Senior Living -- Spring 2018

Senior SPRING 2018

LIVING THE

TRAIL LiFE

APPALACHIAN TRAIL

ADVENTURES MAINE HUTS & TRAILS

A Special Advertising Section of the Bangor Daily News • Friday, March 23, 2018

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March 23, 2018

sudoku Here’s How It Works:

Fun By The Numbers Like puzzles? Then you’ll love sudoku. This mind-bending puzzle will have you hooked from the moment you square off, so sharpen your pencil and put your sudoku savvy to the test!

Sudoku puzzles are formatted as a 9x9 grid, broken down into nine 3x3 boxes. To solve a sudoku, the numbers 1 through 9 must fill each row, column and box. Each number can appear only once in each row, column and box. You can figure out the order in which the numbers will appear by using the numeric clues already provided in the boxes. The more numbers you name, the easier it gets to solve the puzzle! Answer on page 18!

Answers and more puzzles on pages 16-18!

THIS PUBLICATION WAS PRODUCED BY Bangor Daily News

PUBLISHER Richard Warren

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TO ADVERTISE advertising@bangordailynews.com

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CREATIVE SERVICES

Amy Allen, Marcie Coombs, Coralie Cross, Ben Cyr, Callie Picard, Carolina Rave

ABOUT THE COVER

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March 23, 2018

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The Long Walk

An Appalachian Trail journey strengthens these mother/daughter bonds.

BY JODI HERSEY | PHOTOS COURTESY RACHEL WILLIS

F

orty years ago, Nancy Averill of Hampden hiked part of the Appalachian Trail with her mother. Last year, at the age of 66, she decided to do it again with her own daughter, Rachel Willis of Portland. Both mother and daughter say it was an experience they will never forget.

“It kind of came out the blue,” Averill said. “She started talking about it the year before, so I

thought it would be a great way to pass the torch.”

The duo started their southbound journey last August at Abol Bridge in Millinocket, along the portion of the trail known as the Hundred Mile Wilderness. According to many sources, this particular section of the trail is considered one of the most challenging and difficult to traverse along the 2,190-mile journey

“We were on a boardwalk over a swamp and I fell , maybe backwards into a bush and I thought, ‘Oh gee I’ve taken on more than I can handle.” — Nancy Averill

from Springer Mountain in Georgia to Mount Katahdin in Maine. To prepare for their adventure, Averill, an avid swimmer, increased the frequency of her workouts in order to build up her stamina.

“The first 20 minutes out, I wasn’t used to carrying my pack. We were on a boardwalk over a swamp and I fell backwards into a bush and I thought, ‘Oh gee, maybe I’ve taken on more than I can handle,’” Averill said.

It wouldn’t be the first or last time Averill questioned her decision to hike the famous Appalachian Trail.

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March 23, 2018 “The first night it poured during the night and

was mesmerized by her child’s finesse.

we thought we’d drown,” Averill said. “But the

“She’s a ballet teacher and she’s in top

tent held up very well. The next five days the

notch shape. She scrambled over the rocks like

weather was perfect. We were there during the

a Billy goat, like they were nothing,” Averill

eclipse and we had a shield so we could watch it.

said with a laugh.

That was fun.”

According

Not long into the trek, Willis also became her to

the

Appalachian

Trail

mother’s guardian angel.

Conservancy, thousands of hikers known as

“I fell many times, sometimes forward and

“2,000-Milers” have attempted to hike the trail in

sometimes backwards. She was wonderful and

its entirety over the years, yet only about one in

saved me so many times,” Averill said. “But my

four are able to complete it. One such completer

body was really complaining. I was having a lot of

was Emma Gatewood, known as “Grandma

pain in my knees. So we decided to cut it short and

Gatewood.” Gatewood is recognized as the

end at Gulf Hagas, but we didn’t make it that far.

first solo female thru-hiker. Then a 67-year-old

We made it as far as Nahmakanta Lake. It was the

mother of 11 (and grandmother of 23), Gatewood

first place we got reception with my cell phone, and

first hiked the AT in 1955. She followed it up with

my daughter texted my brother to come get us.”

other successful AT thru-hikes in 1957 and 1964.

While the journey ended earlier than either of

However, the hike’s rugged terrain was reason

them anticipated, the experiences from their trip

enough for Averill and Willis to stick strictly to a

crept back into their daily lives over and over again.

section hike along the Maine portion of the trail.

“My feet hit the ends of my boots [while on

“The terrain is outrageous. It’s all roots,

the trail] and caused my toe nails to get real

rocks, and mud,” she said. “The muddy spots

black and blue. They fell off a few months later,”

you can usually step stone-over-stone, or some

Averill said.

had boardwalks. But with the roots you have to

The

mother/daughter

duo

traveled

constantly look down and make sure your feet

approximately 25 miles over their five day

are going where they should go or you’ll trip.

journey. Willis is proud of how well her mom did

Scrambling over the rocks was a real challenge.

and the quality time they got to spend together in

A lot of them were bigger than me.”

the Maine outdoors.

While “Grandma Gatewood” became famous

“It was interesting to be traveling southbound

hiking the trail wearing Keds tennis shoes and

for what turned out to be a short distance, while

carrying a small knapsack, Averill opted for

crossing the path of northbound hikers on their

The mother/daughter duo traveled approximately 25 miles over their five day journey. WILLIS IS PROUD OF HOW WELL HER MOM DID AND THE

QUALITY TIME THEY GOT TO SPEND TOGETHER IN THE MAINE OUTDOORS. something more practical. With a trekking

last leg of what had been months of grueling

pole in each hand and her sturdy hiking boots,

effort,” Willis said. “Overall, it was a great

she was able to negotiate over some of the most

experience and a good show of my mother’s

difficult spots on the trail.

perseverance and my patience.”

