BEACON - May 2012

May 2012

Vol. 26

No. 5

Western Colorado’s Monthly Newspaper for Adults 50+. Over 31,510 Readers.

Summer 2012

Health &Wellness Five steps to healthier feet page 2

Debilitated drivers can Shift to Independence page 16

Produced by the BeacoN’s advertising Team

Your Gui d e to a H eal t hy Mind & Bo d y

Five steps to healthy feet in our Health and Wellness insert.

Now on the web at www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

What’s Inside Advice and Ideas............................11 Classifieds..................................... 36 Crossword..................................... 25 Delta/Montrose County................. 31 Faith Moves................................... 22 Gardening...................................... 18 Garfield County.............................. 34 Laughing Matters.......................... 12 Local Lore...................................... 16 Mesa County.................................. 26 Parks & Recreation........................ 24 Resource Directory Highlight........... 9 River City Singles.......................... 27 Travel & Recreation....................... 14

Volunteers are vital to the valley Over 52,890 people voted to choose our winner. Details on page 4.

Moms are great!

This Mother's Day, we honor all mothers, including the one who started it all.

Read more inside.

Emma Danciger is considered a patron saint for creating a center for the arts in Garfield County.

Read more inside.

Photo by Karen Jones

Use your experience to improve children’s lives St. Mary’s Foster Grandparents provide invaluable attention and a positive role model for children in educational settings. You don’t have to be a teacher a parent or grandparent, but you must have a desire to share your time and experience with young students.

Call 970-263-9091 to volunteer or for more information.

Volunteers 55 and older meeting income and service commitment guidelines earn a tax-free stipend.

2

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May 2012

Senior Living

WHERE THE NEWS COMES FIRST

TV to talk about.

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May 2012

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Editorial 3

The mom who inspired Mother’s Day

By Kevin VanGundy

D

read the BEACON, “Happy Mother’s Day!”

uring the Civil War, a benevolent Your health and wellness Ann Jarvis cared for wounded I recently received a press release soldiers on both sides of the conflict. from the Mesa Her compassionCounty Health ate care led to Department statthe formation of a ing that obesity, group of mothers, unintended pregfrom the north and nancy, and suicide south, that would were selected as look after the many our greatest local wounded sons as health concerns. I if they were their have assured our own. This group county leaders of mothers started that the BEACON’s a Mother’s Friendreaders were workship Day. ing hard to keep On May 12, 1907, the senior pregJarvis died and her Mother’s FriendBEACON Publisher Kevin VanGundy with his nancy rate low, but that I would make ship Day may well beloved mother, Genevra, at BeaconFest. a point to address have faded into the other two concerns.

Obesity is a history with her, were it not for the big problem (get it?) and this month’s relentless efforts of her daughter, special health and wellness insert Anna, who worked to make it a nahas several useful articles for tional holiday. Mother’s Day was you to read. made an official observance All joking aside, suicide is in 1914 by U.S. President a serious concern among Woodrow Wilson. Interestseniors. I encourage you ingly, Anna came to hate to read the article in this the commercialization month’s paper by Janey of the celebration by the Sorensen with the Cengreeting card companies. ter for Mental Health.

“A printed card means I think she is 'spot on' nothing except that when she says that, you are too lazy to write “Depression is not a to the woman who has normal part of aging.” done more for you than Please, reach out to anyone in the world,” Anna someone for help. complained.

While I am thankful Your summer festival to Ann and Anna Jarphotos vis, I must say that the Do you have interestmom who inspires my ing photos from an area observance of Mother’s summer festival? May Day is my own mother, we share them with Genevra Grace VanGunother BEACON readers? dy-Shal. I love you, Mom. Please email them to By the way, Mom, in keeping Beacon@PendantPublish with Anna Jarvis' wishes, Ann Jarvis, top, is the ing.com. They might just I won’t be sending you a mother who inspired win you a prize and be greeting card. How about featured in June's issue her daughter, Anna, dinner instead? of the BEACON. ■ bottom, to establish To all of the mothers who Mother’s Day.

Happy Nurses Day! May 6th

4 Cover Story

Volunteer Opportunity: Be a Foster Grandparent St. Mary’s Foster Grandparent Program is in need of volunteers! The program has served Mesa and Delta counties since 1973. Last year, 84 volunteers provided invaluable companionship and support to 1,377 children that were at risk for developmental delays. As funding for K-12 schools declines, schools and their children need help more than ever. Foster Grandparent volunteers, all age 55 and older, provided 57,172 hours of service last year.

Why should I volunteer with Foster Grandparents?

• You can make a difference for the next generation by helping a child improve their reading, math, social and cognitive skills.

• You get out of the house and meet new people.

• Socializing helps improve your mental and physical health.

What are the benefits of volunteering?

• Eligible volunteers can earn a non-taxable hourly stipend.

• Mileage reimbursement to and from school • Free annual wellness exam • Earned paid time off • Free meal at most volunteer work stations • Discount at St. Mary’s Life Center gym • Monthly, educational, in-service training If you’re interested in being a Foster Grandparent, stop by their open house at 2232 N. Seventh St., Suite 2 in Grand Junction from 1 p.m.-4 p.m. on Thursday, May 10 (in the Medical Arts complex, a few doors down from 7th Street Deli.) Meet the staff and other volunteers while enjoying some cool treats and warm company. Information will be available for those interested in volunteering with the Foster Grandparent Program or Senior Companion Program.

For more information on the Foster Grandparent Program, call Tanya Fink at 263-9091.

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

May 2012

Meeting many needs by doing good deeds Volunteer—an individual who reaches out beyond the confines of paid employment and normal responsibilities to freely contribute time and service to a cause in the belief that their activity is beneficial to others as well as satisfying to themselves.

By Marsha Kearns

T

his definition certainly applies to each of the Volunteer of the Year nominees at this year’s BeaconFest.

Twenty-four people were chosen as finalists for Volunteer of the Year, and every one of them embodies the passion and caring that exemplify selfless giving—none more so than Dave Rosen, who was chosen as Volunteer of the Year.

Rosen, 66, said, “It was an honor to stand among that group of people who have given so much of their time and energy.”

Congratulations to all the nominees, and kudos to all the wonderful volunteers in our community. They make the world work in a multitude Dave Rosen, the BEACON’s 2012 Volunteer of good ways.

With so many daily demands in our of the Year, was nominated by Lynne Klish and the board of Colorado Discover Ability. lives, it’s sometimes hard to think about carving out time to volunteer. resources for fulfilling their mission.

However, investing your services to This means opportunities to help make your community a better place abound in your state, county, and yields enormous benefits—for you neighborhood. and for other individuals, as well as Rosen has volunteered at Colorado for the community in general.

Discover Ability for 25 years as a ski The basic requirements for voluninstructor and rafting guide. teering are a desire to help, a com“I was at Powderhorn one day in passionate and open mind, a willing1987 and saw a woman from CDA ness to do whatever is in a sit-ski teaching a needed, and a positive "It was an honor to group of able-bodied attitude. Volunteerstand among that group instructors how to ing is a great way to help her,” Rosen of people." explore your interests said. “I stopped to with others who share ask questions. They your passion. Volunteering can spark needed help, even unskilled help like your creativity and feed your soul. mine, for the first Disabled Veteran’s “It feels good to help,” Rosen said.

Winter Sports Clinic happening at “Plus, there is a lot of work needed Powderhorn the following week. I’m to make things better, but not much a veteran, so it was an instant fit.” money to pay for it. If volunteers do You may already know where your it, it gets done. Otherwise, not so interests and passions lie, and these much.” can lead you directly to the organi-

Where to find volunteer opportunities Just about every nonprofit organization needs volunteers to function, because most nonprofits have limited

zation that’s right for you. Just call and ask to speak to the volunteer coordinator, and see if you can visit the organization and get a feel for the

place and the people. Or it may just happen for you like it did for Rosen.

“Private enterprises can’t figure out how to run programs for those with disabilities, although some provide a lot of support, both moral and material,” Rosen said. “The government doesn’t do too well, either.

CDA does.”

Like many nonprofit organizations, Colorado Discover Ability is run by a small, dedicated staff, supported by a group of equally dedicated volunteers that outnumber staff about 40 to 1.

They guide hundreds of people every year to discover abilities they didn’t know they had or thought they had lost.

“We help people laugh again, or scream, and sometimes cry, in a good way,” Rosen said. “In addition to our skiing, camping and river programs, CDA helps the Wounded Warrior program, the Veteran’s Administration, and other organizations to help bring our injured troops all the way home.”

That’s true passion at work.

Many volunteers choose more than one organization to help. Just be aware that sometimes things sound better on paper or in your mind than they turn out to be in reality. Take time to investigate, because the happier you are in a place, the greater your contribution will be and the longer you will likely continue as a volunteer.

If you are 55 or older, call the RSVP in your area. RSVPs are nonprofit agencies whose mission is to recruit seniors for volunteer positions and help them find rewarding volunteer opportunities. You can choose onetime, short-time, or long-term volunteer projects. RSVP makes it easy to get your toes wet in the world of volunteering.

Good for others = Good for you Sure, volunteering makes you feel

May 2012 good about yourself. But the goodness goes deeper than that, especially if you are a senior volunteering for purely altruistic, selfless reasons. Research indicates that people who volunteer about 100 hours per year get plenty of benefits, including a longer, happier life. That’s just two hours per week for longevity. (Note: Intention matters. People who volunteer mainly for their own selfsatisfaction don’t live any longer than people who don’t volunteer.) Here are other benefits: 1. Volunteering fights depression. Volunteering keeps things in perspective, which means you’ll be better able to focus on the positive things going on in your life as opposed to dwelling on unpleasant things. Being a volunteer also puts you in contact with others frequently, which reduces social isolation, a major cause of depression.

2. Volunteering builds self-confidence and satisfaction. Doing good things for others provides you a sense of accomplishment, pride and identity. The better you feel about yourself, the more likely you are to have a positive view of your life and your future.

3. Volunteering builds strong relationships, and volunteers can develop better social and relationship skills. Volunteers working together bond over their common goals and shared values, resulting in deeper friendship connections. When you meet regularly with a group of people with common interests, it’s easier to make more friends and contacts.

4. Volunteering enhances physical health. Some of the proven side effects of volunteering include fewer incidences of heart disease, fewer

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com they need from a volunteer.

“I like to help people and give back to the You might ask community. Staying busy keeps me out of yourself these trouble—most days! I meet new and interquestions: esting people and am able to build a rapport • What cause is with those I see frequently. I talk up volunimportant to teering to others, too, because I think the me? more people helping others, the better.”

• Do I want to -Clayton Dause, Sherriff’s Department, Habitat for work alone or Humanity, Mesa County Health Department, AARP with people?

Tax Aide, Museum of the West, Mesa County Fair & • Do I want to Mesa County RSVP work behind the scenes or be visible? aches and pains, and overall better • How much time am I willing to health. give?

5. Volunteering sharpens your • How much responsibility do I want brain. Studies show that some of the to take on? signs of mental aging, such as lower • What skills do I bring to an memory loss and decreased functionorganization? al ability, can be lessened by actively volunteering. Learning new skills and working with people to help solve problems keeps your brain active and engaged.

Getting started means finding the right opportunity for you. You will find greater enjoyment and more rewarding experiences if you identify your goals and interests.

For example, ask yourself: Do I want to…

• make things better around my neighborhood?

Once you’re volunteering…

It’s important that you enjoy and benefit from your experience as well as feeling that you are making a valuable contribution. Be sure to communicate with the people in the organization to ensure that you’re a good fit. Ask questions about training, time, coworkers, and how to find answers to your questions that will come up.

You may want to start small and work into more responsibility if you wish. Find out “I have to think in my heart of hearts that what is expected of you it makes a difference in someone’s life that and be flexible. You can I get up in the morning. I can’t think of anychange your mind if things thing worst than getting up and not having don’t work out as you exanything to do.” pected. You can switch to another job or even change -Joy Bush, Grand Junction Visitor and Convention organizations.

Bureau, Fruita Welcome Center, Western Colorado The most important Botanical Gardens, Homeward Bound Homeless thing is to have fun!

Shelter & Mesa County Libraries

• meet people who are different from me?

• try something new?

• do something I’m good at?

• pursue my interests and hobbies?

It’s important as you investigate possible opportunities that you make sure the time you are willing to commit to an organization matches what

Looking for volunteer opportunities? Mesa County RSVP can be reached by calling 243-9839. Call RSVP-Colorado West, in Montrose (serving five southwest counties) at 249-9639. In Garfield County, call High Country RSVP at 947-8461. You can also find a list of volunteer opportunities in the BEACON under our “Beacon Bits” sections. ■

Cover Story 5

National & Regional Award-Winning Publication Publisher ............................ Kevin VanGundy Founding Publisher................... Susan Capps Assistant Editor........................ Cloie Sandlin Office Manager ........................Genevra Shal Graphic Design.............................. Heidi Graf Production/ Photographer......... Karen Jones Delivery........................................Al LeFebre Advertising Sales......................... Val Begalle Advertising Sales.........................Sue Bowen Advertising Sales.................Jeanette Kiphart Advertising Assistant...............Jamie Begalle Mascot............................................... Bogart Delta-Montrose Bureau Advertising Sales.................... Virginia Carlile Delivery..........................................JR Milner Garfield Bureau Editor.......................................Cheryl Currier P.O. Box 3895, Grand Junction, CO 81502 970.24 3.8 829  80 0. 536.7516 fax Website: www.BeaconSeniorNews.com E-mail: Beacon@ PendantPublishing.com The Beacon is published at the beginning of the month.

Our goal is to inform and inspire the 50+ community in Mesa, Delta, Montrose and Garfield counties.

Publication of advertising does not necessarily constitute endorsement. Columns are opinions of the writers, not necessarily the opinion of the publisher.

Display advertising rates are available upon request.

Deadline for advertising and announcements is the 20th of the month preceding publication. © Copyright 2012 • All Rights Reserved

“Were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers, or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter.”



—Thomas Jefferson—

6 Feature Story

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

Stay safe and independent in your own home

Volunteer for Hospice and become someone’s hero This part of life does not deter volunteers from working with the patients hen we think of the word at Hospice. In fact, they have a very “hero,” we usually imagine high retention rate. There are many someone who performs incredible different ways to volunteer and there feats and saves the lives of many is something for everyone. people at great risk. But you don’t Other than being a patient care have to save someone’s life to be a volunteer, you can help maintain hero. All you have to do is care. That Hospice’s beauty by planning, plantis exactly what ing and enriching volunteers at HosHospice’s Tanglepice & Palliative wood Gardens.

Care of Western You can also Colorado do evvolunteer with ery day for those the children-teen they serve. Their grief programs, mission: “To enor work at their hance the quality upscale resale of life for those shop, Heirlooms facing serious illfor Hospice. ness or grief.”

They ask for For Hospice volunteers to Patient Care decorate birthday Volunteer Coorcakes for patients dinator Judy Ray, Judy Ray (left) values Hospice's many volunteers without families. this mission has including Susie Rochon (right).

Another great defined her career. She has served volunteer opportunity is to record a with hospices for 19 years in several patient’s life story, so the family may different states including Hawaii, always have something from their Arizona, Idaho and Colorado. loved one to remember them by.

“I’m always getting enriched,” Ray These stories become gems, not only said. “They (the patients) are living to the family but also for those who inside of me.” get the chance to record it.

Heather Gross works in the marketEvery volunteer at Hospice goes ing department at Hospice and takes through a thorough training process. pleasure in serving the organization They receive a great deal of informaand it’s patients. tion in a short amount of time so they “I feel a sense of honor working gain a general knowledge of what here,” Gross said. “At the end of the they need to know about being a day, you are doing something good.” volunteer.

While these two women are em“Volunteers have their own anployed by Hospice, volunteers do a swers before they know they have good majority of work. In 2011 alone, them,” Ray said.

1,206 volunteers donated 76,378 Hospice patients have a constant hours of their time to serve patients. team of doctors, nurses, social workRather than viewing her work as ers and chaplains visiting them on simply being with someone who is a regular basis, but a volunteer does “actively dying,” Ray prefers to think not come to visit with an agenda. of it as sharing the end of someone’s Rather, they come to simply be there life journey. for the patient, which makes all the “They are still living through that difference. end of life process,” Ray said.

For more information about volunAt Hospice, death is not viewed teering with Hospice, call 241-2212 or with fear, but as another part of life. visit www.hospicewco.com. ■

By Cameron Jones

W

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May 2012

May 2012

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Feature story 7

Barbara Keller: Fashioned For Fun’s right hand angel Center. It offers counseling groups for arbara Keller, 65, women who lost their spends her sumbabies and organizes mers volunteering with Beautiful U, a program Fashioned For Fun, a where teen girls learn program set up by the more about their inner Life Choices Family Rebeauty. At the end, they source Center in Monget to participate in a trose. She heard about professional photograthe program through phy session. The center her church and wanted Barbara Keller, left, with some of also provides many to help young girls different services for her girls. learn how to make expecting parents. good decisions while having fun.

