Southside Boomers - Summer 2016

SOUTHSIDE

BOOMERS On Target

SUMMER 2016

A DAILY JOURNAL PUBLICATION

Herb Higgins fosters sport of bow hunting through state organization

INSIDE

Bird watcher has traveled the whole world over

Hiking in Indiana: Where to go

Diabetes: How to spot it, what to do if you get it

SOUTHSIDE

BOOMERS SUMMER 2016

Birds on Film

on the cover

Barbara Jablonski loves to photograph birds, wherever they may be.

SOUTHSIDE

BOOMERS On Target

3

SUMMER 2016

A DAILY JOURNAL PUBLICATION

Herb Higgins fosters sport of bow hunting through state organization

INSIDE

Fruit for Dessert Bird watcher has traveled the whole world over

Hiking in Indiana: Where to go

Diabetes: How to spot it, what to do if you get it

Refreshing berries make a great after-dinner treat.

He and His Arrows

Center Grove man an archery, bow hunting enthusiast.

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Photo by Mark Freeland

Southside Boomers is published by the

Touring Alcatraz

DAILY JOURNAL

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c/o Daily Journal 30 S. Water St. Second Floor, Suite A Franklin, IN 46131

editorial content, contact Paul Hoffman in the Daily Journal special publications department at 317-736-2721 or by email at phoffman@dailyjournal.net

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ALSO INSIDE A diabetes primer...............................................3 Lori Borgman: Give generously..........................9 Make the perfect hamburger.............................11 Places to hike in Indiana..................................12

Paying for your kids to go to college................13 When it’s OK to withdraw from 401(k)..............20 Summer reading..............................................21

southside boomers I summer 2016

HEALTH

3

Diabetes: Too much sugar in your blood

By PAUL HOFFMAN Staff writer

D

iabetes is a disease in which blood glucose levels are above normal. Most of the food we eat is turned into glucose, or sugar, for our bodies to use for energy.

The pancreas, an organ that lies near the stomach, makes a hormone called insulin to help glucose get into the cells of our bodies. When you have diabetes, your body either doesn’t make enough insulin or can’t use its own insulin as well as it

should. This causes sugar to build up in your blood.

Diabetes can cause serious health complications including heart disease, blindness, kidney failure, and lower-extremity amputations. According to the CDC, diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States.

Symptoms People who think they might have diabetes must visit a physician for diagnosis.

They might have some or none of the fol-

lowing symptoms: l Blurry vision l Frequent urination l Excessive thirst l Unexplained weight loss l Extreme hunger l Sudden vision changes l Tingling or numbness in hands or feet l Feeling very tired much of the time l Very dry skin l Sores that are slow to heal l More infections than usual Nausea, vomiting, or stomach pains may

accompany some of these symptoms in the abrupt onset of insulin-dependent diabetes, now called type 1 diabetes.

Types of diabetes Type 1 diabetes may account for about 5 percent of all diagnosed cases of diabetes. l Type 2 diabetes may account for about 90 to 95 percent of all diagnosed cases of diabetes. l Gestational diabetes is a type of diabel

SEE DIABETES, PAGE 23

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southside boomers I summer 2016

HOBBIES

FOR THE

BIRDS Barbara Jablonski checks one of her bird feeders. She has several around her Center Grove-area home. PHOTO BY AMY MAY

She searches the world over to photograph feathered friends

By AMY MAY Staff writer

O

ne of Barbara Jablonski’s favorite quotes is from conservationist John Muir: “When one tugs at a single thing in nature, he finds it attached to the rest of the world.”

Jablonski, 68, who lives in the Center Grove area, is an avid birdwatcher, or “birder,” as they often call themselves. She has spotted and photographed all varieties of birds all over the world – everything from birds common to Indiana at Eagle Creek Park in Indianapolis to the majestic emperor penguins of Antarctica.

The Muir quote fits perfectly with her attitudes toward nature and conservation. A single bird is a small thing in nature, but it represents the whole world: the health of the ecosystem, its variety and biodiversity and our mandate to preserve it for ourselves and all creatures, from a giant blue whale she saw on a trip to the Arctic to the tiniest hummingbird that visits her backyard bird feeder.

Farm background Jablonski grew up on a Boone County farm near Elizaville.

As a child, she participated in 4-H and Junior Leaders.

“I always had to work hard as a farm kid. My parents expected it and encouraged me to be the best student possible and continue my education,” she said.

After graduation from Lebanon High School, she earned a bachelor’s degree from Indiana University in English, then a master’s degree in library science.

She worked for 30 years at Southport High School as a media specialist and the media director. She enjoyed the work, even though she seldom saw her home in the daylight, she said. She helped the students with research, reading, media retrieval, the distance learning prgoram and a daily student-produced TV show.

She received the IPL Golden Apple award in 1997 for her work in technology education and was also named SHS Teacher of the Year.

She and her husband, Paul, chose to make their home

southside boomers I summer 2016

HOBBIES

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Birds that Jablonski has photographed include, from left: A black-throated green warbler at Magee Marsh in northern Ohio on the south shore of Lake Erie. Most breed in Canada, but pass through Indiana during migration. // A red phalarope, which breeds in the Arctic, was photographed in June 2015. Females are larger and more colorful than the males. They lay eggs and let the male incubate, which is a reversal of typical bird behavior. They also can swim in a circle to raise food when feeding. They migrate to warmer sea areas in the winter. // She visited Antarctica in January 2014 and photographed two molting adolescent emperor penguins on the ice. When molting, the penguins cannot enter the water as they need their mature protective feathers to stay warm in the water. // This tropical bird is the blue-crowned motmot from Costa Rica.

on a large wooded lot just west of Center Grove High School for its proximity to Indianapolis.

She retired early when her mother became ill, traveling to Boone County three times a week to help care for her.

Since she was driving through Indianapolis a few times a week, she decided to take Marion County’s Master Gardener class.

After her mother’s death, Jablonski filled her time with a variety of hobbies and volunteer work.

“I now volunteer for three nonprofits that mean a great deal to me,” she said.

She earned the President’s Award in 2008 for her work with the Heartland Film Festival. She used to take students to the festival.

She also keeps busy with Master Gardeners, which completes a variety of public beautification projects. She has also used her skills in her own yard, making it a Certified Wildlife Habitat with the National Wildlife Federation.

The wooded lot includes several bird feeders and a small koi pond, as well as a variety of plants and bushes that encourage wildlife to make the area home.

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southside boomers I summer 2016

And she organizes the silent auction fundraiser for the Amos Butler Audubon Society – Central Indiana chapter.

“I don’t even know how long I’ve been a member of Audubon. I’ve done the silent auction since 2005,” she said.

