June 2020 by BEACON Senior News

The Voice of Adults 50+ in Western Colorado

JUNE 2020

The Future of Aging

With the number of seniors set to double by 2030, who will advocate and care for us? Do something special for Dad on Father's Day, Sunday, June 21. For inspiration, see pages 26-27.

Stay healthy when flying: Reduce your risk of COVID-19

Who's debt is it? Avoid credit card debt even when times get tough

H ME IS WHERE HEART CARE IS Do you have an irregular heartbeat? Contact us for a consultation

970.384.7737

PeopleCare. Thatâ€™s Valley View.

Our outstanding physicians are committed to caring for you. Dr. Laws and the Heart & Vascular Center in Grand Junction, deliver state-of-the art care for irregular heartbeats, close to home.

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607 25 Rd., Ste 101 | Grand Junction, CO 81505

F R A N K L AWS, MD, FAC C

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BEACON SENIOR NEWS

We Are Open. Please be assured that the health, safety and well-being of our patients, staff members and their families are our top priority. We are taking additional precautions: • Increased frequency of sanitation process for waiting area and exam rooms. • Using masks, sanitizers and gloves. • Seeing patients quickly to prevent exposure to others in the waiting area, and allowing patients to wait in their cars. •Offering curbside service and encouraging patients to call ahead to arrange hearing aid service. We also encourage patients to call ahead to arrange hearing aid service from the safety of their cars. •Telehealth services with a smartphone.

Thank you for allowing us to assist you with your hearing healthcare needs. For Appointment, Please call us at

970-243-6440

RESISTIBLE! Brandy Lujan BC-HIS

Bernadette Mills Au.D.,CCC/A

2532 Patterson Rd., Ste. 12 | Grand Junction | www.aaahearing.net

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BEACON SENIOR NEWS

Send us your face mask selfies! You could win FREE BBQ from Rib City! Hand sewn or no sew, store bought or not, show us how you’re helping keep your community safe from the spread of coronavirus. Photos may be included in future issues of the BEACON and our promotions.

245-1742 Fruita: 858-6566 Rifle: 625-3333 Food Dudes: 241-1904

Grand Junction:

Anita Bogle

Email photos to: Beacon@PendantPublishing.com, or post them and tag us on Facebook! @BEACON Senior News Janet Shearer

fooddudesdelivery.com Glennis and Manuel Espinoza

COVID-19: How to stay healthy Life in Mesa County is starting to look a little bit more like it did before COVID-19. But for older adults and people with underlying chronic health conditions, careful precautions are still necessary to avoid becoming ill with COVID-19. To maximize your chances of staying healthy during the ongoing pandemic, follow these guidelines: Only visit public places when necessary and take advantage of special shopping hours designed to limit crowds Maintain a distance of 6 feet from people who do not live with you Wash your hands often Wear a non-medical face covering over your nose and mouth when in public Stay home when sick Get tested if symptoms appear Common COVID-19 symptoms include fever, chills, repeated shaking with chills, cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, sore throat, loss of taste, and loss of smell. SUPPORT SANDIO'S FOOD DRIVE

However, symptoms in older adults can sometimes look different. Even if your symptoms aren’t typical for COVID-19, contact your healthcare provider if you’ve been feeling “off.” More information about COVID-19 can be found by visiting www.health.mesacounty.us.

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Siggie Carpenter

IN THIS ISSUE

National & Regional Award-Winning Publication JUNE 2020 | Volume 33 | Issue 6

Publisher Kevin K. VanGundy Founding Publisher Susan Capps

Managing Editor Cloie Sandlin Multimedia Editor Lauren Berg Graphic Designers Chrissy Martin B. Bigler Office Manager Stacey Splude Advertising Executives Debra Romaniec Siggie Carpenter Melodie Simon Proofreader Jan Weeks Delivery Cora Gentry Lauren VanGundy JR Milner

P.O. Box 3895 Grand Junction, CO 81502 Phone: 970-243-8829 Website:

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

Email:

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 and Montrose counties. Publication of advertising does not necessarily constitute endorsement. Columns are opinions of the writers, not necessarily the opinion of the publisher. Deadline for advertising and announcements is the 20th of the month preceding publication. Display advertising rates are available upon request. © Copyright 2020 • All Rights Reserved

On the Cover

To prepare students for the needs of our growing elderly population, Western Colorado Community College offers a two-year degree in gerontology and three certificates.

7 Editor’s Column 8 Cover Story: Caring hands for an aging population 10 Seniors in 4-H 12 Boomer Beat 13 Ask the Old Bag 14 The Healthy Geezer 15 Dear Pharmacist 16 Stay healthy when flying 18 Laughing Matters 20 The day I ran over cousin Vic 21 5 tips on how to combat loneliness during social distancing

38 26 Make Father’s Day one he’ll remember 28 Enjoy the green pastures: lessons from grandkids 30 See the world while staying home 32 Faith in the new normal 33 Talking Digital 34 Finance: Whose debt is it anyway? 36 Business Profile: Village Cooperative 38 The war that never ended 40 Thunder Mountain Shootists keep the Old West alive 49 Recipe

22 Alive & Digging

54 Fun & Games

24 Lawrence Welk: no bare knees, please

58 Opinion: We need community

Mesa County Section 42 Calendar 44 Clubs 46 Beacon Bits 48 Support Groups

56 Classified Ads

Montrose/Delta Section

50 Calendar 51 Clubs 52 Beacon Bits

Vehicles parade in front of the Grand Junction VA Community Living Center on May 22, with family members and locals waving to veterans who've been on lockdown since the pandemic started. Safety measures were in place throughout the event.

We won’t leave you in the dark

Even in times of uncertainty, the BEACON will be there to light the way!

Even though it’s uncertain what tomorrow will bring, the BEACON is here to light the way. In the event of a stay-at-home order and without an effective way to get a printed copy of the BEACON to you, we will be publishing the May and June issues solely online.

Here’s how we can stay connected. Read the BEACON ➊ online

Get the BEACON delivered straight to your email

us on ➋ Follow Facebook

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Uplifting stories, local heroes, We’ll share stories, local health Get the BEACON Follow us on Facebook Read the BEACON online   and side-splitting jokes—all at updates and TONS of jokes! (and Receive notifications when the your fingertips! some pretty cool photos to boot) straight new issuedelivered is out, along with We share stories, Did you know that in addition to our exclusive and interactive content. to your email   local health updates printed edition, publish theissues, BEACON Sign up for our newsletter Readwe our May and June well as previous at theat www.BeaconSeniorNews.com digitally everyasmonth? Whileissues, it isn’t orReceive email us at notifications when the www.BeaconSeniorNews.com same as holding it in your hand, you’ll Beacon@PendantPublishing.com Let’swith be social. Follow us at new issue is out, along www.Facebook.com/Beacon find the same uplifting stories and We will never sendexclusive content. you unwanted emails or pass SeniorNews your information along to a third party. Users can unsubscribe at any time. side-splitting jokes right here Sign up for our e-newsletter here, every month. or email us at Beacon@PendantPublishing.com

and TONS of jokes!

We will never send you unwanted emails or pass your information along to a third party. You can unsubscribe at any time. While the hours we spend in the office are fewer, our phones are open. Shoot us an email, follow us on Facebook, or give us a call. 970-243-8829 • Beacon@PendantPublishing.com • www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

While the hours we spend in the office are fewer, our phones are open. 970-243-8829 Beacon@PendantPublishing.com www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

There’s nothing like the smell of newsprint in the morning!

t's so good to be back in print! In case you missed my column last month: When we sent our April issue to press back in March, there were many uncertainties regarding the impact COVID-19 and a lengthy stay-at-home order would have on our communities, and more importantly our readers. Therefore, our staff decided to forgo a print edition and make our May and June issues available solely online. But, alas, here we are printing our June issue! The Western Slope has been fortunate to have considerably fewer COVID-19 cases than other parts of the state. Let’s keep it that way!

GOT THE TRAVEL BUG? You’re telling me. My husband and I had travel plans in place long before coronavirus became a pandemic in the U.S. When news of the virus first hit, we knew our trip to New England wouldn’t happen (We were flying into New York after all). Like so many of you, we canceled our flight and reserved our tickets for a later date. Staying home was rough, but I’ll tell ya: I’d rather be at home on the Western Slope than anywhere else. New York may be okay without my money, but tourism is still a significant economic driver locally. As our communities re-open, please be generous and support local businesses, especially those heavily hit from a decline in summer travel. Please be kind to other patrons and patient with employees as we all learn to navigate these new rules in our communities. Please be respectful of others and adhere to the guidelines set forth by local health officials. Check on your neighbors and do what you can to help them.

BEACONFEST IS AUGUST 19 We can’t wait to see you at Grand Junction BeaconFest on Wednesday, August 19. Remark your calendars, invite your friends and we’ll have a blast.

THANK YOU! Experimenting with a digital issue was fun, but I’m over the moon to be back to printing the BEACON Senior News. While we know that reading the BEACON online isn’t the same, we were delighted at the outpouring of love and support we received from readers and advertisers. (We love you, too!) Whether in print or online, please know that our work to keep you enlightened, entertained and encouraged won’t stop. Thank you for reading the BEACON! Even if you prefer the print edition, I encourage you to connect with us digitally. ■

■

Read the BEACON online. Did you know that in addition to our print edition, we publish the BEACON digitally every month? While it’s not the same as holding it in your hand, you'll find uplifting stories and side-splitting jokes right here at www.BeaconSeniorNews.com. (Just a reminder that in light of the pandemic we’ve combined our Mesa County and Montrose-Delta editions into one—at least through June.) Get the BEACON delivered straight to your email. You can sign up right here for notifications when the new issue is out, along with exclusive and interactive content. You can also get your name added to the list by emailing us at Beacon@PendantPublishing.com Follow us on Facebook. We share stories, local health updates and TONS of jokes! Follow us at www.Facebook.com/Beacon SeniorNews ■

Does this mask make my head look big? My mask is boring, so show us yours! See page 4 to find out how to submit your face mask selfies to us.

EDITOR'S COLUMN

LETTERS

from our readers In response to May's digital edition: “At the end of this pandemic, we are all going to look back on how we came out of it…as either hunks, chunks, or drunks.” [She said she was glad to hear the June issue will be back in print.] “It makes a person feel like you are still in the loop.” - Christine N. “Glad to be able to get the newspaper online, but I’ll be glad when the printed version can come out again. I love those jokes, especially since they fit us (well, me, anyway) so well. We need to laugh as much as possible.” - Elizabeth V. “I haven’t been able to find May’s BEACON. I need to see the BEACON! I’m a faithful reader!” - Sherry In response to “Flying the Friendly Skies” in April’s BEACON: “I was delighted to read the article about Betty June Harbig and DeAnn Piper as early stewardesses! My husband is a pilot, and I had ground schooling and enough training to fly our Cessna 172 H as his copilot, so I have great interest in all things airborne. Besides that, Betty June and I worked together with the American Baptist Women's Ministries for many years. She is a great friend!” - Nona C. In response to “Go green this summer” in April’s BEACON: “If you go xeric, make sure not to hurt your trees. We are seeing people killing their trees by removing lawn and not thinking about their root system. Trees shade us, reduce cooling costs, produce oxygen, support wildlife and make us feel better beyond many other things. Contact CSU Extension for research-based information.” - Susan Carter, CSU Extension In response to “Aging gracefully with Susan Zanol” in April’s BEACON: “Nice job on the article! I actually have two master's degrees. The other is in business administration which I earned while in the Air Force.” - Susan Zanol WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

Cloie Sandlin, Managing Editor

Email: Beacon@PendantPublishing.com Mail: P.O. Box 3895 Grand Junction, CO 81502

WWW.BEACONSENIORNEWS.COM | JUNE 2020 | EDITOR'S COLUMN |

COVER STORY

Caring hands for an aging population Colorado Mesa University prepares students for the future of aging By Melanie Wiseman

WE NEED TO HAVE THE RIGHT PROFESSIONALS OUT THERE TO HELP THE AGING LIVE FULFILLING LIVES. —Kristina Mathwig, Director of Gerontology Specialist Programs at CMU

t’s common knowledge that with advanced health care and more active lifestyles, our population is getting older—much, much older. In just 10 years from now, 61 million Baby Boomers will be 66-84, and seniors age 85 and older will total nine million. With the elderly population set to nearly double by 2030, it becomes more important for scientists, economists and policy makers to evaluate imminent challenges for caring for the elderly and assuring that sufficient resources and sys-

tems are available. With more people retiring to Colorado’s Western Slope, Colorado Mesa University (CMU) is stepping up to meet the needs of our communities’ growing senior population by preparing students for careers in gerontology.

FILLING A NEED Although getting old is an inevitable process, it’s not always a smooth one. This is where gerontology specialists come in—to help seniors adjust to their changing lives and ensure their well-being.

According to Kristina Mathwig, director of gerontology specialist programs at Western Colorado Community College (WCCC)—a division of CMU—a community needs assessment recognized a workforce shortage in careers that support aging, as well as the need for training. “We need to have the right professionals out there to help the aging live fulfilling lives,” Mathwig said. In August 2018, WCCC added a two-year Associates of Applied Sciences Gerontology Specialist de-

Mathwig frequently receives calls from agencies asking when the next nurses aid class will be ready for hire. Most likely, these students will have jobs before they graduate. Photos courtesy of CMU.

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COVER STORY

IT'S GOING TO BE ENORMOUS. YOU CAN’T IMAGINE HOW BIG THIS IS GOING TO BE. Dr. David Reuben, — chief of geriatrics at the UCLA School of Medicine.

gree to its curriculum as well as and a 20-credit hour certificate with an emphasis in one of three tracks: community activities, cognitive behavior of the elderly, and end-oflife care. In its inaugural year, the program had 76 students and its enrollment jumped over 25 percent the next year. “Five students made gerontology their major, while the rest minored or took electives in the field,” said Mathwig. “It’s a great specialty to add on to majors such as nursing, physician’s assistant, social sciences, psychology, counseling and mental health.” Gerontology is the multidisciplinary study of aging that incorporates biology, psychology and sociology. Since modern medicine and health care technology is increasing human life expectancy dramatically, it’s now necessary to provide a physical and mental support system for our future elderly. “Our goal is to help create age-friendly communities,” said Mathwig. Mathwig frequently receives calls from agencies asking when the next nurses aid class will be ready for hire. Most likely, these students will have jobs before they graduate. Jobs in the aging services management and gerontology specializations will be trending upward for decades to come.

A GROWING CAREER FIELD

While WCCC's gerontology program is fully online, it's a great specialty to add on to majors such as nursing, physician's assistant, social sciences, psychology, counseling and mental health. Pictured: WCCC Allied Health students. In addition to being a lucrative career option, course work in gerontology is also a way to promote happiness for the elderly. Society often “psychologically retires” a person long before any real debilitating impacts of aging actually sets in. Gerontology specialists are trained to lift up these wise minds, giving them a new perspective on the life still ahead of them. WCCC’s gerontology program is fully online, boasting faculty from around the U.S. who work in various gerontology careers. One advantage of the online program is that it makes it easier for working professionals to bolster their careers while maintaining their present jobs. A hybrid of online and practical experience courses is currently being discussed. “We couldn’t ask for a better

faculty,” said Mathwig. “All have very impressive credentials, have master's degrees or higher, and each has their specialties.” According to the American Society on Aging, the current shortage of gerontologist workers means a wealth of opportunity for those wanting to enter the field. Graduates of the WCCC program may find careers in social services, community services for the elderly, housing authorities, hospice and nursing homes, adult day centers, private home care programs, assisted living, senior centers and other public agencies. Combining the gerontology programs with management degrees opens students to management positions in residential care facilities, home health agencies, hospital aging services and community health care agencies.

There's also a vast shortage of eldercare doctors—in part, because many medical students don’t find geriatrics to be as “glamorous” as other specialties. It's also not held in as high esteem or pay level as, say, a surgeon. “Some people have a perception that, yuck, I don't want to take care of all these old people,” said Brownell Anderson of the AAMC, a physician education advocacy group. “That's the perception we're trying to change.” Nevertheless, the impending senior boom is why CMU’s new gerontology degree programs are all the more necessary. “It's going to be enormous,” said Dr. David Reuben, chief of geriatrics at the University of California, Los Angeles School of Medicine. “You can’t imagine how big this is going to be.” ■

WWW.BEACONSENIORNEWS.COM | JUNE 2020 | COVER STORY |

BEACON SENIOR NEWS

Seniors in 4-H:

Mentors pledge head, heart, hands and health to young changemakers By Melanie Wiseman

ead. Heart. Hands. Health. These words have molded millions of young people into community leaders and changemakers since 1902. Practical, hands-on learning is at the core of 4-H, a youth development and mentoring organization promoting a world where youth and adults learn, grow and work together as catalysts for positive change. With generational gaps never more present, Western Slope seniors are taking on greater roles in helping 4-H youth make a positive impact in their communities and the world.

LEARN BY DOING Boasting networks of more than 25 million alumni and 540,000 mentoring volunteers, youth in 4-H receive abundant support from older generations. Mentors foster positive values through citizenship and healthy living. Youth also learn and practice real skills related to agriculture, craftsmanship, science and technology. Housed under Colorado State University Extension, Tri River Area 4-H encompasses chapters in Mesa, Delta, Montrose and Ouray counties.

