Issuu

MAY 2016

Vol. 30 No. 5

Mesa County’s Monthly Newspaper for Adults 50+. Over 28,350 Readers.

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SUMMER 20

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n’s Disease s for Huntingto Hitting the trail 6 See story page ness Health & Well Your Guide to

web at Visit us on the com SeniorNews. www.Beacon

VOLUNTEERS

are vital to our valley 2016 BEACON Volunteer of the Year nominees. From top left: Ann Hasley, Gary Harrington; middle: Mary Greenmun, Karen Hughes, Wynne Bouley, Sherry Schenk; bottom: Joan Hoeffler, Volunteer of the Year Paul Blee, and Bonnie Ball. Not pictured: Rita Larson.

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9 7 0 - 2 9 8 - 7 5 6 9 | st m a r yg j g ift .o rg P O Box 1628, Grand Junction, Colorado 81502-1628

MAY 2016

EDITORIAL

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

Fracking fruit trees in Fruita! What the Frack? By Kevin K. VanGundy

ast month’s BeaconFest was a big hit. (If you attended, thank you!) One of our exhibitors was Piceance Energy Action Council. They were there to extol the benefits of fracking to the 3,200 boomers and seniors who attended the event. Fracking has a long history in our area. Eileen O’Toole, who has written an excellent story in this month’s BEACON, recently regaled me with another tale of how the Quaker Oats Company, in 1910, embarked to establish a farm and ranch at the western edge of our grand valley. Robert Lazear, fresh out of college, founded Garmesa Farms. Many didn’t think he could get the hardened clay soil to grow a decent fruit tree. But the young Lazear found that by adding a half stick of dynamite to each hole before planting his young trees, that it not only sufficiently loosened the earth, but also had the added benefit of releasing nitrogen into the soil. There have been many times working in my garden, that I, too, wished for a few sticks of dynamite!

Summer travel Are you going anywhere this summer? Did you visit any place exciting last year? In June, the BEACON will present you with a myriad of sugges-

tions on places to go and things to do. What we’d really like to know from you is what to include and what not to include. Please send your suggestions and/or old travel photos to: Beacon@PendantPublishing.com or BEACON Senior Newspaper PO Box 3895 Grand Junction, CO 81502

Learn about Estate Planning at our Free Educational Workshops! Experienced & Compassionate Estate, Trust & Tax Planning Attorneys

There Has Been a Death in the Family! Now What? Montrose: Monday, May 9th 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. Grand Junction: Wednesday, May 11th 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. New Location! Delta: Monday, May 16th 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. Later Time! Grand Junction: Tuesday, May 24th 5:00 - 6:00 p.m.

Have you lost a loved one recently? Do you have questions on how to administer their estate? Would you like to know how your own estate will be administered? We’ll discuss important issues surrounding the estate administration process. It may not be as easy as you think! SPECIAL PROGRAM!

Making Meaning out of Challenging Behaviors

(Program 1 of 3) Grand Junction: Thursday, May 12th 3:00 - 4:15 p.m.

Special program presented by Tracy Waite, the administrator from Aspen Ridge Alzheimer’s Special Care Center. During the program you will explore types of behaviors associated with dementia, the possible causes, and how to help manage the behaviors using interventions. Don’t miss this series!

Registration is Required: Grand Junction workshops (our office) - 1250 E. Sherwood Dr.

Montrose - Region 10 Area Agency on Aging - 300 N. Cascade. Delta workshops 1501 E. 3rd St. in the Mesa Lakes room in the Oncology Center at Delta Hospital. Sign up by calling (970) 243-8250 or on our website at: www.brownandbrownpc.com

Phone: (970) 243-8250 1250 E. Sherwood Drive, Grand Junction, CO 81501 1317 Grand Ave., Suite 224B, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601

Got game? In July’s BEACON, we’re going to include the complete schedule of events for this summer’s Western Colorado Senior Games put on by the Grand Junction Parks & Recreation Department. Last summer’s games had a record number of participants and we’re looking to make this year’s games even more competitive with your participation.

Happy Mother’s Day! ■

In April’s BEACON Senior Newspaper we featured an inspiring story called “Being Mortal,” which wasabout Cindi Brower’s brave battle with cancer. We apologize, as we neglected to include this lovely photo of her. I apologize. The upside of this mistake is that it has given me the opportunity to bring this story of this amazing woman back to your attention. Our back issues can be found at www.BeaconSeniorNews.com.

Baird B. Brown u Clara Brown Shaffer u Jamie J. Roth u Paul M. Smith u Shauna C. Clemmer

COVER STORY

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

A positive outlook makes a world of difference By Carrie Kellerby

2016 Volunteer of the Year nominees with their nominators. Photos from top: Ann Hasley (right), nominated by Joy Thompson, CASA of Mesa County; Mary Greenmun (left), nominated by David Oswalt, Grand Junction Police Department; Bonnie Ball (right), nominated by Laura Switzer, HopeWest; Sherry Schenk (right), nominated by Janice Shepherd, Great Old Broads for Wilderness

MAY 2016

ach year the Beacon Senior Newspaper honors the dedicated men and women of the Grand Valley who volunteer to make our world a better place. Our readers nominate individuals who contribute their time, skills and special talents to our community. All of these nominees go beyond the call of duty and perform outstanding acts of service. We are grateful for every one of them. In addition to recognizing these volunteers, we ask our readers to cast their votes for the BEACON Volunteer of the Year, an award that honors an individual who sets the standard for community service. This year our readers chose Paul Blee, 78, a man whose positive outlook and dedication are inspirational. Blee has been an active member of The Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks for 54 years, and it was through the Elks that Blee made his connection with the Veterans Affairs (VA) hospital and began working with the aging population in the Community Living Center (CLC), the Grand Junction VA’s hospice and long-term care unit. Robin Maddox, the voluntary services program manager at the VA Medical Center, nominated Blee because of his willingness to do whatever needs doing. Maddox said that Blee “wears a number of hats, and is there to lend a hand with any special event.” She added that Blee also has the rare gift of being able to recruit other volunteers. In the late ’50s, Bleeserved in the Air Force during the Hungarian Revolution and was stationed in Frankfurt, Germany. After his tour of duty was complete, he went back home to Minnesota and enrolled in a training program to become an electrician. In 1971 Blee and his wife, Mona, moved from Minnesota to Hayden, Colorado, where he worked as an electrician for 20 years. While in

Hayden, the couple suffered the tragic loss of their 15-yearold daughter, Marie, who disappeared after attending a dance one evening. The disappearance took place 37 years ago, but is still with the couple every day. A large photo of their smiling teenage daughter hangs prominently on the wall of their living room. The investigation concerning Marie’s disappearance is still open. Despite their move to Grand Junction in 1991, the Blees still work to keep the investigation fresh in the minds of the Hayden community. Each year the couple Paul Blee was nominated by Rob provides a scholarship to in Maddox, the voluntary services program manager at the Hayden High School for a VA Medical Center, and was voted the BEACON’s 2016 Volu graduating senior girl. The nteer of the Year. Marie Blee Memorial Scholarship provides $650 to the chosen late 60s into their 90s. On Tuesdays recipient to help with the costs of he takes his group of half a dozen or education. Blee said that the time he more for “wheelchair bowling.” They spends volunteering at the VA keeps go to Freeway Bowl, where Blee said, him from brooding on the fate of his youngest daughter. It gives him a way “the owner, Tony [Azzam], has been really welcoming to us and O’Dwto convert his grief into positive acyer Electric pays for the cost of our tion. Helping others helps him, too. bowling. It’s been a great experience Blee got involved with the VA for the vets.” Hospital after he retired from elecIn addition to weekly driving trical work in 1999. “I sat around arrangements and excursions, Blee for a few months, and soon realized coordinates the logistics for two large that wasn’t for me. I needed to keep events: The Blue Angels/Thunderbusy,” he said. He started volunteerbirds Air Show and a variety revue ing in February 2000. out of Pennsylvania called ReEvery Monday he drives disabled veterans to a variety of venues. Some- Creation, which is a group of young times they go on picnics; other times volunteer entertainers who sing, dance and do light comedy. Accordthey tour museums, visit local attracing to Blee, both of these events are tions and go out to lunch. They’ve big favorites of the vets. “They really toured the Colorado Bureau of Inlook forward to these shows.” vestigation. “We used to go down to In addition to his work with the Delta for bowling, but the restaurant CLC and the Elks, Blee also volwe went to folded. Mostly we go out unteers his time to the Disabled for a change of scenery,” Blee said. American Veterans Organization as The vets Blee shuttles about did a weekly as-needed driver. He picks tours in Vietnam, Korea and World War II and range in age from their up veterans in the city who have

MAY 2016

COVER STORY

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

appointments at the VA and then gets them home safely. In her nomination of Paul Blee, Maddox pointed out that driving the DAV is one of the most time-consuming volunteer positions at the VA. Blee doesn’t mind, though. Helping others makes him happy, a response he attributes, in part, to that old saw about the apple not falling far from the tree. He says that his mother, Martha, was a registered nurse who loved helping others. She was always volunteering her time. “I could hardly get a cookie at home when I was a kid. She was always baking them,” he laughed, “but they were usually for somebody else.” Blee and his wife understand service and compassion. They are each on their second marriage, and between them they have five children—but they have also suffered losses. The loss of their daughter is a wound that is always with them as they actively keep the search for answers going. In addition, their son Andy suffered from diabetes and died when he was only 37. The Blees then adopted his son, Emory, who was just a young boy at the time. Emory lives on Orchard Mesa with his wife, Theresa, and two of their three children. Their eldest son has a flourishing dance career in Orlando. The Blees are proud grandparents and great-grandparents, with photographs of their family lovingly displayed upon the walls of their home. “The volunteer work helps,” Blee said, “It helps to keep your mind on things that are useful. It’s rewarding to help others rather than go into self-pity.” When asked what his wife thought about all his volunteer activities, Blee just smiled. “She’s as busy as I am,” he admitted. Mona, a retired counselor, also volunteers at the VA front desk. “I like to tease her from time to time about what she does there,” he chuckled. “I tell her that they put her at the front desk because she likes to tell people where to go.” Mona also volunteers as a victim advocate for the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office. Occasionally the couple gets to volunteer together. Well, almost. The

third Tuesday of every month is bingo night at the CLC and the men get together to play bingo while the wives visit the bedridden. Both of them have also served on the board of the Colorado Bureau of Investigation. Blee said what he does isn’t work – “It’s rewarding.” He also says that he wouldn’t be able to get it all done if it weren’t for the help he receives from others. He particularly wanted to mention his team of volunteers: Rick, the two Eds, Bruce, Daryl, Don, Gail

and Patrick. “I couldn’t do it without them,” he said. “And that’s for sure.” He is also grateful to Robin Maddox. “She instigated all of this,” he added with a smile. No matter what life throws at him, Blee is a man with a positive outlook on the world, and he has chosen to make a positive difference in the world. We can all be grateful for that. ■

START VOLUNTEERING! Here’s a list of wonderful organizations and their contact information to help get you started. RSVP, 243-9839 or rsvpgrandjunction.org CASA of Mesa County, 242-4191 or email info@casamc.org.

National & Regional Award-Winning Publication Publisher ..............................Kevin K. VanGundy Founding Publisher....................... Susan Capps Editor............................................. Nancy Ruspil Editor at Large............................... Cloie Sandlin Senior Graphic Designer............ Melissa Trottier Graphic Design/Photography....Katherine Lopez Graphic Design.............................. Karen Jones Social Media............................. Paige Slaughter Office Manager............................... Kim Latham Account Representative................... Sue Bowen Account Representative................ Sidney Jayne Account Representative...............Carolyn Takos Proofreader...................................... Jan Weeks Cheerleader................................... Genevra Shal Delivery...........................................Cora Gentry Delivery ................................. Lauren VanGundy Delivery...............................................JR Milner

Partners, 245-5555 or www.mesapartners.org Hilltop, 244-0659 or email Volunteers@htop.org. Gray Gourmet, 243-9844 HopeWest, 241-2212 or www.hopewestco.org Catholic Outreach, 241-3658 or www.catholicoutreach.org Habitat for Humanity, 263-0858 or www.hfhmesa.org Community Food Bank, 640-0336 or foodbankgj.org/how-to-volunteer American Red Cross, 242-4851 or www.redcross.org/support/volunteer

P.O. Box 3895, Grand Junction, CO 81502 ph: 970.243.8829 fax: 800.536.7516 Website: www.BeaconSeniorNews.com E-mail: Beacon@ PendantPublishing.com The BEACON is published at the beginning of the month. Our goal is to inform and inspire the 50+ community in Mesa, Delta & Montrose counties. Publication of advertising does not necessarily constitute endorsement. Columns are opinions of the writers, not necessarily the opinion of the publisher. Display advertising rates are available upon request. Deadline for advertising and announcements is the 20th of the month preceding publication. © Copyright 2016 • All Rights Reserved

Grand Junction Visitors Center, 256-4060 or www.visitgrandjunction.com Roice-Hurst, 434-7337 or www.rhhumanesociety.com/volunteer.html Mesa County Animal Services, 255-5005 or animalservices.mesacounty.us John McConnell Math and Science Center, 254-1626 or mathandsciencecenter.org/support/volunteer Operation Interdependence, 523-4217 or www.oidelivers.org Grand Junction VA Medical Center, 245-1336 Mesa County Health Department, 248-6900 or health.mesacounty.us/volunteer/ Mesa County Libraries, 683-2432 or email volunteer@mcpld.org Mesa County Sherriff’s Department, 244-3500 or health.mesacounty.us/volunteer/ St. Mary’s Foster Grandparent Program, 298-9091 St. Mary’s Senior Companion Program, 298-9092

Cover Photo: 2016 BEACON Volunteer of the Year nominees.

