Senior Life - Allen County Edition - August 2024 by The Papers Inc.

Spiritial Mentor Resides At Heritage Pointe See Page 10

Woodlands Senior Activity Center...

supports physical, emotional and mental wellness Woodlands Senior Activity Center...

By CATHY SHOUSE Feature Writer

On a Thursday morning in July, Erich Zummack participated in a program called “Be Happy, Be Well,” at the Woodlands Senior Activity Center in Columbia City. The South Whitley resident frequently attends the offerings at the center, which are varied and part of a full schedule. The subject was about having a good lifestyle and dealing with depression,

often. As a vegetarian, Zummack appreciates the fact that he is offered options.

“The meals are very good,” he said. “They’re very good about always accommodating special requirements people might have.”

The center has activities in the evening as well, and might have a musical show on-site, and sometimes serves meals then. But what first brought Zummack to the center several years ago is still one of his favorite trips to various entertainment was going to Beef and Boards in

don’t have to drive. I can just relax. They have snacks, drinks and water on the bus. If it’s very far, they will stop somewhere for a pit-stop. I got to hang out with a bunch of fun people.”

Leslie Blakley, executive director for three years, explained how the center operates.

“We work for Whitley County Council on Aging, Inc., a nonprofit organization, which Continued on page 2

MOVIN’ AND GROOVIN’

“It was a delight,” he said. “I

Shown is a group of clients during a “Movin’ and Groovin’ with Nate” motion class at the Woodlands Se nior Activity Center in Co lumbia City. Photo provided.

PROVIDING TRANSPORTATION Ernie Ebner, a Whitley County Transit driver, assists a client onto a Whitley County Transit bus. Photo provided.

BE HAPPY BE WELL Erich Zummack, far right, participates in a program, “Be Happy, Be Well,” at the Woodlands Senior Activity Center in Columbia City. Photo provided.

Chamber CEO sets goal of helping youth reach their dreams

By ROD KING Feature Writer

Heading the New Haven Chamber of Commerce is a job that comes with a lot of responsibilities. Tammy Taylor, who has held the position of president and CEO of the organization for the past two years, is responsible for attracting new business to the city, economic development, advocating for businesses, connecting members and education.

On June 17, she became the chairperson of the New Haven Community Foundation, which raises funds to provide grants to not-for-profit organizations in the community and student scholarships.

“We give $1,000 scholarships to students interested in furthering their education in art, mathematics, science and engineering. In addition, we offer a $1,000 scholarship to a student wanting to pursue

medicine, but to this point have not had any applicants” she added.

“The foundation annually supports Power House Youth Center, Learned Resource Center, Literacy Alliance, Wellspring food wagon program and The League (formerly the League for the Blind) with $1,000 grants.

“With the student scholarships and the not-for-profit grants, the foundation annually raises and distributes around $10,000 with the main goal of assisting students,” she said.

One of the organization’s main fundraising events is the annual ball drop at Whispering Creek Golf Course. This year’s event, which was held as part of the chamber’s annual golf outing in June, raised a total of $2,000. Participants purchase one or more balls for $10 each. The New Haven Fire Department dumps the tub of balls from its ladder

NEW HAVEN CHAMBER

CEO—Tammy Taylor has been president and CEO of the New Haven Chamber of Commerce for the past two years. She’s now taken on the chairperson job for the New Haven Community Foundation. Photo provided.

truck overhanging the top of green number 18 and spectators watch the balls roll down

toward the cup in hopes their ball will either fall in the hole or be the closest. The winner gets a check for $1,000.

In addition, Taylor is chair of Historic Broadway, which is presently working to erect arches at either end of Broadway. She’s also been involved in establishing a self-guided walking tour of New Haven in conjunction with Visit Fort Wayne and has a goal of setting up a New Haven Chamber of Commerce fund, which would focus on economic development, education, child care and health care.

And speaking of health care, the chamber’s annual health fair also falls under her purview.

Prior to becoming the chamber CEO, Taylor was development director for Scouting America. When she learned that former chamber President Terry McDonald was retiring, she submitted her resume to the board and was chosen.

“The last two years have been somewhat hectic, very challenging, extremely busy and a lot of fun. We’ve taken on a number of new projects and increased our membership by five percent,” she said.

“I’ve always had a soft spot in my heart for New Haven. I grew up in Woodburn and even lived in New Haven a short time before my father, an International Harvester employee, was transferred to Springfield, Ohio. He was active in the VFW Post here. I spent a lot of time there with him. I also have a number of cousins living here in New Haven.”

To get the word out about the activities of the New Haven Community Foundation, Taylor is updating the organization’s website, newhavenfoundation.com, to raise the awareness of the foundation.

“We want to be able to help young people reach their dreams and goals,” she said.

I am home alone for a long time

By DICK WOLFSIE

This is the longest time I have ever been home alone. My wife is in Boston with my sister, Linda. Before Mary Ellen left, she gave me precise directions on what to do and what not to do. My wife hopes that when she returns from her trip, she will walk into a house that looks somewhat like the one she left.

Mary Ellen’s plane gets in this Saturday at 3:45 p.m. She should walk in the door at about 4:30 p.m. Our housekeeper is scheduled to leave that day at 4:15, just before Mary Ellen arrives. After Nettie leaves, I am not allowed to cook anything or open the fridge. I can’t walk out the front door and then come back in the house unless I take off my shoes. And if I go outside barefoot, then I’m not allowed to come back in the house at all.

Mary Ellen is particularly concerned with our cat, Angel.

This cat hates me. Every time she sees me she snarls and her hair stands up on her back. She tries to bite me when I come near Mary Ellen. That’s why I haven’t kissed my wife good night in 14 years.

But Mary Ellen wants me to play with Angel because she doesn’t want Angel to miss her too much, get bored, or wish she had someone to snuggle with. Hey, what about me? That’s in the rules, as well. I’m not allowed to have anyone to snuggle with.

After Mary Ellen had been gone about a week, I sent her this note:

Hi Mary Ellen, I just wanted to update you on what’s going on here at home. Angel is fine. She did get out once, but she seems very content to be on the roof. I’m sure she’ll be okay, even if we have that expected tornado.

I borrowed your Prius one day to save on gas.

Bad news: I hit a guy in the rear.

Good News: No damage to your car. He was a pedestrian. When I came home the other day, I heard this dinging noise in the house. I thought maybe Angel was playing with her toys.

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The Audio Reading Service is for individuals of any age with visual, physical, learning, or language challenges to reading printed materials. This is a free service of the Allen County Public Library.

But no, it was the fridge signaling me the freezer door had been left open. But only for 12 hours. Don’t worry, I refroze everything that had melted. Then someone told me this wasn’t a safe thing to do. You might want to Google every item on the list attached to see which foods are deadly to refreeze.

I am proud that I ran the dish-

washer all by myself. I couldn’t find the dishwasher soap you said to use so I just put in some liquid hand soap. Did you know bubbles can stick to the ceiling? The house is so festive now. We should do this next Christmas. The lawn has not been cut in two weeks. Not my fault. We have no mower. I left the garage door open one night. All my

Woodlands

Continued from page 1

oversees The Woodlands Senior Activity Center and Whitley County Transit,” she said.

The transit is a rural transportation system. The total employees of the combined organizations, including staff and drivers, is 21, counting both fulltime and part-timers. About 35 volunteers help, which includes the board of directors and the meal delivery drivers.

The main mission is allencompassing — to help with the many aspects of coping with aging.

“Our goal is to provide Whitley County seniors with the information and resources that will empower them to live independently as long as possible,” Blakley said. “This includes providing them with a safe space where they are encouraged to fellowship and join in meals and a variety of activities to help

them maintain their physical, emotional and mental wellness.

Whitley County Transit strives to bridge the transportation gap for Whitley County residents of all ages, providing rides to medical appointments, work, school, grocery store and the pharmacy, just to name a few.

The organization is government funded, and is a nonprofit. It gets support from businesses and individual donors, too. An important offering is a nutrition program, which has several options benefitting the public and serves 16,000 meals annually.

Nancy Bledsoe, the office manager, emphasized the social aspects that the activity director, Carrie Perry, contributes to.

“Carrie tunes into a person’s personality and will introduce someone new to those that will help them to feel comfortable. Everyone who comes here has

beer is gone, too. I hope whoever took all my winter coats off the garage rack will donate a few to kids who need them. Spring is here, so I’m sure the crook will find good use for all your gardening tools. Finally, our son is doing great. He just pulled into the driveway. He’s going up on the roof to chase Angel.

been touched in many ways. We’re more like family here.”

The Woodlands Senior Activity Center is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Thursday and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday.

For information, visit whitleycountycouncilonaging.org/ woodlands-activity-center or call (260) 248-8944.

Whitley County Transit operates from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday. To schedule a ride, call (260) 248-8944, ext. 1 or (800) 290-1697 between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. for a trip the next business day or up to 30 days in advance.

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

Dennis Pease takes his turn at cornhole at one of the outdoor events during the 2023 Senior Games. Photo provided.

