Does the term ‘senior’ bother you? How about ‘elderly’?
55 PLUS Issue 62 • March-April 2020 For Active Adults in the Rochester Area
Making a Difference PHOTOGRAPHY Members of Finger Lakes Photography Guild in Canandaigua take the time to find the perfect angle
Highly driven attorney, supporter of the arts, women’s rights advocate: Sharon Stiller talks about what keeps her going
MUSIC The New Horizons Clarinet Choir gathers people from all walks of life who form a bond around playing the clarinet
The SECURE Act: What You Need to Know
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55 PLUS
CONTENTS
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Does the term ‘senior’ bother you? How about ‘elderly’?
55 PLUS Issue 62 • March-April 2020 For Active Adults in the Rochester Area
March / April 2020 Don’t miss a single issue of 55 PLUS. To subscribe, please see coupon on page 35.
Making a Difference PHOTOGRAPHY Members of Finger Lakes Photography Guild in Canandaigua take the time to find the perfect angle
Highly driven attorney, supporter of the arts, women’s rights advocate: Sharon Stiller talks about what keeps her going
MUSIC The New Horizons Clarinet Choir gathers people from all walks of life who form a bond around playing the clarinet
free please share
The SECURE Act: What You Need to Know
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34 WORKFORCE HOBBIES Savvy Senior 6 14 • Members of Finger Lakes Photography • Baby boomers will be the largest Guild look for the perfect angle working age block in the U.S. this year Financial Health 8 36 BOOKS Dining Out 10 18 AGING • Does the term ‘senior’ bother you? • Four small suburban independent My Turn 24 How about ‘elderly’? bookstores buck the trend and stay active
Golden Years 36 20 MUSIC Addyman’s Corner 46 • The New Horizons Clarinet Choir Long-term Care 48 55 PLUS Q&A Richard Kolb, 91. Canandaigua resident celebrating 40-plus years of volunteer work — and still going 4
55 PLUS - March July / August / April 2019 2020
gathers people from all walks of life
22 DEDICATION • Dottie Haelen celebrates 60 years working at Highland Hospital
26 COVER • Attorney Sharon Stiller talks about what keeps her going
32 COMMITMENT • The Welker family: three generations of firefighters
40 AIRPLANES • Austin Wadsworth’s love of war airplanes leads to creation of National Warplane Museum in Geneseo
42 SECOND ACT • Pastor-turned-author from Fairport recounts his faith-based career, lifestyle
44 COLLECTIBLES • What’s hot and what’s not
Had a Stroke. Back on Stage.
Musician Todd Hobin KNOW THE SIGNS • CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY
Central New York music legend Todd Hobin knew nothing about stroke — but he does now. That’s why he’s raising awareness about stroke risk factors and its signs and symptoms.
F.
FACE DROOPING
A. S.
ARM WEAKNESS
SPEECH DIFFICULTY
T.
TIME TO CALL 911
Fact: Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the U.S. Important to know: Stroke can happen to both men and women — at any age. Good news: Stroke is preventable by managing medical risk factors and healthy lifestyle choices. What to do: Time lost is brain lost. So it’s vital to know the signs of a stroke — F.A.S.T. Four words to live by: Call 911 and say, “Take me to Crouse.“ When it comes to stroke, every moment matters. As one of just 10 hospitals in New York State tohave earned Comprehensive Stroke Center status, and with the region’s newest ER and hybrid ORs, Crouse offers the most advanced technology for rapid stroke diagnosis and treatment
Read Todd’s story and learn more: crouse.org/toddhobin.
July / August March / April 2019 2020 - 55 PLUS
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savvy senior By Jim Miller
W
Do I Have to File Taxes?
hether or not you are required to file a federal income tax return this year depends not only on how much you earned last year (in 2019), but also the source of that income, as well as your age and your filing status. Here’s a rundown of this tax season’s IRS tax filing requirement thresholds. For most people, this is pretty straightforward. If your 2019 gross income — which includes all taxable income, not counting your Social Security benefits, unless you are married and filing separately — was below the threshold for your filing status and age, you may not have to file. But if it’s over, you will. • Single: $12,200 ($13,850 if you’re 65 or older by Jan. 1, 2020). • Married filing jointly: $24,400 ($25,700 if you or your spouse is 65 or older; or $27,000 if you’re both over 65). • Married filing separately: $12,200 at any age. • Head of household: $18,350 ($20,000 if age 65 or older). • Qualifying widow(er) with dependent child: $24,400 ($25,700 if age 65 or older). To get a detailed breakdown on federal filing requirements, along with information on taxable and nontaxable income, call the IRS at 800-829-3676 and ask them to mail you a free copy of the “Tax Guide for Seniors” (publication 554) or see IRS.gov/pub/ irs-pdf/p554.pdf. Check Here Too — There are, however, some other financial situations that can require you to file a tax return, even if your gross income falls below the IRS filing requirements. For example, if you earned more than $400 from self-employment in 2019, owe any special taxes like an alternative minimum tax, or get premium tax credits because you, your spouse or a dependent is enrolled in a Health Insurance Marketplace (Obamacare) plan, you’ll need to file.
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55 PLUS - March July / August / April 2019 2020
You’ll also need to file if you’re receiving Social Security benefits, and one-half of your benefits plus your other gross income and any tax-exempt interest exceeds $25,000, or $32,000 if you’re married and filing jointly. To figure all this out, the IRS offers an interactive tax assistant tool on its website that asks a series of questions that will help you determine if you’re required to file, or if you should file because you’re due a refund. It takes less than 15 minutes to complete. You can access this tool at IRS. gov/help/ita — click on “Do I Need to File a Tax Return?” Or, you can get assistance over the phone by calling the IRS helpline at 800-829-1040. You can also get face-to-face help at a Taxpayer Assistance Center. See IRS. gov/localcontacts or call 800-829-1040 to locate a center near you. Check Your State — Even if you’re not required to file a federal tax return this year, don’t assume that you’re also excused from filing state income taxes. The rules for your state might be very different. Check with your state tax agency before concluding that you’re entirely in the clear. For links to state tax agencies see Taxadmin.org/state-tax-agencies. Tax Preparation Help — If you find that you do need to file a tax return this year, you can get help through the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (or TCE) program. Sponsored by the IRS, TEC provides free tax preparation and counseling to middle and low-income taxpayers, age 60 and older. Call 800-906-9887 or visit IRS. treasury.gov/freetaxprep to locate a service near you. A l s o c h e c k w i t h A A R P, a participant in the TCE program that provides free tax preparation at more than 4,800 sites nationwide. To locate an AARP Tax-Aide site call 888-2277669 or visit AARP.org/findtaxhelp. You don’t have to be an AARP member to use this service.
55PLUS roc55.com
Editor and Publisher Wagner Dotto
Associate Editor Lou Sorendo
Writers & Contributing Writers
Deborah J. Sergeant, Christine Green, Christopher Malone Lynette M. Loomis, Melody Burri Mike Costanza, Todd Etshman
Columnists
Jim Terwilliger, Susan Suben Jim Miller, John Addyman Bruce Frassinelli
Advertising
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Office Assistant Nancy Nitz
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Chuck Wainwright 55 PLUS –A Magazine for Active Adults in the Rochester Area is published six times a year by Local News, Inc., which also publishes In Good Health–Rochester—Genesee Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper.
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Our Mission. To provide people in our community with healthcare, customer services, Life in balance. support & employment to achieve their individual best quality of life.
A company philosophy that speaks to a continual process of individual and collective development to improve our well-being, quality of life Our Vision. and personal relationships. To redefine skilled nursing care through successful team development, use of technology, progressive service and being a strong community partner.
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financial health By Jim Terwilliger
The SECURE Act: What You Need to Know ‘New legislation will have a significant impact on everyone who has a 401(k), IRA or any similar employer retirement plan.’
S
hortly before the holidays, Congress passed and the president signed far-reaching legislation that will have a significant impact on everyone who has a 401(k) or-similar employer retirement plan or IRA. The SECURE (Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement) Act of 2019 is intended to better help workers prepare for and fund their retirement years. Let’s look at just a few of the law’s 29 provisions that likely impact readers of this column. The intent is to give you a high-level overview and indicate whether you are covered by the old rules or the new ones.
Later Start Date for Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) For traditional IRAs and employer retirement plans subject to RMDs, the SECURE Act changes the initiation age to 72 for RMDs. Under the prior
legislation, the threshold was the year in which you turn age 70 1/2. If you turned age 70 1/2 in 2019 or earlier, you are covered by the old rules, and your RMDs must continue as normal. If you turn age 70 1/2 in 2020 or later, you are covered by the new rules. Your RMD start year will be the year in which you reach age 72 2021 for those turning 70 1/2 in the first half of 2020 and 2022 for those turning 70 1/2 in the second half of 2020. The required beginning date (RBD) is still April 1 of the year following the RMD start year. As before, those who wait until the following year will need to take two RMDs that first year.
Elimination of the “Stretch” IRA for Beneficiaries The SECURE Act eliminates “stretch” IRAs and mandates that inherited IRAs for most non-spouse beneficiaries must be distributed within 10 years following the year
of the IRA owner ’s death. This applies to inherited Roth IRAs as well as inherited traditional IRAs. Previously, beneficiaries could stretch distributions over their expected lifetimes (sometimes for decades) while the investments continued to grow tax-deferred or, for Roth IRAs, tax-free. Beneficiary exceptions are spouses, minor children until reaching age of majority, those who are chronically ill or have special needs and those within 10 years of the original IRA owner’s age. Otherwise: • If the IRA owner died in 2019 or earlier, as a non-spouse beneficiary, you are covered by the old rules. While you must take RMDs, you can continue to stretch your inherited IRA over your life expectancy. • If the IRA owner dies in 2020 or later, the new rules are in place. Unless you are an exempted beneficiary, RMDs are no longer required but your inherited IRA must be distributed fully within the 10 calendar years following the IRA owner’s death. Oddly enough, the effective date is extended for two years (for deaths after Dec. 31, 2021) for beneficiaries of 403(b), 457(b) and other government retirement plans.
Age 70 1/2 Ceiling for Traditional IRA Contributions Eliminated Starting in 2020, you now can contribute to a traditional IRA after age 70 1/2. This affords you the opportunity to add to your IRA indefinitely, although at age 72 you must simultaneously start RMDs even though still working. This change puts traditional IRAs and Roth IRAs on a 8
55 PLUS - March July / August / April 2019 2020
par. Previously, Roth IRAs had no age 70 1/2 contribution ceiling. Roth IRAs continue to have no RMDs.
Paying Student Loans from 529 Plans The SECURE Act allows up to $10,000 (lifetime for a beneficiary) for student loan payments using 529 Plan distributions. Such distributions are considered qualified by the IRS, meaning they are tax-and penalty-free at a federal level. The spoiler here may be New York state, which at the time of this writing had not yet decided if such distributions would be considered qualified from a state perspective.
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Kiddie Tax We l c o m e d b y p a r e n t s a n d grandparents, the SECURE Act reversed the harsh taxation of unearned income enacted as part of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 that taxed interest, dividend, and capital gains income for dependent minors at high fiduciary rates. The new law restored these tax rates to the parents’ marginal rate and made the change retroactive to the 2018 tax year.
Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) from Traditional IRAs QCDs can still be made starting at age 70 1/2. Even though there is now an age gap when QCDs are allowed but distributions are not required, QCDs are still considered the most tax-efficient method for making charitable gifts, followed by appreciated securities, followed by cash. In a future column, we will review strategies to capitalize on some of the positive aspects of the SECURE Act and to mitigate some of the negative aspects, particularly the elimination of the “stretch” IRA. Stay tuned! James Terwilliger, CFP®, is senior vice president, senior planning adviser with CNB Wealth Management, Canandaigua National Bank & Trust Company. He can be reached at 585-419-0670 ext. 50630 or by email at jterwilliger@cnbank.com.
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DiningOut By Christopher Malone
Restaurant
Guide
Bombs flavor: Bacon-wrapped dates with Manchego cheese and balsamic honey drizzle ($12).
