March FPA

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March 2019 | Vol. 45 | No. 3 | 24 pp.

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A FLAIR FOR FUNDRAISING David Josef designs women’s special-occasion wear while fundraising for worthy causes page 12

Cover photo – Courtesy Mara Sheehan, WAC-TV, The Waltham Channel. Inset photos: (top) David Josef and the Rev. Liz Walker promote the 2018 Faith in Fashion fundraiser with WCVB-TV’s “City Line” host Karen Ward. (bottom) David Josef with NBC 10 Boston anchor Natasha Verma at the 2018 Fashion to the Rescue fundraiser at Fenway Johnnie’s in Boston.

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AARP Massachusetts 2019 legislative priorities

By Mike Festa, State Director AARP Massachusetts

A

s we enter a new legislative session, AARP Massachusetts is hard at work fighting for our 800,000 members in the Bay State. This session, AARP has submitted new bills to the Legislature to help workers to save for retirement and Mike Festa to support family caregivers through a tax credit.

House Docket #1405/Senate Docket #786 – An Act to Establish the Family Caregiving Tax Credit Sponsored by Representative David Rogers (D-24th Middlesex) and Senator Jason Lewis (D-5th Middlesex)

This bill, which made it to the end of the legislative process last year without a vote, would establish a tax credit that reimburses caregivers for a portion of what they spend to care for a loved one at home.

A recent study by the AARP Public Policy Institute shows that the average family caregiver spends almost $7,000 a year out-of-pocket to help care for their loved ones, which amounts to, on average, 20 percent of their total income. An Act to Establish the Family Caregiver Tax Credit would establish a tax credit, capped at $1,500 per year, which reimburses family members for a portion of qualified expenses related to caring for adult family members who need assistance with activities of daily living.

Massachusetts family caregivers provided 786 million hours of unpaid care, valued at about $11.6 billion, in 2015. Most people who receive assistance at home rely ex-

clusively on unpaid family caregivers for help. Some 69 percent of Massachusetts adults report feeling stressed while trying to balance a job and their caregiving responsibilities. More than half (55 percent) of family caregivers report being overwhelmed by the amount of care their family member needs.

House Docket #2958/Senate Docket #1902 - An Act to Establish the Massachusetts Secure Choice Retirement Program and Expand the Massachusetts CORE Plan to All Employers Sponsored by Representative Tram Nguyen (D-18th Essex) and Senator Pat Jehlen (D-2nd Middlesex) Nearly half of workers in Massachusetts have no access to a retirement savings plan through their employers. A secure retirement is out of reach for over one million Massachusetts residents, especially those who work for themselves or small businesses.

While Social Security is a critical piece of the puzzle, it is not enough to depend on. Many future retirees will not be able to handle the rising cost of basic needs and health care.

An Act to Establish the Massachusetts Secure Choice Retirement Program and Expand the Massachusetts CORE Plan to All Employers, (HD. 2958/ SD.1902) would expand the existing “Connecting Organizations to Retirement” (CORE) plan so that all employers could participate. The act would also create the Massachusetts Secure Choice Retirement Program. Secure Choice makes it easier for businesses to offer employees a way to save for retirement out of their regular paycheck, and it is an easy, stress-free way to grow retirement savings so you can take control of your future.

Each of these bills will improve the lives of older residents of AARP | page 3

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Kids Connect: A place for children to learn and grow

By Janice Elizabeth Berte Contributing Writer

O

PHOTOS/SUBMITTED

n a sunny afternoon in Natick, several middle school students converge in a large room and gain self-confidence, learn new skills, and improve their self-image.

The place is called Kids Connect.

This nonprofit organization is a tutoring resource center for children to achieve higher grades and excel in their classrooms.

Debra Sayre, owner and program director of Kids Connect, started this business in 1999.

Sayre has a masters of education degree, and is a social worker with a long history of working with children and adults with drug addiction and behavioral issues.

When she moved to Natick, she noticed there was a need for children to find a safe place to hang out, but also wanted to create a tutoring facility that provided educational tools for the improvement of students’ grades.

“My vision was to provide children in all grades in the community with access to creative, individualized tutoring in a variety of subjects. I believe that children who are secure in their ability to learn have better emotional resiliency and become more self-confident throughout their lives,” Sayre said.

Once she opened her doors, a wide variety of young people

Tutor Karen Liptak teaches a middle school student at Kids Connect.

Debra Sayre

came, including children of immigrants, single-parent homes, low-income families and affluent backgrounds. At the center, the teachers sit down with their students to determine what their needs are and create a plan to achieve better grades. Many of these kids need to pass courses to graduate or simply to receive encouragement and guidance.

Kids Connect is open from 2:30 to 8 p.m., but it remains open if a student needs to complete their session. They serve children in grades 1-12 focusing on math, language arts, chemistry, geometry, algebra and physics. The rate is free to $60 per hour depending on the families’ income, and scholarships are available. The center collaborates with several schools and other

and passion for her students has continued to grow over the years and the children have benefitted from her commitment.

Kids Connect is located at 43 Main St., Natick. For more information, visit www. kids-connect.org or contact Sayre at debras@kids-connect. org or 508-652-4211.

agencies in the town to enhance the educational needs of Natick’s youth. Sixty-five students come through these doors per week, and no child is left behind.

Sayre has continued to follow the lives of her past students. Some of have become truck drivers, one an assistant football coach, and one attended graduate school. Her love

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AARP Massachusetts 2019 legislative priorities AARP | from page 2

Massachusetts, whether by helping workers save for retirement, or by supporting the commonwealth’s 844,000 family caregivers.

We could use your help in advancing this legislation. If you would like to advocate for the passage of these bills, please call your elected representatives at the State House at 617-722-2000 and ask them for their support. If you

would like to become a volunteer advocate for AARP Massachusetts, please contact Austin Hodge at ahodge@aarp.org.

Archives of articles from previous issues can be read at www. fiftyplusadvocate.com.

Mike Festa is the state director for AARP Massachusetts. Archives of articles from previous issues can be read at www.fiftyplusadvocate.com.

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Aging is inevitable. Decline is optional. Which do you choose?

By Dr. Keith Darrow, PhD Hearing & Balance Centers of New England

H

umans have always longed for the fountain of youth. We always try to live another day. But how is it that some of us do it better, i.e. live longer than others?

This question has puzzled scientists forever. There have been Dr. Keith Darrow n u m e r o u s longitudinal “aging studies” that have given us insight as to what helps some of us live a longer and more enriched life.

For years I have traveled the country and written countless pieces on the impact of hearing health on the human brain. Re-

search has taught us that hearing loss can increase the risk of developing Dementia by as much as 200-500 percent! There are a number of correlating factors including social isolation, cerebral atrophy (i.e. brain shrinkage that results from a loss of neurons), and cognitive overload (i.e. “living with hearing loss is like driving your brain 60mph in second gear!”)

