Atlanta Senior Life - August 2017

Atlanta Senior Life focuses on the interests, accomplishments and lifestyles of the active senior population in metro Atlanta. It aims to inspire readers to embrace a more rewarding life by informing them of opportunities to expand their horizons, express their talents and engage in their community.

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Editorial

Kathy Dean

Contributing Editor kathydean@atlantaseniorlife.com

Joe Earle

Editor-at-Large

JoeEarle@reporternewspapers.net

Contributors

Robin Conte, Russell Gloor, Grace Huseth, Judi Kanne, Collin Kelley, Phil Mosier, Isadora Pennington, Kristen Sumpter

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Day for Night

By Collin Kelley

On Monday, August 21, a large swath of America will be treated to a rare phenomenon: a total solar eclipse. While partial views will be available in Atlanta, if you want to be in the path of totality then head to north Georgia, North Carolina or South Carolina.

The centerline for the eclipse will touch the northeastern corner of Georgia around 2:35 p.m. Some of the picturesque places to see the full solar phenomenon are in Clayton, Toccoa and Black Rock Mountain State Park.

In North Carolina, you’ll have part of the Great Smokey Mountains National Park as a dramatic landscape for the eclipse.

Some of the cities in the path are Bryson City, Murphy, Andrews, Franklin and Santeetlah Lake.

A big swath of South Carolina will see the eclipse, but one of the best places will be the city of Greenville, which

lies in the path of totality. The downtown area has cool shops, restaurants and the lovely Falls Park on the Reedy River. The last time all of North America witnessed a solar eclipse was 99 years ago, so grab your eclipse glasses and head north.

Local Libraries Host Eclipse Parties

By Kathy Dean

If you’ll be spending August 21 in the north metro Atlanta area, you can still enjoy the eclipse, thanks in part to the local library systems. More than two million pairs of eclipse glasses are being distributed free of charge at U.S. public libraries, through a project supported in part by the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, with additional help from Google, National Science Foundation (NSF) and NASA.

Many area libraries are planning educational programs, group viewings and celebrations around the time of the eclipse, 2-3 p.m. Check with your local library for specifics.

● Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System: afpls.org

● Cobb County Public Library System: cobbcat.org

FREE CIRCULATION

Each month, 20,000 copies of Atlanta Senior Life are distributed to selected locations where active seniors live, work, volunteer and play in the north metro areas of Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton and Gwinnett counties.

● DeKalb County Public Library System: dekalblibrary.org

● Gwinnett County Public Library System: gwinnettpl.org

● Sequoyah Regional Library System (includes Cherokee County): sequoyahregionallibrary.org

Photo by Phil Mosier

NASA.GOV

A total eclipse will cover a swath across North America on Aug. 21, including portions of North Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina.

Cool Off with Canoes and Kayaks

By Judi Kanne

In August, almost all local weather reports begin with the words “hot and humid.” If you’re ready to cool off, getting on the water is well worth considering.

Paddling a canoe is one option. A canoe is an open boat that can easily fit you and a friend. Ideally, one will paddle for “push” and the other (the one in the back) will use the paddle for steering, like a rudder. A good workout is another reason to try water sports.

The exercise concept worked well for a Vinings couple, Wendy Barnes and Joel Bohlmann, both in their early 60s. They registered for their first Chattahoochee Nature Center’s canoe trip in early June.

Although they hadn’t canoed in quite a few years, they felt they could handle the two-hour ride. “The section of the river one gets to see on the Chattahoochee is lovely,” she said. In fact, admitted Barnes, “It’s hard to believe that you’re in a large city.”

Barnes says they both love natural surroundings and the outdoors. “And we’re trying to stay active as we get older.”

The couple said they saw deer, kingfishers, herons and even an osprey along the way. A staff naturalist who offers an introduction to the river’s ecology leads each nature center trip.

Water adventures are found both near and far.

Last summer, Mary and Mark Perloe traveled from Sandy Springs to the San Juan Islands of Washington. The islands are located in the Puget Sound, known for an abundance of natural beauty.

“I found a trip with a few people that combined four to five hours of kayaking visiting different islands each day,” said Mark, a physician in his mid-60s. His wife, also in her early 60s, is a nurse practitioner, and says she was more than “ready for an outdoor adventure with some physical activity versus pure rest and relaxation.”

“It turned out we were the only couple who

COURTESY OF TGA COMMUNICATIONS, LLC

A stop along the Chattahoochee River

COURTESY OF WENDY BARNES AND JOEL BOHLMANN Wendy Barnes and Joel Bohlmann on the Hooch

signed up, so we could set our own pace,” Mary added. “We were concerned about whether we had the stamina to do this, but found we could work with our guide to personalize our daily activities.”

The Perloes had not taken kayak lessons before, but their guide spent an hour or so orienting them and helping improve their paddling techniques.

“It was surprising to both of us that we weren’t very sore,” said Mark. “We paddled for about two hours, then we would take a nice break in a park or beach along the way.

With a “tryout” trip among the San Juan Islands, they learned they had the physical and mental strength to plan more kayaking journeys. They’ve bought

Safety First!

If you haven’t been in a canoe before, consider Family Canoe Day at Chattahoochee Nature Center (CNC). Family trips are shorter and take place in a large pond, rather than the river. The pond is a more manageable and if you tire, it’s easy to come ashore.

Whether you’re kayaking or canoeing, you’ll need a paddle. Kayak paddles have blades on both sides with a bit of a curve, whereas canoe paddles have just one flat blade.

Selecting the right sized paddle is important. The stick part of a canoe paddle should be about six to eight inches longer than the length of your arm, after your fingers are extended, according to experts.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests that all boaters should be strong swimmers and always wear life jackets that fit well.

their own tandem kayak. Recently, the Perloes headed to Florida where they floated with the manatees. Closer to home, they’ve tried the lake at Stone Mountain Park. They recommend bringing your dog.

Save your paddling for fair weather days, suggests the CDC website: “… you don’t [always] know what mother nature will throw at you, know where your float trip will take you…or different ways to go in case unexpected trouble strikes your route.”

The best shoes to wear for canoeing or kayaking are sneakers or durable water shoes. Flipflops are out. Getting in and out of canoes can be a muddy experience. Flipflops can become trapped in the mud, which will leave you barefoot and vulnerable to cuts if you flip over.

The CNC guides are CPR/ First Aid Certified and experienced paddlers. And the Chattahoochee River maintains a cool 50 to 60 degrees. Falling in is like opening the freezer for an ice cream, with no need to count calories. Even in August, the river may be cooler than you expect.

COURTESY OF MARY AND MARK PERLOE

Mary and Mark Perloe Kayaking in the San Juan Islands

COURTESY OF MARY AND MARK PERLOE

Mary Perloe and pet Andrew enjoying the lake at Stone Mountain Park

Wendy barnes

... we’re trying to stay active as we get older.

“

Where to Get On the Water

Chattahoochee Nature Center

A good place to “get your feet wet” is the Chattahoochee Nature Center (CNC). The center offers several ways to dip in your toes.

River Canoe Trips are led by guides who are naturalists and experienced paddlers. Cost is $30 per person; all equipment is provided.

Family Canoe Days is specially designed for first time paddlers. The 1½hour class covers boat basics and paddling practice on one of the CNC’s ponds. Cost is $15 per person; all equipment is provided.

Private Canoe Excursions can also be arranged for large or small groups. Contact the scheduling office at 770-9922055, x. 237 for more info.

CNC is located at 9135 Willeo Rd., Roswell 30075. Learn about programs and register for trips or classes at chattnaturecenter.org.

For more on the CNC, see page 8.

