Issuu

The Voice of Adults 50+ in Western Colorado

A home for the holidays

DECEMBER 2020

Local giving means more now than ever

BEST Tell us who stands above the rest! Vote for your favorite businesses inside.

Christmas Countdown: Are your stockings hung?

LOCAL

L OV E D

2021

A letter to my father, a POW survivor

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IN THIS ISSUE

National & Regional Award-Winning Publication DECEMBER 2020 | Volume 33 | Issue 12

Publisher Kevin K. VanGundy Founding Publisher Susan Capps Editor in Chief Cloie Sandlin Multimedia Editor Lauren Berg Graphic Designers B. Bigler Chrissy Martin Office Manager Stacey Splude Advertising Executives Debra Romaniec Siggie Carpenter Melodie Simon Advertising Assistant Lindsey Christensen Proofreader Jan Weeks Delivery 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 15th of the month preceding publication. Display advertising rates are available upon request. © Copyright 2020 • All Rights Reserved

On the Cover

Giving is needed now more than ever. Don’t forget our local charitable organizations in your holiday giving.

7 Editor’s Column

30 7 fantastical travel destinations

8 Cover Story: A home for the holidays

32 BEACON wins national awards

10 Counting down to Christmas

34 Faith: Why we celebrate Christmas

12 Recipe: Salisbury Steak

35 Talking Digital

13 Ask the Old Bag: It’s not the year for big holiday dinners

36 Finance: Crucial year-end financial tips

14 Healthy Geezer: What’s involved with heart-valve surgery? 15 3 ways saffron helps with eye health 16 Look years younger, without plastic surgery 18 Laughing Matters 20 Toilet paper resolutions 21 Boomer Beat 22 Alive & Digging: How to care for trees in the high desert

38 Business Highlight: Senior Companions 39 Compassionate Friends in times of grief 40 Grandma’s Cookie Jar 41 BEACON Best official ballot 42 Finding family at Judy’s in Fruita 44 Mesa County 44 Calendar 46 Clubs & Activities 48 Beacon Bits 50 Support Groups

26 No pandemic shutdown for scammers

52 Montrose & Delta Counties 52 Calendar 54 Clubs & Activities 56 Beacon Bits

27 Google reviews to the rescue

58 Fun & Games

28 Surviving a Japanese prison camp: A letter to my father

61 Classifieds

24 Christmas deliverance

History through the spokes of a bicycle wheel Chris Brown, owner of Brown Cycles, holds up his historical fiction book, “Bicycle Junction,” about a bicycle rider that pedals around Grand Junction from the 1880s to 2015. The book features 30 modern-day trail maps and more than 400 photographs. It’s available at Brown Cycles or any of the Grand Junction downtown bookstores. See ad page 24.

62 Be careful what you ask for. Literally.

Get local help with your Medicare questions. I’m Ashley Van Gundy, a licensed sales agent in Grand Junction, CO. When it comes to Medicare, it’s important to consider all of your options. What works well for your neighbor may not be the best fit for you. I know the ins and outs of Medicare, and I’m ready to answer your questions and help you find a plan that fits your needs.

Take advantage of my knowledge and experience to: • Take the confusion out of Medicare • Get help comparing plans • Receive one-on-one service • Make enrolling in a plan easier

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A very COVID Christmas “F

eeling lucky in 2020?” I just about burst into hollow laughter when I read this headline to my column last January. If I had any inkling of how this year would really go, my column leading into this year would’ve set a different tone entirely. Although this year didn’t go the way any of us had hoped it would, it’s important to celebrate all the good things that happened—the connections we made, the moments we shared with friends and family, and the people we helped and who helped us. When you’re putting together your Christmas gift list for family and loved ones, don’t forget to include our local charitable organizations and nonprofits in your holiday giving. Many of their operations and programs have been hit hard by COVID-19, as well as the populations they serve. If you’re able to give monetarily, please reach out to the organization’s development director or charitable giving department to find out more about options that provide the most benefit. If you want to simplify your gift-giving, Colorado Gives Day is Tuesday, December 8. Donate to local nonprofits online at www. ColoradoGivesDay.org. Donors can schedule a donation now that will benefit from a $1 million incentive fund, shared among all participating nonprofits.

TELL US WHO’S THE BEST BEACON readers know best, so tell us about the businesses with exceptional staff, prod-

ucts and services by nominating them for the 2021 BEACON Best Awards. Sharing the love is a win-win! Nominators are given the chance to win gift cards to some of their favorite organizations, while the most voted-on businesses will be featured in a special awards section in February’s BEACON. Mail in the completed ballot on page 41 or vote at www.BeaconSeniorNews.com.

BEACON BRINGS HOME THE BACON Thank you to the BEACON staff, our writers, supportive advertisers and faithful readers for a successful year at the North American Mature Publishers Association journalism competition! While I wish I could relive memories of networking with other senior publishers on a San Diego beach (that’s where this year’s conference was supposed to be before going virtual), I’m pleased with the stack of awards I got to “bring home.” Read more about our award-winning publications on page 32.

BEACON GUIDE COMING SOON Next month, you’ll find a copy of the 2021 BEACON Guide tucked inside our January issue. This annual publication is designed to help you age well by providing seniors and their caregivers with hundreds of hard-tofind phone numbers for local, state and national resources. It also features informative articles to help with the transitions you or a loved one may be going through.Call us to request your free copies: 243-8829. From all of us at the BEACON: We wish you a safe holiday season, a very joyous Christmas and a much-improved new year! ■

Cloie Sandlin, Editor in Chief

EDITOR'S COLUMN

LETTERS

from our readers “Thank you for our fantastic full page Humana ad in October’s BEACON! I’ve already had calls so far. Woohoo! More to come! So excited! Loved all the great info you shared in this edition. Awesome job!” - Patti Zapf, Humana “As a former small business owner, I do try to support other local businesses by always voting [for things such as BEACON Best]. On another note, I love the BEACON and read it cover to cover, every issue! Kudos to everyone on staff for a consistent job well done!” - Elaine Johnson “I have read the BEACON for some time and find it very relevant to community events, needs and culture. Recently, I have spoken to Debra regarding networking our COVID services and she was most receptive. Keep up the good work and partnerships in the community, as it is a valuable service.” - Diane Birmingham, RN, MPH, Mind Springs Health “Where can I get a BEACON? I went to City Market today and they had a whole pile yesterday and they disappeared as fast as they got there! I do like the BEACON! There are a lot of good stories. I have two back issues I’m saving until my daughter comes to visit at Thanksgiving because she loves to read them, too. I love it also because it has articles that are useful to me. Old Bag is so funny, too!” - Evelyn RE: November issue “Thank you so much for the wonderful article on our local veterans! It is truly uplifting that you remember our veterans’ past and present service to our nation.” - Wayne C. Telford, Vietnam veteran and Gold Star father RE: “Modern Elder Academy”/ October cover “Thank you for the opportunity to have the article on MEA! It was great! But the cover page to me and others was distasteful.” - Yolanda D.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

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

WWW.BEACONSENIORNEWS.COM | DECEMBER 2020 | EDITOR’S COLUMN |

COVER STORY

home for the holidays

If we’re “safer at home,” what happens to those without homes? By Cloie Sandlin. Additional reporting by Jan Weeks

we’re safer at home, what happens when you don’t have a home to call your own? Most metrics on the COVID dial pose difficulties for those experiencing homelessness, especially when support providers such as shelters and food banks are offered in a congregate setting. Because many homeless individuals are older or have underlying medical conditions, they’re also at increased risk of experiencing the virus’ more serious effects.

As virus positivity rates skyrocket on the Western Slope, service providers like HomewardBound have been working diligently to adapt to the needs of the homeless, especially as cold weather sets in. “Typically, the number of people coming to us for services and shelter goes up quite a bit as the months get colder and people move inside,” said Jesse Redmond, development director at HomewardBound in Grand Junction. But, during a pandemic, living in shelters makes it challenging for guests to comply with social distancing. In fact, living with

numerous strangers indoors could facilitate the spread of infection. Despite HomewardBound’s preventive measures—such as spacing out beds, limiting outof-town guests, and conducting temperature checks for guests and staff—the not-for-profit shelter has reported numerous positive cases since their first discovered case in early November. To prevent further spread, individuals who test positive are being quarantined off site. “We’re requiring all adult guests to be wearing masks, which is something we were trying to avoid before because this is their home. It’s like

8 | COVER STORY | DECEMBER 2020 |

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One of HomewardBound’s senior guests, Basil, got an apartment at Pathways Village, a housing complex specifically for homeless individuals in Grand Junction. asking someone to wear a mask 24/7,” said Redmond. “But we’re enforcing that when we need to. We want to keep everyone safe.”

PROVIDING SHELTER Because of the public health crisis, organizations working with the homeless face the question: Where do guests go? Especially as temperatures continue to drop.

“We could really be looking at a problem of a couple hundred people out on the street that could be spreading COVID,” said Redmond. The virus disrupts HomewardBound’s low-barrier model, which ensures that the community’s homeless can receive the help they need. Following public health orders, the organization is limiting the number of people allowed at the

“WE COULD REALLY BE LOOKING AT A PROBLEM OF A COUPLE HUNDRED PEOPLE OUT ON THE STREET THAT COULD BE SPREADING COVID.” shelter, and can’t accept new individuals until more testing resources become available. “It’s a difficult position to be in,” said Redmond. “A lot of our guests are coming from some previous form of trauma and we always have to keep in mind what we’re doing that might re-traumatize them. In the worst-case scenario, this can lead them to completely disconnecting from services.” While much is out of their hands, HomewardBound and other partners in the community are committed to supporting the homeless by helping them acquire emergency shelter and food. “We’ll do whatever we can to help those people,” said Redmond. “We’re lucky to have community partners—everybody in the homeless community who’s really putting in an effort to help navigate this. We definitely can’t do this alone.” HomewardBound staff are also working to reduce food insecuri-

ty—another rampant issue among the homeless, as well as those who have a home but no kitchen or money for food. HomewardBound’s culinary director, Chef Daryl, a former guest, works in the kitchen to plan hot breakfasts, dinners and sack lunches to give to outside individuals as well as to overnight guests, thanks to community donations. “Food banks and individuals donate supplies,” said Redmond. “Last year, the shelter served over 22,000 ‘rescue meals’ made with food that’s almost out of date, but still healthy.”

HOMELESSNESS AMONG SENIORS Before the pandemic, Redmond reported that roughly one-third of people receiving services through HomewardBound were over the age of 50. While some of these individuals have faced homelessness off and on for years, for many others it’s a new, unexpected chapter. Reasons for late-life homelessness vary from sudden loss of employment to having insufficient retirement plans or encountering health issues that drain retirement savings. “Others, especially veterans, have just never been able to reconnect with the system,” added

HomewardBound staff and volunteers accept food donations from community partners across the Western Slope.

Santa greets HomewardBound staff and guests at a previous year’s Christmas party. Redmond. “A lot of individuals have just been forgotten.” According to the New York Times, the number of elderly homeless Americans is projected to triple over the next decade—and that was before COVID-19 hit, stretching

what remains of the social safety net to the breaking point. “The holidays are going to look a whole lot different this year,” said Redmond. “We’re operating in a whole new way and trying to figure out how to sustain that.” ■

CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

The impact of the virus is straining nate, call 773-8290 or visit www. local nonprofits and service prodeltaabrahamconnection.org. viders in all sectors, challenging • Food Bank of the Rockies reports operations by limiting resources seeing an entirely new level of and spreading staff thin. Canceled food insecurity in Western Slope galas, auctions and fundraisers as communities since the pandemic a result of the virus have negativestarted. This nonprofit is serving ly impacted giving to such orgamany people who’ve lost their nizations. That’s why they need jobs and are facing food insecuyour help. rity for the first time, as well as • Help HomewardBound continue already-vulnerable families who their life-saving programs by have found themselves in dire making a monetary donation need. To donate, call 464-1138 or at www.homewardboundgv. visit www.foodbankrockies.org. org/donate. Call the shelter at • Sharing Ministries Food Bank 256-9424 or follow them on serves Montrose and surrounding Facebook for an updated list of communities by providing suppleneeded hygiene and food items. mental food to families and other • Abraham Connection provides nonprofit organizations serving emergency shelter to homeless children and seniors. Donate by individuals in Delta County and calling 240-8385 or visit www. the surrounding areas. To dosharingministries.com. WWW.BEACONSENIORNEWS.COM | DECEMBER 2020 | COVER STORY |

Counting down to

Christmas

I can’t help but still get excited about stockings

’ve always loved the idea of Christmas stockings. Last year, my friend Nancy gave me one filled with everything from jewelry, postage stamps and lottery tickets to gift cards and cosmetics. When it comes to Christmas stockings, she definitely knows how to fill one. I’ll never forget the first year I fully understood what Christmas stockings were all about. I was 3 years old, and my parents told me to hang the stocking on my bedpost (because we had no fireplace). Then Santa would creep into my bedroom after I fell asleep and fill the stocking with treats. Sounded like a pretty neat idea to me. So that Christmas Eve, I eagerly hung my little red stocking on my bedpost and began the long wait for Santa.

10 | DECEMBER 2020 |

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Every half-hour during that 200-hour night, I reached over to feel the stocking to see if Santa had been there yet. For some reason, every time I opened my eyes, my mother was standing right by my bed, with her hands behind her back. When I’d cheerfully greet her, she’d roll her eyes, sigh and tell me to go to sleep or Santa never would come. When I opened my eyes again and saw her by my bed, I could swear she was sleeping standing up. Finally, I managed to doze off, but within 20 minutes, I was awake and feeling my stocking. I gasped. It was full! I was so excited, I yanked it right off the bedpost and dashed into my parents’ bedroom. “Mommy! Daddy! Santa came!” I

By Sally Breslin

cried, whacking my poor father right on the head with the stocking. “And look what he brought me!” After that, my Christmas stockings always contained only soft items. I also remember trying to outsmart Santa when I was about 5. By then, I’d come to the conclusion that Christmas stockings were a pretty simple way to rake in a good haul if I used a little ingenuity.

ON CHRISTMAS MORNING, HOWEVER, I WAS DISAPPOINTED TO FIND MY STOCKING TOTALLY EMPTY, FLAT AS A PANCAKE.

BEACON SENIOR NEWS INDEPENDENT LIVING | ASSISTED LIVING | MEMORY CARE

So when it came time to hang my Christmas stocking, not only did I hang up a pair of my tights because they could hold more treats, I also unloaded my whole drawer of socks and hung them all over my room for my dolls. After all, I told myself, my dolls were my “babies.” Betsy Wetsy, Tiny Tears and Raggedy Ann all deserved a few treats, too, didn’t they? When my mother saw all of the stockings hanging in my bedroom, however, she didn’t share my enthusiasm. “I don’t think Santa will bring enough treats to our house to fill that many stockings,” she said. “You can’t be greedy. You want Santa to have enough left to fill the stockings of all of the other little boys and girls in the world, don’t you?” Leave it to her to ruin what I thought was an ingenious idea. When I was a newlywed, I decided to try to recapture the excitement of stocking hanging that I’d experienced during my childhood. I bought a festively decorated stocking for myself and a matching one for my husband, and carefully hung them near the Christmas tree. Then I threw hints. “You know, when I was young,” I told my husband, “Santa used to fill

my stocking with all kinds of things, like candy, little stuffed animals, inexpensive jewelry, things like that. It was so much fun to wake up on Christmas morning and discover all of the surprises!” “That’s nice,” he said, not looking up from his reading. “We never did anything like that when I was a kid.” “Then wouldn’t it be fun to do it this year?” I asked. “Sure,” he said, still not looking up. The week before Christmas, I went shopping and carefully selected all sorts of goodies to put into his stocking: tiny bottles of after-shave, his favorite candy bars, disposable shavers, a new leather watchband, baseball cards and more. On Christmas morning, however, I was disappointed to find my stocking totally empty, flat as a pancake. As my husband eagerly dug into his, I just had to ask him, “How come you didn’t put anything in my stocking?” He stopped what he was doing and just stared blankly at me. “Oh, you wanted ME to fill it? Why didn’t you say so? You know how bad I am at taking hints!” In retrospect, I probably should have sent him over to my friend Nancy’s house for some lessons. ■

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Directions: In medium bowl, whisk egg. Add breadcrumbs, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce and salt; stir to combine. Add beef and mix until combined. Divide mixture into four portions and shape each into oval patty about 1/2-inch thick. In large skillet over medium heat, heat canola oil until shimmering. Add patties and sear until dark brown crust forms, about 5 minutes. Flip patties and cook until second side is browned, 4-5 minutes. Transfer patties to platter.

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In same pan, add butter, scraping up browned bits from bottom of pan. Add mushrooms and onions. Cook, stirring frequently, until mushrooms are tender and onions are beginning to brown, about 8 minutes. Add garlic and tomato paste; cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Mix beef broth, remaining Worcestershire sauce and cornstarch; add to pan, stirring until combined. Return patties and any accumulated juices to pan; cover and simmer until patties are cooked through and sauce thickens slightly, 10-12 minutes. ■

It’s not the year for big holiday dinners Dear Old Bag: We have a big family and have always gotten together for big holiday dinners. It used to be at Mom’s house, but since she downsized, others have taken on the task. The problem is, we haven’t had a big family dinner since the pandemic started. We don’t see Mom except on family Zoom. None of us want to be responsible for giving her the dreaded COVID virus, as she is 81 and has underlying health problems. What do you recommend? Signed, The Kids Dear Kids: I’m reasonably sure your mom understands what is going on and appreciates the care you are extending. This holiday season will be like no other. This isn’t the year for big holiday dinners. Instead, I suggest each kid has the holiday within their own “bubble”—your kids and those you associate with on a daily basis. I also recommend ordering a nice dinner in for your mom. Each of you FaceTime or Zoom with her on the holiday. Let’s all pray that the holidays in 2021 will be a time to rejoice with the whole family. OB

ASK THE OLD BAG

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Dear Old Bag: When Dad passed away, I helped Mom pack up his things. I was amazed to see the unworn shirts, ties, pajamas, slippers and other brand-new gifts we’d given him over the last few years. The poor guy had so many gifts that he could not use or did not want. Please tell us how we could give more useful gifts to our parents! Signed, D.M. Dear D.M.: Last year I heard from a daughter that she’d given her dad, who lived alone, coupons for 12 homemade pies. Each month she’d bake the pie and take it over so they could enjoy it together. Her dad said it was the best gift he ever had. Another idea from a reader: Write down stories or things you remember about your parent when you were younger. They can read this collection of stories and reminisce. Most of us old people have the things we need, although when I do need something I can’t afford, gift cards are a nice present. After all is said and done, it’s the giver that we love more than the gift! OB Dear Old Bag: My daughter was in the hospital recently for an elective spinal injection. She was very nervous. When the resident anesthesiologist introduced himself, my daughter felt she wanted someone more experienced and requested someone who wasn’t a student. The attending physician corrected my daughter, saying the resident was a full-fledged doctor, not a student. Sensing my daughter’s tension, the nurse suggested another anesthesiologist, who calmed her down and did her spinal. Was she within her rights to say something, or should she have just shut up and let the resident do her spinal? Signed, Mother Dear Mother: While it’s true that the resident is a full-fledged doctor, I subscribe to the philosophy that patients have the right to speak up and feel confident in their practitioner. That doesn’t mean they’re always right. From my perspective, the first physician—in correcting the patient—was in a sense arguing with her, which just adds to the patient’s anxiety. The nurse was very intuitive and saw that a better solution needed to be offered. I’m glad your daughter’s story had a good ending. As a former nurse, I was taught that patients come first! OB ■

 The Week of December 16th  This is the me of year we normally gather with family and loved ones. While our gatherings will likely be much smaller and more virtual than in years past, the holidays are a good me to discuss your estate planning wishes with your loved ones. The size of your estate does not maaer, and while it can be a diﬃcult discussion, having your planning in place and discussing your wishes with your loved ones can help prevent grief and contennon later. Join us as we go through the important documents that make up an estate plan and how they can be used to ensure your wishes are followed and your speciﬁc goals accomplished. You’ll also receive a complimentary copy of our Estate Planning book! Sign up today to tune in!

