July 2023 | Howard County Beacon

The Howard County

A great time to explore classes

By Margaret Foster

Although retiree Janet Ameen-Lee had paddled a canoe as a child, she was anxious about getting in a kayak when visiting Centennial Lake with other members of Howard County’s Encore Adventures Kayaking Club.

“I was nervous the first time. I even used my inhaler,” said Ameen-Lee, who lives in Columbia.

But with encouragement from an instructor and other club participants, she overcame her fear that day and has since become a competent kayaker.

“It’s such a fun experience, chatting with other people in our age group and just learning a new sport.”

The kayaking club is just one of many in the Active Aging Program, which the county’s Recreation and Parks Department offers to residents age 55 and older.

Youngsters needn’t apply

The program’s stained-glassmaking workshop is so popular, according to its instructor, Maureen Stone, that even young people want to give it a try.

“A mother and her son came by, and the son said, ‘Can I take it?’ I said, ‘Well, it’s for people 55 and over,’ and he said, ‘Do I have to wait 36 years?’” (Yes, he does.)

“Some people are afraid to try [stainedglassmaking] because they don’t think they’re artistic enough. If you feel you’re not artistic, don’t worry,” Stone said. After all, she’s there to help.

One of Stone’s students, Judy Hindenach, found the stained-glass class easy to keep up with. In fact, she has taken it more than once.

“It’s challenging, but it’s not that hard — and Maureen is always there to help you. The people who take the class are really

fun. Everybody chats; everybody laughs and supports each other.”

Now that Hindenach is retired, she said, she has been taking advantage of many of the county’s 55-and-up classes in its Active

Aging Program — from water aerobics to crochet class.

“I feel like now is my time to explore

Time-travel to Maine to visit quaint drive-ins and candy shops from yesteryear; plus, learn what OTC meds to pack when you travel page 20

PHOTO BY HOWARD COUNTY RECREATION & PARKS

A county-run class on Centennial Lake teaches new kayakers the ropes and the strokes. Howard County offers a wide variety of classes for people over 55, from cooking classes to sports to arts.

PHOTO BY LAURA MARIE DUNCAN

No green thumb?

I wasn’t born with a green thumb. I know because I tried growing flowers and vegetables as a kid.

I was fascinated by the colorful seed packets on display at our neighborhood hardware store and bought a few to try. But my zinnias came up as grass, and bugs ate my tomatoes before they could ripen.

My paternal grandmother, with whom I was quite close, had blackberries and figs growing in her backyard. I remember going out to pick some of the luscious-looking fruit one day, only to nearly drop my harvest on the floor when I saw swarms of tiny ants crawling up the sides of the bowl as I came through the door.

My efforts did result in a few delicious (though small) pieces of pecan, but it took a couple of days for my scraped and bloodied fingers to heal.

Given those experiences, I have generally shied away from planting, picking or even watering any form of plant life.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

By Stuart P. Rosenthal

Until the day, I think it may have been ten years ago now, when I was moved to bring home an African violet instead of cut flowers from Trader Joe’s. Actually, there were four tiny plants, each bearing a different color of flower, crowded into one plastic pot.

the thick green leaves remained perky, so I kept up the watering.

Over time, two of the plants died, crowded out by the other two that thrived. And shortly after that, perfect pink and purple flowers occasionally emerged from the survivors.

So energized, one day, I brought home an orchid plant. I had always thought orchids were extremely finicky and hard to raise (as, indeed, they once were). But nowadays, the orchid plants you can pick up at nearly any supermarket are about as easy to care for as my violets.

days, a flower opened on each plant.

It almost felt like a beauty contest or synchronized Olympic sport was underway. But once they all opened, rather than a competition, it felt like more of a symphony.

Eventually, the orchid blooms dropped, but then the purple violets returned, now opening in sync with new pink ones.

Even though all I’ve ever done is water these little guys once a week, they have come to life in each other’s company. Perhaps they even have come to like my company as well. Have I finally grown a green thumb of my own?

I had somewhat better luck with the pecans that dropped all over her backyard from a neighbor’s huge pecan tree. I frequently collected a small paper bag full of pecans and spent what seemed like hours cracking them open with an old-fashioned nutcracker. (It was the kind that looked like fat metal chopsticks joined at one end.)

I thought it would make a nice table centerpiece for a couple of weeks, and then even if it died on me, that would be no worse than a bouquet of cut flowers.

You know where this is going. Placed on a ledge between our kitchen and sunroom, watered once a week, the blooms kept coming for months, with the barest bit of attention from me.

Eventually, the flowering stopped, but

Beacon The

The Beacon is a monthly newspaper dedicated to inform, serve, and entertain the citizens of the Howard County area, and is privately owned. Other editions serve Greater Baltimore, Md. and Greater Washington, D.C. Subscriptions are available via third-class mail ($12), prepaid with order. Maryland residents add 6 percent for sales tax. Send subscription order to the office listed below.

Publication of advertising contained herein does not necessarily constitute endorsement. Signed columns represent the opinions of the writers, and not necessarily the opinion of the publisher.

Publisher/Editor – Stuart P. Rosenthal

President/Associate Publisher – Judith K. Rosenthal

Executive Vice President – Gordon Hasenei

Managing Editor – Margaret Foster

Art Director – Kyle Gregory

Advertising Representatives –Steve Levin, M.K. Phillips, Alan Spiegel

Marketing & Operations Manager – Ashley Griffin

Assistant Editor – Ana Preger Hart

The Beacon, P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915 (410) 248-9101 • Email: info@thebeaconnewspapers.com

Submissions: The Beacon welcomes reader contributions. Deadline for editorial is the 1st of the month preceding the month of publication. Deadline for ads is the 1st of the month preceding the month of publication. See page 27 for classified advertising details. Please mail or email all submissions.

© Copyright 2023 The Beacon Newspapers, Inc.

I chose a plant with a few light pink blossoms and several unopened pods, and sure enough, they opened over the following weeks and bloomed for a couple of months.

So, for several years now, at any given time, we were likely to have either colorful violets or delicate orchids decorating our ledge.

This past winter, however, something different happened. Over many weeks, the orchid sent out a new shoot that budded with seven pods.

Soon, I began to notice tiny furled flowers beneath the leaves of our pink African violet. I counted seven of them. Every few

The other day, the Beacon received a press release about a gardening survey that claimed 1 out of 6 people feel “they kill every plant they try to grow.”

I used to think I was one of those folks. Not anymore.

If you are reluctant to try something because of a string of bad experiences in the past, I hope you will recall this column and decide to give it another go.

And if you find success this time, please share your story with us.

Letters to the editor

Readers

Dear Editor:

Just read your publisher’s column [“Layers of reality”] in the June Beacon . I’m amazed at all of that!

Every now and then I get into an astronomy kick, which helps place things in perspective, I find. Years ago, I read Coming of Age in the Milky Way and loved the first parts about historic discoveries. But when I got to quantum physics, I was lost.

Then I read The Swerve about how the Greeks decided that all life was made up of atoms! Somehow, we lost something along the way.

Jean Hirons Via email

[murderous regime] began with the banning of ideas and writings and art: A destructive force that created fear of the “other,” dehumanizing and delegitimizing.

Today, individuals in America are [being empowered] to remove literature and poetry from schools. A United States of America that welcomed the oppressed and allowed them to hope, that is the America I swore an oath of allegiance to when I became a naturalized citizen almost two decades ago.

We need to bring back this idea of the hope for a better life here. We need to teach acceptance rather than exclusion, celebrating our diversity rather than creating barriers and bans.

Dear Editor:

Do you know what happened in Germany in the early 1930s?

People decided that certain publications, books dealing with ideas and philosophy, literature and poetry should be burned. Art that was deemed unfit for the “New Germany” was banned, burned or plundered.

It took time and the loss of millions of lives for people to realize the removal of books and art would not stop there. The

By closing the doors to our past, by forcing art and literature and poetry to be removed from schools and colleges, we create ignorance and promote a narrow, myopic view of our world.

Let us not repeat the mistakes made by past despots who feared truth and trampled upon the hopes and aspirations of their people.

Yuvi Krausz Ellicott City

Health Fitness &

Fitness & Health

MORE THAN CHECK-UPS

Visit your doctor for a wellness visit, not just a check-up, to set health goals

YOUNG AT HEART

Radiation treatment may get irregular heartbeats back on track

LOVE YOUR LIVER

Acetaminophen hides in many products; keep track of how much you take

ARE YOU FOR REAL?

Tips for how to find a companion safely on a dating app or website

How to time your meals for best health

By Carolyn Williams, Ph.D., RD

There’s more to weight loss than simply watching calories. In fact, several studies have suggested that the time when you eat meals has a big impact on weight-loss success.

So, what are those optimal times? That would likely differ by individual, but there are some general recommendations you can follow.

Dinner: The overall consensus among health professionals and researchers is that it’s best to eat dinner early (at least two to three hours before bed) and then close the kitchen for the night. This deters late-night snacking and allows the body to burn some calories before bed.

It also gives the body time for digestion.

When you go to bed on a full stomach, you’re less likely to get adequate, goodquality sleep, which triggers hormonal changes that can deter weight loss.

Additionally, our circadian rhythms enable the body to more efficiently burn calories, control blood glucose and optimize digestion earlier in the day. This means eating dinner at 5 p.m. instead of 8 p.m. could potentially impact weight loss by aligning closer to the body’s internal clock.

An early dinner also increases the block of time we go without food, which increases fat-burning and improves the regulation of hormones that impact appetite, cravings and blood sugar.

Lunch: The timing of lunch appears to

Justice For Clergy Abuse Survivors

In April, Maryland passed a law giving survivors of child sexual abuse the right to file civil lawsuits against the organizations and institutions that helped perpetrators commit, or concealed, their abuse.

The law was passed after the Maryland Attorney General

have the least impact on weight loss, but what is notable about lunch is that it should be your biggest meal (along with breakfast if consumed).

This goes back to those circadian rhythms driving the body’s increased efficiency earlier in the day.

Breakfast: Instead of asking what time to eat breakfast, the more popular question is: Should you eat breakfast if you’re trying to lose weight?

Technically, all of us “fast” each night while asleep. You can successfully lose weight whether you’re a regular breakfast eater or an intermittent faster who skips breakfast.

First, make sure you get at least a 12-hour

break between dinner and the next meal. Second, regardless of whether you eat your first meal at 7 a.m. or 11 a.m., try to make that first meal substantial and nutrient-dense.

When to eat for weight loss

1. Eat breakfast, but not necessarily in the morning. “Breakfast” technically refers to when you break your fast from the previous day, and there is no specific time that should occur.

2. Prioritize eating during the first half of the day. Aim to consume the majority of your calories and nutrients by mid-afternoon. For one person, this may mean eating

issued a report concluding that the Catholic Church had assisted more than 160 priests and clergy commit and cover up decades of horrific abuse to hundreds of children. Those victims can now seek financial damages without worrying about it being too late.

Q & As: Wellness visits & swollen ankles

By Howard LeWine, M.D.

Q: I consider myself a healthy man. Do I really need a yearly physical exam?

A: While men often call it the yearly physical, the annual ritual is better named a wellness visit or preventive health appointment. Whatever you call it, men should still have one every year as it remains an important part of primary care.

For many men, this is one of the few extended opportunities for an in-depth conversation about their health. The meeting helps both the patient and the doctor address concerns, look at preventive measures, and create health goals and expectations together.

The traditional annual physical exam that focuses only on routine measurements

ple and does not increase life expectancy.

For many men, the annual wellness visit is more than a snapshot of their current health. Over time, men need the chance to identify and reflect on what is important for their health and what goals they want to accomplish.

Without this regular interaction with their doctor, they can end up running around with no clear idea of where they are in terms of their overall health and the best ways to reach their new goals.

