August 2024 | Howard County Beacon by The Beacon Newspapers

Hosts love exchange students

By Margaret Foster

At work one day in 2022, Ellicott City teacher Annette Watford got an email that changed her life.

“Consider hosting a foreign exchange student,” the email read. “Students come from all over the world and are excited to become part of an American family, and you can make that happen.”

Watford, who said that hosting an exchange student “was always in the back of my mind,” decided to do just that. She and her adult daughter opened their home to a high school student from Tanzania who, like Watford, liked to bike and cook.

“It was such a great fit,” said Watford, who recently retired. “She’s just like a bonus daughter. I really didn’t want her to go [home],” she said, and they continue to keep in touch.

Each year, more than 30,000 Americans volunteer to host international exchange students in their homes. Empty nesters and retirees say it’s a worthwhile way to give back.

As the U.S. State Department puts it, “You will be a citizen diplomat by creating positive impressions about America and Americans, breaking stereotypes, and fostering mutual understanding and respect.”

Several programs exist

There are several exchange programs a family can work with, including the organization Watford contacted, ASSE International, founded in 1938. AFS-USA was founded in 1946 and Youth for Understanding in 1951.

Each organization is roughly the same: They match you with an international high school student who speaks English and has health insurance and spending money.

The host family (you) provides a bed (shared rooms are okay), a place to study

and three meals a day. The students live in their host’s home from August to June.

Host families aren’t paid, but they can claim a tax deduction of $50 per month, according to the IRS.

“It’s an experience unlike any other that helps to unite our world,” said Megan Michels, senior director of growth and development at Youth for Understanding

USA, which places 550 international students in American homes each year.

“Especially with the current conflicts going on in the world, there’s never been a better time for hosting an exchange student because you’re promoting peace in an enriching way.”

Ellicott City educator Annette Watford and her daughter, shown left, welcomed a student from Tanzania into their home last year. Retirees and empty nesters say that hosting an exchange student can be a life-changing experience — and gives them a friend abroad they can visit in the future.

It only takes a moment

Most of the time, for me at least, life just rolls along without any truly memorable moments.

Don’t get me wrong. I enjoy much about my life, including my work, my family and my free time. And I’m sure I learn new things every day. (Whether I remember them is another story.)

But this summer, I’ve had some brief educational encounters that I think might well count as life-altering.

course by managing to get once across the pool without drowning.

THE PUBLISHER

I was approached recently by the founder of Rip Current Sports, swim coach Jose Gallagher, who wanted the Beacon to inform readers about a flotation device he developed. Coach Gallagher claimed it helps nonswimmers learn to swim and good swimmers learn to swim better.

By Stuart P. Rosenthal

He pointed out what good exercise swimming is for people of any age, and that many older adults seem to have a fear of the water that keeps them from trying it.

He couldn’t have known that he was describing me when he said that, but I’ve tried repeatedly and unsuccessfully since childhood to overcome my fears and become a decent swimmer.

I never got anywhere with that as a kid, though I had more than one swim teacher try. In college, I just passed my swim

I’ve since taken private swim lessons (when my kids were young, so they wouldn’t wonder why Daddy didn’t get in the pool with them) and an adult group class (where I started out way ahead of most of the others but wimped out when we moved to the deep end).

So, when the coach offered to give me a lesson to show me how his device worked — and promised it would make me a better swimmer — I dove at the opportunity, so to speak.

Once in the water, even before we got to the device, he made a couple of pointers that were “aha moments” for me.

Now, maybe I had been told these things before and had forgotten. But when he explained that I was bending my feet in the wrong way as I kicked, I was amazed at the difference that simple correction made.

My real problem, however, has always been breathing while doing the crawl. After a few strokes, I invariably end up with a mouth and/or nose full of water, choking and gasping for breath.

That’s where his flotation paddles (he calls them “Dual Boards”) came in. Unlike a kickboard you hold in front of you, these are

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like small kickboards strapped to each of your hands. Holding one hand out in front of you and the other down at your side, for example, you can practice both kicking and breathing without fear of sinking.

He encouraged me to take as long as I needed to breathe, experimenting with different angles to my head as the boards kept me afloat.

After just a few minutes of practice, he had me take the boards off and try the crawl again. To my amazement, I found myself more comfortably breathing to the side — without the typical panic — and having moved much further down the pool with my newly corrected kick.

It was a brief lesson, and I can’t say I have become a fearless or even good swimmer. But I was impressed by how a few minutes with a skilled instructor, coupled with what I might call “floating crutches,” could make such a difference. Now I find I actually look forward to swimming after my gym workouts.

I also experienced epiphanies at “piano camp” this summer. Readers may recall my earlier columns about this one-week adult music program at the Peabody Institute in Baltimore. Pianists from all over the country come to learn from, and hear concerts by, great instructors and pianists.

The camaraderie is very special there, and I truly enjoy the jazz lab, the educational lectures and the world-class performances by the faculty.

But the most valuable aspect to me is the daily master class, where a few participants perform a piece they have been working on. That day’s instructor spends a half hour or so pointing out to each per-

former ways to improve the result.

With each student, you see right in front of you how a skilled teacher can focus on a particular problem and adjust the player’s wrist and arm placement, propose a different fingering, or demonstrate a subtle emphasis in accent or tone and immediately transform the performance.

As with the swim coach, in just a few minutes the teacher’s instructions enabled me to play passages that had been giving me trouble both more easily and more musically. You really know a teacher has made a difference when, after you replay a passage incorporating their advice, the audience erupts into applause.

So, if you were to ask me, “How is your summer going?” I would say these last couple of weeks have been transformative.

And it’s all due to a few special individuals who cared enough to share their expertise and, each in their own way, helped me see things in a different light, try something new and get “unstuck.”

If (when?) you find yourself stuck in some way, I suggest you look for someone who can help you — whether one-on-one, in a group or online. I now know they are out there, eager to share their expertise.

And perhaps you may even pay it forward, using your newfound (or longtime) expertise to help someone else. (Someone who wants to be helped, that is!)

Either way, by learning or teaching, I wish you the deep pleasure of connecting and growing.

Letters to the editor

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I am 90 years old and recently had a hospital experience that resulted in MANY computer messages from doctors. It was impossible for me to deal with this. In addition to different passwords, etc., I needed different user IDs/patient portal IDs, etc. I got medical messages that said they are important, but I can’t decipher them — messages I am sure doctors thought I had received. I think this would make for an interesting article or op/ed.

Joyce Siegel Via email

Ed.: You make a very important point: So much important health and medical communication today is shared digitally. But not all recipients are able to access such messages — especially when they are in a hospital bed! Health professionals need to be more aware of this, particularly when communicating with older adults and, really, with

anyone who is recovering from surgery or another trauma.

For those undergoing elective procedures, be sure to let your doctors know if this might be an issue for you during recovery.

Dear Editor:

Having just read the June issue of the Beacon, I want to let you know that I completely agree with the publisher’s column, “I’m not a doctor, but…”

It is so true that conversations [among older people] are always about medical treatments and issues. And everyone is a doctor and gives advice!

The suggestions you made about going to medical professionals and other options are spot on. Certainly second opinions are usually a good choice.

And I 100% agree with acupuncture as a choice. I was treated this way and had wonderful results.

Barbara Sherr Baltimore

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Fitness & Health

NEW KNEES

Make knee surgery more successful by preparing well in advance

BRAIN SUPPLEMENTS

Gingko biloba, omega-3s and some mushrooms may help sharpen the mind

DOCTOR WILL ZOOM YOU NOW

Keep in-person doctor’s appointments, but add telemedicine visits as needed

DINNER IDEAS

Chef Christopher Kimball spices up panfried chicken cutlets with Dijon mustard

Extreme heat affects older adults more

Dear Savvy Senior,

I work for a county health department, and every summer, we’re seeing more and more seniors get sick and even die from heat-related illness. Can you write an awareness piece on the effects extreme heat has on older adults, and what they can do to guard against this summertime risk?