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

1250 E Sherwood Dr., Grand Junction, CO 81501 1825 E. Main St. Ste. C, Montrose, cO 81401 WWW.BEACONSENIORNEWS.COM | DECEMBER 2020 | ASK THE OLD BAG |

HEALTHY GEEZER

What is involved with heart-valve surgery? F irst, let’s review how the heart works. There are four chambers in the heart—two atria on top and two ventricles below. There are four valves that open and shut with every heartbeat to control the circulation of the blood. Blood flows in one direction through the heart to get a new supply of oxygen from the lungs. Used blood comes back to the heart from the body and goes into the right atrium. The right atrium pumps the blood downward into the right ventricle. The right ventricle pumps the blood to the lungs. The oxygenated blood then returns from the lungs to the left atrium, which then moves the blood down into the left ventricle. The left ventricle pumps the blood out into the body. Valves can malfunction and strain

the heart. If a valve doesn’t close properly, blood will flow backward, causing “regurgitation.” If valve flaps don’t open correctly, they prevent blood from flowing through them. This is called “stenosis.” Advanced valve disease can cause blood clots, stroke or sudden death from cardiac arrest. For seniors, the flaps of the aortic and mitral valves thicken and harden with age, making blood flow more difficult. These changes may lead to complications in people with heart disease. Valve diseases can also be caused by birth defects, infective endocarditis—a bacterial infection of the lining of the heart’s walls and valves—coronary artery disease, and heart attack. People with malfunctioning valves who don’t have serious symptoms may not need treatment.

Medicines can help with symptoms, but surgery is often needed to correct valve disease. There is also a percutaneous (through the skin) procedure that may be used to open narrowed valves, where a balloon-tipped catheter is inserted into the narrowed valve and inflated. The balloon makes the central area of the valve larger, before it’s deflated and removed. Valve surgery is an open-heart operation that requires the heart to stop beating. A heart-lung bypass machine keeps the blood circulating in the patient’s body.

During surgery, valves may either be repaired or replaced. Repair may involve opening a narrowed valve or reinforcing a valve that doesn’t close properly. Surgeons replace irreparable valves with prosthetic valves. Prosthetic replacement valves can be mechanical—plastic, carbon or metal—or can be composed of human or animal tissue. There’s an increased risk of blood clots forming with a mechanical valve, so patients who get them have to take blood-thinning medicines as long as they have these kinds of valves. ■

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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3 ways saffron helps with eye health I f you’ve ever cooked using saffron spice, you know that it’s flavorful and aromatic. For me, saffron is a must-have for many dishes. Unlike other herbs, the active medicinal compounds in saffron come from a tiny part of the flower, not from a bulb or the leaves. The painstaking labor required for harvesting it by hand makes the price of saffron extremely high. That’s also why it hasn’t been studied for human diseases as much as, say, rosemary, turmeric, garlic or sage. Specific components of saffron spice have demonstrated benefits in several eye ailments. These diseases include age-related macular degeneration (AMD), glaucoma and cataracts. AMD may lead to blindness, especially among persons over 65. The eye disease occurs gradually and with little to no warning. It begins with a loss of central vision, and may eventually progress to total blindness. Researchers know the breakdown of the macula occurs, but aren’t sure why. Obviously, reversing the progressive condition would be the dream scenario, but halting it would suffice. Studies suggest saffron offers protection against oxidative damage in patients with early AMD. It’s important to note that conventional medicine has found no way of restoring vision loss from AMD. Treatments such as prescription drugs and laser surgery may slow its progression. So, if an herb can augment your current protocol, have a conversation with your ophthalmologist about it for three reasons:

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1. Saffron contains many different constituents, including crocin and crocetin. These have shown neuroprotective properties for the eye in multiple studies.

2. Saffron contains potent antioxidant capabilities, meaning they neutralize those troublesome free radicals that attack the retina and the macula. 3. Two double-blind, placebo-controlled trial studies published in the Journal of Translational Medicine have produced information about saffron that is impossible to ignore. In one trial (using their proprietary form of saffron from France), patients who supplemented for three months with a low-dose of saffron (20 mg/day) experienced improvements in retinal sensitivity, color perception and visual contrast. When the trial was extended over a year, the participants experienced even more benefits in terms of increased visual acuity! We know saffron can improve low mood, and now it appears that oral saffron supplementation may partially reverse the damage to visual perception. No one is claiming that saffron cures AMD, but the benefits are pretty crisp! Even a modest improvement in eyesight is a big deal to many people. Ask your doctor if saffron is right for you. You can cook with it as a spice; otherwise saffron teas, supplements and extracts are available nationwide. ■

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HEALTH & WELLNESS

Look years younger, without plastic surgery By Kimberly Blaker

egardless of how gracefully we want to handle aging, we often find ourselves making heroic efforts to stave it off, starting in early adulthood. Women of all ages (even in their 20s) are spending small fortunes on Botox injections, fillers and plastic surgery. Many others who don’t go to such drastic measures still spend hundreds of dollars a year on anti-aging lotions and potions. Fortunately, you don’t have to undergo risky and costly injections and surgery or resort to ineffective concoctions to enjoy a more youthful appearance.

MAKEUP APPLICATION Makeup techniques can go a long way toward fine-tuning your features to make you look younger. To make your eyes look bigger, first line the inside of your lower

lid with a white or flesh-colored eyeliner. Then, brighten up your eye area by dabbing pale pink, flesh or oyster color shadow to the inside corners of your eyes. Also, add a couple of more dabs just under your lower lashes moving from the inner corner of your eye to the center. Next, you’ll want to flare your lashes. First, brush through your lashes as usual with mascara. Then sweep through them again and pull your outer lashes outward and inner lashes inward. Repeat these steps with your lower lashes. Full lips make you look younger. So invest in a quality, long-lasting lip liner, and line your top and bottom lip. For even fuller lips, line just to the outside of your lip line. Foundation can do wonders to give you flawless, youthful-looking skin. But your skin type and age may dictate what type works best.

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HEALTH & WELLNESS On younger skin, sheer coverage is best. On mature skin, foundation can make your lines more noticeable. In that case, opt for a sheer, very lightweight foundation or skip it altogether. Unless you have very oily skin, skip the face powder because it can make your skin look dry and any lines more noticeable. If you must use powder to control too much shine, apply it only to your oily areas. Look for a translucent pure silica formulation and avoid mica or talc. Finally, use soft pink or bright coral blush to add color and brighten your face. Avoid bronze tones, which only serve to age your skin. Also, use cream rather than powder blush, since powder makes your skin look dryer. Apply blush along the top of your cheekbones, forehead and center of your chin.

CLOTHING THAT COMPLIMENTS Your clothing can either add years or subtract them from your appearance. Consider the following tricks to make clothing work in your favor. • Out with the black. If you’re over 35, banish black above your waist. As you age, black draws attention to your fine lines. For tops and jackets, wear colors that compliment you. Everyone looks great in particular colors, so play those up. This also goes for black-framed eyeglasses. Opt instead for metallics, bright colors or lighter colored frames. • Keep it stylish, but don’t overdo it. As you age, dressing trendy from head to toe is hard to pull off without drawing attention to your age. Instead, mix a pair of classic pants and shirt with a trendy sweater. Or, add style to a pair of jeans and a classic top with a pair of fashionable boots (so long as they aren’t bulky). Another option is to choose pieces that are mostly classic but have a stylish flair.

• Shapers aren’t what they used to be. That’s excellent news. At one time, many women wouldn’t be caught dead wearing the hideous shapewear that existed. But lingerie companies have finally gotten the message. You can find shapewear now that’s both sexy and more comfortable to wear. Shapewear can shave years off your appearance by creating a sleek look.

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HEALTH AND ATTITUDE ARE EVERYTHING Physical and emotional wellness goes a long way toward both looking and feeling younger. A positive outlook on life is beneficial to your physical health, while anger, stress and depression increase your risk of disease. Negative emotions will also reflect in your posture and face. Therefore, make wellness a priority. Exercise is an essential part of physical and mental wellness and should be a part of your daily routine. A regimen of aerobic exercise for your heart and lungs—and weight lifting for muscle tone and bone health—will help you maintain your youth longer. As an added benefit, exercise also releases endorphins, which elevates your mood. Remember, good health and a positive attitude have the most significant impact on maintaining a youthful appearance. With these, you’ll glow and emanate radiance. ■

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LAUGHING MATTERS

LAUGHING MATTERS YOU’RE FROM COLORADO IF…

You don’t think Coors beer is that big of a deal.

Submitted by Gloria Vance

You went to Casa Bonita as a kid.

You’ll eat ice cream in the winter.

You’ve gone off-roading in a vehicle that was never intended for such activities.

When the weather report says it’s going to be 65 degrees, you shave your legs and wear a skirt. It snows 5 inches and you don’t expect school to be canceled.

You always know the elevation of where you are.

You wear flip flops every day of the year, regardless of temperature.

You wake up to a beautiful 80-degree day and wonder if it’s going to snow tomorrow.

You have no accent at all, but can hear other people’s. And then you make fun of them.

You don’t care that some company renamed it, the Broncos still play at Mile High.

“Humid” is over 25 percent.

Everybody wears jeans to church.

Your sense of direction is “toward” the mountains and “away” from the mountains.

You actually know that South Park is a real place not just a show on TV.

You say “the interstate” and everybody knows which one.

You know what a “trust fund hippy” is and you know its natural habitat is Boulder.

You know what the Continental Divide is.

A bear on your front porch doesn’t bother you.

You call it Elitches, not Six Flags.

Your two favorite teams are the

Broncos and whoever is beating the Raiders (and the Patriots). When people out East tell you that they have mountains in their state, too, you just laugh. You go anywhere else on the planet and the air feels “sticky” and you notice the sky is no longer blue.

TRICK TO WEIGHT LOSS Submitted by Cooper Hansen Mr. Johnson was overweight, so his doctor put him on a diet. He said, “I want you to eat regularly for two days, then skip a day, and repeat for two weeks. The next time I see you, you should’ve lost at least five pounds.” When Mr. Johnson returned, he shocked the doctor by having dropped nearly 20 pounds. “That’s amazing!” the doctor said. “You did this just by following my instructions?” The slimmed-down Mr. Johnson nodded. “I’ll tell you though, I thought I was going to drop dead that third day.”

“From hunger, you mean,” the doctor said. “No,” Mr. Johnson replied, “from skipping.”

COPS AND ROBBERS Submitted by Terry Mercer As three, rowdy 8-year-old boys played cops and robbers throughout the house, Ray-Ray encountered Mom in the kitchen. She was instructed to put up her hands in defeat, and then told to give up all her money. When the lady of the house said that she didn’t have any money, the robber replied, “Okay, well give me all your food stamps!”

FORGIVE YOUR ENEMIES Submitted by Bob Dobbins The subject of the preacher’s Sunday sermon was “forgive your enemies.” After a long sermon, he asked the congregation how many were willing to forgive their enemies. About half held up their hands. Not satisfied, he harangued for

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another 20 minutes and repeated his question. This time he received a response of about 80 percent. Still unsatisfied, he lectured for another 15 minutes and repeated his question. With all thoughts now on Sunday dinner, all responded except one elderly lady in the rear. “Mrs. Jones, are you not willing to forgive your enemies?” “I don’t have any,” she said. “Mrs. Jones, that is very unusual. How old are you?” “Ninety-three,” she replied. “Mrs. Jones, please tell the congregation how a person can live to be 93 and not have an enemy in the world.” “It’s easy,” she said. “I outlived them all.”

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SWABBING DECKS Submitted by Bob Breazeale Mary and Jane have been best friends since kindergarten. They graduated from high school together, joined the Navy together, and were delighted to be assigned to the same ship. Now, Mary is very attractive and Jane is, well, not. After their first day at sea, they go to the women’s quarters, flop down on their bunks and in unison say, “Wow, am I tired.” Mary asked, “Why are you tired?” Jane replied, “Because I spent all day swabbing the decks. Why are you tired?” Mary stands up, and in her best Mae West pose and voice, clenches her fist and says, “Because, dearie, I spent all day deckin’ the swabs!”

After a first date, a young man takes the girl back to her home. He decides to try for their first kiss. With an air of confidence, he leans with his hand against the wall and, smiling, he says to her, “Darling, how about a goodnight kiss?” Embarrassed, she replies, “I couldn’t do that. My parents will see us!” “Oh, come on! Who’s gonna see us at this hour?” “No, please. I would just die of embarrassment if someone saw us.” “There’s nobody around. They’re all sleeping!” “It’s just too risky!” “Oh, please, please! I like you so much!” “No. I like you, too, but I just can’t!” “Please?” Suddenly the porch light turns on and the girl’s sister shows up in her pajamas, hair disheveled. In a sleepy voice, she says, “Mom says to go ahead and give him a kiss. Or I can do it. Or if need be, she’ll come down herself and do it. But for crying out loud, tell him to take his hand off the intercom button!”

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ONE-LINERS Submitted by Hap Jordan Why do we tell actors to break a leg? Because every play has a cast. I invented a new word: Plagiarism! How many times can you subtract 10 from 100? Once. The next time, you’d be subtracting 10 from 90. ■

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Toilet paper resolutions I IMAGINED MY PARENTS UNROLLING IT AND READING, LAUGHING, THEN WONDERING WHEN IT WOULD STOP.

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at the same time. This vision was more fun than my New Year’s resolutions. I had cellophane tape handy for the rips that I’d have to repair. With a greasy pencil that my mom used on Mason jars for canning her victory garden-grown vegetables, I began.

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By Lois Greene Stone

emember your childhood New Year’s resolutions? Probably not, but you might remember writing them down. One year, growing up in the 1940s, I decided to write them down on toilet paper. Well, technically the outer wrap called it “Facial Quality, Double-Ply, Bathroom Tissue.” Why didn’t it just come out and say what it was? My older sister informed me that the wrapper used a euphemism: a substitution of a word people might not like for a word they will. The word “toilet” bothers a lot of people. Otherwise, public ones wouldn’t be called “the little girls’ room,” or the “restroom.” Who goes to the bathroom to rest? So, I learned that if I announced I was going to write my new year’s resolutions on facial-quality bathroom tissue it’d sound chic, but if I said I’d planned next year’s promises on toilet paper it’d conjure up yucks. But I faced a dilemma: Should I unroll and start at the top or write on the first sheet and work my way up? If I unroll it first, then my mom would have to unroll to start reading and roll up the paper as she goes along. I thought that’d be more dramatic. I knew my dad would go nuts watching the whole thing flop down until the cardboard roll appeared. Then he’d have to read and roll

• Next year I promise I’ll try and be nicer to my sisters. • I’ll try and not make up excuses to get out of house chores. • I’ll really try and practice the piano without whining. • I won’t tell lies to get my sisters in trouble. • I’ll stop using “I’m the middle child” as an excuse to make my parents feel guilty. • I’ll walk the dog and not just play with her (but I won’t clean up after her when she’s sick—that’s Mom’s job). And so it went, square after square—which, during World War II, wasn’t too fluffy. I think I made up a lot just to fill the space. Next, I carefully rolled up my resolutions and placed the cylinder on my parents’ bed as I didn’t think it was appropriate to place on the kitchen table. I imagined my parents unrolling it and reading, laughing, then wondering when it would stop. Soon, it’ll be 2021. Even if I wanted to re-enact my comedic 2-ply resolutions, I now realize that one “wasted” roll for silly purposes was probably something my parents thought about with three daughters and wartime shortages. Besides, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, stores are rationing toilet paper anyway! ■

End 2020 intentionally, celebrating the good T he beginning of a new year is exciting, offering a fresh start, new goals and future plans. Now that we’re on the cusp of 2021, it’s time to end the current year intentionally. You can accomplish this by looking back and celebrating the year’s “wins,” journaling about what you’re grateful for, and making peace with yourself through self-forgiveness. There’s an old saying: “We live two lives, and the second begins the moment we realize we only have one life to give.” Living our best life is critical. Releasing your white knuckle grip of trying to be in control will allow new opportunities to appear sooner than you think. We may not have control, but we do have choices. End your year intentionally by asking yourself important questions, such as: Did I carry any unnecessary burdens this past year? Did I waste time worrying about what other people thought? Did I have a hard time saying no because I want to be liked and needed, yet saying yes to everything left me exhausted and resentful? “People need to learn not just to say no, but that no is a complete sentence!” a good friend told me recently. Which brings up another good point. Did you surround yourself with friends this past year who were good for you—supportive, patient, understanding, honest, kind? Or do you need to shed some negative relationships that zapped your time and energy?

In contrast, ask yourself who, in spite of COVID, you’ve connected with or befriended in 2020. Personally, I witnessed my neighborhood transform and bond through acts of compassion, caring and concern as we all sought to overcome the pandemic’s isolation. What brought you joy in 2020? The year’s challenges made many Boomers grateful for living on the Western Slope, including our ability to explore and enjoy so many wonderful outdoor experiences. We also found creative ways to stay in touch, like FaceTiming with my 95-year-old father or participating in small, well-spaced outdoor book clubs and dinner gatherings. What’s one thing you changed about yourself? There’s freedom in knowing we have the ability to change. Maybe you decided to care more about recycling and the environment, or became more patient with people. Maybe you admitted your mistakes, learned from them, grew in the process and moved on. New Year’s resolutions work for some. But I’ve always believed that the only constant in our lives is change, and that baby steps are more realistic and promising than giant leaps. It may be difficult to look forward to a new year with so many uncertainties. Yet, if we can cut through the “noise,” end this year intentionally and look ahead guided by our values and gratitude, the coming year will be filled with purpose and hope. ■

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How to care for trees in the high desert Dear Ms. Paige, You gave me a wonderful birthday gift when I saw your article in October’s issue. Where I live, rocks and stones are normal and gardening is minimal. Three and half years ago, I planted an autumn blaze maple tree and a silver maple. A few weeks ago, I purchased two 1.5-cubic foot bags of NatureScapes and spread each tree with one bag. Then, when I read your article, I think I put too much around each tree. Do I take away some of the mulch? Do I turn it each year? My water bill said last year to water every three months. Usually, I water for 3-4 minutes. Is that enough? Sincerely, Janet Thanks for writing in, Janet! I’m glad I had the honor of giving you a birthday gift, one gardener to another. Tree care in the high desert has been an interesting topic to research, and your questions lead my curious mind in a few different directions. I hope you enjoy this article and find my response helpful!

MAPLE TREES Commonly, maple trees aren’t native to Colorado, although the Bigtooth maple grows in western canyons and on stream banks and hillsides. The silver maple is a common landscape tree but performs poorly in the heavy alkaline (high pH) clay soils of the high desert, and is often plagued by iron chlorosis—yellowing of leaves caused by iron deficiency. Autumn Blaze maple, a hybrid between red and silver maples, suffers from some iron chlorosis, too.

MULCH As with all nutrient imbalances, you can keep your maples healthy with the right fertilizer. A soil test will help you determine what you

need, though if the maple’s leaves are yellowing, it’s a sign that either the soil is too compact (and so the tree is getting overwatered) or there’s a lack of soluble nutrients— probably iron. Mulching with organic matter (such as weed-free straw, bark chips or shredded bark) helps to build soil, protect the tree’s roots, regulate soil temperatures throughout winter and, over time, decomposes and provides nutrients. Compost is always a good idea. You can mix it into your mulch or add a layer of compost first with a layer of mulch on top of it. Spread the mulch out at least two feet from the trunk to create a 2-4-inch layer—do not pile it up against the trunk. Mulch around trees and other perennials gradually decomposes and doesn’t need to be turned after plants are planted and established. Renew the mulch when the layer gets thin: gently rake the decomposing layer to make way for fresh air and water, check for signs of fungal disease and see how deep the layer is before adding a thin layer of fresh mulch.

WATER How much you water depends largely on your soil. Clay soils tend to retain water, which is why compost and organic matter are so beneficial to our high desert garden ecosystems. Maple trees are dormant in winter and don’t need to be watered as frequently as during their growing season, if at all, depending on snow. The best way to water any tree is slow and deep. Ideally, apply a slow trickle at the tree’s base for several hours rather than a more frequent, heavy, short soaking. During the growing season, you can determine whether or not to water maple trees by digging down about four

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inches into the soil next to the tree. If the soil is wet at this depth, do not water; if the soil is dry, water. You can also observe the leaves. Underwatering shows up in browning or drying of leaves while overwatering can cause leaf yellowing.

LET’S TALK “NATIVE PLANTS” Landscaping and gardening in the high desert require us to make decisions about growing plants that are not drought-tolerant. Many gardeners and agriculturalists use the term “native plant,” and place value on using them in both

landscaping and food production. However, there’s little consensus on the term’s definition, and there are some nuances that are both fascinating and important. Perhaps the most common thread is the human factor. Definitions imply or state explicitly that native plants are those “not introduced by man” or that “occur naturally” without human intervention. Often, however, these definitions are Euro-centric, explicitly or indirectly defining “native” as prior to European contact. The reality is, humans have coevolved with plants for millions of years. The first peoples who inhabited the Americas are thought to have migrated to and throughout the Americas 17,000 years ago. According to Crow Canyon Archeological Center in Cortez, from 6,000 to 500 BC people began experimenting with growing domesticated plants, and during the Basketmaker Period (500 BC to 750 AD), people became farmers.

