November 2020 | Howard County Beacon by The Beacon Newspapers

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What retirees (should) want

5 0 NOVEMBER 2020

I N S I D E …

PHOTO COURTESY OF AGE WAVE

By Margaret Foster Since he was 24 years old, author and aging expert Dr. Ken Dychtwald has studied the psychology of retirement. Now 70, he has given presentations on his research into the subject of aging to more than one million people over the years. Yet the renowned gerontologist is in no hurry to retire himself from the company he started 40 years ago. “The irony of the fact that I’m not terribly interested in retirement [personally] is not lost on me,” Dychtwald, CEO and Founder of Age Wave, said in an interview with the Beacon. “Over the decades I’ve been studying retirees, and what I’ve found is about half the retired population are bored out of their wits….If you retire at 65, you might have 20 or 30 years in front of you. That’s a long time.” This spring, Dychtwald published his 17th book, What Retirees Want: A Holistic View of Life’s Third Age, with researcher Robert Morison. The book, which includes not only charts and graphs but personal stories, is the culmination of years of research on the topic of aging and is intended to be a retirement guidebook of sorts. Dychtwald will be speaking about the book and its major takeaways as the keynote speaker of the 2020 Virtual 50+Expo, presented by the Howard County Beacon in partnership with the Howard County Office on Aging and Independence.

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ARTS & STYLE

A road map to retirement

Ken Dychtwald has studied the psychology of aging for more than four decades. In his 17th book, published this year, he and co-author Robert Morison reveal their research on retirement, or “life’s third age.” Dychtwald will be the keynote speaker at this year’s Virtual 50+Expo, which runs Nov. 1 to Jan. 31, 2021.

Dychtwald points out that when people retire — unlike when they enroll in college or start a new job — “There’s no orientation. There’s no workshop. In fact, that’s one of the reasons we wanted to write this book,” Dychtwald said. “Because there has never really been a roadmap.” To begin to sketch a map, Edward Jones Company and Age Wave released a new study in August on the “four pillars of the new retirement” — health, family, finances and purpose. Already, the study has received 1.5 billion media impressions. All four pillars are key ingredients for living well in retirement, which may seem obvious. But there are issues acquiring each of them, researchers found. For example, even though it’s “never

too late” to improve your health, many retirees don’t follow through on their wellmeaning intentions. The study also found that the biggest health fear of retirees is not cancer or even COVID, but rather dementia, over which we may have less control. Family relationships can play a major role in well-being, but forging positive social connections doesn’t require blood relatives. And as much as we want to be able to rely on family should it come to that, at the same time most of us don’t want to be a burden on them. The newfound “time affluence” that comes with retirement leaves many floundering to find a meaningful way to spend it. Despite what TV tries to teach us, older

adults want to feel useful more than youthful. The study, which Dychtwald considers a “capstone project,” was based on 9,000 interviews and nine months of research on retirement done last year. But once the pandemic hit, they returned to the interviewees to update their findings. What they found was that “Older people are more resilient…This is horrific, what’s going on [with COVID-19], but there’s some perspective” among older adults from their decades of life experience. “What our study revealed is that we want to think of older people as more vulnerable, more fragile…but older people were more See DYCHTWALD, page 18

High school teacher from Elkridge publishes collection of short stories inspired by his students; plus, memoirs by TV celebrities Alex Trebek, Trevor Noah and Alan Alda page 29

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Lemonade plus They say human beings are “social ani- ebrations via a computer screen, without mals,” and that deprived of human contact, all the hugs and kisses, personal conversawe wither away. But what are tions and shared experiwe to do in an age when soences, can be painful. It’s just cial distancing can be a matnot the same. ter of life and death? Attending a networking Fortunately, we humans event or business conference are also highly creative and can have some of the same resourceful, so there are downsides, but also saves many answers to that quesone the time, expense and agtion: We hold Facetime or gravation of air travel, staying Zoom conversations, virtual in hotels and living out of a events, and small-scale, outsuitcase. There’s more of a door gatherings as best we FROM THE balance there. PUBLISHER can. So, what’s an example of If I were to ask you how By Stuart P. Rosenthal something that’s actually betmuch these substitutes feel ter virtually? I’m going out on like the real thing, what would you say? a limb here, but I’m going to say that Would your answer be, “It’s the best we 50+Expos might be such a situation. can do under the circumstances,” “It’s alThe Beacon has hosted live Expos for most as good as it used to be,” or “Actually, our readers and their families for more in some ways it’s better than it used to be”? than 20 years. For me, it almost feels like a I know I’ve been in situations these last family gathering now. There are so many few months where I came away with each familiar faces I get to see only once a year, of these feelings. Certainly, attending a and so many lovely conversations I get to wedding, anniversary and other family cel- have with our readers as well as our ex-

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hibitors and wonderful speakers. So, I certainly wouldn’t have asked for this year to be one where we couldn’t in good conscience hold an in-person Expo event. But the more we at the Beacon thought about it, the more we realized there could really be some huge benefits to having an Expo virtually. First, there’s the time issue: An in-person Expo event takes place over a day; two at most. If you’re not available at that time, or aren’t feeling your best, you miss it. Our Virtual Expo lets you visit every class, speaker, performer and exhibitor whenever you want for a full three months! (And we are holding weekly door prizes for each week’s visitors, so you’re not missing out on that nice aspect of live Expos, either. Come back and enter as many weeks as you like.) Then, there’s the space issue. No matter how big the convention center (or tent), we’re going to have some trouble fitting in all the entertainment, speakers and classes we’d like to offer, while still leaving room for an exhibit hall of any significant size. With a web-based Expo, there’s nothing stopping us from providing all the interesting subjects and types of entertainment you could possibly want to enjoy. And if you’ve been accustomed to attending many different 50+Expos around the area, you’ll be glad to know we are partnering with both the Baltimore County Department of Aging and the Howard County Office on Aging & Independence, each of which have held their own popular 50+Expos for decades. Attend the 2020 Virtual 50+Expo, and you’ll find the best of all these events rolled into one. To enjoy our Expo, you need only an internet connection and a computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone. Come and go as you please, wearing whatever you like!

Starting November 1 at noon, you can visit www.beacon50expo.com. You’ll find a very simple, user-friendly web page with four main choices: Classes, Speakers, Entertainers and Exhibitors. Click on any one of them and you’ll see a few categories to choose among to help you decide which video to view first. Altogether, there will be literally dozens of programs available to you to start and stop any time of day or night for a full three months. Okay, you might say, I can surf the internet for three centuries and not see everything there is to offer. What’s the point of that? The difference is, we have pulled together the information and material you have told us you most want to see. The hundreds of readers who answered our survey back in July gave us direction that we have done our best to follow. For examples of who our speakers and entertainers are and what classes and exhibitors will be available, see the four-page pull-out section in the center of this issue. Our hope is that we have done a good enough job to make it worth your while to come once, twice, maybe even many times to the Virtual 50+Expo site in the coming weeks and months. To receive notices about the event, or to sign up for a free email subscription to the Beacon, visit bit.ly/beacon50expo and provide your name and email address. And please encourage your friends to visit our Expo starting November 1 at www.beacon50expo.com. We’re sure you’ll find many things to talk about with them after you’ve “been to” our Expo!

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Dear Editor: I just finished reading your article on advanced directives, and I agree that everyone should have one. However, this article was misleading. I have been a nurse in a retirement community for 29 years, and the advanced directive does not come into play during an emergency. Instead, a Medical Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (MOLST) form is the only document that EMS and the hospital ER can follow. The confusing part of the MOLST is that it is not signed by you. It’s a document that is signed by your physician, who will go over the options with you to help you to make the right choice. I always encourage my clients to have

discussions with their family about their choices so in times of stress and emergency no one is fearful of making a “wrong” decision. Diane Witles, RN Cockeysville Editor’s Note: Indeed, those who are seriously ill or frail and wish to prevent resuscitation or emergency medical care will need a MOLST prepared by a physician, PA or nurse practitioner. Five Wishes and other advance directive forms are meant to let your family and regular doctors know how you feel about emergency medical care and the choices you would like them to make for you if you are unable to do so.

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KEYNOTE SPEAKER

2020 PRESENTED BY

Ken Dychtwald, PhD, a national expert on aging and author of the new book, What Retirees Want

WHAT:

A 50+Expo like you’ve never seen before:

More than 60 hours of speakers, classes and entertainment, 100 exhibitors, and 3 months in which to enjoy it! Plus, weekly door prizes

A sampling of our programs:

WHERE: All online at a new website designed just for this event: www.beacon50expo.com

WHEN:

The Virtual 50+Expo goes live

Sunday, November 1 at noon, and continues through January 31, 2021.

Classes: Meditation 101; Line Dancing; Drawing with Pastels; Healthy Cooking

Speakers: Low Vision Solutions, Interview with the Oldest Living Tuskegee Airman; Fall Prevention Gear and Gadgets; Caregiving During COVID; Options for Intergenerational Activity

Entertainment: Jazz piano; Standup Comics; Classical String Quartet; Classical Piano; Jazz Singing

GOLD SPONSOR

SILVER SPONSORS

WHO:

Brought to you free of charge by the Beacon Newspapers, in partnership with the Baltimore County Department of Aging and the Howard County Oﬃce on Aging & Independence.

BRONZE SPONSORS

www.beacon50expo.com – going live Nov. 1. Businesses and organizations interested in exhibiting/sponsoring: Call Lisa at (410) 442-3734.

MEDIA SPONSORS

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Technology &

Innovations Will telehealth visits outlive pandemic? By Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar Telehealth is a bit of American ingenuity that seems to have paid off in the coronavirus pandemic. Medicare temporarily waived restrictions predating the smartphone era, and now there’s a push to make telemedicine widely available in the future. Consultations via tablets, laptops and phones linked patients and doctors when society shut down in early spring. Telehealth visits dropped with the reopening, but they’re still far more common than before. Permanently expanding access will involve striking a balance between cost and quality, dealing with privacy concerns and potential fraud, and figuring out how telehealth can reach marginalized patients, including people with mental health problems. “I don’t think it is ever going to replace inperson visits, because sometimes a doctor needs to put hands on a patient,” said Seema Verma, head of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid and the Trump administration’s leading advocate for telehealth. Caveats aside, “it’s almost a modern-day

house call,” she added. “It’s fair to say that telemedicine was in its infancy prior to the pandemic, but it’s come of age this year,” said Murray Aitken of the data firm IQVIA, which tracks the impact.

Huge growth during pandemic In the depths of the coronavirus shutdown, telehealth accounted for more than 40% of primary care visits for patients with traditional Medicare, up from a tiny 0.1% sliver before the public health emergency. As the government’s flagship health care program, Medicare covers more than 60 million people, including those age 65 and older as well as younger disabled people. A recent poll of older adults by the University of Michigan Institute for Healthcare Policy & Innovation found that more than seven in ten are interested in using telehealth for follow-ups with their doctor, and nearly two out of three feel comfortable with video conferences. But privacy was an issue, especially for those who hadn’t tried telehealth. The poll

found 27% of older adults who had not had a telemedicine visit were concerned about privacy, compared with 17% of those who tried it. Those who tried telehealth weren’t completely sold. About four in five were concerned the doctor couldn’t physically examine them, and 64% worried the quality wasn’t as good. “After the initial excitement, in the afterglow, patients realize ‘I can’t get my vaccine,’ or ‘You can’t see this thing in the back of my throat over the computer,’” said Dr. Gary LeRoy of Dayton, Ohio, a primary care doctor and president of the American Academy of Family Physicians.

sure in a doctor’s waiting room, and even more about losing her diabetes supplies if she missed Medicare’s checkup deadline. “I would have had to go back to taking insulin by syringe,” she said. Grady prepared for the virtual visit by calling her clinician’s tech department and downloading teleconference software. She said she would do some future visits by video, but not all. People with diabetes need periodic blood tests, and their feet must be checked for signs of circulatory problems. Still, quite a few follow-ups “could be done very efficiently and be just as useful to the physician and myself as going in and seeing them in person,” Grady said.

Virtual check-ups work for some

Paying for it is an issue

For Medicare beneficiary Jean Grady of Westford, Vt., telemedicine was a relief. She needed a checkup required by Medicare to continue receiving supplies for her wearable insulin pump. Being in a high-risk group for COVID19, Grady worried about potential expo-

Many private insurance plans, including those in Medicare Advantage, offer some level of telemedicine coverage. But pre-COVID, traditional Medicare restricted telemedicine to rural residents, See TELEHEALTH, page 5

How to spot fake news and propaganda Dear Savvy Senior, misleading content. Are there any resources you know Some other possible theories are that of that can help people dethose who experience some tect fake news? My 75cognitive decline as they age year-old mother shares a are more likely to fall for lot of misinformation she hoaxes. Many older adults sees on Facebook with her also suffer from chronic lonefamily and friends. liness, which can cause them I’ve talked to her about it, to share misinformation as an but for some reason she has attempt to make connections a difficult time deciphering with other people. real news from fake news Furthermore, studies have and propaganda. SAVVY SENIOR shown that older generations —Frustrated Daughter By Jim Miller are generally more trusting Dear Frustrated, than younger generations, Unfortunately, the digital which can make them more misinformation problem your mom is ex- susceptible to misinformation. periencing is not uncommon. According to All this is particularly concerning now researchers from Princeton and New York as we sit in the midst of a global health University, people aged 65 and older are pandemic and a 2020 election season, both up to seven times more likely to share fake of which are ripe with misinformation, runews and dubious links on social media mors and conspiracy theories. Older adults are prime targets of this than their younger counterparts. Why? There are several theories. The false/misleading information because first is that many older adults started using they are much more likely to vote than social media sites like Facebook only with- their younger cohorts, and are much more in the past five or six years and may lack vulnerable to getting sick and dying if they the digital literacy skills to identify false or contract COVID-19.

Free online resources To help your mom detect and combat online misinformation there are several great resources she can turn to that offer free courses and tips. One is MediaWise for Seniors, a project of the Poynter Institute, which offers two free online courses to help seniors detect and combat online misinformation. See Poynter.org/mediawise-for-seniors. The first four-week course has already filled up, but your mom can still enroll in a self-directed course called “Hands-On Lessons to Separate Fact and Fiction Online.” The four-lesson course, with sessions being released into October, is hosted by Christiane Amanpour and Joan Lunden and can be watched at any time after it airs. In addition, Poynter has worked with AARP to produce Fact Tracker interactive videos and a webinar on spotting and filtering misinformation at AARP.org/facttracker. Some other free course options you should look into include Senior Planet, which is offering a one-hour online course on “How to Spot Fake News” at SeniorPlanet.org.

The News Literacy Project that provides the Checkology virtual classroom, which was initially created for middle and high school students, is now offering an independent learning option that is ideal for older adults. See Get.Checkology.org. Their lessons will help your mom detect the difference between news, opinion and propaganda. And Coursera, a free worldwide online learning platform, offers an in-depth sixweek course called “Making Sense of the News: News Literacy Lessons for Digital Citizens,” which she can access at Coursera.org/learn/news-literacy. Check out the latest claim There are also many good websites, like PolitiFact.com, Snopes.com and FactCheck.org that will let your mom factcheck a story to help her identify fact versus fiction. These sites have most likely already fact-checked the latest viral claim to pop up in her news feed. 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 book.

