Capital District Family Now - February 2021

Inside:

Reflecting on Capitol violence

FamilyNow CAPITAL DISTRICT

Vol. 2, #2| FEBRUARY 2021 |FREE

GENERATIONS TOGETHER

Valentine’s sweets for your sweetie

The SAT in the Age of COVID When old is new again

cdFamilyNow.com February 2021 — cdFamilyNow.com 1

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y p p Ha s ’ e n i t n e l Va Day from the staff at

FamilyNow CAPITAL DISTRICT

GENERATIONS TOGETHER

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2 Family Now — February 2021

Editor’s desk

A love that will FamilyNow last the whole year CAPITAL DISTRICT

GENERATIONS TOGETHER

For every age and stage of family life.

February 2021

Reminding yourself of the things that are special to you can bring light to darker days

Features

Decadent desserts

10-11

S

Lasagna love

Learning Center

4

I tend to be the kind of person who likes to plan ahead.

As you can imagine, this past year has not really allowed for that kind of thinking, and I’ve had to change my perspective to the here and now. It hasn’t been all bad. There are many benefits to being more present in your daily life.

Triple Threat

7

pring is coming. It may not feel like it right now, but the days are getting longer minute by minute.

We are getting incrementally closer to those first blooming crocuses and daffodils. It’s almost here, and it feels like hope is on the horizon.

It has given me the opportunity to reflect on the things that I love ­— the ones that make me truly happy. And what I’ve come to realize is that many of those things don’t need to be planned for – they are available to me any time, even in the waning months of a pandemic.

While Valentine’s Day has traditionally been more about romantic love, I have found that this year with my whole family cooped up and having nowhere to go, it is more of a family affair. And thinking about the things we love is a great way to celebrate together. On a side note, one of the things we love in my family is chocolate, which means we plan to take full advantage of one or more of the decadent recipes on Pages 10-11. You should too.

18

Columnists

A Patriot Remembers

14

Social Security Corner

15

Retiring Retirement

17

What’s new Pages in history

12-13

Resources On the Bookshelf

5

I hope you are reminded of all the things you love this Valentine’s Day! Check out our articles and resource listings 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 us 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 - Kaitlin Lembo

Make Valentine’s Day at home extra special with a decadent homemade dessert. Check out some recipes on page 10-11.

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.

February 2021 — cdFamilyNow.com 3

Learning Center

Education insight for parents

SAT and ACT: Still relevant?

M

Yes, and here’s how to make the most of testing

ost high school guidance counselors are still encouraging students to take the SAT or ACT for the following reasons: State-​​ level or general scholarships will likely need a score.

In light of changes in virtual/ hybrid/in-center instruction and modifications of academic expectations among schools, many colleges are likely to look to the SAT/ACT scores as an important way to confirm college readiness is where it should be.

Although many schools are test optional and will likely remain so for 2021, virtually all schools will accept scores. Since few juniors are absolutely certain

where they’ll be applying in the fall, taking the SAT/ACT ensures that they are not inadvertently limiting their future choices.

Moreover, the reality is that colleges that are “test optional” are still acby cepting test results.

If those results played no role in the admission process, colleges would just stop requiring them.

COVID-19 has made junior year of high school, typically the most demanding of high school, even more challenging. Academics are still ramped up (but often with the stress of virtual instruction), students still want take on leadership roles in extracurriculars (to the extent those activities can still take place), and then there’s the college admissions process. It may be tempting to push off the SAT or ACT, but there are reasons why it makes sense for students to complete the test in their junior year of high school.

Patrick McNamara

The Coronavirus pandemic has negatively impacted many students’ grades, and a good SAT/ACT score can benefit those students, just as it has previously for students whose grades don’t entirely reflect those students’ academic capability.

1. Academic readiness. Spring of your junior year is the optimal

time to take the SAT or ACT. By then, most everyone has encountered all of the subjects covered by the SAT/ACT. 2. To prep or not to prep. Whether or how much a student should prep for the SAT or ACT is a personal decision. The SAT and ACT tests are very different than typical high school tests, and like any other test, if you prepare, the odds of achieving a higher score are improved. There are free online options, and there are also many SAT/ACT prep books for sale. These two options can work for students who are good self-learners. For many high school students with demanding schedules, however, independent study can result in a failure to prepare sufficiently, so there are many companies, including Sylvan

Continued on Page 9 CHOOSE CAR SEAT:

BY AGE & SIZE

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IF YOUR CHILD IS IN THE RIGHT CAR SEAT.