FEATURE STORY

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

MAY 2016

Master your gardening skills By Kathy Kimbrough “Hi, this is Kathy with the Master Gardener desk. How can I help you?” “My lawn has lumps in it. I dug down and found large earthworms making tunnels in my grass. Can I kill the earthworms and what would I use?” That was my first phone call on the Master Gardener Help Desk in April of 2001. I’ll never forget it because I had no idea what the answer was or that having earthworms in your lawn was a problem. That phone call began a journey of learning and discovery for me. One thing I discovered was that the CSU Extension Colorado Master Gardener program has a wide variety of volunteer opportunities and there is something for everyone. After 15 years with the program, I am still learning about our challenging high desert climate and participating in several community outreach programs. Our climate is one of the main reasons people sign up for these college-level horticultural classes each January. They moved here from somewhere else, tried their hand at gardening and found it to be much more difficult than where they came from. Or, they were seasoned gardeners and farmers who wanted to improve their skills and

Volunteers Gary and Susan Clapp

learn the latest science-based information and techniques from respected professionals. Many green industry professionals take the course for continuing education credits as well. Susan Carter is the horticulture agent for the Tri-River Area Extension office. She oversees the Master Gardener program, as well as the Native Plant Master program and the horticultural needs of the commercial growers in the region. She values the Master Gardener volunteers’ enthusiasm, commitment to gardening and spreading research-based information to the public. The extension has information booths at local events, such as Arbor Day celebrations, Farm and Ranch Days, and many of the festivals in the region. These events are manned by dedicated master gardeners who enjoy helping homeowners solve their garden challenges. Susan Honea, the extension’s horticulture coordinator, is new to western Colorado, but familiar with our arid climate, tricky soils and intense sunlight because of previous experiences in Montana, Wyoming and western Oregon. She is impressed with the quality of volunteers participating in the Master Gardener program. She said many of the master gardeners are retired boomers or

seniors. But many still work and manage to take time off to attend classes and volunteer throughout the season. The learning doesn’t stop with the basic classes held in the winter. There are vegetable diagnostic and turf grass idenAnn McDonald and Kathy Kimbrough discuss a rose bud at the tification clinics, as Master Gardener counter at the CSU Extension office. well as the Lunch & Learn webinars during Another way to volunteer is to the summer. Numerous hands-on become a docent for the Ute Learning training opportunities include rose Garden. This is located behind the and fruit tree pruning workshops and Extension building at the Mesa Counplanting a vegetable garden. ty Fairgrounds in Grand Junction People from all walks of life go and was created in 2008 by the Uinta through the program and find they Ute Tribe from Utah, Bureau of Land can apply their corporate-world skills Management and CSU Extension. The to the volunteer opportunities. The garden hosts school children from most visible interaction with the around the state every year and showcommunity is the Master Gardencases the life zones and uses of plants er Help desk, which is manned by grown by Native Americans in our apprentices and returning master garregion. One of the highlights of this deners throughout the year. Some of garden is the traditional Three Sisthe duties of those volunteers include ters Garden, where corn, squash and giving out fact sheets, answering beans are grown together for mutual phone calls and emails from homebenefit. The corn acts as a trellis for owners, identifying plants, weeds the beans, the beans provide nitrogen and insects, diagnosing diseases, and to the soil and the squash shades the testing soil samples for salt levels. roots and keeps weeds at bay. The Mesa County Arboretum, designed and planted in 2005, is just around the corner from the Ute Learning Garden and features waterwise trees, shrubs and perennials. It provides countless learning opportunities for master gardeners and the public. Master gardeners learn to identify plants, weeds and insects. They learn the proper way to prune trees and shrubs and maintain the gardens. The Arboretum also hosts the annual Colorado Weed Pull, which helps master gardeners and the public learn how to identify weeds and how to eliminate them properly. One of my personal favorite volunteer activities is being a member of the House Calls and Diagnostics team. Did you know that if you have Volunteers Kricket Scheerer and Vince Urbina planting trees. a problem in your landscape and you

MAY 2016

FEATURE STORY

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

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Area Extension Coordinator Susan Honea, Master Gardener Kathy Kimnbrough, Horticulture Agent Susan Carter and volunteer Larissa Gillbert can’t bring a sample to the office, you can request a house call? A master gardener will come out for a small fee and determine what the problem is and how to fix it. When you bring in a sample to the extension office, and it cannot be identified while you are there, it goes to the diagnostic team, which meets once a week. This is a fantastic hands-on opportunity to learn about plant diseases and insects. The Tree Auction and Plant Sale in October gives master gardeners a chance to help the public pick out appropriate plants for their landscapes, as well as fund the Master Gardener Scholarship Fund. This fund helps defray the costs of returning master gardeners to attend conferences and workshops. Media expertise is another way to lend your talents to the Colorado Master Gardener program. You can volunteer to write blogs and articles for newspapers, or create radio and television programs and podcasts. If you are a lifelong learner, have a passion for gardening and looking for volunteer opportunities, consider becoming a Colorado Master Gardener. I found my passion and started my own garden design company 10 years ago because of the support and knowledge I found here. I’m sure you can do the same thing. Contact Susan Honea at 244-1841 or visit www.cmg.colostate.edu for more information about the Colorado Master Gardener program. ■

What you need to know about the Colorado Master Gardener program: • The Colorado Master Gardener program is celebrating 40 years of service to the community this year. • The program has grown to include 34 counties and has 1,372 volunteers. • CSU Extension offers Master Gardener classes from January through March around the state. • The Tri-River Area Extension office trains people from Mesa, Delta, Montrose and Ouray counties. • Tuition for volunteers is $170, plus one book that can be purchased or downloaded and 50 volunteer hours to be completed by the end of October. Scholarships are available. • There are currently 116 active master gardeners in the Tri-River Area MG program, one of the largest groups in the state.

Great gifts for Mom with hardy Colorado grown:

Beautiful Potted Plants Trees & Shrubs Evergreen Trees & Shrubs Perennials Roses & Vines Grasses & Herbs Gift Certificates 680 24-1/2 Road (3/4 mile north of Mesa Mall) 245-2634

THE HEALTHY GEEZER

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

Do people who are color-blind see everything in black and white?

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MAY 2016

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Home Care Beyond the Expected

“Color blindness” is the common term used to describe color vision deficiency. The term is misleading because total color blindness that turns the world into shades of gray is rare. The most common type of color blindness makes it difficult for people to discriminate between red and green. The next most common form of the deficiency affects the perception of blues and yellows. Those with blue-yellow blindness almost always have red-green blindness, too. Many people with color blindness don’t know they have it. For example, they are taught at an early age that grass is green. They look at lawns and see yellow grass. Subsequently, if you ask them what color the grass is, they will tell you it’s green. (Please don’t ask me how they handle shopping for bananas.) Color blindness affects about 10 percent of men, but only 1 percent of women. Most people with color blindness inherited it. There is no treatment to correct inherited color blindness. However, there are specially tinted eyeglasses that can help people with deficiencies to distinguish between colors. Another cause of color blindness is simple aging, which gradually diminish-

es our ability to see colors. Diseases can affect your color vision, too. Usually, diseases affect the perception of blue and yellow. Some conditions that can cause color blindness are diabetes, glaucoma, cataracts, macular degeneration, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, leukemia and sickle cell anemia. Some drugs can alter color perception, too. These include drugs for heart problems, high blood pressure, rheumatoid arthritis, nervous disorders and psychological problems. Exposure to certain chemicals can cause color blindness. These include carbon disulfide, fertilizers, styrene and mercury. The eye is like a camera. There’s a lens in the front that focuses images on the retina in the back. The retina contains nerve cells that react to light and transmit information to your brain. If the cells responsible for color don’t work properly, you suffer from color blindness. If you think you are having a colorvision problem, see an eye doctor. You’ll be asked to look at a book containing several multicolored dot patterns. If you have a color vision deficiency, you won’t be able to pick out numbers and shapes from within the dot patterns. ■

Hilltop - the name you trust At Hilltop Home Care we know remaining safe, secure and independent in your own home can be a primary worry as you age. Aging well in your home may require a wide-range of personalized services to help you achieve your optimal independence. At Hilltop Home Care we offer: n Post-hospitalization and surgery care n IV therapy, medication management and injections n Physical, occupational and speech therapists

n Chronic disease management n Personal care n Companionship n Housekeeping, pet care and handyman services

n Transportation and errands n Meal preparation n Emergency Response Monitors n All caregivers screened and insured

Ask about our Geriatric Care Managers and how they can help you navigate the complex issues of aging at home

(970) 208-1345 • HilltopHomeCareGJ.org

Send your general health questions to the Healthy Geezer in care of the BEACON, or email fred@healthygeezer.com.

MAY 2016

ASK THE OLD BAG

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

ASK THE OLD BAG Advice Column for the Over 50 Crowd By Gayle Lagman-Creswick Dear Old Bag: I am a 60-year-old woman with an 87-year-old mother in independent living. Mom also suggested living with us—and she did for six months when her house flooded beyond repair. We knew it could not last, and it created undue stress for all of us (me, Mom, husband and sister). While she sometimes struggles with this life transition from having her own home and not having to do her own cleaning, cooking, etc., she knows this is better in the long term. In her mind, she’s still 25 and quite sharp! Aging is not easy and the elder are not children, but rather adults who held jobs, had responsibilities, raised children, fought in wars and made their own decisions and life mistakes. As adult children of our aging parents, we must find ways to respect, understand and negotiate their life-stage transitions. Thanks, VM Dear VM: Well said! If you have been reading me for a while, you may remember that one of my greatest fears is that my children will begin treating me like I am their child. When I told them this, my daughter-in-law said, “What if you begin to act as a child like my mother is acting now?” I don’t really know the answer to that, but I would just say, “Try to remember the mother inside her that you used to know, and love her accordingly.” I know this won’t be easy, but it will help, if you constantly remind yourself of the strong person she was. Thanks for writing such a thoughtful letter. (This is in response to the several-month exchange we had on sexuality and seniors...in which I got educated!) Dear Old Bag: I do not think you are old-fashioned. I know plenty of people of all ages who feel sex is richer when it is part of a meaningful relationship.

Sex can feel great, but when it’s over, it’s over. Love fills and enriches your life, and not just for the moment. Love stays with you forever, even after the person passes away. I agree with your reader, Wiser, when he or she said, “I learned that my ethic is not prevalent among the seniors who wrote.” That’s because the rest of us, who I believe are the majority, agreed with you and therefore, had no reason to write. Signed, Also Wiser

Dear Also Wiser: I hope you are right. After going over the many emails I got on the subject, I was beginning to wonder if I didn’t grasp this senior sexual revolution, especially among women. Not that I would change my mind, but it did open my eyes! Thank you for your letter. Dear Old Bag: I would like to join the others who have complained about loneliness. My husband died three years ago and he was the event planner. Since he has been gone, I just sit here and read or watch TV. I don’t know where to start. Help. Signed, Lonely Dear Lonely: You are going to have to buck up and get some starch in your backbone. In this day and age, there is no reason to be lonely unless you want to be. I will repeat these suggestions: 1. Volunteer, 2. Go to church and meet people, 3. Find a good friend, 4. Go to support groups for widows, 5. Run a friendship ad for a friend, 6. Go to the Senior Center, 7. If you are in Grand Junction, which many of my readers are, join the Newcomers Club. My Grand Junction readers say it is not just for newcomers, it is a social club and they have lots of fun. Most of all: REACH OUT! ■

Send your questions to the Old Bag in care of the BEACON, or email lagmancreswick@cox.net

What are your grandkids

doing this summer? Consider a camp that is all about making r registe! today a andmes www.grtcamp.org baptis

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Camps for all ages! Family Camp................. June 24–26 The Alpine Zone High School................. June 26–July 2 The Ascent Middle School ...................... July 2–7 The Trailhead Elementary School ...............July 7–10

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

MAY 2016

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4/21/16 9:04 AM

By Diana Barnett

o understand Terry Nash’s story, you have to go back to his roots—his ranching roots on the spread his grandfather started in the ‘20s. It was a beautiful place near the small town of Idalia, Colorado (population 100) only eight miles from the Kansas border. Terry remembers a lot of hard but rewarding work and a lot of quality family time. “Dad was a good singer and would sing those old western songs when I was growing up,” Terry said. The songs described the events on the ranch that the family experienced daily, and listening to his father sing in the evenings is still a favorite childhood memory. The music that so vividly depicted rural life in the West was something that Terry enjoyed and admired. When he heard singer Gary McMahon perform in Fort Collins, he became inspired by the lyrics. The real spark that ignited his passion for the western word, however, came after hearing Baxter Black, an Arizona veterinarian turned poet, perform. It was then he realized that you could put your heritage into poems. “I was so inspired that I went home and wrote my first poem right after that,” recalls Terry. In the late ‘80s, a group of interested performers, including Baxter Black, started the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko, Nevada, to rekindle interest in the lost art. Johnny Carson of the “Tonight Show” heard about the endeavor and invited Black and Waddie Mitchell to his show. “I happened to be watching that evening, and those two had Johnny in stitches,” recalls Terry. With Terry’s well-known talent as a cowboy poet, one would think the genre would have been an interest

during high school. “Not at all,” notes Terry. “I was the class clown. I really loved getting the attention back then. But when you get the attention for something that is meaningful and has an impact on others, well, that’s something.” Living in Loma on a cattle operation, Terry’s inspiration from everyday life on a ranch is regularly converted to poetry. He not only continues to write, but has also become part of the family that the close-knit group of poets and singers has created. “That’s just what it is—a family. We are always delighted to be together because we have a common bond,” notes Terry. Now a respected, sought-after performer, Terry Nash annually travels to cowboy poetry gatherings throughout the west. Earlier this year, he was honored to showcase his work at the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko, and was a featured artist at the Cochise County Poetry and Music Gathering in Arizona. In addition to regional performances, Terry’s talent can be enjoyed locally at the outdoor Glade Park fifth annual Cowboy Poetry & Music Festival on Saturday, June 4, at the Glade Park Community Center. Nash will serve as Master of Ceremonies and perform with fellow headliners Peggy Malone, Janice King Deardorff and Dennis Russell. Gates will open at 5 pm and the performance begins at 6 pm. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children under 12. ■

MAY 2016

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Of all the poetry he has written, Terry is quick to choose his favorite poem, below:

Cowman’s Lot The heifer’s up, inspectin’ her work; Soft lowing, she battled the cold. Nuzzled and licked, the calf shivered and jerked And the man marveled as instincts took hold. She licked the calf clean and he tried out new feet, Nose-divin’ plum into the ground! He then got a taste of mother’s milk sweet And latched on to the spigot he’d found. The man grinned, to hear the smack of wet lips; Knew the calf was gettin’ his meal. Inner warmth would soon spread from nose plum to hips, And Mom’s rough tongue would seal the deal.

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MAY 2016

The annual dilemma: What to give Mom? By Teresa Ambord

ou may not think of technology for your elderly parent. But some lightweight technology has a lot of advantages for older people, if you can get them to use it. Here are some ideas: Books. You can download books onto a tablet or an e-reader like a Kindle. True, many of us like the feel of a book in hand. But reading a book on an electronic device lets the reader adjust the font, the brightness and the contrast, making reading more comfortable. Many also come with audio for those who can no longer read. Music. According to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, music has healing properties for seniors with dementia, Alzheimer’s or cognitive impairment. I’d argue that familiar songs from happier times can heal anyone. The songs of our youth bring

back happy, more carefree times and bring a level of comfort. I’ve found many songs online, songs from my own youth that I thought I’d never hear again. But they’re all there. Photos. Pictures of family help mothers recall special times with friends and family and capture more recent events. When my Aunt Dorothy was slipping into dementia, her daughters put some recent videos (such as birthday parties and other holidays) and some older videos on a tablet for her, and she was able to enjoy them often. They even did a little retrospective of Aunt Dorothy’s

life and gave it to her to watch, set to music. It was actually the kind of tribute that often happens after a person passes away. They wanted to honor her while she was able to see it, and it was really lovely. Games. There are many games suitable and interesting for seniors, like Sudoku or Scrabble, or Clevermind— an app created for people with Alzheimer’s or dementia. Its creators say it helps seniors with schedules and offers brain-boosting games and activities, and makes it easier for them to stay connected with their loved ones. You can even link Grand-

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ma’s games to your account, or the accounts of your kids and make it a family competition. Games keep the brain active. Calls. Apple products have FaceTime, which means Mom and Dad can be face to face with the people they call. When there’s too much distance between you, this helps chase away the loneliness and keeps you connected. Phone/Personal security system. A friend of mine set his elderly father up with a personal emergency response system (PERS). Some of them work anywhere, like GreatCall and MobileHelp, and some have fall detection. They don’t cost much, but might have a monthly fee or an annual prepaid fee. The great thing about these is that your parents can summon help from anywhere. But okay, not all seniors want to be connected with tablets and iPads.

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I make a living on the computer, but don’t care for computer games, Skyping, or reading a book online. And my 80-something mom knows how to use a computer, but isn’t remotely interested. For her, gift-giving occasions have become increasingly practical. I have friends who feel they have to spend a small fortune, buying something that their moms don’t want and won’t use—something they’ll have to dust. My mom is able to buy what she wants. but doesn’t really want anything. So what do I buy her for Mother’s Day? Prepare to yawn. Mostly I shop for Mom at the post office. She wants books of stamps, so I try to pick out some interesting ones, with pictures of spring flowers,

or old-time celebrities like Elvis. Practical and boring, perhaps, but she frets when she’s low on stamps. Other times I’ll fill her cupboards with things she loves, like her favorite coffee. She could buy her own, but this way she can spend her money elsewhere if she sees something she wants. Last night I visited an elderly relative who wouldn’t come out and say what she wanted for her birthday. So I loaded her freezer with the small individual ice creams that she loves. I suspect that for most moms, the one gift they want more than anything else is a little bit of your time, like a special lunch with you. If all else fails, try socks. Who doesn’t love new socks? ■

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Mother’s Day Comes to America Celebrating Mother’s Day goes back to Greek and Roman times. But in America, a West Virginia woman named Anna Jarvis initiated the holiday back in 1908 as a way to honor her own mom. A few years later in 1914 Woodrow Wilson made it a national holiday and that means that this year Mother’s Day is 102 years old. Before long, Jarvis herself began to fight the whole idea of Mother’s Day. Why? She was disgusted with the commercialism that soon surrounded the holiday, via the florist and card industries. Jarvis even lobbied the government, unsuccessfully, to remove Mother’s Day from the official calendar.

