Senior Life - NorthWest Edition - October 2024

Free Living Life After 50

Pink Ribbon Society

works to prevent breast cancer and support patients

By CARRIE STEINWEG Feature Writer

One in eight women in the United States will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in her lifetime. It accounts for about 30% of all new female cancer diagnoses. After skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer in women.

When you dive further, you will find some grim statistics when it comes to breast cancer. However, one important number to highlight is the number of survivors. According to the American Cancer Society, there are more than 4 million breast cancer survivors living in the United States. A big key in that survival rate is early detection.

October marks Breast Cancer Awareness Month — and it’s a time to focus on early screenings and prevention.

One group locally making a big impact on those diagnosed with Breast Cancer is the Pink Ribbon Society. Its founder, Ann Peters, its board and its volunteers work to raise funds and run programs to help with testing, treatment support and more.

In 2011, the Pink Ribbon Society and Indiana Women in Need forged an amazing partnership that would support the women in Northwest Indiana communities whose lives had been touched by breast cancer. Since that time, Pink Ribbon Society has donated $135,00 to support those who have suffered a financial loss during treatment.

The organization has made grants available for patients in four Northwest Indiana counties to receive prepaid vouchers to be used for groceries, transportation, medications or other items. It’s just one way Pink Ribbon Society is making a difference for

over 80 baskets, each themed with specific items. Photos provided by Pink Ribbon Society.

YEARLY PARTICIPANTS

Renee Connelly with the Gary Railcats and Lake County Sheriff Oscar Martinez Jr., are regular celebrity servers at the annual Pink Ribbon Society Breast Cancer Awareness Luncheon. This year’s luncheon was held Sunday, Sept. 29.

so many.

“Early Detection Saves Lives” is the group’s most important message. Pink Ribbon Society underwrites the cost of screening and diagnostic mammograms, ultrasounds, CT scans, MRI’s and other testing needed to help diagnose breast cancers. To date, the Pink Ribbon Society has underwritten the cost of these tests at over $288,000 for approximately 2,400 women.

The mission of Pink Ribbon Society is to support those who

Continued on page 2

FIRE DEPARTMENT SHOWS SUPPORT The Whiting Fire Department presented a check to the Pink Ribon Society after having a Paint the town Pink event, this past summer for $1,500. Ann Peters and Sharon Bailey are shown with members of the department at the check presentation.

PARTICIPATE IN SURVIVORS DAY Ann Peters, Christine Cain and Sharon Bailey are shown participating in the National Cancer Survivors Day event, sponsored by Powers Health.

Vice chancellor pushing success for minority students

By STEVE EUVINO Feature Writer

Dr. Dorothy Frink did her doctoral dissertation on the challenges minority students face in college. It wasn’t just something she wrote. It’s something she continues to work toward.

With more than 25 years in higher education, Frink is interim vice chancellor for student affairs and enrollment management at Indiana University Northwest in Gary. This fall, IUN enrolled 3,041 students, 54% them students of color.

Some of those minority students were not exposed to the same opportunities in high school and now they’re being challenged in college.

Frink, who earned her doctorate in higher education administration from Indiana State University, wrote her dissertation on marginalized students, those on probatio, and issues of

race and politics.

Her research, she states, “underscores my deep understanding of the challenges faced by these students and my commitment to addressing them.”

The mission of student affairs at IUN is to “encourage campus and community engagement” and “facilitate students’ transformation into resilient, resourceful and successful IUN students.”

Frink measures success by retention and graduation rates and a student survey. She also cites a qualitative measure of what students say daily about IU Northwest.

“We want students to feel like we are their family, that this is a second home for them,” the vice chancellor says. “People can walk across campus and say they matter.”

Recent IUN retention increased 71% at the Gary campus; for students of color, the rate is up 64%. That, Frink says, is

significant, especially since some minority students do not enter college well prepared.

One challenge, she notes, is that some local school systems are under-resourced.

“We’ve had students who sit in a class in which other students already had this material, but for them it’s the first time,” Frink says. “There’s a lack of resilience. They don’t know if they feel comfortable here.”

To address this, she says, “We try to build belonging-ness. Some students don’t feel they belong. We want to help students know they belong.”

Frink, who describes her responsibilities as “vast,” has 11 departments reporting to her.

Partnering with Student Affairs, Frink says, IUN works to ensure students work in groups, not as individuals, on projects. This effort also involves faculty, who not only teach but maintain a dialogue with students.

“We encourage students to feel, ‘I do belong here,’” Frink says. This belonging, she continues, includes athletics and other campus activities to bring people together.

Frink also points to campus leadership, starting with the chancellor and his leadership team. Involved with faculty groups, Frink says IUN leadership “looks for different ways to make the campus successful.”

The Merrillville resident came to IUN in 2015 as director of admissions and was promoted Continued on page 4

need help locally.

“Funds we raise are used to educate on the importance of breast cancer prevention through our mammogram and ultrasound program. Should a patient be diagnosed with breast cancer, we set up help through our Patient Assistance Program, providing wigs, compression sleeves, prosthesis and financial support,” as stated in the organization’s most recent newsletter.

Among their other projects is a wig reimbursement program for up to $200 for the purchase of a wig not covered by most insurance, providing over 1,000 to date; the Pink Pockets program, which provides holders for drain bottles following breast surgery; the Pink Compression Sleeve Program, which underwrites the cost of a sleeve to alleviate swelling after a mastectomy or lumpectomy up to $100; and the Bundles of Hope Program, providing packets for patients embarking on their first treatment with a pillow, coloring book and other items.

To date the organization has put over $750,000 back into the community to help those who have reached out for help.

If you or someone you know is in need of screenings or support, contact their office in Merrillville at (219) 472-0704 and visit pinkribbonsociety.com for more information.

ACADEMIC LEADER — Dr. Dorothy Frink is interim vice chancellor for student affairs and enrollment management at Indiana University Northwest in Gary. Having been in higher education for more than 25 years, she has served at IUN since 2015. Photo by Steve Euvino.

Cancer survivor emphasizes importance of good support system

By CARRIE STEINWEG Feature Writer

Cindi Weeden didn’t have the usual risk factors that made her likely to develop breast cancer. There was no family history of breast cancer and in the past she had elected not to take hormones because of the cancer risk she had heard the posed. Yet, when she found a lump in her left breast in February 2023, it was the beginning of a journey of fighting

and healing.

The following month, she had a mammogram, ultrasound and biopsy and was diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer. From there she met with an oncologist and went through a battery of tests and three days later had a chemo port placed. Her round of chemo went on for 20 weeks. “I had several side effects from the chemo. I lost my hair after three weeks. I had migraines, tremors and hives on my face for sever-

al weeks,” she said. “Chemo destroyed my nails and I had many bouts with urinary tract infections. I had a lumpectomy in October and reconstructive surgery 10 days later and

completed radiation in January after 25 treatments.”

Through it all, she said that the support of so many helped her through it. “I had an incredible support system during

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Vice chancellor

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five years later to vice chancellor of enrollment engagement. Frink contributed to a grant-writing team that secured a $3 million grant for the developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions Program through the U.S. Department of Education. The grant is designed to enhance retention and graduation rates while fostering a culture of student success.

Frink and her husband, Cecil, have two sons.

my whole journey. I could not have asked for more from my family and friends,” she said. “I had many friends that would text me every week before I went to chemo to remind me they were thinking about me. My daughters and my boyfriend were at all my chemo appointments and were there whenever I needed anything. My bosses were there every step of the way. You need to have wonderful people in your corner that can lift you up when cancer takes every ounce of your dignity.”

Weeden said her first reaction to her diagnosis was shock, followed by sadness and anger. “I had to get through this,” she said. “I had too much left to see.” She has some bits of advice for others after having gone through this journey. “I would tell all women to make sure they get a yearly mammogram,” she sad. “Do your homework on hormones and do what’s best for you. Advocate for yourself. If one doctor doesn’t listen to you, find another one that will. You will get different care in different states based on the laws in your state. Some tests and level of care are not available to everyone in every state.”

The mom of two adult daughters works in purchasing for a scaffolding company and continued working throughout her treatments. “I worked full time during chemo and my bosses were very supportive through this entire journey,” she added. After a scare in July when a lump was found during a mammogram, she was relieved to learn that it was calcification rather that cancer. She has been considered cancer-free since Aug. 6.

“I learned that you can’t escape cancer,” she said. “I’m 56. I don’t smoke and I never have. I don’t drink very much and eat pretty healthy.”

Photo by Steve

SUPPORT THROUGH TREATMENT — Cindi Weeden is pictured with her daughters, Courtney and Christen, who were with her during her chemo appointments and whenever she needed anything. Photo provided by Cindi Weeden.

Flying not the only way to go

By CECIL SCAGLIONE

Mature Life Features

Fearful flyers take a lot of time to think about when and whether or not to board another airliner.

Researchers report as many as one out of three people are either afraid or anxious about flying. Data also reveals one out of every four passengers aboard any flight is a white-knuckler.

A late colleague logged thousands of miles in his constant global search for top-grade material for his company, but he

By WOODROW WILCOX

Problem

is from Griffith. She and I attended Griffith High School together many moons ago. In our conversation with the

Medicare representative, we learned that Medicare failed to update our client’s Medicare record in a timely manner and that caused our client to be hounded for unpaid bills. Many seniors don’t know that Medicare is slow to update its records of senior citizens who switch insurance coverage.

If a senior gets medical services before Medicare has updated the file on the senior, the senior is likely to get bills from medical firms that did not get paid because of Medicare’s slow work on updating files.

With some editing to protect privacy, here is the letter that I sent to medical firms that were billing our client for payment.

“Our client brought medical bills and other papers to our office and asked us to review the problem of her bills not getting paid by Medicare or her secondary insurer.

“I reviewed the information

remembers none of them. The only way he could get himself to board a plane was to fortify himself with booze so he could fall asleep immediately after he buckled himself in.

Airlines boast of their safety record, and rightly so. Flying

and phoned Medicare with her to discuss the claims. Here is what we learned.

“Our client was divorced and ended her coverage with her former husband’s health insurance plan on Feb. 29, 2024. Then, she had Medicare as her primary insurer starting March 1, 2024. But Medicare took 3 1/2 months to update her Medicare record. During that time, she received medical services from your firm that were denied by Medicare because it was so slow to update her Medicare file. That file was not updated until June 13, 2024.

“Now that her Medicare file is accurate, please refile the claims that were denied previously. The claim should be honored by Medicare and the secondary insurer when you file it this time. Here is the account number to help you locate any bill with an outstanding balance. Thank you for your cooperation. (Account number

ranks atop the list of travel methods for safety, speed and cost.

But senior travellers who can take their time to get around can shop for a cruise ship to transport them comfortably to and from Rio or Rome without having

cited here.)”

All the help that I am giving the client is free of charge. This insurance agency helps all our clients with such medical bill problems without charging the client anything. It is the way that we demonstrate to our clients that we really do appreciate their business and want them treated fairly and well.

If the insurance agent or agency that you use does not give this high level of customer service, why don’t you switch to an insurance agency that does? This one does.

Woodrow Wilcox is the senior medical bill case worker at Senior Care Insurance Services in Merrillville. He has saved clients of that firm over three million dollars by fighting mistakes and fraud in the Medicare billing system. Also, Wilcox wrote the book “Solving Medicare Problem$” which can be ordered through book stores or online.

to be crowded into an uncomfortable seat in an uncomfortable metal tube.

Another maritime alternative is a freighter. While the quarters aren’t as luxurious as a mega-liner, they can be just as comfortable at a third of the cost.

The COVID-19 shutdown and border closings gave everyone a new look at daily living and time to consider how they’re going to live the rest of their lives.

Visiting friends and family has climbed higher up the travel ladder and, since many of them are within these borders, driving can replace flying.

There’s no doubt flying still is the safest and quickest way to get you there. This becomes especially attractive the farther away your destination is. But it’s not stretching the truth when you say it’s not fun anymore. Airlines are still squeezing you into a tight seat after you’ve manhandled whatever luggage you’re allowed through airport gates, security, and crowds.