Here’s how to gauge the risk for a heatrelated illness for you or an older loved one and how to stay safe:

—Health Advocate Dear Advocate, Happy to oblige! Most people don’t realize that each year, extreme summertime heat kills more people in the U.S. than hurricanes, floods and tornadoes combined.

By Jim Miller

While extreme heat can be deadly for anyone, older adults are uniquely vulnerable because of three key factors: biological changes that occur with age; higher rates of age-related diseases; and greater use of medications that can alter the body’s response to heat.

How heat affects us

The human body has two main mechanisms to cool itself: sweating and increasing blood flow to the skin. In older adults, both of those processes are compromised. We sweat less and have poorer circulation compared with younger people.

Chronic health conditions that are more common in old age — most notably cardiovascular disease and diabetes — can also exacerbate these issues. A diseased heart isn’t able to pump as much blood, further reducing blood flow to the skin.

And if the nerves become affected in people with diabetes, the body might not receive the message that it needs to start sweating.

As people age, they also stop feeling as

thirsty, so they tend to drink less. In hot conditions, that can cause them to become dehydrated faster.

In addition, some older adults, particularly if they have some form of dementia or cognitive decline, may not perceive temperature changes as well. As a result, they won’t respond appropriately to heat, both biologically (through sweating) and behaviorally (by moving to someplace cool).

Finally, certain medications many seniors take, such as diuretics and other high blood pressure drugs, can affect people’s hydration, blood flow and even the sweat response. [See “Drugs that boost risk of heatstroke,” on facing page.]

Be sure to ask your doctor about any medications you’re taking.

Signs to watch out for

On hot days, older adults and people with serious health conditions should limit outdoor activities like walking and gardening to the cooler mornings and evenings, take frequent breaks, and drink plenty of water even if they aren’t thirsty.

Listen to your body. If the activity starts to feel harder than normal, that’s a signal to stop and find a place to cool down. Signs of dehydration or heat exhaustion include dizziness, lightheadedness, headache, flushed face, a racing heart or feeling lethargic.

Low energy is especially important to watch out for in people with cognitive impairment, who may not realize how hot they are or be able to express it.

If heat exhaustion worsens to heatstroke, it becomes a life-threatening emergency.

Best ways to get cool

While older adults face unique challenges when it comes to heat, the ways to cool down are the same for any age.

If you or a loved one start to experience any of the above symptoms, the best thing you can do is to go somewhere that has airconditioning. If AC isn’t available in the home, check if there’s a local cooling center. In the absence of air-conditioning, water

Some simple steps that can lower fall risk

By Devi Shastri

One in four U.S. adults 65 and older fall each year, putting them at risk of injury, broken bones and even death. But common as falls may be, they are not inevitable.

“The more work we do, the more we realize that healthy aging doesn’t have to include falling,” said Cara McDermott, who researches falls at Duke University School of Medicine.

Here are some ways to reduce your risk of falling:

Fall-proof your home

Start with how your house is set up: Consider removing small area rugs, replace dim lighting, and don’t put pots and pans in hard-to-reach places.

Then, aim to provide extra stability in places where it’s easier to lose your balance. Install railings on both sides of the stairs, a grab bar in bathrooms and no-slip strips on wood or tile floors.

It’s also important to keep your home clean: Don’t leave items on the floor, and

clean up spills before they dry and become harder to deal with.

Consider using a walker or cane to keep you stable, but make sure it’s right for your height and you know how to use it properly.

The National Institute on Aging has a full guide on its website with tips on how to fall-proof your home, room by room (see nia.nih.gov/health/falls-and-falls-prevention).

Exercise builds strength, balance

Go back to the basics with Newton’s first law: A body in motion stays in motion. That is, staying active can help prevent future issues — even if you’ve fallen before and are worried it might happen again.

Many exercises can help prevent falls, even if you have limited mobility, like chair yoga, tai chi and walking.

“It doesn’t mean that you have to go out and start running marathons or anything like that, but simply [do] functional exercises,” McDermott said.

Make exercising fun and social by doing it with others in a group setting or playing with grandchildren.

The key: Know your limits and do what your doctor says is right for you.

Medications may increase your risk

Many medications can have side effects like light-headedness, sleepiness or other conditions that impair your balance.

McDermott said older adults should talk to their primary care doctor about all the medications they take — and how they may work in combination. A primary care doctor or pharmacist can see the whole picture and help find alternative medications that won’t throw you off balance.

But, she added, “I would never, ever recommend that somebody discontinue a medication without talking to their prescriber first.”

Stay on top of screenings

Changes in hearing, vision and other senses are common as we age and can

contribute to falls. Make sure to have your hearing and vision tested regularly.

Bone health matters, too. The Mayo Clinic estimates that 10 million Americans have osteoporosis, which weakens the bones and makes it more likely you’ll break something when you fall.

Taking Vitamin D and calcium can help improve bone health, and if needed, your doctor can test your bone density and recommend treatment.

Inform your doctor

Knowing that falls might be due to a combination of causes, follow some of the previous suggestions to lower your risk.

And if you do fall, let your doctor know — even if it seems minor. A fall can have wide-reaching implications, and you’ll want to address the root cause to keep it from becoming a pattern.

SAVVY SENIOR

is extremely helpful in reducing the risk for heat-related injury. Rubbing an ice cube or cold compress over your skin, spraying yourself with cool water or taking a cool shower or bath can also help.

For more heat related safety tips, visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website at CDC.gov/extreme-heat. Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of The Savvy Senior.

Drugs that boost risk of heatstroke

Some medications can make it more difficult for our bodies to cool off and stay hydrated in the summer heat. Here are some types to watch out for:

Diuretics — used to treat heart failure, kidney disease or high blood pressure — increase urination, which can offset the body’s electrolyte levels and cause dehydration.

Calcium channel blockers also cause electrolyte imbalances in the body while regulating high blood pressure, treating hypertension and certain heart conditions.

If you take these medications, try to stay hydrated with sports drinks, fruit or leafy green vegetables, which replenish your body’s electrolytes.

Beta blockers, which doctors prescribe for conditions such as hypertension and certain heart conditions, and antipsychotic medications such as haloperidol, olanzapine and risperi-

done make it harder for your body to sweat, which increases the likelihood of overheating.

Over-the-counter antihistamines like Benadryl and Unisom can also reduce sweating.

If you’re taking any of these medications, stay in shady, cool areas while outside or stay inside in air-conditioned spaces. If you don’t have air conditioning at home, you can cool down for a few hours each day at libraries, shopping malls and recreation centers.

Benzodiazepines are a type of medication used to treat anxiety, insomnia and certain seizure disorders. Side effects include impaired coordination, with an increased risk of falling, and reduced thirst sensation. Formulate a hydration plan if taking this class of drugs and avoid excessive outdoor activity during high heat.

—Josephine Panner

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Prepare in advance if you need new knee

By Howard LeWine, M.D.

Q: I have knee osteoarthritis that will eventually require knee replacement surgery, perhaps in the next 12 to 18 months. What steps can I take now to prepare for it and perhaps delay it even longer?

A: It’s great you are thinking about this well in advance. Here are some suggestions.

Consider pain-reducing options. A few things may enable you to go a little

longer without a knee replacement.

For example, getting occasional injections of a corticosteroid (to reduce inflammation) or hyaluronic acid (to supplement fluid that naturally lubricates the joints).

These temporary fixes may reduce pain enough so that you can strengthen your leg muscles, which helps absorb pressure you place on the knee.

Wearing a medial unloader brace might also help if arthritis damage is on the inside of the knee.

Modify activities that aggravate knee pain. Some activities are harder on the knees than others.

If you’re a runner, you might need to switch to walking or using an elliptical machine for aerobic exercise. If going up and down stairs is painful, try taking them one at a time.

Lose weight if necessary. Every pound of your body weight places 4 to 6 pounds of pressure on the knee. That means losing just 5 pounds can take 20 to 30 pounds of pressure off the joint.

But weight loss (if you need it) isn’t easy, and it won’t last if you try a crash diet. Instead, aim for gradual weight loss with exercise and a healthy diet. Start by getting rid of processed and sugary foods.

