SENIOR BEACON DECEMBER 2021 by BeaconNewsGroup

Committed To Southern Colorado Seniors For 39 Years And Counting

Senior

Beacon DECEMBER 2021

Vol. 40:11

Established February 1982

"If You're 50 Or Over You Should Read It!" 479 Consecutive Months!

ElectriCritters celebrates 29th FREE PAIN RELIEF PRODUCT! Check out page 6... anniversary at the Pueblo Zoo! PUEBLO, CO (December, 2021) A winner in the “Best Place for Family Entertainment” category in Pueblo Chieftain’s Best of Pueblo, ElectriCritters is presented by Black Hills Energy. For almost three decades, Pueblo families and visitors from the region have made this beautiful tradition part of their holiday celebrations. Guests experience thousands of lights and over 100 imaginative designs as they walk through this animal-themed winter wonderland at the Pueblo Zoo. Visitors can warm up with

cocoa and a cookie at our Candy Cane Cafe and enjoy a memorable experience with the whole family! Visitors of all ages will enjoy holiday music along the colorful, lighted paths. The Pueblo Zoo gift shop offers a wide variety of unique gifts for animal lovers and nature-defenders. Private groups can rent the new outdoor, heated 30 Club Pavilion, a unique Warming Hut that serves as a great place to warm up, socialize and fill up on refreshments while observing safe COVID practices.

▶ SEE COLA, PAGE 21

NEW FUN & GAMES SECTION p. 20 Special events include an evening designed for guests with sensory sensitivities on December 14 and a Santa Selfie Station on December 19, 20 and 21 from 5:30 to 8:00 pm. Tickets: Tickets are valid for the selected date. Advance tickets are at pueblozoo.org/ electricritters. Tickets may be purchased after 5:30 pm on the same day of attendance. Non-Member Adults $9; Non-Member Child $7; Member Adult $7; Member Child $5; Children under 3 years old are free. Adults are 18+. Times: ElectriCritters runs 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm. Event Dates: Friday/Saturday/ Sunday from November 26 to December 12 and daily from December 17 to 26 (closed Christmas eve and day). Information at: pueblozoo.org/ electricritters All proceeds raised from the event go towards the care and feeding of Pueblo Zoo’s 400 animals. It provides a wonderful, social diversion for visitors of all ages at the start of our beautiful, cold weather months.

Pueblo Zoo is grateful for the support of presenting and ambas-

sador level sponsors Black Hills Energy, Colorado Lottery, Pueblo Electrics, Pueblo School of Arts and Sciences/PSAS, and Wagner Rents. #### The Pueblo Zoo is a not-for-profit organization and is an accredited member of the Associations of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) featuring more than 400 animals, 125 species, and beautiful grounds. Look for the AZA logo whenever you visit a zoo or aquarium as your assurance that you are supporting a facility dedicated to providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for you, and a better future for all living things.

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Page 2 - Senior Beacon - December 2021

Practice Kindness: Join the Holiday Joy Squad KINDNESS HAS MANY defini-

tions. Kindness can be defined as the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate; whereas being kind is doing intentional, voluntary acts of kindness. Doing acts of kindness can be done when it is easy, but also when it is hard. The Colorado Gerontological Society is, again, inviting you to join the Holiday Joy Squad. The holidays are a time to get together with family and friends. We come together to celebrate, to share a drink and favorite foods, to attend holiday parties and exchange gifts, and just to connect. In 2020, many of us looked for creative ways to connect. While 2021 may find many of us more willing to connect with family and friends, some individuals are continuing to be cautious with the current rise in COVID-19 cases. We invite you to share kindness with those who mean the most to you, either in group settings, through social distancing, or virtually. But many of us have another group of people in our lives with whom we should share kindness – those individuals represent our “lost” connections. Many of us keep thinking “I should call them” or “Drop them a line”, but

we don’t take the time to re-engage with those whom we haven’t had contact with for a long time. Sometimes those family and friends are just waiting for someone to reach out and be kind. Since COVID-19 started, The Society has been operating the Telephone Buddy program – a program that supports year around kindness. Volunteers from the community give 10-15 minutes a week to call an older adult just to check in with them, to make sure they have enough food and medicine, and to engage with them about what is happening in their lives. More than 100 volunteers continue to participate in this program. The friendships that have developed are deep and very meaningful to both the volunteers and the older adults. We are accepting new Telephone Buddies to engage in ongoing acts of kindness, but we are inviting everyone to join the Holiday Joy Squad to share random acts of kindness with family, friends and those you don’t know quite as

well. These acts of kindness can be a smile in the grocery store line, baking a cake or cookies and delivering them to a cousin who lives in town, contacting a colleague who has left the workplace or is tele-working, calling your siblings who could use an extra lift today from the sound of your voice, or dropping off a wreath or a box of chocolates for a neighbor. Any act of kindness is important and counts toward the project. The Society is offering a gift card to anyone who does 15 random acts of kindness and reports them on our website at www.senioranswers.org prior to January 15. Your random acts of kindness for the Holiday Joy Squad will make the world a better place. We all havefeelings of love, caring, and security. Kindness is one path to

sharing those feelings. For more information, call 303333-3482 or 1-855-294-3971 (toll free) or 1-855-880-4777 (Spanish).

Eileen Doherty, MS is the Executive Director of the Colorado Gerontological Society. Her areas of expertise include management and administration of nonprofit organizations, education and training on issues related to older adults, advocacy and policy development on senior issues, and clinical practice in working with seniors and families to manage their lives in the later years. She has been the Director of the Society since 1982. She teaches Nonprofit Management for Fort Hays State University.

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OBSERVATIONS FROM THE CAVE JAMES R. GRASSO Former Chief Cook & Bottle Washer

ello everyone. 'Tis the season to be jolly, so I will be. Maybe January I'll get serious with you again God willing and the creeks don't rise. That's an old saying and I didn't go to google to look up its derivation. So you can find it I'm sure. Ladies and gents, I know that lately I've been talking about God and His realm and our part in it. It's a far cry from the days I was wrapped up in the political hustle of things. Wasted so much time with that, but I think my point was made because I still have the scars of folks that didn't agree with me but are

open and loving and friendly with everyone and everything else in life. They sure can unload on people of my ilk. Whatever that means. They don't mess around. It's jugular vein time and it's voracious, believe me. Somehow it doesn't compute but, dare I say, "it is what it is."

December 2021 - Senior Beacon - Page 3

You know, for the past ten years it seems I've been hearing a little voice moan everytime I bend over or get up from a chair or from sitting on the floor. I told my wife about it and she said it was me who was making those noises. She's right. She has the recording to prove it!!!....... Well, that's a relief, I thought I was going stark raving mad. Now that I know the voice comes from me, I've made a different voice for each action. Only problem is I forget because there are at least two or three of those voices to remember. Ah me, what a world, what a world!

females carry purses and such. They get to have all things at the ready in their purse. Purses remind me of the TARDIS in which Doctor Who travels around the universe. Look up the BBC America show and you'll understand. It's much bigger inside than what it looks like from the outside. We only have a pocket or three and in the winter time maybe a couple more. Coming to the end now. Hey, guys you know what I mean. You have to remind yourself of a checklist of keys, handkerchief, wrist watch, wallet, cell phone, etc. Oh, and yes for many of us those pesky pain pills that give you relief sometimes from the pain in old, creaky bones and sinew. If you forget any one of those things it puts you in a tizzy. I, myself, refuse to wear anything resembling a fanny-pack or some such but agree that it would probably solve the problem. I guess this is a "You Stupid" moment!

Isn't it a hoot to go somewhere, anywhere, at this age? I started this newspaper when I was 33 and I will be starting my 40th year in February, 2022. Never did I know that when we reach this age, all the things that can happen to us. Since I'm a member of the male gender, oops, maybe I shouldn't say that but I'm sorry to anyone who might be offended. I can only remember the two genders. Back to the subject at hand. It's hard for the male gender in that

Well I've prattled on a' plenty, so let me leave you with this: It's Christmas time (again, sorry to all that this offends but it's all I know). We know the Jesus story and how it was written down through a few millennia and culminated with His appearance, His evangelism and His prophesied demise and Resurrection! The miracles He performed were all written down in the greatest book of all time. The other stuff, like trees and lights and presents and food

and friends is just an outcropping. The meat and potatoes is the story of why He came and for who He wanted to help! ALL of Us! He made it easy for us! He said, "I am the New Covenant." Paraphrasing here: There are just two precepts. Love the Father with all of yourself and Love Your Neighbor As Yourself " If we do that we will be in Paradise with Him for eternity. Don't ever lose sight of those two precepts my friends and enemies. Christmas is about Jesus being born to explain those simple truths. No memorizing passages, oh, that is wonderful, believe me, but if we can grasp those two precepts and hold on to them with fervent faith, hope and charity and live by them 24/7 we strike it rich!!! And if we slip and slip again it matters not because you will be forgiven over and over again as long as you try to wash those slips away with fervent desire. Then you will be rich! "Rich I tells ya!" It's the reason for the season. Godspeed to you and yours!