The Amos Butler Birdathon is an effort to raise money to save birds. One way to do this is to purchase habitat for vulnerable species. The 2016 Birdathon’s mission includes the purchase of 556 acres in Guatemala, which is in danger from logging.

The land is important to Hoosier birders because at least 40 species from this area winter there.

The Amos Butler Society also helps fund a Purdue University research project on endangered warblers, which will eventually be used to determine forest management practices to protect them. The society also educates the public about the importance of birds through bird banding stations, visible habitat restoration and youth camps.

Jablonski organizes the Birdathon Celebration, which includes a lunch and silent auction for members of the society at Eagle Creek Park. She spends a lot of time building relationships with area businesses to get donations for the auction.

“We have lots of bird-related items and art, but also gift certificates to local restaurants,” she said. “It’s surprising what relationships you can create from doing that.”

HOBBIES

Jablonski earned the 2014 Donna McCarty Volunteer Service Award for her work with the Amos Butler Audubon Society, Central Indiana Chapter. The wooden duck was crafted by John Bundy, a well-known duck decoy and American folk artist based in Noblesville. The unique and colorful finish is a Bundy family secret. PHOTO BY AMY MAY

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HOBBIES She was presented the 2014 Donna McCarty Volunteer Service Award for this work.

Jablonski became interested in birds at Eagle Creek Park. An avid hiker, she attended weekly birdwatching hikes with Bud Starling, who was president at the Amos Butler Audubon Society. The local bird expert who authored “Central Indiana Birds” and a weekly column for the Indianapolis Star, also was a volunteer at the park’s Ornithology Center.

Northwest Indiana a favorite spot She began to seek out birds on her own. One of her favorite sites is Indiana Dunes State Park and the nearby marshes and preserves along the Indiana National Lakeshore.

“Northwest Indiana has the most variety of habitat,” she said. “We find many warblers, which is a beautiful songbird. It’s just really interesting to see these beautiful birds close up.”

She and Paul have traveled to several exotic places to enjoy hiking, touring and of course, bird watching.

They took a National Geographic Explorer trip to

southside boomers I summer 2016 Antarctica to see penguins, seals and whales. The trip included cruising on a ship, where they slept and ate, and day trips in a Zodiac raft. Jablonski was taken by the peaceful beauty of the icy landscape and water.

“You don’t realize what a place of peace it is. It’s so quiet there,” she said.

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“I have lots of respect for their respect and stewardship of the land,” she said.

She’s been to Costa Rica three times. The first time she went as the videographer with an Indianapolis Zoo excursion to document the rain forest and its ecological importance. It is home to thousands of exotic and

“Northwest Indiana has the most variety of habitat.

We find many warblers, which is a beautiful songbird.”

Barbara Jablonski Last year, they visited the Arctic, where the highlight of the trip was seeing a blue whale.

“It’s the largest animal in the world. I could’ve cried, it was so beautiful,” she said.

They also enjoyed seeing blue footed boobies and other animals at Galapagos Island on another National Geographic Explorer trip.

She was especially impressed with the human inhabitants on her New Zealand trip.

unworldly, colorful birds and considered a hiker’s mecca.

Trips she’d still like to take include Australia and Africa.

When she’s not hiking or traveling, she brings the birds to her home with a variety of feeders. She uses suet logs, thistle seed feeders and even puts out a peanut butter cake. She has some feeders affixed to her kitchen windows to get an up-close view. Small finches push each

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southside boomers I summer 2016

other out of the way at a seed feeder, while hummingbirds hover at their nearby watering hole.

“We get all the woodpeckers except the red-headed. We get cardinals, titmice, bluebirds …” she said. “Mallards come and land, both on the pond and the pool.”

She’s even had herons come to hunt the fish in her koi pond. A large plastic alligator in the pond deters them, she said.

Despite seeing and photographing thousands of birds, many of them stunning, professional quality close-ups, Jablonski considers herself an amateur. A true birder is someone who might drop everything to travel four states away to glimpse a rare bird.

“It’s really fascinating, the people who study and are serious birders. I’m just a hobbyist,” she said.

She remembers hearing about a ruff

HOBBIES

in Hendricks County that drew people from out of state to look for it.

Fortunately, she said, birders are very respectful even when “chasing” a bird.

When approaching the site, they are quiet, with no car door slamming or loud talking. Photos can only be taken from a distance with a tripod. They want to see the bird, but do not want to interfere with its normal activity or scare it.

“The really good birders have been doing it since they were kids. I was not. So I’m not good; I’m just mediocre,” she said.

“I don’t chase birds.”

The real birders, she said, are people like Noah Strycker, who holds the record of seeing the most birds in one year – 6,042. He traveled around the world in hopes of seeing 5,000 species and surpassed that. This type of birding excursion is portrayed in the 2011 SEE BIRDS, PAGE 22 Jablonski at home with some of her bird books. PHOTO BY AMY MAY

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southside boomers I summer 2016

COMMENTARY

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Lori Borgman Mom’s lesson: Give generously

M

y mother was a giver. The woman loved to give. The occasion never mattered — weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, Ground Hog Day, Arbor Day or no occasion at all.

She was always thinking about who might enjoy what.

She once bought a deluxe toy firetruck that had flashing lights, sirens and a ladder, and kept it on a closet shelf for months until a nephew retired from the fire department.

She always wrapped her gifts with loveliness and care.

Sometimes she’d take wedding gifts to the gift wrap counter at the department store thinking they could do a better job.

She didn’t really believe they could do a better job, she was just checking to make sure her own skills still rivaled theirs.

Thoughtfulness and creativity went into the gifts she gave and she appreciated a thank you note. Once she sent

out a note to family members, her own deadbeat children and grandchildren who had not acknowledged gifts, stating that they were now on her “Fecal Roster” and would not be removed until she had received a proper thank you.

Even if you were a cad and didn’t send a thank you, she’d give you another gift the next chance she had. She figured bad manners were your problem, not hers.

The funny thing is, she didn’t come from a gift-giving background. She grew up in a large farm family during the Depression. She said she used to dread going back to school after Christmas because the teacher would always have them write about what they got for Christmas. Not being the sort to wallow in self-pity, my mother made up some fine stories brimming with an opulence unknown to the county.

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She taught us to give, too. She told us not to be cheap or cut corners — and those weren’t suggestions; they were orders.

Every time Mom and Dad drove over to visit, there would be a ritual with all of us gathering in the driveway as they unloaded luggage and “a few things” she threw in for the family. There was always something for the kids, often a big container of homemade chocolate chip cookies or a couple of bags of candy that I said would rot their teeth and, quite frankly, was too cheap to buy. They weren’t gifts for any particular occasion, they were simply “Isn’t life great?” gifts.