Keller said Fashioned For Fun is “I really have a heart for kids who always looking for volunteers. are making hurtful choices in their “We need people to help set up lives,� Keller said. and clean up, cooks, photographers, Fashioned For Fun is a summer proand speakers on various topics such gram that helps girls ages 8-18 gain as etiquette and communication,� self-confidence through topics such Keller said. as nutrition, self protection, poise Barbara said the best part of volunand posture, and fashion. The proteering is being able to see a differgram emphasizes good parent-child ence in the girls she works with, relationships, so lessons in better and directing them in a positive communication and activities that indirection. clude both the girls and their parents “I hope that in the future the girls are major components. will be able to find themselves and Keller found that in helping with be strong in their God-given image Fashioned For Fun, she became more of who they are,� Keller said. than a volunteer. She became the If you are interested in volunteerright-hand to the program’s director, ing with the Fashioned For Fun proAnita Daly. gram, or if you know of a girl who “I assist Anita in putting on this might like to participate, contact program by helping with shopping, Daly at 249-4302 or email setting up and coordinating activilifechoicesedu@gmail.com. ■ties,� Keller said. “Pretty much everything and anything.�

While helping with the various Fashioned For Fun 2012 parts of the program, Keller said that she not only helped young girls learn Peer pressure, nutrition, hygiene, life skills, but realized some imporself‑defense, communication, modesty tant lessons herself. and dressing for your body type are “I learned that the problem with all topics that will be covered at this teen sexuality runs really deep and year’s Fashioned For Fun event on June really young, younger than I had 23. Now a one day event, all girls ages thought,� Keller said. “Teen girls real8-18 and their mothers are welcome to ly want truthful answers to the quesparticipate. All workshops will be held tions they have about life. I learned at Montrose Christian Church from that the Life Choices Family Resource 1 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Snacks and a Center is not just a pregnancy testing dinner will be provided. It costs $25 center. It is so much more.� to participate, but partial scholarships Fashioned For Fun is one of the are available. many activities of the Life Choices

By Liesl Greathouse

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8 Feature Story

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May 2012

Emma Danciger: Patron saint of the arts in Garfield County member for the Van Cliburn International t the recent Piano Competition. grand opening She enjoyed hosting of the Stone House competition students Gallery in Rifle, in her home.

Emma Danciger’s When Danciger and eyes sparkled with her husband decided enthusiasm and to move their ranchgratitude. Danciger ing operation to was pleased to welColorado in 1980, she come community became active in the members to the reAnderson Ranch Art modeled and refurCenter in Aspen. She bished building that also became a memwill serve as heart Emma Danciger has worked hard to ber of the Carbondale and home to the arts support the arts in Garfield County.

Council on Arts and community in Rifle.

Humanities and helped organize the Her vision is to “create a vibrant arts annual Mountain Fair. She also partand humanities program in western nered with Colorado Rocky Mountain Garfield County.”

School and developed a summer arts Participation and promotion of the arts has been a life long pursuit for camp. In 1993, the Danciger Tybar Danciger.

Angus Ranch operations expanded When she lived in Fort Worth, to the Rifle area, which launched her Texas, she was a founding board into her leadership of the Bookcliffs

By Cheryl Currier

A

Council on the Arts and Humanities in Rifle.

While living in Carbondale, Danciger became friends with William Morrow. Morrow, known as the “Rembrandt of rubbish,” is a sculptor who welds found objects into art pieces. His family home is located at Sixteenth and Birch Streets in Rifle.

Morrow’s effort and generosity made purchase of the property a possibility.

“It was Bill’s vision for the property to become an arts center,” Danciger said. “He singlehandedly raised $250,000 to buy the five acres.”

The property was purchased in 2002.

The Morrow home, which has been renovated and is now the Stone House Gallery, has a great history.

Danciger said she feels that the history generates a “positive energy for the arts to thrive in Rifle.”

Morrow’s mother, Marie, was a concert violinist back east. She fell in love with a cowboy and moved to Rifle.

“She hosted the first musical events in the area,” Danciger recounted.

As president of the Bookcliffs Council on the Arts and Humanities, Dancinger has led the group in raising an additional $160,000 to make improvements on the property.

Currently, the BCAH is home to the Rifle Community Garden.

“We have 18 raised bed plots available,” Danciger said. “Each gardener is asked to contribute $40, which pays for a membership to the BCAH and water.”

This summer, the BCAH will host the second season of Hilltop’s Summer Concert Series. The series features local and regional musicians in an outdoor setting.

“The series was very popular last summer and we are looking forward to the concerts again this summer,” Danciger said.

Danciger is excited about the newest program that will be held in the Stone House Gallery.

“It is called Art After Hours and is modeled on a program that originated in Chicago and has spread all over the country,” Danciger said.

The classes are offered from 6:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. the first and third Mondays of the month. They are an exploration of painting, drawing, pastels and more. No formal training or experience is necessary and all materials are included in the $25 fee.

An artist is there to guide you and at the end of the evening, the goal is to have a finished piece.

Call Betsy Blackard at 379-3842 to reserve your spot. ■

Garfield County Seniors are reading the BEACON. Shouldn’t your ad be here?

Call Jeanette Kiphart for ad rates.

243-8829

May 2012

Resource directory highlight 9

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

RETIREMENT LIVING

MCCA keeps the arts alive

By Carla Johnson

W

hen budgets tighten up, one of the first things to go is entertainment. That cut is no longer necessary because the Mesa County Concert Association brings some of the finest national and international artists to the Western Slope at surprisingly affordable prices.

“We believe in making the performing arts accessible for the entire community,” long-time member Danni Langdon said.

MCCA is a nonprofit consortium of volunteers that hosts a half-dozen quality shows for the season ticket price of only $50 for adults and $25 for students. Each season runs September through May, featuring an assortment of artists. Langdon said they keep ticket prices low by limiting their overhead.

“We have about 50 volunteers who recruit new memberships,” Langdon said.

MCCA does not maintain a formal office and its board members share work duties on concert dates.

Langdon said MCCA has wide audience appeal because of the variety of programs they offer.

“Our shows are family-friendly,” Langdon said. “We’ve moved away from solely classical music and concentrate instead on bringing exceptional singers, dancers, folk groups, and musical theatre productions to the community. For people who want diversity, you can’t beat our lineup.”

The 2012-13 season includes a nostalgic look at the girl groups of Res uRce

DirectOry

“It’s the yellow pages for

2O12

”

Western Slope seniors.

the 1960s, 12 violinists from Siberia, a family of nine champion musicians and dancers, local favorite Celtic Fire, and a tribute to John Denver.

MCCA began as the Columbia Concert Series in 1944 with a corps of about 25 local music lovers. Every year since, they have presented four to six concerts including celebrated guests such as the Gershwin Orchestra, Vienna Boys’ Choir, the Glenn Miller Orchestra, the Kingston Trio, the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra, Riders in the Sky, the Royal Air Force Band, and the New York Theatre Ballet.

The first concerts were held at Houston Hall at Mesa College (now Colorado Mesa University), and later at the auditorium. In 1953, performances were moved to the auditorium at Grand Junction High School, located at 1400 N. Fifth St., which seats 1,500 patrons.

MCCA is guided by a board of directors consisting of 22 musically oriented volunteers who meet to establish policy and procedure for the association, conduct ongoing business, and select the artists for the upcoming season.

MCCA is entering its 68th season and new members are encouraged to get their season tickets soon, as they traditionally sell-out. Langdon said a recent performance by a popular troupe of acrobats garnered $96 per ticket in New York City, but cost each MCCA season ticketholder less than $9.

For more information, call Langdon at 245-9829. For a peek at the upcoming season, visit www.mesacountyconcertassociation.org. ■

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www.BeaconSeniorNews.com M o n day - T h u r s day u n T i l 6 p M

May 2012

Crunchy Salsa Chicken Bake

Makes: 6 servings Bake: 25 to 30 minutes

1 12-count box Ortega Yellow Corn Taco Shells or Whole Grain Taco Shells, each shell broken into pieces 1 bag (20 oz) cubed, cooked chicken 1 packet (1.25 oz) Ortega Taco Seasoning (or 40% Less Sodium Taco Seasoning) 1 jar (16 oz) Ortega Thick and Chunky Medium Salsa 1/4 c Ortega Thick and Smooth Taco Sauce (mild, medium or hot) 1 c light sour cream 1 can (4 oz) Ortega Fire Roasted Diced Green Chiles 1 c pimiento stuffed olives, rinsed 4 c Mexican blend shredded cheese, divided use 1/2 c chopped cilantro 1 c low-sodium chicken broth

for c ho o se f rom

10 dinners

• 6 oz. sirloin steak • 10 oz. roadkill chopped steak • Grilled BBQ chicken • country fried chicken • chicken critters Dinner • Pulled Pork Dinner • Grilled Pork chop (single) • chicken caesar salad • Grilled chicken salad

Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat a 9 x 13-inch baking pan with cooking spray.

Pour broken chips into baking dish and set aside.

®

In large bowl, toss chicken with taco seasoning. Rub chicken cubes with your fingers to thoroughly distribute seasoning.

In medium bowl, combine salsa, taco sauce and sour cream. Stir in chiles, olives and cilantro. Pour over chicken and combine thoroughly. Stir in 3 cups of cheese and chicken broth.

Pour chicken mixture into baking pan over broken taco shells.

Sprinkle on remaining cup of cheese. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until bubbly.

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Separate each empanada disk and place on an oiled baking sheet. To assemble, place some filling mixture on half of the round disk, leaving a small border around the edge. Fold other half of pastry over filling, pressing edges to seal. Lightly brush each empanada with oil.

Bake in preheated 400 degree Fahrenheit oven for 20 minutes, until pastry is golden.

Sprinkle with powdered sugar, if desired.

May 2012

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

Advice & ideas 11

Ask the Old Bag Advice Column for the Over 50 Crowd

By Gayle LagmanCreswick Dear Old Bag: I work in a nursing home. Recently, a woman was admitted to our care. This is hard to believe, but this poor woman was told she was coming here to visit and her family left her here. They have power of attorney and signed all the documents for her. When they left, they said they had to run an errand and would be gone for a while. The dear soul has Alzheimer’s disease, so perhaps they did not think she would remember where she was, or know that her family deserted her.

My belief is that they couldn’t bear the pain themselves, so they left it to us. I had the task of telling her she would live with us. She cried and held onto me like a brokenhearted child. This is skipping over much detail, but I want to give your readers this message: Even these lovely people who have Alzheimer’s disease have feelings. They may lose their memory, but they do not lose their ability to hurt. Every human being deserves honest kindness and love. If you must place a person into care, please level with them with great love and support. If you do not know how to do this, ask for help from a community’s social worker.

Thank You, Truthful Dear Truthful: Thank you for writing. It was a heartbreaking letter.

In my career, I experienced a few of those kinds of behaviors. People may not realize this, but what you described was abuse. I will give the family the benefit of the doubt that they did not intend harm. What people do not realize is when you avoid telling someone the truth, you may be doing them harm. Parents avoid telling children they are going to die

and some doctors avoid it. In our family, it was an unspoken rule that we did not tell Dad any bad news. I did not agree. When my niece ran away from home at age 14, I thought Dad should know and I told him. He handled it very well. When I had my pediatric rotation in Canada, we had an 8-year-old boy who was dying. He knew it, and he was okay with it. He drew pictures of angels coming to pick him up. In the pictures, he was smiling. When we do not give the “bad news” to people, we are selling them short. We are not giving them the opportunity to work through things in their own way…with our loving support. O.B. Dear Old Bag: Today I had to go to an adjoining town to do some business. As I was coming out of an office building, I saw one of my neighbors smooching by his car and it was not with his wife. Although they are younger than my husband and I, we have a close relationship with our neighbors. I got into my car and drove off. I do not think he saw me. I think you know what my next question will be. I feel like I should tell his wife, but I am not sure. What do you think?

Signed, Private Eye Dear Private Eye: Wow. In the letter above I am harping about telling the truth. Now, I will have to go back on my word and I say, do not tell her. I do not think you want to get in the middle of a broken marriage scenario. These things have a way of backfiring on those who tell the tale. Share it with your husband to get it off your chest and be a good friend to your neighbor woman.

You can pretend to be her cheatinghusband’s friend. If he is having an affair, your friend will find out soon enough. Just be there for her. O.B. ■

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

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12 Laughing Matters

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

May 2012

Laughing Matters Things my mother taught me

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Submitted by Karen Jones My mother taught me to appreciate a job well done. “If you’re going to kill each other, do it outside. I just finished cleaning.”

My mother taught me religion.

“You better pray that will come out of the carpet.”

My mother taught me about time travel. “If you don’t straighten up, I’m going to knock you into the middle of next week.”

My mother taught me logic.

“Because I said so, that’s why.”

My mother taught me more logic.

“If you fall out of that swing and break your neck, you’re not going to the store with me.”

My mother taught me foresight. “Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you’re in an accident.”

My mother taught me irony. “Keep crying and I’ll give you something to cry about.”

My mother taught me about the science of osmosis. “Shut your mouth and eat your supper.”

My mother taught me about contortionism. “Will you look at that dirt on the back of your neck!”

My mother taught me about stamina. “You’ll sit there until all that spinach is gone.”

My mother taught me about weather. “This room of yours looks as if a tornado went through it.”

My mother taught me about hypocrisy. “If I told you once, I’ve told you a million times. Don’t exaggerate!”

My mother taught me the circle of life. “I brought you into this world and I can take you out.”

My mother taught me about behavior modification. “Stop acting like your father!”

My mother taught me about envy.

“There are millions of less fortunate children in this world who don’t

have wonderful parents like you do.”

My mother taught me about anticipation. “Just wait until we get home.”

My mother taught me about receiving. “You are going to get it when you father gets home.”

My mother taught me medical science. “If you don’t stop crossing your eyes, they are going to get stuck that way.”

My mother taught me ESP. “Put your sweater on. Don’t you think I know when you are cold?”

My mother taught me humor.

“When that lawn mower cuts off your tows, don’t come running to me.”

My mother taught me how to become an adult. “If you don’t eat your vegetables, you’ll never grow up.”

My mother taught me genetics. “You’re just like your father.”

My mother taught me about my roots. “Shut that door behind you. Do you think you were raised in a barn?”

My mother taught me wisdom.

“When you get to be my age, you’ll understand.”

My mother taught me about justice.

“One day you’ll have kids and I hope they turn out just like you!”

The history of Hellmann’s Mayonnaise Submitted by Kevin Ray Most people don’t know that back in 1912, Hellmann’s Mayonnaise was manufactured in England. In fact, the Titanic was carrying 12,000 jars of the condiment scheduled for delivery in Vera Cruz, Mexico, which was to be the next port of call for the great ship after its stop in New York.

This would have been the largest single shipment of mayonnaise ever delivered to Mexico. But as we know, the great ship did not make it to New York. The ship hit an iceberg and sank, and the cargo was forever lost.

The people of Mexico, who were

May 2012 crazy about mayonnaise, and were eagerly awaiting its delivery, were miserable at the loss. Their anguish was so great, that they declared a national day of mourning, which they still observe to this day. The holiday occurs each year on May 5 and is known as—Sinko De Mayo.

Trouble with math Submitted by Catherine Hughey Little Zachary was doing badly in math. His parents tried everything to help him: tutors, mentors, flash cards and special learning centers. In a final effort, they enrolled Zachary in a local Catholic school. After the first day, Zachary came home with a very serious look on his face. He didn’t even kiss his mother hello and went straight to his room and started studying.

His mother was amazed to see Zachary hard at work. Books and papers were spread out all over the room. The minute he was done with dinner, he marched back to his room without a word and went back to hitting the books as hard as before.

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com This went on for some time, day after day, while his mother tried to understand what made all the difference.

One day, Zachary brought home his report card. He quietly laid it on the table, went up to his room and hit the books. With great trepidation, his mother looked at it and to her surprise, Zachary received an “A” in math.

She could no longer hold her curiosity. She went to his room and said, “Son, what was it? Was it the nuns?”

Zachary shook his head.

“Was it the books, the discipline, the structure, the uniforms?” she asked. “What was it?”

Zachary looked at her and said, “Well, on the first day of school, when I saw that guy nailed to the plus sign, I knew they weren’t fooling around.”

Manure flies Submitted by Robert Breazeale

An old farmer is driving his tractor down an old backcountry road, hauling a wagon loaded with manure. All of a sudden, a cop pulls him over and says, “You were doing 35 mph in a 25 mph zone.”

The farmer looks both ways up and down the road and says, “There’s nobody on this road except you and me. Besides, nobody uses it except us farmers.”

“The law’s the law and I’m going to give you a ticket,” the cop said.

As he writes, flies start buzzing around and he starts swatting them. The farmer starts to chuckle.

“What are you laughing at?” the cop asked.

“Oh, nothing much,” the farmer replied. “Those flies won’t hurt you.

They’re just manure flies.”

The cop stops writing and says, “Wait a minute. Are you saying these flies are buzzing around me because I’m manure?”

“Oh no, sir. Not me,” the farmer

Laughing Matters 13 said. “But you can’t fool them flies.”

I love my grandkids Submitted by Jacque Stafford My grandson was visiting one day when he asked, “Grandma, do you know how you and God are alike?”

I mentally polished my halo and asked, “No, how are we alike?”

He replied, “You’re both old.”

Keeping busy when retired Submitted by Jeanette Kiphart A woman came home to find her retired husband waving a rolled up newspaper around his head.

“What are you doing, dear?” asked the wife.

“Swatting flies,” he replied. “I got three males and two females.”

“How do you know which gender they were?” the wife asked.

“Easy,” the husband said. “Three were on the beer and the other two were on the phone.” ■ Send your funniest jokes to: beacon@pendantpublishing.com

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14 Travel & Recreation

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

Easy Excursions Compiled by Jamie Begalle

Aerial Acrobatic Arts Festival May 11-12 Oriental Theater 4335 W. 44th Ave. Denver, Colorado 303-263-0278 www.aerialartsfestdenver.com Based on an international tradition of Circus Arts Festivals, the Aerial Acrobatic Arts Festival is the first of its kind. It was created using standards established in the festival arts tradition with a circus spirit of innovation and discovery. The festival showcases Mark your calendars... travEl infOrMatiOn GEt-tOGEthEr Montrose ~ May 23rd ~ 10:00 AM Bank of the West ~ 401 Main Street Grand Junction ~ May 23rd ~ 2:00 PM Nellie Bechtel Gardens 3032 N. 15th ~ Community Room Information & Pictures of upcoming tours

Featuring... San antonio holiday

rUSSian rivEr CrUiSE July 7, 2012 Call For Details

semi-professional aerialists in North America in two judged show competitions. Cash prizes are awarded to the best performances and the audience selects who will win the Audience Choice Award. Be inspired, connect, learn, and have fun! Workshops will be offered in aerial skills, rigging and artist presentation. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Ticket prices range from $20-30 and can be purchased on their website.