“The trekking poles were really helpful. We stayed at a lot of campsites with our own tent,

Neither of them have any regrets—just lots of memories to share for years to come.

a little tent that folded up into a package that I

“She was able to do it with her mother [back in

could put in my backpack. And my trekking

the 70s], so it was nice to give her that experience

poles worked as tent poles,” she said.

again,” Willis said.

Navigating each step of the hike was left up to Averill’s daughter.

“The Hundred Mile Wilderness is really too difficult, and they tell you that in all the books.

“I enjoy navigating, not that it was difficult

Looking back now, I was naive thinking I could

to stay on trail,” Willis said. “But I was able

do it, [with] no problem. I should’ve done more

to encourage my mom knowing how far we’d

in the gym like squats to strengthen my knees,”

gone that day and what we had to do to get to a

Averill said. “But I’m glad I did it anyway. It was

good tent site.”

beautiful and memorable and being with my

As Averill followed her daughter’s lead, she

daughter was the best part.”

March 23, 2018

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“I enjoy navigating.. I was able to encourage my mom knowing how far we’d gone that day and what we had to do to get to a good tent site.” — -Rachel Willis

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March 23, 2018

Palliative care Going beyond traditional medicine.

COURTESY EMHS PALLIATIVE CARE

I

t’s been more than two years since David

services at his home. “Robin and the palliative

Driscoll has been down to the shorefront

care team have been outstanding,” he said.

behind his Sebago Lake home, but he

“They’ve taken care of my healthcare needs, and

still loves to look out the windows at the

my emotional needs.”

waters that he spent many years enjoying.

Recognizing that there was a growing need

“I was quite the outdoor person,” said David.

for this service, EMHS launched its new

“I loved to go boating and fishing in the summer

community-based palliative care service line

and snowmobiling in the winter.”

systemwide last year.

David, 64, is homebound these days. Fifteen

“Good palliative care is about finding a way

years ago, he was diagnosed with arachnoiditis,

to walk beside someone living with serious

a disorder caused by the inflammation of the

illness,” said Hirsh-Wright. “Our culture

arachnoid, one of the membranes that surround

struggles to even talk about the concept that

and protects the nerves of the spinal cord. It’s a

life doesn’t go on forever.” She added that the

chronic, painful condition, and one of several

conversation eventually becomes about what

serious chronic conditions including diabetes

makes life worth living, rather than about

and recurring infections that David says sent

dying. As a patient recently told her, “It’s not

him to the hospital more than twenty times

that my illness went away, but that my doctors

last year. “The doctors would treat me when

started listening differently, and my pain is

I showed up, but once I left the hospital or the

much better managed.”

doctor’s office, I felt like I was on my own. I

David says that he truly believes he is

didn’t really have the help that I needed to live with this condition,” he said. He decided to consider palliative care.

David Driscoll at home on sebago lake.

Nurses,

Hancock

receiving better care because he is in the

Hospice,

Hospice

palliative care program. The nurse who visits

of

and

Executive Council, implementation of a well-

Hospice

designed plan that moves patients into palliative

Nurses

care sooner based on conversations among the

his home twice a week attends to his medical

of Aroostook. VNA HHH assigns nurse

patient, caregivers, and providers results in

Palliative care, as defined by the Center to

needs, advocates for him, and sets him up with

practitioners and social workers to seriously

improved care quality, reduced inpatient costs,

Advance Palliative Care, is specialized medical

the services he needs, such as doctor’s visits or

ill, homebound patients to focus on defining

and lower total cost of care. And based on VNA

care for people living with serious illness. It

physical therapy.

what is most important to patients who live

HHH data, the need for that care will increase.

Eastern

County

Maine,

of

Homecare

Aroostook, and

Visiting

By 2019, there will be nearly 250 thousand adults

“Good palliative care is about FINDING A WAY TO WALK

BESIDE SOMEONE LIVING WITH SERIOUS ILLNESS.” -Robin Hirsh-Wright, LCSW

over age 65 in Maine, and roughly 20,000 of them would be eligible for palliative care.

David never thought he’d need this type of care, at least not at this point in his life, but he’s certainly glad that he has it. He may not be able to physically walk down to the shorefront of Sebago Lake, but says that he gets a peaceful and calming feeling when he looks out across the waters of Sebago Lake towards Mount Washington. He says he feels truly blessed to

focuses on providing relief from the symptoms

“Two years ago, I could barely move my arms

with chronic illness. Those nurse practitioners

live in such a beautiful state and to have the

and stress of a serious illness, whatever the

and feed myself. Life was horrible,” said David.

and social workers collaborate with designated

support he needs to live his life and manage

diagnosis. The goal is to improve quality of life

“My palliative care nurse helped get me into

primary and specialty care providers.

his chronic illness.

for both the patient and the family.

physical therapy, and now my arms are back to

“It is important that patients understand that

“I don’t think I’d be here today if weren’t for

palliative care doesn’t replace their clinical

this program,” he said, “and you can quote me

Robin Hirsh-Wright, LCSW, who is the director

VNA Home Health Hospice operates the

team, but rather partners with that team to

on that.”

of Palliative Care Services for VNA Home Health

EMHS Palliative Care service line. VNA HHH

sharpen the focus on mitigating the effect of

Hospice, but says she was a real “saving grace”

is comprised of several formerly independent

illness on quality of life,” said Hirsh-Wright.

who helped set him up with palliative care

agencies including Bangor Area Visiting

David says he doesn’t remember how he met

normal and I can feed myself again.”