My mother wasn’t a schmaltzy person, but one spring when they came to visit, she handed me a gift bag billowing with tissue paper. Inside was an etching on glass SEE BORGMAN, PAGE 22

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southside boomers I summer 2016

FOOD

Bitters & Berries

By Melissa D’arabian The Associated Press

A

Serving fruit for dessert can be both virtuous and decadent

ccording to my grandmother, fruit is God’s candy, making it the perfect ending to a meal. I agree with Grandma — fruit is a lovely, healthy way to end a meal. But I’ll also confess that the dessert lover in me sometimes craves something a smidge fancier. And by fancier, I mean with chocolate.

Berries are the perfect dessert fruit because their

flavor is concentrated and bold, and they are both sweet and just a tiny bit tangy. Berries are gorgeous and elegant, which is important when it comes to pulling off fruit as a true dessert and not some sort of healthy consolation prize (try serving sliced apples at your next dinner party and you’ll see what I mean).

Plus, berries are rich in antioxidants, high in fiber and low in calories. Raspberries, for instance, have just about 60 calories per cup. And despite their sweet taste, they pack only about 5 grams of sugar,

but a whopping 8 grams of fiber. All of which means this dessert isn’t just tasty, it’s filling, too.

Perhaps the best benefit to making berries the star of dessert is that there’s a little wiggle room to add a few bells and whistles.

One of my favorite fruit dessert strategies is to whip up a simple syrup (just water and sugar heated until they come together in a thin syrup) with cool flavors.

Think about adding interesting spices, such as cardamom with vanilla bean and black pepper, or herbs,

southside boomers I summer 2016

FOOD such as mint or basil and lemon zest.

Then just drizzle your way to dessert magic.

Add a tablespoon of liqueur or wine to the syrup — think orange liqueur or Marsala — and the flavors really pop. A few drops of almond extract or even cocktail bitters also are great.

Only a tiny bit of a flavorful syrup is needed, but be aware that you are adding a bit of (worthwhile) sugar.

Just before serving, use a vegetable peeler to shave off a few shards of deep, almost bitter chocolate, and you’ve just turned simple fruit into a weekend-worthy dessert.

Food Network star Melissa d’Arabian is an expert on healthy eating on a budget. She is the author of the cookbook, “Supermarket Healthy.” http://www.melissadarabian.net

BITTERS AND BERRIES Start to finish: 20 minutes, plus steeping Servings: 6 1/3 cup raw coconut sugar 1/3 cup water 1 1/2 tablespoons angostura bitters 1/2 vanilla pod, sliced open lengthwise, seeds scraped out 1 teaspoon finely grated orange zest 2 tablespoons orange juice 4 cups mixed fresh berries (strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and/or blackberries) Very dark chocolate bar, to shave In a small saucepan over medium, heat the sugar and water, stirring occasionally, until the sugar dissolves, about 5 minutes. Stir in the bitters, vanilla pod and seeds, orange zest and juice, then cook for another 1 to 2 minutes, or until fragrant. Remove from the heat and allow to steep at room temperature for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours.

Discard the vanilla pod. Refrigerate if not using right away.

Divide the berries among 6 dessert cups. Spoon about 2 tablespoons of the syrup over each berry bowl. Top with shavings of dark chocolate.

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How to make the perfect burger

By ELIZABETH KARMEL The Associated Press

I

thought I knew how to make the perfect burger. Now I know better.

I still stand by most of my principles — making your own blend of ground meat, a combination of ground sirloin and ground chuck; working and mixing the meat as little as possible — but I recently discovered a far better way to cook the burgers. I discovered it while attempting to grill tiny samples of a variety of ground beefs (I was searching for just the right blend and didn’t want to make lots of full-size patties).

As I pondered how I was going to grill tiny patties SEE BURGER, PAGE 22

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southside boomers I summer 2016

fitness

Go Take a Hike State offers many nature trails

S

ometimes you just need to go for a walk in the woods.

A few hours on a nature trail can do wonders for your mental and physical health.

You don’t need any special gear to enjoy time outdoors hiking.

Just grab a pair of binoculars, throw a couple of bottles of water in a backpack and lace up your favorite boots or gym shoes.

Leave your phone at home.

You’ll survive without it for a few hours.

There is somewhere to get outdoors to hike or walk on a nature trail in every Indiana county. State parks, the Hoosier National Forest, fish and wildlife areas, nature preserves, wildlife refuges and many other properties offer such trails.

Here are five places worth checking out this year.

Spring Mill State Park Spring Mill State Park is located three miles east of Mitchell, but worth the drive from anywhere in Indiana.

The focal point of the unique park is the pioneer village that was founded in the early 1800s.

The availability of year-round water running from springs drew settlers to the area. The park has numerous hiking trails and plenty of paved paths for walking.

There is a beautiful lodge for anyone looking to stay on property who may not want to camp. Spring Mill takes you back to when times were simpler. It’s a premier destination for

BY BRANDON BUTLER

breathing in nature and recharging your soul.

Knobstone Trail While there are many great hiking trails in the Indiana, none are longer or more challenging than the Knobstone Trail.

The Knobstone is a 58-mile journey through the hills of southern Indiana.

Elevation change is challenging, the scenery is incredible and the solitude is deafening.

Passing through lands of the Clark State Forest, Hoosier National Forest, Elk Creek Public Fishing Area, and Jackson- Washington State Forest, the Knobstone Trail belongs to all Hoosiers. This trail can be hiked in short sections or tackled as one long through hike. Either way, it is a must hike for any serious Indiana outdoor enthusiast.

Hoosier National Forest The Hoosier National Forest encompasses more than 200,000 acres. The topography of the Hoosier varies greatly.

From deep ravines, to rolling hills, to river bottoms, you will be able to find a terrain that fits your desired style of hiking.

Primitive camping is allowed throughout the forest and along most roads, so you can extend your hike into a multi-day backpacking experience. There are many trails in the forest, but one is free to roam at will. Sometimes no path at all is the best trail to take.

Morgan-Monroe State Forest The Morgan-Monroe State Forest consists of 24,000 acres of public land.

The forest is easy to find off Highway 37, between Martinsville and Bloomington.

This is densely wooded, rough country with steep ridges and deep valleys and trails running throughout.

Make sure to be in good shape before trying to tackle the hills of this forest.

Primitive camping is available at two campgrounds, Mason Ridge and Oak Ridge.

Campsites are equipped with a picnic table and grill, and each campground provides vault toilets and seasonal drinking water.

Fishing during your hike is another way to slow down and enjoy the solitude of the forest. The Morgan-Monroe State Forest is home to three lakes: Bryant Creek Lake (9 acres), Cherry Lake (4 acres) and Prather Lake (4 acres).

