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FEBRUARY 2022
COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS Veterans bond with high schoolers through storytelling By Shannon Geisen Park Rapids Enterprise
Assistant Veterans Service Officer Darius Simon gave a detailed, personal tour of the All Veterans Memorial Museum to Park Rapids Alternative Learning Center students Ricoy Ronnebaum, Ezra Chilton, Delainey Grotto, Aneka Gorder and Grace Stevens. It's part of a project to connect local veterans with the ALC. SHANNON GEISEN / ENTERPRISE
Personal accounts
The project emerged when Coborn was brainstorming with SNAP-Ed Educator Donna A desire to improve comAnderson of the Universimunity involvement fuels the ty of Minnesota about how partnership between the Park to increase ALC’s community Rapids School District’s Alterinvolvement. native Learning Center (ALC) “I think the community is and local veterans. huge. That’s where these stuThe program connects mildents learn the most,” Coborn itary vets with teenagers in a said. “And the ALC lends itself meaningful way, benefitting to this type of learning, with both generations. smaller groups.” And history comes alive. Profound learning occurs ALC Coordinator Lisa Coborn when it goes beyond a classsaid, “There’s a lot of ways to tell stories and it’s really SHANNON GEISEN / ENTERPRISE room or worksheet, she said. Anderson helped to coordiimportant for this generation Hubbard County Veterans Service Officer Jerry Bjerke explains the significance of nate the pairings of veterans to see that.” Hubbard County Veterans emblems on the U.S. Navy uniform, such and ALC. In December 2021, Dave Free Service Officer (VSO) Jerry as military rank, years of service and duties. He served in the Navy for 30 years. spoke to ALC students. He Bjerke said his department was thrilled to participate when asked. “It’s a great served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1969 to 1971. Later that month, Bjerke and assistant VSO Darius recruitment tool. The other is it’s a history lesson,” he said. “I’m not here just to help the military. I’ve Simon, guided students through the All Veterans been helping my community since I was 14, 15 years Memorial Museum in Park Rapids. old with 4-H and FFA. I grew up knowing that it’s my civic responsibility to give back.”
CONNECTIONS: Page 8
Inside this issue... 2 Gilman has influenced countless skiers 3 Award-winning new flowers and vegetables 4 Having memory problems diagnosed 5 Sweet potato wedges 7 Social Security calculators 8 The pros and cons of aging
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Gilman’s love for the sport has influenced countless skiers By Sue Bruns Bemidji Pioneer Cross-country skiing in the Bemidji area is almost synonymous with Muriel Gilman. Her titles range from women’s athletic trainer and professor of physical education, health and sport at Bemidji State, to cross country ski coach. From Peltonen ski team racer, 1981 American Birkebeiner winner, Minnesota Finlandia board member and planner (plus skier and winner), to longtime Sunday Ski School organizer and instructor. Mur’s passion for physical fitness and athletic performance and her love of the sport has influenced countless skiers and greatly contributed to the growth and popularity of Nordic skiing in the Bemidji area. Muriel grew up in Glenwood, Minn., on the east shore of Lake Minnewaska, about 120 miles northwest of Minneapolis. From a young age, she loved to glide in the snow. Her earliest experience: donning her mother’s smooth-bottomed snow boots and running and sliding on snow-coated sidewalks. By age 5 she was strapping on simple skis and enjoying a nearby ski hill (complete with a tow rope and a jump). When her mother started cross country skiing, Mur tried her skis and was introduced to a new winter sport. After graduating from Macalester in 1972 and taking some time to ski in the Alps, she taught while pursuing a master’s degree with an emphasis in athletic training. In 1975, when Mur moved to Bemidji and started teaching at Bemidji State, downhill skiing was among her class offerings. “One Sunday, I was on a lift at Buena Vista,” she said, “and looked down and saw skiers with bibs.” And her interest in cross country skiing grew from there.
