Retirement
Health
Annual Phyicals
When Should You Retire
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December 2012 Vol 25 No. 12
COMPLIMENTARY
POMMER: Health Insurance
Sports
The 1962 Packers
NEMOVITZ: Prepare for STATE Success CAPITOL
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Emma
APRON STRINGS
FOR SALE
MOVING IN THE page 13A RIGHT DIRECTION By Bruce Nemovitz
By Aunt Emma
Cassandra McShepard Keynote Speaker (Real Milwaukee Fox 6) and Marlene Kreilkamp (2012 Social Innovation Prize Winner)
EDITORIALS By Tom Frazier
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interfaith continued on page 11A
SENIOR An open letter to Govenor Walker regarding Family Care Dear Governor Walker:
AGING ISSUES
oday, thousands of people in the second half of life have opened up a next chapter of innovation, productivity and creativity, and, in the process, have transformed our communities and our country. The Social Innovation Prize in Wisconsin honors and invests in these individuals. On November 15, Interfaith Older Adult Programs and Helen Bader Foundation sponsored The 2012 Social Innovation Prize in Wisconsin Award Luncheon at The Pfister Hotel. This year’s prize winner is Marlene Kreilkamp, founder and President of SHARP Literacy: an organization that empowers urban school children to become capable, confident readers and writers by using the visual arts as a tool to engage imaginations and inspire learning. What began as an idea to address the severe need to improve reading proficiency in Milwaukee elementary schools has blossomed into a successful nonprofit organization, SHARP Literacy, Inc. To date, SHARP has served over 70,000 at-risk students through programs employing the visual arts to enhance reading, writing and the vocabulary skills
EDITORIALS
WANTED TO BUY COMMENT
By Matt Pommer
Your Financial Life Goes On
page 9B
Rewarding Social Innovators in Wisconsin!
page 3A
THE SAVAGE TRUTH
Five Romantic Desinations
page 1B
ERVICES OFFERED page 8A
travel
As County Executive of Milwaukee, you oversaw the elimination of waiting lists for long-term care services for the elderly. You provided leadership to encourage people with disabilities to partici-
Answer Man
pate in the implementation of Family Care. You will be pleased to hear that recently the waiting list for people with disabilities ended. And, the statewide waiting list is down to about 1,000 people. At one time it was over 10,000 people.
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As governor, in the next state budget, you will make an important decision whether or not to strengthen and expand Family Care. The recent Legislative Audit Bureau report, and follow-up data from
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Frazier continued on page 3A
2A • 50plus • December 2012
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December 2012
• 50plus • 3A
Health insurance: Are you struggling with it?
Are you struggling with your health insurance? Is your insurance company providing multiple answers to your billing questions? You can enlist the state Office of the Commissioner of Insurance in seeking an answer to your questions. The insurance carrier will provide you with a written answer within three weeks. It’s an important state benefit, especially in the wake of the just-completed election campaign in which Republicans like Paul Ryan and Tommy Thompson proposed a larger role for private insurance companies in dealing with Medicare. They suggested that private insurance companies could hold down the federal government’s cost of Medicare by their negotiations with hospitals, doctors and other health care providers. Lurking in the shadows, of course, is what this approach would mean for senior citizens. Alas, our mental acuity erodes as we get older, no matter whether our politics are liberal or conservative. Frazier continued from page 1A
the Department of Health Services (DHS), provides overwhelming documentation for doing so. For example, in addition to almost eliminating waiting lists, the amount of the total Medicaid budget spent on long-term care has decreased from 53 percent to 43 percent over the last decade. This represents a huge savings at the same time we were reducing waiting lists to almost nothing, and serving more people in home and community settings. Over the last 11 years, Medicaid-paid nursing home patient days have decreased by over 3,000,000 representing a 35 percent reduction, and a savings of well over $300 million. This has helped shift long-term care funding from institutional care (62 percent to 31 percent) to home and community care (38 percent to percent). A concern has been expressed about cost-effectiveness. Here again the August 31, 2012 DHS report says that Family Care is 30 percent more
Consider what occurred in our six-month struggle with health insurance. My wife, a retired registered nurse, received a bill for $18.97 for partial payment of a lipid panel blood test done in a clinic laboratory. MOVING IN THE In her case the test was to check RIGHT DIRECTION the impact of a newly prescribed By Bruce Nemovitzanti-cholesterol “statin” drug. Those drugs are routinely prescribed for many senior citizens and have been credited with extending life for many seniors. The statin drugs can have an adverse impact on the liver, and the lipid panel is used to check on side effects. AGING We have a supplemental ISSUESpolicy aimed at covering By theTom 20Frazier percent of costs not governed by Medicare
B. The multi-page explanation of the supplemental policy said there would be no patient costs for laboratory tests ordered by a physician. Zero was the amount for the insured to pay. That language and the “97” cents portion of the bill raised red flags. The insurance company’s benefit explanation provided telephone numbers to call in case of any questions. A Emma polite fellow named “Doug” said he’d call the clinic. There he By Aunt Emma talked to “Linda” and they agreed it was an error. “Don’t pay the bill, it will go away,” Doug advised. But it didn’t. The request for $18.97 continued to come in the mail every month. We called back in three months. The insurance company had several “Dougs” working the phones. But a new person offered to call the clinic and see if it was a coding issue. No, said the clinic, it filed the form correctly. Two months later, a third call to the insurance company provided another answer. The woman agreed
cost-effective than IRIS ($3188 per member per month vs. $4159 for IRIS), and 18 percent more cost-effective than legacy waiver programs ($3188 vs. $3761). PLANTING Another concernTOMORROW’S has been susDREAMS TODAY tainability regardingBythe growth of Brad Olson the elderly population. Yet the large increase of older people has not had a large fiscal impact and will not likely have one in the future. Only 25 percent of Family Care enrollees are elderly, and this low percentage is occurring at the same time as the number of older persons in nursing SPORTS Plus homes has declinedSports by 29 percent By Jack Pearson between 2000 andBy2011. As Jack Pearsonyou know, it is not people over age 65 who need long-term care, but people over 80. As a long-time participant and observer of long-term care reform in Wisconsin, I believe that we have fallen into a trap of only talking about problems and spending to the detriment of also talking about successes and savings. We are not paying
attention to the data, which shows how well Family Care is meeting all the original goals. Of course, there was more spending as we expanded Family Care from five pilot counties in 2000 to 57 counties in 2012. But, we have paid far less attention to the savings. There are savings when the MA-spending for long-term care goes from 53 percent to 43 percent. There are savings when we reduce nursing home utilization by 35 percent. There are savings when we phase out the old waiver programs and phase in the more cost-effective Family Care program. Finally, I have seen information from the seven counties in Northeast Wisconsin Family Care District that projects a savings over both the short term and Bylong term if it was Enis Wright able to implement Family Care. This is consistent with the August 31, 2012 DHS report that says “Family Care is expected to generate a savings of 15 percent, on average over time, compared to the higher cost
STATE CAPITOL COMMENT By Matt Pommer
the policy said “zero” for patients’ responsibility. But regardless, she said, Medicare would cover only one lipid panel every five years. Medicare had already provided its share for this test as well as annual lipid panel test. The next stop was the state Board on Aging. The best solution, it said, was to file a complaint with the Insurance Commissioner’s Office. The insurance company is required to provide a written response in 20 days. In less than two weeks, the insurance company did provide a letter which said the $18.97 charged had been “processed in error.” The insurance would cover the charge. Some readers may think government involvement is a terrible thing in private matters. But if you’re struggling with health insurance, Wisconsin provides some help. You may need it if Medicare, in a wave of money saving, is ever administered by insurance companies. The statewide phone number for the Insurance Commissioner’s office is (800) 236-8517.
EDITORIALS
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legacy waiver system based on the experience of the pilot MCOs.” On behalf of older persons and people with disabilities still on waiting lists in the remaining 15 counties, I urge you to expand Family Care in your next budget at least to those counties, such as Northeast Wisconsin, where they want to implement Family Care in 2013-2015. It is not often that you have the opportunity to provide high quality care and, either save money or, at a minimum, spend it more wisely.
HERMAN WHITE WRITES ARTS
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Holidays
EDITORIALS
APITOL MENT
By Bruce Nemovitz
4A • 50plus • December 2012
Pommer
Emma
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MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION
AGING AGING ISSUES By ISSUES Tom Frazier
By Tom Frazier
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About Alzheimer’s disease By Aunt Emma
By Tom Frazier
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Emma
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Sometimes, it takes very little to include almonds (nuts to you), apPLANTING N THE PLANTING TOMORROW’S cognitive skills decline, our thinkAlzheimer’s is a dreadful disECTION bring my crabby spirit into vogue. ples, bananas, blueberries, broccoli TOMORROW’S DREAMS TODAY emovitz By Bruce Nemovitz DREAMS ease in which the information trans- ing apparatus goes haywire. If there By Brad TODAY Olson Now, I am for good health, and wish (ugh!), beans, beets, spinach, sweet By Brad Olson fer at the synapses begins to fail is any suspicion in your family as it for myself, but hate the way of potatoes and wheat germ. There’s Answer Man to the possible onset of Alzheimer’s, getting it. Still, I do know that good not much worse for us than refined followed by a decline in the synapse and the death of brain cells. This we suggest you visit your health health may be the new wealth, and foods such white flour products, cePLANTING be screened it just could be the way of the future reals, crackers, pasta, white rice and description is probably as Greek to care provider and ask to TOMORROW’S NG you as it is to us. However, we do for the disease and DREAMS its progress TODAY of UES for those of us who are advancing in sugar. As I was complaining, one of Frazier By Brad Olson deterioration. know that memories fail and as our SPORTS Aunt Emma age. Sports Plus Come to think of it, who isn’t my neighbors jokingly (I hope) said SPORTS Sports Plus By Jack Pearson By JackPearson Pearson they’d give me time to become acadvancing in age if they’re alive? By Jack By Jack Pearson the WRIGHT Therethe are 10 foods at the top of customed to such. He suggested 25 WRIGHT the good health list. These SIDE offoods that years to life. SIDE of AGING By Enis Wright healthiwill aid us in living longer, TING By Enis Wright ROW’S ISSUES TODAY er lives (that should make us happy)
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Your wallet favors gasSports Plus SENIOR
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Dear SAM: I know this is the electronic age, but when did it begin? The values of computation and electronic data have soared in the last decade and first made noticeable advances after World War Two. It is difficult for me to believe we have moved so far so fast, but who started all of this? Was it Edison or Bell? Questioningly, Emil Gattsmather
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Dear Emil: The values of computing powers have soared in recent years, but the
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While thinking about how short got this from the life is we probably should give it a Bureau of Non-EsWright good pair ByofEnis high heels. sential Information. i i i i i i i i Who would have guessed that Was Jack Pearson’s story last with McLoone a ski area in Japan annually gets Jim the month on the Batzer cockroach racmost snow? We read about 550 inches es like the Kentucky Derby for roach PLANTING fall there yearly. Clearing that would racing? I recall when roach races were TOMORROW’S be a real snow job. held (possibly still are) every Sunday i i i iDREAMS TODAY morning at a tavern alongside PewauBy Brad Herman White, a regular colum-Olson kee Lake. You could bring your own nist, screwed up in November’s issue. or the tavern owner would furnish one President Franklin Delano Roosevelt for each participant. was elected to four terms, not just i i i i three. White must have flunked AmerWhile we are writing about aniican history. mals, have you heard about the Chicki i i i en Poop Bingo now being played in Note the following words. What some establishments that have pool do they all have in common? Assess, tables? A chicken is let loose on a uneven, banana, dresser, grammar, po- high sided pool table that is covered tato, revive. Pat yourself on theSPORTS back if with numbers. Guess how the winning you figured out that by moving the first number is decided? By Jack Pearson letter of each word to be the last, you i i i i By Jack Pearson can spell the same words backwards. I killing time continued on page 18A
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By Tom Frazier
SPORTS If you say “Alleluia”By and By Jackkneel Jack Pearson Pearsondown
and so much said and written about blame you. Natural Gas, $66.1 the wonders of wind and solar power, RTS s Plus Hydro, $88.9 I had to research comparative costs. earson Pearson Wind, $96.0 The conclusions I have reached is the WRIGHT Conventional Coal, $97.7 that natural gas is not only the most SIDE of Geothermal, $98.2 economical By Enisfuel Wright now, but it is also the Advanced Nuclear, $111.4 fuel for the near future – perhaps a decade if we are to consider the costs of with Jim McLooneBiomass, $115.5 Solar photovoltaic, $152.7 energy. Solar thermal, $242 The information I herewith submit for your reading comes from the Keep warm and pay the gas man. Energy Information Administration. He’s obviously a friend to all when The figures are not for today, but pro- there’s a chill in the air and ice upon jected levelized costs per megawatt the pond. APRONhour of new generation resources as These are projected factors and TRAVEL values; therefore, there is uncertainty TRINGSof 2016. y Aunt Emma I am going to give you the source as they can vary regionally and across of energy and the megawatt hour cost. time as technologies evolve.