To classify a plant “native” solely because it was here in the late 1500s when Europeans arrived in the Mesa Verde region—after 2,000-7,000 years of coevolution with indigenous Americans—disconnects us from the complex relationships between plants and people. The fact is, people and plants have been evolving alongside each other (that is, interacting with and responding to each other) for a very long time. It’s helpful when thinking about so-called native plants to consider the larger and deeper pictures of environment and resiliency, garden and regional ecosystems. So many aspects of modern living and technology can be consid-

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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ered invasive. Our homes, jobs and food systems can make us incredibly disconnected from the land and natural systems. However, we’re empowered to be aware of how our world changes (as it always has) over time. We can work with new technologies and cultural shifts just like we work with a maple tree or a tomato in the high desert: with intention, curiosity and compassion. When we embrace the idea that we are still coevolving with plants and that we’re still a part of nature, then we can interact with our gardens and world in more profound and intimate ways. ■

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Christmas deliverance Hitchhiking home for the holidays By Steve Nelson

illie Vance and I were drafted into the Army in 1966. We became friends in basic training and, by chance, were both sent to Fort Ord, California, for advanced infantry training. Our eight-week training was divided by a holiday break. Willie and I decided to hitchhike home to Cleveland for Christmas. Neither of us could afford the airfare. We left Fort Ord on a military shuttle bus that dropped us in San Francisco. I don’t remember the extent of our route planning, but it was not much more sophisticated than “head east.” I do recall a discussion about whether to go north or south and making a clear choice for north. The notion of a black man and white man together in some parts of America was not a great idea in general, but significantly less great in southern states. We wore our dress uniforms, black Army-issued shoes, thin socks and skimpy overcoats. We hadn’t considered that December in Colorado wasn’t likely to be balmy, but the uniforms enhanced the chance of a ride. We sang a lot. We quickly hitched several rides out of the San Francisco area, finding ourselves in Reno, Nevada, in the middle of the night. Two sol-

MY BAD FEELING DEEPENED WHEN THE VOICE SAID, SOMEWHAT OMINOUSLY, “YOU’LL NEVER MAKE IT.” diers could get a sumptuous meal for a few dollars in a cheap casino in Reno. Fully stuffed, we walked to the edge of town and lifted our thumbs to a stunning desert sunrise. A ride came along soon and we crossed Nevada and through to Vernal, Utah. There we waited fitfully for hours, finally catching a ride about midnight. We dozed in the back seat, awakened by the driver saying, “End of the road for me. Good luck!” We were in Craig, Colorado, at 2 a.m., temperatures diving into single digits. An all-night diner/laundromat drew us to its neon flame and we huddled inside the door, taking turns at the curb, hoping for a ride from a car or truck that never came. I haven’t been to Craig since then, but it seemed a very small town, and traffic on Route 40 dried up at night. Finally, after an hour or two, an old sedan pulled up to the curb as I pulled thumb duty. The rear window rolled down and the

BEACON SENIOR NEWS smell of beer and cigarette smoke rolled out. Willie rushed from the diner, enthused by our apparent good fortune. Not so fast. A voice came from the back seat, slightly slurred and not particularly cheery. “Where ya goin’?” “Cleveland,” I said. “We’re hoping to make it home for Christmas.” I had a bad feeling about the junker/beer/Deliverance voice encountering the black guy suddenly appearing over my shoulder. My bad feeling deepened when the voice said, somewhat ominously, “You’ll never make it.” “Never make it” has pretty dark implications in the rural west when offered up in Deliverance tones and a steam cloud of beer. Then he said, “Wanna beer? Get in.” Life offers these odd choices now and again: Get in and die while having a beer in the warm car or die stone sober on the frigid sidewalk? Willie and I looked at each other

Author Steve Nelson and got in the car. At least they wouldn’t kill us for being elitist. Beer cans popped, we took a swig and the now-embodied voice said, “You’ll never make it because no one comes through here at night.” The driver introduced himself as Joey Garcia. He was home on leave from the Navy and he and his brothers had been cruising in a town and time when cruising was about the only option. Still wary, slightly buzzed on

Willie Vance the empty-stomach beer, we sat silently until Joey said, “You’ll be here all night. C’mon home with us instead.” Odd choice again: Home with them or stabbed for being ungracious. I know now that part of our wariness was racist as Joey and his crew were Mexican and poor, thereby suspect. Joey woke up Momma Garcia, who in turn woke up several younger children who were sleeping

in a tiny bedroom in the very small, cluttered house. They were, we learned, a coal mining family. Momma made us a magnificent breakfast at 3 a.m. and they all insisted that we sleep in the younger kids’ beds while they camped out on the threadbare couch. They woke us at 7 a.m. for another breakfast and announced, “We want to buy you plane tickets to Denver, where you can more easily get home for Christmas.” We refused, as they seemed to be living in near poverty and we, despite our hitchhiking choice, had some money in our pockets. They insisted, we refused, they insisted, we refused. We finally accepted a ride in their rusty pickup truck—accompanied by Momma in the front seat and all the kids in the truck bed—to the Craig airport, where they contributed partially to our tickets on a small shuttle plane to Denver. Every Garcia hugged us tight and cried. Deliverance, indeed. ■

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No pandemic shutdown for scammers C

OVID-19 may have shut down portions of the economy and put restrictions on Americans’ daily lives, but cyber scams and other efforts to defraud people continue Can CompassMedical Medical Center helphelp with?with? What What Can Compass Center Spinal Decompression Osteoarthritis to thrive. Spinal Decompression Osteoarthritis Neck and Back Pain Headaches “Scammers are tapping into the Neck and Back Pain Headaches Sciatica Fibromyalgia uncertainty related to the global Sciatica Neuropathy Fibromyalgia Degenerative Disc Disease Neuropathy Degenerative Disc Disease pandemic,” said Chris Orestis, a Joint Pain/Knee Pain Automobile Accidents nationally recognized senior care Joint Pain/Knee Automobile Accidents Weight LossPain expert and president of LifeCare Xchange. Compass Medical Center variety of services Compass Medical Centeroffers offers aavariety of services to help! to help! Here are common scams to look Regenerative Medicine Rehabilitation Regenerative Medicine Rehabilitation out for: Joint Injections Joint Injections Spinal Decompression Spinal Decompression Weight Loss Weight Loss

Medical Centerisis CompassCompass Medical Center devoted to providing access devoted to providing access to excellent care in the Grand and excellent care to the Valley. We are a Physical and Grand Valley. We are a Regenerative Medicine Clinic, Physicaloffering and Regenerative the most advanced Medicine Clinic, offering the holistic health care. most advanced holistic health care. In addition to chiropractic, decompression and Regenerative medicine will rehabilitation services, help people suffering from regenerative medicine helps a varietypeople of inflammatory suffering from a and degenerative conditions, variety of inflammatory and n addition to Chiropractic, degenerative conditions. Decompression and RehabiliALTERNATIVE TO tation services. JOINT REPLACEMENT Last year inTO the US, there ALTERNATIVE JOINT were 3.5 million total joint REPLACEMENT replacements and many Last year in the US, there millions of other joint surgeries. were 3.5 million total joint In increasing numbers, people replacements and many milare seeking non-surgical ions of other joint surgeries. alternatives to joint surgery. In increasing numbers, people Regenerative medicine therapy are seeking non-surgical is a great option for people alternatives to joint surgery.

Medical Services Medical Services Chiropractic Chiropractic Massage Massage

• Dishonest retailers. Panic at the beginning of the quarantine resulted in a shortage of toilet paper, who have been toldmedicine they need therahand sanitizer, soap and masks. Regenerative joint replacement surgery. py is a great option for people This led to many dishonest retailers It can potentially regenerate who have been told they need and fake products popping up. your joint and help you avoid joint replacement surgery. “The fear of scarcity created a surgery. It can potentially regenerategateway for scammers,” Orestis your and help you avoid We usejoint umbilical cord and birth said. “Fraudulent online retailers tissue donated from jointproducts replacement surgery. are showcasing these items as bait, carefully screened We use an umbilical cord especially medical supplies.” mothers from a highly tissue / blood product from He recommended sticking with respected laboratory that a highly respected lab that capture the greatest reputable stores. Scammers also captures all the greatest regenerative properties that try to sell products to prevent or would otherwise beproperties discarded. of this regenerative cure COVID-19, even though they The proprietarydiscarded method of tissue. otherwise don’t exist. isolating growth factors, cells, Their proprietary method “Anyone who receives a message extracellular matrix and a of isolating growth factors, variety of other healing from someone selling any of these cells and stem cells gives properties, give the patient the thepossible patient the from bestapossible items should not respond,” he best benefits benefits from a regenerativeadded.

Regenerative Medicine product. medicine product. The use of • Phony advertisements. ScamThe use of Regenerative Medicine has shown this to stem cells and growth factors mers also try to advertise hard-tobe oneshown of the best therapeutic has them to be one offind products through social media, methods to help aid in tissue methods the best therapeutic email or pop-up ads. Avoid clicking healing and repair. to help aid in tissue healing on anything unfamiliar, because cyand repair.

bercriminals may be trying to steal your personal information or infect your computer with a virus.

“Be cautious of people who try to contact you under odd usernames Let us help you express your full health potential! and do not have a profile picture,” 2478 Patterson Rd Suite 17 Grand Junction, CO 81505 Let us help you express your full health potential! Orestis advised. “If anyone asks 985-4506 2478www.compassmedicalco.com Patterson Rd Suite 17 Grand Junction for your personal information or invites you to click on a link, block www.compassmedicalco.com them immediately or report them as spam.”

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• Government or organization disguises. Is a government official or someone from the CDC or the World Health Organization trying to contact you? Maybe, but probably not. According to Orestis, scammers often try to convince potential victims that they are with a legitimate agency or group. “For example, an email might claim that there have been new COVID-19 cases in your area and ask for your personal information to see if you have been in contact with anyone infected,” he said. “Be suspicious of any COVID-19 related emails and use only official government websites to get information about the virus.” • Fake charities and crowdfunding. Criminals have also created counterfeit charities and crowdfunding sites. They ask for money in the form of cash, gift cards and wire transfers. “Real charities will never use these resources,” Orestis said. “Be sure to use reputable sites and research the charities you want to donate to for coronavirus relief.”

• Phone scams. Phones are still the number one way scammers target seniors, both through calls and text messages. The Federal Communications Commission warns about these methods being used by people who claim to be the IRS or have coronavirus treatments, athome testing kits and vaccinations. “If you receive a robotic voice call, do not press any buttons or return any calls,” Orestis said. “Hang up immediately. If you receive text messages regarding this information, do not respond or click on any links.” It’s important to apply that wariness both off and online. “The more conscious people are of how scammers are trying to trick them, the less likely they are to fall for one of those tricks,” he added. ■

Google reviews to the rescue By Dick Wolfsie

ary Ellen has me on a very short leash due to the virus. I am not allowed to go into grocery stores, play pickleball or even sit indoors with friends to toss back a beer. When I kiss my wife, I have to stand six feet away, which is wreaking havoc with my neck. One way we are remaining socially engaged is every Saturday at 4 p.m. we FaceTime with our friends Jane and John Murphy. We start the hour off by asking each other what we all did the past seven days...which is usually nothing. Then we proceed to discuss which movie to stream for a discussion the following week. Any movie is okay as long as John doesn’t have to pay for it. I am not very good at following movies and have trouble participating in some of the conversations.

John has a Ph.D. in statistics, and he told me that 51.7 percent of the time I have missed the entire point of the flick. But I did much better than that a few Saturdays back. Jane: I liked the movie: the characters’ personalities were multi-faceted. John: The plot was very suspenseful. Lots of surprises. I liked it. Mary Ellen: Yes, I loved the cinematography, especially the director’s use of tight shots. Dick: I felt the movie was surprisingly thin on plot, angry at times and disjointed, often wobbling between high-minded outrage and tabloid sensationalism. Later that evening, Mary Ellen was on my case. “Where did that analysis come from? You are never that insightful. When we watched ‘Titanic’ you asked me why the captain permitted

guests to swim alongside the ship.” She had a theory. “Do you know what I think? You looked up the film online and then quoted some egghead from The New Yorker so you could look smart to all of us.” I told her that was the craziest thing I ever heard, which, as you know, is not exactly a denial. This past Friday night, Mary Ellen walked into my office. I slammed my laptop shut, afraid of being exposed for my duplicity. “What are you doing?” she screamed. “I sure hope that was porn and not the Rotten Tomatoes movie review site.” That Saturday we decided to watch an old classic—“Notorious” by Alfred Hitchcock. Our group was pretty high on the movie, but then it was my turn to talk. “The inclusion of real-life footage and YouTube clips was an

BEACON SENIOR NEWS interesting idea, but the shooting style was awkward and the movie disgraced its subject when it should have celebrated this music star.” “Dick, you googled the wrong film. That sounds like the 2009 movie, also called ‘Notorious.’ It’s about a rapper and not the classic Hitchcock film.” Mary Ellen was mad at me for continuing to cheat, so I promised to stop Googling films. While we were eating the meal she prepared on Sunday, she asked how I was enjoying it. “Your dinner tonight, Mary Ellen, was the best! The entrée was skillfully presented, not upstaged by the appetizers, pastas and vegetables. The dry-aged sirloin was impressively tender, living up to the standard set by the smashed fingerling potatoes wearing golden jackets of crisp baked Parmigiano Reggiano.” “See?” asked my wife, “don’t you feel better when what you say comes from your heart?” ■

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Surviving a Japanese prison camp:

A letter to my father By Mary Stobie Dear Dad, It’s December 7, Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, and I wonder if you knew after you died of Parkinson’s Disease that Mom finished your book “Bail Out”? It has a photo on the cover of you with your squadron. It’s a terrific book! You talk in the book about your experience as a navigator for a B-24 called the Fyrtle Myrtle. It was World War II in the South Pacific, and evidently many men on your crew had pregnant wives. On a bombing mission your pilot, John Farrington—nicknamed “Mother”—stayed in formation even though the hotshot pilot in your group hung around the target of nickel mines after the bombs were dropped. You wanted to “get the hell out of there” before the “Japs” would attack, but Mother held formation, protecting the hotshot pilot. It cost Mother his life and nearly yours when the angry Zeros buzzed in like hornets and shot down Fyrtle Myrtle. Pilot John Farrington and half your crew were killed instantly and the survivors, including you, had to bail out with parachutes.

Here I’ll insert Mom’s introduction from your book: “When that motorcycle pulled up in our gravel driveway, I felt a terrible apprehension it was bringing something I wouldn’t like. When the dogs barked, I had only a few seconds left in my happy world before being plunged into unmitigated grief. The messenger handed me a Western Union envelope and roared off into the night. Lt. Bill McFerren MISSING IN ACTION! My world fell apart. I always told Bill he was the smartest man in the world. I was convinced that if he hadn’t been killed outright, he would have been in one of those five or six parachutes reported by the military.”

MOM DIDN’T KNOW IF YOU WERE DEAD OR ALIVE FOR 23 MONTHS. HOW STRESSFUL THAT MUST HAVE BEEN.

William McFerren’s squadron posed with their B-24 bomber, “Fyrtle Murtle”.

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BEACON SENIOR NEWS

Here to support you through life’s most difficult times so you can focus on what’s most important – each other. Mary’s father William McFerren received the Silver Star for his heroism.

HALFWAY AROUND THE WORLD, A JAPANESE OFFICIAL HIT YOU SO HARD WITH A BASEBALL BAT IN YOUR BACK IT DAMAGED YOUR KIDNEYS. Dad, your stories about prison camp are etched in my mind, such as the Japanese guard whispering to you, “My wife is in Los Angeles, do you think she’s okay?” (probably referring to the internment of Japanese Americans in prison camps.) You made friends with everybody, didn’t you? Mom didn’t know if you were dead or alive for 23 months. How stressful that must have been with baby Bill being born and growing up as a toddler never having met you. Halfway around the world, a Japanese official hit you so hard with a baseball bat in your back it damaged your kidneys. You were close to death, weighing only 100 pounds. The Japanese moved you to another camp for those about to die, Ōfuna. But with your friendly nature, you even got along with British jewel thieves. They crawled up and down ducts and brought you crab and sugar, which saved your life. Late on the afternoon of September 8, 1945, Mom was preparing dinner with a visitor when they

were startled by a racket out front. Mom’s contact, Pat Guilland (she didn’t have a phone), was screaming, “He’s in Manila! He’s in Manila!” “Is it really true?” Mom cried. It was true! You came back from the war thin, but alive. After the war, you forgave the Japanese. “Their people were suffering, too,” you said. Then, 10 years later we moved from San Francisco to Golden, Colorado. There you met Bill Hosokawa, who wrote “Nisei: The Quiet Americans” about the Japanese Americans who were interned in the U.S. You two became friends. Dad, you could have given up on life and died in that prison camp like so many others. But you came back to Mom and your son, Bill. Then, in a brilliant move, you decided to have a second child, a daughter—me! On Pearl Harbor Day, among other days, I think of you fondly. Thank you for your bravery, and having the grit to survive prison camp. Love, Mary ■

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TRAVEL

7 fantastical travel destinations All you need is a bit of imagination By Victor Block

a travel journalist who has visited and written about nearly 80 countries, the current situation is especially frustrating. However, while my travels are restricted, my imagination isn’t. I’m dreaming about bucket list trips to magical places—some real, some not. Some may even require a time machine. From the fictitious land of Oz to our solar system’ s red planet, adventure is only a day dream away. the opportunity to enjoy some bliss there for even a brief time.

LEGENDARY CITIES

LOST, MAGICAL LANDS For anyone who enjoys live theater, what bigger thrill could there be than taking in a Shakespeare play by his troupe in the original Globe Theatre? Unfortunately, that building—which opened in 1599—was destroyed by a blaze started by a prop cannon that misfired during a performance. However, the current reconstruction, located about 750 feet from the original, continues to offer works by William. But, with the help of a time machine, I’d attend a play at the first auditorium, spotting the Bard and perhaps even chatting with him. Or, what about diving into the fantastical world of a young girl from Kansas, a talking brainless

30 | TRAVEL | DECEMBER 2020 |

scarecrow, a tin heartless woodman and a cowardly lion who dreams of being brave? I would love to recreate their journey along the yellow brick road to the Emerald City to meet the supposedly “great and powerful” Wizard of Oz. Other never-never lands have spots on my fantastical travel wish list. Shangri-La, the paradise conjured up by British author James Hilton in “Lost Horizon,” is located in a valley nestled beneath a mountain range far from the ocean. People in this joyful heaven on earth aged slowly, living for hundreds of years. No wonder the name of the mythical place has become synonymous with utopia. While I wouldn’t expect an imaginary immersion to lengthen my lifespan, I’d treasure WWW.BEACONSENIORNEWS.COM

And then there are the myths. Who wouldn’t wish to check out an island-nation founded by demigods, inhabited by exotic animals and festooned with magnificent plant life? Plato’s fictional city of Atlantis served as an example of human hubris: it was submerged into the ocean when its inhabitants became too arrogant and prideful for the deities. Despite the allegorical underpinning of Plato’s work, some semi-scientific sleuths have speculated that Atlantis actually existed

and have conducted expeditions to find it—so far unsuccessfully. The fabled city of Troy may be the most famous city in the history of the world, due largely in part to Homer’s “The Iliad.” The story relates a mythical telling of the Trojan War which, depending upon the source, took place sometime during the 13th and 11th centuries BC. In truth, there was a city of Troy located in present-day Turkey and there may even have been a Battle of Troy, although many historians believe it referred to repeated sieges of the settlement during the Bronze Age (approximately 33001200 BC). The city was attacked,

Who wouldn’t wish to check out an island-nation founded by demigods, like Atlantis?

TRAVEL

IT WOULD BE FASCINATING TO SHARE WAR STORIES WITH THE LIKES OF SIR LANCELOT, SIR GAWAIN AND THEIR ASSOCIATES IN ARMS. destroyed and rebuilt a number of times. While it’s possible to visit ruins that have been uncovered through archaeological excavations, it’s impossible to know which reincarnation of Troy they represent. My preference would be to walk the streets of the famous and fabled site when it was at its heyday. Another experience I’d relish is passing time with the Knights of the Round Table in King Arthur’s court. The legendary Arthur and city of Camelot where he reigned were introduced in French romances during the 12th century. The writings placed them in Great Britain, sometimes associated with real cit-

Shangri-La is the paradise conjured up by British author James Hilton.

ies. Whether the legends are based in truth or not, it would be fascinating to share war stories with the likes of Sir Lancelot, Sir Gawain and their associates in arms.

