Issuu

JANUARY 2018

Vol. 32

No. 1

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

Health Wellness SPRING 2018

FREE INS IDE

ke: Great minds eat alibrai n

The best foods for a healthy

Your Guide to a Healthy Mind

and Body

Visit us on the web at www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

MR. GRAMMY

Ridgway’s master craftsman

Photo by Jan Weeks

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JANUARY 2018

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JANUARY 2018

EDITORIAL

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What would you like to accomplish in a year?

id you know that only 8 percent of people succeed in their New Year’s resolutions? I can think of only one person I know personally who has followed through with their resolution. I don’t know why my sweets-obsessed friend vowed to go a year without drinking Dr. Pepper—whether it was a test of endurance or for other reasons—but she sure did it. (It should be noted that I saw her guzzle one down after the clock struck midnight the following year.) Even though I think Monday is the best day to start getting back into my gym routine, I don’t believe in waiting for January 1 to initiate change or implement personal goals. I think that we should always have goals we work toward and that we continuously strive for growth and improvement. But many people still reserve new beginnings for the first of the year, which is why several stories in this month’s issue beg the questions: What would you like to accomplish in a year? Is there something new you’d like to try? Maybe a project you keep putting off? I won’t bore you with my laundry list of tabled ideas and unfinished projects, but as I update my list for the coming year, I’ve found it helpful to reflect on a few accomplishments from 2017.

• I paid off debt and have stayed debt free. • I met a ton of new people. • I went snowshoeing for the first time—and enjoyed it! • I completed my first World Beer Tour at Old Chicago. • I kept my tradition of going to Vegas at least once a year. • I explored new places—Mesa Verde and San Diego, to name a few. • I celebrated 10 years of being in a devoted relationship with my boyfriend, Sam. • The BEACON brought home a ton of awards, including Best of Show.

BEACON brings home the bacon There’s no way I can take all the credit for the awards we brought home from the North American Mature Publishers Association convention, but it was our most impressive year since I’ve been with the BEACON. Thank you to the BEACON staff, our freelance writers, supportive advertisers and faithful readers for a successful year! Read more about our award-winning publications on pages 12-13.

Romance awaits at this year’s Valentine’s Dance Get ready to put on your dancing shoes and save the date for the area’s best Valentine’s dance for boomers and seniors. On February 10, the BEACON Senior Newspaper and Hilltop Senior Life Options bring you an evening of fun (and possibly romance), complete with hors d’oeuvres, a cash bar and big band dance music by Clark Gault’s Swing City Express, in the Garden Room at The Commons of Hilltop. Advance tickets are $20 per person and $40 per couple. This event sells out—get your tickets by calling Stacey at 243-8829. ■

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COVER STORY

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JANUARY 2018

A quiet, unassuming man, John Billings may not personify fame, but he is certainly an unrivaled winner in the awards world. He is the creator of music’s most coveted trophy: the Grammy.

Mr. Grammy: Ridgway’s master craftsman By Jan Weeks

t’s been a long journey from Van Nuys, in southern California, to Ridgway for John Billings, 71. A quiet, unassuming man, he may not personify fame, but he is certainly an unrivaled winner in the awards world. Billings is the creator of music’s most coveted trophy: the Grammy. A SoCal boy born and bred, Billings had no intention of moving to western Colorado. He was firmly ensconced in Van Nuys as the successor to Bob Graves, the original trophymaker. He grew up in Graves’ neighbor-

hood and was his son’s best friend. The two boys enjoyed hanging out in the workshop. Fascinated by the process of making metal art, Billings went to school to learn more about the craft. In 2000, Dennis Weaver built his “Earthship,” Ridgway’s bermed-earth, tire-walled, ecologically friendly house. He commissioned Billings to make custom, Southwest-themed lighting fixtures. Once Billings drove into the shadow of the San Juans, he knew he was home. In 2002, he and his wife packed up and moved to the mountains.

Getting ready for the Grammys Months before the Grammy awards show, Billings receives a list of nominees in 83 categories. But he has to make many more trophies than that. “Each person associated with a song, if they contributed at least 51 percent to the creation of the piece, gets an award,” Billings explained.

“These include producers, sound mixers and others.” Some artists, such as Taylor Swift, have as many as 20 people associated with the album. How does Billings determine his output? “I used to be into racing,” he said. “I’m pretty good at handicapping.” This year he estimates he will make 350 statues. If you think he might let slip the names of the winners, you’re out of luck. No one knows until the night of the show, held on January 28 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. This year marks the Grammy’s 60th anniversary. “Stunt Grammys are handed out at the ceremony,” Billings said. “Then about a month later, I get a list of winners and engrave the plates that go on the real trophies, which are still at my shop. I take the plates and the awards to Los Angeles. The Recording Academy then affixes the plates and sends the finished products to

JANUARY 2018

COVER STORY

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

Months before the Grammy awards show, Billings receives a list of nominees in 83 categories. But he has to make many more trophies than that—this year, he estimates he will make 350 statues. the winners.” He returns with the stunt Grammys and cleans them by taking them apart and washing them with dish detergent to remove fingerprints and grime. Then they go back to Los Angeles, ready for the next ceremony.

Inside the Grammy Award On his trip west, Billings also picks up 3,000 pounds of what he dubs “grammium,” a dull silverish metal that he uses to cast the gramophone. Then the figure is gold plated. Creating a piece is complicated. First Billings makes a model of wax, plastic, wood or metal. He makes a mold by encasing the model in plaster to make an impression, then carves a detailed pattern into it. Using the plaster patterns, he creates a bronze mold with a sand casting method. The figure is then cast in brass or other metal. The original Grammy was much smaller, able to sit comfortably in an outstretched palm. The curved bracket that held the stylus broke easily, so Billings redesigned it to make it sturdier. Then the company asked artists to create a larger one, so

Billings made it 30 percent bigger. “When I walked into the office, the executive said, ‘That’s it!’” he recalled. The Grammy statues are only a small part of what Billings does. He makes awards for the Latin Grammys, the National Collegiate Athletic Association Player of the Year trophy and the Annie Awards presented by the International Animated Film Society. He also makes other specialized figures, including the metal skull that adorns the gas tank of Harley-Davidson motorcycles. Hundreds, if not thousands, of Billings’ creations—chrome ducks smoking cigars—adorn the hoods of semi trucks across the world. (He had to modify the design for a client in the Middle East, however, who wanted a duck without the cigar.) Billings also made the mold for the dining room lighting fixtures used in the sinking scene in the movie “Titanic.” An art deco fan, he often designs stylized female figures and other motifs in the 1920s style to sit on mantels, coffee tables and more. Billings paints, too, focusing on large por-

trayals of deceased guitarists. John Lennon, Jimi Hendrix, Gregg Allman and others—instantly recognizable to any rock fan—fill one wall of his basement workshop. He also restores trophies—when an award winner’s grandsons decided to use the Grammy as a makeshift football, it came back to Billings to have the dented horn straightened out. One of his most interesting repairs involved a four-foot tall trophy Amelia Earhart won in a 1939 race. Three Winged Victory figures hold a bowl with a plane on top. Earhart’s photographer came into possession of the trophy, and it languished in a box for decades. “It took me a month to solder the pieces together,” Billings said. The trophy now sits in the San Diego Air and Space Museum. Two years ago, Billings was commissioned to create an executive desk lamp in the shape of Dragon V2, the capsule Elon Musk’s SpaceX company will use to deliver goods to the International Space Station. In 2018, the capsule will carry seven of the lamps into orbit. ■

National & Regional Award-Winning Publication Publisher ..............................Kevin K. VanGundy Founding Publisher....................... Susan Capps Editor............................................. Cloie Sandlin Editorial Assistant................ Stephanie Summar Creative Director........................Melissa Trottier Graphic Design............................ Chrissy Martin Office Manager............................ Stacey Splude Account Representative................... Sue Bowen Account Representative........... Debra Romaniec Account Representative............. Valeree Seiferd Proofreader...................................... Jan Weeks Delivery...........................................Cora Gentry Delivery ................................. Lauren VanGundy Delivery...............................................JR Milner

P.O. Box 3895, Grand Junction, CO 81502 ph: 970.243.8829 fax: 800.536.7516 Website: www.BeaconSeniorNews.com E-mail: Beacon@PendantPublishing.com The BEACON is published at the beginning of the month. Our goal is to inform and inspire the 50+ community in Mesa, Delta and Montrose counties. Publication of advertising does not necessarily constitute endorsement. Columns are opinions of the writers, not necessarily the opinion of the publisher. Display advertising rates are available upon request. Deadline for advertising and announcements is the 20th of the month preceding publication. © Copyright 2018 • All Rights Reserved

Billings also makes awards for the Latin Grammys, the National Collegiate Athletic Association Player of the Year and the Annie Awards.

Cover Photo: John Billings was firmly ensconced as the successor to Bob Graves, the Grammys’ original trophy maker, before falling in love and moving to Ridgway in 2002.

FEATURE STORY

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

JANUARY 2018

Jan and Reneé Peacock, center, are in the “sandwich generation,” caring for Jan’s mom, Mary, left,, along with several children, grandchildren and foster children.

Photos by Cloie Sandlin

Inside the sandwich generation By Jan Weeks

ore and more, people in their 40s, 50s and 60s are finding themselves in the middle of the generational “sandwich,” caring for both parents and children, either all in one home or in separate residences. Being the filling in the sandwich means trying to fulfill the needs of both slices of bread—a daunting task but not impossible.

Full house Reneé Peacock and her husband, Jan, have been taking care of kids since “dinosaurs roamed the Earth,” Reneé joked. Actually, they’ve been parents since 1983, to their biological children and

grandchildren, and to foster and adopted kids, some with special physical and mental needs. In 2003, Jan’s mother moved into their home on Orchard Mesa after retiring from a career as a caretaker at the Grand Junction Regional Center. “Even though we look out for her, she is an invaluable part of our household. She says being around the toddlers helps keep her young!” Reneé said. In addition to a houseful of people, the Peacocks have two dogs, 11 ducks and 30 chickens. They also raise cherries, apples, grapes, pears and peaches. They buy food in bulk, and preserve even more. There’s one refrigerator just for milk and two

more for everything else. The crockpot is Reneé’s go-to appliance for meals. Jan retired from the U.S. Navy and now works as a biomedical technician at the Grand Junction VA Medical Center. Reneé retired from a career as a medical assistant last year in order to keep up with their ever-expanding population of people and livestock.

Blessings in disguise Jennifer McKenzie, 52, a non-denominational chaplain at HopeWest hospice care, spreads her time and energy between her two teenaged sons and her aging parents. “My mother is in a nursing home, but I spend time with my dad at his

home, helping him cope,” she said. Her father comes to the McKenzie house every Sunday for a family dinner. McKenzie has been doing double duty for the last eight years, balancing family relationships and work. She’s available all hours for her job at HopeWest, attends school events for her high school sophomore son and helps her father advocate for her mother and him. The last is particularly challenging. “You have to navigate the changing parent/child relationship,” McKenzie said, “and that can create a lot of tension.” McKenzie sees benefits where others may see only pressure. She feels blessed to be able to have a connection with her older family members. “I’m able to have a deeper relationship with my parents,” she said. “It’s like a treasure hunt when I go through their physical stuff and hear stories about each piece.” McKenzie also treasures the memories her parents have shared with her: how they met, when the kids were born, fond memories of childhood. She sees the life lessons they taught her as godsends.

“Cranky moments” Challenges abound for everyone in the sandwich.

JANUARY 2018

FEATURE STORY

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

The Peacocks pledge to take in children as long as there is such a need for stable homes, and McKenzie is committed to maintaining quality of life for herself and everyone around her. “Keeping the peace with so many people underfoot is a real test of patience. Our circus can make meals and laundry a little chaotic,” Reneé said. Two white boards hang in the entry hall of their home, scheduling school events, social worker visits to the foster kids, karate lessons and more. “If it doesn’t get on the board, it doesn’t get done,” said Reneé. Both the Peacocks and McKenzie have coping strategies. “You have to laugh things off rather than dwell on them,” Reneé said. “Crankiness and poor health sometimes go hand in hand. We have to remind the younger children of this when they notice Grandma getting testy. We’ve all had our share of cranky moments and we hold each other accountable when this happens.” To maintain relational balance, the Peacocks sit down every few months and have a family meeting among the adults to see what they can improve and ask how they can better support each other. “We find that it can be done if we’re all on the same page,” said Reneé. McKenzie encourages her family members to keep in touch with friends and relatives, and to engage in social occasions. “You need friends for those times you want to confess, ‘I’m having a crappy day,’” she said. She also recognizes the importance of self-care. “You can’t give to others if you’re exhausted. Find things that re-energize you, like a couple of hours alone with a good book or pursuing a hobby. Get a coloring book, write in a journal, walk the dog,” McKenzie said.

Finding gold Being responsible for a decades-wide range of people can be frustrating, challenging and even discouraging, but both McKenzie and

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the Peacocks have found the gold amid the dross. “There is an amazing sense of accomplishment when we are able to learn from one another and acquire new skills,” Reneé said. “It’s rewarding to see multiple generations benefiting from one another.” The Peacocks’ short-term goal is to keep everyone in their care safe and happy. Having lost a biological son to cerebral palsy, Reneé’s long-term goal is to spend as much time as possible with her family. “We have learned how very fragile and short life can be,” she said.

“You don’t have to do this alone” Two important things can make being in the middle of the sandwich easier. Caretakers should check in to the Family and Medical Leave Act, a federal law that allows working people to take up to 12 unpaid weeks off without losing their jobs. Employers must continue to furnish medical insurance during the time off, if they’re already doing so. People should also have an advance directive in place to document parents’ wishes on downsizing, moving to assisted living or a nursing home and what kind of measures should be taken as they near the end of life. “You don’t have to do this alone,” McKenzie points out. “HopeWest has caregiver and grief support groups.” Would McKenzie or the Peacocks give up their seemingly difficult duties? The short answer is no. The Peacocks pledge to take in children as long as there is such a need for stable homes, and McKenzie is committed to maintaining quality of life for herself and everyone around her. It seems that being the sandwich filling is a pretty darned nice place to be. ■

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JANUARY 2018

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JANUARY 2018

ASK THE OLD BAG

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

The holidays are over, so you can relax!

