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RHODE ISLAND

F E B R UARY 2 0 19

Winter Safety Tips Avoiding Winter Isolation The Ultimate Comfort Food

WINTER CAR CARE

MOVE IN SPECIAL HAPPENING NOW! Move in during the Winter Season and lock in 2018 rates for all of 2019! Call for our other specials.

What They Don’t Tell You About Assisted Living

The food isn’t home cooked. It’s better.

At Scandinavian Assisted Living, we will satisfy even the choosiest diner. Our executive chef is highly skilled in preparing healthy fare, so that our residents’ meals are not only nutritionally complete, they are also as tasty and varied as you will find in the best restaurants in Rhode Island. We’re not kidding. Join us for lunch or dinner and try out the best food you never had cooked at home.

Experience Scandinavian Assisted Living

ASSISTED LIVING 50 Warwick Ave Cranston, RI 02905 info@ScandinavianCommunities.org

401-461-1444

www.ScandinavianCommunities.org

The Rehab Center at Saint Elizabeth Manor

Plan ahead for your rehab stay. Call 401.253.2300 n Large rehab gym with state of the art equipment n Spacious patient rooms with private bathrooms n Exceptional therapists, nurses and aides

Take a virtual tour at: www.stelizabethcommunity.org One Dawn Hill Road, Bristol, RI Member Saint Elizabeth Community A CareLink Partner and non-profit, nonsectarian 501(c)(3) charitable organization

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December January 2018 2019

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INTHISISSUE

February 2019 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

keeping safe and sound this winter 5

MARKETING DIRECTOR Donna Zarrella donnaz@rhodybeat.com EDITOR / CREATIVE Linda Nadeau lindan@rhodybeat.com WRITERS / CONTRIBUTORS Ethan Hartley, Don Fowler, Karen Kalunian, Larry Grimaldi, Elaine M. Decker, Joan Kwiatkowsk, Justin Oakley, Eric Creamer PRODUCTION Lisa Bourque Yuettner Brian Geary ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVES Donna Zarrella – donnaz@rhodybeat.com Bob Giberti, Lisa Mardenli, Melissa Miller, Cheryl Petrarca, Janice Torilli, Suzanne Wendoloski

The Doctor is In

SENIOR ISSUES

Taking care of your car during the winter month

Retirement Sparks ...............................7

LIFESTYLES

Larry Grimaldi .......................................4 Mike Fink ................................................4 Animal Talk.............................................7 Events ......................................................6

Love from the kitchen

Chocolate Raspberry Mouse Pie!

7 8

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE Sue Howarth – sueh@rhodybeat.com A Joint Publication of East Side Monthly and Beacon Communications. PrimeTime Magazine is published monthly and is available at over 150 locations throughout the Greater Providence and West Bay areas of Rhode Island. Letters to the editor are welcome. We will not print unsigned letters unless exceptional circumstances can be shown.

Meatloaf around RI

The ultimate comfort food

Isolation

A danger for older folks during the winter months Like

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Alzheimers Tips

Tips to help caregivers get through the winter

Home Safety

Tips from the experts to keep your home safe this winter

PRIMETIME RHODE ISLAND

where you’ll find us CHEPACHET Chepachet Library, Dino’s Market COVENTRY Coventry Sr. Center, Coventry Library, Pawtuxet Valley Urgent Care, Jerry’s Market CRANSTON Dave’s Market, YMCA, Peoples Liquor Warehouse, Cranston Sr. Center, Cranston Public Library (Cranston St), Pontiac Laundry, Price Rite, Scandivavian Retirement Home, Athenian Deli, RI Dept. of Elderly Affairs, Shore’s Market, Garden City Library, Oaklawn Library, Dental Design Solutions, Cedar Crest Subacute and Rehab EAST GREENWICH Dave’s Market, Atria Harborhill, St. Elizabeth Home, The Seasons, Pal’s Restaurant, Harborside, First Baptist Church Meeting House, East Greenwich Library GREENVILLE Dave’s Market, Smithfield Library , Greenville Library, Cortland Place, Harmony Library, Gloucester Meal Site, Gloucester Senior Center, Smithfield Senior Center HOPE VALLEY West’s Bakery JOHNSTON Market Liquors, Aime J. Forand Sr. Center, Johnston Sr. Center, Knight’s Liquor Warehouse, Briarcliffe Manor, Bridge at Cherry Hill. Cherry Hill Manor, Mohr Memorial Library, Johnston Sr. Center

January 2019

NORTH KINGSTOWN Dave’s Market (Quonset), Dave’s Market, YMCA, North Kingstown Sr. Center, South County Nursing & Rehab, Heffies, North Kingstown Library , Felicia’s, Oatley’s Restaurant, Allies Donuts, Beacon Dine NORTH PROVIDENCE Mt. Pleasant Library, R & W Real Estate, Lasalle Bakery, Douglas Liquors (Smith St.), Fruit Hill Sr. Day Care, Golden Crest Nursing Center, Douglas Liquors (Mineral Spring Ave.), Davinci Center, North Providence Library, Mancini Sr. Center, Just My Style Hair Salon, Clark St. Senior Center, Chalkstone Ave. Senior Center NORTH SCITUATE Brigido’s IGA Market, North Scituate Library, North Scituate Senior Center NORTH SMITHFIELD Rehabilitation Hospital of RI, Brigido’s IGA Market PASCOAG Brigido’s IGA Market, Pascoag Library PROVIDENCE Angelos, St. Joseph’s Living Center, Caserta Pizza, Westminster Place, Steere House, Kilmartin Place, Westminster Sr. Center, Providence Public Library, East Side Market, 729 Hope St., Avalon at Center Place, Miriam Hospital, RI Eye Institute, Rosewood Manor, Medway Place, Blackston Blvd. Laundromat, Tockwotten Home, Charlesgate East, YMCA, Jewish