From left: Jon Shorter, Lee Scotland, Brent Matzke and Mur Gilman are pictured out for a skiing adventure with friends. Mur started tracking her own trails, skiing with her dog, Giguere, near the leaf dump that later became part of the Montebello Trail. At that time (before Middle School Drive and before the Highway 2 and 71 bypasses), Mur explained, “You could ski (almost) all the way over to Adams Avenue. It was a great way to exercise in the winter and not have to run. It wasn’t groomed. It was just breaking trail, and I thought, this is really fun!” Skiing can be an individual, quiet sport or a social event, “You can ski on your own terms or join up with people,” she said. She met fellow skiers John Tibstra, Roger Jarvi and others who were students at BSC at the time. “They invited me to a potluck and ski race out by Solway called the Clearwater Ski Race. I was a runner — I didn’t ski very well — but I think I beat all of them,” Mur said. She tried out other places to ski and started competing in races, saying “I would go out where the MnDOT building is now and (ski along) a road to Grass
Lake.” Then she learned about the trails at Lake Bemidji State Park, Hobson and Buena Vista. “I’d zip out to the park and go skiing. I just had to go skiing, you know?” Mur describes winter mornings, skiing before dawn, headlamp guiding her way, with her dog running along beside her, and she loved to ski fast. “Not dangerously fast, but I love to kick and glide.”
The ski club has promoted the development, maintenance and grooming of almost 100 kilometers of wellgroomed trails within 11 miles of Bemidji. She attributes much of the club’s success to trail builders and groomers and Sunday Ski School volunteers. Mur’s days were busy with teaching, coaching, racing and working on her doctoral degree through the University of Minnesota in Physical Education, Exercise Getting people Physiology/Nutrition. moving One of Mur’s primary She coached both the goals has always been Bemidji State men’s and to get more people to be women’s cross country active. She got involved ski teams from 1986with the Bemidji Area 1992, their only head Cross Country Ski Club coach through the prowhen it started in the gram’s duration. Kris VanWilgen-Hamearly 1990s, serving on its board of directors mit, a member of the over two decades and as women’s team describes vice-president or pres- her coach’s use of heart ident for several years, rate monitors during and was instrumental in training as innovative organizing the Sunday and “cutting edge.” Ski School and teaching Under Mur’s direction, the men’s team went young skiers the basics.
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to Nationals four times, placing third in 1991. The women’s team advanced three times and took second at the U.S. Collegiate Ski Association National Championships in 1992. Mur also coached male and female skiers who succeeded as individual competitors, including Phil Rogers, Margaret Borchers, John Schricker,
CONTRIBUTED
Jon Halvorson and Kris VanWilgen. She was selected as the U.S. Ski Association’s (USSA) Central Division coach for the Junior National Ski Championships in 1990. While coaching, she was also rising to top rankings herself as a first-class athlete and prominent cross country ski racer.
SKIING: Page 6
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February 2022
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CONTRIBUTED / ALL-AMERICA SELECTIONS
This yellow Bee's Knees petunia was deemed a gold medal winner by AllAmerica Selections.
Award-winning new flowers and vegetables for 2022
W
hat better way to start a new year, than to dream about new flowers and vegetables! Experimenting with new things keeps gardening fresh. New varieties are developed by plant breeders every year, featured in the front pages of garden seed catalogs. How do we know if they’re any good? The All-America Selections organization selects
Growing Together BY DON KINZLER Gardening Columnist the best of the best, taking the guesswork out of new flower and vegetable varieties. Since 1932, All-America Selections judges across
North America have tested new varieties, comparing them to the current best-in-class flowers and vegetables. If it’s sufficiently different or better,
Ask
the
a new variety is awarded the coveted honor. All-America Selections’ familiar red, white and blue logo with the abbreviation AAS is often found in seed catalogs and on plant tags, denoting award-winning varieties. The following are the 2022 award winners, with key characteristics provided by judges. ► Begonia, Viking Explorer Rose on Green:
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Dermatochalasis is most commonly found in patients over 50 years of age, and involves excess skin of the upper eyelids.
Murry D. Westberg O.D.
CONTRIBUTED / ALL-AMERICA SELECTIONS
MINI STORAGE
AAS trials that judges deemed it a Gold Medal Winner with its lush blooms of intense, deep yellow, non-fading flowers all season long. Its mounding habit works great in mixed containers, hanging baskets, or in flower beds. It’s propagated by cuttings, not by seed, so search garden centers for plants.
What can I do with my droopy eyelids?
r o t c o D Bauer lettuce can be grown in the ground, containers or window boxes.
