Senior Life of Western North Carolina
Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at UNC Asheville Bookends, Pack Library’s Used Book Store August Activities in WNC
And more
FREE Lifestyle Magazine for WNC Seniors www.SeniorLifeWNC.com
August 2017 Issue
Make Our Community Your Retirement Choice Appalachian/Brian Estates Rental Retirement Community Serving the Mountain Community of Boone in Northwest North Carolina
Located in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains Appalachian Brian Estates is a carefree, private, affordable rental retirement community. Our spacious private apartment homes allow seniors the opportunity to maintain their independence. You will find yourself minutes from cultural, educational and recreational opportunities, healthcare and shopping. Offering both annual and shortterm leases, you will enjoy being a part of an exceptional community surrounded by a devoted, dependable staff and caring neighbors. Activities are scheduled, which include a variety of programs, taking advantage of our cozy lounges, bridge room, clubroom, and library with Internet access, media room with large screen TV and multi-purpose activity room. Visit the beauty salon, sundry store, and front desk service. While the entire environment promotes independent living, we are fortunate to have a fully licensed home care agency located within our building providing scheduled in-home aide services when requested.
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Senior Life Magazine | August 2017
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August 2017 | Senior Life Magazine
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Senior Life of Western North Carolina
CONTENTS 5 8
Yoga for Seniors is a Thing Natural Tips to Beat Respiratory Issues
10 Hearing Loss in Seniors
12 Shindig on the Green for 51 Seasons
16 Osher Lifelong
Learning Institute
Page 4
19 August Activities to enjoy in WNC
22 Retiring in Asheville 24 Bookends, Pack Library’s Used Book Store
Cover photo of seniors enjoying a nature hike
www.SeniorLifeWNC.com
28 Regain and Maintain 30 Meal on Wheels Your Health with Physical Vascular Therapy
of Asheville & Buncombe County Senior Life Magazine | August 2017
Yoga for Seniors is a Thing By Tracy D. Hyorth
Monday morning at Asheville Community Yoga in Woodfin, “Yoga for Seniors” class begins at 11:45 am. A lot of the participants are regulars. They know the routine. Get there a few minutes early, choose your mat, your location on the hardwood floor and other props needed for this gentle moving class. Once settled, lie back or sit up with legs crossed, whatever position makes you comfortable, puts you in chill mode. Teacher Wendy Mallett dims the lights and takes her place at the front of the room, beneath a horizontal window high on the wall. Sunlight streams down around her. She goes through a few announcements, welcomes regulars and newcomers. She doesn’t go into the why’s of how yoga benefits older adults; she simply teaches a class aimed at “mindful movement and breathing.” Her voice is strong, confident and calming. It’s time to get down to yoga. “I invite you to listen to your body, to make this practice your practice. To make any adjustments to any pose that feels right for you, at any time. You are here today to honor yourself,” Mallett tells the group.
The room is filled with about 20 attendees this day. And while any age is welcome, today’s group fits the class target group. “Seniors are living longer, more active, happy and productive lifestyles,” Mallett explains after class. Yoga is a wonderful way to meet health goals, exercising, balancing lifestyles, living with less stress, she continues. “There is more to older age than stereotypical seniors popping a pill every day to stay healthy.” Mallett has taught yoga for the last 20 years and her official title at Asheville Community Yoga is Community Service Coordinator & Teacher Liaison. She laughs as she describes that some people assume “senior” yoga involves everyone using chairs to sit on while doing poses. “That isn’t true. I have had people in class who needed to use a chair, but that is definitely not the norm.” There is no one here this day using a seat, but it is obvious everyone is working at a different level, each comfortable with where they may be at in their practice. Some are continued on page 7
“Yoga is the ideal all around excercise for seniors” August 2017 | Senior Life Magazine
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Ee www.SeniorLifeWNC.com Senior Life Magazine | August 2017
Yoga for seniors continued from page 5
more experienced, admitting they have studied yoga for years. One says this is her first time here, that a friend recommended she try it to help her with her flexibility. Mallett doesn’t get too technical with yoga terms, but she does explain the poses as class moves along and emphasizes what she considers to be particularly important for seniors – breathing techniques.
Class progresses and Mallet focuses on the other area she feels is important for seniors – core strength, which basically means that everything done in yoga, engages your core, helping you with balance, strength, flexibility and more. “Yoga is the ideal all around exercise for seniors,” Mallett says. As in yoga studios everywhere, it all comes to a close with some major relaxation in what is called the “Savasana” pose. Everyone in the room is laid back on their mat, eyes closed, breathing is quiet. It’s a time to reflect and be thankful for the hour spent exercising your body and prepare a positive mindset for the rest of the day. And just when you think you might get to stay there forever, the sound of someone else letting out a small snore reminds you that sleeping is for somewhere else. Some let out a small laugh and Mallett brings everyone’s awareness back to her voice.
