Senior Life - Elko Edition - July 31, 2024 by The Papers Inc.

Kosciusko Community Senior S ervices provides

Text and Photos

By LILLI DWYER Staff Writer

Mobile Meals, offered by Kosciusko County Senior Services, is designed to keep seniors independent longer by delivering food to those who may not be able to cook for themselves.

“Hopefully, the nutritious meals will help with their health,” said Karen Swinger, who has been driving for Mobile Meals for the past 50 years.

“This way we have somewhat of a check for somebody that’s having a health problem. We make contact at their home and if there is a problem we have emergency numbers to call,” said her husband, Mark Swinger.

Mobile Meals is available

Monday through Friday for people over 60. There is a suggested donation for the service, determined by a person’s monthly income, but this is not strictly required.

“We would never stop anybody’s meals for not paying,” said Mobile Meals manager Jen Buzzard.

There are Mobile Meals routes over most of Kosciusko County, though there are currently not enough drivers to have routes in the Silver Lake or Bourbon areas.

“We could always use volunteer drivers,” Buzzard said.

Another of KCSS’ notable offerings is their transportation services, which provide handicapped-accessible van transportation to all of Kosciusko County.

Van transportation is available from 9 a.m. to 3

p.m. Monday through Friday and all vans are wheelchair accessible. Drivers will help anyone needing assistance getting from the house to the van, including assisting with wheelchairs and carrying groceries.

Transportation is provided within Kosciusko County only. There is a $5 suggested donation for trips within Warsaw and $7 for out of town trips. Priority is given to those with medical and nutritional needs first. Notification for extracurricular trips should be given seven to days in advance.

Along with medical appointments, groceries and shopping, seniors can get a van transportation ride to KCSS’ Senior Activity Center for lunch. Real Ser-

Continued on page 2

GETTING COORDINATED Mobile Meals manager Jen Buzzard, right, discusses routes with volunteer Karen Swinger. READY TO GO Kathy Patterson hands off meals for Jerry Patterson to load into the car for delivery.

Hershberger spends her days having fun

By LAURIE LECHLITNER Staff Writer

“I started working in the business office at Waterford Crossing, Goshen,” stated Kay Hershberger. “My job did not consist of constant office work. One of my tasks was to manage select meal services. I made it a point to become involved in the lives of the residents. I held that position for 10 years. But then I decided to end my career doing something fun. Now I’m one of the Life Enrichment staff members. We lead games and activities at the facility.”

Hershberger got her bachelor of science degree in management from Indiana Wesleyan University. She’s a lifelong learner. “They offer courses through my job. I’ve taken a course in customer service and dementia training.”

One of the things she’s learned through Trilogy, the owners of Waterford Crossing, is to work with a servant’s heart while assisting the elderly. “Doing things for others is very important in my job. I love seeing the residents laugh. If I have not brought a smile to at least one face during my day, I feel like I’ve not accomplished my job. I want our residents to feel acknowledged, appreciated and cared for.”

Life Enrichment workers strive to stretch the minds and spirits of the residents. “We work in areas of fitness, art, games. For the past 40 years I’ve worked primarily in health care management, with 10 of those years spent at this facility. The past three years have been very refreshing. Now I get to interact full time with the residents and have fun.”

Every quarter, the facility has a different theme. “I have a whole box of various costumes I’ve used in the last 13 years. Those who are afraid to dress up wouldn’t enjoy a Life Enrichment role. It makes life interesting when we can cut loose and dress up for the enjoyment of those around us.”

Hershberger recently led the activity “Music Bingo.” “It’s not so much what we say that can make people laugh and have fun. Sometimes it’s just the inflections in our voice. I have a sarcastic wit that brings a smile to faces during the day.”

It takes imagination and thinking outside the box to work in Life Enrichment. “Yesterday the craft was not jazzy enough. I wanted to add an enhanced version that would add excitement. I tried it and they loved it. We have to be willing to take risks.”

Her coworker wears a flamingo floaty around her waist during Bingo. “We call her the Bingo Flamingo.”

Tours

Upcoming Tours for 2024

Aug. 14 - Cook’s Bison Ranch, Wolcottville, IN

Aug. 28 - South Bend Cubs Game, Four Winds Field, South Bend, IN

Aug. 29 - Love Comes Softly, Round Barn Theatre, Nappanee, IN

Sept. 18-24 - Boston, Salem, Cape Ann, MA

Oct. 11 - Shopping in Shipshewana, IN

Dec. 4 - Texas Tenors Christmas Blue Gate, Shipshewana, IN

Dec. 13 - Miracle on 34th

Street, Wagon Wheel, Warsaw, IN

For full information on any of these tours, or to make a reservation, please call 574-5374090

www.greencroft.org

Hershberger enjoys being part of the “Live a Dream” program they’ve instituted at the facility. “One of our men loved gardening and even landscaped his own home in his younger years. We took him and his family to DeFries Garden in New Paris. One of the rangers came and gave us a tour, talking about the various plants. Our resident loved it.”

Another resident was a Whitney Houston fan. “We brought in an impersonator from Chicago. It was great watching him sing along with the other 60 people in the room.”

This past May, Hershberger visited Italy through the Road

Scholar Program on a 12-day trip. “My friend Leza and I hiked four to six miles a day through Tuscany and Umbria.

Kosciusko

Continued from page 1

vices serves a free hot lunch Thursdays at 11:30 a.m. There is a suggested donation of $4.25. Seniors can also play Bingo on Thursdays for 50 cents per card.

The Senior Activity Center is located at 800 N. Park Ave., Warsaw. Some of the center’s offerings include physical activities like cardio drumming, chair volleyball, wacky ball and some light exercise classes. For those interested in handicraft, Liberty Sewing Circle meets there at 9 a.m. Tuesdays and

It’s a charming countryside. I’m 68 and understand the importance of keeping active in mind and body.”

Wood Carvers meets at 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays. Cards, games and puzzles are available to play at noon Wednesdays. The center has also recently partnered with the Purdue Extension office to offer classes on subjects like Crock-Pot cooking, smartphone use, vegetable gardening and food safety. Most if not all activities are free or low cost.

“Seniors aren’t getting any richer,” said Buzzard. “We want to keep them as financially secure as possible. ... We’re always here to assist.”

To set up Mobile Meals service, schedule a ride or volunteer, call Kosciusko Community Senior Services at 574-2672012. For up-to-date information on events and activities at the Senior Activity Center, visit facebook.com/KoscSeniorServe/.

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TRIP TO ITALY Kay Hershberger relaxes after a day of hiking in Italy. She is a Life Enrichment specialist at Waterford Crossing, Goshen. She understands the importance of keeping one’s mind and body active as one ages. Photo provided by Kay Hershberger.

Technology helps keep you at home

By CECIL SCAGLIONE

Mature Life Features

As the aging population grows, so grows the need for facilities and workers to provide senior care. Complicating matters is the

fact that many folks intend to grow old at home.

Technology may have come to the rescue for folks who are still alert and physically unchallenged.

Camera and sensor systems can be installed that link with the children, siblings

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or caregivers who monitor the household. There are devices available to dole out the proper medication at the proper time. When seniors leave the house, they can use cellphones, wristwatches and global positioning systems to help monitors keep track of their moves. Medical alert bracelets help seniors get help when they fall, sensors can be installed to automatically turn off stoves, and devices can be installed to prevent bathtub overflowing.

no object, what would be your dream vacation destination?”

I would spend a month traveling through Europe. I’ve been to London once, but I would love to see other European countries and visit the historical sites I’ve only seen in pictures.

I’d love to go to Alaska, maybe on a cruise through the inside passage. I’ve wanted to do that for a long time. Maybe once we retire in a few years, we’ll make it happen!