This trailing begonia spreads and spills its branches over the edges of hanging baskets and containers. Large rose-colored flowers stand out against the glossy green foliage all season long. Tolerates heat, diseases, and both wet and dry conditions. ► Petunia, Bee’s Knees: This yellow petunia was so outstanding and eye-catching in the
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What are the symptoms of dermatochalasis? Symptoms can vary depending on the severity of the condition. The most common symptoms include brow ache, eye fatigue and reduced peripheral vision. Many patients will notice their eyelid skin resting on their eyelashes, and may see their eyelid or lashes interfering with their upper visual field. Many patients also report their eyes get tired later in the day, and they struggle with reading and other tasks due to fatigue. Many of these patients will also have horizontal wrinkles across their forehead from constantly lifting their brow to help hold their eyes open wider. What treatment options are available? The excess lid skin can be removed in a minor outpatient procedure called a blepharoplasty. During the procedure, a wedge of skin is removed from the upper lids, and the lids are sutured back together. Occasionally during this surgery, the patient’s upper eyelid muscles are also tightened to assist with lifting the lids. There are rarely any complications and patients enjoy brighter vision and less fatigue after the surgery. Where do I start? If you are having symptoms of dermatochalasis, your first step is to see your optometrist for a comprehensive eye exam. If your dermatochalasis is significant enough, we will have you perform a peripheral vision. We will then send all your information to a lid surgeon, who you will see to discuss treatment options. In many cases, ance may cover a portion of the surgery.
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The benefits of having memory problems diagnosed by a specialist Minding D Our Elders ear Carol: My husband is only 63, but he’s been having memory problems that his doctor thinks are caused by mild cognitive impairment. His dad, his grandma, and an aunt all had dementia. The other change is that he’s always been mild-mannered but now he’s impatient and critical. His doctor says that since there’s no cure for dementia we should just wait and watch but I’m not so sure. What are your thoughts about early testing for someone like him? ~ PG Dear PG: While mild cognitive impairment (MCI) doesn’t always progress to Alzheimer’s disease, it frequently does. With your husband’s family history as well as his relative-
BEST IN SHOW From Page 3
► Sunflower, Concert Bell: Unique flowers are borne in clusters of 10 to 12 flowers on an erect columnar stem, instead of singly. Beautiful golden yellow blooms on plants growing to a height of 5 to 6 feet, and if used as a cut flower, makes an instant, readymade bouquet from just one cut. ► Torenia, Vertigo Deep Blue: Ideal for both containers and the landscape with a large number of flowers on each 12-inch plant with vibrant non-fading blue petals that contrast beautifully with the sky blue and yellow centers. ► Eggplant, Icicle: This cylindrical white eggplant has fewer spines than most eggplants, and each plant produces eight to nine fruits 7 inches in length, with fewer seeds than other types. The improved taste and texture has universal appeal, whether fresh or cooked. ► Lettuce, Bauer: Oakleaf lettuce produces dense heads with sweet, crisp, sturdy leaves. Harvest at the baby leaf stage or grow into the rosetteshaped full-sized head. Can be grown in-ground, containers or window boxes. Harvest in only 58 days from seed.
BY CAROL BRADLEY BURSACK Columnist ly young age, it seems that the risk of progression could be quite high. Regarding his being impatient and critical, this could be progressing dementia symptoms, but it’s also possible that it comes from a natural fear concerning his future, especially since he’s witnessed so much dementia. Either way, it’s affecting your family’s quality of life so that needs to be addressed. This doctor may have been fine for your hus-
► Pepper, Buffy: Produces a high yield of juicy, attractive, thick-walled green to red fruits on strong, healthy upright plants. Highly pungent with good aroma, fruits measure 500,000 Scoville units with up to 250 fruits per plant. Harvest 78 days from transplants. Judges described it as having “excellent flavor with crazy heat.” ► Pepper, Dragonfly: Produces beautiful purple peppers with thick, sweet walls, changing from a green pepper into a purple fruit that is deliciously sweet at all stages. If left on the vine, fruits turn a beautiful, bright red color. ► Tomato, Pink Delicious: This tomato has the trending heirloom look, flavor and texture with hybrid disease resistance. The beautiful big fruits resist cracking, and have an excellent flavor with a nice balance between sweet and acidic. With a harvest in 84 days from transplanting, it’s slightly later than main-season tomato types in the Upper Midwest. ► Tomato, Purple Zebra: A fun new addition to striped tomatoes, fruits are rich with complex flavors. Dark red fruits with green stripes and a deep mahogany red interior have a taste that’s slightly acidic leaning to sweet. Produces 150-200 small fruits per plant in 80-85 days from transplanting.