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Despite the risks, advocates see opportunities. Expanded Medicare telehealth could: â&#x20AC;&#x201D;Help move the nation closer to a longsought goal of treating mental health the same as physical conditions. Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., wants to use telemedicine as a springboard to improve mental health care. IQVIA data shows 60% of psychiatric consults took place by telehealth during the shutdown. â&#x20AC;&#x201D;Increase access for people living in remote communities, in low-income urban areas and even nursing homes. Medicareâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s research shows low-income beneficiaries have had similar patterns of using telehealth for primary care as program enrollees overall. â&#x20AC;&#x201D;Improve coordination of care for people with chronic health conditions, a goal that requires persistent monitoring. Chronic care accounts for most program spending. University of Michigan health policy expert Mark Fendrick said Medicare should figure out what services add value for patientsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; health and taxpayersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; wallets, and pay just for those. Telehealth â&#x20AC;&#x153;was an overnight sensation,â&#x20AC;? said Fendrick. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Hopefully itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not a one-hit wonder.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x201D;AP

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who generally had to travel to specially designated sites to connect. Under the coronavirus public health emergency, the administration temporarily waived Medicareâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s restrictions so enrollees anywhere could use telemedicine. Patients could connect from home. Making such changes permanent would require legislation from Congress, but thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bipartisan interest. Sen. Lamar Alexander, chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, says heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d like to see broader access, without breaking the bank. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our job should be to ensure that change is done with the goals of better outcomes and better patient experiences, at a lower cost,â&#x20AC;? said Alexander, R-Tenn. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a tall order. Payment will be a sticky obstacle. For now, Medicare is paying clinicians on par for virtual and in-person visits. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Policymakers seem to be in a rush to pass legislation, but I think it is worth taking a little more time,â&#x20AC;? said Juliette Cubanski, a Medicare expert with the nonpartisan Kaiser Family Foundation. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Fraud is one big area that policymakers need to be cognizant of.â&#x20AC;? Fraud-busters agree. Telehealth is so new that â&#x20AC;&#x153;we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have at this point a real sense of where the huge risks lie,â&#x20AC;? said Andrew VanLandingham, a senior lawyer with the

I N F O R M AT I O N

From page 4

Health and Human Services inspector generalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s office. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are sort of in an experimental phase.â&#x20AC;?

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Telehealth

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Technology & Innovations

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Health Fitness &

PROTECT TEETH OR BONES? Antibacterial agent once common in toothpaste may harm bones SHOT AT HEALING Father-son team’s injectable drug speeds bone repair after fractures TOXIC TUNA Eating fish with too much mercury can be dangerous. How to limit exposure ALZHEIMER’S APP Are you caring for someone with Alzheimer’s? An app may help manage life

Third virus vaccine in final U.S. testing By Lauran Neergaard and Carla K. Johnson A handful of the dozens of experimental COVID-19 vaccines in human testing have reached the last and biggest hurdle — looking for the needed proof that they really work. Once a vaccine wins approval, the first limited doses will need to be rationed. Last month, a U.S. advisory panel suggested some ways that can happen. Three vaccine candidates began final testing this summer in tens of thousands of people in the U.S. One was created by the National Institutes of Health and manufactured by Moderna Inc., another by AstraZeneca, and the third developed by Pfizer Inc. and Germany’s BioNTech. “To have just one vaccine enter the final stage of trials eight months after discovering a virus would be a remarkable achievement; to have three at that point with more on the way is extraordinary,’’ Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said in a statement. NIH Director Francis Collins tweeted that his agency “is supporting several vaccine trials since more than one may be needed. We have all hands on deck.” AstraZeneca said development of the vaccine, known as AZD1222, is moving ahead

globally (after a brief halt in September) with late-stage trials in the U.K., Brazil and South Africa. Further trials are planned in Japan and Russia. The potential vaccine was invented by the University of Oxford and an associated company, Vaccitech.

Roll-out will be rationed Meanwhile, a U.S. advisory panel released a draft plan last month for how to ration the first doses of vaccine. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine proposed giving the first vaccine doses — initial supplies are expected to be limited to up to 15 million people — to high-risk healthcare workers and first responders. Next, priority would be given to older residents of nursing homes and other crowded facilities and people of all ages with health conditions that put them at significant danger. In following waves of vaccination, teachers, other school staff, workers in essential industries, and people living in homeless shelters, group homes, prisons and other facilities would get the shots. Healthy children, young adults and everyone else would get the vaccinations once supplies increase. The panel of experts described “a moral

imperative’’ to lessen the heavy disease burden of COVID-19 on Blacks, Hispanics, Native Americans and Alaska Natives.

First is not necessarily best There’s a good reason so many COVID19 vaccines are in development. “The first vaccines that come out are probably not going to be the best vaccines,’’ said Dr. Nicole Lurie at a University of Minnesota vaccine symposium. There’s no guarantee that any of the leading candidates will pan out — and the bar is higher than for COVID-19 treatments because these vaccines will be given to healthy people. Final testing, experts stress, must take place with large numbers of people to determine the vaccines are safe enough to deliver to the general public. Vaccines are made in a wide variety of ways, each with pros and cons. One problem: Most of the leading candidates are being tested with two doses, which lengthens the time required to get an answer — and, if one works, to fully vaccinate people. Another: They’re all shots. Vaccine experts are closely watching development of some nasal-spray alternatives that just might begin the first step of human testing later this year — late to the race, but possi-

bly advantageous against a virus that sneaks into the airways. For now, here’s a scorecard of vaccines that already have begun or are getting close to final-stage tests:

Genetic code vaccines The Moderna and Pfizer candidates began Phase 3 testing in late July. Neither uses the actual coronavirus. Instead, they’re made with the genetic code for the aptly named “spike’’ protein that coats the surface of the coronavirus. Inject the vaccine containing that code, called mRNA, and the body’s cells will make some harmless spike protein — just enough for the immune system to respond, priming it to react if it later encounters the real virus. These mRNA vaccines are easier and faster to make than traditional vaccines, but the technology is new and unproven.

Trojan horse vaccines Britain’s Oxford University and AstraZeneca are making what scientists call a “viral vector’’ vaccine, but a good analogy is the Trojan horse. The shots are made with a harmless See VACCINE, page 8

Gut microbes linked to severe vision loss By Dr. Alice Gasch Imagine looking at the center of a clock with hands and seeing the peripheral numbers, but not the central hands. That’s the effect of severe age-related macular degeneration (AMD): loss of central vision, but retained peripheral vision. AMD is a disease of the macula, which is the central area of the retina. The retina lines the back of the eye like wallpaper. In developed countries, AMD is the primary cause of legal and irreversible blindness among individuals age 65 and older. Worldwide it affects 30 to 50 million people, including 3.28 million Americans. There are two types of AMD: dry and wet. In dry AMD (the more common type, affecting 80% of patients with AMD), the macula thins, and small clumps of fat combined with protein develop under the retina (so-called “drusen”). In wet AMD, abnormal blood vessels

grow beneath the retina (termed “choroidal neovascularization,” abbreviated “CNV”). The vessels may leak blood and other fluids, causing scarring and faster loss of vision than dry AMD. There is no cure for either type, though treatment may slow progression of the disease.

What boosts risk of AMD? The exact cause of AMD is not known, but the following factors increase risk of developing the disease: —Family history (Genes play a role in 3 out of 4 cases.) —Caucasian race —Light-colored irises (maybe because they provide less protection from light) —Female gender —Age over 50 years (One-third of U.S. adults over 75 years have AMD.) —Prolonged light (UV-B) exposure —Factors reducing blood flow and thus

oxygen delivery to the retina, which consumes oxygen at a high rate, including smoking, high blood pressure, inactivity and obesity. —Diets low in antioxidants and green, leafy vegetables and high in fat and highglycemic-index foods (i.e., foods that rapidly raise blood sugar, such as starches, like rice, potatoes, bread, pasta, and cereals, and sweet foods and drinks, including juices).

Dietary changes may cut risk The good news is that you can control some of these risk factors, including diet. Your diet determines what microbes inhabit your gut, and some gut microbes may play a significant role in promoting wet AMD. In a human study done in 2017, 11 individuals without AMD had significantly higher amounts of Bacteroides bacteria in their gut than 12 individuals with AMD.

And in mice, diets high in fat, glucose or fructose have been shown to significantly reduce gut Bacteroides and increase CNV development. The human study was too small to make generalizations, but it suggests that modulation of the human gut microbiome might moderate AMD progression. The mouse studies suggest such modulation can be accomplished through diet. In light of this research, individuals with AMD or a family history of AMD (the primary risk factor for the disease), should try to avoid high intakes of fat, glucose and fructose, thereby promoting optimal proportions of gut bacteria and possibly reducing the likelihood of vision loss from CNV. An added benefit: These dietary modifications promote general good health. Dr. Alice Gasch is an ophthalmology specialist in Washington, D.C., with more than 28 years of experience.

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Good for your teeth, bad for your bones? By Robert H. Shmerling, M.D. Regular brushing and flossing are the cornerstones of good oral health. But what if you learned that your toothpaste was good for your teeth, but bad for your bones? That possibility has been raised by a recent study. The cause of this unprecedented finding may be triclosan — an antibacterial agent added to toothpaste to reduce gum infections and improve oral health. However, it may actually be causing more harm than good.

Rethinking a popular germ killer Triclosan is an antibacterial agent that’s been around for decades. Not only has it been used in soaps, hand sanitizers and deodorants, but it’s found its way into cutting boards, credit cards, trash cans and, yes, toothpaste.

Adding triclosan to all of these consumer products allowed marketers to slap “antibacterial” on the packaging and emphasize this feature of the product. Though unproven, the implication is that products containing triclosan (or other antibacterial agents) might prevent serious infections. But for many years, studies done in animals or on human cells in the lab have raised concern about whether all this “cleanliness” might have some unintended — and negative — consequences, including: —The development of resistant bacteria —Interference with normal hormonal function: in animal studies, triclosan has been linked with abnormal thyroid function and bone mineral density (a measure of bone health and strength) —More allergic reactions, perhaps because lowering exposure to bacteria may

prevent the immune system from developing as it should —Impaired muscle function, as noted in mice, minnows and human heart cells in the lab —Uncertain environmental impact, since many products containing triclosan wind up in wastewater and, eventually, into bodies of water. And there’s this disturbing observation: It can survive treatment at a sewage facility. If triclosan is bad for humans, the problems it causes could be widespread: One study found that more than 75% of the public have detectable amounts of triclosan in their urine. While we are still uncertain of the health impacts of this, if any, the FDA has taken action in recent years to curtail its use.

triclosan in their cleaning products to produce research demonstrating that they were more effective than soap and water. In 2016, when no such proof had been offered, triclosan was banned from soaps sold to consumers. The following year, it was banned from healthcare cleansers. And in 2019, the FDA announced that triclosan would be banned from consumer hand sanitizers as of April 2020. What did the new research find? In the study, researchers reviewed data from more than 1,800 women and found that: —Those with the highest levels of triclosan in their urine had the lowest measures of bone density. —Osteoporosis (as measured by bone density) was most common among those

Triclosan’s fall from grace First, the FDA asked companies using

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The first choice you will make this election is which day to vote! Maryland voters can vote in-person BEFORE Elec on Day at Early Vo ng! Early Vo ng will be held from Monday, October 26, 2020, through Monday, November 2, 2020, (including Saturday and Sunday) from 7:00 AM un l 8:00 PM daily.

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See TRICLOSAN, page 9

Vaccine From page 6 virus — a cold virus that normally infects chimpanzees — that carries the spike protein’s genetic material into the body. Once again, the body produces some spike protein and primes the immune system. This, too, is a fairly new technology. Two possible competitors are made with different human cold viruses. Shots made by Johnson & Johnson began initial human studies in late July. The company began Phase 3 testing in September in as many as 60,000 people in the U.S. and elsewhere. (The study is currently paused.) China’s government authorized emergency use of CanSino Biologics’ adenovirus shots in the military ahead of any final testing.

‘Killed’ vaccines

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Making vaccines by growing a diseasecausing virus and then killing it is a triedand-true approach — it’s the way Jonas Salk’s famed polio shots were made. China has three so-called “inactivated’’ vaccine candidates against COVID-19. Sinovac has final studies of its candidate underway in Brazil and Indonesia. Competitor SinoPharm has announced plans for final testing in some other countries. Safely brewing and then killing the virus takes longer than newer technologies. But inactivated vaccines give the body a sneak peek at the germ itself rather than just that single spike protein.

Protein vaccines Novavax makes “protein subunit’’ vaccines, growing harmless copies of the coronavirus spike protein in the laboratory and packaging them into virus-sized nanoparticles. There are protein-based vaccines against other diseases, so it’s not as novel a technology as some of its competitors. But it only recently finished its first-step study; the U.S. government’s Operation Warp Speed aims for advanced testing later in the fall. —AP

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Injectable drug helps heal broken bones “The stories we have heard from so many people about their devastating experiences with broken bones really pushes us forward,” Stewart Low said. “It may be an elderly patient, a loved one or someone suffering from a rare disease who is dealing with bone fractures. We want to provide non-invasive options to improve the quality of life and, in some cases, save a life.” One new addition to the Novosteo team is Jeffery Nielsen, a Purdue alumnus who serves as director of research and development. As a child, Nielsen was hit by a moving truck. The impact crushed his skull and broke dozens of bones. “Recovery from bone fractures was tough as a child, but we know it is significantly more difficult for older adults,” Nielsen said. “I am driven to use my personal and professional experiences to help improve lives.” Nielsen previously worked with targeted bone therapies, technology startups and organ growth procedures. The injectable treatment was developed in the Purdue laboratory of Philip Low in the Purdue Institute of Drug Discovery. Novosteo is already looking at the future use of the injectable-targeted drug for other

Triclosan with the highest urinary triclosan levels. Osteoporosis is a condition in which the bone density is so low that fracture risk from even a minor fall or injury is increased. —The connection between low bone density and urinary triclosan was stronger for postmenopausal women than among younger women. This may be important, since bone density often falls dramatically during menopause, and postmenopausal women have the highest rates of osteoporosis-related fractures.

their products. To be fair, a previous review of research in 2013 concluded that there was less plaque, gum inflammation and gum bleeding among users of a toothpaste containing triclosan compared with users of toothpaste without triclosan. However, the authors noted that “these reductions may or may not be clinically important.” There was also a small reduction in dental cavities among users of the triclosancontaining toothpaste, and no safety concerns were raised over a three-year period of use. Still, the more recent studies may have tipped the balance. Triclosan’s days in consumer products may be numbered.