NATURE’S WONDERS As a nature enthusiast, I couldn’t pass up a stroll through the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. It’s no wonder that the enchanting oasis of floating terraces, lush greenery and cascading streams was included by Herodotus in his list of classic Seven Wonders of the World. The story of the Gardens was perpetuated in Greek and Roman lore, and some historians continue their search for literal seeds of truth to the tales. Last but not least on my aspirational travel bucket list: Mars. While Mars actually does exist, it’s questionable whether and when humans will be able to visit there, much less survive. Despite similarities to Earth’s length of the day, comparable seasons and the presence of water, the roadblocks on our celestial neighbor are many. Both the atmosphere and soil on the Red Planet are toxic, the climate is much colder and severe storms can block sunlight for weeks. Despite these challenges, or perhaps because of them, Mars is included in my list of places I would like to visit, but never will. ■

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BEACON SENIOR NEWS

BEACON Senior News wins national awards By Cloie Sandlin

hristmas comes early every year for the BEACON staff when our publisher, Kevin, returns from the annual North American Mature Publishers Association (NAMPA) convention.

However, because of the pandemic, this year’s convention was held virtually, showcasing the living rooms and home offices of senior magazine publishers and editors from across the country. In place of a formal awards banquet, we dined on sack lunches and carry-out as senior publications big and small vied for top honors in a variety of categories. Publications are independently judged on the quality of their written content, editing, design, photography, web content and more by the prestigious Missouri School of Journalism. The best are then commended for their efforts with awards.

COVER STORY

Flying the friendly skies B

Local women recall their careers as stewardesses pioneering | By Diana

“One of the girls met and married Henry Kaiser, Jr.—the industrialist— and, of course, resigned because you couldn’t be a flight attendant and be married,” Harbig said. That time eventually came for Harbig. After three eventful years as a stewardess, she also got married and resigned. She said a lot has changed since then.

Barnett

etty June Harbig was fresh out of college in Greeley in 1946. Graduating with a liberal arts degree, Harbig could have done anything, but chance led her to a career as an airline stewardess. “A friend’s brother was a pilot, and we decided to apply to become stewardesses,” said Harbig, 94.

was originally held by men, then-known as “couriers” then “stewards,” until United Airlines hired nurses as the first stewardesses in the late 1930s. During World War II, the nurses left to help the war effort and the airlines hired young, single females to attend to passengers, serve them meals and make sure they behaved. Back then, the qualification Stewardesses—flight attendants s were strict. as they’re Women had to be at least known today—was an emerging 21 and unmarried. profession even Because Harbig was 5 foot in the 1940s. Though passenger 3 inches, she couldn’t air travel began weigh over 119 pounds. in the 1920s, the responsibility of assisting passen“My friend and I starved gers with their luggage and ourselves and played seeing to their needs tennis all summer to get there,” she said. Starting out with Western Airlines—which later merged with Delta—Harb ig attended training in California for one full Harbig worked as an airline week and then was stewardess for United assigned to Los Angeles. Airlines during the 1940s. Stewardesses kept their “I was the youngest in the hair fairly short, their skirts group to go a certain length, and through the training,” she weren’t allowed to wear slacks. said. Compared to today, post-World War II airlines didn’t have much business. Additionally, air travel was far riskier. Even though she already had her assignment, Harbig was put on furlough—a blessing in disguise since what would have been her first flight as a stewardess crashed in the Grand Canyon with no survivors.

Meals were the real deal. Dishes containing delicacies like salmon from Portland or chicken pies were delivered steaming hot to the plane just before take-off and were kept in warmers. Stewardesses would carry them to each passenger without any carts. “We used to tease each other about being bow-legged because we had to brace ourselves with our knees against the aisle seats to keep our balance walking up and down the aisles with food,” said Harbig.

“You can now work if you I was just too short,” Piper are six months said. “I couldn’t have pregnant and 60, and of reached the overhead bins.” course you don’t have to be female,” said Harbig. Instead, Piper got in on the ground floor with Piper said she had many the fledgling SkyWest Airlines memorable experiin 1986. Headences during her career quartered in St. George, as a stewardess. Utah, SkyWest—a “I met a lot of celebrities,” regional airline—contracted she said. with larger compaAs did Harbig. Back then, nies to provide service to smoking was pershorter destinations mitted on flights, but alcohol throughout the western wasn’t. states. “We could ask inebriated “We had nine days of trainpassengers not to ing at Dixie College in a pretty board the plane and could primitive setting,” Piper confiscate liquor if people recalled. “Classroom chairs SEEING THE WORLD brought it on board,” Harbig were arranged as if they were said. “[Actor] George Jessel Harbig’s friend, DeAnn Piper, in an began her career airplane. The primary focus boarded one flight, proceeded as a flight attendant 30 years was after she did. safety, safety, safety, and to get his bottle out, and Growing up on an isolated not so I took ranch in northern much about how to take it away very graciously.” Idaho, Piper was ready to care of see the world. Her the passengers. Of 30 women father had been a pilot and But things could also be owned a small Cessna who began the training, stressful. aircraft, which he used to only 12 take her flying in. of us completed it.” “We lost an engine once, “I dreamed of flying with the big airlines, but Shortly thereafter, Skybut we could keep going with West’s business exploded. a prop,” said Piper. “The Palm winds Springs, California, became out of California were just the hub, and new connections terrible on a few occasions. were Piper’s daughter, Candace, We left, added on a regular basis. followed her mother’s footsteps. had a lot of turbulence and the “Because our group of 12 plane was just bouncing. A NOVEL EXPERIENCE was It was the first trained, we became awful!” Harbig signed on with United the experts who Airlines and trained However, were for her, the perks outweighed sent on flights when a new for a week in Cheyenne, connection was difficulties. the Wyoming. She learned COVER STORY created and were often involved all about the Douglas DC-3, in promoting the most com“I got to travel to many amazing the airline,” said Piper. eling from because of how mon passenger plane at places, in your they were dressed,” the time, including the thanks to employee discounts,” and improve the romance Porter recalled. There were no overnights said Harbig. “Passengers aircraft’s safety features she said. “My affec- the morning,” on most connecthatPhysical were traveling as well as how to best affection. they parents were able to travel relationship. tions, from LosPhysical They also find new things for low rates Angeles looked sporty serve guests. With 21 closer rub.and most flights had one or two stewardtogether. Look for opportulanguagpassengers, while those Hughey recommends a foot is one of the five love stewardesses your Eventually, she met her husband—a as well.” esses. On these short flights, from Santion can do together. Francisco wore so many simple were expected to learnnities share laughter with more in a relationship requires pilot—on the women scram- the everytoname “Nothing says ‘I love you’ bled to get all and bid them ramp while she was working. es, and there are suits.” eeping the romance alive ipswhen go to theThe experience passengers served drinks “We both learned pickleball,” farewell Today, their of flying partner. Watch sitcoms, they deplaned. their romantic relationsh and it. was quite different that than a good footsie,” she said. to show daughter, Candace, keeps snacks and have everything effort. When women feel then, too.ways flying in the family Nanci said. “There are activities Plane cabins weren’t Back then, flying wascomedy club, hang out with other prepared for landing. watchthe man blame pressurized, when you’re a novel often hands with done experience. by Hold so they ultimately becoming a flight attendant stewardesses would pass Cuddle with them. Cuddle becoming stagnant, people can say, ‘We’ve never Stewardesses kept theirfun couples, or just be silly with with outsorunning out gum hair short, skirts a cerpassengers SkyWest as well. TV or when you’re fall asleep romantic enough. can do it could keeping your partner before you ‘TIL MARRIAGE DO US PART this but let’s try it so we tain length, and weren’teach other. their ears from in their life for not being on the partner up. yourplugging allowed to wear slacks. make said “We recently attended the errands. Kiss aland when you wake up. It’llThere were perks to working for an airline. 30-year reunion causing my wife to go goofy,” People dressed up to travel Cooleys find laughter in “We also gave out at the balls together.’” The and these DeAnn Piper, sitting small of men she’s wooden your left, say When relives the glory days of a.m., cheek. expected our improve 10 first However, 44 percent and During about SkyWest an they’re Harbig’s day, a stewardess with a hole that could be flight attendant class, and with Betty attractive and attentive most any situation because you both happier Glenn. “Sometimes t. EveryJune Harbig. Photos theirby B. Bigler. give could take a I andup to her stewardess on their trip. the anose Pay them a complimen walk overheld was the only one who could it bothers them “a lot” that personal flight at half price, to breathe table, relationship because it releases still fit in my uniI say, ‘Let’s zip over to Glenwood through in order especially “You could even tell where on himears,” and if it was a vacaso connected. romanPat the to clear massage. one loves a compliment, people were travform!” said Piper. ■ oxytocin— lunch!’” wife or girlfriend isn’t more Harbig said. shoulder endorphins, particularly tion flight, she paid only a quarter of the Springs, soak and then have Look for 6 | COVER STORY of 80,000 regular | APRIL 2020 | WWW.BEACON the butt. Walk up from befrom a significant other. who one tic, according to a study fare. being of Flight hormone. spite SENIORNEWS. love time could not exceed 85 the Miki, in COM hours a hind and wrap your arms genuine reasons to compliment and Special thanks to GJT and participants by author Chrisanna month, and all employees were required a meanDenver Air Connection plans at least two days ahead the Tell him you love him in to track for helping us around them. them, and do it often. oftenNorthrup. So why not take stage our photoshoot. constantly makes a list of things to do, so the “He likes it when I put ingful way. Joyce Finley “Nancy is very vibrant and first step, and give your honey to the car. Glenn for beats times Richard, WWW.BEACON SENIORNEWS. fixes with these thanks her husband, my arm around him or your COM | APRIL 2020 smart,” said Porter. “She romance they’re craving | COVER STORY | So do things on a whim with go out. She the things he does that make her 7 hold his hand,” Nancy you herself up nice when we tips: partner to awaken the feelings bucks.” life easier. She’s not shy about said about Porter. “He always looks like a million relationkeeps both felt early on in your Be spontaneous. What telling him he’s the best husband also likes quality time. Hughey advised, “If he looks is the ship. relationships alive early on a good job ever and how happy she is that he’s That’s his main love langood, tell him. If he does which It doesn’t excitement of spontaneity, in her life. guage.” Write them a love note. each of something, tell him.” missing it can lends itself to discovery about (although something’s feel lengthy you be If to have to feel Make his favorite dinner. wait for or other and new things. Initiate sex. Men need in your relationship, don’t be). Just a simple “I love you” a believe do, The adage goes: A way to with you Porter and Nanci Cooley desired as much as women “I can’t wait to spend time stomtheir man’s heart is through his that as long as you’re introducing this weekend” is sure to make new things into your relationship, day. you can keep moving forward.

This year, BEACON Senior News and its staff were nominated in the following categories: Column Review

• “Talking Digital” by Adam Cochran

Senior Issues

• “Boomer Beat” by Melanie Wiseman

Personal Essay

gestures

• “The day I stopped driving” by Sally Henry (January 2020)

How-to Feature

By Kimberly Blaker

Additional reporting by Jan Weeks & Cloie Sandlin

• “Recycling 101: How to reduce your trash” by Jan Weeks (September 2019) • “How to decipher journalism from hoax in the Internet age” by Adam Cochran (April 2020)

“When we decide to go someuntil we where, we don’t make plans get there,” said Nanci. what Spontaneous travel is also 36-year keeps Glenn and Miki Lewis’ relationship going strong. at “I was (and still am) excellent

Pictured page 6: Nanci and Porter Cooley Pictured page 7 from top,clockwise: Glenn and Miki Lewis, Joyce Hughey and Richard Finley and Sue , Harold. with a photo of her late-husband

morn“When Nanci’s up in the leave it ing, she’ll write a note and add to it,” by the coffee pot and I’ll said Porter. little Sue Hughey used to write her late reminders of affection for he’d fall husband, Harold. When she’d draw asleep in front of the TV, you” on it a little heart with “I love and lay the note on his chest. When birthdays and anniversawill re-use ries come around, Nanci greeting cards with her handwritten, heart-felt note inside. year!” “I feel the same way every is none the she laughed. And Porter wiser. to be Laugh together. Men love corny his funny, so no matter how him. Not jokes, genuinely laugh with his only will your laughter boost relationego, but it’s good for your ship, too. Numerous studies have found couples that shared laughter brings

The all over again

Your FREE guide to

fall in love that’ll make him (or her) in our “We have a lot of laughter really in marriage, and we’re still Nantune with each other,” said or ci. “We love to go get coffee, people go shopping and do some time spend to like watching. We laugh.” with friends who make us

according to a survey conducted by sex researcher and relationship therapist Sarah Hunter Murray, Ph.D. Make it a practice to come to do on to your man more often. Take her on a date. Plan the or conenjoy, both Hughey used to slip into you something offer to she loves, shower with Harold and nect through something your scrub his back. even though it may not be don’t cuppa. Give him a gift. Most men Hughey used to join Harold place as much importance on do. Still, it on the links. receiving gifts as women mean“Almost every time we can be a very romantic and out of the played golf, my husingful gesture when done on he’ll love band commented blue. Look for something a favorite how happy he was that I such as tickets to a game, useful enjoyed the game, too,” movie on DVD, or something sport. she said. for his favorite hobby or In addition to seasonal “Sometimes we’ll get massages works activities like riding horsetogether,” Nanci said. “Porter I’ll just times Cooleys the other so really hard, back and traveling, reguschedule him one.” like to dance—and they do is larly. Give him a massage. Massage we oxytocin “When we first got together, another way to increase 2 in met in Rifle and danced until

music.

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aging well in Mesa

County

Guide

his ach. So go all out and cook Don’t favorite dinner and dessert. and soft forget the candles, wine

gaps. the other person to fill the heart and Speak and act from your and get ready for more fun, frolic your romance. Learn to accept and love partner’s shortcomings, you’ll them unconditionally, and side likely see your man’s romantic shine through. ■

| COVER STORY | OM | FEBRUARY 2020

MESA COUNTY

2020

Profile

• “Tattooed Santa: Mike Hale reveals the edgier side of St. Nick” by Corey Colombin (December 2019) • “Ellen Roberts: From Fruita farm girl to show girl” by Melanie Wiseman (March 2020) Feature Writing

• “Cruise-crazy seniors: 18-time cruisers reveal why cruising is worth every penny” by Melinda Mawdsley (February 2020) • “Ok, Boomer: Intergenerational tension isn’t bad. It’s how you address it” by Melanie Wiseman (March 2020) • “Flying the friendly skies: Local women recall their pioneering careers as stewardesses” by Diana Barnett (April 2020) Topical Issue

• “Changing the narrative on ageism” by Lauren Berg (March 2020)

Front Cover Photo

• “Tattooed Santa” by B. Bigler (December 2019) • “12 gestures to make him fall in love all over again” by Cloie Sandlin (February 2020) • “Ok, Boomer” by B. Bigler (March 2020) 32 | DECEMBER 2020 |

COVER STORY

their time in a logbook. Harbig lived in Beverly Hills with five other women. Flight schedules took her from LA to San Francisco, Seattle, Reno and as far east as Chicago. However, this lifestyle was limited only to single women.

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Feature Layout

• “12 gestures to make him fall in love all over again” by B. Bigler (February 2020) • “BEACON Best Awards” (February 2020) by B. Bigler & Chrissy Martin • “Eco-tourism in New Zealand” (April 2020) by B. Bigler

Overall Design

• BEACON Senior News, Colorado

Annual Senior Resource Guide (Editorial & Design)

• 2020 BEACON Guide

Best Single Ad

• “Farm fresh is right around the corner,” DeVries Orchards (August 2019). Design by Chrissy Martin • “Santa says it’s not too late,” 970 Medicare (December 2019). Design by Chrissy Martin • “Pot Magic,” Bookcliff Gardens (April 2020). Design by Chrissy Martin

Website General Excellence

• BEACON Senior News, Colorado

BEACON SENIOR NEWS

And the winners are... GENERAL EXCELLENCE

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ANNUAL SENIOR RESOURCE GUIDE (DESIGN)

HOW-TO FEATURE

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3rd Place - “Recycling 101: How to reduce your trash” by Jan Weeks (September 2019)

1st Place - “Santa says it’s not too late,” 970 Medicare (December 2019).

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FAITH

Experience God's loveloveinina atraditional setting. Experience God's traditional setting. Sunday study: 9:00 a.m. Sunday worship: 10:15 a.m.

First Baptist Church of Grand Junction 720 Grand Avenue 970-242-5645 Visit our website: fbcgj.org

COME CROWGod's WITH love US INinCHRISTIAN DISCIPLESHIP! Experience a traditional setting.

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Why we celebrate Christmas By Vic Stinemetze, Living Stone Church

t’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Christmas has always been a big deal in our family. As a kid growing up, we lived in a rural neighborFirst United Ave. (downtown) 242-4850 www.fumcgj.org United Methodist MethodistChurch, Church,5 5St.St.& White & White Ave. (downtown) 242-4850 www.fumcgj.org hood in central Kansas. My father First United Methodist Church, 5th St. & White Ave. (downtown) 242-4850 www.fumcgj.org was a farmer, and the closest town was 17 miles away, boasting a population of 1,000 people. We had Service Times Service Times no major department stores; just a Celebration Celebration Service Service small JCPenney, a Sears Roebuck, am Sunday 10:00 am10:00 Sunday a Montgomery Ward Order House Family Night Family Night and a couple of “five and dime” pm Wednesday 6:30 pm 6:30 Wednesday stores. Each year our family got catalogs in the mail. As kids, we’d meticulously go through them, circling 515 S. Dr. Hillcrestthe Dr.things we hoped to receive for 515 S. Hillcrest Christmas. The small school I atMontrose, Montrose, CO 81401CO 81401 tended had an all-school Christmas Where Passion 970-249-4319 here Passion for God and for God and 970-249-4319 for People meet…. mpassion Compassion for People meet…. program—usually on Christmas Eve—and at the end, Santa came down the aisle giving out bags of candy to everyone who attended. It was a major community event. S Townsend Ave Then, we went home to open BAPTIST CHURCH E Niagara Rd our presents and someone read Turning Montrose Around the Christmas story from the Bible. RosemontBaptist.org On Christmas Day, we had lots of family around us. It was a wonderFAMILY FELLOWSHIP COMMUNITY ful time of visiting and loving one another. Sunday Bible Study (all ages) 9:30 9:15 am 1598 E Niagara Rd Montrose, CO 81401 As I grew up and started my own Worship Service 10:45 am Worship Service Office: 970.249.4887 family, my wife’s family traditions were added. We still get together on Christmas Eve to open gifts.