band’s past health needs, but it doesn’t sound as if he’s interested in even causally looking for physical causes let alone doing in-depth screening. Dr. Leslie Kernisan is a geriatrician with a free website offering information that could prove useful as you decide if your husband’s doctor is the right one for him. Her article, Cognitive Impairment in Aging: 10 Common Causes & 10 Things the Doctor Should
Check could be especially valuable in situations like yours. (I moderate a caregiver support group for Dr. Kernisan). No matter what else is done, your husband’s physical health and medications should be thoroughly evaluated. He may have to find a different physician to get this accomplished. If physical illnesses and medication side effects are eliminated as a cause, then consider having him see a memory specialist or a neurologist. There are benefits to being diagnosed early. First, of course, an early diagnosis provides you, as a couple, with time to do more or perhaps different planning for your future. This would
include Powers of Attorney for health and finances. Early diagnosis could also give your husband a chance to join a study if he is so inclined. There are many Alzheimer’s and dementia treatments being evaluated and several of them are looking for volunteers. Also, while available medications are not cures, there are some that can help people in the early stages in a way that might slow the appearance of some symptoms. They don’t work for everyone and some people have negative side effects, but they might be worth a try. Another important reason for testing, particularly at your hus-
band’s age, is that some current medications are contraindicated for certain types of dementia. To recap, it’s possible that your husband is taking medications that are making him more forgetful since many people his age are. Eliminate those and he may be fine. If that’s not the case, then talk seriously with him about an in-depth evaluation. 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.
CONTRIBUTED / ALL-AMERICA SELECTIONS
Left: The Buffy pepper. Top right: Purple Zebra tomatoes are a fun new addition to striped tomatoes. Bottom right: Century Star watermelons have attractive spotted rinds. ► Tomato, Sunset Torch: Strong, dramatic striping on a salad-type tomato with less splitting, good yields and a mildly sweet, fruity flavor. Produces up to 250 2-inch fruits on vining plants ripening 75 days from transplanting. ► Watermelon, Century Star: A new seedless watermelon similar to the popular heirloom variety Moon and Stars. Century produces a good yield of 10-pound fruits on long vines. Fruits have attractive spotted rinds with
great tasting, crisp, sweet internal flesh with harvest 75 days from seed. A note about availability: The newest AAS winners aren’t usually found on in-store seed racks, so mail order might be necessary. If pre-started plants are desired, check availability early with your locally owned garden center. 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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February 2022 SARAH NASELLO / THE FORUM
Rosemary Parmesan Sweet Potato Wedges are an easyto-make, healthy, humble and delicious side dish.
SWEETEN THINGS UP Sweet potato wedges are simple, healthy and delicious Sweet potatoes, often labeled as yams in our local markets, are a staple vegetable in our home, and we enjoy them in myriad ways throughout the fall and winter. This week’s recipe for Rosemary Parmesan Sweet Potato Wedges features a humble side dish that delivers big flavor with minimal effort. Rich in vitamins and minerals, sweet potatoes are considered to be a superfood vegetable. This colorful root vegetable boasts a bounty of vitamins, including A, B, and C, and is an excellent source of calcium, fiber, iron, zinc and antioxidants. This recipe calls for three medium-large sweet potatoes and I recommend choosing ones that are similar in size and shape. This will ensure that the wedges are consistent in size, which helps to promote even baking while roasting. To create the wedges, I peel each sweet potato and then slice it in half, lengthwise. Next, I cut each half into three or four wedges, approximately 1-inch wide. I toss the wedges with extra-virgin olive oil, fresh rosemary, paprika, garlic powder and
them from the oven and use tongs to turn each wedge onto the other flat side and continue to roast them until they BY SARAH & TONY NASELLO are golden brown and Columnist slightly crispy, about 15 to 20 minutes more. As soon as the wedgI place the wedges on a es are done roasting, I seasoning. Rosemary’s sharp and piney flavor parchment- or foil-lined transfer them to a servpairs beautifully with the baking sheet, flat side ing platter and sprinkle sweetness of the yams, down, and bake them them with shredded or and I like to cut the fresh until the edges become grated Parmesan cheese. SARAH NASELLO / THE FORUM rosemary with a rough golden brown, about 30 To create the wedges, slice the sweet potatoes in half chop for this recipe so to 35 minutes.Then I pull WEDGES: Page 6 lengthwise and then into 1-inch wedges. that it can shine. The paprika brings a smidgen of heat and extra color to the wedgService-enriched es, and you can use regAssisted Living ular or smoked papri218-237-8345 ka depending on your preference and what you have on hand. Individualized Roasting is my favorMemory Care 619 W. 6th Street, Park Rapids, MN 56470 ite method for cooking Managed by Ecumen 218-237-8345 sweet potatoes. The slow heat draws out their natural sugars and enhances their overall flavor. Affordable The roasting process for Senior Living Skilled Nursing Care this recipe takes about 218-237-7275 218-732-3329 50 to 60 minutes, which Visit our web site for more information www.heritageparkrapids.org gives you plenty of time to prepare the rest of the meal or just relax with a glass of wine.