The Gate to Heavenly Food
T
Head to the The Gate House for remarkable meals
here were a plethora of things running through my head when I stepped into The Gate House, 274 N. Goodman St. in Rochester. It’s great to be greeted immediately. It’s so bright and warm, and the décor and staging are posh magazine worthy. Colonel Mustard really did use the candlestick as the weapon of choice in the conservatory. The large-paned windows welcomed a lot of sunlight into the photogenic restaurant, which is located in the local-focused Village Gate Square. The Gate House is surrounded by Italian restaurant Polizzi’s and craft cocktail lounge Nox, and it shares a
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55 PLUS - March July / August / April 2019 2020
building with unique and independent boutiques. All this sits appropriately on the cusp of the arts district of the city. Upon the arrival of my friends’ family, we placed our drink orders: a glass of the house cabernet ($8), a coffee ($3), and two teas ($3 each). The great thing about the tea, is that it steeped in mini porcelain kettles. Fellow patrons opted for the tea, a setup I saw while waiting in the dining area. It was difficult to say no to that steeping aesthetic. For the 12-and-under crowd, there is a notable kid’s menu with delectable go-to options. The kids went with the
mac and cheese ($7); a peanut butter, banana, and Nutella sandwich on honey wheat ($7); and a bowl of ice cream ($2). The cliché is appropriate — life is short, eat dessert first. The bowl of ice cream came out first, and, without hesitating after agreeing the ice cream’s presence was totally fine, the older of the two gals devoured the dairy treat, which was surrounded by a halo of whipped cream. Although I didn’t put my hand in the way of a child’s mouth and her bowl of ice cream, I did steal a sample of mac and cheese and a bite of the PBBN sammy. The creamy mac was nice and
flavorful. It doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it is woodfired. The hint of smoke is top notch. The youngest devoured her sandwich, and the piece I had — I’d personally order that. The Gate House does have a wood fire oven, and they’re not afraid to use it whenever possible, especially for their pizzas. For the oldest three kids at the table, our selections from the large menu included bacon-wrapped dates ($12) and the baked brie plate ($13) for starters. We also opted for the Xerox pizza ($17) and Gate House vegetarian lasagna ($19). The bacon-wrapped dates came in a set of six and featured the eponymous ingredients, plus Manchego cheese and balsamic honey drizzle. Each were little bombs of flavor. The cheese and balsamic honey definitely would heighten anything bacon-wrapped or not. Cue the smoke from the wood firing, and these simple savory treats showcased complexity. The baked brie plate’s description is an easy sell with bacon jam, pecans, (more) dates, and a warm baguette. It came out with style. The warm bulbous brie was topped with the aforementioned items. Baguette wedges were placed in the corners of the serving board, and each of those were cut in slices. The aroma and congruence of the fruit, nuts and bacon jam is award winning. Many of the offerings are named after something Rochester-related. The Xerox wood-fired pizza is no different; although what it’s composed of may not have anything to do with the company, it is a pie to replicate. Topped on a thin crust sits arugula, pancetta and chicken, plus mozzarella and ricotta cheeses. Instead of olive oil, lemon garlic butter adds that extra flavor. It’s a nice light pizza and was just as good as leftovers. The chicken is crispy, which is always a tough practice. There was a slight dryness to the chicken as a result of frying the poultry up and then sticking it in the oven. However, that was the only thing I could zero-in on. The generous slice of stackedhigh lasagna came out smothered in tomato sauce, baked in (you guessed it) the woodfire oven. A blanket of mozzarella with a golden singe covered the variation of the Italian staple. The proverbial cherry on top:
creamy basil pesto béchamel. The butternut squash was plentiful to the point of intimidation, but this was a table favorite. This entrée does come with a salad, but we passed due the number of us, and opted for the garlic rosemary fries. The dusted crispy fries were some of the best due to the garlic and rosemary seasoning, which was just enough. It wasn’t poured on, and it appeared as freckles on the stick potatoes. Before tip, for three adults and two children, the food to feed a small army came to $104.76. The little ones seemed to enjoy it as much as we did. Family or dates, The Gate House has its doors opened.
The Gate House Address 274 N. Goodman St., Rochester, NY 14607 Phone 585-473-2090 Website/Social thegatehousecafe.com facebook.com/thescenicroot instagram.com/gatehousecafe Hours Sun.: 11:30 a.m. – 9 p.m. Mon. – Thurs.: 11:30 a.m. – 10 p.m. Fri. – Sat.: 11:30 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Gate House vegetarian lasagna ($19). It comes out smothered in tomato sauce, baked in the woodfire oven. A blanket of mozzarella with a golden singe covered the variation of the Italian staple. On top: creamy basil pesto béchamel.
Xerox pizza: The wood-fired pizza ($17) is topped with arugula, pancetta and chicken, plus mozzarella and ricotta cheeses. Instead of olive oil, lemon garlic butter adds that extra flavor. July / August March / April 2019 2020 - 55 PLUS
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55+hobbies
Photography New Frontier for Your Second Chapter? Second chapter sweet spot: members of Finger Lakes Photography Guild in Canandaigua take the time to find the perfect angle By Melody Burri
R
etirement. It’s the finish line you spend decades running toward and the starting line that launches a radical and rewarding “new normal.” With 180-degree changes in routine, commitments, finances, social network and sense of self-worth comes newfound freedom from distraction, obligation and the high-speed pace of career and family. Spare time? You can have as much as you choose. How are you going to spend it? That depends on what sparks your passion — on who you want to be
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55 PLUS - March July / August / April 2019 2020
rather than who you’ve been. Members of Finger Lakes Photography Guild in Canandaigua have found their second chapter sweet spot. Attending seminars and instructional field trips, adding to and upgrading their gear, visiting new and varied locations and venues, swapping stories and techniques — retirement has reignited and fueled their passion for creative and sometimes moneymaking photography. Regina O’Loughlin Muscarella of Victor is a 68-year-old retired English teacher, current fitness instructor and Nikon D800-carrying force of
nature. Through her 28-120 f/4 lens she captures nature and wildlife, passionate people, urban and street moments, macro, astro and night photography. “Life moves so quickly,” said Muscarella. “Photography allows me to freeze special moments or places.” For most of her life, Muscarella has carried a camera with her. But her busy family and work schedule meant she was always on a time clock. “Now, I have time to take my time,” she said. “If I’m at a beautiful scene, but know that in 30 minutes the lighting will be perfect, I can wait so I
City Lights from Brooklyn by Regina O’Loughlin Muscarella. A trip to the Big Apple offered two of Muscarella’s favorites: urban and night photography.
get a better shot. “If I’m driving to a particular location to shoot some photos and I come upon something that begs me to pull out the Nikon, I can pull over,” she said. “Best of all, I have time to shoot every day — and I do. I get in the car with my camera, just looking for that National Geographic shot. Sometimes I get lucky; sometimes I have a wonderful drive.” Joann Long’s resume is a lot like her name. The retired computer systems consultant/mounted police/ horse trainer and current photographer is 64 and a Nikon girl all the way. Her D500 and D750 and 17mm-35mm, 28300mm, and 15-600mm lenses focus on “mostly nature and wildlife, but I’ll shoot anything interesting,” she said. “I enjoy trying to capture the moment with a different view that creates an emotion in the viewer,” she
said. “I love photography because it gets me out more trying to find that unique vision. I can be any place and be happy with a camera in my hand.” Since retiring, Long has developed multiple interests, but photography is one of her favorites. “I look at the environment around me from a whole different perspective,” she said. “And now that I’m retired, I have more time to go hunt for that interesting image. The added benefit is visiting places and events that I may not otherwise have thought of without my photography friends.” Keith Kappel of Canandaigua is a retired manufacturing accounting manager and corporate auditor. The 80-year-young photographer said he likes to shoot anything and everything with his Nikon D800E camera and Nikon 28-300 and Tamron 150-600 lenses. “I love the creative challenge of seeing a photo opportunity and experimenting with it to create something that friends and family will enjoy,” he said. Kappel is an active person, but physical issues have curtailed his ability to participate in a number of things previously enjoyed, like golf, hunting and skeet shooting. “Photography affords me the chance to remain active both physically and mentally,” he said. “While somewhat limited in my walking and hiking ability, the use of a mobility scooter has opened many doors and opportunities.” At 66, Diane Dersch is a retired music educator and an avid photographer. Her specialty is macro, flowers “and just about anything that is in nature,” she said. Her go-to camera is her Nikon D750, with a 28300mm, a 105 macro and a 150-600mm lens. What sparks her passion? Discovering a different angle, a different perspective that others may have missed. “I took up photography when I retired,” she said. “I’ve been able to really work on it by taking numerous photo workshops all over the country and Canada.”
The stories they can tell For FLPG members, and for any avid photographer, a camera bag, fully
charged batteries and a few empty memory cards are all that’s needed to embrace a new adventure. Muscarella keeps her post-career schedule jammed with photography outings and easily finds her share of fun. “I had driven the 45 minutes to Owls Woods at Braddock Bay Park six days in a row to get a shot of the saw whet owl,” Muscarella recalled. “The day I saw him, I cried. He was so tiny, staring down at me as I fumbled with my equipment. How exciting to see such magnificent creatures in the wild! And getting a photo? A bonus!” Then there was the time she stepped out of her car in Ireland to find the night sky “alive with stars,” and the Milky Way “trailing down over the golden lights of the village of Ballyvaughan.” “It capped off a special night with my family and the photos provide a memory of a wonderful evening,” she said. Muscarella jumps at the chance to photograph musicians and actors, many of whom are family members. “I respect the work that goes into any type of performance art and am thrilled when I can capture their passion with my camera,” she said. A New York City photo safari with award-winning photographer, Zim Pham, ramped up Muscarella’s skill and passion exponentially. “She helped me photograph the Big Apple in so many different ways: seeing the intricacies of architecture and the beauty of street photography,” Muscarella said. “Zim and I still email frequently, and I look to her to critique my work. She’s a tough cookie, but I learn so much from her and value her expertise.” Long said shooting the Milky Way at 1 a.m. on an August night ranks high on her list of breathtaking moments. “I would have never stood on the edge of Hemlock Lake in the middle of the night to view the incredible sky if it hadn’t been for my photography buddies suggesting we get together to shoot this amazing galaxy,” she said. “I even set up a tent to create a unique view. This is one of my all-time favorite images!” In Kappel’s case, Civil War reenactments and other events at Genesee Country Village in Mumford keep his shutter finger busy. Likewise with the World War II Air Shows at the July / August March / April 2019 2020 - 55 PLUS
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National Warplane Museum, Geneseo. “For Christmas this year the family banded together and gave a flight on the C-47 Whiskey 7,” he said. “I’m absolutely looking forward to the photo ops this will present.” Dersch’s greatest adventure thus far with camera in hand has been photographing puffins in Newfoundland, she said.
There’s gold in that guild Muscarella said spending time with other photographers in Finger Lakes Photography Guild and other groups is like “going to a smorgasbord.” “I can see so many different kinds of photography from people with different styles and experiences,” she said. “And like a smorgasbord, I can take from them all kinds of new skills and ideas. They keep my ideas fresh and keep me learning. I love that.” Kappel said members of the guild “have been phenomenal in providing support and encouragement, as well as technical advice and assistance.” “There are many advanced photographers, and their willingness to share and assist really inspires and encourages,” he said. Dersch agrees. “Speaking with other like-minded photographers has given me new ideas on how to photograph and also with post processing,” she said. “I really like the ability to take workshops FLPG presents as well.” Online Facebook groups and e-zines are also an option, including but in no way limited to Finger Lakes Photography Center, Montanus Photography Classroom, DR.D Of Photography, WNY PhotoWalkers and Digital Photography School.
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Diane Dersch
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Just Getting Started? Joann Long, photographer and member of the Finger Lakes Photography Guild in Canandaigua, encourages beginners to join a photography group where they can enjoy the camaraderie of like-minded photographers. “Research all the many free tutorials on the internet to bring you to the next level,” she said. “Bring your camera everywhere and just shoot! You’ll learn by doing. Regina O’Loughlin Muscarella of Victor seconds the motion to “shoot anyone and anything.” “Take classes; join groups. Get a photo buddy to go on excursions with you. It’s great to be able to bounce ideas or solve problems with someone else.” Kappel encouraged newbies not to be intimidated by technology. “There are a plethora of courses available, many on the internet,” he said. “Dive in. I find that I can turn off the TV and sit down and start editing images on the computer and be amazed by what can be done and how quickly time passes.” Diane Dersch reminds photographers to take special notice of their surroundings. “Always look at what’s in your background,” she said. “You don’t want power lines or other things to distract from your photo.”