NUTSHELL

‘Waterloo’ was ABBA’s international smash hit

ABBA

From 1974 to 1982, Sweden’s ABBA quartet sold a reported 400 million discs while leaving behind a legacy of now-classic creations.

A Boomer Blast To The Past

By RANDAL C. HILL

And, along the way, ABBA heard no complaints from the owner of a Swedish fishcanning factory. (More about that later.)

ABBA consisted of two married couples from Stockholm: Bjorn Ulvaeus and Agnetha Faltskog, and Benny Anderson and Anni-Frid Lyngstad. Ulvaeus and Anderson had worked together for years in various groups. In 1971, they released a Top 5 Swedish single — “Hello, Old Man” —which, for the first time, featured their wives accompanying them on the recording. Later Bjorn and Benny 45s didn’t do as well, though, and for the next three years the musicians struggled to keep their names alive on the music scene.

Enter Stig Anderson. An exteacher who had written hundreds of songs during the 1960s, he had started Polar Records in the early 1970s. Now he needed to find the right artists to send him on a rocket ride to success and, hopefully, wealth. Anderson met his goal with Ulvaeus and Benny Anderson and their fetching wives. He named the quartet ABBA, using the first initial of each of their names.

Now he needed to get them noticed in a big way.

The Eurovision Song Contest had been held annually since 1956 and was often a highlight of the European TV year. Up to 600 million viewers watched

Correction

An error was made on the front page of the July issue in identifying the women who made the Ryker Reserve exhibit, “Memory Lane,” as apartment employees. They are not. They are residents. We regret the error.

HCCHS class of 1967 hosting luncheon Oct. 12

The Huntington County Community High School Class of 1967 is invited to a friendly luncheon and get-together on Saturday, Oct. 12. It will be from noon to 4 p.m. at the American Legion Post 85, 1410 S. Jefferson St., Huntington.

For reservations, call or text

Diana (Richardson) West at (260) 431-7183 or email dkfrance2002@yahoo.com or call

Norma (Baker) Fisher at (260) 530-6061 or email nkre68@ gmail.com.

RSVP by Saturday, Sept. 28.

each event, with hopeful participants representing their home countries, performing original three-minute songs. The prize handed to the winner seemed absurd: a 1950s-style glass radio microphone. The wideranging — and all-important — exposure, though, was priceless.

ABBA entered the contest in 1974 with the Ulvaeus and Benny Anderson-created “Waterloo,” which lyrically compared a young woman’s surrender to her suitor’s advances to Napoleon’s being vanquished at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815:

“Waterloo, I was defeated, you won the war

“Waterloo, promise to love you forevermore”

(History buffs will delight in pointing out that, while Napoleon was beaten at that battle, he didn’t actually surrender until six weeks later.)

That Eurovision night, Ulvaeus and Benny Ander-

son were visible and providing onstage instrumentation (Ulvaeus played guitar, Benny Anderson keyboards), but the spotlight mainly fell on their gorgeous wives, resplendent in flashy outfits and frolicking in well-choreographed steps. The ladies blew more than a few million minds that night, as ABBA swept away the evening’s competition.

Starting with the international smash hit of “Waterloo,” ABBA eventually released hit after hit worldwide. In America, 14 of their Atlantic Records reached Billboard’s Top 40 singles charts, with one— “Dancing Queen” — streaking to Number One in 1977. In 2010, the group was voted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

A little-known fact is that before Stig Anderson could register the name ABBA, he had to obtain permission to use that name, as a Swedish

fish-canning company named Abba Seafood had been around since 1838. Agnetha Faltskog later recalled that the company

ABBA LEAVES BEHIND A LEGACY OF CLASSIC CREATIONS

owner had initially grumbled, “Okay, as long as you don’t make us feel ashamed for what you’re doing.”

Zimmerman has loved music his whole life

By BETHANNE BRINK-COX Feature Writer

If you’ve lived in Fort Wayne for very long, chances are the name Guy Zimmerman is known to you. And if you were a music student, raised a music student, and like to listen to good music, you know him well.

Zimmerman is 94, and it’s safe to say he’s loved music his entire life.

“I taught myself music on guitar, and I had a number of

different teachers that were local in Milford, where I grew up. I got the most help at Cliff Smith Music on Calhoun Street. I taught there for five years,” he said.

In addition to the guitar, Zimmerman plays the mandolin, banjo and ukulele.

“When I graduated from Milford (High School), the local paper had an amateur contest, and I won,” he said.

He took a trip to Chicago for auditions at Merchandise Mart in 1949. Bob Goodenough was

a program director and he arranged an audition for Arthur Godfrey Talent Scouts, so Zimmerman picked up his guitar and did a two-minute audition.

“They said, ‘Well, I don’t think we can use you…’ But the next week, I got a call from the ‘Stars of Tomorrow’ on WGN TV,” Zimmerman recalled.

He’s had a good life in other ways, too.

“I guess I was 19, so what does a 19- year-old boy do? He looks for a pretty 19- year-old girl. And I found her. We have been married for 74 years in November.”

Guy and Peg Zimmerman have five children.

“My oldest son worked in the store with me for about 10 years, and it was pretty much peaches and cream. He liked the Beatles thing. But then he thought it was just work, so I told him he needed to get a different job,” he said.

Zimmerman is not content to just rock away in retirement.

“Well, once I had retail music stores, and when I closed in October of 1997, I was invited to provide music, and that’s what I did. It sounded like a nice adventure to provide for the elderly. I played in one-hour segments around Fort Wayne and Kendallville. That’s what we would do,” he said.

Some of the months would include six to 12 one-hour engagements, teamed with another partner to go in as a duo.

“It was very nice, and I liked to do that. I will be continuing that in some capacity,” he said.

The last one was at Angola’s Pokagon State Park.

CORPORATE OFFICE

“I plan to do some things, but not sure where I want to do that. I am kind of on a fence, but I will be providing music in some capacity,” Zimmerman commented.

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One of the ways he may be doing that is with Steve Smeltzer, a friend, cartoonist, admirer and fellow musician. Smeltzer began his teaching career at age 15 at Guy Zimmerman Music in Fort Wayne. He’s a drum instructor with Sweetwater now, where Zimmerman is thinking of future performances. Smeltzer took all of Zimmerman’s archive pictures and digitized them, a true gift.

Smeltzer said there are hundreds of people who have benefited from Zimmerman’s talents as well as his kindness. When Zimmerman said he intends to play to the end of his life, Smeltzer said he has no doubt he’ll do exactly that.

Wayne High School 1974 class reunion Sept. 14

The class of 1974 has held reunions regularly, starting with a five-year reunion, followed by one every 10 years. The 40th reunion was held at Parkview Field, which is where the 50th reunion will be conducted from 6:30-10:30 p.m. Sept. 14.

Wayne High School’s class of 1974 was the first class to complete three years at the then newly-built campus. The class was also the first to toss graduation caps

during their ceremony in the campus stadium.

An invitation has been extended to the recently formed Wayne Alumni Association to speak at this event. In addition to socializing, reunion attendees traditionally have been able to honor classmates who have passed away, as well as take a group photo. Past group photos, yearbooks and other memorabilia will be on display.

A few fellow 1974 graduates from South Side and Elmhurst high schools have attended past reunions as invited guests because many students were redirected to Wayne for the 1971-72 class year due to redistricting. Registration continues through Aug. 1. Registration details can be found in the following places: classcreator.com/Fort-Wayne-Indiana-Wayne-1974 or facebook. com/Generals1974.

MUSIC STORE Guy Zimmerman had this music store in Fort Wayne until 1997. A lifelong music lover, he plays several instruments.

Photo provided by Guy Zimmerman.

RUBIN’S STARS OF TOMORROW Guy Zimmerman took part in “Rubin’s Stars of Tomorrow” on WGN TV in Chicago. In addition to the guitar, Zimmerman plays the mandolin, banjo and ukulele. Photo provided by Guy Zimmerman.

Bluffton woman started working out in her late 60s

By CATHY SHOUSE Feature Writer

Jacque Johnson of Bluffton has become what some might call a “gym rat.” She regularly goes to the Caylor-Nickel Foundation Family YMCA, where she works out. What’s most unusual is she began this habit in her late 60s.

Johnson, 71, is a retired nurse who cared for her mother in hospice for two years. She felt fortunate to help. But after her mother passed away at age 97, she realized that her caretaker roll had taken its toll on her. She had balance problems and was “close” to using a cane to walk.

So, about two years ago, she went to her local YMCA and started working with a trainer, Alyssa Buchman.

“It was evident there was a need to take control of my health and fitness,” Johnson said. “Alyssa introduced me to all of the machines at the Y and created a workout routine to follow three to four times per week. The plan included muscle strengthening, balance exercises and stretching for flexibility.”

Taking that step to get healthy wasn’t always easy.

“In the beginning, it was challenging to do my workouts,” she said. “There were days when I didn’t want to go to the Y because I just didn’t feel like it. But then I would think of my bedridden mother who had all of her mobility taken away and that motivated me to keep going.”