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Fe bru a ry 2 02 2
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Rosemary Parmesan Sweet Potato Wedges
From Page 5
The heat from the wedges will gently melt the cheese, and the salty tang of the Parmesan is the perfect balance to the sugary sweetness of the yams. We love to serve these Rosemary Parmesan Sweet Potato Wedges with filets of salmon, but they also pair well with a variety of proteins or even in a salad. Simple, healthy and delicious, this easy vegetable side dish is always a winner for dinner.
Recipe Time Capsule:
This week in... ► 2021: Oven Baked Salmon with Warm Farro Salad ► 2020: Bittersweet Winter Salad ► 2019: Sicilian Pork Tenderloin with Sauteed Spinach ► 2018: Sicilian Swordfish and Rapini ► 2017: P.F. Chang’s Copycat Chicken Lettuce Wraps ► 2016: Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf ► 2015: Baked Ziti Casserole ► 2014: Sarah’s Award-Winning Angel Food Cake ► 2013: Jamaican Jerk Pork Tenderloin with Pineapple Salsa Recipes can be found with the article at InForum.com. “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.
Serves: 4 to 6 Ingredients: 3m edium-large sweet potatoes (of similar shape and size), peeled and cut into wedges 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil ½ teaspoon kosher salt ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper 1 heaping tablespoon fresh rosemary, roughly chopped ½ teaspoon paprika ¼ teaspoon garlic powder 1 to 2 tablespoons shredded Parmesan
SARAH NASELLO / THE FORUM
Roast the wedges until they are golden brown and caramelized around the edges.
Directions: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil. In a medium bowl, toss the sweet potato wedges with all of the ingredi-
ents, except the Parmesan, until well combined. Lay the sweet potato wedges on the prepared baking sheet, flatside-down. Bake until the edges turn golden brown, about 30 to 45 minutes. Turn each wedge onto the other flat
SARAH NASELLO / THE FORUM
Left: Look for sweet potatoes that are similar in shape and size to promote consistent baking for the wedges. Center: Fragrant and pungent, fresh rosemary is the perfect partner for the sugary sweetness of yams. Right: Place the seasoned sweet potato wedges on the baking sheet flat side down and turn halfway through the roasting process
SKIING
2022
Coach Bus Trips
From Page 2
Collecting hardware Today, Mur’s collection of ski medals, trophies and memorabilia fills boxes. From Ely Wilderness Treks and Minnesota Finlandias to American Birkebeiners, the list of her races and accomplishments is long and rich. Her experiences and trophies reflect the evolution of the sport in northern Minnesota. Ranging from the rustic hand-carved Ely Wilderness Trek plaques to a traditional maleracer-topped Norwegian American Birkebeiner trophy (there were no female trophies) to hand-made ceramic cups. One of Mur’s most prized trophies has a stoneware cookie jarshaped base with a lid supporting a statue of a female skier. This and several other ceramic trophies were created by Jo and Dave Hamilton of LaPorte for Bemidjithon and Minnesota Finlandia races. A three-ring binder holds clippings, race results and stories about
side and continue to bake until the wedges are golden brown and slightly crisp, about 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from oven and transfer the wedges to a serving platter. Sprinkle the wedges with Parmesan cheese and serve.
