PrimeTime - September 2016

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Se pte m b e r 2016

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Go Back To School • Technology Hurricane Preparedness • Go Apple Picking

Wine of the Month Sponsored By ATWOOD

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Our Town

Your Voice, Your Vision

426 Atwood Ave|Cranston, RI atwoodwinespirits.com|944-6900 Mon-Sat 9-10|Sun 10-6

Our choice for September’s Wine of the Month is

Pascal Jolivet Sancerre Rosé 750ml

17.98

$

Winemaker’s Notes:

The juice is produced from macerated Pinot Noir grapes that have not been sorted by hand or de-stemmed.

The philosophy of the estate is to let nature take its course as much as possible. The juice is fermented naturally, without adding cultivated yeasts in conjunction with thermoregulation.

This Sancerre Rose develop aromas of red fruits, full of elegance and subtlety.

Rated 92 pts.

James Suckling - “A lovely depth and beauty to this wine with plum and apple character.

Full and layered with strawberry. Close your eyes and think of wonderful Pinot - red.“ | PrimeTime 2

For weeks, your neighbors have been storytellers and filmmakers, capturing life in West Warwick, RI. Now these stories filled with nostalgia, humor, enterprise, history, and even a surprise or two are in a documentary about to be shown on TV. West Warwick neighbors and friends will also be in the Rhode Island PBS studios sharing their experiences. It’s sure to be a fun, unique show to watch. Tune in!

Explore Our Town - Your Voice, Your Vision.

Wednesday, September 7 at 7:30 p.m.

on WSBE Rhode Island PBS Digital 36.1 standard and HD

Cox 1008HD|Verizon FiOS 508HD|Comcast 819HD DirecTV 36 | Dish Network 36

www.ripbs.org/our-town September 2016

Pr i m e Ti m e September 2016 1944 Warwick Ave. Warwick, RI 02889 401-732-3100 FAX 401-732-3110 Distribution Special Delivery PUBLISHERS Barry W. Fain, Richard G. Fleischer, John Howell MARKETING DIRECTOR Donna Zarrella donnaz@rhodybeat.com Editor/ Creative Director Linda Nadeau lindan@rhodybeat.com WRITERS Diane Nahabedian, Michael Cerio, Don Fowler, Elaine M. Decker, Matt Manco Larry Grimaldi, Mike Fink Danielle Zarrella ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVES Donna Zarrella – donnaz@rhodybeat.com Jeff Smith, Lisa Mardenli, Janice Torilli, Suzanne Wendoloski, Classified ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE Sue Howarth – sueh@rhodybeat.com PRODUCTION STAFF Matt Bower, Brian Geary, Lisa Yuettner

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Times They Are Changing

technology

Technology changing the ways we communicate

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That’s Entertainment.................15 Larry Grimaldi.................................13 What Do You Fink........................17

Back To School

It’s never too late to finish what you started

Professional Perspective Eye on Design................................18

Hurricane Season

food & drink

Tax Tips and ways to prepare your home

10 Apples!

LIFESTYLES

Smoothies and more.................11

Senior issues Retirement Sparks.......................15 Gay and Grey..................................16

Let’s go apple picking

13 Google vs. the Golden Years

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PrimeTime |

The Times They have truly changed b y diane s . nahabedian

“It’s a BOY!” My phone gave off the text alert, and a text message appeared. My close friends Larry and Robin were announcing the birth of their first grandchild to all their family and friends via text. The first photos of Joseph Lawrence were released the next morning on Facebook showing a smiling set of new parents and grandparents. Thirty-one years prior when Joey’s mom was born, Larry went to the hospital pay phone and started calling his family to announce the birth of his first child. Yes, times have certainly changed.

As a young child I remember listening to my grandfather literally yell into the phone. When my grandfather immigrated to this country in the early part of the 20th century, I do not think he had ever used a phone. Even as he assimilated and then opened a busy barber shop he somehow just couldn’t get the idea of that phone. My mother would explain that one need not yell to be heard, but she never convinced him. I have visions of what he would be like on a cell phone. I think he would be a natural at texting.

After college my sister and I backpacked through Europe. We called home collect maybe once every ten days to let my parents know we were ok. I remember going to a post office or similar venue and using a bank of phones to call. The calls were quick because of the expense, and the connection mediocre. Today, I communicate with my son constantly (much to his displeasure ) by text or Facebook messenger.

Today’s grandparents and parents are communicating in ways that did not seem possible even 10 years ago. We text, use Facebook messenger, email, FaceTime, and Skype. Millions of us are taking videos of the memorable and sometimes not so memorable moments in our lives. We share those videos on Facebook, Twitter or via a text to a friend. Nobody sends letters by mail anymore, and text seems to be the method of communication for thousands. If you do make an actual call, dialing is almost obsolete, really aren’t all your friends on speed dial?

My friend Barbara talks about using FaceTime with her three year old grandson.

Barbara lives out west and grandson George in the mid-Atlantic. They “see” each other regularly sharing stories, new toys and milestones. “George thinks this is just a normal means of communication. He has no idea that not so long ago FaceTime did not exist.” says Barbara. “When my son (George’s father) first graduated from college he traveled extensively around Australia and New Zealand,” explains Barbara, “I rarely heard from him. Now, I talk to my son, daughter-in-law and George at least five days a week. We keep up-to-date, and also discuss major family issues, career issues and current events. It is almost as good as being together despite the miles between us. We don’t wait for holidays to discuss the important

| PrimeTime

things that must be addressed!”

Jane, a 78 year old retired film maker, communicates with her grandson Zach via text. Zach lives in Hawaii and Jane is in Rhode Island. The time difference between the two states is significant. “I miss Zach terribly,” says Jane, “but texting daily keeps us close. Zach is pursuing his dreams in Hawaii, and that of course makes me happy. I feel like I can share all his tremendous success, and also be available if Zach is having a bad day or bad week.” Zach does agree, via text, and comments that having his grandmother “by his side” is wonderful.

For Joe, a newly retired executive with grandchildren ranging in ages two months to teen, all forms of communication are used. “My granddaughters, ages 10 and 13 live in Chicago with my daughter and son-in-law. The oldest likes to sail when she is visiting me in Massachusetts,” explains Joe, “so we discuss anything regarding sailing all year long mainly by Skype. Sometimes I feel like I can just reach out and give them a hug while we are chatting. My youngest grandchildren live nearby, but their mother, my youngest daughter, films them with her phone. So, I get video constantly, and then show anyone who wishes to get updates on my grandkids. I think I show them off more than I did my two daughters.”

If you are new to communicating via the multiple types of technology check out: http://www.grandloving.com/technology.html. According to this website children and teens are much more likely to be using technology than running to the mailbox. Even toddlers - like George mentioned earlier - are more accustomed to various technologies. They are already using cell phones and seeing movies or television shows on their laptops. The authors of the GrandLoving site’s article A Click Away: Keeping Close with Technology, Sue Johnson, Julie Carlson, Elizabeth Bower and Frederick B. Johnson write, “Social networking sites provide a place to gather and establish or renew relationships with family and friends, and more importantly, provide a place where grandparents can connect in a meaningful way with grandchildren, whether located across the street or around the world.”