If you do decide to fly, health experts advise you to pick a window seat. This puts you in a position where you’ll have the least number of people sitting near you and keep you away from the busy aisle. Take hand sanitizer with you and, wherever possible, distance yourself from other people, they add.

Mature Life Features Copyright 2024

Eligibility for Social Security spouse’s benefits

By DANIEL SUMMER, MA Public Affairs Specialist Social Security Administration

Social Security helps you secure today and tomorrow with financial benefits, information, and tools that support you through life’s journey.

If you don’t have enough Social Security credits to get benefits on your own record, you may be able to receive benefits as a spouse. Your spouse must be receiving benefits for you to get benefits on their record. If your spouse does not receive retirement or disability, you’ll have to wait to apply on your spouse’s record.

In addition, to be eligible for spouse’s benefits, you must be one of the following:

• 62 years of age or older.

• Any age if you have a child who is younger than 16 in your care or has a disability and

is entitled to benefits on your spouse’s record.

If you wait until you reach full retirement age to receive benefits, you’ll receive your full spouse’s benefit amount, which is up to one-half the amount your spouse receives. You’ll also get your full spouse’s benefit if you are under full retirement age, but care for a child and one of the following applies:

• The child is younger than age 16.

• The child has a disability and is entitled to benefits on your spouse’s record. If you receive retirement on your own record, we will pay that amount first. If your benefits as a spouse are higher than your own benefit, you will get a combination of benefits that equals the higher spouse’s benefit.

Consider this example: Sandy is eligible for a monthly

retirement benefit of $1,000 and a spouse’s benefit of $1,250. If she waits for Social Security until her full retirement age, she will receive her own $1,000 retirement benefit. We will add $250 from her spouse’s benefit, for a total of $1,250 a month. Sandy only gets an additional spouse’s benefit because her own benefit is less than half her spouse’s full retirement age benefit. Want to apply for either your retirement or your spouse’s benefits or both? Are you at least 61 years and 9 months old? If you answer yes to both, visit ssa.gov/benefits/retirement to get started today. Are you divorced from a marriage that lasted at least 10 years? You may be able to get benefits on your former spouse’s record. For more information, visit our website at ssa.gov/planners/retire/ divspouse.html.

YOU MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR SPOUSE’S BENEFITS If you don’t have enough Social Security credits to get benefits on your own record, you may be able to receive benefits as a spouse.

Chefs Around the Table event to benefit Our Greater Good’s free family programming

By CARRIE STEINWEG Feature Writer

Our Greater Good was founded 10 years ago to strengthen families and help ensure every child in Porter County has a chance to reach their highest potential.

The organization offers six prevention-based initiatives free of charge to Porter County residents: Growing Great Kids Developmental Guides (a parental guide for children from birth through age 5 focusing on reading and language skills); Lunch Buddies (one-on-one elementary mentoring); Boys to Men (middle/high school group mentoring program); Girls to Women (middle/high school

group mentoring program); Parenting the Love & Logic Way (parenting tools to help handle common parenting challenges); and 9 Essential Skills of a Love & Logic Classroom (classroom management for educators)

“We began in one elementary school in Valparaiso and are now operating in all seven districts in Porter County,” said Natalie Wilson, program director. “During the 2023-34 school year over 3,051 children, families and educators were impacted by Our Greater Good initiatives. With mentoring programs expanding and beginning in multiple new schools and programs, we anticipate those numbers climbing for the 2024-25

school year.”

On Oct. 10, Our Greater Good will celebrate the 10th

Anniversary of Chefs Around the Table fundraiser, which will take place at the Porter

County Expo Center in Valparaiso.

“This year, 40 ladies are taking on 40 gentleman for ultimate culinary bragging rights. Come sample the very best these amateur chefs have to offer. Tempt your taste buds with delicious appetizers, soups or chilis, salads, sides, main dishes and desserts,” said Wilson. As guests sample dishes, they can tip the chefs and vote for their favorites to see who wins the title of Top Chef.

“All proceeds from Chefs Around the Table help ensure the prevention-based initiatives of Our Greater Good remain free of charge to participants,” said Wilson. “Initiatives focus on strengthening families and ensuring that every child in Porter County has the opportunity to reach his or her full potential.”

Tickets are available at ourgreatergood.com/chefsaround-the-table. Tickets are $50 per person and include unlimited sampling. For more information on the organization, visit ourgreatergood.com and follow on Facebook and Instagram.

JOIN THE CO-CHAIRS Join this year’s co-chairs for Around the Table Chefs as 40 ladies take on 40 men. Shown are Jeff Lewis and Peter Anderson, Brandi Anstine and Lisa Frank. The event is at 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 10 at the Porter County Expo. Photo provided by Around The Table Chefs

Vita Luxury Apartments on Grant

Discovering Wellness and Community at Vita Luxury Apartments on Grant

By Sandra Barber, Senior Asset Manager

As an asset manager, I’ve overseen numerous properties, but few have impressed me as much as Vita Luxury Apartments on Grant. Nestled in a serene setting with beautifully landscaped grounds and tranquil lake views, this premier adult community offers a unique blend of luxury living and active lifestyle amenities.

First Impressions And A Warm Welcome

From the moment I stepped onto the property, I was greeted with a warm welcome from Vonda Gorrell, of the leasing team. The entire leasing team’s enthusiasm and dedication to creating a vibrant community were immediately evident. The meticulous attention to detail and the harmonious blend of nature and modern amenities left a lasting impression.

Conversations With DeAhn Smith, The Property Manager

Speaking with DeAhn provided valuable insights into the community’s philosophy. “We believe in creating a space where our

residents can thrive both physically and socially,” she explained.

“Our amenities and activities are designed to promote a healthy, active lifestyle while fostering a close-knit community.”

A Closer Look At The Wellness Amenities

The state-of-the-art fitness center is a testament to Vita on Grant’s commitment to wellness.

Equipped with the latest exercise machines and free weights, it caters to residents of all fitness levels. The property manager highlighted their wellness programs,

which include nutrition workshops and health screenings.

Engaging With The Residents

Engaging with the residents was rewarding. Jane, a resident since 2017, shared how Vita on Grant has positively impacted her life.

“I’ve never felt healthier,” she said.

Ann expressed her appreciation for the welcoming atmosphere.

“My dog Sam loves visiting the office for his daily treat. It’s such a friendly, dog-welcoming community.”

Embracing An Active Lifestyle Vita on Grant’s dedication to

an active lifestyle is evident in the variety of activities available.

From group exercise sessions and outdoor fitness classes to scenic walking and cycling paths, there’s something for everyone.

Shirley, a newer resident, shared her excitement about participating in the community activities. “I’m looking forward to getting more involved. The staff is friendly and responsive, and there’s always something fun to do.”

Conclusion: A Place To Thrive

My experience at Vita Luxury Apartments on Grant reinforced my belief that this community truly understands the importance of wellness and connection. With its

exceptional amenities and vibrant social scene, it’s a place where residents can flourish. Whether you’re looking to maintain an active lifestyle or find a peaceful, welcoming community, Vita on Grant offers the best of both worlds.

For those ready to embrace a lifestyle full of vitality and community, I highly recommend visiting Vita Luxury Apartments on Grant. It’s more than just a place to live; it’s a place to thrive.

Sandra Barber is a senior asset manager with 35 years’ experience in overseeing residential communities and enhancing resident satisfaction.

Advertorial

70s Flashback —

From Hawaii it’s lights, cameras, king!

By RANDAL C. HILL

In September 1972, “Colonel” Tom Parker announced at a press conference that his client, Elvis Presley, would star in an NBCTV charity event for the Kui Lee Cancer Fund in a concert labeled “Aloha from Hawaii.” (Lee, who died at age 34 in December 1966, had written and recorded the hauntingly beautiful “I’ll Remember You,” which Elvis included among the 22 songs he sang on that electrifying Honolulu night.)

Fast-forward to Jan. 14, 1973, and it’s Showtime!

Red camera lights blink on. Rainbow-hued stage lights boldly proclaim his first name. (Adding the last name would, of course, have been superfluous.) A guitar-wielding cartoon-figure backdrop flashes brilliantly. Palpable excitement thrums throughout the cavernous Honolulu International Center.

Suddenly thunderous applause and shouting explode throughout the 8,800-seat arena. Yes! There he is in person, the one and only! And look! Doesn’t he still possess those Adonis-like good looks after nearly two decades on the world stage, back when he was the vanguard of nascent rock ‘n’ rollers everywhere, marching into the hearts, minds, record collections, bedroom walls and diaries of adolescents everywhere!

Grinning broadly, the superstar ambles to center

charity event for the Kui

stage, undoubtedly aware that an estimated 1.5 billion people from 40 countries will be watching. On that memorable night, Presley is there to rock the house in the charity concert that will be televised via satellite. And rock it he does indeed. Resplendent in a sequined white jumpsuit, and with a few recommended tweaks, he essentially recreates his always-sold-out Las Vegas concerts from the International Hotel, his usual performing home for many years.

Elvis’s shows there had featured onstage horseplay, histrionic karate moves and a generous dispensing of souvenir scarves dampened with genuine Elvis Presley sweat. Tonight, though, such showbiz silliness is toned down considerably.

On “Aloha from Hawaii,” which is augmented by a full orchestra and a dynamic gospel backup group, Elvis reprises only a smattering of his classic RCA Victor hits, preferring instead to render a handful of contemporary mainstream works.

However, he does pay homage to a number of fellow rock pioneers, including Chuck Berry (“Johnny B. Goode”), Little Richard (“Long Tall Sally”) and former Sun Records labelmates Carl Perkins (“Blue Suede Shoes”) and Jerry Lee Lewis (“Whole Lot of Shakin’ Going On”). He even tosses in a Beatles track — “Something” — as a nod to his greatest career rivals, who had essentially swept him off the charts during the chaos of Beatlemania. (In 1964, Presley had appealed to Parker to try to block the Fab Four from coming to America.)

Near the evening’s end, the one-time teen idol offers up a jaw-dropping work of majesty and might in a show-stopping medley. His rendition of “An American Trilogy” (“Dixie,” “Battle Hymn of the Republic,” “All My Trials”) is nothing short of amazing. His dynamic, rich baritone/tenor fills the hushed arena as he confidently offers up proof positive that he, 17 years after seizing the popular music world as his own, still wears the crown as the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll.

Robotics technology brought to newly renovated rehabilitation gyms

By IGNITE MEDICAL RESORTS

At Ignite Medical Resorts, our core competency is short term rehabilitation with a focus on hiring the best and most qualified therapists in the area. We are unique in that all of our physical, occupational and speech therapists are employed by us and not contracted. We proudly offer up to seven days a week of rehabilitation services to continue your path to recovery.

At Ignite, we have a focus on technology. Our equipment and modalities are unique to our space and won’t be found in most post hospital rehab settings. Our goal is to get you home faster, getting you back to the people and things you love.

Ignite Northwest Indiana now

features the Andago in-house, which provides therapists with a versatile tool for overground gait training, bridging the gap between treadmill-based and free-walking. The unique combination of self-directed gait, body weight support and mobility enables intensive training of various functional mobility and balance tasks.

At Ignite Medical Resorts our therapists are utilizing our NeuroRehabVR, which is immersive virtual reality. With immersive VR, we can continue to work on goals of our guest in alternative methods. NeuroRehabVR can be used at the bedside or anywhere in our resort.

For more information on our post-hospital rehabilitation services, contact Kelly Petty, vice president of business development at (219) 779-1033.

STATE OF THE ART TECHNOLOGY — The Andago in-house is the new technology at Ignite Medical Resorts of Northwest Indiana. The Andago in-house,provides therapists with a versatile tool for overground gait training, bridging the gap between treadmill-based and free-walking. Photo provided by Ignite Medical Resorts of Northwest Indiana.

ALOHA FROM HAWAII CONCERT Elvis Presley’s NBC-TV

Lee Cancer Fund concert, “Aloha from Hawaii” on Jan. 14, 1973. Photo from PBS.

Get your spark back:

after a planned surgery or bout of illness. Ignite’s dedicated team of in house therapists will customize a rehabilitation plan to get you back on your feet and back to the things you love.