“Learn by doing” is the 4-H motto, and with hundreds of volunteers and youth working together on the Western Slope, there’s plenty of “doing” going on. “We have over 100 active volunteers in Delta County alone, and the majority of our leaders are seniors over 50,” said Tri-River 4-H agent Jackie Shea. One of them is Teresa Burns, a senior volunteer leader in Delta County. “Kids are my passion,” said Burns, 61. “I love getting to know them, and watching them grow and succeed.” Burns was active in Dolores County 4-H as a kid, and she started a vocational agriculture program in Hotchkiss in 1981. Even in retirement, she has continued to participate in many 4-H roles. She remarked, “I don’t know what I haven’t done.” In addition to serving on the local 4-H board for 32 years, Burns has been a livestock judge and woodworking instructor, and teaches equestrian and livestock-showing skills. She said the fair is just the end of a long-committed process. “The satisfaction of making a difference in young people makes me dive in deeper,” she said.

Mesa County 4-H volunteer Doug Teal instructs kids on shooting sports.

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Delta 4-H leader Bill Hunt helps his son Trey pamper his goat for show at the fair. To get ready, they bathe the goat and trim its hair and hooves. In 2007, Burns was recognized for her hard work and dedication to 4-H when she was inducted into the Colorado Association of Fairs and Shows Hall of Fame.

A FAMILY LEGACY A 4-H leader for 24 years, Bill Hunt’s involvement in the organization began with his three children. “I'm happy to be part of something so grounded with good ethics and morals,” said Hunt, 61. “It’s especially important today…to be part

of an organization whose mission is to create good sound kids and future leaders in our community.” Hunt has enjoyed helping youth on a variety of projects and directing them toward community service opportunities. While he didn’t grow up in 4-H, Hunt said he could’ve benefited from the self-confidence that kids gain from their demonstrations and presentations. Despite his youngest child set to “age out” soon, Hunt will continue volunteering for 4-H.

The fair is the end of a year-long committed process for hundreds of 4-Hers.

THE 4 Hs Head - Managing, Thinking Heart - Relating, Caring Hands - Giving, Working Health - Being, Living

THE 4-H PLEDGE I pledge my head to clearer thinking, My heart to greater loyalty, My hands to larger service, and my health to better living, for my club, my community, my country, and my world.

“I have grandchildren who will be starting in just a few years, so why stop now?” said Hunt. “It' so rewarding to be a mentor and see the kids improve and advance over time.”

DEVELOPING LIFE SKILLS Brandon Creamer, 4-H program associate for Montrose and Ouray counties, values the mentors who helped create memorable experiences when he was a youth in 4-H. “I welcome senior volunteers and recognize the value in sharing their knowledge and passions,” said Creamer. He considers them to be great assets, and encourages them to use their expertise in workshops and other activities. Jean Seymour, 55, can’t say

enough good things about her experience as a youth in 4-H, as an equestrian and 4-H state-level leader. She even met her husband at a 4-H convention. “All four of our kids have followed suit by being active in 4-H,” said Seymour. “They are now fifth generation Olathe farmers.” Additionally, all of Seymour’s children completed college degrees debt-free with help from 4-H scholarships. She enjoys organizing interstate exchange programs, which she said are great ways for kids to learn about different cultures. Each year, they either host youth from a different state, or travel to visit them. “It’s not hard to share your knowledge and talents,” said Seymour. “I’m in it for the kids and feel it would be a great loss if I left and took my knowledge with me. You get what you give.” ■

VOLUNTEER

Come see us at

Eagle Ridge!

• Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapies • Short-Term or Long-Term Care • Private Rehab Rooms • Hospice Care

Call or stop by today to see how we can serve you! 2425 Teller Ave, Grand Junction

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For more information about rewarding volunteer opportunities with 4-H, contact your county's extension office. Mesa County 4-H 244-1834 Delta County 4-H 874-2194 Montrose & Ouray Counties 4-H 249-3935

Here to support you through life’s most difficult times so you can focus on what’s most important – each other.

HOSPICE | PALLIATIVE CARE | GRIEF SUPPORT As a nonprofit, HopeWest has been serving our communities for 27 years. Through creativity, volunteerism, and philanthropy, we profoundly change the experiences of aging, illness, and grief – one family at a time. Mesa County volunteer Tom Sharpe announces awards at the 4-H banquet.

(970) 241-2212 • HopeWestCO.org WWW.BEACONSENIORNEWS.COM | JUNE 2020 |

BOOMER BEAT INDEPENDENT LIVING | ASSISTED LIVING | MEMORY CARE

Hold on to music from our past: There's nothing else like it

“D

Life is about the company you keep Hilltop’s senior living communities where neighbors soon become friends n Luxurious apartments with views, spacious floorplans, and paid utilities n Restaurant-style dining n Beautiful outdoor spaces and walking trails n Social activities and trips

n 24-hour emergency response system n Flexible care options to meet your current and future needs n Temporary assisted stays n Customized wellness program helps you “Stay Fit for Life!”

The Commons • 243-3333 The Fountains • 243-8800 625 27 1/2 Road • TheCommonsGJ.org

3203 N. 15th Street • TheFountainsGJ.org

on’t stop thinking about tomorrow...Yesterday’s gone, yesterday’s gone.” These words from Fleetwood Mac's 1977 hit resonate with us Boomers as we look back and reminisce on the music that defined our generation. Though several decades have passed, many of us haven’t strayed far from the music of our youth. For us, music was—and likely still is—much more than just entertainment. It was something to rally around. Artists such as The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, The Who and Led Zeppelin are largely credited with shaping our corhort, whose formative years included the assassinations of the Kennedys and Martin Luther King Jr., the war in Vietnam, and free speech and equal rights movements. “These groups provided the soundtrack of a time in our lives which were full of memories and experiencing new things,” said Eric Maatta, 66. The rise of hip hop in the ’70s was the dividing line between the music we grew up with and music today. Glenn and Linda Larson, both 66, say there's something about musicianship and the quality of music that sets these generations apart. “I don't think—I know musicians were much better back in the day,” said Glenn. Linda added that the level of

vocal talent and instrument ability from such artists greatly surpasses that of most musicians today. “I’m not saying there aren’t some talented musicians today—just not nearly as many as in the ’60s and ’70s,” she said. “The simple songs, quality melodies and outstanding musicianship of the ’60s and ’70s are unsurpassed,” Maatta echoed. But just as hearing tracks with electric guitars was new and different for our parents, it's still hard for older listeners to relate to younger musicians’ messages. Yet many musicians from our day still have cross-generational appeal. In all likelihood, seeing a 17-year-old buying an Aerosmith album isn’t that unusual. But you’re less likely to see the reverse when it comes to Boomers seeking out music from more recent artists. “The digital age has made playing music almost a lost art," added Glenn. He's got a point; although, theoretically, the internet and social media should make it easier for Boomers to discover new music. But in a download age promoting one-hit wonders, it's difficult to connect with artists who have collections worth listening to. The availability of live performances on YouTube and Facebook also takes away some of the mystique from the concert experience, which is another defining aspect of the Boomer generation. ■

BOOMER BEAT BY MELANIE WISEMAN When you choose Hilltop Senior Living Communities, your money stays right here in our community, supporting a nonprofit that has provided Western Colorado with compassionate and comprehensive human services for over 65 years.

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Send your questions to Melanie in care of the BEACON, or email her directly at melaniewisewoman@gmail.com

ASK THE OLD BAG

Quarantine is making me fat! Dear Old Bag: I have been married to my husband for 40 years. We both have successful careers and were still working when this virus sidelined us. I have to tell you that, in many ways, I never knew him until now! The good thing is that we have to depend on each other for our daily entertainment and we both have a good sense of humor! The bad: My husband is a meddler! He wants to know everyone I am talking to, what they said and why I said what I said. I have lots of friends and he has none—only acquaintances from work. So I guess he is living vicariously through me. I find it very annoying! He has also become an expert on how laundry should be done, how dishes should be done, and how beds should be made. This is also annoying. Signed, HELP! Dear HELP: You are not alone. I hear this from many of my friends and see it on TV! Too much togetherness can smother a relationship just as not enough time together can starve a relationship. I think the secret is in making “alone” time for each other. You need to go to your corner and rest, recuperate, and have private phone conversations every day. I had a rule in my house that he who complains about how I cook, clean or whatever, gets that chore to do. I got very few complaints! You can still go for a walk or ride, or sit outside several times a day. It will take effort, but you can do it! Good luck. OB Dear Old Bag: My grandson is getting married soon. The couple opted to have a backyard wedding and forgo the reception until this virus is over. Only immediate family and the bridal party will be there. My kids have left it up to me whether I will feel safe attending. I have been faithful to the quarantine because I am 80 years old and do not want to end my life gasping for air. I am also close to this grandson. Part of me says go and another part says no. What would you do? Signed, Indecision

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Dear Indecision: I feel your dilemma. As the world opens slowly opens Budget up again, many of us will be faced with these decisions. If it were me, I Blinds Teal Blue would probably choose family as the first act of stepping out again. Your kids were smart to leave it up to you. It is your life and only you can make that move. If you are the type of person who would go there and be hyper-sensitive to anyone who gets near you, or if you would worry about it for two weeks afterward, I say stay home. If you can go and be proud of yourself for venturing out, then go. I wish you luck! OB 2178 U

Dear Old Bag: In seven years I have lost 80 pounds. I was looking and feeling pretty good. Now in two months of isolation I have gained 10 pounds! I cannot stop eating. I am hungry all the time. I spend time looking up old recipes, making comfort foods, and baking bread. If this goes on much longer, I won’t be able to go back to my exercise class. I may not be able to go anywhere! Signed, Fatty Dear Fatty: Once in a while I get a letter that describes me perfectly, and this is it! I have exchanged my busy, active life for a life of eating! I don’t have an answer for you, so I asked my son, a doctor. He said, “Don’t be so hard on yourself. Try to eat healthier things and get on that exercise bike and work off the calories. This thing will be over and you can get back to your busy life. You can probably scrap the bread!” Good luck to both of us! OB ■

ASK THE OLD BAG

ADVICE COLUMN FOR THE OVER 50 CROWD BY GAYLE LAGMAN-CRESWICK

Send your questions to the Old Bag in care of the BEACON, or email her directly at lagmancreswick@gmail.com

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WWW.BEACONSENIORNEWS.COM | JUNE 2020 | ASK THE OLD BAG |

HEALTHY GEEZER

Is it common to be up all night urinating?

ou’re suffering from a very common problem called nocturia, which is defined by the International Continence Society as having to urinate two or more times per night. Those with severe nocturia get up to go to the bathroom as many as six times a night. Nocturia is more common among seniors than younger people. In a survey by the National Sleep Foundation, about two thirds of adults polled (55 to 84 years old) reported an urge to go to the bathroom at least several nights a week. Older adults produce less of a hormone that helps them retain fluid. Because of this decreased capacity, they produce more urine at night. The bladder—a muscular sac—also loses its capacity to hold urine. Additionally, seniors tend to

have more health problems that can affect the bladder. Both men and women get nocturia. Many men suffer from nocturia because of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), also known as enlarged prostate. An enlarged prostate may squeeze the urethra, making it hard to urinate. It may cause dribbling after you urinate or a frequent urge to urinate, especially at night. BPH is common in men age 50 and older. Pelvic organ displacement, menopause and childbirth can cause nocturia in many women. Other medical conditions that

DON'T PRESUME THE NIGHTLY BATHROOM TRIPS ARE INSIGNIFICANT. SEE A DOCTOR TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE. THERE ARE SOLUTIONS, DEPENDING ON YOUR DIAGNOSIS. may cause nocturia include infection, tumors, heart disease, high blood pressure, liver failure, diabetes and sleep apnea. There are also people who overproduce urine at night. This is called nocturnal polyuria. Drinking caffeine, alcohol or too much liquid close to bedtime can cause nocturia. Diuretic medica-

HEALTHY GEEZER, BY FRED CICETTI Send your general health questions to the Healthy Geezer in care of the BEACON, or email him directly at fred@healthygeezer.com

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tions can also contribute to the problem. Don’t presume the nightly bathroom trips are insignificant. See a doctor to determine the cause. There are solutions, depending on your diagnosis. ■

DEAR PHARMACIST

8 ways to improve energy

bet those of you who deal with chronic fatigue feel very misunderstood by others. Fatigue is not something someone can see, like a broken ankle, so people have to take your word for it. With everything going on in the world, chronic fatigue can add to whatever stress you may be dealing with. Fortunately, there are solutions. While it’s difficult to beat fatigue if you don’t know what the underlying cause is, what you can do is try energy-boosting, mitochondria-loving supplements. This supports your intestinal health, which can help you produce energy. Sometimes just ending a tedious job or leaving a challenging relationship can fill your cup with new reserves of energy. Since I’m a registered pharmacist and crazy about natural medicine, let’s focus on treatment options. There are many new things to-

clarity and physical stamina. • CoQ10 - Important for muscle day, but one thing I don't recomcontractions. mend is a fecal microbiota trans• Zinc - New research suggests that plant (not kidding here). While zinc enhances cellular energy • Thyroid - Low levels of thyroid a new research study showed a reserves. hormone cause mental and physfecal transplant could improve ical fatigue. In short, the best way to reclaim symptoms of fatigue in people energy—especially if you have di• Trimethylglycine (TMG) - It's a with IBS, don't get talked into this gestive issues—is to start with your methyl donor that spawns other procedure for chronic fatigue. digestion, because a lot of mitoenergy-producing nutrients. Fecal microbiota is the medical chondria reside in the gut. Emerg• Hormones - Reduced estrogen term for a procedure in which ing research also that shows that there The treatment is provided at cover varie The most common method your can cause fatigue. Compass Medical Center son and ca doctor will recommend to treat “stool” from a healthy person is cross-talk has four between main goals: your gut andafter a deta your neuropathy is with preIron - Iron deficiency anemia can (the donor) is placed into anothev scription drugs•that may tempo1) IncreaseSupplements blood flow your muscles! such vascular you have n rarily reduce your symptoms. 2) Stimulate small fiber nerves make you tired and dizzy. er person’s intestine in the hopes 85% nerve These drugs have generic names as the3)ones listedbrain-based above may Decrease pain be excondition c as Gabapentin, Amitripty4) Stabilize the nerve cells that the donor’s microbiota such will Creatine - Creatine leads to more line, or Lyrica • and are primarily traordinarily helpful and should be The experie or anti-seizure flourish and help re-establishantidepressant The treatment to increase blood ATP (cellular energy) and supdrugs. These drugs may cause carefully with the help Compass M flowconsidered utilizes a specialized lowdo a n you to feel uncomfortable and yours. level light therapy (not to be muscle of a qualified practitioner. examinatio ■ have a variety ofports harmful side health. confused with laser therapy) usextent of effects. It’s a head-scratcher to me ing light emitting diode technol• Greens - Certain superfoods and This neu ogy. This technology was origibecause I would have suggested examinatio nally developed by NASA to superfruits can improve mental detailed Figure 2: When these very small assist in increasing blood flow. taking B vitamins and probiotics blood vessels become diseased they physical begin to shrivel up and the nerves diagnostic begin to degenerate. The low level light therapy is (and dietary restrictions) before detailed an like watering a plant. The light of your neu nerves begin to “die” they cause doing the stool transplant! therapy will allow the blood vesyou to have balance problems, sels to grow back around the peCall our of Here are some of the most pain, numbness, tingling, burnDEAR PHARMACIST ripheral nerves and provide them appointmen ing, and many additional sympwith the proper nutrients to heal neuropathy important energy hacks and BY SUZY COHEN toms. and repair. It’s like adding water to a plant and seeing the roots hormone considerations that may For more articlesThe andmain advice, sign problem is up that for yourSuzy’s grow deeper and deeper. doctor has told you to just live help you: newsletter at www.suzycohen.com with the problem or try the drugs Figure 1: Notice the very small blood vessels surrounding each nerve.

which you don’t like taking because they make you feel uncomfortable. There is now a facility right here in Snowflake that offers you hope without taking those endless drugs with serious side effects. (see the special neuropathy severity examination at the end of this article)

The amount of treatment needed to allow the nerves to fully re-

1300 S Snowf

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Pain, Hands/Feet Pain, Numbness Numbness & & Tingling Tingling In In The The Hands/Feet

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which causes the nerves to begin to degenerate due to lack of nutrient flow.

damage is commonly caused by

neuropathy can be treated:

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cover varies from person to person and can only be determined after a detailed neurological and vascular evaluation. As long as Figure 3: The blood vessels will grow you have not sustained at least back around nerves much 85% nerve the damage then like youra plant’s roots grow when watered. condition can been treated.

All majo accepted

can do a neuropathy severity The experienced providers at the examination to determine the Compass Medical Center can extent nerve damage. do aof the neuropathy severity examination to determine the This neuropathy severity examextent of the nerve damage. ination consist of aseverity detailed This will neuropathy examination will consist of a sensory evaluation, physical detailed sensory evaluation, examination, diagnostic testing, physical examination, and a detailedtesting, analysisand of thea diagnostic detailed of analysis of the findings findings your neuropathy. of your neuropathy.

Call our office today to make Call our office today to make an an appointment to determine appointment to determine if your if neuropathy can be can treated: your neuropathy be treated:

SouthRoad Main#17 Street 24781300 Patterson Snowflake, Grand Junction, AZ CO 85937 81505

536-5525 (970)(928) 985-4606

All major health insurances accepted including Medicare.

| JUNE 2020 | HEALTH & WELLNESS | 15

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Stay healthy when flying

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Medicare Moment: Monthly tips and

tidbits about Medicare and Medicare fraud

How to identify and avoid COVID-19 scams Scammers set the stage: You receive an email offering a coronavirus vaccine or access to critical medical equipment. Sounds too good to pass up, right? Scams ramp up your fears: The tone of the email is full of high anxiety; you are strongly urged to take advantage of this special, one-time offer. Scammers try to steal your personal information: You are asked for your credit card information so you can be billed for products you’ll never receive. You may also be urged to click a link to order treatments, protective equipment, or “the miracle vaccine.” But clicking on the link installs malware and steals all your passwords. How you can protect yourself • DO NOT trust an email unless you trust the source. Go to www.snopes.com to help verify sources. • Go to ftc.gov/coronavirus/ scams for advice. Always question websites to verify they are trusted sources.