Trivia question: Do you know the official flower of Mother’s Day? The answer is the carnation. The practice began in 1908, when groups promoting their causes would hold carnation sales, as a way to raise funds for their causes. Anna Jarvis vehemently opposed the practice.

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LAUGHING MATTERS

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MAY 2016

LAUGHING MATTERS

Scotch & water

Submitted by Paula Majors

A lady goes to the bar on a cruise ship and orders a Scotch with two drops of water. As the bartender gives her the drink she says, “I’m on this cruise to celebrate my 80th birthday and it’s today.” The bartender says, “Well, since it’s your birthday, I’ll buy you a drink. In fact, this one is on me.” As the woman finishes her drink, the woman to her right says, “I would like to buy you a drink, too.” The old woman says, “Thank you. Bartender, I want a Scotch with two drops of water.” “Coming up,” says the bartender. As she finishes that drink, the man to her left says, “I would like to buy you one, too.” The old woman says, “Thank you. Bartender, I want another Scotch with two drops of water.” “Coming right up,” the bartender says.

The doctor thought for a moment, then answered in his kindest tone, “Please pay me in advance.”

Golf ball Submitted by Bill Richards

“How was your golf game, Jack?” his wife Tammy asked. “Well, I was hitting pretty well, but my eyesight’s gotten so bad I couldn’t see where the ball went.” “You’re 75 years old, Jack,” she admonished. “Why don’t you take my brother Scott along?” “He’s 85 and he doesn’t even play golf anymore,” protested Jack. “But he’s got perfect eyesight. He could watch your ball,” Tammy pointed out. The next day, Jack teed off while Scott looked on. Jack swung, and the ball disappeared down the middle of the fairway. “Do you see it?” asked Jack. “Yup,” Scott answered.

As he gives her the drink, the bartender says, “Ma’am, I’m dying of curiosity. Why the Scotch with only two drops of water?”

“Well, where is it?” yelled Jack, peering off into the distance.

The old woman replies, “Sonny, when you’re my age, you’ve learned how to hold your liquor. Holding your water, however, is a whole other issue.”

Knock knock

Forgetful Submitted by Sam Ardmore

William’s concerned wife convinced him to see a doctor. He was a little worried when the doctor came in. Sensing his patient’s nervousness, the first thing the doctor did was to ask what was troubling him. “Well,” William answered. “I seem to be getting more forgetful. I’m never sure I remember where I put the car, or whether I answered a letter, or where I’m going, or what it is I’m going to do once I get there, if I get there. So, I really need your help. What can I do?”

“I forgot, “ said Scott. Submitted by Mary Freeman

Knock, knock! Who’s there? Opportunity! That is impossible. Opportunity doesn’t come knocking twice! Knock, knock! Who’s there? Yah! Yah who? Well, no thanks, I’m more of a Google person. Why did the chicken cross the road? To hunt somebody down. Knock knock. Who’s there? The chicken.

MAY 2016

LAUGHING MATTERS 15

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Catch the train

hand off. So now I got me a hook.”

Submitted by Emma Henderson

“OK, but what’s with the eye patch?”

A man asks a farmer, “Sorry, sir, would you mind if I crossed your field instead of going around it? You see, I have to catch the 4:23 train.” The farmer says, “Sure, go right ahead. And if my bull sees you, you’ll even catch the 4:11 one.”

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“I was standin’ on a dock, and the biggest seagull I ever saw poops right in me eye.” “But ya don’t go blind from no seagull poop.” “True,” says Sol. “But it was me first day with the hook.”

—Jason Alexander, who played George on “Seinfeld”

Submitted by Bob Wickham

A driver gets pulled over. The police officer says, “Can you identify yourself, sir?” The driver pulls out his mirror, looks into it and says, “Yes, that’s me.”

A man comes to Mrs. Smith’s door and says, “There’s been an accident at the brewery. Your husband fell into  a vat of beer and drowned.” Mrs. Smith wails, “Oh, the poor man! He never had a chance!”

Early bird submitted by Ed Williams

The man says, “I don’t know about that. He got out three times to go to the bathroom.”

A guy shows up late for work. The boss yells, “You should’ve been here at 8:30!”

—Michael Reiss, writer and producer of “The Simpsons”

“Why?” the guy asks. “What happened at 8:30?”

Comedian favorites Two pirates, Morty and Sol, meet  in a bar. Sol has a patch over one eye, a hook for a hand and a wooden peg leg. “Ye gads, matey,” says Morty. “What happened to ya?” Sol says, “Me pirate ship was attacked, and a lucky shot lopped off me leg. So now I got me a wooden peg.” “And yer hand?” asks Marty. “When me ship sank, a shark bit me

In heaven, there were two huge signs. The first read, “Men Who Did What Their Wives Told Them to Do.” The line of men under this sign stretched as far as the eye could see. The second sign said, “Men Who Did What They Wanted to Do.” Only one man stood under that sign. Intrigued, St. Peter said to the lone man, “No one has ever stood under this sign. Tell me about yourself.” The man shrugged and said, “Not much to say; my wife told me to stand here.”

—Oscar Nunez, who played Oscar Martinez on “The Office” ■

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MAY 2016

Literacy changes lives:

Celebrating 30 years of literacy and library volunteers By Melanie Wiseman

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ry to imagine your life as an adult without the ability to read, write or speak English. It’s almost impossible to fathom. Daily routines we take for granted, such as grocery shopping, driving, visiting the doctor or pharmacy, become monumental tasks. For the past 30 years, the Mesa County Literacy Center, including a small staff and many dedicated volunteers, have been tutoring and mentoring anyone who steps forward for help. The only requirement for students is a strong desire to learn, as the program is free. “This is an award-winning program that has been changing people’s lives for 30 years,” said Manny Miracle, Head of Literacy Services. “It’s an honor and hugely gratifying to be part of the literacy program. Everyone involved is very passionate about what they do. Our mission is to help each student reach self-sufficiency.” When the program first started, the community need was tutoring English-speaking adults who didn’t learn how to read and write in school. “The need has changed over time,” said Miracle. “Students are now folks who speak English as a second language and are striving for the same thing, the American Dream. They want to be part of their communities and provide for their families.” In over just six months, one dedicated student went from speaking very little English to becoming a CNA. “We have an ongoing waiting list of 50-100 students who need tutors,” said Literacy Program Coordinator Wendy Kirby. “We have wonderful tutors and are so lucky to have all of them, but we definitely need more.” The Literacy Center encourages volunteer tutors to have patience and

to form relationships to ensure the students’ success. Students are interviewed by staff to identify their goals in order to make the best volunteer tutor match. The Literacy Center helps tutors and students select the most appropriate materials based on the specific needs of each student. Tutoring is done one-on-one or in small groups. Most meet one to two hours per week at a convenient time for all, generally at the library. New tutors receive individual training with Kirby and then shadow experienced tutors. Library staff is always available for support. A six-month commitment is required by volunteer tutors in order to have continuity for teaching and learning.

Tutoring is fun! “I’m having a lot more fun than I have had in a long time,” said Joella Krall, 73. “I LOVE what I do, and so do the people I teach. They are so eager to learn. It’s so rewarding and I get wonderful feedback from them on how much they appreciate me teaching them.” Krall touches on all kinds of topics from phone interviews and pronunciation to chemistry, geology, biology, geography and many other concepts her students have never been exposed to. “Many come from uneducated backgrounds and they really eat up everything we talk about,” said Krall. “They have a tremendous gratitude and enthusiasm for learning. My experience is you get something very different from people who are foreign and trying to learn. These people appreciate the United States, this culture and the opportunities they are given, far more than those who are native. We take so much for granted.” Krall has even had potlucks with her students, where they invite their

MAY 2016

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families and she invites hers. She also brings family to classes so students can practice their English and get feedback. “I encourage others to run right down and tutor, too,” said Krall. “With the literacy students, you get a whole new vibe that gladdens your heart.”

Tutors help students attain ambitious goals Lifetime volunteer Brian Davis, 63, has been a literacy tutor for over six years. “All tutoring is rewarding,” said Davis. “For me, tutoring the citiBrian Davis and Joella Krall pose next to a zen classes has been my focus and sign, commemorating the Literacy Center’s a good fit. I’ll teach as many classes a 30th annivers ary. year as they’ll let me.” Citizen classes run once a week for Brown lights up when sharing her 1-1/2 hours, over five to six months, experiences volunteering at the Novdepending on the class. Davis’ classel Idea bookstore within the Central es have varied in size from three to Library, and being on the Friends of 10 students. He has taught people from 19 different countries including the Library Board. Good quality doUkraine, Thailand, Nepal, Brazil, Rus- nated books are sorted by volunteers and sold at the bookstore to help sia and South Korea. Davis has a 100 fund special library programs such percent success rate with those who as the summer reading program, have taken his class and gone on to visiting authors and poets, and the pass the citizen test the first time. Literacy Center. “I still remember my very first “I like the interaction with the student who got her citizenship,” said public and the other volunteers and Davis. “It helped her get out of an the freedom I have to be creative and abusive relationship, receive a promotion at work and move on to build use my organizing skills,” said Brown. “Every year, people can’t wait for our a Habitat for Humanity home. It’s a big October sale. We need plenty of wonderful success story for her.” Davis finds the citizenship students volunteers for that.” want to learn more about our history Other volunteer needs and government than just memorizIf you’re interested in volunteering, ing the answers to the test. He’s also Mesa County Libraries Volunteer Cocurrently tutoring two young women ordinator Pat Morehouse would love to help them pass the GED. the chance to talk with you about all “The emphasis is, you can do anythe opportunities and the best fit for thing you want to if you work hard you. enough at it,” said Davis. “Tutoring is Volunteers are needed to help with a lot of fun and also very heartwarm- special events and programs, shelve ing. To get to know someone that books, and to transcribe recorded well and to help them achieve their interviews with veterans. goals—it just makes you feel good.” With the backlog of students to be matched, Morehouse said, “I am conA novel idea tinuously recruiting tutors. It’s our “I’m a voracious reader,” said Beryl greatest need.” Brown, 75. “I’ve been volunteering To make a difference through for the library for over eight years. literacy, please contact Pat MoreAfter my husband died, I wanted to house at 683-2432, or go to mcpld.org make a social connection, and contribute to the community. The library or any library branch for a volunteer application. ■ filled that need.”

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HOME & GARDEN

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MAY 2016

Non-organic weed controls: Use them safely By Lori Pelkowski

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n the vegetable garden, weeds compete with your vegetable plants for space, light, nutrients and water. To the gardener, a weed is any plant growing where it is not wanted. There are as many ways to eradicate weeds in the vegetable garden as there are gardeners. There are organic ways, physical ways and chemical ways. The easiest way is organic and physical – simply pull or dig up the weed. Another physical way to keep weeds down is to cover the garden soil with black plastic, landscape fabric, or even newspapers. Lay the barrier over the soil, cut holes to plant the vegetables, then cover it with a few inches of mulch. Contact herbicides kill any part of the plant they touch, usually above the soil line. Contact herbicides break down soft tissue and can shrivel a weed in a few hours, especially on a sunny day. For some plants, that is enough to kill them, roots and all. However, many weeds that spread by underground stems, roots or tubers like ground ivy can easily re-sprout. For those weeds, a systemic herbicide is useful. It will be absorbed and transported throughout the plant, killing it from the inside over the course of a few days. Plants, including weeds, fall into one of two categories, monocots and dicots. When monocots emerge from their seeds, they send up one leaf, like grass does. When dicots emerge, they send up two leaves, like dandelions do. Knowing the difference between monocots and dicots helps in understanding the differences between herbicides. Three popular products on the market today are Preen, Round-Up and Weed-B-Gon. The trade name (like Round-Up) is the name each manufacturer gives a chemical or combination of chemicals that make up a product. The chemical name (like glyphosate) will be on the list of active ingredients on the label.

The non-organic Preen product (trifluralin) is a pre-emergent herbicide, meaning it prevents the plant from growing once the seed has sprouted. Pre-emergent herbicides will not kill existing weeds. It is non-selective; it will kill any seed that sprouts, weed or vegetable, monocot or dicot. Trifluralin has been EPA-approved for use around vegetables including broccoli, onions, leafy greens, cabbage, many kinds of beans and potatoes. Read the product label to learn when it is safe to apply around the vegetables you plan to grow. Post-emergent herbicides will kill existing weeds. These chemicals can be either non-selective (harming or killing any plant it touches), or selective (harming or killing only specific types of plants). Round-Up (glyphosate) is non-selective. It interferes with photosynthesis, killing the plant slowly over a few days. Sprays containing non-selective herbicide chemicals should be used only in still weather. Even a gentle breeze can carry the spray to nearby vegetable plants. Weed-B-Gon (2, 4-D) is another post-emergent herbicide. 2, 4-D is selective; it is harmful to dicots or broadleaf weeds, like dandelion and plantain, but does not affect monocots like grasses. This explains why it can kill weeds growing in the lawn, but will not kill the surrounding grass. With any chemical herbicide, read the product label before purchase to be sure it is the right product for your weed situation. Follow the instructions carefully when mixing and applying herbicides, and you will find them to be safe and effective.

Keep the following guidelines in mind when using herbicides: • Read the label before purchasing any herbicide. • Wear gloves and protective clothing when using herbicides. • Avoid inhaling any vapors or dust. • Be sure no children or pets are nearby when applying herbicides. • Don’t store herbicides near food, water, cleaning supplies, medicine, animal feed, or fertilizer. ■

MAY 2016

HOME & GARDEN 19

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How do I save my lilacs and peonies? Garden Smarts, By Kathy Kimbrough

Q. Last year the leaves on my lilacs resentatives Jessie Danielson (Wheat and peonies looked like they had been attacked by a pair of pinking shears. What caused that and how do I prevent it from happening again this year? The black vine weevil is most likely the culprit. While the adults are busy making patchwork of your leaves, the larvae are underground munching on the roots. So there are two things you need to do to get these buggers under control. First, spray the entire plant with the insecticide imidacloprid (Bayer Tree & Shrub Insect Killer) now. This will kill the adults living above ground. Then in mid-late August, apply a soil drench of the same insecticide around each affected shrub to kill the larvae feeding underground.

Q. Is it legal to collect rainwater

from our roofs with rain barrels in Colorado? Not yet, but my guess is it will happen this year. Colorado is the only state in the nation where it is illegal to collect rainwater in a rain barrel. State Rep-

Ridge) and Daneya Esgar (Pueblo) sponsored a bill in the Colorado Legislature, House Bill 16-1005, that would allow homeowners to collect rain from a residential rooftop. The bill passed the state House with overwhelming bipartisan support and its fate now rests with the state Senate. Join me in getting ready to use this resource as additional water for our landscapes. Here are a few simple tips to consider when using a rain barrel. • Place it where the water is not already going into your landscape. • Elevate the barrel so gravity can help propel the water from the spigot into your garden.

GARDEN CHECKLIST:  If your pines need shaping, snap off a portion of new growth

“candles.” When the time is right, they snap off easily.  Plant summer bulbs, such as gladiolus and canna, now. Sprinkle 5-10-

5 fertilizer in holes before inserting bulbs.  Core aerate your lawn. Water deeply the day before so tines can

penetrate effectively.  Compost your grass clippings or leave them on the lawn to

decompose naturally.  If you ordered seedling trees from CSU Extension and the

Colorado State Forest Service, distribution will be May 5 for Mesa, Delta and Montrose counties. Contact the CSU Extension offices in those counties for exact location.  The Western Colorado Beekeepers Association

has set up a phone line and system to handle honeybee swarm calls. This simplifies the handling of swarm calls and guarantees they are handled safely, professionally and in a timely fashion. Starting immediately, please route all swarm calls to 589-6316.