BROOKHAVEN – WE’RE HOME.

GRADY’S BROOKHAVEN HEALTH CENTER IS YOUR NEW MEDICAL HOME.

Our staf f will care for you when you’re sick, perform checkups to help you stay healthy, and provide support with chronic conditions. Brookhaven of fers pediatric care, adult medicine, and specialty services like cardiac, geriatric, eye, and prenatal care. We also provide lab tests, imaging services, and prescriptions.

If you want a team of physicians and staf f to be your healthcare partners, count on Brookhaven.

Chattahoochee River National Recreation Center

Part of the National Park Service, the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area covers 48 miles and is available for kayaking, canoeing and other small boat use year-round. It begins downstream from Buford Dam at Lake Lanier and ends at Peachtree Creek in metro Atlanta. Visit nps.gov/chat for more info. While the recreation area doesn’t rent boats, it does recommend some authorized outfitters that rent kayaks, canoes and other watercraft for day use on the river.

► High Country Outfitters rents kayaks and canoes, as well as gear for camping and rock climbing. Their Buckhead store is at 3906 Roswell Rd., Atlanta 303042. Other locations include East Cobb, Midtown and Sandy Springs. Details at highcountryoutfitters.com.

► Nantahala Outdoor Center offers full- and half-day rentals on canoes, kayaks and other watercraft. They have Upper and Lower Chattahoochee locations: Johnson Ferry, 4851 Columns Dr., Marietta 30067 and Cochran Shoals-Powers Island, 5450 Interstate North Pkwy., Sandy Springs 30328. Find out more at noc.com. Click on “Plan Your Trip”, then Chattahoochee River Outpost.

► Shoot the Hooch rents canoes and kayaks and offers paddling instruction. Guided canoe, kayak and fishing tours are available, too. Shoot the Hooch is located on the Chattahoochee River at Azalea Park, 203 Azalea Dr., Roswell. There are three other locations: Don White Memorial Park in Roswell, Island Ford in Atlanta and Garrard Landing in Alpharetta. Visit shootthehooch. com for more info.

Georgia State Parks

There are over 35 of Georgia State Parks that offer paddling opportunities—whether in mountain lakes, on whitewater rapids or along the Atlantic Ocean coast. More than 20 of them rent kayaks, canoes or boats during the season. Here are some paddler-friendly Georgia State Parks that are located within about a 2½-hour drive of Atlanta. You can access details on individual parks through gastateparks.org.

► A.H. Stephens State Park in Crawfordville

► Chattahoochee Bend State Park in Newnan

► Don Carter State Park in Gainesville

► Elijah Clark State Park in Lincolnton

► F.D. Roosevelt State Park in Pine Mountain

► Florence Marina State Park in Omaha

► Fort Mountain State Park in Chatsworth

► Fort Yargo State Park in Winder

► General Coffee State Park in Nicholls

► Hard Labor Creek State Park in Rutledge

► High Falls State Park in Jackson

► Indian Springs State Park in Flovilla

► James H. (Sloppy) Floyd State Park in Summerville

► Mistletoe State Park in Appling

► Moccasin Creek State Park in Clarkesville

► Panola Mountain State Park in Stockbridge

► Red Top Mountain State Park in Acworth

► Richard B. Russell State Park in Elberton

► Sweetwater Creek State Park in Lithia Springs

► Tallulah Gorge State Park in Tallulah Falls

► Tugaloo State Park in Lavnoia

► Unicoi State Park & Lodge in Helen

► Vogel State Park in Blairsville

► Watson Mill Bridge State Park in Comer

Volunteers Tend Nature on the Chattahoochee

its 41st year, and according to Lynn McIntyre, Director of Community Relations of CNC, the nature center is a public/private partnership, which is unusual.

“We were established by our charter members, which included our local government,” McIntyre said. “The Fulton County government is our public partner.” She added that many of the people who founded CNC are still actively involved.

Since its beginning, countless others have gotten involved.

McIntyre says that there are many older adults who volunteer 100 hours or more every year, and a few have been doing so for 20 years or more. “The legacy that they’re leaving is important to them,” she said. “And their time and effort is important to us. We couldn’t do all this without our volunteers.”

by Kathy Dean

Set along the Chattahoochee River in Roswell, the 127-acre Chattahoochee Nature Center (CNC) is a testament to the beauty of nature, as well as to local residents’ resolve to preserve it.

Volunteers and staff tend its native plants and horticultural

gardens, and keep up the wetland discovery gardens and woodland trails that wind through the center. They also care for the more than 50 species of injured wildlife there.

Their work reaches into the community, too. The CNC’s yearround Unity Garden grows fresh vegetables, fruits and herbs. Since

it was established in 2010, the garden has provided over 27,000 pounds of fresh produce to the food pantry at North Fulton Community Charities, according to the CNC website.

The nature center was started by a group of activist citizens in the mid-1970s. The 501c3 organization is now in

One long-time volunteer, Bob Hagan of Roswell, learned about the nature center when his children were young and his son had a Boy Scout program there.

“I was amazed at what we had in our own back yard,” he said.

Hagan became involved in the youth summer camp program and Halloween Hikes, guided night hikes on the CNC grounds that feature woodland creatures.

“Over the years, as my children grew up, I started canoeing and walking the nature trails,” he said.

“I’m a walker and I’ve participated

CHATTAHOOCHEE NATURE CENTER

Unity Garden volunteers Beth Carpenier, Paulette Williams and Marcia Camp

PHOTO COURTESY OF BOB HAGAN Bob Hagan at the Possum Trot 10K

CHATTAHOOCHEE NATURE CENTER Fall crops include broccoli at Unity Garden.

in all the Possum Trots.”

The Possum Trot 10K & 1 Mile Fun Run, along with the Halloween Hikes, are important annual fundraising events that help support programs at the nature center.

Eventually, Hagan got involved with the administration and was asked to be on the board, “…and I’ve remained on the board for 20 years.”

The 62-year old says that he considers himself blessed that his daughter Brooke was the first bride to be married at the CNC.

“There’s so much to do here,” Hagan said. “You can be alone, bring a friend or enjoy your family with all the different activities, from the Flying Colors Butterfly Festival to Harvest on the ‘Hooch [an October Farm to Table festival that benefits Unity Garden], to just being outside with nature.”

This is the 19th year that Robin O’Connor, 65, has been volunteering. Since she began, she’s been involved with the horticultural department by helping to maintain the many gardens throughout the nature center, she says.

“Twice a year we have a plant sale open to the community,” she said. “We offer native plants and

explain to people why they’re so much better to cultivate in local gardens than non-native species.”

O’Connor is an artist—a painter and potter—and learned about the CNC from a fellow art student who was a volunteer. She says it was a perfect fit for her.

“The nature center is fully aligned with my own passion for environmental care and education,” she said. “I really believe in the importance of cultivating native plants.”

Over the past five years, the East Cobb resident has also been helping with community outreach, by sharing information at tables set up at local fairs and festivals. O’Connor says her role is to educate people about the importance of using native plants in their landscaping and gardens.

“I enjoy bringing artifacts like tortoise shells to share with community, especially the kids,” O’Connor said. “The kids get so excited and I love teaching them about nature.”

Rick Hirsekorn has been volunteering since 1994. He’s on the board of directors, and has served as a trustee and former board chair. He also lives in

PHIL MOSIER Left, Robin O’Connor, Chattahoochee Nature Center volunteer, teaches butterfly etiquette. Her students are (left to right) twins Annabelle and Audrey Tidmore, 5 years, and older sister Melony Tidmore 8 years.

East Cobb and has worked as a consulting engineer for nearly 45 years.

