Fifty Plus Advocate April 2021

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Eastern Edition | Vol. 47 | No. 2 | February 2021

Digney Fignus Cambridge native continues musical evolution

advocate

page

18

Marcia Cross at the Farrah Fawcett Foundation’s “Tex-Mex Fiesta” on September 06, 2019 in Beverly Hills, CA

Marcia Cross

Actress recalls her Marlborough childhood and now advocates for cancer prevention and research Story on page 10

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AARP Massachusetts applauds passage of ‘An Act Promoting A Resilient Health Care System That Puts Patients First’

By Mike Festa, State Director AARP Massachusetts

GET THE FAMILY CAREGIVING SUPPORT YOU NEED, WHEN YOU NEED IT Your caregiving journey can be challenging in all kinds of ways.

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BOSTON - AARP Massachusetts is pleased to report that Governor Baker signed into law Senate Bill No. 2984 –An Act Promoting A Resilient Health Care System That Puts Patients First.

On behalf of our 760,000 members and Mike Festa all older Massachusetts residents, AARP Massachusetts appreciates the dedication with which our state’s leaders have responded to the coronavirus pandemic, as well as the ongoing efforts that will be required to implement this law as we move forward.

We are pleased that An Act Putting Patients First includes provisions for the following: • Allowing for the continued use of telemedicine during this crisis and beyond, specifically addressing usage and parity for coverage for telemedicine services with the same services covered for in person visits by all payers.

• Authorizes qualified advanced practice nurses to practice at the height of their license and expertise. Advanced practice registered nurses are trained and educated to deliver safe, high quality care to consumers.

• Eliminates barriers for low-income residents seeking urgent care services.

• Expands coverage requirements for COVID-19 related testing and treatment.

• Enhances protections for patients against the unfair practice of surprise medical billing, protecting consumers against surprise bills from non-network providers who provide services without the consumer’s knowledge or consent in an otherwise in-network setting.

• Other reforms directed at lowering the cost of health care for consumers.

AARP Massachusetts looks forward to working with the Massachusetts Legislature to implement this law.

As the Massachusetts legislature

AARP advocated for several of the bills passed which could be beneficial for older Massachusetts residents. closed out the 191st General Court session, the wheels of progress were churning. AARP advocated for several of the bills passed which could be beneficial for older Massachusetts residents.

The final Fiscal Year 2021 budget included funding for programs and services that help older residents.

There is funding for home and community-based care; Meals on Wheels; increased funding for geriatric mental health programs; and SNAP funding increases. Two important items in the budget are: 1) requirements that the Department of Public Health (DPH) has to issue a report no later than February 1, 2021 detailing the rules, regulations, guidance, and best practices in place to prevent the transmission of COVID-19 from patients being discharged from hospitals to long-term care facilities and other congregate care facilities; and 2) increased funding to enhance rates paid to home care agencies to provide a wage and benefit increase to frontline home care workers.

In addition, the Fiscal Year 2021 budget extends the safe voting provisions and early voting provisions for local elections before March 31, 2021.

The Fiscal Year 2021 budget also reduces the amount of interest charged against an estate during the pandemic. MassHealth is required to recover assets from the estate of certain MassHealth members after their death, unless exceptions apply. MassHealth has the right to be repaid for the total cost of care for services paid

by MassHealth for members age 55 and older, or for members of any age who are permanently in a long-term care or other medical facility.

To find out more about AARP Massachusetts’ advocacy efforts, please visit www.aarp.org/ma Mike Festa is the State Director for AARP Massachusetts. For more articles visit www.fiftyplusadvocate. com.

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cer-related deaths are declining, and if you contract cancer, your chances of surviving + fiftyplus advocate • 3

Planning, prevention and preparation help families maintain dignity and control

By Dennis Sullivan & Associates

O

ur team had a recent COVID-19 real world experience with our client, “Mrs. Cronin”, a member of our Lifetime & Legacy Protection Program.