How about gear? Muscarella said she started with used equipment and only recently bought some brand-new lenses. Beginners should visit their local
Regina Muscarella
camera shop and chat with “the people who understand what would help you get started,” she said. Consignment shops are great for those who’ve done a little homework in advance. Long said people can expect to spend anywhere from a few hundred to thousands of dollars. “I would start with a camera that allows you to take yourself off auto mode and allows you to process a raw photo,” she said. Kappel encouraged newcomers to take some courses first to become comfortable with hardware and software options. “Then buy the best, most advanced equipment you can afford and don’t be afraid to buy used,” he said. “You don’t need to invest in Photoshop — Lightroom or Photoshop Elements each provide a reasonable start point and aren’t difficult to learn. Don’t be afraid to experiment and play with images — the film is cheap.”
Technology-challenged? Gaining a thorough knowledge of photography basics and how your camera works can be tough initially. Photo editing software also presents a learning curve. But online tutorials, photography classes and groups like FLPG provide education in bite-sized pieces. A self-proclaimed geek, Muscarella said she loves the technological aspect of digital photography and can sit for hours, playing with her camera or editing images. “The challenges are invigorating, and I will stick with it until I have
Regina O’Loughlin
Joann Long
How to Contact FLPG For more information about Finger Lakes Photography Guild in Canandaigua and its members, visit www.facebook.com/ FingerLakesPhotographyGuild. solved any stumbling block,” she said. “Photoshop is such a dense program; there is always so much more to learn.” When it’s time to edit and refine, she tries to accentuate the details of the image that first captured her attention. “Sometimes I even get a bonus surprise as I move the sliders and hidden gems are revealed,” she said. Like Muscarella, Long has a techfriendly mind, so technology doesn’t intimidate her, she said. “However, gaining the knowledge to use the extensive editing programs can be daunting,” Long added. ‘FLPG is one of the ways I learn new methods in both editing programs and camera techniques.” The great thing about challenges like these, Kappel said, is that they “keep the mind and body active.”
Stellar Camp by Joann Long. Enjoying the amazing Milky Way on a clear night in the Finger Lakes and capturing its beauty was a highlight for Long.
Now what? Yo u ’ v e c a p t u r e d a l l t h o s e images. How can you leverage your photographs and equipment to create a legacy for future generations? “For me, photography is capturing a story,” said Dersch. “Especially when I do overseas mission trips to Africa. Your images help you savor the moment of when you were there and capture the joy on the people’s faces.” And even if photos of everyday life seem insignificant at the time, they document history and special moments and are priceless, said Muscarella. “I have created an online repository for my family to contribute photos from family events and have even digitized archival photos that will be there for future generations,” she said. “It is a treasure.” In addition to sharing images online, Long suggests creating printed photo books for vacations, family outings, or favorite photos to share. “Travelogues can be created of your favorite photos and accompanying dialogue presented to libraries and
Civil War Attack by Keith Kappel. Genesee Country Village and Museum in Mumford provides endless opportunities for photographers. senior centers,” she said. “Special photos can be used in calendars for yearlong enjoyment or framed in large sizes for unique gifts. “There are also many places that will print your photos on greeting cards, mugs, shower curtains, yoga mats, pillows, towels,” she said. “And for the tech savvy, websites can be developed with your favorite photos to share.” Photography may turn out to be a sweet spot in your second chapter. It may not. Either way, this is the perfect time to broaden your interests, to control your day, to change direction, to learn
more about yourself. This is the time to fill your schedule with “why nots?” instead of “should or should nots.” You may find, like Muscarella, that “retirement has been very good to my photography!” The Finger Lakes Photography Guild (FLPG) is a supportive group of photographers who strive to use digital imagery as a form of fine art. Its members pursue photographic excellence through ongoing professional level training, peer reviews and shared experiences. FLPG is a member club of the Niagara Frontier Regional Camera Club. July / August March / April 2019 2020 - 55 PLUS
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55+ aging 3 Elderly
Senior Mature Baby Boomer
Does the term ‘senior’ bother you? How about ‘elderly’? By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
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oes the term “senior” bother you? At times, businesses and individuals need to use a descriptor for the age range of, well, those who are not so young anymore. What term is chosen depends upon many factors, especially context. Ann Cunningham, executive director at Oasis in Rochester, said that she read about a woman in her 50s running a marathon described as “elderly” — an obvious misuse. Cunningham tends to disdain the term “elderly” since it makes people sound frail. Her organization provides people 50 and older with peeroriented enrichment classes, social opportunities and activities. “I don’t tend to refer to them as ‘seniors,’ but as ‘mature adults’ and ‘older adults,’” she said in referencing the population that comes out to Oasis. “I say ‘senior adults’ sometimes because I work
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with the high school population too. ‘Retired adults’ also works.” Terms that sound patronizing are also taboo. “‘The golden years aren’t golden.’ my mother used to say,” Cunningham said. “I don’t really like cute names.” Helen Newman, 69, is also not a fan of cutesy names for her age bracket. Newman coordinates the TechAge Adult Learning Center, a program of the Louis S. Wolk Jewish Community Center of Greater Rochester. She also teaches a few classes on technology. “Clever names are not so catchy,” she said. “We don’t like the term ‘senior.’ I use ‘older adult’ or ‘mature adult’ or ‘wiser adult.’ I hate the term ‘elderly.’” For some, “senior” seems to teeter on the edge of slur when used inappropriately, such as when a young person forgets something and calls it a “senior moment.” There’s also the connotation of the “senior
discount” as something cheapskates use, even though there’s nothing wrong with asking for a discount to which one is entitled. Newman doesn’t like when people call older, unrelated people “grandma” or “grandma” as an insult. “They’re just assuming if you’re older, you’re a grandparent,” Newman said. She said that she became a stepgrandmother in her 30s, an age far from typical grandparent age. Newman believes that some of the marginalizing names indicate the societal underestimation of the older population. “They have a lot to offer, and are very smart and can do a lot of things,” Newman said. “The people who come to JCC have a lot of interests. One man taking a class here is a master gardener, for example.” As a certified financial planner, Adam M. Mark at Wealth Management Group, LLC in
Rochester helps a lot of clients who are nearing retirement. Since much of their conversation tends to focus on that stage in life, he uses “retiree” most of all. “I talk about ‘financial independence’ a lot,” Mark said. “We don’t ask clients how old they are but how young they are.” Also a certified financial planner, Elizabeth A. Thorley, president of Thorley Wealth Management in Pittsford, doesn’t use “senior” either. “The one I use most often is ‘mature,’” she said. At Rochester Public Library, Brian DiNitto leads computer classes. One category of classes the library hosts is for “senior patrons.” “I haven’t heard anything about this being offensive,” DiNitto said. “It’s a tag we put on classes so we don’t get too many teens, although we do get some home schooled students and their parents will be there with them.” Perhaps they took the term “senior” literally? When considering the academic sense of the word, “senior” means someone who has learned a lot and is at the top of the pecking order ahead of juniors, sophomores and freshmen. Maybe those who aren’t offended by “senior” simply view it differently. Despite this, Mary Rose McBride, vice president of marketing and communications for Lifespan of Greater Rochester, said her organization never uses “seniors” and usually “older adults” or sometimes “elders,” depending upon context. “Retirement and longer life means life is lived differently than it used to be,” she said. Terms like “golden age” sounds like one is riding off into the sunset, she believes. McBride said that the very oldest baby boomers don’t mind “senior” as they tend to think of it in the academic sense. “We try to be respectful and not group people,” McBride said. “Using ‘older adults’ does group them, but we be respectful of where people are in life.” As with any age, assuming a universal truth about any age group disrespects members of the group.
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55+ music
Open for Business The New Horizons Clarinet Choir gathers people from all walks of life who form a bond around playing the clarinet. Join to play or to learn how to play By Christine Green
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ates resident Jeanne LaBarbera, 76, hadn’t even picked up a clarinet for almost 45 years when she joined the New Horizons Clarinet Choir in 2011. She played clarinet in the high school band in Dunkirk and was a music major at Shenandoah Conservatory of Music in Virginia. But after graduation she didn’t embark on a musical career. Instead she worked for 30 years as a social worker with Monroe County Social Services before her retirement in 2009. That’s when she made the decision to try the clarinet again. She tested the waters with private lessons, but it wasn’t long before her instructor
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suggested she join a local clarinet choir he knew. That was in 2011. Today LaBarbera is a proud member of the New Horizons Clarinet Choir.
New Horizons The New Horizons International Music Association (NHIMA) is a nonprofit organization designed to provide music opportunities for adults. It is grounded in the idea that any adult can play an instrument or sing, regardless of age or prior experience. Roy Ernst, professor emeritus of music education at the Eastman School of Music, founded NHIMA in 1991. Alan Woy, 74, of Fairport is the
Members of New Horizons Clarinet Choir during a recent practice. Number of participants swells from 30 during the winter to more than 40 during the warmer months. current conductor of the New Horizons Clarinet Choir. Woy recalled that Ernst put an advertisement in the newspaper announcing his idea to gather older adults to form a band. “He started this on the strength of about a four- or five-line newspaper ad saying, ‘If you are retired and over 50, once played an instrument, never played an instrument, or you’ve always been playing an instrument come and join the New Horizon Band,’” said Woy. “His initial hope was no hope at all. But 45 people showed up which was astounding. And so basically from that start, New Horizons has gone worldwide.” Today there are over 300 NHIMA chapters around the world. Bands gather daily to play music in places as far away as England, Italy, The Netherlands and Australia. While Ernst originally conceived of the organization as one focused on older adults there is no age requirement today. Any adult, interested in learning music or honing their talent in a group setting is welcome to join one of the
“People are from all walks of life and their life experiences can be so different and yet we live here, we come together. Then we all play an instrument that we all know.”
Clarinet Choir
School, Bausch and Lomb retirees; we have Kodak retirees who have chemical engineering and electrical engineering degrees. There’s a lot of brains, and they’re very eager.” The choir ’s repertoire includes everything from traditional pieces by composers such as Mozart and Debussy to folk music, show tunes and marches. They’ve even been known to play renditions of songs by pop icon Michael Jackson. The choir ’s conductor Woy is assisted by co-conductor Ken Scott, 64 of Webster. Woy taught at the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam for 38 years before he retired in 2004. He started working with the clarinet choir about 12 years ago. As the group began to grow, though, he realized that he needed help, so he brought Scott on as co-conductor. Scott was Woy’s student at Crane before he began his own career in music as a public school teacher for 33 years in Hannibal and Williamson before he, too, retired.
The New Horizons Clarinet Choir formed over 20 years ago when the clarinet section of the New Horizons band started meeting to practice together. Today there are about 30 people in the choir, but when the winter snowbirds return to town the numbers rise to 40 or more. Members come from all areas of greater Rochester and include musicians with a variety of experience levels. Many, like LaBarbera, took time away from their clarinet to focus on career, family and other life pursuits. Retirement has offered LaBarbera and her fellow choir members the opportunity to rededicate time to musical practice. “Most of these people are very highly educated,” said Woy. “We have a doctor who went to Harvard Medical
Retired physician Thomas Ashby, 80, of Penfield is a dedicated choir member who believes that music is an important way to maintain a youthful and healthy lifestyle. “Virtually everybody here is mentally, physically and emotionally younger than their temporal age because of the music,” he said. “Every senior in this city has opportunities to get involved with something like this if they want to.” LaBarbera feels that the magic comes from transforming a written piece to audible sound. “It’s wonderful to bring music to life because by playing the printed notes on the page you bring the music to life and to be
New Horizons Clarinet Choir conductor Alan Woy, left, and coconductor Ken Scott. various musical groups in NHIMA. Rochester area musicians who want to be a part of the New Horizons program at the Eastman Community Music School have their pick of a vocal chorus, string orchestra, jazz ensemble, big band ensemble, and a host of several other programs.
The Magic of Music
New Horizons Clarinet Choir at a Glance The New Horizons Clarinet Choir is a year-long course through the Eastman Community Music School. There is a $180 per semester fee to participate. They practice every Monday at The Brickstone by St. John’s on Elmwood Avenue. The choir performs at venues around the Rochester area as well as around the country. They have attended and played at conferences in Texas, Louisiana, and Florida. To learn more about Eastman Community Music School, visit www.esm.rochester.edu/ community. To learn about the New Horizons Clarinet Choir and listen to them play visit www. nhclarinetensemble.org. a part of bringing music to life is a wonderful thing, it just is.” For Scott, the magic lies in the connection between the fellow clarinet players. He noted that despite their diverse backgrounds, the musicians come together to practice and perform as a cohesive, joyful group of friends and colleagues. “People are from all walks of life and their life experiences can be so different and yet we live here, we come together. Then we all play an instrument that we all know.” Woy agrees that the New Horizons Clarinet Choir is a special group of musicians on many levels but particularly because of their interest in improving their skills. “They’re very dedicated. Many of them take lessons, and when they go to these international conferences, they’re upgrading their equipment, instruments. That’s very rewarding to see that kind of commitment at this age, and I think one of the things that really keeps us going into our senior years.” July / August March / April 2019 2020 - 55 PLUS
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55+ dedication Highland Hospital Patient Relations Coordinator Dorothy “Dottie” Haelen, left, with Highland Chief Operating Officer Cindy Becker.