• Ignore online offers. If your personal information is compromised, it may be used in other fraud schemes as well. Don’t click on links from sources you don’t know. • Watch for emails claiming to be from the CDC or WHO. Use sites like www.coronavirus.gov and www.usa.gov/coronavirus to get the latest information from these organizations. • Do not give out your Medicare number, Social Security number, or personal information in response to unsolicited calls, texts, emails, home visits or booths at health fairs and public venues. • Ignore online offers for vaccinations. • Be suspicious of anyone going door-to-door, calling or sending you an email to offer free COVID-19 testing, supplies or treatments. At this time, there is no vaccine or cure for COVID-19. For help, call RSVP SHIP’s temporary line at 200-4616.

422 White Ave., Suite 090 | 8am-4pm, Monday-Friday | www.rsvpgrandjunction.org

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Reduce your risk of discomfort, COVID-19 or a medical emergency By Kimberly Blaker

ach year there are 6,500 in-flight medical emergencies in the United States. Fortunately, very few of those are deadly. Still, travelers can experience a host of less serious health issues and discomfort when flying, not to mention the high risk of being infected with COVID-19. Many of these health risks and problems can be avoided, however, if travelers are aware of the risks and take precautions.

PREVENT HEALTH RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH FLYING Coronavirus. The close proximity to others breathing the same air in such a confined space increases the risk of exposure. Before you buy your airline ticket, research the measures each airline is taking to reduce your risk for COVID-19 and choose the airline with the most stringent measures. When you fly, protect yourself and others by wearing a fitted cloth mask that has multiple layers for added protection. Also, carry a supply of hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes and use them often and as needed. Wash your hands immediately upon exiting the airplane.

Dehydration. The humidity level of airplanes is extremely low, usually under 10 percent. Combine this with the water loss caused by respiration, and passengers can become dehydrated enough to affect their health and mood. So drink plenty of water before, during and immediately following your flight. Tight clothing. When flying, several factors contribute to the risk of deep vein thrombosis (a blood clot that can be life-threatening). Add tight clothes to the mix, and you could be in real trouble. I experienced this myself on an international flight. My legs swelled up just a couple hours into the flight, which was aggravated by my skinny jeans. To reduce the restriction and prevent a blood clot, I had to slit the legs of my pants from top to bottom. So when flying, wear loose-fitting clothes, particularly on your lower extremities. Also, avoid high heels and tight shoes, which can also restrict blood flow. Sitting too long. Similar to the problem with tight clothing, prolonged sitting also increases the risk of deep vein thrombosis. It's particularly problematic when flying because the cramped seats allow

PASSENGERS SHOULD GET UP AND MOVE AROUND AFTER THREE TO FOUR HOURS IN FLIGHT. little room for movement. Passengers should get up and move around after three to four hours in flight (sooner if you begin to experience swelling or discomfort), according to Dr. Fanancy Anzalone, an aerospace medicine physician. Anzalone says even flexing your legs in your seat by “pressing down on your heels and up with your toes” can help get your circulation moving. Ear pain. Air pressure in your middle ear during the ascent and descent can make your ears feel clogged or even painful. Usually, chewing gum, yawning or swallowing relieves the pressure. But serious cases of airplane ear can lead to severe pain, hearing loss, vertigo, bleeding from the ear and more. In such cases, you'll need to see your doctor for treatment. Bad breath. Several factors contribute to halitosis (bad breath) when flying: dehydration, skipping meals, illness, bad oral hygiene and eating certain foods. Consider avoiding fish, garlic, onions, coffee and alcohol before or during your flight. Constipation. Sitting still for long periods, dehydration and a change in schedule that conflicts with your regular bowel movements can all contribute to constipation when flying. To prevent that, eat something high in fiber about 12 hours before your flight. Also, adjust your routine on the day of travel so your bowels can move before you leave for the airport. You can also take a stool softener the day before your flight. Dry skin and more. The dryerthan-the-desert air of airplane cabins contributes not only to dry skin, but also dry eyes, nostrils and lips. Start hydrating the day before your flight by drinking lots of water, and continue right on through your flight. Also, avoid salty foods before

and during your flight, and carry lip and moisturizing lotion with you. Lung conditions. People with any type of lung condition, including but not limited to, COPD, emphysema, severe asthma or a lower respiratory infection are at higher risk of serious complications when flying. That's because oxygen in the air decreases at high altitudes. If you have any type of lung condition or even heart or circulatory conditions, consult with your physician before scheduling a flight. Flying is often not recommended for people with these conditions. Blood pressure. Generally, flying is safe for those with high blood pressure. Still, if you have high blood pressure, it’s always a good idea to take precautions. Get up and move around while in flight. Avoid salty snacks, alcohol and sedatives before and during your flight. Be sure to carry your blood pressure medication with you as well. If your hypertension is more serious, consult with your doctor before flying. Colds, flus and viruses. When you have a cold or sinus infection, it increases the risk for middle ear pain caused by cabin pressure. As previously mentioned, airplane ear can cause a host of more severe symptoms. So if you’re sick, this may not be a good time to fly. If you do fly, follow the suggestions for airplane ear above. Also, if you fly with one of these ailments—which are highly contagious—it puts other passengers at risk. This can be especially serious for passengers with weakened immune systems, certain health conditions and the elderly. Consider postponing your trip if possible. ■ WWW.BEACONSENIORNEWS.COM | JUNE 2020 | HEALTH & WELLNESS |

LAUGHING MATTERS

LAUGHING MATTERS TO BE FRANK Submitted by Bob Breazeale Two women are talking over coffee. Mary: “I’m so exhausted. I can’t sleep. My husband comes home very late at night. I stay up worrying about him and then we argue and I can’t sleep because I’m upset.” Jane: “I had the same problem. I solved it one night when he came home at about 3 in the morning. I said, ‘Is that you, John?’” Mary: “How did that solve your problems?” Jane: “My husband’s name is Frank.”

COVID GAFFS Submitted by Lauren VanGundy They said a mask and gloves were enough to go to the grocery store. They lied, everyone else had clothes on. A nurse walks into a bank totally

missing their grandchildren: When this is over you can have them for a month. Promise.

exhausted after an 18-hour shift. She grabs a deposit slip, pulls a rectal thermometer out of her purse, and tries to write with it. When she realizes her mistake, she looks at the flabbergasted. The teller, without missing a beat, says, “Well that’s just great...some asshole’s got my pen.”

told me that the cat was on the roof. Then tomorrow when I called you could have told me the cat had slipped but had been checked by the vet and was resting quietly. And then the next time I called you could have told me that the cat had passed away peacefully in its sleep.” So the next night when the man called home, he asked his brother, “Well, how’s Mom?” His brother answered “Mom is on the roof.”

ON THE ROOF

CORONAVIRUS WITTICISMS

I ordered Chinese food for takeout last night. As the driver came to the door, I walked out to meet him. He started shouting, “Isolate! Isolate!” I replied, “You’re not that late. I only ordered it 15 minutes ago.”

Submitted by Susan Capps

Submitted by James Birdsill

A man who lived with his mother, his brother and his cat had to travel for work. Every night he called home and his first question was “How is the cat?” One night when he called, his brother answered. When the man asked, “How’s the cat?” his brother said with some exasperation, “The cat died.” The man was distraught. He told his brother, “You didn’t have to tell me that way! You could have just

Q: “There is a gap in your resume. What were you doing in 2020?” A: “I was washing my hands.”

Breaking news: wearing a mask inside your home is now highly recommended. Not so much to prevent COVID-19, but to stop eating. It’s been such a joy being home with my wife the past three weeks. We’ve caught up on all the things I’ve done wrong the past 30 years.

Q: Is COVID-19 really serious?” A: Casinos and churches are closed. When heaven and hell agree on the same thing, it’s probably pretty serious. Q: “Is that alcohol I smell?" A: “No officer, it’s hand sanitizer.”

Notice from the Association of Psychiatrists: Dear Citizens, during the quarantine, it is considered normal to talk to your plants and pets. Kindly contact us only if they reply.

BAGPIPER

To all the grandparents who are

Submitted by Susan Capps

Taking care of each other is what community is all about. our community with personal, compassionate care. As your Dignity Memorial professionals, we’re dedicated to helping families create a unique and meaningful memorial that truly celebrates the life it represents. WE’ RE PRO UD TO S ERV E ®

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18 | LAUGHING MATTERS | JUNE 2020 |

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LAUGHING MATTERS As a bagpiper, I play many gigs. Recently I was asked by a funeral director to play at a graveside service for a homeless man. He had no family or friends, so the service was to be at a pauper’s cemetery. I wasn't familiar with the area so I got lost. When I finally arrived—an hour late—I saw the funeral guy had evidently gone, and the hearse was nowhere in sight. There were only the diggers and crew left and they were eating lunch. I told the men I felt badly for being late. I went to the side of the grave and looked down. The vault lid was already in place. I didn’t know what else to do so I started to play. The workers put down their lunches and gathered around. I played out my heart and soul for this man with no family and friends. I played like I’ve never played before for this homeless man. And as I played “Amazing Grace,” the workers began to weep. They wept, I wept, we all wept together. When I finished, I packed up my bagpipes and started for my car. Though my head was hung low, my heart was full. As I opened the door to my car, I heard one of the workers say, “I’ve never seen anything like that before, and I've been putting in septic tanks for 20 years.”

could be found on the golf course, swinging away. One Sunday was a picture-perfect day for golfing. The sun was out, there were no clouds in the sky, and the temperature was just right. The preacher was in a quandary as to whether he should miss church and go golfing, or miss out on the perfect day and preach. But the urge to play golf overcame him and he called in sick. Then he packed the car up, and drove three hours to a golf course where no one would recognize him. Happily, he began to play the course. Meanwhile, an angel in heaven was watching the preacher and his actions troubled him. So he went to God. “Look at the preacher,” the angel said. “He missed out on church to go golfing. He should be punished.” God agreed with the angel and they watched the preacher tee up on the first hole. He swung at the ball and it sailed effortlessly through the air and landed right in the cup, 350 yards away. It was a picture-perfect hole-in-one. The angel was shocked. He turned to God and said, “But I thought you were going to punish him.” “Think about it,” God said. “Who can he tell?”

PREACHER’S DAY OFF

Submitted by Rachel Elizabeth

Submitted by Roy Reynolds The town preacher was also an avid golfer. Every chance he got, he

ADVICE FOR ACTORS Why do we tell actors to "break a leg?" Because every play has a cast. ■

s U e k a M

Laugh !

Send your JOKESto

Beacon@PendantPublishing.com or P.O. Box 3895, Grand Junction, CO 81502

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Treat Yourself to some Retail Therapy

Make your style statement sophisticated or casual. You’ll find a variety of top brand names, such as: Tribal • Jess & Jane • Joseph Ribkoff • Habitat • SPANX Brighton collectibles: handbags, jewelry and a variety of accessories. Special Orders • Alterations • Deliveries and Gift Cards Since 1983, Laura Morris has offered stylish and comfortable classic clothing and accessories for women.

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BEACON SENIOR NEWS

The day I ran over cousin Vic

Sometimes we all need a little help caring for a loved one

By Amy Laundrie

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oday I ran over my husband's relative. Good thing he was already dead. I had parked along a road in the nearby cemetery, near some family graves, to ponder and walk. After returning to the car, I decided rather than wind around, I’d simply swing a 180. I made the turn and was almost back on the road when I heard a crunching, ripping, ohcrap-what-have-I-done sound. I shut off the car and slowly walked around to the front. The car’s fender had plowed into an 18inch wedge-shaped gravestone. I’d moved the thing a foot! The marker wasn’t damaged but it was too heavy for me to budge back, so I called my husband for help. “You did what?!” my husband, Frank, asked for the third time. “Uh, yeah. You’ll recognize the name. It’s one of your relatives—on your mother’s side.” While I waited for him to arrive, I studied the victim’s marker. I nicknamed him Cousin Vic and calculated that he was born about the time I was but died before he reached 50. Gosh, I thought, I hope he didn’t get run over by a car. I cringed at my tasteless joke and vowed that I’d make it up to Vic. Frank arrived and wiggled the marker back in place. He didn’t know any details about the man who shared the uncommon last name of his grandmother, but agreed he must be a distant relative. I’d already formed a bond with this distant in-law and kept thinking of him. I drove home—carefully—and returned with a wire brush and rag. I brushed off any grass stains. Thank goodness I hadn’t damaged the marker.

As I polished it, I noticed the lawn mower had nicked it a few times. Poor guy seemed to be accident-prone. I gave the headstone a pat goodbye before calling it a night. I tried to find details about Cousin Vic, but didn’t have any luck. So being the zealous fiction writer that I am, I made up my own. Vic had slick black hair, manicured nails and never married. He was a hardworking truck driver, but a drinker. One day he went off on a bender. He foolishly tried to drive home, whipped around a corner too fast, and hit a tree. It turned into a grave situation. Some 20 people attended Vic’s funeral, I fantasized (I was on a roll). He would have approved of the small number since he never enjoyed large gatherings. Vic was an introvert and seemed aloof, but he actually felt things intensely. He was attracted to his divorced neighbor, but she never showed interest in him so he gave up. He got a black lab puppy instead and named it after a beloved childhood friend. Tim turned out to be a loyal companion. Vic and Tim cruised from coast to coast and since Vic was conscientious about Tim needing daily walks, Vic shed 20 pounds and felt better than ever. I patted Vic’s marker wondering if he truly had a dog, and if so, what happened to it after Vic’s untimely death. Was Vic truly single, or did he have a family? I realized it was nearly dark. “I need to head home now, Vic, but I’ll see you tomorrow.” I looked forward to it. After all, Vic and I have a history together. On the way to my dented car, I paused and blinked. This social distancing better get over soon. It’s gotten to me. I’m out making friends with dead people. ■

BEACON SENIOR NEWS

5 tips on how to combat loneliness during social distancing Courtesy of StatePoint Media

s a result of the coronavirus pandemic, many people are staying in their homes to help prevent the spread of the disease even as restrictions lift. Feeling lonely from time to time is natural, but this unprecedented time of social distancing could lead to increased loneliness. There are some easy ways to feel connected to others, even when you aren’t seeing them in person. Consider these tips from Dr. Doug Nemecek, Cigna's chief medical officer for behavioral health. • Use technology, but not too much. Social media is an easy way to stay connected to family and friends, but too much use can leave you feeling lonely. Cigna’s 2020 U.S. Loneliness Index found that 72 percent of very heavy social media users identify themselves as lonely. Balance technology use with

YOU CAN START A NEW HOBBY, LEARN A SKILL OR FIND OTHERS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN THE SAME THINGS AS YOU. disconnecting and taking time for yourself. Use real-time interactions with others, like video chats, to build meaningful connections. Read a book, take a walk or do a puzzle after screen time. It may help you feel more connected. • Join a virtual club or group. There are plenty of resources available to find virtual book clubs, craft communities or even fitness challenges. With MeetUp.com, you can start a new hobby, learn a skill or find others who are interested in the same things as you. Once you're comfortable going out, you’ll have new friends you can meet in person. Mesa County Libraries offers virtual classes and meets on Facebook and Google Hangouts. They

also have free virtual resources for library cardholders, such as Mango Languages, which prepares learners for conversations in over 70 languages. While gyms are open with restrictions, Crossroads Fitness is keeping patrons engaged with group class instructors hosting classes online. • Spend time outdoors. Simply leaving your house to take a jog around your neighborhood or to walk your dog a few blocks could improve your spirits, refreshing you for the next time you virtually connect with others. • Ask those you reach out to how they’re really doing. People tend to feel less lonely when connecting on a deeper level. Cigna’s study

found that those who do not feel they have close relationships have an average loneliness score of nearly 15 points higher than those that do. When video chatting with friends, ask them for their most honest response when you ask how they’re doing. Everyone will likely feel better for it. • Rethink working hours. We spend approximately 90,000 hours at work over our lifetime, so how we spend that time plays an important role in how we feel overall. If you’re still working, improving your work-life balance and connecting with colleagues can reduce loneliness. Your employer may also benefit from you feeling less lonely. Lonely employees are less productive, produce lower quality work and miss more days of work. So, talk to your boss about changes you can make to how you spend your working hours. ■

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ALIVE & DIGGING

Save the bees

IT’S NOT TOO LATE TO PLANT YOUR FLOWERS Mesa Feed Mart has 54 varieties of flower seed and eight mountain flower mixes. For your convenience, we offer quantities in as little as 1/2 ounce as well as larger quantities, and we’ll custom mix any variety. Below are some great flowers to brighten your home and landscape summer through fall. Asters & Daisies - These beautiful late-blooming flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies. Calendula & Cosmos - These flowers have a marigold-type bloom, are drought tolerant

and attract butterflies and bees. All Calendula and only Sulphur Cosmos are edible. Sunflowers - Great for long, hot summers, these drought-tolerant flowers have beautiful yellow blooms that last. Zinnias - A customer favorite! Zinnias are also animal resistant since they don’t like the taste. Wildflower mixes Formulated for drought tolerance, wildflowers provide a sea of wonderful colors. Let your flower gardens bloom! Check out all of our varieties at Mesa Feed Mart.

