Capital District Family Now - September 2021

Inside:

A tragedy remembered

FamilyNow CAPITAL DISTRICT

Vol. 2, #9| SEPTEMBER 2021 |FREE

GENERATIONS TOGETHER

Start the school year strong Music for the soul Joking around

cdFamilyNow.com

September 2021 — cdFamilyNow.com 1

The best preparation for a top-tier college is a top-tier lower school.

Preschool – Grade 12

www.albanyacademies.org | 518.429.2348 2 Family Now — September 2021

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Editor’s desk

The golden glow of September

W

Kindness will see us through

hat’s not to love about September? The days are generally mild and sunny with cooler nights that don’t require any supplemental A/C. Crowds die down as students get back to the business of studying and travelers return to their pre-vacation lives. Vegetable gardens overflow with late tomatoes, squash and corn. It’s like the summer we’ve been waiting for … all summer long.

Ask a kid what they think of September, and you might get a different answer, depending on how they feel about going back to school. You can’t really blame them this year if they seem a little less than eager to hit the books. For many students, this will be the third school year marked by pandemic-related restrictions and rules, and this year is especially uncertain as we watch school board meetings erupt in angry name-calling over masking and Covid-19 guidelines.

It’s been a tough go, these past few months. I know many of us thought the pandemic would surely be behind us by now, but it isn’t. And here we are. So we must push ahead with all the reserves of strength and courage we have been tapping into these past few months and imagine a future where these times are just a “Remember when?” We take care of ourselves and we take care of others by being responsible and kind because we cannot let our anger and frustration corrode our humanity.

FamilyNow CAPITAL DISTRICT

GENERATIONS TOGETHER

For every age and stage of family life.

September 2021 Features 9/11 remembered

14-15

Columnists Parenting with Confidence

4

Triple Threat

10

Learning Center

12

Retiring Retirement

19

Social Security Corner

22

What’s new On the bookshelf

5, 18

Kids fun page

6

Brain teasers

16

Resources Senior centers

20-21

We can do this.

Check out our articles and more at www.cdfamilynow.com and mail your story ideas and pictures to Capital District Family Now, P.O. Box 100, Delmar, NY 12054, or e-mail me at robertsk@spotlightnews.com.

Kristen Roberts Editor, Capital District Family Now

publisher - John McIntyre editor - Kristen Roberts editor-at-large - Michael Hallisey advertising sales - Denice Mau art director - David Abbott graphic design - Martha Eriksen Engagement Coordinator - Rachel Dottino

Editor-at-Large Michael Hallisey remembers those first terrifying moments of Sept. 11, 2001, pages 14-15.

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

September 2021 — cdFamilyNow.com 3

Parenting with Confidence

A healthy mindset Help your kids focus on the positive as they head back to school

Food is fuel that helps us stay strong and healthy.

Discuss with your pediatrician about what vitamins they recommend your child take.

W

hen we reflect on the past 18 months, it has been a whirlwind of emotions. We have navigated staying inside, social distancing, masks, homeschooling children and working virtually. We have had to deal with stresses we never encountered before.

when people, including myself, hear the words “September” and “school,” there’s a huge feeling of uncertainty of what to expect. I want to remind us all that by we are resilient, we are capable and we are adaptable, and there are some things we can do to makes it challenging is when help ourselves and there are new viruses that our our children have a bodies have never been exposed healthy mindset this school to. This can make it harder on year. our immune systems, dependCantarella Culpo, Director With the good weather, many ing on how strong that virus people have been getting Madeline Germs: we have good bacteCantarella Culpo, Director or disease is. I have always said together, having play dates, ria and bad bacteria all around that knowledge is power. The and getting more comfortable us. Our bodies battle to keep more you know, the more you with “normal” things again. But us healthy every day. What

Quoida Lauzon

adeline

L DANCEFALL CLASSES DANCE CLASSES Madeline

FALL

Cantarella

Culpo,

DANCE

can protect yourself and make informed decision based on evidence. Here are a few tips for staying healthy this school year to empower you and your family.

Hand hygiene: Washing our

Continued on Page 11

Director

CLASSES

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4-5 Ages6-8 4-5 Ages 12:00 pm12:00 pm 10:00 am Ages 9-11 12:30Ages pm Ages 12 & up 2:30 pm 9-11 Ages 9-11Ages 12:30 pm12:30 pm Ages 4-5Ages 12:00 pm 12 & up 2:30 pm Ages 12 & up 2:30 pm Ages 12 & up 2:30 pm Ages 9-11 12:30 pm admin@schoolofabb.org * www.schoolofabb.org 518-426-0660Ages * 2512 Monroe Albany, NY 12210 & up Street, 2:30 pm

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admin@schoolofabb.org * www.schoolofabb.org 4 Family Now — September 2021

25 Monroe hoolofabb.org * 518-426-0660 www.schoolofabb.org 518-426-0660 * 25 Monroe*Street, Albany, NYStreet, 12210 Albany, NY 12210 admin@schoolofabb.org * www.schoolofabb.org

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picture books

On the Bookshelf

Read your way to adventure ‘Grandude’s Green Submarine’

‘Unicorn Night’

By Paul McCartney;

By Diana Murray;

illustrated by Kathryn Durst

illustrated by Luke Flowers

Celebrate the fun that grandparents and grandkids can get up to in this action-packed undersea adventure on Grandude’s new green submarine that flies as well as submerges!

This tale is perfect for little explorers.

Random House

In this clever and colorful picture book, unicorns love to prance and dance the day away. But it’s exhausting! Now it’s time for unicorns to brush their manes, fluff their pillows, and sing their unicorn lullaby.

Sourcebooks Jabberwocky

‘Dragons Are the Worst!’