Dining/Leisure/Entertainment

‘KAPOW! Mighty Mythos’ event combines vintage comics and family fun

The Lubeznik Center for the Arts is hosting a Family Day from 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19 in conjunction with their “KAPOW! Mighty Mythos” exhibit which features a curated selection of vintage comic books, toys, ephemera and original artworks.

Families will enjoy a free day of art making, a scavenger hunt through the art

center’s galleries and snacks in addition to viewing the incredible collection of superhero memorabilia.

The works included in the exhibition were amassed by Werner Graf, a Michigan City native who began collecting superhero memorabilia as a young boy and recently transitioned the collection to the Graf Dairy Hero Foundation.

The Foundation has shared a

portion of its more than 6,000 items publicly for the first time at LCA, including a pristine 1966 comic book vending machine, Stan Lee’s first office sign and the working papers for the original lyrics for the 1967 Spider-Man cartoon theme song.

For more information, contact LCA at (219) 874-4900. The arts center is located at 101 W. 2nd St., Michigan City.

Snack smart with hummus

By CAROL SLAGER, Pharmacist, Certified Health Coach

Lifestyle Blogger

Hummus is an incredibly versatile snack that pairs well with a variety of fresh vegetables. Carrots, cucumbers, bell peppers and celery sticks are all excellent options that add crunch and color to your plate. For a heartier snack, try pairing hummus with whole grain crackers, pita bread, or even spreading it on whole grain toast.

Another creative idea is to use hummus as a base for a veggie wrap. Simply spread a generous amount of hummus on a whole grain tortilla, add your favorite veggies, and roll it up for a quick and nutritious meal. Thin out hummus with lemon juice, olive oil, and a splash of water to create a quick and creamy salad dressing. This adds a boost of protein and flavor to your greens.

Whether you’re enjoying it as a dip, spread, or part of a larger dish, hummus is a delicious way to incorporate more plant-based foods into

your diet. Its blend of protein, fiber, and healthy fats makes it a satisfying snack that supports your overall health.

Most commercially prepared hummus varieties contain tahini (ground sesame paste). For those of you who are not fond of tahini or have an allergy or sensitivity to sesame seeds, this recipe is for you.

Tahini-Free Hummus Ingredients:

• 1 (15.5-ounces) can garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained.

• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil.

• Juice from ½ a lemon, about 1 tablespoon.

• 1 teaspoon cumin.

• ¼-½ teaspoon salt.

• Paprika, to garnish (optional).

Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a food processor or blender.

2. Blend until smooth.

3. Taste and adjust seasoning, adding more salt, lemon juice, or additional spices as needed.

4. Serve immediately or refrigerate in an airtight container. It will keep for about four days and can be frozen to

extend shelf life.

You can vary the recipe by adding garlic, roasted red peppers, pepper flakes— whatever your taste buds fancy.

Catholic Charities hosts food and wine event

Catholic Charities will host its fourth annual “Sip Savor Support” event, a multi-course dinner and fine wine pairing experience, from 6:30-10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 18, at the Hellenic Banquet Center, 8000 Madison St., Merrillville. The event will raise money

for programs and services that benefit community members in northwest Indiana.

Sommelier Patrick Cullars will share some background on the wine selections that pair well with the dinner and dessert items, and the event includes a live and silent auction.

Reserve tickets or become a sponsor for “Sip Savor Support” by visiting e.givesmart. com/events/Djs/. Contact the Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Gary at (219) 8863549 with questions or for more information about the event.

Rescuers join forces for gala on Nov. 16

Humane Society of Northwest Indiana will join forces with fellow rescuers, The Feline Community Network, to present a gala that will help each organizations respective missions of helping the collective animals in its care who need homes and care.

Plan to join others for “Spay-Ghetti & No Balls Gala,’ on Saturday, Nov. 16, at the Woodland Park Grand Oakwood Ballroom, 2100 Willowcreek Road, Portage. The gala will be from 6-10 p.m.

Both nonprofit organizations are dedicated to making a sig-

nificant difference in the lives of beloved furry companions across Northwest Indiana.

Staff hopes the public will join them in their missions at the event, which will include food, music, raffles, and plenty of surprises!

Compassion and camaraderie will power this first ever joint effort as the two organizations come together to support the cats and dogs in the Northwest Indiana community like never before. With help, the organizations will raise vital funds and awareness to provide care, shelter and love

to those who need it most. Presence at this fundraiser makes all the difference, so mark your calendars now and plan to be there to help the staffs help animals, one life at a time. For info and tickets, go to either organizations websites: felinecommunitynetworkgiftshop.com or humansocietynorthwestindiana.org.

This event is for those 21 and over only. Sponsors are also being sought to help defray costs of the event. Those considering being a “Spay-ghetto Sponsors” can call (219) 938-3339.

SUPERHEROES ON DISPLAY — The “KAPOW! Mighty Mythos” exhibit features a selection of vintage comic books, toys, ephemera and original artworks. Photo provided by Lubeznik Center for the Arts.

SWEET TOOTH

TOMATO GRATIN

A gratin is any dish topped with cheese or breadcrumbs mixed with butter, then heated until browned--but it needn’t be heavy. This one has plenty of garden-fresh tomatoes and herbs, a touch of full-flavored cheese and a crispy crumb topping.

6 servings Cook Time 20 minutes; Total Time 30 minutes.

INGREDIENTS:

4 slices whole-grain bread, torn into quarters

1 tablespoon minced garlic

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

1/3 cup finely shredded Pecorino Romano, or Parmesan cheese

4 medium tomatoes, sliced

1/4 cup chopped fresh basil

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

1/4 teaspoon salt

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Coat a shallow 2-quart baking dish with nonstick spray.

Place bread in a food processor and pulse until coarse crumbs form. Add garlic, oil and cheese; pulse to combine. Spread the seasoned breadcrumbs on a baking sheet and bake until beginning to brown, about 5 minutes.

Meanwhile, layer tomato slices in the prepared baking dish, sprinkling each layer with basil, pepper and salt. Bake the tomatoes for 10 minutes; sprinkle with the toasted breadcrumbs, and bake for 10 minutes more. Serve immediately.

23. Informal wear 26. “Tail” on letter C 30. Kamakawiwo’ole’s strings 31. Real estate sale agreement 34. Denials 35. 9 a.m. prayer 37. Even, to a poet 38. *Desert plant harvested for sweet syrup

39. Forbidden 40. Quickly or slowly, e.g.

42. *Sweet ____ brew

43. Breathe in 45. Westernmost city in Germany

47. Soldier’s bed 48. Mensch, alt. sp.

50. Italian car brand 52. *Jolly livestock raisers?

55. Russia’s hard liquor

56. Ctrl + Z

57. Consumes food

59. Checks out

60. Famous French couturier (1905-1957)

61. Heavy Metal’s Quiet ____

62. Caustic soda

63. Newsman Rather 64. Kill, as in dragon

DOWN

1. Clever humor

2. Unfortunately, exclamation

3. Actor Nolte

4. Island in French Polynesia

5. *Donut filler

6. Checked out

7. Bleats

8. Rocky & Bullwinkle and Mary Kate & Ashley, pl.

9. To a very great degree (2 words)

10. Not bright

12. Sacred choral compositions

13. Roundish

14. *Sweet tooth, technically 19. *___ Musketeers, spelled out 22. Drops at dawn

23. *____-Frutti 24. Highlander’s dagger

25. Sage and rosemary

26. *Scoop holder

27. Averse

28. “Drove my chevy to the ____”

29. Southeast Asian org.

32. Relinquish, as in property

33. Clergyman’s title, abbr.

“Ant-Man” leading actor

Not top-shelf in a bar

Greek portico

Radio knob, abbr.

Farm pen

Faith helped St. John woman through cancer journey

By CARRIE STEINWEG Feature Writer

Cathy Huhta of St. John is a breast cancer survivor and her faith in God played a big part in getting her through some dark days.

“God knew this would be part of my story,” she said. “I prayed a lot and found comfort in God knowing what the future would be and that he would walk with me through it. I learned to take it one day at a time.”

When diagnosed in 2011, Huhta was at a pivotal point in her life having just become an empty nester after her son started his freshman year of college. “I went in for my annual mammogram after missing the previous year. It was only located because of the yearly mammogram,” she explained.

“On that visit in October they found a ‘spot’ in my right breast. I went for a biopsy on Oct. 31 and it was determined that it was positive for cancer. After very intense questioning

and praying I chose to do a double mastectomy on Nov. 23, 2011.”

Because it was Stage 3A and it was in her lymph nodes, treatment came later.

“I would need chemo and radiation. Chemo! A word I hated and was so scared of! I wanted to live, so treatment was necessary,” she said. “Chemo was first and started in January 2012. I had 16 chemo treatments and 32 radiation treatments that year. After a couple more surgeries, and glad treatment was behind me, I was ready to find my new normal in life. Through this challenge I learned to be more caring for those when they receive the news they have cancer. It is a club no one wants to be a part of.”

Huhta was not the first in her family to have breast cancer. So did her mother, grandmother, aunts and sisters. She stresses the importance of getting yearly mammograms.

“Don’t skip a year,” she said. “Put it on your calendar and also check on your family and friends to make sure they make their appointments.”

A member of Lake Hills Baptist Church in Schererville for 17 years, she helps out with their teen group each week, works with a group at a local

elementary school called the Good News Club and loves to bake.

She has been married for 35 years to her husband, Jim and they have one living son, Jared, and a son, Jordan, who passed away at age 9 of a brain tumor. Jared and his wife, Emma, recently made Huhta a grandmother of two-month old Aiden.

Huhta has been with Mary Kay Cosmetics Inc. for 41 years and been a sales director for 36 years.

“Everyone’s story is different. Just because you have cancer, your journey needs to be what you feel is right for you. I learned I could do more than I thought I could do during this challenge,” she said. “I have learned to love my new body. It is not perfect. Things are missing. I exercise more, eat better and drink a lot more water.”

Lindsey Sherron, Indiana Assisted Living Association’s ’2024

“Lindsey Sherron is not your typical caregiver,” wrote Karen Ayresman, executive director, Residences at Deer Creek Senior Living, as she nominated

Caregiver of the Year’

Sherron for the 2024 Caregiver of the Year Award, a prestigious honor won recently from the Indiana Assisted Living Association.

“Lindsey is a master’s level licensed clinical social worker. She serves as director of social services for Residences Senior Living, not just at Deer Creek in Schererville, but also for Residences at Coffee Creek in Chesterton.

“Her true passion is working with older adults and their families. She understands their need to voice concerns about aging, fear of losing loved ones and their independence, downsizing and leaving a life-long home. She helps new residents and their families adjust to a new environment with caring and

compassion once they have made the decision to choose senior living as a best option for safety and security,” notes Aayresman.

“Her position is not required by state regulation but she is integral to our unique approach to senior living. Lindsey nurtures the spirit of residents , respecting each and supporting their counseling needs. Families also express gratitude for her on-going involvement in their lives.”

Sherron is certified through the National Association of Certified Dementia Practitioners, and is an instructor for the Virtual Dementia Tour created by Second Wind Dreams. She holds additional certifications enabling her as a facilitator for the Alzheimer’s and Dementia Support Group through Alzheimer’s and Dementia Services of Northern Indiana.

She is available at Deer Creek meetings at 10 a.m. every fourth Thursday as well as at 10 a.m. every fourth Tuesday at Coffee Creek.

Leadership for Sherron is a natural; she is a mentor to intern students through Indiana University. Congratulations to Sherron for all her caring contributions throughout Residences Senior Living communities.

CATHY HUHTA

LINDSEY SHERRON

Retiree’s active life includes time spent fishing

By STEVE EUVINO Feature Writer

Someone once said, a bad day fishing is still better than a good day at work.

Fred Ploszaj does not have to worry about work these days. The 84-year-old postal retiree stays active in several ways, including fitness, gardening and fishing.

A Portage resident, Ploszaj found time in September for the Friends of Fishing Fall Fishing Derby at Rogers Lakewood Park in Valparaiso. After about an hour, he caught one bluegill. But that’s okay.

“It’s relaxing. You forget about everything else,” Ploszaj says. “You do what you can, and if you catch something, that’s fantastic.”