ASK THE OLD BAG By Gayle Lagman-Creswick

Hectic holiday schedules may have left you a little sleep deprived

ADVICE COLUMN FOR THE OVER 50 CROWD

Is fear of the unknown holding you back? Dear Old Bag: Here we are in a new year. There is nothing new about it. I am still here, living with a man I do not love or respect. I will not elaborate on his transgressions, but believe me, it is something he could be prosecuted for. He is very self-centered. Now that he is retired, he does nothing constructive or interesting. He is a weird guy, to say the least. We have been married for 45 years. I have wanted to leave him for 20 years and cannot seem to get it done, mostly for monetary reasons. We have a decent home and decent income together. If we split, both of us will be hard hit financially. All my friends say, “Get out of there. You deserve happiness.” What do you say? Signed, Foot Dragger Dear Foot Dragger: I say, only you can decide which is more important to you…financial security or freedom. The more years that go by, the harder it is to make a decision to part company; even bad habits are hard to break. I couldn’t live like that, but each of us is different. Fear of the unknown usually keeps us from acting. You know what you face each day in your marriage. If you were to leave, there would be lots of unknowns, right? Good luck. O.B.

Dear Old Bag: You probably receive many letters like this, but I’ve decided that I have lived too long. I am only 65, but socially, I feel 100 years old. On my computer, I receive hateful things about our president—things that I would not repeat. Over the weekend, my 18-year-old granddaughter and I were discussing the Pledge of Allegiance. She told me that the pledge is said every morning in her high school classroom, but very few stand up and say it—including her. I was mortified. When she saw how surprised I was, she said her mother said it was okay if she did not support it. Then I was really shocked. Can you imagine an 18-year-old who lives free in this country who does not support the flag? Like I said, I’ve lived too long! Signed, Mortified Dear Mortified: I share your angst. Our generation has experienced war and lost loved ones who were fighting for our freedom. I suppose that an 18-year-old has not experienced war until now, and does not understand what that flag means to us. This kind of thing needs to be taught at home, and obviously she did not receive that teaching. I hope you made an impression on her and that she will think about the meaning of our flag. O.B. ■

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

In a survey of 1,334 people, the average nightly sleep was just six hours. What happens when you don’t sleep? • You forget things. People who sleep after learning new things do better on tests and remember things better than those who don’t sleep. • You gain weight. Sleep deprivation can change the way our bodies store carbs and increase our appetite. • You get angry. Sleeplessness may result in irritability, impatience, an inability to concentrate and moodiness. • Your heart is strained. Serious sleep disorders have been linked to hypertension, increased stress hormone levels and irregular heartbeat.

• You get sick. Lack of sleep can knock down your immune system.

Tips to better sleep • Keep it cool. Studies show the optimal room temperature for sleep is 60-68 degrees. • Wear socks to bed. Cold feet can keep you awake. • Read something uplifting or spiritual. Calming words can help you relax. • Write something. Keeping a journal or blogging can help you lay out your thoughts, vent concerns that might keep you awake and calm a racing mind. • Keep your phone in another room. Lights, pings and alerts can disrupt your sleep.

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THE HEALTHY GEEZER

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JANUARY 2018

HEALTHY

GEEZER

By Fred Cicetti

20 reasons to quit smoking

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’ve researched many health topics in my day, and I am still amazed by how pervasive smoking’s effects are on the body. I quit smoking in 1969, five years after the U.S. surgeon general first reported that it causes lung cancer. I was convinced the report was right, but it took me half a decade to develop the willpower to give up my Marlboros. At the time, I didn’t realize how many more ways smoking can harm you. A later surgeon general’s report said smoking harms nearly every organ. “Quitting smoking has immediate as well as long-term benefits, reducing risks for diseases caused by smoking and improving your health in general,” the report said. If you smoke, you owe it to yourself to quit. I believe you also have an obligation to help others quit, too. I’m going to do my part without scolding or scare tactics. I’m just going to give you the facts. Tack them up on a bulletin board or refrigerator, or give them to a smoker you love.

• Women who smoke usually reach menopause sooner. • Smokers tend to have lower bone density; post-menopausal women who smoke have an increased risk for hip fracture. • Smoking causes heart disease, the leading cause of death in the U.S. • Smokers who have a heart attack are more likely to die within an hour of the event than nonsmokers. • Smoking doubles your risk for stroke. • Smoking causes emphysema. An early warning sign is “smoker’s cough.” • Smokers commonly suffer from chronic bronchitis. • Smoking causes peripheral artery disease that can affect blood flow throughout the entire body. • Smoking causes many types of cancer, including cancer of the lung, esophagus, larynx, mouth, bladder, pancreas, kidney and cervix. • Smoking increases your risk of developing sciatica, a pain that runs down the back of your leg from spinal-disc pressure on a nerve. It can block the body’s ability to deliver nutrients to the lower back’s discs.

Why you should quit smoking:

• Smoking causes cataracts.

• Smoking damages the immune system and increases risk of infections.

• Smoking during pregnancy is linked with the higher risk of miscarriage, premature delivery, stillbirth, infant death, low birth weight and suddeninfant-death syndrome.

• The general health of smokers is inferior to the health of nonsmokers. • Many illnesses in smokers last longer than in nonsmokers. • After surgery, smokers have a greater risk of complications and a lower survival rate. • When smokers get skin wounds, they take longer to heal than nonsmokers.

• Smoking dulls your senses of taste and smell. • Smoking makes your skin age faster. • Smoking increases the risk of sexual impotence. ■

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

JANUARY 2018

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

HEALTH & WELLNESS 11

DEAR PHARMACIST By Suzy Cohen, RPH

Build a better brain with DHA

bet you feel like you used to be smarter and quick at making decisions. I hear you. At 52, I feel like my brain is still sharp, but not like it was at 30. When my now 24-year-old son was 9, a doctor thought he had ADHD. I came so close to putting him on a stimulant. Eventually, I declined the medicine and used natural fish oils high in docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). He turned out to be naturally brilliant without any of those prescribed stimulants. I’m not trying to alarm you, but it’s important to be informed so you can choose the best medication option for your loved ones. DHA fish oils are known to support a healthy brain and attention span in all people, young and old. Studies on children and teenagers with low levels of DHA unsurprisingly revealed that they had poor reading scores and behavioral problems. Why aren’t physicians considering DHA supplementation as a first-line treatment? Probably because pharmaceutical salespeople aren’t hyping it up. Some studies point to DHA supplementation as a method of increasing overall intelligence as you get older. They based this finding on kids ages 3-5 who had received omega-3 fat supplements as infants. Those kids had

better results across the board on both vocabulary and intelligence tests than children in the placebo group who did not receive fats. Omega-3 fatty acids seem to boost and balance your brain function. We’re all fatheads and need good fats for our brain, which consists of lipophilic cells. About 60 percent of brain material is comprised of fat. DHA makes up approximately 20 percent of your brain’s cerebral cortex. That’s the part of your brain that helps you think, learn a language, correctly perceive things, reason and comprehend. It’s involved in voluntary movement—when you think, “I need to pick up that pen,” your arm automatically does it for you, compliments of your cerebral cortex. DHA plays an undeniable role for your nervous system. It’s found in unusually high levels in your neurons, the cells of your brain and spinal cord. That’s why patients with a traumatic brain injury are told to take omega-3 fatty acids that are high in DHA content. When you combine DHA fish oil with vitamin D or the calming mineral magnesium, the result can be even more astonishing, especially if you have other signs of cognitive decline, such as memory loss, senior moments and problems making decisions. ■

Send your questions to Suzy in care of the BEACON, or via her website, www.suzycohen.com

Outpatient Procedure Center

JANUARY 2018

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BEACON Senior Newspaper wins national awards By Cloie Sandlin

hristmas comes early every year for the BEACON staff when our publisher, Kevin, returns from the annual North American Mature Publishers Association (NAMPA) convention. This year’s convention took place in Oak Brook, Illinois just outside of Chicago. Aside from seeing the sights with other senior publishers from across the country, a highlight of the convention is the awards banquet, where senior publications big and small vie for top honors in a variety of categories. Publications are independently judged on the quality of their written content, editing, design, photography, web content and more by the prestigious Missouri School of Journalism. The best are then commended for their efforts with awards.

This year, your BEACON Senior Newspaper and its staff were nominated in the following categories: General Excellence • BEACON Senior Newspaper, Colorado Column Review • “Talking Digital” by Adam Cochran • “Alive & Digging” by Paige Slaughter Personal Essay • “Do you speak? Neither do I” by Jan Weeks (June 2017) • “Just a dusty old box” by Terri Benson (March 2017)

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How-to Feature • “How to pass down your heirlooms without breaking up your family” by Cecily Whiteside (March 2017) Profile • “A rough and tumble day at the office: Hollywood stuntman retires in Grand Junction” by Amanda Arnold (January 2017) • “Grandma is one tough mudder” by Melanie Wiseman (October 2016) • “Ready to jump? Betty Teegarden’s skydiving adventure” by Jan Weeks (February 2017) • “The wheel deal: Judy Lokey gets ready for her 17th Ride the Rockies” by April Martinez (June 2017) Feature Writing • “Living history in Cuba” by Melanie Wiseman (January 2017) • “Growing up is optional: Experience the magic of Disney” by Diana Barnett (April 2017) • “Staring in the face of danger: a ride-along with Mesa County Sheriff’s deputies” by Kathy Applebee (June 2017) • “Good things come in tiny spaces” by Jan Weeks (June 2017) • “Marijuana in the Grand Valley: It’s been a long, strange trip” by Susan Elenz (April 2017)

2018

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• “Reel women on the fly” by Melanie Wiseman (March 2017) • “Leave your voice behind for loved ones” by Melinda Mawdsley (March 2017) Topical Issue • “Is the North Fork going south?” by Robert Cox (May 2017) Special Section • Summer Travel & Festivals (June 2017) Front Cover Photo • “Create A Legacy” (March 2017) by Melanie Wiseman • “Grandma is one tough mudder” (October 2016) Feature Layout • “Reel women on the fly” (March 2017) • “Join the coloring craze” (October 2016) Overall Design • BEACON Senior Newspaper, Colorado Annual Senior Resource Guide (Editorial & Design) • 2017 BEACON Guide Website General Excellence • BEACON Senior Newspaper, Colorado

2018

JANUARY 2018

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And the winners are...

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General Excellence

3rd Place------------------------------------------- BEACON Senior Newspaper, Colorado

Column Review

1st Place------------------------------------------------“Talking Digital” by Adam Cochran

Personal Essay

2nd Place----------------------------“Just a dusty old box” by Terri Benson (March 2017)

Feature Writing

2nd Place------------------“Good things come in tiny spaces” by Jan Weeks (June 2017)

Topical Issue

1st Place--------------------- “Is the North Fork going south?” by Robert Cox (May 2017)

Special Section

1st Place------------------------------------------ Summer Travel & Festivals (June 2017)

Front Cover Photo

1st Place--------------------------------- “Grandma is one tough mudder” (October 2016) 2nd Place--------------------------“Create A Legacy” (March 2017) by Melanie Wiseman

Feature Layout

2nd Place-----------------------------------------“Join the coloring craze” (October 2016) 3rd Place------------------------------------------ “Reel women on the fly” (March 2017)

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Overall Design

3rd Place------------------------------------------- BEACON Senior Newspaper, Colorado

Annual Senior Resource Guide

1st Place Design----------------------------------------------------- 2017 BEACON Guide 3rd Place Editorial--------------------------------------------------- 2017 BEACON Guide

Website General Excellence

1st Place --------------------------------------------------- www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

Best of Show

For the first time in my years at the BEACON, we walked away with the Best of Show award— the top award in our division.

Putting together a BEACON isn’t easy. It takes novel ideas, creative design and photography, careful editing, intriguing and well-written stories, supportive advertisers and a dedicated staff. I believe that the number and quality of the local articles we publish in the BEACON make us stand out at such competitions. Many of our award-winning stories about local people and local issues might never have been written if it weren’t for our wonderful, local writers. Thank you!

But above all, the BEACON would not be where it is today if it weren’t for you, our readers. Thank you for reading the BEACON Senior Newspaper.

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JANUARY 2018

Honey, your parents are moving in! By Debbie Harrison

any of us have had friends, relatives and co-workers who are suddenly faced with moving their parents or in-laws into their home. This often happens without warning due to a health event such as a fall. My own elderly in-laws have lived with my husband and me for several years. Even though we work in senior homecare, there were still surprises when Mom and Dad moved in.

What to consider when Mom moves in The most important thing to remember is that your parents are still your parents. I cringe every time I hear the phrase “parenting a parent.” When we care for our parents, we are honoring them. There are certainly some role reversals, but they’re still your parents. Once you’ve decided to move your parents in, questions begin to arise. You’ll have another person or two living in your home full time. How can you reconfigure your living space to accommodate them? Will you build an addition? Who will pay for what? Will Mom’s furniture fit in the space you’ve allotted? What about Dad’s 60-years’ worth of collectibles? When my in-laws moved in, they brought enough outdated food to feed a small country, enough plastic wrap to cover the house and 18 versions of every tool known to man. It’s overwhelming, but to handle this transition, your family needs a plan and a good adviser.

Questions to address The vision I had when my in-laws arrived was very different than their vision. This can be prevented by putting your plan in writing. Try to involve your siblings, a pastor or other spiritual leader and/or an attorney. • Which part of the house will be your private space? (Trust me, you need one!) Which will be Mom and Dad’s private space?