I’ve always wanted to go to Austrailia. My husband and I have been many places during our marriage, but that is someplace neither of us has been to. I’d like to cross it off my bucket list.

I’d love to take my three grandbabies to Disney World in Florida for a week. It’s so expensive, though, it’s hard to justify the cost.

I’m not much of a traveler. I like staying at home or nearby. I guess I’d like to visit Montana, though. The pictures always look so beautiful.

I’d love to go to Italy, which is where my mother grew up. She took me there as a child but I’ve never been back. I still have a lot of family there who I don’t know very well.

AMBER MILLER NAPPANEE

ANITA FIGLER WARSAW

DENNIS HAPNER ELKHART

JOSEPH POTTS WARSAW

MARY DUNN GOSHEN

VIC WILSON MENTONE

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 post-military 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 militaryspecific hiring events, corporate fellowships, apprenticeships through the Department of Labor, and intensive training programs.

“It’s not just about support-

ing 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-makegreat-leaders.

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

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.

As a caregiver, you manage multiple responsibilities for your loved one in addition to your own. When you need help, The Thelma A. Schrock Adult Day Services program is here for you – at least five hours a day or a few days per week.

In the Homestead’s intimate atmosphere, each member benefits from a variety of health, social, and therapeutic activities designed to encourage meaningful engagement, purpose, and creativity.

The Homestead gives the caregiver and participant both the freedom to flourish.

We are available five days a week, Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

For more information, call 574-537-4181.

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

Fairchild goes the ultramarathon distance

By LILLI DWYER Staff Writer

Wendy Fairchild, 58, is no stranger to staying on the move.

“I went to 18 different schools from the time I started to when I graduated,” she recalled.

After her family settled in Kosciusko County, she graduated from Tippecanoe Valley High School in 1984 and went to cosmetology school. Fairchild took up running around 1997 at the suggestion of a friend, Jenna Marcuccilli.

“She asked me if I wanted to do a 5K with her, and I thought, ‘Oh, I don’t know.’ Even as kid, I was not athletic at all, I was never encouraged to be athletic. But I thought, ‘Yeah, that sounds like something I could challenge myself with,’” she recalled.

Fairchild and Marcuccilli trained together, ran the race, and have remained running partners over the years.

While raising her daughter, Piper, and transitioning from working in a salon to starting her own at home, Fairchild continued to challenge herself with a variety of 5k, 10k, half marathon and marathon races.

“And then throughout all that, the training and everything, we decided: we wanted to try an ultra,” she said.

An ultramarathon, or ultra for short, is any race longer than the marathon distance of 26.2 miles. Many ultramarathons feature different terrain and altitudes for runners to contend with.

Fairchild and Marcuccilli followed a rigorous year-long training program in preparation, building up to a distance of 30 miles per week. Sheer

distance, however, wasn’t all they had to worry about.

“It’s not only physical, but mental and emotional. Your diet goes into it, as well. There’s a good bit of hiking, of actually walking, so it’s a good idea to learn how to pace yourself,” she explained.

During the 2021 ultramarathon in Bryce Canyon, Utah, Fairchild traversed sand, dirt roads, rocky mountain trails, inclines and hairpin turns.

“Lots of rocks, lots of roots. You can’t just shuffle along like you would in a marathon on a road,” she remarked.

Fairchild considers herself fairly competitive, but with herself rather than other people. Her personal goal was to finish the whole 40 miles in under 12 hours, which she achieved. After this accomplishment, however, she didn’t slow down. Since then, she has continued to run 5k and 10k races.

“I always like to have something on the calendar that I’m training for, because that keeps me out running,” she said. “I like the physical challenge, I like the bragging rights. ... I feel really thrilled

by the adventure. It seems as though whenever I go to a race, regardless of the length, it’s usually wrapped around something I haven’t seen before or something new I haven’t done.”

Fairchild also credits running with keeping her healthy, both physically and mentally. The camaraderie of the people she runs with is also important to her.

“I feel like some of the races I’ve done and some of the achievements I’ve had probably wouldn’t have happened without my friend, Jenna. I have had a lot of support from my family as well,” she said.

With Piper in college, Fairchild has moved her salon operation to Shear Delight in Warsaw. Outside of work and running, Fairchild enjoys camping and hiking. She also describes herself as an avid knitter and bookworm.

Get busy to do nothing

By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features

Most people have figured out what they’re going to do when they retire.

Travel, visit the kids, play golf, grab some coffee with old friends and go fishing are high on the list of plans.

But most people haven’t figured out what they’re going to do when there’s nothing left they want to do.

There’s an art to doing nothing when you know you can do anything you want to do, whenever you want to do it, for as long as you want to do it.

You might want to start practicing.

Recent studies indicate doing

nothing — giving your brain a rest — can actually stimulate your mind. Sitting back and doing nothing for a spell can refresh your brain and enhance your creative abilities. When boredom sets in, your brain is actually daydreaming and those dreams can be productive.

However, doing nothing all the time can calcify your thinking process.

To start doing nothing, get away from your television set, mobile phone, book, jigsaw puzzle or whatever else around you that can draw your attention.

Some experts suggest you start doing something boring, like counting cars streaming by

your window or stroll down to the nearby park to stretch out on a bench and stare into the pond or at the overhead clouds.

Killing time by wandering through the internet, meditating or checking messages doesn’t work because they don’t allow your mind to wander, to daydream. The idea is to eliminate all stimulation and activity so your body, mind and emotions can do nothing.

Even listening to music can be a distraction when you’re trying to do nothing.

If you have to be doing something, try coloring in a coloring book — something that keeps your hands busy but doesn’t require any brain work.

These do-nothing periods can not only boost your awareness as you proceed through the day, they can help develop more creative pastimes to help you enjoy the times when you’re not doing nothing.

ALL TERRAIN Many races feature different terrain, and runners like Fairchild have to be willing to get dirty. Photo provided by Wendy Fairchild.

ON THE RUN Wendy Fairchild has stayed active, continuing to challenge herself by running races, including an ultramarathon. Photo provided by Wendy Fairchild.

Transform countertop surfaces in just a weekend

(StatePoint) Did you know that you don’t have to spend tons of time or money on home interior updates? In fact, you don’t even have to engage a contractor to elevate your spaces in a big way.

Here are three stunning methods for completely transforming stained, burned or otherwise drab countertop surfaces in your kitchen, bath or other areas of your home. The beauty is that each project costs less than $300, and you can complete one in a weekend, even if you don’t consider yourself especially handy.

1. A marble look: Installing marble countertops can cost thousands of dollars and disrupt your life for weeks, if not months. Fortunately, there’s a way to get the same beautiful, one-of-a-kind look of marble with just a few supplies. The Marble Dream Resurfacing Kit from Daich Coatings is a new stone coating system engineered to be applied in a few simple steps, with no special artistic skill required.

Available in both Pristine White and Cosmos Black, every installation will look completely unique based on how you blend the product. After prepping your surface and applying the base coat, the glaze mix and the vein accent colors, you use a blow dryer to push the colors around, deciding for yourself how they get blended, and the direction and strength of the details and finish.

Designed so you can work at a relaxed pace and make changes on the fly, cleanup is a snap for this project. And the water-based, odorless formula is safe too, so you won’t be exposed to anything hazardous. When you’re finished, not only will your countertops look revitalized, they’ll offer superior heat, impact and scratch resistance for greater utility.

The brand makes installation easy by providing a detailed online video tutorial. Visit youtube.com/ watch?v=JJ8487WQIcg to watch and learn more.