By Alex Willan Gilbert the Goblin is absolutely, definitely, 100% certain that dragons are the worst. They burn down everything in sight and they hoard all the gold, and everyone is afraid of them. But really, it’s the dragons who should be afraid of Gilbert and his tremendous goblin power! Simon & Schuster

Get the word out!

List your local event or meeting in our monthly calendar

Toddler II Program

LIMITED OPENINGS AVAILABLE For children ages 18-36 months

Send calendar submissions by the 5th of the previous month to:

Capital District Family Now, Attn: Calendar, P.O. Box 100, Delmar, N.Y. 12054 or Email: robertsk@spotlightnews.com

FamilyNow

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CAPITAL DISTRICT

GENERATIONS TOGETHER

MAKE SURE THEY’RE IN THE RIGHT CAR SEAT

NHTSA.gov/TheRightSeat

12-2:30 pm ––––––––– 3-5 days/ week 100 Montessori Place North Greenbush 518.283.5400 • woodlandhill.org 114811_4

September 2021 — cdFamilyNow.com 5

n u F s d i K ge Pa

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE? There are four things different between Picture A & Picture B. Can you find them all?

A

Coloring Fun

6 Family Now — September 2021

Answers: 1. Extra pumpkin front right 2. Wagon wheel center facing left 3. Pumpkin has a face 4. Sunflower in wagon with pumpkins

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September 2021 — cdFamilyNow.com 7

Family health

‘Miracle’ baby beats the odds

“O

ur little miracle,” is how Jackie Neumeister of Ravena describes her daughter, Abby. And indeed she is.

Before she was born, Abby was diagnosed with myelomeningocele, a type of spina bifida in which the spinal cord does not form normally. At the time, Jackie was told that Abby wouldn’t be able to walk on her own.

Faced with a potentially devastating diagnosis, the Neumeisters went as far as Philadelphia for a second opinion before they found Dr. Matthew Adamo, a pediatric neurosurgeon at Albany Med, who reassured them he had the expertise to care for their daughter.

When Abby was born in January 2018, she was also diagnosed

with craniosynostosis, a birth defect where the sutures on a baby’s head fuse together prematurely. This prevents the skull from growing as the brain grows, which can affect cognitive development.

allowed it to develop normally.

In total, Abby had three surgeries on her back and two on her head, all before her first birthday.

While Abby initially had a hard time by walking because of That’s when the spina bifida, the team from she’s now walking Albany Med’s on her own.

Cleft-Craniofacial “Seeing the Center stepped in. video of Abby taking her first steps Adamo and Dr. without a walker was Courtney Carpenter, a amazing!” said Carpenter. plastic surgeon and director of the Cleft-Craniofacial Center, At three-and-a-half years old, performed Abby’s first surgery Abby is a smart, vibrant toddler when she was only hours old, who loves to dance and sing. closing the area around Abby’s “She’s always been happy and spine that hadn’t developed. At friendly and outgoing in everysix months old, Abby underwent thing,” said Jackie. another surgery that expanded Abby continues to see Carpenthe space around her brain and

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8 Family Now — September 2021

ter for check-ups, but they are becoming less and less frequent. “[Dr. Carpenter, Dr. Adamo and everyone else in the CleftCraniofacial Center] know what they’re doing, are always available if we have any concerns. ... We love all of them,” said Jackie.

This article was first published by Albany Medical Center at amc.edu.

g n i ak

m s i ! k c a eb

s cros a p ll nu ope u in on a s t n eve ll fill yo riment. & s e e’ er venu istrict, w rning m e r o u As m apital D the ret C the

Jackie Neumeister credits the CleftCraniofacial Center at Albany Med with helping her daughter make great strides.

n Parenting continued from Page 4 hands is the No. 1 way to help reduce the spread of viruses and illness. Hand sanitizer is a great back up to help reduce the spread of germs. You should always stop to use soap and water after using the bathroom, before and after meals, after sneezing or blowing your nose, after coughing, and if you are caring for someone who is sick.

There are five easy step to washing your hands: 1. rinse your hands with water, 2. apply soap, 3. wash your hands for at least 30 seconds or teach your kids to sing happy birthday twice, 4. rinse your hands well with water, and 5. dry your hands.

Healthy diet: Food is fuel that helps us stay strong and healthy.

Food is medicine for our entire body and helps strengthen our immune system. You can find easy healthy recipes online, and you can encourage your children to eat healthier by including them in the kitchen prep.

You can have your kids help you with mixing and stirring ingredients and let them pick out one food that goes with dinner, like their favorite vegetable and favorite fruit. Kids need to be exposed many times to new foods before they sometimes like it, and that’s normal. You can discuss with your pediatrician about what vitamins they recommend your child take.

Movement: Movement is an important piece in staying healthy. Going outside to play, working out inside with your kids, dance parties and youth sports are all great ways to get moving. You can also connect with a parent groups for kids to get together to run and play.

Activity is so important for our health, not only physically but emotionally. Walking outside to get fresh air is such a great way to boost your mental health.

This year has been hard on our children. Let’s empower them this school year because

there is bad stress and eustress, also known as good stress. If your kids are nervous about going back to school, you can explain to them you understand their feelings and validate them. Talk to them about that stress but also the eustress of being able to see their friends.

Maybe your child expresses they are feeling stressed or fearful of becoming sick and you can validate them and explain to them at an age-appropriate level about how people know they need to wash their hands more and that when we feed our bodies healthy food, they are stronger, and that we know many ways to stay healthy.

