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FREE | Published monthly

February 2019 | Vol. 45 | No. 2 | 20 pp.

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SACHA PAVLATA Circus artist, performer, teacher and owner page 12

Alexandre “Sacha” Pavlata

PHOTO/ANDY WEIGL, WEIGL PHOTOGRAPHY

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Refresh your driving skills in 2019 with the AARP Smart Driver Course By Mike Festa, State Director AARP Massachusetts

T The Rules of Aging are Changing. The Rules of Aging

The Rules of Aging are Changing. are The Rules ofChanging. Aging

More and more people are living longer, healthier, productive lives. It’s time to explore new territories and pioneer new behaviors, like reinventing how we work, More and more people are living longer, livepeople and play with PASSION. More and more are living longer,

are Changing.

healthier, productive lives. lives.It’s It’stime timetoto healthier, productive It’s time to change the conversation on new territories and pioneer pioneernew new More and moreexplore people are living longer, explore new territories and aging and BEAUTY. It’s time to challenge behaviors, like reinventing how wework, work, healthier, productive lives. It’s time to beliefshow behaviors, like reinventing outdated and we spark new solutions explore new territories and pioneer live play with PASSION. liveand and play with PASSION. so wenew can all choose how we live as we

behaviors, like reinventing howage we—work, with PRIDE and CONFIDENCE. It’s time to change the conversation conversationon on It’s time to change ive and play with PASSION. Let’s seize opportunity to create a agingand andBEAUTY. BEAUTY. It’s the time to aging time tochallenge challenge t’s time to change the conversation on new and vision for aging — one complete outdatedbeliefs beliefs spark new solutions outdated and spark new solutions aging and BEAUTY. It’s time to with challenge new how stories, new innovations, and sowe wecan canall allchoose choose so how we welive liveasaswe we outdated beliefs and spark newnew solutions civic solutions. age—— with PRIDE and CONFIDENCE. age with so we can all choose how wePRIDE live as and we CONFIDENCE. Join the conversation and inspire others age — with PRIDELet’s and seize CONFIDENCE. the opportunity to create a Let’s seize thetoopportunity create a value people to regardless new vision aging — one complete Let’s seize the opportunity to for create a their age. disruptaging.aarp new vision forofaging — one complete with new stories, new innovations, and new vision for aging — one complete with new stories, new innovations, and with new stories,new new civic innovations, and solutions. new civic solutions. new civic solutions.

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he New Year is a great time to think about improving your driving skills! For more than 30 years, AARP has helped to keep millions of drivers safe, educated and confident while on the road with the AARP Smart DrivMike Festa er course, the nation’s largest classroom and online driver safety course. Based on the latest driver safety research and insights, the course is designed especially for drivers age 50 and older. In fact, 97 percent of course participants say they’ve changed at least one driving behavior as a result of taking our course and 79 percent of participants felt that information they learned has prevented them from being in a crash. Since the program’s inception, more than 16 million participants have completed the course. By taking the AARP Smart Driver course, you’ll learn the current rules of the road, defensive driving techniques and how to operate your vehicle more safely in today’s increasingly challenging driving environment. You’ll learn how to manage common age-related changes in vision, hearing and reaction time. You’ll hear about the safest ways to reduce driver distractions, deal with aggressive drivers, learn techniques for handling left turns, right-of-way, and navigating around rotaries, how to minimize blind spots, and proper use of the new technology found in newer cars. Additionally, the study found that 79 percent of participants felt that information they learned in the course has prevented them from being in an accident. In addition to learning safe-

Based on the latest driver safety research and insights, the course is designed especially for drivers age 50 and older. ty strategies that can reduce the likelihood of a crash, you will learn how aging, medications, alcohol, and other health-related issues affect driving ability, and how to adjust driving accordingly to allow for these changes. The course also helps participants determine when it may not be best to drive (e.g., late at night, inclement weather, etc.) and how to plan for a time when driving is no longer an option. AARP Driver Safety offers classroom and online courses. The classroom course costs $15 for AARP members and $20 for non-members. The online course costs $19.95 for members and $24.95 for non-members. Although the program is geared toward drivers 50 and older, licensed drivers of all ages are welcome to participate. There are no official tests to pass in order to graduate from the program. To learn more about upcoming classes in Massachusetts, visit www.aarp.org/drive. AARP Massachusetts is also looking for volunteer instructors for the four-hour Smart Driver course. Volunteers help organize and teach classroom courses at local community centers, libraries, hospitals and senior centers. By volunteering, you’ll join 5,000 other volunteers nationwide who contribute to the safety and AARP | page 3

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Mother and daughter honor German-Jewish cooking and history with new book By Jane Keller Gordon Contributing Writer

PHOTOS/JAMES HULL

Westborough - Spiced chocolate hazel nut cookies (“krakerle”), cabbage slaw (“krautsalat”), and a Liptauer cheese spread are just three of the many recipes featured in “The GermanJewish Cookbook: Recipes & History of a Cuisine,” written by mother-daughter duo Gabrielle Rossmer Gropman (Gaby) and Sonya Gropman. On Nov. 7, about 60 people gathered at Westborough’s Congregation B’nai Shalom to watch the authors prepare these three recipes and talk about their book. The event was a program of the Worcester JCC Author Series, made possible by a generous grant from the Jewish Federation of Central Mass. Co-sponsors included the Congregation B’nai Shalom’s Sisterhood, Beth Tikvah Synagogue, and Haddassah Greater Boroughs Chapter. Nancy Greenberg, cultural arts/senior director at the Worcester JCC said, “This is the first German-Jewish cookbook in a century. It’s a mix of history,