Exercise more. Among its many health benefits, exercise plays an important role in weight loss and weight control.

But knee arthritis can make exercising painful. One workaround is to modify your preferred activities, as mentioned earlier. Consider exercising in a pool. You’re buoyant in the water, so your knees don’t

take a pounding. And the pressure of the water may help reduce knee swelling.

Seek physical therapy. Physical therapists can tailor a program of cardio exercise, stretching and strengthening to meet your specific needs.

They can also do some manual therapy on the knee to help it move better. And when it is time for a knee replacement, you’ll want to be as strong and flexible as possible.

Get underlying health conditions under control. This is important for your overall health, and it also helps prepare you to undergo anesthesia safely.

Stabilizing underlying conditions can take time — but time is something you have if you’re expecting a knee replacement within the next couple of years.

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, please visit health.harvard.edu. © 2024 Harvard University. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Meds and supplements for Alzheimer’s

Alzheimer’s disease affects millions of people worldwide, progressively impairing memory and cognitive function. To manage this challenging condition, a combination of pharmaceutical treatments and natural remedies can be highly effective.

Medications like donepezil (Aricept), memantine and rivastigmine play a crucial role in improving cognition and slowing the progression of symptoms.

These drugs work by targeting different pathways in the brain, enhancing neurotransmitter activity, and offering some relief from the cognitive decline associated with Alzheimer’s.

making it a valuable supplement for those seeking to maintain brain health over time. It’s a blood thinner, however, so be aware of that. Supplements are available nationwide.

Omega-3 fatty acids: Omega-3 fatty acids, primarily derived from fish oil, also can boost brain health and development.

By Suzy Cohen

These essential fats are known for their anti-inflammatory effects and ability to potentially slow cognitive decline by preserving cell membrane health and facilitating neurocommunication.

ing better neuronal health and plasticity. Lion’s mane’s benefits extend to mood stabilization and cognitive enhancement, making it an exciting focus for further research in neurological health. You can cook with it or consume it as a supplement.

Integrating these treatments with lifestyle changes can provide a comprehensive approach to managing Alzheimer’s. It goes without saying that regular physical exercise (at your level) is beneficial for

health, as it increases blood flow to the brain and promotes the growth of neurons.

Mental stimulation through activities like puzzles, reading and learning new skills can help keep the brain active and engaged, potentially slowing the decline in cognitive abilities.

Social interaction is equally important, as staying connected with others can im-

Alongside pharmaceutical options, several natural remedies show promise in supporting brain health, including the following:

Ginkgo biloba: Ginkgo biloba is celebrated for its potent antioxidant properties and potential to enhance cerebral blood flow, which can be crucial in preserving cognitive function as we age.

This ancient herb also supports neurovascular health, potentially alleviating symptoms associated with cognitive disorders and improving mental performance,

Regular intake of omega-3s is linked to improved mood and cognitive function, underscoring their importance in a balanced diet. You can get your omega-3s by eating fatty fish or taking supplements.

Lion’s mane mushroom: Lion’s mane mushroom is increasingly recognized for its neuroprotective effects, attributed to its ability to stimulate the synthesis of nerve growth factor, thereby aiding the growth and repair of nerve cells.

This unique mushroom may enhance memory and cognitive abilities by promot-

Balance telemedicine and in-person care

By Tom Murphy

Patients can now see an array of doctors without leaving their recliner, thanks to telemedicine. But that doesn’t mean trips to the doctor’s office should end.

Finding the right balance between virtual and in-person visits can be a key to getting good care. Here’s what you need to know about which form of care may be right for you and when.

What is telemedicine?

This term generally refers to diagnosing and treating patients remotely. It’s often done over a secure video connection provided by the doctor’s office. You can use your smartphone, tablet or computer.

But telemedicine also can involve telephone calls or trading secure messages with someone from your doctor’s office to discuss test results or follow-up steps after

an appointment.

It can be used to diagnose new health problems and monitor existing, long-term issues like diabetes.

These virtual visits can save time and give patients more choice of doctors. That’s especially important for those who live where in-person care options are slim, or for patients who can’t take time off work to get to the doctor or lack transportation.

Telemedicine use exploded after Covid19 hit in 2020. It has cooled since, but it remains popular, particularly in specialties like dermatology and mental healthcare.

Keys to a valuable visit

Test your phone or tablet before the visit starts. You will want to make sure both audio and video work properly. You may need time to adjust your device settings. Make sure you’re in a room or location

that offers privacy, especially for therapy sessions. Naturally, that’s not a work cubicle, library or restaurant with public Wi-Fi. Don’t drive, walk or eat while talking to the doctor. Aside from being unsafe, those habits also can be distracting for both the patient and physician, noted Dr. Jay Lee, a family physician who does both in-person and virtual visits.

What are the limitations?

Telemedicine needs a secure, fast internet connection, and some patients or doctors may lack the technology to do a virtual visit.

Sometimes physical exams are necessary. For instance, someone seeking help for a urinary tract infection — which can be treated by telemedicine — might actually have gallbladder problems that could require an ultrasound during an in-person visit, noted Lee, a board member with the

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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

Park View at Box Hill: 410-515-6115

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

Park View at Snowden River: 410-290-0384

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

American Academy of Family Physicians.

There also may be limits to receiving telemedicine from doctors outside your state. Pandemic emergency declarations that made this easier have ended.

That can make follow-up care challenging if a patient travels to see a specialist.

What’s the right balance?

That can depend on the patient’s comfort with telemedicine and the treatment they need.

In some cases, there is no choice if a patient lacks an in-person option or if that visit is tough to schedule.

If possible, Lee recommends an initial inperson visit and then telemedicine follow-ups. He says that first visit is important for any doctor or specialist you expect to see again.

Both the physician and patient need to determine whether they “have a vibe, that they can get along and that they can work together,” Lee said.

Dear Pharmacist

From page 7

prove mood and reduce the risk of depression and anxiety, which are common in Alzheimer’s patients.

By combining these pharmaceutical and natural treatments with healthy lifestyle choices, individuals with Alzheimer’s can optimize their cognitive function and improve their quality of life. While there is no cure for Alzheimer’s, these strategies offer hope and support for those affected by this debilitating disease. For more details, as well as cautions and other options, please read my comprehensive article at suzycohen.com. 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

Aug. 24

Enjoy a craft fair on Sat., Aug. 24 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at St. John Baptist Church, 9055 Tamar Dr., Columbia. There will be dozens of vendors, a cakewalk, face painting, snow cones, baked goods and more. Entry is free, parking is free, and no registration is required. For more information, call (410) 992-6977.

CRAFT FAIR

BEACON BITS

Pan-fried chicken with whole-grain Dijon

By Christopher Kimball

Pan-fried chicken cutlets are a convenient weeknight dinner, but they can be a little bland. Adding layers of flavor to each component of the dish ensures delicious results.

In this recipe from our cookbook Milk Street 365: The All-Purpose Cookbook for Every Day of the Year, whole-grain Dijon mustard is whisked into the egg mixture that coats the cutlets, providing a bright, pleasantly sharp and flavorful base for the breadcrumb coating to stick to.

Seasoned cutlets are dredged in a mixture of flour and cornstarch for an extra crunchy coating, then dipped into the egg mixture before being coated with panko breadcrumbs.

You can use regular Dijon mustard in place of the whole-grain, then add another splash of water when beating the eggs so the mixture has a consistency that lightly but thoroughly coats the cutlets.

The cutlets are fried in shimmering oil until golden brown, then served with a tangy cucumber salad. The freshness and crunch of the salad dressed simply with lemon and dill is the perfect foil for the rich cutlets.

Don’t skip pounding the cutlets to an even thickness. This allows them to cook through completely and quickly.