Eventually, Johnson carried on the workout routine she learned from Buchman on her own, continuing to go to the Y. At times, she worked out three or four times per week. Currently, she usually goes one or two times per week, although sometimes she still fits it in three times a week.

Recently, she had a month off and she missed working out.

“I definitely can tell when I don’t do it,” she said.

She’s enjoyed many side benefits of her involvement in a workout community.

“I was feeling very isolated during my caregiving role days as COVID was also in full swing,” she said. “I depended on the hospice staff and family to help through this time. A new social life evolved when I joined the YMCA, and getting active in my church. This was definitely needed to help restore my

health. I found so much support from my new circle of friends.”

Her sister, who lived in Cincinnati at the time, was a huge supporter.

“She gave me so much encouragement and helped with the care of my mother so that I could get a break. She also helped me on my fitness journey by guiding me on some helpful tips that she used in her own fitness journey,” Johnson said.

Johnson’s mission to stay active continues to evolve.

“Currently, I am working with a Healthy Lifestyle physician at Adams Memorial Hospital. We are on a journey of lifestyle changes for weight loss. I plan to continue on doing what I can to be as healthy as I can. My faith life is a major (factor) in keeping me on track,” she said.

She offered these words to encourage others: You can do it. It’s possible.

GYM RAT Jacque Johnson exercises at the Caylor-Nickel Foundation YMCA in Bluffton where she regularly works out. Photo provided.

Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement

By MICHELLE M. WALTERS, PHR, CHRS, CCWS, CSIS Executive Vice President Health Insurance Shop

Which is better? If I had $1 million for every time I’ve been asked that question, quite frankly, I wouldn’t be in the insurance business anymore. The truth of the matter is: it depends. But what I can tell you is that if someone is telling you that one is better than the other, there could be an underlying factor or ulterior motive.

There are definite differences between the two types of insurance plans — how they function, how they pay, and even when you can enroll — network vs. non-network vs. no network. Most health plans today have networks. So, how does a person decide?

The key is knowing all the differences between the various ways you can insure yourself and then deciding which works best for you. You can learn the difference between the options by doing your own homework

at Medicare.gov, reaching out to your State Health Insurance Plan office, or working with a broker, who not only represents multiple insurance carriers but is also willing to take the time to educate you.

Medicare is not a one-sizefits-all proposition.

Transitioning into Medi-

care is not a simple task and shouldn’t be left for your neighbor, college friend, or work associate to decide for you. You know what they say about opinions: everyone has one. Knowing and accepting the risk(s) involved after you’ve been educated on the options is the best approach, which we should all take when

making any life decisions. Medicare shouldn’t be any different. If you need help sorting things out, give us a call at (260) 484-7010. We’d be happy to walk you through the different options and help you decide what is best for you, your health care, and financial needs.

Flashback

—

For Peet’s Sake! The man behind Starbucks

“I came to the richest country in the world, so why are they drinking the lousiest coffee?” — Alfred Peet

By RANDAL C. HILL

Alfred Peet was born in 1920 in the Netherlands. His father ran a small coffee roasting shop, where Mr. Peet utilized only the finest beans for his brews. Alfred Peet learned the business, and in 1955 he emigrated to San Francisco to work for a coffeeand-tea importer.

Once established in the USA, Peet found himself dismayed at the poor quality of American coffee and compared its bland taste to World War II-rationed java. (Back then, our everyday joe was traditionally brewed from freezedried beans.)

Determined to teach people to appreciate the richness of a top-notch product, Peet opened a gourmet coffee-andtea shop in 1966 in Berkeley, Calif. Buying only top-quality beans from high-altitude areas of Costa Rica and Guatemala, Peet roasted everything by hand in the back of his store.

little patience with women and children. He was also ill-at-ease with the urban Berkeley hipsters, although he did appreciate that such consumers who frequented his shop sometimes called themselves “Peetniks.”

Eventually Peet was visited by three young guys from Seattle. Writer Gordon Bowker, English teacher Jerry Baldwin, and history teacher Zev Siegl were all roommates, but it was Bowker who lit the fire for what would become Starbucks when he serendipitously discovered a tasty espresso cappuccino drink at a café in Rome.

Back in Seattle, Bowker frequently drove to Vancouver, B.C., to buy high-quality coffee beans from a specialty shop. His roommates quickly came to appreciate the superior taste of what Bowker bought and, following one of those trips, Bowker proposed the idea of opening a coffee-bean store at Seattle’s touristy Pike Place Market.

man’s mentoring. (Siegl later declared, “He had a depth of knowledge of coffee that was unparalleled in this country. There was nobody in his league.”) Peet even allowed the Seattle threesome to copy his store’s layout. He later called them the sons he never had.

Back home, the trio chose Starbucks as their business name, after the first mate on the Pequod, Captain Ahab’s whaling ship in “Moby-Dick.”

For $137.50 a month, the men rented a storefront in Pike Place Market in 1971 and sold Peet’s coffee beans, tea and spices.

Two years later, Peet convinced them to start their own roasting operation. They followed his advice and began offering high-quality drinks and food. Later, marketing whiz Howard Schultz convinced Starbucks to grow their successful operation to more than 35,000 stores in 80 countries.

And, all the while, saying goodbye to “lousy” java!

He was often gruff with his customers, getting along well with most men but having

However, a pair of problems tossed a metaphorical wet blanket over the scheme: None of the 28-year-olds had any business experience, and nobody knew anything about coffee beyond drinking it. They approached Alfred Peet for guidance. Surprisingly, he welcomed them with open arms for training. At Peet’s shop, the Seattle trio proved to be quick learners under the stern Dutch-

VA aid and benefits for veterans, surviving spouses

Veterans Affairs Aid and Attendance or Housebound benefits provide monthly payments added to the amount of a monthly VA pension for qualified veterans and survivors. If you need help with daily activities, or if you’re housebound, you can find out if you qualify.

The VA Aid and Attendance Pension, also known as the

VA assisted living benefit, is a monthly payment, which can help veterans and their surviving spouses pay for assisted living and other long-term senior care.

Aid And Attendance Pension Eligibility

Status or Permanent Need for Regular Aid and Attendance) and mail it to the PMC for your state. You can have your doctor fill out the examination information section.

You can also include with your VA form:

You may be eligible for this benefit if you get a VA pension and you meet at least one of these requirements:

You need another person to help you perform daily activities, like bathing, feeding, and dressing.

You have to stay in bed or spend a large portion of the day in bed because of an illness.

You are a patient in a nursing home, due to the loss of mental or physical abilities related to a disability.

What if you had all the freedom and privacy of living in your own home with none of the worry about repairing the roof, keeping the furnace running, shoveling snow, or cutting grass? All the joy of your own home with none of the hassle. If the dishwasher breaks, we’ll fix it. Just relax. We’ll take it from here.

FEATURES

◆ Four floorplans to choose from ranging from 1289 to 1900 square feet

◆ 2BR, 2BA with a 2 car garage

3230 Plum Tree Lane, Fort Wayne, IN 46815

Your eyesight is limited (even with glasses or contact lenses you have only 5/200 or less in both eyes; or concentric contraction of the visual field to 5 degrees or less).

Housebound Benefits

Eligibility

You may be eligible for this benefit if you get a VA pension and you spend most of your time in your home because of a permanent disability, a disability that doesn’t go away.

Note: You can’t get aid and attendance benefits and housebound benefits at the same time.

How Do I Get This Benefit?

You can apply for VA Aid and Attendance or Housebound benefits in one of these ways:

Send a completed VA form to your pension management center.

Fill out VA Form 21-2680

(Examination for Housebound

Other evidence, like a doctor’s report, that shows you need aid and attendance or housebound care.

Details about what you normally do during the day and how you get to places.

Details that help show what kind of illness, injury, or mental or physical disability affects your ability to do things, like take a bath, on your own.

If you’re in a nursing home, you’ll also need to fill out a Request for Nursing Home Information in Connection with Claim for Aid and Attendance (VA Form 21-0779).

Apply in person; bring your information to a VA regional office near you. To find your nearest VA regional office, visit va.gov/findloc ations/?facilityType=benefits.

For more information, visit va.gov/pension/aid-attendancehousebound.

A VA Survivors Pension offers monthly payments to qualified surviving spouses and unmarried dependent children of wartime veterans, who meet certain income and net worth limits set by Congress. Find out if you qualify and how to apply at va.gov/pension/survivors-pension.

Each county in Indiana also as a veterans affairs office. Visit in.gov/dva/locate-your-cvso to locate an office.

(Article courtesy of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs).

GOURMET COFFEE SHOP Alfred Peet opened a gourmet coffee and tea shop in Berkeley, Calif., in 1966. He trained three roommates from Seattle who started Starbucks and copied Peet’s store layout.

Senior Relocation

Q. What are “Senior Relocation” services?

A. Several years ago, some friends whom had moved from their home to a local retirement community had an interesting conversation with me regarding their experiences in making their transition. One of the things that stood out in my mind was the fact that very little of the things they needed done was completed on a schedule that fit their needs. Also, coordinating all of the things that they needed to do was a bit overwhelming. And then it struck me that nearly everything that they needed accomplished were exactly what I was doing or had training in.