2. Real granite finish: Real granite countertops are an elegant, natural upgrade that can take your kitchen or bath to a whole new level. But what if you didn’t have to commit to the complicated construction, scary price tag or long wait time of a full stone slab to get the authentic look and performance of smooth, polished granite? The LuxROCK Solid

Surface Granite Kit by Daich Coatings allows you to add a premium stone surface — complete with the visual pop of mineral highlights and sparkling accents — right over your existing countertop, without the mess or hassle of tearing out your current surface.

Available in five beautiful colors, you can renew existing countertops made of laminate, wood, concrete, stone and more in just a weekend, and have the flexibility to economically switch to a new look if you’d ever like to refresh.

3. Naturalized, speckled stone: For more of a natural speckled stone appearance, consider the 11 colors available in the SpreadStone Countertop Finishing Kit, which allows you to tailor your texture. This twostep project takes two days to complete, with results that will last for many years.

In addition to a range of interior applications, you can also

room in only one weekend and for

use this kit on exterior surfaces, including bar tops, barbecue areas, tables and more.

Like the other kits, there is no need to remove sinks,

plumbing fixtures or your current countertop to make this renovation, and your finished product will be food safe and intact with a polyurethane clear coat.

In just a weekend, you can make totally transformative DIY interior updates in a way that’s cost effective and simple.

Many of our loved ones, patients, friends and relatives want to remain in their home - but stairs can be a huge problem.

Goshen Home Medical’s experienced professionals can help you find the perfect type of stairlift for you and your home!

COUNTERTOP SURFACES One can transform drab countertop surfaces in the kitchen or bath-

less than $300. Photo provided by StatePoint.

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:

• 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.

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

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.

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 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:

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/findlocations/?facilityType=benefits.

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

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

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

For Peet’s Sake! The man

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

Alfred Peet

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 coffee-and-tea importer.

By RANDAL C. HILL

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 freeze-dried beans.)

Determined to teach people to appreciate the richness of a top-notch product, Peet opened a gourmet coffee-and-tea 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.

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

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.

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-

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.

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!

Goshen Hospital recognized for exceptional heart attack care

The American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association have again recognized Goshen Hospital in the top 10 percent of hospitals for heart attack care.

In 2024, only 259 hospitals in the nation received the NCDR Chest Pain-MI Registry Platinum Performance Achievement Award.

Goshen Hospital is the only one in this region to receive the award. It has consistently met the standards of heart attack care for 13 years — every year since the award has been offered.

“Providing the best possible heart attack care for patients takes a team of dedicated professional health care workers from EMS to the emergency department to our heart and vascular physicians and nurses. We’re so proud of everyone who works together to meet this goal,” said Randy Christophel, president and CEO of Goshen Health.

“Participating in this registry empowers us to consistently treat heart attack patients according to the guidelines on what is most current and effective care,” said Dr. Blair MacPhail, medical director of Goshen Heart and Vascular Center. “It is deeply fulfilling to know our hard work makes a difference in the lives of the people in our community.”

The Centers for Disease Control estimates over 800,000

Americans suffer a heart attack each year. A heart attack occurs when a blood clot in a coronary artery blocks blood flow to the heart muscle. Treatment guidelines include: providing aspirin

upon arrival and discharge; timely restoration of blood flow to the blocked artery; counseling to help patients quit smoking; and cardiac rehabilitation, among others.

Monitor automatic payments

By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features

Paying bills by automatic withdrawals from your bank account can save you from late payments as well as cut back on your postage and mailing costs. Some folks prefer to have the monthly payments withdrawn from a credit card, which is

paid off with a single monthly payment from their bank account.

In either case, you should make a list of such payments that can be reviewed by survivors after your death to make sure all payments are made and scammers have not added charges to your accounts.

Lynda Fourman kicks retirement to the curb

By NATHAN PACE Staff Writer

While most of her peers have retired, Lynda Fourman of Syracuse is still working and staying active by choice. At 83, Fourman enjoys working, volunteering and playing tennis.

“I love it, I love my job. I love the volunteer job. I just love being active and involved and connecting with people,” Fourman said.

Fourman works part-time at two local addiction treatment centers in Oak Lawn at A New Beginning. She also volunteers at Goshen Health.

“Work keeps you moving and keeps you alive. I have a broad definition of work, labor or play, anything that serves you well in mind, body and spirit is a good thing. I have worked all my life in some fashion as most people do,” Fourman said. “I use to think work was expected of me and something I had to do. Now I find work is something I love to do and want to do.”

Fourman also plays in a senior tennis league on the Wawasee High School courts. It’s a sports she did not play in

her youth but is enjoying now.

“It’s healthy for one thing. I am really grateful that I can still play. I think the fact that I’ve been playing so long is a part of the reason I am still playing,” Fourman said.

Fourman lived on a farm in Ohio until the age of 30 when she moved to Wabash. Her home was near the local tennis courts and she quickly picked up the game.

‘I learned to play and went on to win women’s singles three years in a row in the city tournament. I moved to Syracuse where I met many new and wonderful tennis players,” Fourman said.

One of those tennis players was Sue Ganshorn who introduced Fourman to the senior league at Wawasee.

During the summer, it is not uncommon for Fourman to come across high school tennis players on the courts and she uses the opportunity to spread some wisdom.

“I always tell young people on the court, high school class, tennis is something you will play all your life and it is a good thing you are pursuing that,” Fourman said.

Fourman says she has been

participating in the senior league for close to 20 years at the high school.

Also keeping her busy is the fact she has two daughters and four granddaughters.

In addition to tennis, Fourman enjoys biking, kayaking, pickleball, walking and swimming. In the past few years she

went hiking with three friends in the Cotswolds of England.

She also practices yoga at the Syracuse Community Center.

Fourman credits her activity to her parents Jim and Lucy Fourman.

“My mother was very active and she did water aerobics in her 90s and my dad was a great

sports person,” Fourman said.

While Fourman is passionate about staying active, she says her second passion is thankfulness for those who have helped her along the way.

“The second thing is gratitude,” Fourman said. “Gratitude for all this beautiful messy world has to offer.”

Professional Services

Probate Pitfalls: Effects on Taxes and Creditor Claims

One of the major pitfalls of probate is its potential impact on estate taxes. Probate assets are subject to estate taxes, which can significantly reduce the size of the inheritance left to beneficiaries. This is especially true if the estate is large, as the tax rate increases proportionally with the value of the estate. Furthermore, probate can also lead to double taxation; the assets may be subject to estate taxes, and the income from these assets may also be subject to income taxes. In addition to taxes, probate can also subject the estate to creditor claims. When an estate goes through probate, creditors are notified and given a chance to make claims against the estate for any unpaid debts.

Ryan Hahn Trust Administrator

Before any assets are distributed to the beneficiaries, the debts must first be settled. This process can reduce the value of the estate and delay asset distribution. Moreover, the public nature of probate can expose the estate to fraudulent claims, adding another layer of complexity and potential loss. DISCLOSURE:

Elder Law

Q. What should I consider when picking a personal representative?

A. Choosing the right personal representative—also known as the “executor”— is a crucial decision in estate planning when writing your Last Will & Testament. A personal representative manages a person’s assets after they die. The person selected should be trustworthy, organized, and financially literate.

Another important consideration is availability. The role of a personal representative can be time-consuming. Is the person up for the task? Physical proximity simplifies the process of managing local assets and court proceedings but may be outweighed by other considerations.

Finally, a personal representative should understand and be able to navigate family dynamics and potential conflicts of interest.

Law

One should be cautious about picking a personal representative who is a primary beneficiary. Professional executors are also available to provide expertise and impartiality.

You should consult your attorney to help sort through these considerations and ensure your estate planning follows a proper legal framework.