Gateway Canyons Classic Auto Fest May 11-13 Gateway Canyons Resort CrUiSinG GrEEK iSlanDS & TURKEY

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May – GO ROCKIES – Coors Field party suite Plus... Wicked & Oklahoma! Only 4 spaces left July – Theatre in the Rockies -- 6 nights, 6 shows plus Central City & Rocky Mountain National Park!

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43200 Highway 141 Gateway, Colorado 970-931-2458 www.gatewayautomuseum.com See the cars that inspired a nation to embrace the open road in America and continue to fascinate people of all ages at the Gateway Classic Auto Fest…now a weekend event! Over 250 classic and antique cars will be featured. The event coincides with the anniversary of the Gateway Auto Museum, home to a privately owned collection of 45 of the most prized class cars in the country. The show will feature 23 Best of Class categories with awards in each category.

Classic and antique cars from the early 1900s through the 1970s will be on display and this year’s featured cars will be Camaros and Firebirds.

Not to be missed are the hot rods, muscle cars and pick-up trucks that round out the exhibition. Tickets can be purchased at the door and are $20 for adults and $15 for children age 12 and under. Tickets include entry to the festival grounds, admission to the Gateway Colorado Auto Museum, and a charitable donation to the Partner’s Program. Visitors have the chance to win a lottery, drawings and door prizes as well as enjoy the opening ceremony. Food and craft vendors, and music will add to the festive atmosphere. (See our ad on page 15.)

MahlerFest May 15-20 Macky Auditorium University of Colorado at Boulder Boulder, Colorado 303-447-0513 www.mahlerfest.org Originally envisioned to encompass a complete sequence of Gustav Mahler’s symphonic compositions, MahlerFest is now in its third cycle and entering its 25th year, continuing to present all of Mahler’s performable works. The MahlerFest orchestra’s 100-plus musicians come together from across the U.S. and other countries, mostly on a volunteer basis, for a week of intense music-making, drawn by their passion for Mahler’s music.

Ticket prices range from $15-45. Purchase them online at www.vendini. com, or by phone at 303-492-8423.

May 2012 Wild Wild West Festival May 18-20 Various locations Pueblo, Colorado 719-542-1704 www.wildwildwestfestival.com The fourth annual Wild Wild West Festival features live entertainment, carnival rides, street vendors, team roping, appearances by the professional bull riders and more. The festival weekend will be highlighted by the Pueblo Invitational “Built Ford Tough” series event. Tickets for the invitational are on sale now at www. ticketmaster.com. The festival will be held throughout the Pueblo community with the majority of the events centered on the Riverwalk and the Union Avenue Historic District. The Lt. Dan Band, featuring actor/musician Gary Sinise, will be heading the music entertainment on Friday night.

Saturday night’s headline act will be Western Underground. For rock music fans, one of Denver’s best bands, Five 13, will be headlining the Colorado Lottery Stage on both Friday and Saturday night. The carnival is expanding with more rides including a Ferris wheel. ShenaniGuns! will be back with their rib-tickling Comedy Wild West Show.

Estes Park Jazz Fest and Art Walk May 19-20 Estes Park, Colorado 970-577-9900 www.estesparkcvb.com For two days, the mountains come alive with the sounds of great jazz at the outdoor amphitheater at Performance Park, 417 W. Elkhorn Ave. Enjoy two activity filled days of great jazz and beautiful art. The event is one of the highlights of the spring season, a musical kick off for the summer. It’s planned the same weekend as the Art Walk, so visitors can enjoy exploring unique galleries exhibiting exceptional art. Art Walk maps are available at the Cultural Art Council Fine Gallery, 243 W. Elkhorn Ave. Admission is free. Headliners for this year’s show are Louis Hayes and his New York Quartet on Saturday and The Dave Valentin Latin Group from New York on Sunday. ■

May 2012

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

Travel & gaming 15

Brightening the cloudy slots scene couple two-for-one drink coupons decorated in lint.

Dear Mark: On a three-day For starters, on a three-day casino casino trip, I was playing quarter excursion, never bring your entire slots and was down to my last bankroll to one gambling session. $200. Instead of playing nickels, I You need to have a daily gambling played dollars, losing the $200 in budget. Start by dividing your bankjust a few minutes. I thought that by roll by the number of days you’ll be increasing to dollars, especially on gambling. Then divide each daily a machine with a sign above toutbankroll into the number of sessions ing, “best paybacks in the house,” you will play that day. This will result I would get a better return. The in your single-session bankroll. Don’t result: I pretty much had nothing bet Friday’s money on Thursday. to do for the last 24 hours except Set a goal of winning between 50 watch others. Kurt B. to 100 percent of a single-session Your letter lacked an inquiry, Kurt, bankroll. Then set aside your original but my guess is that you’re looking bankroll, plus half your winnings. for a “what did I do wrong” answer.

Now you can play with the remainAs an appetizer, you are correct that der and continue to set aside addiin general, $1 slot mational winnings.

This upping the ante chines pay more than When you cash out quarters, quarters more strategy with limited your winnings into than nickels, which, credit slips, take a in turn, pay more than funds is akin to lambs moment and carepennies. The problem being led to slaughter. fully think about the is that when you climb exchange. Always the denomination tree, treat credit slips as hard-earned you bet more and can lose more at legal tender. a much faster clip. Bad luck aside, Set loss limits and win goals. For even if the machine returns a decent example, on losing half your session percentage to the player when playbankroll (loss limit) you walk, and ing dollars, you might effectively be on doubling your money (win goal), cutting the house advantage, but you consider doing the same. are betting more of your hard-earned Identify the profitable opportunicash (For example, $3 versus 75 ties in gambling by shopping for the cents) per spin. best odds, rules and playing condiThis upping the ante strategy tions. In most cases, that doesn’t with limited funds is akin to lambs include slot machines. You knew being led to slaughter. When takthat already, right? ing a beating, I advocate a move to Finally, money management will a reduced denomination machine, not affect the house advantage the not an increased one. Otherwise, casino has at slots, nor will it guaryou are either playing with money antee that you will win additional you can’t afford to lose, or scared money. What good money managemoney, which makes for poor playing ment principles will do is minimize decisions. I will note here that you your losses and in most cases, deserve some kudos for not using the protect your winnings. convenience of getting quick cash Dear Mark: Some slot machines from a teller machine to chase losses offer free bonus spins. Is the ranwith a double-up-to-catch-up strategy. dom number generator also workThis leads me to urge sound money ing on free spins? Gerry J. management techniques. Money The RNG is still at work when management is your lifeline to getdetermining the results of free spins. ting home with some semblance of The only difference, Gerry, is that a your starting bankroll and not, as in free spin is just that, free. ■ your case, with a pocket featuring a

By Mark Pilarski

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16 Local Lore

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

Thawing out for you

May 19 thru Summer 2012

Dinosaur Journey Museum Fruita, CO

www.museumofwesternco.com • 970.242.0971

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Happy 50th

May 2012

The local five and dimes

By Sandi Cameron

“M

aking sure that everyone, rich or poor, is welcomed in and treated with the same respect.”

–F.W. Woolworth The old five and dime stores were a welcome addition to Main Street shopping in most communities throughout the U.S., with the first store opening in 1879 by the Woolworth brothers. Citizens of western Colorado towns were as eager as other Americans to participate in “bargain shopping.” (Has that changed any?)

Locally, five and dime stores created an atmosphere for affordable purchases in a number of Western Slope communities, including Craig, Glenwood Springs, Delta, Montrose and Grand Junction. They became known for their variety of products, including cooking supplies, small tools, personal hygiene supplies, kitchen supplies, organizational supplies, small office supplies, sewing products, holiday decorations, electronics supplies, gardening supplies, home decor, novelties, toys, out of print books, food products, automotive supplies, and others. Woolworth’s had a pet department that sold parakeets, silver-dollar-sized turtles,

goldfish and hamsters.

In 1912, Sebastian Kresge incorporated the S. S. Kresge Corporation with 85 stores. In a few years, during World War I, Kresge experimented with raising the limit on prices in his stores to $1. By 1924, Kresge was worth approximately $375 million (in 1924 dollars). Did you know that this once five and dime opened the first K-Mart in 1962 in Michigan?

E. J. Hested opened his first store in Nebraska in 1909. By 1953, 150 Hested stores were in operation.

When Hesteds opened their soda counters in individual stores, they often advertised two ice cream cones for 5 cents. Both breakfasts and lunches could be purchased at these counters. Hesteds Variety Stores were located at 425 Main St. in Grand Junction, at 805 Grand Ave. in Glenwood Springs, and in Sterling, Golden and other Colorado locations.

In 1929, low cost merchandiser S. H. Kress, a national chain, constructed a building in the 500 block of Grand Junction’s Main Street, now commonly known as the Mercantile Building. S. H. Kress & Co. operated in the U.S. from 1896 to 1981.

Birthday from your

friends

&

family

Kevin VanGundy

S. H. Kress store in Trinidad, Colorado, circa 1912.

Samuel Henry Kress sold merchandise from his first store in Pennsylvania in 1887.

May 2012 Samuel H. Kress sold merchandise from his first store in Pennsylvania in 1887. His stores emphasized elegant architecture, as one of his personal goals was to beautify Main Streets all over the country. In the 1920-30s under the Romeo label, Kress even sold “house” phonograph records.

Employees of dime stores were expected to be mathematically proficient, so they could calculate customers’ purchases efficiently and correctly, log items sold, and reorder weekly.

Many sales assistants were young women, with few continuing to work after marriage, however. Sales associates interested in learning managerial skills had to show a good knowledge of every product, its rate of sale and margin for profit. These trainees had to command the respect of the staff and show they could get the job done.

Staff were trained and briefed with scripts for how to deal with customers’ questions or complaints. They typically worked full time, five and one-half days a week. The Woolworth’s chain was slow to add higherpriced 15-cent and 20-cent lines, forcing wages to be kept at the absolute minimum.

Individual Ben Franklin stores were franchised or owned by independent proprietors. Named after thrifty Ben Franklin, their cue was “A penny saved is a penny earned.” Wal-Mart founder, Sam Walton, made his start in retailing as an operator of a Ben Franklin store. The contemporary Ben Franklin variety stores, such as the one in Delta, commonly emphasize craft supplies.

F. W. Woolworth’s was one of the original American five-and-dime stores. When the Scranton, Pennsylvania store opened at 125 Penn Ave. on November 6, 1880, the sign read

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com “5 cent & 10 cent WOOLWORTH BRO’S STORE,” thus becoming the first five and ten-cent (dime) store in the world.

F. W. Woolworth’s was originally located at 454 Main St. in Grand Junction, and then relocated across the street at Fifth and Main. (After many decades of service, Woolworth’s closed its Grand Junction store in 1994.) The practice prior to five and dimes was of individualized service, which caused more overhead, with clerks needing to choose merchandise from cases or shelves to hand to customers. Prior to Woolworth’s, retailers believed a store could not remain solvent with all low priced merchandise. A printed, pocket-sized

Home Shopping Guide was delivered

by Woolworth’s, as part of celebrating their 50th anniversary in 1929.

It showed what ranges were stocked rather than giving details of specific products, and no prices were shown beyond the catch-all slogan “Nothing over 10 cents.” It was a big hit and many customers kept the little booklet for reference about what products were available.

Managers were trained to maintain Woolworth’s standards and concepts, which included bright lighting, a polished high-luster shine floor, glass showcases, mahogany counters and merchandise, which people could personally select. To cut costs, a self-service plan, adapting the store’s

Local Lore 17 layout and fixtures, included the first checkout desks at the front of the store, the first shopping baskets, the first designated “in” and “out” doors, the first cash registers that added up purchases, and the first tall counters with more products on sale.

Read the rest of this story next month in June’s BEACON. ■

LEFT: The interior of Grand Junction’s Woolworth's, after an expansion in 1964. Photo courtesy of the Museum of Western Colorado.

TOP: 1940 Woolworth’s catalog RIGHT: Woolworth's marketed character products that were from famous movies, television shows, etc.

Woolworth’s lunch counter menu, below.

F. W. Woolworth’s in Grand Junction was located at Fifth and Main, as seen on this old postcard.

Photo courtesy of the Museum of Western Colorado.

18 Gardening

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

Century plant blooms early The Garden Guru

By Curtis Swift, CSU Area Extension Agent Horticulture

A

ll flowering plants appear to be blooming earlier than usual this year due to our mild and dry winter. Even the Parry’s agave (Agave parryi) in the Colorado State University Extension cactus and succulent garden is forming a flower stalk…95 years too soon.

Parry’s agave is one of many cacti and succulents in this garden that will be blooming in May and June.

Most, if not all, of our collection of cacti and succulents will be in bloom some time during these two months.

Native to Arizona, New Mexico and northern Mexico, the Parry’s agaves in our gardens were planted years ago by the Chinle Cactus and Succulent Society, a group that dedicates itself to furthering the understanding and appreciation of cactus.

P R E M I E R

The flower stalk forming on Parry’s Century Plant…95 years too soon.

The gardens they maintain at our office and the Western Colorado Botanical Gardens introduce the beauty of these low-water plants to western Colorado.

Our winters are often quite challenging, as was noted in the winter of 200910 with its unusually cold conditions and this past winter’s dry conditions.

Is it possible that the agaves in our collection are blooming years earlier than they should due to these harsh winters? I had expected these agaves to be dead after the winter’s dehydrating effects. Their suffering was evident from their dead gray leaves but the Parry’s agave made a spectacular recovery, even producing numerous pups at the base of the plant.

Many plants are encouraged to bloom and set seed when exposed to stress. Stress tends to disrupt the hormone status of the plant, causing it to shift its emphasis from a vegetative to a fruiting mode. You can see this

S E N I O R

May 2012

happening with elm trees when they are exposed to severe drought. They set more seeds and less leaves the following year. It’s almost as if the plant expects to die and decides to produce a lot more children before they go.

The agave plant is known as the century plant because most people believe these plants won’t bloom until they are at least 100 years old.

Obviously that is not the case with Parry’s agave. When the flower stalk reaches a height of between 9 and 15 feet, it will put out a fantastic display of bright yellow blossoms. After the flowers are spent, the flower stalk will dry out and the plant will die, leaving a group of pups at its base.

As with the Blue agave (Agave tequilana) used to make tequila, the heart of Parry’s agave can be fermented into a potent drink called Mezcal. A red-colored worm is often

L I V I N G

added to bottles of Mezcal to provide the distinctive color and flavor. The worm is most often the roasted larval form of the moth Hypopta agavis, a pest of the agave plant that feeds on its leaves. The other insect worm added to Mezcal is the larvae of the agave snout weevil Scyphophorus acupunctatus. In the area surrounding Tequila, Mexico, over 300 million agave plants are harvested annually for Tequila, which many of us enjoy.

You might want to check out our agaves while they are in bloom. ■

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May 2012

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

Container gardening

By Patricia Scholes & Cheryl Currier

C

ontainer gardening is a wonderful option for people who have downsized their living arrangements, have no garden spot available, or want to provide an accent to their landscape. It is extremely practical, flexible and rewarding.

How to get started

Get creative.

You can also build 2-by-12 inch garden frame boxes. The box can sit on top of practically any backyard soil. Remember, however, if you have alkali soil, you will need to line the bottom to keep the alkali from leaching into your garden. If you have Bermuda grass, your container will need to be on legs so that the grass runners won’t take over your garden.

Think about your plot of ground and plan your frame.

Rifle resident Linda Rosette plants at least 15 container gardens each year. She and her husband, Paul, Purchase good potting soil and owned Centennial Gardens of Rifle fertilizer. from 1996 to 2008. They did all of “The soil around here has too much their seeding, planting and customer clay for containers, so you really need service at Centennial Gardens. Linda to invest in a good soil mix,” Linda recommends choosing a container said. that is large enough for the plants.

Linda adds Osmocote to her potShe said if the container is too small, ting soil. Osmocote is a slow release your plants will become root bound. fertilizer that will last up to three “The more space you have, the betmonths.

She topcoats her containter your plants are going to do and ers with more Osmocote midway the healthier they will stay all sumthrough the season. mer because your container doesn’t Dennis Hill at Bookcliff Gardens dry out as fast and they are not so afsaid another good recipe for garden fected by the heat of the sun,” Linda said. “The smaller pots get so hot that soil is part peat moss, compost and Perlite. Vermiculite will work instead the roots get stressed.” of Perlite, but it’s very absorbent. PerAnything that will hold dirt with lite aerates the soil, much like earthholes in the bottom will work for worms and ants do to the ground. your container. Holes in the bottom After the plants are in the conallow for extra water to drain out. tainer for a few days, Linda uses a Five-gallon pickle buckets with holes balanced quick release plant food to drilled in the bottom are great for provide a boost at the beginning of pole beans, cucumbers and tomathe season. She continues to fertilize toes. You can buy planters, but look around your home and neighborhood once a month.

“I used to tell my customers that for supplies. What about that old fertilizer is like food,” Linda said. bucket with the bottom rusted, and that wheelbarrow you were going to discard? Straw bales make very interesting gardens because they hold water and provide organic matter.

Linda smashes leftover plastic containers (usually fourpacks) and uses them to fill up the bottom 3 or 4 inches of large containers. This will provide some drainage and will make the container lighter if you need to move it.

Potatoes can be grown in cages. We'll tell you how.

“You can drink all the water you want, but eventually if you don’t eat you’re going to die. The same with plants. Plants need food to grow.