For parents, it can feel the weight of the world is on your shoulders. My encouraging words to you are that you are strong, resilient, capable and enough. There is more awareness, more resources, more support. Taking care of you is so important to prevent burnout. Take time to play games with your kids after school, stay close to your circle of support, nourish your own body with healthy foods, nourish your mind with positive things you watch and listen to on social media, television, and in person. Take time to pray or mediate to center your soul even for a couple of minutes every day. You can’t pour from an empty cup.

Another great way to stay connected with other parents and build your dream team is by joining a parent group, like my Facebook group called 518 moms club, that will help you feel empowered and supported.

Quoida Lauzon is a Capital District mom and a Registered Nurse who specializes in maternal and infant health, breastfeeding and childbirth education. She teaches classes and coaches new mothers in their pregnancy and “fourth trimester” journey and believes women should thrive, not just survive, motherhood. Connect with her on social media @ nurse.q.lauzon or visit nurseq. com.

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GENERATIONS TOGETHER

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September 2021 — cdFamilyNow.com 9

Triple Threat

parenting triplets in the Capital District

The hope in humor

L

Laughter and joking around is plentiful in the Steuer household

aughter is the best medicine (according to Milton Berle).

I love the different types of humor Olivia, Benjamin and Rebecca enjoy.

Just like they are three different people, they have three very different senses of humor.

Hearing my kids laugh gives me the feeling like I gave them a gift that they really enjoy and will use for the rest of their lives. They will also be able to share this gift with so many people.

Benjamin has a really dry sense of humor that reminds me of my father. He tells “dad jokes” and can keep a straight face even as he delivers a

hysterical punchline. Ben can his own children. be a little over the top someI can’t always tell what will times, and we are tasked with make Rebecca laugh. There are teaching him to use decorum plenty of attempts made on in his humor. There is also a my part to make her laugh, very important part but I’m just mom. I of helping children hear her laughing in find humor: makby her room or at the ing sure other news. Rebecca’s people are not eye rolls are epic. uncomfortable The eye rolls are or the subject of an exchange for jokes. laughter, I think.

When I look at Being 13 is one of my son, I can see so those things that I’m glad much of my dad. Ben only she only has to live through got to meet him a few times once (unless, of course, she before he died. And just has a daughter). Everything like magic, his humor lives that Harlan and I know next on. I can’t imagine what to nothing about is funny, and kind of jokes Ben will tell if we ask for an explanation

Jennifer Steuer

we get her eye roll and a “you wouldn’t get it.” As long as she isn’t being mean, she can laugh all she wants. A great way to get her to laugh is to play Cards Against Humanity.

She will roll her eyes and laugh at the same time. I will count that as a win.

Olivia is in a class all her own. She will chuckle. She will smile and nod. Her eye rolls are ever present. She does very well with riddles. I can see her struggle with deciphering humor sometimes, and that is okay. Olivia is a fun-loving kid who will tell jokes and laugh and keep us in stitches. I wish

Continued on Page 11

FamilyNow CAPITAL DISTRICT

GENERATIONS TOGETHER

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a monthly publication with timely features for every age and stage of family life.

With Capital District FAMILY NOW, you will find great columns and features to enjoy every month, plus so much more.

Pick up your copy today!

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religion, physical/mental abilities, gender or sexuality.

n Triple Threat continued from Page 10 I got to hear her giggle a little more often.

As I grew up, I knew my family was a little different. We laughed at just about everything. There were lots of times that events, situations or problems were turned and flipped to be funny. My brothers, my sister and my mom could make almost anything funny because it made things easier to deal with. When times were hard and dinners of elbow macaroni with butter with a veggie were frequent, we kids got a kick out of describing the meal in restaurant style with lots of embellishing. When we didn’t have cable television; we watched movies we had on VHS. According to my siblings, we became connoisseurs of movies no one would want to watch more than once.

When my youngest brother became a non-verbal quad-

The Steuer triplets all have their own individual sense of humor. riplegic, he was not able to tell any more jokes, but he could sure laugh.

I do not care for practical jokes or the kinds of jokes that hurt others physically or

emotionally. I get no enjoyment out of watching a marginalized group on the receiving end of perceived humor. I cannot fathom how people get entertainment value out of making fun of people based on race,

Proverbs suggest that laughter is the best medicine (Proverbs 17:22). So, somewhere between Proverbs and Milton Berle, we have learned that laughter can help us feel better about our lives or situations. I deliberately put myself in situations where I can laugh and laugh. My dear friends, my mom and so many times my sweet children make me laugh. My love, Harlan, is my best friend. We share a similar sense of humor and often think of or go to say something just as the other is about to do the same. In our home there will always be laughter and levity.

Jennifer Steuer is an Albany mom whose busy household includes her husband, Harlan, and 13-year-old triplets Olivia, Benjamin and Rebecca.

Follow her on Instagram: jennifersteuer.

a b L o r y D p p a a y H

from the staff at

FamilyNow CAPITAL DISTRICT

GENERATIONS TOGETHER

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September 2021 — cdFamilyNow.com 11

Learning Center

Education insight for parents

Back to school resolutions

W

hen most people think of making resolutions, they probably associate them with the Times Square ball drop and shouts of “Happy New Year!” However, for kids across the country, a different kind of “New Year” is under way – a new school year.

As we dust off the backpacks and notebooks, it’s time for parents to be the best Chief Education Officers (CEOs) that they can be and set an actionable plan into motion for academic success. Parents shouldn’t wait until January 1 to make the resolutions that can significantly impact their children’s education. Following are some suggested school

resolutions that you as a parent and your kids can put into action now:

Get organized. Getting organized now can save stress later.