“We first brought our children to the CNC in 1978, while visiting family here in Atlanta,” Hirsekorn said. “That was before we moved to the area. It’s always been a wonderful place for enjoying and learning about nature, as well as for relaxing and having family time together.”

He says that the best part of volunteering is having a “direct line of sight” from his volunteer efforts to its positive effects on the community.

“We value the many times that our grandchildren enjoy the CNC and we treasure another

generation of our family growing up with a love and appreciation of nature,” Hirsekorn said. “That wouldn’t be possible without their experiences at the nature center.”

While he values the natural resources, he adds that people are the other important resource at the CNC.

“We’re very fortunate to have the outstanding, professional, dedicated and committed staff that make the nature center what it is. The thousands of volunteer hours contributed every year support the staff and are essential to the high level of quality service for which the nature center is known.”

There’s always room for more volunteers, and there are many ways to donate to the CNC. Visit chattnaturecenter.org to learn more, or call 770-992-2055, x. 223.

Chattahoochee Nature Center Basic Info

The Chattahoochee Nature Center (CNC) is located at 9135 Willeo Rd., Roswell 30075.

Open: Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, 12-5 p.m. Closed: New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

To check whether the nature center is closed due to inclement weather, visit facebook.com/ChattahoocheeNatureCenter/ or call 770-992-2055, x. 238.

General admission prices: adults, $10; seniors (ages 65+) and students (ages 13-18), $7; children (ages 3-12) $6; children (ages 2 & under), free. Group rates are available.

DO plan to spend at least two hours.

DO bring a picnic. Several outdoor, uncovered picnic areas are available on a first come/first serve basis.

DO reserve the covered picnic area for a party or special event. Email rentals@chattnaturecenter.org or call 770-992-2055, x. 250 for more info.

DO NOT bring your pet, other than service animals.

DO NOT feed the wildlife or captive animals. DO NOT bring in alcohol, firearms or explosives. DO NOT bring in bicycles or balloons.

RICK HENDRICKS Eagle and beaver at CNC

Don’t Miss These CNC Events

Sundays on the River Concert

Sunday, Aug. 13, 6 p.m. Gwen Hughes & “Grit Hits”

Sunday, Sept. 10, 6 p.m. Bob Bakert

Enjoy the area’s finest musicians in a one-of-a-kind setting at the Ben Brady Lakeside Pavilion. Tickets are $12 for a lawn seat, $16 for a table seat. Purchase tickets online at chattnaturecenter.org or by calling 770-9922055.

Sunset Sips

Thursday, Aug. 24, 6:30 p.m. The Electromatics

Thursday, Sept. 28, 6:30 p.m. Crooked Wits

Sunset Sips is a laid-back, family friendly music series that offers live local music and a cash bar. Feel free to bring a picnic dinner and explore the grounds of the CNC. Free to members and included with general admission.

Grandparents Day

Sunday, Sept. 10.

Bring the grandkids and come out to enjoy a fall day at CNC! Grandparents receive free admission when they visit with their families.

A Fisherwoman’s Tale

dozens salted across mountain communities who teach visitors how to effectively stalk trout in Georgia’s cold mountain creeks and rivers.

Through her company, Sharper Bites, she gives her clients lessons on how to cast a fly, the preferred lure for trout, and then leads anglers to fishing spots along private trout streams on the headwaters of the Toccoa River. And, as part of the deal, she provides lunch. “I used to the be only [guide] who supplied lunch,” she said with a laugh. “Now others do.”

Sharp has taught fly fishing to clients aged 6 to 85, she said. They tend to be “couples, husbands who want their wives to fish, corporate groups.” Mostly, she guides only a couple of customers at a time. Some special corporate events have included up to 10, she said.

She guides fishing trips from March through June and from mid-September through November. The water gets too warm for good trout fishing in July and August, she said. Her trips include a stream-side lunch she serves with silver and plates and linen napkins and sometimes with little fish-shaped napkin rings.

Bob Muniz of Roswell, a 71-yearold who’s been fly fishing much of his life, went out last fall on a day trip with a friend and with Sharp as their guide. “We had such a great day,” he said. Now, they’re eager to return on a second trip with her this fall and they’re bringing along a couple of friends.

Muniz has nothing but praise for Sharp: “She’s got that Southern charm, that Southern lady charm,” he said, and she knows what the fish will bite, too.”

Sharp describes her clients as “people who want to make it a day of relaxation. “It’s about being out on the water,” she said. “It’s all about relaxation.”

By Joe Earle

Natalie Sharp’s introduction to fishing came on big boats in the deep salt waters off Florida when she was growing up. But about 17 years ago, when she lived in the Atlanta suburbs, she decided to try something a bit different. She was traveling a lot then as a consultant to dental practices. She needed a break

from the road, so she headed to the north Georgia mountains. Eventually, she bought a home and settled in near Blue Ridge.

She’d always wanted to learn to fly fish, so she hired a guide to teach her how and started walking nearby mountain streams in search of trout. “I just sort of fell in love with it,” she said.

Now the 67-year-old angler is herself the guide, one of

ALL PHOTOS COURTESY OF SHARPER BITES

Natalie Sharp

And, of course, catching a few fish.

“What I tell my clients is, ‘You’re going to see a lot of fish. You’re going to hook a lot of fish. And you’re not going to land a lot of fish,” she said. “My goal is to always get a fish into the net.”

But that’s not the real appeal for her. Not anymore.

“In the beginning, you just want to catch a fish,” Sharp said,

paraphrasing a favorite quote. “Then, the second thing is, you want to catch a lot of fish. Then you want to catch a big fish. Then you don’t care about catching a fish. It’s just being out there.

“What I loved about it was being in nature. It’s the beauty God creates for us.”

Besides, she said, “it’s much more relaxing than being on a deep-sea fishing boat.”

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is the world’s largest voluntary health organization dedicated to finding cures for blood cancer patients. The LLS mission: cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families.

LLS is proud to launch Myeloma Link: Connecting African American Communities to Information, Expert Care, and Support. Myeloma is a type of blood cancer. African Americans are twice as likely to develop multiple myeloma as White Americans (12.8 per 100,000 people). Additionally, African Americans are significantly less likely to receive the newest treatments and are more likely to experience treatment delays.

To address this health disparity, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) will be hosting provider–led health education programs, open to Myeloma survivors, caregivers and concerned residents.

For more information about local education programs, support groups, resources, and volunteer opportunities, please visit: http://www.lls.org/georgia or call 1-844-955-LINK.

Ellijay dentist D’wayne Fowler and the fish he landed.

Joe Dufresne prepares his line.

Candler Park’s Water Ballerinas

By Joe Earle

On a sunny June afternoon, a line of women wearing black bathing suits, sparkling tiaras and long strings of pearl-colored beads strutted along the edge of the swimming pool at Candler Park.

“Girls Just Want to Have Fun” blared from a poolside boombox. Waving colorful swimming noodles over their heads, the eight ladies from the Candler Park Water Ballet Company danced their way into the pool and began twisting, shimmying and paddling through routines set to songs such as “Roll Out The Barrel” and “The Stripper.”

Artistic Director Patti Kunkle called out moves and shouted encouragement to the dancing women. “Have your hands on your hips, like you’re a hoochie coochie girl,” she yelled at one point.

For about a decade, the return of summer has brought the return of the water dancers of Candler Park. They call themselves “deep people in the shallow end” or “the watery tarts.” They range in age from 50 to 70.

“It’s a good group of women,” said Laura Nolan, who calls herself “co-founder and team philosopher” of the company. “Anybody who wants to show up for water ballet in the shallow end is going to have a good sense of humor.”