Sonya Gropman (left) and Gabrielle Rossmer Gropman

community of New York City in the 1940s and ‘50s. This cooking demo and talk will be a discovery, even for those familiar with more typical Eastern European/ American Jewish food.” Gaby Gropman was born in Germany and immigrated to the U.S. in 1939 when she was 1. She grew up in New York City’s Washington Heights, which at the time, had a large German-Jewish population. She now lives in Medford. Gaby is a sculptor who has also spent many years working as a mediator. Sonya lives in New York City. She is a visual artist and coordinator of Farm Spot, her local CSA (community supported agriculture) farm. “My mother and I have our own personal answers for why we wrote our book,” Sonya said. “I’ve always had a deep interest in all things food-related, and Cooking | page 4

memoir and recipes. It is a very important contribution in terms of documenting the culinary and cultural history of the Jews of Germany prior to World War II, and then the vibrant émigré

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Refresh your driving skills in 2019 with the AARP Smart Driver Course AARP | from page 2

well-being of their neighbors and community. If you have access to a computer, enjoy meeting people and are ready to make a difference in your community, fill out an interest form at www. aarp.org/volunteernow. Volunteers are reimbursed for approved out-of-pocket expenses related to program activities. Additionally, consider hosting a Smart Driver classroom course at your facility. Participation as a host brings community members to your location and offers a meaningful opportunity to make a difference in the lives of older adults. If you can pro-

vide a free room that holds up to 30 participants, and have a DVD player and television, you can be a Smart Driver course host! For more information or to register for classes visit www. aarpdriversafety.org or call 1-888-AARP-NOW (1-888227-7669). Contact AARP Massachusetts at 1-866-448-3621 or email at ma@aarp.org. You may also visit our website at www. aarp.org/ma. 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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Mother and daughter honor German-Jewish cooking and history with new book Cooking | from page 3

We honored the original dishes, while writing the recipes in a contemporary format for today’s readers.

PHOTOS/JANE KELLER GORDON

always had a secret desire to write a cookbook. For my mom, she has a long-held interest in her family history as it related to the Nazis, having previously written about and made artwork about the topic.” She continued, “The book came together when we realized there were no cookbooks about German-Jewish food in print. We felt the need to document and share this cuisine as one way of preserving this vanishing culture - and also because these little-known recipes are delicious.” “This was a huge project, which took seven or eight years… About half of the recipes were family recipes; others were gathered from interviews we conducted and researching in 100-year-old German-Jewish cookbooks. We honored the original dishes, while writing the recipes in a contemporary format for today’s readers.”

Sonya Gropman

(l to r) Sonya Gropman, Nancy Greenberg and Gaby Gropman

Together, they co-author GermanJewishCuisine.com, where they write about German-Jewish food and culture. For more information about events, contact: • Haddassah - Suzanne Robbins at suzannerobins18@gmail.com • Worcester JCC Book Series - Nancy Greenberg at ngreenberg@worcesterjcc.org • Congregation B’nai Shalom – visit www.cbnaishalom.org •BethTikvah–visitwww.bethtikvahsynagogue.org

Recipes from the book

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Index of Services Adult Day Care

Home Care

Assisted Living-Rest Homes

Housing Options

Adult Day Club at Dodge Park...13

Durbin & Veglia, Attorneys .........6

Dental Services

Medical Research Studies

Attorneys, Elder Law

Modern Dentistry of Shrewsbury...........................7

page

Recreation

Funeral Homes

Rehabilitation

General Senior Services

AARP of MA .............................2

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Fuller RV ...............................19 Encompass Health ................18

Veterans Services

VA Boston .............................11

Walk-In Medical Centers

Hearing Services

Audiology Affiliates ................20

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Mortgage Financing

Avidia Bank ............................14 Tailwind Wealth Management..12 Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home..19

page

Harvard University ..................16 Helping Hands .......................9

Financial Services

Singer-songwriter humorously chronicles the life cycle

At Your Service Home Care .....7 Bigelow Village ......................16 Binnall House...........................6 Colony Retirement Homes .....10 Green Hill Towers ...................8 Illyrian Gardens ......................17 Sherwood Village, Natick..........20 Sitkowski Apartments............16

Brookhaven Assisted Care .....14 Goddard Homestead ................1 Oasis at Dodge Park ................4 Benchmark .............................12

Inside this issue

Shrewsbury artist shares skills with schools and theater group

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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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Marlborough bowler achieves candlepin Hall of Fame By Ed Karvoski Jr. Culture Editor

PHOTO/SUBMITTED

Marlborough – Five decades of competitive successes has led Det Klein of Marlborough to become an inductee into the International Candlepin Bowling Association Hall of Fame. The achievement was recognized this past October during an awards banquet at DiBurro’s Function Facility in Haverhill. His interest in bowling started as a child growing up in Maynard. He and his friends would collect and cash-in bottles to cover costs at the now-closed Tutto’s Bowling Lanes. “I liked the challenge of knocking down 10 targets at 60 feet,” he recalled. “I thought it was a lot like baseball in the sense that you had to be able to throw the ball in a direct area. Obviously, the better your skill got, the better you would score.” The interest further devel-

Det Klein displays his plaque as an inductee of the International Candlepin Bowling Association Hall of Fame.