According to the Advisory Board Physician

For more information on EMHS Palliative Care, call VNA Home Health Hospice at 800-7573326 or visit vnahomehealth.org.

March 23, 2018

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March 23, 2018

Hound Advice

BY ROBIN CLIFFORD WOOD My little hound is now thirteen,

The woman in my mirror holds

a geriatric beast.

me with a steadfast gaze.

His muzzle’s white, his teeth are green,

Her temples white, her neck in folds,

He cannot hear, his eyeballs sheen,

Her eyelids puffed from dust and molds,

His trembling legs make him careen —

Her hormones give her hots and colds —

He’s changed, to say the least.

She’s seen a lot of days.

But little Guster runs our fields

What can I learn from Guster’s spark,

with undiminished zest.

his joy in life’s old age?

At meals, his twirl-dance never yields,

I’ll hang on to my baying bark,

His sister-dogs stand guard as shields,

I’ll chase some rabbits in the park,

His baying bark with force he wields —

Then cuddle friends when it gets dark —

He’s our beloved pest.

He’s quite the canine sage.

I wish I had known…

H

●

She had a difficult choice to make. She

opportunities to further my career as a registered

could have had her kind, generous daughters

nurse and capture my entrepreneurial spirit.

I suspect that my story is

care for her, but she said no. She was the

I heard a commercial for Visiting Angels, and

uttering those words? I have. similar to many other people.

mother, and it was important to her that

it all came together. An opportunity to serve a

Several years ago, my grandfather passed

she stay that way. She felt like she had one

generation that had served me my entire life. An

away unexpectedly. After the shock wore

option—to leave. She moved into a nearby

opportunity to offer not only a choice for people

off, the “now what?” moment occurred. My

assisted living facility and did her best to

and their families caught between difficult and

grandfather was physically strong. He took

look on the bright side. She wasn’t unhappy

impossible but a solution. Through Visiting

care of my grandmother in many simple but

there; she just wasn’t home.

Angels, I’m able to offer what my grandmother

critical ways. He was the “helping hands.”

At that time, I did not own Visiting Angels.

had been looking for—an extra set of hands;

He buttoned buttons, tied shoes, opened jars,

I had never even heard of “homecare.”

someone to make the impossible possible; safe,

chopped vegetables, and so much more. He was

None of us had. In order to make a true

reliable, compassionate care at the place you call

her husband, her friend, and her partner.

choice, you have to know what your choices

home. It is with the utmost respect, dignity and

My grandmother had very little use of her

are. Homecare for my grandmother never

compassion that I welcome the opportunity to

hands. Simple tasks that we all take for granted

made it on the list. A few months after my

offer the power of choice.

were impossible. One thing was clear after the

grandmother left her home, we said our final

dust settled: my grandmother could not live

goodbye. Her life was in no way shortened by

Visiting Angels provides reliable in-home care

alone. What a blow—my grandmother was an

her move to a facility, but her life did not end

services to seniors throughout the area. For more

independent woman. Smart, full of hopes and

at home where she wanted to be.

information, visit visitingangels.com/bangor or

dreams, a lover of life and of her home.

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COURTESY ALECIA PINEO, RN, OWNER, VISITING ANGELS

“I wish I had known.” ave you ever found yourself

March 23, 2018

A couple of years later, I was looking for

call 207-573-1861.

“Visiting Angels makes me feel so safe and comfortable.

If you’re disabled like me, you think you can do everything, but you really can’t. My caregiver helps me accomplish things that I wouldn’t be able to do on my own. She takes me to appointments, grocery shopping, and other things so I am no longer housebound. For her to help me with my household chores is a blessing. They placed me with a caregiver that is my perfect match! She not only helps me with my everyday living, but she is my companion, my friend!”

-Sylvia M. A Visiting Angels client

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March 23, 2018

Fixings for a trail lunch is provided by the staff at Poplar Stream Falls Hut. PHOTO BY AISLINN SARNACKI

The “huts” of Maine Huts & Trails are spacious, high-ceilinged lodges with outbuildings that house thirty to forty people. PHOTO COURTESY ROBIN CLIFFORD WOOD

-to-hut trails hut the by ed pir ins s wa tem sys ils Tra & s Hut The Maine in the European Alps. PHOTO COURTESY ROBIN CLIFFORD WOOD

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A Maine Huts & Trails excursion offers a uniquely Maine experience.

BY ROBIN CLIFFORD WOOD

A

fter two years of walking past the Maine

Huts

and

Trails

gift

certificate taped to our kitchen wall, Jonathan and I finally

followed through on our plan to experience the Maine woods as guests in the huts. Along with two intrepid friends, we recently plotted out a four-night, cross-country ski expedition. What we discovered was one of Maine’s great unsung treasures. The huts offer a uniquely enchanting immersion into Maine’s vast and glorious outdoors for trekkers of all ages and all levels.