You can start by stocking up on all of the school supplies that Get into a routine. Gone are kids might need like notebooks, the lazy days of sleeping in and rulers, pens, pencils and callounging by the pool. Back to culators and be sure to get school also signifies back extras to use later in the to a routine; and a lityear. Most schools by tle structure can go will send a supply a long way. Create list to the local a daily school stores. Kids can get schedule with bedinvolved by checktimes and wakeup ing off items as times, when to leave they go into the cart. the house to catch the By creating a filing bus, time for after-school system at home, you and activities, time for homework your kids can work together to and so on. Buy a large calendar make sure no important forms and have your kids map out and papers get lost in the daytheir days. Celebrate sticking to-day shuffle. to your weekly routine with a trip to the movies or other fun Set goals. Sit down with activity on the weekends. your son or daughter and talk

Patrick McNamara

about goals. As you and your child make his or her list of goals, be specific. For instance, perhaps your third-grader wants to master multiplication or your teen is hoping to have a 3.5 GPA this year. Break down that goal into manageable chunks and have regular check-ins. Keep in mind that achieving goals isn’t always easy – maybe your son or daughter didn’t get a good grade on an important test, but all is not lost. Have a discussion about how best to course correct and stay on track to achieving that goal.

Celebrate victories big and small. Most families celebrate a good report card or graduating to a new grade, but it’s equally

SO CAN YOU. 12 Family Now — September 2021

Continued on Page 13

n Learning Center continued from Page 12 important to recognize the little victories as well. Getting a good grade on an exam can lay the foundation to getting that A on the final report card.

Celebrate by having a kids’ choice family night or going on a special outing like a trip to the museum. Parents can establish a cumulative rewards system.

For example, every homework assignment completed with a grade B or higher earns the child a sticker and when he or she has 10 stickers, it’s time for a trip to the bookstore.

Get involved. This resolution is important for both kids and parents alike. Parents can join the local PTA or PTO to be informed about school events and various ways to get involved or volunteer to chaperone field trips. Extracurricular activities are important for kids to develop their interests and connect with like-minded peers.

Make this school year the best yet by making (and sticking to) your family’s back to school resolutions.

Whether taking part in robotics classes or joining the soccer team, extracurricular activities help kids learn time management and prioritizing while having fun.

Don’t be afraid to get help.

It’s all too easy for one bad grade to snowball into a larger issue. If you’re concerned with your child’s performance, meet with his or her teacher to discuss how best to get your student back on track. If a consistent issue arises, it may

be time to look into tutoring options.

Patrick McNamara is the owner and executive director at Sylvan Learning of Albany and Clifton Park. For more information, visit SylvanLearning.com.

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September 2021 — cdFamilyNow.com 13

Memories of

20 years ago, planes struck the Twin Towers and left us

S

by

Michael Hallisey

wedish molecular biologist Dr. Jonas Frisen found that the cellular structure that makes our physical selves, systematically dies and regenerates itself in totality every seven years. Which, in the most literal sense, means we are not who we were a decade ago.

Life is not as it was 20 years ago.

Like Frisen’s study of carbon-14’s imprint on the human body, the events surrounding Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2001 created a timestamp upon the collection of generations who walk among us today. The sense of innocence that was lost to those who lived through the day was never a reality to the children who came after.

My son Liam came into this world just shy of two years after the day.

As I write this, he’s six days away from attending his first year of college.

Between those two milestones, he has developed a love for videogames like his father. He is proficient at first-person shooters like Call of Duty.

The storylines captured in these games keeps a player’s attention by adapting real world headlines into the plotline. It represents the world theater he has always known.

His first memory of 9/11 was visiting the exhibit at the State Museum.

His mother and I had spoken to him about it before, but our words failed to capture the gravity of the day. He later said he had understood the facts but didn’t comprehend the scale of it all until he saw the crumpled heap of the FDNY pumper Engine 6. In school, the details shared to him and his friends progressed as they grew older. In high school they watched videos. They learned who died. They saw “the jumpers.”

Twenty years ago, his mother and I were preparing to marry. I retired from a brief newspaper career and fell into a corporate job as a financial representative. It was a new endeavor for the insurance company, too, as it was delving into variable annuities whose performance was tied to the ebbs and flows of New York’s Wall Street. My job was to process new account paperwork and answer remedial questions from agents who made nearly eight times my salary.

Our team’s timesheet sat on top of a gray filing cabinet outside of our row of forest green cubicles. In the second box to the right of my name, I remember writing in “8:45.” Within minutes of sitting down, Melissa, a teammate, said aloud that a plane hit one of the Twin Towers. We chuckled and asked what kind. She didn’t know. Moments later, someone else shared that it was a 767.

“That can’t be right,” I said. Then a cold chill went down my back. I would later see a video of an incredulous Bryant Gumbel taking a phone call from a witness on a CBS broadcast of “The Early Show.” How he attempted to correct the caller’s own observation, telling him it had to be a prop plane. No, the caller said, it was a jet. “That would have to mean it was hijacked,” I said.

The Twin Towers stood toward the southern tip of Manhattan in New York City’s financial district. When I was 9 years old, my family and I rode the elevator up the South Tower and stood on top of the build-

14 Family Now — September 2021

The scale of the tragedy that took place on Sept. 11, 2001, is sometimes hard for y twisted beam damaged during the terrorist attacks. ing. The 107th floor underneath had an observation deck from which my cousin and I peered through binoculars down at the people walking across the plaza.

Phones continued to ring with agents asking questions. We were going about our day until we learned of another plane. We stopped, stunned.

I was processing my thoughts, explaining to myself that the first plane could be excused as an accident, but that the second was something else.

I just couldn’t process that something else. The inability to connect the events to a plausible conclusion produced fear. I looked at Jackie, who sat next to me and asked, “What in the hell is going on?”