Having many years of experience in moving furniture in my younger years, a successful career in real estate, and a successful career in auctioneering and appraising, it didn’t take me long to see that all of my abilities were just what the doctor ordered for my friends. Hence the term “Senior Relocation” was born.

Tim McCulloch,

Our systems include professional and courteous moving services, real estate brokerage, real estate and antique appraisals, auctioneering services, floor planning assistance and climate controlled storage. These services are all geared to assist the mature adult market in helping make the transition to retirement living much easier.

Whether you need all of our services or just a few, you can feel free to call us for a free analysis. We can show you how to sell your home in 30 days for your price, coordinate a professional and courteous move, along with any other services you may need to help your transition be as simple and as worry free as possible. Call (260) 441-8636 for a free consultation.

Tim McCulloch, Owner

HOME SAFETY

Q. I'm worried about my mom who lives alone. What can I do to make her home safe?

A. Safety matters; especially as age brings changes to vision, hearing, memory and strength. These changes can put a person at risk of accidental injury even in their own home.

Falls pose a significant risk for older adults. According to the CDC, over 14 million adults ages 65 and older report falling each year. One effective way to reduce the likelihood of falls is by wearing sturdy shoes with non-slip soles. Additionally, placing a non-slip mat in the shower or tub can greatly enhance home safety.

Fires are another serious risk. The U.S. Fire Administration reports that the likelihood of being injured or killed in a fire doubles starting at age 65. Make sure your home is equipped with smoke detectors. For individuals with limited hearing, install alarms that combine sound with strobe lights.

In case an emergency does occur, make sure a list of emergency contacts is posted on the refrigerator. If you live far away from your loved one, consider giving a key to a trusted friend or neighbor to check up on them when needed.

For more information on how to improve home safety, Just Call Us.

Elder Law

What is a small estate?

A. When a loved one is lost, the family needs to determine if probate administration is necessary to help transfer assets to the heirs. Recently, Indiana law changed to make this process easier for estates that are less than $100,000. This is what Indiana qualifies as a “small estate.” If the value of the assets left behind is less than $100,000 then the assets may be transferred using a small estate affidavit. This is a simpler process than the formal probate process that involves the court.

It is important first to determine that the assets are held solely by the individual at the time of their death and that there were no joint owners, beneficiaries, or payable on death designations. Once this is determined, it is necessary

Jesica L. Thorson Attorney At Law

to determine who the heirs are by virtue of a Will or Indiana’s intestacy laws. This information is needed to complete the small estate affidavit. You may complete the small estate affidavit 45 days after the death of the decedent. After this time period, you may sign the small estate affidavit in front of a notary and present a copy to all of the heirs. Finally, you can use the small estate affidavit to collect and distribute the assets.

Medicare Insurance

Q. Why did I get new ID cards for a plan that I didn’t even enroll in?

A. A very good question that I wish I had a good answer for…

Over the course of the last 12 months or so, we have been made aware of multiple clients that have been enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan that they did not give consent to. At least not knowingly.

Enrollment for most individuals for Medicare Advantage plans occurs each year between October 15th through December 7th (AEP). However, certain life events can create a “Special Enrollment Period” (SEP) that would allow a Medicare Beneficiary to change or even enroll into a Medicare Advantage plan. Chronic Special Needs Plans (CSNP) seem to be the most common as of late.

CSNP plans are designed for individuals who are diagnosed or treated for chronic

illnesses such as: diabetes, heart disease,

plans at any time. Sometimes without giving consent.

Have questions? Give our office a call at (260) 484-7010 to schedule your 2025 AEP

Michelle Walters Executive Vice President

Owner

UPDATES & HAPPENINGS IN THE AREA

Editor’s Note: Send listings of events, for nonprofit organizations only, to Senior Life, P.O. Box 188, Milford, IN 46542 or email Editor Phoebe Muthart by the 20th of each month to pmuthart@ the-papers.com. With the listing, include the contact person, area code and phone number.

—o—

Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation will will host Lee Brice Thursday, Aug. 8, at Foellinger Theatre. For all general and in-person ticket sales, visit the Parks and Recreation Department, 705 E. State Blvd. or FoellingerTheatre.org.

—o—

Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation will host multi-genre artist, Gladys Knight, at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 17, at Foellinger Theatre. All general and inperson sales are available at the parks and recreation department, 705 East State Blvd. or visit foellingertheatre.org and click on purchase theatre tickets.

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The Tri-Lakes Lions Fish and Tenderloin Fry will be from 4-7 p.m. (or until sold out) Saturday, Aug. 17, at Tri-Lakes Lions Hall, 2935 E. Colony Ave., Columbia City. This is a drive-thru event

only. The cost is $15 for meat or a meal and $5 for a quart of potato salad.

—o—

The Fort Wayne Museum of Art presents “From Their Indiana Home: Artists of the Hoosier Salon from the Permanent Collection,” an exhibition of Hoosier Salon artists on view through Oct. 6, in honor of the Salon’s Centennial.

FWMoA will host a lecture with Mark Ruschman, senior curator of Art and Culture, emeritus at the Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites, 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 27. Reserve tickets at fwmoa.org/ rsvp.

The public is also invited to celebrate the art of this iconic arts organization with Hoosier Salon artist, Scott Kilmer, Thursday, Aug. 8.

General admission is free for FWMoA members, $10 adults, $8 students and seniors 65-plus, and $25 for families. General admission is free for everyone from 5-8 p.m. Thursdays. Veterans, active military personnel, and their families receive free general admission. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursdays and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Fort Wayne Northeast

A summer special Sweet Breeze tour is $15 each Tuesday until Aug. 13. Time is from 2-2:45 p.m. and is at South Dock Promenade Park, 202 W. Superior St., Fort Wayne. This limited time opportunity will provide a guided history cruise on the Fort Wayne Rivers. Reservations can be made online at RideSweetBreeze.org or via the Fort Wayne Parks app (until midnight on the day prior to tour); in person at the Parks and Recreation Office, 705 East State Blvd., or call (260) 427-6000 during normal business hours. Walk-ups are welcome at the dock, as space is available, by cash or credit card.

—o—

The 20th Season of the Salomon Farmers Market is from 4-7 p.m. each Wednesday until Sept. 4, at Salomon Farm Park, 817 W. Dupont Road. Find fresh produce, baked goods, honey and artisan crafts at this mid-week market. Stop by and say hello to the herd members, Mickie and Frankie, the Highland Coos, as well as the goats, miniature horse and sheep.

—o—

The Raise a Glass exhibit runs until Nov. 1, at Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory, 1100 S. Calhoun St.

The conservatory is celebrating 40 years. This unique botanical venue has served as a cultural anchor in Fort Wayne, having welcomed nearly three million visitors. During its 40th anniversary, the conservatory is capturing vivid streams of light and reflecting into glimmers of a vibrant future.

“Raise a Glass” $1 nights are from 5-8 p.m. every Thursday, until Nov. 14.

—o—

“Concept to Celebration” runs until Nov. 16, at Foellinger Freimann Botanical Conservatory, 1100 S. Calhoun St.

This visual timeline displays the history of the FoellingerFreimann Botanical Conservatory from an original idea to its current-day 40th anniversary. Images, news articles and short stories provide historical context during the celebratory “Raise a Glass” garden exhibit. Enjoy this unique display as a collaboration of archives from both Foellinger Foundation and Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory

—o—

Woodlands Senior Activity Center

The center is located at 710 N. Opportunity Drive, Columbia

City. For more information, call (260) 248-8944 or visit whitleycountycouncilonaging.org/ woodlands-activity-center.

9:30 a.m. Wednesday, pixie bingo

9-10 a.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday, line dancing 9-10 a.m. Tuesday and Friday, euchre

9 a.m. every Tuesday, Bible study with Cheryl 10-11 a.m. Wednesday, chair exercise

Noon, every Tuesday, dominoes 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, hand and foot card game

—o—

McMillen Park Community Center

For information, visit fortwayneparks.org or call (260) 427-6000. The center is located at 3901 Abbott St., Fort Wayne. Pickleball, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday to Friday

Adult yoga, 6-7 p.m. Tuesday and noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday CardioFit, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Monday and Thursday

Adult/open gym/volleyball, 6-8 p.m. Monday through Wednesday

Essential steps, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Monday and 6-8 p.m. Wednesday Yoga for Seniors, noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday

Blue River Apartments

Apartments

Apartment LIVING

Fort Wayne Southwest

Fort Wayne Northeast

Senior Saints’ concerts begin Aug. 8

The Senior Saints, an energetic group of 71 retirees from 31 churches in the greater Fort Wayne area, will present ”Way to Go!” The first concert is at 12:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 8, at First Assembly, 1400 W. Washington Center Road, Fort Wayne.

This program is a musical about types of travel throughout the ages and their experiences with them. The program includes songs, narration, and amusing and heart-warming personal experiences about travel.