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father of all this just could have lived 120 years ago. The thinking of many is that Guglielmo Marconi made the first electronic transmission way back in 1895. Do you recall your fascination with the wireless code and the tapping of dots and dashes that turned into words in the minds of those hearing them? While Marconi may be the first such inventor, we stumbled across the name of another, who few people know about. The person who demonstrated the very first hand-held cellular phone was Martin Cooper. Emil, did you know this fact? Thanks for writing and have a nice Christmas, Senior Answer Man
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December 2012
• 50plus • 5A
Medicare to reward hospitals for providing better care
By Ron Pollack, Executive Director, Families USA Heart failure. Pneumonia. Heart attack. If you or a loved one suffers from one of these health conditions, you will want to make sure you get the right follow-up treatment. And starting this month, your local hospital will have a financial interest in making sure you do. While politicians talk about how to reduce Medicare spending in the future, some steps are being taken right now as a result of the Affordable Care Act (the health care law). One of the big improvements the law made is to encourage hospitals to do a better job and get it right the first time. This will help prevent what are called “avoidable readmissions.” That’s when a patient has to go back into the hospital shortly after being discharged due to the same problem. Beginning this month, hospitals that have high rates of readmission for three health conditions —heart failure, pneumonia and heart attack—will have their Medicare pay-
ment rates reduced. Over the next few years, more conditions will be added to the list. Why is this needed? Because evidence shows that too many patients end up back in the hospital when they don’t get the right care while they are there or when they are being discharged. Of course, sometimes patients need to be readmitted through no fault of the hospital—for example, the person may need multiple surgeries to treat a particular condition. But too often, these readmissions could have been prevented with better care. For example, if no one at the hospital explains to a patient how to take her medications when she’s being discharged, she might easily end up with complications that put her back in the hospital. Until now, that hospital would have been paid when the patient was readmitted. So a hospital that didn’t do a very good job could easily get paid more than a hospital that kept its patients healthier. Clearly, we want to reward hospitals for taking good care of their patients, not for giving them inad-
equate care. Changing the financial incentives will encourage hospitals to provide better care in the first place. For example, hospitals can do a better job when the patient is in the hospital by ensuring that all staff washes their hands frequently, which prevents the spread of infection. Hospitals can also improve communication with patients (and their caregivers) and with other health care providers who care for the patient. For example, they can make sure patients know how to care for themselves when they leave the hospital and that their regular doctors know what tests were performed at the hospital and what medications were prescribed. You have a role to play, too. A stay at a hospital can be overwhelming, but you need to take the time to ask important questions about your care plan and to make sure you understand it. You can ask a family member or friend to help. There are also several resources that you can use to help you through this process. The Family Caregiver Alliance provides a guide for families and
caregivers that they can use during the hospital discharge planning process; this guide can be found online at www.caregiver.org under “Fact Sheets.” Medicare has created a checklist you can use during discharge from a hospital; the checklist is available online at www.medicare. gov/publications/pubs/pdf/11376. pdf. If you ever have concerns about the quality of the care you receive, you can contact your local Medicare Quality Improvement Organization (QIO). You can find your local QIO by visiting www.ahqa.org and clicking on QIO Locator. To learn more about how a QIO can help, visit www.medicare.gov/Publications/ Pubs/pdf/11348.pdf. Hospitals can greatly improve the outcome for patients by taking proven steps, such as patient education. No one wants to be in the hospital, and you certainly don’t want to have to go back if that can be avoided. This change to the way hospitals are paid is a smart first step to improving care for all of us.
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6A • 50plus • December 2012
Study: Annual physical too focused on disease By Dr. David Lipschitz Starting at age 50, an annual physical is recommended. In the population served by Medicare, an annual wellness visit is fully covered with no copay by the patient. What could be more important than having an opportunity to sit down and discuss problems with your physician? You need to be more educated about how to stay healthy through diet, exercise and stress control. And, just as critically, you need to know how to navigate the complex health care system should you become ill. Through examination, laboratory tests and obtaining your history, medical problems can be identified, high blood pressure treated and cancer diagnosed at an earlier, more curable time. The annual physical is the holy grail of medicine. And yet, in a review published in the prestigious Cochrane Library, researchers from Denmark found that annual physical examinations prevented nothing. They found the exams did not reduce the risk of deaths from heart attacks and cancer compared to those who did not have an annual physical. Furthermore, there was no difference in life expectancy between the two groups. The researchers even suggest that an annual physical may cause more harm than good by performing needless tests and identifying abnormalities that required a biopsy or even surgery that turned out to be of no clinical significance — the so-called false positive. In this study, 182,880 people were followed for an average of nine years. Some had annual physicals and others did not. Not only was there no difference in death rates, heart disease or cancer but admissions to the hospital, referrals to specialists and quality-of-life measures were identical in the two groups. In an accompanying editorial, Dr. Stephanie Thompson and Dr. Marcello Tonelli from the University of Alberta state that the annual physical, with its additional screening tests, may be of so little value as to be la-
beled a waste of precious health care dollars. Anyone who has gone to more than one doctor knows that there is little uniformity in the annual physical examination. Conversation between patient and doctor may be short, the examination may be cursory or nonexistent, and there is usually an overemphasis on blood tests and X-rays. Counseling about good nutrition, exercise plans, smoking, weight reduction and stress management are too time-consuming to be truly reviewed in detail. Clearly, this new research questions the value of the annual physical and raises concerns that the more tests done, the less the benefit, the more the potential harm. The answer, though, is not to forgo but to improve the annual physical. Too much time is spent seeking disease and too little on education. A wellness visit may be needed only every few years. The doctor must perform a comprehensive history that covers medications taken, recent illness, family and social history. Following a careful examination, prudent testing should be done to assure that the most appropriate treatment plan is developed. Just as critical is counseling everyone (thin, overweight or obese) on how to eat right and maintain an ideal weight. An expert should develop an exercise plan, and everyone should learn how to deal with stress, a potent cause of many diseases. As more physicians become affiliated with hospitals, the potential of a true team approach to the annual physical can become a reality. Depending on particular issues, some team members may have more involvement than others. For example, the dietician is critical to the care of a patient with borderline diabetes. If this plan is ever implemented, future research may well show that the effort is well worth the investment. Dr. David Lipschitz is the author of the book “Breaking The Rules Of Aging.”
December 2012
• 50plus • 7A
Undieting relieves fatigue By Charlyn Fargo Gloria Tsang doesn’t believe in dieting. In fact, she authored a book about getting healthy while avoiding diets. She focuses on 50 small actions for lasting weight loss. Tsang is a registered dietitian who got her start helping her father live through a cancer diagnosis. “Dad had radiation daily and I would stay in the waiting room, talking with others who started asking me nutrition questions,” said Tsang. “I had all this knowledge I loved to share on a website, and I decided to put it in a book.” She called it Go Undiet. “It’s all about small actions -- not counting calories,” said Tsang. “It’s for those who are diet-fatigued.” Here are her top 10 small actions to undiet: 1. Start Undieting: Stop yo-yo dieting and stop following a diet plan. 2. Start one change per week. Start with avoiding fat-free foods. “What I found is that fat-free saves fewer than 20 calories and it’s so much more artificial. If you crave ice cream, go for it, just eat less.” 3. Keep a food journal. 4. Skip low-sugar and low-fat products. 5. Avoid products with cartoon characters on the box. “The cartoon characters cereal typically has sugar as the first or second ingredients -- it’s candy. What I recommend is don’t ask your kids to go cold turkey -- mix the sugary cereals with the high fiber cereals at first.” 6. Check both the nutrition facts panel and the ingredients list. 7. Go un-palm. “It’s the highly processed stuff,” said Tsang. “Trans fat is hard to find anymore but it’s been replaced with palm oil. The moment you see palm on the label, you know it’s highly processed. Remember, no solid fats are good for you. 8. Uncover whole. Look for the word “whole” in the ingredients’ list and don’t limit whole grains to breakfast.
9. Be unafraid of meat. It’s not as high in fat or calories as many junk foods, she says. 10. Un-drink your calories. “Drinks are meant to hydrate us, not feed us, so they shouldn’t be a big source of calories,” she said.
Q and A
Q: Are raisins as healthy a fruit choice as grapes? A: Grapes have high water content, which gives them few calories in filling, large portions make them an excellent choice to include in meals and snacks. Since raisins are dried fruit, their calories are more concentrated than the grapes from which they are produced, so portion control is important. One serving (1/4 cup) of raisins has 129 calories compared to 87 calories in one (3/4 cup) serving of grapes. But overall, nutrient levels are similar. Raisins are a concentrated source of natural sugar. However, studies suggest they raise blood sugar only moderately and do not stimulate secretion of large amounts of insulin. This could be because of their soluble fiber, which slows the speed at which raisins’ carbohydrate can be absorbed. Even in their small, one-quarter cup, serving size, raisins are high in antioxidant phytochemicals such as flavonoids and phenolic acids. Most California raisins turn their dark color as they are dried naturally in the sun. During this time, resveratrol (a phenol) found on grape skins is destroyed. Golden seedless raisins are dried on racks sent through tunnels where hot air circulates around. They are exposed to sulfur dioxide gas to prevent oxidation and preserve their light color. Because of this difference in production, golden raisins are even higher in antioxidants than dark raisins, and they do contain a small amount of resveratrol. Both are excellent choices and add a nutritious, naturally sweet boost to oatmeal, salads and rice, or even dishes like casseroles and chili. Information courtesy of the American Institute for Cancer Research.
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STATE CAPITOL COMMENT
8A • 50plus • December 2012
By Matt Pommer
Alleluia! Prepare for Success in 2013 The pendulum of the ever-changing real estate market is forever moving from one extreme to the other. At times, it changes at a fast pace as seen in the boom years in the early 2000’s, as well as the great recession of 2008 just a few years later. However, for much of history, home sales have moved very slowly either up or down. I believe we are now in one of those very methodical periods where the direction of the real estate market seems somewhat predictable. Foreclosures (properties eventually owned by the mortgage holder or banks) and short sales (properties sold prior to a foreclosure where the mortgage holder settles for less than what is owed) are fewer and are selling at a faster pace than previous years. Predictions by most pundits agree we may have hit bottom on pricing, and in some areas slight increases in values have been achieved. Most experts feel that 2013 will be a year of stable prices and a slight increase of three percent may be possible. New con-
APRON STRINGS
MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION By Bruce Nemovitz
struction is on the increase but still far below what is considered to be a healthy market. However, the spring of 2013 may be the year builders have been waiting for as there are many potential buyers who mayAGING be ready to ISSUES begin their new construction plans. By Tom Frazier If you are a homeowner who has put off your plans, waiting for that “sign” to make your move, I believe the year of 2013 may just be the time for you to put your moving plans into action! Interest rates are at all-time lows PLANTING (3.25% for a 30 year fixed rate mortTOMORROW’S gage) and may remain at low levels DREAMS TODAY By Brad Olson until 2015, as the recovery will likely take a few more years to reach stabil-
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ity andEmma a prosperous economy. These low rates coupled with buyer confiAunt Emma dence levels rising, andBylower inventories of housing will lead to a positive outlook for spring sales next year. We have seen a shift in priorities for young buyers starting their families. They will pay a premium price for a home that is “move-in” with updates cosmetically and structurally. Conversely, they are not willing to pay market value for a home that shows poorly or one that is dated needing work. The difference from an updated home to one needing rehabilitation can be as much as 50 percent. Just think about that. A $200,000 home may sell for $100,000 if it needs paint, carpet, kitchen and bath remodeling. It can get even lower if there is a defective basement, roof or furnace. Therefore, take advantage of this predictable market and prepare your home now as opposed to waiting for the “right moment,” which may be the wrong time of year or a year where inventory may increase along with interest rates. Have a Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES) stop over and design a game plan for the coming year if you are one of those would-be sellers who have put off your plans due to the economy. Have a staging expert stop over to offer ideas and solutions to upgrade your home’s current cosmetic deficiencies. Don’t paint the interior without getting advice from By Enisyoung Wright buyers find experts as to what appealing. An example of penny wise and dollar foolish would be painting your home completely white or neutral. Today’s buyers are completely turned off by colors that were appealing just a few years ago. The same goes for flooring, light fixtures, etc.