Tony B. Manns Attorney at

FULL SCHEDULE — Lydia Fourman playing tennis at the Wawasee High School courts. Tennis is one of the several ways Fourman uses to stay active. Photo by Nathan Pace.

Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum — Diesel, steam and twilight train excursions for family fun

By LORETTA KOSLOSKE Ridership Specialist

Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum

The Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum, located in North Judson, runs regular diesel and/or steam train excursions every Saturday, and some select Sundays from May to September, and for special holiday events. Passengers have their choice of riding in open-air sightseeing cars or a vintage coach and/or caboose, while rolling down the tracks through the northwest Indiana countryside.

Regular train excursions are round-trip from the depot and travel about five miles to the Kankakee River at English Lake, before returning to North Judson. The total length of each trip is approximately 45 minutes. Ticket prices begin at $10. Purchasing tickets online is recommended, as seating is limited.

Be sure to visit the museum and grounds, where admission is always free. The Hoosier

Valley Railroad Museum has one of the largest museum collections of working railroad signals and a restored World War II Pullman Troop Car. Stroll around the grounds to see all types of rolling stock, engines, and memorabilia of a bygone era.

The Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum has an exciting schedule of events planned for this season. The fall brings Pumpkin, Twilight and Halloween Trains, while Santa Trains run in late November and December. Times, prices and excursion length for these special events may vary from regular train excursions. Remember that seating is limited, and it is recommended to purchase tickets in advance before excursions sell out.

HVRM is an all volunteer, nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation and education of railroading history. Special group events, including school groups, can be arranged by contacting the depot.

Visit the Hoosier Valley

Railroad Museum website for a complete schedule of events. Order tickets at hoosiervalley. org, or call the depot at (574) 896-3950 on Saturdays or days when train excursions are scheduled.

Improve your backyard, deck or patio by hanging string lights

(StatePoint) Outdoor lighting can extend the time you can spend enjoying your backyard with your friends and family. While there are a host of involved and expensive outdoor lighting solutions, there’s one easy DIY alternative that offers a lot of charm.

“String lights are a beautiful, inexpensive and fun way to add personality and ambience to your yard and patio,” said expert landscape designer, Doug Scott.

In a recent Exmark DoneIn-A-Weekend Projects video, Scott demonstrates how to hang simple, cost-effective backyard lighting. With the best part of the summer still on tap, he is offering his steps for this twoday project for improving your outdoor living space:

1. Determine where you’ll hang your lights. You can hang them from fence posts, on trees, off porch railings, or even purchase light stakes that do the hard work for you.

2. Research the style of backyard lights that you want to use.

3. Sketch an outline or design of how you want the lights to look. You may want to crisscross the lights or string them just around the perimeter of the patio. Knowing your design will help you determine how many strands of lights you need. Just be sure your design represents you and how you want to live outside.

4. Determine what installation equipment you need. You may need extra equipment, such as an extension cord or hardware, to hang the lights. Make sure that all hardware is weatherproof and outdoor grade.

5. Measure the area where you’ll hang your lights, being sure to leave room for slack and to reach the outlet.

6. When you begin hanging the lights, try to have the light strand connections be as discrete as possible.

7. Install light hooks.

8. Hang outdoor string lights. To avoid breakage, remove all of the bulbs from the light strings before hanging them. Once the strings are hung, install one bulb in each strand and test it to make sure it works. Then add the remaining bulbs.

9. Reveal your space. Now it’s time to light up your backyard living space and kick back and enjoy.

To view the tutorial and get inspired, visit Exmark’s Backyard Life, a multimedia destination that provides everything from lawn care tips to gardening and outdoor hosting advice, at exmark.com/backyard.

String or strand outdoor lighting will add after-dark pizzazz to your outdoor living space. Though this improvement makes a big atmospheric impact, it’s one that won’t break the bank.

STEAMING AHEAD The Bock Lumber No. 1 Steam Engine is shown departing the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum Depot with passengers. Photo provided by the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum.

INDEPENDENCE | DIGNITY | STRENGTH

Calling all Caregivers! Join us for the Midwest Dementia Summit

When the diagnosis is Alzheimer’s, life can turn upside down for a caregiver in just a moment. Life suddenly changes. Fortunately, REAL Services’ Alzheimer s and Dementia Services program is here to walk alongside you every step of the way of your caregiving journey. Since 1982, Alzheimer s and Dementia Services of Northern Indiana (ALZNI) has been an important part of our community. In 2013, it became part of the REAL Services’ umbrella. We are proud to provide ongoing support to caregivers.

When the diagnosis is Alzheimer’s, life can turn upside down for a caregiver in just a moment. Life suddenly changes. Fortunately, REAL Services’ Alzheimer’s and Dementia Services program is here to walk alongside you every step of the way of your caregiving journey. Since 1982, Alzheimer’s and Dementia Services of Northern Indiana (ALZNI) has been an important part of our community. In 2013, it became part of the REAL Services’ umbrella. We are proud to provide ongoing support to caregivers.

After much research, the Alzheimer s and Dementia Services team noticed a gap in our region. All too often, they heard from caregivers “I wish I would have known that before my loved one was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.” Caregivers are often teaching themselves about how to be the best caregiver possible in the moment.

After much research, the Alzheimer’s and Dementia Services team noticed a gap in our region. All too often, they heard from caregivers “I wish I would have known that before my loved one was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.” Caregivers are often teaching themselves about how to be the best caregiver possible in the moment.

result, they decided to host a new event this year the Midwest Dementia Summit 2024:

As a result, they decided to host a new event this year the Midwest Dementia Summit 2024:

Innovations in Care. This Summit will be like no other our region has seen in the past. It will feature international, national, and local speakers who will share their caregiving journey, technological and art innovations and the latest research on Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. There will be two tracks one of family caregivers and one for professional caregivers. The Midwest Dementia Summit 2024: Innovations in Care will bring together professionals, business leaders, and caregivers. They will learn, share, and explore strategies, innovations, and opportunities in the fields of healthcare, community-based services, technology and the arts. The Summit will be November 6-7, 2024 at the Ribbon Town Conference and Event Center at Four Winds Casino and Resort. The professional track is $385 and the family track is $99.

Innovations in Care. This Summit will be like no other our region has seen in the past. It will feature international, national, and local speakers who will share their caregiving journey, technological and art innovations and the latest research on Alzheimer s and other forms of dementia. There will be two tracks one of family caregivers and one for professional caregivers. The Midwest Dementia Summit 2024: Innovations in Care will bring together professionals, business leaders, and caregivers. They will learn, share, and explore strategies, innovations, and opportunities in the fields of healthcare, community-based services, technology and the arts. The Summit will be November 6-7, 2024 at the Ribbon Town Conference and Event Center at Four Winds Casino and Resort. The professional track is $385 and the family track is $99.

Angel Baginske, RN, QMCP, Director of Alzheimer’s and Dementia Services states, “South Bend is a center for excellence in Alzheimer’s and dementia care and caregiver support.

Angel Baginske, RN, QMCP, Director of Alzheimer s and Dementia Services states, South Bend is a center for excellence in Alzheimer s and dementia care and caregiver support.

Angel Baginske, RN, QMCP, Director of Alzheimer’s and Dementia Services states, “South Bend is a center for excellence in Alzheimer’s and dementia care and caregiver support.

Join us for the Senior Picnic!

Wednesday, August 28, 2024 11:00 a.m.

Wednesday, August 28, 2024

11:00 a.m.

