September 2020
BIKERS ADAPT TO CONTINUE HOBBY AS THEY AGE Over the years, the Hubbard Biking Group has expanded to include anyone outside of the United Methor nearly 25 years, a group odist church. There are about 70 of avid bicyclists have found people on the mailing list. friendship and adventure together. “It was an instant success,” said In 1995, 18 members from the Curtis Bakken, an original club Hubbard United Methodist Church member with wife Ruth. The group signed up for a Netherlands bike rode “everything within a 100-mile tour. Hubbard is a lakeside village, radius” of Park Rapids. And everysix miles south of Park Rapids. one started buying better bikes, Not only has the Hubbard Biking “We had so much fun doing that, Group scheduled twice-weekly bike we then started a fall bike ride,” rides, they have gone to Europe Curtis said. every year since – until 2020 when The group takes a two- to threethe pandemic hit. day trip to another part of MinA trip to Germany this nesota. This year’s destination is spring was cancelled due to the The Hubbard Biking Group ventures out Stillwater. In the past, they’ve travfor a ride. Typically, anywhere from 20 eled to Lanesboro, the Iron Range or COVID-19 outbreak. Predominantly seniors, the bik- to 40 riders participate. They are pre- the Twin Cities. ing group gathers on Mondays and dominantly seniors. Bobbi and Bill Zigmant’s first Wednesdays from May through foray into biking began when they September. Some riders are in their mid-80s, most joined the Hubbard Biking Group. are 65 and older. “We had the old Schwinn,” Bobbi recalled, before “We have a number of our riders go away for the they upgraded to a Trek touring bike. winter, and they have been slow coming back this They’ve been on 17 European, guided bike trips. year. So every week there’s been somebody new “Italy, France, Portugal, Spain, Poland,” Bobbi coming back,” said Evonne Evans, who is currently said. “It’s wonderful. You fly into the big cities, then the group’s volunteer coordinator, along with hus- you are bused out and you are with people in the band Ray. small communities. They interact with you.” “Some are just staying away,” Ray added, due to the pandemic. RIDE ON! Page 3 By Shannon Geisen sgeisen@parkrapidsenterprise.com
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Each ride begins with a quick meeting. On this day, they left from Heartland Park in Park Rapids. Photos by Shannon Geisen/Enterprise
Art Beat Quarterly Regional Guide
Inside this issue... 2 Do trees scarred by mowers and trimmers recover? 4 No cherry left behind 5-8 Art Beat 9 Food safety for seniors 10 Staying positive while aging 11 How to get help with Medicare coverage 12 86-year-old mom refuses to accept in-home caregivers
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Ride on!
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Do trees scarred by mowers and trimmers recover? Growing Together BY DON KINZLER Columnist The year was 2013, and I came upon the crime scene accidentally on a hot July day. The victim was visible as I drove by, a flowering crab apple with a fresh, gaping wound. The tree’s bark was gashed near ground level, and the defenseless victim was standing there, left to fend for itself. You don’t quickly forget such a vision. I devoted a weekly gardening column to the crime when it happened seven years ago, and although I titled it “The mystery of the murdered tree,” the crime was really no mystery. I’ve thought about the victim often, having last visited the tree two years ago. It’s time to reopen the case, not because we need to find the perpetrator, but because we need to publicize and prevent a practice that’s killing our trees. The tree wasn’t hit by a car, girdled by rabbits, gnawed by a beaver or chewed by voles — it was injured by a human with a lawn mower and a string trimmer, in repetitive abuse under the guise of trimming the lawn. How is the victim today? Do trees whose bark is nicked or scarred by lawnmowers and trimmers recover from their wounds? I paid a recent visit to the tree. In 2013, although the trunk was injured, the tree’s leafy canopy was full and normal looking. When I visited in 2018, I noted the tree was in a sad state of decline, with a high percentage of the branches dead and bare. Today, there is little left. Branch stubs are all that remain on much of the tree where death was pruned away, leaving a lopsided scarecrow of a tree with a tiny smattering of weak leaves trying their best to hold on. Even an optimist would soon sound the death knell. Let’s talk about what happened. The biology of a tree trunk explains why such damage is so serious. The outer visible bark layer is the tree’s protective armor, safeguarding the lifeblood of the tree, the cambium layer. This thin, greenish-white layer, immediately inside the bark, is where the tree’s growth occurs. Tissues around this thin layer conduct water and nutrients up and down the tree. Farther inside the tree trunk are the rings of wood that structurally support the tree. If the outer protective bark is damaged and the cambium layer injured, the tree is figuratively left to bleed to death. Whether death comes slowly or quickly depends upon the depth and circumference of the injury. Years of tree growth can be ruined in seconds by damage from a mower or trimmer. The damage is also cumulative. A little nick this week, a little scrape next, and soon the damage is irreversibly compounded. The damage that began as bark injury can cause deep bark cracks, dead branches, overall decline in vigor and possible death over time. A weakened tree is also more susceptible to attacks by insects, disease and winter injury. Purdue University describes it well: “One of the most dangerous pests of trees is humans, especially humans with equipment. The tree trunk is protected by bark, which guards a very important plant transport system that moves nutrients and water between the roots and leaves to keep the tree alive. Damage to the bark and to this transport system can affect tree health and the tree could die. No matter what size the wound is, the damage done is irreversible.” How can we prevent this from happening while mowing and trimming? Add shredded bark, or other wood product mulch, following the 5-5-5 rule: a circle five feet in diameter, five inches thick, and kept five inches away from the trunk. Rock mulch is not as tree-friendly as wood mulch. Rocks retain and transmit heat, compact the soil from their weight, and don’t always move aside when the tree trunk needs to expand in diameter. Few forest floors are covered in rock mulch. Don Kinzler, a lifelong gardener, is the horticulturist with North Dakota State University Extension for Cass County. Readers can reach him at kinzlerd@casscountynd.gov or call 701-241-5707.