Additionally the authors point out: “The largest growth on these sites comes not from tech-savvy tweens, teens or the college crowd, but rather from moms, dads and grandparents. In fact, the popularity of these sites is mind-boggling. Facebook membership now surpasses 200 million users. If it were a country, it would rank slightly behind Indonesia and ahead of Brazil in population…A recent survey by the Pew Internet & American Life Project revealed that the number of adults over 55 using social networking sites more than quadrupled in the past three years. In fact, more adults are using social networks today than teens.”

Aaron Smith at the Pew Research Center Internet, Science and Tech wrote an article that appeared online on April 3, 2014, entitled Older Adults and Technology Use. In that article Smith writes, “In April 2012 the Pew Research Center found for the first time that more than half of older adults (defined as those ages 65 or older) were internet users. Today, 59% of seniors report they go online—a six-percentage point increase in the course of a year—and 47% say they have a high-speed broadband connection at home. In addition, 77% of older adults have a cell phone, up from 69% in April 2012.” Smith also points out that: “Younger, higher-income, and more highly educated seniors use the internet and broadband

September 2016

technology

We are communicating in ways that did not seem possible even 10 years ago.

We text, use Facebook messenger, email, FaceTime and Skype.

at rates approaching—or even exceeding—the general population; internet use and broadband adoption each drop off dramatically around age 75.” Smith has written extensively on the topic, and looks at technology use by older adults from many angles.

Smith explains that there may be some obstacles to older adults using technology including some physical challenges, skeptical attitudes or even some difficulty learning the new technology. Generally however, he says: “Among older adults who use the internet, 71% go online every day or almost every day, and an additional 11% go online three to five times per week. These older internet users also have strongly positive attitudes about the benefits of online information in their personal lives.

Fully 79% of older adults who use the internet agree with the statement “people without internet access are at a real disadvantage because of all the information they might be missing,” while 94% agree with the statement “the internet makes it much easier to find information today than in the past.”

Whether you are over 50 and still working or recently retired technology is most likely a part of your life. Whether you are a frequent user of Facebook or love to text technology is here to stay. The exciting part is what else is in store for us, and what will our grandchildren and great-grandchildren be using to “reach out and touch someone” in the not to distant future.

Sites to check out: GrandLoving: www.grandloving.com/technology.html American Grandparents Association: www.grandparents.com/grandkids/ long-distance-grandparents/ connectingtime Pew Research Center, Internet, Science and Tech: www.pewinternet.org/2014/04/03/ older-adults-and-technology-use/ September 2016

PrimeTime |

b y michael cerie o

C

It’s Never Too Late . . .

ontinuing education has been quite the topic in my house for the past year as my wife enters the stretch run of obtaining her Master’s in Education.

There have been deep conversations about the discrepancies of equal access to college for those of varying backgrounds, and that the expectation of attending college is not as common for all as it was for us while growing up.

I often think about returning to school to pursue a Master’s degree of my own.

I’m unsure why I’ve yet to pull the trigger, though I suspect some has to do with my career as writer and PR professional and that I can’t envision writing more for school on top of my day-to-day. But, I digress…

As nice as it is contemplate pursuing an advanced degree, there are many—our

family, friends, neighbors and co-workers—who wrestle with thoughts of returning to college to finish a degree they once started. But with life seemingly becoming more hectic for all of us with each passing week, the process can seem more daunting than the coursework itself. Especially if it’s been years, or even decades, since you graced a classroom.

But with September being all about Back to School, I want to share a program— and a success story—that proves it’s never too late to finish what you started. And appropriately, that’s what it’s called, the University of Rhode Island’s “Finish What You Started” (FWYS) program.

Designed specifically for adults looking to return to college after a break in their academic careers, FWYS is a hands-on program that walks students through the re-entry process, services and procedures of returning to the classroom. Through a nurturing environment, regular follow-up and layers of extra help and support, FWYS coordinators work with students from application to matriculation and on through graduation. The program offers the full spectrum of degrees available at URI and works with students attending any of the University’s campuses.

“The approach of Finish What You Started has proven successful; to-date, we have helped nearly 200 adult learners complete their degrees,” says Nancy Fee Rabidoux, FWYS Program Coordinator at URI’s Kingston campus. “There are many reasons why people do not finish college, but it’s never too late to come back, and we’re here to help.”

Some of the most common reasons for leaving school that Nancy and her colleagues see among those they work with include financial difficulties, health issues, uncertain academic goals, job responsibilities and family obligations. But regardless of how someone left the classroom, FWYS coordinators are committed to streamlining the process and providing the supports that help students return.

While the average age of a FWYS student is 37 years-old, the program’s oldest student is 83, and there are plenty in between. Adult learners may also be able to apply their life experiences to their coursework, along with transferring over credits previously earned, if applicable. Financial Aid is also available for students who qualify and take at least six credits per semester.

“It is rewarding to discover that you can learn at any age,” says Nancy. “Many of our students have already put their own children through college and feel that now it is their turn.”

Once a prospective student contacts FWYS, they are assigned to a coordinator who will work with them from start to finish. It takes an estimated 7-10 hours of work to register an adult learner from initial contact to enrolling in their first class.

Nancy is quick to point out that every student is different, and FWYS does not have a one-size-fits-all approach. So whether someone is looking to return to college to advance their current job, achieve a personal accomplishment, be a role model for their children, or pursue a better or second career, they’ll find all of the help and support they need.

For Jo-Anne Serydynski, that support made all the difference in the world.

Jo-Anne Serydynski (right) and her sister, AnnMarie Vuocolo (left), share a moment with their mother, Isabelle Vuocolo, after graduating from URI’s Finish What You Started program this May. The ceremony, coincidentally, fell on their mother’s 83rd birthday. Photo courtesy of Jo-Anne Serydynski | PrimeTime

A few years back, as Jo-Anne approached her 50th birthday, the married, mother of two saw the milestone as a life transition and wanted to do something profound.

So, she made a bucket list. Tops on the list were completing a marathon, a triathlon, and hiking Mount Washington.

As Jo-Anne hiked with her friends, the group’s conversations turned to their careers and education. While successful in her field of work as an Associate Director for a local nonprofit organization, Jo-Anne always held a sense of regret for not having completed her degree. She spoke openly about it and a member of the group told her about FWYS. She quickly envisioned another item being added to her list.

“I graduated high school in 1980 and went right to URI that fall,” says Jo-Anne.

“It was my first time away from home and I really didn’t have a great understanding of what to expect—it was a difficult transition.”

Jo-Anne lived on campus her first two years and changed her major a couple of times as a result of her uncertainty. After her sophomore year, she moved back home and got a job, but continued to attend classes. With money in her pocket for the first time and a growing love for the group home work she was doing, the parttime student became a very part-time student and then withdrew altogether.

September 2016

back

to

school

‘Finish What You Started’ “My job wasn’t affected by not having my degree; I was advancing somewhat quickly,� recalls Jo-Anne. “Then I got married and had kids. We put them through college and money was allocated to the family, not necessarily my education.�

The Monday after returning from that hike, Jo-Anne sent an email to FWYS and received a response in less than 24-hours. Within three days, she had an appointment with an academic advisor and was on her way.

When she had left URI, Jo-Anne was pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Development and Family Studies and had a little more than a year remaining. Her advisor helped determine which previously-earned credits could carry over and what courses were needed next. Before she knew it, she was in a classroom. “There was certainly the apprehension of being that older, non-traditional student walking into the classroom, but everyone was great—from the other students to my professors,� says Jo-Anne. “And, I can’t say enough about the Finish What You Started coordinators and advisors.�

Though there were some learning curves around how college has changed—a heavier reliance on computers and submitting coursework electronically—it didn’t take Jo-Anne long to get up to speed.