Today, doctors more often call the periodic visit to the doctor a “wellness visit” rather than a “regular check-up” or “yearly physical exam.” It can serve many purposes. During this visit, your doctor will want to:

• Ask if you have any new symptoms or

for certain diseases, such as diabetes

• Review your medicines (both prescription and over-the-counter) and use of herbs and supplements

• Ask about health habits, including diet, exercise and use of tobacco and alcohol

• Perform a physical examination

• Administer vaccines or other preventive treatments

Also, this visit is chance for you to:

• Ask any questions that you might have

• Learn more ways to stay healthy

Does every adult male need a routine physical each year? Not necessarily.

Everyone should have their blood pressure checked every one to two years. I suggest a wellness visit every two years from ages 40-50. Once adults reach age 50,

have new symptoms. Call your doctor’s office for advice. Your doctor may not want you to wait for a regular check-up.

Q: I often notice slight swelling in both my ankles, but it is always gone in the morning. What causes it, and why would that start to happen?

A: It sounds like you have edema — swelling in your legs due to fluid in the soft tissues beneath your skin.

This usually occurs when pressure from the fluid inside your veins is high, which forces water out of the blood vessels and into the surrounding tissues.

The most common cause is leaky valves in your veins. Doctors call this venous insufficiency.

One-way valves in your veins help keep the blood flowing in the right direction. Ordinarily, as you walk around, your leg muscles squeeze the veins, which pumps the blood through these valves up toward the heart. When the muscles relax, the valves prevent blood from draining back down the vessels.

If these valves become leaky, the blood gets propelled upward, but much of it drops down again when the leg muscles relax. The result is an accumulation of blood — and an increase in pressure — within the veins. The higher pressure pushes fluid out of the veins, causing leg swelling.

It’s less likely that your edema is due to some other medical problem. But you should make an appointment with your doctor to be sure.

Your doctor will ask if you have shortness of breath, fatigue, or pain in your legs, and whether one leg is more swollen than the other.

Depending on your symptoms and your doctor’s physical exam, he or she might order blood and urine tests to evaluate your kidney and liver health. You might also need an echocardiogram to make sure your heart function is normal, or a leg ultrasound to look for blood clots.

Some medications can cause fluid retention in your legs. This can happen with high doses of ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Leg swelling is a common side effect of certain calcium-channel blockers, especially nifedipine (Procardia XL) and amlodipine (Norvasc).

To help minimize the swelling, raise your legs whenever you sit down. Even better, try to schedule 20 to 30 minutes during the day when you can lie down with some pillows under your feet to raise your legs above heart level.

You also might consider compression stockings. They help counter the pressure from within the veins and prevent fluid from seeping out of the blood vessels.

Usually, the knee-high versions are sufficient. It’s best to put on the stockings each morning before you get out of bed and then take them off at night.

Radiation may reduce heartbeat danger

By Lauran Neergaard

Doctors are zapping the heart with radiation normally reserved for cancer in a highly experimental bid to better treat people with life-threatening irregular heartbeats who’ve exhausted other options.

Surprising early research suggests the method may reprogram misfiring heart cells to control heartbeats more like younger, healthier cells do.

“It may actually rejuvenate sick tissue, and that’s pretty exciting,” said Dr. Stacey Rentschler of Washington University in St. Louis.

An irregular heartbeat called ventricular tachycardia is a major cause of sudden cardiac arrest, blamed for about 300,000 U.S. deaths a year. Treating it with radiation is a radical approach — cancer doctors are trained to avoid radiating the heart at all costs for fear of collateral damage.

Now researchers are about to begin the first rigorous study to prove if a quick, onetime dose to fight this irregular heartbeat works well enough — and is safe enough — for more patients like Jeff Backus, who relapsed after standard care.

The Louisville man had already undergone an hours-long invasive procedure to keep his heart beating properly and had a defibrillator implanted as a backup.

Time your meals

From page 3

breakfast, lunch and two snacks. For another, it may mean eating a large brunch meal and one snack.

3. Make dinner early and light. You may even consider eating as early as 4 or 5 p.m. If this isn’t possible, try eating dinner at least three or more hours before bed.

4. Go 12 hours between dinner and your

Then this past winter, twice in about a month, Backus briefly passed out and awoke feeling like he’d been kicked in the chest. The defibrillator had to save him, shocking his heart back into rhythm.

“You’re always in the back of your mind thinking, ‘Is [another shock] going to happen?’” Backus said.

Out of other options to prevent another scary episode, he chose the experimental radiation in February — and so far, is doing well. “It gave me some hope.”

The traditional approach

The heart’s electrical system normally makes it beat with a steady lub-DUB, anywhere from 60 to 100 times a minute.

Ventricular tachycardia is a super-fast heartbeat, unable to properly pump blood. It happens when those electrical signals short-circuit in the bottom chambers, the ventricles, often because of damage from a prior heart attack.

The main treatment: Doctors thread catheters inside the heart to identify and burn the misfiring tissue, creating scars that block bad signals. Some patients are too sick for this “catheter ablation,” and for others, like Backus, the problem eventually returns.

Dr. Phillip Cuculich, a heart rhythm spe-

next meal to reap benefits that facilitate weight loss, fat burning, metabolism and management of appetite and cravings. Healthy individuals may consider fasting longer (13 to 16 hours).

EatingWell is a magazine and website devoted to healthy eating as a way of life. Online at eatingwell.com.

© 2023 Dotdash Meredith. All rights reserved. Used with permission. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

I Care About Your Wellness

cialist at Washington University, came up with the idea for a no-incision alternative.

It takes a lot of up-front testing. Patients get a souped-up EKG, donning a vest covered in about 250 electrodes instead of the usual dozen to measure the heart’s electrical activity. Adding that to detailed medical scans gives Cuculich a three-dimensional map pinpointing where the heartbeat goes awry.

How to reach it? Cuculich teamed with Dr. Clifford Robinson, who specializes in precisely focused radiation to attack cancer while avoiding nearby healthy tissue.

Aiming at the heart “wasn’t on my radar at all. My goal was to miss the heart,” Robinson said. After all, some lung and breast cancer survivors experience heart disease years later from tumor radiation that reached and inflamed heart tissue.

But he agreed to try, warning patients about possible long-term risks. His first arrhythmia patient responded, “You’re concerned about something that might happen 10 or 20 years from now? I’m worried

about tomorrow,” Robinson recalled. “That was really eye-opening.”

Short procedure showed potential Patients lie in the same machine that normally blasts cancer, held in place and listening to music while customized beams hit just the right spot. It can take as little as 15 minutes.

Cuculich and Robinson reported the first successes in 2017 and 2019, experiments with small numbers of desperately ill patients who showed dramatic improvement. They say some are doing well up to six years later.

While the procedure is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration, the duo has since gotten permission to treat about 80 more people on a case-by-case basis.

And the St. Louis team has taught the technique to dozens of other hospitals in the U.S. and abroad that are cautiously trying it.

MAIL OR EMAIL FOR

For free materials on housing communities, just complete this coupon and mail it — or take a picture and email it — to the Beacon.

Housing Communities

❏ Brightview Senior Living (see ad on page 6)

❏ Brooke Grove (see ad on page 28)

❏ Charlestown (see ad on page 9)

❏ Heartlands Senior Living (see ad on page 4)

❏ Oasis Senior Advisors (see ad on page 8)

❏ Park View at Colonial Landing (see ad on page 17)

❏ Park View at Columbia (see ad on page 17)

❏ Park View at Ellicott City (see ad on page 17)

❏ Park View at Emerson (see ad on page 17)

❏ Residences at Vantage Point (see ad on page 1)

❏ Shriner Court (see ad on page 21)

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E-mail

Check the boxes you’re interested in and return this form to: The Beacon, P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915 or take a picture and email to housing@thebeaconnewspapers.com.

Irregular beats

From page 5

But the FDA requires stronger evidence for more routine use — and the more hospitals offer “off-label” radiation to these heart patients, the harder it will be to get that proof.

Now in an international study sponsored by device maker Varian, nearly 400

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

patients will be randomly assigned to either radiation or another catheter ablation to directly compare how they fare. Washington University just began recruiting potential participants; additional sites are set to open soon.

Making cells act young again

The bigger mystery: How the radiation prevents arrhythmias. Cuculich thought it

CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP (VIRTUAL)

This group for adult caregivers of adults meets online on the third Monday of each month from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Discussions revolve around common issues such as stress management, resources and caregiving techniques. For registration information and the link, contact Karen Hull at (410) 313-7466 or khull@howardcountymd.gov or Elaine Widom at (410) 313-7353 or ewidom@howardcountymd.gov.

SIGN UP FOR SENIOR OLYMPICS

would work by simply copying catheter ablation’s scarring, but was stunned when scans showed ‘’we weren’t actually causing a new scar — and that’s a big deal.”

Rentschler, a developmental biologist who also treats heart patients, took a closer look. Tests with donated human hearts and mouse hearts suggest the one-time moderate dose of radiation was prompting the misfiring cells to repair themselves.

In areas that got zapped, heart muscle cells temporarily switched on certain genes that normally are dormant in adulthood. Among them: a signaling pathway called “Notch” that helps a developing heart form its electrical system.

Reactivating that pathway “is perking up

BEACON BITS

June 29

those areas” so they conduct electrical signals more like when they were younger, Rentschler explained. “We’ve never had any treatment that could do that.”

That’s very different than how repeat radiation doses can obliterate tumors. Now Rentschler’s research team is testing human heart cells in lab dishes, measuring exactly how they conduct electrical impulses — in hopes that even lower radiation doses might work.

“It’s really important that we get this right...that we figure out what the safe doses are and if there’s areas that we should be worried about,” Cuculich said.

© 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

BRAIN HEALTH AS YOU AGE

Ongoing

Are you 50 or older? Then it’s time to sign up to participate in the Maryland Senior Olympics. Archery and trap shoot events are scheduled for July, while bowling, racquetball, shuffleboard and other events take place in August, September and October. The first event costs $15 to $50; additional ones are $5 each. To register, visit mdseniorolympics.org.

COMPOSTING DEMONSTRATION

Want to keep your cognitive skills sharp? Tune in for a free interactive discussion led by Dr. Steven Simmons, internist at MedStar Health, and Jodi L. Lyons, Chief Care Officer of Care Brains, co-authors of Brain Health as You Age: A Practical Guide to Maintenance and Prevention

The event takes place on Zoom at noon on June 29. To register, visit bit.ly/June29brainhealth.

NIGHT FISHING AT CENTENNIAL LAKE

July 1

Bring all your composting questions to this in-person demonstration by the University of Maryland Extension Master Gardeners at Miller Library’s Enchanted Garden on Sat., July 1, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Howard County residents can pick up free compost bins at the event. Registration isn’t necessary; drop in at 9421 Frederick Rd., Ellicott City. Free. For more information, call (410) 313-1950.

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IndependentLiving

Dementia Care

July 14+

This is your opportunity to fish the lake after hours. Come to Centennial Park South Boat Launch, 10000 Clarksville Pk., Ellicott City, on Fridays, July 14 and 28, at 6 p.m., and bring your fishing pole, bait, tackle, bug repellant, flashlight or lantern, chair or boat. You must register on-site by 7 p.m.; the cost is $5. For additional details, visit tinyurl.com/HCRPNiteBiteFishing.

mbia and Catonsville make life extra e you to visit, get to know our friendly onalized services, support, and family, too.

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isted living and specialized dementia

How much Tylenol can one safely take?

By Howard LeWine, M.D.

Q: I take about four extra-strength Tylenol most days. Do I need to worry about my liver?

A: Acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol (and other brand names), is widely considered to be a very safe medication. For the vast majority of those taking it, acetaminophen appears to have no harmful effect on the liver or other parts of the body.

Still, your question is a good one be-

cause, although its safety record is quite good, too much acetaminophen — whether accidental or intentional — is a leading cause of liver failure requiring a transplant.