Plus, you leach so many nutrients out by watering, that eventually you need to feed them.”

Start planting!

Linda suggested taking advantage of your local plant nursery. They can give you advice on which plants to purchase and give you pointers on design.

“Determine if your planter will be in the sun or the shade and buy plants that grow best in similar growing conditions,” Linda said. “Keep the plant tags, so if you have a problem,

Gardening 19

you can ask the staff at your local nursery for help.”

Linda said that if you take care of your containers, your plants should last throughout the summer. She doesn’t find the need to replant her containers in the fall because in winter, she allows a plant to dry in the container and then does an arrangement with other dried material.

That way, she enjoys her containers year-round.

Container gardening also works well inside. Consider replacing some of your tropical plants with herbs.

Then you can snip what you need for your favorite dishes. In addition, your home will smell lovely. ■

Potato cages Space-greedy vegetables like potatoes are often bypassed because of the amount of ground surface needed for the crop. But consider this: potatoes can be grown in cages!

To make a potato cage, get about 10 feet of old fencing.

Make the fencing into a cylinder and tie together with twisted wire or twist ties.

Other materials work as well. Some use netting or gardening plastic stapled to stakes.

Line the cage with something organic, such as burlap, straw, leaves or newspapers. This is to keep the dirt inside the container, instead of all over your patio.

Put in about 1 foot of soil and place about five seed potatoes inside, then cover with a couple inches of more soil.

Do not tamp down. You want room for roots and potatoes to grow.

When the plants get about 1-1/2 feet high, add another foot of soil. Do not cover the tops. You want the green tops to continue growing and sending out roots.

Stop when you are about a foot from the top of the cage. Keep the potatoes that come to the surface covered in dirt or they will turn green.

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May 2012

Joyce Loss may be watching over you

By Betty Lundgren

F

amilies and neighbors in the Montrose area are in good hands—they are in those of volunteer extraordinaire, Joyce Loss.

Her energy is seemingly unbounded as she works to preserve the past and ensure a safe future for all residents in her community.

One program near and dear to Loss’ heart is supporting and continuing the Neighborhood Watch Program.

For over 30 years, Loss has helped keep countless children, families and neighbors safe, as communities continue to grow and change.

There was a time (before television and Internet) when citizens immediately reached out to each other to get acquainted, followed the exploits and growth of neighbor children, and kept a watchful eye and ear out for unusual occurrences or strangers that might pose a threat. But times changed and neighbors didn’t seem to interact as much as they could (or perhaps should). The Neighborhood Watch program was started by the National Sheriffs’ Association in 1972 as a way to involve local residential citizens and create a link for them to assist law enforcement on a grass roots level.

The Montrose Neighborhood Watch program was started by a local policeman over 30 years ago.

Through the Montrose Altrusa service club, which adopted Neighborhood Watch as a project at that time, Loss got involved and got hooked on helping neighbors take care of one another. The original organizing policeman was transferred, so Loss took over as leader of the group and continues that role today.

“The central part of my work is organizing and scheduling meetings to keep everyone apprised of what is going on in their neighborhoods,” Loss said.

She has organized hundreds of meetings in churches, homes, schools and homeowner association meetings over the years.

Another central aspect of the Neighborhood Watch program is finding out about any special needs or concerns of your neighbors, such as identifying those in wheel chairs, and those who might have special medical or developmental challenges that could be affected by power outages or other unforeseen crises.

“Just knowing who might need additional assistance in an emergency and assuring them you will be there to help look out for them can be comforting, and of invaluable help to emergency responders,” Loss said.

Neighborhood Watch programs were revitalized and expanded beyond crime prevention after September 11. It has become part of the Homeland Security and Citizens Corp Community Emergency Response (CERT) network through USA on Watch (www.usaonwatch.org) and also focuses on disaster preparedness, emergency response and terrorism awareness.

As training for this new outreach, Loss and several other Montrose residents have completed the first phase of CERT preparedness training.

“We are there and available to assist professional responders who could be overwhelmed in the face of an emergency or disaster,” Loss said.

“We encourage people to become CERT block captains and get this invaluable training so we are all better prepared as citizens.”

She encouraged everyone to visit www.readycolorado.com and prepare a “grab and go” 72-hour disaster supply kit with first aid supplies, medicines, tools, bedding, water and food.

“People think that the professionally-trained responders will immediately be there to help them in an

May 2012

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

the first phase of restoration, which emergency,” Loss said. “But with budget cuts and staff reductions, included much needed roof repairs, there probably won’t be enough help restored windows, masonry work to go around if we had a disaster like and painting, was completed. a wildfire or serious flooding. We all “We’re now ready to move on to must take much more responsibilphase two fundraising for exterior ity for looking out for each other in stucco work and replacement of emergency situations.” historic fire escapes,” Though Loss finds the Loss said.

Neighborhood Watch Loss and other volunprogram rewarding, she teers are planning their is looking for someone to third annual fundraising train as co-leader and postea at the Colona Schoolsibly take over the Monhouse and Grange Hall at trose program one day.

2 p.m.-4 p.m. on May 12.

“If someone has an inter“Our organizest in getting ing committee involved in keepencourages ing Montrose a people to attend wonderful place dressed in to raise families, period clothes,” I hope they will Loss said. “We contact me to give prizes for learn more about the most historic volunteering,” outfit.”

Loss said.

The first event As Loss looks showcased a to “retire” from Joyce Loss works to protect neighborhoods and to traditional (and preserve the historic Colona Schoolhouse.

Neighborhood authentic) EngWatch, she has become an organizer lish Tea, which was presented by Val in another type of neighborhood proBurnell and Joan Collins, two local gram. She has been instrumental in women from England. They taught raising funds to preserve and restore the Colona volunteers how to present the historic Colona Schoolhouse and a “real” English Tea and the event has Grange Hall south of Montrose. continued as an annual fundraiser for “The school was built in 1915 and in its day, it was one of the finest and the schoolhouse preservation.

“It is a lot of fun to have a dress-up most modern schools in the state of day with hats and period outfits,” Colorado,” Loss said. “Colona even Loss said. “We invite everyone to join had the state championship boy’s us in May.” basketball team in 1932.”

If you would like to see the schoolBut the Colona Schoolhouse closed house, but can’t attend the May fundin 1948 and was purchased by the raiser, two rooms in the schoolhouse Colona Grange in 1963. are used by the Ouray County Ranch As the years passed and the school History Museum, which is open on fell into disrepair, the building was Sundays between May and Septemplaced on the state’s “Most Endanber. The school is located about 12 gered Places” list in 2006. Loss’ son, miles south of Montrose, a quarter Harry (Dean) Loss, is the Colona mile southwest of the intersection of Grange Master. Together, they began U.S. Highway 550 and Ouray County spearheading a “Save the Colona School” fundraising campaign in 2009. Road #1.

For more information or to get Through the hard work and perinvolved with either the Neighborsistence by Loss and other caring neighbors, enough initial funds were hood Watch program or the Save raised to obtain matching funds from the Colona School events, call Loss at 249-4918 or email harryloss1@ the Colorado Historical Society State netzero.net. ■ Historical Fund. With these funds,

21

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22 faith moves god

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

May 2012

Grandma’s hands

By Melinda Clements

G

Reaching Out to Those Reaching Up

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randma, some 90 plus years, sat feebly on the patio bench.

She didn’t move, but just sat with her head down, staring at her hands.

She didn’t acknowledge my presence when I sat down beside her.

Not really wanting to disturb her, I finally asked her if she was okay. She raised her head, looked at me and smiled.

“Yes, I’m fine. Thank you for asking,” she said in a clear, strong voice.

“I didn’t mean to disturb you, Grandma, but you were just sitting here staring at your hands and I wanted to make sure you were okay,” I explained to her.

“Have you ever looked at your hands?” she asked. “I mean, really looked at your hands?”

I slowly opened my hands and stared down at them. I turned them over, palms up and then palms down. No, I guess I had never really looked at my hands.

Grandma smiled and related this story: Stop and think for a moment about the hands you have and how they have served you well throughout your years. These hands, though wrinkled, shriveled and weak have been the tools I have used all my life to reach out, grab, and embrace life.

They braced and caught my fall when as a toddler, I crashed upon the floor.

They put food in my mouth and clothes on my back. As a child, my mother taught me to fold them in prayer. They tied my shoes and pulled on my boots. They held my husband and wiped my tears when he went off to war.

They have been dirty, scraped

and raw, swollen and bent. They were uneasy and clumsy when I tried to hold my newborn son.

Decorated with my wedding band, they showed the world that I was married and loved someone special.

They wrote my letters to him and trembled and shook when I buried my parents and spouse.

They have held my children and grandchildren, consoled neighbors, and shook fists of anger when I didn’t understand.

They have covered my face, combed my hair, and washed and cleansed the rest of my body. They have been sticky and wet, bent and broken, dried and raw. To this day, when not much of anything else of me works real well, these hands hold me up, lay me down, and again continue to fold in prayer.

These hands are the mark of where I’ve been and the ruggedness of life.

But more importantly, it will be these hands that God will reach out and take when he leads me home.

With my hands, He will lift me to His side and there I will use these hands to touch the face of God. I will never look at my hands the same again. But I remember when God reached out and took my grandma’s hands and led her home. When my hands are hurt or sore, or when I stroke the face of my children and husband, I think of Grandma. I know she has been stroked, caressed and held by the hands of God. I, too, want to touch the face of God and feel His hands upon my face.

I will use these hands to touch the face of God.

All Rights Reserved by Melinda Clements. She can be reached at Melinda@clements.net. ■

May 2012

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

Bound together at the heart

By Teresa Ambord

“I

’ve got $3 saved up,” my son Ryan announced, “and I already know what to buy.”

As a divorced mom, I raised my son alone since he was 2 years old. I soon learned that single parents have some unique challenges. Take gift giving occasions, for example. Every year at Christmas, my birthday, and Mother’s Day, I had to help Ryan buy his presents for me. I would give him the usual hints—bubble bath, new potholders and scented candles. I’d let him choose from the short list, then help him buy and wrap it. That pretty much eliminated the element of surprise. That is, until the Mother’s Day when he was 8 years old.

For the first time, Ryan was determined to shop alone. Armed with his money, he had an idea. So I took him to a small variety store and waited near the cash registers. Minutes later he came bursting from the end of an aisle, concealing something behind his back. I pretended to be interested in the postcard display while he made his secret purchase. Then on the drive home, I teased him.

“What’s in that bag, Ryan? Is it a piano?”

“Wouldn’t you like to know?” he asked, with an impish grin. He loved to give gifts and could barely contain his excitement, but he was determined to surprise me.

“Will you tell me what it is if I guess?”

“Mom!” he growled. “Maybe this isn’t even for you. Maybe I bought myself some Hot Wheels.”

“So, I’m not getting a piano for Mother’s Day this year?”

“Maybe next time,” he said. He was good at teasing me back. “Actually, I got you a button. It’s broken, so it’s half a button. It’s shiny and it’s your favorite color, and since it was broken I got it cheap,” he said.

He glanced sideways at me, as if to see if I was buying his story.

“Great,” I said, playing along.

At home, he asked for wrapping paper.

“You won’t need much for half a button,” I said, as I handed him the paper.

He took it and started to walk away.

“Wait Ry,” I said. “You’ll need scotch tape.”

He paused, thinking. “Nah, I don’t need any.”

Later, he emerged from his room looking mighty pleased with himself.

“I hid your present, so don’t even try to find it.”

“Okay. I’ll wait until you’re asleep.”

“Nuh-uh. If you peek, you’ll only spoil your own surprise.”

I was impressed. Those were the exact words I said to him often. I guess he did listen, sometimes.

Early on Mother’s Day, Ryan was bouncing on my bed, holding a hot pink package of an indeterminate shape. It was definitely bigger than half a button and there was no tape on it, but there were lots of mysterious, shiny smears.

“Let me try to guess,” I said. “It’s the wrong shape to be a potholder, a candle, or bubble bath.”

I noticed it had a flat bottom and was narrow on one end. I was stumped. I peeled back the paper. It was stuck together with something other than tape. I began to wonder if it was a gag gift. But it wasn’t.

Ryan looked like he was about to explode, waiting for my reaction. Finally, I got the paper off and saw what was underneath. It was a jumbo-size bottle of Elmer’s glue.

I was a little puzzled, but I improvised.

“Ryan, that is so neat! How did you know I wanted glue?”

He rolled his eyes. “It’s not just glue Mom.” Clearly I had missed the subtle fine points of his gift. “It’s Elmer’s glue. They had cheaper stuff, but I got the best. And I got the jumbo size. It was a better deal than the little bottles. I shopped for the best deal, like you always say.”

It was the oddest present I’d ever been given, but my heart melted at his enthusiasm.

“Did you really get this huge bottle

of the best glue on the market for only $3? You did find a bargain! But how did you know I needed glue?”

“Cause when I asked you for glue, you said we ran out. I remembered, just like you always do.”

I still wasn’t following his logic.

“Like I always do?”

“You know. On my birthday you check my room to see what I need, like new Play-Doh or crayons and stuff.”

Ah, now I understood. It was definitely a surprise. But for me, the best gift was to hear that my son paid attention when I talked—at least sometimes—and saw the wisdom in how I did things. On his own, he’d recognized a need and filled it.

That Mother’s Day was decades ago. Since then, we survived a lot, like his various trips to the emergency room, his minor surgery, the usual disasters and traumas that families face, some small and some major.

The good times have been wonderful and the bad times, pretty dismal. Like most young adults, Ryan sometimes listens and occasionally takes my advice, but mostly, he does his own thing. Whatever happens in life, Ryan and I will always be bound together at the heart. Our shared history is the glue that binds us together. And we use only the best glue. We still use Elmer’s.

Every Mother’s Day, whether I need it or not, I’m presented with a new, jumbo-size bottle. ■

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24 recreation

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Senior Recreation Center 550 Ouray Avenue - 970 243-7408

The Senior Recreation Center offers activities for seniors age 50 and older.

The center is open Monday - Saturday from 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Annual membership is $5.00.

S e n i o r R e c re a ti o n C e n te r M o n t h ly C a le n d a r

of

Ev e n ts

Monday

9:00 a.m.

10:30 a.m.

12:00 p.m.

1:00 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

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

Tuesday

9:00 a.m.

12:00 p.m.

1:30 p.m.

Cribbage & Pool Tourney Gray Gourmet Bingo

Wednesday

9:00 a.m.

9:30 a.m.

10:00 a.m.

12:00 p.m.

1:00 p.m.

Ladies Pool, Card Social Jack & Jill Pool Tourney Free Blood Pressure Clinic (3rd Wed) Gray Gourmet Pinochle

Thursday

9:00 a.m.

9:00 a.m.

9:30 a.m.

10:00 a.m.

12:00 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

Canasta Cleaning Crew (Last Thursday) Bunco (3rd Thursday) Band (1st Thursday) Pokeno Dance

Friday

9:00 a.m.

12:00 p.m.

12:30 p.m.

12:45 p.m.

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

Saturday

8:00 a.m.

9:00 a.m.

1:30 p.m.

Bridge Class Bridge Bingo

Sunday

1:00 p.m.

Dance (1st & 3rd Sunday)

T

o register for any of the programs, stop by the Grand Junction Parks and Recreation office at 1340 Gunnison Ave., call 254-3866, or visit www.gjcity.org. You must be 50 or older to participate.

with lavender. Visit a lavender farm where you can pick a bundle for $5.

Finish the day with a wine tasting and a tour of Carlson Vineyards.

Lunch is on your own. Meet at Lincoln Park Barn at 10 a.m. Cost is $20.

July 10

May 4

Colorado National Monument bus tour

Get your tennis shoes on and head out to Canyon View Park for the Rimrock Chiropractic Poker Walk.

Explore the health fair, get a massage, and win great prizes by participating in this fun, free activity starting at 10 a.m. The Atrium will provide delicious boxed lunches. Registration is required.

Enjoy incredible scenery and learn hidden secrets on a ranger guided bus tour of the monument’s 23-mile historic Rim Rock Drive. Bus departs from the Lincoln Park Barn at 8 a.m.

Bring a sack lunch and water. Cost is $10. Register by July 6.

May 15 & 17

Have an evening of Las Vegas style fun at the Senior Recreation Center.

Enjoy a delicious dinner, then play poker, blackjack, Texas hold ’em or spin the wheel for your chance to win fabulous prizes. Dinner starts at 4:30 p.m. Cost is $5.

Poker Walk

Pickleball clinic Pickleball is America’s fastest growing sport and is played on a badminton-sized court with paddles and whiffle-type balls. Learn basic shots, rules and strategy in this free class geared toward beginning and novice players. Classes take place at the Lincoln Park Tennis Courts at 10 a.m.

Tuesday and 6 p.m. Thursday. Balls and racquets are available for use.

May 24

Mother’s/Father’s Day Party Dancing begins at 10 a.m. at the Senior Recreation Center. Lunch to follow. Cost is $3.

June 2 & 3

Pickleball tournament Sign up for the pickleball tournament on June 2 and 3 at Lincoln Park Tennis Courts. Tournament begins at 8 a.m. Cost is $10. All participants will be entered into a drawing for a Revolution Graphite paddle. Register

by May 21. All proceeds will go to Pickleball equipment.

July 7

Lavender Festival Attend the second annual Lavender Festival in Palisade. Enjoy the many creations, edibles and crafts made

July 12

Deuces Wild

August 7

Tour Redstone Castle Explore the historic district of Redstone, Colorado. Step back in time with a costumed docent-led tour of Redstone Castle. Visit the Coke Ovens and the Redstone Art Center Gallery. A picnic lunch will be provided. Depart from Lincoln Park Barn at 8:30 a.m. Cost is $45. Register by July 24.