One Career, One Employer Dottie Haelen celebrates 60 years working at Highland Hospital By Mike Costanza
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fter many years at Highland Hospital, registered nurse Dorothy “Dottie” Haelen still enjoys coming to work. “I look forward to being able to come in and help the patients and families through the maze of the healthcare system,” the 80-year-old says. On Jan. 14, the patient relations coordinator marked her 60th year with Highland Hospital, part of University of Rochester Medical Center. Over 100 people headed to the hospital’s Collins Auditorium on that day to celebrate the event with her. Cindy Becker, Highland’s chief operating officer, was among them, and spoke to 55-PLUS sometime afterward. “Dottie’s dedication, compassion,
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and focus on our patients is remarkable,” Becker said. “Highland is grateful for her 60 years of service and the positive impact she has on countless patients and their families.” All this might never have happened, if not for an injury. Haelen was born at Highland, and grew up in Scottsville. Back then, some women who were seeking the rewards of a career turned to two fields which were thought to be appropriate for them: teaching and nursing. As an adolescent, Haelen considered those occupational paths. Then, a bad cut to her arm sent her to Highland’s emergency department, where she had a chance to see how the department functioned. “I was just so impressed with
how the nurses and the physicians worked,” Haelen says. “I thought ‘Gee, this is interesting. I sort of like this.’” Later on, a Wheatland Chili High School guidance counselor helped the young woman make her choice. “She said ‘If you like, go into nursing, because you can always teach nursing,’” Haelen explains. “On that advice, I went into nursing. I’m so glad I did.” Upon graduating from high school, Haelen entered the Highland Hospital School of Nursing for three years of intensive classroom instruction and hands-on training with patients. “Most our education was done here, at the Highland campus,” she says. “Some of our specialty areas, we had to go off to other hospitals for that piece of our education. Pediatrics we did at Strong. Psychiatric we did at the Rochester Psychiatric Center.” Back then, nursing students stayed in a dormitory that was attached to the hospital, and had to adhere to strict rules while living there. After Haelen graduated, she experienced a change of role that she found thrilling — and a little scary. “It was just like, ‘I can’t believe it,’” Haelen says. “I’m all grown up now, and I’ve got to do well.” After working as a staff nurse, head nurse, nursing supervisor and in other positions for Highland, Haelen took her current job. Each position that she’s held has given her the chance to observe the important changes that the field of nursing has undergone. For one thing, nurses relate to patients a bit differently than they did when she first donned her white uniform. “ We i n t e r a c t w i t h p a t i e n t s differently, because we ask them for their feedback. How are we doing? Can we do it better?” Haelen explains. The roles that nurses play in patient care have also changed. “It’s more of a partnership of the patient and the medical care providers, including the doctors and nurses,” Haelen says. In addition, new medical technologies have made their way into medical treatment. Laptops and portable computer terminals allow nurses and other medical professionals to access patient’s medical records right in treatment rooms, digitally note the treatments they’ve given those patients, and perform other tasks important to medical care.
“It’s more efficient and safer to do this stuff at the bedside,” Haelen asserts. Finally, Haelen has watched the field of nursing expand to include positions and careers that didn’t exist when she began treating patients. “I have watched RNs become nurse practitioners and become Ph.D.s in nursing,” she says. “I think it’s wonderful.” Though she now works only three days a week, Haelen has no immediate plans to retire. “I remember saying to somebody not long ago ‘How can I retire, because things keep getting so interesting here?’” she says. In recognition of the achievements of its longest-tenured employee, Highland created the Dorothy Haelen Lifetime Achievement Award, one of the highest honors that the hospital bestows on its nurses. The award is given to individuals who consistently support the department of nursing’s efforts to improve practice, and achieve goals that reflect patient care excellence.
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my turn By Bruce Frassinelli Email: bfrassinelli@ptd.net
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Radio Soap Operas: Genre Lasted Several Decades
hen I was growing up in a small coal-mining community in Eastern Pennsylvania, I was fascinated with soap operas on radio. For about seven years, until I was 12 years old, I would hurry home from school, throw myself on our living room couch with a snack in hand and listened to the lineup of soap operas from about 3:30 until 6 p.m. Each ran about 15 minutes. Each had a distinctive theme song. Each had recognizable sponsors, most of them soap or laundry products. Along with Procter & Gamble, major sponsors were Colgate-Palmolive and Lever Brothers. As such, this is where the term “soap opera” was coined. The marketing gurus at P&G seized on the concept that their company’s products would appeal to stay-at-home housewives. Just as their TV counterparts would a generation later, the radio soaps hooked listeners with the serialtype format, so it was imperative to tune in the next day to find out what happened in kindly Ma Perkins home or whether Mary and Larry Noble on “Backstage Wife” would be able to weather the buffeting forces contributing to their marital issues. Stories centered on wealth, glamour, infidelity and intrigue. By today’s standards, the radio soap opera would be considered sexist and classist, although analysts insist that a certain amount of sophistication was needed on the part of the audience to follow some of the intricate story lines and plots. Frank and Ann Hummert are credited with coming up with the soap opera formula that would prove to be such an endearing part of Americana. The Hummerts created four of the blockbuster soaps — “Stella Dallas,” “Backstage Wife,” “Just Plain Bill” and “Ma Perkins.” (Talk about a work ethic:
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“Ma Perkins” was one of the most popular radio soap operas of its era. The main actress, Virginia Payne, played Ma Perkins in all 7,065 episodes over 27 years, never missing even one of them. Virginia Payne played Ma Perkins in all 7,065 episodes over 27 years, never missing even one of them.) “Stella Dallas” is an excellent example of the genre. It ran for 28 years and starred Anne Elstner in the title role. The New York Times described the title character as “the beautiful daughter of an impoverished farmhand who had married above her station in life.” The Hummerts based their radio adaptation on the 1923 novel “Stella Dallas” by Olive Higgins Prouty. It was one of the most popular films of 1937 featuring Barbara Stanwyck in the starring role. The program’s prologue gave the premise of the drama: “We give you now Stella Dallas, a continuation on the air of the true-to-life story of mother love and sacrifice in which Stella Dallas saw her own beloved daughter, Laurel,
marry into wealth and society and, realizing the differences in their tastes and worlds, went out of Laurel’s life.” Other favorites to which I also listened avidly were “Pepper Young’s Family” “Lorenzo Jones” and his wife Belle, and and “Young Widder Brown.” Some of the devices that became very popular are attributed to the Hummerts and Irna Phillips. It was Phillips who introduced organ music to segue from one scene to the other. She also developed the cliffhanger ending, which would compel audiences into returning the next day to find out what happened to their beloved characters.
Some say, however, that her true genius emerged when she devised a deliberately slow pacing of the action and dialogue so that busy housewives could continue to do their housework without missing crucial plot twists on the program. For their part, the Hummerts created some of the story lines that are used until this very day: blackmail, amnesia, infidelity, class tension and reappearing long lost loves. It is amusing to me that today we try to avoid ads on TV programs either by heading to the kitchen or recording programs and fast-forwarding through the commercials and network promos. When I listened to the radio soaps, I would pay rapt attention and would often say or sing along with the jingles for Oxydol, Camay (“the soap of beautiful women”), Rinso (“Rinso white and Rinso bright”), Lava Soap (“L-A-V-A”), Pepsodent tooth paste (“You’ll wonder where the yellow went when you brush your teeth with Pepsodent”) and Ivory Soap (“99 and 44/100% pure; it floats)”. Some of the theme songs were well-known to listeners and included “Funiculi-Funicula” on the “Lorenzo Jones” program, “Rose of Tralee” on Back Stage Wife, “Darling Nellie Gray” on “Just Plain Bill”, “Au Matin on Pepper” Young’s Family and “How Can I Leave” “Thee on Stella Dallas”. The first commercial radio station — KDKA in Pittsburgh — went on the air in 1920. Clara, Lu and Em, the first soap opera, was presented on WGN in Chicago 10 years later. Three friends originally presented the sketch on the campus of Northwestern University where they were students. Friends loved it so much that they persuaded the trio to try to get it aired on WGN. The friends suggested to radio management that they would perform their routine free of charge. Interest grew so much that Colgate-Palmolive soon took over the sponsorship of the program after which it was moved to daytime. With the growing popularity of television, interest in the radio soap operas waned in the late 1950s, and by 1960 most were either gone or had transitioned to TV. The best known soaps which made the move to TV were “The Guiding Light”, Y”oung Doctor Malone” and “The Brighter Day”.
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55+ cover
Reaching for the Unreachable Highly driven attorney, supporter of the arts, women’s rights advocate: Sharon Stiller talks about what keeps her going By Mike Costanza
S
haron Stiller began setting her sights on difficult-to-reach goals as a young child. “I just never really perceived them to be unreachable,” the 68-yearold says. That drive to accomplish has taken Stiller to a partnership at a Rochester law firm — Abrams, Fensterman, Fensterman, Eisman, Formato, Ferrara, Wolf & Carone, LLP — where she heads the employment law practice. The firm, which has offices statewide, has been named one of the top-100 in New York. Stiller has also carried an Olympic torch, traveled widely, raised a child and produced a play, just to name a few of her other accomplishments. Stiller was born in Rochester, the middle of three children, then moved with her family to Irondequoit. When just 8 years old, she became curious about the legal profession,
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and arranged to meet with the late Irving Kessler, a relative who was a prominent attorney. “I remember having a yellow legal pad, taking notes on what he said about what it was like being a lawyer,” she says. “However, he answered my questions in a way that made me want to be a lawyer.” Her path to the legal profession wasn’t an easy one. For one thing, her family had little money for higher education. After graduating from Irondequoit High School, she headed off to SUNY Albany. Though on scholarship, she had to work to make ends meet. “We were not a wealthy family,” Stiller explains. “My father was the only one in the family who was college educated.” T h a t d i d n ’ t s t o p h e r f ro m completing her undergraduate studies a year early. Stiller then headed off to
the private Albany Law School, where she again had to work to supplement her scholarships. The competition among students was fierce. “One of the things they say when you enter law school is, ‘Look to your left and your right.’ One of those two people won’t be there when you graduate,’” Stiller says. Back then, the internet didn’t exist, and law students had to research legal cases in the school’s library. Some of Stiller’s more competitive classmates tried to beat their peers by hiding the books that were needed to complete assignments. Few women sought to become attorneys back then —Stiller was only one of 20 women in her class of 200. That knowledge appears to have pushed her to achieve. “I had to do it better not only for myself, but for other women,” she says.
Sharon Stiller photographed Jan. 8 at her office on Linden Oaks, Rochester. Photo by Chuck Wainwright. July / August March / April 2019 2020 - 55 PLUS
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Stiller graduated from law school in 1975 — again, one year early — and was intent upon working for the Monroe County District Attorney’s office. At that time, the incumbent DA, Jack Lazarus, was running for re-election against his challenger, Lawrence Kurlander. Stiller couldn’t be sure which would win, so she took no chances. “I secured a promise from both candidates for office that whoever was elected would hire me,” Stiller says. Kurlander won, and was true to his word. At a time when few women entered the legal profession, the hiring of a female assistant DA was news. “I was one of the first two female full-time assistant district attorneys in the Monroe County DA’s office,” Stiller says. “We actually had a press conference.” Stiller soon made her way into that office’s appeals bureau. “You take somebody else’s trial, and you try to uphold it, being in the DA’s office, against the various issues that are raised,” she explains. Eventually, Stiller rose to argue a case before New York state’s highest court, the Court of Appeals. Though she found such work fascinating, after a time she decided to take on the challenge of prosecuting cases — which involved a whole new set of skills. “When you’re an appellate attorney, you’re reading the record — you have your leisure to research things,” she says. “When you’re a trial attorney, it’s all instinct and learning.” Most of Stiller’s cases involved jury trials. “In a trial, you’re telling a story,” Stiller says. “What I was trying to do when I was a trial attorney was to get people to understand the story, and not see me as a woman or a man or anybody, but as a prosecutor.” Stiller went on to prosecute violent felonies and major offenders, while taking on other tasks for the DA’s office. For one thing, she taught budding physicians about court procedures. “I developed a mock trial for medical students at the U of R [University of Rochester] in order to teach them about a legal system that they would surely become involved with,” she says. “The American College of Surgeons picked it up, and used it for training for years.” After a time, Stiller decided to take
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This poster features Sharon Stiller carrying the Olympic torch when it came through Rochester in 1996.