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CAPITAL DISTRICT

GENERATIONS TOGETHER

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picture books

On the Bookshelf

Tales that will transport you ‘Milo Imagines the World’

‘Sock on the Loose’

By Matt de la Peña,

By Conor McGlauflin

illustrated by Christian Robinson

After its twin doesn’t come back from the wash, Blue Sock decides it wants to explore the great big world outside its drawer. Just like you, there are so many things a sock can do when given the chance to try something new! Roaring Brook Press

On a long subway ride, Milo passes the time by imagining the lives of the people around him. He imagines one boy arriving home to a castle and a butler, but when the boy gets off on the same stop as Milo, he realizes that you can’t really know anyone just by looking at them. G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers

‘The Tale of the Mandarin Duck’

By Bette Midler, Photographs by Michiko Kakutani Inspired by the real-life rainbow-colored Mandarin Duck who appeared in New York’s Central Park in 2018, this modern fable celebrates the connections people make with each other and the world around them. Random House Books for Young Readers

My kid would never vape.

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February 2021 — cdFamilyNow.com 5

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6 Family Now — February 2021

parenting triplets in the Capital District

Triple Threat

Unprecedented times

S

The Steuer family watches in horror as violence consumes the Capitol

ome things in life defy explanation, and some just smack you in the face with the obvious.

As my family and I watched the events unfold on Jan. 6, we were dumbfounded. We wondered how the president of the United State managed to get thousands of other people to storm the nation’s Capitol? Over the course of his presidency, we have watched how Donald J. Trump courts fringe groups that reinforce his feelings of entitlement and persecution.

In the final weeks of his presidency, many words became common in my family’s daily conversations: treason, sedition, insurrection, morals, ethics, libel, slander, indictment, acquitted v. innocent. This presidency has created vocabulary lessons for us all. Forget about being smarter than a fifth-grader!

I’m trying to define words that I learned in high school and college for Olivia, Benjamin and Rebecca. Our dictionary has gotten quite a workout as we read the paper or watch the news. I have a list of words in a text message to myself so I can remember what to look up or what word needs further explanation to my 13-year-old kids.

Some are concepts that 13-yearolds won’t understand. Some are foreign to adults, as well.

On Jan. 6, Congress was attempting to certify the Electoral College’s decision that elected Joe Biden and Kamala Har-

ris the next president and vice president of the United States.

I watched as the tone of the ceremony changed when rioters breached the building. I saw pictures of people huddling in fear or running to a secure location. As the mob advanced, they cheered as they illegally entered the offices of Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and other staffers.

on video. Five years ago we saw the way violence followed him, and he explained it away. The slippery slope to an attempted coup began with the declaration that it’s OK to beat on someone who doesn’t agree with him. Voltaire is credited with saying, “Those who can make you believe absurdities, can make you commit atrocities.”

Our family could only watch On the afternoon of Jan. the events in disbelief. Things 6, Harlan called out that like this do not hapthe Capitol was bepen in the United ing stormed, and I States of America, laughed because the by we thought. As thought of people my children forcing their way watched the glass into the iconic breaking and the and impenetrable rioters beating on structure was just doors and windows beyond comprehenstorming into the sion. Then I watched Capitol building, they and cried. What was hapkept asking what was happenpening? Our world was turned ing and if we were safe. The upside down by a mob of men adults wondered if our governand women who desecrated ment was being overthrown. Is a symbol of our country’s this a coup? Harlan and I did strength and power. everything we could to explain Five individuals died from the situation, but our voices got the events that afternoon. One raspy and dry as time went on. woman was shot by a police Flash back to February officer and three other rioters 2016. As one of Trump’s rallies suffered lethal medical events. became violent, he declared One member of the U.S. “Knock the crap out of them, Capitol Police, Brian Sicknick, would you? Seriously. OK? was killed by rioters. At least Just knock the hell – I promise 50 police officers were injured. you, I will pay for the legal The death toll could have been fees. I promise, I promise.” so much higher. A variety of When pressed by George pipe bombs, Molotov cocktails Stephanopoulos, Trump denied and IEDs were found in trucks making this promise even when nearby – actions designed to presented with his own words create mayhem and destruction.

Jennifer Steuer

It did not work.