Crispy Dijon Chicken Cutlets

With Cucumber-Dill

Salad

Start to finish: 30 minutes

Servings: 4

Ingredients:

1 English cucumber, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced

2 tablespoons lemon juice

1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill

Kosher salt and ground black pepper

1/3 cup all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons cornstarch

2 large eggs

2 tablespoons whole-grain Dijon mustard

1¾ cups panko breadcrumbs

Four 5- to 6-ounce chicken breast cutlets, pounded to an even ¼-inch thickness 10 tablespoons grapeseed or other neutral oil, divided

Instructions:

In a small bowl, stir together the cucumber, lemon juice, dill, ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Set aside.

Set a wire rack in each of 2 rimmed baking sheets.

In a pie plate or wide, shallow bowl, stir together the flour and cornstarch. In a second similar dish, use a fork to beat the eggs, mustard and 1 tablespoon water until well combined. In a third, stir together the panko and ¼ teaspoon each salt and pepper.

Season each cutlet on both sides with salt and pepper. One at a time, dredge the cutlets through the flour mixture, turning to coat and shaking off any excess, then coat both sides with egg mixture, and finally dredge through the panko, pressing so the crumbs adhere. Place the cutlets on one of the prepared racks.

In a 12-inch skillet over medium-high, heat 6 tablespoons of oil until shimmering. Add 2 cutlets and cook undisturbed until golden brown, 1 to 2 minutes. Using tongs, flip and cook until the second sides are golden brown, about 1 minute.

Remove skillet from heat. Transfer the cutlets to the second prepared rack. Repeat with the remaining 4 tablespoons oil and remaining cutlets, adjusting the heat as needed if the cutlets brown too quickly.

Serve with the cucumber salad.

For more recipes, go to Christopher Kimball’s Milk Street at 177milkstreet.com/ap.

Merriweather Park at Symphony Woods hosts free weekly outdoor yoga classes at the Chrysalis, 10431 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia. Hour-long guided classes take place every Monday from 6 to 7 p.m. They are accessible for people of all abilities and ages. Registration is required. For more information, email info@innerarbortrust.org or call (443) 832-3223.

Travel Leisure &

Explore the Hudson River Valley’s roads

By Alice Shapin

Growing up in New York City, I loved my family’s drives along the Hudson River. But as an adult, even though I’m a sucker for jaw-dropping views, I was always in a rush to get somewhere and never stopped along the way.

Last spring, my husband Paul and I decided to finally explore the Hudson River Valley. We were blown away by what we learned, the treasures we saw, and, oh yes, the incredible views.

Home base for three days was a hotel on the outskirts of Poughkeepsie, New York. Even though our surroundings looked like a strip mall, it proved to be a convenient headquarters for our outings.

One of Poughkeepsie’s biggest local attractions is the 212-foot-high Walkway over the Hudson — the world’s longest elevated pedestrian bridge, at 1.28 miles.

Opened in 1889 as a double-track railway bridge and a major transportation artery, it reopened as a pedestrian walkway in 2009. As we walked across the span, we enjoyed the views of the Catskills to the north and the Hudson Highlands to the south.

FDR history

Our first stop out of Poughkeepsie was nearby Hyde Park, New York, and Springwood, the family home of President Franklin D. Roosevelt located there.

The original house on the Springwood

estate was built in 1793 and renovated in 1850 into an Italianate-style villa. FDR was born there in 1882.

Our expert tour guide, Roy, pointed out remnants of the original house, visible on the west façade. Eleanor and Franklin transformed the house into a Colonial Revival-style mansion and enlarged it to accommodate their growing family.

Inside the home, we saw ancestral portraits, political mementos, and many of FDR’s collections, including his collection of nearly a million stamps.

Roy led us into the president’s cozy study, where FDR met visitors, held press conferences, and did at least one radio address, a famous “Fireside Chat.”

While the house was lovely, it was certainly understated compared to the other mansions in the area. A few of the Roosevelts’ guests (which included Winston Churchill and Queen Elizabeth) were surprised by that, but then again, it started out as a farm.

Be sure to visit Sara’s Rose Garden, where Franklin and Eleanor are buried. Its centerpiece is one very large, unadorned Vermont white marble block designed by none other than FDR himself.

Also located on the grounds of Springwood is the FDR Library, which tells the story of his presidency through exhibits, short movies and interactive touch screens. FDR was the first president to propose

building a presidential library.

In the library’s Map Room are six interactive tables that show key countries and meetings that took place during World War II. The library also houses his collections of ship models, prints and paintings, state gifts and family heirlooms.

The Vanderbilt Mansion

Just a couple of miles down the road from Springwood is one of the Vanderbilt mansions. And although it’s in a whole separate class from Springwood and was considered modest compared to the Vanderbilts’ homes in New York, Bar Harbor and Newport, that’s not a word I’d use to describe it. I’d go with “over the top” (okay, that’s three words).

With exotic wood paneling, imported marble, lush velvets and French tapestries, the Vanderbilts tried to emulate the kings and queens of Europe.

What I found interesting was how this impressive mansion became part of the National Park Service. With no children, the Vanderbilts left the mansion to a niece, Margaret Van Alen.

During the Depression, Van Alen tried unsuccessfully to sell it. Instead, her neighbor FDR convinced her to donate the house and furnishings along with 200 acres to the U.S. government. Of course, she got a big tax break.

West Point

About an hour north of Hyde Park is the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, established in 1802. Because its site is situated high above the Hudson River, George Washington thought it was the ideal location for a fort to prevent the British from taking control of the river during the Revolutionary War.

We took a 90-minute bus tour that combined history lessons and explanations of how West Point operates today.

We got to see the cadets going about their daily activities, including military drills and all 4,000 of them lining up for the mess hall.

We saw multiple cannons, a 65-ton iron chain that was strung across the Hudson River to block British invasions along the main transportation waterway (something that proved unnecessary since it never happened), and places of interest today: the parade grounds, football stadium and chapels.

General Douglas MacArthur led West Point from 1919 to 1922 and introduced sports there. Most astonishingly, his mother was probably the original “helicopter mom” because she lived in the West Point Hotel during his four-year stay.

George Patton spent five years at the

The Vanderbilt mansion in Hyde Park is open to the public. See story below.

Springwood, a grand house located in Hyde Park, New York, was the home of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt. FDR was born in the house in 1882. It opened to the public in 1946 as a museum that contains many of his personal effects. His presidential library is located on the estate grounds.

PHOTO BY CRUNCH

The Hudson River’s newest bridge, the Mario M. Cuomo Bridge in Tarrytown, New York, includes a pedestrian walkway enjoyed by walkers, bikers and sightseers.

PHOTO COURTESY OF NYSDED

school because he failed math, and Dwight Eisenhower was said to be quite a jokester and a rule breaker, once showing up to class without his pants. His academic achievements were not outstanding, but he did manage to earn 100 demerits in his last year.

On our own we toured the museum, which has galleries showcasing the history of the U.S. Army, warfare and weapons.

Storm King Art Center

Only 20 minutes from West Point is the Storm King Art Center, America’s largest outdoor sculpture park.

More than 100 large-scale contemporary sculptures are set on 500 acres of rolling fields, wooded groves, meadows and wetlands, with the beautiful Storm King Mountain as the backdrop.

There are pieces by Alexander Calder, Mark di Suvero, and Isamu Noguchi. Two must-sees are Andy Goldsworthy’s “Storm King Wall” and Maya Lin’s “Storm King Wavefield.”

Beacon, New York

When it was time for food, shopping and some noshing, we stopped in Beacon, a Hudson River town with blocks of restaurants, art galleries, boutiques, collectibles shops and Victorian architecture.

We visited the Hudson Valley Marsh-

mallow Company’s store to sample some gourmet flavors: French toast and cookies ‘n’ creme. For everything chocolate, we headed to HAKAN Chocolatier.

Another draw to Beacon is its many hiking trails, from easy to difficult.

For our final night in the area, we decided to stop in Tarrytown for dinner and rest before our trip home. We’ll return to the area, directly to Tarrytown, this fall to see the foliage and celebrate Halloween.

If you go

For this road trip, expect about a fivehour drive from Maryland to Poughkeepsie. You could also fly to New York City or take Amtrak’s Northeast Regional to Stamford, Connecticut, and rent a car. Poughkeepsie is about two hours from NYC; 90 minutes from Stamford.