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Attract pollinators all season long

ollinators and beneficial insects play a key role not just in the garden, but in our food system at large. Without pollinators like bees and butterflies, we wouldn’t get to enjoy peaches, strawberries, tomatoes, cucumbers, apples—even coffee, chocolate, tequila and wine! In the U.S., pollination produces $40 billion worth of products —including medicine, crops and plant-based materials—every year. If you think food is expensive now, imagine a world without pollinators. What is pollination? Sweet-smelling, vibrant petals catch a pollinator’s attention. When a bug crawls all over a flower, it carries pollen grains from one flower to the next, leading to the formation of plant seeds. In nature, pollinators have plenty of food throughout the season, with annual wildflowers and perennial trees and shrubs naturally providing a smorgasbord of pollen-filled blooms. Human-made environments, though, are not always so accommodating. Asphalt and concrete don’t offer much to a thirsty bee, nor do acres of plants covered with pesticides. “Save the bees” is a cute slogan for a tote bag. But what does it really look like to save the bees, moths, bats, birds and beetles we rely on? Every one of us can make a difference by planting for them and cultivating safe habitats for pollinators in our yards, gardens and outside churches and workplaces. From early spring to late fall and even during winter, we can pro-

vide safe and bountiful havens for pollinators.

SPRING: Bulbs, cover crops,

cold-hardy plants and perennials offer some of the first blooms for pollinators in search of food after winter. Allium and crocus both flower in early spring, followed by iris, hyacinthus and muscari. Plant bulbs in the fall. After they bloom and wither, cut plants down to 2-3 inches off the ground, and they’ll return again next year. Consider replacing or diversifying grass areas with cover crops like alfalfa, clover and dandelions, or broadcast annual cover crops like buckwheat and peas. These cold-hardy crops will come up early, providing early season habitat and blooms for beneficial insects. Perennial plants that go dormant during winter are already established once the weather begins to warm, so they come alive quickly and with gusto. Chives, armeria, aster, creeping phlox, dianthus and peony are just a few spring-blooming perennials hardy to zone 5. Fruit trees are also some of the earliest plants to bloom in spring. Not only do fruit trees flower for insects, but they also provide habitat for birds—pollinators we often forget about! Poppies are annuals that easily seed themselves. Come spring, they grow and bloom quickly. You can even plant them in walkways between rows of late-season bloomers. After they’ve bloomed, stop watering, let them go to seed and

ALIVE & DIGGING blooms and seed pods.

IN THE U.S., POLLINATION PRODUCES $40 BILLION WORTH OF PRODUCTS—INCLUDING MEDICINE, CROPS AND PLANT-BASED MATERIALS—EVERY YEAR. trample them down to both mulch your walkway and lay down seed for the next season!

SUMMER: The options for

summer blooms are nearly endless! Salvias like scarlet sage and marble arches, alyssum and calendula are a few of my personal favorites, offering gorgeous and aromatic blooms for pollinators to enjoy. I also love planting both annual and perennial flowers amongst vegetable crops to attract beneficial insects and create habitats for earthworms and microorganisms beneath the surface. Marigolds and nasturtium in my bed of squash help deter squash bugs; my cucumbers love growing next to sweet peas and radishes left to flower. A wonderful perennial for

25%

pollinators is lavender. Hummingbirds and bees especially love this aromatic plant. Lavender is a drought-tolerant perennial that, in zone 5, goes dormant in winter. It thrives in well-draining soil and doesn’t need many nutrients. If you have a patch of rocky or nutrient-depleted soil, mix in wood chips and a bit of compost, build a mound and plant lavender. Once plants are established, you only need to water every few weeks. Prune in late spring and early fall to keep plants rounded and healthy. Much of the lavender sold in nurseries is not hardy enough for our high desert. Choose a Lavandula angustifolia cultivar or a Lavandula x. intermedia.

WINTER: While there’s not much

FALL: Perennial flowers like black-

eyed susan, echinacea and yarrow display beautiful autumn blooms. You can also add blooms to your fall garden by not harvesting a few radishes, dill and basil plants, and other annuals. I like to do this in part to enjoy the full life cycle of a plant and get to know it through its

blooming in winter, we can still protect pollinators in other ways. Build a bat house or a birdhouse. Put out bird seed in winter. Leaves provide essential shelter for hibernating bumblebee queens and the larvae of butterflies and moths, and attract beneficial insects like lady beetles in spring. Natural and organic gardening practices support the health of all living things. Creating a non-toxic habitat for critters is one of the best things you can do for your garden ecosystem. Not to mention the beauty and the aroma of pollinator-friendly plants! ■

ALIVE & DIGGING BY PAIGE SLAUGHTER Send your questions to Paige in care of the BEACON, or email her directly at paige@fruitionstudio.com

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BEACON SENIOR NEWS

Lawrence Welk: no bare knees, please By Randal C. Hill

To “hip” teenagers of the 1950s, his old-style dance music was strictly from Squaresville. But to the generations who grew up on big band music, he offered a musical oasis—a brief respite from that annoying rock ‘n’ roll noise—to millions of TV viewers every Saturday night.

he sixth of nine children, Lawrence Welk was born in 1903 to immigrant parents in Germanspeaking Strasberg, North Dakota. He loved music and learned to play the accordion from his father. Welk left school after the fourth grade and promised to stay and work on the family farm until he turned 21—if, in return, his parents would buy him a new mail-order accordion. They agreed to his terms, and Welk rolled up his sleeves and set to work. As a result, he learned little English before he grew up and left home. He played polkas and waltzes on weekends at local weddings and barn dances until 1924, when he

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moved to Bismark, North Dakota, and put together a dance-music group called the Hotsy Totsy Boys. Later, he earned a regular slot on radio station WNAX in Yankton, South Dakota, where he became a local music sensation. Welk eventually hit the national tour road with America’s Biggest Little Band, his newest assemblage that included a musician who played two trumpets at once and a trombonist who worked the slide with his right foot. Eventually, the outfit morphed into the more dignified-sounding Lawrence Welk and His Champagne Music Makers. Welk had created the name after noticing a Miller High Life billboard that proclaimed the drink to be “the Champagne of Bottled Beers.” He and his troupe moved to Los Angeles in 1951 and became regulars at the Aragon Ballroom in nearby Venice Beach. He was soon performing on KTLA, an independent Los Angeles TV station. Four years later, “The Lawrence Welk Show” debuted nationally on ABC-TV as a replacement for “The Saturday Night Fights.” The stubborn-as-a-mule Welk always insisted on controlling every

aspect of his career. When sponsors suggested adding chorus girls or a racy comedian, he threatened to walk out. He was always tuned in to his viewing audience and thoroughly studied all his fan mail. When one lady complained of being offended by the maestro’s knees— he had appeared in lederhosen on one show—Welk never again exposed them. No position on his TV show was more exalted than that of the Champagne Lady, an attractive female sidekick who sang and danced onstage with Welk. Hired in 1955, Alice Lon reigned as the Champagne Lady until one fateful day in 1959 when she sat on stage, crossed her legs and revealed a bare knee to the TV camera. “Cheesecake does not fit our show,” Welk grumbled afterward as he showed her the door. When ABC-TV dropped his weekly show in 1971, he arranged a syndication deal that kept him on the air until 1982. That, along with real estate and music publishing investments, made Lawrence Welk one of the wealthiest entertainers in American history. ■

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Retirement living with the emphasis on living

Make Father’s Day one he’ll remember By Kimberly Blaker

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athers play a significant role in their kids’ lives. They’re essential role models, influence children’s self-esteem and school performance, and make great coaches and fun-loving playmates. Once kids have grown and aged, fathers make great friends and confidants, and are there to lend a hand. Father’s Day is just around the corner! Don’t be caught scrambling for the perfect way to show him you care. Try some of these ideas to show your dad just how important he is to you. And if you’re a dad yourself, feel free to subtly send this list to your kids… Make a video - Make a “World’s Best Dad” video he’ll treasure for years to come. Share special memories of your dad, sing to him, read him a poem or even do skits. Get the whole family involved and conduct interviews with each other with Dad as the main topic. Don’t forget props such as a banner or collection of his prized possessions. Most importantly, be sure to let him know just how much he means to you.

King for the day - It isn’t every day your dad gets waited on hand and foot. So treat him like royalty. Bring him coffee and toast in bed; fetch his newspaper; be host or hostess and serve him beverages and snacks; clean up after him and anything else to give him the royal treatment. Scrapbook memories - Buy a scrapbook, and create a record of memories about you and your dad. Include photos of special outings, events and holidays you’ve had together. Also include memorabilia such as concert or sporting event ticket stubs, postcards and brochures. Next to each photo or item, describe your memories of those special times with him. Write a poem - You don’t need to be a poet to come up with a few thoughtful words to express how much he means to you. Describe the impact he’s had on your life, how he’s helped shape the person you are today and what he means to you. Then print it on stationery, matte and frame it. Musical moment - Pop your dad’s

TRY SOME OF THESE IDEAS TO SHOW YOUR DAD JUST HOW IMPORTANT HE IS TO YOU.

STAYING STRONG TOGETHER!

BEACON SENIOR NEWS

favorite album into the family CD player (or tape, or record player!) and enjoy the tunes together. Or, look to see what concerts are coming up (local music is making a comeback!) and snag some deals for a fun night of music!

cream or to dinner where he can show off his new ’do.

Photo collage - Put together a photo collage of you and your father. Consult your nearby craft store and create a decoupage photo collage. Keep it simple with a Help around the house - Has your multi-photo frame, or buy a unique 2020 , Custer Stateframe. Park, Theater dad been putting July off 26-31, cleaning outMt 3D photo collage You can productions of South of Music & My Fair Lady. his attic, basement or garage? Gift find materials at art and craft him shelving materials and brackstores and online. ets, wall racks and ceiling hooks Take a stroll - Enjoy a peaceful and storage crates. Then spend the walk in the park or along the river day helping him get organized while together. Better yet, gather catching up on old times. your bikes and hit a World’s greatest - Let your dad know he’s valued 365 days a year! Give him a “World’s Greatest Dad” coffee mug, t-shirt, book cover, bookmarker, wallet card or another trinket that he’ll see or use regularly.

scenic bike path like the Uncompahgre Riverway Trail in Montrose or the River Front Trail that runs through Fruita, Grand Junction and Palisade, enjoying the fresh summer air.

Sports buff’s surprise - Take your dad for a sporting good time. Play a game of golf (Tiara Rado in Grand Junction and Black Canyon Golf Course in Montrose were voted the 2020 BEACON Best!), or play pickleball, shoot some hoops, go fishing or enjoy a paddle around a lake.

Catch a flick...or two - Treat your dad to a movie fest. Rent a couple newly released videos or some of his long-time favorites. Or, head over to Delta’s Tru Vu Drive-In for their nightly showings. Whether you enjoy the movies at home or the theater, don’t forget the hot, buttered popcorn, candy and soft drinks.

Weekend getaway - Get in touch with nature and each other on a camping trip for two. Either rough it in a tent or take a camper to a state park (check which ones are open first). Spend your weekend hiking, sightseeing, fishing, boating, playing cards and taking it easy together. Father’s Day feast - As the old adage goes, the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. This year, treat Dad to a mouth-watering barbecue. Fix him his favorite: steak, ribs, chicken, burgers or chops for starters. Don’t forget the grilled potatoes or squash, garlic bread or rolls, fresh green beans or asparagus, sweet corn, potato salad, and his favorite dessert. Pamper him - Has your father been growing a quarantine mullet? Treat him to a gift certificate for a local barber. Then take him out for ice

Get in touch with his soft side Give your dad a book of poetry specially written for fathers. Try one of these: “Fathers: A Collection of Poems” by David Ray and Judy Ray “Fathers: Collected Poems” by Ken Koprowski “Thoughts to Share with a Wonderful Father: A Collection of Poems” by Blue Mountain Arts Collections

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The gift of giving - Does your dad have a favorite cause or charity such as the humane society, the nature conservancy or the American Cancer Society? If so, why not give him a membership or make a donation in his name? Remember, small donations add up and can really make a difference. ■ WWW.BEACONSENIORNEWS.COM | JUNE 2020 |

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Enjoy the green pastures: lessons from grandkids By Lynn Gendusa

ive horses gathered at the fence behind the barn waiting for Miss Carter to bring them treats. She patted their noses, told them they were each special and that she would return with more love in the afternoon. Apple, the young colt, tilted his head as Carter whispered to him as only Miss Carter could do. Afterward, she returned to the barn to prepare tea and cookies for friends who were joining her for a picnic. Miss Carter is 3 years old; the horses are seven inches high; the fence is constructed of Popsicle sticks, and the barn is made of plastic. This idyllic scene rests on a child’s table in my living room. However, for Carter and me, our imagination allows us to travel far. We visit places where there is the freedom to ride, climb trees and play in a hayloft. I am called Grandma by this spirited, sweet child. We are not blood-related since she is my stepdaughter’s little girl but never mind

all that. Family dynamics are way too complicated for a 3-year-old. Love seems to cancel such trivial nonsense anyway. Carter broke her femur (thigh bone) in a freak accident at her preschool several weeks ago. She looks exquisite in her pink and purple Spica cast, which begins just under her breastbone, travels down her right leg to her ankle, and the left leg to her knee. A steel bar is attached from the right ankle to the left thigh, which separates her legs by about two feet. She cannot walk, nor can she sit without assistance. She sleeps only on her back because she cannot turn and does so without complaint. She requires constant supervision, and when she needs to move, you must lift her, including the heavy apparatus she is halfburied in. I keep Carter three days a week until the cast is removed. I have learned to sit with her around her table in little chairs that rise one foot above the floor. As a result of

BEACON SENIOR NEWS the lifting and sitting, I take a substantial amount of Ibuprofen for my back on a weekly basis. When we’re not at the barn, we go to Barbie’s house and visit the girls, or we shop at the grocery store where the head cashier, Miss Carter, runs the Minnie Mouse cash register. We unload our groceries in the kid’s kitchen and prepare cookies containing pretend ingredients of vegetable soup with cherries. We solve puzzles and, without cheating, I cannot win a game of Candyland to save my life. Carter, in her infinite wisdom, has taught me a lot about life during these last few weeks. I realize if I were in her situation, the claustrophobia would have set in, and my wailing would have spooked all the horses to flee to greener pastures. I would require more than Ibuprofen to get through the days, and not even Godzilla could lift me since I would have drowned my sorrow with real cookies made with chocolate chips. Children are amazing. They accept what befalls them and roll with the punches. They use their imagination to escape to bliss and enjoy the love showered upon them as they go. They choose not to complain, but instead hold their dolls or bears, and watch Alvin and the Chipmunks to ease their burdens. They don’t worry too much about

tomorrow because they assume it will eventually arrive, bringing a new horse to the barn or more folks to the tea party. Adults could gain a tractor full of insight by observing God working through a child’s mind and soul. I understand that since we live on this earth, bad things do happen to even the smallest of humans. However, when it does, because they are innocent, God calms their soul and must whisper to them just like Carter does to her little colt, Apple, to assure him all is well. When tragedy visits us perhaps we should remember, like Carter, that when we fall, courage will help us to stand again. Miss Carter also understands that attitude makes a huge difference in how we heal. We can choose to laugh at Alvin and the Chipmunks or cry and complain over our misfortune. We can decide to pray to God or blame Him for our troubles. Children trust us to make things okay. They believe our words of comfort: “It’s going to be all right.” Are we not God’s children? If we believe in His words, everything will be okay even on the day when the horses come with chariots to take us home. Until then, enjoy the green pastures, let your imagination fly, and appreciate the love bestowed upon you. ■

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TRAVEL

See the world while staying home 8 books to sustain the travel bug

By Victor Block

op aboard the fabled Orient Express train. Pedal the route of the famous Tour de France Monisha Rajesh bicycle race. Explore the colorful canals and history-rich streets of Venice. So what if you can’t make these inviting journeys right now? You can still take virtual trips that immerse you in the sights, sounds and other appeals

of those and other places, and experiences, by reading about them. The books described below—some new, some old—are rated among the most outstanding travel writing in recent years. Let your eyes do the walking and your imagination can lead you to places you may have visited, and others you’d like to when things return to normal.

Jan Morris' "The World of Venice" captures the city's essence better than any other book.

30 | TRAVEL | JUNE 2020 |

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The deserts of Dubai as mentioned in "The Falcon Thief."

TRAVEL 1) “Around the World in 80 Trains” by Monisha Rajesh describes a globe-straddling rail journey through North America, Europe and Asia. It includes a high-altitude ride in Tibet, trans-Canadian journey, and the luxurious Venice Simplon Orient Express. In addition to descriptions of train trips and destinations, the author brings to life fascinating people she encounters along the way. 2) “French Revolutions: Cycling the Tour de France" by Tim Moore. Pedal power is the mode of transportation that moves author Tim Moore as he attempts to cover the entire course of the legendary French bike race. Moore is one of the select writers of comic travel-

British airline that operated from 1924 to 1939— with equally intriguing stories by fictionalized narrators. 4) “The World of Venice” by Jan Morris. When it comes to books about destinations seldom, if ever, has the essence of a city been better described than in this. award-winning tome. It's not a guide or history book, but rather one that absorbs the reader into the character and life of that magnificent city. Venice comes alive almost as if the reader were there enjoying its architecture, canals, curiosities and, above all, its people. 5) “1,000 Places to See Before You Die” by Patricia Schultz covers the world in scope. The latest

The luxurious Venice Simplon Orient Express is one of the globe-straddling rail journeys described in Monisha Rajesh's "Around the World in 80 Trains." ogues, and his words make enjoyable reading for everyone from serious bikers to those who have never set foot on a pedal. 3) “The Journey Matters: Twentieth-Century Travel in the True Style” by Jonathan Glancey. Excursions rather than destinations are the focus of this book. The author brings to life the Golden Age of Travel, when getting to a destination was as important and enjoyable as being there. He augments accounts of journeys he took—like crossing the Atlantic on the SS Normandie and flying from England to Singapore with England’s Imperial Airways, a

edition takes almost 500 pages illustrated by some 1,100 photographs to highlight what the author considers to be the Earth’s “must-see” attractions. They cover the gamut from the Cappadocia region of Turkey—a geologically moonscaped area of rock towers—to cheetahs hunting for prey in Kenya to China's rugged Huangshan Mountains.