According to fishingbooker. com, Indiana promises some unique fishing adventures. They range from a fly fisherman waiting for a trout to bite to a bass hunter on Monroe Lake.

State officials report more than 60 fishing waters statewide, with 132 species of fish waiting for the bait. Popular Hoosier catches include largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie

and channel catfish.

Ploszaj worked for the Postal Service for 22 years; prior to that he was a steelworker.

When it comes to fishing, Ploszaj likes Lake Michigan for perch. In the 1950s and ‘60s he fished near Rainbow Beach in Chicago. For about the past 35 years, he’s fished in Minnesota, hoping to catch bass, bluegill and northern pike.

The Portage retiree is big on walleye. “It’s really a great fish to eat,” he said, “and after you filet it, it’s not bony at all.”

Ploszaj has also tried ice fishing once in Minnesota, where, he admits, “you know the water is frozen.”

Ploszaj was fishing that day with a friend’s great-grandchildren. As he advises fishing novices, “Watch the bobber and try not to cross lines.”

The best bait, he says, depending on the desired catch, is worms or night crawlers.

Ploszaj also remains active through the Portage Township YMCA, which he visits five times a week. His routines include chair yoga and Senior Strength, a biweekly program that includes loosening up muscles, then working with

BIG FISHERMAN — Fred Ploszaj of Portage participates in the Friends of Fishing Fall Fishing Derby at Rogers Lakewood Park in Valparaiso. Ploszaj, 84, a retired postal supervisor, has been fishing for 35 years, often in Minnesota. Photo by Steve Euvino.

appropriate weights.

He also works in the yard, where his garden includes tomatoes, peppers, corn, and cucumbers.

“I stay active,” Ploszaj says, adding that he also bowls twice a week.

The fish caught at the derby were measured, then released. While other fish caught may not enjoy the same good fortune, fishing offers health benefits for humans. According to takemefishing.org, those health

or concerns “Adults 50 Years And Better” may have relating to your product(s) or service.

benefits include boosted vitamin D levels through sunlight exposure, increased relaxation and family bonding, similar to meditation, a reduction in blood pressure due to the relaxing aspect of fishing and time spent in nature, burned calories and an improvement in focus and patience.

Friends of Fishing is committed to helping people catch more fish. This family-friendly organization invests in the community and promotes

education about the sport of fishing.

Jo Wheeler, an FOF volunteer from Jackson Township, says the club sponsors annual fishing derbies for children and ice fishing. The group has about 100 members and is growing.

When asked what she likes about fishing, Wheeler, a retired confectionery shop owner, cites “relaxation, being outside, the camaraderie, and all my friends. I love it.”

Q. Isn’t your paper only read by older senior citizens on limited incomes?

A. According to audit statistics, 80% of our readers are under the age of 75. 65% of our readers have a household income of over $50,000 per year. Nearly 40% of these readers earn more than $75,000 per year. Are households with an income larger than $50,000 your target market? If so, consider advertising in Senior Life! Call or send me an e-mail today!

Account Executive

Q. How do Charitable Remainder Trusts work?

A. A Charitable Remainder Trust (“CRT”) provides income to one or more individual beneficiaries, while preserving its remaining balance for charity. The CRT can be set for a term of up to 20 years or for the lifetime of an individual. After the income stream ends, the remaining balance of the CRT will be distributed to one or more qualifying charities. Then, the grantor will receive deductions for federal income, gift, and estate tax purposes.

In order to qualify for these tax deductions, the CRT must pass the IRS’ 5% probability of exhaustion test—there must be less than a 5% chance the trust will distribute its entire principal to the individual beneficiaries using the

In the year the grantor creates the CRT, he or she receives an immediate income tax deduction equal to the present value of the expected gift to charities. Generally, the grantor names themselves or their spouse as the income beneficiary, in which case there are no gift tax issues.

50 Years Ago, Blast To The Past! —

One word made ‘I Honestly Love You’ even more poignant

Olivia Newton-John

One wellplaced — and unusual — word in a song title can make a big difference.

By RANDAL C. HILL

Born in England in 1948, Olivia Newton-John had lived in Australia since age 6. As a child, she began singing on local TV shows. Years later, after winning a talent competition, Newton-John returned to England, where she performed in clubs while waiting for a break.

She signed with America’s Uni Records label (later MCA) and scored a minor 1971 hit with a cover of Bob Dylan’s “If Not for You.” But it would take until 1973 before she released her first Top 10 winner, “Let Me Be There,” followed the next year by another success, “If You Love Me (Let Me Know).” Like any recording artist, though, she yearned to reach the peak of the pop charts one day.

“I Honestly Love You” didn’t start out to be Olivia Newton-John’s first chart-topping single. Peter Allen, an Australian singer-songwriter, had co-written it with New York songsmith Jeff Barry. (In collaboration with then-wife Ellie Greenwich, Barry had given the music world such ‘60s classics as “Chapel of Love,”

“Hanky Panky” and “Leader of the Pack.”)

But the hits had dried up by the next decade, and in 1974 Barry hoped to return to the Billboard Hot 100 via “I Honestly Love You.”

Allen felt so good about the song that he decided to record it himself. He cut a demo (demonstration record) to shop around to various labels, but Newton-John, upon hearing it, wanted the work for herself. Barry quickly convinced Allen that the rising (and glamourous) recording star would no doubt be able to take the tune further than Peter ever could.

Newton-John recalled the first time she came upon Peter’s demo. “My heart stopped when I heard the lyrics: ‘I love you… I honestly love you.’ Those words touched me. I

Choosing an executor or trustee who will carry out your estate plan

By RYAN HAHN Trust Administrator Wealth Management Center

A key element of estate planning is choosing an executor or trustee who will be responsible for carrying out your estate plan after your death. Your executor should be someone trustworthy and competent, as they will be in charge of managing assets and ensuring debts are paid.

There are several different types of executors and trustees:

• Professional executors or trustees are individuals or institutions that have legal expertise in managing estates. They often include attorneys, accountants, or trust companies, like Members Trust.

Choosing a professional fiduciary to serve as executor or trustee is a way to ensure that your estate will be handled in the most efficient and profes-

sional manner as possible.

• Family executors can reduce costs and provide a personal touch to the execution of your estate; however, it is important to consider the potential emotional burden and the complexity of your estate. Complex estates or contentious family dynamics might necessitate a professional executor/ trustee.

• Independent executors are individuals who are neither family nor professionals. They can provide a neutral perspective and act without bias in carrying out your wishes. They may be friends, colleagues, or long-term acquaintances.

• Public administrators might be appointed by the court if an executor has not been named or the named executor is unable to serve. The role of the public administrator is to protect the assets of the deceased until a personal repre-

sentative can be appointed. Each type of executor or trustee comes with its own set of benefits and potential drawbacks. The choice largely depends on the complexity of your estate, your relationship with potential executors, and your personal preferences.

Disclosure

This information is not designed, meant, nor does it constitute the rendering of legal or tax advice. You should consult with your attorney and/ or tax advisor before implementing any strategy discussed here. Trust services provided by MEMBERS Trust Company are not federally insured, are not obligations of or guaranteed by the credit union or any affiliated entity, involve investment risks, including the possible loss of principle. MEMBERS Trust Company is a federal thrift regulated by the office of the comptroller or the currency.

knew that everyone would be able to make those words fit their own story of love and perhaps even loss. Just putting the word ‘honestly’ into the mix made it even more poignant.”

In Olivia’s hands, “I Honestly Love You” becomes an admission of a situation that can’t go anywhere. Both people involved here are in a committed relationship with someone else, and despite their chemistry they aren’t going to do anything about the temptation they’re facing.

“If we were both born in another place and time

“This moment might be ending in a kiss

“But there you are with yours

I made

By JIM CARPENTER Guest Writer

Well, I made 74 at least.

“And here I am with mine

“So I guess we’ll just be leaving it at this

“I love you

“I honestly love you”

This is pop music at its very best, a gratifying concoction of strings and pianos. Newton-John’s producer, John Farrar, managed to keep the arrangement soft and delicate. Olivia, always a convincing vocal actor, sells the song well, her voice quavering with emotion but projecting quiet strength.

“I Honestly Love You” earned Newton-John a Grammy Award and became the first of five chart-topping singles that she recorded during her stellar career.

74 at least

learning from your own mistakes.

There’s an awful lot that I don’t know.

But there’s a few things that I do.

I would say that I’ve been around, the so called “block,” a time or two.

But the more I know, the more I don’t, and on that I do stand firm.

All these years of curiosity, and yet there’s still so much to learn.

And sometimes I learn things twice, ‘cause the first one didn’t take.

I suppose you could call that,

So I heard a fact on the news today, on the average age of death for a man.

I’m thinking I may be able to beat it.

If I try real hard, I’m sure I can.

I am just about hitting for average, in the number of years I’ve been alive.

But I think it should be the quality, rather than quantity for which I strive.

Once again, I have assembled these words.

But I don’t have much to say.

But even so regardless of that, This is still my favorite play.

Purdue Extension hosting a build for Demonstration Garden

Come help Purdue Extension-Lake County build the high tunnel for its new demonstration garden at the Purdue Extension-Lake County Office located at 2291 N. Main St., Crown Point. Learn how to build a high tunnel with the company that sells them. Learn how to use high tunnels in your farming or gardening operation. No prior work experience needed.

The event will be from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 8.

Register at tinyurl.com/ High-Tunnel-Community-Build Bring gloves and chairs to sit down. Wear close-toed shoes and long pants. Tools will be provided. Registration is required to attend the High Tunnel Community Build held at Purdue Extension-Lake County Office. For more information, contact Rebecca Koetz at (219) 755-3240 or email busser@purdue.edu if you require reasonable accommodations.

FIRST OF FIVE TOP SINGLES “I Honestly Love You” earned Newton-John a Grammy Award and became the first of five chart-topping singles that she recorded during her stellar career. Photo from YouTube.

A Boomer Blast To The Past

li f e. on purpose.

A Healthy Lifestyle as You Age

Healthy R Reminders for

A Adults o over 5 50!

1. Take Your Medication as Directed

All medications, whether over-the-counter or prescribed, include directions for safe use. Be sure to follow all printed guidelines and the advice of your doctor to ensure that the medicine works safely and effectively.

2. Don’t Overdo It

Using alcohol and medications unintentionally or to cope with big life changes is called substance misuse. Help can begin with diagnosis, addressing chronic health issues, rebuilding support systems and starting treatment.

3. Check in with Your Mood

Feeling persistently sad or that you don’t have value can indicate depression, especially when these feelings affect your daily routine. Depression can be treated with talk therapy and/or medication. You can also lower the risk of depression when you prepare for major life changes, stay physically active, and share how you are feeling with family or friends.

4. Find Purpose Each Day

Feeling that your life has purpose is a key to fulfillment. It can impact your health positively, and may also slow down aging and increase longevity. Make choices and plan activities based on what is enjoyable, interesting, and important to you.

Learn More When You...

•

•

• Visit www.porterstarke.org

What has happened to the art of sitting? People nowadays don’t just sit. They have to be involved in some activity, like emailing, blogging, tweeting, reading, or watching TV.

NUTSHELL

By DICK WOLFSIE

When I was a kid, people in my neighborhood sat on their front porches. Since this was New York, they were mostly protecting their valuables or waiting for the police to arrive. They were sitting, nonetheless. You do see people sitting in a doctor’s office but these people are waiting. Big difference.

In some of those old English manors, there were sitting rooms. But if you ever saw a movie or read a book about life in those days, you’d know that people also did a lot of yakking to each other while they were sitting. They would converse about the murder that just occurred in the sewing room or speculate about why the downstairs maid was spending so much time upstairs.

In reality, these were talking rooms, not sitting rooms. My wife was addicted to “Downton Abbey.” A lot of talking in that show; okay, and maybe a few liaisons thrown in.

When you are sitting, you are not wasting time. That is why we need to applaud the historical significance of this leisurely activity. For it is in this repose that the truly lazy people of the world have made their impact. Do you think it was hardworking folks who came up with the idea for the backhoe, the chainsaw and the snow

blower? Heavens no. It was the sluggish and the indolent looking for a way to get their work done quickly, so they could just sit for the rest of the day.