I made another feeble attempt to work by calling our sales support desk. I needed to address the paperwork in front of me. The voice on the other end asked, “You’re not calling out, are you?” I just said, “I don’t know what I’m doing.” In our efforts to grasp a hold of our everyday, we

f a dark day

s struggling to make sense of what had just happened but that wasn’t happening. Soon after, the cameras started focusing on blurry shadows as they hurtled down to earth. Then we saw they were people. I thought about my cousin and those binoculars.

The person behind the lens kept his focus on the macabre act. Some of those who jumped were by themselves while others held hands in pairs and groups. I recall how I often defended broadcast news for showing the crying faces, as people demonized the news for exploiting the school children as they escaped from Columbine High School. Some events drive policy change. Without an emotional connection, that change seldom comes. Richard Drew, an Associated Press still photographer, captured the image of Jonathan Briley.

The picture is best known as “The Falling Man.” Without the I would later see a video photographer’s focus, Briley’s family would have gone forever of an incredulous Bryant without closure.

Gumbel taking a phone call from a witness on a CBS broadcast of “The Early Show.” How he attempted to correct the caller’s own observation, telling him it had to be a prop plane. No, the caller said, it was a jet.

Matt, my best friend who I named as my best man, was an FDNY firefighter in the Bronx. I knew he wasn’t among the first responders, but I knew he would be at the World Trade Center. I just didn’t know how quickly he would respond. My phone calls started from work in the afternoon. Each time, I received a busy signal. I continued once I got home — a futile effort accentuated by a constant series of hanging up and redialing. I eventually received a phone call before midnight. At some point, I fell asleep with the phone in my hand. Our fraternity established a phone chain. Matt was OK.

younger people to grasp until they see the remnants of the destruction, like this lost sight of the sinew connecting us to the horrors 150 miles south of us.

I was tasked with going down each of the aisles in our call center of 200 people instructing everyone to stop calling out to agents. Some of them were in New York.

My cell phone was little more than that. Texts cost 10 cents each, and to type a “C” or an “F” required punching the 2 or 3 on my keypad three times each. There was no internet access except for our desktops.

Compression rates over the internet made videos look clunky. YouTube wouldn’t launch for another four years. Once we all strained our internet connection for news updates, the company opened the board room and turned on the television.

Cameras were focused on people hanging from the slender window slats between the Twin Towers’ skeletal facade as dark smoke belched from behind them. We thought of helicopters swooping in to save them,

Matt would spend the year at Ground Zero as part of the recovery effort. Since then, he’s developed health issues shared by many of his peers. According to an FDNY study, nearly 9,000 firefighters who were exposed to the 9/11 dust may be at greater risk for cancer. Another report through the city’s World Trade Center Registry found small increases in the rates of prostate cancer, thyroid cancer and multiple myeloma.

Broadcast news did not stop for nearly four days. The uninterrupted coverage of the attacks, and their aftermath, would go down as the longest news event in U.S. television history. Networks tossed regular programming aside for 93 continuous hours of news. This archaic form of doom scrolling took its toll. As the identities of those involved in the attacks were learned, racism towards Arab nationals increased. But, other behaviors had changed, if only for a few days.

The memories of those few days are as clear as the beautiful blue sky on that Tuesday afternoon. It is something I hope to never see again.

There were no clouds. There were no planes.

The writer is editor-at-large for Capital District Family Now. September 2021 — cdFamilyNow.com 15

Puzzle Answers on Page 20

Clues Across 1. Defunct social networking service 5. Facial expressions 11. Forebears 14. A portable gun 15. Decrees 18. Resin obtained from tropical trees 19. One who divines the future 21. River in Oregon 23. Norse god of thunder 24. It’s on the lawn 28. Speaks 29. Polish beer 30. Ethnic group in Laos 32. Insecticide 33. Surface of the ground

35. Third-party access 36. Senior officer 39. Makes a living with difficulty 41. Expression of sympathy 42. Former U.S. president 44. Passover feast and ceremony 46. Wild sheep of northern Africa 47. Pouch 49. Public buildings 52. Type of cuisine 56. “Hotel California” rockers 58. Universal 60. Eloquently 62. Scantily 63. Japanese alcoholic drink

Clues Down

CRYPTO F UN

1. Kilogram force (abbr.)

2. Lake __, one of the Great 3. Seahawks safety Thomas 4. Take a __ 5. Gazelles 6. One’s mother 7. Iridium 8. Comics writer Stan 9. Within 10. Excite 12. Long-legged gazelle 13. Leaves 16. African nation 17. System of handcraft-based education 20. Formerly (archaic) 22. Argon 25. Equally 26. Standardized test 27. Not part of 29. Midway between east and southeast 31. Native American tribe 34. Marlins infielder Gordon 36. Places to relax

37. Phonology units 38. Bastard wing 40. South Dakota 43. Lake in Uganda 45. Spanish be 48. Town in Galilee 50. Mediation counsel 51. Hair-like structure 53. Domesticated animals 54. Region 55. He cured polio 57. Title of respect 58. Carpet design 59. Strongly alkaline solution 61. Cerium

Classic Cars

WORD SEARCH

Solve the code to discover words related to AUTOMOBILES. Each number corresponds to a letter. (Hint: 6 = I)

16 Family Now — September 2021

250 GTO CHARGER ASTON MARTIN CHEVROLET BMW CORVETTE BRONCO DB4 CAMARO E-TYPE

EL CAMINO JAGUAR NOVA FERRARI LAMBORGHINI PORSCHE FIREBIRD MERCEDES ROLLS ROYCE FORD MIURA SILVER DAWN IMPALA MUSTANG SL 300

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September 2021 — cdFamilyNow.com 17

On the Bookshelf

adult fiction

September surprises ‘Apples Never Fall’

‘The Book of Form and Emptiness’

By Liane Moriarty

By Ruth Ozeki

If your mother was missing, would you tell the police? Even if the most obvious suspect was your father? This is the dilemma facing the four grown Delaney siblings — ­­ Amy, Logan, Troy, and Brooke. When their mother goes missing, the police question the one person who remains: their dad. Two of the Delaney children think their father is innocent, two are not so sure. Henry Holt and Co.