“I perceive myself as being incredibly lucky to be able to do what I do,” Stiller said. “I believe that it is very important for me to give back to the community, and I try to do that as much as I can.” Attorney Sharon Stiller another career and set of skills. “I ultimately realized that I kept seeing the same people coming in and out of the criminal system, so I went into civil law,” she explains. Her first job was as an associate at Kessler ’s law firm, Goldstein, Goldman, Kessler & Underberg. “The first day that I was at the firm, one of the other associates left on my desk a night court case to go to that night,” she says. “That’s just what happens.” In about 1987, Stiller found herself drawn to practicing employment law. Back then, even the term was largely unknown.
Employment law her focus “When I went to law school, there
was no such thing as ‘employment law,’” Stiller says. “It was a twinkle in somebody’s eye.” She chose to devote her energies to the practice of that type of law. In most of her cases, she represents the employer. “There are a couple of cases where I’ve taken cases representing employees when I couldn’t resist, but it’s honestly equally fulfilling to represent employers, particularly employers who are trying to do the right thing,” Stiller says. In 2010, Stiller signed on with Abrams Fensterman, drawn by the chance to practice law both inside and outside of this area. The firm has five offices, including one in Manhattan. Since then, she has represented such clients as the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra in civil suits. While pursuing her career, Stiller has also followed more personal interests, including the desire to support women’s rights. “I perceive myself as being incredibly lucky to be able to do what I do,” Stiller said. “I believe that it is very important for me to give back to the community, and I try to do that as much as I can.” Kate Bennett, president of the board of directors of the National Women’s Hall of Fame, met the hardcharging attorney in the early 2000s, after Stiller joined her on the board. The two quickly bonded over motherhood — both were raising or helping to raise daughters — and their interest in women’s rights. “She’s a tireless volunteer,” Bennett says of her friend. “She’s committed hundreds and hundreds of hours of work on behalf of the National Women’s Hall of Fame, leading strategic planning initiatives, leading events, as well as providing pro bono [free] services.” That commitment led Stiller to produce “Susan B.,” a play about famous suffragist Susan B. Anthony’s trial for voting in the presidential election of 1872, when women were denied that basic right. The word “suffragist,” which Stiller prefers to use to describe Anthony, refers to someone who advocates for the extension of the right to vote in elections, especially to women. Anthony was convicted for illegally voting, fined $100, but refused to pay a dime. “Susan B.” was performed in
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of her nephews as young children, hangs opposite the attorney’s desk. The other, a photo of the earth that was taken from the moon, hangs on the wall to the right of her desk. The picture, which is gift from a past client, bears the signature of astronaut Jim Lovell. Stiller says the photos help her stay grounded. “It’s so nice to have children on one wall and to have that on the other wall,” she says. “It puts everything in perspective, doesn’t it?”
5 Things You Didn’t Know About Sharon Stiller • Has run in five marathons. • Carried the Olympic torch when it came through Rochester in 1996 • Makes eight turkeys at a time for her yearly Thanksgiving bash • Has been to Australia, New Zealand, Thailand and Cyprus • Always drinks decaf, because she doesn’t need any more energy
Fast Facts Stiller at her office on Linden Oaks, Rochester. Photo by Mike Costanza. 1995 before overwhelming crowds in Rochester and in Canandaigua, where the original trial took place. Freelance writer Gary Lehmann wrote the script, using court records from the original proceeding. Lehmann’s wife, Wendy, has long been a friend of Stiller. The couple calls Penfield home. Stiller has given her great energy to other causes, as well. She’s a longtime supporter of The Little Theatre, one of Rochester’s cultural gems, and of WXXI, the region’s public radio and television station. “She’s someone who’s really involved in the community, and really cares about the community,” says Norm Silverstein, president and CEO of the WXXI Public Broadcasting Council. He became friends with Stiller after he moved to the Rochester area in 1995. At Stiller ’s urging, Silverstein joined her on the board of the National Women’s Hall of Fame for a time. After he left that body, she sneaked him into 30
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the ceremonies of such notable women as Supreme Court Justices Ruth Bader Ginsberg and Sonia Sotomayor when they were inducted into the hall. “We met Sonia Sotomayor, and had a chance to talk to her,” Silverstein explains. “Some of the most interesting people that I have met in 23 years or more in Rochester have been either directly or indirectly because I knew Sharon Stiller.” Silverstein particularly enjoys attending Stiller ’s annual preThanksgiving bashes. “It’s a whole evening of preThanksgiving turkey — and, a lot of pretty good wine is consumed there,” Silverstein says. “It’s a place to see and be seen.” Stiller ’s desk at Abrams Fensterman is surrounded by awards she has received, books on employment law — she’s written three on the subject — and personal items. Two photos are prominent. One, a large picture of Stiller’s daughter and some
Education 1969: Graduated, Irondequoit High School 1 9 7 2 : Graduated, SUNY Albany, Bachelor of Arts degree, political science 1975: Graduated, Albany Law School, Juris Doctorate degree Employment 1976-1983: Monroe County Attorney’s Office, assistant district attorney 1983- 2010: Held positions at three law firms; spent the most time with Underberg Kessler 2010-present: Abrams Fensterman law firm, partner and director of the employment law practice Personal Currently single, mother of 32-year-old daughter, Sierra StillerSaiger Enjoys: Painting portraits and traveling Exercise: Plays tennis and golf and runs on a treadmill
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55+ commitment
A very proud legacy: three generations of firefighters: Darwin Welker, from left, grandson D.J., and son John Welker.
A Proud Legacy Veteran firefighter John Welker epitomizes public safety By Lynette M. Loomis
A
lot of little boys want to grow up to be a fireman. John Welker did. He has been the fire chief at West Walworth, Walworth and Fairport fire departments and remains a volunteer firefighter after leaving those positions. His dad has been involved as
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a volunteer for 64 years. At age 84, Darwin Welker shows no sign of leaving. Welker said he was drawn into firefighting due to his dad’s example. In fact, most of his family has volunteered for years. He met his wife Betsey when she was a volunteer firefighter. “I have enjoyed helping people since the day I joined the fire
department 42 years ago,” he said. Welker says that you always remember the feeling of helplessness when you arrive on the scene to find someone pinned under a car or being the first one on the scene of other deadly accidents. But these times are outnumbered by the times when “it all works,” he said. “There are the good stories of successfully helping with CPR and seeing the patient a few days later or just being part of an elementary school presentation for fire safety week. Probably the best moment was watching my son D.J. graduate from the New York State Fire Academy and him receiving one of two awards that were given out that day and having photos taken with him and my dad,” he said. “It’s always exciting to see the young members get started in a fire fighting career especially when you have known them for most of their lives. The friendships I have made through volunteering have been close to being family and sometimes in certain situations, are closer than family,” he added. Another important part of Welker ’s volunteerism is coaching at the Fairport Crew Club, which he described as a great joy. He began rowing eight years ago when his son and oldest daughter became interested in the sport. “I try my best to stay in shape and when done correctly, rowing works approximately 80% of the body’s major muscles,” he said. His enthusiasm for the sport and the kids is palpable. “First, working with the boy’s team and now as head coach of the varsity girls is so much fun. Watching the girls work hard and be successful is very rewarding,” he said. “Just last year, I developed a great relationship with the captain of the Fordham crew team that I worked closely with and her family. She keeps in contact and will help me with workouts.
Feel-good moments “I truly enjoy coaching the girls and watching them grow as athletes and as young adults. Last fall, the girls raced in the famous Head of the Charles Regatta, the world’s largest two-day regatta, in a boat that was
previously dedicated to me. It was a State-of-the-art very proud moment for all involved.” He regularly runs into parents of hearing technology former rowers and talks about how they are doing. “There are so many Ringing in the ears? kids that have gone on to college and remain friends. That gives me great Dizziness? pleasure,” said Welker..” Hearing loss? Last year at Christmas, he received a painting done by a former rower. We Hear You! One girl made him promise that When you give a ride, you when she was ready to get married are helping your neighbors n Tinnitus treatment that he would need to be there andWestSide be In May 2015, Express, a volunteer transportation service for seniors was n Hearing aids part of the ceremony. He took in a class launched the Gates andVolunteer Chili communities. This program with transportation servicepairs volunteer drivers n Balance Disorders to be ordained should he be needed to rides tofor seniors who need important seniorsappointments. in the Gates and Chili n Middle Ear Fluid fulfill that role. communities. You will be provided been a highly successful and very busy four years, but we always neednmore help. Processing Disorder Over the last five It’s years, Welker Auditory training, and supplemental liability If you haveon a couple a week, or even a couple of hours a month, please completed over 4 million meters the of hours insurance. To learn more about consider being a volunteer driver. When you give a ride, you are helping your neighbors erg, or rowing machine.live Hehappier, has helped a volunteer driver, healthier livesbecoming in their own homes. You will becall provided training, and Sr. Anne Guerin atabout LifeSpan at a volunteer driver, call set three corporate records for time and supplemental liability insurance. To learn more becoming ext. 142, ororemail distance on the erg, all Sr. with groups Anne Guerinofat LifeSpan 244-8400, at 244-8400, ext. 142, email aguerin@lifespan-roch.org. aguerin@lifespan-roch.org. people over age 50 and many over 55. Not interested for in driving? WestSide Express also has a need for volunteers to answer He has rowed competitively interested in driving? phones to help coordinateNot drivers with clients. This can be as many or as few hours as Fairport Crew and alsoyou thewish Rochester to commit. For more information ontohow to help in this way, pleaseMake contact Volunteers needed answer phones. An Appointment Today! Boat Club, earning a silver Robert medal Jacksonin at 889-1615 or email rhjack177@gmail.com. ClearChoiceRochester.com his first race. This busy man also has a paying job for the village of Fairport. Greece 723-3440 Contact Robert Jackson at “Sometimes it’s hard to do 103 Canal Landing Blvd, Suite. 3 889-1615 or everything but I try to stay involved Brighton 342-4327 Email rhjack177@gmail.com. with my kids: D.J., a career firefighter 1065 Senator Keating Blvd, Suite 210 at Fishers Fire Department; Bailey, who attends Alfred University; and Sierra, who attends St. John Fisher College. I also help on my dad’s family farm as Quality, Convenience & Comfort of Community much as possible which is something I really enjoy,”said Welker. “When Welcome to Distinctive Senior Living at The Woodlands people and activities are important to you, you always find the time.”
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John Welker pins a badge on his son D.J. at the New York State Fire Academy graduation.