Triclosan risks

The bottom line

This is just the latest research to raise concerns about the safety of triclosan. My guess is that it won’t be long before the FDA bans its use in toothpaste, especially if no new studies find that it’s particularly beneficial. The impact of such a ban at this point may not be large; most toothpaste makers have stopped putting triclosan in

Check your toothpaste when you next brush. If you see triclosan listed among the ingredients, you may want to switch to a brand without it, at least until you can discuss it with your doctor or dentist. Robert H. Shmerling, M.D., is senior faculty editor at Harvard Health Publishing. © 2020 by Harvard University

From page 8

applications, including dental implants, head and facial fractures, and hip and knee replacements. Novosteo also has a pipeline of drugs for treating an array of musculoskeletal maladies. Novosteo’s technology is licensed through the Purdue Research Foundation Office of Technology Commercialization. The company also received entrepreneurial support from Purdue Foundry, an entrepreneurship and commercialization hub in Discovery Park District’s Convergence Center for Innovation and Collaboration.

PHOTO BY PURDUE RESEARCH FOUNDATION

By Chris Adam A Purdue University-affiliated startup known for its novel injectable drug to heal broken bones is growing and adding additional scientists to its team. One of those scientists is using his experience recovering from being hit by a truck to help other patients. Novosteo Inc. was co-founded by fatherson team Philip S. Low, the Presidential Scholar for Drug Discovery and the Ralph C. Corley Distinguished Professor of Chemistry, and Stewart A. Low, the company’s chief scientific officer and visiting scholar in Purdue’s Department of Chemistry. Based on discoveries of agents that accelerate bone regeneration, Novosteo has designed a series of fracture-targeted drugs that concentrate a drug’s healing power specifically at the fracture site, thereby greatly accelerating and improving the healing process. One of the startup’s injectable drugs is unique in that it concentrates at the fracture site while reducing exposure to the rest of the body. As the team prepares to move the drug into clinical trials, more scientists are joining Novosteo at its Indiana headquarters in Purdue Research Park West Lafayette.

Father and son scientists Philip Low and Stewart Low, co-founders of Novosteo Inc., are developing and commercializing injectable drugs that speed the healing of broken bones.

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What causes hands, feet to fall asleep? By Robert H. Shmerling, M.D. We’ve all been there. You awaken in the morning, and one of your hands is completely numb. It feels dead, heavy and simply won’t work. Perhaps there’s some tingling as well. Or, you arise from a long dinner or movie and one of your legs feels that way. Then over a few minutes — maybe you shook your hands, stamped your foot — everything goes back to normal. But did you ever wonder why in the world this happens? Read on!

Some nerves are unhappy When someone complains to me about their hand or leg falling asleep. I usually explain, “The nerves are not happy.” In general, numbness, tingling and other symptoms called paresthesia are most commonly due to abnormal nerve function. And

when this is intermittent, temporary and related to holding one position for a long time, it’s rarely anything to worry about. The cause in these cases is simply pressure on one or more nerves traveling into the hands or feet. When you remove the pressure (by changing position, for example), the problem goes away. However, many other causes of nerve problems — more than 100, in fact — can cause similar, though more prolonged and persistent, symptoms, as noted below. If you have one of these conditions, you’re far from alone: An estimated 20 million people have a form of peripheral neuropathy that might make hands or feet numb or tingly.

A word on nerve terminology So, what is peripheral neuropathy? It’s worth clarifying some commonly used medical terms.

Neuropathy means nerve disease. Peripheral neuropathy is a condition affecting nerves in the peripheral nervous system, which includes nerves outside of the brain and spinal cord. Nerves of the legs and arms are part of the peripheral nervous system and tend to be the first ones affected by diseases of peripheral nerves. Compression (or entrapment) neuropathy develops because of pressure on a nerve. Carpal tunnel syndrome, which occurs when a nerve becomes compressed in an already tight channel in the wrist, is one well-known example. Having your hand or foot fall asleep is another. Fortunately, the latter is quite temporary, while carpal tunnel syndrome is often chronic. Paresthesia is a sensation of pins and needles, numbness or another abnormal sensation, often tied to peripheral neuropathy. Having your hand or foot fall asleep is

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a temporary paresthesia.

When to see your doctor If your hands or feet fall asleep occasionally and normal sensation quickly returns, that’s fine. No need to call your doctor. But call your doctor promptly if you have persistent numbness, tingling or other unusual sensations in your hands or feet. This is especially important if these sensations cause trouble with walking or holding onto things. Your doctor should investigate further and will likely consider possible causes of peripheral neuropathy, including the following: —Type 2 diabetes is the most common identifiable cause of peripheral neuropathy, accounting for nearly a third of cases. Sometimes it’s the first indication that a person has diabetes. —Diseases of the liver, kidney and thyroid. —Nutritional deficits, such as vitamin B12 deficiency or other vitamin deficiencies. Vitamin B6 is unique in this regard because too little or too much can cause neuropathy; too little is quite rare, but it’s possible to get excess B6 from supplements. —Alcohol ingestion is probably the most common cause of toxic neuropathy. Alcoholics may also have nutritional deficiencies that can cause neuropathy. —Certain medications, including some antibiotics and chemotherapy drugs, or lead, mercury, and other chemical and industrial toxins, may be culprits. —Vascular disease, which occurs when the blood supply to a peripheral nerve is impaired, as with atherosclerosis. The nerve becomes unhealthy or dies. Additional causes of neuropathy are infection, compression or trauma to nerves, and inflammatory or autoimmune conditions that affect nerves. It’s worth noting that nearly a third of cases have no clear cause — a problem known as idiopathic neuropathy. The bottom line: The causes of peripheral neuropathy are many, and range from the harmless and annoying to the intolerable and dangerous. When in doubt, see your doctor. But try not to worry when your hands or feet fall asleep due to holding your arms or legs too long in one position, as long as the tingling resolves within minutes and doesn’t happen often. Robert H. Shmerling, M.D., is a senior faculty editor at Harvard Health Publishing. © 2020 by Harvard University

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Advice for making healthier fish choices By Lori Zanteson We know fish is important for health — it’s high in protein; low in saturated fat; a good source of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids; rich in vitamins, such as vitamins D and B2, and minerals, including iron, iodine, magnesium and potassium. Research shows that eating fish once or twice a week may reduce risk of several chronic conditions, including stroke, depression, Alzheimer’s disease and, in the case of fatty fish, death from heart disease.

But there are fish we’re better off avoiding, due to high mercury levels that can pose a health risk. This list of low-mercury fish — SMASH — can help us make the healthier choices.

What is SMASH? The acronym SMASH stands for salmon, mackerel, anchovies, sardines and herring. These are the fish that are safest and healthiest to eat. They are nutrientrich, high in omega-3s and low in mercury.

Mercury is a natural element found all around us in air, water and all living things, but in very small amounts. It makes its way into our food in several ways, including pollution. All fish have at least some mercury in them, but levels vary widely by species. Most of these levels are far below what the U.S. has deemed allowable in seafood, but large and longer-living fish — like shark, swordfish, large tuna — have the highest amounts of mercury. (It should be noted that canned light tuna is made from smaller tuna, so it has lower levels of mercury than large tuna.)

Mercury risk

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Most of us have at least trace amounts of mercury in our bodies. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data show that most of these levels are below those associated with health risk. Exposure to mercury most commonly occurs when people eat fish with high levels in their tissues, and this is associated with serious health issues — high levels can be toxic.

As a neurotoxin, which means it affects the nervous system, mercury, in excess, can impair vision, coordination and speech, and can cause muscle weakness. Research, including a study published in a 2020 issue of the journal Biomolecules, has found higher levels of mercury in the brains of patients with Alzheimer’s disease. Especially at risk are women who are pregnant or nursing and young children, who should avoid fish known to have high levels of mercury. They should eat smaller fish — such as those on the SMASH list — and no more than two to three servings of fish each week to minimize exposure. Be aware that fish that comes from other countries is not regulated by the same stringent U.S. seafood industry regulations, which could mean higher mercury levels.

Benefits of eating fish It’s important to minimize mercury in our diet, but when it comes to eating fish, See HEALTHIER FISH, page 13

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Hand sanitizers to use, others to avoid As the country has opened up these past home and then selling it online to people. few months, I find myself carrying hand sani- You cannot trust everything available right tizer with me wherever I go. now. Hand sanitizers are a must if On August 27, 2020, the you travel because they quickly Food and Drug Administration eliminate 99.9% of germs (at issued a new warning to conleast the ones tested!), and you sumers to make sure that we do can carry them in your purse or not buy or use any hand sanitizpocket and keep them in the car. ers that contain “methanol” or With the pandemic this “1-propanol.” year, hand sanitizers became Today, I’ll list some of the instantly essential. A lot of safest commercial hand sanitizthem are capable of destroyers on the market. Some of DEAR ing certain pneumonia and in- PHARMACIST them are sprays, and others are fluenza strains, E. coli and By Suzy Cohen wipes. I’ve based my list below MRSA in seconds. on the organization called EWG There’s a reason that sanitizSkin Deep (ewg.org/skindeep). ers sell like hotcakes, but please be careful As to where you can purchase any of because some opportunistic business folks these, I’d suggest looking online or asking are now making a killing at your expense. your local health food store manager. They’re formulating toxic garbage at Here are my favorites:

Hero Wipes

erin so it won’t feel as drying.

These have alcohol and aloe in them, plus more. Each wipe is individually wrapped in a pouch to keep it sterile. They are pretty resilient even if you are vigorous with them.

Elyptol Antimicrobial Hand Sanitizer These come in wipes, gel and spray, so you can pick the best type for your needs. As you may have guessed from its name, the product boasts the use of natural eucalyptus, which reduces risk of contact dermatitis and provides a broad range of “kill” properties.

Everyone Peppermint Citrus Hand Sanitizer There are other scents aside from peppermint citrus, but this brand offers another option utilizing alcohol (derived from non-GMO sugar cane) with aloe and glyc-

Organic to Green Lavender Lemon This contains some alcohol along with glycerin, organic coconut, lavender and lemon peel oil. When I read the natural but powerful ingredient list, I was jealous I hadn’t thought of the formula myself.

Dr. Bronner’s Lavender Hand Sanitizer Another awesome product sold widely in health food stores, this brand utilizes the strength of Fair Trade ethanol along with organic peppermint oil and glycerin.

EO Hand Sanitizer spray or wipes This is an easy-to-find brand that is great because it uses alcohol (sourced from nonSee HAND SANITIZERS, page 14

Healthier fish From page 12

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the health benefits far outweigh the small risk of mercury for most people. Eating fish on the SMASH list promotes good health and protects against many chronic diseases, including several risk factors for heart disease. These fish are also good sources of: —Omega-3s: These healthy fats are good for the heart. —Selenium: Often lacking in the diet, it helps protect against mercury toxicity. —Vitamin D: Supports immune function and bone health, and protects against heart disease.

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Bottom line Most of us don’t have to worry about toxic mercury levels in our bodies, but it makes sense to minimize mercury by limiting fish to two to three servings per week, avoiding eating fish with high mercury levels, and enjoying fish on the SMASH list. Reprinted with permission from Environmental Nutrition, a monthly publication of Belvoir Media Group, LLC. 1-800-8295384, EnvironmentalNutrition.com. © 2020 Belvoir Media Group

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Good news for pre- and Type 2 diabetics By Alyson Kelley-Hedgepeth, M.D. Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a metabolic disorder of insulin resistance — a reduced sensitivity to the action of insulin — which leads to high blood sugar, or hyperglycemia. Approximately 12% of American adults have T2D, and more than one-third of Americans have prediabetes, a precursor to T2D. This is a major public health concern, as T2D dramatically increases risk for heart disease — including heart attacks, atrial fibrillation and heart failure. The development and progression of T2D is affected by many factors. Some, such as a person’s race/ethnicity, age and gender, cannot be modified. Others, including body weight, exercise and diet, can be changed.

Can lifestyle changes help reduce heart disease risk if you have diabetes? In 2010, the American Heart Association (AHA) published “Life’s Simple 7,” which they defined as “seven risk factors that people can improve through lifestyle changes to help achieve ideal cardiovascular health.” The Simple 7 touched on smoking status, physical activity, ideal body weight, intake of fresh fruits and vegetables, blood sugar, cholesterol levels and blood pressure. Subsequent studies found that people in optimal ranges for each of these factors had lower risks of heart disease compared to people in poor ranges. But given the significant increase in heart disease risk in those with T2D, it was not clear if the impact of these modifiable factors would hold

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true for the T2D population.

Lifestyle changes suggest benefit A study published in JAMA Cardiology looked at whether the ideal cardiovascular (CV) metrics covered in Life’s Simple 7 translate into improved CV health for those with T2D or prediabetes. The results were exciting and consistent with other large population-based studies. Patients who had five or more ideal CV measures had no excess of CV events compared with people with normal blood sugar levels. CV events measured in the study included death, heart attack, stroke and heart failure. Each additional ideal health metric was associated with an additional 18% drop in CV event risk for people with T2D, and an additional 15% drop for those with prediabetes. This was a prospective, observational study, examining the association of risk factors only. It was not a randomized trial looking at an intervention. As a result, we cannot draw conclusions about cause and effect. Nonetheless, this is the first study to show a positive association between ideal lifestyle factors and CV health in people who are at high risk for CVD due to T2D. These results showcase the importance of

Hand sanitizers From page 13 GMO sugar cane), plus lavender essential oil, Echinacea herb (an antibacterial), and some glycerin.

Grove Collaborative Blood Orange Sanitizer This product utilizes ethanol plus aloe, orange oil, coconut and sunflower seed oil, plus jojoba. This is an excellent combina-

our lifestyle choices, suggesting that meeting ideal health metrics can help reduce risk of CV events.

Life’s Simple 7 So, what lifestyle and metabolic health goals should you strive for, whether or not you have diabetes? 1. Manage blood pressure: 120/80 mm Hg or lower is best. 2. Control cholesterol. Aim for total cholesterol below 200 mg/dL. 3. Reduce blood sugar. Get your HbA1c (an average measure of blood sugar over the past three months) under 5.7% if you have prediabetes, or below 6.5% if you have T2D. 4. Get active. Your goal is 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity activity or 75 minutes per week of vigorous activity. 5. Eat well. That means at least 4.5 cups of fruits and vegetables per day. 6. Lose weight. You want a body mass index (BMI) of less than 25. 7. Stop smoking. You’ll reap CV benefits, not to mention lowering your risk for cancer, COPD and much more. Alyson Kelley-Hedgepeth, M.D., is a contributor to Harvard Health Publications. © 2020 by Harvard University tion that will leave your hands feeling nourished. It also comes in lavender and is sold at grove.co. See SuzyCohen.com for more options. 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 the author of The 24-Hour Pharmacist and Real Solutions from Head to Toe. To contact her, visit SuzyCohen.com.