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Muriel Gilman crosses the finish line of the Minnesota Finlandia in 1981. Mur’s 1984 100-kilometer Finlandia win at Buena Vista and her 1981 American Birkebeiner win, which earned her entrance into the Norwegian Birkebeiner where she placed third in her class and 24th overall. The binder, several team and race photos, a variety of ski wear from different eras and several of Mur’s trophies including a second Hamilton trophy, racing bibs and medals will soon be on display for the Beltrami County History Center’s Women in Winter Sports Exhibit. One of Mur’s four trophy axes for the Min-
nesota Finlandia – complete with a beautifully rosemaled handle by local artist Mary Morton – will also be on display, commemorating her 1984 win with a plaque that reads “Fastest Woman 1984.” Now retired, but honored in the BSU Athletic and Coaches Hall of Fame, Mur still skis daily in Minnesota or on dog-friendly trails in Wyoming with her dog Vivian. “I love the rhythm, the controlled breathing, the fresh air and the comradery,” she said before recounting a recent outing with friends. “We got together at Movil
for a Tuesday night ski – about 20 people with headlamps – and skied and then socialized.” Some were regulars, a few were new to the group, and after the ski, they gathered in the Movil Lodge with a wood-fired stove providing warmth. “Really great people,” Mur said. “Sipping a beer, jawing, laughing, having fun. It doesn’t get any better than this.” • FULL SERVICE CONSTRUCTION • CONCRETE/MASONRY
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February 2022
Social Security calculators that help you decide when to claim D
ear Savvy Senior, Can you recommend some good resources that can help my wife and me determine the best claiming ages for maximizing our Social Security retirement benefits? ~ Just Turned 62 Dear 62, Deciding when to start collecting your Social Security benefits is one of the most complicated and consequential decisions in retirement. The difference between a good decision and a poor one could cost you and your wife tens of thousands of dollars over your retirement, so doing your due diligence now is a very smart move.
tors like Maximize My Social Security (MaximizeMySocialSecurity. com) or Social Security Solutions (SocialSecuritySolutions.com). Both of these tools, which are particularly helpful to married couples as 70. These estimates are well as divorced or widbased on your yearly owed persons, will run earnings that are also what-if scenarios based on your circumstances listed on your report. Once you get your esti- and show how different mates for both you and filing strategies affect your wife, there are a the total payout over the number online Social same time frame. Maximize My Social Security strategy calcuweb-based lators you can turn to Security’s that can compare your service costs $40 per options so you can make year for a household, while Social Security an informed decision. The best one that’s Solutions offers severcompletely free to use al levels of web-based is Open Social Securi- and personalized phone ty (OpenSocialSecurity. advice ranging from $20 com), which runs the to $250. math for each possible claiming age (or, if you’re In-person advice married, each possible You may also be able combination of claiming to get help through a ages) and reports back, financial planner. Look telling you which strate- for someone who is a gy is expected to provide fee-only certified finanthe most total spendable cial planner (CFP) that dollars over your life- charges on an hourly time. basis and has experience But if you want a more in Social Security analthorough analysis con- ysis. sider fee-based calculaTo find someone, use
The Savvy Senior BY JIM MILLER Columnist
ty, whether you plan to work in retirement, along with spousal and survivor benefits. To help you weigh your claiming strategies, you need to know that Social Security Administration (SSA) claims specialists are not trained or authorized to give you personal advice on when you should start drawing your benefits. They can only provide you information on how the Factors to consider system works under difAs you may already ferent circumstances. To know, you can claim get advice you’ll need to Social Security any time turn to other sources. between the ages of 62 and 70, but each year Online tools you wait increases your Your first step in getbenefits between 5 and 8 ting Social Security percent. claiming strategy advice However, there are is to go to SSA.gov/ other factors you need myaccount to get your to take into account to personalized statement help you make a good that estimates what your decision, like your health retirement benefits will and family longevi- be at ages 62 through
the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors online directory at NAPFA.org, or try the Garrett Planning Network (GarrettPlanningNetwork.com), which is a network of fee-only advisers that charge
between $150 and $300 per hour. Send your senior questions to Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070 or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.
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The pros and cons of aging As I look back over this past year, we have covered a lot of topics. As we look forward to this new year, the one thing we all have in common is that we are a year older. This is one area we have no control over. We will all BY LAUREL HED continue to age. LSW GCM, works for Security First, What I hear most often is “I hate to get old.” SBC Adult Care Management Services This led me to do some research on what other people say about the pros and cons of aging. I found an article from ‘Connect Us’ from Nov. 24, 2018 name a few. written by Natalie Regoli. Here are some of her Older people have lived life, learned from life thoughts on the topic. experiences and have learned to look at the entire experience instead of zeroing in on a specific event which can cause feelings of regret. Aging often helps The advantages There have been studies and surveys that have with problem solving and appreciating our relationshown that seniors are one of the happiest groups in ships much deeper. Seniors have “safety net” programs in place the world. As we age, there is more time to become that are helpful financially, such as Social Secucomfortable with who we are. As we age, we find ourselves working less and rity, Medicare and Medicaid. There are also having more time to spend with friends and senior discounts at several places, which are also family. There is also more time to pursue our handy. So, as you can see, these are just a few of the many dreams of travel, further education, hobbies, volunteering, moving to our dream home, just to positives in aging.