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SRDA DECEMBER 2021 CALENDAR Special information from Pueblo’s SRDA (Plus)

Recreation Department is currently CLOSED due to Covid - 19. All information provided depends on when SRDA reopens, which includes Matter of Balance. Also, all outside activity start up, like AARP -Taxes and Driver Safety classes will be determined by their national office.

Senior's Shopping Time Scheduled EDITOR'S NOTE: The following article is rerunning because of the COVID-19 relief efforts. MANY STORES IN the area

are offering a separate time for senior only shopping to assist in keeping one of the most vulnerable populations protected from the spread of COVID-19. At this time, information for senior only shopping is as follows: Albertson’s Tuesdays and Thursdays, 7 – 9 AM Dollar General, 1245 Spruce Every day, 8 – 9 AM Dollar General, W. 18th Street Sundays, 8 – 9 AM Dollar General, 1502 Troy Every day, 8 –9 AM Dollar General, 609 Pueblo Boulevard Thursdays, 12 – 1 PM; All other days, 8 –9 AM Dollar General, 1610 Santa Fe Every day, 8 – 9 AM Dollar General, 2417 Prairie

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Everybody has a responsibility to protect the most vulnerable in Pueblo Save-A-Lot Every day, 7 – 8 AM Target Every day, 8 – 9 AM Walmart; South, North, Pueblo West, Neighborhood Market Every day 6 -7 AM All public and media inquiries in Pueblo are answered through the local hotline at Pueblo’s Joint Information Center. Pueblo COVID-19 Hotline is answering questions 8 AM – 5 PM, Monday – Friday, 719-583-4444. Everybody has a responsibility to protect the most vulnerable in Pueblo by: ■ Minimize social activities and being physically close to other people. ■ Do not go to the emergency

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room unless medically necessary. ■ Wash your hands with soap regularly. ■ Cough or sneeze into elbow or tissue. ■ Stay home when you’re sick. ■ Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth. Avoid close contact with sick people. ■ Clean surfaces frequently touched. Pueblo Department of Public Health and Environment encourages residents to seek out credible, reliable sources of information on COVID-19: www.puebloemergency.info Pueblo’s COVID-19 Hotline 719-583-4444.

Page 6 - Senior Beacon - December 2021

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‘LIGHT FOR THE JOURNEY’

JAN MCLAUGHLIN

Columnist & founder of an international charity

WHAT DID I GIVE HIM?

his is the most unusual Christmas season for my husband Rick and me. After stepping down from leadership in Prayer For Prisoners International (PFPI), which Jesus called me to start in 1987, life is – well, different. I’ll get to that in a moment but first I’ll give you some background.

The PFPI Christmas Card Outreach began in 1998 and thousands upon thousands of cards have been mailed to prisoners around the country and in Africa. This amazing evangelistic project has transformed prisoners and volunteers alike. Prisoners are reminded that they are not forgotten, and God cares for them. Volunteers learn that prisoners are real people with families, emotions, joys, and heartaches. Hundreds of volunteers participate every year and thousands of prisoners sign up to receive a greeting from someone outside who cares. Only 10% of prisoners receive mail, therefore, a Christmas card from a stranger may seem like nothing to most people but for one of the 90%, it is a precious gift. Perhaps the only “gift” they have received for years. Prisoners who will not attend a chapel service request a card because they are desperate for mail. Every year, Wiccans, Satanists, Muslims, Mormons, JWs, Hindus, Atheists, every faith, and those with no faith sign up to receive a Christmas card. PFPI has sent as many as 32,000 Christmas cards per season. The impact of a simple Christmas card and stamp is incredibly powerful. If I ever question being on the right path, the responses from prisoners who are touched by

the love of Christ through PFPI sweep away all questions. Prisoners testify that the PFPI card is the only mail they have had in 32 years or 16 years, etc. The responses are heart-wrenching at times and leave me in awe. God’s divine orchestration of matching the prisoners with the perfect volunteer to minister to them is mind-blowing! Participating volunteers pray before they begin writing each prisoner’s message because God knows what he/she will be going through when the card is received. Prayer happens and results are evident. For me and Rick, the Christmas season was in full swing from September through February for the last 17 years. Here is where I explain how life is “different” for us. When we were married in 2004, there were about 3500 prisoners on the PFPI database. In fact, at that time, the ministry name was Prayer Warriors For Prisoners. With Rick helping and doing much of the card outreach, numbers grew exponentially. Yearly, hundreds then thousands were added to the database. Within a few years, because of mission trips to other states and word of mouth from prisoners to prisoners around the country, PFPI has mission threads in 49 states. The ‘Signature” of PFPI is the Christmas card outreach to prisoners, even though the ministry basically was founded on prayer and each prisoner is assigned their own volunteer prayer warrior. Normally, invitations to participate are mailed to Christmas card coordinators in July or August. Each year from autumn to spring when replies from prisoners decrease, Rick and I were chained to our desks. I told God from the beginning, “I didn’t sign up for an office job! I signed up to go to prison.” Howev-

er, when we go to prisons, we take the forms for prisoners to write their prayer requests for the volunteers. Those must be processed and mailed. During the busy months of the Christmas outreach, we barely had time to blink. Truly, the joy of reaching prisoners with the message of hope in Christ is more rewarding than I could have imagined. When Jesus asked me to teach the Bible study at the state women’s prison, I told him I wasn’t qualified, and I wasn’t equipped. He promptly agreed and said, “I just need a willing vessel.” When I heard His words to me, warm honey love flowed through me like mighty ocean waves. Wave after wave of love for prisoners. My love and passion for prisoners still burn strong, and I can’t wait to get back into prison. Because of our health and religious convictions, Rick and I have not had the experimental jab. We wait on the Lord and stay involved in His business outside. About the article title, WHAT DID I GIVE HIM*: I am still on the PFPI Board of Directors and doing minimal office work. While creating “Christmas greetings” for the Colorado prisoners who cannot receive actual cards, an amazing poem convicted deeply me. The author beautifully shares a story of attending Christmas church services and delight in the songs and carols until it came to The Little Drummer Boy. Moved to tears at the realization of coming short in giving to Jesus, the author questioned, what did I give Him? Not clothes to a needy child, not visiting someone in their sickbed, or feeding a hungry man, not even telling someone the Good News of Jesus. The poem reads, “I bowed my head

▶ SEE LIGHT, PAGE 21

▶ CROSSWORD ANSWERS ▶ GAMES ON PAGE 20

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December 2021 - Senior Beacon - Page 7

NEWS

Americans Ready To Vacation With A Vengeance To Make Up For Lost Time

(NAPSI)—One of the many long-lasting effects of the pandemic is a shift in the work-life balance. According to a survey by a world leader in travel deals, after a long year of sheltering at home, 92% of Americans plan to travel in 2021—and they don’t plan to hold back. Americans traveled less in 2020, and they have been feeling the loss in more ways than one: • Seventy-one percent of Americans didn’t travel at all or traveled less in 2020 than in a typical year. • More than half regret not taking more time off in 2020. They feel they “wasted” their newfound flexibility and regret not working from different places. Explains Liz Dente, @Priceline Chief People Officer: “Traveling is invigorating—it offers a respite from the daily grind, allowing us to disconnect and look at things with fresh eyes.” A Lesson Learned: The Power of PTO Many Americans have a renewed appreciation for how beneficial PTO can be. “Taking time off is important for both employees and companies. Employees who use their PTO are happier, healthier, and more productive,” adds Dente. •Most associate positive feelings with taking time off from work, saying it makes them feel relaxed, happy, and excited. • Most people, especially parents, say their mental health (78% of parents, 53% of non-parents) and physical health (73% of parents, 48% of non-parents) would have benefited from taking a break. • Meanwhile, an overwhelming majority (82%) say they’re likely to use their remaining 2021 vacation days before the end of the year, and one in six (16%) plan to use all their days off for one vacation. So how are Americans traveling and where are they going? • Sixty-two percent of those with limited PTO will be vacationing in a place they’ve never been before. • Sixty-one percent of those with limited PTO will take a trip based on a personal passion. • One in three will embark on a road trip.