Politicians and pundits on both sides of the political aisle have said Trump caused this frenzied activity with his words and have condemned him for failing to take responsibility for the actions of the people he says he “loves” and “cares about.” There number of arrests following the incident steadily climbed as the FBI and CIA looked at the recordings made during the riot and identified many of those involved.

Benjamin, Rebecca and Olivia are drawn to the news because the actions of Trump and his followers affect their country. The level of violence that has been deemed acceptable, and the marginalizing of the people living in this country or people seeking a better life does not make this country great. These hateful and hurtful actions only tarnish our country and create discord among us. This is not the country I want for my children.

History has been made. This is a watershed moment in the lives of my kids and yours. In conversations they will have with their peers, this will be the question: Where were you when the Capitol was overrun by domestic terrorists?

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.

As my children watched the glass breaking and the rioters beating on doors and windows storming into the Capitol building, they kept asking what was happening and if we were safe.

February 2021 — cdFamilyNow.com 7

n u P F a s ge d i K

Math Blocks

Math Blocks Solution

Coloring Fun

8 Family Now — February 2021

test dates), or another event prevents them from taking the exam. By completing the test at least once by the end of junior year, your teen has something to work with for the admissions process. Taking at least a practice SAT or ACT before they sit for the exam will at least provide them with a sense of what their score will be without prep.

n Learning Center continued from Page 4 Learning, that provide both online and in-person tutoring prep programs. These programs provide the structure that ensures that students prepare thoroughly and in a timely manner. The goal is to help the student improve their performance through diagnosis and on-going assessment and extensive practice with the kinds of questions they will see on test day.

3. Time for improvement.

By taking the test during junior year, students can acquire their scores and confirm whether they meet the expectations of their top choice schools. Many students take the SAT or ACT more than once, but scores rarely improve without significant prep. During these this pandemic, it is even more important to have a back-up plan, should your test be cancelled due to COVID-19 considerations. Taking a test before senior year also gives students ample time — including another summer break

The Coronavirus pandemic has negatively impacted many students’ grades, and a good SAT/ACT score can benefit those students, just as it has previously for students whose grades don’t entirely reflect those students’ academic capability. if needed — for additional test preparation.

4. College early decisions. Many colleges have significantly accelerated their decision timelines, pushing students to submit applications earlier than ever before. If SAT or ACT is required, a student’s application is not complete until that score is submitted, and there is often a 3-4 week gap be-

tween test day and results being forwarded to colleges, making taking the SAT/ACT during your senior year an unworkable option for early admission applicants.

Waiting until fall of senior year does not provide any flexibility should your student become ill the day of the test, the test is cancelled (in 2020, some schools cancelled multiple

Sylvan Learning Centers of Albany and Clifton Park are providing readers of Capital District Family Now the opportunity to take a diagnostic SAT or ACT test in February. Call either center to schedule the test, as well as the subsequent meeting to discuss your student’s score and the respective strengths and weaknesses identified by the test.

Mention this article, and the test and meeting will be free. Sylvan Learning of Clifton Park (518) 348-3556 and Sylvan Learning of Albany (518) 362-0074.

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

To all of our

A Heartfelt Thank You!

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ESSENTIAL WORKERS

February 2021 — cdFamilyNow.com 9

C

hocolate is often described as “decadent,” and rightfully so. Few foods can make people feel as if they’re being indulgent as well as chocolate.

Perhaps that’s what makes chocolate such a great fit for Valentine’s Day.

While heart-shaped boxes of chocolate are ubiquitous come mid-February, if you want to make this Valentine’s Day extra special, forgo store-bought chocolate treats in favor of one of the homemade confections featured in this collection of chocolate-inspired recipes.

Chocolate Cardamom Truffle Cake Serves 10 to 12 Amaretti Base 5 ounces amaretti 1/2 stick (4 tablespoons) unsalted butter 5 tablespoons sugar Cardamom Truffle Filling 2-1/3 cups heavy cream 4 to 6 green cardamom pods, lightly bruised to open them 25 ounces dark chocolate (60-70% cocoa solids), grated 1/2 stick (4 tablespoons) unsalted butter, cubed 4 tablespoons chocolate liqueur Cardamom Cocoa Sugar 3 green cardamom pods 1/4 cup sugar 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa Supplies: 1 10-inch cake pan with a removable base, base and sides lined with nonstick parchment pape To make the amaretti base, finely crush the amaretti in a food processor or put them in a plastic bag and crush with a rolling pin. Melt the butter and sugar in a pan over low heat, then stir in the amaretti crumbs. Press the mixture evenly over the base of the prepared cake pan and refrigerate for 20 minutes.