This past May, she graduated with a 4.0 grade-point-average and a spot on the Dean’s List. The icing on the cake? Her sister walked with her, completing her degree after being inspired by Jo-Anne and needing just a few classes herself—the procession ceremony falling on their mother’s 83rd birthday. “This was absolutely the best thing I could have done—the people at the University and everyone in my life were just so supportive,� says Jo-Anne. “The best advice

I can give someone is don’t wait another day; send an email, put it out there and explore your options.�

FWYS’s highly-dedicated coordinators take the guesswork out of the process, which many find far more appealing than searching online to figure things out on their own. The program also offers tutoring, a writing center, disability and veteran services, and personal and career counseling, all of which are offered at the newlyrevamped Office of Academic and Student Affairs at URI’s Providence Campus, in addition to resources on the Kingston campus.

And with a wide array of courses available online, during the evenings, and through two summer sessions and an academic mini-semester during winter break, the program has options to work within the lifestyles and work schedules of prospective students. “While our success rate is impressive—20 percent of those who inquire about our program enroll—being a part of a student’s academic journey is simply an amazing experience,� says Nancy. “Watching them walk across the stage at graduation is not only rewarding, it’s very emotional.�

If you’re interested in learning more about the Finish What You Started program, visit http://web.uri.edu/finish/. You may also contact Nancy Fee Rabidoux directly at (401) 874-2413, or nrabidoux@uri.edu for information related to offerings on the Kingston campus. For the Providence campus, contact FWYS coordinator Connie Pritchard at (401) 277-0404, or cpritchard@uri.edu.

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September 2016

PrimeTime |

Health Fair A Health Fair will be held on September 18 from 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm at Lakewood Baptist Church, 255 Atlantic Avenue in Warwick. Walgreens will be providing flu shots. Refreshments will be provided by Scandinavian Rehabilitation & Skilled Nursing and Assisted Living Community. Contact is Maxine Hutchins 401-450-9614 for more information.

Craft Workshop The Holiday Retirement-Residential Rehab and Respite will host a free Fall Craft Workshop on Monday, September 26 from 1:00-3:00 p.m. Come and create a fall decoration. Light refreshments will be served. The workshop is free but space is limited and pre-registration is required. Call Lisa Howard, (401) 765-1440

by September 19 to sign up. Holiday Retirement Home, 30 Sayles Hill Rd., Manville, RI 02838

Town of East Greenwich Senior Services Calling all Veterans! There will be a presentation at the Swift Community Center on Thursday, September 14 at 1:00 p.m. for veterans who want to learn about the benefits available to them under the present Veterans Administration (VA). Veteran benefits offer an inexpensive prescription drug program and an excellent Delta Dental plan that includes spouses. Richard Cohen of the RI Vet Corps will help veterans with all the benefits they could be eligible for through the VA. The RI Vet Corps is an outreach program of Americorps. Registration is suggested. To register, please call Erin at 886-8669, ext. 1.

The Bead Lady Pamela Green will be at Swift on Thursday, September 15 at 1:00 p.m. Create a beautiful necklace, eye glass chain, bracelet or sun-catcher. The fee for the class is $10. Pre-registration is required, please call Erin at 886-8669, ext. 1.

Classes at Kingston Free Library Writing Workshop for Adults – Professor Nancy Shuster will conduct four writing workshops that include life story writing, fiction, non-fiction and poetry.

Students can select the type of writing they wish to work on. Attendance is not required at all four sessions. 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM.

your taxes

professional perspective

b y meg che v alier

Tax Tips to prepare for Hurricanes With hurricane season underway, the IRS offers advice to those impacted by storms and other natural disasters. Here are some tips to help you prepare for such events:

* Use Electronic Records. You may have access to bank and other financial

statements online. If so, your statements are already securely stored there. You can also keep an additional set of records electronically. One way is to scan tax records and insurance policies onto an electronic format. You may want to download important records to an external hard drive, USB flash drive or burn them onto CD or DVD. Be sure you keep duplicates of your records in a safe place.

For example, store them in a waterproof container away from the originals. If a disaster strikes your home, it may also affect a wide area. If that happens, you may not be able to retrieve the records that are stored in that area.

* Document Valuables. Take photos or videos of the contents of your home or business. These visual records can help you prove the value of your lost items.

They may help with insurance claims or casualty loss deductions on your tax return. You should also store these in a safe place. For example, you might store them with a friend or relative who lives out of the area.

* Count on the IRS for Help. If you fall victim to a disaster, know that the IRS stands ready to help. You can call the IRS disaster hotline at 866-562-5227 for special help with disaster-related tax issues.

* Get Copies of Prior Year Tax Records. If you need a copy of your tax

return, you should file Form 4506, Request for Copy of Tax Return. The usual fee per copy is $50. However, the IRS will waive this fee if you are a victim of a federally declared disaster. If you just need information that shows most line items from your tax return, you can request a free transcript. The quickest way to get a copy of your tax transcript is to use the Get Transcript application. You can also get it if you call 1-800-908-9946. Two other options are to file Form 4506TEZ, Short Form Request for Individual Tax Return Transcript, or Form 4506-T, Request for Transcript of Tax Return.

For additional information visit www.irs.gov and you can get IRS tax forms and publications on IRS.gov/forms at any time.

Fall Wreath Class – Recycle old books into a beautiful Fall wreath! All materials will be provided. Space is limited. Registration required. Free.

Kingston Free Public Library, 2605 Kingstown Road, Kingston, RI 02881 www.skpl.org. Contact Nancy Nadeau for more information, 401-783-8254, nnadeau@skpl.org

We Make Health Care Easy Neighborhood is proud to support Prime Time Senior Living Expo 1-800-459-6019 www.nhpri.org

| PrimeTime

September 2016

b y matt manc o

People

& Places

Dodging Disaster this Hurricane Season With Hurricane Season in full swing, PrimeTime brings you a primer for staying safe this year.

In addition to stocking up on batteries and bottled water, Chief of Information and Public Relations for the Department of Elderly Affairs Larry Grimaldi advises seniors to add a few more items to their disaster preparedness kits.

“Seniors should include the names of family members as well as their doctors,” he said, “be sure to fill up all medications, and monitor the radio and television for updates.”

If estimates for this hurricane season are accurate, preparing for a natural disaster is going to be crucial. Colorado State University, a leading authority on hurricane activity, predicts eight named storms this season, with four developing into intense hurricanes. Both of these figures are nearly double the average activity over the last 50 years.

The season began on June 1 and continues through Nov. 30, with the season typically picking up around Labor Day. In the event one of these serious hurricane hits, each city and town in Rhode Island has a preparation officer who can direct you toward the closest shelter.

If you are unable to evacuate your home, the Federal Emergency Management Agency recommends taking a few steps to ensure your safety including staying indoors, closing and shuttering all windows and taking refuge in a small interior room on the lowest level of your home.

A popular misconception is that duct tape over windows will protect them from breaking, or keep the pieces together - it will do neither. The best way to protect windows is with 3/8-inch precut plywood. But the best defense against a hurricane is a strong evacuation plan and well-stocked emergency kit.

Residents should evacuate if ordered, but if circumstances outside your control arise, be sure to keep a battery-powered radio handy to follow news of the storm.

Whether you’re in your home or at a shelter though, officials warn of indifference to impending storms, using Hurricane Andrew as a cautionary tale.