Turkey Run State Park Lichen-covered sandstone canyons, long stretches of Sugar Creek scenic overlooks, old-growth hardwood forests, a multitude of covered bridges and a trail system to rival any state park in the Midwest, Turkey Run State Park is undoubtedly one of Indiana’s must-hike destinations.

Trail highlights include passage through Falls Canyon, ladders to take you up steep ravines, points overlooking the creek, large rock outcroppings, a suspension bridge and plentiful wildlife.

Turkey Run is a popular camping destination. If you want to camp there on a weekend, make your reservations now.

See you down the trail. B Brandon Butler’s columns appear on Saturdays in the Daily Journal. Send comments to letters@ dailyjournal.net.

southside boomers I summer 2016

MONEY

13

Five reasons you shouldn’t risk your retirement to put your kids through college

By CHRIS HOGAN GOBankingRates.com

W

hen you hold your child in your arms for the first time, everything changes — especially your priorities. Late-night feedings replace late-night movies, and providing for your family outweighs that new sports car.

As a parent, you’re used to making sacrifices for your child, so it seems natural to put aside your retirement needs and focus on their college fund. In one survey from T. Rowe Price, 52 percent of parents said saving for their kids’ college trumped saving for retirement.

But that’s a really, really bad idea. Here’s why.

Retirement is guaranteed. College isn’t.

You have an almost 100 percent chance of retiring someday, but the same can’t be said about your kid going to college. The latest findings from the National Center for Education Statistics show that only 65.9 percent of

students enrolled in college in the fall following their high school graduation. And not all of those kids will get their degrees.

I’m not trying to discourage you, but I want you to understand fully that you will retire someday — and you need to be prepared. In fact, you’ll probably retire earlier than you expected. According to the Employee Benefit Research Institute, in recent years, about half of retirees left work earlier than they’d planned. That fact is reason enough to put your retirement investing into high gear.

Two words: scholarships and grants Your kids can apply for scholarships and grants to pay for college. You can’t apply for those to fund your retirement.

Each year, the U.S. Department of Education gives out approximately $46 billion in grants and scholarships, according to Debt.org. On top of that, individuals, companies, foundations and other groups award roughly $3.3

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billion. If your kids do the work of searching and applying for scholarships, they’re likely to find the tuition money — or at least part of it.

Time is investing’s best friend If you wait to focus on your retirement account until you’ve fully funded your kids’ college savings, you’ll miss out on the power of compound interest — which means you’ll lose out on thousands of dollars.

Let’s say you have two children by the time you turn 30.

You decide to focus the bulk of your savings on the kids’ college fund, so you put away money for them instead of your retirement. Then in your 40s, you begin to focus on retirement. You put away $375 a month from age 40 to age 65 and accumulate almost $500,000. Sounds good, right?

That is, until you calculate how much you would have had if you had started saving that much in your 30s instead.

SEE COLLEGE, PAGE 21

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southside boomers I summer 2016

TRAVEL

Alcatraz: Get the rap on the rock

By ANGELA HILL East Bay Times

F

or much of its cold, damp, bitter prison life, Alcatraz was a place you’d kill to leave, and many an inmate tried. They plotted elaborate escapes, took shivs to cell walls, mapped routes through crawlspaces and risked bullets and the icy brunt of the San Francisco Bay rather than bear another day on The Rock.

These days, it’s a different story. People can’t wait to get in. Since the onetime home of Machine Gun Kelly and Al Capone was turned over to the National Park Service in 1972, Alcatraz has been on the hot sheet of tourist attractions, and it’s only getting hotter. As part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Alcatraz sees about 1.3 million visitors — mostly out-of-town tourists — every year, making it the No. 1 landmark destination in the U.S. and No. 8 in the world on TripAdvisor’s 2015 Travelers’ Choice list.

The island’s main lure is its time served as a federal penitentiary from 1934 to 1963. But, as the tour boat announcer likes to say on your way over, “Alcatraz: It’s so much more than a prison.” Indeed, it was a harbor defense port and military prison during the Civil War years. It’s the site of the first lighthouse on the West Coast, built in 1854. The American Indian occupation took over from 1969 to 1971, making a political stand. It’s home to 30 species of birds. There are gardens and ghosts (debunked by tour guides) and grisly stories galore.

There’s really only one ferry service that’s actually allowed to dock at the island (the others take you around it).

Tours sell out fast, especially in the summer, so book ahead. We mean it.

You’ll be fine, if you just do the time (planning your visit, that is).

Visitors take photos while on the boat heading to the Alcatraz Night Tour on Alcatraz Island. The tour takes a few hundred visitors on activities not offered during the day. BAY AREA NEWS GROUP PHOTO

Rock and roll For straight-up Alcatraz tours, Alcatraz Cruises (www.alcatrazcruises.com) is the place to go. It’s the only ferry service allowed to dock at the island. Buy tickets online or at their ticket booth at Pier 33 on the Embarcadero.

Ready to go?

Alcatraz is on a rock, on a hard place to reach in the middle of the fog/wind-prone bay, so dress in layers and wear sturdy walking shoes — to get from the dock to the cell blocks, you’ll be trudging up a steep path, the vertical equivalent of climbing 13 stories. A tram is available for visitors with limited mobility.

Get to Pier 33 a half hour before your boat departs. Even the ferry trip through the brisk, salty spray is a treat. Most people rush onto the boat and climb to the top deck for the views. But if you want to disembark faster, stay on the lower deck.

You can still see plenty from the big windows, and there’s a snack bar there if you want to nibble on the 15-minute trip.

You’ll be on Alcatraz at least a couple of hours, there are no food sales on the island (only water), and munching on snacks you’ve brought is only permitted near the dock area.

Tours are offered during the day, of course, but there are two departures for “after hours” evening tours at 5:55 and 6:30 p.m.

Day and night tours are the same, sort of — but you really can’t go wrong. Your selection depends on your schedule and your mood. Whichever tour you choose, make sure you take the 45-minute self-guided audio tour of the cell blocks, the dining hall, the prison library and more, with great information on history and lore, the famous inmates and escape attempts.

The tours are available in 11 different languages, and some of the narration —

recorded in 1985 — is from former inmates and guards.

Audio tours make for an eerie scene as silent visitors — ears covered with headphones — wander around like zombies.

Short guided tours and mini-lectures are also available, provided by National Park rangers in the daytime and by docents from the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy at night. Be sure to take advantage of the knowledgeable guides.

Like anything, there are pros and cons to the day/night decision. During the day, you can explore more of the island, because more areas are open in daylight.

Con: It’s a lot more crowded. Up to 1,500 people may be wandering around at any given time during the midday peak.