Begin the process of preparing your home for sale now. Don’t procrastinate if selling your home would bring you to a better, healthier lifestyle. Proper planning can mean thousands in positive equity. Procrastination can only lead to frustration and more of the same. Remember, we are given a very finite time on this great planet. Waiting for the “right moment” may go on forever, until dreams of today may become regrets of tomorrow. Bruce Nemovitz is a Senior Real Estate Specialist, as well as Certified Senior Advisor. Bruce has sold residential homes in the four county Milwaukee-Metro areas for 37 years. He has published a book called “Moving in the Right Direction”, A Senior’s Guide to Moving and Downsizing. (www.MovingInTheRightDirection. com). He received the 2010 “Realtor of the Year” from the 3,800 membership of the GMAR (Greater Milwaukee Association of Realtors). Bruce is a featured speaker at several senior communities in the Milwaukee-Metro area. His discussions center on the challenge of moving from a long time home into a senior apartment or community. As such, he’s one of only a handful of Realtors who are continually included in the top seven percent in client satisfaction in the Milwaukee Metro area. He’s rated A+ by the Better Business Bureau, and was a finalist for Concordia College’s Ethical Business Leadership Award. He works with his wife, Jeanne, at Realty Executives Integrity. Please feel free to call Bruce or Jeanne with any real estate questions you may have at 262-242-6177, or email at Bruce@ BrucesTeam.com. You can go to their website at www.brucesteam.com and view the many articles and important information related to moving and downsizing!
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KILLING TIME with Jim McLoone Mailing times
Whether you are mailing Christmas cards, sending gifts or just paying bills before Christmas, the times that you should have various types of mail into the postal boxes is as follows:
Priority Mail flat rate of $5.15, two to three day delivery anywhere in U.S. Priority Mail International, six to 10 business days, $12.95. First Class, local or nearby area one to three days.
December 2012
• 50plus • 9A
Truth is always the honest way to go
Q
by: Tom Margenau : Before I ask a question, I must tell you my story. I was married to my first husband for 23 years. We divorced in 1995. He died several years ago. I married a second time in 1998, but this marriage turned out to be a mistake. A couple years after we got married, he just up and left me. I really don’t know where he went. I only heard from him once, and that was about ten years ago. He told me he was getting a divorce. But I have no idea if he ever went ahead with that. And frankly, at the time, I didn’t care. I was just glad that he was out of my life! Fast forward to today and now I’m about to turn 62. I want to file for widow’s benefits from my first husband. I called Social Security’s toll-free number and told them the same story I told you. The lady on the phone told me not to worry about my second marriage and to make an appointment to file for widow’s benefits. I told her I needed to think about it. A couple weeks later, I called again and talked to someone else. I repeated my story. This guy advised me to apply for widow’s benefits and not mention my second marriage during the application process. Now I don’t know what to do. Should I file for widow’s benefits? Should I simply not bring up the second marriage?
A
: There are two things you should do: Make an appointment to file for widow’s benefits and tell the truth! The Social Security Administration representative who told you not to mention your second marriage
should be fired. He was telling you to lie and commit fraud. But the agency representative who told you “not to worry” about your second marriage may have been on to something. I’m guessing she checked Social Security records and learned that your second husband had died. She may have just been overly cautious about privacy rules and therefore didn’t share that information with you. With him out of the picture, so to speak, you would be eligible for benefits on your first husband’s account. Even if husband number two isn’t dead, you should still file for widow’s benefits on your first husband’s account immediately. By doing so, this establishes your legal rights to claim such benefits. As part of the process, you are going to have to prove that you are divorced from your second husband. And SSA will help you track down divorce papers. If you are successful and can prove you are divorced, you will start getting widow’s benefits from husband number one. If you are not successful and learn you are still legally married to Mr. Wonderful — I mean your second husband — then SSA will simply deny your claim for widow’s benefits. Then you can decide to start divorce proceedings. Once they are finalized, reapply for widow’s benefits from your first husband. Or; if for whatever reason you want to cling to your marriage to Mr. W., and assuming he is over age 62 and getting Social Security, you could file for wife’s benefits on his account. Finally, you never mentioned if you have worked and paid into Social
Security yourself. If you have, then, of course, you are always entitled to claim your own retirement benefits anytime you want.
Q A
:I am about to turn age 65. I am already getting Social Security. How do I apply for Medicare and Medicaid?
: Before I answer your question, I have to clarify one issue. You will not be applying for “Medicare and Medicaid.” You will be signing up for two different parts of the Medicare program: Part A — hospital insurance and Part B — medical insurance. You made the same mistake that millions of confused Americans make. You incorrectly referred to Medicare’s medical insurance program, or Part B, as “Medicaid.” But Medicaid is a completely separate program from
Medicare. To put it simply, Medicaid is a welfare program and Medicare isn’t. You get Medicare Part A coverage if you work and pay Medicare taxes, or if you are married to someone who qualifies for Medicare Part A. And anyone over 65, or anyone who has been getting Social Security disability benefits for two years, can buy Medicare Part B coverage. Medicare is administered by a federal agency called the Health Care Financing Administration. But, the Social Security Administration handles the application process. You can get Medicaid only if your income and assets are below certain limits (these vary from one state to another). In other words, you only get Medicaid if you are poor. Each state’s welfare or social services department administers Medicaid.
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10A • 50plus • December 2012
The vital issue Congress won’t address By Lee H. Hamilton With the elections over, Congress faces a full plate of tough issues when it reconvenes. But there’s one vitally important question we’re certain to hear nothing about. That is Congress’s own behavior — and more specifically, the behavior of its members. After what may be the most widely panned session in modern congressional history, Capitol Hill ought to use every means possible to rebuild the American people’s trust. Yet the matter over which it has the most control — striving to ensure the ethical behavior of its members — seems to be on no one’s agenda. Earlier this year, The Washington Post detailed a stunning array of questionable practices. Its reporters found that 130 members and their families had traded stock in companies registered to lobby before their committees — and that over 5,000 of those trades occurred as the bills those companies were interested in came before Congress. In some cases, the ethics were even dicier. One lawmaker put her name on legislation extending the lifespan of federal grazing permits — which her husband used for feeding his cattle. All told, the Post found, 73 members of Congress “sponsored or co-sponsored legislation in recent years that could benefit businesses or industries in which either they or their family members are involved or invested.” What might seem dubious to you or me doesn’t even raise an eyebrow in Congress, however. Legislators argue that because they need to represent the interests of their constituents, and their own interests often overlap with their constituents’ interests. This means leaving them free to enact bills and direct federal money that just happens to boost their financial prospects. The ethics committees seem largely to agree. Since the scandals that brought down speakers Jim Wright and Newt Gingrich in the 1990s and then-House Majority Leader Tom DeLay in 2004, committee members in both the House and the Senate have been reluctant to police their col-
leagues. In the past couple of years, only two House members have been disciplined for ethical breaches. The Senate committee has sent out four “letters of admonishment.” Look, this isn’t complicated. To the ethics committees, these members of Congress were in the clear. But in terms of what ordinary citizens expect from their representatives, does their behavior pass the smell test? Is it okay to use public office to help oneself and one’s family financially? I don’t think so. There is one rule the ethics committees seem conveniently to have forgotten: it’s the rule that members should always behave in a way that reflects credit on the institution they serve. Instead, what the public sees is an institution that protects its members by holding them to a far lower standard. This matters at the moment not just because Congress’s credibility is in the tank. Four years ago, Congress did act — though only under great pressure — to improve its ethical standing. It created the Office of Congressional Ethics, an independent monitor that has used its scant power effectively to review members’ behavior and recommend action. Some of the cases it brought were so compelling they even spurred the ethics committees to investigate. The OCE seems properly to view congressional office as a public trust. This may be because its board is made up of highly respected former members and public servants. For the office to continue its work, however, half those board members will need to be replaced by the start of the new congressional term in January, because their terms are expiring. So far, House leaders of both parties — who are charged with naming the board — have dragged their heels. Lee Hamilton is Director of the Center on Congress at Indiana University. He was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives for 34 years.
December 2012
interfaith continued from page 1A necessary for success in school and life. This is the sixth year this statewide prize has been awarded. Past winners have achieved stunning results in critical areas of our society such as, environmental advocacy, healthcare and urban restoration and growth. This award also recognizes Prize Fellows amongst the many nominees for outstanding achievement. This year’s Fellows are: Robert Curry; Dryhootch of American, Inc., Milwaukee, WI Bob Curry, a Vietnam veteran, founded Dryhootch, a nonprofit with a mission to serve veterans and their families, while educating the community on the untold number of issues facing our veterans today. Recognizing PTSD and its links to drug and/or alcohol abuse, Curry formed Dryhootch as a safe, drug and alcohol free, peer-to-peer location for veterans to receive vetto-vet assistance. LaVrene Norton; Action Pact, Inc., Milwaukee, WI LaVrene started Action Pact at age 51, which began a journey of action with a mission to transform our view of elder health. A tireless
• 50plus • 11A
advocate, LaVrene worked to grow learning circles one person at a time, transforming the way we look at aging and to understand what was broken - that elders don’t need more medicine, rather a focus on companionship, spontaneity and purposeful living. Denny Blodgett; Heat a Home, Danbury, WI Denny is the director and oversees the taking of donated wood to be processed (cut, split, stacked, delivered and stacked again)to those in Burnett County to aid in keeping homes warm in the winter. Burnett County is one of the poorest counties in Wisconsin and heating homes, even with the Energy Assistance received, is a great need. Most of the population are elderly and have no means to cut, split or bring in necessary wood for the purpose of heating the home. Denny sees to it that he and his volunteers keep their homes warm in the cold winters of Northwestern Wisconsin. Learn more about The Social Innovation Prize in Wisconsin at www.socialinnovationprize.org. The nomination period for next year begins March 2013.
Marlene Kreilkamp, the 2012 Social Innovation who is Prize in Wisconsin winner founder and president SHARP Literacy, Inc.
Pull Up A Chair Event
Julia Pagenkopf (Interfaith Older Adult Programs), Mary Bub, Christy Harteau (WI Rural Women’s Initiative).
Don’t delay getting vaccines
Judy Hodges and Mardi Charnitz 2012 Pull Up a Chair Benefit for Interfaith Neighborhood Outreach Program
Have you had your flu shot this fall? If your answer is that you haven’t, do so and quickly. Being immunized with a flu vaccine every fall should be a routine occurrence. This is especially so if you are age 65 or older as people in these advancing ages are at increased risks of having serious complications from the flu. The Centers for Disease Control also recommend that all, but especially older people be vaccinated against measles, mumps, tetanus,
rubella, chicken pox, pneumonia and shingles. Hepatitis A and B immunizations are needed only by those persons who have specific risk factors. Flu shots are needed yearly and the time is now. Pneumonia shots should be given every five years; tetanus once with a booster shot every 10 years; shingles once only.