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H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 0

Health Studies

INFORMATION ON AREA CLINICAL TRIALS

Mobile app may help caregivers manage By Margaret Foster If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment or dementia, there’s a new mobile app in development that could help. Research has found that routine and structure help patients with dementia. One way to stay organized is through your smartphone. Once downloaded on an iPhone, the app, called Mantrah, can help manage your condition and improve quality of life. The app is currently in “trial mode,” according to Ram Balasubramanian, founder and Chief Analytics Officer at Mantrah. “We have a version of our app that we want actual users to ‘take for a spin’ and give us feedback on the utility and usefulness of a solution like ours for their caregiving needs,” Balasubramanian said. “Before we build the Ferrari, we wanted to build a small ‘baby’ version.”

it’s too late. We want to get ahead of it. “Wouldn’t it be great if we can predict who might be developing a risk for falls, and get them to improve their balance and posture through specific exercises, thereby preventing that fall?” Mantrah’s goal is to help to “enable independent living longer,” Balasubramanian said. This fall, Mantrah released the current trial version of the app to several people. “So far, we’ve had a few users that love See CAREGIVERS’ APP, page 16

The National Institutes of Health National Institute on Aging

What the app does The app is for people with dementia and their caregivers. People in early stages of dementia that are comfortable using a smartphone will be able to collaborate with their caregiver through the app. It helps keep track of medications, exercise schedules and key appointments. When a patient takes a pill, for instance, he or she can check a box on the app. Immediately, the caregiver will receive a notification on his or her phone. In addition, caregivers will receive an alert if the patient wanders out of a predetermined “safe zone.” Users can also record their mood, make key observations of the day in a journal, and receive encouragement to stick with their care plan. There are six “pillars” of a care plan that Mantrah helps to organize: medication, exercise, appointments, cognitive activities, social engagement and mindfulness.

Will integrate data from devices Mantrah’s team is currently working on integrating data from wearable devices such as a FitBit, Apple Watch or smarthome sensors, too. That way, it can tell users how well they’re adhering to their own goals. That’s important because one of the clinically proven ways to slow the progression of dementia is staying physically active. In addition, the app will use the data to suggest certain exercises for patients who seem at risk. “Falls, for example, are one of the big concerns for people with dementia — and one of the reasons they end up in the hospital,” Balasubramanian said. “There’s a lot of technology that can detect a fall when it happens, [but] by then

Resveratrol and Cardiovascular Health in the Elderly REACH TRIAL NIA is conducting a study to look at the effects of resveratrol on blood vessels and exercise tolerance. Resveratrol is found in the skin of red grapes and may be the reason moderate amounts of red wine help heart health. Resveratrol is sold as a nutritional supplement. The effects of two different doses of resveratrol will be compared to placebo, a pill without active medication. Blood testing, exercise testing, muscle biopsy, MRI and other procedures will be performed. The study will take place at the NIA Clinical Research Unit in Baltimore and will take 13 months to complete. There are two outpatient visits (2-3 hours) and 3 inpatient visits (2 days).

There is no cost to participate. You may Qualify if: You will be compensated for your time. • You are 50 yrs old or older • You weigh less than 300 pounds • Your body mass index (BMI) is between 25 and 35.

Call 410-350-3941 or Email NIAStudiesRecruitment@mail.nih.gov Principal Investigator: Madhav Thambisetty, M.D., PhD. NIA Study # 13-AG-0078

National Institute on Aging Medstar Harbor Hospital, 5th Floor 3001 S. Hanover Street, Baltimore, MD 21225

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N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 0 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

A one-hour, one-pot recipe welcomes fall By America’s Test Kitchen With many of us still staying close to home, it’s a perfect time to add a great-tasting, quick-cooking meal to your recipe rotation. In this one-pot recipe, lively lemon zest, bright peas and summery basil combine with pasta, meat and vegetables for a satisfying, light and lively fall dish. In the Test Kitchen, we’ve found that the best way to pull off a one-pot pasta dinner is to forgo the standard approach of boiling, draining and saucing the pasta. Instead, we cook the pasta in a carefully controlled amount of liquid that reduces into a flavorful sauce. (Not only does it make for a more cohesive dish, it also dirties fewer dishes.) For this recipe, that optimal amount of liquid was 4 cups for 12 ounces of pasta. Before we cooked the pasta, we made a flavorful base by taking a few links of sweet Italian sausage out of their casings and browning the crumbles in a Dutch oven with sliced cremini mushrooms. We then deglazed the pot with dry white wine and added the pasta and water. Once the

Caregivers’ app From page 15 it,” he said. “That gives us a lot of encour-

Serves 4 Ingredients: 1 pound cremini mushrooms, trimmed and sliced thin 1 pound sweet Italian (or vegetarian) sausage, casings removed 2 shallots, chopped 1¼ teaspoons table salt 1 teaspoon pepper ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes

½ cup dry white wine 12 ounces (4 ½ cups) medium pasta shells 4 cups water 2 cups frozen peas 1 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped 1 ounce Parmesan cheese, grated (½ cup), plus extra for serving 2 teaspoons grated lemon zest, plus lemon wedges for serving Directions: 1. In a large Dutch oven set over high heat, cook the mushrooms, sausage, shallots, salt, pepper and pepper flakes, stirring mixture frequently and breaking up meat with wooden spoon, until liquid has evaporated and browned bits have formed on bottom of pot, about 15 minutes. 2. Add wine and cook, scraping up any browned bits, until the liquid has evaporated, about 2 minutes. 3. Stir in pasta and water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, until pasta is al dente, about 10 minutes (some liquid will remain in the bottom of the pot).

4. Off heat, add the peas, basil, Parmesan and lemon zest. Stir vigorously for 1 minute, until sauce has thickened. Serve, passing lemon wedges and extra Parmesan separately. Recipe notes: You can substitute white mushrooms for the cremini mushrooms, and 12 ounces of orecchiette for the medium pasta shells, if desired. The pasta will not absorb all the cooking liquid in Step 2; stirring vigorously in Step 3 helps thicken the sauce so it will coat the pasta. For a nonalcoholic version, substitute ½ cup of water for the wine in Step 2 and stir in 1 tablespoon of lemon juice with the lemon zest in Step 3. There is no need to thaw the peas. For 25 years, confident cooks in the know have relied on America’s Test Kitchen for rigorously tested recipes developed by professional test cooks and vetted by 60,000 athome recipe testers. See more at americastestkitchen.com/TCA. © 2020 America’s Test Kitchen. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

agement that we’re on the right track, but we’d like to get more people to try it so we can incorporate their feedback [into future versions of the app].”

While some caregiving apps such as eCare21 charge $7.95 per month, Mantrah is free, at least for now. Mantrah plans to launch a commercial

app in the first quarter of next year. For more information or to download the app on your iPhone for free, visit Mantrah.us.

pasta was al dente, we turned off the heat and stirred in frozen peas (no need to thaw), basil, Parmesan, and some lemon zest for brightness. One final step remained: stirring it all vigorously for a minute. Agitating the components this way knocked starch from the pasta into the small amount of cooking liquid, transforming it into a sauce that lightly cloaked each shell. In just about an hour, we had a substantial, tasty meal that would please the whole family after a busy day.

One-Pot Pasta with Sausage, Mushrooms and Peas

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Dychtwald

N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 0 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

fortified, more resilient than we ever imaginedâ&#x20AC;? and coping better with the pandemic than many younger generations. Besides the benefit of life perspective, another reason for this resilience may be due to the studyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s finding that, on average, people over age 65 have more of an economic safety net than do younger adults. They receive monthly checks from Social Security (average $18,000/year), the value of Medicare coverage is estimated at $12,000 a year, and many have paid off their houses. Though younger people are less likely to suffer serious ill health or death from the coronavirus than older adults, many are experiencing more serious financial effects through job loss and interruptions to their education.

Retirementâ&#x20AC;? theory, which emphasizes that retirement is a journey, not a destination. Other professors and mentors of his included the famed psychologists Joseph Campbell and Erik Erikson. Thanks to these iconic mentors, Dychtwald said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I have grown up believing that in the later years of lifeâ&#x20AC;Śthereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a purpose; thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a challenge.â&#x20AC;? Erikson, for instance, had a â&#x20AC;&#x153;theory of generativity,â&#x20AC;? the seventh of eight stages of psychological development. â&#x20AC;&#x153;By that he means giving back â&#x20AC;&#x201D; itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not necessarily a nifty thing to do, but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re supposed to do. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what a grownup does,â&#x20AC;? Dychtwald said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;[Erikson] said thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re supposed to do when youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re an elder â&#x20AC;&#x201D; make sense of the life that youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve lived. You stitch the pieces of yourself together, you become a full, whole person, and part of that is so you can leave a legacy.â&#x20AC;?

Early studies with the masters

Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re meant to find purpose

Dychtwald graduated from Lehigh University in Pennsylvania, then earned his PhD in psychology at Union College. He then headed the Sage Project at the University of California at Berkeley, which studied how the aging process could be improved by alternative therapies such as yoga and meditation. There he studied with Elizabeth KĂźblerRoss, who is famous for developing her theory of five stages of grief. That influence inspired Dychtwaldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;Five Stages of

This legacy can take several forms, Dychtwald believes. Older adults â&#x20AC;&#x201D; men, in particular â&#x20AC;&#x201D; should consider volunteering in their communities. At the moment, only 24% of Americaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 68 million retirees do volunteer work, and those do so only an average of 2.5 hours a week. Dychtwald said thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not enough. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The average retiree watches over 2,800 minutes of television a week and spends less than 30 minutes contributing to their community,â&#x20AC;? Dychtwald said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Shame on us.â&#x20AC;?

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Sure, many people have family obligations, he said, and he respects that commitment. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If you babysit the grandkids or youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re subsidizing your adult children, thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wonderful. But are you volunteering for somebody elseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s community; are you helping people in need? â&#x20AC;&#x153;A lot of our retired population donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know what their purpose is,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The world is waiting for more of an activation of our elders, and I think weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d all be better off if we had old and young doing more things together.â&#x20AC;? Dychtwald also hopes retirees will muster the courage to try new activities â&#x20AC;&#x201D; volunteer as a tutor, learn a new language, take up guitar, study the stars. Retirement is freedom from obligations like child rearing and work, he said, but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also freedom to pursue your heartâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s desire. At the same time, Dychtwald encourages older adults to stay current. â&#x20AC;&#x153;A lot of people push themselves to the sidelines when they get older. They donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t keep track of modern ideas; they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t stay current with technology; they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t pay attention to new culture, new music, new fashion.â&#x20AC;?

Next act: memoir this spring Dychtwaldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 18th book, a memoir titled Radical Curiosity, will be published in March. He wrote it to honor Eriksonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s generativity stage of life, to pass on his knowledge and leave a legacy to his two children, now in their 30s. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I turned 70 this year, and I decided I

G COMIN

was going to collect my stories so that they can be passed from generation to generation,â&#x20AC;? he said. His friends told him, â&#x20AC;&#x153;You have to publish this; youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve had one bizarre life!â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;? One of his lifeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s more placid moments was when Dychtwald, 27, recorded a video of his grandmother Clara, one he likes to share with his audiences today. Clara, an orphan, recounts her memories of growing up without shoes or indoor plumbing. â&#x20AC;&#x153;What do you want us to learn from you?â&#x20AC;? he asks his grandmother, who in the video is wearing a modest housedress. She replies, â&#x20AC;&#x153;To be good, honest, respectable, and live happy with your family, like I lived happy with my husband.â&#x20AC;? Moments later, she tells her grandson, â&#x20AC;&#x153;From the minute you were born, I loved you. Find a nice girl and get married, and Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll love you double.â&#x20AC;? Clara may have been reassured to know that her grandson has been happily married since 1983. Ken Dychtwald is the keynote speaker at this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Beacon Expo, an all-virtual event accessible from Nov. 1, 2020 until Jan. 31, 2021. To watch his keynote address, followed by a brief interview by Beacon publisher Stuart Rosenthal, visit the Expo website â&#x20AC;&#x201D; beacon50expo.com â&#x20AC;&#x201D; any time after Nov. 1. His new book, What Retirees Want, is available in print, digitally and as an audio book. All proceeds from the book are being donated to the American Society on Aging.

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Say you saw it in the Beacon

2020

A completely free online experience, accessible from your computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone

INSIDE you will find descriptions of DOZENS of:

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N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 0 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

SPEAKERS

H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 0

CLASSES

Here is a selection of the speakers available at

Here is a selection of the classes available at

www.beacon50expo.com from

November 1, 2020 through January 31, 2021:

KEYNOTE: Ken Dychtwald, PhD speaking about decades of research into aging and how to make the most of retirement

Mindful Meditation Seminar (including guided meditation practice), courtesy of Brooke Grove Foundation

Women’s Heart Health, Women’s Heart Specialist & Cardiologist Daisy Lazarous, M.D. Courtesy of Adventist HealthCare Adventist Medical Group

Intergenerational Volunteer Activities You Can Do from Home a panel including GrandInvolve, Age-Friendly DC, Link Generations, Experience Corp, Montgomery Connects and JCA Heyman Interages Center, courtesy of Empowering the Ages

The Latest Information on Low Vision Research Dr. Emily Chew, National Eye Institute of the National Institutes of Health, courtesy of Prevention of Blindness Society The Oldest Living Tuskegee Airman interview with Brig. Gen. Charles McGee, courtesy of Silver Spring Village Everything You Always Wanted to Know about the Cuban Missile Crisis from a CIA insider, courtesy of Silver Spring Village How to Create Harmony in Your Life interview of Serge Mazerand, composer, pianist and author of The 7 Keys to Serenity Designing Camelot a discussion with the co-authors of Designing Camelot: The Kennedy White House Restoration, courtesy of the White House Historical Association A, B, C and D’s of Medicare Sherry Kolbe, State Health Insurance Assistance Program Manager for Baltimore County, courtesy of Baltimore County Department of Aging Holistic Nutrition, with Divya Selvakumar, PhD Baltimore County Department of Health and Human Services, courtesy of Baltimore County Department of Aging Health and Wellness Tips from a Holy Cross Health Partners Geriatrician

Go, Grow and Get Active video special featuring tai chi fit, laughter yoga, Zumba and more, 1hr. 40 min., courtesy Montgomery County Aging & Disabilities Avoiding Coronavirus Frauds and Scams courtesy of AARP VA Cooking with Chef Francis an Embassy Chef Challenge award-winner, courtesy of Gold Sponsor, Maplewood Park Place Dance with Nancy lessons with Nancy Hays in Electric Slide and Achy Breaky line dancing, for exercise and fun, courtesy of DancewithNancy.com Playing Billiards a demonstration of techniques and shots, courtesy of Maplewood Park Place Zumba, Tai Chi and Core & Stretch classes courtesy of Baltimore County Department of Aging Senior Fit and Chair Exercise Demonstrations courtesy of Holy Cross Health Health and Wellness Tips provided by a Holy Cross Health Partners Geriatrician

Developing Resilience courtesy of CIGNA

The Impact of Nutrition on Blood Pressure Control Reducing Stress and Anxiety

Fall Prevention: Gear & Gadgets courtesy of Howard County Oﬃce on Aging & Independence

Retirement Living and Assisted Care Options Senior Health Insurance Basics Arts & Crafts Ideas Courtesy of Howard County Office on Aging & Independence

Advance Directives & Care Planning, a panel discussion, courtesy AARP MD Caregiving During COVID-19 interview with Morgan Whitlach of D.C. Quality Trust, courtesy of AARP DC