▶ SODUKU ANSWERS ▶ GAMES ON PAGE 20

Page 8 - Senior Beacon - December 2021

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NEWS OF THE WEIRD

SPECIAL TO THE SENIOR BEACON FROM THE EDITORS OF ANDREWS MCMEEL High Standards

The 10-foot-tall artificial Christmas tree that the town council installed in the Grimsby town center in England left locals underwhelmed, Grimsby Live reported -- to the point that the council had the expensive decoration removed. Snarky comments included one from a resident who said he had a bigger tree in his house, and another called it "an insult to Grimsby." The council responded that the tree cost more than 1,000 pounds but said it had been installed too early, and the traditional live tree from a nearby farm would be installed on Nov. 25. The fake tree will be reinstalled for a Christmas market.

Least Competent Criminal

Jerry McDonald of Chattanooga, Tennessee, was with an acquaintance when he passed out from drinking. His friend, trying to help out, took McDonald's phone to text his boss that he wouldn't be in to work that afternoon. But instead, the friend found alarming texts in which McDonald detailed a plan to kill an unnamed woman and take her money: "Please kill her babe, please. I'm begging you. There's over a million in her dad's safe. I'm saying I won't get caught,"

McDonald had texted, according to NewsChannel9-TV. But, of course, he did get caught, and now is held in the Hamilton County jail on $75,000 bond. Canada may want to rethink opening its border to Americans after Vivian Richards, 48, of Oakland Park, Florida, tried to smuggle 56 guns into Sarnia, Ontario, in the trunk of her car on Nov. 1. Richards was referred for secondary inspection, DH News reported, after officers of the Canada Border Services Agency looked in her trunk. Along with the firearms, they found 13 overcapacity magazines, 43 pistol magazines and 100 rounds of ammunition. She faces several charges, including possession for the purpose of weapons trafficking.

Terrifying AND Gross

Seizures are frightening enough, but seizures caused by tapeworms add an element of "eww." According to doctors in Massachusetts who recently described the case in the New England Journal of Medicine, the otherwise-healthy 38-year-old man had had dead tapeworm cysts lodged in his brain

for decades -- a relatively rare form of infestation called neurocysticercosis. When these cysts become stuck in the brain, they can cause pressure, inflammation and neurological symptoms that are sometimes confused for brain tumors. But symptoms may not manifest for years. This man's cysts caused no problems until three years ago, when he fell out of bed, "shaking and speaking gibberish," then had a two-minute seizure on the way to the hospital. Luckily, he was discharged after five days of treatment and remains in good health today.

Rock On

Missouri man Kyle Scheele, with the help of friends, made a cardboard cutout of himself "jamming out with a pizza guitar" and advertising something called the "Kyle Scheele Meal." He then placed the cutout in a local gas station and waited to see how long his prank would last. But after the fake ad went viral on TikTok, convenience store chain Kum & Go made the Scheele Meal real. It included a Red Bull and a pizza sandwich, "which is just two pieces of pizza smashed

face-to-face," Scheele said. The promotion ran for about a week, with Kum & Go donating $2 of every $5 meal to the charity No Kid Hungry.

Do You Hear That?

Residents of Barwell, a small English town, have been dealing with an unexplained noise for about a year. It's been described as "a humming noise," a "low-frequency droning sound" and a "horrible din" that never stops. Resident Ange Redshaw said, "At night, even lying on the pillow, you can feel the vibration, it's that loud. During the day, I can hear it over traffic noise." And now it seems to be spreading: Brian Heath, a resident of nearby Stapleton, says he has heard the "slow, rolling, rumbling sound" for a few weeks. "It's quite a heavy noise ... You can feel the pressure on your body," he said. No cause has yet been identified.

Nope

In Aswan, Egypt, recent inclement weather -- including "vicious rain, dust storms and snow" -- has forced hordes of scorpions from

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December 2021 - Senior Beacon - Page 9

NEWS OF THE WEIRD

SPECIAL TO THE SENIOR BEACON FROM THE EDITORS OF ANDREWS MCMEEL their usual hiding places and into homes and streets. BBC News reported that three people have died so far from scorpion stings, and 450 have been injured. The injured are being treated with antivenom. Health officials have even had to recruit doctors who were on vacation to help with the influx of patients.

the ring's likely owner: Richard William Deneke. Deneke is nearing his 100th birthday at a nursing home in Georgia, and Stewart plans to mail the ring back to him. "I think it's amazing," Deneke told Stewart in a phone call.

Get Down

Cable network BET broke a Guinness World Record in Harlem by recruiting 536 people to dance Lost and Found in the world's longest soul train A lost ring will soon find its line. The line included original way home -- after 70 years. Kelly dancers from the "Soul Train" TV Stewart of Richfield, Utah, found show, as well as a marching band the ring in 2019 while using his and hundreds of local residents. metal detector in the yard of an A Guinness official was there to abandoned home. It's a 10-karat make sure participants followed gold ring from the 1943 class of the Colorado School of Mines, in- the rules, including dancing "in pairs for at least 40 feet to qualify scribed with the initials "R.W.D." Kelly found a 1948 yearbook from as a soul train." The group took the school on eBay, which revealed the record from Goodyear Ball-

SRDA MONTHLY MENU ABOUT THE MENU

● Nutrition Services (Congregate) Eligibility Policy: Individuals are eligible to participate in the congregate meals service in one of the categories listed in this below: Persons 60 years of age or older and their self-declared spouses of any age; Disabled persons under 60 years of age who reside with persons over 60 years of age, when the care and maintenance of the disabled person otherwise prevents the older adult from participating in the program and when the participation of such individuals does not prevent the participation of older adults and their spouses. The disabled person must accompany the eligible older consumer to the site; Disabled persons under 60 years of age who reside in housing facilities occupied primarily by older adults and at which congregate nutrition services are provided when such participation does not prevent the participation of older adults and their spouse Persons under 60 years of age who provide meal related volunteer services and individuals providing volunteer services at congregate meal sites during meal hours when the participation of such individuals does not prevent the participation of older

park in Arizona, which gathered a 426-person soul train line in 2014.

Islamic police in Karo, Nigeria, arrested 26-year-old Aliyu Na Idris on Oct. 26 because he was trying to sell himself for 20 million nara, or about $49,000, Oddity Central reported. He works as a tailor, but said, "The decision to sell myself was due to poverty. I plan to give my parents 10 million nara when I eventually get a buyer." Police said what he did was "forbidden in Islam," but he was released the day after his arrest and said the police only gave him advice.

that Fickes "threw a cold chicken" at Pittman, striking her on the back of the head, according to The Smoking Gun. Fickes and Pittman are not related, and police have not determined a motive for the chicken hit. Fickes is facing an unrelated child endangerment charge as well.

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OPINION-EDITORIAL MSNBC and CNN that “CRT isn’t taught in Virginia schools!” uttered every five minutes like “Weather on the Ones!” Who were they trying to fool? Liberal women in New York? They don’t vote in Virginia. But MSNBC and CNN so enjoyed sneering about the stupidity of Republicans that they never bothered to consider that the people who would be voting could see with their own eyes what was being taught to their children. Disturbingly, even with McAuliffe announcing that parents should have no say in what their children are learning in school — and then telling Virginia teachers that the white ones would have to go — the election was ridiculously close. The current tally is about 51% to 49%. Liberals thought they had a lock on Virginia, no matter what lunacies their candidates spouted. They had a gigantic immigrant population (non-English speakers are a key Democratic constituency); illiterates (same), who were specifically given the right to vote by Democrats; and felons (duh), more than 300,000 of whom were enfranchised by the last two Democratic governors. After the election, it looks like the Biden administration is going to have to ship a lot more immigrants into the Old Dominion. Bus in tens of thousands of Haitians