How can this be? One reason is that it’s easy to take too much. Acetaminophen is widely available without a prescription, and it’s contained in many combination medications — more than 600, according to one estimate — such as Nyquil, Excedrin and Midol.

It’s likely that many people taking aceta-

minophen do not realize they’re taking too much. For example, you might take acetaminophen tablets for the achy feeling that comes with a cold and also use a combination cough medicine that contains acetaminophen.

In addition, the reputation of acetaminophen as a safe drug may lead people to figure “more is better” and that a higher-thanrecommended dose won’t cause trouble.

The maximum recommended total dose of acetaminophen is 3,000 milligrams (mg) per day. Each extra-strength acetaminophen dose is 500 mg. So, that means no more than six extra-strength Tylenol over 24 hours, taking no more than two pills at a time.

Riskier for some people

But these recommendations apply to otherwise healthy people. Those who already have liver disease or risk factors for liver disease are generally advised to use acetaminophen sparingly in smaller doses or avoid it entirely.

People who drink more than moderate amounts of alcohol or already have liver disease are more likely to develop liver damage from acetaminophen.

For example, a person with a hepatitis C

infection may be prone to liver damage when taking doses of acetaminophen that might be harmless to others.

Risk is also higher for people who use combination acetaminophen-opiate products (such as Percocet). Increasing the dose of the opiate to control pain may provide too much acetaminophen.

Intentional overdose of acetaminophen in an attempted suicide can result in liver failure if the person doesn’t seek emergency care.

Acetaminophen is a good example of how almost any medication can cause serious side effects — just because it’s available over the counter doesn’t mean it can’t cause trouble. Read the label of any medication you take and make sure you aren’t doubling up on acetaminophen.

Acetaminophen is safe and effective for most people who take it. Liver damage related to acetaminophen is highly preventable.

Howard LeWine, M.D., is an internist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston and assistant professor at Harvard Medical School. For additional consumer health information, see health.harvard.edu.

© 2023 Harvard University. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

One-pan chicken dinner inspired by Peru

By America’s Test Kitchen

Who knew one sheet pan could provide so much depth in flavor in one dish?

For this recipe, before you get everything together on the pan, start with the marinade in a blender. The marinade features refreshing mint, herby oregano and pungent garlic.

It also gets a subtle earthiness from cumin and smoked paprika, plus a little kick from half a habanero chile, and brightness from lime zest and juice.

For the sides, roasted sweet potatoes fit the dish’s Peruvian profile nicely, and roasted cauliflower adds a deep, nutty complexity.

Giving all the vegetables a head start in the oven lets them brown before roasting.

Tossing the vegetables and accumulated chicken juices with peppery arugula while the chicken rests adds a fresh flavor to complete the dish.

6 garlic cloves, peeled

3½ teaspoons pepper, divided

1 tablespoon ground cumin

1 tablespoon sugar

2 teaspoons grated lime zest plus ¼ cup juice (2 limes)

2 teaspoons table salt, divided

2 teaspoons smoked paprika

2 teaspoons dried oregano

½ habanero chile, stemmed and seeded

4 (10-ounce) chicken leg quarters, trimmed

1 small head cauliflower (1½ pounds), cored and cut into 1½-inch florets

1 pound sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces

1 small red onion, halved and sliced through root end into ½-inch-thick wedges

3 cups (3 ounces) baby arugula

Directions:

maining 3 tablespoons oil, remaining ½ teaspoon pepper, and remaining ½ teaspoon salt on a rimmed baking sheet and toss with cauliflower, potatoes and onion. Spread into an even layer. Bake until the top edges of the cauliflower and potatoes are lightly browned, about 15 minutes.

3. Remove sheet from oven. Using a spatula, push vegetables to 1 side of the sheet (they will no longer fit in a single layer). Place chicken, skin side up, on the now-empty side of the sheet. Roast until

chicken registers 175 degrees and vegetables are tender, about 40 minutes, rotating sheet halfway through.

4. Transfer chicken to a carving board and let rest for 10 minutes. Add arugula to the sheet with vegetables and gently toss to combine. Transfer vegetable mixture to platter. Separate leg quarters into thighs and drumsticks, then transfer to a platter with vegetable mixture. Serve.

© 2023 America’s Test Kitchen. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Primary Care At Home

Providing

One-Pan

Peruvian Chicken with Cauliflower and Sweet Potatoes

Serves 4

Note: You can substitute 1 tablespoon of minced serrano chile for the habanero, if desired. Wear gloves when handling the chile.

Ingredients:

6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided

¼ cup fresh mint leaves

1. Process 3 tablespoons oil with mint, garlic, 1 tablespoon each pepper, cumin, sugar, and lime zest and juice, 1½ teaspoons salt, 2 teaspoons paprika and oregano, and the habanero in blender until smooth, 10 to 20 seconds. Transfer marinade to a 1-gallon zipper-lock bag. Add chicken, seal bag, and turn to coat chicken with marinade. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to 12 hours.

2. Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 425 degrees. Combine re-

care medical services in the comfort and convenience of your home for patients who have difficulty traveling to an office.

•

or visit CharlestownCommunity.com.

FDA approves pills for C. diff treatment

By Matthew Perrone

[Ed. Note: Clostridium difficile (C. diff), is a bacterium that can cause life-threatening diarrhea, most often in patients 65 and over who have taken antibiotics. The infection is typically acquired in a hospital or nursing home setting, where the easily-spread infection is common, or from someone else who has the condition.]

U.S. health officials in April approved the first pill made from healthy bacteria

BEACON BITS

July 4

found in human waste to fight dangerous gut infections — an easier way of performing so-called fecal transplants.

The new treatment from Seres Therapeutics provides a simpler, rigorously tested version of stool-based procedures that some medical specialists have used for more than a decade to help patients.

The Food and Drug Administration cleared the capsules for adults 18 and older who face risks from repeat infections

INDEPENDENCE DAY FIREWORKS

Howard County’s free annual fireworks display takes place at Columbia Lakefront, 10275 Wincopin Cir., on Tue., July 4. Visit the food trucks, browse the vendors, and check out the live music at the Lakefront Stage: Holly Montgomery performs at 6 p.m. and Sugaray Rayford at 7:30 p.m. The fireworks show starts around 9:20 p.m. at Lake Kittamaqundi. Free event parking is available at The Mall in Columbia. For road closures and event details, visit howardcountymd.gov/july-4th-fireworks.

RAILWAY FILMS AND CHAT GROUP

with Clostridium difficile (C. diff), a bacterium that can cause severe nausea, cramping and diarrhea.

C. diff is particularly dangerous when it reoccurs, leading to between 15,000 and 30,000 deaths per year. It can be killed with antibiotics, but they also destroy good bacteria that live in the gut, leaving the patient more susceptible to future infections.

The new capsules are approved for patients who have already received antibiotics.

Transplants proved the concept

More than 10 years ago, some doctors began reporting success with fecal transplants — using stool from a healthy donor — to restore the gut’s healthy balance and prevent reinfections.

procedures used in doctor’s offices.

In the early days of the trend, the FDA warned consumers about the risks of potential infections from fecal transplants, as some people sought out questionable “do it yourself” methods from videos and websites.

Pill version costly, but simpler Cambridge, Massachusetts-based Seres will market its drug as a less invasive option than a transplant. The treatment will be sold under the brand name Vowst and comes as a regimen of four daily capsules taken for three consecutive days. It is expected to cost $17,500.

“We want to make the commercial experience for physicians and patients as easy as possible,” said Eric Shaff, the company’s chief executive officer, in an interview ahead of the announcement. “Ease of administration, in our view, is one of the aspects of the value we’re delivering.”

Ongoing

The FDA approved the first pharmaceutical-grade version of the treatment last year from a rival drugmaker, Ferring Pharmaceuticals. But that company’s product — like most of the original procedures — must be delivered via the rectum.

Visit Elkridge 50+ Center on Mondays from 11 a.m. to noon to chat with other railway enthusiasts, watch related films, discuss rail history and more. This free group meets at 6540 Washington Blvd., Elkridge. For more information, call (410) 313-5192.

Peace of Mind is Priceless

Pre-planning a funeral is a great gift, to your family and to you: It relieves the pressure on them to imagine what you might have wanted while they deal with grief and loss.

Your funeral service will be exactly as you wish.

Your family can enjoy peace of mind knowing everything has been arranged. If you choose to pre-fund, the cost is fixed and protected from later price change or inflation.

Call us to learn more.

Ask about our price-match guarantee!

Ask for Jim Schwartz or Chris Boggs: 410-747-4770

Crematory on premises

Both of the recent FDA approvals are the product of years of pharmaceutical industry research into the microbiome — the community of bacteria, viruses and fungi that live in the gut.

Currently, most fecal transplants are provided by a network of stool banks that have popped up at medical institutions and hospitals across the country.

While the availability of new FDA-approved options is expected to decrease demand for donations from stool banks, some plan to stay open.

OpenBiome, the largest stool bank in the U.S., said it will keep serving patients who aren’t eligible for the FDA-approved products, such as children and adults with treatment-resistant cases. It has supplied more than 65,000 stool samples for C. diff patients since 2013.

‘’OpenBiome is committed to maintaining safe access to ‘fecal transplantation’ for these patients as a vital last line of defense,” said Dr. Majdi Osman, the group’s medical chief.

OpenBiome’s standard stool treatment costs less than $1,700 and is typically delivered as a frozen solution within days of ordering.

Overseeing the fledgling industry of U.S. stool banks has created regulatory headaches for the FDA, which doesn’t traditionally police homemade products and

Seres will co-market the treatment with Swiss food giant Nestle, which will also split the profits. Seres will receive a $125 million milestone payment from Nestle in connection with the FDA approval.

Seres executives say their manufacturing process relies on the same techniques and equipment used to purify blood products and other biologic therapies.

The company starts with stool provided by a small group of donors who are screened for various health risks and conditions. Their stool is likewise tested for dozens of potential viruses, infections and parasites.

The company then processes the samples to remove the waste, isolate the healthy bacteria and kill any other lingering organisms. Thousands of capsules can be made from each stool sample, making it a more efficient process than current fecal transplants, according to the company.

The FDA warned in its approval announcement that the drug “may carry a risk of transmitting infectious agents. It is also possible for Vowst to contain food allergens,” the agency noted.

The FDA approved the treatment based on a 180-patient study in which nearly 88% of patients taking the capsules did not experience reinfection after eight weeks, compared with 60% of those who received dummy pills.

Common side effects included abdominal swelling, constipation and diarrhea.

Using dating apps safely to meet others

By Jim Miller Dear Savvy Senior,

Can you recommend some good online dating apps or sites for retirees?

I’m a 66-year-old widow and would like to find a new friend to spend time with, but don’t know where to turn.

Cautious Carol Dear Carol,

Whether you’re interested in dating again or just looking for a friend to spend time with, online dating sites and apps have become an easy and convenient way for older adults to meet new single people without ever having to leave home.

And to make things even easier, most sites today use matchmaking algorithms that factor in your interests and preferences so they can steer you to matches that are best suited for you.

Here are some tips to help you get started.

Choose a site: There are dozens of different matchmaking websites and apps available today, so choosing can be a bit confusing. While many sites offer free trials or watered-down free content, finding out the price can be difficult until you register and provide some information.

In general, viewing complete profiles and messaging potential dates will require a monthly fee, which can range anywhere between $10 and $40 per month.

Some top mainstream sites/apps that are popular among older adults are eHarmony.com, Match.com and OKCupid.com.

If, however, you’re interested in sites geared for older adults, some great options are OurTime.com or SilverSingles.com.

Or if you have a specific kind of person you’d like to meet, there are dozens of niche sites like: EliteSingles.com for educated professionals, ChristianMingle.com for Christian singles, BLK-app.com for black singles, JSwipeApp.com for Jewish singles, and Facebook.com/dating for people who love Facebook.