At night, the landmark is less crowded, with only about 600 visitors at a time. And “it’s different when it’s dark,” says history interpreter Jim Nelson, who’s been working on Alcatraz for 18 years. “The atmo-

southside boomers I summer 2016

TRAVEL sphere, especially when the fog comes in, it feels like a film noir out here.”

Indeed, moonlight filters through the barred windows, peeling paint makes weird shadows, fog horns moan in sorrow.

Plus the hospital wing is often open (it’s not usually open during the day), and you can see the old X-ray and surgical rooms, eerily lit with floor lanterns. Kids like to make spooky “oooeeeaaooo” sounds. And every night at 8:45 p.m., they do a mock lockdown, slamming the cell doors — the clang heard ’round the block.

Con: Some areas of the island, where the terrain is rougher, are closed off at night for safety reasons.

The last boat departs to the sparkle of San Francisco at 9:25 p.m.

Alcatraz basics Plan ahead! Tours sell out weeks in advance, especially during the summer months.

l Buying tickets: Alcatraz Cruises at Pier 33 on the Embarcadero is the official concessionaire for Alcatraz tours, and it’s the only ferry service allowed to dock at Alcatraz Island. (Note: Other cruise offers you’ll find online either buy tickets from Alcatraz Cruises and resell them, usually at a higher price, or only take you on a ferry ride around the island.)

Purchase tickets at www.alcatrazcruises. com or at the ticket booth on Pier 33.

Photo ID is required when picking up tickets. Basic prices range from $33-$40 for adults, with discounts for children and seniors.

(For procrastinators, some standby tickets come available at the ticket booth, but it’s a roll of the dice, and people start lining up around 5 a.m. for the booth to open at 7:30 a.m., particularly in the summer.) l Parking: Street parking along the Embarcadero is metered and abysmal, but there are several commercial parking lots

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near Pier 33. Be advised, traffic along Embarcadero is thick, especially in the summer. And a lot of construction is going on throughout San Francisco right now, slowing various routes. l Public transportation: Take BART to the Embarcadero station, then board the F-Line trolley toward the Ferry Building, get off at the Bay Street stop, and walk back a short distance to Pier 33. Or take the No. 10 Townsend bus, which stops at Pier 33. l What (and what not) to wear: Even on a sunny day, it gets cold and windy out on The Rock. Dress in layers, and bring a jacket. Wear comfy walking shoes. No sandals, flip-flops or high heels. You’ll be trudging a steep quarter-mile path, climbing the vertical equivalent of a 13-story building. There is an electric tram available for visitors with mobility issues.

Untilmate photo opps A visit to Alcatraz is not complete with-

15

out getting your pic behind bars. And guess what? There’s even a special Instagram and Twitter hashtag just for the occasion! It’s #cellfie.

So grimace and say, “Welcome to The Rock!” at any of these spots: 1. Step inside the cells in D Block, where they let you step behind the bars, grab hold and glare.

2. Outside by the guardhouse, pose with the Golden Gate Bridge in the background.

3. Stand near the ruins of the burnedout warden’s residence, and claim you torched it yourself.

4. If you take the night tour, there may be no better view of San Francisco — the glittering lights of Ghirardelli Square, the Palace of Fine Arts — than the one from the entry to the Administration Offices building. It’s a sight of civilization that would have tortured the Rock-bound inmates. B

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southside boomers I summer 2016

COVER STORY

STORY BY GREG SEITER PHOTOS BY MARK FREELAND

his

MAKING POINT County resident hopes to perpetuate sport of bow hunting

B

ow and arrow usage dates to the Stone Age and can be traced to many regions around the world. Developed first as an efficient option for closerange hunting, the bow and arrow is still widely utilized for that purpose today.

However, as is the case with virtually any type of hunting, regulatory control is seen as imperative to not only promote the activity but to protect both the hunted and hunters.

“The purpose of the Indiana Bowhunter Association is to foster, expand and perpetuate the sport of bow hunting,” said Center Grove-area resident Herb Higgins, the organization’s treasurer. “We really try to encourage people to engage, in some way, with the sport of archery.

“It’s not age or gender specific. Little bitty kids can be standing next to their dad in the backyard while shooting a bow. It’s a very family friendly sport.”

Higgins grew up in what he describes as a “very rural” setting in Morgan County.

“My father was really into the outdoors through hunting, fishing and trapping, and he often brought me along,” Higgins said. “I didn’t even have a job in high school. I made money through trapping.

“Deer count in that section of Morgan County was very low, so I did a lot of firearm hunting for

enjoyed it tremendously. Archery is a big part of my life.”

Joined state organization

deer but I started in with archery around 14 or 15 years old. Dad noticed my interest so for my 16th birthday, he got me a compound bow.”

Even then, Higgins was a patient hunter.

“It took me almost a dozen years to kill my first deer,” he said with a laugh. “But over time, I have

Hoping to connect with other bow hunting enthusiasts, Higgins reached out to the Indiana Bowhunter Association in the mid-1990s.

“Eight years ago, I ran for treasurer, and I’ve held that position ever since,” he said. “I guess in some form or fashion, I’ve done just about everything on that board.”

According to Higgins, the IBA strives to be a statewide voice for bow hunters, but struggles in its ability to attract members. The organization has approximately 250 members.

“A challenge for us is that there are more than 80,000 licenses sold annually and we represent less than 1 percent,” he said.

“Part of the problem is that hunters, themselves, tend to not be very vocal. We go out and do our thing but we don’t get in the face of other people.

“As an organization, we still try to do outreach

southside boomers I summer 2016

COVER STORY

17

“My father was really into the outdoors through hunting, fishing and trapping, and he often brought me along. I didn’t even have a job in high school. I made money through trapping.”

Herb Higgins but I hear people say all the time: ‘I didn’t know the organization even existed.’”

Higgins believes the IBA’s membership woes are reflective of an ever-present trend.

“Newer generations don’t seem to be as inclined to join,” he said. “They can get instant gratification through media outlets, so they wonder why they should spend the money to be part of an organization.

“I get asked a lot ‘what’s in it for me?’ and my answer is always about protecting bow hunting in Indiana. But they seem to believe the sport is already protected.”

Effect of technology From an educational perspective, technology has also created challenges for the Indiana Bowhunter Association, specifically with regard to close-range hunting.

“Too many people don’t know how to hunt when they get close to animals. So they get these bows that are really cranked up for speed and distance,” Higgins said.

“Part of the problem is they see these TV guys making it an 80- to 100-yard shot. But archery should really be in the 20- to 30-yard range.

“Some would challenge that comment, so I would just challenge them to learn to hunt better.”

Higgins is insistent that television coverage has helped create unrealistic expectations in the minds of potential bow hunters.

“In sporting shows, they see guys go out and kill several animals in one show. But in reality, it has probably taken days or even weeks to put that segment together,” he said. “It’s just not portrayed properly.