Even more important are the recent reports that indicate that the early treatment of hearing loss is the single most modifiable lifestyle factor for the prevention of Dementia. Hints in the literature note that treatment of hearing loss can slow the diseases of cognitive decline, memory loss and Dementia.

Dementia is not a normal part of aging. Hearing loss is not a normal part of aging. Neither are cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, etc. The only normal part of aging is…aging! There

are many lifestyle factors that contribute to the disorders I just listed – but for most of them, they are considered preventable, and there are readily available and effective treatments, including those for hearing loss.

There are many contributing factors to overall quality of life and health care as we age. Some of the most important factors for a long and healthy life are seemingly obvious; for example - lose weight and stop smoking. Most people, though, are surprised to learn that the #1 and #2 most important lifestyle factors for living a long life are social integration and close relationships with others. And nothing is more integral at achieving these two goals than proper hearing health care. After all, hearing is our lifeline to communicating and socializing with our family, loved ones and community.

You can visit www.DrDar-

rowReports.com to read more details that I have laid out in my recent report “Hearing Your Way To a Long, Healthy and More Fulfilling Life.” This report includes a comprehensive review of the current scientific literature, along with helpful lifestyle tips, to help you live a long and healthy life. This report is part of our overall series, including “The 9 Transformative Tips Proven to Reduce Your Risk of Dementia” and my #1 Amazon best-selling book, “Stop Living In Isolation”.

These were written to help all people in our communities live a longer, healthier and more fulfilling life as we age.

I thank you for taking the time to read this, and I’m honored to be a new contributing author for the readers of the Fifty Plus Advocate.

For more information call 508-794-3542 or visit hearingandbalancene.com.

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Attorneys, Elder Law

Medical Research Studies

Assisted Living-Rest Homes

Inside this issue Group provides therapy and comradery for those with Parkinson’s disease

page

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A passion for poetry

page

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Publisher: David Bagdon Managing Editor: Bonnie Adams ext. 14 Creative Director: Tina Berthiaume

Harvard University ..................18

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Fifty Plus Advocate is published monthly, 12 times annually by Bagdon Advertising, 32 South Street, Westborough, MA 01581.

Fifty Plus Advocate accepts no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts or materials and does not return them to sender. Retractions for any inaccuracies will be printed when necessary.

Unsolicited letters to the editor become the property of this newspaper and can be reprinted in part or in whole unless otherwise stated. Fifty Plus Advocate columnists writing under a byline are expressing their personal opinions and not necessarily those of the newspaper.

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Group provides therapy and comradery for Parkinson’s patients

By Melanie Petrucci Senior Community Reporter

PHOTOS/MELANIE PETRUCCI

Shrewsbury – Something special happens on Monday mornings at the First Congregational Church in Shrewsbury. A group of people gather for choir practice but this isn’t an ordinary church choir – it’s the Parkinson’s Chorus of Central Massachusetts. It is one of the church’s outreach programs.

On Feb. 4, the “Parkies” as they call themselves, were practicing for an upcoming concert with a Valentine’s theme. They will also perform selections from The Beatles songbook at an event in March at the Southgate Retirement Community in Shrewsbury.

Formed in 2015, the group is made up of about 15 enthusiastic participants from the greater Worcester area.

Volunteer facilitator David Russell said that for many, Mondays are their favorite day of the week. There is no fee to join and

Chorus with Director Denis Coughlin (right)

no signing experience is needed.

Songs range from easy pop tunes to the old standards and ballads.

“The chorus is accompanied

by Curtis Smith who is the music director of the First Congregational Church and the director is Denis Coughlin who is also the music director from Prince of Peace Parish in Princeton,” Russell noted.

The chorus is supported by a grant from the American Parkinson Disease Association’s Massa-

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chusetts Chapter and was formed by a group of people who had participated in a clinical research project to study the effects of singing as a treatment for lost vocal strength, one consequence of the disease.

David Lucht, 76, of Shrewsbury and Wendy Driscoll, 77, from Westborough were members of this research group that was conducted at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Lucht has had the disease for seven years while Driscoll has lived with it for 18.

“Initially we started out under the direction of the speech therapist from UMass who was doing research on whether singing had a positive effect on breathing and sound-making in Parkinson’s patients,” Driscoll explained. “We met for 10 consecutive Saturdays here at the First Congregational Church and we had a concert at the end of that 10-week period for the Worcester Parkinson’s Association.”

Driscoll noted that they were excited that there was an improvement in their vocal strength and

Best friends Jacqui Dempsey (left) and Wendy Driscoll

breathing after the 10-week timeframe. Even though the study was complete, they decided they wanted to continue singing.

“People think of people with Parkinson’s as Mohammad Ali and Michael J. Fox, people who shake - it’s a minor part of the disease. It’s a brain disease and it depends on which part of the brain is affected as to what your symptoms are,” Lucht added. “Speech and breathing is a big one for us and that is why we are singing.”

Driscoll has been involved with choral singing most of her life but it got to a point where she had difficulties holding a note so she thought her singing days had come to an end.

Lucht had no prior singing experience but was eager to give it a try. When not singing, he is an amateur portrait artist.

Both agree that coming to choir practice is one of the best parts of their week.

For more information about the chorus, contact David Russell at dasrusl@charter.net or 508753-1660.

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‘Write On!’ Author shares tips on how anyone can enjoy writing

By Barbara Allen Contributing Writer

I

rene Hannigan has a confession: “For most of my adult life, I’ve been masquerading as a writer.”

For the Lexington resident, whose personal and professional life has incorporated the roles of teacher, staff developer, curriculum specialist, parent and elementary school principal, writing has always played a significant part in helping her capture important moments along the way.

Although Hannigan has three books to her credit and has published numerous articles in educational journals and teaching magazines, publication has not been the goal for her writing.

“I’m someone who likes to write,” she said.

She finds that recording her observations, making notations in her ever-present notebook, calms her. She recalled how, during her busy life as a principal, each Saturday morning she would head to her favorite local coffeeshop, take out her notebook and, through her writing, process her week. She only wrote for the length of time that it took her to finish a small coffee but, acknowledges Hannigan, “It was my lifeline.”

Her third and newest book, “Write On! How to Make Writing a Pleasurable Pastime,” was created with writers like herself in mind - those who want to make writing an enjoyable part of their daily routine. The book

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PHOTO/SUBMITTED

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Irene Hannigan

is packed with tips on everything from selecting the right notebook to starting a writers’ group.

“I wanted a book that was for regular people, who want to get pleasure from writing,” explained Hannigan, “not necessarily [wanting something] about crafting a finished product. It is not a book of writing prompts.”

“People are rich with ideas,” she added, “especially older people.”

“Write On!” recommends several ways, other than prompts, for writers to express those ideas as well as establish and maintain a productive writing routine.

As basic as it may sound, selecting the proper notebook is crucial to the establishment of that routine. Hannigan cautioned that it shouldn’t be too fancy or precious. In the section of her book entitled “Starting a Writer’s Notebook,” she explains why:

“You want a notebook you don’t mind messing up. If it looks too precious, you might have a tendency to censor your efforts.