“This is a safe space. Relax. Release. Breathe,” Mallett instructs, leading the group through a breathing exercise. “Try and let go of everything else in your mind. Listening only to your breath. Inhale slowly, hold at the top of the breath. And exhale, very slowly, through your mouth, making a gentle noise upon release. A sound like the waves in the ocean. Hold at the bottom and continue to repeat. Try to make your exhalations longer than your inhalations.
“Begin to come back into your body. Wiggle your fingers, your toes. Stretch your arms, your feet. Gently make your way back to sitting up on your mat …. Stretch your arms overhead, bring your hands together, fingers point upwards. Lower your hands, palms together, to your chest. I want to thank you for spending part of your day with me.” Mallett tells her students and bows her head forward. “Namaste.” Ee
“This breathing exercise is good to use not only here in class, but when you feel your mind getting too busy, filling up with unnecessary thoughts. If you can, think of this technique and use it in your daily life to help you stay centered, reduce stress,” Mallett says gently and just loud enough for those at the back of the room to hear.
**Asheville Community Yoga is a 501(c)3 nonprofit yoga center offering donation-based yoga classes, special community events, teacher trainings, student immersions, series classes and workshops in Asheville, NC. All classes, workshops and events at the center are free for people who truly cannot afford to pay. For people who are able to pay, the suggested “Love Offering” amount is $5 to $15 for regular classes and $15+ for special events and workshops. For more information, visit the website: http://ashevillecommunityyoga.com
The space indeed echoes an ocean. Various degrees of sighs join together, creating soft sounds of waves and personal images of warm sandy beaches.
Tracy D. Hyorth has been writing about Asheville and Western North Carolina since the late ‘80s and can be reached at outnaboutwnc@gmail.com.
August 2017 | Senior Life Magazine
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Natural Tips to Beat Seasonal Respiratory Health Challenges
(StatePoint) Spring and summer can be particularly difficult times of year for those with respiratory health challenges, when simple activities like gardening, walking the dog and reading a book on the patio can cause itching, wheezing, sneezing and trouble breathing.
“It is all about improving one’s immune function in response to environmental factors, which can mean the difference between perpetual discomfort and a happy, vital spring and summer,” says Kelly Heim, PhD, senior director of Scientific Affairs at Pure Encapsulations, a leading manufacturer of dietary supplements.
You should also know that this immunotherapeutic approach won’t protect against all the causes of respiratory health challenges. Whether you are looking to make your garden the envy of the neighborhood, or you simply want to stay active and comfortable while enjoying the outdoors, consider the following treatments and tips. Page 8
Senior Life Magazine | August 2017
Something Sweet
Honey isn’t just delicious; it can be therapeutic, potentially helping you to alleviate seasonal symptoms. However, it is important you select honey produced in your local area for this strategy to work.
Dietary Supplements
Your nutritional intake can have a large impact on the way you feel in spring. Consider a dietary supplement designed to support both innate and adaptive immune response. For example, Pure Encapsulations Aller-Essentials with EpiCor contains a blend of nutrients and herbal extracts designed to promote healthy immune function in response to environmental factors. Research suggests that it enhances natural killer cell activation, B cell and T cell function, and salivary IgA levels; and that the quercetin, hesperidin and vitamin C in the supplement provide additional support for stabilizing mast cells which can release histamines and exacerbate respiratory issues. More information can be found at PureEncapsulations.com/alleressentials.
Practical Considerations
While building up your immune response is crucial in the battle against respiratory problems, you can make your home a healthy oasis from with a few practical considerations. Create a makeshift mudroom or landing zone in your foyer. Remove shoes and outer layers when you get home, and ask your guests to do the same upon arrival. Keep your bedroom particularly protected from the outdoors, for example, don’t toss the same jeans and clothing that have been on a picnic blanket on your bedspread. Wash your hair in the evening before going to sleep, particularly after a day in the garden, and remember to change and launder your pillows and linens regularly.
Ask a Doctor
When it comes to health, there is no one-size-fits all solution. Talk with your health care provider, who can help you pinpoint the exact source of your suffering, in order to determine the best treatment options for you. With a few lifestyle changes, you can look forward to a season of breathing easy. Ee
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Hearing Loss in Seniors: Causes & Care Hearing loss comes in many forms. It can range from a mild loss in which a person misses certain high-pitched sounds, such as the voices of women and children, to a total loss of hearing. It can be hereditary or it can result from disease, trauma, certain medications or long-term exposure to loud noise. Some people may have a hearing problem without realizing it. Others might think they have a problem, but are too embarrassed to tell their doctor, friends, or family. You can help identify a possible
hearing problem by asking yourself some key questions and, if necessary, having your hearing checked by a doctor. If a hearing loss is ignored or untreated, it can get worse. But a hearing loss that is identified early can be helped through treatment, such as hearing aids, certain medicines, and surgery. Ask yourself the following questions. If you answer “yes” to three or more of these questions, you could have a hearng problem.