Cracker Barrel Restaurant has tried to bring back sitting as an art form. They have this nifty front porch lined with sturdy rocking chairs. But rarely is someone just sitting in one of them. Instead, people are looking at the price tags on the arm or complaining about the 30-minute wait for the meatloaf special. But

Cracker Barrel customers should be the perfect people for sitting. Many of them sport suspenders and have great stories to tell. This is a sit waiting to happen. Fewer and fewer people have front porches, the traditional place for this non-activity. We have a lovely back deck, but I’d like to have a front porch as well, just to sit. Sitting alone inside your house is actually a little weird. You see, part of the charm of sitting is that you are publicly displaying that

you have the time and the inclination to just park your rear end in a chair. Not a bill to pay, a chore to do, or a place to go. You can’t flaunt this in private. If word got out you were in your spare bedroom staring at the walls, the neighbors would call for some form of crisis intervention.

But sit on your front step and gaze into space with a slight smirk, and there is immediate neighborhood speculation about an unexpected inheritance, or gossip

about you and the new UPS driver.

Sometimes to relax, I just sit in my driveway in an old beach chair and wait for my wife to get home from an errand. When my neighbor, Josh, sees me, he always grabs a stool from his garage and plants himself next to me. Then he wants to chat endlessly about politics or religion, but lately I’ve mustered up the nerve to tell Josh I’d rather be alone.

Some people just don’t sit well with me.

Lake County Public Library announces its October programs

The Lake County Public Library system is offering a wide variety of programs this October across all of its branches.

Cedar Lake

Located at 10010 W. 133rd Ave., Cedar Lake, programs include:

“Crochet @ Your Library,” 4:30-6:30 p.m. Oct. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30

“Book Discussion of ‘Last Confessions of Sylvia P.,’” 6:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 16

“Medicare 101,” 6:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 30

Registration is required. Visit lcplin.org/cedar-lake or call (219) 374-7121.

Dyer-Schererville

Located at 1001 W. Lincoln Highway, Schererville, this branch is offering:

“Crafters’ Gathering,”

10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Oct. 3 and 17

“Acrylic Painting,” 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5

“Medicare 101,” 6-8 p.m. Monday, Oct. 28

Registration is required. Visit lcplin.org/dyer-scher-

erville or call (219) 322-4731. Griffith-Calumet

Located at 1215 E. 45th Ave., highlights include:

“Thursday Threaders,” 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Oct. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31

“Walking Book Club at Oak Ridge Prairie,” 10:30-11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 15

“Mystery Loves Company,” 1-2 p.m. Monday, Oct. 21

Registration is required. Visit lcplin.org/griffith-calumet or call (219) 838-2825.

Highland

Located at 2841 Jewett St., Highland, selected programs include:

“Once Upon a Crime Mystery Book Club,” 3-4 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 3

“One-On-One Tech Help: Everyday Technology,” 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 17

“Paranormal Investigations,” 2-4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26

Registration is required. Visit lcplin.org/highland or call (219) 838-2394.

Hobart

Located at 100 Main St.,

Hobart, programs include:

“Stitch’n Time,” 9:30 a.m.12:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5

“Whodunit? Adult Mystery Club,” 6-8 p.m. Monday, Oct. 7

“Revisiting Our Childhood: Candy!,” 5:30-6:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 21

Registration is required. Visit lcplin.org/hobart or call (219) 942-2243.

Lake Station

Located at 2007 Central Ave., Lake Station, highlights include:

“Mah Jongg Instruction at the Library,” 2-4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5

“Craft and Chat,” 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19

“Bingo at the Library!,” 3-4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26

Registration is required. Visit lcplin.org/lake-station-new-chicago or call (219) 769-3541.

Merrillville

Located at 1919 W. 81st Ave., Merrillville, offerings include:

“Circle of Readers Book

Discussion on ‘The Midnight Library,’” 2-3 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 8

“Genealogy Class: An Introduction to U.S. Court Records,” 1:30-2:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 24

“Entry Level Photo Editing With Paint.NET,” 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 30

Registration is required. Visit lcplin.org/merrillville or call (219) 769-3541. Munster

Located at 8701 Calumet Ave., Munster, programs include:

“Calumet Astronomical Society,” 7-8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 2

“NANORIMO Prep Workshop With Larry Sweazy,” 5-8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 3

“Yoga & Breathing,” 10-11 a.m. Oct. 5, 26

“Medicare 101,” 6:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 23

Registration is required. Visit lcplin.org/munster or call (219) 836-8450.

St. John

Located at 450 Wicker Ave., St. John, highlighted programs include:

“Travel Film: Stonehenge,” 10:30-11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 1

“Off the Hook,” 1-3 p.m. Oct. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30

“Tech Class: Internet Basics,” 10:30-11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 8

“Book Discussion on ‘The Last Story of Mina Lee,’” 5:30-6:45 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 9

Registration is required. Visit lcplin.org/st-john or call (219) 365-5379.

Elderly face ageism, healthcare shortage

By CECIL SCAGLIONE

Mature Life Features

Discrimination of any sort is insidious and covered by an assortment of other excuses.

Ask left-handers what they had to put up with from teachers and students as they sweated and stuttered their way through school. Talk to short people about the jokes and jibes tossed their way by siblings and strangers.

Sit and listen to the insensibilities suffered by anyone with a disability or disfigurement

— a hare lip, a large prominent birthmark, a shrunken finger, anything. We haven’t even mentioned the color of one’s skin.

And think about being discriminated against because of

your age. It can start well before you become a senior citizen.

The world has long been aware of the career challenge facing Hollywood actresses when they no longer look like they’re in their sexy 20s and 30s.

As the nation’s population ages, the focus on ageism has become sharper.

There are rumbles about who will take care of the elderly, and what will be considered sufficient care.

A few of the oldest folks among us recall living on the farm and having the family responsibility of caring for both the property and parents handed down from father to son to grandson. With the move to cities, the trend turned to “warehousing” the elderly —

Falling isn’t funny

By JAMES GAFFNEY

Mature Life Features

Falling isn’t funny.

Older adults in the know understand that broken bones can result from tripping on a rug or slipping on a wet spot on the kitchen floor, triggering a series of life-changing events as well as a slew of serious medical conditions.

Many things can cause a person to fall.

Balance can be affected by failing or poor eyesight, hearing loss, reflexes and such medical conditions as diabetes, heart disease, and problems with thyroid, nerves or blood vessels.

Some medicines can cause dizziness. Another culprit is osteoporosis, a disease that makes bones weak and more likely to break easily. Weak bones can mean that even a minor fall might be dangerous.

But medical experts say individuals should not let a fear of falling keep them from being active.

Doing things like getting together with friends, gardening, walking, or going to the local senior center are also important for staying healthy. The good news is that there are simple ways you can prevent most falls.

If you take care of your overall health, you may be able to lower your chances of falling. Most of the time, falls and accidents don’t “just happen.” Here are a few hints that will help you avoid falls and broken bones.

• Learn how strong your bones are.

Ask your doctor about a special test called a bone mineral density test. If this test shows your bones are weak, your doctor can tell you how to make them stronger and less likely to break.

• Stay physically active.

Plan an exercise program that is right for you. Regular exercise makes you stronger and improves muscles. It also helps keep your joints, tendons, and ligaments flexible. Mild weight-bearing activities, such as walking or climbing stairs, may slow bone loss from osteoporosis.

• Have your eyes and hearing

finding a good institutional home to meet the needs of the aging.

The workplace also became less fertile ground to nourish the experience of long-time employees. To dodge the bullets of age discrimination charges and court actions, companies simply eliminated the jobs held by the younger (and lower paid) staffers who complained about uncreative barriers to promotions. Take a look at who’s laid off or given furloughs or buyouts when corporations announce they’re downsizing for economic reason — the older workers.

Middle managers have always resisted having personnel on their teams who are more experienced than themselves.

Another issue is the dwindling workforce expected to fund government programs in place to care for the elderly, e.g, Social Security.

tested often.

Even small changes in sight and hearing can put you at risk for falling. When you get new eyeglasses, take time to get used to them. Always wear your glasses when you need them. If you have a hearing aid, be sure it fits well and wear it.

• Find out about the side effects of any medicine you take. If a drug makes you sleepy or dizzy, tell your doctor or pharmacist.

• Get enough sleep. If you are sleepy, you are more likely to fall.

• Limit the amount of alcohol you drink.

Even a small amount can affect your balance and reflexes.

• Stand up slowly after eating, lying down, or sitting.

Getting up too quickly can cause your blood pressure to drop. That can make you feel faint.

• Use a cane, walking stick, or walker to help you feel steadier when you walk.

This is very important when you’re walking in areas you don’t know well or in places where the walkways are uneven. Be extra careful when walking on wet or icy surfaces. Spread sand or salt on icy areas in your yard, especially by your front and back door.

• Wear rubber-soled, lowheeled shoes that fully support your feet.

Wearing only socks or shoes and slippers with smooth soles on stairs or floors without carpet can be unsafe.

• Look into a home-monitoring service.

Usually, you wear a button on a chain around your neck. If you fall or need emergency help, you just push the button to alert the service.

Most medical-insurance companies and Medicare do not cover items like home monitoring systems. You will probably have to pay for it yourself so be sure to ask about cost.

Always tell your doctor if you have fallen since your last checkup even if you aren’t hurt when you fall.

Mature Life Features Copyright 2024

being built — country club-type complexes, independent living communities, assisted living centers and combinations of these.

More than 1 million of today’s 50 million seniors live in some such facility. That number is expected to double in the next decade.

Still, some 15 million individuals 65 and older live by themselves.

The medical support and health services for all these is not keeping up with the needs and demands.

The nation needs somewhere near 2.5 million additional healthcare workers, from physicians to lab technicians, in the next five years to take care of its aging population.

No one expects that to happen.

Mature Life Features Copyright 2024

Look after eye strain

By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features

Many parts of your body don’t work as well after your 50 than they did before you strolled through the half-century mark.

Forecasters expect senior citizens will outnumber children for the first time in the early 2030s.

This adds weight to ageism — the diminishing younger population gets to resent the aging phalanx.

To meet the demand, multi-faceted senior living facilities are

A common but overlooked problem is dry eye, which results in itchy and burning eyes. The irritation is often caused by lowered tear production, which decreases with aging and can be exacerbated among snow birds who spend their winters in dry desert climates.

Long sessions at your mobile phone, computer, driving, and watching television are also

among the causes.

Over-the-counter eye drops can alleviate the condition readily but you should have your eyes medically examined to determine proper treatment.

Another common complaint by the over-50 crowd is “floaters and flashes.” Floaters resemble black spots or cobwebs wandering through your eye and can be constant or episodic. Flashes, which are episodic, are brief flashes of light.

Both normally are harmless but should be checked because they can signal a detached retina, which can lead to blindness.

Mature Life Features Copyright 2024

Look for the spice of life

By CECIL SCAGLIONE

Mature Life Features

When sorting through one’s catalogue of places to eat, the choice narrows down to less-exotic eateries as one gets older. One’s gastric system requires more protection from spicy foods as it ages, seems to be

normal thinking.

However, an analysis of a two-decade study of some 16,000 adults revealed that those who reported having hot peppers in their diet reduced their risk of dying by more than 10%.

This means a bit of spice on your life can add years to your life. Apparently, when you bite into a hot pepper, your brain produces endorphins to reduce the heat you’re taking in. At the same time, those endorphins coursing through your body also reduce any pain and inflammation from other sources.

Mature Life Features Copyright 2024

Health & Fitness

Sunkist and National Breast Cancer Foundation partner on ‘Power with the Pink Orange’ campaign

In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, shoppers may begin to see Cara Cara oranges, which are orange on the outside and pink on the inside, in limited-edition, pink ribbon packaging.

Sunkist Growers, Inc. and the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc. are collaborating on a “Power with the Pink Orange” campaign meant to raise breast cancer awareness.