Remember that you are just collecting ideas.”

The concept of “free writing,” which Hannigan credits to author Peter Elbow, from his book “Writing with Power,” is a technique which she mentions in her book as a way to help writers abandon the idea that each writing session needs to produce a finished product.

“Free-writing,” simply put, is the process of unloading on paper, letting ideas flow, without waiting for inspiration or a deadline.

Another technique, developed by Hannigan herself, is one which she refers to as “Word Photos.” Each day she pretends to take a “photo” of something that has caught her attention.

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vation. In her book, she gives an example of how a “Word Photo” might look: “January 15 ‘Apple Tree outside My Kitchen Window.’”

Later in the day, Hannigan will add a few sentences that will embellish that snippet of writing. “’Word Photos’ are a great way of building a routine,” she said.

Using these techniques, “one can accumulate a fair amount of work that can often be later used as part of a finished piece,” Hannigan noted. And, although publication is not the reason she writes, she added: “All my [published] articles have started out as random jottings.”

Hannigan’s book, “Write On! How to Make Writing a Pleasurable Pastime” is available on Amazon. She is also the author of “A Principal’s Journey: The School as My Classroom,” and “Off to School: A Parent’s-Eye View of the Kindergarten Year.”

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A passion for poetry

By Barbara Allen Contributing Writer

PHOTO/SUBMITTED

“I’ve always cared about poetry,” admitted Arlington resident Cathie Desjardins. This is not a surprising statement coming from Arlington’s Poet Laureate and teacher of “Reckless Poetry,” her current class being offered by Arlington Community Education. Desjardin cares deeply about poetry, and her hope is that she will encourage others to care about it, too.

For Desjardins, a lifelong educator and writer, teaching and poetry writing have always gone hand in hand. She also feels that reading is an important part of the poetry writing process.

“Teaching, writing and reading are pretty much a trifecta,” observed Desjardins. “If you want to write poetry, you should be reading a lot of poems. Teaching poetry helps you go deeper into the poems.”

Cathie Desjardins

“Cathie is incredible,” said Liza Halley, chair of the Poet Laureate Committee. “Her passion for poetry is infectious.”

Arlington’s Poet Laureate program has been in existence since 2015. The position, which is open to Arlington residents only, is both honorary and voluntary. Those interested go through an application and interview

process. Once the Poet Laureate is chosen, he or she is then confirmed by the Board of Selectmen. The appointment is for one year, annually renewable for a total of three years. Desjardins’ tenure as Poet Laureate will end in the fall of 2019.

“It has been a lot of fun!” she said.

She recalled several collab-

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orative projects: curating poems for the talking poetry chair at the Robbins Library, encouraging haiku writers for the Minuteman Bikeway Haiku and helping participants at the Arlington International Film Festival peck out their observations about movies on manual typewriters. When trees along the Bikeway were “yarn bombed” during the public art installation called “Ripple,” Desjardins overheard a child saying, “It looks like the trees are wearing sweaters.” Inspired by the child’s whimsy, she spent one Sunday collecting descriptions and remarks from people about the trees and incorporated their words into a poem. She also facilitates a drop-in poetry group, known as the Beehive Poets, which meets monthly at the Robbins Library, and has been involved in numerous poetry events.

As Poet Laureate, Desjardins Poetry | page 9

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A passion for poetry Poetry | from page 8

said that she has especially loved visiting the schools during April to celebrate National Poetry Month with the children. A favorite activity was one in which she directed second-graders at Thompson Elementary School to look through jeweler’s loupes (specialized magnifying glasses) at items she had collected from nature: shells, pine cones, acorns.

The students then had to draw the item and write a poem about their drawing.

“Poetry is really about paying attention to things,” Desjardins noted.

Her class, “Reckless Poetry,” encourages students to heighten their level of attention. In one exercise, Desjardins asks that they share an observation of something they saw on their way to class, such as a pregnant woman scraping snow off her car. The resultant “round robin” of shared observations generates ideas that may eventually become part of a poem.

Desjardins wants her students to know that she is also “paying attention.” At the start of the term, she had class members write on an index card what they would like to have happen in the course, and their goals upon course completion.

Some aspiring poets, Desjardins noted, are intimidated by poetry because of the way it had been taught to them in school, by the focus on more technical aspects, such as rhyme and meter. Through weekly writing exercises, reading and analyzing the work of other poets for structure and content, she works on building the student goals and expectations expressed at the beginning of the class All the pretty horses into the course.

As a teacher

By Cathie Desjardins and Poet Laureate, finding time The baby cries when they leave the room for her own poetry They’re torn: out in the world, writing “has been a separation wears them thin challenge,” admitbut so does carrying, carrying, ted Desjardins, who carrying him. keeps a journal in At night they’ve taken to creeping her purse, another From his room on all fours. by her bedside, to If desire could create a ghost-double, capture ideas. She is currently at work on they’d leave a doppelganger her second book of standing by his crib. poems, a collection They buy tapes of lullabies and soon celebrating anothhe learns to drift away on that er of her passions: ocean of sound. Coming in to stop gardening. Her first the loop of music, they’re snared book, “With Child,” by the songs. is available on AmWhy is every lullaby so sad? Lilting songs azon. of treasures, small pleasures, are mineshafts “It’s important to caves of regret as if we’d swallowed to keep generata stone of sorrow. ing as much as you can,” she pointed Nights, out, “whenever and one parent or the other however you can.” can be found weeping, hand Odds and ends, hovering over the stop button. scraps of ideas, In the glow of the nightlight, can eventually get they look at the angel face, pulled into poetry. lashes drooped on cheeks, “It’s good to have of the child they’ve taught a lot of stuff,” obto sleep served Desjardins. apart “It’s great to just from them. express yourself.”

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Hudson couple to run Boston Marathon for Hopkinton respite center

By Ed Karvoski Jr. Culture Editor

PHOTO/SUBMITTED

Hudson/Hopkinton – Monica and Steve Burnett of Hudson work at Dell EMC in Hopkinton and are active members of the Highland City Striders (HCS) running club. On Monday, April 15, they’ll run their second Boston Marathon with a team that consists of many Dell EMC employees and benefits the Michael Lisnow Respite Center in Hopkinton. This marks the 21st year that the respite center has organized a marathon team.

According to the team’s CrowdRise page, “As we begin 2019 and our 21st Boston Marathon season, our goal is to continue to increase respite and support services for families trying to survive the challenges of raising a child with disabilities. Last year the respite center raised just over $600,000 with a team of 72 runners. These funds made it possi-

caption

Monica and Steve Burnett

ble to grant scholarships and also provide over 40,000 hours of service to families in need.”

The Burnetts are relatively new runners. Monica began running in 2011, then joined HCS two years later. She persuaded Steve to start running in 2014.