Say you saw it in the Beacon

T N E M N I A T R E T N E Here is a selection of the entertainment available at

www.beacon50expo.com from November 1, 2020 through January 31, 2021: Stand-up comedy Four over-50 comics do their thing, courtesy of Silver Spring Town Center SPARKLE program Alexandria Harmonizers Christmas Concert award-winning barbershop men’s chorus from Alexandria, Va., courtesy of the Harmonizers Maxim Lando, 19-year-old classical piano phenom protégé of Lang Lang, performs Tchaikovsky’s The Seasons and Nicolai Kapustin Concert Etudes (jazzy classical pieces), courtesy of Candlelight Concerts Dance to music from a live ballroom orchestra courtesy of dancewithnancy.com Rearview Mirror Duo Iris Hirsch and Glenn Bullion perform a blend of rock and roll, R&B, pop, country, standards from the Great American Songbook, disco, and Motown from the 50s, 60s, 70s Shades of Gray rock and roll band, performing memorable songs, courtesy of Ken Hunter Music by Black American women composers performed by the Chin Family Quartet and Victoria Bragin, courtesy of the Friday Morning Music Club French, Latin and American Jazz recital by Steve Baddour, courtesy of the Louise P. Zanar Fund Beethoven Sonata No. 10 in G major, for violin and piano Lisa Weiss and Yeou-Cheng Ma (sister of Yo Yo Ma), courtesy of Lisa Weiss

Subscribe for half-price. See p. 34

N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 0 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

SPEAKERS

H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 0

CLASSES

Here is a selection of the speakers available at

Here is a selection of the classes available at

www.beacon50expo.com from

November 1, 2020 through January 31, 2021:

KEYNOTE: Ken Dychtwald, PhD speaking about decades of research into aging and how to make the most of retirement

Mindful Meditation Seminar (including guided meditation practice), courtesy of Brooke Grove Foundation

Women’s Heart Health, Women’s Heart Specialist & Cardiologist Daisy Lazarous, M.D. Courtesy of Adventist HealthCare Adventist Medical Group

Developing Resilience courtesy of CIGNA

The Impact of Nutrition on Blood Pressure Control Reducing Stress and Anxiety

Fall Prevention: Gear & Gadgets courtesy of Howard County Oﬃce on Aging & Independence

Retirement Living and Assisted Care Options Senior Health Insurance Basics Arts & Crafts Ideas Courtesy of Howard County Office on Aging & Independence

Advance Directives & Care Planning, a panel discussion, courtesy AARP MD Caregiving During COVID-19 interview with Morgan Whitlach of D.C. Quality Trust, courtesy of AARP DC

Say you saw it in the Beacon

T N E M N I A T R E T N E Here is a selection of the entertainment available at

Subscribe for half-price. See p. 34

N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 0 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

EXHIBITORS TO DATE AARP - DC, MD, VA Ace Handyman Services Adventist HealthCare Adventist Medical Group Agewell Senior Fitness, LLC Baltimore City Health Department Baltimore County Department of Aging Bedford Court - Sunrise Senior Living Bonifant, The - Humphrey Mgmt Brooke Grove Retirement Village Brookﬁeld Residential Properties Burke & Herbert Bank Byron E. Macfarlane, Register of Wills for HoCo Cherry Blossom CBD Cigna HealthCare Columbia Pro Cantare Community College of Baltimore County Evergreens at Columbia Town Center Family & Nursing Care Fidelity Direct Mortgage GBMC Genesis Healthcare Greenspring Valley Neighbors Holy Cross Health Home Hearts Home Care Homecrest House Homes on Quaker Lane - Humphrey Mgmt Homewatch CareGivers of Fairfax Horizon Foundation Howard County Oﬃce on Aging & Independence Humphrey Management Jewish Council for the Aging Kaiser Permanente Legacy Times Long and Foster Realtors Lutheran Village at Miller’s Grant Maplewood Park Place Maribel M. Vann, DDS,PLLC Marquis Healthcare Services Maryland Relay Maryland University of Integrated Health Montgomery County Aging & Disability Services/HHS Montgomery County Board of Elections Montgomery County Cancer Crusade Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection Montgomery County Dept of Transportation

Montgomery County Emergency Management/ Homeland Security Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service Montgomery County Long-Term Care Ombudsman Montgomery County Office of Consumer Protection Montgomery County Police Montgomery County Police/Keeping People Safe Montgomery County Public Library Montgomery County Recreation Department Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office Montgomery County Stroke Association Montgomery County Volunteer Center/RSVP Montgomery Energy Connection Oak Manor Center for Rehabilitation and Healthcare Olney Assisted Living Organizer, The Oxzgen Pepco Pin Oak Village - Humphrey Mgmt Potomac Woods Prevention of Blindness Society of Metro Washington Rainier Manor I & II - Humphrey Mgmt Randolph Village - Humphrey Mgmt River Point - Humphrey Mgmt Schifter, Carol R. Seabury at Friendship Terrace Seabury at Springvale Terrace Sibley Senior Association Silver Spring Village Snowden Creek - Humphrey Mgmt Senior Connection Sol Levinson & Bros. Suburban Hospital Tiber Hudson - Humphrey Mgmt Tuckahoe Pines Retirement Community United Healthcare Virginia Relay Virginia Senior Medical Patrol Westminster House Senior Apartments Windsor Crossing - Humphrey Mgmt Winter Growth Woodside Village - Humphrey Mgmt Xfinity

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H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 0

A Publication of the Department of Community Resources and Services

Caregiving in Crisis: Facing New Realities

uring National Family Caregivers Month, the Caregiver Action Network (caregiveraction.org/covid-19) addresses the new realities family caregivers face during these uncertain times. Family caregivers manage health emergencies, juggle priorities, and suffer isolation — and all that was before COVID. As the 2020 theme Caregiving in Crisis suggests, the pandemic brings even more challenges for family caregivers. “It’s natural for caregivers to have feelings of isolation and frustration,” says Kathy Wehr, manager of the Office on Aging and Independence’s caregiver support program, “Fatigue and other physical symptoms and a loss of initiative are common as well.”

Caring for yourself is vital. Wehr recommends asking yourself the following questions:

How do you feel mentally and physically? Even though these are unprecedented circumstances, caregivers still need to address their own mental and physical health in addition to their loved one’s needs.

Are your needs being placed on the back burner? Much of our attention is focused on COVID-19 and how to avoid infection; however, we also need to take care of our needs in order to stay healthy in mind, body and spirit.

Volume 10, No. 11 • November 2020

A Message from Howard County Executive

Calvin Ball

his month as we approach the cooler, winter months, we must remain prepared and vigilant against COVID-19. As more activities are held indoors, where the virus can spread more easily, it is critical that we all practice mitigation measures including wearing a mask, keeping a safe physical distance, and washing our hands frequently. Each November I am reminded of our Veterans – like Vivian Bailey, or as most people know her, Ms. Millie. Millie is a longtime Howard County resident and served in the military during World War II. Just last year it was announced that the neighborhood square in Downtown Columbia would be named after her. And now, the Vivian C. ‘Millie’ Bailey Neighborhood Square is officially open for our residents to enjoy. Her passion and commitment to serving others endures to this day, and at over 100 years of age, she continues to give back to her community in many ways. I would also like to recognize all our veterans in Howard County as we approach Veteran’s Day on November 11. So many of our residents have served honorably in the U.S. military and they deserve our deep gratitude and respect for their service. November is National Family Caregivers Month, a time to recognize, support, and empower family caregivers. We know how difficult this pandemic has been for so many – but especially our caregivers who have been isolated and without their usual support systems while taking care of loved ones. Be sure to check-in on a caregiver you know to see if you can safely lend a helping hand. With COVID-19 still being a prevalent risk to our community, be sure to take necessary precautions. As always, wishing our community a safe and healthy month ahead.

Are you trying to do it all?

RESOURCES FOR CAREGIVERS

There is only so much we can do at this time; don’t push yourself. Take this time to re-prioritize yourself into the equation. And — just maybe when this is over you — will have a new perspective on ways you can take care of YOU.

• • • • •

Are you still doing things that you enjoyed before COVID-19, or when your caregiving journey began? There is a new normal to life right now, so take time to establish your own new normal and be sure to include time for yourself to go for a walk, enjoy a movie, read a book, or soak in a hot bath. The moments we give to ourselves will benefit our loved-one as well. Above all, recognize that feeling isolated and alone can wreak havoc on your emotional health. Your relationship to others involved in care may have changed due to the pandemic and supports available in normal circumstances might not be available now. Maintain contact with health care providers, family members and friends by phone, email, Facetime, or via Zoom or Skype to seek advice, ask for assistance or just have a conversation.

Caregiver Support Program: www.howardcountymd.gov/caregiver Maryland Access Point of Howard County: 410-313-1234 (voice/relay) Alzheimer’s Association 24/7 Help Line: 800-272-3900 Alzheimer’s Foundation of America: 866-232-8484 Caregiver Action Network Help Desk: 855-227-3640

Happy Thanksgiving! With sincere gratitude for all caregivers and to all those we serve through the Howard County Department of Community Resources and Services, we wish you and your loved ones a joyful holiday!

The 50+ Connection

Subscribe for half-price. See p. 34

N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 0 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

Four Simple Steps to Control Type 2 Diabetes by Carmen Roberts, MS, RD, LDN, Nutritionist Howard County Office on Aging and Independence

This online event will feature a variety of expert speakers on health and financial topics; engaging classes; entertainment; and informative exhibits. The 50+EXPO runs November 1, 2020, through January 31, 2021. You can visit all programs at any time during the three-month event.

ovember is Diabetes Awareness Month, so it’s a great time to talk about this chronic disease that affects so many Americans. It is estimated that over 34 million Americans (that’s just over one in every 10 people) have diabetes. What is surprising is that one in three people have prediabetes, and many do not even know they have it. The complications from diabetes can be serious, and include damage to the eyes, kidneys and nerves. However, there are four simple steps you can take to reduce your risk of the complications of diabetes and improve your overall health: 1) LOSE WEIGHT FOR GOOD. Even a small weight loss can make a big difference in blood sugar control. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) states that just a 10-15 pound weight loss can significantly lower your blood sugar. 2) GET MOVING. The ADA also emphasizes that moderate exercise (such as brisk walking) just 30 minutes/day, 5 days/week, can lower both blood sugar and blood pressure. 3) EAT MORE FIBER. Limit the amount of processed foods and added sugars in your diet, and replace them with foods such as whole grains and vegetables. Fiber slows down the rise in blood sugar and can help with weight control by making you feel full for longer. A high fiber diet can help you reduce your intake of sweets and processed foods. Aim for 25-30 grams of fiber daily. 4) MAKE POSITIVE LIFESTYLE CHANGES. If you have diabetes, you are also at risk for developing cardiovascular disease. Lower your blood pressure, quit smoking and manage your cholesterol levels. This can help to further reduce your risk for disease. Managing type 2 diabetes is crucial to decrease your risk of diseaserelated complications. Research shows that simple changes such as modest weight loss, increased physical activity and dietary changes reduce the risk of diabetes-related complications. If you have been diagnosed with prediabetes, it’s not too late. For some people, early treatment can actually return blood sugar levels to the normal range.

EARLY VOTING IN HOWARD COUNTY October 26 to November 2 7 am to 8 pm

thebeaconnewspapers.com/virtual-expo

Medicare Open Enrollment October 15 – December 7 It's time to review your current Medicare plan to see if it will work for you next year. You can stay in your current plan if you are happy or compare plans to see if there is an option that better fits your needs. Contact SHIP — Howard County’s State Health Insurance Assistance Program — at 410-313-7392 (voice/relay) to schedule a virtual appointment with a SHIP counselor. For more information, visit us at www.howardcountymd.gov/SHIP.

KNIT/CROCHET for VETERANS! The Howard County Ofﬁce of Veterans and Military Families is collecting homemade SCARVES AND HATS for military members. Drop off your items no later than Friday, November 6, at the Department of Community Resources and Services, one of our 50+ Centers (excluding Bain), or one of four additional locations. Visit us at www.howardcountymd.gov/veterans for details. For more information, contact Lisa B. Terry + PHONE 410-313-0821 (VOICE/RELAY) + EMAIL veterans@howardcountymd.gov 9830 Patuxent Woods Drive, Columbia, MD 21046 www.howardcountymd.gov/veterans

U Long Reach High School 6101 Old Dobbin Lane, Columbia

U Marriotts Ridge High School 12100 Woodford Drive, Marriottsville

U Meadowbrook Athletic Complex 5001 Meadowbrook Lane, Ellicott City

U Reservoir High School 11550 Scaggsville Road, Fulton

U Wilde Lake High School 5460 Trumpeter Road, Columbia

The 50+ Connection is published monthly by the Howard County Ofﬁce on Aging and Independence. This publication is available in alternate formats upon request. To join our subscriber list, email kahenry@howardcountymd.gov 9830 Patuxent Woods Drive, Columbia, MD 21046 410-313-6410 (VOICE/RELAY) • www.howardcountymd.gov/aging Find us on

www.Facebook.com/HoCoCommunity

Kim Higdon Henry, Editor • Email: kahenry@howardcountymd.gov Advertising contained in the Beacon is not endorsed by the Ofﬁce on Aging and Independence or by the publisher.

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H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 0

Money Law &

MAKE YOUR MONEY LAST A new book outlines a simple plan to build lifetime retirement income and offers strategies to make your retirement savings last for decades TRUSTWORTHY TRUSTEES Setting up a trust for your estate? Whether you choose a family member, professional or corporate trustee, here are some questions to ask first

Pros, cons of Medicare Advantage plans By Liz Weston About 1 in 3 people 65 and older in the U.S. enroll in Medicare Advantage, the private insurance alternative to traditional Medicare. It’s not hard to see why: Medicare Advantage plans often cover health needs that Medicare doesn’t, and most people don’t pay extra for it. But Medicare Advantage can be more expensive if you get sick, because copays and other costs can be higher, said Katy Votava, president of Goodcare.com, a healthcare consultant for financial advisors and consumers. Unhappy Advantage customers who want to switch back to traditional Medicare may find they no longer qualify for the supplemental Medigap policies to help pay their medical bills, or that they would face prohibitively high premiums. “These are complicated products,” said Votava, author of Making the Most of Medicare. “They’re like nothing else — no

other insurance that people encounter anywhere — until they get to Medicare.”

Medicare’s alphabet soup The first hurdle many people face when deciding about Medicare coverage is simply understanding how the various parts fit together. Traditional Medicare, also known as original Medicare, has two parts: • Part A covers hospitalization, and is typically premium-free. • Part B covers outpatient care, including doctor visits, and has a standard monthly premium of $144.60 for 2020, although higher-income people pay more (up to $347). With Part B, you can choose any doctor who accepts Medicare. The government pays healthcare providers directly. Part D is prescription drug coverage, which is provided by private insurers. The drugs that are covered and the amounts

you pay out of pocket vary widely. Monthly premiums vary as well, but average $32.74 in 2020. Traditional Medicare has deductibles, copays and coinsurance that can quickly add up. To cover these gaps, private insurers also offer supplemental plans known as Medigap. The average monthly Medigap premium in 2019 was $152, according to health insurance marketplace eHealth.com. But it can be lower or much higher depending on the plan, the insurer and the area where you live. The plans are known by letters A through N. As with traditional Medicare, you can choose any doctor who accepts Medicare. If you apply for a Medigap policy when you’re first eligible for Medicare, the insurer has to accept you and can’t charge more for preexisting conditions.

tage. Rather than add to the other parts of Medicare, however, Medicare Advantage plans replace them. Insurers that offer Medicare Advantage are required to provide all the benefits of Part A and Part B, and most plans include Part D drug coverage as well. In addition, the plans typically cover certain expenses that Medicare doesn’t — such as hearing, vision and dental care. Most Medicare Advantage enrollees in 2020 paid no additional premiums for their coverage, other than their regular Part B premiums, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation, a health research group.