Potawatomi Park,500 S. Greenlawn Avenue

Potawatomi Park,500 S. Greenlawn Avenue South Bend, IN 46615

South Bend, IN 46615

Our community is responsive, dedicated and invested in bringing better support and resources to our friends and neighbors. We are committed to breaking the negative stigma this disease carries and focusing on healthier living and early detection screening. Alzheimer’s and Dementia Services of Northern Indiana is proud to bring the Midwest Dementia Summit 2024 to our local area. This two-day Summit will bring a vast assortment of educational presentations, innovative technology and expressive arts demonstrations supporting our dementia caregiving community. ALZNI is thrilled to bring this incredible event to this area.”

Our community is responsive, dedicated and invested in bringing better support and resources to our friends and neighbors. We are committed to breaking the negative stigma this disease carries and focusing on healthier living and early detection screening. Alzheimer s and Dementia Services of Northern Indiana is proud to bring the Midwest Dementia Summit 2024 to our local area. This two-day Summit will bring a vast assortment of educational presentations, innovative technology and expressive arts demonstrations supporting our dementia caregiving community. ALZNI is thrilled to bring this incredible event to this area.”

For more information about the Midwest Dementia Summit and to register, visit www.midwestdementiasummit.org, call (574) 284-2646 or email midwestdementiasummit@alzni.org.

Madelyn

Martinec, Development Director, REAL Services

Call (574) 229 3254 to purchase tickets

Tickets are $2.00

Did you know giving back to the community is good for your health?

Did know giving back to the community is good for your health?

REAL Services has several volunteer opportunities in Elkhart County!

Opportunities Include:

REAL Friends Telephone Program: Call a local senior in our community and make a new friend!

Meals on Wheels: Deliver meals to homebound community members. Nothing brightens Meals on Wheels program participants like a friendly volunteer!

Nutrition Sites: Serve a meal and spend time with other seniors in Elkhart County at one of our Nutrition Sites!

Guardianship Volunteer Advocate: Visit with individuals in our Adult Guardianship Program and serve as their advocate!

To find out more and to apply, contact Volunteer Services at (574) 284-7138 or email volunteer@realservices.org.

Elkhart County Nutrition Sites are open for YOU!

The REAL Services Nutrition Site program is proud to serve Elkhart County! Our five sites are open Monday Friday from 10:00 a.m. 1:30 p.m. The suggested donation is $4.25.

Lunch is served at 11:30 a.m. Call the site director to make a reservation and be a part of our program. We look forward to serving you.

This is a donation-based program and your donation directly impacts the number of seniors we can help.

We gratefully accept whatever you can comfortably afford. To learn more about the program, call a site director. Phone numbers can be found on the next page.

INDEPENDENCE | DIGNITY | STRENGTH

Come and learn while you enjoy a healthy snack. There is no cost for this program.

August Be an Energy Ninja: Tips for Saving Big (Kroc Center South Bend)

August 8: Be an Energy Ninja: Tips for Saving Big (Kroc Center South Bend)

August 15: Be an Energy Ninja: Tips for Saving Big (OWLS Club Elkhart)

August 23: Be an Energy Ninja: Tips for Saving Big (1Roof South Bend)

August 27: Fall Prevention (Elkhart Public Library)

Call (574) 284 -7189 to register or learn more.

Elkhart:

Doors open at 6:00 p.m.

Trivia starts at 7:00 p.m.

Alzheimer’s and Dementia Services of Northern Indiana invites YOU to Trivia Night!

Join us for an evening of FUN for a great cause!

October 4, 2024

MR Falcons

3212 Keller St, South Bend, IN 46628

Bring your own food. Drinks available for purchase. The theme is BOARD GAMES!

Come dressed for the theme to win a costume contest prize!

Tickets are $20 each or $180 for a table of 10.

Call (574) 284-7104 or email events@realserrvices.org to register

Call (574) 284-7104 or email events@realserrvices.org to register .

Come to the Table! Join us for lunch!

Elkhart County

201 Division St.

Bristol UMC 201 Division St. (574) 848-7182

848-7182

Bristol UMC 201 Division St. (574) 848-7182

Paul’s 405 W. Beardsley

Goshen: Greencroft Manor 1801 Greencroft Blvd. (574) 971 -6016

LaPorte County

St. Paul’s UMC 405 W. Beardsley (574) 320-5863

320-5863

St. Paul’s UMC 405 W. Beardsley (574) 320-5863

Terrace 181 N. Elkhart Ave.

Riverside Terrace 181 N. Elkhart Ave. (574) 320-5995

320-5995

Riverside Terrace 181 N. Elkhart Ave. (574) 320-5995

Stratford Commons 2601 Oakland Ave. (574) 320-5996 (574) 971 -6016

Commons 2601 Oakland Ave. 320-5996

Stratford Commons 2601 Oakland Ave. (574) 320-5996

LaPorte County LaPorte: Cambridge Square Apt. 1111 Longwood Dr Bldg B (219) 380-1885

LaPorte County Cambridge Square Apt. 1111 Longwood Dr Bldg B (219) 380-1885

LaPorte: Cambridge Square Apt. 1111 Longwood Dr Bldg B (219) 380-1885

LaPorte County LaPorte: Cambridge Square Apt. 1111 Longwood Dr Bldg B (219) 380-1885

Marshall County Argos: B & R Community Bldg. 194 S. Michigan St. (574) 892-9669

Michigan City: Simeon Square 1207 S Woodland (219) 380 -1439

SMRT Center

SMRT Center 301 Grant Ave. (219) 207-1720

301 Grant Ave. (219) 207-1720

SMRT Center 301 Grant Ave. (219) 207-1720

August Menu All meals are served with milk. Suggested donation $4.25

Bourbon: Senior Center on 805 N. Harris St., (574) 342 -7031

Bremen: Oakhaven Apartments

500 S Montgomery St (574) 993-2944

Bremen: Oakhaven Apartments 500 S Montgomery St (574) 993-2944

500 S Montgomery St (574) 993-2944

Plymouth: Garden Court West

400 W. Washington St (574) 935-0047

Plymouth: Garden Court West 400 W. Washington St (574) 935-0047

Mike Perez is the new CEO of Faith Mission

By LAURIE LECHLITNER Staff Writer

“I grew up in the Salvation Army church,” stated Mike Perez, the new CEO of Faith Mission in Elkhart. “The whole fabric of life in our church was to serve others, especially those who were overlooked in the community. When I came to Faith Mission, our focus was the same. We reach out to those who need extra help to make it in life. I don’t feel like this is so much a job that I’m doing at Faith Mission as much as a lifestyle. It’s a calling from God.

“I was born in Niles, and we moved to Puerto Rico. My parents got a divorce; we moved to Michigan City. I grew up in a single-parent home with my mom and grandparents. A single mom raising a couple kids was not as common in the 70s as it is now.”

Perez’s grandparents took him to church. “I remember the time when my mother told us that we didn’t have to go to church. But I continued to go. I dedicated my life to the Lord when I was about 12 years old at a Salvation Army Church Camp.”

He describes his family as poor. “We were also dysfunctional

in a lot of ways. I think that gave me a heart for others who are struggling.”

Perez became an envoy in the Salvation Army. “I was a lay minister, serving in both Battle Creek and Jackson, Mich.”

After the tragic death of Bill Shields, an officer in the Elkhart Salvation Army, Perez came onboard to help his widow, Barb, who was also an officer. “I remember the Shields hosting our youth group at their farm when I was growing up in Michigan City. They have always been like family to me.” Perez was the business administrator at the Elkhart Salvation Army for five years.

“Through working at the Salvation Army, I became a friend of Ross Swihart’s, who followed his dad as director of Faith Mission. In January 2004 I became the development director there and was part of the team that relocated the mission from downtown Elkhart to Benham Avenue.”

