Capital District Senior Spotlight - May 2020

C a p i ta l D i s t r i c t

Spotlight

Senior A Spotlight News publication in cooperation with

THE RESOURCE FOR SENIORS

MAY 2020

COMPLIMENTARY

NO. 5

Yesterday’s Flu Don’t Wait To Serve Your Bartender COVID-19 & Alzheimer’s

cdseniorspotlight.com

MAY 2020 — CDSENIORSPOTLIGHT.COM 1

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2 SENIOR SPOTLIGHT — MAY 2020

Senior Spotlight (Cap Region) 7.375 x 9.875 x 10 due April 6

Editor’s desk

Let your creativity shine today

T

he snow days of my youth hold a sense of magic as I look back upon them. As an only child, I was often the CEO of my own entertainment firm. So, when presented with an unscheduled day-off from school, there were quick decisions to be made.

The first responsibility of the day was to conduct an assessment of available resources. It sounds so professional written that way. But, if I recall correctly, it involved me firing off a series of questions to my mother; Mom, where are my boots? Mom, where are my gloves? Mom, are my snow pants dry, yet? She would deflect the responsibility back to her son with the response, “I don’t know, what did you do with them?” Depending on your own office dynamic, this exchange probably still sounds familiar.

Second order of business is to spend those resources. Exhaust those resources with a reckless abandonment that only an 11-year-old can oversee with fabulous results. We’re talking about hours spent on constructing the best downhill luge.

Nevermind how it empties out into the street. That’s out of scope. We’ll approach the ramifications of that decision in Phase III of the project.

There’s also the unexpected, seldom anticipated moment that sidetracks your plans; whether it be a crack in your plastic sled, lunch or your compliance department (Mom) pointing out a glaring flaw in your design. The comfortable warmth inside your home scraps the project and takes you into something else.

But, there was always something else.

I know it’s May, and this story goes a bit sideways with what you’re seeing outside your window. But, as I look outside, a wisp of snow flies across my window. It reminds me of my childhood and how I’m sequestered at home. There’s still a lot of creativity in the world that can take us away from our worries and return us back to what defines us as people, and not the professional and financial obligations that box us in.

Think outside the box and find something new.

Sincerely, Michael Hallisey, Managing Editor Spotlight Newspapers

May 2020 Features Yesterday’s Flu

6

Keeping creativity aflame

8

A rainbow connection

10

COVID and Alzheimer’s

12

Serve your bartender

16

Columnists Social Security Corner

4

A Patriot Remembers

17

Retiring Retirement

18

publisher - John McIntyre editor - Michael Hallisey advertising sales - Denice Mau art director - David Abbott graphic design - Martha Eriksen Engagement Coordinator - Kaitlin Lembo Capital District Senior Spotlight is a unit of Community Media Group LLC. Published monthly. Deadline for advertising and calendar events is the 5th of the month preceding publication. Display advertising rates are available on request.

Capital District Senior Spotlight reserves the right to refuse advertising for any reason. We do not guarantee any of the information, services or products published in this or any issue. The opinions expressed by the contributors do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this paper. Copyright © 2011 by Capital District Senior Spotlight.

No portion of Capital District Senior Spotlight may be reproduced without written permission from Community Media Group LLC.

MAY 2020 — CDSENIORSPOTLIGHT.COM 3

Social Security Corner

How Do I Do This Now?

W

Social Security Services Can Help You Online

e recognize that you may have questions about how the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) will affect Social Security services. The first thing you should know is that we continue to pay Social Security and SSI benefits. Also, beware of scammers who may try to trick you into thinking the pandemic is stopping your Social Security payments. This threat is not true. Don’t let the scammers fool you.

We want to share other important information about our services during this pandemic.

To protect you and our employees, and help stop the

secure online services before calling us. Please be aware that our call wait times are much longer than normal. Save time and go online.