• Consider finances—your utility, grocery and transportation costs will increase. • Will you need to modify your home? This may be as simple as installing grab bars or as complicated as a full remodel. Flooring may need to be replaced to accommodate walkers or wheelchairs, and— believe me—seniors need their own bathroom. • Do you still have children at home? That raises a whole new set of questions since parenting methods vary across generations. How many “bosses” do your children need? Who’s giving up a bedroom? • Try fixing dinner for three generations. Grandma thinks food should be cooked from scratch, you want to bring home a pre-roasted chicken and the kids want pizza. Who does the laundry? Who drives the car? Who picks the movie? Although you may not need help caring for Mom and Dad in the beginning, you likely will down the road. Some families are blessed with enough members to share the responsibility. In other cases, their care may be your sole responsibility. If you work, you may require the use of an outside agency or a good day care option for parents with dementia. Include these options in your plan in advance to take the pressure off everyone. Difficult conversations go more smoothly when you can reference the family plan and what you covered together. Moving a family member into your home is an act of love and compassion. Don’t set yourself up for failure by not addressing issues that could cause problems. Good luck! (And remember to breathe.) Debbie Harrison is executive director of Visiting Angels Home Care in Mesa County. This article is an excerpt from “Taking Care of Mom & Dad,” available at Amazon. ■

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

6 ways to reduce stress and anxiety in your financial life T

Know what you need The unknown is the biggest stress driver. Figure out your cash flow per month that would allow you to live the way you want now and in the future.

Fix broken cash flow Unfortunately, we have all made poor financial choices, some of which have been more costly than others. There is no need to continue this pattern. There are ways to find solutions in everyday decisions that will allow you to start your cash

flow going in the right direction.

Use debt smarter

There are good types of debt, such as real estate, investments and investing in your business. Make your debt decisions like a well-run company and create wealth.

Make sure you have a road map Having a good financial plan is like having a good map and researching your trip ahead of time. You can wing your financial plan, but if you work less in life and get to your destination sooner, your life will be less stressful.

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rading in your morning Starbucks run for the pot of coffee in the office is never fun, but when finances get tight, that drive-thru stop might be one of the first things to go. But do you really need to give up the little things in life that make you happy? Al Zdenek, author of the book “Master Your Cash Flow: The Key To Grow And Retain Wealth,” doesn’t think so. “It’s important to be able to hang onto those things you enjoy. You should be able to, just as long as you continue to make smart decisions on bigger issues that affect your future wealth,” Zdenek said. There is a lot of financial stress and anxiety in the U.S. Zdenek said if you can eliminate financial stress from your life, your anxiety levels will fall. He recommends the following principles to get you on the road to maximizing cash flow and reducing financial stress:

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Work when you want People like to know when they don’t have to work anymore. A good financial adviser can set you up with a plan that will give you this option well before you reach retirement age. “By consistently making the best financial decisions, people can find more cash flow to spend or save,” Zdenek said. “That way they may achieve financial independence sooner, work less in life and have less anxiety and stress in their financial lives.” For more information and to purchase Zdenek’s book, visit www.alzdenek.com. ■

For 2018 Kush Gardens is excited to announce that we have strengthened our commitment to bring you the very best THC and CBD pain relief products from Mary’s Medicinal. Cannabis is not a conventional medication. It does not fit neatly into the “take-one-pill-twice-a-day” model. That’s why Mary’s has meticulously crafted a variety of options for her patients – from patches to gels, compounds and even high bioavailability capsule designed for precise dosing and maximum effectiveness. Kush Gardens carries the full line of Mary’s Products. CANNABINOIDS are the chemical compounds within cannabis that are reported to relieve many ailments. Cannabinoids resemble endocannabinoids, compounds our bodies naturally produce to balance and control communication between cells. Researchers believe that unpleasant symptoms and diseases occur when a deficiency or problem affects the endocannabinoid system. When cannabis is administered, cannabinoids bind to receptor sites in the brain and body. Cannabinoids have different effects based on which receptors they bind to based on each individuals body chemistry. For example, take CBN, (Cannabinol) binds with CB-2 receptors located throughout the body, which may explain why patients report that it is a powerful analgesic. With an increasing understanding of the effects of cannabinoids, patients can now tailor their cannabinoid consumption to the type of relief they need.

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LAUGHING MATTERS

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LAUGHING MATTERS And God created Dog

animal was pleased and wagged its tail.

Submitted by Frankie Brown

Adam said, “Lord, I have already named all the animals in the Kingdom and I cannot think of a name for this new animal.”

Adam and Eve said, “Lord, when we were in the garden, you walked with us every day. Now we don’t see you anymore. We’re lonesome here, and it’s difficult for us to remember how much you love us.” God said, “No problem! I will create a companion that will be with you forever and who will be a reflection of my love for you, so that you will love me even when you cannot see me. Regardless of how selfish or childish or unlovable you may be, this new companion will accept you as you are and love you as I do.” And God created a new animal to be a companion for Adam and Eve. And it was a good animal. And God was pleased. And the new

And God said, “No problem! Because I have created him to be a reflection of my love for you, his name will be a reflection of mine, and you will call him ‘Dog.’” And Dog lived with Adam and Eve, and they were comforted. And God was pleased. And Dog was content and wagged his tail. After a while, it came to pass that an angel came to the Lord and said, “Lord, Adam and Eve have become filled with pride. They believe they are worthy of adoration. Dog has indeed taught them that they are loved, but perhaps too well.”

And God said, “No problem! I will create for them a companion who will be with them forever and who will see them as they are. The companion will remind them of their limitations, so they will know they are not always worthy of adoration.” And God created Cat. And Cat would not obey them. When Adam and Eve gazed into Cat’s eyes, they were reminded that they were not the supreme beings. They learned humility. And they were greatly improved. And God was pleased. And Dog was happy. And Cat didn’t care.

The ex Submitted by Charles Harper

A man and his wife are dining at a table in a plush restaurant, and the husband keeps staring at an old, drunken lady swigging her gin and sitting alone at a nearby table. The wife finally asks, “Do you know her?”

JANUARY 2018

“Yes,” sighs the husband, “She’s my ex-wife. She took to drinking right after we divorced seven years ago, and I hear she hasn’t been sober since.” “My goodness!” says the wife. “Who would think a person could go on celebrating that long?”

Lawyers vs. the law Submitted by Orlando Benoit

A lawyer runs a stop sign and gets pulled over by a sheriff’s deputy. Thinking he is smarter than the deputy, he decides to have some fun at the deputy’s expense. The deputy says, “License and registration, please.” “What for?” says the lawyer. The deputy says, “You didn’t come to a complete stop at the stop sign.” “I slowed down, and no one was coming.”

JANUARY 2018

LAUGHING MATTERS 17

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

“You still didn’t come to a complete stop,” says the deputy. “License and registration, please.” The lawyer says, “What’s the difference?” “The difference is you have to come to complete stop, that’s the law. License and registration, please!” The lawyer says, “If you can show me the legal difference between slow down and stop, I’ll give you my license and registration and you give me the ticket. If not, you let me go and don’t give me the ticket.” “That sounds fair,” says the deputy. “Please exit your vehicle, sir.” When he does, the deputy takes out his nightstick and starts beating the daylights out of the lawyer. “Do you want me to stop, or just slow down?” he asks.

The young doctor Submitted by Kyle Thomas

A young doctor moved out to a small community to replace a doctor who was retiring. The older doctor suggested that the young one accompany him on house calls so the community could get used to a new doctor. At the first house, a woman complained, “I’ve been a little sick to my stomach.” The older doctor said, “Well, you’ve probably been overdoing the fresh fruit. Why not cut back on the

amount you’ve been eating and see if that does the trick?” As they left the house, the younger man said, “You didn’t even examine that woman. How’d you come to that diagnosis so quickly?”

Retirement living with the emphasis on living

“I didn’t have to examine her,” he replied. “Did you notice when I dropped my stethoscope on the floor in there? When I bent over to pick it up, I noticed a half-dozen banana peels in the trash. That was what probably was making her sick.” “Pretty clever,” the younger doctor said. “I think I’ll try that at the next house.” At the next house, they spent several minutes talking with a younger woman. She complained that she just didn’t have the energy she once did, and said, “I’m feeling terribly rundown lately.” “You’ve probably been doing too much work for the church,” the younger doctor told her. “Perhaps you should cut back a bit and see if that helps.” As they left, the elder doctor said, “I know that woman well. Your diagnosis is almost certainly correct, but how did you arrive at it?” “I did what you did at the last house,” he said. “I dropped my stethoscope and when I bent down to retrieve it, I noticed the preacher under the bed.” ■

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HOME & GARDEN

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Wishing you all the comforts of home in 2018

JANUARY 2018

Rooting resolutions:

Bring life at large into your garden Alive & Digging By Paige Slaughter

A Awarded Home Care Elite 12 years in a row Medicaid/Medicare Certified

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WHEN DISASTER STRIKES, CALL SOMEONE FAST, FRIENDLY AND RELIABLE

s we lay out plans to better ourselves, I invite you to consider a concept from author and entrepreneur Danielle Laporte, who asks, “What will you do to feel the way you want to feel?” Laporte directs her readers from outward goals (go to the gym more, for example) to deeper ones: I want to feel strong, energized and empowered. Today, I’ll hit the gym. This subtle shift in goal setting brings awareness of our deeper desires, granting us clarity that is crucial in seeking joy and fulfillment. In setting goals for this new year, we can look at our gardens as living, breathing opportunities. In the garden, we can give root to our resolutions.

Begin with the end in mind Making a blueprint for your garden is like designing Utopia. With all that power comes a chance to breathe life into our values.

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When we have deeper goals, we have more flexibility in how we go about achieving them. The possibilities are endless! What once was a chore is now an open field. Integrate your values, budget and resourcefulness into your planning process as you select soil, seeds and plant starts. With each decision, you may find yourself closer to feeling the way you want to feel.

“We can grow our medicine. We can facilitate life in the garden and reap the rewards, which are full, deeply nourishing, surprising and manifold.”

Planting good health Wellness is central to lifestyle, and usually gets extra attention this time of year. Grounding wellness resolutions in a clear understanding of how we want to feel means we can design our gardens to match. We can grow our medicine. We can facilitate life in the garden and reap the rewards, which are full, deeply nourishing, surprising and manifold. Consider high-impact gardening methods, in which you utilize every bit of space by seeding thick and thinning-harvesting continually. Grow a mix of annual and perennial herbs, a variety of roots and fruits in a range of colors. Diversity in the garden means diversity on the plate. Getting clear on what we enjoy doing with our harvests helps us optimize our space by guiding our planting decisions. Consider growing food that you can dry and ferment in the fall and store through the winter. Any blueprint guided by our deeper desires is likely to manifest into something profound. Happy rooting! ■

Send your questions to Paige in care of the BEACON, or email her directly at paige@fruitionstudio.com

JANUARY 2018

HOME & GARDEN 19

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

Winter bird feeding By Lori Rose

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time, money & stress! Caring Transitions is your total solution for senior relocation, downsizing and estate liquidation services.

dd some color, movement and fun to your dreary winter landscape— put up a bird feeder! You’ll be amazed at how many birds will appreciate your kindness, and you’ll wonder where they all came from. Find a bird identification book and follow these tips to get started:

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Pick the right place Birds are most likely to eat where they feel safe. Bird feeders should be located a few yards from trees and shrubs. The birds will wait for their turn to eat there, and will feel protected from predators. Of course, the best position is one where you can watch the birds from a window.

Choose the right type of feeder Ground-level feeding is the easiest. Simply scatter bird food on the ground and wait. (If your mix does not have sunflower seeds, squirrels should leave most of it alone.) Look for mourning doves, sparrows and juncos eating on the ground. There are many designs of platform-like bird feeders to choose from, or you can make your own from plywood—just be sure to add a small rim around the edge to hold the bird food. Attach it to a pole, fence post or mailbox post. Drill a hole for a twig for birds to perch on while feeding. You can even hang additional feeders from hooks around the edge. On this feeder you can offer millet, sunflower seed, cracked corn and peanuts. Spread seed out so it is also accessible to ground-feeding birds—they enjoy platform feeders, too. Hanging feeders attract finches, chickadees, sparrows and the adorable titmouse.

Find the right food When choosing food for hanging feeders, remember that wild birds are selective in their food choices. Millet and black oil sunflower are attractive to a great variety of birds. Check the content of any seed mixes you buy, as fillers like milo and rapeseed will go to waste because songbirds won’t eat them.

Suet feeders offer animal fat for insect-eating birds like downy and hairy woodpeckers, flickers, chickadees and nuthatches. Suet is especially important in winter when insects are less available. You can pick it up from the butcher, but commercially prepared cakes, often with seeds, fruit and nuts added, are easier to handle and a lot less messy. Hang a suet feeder from a platform feeder, shepherd’s crook or in a tree and watch these birds hang upside down and sideways while they eat. Try smearing some suet or even peanut butter on tree trunks. It’s great fun to watch them climb the tree trunks—sometimes they even climb down headfirst. It can take time for birds to find your suet feeder, so be patient. It’s worth the wait. Small window feeders give you a chance to observe wild birds at close range. Window feeders are usually small and lightweight, and attach to the window with suction cups or hooks. They are easy to fill—you may not even need to go outside—and you can choose which birds you’d like to lure by what kind of seed you offer. Some birds cannot see windows, fly right into them and knock themselves out. If you use a window feeder, use spray “snow” or plastic window clings to make the window more visible. Wild birds bring us beauty and activity we need when cabin fever sets in. Feed the birds often in late winter and early spring, when natural seed and insect sources are depleted. This will help the birds to get ready for nesting in the spring, and they will already enjoy coming to your garden. ■

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JANUARY 2018

A festival for every taste, hobby, thrill or skill By Victor Block

Animal mascots

n Gilroy, California, people line up to purchase watermelon, ice cream and chocolate—all of which are laced with fresh, pungent garlic. Underwater divers off Florida’s Looe Key are serenaded by sounds ranging from a song sung by The Beatles to the high-pitched call made by humpback whales. These disparate scenes have one thing in common. They’re two of countless fairs and festivals held throughout the year and around the country that celebrate a variety of animals, art, food, fun and other themes.