August 27-31

Senior Games The 11th annual Western Colorado Senior Games is for anyone 50 years and better. Compete in track and field, swimming, pool, golf, bowling, cards, dance, horseshoes, pickleball and more. You can find your registration form in July’s BEACON, the Parks and Recreation Office, the Senior Recreation Center, or you can register online at www.gjcity.org. Register

by August 13. ■

May 2012

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

Crossword puzzle 25

Crossword Puzzle Across 1 French 101 verb 5 Dey TV series 10 Fly like Lindy 14 Perjured oneself 15 Open-air rooms 16 “The Lost Boys” star Corey 17 “___ Wonderful Life” 18 Ohm or Solti 19 Pistolet, e.g.

20 It can be over your head 21 Garden-variety Canadian sprinter?

23 Always the same 25 ___-Day -vitamins 26 Says “yes” without saying a word 27 Place for sports -writers 31 “Baa Baa Black Sheep” writer Gregory ___ Boyington 33 Senate assistants 34 Naval off.

35 Top cards 36 Bygone Renault auto 37 Cruising to Hawaii 38 Parseghian of Notre Dame 39 Late astronomer Carl 40 Good buddies with handles 41 Ornamental ribbons 43 Playwright Bogosian 44 River to the Gulf of Finland 45 It’s on the level 48 Garden-variety talk show hostess?

52 D-Day troop carrier 53 Moistened clay 54 Winner by ___ margin 55 He loved Lucy 56 Singer Lane 57 “___ say more?”

58 Evangelist Roberts 59 Wedding wear 60 Altos and tenors 61 F.D.R.’s park Down 1 Yale’s Yale 2 Certain -missile 3 Garden-variety tombstone inscription?

4 Writer LeShan 5 Some brews 6 Mr. T’s worn outfit?

7 Scientologist Hubbard 8 Noted nickname in hoops 9 Former Jeep model 10 Journalist Alexander, et al.

11 Dinghy directors 12 It can move a star 13 Serious sign 21 Type of builder 22 Pianist Myra 24 Beau Brummells 27 Type sizes 28 Garden-variety pay rate?

29 River to the Baltic 30 Present time 31 Early late-night -personality 32 Bat head?

33 Arm of the Mediterranean 36 Certain Baltic natives 37 Somewhat 39 Culinary potpourri 40 Robert with the blues 42 Canine coat?

43 Fragrant resins 45 A deadly sin 46 Syrian leader 47 Of value 48 Norwegian saint 49 1995 earthquake site 50 Physics Nobelist Isidor 51 Emulate a Mr. Universe contestant 55 Play-___

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26 Mesa county

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

Mesa County Calendar Compiled by Cloie Sandlin May 3

Spirit Night at Chick-fil-A Representatives from the Counseling and Education Center will be available at Chick-fil-A from 5 p.m.-8 p.m. for Spirit Night. Learn what services the CEC provides. Donations and a percentage of all receipts dropped in the box on the CEC’s table will help underwrite counseling for people who are uninsured or underinsured.

For more information, call 243-9539 or visit www.cecwecare.org.

May 4

Fine Art Auction The 14th annual Art Center Fine Art Auction takes place 5 p.m.-7 p.m. with an opening reception, silent auction, and meet the artists. Enjoy music by violinist Shawnee Videlock.

Live auction begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at the Art Center, 1803 N. Seventh St. in

Grand Junction, or by calling 243-7337 ext. 2.

May 5

Riverfront Commission 5K event In celebration of 25 years of the Colorado Riverfront Commission, a family-friendly 5K walk/run with a 14-mile bicycle ride will be held at the James M. Robb-Colorado River State Park at Corn Lake. Bicyclists will depart from the state park promptly at 9 a.m. and the runners and walkers will leave at 9:30 a.m.

Cost is $15 through May 4, $20 day of the event. Proceeds will go toward building and maintaining the riverfront trail system. Please leave pets at home. Register online at www.riverfrontproject.org or call 683-4333.

May 5

Golden Age Team golf tournament Play golf with your friends in a fun shot gun start, four-person scramble tournament. Compete for cash prizes and support the Grand Junction Golden Age Team in the 2012 games.

Play to win cash prizes. Tournament starts at 8:30 a.m. at the Chipeta Golf Course, 229 29 Road in Grand Junction. Register for $75 before the day of the tournament and $250 for a four-person team. Proceeds will assist the Veterans Golden Age Team with transportation and housing expenses.

For more information, call 242-0731.

May 5

Cinco de Mayo benefit dinner The Fruita Christian Church, 208 N. Maple St. in Fruita, is hosting a Cinco de Mayo benefit dinner from 4 p.m.7 p.m. Proceeds will benefit the adoption of a baby for the Ozaetas family and Fruita Christian Church’s mission trips. A $10 donation is requested per person. The menu includes authentic chicken flauta and red beef, green chicken enchiladas, rice and beans, and a Mexican dessert. For more information, call 309-1545.

May 5

Hearing loss meeting The Western Colorado Chapter of the Hearing Loss Association of America

May 2012

is having their free monthly meeting at 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the Center for Independence, 740 Gunnison Ave. in Grand Junction. The program features Education and Training Specialist Namati Katungu, and HLAA’s Boulder Chapter President Christie Nudelman. Katungu will provide an update about initiatives to promote appropriate and effective communication access. There will be an open forum for people to ask questions.

Nudelman will present and demonstrate the CaptionCall captioned telephone and their distribution programs. For more information, call Amy at 241-2592.

May 11

May 5

The Fruita Senior Task Force is planning a yard sale from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Fruita Community Center Senior Room, 324 N. Coulson St. in Fruita.

Proceeds will go to the task force in aiding senior activities. For more information, call 858-9056.

Come with or without a partner to the La Puerta Ballroom, 523 1/2 Main St. in Grand Junction (upstairs in the Margery building). Dancer’s workshop begins at 7 p.m. and a dance will take place from 7:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m. Adults are $8. There will be live music by Fifth Reel. Casual dress.

Call Connie at 243-6736 for details.

May 5

May 12

Senior Task Force yard sale

Downtown Cinco de Mayo celebration The annual Cinco de Mayo celebration in downtown Grand Junction is hosted by the Latin-Anglo Alliance Foundation. There will be a variety of entertainment throughout the day, food and craft vendors, and a “Kiddy Land” for the grandkids. Event takes place from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Activities are free, except for the Street Dance at 6 p.m., which is $2. For more information, call 216-6524.

May 6

Rose Hill Rally and Raffle Cyclists of all ages and abilities enjoy this noncompetitive tour through the beautiful farm country of the Grand Valley. Proceeds benefit St. Mary’s Rose Hill Hospitality House. Powderhorn season passes will be raffled off for the next ski season. Rally takes place 7 a.m.-2 p.m. and begins and ends at Canyon View Park. Adults are $35 and youth are $25. Purchase raffle tickets online, whether or not you register to ride in the Rose Hill Rally.

For more information about the race, call 256-0606. For more information about the tickets, call 242-5940.

Mientka concert The May concert will be performed by the late Tyme Mientka’s children, Gabe and Stephanie, and his wife, Kathryn, in loving memory of Tyme.

They will perform Rachmaninoff’s epic cello sonata and breathtaking trios at 7:30 p.m. at Roper Music Hall, 136 N. Fifth St. in Grand Junction.

Tickets range from $9-24 for adults.

Purchase tickets at Roper Music or online at www.junctionconcerts. com. Call 241-0741 for more information.

May 12

Dancer’s workshop and dance

Raft trip and reading Novelist Pam Houston will raft the Colorado near Professor Valley, Utah for a small group day trip, offered by the Western Colorado Writer’s Forum. After the trip, she will present at Colorado Mesa University’s ballroom and read from her novel, “Contents May Have Shifted” at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $130, which includes the all-inclusive day trip and ticket to the reading. For more information, or for tickets, call 256-4662, visit www. westerncoloradowriters.org, or email sandydorr@bresnan.net.

May 13

Mother’s Day pancake breakfast Take Mom to the Orchard Mesa Lions Club’s pancake breakfast, starting at 7 a.m. at the Mesa County Fairgrounds. Tickets are only $5 and children 7 and under get in free.

Proceeds go to the Lions Club. For more information, call 255-7100.

May 14

Joint pain seminar Do you suffer from hip, knee or shoulder pain? Attend a free, onehour seminar and find out what you

May 2012 can do about your joint pain. Learn about the causes and latest treatments including information on medications, nutrition and exercise.

Seminar takes place from 11 a.m. to noon at the Orthopedics Conference room on the eighth floor of St. Mary’s Hospital. Use the parking garage.

Call 298-2380 to register.

May 15

NRA’s Refuse to Be a Victim seminar Come to this free crime prevention seminar from 4 p.m.-7 p.m. at Blue Star Industries, 2350 G Road in Grand Junction. This seminar provides information on cultivating a positive self-defense philosophy and offers many safety strategy options. This is a non-firearms based course. Seating is limited, so call 270-3203 or email Suzanne@realstreamline.com for more information.

May 18-19

Mike the Headless Chicken Festival Fruita’s Mike the Headless Chicken Festival includes a weekend of music, carnival rides, food, 5K run, car show, dirt jump, disc golf, wing eating contests and more. Visit www. miketheheadlesschicken.org for a complete schedule. Events take place in downtown Fruita. For more information, call 858-0360.

JUCO Baseball

Grand Junction is proud to serve as the host site for this annual baseball tradition. For over 50 years, JUCO has drawn amazing young baseball players full of talent, commitment and enthusiasm. Players, coaches and fans are swept up in thrilling moments of America’s favorite pastime. Visit www.jucogj.org for ticket information and game times, or call the JUCO office at 245-9166.

Fruita Senior Center summer activities Call the Fruita Community Center at 858-0360 or visit www.fruita.org for more information or to register for the following activities.

May 13

Spring Fling and Mother’s Day celebration Join us from 2 p.m.-5 p.m. for an afternoon of music, dancing and fun.

Cost is $3 at the door.

May 19

Fruita Lions Club pancake breakfast Bring Mom to the circle next to IOOF hall for breakfast. Tickets are $5 for adults, $3 for children age 6-12, and free for children under age 6. Proceeds go to local schools.

May 23

Self guided tours to local artists workshops and galleries in Mesa County.

Maps are available online at www. artspacecolorado.org. The public is invited this special opportunity to meet artists in a relaxed setting from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. Participation is free.

For more information, call 640-8177.

Take a scenic float down the Colorado River with our experienced guide.

Enjoy a cookout following. Please bring sun lotion, water, a hat and coat. Starts at 4 p.m. Cost is $45.

May 26

Family Search Training Symposium The Family History Center, 2881 Orchard Ave., has organized this symposium with speakers coming from Salt Lake City. Choose one of three presentations to be offered from 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Presentations include “Effective Search Techniques,” “Recognizing English handwriting,” and “New Family Search.” Admission is free.

Mesa county 27

May 26-June 2

May 19-20

ArtSpace Open Studios Tour

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

Sunset float

• Adventure Hikes – 7 a.m.

Saturdays, May 12, June 9, July 14 & August 11. Cost is $5.

• Mystery Nights – 5:30 p.m.

Mondays, May 28, June 25, July 23 & August 20. Cost is $10.

• Social Nights – 5:30 p.m. Fridays, May 4 & 25; June 1 & 29; July 6 & 20; August 3, 17 & 31 • Bunco – 1 p.m. Third Thursdays of the month and 2 p.m. second Tuesdays of the month. Free.

• City of Fruita Task Force Meetings – 1 p.m. Wednesdays, May 9, June 13, July 11 & August 8 ■

May 5 . May 12 . May 19 . june 2 fireworks June 16 . July 4 . July 14

$

10 tix denveroutlaws.com

River City Singles

May 2012 Activity Schedule

Friday Afternoon Club (FAC) meets at 5 p.m. Fridays in the lounge at The Doubletree Hotel, 743 Horizon Drive. The first FAC meeting of the month is our business meeting and the second is Birthday Recognition Day for our members. Call Jim Spiegel at 424-2545 for details.

Tuesdays at 10 a.m. – Join us for Early Start Breakfast at Denny’s on Horizon Drive.

Call Debbie Grose at 245-4995 for details.

Wednesdays at 5 p.m. – Dine out at the following locations every week. Call Debbie Grose at 245-4995 for details.

May 2 – Garfield’s, 2148 Broadway May 9 – Applebee’s, 711 Horizon Drive May 16 – Texas Roadhouse, 2870 North Ave. May 23 – Rib City, 2830 North Ave. May 30 – Red Lobster, 575 24 1/2 Road Sundays at noon – It’s Bowling Sunday followed by card games at Orchard Mesa Lanes, 295 27 Road. RSVP to Jim Sanders at 257-1174 by 11 a.m.

Saturdays at 10 a.m. – Meet at Albertson’s on the Redlands for an easy ride along the Colorado River Trail. Call Jim Sanders at 257-1174 for details.

Wednesdays at 9 a.m. – NEW activity: Wednesday golf at Adobe Creek Golf Course, 876 18 1/2 Road in Fruita. RSVP by Monday by calling the golf course at 858-0521.

For details, call Lynn Klein at 254-6224 or Fran Deaver at 248-9211.

Saturday, May 5 – Join us at Bank 8 Billiards, 2460 F Road at noon for lunch and games of pool. All levels from beginners (never held a cue) to old pros (who used to run a table) are welcome.

Wednesday, May 9 – Hike Palisade Petroglyph Trail (weather permitting), an easy to medium hike, but wear good hiking shoes. Meet at the DoubleTree Hotel at 9 a.m. for carpooling. Bring water and a sack lunch. Call John Delehanty at 241-3171 for details, or sign up at FAC. Riders share fuel cost.

Saturday, May 12 – Billie Herman hosts a potluck lunch and a croquet tournament at her home in Palisade at 1 p.m. Eating utensils provided, but BYOB. Call Billie at 464-0578 for directions and to RSVP. Thursday, May 24 – Join us for our last movie and dinner until next fall. Meet at Outback Steakhouse, 2432 Highway 6 & 50, at 5 p.m. Movie to be decided afterwards. RSVP to Judie at 639-2197 by the day before, or sign up at the FAC. Saturday, May 26 – Four-wheel to the Bookcliffs for wild Mustang sightings. Meet at the DoubleTree Hotel parking lot at 9 a.m. to carpool. Bring water and a sack lunch. Call John Delehanty at 241-3171 or sign up at the FAC. Riders share fuel cost.

Thursday, May 31 – Restaurant Rove. Enjoy dinner with friends. Meet at WW Peppers, 733 Horizon Drive at 5:30 p.m. RSVP to John Delehanty at 241- 3171 or Mary Lu Graham at 241-0280.

28 Mesa county

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

Mesa County Beacon Bits Compiled by Cloie Sandlin

Writers’ support group A network for novice writers will meet at the Fruita library, 324 N. Coulson, on the third Saturday of every month. Join us from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Share your talent and receive support. For more information, call 858-7604.

Need Medicare help?

RSVP, a nonprofit organization, offers free Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP) counseling to help seniors make informed decisions about

AT A DISTANCE Richard W. Lewis, Funeral Director

Although death is a certainty in our lives, where death claims us is not.

Many people who are retired enjoy their years of hard work by rewarding themselves by travelling the country, as well as the world. Families simply do not know what to do when their family member dies in another county, state, or country.

As your local Dignity MemorialÂŽ provider, through a relationship we have with Medical Air Services Association, we are able to offer the Transportation & Relocation Plan.

For those who travel on a regular basis, this is an extremely valuable service, giving everyone involved additional peace of mind in knowing they will be taken care of and returned home regardless of where death claims them. Medical Air Services Association will take care of all the necessary paperwork, including all transit permits, airline, container, ground transportation and shipping, body preparation, and paperwork necessary to return your loved one home (when travelling beyond 75 miles of your home).

We also understand that for the family members that do not live nearby, the death of a loved one can present the predicament of getting home to be with the family‌ For that reason, we offer a Bereavement Travel Program, an exclusive Dignity MemorialŽ

designed to assist out-of-town family members and friends to attend a funeral, cremation, memorial or graveside service. We provide the best available travel options throughout the U.S. and Canada and to many international destinations. On a moment’s notice, dedicated travel specialists will seek the best available airfares as well as hotel accommodations and car rentals for all family and friends - allowing them to be with their loved ones.

We are committed to providing our families with a wide variety of services that meet any possible need your family might encounter when a loved one dies. Martin Mortuary, your local Dignity MemorialÂŽ provider, has been serving families in the Grand Valley and surrounding areas since 1917. Please feel free to visit our mortuary at 550 North Avenue, and if a question arises, do not hesitate to contact us at 970-243-1538 to set up an appointment, or visit our website: www.MartinMortuary.com.

Whether you desire cremation or burial, Martin Mortuary now provides the security of insurance funded funeral prearrangements.

their Medicare health coverage and drug plans. No selling, just telling.

Knowing your options will help you make the best choice for you. Extra help for limited-income people also available for paying premiums, drugs, and other Medicare costs. Call RSVP at 243-9839 to make an appointment.

Or walk in Thursdays only from 9 a.m. to noon at the U.S. Bank Building’s lower level at 422 White Ave.

Mesa View Retirement & Atrium events Join us at Mesa View Retirement, 601 Horizon Place, and The Atium, 3260

N. 12th St. in Grand Junction for a month full of May activities. Space is limited, so RSVP to 241-0772 (Mesa View) or 265-0006 (The Atrium) two days prior to the event.