The tree wounded by mowing and trimming in 2013 has steadily declined and is nearly dead. (David Samson / The Forum)
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September 2020
Bill and Bobbi Zigmant cruise the trails on their recumbent trikes. They transitioned to this bike when keeping a balance became an issue. Shannon Geisen/Enterprise
From Page 1
Ruth agreed. She and Curtis have been on 33 biking trips – Ireland, Hungary, Bavaria, New Zealand, the Czech Republic, Norway. Biking through the countryside puts Americans in contact with rural Europeans. The locals are very welcoming, Ruth said. “The best part is the little villages and the cobblestone streets.” The Evans joined in 2012. They have embarked on bike-and-barge trips to France, Germany and Luxembourg. “You get off the barge in the morning. The barge goes downriver,” Ray said, then meets bikers later in the day. “The hotel just follows you down the river,” Evonne chimed in. Arnie and Sue Kuhn joined a couple years ago. Sue sings in the Hubbard United Methodist Church choir “and we recently retired, so now we can pursue all these activities,” Arnie said. Sue said they’ve taken biking trips through California and Vermont. “It’s a way of life. You feel like you’re not so decadent. You actually do some exercise,” Arnie said of incorporating biking into vacations. Sue recently had knee surgery, so she rides an electric bike to reduce any knee strain. Another bicyclist was scheduled to have hip surgery on Monday. The Zigmants transitioned to recumbent trikes about three years ago due to balance issues. “We are the future,” Bobbi quipped. Recumbent biking is “much easier, but you’re working different muscles,” she said. Because there is no downward pedal, Bobbi said you utilize your stomach/ abdominal muscles along with your legs.
“You can look around. You can see everything,” she added. A recumbent bike is about $1,000 apiece, Bobbi said, similar to a Trek touring bike. Road bikes – with all the bells and whistles – can be as expensive as $20,000. Another advantage: they can be folded up. “I can put these in the back of my Forester, both of them,” Bobbi said. “No screws; it’s all lever action. It’s 21 speeds, same as the regular bike.” The Zigmants organized the group rides for 14 years, from 1998 to 2012. Many members wear brightly colored shirts with the club logo. “Every couple of years someone will say, ‘Maybe we should (print) a new shirt,’” Evonne said.
Fellowship is important to the group. Each ride ends with a meal. “We’ll do a lunch picnic and socialize,” Ray said. Evonne noted the group tries to support local restaurants by eating lunch or dinner while social distancing. Larry and Karen Odegard have participated for a dozen years. “We’re not even close to the old timers around here,” Larry said. “We’re getting up there now,” Karen said. But the Odegards agreed that camaraderie is a huge draw. “Fabulous people,” Larry said. “The social part of it is great. Just the regularity of it gets you out,” Karen added. Before each ride, they have a quick meeting to
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discuss the route and future events. Before the kickstands go up, they lift their voices in a traditional song of praise: “Oh, the Lord is good to me, and so I thank the Lord for giving me the things I need, the sun don’t rain and a good bike seat. The Lord
is good to me. Amen, amen, amen, amen, amen, amen.” The riders, generally totaling 20 to 30, divide into smaller clusters based on speed. “We’ve got a group that will go faster, a group that’ll go average and a
group that will go slower,” Ray said. Each group carries a First Aid kit and bike repair kit. There is also a designated leader and “sweep,” who rides at the back of the group. “We’ve never, ever lost anybody,” Curtis said.
New Options for Cataract Surgery
Murry D. Westberg, O.D.
100 Huntsinger Ave, Park Rapids 732-3389 107 6th St., Walker 547-3666
A cataract forms when the clear crystalline lens of the eye becomes cloudy. The lens sits right behind the iris (the colored part of the eye) and helps us to focus. When the lens gets cloudy, vision gets hazy and blurry. Cataracts are a natural part of the aging process, so everyone will eventually develop cataracts if they live long enough. They usually start to show up around age 50, and surgery is most common between 65 and 75 years old. Factors that increase a person’s risk for early cataract development include sunlight (UV) exposure, smoking, diabetes, steroid use, and trauma. Cataracts usually develop gradually over many years, so patients are not always aware that their vision is getting worse. Cataracts usually cause a person’s vision to become cloudy, blurry or filmy. They can cause a dimming of your vision, so that colors appear faded and you may need more light to read. They also can cause increased glare and halos at night, making night driving more difficult.
A cataract does not need to be “ripe” to be ready for surgery. Cataract surgery is generally a routine procedure that can be done as soon as your vision interferes with your daily activities. During cataract 1-877-700-3389 surgery, the cataract is broken up and www.prweyeclinic.com removed from the eye, and a clear lens implant is put in its place. It is a painless process with minimal recovery time, and patients typically describe it as a “pleasant experience”. Patients often tell me “I don’t know why I waited so long to have it done, I wish I would have done it sooner!” Murry D. Westberg, O.D. Jen Keller, O.D. R.W. Helm, O.D.