One guess what the feature attraction is at the annual Great Texas Mosquito Festival. The town of Clute, about 45 minutes from Houston, transforms a summer nuisance into the star attraction. When they’re not competing in mosquito calling and mosquito leg contests, participants hang out with Willie-Man-Chew, the festival mascot. Billed as the largest mosquito in the world, he stands 26 feet tall, sports an oversize cowboy hat and boots, and has a proboscis that’s the envy of any self-respecting mosquito. For more information, visit www.mosquitofestival.com. Larger specimens of the animal kingdom play the leading role at the annual San Fermin Running of the Bulls in New Orleans, a copy of the famous event held in Pamplona, Spain, each summer. While New Orleans is best known for its French history, it was also under Spanish control at times. There is one major difference between the two events, though. In New Orleans, participants are chased not by four-legged animals, but by women from professional roller derby teams who whack the runners they catch with a foam Wiffle Ball bat. The event also includes a fourcourse gourmet dinner accompanied by Spanish wines, a sangria tasting and—because of Ernest Hemingway’s love of Spain and bullfighting—a Hemingway look-alike contest. For more information, visit www.nola bulls.com.

Foodie feasts Take that crowd of garlic lovers. For 35 years, the Gilroy Garlic Festival has been one of the largest gatherings of foodies in the U.S. Like most fairs based on a theme, this one includes its share of entertainment, music, arts and crafts and other attractions. Like many, it raises money that is donated to charities and nonprofit organizations. The festival provides an opportunity for attendees to indulge in their love of garlic and their belief that it is underused in recipes. Along with opportunities to nosh on the tasty treats, there are competitions for professional chefs and a Great Garlic Cook-Off contest for amateurs. For more information, visit www.gilroy garlicfestival.com. Food—sort of—is also the focus of the grossly named Roadkill Cook-Off in Marlinton, West Virginia. Where else would you be asked how you prefer deer sausage, squirrel gravy over biscuits or teriyaki-marinated bear prepared? The entreés haven’t actually been killed on a road, but they’re on the menu as a tribute to the large number of their cousins who were. For more information, visit www.pccocwv.com/roadkill.

Music festivals The schedule of activities at most festivals includes music of some kind, but others make dulcet sounds the major attraction. Those divers and snorkelers off the Florida coast are participants in the Lower Keys Underwater Music Festival. Each year, hundreds of people don masks, flippers and other para-

JANUARY 2018

TRAVEL 21

FROM ALL ABOUT TRAVEL

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phernalia and swim over magnificent coral reefs in the National Marine Sanctuary as music and other sounds sink down from above. The playlist includes melodies like The Beatles’ “Yellow Submarine” and the theme from “The Little Mermaid.” Participants pretend to play whimsical underwater instruments made by a local sculptor. For more information, visit www.lowerkeyschamber.com/ festival.php. Even if you’re familiar with themes like Franz Schubert’s “Ave Maria” or “Over the Rainbow” from “The Wizard of Oz,” you’re likely to hear them presented in a new way if you attend the New York City Musical Saw Festival. Saw players from around the world gather to perform solos, play in saw orchestras and accompany singers. There are also workshops for players at all levels of expertise and a beginner’s lesson for people who have no musical saw experience. Visit www.musicalsawfestival.org to learn more.

There’s also a long list of events that don’t easily fit into categories. Duct tape is the featured attraction at the annual Duck Tape Festival. Appreciators descend upon Avon, Ohio to spend three days watching a duct tape fashion show, shaping sticky

statues and enjoying a parade with duct tape floats. Visit www.ducktapefestival.com. Since 1975, Sauk Prairie, Wisconsin has hosted the State Cow Chip Throw. These dried chips of cow dung were burned as fuel by early settlers. The fuel source became so valued that it was used to trade for food and other necessities. Contestants follow a stringent set of rules to determine who can sail chips the furthest. The current distance record is 248 feet. Visit www.wiscowchip.com to learn more. In 1947, an object crashed at a ranch near Roswell, New Mexico. Ever since, the Air Force has insisted it was a weather surveillance balloon, but a persistent group has clung to the belief that the accident involved an extraterrestrial spaceship, the occupants of which were recovered by the military. For years, the area has been the go-to destination for alien enthusiasts. At the UFO Festival, activities include a costume contest, an alien chase and presentations by authors of books about UFOs, paranormal experiences and alien abductions. Visit www.ufofestivalroswell.com. Fans of the hit TV series “Game of Thrones” will feel at home at the Renaissance Fairs held in a number of states. Many of these make-believe settings seek to replicate life during the reign of British royalty. The usual order of business includes an abundance of period-costumed entertainers and fair-goers, musical and theatrical acts, and stands selling art, handicrafts and food. Efforts to persuade members of the audience to participate in the fun are usually part of the scene. For a list of Renaissance Fairs, visit www.wikipedia.org/wiki/ List_of_Renaissance_fairs. If none of these fun festivals appeal to you, fret not. An internet search will reveal many alternatives, including a Bigfoot festival, the National Hollerin’ Contest, a kinetic sculpture race and events that honor chickens, lentils, tarantulas, turpentine, dancing and much more. ■

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22 LOCAL LORE

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JANUARY 2018

A Great Place to Call Home! Surviving the Grand

Valley’s worst winter By Eileen O’Toole

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he morning after Thanksgiving 1919, Charlie Rump trudged out his back door, measuring stick in hand, to see how much snow had fallen over the previous two days. He measured 19-22 inches across the yard. He saw his foreman plunging through the white stuff. “It sure feels cold,” Rump called. “It’s 27,” the foreman replied. Rump said it sure felt colder than that, and the foreman replied, “That’s 27 below.” That November snowfall marked the start of the Grand Valley’s worst winter on record. The Friday after Thanksgiving, The Daily Sentinel headlines proclaimed, “Snow record over valley is exceeded, roads are blockaded.” Rump’s son, Bill, remembered his mother’s ordeal driving to town for supplies when the roads reopened. Their spirited, high-stepping horse navigated the Redlands while pulling a buckboard. The way back was even more harrowing because the horse was in a hurry to get home. When the snow finally melted, it left deep, slick mud. Alice Wilson remembered 18 inches on the ground by Thanksgiving, and claimed it went on to snow six to 12 inches every night until spring. Her husband worked at the foot of the Bookcliffs on Garmesa Ranch, which never recovered from its loss of livestock that year. Every night or not, it was bad. Trains couldn’t reach Grand Junction, and some roofs collapsed. The Corn family had recently purchased a ranch on Pinyon Mesa, and their cattle were wintering on open range on the Redlands. Boots Corn, 11, and his 13-year-old brother, Edger, spent the winter shooting wolves that prowled around their herd, killing cows without eating them. The

Weather Bureau records from that winter indicate the area received 65 inches of snow between October 31, 1919 and April 16, 1920. boys regularly counted 15-17 wolves stalking the herd. Their father, George, was confined with the flu, a devastatingly contagious illness at the time. The boys skinned the dead cows and sold the skins for what money they could, but by spring, most of the herd was dead and they couldn’t make the payment on the ranch. The family lost everything. On December 9, 1919, the Sentinel headline bellowed, “ALL RECORDS FOR LOW TEMPERATURE WERE BROKEN TODAY.” The official Weather Bureau temperature from the top of the Federal Building reported 20 degrees below zero. Ground level was 24 below. The lower valley near Loma reported 30 degrees below zero and Orchard Mesa reported 27 below zero. Temperature inversions came and went all winter. Weather Bureau records from that winter indicate the area received 65 inches of snow between October 31, 1919 and April 16, 1920. The average depth of snow on the ground from November 26 through February 4 was three inches. This year’s unseasonably warm weather has caused some grumbling, but it’s important to remember the way winter can be here in the Grand Valley—the way it was 100 years ago. ■

JANUARY 2018

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Bunco Babes do the new year By Gwen Gendusa

he game of Bunco makes us think of purple-haired women rolling dice and straining to see the little dots. It’s an excuse to get together, laugh and gab. It’s been nine years since I became a dice thrower with the Bunco Babes. We are mostly retired ladies, aged 60 to 80. We’ve worked hard and experienced tragedy and joy. At our last gathering, most didn’t want to play at all. We sat in our host’s home, several conversations going at once. Then I had an idea. “Why don’t we go around and find out what each person would like to accomplish within a year?” I suggested. “What would you like to finish or try that you have put off?” I realized we might have some funny, thoughtful, even provocative answers, so I grabbed a notepad. Arlene was first. “I have always wanted to work with children who are sick, abused or just need love,” she said. Within moments, she had names of agencies and people who could help her achieve that long-standing goal. Martha sat to her left. “I am not as fit as I used to be, but I do all I can,” Martha said. “I will continue to stay active so that I can continue my work with the local assistance league.” Connie went next. Her daughter had been fighting life-threatening cancer for quite a while. “I want to continue to help those I love,” she said. “They all know I need hearing aids. I am finally going to get them!” Connie took on a simple problem in her complex world to change life. She realized vanity has no room next to love. “I am going to be dedicated to caring for my husband, whom I love,” said Darlene. She had been caring for Wyn with grace, bravado and style that evokes

admiration. My best friend, Deborah, will not have to stand in line at the pearly gates. Heaven had mailed her a key. “I want to keep volunteering at the nursing home, working with disabled adults and get re-involved in a Bible study group,” she said. Ricki chooses a new word to live by every year. “This year my word is ‘transformation,’” she said. “Transform my health as well as my spirit so that I can continue to help my 12 grandchildren.” Virgie, new to the Babes, had her own word: patience. Toward the end of her teaching career, she noticed her patience dwindling and knew it was time to retire. She wanted to renew the patience she once had and apply it to all aspects of her life. A teacher never stops learning. Barbara trains service dogs for others. She and her own dog, Zoey, go to the hospital weekly to comfort children. Barbara needed to add nothing to her tomorrow, except to continue the great work she is doing today. Judy is a cancer survivor whose retirement is just around the corner. She, too, wanted to work with children. She also wants to spend more time with her own children and grandchildren. Her life has not been easy, but I’ve never heard her complain. All she wants is to love. Another Judy sat beside her—a fireball who is not yet retired. “My goals are not lofty or heroic, but I want to smile at folks more— the strangers in line with me at the grocery or anyone I pass,” she said. “I want to share kindness.” Then it was my turn. I want to write about folks who are constantly growing, helping, loving, giving and bettering themselves. We are more than purple hairs. We are capable and still laughing. And beneath the laughter is richness attained only through living. ■

Celebrating 100 Years of Service

Excellence!

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JANUAR

Time to scratch things off the itch list



By Melanie Wiseman

f you started 2018 with a list of New Year’s resolutions, why not think bigger? Abraham Lincoln understood. “In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years,” he said. There’s no point in waiting. It’s time to put your bucket list on paper and start checking it off! (If you find that “bucket list” reminds you too much of “kicking the bucket,” then call it a

 Bungee jumping in New Zealand.  Getting ready to paraglide over Queenstown, New Zealand.

 Perry at Patagonia  Perry developed a friendship with his mentor, John Goddard.

 On top of Mt St Helens after it blew. (My first full moon hike to the top of a mountain)

 Skydiving in Moab



“life list,” “wander list” or an “itch list”—the things you’re just itching to do.) “Most everyone has a bucket list, but they lack the motivation to accomplish it,” said Mike Perry, 72. “Making a bucket list of all the things you want to do is one thing, but for many, that’s as far as it goes. Maybe it’s fear that gets in your way, procrastination or lack of commitment. Maybe you just need a nudge or a partner to motivate you to get off the couch.” Perry inspires hundreds with lectures on attacking bucket lists. His lifestyle is proof





that he believes itch lists should be done, not just dreamed. “Always do something new, keep your mind stimulated, get out of your comfort zone,” Perry said. “Anytime you can include your family, that’s always a good thing.” In his mid-20s, Perry was a self-described “Indiana Jones wannabe.” He still treasures an article he tore from a 1972 issue of Life Magazine, titled “One Man’s Life of No Regrets.” It recounted the amazing, goal-driven life of John Goddard, one of the world’s most famous anthropologists, explorers and adventurers. At 15, Goddard wrote down 127 goals to achieve during his life. They were not simple or easy: becoming an Eagle Scout, climbing the world’s major mountains, piloting the world’s fastest aircraft, reading the entire Encyclopedia Britannica. His list grew over time, but by the end of his 88-year life, he had accomplished an impressive 109 of his original goals. He became known as “The World’s Greatest Goal Achiever.” “John Goddard has always been my hero,” said Perry. “My dream was to meet my mentor, the man I modeled my life after.” In 2003, as Perry prepared to speak on goal setting before a group of scouts and other youth, he wondered if there was a chance of receiving advice from Goddard. Perry tracked

RY 2018

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down his phone number. Surprisingly, Goddard himself answered the phone and, following a friendly exchange, he invited Perry to his California home. Perry developed a close friendship with his mentor in the decade before Goddard’s death. They communicated frequently and visited several times—Goddard even spoke at Colorado Mesa University and at the Western Colorado Boy Scouts Council Peak Vision Award dinner in 2006. “He signed the Life Magazine article I had saved all these years. ‘To Mike, a fellow adventurer, with love and friendship, John Goddard,’” said Perry. “He later signed a card to me, ‘To my kindred spirit,’ and claimed it was his good fortune as well to meet me. That means so much to me.” To help others attain their dreams, Perry has led adventures to places including Iceland, Cuba and Peru. He has bungee-jumped in New Zealand, sky-dived and parasailed. He is completing a coast-to-coast bike ride in pieces. “Some goals take longer than others to accomplish and that’s okay,” he said. There’s a new year ahead of us. How will you spend it? Ride a horse on the beach. Learn a new language. Travel. Scuba dive. Learn to knit. Sleep under the stars. Reconnect with a childhood friend. Raft the Grand Canyon. It’s time to get started! ■



Any good bucket list consists of overcoming fears, realizing dreams and achieving goals. Here’s Mike’s advice on how to get started: • Start your list with a draft and refine it as you find new ideas. • Surround yourself with passionate people. Stay clear of people who limit your dreams. • Include family, health and friends. • Stay optimistic, be flexible and have fun. • Be specific and build in accountability. • Keep a journal. • Take advantage of the knowledge of others. • Choose to live happily. Life is too short to be sad, upset or negative. • Post your bucket list in a prominent place where you can see it every day.