Community Center, Hamilton House, Wingate Assisted Living, Richmond Square, Grace Church Apartments, St. Martin’s Senior Center, Comp. Adult Day CareWaterman, RI Hearing Services, A Caring Experience, Windsor Court, Hillside Health Center, Highland Court, Rochambeau Library, Bannister Care Center, WSBE RI PBS, Berkshire Place,Price Rite, Homestar Mortgage SMITHFIELD Dave’s Market, Hebert Nursing Home, Ferland Property Management, Douglas Liquors WARWICK Dave’s Market - Hoxsie, Dave’s Market - West Shore Rd., Shalom Apartments, The Point, Brentwood Nursing Home, Peoples Liquor Warehouse, Tamarisk, Greenwich Village Apartments, Sparrows Point 1, Sparrows Point 2, Greenwich Farms, YMCA, Royal Crest Apartments, Coffee Grinder, Walt’s Roast Beef, Bagel Factory, Kent Hospital, Kent Regency, Paula’s Place, Price Rite, Pontiac Library, Cranberry Pond, Pilgrim Senior Center, Montecalvo’s Market, Marty’s Liquor, Don’s Pizza, Warwick Library, Haxton’s Liquors, Islander Restaurant, DP’s Laundry, West Shore Health Center, The Inn WEST WARWICK Cowesett Inn, D’Angelis Manor 2, D’Angelis Manor 1, West Warwick Sr. Center, West View Health Care Center

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Looking to promote your products or services to a growing group of Baby Boomers and senior citizens? Look no further than PrimeTime Magazine, where you can advertise alongside informative features on topics that range from finance to health to retirement communities and beyond. PrimeTime | 3

WHAT DO YOU FINK?

LIFESTYLES

by MIKE FINK

Celebrating Presidents and Their Day I’ve lived through many American presidents: Born in the apparently endless era of FDR, in his wheelchair (yes, we knew about that) he stood, symbolically, for the “handicapped” here at home and all over the world. A great symbol. His excellent wife Eleanor was hard of hearing but listened and watched the sufferings of their world beyond Campobello. For me as a boy, he was a reassuring metaphor, a kind of national grandfather, of continuity across the continent. Harry Truman was a plain person with a plain wife, Bess, and a plain non-White House in Key West, a walker around the block who could swear and drink and pose with Lauren Bacall. He won not by an FDR landslide but with a bare edge over his Republican rival, (Tom Dewey), just like me in junior high school, elected president in the same year, 1948 and by, as I recall, a single vote! (over Brian McKee). I actually met Harry Truman in downtown Providence and wrote about it in the Bishop Bugle, or was it the Hope Log? I forget which school mimeographed weekly it was. I met him again in stone in Athens, the renowned statue “standing” on a street corner in the grateful Greek capital thanking him for the postwar help he sponsored. Moving right along, although in those days I was, in my imagination, a “liberal,” and therefore a fan of Adlai Stevenson, I accepted the victory of DDE, General Dwight D. Eisenhower, in recognition of the Victory of the Allies under his leadership. Nevertheless I was living in Paris as a college junior and could not yet cast a ballot. (There was, weirdly, a large poster

of his famous smile, but the teeth were electric chairs for the fate of the Rosenbergs, (Ethel and Julius) executed for treason during his term in Washington. Paris found a disturbing and distressing irony in this controversial cold war trial and guilty verdict. Now the Kennedys also met my mixed “review” because I was suspicious of their good looks, their “model” youth, suggestive of the promise of the eternal fountain of American youth. But since their wealth stood for the privileges of aggressive legacies, I stood apart from the public enthusiasm....until, of course, for their tragic destiny. Along came Richard Nixon, and Rhode Island School of Design produced satiric cartoons about him and smiling wife Pat, until one day in class a Spanishspeaking student rose to his feet to defend his dignity. “He saved my family and brought us here and made us American!” he declared with loyalty and pride. That shut me up and taught me a lesson in balance and in fair judgment for Presidents’ month. Every leader must make foes as well as friends, and each person who goes to the polls to turn a knob or write in must hesitate and ponder...? I did genuinely like Gerald Ford, I don’t quite know why. He just seemed like a dependable and somehow since person without grandiose ambitions or visions. I respected that for whatever reasons in my soul or mind. I disagreed with my brother who was happy despite the waiting at the gas stations with Jimmy Carter. The Yale snob in me didn’t like that jeans-wearing pseudo-

simple garb and general style. Can’t quite articulate why but I didn’t trust it...and still don’t. I guess I was moving step by step away from my “liberal” youth toward a more “conservative” maturity. All those terms are questionable, as are all my personal qualities, I suppose. Okay: along came Ronald Reagan, and those blue velvet throne-like chairs he and Nancy perched upon, but I admit I celebrated Hollywood and its innate patriotism along with the Reagans...up to a point at least. Like the motto of dear little Rhode Island, he smiled with “Hope” as his slogan like that of the movie industry of yore. Now the Clintons evoke a particular memory in me. Seems that I was mistaken for the architect who had designed a museum in D.C. and with a briefcase in my hand was ushered into a private chamber and offered a glass of champagne and a handshake with the President Bill himself....that is, until an aide whispered in his ear and I was instantly guided outdoors along with my threatening portfolio. Quite an innocent adventure but a memorable imprint just the same. The Bushes got me in a bit of trouble. I wrote a column in which I had kind and respectful things to say about the second George, which displeased my overwhelmingly Democratic readers here in R.I. with one notable exception. A lady artist whom I will not embarrass by naming mailed me a very intelligent and eloquent positive commentary for my taking an unexpected turn and twist and paying a deserved compliment against the tide of the time and place.