After years of storms that did not materialize, Atlantic Coast residents became careless in their preparation. They did not heed warnings and Andrew made landfall in 1992 as the third strongest storm in American history.

In an age of advanced building techniques and transportation, Andrew still claimed 23 lives and caused more than $25 billion in damages in Florida alone.

Several years ago a trio of category 5 hurricanes formed near the United States. Hurricanes Katrina and Rita escalated significantly in short order. Rita was a category 2 moving north in the Gulf of Mexico and within 24 hours became a category 5. Katrina made landfall near Miami Beach, Fla. on Aug. 25 as a tropical storm - Floridians shrugged off the storm.

Less than two days later, after retreating to the Gulf of Mexico, Katrina expanded into the most destructive force to hit America in nearly a century. There were more than 1,200 reported deaths in Louisiana and Mississippi from a storm that had been nearly forgotten about two days earlier.

Rhode Island does not have the same history as some southern states, but a quick glance at our history shows we are not immune to these intense storms.

September 2016

Hurricanes Donna (1960) and Bob (1991) made major impact along the Southern Atlantic Coast, but came back strong enough to cause millions of dollars in damage to the Ocean State. Many residents live in close proximity to the Atlantic or to Narragansett Bay, making an effective evacuation route or disaster plan very important.

According to the Rhode Island Department of Health, delayed response to hurricane warnings is the chief cause of unnecessary loss of life and property. The warning system has become quite advanced, and warnings should be taken seriously. If you take the right precautions, you and your loved ones will stay safe this hurricane season.

HURRICANE SEASON TO-DO LIST • Have an evacuation plan.

Get 20-50 miles inland by the time

the storm makes landfall.

• Stock up on water and food, as well as candles and batteries.

• Fill your car with gas.

• Secure your home before evacuating.

• Trim trees and bushes.

Weak limbs are the main reasons

trees fall & become dangerous debris.

• Secure your roof, windows and doors against incoming water.

Examine your homeowners insurance

and see if you are covered

for flood damage.

• Turn off all electricity and other utilities.

Turn refrigerator and freezer settings

as cold as possible before turning off utilities, if power is lost perishables

will remain frozen.

• Store valuables and important documents in a waterproof container.

AFTER THE STORM • Return only when authorities say it’s safe.

• Check for downed power lines.

• Open windows and doors for ventilation, do not light candles indoors in case of chemical leaks.

• Take pictures for insurance claims.

HARD HITTING

HURRICANES The New England Hurricane of 1938 An astonishing 600 deaths, $308 million in damages at the time.

10- to 12-foot storm surge, Narragansett Bay one of the hardest hit areas.

Great Atlantic Hurricane of 1944 Nearly 50 deaths, made landfall at Point Judith as a category 3 hurricane.

Hurricanes Carol and Edna 1954 Carol brought floodwaters over 10 feet to downtown Providence, then two weeks later Edna followed a nearly identical path.

Almost 100 deaths resulted between the two storms.

Hurricane Donna 1960 Only hurricane to bring sustained winds over 100 mph from the Florida Keys all the way up the Eastern Seaboard through Block Island, where gusts over 115 mph were recorded.

Hurricane Bob 1991 Reached Rhody as a category 2 storm and caused nearly $10 billion in damage during its passage from North Carolina through New England. Western parts of the state gathered more than seven inches of rain, but coastal areas were spared and received less than two inches.

Hurricane Floyd 1999 Floyd will be remembered for its expansive flooding from North Carolina to New York. Rhode Island was spared by the weakened storm as it passed over, but the most recent system to come through the area serves as a reminder how close we are to the damaging storms terrorizing more southern states.

PrimeTime |

Autumn picks

29th Annual Apple Festival

Newport Mansions Wine and Food Festival

At Johnston Memorial Park , 1583 Hartford Avenue , Johnston, Rhode Island. Fun for Everyone! Saturday, September 17 & Sunday, September 18 from 10:00 am - 6:00 pm

Thursday, September 22 Sunday, September 25 Rosecliff, The Elms & Marble House, Newport, RI

The Apple Festival draws over 5,000 people over the weekend and fills Johnston Memorial Park with music, laughter and the scent of apple pies and great food.

Special Features include: Free Kids Zone Apple Pie Baking Competition with special judges: Chef Terranova, Cooking with Class Rich Paolo, owner of Pamfilio’s Jeff Francis, GM of Stop & Shop - Johnston Live Entertainment featuring: The Navy Band Northeast: Rhode Island Sound Steve Burke-Smooth Jazz-Sinatra to Santana and much more!

Free Parking is available at Johnston High School, with Complimentary Shuttle Service provided by our Shuttle Sponsor: The Children’s Workshop. Look for shuttle signs, the bus will be circling around. www. nrichamber.com

10 | PrimeTime

Celebrating its 11th year, the Newport Mansions Wine & Food Festival has been called “the best wine and food festival in the country,” and “the Rhode Island Festival that all others are judged against.” Featuring a gala cocktail party, two days of Grand Tastings, seminars, special wine dinners and much more, this exclusive weekend is held in one of the most spectacular settings in America. www. newportmansions.org

Apple Puff Omelet 2 large apples, peeled, cored, sliced 1/4 cup sweet butter or margarine 1/4 cup brown sugar 1 tsp. ground cinnamon 4 large eggs 1/4 cup sugar 1/4 tsp. cream of tartar 1 Tbsp. confectioners’ sugar (optional) Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Heat butter or margarine in a medium-size skillet and sauté the apples for 5 minutes over low heat. Mix together brown sugar and cinnamon.

Sprinkle over apples.

Toss and continue to sauté apples for about 10 minutes, until they caramelize. The mixture will be thick and syrupy. Spoon mixture into an 8X8-inch baking dish and keep hot in the oven.

Separate eggs. Whisk yolks and the granulated sugar in a small bowl until fairly thick.

In a large bowl, beat egg whites with cream of tartar until stiff and shiny. Fold into yolk mixture, a third at a time. Pour egg mixture over the apples and bake for 8-10 minutes.

The omelet will be puffed and golden. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with confectioners’ sugar. Serve immediately.

10th Annual Great Pumpkin Festival Get an

early start on pumpkin carving on September 17, an annual event being held at the North Smithfield High School at the Junction of Route 5 and Route 104. Local non-profit groups will be involved in the day and there will be family oriented entertainment and fun themed activities to participate in. visit www. greatpumpkinfestival.org for more information.

September 2016

apple orchards in the Ocean State Rocky Brook Orchard 997 Wapping Road Middletown, RI 02842 851-7989

Sunset Orchards 240 Gleaner Chapel Rd. North Scituate, RI 934-1900 Sweet Berry Farm 915 Mitchell’s Lane Middletown, RI 02842 847-3912 Young Family Farm 260 West Main Road Little Compton, RI, 02837 635-0110

Barden Family Orchard 56 Elmdale Road North Scituate, RI 02857 934-1413

Dame Farm & Orchards 94 Brown Avenue Johnston, RI 02919 949-3657 Harmony Farm 359 Sawmill Road Glocester, RI 02857 934-0741 Fraser Farm 135 Carrs Trail Greene, RI

Knight’s Farm 1 Snake Hill Road Glocester, RI 02857 949-7898 Round Top Orchard 706 Round Top Rd. Burrillville, RI 568-6157 Phantom Farms 2920 Diamond Hill Road Cumberland, RI 02864 333-2240 Pippin Apple Orchard 751 Pippin Orchard Road Cranston, RI 02921 943-7096 Old Stone Orchard 33 Colebrook Rd. Little Compton, RI 635-2663 Sunset Orchards 240 Gleaner Chapel Road North Scituate, RI 02857 934-1900 Narrow Lane Farm 213 Narrow Lane, North Kingstown, RI 294-3584 Schartner Farms 1 Arnold Place, Exeter, RI 02822 885-5510

Hill Orchard 86 Windsor Ave Johnston, RI 02919 949-2940 Jaswell Farm 50 Swan Road Smithfield, RI 02917 231-9043

Apple Cheddar Pizza with Toasted Pecans This recipe is perfect for an easy dessert or great snack!