• Do I have a problem hearing on the telephone? • Do I have trouble with noise in the background? • Is it hard for me to follow a conversation when two or Hearing loss is one of the most common more people talk at once? • Do I often ask people to conditions affecting older adults. Roughly a third of Americans age 65 to 74, repeat themselves? • Do people complain that and 50% of those 75 and older the TV volume is too high? have hearing loss. • Do I hear a ringing, roaring, or hissing sound a lot? If you think that you have a hearing problem, schedule an appointment with your family doctor. In some cases, he or she can identify the problem and prescribe treatment. Your doctor may refer you to an otolaryngologist. This doctor and surgeon has special training in problems of the ear, nose, throat, head, and neck. An otolaryngologist will try to find out why you have a hearing loss and offer treatment options. He or she will ask you for your medical history, ask if other family members have hearing problems, do a thorough exam, and prescribe any needed tests. Your doctor may also recommend that you visit an audiologist. An audiologist is a health professional who can identify and measure hearing loss. The audiologist will use a device called an audiometer to test your ability to hear sounds of different pitch and loudness. The tests that an audiologist performs are painless. Audiologists do not prescribe drugs or perform surgery. If you need a hearing aid, an audiologist can help you choose the right one. Ee
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Senior Life Magazine | August 2017
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Shindig on the Green Celebrates 51st Season in Downtown Asheville By Tracy D. Hyorth
You can find Laura Boosinger in the back of a building in downtown Marshall, right next to the Post office. WART, 95.5 Radio, is set up in the front window. Upon entering, you may or may not see Boosinger, who is Executive Director of the Madison County Arts Council, right away. More likely, you’ll have to walk to the back of the old structure because she’s busy in her office and probably won’t hear the creaking boards as you come through. That’s okay, though. It’s Madison County. People strolling around is normal. Boosinger knows Shindig on the Green. The beloved Appalachian mountain music festival at Roger McGuire Green at
cloggers and storytellers who perform on the mainstage, but it’s the informal jam sessions that bring many a mountain musician into Asheville. “They could care less about being on stage,” Boosinger explains. They’re there to visit. “Music is their conversation.” Musicians come from miles around, from such counties as Madison, Haywood, Pickens, Yancey, Rutherford and more. “There’s even a few musicians who visit from around the world to join in. Some take their one or two week vacations here. One musician comes from Japan and stays here six weeks,” Boosinger happily explains. And Boosinger should know. Thanks to taking a banjo class in college, and going to the festival with a friend who was the daughter of one of the festival’s first organizers, Booinger was invited to join in with some of the oldtime musicians at their homes back in the day and has earned her own reputation in the music world. She is an award-winning performer and recording artist whose primary focus is the interpretation of traditional music from the Southern Appalachian region. She recently earned a prestigious place in the Blue Ridge Music Hall of Fame in Wilkesboro.
Pack Square Park in downtown Asheville, is celebrating its 51st season this summer. She’s been involved with the festival in one way or another since her college days at Warren Wilson in the late 1970s and she now emcees at least twice a year. “Don’t call it old-timey. (Shindig on the Green) is all old-time music. It’s important to get it right,” Boosinger stresses. Old-time music is mostly an upbeat, instrumental music, where the clawhammer banjo is king. The fiddle and guitar round it all out. Shindig on the Green is also known for the headliner bluegrass bands, ballad singers, mountain dancers and Page 12
Boosinger likens the jam sessions to house gatherings that have taken place over the years in various living rooms around Western North Carolina. One big happy family of mountain musicians. Some of the jam session groups are made up of regulars who play in the same place every time. Like in City Hall Portico or under the beloved magnolia tree. Regulars know who has dibs on what locations. Often, however, groups are made up on the spot. “What’s really fun is to get there before the house stage opens and just see who shows up,” Boosinger explains. Once there, spontaneous circles of musicians – experienced or beginners, young and old – gather to create their own magical mountain music world. Dancers twirl nearby and listeners stand close, hoping to experience moments that take you back in time, up to the hollers where everyone really does know your name. It’s not unusual to find musicians playing a handmade instrument pass down through generations. And if you’re lucky, you’ll even find someone who’s invented Senior Life Magazine | August 2017
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their own kind of musical delight – a washtub base that fits in just fine. Sometimes there is singing; sometimes there’s not. It is a jam session, after all. There’s another part to Shindig on the Green that Boosinger loves. And that’s how it brings together families for the event. The families who listen and those who participate. “The younger people get to learn from the older musicians who feel it’s their responsibility to pass the traditions on to the younger musicians. It’s a nice, safe, comfortable space to enjoy a Saturday night. It’s nice to know a square dance and some mountain music can pull everybody together.” **Official start is 7 p.m., or “along about sundown,” but folks gather earlier to stake out their seating. Attendees are welcome to bring lawn chairs, blankets and picnics. Food and drink are also available for sale on at the event. No alcohol or pets allowed. Ee For more information: www.folkheritage.org/shindigonthegreen.htm All photos by Aaron Dahlstrom Tracy D. Hyorth has been writing about Asheville and Western North Carolina since the late ‘80s and can be reached at outnaboutwnc@gmail.com. August 2017 | Senior Life Magazine
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VOLUNTEER
Get involved with Meals on Wheels of Asheville and Buncombe County and become a VOLUNTEER! As a volunteer meal delivery driver, you bring nutritious meals, friendly visits and safety checks that enable our seniors to live nourished lives with independence. We truly serve as a safety net focused on reducing food insecurity, improving nutrition, alleviating isolation, and increasing the quality of life for our community’s homebound seniors. We proudly serve approximately 500 homebound seniors each weekday. On average, we can feed a senior for one year for far less than what it cost to spend a day in the hospital or a week in a nursing home. We have 38 delivery routes throughout Buncombe County. As a volunteer, you can deliver once a week, once a month, or substitute on an as needed basis. It only takes 1 to 2 hours to deliver meals. All routes are usually complete by 12 or 12:30 pm.