12A • 50plus • December 2012
When is it time to choose retirement
Q
By Doug Mayberry : My husband and I are in our early 60s. We have been working for a successful company for nearly 26 years. We are considering taking early retirement. We would retain our company benefits and our health coverage. Our mortgage is paid, and we have some stocks. We believe we have earned our retirement, and we are eager to enjoy traveling and spoiling our grandchildren. Do you think retiring early is a wise decision? : You have earned it! However, living in a world of greater uncertainty requires us to look ahead. Hedging your bet, keeping your options open and not putting all of your eggs in one basket should be a priority. List your options. Confirm with your doctor what he foresees for your health futures. Would a change in your company’s health plan impact your budget? Are you prepared
A
for a major change in both an inflated or depressed economy? Will your family need financial or caretaking support? Do you both need to retire at the same time? Tempering your decisions may prove your best course. Events will change. Consider activating your decisions one-by-one. One retirement expert believes men die sooner than women because of boredom, overeating and having nothing to do. His study also indicated that men live longer if they wait until 65 to choose retirement. Retirement always changes more for men than women. Carefully analyze how our decisions will affect your personal relationship. Discuss and agree with your partner that whatever your results are, you made your best efforts. Loving and caring for each other makes “the medicine go down!�
Q
: Our grandson will finish his first two years of college in the spring. He is a communications student and enjoys it; He has excellent people skills and a winning personality. We believe he has chosen the right career path. However, he has learned via interviews that the salaries for communications positions would not match the lifestyle he wants. As an alternative, he is asking his parents to finance a couple of extra years so he can acquire an engineering degree, which would offer both more job opportunities and larger salaries. It would be difficult for them to do so. Is that a smart choice? : Does he have the capability and willingness to accept becoming an engineer? Today’s college graduates are being forced to accept almost any job they can get. For the long run, students’ families are wondering if college
A
degrees are worth the time and costs while no longer guaranteeing work. As an option, many students now are seeking less expensive community college and public institutions enrollment. Last month, I met an Australian on vacation here. He is a successful plumber and earns $50 an hour. His two children, who have degrees, cannot find work and live at home. Trade schools are finding eager students. As an alternative to your grandson’s request for a change in majors, suggest cutting back on some communication classes and change to a double major, which would include engineering. This should reveal which career path will work best for him! Doug Mayberry makes the most of life in a Southern California retirement community. Contact him at deardoug@msn.com.
When Your Loved One is in Crisis and Needs to Move You Don’t Need Ideas,You Need ACTION 'RHV \RXU ORYHG RQH QHHG WR PDNH D PRYH VRRQ EXW PXVW VHOO WKHLU KRPH ÂżUVW" :H FDQ KHOS :KHQ WKH FULVLV KLWV \RXU PDLQ JRDO LV WR WDNH FDUH RI \RXU ORYHG RQH WR WKH EHVW RI \RXU DELOLW\ DQG WR HQVXUH WKH\ ÂżQG D VDIH VHFXUH DQG FDULQJ FRPPXQLW\ %XW VRPHWLPHV GXH WR XQDYDLODEOH ÂżQDQFHV \RXU RSWLRQV FDQ EH OLPLWHG That doesn’t have to be the case. )RU RYHU \HDUV P\ ZLIH -HDQQH DQG , KDYH EHHQ KHOSLQJ VHQLRUV DQG WKHLU IDPLOLHV PDNH WKH PRYH IURP WKHLU KRPH WR D VHQLRU FRPPXQLW\ :H KDYH VROG RYHU KRPHV DQG LQ WKH SURFHVV KDYH GHYHORSHG D QHWZRUN RI VNLOOHG VHUYLFH SURYLGHUV WKDW FDQ WXUQ D GDXQWLQJ VHHPLQJO\ LPSRVVLEOH WDVN LQWR D PDQDJHDEOH DQG VPRRWK SURFHVV :KHQ WKH FULVLV KLWV DQG \RXU SODQQLQJ WLPH LV OLPLWHG WKDWÂśV ZKHQ ZHÂśUH DW RXU EHVW Need to sell the home quickly so that equity can be used to pay for their care? ƒ :H KDYH FDVK EX\HUV WKDW ZLOO SXUFKDVH D KRPH DQG DQ\ UHPDLQLQJ LWHPV ÂłDV LV´ DQG RIWHQ FORVH ZLWKLQ WZR ZHHNV ƒ :H KDYH SDUWQHUV ZKR FDQ GRZQVL]H DQG SUHSDUH \RXU KRPH IRU VDOH LQ DV OLWWOH DV WZR ZHHNV ZLWK SRVVLEOH VDOH DQG FORVH LQ as little as a month. ƒ :H KDYH SDUWQHUV ZKR FDQ RIIHU \RX ORZ FRVW ÂłH[SHGLWHG ÂżQDQFLQJ´ ZLWK D ORFDO OHQGHU 7KLV FRXOG DOORZ \RX WR JHW DQ HTXLW\ ZLWKGUDZDO WR EULGJH WKH JDS EHWZHHQ ZKHQ WKH KRPH VHOOV DQG \RXU ORYHG RQHVÂś QHHG IRU FDUH QRZ Your family is unable to accomplish the organizing, downsizing, packing and moving on such short notice? ƒ :H KDYH D VHDVRQHG WHDP RI SURIHVVLRQDOV WKDW FDQ DFFRPSOLVK DOO DVSHFWV RI \RXU PRYH LQ D PDWWHU RI GD\V LI QHFHVVDU\ /HW XV WDNH FDUH RI WKH KRPH VHOOLQJ SURFHVVÂŤ ZKLOH \RX WDNH FDUH RI WKH QHHGV RI \RXU ORYHG RQH
Bruce & Jeanne Nemovitz
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December 2012
How to financially manage the fiscal cliff-hanger My
by: Terry Savage —Consider 2012 Taxes: The Relax. The headlines tell you that rates won’t change for your earnings there’s a fiscal Armageddon ahead — this year. And don’t assume they’ll go and right now, there’s nothing you can up next year, either. A Capitol Hill deal do about it. You’ve had your chance to could actually result in lower tax rates speak by voting. Now, hopefully our and the closing of popular loopholes representatives will listen. revenue. So, only plan Visit our newto raise andneeded improved Despite all the headlines, and the for what you know you can impact by tolife view articles political posturing,website your financial taking steps suchbefore as making tax-dehit newsstands. will go on. And there’sthey nothing youthe ductible retirement plan contributions can do now about tax rates taxonline and charitable contributions now. You Join or our communnity. breaks that will apply to next year. also might want to “bunch” your deAny changes in the tax code will have ductions into this year — if you hapan impact on our collective behavior pen to have enough medical expenses in thePLUS year ahead. You can be sure of to top 7.5 percent of your adjusted 50 that. But for the year 2012,www.mymilwaukeelife.com which is gross income. Fearing higher tax rates about to go into the record books, your next year, many corporations are deoptions are limited. Stick with your claring special dividends in December plan. and advancing bonus payments into So here are some financial things 2012, so shareholders and employees to think about as we head towards the can take advantage of presumed lower year’s end. These are steps you can tax rates this year. Similarly, you can take to move your life forward, with- sell stocks with profits to take advanout waiting to see what Congress does tage of the current low capital gains next to place roadblocks — or give tax rates, offsetting the gains against you an assist — toward your goal of any losses. Don’t wait for the yearfinancial independence. end rush to adjust your portfolio. —Keep Saving: It doesn’t matter That’s about it. Sure, wealthy what the tax rates will be on dividends people are scrambling to give away or capital gains. In fact, higher tax- millions of dollars to their heirs before es mean you need to save even more the $5 million estate and gift tax break to build your future. So, make sure expires. But likely, you don’t have you’ve taken advantage of all oppor- that problem. If you’re one of the miltunities. Check with your employer lions of Americans just worried about to make sure you’ve maxed out your having enough money to cover your 40l(k) contributions — or at least up to basic expenses, feed your family, send the employer match. Now is the time your kids to college or live above the to make arrangements to have more poverty level in retirement, you can taken out before the end of December. stop stressing out. Because worrying And if you qualify for a Roth IRA (ad- won’t help. justed gross income under $125,000 Yes, those problems remain — on a single return, or $183,000 on a but the only thing you can do now is joint return) make a contribution to control your own budget, try to avoid grow tax-free for retirement (up to debt and search for a second job in $5,000, or $6,000 if age 50 or older). a world of high unemployment. And —Keep Investing: Yes, there are don’t give up. dozens of reasons for the stock market We live in an era of instant comto decline — and most of them cen- munication — and ongoing angst. ter on Washington and the possibility But nothing else has changed. We of an economic slowdown. But every just know more daily news about our summer for the past four years, there financial doom because of modern have been predictions of another re- communications. cession around the corner. And predicYes, we have record debt levels tions of a stock-market decline. Don’t at the federal government level — follow the crowd; stick with your but not as high as when we came out regular monthly contribution to your of World War II, and we managed to retirement plan, whatever the level of grow our way out of that trouble. Yes, cliff hanger continued on page 15A stock prices.
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• 50plus • 13A
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14A • 50plus • December 2012
Salsini writes ‘Christmas Miracles’ book Just in time for Christmas, award-winning Milwaukee novelist Paul Salsini has released his first children’s book, Stefan and the Christmas Miracles. Like the earlier Salsini novels, the book is set in the hills of Tuscany. In the weeks before Christmas, little Stefano sits down with his grandfather, Nonno, and they put together their nativity scene, one figure a day. Nonno tells Stefano the amazing story of each of the miniature people and about the wondrous
miracle that happens when they visit the Baby Jesus. Salsini was inspired to write the story after putting up his own nativity set that he acquired, piece by piece over many years, from Italy. The Baby Jesus, Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, angels and kings are present, of course, but there are many other people-farmers and tradesmen, merchants and musicians, mothers and sons- they all become part of the nativity story.
When he gazed at these delicately painted images last Christmas, Salsini, who was featured in the January 2009 issue of 50 Plus, began to wonder about them. Who were these people? They’re not in the Bible. What happened to them at the stable? He was suddenly inspired to give them names and stories. An old man being led by a little boy became Mahalah the Blind Man who regained his sight when the Baby Jesus smiled at him. A man next to a kettle became Seth the
Soup Peddler who gave Mary and Joseph a bowl of his soup. A boy sleeping with a saddlebag became Mendel the Messenger, who delivered important papers to Jerusalem. More figures, more stories: Achim the Fence Maker, Araunah the Carpenter, Dodo the Mute, Gur the Son of She-Wolf, Sered the Pearl Seller, and many more. Stefano and the Christmas Miracles can be ordered from Amazon. com for $7.95.
Wisconsin Social Security offices have new hours
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Effective November 19, Wisconsin Social Security offices are open to the public Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. – a reduction of 30 minutes each weekday. In addition, beginning January 2, 2013, offices will close to the public at noon every Wednesday. While agency employees will continue to work their regular hours, this shorter public window will allow them to complete face-toface interviews and process claims work without incurring the cost of overtime. The significantly reduced funding provided by Congress under the continuing resolution for the first six months of the fiscal year makes it impossible for the agency to provide the overtime needed to handle service to the public as it has done in the past.
In addition, on November 23, the day after Thanksgiving, all Social Security field offices will be closed to the public. Most Social Security services do not require a visit to a local office. Many services, including applying for retirement, disability or Medicare benefits, signing up for direct deposit, replacing a Medicare card, obtaining a proof of income letter or informing us of a change of address or telephone number are conveniently available at www.socialsecurity.gov or by dialing the toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213. People who are deaf or hard of hearing may call the TTY number, 1-800-3250778. Many online services also are available in Spanish at www.segurosocial.gov.
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Honor Clayton Chipman The face of Clayton Chipman has been seen on the pages of this publication several times over the last decade. Why not? Chipman is a person, who dedicates his life and his talents to the best interests of others. This is especially true today for veterans of the various wars in which Americans have fought to preserve our freedoms. Chipman, now a Brookfield resident, served many years as a teacher and later as a principal in the Milwaukee Public School System. He loves children, would do almost anything to further their education and was rated time and again as a top person in education. But Chipman didn’t get into the business of educating persons until after he had served in World War II, where he was wounded in the fierce battle to gain control of the Japanese-held island of Iwo Jima in 1944. He was just an 18-year-old boy at that time. As a veteran, this honorable gentleman has been very active in the U.S. Marine Corps local reserve, its state and national organizations, as a member of the Marines’ volunteer funeral firing squad, as a volunteer at the Clement J. Zablocki Veterans Center and as a person willing to help in any way needed at the Milwaukee County Center for Veterans on the Lake Michigan shore. He and his equally dedicated to the service for others wife, Alyce, have organized and in some years did the cliff hanger continued from page 13A we have ongoing high unemployment — but not as bad as during the Depression, and we managed to grow our way out of those troubles. We’ve even survived much higher interest rates — a 21 percent prime rate — and managed to grow our way out of that situation. There’s no denying our problems. But presumably, we’ve elected competent people in Washington, and we pay them to worry for us. I’m not singing that old ‘80s song “Don’t Worry, Be Happy.” It’s just that it’s a shame to waste our moments and our energy on something we can’t impact.
placement of all flags on the graves of military veterans at a Milwaukee cemetery for Memorial Day. It is truly right and proper that Clayton Chipman was unanimously chosen as this year’s Veteran of the Year by retired military leaders of the different branches of service. We join in saluting this humble man, who has accomplished so much for so many others. When ending a conversation, Chipman would say, “Semper Fidelis.”