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26 FAITH MOVES

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Learn to Ride the Bus on Feb. 3, 2018

Join us on Saturday, February 3, 2018 from 9:30-11:30 A.M at the GVT downtown transfer facility in Grand Junction. This FREE program will enable any individual interested in riding Grand Valley Transit (GVT) to gain the confidence and knowledge necessary to utilize GVT services. To help make trainees comfortable with the bus, we are offering a FREE 11-Ride fixed-route pass to any individual who completes the travel training program; call GVT to RSVP. Future rides are at a 50% discount for people age 65 years and over.

Experience God's love in a traditional setting.

COME GROW WITH US IN CHRISTIAN DISCIPLESHIP!

8:30 am Contemporary Praise Service 9:45 am Christian Education (all ages) 11:00 am Traditional Service with Choir

First United Methodist Church, 5th St. & White Ave. (downtown) 242-4850 www.fumcgj.org

JANUARY 2018

Mission on Mercy Ships By Dave Jensen

n 2014, I considered that all too familiar question: “What will you do when you retire?” I had already been volunteering with various ministries in the Grand Valley, so I wasn’t worried that the next chapter of my life would be boring. But one mission kick-started my life as a volunteer: Mercy Ships. In the late 1980s, I heard a guest speaker at First Presbyterian Church seeking financial and prayer support for a unique ministry. Don Stephens, founder of Mercy Ships, kept us spellbound. Stephens started life as a farm kid in land-locked Olathe, and dreamed of serving the poorest of the poor via a hospital ship. He was inspired by his Youth With a Mission experience, and by learning about the history of the S.S. Hope, a U.S. Navy hospital ship donated by President Dwight Eisenhower to international health care organization Project HOPE. The S.S. Hope was active from the late ’60s to the late ’70s, and administered aid in Asia, South America and Africa. Project HOPE later became a land-based program, leaving no non-governmental sailing hospital until Mercy Ships came along. Mercy Ships is now nearing its 40th anniversary. I have had the honor of serving twice on the Africa Mercy. This 500-foot ship weighs 16,572 tons and has a crew of 474. It has provided 28,000 surgeries to date, at no cost to the patients. Volunteers take on the jobs needed for a fully functioning hospital, join maintenance and sailing crews, or teach in a small K-12 school for families living on board. The medical equipment is top-notch, and all medicines and supplies are funded via donations. Volunteers commit anywhere from two weeks to two years of their time. For two months a year, the ships are taken out of service for routine maintenance and special projects. My

background is in construction, so I initially applied in 2014 for a threeweek projects assistant job in the Canary Islands. I worked on painting and insulating large overhead water supply lines. The crew is almost entirely made up of volunteers, who are responsible for their own travel, room and board. Sometimes when you step out in faith to serve, God provides in mysterious ways. I was prepared to fund the $3,000 trip, but to my surprise, it was covered by generous donors—my last employer, Mays Concrete, and my older brother and his wife. I am forever grateful. My fondest memories are of worship times onboard and of serving alongside committed people who live out their faith in tangible ways. In 2017, I was again invited to serve on the projects team. Opportunities abound for intergenerational mentoring—older workers pass on knowledge to the younger ones, while all working together toward common goals. This mentoring has proved to be my favorite memory from this year’s trip. A plaque in the reception area on the Africa Mercy says it all: “Mercy Ships follows the 2,000-year-old model of Jesus, bringing hope and healing to the world’s forgotten poor.” Serving and worshiping in one accord with crew members who represented more than 20 nations made Mercy Ships a taste of heaven for me. The positive attitude, helpfulness and kindness shown by each crew member makes each mission a special experience. I welcome the invitation to serve again. Read more about how you can support Mercy Ships at www.mercy ships.org. ■

JANUARY 2018

TALKING DIGITAL 27

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Are you Ready

TALKING

DIGITAL

By Adam Cochran

Tidy up your digital clutter

ell, you did it. You made it through another holiday season without learning the words to “Auld Lang Syne.” While you likely skipped the plum pudding, avoided mistletoe at all costs and finally found someone to regift last year’s fruit cake to, it goes without saying that you are still finding tinsel and wrapping paper in embarrassing nooks and crannies.

We end each year by making messes, so it only makes sense to begin the new year by tidying up. Before computers, smartphones, tablets and the internet, all of life’s clutter tended to lie out in the open, where it taunted us until it was cleaned up. Unfortunately, that’s not how digital clutter works. Some of these things can be done on your own, while others may require assistance from a techsavvy individual. Quickly declutter your documents and email This may seem overwhelming, but I’m not talking about a tedious assessment of each file. Quickly browse through and delete old homeowners association meeting announcements, Black Friday alerts or documents you created for a one-time need. You can select more than one item at a time by holding down the CTRL button on a PC or the COMMAND button on a Mac and clicking on each file. Tap the delete key to send it all to the trash. Empty your trash This process rarely affects the performance of your computer, but knowing

that your trash is empty can be liberating. Eliminate distant acquaintances on social media If you’re active on Facebook, there’s a good chance you once friended someone you’ve long forgotten about—former coworkers, your child’s kindergarten teacher, etc.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

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Your Facebook friends are not notified when you unfriend them, so there’s no need to be embarrassed if you no longer want to be connected to them on social media. Dust your machine I don’t judge anyone for their housekeeping, but letting your computer get full of dust can be both expensive and dangerous. Computers have fans that suck air in past the processor to keep it cool. Over time, dust from the air builds up and can insulate the parts the fan is trying to cool. The computer can overheat and—while uncommon—even catch fire. Back up your machine This is the most important item on the list. It doesn’t matter how you do it, but make sure all of your important documents and pictures are saved in at least two places. Cloud backup services such as Carbonite are best, but anything is better than nothing. Ask yourself, “If my house burned down today, would I still have all the photos and documents saved on my computer?” If the answer is no, take care of that before you go to bed tonight. ■

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

Giving to those who have served our country offers great returns Colorado Veterans Community Living Center at Rifle is the best-kept secret on the Western Slope. Our skilled nursing facility offers a unique experience, bringing camaraderie back into the lives of our nation’s heroes. Each veteran who walks through our doors has a past only few can imagine. Here, they have the opportunity to come together once again, linking arms and sharing stories seldom understood. Our veterans regain those lost moments buried in time and embrace a safe place to open closed doors to those who can appreciate their experience. Despite what memory loss may have taken away, their war stories remain well intact. We recognize the need for our veterans

to share their most intimate stories of patriotism. With caring hearts, we offer comfort and understanding. It’s a gift to spend time engaging in the lives of our veterans. When needed, we bring laughter for healing, emotion for care and our hearts for those whose lives were changed when they gave their lives for our freedom. We provide long-term 24-hour nursing care and short-term rehabilitation. If you are a veteran, veteran spouse or a Gold Star family member, let us assist you. If you are a veteran who is 70-100 percent service connected disabled, your long-term stay may be paid in full.

Colorado Veterans Community Living Center at Rifle Call us today! 970-625-0842 851 E. Fifth St. Rifle, Colorado

28 FINANCE

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JANUARY 2018

Money management for the “boomerang” household By Jason Alderman

Make a real agreement

ue to recent economic realities, multigenerational living has been on the rise for many families. A 2014 Pew Research Center analysis showed that a record 57 million Americans, equal to a little more than 18 percent of the U.S. population, lived in multigenerational households in 2012—double the number in 1980. The major driver was young adults aged 25-34. According to Pew, nearly 24 percent of these older millennials lived in multigenerational households, an increase from nearly 19 percent in 2007 and 11 percent in 1980. For homeowner parents who may also be juggling the “sandwich” responsibilities of caring for older relatives, paying attention to the details of taking in family is critical. Having people you love living with you will hopefully have rewards that go beyond simple dollars, but always know what the arrangement is costing you

Your home is a symbol of stability and therefore something of significant value. That’s why it’s appropriate to consider rent or request in-kind services in exchange for room and board. Young adults—particularly those who were under full parental support in college—need to learn this lesson even if they are moving home to save money. If you decide to accept rent, there may be potential tax issues based on the structure, timeframe and expenses in the agreement. Legal paperwork may be required, but there may also be rental expenses you can deduct.

Here are some suggestions to consider: Your finances come first

How are we doing? Send us your questions and suggestions. We want to hear from you!

BEACON Senior Newspaper P.O. Box 3895 Grand Junction, CO 81502 Beacon@PendantPublishing.com

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Operating a full house means higher utility and food costs and additional wear and tear on the property. Taking in family shouldn’t derail a parent’s career goals or retirement planning, nor should it diminish other financial objectives like maximizing savings or eliminating debt. That’s why households might begin with a complete financial assessment before welcoming kids or elders back home. A discussion with qualified financial and tax advisers might be worthwhile to determine what expenses you can take on. For arrangements that go beyond free lodging to direct cash support of family members, gift tax issues should be explored.

Establish timelines Depending on the advice you receive, as well as local tenant law, you may be signing a lease for your family member’s stay with a specific timeline. Whatever the requirements, make sure you have an effective framework that sets specific rules you want met.

Start with a family meeting Before moving trucks arrive, family members should meet for a discussion about the impending move. Start by letting your child or family member talk through why they want to move in, whether they have financial goals tied to the arrangement and how long they plan to stay. Share the structure you envision, including the payment details you would consider. Agreements should begin with a full discussion of needs, preferences, financial terms and ways to make the arrangement smooth and successful. It’s best to continue regular conversations about the living arrangement.

Prepare to track expenses Retrofit your household budget to keep track of higher food, utility and related expenses for cost sharing and potential tax purposes. ■

JANUARY 2018

Beware of job seeker scams, warns workforce center U sing online resources to find a job? Be aware of fraudulent databases! The Mesa County Workforce Center (MCWFC) recently discovered a fraudulent employer utilizing its Connecting Colorado database with the aim of scamming job seekers. This can happen on other platforms as well, the center warned. Searchers should be on alert and keep an eye out for red flags. Fraudulent employers gain access to job search platforms by using a valid company name, website, phone number, federal ID number, etc. that makes them appear to be the actual company. When the employer account is approved, the scammer has access to hundreds of job seekers’ contact information.

What to watch out for • The contact email address is not the employer’s website • The email address includes a title such as Mr., Mrs. or Dr. • The wage is too good to be true (for example, entry level jobs requiring no experience will not pay $20-plus per hour, and a big jump

NEW ** ON LOCATI

from training pay to post-training pay is suspicious)

• The employer insists on contact through text, Skype, chat room, Google Hangouts, etc. • The employer requires a check, money order or some form of bank account information • The email, job description, job title, company name, etc., contains bad grammar or misspellings

IS YOUR DEVICE A

MYSTERY?

Get tech help at Mesa County Libraries!

• Borrow ebooks on your tablet or smartphone • Explore the basics of email • Learn to take and organize photos on your device • Learn about cloud storage for your files • Navigate Facebook and other social media • Bring your tech questions:

Tech Table

Tech questions answered on a first-come, first-served basis. • Noon–2 p.m., Tuesdays, Central Library • 5–6 p.m., second and fourth Thursdays, Central Library

• The “employer” answers the phone informally, instead of with a professional greeting

Book-A-Librarian, Individual Computer Help

• The voicemail message is personal, not for a company

See all the tech resources your library offers! • 4–7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 23, Central Library

If it doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t—take a closer look. Never give out your personal information such as your Social Security Number, your bank account, your credit card number, etc. If you are contacted by someone who claims to be from the MCWFC or Connecting Colorado but doesn’t sound legitimate, contact the workforce center at 248-7560, jobservice@ mesacounty.us or via its website: www.mcwfc.us. ■

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JANUARY 2018

Showered with compliments: Tile Meister’s customers keep coming back By Melinda Mawdsley

Randy DiDonato in Tile Meister’s expansive showroom.

he front doors at Tile Meister are made of glass. After that, it’s all about looking at the thousands of tile samples. Or cultured marble, granite, stone, quartz or Tyvarian, a locally manufactured, groutless solid surface. “If you walk in here, you’re getting yourself into a project,” co-owner Randy DiDonato said. With an expansive showroom full of displays sure to get the renovation juices flowing, Tile Meister has everything homeowners need to give their bathroom or kitchen an upgrade. But DiDonato said it isn’t the quantity of materials available that keeps Tile Meister’s calendars filled with consultations and scheduled projects. Since opening in 1994—first in Palisade before a 2004 move to Grand Junction—Tile Meister, 611 N.

Tile Meister has everything homeowners need to give their bathroom or kitchen an upgrade. First St., has established a reputation for top-notch service and customer loyalty. In fact, satisfied customers are largely to credit with the evolution of services Tile Meister offers. “It wasn’t our choice to do bathroom renovations,” DiDonato said. “We were forced into it.” Originally from New Hampshire, DiDonato started in the tile business as a teenager with the less-than-glorious title of tile helper. In other words, he hauled tile and laid grout. From there, he became a tile setter, which he did for years before opening Tile Meister. Aging customers, satisfied with the job Tile Meister did on smaller projects, needed help improving their homes’ accessibility. In 1998, the business began converting standard bathtubs to walk-in showers, or simply replaced the bathtub with a larger walk-in or transfer tub so seniors could continue living comfortably in their own homes.