For more information, · Applying for benefits. please visit our COVID-19 · Setting up or changing page at www.ssa.gov/coronayour direct deposit. virus. There you can find out what limited services we can · Changing your address, provide by phone, and imporif you get benefits. tant information about dead· Getting proof of your lines we are extending to ease the burden on you and medical benefits. providers during this panspread of COVID-19, we can- we are dedicating available staff demic. You can also subscribe not accept visitors in our offices to serve people in most critical to get an email or text message notification when we update at this time. We provide many need of our services. the page so you stay informed. services online and limited, We strongly encourage critical services via phone and Elizabeth Pivonka, email. During the pandemic, you to try our convenient and Social Security Administration Need help from Social Security? Go online at www. ssa.gov/onlineservices to find help with,

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Cinco de Mayo provides an opportunity to celebrate Mexican culture and enjoy some tasty food along the way.

No Cinco de Mayo celebration would be complete without a spicy, tangy salsa dip.

In fact, May is also National Salsa Month, making it an ideal time to whip up some homemade salsa. When planning Cinco de Mayo parties, consider this recipe for “Salsa” from “Vegan Cooking for Beginners” (Publications International) from the PI Kitchens.

Why not pair it with the equally delicious “Guacamole” for plenty of menu options?

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MAY 2020 — CDSENIORSPOTLIGHT.COM 5

Current Events

Yesterday’s flu Several similarities between Spanish Flu of 1918 and COVID-19 of 2020

By JIM FRANCO francoj@spotlightnews.com

stay-at-home orders to fight the virus for the first time in more than a century.

“Churches, Schools, Shows Another common headline closed.” “Flu epidemic ravages associated with COVID-19 fast.” “Lid to go on city today.” and Spanish Flu came last Those headlines are familiar week: a technique used to stop the spread in 1918 is today, but they screamed being used to today. Basically, across newspapers more than convalescent plasma therapy 100 years ago during the involves taking plasma from Spanish Flu of 1918. a person who had the virus, That virus was the first and during the course of of five global influenza recovery developed antibodies, pandemics of modern times or proteins that counteract a and remains by far the most pathogen, according to Albany deadly. Estimates vary, but Medical Center Hospital. That according to the federal plasma is injected into a body Center for Disease Control, it still infected to help its internal infected a third of the world’s battle. population, or about 500 Albany Med got its first million people, and killed 50 plasma donation from an million people with at least employee who was infected 675,000 fatalities in the U.S. with the virus and who While indications are recovered. The hospital, one of COVID-19 will not be nearly the first in the nation to get that deadly, countries around an OK from the federal Food the globe are mandating social and Drug Administration to distancing techniques and proceed with the treatment,

6 SENIOR SPOTLIGHT — MAY 2020

is seeking other donors and anyone who tested positive but has not had any symptoms for at least two weeks can call 518262-9340.

Social Distancing

Unlike today, social distancing 102 years ago was a far less concerted effort, but involved many of the same basic techniques: closing all mass gatherings and businesses and telling people to isolate inside.

According to a story in the Wall Street Journal which cited a book by John Barry called “The Great Influenza: The Story of the Deadliest Pandemic in History” President Woodrow Wilson never publicly mentioned the pandemic, and Chicago’s public health commissioner said at the time: “It is our duty to keep the people from fear. Worry kills more people than the epidemic.”

There are other significant societal differences, too, that exacerbated the spread of the

The Evanston News-Index in Illinois reports a frantic world in the midst of the Spanish Flu on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 1918.

Insert: Johan Hultin in Brevig, Alaska.

Photo via CDC Spanish Flu. In 1918, the country was just coming out of World War 1 and soldiers were coming home after travelling the world while living in close quarters. Also, unlike today, there was no unemployment insurance and limited social services so people had to work, despite the health risks, or face the chance of starving on the streets. It was also more difficult to get the word out in 1918 — there was no Facebook.

It did, though work then just like it appears to be working now. As has been widely published, Philadelphia had its first reported case on Sept. 17, 1918 but waited until Oct. 3 before it began shutting things down. St. Louis, by

contrast, had its first case on Oct. 5 and

by Oct. 7 began its version of what is now known as a stay-at-home order. At the virus’s peak, five times as many people were dying in Philly than St. Louis.

One of the early questions regarding our response to COVID-19 is the striking difference between the fatalities in California and New York.

California has about twice the population but a fraction of deaths compared to New York, which on April 13 was 651 and 10,056, respectively. New York state accounts for nearly half of the deaths across the country, which on April 13 stood at 22,151.