The election is over. Relax. Go about your daily life. Set a good example for your children. Be positive. Contribute your time and energy to your community. Make a difference where you can. Aim high, for yourself and for your family. I think we’ll all be amazed at how much we can do with a positive view of the future. And that’s The Savage Truth. Terry Savage is a registered investment adviser and is on the board of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. She appears weekly on WMAQ-Channel 5’s 4:30 p.m. newscast, and can be reached at www.terrysavage.com.
December 2012
• 50plus • 15A
Holiday Gift Guide
Purchase any of these gifts at www.milwzoogifts.com or call (414) 258-2333. • Zoo
Pass Enjoy free Milwaukee County Zoo admission for a full year. New Zoo Pass gifts include a plush-toy animal (while supplies last).
• Sponsor the Zoo’s baby Bactrian
camel OR choose one of 2,200 other Zoo animals to sponsor. Camel package includes a plush-toy camel (while supplies last).
• Holiday ornaments featuring Zoo animals This year’s ornament features a Fennec fox mom and two babies.
• Gift Certificates If you are having trouble deciding
on the perfect gift, purchase a certificate that can be used for a Zoo Pass, Zoological Society events, or education classes and camps.
Zoological Society of Milwaukee County 10005 W. Blue Mound Rd. Milwaukee, WI 53226 A Zoological Society and Milwaukee County Zoo Partnership
5412J12
16A • 50plus • December 2012
Long time OTBA President Paul Schramka to retire By Jack Pearson Although Franklin Delano Roosevelt was elected to the Presidency of the United States four times, more than any other U.S. President in history, in comparison to Paul Schramka, FDR was a piker. Schramka is retiring as President of the Old Time Ballplayers Association of Wisconsin, almost
OTBA Predident Paul Schramka is shown wearing his winning smile. unbelievably, after 33 years in office. The retirement will take effect at the end of the current year. Those many years of service, however, are only one of the several exceptional attributes of the man. Few people in this corner of the state are better known and liked than the amiable Schramka. In addition to those decades of work with the OTBA, he has also served as President of Schramka Funeral Homes for more than four decades (the company was started by his grandfather in 1892); is one of the founders of the River West Association; is active in the World Series Club and the Messmer High School Alumni Association. In his youth at Messmer, Schramka was one of the Milwaukee area’s most exceptional athletes where he was a standout in football, basketball and baseball, earning many All Conference and All State honors. He starred in baseball at San Francisco University in California, again earning numerous awards; was drafted by the Chicago Cubs baseball club and played in their minor league system for several years and even had
a brief stay in the Major Leagues (very brief, he laughs); and then later starred for many years in Milwaukee County Industrial Baseball, especially with the famed Falk Corporation team. That’s a long list of accomplishments, but his has been a long career. Because of his involvement with the OTBA and other groups, Schramka is often in front of a microphone, serving as an MC or guest speaker. Invariably, his dissertations are filled with some of the corniest jokes known to man. His brother, Gene, also a star athlete in his youth, once told me, “When Paul gives a 20 minute talk, about 19 and a half minutes of it are filled with his goofy stories.” Everybody knows this and chuckles about it, but it’s also one of the reasons he is so well liked. (Mortician and humorist; isn’t that a contradiction in terms? Not with the good Mr. Schramka it isn’t.) When Paul gave me the portrait photo of himself to accompany this article, he gave me a sly smile and said, “Here’s a shot you can use with your diatribe of me. Don’t you think it makes me look extinguished?” Playing on words is part of Schramka’s witty repertoire. Paul’s penchant for telling jokes is not limited to public gatherings. Whether you know him or not, whether you’re talking to him by phone or in person, after a few words of greeting, he’ll say, “Hey, have you heard this one?” and go into the routine. I have talked to Paul many times over the years, and he has never failed to ply me with one of his gags. All of this is not to imply that everything is just fun and games with Paul. He is one of the hardest working individuals you’ll ever meet and has a unique leadership quality. If the man is in-charge of a group, it succeeds and prospers. In his more than four decades heading the funeral home, it grew to become one of the largest in the state; under his leadership the Old Time Ballplayers’ Association it became what is believed to be the biggest and most active baseball booster organization in the country. The Old Time Ballplayers’ group, as you may have read, was formed in 1932 by a group of area men who had played and loved the game. Meeting socially in a Southside Milwaukee
Shown here, left to right, are Paul Schramka, Bob Buege, Rick Schabowski and Otto Suderland.
pub one day, one man suggested they form their own organization. They did. It was an informal setup, and they didn’t keep the best of records, so it’s difficult to chronicle their activities. What is known are the names of four of those fine fellows, George Becker, Jack Murphy, Toby Manning, and a name you might remember, Al Simmons. Big Al was nearly at the end of his playing days then, but he was an outstanding Major League ballplayer for several teams and is the only player from Milwaukee ever to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. The records, all sketchy, don’t indicate who the group’s first president was; it was probably Becker. Other men who have served as president over the years include Ray Fleming, Ossie Lupinski, Ken Keltner, who was another former Major Leaguer, and Joe Krueger. It seems as if Krueger took over the office in the early 1970s and ran it until he retired in 1979. Schramka, who had been a member of the organization since the late ‘50s, then entered the picture. “I had attended a lot of the meetings, and knew quite a few of the members, but I hadn’t been involved in any of the administrative duties,” he recalled. “So I was surprised one day when Joe called and asked if I’d like to take over as president. I really didn’t want to, but he talked me into it. I told him though that I was quite busy at the funeral home and probably couldn’t handle the job for very long.” Famous last words, thirty-three years later, and as the guy who flunked grammar school English said, “I are still here.’” But that’s not Schramka.
Talking to Paul today, you’d never know that he was such an outstanding athlete at one time. He only speaks of it if asked, and then in jest. But consider just two items: At Messmer High, starring of the basketball team, he led the squad in scoring and to the state championship twice. Even more remarkable, despite being just a tad over 5’10” tall, he played center. In Messmer baseball, the sport he loves the most, he always led the team in hitting, with well over a .400 batting average. After earning a scholarship to San Francisco University, he averaged .410, .393 and .432 over three seasons there. Then, in the service during WWII, playing for the Eighth Army team in Europe, he led them to the European World Series, hitting a robust .423. Do you have any idea of how hard it is to hit .400 or over, at any level of competition? In the Major Leagues no one has managed to do it since 1941 when Ted Williams hit .406. Paul won’t mention this either, but he is very proud of it; he is in three Halls of Fame, Messmer High School, the University of San Francisco and the Old Time Ballplayers’ Association of Wisconsin. Besides playing ball at the University of San Francisco, something else very special happened to Paul. It was where he met his first wife, Barbara. They went on to have five children, Steve, Mike, Mary Anne, Pete and Greg, and 11 grandchildren. Barb died in 1997. Seven years later, Paul remarried the former Ruth Ondrejka. They reside today in Menomonee Falls.
December 2012
I asked Ruth what she thinks about his joke telling. “I love him in spite of it,” she said, laughing as much as he did. “Working for an organization for 33 years is quite a feat in itself,” said longtime friend and associate Otto Suderland. “But serving as its president, with all the headaches, decisions and conflicting personalities, especially on a volunteer basis, is unheard of. Paul is one of a kind,” Otto said. Suderland was also a top-flight baseball player in his youth and has been a member of the OTBA, like Schramka, since the ‘50s. It was Suderland who started the OTBA Hall of Fame. Otto and his brother, Fritz, now both in their 80s, still play softball in competitive leagues. “When Paul accepted the presidency of the Old Time Ballplayers’ Association, the organization was facing extinction,” added Bob Buege, a member of the board of directors of the OTBA and who is currently at work compiling a history of the organization. “Under his leadership, it has thrived. The baseball community owes Paul a huge debt of gratitude.” Buege is a well-known author of sports books
and has written books on both the Milwaukee Braves and its star third baseman, Eddie Mathews. As for his retirement, it’s not that Schramka, who is 84, feels he’s getting too old to handle the job. “Sure, it’s been a long tenure,” he said with a smile, “but I’ve loved every minute of it. Other than Otto and Fritz (the Suderland brothers) and Ralph Dane, just about everyone who was with the group when I joined has passed on. The OTBA needs new blood and leadership. When I told the board of my intention, they asked if I’d stay on as President Emeritus,” he noted, “which is sort of a consulting position for old fogies, and I humbly acquiesced. So I’m not riding off into the sunset.” Incidentally, his replacement as OTBA president, starting on January 1, 2013, will be Rick Schabowski, a board member who is also president of the local chapter of SABR (the Society for American Baseball Research), and is on the board of the Milwaukee Braves Historical Association. “I’m truly honored to take over for Paul,” Schabowski said. “Notice I didn’t say that I would replace him. Mr. Schramka is impossible to replace.”
3rd Annual
Christmas Celebration
• 50plus • 17A
Is it tough juggling holidays and caring for an older adult a loved one with dementia • a grandchild • a relative with a disability? • •
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18A • 50plus • December 2012 killing time continued from page 4 After 79 years of success as a printed magazine (perhaps the last several weren’t profitable) News Week has halted its diminishing pressruns. Is this the beginning to an end of an era? Its last issue, Dec. 31, will be a real keeper. How many subscribers will pay to read News Week digitally when there’s so much free stuff on the Internet? My wife reads our daily newspaper on her Kindle. i i i i Have you noticed that your sense of smell and taste diminish as you
age? Gosh, I had thought that the girls around me had ceased wearing perfume and just were cooking more bland dishes; you know like the kinds you get in institutions. i i i i I recently attended a very nice Veterans Day luncheon at Shorehaven with food sponsored by Oliver Construction Co. The main speaker at these impressive ceremonies was Vice Admiral (retired) Dirk Debbink, who gave a stirring talk. I couldn’t help but wonder if being a Vice Admiral means that you’re then in-charge of all nefar-
ious activities on the warships? i i i i Scientists tell us that the human brain has 100 billion neurons connected at 100 trillion points. Come on now, who did that counting? i i i i Do you remember, “Ask Your Neighbor,” the WTMJ radio program of many years ago, which perhaps was the all-time favorite of listeners in that era. Gordon Hinckley, masterminded it. Gordon is alive and well and living at Village at Manor Park. Able-bodied, chances are today that it’s his neigh-
bors that are asking him for help in one way or another. After all, he told them to “ask your neighbor.” i i i i A man named Stewart, who writes that he’s a Vietnam War veteran, responded to a 50 Plus article regarding the War Memorial Center controversy by sending a monetary contribution to help make the center more usable for veterans. His idea is to split the center in half, making it usable for both the veterans and the art museum. Stewart, your contribution is being forwarded. Thank you.
President Obama has said and, in fact, reiterated hundreds of times that the wealthy must pay more taxes on their earned incomes. Senate democrats agree with this. Republicans in the House do not necessarily agree with raising taxes on anyone. This includes the top two percent of all taxpayers. But what if there is no agreement and the country, in a way, goes over the fiscal cliff?
A government agency estimates that 8.4 percent of Americans make more than $l50,000 yearly; about seven percent of all taxpayers. For the moment, let us pretend that the president and Congress cannot reach agreement on what taxes should be paid by those payers in the various brackets. If we plunge over the fiscal cliff, which is not expected, the amounts of taxes on earned incomes perhaps would be as follows. This assumes no tinkering with tax-
es. Taxes could be as follows or close there to these figures for earned incomes as follows: $10,000 to $20,000, $5440; $30,000, $1,062; $40,000, $1,400; $50,000, $1650; $75,000, $2300; $100,000, $3200; $200,000, $5800; $50,000, $12,000; $1 million, $40,000. There may be some movement in limiting deductions, but the rank and file taxpayers won’t want to see mortgage payment interest, charitable
deductions and credits for higher education go away. Also, with the growing numbers of seniors and their supposed clout it seems unlikely that Medicare and Social Security would be affected. But your guess could be right on target when it comes to the federal government continuing to support such programs as Badger Care and Senior Care at current levels. This month we await more than just Santa Claus.
Will we tumble over the Fiscal Cliff?