In the past, the lens implant that is inserted into the eye in cataract surgery has been able to correct the majority of your nearsightedness or farsightedness, so patients are much less dependent on glasses following surgery. However, the traditional lens implants have not dealt with astigmatism or near vision, so many patients are still slightly blurry without glasses, and almost all need glasses for reading. This is no longer the case, with the advent of toric intraocular lenses (IOLs) and multifocal intraocular lenses (IOLs). With this new technology, patients have the chance to be even less dependent on glasses for distance and near following cataract surgery. These new implants have been around for a number of years, but the technology has improved to the point where we are now comfortable recommending them for certain patients. We work with several surgeons who are using this technology to give our patients the best possible outcomes following cataract surgery. It all starts with an eye exam to evaluate your cataracts and determine if surgery is an option for you – give us a call today!
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Sarah's Cherry and Arugula Salad features a bed of baby arugula leaves topped with fresh cherries, pistachios, red onion, cucumber and fresh mozzarella cheese. Sarah Nasello / The Forum
No cherry left behind This delicious arugula salad is the perfect blend of flavors
By Sarah and Tony Nasello On a recent trip to Central Market in Detroit Lakes, Minn., I found beautiful, fresh cherries on sale for only $1.48 per pound. These were the best-looking cherries I’ve seen, for a fraction of the price I paid last month, so I snatched up two large bags and began dreaming up new ways to use them to ensure they wouldn’t go to waste. Cherries are appealing on so many levels — taste, appearance, nutrition — and each summer, I find myself purchasing them in abundance whenever they are on sale. The natural sweetness of the balsamic vinegar works well with the cherries, but if you don’t already have it in your pantry, you can use all red wine vinegar and the dressing will still taste great. This vinaigrette is tart, tangy and versatile enough to serve with any number of salads and can also be served warm as a sauce with pork and chicken dishes. To ensure maximum flavor, the fresh cherries are pitted, halved and then cooked over medium-low heat with a bit of water until the liquid is mostly evaporated and the cherries have reduced in size by half. This step amplifies the flavors of the cherries and makes a considerable difference to the taste and texture of the dressing. A food processor or blender is essential for this recipe, as the ingredients are pureed to ensure that the proper consistency is achieved. The recipe includes a small amount of water, which can be increased to achieve your desired result. One batch yields roughly 1 cup of dressing, and since the salad requires only about 1/4 to 1/3 cup, you can save the rest to be enjoyed later with other dishes. This Cherry Vinaigrette can be served with any green salad, but is especially nice with bitter greens like arugula or endive. The salad recipe combines a bed of baby arugula with fresh cherries, red onion, cucumber, pistachios and fresh mozzarella cheese for a dish that is filled with a diversity of flavor, color and texture. To enhance its texture, I toss the arugula with olive oil, salt and pepper before assembling the salad. Fresh, colorful and delicious, this Cherry Arugula Salad with Cherry Vinaigrette is the perfect blend of flavors and a great way to ensure that no cherry gets left behind.
Cherry and Arugula Salad with Cherry Vinaigrette
1 5-oz. tub of baby arugula greens 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 1/2 tsp. kosher salt 1/4 tsp. black pepper 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced 1/4 cup cucumber, seeded and small-diced 1/2 cup fresh mozzarella, cut into half-inch cubes 1/4 cup pistachios, roughly chopped 1 cup fresh cherries, pitted and halved (about 15 cherries) Cherry vinaigrette
Tart, tangy and full of flavor, Sarah's fresh Cherry Vinaigrette is the perfect dressing for salads with bitter greens, or served warm as a sauce for pork and chicken. Sarah Nasello / The Forum
In a large bowl, toss the arugula with the olive oil, salt and pepper until evenly coated. Transfer the arugula to a medium platter, distributing evenly all around. Top with the red onion, cucumber, mozzarella, pistachios and cherries, then drizzle with 1/4 cup of the cherry vinaigrette, adding more as desired, or leave the salad plain and serve the dressing on the side. Serves 4 to 6.
Cherry Vinaigrette
1 cup fresh cherries, halved and pitted 1/4 cup water 1 small garlic clove, roughly chopped 3 large basil leaves, torn into pieces 1-1/2 tsp. Dijon mustard 1-1/2 tsp. honey 1-1/2 tsp. balsamic vinegar 1-1/2 tsp. red wine vinegar 2 Tbsp. water (add more if too thick) 1/2 tsp. kosher salt 1/4 tsp. black pepper 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil Place the cherries and 1/4 cup water in a small saucepan. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until most of the liquid has evaporated and the cherries are reduced to a half-cup, about 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from burner and let cherries cool for 5 minutes. Use a food processor or blender to blitz the cooled cherries with all the ingredients, except the olive oil. Turn the processor or blender on and mix until thoroughly combined, about 45 to 60 seconds; taste
and add more seasoning as desired. With the machine running, add the olive oil through the feed slot in a slow, steady stream and blend for 1 minute. Check the consistency of the dressing and add more water if too thick. Blend for another minute, then refrigerate for 15 minutes before serving. Serve cold or at room temperature as a dressing for salads, or warm as a sauce for pork and chicken. Makes about 1 cup. To store: The vinaigrette may be prepared in advance and refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
Sarah’s tips
► Tossing the arugula with olive oil, salt and pepper before assembling the salad enhances the overall texture of the salad. ► For a spicy version, add some fresh jalapeno with the cherries, starting with half a pepper, roughly chopped, and adding more as desired. ► Other herbs, including cilantro and fresh mint, can be added in place of, or in addition to, the basil. “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.