and, in five or six years, McAuliffe can come out for white slavery and win. That’s rough. Democrats had specifically earmarked those immigrants for Texas and Florida. All night on Tuesday, liberal commentators kept talking breathlessly about the early vote/mail-in vote, correctly presuming it to be overwhelmingly Democratic. That should tell you what early voting is DEMS’ POST-ELECTION really about. Early voting has nothing to do PLAN: SEND MORE with the convenience of the votIMMIGRANTS TO VIRGINIA ers. It’s about the convenience of Democratic operatives, who need That’s rough. Democrats had weeks and weeks to drag their votspecifically earmarked those ers to the polls and help them fill immigrants for Texas and out absentee ballots. Conveniently, Florida. Virginia has “no-excuse” absentee voting, allowing anyone to request BUT CRITICAL RACE a mail-in ballot for any reason, for THEORY isn’t taught in Virup to 45 days before an election. ginia schools! Ordinary voters don’t say, If I’m The Republican sweep in going to get out of work early, Virginia Tuesday night has I’m gonna need a 45-day winnullified that claim. Glenn dow. Nobody needs 45 days to do Youngkin beat Terry McAuanything. That’s not a human-size liffe in the governor’s race. requirement. It’s a Democratic Republicans took the lieumachine-size requirement. tenant governor’s office and, To collect ballots from their unmost important, beat the motivated voters, Democrats need incumbent, George Soros-into send out an army of operatives. stalled attorney general. In a Luckily, they have no shortage shocking upset, the GOP even of manpower — anyone with an flipped the House of Deleadministrative job in education, gates. sanitation or county government. All this, despite the inBut they need time. A lot of cessantly repeated claim on time. One day of voting is not going to permit Democrats to collect ballots from every nursing home, halfway house and sober living community in the state. Republicans gain nothing from early voting because: 1) They don’t have government employees with no-show jobs who can spend weeks harvesting ballots; and 2) GOP voters tend to be self-mo· Single and double rooms tivated individualists who More of a Family don’t need inducements to · Free Wi-fi vote. Than a “Facility” · Flat-screen tv in every room By contrast, Democratic · Persons with disability accessible voters need a lot of atten· Relaxing environment tion and a lot of handling. · Mature trees OK, OK, if it means that · Gazebos much to you, I’ll vote. How about giving me a · Chapel and beauty shop on-site ride? Oh, and I’m hungry 1020 N. 15th Street — how about a box lunch? Cañon City, CO 81212 Democratic “get out the vote” drives are less inforBusiness Hours: Monday Friday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM mational operations and *Closed Saturday - Sunday more like hauling the kids Staff is on premises 24/7 to Grandmother’s house. This is not a level playCall Tisha or Marisela at (719) 275-7451 ing field. Relaxed voting requirements help only Democrats. Unenthusiastic voters make mistakes, ruin ballots and forget to ANN COULTER

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bring I.D. But Republicans have been so mau-maued by the Democrats that they can barely put up a fight just to end the COVID-era voting rules. Remember the worldwide pandemic? In 2020, Democrats wailed: DO YOU WANT PEOPLE TO DIE??? We’re going to need universal mail-in ballots, months of early voting, same-day registration and no I.D. requirements. But now they say Republicans are returning us to the dark days of Jim Crow for insisting on voting rules circa 2018. Forget that. How about a federal law restricting elections to what is known as “Election Day”? The Constitution requires Congress to choose “the Day” of voting. It further states that the “Day shall be the same throughout the United States.” Make it a federal holiday. But make it one day. New Jersey would have elected a Republican governor but for the mail-in vote. Republican Jack Ciattarelli was leading incumbent Democrat Phil Murphy all night. And then the mail-in vote started pouring in. (New Jersey allows mail-in voting starting weeks before the election.) Let’s get back to the GOP victory in Virginia. Fox News sure called that one! Fox commentators assured us that black parents were powering Youngkin’s campaign because of their love for … school choice! Oh, give it up, conservatives. CNN exit poll: Black voters: 87% for McAuliffe to 13% for Youngkin Hispanic voters: 68% for McAuliffe to 31% for Youngkin Asian voters: 66% for McAuliffe to 34% for Youngkin Good grief! How did Youngkin win? There must be some mistake! Oh, I see. Youngkin won the same way Republicans always win, by driving up the white vote. White voters went 61% to 38% for Youngkin. According to NBC News’ exit poll, white women voted 57% for Youngkin. Which reminds me: What is the one demographic Trump lost in 2020, compared to 2016? Correct: white men. Trump 2020: The Platinum Plan! The American Dream Plan! [Jared in the background: Forget white voters, Dad. They have no place else to go.] Relax, GOP donors, you may now go back to obsessing over the minority vote and frittering away the only swing voters in the country. COPYRIGHT 2021 ANN COULTER

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What to Look for When Updating Windows and Patio Doors

(StatePoint) Your home’s windows and patio doors not only let in sunlight and scenery, they also help protect you from the elements. That’s why it’s important to do your research when you’re updating them. Here’s what to know and what to look for: High-Performance Products High-performance windows and doors have better energy efficiency, which can help save you money in the long run, make your home healthier and keep it better protected in stormy weather. Energy-efficient windows help reduce drafts and the transfer of heat, which can mean lower energy bills. ENERGY STAR certified windows and patio doors from Andersen are a good example of this. They’re also durable and reduce expenses associated with maintenance and painting. Be sure to also seek out products that have “zero-VOC” or “lowVOC” certification. For example, most Andersen products are Indoor Advantage Gold certified for lowVOC emissions. This helps reduce your household’s exposure to volatile organic compounds, which are gases that can lead to eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches and dizziness, and can even cause organ damage over time, according to the EPA. Finally, if you live in an area prone to hurricanes and storms, look for windows and doors that are certified to perform in high winds and severe coastal conditions. Quality Components Better quality windows and doors make it less likely that you’ll need to repair or replace them. One way to identify quality is to stick with brands that continually test the durability and strength of all the components of their products. You can also look into products that use new, low-maintenance materials like Fibrex material, a composite

December 2021 - Senior Beacon - Page 11

The Greatest Gift of All He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Himalso freely give us all things?” Romans 8:32

God is love! And out of that love, He gives good gifts to His children. He delights to pour out His blessings upon all of us. I have had many gifts given to me throughout the years but the greatest gift that has ever been given to me has been the precious Son of our Heavenly Father and His name is Jesus. That gift is still available to anyone who will ask today. Do you think that Mary realized the special gift that had been given to her so many years ago? There is a song, “Mary, Did You know?” that I think asks some of the same questions. Let me quote a few of the verses. Mary did you know that your baby that’s stronger than vinyl and doesn’t boy is Lord of all creation? rot, fade, pit or corrode. Mary did you know that your baby boy will one day rule the nations? Designs That Fit Your Style Did you know that your baby boy is Look for the types of windows and heaven’s perfect Lamb? doors that match the look and feel of This sleeping child that you’re holdyour home. This means making sure ing is the great I AM? they’re the right color with the right type of glass and that they open the [Songwriter: Mark Lowry] way you want them to. For example, custom colors can help bring your design vision to life, black interiors help achieve a modern look with contrasting interior paint colors, while white interiors help keep spaces light and bright. And if you’re looking to put a patio door in a tight space, go with a gliding patio door option. Different types of glass are also something to keep in mind, with some glass being better suited for certain climates and conditions. Understanding terms like dual pane windows, low emissivity (Low-E) coating, decorative and hurricane-resistant can also help you make the right choices. With so many options, it’s often a good idea to seek the advice of a certified contractor. They can help capture your vision and will work with you to find the right products for your home.

An Experienced Installer A window is only as good as its installation. In fact, many windows fail due to improper installation. Help protect the investment you’ve made in your home by hiring a certified contractor or full-service replacement company like Renewal by Andersen. Certified contractors are a safe bet to make sure your windows and doors are installed properly, and Andersen products installed by Andersen Certified Contractors come with a 2-year limited installation warranty. Keeping all these points in mind will help you select windows and patio doors that best fit your home, and can save you money in the long run.

Today, I think we are given gifts that we do not always recognize as gifts. It’s alright not to recognize some of the special gifts that we are given, but we MUST NOT miss out on the most important gift of all, and that is the gift of Jesus Christ. There are also other gifts that the Lord wants to give us, especially this year. One is the gift of peace of mind and heart. “I am leaving you with a gift– peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” John 14:27, NLT Have a very blessed and peacefilled Christmas! Kay Owen-Larson is the co-founder and President of Crossroads Ministries and the founder of the Crossroads School of Chaplaincy. This year marks her 58th year in ministry. An author, speaker, teacher and pastor, she has a heart for the elderly and would like to see many of them come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ in their last days.