If you’re at least 62, consider buying a National Park and Federal Recreational Lands Senior Pass ($20 for one year/$80 for life). It gets you into the Roosevelts’ home and the Vanderbilt Mansion, each of which otherwise costs $15.

Take a tour wherever it is offered. You’ll learn many interesting facts. Tickets are sold on a first-come, first-served basis. Get them as soon as you can, since the tours fill up quickly, even mid-week.

Make reservations online for West Point at Westpointtours.com. Reservations must be made at least one hour before the tour starts and are only done online.

You can stay in Poughkeepsie, which is centrally located and has many national chain hotels and some B&Bs. Or you can stay at the Tarrytown House Estate

BEACON BITS

Aug. 16

(rooms start at $240 per night), which has amazing views of the Hudson River and the Governor Mario Cuomo (formerly Tappan Zee) Bridge.

RETIREMENT COFFEE MEETUP

Considering or transitioning into retirement? Mingle with peers over a free cup of coffee, tea or juice at Cafe Columbia, 5550 Sterrett Pl., Columbia, to discuss a work-optional lifestyle. This two-hour gathering from 8 to 10 a.m. on Fri., Aug. 16 is an opportunity to find community in a postcareer life. Beverages are free, but registration is required. For more information and to register, visit bit.ly/retirementcoffee or email info@this-point-forward.org.

Primary Care At Home

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

Ikon Health offers:

• Care coordination with specialists.

• Access to services such as x-ray and blood work, at home.

• Close communication with patients and their loved ones.

• Accepting Medicare, Medicaid and most major supplemental insurance plans.

Upcoming Programs for 55 Years + Recreation

& Parks

To view all of our programs and activities, visit www.HowardCountyMD.gov/rap.

Encore Adventures

This is your opportunity to dabble in a variety of outdoor skills! Paddle a kayak, learn the basics of archery, fish around Centennial Lake, and much more. Earn a certificate and patch for completing at least five Encore Adventure activities within a two-year period. All equipment provided for use during the program. Detailed information is emailed during the week prior to the program. Info: Matt Medicus, 410-313-1769 or mmedicus@howardcountymd.gov.

Encore Adventures Kayaking Club

Spend your time and energy outdoors exploring Centennial Lake and making new friends. Learn kayak paddling strokes, how to read the water conditions and practice safety techniques in this fun, social and safe environment. This club meets the paddling basics requirement for paddling trips. 55 yrs +Centennial Pk SouthDays: 6No class 8/22

RP9171.811Aug 158:30-10:30amTh$75

Fitness

• Info: Tessa Hurd, 410-313-7311 or thurd@howardcountymd.gov.

Pop

Yoga 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 held under the tent at the beautiful Belmont Manor and Historic Park. Walk away feeling refreshed, energized, and ready to take on the day that lies ahead. Join us for the classes that fit your schedule. 55 yrs +Classes: 1

RP3541.810 Belmont Manor Aug 5 10-11amM$14

RP3541.811 Belmont Manor Aug 1210-11amM$14

RP3541.812 Belmont Manor Aug 1910-11amM$14

RP3541.813 Belmont Manor Aug 2610-11amM$14

Exercise with Ease with Kathy Whelan, RYT-200

This well-rounded hour of fitness for active seniors includes low-impact aerobics, stretching, muscle toning, and strength activities aimed at improving endurance, body alignment, balance, and proper breathing. Listen to upbeat music while learning simple choreographed moves. Classes use light weights (3-5lbs), flat resistance bands and a chair for certain exercises. Class is held online via Zoom.

Note: Registration for fall classes, including this one, begins August 7. Visit www.HowardCountyMD.gov/rap for info.

55 yrs +Classes: 13 or 18No class 11/28

RP8060.101OnlineSep 39-10amTu,Th$93

Scan the QR code or visit tinyurl.com/activeaging55 for more 55 yrs + programs!

Nature Programs

• Info: 410-313-0400.

Ladies Night Out – Evening Hike

Immerse yourself in the nocturnal wonders of the Middle Patuxent Environmental Area (MPEA). Knowledgeable Robinson Nature Center naturalists and Howard County Park Rangers guide a 90-minute, two-mile hike over unpaved terrain. Bring a friend and a flashlight!

18 yrs +Middle Patuxent Environmental Area

RP4880.801Aug 247:30-9pm Sa $15

Park Ranger Programs

NEW! Ranger Rise & Shine

Slow down and experience the benefits of connecting with nature through Ranger-guided activities in mindfulness. Embrace the morning and start your day with intention through mindfulness walks, breathing practices, forest bathing, gentle stretching, and creative expression. Boost your mental and physical health and foster a deeper connection with the environment, your local parks, and your community. 16 yrs + RP9963.803Wincopin TrailsAug 178:30-9:30amSa Free

• Info: Tr T acy y Ad Adkins, 410-313-7279 or r tadkins@hhowardcountymd.gov.

Mar yland State House – Annapolis, MD

The beautiful Maryland State House is the oldest state it l i ti l i l ti E j th hi t i

capitol in continuous legislative use. Enjoy the historic architecture, artwork, and memorials before having lunch on your own at one of the many delightful restaurants or cafés. 18 yrs +Bus Provided RP4596.801Aug 159am-3pm Th$69

Dutch Apple Theater presents “Jersey Boys” Go behind the music of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons! Discover the secret of a 40-year friendship as the foursome work their way from the streets of New Jersey to the heights of stardom. Lunch buffet included with the show! 18 yrs +Bus Provided RP4543.801Aug 239am-5pmF$179

The Kennedy Center presents “Mamma Mia” Celebrate Mamma Mia’s 25 years of sunshine-filled scenes. This blockbuster musical has ABBA’s most famous hits, including “Super Trouper,” “Lay All Your Love On Me,” “Dancing Queen,” and “Waterloo,” plus less well-known but equally touching songs such as “Slipping Through My Fingers” and “Our Last Summer.” Café onsite for lunch on your own. 18 yrs +Bus Provided RP4547.801Aug 2910:30am-5pmTh$219

Gettysburg

Visit sites from the Battle of Gettysburg on a bus tour with a guide who shares information about the phases of the three-day battle, which was a turning point in the American Civil War. See Devil’s Den, Little Round Top, the location of Pickett’s charge, and more.

21 yrs +Bus Provided RP4792.801Sep 278am-4:30pmF$125

Scan the QR code or visit tinyurl.com/RPtrips for more trips & tours!

Are you a Solo Ager?

By 2030, one in five individuals in the U.S. will be 65 or older, which includes “Solo Agers”— individuals who, by choice or circumstance, are single and without a family support system.

Author Sara Zeff Geber, Ph.D., coined the term Solo Ager and wrote Essential Retirement Planning for Solo Agers as a roadmap for retirement and aging for older adults who are child-free or aging alone for other reasons. A regular contributor to the Generations Journal of the American Society on Aging, Geber frequently addresses the unique challenges Solo Agers face related to social support and caregiving.

“Without a spouse or adult children, these older adults lack the immediate family members who can assist them with day-to-day tasks, healthcare decisions and emotional support,” she writes in Generations “The planning piece most critical for Solo Agers is to develop and maintain a social network. Engaging in community activities and building social connections becomes vital to combat feelings of loneliness and isolation.”

After reading Geber’s article last summer, Columbia resident Diane D. found herself thinking, “That’s me!” as she learned more about Solo Aging. Diane, now 76, is still working, active and engaged, but she recognizes the vulnerability of aging alone. “It’s not a negative reality for me, but an opportunity to consider all the variables,” she says. She is grateful to the Office on Aging and Independence (OAI) for raising awareness and providing education and support for those in her shoes.

Diane recently attended the first in a series of Solo Aging presentations, held at the Ellicott City 50+ Center, led by OAI’s Jill Kamenetz. “It was great to meet others on the same journey,” she says. “Jill’s upbeat, educational style engaged the audience and I learned a great deal!” In Jill’s words, “The room was packed and full of energy!”