One year after the death of his beloved musician father, 13-year-old Benny Oh begins to hear voices. The voices belong to the things in his house — a sneaker, a broken Christmas ornament, a piece of wilted lettuce. He eventually meets his very own Book — a talking thing — who narrates Benny’s life and teaches him to listen to the things that truly matter. Viking

‘The Night She Disappeared’

By Lisa Jewell On a beautiful summer night, a young woman and her boyfriend disappear after partying at the massive country estate of a new college friend. One year later, a writer moves into a cottage near the estate and stumbles upon a mysterious note that simply reads, “Dig here.” Could this be a clue about what has happened to the missing young couple? Atria Books

18 Family Now — September 2021

Retiring Retirement

‘Good News Train’ on track Musical project bridges the generations and aims to inspire a revival of faith through COVID, Staats steered a small group of pre-teens and new album is an old teens into practicing, performcalling for 77-yearing and recording tunes that he old Jim Staats of believes are ideal for young South Bethlepeople and adults alike hem. and apropos for this A roofer by by era of uncertainty. trade, Jim is also “We need a an avid songrevival,” says Stawriter who has a ats.

“And I can gift for tailoring see more young tunes that youths people coming on can sing to express board.

At their ages, their faith. they might not under“Bridge Street Revival” stand a revival movement. But is an EP that he crafted during their voices can inspire middlethe pandemic to bring the age and older adults. I envision young and old together. people coming back to church Carefully muddling his way as if to ask, ‘Hey, what did I

“Bridge Street Revival” is available on ITunes, Spotify, Amazon, CD Baby and other platforms.

This is the second part of a series.

A

Robert LaCosta

miss?’

“But we don’t want to just preach to the choir,” Staats says.

“We could play at street celebrations and sing to people who don’t go to church. My songs present situations, stories and metaphors and hit on contemporary issues. Sometimes we can get jaded during things like the pandemic, but I’m beginning to

see more people openly express their faith.”

He likens the project and movement to a “Good News Train” – not coincidently one of the “tracks” on the EP. Robert J. LaCosta’s daily devotional blog is on his Facebook page and can also be received in your email by writing to norepcom@ gmail.com.

L U N G C A N C E R W O N ’ T Q U I T,

EVEN IF YOU DID.

Thanks to a new scan, lung cancer can be detected early when it’s more curable. If you smoked, get scanned.

Talk to your doctor or visit SavedByTheScan.org

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September 2021 — cdFamilyNow.com 19

Senior Centers LifePath www.lifepathny.org; (518) 465-3322 Supportive services for older adults.

To register: www.lifepathny.org; (518) 465-3322 Wednesdays, Sept. 1-29, 10 a.m.: Cards Club Come out and play Spades and other card games in the Westview Community Center. Old and new members are welcome!

Location: Westview Homes Community Room Tuesdays, Sept. 7-28, 10:30 a.m.-noon: Memoir Writing with Paul Lamar Who are you? Who were you? We’ll discuss the challenges of writing about ourselves, read some good examples, and write short essays about our lives.

For beginning and experienced writers.

Registration required.

Location: Watervliet Senior Center or via Zoom

Wednesdays, Sept. 8 and 22, 10-10:45 a.m.: Seated Tap and Jazz Class

Fridays, Sept. 10 and 24, 2-3 p.m.: Paint and Sip (2-session series)

Learn tap and jazz foot moves while staying safely seated on a chair.

Join us from the comfort of your home as Ernesto Molina instructs and guides you through the process of creating a self-expressive art masterpiece in two, one-hour sessions. Registration Required.

Location: Watervliet Senior Center or via Zoom Thursdays, Sept. 9 and 23, 2 p.m.: Seated Tai Chi

Location: via Zoom

Stretch your body through a series of movements designed to improve your alignment and release stress. No experience required. Registration preferred, not required.

Location: via Zoom Fridays, Sept. 10 and 24, 9:30 a.m. (2-session series): Play Reading Club: “Twelve Angry Women” Come join the play reading club as we take a stand with this enticing play based on “Twelve Angry Men!” Come as a reader, or just a listener as we hear their story and discover if he is innocent or guilty! Registration Required.

Location: Watervliet Senior Center or via Zoom

Monday, Sept. 13, 12:30 p.m.: Travel Log: The Great Pyramids of Giza Come with us as we explore another treasure of the earth.

Location: Watervliet Senior Center or via Zoom Tuesday, Sept. 14, 12:45 p.m.: Flower Camp Join Michelle from Ambiance Florals as she teaches you how to arrange a beautiful bouquet of flowers. Registration is required to receive materials needed to participate virtually.

Location: via Zoom Tuesday, Sept. 14, 1 p.m.: Music

St. Sophia & Holy Wisdom Apartments

on the Patio Come enjoy the upbeat vibes of the Tune Ups outside on the patio (or inside in the event of inclement weather). Bring your own chair or call ahead to reserve a seat.

Location: Cohoes Senior Center Patio Wednesdays, Sept. 15 and 29, 10:30 -11:30 a.m.: Wii Tournament (Bowling) Bring your bowling skills to the Westview Community Center.

Location: Westview Homes Community Room Wednesday, Sept. 15, 1 p.m.: Celebrity Bingo with Chad O’Hare from The Breakfast Club on B95.5!