China's Huangshan Mountains are among the spots mentioned in Patricia Schultz's "1,000 Places to See Before You Die." are highlighted, they live up to the book’s name in terms of both obscurity and appeal. Included are little-known citadels that are reachable only on foot, jungle-blanketed remains of the great Mayan civilization, and underwater ruins buried deep in the Pacific Ocean. 7) “Lonely Planet's Best Travel Destinations.” More accessible sites are previewed in the 2020 edition of this annual collation of hot spots, which ranks the Top 10 countries (number one is Bhutan), cities (Salzburg, Austria) and best value destinations (Indonesia). Other “Best” ratings include new places to stay and new food experiences.

8) “The Falcon Thief” by Joshua Hammer. Those who prefer to combine a bit of intrigue with their travel reading are likely to find this book to be a page-turner. The story is a fact-based crime adventure about a wildlife detective seeking to apprehend a globe-trotting smuggler who spent two decades capturing rare birds and their eggs. The story whisks readers from the Matobo National Park in Zimbabwe and the deserts of Dubai to the volcanoes of Patagonia and frigid tundra near the Arctic Circle. This book is available as an eBook through OverDrive for Mesa County Libraries and Montrose Regional Library card holders. ■

This book is available now as an eBook through OverDrive for Mesa County Libraries and Montrose Regional Library card holders. 6) “Hidden Places” by Sarah Baxter. While only 25 destinations

Mayan ruins buried in the jungle are one of 25 must-see destinations in Sarah Baxter's book, "Hidden Places." WWW.BEACONSENIORNEWS.COM | JUNE 2020 | TRAVEL |

FAITH

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s I write this article on May 1, America is enthralled with the decision on when and how to come out of the shelter-in-place orders put in place by most of the nation’s governors. Our president and the CDC have made recommendations for beginning to open up our economy in stages. Governors are wrestling with how and when to follow those recommendations. Businesses are weighing the cost of opening up with possible transmissions against the cost of remaining closed, and possible bankruptcy. Some of our prominent doctors are saying it’s time to open our economy while others are saying it’s much too soon. What to do? And what will it look like when we finally do open our economy? Many are talking about the new normal. Will we ever feel safe again? Will masks and social distancing become the new norm? Some are even saying handshakes may become a thing of the past. And what does the Bible have to say about all this? First, let me be perfectly clear, I do not believe that God created the coronavirus. I do believe it is an evil disease meant by the powers of darkness for destruction. However, the Bible is full of examples where God used such disasters to awaken his people to their need to return to him. Few would deny that our country has strayed from its roots and that there is a need to return to God. We are a prodigal nation who has, in many cases, ran away from God to seek our own pleasures. By our legislations that prohibit mention of God in our schools and in many public arenas, we have in effect said,

“We don’t need you anymore.” There is little doubt that this virus is shaking everything that can be shaken—every sphere of society—and through it, God is calling us back to him, both as a nation and as individuals. He is calling us to return to our first love. So what should the new normal look like?

PEOPLE OF FAITH First of all, the Bible tells us we are not to live in fear. Fear is actually the opposite of faith and we as Christians are to be people of faith. Deuteronomy 31:8 says, “He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Isaiah 43:1 says, “Don’t fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are mine.” 1 John 4:18 says, “Perfect love casts out all fear.” 1 Peter 4:12-13 says, “Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead be very glad, for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to the world.” I don’t know what the new normal will look like. But I do know that God is calling us to a new consecration to him. He is calling us to return to him with a whole heart and to seek him with all of our hearts, minds and our souls. We need to find ways to spend more time in relationship with him through prayer and Scripture reading. We need to find new and innovative ways to reach others for the Kingdom of God. That will be the most important change in the new normal. Everything else will take care of itself. ■

THERE IS LITTLE DOUBT THAT THIS VIRUS IS SHAKING EVERYTHING THAT CAN BE SHAKEN — EVERY SPHERE OF SOCIETY — AND THROUGH IT, GOD IS CALLING US BACK TO HIM.

Let technology make your life easier W hen the stay-at-home order came, the biggest change I experienced was that I couldn’t escape my home office and eat out for lunch. Three years ago, I was hired by a company to work remotely. Then a year ago, Colorado Mesa University asked me to teach an online course, which required me to build an online curriculum. All of these experiences led me to some incredible technology resources that have made my digital life much easier. For those finding themselves increasingly using technology for shopping, ordering groceries, communicating with family and the like, take advantage of these many ways technology can make life easier:

Install a password manager. A password manager allows you to free up all that brain space used for memorizing your passwords. My favorite is LastPass, but Dashlane and 1Password are also good options. A password manager is an encrypted online service that stores all of your passwords. They also fill in the correct username and password when you visit a site. Most of them also fill out forms, saving you the step of filling in your full name, address, and other information when you buy online. Because it’s encrypted, you can safely access your password manager account from your phone or any other computer. One of my favorite features is that the password manager can also create complex random passwords and save them. Additionally, all password managers

allow you to export your passwords and other saved information so that you can print it out and save it in a deposit box or under the mattress. Invest in a USB microphone headset. Even after things go back to business as usual, most people will be expected to know how to use Zoom or other remote calling services. One of the biggest annoyances of online meetings is when a single person has a technical issue with their microphone or speakers. Something as simple as having the volume up to loud can cause distortion for the entire group. Investing in a USB microphone headset, for as little as $20, will help you avoid being the cause of many technical problems. A USB headset is an all-in-one solution, and it typically sounds better than the microphone and speakers built into your computer. Set up online storage. If you work remotely, you will need access to your files wherever you are. Whether you're working on the road or are moving between devices in your own home, being able to open, read, print or send your files from any computer can be a lifesaver. Dropbox, GoogleDrive, OneDrive or Box.net all work in similar ways by storing all of the data you place into a specified folder on to a remote computer. Like the password manager, these services are encrypted and are extremely safe as long as you keep your password information private. ■

TALKING DIGITAL BY ADAM COCHRAN Send your technology questions to Adam in care of the BEACON, or email him directly at adamc@talkingdigital.org

TALKING DIGITAL

Join Mesa County Libraries for an online Summer Reading experience! All ages welcome! No charge to participate! June 1 – August 1, 2020 Read and Learn! Earn FREE Books! Participate in grand prize drawings! Enjoy online summer entertainment! Information and registration at mesacountylibraries.org/srp or call 970-243-4442

Open for Patio Dining, Takeout & Delivery! Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner Enjoy your favorite Spoons dishes on our patio, or at home by ordering takeout or Grubhub delivery. Special offerings include family-style meals and Two Rivers wine to-go. (970) 255-7237 • 3090 N. 12th Street Mon. - Sat., 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. • Sun., 7:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. All proceeds from Spoons support HopeWest, a nonprofit that has been serving our communities for 27 years.

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FINANCE

Whose debt is it?

How you view credit cards says a lot about your spending

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By Karen Telleen-Lawton

nce upon a time, our forebears mellowed in rocking chairs, “minded” the grandkids, and eased into passive roles in the households of their kids. Today’s seniors want more control in our golden years. Many of us are paying a high price for that control. American consumer debt was staggering even before the COVID-19 pandemic. Credit card debt alone exceeded $870 billion in 2019, according to CNBC News. For most of the last decade, the largest credit card balances have been held by people in their 50s. Many seniors now carry credit card debt into retirement. Managing cash flow with credit cards may work when we’re working, but in retirement, their debt becomes unmanageable. AARP’s Public Policy Institute reveals that half of those over 50 hold medical debt on their credit cards while a third reported using credit cards to finance daily expenses. Some use credit cards to finance children or grandchildren’s education. Notwithstanding seniors’ disproportionate medical expenses, most credit card debt is the result of discretionary spending. Profes-

sor Stephanie M. Tully at Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business and her corroborators found a wide range in attitudes about consumer debt. Those who view borrowed money such as credit card debt as their own money were more likely to spend it freely. On the other end of the spectrum, those who understand credit card debt as loans spend it less freely. “What we found is that people’s feelings about the ownership of money can predict their interest in taking on debt,” Tully said. “It seems some people are fine with going into debt as long as it doesn’t feel like debt.” Despite the many ways seniors can slide into holding a credit card balance, the way out is relatively linear. Moreover, it is paved with the wisdom of the ages. 1. Create a budget. If this seems like a punishment, reframe it to yourself as a pathway to knowledge and freedom. 2. Adjust your lifestyle so that your income covers all your regular expenses plus allocations to periodic expenses, emergencies and savings. A man is rich whose

FINANCE

Seniors and Retirees have Different Real Estate Needs

CREDIT CARDS ARE NOT A LINK TO YOUR OWN MONEY BUT A SLIPPERY WAY TO INCREASE DEBT. IF THIS DOESN’T COMPUTE FOR YOU, YOUR BETTER OPTION IS TO USE DEBIT CARDS. income is larger than his expenses, and he is poor if his expenses are greater than his income. 3. Prioritize debts. If you are working to pay off several loans, order them by interest rate and pay off the highest rate ones first, all else being equal. 4. Pay your bills upon arrival to avoid late fees and carrying charges. In today’s low interest rate environment there is no excuse to do otherwise.

We help buyers and sellers transition into the next phase of life. The Real Estate Store has the highest number of certified Senior Specialists in one office in Western Colorado.

to be able to answer two questions with a resounding “Yes.” a. After paying off the debt, does your income cover all your expenses as outlined above? b. Will your reduced retirement accounts still support a decent retirement, allotting for increased senior expenses such as medical costs? Face the mirror and ask your future self: “Is this a good idea?”

Credit cards are not a link to 5. Get help if needed. NerdWallet. your own money but a slippery com outlines sources for low cost way to increase debt. If this doesn’t or free help by nonprofit credit compute for you, your better counselors and creditor forbearoption is to use debit cards, which ance programs. draw upon your cash accounts “It’s much easier to work with rather than creating debt. nd out them howthan Raymond Jamessaid can help with a debt collector,” “There areyour times financial when debt plan. Bruce McClary, a spokesperson can be beneficial,” Tully said. “You • Retirement Planning for National Foundation for invest in a home or higher educa• Investment Strategies Credit Counseling (NFCC). “Many tion. But the choice to go into debt • Estate Planning creditors can find a way to get over discretionary purchases isn’t you into a product with lower a rational calculation, and for many payments and more manageable it’s suboptimal.” terms.” Debt for any but the direst circumstances is definitely subopti6. If necessary, dip into your remal for seniors. Our rocking-chair tirement fund, but not until after forbears would say “rock on!” to you have completed your budthat. ■ geting homework. Before tapping into retirement funds you’ll want

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Investment Services Securities offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., Member FINRA/SIPC, an independent broker/ dealer, and are: NOT Deposits. NOT Insured by FDIC or any other government agency. NOT GUARANTEED by the bank Subject to risk and may lose value. Raymond James is not affiliated with the financial institution or the investment center. Bank of Colorado and Bank of Colorado Investment Services are not registered broker/ dealers and are independent of Raymond James Financial Services. Investment Advisory services offered through Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc.

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BUSINESS PROFILE

Finally, Hassle-free...

Home Ownership so you can get more out of life!

A new kind of community Village Cooperative offers hassle-free homeownership for active seniors

Enjoy more and worry less with the home ownership option that lets you do both! See why so many active adults in the area like cooperative living

The Village Cooperative of Grand Junction is coming soon and designed specifically for active adults (62+) who want the benefits of home ownership but without the hassles of maintenance, repair bills or worries! See why there is no better value in Grand Junction. Over 60% SOLD OUT - Choose from several unique floor plans! Home ownership as low as $147,000 with many amenities Annual appreciation on your investment Lock-in your best price now before construction starts Reserve now Contact Us! and choose Learn more by calling or clicking! your own interior finishes!

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VillageCooperative.com 36 | BUSINESS PROFILE | JUNE 2020 |

OF GRAND JUNCTION

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By Melanie Wiseman

ooperative living isn’t new, but it is to the Western Slope. Coop housing combines the financial advantages of homeownership with the convenience of community living without the hassles and expense of home maintenance. Village Cooperative communities boast more than 3,000 members and are currently in nine states, including Colorado’s Front Range. This fall, Village Cooperative will break ground on a 62-unit, three-story building, just south of Mesa View Senior Living on North Seventh Street in Grand Junction. The community will feature a variety of one- and two-bedroom open-concept designs for singles and couples. At least one person per home must be 62+. As of this May, over 60 percent of the units were sold. “The response here has been fantastic!” said Grand Junction Sales Manager Lisa Doudy. “When I was helping my parents transition, the cooperative didn’t exist and it would have been ideal for them.”

joint ownership of the property. No Realtor or closing fees are involved as there is no real estate transaction. A reservation simply requires a $500 refundable deposit to select your home. If you choose to sell your share, the cooperative facilitates the sale to people on the waiting list, without Realtor or closing fees, returning the member’s share plus an estimated 3 percent annual appreciation accrued equity. Each member contributes monthly (1 percent of share price) to the maintenance and management of the grounds building and common areas.

LOCK AND LEAVE Each unit includes a well-appointed kitchen, laundry room with full-

NO REALTOR NEEDED A cooperative is a nonprofit corporation owned and operated by its members who purchase a share entitling them to occupy a unit and

Sales Manager Lisa Doudy

BUSINESS PROFILE "WHEN I WAS HELPING MY PARENTS TRANSITION, THE COOPERATIVE DIDN'T EXIST AND IT WOULD'VE BEEN IDEAL FOR THEM."

sized washer/dryer, and a private balcony. Some homes feature a separate den for those who need office or hobby space. On the grounds, there are raised gardens, an outdoor barbecue grill and fireplace, a community room with a full-sized kitchen, reading areas, guest suites for visitors, a fitness room, hobby room and a club room with private dining. Each home is allowed two small pets. If it’s early enough in the construction process, co-op members can choose carpet, floor coverings, countertops and cabinetry color from standard options or select upgrades. Except for your personal belongings, everything in the building is insured for repair/ replacement. Communities have secured entry at all access points, complete with camera monitoring. Secure, heated underground parking gives members peace of mind.

THE COMMUNITY LIFESTYLE Those who choose to live in cooperatives typically desire sharing and participating in community activities and lifestyle. “As soon as we opened the Grand Junction office in July 2019 and people started buying shares, I organized free monthly member

socials,” said Doudy. “I don’t want them to be strangers.” Members have been treated to a limo-guided Christmas light tour, a Red Cross CPR class, Tai Chi lessons and miniature golf at Bananas. Activities will be self-directed once the building is complete. Members are actively and democratically self-governed. “It’s a proven fact that if you live socially as you age, you’ll be healthier, happier and live longer,” said Doudy. One couple from Ridgway bought at the Grand Junction Village Cooperative as soon as it was available after hearing friends in Iowa rave about their new lifestyle in the same community. “I love what I do because I get to hear all the stories from people on what a difference this option is going to make in their life,” said Doudy. At Village Cooperative, staff and co-op members believe the greatest difference between life in cooperatives and other housing options for seniors is the attitudes of their members. They reflect a sense of belonging reminiscent of the neighborhood where they lived and raised their families. For more information about Village Cooperative, call Doudy at 628-3628. ■

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BEACON SENIOR NEWS

The war that never ended

Korean War vet reflects on military service By Carole Ann McKelvey

enneth Hughes had just turned 22 when he was drafted into the Army for a two-year tour in Korea. Although the Korean Conflict ended 67 years ago, he still remembers it like it was yesterday. It’s been a long road for the 91-year-old vet from Eckert. For him, it was a war where a boy grew up despite never having to fire a single shot. He felt lucky to have been assigned to the Signal Corps

and became a radio operator after a two-week course. That’s how he spent most of his time on the demarcation line in South Korea. “Never picked up a gun,” Hughes said. “We were rationed personal firearms, but they weren’t long guns. Smaller carbines, just in case we had to use them.”

MEMORIES OF SERVICE The Korean Conflict started on June 25, 1950, and ran for a

W E ’ R E S T I L L W I T H YO U

If you’re one of the many family members we’ve served, please know that you are always in our thoughts and prayers. Experiencing a loss can profoundly affect your life. Our friendly and caring staff are here to listen and help you through these tough times. We also have an extensive library of grieving resources that many have found helpful. If interested, call or stop by our main office at 628 1725 Rd in Delta.

www.taylorfuneralservice.com Delta 874-9988 | Cedaredge 856-3232 | Hotchkiss 872-3151 | Paonia 527-3836

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little over three years. Hughes' unit was located about 30 miles north of the 38th parallel. The thing he worried about most was being hit by airplanes. “But they never dropped a bomb on us. Guess we got lucky,” he said. “We would lay at night in our bunks and hear firefights nearby.” Kenneth Hughes, a veteran at Horizons Care Since returning from Center in Eckert, recalls his experiences in Korea. the conflict, Hughes has Photo by Michael Lawton been a lifelong member retired as a corporal. Many of his of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). He proudly displays photos buddies chose that direction. But Hughes had had enough of war and he shot in South Korea with an old just wanted to come home. Brownie camera of him and his Hughes headed to California and buddies in their fatigues and some eventually ended up in Bakersfield, photos of the Korean people. where he worked as a welder and His most vivid memory of the met his first wife, Bernice. After war was the weather. having two children and 38 years of “The bitter cold and snow. We marriage, Bernice contracted lung were hunkered down with camoucancer. Hughes cared for her until flage nets over our buildings in a her death. valley and it was so very cold,” he After years of grieving Bernice, said. “Much worse than I ever expeHughes met his second wife, Juanirienced in my life.” ta, whom he was happily married to Hughes grew up on a 160-acre for about 10 years. farm in southwest Oklahoma Hughes ended up in Colorado homesteaded by his grandfather after taking a trip to Cheyenne, and his father. The youngest of Wyoming, to visit his daughter and eight, he is the only one still alive. granddaughter. Now, he lives in He vividly remembers escorting Horizons Care Center in Eckert, a his older brother’s body back when he was killed in World War II, which community run by Volunteers of America. These days he’s in pretty Hughes was too young to fight in. good health, except for the oxygen When he left for the Korean contube he’s tethered to 24/7, due to flict in 1950, his mother feared the the high altitude. same fate for him. In 2013, Hughes received a com“She was really upset,” he said. “I memorative book as a gift from the was the youngest one, and there I Korean government. was going off to war.” “Korea Reborn A Grateful NaBACK TO CIVILIAN LIFE tion” provides a visual and written Hughes counts himself among the narrative of the Korean conflict and lucky ones to came home from the South Korea’s gratitude to those war all in one piece. like Hughes, who gave freedom Afterward, he considered staying back to that country not so long in the Army, saying he could have ago. ■

BEACON SENIOR NEWS

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BEACON GUIDE HIGHLIGHT

Thunder Mountain Shootists keep the Old West alive By Diana Barnett

ore than 25 years ago, Pinto Being—also known as Pat Schutz—helped organize a shooting organization to accommodate local shooting enthusiasts and their families. Soon after, Thunder Mountain Shootists was born, a club that combines shooting sports with reenactments of the Old West.