“We are honored to support

National Breast Cancer Foundation through our expanded Pink Orange program,” says Jim Phillips, president and CEO at Sunkist Growers, Inc. “As a leader in the citrus industry, we are asking our retail partners to join in with Sunkist, contributing to a cause that affects so many lives and supports NBCF’s vital work in helping women and inspiring hope. Our support doesn’t stop at the retail shelf; Sunkist, along

with our sister cooperative Fruit Growers Supply, will engage in activities throughout the year to show our support for this worthwhile cause.”

Cara Cara oranges owe their uniquely pink interior to the antioxidant lycopene, and just one of the specialty oranges will fulfill the daily recommendation for Vitamin C intake.

“After the successful launch of the ‘Meet the Pink Orange’

revamp last season, this NBCF partnership felt like a natural next step for growing the Cara category,” says Cassie Howard, Sr. Director of Category Management and Marketing at Sunkist Growers, Inc. “Consumers are repeatedly seeking products that support holistic lifestyles, and The Pink Orange is no exception. Sunkist is the preferred brand for Caras, with branded Cara volume up 35 percent last year, outpacing

private label and nearly all other brands. With this momentum, we are excited to see where this program goes next.”

In addition to the limited edition packaging, Sunkist plans to launch a series of initiatives, including social media collaborations and sharing information about breast cancer awareness, early detection and resources available through NBCF, throughout the month of October.

Draft end-of-life plans any time

By CECIL SCAGLIONE

Mature Life Features

A dear friend who passed away recently after a lengthy illness took time to discuss with her spouse details to be attended to after her death.

They both agreed on the disposition of their remains and where they should be ensconced. Both felt at ease talking quietly and patiently about their plans as her death approached. After taking care of her wishes, the widower discussed and passed on these plans to their children to be followed when he dies.

Making after-death lists outlining how you wish to fade away from this world can be just as important as making a will and establish trusts to make sure your financial wishes are followed.

It can become critical when it deals with your final weeks, days and hours, especially if you lapse into a coma or any condition that makes it difficult to make on-thespot decisions.

Doctors and medical staff are committed to keeping their charges functioning as long as there is any chance they will survive, when they feel the patient

is not terminally ill.

You can draft these plans anytime. More than 30% of adults have formalized their end-of-life preferences in what is known as an advance directive — a legal document with instructions on how they feel they wish to end their lives. In most cases, the person wishes to avoid a lengthy pain-riddled existence leading to their death.

Problems arise if there is no healthcare proxy on hand to ensure that the patient’s directions are followed and/or when the patient is unconscious and medics have to determine whether or not

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the patient is terminally ill.

To increase your chances of a peaceful death, you should discuss your plans and wishes with your family physician. If you feel he or she is unwilling to go along with your directive, you might seek another doctor.

In some cases, you might want to talk things over with a clergyman. And check the applicable laws in your state.

Review your plans over and over with members of your family — all of them, so there are no battles when your end-of-life treatment and timing become

critical. You might have one of them use their mobile phone camera to take a video of you explaining your plans.

While you’re focusing on your wishes, you might want to explore thoroughly just what your condition is and what medications, therapies and treatments can delay or allay it.

When you and your doctor feel you’re no longer responding to treatments, you may call a local hospice-care service to prepare for your comfortable passing.

Mature Life Features Copyright 2024

Shop to save lives: Susan G. Komen launches 2024 “Live Pink” initiative

Each October during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, breast cancer organization

Susan G. Komen curates a list of partner products and services that help make a tangible impact on the lives of those affected by breast cancer. Every purchase made through the “Live Pink” program directly fuels breast cancer research, funds patient care services and assists those impacted by breast cancer on a national level.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the U.S., with a new case diagnosed approximately every two minutes. It is also the leading cause of cancer death for women in the U.S. aged 20 to 49. With help and support from our partners, Komen can continue to fund critical research and provide essential services and assistance

to patients nationwide ultimately saving more lives from breast cancer.

“We are excited to present this year’s list of Live Pink partners that are dedicated to helping those that have been impacted by breast cancer,” said Sarah Rosales, senior vice president of corporate partnerships. “By shopping products and services from Komen’s “Live Pink” program, consumers can help those impacted by this disease and help fund Komen programs and initiatives through their everyday purchases.”

This year’s “Live Pink” partners include Bank of America, Avis Rental Cars, Nature’s Bounty and many more.

Items are available for purchase and linked on the “Live Pink” website. Visit livepink.org to learn more.

AARP opens discount doors to travel

By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features

Dentists lengthen your life

By CECIL SCAGLIONE

Mature Life Features

If you’d like to live a long and healthy live, visit your friendly dentist.

While oral health has long been acknowledged as a foundation of overall health, visits to the dentist reportedly drop significantly as one reaches their 80th birthday.

This slices years off your longevity, according to a Journal on Aging study that reports seeing a dentist once or twice a year can cut your mortality risk from all causes and assure you of a few more years of healthy living.

While brushing your teeth twice a day is the acceptable norm to maintain a healthy mouth, you should also floss. According to the same journal report, flossing increases your health benefit by 30%.

Ease Disability Discomfort

It’s not polite to stare at people with a disability or discuss their sickness, we’ve been told by mothers over the years.

When someone shows up in a wheelchair after a serious accident or announces they have a deadly disease such as cancer or ALS, the tendency is for us to avoid discussing the matter.

First of all, the individual afflicted is fully aware of his or her problem and pain. If they wish to explain further, they will.

If not, such lame reactions as telling them they still look good or that they’re strong and will overcome are just that —lame. You don’t “overcome” the loss of a leg. You adjust and adapt to living without it.

Nor do you overcome ALS, known more familiarly as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Until medical researchers find a cure, the disease is fatal.

A tried and true reaction to encountering anyone with a disability is to ask them if they need anything — any assistance — or if there’s anything they’d like to do that you can help them with.

Talking about old times will probably help both enjoy the visit.

But be ready to listen. It’s quite possible that the stricken individual will blurt out an explanation of what happened, how they feel, or an apology for making you feel uncomfortable. It’s your job to keep things comfortable by acting human and responding calmly and honestly.

Mature Life Features Copyright 2024

American Cancer Society supports updated breast cancer screening guidelines

The American Cancer Society commended updated recommendations made by the United States Preventive Services Task Force for lowering the age to begin mammography screening to age 40.

A statement from Dr. Karen Knudsen, Chief Executive Officer at the American Cancer Society detailed the Society’s support of the recommendations and added further calls to action.

“The USPSTF decision today is a critical change concerning women’s health and the fight against breast cancer, acknowledging that women in their 40s will benefit from mammography screening, and sending a strong message to referring physicians and women that breast cancer screening should begin earlier than age 50. ACS guidelines already call for women at average risk to have the opportunity to begin annual breast cancer screening at age 40, with regular screening beginning for all women at age 45. Mammography screening is the cornerstone of our strategy to find this potentially deadly disease early, when it’s easier to treat successfully. However, we are disappoint-

ed that the updated USPSTF screening recommendations do not include women over the age of 74. Millions of women over age 75 are in very good health and are expected to live many more years during which their risk of breast cancer remains high. The ACS does not support stopping screening for anyone with a 10+ year life expectancy irrespective of age.”

Knudsen’s statement went on to call for further research to address health disparities as a barrier to breast cancer screening and care, “We are encouraged that among the reasons for the USPSTF changes in their breast cancer screening recommendations include eliminating health disparities, especially among Black women, who are 40% more likely to die of breast cancer compared with White women and have a higher risk of aggressive breast cancers at all ages. This is an important step, but much more needs to be done to protect this vulnerable population of women. We also join with the USPSTF in their urgent call for further research in this area to help make informative decisions to protect women from breast cancer.”

credit card for a ticket to cram into line at the Academia Galleria to ‘ooh’ and ‘aah’ at Michelangelo’s statue of David.

Just minutes away, a copy of this world-famous work and those of other Renaissance greats can be viewed leisurely and for free in the city’s Piazza della Signoria.

If you’re travelling through Italy, you can pop into the church of San Pietro in Vincoli overlooking the Coliseum in

the heart of Rome and stand quietly and for free within touching distance of another of Michelangelo’s eternal works: Moses, which was commissioned by Pope Julius II at the same time he hired the artist to paint the ceiling of the Sistine chapel.

This is just one example of how you can save time and money by looking around for alternates.

Mature Life Features Copyright 2024

There could be ‘a very good year’ in your 60s

By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features

Frank Sinatra had “a mess of good years” according to a recording he made popular in the mid-1960s.

He cited 17, 21 and 35 as very good years but never got around to a year that many oldsters deem pretty good themselves — 65.

It’s been a target for generations since the German Reichstag tagged it in the 1880s as the age at which workers could retire and receive a government pension. It was seen as a shrewd move because it staved off socialist unrest that was spreading across Europe at a time when most people didn’t live that long.

Things have changed a lot since then but the magic of age 65 still glitters.

While the goalposts have shifted a bit, the practice persists to

apply just before that milestone for Medicare, Social Security and any company pension so you can quit the job and enjoy a life of leisure — fishing, camping, visiting grandchildren, travel, you name it.

Those moving goalposts have complicated matters a bit. The Social Security retirement age is sliding slowly up the scale, as are the earliest and latest dates you can apply.

This affects planning because it determines the amount your monthly check will be during your retirement years.

Full Retirement Age Climbing to 67

You can still apply for and receive benefits at age 62 but your monthly check may be almost one-third less than benefits for those who hold off until their full retirement age. If you wait until age 70 to start collecting Social

Security, your income can be about 25% above the full-retirement-age norm.

The aging population is, of course, affecting all this. So is the changing pattern of retirement as more workers opt to remain on the job past age 65.

Almost one-third of the adult population between 65 and 69 is still working, according to researchers.

Deciding which year is best for you to retire no longer is as simple as it used to be.

It seems that as we live longer, we work longer, especially with the growing trend toward home offices that offer opportunities for an array of professional-service providers — accountants, bookkeepers, tax preparers, and computer gurus, for example — to work well up into their senior years.

Mature Life Features Copyright 2024

New breast density reporting requirement

empowers women with vital information

Breast cancer organization, Susan G. Komen, commended the implementation of a U.S. Food and Drug Administration rule that mammography reports include information about a woman’s breast density. The new, federal requirement standardizes the notification language people receive, ensuring all individuals across the country have consistent information about the makeup of their breast tissue.

“Knowledge is power, and all women can now have informed conversations with their medical providers about the screening plan that’s right for them based on factors influencing their personal breast cancer risk, including breast density,” said Molly Guthrie, Vice President of Policy & Advocacy at Susan G. Komen. “This may mean additional tests are recommended to accurately screen for breast cancer.”

Breast density is a measurement on a mammogram of the fibrous and glandular tissue which includes the lobules and ducts that make and carry milk, compared to fatty tissue in the breast. Dense breasts are common, affecting about 40-50% of U.S. women ages 40-74. However, breast density is only one factor that can affect a woman’s breast cancer risk. Age, gender, genetics, family health history and lifestyle factors play important roles in a person’s overall risk. Women with very dense breasts are four to five times more likely to develop breast cancer, and dense breast tissue can obscure tumors in mammograms. Komen en-

courages women to talk with their health care providers about their breast density and whether additional breast imaging may be right for them.

The new F.D.A. rule requires that mammography reports include a breast density assessment. The reports will include an overall finding, breasts are dense, or breasts are not dense, and additional details about the level of density.

“We want everyone to know that dense breast tissue alone doesn’t necessitate additional imaging; it’s just one factor in breast cancer risk,” Guthrie added. “For those who do need imaging beyond a mammogram, out-of-pocket costs are often a barrier. That’s why we’ve been advocating for state and federal legislation to eliminate these expenses. We have the technology to detect breast cancer earlier and save lives, financial barriers shouldn’t stand in the way. It’s crucial for people to understand and have affordable access to the breast imaging they need based on their individual risk.”

Susan G. Komen’s Center for Public Policy has been working with state and federal lawmakers to pass legislation that removes the out-of-pocket expense for imaging beyond a screening mammogram. To date, 26 states have eliminated out-ofpocket costs to patients with state-regulated health insurance plans for diagnostic and/ or supplemental imaging. At the federal level, the Access to Breast Cancer Diagnosis Act has been introduced in the U.S. House and Senate.