Managed care Medicare Advantage plans are similar to employer-provided group health insurance: To be covered, you typically must choose healthcare providers in the insur-

How Medicare Advantage differs Medicare Part C is Medicare Advan-

See MEDICARE PLANS, page 23

Are your dividends qualified or ordinary? By Kiplinger Consumer News Service At some point in almost every investor’s life, they’ll be alerted to the fact that they’re collecting “qualified dividends.” That inevitably prompts the natural question: What are qualified dividends? Ultimately, the importance of this distinction has to do with how you’re taxed on your dividends. The tax rate on qualified dividends is 15% for most taxpayers. (It’s zero for single taxpayers with incomes under $40,000, and 20% for single taxpayers with incomes over $441,451.) However, “ordinary dividends” (or “nonqualified dividends”) are taxed at your normal marginal tax rate. But on a more fundamental level: What exactly is a qualified dividend, and how do we know if the dividends paid by the stocks in our portfolios are qualified? And what investments pay out nonqualified dividends? Let’s start by examining how qualified dividends were created in the first place. Then we’ll explain how that affects the rules governing them and ordinary dividends today.

The origin of qualified dividends The concept of qualified dividends began with the 2003 tax cuts signed into

law by President George W. Bush. Previously, all dividends were taxed at the taxpayer’s normal marginal rate. The lower qualified rate was designed to fix one of the great unintended consequences of the U.S. tax code. By taxing dividends at a higher rate, the IRS was incentivizing companies not to pay them. Instead, it incentivized them to do stock buybacks (which were untaxed) or simply hoard the cash. By creating the lower qualified dividend tax rate that was equal to the long-term capital gains tax rate, the tax code instead incentivized companies to reward their long-term shareholders with higher dividends. It also incentivized investors to hold their stocks for longer so as to be able to collect them. The idea was to create a better kind of company and a better kind of investor. It’s debatable as to whether the lower rate had the desired effect; in the 17 years that have passed, companies (particularly in the tech sector) continue to hoard a lot of cash, and buybacks were credited with being one of the biggest drivers of the 2009-20 bull market. But it’s certainly true that dividends became more of a focus for both investors and the companies paying them following the 2003 tax reforms. Even tech darlings

like Apple regularly pay dividends.

What makes them qualified? To be qualified, a dividend must be paid by a U.S. company or a foreign company that trades in the U.S. or has a tax treaty with the U.S. That part is simple enough to understand. The next requirement gets tricky. The tax cut was designed to reward patient, long-term shareholders. So, to qualify, you must hold the shares for more than 60 days during the 121-day period that starts 60 days before the ex-dividend date. If that makes your head spin, just think of it like this: If you’ve held the stock for a few months, you’re likely getting the qualified rate. If not, you’re probably not, or at least not yet. Certain types of stocks don’t make the cut. For example, real estate investment trusts (REITs) and master limited partnerships (MLPs) typically do not pay qualified dividends. REIT dividends and MLP distributions have more complicated tax rules; however, in some cases, they might actually have lower effective tax rates. Money market funds and other “bond like” instruments generally pay ordinary

dividends. So do dividends paid out via an employee stock-option plan. The good news: It’s actually not your problem to figure this out if you really don’t want to. Your broker will specify whether the dividends you received are qualified or not in the 1099-DIV they send you at tax season.

Knowledge can help you plan But knowing whether you’re being paid qualified dividends can help you plan properly. Perhaps you can arrange your dividend stock portfolio such that your lower-taxed qualified dividends are paid into your taxable brokerage account and your higher-taxed ordinary dividends are paid into your IRA. If this is confusing, we can summarize like this: Most “normal” company stocks you’ve held for at least two months will have their dividends qualified. Many unorthodox stocks (such as REITs and MLPs) and stocks held for less than two months generally will not. Also, while we summarized the tax basics above, here’s a look at how qualified dividends are taxed for every situation for the 2020 tax year: All contents © The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 0 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

A simple guide to help your money last Steve Vernon has a great deal of expertise in retirement planning, having written six books on the subject. His latest, Don’t Go Broke in Retirement: A Simple Plan to Build Lifetime Retirement Income (Rest-of-Life Communications), is an excellent source for middle-income people who want a straightforward plan to build a lifetime of retirement income. I believe the book will be very helpful to those close to retirement who want to make sure they make the right decisions

about Social Security, investments and establishing withdrawal plans from savings/retirement accounts to ensure that their assets/income will last their lifetime. The book is organized in several concise chapters that cover all the basics of security-minded financial planning. In chapter one, Vernon establishes a baseline Spend Safely Strategy consisting of three key steps. In step one, you establish reliable monthly paychecks that will last the rest of your life, re-

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gardless of stock market fluctuations. Ele- ue working; a second is to establish a ments of this “paycheck” would be Social Secu- bridge payment fund with a portion of your existing retirement savings. rity and recurring income from Many resources for further employer retirement plans. reading on Social Security are In step two, you establish a identified, including the excelretirement savings source lent book by Andy Landis, Sothat will deliver a stream of cial Security: The Inside Story lifetime income to supple(www.andylandis.biz). ment your reliable monthly In another chapter of Don’t paychecks if you need addiGo Broke, Vernon discusses tional funds. This stream using your savings to generate would be used for discrelifetime retirement income. tionary purchases such as THE SAVINGS He recommends using the IRS traveling, hobbies and gifts. GAME required minimum distribuThis income could be from By Elliot Raphaelson tion (RMD) tables to calculate retirement accounts such as IRAs and/or 401(k)s. Vernon recommends the amount to withdraw each year as a sima systematic withdrawal from these ac- ple, effective way to make your savings counts so that you will have money coming last for the rest of your life. He includes a chapter on investing for on a regular basis. The third step is to establish an emer- growth, in which he recommends that, gency fund at your bank or credit union to after you have covered most of your basic be used for predictable future expenses, living expenses, you can take calculated such as home and car maintenance, updat- risks by investing some of your savings in ed appliances and furniture, as well as un- low-cost, conservative equity alternatives. He recommends target-date funds, balforeseen emergencies. anced funds and stock index funds. I agree, as I have indicated in my columns. Postpone Social Security He also addresses issues such as miniIn an early chapter, Vernon discusses the importance of maximizing Social Secu- mizing taxes, health considerations and rity benefits. As I have indicated in many of part-time work. Also useful are his checkmy columns, there are significant advan- list that summarizes the action steps you tages to postponing applying for benefits should be taking to meet your objectives and his bibliography of useful books and as long as possible. Vernon believes that starting Social Se- websites. Don’t Go Broke in Retirement is easy to curity benefits as soon as possible “is a big mistake for most people.” He believes it is read, and it covers all the important decismart to maximize your lifetime Social Se- sions to develop a plan that will allow you curity benefits because they are the best to retire safely and never run out of insource of risk-protected retirement income and assets in retirement. Elliot Raphaelson welcomes your questions come for most workers. He provides examples of strategies to and comments at raphelliot@gmail.com. maximize these benefits by delaying the © 2020 Elliot Raphaelson. Distributed by start of benefits. One approach is to contin- Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

BEACON BITS

Oct. 25+

FREE COVID-19 TESTING

The Howard County General Hospital and Health Department are offering free COVID-19 community testing at several locations. No physician order required. Advance registration is strongly encouraged. To register, visit http://bit.ly/HCGHTesting. If you have questions, call (410) 740-7601.

Oct. 29+

OPIOID OVERDOSE TRAINING

Learn the signs of an opioid overdose and how to respond in this free virtual training through the Howard County Health Department. The event takes place Thurs., Oct. 29 at 3 p.m. and is offered again on Tues., Nov. 10. To register for the Webex event, visit http://bit.ly/HCOverdoseTraining.

Oct. 28

DEMENTIA CONVERSATIONS

Sheila Griffith of the Alzheimer’s Association offers tips for having conversations with loved ones about medical appointments, driving and making legal and financial plans. This free online event takes place from 2 to 3 p.m. on Wed., Oct. 28. To register, visit http://bit.ly/AATalks.

Ongoing

JOB RESOURCES

The Baltimore Mayor’s Office of Employment Development provides a variety of free online resources for sharpening skills to help you keep up in a challenging job market. Visit http://bit.ly/MOEDJobTraining to access those resources.

Say you saw it in the Beacon | Law & Money

H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N â&#x20AC;&#x201D; N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 0

Medicare plans From page 21 ance companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s network. The network may be relatively narrow if the plan is a health maintenance organization (HMO), or somewhat broader if itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a preferred provider organization (PPO). You may need preapproval for certain types of care, or referrals to see specialists. If you go out of network, your costs may not be covered or may not apply to your out-of-pocket limits. Even if your doctor is â&#x20AC;&#x153;in networkâ&#x20AC;? now, that could change, and you might not get much notice. Also, Medicare Advantage plans are typically regional. If you move out of the area or travel to other states, you may not be covered.

Many choices, maybe too many The devilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in the details, and Medicare Advantage plans have many, many details. The average Medicare beneficiary has access to 28 Medicare Advantage options, with var ying networks, coverage, deductibles, copays and co-insurance, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. In general, though, Medicare Advantage costs less upfront and potentially more overall if you need lots of medical care. Many Medigap plans have higher upfront costs, but cover most if not all of your expenses when you need care.

If you want to switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another, you can do so during annual enrollment periods. But if you want to switch from Medicare Advantage to traditional Medicare, you often wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have guaranteed access to a Medigap policy. That means the insurer may charge you more, exclude preexisting conditions for a time or not issue you a policy at all. That doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t mean Medicare Advantage plans are a poor choice â&#x20AC;&#x201D; just a complicated one, said Tatiana Fassieux, a training specialist with California Health Advocates, a Medicare advocacy nonprofit. She recommends people contact their state health insurance assistance program (SHIP), which can provide free, unbiased one-on-one counseling. Links to these programs can be found by visiting the SHIP National Technical Assistance Center. â&#x20AC;&#x153;People should not rely exclusively on television commercials,â&#x20AC;? Fassieux warned. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s when people get stuck and sometimes make the wrong decision.â&#x20AC;? Howard County SHIP helps people with Medicare, their families and caregivers understand and navigate Medicare through oneon-one appointments by phone and public education presentations. To contact the Howard County SHIP program, call (410) 313-7392. Help is also available 24 hours a day, including weekends, at 1-800-MEDICARE or 1800-633-4227. â&#x20AC;&#x201D;AP/NerdWallet

BEACON BITS

Nov. 12

ESTATE PLANNING FOR PETS

Baltimore-Washington Financial Advisors and Elville and Associates will host a virtual discussion on developing pet-related provisions in an estate plan. The interactive discussion takes place Thurs., Nov. 12 from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. To register, visit http://bit.ly/PetEstatePlan.

Weekly

WEEKLY MEDITATION

Three days a week, the Smithsonian Institution offers free 30minute online mediation sessions from 12:15 to 12:45 p.m. Appropriate for all levels and includes a variety of practices. Friday sessions include inspiration from art in their collection. To register, go to http://bit.ly/MeditationSmithsonian.

A T E ~ ~ A L S

A TRADITION IN THE JEWISH COMMUNITY FOR OVER 125 YEARS Contact us for our Advance Planning options and resources. Columbia Arrangement Center 5560 Sterrett Place, Suite 204 Columbia, MD 21044 sollevinson.com â&#x20AC;˘ 410-730-7230

Law & Money | Subscribe for half-price. See p. 34

N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 0 — H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N

How to choose a trustee for your estate By Kiplinger Consumer News Service You know how hard you have worked and the sacrifices you have made to achieve your goals. To protect what you have worked for and provide for the most important people in your life, you may be counseled to put some or all of your assets into a trust. Once you have decided to fund a trust as part of your succession planning, you must determine who can best carry out your plans. “Whom do I choose as my trustee or trustees?” becomes a critical planning question.

Considering a spouse or child Only you know the strengths and weaknesses of your family members, so you’re in the best position to decide if your spouse or your child can appreciate a trustee’s responsibilities. Being a trustee creates many duties under state law. These include, but are not limited to, impartiality between the interests of the current and future beneficiaries, properly accounting to all beneficiaries, and prudently investing trust funds. Trustees also face a prohibition against self-dealing. Questions to consider: —Can your trustee separate his or her personal feelings and interests from those of the beneficiaries and exercise good judgment at all times? —Will all parties be treated impartially if

your children are not your spouse’s children? —Does your trustee have an ability to analyze investments? —Will there be temptation for your trustee to take risks, hoping for a hefty return at the expense of the other beneficiaries? —What if your spouse re-marries? —Will a child who is trustee be able to exercise good judgment when a sibling is a beneficiary, or will tension develop between them? —Can your sons-in-law and daughters-inlaw and their children work peacefully together? —Will a child who is balancing his or her family and career have adequate time to devote to serving as trustee?

Considering a professional Attorneys, accountants and financial advisers often have a special and trusted relationship with their clients. When looking for a person who understands a client’s financial and personal goals and the person most capable of carrying out estate or other financial plans, many look no further than these trusted professionals. However, just because an attorney, accountant or other adviser may understand the nature of your business or your financial goals, he or she may not fully appreciate the scope of fiduciary duty or inherent

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risks and responsibilities of being a trustee. Questions to consider: —Does your professional adviser understand the dynamics of your family? —What experience does he or she have as a trustee? —Can he or she separate his or her personal financial interests from those of other clients? —If there is a breach of duty that results in a significant financial loss to the trust, will your beneficiaries be willing to rely upon the trustee’s ability to personally satisfy a judgment if professional malpractice coverage will not make the trust whole?

Considering a corporate trustee Banks and trust companies provide professional fiduciary services and can act independently. Corporate trustees have procedures and systems in place to manage property and invest funds in a fair and consistent manner. Choosing a professional fiduciary may reduce conflicts among family members while providing experienced and professional investment and administrative management. All fiduciaries are held to a very high standard, and this is truer for corporate fiduciaries because they are in the business of providing fiduciary services. Questions to consider:

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—How much of the trust assets will be spent on fees and be unavailable to my beneficiaries? —Should increased investment returns provide value for the fees charged? —Will the bank or trust company understand my family or their needs? —What can I expect from the administrator making decisions that directly affect my family or realizing the goals of my trust?

Choosing more than one trustee You may find it best to answer some of these questions by choosing one or multiple individuals to serve as trustee alongside a corporate trustee. It can be helpful to have more than one trustee to balance recordkeeping, investments and other trustee duties. A properly drafted trust agreement can expressly outline the duties of the various trustees, such as the retention of specific investments, delegation of particular duties or removal of a trustee. An individual co-trustee may have a particular understanding of a beneficiary’s needs and assist the other trustees and/or corporate trustee in making decisions. Choosing a trustee is a decision that should be well reasoned, but it doesn’t have to be difficult. © 2020 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by TCA, LLC.