And there’s a lot of laughing out loud in this group. Their motto:

“Wetter is better.”

“It’s completely goofy. Otherwise we wouldn’t do it,” water dancer Julie Bookman said. “It’s just about comedy in the water.”

The idea of a community water ballet troupe was born during an after-hours confab at the Euclid Avenue Yacht Club, a venerable watering hole in nearby Little Five Points, as Nolan tells it.

She worked at the Yacht Club then, and one night after work, she said, several employees who were dancing in a booth joked they should found a water ballet. “We were always in the water, anyway,” she said. “I think it was just another way of being silly.”

They mentioned the idea to their friend Donna Palmer, who started recruiting others to join in. Kunkle, who calls herself “Queen of Little Five Points” and who had experience as a tap dancer, agreed to choreograph.

“I’m just a dancing fool,” Kunkle joked before admitting that her tap-dancing background offered little guidance for water-ballet choreography because the audience can’t see the dancers’ feet under water.

But stylish steps aren’t the reason this company hits the water. Why do they it? “To get together and do something different that reflects this part of the world, our ability to let our freak flag fly,” Palmer said before pointing out that an ability to swim isn’t a prerequisite for joining the water ballet.

ALL PHOTOS BY JOE EARLE

The Candler Park Water Ballet Company prepares to take to the water.

“It’s fun,” Palmer said. “It gets me out of the house. It’s something to look forward to, to seeing my friends. And my grandchildren love it. I want to show children that when you get older, you don’t have to sit at home and watch Oprah. It’s great to show the world I’m still here. I’m still crazy after all these years.”

The company now claims from 12 to 14 to 20 members, depending on who’s counting. They get together on Thursdays at the Candler Park Swimming Pool to practice their routines. They do a couple of performances each year, ending with their Grand Finale show at the Candler Park pool on the Saturday before Labor Day.

Each dancer individualizes her own costume, but long strings of beads and tiaras are universal accessories. “We try to make it hoity and toity,” Palmer said.

And it seems that just about everybody in the company has

been bestowed some sort of title. “Everybody deserves a title, just like everybody deserves a tiara,” Nolan said.

In recent years, on July 4, members of the company have staged “splashmob” performances, in which they’d drift into various nearby pools in ones and twos pretending to be regular holiday swimmers and then gather as a group and start dancing, astonishing onlookers. They’ve also performed at parties. “We perform for anybody who asks us,” Palmer said. “We usually don’t charge a fee, but we do ask for a cocktail.”

Hitting the pool in a tiara and fake pearls is reward enough, they say. After all, it gives them a chance to strut their stuff. “An older woman is supposed to have certain flaws,” Kunkle said. “We accentuate them. We’re proud of who we are.”

Besides, she said, “it’s a hoot.”

In front center, Patti Kunkle. Behind left to right, Cheryl Stauss, Julie Bookman, Donna Palmer, Ro Denham, Barb Tucker, Frani Green and Marie Bosler

Ro Denham (left) shares a laugh with Artistic Director Patti Kunkle (right).

ElectroBike Flattens Atlanta’s Hills

Waste Not, Want Not

I’m a “waste not, want not” type of gal. I believe I got that sensibility from my mother, who never met a scrap of wrapping paper that she couldn’t line shelves with. Whatever the reason, I’ve been reducing, reusing and recycling since green was a color, not a lifestyle. I was green before it was cool, before recycling was a household word, when people like me were merely called thrifty or frugal…or cheap.

It started when I was in elementary school. I wrote assignments on both sides of my notebook paper until my teachers objected (and I was over”ruled”). Still unable to justify an unused side of paper, I now recycle my kids’ schoolwork through our home printer. I’ve broken a $200 copy machine because I was using the back of an assignment that had a staple in it, but I still feel like I’m saving the planet, one reused sheet of paper at a time.

Robin’s Nest

It might be noble or it might be a sickness — you decide. But I won’t waste a handful of stale corn chips.

I come from a long line of green women. My mother got her sense of resourcefulness from her mother and those of The Greatest Generation whose attitudes permeated their society. They had no blue recycling bins, but that generation reused things until they were no longer recognizable.

I watched my Nana when I was young, and her approach made an impression on me. She, who grew zucchini and tomatoes and who could create something wonderful out of the gnarly quince apples from her backyard. She, who would buy a whole chicken and use every bit of it, eating the livers fried with onions and cooking the gizzards in broth, then feeding them to the dog. She, who would tear old sheets into rags and use old nylons to stuff pillows and dolls.

We’ve gotten away from that. We clean our homes with paper towels and we’re not making sock monkeys any more. And, let’s be honest — when’s the last time you stuffed a pillow?

I’ve tried to adopt some of my Nana’s ways. I boil our Thanksgiving turkey carcass to make broth — all I get is tasteless greasy water, but it’s tasteless greasy water that I can feel good about. I’ve started growing tomatoes and zucchini. I use unmatched socks as dust rags. Like my mother, I’ll reuse the same piece of tin foil until there’s barely enough of it left to wrap a lemon rind.

And I have become a woman who fills her kids’ plastic Easter eggs with leftover Christmas candy.

There’s so much more that I could do. I could throw my abundant coffee grinds into my flower beds. I could follow Nana’s example by putting inedible vegetables into my blender and using that gross liquid to fertilize plants. I could make Cream of Unwanted soup out of broccoli stalks and asparagus stems. I could peel my own carrots.

But for now I’ll continue with my daily habits of green living, like saving butter wrappers to grease baking pans…and take heart in the fact that there is more in my recycle bins than there is in my trash can.

Robin Conte is a writer and mother of four. Her Robin’s Nest is a multiple award-winning column. She can be contacted at robinjm@earthlink.net.

At Provident Village, we believe each day is an opportunity to celebrate what makes you – your strengths, talents, favorite hobbies, treasured pastimes.

We’ve created a community where residents are personally empowered, and intellectual, social, emotional, spiritual and health care are seamlessly integrated into everyday life. Our lifestyle options ensure comprehensive support without ever sacrificing joy, dignity and vibrancy.

Age is just a number...

It’s time to Embrace your Journey

Jenny Heuer, MS, LPC, NCC Gerontological Counselor

Providing

It’s Better Outside

Whether you live in Buckhead or Duluth, you’re likely to spend 80 to 90 percent of your life indoors. The real question is — so what? Is this a bad thing?

Inside is where we find running water, the relief of air conditioning in the summer and even the electricity to use workout DVDs (and possibly VHS tapes) that could be getting a little dusty. Being inside doesn’t seem too bad!

But if you can get outside, why not go?

There are two simple reasons why you should go outside: indoor air pollutants and improved mental well-being. Indoor air is generally much more polluted than the outdoor environment. This can negatively impact your health with issues ranging from asthma to lung cancer.

A few of the culprits are mold, dust mites, lead, radon and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) found in paint, cleaning products and furniture. It’s imperative that we not only keep our homes healthy and clean, but also focus on getting outside to breathe Georgia’s fresh air.

The mood boosting powers of the outdoors is another reason to get out and enjoy nature. A study conducted by the Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry found that individuals who exercise outdoors have increased energy and enjoyment.

They also have less anger and tension compared to those who exercise indoors. Also, those who practiced physical activity outside were more likely to plan on exercising again. And don’t forget about the Vitamin D that you’ll absorb from the sunshine…you can’t get that indoors!

While it’s hot and humid in the South, water sports and activities can keep us from overheating. You can swim, kayak, canoe, fish and burn even more calories with water aerobics under the sun and in the water.

Let’s review. When we exercise outside, we inhale fewer pollutants. We also have a higher chance of being in a better mood and exercising again.