Songs in this program include: ”Wait for the Wagon,”

“Cruising Down the River,” “The Wabash Cannon Ball,” “Bicycle Built for Two,” and “In My Merry Oldsmobile.”

Songs of faith and walk with Jesus include: “Life’s Railway to Heaven,” “Walking with the King,” “Just a Closer Walk,” “Precious Lord Take My Hand,” “Jesus Led Me All the Way” and “I’ll Fly Away.” Accompaniment is provided by piano, woodwinds and brass instruments.

“Way to Go!” will celebrate through music and stories the fact Jesus travels with us in

SENIOR SAINTS — Members of Senior Saints in the first row from left are Marsha Wright, Sally Peters, Marie Dick, Lorene McDaniel, Peggy Frey, Marvina Liechty, Maureen Kennerk, Lora Strong, and Kathy Bell.

In the second row are Diane Delagrange, Kay Steiner, Jan Logan, Kay Carranza, Arlene Morris, Margaret Dahlkamp, Ann Waters, Miriam Doetch, Mary Ann Steiner, Sharon Blum, Pauline Worman, Claudia Gage, and Zelda Zimmerman.

In the third row are Naomi Johnson, Char Dunn, Linda Smith,

our journey through life and has made a way for us to travel to heaven to a relationship that will last for eternity.

This year’s program is writ-

ten and directed by Marsha Wright. The choir is sponsored by Grabill Missionary Church. For other 2024 concert dates, visit grabillmc.org/seniorsaints.

Maumee Valley Antique Steam and Gas Engine Show

The 47th Annual Maumee Valley Antique Steam and Gas Engine Show is Aug. 15-18, at Jefferson Township Park, 1720 S. Webster Road, New Haven, at the corner of Webster and Dawkins roads.

Admission is $5 a day or $10 for four days and includes entertainment and parking. Children 12 and under are free. Memberships are available at the office. Golf carts are permitted with proof of insurance for $10.

The show opens at 9 a.m. and closes at dusk. It’s featuring John Deere, J.I. Case, Ford, Ford Ferguson tractors, gas engines and garden tractors. All makes of tractors, gas engines and garden tractors are also welcome.

Classic cars and trucks are invited to a cruise-in from 9 a.m. to dusk Friday and Saturday and until 3 p.m. Sunday. All exhibitors are free, but must register at the office to receive a button and plaque.

See the 125 HP, a 15-ton Buckeye Oil Engine from Grabill, one of two in existence still running. A stationary Chuse steam engine will also be in operation.

Visit the trading post, flea market, quilt show and blacksmith shop. Plowing, sawing lumber and threshing wheat with tractors and steam engines will be demonstrated.

Children will enjoy a sandbox, train rides and tractordriving lessons. On Saturday, there is face painting, a kiddie tractor pull at 2 p.m., an exotic animal show at 3 p.m., and a magic show at 3:30 p.m. Parades will be at 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

A show favorite, steamed sweet corn, will be sold daily. Fish and chicken dinners will be served Friday and chicken

dinners Saturday. Other food vendors and homemade ice cream are available.

Dekalb County Horsemen will give free hayrides Friday and Saturday with horses and mules. Tractor pulls will be held at 5 p.m. Friday and 3 p.m. Saturday.

Friday evening entertainment will be country music at 7:30 p.m. and on Saturday, a square dance begins at 6 p.m.

Marti Habegger, Inez Slentz, Marilyn Steiner, Sherrie Liechty, Jan Hartman, Arlene Motter, Jill Smith, Gayle Griffin, Linda Demorest, Marlise Stieglitz, Cheryl Oss, Kathy Martin, and Karen Parkison.

In the fourth row are Dick Steiner, Dick Armstrong, Jim Blum, Joe Schlabach, Don Oss, Richard Worman, Omer Liechty, Dennis Rohrs, Jim McDowell, John Motter, Stanley Meyer, Allen Schlatter, Kent VonGunten, Steve Wright, Bob Smith, Sam Steiner, Phil Logan, Tom Milemtis, and Ken Liechty. Photo provided by Senior Saints.

A spark show (steam engine fireworks) will be after the entertainment at dusk. Sunday admission is a free-will donation at the gate.

On Sunday, a church service will be at 9 a.m. and a new event, a garden tractor pull, will be at 11 a.m.

For more information, visit maumeevalley.org or call President Tony Herman at (260) 414-9489.

of Lansing, Ill. The poolside items were located on page 1 in Senior Life Allen; page 6 in Senior Life Northwest; page 19 in Senior Life Elko and page 9 in Senior

MULLINS EXPRESS TRAIN New for the 2024 Maumee Valley Steam and Gas Engine Power Show is the Mullins Express Train. Photo provided.

Faith Chaplain offers spiritual support to residents

By BETHANNE BRINK-COX Feature Writer

Cindy Osgood has long worked as a pastor for the United Methodist Church. She currently also works part-time as a pastor for First United Methodist Church of Geneva. But there’s more. She lives in Heritage Pointe Retirement Community, Warren, where she is one of three chaplains.

Why did she become a chaplain? Osgood explained.

“There was a chaplain that had been there 13 years and was going to retire. I thought that was something I could do, and I obviously had the background to be considered. I have been there on staff since the first of May. I had moved in a year ago, after I retired from full-time ministry, so I already knew some people from the villas and town houses and what we call the ‘big house,’” she said. She said being a pastor and

a chaplain are not the same.

“As a chaplain, you don’t have the daily responsibilities of running a church, the committees and all the things that go with that. But we prepare a bulletin for Sunday morning worship; there are three of us that rotate through the work.

Every morning you prepare a 15-minute devotion for the church. And then there’s the job of visiting residents,” Osgood explained.

If someone dies, there are a lot of responsibilities with that, she noted.

“We’re not there only for residents, but staff needs as well. It does have a different feel than being a pastor. Every day is different, and you never know from day to day what it’ll be,” she said.

Osgood said she’s always been part of the Methodist church.

“I grew up in United Methodist my whole life. But I always tell people, in the

church you are first and foremost a Christian, but your denomination is what shapes who you become as a person. My faith is girded by who I am as a Christian and a person, and what the Scriptures tell me. That’s how church has shaped me,” she said.

She’s spent time serving at summer camp, and now assists with the “Walk to Emmaus,” a spiritual retreat.

Osgood said she grew up in Farmland and still has a brother and sister there.

“I like to go back whenever I can,” she said.

Osgood said she is happy, busy and fulfilled in her chosen work.

“I think older people still have a great need for spiritual support. We try to meet all needs here — physical, social, spiritual — and it’s important to help them remain engaged. I would tell people if they have ministerial background or experience, and they want something more to do, they might consider moving into this line of work,” she said.

One last thought? “Never end without prayer,” she stressed.

FWACC needs adopters

Fort Wayne Animal Care and Control is asking for help from the community to find homes for the upcoming available kittens and/or donate to the Angel Fund.

For the next four weeks, 160 kittens from the FWACC foster program will be returning to the shelter to receive the staterequired spay/neuter surgery, along with any other medical care needed. As the number of animals entering the shelter continues to increase, FWACC leaders predict it will provide care for over 6,000 cats by the end of the year.

The Angel Fund helps provide crucial life-saving medical care to shelter animals as well as cover the costs of the staterequired spay/neuter surgeries. As Northeast Indiana’s largest

open-access shelter, FWACC cannot turn away animals brought to them from Allen County.

The Angel Fund is utilized daily to provide the medical care and treatments these animals need prior to becoming available for adoption.

Interested adopters can view available animals and fill out an adoption application at fwacc.org or fill out an application when they arrive at the shelter. All adoptions are first come, first serve.

For questions, call FWACC at (260) 427-1244.

Grief keeps on rolling

By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features

Grief has been compared to the waves in the ocean.

When you’ve just lost your loved one, the waves are stormy and severe as they crash without end on the shore of your world.

As time passes, the waves subside in size and frequency and, over time, may even wash quietly in and out of your consciousness.

Like the waves in the ocean, grief never goes away.

Its effect on mourners differs.

Some folks wail loudly and carry plenty of tissue with them to soak the tears that wash the memories of their loved one that passed away. Others stoically swallow any emotional displays and make people around them wonder if they really miss the deceased.

Whatever the effect on an individual, grief is real and usually involves one’s family and friends.

When a spouse dies, for

example, the role of family members normally is to help the surviving partner plan details for handling the remains and memorial services as well as facing immediately the bureaucratic government regulations as well as any financial loose ends.

And help each other through their grief.

Recognizing how to help can be a problem.

Those who have trouble controlling their emotional outbursts usually feel overwhelmed by their grief and see no end to their devastation, making people around them feel unsure about what to do to assuage those feelings.

At the same time, the stoic sufferer many times is seen as cold and uncaring.

Everyone experiences life and living — and death and dying — differently.

If a grief-stricken person has problems leaning on other members of the family for help, grief support groups are growing in number and can usually be found through one’s church or civic center.