Page 12 - Senior Beacon - December 2021

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December 2021 - Senior Beacon - Page 13

FOR A HEALTHIER YOU

Medicare Open Enrollment Offers Opportunities to Access Affordable Fitness Programs (NAPSI)—Millions of older adults are making important decisions about their health insurance coverage—including fitness and wellness benefits— during Medicare Open Enrollment. Seniors and other Medicare-eligible persons who choose to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan may have access to covered services not offered through original Medicare, such as dental care, vision exams, hearing aids, and fitness programs that offer no-cost or low-cost gym access.

tion recommends that adults aged 65 and older participate at least two days a week in activities that

Fitness companies, health plans, gyms, YMCAs, and other organizations sprang into action in

Here are three key reasons why obtaining access to an affordable fitness program is important to consider: 1.) Movement is medicine. Time and again, research has proven the health benefits of staying active. Researchers studying pandemic-related inactivity for older adults noted that it takes only 5 to 10 days of physical inactivity for muscles to start wasting away. Loss of muscle mass can lead to bone loss, increased fall risk, and functional dependency. Lack of physical activity also can speed the progression of chronic diseases including heart disease, arthritis, and obesity. The Centers for Disease Control and Preven-

“strengthen muscles,” along with a minimum of 150 minutes a week of “moderate-intensity activity,” such as brisk walking. So, if you’ve been less active this past year and are feeling some of the health effects, it’s time to get up and move. 2.) There are more options for working out than ever before. The pandemic may have sidelined many people’s workout routines during the last 18 months, but it also created new fitness options.

2020, devising more ways to help their members work out safely and conveniently. Gyms now have outdoor workout spaces, safely spaced indoor classes, and hygienic protocols in place. Many fitness programs offer online classes via social media, and most outdoor parks and recreation facilities are open again. 3.) No-cost and low-cost fitness center memberships are available through Medicare Advantage pro-

grams. Some Medicare Advantage health plans offer no-cost or lowcost fitness center memberships through programs such as the Silver&Fit® Healthy Aging and Exercise program. Key advantages of joining such a program include the option to choose from thousands of different types of fitness facilities, including large, name-brand chains to boutique clubs or YMCAs. These fitness benefits may offer at-home workout options, such as home fitness kits, libraries of on-demand digital workouts and even lifestyle coaches who can help members stay motivated and engaged in their fitness. In a recent poll of people enrolled in Medicare, 95 percent of respondents agreed it is important to have coverage options aside from traditional Medicare. Fitness programs are a great example of a valuable additional option available through many Medicare Advantage plans. Learn More For further facts and tips, visit www.silverandfit.com

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Page 14 - Senior Beacon - December 2021

Penrose (719) 372-3872 Florence (719) 784-6493

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December 2021 Upper Arkansas Area Agency on Aging Nutrition Program

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A $3.00 suggested donation per meal is appreciated, but not required. 7 #14 Beef Stew Green Beans Salad w/Lite Italian Banana WW Bread w/Butter

9 #112 Turkey Tetrazzini Italian Green Beans Strawberry Applesauce Chocolate Chip Cookie WW Bread w/Butter

10 #57 Lemon Baked Fish Scalloped Potatoes Spinach Salad w/Mandarin Oranges Banana WW Bread w/Butter

14 #31 White Bean Chicken Chili Spinach Salad w/Lite Italian Cornbread w/Butter Apple Orange Juice

16 #102 Tuna Noodle Casserole Mixed Vegetables Sliced Zucchini Squash Sliced Peaches WW Bread w/Butter

17 #74 Roast Pork w/Gravy Oven Browned Potatoes, Brown Gravy Spinach Mandarin Salad Parslied Carrots

21 #76 Roast Turkey w/Gravy Smashed Red Potatoes Squash Cream of Spinach Soup Mitzie’s WW Rolls Orange 28 #1 American Lasagna Seasoned Green Beans Tossed Vegetable Salad Banana WW Roll w/Butter

30 #83 Spaghetti & Meat Sauce Salad w/Lite Italian Seasoned Green Beans Orange WW Bread w/Butter

8 #44 Ham and Beans Collard Greens Cornbread Orange Juice

9 #112 Turkey Tetrazzini Italian Green Beans Strawberry Applesauce Chocolate Chip Cookie WW Bread w/Butter

10 #57 Lemon Baked Fish Scalloped Potatoes Spinach Salad w/Mandarin Oranges Banana WW Bread w/Butter

14 #42 Enchilada Pie Refried Beans Tortilla Chips w/Salsa Clementine

15 #87 Stewed Chicken w/Olives Greek Spinach Rice Salata Parslied Carrots Orange Raisin Nut Cup

16 #102 Tuna Noodle Casserole Mixed Vegetables Sliced Zucchini Squash Sliced Peaches WW Bread w/Butter

17 #74 Roast Pork w/Gravy Oven Browned Potatoes, Brown Gravy Spinach Mandarin Salad Parslied Carrots

#13 Beef Barley Soup WW Crackers Sesame Broccoli Apricot Pineapple Compote WSW Bread w/Butter Apple

#11 Beef & Broccoli Stir Fry Steamed Brown Rice Steamed Carrots Pineapple Tidbits WW Bread w/Butter

#46 Scalloped Potatoes w/Ham Spinach Salad w/Mandarin Oranges Hard Boiled Egg Mixed Vegetables Sliced Peaches

#60 Meatloaf Brown Gravy Roasted Sweet Potatoes Seasoned Brussels Sprouts Tossed Salad Pineapple Tidbits WW Bread 28 #6 Baked Potato Broccoli w/Cheese Sauce Tossed Salad w/Lite French Peaches Fruit Cocktail Drop Biscuit w/Butter

#76 Roast Turkey w/Gravy Smashed Red Potatoes Squash Cream of Spinach Soup Mitzie’s WW Rolls Orange 29 #32 Chili con Carne Steamed Broccoli Cornbread Trail Mix w/Nuts & Raisins Apple

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Please call (719) 345-3064 before 9:30 a.m. for reservations for grab-n-go meals served Monday Fridays. All menus subject to change.

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December 2021 - Senior Beacon - Page 15

SENIOR SAFETY

10 Tips For Safer Winter Generator Use (NAPSI)—If your electricity

goes out due to snow and ice, a generator can keep power flowing to your home or business. Just keep safety in mind when using generators, advises the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI), an international trade association representing small engine, utility vehicle and outdoor

power equipment manufacturers and suppliers. “Not having power when you need it is frustrating, so a generator can provide emergency backup power at a reasonable cost,” says Kris Kiser, President and CEO of OPEI. “It’s important to follow all manufacturer’s instructions, and never place a generator in your garage or inside your home or building. It should be a safe distance from the structure and not near an air intake.” More tips include: #1. Take stock of your generator. Make sure equipment is in good working order before starting and using it. Do this before a storm hits. #2. Review the directions. Follow all manufacturer’s instructions. Review the owner’s manuals (look manuals up online if you cannot find them) so equipment is operated safely. #3. Install a battery-operated carbon monoxide detector in your home. This alarm will sound if dangerous levels of carbon monoxide enter the building. #4. Have the right fuel on hand. Use the type of fuel recommended by the generator manufacturer to protect this important investment. It is illegal to use any fuel with

more than 10% ethanol in outdoor power equipment. (For more information on proper fueling for outdoor power equipment visit www.LookBeforeYouPump.com). It’s best to use fresh fuel, but if you are using fuel that has been sitting in a gas can for more than 30 days, add fuel stabilizer to it. Store gas only in an approved container and away from heat sources. #5. Ensure portable generators have plenty of ventilation. Generators should NEVER be used in an enclosed area or placed inside a home, a building or a garage, even if the windows or doors are open. Place the generator outside and away from windows, doors and vents that could allow carbon monoxide to drift indoors. #6. Keep the generator dry. Do not use a generator in wet conditions. Cover and vent a generator. Model-specific tents or generator covers can be found online for purchase and at home centers and hardware stores. #7. Add fuel to the generator only when it’s cool. Before refueling, turn the generator off and let it cool down. #8. Plug in safely. If you don’t yet have a transfer switch, you can use the outlets on the generator. It’s best to plug in appliances directly to the generator. If you must use an extension cord, it should be heavy-duty and designed for outdoor use. It should be rated (in watts or amps) at least equal to the sum of the connected appliance loads. Make sure the cord is free of cuts and the plug has all three prongs. #9. Install a transfer switch. A transfer switch connects the generator to the circuit panel and lets you power hardwired appliances. Most transfer switches also help avoid overload by displaying wattage usage levels. #10. Do not use the generator to “backfeed” power into your home electrical system. Trying to power

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Page 16 - Senior Beacon - December 2021

REELING

OUTSTANDING MUSICAL DRAMA STRONG SUPPORTING CAST, CREATIVITY CREATE OPERETTA-LIKE PRODUCTION BETTY JO TUCKER Pueblo award winning film critic

s an avid Ben Platt fan, I was afraid to watch DEAR EVAN HANSEN. Although Platt won a Tony for his performance in this award-winning Broadway musical drama, I thought he might be too old to portray a teenager. Boy, was I wrong! From the first minute we see him on screen to the very end of this unique film, Platt convinces us he is Evan Hansen, a high school senior suffering from a social anxiety disorder and whose therapist asks him to write positive messages to himself every day. . Because of Platt’s splendid acting, we empathize with Evan no matter what mistakes he makes,

even when he lies about his relationship with the ferocious Connor (Colton Ryan), a fellow student who commits suicide.

song. An Oscar® nod would not be wrong. Compelling story told with care and lonely feelings in the air.