“Whether someone has an extensive support system or none at all, anyone can become a Solo Ager following the death of a spouse, or other life event,” explains Jill. “Solo aging is not about the absence of family or friends, but rather the availability and quality of support

A message from Howard County Executive Calvin Ball

Summer is in full swing, and one of summer’s most loved traditions is upon us – the 78th annual Howard County Fair! Join us on Tuesday, August 6 for SENIOR DAY, when persons 62 and older are admitted free, all day. Whether you come for bingo, animal shows and competitions, the petting barn, agriculture demonstrations and/or the food, the Howard County Fair Association hosts a wonderful weeklong event at the fairgrounds in West Friendship.

I am also excited to announce we have broken ground on the highly anticipated North Laurel Community Center indoor pools.

At nearly 23,000 square feet, this new pool facility will include a competition standard 25-yard-long pool with eight lap lanes and ADA access, a therapy leisure pool, women’s and men’s locker rooms, six family restrooms, a reception area, and office space. We anticipate the pools to open in late 2026. In addition to lap lanes, it will offer open swim times, swim classes, therapeutic programs, camps, and party space.

Have fun and stay safe as we head into the end of summer. If we experience more days of heat advisories, we will offer some of our 50+ Centers and Recreation & Parks facilities as cooling centers for you to get relief and maintain your health. Stay tuned for those announcements via Facebook, X and Instagram, and your local news outlets.

when needs arise related to health and end-of-life decisions.” As an information specialist with OAI’s Maryland Access Point, Jill fields questions every day about planning for future needs, and understands how important it is to build a reliable support network.

“Our goal with the introductory sessions — as well as the six-week program that starts October 10 — is to reduce the fear and negativity of aging alone and normalize it as a natural process for many. Whether you’re already on this path or preparing for the future, these workshops offer practical strategies to thrive independently.”

Discovering thePath of Solo Aging

Thursdays, October 10 – November 14, 1 to 3 p.m.

Ellicott City 50+ Center / A02614.900

Embrace independence, build community and plan for the future in an empowering six-session workshop for individuals

All

Second

Tuuesdays, 1 p.m. BAIN 50+ CENTER

Second Fridays, 1 p.m. / R

T Toopics include social media apps, QR codes, video chat

Moving Mom & Da EAST COLUMBIA 50+ CEN August 13, 1 p.m. / A0463 to new housing, plus comm

Medically CuriousGLENWOOD 50+ CENTER August 13, 1 p.m. / A0363 Master Gardeners: F in Containers

LAUREL 50+

August 23, 10:30 a.m. / A

MoneyMoney Law &

Make a digital will to control who has access to your digital assets when you’re gone. Learn more on page 18.

Book covers every aspect of retirement

I frequently read and review books for readers of my column. I recently read Retirement Watch: The Essential Guide to Retiring in the 2020s (Regnery Capital) by Bob Carlson, a retirement expert. I recommend it.

Retirement Watch covers all the essential components of retirement planning, including the main reasons why some retirement plans fail, mistakes retirees make regarding healthcare expenditures, and ways to avoid tax ambushes.

and letter of instruction and inventory.

Letter of instruction

THE SAVINGS GAME

Carlson covers long-term care issues comprehensively, and he devotes a chapter to making efficient use of home equity.

By Elliot Raphaelson

The chapter I found most valuable covered estate planning. Carlson emphasizes that estate planning is “much more than tax reduction and always has been.”

He discusses in detail the key documents that are required in a comprehensive plan, and the purpose of each. Examples include your will, revocable living trust, power of attorney, medical directive,

This letter is an essential element of an estate plan. It should tell the executor and anyone else involved everything they need to know to manage your assets and estate.

Lacking the instruction letter, the executor will likely spend months putting together the records needed to pay bills and settle the estate.

Many problems are solved if you leave instructions for your spouse and other relatives regarding who should be contacted upon your death, the location of your will, funeral preferences and the like. You should also specify any outstanding debts, and provide contact information for all creditors.

Also include financial account statements, deeds, and records of proof of ownership of vehicles. Provide a list of your attorneys, financial advisers, executor, life insurance agent and bank representatives.

An inventory of assets should be avail-

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

able, including pensions, mutual funds, annuities, bank accounts, life insurance and Social Security benefits. There should be a record of the type of ownership for these assets.

You should also include recent tax returns and the location of account statements. Leave a record of beneficiaries associated with any financial assets, such as IRAs and 401(k)s.

Digital accounts

It is important that the executor/ spouse/family members have access to all your digital accounts, too.

You should have available a complete record of all your email accounts with passwords. Also document all passwords associated with your financial accounts, including mutual funds, bank accounts and brokerage accounts.

An acquaintance of mine, who owned a great amount of assets, recently passed. He failed to provide the executor and beneficiaries with the necessary information regarding many of his assets and personal accounts.

Because of the insufficient records, it

took the executor several months — and unnecessary expense — before she was able to identify all the assets and take the necessary steps required to liquidate those assets when required.

If this decedent had followed the actions Carlson recommends, he would have saved the executor and beneficiaries a great deal of unnecessary aggravation. [For more on this topic, see “Why you most likely need a digital will,” on page 18.]

True success in retirement

The last chapter of Carlson’s book discusses the major causes of retirement failure. The main point is that although solid finances are an important part of being independent and secure in retirement, they are not sufficient.

The most important part of retirement is how you spend your time. Social interaction and a social life are very important for both mental and physical health. Having a purpose is important.

You don’t need one “big thing” to establish purpose and identity in retirement.

EXPERT’S BOOK , page 18

How to protect yourself from cybercrime

By Jim Miller

Dear

Savvy Senior,

I spend a lot of time online. I love the convenience of paying bills, shopping and keeping up with my grandkids on Facebook and Instagram.

But a few months ago, my computer was infected with malware, and I just found out some cyber crook opened up a credit card using my identity and went on a shopping spree. Do you have some simple tips to help me stay safe while online?

—Paranoid Patty

Dear Patty,

Unfortunately, cybercrimes against older adults continue to be a big problem in the U.S. According to the FBI’s 2022 Elder Fraud Report, cybercrime cost Americans over age 60 more than $3 billion in 2022, a whopping 84% increase from 2021.

While anyone can be subject to cybercrimes, seniors are frequent targets because they tend to be more trusting and have more money than their younger counterparts.

But there are a number of things you can do to protect yourself from online fraud, hacking and scams. Here are a few tips to get you started:

Strengthen your passwords

A strong password should contain at

least 12 characters and include numbers and a special character, like an exclamation point or asterisk.

Be sure to change up your password across different sites to ensure a hacker would not gain access to all accounts through one password. And keep a written list of all your passwords stored in a safe, secure place.

On your smartphone or tablet, be sure to set up a four or six-digit PIN to protect your device. [Ed. Note: But be sure to share this information with a close family member and/or the executor of your will.]

Opt out of pop-ups

To protect yourself from computer viruses and other forms of malware, make it a habit to avoid any pop-up-style message when you’re on the web.

Sometimes hackers disguise their malware as pop-up advertisements or “special offers” when you’re shopping or reading online. Clicking on these pop-ups can lead to viruses or data breaches.

If you encounter a suspicious pop-up message, don’t click on anything in the window. Simply leave the site or close out of your web browser.

When in doubt, throw it out

Sometimes online hackers will send you an email or text message and pretend to be

someone they’re not in order to convince you to share valuable information with them, such as your Social Security number, address or credit card information. This is called phishing.

If you receive a message from an unknown sender, do not respond or click on any links or attachments. Instead, either ignore the message or delete it.

Share with care

There is such a thing as oversharing, and it definitely applies to online profiles. On social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, online hackers can easily gather information about you from what you post such as where you live.

Ensure that your privacy settings are up-to-date so that only people who follow you or are your Facebook friend can see your posts.

Verify websites

Before you shop or access your bank online, double check the validity of the website you’re using.