Although Tile Meister works with clients of various ages, it has an industry-recognized level of expertise in improving accessibility for seniors—from installing generic grab bars and hand-held showerheads to designing and completing a luxurious spa-like bathroom. In 2009, DiDonato became a Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist by the National Association of Home Builders in conjunction with AARP. By 2004, Tile Meister was completing full renovations on bathrooms. In 2014, the business undertook kitchen remodels. Recently, a client asked Tile Meister to enclose a porch. “If it has a room over it and a floor under it, we can do it,” DiDonato said. Tile Meister serves Mesa, Delta, Montrose and Garfield counties. To contact them, call 244-8453. “We show up every day, work hard every day and are organized,” DiDonato said. “Service, service, service.” ■

Randy and Cheryl DiDonato and and family.

JANUARY 2018

BEACON GUIDE HIGHLIGHT 31

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Love connections: Not Going

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

The

Quietly fosters friendship and fun Story and photo by Jan Weeks

haron Conklin-Starr, a religious science practitioner and member of Center for Spiritual Living Grand Junction (CSL), saw the need for a place for seniors to share their joys and challenges in a safe, fun environment. That was the birth of Not Going Quietly, a discussion group for people age 60-plus that promotes connection, communication, community, learning, fellowship and fun. Conklin-Starr enlisted Penelope Grace Tarr and CSL Reverend Anna Scott as co-leaders. Two years later, the group is going strong. The group’s vision is to provide support for “living outrageously with positive intention and joy by helping members live by their divine birthright and die with dignity,” Scott said. The bimonthly meetings cover both serious and entertaining topics, and feature discussions, artistic creations, games and other exercises to bring attendees closer. As the group has evolved, its leaders continue to seek out activities that align with its members’ hobbies and careers. But the key characteristic is always the goal to connect and love each other as members age gracefully. Occasionally, outside speakers visit to discuss the anxieties of getting older and underline the importance of a loving network. Tarr cited one visit by Kindness is Contagious, a group started by teens at Grand Junction High School that quickly spread to other schools in the valley. “They talked to us about suicide awareness,” Tarr said, “and how a sense of connection gives people

hope. Sometimes smiling at a stranger on the street can change a life.” Meetings begin with people introducing themselves and talking about challenges they’ve faced recently. “The check-in portion of the meeting is vitally important,” Scott said. “We are here for one another as emotional and practical support.” Discussion then moves on to a topic chosen beforehand. Don’t expect dull, cut-and-dried talk—“freeform” is the best way to describe dialogue.

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For example, one meeting consisted of members bringing mementos of their heritage, such as scrapbooks, photos and letters from their forebears. Participants talked about the items and how their families came to America. They also shared memories from childhood that highlighted their ethnic and cultural origins. The group does not teach Science of Mind principles, which guide the CSL, but demonstrates these principles through conversation. Conklin-Starr said the discussions are spiritual but religious doctrine is never taught. All beliefs are honored, and attendees don’t have to be church members. Not Going Quietly meets monthly on the second and fourth Tuesdays from 1:30-3:30 p.m. at CSL Grand Junction, 251 Colorado Ave. For more information, call 433-7799 or email admin@cslgrandjunction.org. ■

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JANUARY 2018

The Montrose Mountain Men enjoy shooting the way it was during the fur trapping era of the 1800s.

Interested in muzzleloading and mountain men?

The Montrose Mountain Men’s monthly shoots are held in Delta, the first Saturday of the month. For more information, contact Jon Day at 856-6329. Area muzzleloading events Fort Bridger Rendezvous Fort Bridger, Wyoming Labor Day weekend www.fortbridgerrendezvous.net Fort Buenaventura Easter Rendezvous Ogden, Utah Easter weekend w ww.crazycrow.com/site/event/fort-bue naventura-easter-rendezvous/ Rocky Mountain National Rendezvous. Various locations Early July www.rmnr.org Jim Harmon Memorial Black Powder Shoot Meeker, Colorado March www.meekercoloradosportsmansclub.com

Born 100 years too late: Mountain Men relive history Story and photos by Diana Barnett

n the first Saturday of each month, a small group of black powder enthusiasts gathers near Delta to practice shooting skills. The Montrose Mountain Men—a close-knit group whose mission is to enjoy shooting the way it was during the fur trapping era of the 1800s—includes participants from Delta, Olathe, Grand Junction, Glade Park, Cedaredge and Fruita. Harry Percival has been a member for more than 25 years, and was attracted to the group because of his unique hunting style. “I always hunted using a muzzleloader, and it’s a nice opportunity to shoot on a regular basis with others who enjoy it,” he said. When Percival joined, three active groups in Paonia, Montrose and Grand Junction had similar interests. “There were over 50 members in our group alone,“ he said.

Over the years, two of the groups folded. Only the Montrose group remains active.

Learning to shoot Jon Day, president of the Mountain Men, and his wife, Jennie, have been members for more than 20 years. “We used to have the members to put on our own rendezvous, but people retire and move away or die. Or find other things to do on a Saturday,” Jon said. Nevertheless, the regulars who have stuck around find the monthly shoots to be non-competitive, fun, social events. “We welcome new participants— experienced or not—because this is the place to get all the advice in the world that someone would want,” said Jon. “We can help others learn.” It’s also an opportunity for hunters to break out their guns, make sure they’re in good working order, and get in some shooting practice prior to

hunting season. First Saturday gatherings of the Montrose Mountain Men provide shooting practice using muzzleloader rifles and pistols. Every other month, the group adds knife and tomahawk throwing. Members meet at a rural property near Delta, and hone shooting skills by rotating through a diverse, challenging set of targets. “We always shoot in the mornings to avoid the hot weather in the summer, and end the day with a picnic under the trees,” Percival said. The organization is family-oriented—as youngsters come of age, they learn to respect firearms and use them safely. Jon recalled that Jennie went to every shoot when she was expecting their daughter. Once she was born and old enough to hold a gun, she learned to shoot. “There is nothing negative about this hobby,” he said. “Kids learn discipline, marksmanship and a lot about history.” The Days’ daughter is still a club member—as is her husband.

Period-perfect Each fall, the Mountain Men host a special, rendezvous-like event.

JANUARY 2018

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Participants dress in period clothing—a fun, historical aspect of the gathering. “You can’t just go to the market and get what you need,” Jon said. “You have to fabricate the clothing you wear. There’s a pride in creating your own, and that’s as period perfect as it can get.” After the shoot, the group enjoys a potluck that often features Dutch oven cooking. “You don’t have to dress up or even own a muzzleloader to join. We even have guns we can loan to people... who want to learn to shoot,” Jon said. Jennie is the group’s resident historian, having served as curator of the Uncompahgre Interpretive Center for several years. She enjoys sharing her knowledge of geology, indigenous populations, fur trapping and frontier history. She plays a key role in the group. The history is an important part of the whole experience, said Jon. “Lots of young men came west to make their fortune in the fur trade; some made it and some didn’t. Many found it was a lifestyle they couldn’t give up,” he said. “By participating in these experiences, you get an idea of the amazing struggles our forefathers went through to get to where we are today—to improve America.” Shooters who really want to experience a little frontier life attend annual regional mountain man gatherings. Last summer, Percival and his wife attended the Rocky Mountain National Rendezvous near Montpelier, Idaho. “Usually, you’ll find between 200 and 300 camps,” he said. “The camp lasts over several days, and pilgrims are allowed to come the first weekend to see how things are set up, then the rest of the time, the camp has to exist as a period camp.” This particular rendezvous moves every year. In 2018, it will be held near Creede. The following year, it will be held between Montrose and Gunnison. You can bet the Montrose Mountain Men will be there. ■

T S BE L OCAL

Mountain Men President Jon Day has been a member of the group for more than 20 years.

LOVE

2018

WE ASKED, YOU ANSWERED.

WHO WON THE 2018 BEACON BEST AWARDS? Find out in February! Harry and Maude Percival and Sally Lippldt at the Jim Harmon Memorial Black Powder Shoot in Meeker.

This special issue highlights the locales you love the most.

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

JANUARY 2018

My diet for the New Year By Elizabeth Wheeler

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y New Year’s diet has nothing to do with eating, drinking or exercising. I tried it last year and it made a huge difference in my life. I am happier, calmer and enjoy life more. My diet was developed by Emmet Fox, a friend of “The Power of Positive Thinking” author Norman Vincent Peale. A couple of years ago, a friend of mine gave me one of his books: “Around the Year with Emmet Fox: A Book of Daily Readings.” When I got to December 29, I found his “seven-day mental diet.” Instead of fat or carbs, Fox cuts out negative thinking—any thought of failure, disappointment or trouble; any thought of criticism, spite, jealousy or condemnation of others or yourself; any thought of sickness or accident. In short, any kind of limitation. “You shall not dwell upon negative things,” Fox wrote. “It is not the thoughts that come to you that matter, but only such of them as you choose to entertain and dwell upon.” Personally, this diet couldn’t come at a better time for me. For one thing, I am beside myself with the direction our society and this country is taking. A mother, I tend to worry about my kids (in their 40s). Even my kitten is driving me crazy, delighting in yanking leaves off my beloved African violets. You should see the barricades I’ve set up.

It’s worth the drive!

The diet forces you to take stock of your thinking. I couldn’t believe how much time I spent obsessing, projecting, judging and scaring my own socks off.

Tricks for sticking to a mental diet • Stop, look and listen. I envision a large red stop sign, then look at my surroundings and listen. • Take deep breaths and let them out slowly. A yoga teacher I used to know often said, “Change your breathing and you change your thoughts!” • Do something physical—take the dog for a walk, shovel snow, bake a cake, snowshoe • Write or draw • Think of tranquil scenes—the snow on Mt. Garfield and the Bookcliffs • Remember a helpful slogan: “Keep calm and carry on” or “Let go and let God” • Do some yoga poses, including bending from the waist (known as rag-doll pose) or spreading your feet wide and resting your head on a block. Both poses bring blood to the brain • Look out the window, then meditate • Say a prayer (or more than one) for the people who are really bugging you I hope you try this diet. It certainly helped me see that the world has enough bad stuff already. I don’t need to contribute more. ■

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FUN AFTER 50 35

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Senior Recreation Center 550 Ouray Avenue - 970 243-7408

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

HEALTH TUESDAYS & FRIDAYS Gentle Active Yoga This class is designed for an active beginner and above. Class is at 8 a.m.9 a.m. at Lincoln Park Barn. Cost is $7 to drop in or purchase a 10-punch pass for $50. MONDAY-FRIDAY Aqua Aerobics These aqua aerobics classes are for beginner or novice individuals. Class is 8:15-9:15 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and 5:30-6:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at Orchard Mesa Pool. Drop in for $4.50 or purchase a 12-punch pass for $46.50.

DANCE JANUARY 8-FEBRUARY 12 Line Dance Experience the fun of line dancing to

a wide variety of music. No partner needed. Drop in for $5 at the Lincoln Park Barn from 12:15-2 p.m. Cost for the session is $18.

THURSDAYS Senior Dances with Live Music Dance from 8 p.m.-11 p.m. at the Senior Recreation Center. Cost is $3.

SPORTS DROP-IN PICKLEBALL Play pickleball at Lincoln Park Barn. Cost is $5 to drop-in or purchase a punch card for $30. Monday, Wednesday & Thursday 8:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Tuesday & Friday - 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. & 5 p.m.-8 p.m. Saturday - 9 a.m. to noon Sunday - 1 p.m.-4 p.m.

The Senior Recreation Center offers activities for seniors age 50 and older. It’s open 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Annual membership is $15.

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

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

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

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

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Dealing with diminished life energy By Edward A. Joseph

s I neared my 75th birthday, I noticed my biological gas tank needle getting lower and lower. The vim and vigor of earlier years had left me to take what seemed like a permanent vacation. Thinking about painting the back door had me heading for the couch to take a nap. One day, when I was avoiding even looking at the back door, I started thinking about my brother-in-law, Bill, and how he built a rock wall in front of his house on Cape Cod before he died from cancer. Bill was close to the end of his life when he built that wall. Every day that he could, he placed a few more stones on the wall, and actually finished it before he passed on. Bill building that wall, despite his illness, inspired me to deal with having less energy in a positive way. I decided that whenever I needed to get something done that I didn’t feel like doing, I would do a “Billy”—I would

work on a particular project for a set period of time, which would vary depending on what I felt I could handle that day. Eventually, I started using a timer, which made it easier for me to start a task because it would let me know when I had reached my goal. Hearing the timer go off was satisfying—like crossing the finish line of a race. Mostly, when the timer went off, I just kept working until my body told my mind that it was time to quit. As we age, diminished energy to some degree is unavoidable. Accepting this reality can be freeing, and can also be a catalyst to help us creatively deal with this challenge. Having less energy in my eighth decade is unsettling at times, but remembering Bill’s accomplishment has motivated me to do at least one “Billy” a day. I hope doing “Billys” will help some seniors deal with waning energy. It will also be a tribute to a man who did not give in to what life sent him, but lived that life with dignity and courage. ■

“We must let go of the life we have planned, so as to accept the one that is waiting for us.” — Joseph Campbell, American author and lecturer

How are we doing? Send us your questions and suggestions. We want to hear from you!