Serving 500 homeward bound seniors every weekday. Call us at 828-253-5286 or visit us on the web at www.MOABC.ORG
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Senior Life Magazine | August 2017
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Enriching lives by bringing outdoor dreams to life. August 2017 | Senior Life Magazine
Page 15
By Tracy D. Hyorth As with a lot of things in Asheville, the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) is growing organically. What started in 1988 as a small department of the University of North Carolina at Asheville has become its own entity. It’s now housed in the Reuter Center on campus, serves 2300 members and has room for more adults looking to “thrive in life’s second half.” “There are up to 100 classes in any given term,” says Executive Director Catherine Frank, a former volunteer teacher at Duke University’s OLLI program. She helped make the program, once known as the North Carolina Center for Creative Retirement, into OLLI in Asheville in 2012. Frank explains that 60% of OLLI members have moved to Asheville because of the program. They heard about it through The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, SmartMoney, Business Week, Kiplinger’s, and The Christian Science Monitor, TV’s CBS Sunday MornPage 16
ing and websites such as CNN.com, AOL.com and many others. “We seem to be known on a more national basis than we are locally. But we’re working to change all of that.” What this means is that there are a lot of things happening at OLLI. All you have to do is walk in the front door and see the daily schedule on the big screen monitor. It’s filled with “College for Seniors” classes from Mondays through Fridays 9 am-5pm, targeted at adults 55 and older. (Average age is 72.) OLLI members are actively engaged in a curriculum promoting lifelong learning, leadership, community service and more. Members decide the courses and many volunteer to teach. Frank explains that it takes about 500 helpers to make any given term happen. “This program is about older adults telling us what they want to know. They also don’t have to worry about getting a good grade … It’s Senior Life Magazine | August 2017
“Our members are incredibly passionate about the subjects they take and teach.” Frank explains that teaching a hiking class involves more than just “going on a hike.” about people willing to test their ideas, try something new.” says Frank.
Which is one reason OLLI is offering more free public programs that Frank hopes will capture the attention of more area residents. Those classes are held by local organizations and are as diverse as Asheville itself.
Topics include Tai Chi, poetry, drawing for fun, advanced French, Broadway songs, James Joyce, Faulkner and opera to name only a very few. Hiking is a huge draw, according to Frank. She tells of a class that was open to 20 participants. One hundred signed up. So Frank (who oversees a paid staff of six) and OLLI members were able to find enough volunteers to hold seven hiking classes. Those filled up immediately and there was still a waiting list. “Our members are incredibly passionate about the subjects they take and teach.” Frank explains that teaching a hiking class involves more than just “going on a hike.” It means the leader will go check out the trail, make sure it’s not too hilly, is easy to walk and will be of interest to everyone.