by LARRY GRIMALDI

I could never quite get over the “God Damn America” church rant, in the Obama term of office, having listened in grammar school days to so many desperate recitals of “God BLESS America” in the days when the promise of the Statue of Liberty meant that we were at the very least a safe place to dream and to build a life based upon the promise of freedom in some form. Words to that effect, written by immigrant lyricists like, most famously, Irving Berlin, of course. I am used to a degree of simple loyalty and patriotism. For so many reasons! My mother had a Rumanian birth certificate and my father was born in London. I was therefore in a way a new American, grateful to be here alive and in public schools! Now we have a Presidents’ day that avoids a spotlight on Lincoln and Washington, the two most celebrated figures in our nation’s capital and prefers to toast the office itself. And yet, here at our shores at least, our current president is perhaps the most ambivalent personality I have encountered in newspaper coverage or rather television exposure. So I can earnestly dedicate this memoir to the “hope” that we may recover our respect for divided opinions and our courtesy in listening as politely as possible to those people and issues we disagree with, however enthusiastically. My little humble homily about best wishes to the powerful but with high esteem and regard for the little people of our world, their needs and desires, their work and words, their beliefs and their contributions to our shared community.

LIFESTYLES

A Fourty-Five Foot Heave Into Rhode Island Basketball History

t wasn’t quite David and Goliath, or the Rhode Island version of the Hickory Huskers in the film “Hoosiers,” but it was a layup. The inspiration for this column flashed across my mind as I watched the Providence College Friars battle the Texas Longhorns in Austin. Did the Ocean State’s fanatic fascination with the Friars really begin more than 60 years ago? How did a school with an undergraduate enrollment of approximately 4,000 arrive at this moment, taking the court against the University of Texas, with undergraduate population of more than 40,000? Many Friar loyal rooters are unaware how the PC basketball mania began. The phenomenon traces its roots to a sudden jolt of good fortune on a winter night

4 | PrimeTime

long ago. Construction of Alumni Hall, the 3,000 seat on-campus home of PC from 1956 to 1972, was completed in 1955. Providence College invited the mighty University of Notre Dame to help christen its new home on February 14, 1956. The game ended in an improbable 85 to 83 overtime Friar victory that evening. But the real story was the Herculean 45-foot winning heave to the basket by Gordie Holmes as time expired. It’s a sure bet that neither Holmes, PC coach Joe Mullaney, nor the fans in attendance that night knew they were witnessing the birth of a magical six decade run that has thrilled countless Rhode Island college basketball fans. In 1965, I sat in the crowded, cozy confines of Alumni Hall and watched

Friar basketball wizard Jimmy spin, swirl, dribble, and shoot his way around, through, and over bewildered Duquesne University defenders. That was the only game I saw in the Alumni Hall setting, but I listened to many Friar basketball games on my small transistor radio. The late Chris Clark broadcast the action so vividly that you could almost see the Friars pulling out those last minute victories. As college basketball fans in these parts know, the Friars won prestigious National Invitation Tournament titles in 1961 and 1963 (before March Madness became a media frenzy), and made Final Four appearances in 1973 and 1987. In 1961, fans lined up starting at the Connecticut border to cheer the team on its

bus ride back to the PC campus. For many years, Head Coach Joe sported license plates NIT 61 and NIT 63. Mullaney’s basketball journey and his innovative strategies eventually landed him a job as head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers. Mullaney ended his coaching career with a second stint as the Friar mentor. Over the years, the Friars have rewarded their fans’ loyalty with many lasting memories. My favorites are the Blizzard of 1978 triumph over North Carolina, 1979 double overtime victory against then number one Michigan and the 1997 win over Duke. In 1979, Providence College became ■ BASKETBALL – PAGE 10

January 2019

by ETHAN HARTLEY

r ca

r o t c Do THE

! N I IS

he magic of the holidays has come and gone once again, leaving Rhode Islanders with another brutal stretch of winter to endure while counting down the days until the beach beckons and monthly heating bills become less terrifying. It is no profound statement to say that we, as a society, take many of our modern comforts for granted - like the aforementioned round-the-clock heat that we enjoy in our homes when it gets cold outside. However, perhaps the most important thing we take for granted daily despite its crucial importance to our lives is our automobiles. As the thermometers plunge, we’re not the only ones who suffer from the effects of the cold. Our cars, despite all their modern advances, require a little extra love during the winter months to keep them operating as efficiently as they do during the warm months. Fortunately, AAA’s “Car Doctor,” John Paul, a longtime certified car mechanic and now senior manager of public affairs, has the prescription to keep your vehicle happy and healthy throughout the bitter cold of a New England winter. According to Paul, good vehicle maintenance starts with fluids. This includes ensuring your engine has a good half-and-half mix of clean new antifreeze and water, which will ensure your engine stays protected up to -34 degrees. Engine oil must be changed as recommended or else it will get sludgy and harm the engine. Paul recommends synthetic oil for the winter, as it allows for better startups and lubrication in colder temperatures than conventional oil. Although it is often an afterthought, Paul emphasized that windshield washer fluid should be topped off, as we use a lot more washer fluid to rid our windshields of salt spray than other months. While there are specific wiper blades designed for winter weather, Paul said that as long as they are relatively new, you shouldn’t need to drop any extra cash for these accessories. “Anybody can do this, or any garage can do that for you,” Paul said of checking vital fluids. “Every owner’s manual tells you how to check the fluid levels in your car.” January 2019