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50 Plus News Magazine
December 2012
• 50plus • 19A
We Saw You At....
The Annual 50 Plus or Better Expo at Southridge Mall By Margaret Pearson This event was sponsored by 50 Plus News Magazine, United Healthcare Medicare Solutions and VMP Manor Park.
Members of the Golden Hawaiians Dance Group from the Wilson Park Senior Center.
Barb Helgesen of Greenfield, Millie Frank of Franklin and John Andorfer of Big Bend.
Barbara Rios with her granddaughter, Salina Miller, of Milwaukee. Front, Virginia Acosta of Mukwonago, Larry Martin of Wauwatosa and Rose Vizer of Mukwonago; in the back, Irene McCarthy of New Berlin and Pam Ratka of East Troy. Chris Abbott of United Healthcare.
In front, Lois Zentkowski, standing her son, Norbert, and his wife, Jill Zentkowski, of Milwaukee.
William and Shirley Dolgner of Milwaukee
Jackie Nauman of Oak Creek and Al and Carol Bartelt of Port Washington.
December 2012
• 50plus • 21A
pearson continued from page 20A
As pointed out by Richard Lindeman of the Beloit archers, the bullseye on a target is pretty small, even more so
22A • 50plus • December 2012 Alzheimers continued from page 15
December 2012
EDITORIALS killing time continued on page 4
APRON TRINGS
TRAVEL
Aunt Emma
SENIOR
Answer Man
ES ME
CRABBY
AN WHITE WRITES
T f
ht
ENTERTAINMENT
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ME with Jim McLoone
continued
• 50plus • 23A
IT MAKES ME
AGING ISSUES
By Tom Frazier
CRABBY Section TWO December 2012 Issue
The weather was abominable but the score was delightful in ‘62
PLANTING TOMORROW’S DREAMS TODAY By Brad Olson
This month marks the 50-year anniversary of the December 30, 1962 epic battle between the Green Bay Packers and the New York Giants for the NFL Championship. The game was played in old Yankee Stadium in New York. The Packers won, 16-7, but it was brutal, to say the least. The weather conditions for the game were the harshest ever for a title game. It was 17 degrees at game time, actually a couple of degrees warmer than the “Frozen Tundra” Championship game the year before in Green Bay. But whereas the ‘61 game was played under sunny skies with little if any air movement, the game in New York was under oppressive gray clouds with freezing gusts of 40 mph and more, making the wind chill factor an unbelievable 25 below zero. No game had ever been played under such conditions. To make matters even worse, the field was frozen hard as concrete. In 1962, there was no Super Bowl; it hadn’t been created yet. There were still two professional football leagues, the original National Football League and the upstart American Football League. When the two leagues merged in 1965, it made for the first overall championship game, later to become known as the Super Bowl. In the weeks leading up to the ‘62 championship, New York newspapers and electronic media were filled with stories about the upcoming game, and revenge was the rallying cry. The same two teams had met the previous year for the NFL crown, and the Packers had obliterated and completely embarrassed the Giants, 37-0. Actually, there was a precedent for that revenge factor. In 1938, the NFL Championship game also matched the Packers and the Giants, with the New Yorkers coming out on top, 23-12. The next year these two teams met for the crown again, with the Green Bay media, fans and players all vowing
HERMAN WHITE WRITES ARTS
ENTERTAINMEN
Giants’ long time head coach Jim Lee Howell retired, the team contacted Vince Lombardi, who had been an assistant coach with them and was then the new head coach for the Packers, to come back to the Giants and replace Howell. When the offer was made, most people felt Lombardi would jump at the opportunity. After all, Lombardi had been born and raised in New York, had starred as a player By Enis Wright there for Fordham, and had worked for decades as an assistant at both Army and for the Giants. All of his family and friends were in New York, and he loved it there. But Lombardi quickly and emphatically turned the offer down. Among many other attributes, Lombardi was a man of his word, and told the Giants that he had a contract
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revenge. And they got it. In the 1939 title game, played at the Wisconsin State Fair Grounds in Milwaukee, Green Bay walloped New York, 27-0. The capacity crowd of 32,279 was the largest for a NFL championship game up until that time. In 1962, Giants’ head coach Allie Sherman had an even greater incentive for wanting to beat the hated Packers. Two years before, when the
with Green Bay, and that was that. So the Giants then offered the job to Sherman, their second choice. What happened then had to have been a nightmare for Sherman. In 1961, his first year as the Giants head coach, he did well against everyone in the NFL, except the Packers. That year they met three times, a 20-17 loss to the Pack in an exhibition game, then another 20-17 loss in the regular season, and then finally that 37-0 shellacking in the championship game. Of all the teams he wanted to beat, the Packers, under Lombardi, were number one, and in three straight games, he had failed. Thus in the weeks leading up the 1962 championship, of all the millions of people in New York, no one
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WANTED TO BUY the WRIGHT SIDE of
FOR SALE
EDITORIALS KILLING TIME with Jim McLoone
packers continued on page 8B
The 1962 NFL Champion Green Bay Packers. Top row, left to right, Bill Quinlan, Norm Masters, Boyd Dowler, Jim Taylor, Ron Kramer, Bill Forester, Dave Hanner, Paul Hornung; Second row, equipment manager Dad Braisher, Bob Skoronski, Ray Nitschke, Ken Iman, Willie Davis, Hank Jordan, trainer Bud Jorgensen; Middle row, Jim Ringo, Bart Starr, Gary Knafelc, Jerry Kramer, Fred Thurston, Jessie Whittenton, Lew Carpenter, Tom Moore; second row from the bottom, Willie Wood, John Symank, Hank Gremminger, Dan Currie, Herb Adderley, Nelson Toburen, John Roach; Front row, Elijah Pitts, Ed Blaine, Earl Gros, Gary Barnes, Ron Gassert, Oscar Donahue, Ron Kostelnick. Not present, Max McGee.
2B • 50plus • December 2012
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You better be good, smiling and nice as Christmas time is near. So knowing this, you don’t have to be a genius or even a seer. But before we get to Christmas, there’s much in wintry December. But if weather turns too cold and snowy, we won’t wish to remember. We begin on Thursday, the first, with a parade featuring Santa Claus. Rotund in size, jolly in voice, the age-old gent gives us reason to pause. He reminds us of charity, the need to be eager to help as we can Especially the children, their mothers and even the old man. Not all families are extremely happy and excited this season. The just struggling economy that brings frowns is the reason. Still, for many of us December is a time of great happiness. There will be parties at school, in clubs or at a special event. Special invitations to neighbors’ homes much earlier were sent. After shoveling our way out, we’ll pay tribute to St. Nick.
With coal or candy, be sure you make the right pick. He is said to come at night, but we wonder what really makes him tick. The romantics may tack above doorways pieces of mistletoe. Often, boys stand there as if there were headlights at a doe. The idea is for one of a different gender to plant a kiss But when grinning grandpa stands there, it isn’t exactly bliss When his wife, with failing sight, trots over and his mouth does miss. Do remember your church, rescue mission and Salvation Army aid You may be comfortable, but neighbors may not have it made. The plight of some this season might bring to your eye a tear. But don’t just say, “That’s a shame” As you sip your favorite beer. Whether your family celebrates together on the eve or Christmas Day, Do recognize the real importance and show to all others the way To be happy while praying for many returns of the day.
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- Southeast Clare Heights: (414) 254-8410 - Northwest Granville Heights: (414) 333-4465
Wauwatosa - Cedar Glen: (262) 719-3884
December 2012
• 50plus • 3B
Cedar Hospice celebrates life with keepsake pillows Cedar Hospice, West Bend, offers a special gift for grieving family members through a unique new program funded through Cedar Community Foundation. The Cedar Hospice Pillow Program enables hospice families to donate a loved one’s favorite item of clothing for Cedar Community residents and volunteers to transform into a oneof-a kind personalized pillow - giving the family something to hold onto and treasure. “The pillows are a unique way for us to give back to the families while honoring their loved one’s memory. It’s something comforting that can be displayed for all to enjoy,” said Carrie Schepp, director of home-based services. Items of clothing are not only chosen by the family but sometimes by the patient as well upon admission to Cedar Hospice. They are typically a meaningful piece of clothing or material that reminds the family of their loved one. For example, Schepp noted, “One of our patients took off his hat every time he came home and threw it on a certain pillow. The wife had that favorite hat sewn to her pillow to always remind her of her husband.” The first hospice pillow was given in August to Sandy Behlen in memory of her father, John Schroeder, a former Cedar Hospice patient. The pillow was made from a sleep shirt she gave her dad that he wore nightly. When the Cedar Hospice team presented her with her finished pillow, Sandy said, “This summer has been awful but today made it all better.” As she hugged it close, she told the team that when her dad would put the shirt on, he would shudder a little and say to her, “Kid, this is the best thing you ever did for me -- buying this shirt.” Schepp said she and her staff have been buoyed by the pillows’ popularity and the thought and sewing skills volunteers have put into each creation. As a result, they’re starting to post photos of each completed pillow in a special gallery on
“My patio faces the pond—I enjoy the geese and ducks.”
R The first hospice pillow was given to Sandy Behlen in memory of her father, John Schroeder, a former Cedar Hospice patient. The pillow was made from the sleep shirt her dad wore every night. When he would put it on he would shudder a little and say to Sandy, “Kid, this is the best thing you ever did for me buying this shirt.”
egency resident, Pauline, enjoys the many seasonal activities on campus. Last month, she enjoyed calypso music at Happy Hour, baked and sold cookies for the Gift, Craft & Bake Sale and visited with area high school students for a little intergenerational socializing. Pauline, 87 years young, cooks and cleans for herself, maintains a garden on her patio, volunteers with Assisted Living residents and regularly walks the trails around the private pond. While she relishes her independence, she also appreciates the campus comforts and conveniences—especially the free transportation to her favorite grocery store: “When we get back, the bus drivers bring the bags right to our doors.” She adds that it’s also nice not having to deal with snow. “The sidewalks are always cleared for us.”
•• “They have wonderful entertainment and outings for us here.” Cedar Hospice’s Facebook page. “The Pillow Project has become meaningful to all of us in ways we didn’t anticipate,” said Schepp. “It’s a chance for all of us to appreciate and extend the feelings of care and closeness we’ve developed with these families.” Cedar Hospice helps provide dignity, comfort and compassion to individuals with a life-limiting illness in their private homes, assisted living facility or skilled nursing facility in Washington, Ozaukee, Dodge, Fond du Lac, Waukesha and Sheboygan counties. For more information visit their website at cedarathome.org.
L
ast summer, George and his family had narrowed down his options to three senior communities. George toured Regency first. He told his family he wouldn’t be touring the other communities; he knew right away that he was in the right place. He was immediately impressed with everything he saw, including the courtesy shown by employees. George enjoys the full social calendar provided by Regency. Last week, the entertainment was men’s barbershop music. “They did a beautiful job and I ended up singing with them. Tonight, we’re taking a bus to see the Domes.” George particularly loves his studio apartment with two windows. Best of all, he’s only minutes from his children’s homes: “I go to my son’s house every Sunday for the Packer games.”
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3.5 mi. S of I-43 on Racine Ave.
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262-780-0321 262-789-1699 262-679-0888 RegencySeniorCommunities.com
4B • 50plus • December 2012
Holidays serve as wake-up call that local elderly family members need help “10 Holiday Warning Signs” That Your Senior Is In Trouble The holiday season may be one of the few times local families get together and realize their elderly loved ones are in deep trouble and need immediate help. Adult children who often don’t live nearby come home to holiday heartbreak with deteriorating relatives they aren’t prepared to handle. So this holiday, the family might gather around the kitchen table – not only for turkey and treats, but also for a talk—a big talk—that maps out a plan to care for aging relatives. “This Thanksgiving and Christmas, thousands of adult children will be shocked to come home to elderly
relatives who are lethargic and forgetful. They’ll see a messy house, bills piling up, the joy of the season clouded with the realization that elderly relatives are struggling and can’t make it alone,” says Peter Ross, CEO and co-founder of Senior Helpers. “This is the time to map out a care plan for aging relatives and that plan should include hiring caregivers who can help ease the burden for families.” Holiday Heartbreak Two years ago at Christmas, Truly Bracken and her brother went home to Charlotte, North Carolina and realized their 83-year-old mother Margaret shouldn’t be staying home alone anymore. During the holiday visit, on
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a normal stroll outside, Margaret lost her balance and fell. “Mother didn’t trip on anything. She just lost her balance and took a bad fall,” says Truly. “Luckily she didn’t break any bones, but seeing her fall prompted a family discussion about mother’s care.” Truly and her brother both live far away, so they brought in a caregiver to stay with their mom all day, seven days a week. “It’s a huge relief knowing the caregivers are with Mother because they’re so knowledgeable and caring,” says Truly. “Mother feels like they’re friends.” Here are warning signs that may indicate whether or not your senior loved ones may need help: · Poor eating habits resulting in weight loss, no appetite or missed meals. · Neglected hygiene - wearing dirty clothes, body odor, neglected nails and teeth. · Neglected home – it is not as clean or sanitary as you remember growing up.