There are some universal demographic reasons for the difference, like New York being more dense as a whole — California has about 239 people living per square mile while New York has about 411, according to the U.S. Census Bureau — and New York City being the most dense city in the country.

Another possible reason, though, according to a number of accounts, relates to social distancing. It’s indisputable California acted quicker in shutting things down than New York.

On March 16, San Francisco County and five neighboring counties announced a stay-at-home order similar to what New York has in place now. Three days later, Gov. Gavin Newsom made it statewide.

On March 18, Gov. Andrew Cuomo mandated 50 percent of the workforce to stay home, a day later it was upped to 75 percent and on March 20 he closed all non-essential businesses and the regional stay-at-home order went in effect on March 22 which included New Jersey and Connecticut.

It was just six days, but when a virus as contagious as COVID-19 is ripping through a population as dense as New York it can spread very fast.

“If I infect two other people and each of them infects two people, it doubles and doubles and very soon you have very large numbers,” Dr. Arthur Reingold, professor of epidemiology and biostatistics at UC Berkeley, told the Mercury News.

Vaccinations

While social distancing was employed to a small degree, the first line of defense for the other three pandemics in the last 102 years was vaccination. But, they don’t, collectively, come close to the number of deaths attributed to the H1N1 Spanish Flu.

In 1957-58, an H2N2 virus killed as many as 1.1 million around the world and in 1968 an H3N2 virus killed up to 1 million people. In 2009, as many as 575,000 died in the first year of that H1N1 outbreak. A precise number is difficult to pinpoint, according to the CDC, and those figures are the high end of the spectrum.

In 1957, a vaccine was well on its way to mass development in this country thanks to a rogue respiratory doctor at Walter Reed Hospital, Maurice Hilleman.

He bypassed federal regulations, which can slow matters by months, and developed a vaccine before the pandemic hit this country, according to historical accounts. In 1968, the virus was a by product of other strains so there was at least a partial natural immunity to it that was relatively widespread, according to the CDC, and the widespread use of penicillin and other medications to help treat the symptoms.

Any vaccine is not a cure and the only recourse to treat even seasonal flu is to treat the symptoms. Even a seasonal flu shot is far from infallible protection.

According to the CDC the seasonal flu shot is between 40 and 60 percent effective. It takes about 20 weeks to develop a vaccination and, as in the case of COVID-19, it can spread exponentially in a matter of days rather than weeks.

That is differentiating characteristic between the seasonal flu virus and a pandemic virus — the latter is new, or novel, and it inflicts damage to varying degrees before the population can develop a “herd” immunity, which humans, as a species, do to combat any virus. The more terrifying aspect of a pandemic, though, is it spreads between humans before that survival mechanism evolves and well before a man-made vaccine can be made to the scale necessary to benefit the world’s 7.5 billion people, or at least the tens of millions most susceptible to the virus.

Rebuilding 1918

For decades scientists were baffled by the Spanish Flu, and what made it so deadly. A perfect storm of societal circumstance was part of it, but that wasn’t enough for a 25-year-old microbiologist at the University of Iowa, Johan Hultin.

In 1951, he learned of a mass grave containing 72 bodies of people who were living in the tiny village of Brevig

Mission, Alaska.

Later that year, he obtained permission from village elders to excavate the gravesite, according to a CDC account, and found the well-preserved body of a girl. He took a piece of her lung — like COVID-19, the Spanish Flu was particularly ferocious on the lungs — and attempted to bring it back to Iowa for examination. Technology and transportation logistical challenges at the time were formidable, however, and he was unable to make much progress.

Forty-six years later, in 1997, Hultin read about a colleague, Jeffrey Taubenberger, and his work on rebuilding the 2018 virus using preserved lung tissue of a U.S. serviceman. After one correspondence, Hultin, now 72, went back to Alaska for another excavation.

After spending his own money to hire a local crew, he found Lucy, a native in her mid 20s who died of the virus and who had a “perfectly frozen and preserved” set of lungs, according to the CDC. Study of Lucy’s tissue, along with preserved remains of two servicemen, were exhausted, in 1999 with some knowledge of the virus’s inner workings used today in the development of vaccinations.