Create a profile: When you join a matchmaking site, you’ll need to create a personality profile that reflects who you are, including recent photos, hobbies, interests, favorite activities and more. If you need some help, sites like ProfileHelper.com can write one for you for a fee.

Practice caution: When you register with a site, you remain anonymous. No one gets access to your personal contact information until you decide to give it out, so be prudent with whom you share it.

Before setting up a meeting, you should chat on the phone or video chat a few times, and when you do meet in person for the first time, meet in a public place or bring a friend along.

And if someone asks for money or your

financial information, don’t give it out. Online dating/sweetheart scams are rampant, so be very cautious.

Be skeptical: In an effort to get more responses, many people will exaggerate or flat out lie in their profiles, or post pictures that are 10 years old or 20 pounds lighter. So, don’t believe everything you see or read.

Make an effort: A lot of times, people — especially women — sit back and let others come to them. Don’t be afraid to make the first move. When you find some-

one you like, send a short note that says, “I really enjoyed your profile. I think we have some things in common.” Keep it simple.

Don’t get discouraged: If you don’t get a response from someone, don’t let it bother you. Just move on. There are many others that will be interested in you, and it only takes one person to make online dating worthwhile.

Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org.

Have confidence in every conversation.

Do you find it difficult to use a standard phone? Do people ask you to repeat yourself during telephone conversations? Do you miss important calls because you can’t hear the phone ring? The Maryland Accessible Telecommunications (MAT) program is here to help by giving Maryland residents the opportunity to apply for State-provided telecommunications equipment to independently make and receive calls. Once you qualify, a skilled evaluator meets with you to determine the best device to support your day-to-day communications. The MAT program has a variety of equipment solutions to support clearer communication, including:

• Amplified phones

• Tablets

• Ring signalers

• Phones with large and/or high contrast buttons

• Captioned Telephones

• And more

For more information:

800-552-7724 | 410-767-7253 (Voice/TTY)

410-801-9618 (Video Phone) | MDMAT.org

55 Years + Recreation & Parks

Cooking

NEW! Everything Oranges! with Chef Alba

Squeezed or zested, let’s cook with oranges. Fresh oranges are a versatile and precious citrus which can be used in sweet or savory recipes. Fragrant and elegant, oranges are ideal for any day of the week and special occasions. Class menu includes crostini ricotta arancia e timo, pasta all’arancia e mascarpone, gamberi agrodolce con arancia, and for dessert, mousse al cioccolato bianco e arancia. This is a hands-on class. Info: Melissa Byrne, mbyrne@howardcountymd.gov.

18 yrs +Classes: 1

RP0510.401OnlineAug 186-8pmF$35

Crafts & Fine Arts

NEW Paintings! Paint and Sip with Pinot’s Palette

Join us for an unforgettable evening of friends, fun, beer, wine, and painting in Ellicott City! We provide everything you need for a great night out! All supplies included; drinks available for purchase. Info: Melissa Byrne, mbyrne@howardcountymd.gov.

21 yrs +Pinot’s PaletteClasses: 1

RP0215.403Spectacular NightfallAug 177-9pmTh$40

Stained Glass Panel Workshop

The workshop is held on two consecutive days. On the first day, select your pattern, cut it out, select glass, and cut/grind pieces. On the second day, continue cutting/grinding, foiling the pieces, and soldering the panel together. Your finished product is a 10-12 piece panel that you can proudly display in your home. Supplies include patterns, glass, and tools. Info: Tessa Hurd, 410313-7311 or thurd@howardcountymd.gov.

55 yrs +Instructor: Maureen StoneClasses: 2

RP3557.402N Laurel CCAug 2611am-3pmSa,Su$155

NEW! Jewelry Making for Beginners with Sugata Ray

Learn how to make wire earrings, bracelets, and stringed neck-laces and how to identify equipment, materials, and beads. Acquire basic skills in stringing and crimping. Enjoy creating jewelry connectors and wire loops. Take home your own created jewelry! Info: Melissa Byrne, mbyrne@howardcountymd.gov.

18 yrs +Classes: 1$10 materials fee

RP0224.402Harriet Tubman CtrAug 129am-noonSa$35

Fitness

Yoga in the Park- Pop Ups with Kathy Greisman

Relax while you take in the sights and surrounding beauty of nature as you get fit and improve your health in this outdoor yoga class. All classes are held under the tent at the beautiful Belmont Manor. Walk away feeling refreshed, energized, and ready to take on the day that lies ahead. Join us for the classes that fit your schedule. Info/Fitness Waiver: Tessa Hurd, 410-313-7311 or thurd@howardcountymd.gov.

55 yrs +Classes: 1

RP3541.410BelmontAug 710-11amM$14

RP3541.411BelmontAug 1410-11amM$14

RP3541.412BelmontAug 2110-11amM$14

RP3541.413BelmontAug 2810-11amM$14

Lifelong Learning

How to Travel Inexpensively with Ken Greco

Learn secret tips from an experienced traveler. For 45 years, Ken Greco has traveled the world professionally and for pleasure. Discover how to get the most of your travel money (including secrets on hotels, rental cars, cruises, and airline & rail travel). The course covers travel in the USA, Caribbean, and Europe, advantages and disadvantages of escorted tours, self-planned trips, and virtual planning. Info: Melissa Byrne, mbyrne@howardcountymd.gov.

18 yrs +Classes: 2

RP3419.401N Laurel CCAug 27-9pmW$75

Sports & Leagues

• For info, visit www.hcrpsports.org.

• Sign up for the following programs has begun!

AquaticsFencingMartial ArtsSquash

BadmintonField HockeyPickleballSoccer

BaseballFootballJump RopeTennis

BasketballGolfPickleballTennis

BilliardsKickballSoftballVolleyball

CricketLacrosseSpikeballTherapeutic Rec

Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery

The National Portrait Gallery was authorized and founded by Congress in 1962 with the mission to acquire and display portraits of "men and women who have made significant contributions to the history, development, and culture of the people of the United States." Today, the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery continues to narrate the multi-faceted and ever-changing story of America through the individuals who have shaped its culture. Lunch on your own available at the café. Moderate walking required.

18 yrs +Bus provided RP4551.401Aug 49:30am-3:30pmF$69

A Day in Majestic St. Michaels, Maryland

Join us for a day trip to St. Michaels, Maryland. This destination hosts a combination of popular marinas, inns and bed & breakfasts, shops, and restaurants making it a favorite destination. As part of this exciting day, enjoy a delicious lunch at The Crab Claw and the Patriot Cruise where you experience the beauty of the Eastern Shore and Miles River. During the 90-minute cruise, you see several wonderful 200-year-old historic mansions and amazing wildlife. Moderate walking required. Sign up early as this very popular trip sells out quickly!

18 yrs +Bus provided RP4552.401Aug 118:30am-5pmF$149

Meet You There! ClayGround – Mosaic Artwork

Anyone can come into their first mosaic class and walk away with something beautiful! With guidance from your instructor, you learn how to cut glass into shapes you want, or you can choose pieces that have already been cut. You can also select pre-cut mosaic tiles, beads, sea glass, and more to create an amazing piece of personalized art.

21 yrs + RP4559.401Aug 2411am-1pmTh$69

Longwood Gardens – Fountain Spectacle!

A beautiful setting for everyone to see in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, that millions of guests visit each year! Longwood Gardens is a living expression of all that founder, Pierre S. du Pont, found inspiring, meaningful, and beautiful. Experience the Main Fountain Garden – the jewel of the most significant fountain collection in the United States on this trip! Inspired by the great fountains of Europe, this 5-acre masterpiece was created in the early 20th century. After a recent revitalization, this garden once again dazzles with its hand-carved limestone, undulating boxwood, and more than 1,700 fountain jets and streams! The facility offers a variety of dining options and includes a dedicated picnic area for guests to enjoy their own food and snacks. Moderate walking is required.

18 yrs +Bus provided RP4553.401Aug 258am-5pmF$109 Scan

A Publication of the Department of Community Resources and Services

Howard County Ombudsmen protect residents’ rights

ALong-Term Care Ombudsman is an advocate for residents living in assisted living and skilled nursing facilities. First authorized by an Older Americans Act amendment in 1978, there are now more than 1,300 staff Ombudsmen and 5,000 volunteer Ombudsmen nationwide. The Office on Aging and Independence (OAI) ombudsmen advocate for Howard County residents living in a long-term care setting, or their power-of-attorney or guardian, to investigate concerns and resolve complaints. “Serving as an advocate for Howard County residents who live in nursing homes and assisted living facilities is a privilege,” says Katy Lee, manager of OAI’s Ombudsman Program. “While we cannot fix every problem, we recognize even small improvements can make a difference in a resident’s care and quality of life.”

Anyone can file a complaint, but an Ombudsman never acts without the consent of the resident. Even if a power-of-attorney is in effect, the resident may still have the right to make decisions. Common concerns include:

• Quality of care

• Improper eviction or inadequate discharge planning

• Administration and organization of medications

• Call bell response time

• Inadequate staffing/poor staff attitudes

• Assistance with toileting or incontinence care

• Quality, quantity and choices of food

• Lack of respect for residents

• Inadequate therapy services

OAI ombudsmen also educate individuals about their rights as residents of a long-term care facility, as well as federal and state regulations, programs and services available to them and strategies for self-advocacy. Ombudsmen make unannounced visits to assisted living and skilled nursing facilities and meet with residents to discuss their quality of care. “Sometimes we might be the only one who will take time to fully listen to them,” says OAI Ombudsman Chris Hobbs. “That makes our work meaningful and impactful and keeps us engaged even in challenging situations.”

To contact the Howard County Ombudsman Program, call 410-313-6423, email LTCombudsman@howardcountymd.gov or visit http://howardcountymd.gov/ombudsman. Take advantage of the opportunity to support OAI’s team as a volunteer ombudsman.

Volume 13, No. 7 • July 2023

Summer is officially here, and we are celebrating it during National Recreation and Parks Month, this July. It’s the perfect time to highlight all our outstanding state-ofthe-art outdoor facilities in Howard County. Our team at Recreation and Parks maintains 9,768 acres and more than 50 developed parks! We are continually improving accessibility to our parks so that everyone of all ages and abilities can enjoy.

Our popular, free summer concert series returns to Centennial Park at 7:00 p.m. in July. These family-friendly events kick off with Reverend Smackmaster and the Congregation of Funk on July 12, followed by the Columbia Big Band which brings us the sounds of jazz and swing on July 19. Then, Damon Foreman & Blue Funk complete the month with their funk, blues, and rock on July 26.

We know our parks are some of the best places to enjoy nature and get exercise, no matter your age, and we are working hard to ensure they offer the best resources and amenities. Huntington Park in Columbia is currently undergoing renovations. New features will include a basketball court, softball/baseball backstop, paved paths, water fountain, park benches, and more. Our very popular Patuxent Trail will be upgraded to increase accessibility. It will be receiving a $1.65 million grant to renovate the surface of the 1.3-mile dirt and gravel section in Savage and Kings Contrivance.

This summer, I encourage you to soak up the sunshine by visiting one of our many amenity-filled outdoor spaces. Stay safe and have fun!

The Department of Community Resources and Services (DCRS) just launched a new podcast, HoCo Community Chat! Give a listen as DCRS Director Jackie Scott tells our story and how we assist Howard County residents. The debut episode features an “Aging Outloud” segment, too. Check it out at www.howardcountymd.gov/HoCoCommunityChat.

A message from Howard County Executive Calvin Ball

July Featured Events

Walk the local trails with 50+ Center and library staff

EAST COLUMBIA 50+ CENTER

Mondays, 9:30 a.m.