Explaining their runners’ network, Monica shared, “I didn’t join HCS right away because I was afraid they’d all be super-fast and snobby. Turned out, that’s completely opposite of what HCS is. I’ve volunteered for so many charitable races through this running club. Whenever somebody needs something, everyone shows up.”

Prior to Dell acquiring EMC in 2016, annual raffles were traditionally conducted with bibs given to employees for the respite center’s team. Monica entered the raffle four consecutive years. A raffle wasn’t done for the 2017 marathon team, she noted.

Marathon | page 11

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• 11

Hudson couple to run Boston Marathon for Hopkinton respite center Monica and Steve Burnett

Marathon | from page 10

The Burnetts were pleasantly surprised with bibs offered via a phone call in mid-February 2017. At the time, Monica had done two marathons elsewhere; Steve had yet to run one. With only seven weeks to train and fundraise, they collected nearly $10,000 and completed the 2017 Boston Marathon in slightly over five hours.

“You can’t turn down the Boston Marathon,” Steve declared. “The crowd gives you the energy to keep going. Turning onto Boylston Street, I could see the finish line, but it seemed so far away. I had calf spasms and runners helped me finish in a respectable time. The running community is amazing.”

After volunteering at last year’s Boston Marathon, the Burnetts initially considered waiting to run it again in 2020 to commemorate their 25th wedding anniversary. Instead,

The crowd gives you the energy to keep going. Turning onto Boylston Street, I could see the finish line, but it seemed so far away. I had calf spasms and runners helped me finish in a respectable time. The running community is amazing.

Steve Burnett

they decided to get bibs and start fundraising with donations from work colleagues on Giving Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2018. Training commenced soon afterward.

“Dell matches employees’ charitable donations up to $10,000 per year,” Monica explained. “We got a couple thousand dollars right away.”

On Feb. 2, they hosted an organic meat shoot fundraiser at Hudson-Concord Elks Lodge 959. Among their supporters were fellow HCS members.

The Burnetts’ Boston Marathon goals this year are to improve their finish times and surpass $10,000 for the respite center.

“It’s wonderful that the respite center gives us the opportunity to run the marathon and we’re able to give back to them,” Steve said.

To donate online, visit crowdrise.com/monicaandsteveburnett; then click “Michael’s Miracle.”

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Fashion designer creates a flair for fundraising

By Ed Karvoski Jr. Culture Editor

David Josef wears a lab coat inscribed with “Doctor Josef,” presented to him at Fashion from the Heart, a benefit for an outreach program of Dartmouth-Hitchcock’s Heart & Vascular Center, held in 2018 at Hanover Inn in Hanover, N.H.

David Josef with NBC 10 Boston anchor Natasha Verma at the 2018 Fashion to the Rescue fundraiser at Fenway Johnnie’s in Boston

to NYC,” he shared. “I saved enough money to open my own shop in Lexington and have been doing this ever since.”

Josef began building his clientele in 1977 while gaining notoriety via Boston-based news-

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Waltham/Boston – For over four decades, David Josef of Waltham has professionally designed women’s special-occasion wear while fundraising for worthy causes.

His clients have included Cher, Gladys Knight, Cyndi Lauper, Judith Light, Diana Ross and Dionne Warwick. In 2018, The Improper Bostonian magazine named him “Best Wedding-Gown Designer,” and the Boston Fashion Awards honored his lifetime of achievements.

“Making clothes is a very good living and I love my clients – but I tend to get bored,” he acknowledged. “The philanthropic work perks me up.”

Raised in North Providence, R.I., Josef learned to sew as a youngster observing his mother working in her dressmaking and alteration shop. He began fundraising by making costumes for backyard shows that benefited the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

At age 16, he created an outfit for actress Kaye Ballard, costar of NBC-TV’s sitcom “The Mothers-in-Law.” After Ballard thanked Josef on Merv Griffin’s nationally-syndicated television talk show, she wrote her teenage designer a reference letter to Parsons School of Design in New York City.

“I got accepted into Parsons, but was too scared to go

David Josef with Boston’s then-Mayor Thomas Menino at the wedding of Josef and Danny Forrester on October 26, 2013 (Menino passed away October 30, 2014)

David Josef and Danny Forrester with Cher in 2001 at the now-closed Avalon club on Lansdowne Street in Boston

I learned how to listen. Every client who walks into my studio knows what they want to wear. I’m able to get it from their brain, onto paper and then into fabric.

David Josef paper articles and appearing on WCVB-TV’s “The Good Day Show” as its fashion consultant.

He considers his on-the-job training in Lexington comparable to a college education.

“I learned how to listen,” he noted. “Every client who walks into my studio knows what they want to wear. I’m able to get it from their brain, onto paper and then into fabric.”

In 1980, Josef met Dan-

ny Forrester, now his husband.

They relocated the studio to a loft in Boston’s Copley Square.

Preparing a televised presentation of his holiday collection, Josef‘s request to borrow accessories led to getting his creations into high-end stores nationwide including Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom and Saks Fifth Avenue.

Josef ’s studio expanded in

Josef | page 13

www.fiftyplusadvocate.com + March 2019 + fiftyplus advocate

• 13

Fashion designer creates a flair for fundraising Josef | from page 12

1986 to a 3,500-square-foot loft in Boston’s South End. After business hours, the space often hosted fundraising fashion shows for the AIDS Action Committee and Fenway Community Health Center.

“When AIDS came about, a lot of our friends were dying,” he explained. “It was a very difficult time, but it was easy for me to do shows because I had huge collections that I could put on a runway. All my beautiful models – who I still work with to this day – were 18-, 19-, 20-years-old. Now they’re in their 50s and 60s, and still gorgeous. We’ve become a Boston fashion family.”

Consistent attendees at these fundraisers were Boston’s then-Mayor Thomas Menino and his wife Angela, for whom Josef designed. On Josef ’s 40th birthday, Menino proclaimed July 7, 1997, “David Josef Day.” Menino’s proclamation commended Josef ’s “significant contributions to many worthwhile charities including women’s and AIDS-related organizations.” Josef fondly remembers Menino visiting his office soon after Massachusetts became the first state to legally recognize same-sex marriage in 2004.

“Tom said, ‘Make sure to tell me when you and Danny get married because I want to be there for you,’” Josef recalled.

In 2007, Josef learned that his landlord sold the South

David Josef and the Rev. Liz Walker promote the 2018 Faith in Fashion fundraiser with WCVB-TV’s “City Line” host Karen Ward

End building and they had 45 days to vacate. On the same day, Josef ’s mother called to tell him that her brain cancer returned.

“My mother died within the 45-day period that we needed to move,” he said. “I was like a walking zombie.”

He accepted an invitation from iconic designer Yolanda Cellucci to relocate his business to her Waltham studio. In 2008, Cellucci retired and David Josef Fashions opened at its current location, 846 Lexington St. in Waltham.

When Josef and Forrester married in 2013, Menino was among their guests.