There’s no way to avoid grief when it strikes. The key is to face it head on and let it all out.

SPIRITUAL MENTOR Cindy Osgood is currently a part-time pastor for First United Methodist Church of Geneva. She lives in Heritage Pointe Retirement Community, Warren, where she is one of three chaplains. Photo provided.

Not all presidents were lovable

By TOM MORROW Mature Life Features

There are several Presidents history students should study to understand what made the United States of America the dominant global nation. Today’s young people, for the most part, take for granted their country’s position in the world.

It was no accident how we got here. There was a lot of kicking, screaming, namecalling and even threats of impeachment along the way.

The nation’s White House has been occupied by some rather controversial figures.

While the 45th White House occupant, President Donald Trump, was an easy “love him or hate him” subject, he isn’t much different than President Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt, the controversial turn-of-the20th-century president who found himself in the Oval Office due to the assassination of President William McKinley.

Roosevelt was placed in the vice presidency by the Republicans to get rid of him. As governor of New York, he had been such a thorn to old guard GOP politicians. They wanted to put him where they thought he couldn’t do any harm. It backfired. Once in the presi-

Welcome Home

To a senior community in a quiet northeast residential setting

dency, “T.R.” created havoc in both government and business with a vast variety of reforms. Among other monikers, he became known as the “Trust Buster.”

His foreign policy became known as the “Big Stick” foreign policy — “Walk softly but carry a big stick.” He believed in a strong Navy and had its “Great White Fleet” circle the globe to demonstrate our nation’s growing power.

He also oversaw the historic, but controversial, building of the Panama Canal that opened the Atlantic to the Pacific and cut east-west maritime travel time in half.

The other Roosevelt, Franklin D., often has been called America’s greatest president. He served more than 12 years, guiding the nation through the dark years of the 1930’s Great Depression into five years of World War II. Many of his policies and actions were challenged in the courts and remain a subject of controversy, such as Social Security. But to date, no one has returned their monthly checks.

Arguably, one of our best chief executives was Harry S. Truman. During the 20th century, he was the only high school graduate to become

president. Known among detractors as “His Accidency,” Truman became president in 1945 when Roosevelt died a few weeks into his fourth term.

As vice president, Truman wasn’t told about the $2 billion atom-bomb project until he took over the presidency. Five months later, he made the historic decision to drop two bombs on Japan. It remains one of history’s most important yet controversial decisions.

The Cold War began with Truman and lasted for more than 40 years until President Ronald Reagan caused the Soviet Union to collapse trying to keep up militarily.

Richard Nixon was great on foreign affairs, but dishonest domestically, ending his tenure with a resignation in the wake of Watergate.

If you supported and defended or were upset, confused, baffled and dismayed with former President Trump, you might try spending a few hours studying our most controversial of presidents, Andrew Jackson.

During the War of 1812, Jackson led a force of inexperienced volunteers against overwhelming British forces to win the Battle of New Orleans. He had at least two duels during his tumultuous life, and

with great pride, but not all presidents were lovable.

was the only president to serve in both the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812.

Maj. Gen. Andrew Jackson, (a title he gave himself), was committed to representing and protecting the “Common Man,” a banner to be carried by several future chief executives. As president between 1829 and 1837, Jackson might have been the closest we’ve had to a dictator.

Some presidents have seemed beyond controversial because of instantaneous worldwide mass media, whereas Jackson was more explosive, but only limited media kept the

nation informed of that.

Jackson forever changed history in setting the executive branch on an equal footing with Congress by assuming the ability to shape law and government policies.

He believed the presidency should have broad authority and was widely criticized for expanding its power. Like others, he was known for rewarding his supporters with government jobs.

During his watch both the economy and the Native American population suffered. He was responsible for moving the Continued on page 12

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HOME TO THE PRESIDENTS The White House has been home to 46 presidents. Some Americans look back on some presidencies

Photo by Getty Images.

Moving away from the all-white kitchen

(StatePoint) With the all-white kitchen design trend on the decline, you may be wondering how to make updates that appeal to today’s sensibilities. The key is infusing color and depth into your space. Here’s how:

Consider Earthy Wood Tones

Earthy wood tones easily transform a predominantly white space and there are many ways to incorporate this look in your kitchen. Options can be as involved as refinishing your kitchen island with a wooden countertop or swapping in wood

Not all

Continued from page 11

indigenous peoples from their traditional home lands in the East to the Oklahoma territory. The movement was known as the “Trail of Tears.”

The placement of Jackson on the $20 bill is ironic. He vehemently opposed paper money while attempting the destruction of the National Bank. He even cautioned about paper money in his farewell address.

Students of history should enjoy comparing Andy Jackson to Donald Trump.

cabinet finishes, to as simple as introducing a rolling bar cart into the space. Displaying a few wooden kitchen elements, such as cooking utensils, cutting boards and a napkin holder, can round out the look.

Embrace Matte Black

Matte black appliances are gaining in popularity for good reason – they can elevate your kitchen into a glamorous foodie oasis, and a place where cooking, eating, and gathering with loved ones brings you joy. It’s helpful if those appliances pair form with functionality. When it comes to cooking ranges, check out Verona, which offers professional style Italian-made appliances that combine artistry with the latest cooking technology innovations.

The brand’s Ultima Midnight 36inch Range is fully matte black from cooktop to legs for a sleek look and is available in dual fuel or induction.

Alternatively, the Maestro collection from another Italian brand, Lofra, boasts strong versatile design and the highest technical performance. Both brands are exclusively imported by EuroChef USA. For more information, visit eurochefusa.com.

Incorporate Brass Accents

Brass accents can provide

KITCHEN MAKEOVER

The key to infusing color and depth into your space is using earthy wood tones and matte black appliances with brass accents. Photo provided by StatePoint.

dynamism and depth. Consider adding brass hardware to your fridge and updating your faucet and sink basin in a gold or bronze tone. For your cooking range, get inspired by the models available in Lofra’s Dolcevita Collection, which can be customized with brass trim, and gold knobs, providing pops of color in unexpected places, and with 30-60-inch models available, can accommodate kitchens of all sizes.

Beyond the trim of your appliances, you can mix these metals into your space by swapping in new cabinetry hardware and by adding in an eye-catching brass pedant above your dining area or prep space. Displaying brass cookware on hooks or a rack can offer a rustic and homey feel to an otherwise austere space. If you spend a lot of time in your kitchen, as many individuals and families do, consider updates that add color, depth and comfort to the space.

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Seasonal savings

By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features

As summer approaches closing time, it’s time to stock up on t-shirts, shorts and swim suits. Of course, you already picked up your parkas and snowboards as spring slipped by a few months ago.

Post-season shopping can save you money and still keep your closet comfortably stocked with new clothing.

A simple example of this method of saving is the annual trip to the shopping mall the day after Christmas to stock up on gift-wrapping paper for next year.

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• Offices located in Fort Wayne, Auburn, Angola and Decatur.

PROVIDING

• Hearing Evaluations, Hearing Aids, Assistive Listening Devices and Auditory Training

• FREE TRIAL HEARING AID PROGRAM

Spy Run Avenue Fort Wayne, IN 46805

Phone: (260) 422-8520

www.lifecarecenteroffortwaynein.com

Why veterans make great hires

(StatePoint) Honoring members of the military means not only reflecting on their exemplary service, but also appreciating the talents and skills of veterans in the civilian workplace.

Shining a light on how military skills transfer to corporate America is Brian Armstrong, a Marine Corps veteran who now serves as Wells Fargo’s head of military recruitment.

Having led the safe transport of equipment and security protection forces, on top of serving as a small unit leader overseeing the well-being of fellow Marines, Armstrong acquired skills that easily transfer to everyday business during his military career. And his experience is not unique to him, but shared amongst the hundreds of thousands who transition out of the military to civilian careers each year.

“In the military, you have to be able to think on your feet,” Armstrong said. “We (veterans) span the breadth of the United States, and we can leverage our unique, diverse perspectives to react and deliver under pressure. Add this to the soft skills we gain during service, and I think

veterans are an extremely attractive demographic for employers.”

In fact, many companies in recent years are catching onto the value veterans bring to the workplace, with veteran employment rates trending upward over the past 10 years, according to Department of Labor Statistics. Nevertheless, veterans do face unique workplace challenges, particularly during the hiring process, from employer bias to dealing with the culture shift of postmilitary life.

Where military recruitment is concerned, Wells Fargo is a good example of a corporation aligning its actions with its words. For more than 170 years, the company has supported military service members and veterans. In addition to initiatives like home and car donations, grants, and supporting veteran-owned businesses, its dedicated Military Talent Sourcing Team is committed to helping veterans effectively navigate the transition to civilian life. The company’s Military Talent Liaisons are committed to recruiting, counseling, and advocating for military job seekers.

According to Armstrong,

other companies can benefit from similar initiatives. The team’s programming includes military-specific hiring events, corporate fellowships, apprenticeships through the Department of Labor, and intensive training programs.