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MESA COUNTY 37

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Calendar JANUARY 3 Medicare 101 New to Medicare? The RSVP Senior Health Insurance Assistance Project will hold a free educational seminar from 10 a.m. to noon at the Mesa County RSVP office in the basement of US Bank. Learn when and how you sign up, what Part A and Part B cover, how to choose the best health and drug plan and more! Seating is limited. Call 243-9839, ext. 1 to reserve your seat. JANUARY 6 Family and contra dances Join in a family dance at the Margery Ballroom, 523 1/2 Main St., from 5-6:30 p.m. Enjoy fun and easy dances for the whole family taught by local music teachers. The cost of entry for the family dance is $15 per family. Dancers ages 10 and above are welcome to stay for the contra dance. A new dancer’s workshop begins at 7 p.m. The dance will be held from 7:3010:30 p.m. Adult entry is $10. Come in casual dress with or without a partner. Beginners are welcome. For information, call 260-5852. JANUARY 7 Hearing Loss Association meeting Members of the Western Colorado chapter of the Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) will share their experiences attending HLAA’s annual convention in Salt Lake City in June 2017. Snacks are provided. The meeting will be held at the Center for Independence from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. JANUARY 10 “I’m on Medicare—Now What?” The RSVP Senior Health Insurance Assistance Project will hold a free educational seminar from 10 a.m. to noon. in its office in the US Bank basement for recent Medicare recipients. Topics include help with billing issues, financial assistance, how to choose the best health and drug plan next year and more. Seating is limited. Call 243-9839.

JANUARY 16 Volunteer info event The easiest way to find out about volunteer opportunities in over-60 nonprofit organizations is to attend an informational event at the RSVP office the U.S. Bank building’s basement on January 16 from 1-2 p.m. Attendees must be at least 55 years old. JANUARY 16-FEBRUARY 13 “Challenges for Women over Sixty” class BEACON writer Elizabeth Wheeler will facilitate a Western Colorado Community College class designed to explore why women over 60 feel invisible in our society and unsure of their roles. Held Tuesdays from 10-11 a.m. through February 13, each class will feature experts discussing issues and open conversation. The fee is $59. Register at wccc.coloradomesa.edu/ccc or by calling 255-2800. JANUARY 25 AARP Safe Driver Course The Commons of Hilltop will host the AARP Smart Driver Safety Program from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at 625 27 1/2 Road. Save money on insurance and keep up on newer traffic laws. Cost is $15 for AARP members and $20 Fall Member Drive for non-members. Preregistration is required. For more information and to register, call 639-2433.

OCTOBER 7th-14th

JANUARY 26 “A Night at the Shelter” the Support Support Grand Valleymakes Pets Alive all (GVPA), difference for theraises Grand an all-volunteer nonprofit that Valley’s only... funds to spay and neuter animals, for an evening of song and dance. Come Solar Powered Commudressed nity as yourRadio favorite animal to competebecome for besta costume prizes. The a new member or renew membership suggested donation is $10 for adults and $5 for children. right hereAllatproceeds home! go to GVPA. The concert will be held at Redlands United Methodist Church at 7 p.m. For more information, call 2430047. ■

ENRICHING LEARNING EXPERIENCES FOR ADULTS 50 AND OVER WINTER/SPRING TERM BEGINS SOON

Class lists and registration information will be available online February 5. To subscribe to our email list or learn more, visit our website or call 970-270-8425.

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G R A N D

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M O N T R O S E

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

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

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Beacon Bits St. Mary’s gets an A, named top hospital St. Mary’s Medical Center has received an A safety rating from the Leapfrog Group, an independent, nonprofit watchdog organization that rates U.S. hospitals on quality and safety. It is the only Mesa County hospital to receive the highest possible safety rating and one of only 18 Colorado hospitals to receive an A. The score uses 27 measures of publicly available hospital safety data and represents a hospital’s overall capacity to keep patients safe from preventable harm. The hospital also received the prestigious Top Teaching Hospital distinction from Leapfrog. St. Mary’s is one of only five Colorado hospitals and one of 108 hospitals nationwide to receive the designation. Museum offers Chicago adventure Travelers of all ages are invited to explore the cultural heritage of Chicago in August. Led by Julia McHugh, curator of paleontology for the Museums of Western Colorado, travelers will learn about the Windy City’s architecture and other arts, tour Wrigley Field and discover the world of Al Capone and other infamous criminals. Additional planned activities include a behind-the-scenes tour with the museum staff at the Field Museum of Natural History, home to the Grand Valley’s own Brachiosaurus,

JANUARY 2018

excavated at Riggs Hill in 1900. The maximum number of participants is 14, with a minimum of seven required. The trip cost is $2,750 for museum members and $3,000 for non-members. For details, visit www.museumofwesternco. com or call 858-7282, ext. 2217.

Visit Grand Junction’s sister city in El Salvador The Foundation for Cultural Exchange (FCE) will take two trips to El Espino, Grand Junction’s sister city in El Salvador, in 2018. The first is March 10-18 and focuses on promoting cultural understanding and exchange. The itinerary includes a homestay component with FCE scholarship students, a tour of a coffee cooperative, a visit with El Salvador’s most renowned artist, a hike up a volcano, a tour through prehistoric ruins, and more. Estimated all-inclusive cost for the trip is $1,800; the deadline to register is January 5. The second trip, held May 29-June 6, brings a spay/neuter brigade to El Espino. This trip will not include a homestay component. Estimated cost for the trip is $1,800; the deadline to register is January 31. To register, contact FCEelsalvador@ gmail.com or 433-2897. All ages and backgrounds are welcome. No Spanish language experience is required, and space is limited. Kickstart health with St. Mary’s LIFE Program Join Dr. Maria Anderson for a sixweek Food for Life cooking class held

The Retreat Communities of the Grand Valley Thank you for the privilege of taking care of your parents and grandparents. • Your privacy, dignity and independence are cherished • Secure memory care facility • Knowledgeable, well-trained and caring staff • Medicaid approved • All-inclusive rate for private pay residents; no add-on costs

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970-243-7224

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The Retreat at Palisade 3780 Heritage Lane, Palisade

JANUARY 2018

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from 6-8 p.m. on Tuesdays beginning January 16. The plant-based nutrition and cooking course includes education, cooking demonstrations, food samples and a trip to the grocery store to learn label reading and healthy shopping. The evidenced-based program supports healthy weight management and disease management and prevention. The fee is $89. Classes are held in St. Mary’s Rehabilitation Unit. To register, call 298-6130.

was $225,000, which came from library district funds. Plans for a new building are in their infancy, and no details have been decided. There is no firm timeline for construction. The current Clifton Branch occupies 5,400 square feet of leased space and serves 8,5009,000 visitors per month. Approximately 13,000 items are checked out or renewed each month at the branch. It is the second-busiest of eight Mesa County Libraries locations.

Become a Colorado Master Gardener The Colorado State University Extension, Tri River Area, is seeking applicants for its Master Gardener Apprentice class. Colorado Master Gardeners extend knowledge-based education throughout Colorado communities to foster successful gardeners and help individuals make informed decisions about plants. This 11-week course starts on Thursday, January 18. Each week, a different subject is taught by an expert. Becoming a Master Gardener requires a 50-hour volunteer commitment the how first year, but the class can Find out Raymond James also be taken, without the volunteer • Retirement Planning component, for a higher price. Call the Investment Strategies CSU•Extension, Tri River Area, at 2441834• for details. Estate Planning

Help RSVP strengthen the community Individuals age 55 and over who want to volunteer and address important community needs can get involved with great projects by contacting RSVP at 243-9839, ext. 5. Upcoming needs include administration at the Colorado National Monument, travel ambassadors at the Colorado Welcome Center, Day Center volunteers at Grand Valley Catholic Outreach and volunteers to pack food boxes for the Community Food Bank. Learn more about RSVP at www.rsvpgrandjunction.org. ■

“Horses and Homicide” A rodeo judge is dead just before changing her will. Was it a disgruntled contestant, family or the person sitting next to you? Help bring the villain to justice. This mystery dinner theater, presented by Mesa Murder Mystery, is held at Garfield’s Restaurant, 2148 Broadway, at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $27.50 and available online at www. garfieldsrestaurantgj.com/events. For more information, call 628-1987.

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Library buys land for future branch Mesa County Libraries have completed the purchase of five acres along F Road for a future library branch location. The land will be the home of the Meet KentBranch Shettler. He’s here to help you reach your financial current Clifton Library, which is undersized to adequately servebe thehappy to speak with you in person. independence and will area. The property was chosen for its accessibility, affordability and suitability for construction. The purchase price ®

Meet Kent Shettler. He’s here to help you reach your financial independence and will be happy to speak with you in person. KENT SHETTLER Financial Advisor

GRAND JUNCTION 200 Grand Ave. • 2903 Patterson Rd. 970.245.1600 • bankofcolorado.com

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

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Support Groups Breast Friends, a breast cancer support group, meets monthly from 5-6:30 p.m. on the third Tuesday in St. Mary’s Reflection Room. Caregiver Connections meets from 10-11:30 a.m. Tuesdays at the Miller Homestead at HopeWest. Call 2608931. Compassionate Friends offers friendship and understanding to bereaved parents, siblings and grandparents. The group meets monthly at 7-8:30 p.m. on the first Tuesday at Unity Church, 3205 N. 12th St. Call 434-3822.

COPD Support Group meets monthly at 1 p.m. on the fourth Friday at 581 Grand Valley Drive in Grand Junction. Call 317-7556 or email Jimcampbell3@ aol.com.

Head & Neck Cancer Support Group meets monthly from 6:30-8 p.m. on the first Tuesday at Colorado West Otolaryngologists, 426 Patterson Road. Call 245-2400.

MS and Men, a support group for men living with MS, meets monthly from 11 a.m. to noon on the third Thursday at The Artful Cup. Call 2418975.

Divorce Support Group meets weekly at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday at 103 W. Fifth St., Palisade. Call 200-1191.

Healing Hands Hour involves the belief that the body has energy fields that can be used for healing and wellness. It complements traditional medical care, and does not require touch. Attendees meet from noon to 1 p.m. Thursdays in St. Mary’s Reflection Room.

MS Breakfast Group meets monthly at 9 a.m. on the first Tuesday at Village Inn, 757 Horizon Drive. Call 241-8975.

GriefShare is a nondenominational Christ-based support group for those mourning the death of a loved one. This no-cost group meets from 6:308:30 p.m. Mondays at Clifton Christian Church. For details, call 628-1453.

Practical tips for a safe home environment Safety in the home is paramount in preventing accidents and hospitalization. Aging affects vision, hearing, balance and mobility. These proactive ideas can increase personal safety: • Add motion-activated nightlights to the bedroom, hallway and bathroom to assure safe travel at night. This can also help you avoid tripping over pets in the dark. • Reading difficulties brought on by low vision can be improved by increasing the lumens and directional lights shining on reading material. • Wrap rubber bands around pill bottles to indicate how many times a day that medication should be taken: one rubber band for once a day, two for twice a day, etc. This helps when you’re filling weekly pill dispensers.

The Center for Independence is a unique community service that has its home office in Grand Junction and satellite offices in Montrose and Glenwood Springs. We provide free services to all people with disabilities in problem solving, guidance, education and advocacy for living independently. Throughout 2018, we’ll offer creative ideas for living independently here in the BEACON. Centers for Independent Living play a crucial role in the lives of people with disabilities, and work tirelessly to ensure that they have a real choice in where and how they live, work and participate in the community. Every day, CILs are fighting to ensure that people with disabilities gain and maintain control over their own lives.

Other services and contact information can be found at www.cfigj.org.

Center for Independence 740 Gunnison Avenue Grand Junction, CO 81501 970-241-0315

Help Heal Veterans’ Craft Center, 1670 North Ave., supplies hundreds of free therapeutic craft kits each week to military service members and veterans receiving medical care. Call 424-0499.

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) offers support groups for family members of adults who have a serious mental illness and connection groups for adults living with a mental illness. Groups meet at various times and locations in Mesa County. For details, visit www.NAMIWS.org or call 462-3989.

Leukemia, Lymphoma & Myeloma Support Group meets monthly from noon to 1 p.m. on the third Monday in St. Mary’s Reflection Room.

Neuropathy (Peripheral-Idiopathic) meets monthly from 1-2 p.m. on the first Tuesday at Church of the Nativity, across from Redlands Middle School.

Live by Living Walk encourages cancer survivors to explore the beauty of nature with fellow survivors and caregivers. For details on their monthly meetings, call 210-2238.

Tinnitus Support Group meets monthly from 1-2 p.m. on the second Saturday at St. Mary’s Physician Office, suite 503. Call 589-0305.

Look Good, Feel Better meets monthly from 2-4 p.m. on the last Wednesday at the American Cancer Society Office, 2754 Compass Dr. Beauty professionals provide tips to help women defy the appearance-related side effects of cancer treatment. Call 800-227-2345 to register. MACHO Men cancer support group meets monthly from 5-6:30 p.m. on the second Wednesday at St. Mary’s Hospital’s Java City Café. Call 2982351. Mending Hearts is for any adult who has experienced the death of a loved one. This group meets from 2-3:30 p.m. Thursdays at the Miller Homestead at HopeWest. Call 248-8844. Mind-Body Group meets monthly from noon to 1 p.m. on the first and third Wednesdays in St. Mary’s Reflection Room. Learn mind-body techniques that help with sleep, pain, stress, mental clarity, fatigue and detoxifying.