Reputable sites use technologies such as SSL (Secure Socket Layer) that encrypt data during transmission. You will see a little padlock icon in your browser and usually “https” at the front of your address bar to confirm it’s a secure connection.

If you don’t see that in the web address that you’re on, you should not trust that website with your passwords, payment or banking information.

Have some backup

Practicing safe habits will protect you and your information, but you don’t have to rely on just yourself to stay safe. Antivirus software works in the background to protect your computer from a variety of malware, and helps to make it easier for you to avoid threats while surfing the web.

For more information on how to safeguard your personal technology devices and information, visit Consumer.ftc.gov and search for “Protect Your Personal Information and Data.”

To report fraud and identity theft, go to ReportFraud.ftc.gov and IdentityTheft.gov.

Enjoy the Beacon?

Tell your friends.

Why you most likely need a digital will

By Jim Miller

Dear Savvy Senior,

My wife and I had our estate plan — including a will, power of attorney and advance directive — drawn up about 10 years ago, but we recently read that our plan should include a digital will too. What can you tell us about this?

—Almost 80 Dear Almost,

If you or your wife spend much time online, adding to your estate plan a separate digital will — which provides a list of your digital assets — would be extremely helpful to your loved ones when you die. It will also help protect your privacy.

Here’s what you should know:

What are digital assets?

The term “digital assets” refers to personal information that is stored electronically on either a computer or an online “cloud server” account that belongs to an individual.

Anyone who uses email, has PIN code protection on their cell phone, makes online purchases, or pays bills online owns digital assets.

Digital assets generally require a username, a password or a PIN to access. Therefore, they can be difficult — and frequently impossible — to retrieve information from if someone becomes incapacitated or passes away without having supplied

that information to a family member or a close friend in advance.

Creating a digital will (also known as a digital estate plan) will help your loved ones access your electronic devices and online accounts more easily so they can manage your electronic affairs according to your wishes after you’re gone.

This in turn will also protect your digital assets from hackers or fraud, which can happen to dormant accounts after you die.

How

to write a digital will

Your first step in creating a digital will is to make a list of all your digital assets, including everything from hardware to email accounts. Here are a few categories to help kick-start your list:

• Electronic devices (computer, smartphone, tablet, external hard drive)

• Digital files (photos, videos and documents)

• Financial accounts (bank and brokerage accounts, credit cards, cryptocurrency)

• Bill-paying accounts (utilities, mortgage accounts)

• Social media accounts (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn)

• Email accounts (Gmail, Yahoo, Outlook)

• Cloud-storage accounts (Google Cloud, iCloud, Dropbox, Microsoft OneDrive)

• Movie and music-streaming services (Netflix, Hulu, Spotify, Apple Music)

• Online payment accounts (Venmo, PayPal, Zelle)

• Subscription services (magazines, newspapers, Amazon Prime)

• Reward programs (airlines, hotels, stores)

• Membership organizations (AARP, AAA)

When making your list, you’ll need to include usernames, passwords, PINs, account numbers, and answers to security questions (if any) for accessing each account.

Also, provide instructions on how you want your assets managed after your death. For example:

Which accounts do you want closed, archived or transferred?

Do you want specific files or photos to be deleted — or shared with loved ones?

Do you want your social media profiles memorialized (maintained in the state they were when you last used them) — or delet-

Expert’s book

From page 16

Most successful retirees engage in multiple activities.

Personally, I have found volunteering in various activities has been very helpful to me. For example, for over 15 years, I volunteered as a court mediator. It was educational, and it even helped me win a significant personal court case. But it also allowed me to establish many new long-term

ed forever?

Be clear and specific about your wishes in each case. You’ll also need to appoint a digital executor that you trust to carry out your wishes after you die.

From a legal perspective, you should know that most states have enacted the Revised Uniform Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act, which legally recognizes digital estates. This law gives your personal representative or executor legally-protected access to your online accounts.

Once your digital will is written, store it with your other estate plan documents, either in a fireproof safe or file cabinet at home, on your computer hard drive, with your estate planning attorney, or online at a reputable digital estate planning service like Everplans.com or Clocr.com.

But make sure your executor knows the location or locations where it is and has access to it.

Also remember to update your digital will whenever you create any new digital accounts or change passwords.

social contacts.

Bottom line: If you read Retirement Watch, you will learn a great deal about the most important financial aspects of retirement, obtain good advice regarding estate planning, and learn important non-financial lessons that will help you achieve a successful retirement.

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

Arts & Style

Empty nesters JC Labowitz and Patti

hosted a Turkish exchange student, Duru, last year. Our cover story continues on p. 20.

Toby’s brings on the boomer nostalgia

By Eddie Applefeld

“Took a walk and passed your house late last night. All the shades were pulled and drawn way down tight. From within, the dim light cast two silhouettes on the shade.”

If you read that sentence and feared a stalker, then most likely you don’t recognize the lyrics of “Silhouettes,” a 1957 song by The Rays. However, if you broke into song, then Jersey Boys, the current musical at Toby’s Dinner Theatre, is for you.

Boomers who recall their high school hops, the dances at the teen center, running home to watch Buddy Deane on Channel 13 and American Bandstand will love the show.

It tells the story of the band The Four Seasons, from its origin in Newark in 1960 right on through the next decades and their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990.

It wasn’t always pretty. Frankie Valli and his band experienced hard times, like incurring large debt, the death of Valli’s daughter, infighting, and years without hits or tours. This is the story of that drama, as told by an extremely talented Toby’s cast.

Jersey Boys opened on Broadway in

2005 and ran until 2017, a total of 4,642 performances.

The book for the show is by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice. The original cast album, with music by Bob Gaudio and lyrics by Bob Crewe, was a bestseller.

But the show isn’t just a loose collection of familiar songs.

“This isn’t a jukebox musical. It’s the story of this group — from singing under streetlamps to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame,” said Mark Minnick, director and choreographer. “It’s the story of what Valli did to get success and to keep it.”

A special year for Toby’s

Toby’s is celebrating 45 years in Columbia this year. (The theater opened in 1979 with Hello Dolly. Believe it or not, I was there.)

At the performance I attended, Toby Orenstein herself was present. The longtime artistic director and owner takes great pride in hiring local talent. The actors are not bussed down from New York; they all reside in the general area.

Many of them appear in just about all of Toby’s shows. The seasoned regulars I recognized in this production included

David James, David Bosley-Reynolds, Patrick Gover and Jeff Shankle.

With seven new people in the cast, the musical took about two months to rehearse, Minnick said. The actors, who perform

eight times a week, are in great shape — the show requires lots of stage movement, dancing and changes to sets and costumes.

See JERSEY BOYS, page 21

Rounsevell

PHOTO BY AFS-USA

In the Toby’s Dinner Theatre production of Jersey Boys, which tells the story of The Four Seasons, Nicky Kaider stars as Frankie Valli, together with Benjamin Campion, Ben Clark and Patrick Gover (playing Nick, Bob and Tommy). The Broadway musical, which is running through Sept. 1, traces the origins and ups and downs of the famous band from Newark, New Jersey.

PHOTO BY JERI

Many families make such a strong connection that they host students every year. One family, for instance, has hosted 27 students, according to Michels.

“A huge reason why people love to host is because it gives them travel opportunities and friends all over the world,” said Michels, who recently hosted a student from Germany.

“My host student goes home next week, and I’m already planning a trip to Germany next summer — and I’ll be stay-

ing with her parents.”

Paying it back

While some people host exchange students for travel potential or companionship, many veteran exchange students see it as a way to give back to the program that hosted them when they were children.

D.C. architect Gus Pope wanted to host an exchange student since his own year abroad in 1983, when he lived with a family near Stockholm, Sweden.

“It was one of the best experiences of my life, so [hosting a student] was 100 percent about wanting to pay it back,” Pope said.

Patti Rounsevell of Alexandria, Virginia, said that hosting a high schooler from Turkey through AFS-USA brought her closer to her spouse.

“Having a third person at the table — we just talked more, and talked about what was going on in the world, so that we could help our student understand things from a U.S. perspective. But we also enjoyed learning about things from a Turkish perspective,” she said.