Rosemont

34 | FAITH | DECEMBER 2020 |

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We’ve added Communion to our tradition. On Christmas Day we all come together, but instead of the traditional Christmas meal, soups, finger sandwiches and desserts are the order of the day. Our family has several extended children that we call “spiritual sons and daughters” and we invite them to join us. We eat all afternoon and play games into the evening. But the thing I’m most thankful for is that our family has always celebrated the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Even though history shows us the date probably isn’t correct, we celebrate the birth of our Savior who was born of a virgin woman impregnated by the Holy Spirit. The Son of God humbled himself to go through the natural birth process and to be born in a barn filled with cattle, even being laid in a feed trough. So was born the son of the Creator of all. That Creator, who also fashioned you and me together, loves us so much that He was willing to sacrifice His own son to be killed on a cross so that you and I could have life. He only asks that we believe in Him. Jesus paid a debt He did not owe. A debt we could not pay for ourselves, simply because He loves us. This is why our family celebrates Christmas. ■

TALKING DIGITAL

Meet your exercise goals with this one technology D ecember is here. In less than a month, you’ll be holding yourself accountable for New Year’s resolutions. I’ve been 100 pounds overweight for 20 years. Despite having high blood pressure and high cholesterol, I’ve never felt unhealthy or particularly out of shape, nor felt much resolve to make the lifestyle changes necessary to shed the excess pounds. But after three COVID-restricted months of decreased activity and increased fast-food intake, my back began hurting and I began taking naps (plural) every day. Small tasks left me winded and, one day, I decided to step on our neglected bathroom scale. I’d gained nearly 40 pounds. I was approaching 150 excess pounds, and I could feel them killing me. I immediately cut back on junk food. The first 10 pounds melted off and stayed off. However, the weight loss ended and the pain continued. Exercise is difficult for a lot of us fat people because we eat to boost our serotonin, not to fill our stomachs. Exchanging a source of immediate pleasure for something requiring 20-60 minutes of getting

our heart rate above 120 is a repulsive trade-off. But, in September, I watched a video of a guy playing virtual reality video games. He moved quickly around a 12-foot square area, shooting and punching obstacles that were invisible to anyone who wasn’t wearing a special headset. What he was doing looked like a lot of fun, and also appeared to be a form of exercise. I decided to give the technology a shot. I discovered a gaming device called an Oculus Quest, consisting of a fancy pair of goggles and two wireless controllers. Every game is controlled by the physical movement of the arms, head and core. I bought a used Quest and the seller gave me a brief tutorial. My wife and kids were gone that day, so I felt safe looking silly as I put on the goggles and figured out the controllers. My first game was a $10 boxing simulator. In less than 15 minutes, I was winded and flush. My heart rate was up and I was in tears as a result of the rush of emotion-inducing chemicals in my brain. I had two realizations that afternoon. First, I knew this device was the key to beginning an exercise

habit. Second, I realized that eating junk and being sedentary would make it impossible to ever make it through five 3-minute rounds. That day I was 120 lbs overweight. After a month, I purchased a Fitbit activity tracker (about $99) and an accompanying scale (about $50) to automatically log my weight and heart rate. I’ve played video games on the Oculus Quest nearly every day for at least 20 minutes since late August and so far I’ve lost 22.6 pounds. It’s nice to fit into smaller pants, but I’ve also seen changes in my energy and endurance. Not only can I fight five consecutive 3-minute rounds, but I can sword fight a couple of gladiators and bowl a few rounds in the same session. Shortly after noticing my COVID weight gain, I met with my doctor for bloodwork. My cholesterol and blood pressure were high, as usual. I went back a month later, after I’d been playing Oculus games.

He told me he had to verify they hadn’t mixed-up the results with another patient because all of my numbers were within the normal range. While such results aren’t a guarantee, I don’t think I’m alone. I’ve joined several online communities for Oculus Quest owners and it’s no surprise that I’m not the only fat old guy who is using the device for fitness. Nearly every day, someone new joins the group expecting it to be full of young gamers. After apologetically announcing his or her age, they realize that the group is largely full of “50-plus-ers.” The Oculus Quest costs $299. The device isn’t recommended for users under 14 because some science indicates that it could negatively impact the development of the brain and eyes in younger users. Personally, I believe that’s the perfect excuse for refusing to let the kids play with my new toy. ■

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

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FINANCE

Crucial year-end financial tips How you can enhance your fiscal health in 2021 any of us are happy to see 2020 come to end. One way you can improve the new year is by making financial plans for 2021. For many of us, the pandemic has reduced our active lives to a fraction of their former selves. That can wreak havoc on our psyches. Think about how you would like next year to be different and make a plan to enhance your fiscal prospects next year.

ened life expectancy, by all means, start drawing on the money you’ve saved. Otherwise, your best bet financially is to wait until you must start removing the funds, which is age 72. At that magic age, a formula determines how much you must withdraw each year (RMD). The CARES act waived RMDs for 2020, but check your situation carefully. The penalty for under-withdrawing is 50 percent!

Required Minimum Distribution (RMD). Your retirement savings are available for withdrawal without penalty any time after age 59½, but will be treated as income and taxed as such. There are even circumstances where you can start withdrawals earlier. If you’re stretched thin or have a foreshort-

Health Savings Account (HSA). Working seniors may still have an HSA, as long as they are not already signed up for Medicare. Max out your contribution. If your employer contributes to your HSA but that contribution zeros out at the end of the year, consider whether non-emergency medical proce-

36 | FINANCE | DECEMBER 2020 |

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By Karen Telleen-Lawton

dures can be scheduled sooner rather than later. Flexible Spending Account (FSA). FSAs are another option for establishing a reserve for medical expenses. Any pretax dollars remaining in your account at year-end will be taxed, so determine if you have an upcoming medical expense that can be pulled forward, such as prescriptions, eyewear and so forth. Understand your FSA’s rules, especially concerning details on rolling over funds into the next year. W-4. Year end is a good time for workers to review their W-4, the document that instructs employers how much of your paycheck to withhold for income taxes. The Government Accountability Office says about 21 percent of taxpayers don’t withhold enough, resulting in

finances bigger tax bills in April. You can use the IRS withholding calculator to help estimate the right number of allowances to claim. Another alternative is to choose “0” allowances, which will result in you paying a larger chunk of taxes early on. Late each year you can file a new W-4 if the calculator suggests you’ve withheld too much. Siphon

FINANCE that “raise” into retirement savings. Medicare Part D. The Open Enrollment period for switching drug coverage plans ends December 7. Until then, you can visit www.medicare. gov, enter your complete list of prescriptions and find the drug plan that best meets your needs. This same time period serves as open enrollment for various Affordable Care Act and Medicare plans with differing rules. Individual Retirement Account (IRA). For those still working, delay paying taxes on more of your paycheck by contributing more to your IRAs, 401(k)s, 403(b)s, 457s and so on. If you’re confused by the rules, contact your HR department to review how this applies to you. If you find yourself cash-strapped but wishing you’d set aside more, establish a 2021 budget that allows you to put your best foot forward in the new year. Roth. For folks still earning, your goal when you reach retirement is to have a mixture of retirement assets: tax-deferred accounts, non-taxable Roth accounts and individual savings (gains are taxed). That way, as the tax weather changes throughout retirement, you can draw differently from each retirement asset to minimize your annual taxes. If you have an existing Roth account and earned less this year than typical, you may want to consider moving savings from a tax-deferred to a Roth account. Note: The amount you move will be added to your taxable income.

Losses. The pandemic can be blamed for many types of losses. If you sold stocks at a loss this year, remember that you can deduct up to $3,000 in losses beyond your realized gains each year. Additional losses are pushed to future years. Giving. The end of the year—particularly this year—is the time to take a look at how you can help others with your largesse. For those able to make or even increase charitable donations amidst the difficulties of this era, give gratefully. A great time to support Colorado nonprofits is on Colorado Gives Day, which is set for Tuesday, December 8. Donations are accepted online at www.ColoradoGivesDay. org. Donors can schedule a donation now that will benefit from a $1 million incentive fund, shared among all nonprofits receiving Colorado Gives Day donations. Giving smarter. Give tax-efficiently by donating your RMD to a 501(c)3 of your choice, lowering your taxable income. Another possibility is taking advantage of tax code changes in the last couple of years. One change increased the standard deduction while instituting a limit on the total deductions allowed on an itemized return. Some folks now bunch their charitable giving into every other year. That is, one year they double up their contributions and the next year they take the standard deduction. However, this strategy may be more troublesome and awkward than its value. ■

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CHANGE IS GOOD, WE HAVE

BUSINESS PROFILE

You’ve got a friend in me

Senior Companions offer friendship to homebound seniors By Jan Weeks

or 30 years, St. Mary’s Senior Companion Program has served Grand Valley seniors who no longer drive by assisting them with grocery shopping, errands, drives to appointments and more. Now, during the trying and isolating times of the pandemic, the help that Senior Companions offer is even more essential.

COMBATING LONELINESS Carol Rice, 74, has volunteered with the program for almost three years. Her hours vary, as she can see each of her companions up to three hours a week. Rice takes companions shopping, drives them to medical and salon appointments, or just out for long rides so they don’t feel so isolated. She also helps them with banking,

paying bills, and other tasks that require mobility or adequate vision. Even more important, friendships blossom through these weekly interactions. “You can hear the joy in their voices and see them smile when I arrive. It’s very heartwarming to know you’re breaking their loneliness, and I get as much out of it as they do,” Rice said. Shirley Sneary, 85, agrees with Rice, who has been with her since she moved in to Grand View Apartments a little over a year ago. “The best part of being in the program is the fellowship—having someone to visit with, to get out with,” Sneary said. Rice and Sneary meet every other week, with Sneary’s relatives filling in by visiting and running errands for her.

We’re adding volunteers all season long! St. Mary’s Senior Companion volunteers are vibrant, excited-to-be-plugged-in adults age 55+ who enjoy helping people and the company of others. What makes our programs different is our ability to offer a modest non-taxable stipend to our fixed-income volunteers in exchange for a minimum of 6 hours/week commitment. You get to set your schedule and the stipend won’t affect other retirement or disability benefits! Other perks are ongoing training, mileage reimbursement, and building great friendships!

38 | BUSINESS PROFILE | DECEMBER 2020 |

Carol Rice and Shirley Sneary return from a grocery run. This past year, Senior Companion volunteers provided 23,000 hours of service, drove 77,250 miles and aided 207 clients. According to Senior Companions Program Coordinator Tanya Fink, the help volunteers provide keeps clients in their homes longer. It’s not all sunshine and roses, though. According to Rice, it can be heart-wrenching to see a client go through medical problems or other issues that she can’t help with. But, for her, the positives and joy of the program always outweigh the sorrowful parts.

FRIENDSHIPS DURING COVID

Call today to apply

298-9092

COVID has affected volunteers and clients, who are both considered a vulnerable population. But Fink argued that the program remains essential. “Though some clients no longer feel comfortable going out, the volunteers can still bring groceries to them, or even teach them how to order online,” Fink said. Rice said she’s had to change her relationships with clients since the pandemic. “When everything shut down, neither I nor my clients wanted to get together. When things opened up again, they were eager for me to come back. Now there are no hugs,

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and we all wear masks. I may pat them on the back as I leave and say, ‘Consider yourself hugged.’ I have to keep myself and them safe,” she said. Except for the initial lockdown, Rice has continued to help Sneary while taking the necessary precautions. But not all volunteers have stayed on. “Due to volunteers stepping down, our waitlist has grown to over six months,” Fink said. If you’re healthy, active and enjoy helping others, Fink said, “We really need you!” The schedule is flexible for Senior Companion volunteers, who must be 55 or older. They can volunteer from two to six hours per week— and if they qualify, they may earn a tax-free hourly stipend plus vacation and sick days. Regardless, they receive mileage reimbursement as well as accident, auto and personal liability insurance for free. Annual physicals and free 55-Alive driving courses are free, too. If you or someone you know is 60 or older and still living alone or in a family member’s home, they may qualify for the Senior Companion program. To set up an evaluation or find out more, call Fink at 298-9092 or email tanya.fink@ sclhealth.org. ■

BEACON GUIDE HIGHLIGHT

Compassionate Friends in times of grief “The friendship and understanding provided by those who have walked the same road is the best support one can find.” - Simon Stephens, Compassionate Friends founder By Diana Barnett

osing a child is a parent’s worst nightmare. Unfortunately, Margaret and David Palo know how it feels, losing their son in 1978. Church friends and family were supportive, but couldn’t relate to the tragic circumstances or offer the help the Palos needed. The couple had heard of an organization that supported grieving parents but no one seemed to know its name.

who’d lost children and, in the fall of 1980, they hosted the first meeting of the Mesa County chapter. “The group planned for our first meeting, and took information letters to doctors, ministers and morticians in our community to gather support,” said Margaret. “We were surprised at the turnout.” It was the 200th chapter in the U.S. to be chartered and is currently in its 40th year of supporting families who’ve been affected by a child’s death, no matter the cause or age they died. Compassionate Friends provides support through TM peer counseling, education and group meetings. After losing her teenage son in an automobile accident years

ago, Alice Monroe was introduced to Compassionate Friends. Years later, she and her husband, Daryl, focused on providing a refuge for other grieving parents. With help from many volunteers, they built the “Wing and a Prayer” chapel, located near their home on Glade Park. Members of Compassionate Friends convene there every summer to honor loved ones. They do the same at Christmas with a candlelight ceremony, which has been postponed this year because of the pandemic.

thing you’ll ever live through,” said long-time organizer Betty Hancock. “Sometimes a physical connection means a lot, especially if it’s coming from someone who understands the trauma you’re experiencing.” The local chapter meets monthly from 7-8:30 p.m. the first Tuesday at Unity Church, 3205 N. 12th St. in Grand Junction. Although meetings are currently on hold, the bereaved can still reach out for comfort and support. “We'll talk to them and sign them up for our newsletter, which is a great lifeline,” said HancoCk. “I’ve helped so many people over the years, it breaks my heart that I’m unable to be there in person to give them a hug.” For support, call Monroe at 241-6346 or Hancock at 434-3822. Learn more at www.compassionate friends.org. ■

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BEACON SENIOR NEWS

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

Grandma’s Christmas

Cookie Jar Sometimes memory is elusive. Other times it takes us far. Who among us can’t remember Grandma’s Christmas Cookie Jar?

Dementia & Alzheimer’s Care Hilltop’s Senior Daybreak is a unique day program that keeps seniors with memory loss safe and active while providing their caregivers the flexibility and support they need to care for their loved ones at home. We also offer valuable information and support groups specifically designed for those caring for someone affected by dementia and Alzheimer’s.

Call (970) 241-7798 seniordaybreak.org L O C A L L Y

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Often filled with dainty morsels As it sat there on the shelf, Waiting for her kindly offer, “There are cookies. Help yourself.” Oh the great anticipation As we drove toward her door, Knowing goodies would await us By the dozen, by the score. Sometimes donuts, maybe cream puffs, Perhaps nutty brown fruitcake. It was enough to make my head spin, Knowing just how much to take! Other days we found her waiting With an apron in her hand, Asking if we’d like to help her To create a treat quite grand. With the flour to my elbows And a hefty rolling pin I would roll the dough out smoothly, Find a pan to bake it in. Then with little cookie cutters, We would cut each piece to size, And we’d peek into the oven As they browned before our eyes. She would let us taste and sample, Warning us that they were hot, While we filled our hungry tummies As though glued there to the spot. Sweet aromas filled her kitchen, Those of cinnamon and spice, And we felt we were in heaven, Or at least some paradise. In the role of loving, giving, Grandma truly was a star. And among my fondest memories Is her Christmas Cookie Jar. ■

40 | DECEMBER 2020 |

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By Nona Kelley Carver

OFFICIAL BALLOT Photocopies will not be accepted

BEST S

Best Hair Salon_______________________________________ Best Real Estate Agent_________________________________ Best Art Gallery_______________________________________

LOCAL

Best Local Festival____________________________________

2021

Best Local Band/Musician______________________________ Best Pharmacy_______________________________________ Best Hardware Store__________________________________

MESA COUNTY & MONTROSE/DELTA

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Best Optical Store____________________________________ Best Pet Supply/Services_______________________________ Best Insurance Agent__________________________________ Best Auto Dealership__________________________________ Best Auto Repair______________________________________ Best Garden Nursery__________________________________

Help the BEACON determine the best and most-loved hot spots for boomers and seniors in Western Colorado. Nominate your favorite locales in the following categories and return this ballot to the BEACON by December 31 to be entered to win gift cards to some your favorite places. The winners will be announced in a special section in the February BEACON.

Vote online: www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

Best Heating and Cooling Service_______________________ Best Landscaping/Lawn Care Service____________________

Mail your ballot to: BEACON Senior News, PO Box 3895, Grand Junction, CO 81502

Best Restaurant for Breakfast___________________________ Best Restaurant for Lunch_____________________________ Best Restaurant for Dinner_____________________________ Best Place for Dessert_________________________________ Best Place for Coffee__________________________________ Best Winery__________________________________________ Best Local Beer_______________________________________

L OV E D

CONTEST RULES: • • • •

One entry per person. One vote per category. Entries must be clearly printed. Entries must include voter’s name, address and phone number. Entries become property of the BEACON, which reserves the right to publish nominations in an upcoming issue. • Entries must be received by December 31. Winners will be published in the February BEACON.

Best Liquor Store_____________________________________ Best Date Night Location______________________________

Name:______________________________________________________

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Address:____________________________________________________

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Email:______________________________________________________ WWW.BEACONSENIORNEWS.COM | DECEMBER 2020 |

BEACON SENIOR NEWS

Finding family at Judy’s in Fruita By Judie Chapin

hen Judy’s Family Restaurant closed in March, the Grand Valley not only lost a great place to eat—they also lost a gathering place for friends and family who regarded Judy’s as more than just a restaurant. “I was blessed and honored to be a good, solid part of Fruita for so many years,” said owner Judy White, 76. “Everyone who came to Judy’s was family.”

EARLY RISIN’ Before she retired, White had been in the restaurant industry for more than 37 years. Her informal culinary training came from her mother and grandmother on a farm in Wisconsin. She

42 | DECEMBER 2020 |

remembers learning how to use a potato peeler as young as 4 years old. Her first foray into the restaurant business was opening White’s Steak House in Fruita in 1989. She later closed the steak house and moved to Arizona to manage a couple of restaurants. Eventually, she moved back to Fruita and opened Judy’s Family Restaurant in 2001. Seven days a week, White started her mornings at the restaurant anywhere between 4:30 and 6 a.m. and didn’t leave until after 6 p.m. She maintained that rigorous schedule for 18 years. Her restaurant became the meeting place for many community organizations, family reunions and even weddings! One wedding was particularly

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While many patrons were sad they wouldn’t get to have one last meal at Judy’s, the community honored her with a proclamation earlier this year, recognizing her community service.

BEACON SENIOR NEWS memorable. A young couple from Chicago was on their way to Las Vegas to get married when their car broke down in Fruita. The bride was from Poland and her passport visa was due to expire in a few days. Luckily, they ended up at Judy’s. Relying on her friends in the community, White was able to get the legal paperwork for the ceremony and even wedding attire for the couple. The bride and groom were married at the restaurant in the presence of customers during the lunch hour. Tips earned that day went to the newlyweds, as well as gift cards from customers wishing them the best. Local clubs would gather at Judy’s regularly for breakfast or after hours. Clubs like the Blue Knights, a retired police motorcycle club, and the Fruita Lions Club met in the big room after the 2 p.m. closing. “I raised a lot of kids in that restaurant—from about age 14 through graduation,” said White. “Then they came back to visit and brought families of their own.” The restaurant also hosted dinner theaters, cowboy poetry performances and other social functions for senior groups all over the Grand Valley.

at Judy’s, the community honored her with a proclamation earlier this year recognizing her community service. “Fruita City Council, on behalf of all Fruita residents, would like to recognize and sincerely thank Judy White for helping to build the sense of community and family that makes Fruita great and wishes her all the happiness she so deserves in her retirement,” the proclamation read. “I am sad because our amateur radio club will have a hard time to replace Judy’s

for our weekly Friday breakfast, but happy Judy can retire!” Frank Bregar wrote on Facebook, responding to the City’s proclamation. White spends much of her new free time making memories with her four great-grandchildren. “Health-wise, I’m great,” said White. “I’m still busy, but I get up at 6 a.m. instead of 4 a.m.” Her customers, many of whom are also her friends, let her know how much they miss her when she runs into them in town. “They were all my friends,” she said. “When you like what you do, time goes by fast.” ■

Open to Dine-In

1/2 Price Monday*

A NEW CHAPTER COVID-19 played a part in White’s decision to retire and close the restaurant after 18 years. While many patrons were sad they wouldn’t get to have one last meal

WWW.BEACONSENIORNEWS.COM | DECEMBER 2020 |

MeSa County

CALENDAR

Editor’s note: Some events may be canceled or rescheduled due to COVID-19 safety measures and restrictions. Please contact event organizers to confirm details before attending. Virtual Holiday Light Tour

Enjoy a compilation of the best Christmas light displays from the comfort of your living room. Call, or visit Grand Junction’s Park and Rec Facebook for the link. Free | 254-3866 | facebook.com/ gjparksandrec

cooperative in Morocco before coming to the U.S. four years ago.. 6 p.m. | www.youtube.com/user/ yourmcl | 243-4442

December 1-20

View Plein Air Gallery online

View all 27 artists’ amazing galleries online! These talented plein air artists have beautifully captured Western Colorado’s landscapes. Purchase of artwork goes to support Colorado Canyons Association and Colorado National Monument Association. Free | www.coloradocanyons association.org/plein-air

December 1

Writers Read Night

The Western Colorado Writers’ Forum invites you to bring your short works to the Art Center for a night of reading. Register online at www.westerncoloradowriters.org. 6-8:30 p.m. | 1803 N. Seventh St., Grand Junction | 541-9293

December 1-12

Downtown 12 Days of Christmas

Starting December 1, celebrate the season with socially-distanced festivities, a reverse Parade of Lights, shopping, entertainment and more! Main Street will be closed each night between 4th and 5th Streets for the reverse parade, where you can vote for your favorite float! 4-7 p.m. | Main Street, Grand Junction | 245-9697

December 2

Culture Fest Interview

Go online to hear Fadma Hankar, who speaks three languages and worked as manager of a women’s

December 3-28

December 5

Monumental Beer Works invites you to drink beer outside, with some incentives. Through the end of February, enjoy beer on the patio in 45 degrees or lower to earn a punch in your club punch card. Ten punches earn you a free beer! 11 a.m.-8 p.m. | 2575 Hwy 6 & 50, Grand Junction | 462-7411

Calvary Chapel invites you to shop their biggest bazaar ever with nearly 60 booths and unique handcrafted items. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. | 492 Morning Glory Lane, Grand Junction | Free | 243-2579

Polar Bear Drinking Club

December 4

Photos with Santa

Cherry Hill and Mesa Mall present photo opportunities with Santa, perfect for the grandkids! Reservations are strongly encouraged at https:// tinyurl.com/y26sb84t. 11 a.m.-8 p.m. | 2424 Hwy 6 & 50, Grand Junction | $40-$50

December 6

Sled Workshop

Clara Brown-Shaffer presents a free virtual Medicaid presentation as part of Senior Law Day. RSVP online. 10-11 a.m. | www.eventbrite. com/e/113397007502

Paint or stain and decorate a vintage style wood sled décor piece at Raspberry Hill Boutique. All tools and supplies provided; please purchase tickets in advance. 3-5 p.m. | 1224 O½ Road, Loma | $45 | www.raspberryhillboutique.com/ event | 901-1363

December 4

December 6

River of Life Church hosts a silent auction and craft fair with proceeds going to fund a student mission trip to El Salvador. 5-8 p.m. | 701 24½ Road, Grand Junction | Free | www.riveroflifegj. com

Mesa Monument Striders invites runners to take the 7-mile D3 trail loop up to Devil’s Cabin and decorate it for the holidays with garland and a wreath. 9 a.m. | Devil’s Trailhead, Fruita | www.mesamonumentstriders.com

“What You Need to Know When Someone Dies”

Christmas Auction Market

Christmas Wreath Run

December 4-6

December 6-12

Community Concerts of the Grand Valley offers a virtual 90-minute-long family holiday concert you can watch from the comfort of your own home. Visit their website for more information and to access the streaming link. Free | www.communityconcerts grandvalley.org | 243-1979

Run anytime during the week and raise money for inclusive playground equipment in city parks! Register online by December 3; Pick up your packet (which includes cookies and hot chocolate) between December 4-11. Santa suits provided for the first 300 entrants. $15 | www.gjpr.org/santacause20 | 254-3866

“At Your Home for the Holiday” Concert

December 3-24

Christmas Bazaar

Virtual Santa Cause Run

Let Us Help You Brighten The Holidays! • Affordable Christmas Electrical Installation we can add Timers, Outlets, and Circuit Breakers. • Be Safe. Save Time. Call Today for a FREE quote!