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oped as a teenager when Klein and his buddies bowled during high school vacations. As a young adult, he welcomed mentoring from some of the area’s more-experienced bowlers and his skill progressed. “At that time we had the attraction of a lot of television bowling shows,” he noted. “My passion for bowling grew because I knew I could get on TV and make some extra money.” In addition to multiple tournament wins, Klein made over 70 appearances on television bowling shows. His first was in the 1970s on “Bay State Bowling,” which aired on Worcester’s WSMW-TV channel 27. Subsequent appearances included WCVBTV channel 5’s “Candlepin Bowling,” “Candlepin Doubles” and “Candlepin Superbowl,” as well as Comcast CN8’s “Candlepin Challenge.” He sharpened his bowling skills in front of cameras, live audiences and television viewers. “Most of my appearances were on WCVB’s ‘Candlepin Bowling,’ which gave the most money,” he said. “The first couple times I was kind of rattled, hoping to keep the ball out of the gutter. It was very intense with all the bright lights. As a professional, you learn to keep your focus on the pins, not on the lights. I had a job to do and learned how to do it.” While competing on WCVBTV’s mixed-doubles format of “Candlepin Superbowl” in 1976, Klein and his bowling partner won four consecutive weeks. The accomplishment won him a prize

that he considers more valuable than cash. His wife Nancy agrees. “The ultimate prize was a seven-day cruise to Bermuda – a great package with all of the meals included,” he explained. “They gave the cruise because the competition was such a high level that it was hard to maintain winning for four weeks. I won the trip in ’76 and had to use it within a year. I was getting married in ’77, so it was a great opportunity for us to go to Bermuda for our honeymoon.” Also in 1977, Klein was one of seven members of the winning team in the World Invitational Championship held in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. Additionally, he achieved the highest average in his division throughout the tournament at 134. America and Canada each had 12 teams in the weeklong competition. “There were about 160 of the best candlepin bowlers between the two countries,” Klein said. “It’s quite an all-week grind. You show up every day at 9 a.m. and get done bowling around 6:30 p.m.” His personal highs are 205, single; 500, three strings; 767, five strings; and 1 433, 10 strings. He’s currently bowling with a competitive league in Bradford. “I never gave thought about getting into the Hall of Fame,” Klein acknowledged. “Bowling for me has always been about setting personal goals and records for myself. Even at my age, I’m still going and competing with the 20-somethings. They’ll probably need to drag me off the lanes.”

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Couples who sway together stay together By Thelma Leaffer Contributing Writer

PHOTO/SUBMITTED

Somerville - Five couples who regularly exercise with their spouses or companions in a Fit-4-Life community class are healthier today than before they took the class. The low-cost class is six years old and now has 26 people enrolled, mostly women. It meets two mornings a week at the Somerville Council on Aging. Fit-4-Life is in a partnership with the Tufts University Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging (HNRCA). Traditionally fewer couples enroll in low-cost senior programs – a number of senior men tend to join more expensive private programs and exercise without their spouses or partners. The Fit-4-Life couples are from Cambridge and Somerville, range in age from their 70s to their 90s. Four of the couples have been married at least 40 years. The other couple are both widowed, but have been longtime friends. Lore and David Leavitt, and Stephanie and Marcel Sztaimberg live in Cambridge. Charles and Elaine Warren, Bob and Ann Chen, and Joseph Profimon and Jean Perry all live in Somerville. Several of the men and women have had or currently have medical challenges. But participating in the program has definitely helped them in significant ways, they feel. Dr. David Leavitt was a research psychologist for many years and is now a photographer. His wife Lore was an elementa-

(l to r) Charles Warren, Elaine Warren, I-Yu Chen and Robert Chen

ry school teacher and a reading specialist. She was born in Germany. Her late brother Dr. John Gumperz was the co-founder of the field of ethnolinguistics. Lore has been hospitalized for a number of medical conditions. Her husband believes that simply because most senior classes are dominated by women this should not become a barrier for senior males to join. Marcel Sztaimberg was born in South America. He was a real estate broker in the United States before retirement. His wife Stephanie was born in Germany and worked in administration in the United States when she was not caring for her family. Marcel has Parkinson’s disease which for many is quite an ordeal. With a change in medications and the addition of the exercise class, he looks much better according to some of the other seniors in the class. According to his wife, Marcel not only enjoys exercising in the class, but also socializing with the others. Stephanie and

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Marcel learned about Fit-4-Life by watching an excerpt on “The Chronicle” TV program. Bob and Ann Chen are from China. Bob has a PhD in computer science from Carnegie Mellon University, an MS from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a BEE from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, He was a professor of computer science for a number of years and Ann also worked in computer science.

Charles Warren worked in a MIT chemistry lab for many years and Elaine worked in administration. Elaine fell down the stairs when she was working before she retired. She was hospitalized for several broken bones and was confined to the house for a few months before she was discharged. Joseph Profimon and Jean Perry are both widowed and have been friends for 60 years. Joseph lived in Germany, Austria and Croatia before he came to the US. He worked as a public safety engineer for many years and she for the Cambridge Public Schools. They joined the exercise class at the same time about six years ago. The couples all hope that those who read this article will become motivated to help establish other low-cost exercise programs that include senior couples. And it is equally important, they feel, that others understand the value exercising together can add to a couple’s relationship.

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Opioid crisis – a mother’s journey to ‘learn to cope’ By Jane Keller Gordon Assistant Editor

Joanne Peterson with U.S. Rep Joseph Kennedy III

Part one of this story was printed in the January issue of the Fifty Plus Advocate. The entire story can also be found at www.fiftyplusadvocate.com.