Art Beat
Fall 2020
Quarterly Regional Guide
Guest artists share talents with DAC clients Hubbard County Developmental Achievement Center (DAC) clients are busy working with guest artists to create beautiful art. The activities are made possible by the voters of Minnesota, through a grant from the Region 2 Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund. Clients have been having art lessons with Erin Nelson twice per week at the DAC learning about famous artists. Erin spent 23 years as an elementary teacher in Grand Forks and 10 years instructing and chairing the visual arts program for East Grand Forks Senior High before retiring in 2014. She is also a very talented artist who has been influenced by pop artists and abstract expressionists to create acrylic and mixed media landscapes and whimsical paintings of farmyard animals and “up north furry and feathered friends.” In her Van Gogh lesson, she encouraged the DAC artists to paint their own version of Van Gogh’s sunflowers. Erin has really brought out the talents of the artists and the finished paintings are amazing. The collection will be hanging at CHI St. Joseph’s Dental Clinic. “We are always very excited to share art with the
community,” said Laura Johnson, Hubbard County DAC executive director. In July, Erin had a circus theme that included learning about Alexander Calder and George Rouault. The classes included line drawings, sculpture and collage. In August, Erin worked with DAC artists to paint a mural on the Salvage Depot Building. In August, clients also had the opportunity to work with artist Jill Odegaard and learn papermaking skills. Jill has a master’s in fine arts and is a professor of art at Cedar Crest College in Allentown, PA. She has worked with other projects here in Park Rapids through the Nemeth Art Center, including papermaking workshops and the Woven Welcome project for the Governor’s Fishing Opener in May 2013. The focus of this summer’s workshop was to immerse participants in a sustainable art process by repurposing the paper shredded at the DAC. Participants transformed the material into pulp and used it to create paper. Jill also demonstrated how to add other materials to the pulp to create 2D multimedia images that can be used as wall art, notecards or bound into books. “It was an amazing couple of days out in beautiful Minnesota making art,” Johnson said.
Erin Nelson worked with DAC clients to create circusthemed artworks.
Art Leap postponed, but find artists online Like dominoes falling, Art Leap became another in a series of arts projects to topple this season. In early August, Heartland Arts made the decision to cancel as case counts were rising. No one wants to cause even one person to be exposed to COVID-19 because of an event Heartland Arts sponsors. It was a hard decision, but better than regret. In lieu of a driving tour, the plan is to post information on the Heartland Arts website about the artists who had committed to participating this year along with their websites, Facebook pages or other contact information. It is expected this can be accomplished by the end of August.
If you were planning to do Art Leap this year, please go to the site, “visit” the artists and support them. With many shows cancelled this year, some artists need our support more than ever. When they learned of the decision, artists were gracious in their comments. Musician Kari Grace stated it well: “I’m sorry about the tough choices but agree they’re for the greater good of the community. I have hope there will be a better and exciting explosion of arts and need for them in the near future.” The Heartland Arts website is heartlandarts.org.
Connect with Classic Chorale on Facebook The Park Rapids Classic Chorale hopes this edition of Art Beat finds you all well. Due to the ongoing concerns regarding everyone’s safety and reducing the spread of COVID-19, the chorale’s winter session has been put on hold. “We are saddened to not be able to produce our annual Christmas Concert, a tradition many families have come to expect,” said Jordan Goodwater, chorale publicist.
“The good news is, that while we are navigating these difficult times, we are working to stay connected as a chorus and with all of you. The board continues to monitor the COVID-19 situation and consider how to move forward when the time is right to safely deliver the quality programming you have experienced from us for the last 30 years,” he added. Until singers and audiences can be together again, please consider following the Classic Chorale on
Heartland Concert Association DON’T WAIT TO BE ASKED. JOIN NOW!
Facebook - @PRClassicChorale. Some past videos and historical items from the archives will be posted. Above all, remember that arts organizations and artists need your support now more than ever! Thank you for your continued support. The Classic Chorale looks forward to making music for you in the near future!
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
New mural celebrates downtown Park Rapids Eighteen months after Ray Carlson, the new owner of Aunt Belle’s Confectionary, floated the idea of replacing a 15-year-old mural on the side of his building, a new painting enhances the wall. Muralist Lili Payne Lennox of Minneapolis and her three-woman crew began the work the evening of Monday, Aug. 3, projecting images to trace on the wall. They completed the mural at about noon Friday, Aug. 7. A steering committee representing several community organizations have collaborated on the project, working with the artist on a design that would welcome people downtown and convey the vitality of our shops, restaurants and the arts community. As the mural crew was working, pedestrians commented they liked the vibrant colors and fresh look. “It shows the personality of the town. I’m a fan of making the plain look great. It’s money well spent,” one said. An annual visitor offered the mural shows Park Rapids is more than just a fishing community. Another pedestrian said, “It’s absolutely gorgeous. I’m glad we have this nice mural to look at.” A teenager said the mural looks like a party waiting to happen. Some visitors suggested it would be good to have more murals downtown. For 17 years, Lili, who was married in July, has built a business as a scenic artist and muralist, her most notable clients being Macy’s Special Events (Minneapolis and Chicago), the Loews Hotel Minneapolis, Split Rock Studios museum services, a 2017 feature film (“Wilson”) and numerous public art commissions. Her murals are installed in businesses and organizations all over the country, but mainly concentrated in Minnesota. Lili is a founding member and vice president of the Guild of Scenic Artists, a non-profit working to foster community, provide educational resources, and help with the industry challenges of professional Scenic Artists. For more about her work, go to www.gildedlili.com. This activity is made possible, in part, by the voters of Minnesota, through a grant from the Region 2 Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. Additional funding is from Aunt Belle’s Confectionary & Grandpa’s Cabin, the Park Rapids Downtown Business Association, Enbridge, Precision Pipeline and Viking Mat Company. Paint is being provided by Benjamin Moore and Cwikla Ace Hardware. Thanks also to the Park Rapids Lions Club for providing volunteers to paint the base coat and to Smokey Hills Outdoor Store for lending a GoPro to record the daily progress.