• Clean your gutters regularly to reduce debris in the barrel. • Cover the barrel’s water intake with fine mesh screen to keep debris, mosquitoes and other creatures out. • Drain the barrel in cold weather and store it upside down so it remains clean and dry.

PLANT OF THE MONTH—

Palmers Penstemon (Penstemon palmeri ) I know what you’re thinking. Another plant selection that is deer and rabbit resistant, friendly to bees and other pollinators and the hummingbirds love it. Does she have a one-track mind? In this case, yes. And is that so bad? We should all encourage pollinators, and wildlife while creating a beautiful space in our landscapes. I look at it as a win-win situation. Palmers penstemon is different than most. It is fragrant and quite large – 4’ to 5’ tall and 2’ wide. The light pink flowers bloom in early summer. This penstemon is very xeric and heat tolerant, so it would be perfect for that hot, dry, Photo courtesy of High Country Gardens sunny spot in your landscape.

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MAY 2016

What would we build? By Eileen O’Toole

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f we arrived today on the undeveloped banks of the Grand and Gunnison rivers, what would we build? A short trip west to Cisco, Utah today looks much like what our founders saw when they arrived here in 1881. The rivers were important. The Desert Lands Act, an extension of the Homestead Act, required water for homesteading. No water, no claim. It required irrigating a minimum of 20 acres out of 160, although one could homestead 320 acres. Back east, canals were high-tech at this time. Here, waterwheels in the river weren’t a solution for creating a vast area of farmland, and farming was still the predominant occupation in those days. Anyone wanting a patent on the 320 acres claimed had to get water to it and it would require a lot of coming together to get it done. So, they did. But coming together wasn’t all that easy. Unlike the Homestead Act, which required immediate residency, the Desert Lands Act allowed property claimants to wait until six months before water came available to build a residence. But the water cooperative required all land claimants to pay up front to get the canal built. Claimants often exchanged labor to pay and did a lot of digging. The Grand River Ditch began construction in 1882 coming off the Colorado River just southwest of Palisade. It aimed west down the valley creating a wider stretch of available land as it went. The Pioneer and Mesa County ditches branched off of the Grand River Ditch for the farms around Grand Junction. Ranchers across the lower valley grumbled about the slow pace because people in the upper valley were getting water before it got to them. They decided to build the Independent Ranchmen’s Ditch with Frank Kiefer as one of the instigators of this ambition. They built a diversion dam just west of Grand Junction. Water flowed from this ditch in May of 1884. Unfortunately the diversion

dam was wiped out the following year and they lost their water that year. It wasn’t until 1894 that the Grand River ditch stopped slightly northeast of Fruita. By now all of these systems were connected and became the Grand Valley Canal with three branches. Some of the farmers involved included J. B. Hunter, Nelson J. Pritchard and W. S. Wallace. Although the Kiefer family began arriving in the Grand Valley in 1882 with brothers, Joe and Frank; more brothers, Ben, Labe and Val, followed along with their mother Caroline and nephew Charles by the mid 1890s. Frank became a driving spirit for canal building. The brothers were familiar with canals. At home in Brookville, Indiana, a canal moved barges of freight from one town to another—poled downstream and powered by mules on the ditch banks upstream. This valley had potential. With the Grand Valley Canal stopping at Fruita, Frank Kiefer noted the land stretching toward Utah where claims had already been filed in the Loma, Mack and New Liberty area, and decided to start the Kiefer Extension Ditch along with friend Bernard Hughes calling it the Fruita Canal and Land Company with a capital stock of $100,000. Building began in 1894 and was completed in 1898 making 10,000 more acres available. This is where the sugar beet industry began when Kiefer brought in Russian farmers who were familiar with the plant. These sugar beets brought the Holly Sugar Factory to Grand Junction. Frank Kiefer’s next ambitious project required lifting water to what was then called Red Mesa, now called the Redlands. Partnering with his brother Ben, D. T. Stone, Robert Orr, W.C. Osborn, John McCune and the Piatt brothers of Lansing, Michigan, who owned an electric power company, they purchased water rights on the Gunnison River and began building a dam, canal and power plant that would not only lift water to Red Mesa, but provide electricity for the valley with a capital stock of $500,000. A. J. McCune was the

MAY 2016

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Building the Grand Valley Canal—1880s. Photo courtesy of The Grand Valley Irrigation Company.

engineer. The Grand Valley was already beginning to bloom with farms, but Kiefer envisioned the Redlands as a suburb of Grand Junction with smaller properties. They would fund the project with people filing 160–320 acre claims and then becoming stockholders by turning over all but 20 acres to the company. That acreage would be sold, paying both the company and the stockholders. They platted the Redlands in 80-acre blocks, with roads every quarter-mile around each block, with four 20-acre parcels in each block and each property facing a road. Frank Kiefer planned his 20-acre lot where the Redlands Community Center now stands.

Building the headgate for the river diversion of the Grand Valley Canal south of Palisade in 1883. Photo courtesy of The Grand Valley Irrigation Company.

Wives, sisters, relatives and friends filed claims on the land. But in 1907, after water began to flow, complaints about the project claimed fraud because women were filing claims for land. Lawsuits were filed and legal maneuvering took the case to the Department of the Interior in Washington. By 1910, Kiefer and his partners were exonerated of any wrongdoing and women did have the right to file claims. Frank Kiefer died at the age of 46 in 1909, shortly before his exoneration by the Department of the Interior. W. C. Osborn took over as President of Redlands Power and Irrigation, but the legal costs of fighting for the company bankrupted them.

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Henry Doherty, who owned the electric company that became what is now Excel Energy, purchased the company and 2,500 acres of land for $700,000. By 1913, after the Bureau of Reclamation was established, the next irrigation project was the Government High Line Canal that skirted the Book Cliffs north of the Grand Valley Canal and added another 53,000 acres of farmland. Throughout the canal building era, many disputes erupted and were settled. Frank Kiefer believed the water should always stay with the land it supplied, regardless of land ownership, but most companies don’t observe that ideal. By the time the

High Line was built, seepage had become a problem, sometimes destroying crops. Charles Kiefer, Frank’s nephew, advocated for abandoning the entire Grand Valley Canal system and going with the High Line only because it had a cemented bottom. Although seepage still occurs across the valley, it is mostly contained by the Grand Valley Drainage District that was formed to control the problem. The Redlands system with the sandy soil took many years to build up enough sod on the sides to contain the water that often washed the soil away. To shore up the sides of all the canals, either timbers or smaller bundles of River Willow were used to keep the canals from eroding. Today, with an effort to control salinity, seepage and other problems, many of the canals are either concrete or pipe. Without irrigation there would be no trees, gardens or farms. Without water, there would be no people. Our valley would simply be BLM desert, like the surrounding land. It would be interesting if today’s people came to this valley with the same technology as our founders. Could they excavate with strong arms, shovels, horses and steam power? It was the farmers, primarily, who excavated these projects for themselves. Would people today invest themselves and their money? What would the vision be today? ■

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MAY

A BIG B

K N A TH

GRAND JUNCTI

or the 16th year in a row, BeaconFest Senior Fair was a hit. Thanks to our show sponsors, Hilltop Senior Life Options and Tile Meister, our volunteers, entertainers, the 100+ local businesses who set up booths and most importantly – you, our guests. BeaconFest 2016 was a day of good fun and practical information geared toward boomers and seniors in our community. This year, BeaconFest was bigger than ever before. More than 3,000 people walked through the doors of Two Rivers Convention Center, excit-

ed to immerse themselves in a day full of events and resources. Buffalo Wild Wings, Mi Mexico, Nickn-Willy’s, Olive Garden, Rib City Grill, and Taste of Heaven provided guests with delicious food. The Centennial Brass, bone tree, Danny Agajanian & The Hallelujah Band, King ‘n’ Trio, Javier de los Santos and Ron Koss hit the stage with great music. Peggy Malone, Beth Williams, Paula Dunfee and Rob Wallace lit up the foyer with delightful sounds. Each seminar room hosted a spread of educational presentations, covering

2016 SENIOR CHOIC

Best overall booth: Rib City Grill

Friendliest people: Nightingales

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topics from Alzheimer’s and estate planning to financial safety strategies and technology trends. Attendees learned about Medicare, reverse mortgages, empowerment and more in an environment crafted especially for seniors, boomers and their families. As if the seminars, live entertainment and vendor booths weren’t enough, guests were thrilled every 30 minutes by the chance to win door prizes. Amtrak donated two round-trip tickets to Denver, Century Casino gave a hotel stay and dinner for two, and various restaurants donated gift cards for local

cuisine. We want to thank all of the many vendors who donated the wonderful gifts that made these drawings so exciting. As is true every year, this year’s BeaconFest wouldn’t have been the same without the hard work and friendliness of the 100+ vendors who set-up booths. Each booth painted a picture of its own unique offerings to create a fair of local businesses that value being a part of our community.

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24 RECIPES

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MAY 2016

Asian-Inspired Chicken Salad By Michelle DeLaCerda – www.thecompletesavorist.com

Ingredients: SALAD:

Almond Sesame Dressing:

1 pkg mixed greens; washed

¼ cup Silk Unsweetened Almond Milk

1 head Napa cabbage; washed and shredded

½ tsp sesame oil

1 medium carrot (10 baby carrots); roughly sliced

½ tsp garlic chili sauce

3 green onions; trimmed and cut diagonally.

1½ tbsp honey

½ cup edamame (if using frozen, thaw completely)

2 tbsp soy sauce/tamari 3 tbsp rice vinegar 1½ tbsp sesame seeds; toasted

2 chicken breasts; grilled and cubed

Instructions: Salad: 1. Wash and prepare all the vegetables, and place them in a large bowl. 2. Using an indoor grill or any preferred method, cook the chicken breasts. Once cooked and cooled, cube to the desired size and toss with the vegetables. Almond Sesame Dressing 1, In a small non-stick frying pan, toast the sesame seeds over medium heat. Shake/stir them about every 30 seconds. Cook until they begin to brown, about 3 minutes or so. 2. In a large bowl, whisk together all the dressing ingredients except the seeds. 3. Once the dressing has been thoroughly mixed, add the sesame seeds. They will float at the top. Cover and chill for at least an hour; longer is fine. 4. Once ready to serve, toss the salad with the dressing and serve immediately.

MAY 2016

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Honoring Memorial Day in the Grand Valley By Paige Slaughter

ecoration Day has come a long way since its birth in 1868. As the holiday gained recognition state by state, it took on a new name, expanded to honor all Americans who died in service, moved from the 30th of May to the last Monday in May and has become a popular day to visit the graves of all departed loved ones. Nevertheless, Memorial Day’s essence has stayed the same: a time to honor those who died serving our country. Simple and deep, the purpose of Memorial Day brings us back to our American roots—and it brings us together. Honoring the fallen on Memorial Day is a personal venture, but in the Grand Valley and in many cities across the nation, community members come together to celebrate the sacrifices and achievements of fallen soldiers.

Local observances The Veterans Memorial Cemetery of Western Colorado invites the community to partake in a weekend of ceremonial events at the cemetery. On Friday, May 27 at 3 pm, American flags will be placed on all gravesites. Sunday’s ceremony begins at 6 pm, when the Grand Valley Combined Honor Guard will lower the cemetery’s flag, then retire and burn an unserviceable flag in ceremonial fashion. Memorial Day observances at the cemetery begin at 10 am on Monday, May 30 and will include demonstrations from bagpipers and the Combined Honor Guard. Elected officials will speak in honor of fallen servicemen and women, and children from the local community will recite the Pledge of Allegiance to honor all veterans on this day of remembrance.

Also on Memorial Day, the Junior College (JUCO) Baseball World Series will host an afternoon of special events honoring military and law enforcement officials, including a dove release. Cadence Neste will sing the national anthem, and the Centennial Band will play during the fireworks after the game. The Mesa County Sheriff, Grand Junction Police and Grand Junction Fire Department Joint Honor Guard will be the Color Guard at Monday’s game.

Personal decorations Amongst all the ways to publicly celebrate Memorial Day, honoring our fallen soldiers is also a personal experience. Though each of us expresses our gratitude and camaraderie in a different way, many of us honor fallen troops by decorating graves with flowers. Flowers on Memorial Day have a long tradition of symbolism and historical significance. The blue iris signifies faith and hope, while white irises represent purity. Peonies, blooming in late May, represent healing. These beautiful flowers with long stems are great for fresh and dried flower arrangements. Statice flowers symbolize remembrance, making them a great addition to memorial bouquets of larger flowers. Irises, peonies and statices are grown locally in the Grand Valley. Buying your flowers locally not only ensures longer lasting arrangements, but also cuts out many transportation, refrigeration and storage processes. However you spend Memorial Day this year, honor our fallen soldiers by remembering that even in our separate ways, we are each celebrating this American holiday together. ■

Support small farmers and the local economy – and get fresher, more fragrant flowers – by visiting one of these flower farms: Arcieri’s Peonies: 217 Gigax Lane, Grand Junction 434-1264 Sage Creations Organic Farm: 3555 E Road, Palisade 464-9019 Willow Bend Iris Farm: 2331 J Road, Grand Junction 263-4138 Z’s Orchard: 315 33¾ Road, Palisade 434-6267

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26 FAITH MOVES

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MAY 2016

Depression:

A misunderstood word–Part 2 By Barbara Ward

Experience God's love in a traditional setting.

are never alone. In Isaiah. 40:10 & 29 we are reminded that He is ever with us. Again in Deuteronomy 32:10-11 and Romans 8:10-35 we are told that nothing separates us from Him. Through His grace and our efforts put forth in faith we can find peace in Him. (II Corinthians 1:3-4 and John 6:33) You are a child of God. The Father won’t let you down just as you wouldn’t let you own child down. You will find that reminder in Matthew 7:9-11. Finally, here are a few very practical steps that you can take to help you fight depression:

an we become victorious over depression? Yes, we can. It does not come easily and seldom is there a complete cure. That doesn’t mean that you can’t become better and learn ways to cope with it. You will still have the natural occurrence of “blue days,” but with the right tools you can prevent them from turning into a constant state of depression. As we look at the Scriptures we can be encouraged. Do not despair. Depression is controllable. There is no magic pill greater than the Scriptures, but counseling and medicines can help take the edge off. You can live a full life again in spite • Choose your friends wisely. of depression. Develop friendships with Jesus carried a cross and we all positive people. have a cross to bear in life as well. • Force yourself to get out of Your cross might be depression. If the house. so, then give it to Jesus. He will pro• Find ways to help others. vide the guidance and strength that • Take walks with a child and view you need to carry it on the days the world through their eyes. when you feel like you can’t go on. • Listen to uplifting Christian Don’t be hesitant to accept help music. from people who care. Even Jesus • Read inspiring books about had someone to help Him bear the people who have overcome weight of carrying the cross when obstacles. His body was so torn and beaten. If • Use Post-It-Notes with reminders Jesus accepted help, so can you. about scripture. A good starting place in the ScripAbove all else, don’t give up on tures would be Proverbs 4:20-23. yourself. Pray. God loves you. You We are instructed to dwell in His word. Again, in Proverbs 30:53, we are not alone. ■ are reminded that nothing lasts forever. Each new day brings with it hope for a better future. Don’t be hesitant One common theme among peoto accept help ple struggling with from people clinical depression is the feeling of bewho care. ing misunderstood and utter loneliness. God reminds us in the Word that we

MAY 2016

BUSINESS PROFILE 27

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Welcome home:

Bringing Health Care Home Care of the Grand Valley Home to You By Cecily Whiteside

fter a stay in the hospital, or an injury or illness, many patients need some level of ongoing care. While some may require round-theclock nursing to aid their recovery, many patients just need help a few hours a day from a nurse or therapist, or even just help with household tasks. In such cases, Home Care of the Grand Valley provides a vital service. “There are three groups we work with,” said Judy DeVore registered nurse and project manager at Home Care of the Grand Valley. “Most of our patients are seniors and those with chronic disease. We manage the disease process from the medical side with nurses and CNS (certified nursing assistants), and also provide personal care on the non-medical side.” Non-medical services include helping with showering, housework and meals for those who are unable to manage these tasks on their own. “In this way,” DeVore added, “they can stay in their own home instead of in assisted living or a nursing home.” Physical and occupational therapy for acute health crises is a second area where Home Care of the Grand Valley makes a big impact on people’s lives. “We provide physical therapists to help with mobility after a stroke or injury and occupational therapists to teach them how to do daily activities. We can also provide a preemptive strike against future injury. Physical therapy can improve balance and strength to avoid a fall, to keep them from breaking something.” “There’s something about being in your own home, surrounded by familiar things, that aids recovery,” said Renee DiGrado, a personal caretaker. She helps with exercise, cleans, and gives medication reminders. “People seem to be more

happy at home. They know their way around, it’s more peaceful and they have their pets nearby. There is an overall better quality of life for them,” she said. According to a Dartmouth Atlas of Health Care report, medical costs for elderly people in the last two years of life are lower in Grand Junction than in other communities around the nation. It also notes, “Grand Junction appears to have developed a more efficient and higher quality medical care system than is generally the case in the United States.” Home Care of the Grand Valley definitely plays a part in not only lowering costs of caring for those in need, but does so while increasing the quality of their life by allowing them to be in their own homes, cared for by capable and well-trained caregivers. Home Care of the Grand Valley started in 2002, when St. Mary’s Hospital closed its home health care service. The hospital, along with Hilltop Community Resources and Rocky Mountain Health Plans, saw the need for a nonprofit home health care provider to assist with difficult to place patients. Those organizations put up the seed money for the first year. With a mix of paying and charity patients, Home Care of the Valley has thrived, while at the same time achieving a name for itself on the national stage. For the past 10 years, Homecare Elite has recognized Home Care of the Grand Valley as one of the top 500 agencies in the nation. This puts them in the top 1.3 percent of home care agencies across the country. The organization truly contributes to making Grand Junction a great place to live. “Our mission is to keep people in their homes as long as possible, and as safely as possible,” said DeVore. The entire community has bene-

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28 FINANCE

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MAY 2016

Buried in old paperwork? Got the urge to purge but afraid to get rid of documents? By Teresa Ambord

ax time just happens to coincide with spring, when most of us have the urge to clean and get rid of excess stuff. But now that tax deadline has passed once again, if you’re like many of us, there’s some fear of throwing out the wrong documents, receipts and other records. There’s even an old joke that says items are completely useless until you get rid of them. Then and only then do they become invaluable. That fear is what keeps many people hoarding boxes of old paperwork that are useless, take up space and can even create a fire hazard, depending on how they’re stored. My mom still has utility bills from a house she sold 46 years ago. How does that happen? It started with worry that she’d need something. Now the idea of going through those papers has grown into a task so daunting, it’s easier to ignore.

What you should keep and for how long Tax items. The IRS says you should keep your filed returns and all the documentation to support them (receipts, statements, W-2s, 1099s, etc.) until the statute of limitations is up. When is that? It’s generally three years from the time you file your return, or the due date of your return, whichever is later. So let’s say you filed your 2012 tax return on March 1, 2013. The statute of limitations is up on April 15, 2016. So this year, you could technically burn or shred your 2012 return and supporting documents. Why three years? Because the IRS can audit your return going back a minimum of three years. That’s also the amount of time you have to file

an amended return if you missed something. However, many experts say you should keep your returns for a minimum of seven years. Why? • If the IRS suspects that you substantially understated your income (by 25 percent or more) they have six years to audit your return. • A nd if they suspect fraud, or if you failed to file at all, there is no limit. • The IRS says to keep documentation that affects more than one year on your tax return until it no longer affects your taxes, plus seven years. That would include such things as loss carry backs or carry forwards. Bottom line, I play it safe and keep tax returns and documentation for seven years. Then… they hit the shredder. What about other items like utility bills, bank statements, credit card statement, etc? Jim Miller, author of “Savvy Living” and a frequent contributor on “The Today Show” gives these guidelines:

Utility, phone bills. Once your next bill shows up and it reflects your last payment, there’s no reason to keep a bill for utilities, phone, or other monthly service. Some people do like to save a year’s worth to monitor how their energy use varies. Exception: If you have a home office which you claim on your taxes, keep the bills with the relevant tax returns for seven years. Credit card receipts/statements. Once you get the next statement and verify that it reflects your payments and the information is accurate, there’s no need to keep the statement.

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Of course you can burn them in a fireplace or burn barrel. Or, if you have a ton of paperwork to destroy, don’t put it off like I did. There’s likely to be a shredding service somewhere near you. They may even shred them while you watch, if you ask. After years as an accountant, I had two big tubs of paperwork that had finally passed the statute of limitations. To my surprise, it cost only $15 to have it all shredded.

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Individual Retirement Account (IRA) statements. The IRS requires that you keep this documentation while you have money in the accounts. Even after you close the accounts, keep for the statute of limitations on the relevant tax returns. Securities. Keep detailed records of Bank statements, ATM receipts. all transactions—dates, quantities, Most sources say to keep a year’s investment fees, and dividend reinworth of statements after verifyvestments—for as long as you own ing monthly that the information the investments plus the tax return is accurate. You only need to keep statute of limitations. ATM receipts until you check them Real estate records. Keep all reagainst the statement. Or better yet, cords related to property you get your statements online and save own—like costs to improve, inthem electronically. At year’s Let ourend, skilledsurance Budtenders help you treat claims, refinancing doccheck to see that bank documents - chronic pain - arthritis sleeplessness uments, etc.—until at least- nausea three you receive, like 1099s or 1098s years after you sell the property match what is on the statement. and have reported the sale or dispoPaper pay stubs. Save for a year and sition on your tax return. ■ compare to your W-2. If the W-2 is accurate, you don’t need to save them any longer.

Exceptions: If there are items you purchased that have warranties, that you may want to return, or that appear on your tax returns, keep them. If there is a tax-related item, tuck the statement away with your current year tax information so you won’t forget it at tax time.

“I play it safe and keep tax returns and documentation for seven years.”

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30 TALKING DIGITAL

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Cutting the cord: Do you

cide how to bring the content to your TV. Like the services, there are many options when it comes to choosing the technology you will use to view old movies and past seasons of your favorite shows.

There are only two ways to view Internet content on your television: Connect a computer to your TV or buy a small device that is specifically designed to let you access online video services. Some TVs and DVD players have this technology built in, so you may not need to buy anything else.

really need to be paying for cable TV? Talking Digital, By Adam Cochran ately I’ve been helping a lot of people make a big change, as they “cut the cord” and cancel cable in favor of one or more online streaming options. These services use broadband Internet, instead of a feed from traditional television networks, and they can significantly cut the cost of monthly bills. Not only am I seeing an increase in

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the number of people making the shift, but I am also seeing increase in the age of those doing so. I am a firm believer that age has nothing to do with one’s ability to learn and use technology (I covered this topic in my January column), but the older humans get, the less likely it is that we will enjoy the challenges that come with changing processes, traditions, or habits. There are three big reasons that the 50-plus demographic is cutting the cable. Cable is expensive, the technology is getting easier to use and television is generally terrible at any given time. Cutting the cord and switching to an on-demand service may be just the solution, if you agree with any or all of those statements. Before you cut the cable, it’s a good idea to do some homework and decide whether it’s worth making the change. Call your cable provider (Charter in Grand Junction) and ask exactly what your bill is now and exactly what it would be if you cancelled your television subscription. You will need to keep them as your Internet provider since DSL (CenturyLink) does not work well for streaming video, especially if you tend to use multiple online devices simultaneously. If you do cut the cable, you will need to subscribe to one of the following: Netflix ($10/month), Amazon Prime ($100/year), or Hulu ($8/month with commercials, $13/month ad-free). There are also dozens of smaller services that are either connected with specific networks or offer a specific type of programing. All of them offer a 30day free trial and easy cancellation, so you don’t have to pay before knowing what’s available on each service. Once you know which service(s) you will be subscribing to, it is time to de-

Every option will require that you connect using an HDMI cable, so if you have an old tube-style TV, this is your excuse to spend the $400 on a 50” LED flat-panel HD TV. Once you have the proper TV and know which service best suits your entertainment needs, it is time to choose the best device to make it all happen. Here are the pros and cons of each method:

SMART TV OR SMART BLU-RAY PLAYER – These are TVs or Blu-ray players with built-in apps that allow you to connect to the more common services. Typically all you have to do is connect these devices to the Internet using WiFi or a network cable. Then you are ready to go once you enter your log-in information. ROKU – This is the most common device for connecting to online streaming video content. Roku offers several models, but they all allow you to add thousands of apps for streaming anything from YouTube to MLB.com. Many new video production companies are being created that provide their programs specifically to Roku users.

MAY 2016

KINDLE FIRE TV – This is a great option if you are heavily connected to the Amazon ecosystem. Fire TV users can watch Netflix, Hulu and all of the other services, but they have added advantages if the user is a Kindle user because certain apps and accounts will be available through the device. APPLE TV – This is a great option for Mac users or people who buy a lot of music, movies or other content through iTunes. Essentially, anything you have purchased through your iPhone or iPad will be available through your AppleTV. The AppleTV can also act as a mirrored monitor for the iPhone, iPad or Mac computer. GOOGLE CHROMECAST TV – Like every other option, the Chromecast device will allow you to connect to all of the most common streaming services. It will also let you share your screen from a Windows computer or Android device. Chromecast is probably a little better for people who are heavy Android phone or tablet users. The best conclusion is that there is no perfect system for everyone. However, the Roku is hard to beat with its easy interface. You will have to sign up for a free Roku account to activate the system, but each of these services requires the user to go through a similar process. The Kindle Fire TV is probably my second choice because the interface is easy to learn. ■

Adam Cochran is a technology instructor at Colorado Mesa University. You can email your technology questions to Adam at adamc@talkingdigital.org.

MAY 2016

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

The question of golf By Dan Ryan

TRAVEL SLIDE PRESENTATION

here it sits: Your golf ball, all shiny and dimply and benign. It isn’t bouncing, spinning or otherwise moving at all. It isn’t being hurled at you at high velocity. It is well within reach, and no one else gets to touch it. It’s your ball, just passively lying there, waiting for you to have your way with it. Hey! How hard can this be? If you’re a golfer, you know how this ends. If you’ve never picked up a club or teed up a ball, consider what the word “golf” spells backward and you get the picture. The truth is, golf is an excruciatingly difficult game, mastered only by a few rare freaks of nature who are able to make a living on the PGA tour. And the rest of us? Well, let’s just say most golfers have much less in common with the likes of Jordan Spieth or Jason Day than we have with Rodney Dangerfield in the classic golf comedy, “Caddy Shack,” when Chevy Chase sadly tells him, “You’re not...good.” Mark Twain defined golf as a “good walk ruined.” According to professional golfer Raymond Floyd, “They call it golf because all the other four-letter words were taken.” Countless other wags have bemoaned the difficulty of the game in volumes of stories, jokes and anecdotes. Ever since that first bored Scotsman discovered that thwacking a rock into a rabbit hole isn’t as easy as it looks, golf has been scorned, skewered and lampooned by the very people who play it. It became such a frustrating distraction in 15th century Scotland that the king prohibited its play. Innumerable golf clubs have been flung into lakes, snapped against trees and permanently tossed into dusty closets. Yet, golf remains a passion for legions worldwide, from millions of weekend hackers to the

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“Golf is so popular simply because it is the best game in the world at which to be bad.” singular Mr. Spieth. Why? What is it about this game that has a hold on so many? Why do so many people engage in what, at times, can only be described as self-abuse? While there are common threads running through nearly every golfer’s passion for the sport—the pleasing outdoor environment, the physical and mental challenge, the camaraderie—every duffer tees it up because at some unpredictable point they experience a moment of personal satisfaction that is unique to them. Golfers play for reasons they may have in common with others, but ultimately are purely their own. As a friend of mine once pointed out, golfing is much like dying; others may be present as you’re doing it, but in the end, you do it alone. So perhaps it is in that highly personal moment of impact, when you strike the ball with whatever you have to bring to that moment, that the question answers itself. Or maybe it’s answered more plainly by these words of A.A. Milne: “Golf is so popular simply because it is the best game in the world at which to be bad.” ■

Margaret Krabbe

P.O. Box 2142 • Montrose, CO 81402

Phone (970)

240-3020

Email: mkrabbe@montrose.net

32 FUN AFTER 50

Senior Recreation Center 550 Ouray Avenue - 970 243-7408

The Senior Recreation Center offers activities for seniors age 50 and older. The center is open Monday–Saturday from 8 am–4 pm Annual membership is $15.

Senior Recreation Center Monthly Calendar of Events MONDAY 9:00 am 9:30 am 10:30 am 12:00 pm 1:00 pm 5:30 pm

Cribbage Cards Computer Classes Gray Gourmet Lunch Card Bingo & Dominoes Singles Pinochle (1st & 3rd Monday)

TUESDAY 9:00 am Cribbage & Pool Tourney 12:00 pm Gray Gourmet Lunch 1:30 pm Bingo WEDNESDAY 9:00 am 9:30 am 10:00 am 12:00 pm 1:00 pm

Ladies Pool & Cribbage Jack & Jill Pool Tourney Free Blood Pressure Clinic (3rd Wed) Gray Gourmet Lunch Pinochle & Canasta

THURSDAY 9:00 am Cribbage & Dominoes 10:00 am Dance w/Music (1st Thursday) 10:30 am Membership Meeting 12:00 pm Pokeno (Starts at 1 p.m. on 1st Thursday) 7:30 pm Dance FRIDAY 9:00 am 12:00 pm 12:30 pm 12:45 pm 1:00 pm

Painting Class & Pool Tourney Gray Gourmet Lunch Bible Study Bridge Canasta

SATURDAY 9:00 am Bridge 1:00 pm Bingo

To make Gray Gourmet lunch reservations, call 243-9844. $3.50

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

MAY 2016

FUN AFTER 50

Activities offered by GJ Parks and Recreation To register for these programs, call the Grand Junction Parks and Recreation Department at 254-3866 or visit www.gjparksandrec.org.

SPECIAL EVENT MAY 19 Mother’s/Father’s Day Party 10 am -1 pm, Senior Recreation Center Includes live music, dancing and a potluck - bring a dish to share! Cost is $3.50. Bring an adult guest for $2. Please register by 1 pm on May 18.

HEALTH MAY 13 Facts and Tracks – Whole Grain Goodness Noon – 1 pm, Botanical Gardens We will discuss ways to incorporate whole grains into your diet and how to enjoy ancient grains. Enjoy this 30-minute health lecture by CSU Extension Agent and registered diet nutritionist Ann Duncan, and 30-minute walk on the Riverfront Trail. Cost is $5. TUESDAYS & FRIDAYS Gentle Active Yoga 8 - 9 am, Lincoln Park Barn $7 drop in, $50 for 10-punch pass This class is designed for an active beginner and above, teaching flexibility of mind and body in a fun and supportive environment. Students must be able to get up and down from the floor unassisted. Drop in for $7 or get a 10-punch pass for $50.

DAILY Aqua Aerobics Mon/Wed/Fri: 8:15 – 9:15 am Tues/Thurs: 5:30 – 6:30 pm Orchard Mesa Pool These novice to intermediate aqua aerobic classes are for individuals introducing themselves to water exercise or those who have enjoyed our previous classes. Moderate intensity activities incorporate

noodles, hand paddles, water weights, and more. Drop in for $4.50 or pay $46.50 for a 12-punch pass.

DANCE MONDAYS Intermediate Line Dance for Kids 50+ 1 pm – 2 pm, Lincoln Park Barn Continue with the benefits of dancing and improve your line dancing skills by learning new dances with a little more difficulty. Drop in for $5 or get a 10-punch pass for $32. THURSDAYS Senior Dances with Live Music 8 – 11 pm, Senior Recreation Center Dance the night away and enjoy your favorite music performed live! Cost is $3.