Opioid | page 9

PHOTOS COURTESY JOANNE PETERSON

Taunton – In 2004, three years into her son’s opioid addiction, Joanne Peterson decided to let the world know about it. Learn To Cope (LTC) is the result, a nonprofit that has helped thousands of parents and family members deal with loved ones who are addicted to opiates and other drugs. Now funded by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, LTC has chapters in 12 of 14 counties in Massachusetts, two in Florida and one in Idaho; 17 staff members; and a 24/7 private online discussion board used by 10,000 people.

have a huge problem here in Raynham and no one is talking about it. He ended up interviewing my son in jail. He expected to meet a punk kid but that wasn’t my kid. [Quiroga] told me that he wanted to cry when he left the jail,” she said. Next, Peterson picked up a flyer from then-Norfolk County

Peterson serves on a panel with former Sec. of State Hillary Clinton

A mother says ‘Enough’ She picked up the phone and called Jorge Quiroga, a reporter for television station WCVB in Boston. “I couldn’t believe that I was on the phone with him. I said we

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Opioid crisis – a mother’s journey to ‘learn to cope’ Opioid | from page 8

District Attorney Bill Keating’s office that was entitled, “There’s a stranger in town. What parents want to know.” “I called the number on the pamphlet, and Keating asked me to come to a forum. I wrote a speech that I was going to give in front of 200 people. I cried so hard that my tears wiped out the print. I put the speech down and just spoke,” she said. “I said that I just wanted my son back. People cheered, I was so used to being stigmatized by people who said ‘I know your brother, I know your sister.” Later, she started holding meetings in Randolph which gradually grew so large they had to be moved to the Stoughton Police Station. In 2007, a nurse practitioner and community outreach person from Partners Healthcare showed up at a meeting. “They heard about our meetings. They told me that we needed to meet on the North Shore, and asked me to join them. For a whole year, we went there every week, first to court houses and police stations, and then, we started meetings,” said Peterson. A mother becomes an advocate and a leader That same year, Peterson received a letter from Representative McCarthy that said that $100,000 was earmarked for her program. “I didn’t know what that meant. My boss at my job said, ‘you’ve already created an organization; you need to quit your job and start a nonprofit,” she recalled. “You’re doing what you’re supposed to be doing.’” And so she created Learn to Cope. By 2010, Peterson was training people to run other groups. “We taught them about Narcan. We didn’t want meetings to be just about what we were going through. We wanted it to be about

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education. People needed to learn about the addiction.” This past fall, she endorsed Charlie Baker in his re-election bid for governor. “He’s the third governor since I’ve been doing this work. Almost immediately he put his money where his mouth is. We watched women go to jail for section 35 for years, while men went to treatment. Baker changed that. He’s passed legislation. He’s come to our meetings without cameras or ads. He’s listened and he’s cried,” said Peterson. Sadness…yet hope Her office wall used to be covered with obituaries. Now there’s a file cabinet down the hall that’s filled with folders for those who died from overdoses. “There’s so much more to do. We need to do something about big pharma. They’re making billions off of this,” said Peterson. But in spite of so much loss, she still feels there is hope. As proof, her own son has been in recovery for several years. The phrase “Life is a journey, not a destination,” is now on her wall. To learn more about Learn to Cope, visit www.learn2cope.org.

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Shrewsbury artist shares skills with schools and theater group By Ed Karvoski Jr. Culture Editor

caption

ic serv

Jackie Rezuke paints the backdrop for Regatta Players’ 2018 production of “Young Frankenstein”

Artist | page 11

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PHOTOS/SUBMITTED

Shrewsbury – Complementing a longtime career as a visual artist of multiple media, Jackie Rezuke of Shrewsbury has volunteered her skills by painting stage sets for the town’s public high school musicals for a decade. Additionally, she’s in her ninth year volunteering as scenic artist for Shrewsbury’s community theater Regatta Players. “My kids have the talent to perform onstage, but I don’t,” Rezuke noted. “Painting the sets allows me a chance to become involved, meet new people and help them out.” After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in fine and studio arts from Assumption College in 1984, she learned photo retouching on the job at Photographers Color Service in Worcester. She worked for 15 years beginning in 1986 for Winthrop Handy at

Winthrop Studios in West Boylston.There, she did photo retouching and restoration, and painted oil portraits of retiring judges. “When a judge would retire, I’d create an oil painting from a portrait that Winn had photographed,” she explained. “Every once in a while, I’ll notice these paintings when courthouse scenes are shown on television news programs.” Rezuke continued working as a self-employed photographic artist from home so she could focus on raising her children Julie, John and Angela. After they began performing in musicals at Oak Middle School and Shrewsbury High School (SHS), she agreed to sew costumes for SHS’s 2008 production of “Once on This Island.” “I had never realized what goes on behind the scenes,” Rezuke acknowledged. “While backstage, I saw people painting the sets

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Shrewsbury artist shares skills with schools and theater group Artist | from page 10

and thought it looked like fun.” The following year, she painted her first stage set for SHS’s “Seussical.” She has subsequently painted sets for the middle or high schools’ “All Shook Up,” “Anything Goes,” “Bye, Bye Birdie,” “Cinderella,” “Legally Blonde,” “The Pajama Game,” “The Sound of Music” “Urinetown,” and “Willy Wonka.” Coming full circle, she’s helping this spring when SHS reprises “Seussical.” Rezuke is an active member of Shrewsbury Schools Music/ Theater Association, a nonprofit organization that helps support the district’s performance arts programs. In 2011, she accepted an invitation to get involved with Regatta Players from Bonnie Narcisi, a founding board member and now-retired Shrewsbury district director of music and drama. In addition to designing Regatta’s logo, Rezuke volunteered as scenic artist for its productions of “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” “The Wedding Singer,” “First Date,” “9 to 5; the Musical” and “Shout!” Rezuke’s biggest challenge was last summer’s “Young Frankenstein,” for which she painted a detailed backdrop depicting the village of Transylvania. “Painting that scene took up a good chunk of my summer,” she recalled. “It covered the entire backdrop, so I needed to be careful going up a high ladder to do