“It’s not just about supporting veterans, it’s also about how veterans can help a company. Their ability to thrive in differing environments and circumstances makes them agile and serious-minded in their endeavors,” Armstrong said. “Obviously, we’re not in a military situation in our typical workplace, but I suspect many veterans, like I do, take their corporate roles seriously, the same way they’d get prepared for a mission.”

To learn more about Wells Fargo’s military recruitment initiatives, and its more than 170 years of supporting military veterans and their families, visit wellsfargojobs. com. To learn more about why veterans make great leaders, visit stories.wf.com/why-veterans-make-great-leaders.

Employers can reflect on how making their workplaces more inclusive to veterans can help both their community and their bottom line.

IN-HOME CARE

A HIGHER STANDARD OF HOME CARE

BRIGHTSTAR

333 E. Washington Blvd.

Fort Wayne, IN 46802

Phone: (260) 918-0933

www.brightstarcare.com/fort-wayne Enthusiastic, kind personal level client care connection, 24/7 support enables clients to check on loved ones. Rigorous caregiver screen/background check ensures optimal security & family peace of mind.

COMFORT KEEPERS

3182 Mallard Cove Lane

Fort Wayne, IN 46804

Phone: (260) 484-5858

MollyTritch@comfortkeepers.com

Comfort Keepers provides award winning in-home care for seniors and other adults in need of assistance with daily activities.

HOME PET CARE

4914 S. Hanna St.

Fort Wayne, IN 46806

Phone: (260) 744-0454

www.humanefortwayne.org

HOOSIER PHYSICAL THERAPY

Michael F. Barile, D.C., P.T. 3030 Lake Avenue

Fort Wayne, IN 46805

Phone: (260) 420-4400

www.hoosierpt.com

Medicare Assignment Accepted “Personalized Care”

MEMORY CARE

HIRE A VET Brian Armstrong and colleague, David Smith, are shown at a Veteran Bridge Home talent panel. Photo provided by StatePoint.

Sanibel Island still a top shelling spot

GREAT ESCAPES

Text and Photos

By ROD KING

In spite of category four Hurricane Ian nearly blasting Sanibel Island off the map Sept. 28, 2022, with 150-mileper-hour winds and an 8- to 15foot storm surge, the nine-mile-long barrier island in the Gulf of Mexico just 45 minutes southwest of Fort Myers, Fla., has retained its world No. one ranking as the top place to find shells.

Shellers from all over the world come to look for treasures that have been washed up on the sandy beaches by the waves or uncovered by the receding tides.

Shellers are immediately noticeable because they’re all doing the “Sanibel Stoop.” They amble slowly along the sand with their heads down like a blue heron waiting for an unsuspecting fish to swim by. When they spot a special shell, they assume the position, pick it up and carefully examine it. If it’s cracked, chipped or imperfect in any way, it’s immediately dropped.

Then there are the crafters, who are on hands and knees sifting through the shell debris for tiny bits to make flowers and other sculptures.

The quality and variety of seashells that wash up daily is due primarily to the fact that the island, which juts into the gulf on an east-west orientation, traps shells that

E. Lake Bluff Dr. Kendallville, IN 46755

SEPT 14-21 The COAST, LAKES, & The COG, Maine & New Hampshire Cape Neddick Lighthouse, Portland City Tour, Lobster Bake, Boothbay Harbor Cruise, Maine Cabinet Masters, Mt Washington Cog Railway, Castle in the Clouds, Winnipesaukee Scenic Railway & More

OCT 2-5 AGAWA CANYON TRAIN, Passport Required

OCT 22-26 DOOR CTY & GREEN BAY WI

National Railroad Museum, Lambeau Field, Washington Island, Famous Fish Boil, Eagle Bluff Lighthouse, Al Johnson’s Goats on Roof Stavkirke & Bjorkunden

OCT 30-NOV 2 FOUR DAY MYSTERY????

NOV 8-12 SMOKY MOUNTAIN JOURNEY

3 Shows, Dollywood, Train Ride, All about Dolly Tour

NOV 18-22 BRANSON CHRISTMAS, 6 Great Shows, Fantastic Caverns

Details: www.s-stravel.com Tour Calendar: Call 888-262-4423

are stirred up by the tides and then deposited in abundance on Sanibel’s white sandy beaches by the waves.

Also contributing to the abundance is the fact that the angle of the land into the water is more like a ramp than the steep drop-off characteristic of Atlantic beaches. Shells found near the lighthouse on the eastern end of the island tend to be smaller, while the middle area gets mostly normal-size shells. Larger ones turn up on the beaches of Captiva Island, which is tethered to Sanibel by a 100-yard-long bridge.

All of the shells were once the homes of living mollusks. It’s important to make sure the critter is no longer in residence. It’s unlawful to remove a living mollusk and its shell from the beach. If you take one by mistake, your nose will soon let you know.

Some shells are considered very valuable because of their scarcity. If you find a scaphella junonia you’ll actually get your name and photo in the local newspaper.

In 1969, Florida named the horse conch (triplosus giganteus) its official state shell.

It’s only proper that the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum is located here. It’s a natural history museum and the only one in the country primarily focused on shells and mollusks. On display are 550,000 colorful shells. In addition, there are nine aquariums with more than 50 species of marine life and two touch pools.

More than 65% of Sanibel is maintained as “forever-wild” lands. The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation protects the island from overdevelopment. A large part of the protected property is occupied by the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge. It provides sanctuary to many species of wild animals, birds and native trees and undergrowth. Self-guided walking tours and boat rides take visitors to view the local flora and fauna.

All in all, the island has established a manageable balance between natural habitat and civilization — residences, commercial and condos — which seems to be working nicely and providing benefits for all parties.

beach. One who finds it usually gets his or her photo taken for the local newspaper.

SANIBEL STOOP Hunched over, intently staring at the array of shells on the beach are shellers in the “Sanibel Stoop” position looking for that perfect shell for their collections.

SHELLER’S PARADISE Shells galore await shell collectors from around the world on the beaches of Sanibel and Captiva Islands, barrier reefs southeast of Fort Myers, Fla.

SHELL MUSEUM — More than 550,000 shells of every shape and color are displayed at the Bailey Mathews National Shell Museum.

THE PRIZE — This beauty is every sheller’s dream of finding. It’s the Shapella Junonia, the most difficult and most valuable shell to find.

Permafrost puts bounce in Yukon-Alaska trek

By IGOR LOBANOV Mature Life Features

The Northern Lights have seen queer sights, But the queerest they ever did see

Was the night on the marge of Lake Lebarge I cremated Sam McGee.Robert W. Service

Our path was peppered with the yarns spun by the young bank-employee-turned-poet whose imagination fired up such tales as “The Cremation of Sam McGee” and “The Shooting of Dan McGrew” that grew out the Klondike Gold Rush of ‘98.

The Fahrenheit temperature in this vast and sparsely populated landscape of rolling grasslands, lakes and jagged mountains ranges from the mid-90’s in summer to the minus-60’s in winter, the latter fact not lost on Sam McGee — and confirmed by his final request to be cremated to avoid eternal exposure to the cold.

Our journey took us overland from Skagway, Alaska, to its capital, Fairbanks, by way of the Yukon.

Seven-block-long Skagway plays up its past as a jumpingoff place for those heading north to the Klondike.

Black and white photos of would be miners struggling

up the snowy slopes of the Chilkoot Pass line the walls of Skagway’s museum. Among other displays are a 31-foot Haida Indian canoe carved from a single red cedar tree that could carry up to a dozen natives on voyages far at sea, and a large quilt made of duck neck feathers.

We also encountered the first of several shows that enlivened our odyssey. “Days of ‘98” begins in the town’s theater lobby with visitors at gambling tables wagering play money and trying to abide by a ridiculous set of rules. It’s all in fun, of course, to get the audience in the mood for a show that mixes Robert Service readings, cowboy ballads, and a musical hero-villain melodrama.

The next morning, we boarded a White Pass and Yukon Route train for a two-hour journey up though the Sitka spruce-, hemlock-, and pinecovered slopes of the pass, then across the lake-strewn summit to the Canadian border.

Skagway is the southern terminus of the railway’s 67mile route to Carcross in the Yukon Territory. Buses carry passengers the remaining few miles to its capital, Whitehorse.

We left the train in Fraser, British Columbia, and trans-

by the hordes of would-be gold miners headed for the Klondike. Photo provided.

ferred to a Princess Tours vehicle for a highway journey there. Normally, we would have been aboard a luxurious, air conditioned motorcoach. On this day, no coaches were available so we rolled along in a borrowed school bus, eventually reaching the legendary,

Rolling around England

By CECIL SCAGLIONE

Mature Life Features

You need wheels to travel through England’s heart and history.

We started with a rather sizeable one — the giant London Eye, a gondola-garlanded Ferris wheel overlooking this hub of history clinging to the Thames.

As you clamber aboard for a 30-minute flight, you’re carried slowly up a football field-and-ahalf with a view directly toward Cleopatra’s Needle and Charing Cross Station, with Waterloo Bridge a bit farther upriver. And you soak in Piccadilly Circus, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Trafalgar Square, Buckingham Palace and so many more venues you’ve read or heard about.

