, vitamins, nutritional supplements, over-the-counter drugs, vaccines and anything received intravenously, including diagnostic and contrast agents, radioactive medications, feeding tube supplements and blood products
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► Any medications that you’re allergic to or that have caused problems for you in the past ► Whether you have any chronic or serious health problems ► If you might be pregnant or you’re trying to become pregnant
Avoid these mistakes
The following medication errors have happened to some people. Don’t make these same mistakes: ► Confusing eardrops and eyedrops. Always double-check the label. If a medication says “otic,” it’s for the ears. If it says “ophthalmic,” it’s for the eyes. ► Chewing nonchewables. Don’t assume chewing a pill is as good as swallowing it. Some medications should never be chewed, cut or crushed. Doing so may change how they’re absorbed by the body. ► Cutting up pills. Never split pills unless your doctor or pharmacist has told you it’s safe to do so. Some medications shouldn’t be cut because they’re specially coated to be long acting or to protect the stomach. ► Using the wrong spoon. The spoons in your silverware drawer aren’t measuring spoons. To get an accurate dose, use an oral syringe (available at pharmacies) or the dose cup that came with the medication.
MEDICATIONS: Page 12
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March 2021
"My creations don't always turn out the way I see them in my mind before I start."
can w a piece shows ho t's mind as e in p u rc the artis bowl po This blue from a concept in e p a sh l. e e ke ta wh ed on the it is work
Crabbe said this tal l bowl with flowers all over it is a style she enjoys creating.
POTTERY From Page 1
Never stop learning
Crabbe spent her professional life as an educator, working first as a teacher and then as an administrator. Crabbe’s interest in art and education continued after retirement. “I’m very much a lifelong learner,” she said. “I believe in that so strongly.” In 2010, she enrolled in Montgomery Community College’s Pottery Program to see if pottery was as much fun as it looked. “It was indeed, and for the past 11 years, I have been immersed in clays and glazes, often looking as though I have been dunked in one or both,” she said. “Pottery is a wonderful endeavor, but creating in mud is downright dirty ... and fun.” Despite the mess involved in pottery (and the creative process), Anne’s pottery has clean and simple lines, usually embellished by carving, painting, or applied designs of clay. Soft-colored glazes are used to accentuate the surface decorations. She describes her recent switch to porcelain clay as “gracefulness striving for a sense of playful elegance.” Her creations have evolved through the years. “When I look at some of the beginning things they didn’t always turn out like the image I had in my mind when I started,” she said. “I made a lot of the flower style. I tend to leapfrog. I’ll be working on something and then I’ll see something else and try that idea for a while. I might try to do something different with it. I see a pot or a bowl as a canvass to try something new. “My pottery has influences from other people but it ends up being my stuff.”
A love affair with pottery
Another piece of advice Crabbe said has served her well is “Follow your passion.” She didn’t know if she would like pottery or be able to do it, but fell in love with it. She will be a featured artist in a gallery show. “I
told them I’m not an artist, I’m a person who makes pottery and I like to do quirky things with it.” During the pandemic, Crabbe said having a studio right in her home has been nice. “I love to do pottery,” she said. “It’s very nice to have an outlet that doesn’t require me to go somewhere or be with other people. “I do continue to take a pottery class at a college in the area one day a week. This is my eleventh year of that. We’re all in masks and are six feet apart. I continue to do it because pottery is kind of lonely. You do it by yourself. So it’s fun to go and have the camaraderie of a group of friends who are also potters. I invariably learn something every week I go. “There is just so much to learn and do and try that I probably will continue to go to some kind of organized class. I learn from the teacher and I learn from other students. We’re all fairly proficient
Submitted photos This blue lilac vase has been cut into and shaped to resemble leaves or sprouts.
because we’ve been at it for quite some time.”
Opening a gallery
What started out as a hobby has also become a business venture. Crabbe is founder of One Of A Kind Gallery in Pinehurst, N.C. that sells unique creations by local artists. She and a friend decided to open the art gallery three years ago. “We now have work on display by 34 artists – two potters and the rest a hodgepodge – and feature them on our website www.oneofakindllc.com,” said Crabbe. “We do a picture and bio for each artist so the customers can learn more about the artists. Our artists represent virtually every media in art: painters, photographers, jewelers, stained glass artists, card makers, scarf designers, potters, sculptors, glass fusion artists, and a basket maker. That has blossomed into a business and it’s fun.””
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12 MEDICATIONS From Page 10
Make safety a habit
Get into the habit of playing it safe with these medication tips: ► Keep an up-to-date list of all your medications, including nonprescription drugs and supplements. ► Store medications in their original labeled containers. ► Keep your medications organized by using a pillbox or an automatic pill dispenser. ► Save the information sheets that come with your medications. ► Use the same pharmacy, if possible, for all of your prescriptions. ► When you pick up a prescription, check that it’s the one your doctor ordered. ► Don’t give your prescription medication to someone else and don’t take someone else’s.
Atshke r o t c o D Jen Keller O.D.
A final word on medication errors
“Don’t ask, don’t tell” is never a smart policy when it comes to medications and your health. Don’t hesitate to ask questions or to tell your health care providers if anything seems amiss. Remember, you’re the final line of defense against medication errors. If despite your efforts you have problems with a medication, talk with your health care provider or pharmacist about whether to report it to MedWatch — the Food and Drug Administration safety and adverse event reporting program. Reporting to MedWatch is easy, confidential and secure — and it can help save others from being harmed by medication errors.
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Am I Hallucinating?
In previous months, we’ve discussed many of the common eye problems that can cause vision loss... cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, etc. This month, we’ll cover something that is less common, but also very interesting and important. What is Charles Bonnet Syndrome? This phenomenon occurs in people who have lost some vision in one or both eyes (due to macular degeneration, glaucoma, etc.). These patients can experience complex visual hallucinations, where they see things that are not really there. These hallucinations are often pleasant and unthreatening images, and the patients know that they are not really there. The hallucinations occur off and on in the eye that has lost vision. Many of these patients often think they are going crazy, as they are seeing hallucinations out of their blind eye. They are usually NOT going crazy, they are simply experiencing Charles Bonnet Syndrome! What do people see during these hallucinations? People can see just about anything during these hallucinations. I have a blind patient who described well-dressed children who followed her around; she was not afraid of the children watching her, because she knew they were not really there. I had another patient who reported seeing a field of black and gray flowers that scared her at first, but she was not afraid once she realized they were not really there. A third patient has described seeing beautiful purple flowers on the trees outside his house, in the middle of winter. It’s important to be aware of Charles Bonnet Syndrome, especially if you have friends or family who have lost considerable vision in one or both eyes. It can be very comforting to these people to talk about their hallucinations, and they are usually very relieved to learn that they are not going crazy! In 2005 I published an article on Charles Bonnet Syndrome for an international Optometry/Ophthalmology journal; if you would like a copy of this article or if you have any questions on Charles Bonnet Syndrome, please let me know!
Speak with one of our expert advisors to learn more at 218.699.3605.
Crystal Brook
SENIOR LIVING COMMUNITY
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