Join our celebrity guest, as he pulls the numbers for an hour of Bingo fun.

Registration Required.

Location: Watervliet Senior Center or via Zoom Friday, Sept. 17, 10 a.m.: Cooking Demo with Kristyn Bopp

Continued on Page 21

*

*

426 & 428 Whitehall Road, Albany, NY

One Bedroom Apartments

I

All the convenience of city life with a peaceful tranquility of a lovely suburban setting u u

Weekly Buses to Markets & Malls Computers On Site

u u

24 Hour Security On CDTA Bus Route

If qualified, pay 30% of your gross annual income which cannot exceed:

Equal Housing Opportunity

(518)459-4910

114455_4

$33,500 for 1 person – $38,250 for 2 persons

BRAINTEASERS ANSWERS CRPYTO ANSWERS: A. truck B.engine C. mechanic D. repairs

f you would like to showcase special events in our monthly publication, Please send them to us by the 5th of the month preceding publication.* MO

NT

H

5

FamilyNow CAPITAL DISTRICT

Email to: Kristen Roberts at robertsk@spotlightnews.com *Based on space availability

20 Family Now — September 2021

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GENERATIONS TOGETHER

Senior Centers

Wednesday, Sept. 22, 12:30 p.m.: Live Music after Lunch with Tim Farkas

• Noon: Gershon’s, BYOL and coffee service

Thursdays • 10 a.m.: Tai Chi • 10 a.m.-2 p.m.: Open for indoor/outdoor socialization/coffee service

Reservations for lunch must be made

by Sept. 20.

• 10 a.m.: Cards, Mahjong, Bridge, Bocce avail • 1 p.m.: The Eddy Health Alert Chair Yoga, in house and via Zoom (Sept. 2, 9 and 30) *

When Nora Spangler and her family move into an exclusive suburban neighborhood, Nora starts to understand how high-powered career oriented women can have it all. A mystery novel. Registration Required.

• 10:30-11:30 a.m.: Alzheimer’s Support Group (first Friday of the month)

Location: Cohoes Senior Center or via Zoom

Mondays, Sept. 13 and 20, 11 a.m.: CDPHP Zumba, in house and via Zoom

Tuesday, Sept. 28, 10 a.m.: Card Making

Wednesdays, Sept 1,8,15 and 29, 11 a.m.: SilverSneakers Zumba Gold, Zoom only

Create beautiful greeting cards with the help of talented card makers Sheila, Nicky and Patti. Registration required.

Fridays, Sept. 10, 17 and 24, 11 a.m.: CDPHP Chair Pilates, Zoom only

Niskayuna Senior Center 2682 Aqueduct Road, Niskayuna (518) 372-4969 Additional information along with the calendar will be posted on the Niskayuna Town website at www.niskayuna.org/seniorcenter. *Denotes registration or possible additional fee. Please note that all details are subject to change. Call with any questions or concerns.

Dates for Exercise Classes scheduled inside are only tentative, and subject to change.

These classes may continue on Zoom, based on recommendation from NYS, Schenectady County and The Town of Niskayuna.

Tuesdays • 9 a.m.-noon: Tom’s Computer Class (first and third Tuesday of the month) • • 10 a.m.: Tai Chi

218 2nd Avenue, Troy, NY • 518-435-8030 www.SimpleChoicesCremation.com

Roy F. Bordeau Owner/Manager Serving Families Since 1975

• Noon: Gershon’s, BYOL and coffee service

Monday, Sept. 27, 1 p.m.: Book Club: “The Husbands” by Chandler Baker

Location: Cohoes Senior Center or via Zoom

You’ll Find

The Capital District’s leading provider for Direct Cremation, Urns and Memorial Services with over 40 years Home experience to bringisit Where all together.You’ll Find Us

• 1 p.m.: MVP Zoom Chair Moves, in house and via Zoom

Come for lunch at noon and stay for the cool strumming of guitarist Tim Farkas.

Location: Cohoes Senior Center

Serving the entire Capital District

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Location: Cohoes Senior Center via Zoom

• 10 a.m.: Cards, Mahjong, Bridge, Bocce avail

Fridays

• 11 a.m.-noon: CDPHP Chair Pilates, Zoom only (Sept. 10, 17 and 24) Exercise Update:

(518) 694-9907 vnhc.com u Skilled nursing and rehab

(518) 489vnaalbany

(518) 489-2681 vnaalbany.org

13 State Street Apartments The Perfect Balance of Healing & Home 13 State Street Schenectady, New York 12305

Now leasing 61 units designed for individuals 55 years of age and older.

Monthly Activities: • Thursday, Sept. 5, 11 a.m.: Book Club; Birthday Cupcakes

CALL NOW!

Rents will be: 1 Bedroom, 1 Bath $774 - $826 1 Bedroom with Study $801 - $1,018 2 Bedroom, 1 Bath $918 Maximum Annual Income: 1 person = $40,740 - $54,320 2 persons = $46,560 - $62,080 3 persons = $52,380 - $69,840 4 persons = $58,200 - $77,600

• Tuesday, Sept. 7, 12:30 p.m.: Medicare Resource Lecture 1:1 with Special Treat • Thursday, Sept. 9, 12:30 p.m.: Grandparent’s Day discussion • Tuesday, Sept. 14, 6:30 p.m.: Beginner Mahjongg (LL) • Thursday, Sept. 16, 1 p.m.: Bingo • Tuesday, Sept. 21, 12:30 p.m.: Punch Day Trivia/Treat

• Tuesday, Sept. 28, 6:30 p.m.: Art with Edie - Alcohol Ink (LL)

u Skilled nu

and rehab th in the comfo home

u Skilled nursing therapy in the comfort of home and rehab therapy companions will (518) 489-2681 • vnaalbany.org The Perfect Balance of Healing & in the comfort of keep you safe home & Home atPerfect home Balance of Healing The u Our aides and

(518) 694-9907 vnhc.com

Classes remain available on Zoom with a couple in-house. You can email Edie for registration, dates and times at ecannizzo@ niskayuna.org.