To make the cardamom truffle filling, put the cream and cardamom pods in a pan and heat until almost boiling. Remove from the heat and set aside to infuse for 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, put the chocolate and butter in a saucepan. Strain the infused cream through a fine strainer onto the chocolate (the cream will be warm enough to melt the chocolate). If it doesn’t melt, warm over very low heat, stirring occasionally, but do not allow to boil. Stir in the liqueur, then set aside until almost 10 Family Now — February 2021

cold, but not set. With an electric mixer, beat the chocolate mixture for a couple of minutes. This will give the cake a lovely airy texture. Pour onto the amaretti base.

Let cool, then cover and refrigerate for at least 6 hours, or up to 48 hours before serving.

To make the cardamom cocoa sugar, remove the black seeds from the papery cardamom pods and put the seeds in a spice grinder with the sugar and cocoa.

Grind to a powder. Carefully remove the cake from the pan and peel off the lining paper. Set on a chilled serving plate and sift the cardamom cocoa sugar evenly over the top. Serve immediately, cut into very thin slices.

From Maxine Clark’s “Chocolate: Deliciously Indulgent Recipes for Chocolate Lovers” (Ryland, Peters & Small).

Individual Chocolate Cakes with Fresh Raspberries Makes 8 servings 1-1/3 cups cake flour, sifted 1/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons cocoa powder, sifted 1/4 teaspoon baking soda 6 tablespoons unsalted butter 6 large eggs 1 cup granulated sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 cup heavy cream 1/4 cup confectioners’ sugar, sifted 1 pint fresh raspberries Vegetable cooking spray Pinch of sea salt Preheat the oven to 325 F. Spray a standard muffin tin with nonstick spray or fill 8 of the cups with paper or foil liners.

Sift the flour, 1/3 cup of cocoa, salt, and baking

soda into a bowl and set aside. Melt the butter in a small saucepan and set aside.

Combine the eggs and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a whisk attachment. Set the bowl over a pan partially filled with simmering water.

The water should not touch the bowl. Using a whisk, beat the egg-sugar mixture until it feels very warm to the touch and all of the sugar has dissolved. Immediately remove the bowl from the heat and transfer it to the electric mixer.

Whip the egg-sugar mixture on medium speed for 3 to 4 minutes until it triples in volume and is very thick and light colored. Add the vanilla and whip 2 to 3 seconds longer to blend. Remove the bowl from the mixer and gently fold in the flour-cocoa mixture.

Place about 1-1/2 cups of the batter in a separate bowl and fold in the melted butter. Do this gently, as you do not want to overwork the batter. Fold this into the remaining batter. Divide the batter evenly among

Ricotta Cheesecake with Coffee and Chocolate Serves 8 to 10 1 cup graham cracker crumbs 2 tablespoons butter, melted 2 tablespoons sugar, plus 1/2 cup sugar 2 lbs. ricotta cheese, drained of excess liquid 8 eggs, separated 1/2 cup cream 1/4 cup espresso or extra strong coffee, cooled 1/4 cup coffee liqueur 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate morsels

Preheat the oven to 325 F. Make a graham cracker crust by mixing together the melted butter with the crumbs, and sugar. Press into the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan.

the cupcake tins. Bake in the center of the oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until a toothpick or knife inserted in the center of one cupcake comes out clean. Remove and cool completely on a rack.

While the cupcakes are cooling, combine the heavy cream with the confectioners’ sugar and the remaining 2 tablespoons of cocoa, beat into soft peaks, and set aside.

Remove the cupcakes from the tin and place them on dessert plates. Spoon the whipped cream on top, divide the raspberries among the plates and serve.

From Michael White and Joanna Pruess’ “Fiamma: The Essence of Contemporary Italian Cooking” (Wiley).

Mix together the ricotta, sugar, egg yolks, cream, espresso, coffee liqueur, lemon zest, and salt until creamy.

In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites until they form stiff peaks. Carefully fold the egg whites into the ricotta mixture. Stir in the chocolate morsels and pour onto the prepared crumb crust.