“Hut” is a misleading term for these accommodations. They are spacious, highceilinged lodges with outbuildings that house

Happy Trails

thirty to forty people. You are blissfully disconnected from the electronic world, and you sleep in a sleeping bag in comfortably heated bunkhouses. Inside each main lodge there are large common areas for dining, games, reading, and lounging. There is beer and wine for sale and a fully-stocked kitchen where the hut staff prepare hearty, family-style meals. If that isn’t enough to tempt you to engage in “people powered” travel, you will also find waiting for you at the end of your rigorous day a warm drying room for your damp gear; indoor, stateof-the-art composting toilets; and – perhaps the most luxurious amenity – hot showers!

On our way to the Airport Trailhead we made a stop in Kingfield, Maine at the Maine Huts and Trails (MHT) headquarters. I highly recommend this stop for first-timers, since employees offer lots of information, suggestions, and enthusiasm to get you pumped up for your first day. Thanks to Patrick’s insider information, we learned about the excellent vista near a trail stop we’d be passing called “half-way yurt.”

The vista involves an extra trail climb of ten to fifteen minutes, but the view of Sugarloaf and the Bigelow range was jaw-dropping.

Day one was a 3.3 mile, fully-loaded ski in to Poplar, the original hut. We worked up quite a sweat on that climb, but our loads were lighter for the rest of our ski-days. For an extra $35 per day,

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in warmer months

March 23, 2018

Views from around Maine Huts & Trails during the summer

(Left) The staff of Maine Huts & Trails Flagstaff Lake Hut gather with hut guests at the shore of Flagstaff Lake to watch the sunset.

PHOTO BY AISLINN SARNACKI

A fresh snow makes for a beautiful, peaceful ski into the huts.

PHOTO COURTESY ROBIN CLIFFORD WOOD

MHT offers a shuttle to transport your gear (up to

mile we followed the pawprints of a fox, probably

25 pounds in a backpack) to your next destination.

grateful for an alternative to the deep slog in the

We happily sprang for that added perk.

woods. We spotted a downy woodpecker, flushed

Rihanna and Caleb, our hut staffers, greeted us at Poplar’s registration window, oriented

a grouse, and fell under the spell of our own rhythmic gliding through the silence.

us to the facilities, and announced the dinner

The half-way yurt was perfectly placed as a

menu – spicy beef stew, rutabaga mash, farro

lunchtime rest stop. We lit up the woodstove,

and butternut squash salad, homemade bread,

warmed and dried our damp outer layers, and

and coconut cupcakes for dessert. Yup, it was as

ate the lunches we’d prepared from the hut’s

good as it sounds. Not only are the huts almost

lunch buffet table that morning. Best of all, the

exclusively off the grid, they also do their best to

yurt is at the top of a rise, so your after-lunch

use locally-sourced food. That means real Maine

event is a lovely, long downhill glide.

blueberries and Maine maple syrup for your morning pancakes.

The MHT system was the brainchild of Larry Warren, who was inspired by hut-to-hut trails

Since I am not by nature a morning person,

in the European Alps. As MHT celebrates

I was daunted to hear that we had to have our

their ten-year anniversary, they have plans

gear packed and ready for the shuttle at 7:30

to expand their four huts and 80 miles of trails

a.m. However, since breakfast is served at

to an additional six to eight huts, each with its

7:30 anyway, it wasn’t so bad and allowed us

own particular character. Flagstaff, grandly

to start our long days promptly, with plenty of

overlooking

daylight ahead.

parking less than two miles away and is perfect

On day two we made the 11.5-mile trek from Poplar Hut to Flagstaff in a light snowfall. The

Flagstaff

Lake,

has

trailhead

for families interested in boating, hiking, snowshoeing, or skiing.

recent heavy snow and wind was a bonus, and

January is quiet season, so I found myself

not just for excellent skiing conditions. The

alone with my coffee one morning in the airy

woods were glorious and peaceful. Huge dollops

dining room. I gazed through a floor-to-ceiling

of snow muffled sound and decorated stumps and

pyramid of tall windows that framed a dazzling

spruce boughs. Birch and cedar trees were limned

portrait of snow and birches. Quintessential

in white highlights. We had easy going on the

Maine woods, I thought…and someone else is

groomed trail, and we weren’t alone. For about a

doing all the cooking. I will definitely return.

(Right) Flagstaff Lake Hut, one of the eco-friendly lodges in the Maine Huts & Trails system, is adorned with driftfood from the nearby Flagstaff Lake.

(Below) Stand up paddle boarding is just one of the many outdoor activities available to guests at the Maine Huts & Trails huts.

PHOTOS BY AISLINN SARNACKI

On aging

A (mostly) reasonable discussion with my dad. BY CHRIS QUIMBY

The author (from left), son Jordan, father Ray, and family at a sporting event recently. PHOTO COURTESY CHRIS QUIMBY

T

he season of life in which I now

expressed that he believes he is currently living

abide offers features my younger

his peak season. One of the reasons he cited is

self’s did not.

the training he’s receiving for the quality job

Of most value is the newfound

appreciation of youth that I lacked when I had no contrasting experience.

he expects to receive, along with likely settling down in marriage within the next few years.

When asked the same question, my father,

Nevertheless, I have to be careful around

never short of a witty response, replied, “Now,

whom I complain of age. Anyone who has

because I can’t remember back very far and

lived longer than my 45 years scoffs at my

tomorrow I’m having a colonoscopy.”

lamentations, proclaiming they would kill to be

He regards his gray hair as a crown, a source

back in their fifth decade (providing, of course,

of the respect he feels others his age give and

they had the energy to commit such a crime).

receive to and from each other. “People see it and

These mature citizens share their own

think I’m smarter and wiser than I really am,”

challenges deeper along the road than myself,

he says, “because you can’t have gotten this far

challenges I will be fortunate to face twenty years

in life without having some challenges thrown at

from now should I live as long as my own father.

you and having gotten through them."