“So millennials have grown up in a techy world which emphasizes immediate gratification. They don’t want to go out and wait day after day.”

Above: Herb Higgins sets up a 3-D deer target that he uses for practice. Opposite page: Higgins opens an archery book at his Conversely, Higgins acknowledges that home in the Center Grove area.

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southside boomers I summer 2016

COVER STORY

technological advancements have proven to be very beneficial in helping expose people of all ages to the sport of archery. In fact, variations of bows are now lighter than they ever have been before.

“I can hand a Genesis bow to a first-grader and the same bow can be used by a fifth- or sixth-grader,” he said. “So now, we’re able to get kids involved, and the recognition of that has really helped promote the sport.”

The availability of low-cost arrows is also a positive promotional development.

With every positive, there’s usually at least one negative.

“A lighter arrow means more speed and more arrow speed means I can shoot from a longer distance,” Higgins said. “That starts to cross the boundaries.

“When taking an animal, you want to be humane and

do it in the right way.

“I prefer to use a heavier arrow and bow because I want to be precise and be close to the animal.”

Members of the IBA also concern themselves with legislation and political positioning relative to the sport.

“One of our biggest concerns has to do with the functionality of the DNR (Department of Natural Resources),” Higgins said. “It’s a great organization with educated people. However, there is a lot of politics that suppresses all that and you end up with legislators who are lawyers and they seem to think they know more than the DNR. So, the DNR has its hands tied.

“The director is appointed, so the politics really gag these folks and prevents them from doing what they’re trying to do.”

“When taking an animal, you want to be humane and do it in the right way. I prefer to use a heavier arrow and bow because I want to be precise and be close to the animal.”

Herb Higgins

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COVER STORY

19

“Archery is a recreation, but you can get a good workout in, too. You challenge yourself with hand-eye coordination and you can make it as simple as trying to shoot better against yourself than you previously did.”

Decompression time

In addition to deer, Higgins enjoys bow hunting for turkey and a variety of small game and he admits that, most of the time, he hunts alone.

“It gives me time to decompress and put life in order inside my head,” he said.

Herb Higgins “I would like to say I’m religious and being out L I F E G E T T I N G C O M P L I C AT E D ? in the outdoors setting really helps me see the wonders that the good Lord has given us all.”

But Higgins is also quick to emphasize that the sport doesn’t have to involve hunting.

“Archery is a recreation, but you can get a good workout in, too,” he said. “You challenge yourself with hand-eye coordination and you can make it as simple as trying to shoot better against yourself than you previously did.

At left: Higgins show the skull of a Texas javeli“When it rains, I can shoot in my basement. I na, a wild boar, that he harvested. Opposite can go out and shoot in my yard and I can even page: Positioned on a bear skin are a St. Joe Forest Creek Commons is an authentic community focused River Bow with quiver, shooting glove, arm go to a pro shop or archery range. guard and a Raptor side quiver, and a Jim on“It’sForest respect independence, while living Creek Commons is an authentic community focusedwith the freedom, Reynolds Thunderstick MOAB bow. just a great sport.”and B

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southside boomers I summer 2016

MONEY

Four times it’s OK to dip into your retirement fund early

By MORGAN QUINN GOBankingRates.com

T

aking an early withdrawal from your 401(k) is not only costly in the short term, it can also jeopardize your long-term retirement goals. If you withdraw retirement accounts before the penalty-free 401(k) withdrawal age of 59.5, you’ll be forfeiting the benefits of tax-deferred earnings and compounding interest, which diminishes the savings power of 401(k) accounts. These plans are specifically designed for longterm investing, making the years work in the contributor’s favor.

Because of the severe financial penalties, withdrawing money early from retirement accounts should only be done in an extreme emergency, ideally after any emergency funds and investments have been depleted. If you are in a financial pinch and considering taking money out of your 401(k) or any other retirement savings account, here are four times it’s OK to dip into your retirement fund early.

Certain qualifying situations allow for a penalty-free hardship withdrawal, but employers are not required to provide these kinds of 401(k) withdrawal rules.

Some people have to take the hit of the penalty for withdrawing early from retirement savings just to stay financially afloat.

Emily LaRusch, founder of Back Office Betties, which offers full-time virtual receptionists, has experienced this firsthand. “In 2010, I was days away from having my second baby when I was laid off,” LaRusch said. “I made the decision to close my 401(k) and accept the penalties in order to support my family while I stayed at home for the first year with my son.”

In extreme situations like LaRusch’s, after carefully thinking it through and running the numbers with a 401(k) withdrawal calculator, you might find it’s still in your best interest to make a 401(k) withdrawal

Divorce is one of the life events that may cause you to withdraw money from your 401(k).

or other type of early distribution — even if there are penalties. If you find yourself in one of the following scenarios, withdrawing money early from your retirement savings might be financially prudent.

You become totally and permanently disabled You can take penalty-free distributions from qualified plans due to a total or permanent disability. Minor or partial disabilities don’t qualify.

According to the IRS, you are considered disabled if: l You can provide proof that you cannot do any substantial gainful activity because of your physical or mental condition. l A physician determines that your condition can be expected to result in death or to be of long, continued and indefinite duration.

Some experts recommend first applying for state disability insurance to make it easier to prove your status to the retirement plan administrator. To take a 401(k) hardship withdrawal, you must fill out IRS Form 5329 to get out of paying the penalty and ensure you are adhering to IRS 401(k) loan rules.

You’re drowning in medical debt You can withdraw from your retirement accounts to cover unreimbursed, out-ofpocket medical expenses that exceed 10 percent of your adjusted gross income.

These expenses must be paid in the same year you take the distribution and the distribution is not subject to penalty of tax if withdrawn from an IRA. The difference between these expenses and 10 percent of your AGI is eligible for this exception. For example, if your AGI is $60,000 and your unreimbursed medical expenses are $9,000, the maximum amount that you can distribute without penalty is calculated as 9,000 – (60,000 x 0.10) = $3,000.

You’re getting divorced If you get divorced, you might be required by court to divide the funds with your former spouse or a dependent. These distributions are usually ordered under a property settlement under a qualifying domestic relations order and are exempt from an IRA or 401(k) withdrawal penalty.

You’re starting a business Many personal finance experts will prob-

ably advise otherwise, but you might be able to use your 401(k) and IRA funds to finance a small business or startup. This process isn’t simple, and there are significant legal steps you will need to take, including rolling the money over into a corporate retirement account that allows you to invest in the business. It’s best to consult a financial planner or third-party retirement-plan administrator for help with this.

For some entrepreneurs, this move has been well worth the effort and extra risk.

Jason Fisher is the owner and founder of Waterway Financial Group, which provides holistic financial planning. Fisher drained his 401(k) to start his small business.