In 2005, though, scientists began an effort to recreate the 1918 virus.

In what sounds like a Jurassic Park movie, microbiologist Dr. Terrence Tumpey, under the watchful eye of a number of health organizations, began the tedious task of bringing the virus back to life by injecting it into the cells taken from a human kidney.

In laboratories at the CDC headquarters in Atlanta, abiding by unprecedented safety precautions including working alone after hours when everyone else had gone home in an air-controlled room with primary and secondary isolation barriers, he succeeded in reincarnating a virus dormant for at least a century.

Study of the virus showed its impact was, not surprisingly, vicious. For example, according to the CDC, “four days after infection, the amount of 1918 virus found in the lung tissue of infected mice was 39,000 times higher than that produced by one of the comparison recombinant flu viruses.” Similarly, “the 1918 virus produced as much as 50 times the amount of virus in human lung cells as one of the comparison viruses.”

MAY 2020 — CDSENIORSPOTLIGHT.COM 7

The Arts

Keeping creativity aflame T

By Michael Hallisey

here are nearly 20 million people who reside in New York state, many of whom are sequestered at home with little artistic outlet. In the Capital District, which takes pride in its robust arts scene, patrons of the theatre and live music feel the sting most as they are severed from it.

Since shutdowns were ordered in March, social media has lit up with various performances ranging from the broadcast of live performances on Twitch to invitations to share art and inspiration on Facebook groups and TikTok videos.

Elizabeth Sobol is just one of

those patrons who misses that live, in-person experience. As President and CEO of the Saratoga Performing Arts Center, she has an intimate relationship with the giants of that world, whether it be the New York City Ballet or the Philadelphia Philharmonic Orchestra. She’s also one of those helping to fill in the void.

“We have been buoyed up by the enormous outpouring of amazing performances being shared on-line,” stated Sobol, whose SPAC launched Sparked by Beauty. It’s a Facebook community group that invites members to share their personal tidbits from the world of music, dance, poetry, art and nature. “Your SPAC family

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8 SENIOR SPOTLIGHT — MAY 2020

SPAC starts Facebook page, opening a creative outlet to its patrons online

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cases of COVID-19 reported, with nearly 10 percent of the world’s 139,000 deaths.

“My sense of time seems to stretch and shrink in weird ways,” JooHee Yoon told the New York Times, as she shared her view of Prospect Heights in Brooklyn. “I am working more than ever to escape the dire reality.”

Saratoga is often the summer playground for New Yorkers, including the New York City Ballet. Gov. Andrew Cuomo has conservatively laid out two-week evaluations to determine when to lift the shutdowns that have closed theatres across the Empire State.

Some of those theatres have clung to their May concerts, Saratoga Performing Arts Center while other Hopkins serenading his pet cat halls have closed all together. with a composition from his They all received bad news late piano. Strangers played in by last month as the governor sharing a piece of themselves, extended the shutdown to their perspective of time lost May 15. within the pines. A couple in The City Ballet is still set the midst of a loving embrace for its one-week residency at while wading in Geyser Creek. SPAC in July, but all remains A young toddler on a blanket, in a grandt jaté as lawmakers on the lawn, caught playing continue grappling with how with her toy. There’s one of a and when to return to normal lucky kid standing before the life stage as he’s handed back his “While we wait to see what violin that was just signed by the Summer has in store, let us Lindsey Stirling. deploy our poetic force fields Another post shares a New together,” stated Sobol. “I look York Times article in which the forward to sharing with you editorial staff asked Gotham those things of beauty that are City artists to share paintings providing me with strength, of their view of the world. perspective and hope. And I It’s an ominous reflection of look forward to hearing from the world. If New York City you what brings you joy and was a county, it would have light under the dark clouds of the sixth most confirmed uncertainty.” to help gather and curate all that wonderful content for all to enjoy.”

Sobol started the sharing by offering a quote from poet Elizabeth Alexander: “The poem is a force field against despair.”