As development director, Perez was in charge of fundraisers, public relations and special events for the mission. “I was there to listen to ideas from

community members and to open doors for new projects and volunteer opportunities.”

In January 2024, Perez moved up to CEO. “When Ross Swihart was director, the mission expanded greatly. We have additional housing and added programs and with God’s help, it’s my job to make these new ventures work along with staff and volunteers who are always welcome and needed at Faith Mission.”

Broken people who come to Faith Mission hopefully leave better than when they got there. “Our hope is individuals and families leave and remain stable. Other times some have to return to us.”

Perez feels that the people who come through the doors of Faith Mission are God’s people. “Some of them struggle with addictions. Some suffer from trauma. I can tell them what God’s done for me. But I don’t know what God will do for them. They need to walk with Jesus and write their own stories.”

Perez and his wife, Kelley, have four kids and three grandkids. “My prayer is that my kids and grandkids will become God-minded. He gives us purpose in life.”

I am home alone

NUTSHELL 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. 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 dishwasher 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 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.

NEW CEO Mike Perez became the development director of Faith Mission in 2004. This past January he moved up to CEO. Perez loves his job and believes that the people who come for assistance are God’s people, and it’s part of his calling to help them leave the mission better than when they got there. Photo provided by Mike Perez.

Five things to know about asthma, summer heat

(StatePoint) Nearly 25 million people of all ages in the United States are living with asthma, a lifelong chronic disease that makes it harder to move air in and out of the lungs.

Here’s what the American Lung Association wants everyone to know during summer, when extreme heat can make asthma harder to manage.

1. New challenges are emerging.

Beyond traditional asthma triggers like respiratory infections, secondhand smoke and pets, new challenges are emerging. The effects of climate change include extreme heat, poor air quality, increased allergens, extreme weather events, and more frequent and intense wildfires, all of which are making asthma more difficult to manage.

Excessive heat and humidity increase the risk of asthma exacerbation, asthma-related hospitalization and asthmarelated death, especially for children and women. Patients should limit time outdoors during heat waves, seek access to air conditioning and take steps to improve indoor air quality, as humidity allows dust mites and mold to thrive.

2. City dwellers are particularly vulnerable.

Two-thirds of the average U.S. city is made up of roads, parking spaces, sidewalks and roofs. Since these surfaces are typically dark and non-porous, they contribute to flooding, increased air pollution, poor health and what is known as “urban heat,” a phenomenon in

Pack up your troubles for a trip

By CECIL SCAGLIONE

Mature Life Features

The vacation of your dreams can turn into a nightmare just as your time on a tropical beach can turn terrible.

Hurricane, a fractured wrist, a traffic accident, lost luggage, a missed transportation connection — any of these or many other reasons can be the cause.

Being a bit paranoid when planning your trip can ease some of the pain should anything happen.

Make sure someone in your family knows where you’re going, what you plan to do and how long you’ll be away. Have that person or someone else be aware that they’ll be called should anything happen to you.

And don’t forget to have someone keep an eye on your apartment, house and property while you’re away.

which cities experience warmer temperatures than surrounding areas.

Urban heat, combined with pollutants from power plants, motor vehicles and other pollution sources, creates ozone pollution, also known as smog. Those with asthma can experience symptoms like shortness of breath, wheezing and coughing from both ground-level ozone and particle pollution, as well as from the impacts of extreme weather and airborne allergens.

Sadly, these issues disproportionately impact certain communities. Due to a history of discriminatory practices like systematic denial of mortgages, insurance loans, and other financial services on the basis of race and ethnicity, Black and Indigenous people, and other people of color, are more likely to be living in areas impacted by urban heat and poor air quality.

3. Flooding can harm lung health.

Increased severe storms due to climate change results in more flooding, which can harm lung health. Chemicals, sewage, oil, gas and other dangerous substances found in floodwaters can pose health risks, and mold, associated with asthma attacks, can grow anywhere there is water or dampness.

4. Advocacy efforts are underway.

The Smart Surfaces Coalition is made up of 40 national and international organizations committed to making Smart Surfaces the global urban design standard. Smart Surfaces encompass a suite of cuttingedge technologies, including reflective (cool) roofs and pavements, green roofs, trees, solar panels and rain gardens. Designed to mitigate urban heat, enhance air quality and improve health, these transformative urban features can cool

cities by 5 degrees F, reduce flooding, provide economic benefits and potentially advance environmental justice.

The American Lung Association, an active member of the Smart Surfaces Coalition, encourages cities to take these actions:

• Install light-colored roads, parking lots and driveways to reflect sunlight and reduce heat.

• Install solar panels to convert sunlight into electricity and provide shade for roofs.

• Plant trees to increase shade.

• Select porous surfaces to collect polluted stormwater, soak it into the ground, and filter out pollution.

Other strategies to reduce urban heat, air pollution and ozone levels include using public transportation, carpooling, increasing green spaces and installing cooling centers in extreme conditions.

5. Resources are available. Educational programming can help people better manage the disease in summer and year-round. Patients can check out the self-management education programs, information and tools available at Lung.org/asthma or call the American Lung Association’s Lung Helpline at (800) LUNGUSA. Living with an illness, or being the caretaker to someone who is, can take a physical and emotional toll. Patients can get support and knowledge, and connect with others by joining the Lung Association’s Patient and Caregiver Network.

For the 24.8 million Americans living with asthma, extreme summer temperatures and emerging environmental threats can make life more difficult. Fortunately, new educational resources and expanded programming can help patients navigate new and old challenges alike.

Help is all around you

By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features

Helping each other is part of our genes, whether we know it or not, or like it or not.

We help our aging parents, neighbors and friends as they become frail and their abilities to cope with the world around them fade.

Our children learn how to walk and cope with the world around them with our help.

But, whether it’s because of macho or manners, there seems to be resistance to ask for help.

Just think about the cliché couple in a car looking for an address. They waste much time driving around, proclaiming it should be just around the corner when all they would have to do is stop and ask directions from a passer-by or shop owner who’s familiar with the neighborhood.

They claim they don’t want to look stupid, so they act stupidly.

As we age, many of us think we’ll look like we’re losing it if we ask for help. You read of seniors dying of heart attacks shovelling snow from their driveway. And you hear oldsters complain about their aching back as they heft heavy grocery bags into and out of the trunk of their car.

They should be asking someone for help with these chores. For example, shopping trips can be coordinated with a family member, friend or neighbor who can help with the loading and unloading.

This means you should quit

caring about whether or not you look self-reliant or lazy.

While “please” and “thank you” should be atop your list of vocabulary used on a daily basis, you can slip “I need your help” right behind them.

Get used to this phrase. Use it when you walk up to a cashier in the supermarket. Instead of just dumping our purchases on the moving belt, tell them, “I might need your help with some of this stuff.”

You’ll find the cashier’s attitude friendlier and a bit less businesslike because you’re asking for their help — because studies reveal people actually do want to help each other. All they need is to be asked.

Asking for help most likely will start with members of you family — brothers, sisters, sons, daughters and in-laws — and expand to friends, colleagues, co-workers and neighbors.

You might be looking for someone to help with your taxes or get you to medical appointments or find the right kinds of plants to make your yard easier to maintain. Be very clear on what you need and when you need it. Let the person you’re asking know right off that they can say no if they can’t help you. You don’t need or want an explanation.

Thank them for listening and ask if there’s someone they know who might be able help you. Then ask if there’s anything you can do to help them.

GIVING A LIFT Getting in and out of a recliner can be a difficult task for some seniors. However, buying a quality lift chair can be an expensive purchase. Wheelchair Help has a large inventory of gently used lift chairs at very affordable prices. Wheelchair Help has a new location, conveniently located and easily accessible at 28423 Old US 33, Elkhart.