SPORTS MAY 7 Beginning Pickleball Clinic 9 – 11 am, Pineridge Courts Skill level 1.0 – 2.5. Learn basic rules, equipment and basic strategies. Cost is $10. MAY 7 Intermediate Pickleball Clinic 1 – 3 pm, Pineridge Courts Skill level 2.5-3.0. Learn playing strategy including court positioning, third shot strategy, dinking, court communication and teamwork, lob and return of lob. Cost is $10. MAY 20 Lincoln Park Open Track Meet 5:30 pm, Lincoln Park, Stocker Stadium This meet is designed for track stars of all ages and abilities, from diaper dashers to one-mile thrashers! Registration begins at 5 pm. Cost is $5.

MAY 21 & 22 Western Slope Regional Pickleball Tournament Lincoln Park and Pine Ridge Courts Offering levels of play from 3.0 – 4.5, men’s, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles. Get registered now!

PUBLIC ART EXHIBITS CITY HALL features all local artists: Kathy Pabst, mixed media (price of pieces goes to Roice-Hurst adoptions for veterans and seniors); Katherine Lopez, photographer; Terry Shepherd, sculptor; and the Pastel Society. Tiara Rado - Colorado National Monument Two Rivers Convention Center - Hot Air Balloons

EXTRAS MAY 12 Card Buffet 9 – 11:30 am, Senior Recreation Center Personalize your greeting with a craft kit; some assembly required. Cost is $2. MAY 26 Tech Table 9 – 11:30 am, Senior Recreation Center Bring your device and the library tech expert will show you how to work it. Cost is 25 cents. AUGUST 20-26 Registration Is Now Open For The Western Colorado Senior Games! Choose from over 55 events. Fun, friendly competition for the over-50 athlete!

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Mesa County Beacon Bits Community Concerts of the Grand Valley, in its 71st year, is now selling tickets for the 2016-2017 season. Performances include a lineup of six concerts featuring a potpourri of internationally renowned musicians, singers, dancers, and theater groups. Tickets for the entire season are $60 for adults or $25 for students and increase to $70 for adults and $25 for students on July 1. Visit www. communityconcertsgrandvalley.org for previews of all six concerts and to purchase tickets, or call 243-1979 for information. “Photo Restore Round Up” - Bring your old photos to the Palisade Library for scanning and restoration. On May 14, from 11 am – 3 pm, the Palisade Historical Society and the Palisade Branch Library Auxiliary are sponsoring a photo restoration service day at the Palisade Branch Library, 119 West Third Street in downtown Palisade. Restoration services will be provided by Gayle Madden of Operation Photo Rescue, an international group of professionals who help restore photos from around the world that have been damaged by disaster. Photos can be scanned while you wait and originals returned that day. You are encouraged to bring your own storage device, such as a thumb drive or CD, for the digitized photos. A $5 donation to the Historical Society is suggested. Archaeological certification program - The Basic Site Surveying Techniques program will be presented by the Grand Junction Chapter of the Colorado Archaeological Society (CASGJ) on the following dates and times: May 6 from 5 - 9 pm; May 7 & 8 from 8 am - 5 pm; and May 9 from 5 - 9 pm, in the KAFM Radio Room at 1310 Ute Avenue, Grand Junction. Cost is $30, check or cash. CASGJ and Kevin Black, CO assistant state archaeologist/PAAC coordinator, will present a short summary of federal and state regulations for cultural resources, survey methods, recording procedures, basic equipment usage,

goals and problems of archaeological survey. Includes a field trip to identify and record sites. All participants in the PAAC program must be at least 15 years old, agree to the PAAC Code of Ethics and pay a nonrefundable fee per course. For more information, contact Geoff Peterson at 250-7402 or peterson.geoff@gmail.com. SUPPORT GROUPS • Mending Hearts Support Group is for any adult who has experienced the death of a loved one. Grand Junction group meets from 2 - 3:30 pm Thursdays at the Miller Homestead at HopeWest. Fruita group meets at the Fruita Civic Center. Call 248-8844. • National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) offers support groups for family members of adults who have a serious mental illness and Connection groups for adults who are living with a mental illness. Groups meet at various times and locations in Mesa County. For additional information, please visit the NAMI Western Slope website at NAMIWS.org or call the NAMI office at 462-3989. • Western Slope Visionaries, a low-vision support group, meets from 9:30 am - 1:30 pm, Wednesdays. Call 241-0315. • Compassionate Friends offers friendship and understanding to bereaved parents, siblings and grandparents. The group meets monthly at 7-8:30 pm on the first Tuesdays at Unity Church, 3205 N. 12th St. Call 434-3822. • MACHO Men cancer support group meets monthly at 5-6:30 pm on the second Wednesdays at St. Mary’s Hospital’s Java City Café. Call 298-2351 for details. • MS and Men, a support group for men living with MS, meets monthly on the third Thursdays from 11 am to noon at the Artful Cup. Call 241-8975. • MS Breakfast Group meets monthly at 9 am on the first Tuesdays at Village Inn, 757 Horizon Dr. Call 241-8975.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES Colorado National Monument is seeking new volunteers to assist the staff in a variety of ways. Opportunities include visitor services, trail ambassador, environmental education, facility or trail maintenance and many others. For more information, please contact Lindsay Compton at 858-3617 ext 364. Family Health West is looking for volunteers to act as greeters at Colorado Canyons Hospital & Medical Center or to assist with our activities in our assisted living facilities. To learn more, please contact Nathan Watchman at 858-2211 or nwatchman@ fhw.org.

Mesa County RSVP connects individuals 55 and older to volunteer positions in any of our member agencies. For more information on the available positions below, call 243-9839 or visit rsvpgrandjunction.org. American Cancer Society – Cancer resource center volunteer American Red Cross – Disaster preparedness and response Community Hospital – Gift shop clerk Western CO Suicide Prevention – Office assistant Western Slope Food Bank – Traveler to food pantries on west slope. ■

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Mesa County Calendar MAY 6 “Tribute to Mothers” concert The Grand Junction Centennial Band, under the direction of Gary Ambrosier, will perform a “Tribute to Mothers” concert at 7:30 pm at the Historic Avalon Theatre, 645 Main Street in Grand Junction. We are honored to host guest conductors Philip C. Chevallard, PhD, Lt. Col., USAF (Ret.), former Commander/Conductor of the United States Air Force Academy Band, and Dylan Ford, Director of Bands at Central High School. Tickets for the concert are $7 and may be purchased from any band member, on our website, or at the box office on the day of the show. Admission is free for children ages 5 and under. For information, contact band board president Jami Lewis at 2706283. Visit www.gjcentennialband.com for information about our organization and upcoming performances. MAY 6 Fine arts auction Support the Western Colorado Center for the Arts and bring home some beautiful art from the US Bank Fine Arts Auction. Our annual fine arts auction will be held at 7 pm at The Art Center, 1803 North 7th St. in Grand Junction. Doors open at 5 pm. The live auction features a juried selection of least 60 extraordinary pieces by the region’s most recognized artists and a silent auction. Auction tickets are $20. For tickets or more information, call Lee Borden at 243-7337. An auction preview will be held from 9 am - 8 pm on May 5; artists have been invited to attend at 6 pm to share insights about their artwork. MAY 6 Tee off for cancer The Testicular Cancer Awareness Foundation is excited to announce the 6th annual Tee Off for Testicular Cancer golf tournament at Adobe Creek Golf Course, 876 18-1/2 Road in Fruita. 8:30 am shotgun start; four-person,

best ball, scramble.

MAY 6 First Friday Art – opening receptions Visit downtown Grand Junction art venues and galleries for their newest exhibits, the first Friday evening of each month. You’ll enjoy refreshments, live music and free admission as you stroll through an evening of art. A favorite among local artists and art lovers, this is a great way to experience the wide variety of artistic talent in town. To participate, just show up at The Art Center (corner of Seventh Street and Orchard Avenue) in Grand Junction and the staff will be happy to guide you to the other locations. Most venues are open from 6-9 pm during First Fridays. MAY 6 & 7 Palisade Brews & Cruise Festival Brews & Cruise offers an opportunity to taste and chat with fellow beer lovers. We will have several acclaimed craft breweries, beer, and food pairings, live music and the finest quality of handcrafted unique products and arts and crafts. On May 6 we’re hosting a street dance at the intersection of 3rd and Main in downtown Palisade. We will have music by the Led Stetson Band, food, and Palisade Brewing Company will provide delicious local brews from 6–10 pm. On May 7 from Noon – 5 pm at Palisade Memorial Park, come out and enjoy the vendors, food, brew samples, local wine for sampling, and live entertainment by The Goodman Band, Led Stetson, and Uranium Blues. Admission cost for general public and for brewery tasting.

MAY 7 Cinco de Mayo celebration Don’t miss the 36th annual Cinco de Mayo festivities! From 10 am–10 pm. Enjoy a variety of arts, crafts and food, along with great entertainment, in downtown Grand Junction on Main Street, between 4th and 7th Streets.

MAY 2016

MAY 7 “Tulips & Juleps” – Kentucky Derby viewing party Join STRIVE’s Foundation Board as they host this exciting and entertaining southern tradition to benefit the programs of STRIVE. The event will be held from 2-5 pm at the Western Colorado Botanical Gardens, 641 Struthers Ave. in Grand Junction. Tickets can be purchased online at www.strivecolorado. org - click the link near the bottom of the page. MAY 7-8 Gem, Mineral & Jewelry Show 2016 Browse the wonders at this year’s show, at Two Rivers Convention Center in Grand Junction. Saturday from 9 am – 6 pm and Sunday from 9 am – 4 pm. Adults $3, Kids between 11-18 years $1, Kids 10 and under are free with paid adult. MAY 8 Mother’s Day pancake breakfast The Orchard Mesa Lions Club will host the club’s 37th annual Mother’s Day Pancake Breakfast from 7-11:30 am at Building C of the Mesa County Fairgrounds. All you can eat. Cost is $6 advance, $7 at the door. Free for kids under 7 and active military. Free flowers for the ladies. Funds raised by the event will be used to help those in the community. Along with providing eye exams and glasses for those who can’t afford them, the Orchard Mesa Lions Club supports Kid-Sight (eye screening for local elementary school children), Mesa County Food Bank, Salvation Army, CEC, Lions Camp for special needs, Orchard Mesa Schools, CMU scholarships and more. MAY 8 “Refuse to be a Victim” seminar On Mother’s Day, help your daughters be wiser in safety – or support your mothers in advancing their protective knowledge. Men are welcome also! Take a proactive role in your personal safety and develop crime prevention strategies you can share. Pureland Security presents the NRA’s award-winning “Refuse To Be A Victim” seminar, from

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3-6 pm at Sky Adventures, 817 Falcon Way in Grand Junction. This is a FREE seminar, but pre-registration is required, as seating is limited. Call 270-3203 or email suzanne@gracefulguns.com.

MAY 11 “A Little Noon Music” The RBQ brass quintet will perform at the next free concert in this series. These free concerts are held on the second Wednesday of each month, in the sanctuary at the First United Methodist Church on the corner of White and 5th Streets in Grand Junction. MAY 14 Benefit concert featuring Lee Greenwood “Honoring America and Those Who Sacrifice and Serve Her,” an upcoming concert featuring Lee Greenwood and J.P. Lane, will raise funds for GANG (Giving Adolescents New Goals), a Grand Junction nonprofit organization that serves underprivileged youth through after-school tutoring, art camps and sports camps. Concert time is 6-9 pm at the Avalon Theatre. MAY 16 River restoration speaker Grand Valley Audubon Society (GVAS) presents guest speaker Shannon Hatch, who will focus on the Tamarisk Coalition and its work to improve lowland riparian areas in the west for the benefit of human and wildlife communities. In addition to highlighting the Tamarisk Coalition’s work with various collaborative efforts, the presentation will focus on various studies that were undertaken with partners to assess restoration success, including monitoring efforts to determine the impacts of tamarisk removal on stream bank morphology. Presentations begins at 7 pm at the First Presbyterian Church Community Room, 2840 17-1/2 Road in Grand Junction. For more information, visit audubongv.org. MAY 17 “Jazz Among the Grapevines” John Bayley & the Warrior Band kick off this 2016 summer concert series

on the lawn at Two Rivers Winery & Chateau, 2087 Broadway in Grand Junction. Bring a lawn chair and snacks to this beautiful outdoor venue. 7 p.m. This series is hosted by the Art Center Guild. Wine is available by the glass or bottle. No other adult beverages. Ticket price is $15.

MAY 20-22 Downtown music festival, Grand Junction Grand Junction’s Main Street will come alive for a full weekend of outdoor music performed by local and national artists. The Downtown Music Festival draws thousands of local and regional residents to Main Street to enjoy three days of free music on three stages, while enjoying the Beer & Wine Garden that spans the entire festival area. MAY 20 & 21 Indoor yard sale to benefit pets Support Grand Valley Pets Alive at an indoor yard sale, May 20 from 8 am– 3 pm and May 21 from 8 am–1 pm, at The Church of the Nativity, 2175 Broadway in Grand Junction. If you have items to donate or time to volunteer, please call 462-7554. We will set up on May 19 from 10 am–2 pm (the best day to drop off donations). Funds raised will help reduce the number of homeless cats and dogs in Mesa County. GVPA provides financial assistance for spay/neuter of pet dogs, cats and colony cats. Visit the GVPA website at grandvalleypetsalive.org. MAY 21 Book fair to support Grand Mesa Sweet Adelines The Grand Mesa Chorus of Sweet Adelines will sponsor a book fair at the Barnes and Noble Book Store, 2451 Patterson Rd., Grand Junction from 9 am – 9 pm. A percentage of the day’s sales of books and food items from the coffee shop will be donated to the chorus. Hear them sing at 2 p.m. Call Marti at 241-4081 for more information.

MAY 29 Butterfly Release & History Walk Plateau Valley Heritage Days Cancer Fund Benefit The annual Live Butterfly Release will begin with the History Walk at 10 am, followed by brunch and the Butterfly Release. Meet at the Collbran Historical Auditorium on Main Street in Collbran. Each butterfly is wrapped individually for you to let fly into the heavens for a loved one or someone in the military you wish to honor. All funds are donated to assist

River City Singles

Plateau Valley cancer patients. The day will include brunch, speakers, entertainment by the Crystal Crackers, kites for kids, face painting and butterfly facts by Country Storm 4H. The military will be honored as well. Everyone is welcome. Reserve your butterfly in advance with a $20 donation. For more information call Joyce at 250-5188 and visit www.pvheritage days.com/cancerfund. ■

MAY 2016 Activity Schedule

“Young-at-heart adults getting together for fun and friendship!” Calling all singles over 55!

Come meet new friends and join us at 5 p.m. Fridays at the Travelodge on Horizon Drive. You’re sure to find people who are young at heart with like interests. Golf Tuesdays at 8:30 am. More details at FAC. Breakfast Tuesdays at 9:30 a.m. - Early Start Breakfast at Denny’s on Horizon Drive. Visitors welcome. Call Debbie at 245-4995 for details. Wednesdays at 5 p.m. - Dine out at the following locations every week. Visitors welcome. Call Debbie at 245-4995 for details. • May 4 - Texas Roadhouse • May 11 - Boston’s • May 18 - Rockslide • May 25 - Outback Steakhouse Fridays at 5 p.m. - Friday Afternoon Club (FAC) meets in the lounge at the Travelodge (formerly the Country Inn), 718 Horizon Drive. The first FAC meeting of the month is the business meeting. Cards and games will follow the meeting. Sundays at 12:30 p.m. - Bowling Sunday and card games at Orchard Mesa Lanes, 295 27 Road. RSVP to Bob at 263-8462. Tuesday, May 3 from 2-4 p.m. - Tour of Hilltop Facilities, 2-4 pm. RSVP to Helen at 242-5961. Saturday, May 7 at noon - Enjoy billiards, games of pool and lunch at Bank 8 Billiards, 2460 Patterson Road. Call Mary at 255-7370. Wednesday, May 11 at 10:30 a.m. - Easy hike, “Scary Place & Colorado Flat Rock” 10:30 am. RSVP to Fran at 248-9211. Thursday, May 12 at 11:30 a.m. - Fun Lunch Bunch, Galosa’s Mexican Sandwiches, 2931 North Ave. RSVP to Penny at 712-2588. Saturday, May 14 at 10:30 a.m. - RCS Pot Luck, 5 pm. Call Jo Anne for details and to RSVP: 263-0520. Wednesday, May 18 at 2 p.m. - Game Day at Mary’s, 2 pm. RSVP to Mary at 242-0630. Thursday, May 19 at 6 p.m. - Restaurant ROVE, eC’s Asian Station, 200 W. Grand. RSVP to John at 241-3171. Saturday, May 21 - Gem & Mineral Workshop, 9 am-Noon, 2329 Monument Rd. RSVP to Mary at 255-5961.