“I tapped out my entire 401(k) to begin a small business,” Fisher said. “While it wasn’t a ton of money, it was crucial for my business to have as much capital up front as possible, and the hit I took in penalties and taxes was well worth it. The way I look at it, I was able to compound my money in a business much faster than anticipated in the market, and I was correct. Obviously, the risk was greater, too.”

The bottom line Withdrawing money early from your retirement accounts — that is, borrowing against your 401(k) or IRA — carries heavy financial consequences, but sometimes the benefit outweighs the cost of taking out a 401(k) loan. Take this opportunity to assess your financial situation and ask yourself if the problems you’re having are only temporary — or if they’re the sign of a much larger issue. Make a new financial plan that will protect you from facing this kind of difficult and costly decision again in the future.

Knowing when your situation is not a good excuse for borrowing from your 401(k) or IRA is important, too. Don’t use your retirement fund to pay off credit card debt, or pay for expenses like a wedding or a car — retirement funds are not savings for a rainy day. B

southside boomers I summer 2016

READING

21

Hot new books will transport readers

By JANE HENDERSON St. Louis Post-Dispatch

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raveling with a new book is wonderful. But traveling through a book provides passage over time and space (and it’s easier on the budget and gas tank).

This summer’s titles will take readers to 18th century Canada, 19th century Africa or 100 years in the future, when survivors of an apocalypse try to build a new civilization.

In Annie Proulx’s first novel in 14 years, two Frenchmen come to North America and find an imposing forest in “Barkskins.” “It is the forest of the world,” they are told. “It is infinite. It twists around as a snake swallows its own tail and has no end and no beginning. No one has ever seen its farthest dimension.”

Proulx’s epic, spanning 300 years and many generations, is one of several potential best-sellers. Joining her are popular authors such as Stephen King and Justin Cronin, who wrap up fat trilogies with “End of Watch” and “The City of Mirrors,” respectively.

Here is a wide-ranging list of books coming out this summer. Some information is from publishers or Publishers Weekly magazine; release dates are subject to change.

FICTION “Barkskins” by Annie Proulx (Scribner; June 14) — A 717-page epic, Proulx’s novel is already being teased by Publishers Weekly as perhaps “her finest work.”

“Charcoal Joe” by Walter Mosley (Doubleday; June 14) — Easy Rawlins is back, this time investigating the case of a brilliant black physicist accused of murdering a white man in 1960s LA. “End of Watch” by Stephen King (Scribner; June 7) — The third in a trilogy that started with “Mr. Mercedes,” King’s novel brings the evil, formerly comatose Brady back to pursue revenge against Bill Hodges and Holly Gibney.

“First Comes Love” by Emily Giffin (Ballantine; June 28) — Two sisters who suffered a tragedy when young struggle with happiness in adulthood. By the author of “Something Borrowed.”

“The Girls” by Emma Cline (Random House; June 14) — Debut novel about a 14-year-old California girl who becomes involved in a Manson-like cult during the free-love ’60s.

“Homegoing” by Yaa Gyasi (Knopf; June 7) — A story of slavery and racism begins in Ghana with two half-sisters, one wealthy, one enslaved and sent to America. Their descendants face war,

College FROM PAGE 13

At age 65, your retirement fund would have topped $1.3 million. That 10-year delay in investing penalized you $500,000.

Your retirement years could be expensive I’m not talking about all those cruises to the Bahamas. Hopefully, by the time you retire, you’ll be debt-free — including your mortgage. However, you will still face significant costs, especially when it comes to health care.

A recent estimate from Fidelity suggests a retired couple can expect to spend $245,000 on health care over 20

and change, in both countries.

“Love, Sex and Other Foreign Policy Goals” by Jesse Armstrong (Blue Rider; June 7) — TV writer Armstrong (“Veep”) sends a collection of do-gooders into war-torn Yugoslavia. Comic satire of idealists trying to promote peace by performing plays from their van.

“Marked for Life” by Emelie Schepp (Mira; June 14) — Swedish head of asylum cases is found shot in the U.S. debut by a Swedish suspense novelist.

“The Mirror Thief” by Martin Seay (Melville House; May) — Three stories set in various Venices (16th century Italian city, 1950s California and modernday Vegas casino) are intertwined in a tale of money and magic.

NONFICTION “Breaking Rockefeller” by Peter B. Doran (Viking; May 24) — Turn-of-thecentury tale of how two men stood up to Standard Oil, forming Royal Dutch Shell and breaking a monopoly.

“But What If We’re Wrong?” by Chuck Klosterman (Penguin/Blue Rider; June 7) — With attitudes changing, and discoveries made, Klosterman discusses how 21st century certitudes could be proven false — even gravity or time.

“Everybody Behaves Badly: The True

years (from age 65–85). That’s because as you age, you’re more likely to have health problems.

Keep in mind, though, that this amount doesn’t include dental care, over-the-counter medications and long-term care. HealthView Services estimates that when you consider additional health-related expenses — including vision, hearing, dental and co-pays — the total amount a couple can expect to pay could reach $395,000. That breaks down to more than $1,600 a month.

You don’t want to be a burden to your kids later on I’ve actually had clients tell me their retirement plan was to mooch off their kids. “I took care of them for 20-plus years, so it’s their turn to take care of me!” Really?

Story Behind Hemingway’s Masterpiece ‘The Sun Also Rises’” by Lesley M.M. Blume (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt; June 7) — After Hemingway and friends went to see the running of the bulls in Spain in 1925, the author would write his first novel, lose his first wife and get unexpected editing from F. Scott Fitzgerald.

“Grunt: The Curious Science of Humans at War” by Mary Roach (Norton; June 7) — The popular writer who can make almost anything interesting (guts, cadavers, etc.) now opens readers’ eyes to the ways scientists try to make war survivable, including oddities such as the study of body odor and why shrimp are more dangerous to sailors than sharks are.

“Voyager: Travel Writings” by Russell Banks (Ecco; May 31) — Novelist compiles nonfiction that includes traveling to Cuba to interview Castro and to Edinburgh to marry for a fourth time.

“William Tecumseh Sherman: In the Service of My Country” by James Lee McDonough (Norton; July 14) — Sherman (buried in Calvary Cemetery) was known for his Civil War victories, but his personal life was plagued by debt, worries and distance from family. B

Is that how you want your children and grandchildren to remember that chapter in your life? And what if, God forbid, they couldn’t help you?

That’s not how I want to live out my retirement years. I want to leave my family with memories of vacations to Disney, trips to visit their Pop during the summer and stories told at twilight as I sit on my front porch in a big ol’ rocking chair. I don’t want to be worried about finances, and I certainly don’t want my family to worry about them. B Chris Hogan is a personal finance expert and author of “Retire Inspired: It’s Not an Age. It’s a Financial Number.”