Mesa View Events • Cinco De Mayo Party, 2 p.m., May 5 • Mother’s Day Events, 2 p.m., May 12 • Travel Adventure Club, 11 a.m., May 18 • Armed Forces Day, 11 a.m., May 19 • Memorial Weekend Fun, May 25-28

Atrium Events • National Park Travelog, 1:45 p.m., May 4 • Kentucky Derby Kickoff, 11 a.m., May 5 • Ula and her accordion, 1:45 p.m., May 5 • Mother’s Day Tea & Latte, 11 a.m., May 12 • Armed Forces Day Dance, 1:45 p.m., May 19

O.I. Packing Meetings Designated by Congress, May is Military Appreciation Month. Show your support of our troops by attending one of the following packing meetings held by Operation Interdependence, a civilian to military delivery system that provides over 2,500 comfort packages to service personnel every month. For more information, contact Karon Carley at 523-4217 or email carley@oidelivers.org. Packing meetings are held at their warehouse near North Avenue and 29-1/2 Road.

Call for directions. May’s packing meetings will be: • Saturday, May 5 & 19, 9 a.m. • Wednesday, May 16 & 30, 7 p.m.

So many tunes, so little time Are you interested in learning and jamming with guitars, auto harps, psalteries and mountain dulcimers?

We play folk, old time and gospel music. Acoustic only. Call 523-9120.

Volunteer opportunities • RSVP connects individuals 55+ to volunteer positions in any of our 90+ member agencies. For a complete list of volunteer opportunities, visit www.rsvpgrandjunction.org or call 243-9839. • Homeward Bound of the Grand

May 2012 Valley is a nonprofit organization providing housing, compassionate services, and safe shelter for individuals and families. It is always in need of community volunteers. If you are interested, please call 256-9424. • GriefShare: Healing from grief through Christ is held every Monday at 6:30 p.m. at Fellowship Church, 765 24 Road. For more information, contact Vicci at 434-9473. • Gray Gourmet needs several adult volunteers to deliver a weekday lunch to homebound seniors in the Grand Valley. To find out more about delivering meals to homebound seniors, call Marsha at 243-9844 ext.

5. Volunteers are also needed to work (on call) to serve lunch at one of our senior dining sites in Grand Junction one day per week. For more information, call Sheli at 243-9844. • Alpine Hospice needs volunteers to help patients tell their life story.

It’s a rewarding opportunity to offer support, listen and be a friend to someone facing end-of-life issues.

Training is provided. Volunteer office support positions are also available.

Contact Sandy at 210-5912 for details. • St. Mary’s Foster Grandparent Program needs volunteers to help tutor and mentor school children that are at-risk for developmental delays.

For more information, see page 4 in this month’s BEACON, or call Tanya at 263-9091. • Operation Interdependence needs volunteers to collect notes for the troops at the Glade Park Fire Department’s Movies Under the Stars event. For more information, call 523-4217.

Club activities • The Western Slope Coin Club meets at 6:30 p.m. on the second Wednesday of each month at the Redlands Community Center, 2463 Broadway. For more information, call 241-1770 or 242-3716. • The Talk of the Town Toastmasters invite you to join their weekly Thursday lunch hour club meetings from noon to 1 p.m. at the Business Incubator, 2591 Legacy Way (B-3/4

May 2012 Road). For more information, call 244-1625.

• The Grand Valley Knights are a group of auto enthusiasts that meet every Saturday from 8 a.m.-10 a.m. at Spoon’s Bistro and Bakery, 3090 N. 12th St. with their sport and classic vehicles. For more information, call 462-6762 or visit www.grandvalleyk nights.com.

• Vestafjell Lodge, Sons of Norway will hold a special meeting at 2 p.m. on May 20 at All Saint’s Lutheran Church, 20101 Deer Creek Road in Cory, Colorado. After the lodge received many requests for a return appearance, special guests Brandy and Elmer Ferganchick from Eckert will bring several of their prized Norwegian Fjord Horses. Also, bring a dish for a potluck Koldtbord meal, celebrating Mother’s Day and Norway’s Constitution Day. Guests are welcome. Call 245-5649 or 874-4604 for more information. Also, visit www.vestafjelllodge.com.

• The Two River Sams Chapter Good Sam RV Club will meet at 1 p.m. on May 19. For location, call 248-9846 or 261-8817.

• The Palisade Masonic Lodge is the only daylight lodge in the Grand Valley. They meet at 10 a.m. on the first Saturday of each month at the corner of Fifth and Kluge Avenue.

All Masons are invited to attend. For more information, call 245-5312.

• The Mesa County Genealogical Society meets at 7 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month at Cross Orchards, 3073 F Road, and at the Museum of Western Colorado, 462 Ute Ave. at noon on the fourth Wednesday of the month. They also host a help session at 1 p.m. on the first Friday of the month at one of the Mesa County libraries. Bring a lunch.

For more information, call 245-5312.

• Mesa County Republican Women meet the second Monday of each month at Two Rivers Convention Center at noon. Lunch is $15 per person. RSVP to 248-0815.

• The Two Rivers Cribbage Club meets from 6 p.m.-9 p.m. every

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com Thursday at New Life Church, 1350 N. Seventh St. For more information, call 261-1670.

• Happy Feet Rounds meets at the Masonic Lodge, 2400 Consistory Court on Sundays for a variety of dancing including waltz, rumba, cha-cha and more. Beginners are welcome from 5 p.m.-6:30 p.m. and intermediate dancers are welcome from 6:30 p.m.-8 p.m. For more information, call 243-5858.

• The Grand Valley Woodcarvers Club meets from 6 p.m.-8 p.m. on the first and third Wednesdays of the month and from 1 p.m.-3 p.m. on the second and fourth Wednesdays at the Redlands United Methodist Church, 527 Village Way. Carvers and wood artisans of all skill levels are welcome. For more information, call 245-8817 or 523-5965.

• Levis & Lace Square Dance Club hosts square dances from 7 p.m.9:30 p.m. every Friday night at the Masonic Lodge, 2400 Consistory Court in Grand Junction. For more information, call 986-8801 or 434-6541.

• The Art Jewelers Guild meets at 6:30 p.m. on the second Monday of each month at the Grandview Apartments on the northwest corner of First Street and Independence Avenue. Amateurs and professionals are welcome. Learn how easy and fun it is to make your own jewelry. For more information, call 243-1220.

Mesa county 29

WORLD WAR III NEVER HAPPENED BECAUSE THE

URANIUM MILLER, MINERS & HAULERS KEPT THE COLD WAR COLD.

Cold War Patriots is a non-profit organization dedicated to honoring nuclear and uranium workers ... and membership is FREE! H Be heard in Washington D.C. H Enjoy local fairs & events H Gain access to medical and financial experts H Get the benefits you earned

• MACHO Men, a breast cancer support group, meets at 5 p.m. on the second and fourth Wednesday of the month at the coffee shop at St. Mary’s Hospital. Look for Entrance 25. For more information, call Deborah Hesse at 298-2351 or Don George at 858-1301.

• Western Slope Non-Smoking Singles has meetings on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month.

Times vary, so call Flora at 243-1813.

■ If you have an event or photo you would like to have appear in the Beacon, send it to: beacon@pen dantpublishing.com.

FOR MORE INFO ON FREE MEMBERSHIP CALL

1.855.2.COLDWAR (855-226-5392) or visit coldwarpatriots.org CWP Beacon Sr Ad 5.087x10.625 4C.indd 1

3/27/12 11:04 PM

30

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

May 2012

A big BEACON “thank you!”

F

irst, I’d like to thank the approximately 3,100 people who attended this year’s BeaconFest Senior Fair. It was by far our biggest ever.

Second, I’d like to thank our staff and the staff at the Two Rivers Convention Center for working so hard to make this event such a great success. Also, the RSVP volunteers who manned the doors and blew up over 400 brightly colored balloons.

I was particularly happy to have AARP and New Creation Hearing as our major sponsors. If you know anyone from either organization, please give them the heartiest of thanks.

Fantastic food It was nice having Rib City back to the show. The owners, Mike and Sara, spent their whole day serving the seniors at BeaconFest. The Olive Garden was there with their famous soup and salad. Café Rio was a big hit with their Mexican food samples.

Also, sponsoring food booths this year were the Senior Services Group, Callahan-Edfast Mortuary and KJCT News 8. Thank you!

There was music and dancing One of the great treats at BeaconFest is the entertainment, which runs all day long on two different stages.

Greeting folks as they entered the show in the front foyer were: Spare Parts Barbershop Quartet Grand pianist Paula Dunfee Sweet Adelines Quartet - Cover Charge While Ron Koss masterfully mixed the sound on the main stage for: Desert Moon Band Saxophonist Dick Caldwell King’n Trio Pete Dunda Band Sultan’s Pride Dance Troupe

Door prizes galore Of course, no BeaconFest would be complete without giving away thousands of dollars in door prizes from these kind and generous businesses: Adobe Creek Golf Course American Furniture Warehouse Battlement Mesa Golf Club Benge’s Shoes

Big O Tires Bike Shop Bookcliff Gardens Bookcliff Hearing Box Canyon Lodge & Hot Springs Brakes Plus Café Rio Carino’s Italian Restaurant Center for Independence Cinnamon Grill Country Elegance Florist Courtyard by Marriott Decatur Vein Clinic Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Ethel M Candy Fiesta Guadalajara Gateway Canyons Gateway Canyons Air Tours Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park Hana Sushi & Hibachi Harley Davidson Home Style Bakery II Bistro Italiano Interiors, Etc. La-Z-Boy Furniture Lincare Maverick Country Store Merry Maids Mesa County Libraries Old Chicago Olive Garden Orchard Mesa Lanes Papa Murphy’s Pizza Peppermill Casinos Quilters’ Corner, Inc. Pepsi Cola Bottling Company Reliable Estate Sales Residence Inn by Marriott Rifle Creek Golf Course Rockslide Restaurant & Brewery Rocky Mountain Health Plans Scott N. VanDusen, DDS Spine Injury Center Tiara Rado Golf Course Tru Value Hardware Store Village Inn Woven Designs

Finally, I wanted to thank the 90 different senior related businesses who set-up booths at BeaconFest to share their information. Without them, none of this would be possible.

Our next BeaconFest will be in Montrose, Colorado on September 20. See ya there! ■

May 2012

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

Delta/ Montrose counties 31

Delta/Montrose Calendar Compiled by Jamie Begalle May 5

Strut Your Mutt 5K Dog Walk Dogs and their owners will hit the streets for a 5K walk-a-thon to raise money for the CAWS Adoption Center in Delta. The route will start at Confluence Park, proceed to the shelter’s grand opening, where snacks will be served for all two and four legged walkers. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. at the sheltered area across from the new dog park. Cost is $20.

For more information, visit www.

CAWSonline.org.

May 9-12

Montrose Wine & Food Festival The Montrose Wine & Food Festival promotes local cuisine and Colorado wines. Events include a wine dinner at The StoneHouse, special restaurant dining followed by disco night at Turn of the Century, a tasting on the lawn at the Montrose Pavilion, featuring music from the Montrose High School Jazz Band and more. On Sunday, we coincide with Mission to Ride, a spring cycling event held at Rotary Park. Proceeds benefit Black Canyon Boys & Girls Club, Voices for Children (CASA), Kids Aid and Shoes for Kids. Call 901-9993 for details.

May 10

AARP Driver Safety Course Montrose Keep up with newer traffic laws while saving money on your car insurance. The Montrose County Health and Human Services, 1845 S. Townsend Ave. will host the AARP Driver Safety Program from 8:30 a.m.1 p.m. Cost is $12 for AARP members and $14 for nonmembers. Preregistration required. Call Amy at 252-3431.

May 11

Magic Circle Players’ Sweeney Todd Set in the 19th century, Sweeney Todd is the tale of Benjamin Barker, who returns to London after 15 years

in prison on false charges. When he learns that his wife has poisoned herself because of the judge who wrongly imprisoned him, he vows revenge. Sharpening his barber skills, he wreaks vengeance on London’s elite. This highly acclaimed musical provides audiences with an extraordinary evening of musical theatre by the Magic Circle Players. For more information, call 249-7838, visit www. magiccircleplayers.com or see their ad on page 32.

May 12

Redhead Express The Delta/Montrose Community Concert Association presents Redhead Express. Fueled by the sweet sounds of America’s heartland, Redhead Express plays a homegrown blend of contemporary country, oldfashioned bluegrass and Americana.

They will perform at 7:30 p.m. at the Delta Center for the Performing Arts, 822 Grand Ave. Admission is $20 for adults and $5 for students. For more information, call 921-4142 or visit www.concertassociation.net.

May 23

Benefit yard sale and car wash Delta Opportunity School holds their year-end yard sale on May 23. All of the proceeds will go to Food For Thought, a kids feeding kids program. The address for the yard sale is 366 E. Eighth St. and the car wash is from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 822 Grand Ave. in Delta Call 874-2753 for details.

June 2

Montrose Genealogy Conference Cari Taplin from Longmont will be speaking about how to find newspapers online. The event takes place from 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Montrose Genealogy Center, 700 E. Main St. in Montrose. The center is also open for research until 5 p.m. For more information, call 240-1755 or visit www. rootsweb.ancestry.com/~comgc. ■

If you have an event or photo you would like to have appear in the Beacon, send it to: beacon@pendantpublishing.com.

Monday is Senior Day at

May 19th & 20th

Devil’s Thumb Golf Club

Two Man Best Ball

$30 for 18 holes with cart

Thursday is Ladies’ Day $30 for 18 holes with cart Sign up online at devilsthumbgolf club.com and recieve a Free round of golf the week of your birthday!!

Must have USGA Handicap.

Visit website for more info.

874 - 6262  9900 Devils Thumb Drive  DelTa, CO

32 Delta/ Montrose counties

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

Quality Care with a compassionate touch Paonia Care and rehabilitation Center 1625 Meadowbrook blvd • Paonia, Co Hospice • Respite Care • 24 Hour Skilled Nursing Care • Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapy • Medicare/Medicaid Certified Transportation to & from Appointments • Respiratory Services Available as Needed • Dedicated Rooms for Rehabilitations and Recoveries • Long Term Care and Private Rooms Available • Basic Cable Service Provided to our Clients • All Qualified Insurances Accepted Medicare • Medicaid • HMO • Private • PACE • UMWA • Hospice Respite Care • VA We Accept MC & Visa Credit Cards

970-527-4837 www.PCrC.web.officelive.com

May 2012

Delta-Montrose Beacon Bits Compiled by Cloie Sandlin

New medical transportation plan As of May 1, All Points Transit will begin operating a shuttle from the West End to Montrose and Grand Junction on behalf of the Tri-County Health Network. As a result, the days of service will increase and more people will have access to the transit. With All Points Transit operating the van, the shuttle will no longer be limited to those with medical appointments. The general public, seniors and people with disabilities who have shopping or other business in Montrose or Grand Junction can make use of the program on a first come, first-serve basis. The cost will be $5 round trip for passengers who have medical appointments and $20 round trip for the general public.

These fees are a suggested donation for seniors over the age of 60.

The new schedule, which will pick up passengers in Norwood, Nucla, Naturita, Telluride, Placerville, Ridgway/Ouray, is as follows: To Montrose: The first and second Tuesday of the month, the second and third Wednesday of the month, the third and fourth Thursday of the month, and the first Friday each month.

To Grand Junction: One Monday each month. More trips may be added depending on demand.

For more information, contact Terri Wilcox at twilcox@allpointstransit. org or 249-8865.

Delta Senior Activities The following activities are offered at Bill Heddles Recreation Center, 530 Gunnison River Drive in Delta.

To register for any of the following activities, call 874-0923.

Dog agility class Register by May 9 for a dog agility class at Bill Heddles Recreation Center. This class is great for beginners and intermediates in training your dog on commands through tunnels, jumps, hoops and more. Dogs must be at least six months old and have some basic obedience skills. Classes are 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Fridays, May 11 through June 1. Cost is $40. Tell your friends, as six people must be registered. Class will be held in Confluence Park.

Cards and games Did you know the City of Delta Parks and Recreation Department has activities at the Bill Heddles Recreation Center for adults that run on an ongoing basis? Bring a friend and meet new people by engaging in the following activities: • Duplicate Bridge: 12:30 p.m.-4 p.m.

Mondays. Cost is $4.

• Party Bridge: 1 p.m.-4 p.m.

Thursdays. Cost is $18 yearly.

• Cribbage Grassroots: 6:30 p.m.-

May 2012 9:30 p.m. on the first Thursday of the month. Cost is $1 each visit.

• Cribbage Club: 8:30 a.m.-11 a.m.

Wednesdays. Cost is $18 yearly.

• Pinochole: 1 p.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays.

Cost is $18 yearly.

• Tuesday needlers: 10 a.m. to noon on Tuesdays. Cost is $18 yearly.

• Scrabble: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursdays at no cost.

• Chess Club: 6:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m.

Tuesdays at no cost.

Montrose Senior Activities

Stroke Support Group The Montrose Memorial Hospital Stroke Support Group meets twice a month at the hospital’s Acute Rehab Unit from 11 a.m. to noon. Stroke survivors, family members and caregivers are all encouraged to attend. For more information and meeting days, call Tim Ramsey at 318-2028.

Vestafjell Lodge, Sons of Norway meeting Sons of Norway will hold a special meeting at 2 p.m. on May 20 at All Saint’s Lutheran Church, 20101 Deer Creek Road in Cory, Colorado. After the lodge received many requests for a return appearance, special guests Brandy and Elmer Ferganchick from Eckert will bring several of their prized Norwegian Fjord Horses. Also, bring a dish for a potluck Koldtbord meal, celebrating Mother’s Day and Norway’s Constitution Day. Guests are welcome. Call 245-5649 or 8744604 for more information. Also, visit www.vestafjelllodge.com.

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

Montrose Recreation District activities

• May 19, 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m.

Fruita’s Mike the Headless Chicken Festival hosts many activities including music performances, games, competitions, a car show and food vendors. We will tour the Fruita Community Center to round out our visit to Fruita. Cost is $20, plus bring money for lunch.

• May 24, 9:15 a.m.-3 p.m.