1 (12 oz. can) refrigerated,

ready-made pizza dough Vegetable oil cooking spray 3 large apples, thinly sliced 1 cup apple juice 1 Tbsp. cornstarch 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon 2 Tbsp. honey 1/4 cup chopped toasted pecans 1 cup grated white cheddar cheese

September 2016

Pre-heat oven to 425 degrees. Lightly coat 14-inch pizza pan with cooking spray. Press dough into pizza pan. Cook apples in apple juice until tender.

Drain off juice and reserve. Place apple slices on dough. Dissolve cornstarch in apple juice, cinnamon, and honey. Cook over medium heat until clear. Spread sauce over apples. Sprinkle pecans on top. Top with cheese. Bake in a 425 degree oven for 15-20 minutes.

Servings: 8

Prep and cook time: 40 minutes

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Twin Rivers Hearing Health, Inc. Dr. Mary Kay, Board Certified Audiologist for over 30 years Knowledgeable. Compassionate. Patient and personable. Extremely thorough. Awesome and even, miraculous. These are all words that have been used in personal testimonies to describe Dr. Mary Kay Uchmanowicz, affectionately known as Dr. Mary Kay, of Twin Rivers Hearing Health, Inc. Dr. Mary Kay, a licensed, board certified audiologist, has garnished these words of praise after successfully treating patients for over thirty years.

Her practice, which opened in Smithfield in 2001 after moving from Providence, is a private audiological and hearing aid dispensing practice where she specializes in Dr. Mary Kay, an audiologist of over 30 years, the evaluation and treat- welcomes you to her busy practice in Smithment of hearing loss and field where she specializes in the evaluation and treatment of hearing loss and tinnitus. tinnitus.

Over the course of those three decades, Dr. Mary Kay has helped hundreds of men, women and children ~ from newborns to senior citizens ~ to resume a “normal” life of hearing. She has been welcomed into the lives of her patients and has let their hearing deficits become the focus of her entire career. Her passion is her work, and this dedication is returned to her tenfold in the personal experiences of her patients and in their expressions of gratitude, expressions such as “she has given me a better life” and “words cannot express the difference she has made in my life.”

Beyond her loyal patients here in Rhode Island, Dr. Mary Kay has also devoted years of her career to humanitarian work, including frequent trips to the Philippines.

She has been recognized for her efforts to collect and bring discarded hearing aids to the people of that country where underprivileged children and adults have been given a second chance of life in a hearing world.

In her busy practice, Twin Rivers Hearing Health, Dr. Mary Kay uses only the most advance technical equipment available on the market for the analysis of hearing problems and for the fitting of digital amplification. She is on the cutting edge of these advances, implementing hearing aid devices into her treatment plans such as those produced by the progressive company Oticon®. These groundbreaking devices lead the market in design, efficacy, capacity and performance. As the patient ages, they need only go to Dr. Mary Kay where she is able to adjust them to fit that patient’s specific needs.

In 2006, Dr. Mary Kay actually had the honor of receiving the prestigious Oticon® Focus on People Award. This award had particular significance and meaning to her because it was based on the votes of her audiology peers throughout the United States.

Dr. Mary Kay’s work, though broad-based, is perhaps best known for her success in treating patients who live with the often debilitating challenges of tinnitus. Tinnitus is the constant ringing in one’s ears that can be caused by aging, work-related exposure to noise, acoustic trauma, a medical condition, and more. It is Dr. Mary Kay’s commitment to treating a patient’s total hearing health, knowing that hearing loss impacts one’s psychological, social and emotional health ~ and even increases their long-term risk of developing dementia.

To contact this highly-recognized physician, call her office at 401-349-0456 or visit her website at www.twinrivershear.com. Twin Rivers Hearing Health is located at 151 Douglas Pike in Smithfield.

September 2016

technology

b y danielle zarrella

Google vs. The Golden Years

My grandparents are bigger than technology. They may not produce information and answers to inquiries as quickly as Google does, but they’ll eventually remember every detail to that anecdotal tale from their recent bus trip, with plenty of random minutiae to add some color and character to an otherwise simple story.

In the age of search engines and instant access to information, not many people take the time or effort to recall details. When this information is only a click away, who needs to remember anymore? In my opinion, this ability to obtain answers to fill in the gaps in our memories almost instantly has made us less reliant on our own mental capacity to recall details. Memory is like a muscle, if you don’t exercise it regularly, it can become weakened over time.

This is definitely not the case with my grandparents.

They will sit and tell a story in tandem, like couples do, and their recollection of specific details of events is beyond impressive. What’s more impressive is their ability to get so caught up on these tiny details that

they refuse to finish the story until they have absolute confirmation of, “what time did the bus drop us off for lunch?” “I think it was 1:00” “Now see, I thought it was 1:30 because I remember thinking that was pretty late for lunch.” Then ultimately, they’ll figure out that it was 1:00 based on in-depth analysis of the timing between each event from the day. Now of course, the time they were dropped off for lunch has no bearing on the actual point of the story which is, they missed the bus when it came back to pick them up and had to go through this whole ordeal and ended up having to take a cab to the next drop-off on the trip! Thank goodness they were able to figure out the lunch dropoff was at 1:00, because I don’t know if I would have been able to follow along with the rest of the story had I not known! (she says with playful sarcasm).

They hold every detail in every story to this same intense scrutiny. They must remember the exact year that an event took place and they will bicker back-andforth until, based on which family member was pregnant, or what other notable event occurred around the

same time, they have figured it out! “That’s around the time we went to Florida and Donna Lee was throwing up on the plane and Lor kept yelling at her to stop!”

You don’t get details about my mom’s motion sickness from Google; that’s bonus information only a story told by Grandma and Grandpa can provide.

Although I believe this technology is extremely helpful in many situations, I try not to rely on Google too heavily, particularly in instances when I’m trying to remember something that should be available through my own memory. What was that movie where Jason Alexander had a tail? My friends will start Googling and I’ll always assert “Don’t tell me! I’ll remember on my own!” It will often take longer than looking it up on my iPhone, but I’ll eventually blurt out “Shallow Hal!” and feel like an absolute champion of recall.

I’m hoping that by keeping my stubborn “I’ll remember it on my own!” attitude, I will someday be able to tell stories like my grandparents; full of random extraneous details and always entertaining.

lifestyles

b y L arry G rimaldi

What Ever Happened To 50 Years?

The first hint that five decades had floor boards showed the wear and tear passed came in a “Save the Date” e-mail of a few hundred thousand shoes (yes, heralding the 50th reunion of my 1966 shoes, not sneakers). The ancient stairClassical High School graduating class. ways clanked with each step.