Most of the vibrant colors were applied with paint rollers of varying sizes.
Finishing touches were added Friday, Aug. 7 and the work was done by about noon.
Heartland Arts initiates fundraiser 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 were-one-time events, others a series and a few are ongoing. We also maintain a secure website. All support our mission to promote excellence in the arts through creation, education and performance.
For the first time, we are asking the community to help us 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. We are 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 to be acknowledged on our website. Contribution levels will be $25 Friend of the Arts.$50 Supporter of the Arts (for families and organizations), $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. A form will be available on the Heartland Arts website: www.heartlandarts.org.
Art Beat Quarterly Regional Guide
That’s community ed!
Check out what’s happening at the library
Park Rapids Community Education staff are busy organizing classes to engage learners of all ages. The adult classes include Stained Glass, Basket Weaving, Barn Wood Quilt Signs, String Music Lessons, Photography and much more. Some of the classes are offered online while others are in-person. Other classes are in the works, so check the website often at www.parkrapidscomed.com to see what is waiting for you. If you have questions or are interested in offering a class, call Community Education at 237-6600. Stay safe and remember, we are thinking creatively to inspire and encourage you to try things you have never done before – that’s Community Ed!
Community Ed continues to work on in-person and online classes..
Every fall, the Friends of the St. Paul Public Library put together an author program with Minnesota Book Award winners and sends one program to one branch of each regional library system in the state. This year is Park Rapids’ turn. It’s a little sad as it will be digital now, rather than the in-person event it usually is. But, the Park Rapids Area Library will have a digital program with three or four Minnesota Book Award winners. As of mid-August, the digital program is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 10. Once staff learns which authors will be included, information on how people can register will be posted on Facebook at Park Rapids Area Library. A special flamenco dance program is tentatively scheduled at The Armory Arts and Event Center Thursday, Sept. 24. Susana di Palma, artistic director, choreographed “Casita,” inspired by homeless women’s stories. “Casita” premiered at the Lab Theater in April 2019. This poignant and relevant work initially danced by di Palma and Jeanne d’Arc Casas (Puerto Rico) features original blues/jazz music by Billy Steele and vocals by gospel singer Tonia Huges. As part of di Palma’s 2017 McKnight Fellowship for Choreography, she was in residency at Maggie Allesee National Center for Choreography, in Tallahassee, FL, to further the development of this new contemporary flamenco duet. “Casita” emanates from stories collected from homeless women and explores what “home” means in various contexts and the experience of what it is like to live an alternative lifestyle, without shelter. Mary Schwartz has been posting videos on Facebook about art, creativity, science, etc. People of all ages seem
Readers are invited to make posters for an “Authors Inspire” bulletin board.
to be enjoying them. Jodi Schultz is continuing to post story time on Facebook Live. You can join her on Fridays at 10:30 a.m. To engage members of the community, Schultz is putting together a bulletin board with the heading “Authors Inspire” with posters of author quotes. A video still in the making will invite others to create something from author quotes they find inspiring. The goal will be to fill the board with many pictures/posters/notes with inspirational quotes.
Heartland Concerts postponed The board members for Heartland Concert Association made a difficult decision to cancel the 2020-21 concert series, which included a cancelled concert from the 201920 series. Like you, we are missing the variety of performances and the joy going to a live concert brings. Cancelled performances mean that artists are struggling, too. They don’t get to perform for a live audience, nor are they working. There are ways we can help the art community during these difficult times. One way to help is to communicate your support. Artists would appreciate hearing you are missing their performances – knowing their efforts are valuable to you is vital. It will help them know you are excited by the prospect of seeing them in the future. Most artists have websites which allow direct communication. The more
people who take a few minutes to drop an artist a note, the better. Simply tell them you missed seeing them last spring, or will miss them this fall, and of your enthusiasm to see them when rescheduled. Everyone likes to know they are appreciated and needed. Financially, there are a couple of options. Most artists have CDs or other merchandise available on their website. Buying a CD or two would help them and give you a chance to both support artists as well as enhance your own library of music. Many artists have a YouTube channel. If there is a button to subscribe, clicking it adds to the artist’s number of regular visitors and in many cases helps them financially. This is a simple and cost effective way to help an artist. Several artists have been doing live stream performances. Many of these are free. But some have an
option to contribute also. While it is nice to enjoy a free performance, it is nicer to both enjoy the show while knowing that you are helping the artist pay the bills. And you can do it from the comfort of your favorite chair, regardless of the weather and mask-free! Heartland Concert series artists who were cancelled due to COVID-19 include Ball in the House, Seeger to Springsteen, Barron Ryan, Duo Baldo, Chipper Experience and Remember when Rock was Young: Elton John Tribute. It is the hope that for the 2021-22 season, HCA will be able to bring these artists back. Thanks for your supportive efforts! Stay well and safe! Heartland Concert Association looks forward to seeing you in 2021-21. Visit heartlandconcertassociation.org for updated information.