The Family Circle
The disadvantages Now let’s look at some of the cons As we age, we find that the cost of healthcare goes up, between increased health issues and the potential need of assisted living and/or long-term care. There is an increase of safety concerns as we age, falls can become more frequent for several reasons and failing eyesight. For many of us our goal is to stay in our home, if possible, but we find that we are not as able to maintain everything and soon must hire someone to help with windows, yard work, etc. Loneliness can increase with aging. It becomes more difficult to leave your home and as we age our friends and family begin to pass away. So, there are many pros and cons to aging and I think that the more we can preplan the better off we will be. Do your research as to what is in your area for homecare, hospice, handymen, housekeepers, transportation, etc. The more prepared a person can be, the better aging can be. Laurel Hed, LSW GCM, works for Security First, SBC Adult Care Management Services.
CONNECTIONS
that mean? It’s really up to the individual.” Bjerke said there was a statewide effort to preserve veterans’ stories “because we’re losing people. I believe we can’t afford to forget what these individuals have done. I’m not a huge history buff, but if we don’t understand our history, we’re destined to repeat it.” Having served in the military, Bjerke said he relates well to other vets whether he knows them well or not. “He’s got a vet cap, I know he’s got my back.” “There’s a brotherhood there that can never be mimicked,” Simon agreed. And they are in the position to help veterans, when needed.
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Future plans are to visit Howard Maninga’s memorial and museum in Ponsford. Howard served in 1967-68 in Vietnam, where he lost fellow Marines in combat. Constructing the memorial and honoring veterans has helped with his Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. He and his wife hold an annual tribute and flag-raising ceremony each fall.
SHANNON GEISEN / ENTERPRISE
Left: Robert White, who is president of the All Veterans Memorial, was a highly decorated U.S. Army combat infantry soldier and sergeant during Viet Nam. He completed two tours. He earned a Bronze Star Medal for his heroism. Center: Roy Johnston's family donated his Purple Heart to the museum. "Most soldiers don't want Purple Hearts because that means you were injured in combat," assistant VSO Darius Simon said. "You not only carry the physical wound of that, Preserving history but also the mental wound as well." Right: This Civil War uniform is the oldest The All Veterans Muse- item in the All Veterans Memorial Museum in Park Rapids. um houses personal artifacts and military memorabilia – ranging from the Civil War through present-day conflicts. The items either have been donated or are on loan from local veterans or their families. “We’re so lucky to have such a great community that honors those who served or didn’t serve with this information,” Bjerke said. Bjerke served 30 years in the U.S. Navy, while Simon served in the Army from July 2004 until November 2005, including a couple of tours in Iraq. They led students through the evolution of military uniforms and gear. For example, steel helmets used during World War I are later made out of Kevlar. “You can see the progression from wool to now we have nylon and a little bit of cotton. This would be after Vietnam,”
Simon explained. He also points out that the museum is uniquely fortunate to have a female uniform dating from World War I. A World War II female uniform was donated by Edna Bolton, who joined the Navy in September 1943 and was discharged in April 1946. Bjerke shared how military gear has multiple purposes “because everything you had, that’s what you’re carrying with you. So when you have your pith helmet, you are cooking with it, you’re shaving with it and you’re trying to protect yourself,” he said. “The reason they used wool is because it maintained the body heat. If a sailor fell over the side of a ship, the warmth of the wool would keep you from going into hypothermia and hopefully extend your life long enough so someone
could find you.” Bjerke and Simon shared historical tidbits infused by their insightful military experience. They discussed the mental health costs of service as well.
Simon said each servicemember handles the situation differently. “Some deal with it at a very early age. For some, it’s an onset later on. Some will start to see residuals as they age
because they’re starting to reflect back on their lives. It’s a very broad spectrum.” Bjerke agreed. “In our profession, we encour- Shannon Geisen can be age veterans to get assis- reached at sgeisen@ tance, get help. What does parkrapidsenterprise.com.
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