Bake the cake for 1 hour and 15 minutes or until just set in the middle. The cake will still seem wobbly, but will be lightly browned and cracked around the edges.

Remove the cake from the oven and cool on a rack for 30 minutes. Refrigerate the cheesecake for at least 6 hours or overnight before running a sharp knife along the edge of the cake and removing the pan. Cut into wedges to serve. Garnish with shaved chocolate and strawberries, if desired.

From “Nick Stellino’s Family Kitchen” (G.P. Putnam’s Sons).

February 2021 — cdFamilyNow.com 11

The Write Stuff

Local authors

FamilyNow More pages CAPITAL DISTRICT

GENERATIONS TOGETHER

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t was fifth grade that I was introduced to the Holocaust.

two more works of historical fiction, “One Light” and “Beneath the Heart,” in late 2020. Since the publication of “Skylark and Wallcreeper” in 2018, O’Brien Carelli has found a home in using fiction as a means to teach young readers about otherwise complex topics.

We were asked to read Lois Lowry’s “Number the Stars” and talk about it in groups. Even at 10 years old, I was a voracious reader. I quickly consumed “Number the Stars.” The story of Annemarie and Ellen introduced me to “I want to be able to wrap a world where people were these facts into a compelling, murdered for simply being fast-moving story,” O’Brien Jewish or disabled or Carelli said. “If I can different. Within six get these kids to by months, I had torn enjoy the book but apart my school’s also learn from it library looking at the same time, for any book at I’ve done my job.” all about the Third Reich, its atroci“One Light” is the ties and its “mission.” story of 12-year-old Lowry’s work of historiEleanor, a member of the cal fiction lit the spark, and it French Resistance in World turned into an inferno. To this War II. Eleanor is tasked with day, the Holocaust is still the watching a group of Jewish one part of history I can’t learn children hiding in a monastery enough about. cellar, where she befriends the spunky Shoshana, one of the Anne O’Brien Carelli knows refugees. When Shoshana disthese novel introductions are appears, Eleanor is determined critical, as it piques the interest to find her friend by all means of the children reading them. necessary.

A fellow World War II history buff, she’s always been attractO’Brien Carelli said the ed to the French Resistance. story of Eleanor is very similar Over the years, she’s made a to what actually happened in hobby of perusing primary the resistance. While Eleanor sources about the resistance is a fictional girl, in real life, and turning them into stories children were heavily involved young children can digest. in the French Resistance and Now, she’s branching out into often tasked with equally dandifferent historical topics, ingerous jobs as those given to cluding the Revolutionary War. adult members.

Kaitlin Lembo

APR

5

MA Y

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To advertise in one or more of these issues please call: Denice Mau at 518-439-4940 or email: maud@spotlightnews.com 113091_4

12 Family Now — February 2021

Author Anne O’Brien Carelli writes historical fiction for young people that introduces them to complex moments in time

I

FEB

8

in history

O’Brien Carelli released

Continued on Page 13

n The Write Stuff continued from Page 12 “Beneath the Heart” jumps back a bit further, launching the reader into 1775. Phoebe, also 12, lives with her family in Saratoga, New York.

Her farm has become the headquarters of the American Army. Phoebe is tasked with an important mission by a dying soldier while managing the care of her infant sister.

Her journey to complete the mission is filled with twists and turns and shows that even the youngest of girls can have influence and independence.

O’Brien Carelli said “Beneath the Heart” was inspired by her own journey. Recently, she learned she is descended from people whose house and barn were used as headquarters

by General Horatio Gates in Saratoga. As a transplant from Michigan, O’Brien Carelli was shocked to learn her own blood was so closely tied to the

‘If I’m writing dialogue and I use a phrase that isn’t historically correct, there are people who will catch it. It forces me to really dig deep into my primary sources and use them to support the fiction that’s within the pages.’

Anne O’Brien Carelli turning point of the American Revolution.

“I want kids to see how your environment can change so quickly,” O’Brien Carelli said, “and how situations can have emotional ties to them.

In these stories, it’s children who are front and center of the story, controlling the narrative.

I want children to see how they are able to learn about something, take a stance and contribute to the story somehow.”

O’Brien Carelli said writing historical fiction forces her to use multiple skills, as the

fiction she creates has to be realistic in the historically correct time period. She’s forced to verify everything about the characters, whether it be the shoes they wear, the cars they ride in or the speech they use.