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PHOTO BY NICK GARBUTT

Travel Leisure &

Most villagers in Papua New Guinea grow their own food. See story on page 26.

Texas Hill Country offers a unique blend

German roots In the mid-1800s, the Society for the Protection of German Immigrants sent

5,000 German settlers to Texas. They formed a peace treaty with the Comanches and laid out a town similar to a traditional Rhine River village, naming it after Prince Frederick of Prussia, a society member. German settlers had farmsteads in the country as well as town cottages, called their “Sunday houses.” They would come to town on Saturday to sell their wares, go to church on Sunday, and then return to the farm. Many Sunday houses are still intact and available for tourist rentals. Other town buildings retain the original fachwerk — a timber-framing construction method using clay, grass, woven willow and limestone between the timbers. Today, Texans tout the town’s German “flavor,” its 150 Hauptstrasse (Main Street) shops, biergartens, bakeries, galleries and, during normal times, frequent events celebrating German traditions. Many restaurants specialize in German cuisine — sauerkraut, sweet rice, purple cabbage and German potato salad, served warm with bacon. The historic district’s shops and galleries sell art, jewelry, home décor, antiques, quilts, knickknacks and lace toppers, a Texas way to “fancy up” your table. Phil Jackson’s Granite and Iron Store offers custom-made beds and tables. You can nab a Stetson at Headquarters

PHOTO BY PIERCE INGRAM, TRAVEL TEXAS

By Glenda C. Booth In south-central Texas’ Hill Country, junipers and live oak trees punctuate the lush landscape. Streams run clear, and ranches sprawl across the horizon. In the spring, a multi-hued mosaic of wildflowers brightens fields and highways. “One could travel hundreds of miles on a bed of flowers,” Texas ranger James Gillett wrote in the late 1800s. Famous for its German heritage and dubbed the Polka Capital of Texas, Fredericksburg, in the heart of the 10,000-squaremile Hill Country, attracts around 1.2 million tourists a year. The press corps covering President Lyndon B. Johnson stayed in Fredericksburg, 20 miles from his ranch, and put it on the map. Today, locals and visitors commemorate Johnson and other hometown heroes and celebrate all things German: polka music and dance, weiner schnitzel, wursts, kolaches and, of course, beer. Town leaders had to make this year’s famous Oktoberfest, their 40th, virtual on October 3 but are already planning a big one for October 1-3, 2021: three festive days of German food, beer, music and dancing.

PHOTO BY STEVE RAWLS

Visitors to the Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park can get a ranger-guided tour of the Texas White House, LBJ’s ranch in the Hill Country.

German influences such as biergartens and (pre-pandemic) Oktoberfests are ubiquitous in Fredericksburg, the heart of Texas Hill Country, settled in the mid-1800s by German immigrants.

Hats along with Texas-size belt buckles and bolo ties. Dogologie is crammed with treats for canines, including Bowser Beer, dog “wine” and dog-themed socks. For Texas-style treats, Rustlin Rob’s offers grits, jalapeno hushpuppy mix, sweet cornbread mix, chipotle beef jerky and, at the tasting bar, dips, butters, relishes, preserves and salsas. Its motto: “We don’t skinny dip. We chunk dunk.”

World War II history The hometown boy who “made good,” World War II Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, is honored at the National Museum of the Pacific War. On display are a captured Nazi flag, a two-man midget submarine, and two torpedoes from Pearl Harbor. Museum guides boast about the door from the USS Arizona, the Navy battleship that sank during the Japanese Pearl Harbor attack on December 7, 1941. “The New Orleans World War II museum only has a hinge,” one said. Visitors also can examine a boat similar to the PT-109 that Lt. John F. Kennedy commanded. Kennedy is credited with saving 11 crew members when it sank in battle. Videos relate the rescue of Lt. George H.W. Bush, who was forced to bail out of his bomber airplane and was the sole sur-

vivor from his squadron, a feat poignantly represented by a fragment of his yellow rescue raft on display.

Nature preserves Spring brings an explosion of bright blue, purple, yellow and orange wildflowers across the Hill Country, a region defined by rare plants found nowhere else on Earth. The Hill Country has at least 400 species of wildflowers, almost half of the state’s wildflowers. Pre-ranching settlers reported a sea of Texas bluebonnets, orange Indian paintbrush and yellow Texas stars. Lady Bird Johnson, wanting to create a nature preserve in Hill Country to “look like God put it here,” founded the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center on 35 acres of former, grazed-over Austin ranchland in 1982. Expanded to 284 acres, the site, now part of the University of Texas at Austin, is also an education and resource center. It’s home to 1,800 insect species, 148 bird species, 15 mammal species and almost 900 species of native Texas plants. “You can almost always find something in bloom,” said spokeswoman Amy McCullough. See TEXAS, page 27

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Bird lovers will love Papua New Guinea By Don Mankin As the early morning clouds lifted, I aimed my binoculars at a branch about 30 yards away. Through the binoculars I spotted the iridescent aqua head and black tailfeathers of a bird-of-paradise — the Stephanie’s astrapia, according to Joseph, my birding guide. I’m not a birder, but for a few moments at least, I understood why serious birders wake up early to hike miles for the thrill of seeing a small, beautiful creature in the wild. It was my last day at Rondon Ridge Lodge, a luxury lodge in the Western Highlands of Papua New Guinea. The lodge, which opened in 2006, is about a 45minute drive from the airport in Mount Hagen, the third-largest city in Papua New Guinea and the capital of the Western Highlands Province, located in the Wahgi Valley in the center of the country. The lodge is perched on a mountain ridge overlooking the city at an elevation of about 7,100 feet, so it is cool, not hot and steamy like the rest of the country. Every low-slung building with spacious suites and apartments offers panoramic views of the lush valley, steep hillsides, mountain peaks in the distance, and Mount Hagen below. During the day, layers of clouds undulated over the scene, changing the view from

moment to moment. At times it was almost clear, save for a cotton puff here and there. At other times the view was obscured by fog and mist. At night, the lights from the town twinkled below. It poured every day of my four-day visit, mostly in the late afternoon and evening — sudden, intense cloudbursts with the sun shining just a few feet away. The pounding rain, plus the occasional thunder and lightning, added even more drama to the scene. The main lodge opens up on patios, a koi pond, lush gardens and is surrounded by acres of forest for hiking, birding and contemplation.

History, tradition and local life I spent the first two days of my visit exploring the surrounding countryside and villages in the capable hands of my guides, James and John. I did some of the usual tourist shtick, such as visiting a wigman village where two men dressed up in the elaborate wigs, decorations and face paintings of their tribe. The show was put on for my benefit, but they don’t just do this for tourists. The locals mainly do it for themselves to keep venerable practices alive. We also visited a village where I viewed a collection of artifacts, including weapons,

wigs and a grim collection of skulls. James assured me that these were not heads gathered by head hunters, but heads of people who died from other causes and were displayed to honor them and remind the other villagers of who they were. As for their origin, I’ll just have to take James’ word for it. I also met the village chief, who was dressed in a traditional outfit including his pig tally, a necklace with sticks representing all of the pigs he has owned. From the length of his necklace, it was clear that the chief was a veritable Farmer John. What I found most interesting, however, was learning about the everyday lives of the people. James took me to his village. As we walked along the path winding among the modest houses, huts and gardens of the village, he explained that every family owns a plot of land where they grow potatoes, sweet potatoes, cabbage, broccoli, taro, corn, bananas, strawberries, oranges, onions, coffee and other crops in the fertile soil. “We plant it, it grows,” James said. They eat what they need and sell the rest at the bustling outdoor market in Mount Hagen. Many people also have pigs and chickens. This is not a rich country, but it seems that anyone who is willing to work hard won’t starve.

Birds and forest bathing The morning of my final day at the lodge was dedicated to birding. Since the Western Highlands are primo birding territory, I figured I should at least give it a try. The assistant manager of the lodge asked me if I wanted to do some serious birding or something more casual. Since “serious birding” required a 5 a.m. start and the more casual option began at 9, this was not a difficult choice. After breakfast, I started hiking with my birding guide, Joseph, on one of the several trails that wind through the property. We headed up the ridge to a clearing with a platform to sit and look for birds. The ridges pierced through the clouds when they drifted lower. Joseph set up a scope and aimed it at a distant tree. Soon he spotted a Superb Bird of Paradise. I looked at it in the scope, then found it in my binoculars. Following that were two Brown Cuckoo Doves. When the mist cleared, we spotted the Stephanie’s astrapia. We hiked along the trail through the woods looking for more and caught a fleeting glance of a Bluebird of Paradise and a Common Smoky Honeyeater in flight. We wandered a bit more through the forest in silence, following the sounds of See NEW GUINEA, page 27

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Texas From page 25

LBJ Historical Park “No president calls the White House home,” LBJ said in a 1966 NBC film tour in the visitor center of his “western White House” — an 1886 ranch house on the Pedernales River. This ranch — located about 50 miles west of Austin, and where he recharged as president — is today the Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park. Here “the sun is a little brighter” and “people a little kinder…It gives me a serenity,” he said. The eight-bedroom, nine-bathroom house is restored to how it was in Johnson’s presidential years. The always “wired” president had three televisions in the bedroom, three in the living room and telephones everywhere — so many that staffers quipped that the telephone was “an appendage.” Here, without the cacophony and distractions of Washington, many decisionmakers got the famous “Johnson treatment” — a mix of charm, persuasion and intimidation. He also took gullible guests like Walter Cronkite and Gregory Peck for thrill rides “into” the Pedernales River, driving at high speeds across a submerged concrete bridge in his 1962 amphibious car, the Amphicar. In the barn, tourists learn about his prize bulls, and visit descendants of LBJ’s beloved longhorns and Hereford cattle. Visitor center exhibits detail Johnson’s childhood. He had an “angelic” disposition as a baby, walked four miles to school with his lunch bucket, and graduated from high school at age 15. While the house is temporarily closed, today’s visitors can explore the visitor center, the 13-passenger JetStar airplane that

New Guinea From page 26 birds chirping and calling. We didn’t see anything else, but it didn’t matter. It was so quiet and serene, like a slowly unfolding meditation. I was, as the Japanese call it, shinrinyoku, “bathing in the forest.” If that’s what birding is about, I finally get it. That was the best three hours of my visit. Unless you’re a birder, Papua New Guinea might not be one of those places you feel compelled to visit before you die. But travelers willing to look beyond their bucket list will discover the beauty of the land and its creatures, and the warmth and determination of its hardworking people.

If you go It’s best to travel after the pandemic ends. Round-trip airfare from BWI to and from Mount Hagen is about $2,700. The writer was hosted by Trans Nuiguini Tours (pngtours.com/lodge6), the company that owns the lodge. Contact them at service@pngtours.com.

flew the Johnsons to and from the ranch, nicknamed Air Force One-Half, and take a guided tour of the grounds. He and Lady Bird are buried under the live oaks they loved in the ranch’s family cemetery.

The great outdoors Near downtown Fredericksburg are craft breweries, distilleries and more than 40 wineries. The area is an excellent grapegrowing region for certain varieties that tolerate heat. The nights cool down, and the winds reduce humidity, mildew and fungi. The Hill Country’s soil and climate are also ideal for produce like sweet, freestone and clingstone peaches. Many outdoor types today are enthralled with Enchanted Rock, a gleaming, pink granite dome or batholith that looms large amid the scrubby oak, cedar, mesquite and Texas buckeye trees. It is a half-mile trek to the summit, where, at 1,825 feet, adventur-

ers get a 360-degree vista of classic Texas grasslands and hills. At Westcave Preserve in Dripping Springs, visitors can walk through an arid savanna and down into a 70-foot-tall canyon lush with plants to a 40-foot waterfall, grotto and cave. Guides like Paul Vickery, education director, point out that the stalactites and stalagmites take 35 years to grow one inch. There are fossilized oysters in the walls, and, outside, lucky visitors might see bobcats, coyotes, ringtails, raccoons, gray foxes and cougars. In springtime, colorful wildflowers spread across the preserve. The perfume of bluebonnets, as Vickery put it, is “the sweet smell of Texas.”

If you go Fredericksburg is 70 miles west of Austin and 65 miles northwest of San Antonio. A nonstop round-trip flight from BWI to Austin is currently $147 on United Airlines.

Average high winter temperatures are in the low 60s; in spring, weather is in the 70s and 80s. March and April are prime wildflower watching months, but wildflowers bloom all year. Visit wildflower.org/plantsmain/whats-in-season and VisitFredericksburgTX.com or call (830) 997-6523. Start your visit at Fredericksburg’s Visitor Center, 302 E. Austin Street, watch a 10minute video about the town, and pick up a walking tour map and other brochures. One of the more intriguing lodging options is the Hangar Hotel at the Gillespie County Airport, designed like a World War II hangar and decorated in a 1940s aviation theme. Next door is a vintage diner. Fredericksburg is planning old-world holiday events in December with a 26-foot German pyramid and 30-foot Christmas tree. Most shops, restaurants and attractions are currently open, based on the Texas governor’s guidelines. The “Protect FBG” campaign encourages masks and social distancing.

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The Greens at Hammonds Lane: 410-636-1141 Park View at Furnace Branch: 410-761-4150 Park View at Severna Park: 410-544-3411

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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 Park View at Miramar Landing: 410-391-8375 Park View at Randallstown: 410-655-5673

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TV stars Alan Alda, Trevor Noah and Alex Trebek can write, too. See story on page 31.

Teacher writes about city kids’ resilience Lesson: don’t give in And yet what readers will find in his stories, along with the rough times and tough characters, is what the author-teacher said was the main lesson he has learned from his students: “I notice that a lot of the kids at my school don’t give in to despair. They continue to strive. That should inspire anybody — a writer or not. It’s a testament to the strength of these kids.” The book, which Schwartz worked on for 10 years, was published in October by the Washington Writers Publishing House. In a pre-publication review, award-winning Trinidadian-American novelist Elizabeth Nunez, who co-founded the National Black Writers Conference, said this about Schwartz’s stories: “Avoiding even the whiff of sentimentality, Adam Schwartz takes the reader into the lives of the characters from disparate racial and socioeconomic backgrounds as they struggle for some sort of normalcy….With its unforgettable characters, The Rest of the World gives us reasons to have faith in the resiliency of young people.”