Asheville Lyric Opera held open auditions and received feedback from participants. NC Stage has taken some of its plays to OLLI and shown what it’s like to be behind the scenes during a theatre performance. Then there’s the Astronomy Club of Asheville, The Autumn Players Readers Theatre, Carolinas’ Nature Photography Association, Chamber Music Chats, Symphony Talks, Elisha Mitchell Audubon Society, to name a handful. Non-members can also check out free weekly
Family Business Forum
There are workshops that deal with more sensitive issues of aging, the “Life Transitions” series that explores planning for end-of-life, helps with Medicare and Social Security enrollment and more. Taking classes isn’t all that OLLI members do. You can find them actively involved around the community as well. They volunteer at such places as MANNA Food Bank, Asheville Community Theatre, in Asheville City Schools. “There’s just about no event I attend, that I don’t see one of our members,” Frank explains. “Our program is designed to get active older Asheville residents involved. Really involved.” August 2017 | Senior Life Magazine
The UNC Asheville Family Business Forum is a member driven professional education program for proprietors of a family owned business. If you work with someone that you are related to, it can get complicated. By attending the Family Business Forums you can better maneuver the challenges for a more harmonious family and successful business. Membership in the Forum is open to family and privately-held businesses. Annual membership is structed for the size of your company. Any family member, owner, or non-family employee may attend. All business owners are welcome to attend their first program for free. Family businesses can also pay per program to attend. Family Business Forum One University Heights, CPO 3800 | Asheville, NC 28804 828.232.5091
www.fbf.unca.edu Page 17
‘Fab Friday’ offerings. Discussions may be about antiques, local volunteer opportunities, politics, folk art and health education.
**Annual membership costs $75. Classes are offered in 5-8 weeks terms in Spring, Summer, Winter, Fall vary from $75-$115. For more information, see OLLI’s website: olliasheville.com
Frank explains the essential essence of OLLI is one that is a group of learners who are offered a sense of belonging to a community of like-minded individuals right away. You can come into OLLI and learn about area volunteer opportunities, find students on campus who will teach you how to use the latest computer technologies. Or you can simply come into the building and make a friend, maybe sit down and play cards or talk about the most recent book you are reading. It’s all about the learning. “When classes are taking place all around the building, there’s just buzz of excitement in the air,” Frank says. “OLLI members are intellectually curious people. None of them have to be here.” Ee Tracy D. Hyorth has been writing about Asheville and Western North Carolina since the late ‘80s and can be reached at outnaboutwnc@gmail.com.
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Senior Life Magazine | August 2017
August Activities Events happening this month in the WNC area to enjoy! Weekly Guided Trail Walks at The North Carolina Arboretum Every Tuesday and Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m., through October, trained volunteer guides lead small groups of participants along woodland trails and through a variety of forest types. Depending on the season, topics of discussion include wildflowers, plant and tree identification, natural history and the cultural and land use history of The North Carolina Arboretum.
At Arbor Terrace of Asheville, we’ve done away with all of the traditonal stereotypes of senior living. We offer a maintenance-free lifestyle with numerous amenities and luxury serves to fit your every need. Our community focuses on providing seniors a comforable and inspiring lifestyle. Every Arbor Terrace resident receives unique and personalized care and attention tailored to where they are and what they need most. Call or visit us online to set up a tour today!
continued on page 20 August 2017 | Senior Life Magazine
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August Activities continued Programs are held rain or shine and participants should dress appropriately for the weather. Individuals should also wear sturdy shoes and bring water. Walks last 1.5- 2.5 hours, depending upon the interest of the group, and are approximately one to two miles in length. Due to length and content, this program is not recommended for children under 8 years of age. Walks begin in the Baker Exhibit Center Lobby and space is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Groups of five or more are required to pre-register by calling (828) 665-2492. Due to size limitations of the tours, groups of 10 or more are required to book a private guided trail tour. Walks are free, however, donations to The North Carolina Arboretum Society are appreciated. Regular parking fees apply. Arboretum Society Members always park free. For more information: www.ncarboretum.org
Rooftop Eclipse Viewing Party at Highland Brewing Company August 21st is the first date in almost 40 years that a total solar eclipse will be visible. And Asheville is one of the few areas in the United States that will have a 99% eclipse, visible at roughly 2:37pm. Highlands Brewing Company is hosting a viewing party Monday, August 21, 12-5 pm at their brewery. You can watch it free from the rooftop deck or grassy meadow with a pint in your hand. Event organizers ask that you please try to obtain your own protective eyewear - it is NOT safe to look at the partially eclipsed sun. There will be some on hand in case you forget. Located at 12 Old Charlotte Highway, Suite 200, Asheville, the rooftop bar is 21+, the Meadow is family friendly. For more information: www.highlandbrewing.com Page 20
40th Annual Sourwood Festival in Black Mountain The Sourwood Festival fills downtown Black Mountain with entertainment for both adults and children in August each year. An ‘Idol Contest’ for non-professional singers happens Friday, August 11 at 7 pm and the festival takes place Saturday, August 12 and Sunday, August 13, 9 am-5 pm each day. Music, dancing, arts & crafts, super food, kid’s rides and games, face painting and more in a no alcohol environment attract approximately 30,000 festival goers to downtown Black Mountain. Features include about 200 vendors with lots of local and unique arts and crafts, BBQ and vegetarian faire, custom-crafted ice cream and funnel cakes and jellies favorites such the sausages and corn on the cob. And, of course, the main attraction each year is the sourwood honey and bee demos. For more information: www.sourwoodfestival.com or call (800) 669-2301