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July / August PLUS March / April 2019 2020 - 552/7/20 33 1:53 PM
55+ workforce
Leading the Workforce Baby boomers will be the largest workingage block in the U.S. this year. How will this affect other generations? By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
I
f it seems like you have quite a few peers at your workplace, you’re not imagining things. According to Glassdoor ’s “Jobs and Hiring Trends for 2020” published in early November, the baby boomer generation —those at least 55 in 2020 — will be the largest workingage block in the U.S. It seems counter intuitive that workers approaching retirement age or at retirement age should be the fastest growing; nonetheless, that’s what area financial planners have also observed. “We definitely see clients working later and longer,” said Adam M. Mark, certified financial planner with Wealth Management Group, LLC in Rochester. Multiple factors are causing the phenomenon of working later. Unlike previous generations, many people work in careers they truly enjoy, not just employment that brings home a paycheck. Their title and field of work becomes an integral part of their identity instead of remaining only as a means of survival because their work
uses their skills and engages their interests. “We’re seeing that people don’t work to go to a job anymore,” Mark said. “They tend to do it because they want to and they realize they don’t want to go from 40 hours a week to zero. They’re good at what they’re doing and enjoy it. They’re at their prime, but they don’t want to be on a 9-to-5 schedule. They want flexibility.” It may be full- or part-time, but they keep on working. Some workers want to get the highest fixed income they can during retirement. Retiring too soon can curtail how much they receive each month. “One of the reasons they keep working might be because they want to maximize their Social Security benefits,” said Diana Apostolova, financial consultant and owner of Rochester Investments in Rochester. “A common mistake some people make is to start Social Security at 62 and continue to work not realizing that
there is a limit on how much money they can make per year. That can be a problem and should be avoided as much as possible.” By waiting to age 70, people can receive 8% per year delayed retirement credit once they begin to draw on their Social Security funds. Continuing to wait to draw on Social Security after this age doesn’t offer any additional benefit. Bryce Carey, partner and certified financial planner with NorthLanding Financial Partners, LLC in Rochester, said that the newly enacted Setting Every Community Up For Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act allows people to contribute to their IRAs indefinitely, not the previous limit of 70.5 years. “It’s indicative of an aging workforce,” said Carey, who has also observed people working longer. Though some people work longer because they don’t have the funds they need to retire, that’s not the case among most of Carey’s client base. “They’re mainly doing it for the enjoyment,” Carey said. “Working longer has been shown to lead to healthy longevity. Some want to work as hard as they can for as long as they can. In today’s economy, they can work longer in professions that are physically less demanding. They can use the skills they’ve built up without taxing themselves.” For some people, working longer ensures they will have health insurance coverage through their employer until Medicare begins at age 65. “The cost of health care grows faster than the inflation rate,” said Elizabeth A. Thorley, certified financial
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“EXPERIENCE MATTERS”
Dr. Patrick Solan Dr. Aaron Rickles
planner and CEO and president of Thorley Wealth Management in Pittsford. “Someone living longer in good health can experience higher health care costs.” She noted that the average number of years s p e n t i n retirement is 20. Keeping a good health care plan provided by an employer for as long as possible makes sense for many people. For those who continue Thorley w o r k i n g , Thorley believes they bring both value and also much needed help to many workforces. “Having mature workers working longer or re-entering the workforce at older ages aids economic growth since it’s a source of either new labor or at the very least, less people exiting the labor force,” Thorley said. According to the US Census Bureau, “between 2020 and 2050, the number of deaths is projected to rise substantially as the population ages and a significant share of the population, the baby boomers, age into older adulthood. As a result, the population will naturally grow very slowly.” In 2018, the Census reported 11.6 births per 1,000 population. In 2000, it was 14.7; in 1990, 16.7. The birth rate is decreasing steadily over the decades and likely will continue to decline. That’s why older workers are so vital
to the economy. “We know that for economic growth, it’s very simple: we need productivity to grow and growth in the number of workers,” Thorley said. “The baby boomer generation isn’t being replaced by a greater number of workers. We have fewer numbers of younger workers coming into the workforce and a larger segment of the workforce is aging. We want to
encourage older workers to stay in the economy. “Economically, we are all going to be better off if we encourage and embrace the mature, experienced population and find ways for people to be engaged with their work life. It may not be in paying higher wages, but access to more vacation time or to be creative in value-added benefits.”
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Spacious Apartments • Kitchenettes • Utilities • Wi-Fi • Salon • Library • Weekly Housekeeping • Cable TV • Fitness Center • Restaurant Style Dining • Complimentary & Scheduled Transportation • Private Dining Room • Age in a Personalized, Fully Licensed Health Care Agency • Pet Friendly • Chef Keith-prepared meals Solstice Senior Living at Fairport Tucked away in a quiet corner of a village called the “Crown Jewel of the Erie Canal.” Age in peace • Fully licensed • Healthcare Agency
Solstice Senior Living at Fairport 55 Ayrault Road, Fairport, NY14450 • 585-218-9570 • www.solsticeatfairport.com July / August March / April 2019 2020 - 55 PLUS
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55+ books
Back room at bookstore Books ETC in Macedon. The store holds a monthly list of meetings for poets, people searching for a healthy lifestyle, shaman drumming, local artists, etc.
Independent Bookstores Thriving Four small suburban independent bookstores buck the trend and stay active and important to their communities By John Addyman “Everyone knows you can’t make money selling books,” she said. Carrie Deming was sitting behind a table at her Palmyra bookstore, The Dog Eared Book. Next to her, on the floor, was Riley the dog — the star of the bookstore’s Facebook page — and he was snoring. “This space became available to lease and my husband, Nick, and I decided to become complete lunatics and open a bookstore and see what happens,” she said. 36
55 PLUS - March July / August / April 2019 2020
Despite the common wisdom, Deming is one of four owners who are bucking a trend and managing s m a l l i n d e p e n d e n t b o o k s t o re s that are thriving because of smart merchandising, community service, and a thirst for overwhelming customer service. These bookstores — and more dotted throughout the area — have an established customer base of middleaged and older readers who would rather hold the book than look at
a screen…who would rather talk to someone who has actually read the book instead of responding to a computerized rating algorithm… and who would like to browse and experience a shop that speaks to them. “We’re really, really focused about what we put on the shelves,” said Bethany Bradley, owner of Stomping Grounds in Geneva. “Our selection is hyper-curated. I know how to buy books and I know what appeals to people. There was a moment in the early days of this store when I was trying to anticipate what other people wanted, rather than offering what I wanted to offer. I was trying to sense what customers were looking for, and there came kind of a tipping point where I realized that the thing about what makes Stomping Grounds special is my aesthetic, and my customers will find me.” “Bookstores need to have their own niche and serve their communities,” said Kay Szewczuk from her White Paw Books & Curiosities shop in Newark. “You have to get to know
what your community needs in a bookstore. Make sure the community is supportive of it. “It doesn’t matter how much you love the books or love the idea of selling books, if people don’t come in to buy your books, it’s not a bookstore. When we opened, we had a lot more ‘general’ books; now we’ve got a lot more science fiction and fantasy because we have gotten a lot of requests for them. Make sure you hear what the community wants. “That community interaction is so important,” Szewczuk said. “Connecting with the schools, connecting with the chamber of commerce, connecting with other businesses in the area…we try really hard to collaborate with other businesses. That goes really well.” “I love books,” said John Cieslinki, owner of Books ETC. in Macedon. “I love being surrounded by such intelligence. The books offer a particular spirit to any bookstore that other stores don’t have.” Cieslinski has watched Deming establish her Palmyra Dog Eared Book store, which is about to move down the block into a much bigger space on April 25, and is keenly aware of what Szewczuk is doing in Newark. “Three bookstores in a row in Wayne County,” he said. “That’s magic.” Independent bookstores have to be nimble and frankly, have to do more than just sell books to survive. “You’ve got to have the frills,” said Cieslinski. For him, that means offering a comfortable, living room-like space in the back of his shop where people can socialize, have a cup of coffee, and enjoy his two store cats. Books ETC has a monthly list of meetings for poets, people searching for a healthy lifestyle, shaman drumming, local artists, aging issues, sketchers and his favorite, discussions about abundance. “The idea of our abundance workshops is to take all the teachings of the self-help gurus and renew them on a weekly basis to renew positive thinking in each person,” he explains. “I try to keep people positive, accepting of themselves, knowing their power.” Books ETC had 18 special sessions scheduled for February. “John has a very ‘social’ bookstore,” Szewczuk said, “with a lot of conversations and meetings
Bethany Bradley, owner of Stomping Grounds in Geneva.
John Cieslinki, owner of Books ETC. in Macedon.
Carrie Deming, owner of The Dog Eared Book in Palmyra. where they do plays and exercises and spiritual stuff. He has so many groups that meet there. The social interaction of a bookstore — that’s their thing.” Bradley had run Kavanagh Books in Palmyra for eight years before moving to Geneva so she and her husband, James Haswell, had about the same commute to work. “When we started Stomping Ground, the focus was not on the books, the focus was on fine art reproduction of antique maps and photographs, and framing. That’s why the business is named ‘Stomping Grounds’: we were representing the local community in terms of illustrations and maps. “I happened to have some books left over, either from reproducing images from them or from my previous life as a bookseller, so we threw some of them on the sales floor and we had such a strong response, I just kept adding more. At one point, I told James I don’t want to be in the book business anymore, but we looked at the numbers and we realized that we had gotten to the point where we couldn’t afford to drop the books.” Now the Stomping Ground’s framing section is about a quarter of
Kay Szewczuk and husband Graham Tedesco-Blair, onwers of White Paw Books & Curiosities shop in Newark. the store, but the books — that hypercurated selection— features new books, rare books, and good-quality used books Bradley lovingly restores and spiffs up, using skills she learned in working with John Westerberg at the old Yankee Peddler bookstore in Ontario. Artists’ supplies and gift items fill out the rest of the inventory in an airy shop. Deming, too, sells new and used books, with an occasional rare book offered. And on any given day, the commerce can be swift. “People bring in books for us to buy,” she said. “It would be great if more people did. We’re always sourcing used books. Getting quality used books keeps us busy. New books come directly from the publisher or there’s one distributor we order from. The rare books are the hardest to fund, for sure. Most of those come from people walking in or from estate sales. Unfortunately, people think that just because a book is old it’s rare, and that’s just not the case. “People really like first editions and if it’s signed, all the better. We July / August March / April 2019 2020 - 55 PLUS
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like books that are attractive — nice leatherbound editions, that kind of thing. Within the age of the internet, they say nothing is really rare anymore — if you want to find a Gutenberg Bible, you can. We also deal with a lot of rare Church of the Latter-Day Saints materials because there’s such a high demand for it here.” Deming said her children’s book section is vital and expanding and she sells a lot of unique baby shower gifts. And for adults, her “sassy socks” collection with R-rated content is a sales winner. Just as Books ETC. often hosts local writers, the Dog Eared Book also stresses getting local — and national — authors in front of audiences. Deming said a Harry Potter night filled the shop to capacity, and “New York Times” best-selling author Bridget Kemmerer’s visit last year was a high point. White Paw Books & Curiosities hosts groups more often than others because the shop highlights board and card games like “Magic: The Gathering.” Szewczuk’s husband, Graham Tedesco-Blair, the former director of the Newark Library, is a gamer. They welcome groups of gamers, and every Friday night the store is super-active. “There isn’t a store with this kind of entertainment in Newark,” Szewczuk explained. “When we opened, we didn’t know if we were going to include antiques because an antiques store had just closed in Newark.” A games store had similarly shuttered. “We knew diversification would be really important in a small town like Newark. If we stuck to one thing, we wouldn’t have broad appeal.” “People want a ‘third place,’” said Deming, “a place where you can go that’s not home, not work, where you can be comfortable, where you can attend an event or talk about your passion — which in our case is books [or games] — so the store becomes a community hub.” Szewczuk stressed that someone’s passion for a subject can be answered by a knowledgeable bookstore. “A woman came in and she was really trying to find out stuff about druids and ancient religions. We had a couple of books for her here. But she was trying to get a lot more than that. We sent her to John at Books ETC. because he does a lot with spirituality and
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Books ETC. in Macedon.
The Dog Eared Book in Palmyra.
White Paw Books & Curiosities shop in Newark.
Stomping Grounds in Geneva.
religion. I told the woman, ‘This is where you need to go. This is the guy who knows.’” A l l f o u r b o o k s e l l e r s s t re s s individuality and customer service skills as their strengths, but also recognized that tourism is a big factor in their sales. “The Finger Lakes are really taking off in terms of annual visitations,” said Bradley. “People are coming here from all over the world. It’s surprising where they’re coming from. They’re here for the wine, the scenery, and the agritourism — the hiking and biking. It’s really stunningly beautiful here.” She also had advice for anyone considering jumping into a business that requires such complete dedication: “Care about your customers honestly and truly. Be excited about what they’re excited to read. They can tell if you care or don’t care. Never, ever complain to a customer about something that’s going on behind the scenes. Never make your problem the customer’s problem.” “A lot of people who talk about opening a bookstore think it’s an easy
job where you can just sit and read all day,” added Deming. “I work more hours and for way less money than I’ve ever worked in my life. You never have time to read a book during the day — ever. In fact if you do have that kind of time, it’s going badly. It’s an all-in job. You have to be really dedicated to it. If you have a passion for it, go for it. If you think you’re going to open up a book store and get rich, you’re not you’re definitely not.” “People who come in here tend to be middle-aged or older,” said Cieslinski. “The most remarkable thing about our store is that cell phones don’t work in our meeting room. That means we have to rely on the very, very old technology of conversation. And conversation — I don’t care if you’re talking on the phone for hours — it’s not the same as talking face-to-face with someone and experiencing that. Even gaming: you can be online with people in Russia or China, but to sit with people and play that game with people right there, and laugh and talk with people it’s vital.”
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55+ airplanes
Volunteers explain war era planes at the National Warplane Museum in Geneseo. The Memphis Belle, a B-17 bomber used in the World War II, is in the background. The museum 12 war planes.