Mrs. Cronin was a longtime client. She and her late husband, Mr. Cronin, attended a free discovery seminar we held more than 20 years ago with the AARP Legal Services Network. We helped the Cronins establish their estate plan and they kept it up to date with their membership in the legacy and lifetime protection program at Dennis Sullivan & Associates.

We are detail oriented as an estate planning and elder law firm, so it was a pleasure to work with a like-minded client. Mrs. Cronin kept impeccable records and thought deeply

about what actions she would want taken on her behalf if one day she were incapacitated.

Mr. Cronin passed away in his 80s, and Mrs. Cronin eventually had to go to a nursing home at age 93. We kept in touch with Mrs. Cronin, visiting her to update her plan in the nursing home and staying in touch with her nearest relatives.

Fortunately, we were in touch with Mrs. Cronin’s next of kin in connection with long term, life care planning services for this longtime client and Lifetime & Legacy Protection member. We were tipped off to the problem when we learned that Mrs. Cronin was having difficulties paying some bills for real estate taxes, the nursing home, and insurance.

We knew the Cronins had saved their entire lives, so it wasn’t a lack of funds, but rather her declining capacity. Upon learning of Mrs. Cronin’s difficulties, we immediately obtained the Health Care Proxy/Living Will, HIPAA Authorization, and other health and disability life planning documentation in early April from our secure digital platform. Because of COVID-19, we began to investigate in order to determine her health and medical needs and ensure her wishes were being met. Although it took considerable effort and coordination, we were able to coordinate services on Mrs. Cronin’s behalf.

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Scituate cookbook author serves over 60 recipes with creative flair

By Ed Karvoski Jr. Culture Editor SCITUATE – Michelle M. McGrath of Scituate integrates artistic and marketing skills in her work. The most recent result is her cookbook titled “The Creative Table: Inspired Recipes that Nourish, Gather and Unite.”

Early in her career she worked as a graphic artist in the publishing industry. In 2010, she founded her public relations agency, McGrath PR, to promote the arts, nonprofits and small businesses.

“It made sense to use those skills to preserve all of the recipes I’ve created for my family over the years,” she said. “The arts and nonprofits have been quiet during the pandemic and my work parallels that. It gave me an opportunity to think about what’s on my bucket list.”

From meal deliveries to compiling recipes When the pandemic hit in March 2020, McGrath prepared and delivered meals to educators for several weeks. In retrospect, she perceives it was subliminal groundwork

Michelle M. McGrath

toward beginning the cookbook last summer.

“First, I went through my entire archival library of recipes – everything I’ve created off the top of my head or adapted from longstanding family recipes,” she explained. “Many

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of the recipes that I still have are in my grandmother’s own handwriting.

I wanted to make sure that those recipes as they have been adapted were passed down through the generations.”

After choosing the book’s 60plus recipes, McGrath needed to refine the ingredients and instructions.

She solicited neighbors to take part in her one-week test kitchen.

“I have a lot of happy neighbors,” she said of the taste testers. “I spent the entire week cooking two or three dishes a day.”

Along the way, she photographed the dishes. A photo accompanies each of the book’s recipes.

For McGrath, cooking is a creative outlet – hence, she named the cookbook “The Creative Table.”

“I like to make food look as good as it tastes,” she noted. “When I go to the kitchen, the same rules apply as if I were creating art. Pastel is one of my favorite mediums to use as an artist because it’s very colorful and textural – and so is food.”

Shortly before committing to compile recipes, McGrath created a new dish with a coined word: chicken “saltimprese.” A photo she took the same day is on her book’s cover.

“I felt particularly creative that day,” she recalled. “I had ingredients for chicken saltimbocca as well as chicken caprese salad. I realized that I’d like to meld those flavors together.

The chicken ‘saltimprese’ recipe was born out of the combination of ingredients in the house. It was so pretty to look at that I took pictures.”