GRAB YOUR COWBOY BOOTS Thunder Mountain Shootists is affiliated with the Single Action Shooting Society (SASS). SASS is a worldwide

organization that holds the End of Trail match, the world championship of single-action shooting in Edgewood, New Mexico. “The firearms we use in our matches are those used by the cowboys during the time of the great trail drives—when cattle were moved from Texas to Kansas, Colorado and Wyoming,” said Schutz. “Referred to as cowboy action shooting, weapons have to have been patented before 1899.” Members stay true to the time period by dressing in western garb.

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40 | BEACON GUIDE HIGHLIGHT | JUNE 2020 |

Members of Thunder Mountain Shootists combine shooting sports with reenactments of the Old West, staying true to the time period by dressing in western garb. “Boots and hats are in order,” said Schutz. “Some get into it more than others.” Each participant adopts a unique alias appropriate to a character or profession of the late 19th century, a Hollywood western star, or an appropriate character from fiction. Match results on the group’s website show that Mesa Belle, Slo Smoke, Gateway Kid, Colorado Black Jack, Columbine and Pinto Being are regulars at the monthly shoots. Ridgway Plinker and Columbine—otherwise known as Dick and Kim Caldwell—joined the Shootists four years ago. Both began shooting in the Phoenix area in the ’90s and picked it up again when they moved to the Western Slope. “I grew up loving westerns and liked the old-style revolvers like John Wayne used,” said Kim. “I really enjoy the dress up part of the competition: the boots, the scarves, the hats.” Kim was so serious about her shooting that she went and bought a real Colt pistol from the best Colt gunsmith in Phoenix.

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LADY SHOOTERS Shooting tends to be a sport where men participate more than women. However, Kim said that trend seems to be changing. “You see about 40 percent women in some of the groups now,” she said. “They are making pistols tiny enough for smaller hands and easier to handle.” In this group, women show they can handle the Old West. “There are incredible women that can rival the best men. In fact,

BEACON GUIDE HIGHLIGHT we have some excellent women shooters in our group,” Kim added. “Lefty Jo is a state and world champion and Mesa Belle is a state champion.” Shootists are serious about their hobby. The group hosts a match each month on the third Sunday and preceding Saturday mornings, starting at 9:30 a.m. After a safety meeting, shooting commences at 10. “A typical match involves timed shooting during which the marksman moves through a series of six stages shooting four guns,” explained Dick. “Four to six rounds with a shotgun, five rounds each with two revolvers and 10 rounds from a rifle. Times are taken and points are given at each of six stages.” With practice, participants get better and better. “It used to be that a really good shooter could move through the rotation in a minute,” said Kim. “Now, some can move through in only 16 seconds!” Generally, most complete one stage in 18 to 35 seconds. Additional shooting opportunities are held at other times during the month. The group holds a cowboy action long-range shoot. Another event is a Wild Bunch shoot, which features firearms used in the film “Wild Bunch,” starring Ernest Borgnine. Multi-gun matches are also held where more

modern guns can be used.

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FUN FOR ALL AGES The Shootists find ways to involve the community in their fun. Every other year, the group hosts the 4-H Western Heritage State Match, which involves club members and local 4-H kids who have chosen to select an area of early cowboy history to explore. “One of the 4-H students who learned to shoot on our range won the Western Heritage National Championship, twice,” Schutz proudly shared. The Shootists hold matches at William Jarvis Shooting Complex near Whitewater. The shooting range sits on 20 acres and has been well developed, with old town buildings serving as shooting props. “Thanks to the hard work of lots of volunteers, Whitewater is an excellent facility,” said Dick. As one of the larger groups around, the Shooters offer lots of competition, and plenty of talented shooters to learn from. At the end of the day, Shooters gain more than just bettering their shooting skills. “It’s a great group. Some come for the shooting, but everybody comes for the camaraderie,” said Schutz. For more information on the Thunder Mountain Shootists, visit www.tmscba.com or call Schutz at 270-4853. ■

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MeSa County

CALENDAR

Editor’s note: Some of the following events may be canceled or rescheduled due to COVID-19 safety measures and restrictions. Please check with event organizers to confirm event details beforehand.

June 1

Gold Mine Bingo Re-open

Grab your dabbers and celebrate the re-opening of Gold Mine Bingo, Grand Junction’s premiere bingo hall. You could be a winner of one of their many prizes and specials! 5-9 p.m. | 511 28 1/4 Road, Grand Junction | $12 | www.gjbingo.com | 242-1369

June 2

Writers Night: Story Structure

Learn how to flesh out your stories in ways to engage readers or listeners in this virtual Zoom meeting. Mary Ann Janson will help you transform a simple vignette or anecdote from a personal memory into a compelling story narrative. Seating is limited. Email below for link and registration. 6 p.m. | wcwritersforum@gmail.com

June 3

Reading with Rescues

Join Roice-Hurst Humane Society every Wednesday at 1 p.m. for a Facebook live reading of a children’s animal-themed book with a pet. www.facebook.com/RoiceHurst | 434-7337

June 4-5

Comedy Night

Nothing goes better with laughter than a nice glass of Mesa Park Vine-

June 6

Road, Grand Junction | $26 | www. facebook.com/gjangelos | 243-0886

Saturday night is steak night/date night at the Warehouse25sixty-five! Take your special someone and enjoy a special cut with wine specials, and maybe even some acoustic music to set the mood. 6 p.m. | 2565 American Way, Grand Junction | www.warehouse2565. com | 628-4321

June 13

Steak Night Date Night

yards’ Barn Owl or Cab Franc. Grab your lawn chair and enjoy a refreshing evening of laughter courtesy of Herron Entertainment’s hilarious comedians. 7-9 p.m. | 3321 C Road, Palisade | $15 | www.mesaparkvineyards.com/ events | 628-9113

June 5 & 12

Virtual Trivia Night

Support the Rahab Center with a one-of-a-kind virtual trivia night. Top teams from both nights will participate in a playoff on June 19. The top three champions will win awesome prizes while supporting a great cause! 6 p.m. | www.facebook.com/rahab center | $30 per team | 639-0879

Ladies-only Intro to Roping

Ladies, here’s your chance to learn a new skill: roping! Kirsten Stubbs Smith will lead this introductory class at the JG Ranch & Events Arena in a friendly, supportive and relaxed environment. 8 a.m.-6 p.m. | 880 20 Road, Fruita | 424-3584

June 9

River Webinar Series

June 5-7

Birding on the Colorado River

June 6-7

Calling all bird-lovers: Relax aboard an oar raft as you travel 25 miles through Ruby-Horsethief Canyon for Colorado Canyon Association’s second annual Birding Adventure led by Bill Harris. This three-day trip includes delicious meals, comfortable campsites and unforgettable views. Space is limited. Cost $525-$575 | www.colorado canyonsassociation.org/events | 263-7902

RiversEdge West presents its monthly webinar, “Effects of the Beetle: Tamarisk Mortality, the Southwestern Willow Flycatcher, and Wildfire” presented by Ben Bloodworth. 11 a.m. | www.riversedgewest.org | 256-7400

June 10

Paint Zen Doodle Box

Angelo’s Pottery Studio will host a Facebook Live session teaching you how to create stylish lines with tape and paint for colorful personalized boxes. Kits include everything necessary, and can be picked up as early as June 3. 10 a.m. to noon | 2478 Patterson

Freedom Festival Poker Run

Benefit military, veterans and their families through Welcome Home Alliance for Veterans' poker run, open to all legal forms of transportation. The final stop is TJ’s Cycle and Offroad in Delta, where door prizes and prizes for the best and worst hand will be awarded. 9 a.m.- p.m. | 1404 Ute Ave., Grand Junction | $10 | 765-2210

June 18

Virtual Book Club

What are you reading this month? Join Mesa County Libraries on the third Thursday of the month to discuss your current books. Book discussions will be held on Google Hangouts (see link below). 6:30 p.m. | meet.google.com/ uwg-viuy-qvd | 727-310-0074

June 19-22

Outdoor photography workshop

Hand Forged Photography's fourday workshop will take you through the desert landscapes and rock formations of the Colorado National Monument, learning photography tips for sunrise, sunset and even night sky techniques! 2-7 p.m. | $1,095 | www.howto shootthemilkyway.com | 303-647-4071

June 19

Observatory Star Party

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The Western Colorado Astronomy Club is hosting a star party at the Grand Mesa Observatory! Enjoy an excellent view of the starry night skies. In the case of inclement weather, rain date will be the following day, same time and place. 9-11 p.m. | $10 | 7475 Purdy Mesa Road, Whitewater | 812-3661

June 20

Fruita Farmers Market begins

To promote social distancing and to help with future market growth, this weekly farmers market has been moved to Reed Park. Online ordering and curbside pickup will be offered. SNAP accepted. 8:30 a.m. to noon | 250 S. Elm St., Fruita | Free | www.fruitachamber. org/fruita-farmers-market | 858-3894

thing necessary, and can be picked up as early as June 15. 10 a.m. | 2478 Patterson, Grand Junction | $20 | www.facebook. com/gjangelos | 243-0886

Run in support of Sarah’s Home in either a 5K or kid-friendly 2K! After crossing the finish line you'll be greeted with live music, activities for the whole family, food trucks and prizes. 7:30 a.m. to noon | $30 | 925 Struthers Ave., Grand Junction | www.sarahshome.us

June 22

Paint a Llama Canvas

Have a morning of painting fun, llama style! Angelo’s Pottery Studio will teach you how to create this fun canvas online via a Facebook Live session, which can also be watched later as well. Kits will include every-

Blushing Peach Haven

National Day of Joy

Join Comfort Keepers of Grand Junction in celebrating joy with summer treats, live music and activities. 514 28 1/4 Road, Grand Junction | FREE | 241-8818

June 26

Wine & Cheese Soiree

There’s no better pairing than exceptional wine with fresh, local cheese. Savor six Mesa Park wines with cheeses from Grand Mesa Creamery, available for purchase. 7-9 p.m. | 3321 C Road, Palisade | $15 | www.mesaparkvineyards.com/ events | 628-9113

Calcutta for a Cause Golf Tournament

Freedom Run 5K

PALISADE PEACH FESTIVAL

June 24

June 26-27

June 20

52nd ANNUAL

Grab your golf clubs for a fun weekend, while making a difference in kids’ lives. Tiara Rado Golf Course is hosting a golf tournament benefiting the HopeWest Kids grief support program. In addition to the tournament, there will be a dinner reception Friday night, a kick-off breakfast Saturday, a silent auction and a luncheon with awards. 1 p.m. | 2057 S. Broadway, Grand Junction | $275 | www.hope westco.org/calcutta-for-a-cause | 255-7254

August 14 & 15, 2020 RiverBend Park Palisade, CO Visit: Palisadepeachfest.com for tickets and details or call 970.464.7458

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July 1

Redlands Farmers Market

Enjoy a variety of fresh produce, hand-crafted items, music and food trucks. Support your local farmers and artisans at this weekly market! 5-7:30 p.m. | 527 Village Way, Grand Junction | Free | www.redlandsumc. org/upcoming-events | 245-1478 ■

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See more events at

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MeSa County

CLUBS

FUN AFTER 50

American Association of University Women meets monthly. Call for location. 2nd Saturday | 11:30 a.m. | 261-2112

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

Bookcliff Barbershop Harmony Society meets at Northeast Christian Church in Grand Junction. Tuesdays | 7 p.m. | 257-7664

For COVID-19 updates and other information, call 254-3866 or visit www.gjparksandrec.org. Grand Junctions Parks & Recreation greatly appreciates the community’s support in working with them to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Even though some facilities are closed, much of the parks and recreation system is still open for your enjoyment and to support your wellbeing.

What’s closed?

• Grand Junction Senior Center is closed until further notice. • All programs are canceled until June 15, and are reassessed every two weeks. • Playgrounds, picnic areas and shelters

What’s open?

• 900+ acres of open space • 21+ miles of trails • 40 parks • Pickleball, basketball, tennis and handball courts (with restrictions)

Pickleball Rules of Play [COVID-19] The following guidelines are from the governor and Mesa County Health Department and apply to pickleball courts at Lincoln Park and Pineridge Park. • 10-person maximum allowed inside each court complex • Waiting is permitted outside courts (10 people max). Bring your own chair and sit six feet apart. Do not sit on benches inside or outside of courts. Remove your chair when you play.

• No spectators allowed. Leave if there are already 10 people waiting to play. • Social distance by staying six feet apart. • It is recommended to wear masks, and use hand sanitizer or the wash station before and after play. • Do not touch paddles at the end of your game. • At this time, only Mesa County residents are allowed to play.

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Call 243-8829 44 | CLUBS & ACTIVITIES | JUNE 2020 |

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Blue Lodge Masons meets at the Grand Junction Masonic Center. 1st Saturday | 10 a.m. | 245-5312 Bookcliff Duplicate Bridge Club plays at Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Grand Junction. Wednesdays & Fridays | 12:45 p.m. | 244-9989 Colorado Archaeological Society Grand Junction meets monthly. Call for location. 2nd Monday | 6:30-9 p.m. | 433-4312 | www.meetup.com/CAS-GJ/events Cribbage Lite meets at IHOP. Tuesdays | 5:30 p.m. | 201-7823 Cups Club meets at The Artful Cup in Grand Junction. Meet people through cards, games, talk and tea. Wednesdays | 2 p.m. | 257-2390 Daughters of the American Revolution, Mount Garfield Chapter meets monthly. Call for location. 719-580-0948 Fleet Reserve Association (FRA) meets at VFW #3981 in Grand Junction. All former, retired and active sea service, U.S. Navy, Marines or Coast Guard are welcome. 2nd Wednesday | 7 p.m. | 434-0868 Crafting Club meets at the Clifton Library. 3rd Tuesday | 2-3 p.m. | 434-6936 Friendship Force meets at First Baptist Church in Grand Junction. 3rd Thursday | 6:15 p.m. | 778-6191 | www.ffwcolo.com Gem & Mineral Club meets at 2328 Monument Road in Grand Junction. 2nd Thursday, 7 p.m. | 4th Thursday, 6:30 p.m. | grandjunctionrockclub@ gmail.com Golden K Kiwanis meets at the Redlands Community Center. Wednesdays | 9-10 a.m. | www.

gjgoldenk.com Grand Junction Petroleum & Mining Club meets at Two Rivers Convention Center. 3rd Thursday | 6:30 p.m. | www. grandjunctionpmc.com Grand Junction Toastmasters meets at The Commons of Hilltop Garden Room in Grand Junction. Tuesdays | 6:45 a.m. | 241-1900 Grand Valley Pets Alive meets at Church of the Nativity in Grand Junction. 3rd Wednesdays | 4:30-6 p.m. | 4627554 Grand Valley Woodcarvers meets at Redlands United Methodist Church. 1st & 3rd Wednesdays, 6 p.m. | 2nd & 4th Wednesdays, 1 p.m. | 2458817 or 257-1549 Grand Valley Woodturners meets at Redlands United Methodist Church. 2nd Tuesday | 7 p.m. | 245-8817 or 856-3632 Guys’ Giving Club meets quarterly at Springhill Suites in Grand Junction. Members donate $100 at each meeting and are invited to nominate a local charity to receive the evening’s total contributions. First Tuesday (August, November, February, May) | 5:15 p.m. | 2438829 or 270-6184 Knitting Club meets at Community of Christ Church in Grand Junction. 4th Tuesday | 6:30-8 p.m. | 623-1455 Mesa County Genealogical Society meets at various locations. www.mesacountygenealogy.org Newcomers Club meets at First Christian Church in Grand Junction. 2nd Wednesday | 9:30 a.m. | 5490440 | www.gjnewcomers.org Not Going Quietly meets at Center for Spiritual Living Grand Junction. This group creates a space of empowerment, grace, community and wisdom for those age 60 and older. 2nd & 4th Tuesdays | 1:30-3:30 p.m. | 433-7799 Orchard Mesa Lions Club meets

Thursdays | 5:30 p.m. | 720-278-8537 | www.tops.org

twice monthly. Call for location. 1st & 3rd Mondays | 7 p.m. | 2162919 Outing Club meets for hiking, biking, skiing and other activities. Call for more dates and details. 801-638-8707 River City Singles meet weekly at Travelodge in Grand Junction. These young-at-heart adults get together for activities throughout the month. Fridays | 5 p.m. | 242-5252 Sons of Norway, Vestafjell Lodge, meets at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church in Grand Junction. 2nd Saturday | 1:30 p.m. | 245-5649 | www.vestafjelllodge.org SOS: Singles over 65 is a gender-balanced club for hip, cool, classy seniors. www.meetup.com/singles-over-65 Sweet Adelines International, Grand Mesa A Capella Chorus, rehearses at Redlands United Methodist Church. Mondays | 6:30-9 p.m. | 255-9419 or 523-3464 | www.grandmesachorus. org Talk of the Town Toastmasters meets weekly. Call for location. Thursdays | 12 p.m. | 250-3969 Thunder Mountain Camera Club meets at Western Colorado Community College, Building B. 4th Tuesday | 7 p.m. | www.thunder mountaincameraclub.org TOPS Club weight-loss support group meets at Crossroads United Methodist Church in Grand Junction.