36 MESA COUNTY

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Our Gift to You & Your Loved Ones

FREE Workshop... Leave Nothing to Chance! Protect Your Family and Assets: Beyond the Basics of Estate Planning

This complimentary workshop will cover different options and steps that you can take now to protect your family and assets later, and help eliminate uncertainties so your legacy lives on with your loved ones. We’ll cover the differences between will and trust estate plans as well as in-depth information about how to protect your assets, your heirs, your special needs children and even your pets, now and in the years to come, through specialized trusts. You’ll also learn how to incorporate powers of attorney into your estate plan.

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970-298-7569 by June 7, 2016

St. Mary’s Second Century Advisory Council will host FREE education presentations on estate planning throughout 2016; please call 970-298-7569 to receive ongoing invites.

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Senior Homecare by Angels

MAY 2016

Mesa County Club Activities • Grand Mesa Chorus of Sweet Adelines International rehearses every Tuesday from 6:30-9 pm at the Redlands United Methodist Church, 527 Village Way, Grand Junction, CO. Rehearsals are always open to visitors. Contact Shirley at 255-9419 or Bette at 523-3464 for information. For more information, visit www.grandmesachorus.org. • Orchard Mesa Lions Club meets the first and third Monday of each month at 7 pm at A Taste of Heaven Catering on North Avenue. Lions Clubs are groups of men and women who identify needs within the community and work together to fulfill those needs. For more information or to get involved with the Orchard Mesa Lions Club, please contact Annette at 424-4980. • Thunder Mountain Camera Club meets the fourth Tuesday from 7-9 pm at Western Colorado Community College, 2520 Blichmann Avenue, Building B, Room 171 (double-door entrance from Parking Lot # 4) in Grand Junction. Membership is open to anyone interested in learning more about photography and all skill levels are welcome. For information, visit www. thundermountaincameraclub.org. • Grand Junction Chess Club meets every Monday night from 6:3011:30 pm in the Starbucks at Safeway, 29th and Patterson. Novice to rated players. All are welcome, free of charge. If you don’t have a chess set, we loan sets out, no charge. Hope to see you soon. For details, visit www. jctchess.com. •Sons of Norway Vestafjell, Colorado Western Slope Sons of Norway Lodge, invites those interested in Scandinavian heritage and culture to join lodge members at the lunch meeting on Monday, May 9 at the Golden Corral, 1100 Independent Avenue in Grand Junction. Gather in the west meeting room after 1:30 pm. For more details call Barb at 2455649 or Annette at 858-6702, or visit the website at www.vestafjelllodge.org • Art Quilt Association meets

monthly at 9:30 am on the third Saturday in Grand Junction. Always looking for new members. Locations vary but are posted at theartquiltassociation.com. • Western Colorado Astronomy Club (WCAC) will hold the following sessions in May: May 3 - WCAC monthly meeting at 7 pm in Room 161 of Wubben Hall, Colorado Mesa University campus. Visitors are welcome. May 7 - Free public viewing session starting after sundown on at the Saddlehorn Picnic Area in the Colorado National Monument. May 28 - Free public viewing session starting after sundown at Highline Lake State Park in Loma. • Not Going Quietly meets the second and fourth Tuesdays from 1-3 pm. This gathering is intended to create a space of empowerment, energy, grace, community and wisdom for individuals who are 60+ years. The group was inspired by the book, “Do Not Go Quietly: A Guide to Living Consciously and Aging Wisely for People Who Weren’t Born Yesterday” by George and Sedena Cappannelli. This ongoing group meets at Two Rivers Center for Spiritual Living, 251 Colorado Ave., Grand Junction. Just show up to join in the fun! For questions, call the office at 433-7799. • Great Old Broads for Wilderness meets the last Monday from 4:306 pm at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 536 Ouray. Call 255-9900 for information. • Friendship Force meets monthly at 6:15 pm on the second Thursday at Community Hospital’s lower conference room. Call 260-4653 or visit thefriendshipforce.org • Western Slope Coin Club meets monthly at 6:30 pm the second Wednesday at the VFW Post #1247. Get a free coin/currency evaluation at 5:30 pm Call 241-1770 or visit gjcoinshow.com. • Two River Sam’s/Good Sam RV Club meets Thursday, May 12 at

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Noon. For details and location, call 523-5625. • Mesa County Genealogical Society meets monthly at 7 pm on the second Thursday at The Commons of Hilltop and at noon on the fourth Wednesday at the Museum of Western Colorado. Help sessions are at 1 pm on the first Friday at a library branch. Call 640-2388. • Two Rivers Cribbage Club meets from 6-9 pm Thursdays at the Masonic Center. Call 261-1670. • Grand Valley Woodcarvers meets monthly at 6 pm on the first and third Wednesdays and at 1 pm on the second and fourth Wednesdays at Redlands United Methodist Church. Call 245-8817 or 523-5965. • Grand Valley Woodturners meets the second Tuesday at 7 pm at Redlands United Methodist Church. Call 245-8817 or 856-3632. • High Desert Diamonds, plus-level square dancing with Naaman Moorehouse, caller. First and third Fridays from 7 to 9 pm, at the Masonic Center, 2400 Consistory Court, Grand Junction. For more information, call Sue at 241-7457. • Mesa Fiber Arts Guild meets monthly at 6 pm the first Thursdays, at Color Creek Fiber Art, 1150 N. 25th St. Unit B in Grand Junction. Call 243-3598 or visit www.mesafiberartsguild.org. • Friendship Force meets monthly at 6:15 pm on the second Thursday at Community Hospital’s lower conference room. Call 260-4653 or visit thefriendshipforce.org. • Colorado Archeological Society of Grand Junction (CASGJ) next monthly meeting will be May 17 at 7 pm at the Grand Junction City Hall, in the City Council chambers, 250 N. 5th St. The topic will be the History of Mining in the Uravan Area. Uranium has been mined in Colorado since the 1870s and southwestern Colorado played an extremely important role in the uranium mining industry and in the history of the United States. Jane Thompson and Sharon Johannsen will be speaking about the history of Uravan and uranium mining in the

region. Thompson and Sharon are board members of the Rimrockers Historical Society (Naturita, CO). • Western Slope Coin Club meets monthly at 6:30 pm the second Wednesday at the VFW Post #1247. Get a free coin/currency evaluation at 5:30 pm Call 241-1770 or visit gjcoinshow.com. • Two River Sam’s/Good Sam RV Club meets Thursday, May 12 at Noon. For details and location, call 523-5625. • Fleet Reserve Association (FRA) Branch 244 meets monthly at 7 pm on the second Wednesdays at the VFW Post #3981. All former, retired and active sea service, U.S. Navy, Marines or Coast Guard are welcome. Call 434-0868. • Blue Lodge Masons meets the first Saturday at 10 am at the Masonic Center. Call 245-5312. • Bookcliff Duplicate Bridge Club plays at 1 pm Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and 6:30 pm Thursdays at 2923 North Ave. Call 243-7874. • Western Colorado Decorative Artists meets the second Saturday at 9 am at First Congregational Church. Call 640-2751. • Grand Junction Toastmasters meets at 7:10 am Tuesdays at St. Mary’s Life Center. Call 242-4863. • Talk of the Town Toastmasters meets at noon Thursdays at the Mesa County Public Library, Downstairs, Study Room B, 443 N. 6th Street. Call 250-3969. • Cribbage Lite meets at 6 pm every Tuesday at International House of Pancakes, 2420 Highway 6 & 50, Mesa Mall. Call 270-2433. • Western Slope Rovers RV Club meets monthly for breakfast on the first Thursday of each month. Call 858-3907 for time and details. ■

Buying for CASH! • Coins & Coin Collections • Gold & Silver Coins • Old Currency • Foreign Coins & Currency • Pocket Watches • Sterling silver • Gold & Silver Jewelry • Antiques • Guns and Ammunition • Military Items • Cowboy Spurs • Native American Items

Check with US before you sell! We Have Over 40 Years Experience Buying and Selling Professionally. Paying $14 per gram and up for Scrap Gold! Open: Monday-Friday, 10-5

North Avenue Coins 1005 North 12th Street, Suite 211 Grand Junction, CO 81501

970-261-8368

Western Colorado Weaponry Tools of Survival and Conflict Opens May 13! Museum of the West 462 Ute Ave.

Don’t miss our Summer 2016 Exhibits! www.museumofwesternco.org • 970.242.0971

Discovering – Preserving – Sharing

38 FUN & GAMES

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

FUN & GAMES

4 1 6 9 7 2 4 6 2 7 1 3 4 9 2 2 1 2 4 9 3 3 2 8 6 6 1 4 5 2 6 e by websudoku.com 8 Puzzl

MAY 2016

4 1 6 7 6 2 3 4 9 2 1 2 4 9 3 3 2 8 6 6 1 4 5 6 2 8 doku.com

9 2 4 7 1 2

Puzzle by websu

Free Slice Purchase any slice at regular price and receive a free slice of equal or lesser value. Your locally-owned Nick-N-Willyâ€™s Pizza

683 Horizon Drive (Next to Safeway)

Grand Junction

970-245-6425

Valid Daily 11am to 2pm One coupon per customer, per visit. Not valid with any other offers, coupons OR in-store specials. Valid only at participating locations. Customer responsible for applicable sales tax. Expires: May 31, 2016

Y ALL DA AY D E VE RY

SENIOR SPECIAL

Pulled Pork Sammie Combo

-Includes side & drink

970-697-1120

1014 N. 5th St, Grand Junction

(corner of Belford Ave. & 5th Street)

We C ate r !

For the puzzle answers see page 46

FUN & GAMES

MAY 2016

8 1 7 2 4 8 7 4 5 7 6 2 8 3 6

Across 1 “Think nothing ___!” 5 Film cowboy Jack 9 Michener novel 14 Whale like Willy 15 Mucky earth 16 Santa ___, El Salvador 17 The Scarecrow, perhaps? 19 Rainbow-shaped 20 Operation centers? 22 Walk like Richard Pryor in “Stir Crazy” 23 Kuril Islands inhabitant 24 Cool, now 27 Cool, then 28 C & W -network 29 Matchstick counting game 32 Words with bend or lend 34 Place for a flash? 35 Classical colonnade 36 Doctors swear to it 40 Amo, amas, ___ 41 Splash in the 34 Across? 42 Eclipse type 43 Actress Park-Lincoln of “Knots Landing” 44 It’s in the genes 45 Telecom giant 47 Mao ___-tung 48 For whom the bell tolls 50 Actress Keaton

FUN & GAMES 39

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

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Puzzle by websudoku.com

52 General practitioner’s field 57 “___ Tear Fall in the River” (Ella Fitzgerald ditty) 58 Kind of surgery 60 Took to the station house 61 Soccer star’s shoe? 62 Barge ___ (interrupt) 63 Words before music or work 64 Amtrak stops (Abbr.) 65 Hops hot spot Down 1 Ball or buff ending 2 Cleaving tool 3 Peace keeper, e.g. 4 Shipping counterweights 5 Displaced person 6 TV programming schedule 7 “___ you the lucky one!” 8 Ford product, for short 9 “… we have seen his ___ the east” 10 Juan or Eva 11 Person concerned with figures 12 Skelton’s bumpkin 13 Ironclad steamship builder James 18 Prefix meaning “joint”

A Great Place to Call Home!

21 One-named New Age musician 24 1986 Indy 500 winner Bobby 25 One’s true inner self, according to Jung 26 Store section 28 “I tought I taw a putty ___” 30 Tiny bits 31 Olympic skiing medalist Phil 33 Suitable for the occasion 34 Secret keeper, to the teller 35 Small French coin 37 ___ Island 38 Narrow inlet of a river 39 Grip tightly 44 Part of F.D.R. 45 Judges judge 46 Spikes the punchbowl 49 Bandleader’s cry 50 Greyhound site 51 MacDonald’s refrain 52 Christmas holiday purchases 53 Winglike structures 54 Greets with too much enthusiasm 55 Sha ___ (“Blue Moon” singers) 56 Mythical archer 59 Ted’s bang-up cable network

 Quiet 55+ Adult Community  New & Pre-Owned Homes  Free RV Storage  On-Site Manager  Resident Club House

Turn to page 42 for your puzzle answers

Crossword Puzzle

40 CLASSIFIEDS

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To Place a Classified Ad...

4 EASY STEPS!

 Mesa  Montrose/Delta  Choose Issue:  Write your ad: ....................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................... Start running my ad in the month of .....................................................................

For this many months ......................

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Additional $10 for both publications.

 Send it in:

BEACON, PO Box 3895, Grand Junction, CO 81502 fax: 1 800 536-7516 email: beacon@pendantpublishing.com

name ..................................................................................................................... address................................................................................................................. city ........................................................... state ..................zip .............................

REAL ESTATE

PET SERVICES

LAKESIDE CONDO FOR SALE Grand Junction, ground floor, 2 bedroom, 1 bath, under 900SF, close to St. Mary’s Hospital, laundry room, recreation building (includes pool, spa, and weight room), tennis court, walking path, two lakes on property. Asking $79,900; Call 970765-6275 for appointment.

POOCHNANNIES.COM In your home professional pet sitters. Licensed, bonded and insured. References. Call us today. Judy Mathews 970-210-6944 or Linda and Jim Nieman 970-683-0068.

HELP WANTED WENDY’S NOW HIRING! Shift supervisors and crew members. We are looking for smiling faces and positive attitudes. We offer competitive pay, discounts and a great working environment. Full-time and part-time employment available. Please apply at your nearest location in Grand Junction. PT RETIREE WORK - Simple HUD Home Inspections Complete questionnaire & take pictures on your smartphone/tablet biweekly to ensure homes remain in show-ready condition. $22 per inspection. Inspection application at www.blmcojobs.com

sales person wanted The Beacon Senior newspaper is growing and we’re looking for a mature, loving sales person to grow with us. Send your letter and resume to beacon@pendantpublishing.com

writers wanted The Beacon Senior newspaper is looking for writers in Mesa, Delta and Montrose counties. Send your letter and resume to beacon@pendantpublishing.com

telephone number ....................................................................

QUESTIONS? Call us M-TH, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. • FRI, 9 a.m.-Noon 970 243-8829 • www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

MAY 2016

FOR SALE BRUNO SRE-3000 Elan Straight Rail Stair Lift. Used only for 2 months. $3,000. 434-9236

YARD SALE CHURCH YARD SALE First Christian Church Grand Junction, May 21, 2016 7:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Buy a table for $25.00. Call Carol at 970773-4797 for more information.

HOME CARE PASCO/SW, INC.

Skilled and unskilled homemaking and/or personal care. Skilled nursing, specialize in wound care, physical therapy, occupational therapy, CNA, social work, pre-op, post-op services. PASCO/SW carriers certification for Mi, children’s hospice and Tbi waivers. Please call for courtesy evaluation of your home care needs. Serving: Archuleta, Delta, Dolores, La Plata, Montezuma, Montrose, Ouray, San Miguel Cortez (970)565-6833; Durango (970) 247-1211; Montrose (970) 240-1771; Toll Free (877) 685-6833

www.pascosw.com

MAYFIELD SENIOR CARE, LLC Openings! Private pay clients, Montrose to Aspen areas. Professional, exceptional and compassionate home care. Cooking (from scratch), light housekeeping, laundry, assistance to appointments, shopping, office administration, pet care. Insured. Local references. 970-683-1414. jenniferjane@ mayfieldseniorcare.com

HOME SERVICES SCENE CLEARLY, LLC Window cleaners specializing in making your day a little brighter! Grand Junction area. Call Frank Cordova at 242-1264.