Amazon’s #1 in New England cooking category Her cookbook was published Nov. 3, 2020. Ten days later, it rose to #1 on Amazon in the New England cooking category. Although a professional publicist, McGrath doesn’t credit her marketing skills for the accomplishment.

“I joke with my friends that I’m almost a failure at my own public relations because I hadn’t even written a press announcement about the cookbook yet,” she acknowledged.

“Truly, the book rising to #1 in New England came from word mouth of friends and family, and people in the media. Then it took off on its own.”

The first-time author is thankful that she exceeded her goal.

“My original goal was to just document the recipes that I wanted my kids to have years after I’m gone,” McGrath noted. “I’m so incredibly grateful to have had so much fun with a project that I thought was just checking off a bucket list item. It turned out to be an incredible way to spend the pandemic year.”

“The Creative Table” is available on Amazon, McGrathPR.com and at several South Shore gift and bookstores.

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•5

Chicken Saltimprese – makes four servings

For the chicken: 8 large chicken tenders 2 cloves of garlic, finely minced 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

For the chicken: On a large cutting board, between two sheets of plastic wrap or waxed paper, pound chicken tenders to 1/4” thickness. In a medium bowl, whisk together garlic, olive oil, salt and pepper. Add the chicken to the marinade, refrigerate until assembly, up to 24 hours ahead.

For the filling and topping: 8-12 slices prosciutto 1/2 8-ounce ball fresh mozzarella, cut into 4 evenly thick slices, halved 1 large heirloom tomato, sliced, cut to similar size as mozzarella half slices 24 fresh basil leaves, divided 1-2 slices red onion, separated into rings, cut into 1” strips 1 cup shredded Italian blend cheese Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste 1 tablespoon olive oil Cooking spray Fresh basil and parsley, finely minced, for garnish

Make the purse: On a clean dry surface or cutting board, lay out one piece of prosciutto.

Cross it with a pounded chicken tender to form an “X.” In the center, build a stack of one piece of tomato, one piece of cheese, several onion strips and two basil leaves. Fold the chicken tender ends over the stack, and in the opposite direction, fold in the prosciutto ends to form a tightly sealed purse. Repeat with remaining ingredients. (Additional prosciutto slices can be helpful sealing in exposed ingredients.) In a medium skillet, sear each purse in batches in olive oil on both sides until lightly browned. Transfer to a 9” x 13” glass or metal baking dish coated in cooking spray. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

For the sauce: 2 tablespoons chopped red onion or shallot 2 cloves of garlic, peeled, finely minced 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 1 cup Marsala wine 1 cup extra dry vermouth or dry white wine 1 tablespoon butter 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice 1/2 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped

Prepare the sauce: In the same skillet, sauté red onion and garlic in olive oil over medium-low heat until translucent, about two minutes. Add in both wines, return to a simmer until reduced slightly. Add butter, lemon juice and parsley, simmer over low heat for two minutes. Pour the sauce over chicken purses and bake until fully cooked in the center, about 15-20 minutes. Top with shredded cheese, fresh basil, parsley, salt and pepper, and return to the oven for five minutes, or until the cheese begins to brown. Cut purses in half, and serve cut side up drizzled with pan juices.

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Default set to ‘try something new’

By Peg Lopata Contributing writer BOSTON - Drew Motta, 50, is a busy man. He likes things that way. However, the pandemic has made his usual juggling act a bit more challenging.

“Working from home while my wife runs her store, helping my daughter, Olive, 13, with school, keeping kids and adults safe at Artists for Humanity and Cambridge Youth Hockey--- it’s really about trying to keep it all together,” said Motta.

But by following his guiding philosophy to be kind and stay curious, Motta is managing it all.

It helps that Motta is not afraid to try something new.

“If I’m given the opportunity to try something new, meet someone from a different background, or hear new music, I jump at it,” he explained. “I’m even unable to pass up a candy I’ve never tried or a strange flavor soda.” He just sampled, for example, passion fruit soda.

“I try to default to saying ‘yes’ to new opportunities.”