“It was a week before Tom announced that he had cancer,”

Josef noted. “He was a dear friend.”

Among Josef ’s most recent philanthropic efforts is Fashion to the Rescue for animal rescue

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causes. Held annually at various Boston venues, it benefitted the Arizona-based Aimee’s Farm Animal Sanctuary from 2015 to 2017. The 2018 benefitting charity was Swampscott’s Blue Ridge founded by Danielle Murr of WAAF-FM. Over $500,000 was raised in four years.

In 2017 and 2018, Josef partnered with the Rev. Liz Walker, former television journalist and current pastor of the Roxbury Presbyterian Church, to present Faith in Fashion at Newton’s American Legion Post 440. The fundraiser benefits the Cory Johnson Program for Post-Traumatic Healing.

Nearly $200,000 was raised in two years.

“I moved to Waltham to retire, but my career has never been bigger or better – or more enjoyable,” Josef said. “I’m grateful that I’ve survived all these years.”

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Performing musicals from Boston to Broadway and beyond

By Ed Karvoski Jr. Culture Editor

PHOTO/MATTHEW MURPHY

Mary Callanan

years in Boston’s North End at the now-closed Theatre Lobby. She and castmates shared Broadway-bound dreams.

“We’d drive to NYC at five in the morning, two or three days a week, to audition while we were still doing ‘Nunsense’ at Theatre Lobby,” she recalled.

While Callanan worked steadily at Boston-area theaters, her commutes for NYC auditions continued with particular interest in the free-spirited character Rosie in “Mamma Mia!”

adventurous energetic

PHOTO/MATTHEW MURPHY

Brighton/Weymouth – Musical theater actress and cabaret entertainer Mary Callanan covers a lot of ground. A Brighton native, she divides time living in New York City and visiting her home in Weymouth. She has travelled to work on Broadway, regional theaters throughout New England and beyond, national touring companies, and the Asia tour of “The Sound of Music” starring Marie Osmond.

Callanan debuted onstage with a community theater while majoring in music business at UMass Lowell before graduating in 1985. Around that time, she and singer-pianist Brian Patton began their 30-plus-year cabaret collaboration in Boston, Provincetown and NYC. In 1990, Callanan got hired for “Nunsense” in East Windsor, Conn., followed by several

Mary Callanan as Jean Ann Ryan in “Bandstand” on Broadway in 2017

Multiple auditions for the show throughout six years resulted in landing the role for its national tour beginning in 2010.

“Rosie has the best lines and song in the show – and she gets to kiss the boy, which is rare for a character woman,” Callanan noted. “The audience identified with me because I looked like 70 percent of them.”

Among the tour’s stops in 2012 was the Boston Opera House. Callanan and castmates performed at the Esplanade’s Fourth of July celebration. The same week, she sang the national anthem prior to a Red Sox game.

“That was the best week ever!” she proclaimed. “If something tragic happened to me, it would be okay because I played ‘Mamma Mia!’ in my home-

town, and sang at the Hatch Shell and Fenway Park. It was nerve-wracking, but really fun and exciting.”

After completing the tour in 2013, Callanan followed supportive advice from her husband Larry Finlayson to get a NYC residence to ease the auditioning process. Nine weeks later, she was hired for the Broadway revival of “Annie” to play Mrs. Pugh and understudy Miss Hannigan. Callanan got the good news by phone while outside the House of Blues Boston across from Fenway Park as she prepared for a fundraiser for the youth empowerment program Urban Improv.

“The casting director said, ‘You just booked your first Broadway show,’” she relayed. “At the time, Callanan | page 15

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• 15

Performing musicals from Boston to Broadway and beyond

Mary Callanan in “’68” at New York Music Festival in 2018

PHOTO/BRAD FOWLER, SONG OF MYSELF PHOTOGRAPHY

PHOTO/SUBMITTED

Callanan | from page 14

Mary Callanan and Brian Patton

Alison Ewing, Judy McLane and Mary Callanan in “Mamma Mia!” on Broadway in 2015

I was staring at Fenway Park, which for a Bostonian is like a cathedral, and someone is telling me that all my dreams are coming true.”

Callanan portrayed Rosie again in the 2014 Las Vegas production of “Mamma Mia!” She was selected to join the Broadway cast in 2015 during the show’s final several months

of performances concluding a nearly 14-year run.

“It’s a moment in time when a historic show ends and you’re lucky enough to be a part of it,” she said. “As fun as it was doing the final show, it was sad because PHOTO/DAVY MACK ‘Mamma Mia!’ was closing.”

After performing the first national tour of “The Bridges of Madison County” in 2016, Callanan returned to Broadway in 2017 to play Jean Ann Ryan and other roles in “Bandstand” with director-choreographer Andy Blankenbuehler winning the Best Choreography Tony Award. He also won the 2008 choreography Tony for “In the

Heights” and 2016 for “Hamilton.”

“Andy is the most brilliant person on the planet because he can make me feel like a dancer,” Callanan declared. “He put us character actors in the dances, too – and everybody looked good. I owe him for that.”

Fathom Events presented a filmed “Bandstand” production at movie theaters nationwide last summer and fall. Also last year, Callanan performed at the New York Music Festival in “’68,” a show inspired by the volatile 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago.

When visiting Boston, she appreciates reuniting with her longtime cabaret partner Brian Patton for performances at Club Café.

“I loved working in Boston and do miss it, “she shared. “I’d do both if I could, but I’m in NYC now and having a great time. My plan is to absolutely keep working as long as I can.”

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16 •

fiftyplus advocate + March 2019 + www.fiftyplusadvocate.com

Productive aging

By Marianne Delorey, Ph.D.

T

he younger generation has a distinct advantage over the rest of us – they are growing up in a world in which all they have to do is go online to learn any new skill.

Yo u Tu b e and Google are game changers.

Never again will someone have to ask a family member how to get stains out of their clothes, change their oil, or admit to someone else they need help with a skin growth that they can’t identify.

Recently, with a little help from Google, and several hours of reading self-help books and streaming productivity blogs

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on YouTube, I developed a system to keep myself better organized. I noticed, however, that all the books, blogs and videos are geared toward the young. It is as if they think we stop being productive as we age. I thought it would be helpful to let our elders know about habit trackers as a way to help them stay on top of life’s tasks.

A habit tracker is a spreadsheet that has the days of the month running across the top and a list of items to track going down the side. Maybe, like me, you needed the help to remember the last time you watered the plants so you didn’t overwater them. But I found I needed to track more tasks, and for different reasons.

Here are some items that older people might want to track: • Paid bills • Finished to-do list

• Watered plants • Picked up around house • Had quiet time (Read, meditated, or prayed) • Did something creative (knit, write, sing, etc.)