A controversial story Although several of Schwartz’s stories have won awards, some readers have objected to his characterization of Black teenagers. A column Schwartz wrote recently for the New York Daily News recounted his experience with one of his stories, which was based on a shooting that took place

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outside his school. The student who was shot survived, and the shooter was sentenced to 20 years in prison. “I struggled to make sense of what had happened,” Schwar tz recalled. The story, “Carmen and Ant,” he said, “tries to humanize teens drawn into conflicts that sometimes go awry.” The story had been accepted by the Tahoma Literary Review, but a few weeks before publication, a “sensitivity reader” reviewed his story. “If the sensitivity reader was hired to spot problems… he did. ‘Stereotypes. Insensitive characterizations. Tinned-eared diction.’ These criticisms stung, but not as much as High school teacher and writer Adam Schwartz has taught watching my editor’s for 16 years at Career Academy in Baltimore City. This once-solid support begin month, he begins a book tour for his short story collection to crack,” Schwar tz The Rest of the World, inspired by the experiences of his teenage students. wrote. He withdrew the story from the jour- Virtual classroom nal, but “Carmen and Ant” was later seDuring the pandemic, Schwartz teaches his lected for publication by Raritan, a quar- students several hours a day from his computer. terly journal supported by Rutgers Uni“It’s a drag compared to the classroom,” versity. It also appears in the short story See TEACHER, page 31 collection. PHOTO BY MAKS SCHWARTZ

By Robert Friedman Adam Schwartz, 55, lives in Elkridge, but he has taught in Baltimore’s city schools for the past 22 years. The “resilient kids” he taught became the basis for his new book, The Rest of the World — his debut collection of short stories, several of which have already won prizes after their publication in literary journals. All eight stories are set in Baltimore, and were “inspired by getting to know the teens in my classroom,” Schwartz said, including “teenage mothers, kids coming out of the court system, homeless youngsters.” For the last 16 years, Schwartz has taught at Career Academy, an alternative high school at 24th Street and Maryland Avenue, in a building once part of the original Goucher College campus in central Baltimore. Its “alternative” curriculum is both academic and job-related, designed for students aged 16 to 21 who may have dropped out of school and now want to return. “A lot of kids in Baltimore grow up with an array of obstacles in their lives,” Schwartz said. “A lot of the city’s neighborhoods have been sabotaged by systematic inequities.” The mostly teenage characters in his stories, he said, “betray one another, seek redemption, rescue loved ones, plot hustles, reckon with moral ambiguities, and struggle to find meaning in a city that owes them better.”

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Stories well-told by television celebrities Enjoy the perspectives of each of these we follow Trebek as he ascends to stararticulate entertainers as they master the dom without succumbing to arrogance or written word as authors. an inflated sense of himself. The Answer Is…: ReflecBorn a Crime: Stories tions on My Life, by Alex Trefrom a South African Childbek, 304 pages, Simon & hood, by Trevor Noah, 304 Schuster hardcover, 2020 pages, Spiegel & Grau paperAlex Trebek, the host of back, 2019 TV game show “Jeopardy!” The biracial son of a single, beginning in 1984, faces his black mother growing up in own mortality in his 80th year: apartheid South Africa is the He is under treatment for life story told with clarity and late-stage pancreatic cancer. verve by comedian Trevor THE He has written a joyful BIBLIOPHILE Noah, who succeeded Jon memoir, rich in insights with By Dinah Rokach Stewart in 2015 as host of “The myriad details about his perDaily Show” on Comedy Censonal life and behind-the-scenes stories tral. about his long-running quiz show. Trebek Remarkably, Noah is able to transcend wishes to impart to his fans the philosophy the bitterness and horror of his youth with that has guided his journey. a mature reasoning beyond his years. The Raised in Canada, Trebek is the son of a choices he makes and the violence and Ukrainian immigrant and a French-speak- hate he encounters along the way make ing Ontarian mother who separated when for fascinating reading. he was in prep school. Trebek confronts Born a Crime is not a book about show the world, grateful to those who mentored business. It’s about coming of age in an unhim. He clings deeply to the special bond just, cruel world. Noah examines the that his father’s unconditional love provid- forces that shaped it and the possibilities ed. Trebek modestly credits luck and good to conquer them in order to open a window timing for his success in addition to effort, of opportunity to a better life. tenacity and hard work. He writes from the perspective of an obThe Answer Is… reprises a remarkable server, not a political philosopher. His life with humor, humility and humanity as words ring true. Funny and moving, terri-

Teacher From page 29 he said, noting how much he misses the daily give-and-take that happens when he’s face-to-face with his students. Schwartz, who was brought up in a “comfortable” D.C. neighborhood and now lives in Elkridge, Maryland, has a strong connection with his inner-city students. “One of the miracles of the classroom is that it melts away these barriers of race,

class and color,” he said. The real values of life emerge there: decency, understanding, equality. “What we could also learn in the classroom is that we’re all essentially the same in what we want — to be loved, to be valued, to be heard,” Schwartz said. Adam Schwartz will offer virtual readings from his book with the following sponsors: Politics and Prose, Oct. 25, 1 p.m.; Ivy Bookshop, Nov. 5, 6:30 p.m.; The Writer’s Center, Nov. 6, 5 p.m. For more information, visit AdamSchwartzwriter.org.

fying and uplifting in turn, the book is a tour de force of emotions. If I Understood You, Would I Have This Look on My Face?: My Adventures in the Art and Science of Relating and Communicating, by Alan Alda, 240 pages, Random House Trade Paperbacks, 2018 The accomplished octogenarian actor Alan Alda is actively involved in helping scientists communicate with the public. To that end, he has founded the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science at the State University of New York at Stony Brook. For 14 years, he served as host of “Scientific American Frontiers” on PBS. Alda’s prolific career has encompassed roles on the stage, in movies and on television. His great skill as an actor has been manifest in his portrayal of such wide-ranging characters as Hawkeye Pierce in the popular series “M*A*S*H” and the contrasting role of Republican Senator Arnold Vinick in “The West Wing.” If I Understood You, Would I Have This Look on My Face? is Alda’s story of how he

became involved in the scientific study of communication, its importance to him, and why readers might want to learn the tactics he describes in his book. Mastering the art of emotional connection with fellow cast members is a handy tool in an actors’ bag of tricks. It can also be useful to anyone wanting to gain better understanding of, and greater empathy with, others. Alda describes improvisation and mirroring techniques. He relates tales of his life on stage and personal stories with warmth and charm. Alda’s story about explaining science to his grandson is priceless. Readers may very well find themselves learning how to listen better, keep an open mind and express themselves in a more cogent manner. Older adults especially have the time to practice the ideas and implement them as they deal with the younger generation. Alda’s good humor is evident throughout the book. Turning the pages is like listening to a friend in erudite conversation.

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The 32nd annual Baltimore Open Studio Tour is taking place virtually this year, on the Baltimore Office of Promotion & the Arts’ Facebook page. From Sat., Oct. 24 to Sun., Oct. 25, there will be free artist studio tours, artist talks, demos and performances. For more information, visit http://bit.ly/OpenStudioBOPA.

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Writing a memoir can be a self-education By Peter G. Pollak Like many older adults, my motivation for writing a memoir was to clear up questions my children have about my past. In the 1960s I was a leftist radical. Today I’m a conservative. How did that happen, they want to know? I was surprised what I learned about myself in writing the memoir, and you might be, also. Don’t let anyone fool you: Writing a memoir is not easy. I’ve talked to people who start writing –– stream of consciousness — with no plan. They end up with hundreds of pages that are unreadable because there’s no order or logic to what they’ve dredged up. As someone who considers himself a writer, with seven self-published novels to

his credit, I knew planning what I was going to write was essential. My key decision was to narrow the scope of the memoir. In order to answer my children’s questions, I didn’t want to write whole chapters on family history, my public-school years, college years, etc. Of course, I had to provide at least some background for readers who pick up the book and have no idea who I am. As a result, I decided to include one introductory chapter and then jump into the issue at hand: What was my role in the major political events that took place in the 1960s? That took several chapters to explain, but knowing my focus was my transition away from my youthful worldview, I could stick to the highlights and describe what

caused my thinking to change. In the end, I had eight chapters, with the last one summarizing my political philosophy and how I look at our world today. I added 10 book reviews and opinion pieces I’ve published in recent years on current topics, including racism, affirmative action, socialism and Israel. It was when it came time to writing the last chapter that I learned the most about myself. Having to put down on paper my current beliefs made me aware of what has been consistent over my entire life and which ideas changed. Keep in mind that, in writing a memoir,

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Learn about 300 years of Baltimore shipbuilding in this talk by the Baltimore Museum of Industry’s Senior Educator Jack Burkert. This free online event takes place Tues., Oct. 27 from 7 to 8 p.m. To register, visit http://bit.ly/BMIShipbuilding.

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ANSWERS TO SCRABBLE

you will have to deal with difficult topics, such as major turning points in your life. That can be emotionally challenging. One suggestion is not to let people who knew you back then read your drafts. You don’t want someone else’s view of events to influence your memories. You might not think your life deserves a memoir, but your family and friends may think otherwise. They’ll thank you no matter what you come up with, and you might learn more about yourself in the process. Pollak self-published his memoir Left to Right in August. Read more about the author and his books at petergpollak.com.

ANSWERS TO CROSSWORD I B E G A R E A F A L L E S P A F A L L C H I C A T S T O F A L L A C E R U S E F A L L A T A L R E M E

C R A B N A T L O N Y O U N P I T M S O F F T H P A S O U A L Y S S E A L L T O M O I A G E O N H A R E T R I T S N O

A P P L C O H A R S W O R E S T E S T O D E W A G O T O R E K N O T S I R P I E C E S T D A G E D D T I M E O N I L T G R I

E N D R U N W A S

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Crossword Puzzle

Daily crosswords can be found on our website: www.TheBeaconNewspapers.com Click on Puzzles Plus Season’s Greetings 1

By Stephen Sherr 6

HC1120

39 45

27 33

40 47

41 48

50 54

56 59

Scrabble answers on p. 33.

25 31

19 21

9 16

57 60

62 67

Across 1. “___ your pardon” 5. Cantankerous crustacean 9. Eve’s snack 14. Length X width 15. Part of both the NFL and NBA 16. Composer George, called “the father of American musical comedy” 17. Dramatically accept responsibility 20. Broadcaster of NHL 2Night 21. Diner dessert 22. End of mob- or lob23. It might give you 20 20’s 25. Mach 1 breaker 27. Letters in Old Dominion University students’ e-mail addresses 28. Resume drinking 34. Omicron’s partner in Greek Tic-Tac-Toe 35. Last part of UTEP 36. Made jeans trendy 37. They each get nine lives 39. Airline with HQ in Chicago 41. Johnny Carson response: “I did not ___ that” 44. Yo-Yo and Play-Doh 47. Encyclopedia salesman’s offerings 50. It may require a min. distribution at age 72 51. Break apart 55. Solitaire column starter 56. Me, in Marseille 57. The S in EST 58. Deceptive scheme 60. Get older 62. Got older 65. Suffer financial setbacks 70. Garfield movie: ___ of Two Kitties 71. Mike D, MCA, and Ad-Rock of The Beastie Boys 72. Africa’s longest river 73. Held another session 74. A COVID mask may block it 75. Toothy smile Down 1. Acronym used by the Air Forces of both India and Israel

2. Scottish hillside 3. Electric swimmers 4. Female friend 5. First TV channel with 24-hour news 6. Sunbeam 7. “Use ___ -down approach” 8. Periwinkle, perhaps 9. Condo coolers 10. Captured soldiers 11. Loved by the camera 12. Texas border city 13. Hand off to a receiver 18. Like one of the bunk beds 19. Fix a clock after a power outage 24. Master of Fine Arts, on a resume 26. Seats in a Lamborghini Roadster 28. Fed. agency, whose seal has two towers and an antenna 29. “Hey, I found a palindrome” 30. Collection of 12 out of 13 tricks in Bridge 31. Tallahassee inst. 32. Prepare marshmallows for a s’more 33. Noah’s home construction project 38. Note between fa and la 40. Sign of Barack Obama or Bill Clinton 42. Economically viable rock 43. “Well, she ___ just 17” (Beatles line) 45. Thanksgiving side dish 46. Philanthropist Alfred, who died at the New York hospital that was named for him 48. Briefly vandalizes a tree 49. “I want to ___ the grown-ups’ table” 51. ... in a galaxy ___ away... 52. Put into motion 53. Activates a cigarette 54. Making crisp landscaped lines 59. Fashion magazine, since 1945 61. Make a salary 63. Qatari commander 64. Sandwich specialist 66. Occupational English Test, briefly 67. ___ de Janeiro 68. Every e-mail address has at least one 69. Every US state has exactly two

Answers on page 33.

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Health DR. JEANNINE GEORGE-RICHARDSON. Podiatry practice relocating to Ellicott City, Maryland. We have been providing quality foot and ankle care to our patients for over 20 years. Our services include but are not limited to: diabetic foot care, sports medicine, surgery, heel pain, and arthritis. We are located at 3450 Ellicott Center Drive, Suite 105, Ellicott City, MD 21041. (410) 203-2807. We look forward to serving you soon. DENTAL INSURANCE from Physicians Mutual Insurance Company. Coverage for 350 plus procedures. Real dental insurance - NOT just a discount plan. Do not wait! Call now! Get your FREE Dental Information Kit with all the details! 1-844366-1003 www.dental50plus.com/320 #6258. LIFE ALERT. One press of a button sends help FAST, 24/7! At home and on the go. Mobile Pendant with GPS. FREE First Aid Kit (with subscription.) CALL 240-847-6732 FREE Brochure. MOBILEHELP, America’s Premier Mobile Medical Alert System. Whether You’re Home or Away. For Safety and Peace of Mind. No Long Term Contracts! Free Brochure! Call Today! 1-240-650-9189 PORTABLE OXYGEN CONCENTRATOR May Be Covered by Medicare! Reclaim independence and mobility with the compact design and long-lasting battery of Inogen One. Free information kit! Call 855-851-0949.

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ADVERTISERS IN THIS ISSUE Clinical Studies

Housing

Retail/Services

COVID Antibody Study . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30 COVID Plasma Treatment Study . . . . . . .28 COVID Prevention Study . . . . . . . . . . . . .28 Resveratrol Study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 Stroke Rehabilitation Study . . . . . . . . . . .15

Alta At Regency Crest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 Brooke Grove . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32, 36 Charlestown/Erickson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Enterprise Residential . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27 Evergreens at Columbia Town Center . . .11 Oak Crest/Erickson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Park View Apartments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27 Residences at Vantage Point . . . . . . . . . . . .9 Shriner Court . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29 Snowden Creek . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Village at Providence Point, The . . . . . . .17 Willow Manor at Fairland . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

Columbia’s Village Centers . . . . . . . . . . .22 UpBed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24

Events Beacon Virtual 50+Expo . . . . . . . . . . . .3, 20 COGS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33

Funeral Services Cremation Society of Maryland . . . . . . . .14 Going Home Cremation & Funeral Care .22 Harry H. Witzke’s Family Funeral Home, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 MacNabb Funeral Home . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Sol Levinson & Bros., Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . .23

Home Health Care A-1 Action Nursing Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 Homewatch Caregivers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Options for Senior America . . . . . . . . . . .29

Senior/ Government Services Howard County 50+ Connection . . . . .19-20 Howard County Recycling . . . . . . . . . . . .16

Subscriptions The Beacon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34

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Age Well Senior Fitness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Kaiser Permanente . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Medical Eye Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 United Healthcare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Howard County Board of Elections/Early Voting . . . . . . .8 Howard County Board of Elections/Voting Centers . . . . .10

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