The Ouray River Walk and Box Canyon Falls is an easy 2.5 mile walk along the Uncompahgre River in Ouray. We will tour Box Canyon Falls following the walk. Bring a sack lunch. Cost is $17.

• May 30, 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m.

The streets of downtown Grand Junction boast one of the nation’s largest sidewalk sculpture galleries with almost 100 sculptures displayed. We will take a selfguided tour and learn about the artwork. We will visit art galleries, clothing boutiques, and antique shops. Then we will eat lunch at the Rockslide Brewery. Cost is $20, plus bring money for lunch. ■

- fri 8am - 8 pm|Sat 8am - 4 pm Sun noon - 4 pm

mon

The Montrose Recreation District has the following activities scheduled for seniors 50+ in May. Register one week ahead. Events take place at the Montrose Pavilion, or transportation departs from the Montrose Pavilion.

Please arrive at each event at least 15 minutes early. For more information on any of the following activities, call 252-4884.

Delta/ Montrose counties 33

There when you need them the most Minor Injuries & illness Colds, Flu, & Allergies Sports, DOT & employment physicals.

Lacerations & Fracture Care Terry S. Wade D.O. Barbara Budagher P.A.-C Chris Palsley P.A.-C 836 S. townSend, montroSe next to eldorado bakery

249-2118

Subscribe to Vol. 32

AUGUst 2010

No. 8

Western Colorado’s Month

ly Newspaper for Adults 50+.

the Beacon

Over 28,350 Readers.

Martial Arts for seniors is a great new concept.

See story on page 10.

september 2010

What’s Inside .......... 13 Advice and Ideas ................ .... 30 Classifieds ................................ .... 19 Crossword ................................

27 Delta/Montrose County ................

18 ............ ................

Fruita ................ ......... 10 ................

Wellness & Health ......... 14 Laughing Matters ................ ....... 8 Local Lore ................................ . 22 Mesa County................................ ...... 23 River City Singles.................... .............. 26 Theater & Arts ................

Adoptable Love

Local Lore

This old yellow farmhouse once stood on the banks of Lake Lenore. Read more about it’s history inside.

Local Lore From peddling pickles in a wheelbarrow to creating a successful factory, read more about the Kuner-Empson factory inside.

From horses to turtles, take a look at our reader submitted photos.

Long-Term Care e rm Car Long-Te

page 2

Key Questions nursing to ask a home 6 page

Madness

Medicare Medical Home t Users Targets page 7 Equipmen

Beacon’s by the Produced Team Advertising

to Senior Your Guide

Housing

Term Care & Long

at the Web Now on www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

Western Colorado’s Monthly Newspaper for Adults 50+. Over 28,350 Readers.

Advice and Ideas ............................ 9 Classifieds .................................... 30 Crossword .................................... 26 Delta/Montrose County ................ 27 Fruita ............................................ 17 Laughing Matters ......................... 14 Local Lore ..................................... 10 Mesa County................................. 22 Parks & Recreation ....................... 16 River City Singles.......................... 23 Travel & Recreation ...................... 12

Pets and their people

of Care West A Continuum Health Parlor) at Family Beauty (even a

Vol. 24 No. 9

Learning how to operate firearms correctly can save lives.

Olathe resident, Ron Avery can aim you in the right direction.

Animal Arielle Alstatt, Mesa County more inside. a Joe, Read Services officer, cuddling Little for adoption. young pit-mix male waiting page 4.

See our cover story on What’s Inside

River Lessons

july 2010

No. 7

Seniors can play rough too. Read more on page 9.

Western Colorado ’s Monthly Newspap

er for Adults 50+

Good Here!

. Over 28,3 50 Rea

Rita Baughman, right, of Taylor Produce helps Brenda St. John select What’s fresh Palisade Ins ide Peaches.

Advice and Ideas ..........................

19 Classifieds ........... ......................... 34 Crossword ........... ......................... 22 Delta/Montrose County ................

31 Health & Wellness ......................... 10 Laughing Matter s .........................

14 Local Lore ........... ..........................

20 Mesa County........... ...................... 26 River City Singles ..........................

28 Theater & Arts ........... ................... 30

Susan Capps, describes experiences and lessons learned from our beautiful Colorado rivers.

What everyone needs to know about long-term care Read more in this month’s insert.

Vol. 31

Life Tastes

Faux Food !

What started as local artist turne a hobby for this business. Rea d into a full-time d Martin and othe about Jeannie r starting on page local artists 4.

Lake Lenore and the surrounding Lakesid e Community have made their mark in Jones.

by Karen Photohistory . Read more on page 20

Health & Wellness ess Health &Welln Health foods that aren’t page 11

Real Men Give Blood page 6 A Bright Future for Senior Daybreak page 3

the Beacon’s Produced by Team Advertising

& Bod y a H eal t hy Mind Your Guid e to

at Now on the Web www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

The artists of the Grand Valley Woodcarvers create masterpieces out of simple blocks of wood. Read more on page 6

What everyone needs to know about your health Read more in this month’s insert.

Photo by Karen Jones. western colorado

Senior Games

western colorado

Aug. 30-Sept. 3

Parks & recreation

Produced by the Beacon’s Advertising Team

Colorado Senior Games Your Guide to the Western

Now on the Web at www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

Photo by Karen

August 30-Septe

S enior Gam es

See this month’s

insert for complet

mber 3, Lincoln

e details and regi

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Garfield County Calendar

By Cheryl Currier May 7

Sharing moments and memories Unique adventures and lessons define your life. Has the time come to commemorate those events for friends, family and generations yet to come?

Affordably write and self-publish your memoirs, family recipes, photo albums or other projects. The class is offered 8 a.m.-11 a.m. at Colorado Mountain College in Parachute, 281 N. Parachute Ave. Cost is $30. Download a registration form at www.colo radomtn.edu/register, or register in person, via fax or mail. Call 625-1871 for details.

May 8

Heron, eagle and osprey watching Meet at Aspen Glen, 545 Bald Eagle Way in Carbondale from 5:30 p.m.7:30 p.m. and join Jonathan Lowsky, wildlife biologist and staff from Roaring Fork Conservancy, for this amazing look at the great blue her-

ons, bald eagles and osprey near the confluence of Cattle Creek and the Roaring Fork River. This area is a nest heaven for these birds. You will tour two properties normally off-limits to the public. Bring binoculars or a spotting scope. Cost is free for members and $5 for nonmembers. Register online at www.roaringfork.org or call 927-1290 for more information.

pioneer heritage of the mountains and valleys of western Colorado.

Events start at 4 p.m. on Friday.

Sawyer Brown will be in concert at 7 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $20 in advance. Purchase tickets online at www.westerncoloradoconcert.com/ event-registration. Indoor events are free. Food and craft vendors, dance, 3D archery, a BMX and skateboard competition will all be part of the fun. For a full schedule, visit www. riflerendezvous.org.

May 8

May 15

Crochet workshop Glenwood Springs Center for the Arts, 601 E. Sixth St., is offering a crochet workshop from 6 p.m.-9 p.m.

You will be amazed by how much you can learn to make in such a short period of time. Crochet is an inexpensive and fun skill that will serve you a lifetime. Cost is $45. Call 9452414 to reserve your spot.

May 11-13

Rifle Rendezvous The Garfield County Fairgrounds will be home to a festival celebrating the

Do you hate m!sspelled words , m!ssing punctuat!on marks + bad grammer as much ass we do?

Here’s your chance to become a defender of the English language Simply read the

, red pen in hand, and point out our slup-ips, I mean slip-ups, to us.

Send in your entries by the end of the month to: Newspaper PO Box 3895 Grand Junction, CO 81502

CONGRATULATIONS to Jan Weeks, the winner of a gift certificate to Texas Roadhouse.

Each mistake you catch will count as one entry. At the end of the month, we’ll draw from the entries and one lucky, eagle eyed, reader will win a gift certificate, T-shirt, cash or something else of value.

Tips and Talks on Tuesdays in Parachute Learn how to make an “iris paperfolding” greeting card embellished with glitter, stamps and stickers.

Meet at 10 a.m. at the Valley Senior Center, 540 N. Parachute Ave. Bring scissors and scotch tape. Sandwiches will be provided. Bring a side dish to share. This will be the final meeting of the group until fall. Everyone is welcome.

May 19

Birding at Rock Bottom Ranch Mary Harris will lead this fun and easy trip though Rock Bottom Ranch near Carbondale, along the 2-mile flat paved recreation path. Meet at 7 a.m. at the west end of the path (closest to Carbondale). You might spot pinion, juniper and sage birds including the busy Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. After the walk, drive to Harris’ house to eat your sack lunch and watch the colorful show of Western Tanagers, Bullock’s Orioles, Black-headed Grosbeaks and others. Bring your hat, lunch and a backpack with water.

Bring binoculars or a spotting scope.

Call 963-0319 by May 17 so shuttle transportation can be arranged. This event is free. For more information, call or visit www.roaringfork.org.

May 25

Casino trip Enjoy a day of gambling and exploring in the towns of Central City and Black Hawk. Pick-up and drop-off will take place at the Glenwood

May 2012 Springs Community Center, 100 Wulfsohn Road. Additional pick-up locations may be requested by calling 384-6302. Meet at 8 a.m. and arrive back at 7:30 p.m. Bring your own lunch or try one of the many affordable buffets. Cost is $35 for members and $45 for nonmembers. Register by calling 384-6301.

May 26

Wild flower hike Join Rifle Falls campground host and park naturalist Judy Killion from 10 a.m.-11 a.m. on a short hike to spot Colorado wildflowers growing in Rifle Falls State Park. The difficulty rating for the trial is mostly easy with some steep sections. Wear your sunscreen, good walking shoes and bring some water. You will need to pay entrance fees to the Rifle Falls.

Call 625-1607 for more information.

May 28

Memorial Day barbecue in Parachute A Memorial Day potluck barbecue will be at noon at the Valley Senior Center, 540 N. Parachute Ave. Price is $5 for members and $10 for nonmembers. Hamburgers, hot dogs and brats will be available. Purchase tickets by May 23 at the weekly lunches or from Jeanette at 285-9512.

June 2

River float with Roaring Fork Conservancy For the eighth year, Roaring Fork Conservancy is excited to offer an opportunity for Roaring Fork Valley residents and visitors to experience the Roaring Fork River first-hand.

Meet at Veltus Park in Glenwood Springs at 8 a.m., where transportation will be provided up to Carbondale, where you will jump on a raft for a half-day of sightseeing, natural history, and a cookout back at Veltus Park. Cost is $20 for members and $30 for nonmembers. Space is limited and you must register by May 28.

Register online at www.roaringfork. org. For more information, call Sarah Johnson at 927-1290. ■

If you have an event or photo you would like to have appear in the Beacon, send it to: beacon@pendantpublishing.com.

May 2012

Garfield County Beacon Bits

By Cheryl Currier

Glenwood Springs Library book sale Bargains will be plentiful at the upcoming book sale sponsored by the Friends of the Glenwood Springs Library May 5-12. The book sale is held in the basement of the Glenwood Springs Branch at 413 Ninth St. The sale will be ongoing during regular library hours. For more information, call 945-5958.

Matter of Balance The Valley Senior Center in Parachute, 540 N. Parachute Ave., will offer a free, award-winning, eight-week class on balance. A Matter of Balance is a program designed to manage falls and increase activity. You will learn to make changes to reduce fall risks at home, exercise to increase strength balance, view falls as controllable, and set goals for increased activity. Classes start 2 p.m.-4 p.m.

Thursday, May 10. Call 945-9191 ext.

3084 to reserve your spot.

of the month at the Alpine Hospice, 1517 Blake Ave., Suite 100B in Glenwood Springs. Call Andrea at 4719312 for more information.

Zumba Gold is an exercise class led by professional Latin dancer Paula Valente. The dance moves are modified for seniors and participants with disabilities or in wheelchairs. The class meets at the Third Street Center in Carbondale, 2 p.m.-3 p.m. Tuesdays.

Call 963-2536 for more information.

Bingo If you like bingo, there are many opportunities up and down the valley.

Parachute Valley Senior Center, 540 N. Parachute Ave. 6:30 p.m. first and third Saturdays of the month. Cash prizes for games start at $5 and range up to $150. A packet of 15 cards costs $9. Free popcorn and shared snacks.

No reservations are needed and the Senior Center staff offers assistance.

Call 285-6942 for more information.

Rifle

The Bookcliffs Council on the Arts and Humanities is offering a series of ongoing classes exploring various mediums. You will complete a project in one night. Classes are held at the newly renovated Stone House Gallery, located at Sixteenth and Birch Streets in Rifle, the first and third Mondays of the month from 6:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. Cost is $25 and includes materials. Call Betsy at 3793842 to reserve your spot and find out what medium is being offered.

Rifle Senior Center, 50 Ute Ave., 1 p.m. Fridays

Parachute An Alzheimer’s support group meets at the Grand Valley United Methodist Church, 132 N. Parachute Ave. in Parachute 10 a.m.-11 a.m. the last Monday of the month. Call 285-9892 for more information.

Glenwood Springs An Alzheimer’s support group meets at 5 p.m.-6 p.m. the last Wednesday

BEACON Advertisers

eler Summer Tr&av Festivals

2011

Senior

1.

Telluride Adventures9 page

Summer Festivals fun Music, food and

Beacon’s Produced by the Advertising Team

A Guide to Summer

& Festivals

at Now on the Web s.com www.BeaconSeniorNew

Long-Term Care

3.

Family moments such as Pirate Day at Eagle Ridge of the Grand Valley impact quality of life more than anything else. With a staff like this to care for you, long-term care may not seem so bad after all.

Produced by the Beacon’s Advertising Team

Care Your Guide to Senior Housing & Long-Term

2.

Now on the Web at www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

western color ado

S enior Games

Aug . 29-Sept. 2 Parks & recreation

Produced by the Beacon’s Advertising Team

Your Guide to the Wester n Colorad o Senior Games

Now on the Web at www.BeaconSeniorNew s.com

The “continuum-of-care” that one goes through as they age can be a confusing and expensive process.

BeACOn readers know that first hand. As a sponsor of this important publication, you can show our readers how you can best help them and their loved ones navigate the aging process. After all, “getting old isn’t for sissies.”

Advertising Deadline: July 20, 2012 Publication Date: July 30, 2012

Call for information 970

Carbondale

Colorado Mountain College is offering an introductory series to the visual arts. All classes will be from 5 p.m.-8 p.m. at the Rifle CMC campus, 3695 Airport Road. Take all three classes for $80 or register for classes individually for $30. Register at www.coloradomtn.edu/register, in person, or via fax or mail. Call 625-1871 for more information.

• May 8 - Introduction to Sketching.

• May 14 - Introduction to Watercolor.

• May 15 - Introduction to Pen and Ink Drawing. ■

Travel, Recreation

Got Game?—Help us and the Grand Junction Parks Department get the word out about this summer’s annual Western Colorado Senior Games. Show your support for active aging by advertising in our special (center-spread, pull-out) section of the July BeACOn, which will have a comprehensive listing of events and registration.

Advertising Deadline: June 20, 2012 Publication Date: July 2, 2012

Colorado Mountain College, 1420 Blake Ave., 10:30 a.m., Fridays

Visual artist series

Mature travelers, over the age of fifty, travel 60% more than the average American and spend 30% more money per trip than younger travelers. Of course, it would be hard for them to spend money with you if they don’t know about you. Let’s let them know.

Advertising Deadline: May 20, 2012 Publication Date: May 29, 2012

exciting way to spend You can’t find a more Canyons Air Tours! $99 than with Gateway

page 2

Glenwood Springs

Crystal Meadows Senior Housing, 1250 Hendrick Drive in the Rominger Room, 1 p.m. Wednesdays

Garfield county 35

Attention

Zumba Gold for seniors

Art After Hours

Alzheimer’s Caregivers Support Groups

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

243-8829

Garfield County Seniors are reading the BEACON. Shouldn’t your ad be here?

Call Jeanette Kiphart for ad rates.

243-8829

36 classifieds

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

Miscellaneous Services Outdoor photographer I will shoot your recreational activities, pets, family outings, reunions. Local/national scenic prints and photo notecards available. Mountains, seasonal, rock formations, landscapes, sunsets, etc.

Custom orders accepted. 361-4111.

Pure-Beginner Gun Classes New to guns? You just found friendly, small, professional classes. Men and women certified Instructors.

270-3203.

Real Estate for Rent Nellie Bechtel Senior Apartments 55 and older, no smoking or pets.

3032 N. 15th St. Call 245-1712 for appointment.

Apartment for Rent Three bedroom, one bathroom apartment in Clifton. No pets.

Utilities included. $695/month $500/deposit. 434-0681.

Real Estate for Sale LIQUOR STORE for Sale Turn key operation – All goes. Asking $325K. Naturita, CO. 865-2545.

To Place a Classified Ad... 3 easy steps!  Write your ad: ....................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................... deadline :

 Wanted to Buy  Real Estate for Sale  Real Estate for Rent

20th of the preceding month

 Classes  Services  Personals

 Events  Work Wanted  For Sale  Help Wanted  Other ..........................................

This ad runs....................months. Starting month.........................

 Pay for it: Rates: $29 for 30 words or less. Additional words $1 each.

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beacon, po box 3895, Grand Junction, Co 81502 fax: 800 536-7516 email: beacon@pendantpublishing.com

name ..................................................................................................................... address ................................................................................................................. city............................................................ state .................. zip ............................. telephone number .....................................................................

queStionS? Call Genevra or Jamie M-TH 9am-4pm, 970 243-8829 www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

Home Care PASCO/SW, INC.

Skilled and unskilled homemaking and/or personal care. Skilled nursing, specialize in wound care, physical therapy, occupational therapy, CNA, social work, pre-op, post-op services. PASCO/SW carriers certification for Mi, children’s hospice and Tbi waivers.

Please call for courtesy evaluation of your home care needs.