Join us on a brisk walk on local trails surrounding the East Columbia campus (rain or shine). Meet in the lobby of the library. Free; no registration required

What is “Senior Planet”?

NORTH LAUREL 50+ CENTER

July 12, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

OAI has partnered with Senior Planet from AARP to help older adults learn new technology skills. Meet Digital Inclusion Specialist, Malarie Burgess, to learn more about the program, and sign-up for FREE class!

Jazz dance class

ELLICOTT CITY 50+ CENTER

Wednesdays, July 12 to August 16 / A02445.401

Learn simple jazz techniques – isolation movements, jazz walks, step ball changes, jazz squares, slides, cross steps, and more, in choreographed combinations. Cost: $48/six classes. Register on ActiveNet.

Robinson Nature Center naturalist program

ELKRIDGE 50+ CENTER

July 19, 11:00 a.m. / A05607.400

Learn about the wildlife found in our backyards. Examine and learn about animal skeletons, feathers, pelts, and possibly even some live animals! Free; register on ActiveNet.

Shortcakes and fruit cooking demo

GLENWOOD 50+ CENTER

July 20, 2:00 p.m. / A03603.400

Enjoy a hands-on workshop and learn to make two types of shortcakes, topped with fruit and homemade whipped cream. Cost: $10. Register on ActiveNet.

How emotions affect health

BAIN 50+ CENTER

July 26, 11:00 a.m.

Sharon Burns, RN, BSN, MA, holistic practitioner, will discuss the correlation between disease and emotions. Learn the function of the seven Chakras, the energy centers which maintain the health of specific organs and bodily functions. Free; register at front desk.

To register or find more events, visit https://anc.apm.activecommunities.com/howardcounty/

Enroll in the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)

EAST COLUMBIA 50+ CENTER

6600 Cradlerock Way, Columbia 21045

July 27, 1:30 to 4 p.m. / Appointments required

The Affordable Connectivity Program is a Federal Communications Commission benefit program that helps ensure households can afford the broadband they need for work, school, healthcare, and more. OAI encourages all qualifying older adult Howard County residents register for an appointment with a specialist to enroll in the ACP program. For appointments, call 410-313-6542.

Safeguard your summer travel plans

Planning a worry-free vacation can be difficult and time-consuming. As you arrange for hotels and transportation, work with travel agents, booking sites and tour operators, keep in mind the cancellation policies or laws which apply, and check other variables which can make your travel plans unravel. The Howard County Office of Consumer Protection (OCP) offers tips to help you plan your summer travel. Visit https://bit.ly/OCPtraveltips to learn more.

Money Law &

A higher credit score can lower mortgage rates, insurance rates and more. Learn how on page 19.

Banks are starting to pay savers again

By Ken Sweet

Americans are finally reaping some benefits from keeping their money in the bank.

Banks are paying up for savers’ deposits in a much bigger way than they have in more than a decade, based on recent earnings reports from the nation’s biggest banks.

After a decade of low interest rates, the Federal Reserve has unleashed a rapid series of rate hikes to combat inflation, pushing up its benchmark rate to a range of 4.75% to 5%.

That has prompted banks to pay higher interest on traditional savings products like money market funds, certificates of deposit and regular savings accounts.

A 24-month CD, a common savings product for medium-term savers, is now carrying an average yield of 4.81%, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. That’s up from a 1.18% yield only a year ago. Further, non-bank names like Apple are getting into the deposit game, giving savers even more options.

Slow response to Fed increases

Banks were initially slow to raise their payouts as the Fed raised rates because they were awash in deposits.

But those deposits have shrunk over the past year because inflation forced consumers and businesses to dip into their savings. To bolster their deposits, banks are raising payouts to retain current customers and entice new ones.

Some investors, leery of the current volatility in the stock and bond markets, could find a zero-risk investment like a savings account or CD an attractive option.

The volatility was only heightened after the failure of Silicon Valley Bank in March. A mass exodus of deposits in a short period of time doomed that bank, leading depositors at other midsize institutions to pull some of their money as well, although the withdrawals appear to have abated for now.

In a sign of how competitive it is getting for bank deposits, electronics giant Apple Inc. unveiled a savings account that will pay a 4.15% yield for Apple Card users. The

savings account is in collaboration with Apple’s consumer banking partner Goldman Sachs — and actually pays out more than the 3.90% Goldman pays for deposits under its Marcus brand.

Interest-earning accounts are up

Bank of America, the second largest bank in the country, told investors last month that it was paying on average 1.38% to customers for their deposits, up from 0.96% a year earlier. That figure is still low for BofA because the bulk of customers’ funds are in checking accounts, which typically pay the lowest yield.

Another banking giant whose customers mostly have checking accounts, Wells Fargo, says it’s paying 1.22% for interestbearing deposits versus paying just 0.04% for those same deposits a year earlier.

The big banks like BofA and Wells are still paying lower rates than most banks on their traditional savings accounts and checking accounts because they’re massmarket products. But the banks are offer-

ing six-month and one-year CDs for 3.5% to 4%, according to the latest term sheets.

JPMorgan Chase executives told investors in April that, while it saw roughly $50 billion in deposits flow into the bank in March after the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank, it does not expect all of those deposits to stay with JPMorgan. Some are likely to move into higher yielding money market funds and CDs offered by other banks.

“It’s a competitive market, and it’s entirely possible that people temporarily come to us and then over time decide to go elsewhere,” said Jeremy Barnum, the bank’s chief financial officer, in a call with analysts.

Brokerage giant Charles Schwab said it saw significant movement of customer funds into money market accounts in the first quarter, as customers sought yield.

© 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

I love you, but not your ‘I Love You Will’

By Allison L. Lee

Are you and your spouse planning to write your wills this season? Congrats! Will-writing is one of the most loving things you can do for each other and for all the people and causes that matter most to your life.

But if you’re thinking about implementing simple “I Love You Wills,” read on. While this simple will plan design can work well for many couples, for others, the practical impact is not very loving.

What is an I Love You Will?

I Love You Wills generally refer to reciprocal last wills and testaments created by spouses. In their wills, each spouse leaves their entire estate to the other spouse outright, and then, in most cases, upon the death of the surviving spouse, the remaining assets are slated to pass to their mutual children.

These types of wills are often created by individuals making their wills for the first time who have simple estates and are anxious to have something in place before a significant life event (like getting married, having a first child or taking a long family vacation).

Others who create I Love You Wills may do so because they find the process of will creation emotionally draining or overly depressing (who wants to talk about death?), and seek out the simplest plan design rather than something more thoughtful that may take multiple rounds of drafting with an attorney.

I Love You Wills are popular because they are a simple and relatively inexpensive estate plan that, when circumstances go as planned, can effectively facilitate the plan of a couple with straightforward wishes and an uncomplicated estate — including the naming of a guardian for their minor children and pets and the distribution of their assets to their loved ones — thereby avoiding intestacy (that is, dying without a will).

Below are a few challenges that you may want to think about when considering if an I Love You Will is right for you.

Challenge #1: Control upon the survivor’s death

One of the most often cited concerns about an I Love You Will plan is that the

surviving spouse can change their will after the first spouse’s death (as long as they have the capacity). More particularly, they can easily eliminate or reduce gifts to children of the marriage in favor of a new spouse, new or stepchildren, or other beneficiaries who are not part of the original couple’s plan design.

Building a trust for the surviving spouse upon the first spouse’s death can help “lock in” the originally intended beneficiaries.

Appointing an independent trustee or co-trustee to serve alongside the surviving spouse and assess distribution decisions also makes it more difficult for assets acquired during the marriage to benefit new families or for the surviving spouse to disinherit mutual children.

Challenge #2: Lost opportunity for a ‘primary’ charitable bequest

Most spouses do intend to benefit their surviving spouse with the majority of their assets. However, philanthropically minded people often feel strongly about leaving something directly on their passing to a

cause that matters most (like, “Upon my death, I give $100 to [Favorite Charity]”), rather than waiting until both spouses have passed to start making a difference (like, “Upon my death, if my spouse has predeceased me, I give $100 to [Favorite Charity]”).

A plan design that simply states that all assets pass on the death of the first spouse to the survivor — including an I Love You Will plan — does not afford this opportunity to immediately create a lasting legacy and sustain an important cause for generations to come.

Challenge #3: No incapacity protection

Imagine if, at the time of your passing, your surviving spouse was incapacitated and couldn’t manage their financial affairs — including any inheritance.

Most people would prefer to have their spouse’s inheritance managed by a trusted family member or friend nominated by them as opposed to being left to the discre-

Investing in fixed income alternatives

Many who invested in bond mutual funds with long maturities in 2022 were disappointed because total returns were negative.

When interest rates increase, the value of long-term bonds falls. Thus, for investors who thought that bond holdings would protect them, a fall in fund prices was disappointing, because in 2022 both bond prices and stock prices fell dramatically in value.

What will happen in 2023 is hard to predict. If the rate of inflation falls and the Federal Reserve starts to cut interest rates, bond prices will increase and the value of bond funds with long maturities will increase, and equity prices will also rise.

(VMFXX), which was returning over 4% at that time. The return on that fund is now over 4.5%. Vanguard requires a $3,000 minimum investment for that fund.

Money-market funds are very liquid, and you can sell shares quickly and convert them to cash whenever you wish. Fidelity also offers a comparable money-market fund.

THE SAVINGS GAME

By Elliot Raphaelson

But no one can be sure if inflation will be controlled, and if inflation is not controlled better, then the Federal Reserve will not be taking steps to decrease interest rates.

Some good, conservative options

At the beginning of 2022, investors looking for conservative investments that paid reasonable interest rates did not have very good options. The returns for Treasury bills, short-term CDs and money-market funds were very poor, in most cases less than 1%.

Fortunately, for conservative investors, there are now much better alternatives for those looking for stable shorter-term conservative investments with reasonable returns.

For example, I had invested in Vanguard’s Federal Money Market Fund

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

FREE LEGAL AID OFFERED

Legal aid is available at East Columbia 50+ Center, 6600 Cradlerock Way, Columbia, Mondays from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Appointments aren’t necessary. For more information, call (410) 480-1057.

Ongoing

TEACH ENGLISH TO REFUGEES

Want to help immigrants and refugees from Afghanistan and Ukraine learn English? The English Center is seeking volunteers to teach either online or in person (in downtown Washington, D.C.). No prior experience is needed; training and support will be provided. You can also be a writing tutor or online conversation tutor. For more information, visit washingtonenglish.org/volunteers or call (202) 387-2222.

If you invest in ordinary money-market funds, there are no tax advantages. However, currently you can also invest in municipal money-market funds [which hold mostly tax-free investments] that now earn almost 4%. Rates may not stay that high, but while they do, and if you are in a high tax bracket, you should consider this investment.

For example, Vanguard offers such a fund, the Vanguard Municipal Money Market Fund (VMSXX), with a $3,000 minimum. Fidelity offers a similar fund, the Municipal Money Market Fund (FTEXX), with no minimum and a similar yield.

A 4% yield on a municipal money-market bond fund is equivalent to more than 6% for someone in the 35% federal tax bracket.

If interest rates fall, you can liquidate the funds immediately and invest in a traditional money-market fund or other conservative investment such as Treasury bills or CDs.

Lock in good rates with CDs

Returns on CDs have increased dramatically since the beginning of 2022. Currently, you can find FDIC insured five-year CDs with interest rates of approximately 4.5%.

Hopefully, actions by the Federal Reserve will help curb inflation. If so, returns

on traditional investments such as indexed equity funds and longer-term fixed income funds will improve. But there is no certainty that will happen.

So, for conservative investors who are concerned about preservation of capital, it is prudent to consider putting some of your investments in shorter-term options such as money-market funds, Treasury bills, Treasury notes and relatively short-term CDs.

As inflation comes under control, you can consider using dollar-cost averaging from conservative investments into conservative equity mutual funds/ETFs.