An arpeggio of pictures and videos rolled staccato down the news feed in a near immediate response. Members shared images of SPAC under the canopy of a warm summer night. Yet another posted a video of actor Anthony

MAY 2020 — CDSENIORSPOTLIGHT.COM 9

Inside Feature

A rainbow connection A Scotia woman’s colorful movement turns global

By MICHAEL HALLISEY halliseym@spotlightnews.com

W

ith more than 2.5 million children home from school across the state, families are finding a need to get outside and do something to preserve their state of mind.

A recent trend blossomed in area suburbs, with homeowners hanging handcrafted rainbows for neighboring pedestrians to see. It’s a nonverbal message to kids, in particular, that says, “The greater the storm, the brighter the rainbow.”

10 SENIOR SPOTLIGHT — MAY 2020

Kristyn Dayter launched the 518 Rainbow Hunt news group on Facebook last week. The Scotia mom of a 7-month-old claims rainbows as just one of the many things she identifies herself with, and that this idea is a means of keeping people connected in a time of social distancing.

“Rainbows, unicorns and glitter have always been my thing,” said Dayter. “They’re a perfect expression of my personality.”

Since starting the project six days ago, Dayter’s private group has amassed more than 55,000 members.

Outside of starting a massive

social experiment, Dayter is a dental assistant and a photographer.

“I’m so overly happy that this little project has touched so many families and has been a good distraction for everyone in this uncertain time,” she said. “I can’t wait to see how far we can reach.”

Allison Armstrong, of Normanskill, adapted Dayter’s idea and took to Nextdoor.com to recruit local families on a similar endeavor.

“Basically, make a rainbow and hang [it] up in your windows or around the outside,” she said. “Kids

and adults are driving and walking around to hunt for them.”

In four days, the idea spread across 26 neighborhoods in the Capital District.

The rainbow hunt is reminiscent of geocaching, where participants partake in search that involves finding clues online and embarking on a real world expedition.

However, unlike geocaching, there is no established list.

People are encouraged to create and share, while others can passively discover.

“We went out walking this afternoon… searching

for rainbows,” said Albany Aronow of Delmar. “My kids were so excited when they found one.”

The list of participants quickly grows with each passing day. Some have also taken the opportunity to thank others in the community.

“I just put one up with a special thank you message,” said Mary Ellen Hoffman of Albany. That message of gratitude is shared with her paper carrier, postal carrier, parcel deliverers, healthcare and first responders. “Plus, all the essential workers who are keeping our city, state and country going. God bless.”

MAY 2020 — CDSENIORSPOTLIGHT.COM 11

Medical Corner

COVID and Alzheimer’s While the COVID-19 pandemic threatens the health of millions worldwide, the novel coronavirus presents unique challenges for both those living with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers.

Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s isn’t easy.

Reaching us is.

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12 SENIOR SPOTLIGHT — MAY 2020

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If you care for someone with Alzheimer’s disease, memory loss or dementia, you are not alone.

We’re here day or night — whenever you need us — offering reliable information and support.

crisis.”

Each virtual education program is approximately one hour and allows the audience to ask questions and engage with others going through the journey online.

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The social isolation and change in routine resulting from this virus can cause increased confusion and an emergence in challenging behavior for those with Alzheimer’s. Many of these people are without access to their adult day programs, home health care staff and/or visits from loved ones. Primary caregivers, often elderly themselves, are struggling to care for their loved ones and implement COVID-19 safety guidelines provided by the CDC (handwashing and avoiding touching one’s face, for example). Still other caregivers with loved ones living in long-term care facilities are concerned and depressed about their inability to visit.

To help local caregivers, the Alzheimer’s Association, Northeastern New York chapter is offering free virtual education programs throughout its 17-county area. The Alzheimer’s Association offers a number of education programs that can help those living with Alzheimer’s and their families understand what to expect so they can be prepared to meet the changes ahead and live well for as long as possible.

“During this challenging time, it’s critical that all New York caregivers have access to Alzheimer’s Association resources even if they cannot venture out,” said Alzheimer’s Association, Northeastern New York Executive Director Beth Smith-Boivin. “The COVID-19 crisis is altering Americans’ daily lives, but the needs of Alzheimer’s caregivers cannot be put on hold.

These online programs allow us to connect with caregivers and provide necessary information even amid the current

GIVE YOURSELF A CHANCE TO IMPROVE YOUR QUALITY OF LIFE!