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44 | CALENDAR | DECEMBER 2020 |

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Paul Brisco

December 7

December 10

Virtual GJSO Chamber concert

Nonprofit lunch and learn

Eat pizza and pie at the Palisade Chamber of Commerce while learning about Grand Junction-based 4 Corners Rugby Academy. Call to RSVP; Free for chamber members and Paliworx. 12-1 p.m. | 305 Main St., Palisade | 464-7458

Grand Junction Symphony Orchestra presents the online concert “European Blend,” which you can watch anytime from the comfort of your own home. $10 per household | www.gjso.org/ event/gjso-chamber-players | 243-6787

December 12

December 8

Vendor Craft Fair

Colorado Gives Day

Homespun Shipping & Gifts hosts their current vendors featuring beautiful, unique, handcrafted items. 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. | 3225 I-70 Bus. Loop, Clifton | 644-5060

Every year thousands of Coloradans join together for a statewide day of local giving. Celebrate and support local nonprofits within your community. www.coloradogives.org/COGIVES DAY

December 12

Enjoy a Christmas celebration with the whole family at River of Life Church, featuring dancing, crafts, music, cookie decorating and more. 2-4 p.m. | 701 24½ Road, Grand Junction | Free | www.riveroflifegj .com

Live Cooking Demo

Aspen Ridge presents a live cooking demonstration with Food Service Mentor Amanda Hermosilo, who will be making a hearty winter soup. RSVP to receive the recipe and ingredients kit. 12 p.m. | 622 28¼ Road, Grand Junction | 640-7416

December 12

Calling all LEGO enthusiasts to tune into the virtual event featuring live builders showcasing incredible brick creations, presentations and more. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | $9 | www.brick world.com/brickworld-virtualdec-12

The Legacy of Ute Chief Colorow

Mesa County Libraries presents a virtual presentation on YouTube about the Ute people that lived in western Colorado, including the well-known Ute leader, Colorow. 6-7 p.m. | www.youtube.com/user/ yourmcl

December 13

December 26

Monumental Beer Works invites you to drink beer (or hot chocolate, if you prefer) and decorate 3 ornaments. Purchase tickets ahead of time; Cost includes ornaments and first beer. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | 2575 Hwy 6 & 50, Grand Junction | $15 | 462-7411

Tune in online to the live stream video of Last Comic Standing winner Josh Blue for a night of laughter you won’t want to miss!. 6 p.m. | $10 | www.comedyworks. com/comedians/virtual-event-joshblue

Ornament Decorating with Beer

December 16

December 13

Refuse to Be a Victim seminar

Comedian Josh Blue virtual show

December 28

The Best of 2020

Go to Mesa County Libraries’ youtube page to hear Cladie Bertin, who moved to Colorado from France, as a part of the 2020 Culture Fest. 6 p.m. | www.youtube.com/user/ yourmcl | 243-4442

December 17

Grocery Boxes in Fruita

Food Bank of the Rockies provides a drive-through distribution of gro-

Brickworld Virtual Con

December 9

cery boxes for Fruita adults 60 and older every third Thursday of the month. Call to see if you qualify. 11 a.m.-12 p.m. | Little Salt Wash Park, Fruita | 464-1138

CultureFest Interview

Miracle on 24½ Road

December 9

ness, confidence against criminal attack and knowledge that melts fear. Call or email to reserve your spot 3-6 p.m. | Free | suzanne@graceful guns.com | 270-3203

Discuss your favorite book, song, lesson or funny story from 2020 with the Senior Social Club via Zoom. Register in advance to receive the Zoom link. 10-11:30 a.m. | www.mesacounty libraries.org/events | Free | 2434442 ■

See more events at www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

December 19

Krimm and Friends virtual concert Western Slope Concert Series Executive Director, Andrew Krimm, joins two of his great friends Sharon Park and Madoka Asari to perform duets for a virtual concert. 3-4 p.m. | Free | facebook.com/western slopeconcertseries

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CLUBS

CLUBS & ACTIVITIES

Grand Valley Pets Alive meets at Church of the Nativity in Grand Junction. 3rd Wednesday | 4:30-6 p.m. | 462-7554

Editor’s note: Some club meetings may be canceled due to COVID-19 safety measures and restrictions. Please contact organizers to confirm meeting details before attending. American Association of University Women meets monthly. Call for location. 2nd Saturday | 11:30 a.m. | 261-2112 Bookcliff Duplicate Bridge Club plays at Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Grand Junction. Wednesdays & Fridays | 12:45 p.m. | 244-9989 Citizens’ Climate Lobby meets monthly online via Zoom. Check their Facebook page for details and contact info. 250-4832 | grandjunction@citizens climatelobby.org | facebook.com/ CCLGJ Clifton Book Club meets virtually December 8 to discuss “The Story of Arthur Truluv.” Register online. 2nd Tuesday | 8-9 a.m. | www.mesa countylibraries.org 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 Crafting Club meets at Clifton Library. 3rd Tuesday | 2-3 p.m. | 434-6936 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

Grand Valley Woodcarvers meets at Redlands Methodist Church. 1st & 3rd Wednesdays, 6 p.m. | 2nd & 4th Wednesdays, 1 p.m. | 245-8817 or 257-1549

Daughters of the American Revolution, Mount Garfield Chapter, meets monthly. 719-580-0948 Fleet Reserve Association 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 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. | grandjunctionrock club@gmail.com Golden K Kiwanis meets at the Redlands Community Center. Wednesdays | 9-10 a.m. | facebook.com/gjgoldenk 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 Woodturners meets at Redlands Methodist Church. 2nd Tuesday | 7 p.m. | 245-8817 or 856-3632 Great Old Broads for Wilderness, Grand Junction Area Chapter, meets monthly. Call for details. 596-8510 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. 1st Tuesdays in February, May, August, November | 5:15 p.m. | 243-8829 or 270-6184 Knights of Columbus #1062 typically meets at St. Joseph Catholic Church Parish Hall in Grand Junction. 2nd Thursday | 6:30 p.m. | 261-1952 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. | 549-0440 | 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 twice monthly. Call for location. 1st & 3rd Monday | 7 p.m. | 208-9228 River City Singles meet regularly at Canyon View Park in Grand Junction. These young-at-heart adults get together for activities throughout the month. Fridays | $20/year | 210-2390 Rotary Club of Grand Junction meets weekly at the Bookcliff Country Club. Wednesdays | 12-1:15 p.m | 234-5030. Senior Social Club meets on Zoom December 14 and 28 via Mesa County Libraries to chat and share stories. Register online for video link. 2nd & 4th Mondays | 10-11:30 a.m. | 243-4442 | www.mesacountylib raries.org 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 seniors who

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46 | CLUBS & ACTIVITIES | DECEMBER 2020 |

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may be single, retired, new in town or not! 775-400-8700 | $20/year | www.meetup.com/singles-over-65 Sweet Adelines International, Grand Mesa A Capella Chorus, rehearses at Redlands United Methodist Church. Currently, meetings are held over Zoom. Call for an invite. Mondays | 6:30-9 p.m. | 256-9763 | www.grandmesaacappella.com 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 Two Rivers Cribbage Club meets at Grand Junction Masonic Center. Thursdays | 261-1670 Veterans Coffee Club meets weekly at Western Region One Source, 482 28 Road, Grand Junction. Tuesdays | 8:30-10:30 a.m. | 257-3760 Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) #3981 meets at the Post Hall, 503 Florence Road, in Grand Junction. 1st Wednesday | 5:30 p.m. | 778-8242 Western Colorado Amateur Radio Club meets at the Civil Patrol

FUN AFTER 50

Hangar, 2868 Aviators Way. 2nd Saturday | 9:30 a.m. | www.w0rrz.org 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. | 640-275 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. | 250-7036 Western Slope Liberty Toastmasters meets at Chronos Builders, 637 25 Road, 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.wheelswestcarclub.org Yoga for Military Members, hosted at Western Region One Source on 428 28 Road, offers a free beginner yoga class for military members and their family. Wednesdays | 2:30-3:30 p.m. | 257-3760 ■

To register for programs or for COVID-19 updates, call Grand Junction Parks and Recreation at 254-3866 or visit www.gjparksandrec.org.

VIRTUAL HOLIDAY EVENTS Virtual Santa Cause Run

Kiwanis and Parks & Rec are teaming up to raise money for inclusive playground equipment in city parks! Participants have a week to track their run and report times. Santa suits are provided for the first 300 entrants. Kiwanis volunteers will pop down the chimney to deliver Santa suits and race-day goodies, or participants can pick them up at the recreation office. Register by December 3 at https://bit.ly/ SantaRun20. Starts December 6 | $30

Virtual Holiday Light Tour

Recreation staff will brave the cold and scour the land to bring you a compilation of the best Christmas light displays from the comfort of your living room. All you have to do is supply the hot chocolate! For link, call 254-3866 or follow Grand Junction Parks and Recreation on Facebook. Date TBA | Free

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For your convenience, Mesa County Libraries offer Curbside Pick-Up of holds. 1. Place your items on HOLD at mesacountylibraries.org. 2. You'll be notified when they are available. 3. Call your library branch to schedule a pick-up time. 4. Pick up your items curbside! (Appointments only; no drop-ins, please.)

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MeSa County

BEACON BITS BEACON BITS

Editor’s note: Some events may be canceled or rescheduled due to COVID-19 safety measures and restrictions. Please contact event organizers to confirm event details before attending. Grand Junction Parks and Rec COVID-19 update Due to the recent widespread transmission of COVID-19, the following changes have been made to Grand Junction Parks and Recreation services:

Public COVID testing available at CMU Colorado Mesa University has opened to the public an additional COVID-19 testing site on its campus in addition to Mesa County Fairgrounds. The drive-thru site requires preregistration online, and is usually open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Go online to www. coloradomesa.edu/covid-19/testing to sign up for a test.

• The Bookcliff Activity Center, Lincoln Park Stadium and Orchard Mesa Pool are closed. • Indoor Pickleball and all fitness classes are canceled. • Outdoor facilities like parks, playgrounds and courts remain open. • Parks & Rec offices are closed, but staff can be reached by calling 254-3866 during regular business hours.

LEAP applications now available Mesa County residents can now apply for the 2020-21 LEAP (Low-Income Energy Assistance Program) season. Applications will be taken through April 30. LEAP is designed

Calling artists for 2021 Winefest Art Contest The Colorado Association for Viticulture & Enology (CAVE) invites all 2D artists from Colorado to submit their artwork for a chance at becoming the 2021 Colorado Winefest Poster Artist! Entries should represent the growing Colorado wine industry. The deadline to apply is January 8, 2021. The winning artwork will be selected by the public through online voting and the artist will receive a cash prize of $700 as well as extensive public-

It’s It’s worth worth the the drive! drive! It’s worth the drive! Oil chAnge SeRvice Oil chAnge any make orSeRvice model any make orSeRvice model Oil chAnge any makegas or model 9595 engine 95 gas $49. engine synthetic oils slightly higher gas 95oils slightly synthetic higher engine diesel synthetic95 oils slightly higher engine 95 diesel $99.95 engine No appointment necessary 95 diesel engine No appointment necessary

to help individuals and families with winter heating costs and is not intended to pay the entire cost of home heating. If financially eligible, the payment will be sent directly to the provider and will show as a credit on the applicants’ heating bill. Apply at www.colorado.gov/ PEAK, or by calling 1-866-HEATHELP (1-866-432-8435). Paper applications are also available at Mesa County Department of Human Services, 510 29 ½ Road, Grand Junction, or by calling 241-8480. Mesa County Libraries close In response to the continued high rate of COVID-19 infections in the community, Mesa County Libraries has made the following operational changes: • All Mesa County Libraries locations are closed. Curbside pickup will continue to be offered, except at the Gateway Branch where patrons are encouraged to use the Books by Mail program. • In-person programs are suspended, but virtual programming will continue. • Wi-Fi Internet access will continue to be available outside all locations.

book “Bicycle Junction.” The book tells the history of Grand Junction from the 1880s to 2015 through the eyes of a bicycle rider. It also includes over 400 photographs and 33 modern day local trail maps. “Bicycle Junction” is available at Mesa County Libraries, Grand Valley Books, Out West Books and at Brown Cycles, 549 Main St. SCL Health expands cardiology services SCL Health Medical Group announced that starting in November, residents in the Grand Valley will have more options when seek-

Colorado Canyons Association director receives award for excellence Colorado Canyons Association Land Programs Director, Rob Gay, was selected to receive a 2020 Outstanding Environmental Educator Award from Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education. Gay has been a positive influence for environmental education across the Western Slope by promoting inclusivity, collaboration, and quality programming for thousands of students.

For details, visit www.mesacounty libraries.org or call 243-4442. ity and promotion. All entries will be on display at The Craig Gallery in Palisade from January 13 through February 5. Apply online at www.coloradowinefest.com/ art-contest or call 464-0111.

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48 | BEACON BITS | DECEMBER 2020 |

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Brown Cycles releases historical fiction bicycle book Chris Brown, owner of Brown Cycles Bike Shop, celebrated the store’s 20th anniversary with the release of his new historical fiction

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ing cardiovascular expertise. The new SCL Health Heart & Vascular Institute - Cardiology Clinic will be located at the Life Center at 2686 Patterson Road in Grand Junction. Cardiologists Yogesh Patel, MD, and Kurt Spriggs, DO, began seeing patients the first week of November. Cardiologists Clyde Sullivan, MD, will join the practice in December and Jennifer Springer, MD, will join in January 2021. Patients can call 2983050 to schedule an appointment. Humana adds Primary Care Partners Primary Care Partners and Humana, Inc., a leading health and well-being company, have signed a Medicare network agreement. Humana Medicare Advantage PPO members will now have in-network access to all Primary Care Partners providers in Grand Junction and Fruita. The new agreement will take effect on January 1, 2021. Roice-Hurst Executive Director awarded prestigious animal welfare credential Roice-Hurst Humane Society Executive Director Anna Stout recently earned her Certified Animal Welfare Administrator certification through The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement, an independent agency whose mission is to help develop strong leaders and promote standards of practice in the animal welfare profession. Stout is now one of just 207 individuals worldwide to hold this prestigious designation. In addition to meeting strict eligibility requirements for leadership and management in the animal welfare field, Stout passed a rigorous exam, with sections on effective leadership, human resources, finance, fundraising, marketing, administration, and animal care, to earn her CAWA designation. For more information, call 434-7337. ■

Email your news briefs to: Beacon@PendantPublishing.com

Question VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES Mesa County RSVP connects individuals 55 and older to volunteer positions in any of our member agencies. Call 243-9839, ext. 5 Food Bank of the Rockies seeks volunteers to help in a variety of areas. Volunteer shifts are available Monday through Friday starting at 8 a.m. and afternoons starting at 1 p.m. Call 464-1138 | www. foodbankrockies.org/westernslope-volunteer Grand Junction Visitor Center seeks volunteer tourism ambassadors to welcome visitors to the Grand Valley. Flexible schedule. 256-4054 | kerryg@gjcity.org MOPS Kids (Mothers of Preschoolers) is looking for volunteers to watch children for several hours a month during MOPS meetings at Canyon View Vineyard Church in Grand Junction 2nd & 4th Wednesdays | 9-11:30 a.m. | 549-6637 Palisade Historical Society welcomes volunteers who would like to share the history of Palisade, and/or work on various committees and projects. Email pbwalker630@acsol.net Foster Grandparents are needed in nonprofit school classrooms throughout Mesa County. Applicants must be 55+ and may be eligible for a tax-free stipend. Call 298-9092 Senior Companions 55+ are needed to provide friendship and drive homebound seniors to errands and appointments. Call 298-9092 Mesa County Spellbinders seeks volunteers to learn a few storytelling skills and make a difference. Tell stories to students in kindergarten through fifth grade once a month during the school year. Call 243-7303

OF THE

Month

Compiled by Melanie Wiseman

If you couldn’t be home for Christmas, where would you go? Glenn Larson, Grand Junction “The peace and serenity of the Northwoods has always appealed to me, so I’d probably like to spend Christmas in a log home somewhere in the woods of Vermont. Of course, it wouldn’t be complete without my grandkids, sledding, opening gifts next to a crackling fire, and one of our epic snowball fights!”

Maureen Beyer, Grand Junction “Going somewhere warm would be my choice, but it’s hard to think outside of the United States this year. Maybe Arizona or New Mexico.”

Tom Davis, Grand Junction “South Australia—it would be summertime, and the cellar doors and ’roos are hopping.”

Carol Jordan, Grand Junction “Fort Worth, Texas. It’s been over two years since we’ve seen our daughter, her husband and our grandkids. It would be great to be with them.”