Dad looks ahead to a sometimes intimidating

When asked what advice he’d give to

elderly life filled with, as he predicts, problems

someone half his age, it was my son who chimed

with

in, encouraging young people to take risks and

“medication

management,

social

security, Medicare, pooping, and peeing, in no particular order.”

not fear failure.

My father, meanwhile, suggested reading the

I appreciate how comparatively fortunate

book “Everything I Needed to Know I Learned

I feel when hearing him say such things, but

in Kindergarten” by Robert Fulghum. Within

am quickly reminded of my own decreasing

those pages exists the proverb that if you don’t

abilities whenever I’m around my 20-year-old

find happiness along the way, you won’t find it

son. He is now faster, stronger, leaner, and more

at the end of the road.

energetic than myself and a frequent picture of

And with the potential of increasingly bad

what I will never again be this side of the grave.

eyesight and failing legs, one might be within

My advantages over him are decreasing, but

their rights to wonder if they would be able to

are not yet absent. Comedian Tim Hawkins,

see the end of such a road and to even be able to

after his teenage son boasted of his own one

walk there if they could.

percent body fat by asking his father, “What have you got?” replied simply — “Money.”

I am thankful that I still have my own father whose gray hair I can follow for

But even that advantage over my son won’t

direction toward that sunset, and a son who

last. My son, when asked for his opinion

will hopefully benefit from the footsteps left

regarding when his life peaked and why,

generations before him.

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March 23, 2018

Getting a

Second Wind The Bangor Region YMCA—A partner in your health and wellness journey.

W

COURTESY OF JENNIFER CRANE, SECOND WIND MANAGER, BANGOR YMCA

hen people sign up for a

If you’re unfamiliar with exercise equipment

component of this program is a great way for

membership. One small monthly membership fee

membership at the Bangor

and/or are looking for help with an exercise

an older adult to be social with peers and our

covers all fitness, including land and water classes

Region YMCA, they are signing

routine to fit your needs, our trainers will walk

activities help keep those winter blues away and

and all of the social activities. If our monthly

up for much more than a

you through how to use everything in our Fitness

keep you moving and engaged in any season. As

membership fee doesn’t fit your budget, we also

fitness facility with a fitness center, two

Center, give you recommendations on the land

an adult ages, social components become very

offer financial assistance to those who qualify.

swimming pools, and fitness classes. What

and water fitness classes to take, and, if you like,

important to increasing longevity of life. Our

Members that are currently in our Second Wind

members get is a partner in their journey to

even create a personalized workout plan for you

Second Wind social activities are fun and are a

program rave about how much fun our social

help them improve their health and wellness.

to help you reach your goal!

great way to make new friends and keep the mind

activities and trips are and also how far they have

In 2015, the Bangor Region YMCA created

Our fitness classes are unlike any classes offered

active and engaged. We have movie nights, arts

come in their health and wellness journey. We

a special program called Second Wind, a fun

in our community. We have developed group

and crafts, drop-in card games, book club, and

have members come to us that have worked out

health and wellness program for older adults

fitness classes especially for our Second Wind

so much more! In addition to these activities we

their entire lives, but are not going to let their age

age 62 years and older. The program was created

members that are taught by fitness professionals.

also plan exciting day trips outside of the Bangor

slow them down. We also have members that have

to help our community’s older adult population

Our classes are designed to include all aspects of

region. As a group you will have the opportunity

never worked out before and come to us looking to

improve their health while providing a safe

fitness, cardiovascular, strength, flexibility and

to take frequent trips to our beautiful Wilderness

start at the age of 70. Everyone’s journey will be

and friendly environment for socialization and

balance, everything that will help you with aspects

Center at Camp Jordan, located along the shores

different and we embrace this difference at our Y

creating a sense of community.

of your life that you never thought of. Do you get

of Branch Lake in Ellsworth. At Camp Jordan

because we are here for each and every member

Members of our Second Wind program come to

winded walking up and down stairs? Are you able

we have the opportunity to take walks within the

and care about you as an individual, wanting to

the Y with a wide range of fitness levels. There

to shovel out after a snowstorm? Is getting in and

camp, canoe or kayak on the lake, enjoy the patio

help you become your best self.

are some who have been able to stay active and

out of a car a difficult process? These are all things

and views on Branch Lake, sit next to the fireplace

As the new manager of Second Wind, I was

are looking to try something new, others who

that our members have been able to improve

in our King Dining Hall and play a game or two,

accepted with open arms by our wonderful group

have never worked out before until they joined

on and change over time. One of our members

and those are just a few of the things we’ve done

of active older adults and I know you will be, too.

our Y, and those who come to us for help with

recently told me, “I don’t have to stop halfway up

while at camp! We also enjoy trips to the Botanical

I love our seniors and I am so proud of our Bangor

how to be active while struggling with arthritis

the stairs and catch my breath anymore!”