Fortunately, there are now short-term investment alternatives that offer reasonable returns as well as capital protection.

Elliot Raphaelson welcomes your questions and comments at raphelliot@gmail.com.

© 2023 Elliot Raphaelson. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency LLC.

ENTERPRISE RESIDENTIAL

MOST COMMUNITIES ARE 62 AND BETTER

The Greens at Hammonds Lane: 410-636-1141

Park View at Furnace Branch: 410-761-4150

Park View at Severna Park: 410-544-3411

BALTIMORE CITY

Ednor Apartments I: 410-243-0180

Ednor Apartments II: 410-243-4301

The Greens at Irvington Mews: 410-644-4487

Park Heights Place: 410-578-3445

Park View at Ashland Terrace: 410-276-6440

Park View at Coldspring: 410-542-4400

BALTIMORE COUNTY

Cove Point Apartments I: 410-288-2344

Cove Point Apartments II: 410-288-1660

Evergreen Senior Apartments: 410-780-4888

The Greens at English Consul: 410-789-3000

The Greens at Liberty Road: 410-655-1100

The Greens at Logan Field: 410-288-2000

The Greens at Rolling Road: 410-744-9988

Park View at Catonsville: 410-719-9464

Park View at Dundalk: 410-288-5483 • 55 & Better

Park View at Fullerton: 410-663-0665

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BALTIMORE COUNTY (CONT.)

Park View at Rosedale: 410-866-1886

Park View at Taylor: 410-663-0363

Park View at Towson: 410-828-7185

Park View at Woodlawn: 410-281-1120

EASTERN SHORE

Park View at Easton: 410-770-3070

HARFORD COUNTY

Park View at Bel Air: 410-893-0064

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HOWARD COUNTY

Park View at Colonial Landing: 410-796-4399

Park View at Columbia: 410-381-1118

Park View at Ellicott City: 410-203-9501

Park View at Ellicott City II: 410-203-2096

Park View at Emerson: 301-483-3322

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PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY

Park View at Bladensburg: 301-699-9785 • 55 & Better

Park View at Laurel: 301-490-1526

Park View at Laurel II: 301-490-9730

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY

Less restrictive options to guardianships

By Ryan Sellers

We’ve all read stories about Britney Spears, Amanda Bynes, Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys and other famous people who lost control over their own lives. These individuals were legally stripped of their autonomy, and another person was vested with the power to manage their finances, medical choices and other life decisions.

Guardianships — also referred to as conservatorships — are drastic and invasive. They essentially deny people control over their own lives and establish someone else as the decision-maker.

For this reason, they require a rigorous showing of legal incapacity, as well as approval by a judge. In many jurisdictions, parties must establish a specific need for guardianship, and demonstrate that other alternatives considered would not adequately protect the individual.

Guardianships should never be undertaken lightly. Once established, they can be extremely difficult to undo (witness the Britney Spears case), so other options should always be considered first.

Are guardianships ever good?

Guardianships do serve an important purpose: They ensure that individuals unable to handle their own affairs are not exploited or otherwise injured. They also provide a safety net for estates whose heirs might otherwise recover nothing when a loved one dies.

However, other legal vehicles can provide similar oversight with far less complexity.

That being said, there are circumstances when a guardianship may be the best — or only — choice. Imagine, for example, a man with dementia who lacked the foresight to make adequate provisions

in his will or trust for management of his affairs. Without a plan for oversight of his assets, he could end up jeopardizing the estate he intended to pass on to his heirs.

Those heirs are often best situated to seek a court-appointed guardian who will ensure that their father or grandfather does not sign away his estate or compromise his physical well-being.

On the other end of the spectrum, imagine an older relative who left funds for a future generation without making provisions for oversight of those funds. If she passes away leaving minor beneficiaries, their parents must seek a guardianship so they can manage the money until the children reach the age of majority.

Although laws vary from state to state, every state requires that less restrictive alternatives be considered before invoking a guardianship. These might include such vehicles as limited guardianships, powers of attorney or assisted decision-making agreements.

The benefit of these alternatives is that they don’t require court approval or judicial oversight. They are also much easier to set up and shut down. The standard for establishing incapacity is also less rigorous than the standard required for a guardianship.

Limited guardianships

Limited guardianships take away the subject’s right to make decisions, just as full guardianships do, but they are focused on specific aspects of the person’s life.

A limited guardianship can be established for the purpose of managing the subject’s finances and estate, or it can be set up to control medical and healthcare decisions.

Such guardianships still require court approval and must be supported by a showing of incapacity. As with full

guardianships, these more limited interventions will be continued for as long as the incapacity lasts, and can only be dissolved through judicial processes.

If practicable, limited guardianships are the preferred vehicle for protecting people and their property. Courts don’t want to restrain a person’s rights any more than is necessary.

Powers of attorney

Powers of attorney can be established for medical or for financial decisions. Far less difficult to set up than a guardianship, a financial power of attorney can be as simple as putting a second person on the bank account of an incapacitated or otherwise vulnerable individual. This second set of eyes ensures that financial decisions are well-considered and not harmful to the estate.

A medical power of attorney can enable the second person to obtain an injunction to protect the health and well-being of the subject, including by seeking a determination of mental incapacity.

A durable power of attorney for healthcare matters invests the second person with the right to make medical decisions on behalf of the subject if or when they are unable to do so for themselves. Unlike a guardianship, powers of attorney can be canceled when they are no longer needed.

Assisted decision-making

An assisted decision-making agreement establishes a surrogate decision-maker who has visibility to financial transactions. The bank is notified of the arrangement and alerts the surrogate when it identifies an unusual or suspicious transaction.

Although such an arrangement does not completely replace the primary account holder’s authority, it establishes a safety mechanism to prevent exploitation or fraud. The bank is on notice that a second

I Love You Wills

From page 16

tion of a court (remember, the court can select someone you would not have picked). An arrangement that leaves assets outright to the surviving spouse is less protective in such an event.

On the other hand, establishing a trust for the surviving spouse under the management of a trusted nominee you select can help ensure that assets are managed sensibly for their benefit if they are or become unable to independently manage their finances.

Takeaway

Two-thirds of American adults report not having a last will and testament. Estate planning professionals agree that, in most cases, having a simple will — including an I Love You Will — is much better than having no will at all.

In addition to providing for the distribution of assets on death, spouses use their I Love

approval is required before an uncommon transaction can be completed.

Wills and trusts

Many of the issues for which guardianships are created can be addressed in a will or revocable trust. These important estate-planning documents allow individuals to map out what will happen in the event they become incapacitated or otherwise incapable of managing their affairs.

Trusts can avoid guardianship by appointing a friend or relative to manage money and other assets. A contingent trust will allow the executor to manage assets if necessary.

For older individuals, it may be prudent to establish a co-trustee who can oversee matters and step in should the trustor lose the capacity to make good decisions.

Choose a potential guardian now Transparency is important. Before it becomes necessary for a guardian to be appointed to handle your physical or financial decisions, think about whom you would trust to act in that capacity — and put it in writing.

Let others know that if a guardian is needed, this is the person you want to serve in that capacity. A one-page directive will make your wishes clear and avoid giving this important decision to a judge.

Delegate a second set of eyes now to support you down the road — preferably someone younger, with a fresh perspective and a good understanding of money management.

If you don’t think about these things now, the state will make the decision for you. Talk with your legal and financial advisers and create the documents now that will save your loved ones from having to seek a guardianship for you in the future.

© 2022 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

You Wills to name guardians for minor children and pets. They also name will executors (and sometimes digital executors to handle a will-maker’s digital accounts and assets) to settle their estates and account for the payment of estate expenses, including taxes. Also, simple I Love You Wills can perform admirably when everything goes as expected.

However, in certain cases, implementing an I Love You Will can have unintended consequences or represent missed opportunities to start supporting a favorite cause at the first spouse’s death or protect a loved one — including in the event of incapacity.

So, if you and your spouse are getting ready to write your wills this season — whether it’s an I Love You Will or a plan design with a bit more complexity — be sure to be thoughtful and intentional, and select the plan that is going to love you back.

© 2023 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC

Your credit score affects mortgage, more

By Erin Bendig

Becoming a homeowner has become increasingly more challenging for many, with monthly housing payments recently hitting a record high of $2,563 — a 29% increase from 2022. Sky-high mortgage rates, which are expected to keep climbing, have left both homebuyers and owners feeling increasingly pessimistic about the housing market outlook.

So, if you’re in the market for a mortgage or a refinance, it’s more important now than ever to ensure you can secure the lowest mortgage rate possible. One way it can be done is by prioritizing a good credit score.

[Ed. Note: A high credit rating can also reduce your homeowners’ insurance, car insurance and mobile phone contracts. In addition, according to NerdWallet, “senior housing, assisted living and continuing care retirement communities also may use credit histories or scores to evaluate applicants.”]

Credit score impacts mortgage rates

Lenders take into account a variety of factors when determining the interest rate on your mortgage, including down payment, loan term and the price of the property.

However, the biggest factor determining your mortgage rate is your credit score. Most lenders will take into account your FICO score, which can range from 300 to 850.

• 800 or higher: Exceptional

• 740-799: Very good

• 670-739: Good

• 580-669: Fair

• 579 or lower: Poor

To qualify for a mortgage loan, you’ll likely need a score of at least 620. However, having a higher score can ease the financial burden of a mortgage, as it can help get you lower rates. And the knock-on benefits continue — securing a low mortgage rate can help lower your monthly payments substantially, according to this data from MyFICO:

Say you start with a credit score of 620639. Here’s how much you’d save over the course of your 30-year fixed mortgage of $350,000 by boosting your credit score:

—If your score changes to 640-659, you could save an extra $47,086.

—If your score changes to 660-679, you could save an extra $83,473.

—If your score changes to 680-699, you could save an extra $101,343.

—If your score changes to 700-759, you could save an extra $116,000.

—If your score changes to 760-850, you could save an extra $134,220.

How to improve your score

Your credit score matters to lenders because it shows them how likely you’ll be able to repay your loan. If you have a higher credit score, lenders won’t see you as a risky borrower.

And while you can still get approved for a mortgage with a bad credit score, you won’t be able to secure the lowest rates possible. If you want to save on your mortgage rates, try these steps to boost your

overall credit score before applying.

Check your credit report: Before applying for a mortgage, get a copy of your credit report. [Ed. Note: You can request one free copy of your credit report each year from each of the three major consumer reporting companies — Equifax, Experian and TransUnion — by visiting AnnualCreditReport.com.]

You’ll be able to see a complete rundown of your credit history, helping you identify areas of your credit that are hurting your score, while also checking for any inaccuracies in the report.

Having errors on your credit report is more common than you may think, so it’s important to get those fixed by filing a dispute.

Make on-time payments: Payment his-

tory is the largest factor affecting your credit score, accounting for 35% of your total score. Because of this, it’s vital to always make payments on time, as missing payments can significantly decrease your score.

Pay off credit card balances: Credit utilization is the ratio between any debt you have compared to your total credit limit, and it makes up 30% of your overall credit score. Therefore, keeping your credit utilization as low as possible can help you up your overall credit score. A good rule of thumb is to keep your credit utilization below 30%.

© 2023 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Exceptional

We specialize in simple direct cremation and allow families to make arrangements online or over the phone; we work on your schedule and in your budget.

Maine transports travelers back in time

By Glenda C. Booth

On a summer stay in Boothbay Harbor, Maine, I decided to go to a concert at the local opera house. When I picked up my tickets at the box office, the agent opened a plastic box, grabbed a batch of tickets bound with a rubber band and handed me my paper tickets.

No Internet, no password, no clicking, no online headaches. The whole experience took two minutes.

Such is Maine. Longing for root beer? Old Harleys? A 1950s drive-in? Many spots in Maine take you back to yesteryear.