Your descent presents a clear view of Big Ben and the New Palace of Westminster, better known as the Houses of Parliament. A royal palace has existed on these grounds since Britain was in the hands of the Viking King Canute. But it was Edward the Confessor and William the Conqueror who enlarged it in the 11th century to its currently dynamic proportions — 1,200 rooms covering eight acres.

After debarking, a short walk across Westminster Bridge got us to the renowned abbey of the same name en-route to Victoria Station to board our most-used wheels during our visit in Britain — the train.

It trundled us back to the George Hotel in Crawley, less than an hour’s ride south of The City. The train station is one stop from Gatwick Airport and a five-minute walk from the hotel, nestled among a sizeable shopping mall, pubs that date back to the mid-1400s, and the 800-year-old Parish Church of St. John the Baptist that serves as a shortcut, parking lot and quiet stopover for those who wish to talk to God or listen to history whisper from the walls.

The George has been around since the 15th century. It became a major halfway house after the London-Brighton Road was built through Crawley in the late 1600s. Queen Victoria stayed there and Charles Dickens acted there.

It was a third set of wheels that got us out into the countryside. Grahame and Frauke Leon-Smith, who graciously served as both hosts and guides, took us on a couple of quick jaunts we would never have tried to drive on our own. Besides having to drive on the “wrong” side of the thoroughfares, signs are difficult to see because many of the roads through this region — Sussex, Surrey and Kent — are pavedover country lanes winding through leafy forests.

At Windsor Castle we stood in front of the tower built in 1056 by William the Conqueror, across from what is now a curving street burgeoned with Burg-

and now fully paved, Alaska Highway a few miles east of the city.

Present and past intersect in Whitehorse, the area’s major population center. The imposing bulk of a Wal-Mart squats blocks from a small river steamer on the Yukon River reminiscent of the fleet of sternwheelers that bore the hordes of Klondike-bound gold seekers north to the swampy creek banks around Dawson City farther north.

The MacBride Museum, and other museums here, celebrate the region’s cultural and natural history. Galleries exhibit carvings from Inuit Indian craftsmen. Skits in the long-running Frantic Follies in the Westmark Whitehorse Inn focus on the Klondike Gold Rush.

Among many summer events in Whitehorse are a midnight sun golf tournament in June and the 486-mile Yukon River Bathtub Race to Dawson in August.

Continuing west on the Alaska Highway the following day, we reached the massive Kluane National Park and Reserve, with its backdrop of serrated crags in the St. Elias Range, then traced the shoreline of 40-mile-long Kluane Lake whose mirror calm waters reflected the barren face of Sheep Mountain.

er King, Pizza Hut, McDonald, Starbucks and Haagen-Dasz.

Minutes later, we crossed the Thames into Eton and strolled past the Cock Pit Restaurant, which was established on the site in 1420.

Then we slid by Ascot, the playground of royalty, and Runnymede, where King John signed the Magna Carta. “This is where democracy was born,” said Grahame. “For the first time in history, people were ruled by law, not the whim of the king.”

On our last day, we visited Chartwell, Winston Churchill’s home in Kent.

“Churchill bought this house — it had 80 acres at the time and he added to it later — in 1922 for 5,000 pounds with proceeds from his first book” said our guide. “He earned his money from royalties as a writer. He used to say, ‘If your outgo outdoes your income, increase your income.’”

We also learned that Winston Spencer Churchill’s middle name was Leonard. But no one could explain why he dumped it in favor of Spencer, his mother’s family name.

“He used to sign some of his letters with the drawing of a pig,” Hatter said. “He said, ‘I like pigs; cats look down on human beings, dogs look up to them, but pigs just treat us as their equals.’”

Museum in Burwash Landing at mile marker 1,093. The nondescript wood-frame building holds superb wildlife dioramas.

Just before the Alaska border we reached the settlement of Beaver Creek. We stayed at The Westmark Hotel, a renovated army barracks with comfortable twin bed and no television rooms.

Family style meals include an all-you-can-eat ribs and salmon feast accompanied by a show featuring Sigmund Romberg melodies.

Our return to Alaskan soil was bouncy as we stepped down from our coach to experience tundra first hand, er, foot. Walking on the grass and moss growth above the permafrost is like bouncing gently on a trampoline.

Canadian and U.S. Customs are 20 miles apart in this region where the border is a 600-milelong, 20-foot-wide swath of cleared land.

Near Delta Junction, we came upon one of the few remaining roadhouses on this once rugged track. Rika’s, first opened during World War I, later was an oasis for early truckers on the Alaska Highway where they could get a room, a meal, and a cup of coffee for a $1 each.

The Sheep Mountain Visitor Centre has interpretive programs, information on recreation in the park, and a telescope aimed at the slope where, during late spring and early fall, Dall sheep graze.

A sign cautions hikers to watch for grizzly and black bears.

The safest view of area wildlife, albeit the stuffed variety, is at the small Kluane

Tok, a bit farther on, claims to be the sled dog capital of Alaska. Dog mushing is the state’s official sport and many residents here raise Siberian huskies.

Finally, Fairbanks, where you can still pan for gold, drive a dog sled team, see the Northern Lights, and even visit the Malamute Saloon where, ‘tis said, “Pitched on his head, and pumped full of lead, was Dangerous Dan McGrew.”

YUKON TRAIN A White Pass and Yukon Route train climbs through the rugged landscape endured

Defending against scammers who target your Social Security benefits

By MONA HARTER District Manager, South Bend Social Security Office

Scammers are always finding new ways to steal your money and personal information. The best way to defeat scammers is to know how to identify scams and to ignore suspicious calls and emails.

One common tactic scammers use is posing as federal agents or other law enforcement officials. They may claim your Social Security number is linked to a crime. They may even threaten to arrest you if you do not follow their instructions. Here are three things you should do:

1. Hang up right away or do not reply to the email.

2. Never give personal information or payment of any kind.

3. Report the scam at oig.ssa. gov to immediately notify the law enforcement team in our Office of the Inspector General. You should continue to remain vigilant if you receive a phone call from someone who claims there’s a problem with your SSN or your benefits. If you owe money to us, we will mail you a letter explaining your rights, payment options, and information about appealing.

When trying to identify if a call or email is a scam, remember we will never:

Senior Relocation Program

•

• Inventory Appraising

• Move Management

• Overseeing Repairs, Painting, Cleaning and Staging Home for Sale

• Selling Personal Property & Real Estate

• Assisting Executors, Attorneys, Trustees Huntington 260.356.3911 | Fort Wayne 260.459.3911 www.SeniorRelocationServices.info

• Threaten you with benefit suspension, arrest, or other legal action.

• Promise a benefit increase or other assistance in exchange for payment.

• Require payment by retail gift card, cash, wire transfer, internet currency, or prepaid debit card.

• Demand secrecy from you in handling a Social Securityrelated problem.

• Send official letters or reports containing personally identifiable information via email.

For more information on scams visit ssa.gov/scam. Share this information with anyone who may need it.

Moving Betty

A story of compassion and understanding

By NESS BROTHERS

We worked with a woman named Betty, who suffered from the mental disorder of hoarding. The situation had become so extreme the home was inaccessible, to the point that there was a wall of trash piled up so high that the front door could not be completely opened.

Betty’s children helped her relocate to a senior community, but didn’t know how to handle the family home in its current condition; they hadn’t been able to access their childhood bedrooms for over 20 years since moving out.

The process was too emo-

tional for her to be on-site during the clearing process, so we got a list of items with their last known location and were able to rediscover sentimental and valuable items.

We kept Betty and her children informed and updated throughout the entire process, including sending before and after pictures after each shift to help ease the anxiety. By the end of the process, 11 20-cubic-yard dumpsters of trash were taken out of the home.

Our client was very happy, and the children were amazed when they came back to visit the home. We were able to remove all the trash, sort

through the items of value for the family to review, donate what the family didn’t want, and sell the real estate for the client. Contact our Senior Relocation team to get help and answers to your questions on right-sizing; we’re here to help you through the difficult family situations. Reach out to our relocation specialists at (260) 459-3911 in Fort Wayne or (260) 3563911 in Huntington. You can also contact us through our website NessBros.com, or stop in one of our offices, located at 3344 Mallard Cove Ln., Fort Wayne, or 519 N. Jefferson St., Huntington.

• Private apartment with full, private bathroom

• Kitchenette with sink, refrigerator and microwave

•

• Emergency call devices in bathroom and

• Mini-blinds provided

• Ongoing health monitoring and nursing assessments

• Assistance with activities for daily living: bathing, dressing, walking, personal grooming and hygiene

• Medication administration

• Three restaurant-style meals daily plus snacks

• 24-hour staffing and reception desk

• Range of interesting and varied programs and events

• Medicaid Waiver accepted

KNOW HOW TO IDENTIFY SCAMS Visit ssa.gov to find out ways to defeat scammers and identify scams. Photo provided by Social Security Administration.