Unfortunately, Evan gets himself in trouble by pretending he was Connor’s best friend. At first he gains sympathetic attention from Connor’s dysfunctional family as well as from most of the students at the high school he attends.

Music wrote to express so much as actors add their magic touch. “Dear Evan Hanson,” former play, a timeless movie now to stay.

A suicide by high school boy centers this film with little joy. Yet emotions jump off the screen. Plus, Platt knows how to act and sing. He grabs your heart with words and

Because this film is a musical drama, the characters sing a lot of the dialogue, almost like an operetta. That might be off-putting to some viewers. And there’s only one enthusiastic dance number. But the music and lyrics by Justin Paul and Benj Pasek are so beautiful, this works for me. I especially love “Waving Through a Window,” “If I Could Tell Her,” and “You Will Be Found.”

A strong supporting cast includes: Amy Adams as Connor’s grieving mother; Danny Pino as Connor’s baffled step dad; Julianne Moore as Evan’s single-parent mom; Kaitlyn Dyer as Connor’s sister who falls for Evan; Amanda Stenberg as an active student who organizes a memorial for Connor; and Nik Dodani as Evan’s “family friend” who helps him hide the truth.

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December 2021 - Senior Beacon - Page 17

CAG: Possible Cotter Contamination North of Arkansas THE COTTER/LINCOLN PARK

Community Advisory Group together with the CDPHE and the EPA and Colorado Legacy Land (owner of the superfund listed property) continues stepping through the federal CERCLA cleanup process at the Lincoln Park/Cotter Superfund Site. The Remedial Investigation phase is in full swing now. This is the step that identifies gaps in the data about the extent and location of the radioactive contamination and how it moves in the environment. Local CAG speakers at the November meeting of the CAG revealed four important items: 1. location of some seeps and springs in the area north and south of the Arkansas, 2. a 1929 oil well in Cotter’s old tailings pond footprint, 3. a potential connection of the Chandler and Wolf Park inactive mine workings 4. analysis of the geology and hydrogeology at the site, that mapped the reach of the geologic formations some distance under the Arkansas River . CAG member Carol Dunn cited two reports in her slide presentation. First: the 1986 Cotter Remedial Investigation Executive Summary regarding groundwater emerging in seeps and springs in lower Sand Creek (which flows into the Arkansas River). Second: the 2007 Technical Advisory Grant publication by Dr. Charles Patterson that states “The Chandler airshaft, 1 mile east of the mill, flows 10 gals/minute to groundwater, and this water may be contaminated, possibly with subsurface connection to the Wolf Park Shaft. […] Testing that water would be the definitive proof of the deep path.” CAG Vice-chair Jeri Fry presented her mapping of eleven seeps and springs north, east and west of the Cotter/CLL site including spring-fed lakes like Sells Lake and others on private property. Her field research showed there was a lot of water running in Sand Creek where it crosses Willow. She is curious where all the water comes from as the ditches are shut off in early October and Sand Creek is dammed at the SCS Dam up stream on the Cotter site. Sand Creek still drains the larger geologic formation under the Cotter/CLL footprint. Fry also mentioned the site of the old women’s prison on Grandview where springs damaged the structure and ran down the steps. The CAG would like to see the waters in the seeps and springs characterized to learn whether they are contaminated. CAG Chairperson Emily Tracy presented findings of retired Ge-

ologist, Bob Kirkham, whom the CAG met with at the County Planning Department to research maps of coal mines in the area. She noted that historic maps of the mine workings do not agree with each other about a connection between Wolf Park Mine (under the Cotter site) and the Chandler Mine (to the east of the Cotter site). A connection between the two mines would mean a pathway for water to move from one mine to the other. Eight shafts belonging to the Wolf Park Mine are noted on the map. One known as the Littell Shaft surfaced in Cotter’s old tailings pond area. More detail is needed on how the Littell Shaft was closed. More detail is also needed on the other 7 shafts in the same vicinity. Tracy reported that Kirkham found a mapped oil well that was drilled in 1929 by the Wolf Park Coal Mine company. It was drilled nearly 4,000 feet down from the surface, and though it purposefully avoided the coal mine workings, it did go through the coal beds, through the Trinidad Sandstone formation and into the Pierre Shale formation. The oil well is located in the place that became Cotter’s original tailings ponds area in 1959 where contaminated waste was dumped on the ground or in unlined ponds. Details are not known about the casing or the annular space between the drill hole and the casing. The significance of the discovery of the oil well is that the shaft or drilled hole could be another potential path for contaminated water to reach deeper layers of sandstone providing a route for the contamination to flow into areas farther from the mill site. Lifelong resident, Gus Slanovich, owner of the Chandler Mine and most of the land around the Cotter/CLL site presented his 2003 research analysis paper “The Other Path.” Slanovich’s petroleum engineering degree is from the CO School of Mines. His work presented maps and diagrams showing each of the formations, by thickness and composition, which form the nested bowl shaped geological system that dips deepest beneath the Cotter mill site. Slanovich described the Trinidad sandstone as a “prolific aquifer”. He traced the Trinidad formation to and under the Arkansas River, where he noted the Trinidad is shielded from the river’s water by the Vermejo formation which also reaches under the Arkansas River and thus the Trinidad is able to dump water on the north side of the river without interacting with Arkansas River water. He believes waters from the Trinidad show up in springs in areas around the prison and in the Mackenzie

area north of the Arkansas River. Water that enters into the Trinidad sandstone is able to travel the formation for a long distance until it can escape, in this case, north of the river. The November 2021 CAG meeting was recorded on FaceBook Live and can be viewed on the Lincoln Park/Cotter CAG Facebook Page. The Cotter/Lincoln Park Community Advisory Group, established in 2005, is comprised of 14 Fremont County Citizens who donate their time and service in work toward the best possible clean-up of the Cotter/ Lincoln Park Superfund Site. These volunteers work with the Colorado Department of

Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) and Region 8 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Currently the process is in the Remedial Investigation phase of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) commonly known as Superfund, enacted by Congress on December 11, 1980. If you would like more information or wish to serve contact The CDPHE at 303-692-3421.

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December 2021 - Senior Beacon - Page 19

SOCIAL SECURITY & YOU

JOSH WELLER, PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST-SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION - PUEBLO COUNTY, FREMONT COUNTY AND EL PASO COUNTY

Social Security Benefits Increase in 2022 APPROXIMATELY 70 MILLION

Americans will see a 5.9% increase in their Social Security benefits and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments in 2022. Federal benefit rates increase when the cost-of-living rises, as measured by the Department of Labor’s Consumer Price Index (CPI-W). The CPI-W rises when inflation increases, leading to a higher cost-of-living. This change means prices for goods and services, on average, are a little more expensive, so the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) helps to offset these costs. We will mail COLA notices throughout the month of December to retirement, survivors, and disability beneficiaries, SSI recipients, and representative payees. But, if you want to know your new benefit amount sooner, you can securely obtain your Social Security COLA notice online using the Message Center in your my Social Security account at www.ssa.gov/ myaccount. You can access this information in early December prior to the mailed notice. If you prefer to access your COLA notice online and not receive the mailed notice, you can log in to your personal my Social Security account at www.ssa.gov/ myaccount to opt out of a mailed COLA notice and any other notices that are available online by updating your Preferences in the Message Center. Did you know you can receive a text or email alert when there is a new message waiting for you? That way, you always know when we have something important for you – like your COLA notice. If you don’t have an account yet, you must create one by November 17, 2021, to receive the