Sounds like a win-win! Whether it’s a 20-minute early morning swim in the outdoor pool or a day of canoeing with your family, you’ll not regret getting outside and moving more to live more.

Kristen Sumpter is the Family and Consumer Sciences Agent for the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension in Fulton County. She provides programming on food safety, health and nutrition, financial literacy and the home.

Healthy Summertime Recipe

All your outdoor activities can work up an appetite. Here’s a quick and healthy cold dish to reenergize you and loved ones after a great day of having fun outside.

Quinoa Chickpea Tabbouleh

Serves 6

Ingredients

• ½ cup uncooked quinoa

• 1 cup water

• 1 pint cherry tomatoes, about 2 cups

• 1 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped

• ¼ cup fresh mint, finely chopped

• 1 cup spinach, finely chopped

• ½ large red onion, chopped

• 1½ cups cucumber, chopped

• 1 15-ounce can chickpeas, drained and rinsed

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 3 lemons, juiced

• ½ teaspoon garlic, minced

• ½-1 teaspoon salt, to taste

• ¼ teaspoon pepper

Directions

1. Rinse quinoa in a small mesh strainer and add to a pot. Add water; turn the heat to high. Once it’s boiling, cover and cook for 15-20 minutes.

2. Meanwhile, slice the tomatoes in half, then in half again lengthwise, then in half again. Place in a large bowl.

3. Add parsley, mint, spinach, onion, cucumber, chickpeas, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, salt and pepper to the bowl; stir to combine.

4. Once the quinoa is cooked, transfer to the bowl. Stir everything together until fully combined.

Recipe adapted from www.emilieeats.com to be used for UGA Extension Fulton County. Please contact Kristen Sumpter, FACS Extension Agent, at 404-332-2400 or ksumpter@uga.edu for more information.

The Touchable Art of Leisa Rich

By Isadora Pennington

It’s a sunny afternoon on the west side of Atlanta, and artist Leisa Rich is hard at work in her studio. Rich has been an artist for the past 42 years, focusing recently on interactive and textile-based work.

She considers herself to be, by and large, an experimental artist. “Heavy on the mental,” she added, with a laugh. “I make a few functional things, but primarily they are experimental and non-functional.”

Her studio at the Goat Farm Arts Center is filled with her colorful and otherworldly creations. They hang from the rafters, protrude out from the wall, and beg to be manipulated and felt by an audience. That desire to interact with and experience her pieces is exactly the goal Rich had in mind. “Let’s put it this way — do touch the art,” she said.

On the table, spread out in the middle of the space, sits a series of multi-layered and multimedia squares she wants people to manipulate into different designs and shapes. They have since been installed at Signature Gallery.

Near the front window

sits a bright and fuzzy table, plastic flowers seemingly blooming from the surface. This piece, known as “Listenupland”, is intended

to interact with cellphones that are inserted into the 3D-printed flowers. Viewers play sounds series of

recordings and turn the flowers to face one another, creating a sort of communal symphony.

“I’m intrigued by how I can make the viewer more involved in the art experience with me,” she said. Her career has followed a winding path to her current body of work. When she was a child, she was legally

ALL PHOTOS BY ISADORA PENNINGTON

Above, Liesa Rich in front of her “Paint By No Numbers.”

Leisa Rich arranges pieces from her series “Play With Me...No Really! Play With Me!” The artwork is currently installed at Signature Gallery in Atlanta.

deaf from age 2 to age 4. She calls her table of flowers “a remnant of that time.”

“I lived in a silent, solitary world,” she said. After years of speech therapy, Rich was able to successfully regain partial hearing.

Rich spent a lot of time playing in the wilderness near her home in Ontario, Canada and that love for nature has continued on as a constant throughout her work.

One element of her speech therapy that has had a considerable impact on her artwork is the series of tongue twisters that she practiced as a child. Those same phrases ended up being the foundation for her book, “Animal Alphabet Traveling Twisters.”

In the book, she created colorful dioramas that include fabric, illustrations, stitching, paints, dyes and found objects, which were then photographed and paired with the tongue twisters on each spread. The result is a vibrant and playful book that serves multiple purposes. Not only is it entertaining, it also encourages healthy speech therapy practices, making it a useful tool for parents or educators of children with speech difficulties.

Formally trained as a textile artist, Rich has spent more than 40 years teaching in universities, schools and art centers. After many years of working in small spaces, she found herself yearning for a larger studio space that could be all her own. The Goat Farm’s artist spaces perfectly fit the bill. “It was one of the best moments of my career,” she said.

Visitors to the Goat Farm are invited to check out Rich’s sunny workshop during the art center’s open studio sessions — the next one is scheduled for December — or to simply stop by if the sign on her door says she’s open. She’s typically there Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

A selection of her works is on display at the Swan Coach House for the “Small Things” show, and she’s starting a collaboration with another deaf

artist for an exhibition.Rich’s work also is set to be included in a juried alumni exhibition at the University of Michigan from July 18 to Aug. 26.

Interested parties are welcome to go to her website at monaleisa.com and contact her to set up a studio visit or sign up for her classes.

Above, a view of Leisa Rich’s studio Below left, Rich’s “The Woolding of St. Augustine” Below, Rich at work in her studio

NEW Durable Power of Attorney Law in

Georgia

On July 1, 2017, a new law affecting Georgia durable powers of attorney (for financial matters) will go into effect. The Uniform Power of Attorney Act is designed to minimize financial fraud and exploitation. Thus, “general” powers allowing an agent to “do anything the principal could do” may no longer be accepted by banks and other financial institutions. Banks do not have to accept any power of attorney; however, we have been assured that if a customer presents a power of attorney on the new statutory form, the banks will honor it unless there is evidence of fraud, misrepresentation or undue influence over the principal.

Although the statutory form, along with the Georgia code (law), is much better than the one before it, it does not specifically include protections for seniors who are aging and want to take measures to protect their assets in the event they could qualify for government assistance programs, like Veterans Benefits or Medicaid. In order to completely protect yourself, your new power of attorney must include certain “Special Instructions.” Thus, a “standard” form, even on the new statutory form, will not be enough for most seniors who care about protecting their families and their assets.

The Elder & Disability Law Firm of Victoria L. Collier, PC will provide a new statutory power of attorney, with appropriate special instructions, at a 33% DISCOUNT OFF our regular rates for advising, drafting, and executing a financial power of attorney during the months of June, July and August. Call 404-3700696 and speak with a Client Services Representative and tell them, “I’d like the new statutory financial power of attorney.”

Victoria L. Collier is a Certified Elder Law Attorney through the National Elder Law Foundation, and a Fellow of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys. Her entire firm is devoted to ensuring seniors age with dignity and grace. CALL NOW to get your power of attorney updated to the new form so banks will accept it when your loved one needs to use it! 404-370-0696

Pet Pick

Raider has been looking for his forever home for more than two months! This kitty is a handsome older gentleman with a sweet personality. At 10 years old, Raider just wants to find a quiet place to call his own.

Sweet Raider loves spending time with people and being petted. He’s not particularly fond of being held, though, so he’d likely do best in a home without small children. Raider will make a wonderful companion to the lucky family who decides to adopt him.

You can watch a video about Raider on the blog at atlantahumane. org/raider, and you can visit him at the Howell Mill Campus located at 981 Howell Mill Rd. NW, Atlanta 303018.

Smart Shopping for Your Pet

When looking for a pet, the most costeffective strategy is to find your furry friend at a local animal shelter. But what about the costs once you’ve adopted?

The folks at CouponChief.com are strong advocates of pet adoption from shelters. They’ve put together a guide on How to Save Money on Pet Care, which include ideas on how to make taking care of your pet more affordable.