What? Wasn’t it just last To underyear I went to the 40th stand a mem“Time passes over us, but reunion? A few weeks ory excursion leaves its shadow behind.” spanning 50 later, I was mystically -Nathaniel Hawthorne transported back to 1966 years, a frame listening to the smooth of reference is harmonies of the Beach required.

In Boys at their 50th anniversary concert. 1966, the closing Dow Jones average It was true. Fifty years had somehow was 785. The cost of a new sedan was elapsed. about $2,650 and you could fill it with September and Labor Day always gas at 32 cents a gallon. The median inushered in the start of a new school year come was $6,900 and you could buy a and 1966 was going to be something new house for $14,200. special. Graduation would bring freeMuch to the delight of teenage dom from the regimen of daily quizzes. boys, mini-skirts were in vogue. Indira Latin, Greek mythology woven through Gandhi was elected prime minister of the The Iliad and The Odyssey classics, India and Lyndon B. Johnson was the algebra (which I still do not understand), president of the United States, having chemistry, book reports, Hamlet, and been sworn in on Air Force One after Alan Poe’s Raven would become distant the assassination of John F. Kennedy in memories. There were dances, football Dallas, Texas in 1963. and Friday night basketball games for Hit movies included Doctor Zhivathe Purple, as we were known, to see go and the James Bond thriller Thunand be seen. College, the first taste of derball. The Monkees, Beatles, Rolling life away from home, and untold new Stones, and the Mamas and the Papas adventures loomed on the horizon. joined the Beach Boys in ruling the raIn 1966, Classical High School dio bands. Popular television shows inwas a gothic yellow (yes, yellow) brick cluded Bonanza, the Beverly Hillbillies, building situated just behind the cur- the Lucy Show, and Bewitched. The Ed rent school. The windows emitted Sullivan Show, where the Beatles were ghostly groans when they were pried introduced to America in February, open. The study hall was a cavernous 1964, was a Sunday evening tradition. auditorium that seemed to echo every The NFL Green Bay Packers whisper and magnify the sound of every trounced the AFL Kansas City Chiefs dropped pencil. The well worn wooden 35 to 10 in Super Bowl I, held in the September 2016

Los Angeles Coliseum. The Baltimore Orioles swept the Los Angeles Dodgers, who moved from Brooklyn in 1958, four games to none on the 1966 World Series. I think that made many jilted Brooklynites happy.

In 1966, the nation was in the midst of a political, cultural, and social revolution. The drums of protest against the Viet Nam War were rumbling ever louder by the day. The civil rights movement, punctuated by riots in many city streets and loud cries of injustice in the halls of Congress, lurched toward equality for African Americans. The Civil Rights and Voting Rights Acts, and Medicare were now the law of the land.

The button-down, conservative norms of corporate America were challenged by a younger generation of workers demanding careers that did not fit traditional employment models. Social mores were tossed around like beach balls in the wind. Centuries old religious dogmas and traditions were being questioned. It was the era of sex, drugs, and rock and roll. A Chinese proverb states, “May you live in interesting times.” The 1960s were more than interesting. They were a seismic shift American history.

Since my graduating from Classical, life, as the saying goes, has happened.

I graduated from URI in 1970. I have been married to Kathy, a remarkable woman, for almost 46 years. We have savored and appreciated the good times and weathered the challenging times together. We have traveled through Italy, Ireland, and the Caribbean. Since re-

tiring, we have shared a cross-country drive and a winter in Florida. With any luck, trips to France, Monaco, and Tahiti are in our future.

Our daughter, Kate and her husband, Ray live in North Providence with our 13-year old twin granddaughters Kailyn and Sophia (Kailyn always asks to be listed first because she is one minute older than Sophia), and six-year old Nicholas. Our son Matthew has lived and worked in Las Vegas for 13 years and Benjamin lives in Manhattan and works in New Jersey.

The lessons of preparation, solid study habits, and discipline learned at Classical High School have served me well in my life and career. After the daily demands of Classical academic requirements, college seemed much easier. The older I became, the more I appreciated the life lessons I learned at Classical.

When I read the announcement of my 50th high school reunion, I decided to not alter the images of my youth with the realities of senior citizenship. But the opportunity to see old classmates, wander the halls of Classical High and sit at its petrified wooden desks once again in virtual reality changed my mind. The reunion will connect past to the present, and lend new perspective to the future.

As I researched this column, I came across a quote by Marty Rubin observing, “Time does not pass, it continues.”

How true.

Larry Grimaldi is a retired freelance writer living in North Providence. Comments can be e-mailed to lgrimaldi@cox.net.

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September 2016

retirement sparks

senior

issues

b y elaine m . dec k er

Liberated by the iPhone The title of this column will make sense in a few minutes, but first you need some backstory. Lately when my husband, Jagdish, and I are driving long distances, we discuss recent happenings on the political front. We analyze which presidential candidate holds what views and what effect his or her policies will have.

On one of our trips during the presidential primaries we talked about the differences between the tax plans proposed by Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump. One cannot easily do this without touching on the 10% — 90% economic model.

Jagdish was searching for the word for the type of government where a small percentage of people have all the resources and the power over a large group of have-nots. I suggested that would be an oligarchy. He then came up with a plutocracy.

We wondered what the difference was between the two. I wasn’t certain, but I thought that plutocracy was a more

generic term for the rule of many by a small group. I believed oligarchy was more specifically the rule by a small group who controlled the bulk of the resources (money and land) of a large group who had virtually nothing. It turns out I had it backwards.

The way we figured this out is how this essay came about. Since I’m always the driver, Jagdish set about looking up the definitions of oligarchy and plutocracy on his iPhone. He quickly found the answer and clarified the two for me.

A proverbial light bulb lit up above my head.

In years past, when my husband asked what a certain word meant, here is what happened. About 80 percent of the time, I was able to answer his question with certainty. Fifteen percent of the time, I had a general idea of the meaning, but was a tad fuzzy around the edges. Five percent of the time, I was extremely unclear or totally clueless.

I’ve always maintained that if you can’t explain what a word means to

someone else, you don’t truly understand its meaning yourself. Having no clear definition in hand about twenty percent of the time left me feeling illinformed. Most who know my husband can probably see where this is going.

Jagdish would simply move on in his reading, feeling no less enlightened then when he first asked the question. I, on the other hand, would feel dumb as a post. Frustrated, more often than not I would get up, trek somewhere to find our Webster’s unabridged, and look up the exact meaning. If I were feeling particularly peevish, I wouldn’t tell him what I learned unless he pleaded to find out. Of course, that happened as often as when he went for the dictionary.

Which was practically never.

Which brings me back to the iPhone epiphany. I’d estimate that 95 percent of the time, my husband finds exactly what he’s looking for. This means I’m frustrated just 5 percent of the time, not 20. Not only does Jagdish look things up on his own, he types notes about

THAT’S ENTERTAINMENT

them into his phone. This is especially helpful to me when I’m driving.

Take this column, for instance. I asked him to key in a short version of our oligarchy/plutocracy conversation so I would remember to write about it in the future. And voila! Here I am doing it. It turns out I have been liberated by my husband’s iPhone. There is a god after all.