Pictured in front is co-owner Darlene Lidy. Standing behind, from left, are co-owner Joe Lidy, Denise Chandler and Joyce Chancellor.

Wheelchair Help is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and offer a wide variety of preowned mobility equipment. For more information, call (574) 295-2220. Photo by Keith Knepp.

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.

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50 Years Go Blast to the Past! —

‘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.

By RANDAL C. HILL

And, along the way, ABBA heard no complaints from the owner of a Swedish fish-canning 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 each event, with hopeful participants representing their home countries, performing original three-minute songs.

Greencroft Goshen residents revel in Summerfest

By EILEEN SANER Resident Greencroft Goshen

Greencroft Goshen’s Summerfest 2024, held July 9, gave visitors a festive look at what some resident volunteers have been doing to improve native habitats and expand opportunities to encounter nature. The event encouraged awe and gratitude for the beauty of creation.

The prize handed to the winner seemed absurd: a 1950s-style glass radio microphone. The wide-ranging — 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 Anderson 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 owner had initially grumbled, “Okay, as long as you don’t make us feel ashamed for what you’re doing.”

The fest featured golf cart tours of wildflowers, newly-planted trees, beehives, bluebird nesting boxes, a butterfly garden and resident flower/vegetable gardens. Residents learned of recent efforts to replace invasive plants with native species, a first-year perennial garden in full bloom and a newly groomed trail into the woods. They enjoyed pontoon boat rides on Juniper Pond.

At the Pavilion and adjacent canopies, participants interacted

with exhibitors, including Jessica Merking, urban wildlife biologist with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources; Aaron Sawatsky Kingsley and staff of the Goshen Department of Environmental Resilience; and the Greencroft Goshen Resident Environmental Committee. Youth from the Goshen Boys and Girls Club were on hand to interact with residents and help load golf carts.

For the second year, residents Gene Yoder, Don Yoder and Eileen Saner led the planning process. Greencroft administrative staff and grounds leaders joined the process and provided critical support, both financial and operational.

While Greencroft staff maintain lawns, bushes and other plantings, residents develop flowerbeds around their homes. They volunteer to create and maintain gardens in common areas. The

Greencroft Goshen Resident Environmental Committee promotes stewardship of the earth’s resources and improves natural habitats and aesthetics on campus.

Planners agree that Summerfest showcases the natural beauty of the campus, especially the Woodlands and the wildflower/ native grasses areas. Nurturing beauty, connecting with each other, building a sense of community and having a good time motivate Greencroft residents to improve the campus as a place to play, roam, sit and enjoy.

Greencroft Goshen is one of nine affiliates of Greencroft Communities, a nonprofit provider of senior housing and healthcare services. Ruth Finau, volunteer coordinator, facilitates service opportunities at Greencroft Goshen. For more information on how to volunteer or to find out more about Greencroft Goshen visit greencroft.org.

Goshen Orthopedics welcomes Boyer as orthopedic surgeon

Fellowship-trained Orthopedic Surgeon Bryan Boyer, M.D., has joined Goshen Orthopedics. He provides care for patients with a wide range of disorders and injuries to bones, joints, muscles, tendons and ligaments.

In addition to general orthopedic surgeries, Boyer specializes in total joint replacements of knees, hips and shoulders. He has advanced training in minimally-invasive procedures to treat bone and joint conditions in the spine. In addition, Boyer has 20 years of sub-specialty experience in orthopedic trauma surgery.

“Dr. Boyer shares our dedication to personalized care to help patients get back to activities they enjoy most,” said Randy Christophel, Goshen Health

president and CEO. “Our community also benefits from the extensive experience Dr. Boyer brings in minimally-invasive procedures that alleviate pain and restore mobility.”

Boyer earned a doctor of medicine from Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis. He holds a Bachelor of Science in biology from Indiana University, Bloomington. Boyer completed fellowship training in orthopedic surgery at Grant Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio. His residency was at Akron General Medical Center, Akron, Ohio.

ABBA LEAVES BEHIND A LEGACY OF CLASSIC CREATIONS

DR. BRYAN BOYER

A Boomer Blast To The Past

GARDEN WALK A Greencroft Goshen resident explains the significance of the Butterfly Gardens to the volunteer group from Boys and Girls Club. The Butterfly Gardens are located on the Greencroft Goshen Campus. Photo provided by Greencroft Goshen.

Don’t forget nostalgia

By TOM MORROW Mature Life Features

When you reach 85 years of life it’s okay to recall the good old days.

Do you remember when it took at least two to three loooong minutes for the radio set to warm up? I remember watching the television station’s test pattern before the day’s programming began. Or we watched the Air Force fly-bys as the “Star Spangled Banner” was played to end each day’s programming, usually around midnight.

In Middle West America, our dads usually left the keys to the family car in the ignition. Car doors were never locked. Some family homes went unlocked around the clock.

As hard as that might be to believe, small town folks in the 1950’s trusted each other. That lasted until 1963, when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. Nothing in America has ever been that trusting since.

Nobody owned a pure bred dog before that time. Owners hardly ever picked up after their mutt’s leavings.

A quarter was a decent allowance for a small child. And, up until 1964, that coin was minted with real silver. We’d reach into a muddy gutter for a dropped coin, checking to see if it was a highly collectable “1943” penny.

Your mom wore nylons stockings that came in two pieces. At the service station your dad got

his car’s wind shield cleaned and its oil checked while gas was being pumped at less than 30 cents a gallon … all for free every time you filled up. If you bought premium gasoline (also known as “Ethel”) you got your floorboards swept out with a small whisk broom. If your tires needed a check, you didn’t pay for any pumped air. And sometimes you got trading stamps, if Dad remembered to collect them for Mom.

At the grocery store, a box of laundry detergent included free dishes. For us kids a box of Cracker Jacks always had a prize, and a pack of bubble gum included a small comic strip.

In the 1940s and ‘50s it was considered a great privilege to be taken out for lunch or dinner at a cafe with your parents, but it was hard on Dad’s wallet. In 1958, hamburgers were 15 cents each, tenderloin sandwiches were a quarter, and a hot roast beef open-face sandwich cost between 50 to 75 depending upon accompanying vegetable and mashed potatoes and gravy.

To drink? Coffee was a nickel and a bottle of pop in Iowa was six cents … if you didn’t keep the glass bottle. That was 2 cents extra.

It was about this time that Bill Haley and the Comets burst open the rock ‘n roll era.

To put 1950’s finances into perspective, my weekly allowance up until I graduated from high school in 1958 was $2 and a tank of gas for my car. Going to the drive-in movies with a

Live, Carefree.

date was special. Your girlfriend sometimes rode through the admission gate in the car trunk so you could afford two bags of popcorn and an extra candy bar.

In the Midwest you always knew the changes of seasons. Spring had fresh air and the croaking of frogs. Summer was hot and sticky. Fall brought the turning of leaves and the special smell they made as Dad raked and burned them. And winter came along with the

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BILL HALEY AND THE COMETS

first frost. You knew the ground would be frozen soon after.

Most of us kids were in fear for our lives, but it wasn’t because of drive-by shootings, drugs or gangs. It was for fear of getting polio or the Russians dropping “the bomb.” We learned how to survive if it was dropped. We kids were taught to dive under our school desk and cover our heads to stay safe.

Consumables from the drug store came without safety caps and hermetic seals because no one had yet tried to poison a perfect stranger. Female products were discreetly placed on the store shelf in plain brown wrapping paper.