Jackie Rezuke with the completed backdrop depicting Transylvania for Regatta Players’ “Young Frankenstein”

parts of the scene.” On a smaller scale, Rezuke painted a window-view of a vineyard for the set of Regatta’s first non-musical “Drinking Habits,” to be presented Friday, Feb. 15; Saturdays, Feb. 16 and 23 at 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, Feb. 24, at 2 p.m. (snow date Friday, Feb. 22, 7:30 p.m.). Performances will take place at Southgate at Shrewsbury’s Flanagan Theater, 30 Julio Dr. In between volunteering and working as a photographic artist, Rezuke has been interior house painting since 2016 with This Gal, advertised as “an-all girl painting crew.” “I have a hard time say-

ing ‘no’ whenever people ask for my help,” Rezuke shared with a laugh. “Sometimes I feel like I’ve bit off more than I can chew, but I always manage to get through it. Then I’m always glad that I did

get involved.” Order “Drinking Habits” tickets by emailing tickets@regattaplayers.com; calling 508-9250583, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; or online at regattaplayers.com.

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Sacha Pavlata – Circus artist, performer, teacher and owner By Bonnie Adams Managing Editor

PHOTOS/SUBMITTED

s owner of the Moody Street Circus in Waltham with his wife Melinda Pavlata, Alexandre “Sacha” Pavlata is continuing a long tradition of teaching circus arts to a new generation. As a fifth-generation Czech circus artist, aerialist and world-renowned circus arts teacher, he certainly has the credentials to do so. But there is something else that Pavlata offers to his students other than just an impressive resume – he brings a determination to help young people realize, through their mastering of things such as acrobatics, and specialized equipment like unicycles, trapezes, silks and cloud swings, that they, too, have what it takes to conquer new challenges. And in doing so, they can, he believes, prove to them-

Above: Pavlata performs with the Flying Wallendas Right: A vintage promotional poster describes Pavlata’s many skills.

selves that they are stronger than they realize.

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Born into the circus life Pavlata’s life in circus began in 1949 where he was born into a family where circus was not just a way of life; it was life. His mother, Hungarian-born Anna Dubsky, came from a long line of Risley Act performers (the acrobatic foot juggling of people), and his father, Czech-born Karl Pavlata, descended from a family of aerialists known for

I N V E S T M E N T

their great physical strength and versatility in the air. Along with his family, the young Sacha and his siblings crisscrossed the country, as well as all throughout Europe, Russia and North Africa, stopping in different towns to perform. “My first memory is just doing this all for fun,” he recalled. “The performing with my family was just something to be very proud to be doing. It’s your identity – being part of the [cir-

Pavlata | page 13

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Sacha Pavlata – Circus artist, performer, teacher and owner performs with Melinda and her daughter Zoë, both women who are also talented circus performers themselves.

Pavlata | from page 12

Teacher and performer After the fall of the former Czechoslovakia, Pavlata and family moved to Paris. There he was on the faculty of the École Nationale du Cirque and taught at the Conservatoire National du Cirque from 1975-1979. He also performed as a member of the Bertini Unicycle Troupe with Cirque Bouglione, a famous French circus. After moving to the United States, he was associated with the New York City-based Big Apple Circus in the 1980s, performing on the cloud swing and as part of a Russian Barre act. He also was a master teacher for the New York School of Circus Arts. In 1998, Pavlata joined the flying Wallenda family to help them create their famous seven-person pyramid on the high wire. He continued to perform with them in venues around the world. He also served as a consul-

PHOTO/ANDY WEIGL, WEIGL PHOTOGRAPHY

cus] family.” Along the way, the children would enroll in different schools wherever the circus was set up. The family entertained audiences with their shows that included unicycles, trampolines and comedy acts. The young Sacha learned to do it all. Along the way he also learned the craft of setting up big tops that, although not as flashy as performing, is a critical skill necessary for the safety of a circus’s performers.

Pavlata in the Moody Street Circus studio

tant for Cirque du Soleil’s first season. Bringing circus skills to television and movies In the 1980s, Pavlata trained the cast of the original Broadway production of “Barnum” teaching circus skills to the show’s stars. Coming from behind the scenes, he was also featured in two major movies, “Annie” and “Big Top Pee Wee.” Moody Street Circus Together with his wife Melinda, Sacha imported a circus tent in 2005 and they created the Cirque Passion. In 2009 their dream of their own school was realized when they opened the Moody Street Circus in Waltham.

A warm, bright spot tucked away on the second floor of a building on busy Moody Street, the studio is set up for small groups of students. There the couple trains students of all ages, but mostly school age, in circus arts such as acrobatics, silks, ropes and other apparatus. Often Sacha, when he is not offering support and encouragement to the youngsters, will demonstrate his skills on the cloud swing, which is like a large suspended hula hoop. There he shows off skills of incredible strength, swinging and balancing. Throughout the years, the Pavlatas have produced shows and performed for causes dear to their hearts, such as ALS, and community benefits. He often

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A full circle Pavlata was interviewed for a book by Bill Smoot published by Indiana University Press entitled “Conversations with Great Teachers.” He was asked, “What effect does the two weeks (of circus arts camp) have on the children?” In part, he noted, “My classes have become so popular because it’s challenging for the kids. They like to be challenged... When their parents come to pick them up, they [the kids] want to stay... They are happy, and they have such confidence. We have lunch, and sitting around me, they ask me questions: Where you come from? What have you done? And of course, I give them all the stories, how I grew up - because I’m five generations in the circus world. “There is a magical change in them. There is a joy - it’s just fantastic.” For both Pavlatas, teaching circus to others is a full circle. “We really try to have a truly personal approach, ensuring that our students really want to learn and are in it for the love of it, as we are,” Melinda said. “It’s a very heartfelt approach.” “It has the power to change lives,” Sacha said. “It’s an honor.” For more on the Moody Street Circus, visit www. moodystreetcircus.com.