• Called family • Time with friends • Took pet for a walk • Took medications, vitamins • Drank at least four cups of water • Logged food • Ate at least four servings fruit and vegetables • Avoided junk food • Took blood pressure/sugar • Logged weight • Exercised One of the interesting things I learned about myself when starting this tracker was that sometimes the daily tasks I tracked were not supporting bigger goals. Now, I’m spending time figuring out why some tasks are easy for me and how I can make other tasks easier so they get done without a struggle. Learning from both successes and failures is an important process in developing a usable system.

Tracking also helps in emergency situations. For instance, if you log when you are taking your meds and you miss a day, you might figure out more quickly why you are feeling ill. And, if your family or EMTs find you and you can’t speak for yourself, seeing your habit tracker might help them figure out why you are ill (maybe you are diabetic

and they can tell you did not eat recently, for instance).

Tracking also helps establish new habits. Many of us feel very satisfied with ourselves when we get to check something off, so having a checkbox ready to go makes it easier for us to get some self-praise.

I am writing this because finding a system of tracking repetitive tasks was a game changer for me. I am learning about myself. I am keeping my goals front and center. And having my checklist I look at every day has given me peace of mind that I enjoy and am surprised by. And I can say for the first time that I am organized. Not completely, of course, but I am getting there, one checkbox at a time.

Marianne Delorey, Ph.D., is the executive director of Colony Retirement Homes. She can be reached at 508-7550444 or mdelorey@colonyretirement. com and www.colonyretirementhomes. com.

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• 17

Dementia as a global epidemic

By Micha Shalev MHA CDP CDCM

D

ementia is a mental state used to denote severe cognitive impairment which impacts daily activities and life. Alzheimer’s disease is one of the most common forms of dementia and vascular dementia is the other.

Contrary to common belief, the mental decline seen in Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias is beyond memory failure but encompasses a range of cognitive functions including awareness, reasoning, perception, creativity, language and communication. Some diseases and conditions which can be of infectious, metabolic or neurological origin, or traumatic brain injury, can also lead to dementia.

Dementia is becoming a global emergency of epidemic proportions affecting millions of people worldwide. In 2016, 47 million people lived with dementia. By 2050 there will be over 131 million, worldwide, with projections of a 116 percent increase in dementia prevalence in developed countries, and double by comparison to 227 percent for transitional countries and 264 percent for developing countries (Alzheimer’s Disease International 2015; 2016; The Lancet 2015). In research studies there is a tendency to focus on Alzheimer’s disease data, which is expected as it’s the most common form of dementia. As a consequence, data on other forms of dementia are not usually addressed or measured.

Among the ageing population, dementia is the leading chronic disorder and contributor to disability and need for care.

An expanding ageing population means that even if the prevalence of dementia remains constant, the number of people with

Caregiving Tips

dementia will continue to grow.

Any treatment approach that delays the onset and improves the symptoms of dementia will have significant societal and economic benefits.

A new report from Alzheimer’s Disease International, authored by researchers at King’s College London and the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), reveals that most people with dementia have yet to receive a diagnosis, let alone comprehensive and continuing healthcare.

The World Alzheimer Report 2016 notes that improving healthcare for people living with dementia, calls for concerted action to increase the coverage of healthcare for people with dementia worldwide.

Dementia affects 47 million people worldwide and this number will treble by 2050. Currently, only around half of those in high income countries, and one in ten or less in low and middle income countries have received a diagnosis. Expanding coverage of services for increasing numbers of people with dementia can only be achieved – and a crisis averted – by boosting capacity, and the efficiency with which care is delivered.

The report highlights that dementia care being provided mainly by specialist doctors is a key barrier to progress. Greater involvement of non-specialist primary care staff can unlock capacity to meet increasing demand for dementia care, and could make the cost of care per person up to 40 percent cheaper.

Primary care services will need to be strengthened and supported to take on this role, through specialists providing guidance and support. Affordability of new treatments is critical to ensuring equity and social justice for the two-thirds of people with dementia living in low-resourced countries.

Clear care pathways would define roles and responsibilities within the care system, and establish standards to be monitored and met. Care pathways, a struc-

tured and organized approach to the coordination, resourcing and delivery of continuing care, are now a common component of chronic disease care for other conditions including diabetes, hypertension, and cancer care.

Case management supports coordination and integration of care and can help ensure that services are both person-centered and efficient.

The report calls for a radical change in the way healthcare is delivered to people living with dementia, with a rebalancing toward non-specialist primary care, and planned and coordinated inputs from all levels of the health and social care sectors. It em-

phasizes that care must be holistic, continuous and integrated, with a focus on quality of life for people living with dementia and their caregivers, and explicit monitoring of processes and outcomes.

More research is needed into; the cost-effectiveness of case management; the potential for unnecessary hospital admissions to be averted or abbreviated, and the outcomes of hospital admission to be improved; the benefits and harms of advanced care planning, and a palliative care approach; and trials to establish which elements of care can be safely transferred to non-specialist services.

Micha Shalev MHA CDP CDCM CADDCT is the co-owner of The Oasis at Dodge Park, Dodge Park Residential Care and The Adult Day Club at Dodge Park located at 101 and 102 Randolph Road in Worcester. He has a master’s degree in health care management and is a graduate of the National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners program, as well as a well-known speaker covering Alzheimer’s and dementia training topics. He can be reached at 508-853-8180 or by e-mail at m.shalev@dodgepark.com. Archives of articles from previous issues can be read at www.fiftyplusadvocate.com.

18 •

fiftyplus advocate + March 2019 + www.fiftyplusadvocate.com

money matters

The top uses for reverse mortgages

By Alain Valles, CRMP, CSA, MS, MBA Nonprofit Charitable Managing Director

W

e’ve all heard the words “Reverse Mortgage” but so few have had the opportunity to receive the facts. Why is that?

Because reverse mortgages are a very small segment of the mortgage industry. Last year there were about 5,000,000 regular loans done

Reverse Mortgage

Reverse mortgages account for less than 1 percent of all loans and that is why there are so few dedicated trustworthy professionals investing their time to educate homeowners. but only around 50,000 reverse mortgages. Reverse mortgages account for less than 1 percent of all loans and that is why there are so few dedicated trustworthy professionals investing their time to educate homeowners.

As Managing Director of the self-funded nonprofit charitable mortgage company, Helping Hands Community Partners, our mission is to educate people about housing options - includ-

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ing reverse mortgages.

Below are examples of why homeowners turn to a reverse mortgage to achieve their retirement goals: • Increase monthly cash flow • Pay off a current mortgage or home equity line • Credit card consolidation • Funds to pay real estate taxes and property insurance • Complete needed home repairs • Ability to pay for at home care or nursing home expenses • Divorce situations • Pay IRS obligations • Settle legal matters • Use a reverse to purchase your new home • Install a new septic system • Purchase a new or used car • Support grandchildren’s education needs • Gift to adult children or their home purchase dreams • Prepay funeral expenses • Estate and financial planning purposes • Cash reserves for unforeseen emergency life events • Estate planning • Lifestyle improvement

• Travel • Home accessibility improvements • The option of receiving a lump sum of cash, a monthly distribution, a line of credit or a combination of the three • Peace of mind knowing that cash is available if needed • And, the list goes on!