According to the site, “Lower prices do not have to mean lower quality of care. Your pet can live like royalty on pauper’s wages, if you learn and apply these tips.”

Visit couponchief.com and search for “Ultimate Guide to Saving Money on Pets” to learn more.

The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely upon advertisements.

What Will Thrive Mean To You?

ask rusty: Remarried Ex-Spouse

by AMAC Certified Social Security Advisor Russell Gloor

Dear Rusty:

I was married to my husband for six years when we divorced in May of 1996. Over the next year or so we felt we had resolved our differences and decided to re-marry in July of 1997. Although we both tried hard, we simply couldn’t make it work and so we divorced again for good in September 2000. I’ve never re-married, but I’m now nearly 62 years of age and wondering: since my exhusband always made much more money than me, can I collect Social Security as his divorced spouse or do I need to take Social Security based upon my own work record?

Signed: Wondering

Dear Wondering:

Social Security’s rules state that a divorcee who wants to collect retirement benefits from their ex-spouse’s work record must have been married to that person for at least 10 years, must be divorced for at least 2 years (unless your ex-spouse is already collecting benefits), must not now be married, and both the divorcee and their ex-spouse must be at least 62 years old.

Your ex-spouse need not already be actually receiving benefits, but he must at least be eligible to receive either Social Security retirement or disability benefits.

Your situation is somewhat unique because you meet most of the criteria, but the total length of time you were actually married to your ex-spouse in your two marriages is only 9 years – 6 the first time and 3 the second time – leaving you apparently short of the 10-years-married rule.

ABOUT AMAC

The Association of Mature American Citizens, amac.us, is a senior advocacy organization. The organization says it acts and speaks on behalf of seniors to protect their interests and offer practical insights on how to best solve the problems seniors face.

The information presented in this article is intended for general information purposes only. The opinions and interpretations expressed in this article are the viewpoints of the AMAC Foundation’s Social Security Advisory staff, trained and accredited under the National Social Security Advisors program of the National Social Security Association, LLC (NSSA). NSSA, the AMAC Foundation, and the Foundation’s Social Security Advisors are not affiliated with or endorsed by the United States Government, the Social Security Administration or any other state government. Furthermore, the AMAC Foundation and its staff do not provide legal or accounting services. The Foundation welcomes questions from readers regarding Social Security issues. To submit a request, contact the Foundation at info@amacfoundation.com.

Rita R. Chaiken, Au.D. Chelsea Kilgore, Au.D. Sara Feigenbaum, Au.D. DoctorsofAudiology

But here’s some good news: Social Security’s rules for divorced spouses also say that if you and your ex-spouse remarry before the end of the year which follows the year you were first divorced, the period of time between marriages counts toward the 10-years-married requirement. Since you first divorced in May of 1996 and then remarried in July of 1997, the time between those dates counts as though you were still married during that time, so the 10-years-married rule is satisfied.

In other words, having met all of the criteria, you will be eligible to collect reduced benefits as a divorced spouse when you apply at age 62.

For information, the way Social Security will calculate the benefit you are entitled to will be to first determine what you’re entitled to on your own work record. Since you are also eligible for divorced spouse benefits, and if your own benefit is less than you are entitled to as a divorced spouse, you would be “deemed” to be filing for the divorced spouse benefit too, and your benefit amount will be raised (“boosted”) to that which you are entitled to on your ex-spouse’s record.

When you apply, be sure to take with you proof of both marriages to, and divorces from, your ex-husband. And be aware that if you claim your benefit at age 62, it will be permanently reduced for the rest of your life.

“I’ve been involved with the community since 1960 and I was on the very first board here at Saint Anne’s Terrace. It’s a beautiful part of town and the best part about living here is the wonderful family atmosphere in which everyone gets along.”

Of course, we can help you with your

But did you know you will also have options for fitness, socializing, healthy fine dining, and more?

And services are tailored to you, so you’ll get just the right amount of help you need, when you request it.

But the best part? No matter if you need a little help or a lot, the difference you’ll feel will be amazing. Please call The Piedmont at Buckhead to schedule your complimentary lunch and tour.

Pop Life

High Museum’s Andy Warhol exhibit runs through Sept. 3

By Grace Huseth

The High Museum has mounted a staggering retrospective of the pop art of Andy Warhol, with more than 250 prints and ephemera representing all phases of the artist’s storied 40-year career. The collection, on loan from Jordan D. Schnitzer and his Family Foundation, ranges from early drawings and sketches to iconic images of Marilyn Monroe, Mao, Liza Minnelli, Mick Jagger, Muhammad Ali, Truman Capote, Jackie Kennedy and the Campbell’s Soup can.

LIMITEDTIMESPECIALS!MOVE-IN CALL US FOR

According to Schnitzer, the exhibition is curated to tell the story of Warhol, from his obsession with media to postwar American life.

Artists in the early 1950’s were shaking up the art world, creating abstract art like Jackson Pollock or playing on images in the media.

“Pop artists, popular culture

artists, were challenging people to keep a sense of identity and self while being manipulated by advertising,” Schnitzer said.

“Graphic artists said that art is not just in the museum, but also in the Safeway store, on streets and on billboards. It’s all around us.”

Warhol used Campbell’s soup cans to take an item from everyday life and show

it is art. But not everyone was impressed. Out of Warhol’s first 32 soup can prints, only two sold for $100 each. They are now worth millions.

Schnitzer said Warhol reproduced the iconic Marilyn Monroe print in varying colors in a way that extended past visual appeal. As colors evoke different emotions, each print of Marilyn makes viewers notice something different about her while questioning her true colors, or identity.

“This was something he intentionally did, and in the end, it’s one of the most famous

Somerby Sandy Springs is now open. That’s good news because our communities are filled with opportunities to make deep friendships, stay physically active and stimulate all your senses. We invite you to learn more about the purpose-driven lifestyle that our Residents, Families and Associates enjoy at Somerby communities across the Southeast.

Jordan D. Schnitzer at the retrospective

images in the world,” he said.

Likewise, Warhol was a celebrity fanatic who wanted to understand the world of the famous. Schnitzer said the prints could imply that Marilyn, or Norma Jeane, was so distorted by the media’s pressures that she soon lost sight of her colors, literally.

Warhol also wasn’t afraid to make a political statement, such as the famous print of communist Chinese leader Chairman Mao.

“What better political figure to use than Mao? The official image of Mao was used in the Book of Mao and every house had to use this image. It was the most publicized image in the

world at the time,” Schnitzer said. “Here you have Chairman Mao, the purest Communist leader of the world, depicted by Andy Warhol, this freak, spiky haired gay guy in New York City. Can you image what Mao must have thought when he saw this pop artist do this image of him?” For details on the Warhol show and events, visit high.org.

How well do you Know Your Heart?

Know Your Heart is a screening program designed to determine risk of heart disease, stroke and other serious conditions.

Basic Risk Assessment – $49

• Age 18+

• BMI

• Wellness survey

• EKG (Afib screen)

• Blood pressure

• Blood work (HDL, LDL, Triglycerides, Glucose, CRP, liver function)

• Risk Screen Questionnaire (sleep apnea, PAD, AAA, CHF)

Advanced Risk Assessment – $139

• Age 40+

• BMI

• Wellness survey

Offered in Marietta, Acworth, Austell, East Cobb, North Fulton and Woodstock.

Each Know Your Heart participant receives a personalized report with test results, reviewed with a WellStar Medical Group, Cardiovascular Medicine provider. The consultation also includes risk factor education, diet, weight and exercise recommendations. Call 770-956-STAR (7827) to determine eligibility and to schedule an appointment.