Not surprisingly, being the type that says “‘yes”’ more than “‘no,” Motta

thrives on being a participant, rather than a spectator. He joins in 200-mile overnight relay races, volunteers as the president of Cambridge Youth Hockey and is director of operations at Artists for Humanity, (AFH) in Boston---an organization he’s been working with for over 25 years.

Artists for Humanity – nurturing teen leaders “AFH began as a small kernel of an idea to an organization that has served thousands of teens in Boston,” he said.

“I feel we’ve nurtured creative leaders who have, through their diversity, made

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Marlborough doctor runs COVID-19 vaccine clinic for school nurses

By Dakota Antelman Contributing Writer REGION - Marlborough doctor Louis Kuchnir mobilized a COVID-19 vaccine clinic in just 14 hours, earlier this month.

Amid a national vaccine rollout plagued by delays, that effort means 65 area school nurses, in particular, now have an extra layer of protection as they continue their fight against the coronavirus.

“It was a fantastic thing to see,” Hudson Schools Superintendent Marco Rodrigues said in an interview Jan. 8. “The excitement on the face of every single person who came in was amazing.”

Concerns about vaccine delays Kuchnir is a dermatologist. That job had him and his team of employees in line to receive vaccines just as they became available last month.

As the state put into motion its vaccination infrastructure, however, Kuchnir said he became concerned.

“I kind of know what the state can and can’t do in a hot hurry,” he said. “I could not see them being able to get all those doses out.”

I kind of know what the state can and can’t do in a hot hurry. I could not see them being able to get all those doses out.

livered to vaccination clinics but not yet administered to patients, as of Jan. 11.

Efforts to get vaccine doses Louis Kuchnir, MD (right) stands with his office All this gave Kuchmanager, Jane, and his shipment of COVID-19 nir a sense of urgency vaccines in elaborate cardboard boxes. that he acted on the night after he received his shot, himself, Dec. 27 Massachusetts, indeed, has had “That was really where this setbacks. In mid-December, just after kicked off,” he explained. initial doses arrived at area hospitals, Through a state program, Kuchit saw the federal government cut a nir applied to receive 100 vaccine dosscheduled shipment of vaccines by es from the Cambridge drug-maker roughly 20%.

Moderna. Those doses arrived earMore broadly, nationwide logisly Jan. 7, an unexpected surprise to tical errors left millions of doses de-

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A melted candy bar brought the world the microwave oven And what did Spencer earn for his revolutionary discovery? The standard Raytheon payment at the time for all of its inventors – a token $2 bonus, worth just under $29 today.

By Brett Peruzzi Contributing Writer WALTHAM - Like many inventions, the technology that would lead to the microwave oven was discovered by accident, in a Massachusetts laboratory.

In 1945, a Raytheon engineer named Percy Spencer was testing magnetrons, a type of vacuum tube that generates microwaves and is used in radar systems, when he noticed that a candy bar in his pocket had started to grow warm and melt.

Intrigued, he returned to the lab in Waltham the next day with some popping corn, and the kernels began popping when he fired up the vacuum tubes. He next fashioned a crude oven by installing a magnetron inside a metal box and used it to reheat his lunches. Spencer and Raytheon, today a global defense industry giant, patented the technology that allowed food to be cooked faster than ever.

Left: Percy Spencer, the Raytheon engineer credited with inventing the microwave oven

Right: One of the original Raytheon RadaRange microwave ovens from 1947

The first microwave – the RadaRange Two years later Raytheon released its first commercial microwave oven, which it dubbed the Rada-

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Range. It wasn’t an immediate success, however, since it was nearly six feet tall, weighed almost 750 pounds, and cost $5,000, over $58,000 in today’s dollars. Laurence Marshall, one of the founders of Raytheon who also served as president and chairman of the board of directors, used one of the original RadaRange microwave ovens in his home for decades before donating it to the company archives.

For the general public, the microwave oven was a marvel.