“People will catch you if something isn’t historically accurate,” she said. “If I’m writing dialogue and I use a phrase that isn’t historically correct, there are people who will catch it. It forces me to really dig deep into my primary sources and use them to support the fiction that’s within the pages.”

Photos provided by Anne O’Brien Carelli

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LEARN ABOUT ADOPTING A TEEN Denise, adopted Denise, Amina 17-year-old TT IM LY EO AU R17-year-old NCadopted AABNO’ U A DAOGPITNAmina IE N GT H A E T EREENW A R D LEARN ABOUT ADOPTING A TEEN YO U C A N ’ T I M AG I N E T H E R E WA R D YO U C A N ’ T I M AG I N E T H E R E WA R D LEARN A LB EA ORUN TA AB DO OU PT T IANDGOAP T IENEG N A TEEN A OPA UK K I ED OH Y O U C AY NAO ’ TDUDIOC M AP GUT’ITSN IESM AHG N RSE T ARR EG D R E WA R D TN IT D S .I O R.W G A D O P T U S K I D S . O R G

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February 2021 — cdFamilyNow.com 13

A Patriot Remembers

Learning never gets old

O

ur lives nowadays are made up of watching TV. Old TV programs have become popular again. We should realize there are things we can learn from TV. I recently watched the western “High Chaparral.” The episode had a platoon of Buffalo Soldiers assigned to a town that had become corrupt and unruly. It made me think about a WWII Buffalo Soldier Veteran I met one evening about 5 years ago.

The OTB on Central Avenue

by Shop Rite held a Tuesday night free Texas Hold-em poker game with regular crowds of about 90 players. One night, I commented to a friend that a man there looked like Joe Lewis. He was about 86 years old with a body of a boxer. The

evening concluded at about George Forman. The conversa10:30 p.m. and only a few stayed tion turned to his experience until the end. When I left, I saw in WWII. He said he was a this man walking toward the paratrooper, but he never went only car in the parking lot, but overseas. He was assigned to he did not get in and kept California and did not walking. I then drove serve long. He told up to him and said, me he was a Buffalo by “I saw you playing Soldier and their poker. Where are insignia was the you going now?”

Triple Nickel. His He said, “I have service was to to catch the 11 jump from planes p.m. bus at the to fight fires in the corner of Central forest. He told me Avenue and Allen Japan was sending balStreet.” I responded that he loon bombs that they hoped was not lucky at poker tonight, would create wildland fires. but he was lucky as I offered him The next day, I used my a ride home. computer and searched for “Buf-

Frank DeSorbo

We talked and I mentioned that he looked like Joe Lewis, and he told me in his younger days they said he looked like

falo Soldiers” and “Triple Nickel insignia” and realized my education did not include Buffalo Soldiers. I have a folder deep in

my cave of the experience with Rabu. This was his last name as he was known to many. My WWII buddy Angelo knew him from years ago. They both liked OTB and the horses. I took Rabu to other poker nights since he did not drive. He went to one of the Carolinas to visit a relative and subsequently I lost track of him.

My education of the Buffalo Soldiers, their insignia and Rabu was a lasting learning experience that God sent me that night.

When I reached his home down by the old St. Joseph’s School in Albany, he was very thankful and said, “I met my guardian angel tonight.”

The author is a Capital District resident and freelance writer and guest speaker. Contact him at fomservice@aol.com.

FamilyNow CAPITAL DISTRICT

GENERATIONS TOGETHER

The Capital District family has changed -- and we have changed too.

In recognition of the multi-generational nature of the modern household, we’ve merged Capital District Parent Pages with Capital District Senior Spotlight to create Capital District FAMILY NOW, a monthly publication with timely features for every age and stage of family life.

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

To advertise, please call Denice Mau at 518-439-4940 or email maud@spotlightnews.com.

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14 Family Now — February 2021

Social Security Corner

ax season is here, and replacing your annual Benefit Statement has never been easier. The Benefit Statement, also known as the SSA-1099 or the SSA1042S, is a tax form we mail each year in January to people who receive Social Security benefits. It shows the total amount of benefits you received in the previous year so you know how much Social Security income to report to the Internal Revenue Service on your tax return.