Home milk delivery was in glass bottles with cardboard stoppers, newsreels were shown in theaters before the movie, and telephone numbers

in the city had a word prefix. Us country folks remember when we had just three or four numbers with no word prefix and nearly everyone was on a party line. My folks’ home number was 3-3-9. My dad’s business number was 1-1-3. If you didn’t know the number, you just told the operator who or what you wanted and she’d connect you, often listening in to make sure you weren’t passing any government secrets. U.S. postage “zip” codes and telephone area codes didn’t appear until the late 1950’s.

But with all our progress, don’t you wish now and then you could slip back in time and savor life’s slower pace and share it with the children of today with no personal phone to text someone sitting 10 feet away?

Bumpy road to comfortable retirement

By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features

If you try to rationalize when you’ll have enough money to retire, you’ll never do it.

While finances — the right amount of money or fear of not enough money — are a massive factor in making your decision, instinct and intuition also play a major role.

Several retirees have explained their decision simply. It was time, they say.

Many people work as long as they can, until their mind and muscle can no longer take the strain and stress. If they’ve planned it that way, it can work for them. If they haven’t, they’ll

have trouble adjusting to the new life thrust upon them.

Among the happiest retirees are those who compiled a wish list of things they wanted to do during their lifetime — learn to play bridge, visit every corner of their native land, raise orchids or whatever. In between, they visit the grandchildren and have coffee with old cronies. Some volunteer their time for local nonprofit service organizations.

Their new position, described by much of the world as one’s golden years, can be tarnished by the ugly fact that they didn’t save, save and save some more during their earning years.

Continued on page 21

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, name-calling 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-the-20thcentury 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 back-

Bumpy

Continued from page 20

Some seniors are able to snag a job as a supermarket bagger or gofer to ease their fiscal strain, but the increasing political pressure to raise minimum wages is pricing such prospects out the proverbial window.

fired. Once in the presidency, “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 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.

Crossroad Tours

Financial preparation helps make retirement more enjoyable. Living on a lower budget before retiring can accomplish a couple of things. By cutting down on the number of nights you eat out, the periodic shopping sprees for new clothes, and not trading in the family car annually for a new model will get you used to getting along with things you don’t need but were accustomed to. And the money you save can be added to your retirement fund so you can enjoy those years more comfortably.

Overlooked in one’s view of retirement is how the maintenance or loss of control over your life affects your life. Planning and making your own decisions is a powerful portion of your happiness. Sickness, disability and death are among the unexpected that can undermine whatever you plan, but such events and how they can affect you emotionally and economically should be considered when you review your view of retirement.

The coronavirus pandemic pandemonium that sent the stock market tumbling is a graphic example of unexpected events that can affect in your financial future. Whether or not you dabble directly in the stock market, it’s possible your pension fund is heavily invested in it, meaning your financial future might be tied to Wall Street more than you realized.

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 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.

HOME TO THE PRESIDENTS The White House has been home to 46 presidents. Some Americans look back on some presidencies with great pride, but not all presidents were lovable. Photo by Getty Images.

intently staring at the array of shells on the beach are shellers in

position looking for that perfect shell for their collections.

Sanibel Island still a top shelling spot

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 15-foot storm surge, the nine-mile-long barrier island in the Gulf of Mexico just 45 minutes southwest of Fort Meyers, 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

GREAT ESCAPES

By ROD KING

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.

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NOV 8-12 SMOKY

MOUNTAIN JOURNEY

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their finds.

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 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.

Continued on page 23

CLEANING UP Washing stands are provided for shellers to clean up

COMPARING FINDS A group of shellers crowd around to see

anyone has stumbled upon the Schapella Junonia, the most valuable shell on the beach. One who finds it usually gets his or her photo taken for the local newspaper.

SANIBEL STOOP Hunched over,

the “Sanibel Stoop”

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

Text and Photos

beaches of Sanibel and Captiva Islands, barrier reefs southeast of Fort Myers, Fla.

Sanibel Island

Continued from page 22

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.

Be picky about economy class airplane seats

By CECIL SCAGLIONE

Mature Life Features

Legroom — the distance from the point of one seat to the same point on the seat in front of it — has become a common currency among flyers seeking the most comfort in the crowded cabin in the sky. Known as seat pitch, it ranges from 28 to 34 inches on U.S. carriers.

Seat width, which ranges

Pickpockets feast on travelers

By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features

Travelling with or moving in and out of a crowd may make you feel safe, but packs of people also hide the cunning who can make off with your wallet or purse.

Oddly enough, Vatican City is reportedly high on the list of most dangerous place for

visitors as pickpockets mingle freely with the more than 6 million pilgrims that visit each year.

In any crowd, women should carry their purse in front of them and men keep their wallet in a side or front trouser pocket.

Being aware of your surroundings is step number one to protect yourself from these vultures. Don’t look lost or bewil-

dered and don’t stop passersby to ask for directions. Step into a building — a store, restaurant or museum — and ask a staff member for the information you seek.

Stay on the edges of the crowd as you tour the Prado or leave the Louvre. Thieves are more likely to work the muddled middle of the mob.

Disaster kit might save the day

By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features

Emergencies spring at us from all sides at any time and appear all sizes.

If it isn’t a springtime flood, summertime tornado, fall forest fire or winter hurricane, it might be a strange virus scrambling around the globe or power lines slashed by some construction crew.

They’re unexpected and can be costly.

That’s why we call them disasters. We’re excluding personal tragedies at this point. We’re talking about events that may leave you isolated and immobile for days or even weeks.

We’re talking about being prepared for extended periods when your electricity goes out and your refrigerator, lights, television set and internet connections aren’t working. We’re talking about when your cell phone runs out of juice and you have no way to recharge it. And your car doesn’t have enough gas to get you out of the stricken area.

A bit of planning and preparation can carry you a long way through the aftermath of a fire or flood or a terrorist attack on our region’s infrastructure.

What will you do if your movement requires a powered wheelchair? If you’re connected to oxygen tanks? Or if you run out of medication?

A simple first step is to put together an emergency kit.

It will require regular maintenance because you’re going to stash a week or two’s worth of medication in the package. You’ll have to use up and replace that supply regularly so the medication doesn’t get old and useless.

Next on your list of priorities is water. Emergency experts recommend you start with a threeday supply of water — a gallon a day for each adult. A three-day

ration of non-perishable food, usually canned, comes next. And don’t forget a can opener.

Tuck in a flashlight with extra batteries and get batteries for a small battery-operated radio you’re going to add to your kit.

Take a walk

By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features

Walking beats taking pills when it comes to maintaining your health as you age.

A daily 10-minute walk around the block, down in the park or around your apartment building may not add years to your life, but it will keep you much healthier while you are alive. Add five or 10 minutes to that walk every other day or so to make you even healthier.

Now speed it up.

While strolls can be satisfying, a brisk pace while swinging your arms will not only make you healthier, it should make you feel younger.

This will allow you to get information on disaster developments.

Toss in a first aid kit and add a whistle you can use to call for help.

Pick up some wet wipes and towelettes, trash bags and plastic ties to serve your needs if your toilet is destroyed or not working. A pair of pliers or wrench is a handy tool in any emergency and is small enough to carry around

Pick up some maps of the locality if you’re not familiar with the area.

This kit may be too heavy to tote so make a smaller one you can grab and haul away with you.

You might also visit with your neighbors to discuss your and their needs and how you can help each other should the lights go out.

ANSWERS:

from 17 to 18 inches, is also a comfort consideration. Widebodied aircraft that are squeezing in more rows of seats are most likely to have the narrowest economy class seating. While window seats offer a bit more privacy than an aisle seat and more comfort than a middle seat, it may not have a window at all because not all seating rows line up with the aircraft’s windows.

SHELLER’S PARADISE Shells galore await shell collectors from around the world on the

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.