May 2012 Reliable Estate Sales Are you in the midst of a stressful relocation or passing of a loved one?

Let us handle the burden of personal property liquidation from start to finish. Contact Mark Bluhm at 260-2327, cash4@bresnan.net or www.reliableestatesales.net.

Avoid costly lAwsuits

Serving: Archuleta, Delta, Dolores, La Plata, Montezuma, Montrose, Ouray, San Miguel

Slab-jacking can raise sunken concrete.

Cortez (970)565-6833; Durango (970) 247-1211; Montrose (970) 240-1771; Toll Free (877) 685-6833

(usually costs 50% less than replacement)

www.pascosw.com

We pay CASH for Diabetic Test Strips Most types, unopened, unexpired.

Up to $10 per box. Call Vaughn or Laken at 433-7110.

Home Services Professional Tile Installer Insured and bonded. You purchase tile, I provide everything else.

Special discounts. Call Bill for a free estimate. 245-3344.

Antiques, Appraisals, Estate Sales With over 30 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. 242-2443.

FREE estimates

Mays ConstruCtion

970-245-0834 Lawn and Garden Services The Greatful Gardener Landscape maintenance. Reliable.

Honest. Call Colleen at 361-2595.

A Cut Above Tree Services Proper pruning, storm damage, tree removal. Licensed and insured.

Free estimates. Family owned and operated. 200-3740.

Master Gardener AAA Lawn Care, serving the GJ area for a decade. Sprinkler repairs, landscaping, and lawn maintenance.

Call for spring clean up. 234-1607.

SCENE CLEARLY, LLC Window cleaners specializing in making your day a little brighter!

Grand Junction area. Call Frank Cordova at 242-1264.

Garden Specialist We’ll give your garden the TLC it deserves. Rose pruning specialist!

Residential/commercial. Daily, weekly, monthly service. Planting, pruning, maintenance. Will care for home and plants while you’re away.

361-4111.

Neat And Tidy Summer Cleaning Special Free standard window cleaning (limit 10) with scheduled cleaning.

Licensed & Insured. Major credit cards accepted. 314-4083.

Lawn Maintenance Grass may be greener on the other side, but it still has to be mowed. Offering professional lawn maintenance, free estimates. Please call CS Lawn Solutions at 986-9003.

Accessibility Services Grab bars. Walk in tubs/showers.

Licensed plumber/handyman.

“Serving Western Colorado since 1989.” Free estimates. Compare and save! 985-1403.

Wanted to Buy CASH Paid for old Stuff Wind up men’s wrist/pocket watches.

Gold and silver jewelry. Pocket/ hunting knives, antique firearms,

May 2012

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

fishing gear, toys, BB guns, old Colorado bottles, old motorcycles, radios and amp, railroad, military, mining items. www.cash4oldstuff. net. Mark 260-2327.

Buying BOOKS Non-fiction, history, nature, westerns, religion, antique, reference, etc. Also buying stamp collections. Call Frank at 241-7778. Will pick up.

BUYING COINS AND CURRENCY U.S. Silver Dollars, 90% Silver, Eagles, Krugerrands, Maple Leafs, Gold and Silver Bars, Proof Sets, Mint Sets, Currency, Collections, Hoards, Accumulations of any size. Call 242-5374.

Buying old clothing Costume jewelry, purses, sewing patterns and perfumes (pre-1970s).

Call Linda 234-4736 or 1-800-572-7670.

For Sale MANTIS Deluxe Tiller NEW! FastStart engine. Ships FREE. One-Year Money-Back Guarantee when you buy DIRECT. Call for the DVD and FREE Good Soil book!

888-703-2715.

Grand Junction Memorial Gardens Two side-by-side cemetery lots.

Garden of Christus. For additional information, please contact cali2bound@yahoo.com or call 702-647-1128.

Golf clubs Operation Interdependence was donated a used starter set of golf clubs, bag and 250 practice balls.

Good for anyone of any age wanting to learn to play golf. For a donation of $80, you will receive the clubs, bag and balls, plus a tax deduction letter.

For more information or to see, call Karon at 523-4217.

Victoria 10 Scooter Three years old, garaged and not used for the last 18 months. $1,500.

Pride Silver Star hitch lift for scooter. $1,500. Both for $2,500. New two wheel walker $75. Please call 242-2774 for more information.

Four plots at Memorial Gardens All four $3,800/$1,000 each. Plus half transfer. Please call 242-2774.

Help Wanted

sales person wanted The BEACON Senior Newspaper is growing and we’re looking for a sales person to grow with us.

Send your letter and resume to beacon@pendantpublishing.com

In-home care needed Seeking Catholic couple (Christian couple) or mother-daughter team to provide 24-hour care in their home, long term, for an elderly woman.

Ideal situation would have room with outside access to area where a bird feeder could be. Reasonably sized closet in room with additional storage in home. Bathroom with wheelchair-walker access, grab bars for toilet and shower, shower seat and disability (raised) toilet. General company, laundry, grocery shopping, cooking meals and snacks. Bathing and dressing assistance, bowel movement monitoring and assistance.

Administering medication. Outings, walking daily (wheelchair behind, she uses walker) and or exercises.

Cable TV with EWTN Channel.

Access for frequent family visits. If she becomes less mobile and needs further care, placement should be where she can continue to live with additional equipment provided by family. Interested parties please leave a message at 434-9661 and we will return your call.

Part-Time Fire Chief Lands End Fire Protection District in Whitewater, Colorado is taking applications for a part-time Fire Chief. Applicant must have FF1 and EMT-B certification within one year of hire. Please send cover letter and resume to Lands End Fire, P.O. Box 250, Whitewater, CO 81527 or email to LandsEndFireChief@gmail.com.

Applications must be received by May 18, 2012.

Meal Menu m onday

Classifieds 37

May 2012

243-9844, ext. 1

tu e sd a y

w e d n e sd a y

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fridaayy frid

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Please call Fran at 243-9844 for nutrition questions or for nutrition counseling services.

Spaghetti Salad w/Ham California Vegetables Pineapple Slices w/Cherries Crackers

Tuna Salad Sandwich 5 Way Vegetables Mandarin Fruit Mold

Bbq Pork Rib Baked Potato Coleslaw Peaches w/ Whipped Topping

Oven Baked Chicken California Vegetables Harvard Beets Fruit Medley w/Topping

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Beef Tater-Tot Casserole Perfection Vegetable Mold Lima Beans Saucy Fruit Salad

Egg & Sausage Bake 3 Bean Salad Peas & Carrots Orange Wedges Oat Bran Muffin

Honey Bbq Chicken Spinach Coleslaw Fruit Salad

Chicken Fricassee Brussels Sprouts Chuckwagon Vegetables Apricots

Clam Chowder Steamed Carrots Broccoli, Walnut & Raisin Salad Crackers Wacky Cake

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Spinach Cheese Squares Parsley Potatoes Island Vegetables Peaches w/ Cherries

Turkey Waldorf Salad Broccoli Tomato Wedges Strawberry Gelatin Mold Crackers

Spaghetti & Meatballs Italian Veggies Spinach Salad Citrus Fruit Mix Italian Bread

Egg Salad Beef Chili & Sandwich Beans Baked Beans Red Cabbage Marinated Carrots Toss Citrus Surprise Blushing Pears Cornbread

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Sloppy Joe Macaroni Salad Wax Beans Citrus Surprise

Pork Roast w/ Gravy Sweet Potatoes 5 Way Vegetables Mandarin Oranges Dinner Roll

Salisbury Steak w/Gravy Parsley Potatoes Broccoli Fruited Cottage Cheese

Chicken Pot Pie Brussel Sprouts Tossed Salad w/Topping Applesauce Berry Mold

Meatloaf & Gravy Mashed Potatoes Garden Vegetables Fruit Mix

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Turkey Tetrazzini Italian Vegetable Blend Jellied Beet Salad Applesauce

Chili Relleno Chuckwagon Vegetables Spinach & Cauliflower Salad Pineapple Mold w/Whipped Topping

Chicken Parmesan Island Vegetables Kidney Beans Fruited Cottage Cheese Italian Bread

RESERVATION & CANCELLATIONS AT MEALSITES required at least a business day in advance. Call Mon-Fri: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., 243-9844, ext. #1 FOR HOME DELIVERY CLIENTS: Call Mon-Fri: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., 243-9844, ext. #5 Please call if you have not received your meal by 12:45 p.m.

Client donation notices delivered monthly.

3251 E Road • Clifton, CO

• Relocate to a Quiet Adult Park • New Homes for Sale and Vacant Lots Available • Incentives for New Move-ins Call Meg at 970-434-6800 email: meg@pictureranchllc.com

38 kudos & kvetch

kudos \ ku·dos  “I enjoyed your story about the CCC workers. We moved to Palisade in the spring of 1933 and the roller dam was there. I believe it was built by someone else. Your help will be appreciated.”

-Aidan Q., Grand Junction

Cloie: That’s a good question. The story’s writer, Sandra Cameron and I are looking into it and hope to have a story forthcoming. Readers, what do you say?  “Tusen Takk (thousand thanks) for the listing in the March issue of the BEACON. We had a great turn out for our Corned Beef and Cabbage Dinner event and you helped! We had a number of folks who said they read about it in the BEACON. The Celtic dancers did a great job and we even had a piper entertain as well as a great meal.”

-Annette & Duane Helgelien, Sons of Norway-Vestafjell Lodge, Grand Junction

 “Last year was the first time I had ever heard about a BeaconFest in Montrose. This year, I saw that there was one in Grand Junction, so I went to it and enjoyed it very much. So much, that I told my pals in Montrose about it. My question is this: Will there be a BeaconFest in Montrose this year, and if so, when?” -Chris L., Montrose Kevin: Fantastic! Thanks for coming to BeaconFest. It is the best and the hardest thing we do here at the BEACON. Our next BeaconFest will be September 20, 2012 at the Montrose Pavilion. Admission is free!

Wanna give a shout out?

Pass out a compliment?

Write us at Beacon@PendantPublishing.com.

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

Awesome, but don’t garfunkel your dog

By B. Elwin Sherman

I

love language, but the next person who says “awesome” to me, referring to anything less than being trapped in their car and caught in the crest of a lava tsunami during a frog hailstorm, gets a pie in the face. For the record, the fact that I was able to give a department store clerk the correct change today is not “awesome.”

When I posted the above observation to my Facebook page, I was criticized by a Facebook friend for being “a curmudgeon who doesn’t respect the evolution of language.”

I beg to differ, most awesomely, because I’m a big fan of evolution.

Without it, we wouldn’t have two feet, opposing thumbs or Cheez Doodles.

But I also recognize a juicy devolution when I hear it, and when the devolving cashier praised my ability to subtract 38 cents from 100 and arrive at 62 as being an “awesome” achievement, I wondered what word she’d use, should she leave work in her Toyota pelted by plummeting amphibians and floating away atop a volcanic tidal wave.

Something told me it would’ve been 50 characters long and consisted entirely of consonants, when a simple “awesome” would have then appropriately sufficed.

I’m also now hearing from Slangville that the word “cool,” as in “These Cheez Doodles are cool, dude,” has also devolved into the word “dope,” and that the new word for “dude” is now “dog.”

Thus, we’re sure to hear the following in today’s lazy language: “These Doodles are really dope, dog.” If that doesn’t put a vise grip on your vernacular, other terms that are edging out “cool” are “tight,” “fresh,” “crisp” or “sick,” and if you survive all that and someone thinks that you are still what’s heretofore been labeled “uncool,” you’re now “lame” or “wack.”

Okay, so if I’m lame after breaking my leg, my lame limp may be wack, but I’m still sick. If that’s fresh with you, I’m tight with it.

More? If you’re a disc jockey and

you play a song no one thinks is dope, you’re being “sarcoustic.” I happen to like that one. I think it’s fresh, dog (and right about there, I’m hoping that my copy editor is not paying attention to commas).

In today’s devolving idioms, if you’re annoying me, you’re “basting my wheels.” If nothing went right for you today and you come home exhausted, you’re “catterwacked” (not a big reach, if you were wack to begin with). If no one knows where you went and no one knows why you’re gone, you’re “garfunkeled.”

Spending too much time on the computer? You’re a “mouse potato,” but that’s crisp if you’re a tool.

The new “left” is now “Larry,” and for reasons I’m still trying to fathom.

I heard it used recently this way: “If you’re driving up Route 302, you hang a Larry on Maple.”

I don’t know of a comparable revision for hanging a right, but if your name is Larry, I’d go that way and avoid Maple until this blows over.

Jargonizing is nothing new. It’s a time-honored tradition. We could go back to the 1950s: Ladies, if your slip was showing in 1955, someone might’ve told you that “your pinky’s out of jail.” Gentlemen, if you found yourself stuck with the family station wagon on prom night, you had to transport your date in a “tank,” but that might’ve increased your chances of playing a game of “backseat bingo.”

Go back another century and you’d be paying your best friend a compliment by calling him a “regular brick.”

Or it was possible to be a “huggermugging hobadehoy talking fimblefamble,” especially if you brought your prom date home late.

All of this rant and frustration and my sense of going down in this modern upward futility of slangishness, is no doubt my payback for driving my mother crazy at supper by calling her stuffed pork chops, “Wow, these are far out, Mom.” In fact, they weren’t far out, they were right there. And they were awesome. ■

May 2012

kvetch \ kfech  “I drove out to Mt. Garfield, as was suggested by another reader in last month’s Kvetch Column. It looks like the whole Van Gundy clan is setting up shop out there. It’s another junkyard in the making. Where are the county commissioners on this?” -Tom T., Grand Junction

Kevin: Except for what my Uncle Dean has going on at the top of the Fifth Street Hill, the Van Gundy “clan” is officially out of the junk recycle business. I agree with you. The squatters’ village taking shape at the base of Mt. Garfield is an eyesore.  “A question to those running for political office: There are those who believe in government, and then there are those who do not believe in government. There are those who believe that government can do things for people, and then there are those who believe that government only does things to people. Given this premise, why are you running for office and why should I vote for you?” -David A., Fruita Kevin: Great question, Dave. Should I run for office, it will be because I can no longer tolerate the cries of the people calling for a leader to lead them. Since the democrats don’t want me and the republicans are afraid I’ll take over, I’ll be a true independent voice for the people. That, and I promise to, “put a chicken in every pot.”

Unless you’re against pot, and I’m for that too. Got it?  “It’s always sad when we hear of someone losing their job, especially the way the economy has been the last few years. That’s why I was surprised to hear the rumor that the county road department was going to lay off about half of it’s road maintenance crew. Then, I found out why. It seems someone has invented a shovel that stands up by itself.” -Robert B., Clifton

Wanna pitch a fit? Write us at Beacon@PendantPublishing.com.

Serving families in the Grand Valley for over 100 years.

Food for Thought In visiting with a friend very recently, he told me his experience with a funeral home in the Midwest was not the most satisfactory experience and it made a difficult time even more difficult.

As we spoke I found myself thinking of the times we tried so hard to be of service and had something not work out just perfectly. We sometimes find that being human is not always easy because we want to be providing perfect service. Then he said something very profound. It isn’t the problems that occur, but how you take care of them.

After 102 years of serving the Grand Junction area, we have had more than our share of problems, but we have also had the opportunity presented to us to make it right.

In most instances those opportunities made us some of our best friends.

Remember, we have been here for a long time. We have worked diligently to provide quality service to all and we will continue to do so. There have been four previous generations of owners here and the new owner is committed to providing more service and raising the bar. Go to the people you know and don’t hesitate to speak up and let your wishes be known. Expect excellent service and performance. Don’t settle for less than you desire and your experience won’t be unsatisfactory. Always remember, “Life is precious, Don’t waste it!”

2515 Patterson Road • Grand Junction, CO 81505

970.243.2450

info@cemgj.com www.callahan-edfast.com

Hospital and nurses weeks recognize professionalism and dedication to patients

S

t. Mary’s Hospital & Regional Medical Center is more than a place to get better. It is an integral part of the community.

Each year during National Hospital Week and National Nurses Week we reflect on how privileged we are that our friends and neighbors entrust their loved ones to our care.

This year National Hospital Week and National Nurses Week are both being celebrated May 6 through 12. St. Mary’s says “thank you” to all hospital employees.

Learn how oxygen therapy in St. Mary’s hyperbaric chambers aids in wound healing for those with diabetes, infections, and other complex, non-healing wounds.

Presentation by Gaither Bynum, MD, medical director, St. Mary’s Hyperbaric Medicine Services

Thursday, May 24 5:00 pm Advanced Medicine Pavilion Java City, 750 Wellington Avenue, Entrance 26

During Hospital Week we also give a special thanks to all our dedicated staff and physicians. It requires an astounding number of people and professions to take care of our patients. Everyone is trained in their own specialty, and they combine their talents to form an incredible team. Their confidence in each other and dedication to our patients is inspiring.

The largest employee group at St. Mary’s is nurses. Nurses complete extensive training to earn their license to practice, and many of St. Mary’s nurses continue their education with additional training and certification in specialty areas such as critical care, oncology, and emergency medicine. Many also serve as Every one plays a part teachers and in taking good care mentors to of our patients—our student nurses. friends and neighbors.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for wound healing

Do you suffer from hip, knee or shoulder pain?

Attend a free, one-hour seminar and find out what you can do about your joint pain.

MAY 6-12, 2012

Learn about some of the causes and latest treatments including information on medications, nutrition, and exercise.

Monday, May 14 11:00 am–Noon

Call 298-2380 to register or for more information.

St. Mary’s Hospital Orthopedics Conference Room, Eighth Floor Please use our parking garage.

• NatioNal Hospital Week •

“We’re here for life.”

970-298-CARE (2273)

2635 N. 7th Street Grand Junction, CO 81501 • NatioNal Nurses Week •

www.stmarygj.org An Affiliate of the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth Health System