WWW.BEACONSENIORNEWS.COM | DECEMBER 2020 | BEACON BITS |

CALENDAR SUPPORT GROUPS

Montrose MeSa & Delta County

Editor’s note: Some support group meetings may be canceled due to COVID-19 safety measures and restrictions. Please contact organizers to confirm meeting details before attending. Caregiver Connections meets at the Miller Homestead at HopeWest, 3090 N. 12th St. Tuesdays | 10-11:30 a.m. | 241-2212 Caregiver Support Group meets at Cappella Grand Junction, 628 261/2 Road. Call to RSVP. 1st Thursday | 1:30-3 p.m. | 822-7070 Come Back Yoga is open to veterans and their caregivers at Western Region One Source, 428 28 Road. Wednesdays | 2:15-3:15 p.m. | 257-3764

Christ-based support group for those mourning the death of a loved one, meets at Clifton Christian Church, 3241 F ¼ Road. Mondays | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | 628-1453 Grief Group for Pets meets at Roice-Hurst Humane Society, 362 28 Road. 2nd Wednesday, bi-monthly | 6-7 p.m. | 434-7337, ext. 103 Head & Neck Cancer Support Group meets at Colorado West Otolaryngologists, 2643 Patterson Road, #503 (St. Mary’s Hospital). 1st Tuesday | 6:30-8 p.m. | 245-2400

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. 4th Friday | 2 p.m. | 317-7556 | jimcampbell3@aol.com Gamblers Anonymous’ 12-step meeting is held at The Meeting Hall, 1938 N. First St. in Grand Junction. Tuesdays | 7-8 p.m. | 917-363-3719 GriefShare, a nondenominational

Healing Hands Hour meets in St. Mary’s Hospital’s Reflection Room. Thursdays | 12-1 p.m. | 298-2351 HEARTBEAT/Survivors After Suicide meets at First Congregational Church, 1425 N 5th St., Grand Junction. 3rd Tuesday | 7-9 p.m. | 778-9274 Job Searching After 50 Networking Group meets at Mesa County Workforce Center. You must register 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. | 298-2351 MACHO Men cancer support group meets at the VA Medical Center In-Patient Dining Room, 2121 North Ave. 1st Thursday | 2 p.m. | 298-2351 Mending Hearts is for any adult who has experienced the death of a loved one. Call for location. Thursdays | 2-3:30 p.m. | 257-2390 Mindful Pain Management meets at Western Region One Source, 428 28 Road. Fridays | 1 p.m. | 257-3764 MS Breakfast Group meets at Village Inn, 757 Horizon Drive. 1st Tuesday | 9 a.m. | 985-4935 National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) meets at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Fruita. 4th Tuesday | 6-7:30 p.m. | www.NAMIWS.org | 462-3989 Not Going Quietly, a space of empowerment, community and grace for adults 60+, meets at the Center for Spiritual Living. 2nd Tuesday | 1:30-3:30 p.m. | www. cslgj.org | 433-7799 Parents of Addicted Loved Ones meets at First Presbyterian Church,

3940 27 1/2 Road. Thursdays | 6:30 p.m. | 379-5786 PTSD Support Group meets at Western Region One Source, 428 28 Road. Tuesdays | 10:30 a.m. | 257-3764 TOPS Club weight-loss support group meets at Grace Point Church, 606 28 3/4 Road. Wednesdays | 9 a.m. | 523-0243 Veteran Coffee Club meets at Western Region One Source, 428 28 Road. Wednesdays | 8:30-10:30 a.m. | 2573764 Veteran Peer Support meets weekly at Western Region One Source, 428 28 Road. Wednesdays | 2-3 p.m. | 257-3764 Veteran Spouses Grief and Loss ladies-only support group meets at the Grand Junction Veterans Memorial Cemetery. Wednesdays | 9-10:30 a.m. | 263-8986 Woman to Woman cancer support group meets in St. Mary’s Hospital’s Reflection Room. 3rd Thursday | 4:30-5:30 p.m. | 298-2351 Yoga For Life meets at the St. Mary’s Life Center Aerobics Room. Tuesdays | 5:30-6:45 p.m. | 298-2351 ■

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50 | SUPPORT GROUPS | DECEMBER 2020 |

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Before you enroll in a Medicare plan, visit a Rocky Mountain Health Plans Resource Center. Enrolling in a Medicare plan that fits your needs starts with finding the right information. The Rocky Mountain Health Plans Resource Center is a great place to start. Stop by when it fits your schedule to speak with an agent one-on-one and get answers to your Medicare questions. Space may be limited. Your safety is our top priority, and we will adhere to all CDC safety guidelines.

Visit Us. Medicare Resource Center 327 N. 7th Street Grand Junction, CO 81501 970-243-3100 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Monday – Saturday Free Parking in Back What to bring: • Your questions for a Rocky Mountain Health Plans licensed sales agent • Your Medicare ID card • A list of your doctors and prescription medications • Your application, if you’ve completed it — you can simply drop it off

Montrose & Delta

CALENDAR

Editor’s note: Some events may be canceled or rescheduled due to COVID-19 safety measures and restrictions. Please contact event organizers to confirm event details before attending.

December 1

Women Cookie Exchange

Grace Community Church invites the ladies to bring cookies and enjoy a light meal, music and message. Please RSVP at facebook. com/gracechurchdelta/events. 6 p.m. | 200 Stafford Lane, Delta | Free | 399-3100

December 1-31 Holiday Art Mart

Open Tuesday through Saturday, peruse new and unique artisan gift items, fine art jewelry, cards, books and more at the Montrose Center for the Arts. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | 11 S. Park Ave., Montrose | Free | www.mc4arts. com | 787-9428

December 2

Watercolor Wednesdays

December 1

Candlelight Yoga Class

Join the Yoga House on Giving Tuesday for a candlelight yoga class in support of the Western Colorado Alliance for Community Change. Suggested donation of $10. 6:30-7:30 p.m. | 207 E. Main St., Montrose | $10 | 462-9977

December 1-6

Deck Your Halls Décor Fundraiser

Grand Mesa Arts Center presents their annual Deck Your Halls Holiday Décor Fundraiser, where you can purchase wreaths, small trees and more crafted by talented volunteers. 10 a.m.-4 p.m./ Sunday 12-3 p.m. | 195 W. Main St., Cedaredge | www. grandmesaartscenter.com | 856-9195

Bring your art supplies and escape from today’s turmoil at the Montrose Center for the Arts with instructor Jodine Broscovak. 1-4 p.m. | 11 S. Park Ave., Montrose | $35 | www.mc4arts.com | 787-9428

December 2-31

Affordable Holiday Gift Gallery

The Creamery Arts Center offers a one-stop-shop for all your holiday gift giving at affordable prices. Open Wednesday through Saturday except Christmas Day. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. | 165 W. Bridges St., Hotchkiss | 872-4848

December 4

Delta Parade of Lights

Drive through downtown Delta to view the holiday lights and decorations. Plus, watch the tree lighting ceremony virtually on Facebook. 6 p.m. | facebook.com/DeltaChamber | 874-8616

52 | CALENDAR | DECEMBER 2020 |

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December 4

Senior Law Day seminar: “What You Need to Know When Someone Dies”

Clara Brown-Shaffer, an attorney with Brown & Brown, PC, presents a free virtual Medicaid presentation as part of Senior Law Day. RSVP online. 10-11 a.m. | www.eventbrite. com/e/113397007502

December 4

Virtual Jingle Mingle Gala

Grand Mesa Arts and Events Center presents its annual holiday gala and an online auction. Due to COVID, register to get the special password and pick up Daveto’s take and bake Italian dinner and wine. 5-7 p.m. | $40 | www.grandmesa artscenter.com/jingle-mingle | 856-9195

December 4-6

Coney Island Christmas

Magic Circle Players presents a holiday play capturing the spirit of what it means to be an American during the Christmas season. Matinee shows offered on Saturday and Sunday. 2 p.m./7:30 p.m. | 420 S. 12th St., Montrose | $12-$16 | www.magic circleplayers.com | 249-7838

December 4-5

Paonia Holiday Art Fair

Head over to the Blue Sage Center for the Arts for the annual art fair featuring artisan goods, crafts, food and more! 3-8 p.m. | 226 Grand Ave., Paonia | Free | www.northforkcreative.org/ event-list/

December 5

Harp Ensemble Concert at Pioneer Town

Experience the wonder of the holidays with local vendors, warm drinks, live entertainment and the Montrose Harp Ensemble performing next to a 40-foot Christmas tree. 4-5 p.m. | 388 S. Grand Mesa Drive, Cedaredge | Free | www.pioneer town.org/events

December 5

Toys for Tots Pool Fundraiser

Bring a partner to My Place for an 8-ball doubles pool tournament benefiting Toys for Tots and the chance to win cash! Feel free to drop off unwrapped toys. 10 a.m. | 1410 Valley View Dr., Delta | 874-3130

December 5

Paonia Christmas Fair

Shop vendors and downtown businesses while enjoying live music and hot drinks, and a free family movie. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Grand Ave., Paonia | Free | www.northforkcreative.org/ holiday-art-fair/

December 5

Holiday Arts & Crafts Festival The Ute Indian Museum invites you

FUN AFTER 50 to shop Native American and Western Slope vendors, gift shop specials and even bid in their silent auction. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. | 17253 Chipeta Road, Montrose | Free | 249-3098

December 5-6; 12-13; 19-20 Christmas Town

Enjoy holiday shopping at local vendors, warm drinks and entertainment on Pioneer Town’s boardwalk. 4-7 p.m. | 388 S. Grand Mesa Drive, Cedaredge | Free | www.pioneer town.org/events

December 6, 13, 19-20, 26-27

“Christmas in the Clouds” film screening

Watch this Christmas rom-com about a ski resort in Utah run by Native Americans featuring mistaken identities and intrusive guests. Please RSVP to reserve your seats. 1:30-3:30 p.m. | 17253 Chipeta Road, Montrose | Free | 249-3098

December 8

Colorado Gives Day

Every year thousands of Coloradans join together for a statewide day of local giving. Celebrate and support nonprofits within your community. www.coloradogives.org/cogivesday

December 12

Brickworld Virtual Con

Calling all LEGO enthusiasts! Tune into this virtual event featuring live builders showcasing their incredible brick creations and presentations. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | $9 | www.brick world.com/brickworld-virtualdec-12

The

December 14

Golden Circle Seniors Membership Meeting

To register for programs, and for COVID-19 updates, call Montrose Recreation District at 249-7705 or visit www.montroserec.com/637/

Let your voice be heard and cast your vote for the 2021 Board members and discuss the future re-opening of the Center. 1 p.m. | Free | Montrose Pavilion Senior Center | 252-4884

COVID-19-ReOpening-UPDATES

December 19

Watch the Delta Parade of Lights followed by a trip to Fort Uncompahgre to step back in time and celebrate Christmas at the Fort. There will be a living nativity, a blacksmith at the blacksmith shop, and volunteers in all of the rooms to talk to. Altrusa will have people reading stories, popcorn will be available near an open camp fire, as well as a Christmas tree with candles. Bring a can of food for the food bank. 5:15-8:30 p.m. | December 4 | Montrose Recreation Center | $20 by bus, $15 self-drive

Krimm and Friends virtual concert

Western Slope Concert Series Executive Director Andrew Krimm joins friends Sharon Park and Madoka Asari in duets for a virtual concert. 3-4 p.m. | Free | facebook.com/ westernslopeconcertseries | 2169245

December 25

Paonia Final Friday Frolic

The Paonia Creative District presents a monthly art walk down Grand Ave. and First and Fourth Streets featuring art openings, shopping, music, food and drinks. 5-8 p.m. | Grand Ave., Paonia | Free | www.northforkcreative.org

December 26

Josh Blue virtual concert

Tune in online to the live stream video of Last Comic Standing winner Josh Blue for a night of laughter you won’t want to miss! 6 p.m. | $10 | www.comedyworks. com/comedians/virtual-event-joshblue ■

See more events at www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

TRIPS & TOURS Christmas at the Fort

Three Fruita Hikes

Enjoy three short hikes near Fruita: Dinosaur Hill Trail, Fruita Paleo Area and Snooks Bottom. These are easy to moderate hikes at lower elevation. Wear good hiking shoes, use sunscreen, dress in layers and bring a sack lunch and water to drink. Meet at the Montrose Recreation Center by 8:45 a.m. 8:45 a.m. | December 11 | Montrose Recreation Center | $19 by bus, $14 self-drive

PAMPERING Reflexology Foot Therapy

Call to reserve a 20-minute treatment with certified reflexologist Cheryl Adams. 8:30 a.m.-12 p.m. | December 11 | Montrose Recreation Center Party Room | $15

Pedicures

Service includes a foot assessment, toenail trim and filing edges, thinning of nails and callus removal if needed. Call to reserve your appointment. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. | Tuesdays | Montrose Recreation Center Party Room | $35

Chair Massage

Call to reserve a 15-minute chair massage by certified massage therapists. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. | December 14 | Montrose Recreation Center Party Room | $15

Your guide to aging well in Mesa, Montrose & Delta Counties

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Montrose & Delta

CLUBS Friendship Quilters of Western Colorado meet monthly in the Pioneer Room of Friendship Hall at the Montrose County Fairgrounds. 4th Thursday | 9 a.m. | 417-4842

Book Club meets virtually through the Montrose Regional Library. 1st Saturday | 9-10 a.m. | lmclean@montroselibrary.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 | 2:30-4:30 p.m. | 249-9656

Citizens Climate Lobby meets monthly at the Montrose Library meeting room. 240-9146 | montrose@citizens climatelobby.org | www.citizens climatelobby.org

Delta Hubwheelers Square Dance Club is seeking new dancers. Call if interested in future square dancing classes. 7-9 p.m. | 773-4495 | deltawriter47@gmail.com

Montrose Area Woodturners meets at 520 Collins Way in Montrose. 2nd Saturday | 9 a.m. to noon | 986-2550 | lvcribbs@charter.net

Editor’s note: Some club meetings may be canceled due to COVID-19 safety measures and restrictions. Please contact organizers to confirm meeting details before attending. 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 acappella at Olathe United Methodist Church. Thursdays | 7-8:30 p.m. | 765-7020

Montrose Amateur Radio Club meets at the Olathe Community Center. 3rd Friday | 7 p.m. | 417-6142

VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA VOLUNTEERS OF NETWORK AMERICA WESTERN COLORADO OF

SERVICES WESTERN COLORADO NETWORK OF SERVICES

125 YEARS STRONG 125 YEARS STRONG For 125 years, our national presence and

Wishing you a Peaceful Holiday and a Healthy & Happy New Year Throughout the challenges of 2020, we’ve guided many families in our Delta, Montrose and Mesa County communities through some of the roughest storms of their lives. Whatever your requests and needs are, we always strive to fulfill every wish. “When you need us, we’ll be here.” - Chalmer & Marge Swain Delta 874-9988

Hotchkiss 872-3151

Cedaredge 856-3232

Paonia 527-3836

expertise places us at the forefront of aging For 125 years, our national presence and services. Our health care communities and expertise places us at the forefront of aging programs are designed with your highest levels services. Our health care communities and of health, activity and independence in mind — programs are designed with your highest levels helping each individual live the life that makes of health, activity and independence in mind — them happiest. helping each individual live the life that makes them happiest.

ESTABLISHED ROOTS & STEADY GROWTH ESTABLISHED ROOTS & STEADY GROWTH

Recognized as a Great Place to Work™

organization, Volunteers of America is a Recognized as a Great Place to Work™ respected name in health care for older adults organization, Volunteers of America is a and we're dedicated to creating thoughtful, respected name in health care for older adults caring and flexible work environments for our and we're dedicated to creating thoughtful, staff and volunteers. Apply online at caring and flexible work environments for our careerswithvoa.org. staff and volunteers. Apply online at careerswithvoa.org.

A MINISTRY OF SERVICE A MINISTRY OF SERVICE We provide services that are designed locally to address specific community needs and seek We provide services that are designed locally to serve the needs of the whole person (mind, to address specific community needs and seek body and spirit). Our ministry is one of service, to serve the needs of the whole person (mind, providing assistance to people of all faiths. body and spirit). Our ministry is one of service, providing assistance to people of all faiths. VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA IS A NATIONAL, NONPROFIT, FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATION AND A DEDICATED MINISTRY OF SERVICE FOUNDED IN 1896. VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA IS A NATIONAL, NONPROFIT, FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATION AND A VISITDEDICATED VOASENIORLIVING.ORG A COMPREHENSIVE LISTING MINISTRY OF FOR SERVICE FOUNDED IN 1896. OF OUR PROGRAMS AND SERVICES. VISIT VOASENIORLIVING.ORG FOR A COMPREHENSIVE LISTING

www.taylorfuneralservice.com 54 | CLUBS & ACTIVITIES | DECEMBER 2020 |

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OF OUR PROGRAMS AND For more information, call 1-844-862-4968 to SERVICES. speak with a Care Navigator

For more information, call 1-844-862-4968 to speak with a Care Navigator

Montrose Elks hosts bingo at the Montrose Elks Lodge, 801 S. Hillcrest Drive. Tuesdays | 6:30 p.m. | 249-4852

Valley Lutheran Church in Grand Junction. 1:30 p.m. | 245-5649 | www.vestafjelllodge.org

Montrose Pavilion Dance Club has canceled dances at the Montrose Pavilion due to the COVID-19 pandemic. When they resume, dancers of all ages are welcome and encouraged to bring a snack to share. 2nd & 4th Saturdays | $5 | 7:30-11 p.m. | 252-7172

Veteran Coffee Club meets at Western Region One Source, 428 28 Road in Grand Junction. Wednesdays | 8:30-10:30 a.m. | 257-3764

San Juan Dance Club offers eight styles of dance lessons at the Lions Clubhouse in Montrose. Singles are welcome. Thursdays | 6:30-9:30 p.m. | 252-9600 | patdouglas213@yahoo.com Sons of Norway, Vestafjell Lodge, meets monthly at Shepherd of the

Question

OF THE

Month

Compiled by Siggie Carpenter

If you couldn’t be home for Christmas, where would you go? Paul Janzen, Montrose

Western Slope 4 Wheelers meets at the Montrose Rod & Gun Club’s indoor range, 1211 6450 Road. 1st Tuesday | 7 p.m. | 209-5326 Women’s Giving Club of Montrose meets quarterly at The Bridges Country Club. 1st Monday in February, May, August, November | 5:30 p.m. | givingclubofmontrose@gmail.com ■

“I would be wandering the cobblestone streets through one of Bavaria’s medieval villages in Southern Germany. The streets are wide enough for one lane of cars. The inns, gasthäuses, and restaurants are lit up behind leaded glass windows, beckoning you to come in and get warm. The ancient buildings transport you back to the Renaissance days.”

Renee Lee, Montrose

Email your club information to: Beacon@PendantPublishing.com

“We would be lounging on the beach at Disney’s Vero Beach Resort in Florida. Loggerhead sea turtles nest on the beach next to the resort. Watching the hatchlings make their first journey in the moonlight safely to the ocean is really an amazing sight.”

Terry Glenn, Delta

Merry Christmas from

Colorow Care Center

Colorow is a skilled nursing facility that believes in healthy living, person-centered care and nontraditional approaches for therapy and long term care in meeting everyday needs. 855 S. Hwy 50 Business Loop Olathe, CO 81425

970.323.5504

www.vivage.com/Colorow

We Accept: • Medicare • Medicaid • RMHMO • Private Pay • PACE • And More

“Wherever there’s a golf course and a beach, you’ll find me. One of my favorite places is the island of Cozumel, Mexico, off the eastern coast of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula.”

Nancy Warnock, Montrose “My husband and I would be with our children, grandchildren and other family members and friends in the Sioux Falls, South Dakota area. Traveling these days is more difficult, and many are fearful for us to come, so we’ll be baking and sending homemade goodies instead.”

WWW.BEACONSENIORNEWS.COM | DECEMBER 2020 | CLUBS & ACTIVITIES |

Montrose Montrose & & Delta Delta

BEACON BITS BEACON BITS

Editor’s note: Some events may be canceled or rescheduled due to COVID-19 safety measures and restrictions. Please contact event organizers to confirm event details before attending. Montrose Recreation expanded hours Montrose Recreation District (MRD) expanded their hours on November 2. The Community Recreation Center is now open Monday through Friday 5:30 a.m.-1 p.m. and 4-7:30 p.m. and on Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. Additionally, MRD has added more group fitness classes such as SilverSneakers Yoga on Mondays and Fridays and Yoga/Pilates/Tai Chi on Wednesdays geared towards the older crowd. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the MRD staff has spaced out equipment, made individual grids for weight training, disinfects equipment after use and limits the number of participants per group fitness class. Reserve your space in a group class online at www.montrose rec.com or call 249-7705.

LEAP applications now available Montrose and Delta County residents can now apply for the 2020-2021 LEAP (Low Income Energy Assistance Program) season. Applications will be taken through April 30. LEAP is designed to help individuals and families with winter heating costs and is not intended to pay the entire cost of home heating. If financially eligible, the payment will be sent directly to the provider and will show as a credit on the applicants’ heat bill. Apply online at www. colorado.gov/PEAK, or by calling 1-866-HEAT-HELP (1-866-4328435). Paper applications are also available at Montrose County Health & Human Services, located at 1845 S. Townsend Ave.

Seniors and Retirees have Different Real Estate Needs We help buyers and sellers transition into the next phase of life.