HCLL announces online fall series Headwaters Center for Lifelong Learning (HCLL) board of directors met the COVID-19 pandemic’s restrictions with all of their creative talent. The result is a safe and most interesting fall 2020 series. The board selected eight of the most popular programs from previous series to put on YouTube so they can be accessed at any time between now and the end of October, HCLL’s normal fall schedule. Marty Leistikow, HCLL board chair, indicates that live programs will resume as soon as it is safe to do so. For the online series, additional information will be released each week, beginning with “Life of Sacagawea” by Mike Hansen for the week of Sept. 8. Hansen, a retired high school
history teacher and past president of the Lewis and Clark Heritage Foundation, spoke at Northwoods Bank community room April 16, 2013. HCLL, a nonprofit educational organization, has been presenting programs on a wide range of topics since 2001, for a total of over 300 programs. Thanks to a grant from Itasca-Mantrap Operation Roundup in 2012, HCLL was able to purchase recording equipment, and began recording the programs on DVDs that can be checked out of the Park Rapids Area Library. From those recorded programs, the board selected the following eight popular programs to put onto YouTube:
1. Mike Hansen: “Life of Sacagawea” 2. Jill and Deane Johnson: “Little MN in WWII” 3. Anne Dunn: “Native American Stories and Songs” 4. Mike Roberts: “Last Keeper at Split Rock Lighthouse” 5. Rod Nordberg and Nicole Lalum: “Park Rapids Then & Now” 6. Edric Clarke: “World War II Memories” 7. Tom Chapin: “Poachers Caught” 8. Chris Tolman: “Owls Up Close.” To access the links to the programs, go to the HCLL Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ headwaterscenterforlifelonglearningparkrapidsmn.
Art Beat Quarterly Regional Guide
NLOC produces virtual cabaret How does a performing arts organization cope when a pandemic limits gatherings, imposes social distancing, discourages singing, etc.? COVID-19 has turned the lives of most people upside down during this past spring and summer. The Northern Light Opera Company (NLOC) has had to adapt in creative ways. ZOOM became a vehicle to connect past and recent cast members from England to New York City, Washington, D.C., Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Wisconsin and throughout Minnesota on a project. This virtual cabaret was live streamed Aug.14 and can be found on www.northernlightopera.org. For the past 18 years, NLOC’s tradition was a summer musical theater production for the Heartland Lakes community. As a result of this mission, a creative community developed and worked on a virtual performance as a way to maintain this important connection. Sound simple? It was quite the process to create a virtual performance. It involved: 1) Locating contact information on past cast members, 2) Connecting via ZOOM, 3) Selecting songs and finding sheet music and accompaniment tracks, 4) Creating rehearsal and accompaniment tracks, 5) Shipping phone mics and costume pieces to performers to record themselves with both audio and video files, 6) Uploading video and audio files into a common destination, 7) engineering both audio and visual files into a coherent project, and 8) Securing livestream technology. Finally, Lisa Dove, NLOC’s director, used her magic to create a viewable virtual performance. 2008’s Fiddler on the Roof’s Tradition kicked off the performance which ended with
Some of the Northern Light Opera Company’s cast members communally singing from their “happy place” the song “Make Our Garden Grow” from Bernstein’s Candide.
Make Our Garden Grow from Bernstein’s Candide. Excerpts from past shows were interwoven with current favorites of many cast members. Besides the individual selections, the entire group (from their varied locations) sang Tradition and Make Our Garden Grow, which was a separate challenge. When will we be back on stage? What does the
future hold? Who knows? Until things are back to “normal,” keep healthy and safe. This activity was made possible, in part, by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Region 2 Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.
Kids theater camp heads outdoors At the request of a parent and after consultation with the appropriate authorities, the decision was made to move forward with NLOKids, the Northern Light Opera Company’s annual kids’ theater camp for 8- to 13-yearolds from Pine Point and Park Rapids, through creating a new format. In previous years, the kids had created an original musical, writing the script, creating the music and sets and presenting this musical for parents and friends. Obviously, that format was not appropriate for COVID-19 reality. The new format largely involved outdoor adventuring and improvisation, solving a mystery and instead of presenting a musical, a video was created, documenting the kids’ travels and experiences in July. The kids named their adventure, The Unknowns. The video has been livestreamed in chapters, but is available to view on Facebook at NLOKids. A questionnaire was developed for both kids and parents.
The kids prepared for their last confrontation with the villain on their Adventure of the Unknowns as part of NLOKids theater camp in July.
Kids were asked: Best Part? Seventy percent said everything; 30 percent said the adventures. Best memory? One said “met my best friend.” What would you change? All said nothing. One said “COVID so we could make a play.” Parents were asked: 1) Would you send your student again? All said yes, definitely or every time; 2) What experience was most valuable for your child? Comments: “My kids absolutely love it.” “It helped her break out of her normally quiet shell. NLOKids is an awesome experience for children.” “This has taught her so much. She has been able to speak up for herself.” “She is learning to act in plays/movies. She gets a lot of interaction doing this.” “Good learning experience, she learned how to express her thoughts and feelings.” Positively impacting young lives is an amazing venture. This activity is made possible, in part, by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Region 2 Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.