Two Rivers Cribbage Club meets at Grand Junction Masonic Center. Thursdays | 261-1670 Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) #3981 meets at the Post Hall in Grand Junction. 1st Wednesday | 5:30 p.m. | 7788242 Western Colorado Amateur Radio Club meets at the Civil Patrol Hangar, 2868 Aviators Way. 2nd Saturday | 9:30 a.m. | www. w0rrz.org

Question Month OF THE

Compiled by Melanie Wiseman

What are the best hikes or trails in the area? Tracy Brown “I like the Stagecoach Trail in Palisade because of the great views of Mt. Garfield and the valley. There's also the chance of seeing wild horses.”

Western Colorado Astronomy Club meets at Mesa County Libraries’ Central Branch. 1st Tuesday | 6 p.m. | 201-2865 | www.wcacastronomy.org Western Colorado Decorative Artists meets at First Congregational Church in Grand Junction. 2nd Saturday | 9 a.m. | 640-2751 Western Slope Coin Club meets at VFW #1247 in Grand Junction. 4th Tuesday | Free currency evaluation at 5:30 p.m. | Meeting at 6:30 p.m. | www.gjcoinshow.com Western Slope Liberty Toastmasters meets at Chronos Builders, 637 25 Road in Grand Junction. 1st & 3rd Tuesdays | 6:30-8 p.m. | 661-974-9904 Wheels West Car Club meets at the Whitman Center, Museum of Western Colorado. 1st Saturday | 9 a.m. | www.wheels westcarclub.org ■

Pat Goldsworthy “Bear Creek Trail in Telluride has always been a favorite. At the end of the trail is a large waterfall and I love taking off my shoes and sticking my feet in the water.”

Dalinda Crinklaw “I like the Spanish Trail on the south side of Grand Junction. It meanders around and doesn't climb. I'm an arrowhead hunter.”

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“The Palisade Rim Trail is great because it's a loop and not out and back. It has a long and short loop, petroglyphs and great views. Outside the area, Devil's Causeway by Yampa is my favorite.”

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MeSa County

BEACON BITS BITS

Mesa County Workforce Center welcomes new Veterans Services Officer Mesa County Workforce Center welcomes Anthony Lee as the new Veteran Services Officer. An Army veteran that served in Operation Desert Storm, Lee comes into this position with significant experience in the VA system. He is excited to help other veterans navigate through the maze of forms and procedures, and be a source of information and advocacy for others. Lee will assist veterans with disability claims and appeals, survivor and dependency benefits, memorial benefits and planning, state benefits, pensions and more. Lee is also a part of the Vetworks program, which can help with providing qualified veterans who have specific needs with job training and certifications. Lee's office is located in Mesa County Workforce Center, 512 29 1/2 Road, in Grand Junction. Contact him by email at anthony.lee@mesacounty. us or call him at 248-2733. Grand Valley Transit requires riders to wear face coverings To help reduce the spread of COVID-19 in Mesa County, Grand Valley Transit (GVT) is requiring all riders to wear a mask or face covering while on or boarding the bus. Masks and face coverings must cover the nose and mouth. Reusable cloth masks are available for GVT riders at the Downtown or West Transfer Facilities while supplies last. In addition to wearing masks or face coverings on the bus, GVT

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riders are still asked to use GVT only for essential trips, spread out on the bus, and wash or sanitize hands often. Passengers that are experiencing symptoms, have confirmed exposure to COVID-19, have tested positive or are awaiting test results for the virus should not ride the bus. For more information, contact Andrew Gingerich at 683-4339 or andrew.gingerich@mesacounty.us Mesa County Libraries’ books available on hold Mesa County Libraries is now opening book drops and accepting returns, although due dates on all materials were extended to June 1. Libraries are also offering curbside pickup of materials by appointment for patrons who have holds waiting. Additionally, holds have been activated again. Staff will notify patrons when materials are ready for curbside pickup. Buildings will remain closed to public access until further notice. Call 243-4442 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Friday with questions. Western Colorado VA Health Care System announces new director The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Richard Salgueiro as director of the Western Colorado VA Health Care System. Salgueiro will oversee delivery of health care services to more than 15,000 veterans and an operating budget of more than $140 million. Salgueiro is a leader with over 27 years progressive health care leadership experience. He served more than 21 years in the United States Army in a variety of leadership positions. He is an Army Lieutenant Colonel (retired), Medical Service Corps Officer. For more information, call 244-1324. Roice-Hurst answers: Are my pets at risk of contracting COVID-19? While there is some evidence companion pets can become infected when exposed to high levels of the virus, the risk is considered low and there is still no evidence pets can transmit the virus back to humans. In an abundance of caution as our

understanding of this virus evolves, the CDC is recommending pet owners use social distancing measures with their pets. That means keeping pets at least six feet from other animals outside of the household, avoiding taking them to public places like dog parks and pet stores, and keeping cats indoors whenever possible. If you become sick with COVID-19, it is best to isolate away from your pets, if possible. If you are the sole caregiver and must isolate with them, wash your hands before

Local audiologist creates clear masks for hearing-impaired

Junction audiologist Jennifer Bebee, Au.D., of Western Colorado Hearing & Balance, is helping her patients communicate better with a new and improved clear face mask. These clear masks are similar to the cloth and surgical masks on the market, but with one difference: the area around the mouth is made of clear plastic. This helps hearing-impaired individual read lips. Dr. Bebee teamed up with Owls Nest Quilters to create a pattern and sew masks for her patients. Owls Nest Quilters took no payment for their work and instead requested that Bebee pay it forward by donating to Kids Aid. To make your own mask, you can find the pattern and instructions at www.wchearingclinic.com.

BEACON BITS

touching them, wear a face mask around them, and avoid kissing and snuggling them, coughing on or at them, and sharing food or dishes. For more information, visit www. cdc.gov. Roice-Hurst Humane Society is open by appointment only, and offers a pet-pantry, low-cost vaccine clinics and other resources. Learn more at www.rhhumane society.org or call 434-7337. GJ Parks and Recreation: What’s open and what's closed 36 City Parks, over 20 miles of bike paths and over 900 acres of open space remain open, including the new River Park at Las Colonias. All bathroom facilities at the parks remain open and are being regularly cleaned and disinfected. Coloradoans are encouraged to stay active and healthy by walking, biking and jogging, and the Grand Junction Parks system is a great place to engage in these activities. The City of Grand Junction has closed all playgrounds, picnic areas, and shelters. Court spaces (including basketball, volleyball, handball, pickleball, and tennis) are reopened for drop-in play. Team sports continue to be prohibited, and six feet of social distance must be observed. Indoor facilities, such as the Senior Recreation Center and the Orchard Mesa Pool, remain closed. Recreation programs and shelter reservations remain canceled until further notice. For details, call 254-3866 or email gjparksandrec@gjcity.org Palisade History Museum update Palisade History Museum at the Bunte Shop is almost complete! Though the stay-at-home order slowed construction and donations in April, the Palisade Historical Society (PHS) is hopeful to be open to the public this summer. When the occupancy permit is obtained and flooring installed, PHS can move its collection for storage and set up displays. PHS has received 80 percent of its $125,000 goal from more than 100 donors. Any amount in in these uncertain times is appreciated. To donate, please send your check, payable to the Palisade Historical

Society, to P.O. Box 631, Palisade, CO or call 464-2177. Goodie bags available for isolated veterans Close to 50 packages have been delivered to veterans at high mental risk of isolation due to COVID-19, with about 85 more available. VFW and Aux Post 3981 picked up supplies from the VA, purchased additional supplies and assembled care packages and food packages for isolated veterans that were referred by the VA’s Whole Health, Mental Health, Suicide Prevention, and other departments. Items donated by various individuals and organizations were included in these packages, such as Girl Scout cookies, homemade cloth masks (made by a local Veteran Affairs Central Office employee), hand sanitizer, tissues, writing pens, puzzle books, Veteran Crisis hotline bandanas, stress balls, volunteer hand written notes of encouragement, candy and snacks, personal hygiene items, laundry detergent, HHV craft kits and much more. Give cash, not cans to local food pantries Due to the COVID crisis, local food pantries are seeing a huge increase in the demand for food while at the same time having to reorganize their operations to drive-thru and mobile delivery in accordance with social distancing requirements. Many volunteer food pantry workers are not able to volunteer because they are vulnerable. Western Colorado Community Foundation (WCCF) is hearing from local food pantries that what they really need is funding rather than donated food. Give today at www.wc-cf.org, or mail a check payable to WCCF, PO Box 4334, Grand Junction, CO 81502 with “Virtual Canned Food Drive” in memo line. Donations will be distributed in grants to food pantries across Western Colorado to purchase needed food items. For details, call 243-3767. ■

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SUPPORT GROUPS

MeSa County Caregiver Connections meets at the Miller Homestead at HopeWest. Tuesdays | 10-11:30 a.m. | 241-2212 Caregiver Support Group meets at Cappella Grand Junction, 628 26 1/2 Road. Call to RSVP. 1st Thursday | 1:30-3:30 p.m. | 822-7070 Compassionate Friends offers friendship and understanding to bereaved parents, siblings and grandparents at Unity Church. 1st Tuesday | 7-8:30 p.m. | 434-3822

COPD Support Group meets at 581 Grand Valley Drive in Grand Junction. 4th Thursday | 1 p.m. | 317-7556 | jimcampbell3@aol.com Delta Diabetes Group meets at Grand Mesa Oncology & Rheumatology’s Crag Crest room. 2nd Monday | 2:30-3:30 p.m. | 874-7681 Divorce Support Group meets at 103 S. Fifth St. in Palisade. Saturdays | 6:30 p.m. | 200-1191

GriefShare is a nondenominational Christ-based support group for those mourning the death of a loved one. Mondays | 10-11:30 a.m. or 6:30-8:30 p.m. | 628-1453 Grief Group for Pets meets at Roice-Hurst Humane Society. 2nd Wednesday | 6-7 p.m. | 434-7337 ext. 103

thanks to all our loyal customers enjoy a free

cinnamon roll** roll

Gamblers Anonymous, a 12-step meeting to help compulsive gamblers recover, is held at The Meeting Hall, 1938 N. First St. in Grand Junction. Tuesdays | 7-8 p.m. | 917-363-3719

Head & Neck Cancer Support Group meets at Colorado West Otolaryngologists. 1st Tuesday | 6:30-8 p.m. | 245-2400

*FREE

Cinnamon Roll or Bisc uit w Homemade Jam with ith “ANY PURCHASE” over $10.00 Expires: June 30, 2020

We are open for dine in and carry-out

special Cheeseburger, Fries and Soda

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3247 F Rd., Clifton .................................... 434-0777 555 Raptor Rd., Fruita ................................ 858-8444 1320 S Townsend Ave., Montrose ............... 249-7787 204 Ute St., Delta ...................................... 874-7288 Pufferbelly 337 S. 1st St., Grand Junction .... 242-1600

48 | SUPPORT GROUPS | JUNE 2020 |

WWW.BEACONSENIORNEWS.COM

Healing Hands Hour meets in St. Mary’s Hospital’s Reflection Room. Thursdays | noon to 1 p.m. | 298-2351 HEARTBEAT/Survivors After Suicide meets at First Congregational Church. 3rd Tuesday | 7-9 p.m. | 778-9274 or 241-4349 Job Searching After 50 Networking Group meets twice monthly at Mesa County Workforce Center. You must be registered as a job seeker at www.connectingcolorado. com. 1st & 3rd Thursdays | 8:30-10 a.m. | 248-7560 Leukemia, Lymphoma & Myeloma Support Group meets monthly in St. Mary’s Hospital’s Reflection Room. 3rd Monday | 4-5 p.m. | 778-9274 or 241-4349 MACHO Men cancer support group meets at the VA Medical Center In-Patient Dining Room. 1st Thursday | 2 p.m. | 298-2351 Mending Hearts is for any adult who has experienced the death of a loved one, and meets at the Miller

Homestead at HopeWest. Thursdays | 2-3:30 p.m. | 248-8844 MS and Men, a support group for men living with MS, meets at The Artful Cup. 3rd Thursday | 11 a.m. to noon | 241-8975 MS Breakfast Group meets at Village Inn, 757 Horizon Drive. 1st Tuesday | 9 a.m. | 241-8975 National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) offers support for family members of adults who have a serious mental illness and connection groups for adults living with a mental illness. www.NAMIWS.org | 462-3989 Parents of Addicted Loved Ones meets at First Presbyterian Church. Thursdays | 6:30 p.m. | 379-5786 Tinnitus Support Group meets at Community Hospital’s Legacy Room 1. 3rd Wednesday | 6 p.m. | 589-0305 Western Colorado Post Polio Group educates polio survivors and caregivers about post-polio, connects post-polio people and promotes independent living for survivors. 241-7825 Western Slope Visionaries, a low-vision support group, meets at Center for Independence. Transportation is available. 3rd Wednesday | 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. | 241-0315 Woman to Woman cancer support group meets in St. Mary’s Hospital’s Reflection Room. 3rd Thursday | 4:30-5:30 p.m. Yoga For Life meets at the St. Mary’s Life Center Aerobics Room. Tuesdays | 5:30-6:45 p.m. | 298-2351 ■

Email your support group information to: Beacon@PendantPublishing.com

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Authentic Chinese and Thai Cuisine

1 cup Dole Red Grapes, halved 1 cup chopped, fresh Dole Tropical Gold Pineapple 1/2 cup Dole Celery, cut into chunks 1 tablespoon freshly chopped mint 1 package (5 ounces) Dole 50/50 Salad Blend 1/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional) Directions: In medium bowl, stir yogurt and mustard. Stir in chicken, apples, blueberries, grapes, pineapple, celery and mint. Toss to evenly coat. Pour salad blend onto serving platter. Arrange chicken mixture on salad blend and sprinkle with pecans or walnuts, if desired. Tips: Can be served as salad or spooned onto tortillas and rolled up for wraps. Amount of yogurt dressing can be adjusted based on personal preference. ■

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SUN - THUR 11 am - 9:30 pm • FRI - SAT 11 am - 10 pm 687 Horizon Drive, Grand Junction WWW.BEACONSENIORNEWS.COM | JUNE 2020 | RECIPES |

Montrose & Delta

CALENDAR

Editor’s note: Some of the following events may be canceled or rescheduled due to COVID-19 safety measures and restrictions. Please check with event organizers to confirm event details beforehand.