READY FOR WINTER

car care

While fluids are important to maintain the health of your vehicle over time, they won’t often leave you stranded on the side of a snowy road like this next item might. “A good battery is important for cold weather,” Paul said. “Batteries suffer most wear and tear in the summer time, but they show their weaknesses in the winter time.” Paul said that vehicles need about 30 percent more of the battery’s capacity to turn the engine over when the temperature is below freezing, and if a battery is in bad condition, this will lead to cars not starting and potentially becoming stuck. He said that, according to AAA data, they respond to more dead battery calls than any other call during the winter time. Further, he reports the life of a battery in the Northeast is a little under five years. “If you have a five-year-old car or five-year-old battery, you’re probably living on a little bit of borrowed time,” he said, adding that in rare cases batteries can expire in as little as two or three years. Another overlooked aspect of our cars also happen to be perhaps the most important, especially in bad weather. “You can have a great battery, be all tuned up, have your fluids in good shape, but if you have lousy tires on your car, you’re not going to get anywhere,” Paul said. Paul broke down two common types of tires. Most vehicles have “all season” tires, which he equated to all-around tires that aren’t particularly spectacular in any one area. “It does okay in whatever weather,” he said, but he mentioned that these common tires can become “rubber hockey pucks” when the weather goes below 45 degrees, making them less responsive with less traction in cold temperatures. Paul recommended getting four dedicated snow tires (also called winter tires), which are made with rubber designed to maintain its structural integrity in the coldest weather, which will lead to better handling, traction and lessening the likelihood of skidding should you need to suddenly stop. He dispelled a common myth that you only need to replace the front set of tires with winter tires if you have a front-wheel drive vehicle.

“The old rule of putting two winter tires only applied when most cars were rear-wheel drive and didn’t have anti-lock brakes,” he said. “You want to have the tires be as uniform as possible…having four tires that perform equally are going to give you the best stopping and handling traction.” Another myth that gets touted once the cold sets in usually come from car washes or dealerships that offer special “pre-weathering” treatments which will supposedly help prevent corrosion that could result from the salt/water mixture that coats the underneath of our vehicles after driving on snow-treated roads. “I’m cheap,” Paul said flatly. “I tend to not go for the deluxe package with everything, because I’m just too cheap to do that. “I prefer to wash my own car with a hose and bucket of soapy water.” Paul said by rinsing your car of the salt/water mix, you should prevent most corrosion, though some small metallic nooks and crannies might be hard to get without really putting some effort into it. He also said it was important to wipe down your car door joints and seals with a dry cloth after spraying to ensure you don’t wind up iced outside of your vehicle the next morning. However, in terms of preparation, Paul hearkens back to the Boy Scouts for a most important piece of advice that is only to be forgotten at the risk of your very life. “You always have to hope for the best and plan for the worst,” he said, adding that there are two kinds of people in the world - those who have to wait for someone with jumper cables to rescue them from a dead battery, and those people who have jumper cables or a jump pack. Paul said any winter motorist should have some basic necessities in the car, including a spare tire (make sure the spare is in good condition and not a rusted out, flat tire as old as the car), a lug wrench and jack, a small air compressor, jumper cables or a jump pack, gloves and a warm hat, a warm coat or a blanket, a flashlight with fresh batteries, a snow brush and even some snacks and water. “If you’re old enough to remember any of the big snowstorms where people were stuck in their cars for

■ CAR – PAGE 10

PrimeTime | 5

FEBRUARY

❆

❅

& community notes

Atria Dark Chocolate Dessert East Greenwich Senior Services – Dark chocolate can help stave off Alzheimer’s. Join Atria Harborhill’s resident chef for a delicious dark chocolate dessert while listening to Laurie Mantz discuss how to gather resources and gain support for individuals with all forms of memory loss. February 12th @ 12:30. Reservations required by February 6th. Why not join us for lunch that day? Contact Charlotte @ 886-8669 ext. 1. 121 Peirce St, East Greenwich

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Free Income Tax Help From AARP – West Warwick Public Library, 1043 Main Street, West Warwick will host the AARP Foundation Tax-Aide program. Certified volunteer Tax Counselors will be on hand to prepare & electronically file Federal & State Tax Returns. Free, apppointment required. Call 828-3750, Ext 1. Coventry Public Library Homebound Services The Library Homebound Service is a program for Coventry residents who have a temporary or permanent physical impairment that prevents them from coming to the Library. The Homebound Coordinator visits private homes & Nursing Facilities, delivering books, music CD’s & magazines. Visits are typically made every 3 weeks. Books are available in regular print, large print & disc format. Contact the Library at 822-9463 or email madame@coventrylibrary.org for more information.