Buncombe County Extension Master Gardener Saturday Seminars Series Learn how make your own compost from Buncombe County Extension Master Gardener Volunteers during a three-hour learning session, Saturday August 12 and August 26 at 11 a.m. Several compost systems will be displayed including a worm composting bin (vermicomposting). Volunteers will be ready to provide advice, and printed material on composting strategies. Free samples of “black gold” will be available. This free educational event is alongside Jesse Israel’s Garden Center, 570 Brevard Rd, Asheville. To learn more, call (828) 255-5522 or check the website at: www.buncombemastergardener.org Senior Life Magazine | August 2017
Free Theatre in the Park in Asheville’s Historic Montford District Montford Park Players presents the family classic Peter Pan, by J.M. Barrie August 4 through September 2, Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings at 7:30 p.m. Peter Pan tells the well-known tale of Peter, the boy who wouldn’t grow up, and his adventures with the Darling children, Wendy, John and Michael, in the ever-magical Neverland. There they meet the nefarious Captain Hook, Tinkerbell the fairy, the Lost Boys, pirates, mermaids and other characters you’ve come to know and love. The Montford production has all of the epic battles, flying and magic from all of the versions, from Disney to Spielberg, that have been produced over the 110 years since it was first performed for a live audience. All performances are held at the Hazel Robinson Amphitheatre, 92 Gay Street, Asheville. The show is free, but donations are encouraged. Attendees are invited to bring lawn chairs, blankets and picnics. Beer, wine and concessions are also available for purchase at the Amphitheatre.
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Retiring in Asheville NC Asheville consistently receives great rankings as a premier place to retire—recently US News & World Report named Asheville one of “10 Best Places to Retire.” Located in the valley of the Blue Ridge Mountains and nestled next to the Great Smoky Mountains, the region’s scenic beauty is just one of the many reasons that Asheville is so popular among North Carolina destinations perfect for retirement. Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at UNC Asheville is an internationally acclaimed learning community center that offers an array of educational programs in the arts and humanities, the natural world, civic engagement, wellness, life transition, retirement relocation planning, intergenerational co-learning and more.
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Asheville is the largest city in Western North Carolina. The county’s population is about 224,000. The city’s MSA population is approximately 402,000. If it’s a small town that you’re seeking, there are many distinctively different small towns that surround downtown Asheville. The quality of life in Asheville is outstanding, with a low crime rate, incredible educational opportunities and diverse housing options. A four-season temperate climate, with average snowfall of only 13 inches and cool summertime temperatures, makes year-round living easy and makes Asheville one of the top North Carolina Retirement cities. Ee NC Retirement Information is also available through the Asheville Chamber of Commerce, visit their website: www.ashevillechamber.org Senior Life Magazine | August 2017
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A Glorious Rainbow of Books at Bookends, Pack Library’s Used Book Store By Colleen Watson Summer spreads her golden light, beckoning us with warm breezes and sun-drenched dreams to climb out of our boxes and head into the sunlight. We walk through the forest, skip lightly by the stream and pause, listening to the music of nature. If we’re observant enough, we might see Swallows nesting under eaves, feeding their babies making a fuss, drawing the neighbor cat’s attention. This is reality, but for those of us with a love of the written word, books can take us into the world of summer … even if it’s not. And who doesn’t have a fond childhood memory of sitting under an ancient Elm, her limbs spread wide in comfort and grace, as we lose ourselves in a good book? Daydreams aside, books take us to fascinating places, opening our eyes to the cultures and landscapes of the countries of the world. Or, books may teach us how, in the seeming randomness of the natural world, we find mathematical order based on Fibonacci numbers and the Golden Ratio. Libraries are the repositories of vast amounts of knowledge Page 24
and information and in Buncombe County, the public library system consists of the main library and 11 branch libraries, one located within fairly close proximity to every resident. A Law Library, housed in the County Courthouse, is also available to the public and the legal community. In addition, Buncombe County is fortunate enough to have a grand used book store, Bookends, as part of the Pack Memorial Library, the county’s central branch. While libraries, such as they were, date back to the earliest of times, they originally consisted mainly of archives of early forms of writing, such as transactions captured on clay tablets or temple records on the papyrus of Ancient Egypt. As long ago as 700 BC, a discovery in Nineveh showed an actual library classification system in use. In the US, the first library was founded in 1701 as part of the Anglican church. Public libraries with books available to members or through subscriptions would soon follow. The first free public library was started in New Hampshire in 1833, and quickly became the norm. Senior Life Magazine | August 2017
Since libraries are free and open to the public, they count on a variety of public and private sources for funding. Funds support the acquisition of new and classic fiction, nonfiction and reference books, audio books, eBooks, music and movies, art prints, magazines and newspapers, as well as other electronic material. Librarians and other staff support the operations of the library system. Pack Memorial is the largest library, with more than 150,000 items available for review and checkout. Their Sondley Reference Department provides a vast amount of research materials from reports and literary criticism to homework help.