KeepMovingWithStephanie.com

Add Your Event to our Monthly Calendar for Older Adults!

Does your organization have an event of interest to older adults?

If so, we want to know about it!

May 7, at 10 a.m.

Dementia Conversations May 11, at noon

Effective Communication Strategies May 5, at 10 a.m.

Legal and Financial

May 6, at 10 a.m.

Events must be submitted via email to: halliseym@spotlightnews.com Deadline is the first of the month prior to publication.

All listings must include date, time, location, contact information and any fees. Please do not exceed 90 words per item listing.

For more information, please call Michael Hallisey at 518-439-4949

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In New York State, there are an estimated 410,000 people living with Alzheimer’s and more than 1 million caregivers providing them with unpaid care and support.

Meaningful Engagement, Activities at Home May 4, at 3 p.m.

Recognizing and Coping with Caregiver Stress May 15, at 1 p.m.

Research Update & Understanding Alzheimer’s Disease

May 12, at 1 p.m.

Understanding Alzheimer’s and Dementia May 1, at 10 a.m.; May 5, at 1 p.m.

Understanding Dementia Related Behaviors May 14 at 10 a.m.

For a complete list of upcoming programs, or to register for a program, visit alz.org/crf. To help family caregivers navigate the current complex and quickly changing environment, the Alzheimer’s Association has also offered additional guidance to families at alz.org/COVID19.

CARE LINKS

CARE LINKS VOLUNTEERS help drive senior citizens to medical appointments, grocery shopping, hair appointments, and fitness centers. Volunteers provide a friendly visit, help alleviate loneliness, and help seniors remain in their home as long as possible.

A program of CAPTAIN Community Human Services

Call 518-399-4624 for more information.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED NOW IN CLIFTON PARK, HALFMOON, MECHANICVILLE, MALTA, AND BALLSTON.

MAY 2020 — CDSENIORSPOTLIGHT.COM 13

Crossword Answers on page 18 Clues Down 1. Not naturally outgoing 2. Exclamation of pain 3. Polynesian garland of flowers 1. Currency of Guinea 4. Surrounded by water 5. Avert something bad 5. Church towers 10. Sounds 6. Hot beverage 12. Immediate dangers 7. Body parts 14. Legendary Tar Heels coach 8. Travel documents 16. Californium 18. Work standards government 9. Railway 10. Gradually wear away dept. (abbr.)

11. Measuring instrument 19. Coastal Scottish town 20. Triangular lower back bones 13. Minor dust-ups 15. Strongly alkaline solution 22. Trouble 17. Extreme scarcity of food 23. A way to smile 25. Something that is not what 18. Dash 21. Philly culinary specialty it seems 23. Popular lager __ Adams 26. Of she 24. Snitch 27. Temporary living quarters 28. Bag-like structure in a plant 27. Trimmed 29. Greek god of desire or animal 32. Take to the limit 30. Indicates near 34. Cool!

31. Spiritual leader 35. Sound mental health 33. Soup dish 36. Native American group 35. Philippine island 39. Test for high schoolers 37. No longer fashionable 40. Rocky peak 38. Peaks 43. Preferences 40. Alabama football team 44. Bother 41. __ King Cole 46. Call attention to (slang) 42. Digital audiotape 47. Snake-like fish 44. Open trough 49. Bulgarian capital 45. The woman 51. Don’t know when yet 48. Cools down 54. Italian Seaport 50. Turkic language 59. Brooklyn hoopster 52. Body part 60. Where to bathe 53. Pulse steadily 61. Equal, prefix 55. Embedded computer 62. Beverage container hardware company 64. Denotes openness 56. Indicates shape 57. Thou (plural) 58. Odd and remarkable 63. An evening party 65. National capital of Zambia 66. Tantalizes 67. Dark brown or black

CRYPTO F UN

Clues Across

Memorial Day

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WORD SEARCH

Solve the code to discover words related to BURGERS Each number corresponds to a letter. (Hint: 24 = o)

14 SENIOR SPOTLIGHT — MAY 2020

HONOR VIETNAM FLAGS

AIRMEN CIVIL WAR MONDAY MARINES SAILORS WORLD WARS FLOWERS DECORATION DAY PICNIC

PARADE REMEMBRANCE MILITARY

SOLDIERS HEROISM BARBECUE

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FamilyNow CAPITAL DISTRICT

GENERATIONS TOGETHER

The Capital District family has changed -- and we are changing too.