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Singer-songwriter humorously chronicles the life cycle By Ed Karvoski Jr. Culture Editor

PHOTOS/SUBMITTED

Westborough – Singer-songwriter Tom Potosnak of Westborough has become known for humorously chronicling the life cycle via one-man-shows at various venues. He’s now combining achievements of his careers as an entertainer and owner of a tradeshow exhibit company. Potosnak will present “Subject to Change” on Saturday, Feb. 9, 7:30 p.m., at the Old Vienna Listening Room, housed in his trade-show company ExhibitSense, 78 Turnpike Rd. (Route 9) in Westborough. Fittingly, the stage features the original sign from the famed Old Vienna Kaffeehaus (OVK), which was located from the late-1980s to 1996 in downtown Westborough. Potosnak performed at OVK’s open mic nights in the 1990s. As a young adult in Wayne,

N.J., Potosnak developed an appreciation for singing and songwriting when he heard a Harry Chapin concert on the radio. The concert was recorded in January 1981 at The Bottom Line, a popular music club in New York City from 1974 to 2004. “I was inspired when Harry Chapin died on July 16, 1981,” Potosnak shared. “His music touches your heart, mind and soul. He could distil the essence of humanity – the everyday things people go through in their lives. I related to his songs and stories.” When Potosnak began serving as an Army officer at Fort Benning in 1983, he read Roger Evans’ book “How to Play Guitar.” “I didn’t learn my first chord until I was 22 years old,” he acSinger | page 15

Above: Tom Potosnak performing October 2018 at the Old Vienna Listening Room

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• 15

Singer-songwriter humorously chronicles the life cycle Singer | from page 14

knowledged with a laugh. Potosnak moved to Boston in 1983 to serve with a Department of Defense command until leaving the Army as a captain in 1989. Soon after entering the trade-show exhibit industry in 1990, he began gigging at clubs and coffeehouses. He frequented OVK as an open mic performer, as well as a fan. Among the singer-songwriters he saw there were Richie Havens and Shawn Colvin. In 1997, Potosnak made a pilgrimage to NYC’s The Bottom Line, where he saw – and afterward, met – singer-songwriter Jen Chapin, Harry’s daughter. She opened for her Uncle Steve with her father’s band. The occasion was the release of a double-CD compilation of three shows Harry performed at The Bottom Line in January 1981 to celebrate his 2,000th concert. Potosnak moved to Westborough in 1998 and opened

Old Vienna Kaffeehaus & Restaurant, circa 1989, 22 South St. in Westborough, featured national folk and acoustic acts

ExhibitSense in 2004. While in his 40s, he wrote and performed a one-man show titled “The Mid-Life Chronicles” in 2010. A trip to his New Jersey hometown with a friend since childhood prompted Potosnak to write songs that he recorded on his CD “Subject to Change” in 2013 and first performed as a

show in 2014. “It was a beautiful day in the middle of summer, and my friend and I were amazed that no kids were playing outside,” he relayed. “We talked about it on our ride back to Massachusetts and I wrote the song ‘Olden Days.’ The show, ‘Subject to Change,’ has retained the name, but has

evolved over time with songs and monologues being revised, pulled and revisited.” During Westborough’s 300th anniversary in 2017, funds to support celebratory activities were raised at the 1717 Shoppe. There, Potosnak purchased the original OVK sign. It’s now the centerpiece of his Old Vienna Listening Room, which debuted its periodic concerts called “ExhibitSense Presents” in October 2018 with Potosnak opening for Jen Chapin. “I’ve weaved performing into the very fabric of my business by using the facility,” Potosnak noted. “It’s amazing how things can happen when you pursue what you enjoy.” Following the example set by his idol Chapin, Potosnak donates half of the proceeds from his shows to charities. His upcoming show will benefit the Worcester County Food Bank. For show and ticket information, visit exhibitsense.com/exhibitsensepresents.

SUPER CROSSWORD PUZZLE

“CONTINUING ED” (answers on page 16)

16 •

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Unconventional choices By Marianne Delorey, Ph.D.

erhaps it is the nature of elder housing. Perhaps people who have no one else seek community in their later years. In any case, I have met my share of people who do not have family or friends to speak of. Some have always been loners. Some have distanced themselves from family, or had family walk away from them. In any case, many people find themselves near the end of their lives with few choices of people to lean on. Adults in general, but especially those who are elderly,

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should have three documents drawn up and signed well in advance of problems: a health care proxy, a power of attorney, and a will. The biggest problem I see in my profession is that many elders do not complete these documents. In many cases, there is an aversion to making a choice because people are afraid to make the wrong choice. I have a message from personal experience to share – the only wrong choice is to make no choice at all. My mother chose, but did not choose me. She chose my brother because he was the oldest. It bothered me because I was the most involved child. I went to doctor appointments and kept an updated list of medications. I also have devoted my career to taking care of the elderly (and having a graduate degree in gerontology).

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I did feel slighted, to be honest. I was also a bit inconvenienced when she needed a health care proxy but my brother was out of town. But, in the end, I am glad he was chosen because I can’t imagine having to go through all the work alone or worse, without my mom having done her due diligence and having these documents in place. Maybe her choice was not the one I would have expected, but the fact that she made the choice made my life much easier. And if I can “get over” feeling slighted, so will the people that you are afraid of offending. Regardless who we offend with our choices or motivations, these decisions, made before they are needed, truly show a person’s love for their family by making sure to inconvenience them as little as possible. And for those who struggle because they are loners, or because they don’t think anyone will really be there, here are some questions you can ask to determine who you really count on, and who can be there for you: • Who is the last person to call you? • Who has always told you the truth? • Who keeps your spare key for when you lock yourself out? • Who thinks clearly in a crisis? • Who always remembers your birthday? • Who watches your pet if you are going to be away?