Reaching New Heights Austin Wadsworth’s love of war airplanes leads to creation of National Warplane Museum in Geneseo
T
he history of the Wadsworth family and homestead is an integral part of the history of Upstate New York and Livingston County. The family is full of veterans and heroes dating back to the Revolutionary War. This is a narrower story, however, about 84-year-old Austin Wadsworth and the National Warplane Museum he helped found in Geneseo in 1982. Imagine as a kid you could open your front door to see historical planes parked right outside. Wadsworth’s two sons and two daughters could do just that and they did more than just look at them; they got to know all about them and even fly them. They all became pilots. Wadsworth didn’t have real planes to play with while he was growing up in the World War II era, but he didn’t need them. Models and toy planes were enough to light the spark of
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By Todd Etshman interest. “It’s all we talked about, all we thought about and pilots were all we wanted to be,” he says about himself and his childhood friends. “And it never really left me.” Wadsworth got his first vintage plane in the late ‘60s, an AT-6, that’s still in a hangar at the museum he helped put together and is still president of today. A farmer by trade, Wadsworth’s home and farm lands border the grass runway that has always been used by an informal group of pilots with an interest in old planes. The museum houses vintage war planes from World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War era on Big Tree Lane, just a stone’s throw from the SUNY Geneseo College campus. Famous battle re-enactments are held here as well. As Wadsworth explains, the museum’s inception came at the perfect time. At that time, many war
veterans were in their 60s or 70s and glad to see the planes again. He recalls a veteran pilot who became blind but could still sit in the cockpit of his warplane and remember exactly where everything was some 60 years later. Another veteran told Wadsworth he only got a one-way ride in a B-17 before he had to jump out. Wadsworth gave him a return ride to complete the journey. Rides are quite popular with the public and a source of income for the museum. The biggest fundraiser and museum event is the annual air show held during the second weekend of July that is attended by thousands. Planes and pilots come from all over the country for the show. But, as time marches on, Wadsworth and those associated with the museum want kids today to know what these planes meant to the history of their country. “This should be more well
known to kids in Rochester,” says Scott Perkins, a long-time museum volunteer. Perkins brought his kids to the museum when they were young. It’s an experience for kids that can leave a lifelong impression. A trip to the museum should be the answer to the question of what to do with kids today, he says. After all, it’s the kids of today that will help keep the museum going. “They [kids] don’t get much patriotism and World War II history in school today. We can tell them what these planes meant,” Wadsworth says. Unlike other museums or collector’s items, kids and adults can ask questions, get close to the planes, touch them and even sit in them if the plane’s been restored enough to be safe.
high cost of buying. Grants come in handy. The museum has one now from the state to build a storage hangar. Donations are more than welcome to the museum itself or for specific projects such as restoring the “Saigon Lady,” a C-130A, obtained from the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. The plane was used by Lt. Pham Quang Kheim to rescue his family and friends from Saigon and the North Vietnamese after the Vietnam War. Kheim became a commercial airline pilot in the United States after the war and has made several trips to
the museum from his home in Ohio. Today, the museum is working on a national memorial for those who served in the war and to the Vietnamese who escaped to the U.S. to build a new life for themselves. The oldest plane on museum grounds today is a B-23 pre-World War II bomber. The most famous may be the “Whiskey 7” troop transport plane used at Normandy on D-Day. Wadsworth’s love of flying and warplanes hasn’t diminished in the years between World War II and today. “It’s a close-knit community,” he says of warplane pilots and aficionados. “It’s been a great joy in my life.”
Glimpse at history “We cater to inquisitive people,” Wadsworth says. “People like a deeper tour than just looking at a plane from afar,” he says. Patrons who speak with Wadsworth are in for a treat, Perkins says. A nearly all-volunteer staff is happy to share its interest with patrons and the public as well. T h e F e d e r a l Av i a t i o n Administration allows volunteer mechanics to work on the planes as long as an FAA-accredited mechanic supervises them. That supervisor is Wadsworth’s son, Craig. “He looks at everything that goes on out there [in the hangars]. He looks in every corner,” Wadsworth says. The challenges the museum faces in the future are similar to the challenges nearly all nonprofit organizations face: finding enough money and volunteers. “Good volunteers are like gold and you can do a lot more things with money,” Wadsworth says. Wadsworth wants to keep things fresh in the future and bring in new war era planes. There are 12 at the museum today. Not surprisingly, they are expensive to buy, expensive to transport if they can’t fly and expensive to maintain. One way around the massive expense is to find friends with planes willing to leave the plane with the museum for a time. Trading with other museums is another way to avoid the
Austin Wadsworth pilots one of the planes at his museum.
Austin Wadsworth, founder of the National Warplane Museum in Geneseo, receives an award for his work at the museum. July / August March / April 2019 2020 - 55 PLUS
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55+ second
act
Retired Pastor Jeff Crawford writes books about the people who enrich his life and the events.
Simply Divine Pastor-turned-author from Fairport recounts his faith-based career, lifestyle By John Addyman
A
29-year old bachelor in divinity school is hunkered over a table in the library with two of his pre-pastoral buddies, doing pretty much the same thing they did when they were sophomores in high school — trying to figure out how to approach a beautiful
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young woman and ask for a date. The bachelor is Jeff Crawford. One of his friends goes by the nickname “HOT,” an abbreviation of his name — Howe Octavius Thomas. HOT is coming up with ruses for his buddy Jeff. HOT knows that Crawford has it so bad for this
particular woman that HOT and his friends know only as “DW” — Dream Woman. Crawford saw her from across the street a couple of weeks’ prior and was thunderstruck by her beauty. He hadn’t stopped talking about her since. “It was like there was a clear path to her standing across the street,” Crawford explained back in the dorm at Asbury Divinity School. Everything else around her faded into a fog, putting her in crystalline relief. He had it bad, and that wasn’t good. Crawford described this woman to his friends so well, and so often, that when she walked into the library, they saw her and told Crawford, “She’s here.” “Who’s here?” “DW!” “We then schemed about how I could meet her, but in the end,” Crawford said, “there was no way other than to suck it up and go introduce myself to her, me trying to be Mr. Cool as much as possible.” The introduction worked. He met the beautiful Beverly. And their first date? He took her to a church service. Yes, life is a little different for a divinity student, but not much. Jeff Crawford, 74, has spent more than 30 years in the pulpit or leading other pastors, and 44 years loving Beverly and raising three kids. And for the last couple of years of his retirement in Fairport, he’s been writing books about the people who enrich a pastor’s life and the events that were funny when they happened and may be even funnier now. He got the call to the ministry in the Army after high school, in two distinct dreams where God was telling him to make his path straight to preaching. But the dreams lingered in the back of his consciousness as other things took up his time, until a crisis of conscience gripped him at Jamestown Community College, after he’d left the Army. “I thought I was going to be some kind of social worker,” Crawford said. “But I had a sense that I wasn’t really happy — all the things I tried to do to make myself happy didn’t seem to work very well.” This was in the late 1960s, when American campuses were afire with new ideas and conflicts. He started going back to church, as he had as a
boy. A missionary from Japan left him a message in a renewal service: “It was clear I had to get right with the Lord. I couldn’t run my own life.” The “mysterious call to a pastoral ministry” whispered to him again. “I realized God had called me back to a relationship with him,” he said. Crawford transferred to Houghton College and got a degree in religion, then he chose Asbury Theological Seminary in Kentucky, which is right across the street from Asbury University — where the DW happened to be going to school. Crawford and Beverly were married about a year after that meeting in the library. What followed were a series of appointments to churches, a district leadership position in the Western New York United Methodist Church, and eventually coming to the Rochester area for his last two churches and retirement.
Comedic appeal A big Facebook user, Crawford decided to write about some of the things that had happened when he was leading a congregation. He called them “humorous recollections,” but they were more like a series of, “No, that didn’t happen, did it? Really?” His stories came out of the churches and activities in Arkport, Barker, Penfield and Canandaigua, and through the many churches he helped administer in the Olean District, from Salamanca to Hornell. There’s the story about a Christmas pageant where a shepherd got too close to a candelabra and his headdress burst into flames. A nearby fellow youth actor “calmly took two steps, snatched the flaming headdress off and threw it on the ground,” Crawford reported. In a timely piece of perfect casting, the kid who put out the fire was playing a Wise Man. The Crawford kids had to sit through sermons three times each Sunday and son Jed schooled himself on what dad was doing to the extent that by the third sermon, he was lipsynching and parroting each gesture that was coming from the pulpit. When people started reacting positively to his Facebook stories, Beverly told him about a course in book writing being offered through
Oasis of Rochester, a program that hosts 500 classes a year for people 50 and older, and many of the courses are free. Crawford signed up for the bookwriting class and met Mary Dougherty of Bootstrap Publishing. “She was the teacher of my class and offered to meet for 45 minutes with anyone who wanted to write a book. I’d already started so I asked, ‘Why not?’” That led, in 2018, to “Bat Tongs and other Humorous Recollections on Pastoral Ministry,” Crawford’s first assisted-self-published book, containing 60 stories. Sales were not brisk and he ended up giving away 500 copies to many of the people he had written about. Last year, “Heart Winds – Finding the Way Home” was published. This was a much more personal work that detailed Crawford’s upbringing, including separating from an abusive father and finding a stepdad who became a forever father. Family photos help paint a picture of days long gone. It’s in the new book that Crawford hits his stride, and he’s sold enough copies to break even. He introduces readers to his friends Tink, Bozo, Teabags, Leeburg, Gus, Shep, Brownie, Yentz and Ricey, and the picture of growing up in small-town Western New York takes shape. And sadly, Crawford recently buried one of those old friends. Reading the book, Crawford’s son, Jed, said he had finally discovered his father in those pages. Crawford gets up most mornings at 5 a.m. and often spends the first couple of hours writing. He’s working on a third book, “Chasing Golf,” which is about the stories and adventure of his golfing buddies, the Methodist Mulligans, who attack a different golf course in the area every week of the summer. “There’s a fabric in our fellowship,” he said. Authors find out a lot about themselves in the craft of writing. “I find I’m capable of being creative,” Crawford said, “in a way that leaves a legacy. I know I can look at life and define the humor in it. I also want to help people understand that the Lord is not out to get us. The Lord is gracious and abounding in steadfast love. The Lord plays a huge role in all my books.”
Letter to the Editor
Moving Away in Retirement
I
always enjoy reading 55 PLUS magazine. While reading the article in the last issue, titled “Moving Away in Retirement,” I was very surprised to find that a “con” which was not listed when moving away is the need to establish your new healthcare providers. Being in healthcare, I am reminded every day what a wonderful healthcare system we are blessed to have in Rochester. As we grow older, we find that we require medical care from a number of different specialties. When one decides to relocate, I firmly believe you must carefully review the quality and accessibility of healthcare in the area you are considering relocating to. I often hear from folks who move to the warmer climates only to discover that the healthcare they need was quite inferior to the care they had been receiving in the Rochester area. So, my advice: research the quality of healthcare as diligently as you exam the cost of living, weather, etc. as good health is the key ingredient to a happy life as we, do I dare utter the word, boomers know all too well! Mike Lindner, Spencerport
We welcome readers comment and suggestions. Email the editor at editor@roc55.com. July / August March / April 2019 2020 - 55 PLUS
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55+ hobbies
Collectibles: What’s Hot and What’s Not By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
A
re you interested in selling your collections? Maybe it’s time to downsize to a smaller home or you want to finance a big trip. Or perhaps that’s many years away, but you just want more elbow room at home. Whatever the reason, it’s important to realize that some collectibles can net you a nice windfall and others, well,
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not so much. Charles Leone, owner of Leone’s Collectibles in Rochester, said that his business sees all sorts of things, but collectibles related to Marvel, DC Comics and Star Wars — whether new or old — are hot right now. “Whenever there’s a new movie on these franchises, they go up,” Leone said. “They’re better than sports cards, which are volatile.”