Sherry Kammerer awarded Board Member of the Year Black Canyon Boys & Girls Club (BCBGC) Board President Sherry Kammerer was awarded Board Member of the Year for the state of Colorado. This award is very competitive, with each Boys & Girls Club in Colorado nominating a board director. Her guidance, hard work and determination in addition to her giving spirit is a huge part of the success of the BCBGC. In addition, she has played a vital role in launching the BCBGC’s capital campaign for a new, larger permanent facility in Montrose with the goal of ending BCBGC’s current three-year waiting list for members. For details, call 249-5168. Register for VinCO 2021 Registration for the 2021 VinCO Conference, scheduled for January 18-22 and sponsored by Colorado Association for Viticulture and Enology (CAVE), is now open. The virtual conference offers a tasting room management workshop on Monday, as well as lineup of knowledgeable speakers. The entire conference costs $50 for members,

$80 for nonmembers. To view the full schedule and to register, visit www.winecolorado.org. Calling all poets Poets are encouraged to submit their work by April 15, 2021, to be entered into the Embassy International 28th Annual Poetry Contest. Over $1,000 in prize money will be awarded to the winners, as well as the invitation to read either live at

♥ Riverside Adult Day Program ♥ ♥ Celebrates Christmas with Love Everyday together is a gift.

We improve the quality of life for seniors.

♥ Specialized care for adults diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, dementia, diabetes, Parkinson’s, MS, brain injuries, mental health issues and those with physical disabilities. ♥ Transportation to and from the adult day program.

Leslie Gore

Michelle Klippert

Senior Real Estate Specialist

(970) 275-3195

(970) 275-3016

lesliegorerealtor@gmail.com

michelleklippertrealtor@gmail.com

The

Real Estate Store

970-249-7653 500 E. Main St. Montrose, CO 81401 www.the-res.com

56 | BEACON BITS | DECEMBER 2020 |

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♥ Therapeutic activities and social interaction. We are licensed by the Colorado Dept of Public Health & Environment. We accept private pay, private insurance, Medicaid and Veterans Affairs.

u Try

s for a free day ...

970-249-1590

Mon-Fri 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. 16935 6450 Rd, Montrose, CO www.RiversideAdultDayProgram.com

FUN AFTER 50

the Dancing Poetry Festival or virtually on Zoom. Poems are limited to 38 lines each poem; there’s no limit on number of entries. Read up on more contest rules and details online at www.westerncolorado writers.org/newsletters/November-2020-newsletter or call 5419293. Ducky your yard Would you like your friends, family or enemies to wake up to a yard full of ducks for the day? Partners Mentoring Youth can help! In lieu of the organization’s annual Ducky Race, which was canceled due to COVID-19, staff and partnerships are happy to ducky yards or offices at the cost of $1 per duck (with a $25 minimum). Call 249-1116 to get someone duckied today!

Hilltop wins blue ribbon Hilltop Family Resource Center in Montrose was recently awarded the Blue Ribbon Affiliate status from the Parents as Teachers National Center. Programs that earn the Blue Ribbon Affiliates are recognized by the national Parents as Teachers office as delivering exemplary, high-quality services to children and families. To earn this distinction, Hilltop underwent a rigorous review process where they were required to meet 20 essential criteria and at least 75 out of 100 specific, quality standards. Hilltop met 96 of those 100 standards, marking it among the best home visiting programs in the nation. For more information, call 252-7445. ■

To register for programs and for COVID-19 updates, call 874-0923 or visit

SUPPORT GROUPS Delta Diabetes Support Group meets at Grand Mesa Oncology’s Crag Crest room. 2nd Monday | 2:30-3:30 p.m. | 874-6410

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES Sharing Ministries Food Bank in Montrose seeks dedicated volunteers for three hours, one day a week. Call 240-8385 Senior CommUnity Meals needs volunteer delivery drivers to help seniors in Delta and Montrose counties. www.seniorcommunitymeals.org | 874-7661 Friends of Montrose Library seeks volunteers to sort donated books, run book sales and serve on its board of directors. Meetings are held once a month. Call 249-9656 Habitat for Humanity of the San Juans seeks volunteers to help at its ReStore or at its construction sites. Call 252-9303 Time Bank of the Rockies is a Montrose-based nonprofit that helps people through a system of exchanged services. Call 209-6886 Museum of the Mountain West seeks volunteer tour guides to bring the past to life for visitors. Call 240-3400

www.cityofdelta.net/parksrecgolf

TRIPS & TOURS December 10-11

Christmas Show in Glenwood Springs

Enjoy an overnight stay in Glenwood Springs to watch the Glenwood Vaudeville Revue’s Christmas Show. Price includes hotel stay and show ticket. Register by December 1. Leave at noon | $100 per person (double occupancy) | Call Gary 874-0923

FITNESS Senior Circuit

Circuit training for seniors with flexibility exercises. 9 a.m. Monday through Friday

Pilates

Low-impact movements that improve flexibility, muscular strength and endurance. 12 p.m. Mondays | 9 a.m. Fridays

Body Bar

Get an entire body workout using a weighted fitness bar. 9 a.m. Tuesdays | 6 a.m. Wednesdays

HBSB (Healthy Body Strong Bones)

Use simple weightlifting with hand weights designed to help increase flexibility, balance and bone strength. 9 a.m. Tuesdays & Thursdays

Silver Sneakers Classic

Strengthen muscles and increase range of movement using hand-held weights, elastic tubing with handles, and a ball. A chair can be used for seated exercises or standing support. 10 a.m. Tuesdays & Thursdays

Body Blitz

Cross-train with this quick-paced muscle conditioning class guaranteed to get your heart pumping. 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays | 9 a.m. Thursdays

Email your news briefs to: Beacon@PendantPublishing.com

Yoga Fusion

yoga, Pilates and barre elements using stretching and body weight exercises. 5:30 p.m. Wednesdays

Dance Fit

Get fit and have fun while following along to choreographed dances guaranteed to burn energy and shake stress. 5:30 p.m. Thursdays

Cardio Crazy

This water fitness class incorporates high energy cardio to gain strength and muscle toning. Aqua shoes recommended. 8:30 a.m. Mondays and Wednesdays

Pool Power

Workout in shallow water to focus and tone problem areas using a variety of pool tools. Aqua shoes recommended. 9:30 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays

Body & Health

Enjoy a combination of aerobic and full body workout in the pool, suitable for all ages and levels. 10:30 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays

Light-n-Lively

This class is designed for beginners to build endurance and strength in the water. 10 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays

Splash Circuits

This is the aquatic equivalent to gym circuits for a total body workout. Water shoes recommended. 11 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays

Full Body Cardio

This class includes water jogging, river running, jumping jacks and lunges to tone muscles and raise heart rate. 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays

Deep Benefits

Held in the diving well of the main pool, this provides a no-impact, challenging cardiovascular workout. 5:30 p.m. Wednesdays

This vinyasa flow style class blends WWW.BEACONSENIORNEWS.COM | DECEMBER 2020 | BEACON BITS |

FUN & GAMES

COVID-19 during the holidays Celebrations need to look different this year. Low-risk activities could include: Having a small dinner with only people who live in your household. Preparing traditional family recipes for family and neighbors, especially those at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19, and delivering them in a way that doesnâ€™t involve contact with others. Having a virtual dinner (via video call) and sharing recipes with friends and family. Shopping online rather than in person (avoid Black Friday crowds). Watching sports events, parades, and movies from home. Travel increases the chance of getting and spreading the virus that causes COVID-19. Staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others. Avoid the 3 Cs this holiday season: Crowds Close Contact Settings Closed-in Spaces SUPPORT SANDIO'S FOOD DRIVE

More information about COVID-19 can be found by visiting www.health.mesacounty.us

58 | FUN & GAMES | DECEMBER 2020 |

WWW.BEACONSENIORNEWS.COM

CROSSWORD

FUN & GAMES

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ACROSS

1. Death, in France 5. Eur. carrier 8. What Richard III

offered “my kingdom” for 14. Banned apple spray 15. Half a fly 16. Delaware tribe 17. Cloudlike 19. Labyrinthine 20. Meat, lettuce, cheese and tomato in a foot-long bun? 22. Source of iron 23. Sends out 24. Matured 26. Wedge-shaped 29. ___ kwon do 32. Kentucky college 33. Mistake 37. Like afterschool activities 40. Arizona sights 41. Drench 42. Thoroughfares: Abbr. 43. A dish best served cold, it’s said 45. Small opening 48. Puppeteer Lewis 53. Therapists’ org. 54. Amused

58. Narrate 60. Capital of

Botswana

61. Like a small garage 62. ‘... man -- mouse?’ 63. James of jazz 64. Effortlessly 65. Sun. delivery 66. Mtg.

DOWN

1. Parsonage 2. Fuming sulphuric

acid 3. Temple leader 4. Faith 5. Greek portico 6. Org. 7. Bird feed 8. Buzz in space 9. Helmet 10. The loneliest number 11. Hazardous gas 12. Surplus 13. Caught congers 18. Mil. officers 21. Floor covering 25. Hose hue 26. Fairly dry, when describing champagne

27. Cautious 28. Long-legged bird 29. Pro ___ 30. Lumberjack’s tool 31. “The X-Files”

extras 32. Tin or zinc, e.g. 34. “Treasure Island” monogram 35. Cereal grain 36. Monopoly quartet: Abbr. 38. ___ avis 39. British verb ending 44. Sport of hunting 45. N. Atlantic archipelago 46. ___ can of worms 47. Speed contests 48. ___ Paulo 49. Takes on 50. Make ___ of (write down) 51. Leases 52. Thoughts 55. Psyche parts 56. Few and far between 57. Skier’s transport 59. Henri’s here

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SUDOKU

Turn to page 60 for your puzzle answers WWW.BEACONSENIORNEWS.COM | DECEMBER 2020 | FUN & GAMES |

FUN & GAMES

WORD SEARCH P L A T Z C H E N S P B S E S O O A E O S S A O A T M E A L F G A A L I C K E K A C T I U R F O R T U N E S S E L G N A I R T T U N Y C I P S S R L K P U M P K I N I D B A F C R O A S N O T T U B R O L E H C A B E P B E I E W E D D I N G B T E G P B I E L R A L N R A E S T R E D I I G H E D C O S P S I R C N O M A N N I C F O S R M M P S N T M W P E G W N E F O E T W I L A U O S N C R E H G T O D S E E E T N H C M I S B R E E A T R S A H K A L O S P E M T B E R L I E A C N E C C A S E S L R R L S O C K L A P I O O Y B U R P O E S N C S C O K T O S E P G Y L F H A H A O R I M E N R N I A M A D N S D H P H J N C S N O O R A C A M A C N K S C O S D R H O E R E R S J U L P S M I

Need a Gift for Someone Special? How about a Gift Card from Rocky Mountain Gun Club, it makes a great stocking stuffer! We would like to thank our members and our community for supporting local business such as ours, stay safe, and Happy Holidays!

545 31 Road 970-523-7642 www.rmgcgj.com | info@rmgcgj.com 60 | FUN & GAMES | DECEMBER 2020 |

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FIND 31 VARIETIES OF COOKIES 1. bachelor buttons 2. blonde brownies 3. chocolate chip 4. cinnamon crisps 5. cocoons 6. fortune 7. fresh apple 8. fruit cake 9. ginger snaps 10. gingerbread 11. hermist 12. honey spice 13. jam pockets 14. lace 15. lady baltimore 16. lemon

17. macaroons 18. molasses crinkles 19. oatmeal 20. peanut 21. pinwheels 22. platzchen 23. pumpkin 24. raisin 25. shortbread 26. snickerdoodles 27. spicy nut triangles 28. sugar 29. tea cakes 30. toffee bars 31. wedding

Answers from page 58 and 59

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 RENT MAPS 55+ Living Open Now! Affordable, independent senior living in Moab, UT now accepting applications, age 55+. 1-bedroom units still available, pet friendly. Housing Choice Voucher accepted. 435-355-0557. maps@sellersgroup.net

FOR SALE Kids Saddle Kids saddle for sale, too big for a mini-pony. $200. Delta, CO. Text 901-9364 for more info. Fancy Guppies Fancy Guppy Fish for sale, $1.25 each. Will deliver purchases of 10 or more locally. Delta, CO. Text 901-9364.

HELP WANTED

WE’RE HIRING! ADVERTISING EXECUTIVES FREELANCE WRITERS

Send your letter and resume to beacon@pendantpublishing.com No phone calls, please.

HOME SERVICES B-N-Trees Tree removal, stump grinding, trimming. Call Bill 430-1970. The Cleaning Lady Fall is a perfect time to declutter your house! Competitive rates on downsizing, reorganizing and cleaning—weekly, biweekly, monthly or just a one-time shot. Linda K. 720-841-7505 or 263-7364.

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. 20% Senior Discount Call Dragon Heating & A/C, Inc. to get your heater safety checked for winter. Serving the Western Slope since 2006. Your Comfort is Our Business. Call Dan to schedule services and for a free estimate: 858-4775. www.dragonhvac.com.

SERVICES

B&D’s

Resale & Services

No job too big or small Moving, trash haul away, construction cleanup, estate & yard sales

I buy silver, gold, antiques, knives, watches, military, coins, old signs. Same day service and free quotes. Call Brandon

970-930-1942

Silver Sage Senior Delivery Service Local, safe and dependable, the surprisingly affordable answer to your delivery issues. “You need it…We bring it.” Priority delivery available for medicine and medical supplies. For all your delivery needs, call 314-8753.

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

Great Prices on Perms Senior Discounts

CERAMIC & PORCELAIN DOLL MAKING CLASSES & SUPPLIES

778-8075

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. 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. Regan’s Regal Beauty Perms, color, haircuts for women and men. New location at 2500 North Ave., #2, Grand Junction. Licensed cosmetologist. Call Regan Clements at 719-425-0543 to book today!

HEALTH & WELLNESS 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. 720443-2420 or visit www.healthychoicesunltd.com.

NOW OPEN My Little Haven Is NOW OPEN! New and used home furnishings, antiques and collectibles. Inside is way bigger than it looks from the outside. Come in and check us out. 575 25 Road, Grand Junction. Open Tues-Sat 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 986-8141.

WANTED TO BUY USED BOOKS Buy, Sell or Trade Gently used books on hundreds of subjects. Westerns, romance, mysteries, suspense, kids, young adult, inspirational and many others. Large print. Special orders. 242-3911. Twice Upon a Time Bookshop, 2885 North Ave., Ste. B. located in front of Walmart next to Subway. 10-6 MonSat, 11-4 Sunday. **Bring this ad in for $10 Trade Credit**

HAVE SOMETHING TO SELL OR A SERVICE TO OFFER? List it here! Call Stacey at 243-8829

to reserve your space in next month’s issue. WWW.BEACONSENIORNEWS.COM | DECEMBER 2020 | CLASSIFIEDS |

OPINION

Be careful what you ask for By Michael Murphy

s I gazed out the window one lovely morning, the tranquility was shattered by my neighbor sprinting down the sidewalk, screaming for help. Close behind was a howling lawnmower, nipping at his heels, its blade churning in a bloodlust. “I’ll be danged,” I muttered, “my neighbor must have gotten one of those new smart mowers, the kind that is voice-activated. Looks like someone has already hacked it.” I shook my head and headed back to the kitchen to call out to my new smart pancake maker, “Aunt Jemima, make breakfast.” Sound far-fetched to you? Then it’s time to get you up to snuff on the technology craze taking over the world—voice-activated devices. My wife just got a phone upgrade. Her old phone was basically limited to giving directions during

our trips. But, boy, her new one has a lot more voice features and is very chatty. Personally, I thought it was bad enough when my wife would talk to the dog, and I’d frequently shout, “What?” from another room. Now, in addition to the dog, she is talking to her phone all the time, commanding things like “Siri, give me a recipe for left-over eggplant soup,” resulting in my shouting “What?” twice as often. If you, like my wife, have an Apple device such as an iPhone, you can ask Siri for instant information. Concerned about the weather forecast? Just say, “Hey Siri, show me the weather radar map,” and the image will appear on your phone. Green means rain is coming, and blue says snow is imminent. If the approaching blob is purple, turn off the phone and head to the basement as fast as you can.

A big seller last holiday season was an Amazon device that responds to all sorts of voice commands. Now a person can come home, kick back on the couch, and boss around a gal named Alexa. Just say, “Alexa, play ‘Jingle Bells’” and there’s a 50/50 chance she’ll get it right. Odds are pretty good that you’ll have several dental fillings pop out of your mouth as Alexa cranks up “Hells Bells” by AC/DC. Tell Alexa to order a pizza, and within minutes the doorbell will ring, and you’ll more than likely be greeted by a delivery guy handing you a fragrant bouquet of roses. Having one of these amazing devices will really liven up those boring evenings at home by keeping you guessing what will happen next. Microsoft has another voice-activated device, named Cortana.

One of its truly impressive abilities is that you can program it with photos and then command it to show specific ones. For example, let’s say you want to show off photos from your trip to Hawaii. You say, “Cortana, show Justin underwater on the wakeboard” and shazam! There’s Justin on the 65-inch HDTV screen wearing only his underwear and dancing on the bar at the tiki lounge. Oops, wrong picture! Word to the wise: Be careful what you ask for. And don’t leave Cortana, Siri and Alexa alone in the same room for too long. Just imagine the stories they could share about you. ■ Mike Murphy retired after a 35-year teaching and coaching career. He has a master’s degree in English from the University of Nebraska and is an Associated Press award-winning columnist.

Planning ahead is simple. The benefits are immense. When you plan ahead, you can design every detail of your own final tribute and protect your loved ones from unnecessary emotional and financial burdens.

We remain deeply committed to the health and well-being of our community and are observing the highest level of cleanliness at our facilities.

62 | OPINION | DECEMBER 2020 |

WWW.BEACONSENIORNEWS.COM

CALLAHAN-EDFAST

MARTIN

MORTUARY & CREMATORY GRAND JUNCTION

970-243-2450

970-243-1538

If your Medicare Advantage plan is leaving the area, Humana can help You can enjoy all the benefits of Original Medicare and more—like:

• • • •

Prescription drug coverage* Rewards for completing preventive health screening and activities Maximum annual out-of-pocket protection Doctors office visits and hospital coverage

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Humanameeting.webex.com Meeting ID - 130-413-9248 1-872-244-5900

The Venue at Fisher’s 625 24 1/2 Rd. Grand Junction, CO 81505

Tues., October 20, 10 a.m. – noon Tues., October 27, 10 a.m. – noon Tues., November 3, 10 a.m. – noon Tues., November 10, 10 a.m. – noon Tues., November 17, 10 a.m. – noon Tues., December 1, 10 a.m. – noon Sat., October 17, 10 a.m. – noon Sat., October 24, 10 a.m. – noon Sat., November 7, 10 a.m. – noon Sat., November 21, 10 a.m. – noon Sat., December 1, 10 a.m. – noon Sat., December 5, 10 a.m. – noon

Wed., October 14, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Wed., October 21, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Wed., October 28, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Wed., November 4, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Wed., November 11, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Wed., November 18, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Wed., December 2, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Delta Bill Heddles Recreation Center in Community Room 531 Palmer St, Delta, CO 81416 Fri., October 16, 9 a.m. – noon Fri., November 6, 9 a.m. – noon Fri., December 4, 9 a.m. – noon

Call to RSVP to a virtual meeting with a licensed Humana sales agent

Montrose The Lions Clubhouse 602 N Nevada Ave. Montrose, CO 81401 Mon., October 26, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Mon., November 9, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Mon., November 23, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Mon., November 30, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Mon., December 7, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Patricia Zapf 970-301-8752 (TTY: 711) Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. Humana.com/pzapf www.facebook.com/ pattizapfhumana

HumanaChoice PPO H5216_223

*Cannot include on an MA only plan. Humana is a Medicare Advantage HMO, PPO and PFFS organization with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in any Humana plan depends on contract renewal. Applicable to HumanaChoice PPO H5216_223. For accommodations of persons with special needs at meetings call 1-877-320-1235 (TTY: 711), 8 a.m. – 8 p.m., seven days a week. For a complete list of available plans please contact 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048), 24 hours a day/7 days a week or consult www.medicare.gov. Y0040_GHHHXCZTE_21_M

H5216_223

SOCKS for SENIORS

DRIVE

Socks are an affordable and much needed gift for seniors. Please bring new socks to 970 Medicare and we’ll donate them to seniors for the holidays.

BIG CHANGES AHEAD

FREE MEDICARE INSURANCE EVALUATION Review your coverage options every year.

Local Licensed Sales Agent • Medicare Advantage Plans • Medicare Supplement Insurance • Part D Prescription Drug Plans

Ashley VanGundy

28 RD.

CALL NOW! 970-712-8672 NORTH AVE.

970 M E D I C A R E

2755 North Avenue Senior Insurance Solutions

This is an advertisement. Not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. Government or the federal Medicare program-