Artists’ ExchAngE

by JENNY HARPER

sE n iors r mAtEr iAls)

Classes in:

Art Theater Ceramics 490-9475

Call for more info 50 Rolfe Sq., CRanSton

www.artists-exchange.org

O L

B E

FOOD

AND

DRINK

♥♥

fr E E clAssEs (s mAl l fE E fo

❄

Good Knitting and Crochet Warwick Public Library – Spend quality time knitting and crocheting in the company of others - bring your latest project and join us for camaraderie, inspiration, and tips. Central Library, 600 Sandy Lane, Warwick, 739-5440

Bikers Against Child Abuse Ri Chapter Comedy Fundraiser Bikers Against Child Abuse Rhode Island Chapter (B.A.C.A.) is having a comedy fundraiser on February 9 to help our ongoing eﬀorts to help victims of child abuse. We are a full 501c3 organization and 100% of your contribution goes for our “little warriors.”. Please come to enjoy yourselves and laugh a lot at the Smithfield Elks Lodge, 326 Farnum Pike Road, Smithfield. Doors open at 6PM, Show starts at 7PM. Tickets are $20/person and Business Sponsors are $100. Donations are also accepted. To purchase tickets or to sponsor/donate, visit funny4funds.com and click on BACA RI Comedy Nite Fundraiser. Please click on Greg Meadows or Milagros Meadows as your contacts.

fo r

♥

My Life on the Railroad North Kingstown Free Library – Wednesday, February 13, 6:30 p.m. Former locomotive engineer, and local resident, Richard Lysik shares stories and lessons from his years running trains through the Berkshires and Upstate New York. Registration preferred. 100 Boone St, North Kingstown (401) 294-3306

♥ Trinity Rep presents modern telling of Macbeth Trinity Rep will continue its 2018-19 Season with the electrifying tale of Macbeth – a Shakespearean thriller that bursts at breakneck speed with more suspense, murder, and madness than a blockbuster film. Directed by Curt Columbus, this contemporary telling of the famouslycursed play will include a live DJ and elements of magic. Featuring resident acting company member Mauro Hantman as the future King of Scotland, Macbeth runs through March 3. Tickets start at $25. For more information, visit www.trinityrep. com/macbeth.

I love that we have a day designed to celebrate love! I enjoy finding creative ways to show the people in my life how much I care about them. This year, I’m sharing a delicious idea from the kitchen to put some extra L-O-V-E into your Valentine’s Day.

Chocolate Raspberry Mousse Pie 1 can (12 fluid ounces) Nestlé Carnation Evaporated Milk 2 large egg yolks 2 cups (12-ounce package) Nestlé Toll House Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels 1 container (8 ounces) frozen whipped topping, thawed, divided 1 container (6 ounces) or 1 1/3 cups fresh raspberries, divided 1 prepared 9-inch (6 ounces) chocolate crumb crust

♥

WHISK together evaporated milk and egg yolks in medium saucepan. HEAT over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until mixture is very hot and thickens slightly; do not boil. Remove from heat; stir in morsels until completely melted and mixture is smooth. Pour into large bowl. Refrigerate for 30 minutes until cool. Gently stir in 2 cups whipped topping. REFRIGERATE for 2 hours until thickened. Sprinkle 1 cup raspberries over crust. Spoon chilled chocolate mousse over raspberries. Dollop remaining 1 cup whipped topping on center of pie; top with remaining raspberries. Photos courtesy of Nestlé

6 | PrimeTime

January 2019

by DON FOWLER

R E A D Y FOR WINTER

Meatloaf ultimate comfort food

Google “Comfort Food” and you’ll find a photo and recipes for meatloaf, the #1 dinner that brings back memories of our youth. My mother added Lipton’s onion soup and a spoonful of Heinz ketchup to the recipe to distinguish it from plain old hamburger. She would often stretch it out with a bit of bread. Leftovers became meatloaf sandwiches to take to school the next day. Diners served inexpensive meatloaf, instant mashed potatoes and canned green beans. I ate meatloaf at home, Boy Scout camp, school lunch, college cafeterias, and at least once a week after Joyce and I were married and living on a tight budget. Then came the revolution! We were finally earning a living wage. We discovered fine dining. We could buy a better grade of beef. We didn’t have to depend on meatloaf any more. Steak, shrimp, lobster, veal, lasagna, ethnic foods, and all-you-couldeat buffets became the rage. Alas, the much-abused meatloaf became a dining memory. We were too good for cheap, mashed hamburger. And then came the nineties. Chefs starting experimenting with other comfort foods, like mac and cheese. They added creamier, more exotic sauces and herbs, followed by lobster and mushrooms. Spaghetti and meatballs were replaced by fra diavlo, aglio and olio. Mussels, shrimp, calamari and littlenecks were included. It was time to take a look at that loaf of meat. Chefs loved their spices, adding exotic flavors to the meat. They determined that veal, pork and even tur-

ANIMAL TALK Local❤Adoptable❤Loveable by Karen Kalunian

key could be blended with a higher grade beef. Capers, onions, peppers, and other tasty ingredients were added. The baked meatloaf became an exotic dish. And, of course, the price went up. My first positive experience with gourmet meatloaf was not at an expensive restaurant, but at the Cheesecake Factory chain, where I loved the tasty meat served over mashed potatoes with onion rings on top. I moved on to Twin Oaks, where there was always enough to satisfy my craving for a sandwich the following day. Warwick’s Iron Works was next, followed by Cranston’s Revolution. I was in meatloaf heaven! It was time for an independent, unscientific poll of friends and neighbor. Checking out over a dozen food lovers, I discovered that Twin Oaks, Revolution, and Iron Works headed the list. Others on the list, which all need to be checked out in the interest of accurate scientific research are, in no particular order: • Red Stripe-Providence & East Greenwich • Chapel View-Garden City • Davenports-East Providence • Broadway Bistro-Providence • Thirsty Beaver-Cranston. • Not Your Average Joe’s- Warwick, Seekonk. • Union Station-Providence (Cited for their grilled meatloaf )

I’m sure that there are more out there. Let me know your favorite (donjoycefowler@aol.com). Meatloaf, like a good martini, is in the eye of the beholder.