• Thursday, Sept. 23, 12:30 p.m.: Crazy About Cranberries Day Trivia/Treat; 1 p.m.

Crafting with Edie

u Our aides and companions u Our aides and will keep you safe at home

companions will (518) 694-9907 • vnhc.com keep you safe at home

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Join Chef Kristyn as she demonstrates a delicious recipe using readily available ingredients for a nutritious well-balanced dish.

• 10 a.m.-2 p.m.: Open for indoor/outdoor socialization/coffee service

New Energy-Star rated appliances, Community 114834_4

continued from Page 20

No Gimmicks, No Hidden Fees, Just the Lowest Price for Cremation with Professional & Home is Where Dignified Service.

room, Fitness room, Library/computer room For more information please call 518-952-6314 or stop by the Rental office for an application

September 2021 — cdFamilyNow.com 21

Social Security Corner

Resources for representatives Benefit verification letters and other transactions can be done online

M

illions of Americans who get monthly Social Security benefits or Supplemental Security Income payments need help managing their money, and may need a representative payee. A representative payee is a person or an organization appointed to receive and manage a person’s benefits.

of benefits for their care and well-being. To help with this responsibility, representative payees can now receive, save, email and print a benefit verification letter for a person they repby resent using their own my Social Security account, at www.ssa.gov/ myaccount.

Elizabeth Pivonka

Representative payees must know the beneficiary’s needs to decide the best use

Many representative payees are responsible for completing an annual form to account for the benefit payments they receive and manage. Representative payees can fill out the form and return it to

GIVE YOURSELF A CHANCE TO IMPROVE YOUR QUALITY OF LIFE! In Home Personal Training • Is balance an issue?

• Do you need someone to keep you motivated to stay active?

Certified Geriatric Personal Trainer through A.A.H.F.

Social Security by mail, or conveniently file it online at www. ssa.gov/myaccount/rep-payee. html.

Please visit www.ssa.gov/payee

if you have questions about representative payees.

The author is with the Social Security Administration in Albany.

Be Their Voice Adopt - A - Manatee and Make a Difference ®

In-home personal training is convenient and can help you start living with confidence/independence.

Assisted Stretching Available

Still offering services through Covid-19 Call Today 518-312-7983

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Stephanie Hutchins

Social Security provides online tools that can help representative payees manage a person’s benefits.

KeepMovingWithStephanie.com

1-800-432-JOIN (5646) savethemanatee.org Photo © David Schrichte

We’re online!

FamilyNow CAPITAL DISTRICT

GENERATIONS TOGETHER

Be sure to visit our website…

cdFamilyNow.com

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22 Family Now — September 2021

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Belmont Management Co., Inc. was formed in 1975 and in 1980, we began to offer our management services to other property owners. Since that time the company has grown to 76 apartment communities across New York State.

Because we own and manage, we understand both ends of property management and treat every property individually with the attention that only an owner would provide.

Ballston Pines 518-884-9401 - located in Ballston Spa Brandle Woods 518-861-8809 - located in Altamont Cambridge Square 518-677-2920 - located in Cambridge Schuylerville Manor - 518-695-4865 - located in Schuylerville Eligibility: age 62 & over or disabled any age - Income Eligible

Cambridge Woods 518-677-5584 - located in Cambridge Milton Village 518-884-9767 • Trieble Village 518-885-6997 - located in Ballston Spa Glenville Terrace 518-399-2696 and Highland Square 518-399-6481 - located in Glenville Kirby Village 518-583-4608 and Saratoga West 518-581-9738 - located in Saratoga Springs Malta Meadows 518-899-1552 - located in Ballston Lake Marina Woods 518-348-0213 - located in Halfmoon Wheelchair Eligibility: age 62 & over - Income Eligible Accessible 1 bedroom apartments include: Carpeting, Appliances, Heat, Hot water, Coin Operated Laundry, Trash Pick up, Off Street Parking, Community Room, Pet Friendly. Inquire with specific properties for Section 8 acceptance.

Visit our website at www.BelmontMgmt.com for details on each property.

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September 2021 — cdFamilyNow.com 23

Plans that give you more for less.

CDPHP Medicare highlights:

Call us October 1 for information on

f 5 Star PPO plans*—enroll anytime during the year! f HMO and PPO plans available for as little as $0.

NEW 2022 BENEFITS

f Up to $50 in CVS Health brand over-the-counter (OTC) items with some plans. f Save on hearing coverage with plans that offer hearing aid copays as low as $199. f Take advantage of vision and dental benefits with some plans offering enhanced dental coverage. f Earn gift cards for participating in healthy activities through CaféWell®.

We’ll help you find the plan that works best for you. Call (518) 641-3400 or 1-888-519-4455 (TTY 711).†

Visit CDPHP on the web at www.cdphp.com/medicare. *Every year, Medicare evaluates plans based on a 5-star rating system. †

Our hours are 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. seven days a week from October 1 - March 31. From April 1 - September 30, Monday – Friday, our hours are 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. A voice messaging service is used weekends, after-hours, and federal holidays. Calls will be returned within one business day.

CDPHP is an HMO and a PPO with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in CDPHP Medicare Advantage depends on contract renewal.

Capital District Physicians’ Health Plan, Inc. | CDPHP Universal Benefits,® Inc.

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24 Family Now — September 2021