Western Colorado Post Polio Group educates polio survivors and caregivers about post-polio, connects post-polio people and promotes independent living for people struck with the virus many years ago. Call 241-7825 for details. Western Slope Visionaries, a low-vision support group, meets monthly from 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. on the third Wednesday at Center for Independence. Transportation is available. Call 241-0315. Yoga for Life meets from 5:30-6:45 p.m. Tuesdays at Life Center Aerobics Room, 2686 Patterson Road. Classes practice basic yoga stretches and gentle movements with attention to breathing and are designed for cancer patients of all abilities. ■

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Club Activities Art Quilt Association (AQuA) meets monthly at 9:30 a.m. on the third Saturday in Grand Junction. Visit www.theartquiltassociation.com. Blue Lodge Masons meets monthly at 10 a.m. on the first Saturday at the Masonic Center. Call 245-5312. Bookcliff Duplicate Bridge Club plays at 1 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and 6:30 p.m. Thursdays at 2923 North Ave. Call 243-7874. Cribbage Lite meets at 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays at IHOP. Call 201-7823. Colorado Archaeological Society Grand Junction meets monthly from 6:30-9 p.m. on the second Monday. Call 433-4312 or visit www.meetup. com/CAS-GJ/events. Fleet Reserve Association (FRA) #244 meets monthly at 7 p.m. on the second Wednesday at the VFW #3981. All former, retired and active sea service, U.S. Navy, Marines or Coast Guard are welcome. Call 434-0868. Friendship Force meets monthly at 6:15 p.m. on the third Thursday at First Baptist Church. Call 260-4653 or visit www.thefriendshipforce.org. Golden K Kiwanis Club meets from 9-10 a.m. Wednesdays at the Redlands Community Center. For details, visit www.gjgoldenk.com. Grand Junction Chess Club meets from 6:30-11:30 p.m. Mondays in the Safeway Starbucks, 2901 F Road. We loan chess sets out at no charge. Visit www.jctchess.com. Grand Junction Gem and Mineral Club meets monthly at 7 p.m. on the second Thursday and 6:30 p.m. on the fourth Thursday at 2328 Monument Road. Email grandjunctionrockclub@ gmail.com Grand Junction Newcomers Club meets monthly at 9:30 a.m. on the second Wednesday at First Christian Church. Call 549-0439. Grand Junction Petroleum & Mining Club meets monthly at 6:30 p.m.

on the third Thursday at Two Rivers Convention Center. Visit www.grand junctionpmc.com.

Grand Junction Toastmasters meets at St. Mary’s Life Center in the second-floor conference room every Tuesday at 7:10 a.m. Grand Mesa Chorus, Sweet Adelines International, rehearses from 6:30-9 p.m. Tuesdays at Redlands United Methodist Church. Call 255-9419 or 523-3464 or visit www.grandmesachorus.org. Grand Valley Pets Alive meets monthly from 4:30-6 p.m. on the third Wednesday at Church of the Nativity. Call 462-7554. Grand Valley Woodcarvers meets at 6 p.m. on the first and third Wednesdays and 1 p.m. on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month at Redlands United Methodist Church. Call 245-8817 or 523-5965. Grand Valley Woodturners meets monthly at 7 p.m. on the second Tuesday at Redlands United Methodist Church. Call 245-8817 or 856-3632. Knitting Club meets monthly from 6:30-8 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday at Community of Christ Church, 2880 B 1/2 Road. Call 623-1455. Mesa County Genealogical Society meets monthly at 7 p.m. on the second Thursday at The Commons of Hilltop and at noon on the fourth Wednesday at the Museum of Western Colorado. Help sessions are at 1 p.m. on the first Friday at a library branch. Call 640-2388. Mt. Garfield Daughters of the American Revolution meets on January 13. Good Citizen Awards will be presented to local area high school seniors who will be honored at a reception. Call 596-4870 for time and location. Not Going Quietly meets monthly from 1:30-3:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesdays at Center for Spiritual Living Grand Junction. This group is

intended to create a space of empowerment, grace, community and wisdom for individuals age 60 and older. Call 433-7799.

Orchard Mesa Lions Club meets monthly at 7 p.m. on the first and third Mondays at the VFW. Call 216-2919. Talk of the Town Toastmasters meets at noon on Thursdays downstairs at the Mesa County Public Library Study Room B. Call 250-3969. Two Rivers Cribbage Club meets Thursdays at the Masonic Center. Call 261-1670. Vestafjell Lodge, Sons of Norway meets at 11:30 a.m. on January 8 at The Egg & I. Call 245-5649 or visit www.vestafjelllodge.org. Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) #3981 meets monthly at 5:30 p.m. on the first Wednesday for a family style dinner and meeting at the Post Hall, 503 1/2 Florence Road in Grand Junction. Call 778-8242.

Western Colorado Amateur Radio Club meets monthly at 9:30 a.m. on the second Saturday at the Civil Patrol Hangar, 2868 Aviators Way. Visit www. w0rrz.org. Western Colorado Astronomy Club meets monthly at 7 p.m. on the first Tuesday at Colorado Mesa University’s Wubben Hall, room 161. Call 8123661 or visit www.wcacastronomy.org. Western Colorado Decorative Artists meets monthly at 9 a.m. on the second Saturday at Grand Junction’s First Congregational Church. Call 640-2751. Western Slope Coin Club meets monthly at 6:30 p.m. the second Wednesday at VFW #1247. Get a free coin/currency evaluation at 5:30 p.m. Visit www.gjcoinshow.com. Western Slope Adventurers meets monthly at 6 p.m. on the second Monday for a potluck and speaker presentation in the Garden Room at the Commons at Hilltop. Call 433-4312. ■

RIVER CITY SINGLES

“Young-at-heart adults getting together for fun and friendship.” Annual membership is $20. Fridays at 5 p.m. - Calling all singles over 50! Meet new friends at Friday Afternoon Club (FAC) in the Hideaway Lounge at the Travelodge on Horizon Drive. Call Beverly at 270-2722 for details. Tuesdays at 9 a.m. - Early Start Breakfast at Denny’s on Horizon Drive. Visitors welcome. Call Debbie at 245-4995 for details. Sundays at 12:30 p.m. - Bowling Sunday at Orchard Mesa Lanes, 295 27 Road. RSVP to Bob at 263-8462. Tuesday, January 16 - Tour CoorsTek on Riverside Parkway at 9:30 a.m. RSVP to Mary at 243-9082. Wednesday, January 17 - Game Day at 2 p.m. RSVP to Mary at 242-0630. Bring a snack. Monday, January 29 - Community Hospital Tour at 9 a.m., followed by brunch at IHOP. RSVP to Judie at 639-2197.

42 FUN & GAMES 4 1 6 2 9

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For the puzzle answers see page 46

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Across 1 Musical symbol 5 Child or Puck, e.g. 9 Deity worshiped as “The Destroyer” 14 The 29th state 15 Blast furnace sound 16 Exhibit supporter 17 Form an opinion 18 Something to grow on 19 American novelist Cather 20 Shadow 23 Asset for Tina Turner 24 Kind of duck 25 Cautiously 28 Unusually intelligent 30 Muscat’s milieu 34 TV’s “___ Smith and Jones” 35 Basket-maker’s willow 37 Elton John song 38 Shadow 41 ATC’s point 42 Explosives ingredient 43 Encumbrances 44 John Reed film bio 46 Coach Shula 47 William Kidd, for one 48 Hand wringer’s feeling

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1 2 4 9 5 6 1 5 7 2 8 3 5 1

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50 Direction from Eden? 51 Shadow 58 Independently 59 Musical McEntire 60 Watch part 62 Ointment 63 “I second that!” 64 Cloudy 65 Completely unfamiliar 66 Indicates yes, in a way 67 Your family is part of one Down 1 Massenet’s “Le ___” 2 Juilliard cofounder 3 Large jug 4 Hereditary 5 Rocky 6 First word in magic 7 Dodge City lawman 8 Ukulele feature 9 Made a dress 10 Coiffure 11 Presque ___, Maine 12 The Sail (southern constellation) 13 Controversial pesticide 21 Wrestling hold 22 Eagles’ hit “___ California”

25 Thin cracker 26 Mervyn Peake novel “Titus ___” 27 Got one’s goat 28 Gray 29 Marina feature 31 She was jilted by Jason 32 Secret one 33 From Bergen 35 Preminger or Graham 36 Dog topper 39 Dentist’s request 40 Like some alibis? 45 Deviate 47 Praiseful songs 49 Time and again 50 Slackened 51 What Castro calls home? 52 1995 hurricane 53 West African republic 54 Mediterranean port 55 Temp’s pad 56 Get closer to 57 Knock for a loop 61 Salinger’s grain

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ANTIQUES, APPRAISALS, ESTATE SALES With over 40 years in the antique, appraisal and estate sale business, Great American Estate Sales is the valley’s leader in appraisals and estate liquidation. Settling an estate, moving into a smaller home or just simplifying your lifestyle? Great American Estate Sales can provide a worry-free and quick solution. Free consultation. 216-0048.

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war, or she saw or not he time wrote of whether who at one Regardless States of is someone the United a veteran a check to of “up to, in the amount It’s hard America my life.” and including Indeed, than that. to give more gave all, but all some veterans given some of have veterans our freedom. to protect themselves of the stories and publishing the human By writing to tell we are able these veterans local veterans, honor of of war. In Day, we have experience of Veterans to do just and in observance efforts forward of the put our best special issue that in this Senior Newspaper. BEACON

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46 KUDOS & KVETCH

kudos \ ku·dos  “I absolutely love the December issue. Great job! It is just beautiful. You should all listen to James Taylor’s version of ‘Auld Lang Syne’— the song nobody knows. He does a wonderful version in an authentic accent and it is just yummy!” - Mary  “Cloie, thanks again for introducing yourself at the Light Up a Life event. Great to meet you in person. Also, nice job on the photos and Stephanie wrote a really nice feature. We appreciate it!” - Callie Varra, HopeWest  “Thought [Melanie Wiseman] might be interested in this: In April 2015, I was on a river cruise through the wine regions of France. On this cruise was a group of seven men. One of them was celebrating a birthday. That evening, two of the men had obtained permission to put on a show for their friend in the lounge, and we were all invited. It was an uproarious comedy show—both men played the piano and sang. We found out that the main singer was Drew Jansen, who wrote the music and lyrics for five different ‘Church Basement Ladies’ musicals. The main piano player was James Martin III, who usually toured with Carmel Quinn—the famous singer on the old ‘Arthur Godfrey Show.’ Back by popular demand, the duo provided another evening’s entertainment. Drew sang a song he’d written, which included the name of every known automobile. ‘Basement’ musicals are still playing everywhere—wouldn’t it be fun if some local group took this production on?” - Jane F.

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When the life you planned backfires By Laverne H. Bardy

’m on the computer every day to write. It’s a daily objective that’s easily accomplished, but not without distractions from incoming emails that contain videos of puppies and babies doing adorable things. I’m always compelled to stop what I’m doing and watch. It’s no wonder I don’t get much done. The videos that particularly hold me in abeyance are those that showcase graceful, athletic octogenarians performing activities that people half their age might find daunting. They jitterbug at a brisk tempo with supreme agility. They run marathons and scale mountains like mountain goats and rollerblade like fearless teenagers. These inspirational videos point out what I’ve heard so often: Age is merely a state of mind. While these videos certainly encourage and motivate, mostly, they just piss me off. Thats because my plan for aging was different from the one I’m living. I hoped to be a shining example of what our later years should be. I was going to parachute jump and zip line, throw rowdy parties and dance with abandon. I would wear flashy costume jewelry, spike heels and travel the world alone. I looked forward to shrugging off rules and being unconventional. Like those videos, my goal was to galvanize senior couch potatoes into action. I was well on my way to living that dream when the universe yanked my arm and shouted, “Whoa! Slow down, lady. That ain’t gonna happen. Time to focus on Plan B.” It wasn’t long before Plan B reared its ugly head and took over. All I could do was watch. Fun was replaced with various levels of pain: debilitating arthritis, two knee replacements, one hip replacement, atrial fibrillation and constant shoulder and neck discomfort. Plan B required a whole different

mindset. There would be no traveling, rollerblading, bungee jumping or fast dancing. The most physical thing I would do is press the start button on my Jazzy Scooter. I could still throw parties and wear party hats, but I would be more of a spectator than a participant. It was during this self-pitying period of my life that another type of video captured my attention—videos of severely disabled men and women triumphing over their disabilities and accomplishing tasks far beyond anyone’s belief. Some of them were missing limbs. One young woman was born without the entire lower half of her body. Watching the spirit and determination of these incredible human beings brought me to my knees. These superheroes had ignored naysayers. With blind conviction, they forged ahead and made their dreams come true. I was embarrassed. I hadn’t even attempted some of the activities I assumed I could no longer do. I’d accepted my limitations as the final word. How dare I whine because this latter part of my life didn’t turn out the way I planned. Wasn’t it enough that I was still here at my age? Wasn’t it fantastic that I had no debilitating illness that confined me to bed? And, even if I couldn’t do all I wanted, it wasn’t as though there weren’t activities I could still enjoy. I may not be able to jitterbug, but I can snap my fingers to the beat, sing out loud and sway in my chair. So, yes, age is a state of mind—and by “mind” I mean “attitude.” My father was a God-fearing man. His response to any question involving the future was always the same: “If we live and we’re well.” I never knew why he was so seemingly negative. It made sense years later when I came upon a Yiddish proverb, “Man plans and God laughs.” My father understood that the outcome of any plan is not entirely up to us. ■

JANUARY 2018

kvetch \ kfech  “You always do such a great job each month, and I enjoy seeing what all may be in your newspaper. Regarding ‘A raise in Social Security for 2018: Rejoice or regret?’ [in December’s BEACON], a part had written as “other SS-related figures will also adjust in 2018.” So using your mathematical figures for 2018, this will apply fairly close: 1) Medicare medical insurance will increase from $110 to $134 ($24 deduction); 2) if one has a Part D Medicare prescription drug plan (examples), an increase will show a deduction of $5 to $6, depending on what company is being used. Therefore, adding adjustments of $24, plus $5 to $6, this comes up $29 to $30. The example used was for a 2% (COLA) increase that would give a benefit of $30. Therefore, in reality, one may have a whole $1 increase for 2018, if any at all, or may actually have a reduction. You used the terminology of a whopping increase, but my feeling is a sobbing change made.” - Art B.

FUN & GAMES Game answers from page 43

3 5 4 7 1 8 9 6 2

6 1 9 4 2 3 8 5 7

2 7 8 6 5 9 1 4 3

8 2 3 5 7 4 6 1 9

5 9 1 3 6 2 4 7 8

7 4 6 8 9 1 3 2 5

1 6 2 9 3 7 5 8 4

9 8 7 1 4 5 2 3 6

4 3 5 2 8 6 7 9 1

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