Gardens in Boothbay, trips to Katahdin Woods

Region YMCA and what we are doing for our older

or similar conditions, osteoporosis, or mobility

When you participate in our classes, you

and Waters National Monument for hikes and

adult population in Bangor and the surrounding

limitations. No matter what your fitness level

experience more than improvements in your

stargazing, trips to the Cole Land Transportation

areas. Come be a part of this amazing group of

is, our Second Wind program is for YOU! Our

health. In addition, you develop friendships with

Museum to see all the wonderful transportation

people. It will change your life!

amazing certified personal trainers are here to

other members of Second Wind. Our amazing

items from the years on display, and many more!

For more information about the Bangor

help you with your health and wellness journey!

program is not all about fitness—the social

All of these things are included as part of your

YMCA’s Second Wind program, visit bangory.org.

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Puzzles & Games

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March 23, 2018

WORD SCRAMBLE

ANSWERS ON PAGE 18!

Rearrange the letters to spell something pertaining to cars.

Crossword

CLUES ACROSS 1. UNPLEASANT SUBSTANCE

43. NOT BRIGHT

5. OIL GROUP

44. WESTERN ASIA PENINSULA

10. ONE-TIME YANKEES ROOKIE SENSATION 14. IRELAND

45. BASEBALL SPEEDSTER GORDON

15. LESS EASILY FOUND

46. GOLF SCORE

16. SOUTHEAST NIGERIA PEOPLE

47. TRANSMITS GENETIC INFORMATION FROM DNA TO THE CYTOPLASM

17. BRIDGELINE DIGITAL STOCK DESIGNATION 18. PLAY LOUDLY 19. ELEGANTLY FASHIONABLE 20. OPEN SORE 22. FROZEN WATER 23. SACRED ISLAMIC SITE 24. “KOKOMO” ROCKERS 27. FOLLOWS SIGMA 30. CEASE TO EXIST 31. COOL 32. DOCTORS’ GROUP 35. LESS ATTRACTIVE 37. SWISS RIVER 38. GREEK SOPHIST 39. GRANDMOTHERS 40. AFFLICT 41. RUSSIAN PANCAKE OF BUCKWHEAT FLOUR AND YEAST 42. ACTRESS __ RACHEL WOOD

48. DIEGO, FRANCISCO, ANSELMO 49. SONGS TO ONE’S LOVER 52. CATTLE’S MAMMARY GLAND 55. HAVING TEN

CLUES DOWN 1. PHILIPPINE PROVINCE 2. SHALLOW CHANNEL 3. TYPE OF ACID 4. CYGNUS’ BRIGHTEST STAR

60. SCARLETT’S HOME

5. ONE WHO BUYS AND SELLS SECURITIES (ABBR.)

61. HOLD VALUABLES

6. ILL WILL

63. ITALIAN SEAPORT 64. CAIN AND __

7. PLANT OF THE GOOSEFOOT FAMILY

65. BAD PLACES TO LIVE

8. INTELLECTUAL

66. LARGE, WADING BIRD

9. MINERAL

67. WITCHES 68. COVER WITH DROPS

10. SHINY SILICATE MINERALS

69. PROPS UP THE HEAD

56. FENCING SWORD

21. ADVISES

44. CONNECTS WORDS

23. “THE SPANISH TRAGEDY” PLAYWRIGHT

46. FOR EACH

25. SURROUNDS THE EARTH

49. CLOSES A DEAL

26. PADDLE

50. ARABIAN DESERT

27. ADJUSTED 28. SUCCULENT PLANT

51. VACCINE AGAINST POLIOMYELITIS

29. FOREARM BONES

52. AMERICAN STATE

32. BELONGING TO EGYPTIAN ASCETIC APOLLO’S COLLEAGUE

53. RELIGION PRACTICED IN CHINA

33. TYPE OF MENTAL ILLNESS

57. HALL OF FAMER RUTH

47. FLOWER CLUSTER

54. TYPE OF SEDIMENT

34. ONE FROM ASIA

58. “LAYLA” SINGER CLAPTON

36. 007’S CREATOR

59. GAMBLE

11. OTTOMAN CIVILIAN TITLE

37. DIRECT TOWARD

12. WHAT YOU WEAR WHEN EATING BBQ (2 WORDS)

38. PIE _ __ MODE

61. SINO-SOVIET BLOCK (ABBR.)

13. SOUL AND CALYPSO SONG

41. HILLSIDES

40. LARGE TERRIER 43. PATRIOTIC WOMEN (ABBR.)

62. MIDWAY BETWEEN SOUTH AND SOUTHWEST

March 23, 2018

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Hearing loss often overlooked, easy to detect H earing loss affects 31 million

According to a survey by the National

Americans. Still, only 20% of

Council on Aging, older people with undetected

those who need a hearing aid own

hearing loss are more likely to report

one. Hearing loss is a condition

depression,

anxiety,

paranoia,

emotional

that, in most cases, develops gradually—many

problems, and reduced social activity. Seniors

people don’t realize they are affected.

who lose their hearing may experience these

Fortunately, modern hearing care has become

common scenarios before discovering their

more aware of the symptoms of hearing loss.

loss. The survey concluded that seniors

This increased awareness has helped millions

who treat their hearing loss have better

hear better and enjoy life more.

relationships with their families, improved mental health, greater independence, and

Undetected But Significant Hearing

is

one

of

the

stronger feelings of security. basic

ways

we

communicate and interact with each other and

Warning Signs

the environment. Undetected hearing loss can

Although hearing loss is a very personal

have serious consequences.

condition, the symptoms are fairly consistent.

Children with undetected hearing problems

Hearing care practitioners generally ask a series

are sometimes misidentified as being mentally

of questions to identify whether a person has

challenged or as having learning disabilities. Because

experienced hearing loss.