Copyright 2016 Business Theatre Unlimited Elaine M. Decker’s books—Retirement Sparks Redux, Retirement Sparks Again, Retirement Sparks and CANCER: A Coping Guide—are available at SPECTRUM-INDIA, on the East Side of Providence and on Amazon.com, including Kindle editions. One of her essays appears in the anthology: 70 Things To Do When You Turn 70. Contact her at: emdecker@ix.netcom.com.

lifestyles

by DON FOWLER

Theatre Scene Opens With Blockbuster Shows Providence Performing Arts Center Broadway sensation, “Wicked” returns to the Providence Performing Arts Center for 25 performances, September 21-October 8.

We’ve seen the show before and put it on our list of all-time Broadway musical favorites.

The “untold story of the witches of Oz” takes a look at what happened in the land of Oz which is quite different from the original story that we saw at Theatre-by-the-Sea this summer.

It’s a fun story with good music and some “magical” special effects.

Call 421-ARTS for reservations.

September 2016

Ocean State Theatre Company

OSTC’s Fifth Season opens with a RI premiere of one of the best musicals I have ever seen, the Tony Award-winning “Billy Elliot The Musical”.

Set in an English mining town during the 1984/’85 miners’ strike, “Billy Elliot” is the inspirational story of a young boy’s struggle against all odds to make his dreams come true. His father wants him to take boxing lessons, but he ends up at a ballet class with all girls, and you can imagine the reaction from Dad and co-workers.

The score is by Elton John. The story is uplifting. And, hopefully, you will see some of the best dancing ever. Many of the young men who have played Billy in London and New York have had incredible talent, playing the role until they outgrew it.

At Ocean State Theatre September 28-October 23. Call 921-6800 for reservations.

Sandra Feinstein Gamm Theatre

Artistic Director Tony Estrella opens Gamm’s 2016-2017 season with Tom Stoppard’s “Arcadia”, considered by many to be one of the greatest plays of the last 50 years.

Tony calls it “A captivating, comedic cocktail of literary sleuthing, romantic entanglements, and scientific discoveries”.

Set in the British countryside, poets, tutors, historians and lovers roam the halls some 200 years apart, trying to solve their particular mystery.

“Arcadia” is the offering for September through early October. Call 723-4266 for reservation.

2nd Story Theatre

Artistic Director Ed Shea continues his selection of summer comedies into the fall with Charles Morey’s outrageous adaptation of a classic Feydeau farce, “The Ladies Man”.

It is about a doctor who tells his much younger wife a little white lie to cover up for an innocent but embarrassing indiscretion, leading to mass confusion and hilarity.

“The Ladies Man” will be at the Warren theatre September 23-October 16.Call 247-4200 for reservations.

PrimeTime | 15

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b y alexandra g o nzalez

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In recent years, the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community has made tremendous strides toward equality. Just last year, the U.S. Supreme court ruled in favor of same sex marriage. Often in the forefront of positive change, Rhode Island approved health insurance coverage for transgender state workers seeking transitionrelated services. Social acceptance and equality for LGBT people is becoming increasingly common thereby encouraging more individuals to live their lives authentically. The increased visibility of LGBT people has increased awareness of the unique needs of this group that are not being met.

This is especially true for the aging LGBT population. According to the National Research Center on LGBT Aging, “The numbers of LGBT older adults are expected to double in size over the next several decades, reaching more than 3 million by 2030. This means that aging service providers will increasingly be called on to provide services that meet the unique need of LGBT older adults”.

Individuals who are unfamiliar with the LGBT community may assume the fight for equality starts and ends with the right to marriage. In fact, the aging LGBT community lacks comprehensive health care and other critical social support services. Many of the folks in this population suffer from the fear and anxiety of being discriminated against for much of their lives. They grew up in a time when being LGBT meant being a social pariah and facing the likely possibility of being rejected by family, excluded from social and religious groups, fired, expelled from school, involuntari-

ly hospitalized and/or incarcerated. It is not unusual for today’s LGBT elders to choose to go back into the closet for fear of discrimination. They may also withhold information regarding their sexual orientation or gender identity from healthcare professionals for fear of mistreatment. The elder LGBT population also has an increased risk of mental illness due to excessive isolation.

Fortunately, there are several agencies and programs in Rhode Island committed to improving this situation.

Under the auspices of the Lieutenant Governor’s office, the Long Term Care Coordinating Council (LTCCC) created the LGBT Elder Care Committee several years ago. Over the last two years, the committee has collaborated with providers, community partners, policy makers and LGBT elders to develop a Strategic State Plan to improve quality of care and life for Rhode Island’s older LGBT residents. The strategic state plan consists of four main goals: 1. Engage/empower LGBT individuals and allies 2. Connect community resources 3. Mobilize health care and long term care delivery 4. Create housing options The LTCCC LGBT Elder Committee has been working diligently to improve the quality of life of LGBT seniors and older adults.

We expect to make more progress towards our strategic goals this year and encourage all readers to stay tuned for future updates. If you are interested in more information regarding the LTCCC LGBT Committee you can email us at info@sage-ri.org or call 401-443-4451.

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September 2016

wHAT DO YOU FINK?

by MIKE FINK

September Song I believe the melody was from Paris, but the lyrics were local. Walter Huston, a senior citizen in the prime time of his distinguished career within a fine artistic family, rose to the top of the Hit Parade with his English language version of “September Song.” Even without “google,” I’m sure many among you may recall a few phrases from that ode or hymn to the passing seasons of the year and the lifetime.

“The days dwindle down...to a precious few: these vintage days, I’ll spend with you.” Something like that. Jimmy Durante also gave it a whirl, in his coat and hat, at the upright piano. The words change slightly with each performer. In the French ballad, to the same tune, Edith Piaf mourned the passing of love. “We were together, you and me...but life separates those who love, and the tides wash away the footsteps from the sands of time.”

So I guess September, the 7th month, the 9th month, is both merry and melancholy, nostalgic and yet also hopeful. The song sometimes goes: “September, November” to include the prelude to winter. I wore a black ribbon, on my hat and also my lapel, a sign of mourning. Summer, for me, has often included sacred candles of memory. My son brought his fiancée to our summer retreat to celebrate their engagement, and prepare for the forthcoming wedding next July. So, somewhat like January, September looks backward and yet also forward as well.

I took a solitary stroll, and swim, just after dawn along the Town Beach. A single sanderling--or was it a piping plover?--kept me company, and I talked softly and gently to it. It SEEMED to be joining me and even listening as it hopped and flew and actually re-appeared after my dip into the slight surf. These little quiet moments seem to suit the fading light of the last weeks of sweet summertime. My generation really took in the messages hidden among the verse in the old songs of our youthful times. The September song taught us the lesson that there is value and vintage

senior

issues

CMS Visit to Rhode Island Highlights Elmwood Health Center’s Quality Initiatives Since 2014, Elmwood Health Center has lowered its hospital readmission rate within 30 days of discharge from the hospital from 22 to 11 percent, a figure below both the state and national averages. And that’s just one of the reasons Dr. Kate Goodrich stopped by for a tour recently. Dr. Goodrich is the Director of the Center for Clinical Standards and Quality at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid’s Central Office in Baltimore, Maryland.

Dr. Goodrich’s stop at Elmwood was part of a visit to the New England regional CMS office in Boston, where she met with the team at Healthcentric Advisors, a contractor for the six New England states for the Medicare Quality Innovation Network-Quality Improvement Organization (QIN-QIO).

Prior to arriving, she expressed a desire to tour a center that has successfully improved the experience, quality care and outcomes of residents to see best practices in action, and Healthcentric officials suggested Elmwood.