3,000-square-

Valparaiso Creative Council hopes to transform empty building into artist hub

Porter County residents will soon have a new center for the arts if the Valparaiso Creative Council’s crowdfunding campaign reaches its goal by Nov. 22.

“With your support we can raise $45,000 to update an empty 3,000-square-foot building, which will provide rental spaces for artists, a home for our organization and accessible programming for our community,” says Jessica Corral, VCC executive director.

If successful, the project will receive a matching grant as part of the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority’s “CreatINg Places” program.

“The transformation of this space in Valparaiso has tremendous upsides for artists and com-

munity members alike,” says Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, Indiana’s secretary of agriculture and rural development. “This campaign highlights the city’s dynamic vision, and the project will become a catalyst for art and culture in Porter County.”

Valparaiso Creative Council is a non-profit organization comprised of community leaders entrusted with developing the Creative District for Valparaiso. In two years, VCC has tackled eight monumental murals, an 18-foot sculpture, a theatrical speakeasy, quarterly local art exhibits and creative programming for learners of all ages.

If funded, the initial Phase I campaign will allow VCC to update each section of the building into usable, multi-purposed cre-

ator spaces that may be used for meetings, parties, conferences, pop-up workshops and provide an official office space for VCC.

“We are so excited to utilize this phenomenal funding opportunity to help catapult our organization into a location all our own,” says Jessica Corral, executive director of the Valparaiso Creative Council. “The building will provide spaces for artists and will encourage the community to participate as well. Our mission is to be the creative bridge between artists and residents and the Valpo Creates Center will aim to be exactly that.”

For more information or to donate to the #ValpoCreatesCenter campaign, visit patronicity.com/ valpocreatescenter.

Structured

“Help

TRANSFORMATION PLANS — Valparaiso Creative Council hopes to turn an empty

foot building into an arts center.

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By TOM MORROW Mature Life Features

The national personification of the United States federal government was the creation of a U.S. Army recruiting poster during World War I.

James Montgomery Flagg’s 1917 poster was based on the original British Lord Kitchener poster of three years earlier. It would go on to be used to recruit American soldiers for both World War I and World War II. Flagg used a modified version of his own face for “Uncle Sam,” and Army veteran Walter Botts provided the pose.

Since the early 19th century, Uncle Sam has been a popular symbol of the U.S. government in American culture and a manifestation of patriotic emotion.

According to legend, the character first came into use during the War of 1812 and may have been named for Sam-

uel Wilson, an American meat packer who lived in Troy, NY. The story goes that the name Uncle Sam was derived from Wilson, who supplied meat rations for American soldiers during the War of 1812. Contractors were required to stamp their name and where the rations came from onto the food packages they were sending. Wilson’s packages were labelled “E.A.- U.S.” When someone asked what those initials stood for, a co-worker jokingly said, “Elbert Anderson (the contractor) and ‘Uncle Sam,’” referring to Wilson, though the U.S. actually stood for “United States.”

Doubts have been raised as to the authenticity of this story, as the claim did not appear in print until 1842. Additionally, the earliest known mention definitely referring to the metaphorical Uncle Sam is from 1810, predating Wilson’s contract with the government.

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One depiction of Uncle Sam in 1860 showed him looking like Benjamin Franklin. Uncle Sam did not get a standard appearance until the wellknown recruitment image of “Uncle Sam” was first created by Flagg during World War I. It is this image more than any other that has influenced the modern appearance of Uncle Sam, an elderly white man with white hair and a goatee, wearing a white top hat with white stars on a blue band, a blue tail coat, and red-andwhite-striped trousers.

Flagg’s depiction of Uncle Sam was shown publicly for the first time, according to some, on the cover of the magazine “Leslie’s Weekly” on July 6, 1916, with the caption “What Are You Doing for Preparedness?” More than four million copies of this image were printed between 1917 and 1918. Flagg’s image was

Continued on page 23

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UNCLE SAM POSTER

Schemers feast on senior citizens

By CECIL SCAGLIONE

Mature Life Features

The senior citizen community has always been fertile ground exploited by schemers and scam artists. And, as the elderly population grows in size as well as age, it has become even more enticing for these crooks who never sleep and have been adding more high tech tools to their thievery.

Uncle Sam

Continued from page 22

also used extensively during World War II, during which time America was code named “Samland” by the German intelligence agency Abwehr. The term was central in the song “The Yankee Doodle Boy,” which was featured in the 1942 film “Yankee Doodle Dandy,”

More sophisticated scams are fuelled by such advanced technology as artificial intelligence.

According to the FBI’s Elder Fraud Report, in 2023, more than 101,000 people age 60 and older were financially exploited in 2023, resulting in almost $3.4 billion in losses.

Older adults, especially those experiencing physical or cognitive decline, are particularly vulnerable, with scams often

starring James Cagney. There are two memorials to Uncle Sam, both of which commemorate the life of Samuel Wilson: the Uncle Sam Memorial Statue in Arlington, MA, his birthplace; and a memorial near his long-term residence in Riverfront Park of Troy, NY. His boyhood home in New

perpetrated by trusted caregivers or even family members.

To combat these fiscal frauds, it helps to understand some of the common forms.

There’s the growing tech support fraud. Scammers pose as representatives from wellknown software companies, claiming to fix non-existent technology issues. They gain access to victims’ computers, steal financial records and

Hampshire can still be visited.

Samuel Wilson died July 31, 1854, aged 87, and is buried in Troy’s Oakwood Cemetery.

In 1989, Uncle Sam Day became official. A Congressional joint resolution designated Sep. 13, 1989, as “Uncle Sam Day,” the birthday of Samuel Wilson. Mature Life Features Copyright 2024

demand payment for fraudulent services. In 2023, losses tied to tech support fraud totalled $590 million.

There’s the age-old scam know as the Ponzi scheme. These are pump-and-dump schemes and fraudulent investment opportunities in which scammers promise enticing guaranteed returns. In many cases, they exploit shared community ties to gain trust.

In 2023, investment scams saw losses rising to $4.57 billion, a 38% increase from the previous year. It was driven largely by cryptocurrency schemes.

Power of attorney abuse ranks high among crooks’ tools. Trusted individuals misuse their authority to make financial decisions on behalf of someone else, leading to mismanaged funds.

Medicare or Medicaid fraud ranks high in ways to steal money. This involves billing for services not rendered, duplicate billing or fraudulent claims made in a client’s name.

Homeowner scams include wire fraud, mortgage relief scams, reverse mortgage scams

and home improvement scams.

The rapid adoption of AI has introduced new avenues for financial fraud. Scammers use AI to create convincing fake audio and video content, making it harder for victims to distinguish between legitimate and fraudulent communications.

To protect yourself and your loved ones, it is important to be aware of several warning signs. Look out for unusual account activity, such as large withdrawals or unexpected changes in account beneficiaries. Be cautious of suspicious communications, including unexpected calls or emails requesting personal information or remote access to computers. Changes in a family member’s behavior or financial habits that seem out of character can also be indicators of financial exploitation.

Staying informed about the latest scams and schemes is crucial. The Justice Department, Federal Trade Commission and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau publish information regularly on new scams and provide tips on how to protect yourself.

Mature Life Features Copyright 2024

Assisted Living, nursing And rehAbiLitAtion guide

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Residences at Deer Creek

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203 Franciscan Drive. Crown Point, IN 46307 (219) 661-5100

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Care & Rehabilitation Center

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Conflict smoulders on Mediterranean islands

By IGOR LOBANOV

Mature Life Features

Long popular with vacationing royalty, artists and others from across Europe, this rock-bound bastion 50 miles south of Sicily at the crossroads of the Mediterranean remains an enigma to many North Americans.

The island’s balmy yearround climate bathes a land whose legacy ranges from temples a thousand years older than Egypt’s Pyramids at Giza through classical Greece and Rome to the palaces of a patrician unit of Christian crusaders.

The Apostle Paul was shipwrecked here. Arabs occupied the outcropping in 879, followed by the Normans. Napoleon dropped by for six days and his troops hung around for a couple of years until sent packing by the English. Britain’s Royal Navy operated out of the island’s superb natural harbors for a century and a half before the Maltese finally attained their independence in 1964.

But it was the Sovereign Military Hospitaler Order of St. John of Jerusalem — better known as the Knights of Malta — whose influence is most heavily felt.

Our arrival here, the island’s capital, was by ship after dark and ventured on deck when the vessel was picked up the harbor pilot and headed for the quay. Nosing past Valletta’s breakwater and into the narrow entrance, we cruised by the massive spotlighted star-shaped Fort St. Elmo to the right and the spear-like walls of Fort San Angelo to the left, whose towering ramparts took on a creamy yellowish glow.

Quite appropriate, as they were built by the cream of European aristocracy at the time.

The Knights of St. John, ousted from the Holy Land by the Ottoman Turks and later from the island of Rhodes by Suleiman I The Magnificent, were invited here in the mid-

16th century by Holy Roman Emperor Charles V, who saw Malta as the pivotal bulwark to blunt a Moslem invasion of Southern Europe. The newcomers set to work fortifying the island and, in 1565, withstood a brutal four-month-long Turkish siege that repelled the threat from the East.

Over the next two centuries, they created a place that Scottish novelist Sir Walter Scott called “a city built by gentlemen for gentlemen.”

The Renaissance grid of narrow streets holds palaces, municipal buildings and churches, many still honeycombed with secret passages. There is the hulking dark stone residence of the grand master and nearby, some of the auberges, or palace homes, of the various components of knights, based upon their homeland: Auvergne, Aragon, Castile, Italy, France and Allemagne-Angleterre.

The soaring Co-Cathedral of St. John, with its high Baroque ornamentation, has a marble floor quilt pattern of mosaics that covers the tombs of some 350 knights. A museum houses treasures “liberated” from all over the Mediterranean by the far-ranging cavaliers and, on a wall of the Oratory, Italian Renaissance painter Michelangelo Caravaggio’s chilling masterpiece, “The Beheading of St. John the Baptist.”

Now based in Rome, the Knights of St. John continue their charitable work, aimed at alleviating hunger, misery and disease in Third World countries.

Some 160 miles away, on the northeast coast of Sicily and perched on a mountain spur high above the Ionian Sea, is Taormina.

Medieval stone buildings hug cobblestone streets and unexpected portals reveal views past flowering gardens to the deep blue waters where Homer set his tales of Neptune, Ulysses and the Cyclops.

A celebrated resort for well over a century and, much

earlier, the preferred residence of wealthy Roman patricians, its quixotic Piazza IX Aprile overlooking the sea has been a social center eliciting such comments as, paraphrasing author D.H. Lawrence, that it was not only a meeting point but also a charming “salon” for continental tea of the Mad Hatter where you wonder who will end up in the teapot.

I don’t know about the teapot, but there are open-air cafes to get a coffee, gelato or marzipan shaped like fruit. It’s also a favorite spot for the lassiggato, the traditional Latin evening stroll.

Aprile is framed by a couple of churches, and a clock tower dating from the Middle Ages that serves as a gateway to the medieval sector. Narrow lanes lead to views of the villa-strewn hillside above and the sea below.

At Taormina’s northeastern fringe, carved into a high spot on the hillside and dating from the 3rd century BC, is the town’s treasured Greco-Roman theater.

The Greeks built it for classical plays and musical events. Imperial-age Romans had more grandiose ideas, transforming the venue into an amphitheater for gladiator contests, hunting spectaculars and even naval battles on a flooded stage.

audiences at summer concerts and other events have, like the Romans before them, a grandstand view past the stage

DAWN IN MALTA Dawn slides over Fort San Angelo and its towering ramparts that guard the entrance to the harbor of Valletta, the capital of Malta. Photo provided by Malta Tourist Office.

WEDDING CELEBRATION Wedding celebrants in Taomina on the northeast coast of Sicily leave the late 17th century baroque Church of San Giuseppe on the Piazza IX Aprile. Photo by Igor Lobanov.

Women face hidden barriers to getting life-saving mammograms

A new CDC “Vital Signs” study finds that women face more barriers than cost and access to getting their mammograms. Only about 65% of women ages 50-74, with three or more health-related social needs, are up to date with their mammograms.