1. PEOPLE SEEM TO MUMBLE MORE FREQUENTLY.

17

COURTESY BELTONE

If a person experiences these warning signs

repeatedly or in combination, it may indicate

2. YOU HEAR, BUT HAVE TROUBLE UNDERSTANDING ALL THE WORDS IN CONVERSATION.

a hearing loss.

3. YOU OFTEN ASK PEOPLE TO REPEAT THEMSELVES.

Hearing loss itself can be misunderstood. Wax

4. YOU FIND TELEPHONE CONVERSATION INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT.

that adversely affects hearing. Often people assume

5. YOUR FAMILY OR FRIENDS COMPLAIN THAT YOU PLAY THE TV OR RADIO TOO LOUDLY.

The Only Way to Know for Sure buildup in the ear canal is a common occurrence they have a permanent loss when, in fact, they don’t.

A hearing screening and video otoscope inspection (a simple procedure in which a picture of a person’s

6. YOU NO LONGER HEAR NORMAL HOUSEHOLD SOUNDS, SUCH AS THE DRIPPING OF A FAUCET OR THE RINGING OF A DOORBELL.

ear canal is taken) can provide an accurate evaluation

7. YOU HAVE TROUBLE HEARING WHEN YOUR BACK IS TURNED TO THE SPEAKER.

inspection, I often find that simple wax buildup

8. YOU HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT YOU SPEAK TOO LOUDLY.

of what you’re hearing and what you’re not.

According to one Beltone Hearing Care Practitioner, “When I give someone an otoscope is contributing to their hearing problem.”

Testing is Available to Anyone

speech is normally acquired through repeating what

Beltone, a leading manufacturer of hearing

9. YOU EXPERIENCE RINGING IN YOUR EARS.

Beltone offers hearing screenings at all of their 1,500

is heard, such children are at an early disadvantage.

aids, lists the following 10 warning signs of

Hearing Care Centers throughout the nation. If

Their education and development may be stunted by

hearing loss in their “The Gift of Hearing”

the lack of proper treatment.

brochure:

10. YOU HAVE DIFFICULTY UNDERSTANDING CONVERSATION WHEN IN A LARGE GROUP OR CROWD.

you’re interested in a hearing screening to see how you can improve your hearing, visit beltone.com.

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March 23, 2018

Remember When A look back at Bangor through the years

Bangor International Airport in 1975, 1964.TO and below, construction in 1968. , inPHO West side of Main Street, BangorBDN BDN PHO

TO

View of Main Street, Bangor, circa 1965 postcard. —

word scramble ANSWER: LIGHTS

answers FIND PUZZLES ON PAGES 2 AND 16!

sudoku Answers

Crossword Answers

March 23, 2018

Bijou Theater on Exchange Street in Bangor, circa 1957.

PHOTO COURTESY RICHARD SHAW

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March 23, 2018

Remember When A look back at Bangor through the years

ium, circa 1960.

The old Bangor Auditor COURTESY RICHARD SHAW PHOTO

The view down Main Street, Bangor in 1964.

PHOTO COURTESY RICHARD SHAW

The Park Theater in the 1950s.

BDN PHOTO

outside Freese’s department store in downtown Bangor in the 1960s.

BDN PHOTO

March 23, 2018

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BDN SENIOR LIVING

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Navigating the waters of funeral trusts D

iscussing end-of-life issues can be an emotional experience. Making decisions upon the death of a loved one can be challenging, especially if the wishes of the deceased are murky or unknown. Funeral trusts often help families avoid making decisions at times when their emotions may make such decisions more difficult.

What is preplanning a funeral?

Preplanning

a

funeral

can

save

Funeral trusts may be referred to as revocable

anyone and, at a later date, can be dissolved by

family

or irrevocable. An irrevocable funeral trust,

and friends from having to make difficult

or IFT, is a tool people who are facing the high

the person who originally created it.

decisions. It also enables people to choose their

cost of skilled nursing care can consider. An

When is a trust unnecessary?

burial space, services and transportation.

IFT establishes an account into which money

In certain instances, a funeral trust will not be

Preplanning also allows people to pay for or

for funeral expenses is deposited. The money

needed. Those who have the means to fund long-

arrange payment for their funeral costs ahead

cannot be withdrawn or refunded, and funds

term care services and will not need assistance

of time. According to Consumer Protection

must be used for funeral expenses.

later in life may not want their money locked up

Ontario, a person can pre-plan a funeral

In the United States, an IFT is often considered

without prepaying. However, many people

an eligible expense during the social services

prefer to have all financial components in

spend-down process. That means the money

place as well for maximum convenience.

deposited in the trust is exempt as a countable

Assistance with funeral trusts

asset from any financial look-back period that

Funeral

helps determine eligibility for government

companies that manage funeral funds. Speak

healthcare services, such as Medicaid.

with a funeral director if you want to learn more

What is a funeral trust?

Funeral trust can be a smart investment for

in a trust. Others opt for life insurance policies to pay for funeral needs.

homes

may

work

directly

with

people who have not spelled out their wishes in

Revocable funeral trusts can be cancelled.

about trusts. Trusts also can be established by

a will or conveyed them in writing to someone

According to the National Care Planning

working with an elder care attorney or with a

who will be managing their estate.

Council, a revocable trust can be created by

funeral trust agency.