“The biggest factors in Elmwood’s success have been its leadership, dedication to quality, ability to think outside the box, effective quality improvement programs and eagerness to continually look for ways to improve,” said Nelia Odom, Senior Program Coordinator at Healthcentric Advisors.

September 2016

Elmwood is located on Elmwood Avenue in Providence, one of the state’s few urban centers, and its residents reflect the different cultures and walks of life in the area. But while it may serve a diverse patient population, the staff is united in its goal: to provide top quality care to its community.

Reduced readmissions is one of the most direct measures of how Elmwood has improved its care delivery. To lower hospital readmissions, Elmwood staff now provide educational materials in residents’ native languages, involve caregivers in their care, and follow-up with residents for a month with regular calls.

In addition to decreasing readmissions, Elmwood has been excelling in other quality measures as well. To lower the number of falls, for example, it instituted several new policies. Examples include nursing staff updates on care plans with information related to the cause of a fall to prevent recurrences, such as indicating that a nightgown should be placed within reach of a patient who fell at night in an attempt to change from a johnny into a nightgown. The center uses LED hug lights between midnight and 6 a.m., which has eliminated falls during those hours since installation.

These simple remedies have reduced falls drastically.

Elmwood also implemented a Te a m S T E P P S program focused on resident safety. The center is currently on the third out of seven modules in the improvement initiative and has already seen changes as a result.

“Every employee wears a pin that says, ‘If you see something, say some- CMS Doctors Goodrich and Kussmaul (bottom middle thing,’ but this and right) join Elmwood Health Center Administrator program really Karen Morin (bottom left) along with other Elmwood puts action be- employees and guests from Healthcentric Advisors. hind those words by encouraging everyone at Elmwood, including residents, to speak up “You have to keep raising the bar,” about safety concerns,” said Bryan Lab- said Beauchemin, who added that Elmrie, maintenance director at Elmwood. wood is currently kicking off a mentorTo Heather Beauchemin, RN, DNS, ing program to help retain top employthe keys to Elmwood’s success are com- ees. munication, teamwork and, in particular, staff who want to make a difference.

PrimeTime | 17

eye on design

professional perspective

b y michelle lee parentea u owner

-

michelle lee designs

Office Renovation Kirschenbaum and Kirschenbaum was a law office that needed a major renovation. To create a more transitional feel a custom color palette was designed for designated areas.

A new layout for the reception area consisted of new carpeting, a custom built reception desk, more efficient lighting, new artwork and a new decorative drop ceiling. Each office at Kirschenbaum and Kirschenbaum has its own individual feel. To transform one of the offices from contemporary to traditional, new furniture was brought in, crown molding added to the ceilings, along with molding around the windows, and a new drop ceiling. A new carpet and updated artwork was hung on the newly painted walls, using a traditional color palette.

Photo Credit: Kimberlee Photography

Photo Credit: Kimberlee Photography

Westbay Café…More than a Meal

refined, gracious and elegant assisted living at

Making a luncheon reservation at our eight Westbay Cafes is as easy as 1, 2, 3!

Special september Meals September 22 – Good Bye Summer!

Fresh Fruit Cup, BBQ Baby Back Ribs, Roasted Corn & Black Bean salad, Corn Bread, Pudding Spa Option: Chicken Salad on Wheat

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a ssisT ed l i v i ng

Please call 401-767-2574 to schedule your personal tour.

400 Mendon Road, No. Smithfield, Rhode Island 02896

September 27 – Birthday Party!

Lentil Soup, Stuffed Chicken Breast & Gravy, Roasted Potatoes, Broccoli & Cauliflower & Multi Grain Bread Cupcakes Spa Option: Seafood Salad on Wheat Our caterer provides the following three options (two each day) for your meal • Hearty Traditional Meal – Appetizer, Main Entrée with sides (potato, vegetables) • Pub Option – Delicious Sandwich • Spa Option – Lighter, healthy option for those on the go All luncheons include an appetizer, bread, dessert and coffee or tea

For more information, please call patty martucci, Assistant Director of Senior nutrition program

401-732-4666 ext. 142

ME M B E R SA I N T A N TOI N E C OM M U N I T Y

Offering daily mass and rosary.

A health care ministry of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence.

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Senior CenterS Charlestown 401-364-9955 East Greenwich 401-886-8638 Jamestown 401-423-2658 The Center–S. Kingstown 401-789-0268 West Warwick 401-822-4450 Westerly 401-596-2404 Senior ApArtmentS (you do not have to be a resident) Park View-Westerly 401-596-4918 Shalom Apartments 401-737-0180

We invite seniors age 60 and older and individuals with disabilities to join us at these Cafes for a nutritious lunch. The suggested donation is $3/person. Reservations are necessary and should be made by Thursday for the following week.

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primetime rhode island

September 2016

elderly Housing Must be 62 years of age or older. Rents are based on 30% of adjusted household income.

FEATURES INclUdEd in your rent: Heat, Hot Water, Appliances, Elevators, Emergency Pull Cords, Laundry Facilities, Parking, Intercom, 24-Hour Emergency Maintenance Service, Cable Ready Apartments, Community Room equipped with Computer, Out Door Patio and Furniture, Flower Gardens, On-Site Management

AdelAnte Apts.

Providence, RI AllegriA Court Johnston, RI lACAsA Apts.

S. Kingstown, RI

• ApArtments AvAilAble •

plAzA esperAnzA Apts.

West Warwick, RI sAugAtuCket springs Hopkinton, RI

ImmedIate CrematIon ServICe

$1,290.00

• ApArtments AvAilAble •

Wildberry Apts.

West Warwick, RI rodMAn CoMMons South Kingstown, RI • ApArtments AvAilAble •

This service includes: Collation of information, one person transfer of remains to funeral home, use of facilities for mandatory waiting period, preparation of remains (not embalming), cremation container, transfer of remains to crematory, securing death certificate and filing of certificate with appropriate town or city, and crematory fee.

HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES CORPORATION 861A Broad Street Providence, RI FEATURES NoT included in your rent:

Electric Lights, Monthly Cable & Phone

401-941-2900 www.wdchoc.org

! o p x E e h t s e v o L e n o y r Eve

Route 44 • Greenville Common Greenville, RI (401) 949-0180 andersonwinfield.net

!

E T A D E H T R6

E E B V O T SA RSDAY, OC ALL THU

M K C I W R A W

exhibitors WANTED

TH

PRIMETIME RHODE ISLAND

Exhibitors . . . make your plans now for the Fall Senior Living Expo!

For registration information contact Lisa Bronstein – American Health Resources, Inc. 508-588-7700 or e-mail lisab@ahrevents.com

September 2016

PrimeTime | 19

business professionals and

Service directory

pet grooming

Seniors Love their Pets!

laboratory services

dermatology

The Professional Directory for Professional Results!

Call

401-732-3100 for details

Professional, courteous dermatological care in three convenient RI offices.

Call 401-732-3100 to advertise

real estate

medical professionals

Is the thought of selling your home overwhelming?

Please allow me to assist

Mature Matters

senior real estate speCialists

Call for your FREE CONSULTATION

Call Donna DeLauro 401-486-6044 To Develop Your Personalized Plan

Each office is independently owned and operated.

www.maturemattersrealestate.com

To Advertise, call 401-732-3100 for details

Products & Services Designed to Make Your Life Easier Call 401-732-3100 to learn more about advertising 20 | PrimeTime

September 2016