Talking Stick Volume 29 is available now
By Niomi Phillips The Jackpine Writers’ Bloc, the north-central Minnesota writing group which meets locally once a month, has released Talking Stick Volume 29, “Insights.” This literary journal, produced annually and coedited by Sharon Harris and Tarah Wolff, is a collection of poems, short stories and creative nonfiction by Minnesota writers. The work of 92 writers from over 300 submissions was selected by the editorial board of Jackpine Writers’ Bloc for inclusion in this volume. Awards were made in each genre after blind submission to celebrity judges:
Sharon Chmierlarz, poetry; Jill Johnson, creative nonfiction; Candace Simar, fiction. This volume of the Talking Stick is dedicated to the memory of Luke Anderson, a multi-genre writer, who was a long-time member of Jackpine Writers’ Bloc and was instrumental in the development of the Lake Region Writers Network. The stunning and colorful cover art is from a watercolor, Missing You, by Luke’s life partner, Minnesota artist Joanne Cress. Editor Sharon Harris notes that there are poems and stories in this volume that are humorous, some that are very touching, and some that make you think
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.
about the meaning of life. The title of this 29th volume, “Insights,” reflects the writers’ ability to take ordinary events and common sights and give readers a new and different perspective. The annual book release party and workshop have been cancelled for this year, but Jackpine Writers’ Bloc will sponsor a virtual workshop Saturday, Sept. 19 from 10 a.m. to noon. Candace Simar, prominent award-winning writer, will conduct the all-genre, twohour workshop via Zoom. Copies of the Talking Stick and information about participation in the workshop are available at www. jackpinewriters.com.
www.heartlandarts.org Facebook: parkrapidsarts
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September 2020
Using a food thermometer is the only reliable way to tell that food has reached a high enough temperature to destroy harmful bacteria. (Adobe Stock)
Food safety for seniors Wash hands and surfaces often
Boomers on the Move
Bacteria can be present throughout the kitchen, including on cutting boards, utensils, sponges, and countertops. Wash utensils, equipment, countertops, and other work surfaces with hot, soapy water before and after working with food. Wash your hands thoroughly after using the bathroom, blowing your nose, or touching pets. Cleanliness every step of the way keeps bacteria at bay.
BY KARIN HAUGRUD Columnist Older Americans are more at risk for food borne illnesses because their immune systems decline with age. That is why it is especially important to be careful about storing and cooking foods. Although many of you have been preparing foods for decades with no ill effects, The Center for Disease Control warns the situation has changed. There are new bacteria and new strains of old bacteria that require new methods to ensure safety. All food can carry microorganisms or chemical agents that may cause illness when eaten. But safe food handling practices can prevent growth of bacteria to lessen the possibility of food borne illness. Most cases can be controlled by proper production, processing and preparation. Just follow four basic rules recommended by the World Health Organization – clean, separate, cook and chill – and you will fight the bacteria that can cause food borne illness.
Separate: Do not cross-contaminate
Cross-contamination is the scientific word for how bacteria can be spread from one food product to another. Thoroughly clean all dishes, utensils and work surfaces with soap and water after each use. It is especially important to clean equipment and work surfaces that have been used for raw food before you them for cooked food. By rinsing utensils, work surfaces, cutting boards, meat grinders, blenders, and meat slicers with a bleach solution, you prevent the cooked food from becoming contaminated with bacteria that may have been present in the raw food.
Cook to the proper temperatures They say cover. Well, can’t judge color. Color mometer is
you can’t always judge a book by its this is also true for cooked foods. You if your food is done by looking at the can be misleading. Using a food therthe only reliable way to tell that food
has reached a high enough temperature to destroy harmful bacteria.
Chill out!
Did you know at room temperature, bacteria in food can double every 20 minutes? According to Food Safety.gov, the more bacteria there is, greater the chance that you could become sick. Set your refrigerator no higher than 40 degrees Fahrenheit and the freezer unit at 0. Refrigerate foods quickly because cold temperatures keep most harmful bacteria from multiplying. Disease-causing microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites grow very slowly at low temperatures, multiply rapidly in mid-range temperatures, and are killed at high temperatures. For safety, perishable foods must be held at proper cold temperatures to inhibit bacterial growth or cooked to temperatures high enough to kill harmful microorganisms. It is essential to use a food thermometer when cooking meat, poultry, and egg products to prevent undercooking and consequently a foodborne illness. 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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S e pt e mbe r 2 02 0
Staying positive while aging The Family Circle LAUREL HED Columnist I think it is safe to say that most of us like to feel like we are in control. Well, one thing we totally have no control over is aging. So, here are some thoughts on how to try to make this chapter in our life as positive as possible. Those of us who are 60 years old and older can proudly say we are now the fastest-growing group! The first tip is to be ok with aging. I agree, no one enjoys the new aches, pains, extra weight, new wrinkles and grey hair, but how can we embrace this chapter in our life? The sooner we accept that we are now entering this new chapter with a positive attitude, the better it will be for us psychologically. Attitude is key in how we feel, if we have a negative attitude, we can expect to feel depressed, have more aches and pains, feel more
tired, less energy and feel more stressed. Yes, attitude is at the top of the list of how to stay positive. Staying active is key to having a positive attitude. Getting outside for some fresh air and sunshine at least a half-hour or more a day does wonders. Whether you ride bike, play tennis or golf, swim or take a walk, these activities will boost your endorphins which will boost your mood and attitude. Eating healthy can also create a much more positive outlook on life. Good nutrition not only helps with energy levels but also causes a person to look younger because you feel younger. When a person lives alone it isn’t much fun to cook for yourself, so invite other single friends over and make it a festive event. Prepare foods with lots of color and texture incorporating all the food groups – fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meats. This also helps us to stay connected with other people. When we are with others we tend to forget about our own aches and pains and use our energy to serve others. Also spending time with other people who have a positive attitude helps us to stay positive, too! Another area that can help people stay positive may not be for everyone, but for me personally, I strongly support having a pet. I have a small dog who greets me every morning and every day when I get home with such love. There are times that the