MAY 2016

CLASSIFIEDS 41

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COMPUTER LADY, LLC In home repair. 15 years serving Mesa County! Windows, Internet, WiFi, Android, Tablets, NefFlix, Roku. Virus removal, installation and instruction. Dependable, reasonable. Qualified. 255-1216 (office). PO Box 394, Grand Junction, CO 81502. ANTIQUES, APPRAISALS, ESTATE SALES With over 40 years in the antique, appraisal and estate sale business, Great American Estate Sales is the valley’s leader in appraisals and estate liquidation. Settling an estate, moving into a smaller home or just simplifying your lifestyle? Great American Estate Sales can provide a worry-free and quick solution. Free consultation. 970-216-0048. TREE SERVICE Get ready for summer. Tree trimming, tree removal, stump grinding. FREE hauling, boom truck to 85 feet, FREE estimates. Licensed and insured. Chris 260-0222.

Mark Bluhm

(970) 260-2327

Professionally conducted estate sales, executive sales, farm and ranch

THE PROVEN PROFESSIONALS

www.reliableestatesales.biz

WANTED TO BUY USED BOOKS BUY, SELL OR TRADE Gently used books on hundreds of subjects. Westerns, Romance, Mysteries, Suspense, Kids, Young Adult, Inspirational, and many others. Large print. Special orders. 970-242-3911. Twice Upon a Time Bookshop, 2885 North Ave., Ste. B. Located in front of North Ave. Walmart and next to Subway. 10-6 Mon-Sat, 11-4 Sunday. **Bring this ad in for $10 Trade Credit** CASH PAID FOR OLD STUFF Wind-up men’s wrist/pocket watches, gold and silver jewelry, pocket/ hunting knives, antique firearms, fishing gear, toys, BB guns, old Colorado bottles, old motorcycles, radios and amps, railroad, military, mining items. www.cash4oldstuff. net. Mark 260-2327.

NEED GLASS REPAIR? No Job Too Small New Windows • Window Repairs • Window Glass Mirrors • Table Tops • Insulated Glass Shower & Tub Enclosures • Rescreens & New Screens

Same day service on most autoglass

The

Glass Brokerage 970-243-4507

2200 E. Main • Grand Junction • Open 8am - 5pm M-F & 8am - Noon Sat. • All Credit Cards Accepted

Call Bob McHugh for your Real Estate needs 970.683.9540

robert.mchugh@gjhomes.com

• Buyer Agent • Seller Agent • Down Sizing 2499 Highway 6 & 50 • Grand Junction, CO 81505

NATIONAL CLASSIFIEDS MAY 2016 AUTO SALES OR AUTO DONATIONS ALL INCLUSIVE CRUISE package on the Norwegian Sky out of Miami to the Bahamas. Pricing as low as $299 pp for 3 Day or $349 pp for 4 Day (double occupancy) - ALL beverages included! For more info. call 877-2707260 or go to NCPtravel.com AUTO SALES OR AUTO DONATIONS Donate Your Car to Veterans Today! Help and Support our Veterans. Fast - FREE pick up. 100% tax deductible. Call 1-800-245-0398 AUTO’S WANTED CARS/TRUCKS WANTED!!! All Make/Models 20002016! Any Condition. Running or Not. Competitive Offer! Free Towing! We’re Nationwide! Call Now: 1-888-416-2330. EDUCATION/CAREER TRAINING 25 DRIVER TRAINEES NEEDED! Become a driver for Stevens Transport! NO EXPERIENCE NEEDED! New drivers earn $800+ per week! PAID CDL TRAINING! Stevens covers all costs! 1-888-734-6714 drive4stevens.com ACCOUNTING & PAYROLL TRAINING PROGRAM! Online career training can get you job ready now! TRAIN AT HOME NOW! Financial aid if qualified! HS Diploma/GED required. 1-877-253-6495 AIRLINE CAREERS. Get FAA approved maintenance training at campuses coast to coast. Job placement assistance. Financial Aid for qualifying students. Military friendly. Call AIM 888-686-1704 MEDICAL BILLING TRAINEES NEEDED! Begin training at home for a career working with Medical Billing & Insurance! Online training with the right College can get you ready! HS Diploma/GED & Computer/Internet needed. 1-888-734-6711 EMPLOYMENT Make $1,000 Weekly! Paid in Advance! Mailing Brochures at Home. Easy Pleasant work. Begin Immediately. Age Unimportant. www.MyHomeIncomeNow55. com FINANCIAL CASH IN ONE CLICK Short Term Lender Matching Service www.CashinOneClick.com Apply in Minutes and Get Approved. Desktop or Mobile

WE BUY USED/DAMAGED TRUCKS! Chevy, Toyota, Ford and More. 2000-2016. America’s Top Truck Buyer. Free Nationwide Towing! Call Now: 1-800-536-4708 EUROPEAN RIVER CRUISES - the ultimate vacation! See Europe from the comfort of a Viking or Avalon luxury cruise ship. For the experience of a lifetime, call 877-270-7260 or go to NCPtravel.com for more information $$ NEED CASH FAST $$ Get $500 -$1000.00 or more. Pay BILLS or make a special purchase. Get cash as soon as tomorrow. Go to www.FINDFUNDSFAST.com CASH PAID for unexpired, sealed DIABETIC TEST STRIPS! 1 DAY PAYMENT & PREPAID shipping. HIGHEST PRICES! Call 1-888-776-7771. www.Cash4DiabeticSupplies.com KILL BED BUGS & THEIR EGGS! Harris Bed Bug Killers/ KIT Complete Treatment System Hardware Stores, The Home Depot, homedepot.com Lower Your TV, Internet & Phone Bill!!! Fast Internet from $15/mo - qualifying service. Limited Time Offer. Plus, FREE $300 GiftCard. Call 855-693-1333 Make a Connection. Real People, Flirty Chat. Meet singles right now! Call LiveLinks. Try it FREE. Call NOW: Call 1-877-737-9447 18+ MOTORCYCLES WANTED OLD JAPANESE MOTORCYCLES KAWASAKI Z1-900 (1972-75), KZ900, KZ1000 (1976-1982), Z1R, KZ 1000MK2 (1979,80), W1-650, H1-500 (1969-72), H2-750 (1972-1975), S1-250, S2-350, S3-400, KH250, KH400, SUZUKI-GS400, GT380, HONDA-CB750K (1969-1976), CBX1000 (1979,80) CASH!! 1-800-772-1142 1-310-721-0726 usa@ classicrunners.com PERSONAL Pregnant? FOR PROBABLE Birthday Send: S.A.S.E, START LAST NORMAL Period, $10 M.O.: ReForest Earth With Food Trees, L.L.C PO Box 137 Syracuse, NY 13201

HELP WANTED US Postal Service Now Hiring 1-800-227-5314 $21/ hr avg. w/ Federal Benefits included to start. FT/PT. Not affiliated w/ USPS

WANTED TO BUY TOP CASH PAID FOR OLD GUITARS! 1920’s thru 1980’s. Gibson, Martin, Fender, Gretsch, Epiphone, Guild, Mosrite, Rickenbacker, Prairie State, D’Angelico, Stromberg. And Gibson Mandolins/Banjos. 1-800-4010440

MISCELLANEOUS CASH FOR CARS: We Buy Any Condition Vehicle, 2000 and Newer. Nation’s Top Car Buyer! Free Towing From Anywhere! Call Now: 1-800-864-5960

TOP CA$H PAID FOR OLD ROLEX, PATEK PHILIPPE & CARTIER WATCHES! DAYTONA, SUBMARINER, GMT-MASTER, EXPLORER, MILGAUSS, MOONPHASE, DAY DATE, etc.1-800-401-0440

HAVE YOU OR SOMEONE YOU LOVED SUFFERED SEVERE COMPLICATIONS FROM THE USE OF: Call The Sentinel Group now!

Xarelto, Pradaxa, Talcum Powder or IVC Filter? You may be due Compensation, free consultation.

1-800-655-5256

The Sentinel Group is an advertising group and represents lawyers jointly advertising their services. It is not a law firm or lawyer referral service. No representation is made that the quality of the legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers. You should not rely upon any information herein as legal advice. The choice of a lawyer is an important decision that should not be based solely upon advertisements.

MAY 2016

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

FUN & GAMES Game answers from page 39

Palisade Dental 125 West 3rd Street, Palisade, CO 81526

Brian E. Day, D.M.D., P.C. • 464-5123 Hours 8am -5 pm Mon-Thurs

GENERAL AND COSMETIC DENTISTRY

*Crown & Bridge*Implants placed & restored*Dentures* Partials & Repairs *State of the Art oral cancer screening*tooth colored fillings*root canals *Gentle and thorough cleanings Most insurance, credit cards and Care credit accepted New patients and emergencies welcome

We Cater To Cowards

WESTERN COLORADO

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SPECIALTY PHARMACY YESTERDAY’S PHARMACY, TODAY’S ADVANCES.

Wow Only $ 195 per YEAR!*

*Seniors 65 years & older

Your local compounding Pharmacy: •

We make rapid dissolve tablets, troches, lollipops, capsules, creams, suppositories, gels and more

•

Hormone replacement therapy

•

Topical pain treatment

•

Allergies and sensitivities

•

Are your medications too expensive or not covered by insurance? We can help!

FREE Seminar

Treating PAIN with compounded topical creams, safely & effectively.

May 25, 6:30 pm call to RSVP

2472 Patterson Road Unit 12, Grand Junction

970-243-5050 GJCompounding.com

MAY 2016

KUDOS & KVETCH 43

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

kudos \ ku·dos

 Thank you for including Bryan Cashion’s photo of the Weed Warriors outside the gates of the Montrose Botanic Gardens on the cover of the Montrose-Delta issue of “The Beacon Guide.” I was pleasantly surprised when I recently picked it up and wanted to extend my appreciation to you for including the photo. You have done an excellent service to the Botanical Society by including our articles and pictures in your publications. We thank you! In appreciation, Carol Pyle, VP, Acting President Montrose Botanical Society

Kvetch \ kfech  I read about the state government wanting to close down the State Home in Grand Junction. What a shame! We really need a place for the mentally ill to go. The State Home used to be a place where one could house and work with the mentally ill and it was a safe place. What happened? Another thing, why build new housing for the homeless, when they could go there and have a place to stay? They could be taught to do maintenance, repair work, painting and cooking and different jobs around the premises to keep the place up. We do not need to be building new buildings for them when they can’t even afford them. – G.G..

Wanna give a shout out? Pass out a compliment? Write us at:

Beacon@PendantPublishing.com.

Choose life—It’s a brief experience By Glenn Mollette

ife is an opportunity to spend a brief period of time in this world. During this minimal space of time we are fortunate to enjoy what most others cannot do. Most of the people who have ever lived are dead. Therefore we are in a very rare state of existence. We are in the land of the living. We breathe, eat, work, worry, cry, laugh and either enjoy or hate life. I read about young adults who die almost every day. Young people overdosing on drugs, alcohol or committing suicide. Millions more live in a depressive state. Life has its ups and downs and there is really no such thing as a perfect life. All of us are faced with sickness, caregiving, worries, stress, messes, disappointments, sadness, victories and more. It’s life. We often look at other lives and envy them. We develop the impression that others are free of problems and sadness when often those who seem to be the happiest struggle the most. While being a caregiver for 12 years an acquaintance commented to me, “You seem to have the world by the tail. No one would ever dream you have a problem in the world.” Smiling, trying to keep a good attitude and being kind to others throws a lot of people off. Sadly, we aren’t used to seeing this in most people. We can’t live our

lives based on others. No one thing will make you happy or fill you with a vibrant life. No one person makes you alive. No one certain job will make you alive. Life is not ultimately found in money, a relationship, a child, a career, a house or anything. All of these of course add to our living. However, ultimate living is more powerful than any one certain thing, event or person. I understand losing a child or spouse in death cuts our hearts out. I’ve buried a child and a wife. It’s horrific. I’ve had disappointments in business, frustrating jobs and fallen flat on my face. I know what it’s like to draw unemployment. I know what it feels like to go to the county social services office and apply for Medicaid because I couldn’t afford to pay for my wife’s nursing home expenses. I know what it’s like to lose “friends” because I didn’t do exactly as they thought I should do. Oh well. My preacher was talking a lot about life at church this past Sunday. He quoted a verse of Scripture from Proverbs 12:28, “In the way of righteousness there is life.” He talked about choosing to live. There are choices that lead to death, but there are choices that lead to life. I hope today that you choose to live and love life. It’s a brief experience. ■

A BIG BEACON

THANK YOU!

For all

of our door prize donations

One of the lucky winners with her new Sonicare toothbrush, donated by Scott Van Dusen, DDS.

Adobe Golf Course Alzheimer’s Association American Furniture Warehouse Amtrak Atrium Assisted Living The Bike Shop Big O Tires Bookcliff Gardens Nursery & Landscape Boston’s Gourmet Pizza Brakes Plus Callahan-Edfast Mortuary & Crematory Century Casino Cherry Creek Mortgage Chili’s City of Grand Junction Golf Course, Lincoln Park & Tiara Rado Colorado Electric Bikes Colorado Stamps & Coins Color Creek Fiber Art Community Concerts of the Grand Valley Costa Vida Country Elegance Florist Courtyard by Marriott Critical Nurse Staffing Crossroads Fitness Denny’s Dos Hombres Clifton Downtown Hotels, Hampton Inn Doubletree Hotel Dufford, Waldeck, Milburn & Krohn Ed Bozwarth Chevrolet-Buick The Egg & I Flowers by Jimmie Golden Corral Grand International Buffet Grand Junction Memorial Gardens Grand Mesa Medical Grand Vista Hotel Great Clips

Home Care of the Grand Valley Housing Resources of Western Colorado ilBistro Italiano Isle Casino Hotel/ Lady Luck Inter-mountain Funding Jerry’s Pest Control La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries Lowe’s Home Improvement McAllister’s Deli Merry Maids Mesa County RSVP, Inc Mesa View Assisted Living Monarch Casino Nuclear Care Partners Old Chicago Pizza & Taproom Olive Garden Operation Independence Orchard Mesa Bowl Lanes Outback Steak House Out West Books Palisade Living Center Pablo’s Pizza Professional Case Management Red Lobster Redstone Castle Rockslide Brew & Pub Rocky Mountain Health Plans Sang Garden Scott Van Dusen DDS South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa Las Vegas Splish Splash Car Wash Town & Country Finance Corp True Value Two Rivers Winery & Chateau Wind River Hotel & Casino

GRAND JUNCTION

Rhythms for africa BENEF It Concert featuring

Hazel Miller accompanied by Dana Marsh

Thursday, May 19, 2016 Reception 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. â€˘ Concert Begins 7:00 p.m. Two Rivers Winery and Chateau â€˘ 2087 Broadway, Grand Junction Bring a chair and listen to the moving and powerful voice of Ms. Hazel Miller, accompanied by Dana Marsh on the keyboard. Spectacular silent auction items, food and drinks will be available for purchase.

Individual Tickets $30

Purchase tickets in advance at HopeWestCO.org or HopeWest office locations in Grand Junction, Delta and Montrose. Tickets will also be available at the door.

Sponsorship Opportunities

Simba (Lion) Level $500 includes 8 Concert Tickets Tembo (Elephant) Level $250 includes 4 Concert Tickets Twiga (Giraffe) Level $100 includes 2 Concert Tickets Call (970) 263-2186 to become a sponsor.

All proceeds benefit the HopeWest Africa Partnership Project, supporting hospice care in rural Tanzania.

For more information or questions call Mary at (970) 683-4927 or Jacquie at (970) 263-2186.