If you live in the United States and you need a replacement form SSA-1099 or SSA-1042S, simply go online and get an instant, printable replacement form using your personal my

Social Security account at www. ssa.gov/myaccount. A replacement SSA-1099 or SSA-1042S is available for the previous tax year after February 1.

• Request a replacement Medicare card.

• Report your wages if you work and receive Social Security disability insurance or Supple• Request a replacemental Security Income benefits. ment Social Security If you don’t have number card (in access to a printer, If you’re a non-citizen who by most states and you can save the lives outside of the United States the District of document to and you received or repaid Social Columbia). your computer Security benefits last year, we will or email it to send you form SSA-1042S in the • Get your Home is Where You’ll mail. The forms SSA-1099 and yourself. If you benefit verificaSSA-1042S are not available for don’t have a My tion letter. people who receive SupplemenSocial Security ac• Check your benefit tal Security Income benefits. count, creating one is and payment information. very easy to do and usually takes Visit www.ssa.gov to find is Where Find Usservices. less than 10 minutes.

• Change your Home address and moreYou’ll about our online phone number.

With a personal My Social The author is with the Social Security account, you can do • Change your direct deposit Security Administration in much of your business with us information.

Albany.

Elizabeth Pivonka

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

u Skilled nu

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and rehab th in the comfo home

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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

online. If you receive benefits or have Medicare, your personal my Social Security account is also the best way to:

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

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GENERATIONS TOGETHER

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Get your Social Security Benefit Statement online

KeepMovingWithStephanie.com February 2021 — cdFamilyNow.com 15

Puzzle Answers on page 18 Clues Across

Clues Down

CRYPTO F UN

1. Surgical procedure of the heart (abbr.)

2. Northern Scandinavia indigenous person 1. Fall down 3. Evergreen trees and shrubs 5. American TV company (abbr.) 4. Meat from a domestic hog 8. Exclamation that denotes 5. State of insensibility disgust 6. Herb 11. Gallantry 7. Annuity 13. Chinese word signifying 8. San Diego-based ballplayer “doctrine” 9. Members of a Semitic people 14. Prefix meaning “beside” 10. Any physical damage 15. Act of imitating 12. Woolen rug 16. Tall, rounded vase 14. Alsos Mission leader 17. Sixth month of Jewish civil 19. Aromatic plant used as culinary herb calendar 23. Where you sleep 18. Rural Iranian village 24. Ruled Russia 20. Time zone 25. Indicates density of data (abbr.)

21. Military weapon (abbr.)

26. Sea eagle 22. Gets rid of 27. Type of light bulb 25. Aggressive 28. Wreath 30. Addressed one’s appearance 29. Graduate with a degree 31. Affirmative 34. What thespians do 32. Denoting Indo-European 35. “Orange is the New Black” character languages 36. Comedienne Gasteyer 33. French noble family 37. Romanian monetary unit 38. Shock therapy 39. People treated as a group 41. Having characteristics of 40. Small European plant both sexes 41. First responder group 43. Large suitcase 42. A person’s head 45. One who identifies God with 44. Giggle the universe 45. Bura-__: Chadic language 48. Swiss river 46. Snout moth genus 49. Frequently 47. Body part 50. Wipe out 48. Inspirational Wimbledon champ 55. Invests in little enterprises 51. Revolutions per minute 56. Waste 52. American software 57. Resembles a large shrimp developer 59. Derogatory name for rural 53. Ancient Greek city resident 54. Female sheep 60. Menswear accessory 58. “The Science Guy” 61. Tropical American tree 62. Pitching statistic 63. Camera type 64. Cardinal number that is the sum of five and one

Heart Health

WORD SEARCH

Solve the code to discover words related to HEALTH & FITNESS. Each number corresponds to a letter. (Hint: 16 = e)

16 Family Now — February 2021

ACTIVE ALCOHOL BREATHING CARDIO

VASCULAR DISCIPLINE EXERCISE FACIAL

HEALTHY HEART HYDRATED KILLER

LEADER MEALS MEDITATION RELAXATION

RELIEF RISK SMOKING STRESS

SRESSFUL SURVIVAL VEGETABLES WOMEN

Retiring Retirement

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Wildbird Junction owner Lance “I’ve served in the military, Raffe has created a friendly done hang gliding and rock destination store where customers climbing, so I’m not exactly a risk-adverse person,” he leisurely wander about the aisles, explains. “My work as an acask questions and often show off countant allowed me to see pictures of their birds. things constantly go wrong and gave me the opportunity to overcome those obstacles.” customers leisurely wander about the aisles, ask questions This is not the logic of a and often show off pictures of birdbrain. But what about betheir birds. He calls them his ginning again in your seventh “Wildbird Junction family.” decade working seven days a week?