Fresh lobster, saltwater taffy

Head for the Atlantic coast and you’ll likely happen upon the essence of Maine: a lobster pound, operating (and smelling) as it did 70 years ago.

Here, fresh-from-the-sea lobsters are cooked in seawater on the spot, as seagulls stand ready to steal a morsel from tourists, and boats sputter in and out of the harbor, bringing in the day’s haul. Most pounds are modest wooden buildings with walk-up ordering windows, outdoor tables, and plenty of paper towels for messy dining. The classic dinner is a whole lobster with melted butter, an ear of corn and, of course, a bib. Patrons also can feast on lobster rolls, chowder and steamed Maine clams and mussels.

Many small towns in Maine have an oldfashioned candy shop, too. “Candy knows no social barriers,” reads a sign at Orne’s in Boothbay Harbor, established in 1885 by Addie Orne.

The one-room shop’s tantalizing glass cases and tables are full of lobster pops, saltwater taffy, chocolate blueberries, redlace licorice and Needhams, a Maine tradition — candies with coconut and mashedpotato centers covered with chocolate.

Much-loved diners and drive-ins

Traditional diners from pre-interstate days dot the state, like Moody’s in Waldoboro. “When I get hungry, I get Moody,” read the T-shirts for this beloved eatery, which Bertha and Percy Moody opened in 1927. The couple had nine children, some of whom still work there.

Loyal locals and tourists chomp down fat haddock Reubens, hearty chowdahs (Maine-speak), and homemade fluffy biscuits to die for.

At the counter, you’ll likely chat with a truck driver or lobsterman and indulge in Moody’s famous homemade pies — blueberry, lemon meringue, banana cream and peanut butter. On an average summer day, Moody’s makes 50 to 60 pies and serves as many as 1,500 people.

Maine’s 1950s drive-in restaurants remain in full swing today. At Fat Boy’s in Brunswick,

open since 1955, a sign instructs, “Lights on for service.” Turn on your headlights and a server sprints out to your car, takes your order, hooks a tray onto the car window, then returns with your burger and fries.

Fast Eddie’s drive-in, located in a former Texaco gas station in Winthrop, also has carhop service. Inside, there’s 1950s memorabilia, gold and burgundy vinyl booths, a checkerboard floor and a working jukebox.

At the Fountain in Bath, customers can choose a soda fountain stool or a blackand-white semicircular booth under a pressed-tin ceiling and enjoy Maine blueberry treats, milkshakes, sundaes, cream soda and root beer.

Bowling, puffins and general stores

Maine does offer much more than food. For indoor amusement, try candlepin bowling, a game likely “imported” from the Canadian Maritime provinces.

Players fling balls smaller than traditional ones, without finger holes. The skinny pins they aim to knock down resemble candles. Candlepin alleys only have several lanes, so they’re not as noisy as typical urban bowling alleys.

Trips to see Atlantic puffins never disappoint. Boat tours from Boothbay Harbor, Rockland and Port Clyde reveal a closer look

at the islands where puffins return every year to raise their chicks, known as pufflings. There’s also shopping. Every shopper’s bucket list should include a roam through a Reny’s Department Store. Mainers would never call it a “chain,” but Reny’s has 17 locations around the state.

Walmart it’s not. Shelves are crammed with everything from crayons to spatulas, moose-themed pajamas, lobster socks, blueberry preserves, Katahdin coffee, flannel shirts, balsam candles and insect repellent. Their motto of 73 years: “If Reny’s Doesn’t Have It, I Don’t Need It!”

Nostalgic for your old stick shift, metal bumpers and backseat, pre-seat-belt adventures? Maine has four car museums that spotlight antique vehicles.

The Owl’s Head Transportation Museum displays more than 150 of them, including automobiles from 1886 to 1963. You can reminisce about teenage hot dates as you ogle the lipstick-red 1957 Ford Thunderbird and some old Harley motorcycles.

Or try the Seal Cove Auto Museum near Bar Harbor, with cars made between 1895 and 1917. The Stanley Museum in Kingfield preserves “the Stanley Family genius” — 1905, 1910 and 1916 steam cars,

Boothbay Harbor, Maine, makes for a perfect home base for boat tours of the rocky coastline and the puffins who visit nearby islands, as well as a road trip of the state’s retro sites — from antique car museums to drive-in restaurants.

PHOTO BY VISIT MAINE

Taking a trip? Don’t forget to pack the over-the-counter medications listed on the facing page.

Maine is chock-a-block full of old-fashioned general stores, diners and candy shops. A good example is Ben & Bill’s Chocolate Emporium, above, located on Main Street in Bar Harbor.

PHOTO © JIAWANGKUN | DREAMSTIME.COM

PHOTO © OASISAMUEL | DREAMSTIME.COM

Traveling smart: 12 must-pack OTC meds

In order to have more confidence while away from home, it’s essential to be prepared to handle the little things. This will help you avoid unnecessary (and difficult) stops at pharmacies in unfamiliar terrain.

Today, I’m sharing the 12 most important things to pack for your next trip, based on my own experiences. I bet there’s something on my list that you haven’t thought of before.

I like to take unit-dose pills or capsules rather than pack the entire bottle of these items, because not doing so will fill up your suitcase pretty quickly.

2. Cold medicine — A nose spray can help with nasal congestion or a sinus headache.

3. Anti-itch cream — Hydrocortisone cream relieves itching from bug bites, rashes and other minor skin irritations.

DEAR PHARMACIST

By Suzy Cohen

On the other hand, for chronic medical conditions requiring prescription medication, pack in their original packaging or prescription bottle.

Let’s dive into the 12 indispensable items, from a pharmacist’s perspective, to keep your travels smooth and enjoyable.

1. Antihistamine — For mild allergic reactions or itchy rashes. Claritin for day use, and Benadryl at night.

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

4. Sleep aid — Not sleeping properly on your trip will cause misery. I recommend melatonin for jet lag, but if you have Benadryl as your antihistamine, that will also put you to sleep. You can also check out my custom formula called Sleep Script.

5. Eye drops — A redness-reliever eye drop can soothe irritated eyes from air travel or allergies.

6. Earplugs — Silicone earplugs can help you sleep through loud noises at night.

7. Pain reliever — Ibuprofen or acetaminophen are the two that I recommend. Either one of these can help relieve pain from headaches, toothaches and muscle aches that may occur during travel. Aceta-

WEEKLY LGBTQ+ GROUP (VIRTUAL)

Join Senior Planet from AARP for a weekly social hour to connect with other older adults in the LGBTQ+ community. This group meets on Mondays from 4 to 5 p.m. on Zoom. To join, email supporters@seniorplanet.org for the meeting link.

LIBRARY STRATEGIC PLAN SESSION (VIRTUAL)

July 6+

Share your opinions with Howard County Library’s Board and staff during the two virtual Strategic Plan and New Facility Listening and Engagement Sessions on Thu., July 6, from 6 to 7 p.m. and Sat., July 8, from 11 a.m. to noon, online. Please register at bit.ly/HoCoListens.

minophen is a little better for fever if you happen to get sick.

8. Anti-diarrhea medication — Imodium or other anti-diarrhea medication, along with a probiotic, can alleviate traveler’s diarrhea.

9. Electrolyte solution — Pedialyte or similar solutions replenish fluids and electrolytes lost due to diarrhea or vomiting. It will also help you with leg cramps. You can take powder stick packets with you and make your own with some bottled water.

10. Antacids — Tums or Pepcid AC can alleviate heartburn or acid reflux symptoms after eating some spicy Pozole Rojo.

11. Bandages and antibiotic ointment — Treat minor cuts and scrapes with items like Neosporin and bandages.

12. Ginger capsules or tablets — Useful for nausea, motion sickness or queasiness from winding roads or windy boat rides. If traveling with insulin and needles, inform the airline, pack in carry-on luggage,

and comply with TSA guidelines, including proper labeling and temperature control measures.

Packing these essential OTC medications and supplements can prevent or alleviate many travel-related health issues, so you can focus on enjoying your trip.

Before closing, consider the destination. Some countries, such as India, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Egypt, Mexico and Thailand, have a slightly higher risk of diseases due to inadequate sanitation or water treatment facilities in some regions. You are more likely to experience traveler’s diarrhea or other diseases like cholera or typhoid fever there.

This information is opinion only. It is not intended to treat, cure or diagnose your condition. Consult with your doctor before using any new drug or supplement.

Suzy Cohen is a registered pharmacist and author of The 24-Hour Pharmacist and Real Solutions from Head to Toe

Maine

From page 20

like the Stanley Steamer invented by Mainer Francis Stanley.

Ice houses and lighthouses

If you’ve ever used the word “icebox” to describe a refrigerator, you may enjoy visiting a historic ice house in South Bristol. In 1826, Asa Thompson dammed a stream, created a pond, and started cutting ice, selling it to anglers, delivering it to customers or shipping it as far away as Philadelphia, Cuba, China and India.

Today, Thompson’s is likely the only

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

commercial ice house on the National Register of Historic Places to continue to store naturally frozen ice harvested from a nearby pond using the traditional method.

Videos and docents explain how workers cut big ice blocks with hand saws and tug them up an incline into the ice house for storage. Locals have an ice harvest here every February.

Of course, Maine is also famous for its lighthouses, many of them decommissioned but still picturesque. To visit one of the state’s 65 lighthouses, take a one-mile boat ride from Boothbay Harbor to the Burnt Island Light Station.

There, time travel does seem possible.

CAPITAL JEWISH MUSEUM OPENS

The Lillian and Albert Small Capital Jewish Museum is the first museum dedicated to the story of Jewish life in the nation’s capital region. Located in Washington, D.C., in a historic synagogue on the corner of 3rd and F Streets NW, the museum opened in June of this year. Admission is free, but tickets to the special exhibition on Ruth Bader Ginsburg are $12. For more information, visit capitaljewishmuseum.org.

ROBERT FROST DISCUSSION (VIRTUAL)

July 8

Explore “The Road Not Taken” and other Robert Frost poems in this free online poetry discussion on Sat., July 8, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. For a complete list of poems that will be discussed and the link for the Zoom meeting, visit bit.ly/Frost Poems. For more information, email poetry@prattlibrary.org.

Interpreters in 1950s clothing (remember gingham dresses and Keds?) portray the lighthouse keeper and his family during the time Harry Truman was president.

Electricity didn’t arrive at the 1821 lighthouse until 1961. Water for home use was precious, most collected in a 2,000-gallon cistern. Saturday was “bath day,” one of the “daughters” told a group of visitors on a summer tour. “The cleanest girl goes in first.”

If you go

It’s a nine-hour drive from Columbia to Portland, depending on the route and traffic. However, you can fly round-trip from BWI to Portland on Southwest for around $400. If you fly, a rental car is a must.

One way to “do Maine” is to go to a “grown-up camp,” such as the Hog Island Audubon Camp. Campers stay in dorm-like

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

lodges, have communal meals, take photos, paint landscapes and learn all about terrestrial and sea birds in classes and on field trips. See hogisland.audubon.org.

Boothbay Harbor is a good home base for day trips to Bath, Camden and other sites. You can stay in cottages, B&Bs or hotels, but the Mid-Town Motel in Boothbay Harbor bills itself as “a true 1950s classic” — an 11-room motor lodge run by the same family for 66 years (until last year, but it retains the olden days aura). When the movie Carousel was filmed in town, the cast stayed in the Mid-Town (midtownmaine.com).

Its turquoise and white outdoor color scheme, indoor knotty pine walls, and cheery window flower boxes are far removed from today’s monotonously similar chain hotels. But yes, it has WiFi.

To plan your trip, go to visitmaine.com.