RETIREMENT SPARKS

by ELAINE M. DECKER

Retirement Downsizing – Signs of Staging When our house was nearing L-day, the day it would be listed for sale as part of our plans to downsize, my real estate agent provided a stager for me. A stager tells you the changes you need to make to your décor so your house presents its best face to a potential buyer. I had to work my way through the long list of what he wanted done before we could put our house on the market. Since the spring real estate season is almost upon us, I’m revisiting this for anyone about to put their own home up for sale. Many of the items make sense—everyone knows you need to declutter and pack up all those family photos. But some items shout “professional staging.” In celebration of the completion of that process, I made a list of the top ten signs a professional stager has prepped your house. 10. All the towels in your bathrooms are white, but none of your bathrooms are. Moreover, they are unwashed, so they’re still fluffy, and Lord help anyone who tries to actually use them. 9. All your toilet brushes and plungers are stowed out of sight. You’ve made notes of where they are for when you need them, because… well, out of sight out of mind, and at this point, you’ve totally lost yours. 8. Mr. Popper’s penguins could now hold their bowling tournaments on your kitchen counter tops. Provided they cleaned up after themselves when they were done. 7. There is not one single paperback on any of the 100 linear feet of built-in bookshelves in your house. Ditto for the 25 linear feet of shelving on various furniture items. Apparently, paperbacks are the sign of a home that is irredeemably déclassé. Not even burning bundles of sage will rid the structure of the bad karma. 6. The carpeting in several rooms is now two different colors, in distinct rectangular patterns. To make the rooms look bigger, you had to get rid of sev-

Meet Joey! He is all things

wrapped into one fun little packageadorable, sweet, feisty and cuddly! This three year old Toy Poodle mix has a soft, curly coat of many colors and a cute little underbite. Joey is best suited for an adult only home, like we said he can be feisty! He is available for adoption at Abandoned Dogs of RI, you can call them at 401-568-7000 or visit them at 29 Paris Irons Road, Glocester. Visit their website at www.abandoneddogsofri.com for more information. Please tell your family and friends about Joey too, this pup deserves to be in a home enjoying life! If you know of an animal in need, please contact Karen: ilovedogs1920@gmail.com

January 2019

SENIOR ISSUES

eral large pieces of furniture that had been in place for 18 years. If you didn’t remember that the original carpet color was deep blue, not faded slate, you’re reminded of that now. 5. All of the energy efficient helix light bulbs have been replaced with oldfashioned round ones, because incandescent light is more flattering to what is left of your décor. Which isn’t much. 4. The storage room in your basement looks like one of those little secondhand furniture sheds along a New England roadside. All it needs is a sign: “Ye Olde Curiosity Shoppe,” and the proprietor’s elderly dog that smells like wet upholstery. 3. Your cats need psychiatric counseling because most of their favorite places to curl up have been banished to that basement room. It’s where they’ll also be banished when the house is being shown. When that happens, they’ll be glad their baskets and condos are down there for them. 2. Your husband can’t find any of his favorite things. If the house doesn’t sell quickly, he may need counseling, too. Or his own basket in the basement storage room. And the number one sign that a professional stager has prepped your house for sale: 1. You come back from one last staging errand and discover that your house keys no longer fit the locks. You might as well just check into one of those extended-stay residence hotels for the duration. And pray that your house sells quickly. Copyright 2019 Business Theatre Unlimited Elaine M. Decker’s books include Retirement Sparks, Retirement Sparks Again, Retirement Sparks Redux and CANCER: A Coping Guide. Her essays appear in the anthologies: 80 Things To Do When You Turn 80 and 70 Things To Do When You Turn 70. All are available on Amazon. com. Contact her at: emdecker@ix.netcom.com.

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by J O A N K W I A T K O W S K CEO – PACE Organization of RI