2022 COLA notice online.

If you are a woman and you’ve worked and paid taxes into the January 2022 marks other chang- Social Security system for at least es that will happen based on the 10 years, and have earned a miniincrease in the national average mum of 40 work credits, you may wage index. For example, the max- be eligible for your own benefits. imum amount of earnings subject Once you reach age 62, you may be to Social Security payroll tax in eligible for your own Social Secu2022 will be higher. The retirement rity benefit whether you’re married earnings test exempt amount will or not and whether your spouse also change in 2022 and you can collects Social Security or not. If view that at www.ssa.gov/news/ you’re eligible and apply for benepress/factsheets/colafacts2022.pdf fits on more than one work record, you generally receive the higher Be among the first to know! Sign benefit amount. up for or log in to your personal my Social Security account today. It’s never too early or too late Choose email or text under “Mesto start saving and planning for sage Center Preferences” to receive retirement. We have specific inforcourtesy notifications. mation for women at www.ssa.gov/ people/women. You can also read You can find more information the publication What Every Womabout the 2022 COLA at www.ssa. an Should Know at www.ssa.gov/ gov/cola pubs/EN-05-10127.pdf WOMEN AND SOCIAL SECURITY

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FUN & GAMES FOR YOU

48. Omits when speaking 50. Hard to find 52. Bear's winter quarters 53. Hoodwink 55. Scepter's partner 57. *Number of days in Christmastide 60. *"Ugly" holiday party garb? 64. Prepare a letter 65. "Bingo!" 67. Hunger for 68. Pass-the-baton race 69. *Cranberry sauce sometimes comes from it 70. Same as tori 71. Raise the roof 72. German river 73. Stall sound

THEME: HAPPY HOLIDAYS ACROSS 1. Pilgrim's destination 6. Make a scene 9. Rubik's puzzle 13. Hawaii environs 14. Toothy fish 15. Cone-shaped dwelling 16. White Swan in "Swan Lake" ballerina 17. ____-Wan Kenobi 18. *Decorate with wreaths and holly, e.g. 19. *Either dessert or source of heat (2 words) 21. *____ Day, or second day of

Christmastide 23. Land parcel 24. Strauss of denim fame 25. Broadband access overseer, acr. 28. Clarified butter 30. Acute one and obtuse one 35. Southeastern Asian country 37. Jouster's breastplate 39. Shrewdness 40. Caspian basin river 41. *Pasadena's Tournament of ____ 43. Tel ____, Israel 44. Native American emblem 46. "Why not?" 47. Hitchhiker's quest

45. Potpourri 49. Chevy Suburban, e.g. 51. Builds 54. *Popular holiday wish 56. Munchausen's title 57. *Bedecked arbor 58. Shakespeare, to his friends? 59. And others, for short 60. Minus 61. Tropical edible root 62. Anon's partner 63. Take a load off 64. Like some humor 66. *Traditional main holiday dish

DOWN 1. Whiny and miserable 2. Shade of beige 3. Finish a ceiling, to a plasterer 4. Marlboro alternative 5. Not digital 6. Bug-eyed 7. Not Uber 8. Social group 9. Ghana monetary unit 10. Second word of many fairytales 11. Cause of Titanic's demise 12. Poetic "even" 15. Burdensome 20. Not this or that 22. Lab eggs 24. Time off 25. *Champagne holder 26. *Wassailing composition 27. Raccoon's South American cousin 29. Feeling of superiority, pl. 31. ____ gum, food additive 32. Furiously angry 33. Exclude or omit 34. *Number of candles in kinara, Kwanzaa 36. *Troika vehicle 38. "Will be," according to Doris 42. Asian goat antelope SODUKU Fill in the blank squares in the grid, making sure that every row, column and 3-by-3 box includes all digits 1 through 9.

▶ ANSWERS ON PAGES

SIX AND SEVEN

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◀ FROM LIGHT PAGE 6

my tears started to fall. I didn’t even give Him my best, as the drummer boy played, my tears let alone give Him my all. started to fall. I didn’t even give Him So this Christmas, Jesus, I bring you my my best, let alone give Him my all. So, drum, this Christmas, Jesus, I bring you my the very beat of my heart. drum, the very beat of my heart. I ask I ask Your forgiveness, for things unYour forgiveness, for things undone; it’s done; the only place I can start.”* it’s the only place I can start. I can give to Jesus obedience, worship, praise, and awe but the best gift -Rasilalume Vhuhwavho I can give Him is my little drum, the steady beat of my heart. What did you give Jesus throughout the past year? Or 5 TIPS TO EASE THE PAIN OF HOLIDAY perhaps a better question is, what will you give Him this Christmas? SHIPPING *I Went To Church” by - Rasilalume Vhuhwavho © 2021 Jan McLaughlin. Jan can be contacted at 719-649-2937 or by e-mail Jansmail@reagan.com I WENT TO CHURCH I went to church on Christmas morn to hear the angels sing. My heart was lifted with every chorus; the rafters, they did ring. I sang along with joy in my heart, the greatest sound I’ve ever heard. From “O Holy Night” to “What Child is This?” I cherished every word. I celebrated the King’s lowly birth; I shouted and danced about. Then came along a “Little Drummer Boy,” and I knew I was without. What had I given the Babe this year? A panic crossed my mind. I tried to think of what I had given, but there was none to find. Did I find a child and clothe him well? Did I seek a widow to bless? Did I go to someone sick in their bed and try to ease their death? Did I ask a sinner to say a prayer or tell him the Good News? Did I give a beggar something to eat or at least buy him some shoes? I bowed my head as the drummer boy played.

Holiday plans may look different again this year. Some families will choose to host small gatherings, while others may celebrate from the comfort of home instead of traveling. If you won’t be spending the holidays with loved ones—and if this season is anything like 2020—you’ll likely be shipping gifts. Here’s how to ensure a timely, damage-free arrival. Be Aware of Shipping Deadlines. Each year, the United States Postal Service and other major shipping companies release deadlines to help people plan timely delivery of packages during their busiest season of the year. Whether you’ll manually ship gifts or order them online, prioritizing these deadlines is key. Give yourself ample time. Aim to have packages shipped about 10-12 days before the holiday. The USPS recommends no later than December 15, 2021 for ground shipping. Invest in a Quality Box. While it may be tempting to use any old box you have hanging out in the garage, worn-down boxes are much more likely to crumple in-tran-

December 2021 - Senior Beacon - Page 21 sit. Additionally, if the package is too big for its contents, you risk things rolling or shaking; if it’s too small, you risk tearing and breaking. With this in mind, consider investing in new, quality boxes, like Duck Brand Kraft Box. They are cost-effective, made from recycled, durable materials, and are available in a variety of sizes, all of which meet postal regulations, so you can pick the best fit that protects from damage, while keeping shipping costs down. Pick Proper Packing Tape. If you’re going to invest in shipping supplies, don’t forget to include a strong, easy-to-use packing tape. Lower-quality options may lead to splitting or tearing, which is a recipe for disaster when shipping holiday presents (or even for storing décor until next year). Duck Max Strength Packing Tape offers premium quality and tough adhesion, to keep boxes and packages secure during shipping. Stronger and more durable than ordinary tapes, this packing tape is designed to seal even the heaviest boxes safely and securely to help prevent items inside from being damaged during delivery. Add an Extra Layer of Protection. Handle fragile packages

with extra care by including the all-important layer of bubble cushioning. BUBBLE WRAP brand cushioning easily conforms around treasured objects and helps prevent shifts and damage during shipping. The product’s Air Lock Technology maintains consistent, light-as-air cushioning while filling empty voids in boxes, so items stay put. For best protection, make sure the bubbles are facing your gift to cushion impact. Personalize the Package. If you prefer a greener option, Flourish Brand Kraft Paper is protective, versatile and sustainable. Made from 100% recycled material, the shipping paper can be easily added to standard curbside recycling bins. Plus, it makes it easy to wrap up and ship out large boxes, and can be used to fill packaging voids, so items stay in place. Or, as a fun indoor activity throughout winter, kids may enjoy using Kraft Paper to create customized, DIY wrapping paper. Other special touches to your long-distance holiday delivery could be including a thoughtful note or adding a drop of essential oil to the ribbon.

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Page 22 - Senior Beacon - December 2021 ANCIENT FAERIE LORE: FAERIE HERBS AND POTIONS

GLEN VOLLMECKE Author: "Intermission a Place in Time."