BIRDABILITY MAP VOLUNTEERS

Howard County Recreation and Parks Natural Volunteer Corps is looking for volunteers to visit and review birdwatching sites, such as parks, and gather accessibility information about them (parking, trail measurements, facility features, etc.). This data will be included in the Birdability Map, which describes birdwatching locations, allowing people with accessibility challenges to decide whether to visit them. For more information and how to apply, contact Park Ranger Erin Wilder at (410) 245-1410 or ewilder@howardcountymd.gov.

Arts & Style

Chita Rivera publishes her first memoir

By Leslie Ambriz

It’s hard to imagine Anita, Rose Alvarez and Velma Kelly without Chita Rivera, who first breathed life into these beloved Broadway characters.

At a time when there was limited Latino representation on stage, this young woman of Puerto Rican, Scottish and Irish descent was taking Broadway by storm and ensuring everyone knew her name.

The dancer-turned-Broadway legend reminisces in her new book, Chita: A Memoir . Written with arts journalist Patrick Pacheco, it’s an inside look at Rivera’s journey from a spunky girl jumping on furniture in her family’s Washington, D.C., home to a professional dancer and then a three-time Tony Award-winning performer.

Each chapter feels like a personal diary entry as Rivera, now 90, also talks about motherhood, and loves lost and found.

“It was the next stage for me to write [my life story] down. And it was God’s way of reminding me this is the life I had or have. I got so busy that I didn’t remember that I had a wonderful, wonderful life,” she told the Associated Press.

Maryland roots

Born Dolores Conchita Figueroa del Rivero, she spent her early years in the Bloomingdale neighborhood of Washington, D.C., near Howard University, and her family’s house, at 2134 Flagler Place NW, still stands.

After her father died when she was seven years old, her mother, grandmother and five siblings moved to the Maryland suburbs. Rivera attended Montgomery Blair High School in Silver Spring, performing in several plays before she graduated and moved to New York City.

While Rivera is the memoir’s main character, another woman steals scene after scene: her self-proclaimed alter ego, Dolores.

Dolores is unapologetic and fiery. She is the unfiltered version of Chita and serves as motivation in times of self-doubt.

In one chapter, Rivera writes that she doesn’t read reviews “or Dolores just might invest in a dozen voodoo dolls.”

“I consist of — and I think we all do — I consist of two people: Dolores and Conchita,” said Rivera with a chuckle. “Conchita, she’s the one that has been taking all the

glory, you know. She’s been doing all the shows.

“But Dolores is the one that’s pushed her into it. And she’s been keeping me on track,

so

growing in my head now as we speak.”

Learn to paint, cook or kayak this summer. Our cover story continues on page 24.

See CHITA RIVERA, page 21

Beloved award-winning dancer and actress Chita Rivera was born in Washington, D.C. and spent her teenage years in the Maryland suburbs. Now 90, she has published a memoir about her life and the people she met (and dated) during her Broadway career.

PHOTO BY LAURA MARIE DUNCAN

PHOTO BY RECREATION & PARKS

Classes

things I always wanted to do and didn’t have time to do,” Hindenach said.

While most of the classes in the Active Aging Program cost anywhere from $25 to $89 per class, some, like drop-in bridge, are free.

No experience is necessary for any class, and you don’t need to bring anything with you; the county provides all equipment (although sometimes a materials fee is added to the class cost).

“We have lots of things to do to keep you busy every day of the week,” said Tracy Adkins, supervisor of the county’s Active Aging Programs and Trips & Tours.

Cooking classes are popular

Alba Carbonaro Johnson, who grew up in Italy and Tunisia, teaches popular cooking classes through the county. She used to teach in person but now teaches via Zoom.

Well before the date of the 90-minute class, Johnson sends every student a list of ingredients to buy, as well as instructions for what to prepare ahead of time.

“I don’t do a large group, so I can pay attention to everyone. I want them to follow their instincts, their sense of taste, their sense of smell,” Johnson said. “At the end, they show off their dish.”

Johnson recently published a cookbook and has had many repeat customers to her ever-changing cooking classes. This August’s class, Everything Oranges, features an appetizer of crostini with flavored ricotta, a pasta course, shrimp for the entrée, and white chocolate and orange mousse for dessert.

“They keep coming back, which is nice. Some of them have even gone to Italy with me.”

Day trips and overnight tours

The county also offers “Trips & Tours” — day trips to nearby destinations like the

Eastern Shore or downtown Washington, D.C., and overnight trips to places like Maine and Charleston, South Carolina.

Adkins said the county’s recent excursion to Lancaster, Pennsylvania — to see a matinee of Elvis: A Musical Revolution — inspired people to belt out a few tunes on the bus.

“They were singing the whole way there; they were singing the whole way home,” she said.

Siri Cowden, an Ellicott City resident, has gone on several outings since she retired eight years ago.

“As you get older, like I am, it’s wonderful because the bus lets you off five feet from the door,” Cowden said. “You don’t have to worry about parking, and you can gab on the way there and back. It’s easy. People are very friendly.”

Through the Recreation and Parks programs, Cowden has traveled to the U.S. Naval Academy, the National Cathedral, the Kennedy Center to see Les Misérables, and Georgetown for a Potomac River

cruise past the cherry blossoms.

“There’s always something interesting,” Cowden said. “It’s a way to relax and get away for a day. And it’s all orchestrated, so you don’t have to do anything.”

Pickleball, bocce and other sports

Of course, if you want to do something active, the Recreation and Parks Department oversees a robust roster of sports: a bocce ball league (with 22 teams), billiards, basketball, croquet, tennis, volleyball and golf, to name a few.

“Fifty-plus sports are exploding,” said Scott Ripley, the Sports & Fitness Active Aging Programs supervisor. “Pickleball, in particular, is exploding in Howard County.” [See “Pickleball craze picks up speed,” in the December Beacon.]

Beginner ballet, line dancing and African dance classes are also available, as is an outdoor yoga class at Belmont Manor.

Whether you play croquet with a likeminded partner or meet other retirees on a pickleball court, classes can be more fun when everyone is in the same boat.

Harriet Schneider, 78, who joined the Encore Kayaking Club last spring, said she felt welcome at the six-week class.

“There was nobody else there but us oldies, which was great,” she said. “They always were so helpful and so kind, and we just had a ball.”

Schneider said the handicapped-accessible dock at Centennial Lake was helpful since she has trouble walking. The introduction to kayaking class left her with a new sense of confidence, she said.

“It boosted my spirits because it allowed me to do something I love, and I couldn’t have done it without them helping me.”

The Columbia Association also offers a wide range of classes for members and nonmembers; see columbiaassociation.org or call (410) 715-3000.

For more information about the Howard County Recreation and Parks’ Active Aging Programs and Encore Adventure Series for people over 55, see howardcountymd.gov/rap or call (410) 313-7275.

Alba Carbonaro Johnson’s new cookbook, Flavors of the Maghreb & Southern Italy: Recipes from the Land of the Setting Sun, is available on Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

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Chita Rivera

From page 23

Friends knew her as Chita, but it wasn’t until someone recommended that she shorten her name to fit on a show poster that she became Chita Rivera. It was a name that she felt respected her heritage.

“If I was going to lose some parts because directors or agents thought my name sounded too south of the border, well, that was their problem,” she writes in the memoir.

Love interests

Rivera dedicates a chapter to the late Sammy Davis Jr., whom she met while working on the Broadway musical Mr. Wonderful early in her career.

She talks about their romantic relationship, and the legendary rat pack member’s inner struggles. Rivera said she decided to go into more detail about their relationship because “it was time to,” and she wanted readers to know her and Sammy better.

“He was an extraordinary human being who had the same problems as everybody else, but he dealt with them in a different way. And I cherish the time that I had with Sammy because he was an amazing person,” she said.

For Rivera, vulnerability in love isn’t something to hide. “The loves of my life enabled me to explore myself even more,” she said.

“And I always said, you know, we should have two lives — one to try out and one you’re judged by. But we don’t. We have one life, and we have to live it as best we can.”

Hers became that of a theatre icon, best known for her roles in West Side Story (Anita), Bye Bye Birdie (Rose) and Chicago (Velma).

Accolades include a Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2009; Tony Awards, including one for Lifetime Achievement in Theatre; Kennedy Center Honors and more, filling up pages and pages at the end of her memoir. She also appeared in films and on

television.

Her book includes memories of other Broadway legends, such as Fred Ebb, John Kander, Liza Minnelli, Leonard Bernstein and more.

“I’m very, very lucky that I met all these people that made up my life,” said Rivera. “They are responsible for me being who I am.”

In the very first chapters of the book, she writes, Gwen Verdon gave her life-altering words of affirmation: “Be more confident. Go out and create your own roles. Forge your own path,” Verdon told her.

Similar encouragement came from other mentors and colleagues, including Davis, who told her not to “sell herself short.” Those shows of support, she re-

called, “were a shock at the beginning because it was such a surprise.”

Rivera was married once, to fellow dancer Tony Mordente, and has a daughter.

Above all, she said, she hopes those reading her memoir will live their lives fearlessly.

“If I can do it, so can you. So, if there are any kids out there that have any questions at all, I hope that I answer some of the questions for them and give them courage,” she said.

“To go on with their lives, with their own lives and not be afraid of what life has for them.”

Margaret Foster contributed to this story. © 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Scrabble answers on p. 25.

Find

Crossword Puzzle

Soap City By Stephen Sherr

HB723

Across

1. Bowling party souvenir

4. Fed. monitor of workplace safety

8. Make the stew less bland

12. Commonality of “bacon” and “tacos”

13. Brings the volume straight down to 0

14. Bellybutton type

15. Be slothful, to some

16. Every hungry piglet is at ___

17. Written on a Post-It

18. New resident in Soap City

21. Namesake of the largest tennis stadium in New York (and the world)

22. He said “The world champ should be pretty like me”

23. Antiquity, once

24. One of the guys in 6 Down’s clue

25. You can’t spell “doublespeak” without ___

27. Man-eater of folklore

31. Soap City groups

36. Acronym for org. for US gamers, geneticists, or gastroenterologists

38. Paul Bunyan’s tool

39. “He said; ___ said”

40. Words form our sponsor

41. Resident of Soap City

45. Mailing address abbrev.

46. The 4th, 1st, and 7th largest Roman numeral characters

47. “___ and a-two” (Lawrence Welk intro)

50. Floral necklace

52. George H. W. Bush led it for Ford

55. 60s horse who was only filmed in black and white

56. Residents of Soap City

60. Smoothie ingredient

61. “It’s ___ shame”

62. Zeta Delta Epsilon org, briefly

63. Compulsions

64. Paint tiers

65. It lies between kay and em

66. Any member of The Breakfast Club

67. Twin Peaks actor MacLachlan

68. ___ Moines, Iowa Down

1. Successfully use a disguise

2. Least friendly

3. Unworried

4. Get ___ My Dreams, Get into My Car

5. Caribbean drum material

6. More like Hardy than Laurel

7. ___ Spumante

8. Siberian Husky or Saint Bernard

9. Leaning against

10. Bank claim

11. He played Sam on Cheers

13. West, first called Mary Jane

14. Like BWI or IAD

19. “The divorce capital of the world”

20. Religious structure, built from the ground up

26. Assents (in Spanish accents)

28. Gussied up

29. Outermost color in a rainbow

30. Redundancy in “bless this mess”

32. Anatomical vessel

33. Relating to a period of banishment

34. Lions or Tigers or Bears

35. URL suffix that can grab you

36. Common car club

37. It is exactly five hours ahead of EST

42. Perk up

43. Colonial ruler

44. A stressed and unstressed syllable, such as a-BOVE

48. Insulin injector

49. Ford sold 116,000 of them in the 1950’s

51. Nbrs. on an Amtrak video board

53. “Happiness is not an ___ of reason, but of imagination” (Kant)

54. Decrease in severity

56. 100% confident

57. Subject of union negotiations.

58. Login to someone else’s account

59. Jolson and Capone

60. It may be balanced by probiotics

Answers on page 25.

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