The “Vital Signs” study, based on CDC researchers analyzing data from the 2022 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, found that the more health-related social needs a woman has, the less likely she is to get a mammogram. Health-related social needs are adverse social conditions that can be barriers to a person’s health or health care. Examples include food insecurity and lack of access to reliable transportation. These are sometimes called social determinants of health.

Try buying in bulk

By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features

Mass marketing over the internet has made it possible for pretty well everybody to get a look at everything that’s being offered for sale.

Black-belt shoppers can scamper through cyberspace to track down exotic spices in the Orient, exquisite lingerie in Paris or the nearest lot with affordable autos.

True bargain hunters have made use of a tried and true method of saving money. They buy in bulk.

Their attention is not just focused on bulk packages of paper towels, toilet paper, soap and frozen foods or economy-sized containers of laundry detergent and mouthwash.

The canny pick up family-sized packages of seafood, chicken, beef and pork that normally are cheaper by the pound than smaller packages. At home, they divide the contents into meal-sized portions and keep them in the freezer. Never Too Old to Make Money

Being gray-headed and a little slower doesn’t mean you have to give up earning an income.

If you enjoy a good walk in

the outdoors, you can make a dollar or two by walking dogs.

Being a tutor has long been a source of funds for folks. You can coach newcomers in English or help students in such areas as language or writing. This might even lead to stints as a substitute teacher.

An interesting sideline is to model for artists.

Growing and booming businesses are the delivery and driving services. You might be your own entrepreneur

and offer to deliver for your nearby convenience store or druggist who doesn’t have any connection with other such services. Or you might be able to offer it cheaper than the more popular franchised businesses and for extended hours.

To advertise, knock on doors in your apartment building and neighborhood. And post a note in your nearby supermarket or community newspaper.

Mature Life Features Copyright 2024

“We have to address these health-related social needs to help women get the mammograms they need,” said CDC Chief Medical Officer Debra Houry, M.D., M.P.H. “Identifying these challenges and coordinating efforts between health care, social services, community organizations, and public health to help address these needs could improve efforts to increase breast cancer screening and ultimately save these tragic losses to families.”

While the cost of accessing health care was the greatest challenge for women who did not get a mammogram in the past two years, other major barriers included being dissatisfied with life, feeling socially isolated, experiencing lost or reduced hours at work, and not having reliable transportation.

Women without health insurance, who have low in-

comes, and who do not have a usual source of health care are also less likely to get mammograms.

Breast cancer causes more than 40,000 deaths in women each year in the United States, and screening mammograms have been shown to reduce breast cancer deaths. Clinicians can play a key role in helping to remove barriers women face in getting mammograms.

“If we are to achieve higher breast cancer screening for all women, we have to look at all the possible challenges women face in getting mammograms,” said Lisa C. Richardson, M.D., M.P.H., director, CDC’s Division of Cancer Prevention and Control. “Health care providers can now assess whether women have health-related social needs and help women get the services they need. Every woman should be able to get screened for breast cancer without barriers.”

Rub elbows with royalty at Willy Nilly on-the-Wash

Here I am being pushed along the gravel streets of this 16th century English village of Willy Nilly-on-theWash in my wheelchair. There’s a whirl of activity around me. There’s a man swallowing a sword, two burly guys are having a serious-looking sword fight to the death, and in the distance I catch sight of two knights in armor charging toward each other on horseback with lances aimed at each other. This has got be a dream.

No. It’s actually the Ohio Renaissance Festival in Waynesville, Ohio, where fantasy and history collide. It’s where you can rub elbows with elegant nobles and raggedy peasants. Here you can immerse yourself in a world of lively shows, tantalizing food and drink and unique shops (166 of them) which transport you

championship.

back to the time of knights and queens. You can even purchase a sword. If entertainment is what you seek, there are 17 outdoor stages with regularly scheduled shows

featuring costumed musicians, comedians and acrobats. Among them are the Washing Well Wenches, Dirk and Guido, The Swordsmen and the Kamikaze Fireflies. There are more than

100 shows presented daily. And that doesn’t count the wandering street musicians. Visitors never want for something to do here. It’s non-stop activity almost to Continued on page 27

CIRCLE DANCE Patrons to the festival participate in a huge circle dance requiring learning only a few steps.

RAPTOR SHOW Highlighted at the raptor show was this red-tail hawk. Owls, falcons and various others performed.

SWORDSMEN A duel to the death is played out at the sword fighting arena with as many as eight, fully-armored knights battling for the

GREAT ESCAPES Text and Photos

By ROD KING

Rub elbows

Continued from page 26

the point of sensory overload.

I’m fascinated with the jousting, even though I know the ends of the lances have been cut so they splinter when striking the opponent’s shield. The jousting arena is just like in the movies, with a special box for royalty. The thundering hooves as they charge each other, the cheering of the crowd and the splintering of the lances make for an exciting climax.

People watching is part of the show. Nobles in long dresses and topped off with jeweled crowns stroll the grounds. Here comes a fashionably-dressed woman on the arm of a man in colorful waist coat, a feather plume in his hat and a knife at his belt. And these are the paying customers.

At least 70% of the crowd was in costume. Some dressed as scifi characters, others in fairy-tale garb and lots of knights, pirates and Vikings.

Contributing authenticity and realism to the scene are the 16th century Tudor-style structures

surrounding the property, which house the shops and artisan work spaces. The style of architecture, which utilizes exposed beams, was developed during the reign of the Tudor monarchy.

Willy Nilly is a permanent facility rather than a grouping of tents erected at a county fairgrounds, school parking lot, football field or in a private woods.

How could you not have fun in a place called Willy Nilly on-theWash? The shows are rollicking fun, lots of hands-on things to do and the food is tantalizing. Normally, I’d urge you jump in your car and head for Waynesville to get in on the fun. But, all of the themed weekends through the end of the year are sold out.

My suggestion is to visit ohiorenessancefestival.com or call (513) 897-7000 to order tickets for your choice of weekend in 2025. You can participate in Highlander games, mix it up with time travelers, Vikings and pirates, enjoy a weekend of comedy, or the feast of fools, and Halloween tricks or treat.

The evolution of multi-generational cruising: What you need to know

By AMANDA MAYNARD Franchise Owner and Travel Specialist for Cruise Planners

Multi-generational cruising has rapidly become a popular travel trend, with families spanning from grandparents to young children choosing cruises as their ideal vacation. The appeal lies in the wide variety of activities, amenities and destinations that cater to all ages, making it easy to spend quality time together while meeting everyone’s needs.

A major reason for the growth of multi-generational cruising is its all-inclusive nature. Cruises simplify planning by bundling accommodations, meals, entertainment and transportation into

one package, allowing families to relax and enjoy their trip without the hassle of organizing logistics. Many cruise lines also offer family suites and adjoining cabins, allowing groups to stay close while enjoying some personal space. Cruise ships offer activities for every generation. Grandparents can relax at the spa, parents can explore kid-friendly excursions, and children can enjoy the onboard kids’ clubs, pools and waterslides. With destinations ranging from the Caribbean to Alaska, these cruises provide something for every traveler, creating opportunities for families to build lasting memories.

Five great cruise ships choices for multi-generational cruising:

1. Royal Caribbean’s Oasis

of the Seas. Offers activities like zip lines and rock climbing, plus peaceful adult spaces and diverse dining for all ages.

2. Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Dream. Perfect for young families with character meetand-greets, themed dining and kids’ clubs, plus adult-only areas.

3. Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Encore. Features go-karting, laser tag, Broadway shows and flexible dining for every schedule.

4. MSC Cruises’ MSC Seaside. Combines water parks and kids’ clubs with elegant lounges and spa experiences, appealing to all generations.

5. Carnival’s Mardi Gras. Known for fun attractions like a roller coaster, family-friendly entertainment, and diverse dining options.

Family Memories at Sea!

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16TH CENTURY VILLAGE — Willy Nilly on-the-Wash is the permanent home of the Ohio Renaissance Festival in Waynesville, Ohio. Buildings housing the many shops and artisan work spaces are in the style of 16th century Tudor with exposed wooden beams. This is where fantasy and history collide.

SHOPS AND WORKSHOPS — Tudor buildings house the 166 shops and craftsman work spaces. One can even purchase a sword.

WARM-UP ACT — A woman standing on the backs of two horses was the warm-up act before the jousting.

Ford’s Model T game changer

By TOM MORROW

Mature Life Features

At the turn of the 20th century, the average American had never travelled more than 50 miles from home.

This was primarily because the railroad and the horse were the primary modes of transportation. In good weather, the horse and buggy were the more popular modes of conveyance, but going more than 10 miles could be a major trip. A horse can only go for so long before it needs water and food as well as a rest.

Going from town to town was best accomplished by railroad.

Henry Ford changed America’s availability for personal transportation freedom. The Ford-built Model T was produced from 1908 to 1927. It is generally regarded as the first mass-affordable automobile, which made car travel available to middle class Americans. The relatively low price

was partly the result of Ford’s efficient fabrication, including assembly line production instead of individual handcrafting. Known as the Tin Lizzie, the savings on each car allowed the price to decline from $780 in 1910 to $290 per car in 1924.

The Ford Model T was named the most influential car of the 20th century in the 1999 Car of the Century competition. The Model T was successful not only because it provided inexpensive transportation on a massive scale, but also because the car signified innovation for the rising middle class and became a powerful symbol of the United States’ age of modernization. With more than 15 million built, it was the most sold car in history before being surpassed by only the Volkswagen Beetle in 1972.

The first production Model T left the factory on Sept. 27, 1908, in Detroit. Nine years later on May 26, 1927, Henry Ford

watched the 15 millionth Model T roll off the assembly line at his factory in Highland Park, MI.

The Model T was Ford’s first automobile mass-produced on moving assembly lines with completely interchangeable parts.

Ford proclaimed: “I will build a motor car for the great multitude. It will be large enough for the family, but small enough for the individual to run and care for. It will be constructed of the best materials, by the best men to be hired, after the simplest designs that modern engineering can devise. But it will be so low in price that no man making a good salary will be unable to own one — and enjoy with his family the blessing of hours of pleasure in God’s great open spaces.”

He raised workers’ salaries to $5 per eight-hour day, six days a week, the highest in the nation for non-skilled workers. With those wages, most Ford workers could afford to buy the car they

helped build.

The Model T has a front-mounted 177-cubic-inch inline four-cylinder engine, producing 20 horsepower for a top speed of 42 miles per hour. According

to Ford Motor Co. advertising, the Model T had fuel economy of 13 to 21 miles per gallon. The engine was capable of running on gasoline, kerosene or ethanol.

The ignition system used in the Model T was an unusual one, with a low voltage magneto incorporated in the flywheel, supplying alternating current to trembler coils to drive the spark plugs. This was closer to that used for stationary gas engines than the expensive high-voltage ignition magnetos that were used on some other cars.

This ignition also made the Model T more flexible as to the quality or type of fuel it used. The system did not need a starting battery, since proper hand-cranking would generate enough current for starting. Electric lighting powered by the magneto was adopted in 1915, replacing acetylene gas flame head lamps and oil lamps, but electric starters were not offered until 1919.

The Model T engine was produced for replacement needs as well as stationary and marine applications until 1941, well after production of the Model T ended.

The Model T is a rear-wheel three-speed-drive vehicle but in actuality it is a two-speed, because one of the three speeds is reverse. The right hand floorboard pedal operates the transmission brake … there are no brakes on the wheels. The floor lever also controls the parking brake, which is activated by pulling the lever all the way back. This doubles as an emergency brake.

Ford was very accommodating when it came to exterior color of the Model T. “Customers can have any color they want as long as it’s black,” he would say. After years of coaxing, his son, Edsel, finally won the “paint argument” as well as the introduction of the newly designed “Model A” in 1927. By 1932, the Ford Motor Co. had begun mass-producing the revolutionary “V-8” engine, which continues to be the standard design for many mid-tolarge size American automobiles.

Henry Ford died April 7, 1947, at the age of 83, but he witnessed the beginning of our nation’s massive highway system to accommodate the millions of vehicles he and other automobile companies put on the road. If you enjoy the personal freedom of driving to work or taking a vacation across the nation, thank Henry.

MODEL T