This is the religion of Plygain. Parishioners unite for a ceremony in church lit by special green candles beginning at three in the morning. Many also bring in this spiritual ritual at home, thus enabling those to celebrate all morning until dawn the next day. If still sober that is!

We remain in Scotland's green land for their mythology linked to the Selkie, especially the female of the species. Her ability to discard her skin enables the human transformation on shore to that of a beautiful human/ maiden. Should a man capture this skin, the Selkie can be coerced into marriage with this mortal person. Her influence on this marriage is akin to a faerie tale, the husband is usually overjoyed with this commitment. However on the negative side, despite their wholesome and happy relationship should the Selkie discover her cast off skin, she abandons her husband immediately, leaving him to sadly pine away, leading to an early demise. Whilst remaining in bonnie Scotland and Wales, we must notice their customary Christmas festivities. Unlike most of Europe, homes are decorated with flowers, holly, ivy and evergreens. Cathedrals, pubs and windowsills are festooned with banks of color. Still observed in certain areas is the practice of 'Watching the Dawn.' This is the religion of Plygain. Parishioners unite for a ceremony in church lit by special green candles beginning at

three in the morning. Many also bring in this spiritual ritual at home, thus enabling those to celebrate all morning until dawn the next day. If still sober that is! Greeting the new Christmas day is occasionally a blur, depending upon the extent of the celebrations. Although an ancient ritual, even today Welsh colliers shuffle door to door toting wooden boards covered in lighted candles. Another routine incorporates wheelbarrows of clay also carrying lighted candles. All described as the 'Star of Bethlehem.' Home owners fall to their knees in front of these handmade symbols while singing carols. Belgium children follow a comparable course to solicit gifts for Christmas. Another centuries old tradition relates to the day after Christmas…'Boxing Day.' As a child growing up in England, we didn't know the origination of this bizarre date, and it's probably inexplicable to most people even to this day. But even now, empty boxes are noticed in shops and places of business, a subtle plea for donations. During the ages businesses dispatched apprentices to beg customers for money. Soon parliament took action and in 1837 it was outlawed. Today it's a little more evident in Wales where

postmen, and many civil servants expect in strong terms a 'box' for their hard work during the year. It's actually an expectation. Believe it or not, even our Christmas trees represent heathen rights antedating Christ. In Herefordshire England Druid fires of the winter solstice feast were continuous. On Christmas Eve thirteen fires were lighted in a corn field. Twelve named for the twelve apostles encircled a solitary candle called the Virgin Mary, this burned higher and brighter than the others. During this ceremony a very confused and isolated cow stood silently in a nearby barn. A plum cake fixed between her horns. Subsequently a batch of warm cider was tossed into her face, tremors and confusion caused the immediate tumble of the cake, which if landed in front of the cow ensured a very good harvest. But if the plum cake landed behind the cow, evil omens were sadly anticipated. The peasant's feast followed these religious festivities, but one can only hope that the unfortunate drenched animal was not the main course…

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December 2021 - Senior Beacon - Page 23

OPINION-EDITORIAL

DAVID SHRIBMAN

David M. Shribman is a North Shore native and Pulitzer Prize winner

THE HOLIDAYS ARE NOT SO HAPPY IF YOU ARE A DEMOCRAT They have the White House, having denied Donald J. Trump a second term. They have the Senate, in a situation where they can showcase the role and reach of the first female vice president. They have the House of Representatives, which the Constitution invests with the power of the purse and the power to originate tax bills. They have nothing but woes. The Democrats are drowning in misery. That may be the understatement of the era. The Democratic-held House is a mess, with the Republican figure poised to inherit the Speaker’s gavel, Representative Kevin McCarthy of California, polishing his message in an 8 hour 32 minute speech that had all the markings of a Senate filibuster. It was a spectacle almost without precedent in the chamber, where there are structures against such excesses, and having the unmistakable air of an

audition for the power to rule the House in January, 2022. Ordinarily the counsel in a time like this might be: Take a deep breath, Christmas is coming, invest yourself in a time of joy and glad tidings, the midterm congressional elections are still 11 months off. Not this year. There’s a lot of blame to go around for the shortages in American stores, of course, but while the topic is blame, Republicans already are blaming Mr. Biden for the persistence of the coronavirus. And being the person in charge, he’s being blamed for inflation as well, with this cutting talking point circulating from the Republican side: All that money sloshing around in the Biden infrastructure and social-spending bills is only fuelling inflation. The irony is that Mr. Trump, virtually alone down in his Palm Beach aerie, has the profile of the shiny new object in American politics, the personification of the modern Republican Party, which he built in his own image. Meanwhile, Mr. Biden seems as if he is a remnant of oldstyle Democratic politics, as befitting his nearly half-century in public life, and despite adopting the issues of the time – concern about climate change, worries about income distribution, advocacy of LGBTQ rights – he seems encased in rust. He’s the political picture of Dorian Gray. Both men are in their 70s. One seems old, the other new. And the reaction to them is telling. The energized, progressive section of the Democratic Party is tolerant of, but not enthusiastic about, its party leader. The energized, Trump-inspired section of the Republican Party is enthusiastic about its leader and intolerant of party skeptics. Traditional Republicans

want to cast their leader away like a defective old shoe. Some of the Democrats’ crisis was predictable – and normal. The party holding the White House lost an average of 36 seats in the House in midterm elections from 1906 to 1982. Ronald Reagan, then the oldest president, had stratospheric approval ratings at the start of his administration (68 per cent in May, 1981, according to the Gallup poll) only to see the figure drop to 49 per cent at the end of that first year. (Mr. Biden is around 43 per cent at an equivalent point in his presidency, though the Omicron variant is only starting to spread, and it almost certainly won’t help the Biden ratings.) Things got even worse for Mr. Reagan in his second year and the Republicans lost 26 House seats in the 1982 midterm congressional elections. He began his third year at 35 per cent. And yet two years later, Mr. Reagan won a second term by a landslide. No one predicts Mr. Biden will cruise to a landslide re-election, and indeed already Democrats are fretting that their President is too old, his political appeal is too antiquated, his Vice-President is too feckless to run against Mr. Trump or one of his populist acolytes, and the party’s bench on Capitol Hill and in the country’s governors’ chairs is too weak to offer up a compelling replacement for the 2024 presidential election. It remains possible that the Democratic gloom is too pervasive. There remains the chance that the President’s woes are setting him up for troubles ahead that are so great that – contrary to expectations – he enjoys something of a recovery, a surprising septuagenarian surge. (He turns 80 a dozen days after the midterms.)

All views expressed in these pages are that of the author/s and not necessarily endorsed by the Senior Beacon, Beacon News Group, et al.

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Losing the House, for example, would neutralize the power of the ultraprogressives and allow the failure to move forward on legislation to be blamed on the Republicans rather than on internecine Democratic struggles. “In an ideal world you control the government with a large margin, but that’s not going to happen for the Democrats,” said Bruce E. Cain, a Stanford University political scientist. “Losing the House may have a silver lining for Biden. He wouldn’t have to arbitrate between the Democrats’ factions and at the same time the Republicans would have to put forward ideas to solve the country’s problems.”

Senior Beacon

Senior Beacon serves Pueblo, El Paso, Fremont and the 12 surrounding counties that make up most of Southeastern Colorado. It is a monthly newspaper dedicated to inform, serve, educate and entertain the Senior Community of these areas.

Current issues and back issues, dating to 2006, are available for free online at SeniorBeacon.info Publication of advertising contained herein does not necessarily constitute endorsement. Signed columns are the opinions of the writers and not necessarily that of the publisher. Senior Beacon is locally owned and operated. Founded in February of 1982.

BEACON NEWS GROUP d/b/a Senior Beacon P.O. Box 8485 Pueblo, CO 81008 Publisher Beacon News Group Publisher Emeritus, CCO James R. Grasso Advertising Manager R.S. Phillips Advertising Executives Kristin Collins Rick Forman Jim Grasso Jan McLaughlin Graphic Design and Layout Senior Beacon Staff Distribution Manager Kelton Griffith Braden Phillips IT Support Robin Eckelberry

www.SeniorBeacon.info

BeaconNewsGroup@gmail.com

719-247-6580

SUBMISSIONS: Senior Beacon welcomes reader contributions in the form of senior groups news, stories, poetry, recipes and happenings. Letters to the Editor must be typed and double spaced, signed with address and phone number submitted. Deadline is the 10th of the month prior to publication. Copyright 2021-Evergrowth Media, LLC

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VISIT US ONLINE AT: SeniorBeacon.info