Anyone can become a Friend of the Library through a $15 membership fee that goes directly to either the main library or one of the branches, as designated by you. With a Friends’ membership, you will receive a subscription to Happenings, the library’s newsletter, and it’s a great way to support the library.
Numerous events are also sponsored by Buncombe County libraries. Open to the public, these events provide valuable information, services or activities for all ages. At Pack, the Lord Auditorium is a 150-seat facility often used for events. It’s available for public use during library hours, but must be reserved in advance. A variety of collections, such as the North Carolina Collection with its local history and genealogy resources, and the Thomas Wolfe Collection honoring Asheville’s favorite son, sets the Pack Library apart. Friends of the Pack Library provide key financial support to help fund necessary items or events that may fall outside of the library’s annual budget. Friends organizations are prolific throughout America’s library system and sometimes include used book stores, like Bookends. The Pack Friends group includes volunteers who manage the used book store located just inside of the Pack Library in downtown Asheville. Through the sale of gently used books of all genres, as well as other items such as Audio Books, CDs, DVDs, comic books and graphic novels, Bookends supports the library financially. continued on page 26
Bookends Used Book Store at Pack Library offers gently used books of all genres, CDs, DVDs, and vinyls for sale at amazingly low prices. Proceeds benefit the Buncombe County libraries. Bookends is sponsored by the Friends of Pack Library. Friends volunteers donate many hours of their time to collect, sort, price, and stock items for the store.
Bookends is open when Pack Library is open. Nonprofit Organization in Asheville, North Carolina August 2017 | Senior Life Magazine
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Other fundraisers and book sales are held throughout the year and are always posted online and at the library. Libraries are and will continue to be extremely crucial to our society. With digital books on the rise and as more and more information is made accessible through our laptops and cell phones, libraries continue to evolve. They offer new and varied services, such as online checkout of digital books and much more. Libraries provide a solid foundation for access to knowledge. It is a foundation on which we as a society is built. Bringing our young people into a vast repository of actual books, allowing them to touch their pages, brings reading to life. Teaching the importance of reading to children at an early age instills in them a curiosity that will stay with them for their entire lives, helping them to turn information into knowledge … and knowledge into wisdom. Libraries mean different things to different people, but for those who love and support libraries, the world would be a very different place without them. Dr Maya Angelou is one who actually credited a library with saving her life as a child. She called a library “a rainbow in the clouds.” “Information belongs to everyone,” she said in an interview with the New York Public Library when they acquired Dr Angelou’s papers in October 2010. “Information helps you to see that you’re not alone. That there’s somebody in Mississippi and somebody in Tokyo who all have wept, who’ve all longed and lost, who’ve all been happy. So the library helps you to see, not only that you are not alone, but that you’re not really any different from everyone else. There may be details that are different, but a human being is a human being.”
Bookends Used Book Store continued from page 25
Bookends depends on the generosity of the public. It gets its books, music and movies through donations, as well as items withdrawn from the library’s system. These are then sold at very reasonable prices with the funds raised benefiting the library, and consequently the community. For those with large collections, Pack Friends will often assist with packing and transporting the books to the library. It’s a partnership that runs full circle. The Pack Friends call the first Friday of every month “Frugal Friday.” On these days, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., you will find books galore in the entryway of the Pack Memorial Library, where you can get even better deals on books and other items from the book store for just 25 cents or $2.00 a box. Children’s books and a few others are sold for 10 cents. It’s great for everyone and provides an opportunity to restock the shelves with additional items. Page 26
Bookends is open to the public inside the Pack Memorial Library at 67 Haywood Street in downtown Asheville during regular library hours: Monday - Thursday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Payment for your used books and more can be made (cash only) at the library’s front desk. Buncombe County residents or property owners can obtain a free library card with appropriate identification, which enables them to borrow, renew or request materials from any Buncombe County library branch. Also, individuals with library cards have access to books from libraries in other counties that participate in the NC Cardinal Program. Ee For more information on Bookends, visit their Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/BookendsAtPackLibrary/ For information about the Buncombe County Library system, go to: https://www.buncombecounty.org/governing/depts/library/ Senior Life Magazine | August 2017
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Regain and Maintain Your Health with Physical Vascular Therapy By Cheri B. Torres, Ph.D. and Colleen Watson