The key point is a reverse mortgage is a very flexible financial tool that can achieve varied goals.

A reverse mortgage might not be the magic wand to solve all the above life challenges and goals, but it very well could be the next best thing. Take the first step and get informed. I would enjoy the opportunity of having that conversation with you!

Obtain your free “How to Use Your Home to Stay at Home” 36-page book • We will also send you a more detailed summary based on your: • Estimated home value; • Current mortgage balance, if any; • A few financial questions; and • Your age Please give me a call at 781724-6221 or email av@hhcp.org to receive your free copy of “Use Your Home to Stay at Home,” the official reverse mortgage consumer booklet approved by the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development and published by the National Council on Aging. This is a great place to get basic information.

Alain Valles is Managing Director of Helping Hands Community Partners, Inc. and was the first designated Certified Reverse Mortgage Professional in New England.

He obtained a Master of Science from the M.I.T. Center for Real Estate, an MBA from the Wharton School, and graduated summa cum laude from UMass Amherst. Valles can be reached directly at 781-724-6221 or by email at av@hhcp.org. Archives of articles from previous issues can be read at www.fiftyplusadvocate.com.

www.fiftyplusadvocate.com + March 2019 + fiftyplus advocate

viewpoint

• 19

Need challenge? Give medicine to cat.

By Janice Lindsay

K

itty was sick. Acting normal, but losing weight. Vet said urinary tract infection.

Liquid antibiotics, twice daily, two weeks.

Big, buff-colored, fluffy, floppy, kitty was easy-going, cuddly. Until medicine time.

M a l e Person (MP) sat on kitchen chair with heavy bath towel in lap. Female Person (FP) fetched kitty from couch, carried her to kitchen, placed kitty in MP’s lap. The two Ps quickly wrapped kitty in towel to immobilize claws. MP held kitty firmly. Kitty on alert, suspicious.

FP gently tipped kitty’s head back, wrapped hand around kitty’s head and squeezed jaws to open mouth (as vet taught).

With other hand holding eyedropper, FP shot medicine into kitty’s mouth. Allowed kitty to close mouth. Patted angry kitty, saying, “Good kitty.” Kitty was having none of that. MP released kitty. Kitty shot away, opened mouth, shook head. Persons wiped antibiotic drops off floor.

Only 27 times to go.

After two days, routine was like this. Close all doors in the house. Otherwise, at sound of

Inklings

medicine bottle being shaken, kitty hid under bed or behind couch. FP fetched kitty. Stroked kitty. Said, “Good kitty, we want nice kitty to be well.”

Kitty not buying. Rather be sick. Struggled. But two persons stronger than kitty.

Two weeks passed. Tested kitty.

Test required FP to get urine sample from kitty. Big challenge, not fun. Not subject for family newspaper.

Bad news: Medicine did not work. Try another.

On way to vet, prayed, “Please don’t let it be a pill. Liquid was hard enough. Please no pill.”

It was a pill. One a day for two weeks.

Tried simplest method first.

Placed pill on lovely plate, placed plate on floor in front of kitty. Kitty sniffed, stalked off, seemed to say “Not in a thousand years and if you were the Queen of Sheba.”

Next, tried method suggested by vet: pulverized pill and mixed with spoonful of the canned cat food that kitty loved.

Kitty stalked off. “Not in five thousand years and if you were the Queen of the Universe.”

Method three. Closed doors and fetched kitty as before. Wrapped kitty on MPs lap.

Opened mouth (hers). Inserted pill as far as possible onto tongue (hers). Took care not to release jaws too soon, to protect fingers (FP’s). Stroked kitty’s throat to

Heat & Hot Water Included in the Rent Hardwood Floors Ceiling Fans Laundry Room on Each Floor Lounge Areas Smoke Free Community Sitkowski School Apartments is a 66 unit, 55+ affordable rental community that offers a safe convenient location in the historic Sitkowski School in the commercial center of Webster. The new Webster Senior Center is located in the former gymnasium which will provide an active, vibrant place for seniors to enjoy.

To request an application please call 508.943.3406 TDD 800.439.2370 Must Meet Income Requirements Rents Starting at $650 • Section 8 Accepted

Two weeks passed. Tested kitty again.

Medicine did not work.

Try new liquid antibiotic. Once a day for two weeks.

Fruit-flavored. Fruit-flavored?

For a cat? Whose idea was that?

Fetched and wrapped kitty as before. Kitty hated medicine.

Persons hated giving it. Everybody miserable. Couldn’t go on much longer.

Tested kitty again.

Hooray! Medicine worked!

No more medicine!

Vet said continue medicine two more weeks, otherwise kitty might become immune and medicine wouldn’t work another time. Another time? Two more weeks? Persons decided, “No way. Will risk it.” Knew kitty would agree.

help her swallow. Kitty glared.

Released kitty.

That tiny click was sound of pill dropping from kitty’s mouth on to wood floor.

Kitty smarter than two Ps. But Ps determined.

On second day, kitty swallowed. Two Ps followed her around searching for rejected pill. Didn’t find it.

By third day, kitty figured out how to maneuver tongue so pill couldn’t get past. Went gakgak, out slid slimy pill.

Called vet. Said dissolve pill in broth and give with eyedropper. Thawed frozen broth from Christmas turkey. Became pharmacist. Placed pill in dish, pulverized pill, added broth, stirred, sucked into eyedropper.

Fetched kitty as before. Kitty hated process, but liked turkey broth. Eureka.

Contact jlindsay@tidewater.net

55 Plus Smoke Free Community

At least one listed household member on application must be at the age of 55

Call Today: 508.756.3594 • TTY/TDD: 800.439.2370 Is accepting Applications for Waiting List

Rents Include Heat/HW, 1 Br

50% Rent

Based on 30% Income

80% Rent

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Based on 30% Income

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Maximum Income per Household Size (HUD) 2019 Limits HH Size

50% AMI

80% AMI

HH Size

50% AMI

80% AMI

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$30,000

$47,600

3 Person

$38,600

$61,200

2 Person

$34,300

$54,400

4 Person

$42,850

$68,000

Requests for applications must be in writing through US Mail, email or fax, or in person at the salon, and community room with many activities throughout the year, on-site laundry facilities, and a library. For more information or reasonable accommodations call 508.756.3594 or email coespond@winnco.com. Equal Housing Opportunity

39 First Street, Worcester, MA 01602

20 •

fiftyplus advocate + March 2019 + www.fiftyplusadvocate.com

Mitchell recalls time in Major League Baseball Pitched for several teams in spite of serious eye disease

By Jane Keller Gordon Assistant Editor

A photo from Mitchell’s career with the Baltimore Orioles

PHOTO COURTESY OF PAUL MITCHELL

Berlin - During his senior year in high school, baseball player Paul Mitchell struck out at bat twice in a row.