June 1-7

Bow Wow Film Festival (at home)

No need to go out to enjoy these cute short films celebrating our beloved canine companions. Available to watch any time the first week of June, you can enjoy this heart-warming 90-minute movie medley while eating popcorn in your jammies. $5-25 | www.bowwowfilmfest.com/ schedule

watch the moon rise over West Elk Mountains. 6-10 p.m. | 1735 E Road, Delta | Free/ Rent | 874-4258

June 5

Ladies Drink Free

My Place has you ladies covered with free drinks on the first Friday of the month. Plus, there will be karaoke, a DJ dance party, and plenty of fun! 7-9 p.m. | 1410 Valley View Drive, Delta | Free | 874-3130

June 2

June 5 & 12

June 4

Peruse locally-sourced fruit, veggies, meats, delicious foods and unique artisanal gifts every Saturday at Montrose Centennial Plaza. Plus, the market is now featuring a new Food Box Project, allowing people in Montrose to purchase fresh, local produce from the market vendors for curbside pickup or home delivery. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. | 15-99 S. Uncompah-

Writers Night: Story Structure

Community and Full Moon Paddle

Kick off the evening at Sweitzer State Park with a free community paddle, with kayaks and paddle boards provided by Western Slope SUP. Then, starting at 8 p.m., either bring your own or rent a board and

50 | CALENDAR | JUNE 2020 |

Virtual Trivia Night

June 6, 13, 20, 27

Montrose Farmer’s Market

WWW.BEACONSENIORNEWS.COM

gre Ave., Montrose | Free/ $20 per box | 249-0705

June 13

Freedom Festival Poker Run

Benefit military, veterans and their families through the Welcome Home Alliance’s poker run, open to all legal forms of transportation. The final stop is TJ’s Cycle and Offroad in Delta, where door prizes and prizes for the best and worst hand will be awarded. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. | 4 Hillcrest Plaza Way, Montrose | $10 | 765-2210

June 19-21

Black Canyon Goat Extravaganza

The Montrose County Fairgrounds is hosting multiple goat shows for all ages. Bring your goats and enjoy food, a silent auction and seminars about the goat industry. 8 a.m.-5 p.m. | 1036 N. Seventh St., Montrose | 381-9429

June 21

International Day of Yoga

Celebrate all things yoga at the beautiful Cerise Park with a 1-hour yoga class provided by Melissa Lowe of Yoga House. Everyone is welcome; please pre-register ahead of time. 1-2 p.m. | Shanes Way, Montrose | $10 | www.facebook.com/colorado yogahouse/events | 462-9977

June 25

Hope, Health and Healing

Relax Relief Recover brings you another initiative workshop designed to bring balance and healing into the

lives of those fighting cancer. Experience free nurse consultations, free infrared sauna treatment, and learn about treatments and self-care that will help your healing. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | 428 Main St., Delta | 251-7352

June 27

StoryFest (virtual)

Stories matter more than ever in these challenging times. The Blue Sage Center for the Arts in Paonia is proud to announce its first annual StoryFest, now in virtual format. This celebration of wordcraft will provide inspiration and instruction for writers and lovers of literature. Celebrate the written word through workshops, speakers, readings and performances. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. | $75 | www.bluesage. org/storyfest-2020

June 27

Live Virtual Paint Workshop

Join favorite Ridgway Rendezvous artist, Meg Harper, for a virtual workshop via Zoom. Topics will include impressionism, color theory and other painting tips! Kits come with a canvas, paint brushes, color wheel and a variety of acrylic paint. Email Meg a photograph of who or what you’d like to paint to meg@ megharper.com. 12-5 p.m. | $349 | www.megharper. com/products/workshop ■

See more events at www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

Montrose & Delta

CLUBS

Alpine Photography Club meets at Colorado Mesa University’s Montrose Campus, classroom 100. 2nd Tuesday | 7-9 p.m. | apcmontroseco@gmail.com Black Canyon Barbershop Chorus sings four-part a cappella at Olathe United Methodist Church. Thursdays | 7-8:30 p.m. | 216-3800 Citizens Climate Lobby meets monthly at the Montrose Library meeting room. 240-9146 | montrose@ citizensclimatelobby.org Crafternoon members meet in the Montrose Library’s meeting room. Members knit and crochet projects, which they donate to various charities. Supplies are provided, but yarn donations are always welcome. Experienced crafters will help beginners. 1st, 2nd & 3rd Wednesdays | 2:304:30 p.m. | 249-9656 Columbine Quilters meet at the Meadowlark Senior Apartments in Montrose. 1st Saturday | 9 a.m. | 462-3849 Delta Hubwheelers Square Dance Club offers monthly swing dance lessons at Montrose Lions Clubhouse. The club will be dark for the month of June, because of facility closure due to the virus. 6:30 p.m. | Cost $10 | 773-4495 | deltawriter47@gmail.com Friendship Quilters of Western Colorado meets monthly in the Pioneer Room of Friendship Hall at the Montrose County Fairgrounds. 4th Thursday | 9 a.m. | 417-4842 Montrose Amateur Radio Club meets at the Olathe Community Center. 3rd Friday | 7 p.m. | 417-6142 Montrose Area Woodturners meets at 520 Collins Way in Montrose. 2nd Saturday | 9 a.m. to noon | 9862550 | lvcribbs@charter.net

Montrose Elks host bingo at the Montrose Elks Lodge, 801 S. Hillcrest Dr. Tuesdays | 6:30 p.m. Giving Club of Montrose meets quarterly at 5:30 p.m. at Cobble Creek Golf Club in Montrose. Members donate $100 at each meeting and are invited to nominate a local charity to receive the evening’s total contributions. 5:30 p.m. | givingclubofmontrose@ gmail.com Montrose Neighborhood Watch meets at Cascade Hall Meeting Room at 336 S 3rd St. Entrance to the building is on Cascade Ave. 2nd Wednesday | 9:30-10:30 a.m. | 901-5876 | hebert623@yahoo.com Montrose Pavilion Dance Club hosts dances at the Montrose Pavilion. Dancers of all ages are welcome. Bring a snack to share. 2nd & 4th Saturdays | Cost $5 | 7:3011 p.m. | 252-7172 | San Juan Dance Club offers country waltz dance lessons at the Lions Clubhouse in Montrose. Singles without partners are welcome. Thursdays | 6:30-9:30 p.m. | Cost $10 | 728-8333 | thesjdanceclub@gmail. com Sons of Norway, Vestafjell Lodge meets monthly at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church. 1:30 p.m. | 245-5649 | www.vestafjelllodge.org SOS: Singles over 65 is a genderbalanced club for hip, cool, classy seniors who want to meet singles, have fun and do new activities. www.meetup.com/singles-over-65GrandJunction | $20/year Western Slope 4 Wheelers meets at the Montrose Rod & Gun Club’s indoor range, 1211 6450 Road in Montrose. 1st Tuesday | 7 p.m. | 209-5326 ■

Question Month OF THE

Compiled by Siggie Carpenter

What is your favorite hike or trail in the area? Steve Omernik — Montrose “Some of my favorite trails, especially this time of year, are Big Dominguez and Little Dominguez, which are accessible by the Bridgeport trailhead and bridge over the river. It’s an allwilderness area between Delta and Grand Junction; very approachable and doable.”

Deanna Mautz — Olathe “One of my favorite trails around here is Ute Trail. You start out in the Gunnison Gorge Wilderness area and drop down to the Gunnison River. It is a 9.6-mile round trip, fairly easy out and moderately tough coming back. If you’re looking for something less intense, check out Ward Lake Trail up on Grand Mesa.”

John Pope — Montrose “As an experienced hiker, I prefer to hike Blue Lakes Trailhead off of Highway 62 between Ridgway and Telluride. It’s a beautiful but strenuous hike. There are three separate lakes that you can get up to, with the last lake being at the base of Mt. Sneffels.”

Paul Green — Montrose “One of my favorite trails is the Perimeter Trail in Ouray. It’s a 5.6-mile non-strenuous trail so you can take your children or your leashed dog. It covers Box Canyon Falls and takes you around Cascade Falls. It loops around the town of Ouray so you can get on and off at any time.”

Montrose & Delta Ridgway Old West Fest seeks unusual animals Ridgway Old West Fest is seeking unusual animals/critters for an exhibit Saturday, September 26 from 12:30-3:30 p.m. Young, miniature, exotic unusual or rare breeds â€” hairless dogs/cats, fancy chickens, Flemish Giants, other deluxe rabbits, baby alpacas, snakes, tarantulas, etc. Endangered species will not be allowed. Please contact Angela Allen at RidgwayOldWestFest@gmail. com. Delta Area Chamber of Commerce is open The Delta Area Chamber of Commerce is NOW Open. After two long months of being closed we are finally open and we have a surprise: We've been remodeling and have a completely new look for the Chamber of Commerce! If you have a few minutes, stop in and check out the new digs. Remodeling has brought new life to the 100+ year old building. We still have Underwriting Opportunities for the chamber remodel. Call Mitchell Gronenthal Executive Director if you are interested in being a part of History and Rejuvenating the Chamber's 100+ year old building: 970-874-8616 or email Director@deltacolorado.org. Pandemic forces difficult decisions for Montrose Memorial Hospital Montrose Memorial Hospital has realized a substantial financial

52 | BEACON BITS | JUNE 2020 |

BEACON BITS

setback due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With the cancellation of elective procedures and surgeries throughout the organization and the temporary closure or dramatic reduction of specific services, we are estimating a $4-5 million loss for the month of April. Leadership along with many employees have taken pay cuts, we have made some significant changes and reductions to employee benefits and budgets are being reviewed and severely cut. As a result of this pandemic, our team and the Board of Directors are working together to make difficult decisions to restructure to help ensure the long-term sustainability of the hospital so we can continue to be the healthcare safety net for Montrose and our surrounding communities. As surgical services and outpatient visits decreased, we formed a resource pool for our employees and re-allocated staff to areas in greatest need. We opened the COVID specific care unit, added screeners at all patient, visitor and employee entrances, and increased housekeeping sterilization efforts in all areas of the hospital. MMH is the second largest employer in Montrose County with over 700 employees. Nineteen employees were laid off May 13, and were given severance pay based on their years of service. The hospital received $7.4 million from the CARE funds which according to the Board Chair covers only 23 days of hospital operations. It also received $15.6

WWW.BEACONSENIORNEWS.COM

million from CMS through the Medicare Accelerated and Advance Payment Program, which will have to be repaid beginning 121 days after receipt of the funds. Museum of the Mountain West is open Museum of the Mountain West in Montrose has reopened. Our hours are Monday through Saturday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. We are seeking volunteers and need financial contributions to cope from financial loses the last two months while closed. For details, call 240-3400. Russell Stover to close August 28 The local store and candy factory will close months earlier due to the economic impact from the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead of closing in March 2021, the Montrose plant will be closing August 28. In the meantime, the plant has implemented safety measures for its workers. Production will shift to plants in Texas and Kansas. Colorado Mesa University has offered free semesters to former Russell Stover workers, available at its Montrose Campus. Heirlooms for Hospice will reopen June 1 Heirlooms for Hospice, located on 532 Main St., Delta, will reopen as of Monday, June 1st. Hours will be Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Call 874-5251 or visit www.heirloomsforhospice.org.

Delta Hospital resumes some elective surgeries Delta County Memorial Hospital (DCMH) announced that starting April 29 some elective surgeries will resume based on physician discretion for conditions that are non-life-threatening. There will be strict precautions to ensure the safety of patients and staff. DCMH has been and will continue to perform all urgent and emergent procedures while ensuring personal protective equipment (PPE) and other hospital resources are maintained in adequate supply to meet the critical care needs of the community. DCMH recommends patients isolate for up to 10 days prior to elective surgeries and asks that patients wear a mask upon entering the hospital. Protocols such as verbal screenings for all persons prior to entering the Hospital and Clinics will also remain in place as well as pre-operation testing on all patients and certain visitor restrictions with exceptions. DCMH will continue to prioritize COVID-19 testing resources toward hospitalized, critically-ill patients, healthcare personnel appropriate for testing and those on a case-by-case basis. Patients can be tested when recommend by their Primary Care Provider. COVID-19 tests are now being performed at DCMH primary care clinics. â–

BEACON BITS

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES Sharing Ministries Food Bank seeks dedicated volunteers for three hours, one day a week. 240-8385 | 49 N. First St., Montrose Senior CommUnity Meals needs volunteer delivery drivers and dining room helpers to help elderly citizens in Delta and Montrose counties. 874-7662 | www.seniorcommunity meals.org Volunteer drivers are needed to deliver meals to low-income and frail seniors. Drivers are subject to background checks and must provide references. 249-8804 Friends of Montrose Library seeks volunteers to serve on its board of directors. Meetings are held once a month. 846-5287 | 320 S. Second St., Montrose

Museum of the Mountain West seeks volunteer tour guides to bring the past to life for visitors. Flexible schedule. 240-3400 | 68169 Miami Road, Montrose Foster Grandparents are needed in nonprofit school classrooms throughout Mesa and Delta counties. Patience, kindness and ability to follow directions are a must. Applicants must be 55+. Those who meet income and hour requirements are eligible to receive $100-$400/month in non-taxable stipend. 298-9091 Partners Mentoring seeks adults who enjoy art and would like to mentor aspiring youth artists. Volunteers are asked to make a six-month commitment, and will receive support from case managers and art workshops.

To be a volunteer, it takesâ€Ś Generosity; a willingness to give your time to others. Understanding, because their lives might be very different from your own. Empathy; an ability to put yourself in someone else's shoes, and feel what they must feel. Compassion, to truly care about making someone else's life better. Patience, because the process doesn't always go as smoothly as it might. Dedication, to stick with the project and see it through. Be a classroom volunteer! Call the Foster Grandparent Program (970)298-9091 www.WesternSlopeSeniorVolunteers.org

Lifeâ€™s Legacy in Stone

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54 | FUN & GAMES | JUNE 2020 |

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BEACON SENIOR NEWS

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Turn to page 58 for your puzzle answers WWW.BEACONSENIORNEWS.COM | JUNE 2020 |

CLASSIFIEDS HAVE SOMETHING TO SELL OR A SERVICE TO OFFER? List it here—pricing starts at just $29 per month!

Call Stacey at 243-8829, ext.102, to reserve your space in next month’s issue. FOR SALE

GARDEN SERVICES

Kids Saddle Kids saddle for sale, too big for a mini-pony. $200. Delta, CO. Text 9019364 for more info. Pellet Stove Older pellet stove; works but needs fan motor replaced. Delta, CO. Stove and pipe $75. Text 901-9364.

HELP WANTED Companion Wanted Companion for mobile, mostly self-sufficient stroke patient. Medicine reminder, taking small pet out and helping with daily chores. Very clean environment. You must be a NON-SMOKER, no exceptions. 361-5820.

WE’RE HIRING! ADVERTISING EXECUTIVES FREELANCE WRITERS PHOTO JOURNALISTS Send your letter and resume to beacon@pendantpublishing.com No phone calls, please.

Be Self Reliant; Plant a garden Lawn and Garden Service. Tiling, aeration, sprinklers, pumps and fences. Sam’s Tilling and Maintenance 697-6031.

HOME SERVICES The Cleaning Lady Spring cleaning, downsizing and reorganizing. Get a fresh start and de-clutter your home! Weekly, biweekly, monthly or just a onetime shot. Linda K. 720-841-7505 or 263-7364. Scene Clearly, LLC Window cleaners specializing in making your day a little brighter! Grand Junction area. Call Frank Cordova at 242-1264. B-N-Trees Tree removal, stump grinding, trimming. Call Bill 430-1970. Window and House Cleaning Get a start on your spring cleaning with Blue Ribbon Cleaning Services. 361-0531. Ryan and Michele Allowitz. 35 years’ experience and insured.

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. 216-0048.

SERVICES Storybook Sitters House sitting and dog walking services. Need help with your fur babies? We provide loving pet care while you are away. Give your fur baby’s day a happy ending! Call or text 234-1891. Computer Lady, LLC In-home repair. 18 years serving Mesa County. Windows, internet, Wi-Fi, Android, tablets, Netflix, Roku. Virus removal, installation and instruction. Dependable, reasonable, qualified. Remote services available. www.CompLady.com or 255-1216.

NEED GLASS REPAIR? No Job Too Small

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Pat's Hair Salon & Ceramics All Hair Salon Services Available

Great Prices on Perms Senior Discounts

CERAMIC & PORCELAIN DOLL MAKING CLASSES & SUPPLIES

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In-home toenail care JQ Foot Care will provide in-home toenail care. This includes cleansing of feet, inspection, nails trimmed, filed and lotion applied with massage. $35 for session. Education to promote foot health. 250-7454.

HEALTH & WELLNESS Be healthy and happy! With mental wellness and making money. At http://ltl.is/2fR94. 2702904.

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56 | CLASSIFIEDS | JUNE 2020 |

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CLASSIFIEDS Medical Marijuana Doctor Days in Montrose and Grand Junction Got pain? Find out if medical marijuana is right for you. Doctor evaluation and education on cannabis use in a professional HIPAA-compliant setting. Call for appointment times and days. 720-443-2420 or visit www.healthychoicesunltd.com.

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www.BeaconSeniorNews.com Like us on Facebook WWW.BEACONSENIORNEWS.COM | JUNE 2020 | CLASSIFIEDS |

OPINION

To be a volunteer, it takes… Generosity; a willingness to give your time to others. Understanding, because their lives might be very different from your own. Empathy; an ability to put yourself in someone else's shoes, and feel what they must feel. Compassion, to truly care about making someone else's life better. Patience, because the process doesn't always go as smoothly as it might. Dedication, to stick with the project and see it through. Volunteer with us! Call the Foster Grandparent or Senior Companion Programs (970)298-9091 www.WesternSlopeSeniorVolunteers.org

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Answers from page 55

We need community now more than ever By Siggie Carpenter

aving lived most of my life in a military environment—first as a brat, then as a wife—community now takes on a different meaning. At the heart of a healthy and thriving community are citizens who share more than just living in a particular area. A community has a familiar thread that binds us together and gives us a sense of belonging. Neighbors, family and friends form a collective that—for the most part—shares common values, goals and objectives that make us feel safe, happy and productive. To perpetuate these feelings, a well-rounded community must incorporate programs that allow its citizens to become invested. These community members work diligently to expand opportunities for education, social and health services, and small businesses, which benefit residents and the community as a whole. Nonprofit service organizations are also essential to this mission. They inspire citizens to get involved by volunteering, which lifts up the organization and everyone it serves. (According to Montrose Community Foundation Executive Director Sara Plumhoff, Montrose County is blessed to have over 200 registered nonprofit organizations, many which are staffed primarily by volunteers.) Invested citizens look out for one another. During colonial times, citizens patroled the streets to help maintain social order and keep their community safe. Today, watch group programs nationwide incorporate activities that not only address crime prevention but also restore pride and

MONTROSE COUNTY NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH ADDRESSES A VARIETY OF CONCERNS SPECIFIC TO NEIGHBORHOODS.

unity in neighborhoods. Montrose County Neighborhood Watch has grown from an extra set of eyes and ears to a much more proactive community-oriented endeavor. Providing a unique infrastructure that brings together volunteers, local officials and law enforcement, Neighborhood Watch addresses a variety of concerns specific to neighborhoods. With over 250 members representing a multitude of neighborhoods in Montrose County, participation creates an environment where citizens are more observant and interested in keeping crime rates low. When you're a caring citizen watching out for the well-being of your neighbor, you're doing your part in helping your community remain a safe and tranquil place to live and raise a family. Never before have we experienced such a time of uncertainty as COVID-19 continues to threaten our communities. But standing united, we have become more resilient. This is a time to share, remember and reflect on why we choose to live here. As a new senior resident to Montrose, I pledge to be a contributing member of this community. Can I count you in, too? ■

Siggie Carpenter is a Montrose County Neighborhood Watch board member and Montrose resident. She can be reached at smcarp1229@ yahoo.com. To join Montrose County Neighborhood Watch, contact Chris Hebert at 901-5876 or hebert623@yahoo.com.

58 | OPINION | JUNE 2020 |

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