For hundreds of years, kings, scholars and explorers have searched for a proverbial “magic pill” that could be used for rejuvenation and longevity. Dating back to the writings of Herodotus in the 5th century BCE and becoming more prominent during the time of the Spanish explorer, Ponce de Leon, we see references to a mythical spring, said to have restorative powers for anyone drinking or bathing in it. The Philosopher’s Stone, a legendary alchemical substance also called the “elixir of life,” shows up throughout early Greek philosophy. Anyone over the age of 50 understands why they were searching. Our hearts and minds haven’t aged, but the body betrays us. We live longer now than they did back in the 5th century because we learned over time what would help maintain the body’s health: clean water, good nutrition, clean air, and exercise. Still, we age. The killers now are stress, the kinds of food and drink we feed our body, and the impact of modern living. The results for us now are just as they were then, only later in life: • Stress • Pain • Restless • Inability to focus • Low energy • Exhaustion • Degenerative disease Page 28
Why? What’s Happening? As science progressed, we began to understand how the body works. Everything comes down to our cellular structure. Cells are what make up all our tissue and organs and they replace themselves with new cells that are as healthy as they can be every year. This is the key to what causes aging and disease. Cells need oxygen and nutrients in order to function well, keep the body healthy, and produce the energy we need for vitality. They also need to eliminate waste, carbon dioxide and toxins to keep them from contaminating the body. This requires healthy circulation at the micro-vascular level. Our capillaries are extremely small, some so small only a single blood cell can travel through them. It turns out that age is correlated with slower blood flow through the capillaries. Less oxygen to our cells means a decrease in vitality. A magic elixir would do something to restore circulation. Fast forward to the turn of the 21st century. Science has now advanced to include not just chemistry and biology, but electro-magnetism. The emergence of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and intravitalmicroscopy have allowed us to see into the body and circulatory system in ways we’d never imagined. Such technology has invited researchers to look for ways to support physical well-being at the micro level. Senior Life Magazine | August 2017
Germany has been a leader in this research for the past 20 years, discovering ways to use bio-energy medicine to help the body prevent degenerative diseases. The technology that’s been created to support circulation is called physical vascular therapy. An electro magnetic signal stimulates the pumping movement of the smallest blood vessels, restoring blood flow throughout the body, even at the micro-vessel level. The body’s cells are increasingly better supplied with oxygen and nutrients, enabling them to start carrying out their many tasks such as: generating energy, restoring health to tissue and organs, fighting disease and pain, healing wounds. There have been more than 1000 scientific clinical studies, including research by NASA, that document the effectiveness of this therapy. Some of the technology is highly sophisticated, but the process is simple. A pulse electro-magnetic signal stimulates restricted or impaired microcirculation, thus supporting one of the body’s most important control mechanisms for healing, recovery and regeneration. The benefits of using this device regularly include improved: • General blood flow • Nutrition and oxygen supply • Cardiac function • Sleep management
August 2017 | Senior Life Magazine
• Waste disposal • Physical Fitness • Endurance • Concentration and mental acuity • Stress reduction and relaxation This type of therapy does not cure diseases, rather it is an excellent holistic approach that supports the body’s ability to heal itself. It allows the body to stay younger longer. Perhaps this is the first major step in actually discovering the fountain of youth. It’s been literally under our noses the whole time – our own bodies! Ee If you would like to try one of the devices that has been scientifically validated, or for more information, contact Life Pulse AVL: Cheri B. Torres, Ph.D at (828) 225-5088 or Colleen Watson at (609) 760-6722. -----------------------------------------------------------------* Disclaimer
This magazine, the authors or any representatives are not engaged in rendering medical advice or similar professional services. The information contained in this article is not intended to replace medical advice. Consult your physician for any medical problem. Any products referenced are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
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Meals on Wheels Has A Mission Meals On Wheels began in 1971 as a grassroots effort to feed the elderly homebound of Asheville. During the 1980’s and 90’s, the demand for services continued to grow. In order to keep pace and remain cost effective, MOW-ABC moved from purchasing and delivering pre-packaged meals to setting up their own commercial kitchen and cooking all their food in 2001. Since that time, demand for services has increased an additional 57%! Today, MOW-ABC serves over 500 elderly homebound clients and is the largest provider of at-home meal delivery services in Western North Carolina!
MOW-ABC operates Monday thru Friday with a 11-member staff and a network of over 300 volunteers. Meal delivery is available to Buncombe County seniors age 60 and older who are homebound, without regard to race, religion, national origin, sex, handicap or ability to pay. Ee Each day, MOW-ABC is clearly focused on its Mission Statement: Meals On Wheels of Asheville-Buncombe County provides hot, nutritious meals to the elderly homebound, thus allowing them to live in their own homes, among familiar surroundings and maintain their dignity while aging.
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Senior Life Magazine | August 2017
Senior Life of WNC is a lifestyle publication giving seniors the tools and information they need for their best life.
Senior Life of Western North Carolina
For advertising opportunities please contact us at: 828.279.5962 or email us at: mail@seniorlifeWNC.com
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