· Inappropriate behavior - acting loud, quiet, paranoid or making phone calls at all hours. · Changed relationship patterns that friends or neighbors have noticed. · Burns or injuries resulting from weakness, forgetfulness or misuse of alcohol or medications. · Decreased participation in activities. · Scorched pots and pans showing forgetfulness for dinner cooking on the stove. · Unopened mail, newspaper piles, missed appointments. · Mishandled finances such as losing money, paying bills twice or hiding money. To learn more about how to care for your senior loved one with dementia or Alzheimer’s, please visit www. seniorhelpers.com.
December 2012
Shorehaven held Veterans’ Luncheon Retired U.S. Navy Vice ADMIRAL Dirk Debbink, Oconomowoc, was the featured speaker Nov. 10 at a Veterans Day Tribute and Luncheon at Shorehaven in Oconomowoc. Attended by over 100 veterans of the various wars since WWI, the Shorehaven Center for Life Enrichment was alive with the enthusiasm and remembrances of the former military personnel.
THANKS: Gerald Zurokowski, Oconomowoc swaps stories of naval service with Vice Admiral (Retired) Dirk Debbink at a Nov. 10 ceremony in Oconomowoc.
Randy Otto, Oconomowoc, masterfully served as master of ceremonies. Debbink, 57, who served in the U.S. Navy for 35 years following his graduation as valedictorian from the Annapolis Naval Academy, among other points of interest in his speech, thanked all of the veteran for their service in keeping this nation free. He said the veterans worked hard at work worth doing while doing so, for
the most part, with humility as well as honorably. Known as Armistice Day since first proclaimed by Pres. Woodrow
• 50plus • 5B
Wilson in 1919, the designation was changed to Veterans Day for Nov. 1, 1954.
50 Plus 4.75 x 7.3 Run date: December 2012 Deadline: 11-19-12
COMPARING NOTES: Oconomowocans Harry Peterson, a flight chief, and Charles Ritter, right, a navigator, saw Army Air Corps action in World War II. Ritter, remarkably, still fits into his almost 70-yearold uniform.
Five convenient Milwaukee area locations, call us today: Franklin | 414-425-6611 New Berlin | 262-821-5106 Menomonee Falls | 262-251-9000 Menomonee Falls | 262-251-9999 Brookfield | 262-798-9898 Mequon COMING AUGUST 2013
*Some restrictions apply. Only select sites participating in the Winter Savings
OLD and YOUNG: Harlo Ferris, left, 1942-45, and Ron Rupnow, 1969-70, both of Oconomowoc, compare military notes from their year in service.
Promotion. Some apartments reserved for moderate income
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6B • 50plus • December 2012 STATE CAPITOL Emma should be more prompt COMMENT
HERITAGE LAKE
THE REGENCY
HERITAGE LAKE
5020 South 55th Street • Greenfield • Call 414-282-0506 Beautiful serene country setting overlooking a private lake. Close to shopping, churches and medical facilities. Heated underground parking, blinds and ceiling fan. Beautiful community room. • Heat & Water Included • Air Conditioned • Intercom Access • Appliances • Community Room with Kitchen • On Bus Line starting at • Laundry on each Floor
2 Bedroom, 2 Bath 930 Sq. Ft. $870 / month
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200 Southtowne Dr. • South Milwaukee • Call 414-764-5335 Quiet spacious apartments, elevator, underground parking, community room, library and exercise room. Friendly atmosphere. Larger units available. • Heat & Water Included 2 Bedroom, 2 Bath • Air Conditioned • Fitness Center 930 Sq. Ft. • Resident Library • Laundry on each floor starting at $870 / month • Quality Appliances • On Bus Line
Pommer My Henry surely isBy Matt concerned about his Uncle Charlie, who Henry says, lives way out in the boonies. He doesn’t have a cell phone and may lose phone service if ATT goes all Internet broadband as rumored in a year or two. It plans to phase out what it refers to as old-fashioned service. MOVING IN THE Where’s my apron? RIGHTGoodness, DIRECTION gracious sakes alive, ByI Bruce canNemovitz hardly keep it on as the strings are becoming frayed and my Velcro fastened apron is in the laundry. Oh, well. Who really cares, except me? Getting back to Uncle Charlie, he’s a pig farmer from way back. AGING His buddies at the local tavern in his ISSUES nearby town refer to him By as Tom “Sergeant Frazier Oinker.” You see, no you don’t really see, but let me explain. Charlie was in service in Korea. He is known to bark out orders at the pigs as though they might understand what he is saying. He keeps them in corrals and treats PLANTING them as though they were mere priTOMORROW’S DREAMS TODAY vates in boot camp training. How did By Brad Olson I get so far afield? Anyway, ATT will have to battle with the Federal Communications Commission to get rid of all the so-called landlines. It is difficult to believe that we, personally, will go (or maybe already have and we don’t know it) from five SPORTS homes on what was called back Plus then Sports By Jack Pearson as a party line to high speed By Jackwireless Pearson networks. Goodness, what has today’s technology wrought or should I have said brought? Just imagine the scrap yard value of those copper wire landlines when you think of possibly as many as 76 million homes and businesses as having those types of communication lines! With a nice Thanksgiving holiday just behind us and Christmas with its holiday treats and presents just ahead of us, I just must tell you about the trip Henry and I made to the mall to buy some things for each other and for the kids and grandkids. He really pulled a fast one on me. Henry and I decided that we would shop together for about an hour in which we would select gifts for others. We then would separate and go our own way to purchase gifts for each other. Of course, I had given
Emma
APRON STRINGS By Aunt Emma
Henry plenty of hints. He, in turn, told me that I could not spend over $100, putting it on the credit card, which is not quite as new-fangled as the digital phones. Are we not to use the prefix “Tele” any more? If the above is true, how will we ever refer to Tele Savales in the future? Just wondering. Henry says that he had made my gift purchase and had it nicely wrapped with a big red bow within half an hour. We were to meet at a bench in front of a certain store. Henry went there and waited and waited for me, or so he says. There was a really attractive woman (I know as I saw her) also waiting near Henry on the bench. Henry claims that they suddenly were kind of squeezed to side by side as two really overweight people, a man and woman, sat down on the bench, forcing the pretty lady to move next to Henry. She and Henry were exchanging pleasantries, he says, when he looked at his watch and saw that I had been gone for about 90 minutes. He told the woman that he knew I’d By Enis be along shortly thenWright that he and the woman were engaged in conversation, as he says, about this and that and, particularly, the weather. The pretty lady asked Henry how he could be so certain of my soon-tobe arrival? What he didn’t know was that I know this woman from church circle. Yes, I did very quickly arrive just as Henry had said I would. I saw this pretty woman (I will leave her unnamed) three days later at a churchwomen’s quilting bee. She giggled as I approached her to only say hello. I had to ask what was so funny as I looked at my outfit and it was all right?
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emma continued from page 6 She started out explaining that she was kind of embarrassed and really not stuck on herself. She then told me that Henry had said, “Now that you are here beside me, Emma will be by here shortly. She seems psychic. Whenever I am talking to a beautiful woman, like now, Emma appears out of nowhere as though her guardian angel has telegraphed her that she’d better quickly find her hubby.” I thought, or was it really Henry’s guardian angel?
• 50plus • 7B
When I went home, I was going to give it to Henry. As I told him what the woman said, Henry, with twinkling eyes and a (blankety blank) grin said, “Emma, if I ever had roving eyes, they stopped dead in their tracks the minute I first saw you.” After 35 years of marriage, words like those are still music to my ears. Do enjoy a nice and blessed holiday season.
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8B • 50plus • December 2012 packers continued from page 1B
wanted a win over Green Bay more. So, as you would expect, Sherman was working that revenge concept to the hilt. Prior to the game, he placed a large envelope in each of the players’ lockers, each containing reprints of the ‘61 title game newspaper headlines. If anything, the horrible weather conditions aided the Giants’ cause. The frigid, swirling winds made it close to impossible for Packers’ quarterback Bart Starr to pass with any degree of accuracy and for his receivers to hold onto the ball if he did get it to them. It also made life quite miserable for Green Bay’s running backs, Jim Taylor and Paul Hornung. Every time they were tackled and smashed to the ground it had to feel like being hit by a sledgehammer. Of course, the weather affected the Giants equally, but what it also did was to nullify any superiority the Packers had. Not to imply that Packer fans don’t care for their team as much as Packer fans did 50 years ago, but in those days they identified with the team more than fans do today. Consider that Green Bay team of 1962: on offense, Bart Starr, Paul Hornung, Jim Taylor, Boyd Dowler, Max McGee, Ron Kramer, Norm Masters, Fuzzy Thurston, Jim Ringo, Jerry Kramer and Forrest Gregg; and on defense, Willie Davis, Dave Hanner, Henry Jordan, Bill Quinlan, Dan Currie, Ray Nitschke, Bill Forester, Herb Adderley, Jesse Whittenton, Hank Gremminger and Willie Wood. Today,
a half-century later, most Packer fans remember every one of those names and could identify all or at least most of them in a photo. Today, outside of Aaron Rodgers and Donald Driver, how many of the present Green Bay team can you name or identify? With today’s sky-high ticket prices for just about any sporting event, it’s hard to conceive that tickets for the ‘62 championship -- and in ultra-expensive New York City besides -- were selling for $8 to $12. In the Milwaukee area you could watch the game on Channel 4, in black and white, of course, with Chris Schenkel and Packers’ favorite Ray Scott doing the announcing. On radio, it was Ken Coleman and Milwaukeean Ted Moore. Before the game, Packers’ fiery coach Vince Lombardi was asked if the thought the weather would hurt his team. “Weather! Weather!” he bellowed. “What weather? Listen mister, this isn’t golf or tennis. This is football. Don’t ask such damn fool questions.” Notwithstanding Lombardi’s denial, the weather did play a major factor. The winds were so strong by game time that Green Bay’s Earl Gros (second string fullback) had to hold the ball for Willie Wood on the opening kickoff in order to keep the ball from blowing off the kicking tee. (Do your remember that Willie Wood kicked off in those days?) Green Bay scored in its very first possession. Led by Bart Starr’s pass-
ing and Jim Taylor’s running, the Pack moved the ball to the Giants 19 before New York stiffened and held. Packers’ guard Jerry Kramer then booted a 26-yard field goal and the Packers were on the board. Kramer had taken over the field goal and extra point duties earlier in the season when Paul Hornung was injured. Hornung had recovered and was in uniform for the championship game, but Kramer had kept the kicking duties. The Giants came right back with a drive of their own. On the strength of passing by Giants’ aging quarterback Y.A. Tittle, New York moved to the Packers 16. Tittle tried another pass, but this one was knocked into the air by Green Bay’s All League linebacker Ray Nitschke, and then grabbed by the other linebacker, Dan Currie, who had an open field for a touchdown the other way. Unfortunately, Currie had a weak knee, and after rumbling about 40 yards untouched, he stumbled to the ground on the Giants’ 38. The Pack could gain only nine yards from that point, and Kramer’s try for a second field goal was blocked. Nitschke and Currie struck again in the second period. Currie squashed Giant running back Phil King in a vicious tackle, with the ball bounding free, and Nitschke fell on it on the New York 28. On the second play from there, Hornung took a pitchout, then stopped and lofted a pass to Packers’ end Boyd Dowler on the seven. On the next play, Taylor took a handoff from Starr and blasted up the middle, right through Giants’ star linebacker
Sam Huff and into the end zone for the Pack’s first and only touchdown of the day. Huff picked himself up off the turf, screaming at Taylor that he was going to kill him. Taylor looked at him and laughed, which made Huff all the more incensed. After the game, however, Huff paid tribute of sorts to the Packers’ fullback. “That Taylor isn’t human,” Huff said. “We hit him on every play, drove him into the ground and jumped on him, and he just gets up, spits out blood and goes back to the huddle. No one that’s human could take that kind of punishment.” The Pack led 10-0 at intermission. Early in the second half, however, the Giants got a lucky break and got back into the game. Packers’ punter Max McGee, punting from about the 15, had his kick blocked. The ball rolled back into the end zone, where a Giant fell on it. With the point after, it narrowed the score to 10-7, but that was it for the New Yorkers. They didn’t come close again, and the Packers added a couple of field goals, making the final 16-7. Green Bay was the NFL Champion for the second year in a row, and they were the toast of the football world. At that time, Lombardi could have run for President of the United States, and he probably would have won. That was fifty years ago, yet in a way, it seems like yesterday.