“It didn’t make any sense,” he said. “I could throw harder than anyone and was a good hitter.”

His coach told his parents that something was wrong. It turned out that Mitchell, who went on to play professional baseball for 10 years, had a rare eye disease - Keratoconus. His corneas were becoming shaped like a cone rather than a dome.

He was losing his visual acuity.

As a child, Mitchell spent long hours playing all kinds of ball — baseball, football and basketball — at Worcester’s Vernon Hill Park, which was near his home. He went on to play Little

League and Babe Ruth baseball.

Mitchell was recruited by Dee Rowe, the renowned athletic director of Worcester Academy, to play sports at the private school.

Mitchell’s batting problems in high school were the result of blurry vision, which set in after a week-long high fever.

Fortunately, Dr. G. Burtt Holmes, a pioneer of the contact lens, practiced in Worcester.

“I saw Dr. Holmes, and he gave me glasses, and then contact lenses. The contacts kept on falling out. He’d give me more, but eventually he sent me to Boston and New York to see specialists.

It took several months to figure out what was wrong,” said Mitchell.

The solution turned out to be scleral lenses, which covered the whole eye.

Mitchell | page 21

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www.fiftyplusadvocate.com + March 2019 + fiftyplus advocate

• 21

Mitchell recalls time in Major League Baseball Mitchell | from page 20

e!

ic serv

Paul Mitchell

in Rochester, New York.

During this time, Mitchell completed his degree from Old Dominion in 1973, and married his a classmate, Liz, in 1974.

In 1975, Mitchell was called up to the Majors. Much to his excitement and dismay, he played his first MLB game at Fenway Park, pitching against Carl Yastrzemski, Carlton Fisk and other great Red Sox players. The Orioles won that game, 12-8. Mitchell spent a year with

was under contract so I couldn’t go to another team.”

That was the end of baseball for Mitchell. He came back to Worcester, and never pitched again. After trying a few jobs, he joined his family’s window cleaning business, Mitchell and Sons, which was founded by his grandfather in 1914.

He has had both of his corneas replaced with transplants, giving him good, but not perfect, vision.

Mitchell and his wife raised his son and daughter in Berlin.

He now has four grandchildren.

He sold the family business in 2017 due to family circumstances.

As for his baseball career, Mitchell said, “When I got released from Milwaukee Brewers, it was a shock to my system not be at the ballpark every afternoon. But 10 years was enough.

I wanted to be there to raise my kids, and I did.”

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“They were very uncomfortable, but they helped,” he said.

Mitchell’s eyesight wasn’t perfect, but his hands were big and strong.

He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates out of high school.

“My parents and I decided that I would attend Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, on a baseball scholarship instead,” he said.

At Old Dominion, Mitchell concentrated on pitching.

During those summers, he pitched for the Falmouth Commodores, a collegiate team in the Cape Cod League.

“I was the most valuable pitcher two of the three years that I was there,” he said.

After three years at Old Dominion, in 1971, Mitchell was drafted in the first round by the Baltimore Orioles. He spent one year to their AA team in Asheville, and then two years in AAA

the Orioles, ending with a 3-0 record.

In 1976, along with Mike Torres and Don Baylor, Mitchell was traded to the Oakland As in exchange for several players including Reggie Jackson and Ken Holtzman.

He spent two-and-a-half years with the Oakland As. “We had a very good team.

We came in second in the American League West. But with the loss of free agency, we became a less productive team. I was drafted by the Seattle Mariners, an expansion team. That team struggled, we didn’t have enough quality,” said Mitchell.

“I played two years in Seattle.

Then I was traded to Milwaukee Brewers. I was there for a yearand-a-half. I pitched 5-5 for the Brewers, including two shutouts.

Unfortunately, the Milwaukee Brewers had three high-priced players who they needed to pay for, so I became expendable. I

se rvice!

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22 •

fiftyplus advocate + March 2019 + www.fiftyplusadvocate.com

Mr. Magic will entertain you

By Jane Keller Gordon Contributing Writer

- Subsidized Housing for 62 or older and disabled - 1 bedroom and efficiency - Rent is 30% of adjusted income - All utilities included -

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“Country Living in the City”

Millbury - Larry Parker may be retired, but he’s a very busy man — a very busy magician. Parker, who calls himself “Mr. Magic”, puts on about 10 to 12 shows a month, mostly at senior centers throughout New England.

His fascination with parlor tricks and close-up magic began when he was a child, putting on puppet shows for 10 cents in the hallway of his family’s three-decker in Worcester. At the time, his local library was a wonderful resource for him, filled with information on rope, coin and card tricks.

He expanded his repertoire by buying tricks from catalogues.

He honed his art by performing in front of a mirror.

Parker graduated from a high school called Worcester Trades Boys’ High School, which is now called Worcester Technical High School. After high school, he took classes at Worcester Junior College, and electrical and mechanical seminars at Worcester Polytechnic Institute.

“When I was in the Air Force, I performed at the officer’s club in Greenland. There was a competition like ‘America’s Got Talent.’ If you won, you got to go back to the states. I almost did!” said Parker.

During his career as a machine designer, including 32 years as an engineering manager at Security Engineered Machinery in Westborough, magic was always close to his heart.

He is a member of the Society of American Magicians, which holds monthly meetings in central Massachusetts. Magicians present tricks and then charge others to learn the technique.

During National Magic Week, the last week of October, Parker does shows for free. Otherwise, “I charge a small amount to retirement places, because I’m also retired.”

Parker has four shows that he presents.

“Being a magician is like be-

Mr. Magic at Heritage at Framingham

ing a comedian,” he noted. “You have to track the audience and get them involved.”

Recently Parker performed his Chinese rice to water trick at Heritage at Framingham, an assisted living center.

“That one is difficult,” he said.

He used the power of the wand to do card tricks.

“My bifocal lenses are so powerful I can read cards from a distance,” Parker joked.

Parker pulled on four ends of ropes, tied them in a knot, cut them and restored the rope.

He poured milk into a cone of newspaper, and, with a wand, made it disappear.

Parker pulled a shoelace through a steel ring.

Balls, scarves, and coins appear to move through space.

Parker puts back together shredded currency.

“I saw that trick on the Ed Sullivan show,” he recalled.

“Sometimes the smallest tricks are the hardest to believe.”

Lori Delgado, director of sales and marketing at Heritage at Framingham, said Mr. Magic is very engaging and keeps the crowd entertained.

In addition to senior events, Parker said that he performs at bank openings.

“I’ll produce half dollars and give them to people to open accounts,” he said.

Parker tried to get a spot on the television show “What’s My Line?” He didn’t make it, but throughout New England, audiences - mostly seniors - are enjoying his talents every week.

To contact Parker, call 508865-3047.

www.fiftyplusadvocate.com + March 2019 + fiftyplus advocate

• 23

Senior Services DIRECTORY Your guide to goods and services in the Commonwealth

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