READY FOR WINTER

Dangers of Winter Isolation As we approach the middle of winter, which can feel the hardest to push through, it is important to remember how this time of year affects all generations. The merriment of the holidays has passed. Holiday music, gift advertising and store sales are good at convincing you that each person is full of happiness. Not everyone associates the holidays with joy, however, and the post-holiday slump can hit even harder for those who are unable to participate in the first place. This can be especially true for older adults who have faced the loss of loved ones, experience challenges living a full life due to health concerns and watch family members move further away from the traditional family home. They become isolated which often leaves them distraught. We surveyed our interdisciplinary team to determine the main issues leading to isolation of seniors during the winter, the dangers of it and some things that can be done to help. What are the issues that lead to isolation? The winter experience for isolated older adults is different than those who have much support. Although it is obvious all winter, it is heightened during the holidays the most. While most are supplied with what they require to survive, they go without. While most are enjoying good food with family and friends, others eat unaccompanied. The recent holiday season was hard, because some seniors are far away from family, have limited access to transportation, or in other cases, are estranged from family and have nowhere to go. Due to many seniors having a limited income, they often feel like they have nothing to offer. These limitations, coupled with high expectations of happiness and company around the holidays, leaves elders feeling insecure on top of isolated. The winter can also present itself as ominous for some, both physically and emotionally. According to Patricia Currier, Nurse Practitioner, and Denise Miller, Primary Care Nurse, during the holidays and the winter following, older adults often reflect on their losses over the years, as it is a reminder of those who are not around. VP of Clinical Services, Betsy Canino, adds the cold weather and increased duration of darkness makes this time even harder for our participants. What are some of the dangers that could follow? According to Social Worker Kristen Auger, these factors could lead to participants feeling depressed – especially those with behavioral health issues already. According to Canino, a higher risk of suicidal ideations and poor decision making come from a sense of despair as well. The participants could stop tending to their basic needs: they might not eat well, skip medications or isolate themselves. What can you do? As a reader, you are taking the first step, which is to be informed. Keep in mind that the holidays may not bring everybody joy, and that the winter can make an older adult that already feels lonely, feel worse. Auger recommends reaching out to your loved one by calling or visiting. Canino recommends simply taking the time to talk to those around you who may need help. On a clinical level, many adult day centers and nursing homes celebrate with their clients the with meals, gifts and holiday parties. All winter long, they work to keep their clients emotionally and socially stimulated through activities. Currier also noted that if you know of an older adult who will be alone, let them know that local churches will often have volunteers who will visit isolated elders in the community. If you see an older adult displaying behaviors that hint that they are isolated or depressed, reach out to them! by ERIC CREAMER

READY FOR WINTER

ALZHEIMER ’ S ASSOCIATION RHODE ISLAND CHAPTER

Winter Safety Tips for Alzheimer’s Caregivers Now that winter is here, those caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s or another dementia should be cautiously aware that snow, extremely cold temperatures and early darkness present a multitude of challenges. Caregivers may be unsure how to best prepare for these conditions when caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease. However, the Alzheimer’s Association offers a few safety tips for navigating winter as a caregiver. These are several tips that caregivers can use: • Be Prepared. Check weather conditions regularly and have emergency plans in place. • Bundle up. It is best to assist a loved one with Alzheimer’s whom may not be able to dress appropriately for winter weather conditions. • Avoid slips and falls. Assume all surfaces are slick and take precautionary measures. Winter brings decreased sunlight. Make daylight last by turning on indoor lights earlier, opening curtains and drapes or installing motion detector lights. • Prevent wandering. Enroll in the MedicAlert®- + Alzheimer’s Association Safe Return® - a 24-hour nationwide emergency response service for individuals with Alzheimer’s or other dementias who wander or have a medical emergency. • Ask for help. Request assistance with snow removal or ice removal, grocery shopping or other errands.

For other concerns or questions, representatives of the Alzheimer’s Association are always willing and able to help.

The Alzheimer’s Association® is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Our mission is to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all aﬀected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer’s. Visit alz.org/ ri or call 800.272.3900.

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January 2019

READY FOR WINTER

b y J U S T I N O A K L E Y, M S O T E C H M P Owner, Oakley Home Access

Prepare for a Safe Winter

With Winter settling in it is important to plan ahead to have a safe winter. We have a particular interest in fall prevention and also informing the community about special considerations when venturing out into the wonderful world. With that in mind, we have some Winter tips that can make the season safe.

Wnter Slip and Fall Prevention No matter how much of a hurry you may be in, take note to walk slowly and carefully. Remember that rushing is never worth falling. Tap your foot on any questionable areas to check to see if they are slippery. Walk as flat-footed as possible on possible icy areas. Footwear choice is important in icy weather so be sure to wear slip resistant shoes with solid tread on the soles. And always be aware of black ice, which is a thin coating of glaze ice on the surface of many roads, often difficult to see. Because it is almost impossible to avoid tracking in the wet snow when entering a building, be careful of slippery floors and puddles when entering. If possible, avoid carrying too many items and NEVER walk with hands in your pockets as this can prevent you from catching/balancing yourself if you lose balance. The conditions here in New England can be harsh at times but if we venture out safely we can still enjoy the beauty of its landscapes and communities year-round.

Aluminum Ramp Preparation & Preventing Slips 100% Aluminum Modular ramps are great to barrier free home accessibility. Aluminum ramps have a lifetime warranty and there is incredible ease of ownership to you the owner. Ramp dealers recommend keeping the ramp clean and free of debris at all times which is for your safety and the aesthetics of the ramp. During summer months, there is minimal additional maintenance required for your ramp. However, New England winters present their own challenges. Below are the recommended methods for caring for and using your aluminum ramp system safely during winter months. • Utilize PET SAFE ice melt on your ramp. Standard rock salt and ice will negatively affect the integrity of your ramp and will VOID the lifetime warranty. Cat litter can be added as an addition to pet safe ice melt to provide extra traction. • Instruct snow removal crews to use plastic edged shovels for heavy snow removal and then finish the ramp with brooms to avoid getting the shovels stuck on the ridges of the ramp surface. Your ramp and your snow removal crews will thank you. • Take extra time when using your ramp. Utilize handrails and step carefully. Your ramp does have excellent traction and is designed to collect minimal water or ice; however, being cautious is always best practice. • Wear gloves! Aluminum becomes very cold during winter months and it is important to protect your hands and the integrity of your skin.