“Backyard bird feeding relieves stress, not create it,” he “I have longevity in my fam- said. “And this is the best job ily,” he said. “I thought that if I I’ve ever had.” live another 30 years, why not be productive? I’ve got plenty As a backyard enthusiast, he of energy, a good brain and created a habitat that brought things to accomplish.” birds to his home. Now, he’s attracting bird-lovers to an He jokes that his mostly indoor environment … and it retired clientele don’t tell him all makes sense. that they wished they had started a business at their age. Yet, The author’s daily devobecause he did, they reap the tional and books are available at reward of what he’s created: a robertlacosta.com or by writing friendly destination store where norepcom@gmail.com.

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Serving the entire Capital District

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February 2021 — cdFamilyNow.com 17

Food for Thought

For the love of lasagna Group uses the ultimate comfort food as a way to share kindness within their community CLIFTON PARK — There’s something comforting about a lasagna. Whether you’re in the kitchen whipping one up from scratch or thawing out those pesky Stouffer’s trays that never seem to cook right, you can guarantee almost everyone loves lasagna.

From there, the lasagna mama or papa makes the lasagna (or another dish, it doesn’t have to be lasagna) and coordinates with the recipient for drop off.

No one ever comes in contact at the drop-off, and all lasagnas are made with CDC and state guidelines in mind. Also, volunteers are asked about their This love of one of Italy’s most own preferences, from cooking revered dishes (and one that to driving distance, so no was actually first created one ever feels taken in Ancient Greece, advantage of. Recipiby believe it or not) ents can request one is the centerpiece lasagna a month. of Lasagna Love, a nationwide Nicole Derucher organization with a has been with Lachapter in the Capisagna Love for about tal District. four weeks. In that time, she has delivered three The premise of Lasagna Love lasagnas. Coming across the is simple: Volunteers (lovingly group was an act of chance. She named “lasagna mamas” and moderates a mom group where “lasagna papas”) are matched someone posted about it. Even by their regional leader with a though the post was not in line family or person who requests with group rules, she was able a lasagna. People who request to spread the word to the group could be in a variety of differand found herself signing up. ent situations — some might be financially struggling to feed “I love spreading kindness themselves, some might be in through this and making somethe middle of a family crisis and one’s day a bit brighter,” Deunable to cook, some might rucher said. “Plus, it challenges have a broken stove and are me. I like to try to hide veggies unable to cook for a few days. in it so kids will get some nutriVolunteers reach out to the tion from it without knowing. recipient and ask about allerHowever, if a family explicitly gies or aversions to any foods. says no veggies, we follow it.”

Kaitlin Lembo

Want to “draw“ more business online?

To advertise on our website, call Denice Mau at 518-439-4949 Visit us at:

The premise of Lasagna Love is simple: Volunteers (lovingly named “lasagna mamas” and “lasagna papas”) are matched by their regional leader with a family or person who requests a lasagna.

Photo by Kelly Andolina

Lasagna Love is accessible to even the most novice of home cooks. The group has a template for a basic lasagna and members will share recipes with one another. Capital District regional leader Kelly Andolina said this is especially frequent when a volunteer is tasked with a recipient who has food restrictions or allergies.

“We really love supporting one another and making each delivery special,” she said. “We want people to smile when they see how much love was poured into making the dish.”

There is also no restriction on how the lasagna must be delivered, temperature-wise. Recipients can request a hot meal if they’re having stove trouble, or they can ask for it frozen or refrigerated to save for later.

“We’re so lucky that no one has abused the system so far, and we’ve worked with some really amazing people,” Andolina said.

“This started as something so small, and it’s now grown into this amazing organization.”

To request a lasagna or sign up to volunteer, visit lasagnalove. org.

BRAINTEASERS ANSWERS

cdFamilyNow.com

FamilyNow

CRPYTO ANSWERS:

GENERATIONS TOGETHER

18 Family Now — February 2021

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CAPITAL DISTRICT

A. wellness B. fit C. exercise D. diet

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.

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February 2021 — cdFamilyNow.com 19

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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.

20 Family Now — February 2021

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