Chances are, one of the people you thought of is not part of your conventional family. Maybe a neighbor is more involved in your day to day life than your child. Maybe your high school friend from far away knows what you want for medical care better than someone nearby. Maybe your 18-year-old grandson is truly calm in a crisis. No worries! Better off to identify someone to be in charge. They will likely not be alone. They will reach out and check in with others for the harder decisions. The sole point is to make a choice – any choice – so that fewer people suffer when no choice was made. Marianne Delorey, Ph.D. is the Executive Director of Colony Retirement Homes. She can be reached at 508-755-0444 or mdelorey@colonyretirement.com and www.colonyretirementhomes. com. Archives of articles from previous issues can be read at www. fiftyplusadvocate.com.

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caregiving tips

• 17

Delusional, paranoid and hallucinatory behavior in Alzheimer’s disease patients By Micha Shalev MHA CDP CDCM

elusional, paranoid and hallucinatory behaviors may be a response to internal or external factors. They most often occur as a result of brain changes in the person with Alzheimer’s disease. They may cause the patient great distress or may be little more than mildly stimulating and even comforting.

Caregiving Tips

Some examples of when these behaviors may cause a problem: • Patient believes his food is poisoned and refuses to eat. • Patient misplaces items and accuses others of stealing from him. • Patient can’t hear well and is convinced others are talking about him and/or conspiring against him. • Patient sees, hears or feels persons, bugs, or animals that are not there. The goals for caregivers are to help the person feel emotionally secure and safe; to reduce or eliminate behaviors or conditions in the environment which may appear threatening or lead to confused thinking; and to reduce physical causes of hallucinatory behavior such as fever, dehydration, impaction and poor nutrition,. Some suggested approaches for caregivers: • Don’t argue or try to rationalize. This will only upset the person more. • If the patient is agitated or anxious and believes someone is trying to harm him, try to reassure him or distract him. • Try to determine what’s causing the behavior. The patient may be misinterpreting a real situation. • Ignore the behavior if it is

Loss of hearing or vision may contribute to confused thinking and beliefs because the person cannot interpret correctly what he sees or hears.

not causing the patient distress. • If the behavior interferes with caregiving, such as refusing to eat or take medicine because it’s “poisoned,” report the situation to the nurse or physician. Be sure the patient can see and hear as well as he can. Does the individual need glasses or a hearing aid? Loss of hearing or vision may contribute to confused thinking and beliefs because the person cannot interpret correctly what he sees or hears. This is compounded by memory loss caused by Alzheimer’s disease. Be sure the area is well-lighted. Reducing noise, stimulation, and activity may also help. Monitor for physical causes - lack of needed nutrition, insufficient sleep. Dehydration and medications may cause or contribute to confused thinking. Extreme lack of stimulation can lead to disturbance in thinking, too. Some behavior which appears hallucinatory may be an attempt at self-stimulation. When responding to delusions and hallucinations: • Try to determine if he or she has any difficulty with hearing or vision; • Make sure that lighting is adequate; • Make sure that she is eating a well-balanced diet; • Try to make the environment comfortable; • Keep routines and schedules consistent; • Try not to change the environment; • Check for signs of physical injuries such as bruises or scrapes;

• Determine whether the hallucination or delusion is bothering the person with dementia. If not, you may not want to discourage it; • Try to find a way to alleviate the distress;

• Respond to the feelings and not to the issue.Rather than contradict him,acknowledge his concern; • Do not get angry, and avoid arguing with them. You will not win an argument with a person who is having a hallucination or delusion. Remember, the hallucinations and delusions are very real to them; • Investigate suspicions that may be based on fact. It’s possible that they really could be a victim; • Use familiar distractions such as listening to music, exercise, playing cards, or looking at photos; • Offer reassurances.

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.

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money matters

Stock market concerns and your home By Alain Valles, CRMP, CSA, MS, MBA Nonprofit Charitable Managing Director

Stock market uncertainty and rising interest rates O uch! Stock market gains can be wiped out in a day, the Federal Reserve continues to increase interest rates, the US-China trade war is impacting companies, and even Apple has warned of

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If you are seeking a more secure and stable source of cash flow, you may be sitting in it right now – your home. a downturn. And then there’s the government. Hopefully it’s reopened by the time this article goes to print. This can all be disquieting, stomach churning, and even frightening, to see your financial future batted around, with no guarantee your money is safe. If you are seeking a more secure and stable source of cash flow, you may be sitting in it right now – your home. The equity you have built up by making mortgage payments over the years has real value. That equity could be a reliable source of tax-free immediate cash

or give you peace of mind of being able to access funds in the future if needed. As Managing Director of the self-funded nonprofit charitable mortgage company, Helping Hands Community Partners, our mission is to educate people about housing options. But it’s almost impossible to make housing decisions without considering other economic variables. We do not give financial advice but instead focus on how one may use their home to augment one’s retirement plans including creating a financial safety cushion. Reverse mortgages One option to explore is the federally insured Home Equity Conversion Mortgage which is also known as a Reverse Mortgage. We believe a reverse mortgage - when used properly – is a sound option. However, we are concerned that some borrowers don’t fully understand the risks, expenses, and ongoing obligations of a reverse mortgage. We strive to educate people about different housing choices and focus on sharing the facts about reverse mortgages.