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southside boomers I summer 2016

Burger FROM PAGE 11

GRILLED GRIDDLED CHEESEBURGER Start to finish: 20 minutes Servings: 6 1 pound ground beef chuck 1 pound ground beef sirloin 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce (optional) 1 teaspoon Coleman’s Mustard powder (optional) Kosher salt and ground black pepper Olive oil 6 slices American cheese 6 potato burger buns Dill pickle chips Being careful not to overwork the meat, in a large bowl mix together the chuck and sirloin with the Worcestershire sauce, mustard powder and generous pinches each of salt and pepper. Gently shape the meat into 6 burgers, each about 3/4 inch thick. Brush

Borgman FROM PAGE 9

that read: “A Special Daughter. So many of the good times we remember from the past happened because of you. You’ve brought laughter and joy to our lives and so much love to our hearts. The most precious things we can wish for you are the things you have given us … Happiness and Love.”

each patty on all sides with olive oil. Use your thumbs to make an indent at the center of each burger.

Heat the grill to medium. Place a flat cast-iron griddle on the grates at the center of the grill.

When the grill and griddle are hot, place the burgers on the griddle and cook, covered, until the meat is no longer pink, 8 to 10 minutes, turning once halfway through grilling time. Top each burger with American cheese about 2 minutes before you remove them from the grill. You want the cheese to be soft but not too melted.

Let the burgers rest 2 to 3 minutes and serve on a potato bun with pickle chips.

Nutritional information per serving: 550 calories; 230 calories from fat (42 percent of total calories); 26 g fat (10 g saturated; 1 g trans fats); 115 mg cholesterol; 900 mg sodium; 38 g carbohydrate; 2 g fiber; 7 g sugar; 40 g protein.

She mentioned that she’d given one to my sister-in-law as well.

Not long after that visit, Mom suffered a brain aneurysm and died.

Mom was a great gift giver, but the gifts we will always remember her for were her love for life and her love for us. B Lori Borgman is a columnist, author and speaker. Email her at lori@loriborgman.com.

without them falling through the grates, I considered a cast-iron grill platter, a thick, flat sheet of cast iron. Bingo!

We could grill the bite-sized burgers on the sizzle platter!

I placed the platter on the grill grate and started grilling the bites. They were all delicious. But the most exciting part was the rich, brown crust they all developed. The platter turned the gas grill into a flat grill, while the heat of the cast-iron surface deeply caramelized everything it touched. Because the lid was down and there were other foods on the grill, the burgers still got that smoky outdoor grilled flavor, but with a griddle-style crust.

It was the perfect cooking mashup of grill and griddle for my all-American cheeseburger topped with melted American cheese. Since that evening, it is the only way that I grill burgers — of any size!

The recipe below is my favorite burger these days. I traded in my aged cheddar cheese for old-fashioned American, which melts better and adds a layer of soft gooeyness on top of the crunchy caramelized crust of the burger. To me, this is the best condiment and I don’t need anything else except maybe pickles, which I layer on the bottom bun so that the cheese and the top bun stick together and become one.

Of course, you can add any of your favorite condiments and toppings, but try this minimalist burger at least once.

When you use the best quality beef and grill the burgers using the cast-iron sizzle platter, you hardly need anything besides the cheese and a soft potato bun to make it summer’s best burger. B Elizabeth Karmel is a barbecue and Southern foods expert. She is the chef and pitmaster at online retailer CarolinaCueToGo. com and author of three books, including “Taming the Flame.”

Birds FROM PAGE 8

movie, “The Big Year, starring Steve Martin, Owen Wilson and Jack Black.

“It is hilarious and is a stereotype of a ‘big year’ search for as many birds as possible, which is competitive and nothing like our love of travel, hiking and seeing beauty in the world, its critters and birds,” Jablonski said.

Jablonski does not have an accurate count of how many she’s seen since she’s been watching them, but it’s likely in the thousands.

She also does not have a favorite bird.

“It’s too hard to pick a favorite. There are so many beautiful ones,” she said.

Birding is a good way to get exercise and stay in tune with nature, she said.

“We do a lot of hiking. It’s so important to stay healthy and enjoy life.” B

southside boomers I summer 2016

Diabetes

The appearance of type 1 diabetes is suspected to follow exposure to an “environmental trigger,” such as an unidentified virus, stimulating an immune attack against the beta cells of the pancreas (that produce insulin) in some genetically predisposed people.

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tes that only pregnant women get and develops in 2 to 10 percent of all pregnancies but usually disappears when a pregnancy is over. l Other specific types of diabetes resultPrevention ing from specific genetic syndromes, surgery, drugs, malnutrition, infections, and Researchers are making progress in idenother illnesses may account for 1 to 5 pertifying the exact genetics and “triggers” cent of all diagnosed that predispose some Diagnosed and cases of diabetes. individuals to develop

Treatment

undiagnosed diabetes in the United States (All ages, 2012) Total: 29.1 million people or 9.3 percent of the population have diabetes.

Diagnosed: 21.0 million people.

Undiagnosed: 8.1 million people (27.8 percent of people with diabetes are undiagnosed).

Healthy eating and physical activity are recommended as treatments for both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

Insulin injections are also used to treat type 1 diabetes. The amount of insulin taken must be balanced with food intake and daily activities. Blood glucose levels must be closely monitored through frequent testing.

Blood glucose testing is a therapy for type 2 diabetes. In addition, many people with type 2 diabetes require oral medication, insulin, or both.

People with diabetes should see a health care provider who will monitor their diabetes control and help them learn to manage their diabetes. In addition, people with diabetes may see endocrinologists, who may specialize in diabetes care; ophthalmologists for eye examinations; podiatrists for routine foot care; and dietitians and diabetes educators who teach the skills needed for daily diabetes management.

Causes The causes of type 1 diabetes appear to be much different than those for type 2 diabetes, though the exact mechanisms for developing both diseases are unknown.

type 1 diabetes, but prevention remains elusive.

A number of studies have shown that regular physical activity can significantly reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is associated with obesity.

Cure

There is no known cure for diabetes.

However, several approaches are under investigation: l Pancreas transplantation l Islet cell transplantation (islet cells produce insulin) l Artificial pancreas development l Genetic manipulation (fat or muscle cells that don’t normally make insulin have a human insulin gene inserted — then these “pseudo” islet cells are transplanted into people with type 1 diabetes).

Each of these approaches still has a lot of challenges, such as preventing immune rejection; finding an adequate number of insulin cells; keeping cells alive; and others. But progress is being made in all areas.

More info Contact your health care provider or go to the CDC diabetes website: www.cdc. gov/diabetes/home B

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