• EKG (Afib screen)

• Blood pressure

• Blood work (HDL, LDL, Triglycerides, Glucose, CRP, liver function)

• Risk Screen Questionnaire (sleep apnea, PAD, AAA, CHF)

• CT heart screen (coronary calcium)*

• 10 year cardiovascular disease risk score

Heart Screen – $99 or $149 per couple

• CT heart screen (coronary calcium)*

* Coronary calcium scores read by a WellStar radiologist.

High Museum

►Out & about Arts

& Entertainment

The Robber Bridegroom

Runs Aug. 11 to 26.

Based on Eudora Welty’s novella, The Robber Bridegroom is the Southern-fried Robin Hood tale of Jamie Lockhart, a handsome rogue who’s a gentleman by day and bandit by night. When he falls for Rosamund, the beautiful daughter of a wealthy planter, his world is turned upside down. General admission tickets are $26.94 adult, $16.16 senior (65+) and student. Act3 Playhouse, 6285-R Roswell Rd., Sandy Springs 30328. Get tickets and learn more at act3productions.org.

Summer Serendipity Opening Reception

Saturday, Aug. 12, 6-7:30 p.m.

View an evening of original art and nibble on light refreshments during the opening reception of this juried show. The artist who wins first place receives a $1,000 cash prize! Johns Creek Arts Center, 6290 Abbotts Bridge Rd., Bldg. 700, Johns Creek 30097. Go to johnscreekarts. org/events-calendar to find out more.

Tickling of the Ivories

Thursday, Aug. 17, 1-2 p.m.

Enjoy the talents of Dr. Ronald E. Cavitt, professional pianist, teacher and composer. Bring a friend or make some new ones while you enjoy some favorite tunes. Free, but registration is required. North Cobb Senior Center, 3900 S. Main St., Acworth 30101, 770-975-7740. Go to cobbcounty.org to register and get additional info.

25th Silver Anniversary Gala Cabaret Fundraiser

Saturday, Aug. 19, 6:30-11 p.m.

The Georgia Ensemble Theatre (GET) celebrates its 25th Silver Anniversary Season with a Gala Cabaret at the Metropolitan Club. The cabaret brings together 250 guests for a party featuring music and entertainment by GET to help fund the theatre’s programs. Tickets are $125 per person. The Metropolitan Club, 5895 Windward Pkwy., Ste. 100, Alpharetta 30005. Get details and tickets at facebook.com/GeorgiaEnsembleTheatre.

Earth, Wind & Fire and CHIC featuring Nile Rodgers

Saturday, Aug. 19, 8 p.m.

Two legendary musical groups, both in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, come together in their 2054 Tour. Get ready for an evening of

spectacular music and dancing in the aisles. Tickets start at $27.50. Verizon Amphitheatre, 2200 Encore Pkwy., Alpharetta 30009. Purchase tickets and get more info at vzamp.com.

Lunch and Movie: Seven Brides for Seven Brothers

Monday, Aug. 21, 12-3 p.m.

In 1850 Oregon, when a backwoodsman brings a wife home to his farm, his six brothers decide that they want to get married, too. Lunch is served at noon, followed by the movie. This fundraiser benefits West Cobb Senior Center. Advance ticket purchase required: $8 for Cobb County residents, $10 for non-residents. West Cobb Senior Center, 4915 Dallas Hwy., Powder Springs, 30127, 770528-8200. Go to cobbcounty.org for tickets and details.

The Glass Menagerie

Runs Aug. 31 to Sept. 17.

Amanda Wingfield is an impoverished, tragic remnant of Southern gentility who lives in a dingy St. Louis apartment with her son, Tom, and daughter, Laura. While she strives to give meaning to all their lives, Tom and Laura find escape in their worlds of illusions. Tickets range from $10 to $30. New Theatre in the Square, 11 Whitlock Ave., Marietta 30064. Find out more at theatreinthesquare.net.

The Best of The Second City

Friday, Sept. 1, 8 p.m.

The show features a selection of favorite Second City sketches from the past 50 years, as well as the improvisation that has made them famous. Tickets run $25 to $30. Sylvia Beard Theatre, 2200 Buford Hwy., Buford 30518. For tickets and details, visit bufordcommunitycenter.com.

Health & Wellness

Skin Cancer Screening

Thursday, Aug. 10, appointments begin at 5:30 p.m. Be proactive and take care of your body’s largest organ by attending this free skin screening and evaluation.

Registration is required and space is limited. WellStar North Fulton Hospital, 3000 Hospital Blvd., Roswell 30076, wellstar.org. Call 770-751-2660 for your appointment.

Medicare Benefits

Wednesday, Aug. 16, 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Medicare beneficiaries, and future ones, should learn more about Medicare Advantage plans, prescription drug plans and other Medicare programs. Presented by Curtis Turner, president of Executive Ideas, Inc. Free, but registration is required. Freeman Poole Senior Center, 4025 S. Hurt Rd., Smyrna 30082, 770-801-3400. Register and get more info at cobbcounty.org.

Learn Something

Technology for seniors

Get in touch with your tech. BH Technology offers classes that are specifically designed for older adults.

• General Computer Tips: Tuesday, Aug. 15, 10-11 a.m. Aloha to Aging, 4608 Lower Roswell Rd., Marietta 30068

• Basic Computer: Tuesday, Aug. 15, 10-11 a.m., North Fulton Senior Services, 6500 Vernon Woods Dr., Sandy Springs 30328

• iPhone and iPad Quick Start: Wednesday, Aug. 16, 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Pleasant Hill Pres Church, 3700 Pleasant Hill Rd., Duluth 30096

• Cyber Sunday: Tech Questions Answered: Sunday, Sept. 10, 4-5:15 p.m. St. George Village, 11350 Woodstock Rd., Roswell 30075

• Learn about Amazon Prime: Monday, Sept. 11, 10-11:30 a.m. Amy’s Place, 14 Sloan St., Roswell 30075

• Tech Tips: Tuesday, Sept. 12, 10-11 a.m. Morningside of Alpharetta, 253 N. Main St., Alpharetta 30009

• Android Class — 8 weeks: Thursday, Sept. 14, 1:45-3:15 p.m. Emory Continuing Education, 6 Executive Park Dr., #100, Atlanta 30329

Call 770-696-9808 to reserve your spot, and check bluehairtech.org for more information and an expanded list of classes.

Getting Eco-Friendly with Keep Cobb Beautiful

Tuesday, Aug. 22, 11 a.m.- 12 p.m.

Kate Strong, Program Specialist with Keep Cobb Beautiful, will discuss the background, purpose and focus of Keep Cobb Beautiful, the special environmental concerns for Cobb and Georgia, and the events, activities and projects facilitated by the county’s environmental stewardship group. Free, but registration is required. Senior Wellness Center, 1150 Powder Springs St., Ste. 100, Marietta 30064, 770-528-5355. Visit cobbcounty.org to get details and register.

Memoir Writing Class: I’ve Got a Story, You’ve Got a Story— Getting Yours Down on Paper

Starts in Fall 2017, Fridays, 11 a.m.12:30 p.m.

This workshop, led by instructor Peggy Corbett, will assist you as you craft your life story. You’ll identify incidents that shaped your life, figure out your life’s major themes, mine your memory for life-altering moments and stitch it all together into a compelling story for your children to enjoy for years to come. Bring a bag lunch, a composition and/or a laptop (optional). Cost is $85 for the 5-week session. Cherokee Arts Center, 94 North St., Canton 30114. For more information, visit cherokeearts.org/classes/.