Charles Leone, owner of Leone’s Collectibles in Rochester, says collectibles related to Marvel, DC Comics and Star Wars — whether new or old — are hot right now. “Whenever there’s a new movie on these franchises, they go up.” For example, a player’s extreme popularity can bump up the value of the card; however, that can quickly change should he fall out of favor. Leone said that one of the most infamous examples of over-inflated interest is Beanie Baby toys. “People think they are the biggest thing, or sports cards from the mid80s to the 90s,” Leone said. “It’s a dead market. The supply is high and demand is low.” Even “rare” Beanie Babies are yard sale staples. R e c o rd s re p re s e n t a n o t h e r example. Although they’re popular, so many were made that very few records are valuable and those must be in pristine condition to retain their value. “Condition is always a factor,” Leone said. The brand of items is always something noted by Tim Hastings, owner of All Things Antiques in Rochester. He deals in collectibles and in addition to condition, the brand of a particular vintage item always makes a huge difference in price. “There are knickknacks from Japan from the mid-century for $2 to $3 and some that are worth a lot of money,” he said. “What determines the difference, it’s name brand. We normally tell people to bring them in. Many people text us photos to save time.” Hastings can tell people which items are salable and which should be donated to charity. Like the owner of Leone’s Collectibles, Tom Caulkins, owner of Yankee Clipper’s House of Cards in Rochester, said that in addition to super hero comics, toys relating to Marvel, DC and Star Wars are hot. “Football and basketball cards are very hot as far as cards,” he added. But condition and age matter as with comic books, and which
particular card. The price of an item elsewhere isn’t necessarily a good indicator of how much money someone can make selling to a shop. “I have people come in sometimes and they have looked on eBay and see prices people are charging,” Caulkins said. “They’re ridiculously high prices.” He referenced a person who brought him a sports card for sale on eBay for $1,000. The person expected to receive top prices for the card, but Caulkins said the price was inflated. “It was a $2 card,” he said. “I can’t sell it for $1,000.” Sometimes eBay sellers list items that they hope will sell for more because of perceived scarcity; however, people like Caulkins can’t fetch prices like that locally. He also said some people think they’ll make money selling him Beanie Baby toys. “They are cold; no one wants them,” he said. “I don’t buy them anymore because I can’t sell them anymore. They had their day.” Many think that baseball cards from the 1980s and 1990s will be worth 7.25 x 4.75”
Star Wars-related memorabilia is hot among people who collect it. Sports cards not so much. money because of their age; however, Caulkins said that so many cards were printed during this time period that the market was flooded with cards. Only very few cards from that era are worth 55+ -money. Roch/FingerLakes - Christopher Community
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addyman’s corner By John Addyman Email:john.addyman@yahoo.com
I
The Four Types of People You Meet at the Gym
t’s a ritual we have developed at our house. At some point in the evening, my dear wife will tell me, “I’m going to the gym tomorrow. Do you want to go with me? The answer in my head is always, “No! Are you kidding me?” But what comes out of my mouth is something else. “Sure,” I say with manufactured willingness. “What time?” My wife goes to the gym just about every day. She takes a book and reads on the treadmill and elliptical machines. She does it so deftly that a young male collegiate lacrosse player I know has followed her example and told me, ”Your wife inspires me.” He’s reading “Game of Thrones.” She’s reading the entire Newark Public Library. Anyway, my wife and I go to the gym. She has gone so often she knows just what time to get there so the place isn’t crowded and there are more people our age working out. She wants to be there when the machines she likes to use are available. Frankly, I don’t have to look around to see the place is populated by people of a certain age (like me), I can hear them wheezing and groaning. And I’m right there with them. I know going to the gym is good for me. I usually feel better the next day, but getting up the energy — and off the couch — is a chore. And for the first few minutes while I’m getting warmed up, I’m making decisions on what pieces of equipment I’m going to use that day. To do this, I approach a piece of equipment that has a drawing on the side telling you what parts of your body are going to get exercised. And I look at the drawing and say to myself, “Nope: that’s going to hurt.”
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And I move on to the next machine. Lucky for me, our gym has lots of machines and I don’t have any problem finding things that work well for me. And often, once I’m warmed up and feeling loose, I can go back to one of those first machines and try them anyway. There are four groups of people in the gym. First, there are the athletes and body-builders. They pump up the weights and machine difficulties to levels I can only imagine and talk to one another while their muscles pop. Good for them. Second are the people who are on a mission to do something. They have clipboards or phone apps to help them decide what they need to do for the day’s workout. They are very serious about getting into a wedding dress or looking good in a bathing suit or making sure they are at least as fit to some important person in their lives. Good for them, too. Then there’s the third group, a bit older and more conversational — it’s one of the ways we avoid spending more time on a machine. We all know we should be there doing physical things to stay healthy, but we all know
there’s someplace we’d rather be. And we need to spend the time in the gym to keep things light at home. “You were at the gym for 90 minutes today,” my wife will say with a smile when I come in the back door. “Good for you! I’m proud of you!” Then she checks me out a little. “You’re not all sweaty,” she says. “Were you at the gym all this time?” “Sure was,” I say. “What we’re you doing there?” “I was talking to the president of the school board and a judge and a guy who has a couple of Corvettes and the manager and some people I met in church.” “Did you actually use any of the machines?” she asks. There’s a pause while I think. “I did the treadmill and the rowing machine and the bike,” I say. She’s looking at me skeptically. “How much time did you spend on each one?” “A good 20 minutes,” I say. “On each one?” She’s standing there with her hands on her hips. I’m thinking again. “No, I think that was everything altogether,” I tell her. “You were there for an hour and a half.” “Gotta love that gym,” I say. “Love to feel the burn.” “You didn’t get warm enough to melt margarine on your forehead,” she says. While I’m trying to figure out what that meant, she suggests a change in our routine. “Tomorrow when we go to the gym, you’re driving my car,” she said. “And I’ll tell you when we can leave.” And with that I have joined the fourth group — the one where you’re in the gym because your wife is keeping an eye on you
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long-term care By Susan Suben
I
No LTC Plan? That’s Like Being Out In the Rain Without an Umbrella!
receive calls every day from individuals who say they want to investigate long-term care (LTC) planning strategies but probably won’t do anything. That’s like saying I know it’s raining outside but I’m not going to take an umbrella. We know we’re fortunate to celebrate a birthday every year. We know there‘s the probability that we could live a long life with a chronic illness. We might have heard that 70% of people over the age of 65 will need LTC. We hear about friends and family members being stricken with Alzheimer’s. We’ve seen friends and family members become caregivers. We’ve heard about the astronomical costs of nursing homes, assisted living facilities and home care. We’ve seen people we love lose their life savings and go on Medicaid because of a LTC illness. You simply cannot ignore a very real risk. You have insurance on your car and home. You probably have or had life insurance to protect against the financial trauma of an early death or to leave a legacy. You have health insurance to pay for medical bills. Many of you might even have pet insurance. R e m e m b e r w h e n Tr a v e l e r s Insurance company used a red umbrella as their logo? Think about how seeing that umbrella was meant to give you a sense of protection and peace of mind. LTC planning provides an umbrella for your family. It relieves the financial burden on your loved ones, takes care of the caregiver so that person can provide better care for a longer period of time, protects your savings, maintains your spouse/ partner’s standard of living, and helps you stay home. I’m going to give you a challenge for 2020. Find your LTC umbrella. This is how you start. • Work with a knowledgeable
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professional. That person can be an insurance broker, attorney, accountant or financial planner. If they are a broker or financial planner, make sure they represent numerous companies. LTC planning is not one-size-fits-all. • Learn about the different strategies. There are still standalone LTC insurance policies as well as life insurance policies known as hybrids that allow you to leverage your death benefit for LTC, life insurance policies with accelerated death benefits for LTC, and life insurance policies with chronic illness riders for those with more severe medical conditions. Initially, you do not need to know the details about each strategy. Instead, focus on the concept and how it will fulfill your financial and personal goals. Do you still need or want life insurance? Do you mind paying LTC insurance premiums for a policy you might not use? These are just two of the questions to ask yourself. Eliminate those strategies that will not work for you. This step will help you feel less overwhelmed and then you can learn the details of the strategy’s plan you select. • You do not need a Cadillac policy. Gear your policy benefits toward home care and assisted living. Your intention is to offset the cost of LTC not cover all expenses. This will make the premium more affordable. Whether it is a LTC insurance policy or life insurance policy with LTC component, consider a monthly benefit of $4,500 to $6,000 for two or three years coverage with 3% compound inflation. Couples should consider including a shared care rider in a standalone LTC insurance policy. This rider allows the sharing of benefits should one spouse exhaust his/her benefits and still need care. If most of your assets are in tax qualified funds be aware that once you are taking the IRS required minimum distribution, that asset is no longer
available to Medicaid other than the income derived from it. This knowledge should help you feel safer but should not prevent you from purchasing a policy as part of a LTC plan. You will still need funds to care for yourself. Also consider doing some legal planning. Maybe you should place your house in an irrevocable trust so that it is not susceptible to a Medicaid spend-down.
LTC planning is one aspect of sound retirement planning. • Consider an employer policy. More companies have added LTC benefits to their employee offerings. Generally speaking, these plans tend not to be as robust but their premiums can be more affordable. Talk to your HR department. There is a plan for everyone and every situation. Setup an appointment with an adviser you trust or get a referral from a friend. Start talking about your future. The region is known for it’s constantly changing weather. Some days can bring clouds, rain or inches of snow. Other days can be sunny and bright. Our health can vary as we get older and be as unpredictable as the daily forecast. Be prepared. Have your umbrella handy.
Susan Suben, MS, CSA, is president of Long Term Care Associates, Inc. and Elder Care Planning. She is a consultant for Canandaigua National Bank & Trust Company. Susan can be reached at 800-422-2655 or by email at susansuben@31greenbush.com.
55+ q&a
By Ernst Lamothe Jr.
Richard Kolb, 91 Canandaigua resident celebrating 40-plus years of volunteer work — and still going Q: How long have you been volunteering? A: After I retired, I decided to volunteer in the community. I have been volunteering for over 40 years and I will continue to do so as long as I am living. I have a great history in the medical field and I just love meeting patients before surgeries. I have received a certificate for 9,000 hours of volunteer service to Thompson Hospital. Q : Te l l m e a b o u t y o u r volunteering experience. A: Before I started volunteering at the hospital, I was very involved with the church and I assisted the priest for over 40 years. After assisting the priest for so long, I decided it was time for me to retire. Two weeks later, I found myself volunteering at the hospital and the rest is history. I was looking for something to do, and when they saw my background, there was no question. I would go into spiritual ministry. Q: Before volunteering, what did you do for a living? A: Before volunteering, I was a pre-med student in undergraduate and graduate school. During graduate school, I was drafted into the Korean war. While I was in the Navy, I was a hospital corpsman and I enlisted as a medical specialist. In the navy, I worked in the psychiatric unit, and with my medical education background, I was able to assist soldiers who were injured. I also worked with the pharmaceutical company called Upjohn for several years where I assisted in supplying retail pharmacies such as CVS and Walgreens.
Q: What has driven you to stay in the medical field? A: Well, all my life I have been in the medical field and it was something that I have always had an interest in. My family has also been a motivator for me to continue to volunteer in the hospital. I have three doctors in my family which includes my son who is a retired neurologist alongside my grandson and my grandson’s wife who are still practicing in neurology. When I talked about retiring over 40 years ago, my son told me that it’s always good to keep yourself busy and I knew that I could continue to do what I enjoyed the most, which was helping people and changing their lives. Q; What volunteer work do you do in the hospital? A: I volunteer as a mediator and I offer a prayer to patients before their medical procedures. I noticed that the best form of healing is through a spiritual stance, and I want to ensure that patients feel less anxious and more comfortable before their procedure. I also help people overcome their fear before surgery. During my prayers, I never mention the word surgery because that’s the word that frightens patients, so I always default to the word procedure, which makes them feel more comfortable. Each patient is different, so I offer a variety of spiritual prayers depending on the type of procedure and patient. I speak and greet over 3,000 patients a year. Q: Your spirituality seems to be important to you. Tell us more about it. A: God directed me in this direction. I feel I’m giving patients a way of asking God to help them with prayer. It’s important to many people. They put their trust in the hospital,
Richard Kolb, 91, of Canandaigua, volunteers at Thompson Hospital in Canandaigua. He was recognized recently for devoting 9,000 hours of volunteer work to the hospital. the doctor, and then they think ‘Hey, there’s one more person to consider which is God.’ There are times when we’ve finished and I look up and there are tears in their eyes. Surgery can be a very scary thing. Q: Do you feel that it is important for older people to volunteer and stay involved? A: It is very important for seniors to keep busy. When I speak to seniors who have been retired for years many of them are not involved in the community and prefer to stay at home. Once I heard that, I know that they won’t last long in this world. When you keep busy, volunteer and give back to your community, you get a lot of satisfaction from it. Older people have a lot to give if they seek it out in their community. Q: Is there any other advice you can give to seniors? A: Yes, and that is to continue to stay involved. It is important to keep yourself busy and it is OK to become involved even after retirement. Giving back to the community and meeting new people is the greatest reward. I enjoy it tremendously, and I feel I can help. July / August March / April 2019 2020 - 55 PLUS
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