EDITORIALS Avoid tourist traffic and save money at these five romantic vacation spots CAPITOL
December 2012
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• 50plus • 9B
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MMENT
With vibrant colors and cooler nights, keeping the spark of romance alive is easy, especially when you take for a cheap My time to seek places to go APRON vacation.Emma Here are five great fall vacation spots known forSTRINGS fewer tourists Visit our new and improved By Aunt Emma and more time alone, the perfect recwebsite to view articles before ipe for an autumn romantic interlude. G IN THE Avoiding traffic and having plenty of they hit the newsstands. RECTION and warm weather. This is a premier Nemovitz peaceful time alone/together is your our online choicecommunnity. of places to go for a cheap vamain objective, but you alsoJoin can enjoy amazing natural beauty in the follow- cation, as many casinos offer unbeatable combination ing popular locations. Answer Man deals for play-andstay getaways to pump up their visitor 1. Magnificent sand beaches bePLUS 50 traffic this time of year. www.mymilwaukeelife.com come the backdrop for romantic picMy 5. New England abounds with nics without the summertime crowds GING color in the fall; you can choose any anywhere along the Great Lakes SUES treed state loaded with hardwoods and m Frazier shores of Michigan. Visit colorful Mackinaw Island, Tahquamenon Falls corresponding reds, oranges and yelin the Upper Peninsula or stroll along lows. Cruise the back roads and menow quiet spots near Traverse City, ander along winding trails while you Manistee, Grand Haven or South Ha- enjoy fall treats of maple candy, fresh ven in the Lower Peninsula. Nearby syrup and pumpkin pancakes. Avoiding traffic is one secret for wineries are open all year and can NTING sparking romance; you don’t have to ORROW’S help you set your mood for romance. MS TODAY worry about crowds, and it’s more ad Olson relaxing than in the busy seasons of summer and winter skiing. The air is crisp, clear and clean, plus you can save money by travelling in the off season. To get the best deals, check with local guidebooks first to determine ORTS rts Plus the official beginning and ending of k Pearson k Pearson “in seasons” and higher rates. Then, plan to go a little ahead or after those dates. You may be surprised to find By Enis Wright you are all but alone in a resort hotel Fall Aspen trees right on the beach, or that you have 2. Visit colorful Colorado and your choice of slot machines to play withallJim night McLoone long. enjoy the extreme beauty of yellow In the off-season at top resort arAspen trees framing the purple mouneas, you can even arrange for deluxe tain majesties near Denver in the fall. accommodations at tourist pricing. Drive up Pikes Peak or take the cog Saving money and having fun both railway without the crush of summer visitors and view the same vistas that encourage romance, and who knows? inspired the words to “America the If the spirit moves you and you are staying in Las Vegas, you may even Beautiful.” 3. Plan an island jaunt over to Ha- decide to get married or renew your waii. It’s colorful all year, with pleas- vows, guided by an Elvis impersonant temperatures in every season. Fall ator! Keep that romantic spark alive, is a great time for avoiding most tour- avoid traffic and crowds, enjoy fall ist traffic and you will save money in color tours, more alone time and save money with a low-cost vacation trip. any resort area’s slow season. 4. Visit Las Vegas before heavy Start planning today and dress sexy! Content Provided by Spot55.com holiday and winter crowds spill all
tt Pommer
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10B • 50plus • December 2012
PLANTING TOMORROW’S DREAMS TODAY By Brad Olson
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Current Events Toys for Tots Brookfield Community Regency-Brookfield, 777 N. Brookfield Rd. - Wright Regency - Muskego, By Enis W181 S85 Lodge Blvd. - Regency-New Berlin, 13750 W. National Av. Please drop off new unwrapped gifts for children 12 years old and younger at any of the Regency Senior Communities Drop-off sites through December 7th.
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December 1 Christmas on the Corner and Christmas Parade Downtown Port Washington At 6:15 is our Christmas parade, with lights, floats, and a lot of fun. Reindeer, carolers, in-store promotions, St. Nick and so much more starting at 3:00.
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KILLING TIME with Jim McLoone Through December 31 Milwaukee Holiday Lights Cathedral Square Park, Pere Marquette Park and Zeidler Union Square You’ll find a whole lot of holiday spirit in Downtown Milwaukee. Aside from our street decor and animated park displays, we’ve packed the six-week festival with hundreds of activities to offer a little something for everyone. See for yourself! Get down here! Through January 6 Let it Snow - Holiday Show The Domes, 524 S. Layton Blvd. Snowboys and snowgirls keep their cool this holiday season. Sleighing, sledding, and having fun, these snowkids play throughout the poinsettia-filled scene. A large tree decorated with snowflakes, icicles, and snowmen is the centerpiece of the show. (414) 257-5611 December 1 Annual Craft and Bake Sale The Berkshire at Kensington, 1800 Kensington Dr., Waukesha Open House from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. along with our Annual Craft and Bake Sale. (262) 548-1449. December 1 Midnight Magic 2012 Mukwonago Old fashioned Christmas celebration from 10 a.m. - midnight. The Christmas Parade starts at 3:00 p.m. with a tree lighting at the library immediately after the parade.
December 2 Winter on Main Downtown West Bend Visit Santa & his live reindeer on December 2 and 3. Take a carriage ride, listen to the strolling carolers while finishing your holiday shopping. www.downtownwestbend.com December 6 Music Under Glass - Tweed Funk
The Domes, 524 S. Layton Blvd. Tweed Funk, Edgy Soul, Blues, Funk. WAMI Winner, 6:30-9 p.m., with light shows at the break and following the concert. Food and beverages are available for purchase. Free photo booth pictures. For details, call (414) 257-5611. December 7 Festive Friday Eves “Santa’s Workshop” Cedar Creek Settlement N70 W6340 Bridge Rd., Cedarburg Visit with Santa Claus in his winter wonderland, David HB Drake will be singing, children’s holiday Make-andTake projects and cookie decorating. Complimentary cider and cookies. Also different themes on the 14th and 21st from 5-9 p.m. December 8 Canadian Pacific Holiday Train Sturtevant, Amtrak Depot 9900 E. Exploration Ct., 6:05 p.m.; Milwaukee Amtrak Depot, 433 St Paul Ave., around 7:45p.m.; Hartland, around 9:30 p.m., parking lot adjacent to Cottonwood Ave. and Pawling Ave. Fundraiser for food banks in the area with live entertainment on board. website: www.cpr.ca
December 2012
December 8 David Seebach’s Merry Magic Christmas Schauer Arts & Activities Center 147 N. Rural St., Hartford David Seebach’s popular holiday show features The March of Toys, the Divided Lady Illusion, the Littlest Elf, and Candy Cane Levitation, an appearance by a live tiger, and multiple opportunities to join the show on stage, 1:00 p.m. (262) 670-0560, ext. 3 or visit DavidSeebach.com. December 11 - 13 Away in the Basement Schauer Center 147 N. Rural St., Hartford A Church Basement Ladies Christmas performance. Bring a non-perishable food item for the Hartford Food Pantry and receive a coupon for $5 off up to two tickets for a future performance. Also playing on December 14 and 15. For tickets, call (262) 6700560 or visit www.SchauerCenter.org. December 12 Discovery Nature Hiking Schlitz Audubon 1111 E Brown Deer Rd., Milwaukee We will walk along the meadows, woods, wetlands, and lakeshore of the Center from 1:30-3:00 p.m. Fee and registration required. Call (414) 352-2880, ext. 0. December 13 John Tesh Big Band Christmas Potawatomi Bingo Casino 1721 W. Canal St., Milwaukee Enjoy the American songbook of Christmas songs in the jazz, big band and swing styles, 8 p.m., (414) 847-7922. December 13 AARP Driver Safety VMP Manor Park Wesley Park Conference Room, 3023 S. 84th St., Milwaukee A class for drivers age 50+ that helps improve driving skills. Drive accident-free, sustain mobility and maintain independence! 12:30 - 4:30 p.m. RSVP (414) 607-4125 Cost: $12 for AARP members, $14 for non-members. Pay by check or cash at the door.
• 50plus • 11B
December 16 Handel’s Messiah Bascilica of St. Josaphat 2333 S. Sixth St., Milwaukee Handel’s glorious Messiah, a favorite Milwaukee holiday tradition, returns once again to the MSO this season! For tickets and details call 414-2917605. December 21 & 22 The Nutcracker - Dance Alive National Ballet Schauer Arts & Activities Center 147 N. Rural St., Hartford Become entranced by the beauty of the Sugar Plum Fairy, enchanted by the swirling snowflakes and more, 7:30 p.m. and also December 22, 3 p.m. For details call (262) 670-0560 or visit DanceAlive.org. December 25 Have a Merry Christmas! December 27 Music Under Glass Hoppin’ Holiday Show The Domes, 524 S. Layton Blvd. Marcell & Peter Dueling Pianos, interactive piano productions, 6:30-9 p.m. with light shows at the break and following the concert. Food and beverages are available for purchase. For details call (414) 257-5611. December 31 New Year’s Eve Family Celebration The Domes, 524 S. Layton Blvd. A Domes tradition. Ring in the New Year with family and friends with an evening of entertainment, music, food and party favors! Special Admission Rates Apply, Friends of the Domes Fundraiser 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Church and Chapel FUNERAL SERVICE
Non-Sectarian Ritter, Larsen Bros., Skubal-Slattery, Koelsch, Ryczek, Rudolph, Bistricky-Irsch-Grosse-Abe, Leszczynski
414-476-0052
262-827-0659
PROFESSIONAL SERVICE • Church and Chapel Funeral Services provides dignified funeral services in your church, cemetery chapel, our funeral home chapels, or the chapel of your choosing with savings of more than $2,000 are common. • For example, we provide the service in your church, or beautiful cemetery chapels are available when final disposition is made there. • We make personal service arrangements in the comfort and privacy of your home, church, our arrangement office, or any of our funeral home locations.
FUNERAL HOME LOCATIONS Brookfield
Ritter-Larsen Chapel 1875 N. Calhoun Rd.
Waukesha/Pewaukee
Rudolph, Larsen Bros. Chapel Bluemound Rd. at Hwy. J 4 Blocks South of I-94
• We display monuments, caskets, vaults, and urns making Church and Chapel your one stop planning center. • Pre-planning Centers are open Monday through Saturday or by appointment. Stop by and browse at your leisure and receive free no-obligation information. Should you wish, we can meet in the comfort and privacy of your own home. • Dignified Services with less expensive fees compared to other fine funeral homes. • All cremation service options are available utilizing on-site crematory. PRE-PLANNING CENTERS • 92nd & Bluemound • Bluemound Rd @ Hwy J With Church and Chapel Funeral Service... Savings of $2,000 are common
South
Ryczek Chapel 1910 W. Becher St.
Foot Specialist Medical, Surgical & Orthopedic treatment of foot & ankle disorders. 1626 S. Main St. West Bend
Call: 262-334-5137
New Berlin
Ritter, Larsen Bros. Chapel 15250 W. National Ave.
Northwest
Bistricky-Irsch-Grosse Chapel 6709 W. Capitol Dr.
Cudahy
Ryczek , Larsen Bros. Chapel 3774 E. Underwood Ave.
West Allis
Skubal-Slattery-Koelsch, Larsen Bros. Chapel 7626 W. Greenfield Ave.
-Gordon Hinkley
www.churchandchapel.com Gordon Hinkley is the spokesperson for Church & Chapel and is not a funeral director.
12B • 50plus • December 2012