In recognition of the multi-generational nature of the modern household, we are merging Capital District Parent Pages with Senior Spotlight to create Family Now, a monthly publication with timely features for every age and stage of family life.

With Family Now, readers will find all the great columns and features they already enjoy every month, plus so much more.

Coming June 2020 111837_4 00000000

MAY 2020 — CDSENIORSPOTLIGHT.COM 15

Lifestyle Feature

Serve your bartender W

By Michael Hallisey

ith your stimulus check on the way, you can put a small portion of it towards a kind gesture.

COVID-19 has shuttered bars and restaurants across the state since mid-March.

Though some eateries have remained open to take out-only service, the shutdown has stolen the income away from the faces we often see most.

Local hospitality leaders have scrambled to provide support to the bartenders, servers and chefs by providing online services

that help consumers get in contact with them.

One such attempt is a simple online spreadsheet of names and addresses for online payment accounts. The Google Doc was started by Jennifer “JC” Colletti. She tends bar at The Bishop, Tipsy Moose and Druthers Brewing Company in Albany. She compiled a list of names, both the server’s and the establishment in which he or she is associated with, and a hyperlink towards either a PayPal, Venmo or CashApp account.

Colletti said she came across the idea after a friend found himself sending tips to his bartender friends over Venmo.

“He explained that if he had been drinking those beers in a bar — where he’d like to be — he’d be tipping his bartenders, so why not do so while having some drinks at home,” she said.

After he suggested that he share the idea over social media, Colletti gathered names and composed the list on Google Docs.

The idea caught on quickly, and her Facebook post was shared 200 times in a matter of a few days. Though it was intended to be just a local effort, she said servers in Virginia and Florida had

16 SENIOR SPOTLIGHT — MAY 2020

asked to be added, too.

Approximately 80 million Americans are expected to receive their stimulus checks this week. It’s the federal government’s attempt to help a country marred by empty classrooms, bare grocery store shelves and long unemployment lines. The stayat-home policies in New York and other states have taken a toll, akin to cabin fever for some. However, Colletti said she’s hanging in by keeping busy. She bakes for friends, cooks meals for cancer patients and has even taken up yoga.

“Our friends do a lot of online meetings and happy hours to keep each other’s spirits up,” she said. “As everyone is saying ‘we’re all in this together,’ we’re all just trying to help each other out as much as possible.”

The “Bar-Tender” spreadsheet is open for anyone to view without fear of someone erasing. It’s an ingenious way of getting the word out to people who seek to help. To access it, visit https://bit.ly/BarTender518.

No matter what venue or crowd, “tip your bartender” is a phrase uttered by musicians at every local show. The namaste moment shared between struggling artist and struggling bartender almost goes unnoticed, but it comes to mind now that we’ve endured a month without either.

The Hollow Bar and Kitchen is a popular joint in Albany for both food, drinks and live music. Sasha Blanket is an employee, and like many, she said “we’re not sure when we will be able to open back up, or when things will start to normalize again.”

Blanket is one of scores of local servers who have connected to Tipyourbartender.online. It’s another online service that adds a little incentive to those wishing to pay a tip.

Submit a receipt of $5 or more from Venmo or Paypal to submit@tipyourbartender.online. Every person you tip will count as a separate entry. Each tip will qualify a person a chance to win a free $50 gift card to a restaurant in the Capital District.

The endeavor was launched from the start of the shutdown.

It involved Jeff Buell and Jessica Sheridan, of Redburn Development Partners; Dominick Purnomo, of Yono’s Restaurant; and Heidi Knoblauch, of Pioneer Bank. To visit the website, go to tipyourbartender.online.

“Everyone in the industry is suffering right now so any little bit counts,” Blanket states on her online profile. “I appreciate you and anything you are willing to contribute.”