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March 23, 2018

www.gibersondorseyfuneralhome.com

What is

March 23, 2018

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cremation?

Brookings-Smith Funeral Home answers your questions about cremation and options to consider.

COURTESY BROOKINGS-SMITH FUNERAL HOME

B

y definition, cremation is the

music, rituals, and poems? A funeral or a

plan, making sure you are using a firm with

for you to be present to witness their operation

process of reducing the body to

memorial is about the person who passed, but

a good reputation should be a must. We have

and to see firsthand their procedures that give

bone

the

it is for their survivors. Does being cremated

experienced many families that have initially

dignity to your loved one? Through Brookings-

application of a thermal and a

fragments

through

also mean being buried? Burial is not a

wanted basic direct cremation services but,

Smith, we operate Pine Grove Crematorium in

mechanical process. Today there is a large

requirement, although we would encourage

after the passing has happened, they realized

Bangor. We have found many families want to

trend to be cremated, but what does that

a final resting place for the survivors to

they needed more. Being affiliated with a firm

be present, as it gives peace of mind knowing

mean? Does it mean having some kind of

visit. These can be very difficult decisions

that has the ability to help with memorialization

that we are overseeing their loved one and can

ritual or memorial service, or not? Does it

for surviving loved ones who have not really

could be important.

see the process all the way through. Another

mean being buried, scattered, or both being

thought it through.

buried and scattered? Does it mean using

Both funeral homes and cremation providers surviving

families

with

Also, using a local firm helps with the

question is often where one can pick up the

initial call at the time of passing. If the passing

cremated remains. At Pine Grove Crematorium,

your local funeral home, or a cremation

help

cremation

happened at home, it may take hours for a

you can pick them up right at the facility. We

service provider? Where does the cremation

today. Many people use funeral providers so

provider to be there. We recommend that

welcome people to come to our Cremation

take place? Let’s look into this more closely.

that they can help with things like viewings

you fully check out the services that direct

Workshops for a complete tour of our facility

In Maine, there are many guidelines that

before cremation, the obituary, a place for

cremation providers offer—they are not all the

and all the safeguards we have put into effect to

cremation providers must follow. For instance,

memorialization, as well as maybe even a

same. Some important questions to consider

achieve the highest standards possible.

there is a 48-hour wait requirement from the time of death before the cremation can be completed.

Many people use funeral providers SO THAT THEY CAN HELP WITH

One common misconception is that we take the remains directly from the place of passing to the crematory. Prior to a loved one’s cremation, a good question to ask may be, “Where is my loved one being held?” For instance, at BrookingsSmith, we hold the remains in refrigeration for the 48-hour grace period.

Another requirement is that the next of kin

THINGS LIKE VIEWINGS BEFORE CREMATION, THE OBITUARY, A PLACE FOR MEMORIALIZATION, EVEN A RECEPTION. FUNERAL HOMES OFFER A WIDE RANGE OF SERVICES AND MERCHANDISE TO CONSIDER.

needs to sign a cremation authorization form which discloses the procedures of the crematory.

reception. Funeral homes offer a wide range of

are: do they allow for a viewing? Do they help

People have many concerns and questions

So it is important to have your closest next of kin

services and merchandise to consider.

with an obituary or getting death certificates?

about cremation. The staff at Brookings-Smith

know your wishes. If you have no next of kin, a

There are also direct cremation providers.

Do they help with veterans benefits? Do they

are the true cremation professionals. Please

suggestion is to have this form signed in advance

“Direct cremation” means having cremation

have a place for memorialization? Having

call with any questions or concerns or to make

so your friends will know your clear directive—

completed

or

worked with families for many years, it is one

a no-obligation appointment to see us to discuss

that you wish to be cremated.

memorialization. Some of these providers are

thing to think about how the passing may go—

your cremation plans. We would appreciate

Many people say things like “just cremate

affiliated with a funeral home. In our case,

but it is another thing to experience a death.

your time to discuss anything from a basic

me,” or “all I want is a cremation.” Cremation

Memorial Alternative Cremation Services

Because this can be such an emotional time,

direct cremation, to a very detailed celebration

is simply a means of final disposition, not a

is affiliated with Brookings-Smith. This is

sometimes needs change and families need a

of life memorial.

form of a ritual. We encourage people to try

important information for several reasons. We

firm that can help meet those needs.

to identify what their needs or wants may

do not know when or how we will die and we

Many people want to know where the

be in terms of a ritual. Is it having a service

may need additional help from a professional

cremation will happen. This facility is called a

the

or some kind of gathering with family and

funeral provider. If you are considering

“crematorium” and each one has its own set of

mortuary services. For more information, visit

friends, or something more structured with

preplanning and/or prepaying your funeral

rules and standards. Does the crematory allow

brookingssmith.com.

without

any

viewing

Brookings-Smith Funeral Home is a family owned and operated funeral home providing greater

Bangor

area

with

complete

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March 23, 2018

In 2007 Brookings-Smith built Pine Grove Crematorium and Remembrance Center in Bangor to meet the trend towards cremation in our communities today. We found that the families we serve have peace of mind knowing that our professional staff oversees the cremation process all the way through. It’s just another way we guarantee that your loved one’s care is always in reach. This workshop will identify and discuss everything you would like to know about cremation.

Cremation Workshop:

In this one-hour workshop, you will learn • Definition of cremation specific to the process • Maine State Guidelines for cremation • Rules pertaining to scattering or burial of cremated remains • Memorialization – tribute – gatherings