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• Complete home improvements and renovations • Monthly check to you for life • A line of credit that grows over time • May close in a trust or life estate • Peace of mind knowing funds are available if ever needed • And, most importantly, a buffer or offset to the volatile to get off the stock market roller coaster. Please note – payment of real estate taxes, insurance, and abiding to other guidelines are always required. A bit of good news As of Jan. 1, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) increased the lending limit to $726,525 for higher valued homes. For qualified seniors, this resulted in an increase of approximately 6.89 percent. Exact figures depend on your age, home value, and financial assessment. Please contact us for more detailed information. Receive free factual information Please contact us with your questions and to receive your free copy of “Use Your Home to Stay at Home.” We are available to explain Reverse Mortgage details by phone or we are happy to visit with you at your home. At no time will you ever feel any pressure to move forward. For us, it’s all about educating people on homeownership options and living a good life. For detailed scenarios, all we ask is your age, estimated property value, current mortgage balance if any, and a few financial assessment questions.

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 + February 2019 + fiftyplus advocate

viewpoint

• 19

The old-timer and the new timer By Janice Lindsay

classic story about old and young played out in my kitchen. The characters in the drama weren’t people; they were my electronic kitchen timers. But the more the situation progressed – or, in one case, regressed – the more they seemed like people. My loyal, stalwart old kitchen timer had the height and width of a credit card, and was about a quarter-inch thick. I had acquired her for free, tied on a bottle of liquid household cleaner. At the time of the drama, she was so old that I couldn’t remember how old she was. With a still-sturdy magnet, she clung to life on my refrigerator. She was so old, that, for the last several years, whenever she worked, I had considered it a blessing. I whispered, “Thank you, friend,” when she chimed and I turned her off. She didn’t time seconds, only minutes and hours, but that was good enough. She was gentle and friendly. When I

Inklings

pushed her buttons to set the time, they responded in silence. When the time was up, she had, until the recent drama, sung a sweet, repeating, “Tweedle-deet, tweedle-deet.” She was saying, “Yoohoo, dear friend, I think it’s time to do whatever it’s time to do.” If I didn’t respond in a minute or so, she turned herself off, apparently understanding that I was busy, and not wishing to create a disturbance. But I finally had to admit that she was failing. The first to go was her numerical display. She continued to keep perfect time, but I had to set her very carefully because I could no longer read the numbers. Then, she began to lose her voice. Instead of her sweet, steady “tweedle-deet,” she began to cough “tweedle-deet, rasp, rasp.” She reminded me of a helpful, cheerful elderly lady, growing just a little frail, but aging with optimism, dignity, self-respect, and independence, continuing to perform honorable work – the kind of elderly woman that I hope I am becoming. The second character in my kitchen drama (or the third, if you count me) was the young whipper-snapper timer I was forced to buy against the day when my old friend finally succumbed.

The new timer was a couple of inches square and in inch thick. She, too, clung magnetically to the refrigerator, but she had the habit of letting go at the slightest excuse and hurtling herself across the kitchen. Apparently she enjoyed the adventure. She timed seconds, minutes, and hours. When I set the time, each button bleated a loud, energetic, and ever-so-slightly annoying, “Beeeep!” Her chime, when the time was up, was an insistent “Blat! Blat!” almost like a smoke alarm, repeated in groups of five. I feared that this blatting might go on forever, but its brash tone discouraged experimentation, so I always hurried to turn her off. She was saying, “Hey! You! C’mon! Time’s up!

Let’s go! Why are you so slow?” I kept the two timers side by side on the refrigerator. Sometimes, just to make sure my old friend was still working, I set them both at the same time as a test. My old friend understood, she did not take offense, and she did not fail (until, of course, the day she finally did). By keeping them together, I thought the new timer might impart fresh energy to the old-timer. And maybe she would absorb some of her elder’s gentleness and patience. I knew I was being silly. These were kitchen timers. Electronic devices. They couldn’t learn from each other. And they certainly didn’t have personalities. Or did they? Contact jlindsay@tidewater.net

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Over 100 Years of Continuous Service Serving All Faiths

48 School Street, Webster, MA 01570 508-943-6278 • www.shaw-majercik.com

1(800)279-7429

Veteran Owned & Operated

20 •

fiftyplus advocate + February 2019 + www.fiftyplusadvocate.com

“Thanks to my Marvel hearing aids, I can hear

It’s not just a great hearing aid. It’s a multifunctional marvel.

conversation even when

Hearing in noise, made simple and dependable.

the music’s playing.”

• • • •

Clearer, richer sound than ever before Connects to smartphones, TV and more Rechargeable, built-in batteries Smart apps for on-the-go adjustments

When you need a hearing aid that delivers the highest quality hearing performance, the ultimate in listening comfort, and is easy-to-use, look no further than the new Phonak Audéo Marvel.

New Technology Event! Month of February be our Valentine. FREE hearing consultation | FREE Demonstration of New Audéo™ Marvel | FREE 30-Day Trial Mary Ellen Curran Rancourt Au.D., CCC-A Audiologist 159 Union St, Suite 102 | Marlborough (Inside Marlborough Hospital) www.audiologyaffiliates.org

(508) 281-2281

MS059922. 208NEW

Affordable Living at its Best Income Guidelines: $36,200 single / $41,400 couple

Now accepting Applications for 62 years of age and older and those that are under 62 years of age and are permanently disabled.

• Heat and hot water included • Qualified Applicants pay 30% of adjusted income • 24 hour emergency maintenance

Comfortable floor plan

• Non-Smoking Community • Monthly activities include: exercise classes, birthday parties, book mobile, blood pressure screens and podiatry

Sherwood Village Apartments

• Manicured walking paths with garden plots

143~145 Mill Street, Natick, MA 01760

Call at 508-651-1811 for details

• Ideally located in Natick residential bus route • Pets okay under 20 lbs.

Relax in Park-like setting