Continued on page 30

BENSON MANOR

A Retirement Housing Foundation ® Community

Benson Manor is a 76-unit affordable senior housing community designed with stone and sturdy wood-like siding. Each apartment is approximately 540 square feet. Benson Manor is conveniently located close to shopping, churches, medical facilities, and a major bus route.

Residents must be 62 years of age or older. Some units have special features for mobility and sensory impaired persons. Income limitations are determined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Residents pay 30 percent of their adjusted income for rent. Gross income must not exceed $23,650.00 for one person and $27,000.00 for two persons.

LIFE CARE CENTER OF AMERICA

Our patient residents enjoy a friendly environment, dedicated staff, comfortable surroundings and individualized care that promotes maximum independence. Our skilled nursing facilities also provide residents with inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation in all three therapy disciplinesoccupational therapy, physical therapy and speech therapy.

Life Care Center of Gwinnett 3850 Safehaven Drive | Lawrenceville, GA 30044 770-923-0005

Life Care Center of Lawrenceville 210 Collins Industrial Way | Lawrenceville, GA 30043 678-442-0777

2348 Benson Poole Rd. Smyrna, GA

►Out & about

Continued from page 29

Festivals & Fun

East Cobb’s 22nd Anniversary: Barbecue at Twelve Oaks

Friday, Aug. 11, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.; doors open at 10:45 a.m. Enjoy a trip back in time for a barbecue at Twelve Oaks. There’ll be a visit by Margaret Mitchell and Scarlett O’Hara may drop by while we’re dancing the Virginia Reel. Greg Picciano will play music with a professional square dance caller teaching the steps. Tickets are $15 for Cobb County residents, $18 for non-residents. East Cobb Senior Center, 3332 Sandy Plains Rd., Marietta 30066, 770-509-4900. Tickets and details at cobbcounty.org.

Decatur BBQ Blues & Bluegrass Festival

Saturday, Aug. 12, 2-9 p.m.

The festival offers visitors the taste of classic southern BBQ and more than seven hours of original live blues and bluegrass music. Tickets cover entrance fee and music. The cost is $12 until midnight, Aug. 12, then rises to $20 at the festival gate. Kids 12 and under are free with a paid adult. Held in downtown Oakhurst at 630 East Lake Dr., Decatur 30030. For more info, visit decaturbbqfestival.com.

Pigs & Peaches

BBQ Festival

Friday, Aug. 15, 6-10 p.m. & Saturday, Aug. 26, 10 a.m.-10 p.m.

One of the region’s most beloved festivals, Pigs & Peaches features a BBQ competitions for professionals, amateurs and kids. It’s two days of non-stop music, good eats, cold beer and family fun. Free admission. Adams Park, 2753 Watts Dr., Kennesaw 30144. Go to pigsandpeaches.com for more information.

Piedmont Park Arts Festival

Saturday, Aug. 19, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. & Sunday, Aug. 20, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Up to 250 artists offer photography, jewelry and all other manner of fine arts and crafts at the festival. Of course, there’ll also be food, music, games and family fun. Free admission; pets welcome. Piedmont Park, Charles Allen Dr. & 10th St., Atlanta 30306. Piedmontparkartsfestival.com is the site for details.

Grant

Saturday, Aug. 26, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. & Sunday, Aug. 27, 11 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Music and art lovers celebrate the end of summer at this annual

Park Summer Shade Festival

Located within Clairmont Place, it’s a non-profit community offering assisted living services at an affordable monthly fee.

fundraiser for the Grant Park Conservancy. There’s a 5K run, live music, expansive artist market and full selection of food trucks. Free admission. Grant Park, 800 Cherokee Ave., Atlanta 30315. Learn more at summershadefestival.org.

Miss Mary’s Ice Cream Crankin’

Sunday, Aug. 27, 2-4 p.m.

Taste more than 100 flavors of homemade ice cream. There’ll be contests, music and a kid’s corner, too. This is the 13th year for the Drake House fundraiser. Tickets are $6 per person, or $25 for a family of up to 6 people. Roswell Square Park, 600 Atlanta St., Roswell 30075. More info is at thedrakehouse.org.

Dunwoody Butterfly Festival

Tuesday, Aug. 29, 10a.m.-4 p.m. Member preview starts 9 a.m. Three enormous butterfly tents will each be filled with hundreds of butterflies. Other attractions include a Birds of Prey show and live animal encounters, as well as games, crafts, music and food. Dunwoody Nature Center, 5343 Roberts Dr., Dunwoody 30338. Visit dunwoodynature.org for details and info about membership.

AJC Decatur Book Festival

Friday-Sunday, Sept. 1-3.

The AJC Decatur Book Festival is the largest independent book festival in the country. Since its launch, more than 1,000 world-class authors and hundreds of thousands of festival-goers have enjoyed book

signings, author readings, panel discussions, live music, poetry slams and writing workshops. Venues are located throughout the square in Decatur. The festival’s website, decaturbookfestival.com, has a map, schedule and much more.

Dragon Con

Friday, Sept. 1, 10 a.m. through Monday, Sept 4, 5 p.m. Parade on Saturday, Sept. 2, 10 a.m.

If you’re into cosplay, gaming or pop culture—or anything remotely related— don’t miss Dragon Con. There are celebrities, panels, performances, vendors, contests, games and much more. Or just enjoy the free parade Saturday morning on Peachtree Street. A membership badge covers all four days and costs $140 to $160. Hyatt Regency Atlanta, 265 Peachtree St., Atlanta 30303, and four surrounding hotels: Atlanta Hilton, Sheraton Atlanta, Atlanta Marriott Marquis and Westin Peachtree Plaza Hotel. Dragoncon.org has lots more info.

Marietta Art in the Park

Saturday-Monday, Sept. 2-4, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. each day.

The 31st Annual Marietta Art in the Park will showcase 175+ fine artists who work in everything from oils and watercolors to textile and ceramics, along with plenty of food and entertainment.

The Chalk Spot street art display benefits the Marietta High School Art Club. Held in Historic Marietta Square; free admission. Glover Park, 50 N. Park Square, Marietta 30060. View the festival map and get details at artparkmarietta.com.

Can I change my Medicare Advantage plan?

Open Enrollment may be over, but you could be eligible for a special enrollment period.

Humana can help. We have plans available in Atlanta. You may have the opportunity to choose or change your Medicare Advantage plan if, for example, you:

• Are newly eligible for Medicare or will soon be age 65

• Have just moved into a different service area

• Receive Medicaid assistance

• Are losing your retiree health coverage

• Qualify for extra help with the cost of your prescription medicines

Knowing if you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period can seem confusing. Humana’s local licensed sales agents are happy to talk with you on the phone or in the comfort of your own home. Let us help you find out if you qualify.

Call today to learn more about all your options!

Call to speak with a licensed Humana Sales Agent

1-888-530-2645 (TTY: 711)

8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday

En Español? Llame gratis al 1-844-681-0981

Humana is a Medicare Advantage HMO / PPO / PFFS organization with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in any Humana plan depends on contract renewal. Humana is a Coordinated Care plan with a Medicare contract and a contract with the Georgia Medicaid program. Enrollment in this Humana plan depends on contract renewal. This plan is available to anyone who has both Medical Assistance from the State and Medicare. Humana Inc. and its subsidiaries (“Humana”) do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex.

English: ATTENTION: If you do not speak English, language assistance services, free of charge, are available to you. Call 1-800-457-4708 (TTY: 711).

Español (Spanish): ATENCIÓN: Si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. Llame al 1-800-457-4708 (TTY: 711).

繁體中文 (Chinese): 注意：如果您使用繁體中文，您可以免費獲得語言援助服務。請致電1-800-457-4708 (TTY：711)。

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