A Patriot Remembers

Sacrifice - Now and Then

D

We stay at home to protect more than just ourselves

on’t think the title means sacrifice is a now and then thing. Sacrifice was key some 80 years ago when the world was at war. The million of stories of the veterans, families and friends are seldom spoke of today. I remember hearing such stories when I sponsored the first D-Day Recognition & Remembrance Day in 2011.

There was Harold Williams, an Army Veteran of the 1st Army. He was at Normandy on June 6, 1944. He shared with me, on more than one occasion, of how he was a forward observer with Lt. Colonel Bennett. When they moved deeper

into Germany, they came upon a married couple. The husband asked Bennett who they were.

He responded “Americans.”

The man then asked where are the troops and Bennett advised they were “behind us.” The man asked if they were staying and Bennett assured him “we were.”

The man said “can you wait here while I go in the house?”

The man brought out two young children aged maybe 10 to 12 years old said said they have not been outside in four years. “You see I am German and these two are Jewish.”

Those two parents knew sacrifice and Bennett and Williams were two proud American that day.

Frank DeSorbo

Today, we are asked to sacrifice and stay inside for four to eight weeks, or maybe the plight may exist longer. People are doing things they may not normally do to ward off the spread of novel coronavirus.

My reaction when COVID-19 became prevalent, I recalled some folk songs from my teenage record collection. One such song was a hit by the Kingston Trio entitled “Desert Pete.” I know the chorus by heart and many times it had inspired me to sacrifice: You’ve got to prime the pump, you must have faith and believe You’ve got to give of yourself fore you’re worthy to receive Drink all the water you can

hold, was your face, cool your feet Leave the bottle full for other, Thank You Kindly, Desert Pete.

Thank you so deeply to nurses, doctors, police and first responders, as well as the medical and volunteers working so hard to “leave the bottle full for others.” Thanks for your sacrifice for the world will not forget you and you are our Proud Americans. We must believe that the United States will do again for the world what we did in the 1940s.

Please realize that sacrifices are not a now and then thing.

Remember and recognize that sacrifices are truly deep rooted in our hearts.

To all of our

ESSENTIAL WORKERS

A Heartfelt Thank You! MAY 2020 — CDSENIORSPOTLIGHT.COM 17

Retiring Retirement

Aging & Experience

S

Aging & Experience Create a Comfortable Gait

ixty-six year old Fred Sumter of Albany says that becoming comfortable with yourself is one of the key transitions that he has noticed in the aging process.

“You put first things first,” he says. “You put things that have substance ahead of those things that are superficial. For example, money has value, but relationships have more. A house has value, but a home has more. Brothers and sisters have more value as you age because you move from sibling rivalries to sibling sharing.”

Born in a poor urban area in New York City, Fred became the first in his family to obtain a two-year degree. At 64, he

received his four-year diploma.

But even his bachelor’s didn’t feel as substantive as service work overseas.

“When I got the degree,” he says, “there was a bit of emptiness. It was hard work and good to complete, but I felt more satisfaction on mission trips.”

Much of the impetus for his service-before-self comes from a sense of gratefulness.

“My first experience with disparity was in the military as a young man,” he recalls. “I grew up in what was called the ‘ghetto.’ But in The Philippines, there might not be running water and children are begging and you begin to feel different

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about where you came from.”

When Fred went to work for New York State as a Youth Development Aid at a detention center for adolescent boys, he became even more thankful for his humble beginnings considering that most of his clientele suffer from the effects of fatherlessness.

Between his humble beginnings, faith, aging and his experience, Fred is now the father, brother or mentor that many of the detained need.

“I am on the front lines,” he says. “I am there when they get those hard phone calls about losing a mother or grandparent. God has allowed me to see through their toughness and

Robert LaCosta that they are products of their environment. You may see in front of you a 6-foot 2-inch young man that looks like a bodybuilder. He’s staunch and has an unapproachable look on his face. But I see a kid who needs structure, someone to talk to, who has been hurt and is extremely vulnerable.”

The system and outsiders may see these kids one way, but Fred’s maturity and global experiences have allowed him insight that makes it easy to believe that he’s in the right place at the right time.

Robert J. LaCosta’s daily blog is free. Write him at norepcom@ gmail.com or call 518-435-1250.

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