“We were in a cooking rut. Having a teenager to provide meals for helped me get back into the kitchen and enjoy cooking again. My student and I cooked together, so I learned a lot about delicious Turkish food.”

A new routine

Some hosts notice an uptick in errands when a student is living in their home.

“It’s like having one more kid,” Pope said. “The exchange programs screen kids, and they’re probably more self-sufficient than most. But they’re still another kid.

“You’ve got to help them, you’ve got to enroll them in school, you’ve got to get them where they need to go.”

The students go to school, of course, and occasionally their exchange program takes them on field trips to, say, New York City.

AFS-USA, for instance, organizes many activities so students can meet other Americans.

“As an older host parent, I wasn’t connected to the community of high school parents, so having all this support from AFS made

OCTOBER 19, 8 p.m. – REMEMBERING FAURÉ on the 100th Anniversary of his death; His uplifting Requiem with organ & Chamber Orchestra. First Evangelical Lutheran Church, Ellicott City

DECEMBER 8, 7:30 p.m.

HANDEL: MESSIAH – Amy van Roekel, soprano; MaryAnn McCormick, mezzo; Charles Reid, tenor; Lester Lynch, baritone, join CPC, organ and Festival Orchestra. Pre-Concert Lecture, 6:30; Post-Concert Reception. Jim Rouse Theatre, Columbia

DECEMBER 14, 5 p.m. – A CHRISTMAS NOËL with the CPC Chamber Singers: Songs of the Season. Christ Episcopal Church, Columbia

MARCH 16, 4 p.m. – CELEBRATING RUTTER on his 80th birthday year. First Evangelical Lutheran Church

MAY 3, 8 p.m. – ASIAN AMERICAN/PACIFIC ISLANDER CELEBRATION during AA/PI month. Pre-Concert Lecture,

Reception. Jim Rouse Theatre

hosting that much easier,” Rounsevell said.

“Our student was a terrific kid, very outgoing and self-motivated, which is a good thing for an older parent, because she wasn’t reliant on us for making friends or social activities.”

Watford didn’t mind the extra effort involved in hosting. Although she would occasionally drive her student to a nearby mosque for services, she taught her to ride the bus to and from school.

Cooking for one more was a breeze, since her student often helped in the kitchen.

“It wasn’t overwhelming. I didn’t feel like it was too much,” Watford said. “I’m an introvert, but I enjoyed every minute of it.”

Watford’s extended family enjoyed including the teenager in Thanksgiving and Christmas traditions as well as trips to Miami, Six Flags and the Maryland State Fair. (Of the Fair outing, Watford said, “She said it was the best day of her life.”)

Although hosts aren’t paid, the connection you make with a person from another country is well worth it, Watford said. “That’s something you can’t put a price on.”

For more information about ASSE International, visit host.asse.com or email info@asse.com. For Youth for Understanding USA, visit yfuusa.org or call 1-800-8336243. AFS-USA can be reached at hosting@afsusa.org, afsusa.org/host-family or (646) 530-3088.

An entertaining production

When you go to the theater, you want to enjoy yourself. With Jersey Boys, the entertainment starts from when the lights go up to the final number, a reprise of “Walk Like a Man.”

As always, Toby’s has excellent live music. An unseen band plays in a hidden section above the stage, all under the direction of conductor Ross Scott Rawlings.

The show features period-piece costumes designed by Heather Jackson, scenic and lighting design by David A. Hopkins (lots of lighting cues), sound design

by Mark Smedley (the theater thrums with the music), and production design by Tori Alioto and David A. Hopkins.

Valli is played, with falsetto voice perfected, by Nicky Kaider. He’s on stage for most of the show, and he’s very good in all the musical numbers.

He has the stage basically to himself for “My Mother’s Eyes,” “I’m in the Mood for Love” and “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You.”

I’m sure you know all those tunes, along with “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Dawn,” “Rag Doll” and “C’mon Marianne.”

Yes, it’s the high school prom all over again, only this time you don’t have to buy a corsage.

Do you need to be a boomer to enjoy this?

It wouldn’t hurt, but certainly not. I did speak to some of the younger audience members, and they told me they didn’t know the songs but liked their presentation.

At Toby’s, the shows are in the round, but as the host who speaks to the audience before the show pointed out, the farthest seat is just 27 feet away.

An 8 p.m. show gets you out at about 11 p.m. (grandparents take note), and there is some strong language and one quick scene with drug use.

Jersey Boys runs through Sept. 1, followed by The Addams Family, starting on Sept. 6. Advance reservations are required.

Toby’s is located at 5900 Symphony Woods Rd. in Columbia.

Performances take place Tuesday through Saturday night at 8 p.m. (doors open for buffet at 6 p.m.) and Sunday night at 7 p.m. (doors open at 5 p.m.). There are matinees on Wednesday and Sunday at 12:30 p.m. (buffet brunch for matinees opens at 10:30 a.m.).

Tickets are $63-$86 for adults and $60$63 for children 12 and under, depending on performance.

Those 65 and over may attend any Tuesday or Wednesday performance for $67.15. Tickets may be purchased from the box office at (410) 730-831 or online via Ticketmaster..

Scrabble answers on p. 21.

Crossword Puzzle

Don’t Play These Songs By Stephen Sherr

Across

1. Unit of measure in the Homestead Act of 1862

5. Wal or K, for example

9. Traffic calming options

14. When the clock raises both its hands

15. Tennis or computing server

16. Steel girder

17. “Should I come over there?” (X)

19. High-strung

2. Eccentric old man

3. Licentious old man

4. Swaddle a baby

5. Supervises the staff

6. Hamlet has five

7. Losing My Religion band

8. Car stereo knob

9. It was first used as currency in 2009

10. It was first used for transport in 2011

20. Cotta and firma

21. Have a mean streak (X)

23. Mo. when beach rentals are expensive

24. Thai neighbor

25. Drunkard

26. Give up on yer hopes (X)

32. SoCal team on NL box scores

33. “Not funny ___ ‘haha’...”

34. Lure into a crime

38. Clickable symbol

40. Wizard’s assistant, at Hogwarts

42. “Who you are speaks so loudly I can’t ___ what you’re saying” (Emerson)

43. Gloomy

46. Dries laundry outdoors

49. “___ we there yet?”

50. Have some manic-depressive symptoms (X)

53. Med. exam named for George Nicholas Papanicolaou

56. “OK; I’ll give it ___!”

57. Bust a perp

58. “Cut it out!” (X)

60. Practices mindful eating

63. What does the A stand for in FAQ?

64. Fall short of my expectations (X)

67. Gazes at with malice

68. The first of the Great Lakes (alphabetically)

69. Isaac’s older son

70. His first appearance was in 1981’s Donkey Kong

71. Start to -ine or -onic

72. “I stayed in a really old hotel last night; they ___ me a wake-up letter. (Steven Wright)

Down

1. Start to “body”, “place” or “thing”

11. At the Cheesecake Factory, they have over 20 pages

12. Toyota compact from the 90s

13. Extract base metal from an ore

18. Island south of the Dominican Republic

22. Roof overhang

26. Your chance of winning the lottery

27. Popular Tuesday dinner choice

28. Target of Dr. Scholl’s Probiotic Extract Spray

29. Major mistruth

30. Dental filling

31. Last in a long series

35. You ___ what you sow

36. Sr. advocacy group that sponsored the Rolling Stones’ US 2024 tour

37. The mouse in a game of cat and mouse

39. How ___, brown cow?

41. Minor mistruth

44. Unnamed person

45. Consequently

47. Changed from New Amsterdam to New York, for example

48. Use a Gillette Fusion

51. Jazz pianist Jimmy (and anagram for SLOWER)

52. Homes

53. Psacred psong

54. Between 18 Down and the Dominican Republic

55. Game played on the show High Stakes Duel

59. Prefix with -scope or -meter

60. Disappoint James Bond

61. One of the Golden Girls

62. Member of a flying V

65. It’s after the C in BCE

66. Common trail mix ingredient

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