last thing I want to do is to take Ralphie outside at night but when I do, I am blessed with such amazing sights and sounds that I would have missed. One night the sky was just alive with stars and another night the owls were so busy calling back and forth it just lightened my heart and brought a smile to my face, all because Ralphie had to go for one last walk in the evening. So, whatever it takes, focus on the positives in your life and when the negatives show up step back and try to see how you can turn it into a positive. Attitude plays a huge role in our lives and can determine how we spend the final years of our life. I want to go out with a smile on my face and an attitude of gratitude in my heart. 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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September 2020
How to get help with Medicare coverage tools available today depending on how much help a top Medicare Advantage plan through the HealthMetrix Research Cost Share Report at MedicareNewsyou need. Here are several to get you started. Watch.com. This resource lists the best Advantage plans by area based on your health status. Tools and resources And for a good tool to help you choose a Medicare A good starting point to get familiar with Medicare is the “Medicare & You” 2020 handbook that over- supplemental (Medigap) plan, consider getting a views the program and your options. You can down- personalized report from Weiss Medigap for $99 at BY JIM MILLER load it and read it online at Medicare.gov/medicare- WeissMedigap.com. Columnist and-you, or you should receive a free copy in the mail Get help one month before your 65th birthday. If you want or need more help than the previously Dear Savvy Senior, The Medicare website also offers a free “Find a listed resources provide, you can also call on indeI’ll be 65 in a few months and could sure use some help Medicare Plan” tool at Medicare.gov/plan-compare pendent insurance agents or Medicare consultants to sorting through all the confusing Medicare options that that can help you find and compare health plans, help you figure things out. are available to me. Where can I get help with my Medi- supplemental policies and prescription drug plans in If you’re interested in using an agent, be aware your area. Or, if you don’t have Internet access, or that they are compensated by insurance compacare decisions? don’t feel confident in working through the infor- nies, so make sure to choose an independent agent ~ Approaching 65 mation on your own, you can call Medicare at 800- that specializes in health insurance and works with Dear Approaching, The options and choices available to Medicare ben- 633-4227 and a customer service representative will a number of Medicare providers, not just one. For do the work for you over the phone. example, eHealthMedicare.com will connect you to eficiaries today can be overwhelming. Other free resources that are very helpful include a licensed agent that will help you compare Part In addition to original Medicare (Part A and B) the Medicare Rights Center (MedicareRights.org), D, Medicare Advantage and Medicare supplemental that has been around for 54 years, you also have which staffs a hotline at 800-333-4114 to help plans in your area from multiple providers. the option of enrolling in a Part D prescription drug Medicare consultants, which are usually not affilanswer your Medicare questions. Your State Health plan, and a supplemental (Medigap) policy – both Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) provides free iated with insurance companies or the governof which are sold by private insurance companies. Medicare counseling in person or over the phone. To ment, typically charge a flat fee for their services. Or, a Medicare Advantage plan which covers health find a local SHIP counselor see ShiptaCenter.org or For example, 65 Incorporated (65incorporated.com) care, prescription drugs and extra services all in one. call 877-839-2675. And Medicare Matters (MyMedi- charges $499 for an hour-long personalized MediThese plans, which are also sold by private insurers, careMatters.org), a resource created by the National care enrollment consultation. are generally available through HMOs and PPOs. Council on Aging that provides an online guide to Send your senior questions to Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, To help you figure out the best Medicare plans for your coverage options. OK 73070 or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to In addition, you can also find free tips on choosing the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. you, there are a variety of resources, services and
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S e pt e mbe r 2 02 0
86-year-old mom refuses to accept in-home caregivers face and there is rarely a quick fix. So, how to convince your mom? First, research in-home care agencies. Once you settle on an agency, tell them about your situation. This is so common that they will have become pros at dealing with it and may have their own suggestions, CAROL BRADLEY BURSACK but here are mine: Columnist Ask to meet in advance with their caregiver so that you can become familiar with each other. Then tell Dear Carol: My mom is 86 and has dementia. She wants your mom that you have a friend who’d love to come to continue to stay in her home, but she needs help with along with you to meet her since she’s heard so many daily care. I work full time, so in-home care seems to make nice things. Once you succeed with the first meeting, you sense. Mom agrees with the principle, but when I talk about hiring people, she says she doesn’t want strangers could tell your mom that this friend enjoyed her so much that she’d love to stop over in the future just coming into her home. She isn’t safe in the shower alone. She can’t clean well. to visit. The caregiver can then gradually try to help She doesn’t eat well, even though I provide her with easy- with a couple of housekeeping things “because she’s to-warm-up meals. She also needs reminders to take there anyway.” This kind of meeting is harder to pull off when her medications. I understand her not wanting strangers coming in. I also understand not wanting to admit she people are wearing masks and social distancing, but should have help, but we need to get real. The only other just go through the social distancing and masks as choice is assisted living and she doesn’t want that. How do you would with anyone. Masks will be routine with the caregiver visits, so your mom should adjust I convince her she needs caregivers? ~ SE. Dear SE: This is frustrating for you, I know, but to that. Another approach that can work alone or in conunfortunately this is a problem that many caregivers
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junction with the one above is to suggest that your mom might enjoy housekeeping help. This often works because for many people it’s easier to accept a housekeeper than someone who provides personal care. Again, this “housekeeper” can then gradually offer to help with fixing hair or some other personal care “since she’s there anyway.” As with most things that we’d like to see our older parents do for their own good, this whole process is likely to take time. Make suggestions, but don’t push unless her need becomes urgent. Wait a bit and try again. Eventually, she’ll likely agree to meet your “friend,” and you are on your way. You sound like a compassionate, patient daughter, SE. Your understanding that these changes are hard for your mom will ultimately make it more likely that you will succeed in making her life safer, and hopefully more enjoyable. 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.