• Visually inspect your ramp regularly. Your ramp is leveled with adjustable legs. During winter months the ground will freeze which could alter the position of the legs. Although it will be minimal and still safe to use, call Oakley Home Access if you believe the ramp needs adjustment. Stairlifts and Vertical Platform Lift Battery Life If you have a Stair Lift or VPL it will be reassuring to know that they can withstand power outages. If one of our common New England blizzards comes through and power is out for an extended period of time, our vertical platform lifts hold enough charge to be used 25 times, which will allow you to leave your home plenty of times if needed or to get back in if you are out when the power outage occurs. Most common Stair Lifts, both indoor and outdoor, will run approximately 30-50 times on the battery alone. An important point to remember for the snowbirds who leave their homes for several months during the winter is to have someone check on their homes and use the stair lift or vertical platform lift several times over the course of time that they are away. This will keep the lift in working order and the battery strong. Justin Oakley is the owner of Oakley Home Access located at 322 South Pier Road, Narragansett. 401-429-3882

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■ BASKETBALL (FROM PAGE 4)

a charter member of the new Big East Conference. The conference was the brainchild of Dave Gavitt, PC basketball coach, visionary and first Big East commissioner. He predicted the rise of the power basketball conference. Original league members were PC, St. John’s, Syracuse, Georgetown, Seton Hall, the University of Connecticut, and Boston College. The seven-member fledgling league also boasted college coaching legends such as John Thompson, PJ Carlissimo, Jim Boeheim, Lou Carnesecca, and Jim Calhoun. The exclusion of the University of Rhode Island has given rise to a basketball morality play re-enacted each year in the PC-URI grudge match. Gavitt coached PC to an NCAA Final Four in 1973 and became an influential member of the USA Basketball organization. In recognition of his remarkable accomplishments, Gavitt is enshrined in the National Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts. He is joined in the Hall by PC basketball greats Lenny Wilkins and John Thompson, and Rick Pitino, who led the Friars on shocking run to an NCAA Final Four slot in 1987.

In addition to Walker, the NBA’s first draft choice in 1967, the roster of former Friars who have played in the NBA (in no particular order) includes Thompson, Wilkins, Ernie Degregorio, Marvin Barnes, MarShon Brooks, Otis Thorpe, Joe Hassett, Kris Dunn, Kevin Stacom, Ryan Gomes, Johnny Egan, Dickey Simpkins (owner of multiple championship rings as a player on the Michael Jordan lead Chicago Bulls), Mike Riordan, Austin Croshere, God Shammgod, and many others who enjoyed stints in the league. All of them followed that sudden trail blazed by Gordon Holmes and his 45-foot lastsecond launch to the basket. FULL DISCLOSURE: I am a graduate of the University of Rhode Island. Rhody has its own unique place in basketball history. The legendary URI coach Frank Keaney is acknowledged as the the architect of modern day run and shoot, fast break basketball. Keaney and URI round ball will be the subject of a future column. Larry Grimaldi is a retired freelance writer living in North Providence. Comments can be e-mailed to lvgrimald2149@ gmail.com.

■ CAR (FROM PAGE 5)

CLUES ACROSS 1. One-time Levi’s CEO 5. Emperor of Russia 9. Islamic theology scholar 11. Hammer with a large, wooden head 13. Food 15. Can be combined 16. Midway between east and southeast 17. Governs a noun or pronoun 19. Gorilla 21. Type of trap 22. ‘Unforgettable’ singer 23. Atomic #10 25. Practice fight 26. US gov’t branch 27. Female deer 29. Remarks meant for the audience 31. Undergarments 33. Prevent from seeing 34. Masked 36. ‘A Suitable Boy’ novelist 38. Invisible gaseous substance 39. Sour 41. County in New Mexico 43. No seats available 44. Pulitzer-winning composer 46. Fit or irritation 48. The ability to move objects through thought 52. Skywalker mentor __-Wan Kenobi 53. Herbal medicine seed 54. ‘Zero Dark Thirty’ director Bigelow 56. Preferences 57. Soundly 58. One precedes another 59. Au revoirs

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CLUES DOWN 1. Famed explorer 2. Transferred property to 3. Clerical vestment 4. Free-swimming marine invertebrate 5. Cab 6. Thin piece of wood 7. Persons without pigment in their skin 8. Fill again 9. Submissive 10. His and __ 11. Sources of stress 12. Shelter 14. French commune 15. Boggy ground 18. Old man 20. Peanut 24. Michael Corleone’s personal enforcer 26. Geological formations 28. Wages 30. Insect repellent 32. Unit of time 34. Musician 35. Not good 37. Esteemed one 38. Structures 40. Where workers sit 42. Women who foretell the future 43. Quantitative fact 45. Missing soldiers 47. Diminutive 49. This (Spanish) 50. Hold on to 51. Thrust a knife into 55. Hengyang Bajialing Airport

a couple of days, you’ll take some precautions,” he said. “Too often we go from our warm car to our warm house or our warm place of work and we don’t think of the things that could happen.” Paul said that while we have experienced a mild winter thus far in the season, he worries this will prompt people to put off needed maintenance for their cars until the weather starts to decline, and that getting ahead of the weather is a better alternative. “I can’t predict winning lottery numbers but I’m pretty sure it’s going to get colder and snowy before it gets warm and sunny out there,” he said.

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January 2019