“One area resident recalls,” notes the book Raytheon Company: The First Sixty Years, “that a Raytheon RadaRange held crowds spellbound at the now defunct Norumbega Park in Newton with its ability to convert cellophane bags of corn into popped corn in a matter of seconds.”

Over the years, the size of commercial microwave ovens shrunk dramatically until they fit on a counter top or could be easily installed under a kitchen cabinet. Prices dropped steeply as well, putting them within easy reach of most middle-class households. By the mid-1970s microwaves were outselling gas ranges, and a decade later one in four American households had one. Today there’s a microwave oven in over 90% of American households, which many people use every day to both cook and reheat a wide variety of food and beverages, and they probably can’t imagine life without it.

An unlikely inventor Spencer was an unlikely candidate to become a famed inventor, who by the time of his retirement, held about 300 patents. He grew up poor in Maine and did not even complete grammar school. After joining the Navy at age 18, he became an expert in radio technology, largely through self-study, and then went on to teach himself higher mathematics like calculus and trigonometry, and scientific subjects such as chemistry and physics. He was an early Raytheon employee, joining the company in the 1920s, and eventually became a senior vice president and member of the board of directors, managing thousands of employees.

Today, there is a building named in his honor at the Raytheon Missile Defense Center in Woburn, and one of the early RadaRange microwaves is on display in the lobby.

And what did Spencer earn for his revolutionary discovery? The standard Raytheon payment at the time for all of its inventors – a token $2 bonus, worth just under $29 today.

www.fiftyplusadvocate.com + FEBRUARY 2021 + fiftyplus advocate

•9

Marlborough doctor runs COVID-19 vaccine clinic for school nurses Kuchnir | from page 7

hometown of Southborough. As first responders there already had plans to get their vaccines soon, though, Fire Chief Steven Achilles redirected Kuchnir to Northborough/Southborough Schools Superintendent Greg Martineau.

Martineau responded enthusiastically and circulated Kuchnir’s vaccine invitation through an informal network of area superintendents long desperate to help their school nurses.

When Kuchnir wrapped his regular day of serving patients, Jan. 7, he had dozens of nurses waiting to volunteer for his clinic and needing to receive his shots.

“It felt amazing to be able to care for the caregivers,” Kuchnir said. “…

They were so gracious and appreciative and helpful. It really was special.”

By the end of dual clinics on both Jan. 7 and Jan. 8, Kuchnir, a der-

matologist with no experience delivering vaccines celebrated inoculating 100 people, the majority of which were school nurses working in eight districts from Marlborough, to Grafton, to Waltham.

Good news in a time of stress The virus is not over. And the people Kuchnir helped vaccinate still even need to return to his office next month to get a second round of shots.

Kuchnir is happy, though, to have been a part of a joyous moment within an imperfect vaccine rollout at the end of a horrifying year of loss, frustration and pain due to the pandemic.

“I just haven’t felt this way in 20 years of being a doctor,” he said.

“I help people every day. But I don’t usually get to help 65 nurses in two days...I’m just really grateful that the state sent me a box [of vaccines]. I hope I did my best with it.”

Default set to ‘try something new’ Motta | from page 6

Boston a better place to live.”

When he first discovered AFH he was immediately impressed with the young people in the organization who were selling apparel that they had created themselves.

“Their designs were different, unique, and exciting,” said Motta.

“I wanted to be a part of such a bold group of artists. AFH is always working to give kids ways to share their art.

They get opportunities to work on a real-world art projects for one of our real-world clients.”

Cambridge Youth Hockey – coach to administrator Motta currently serves as president of the board for Cambridge Youth Hockey, a position he found suited him better than coaching, how he initially got involved.

“I’m six feet five inches and can

barely skate. I looked like Bambi on ice,” he said.

Though he didn’t stay with coaching, it was a rewarding experience.

“We lost as many games as we won, but it sure was fun,” said Motta. “The best part was watching the kids celebrate when they get a goal.”

A passion for helping kids His volunteer work for Cambridge Youth Hockey and his position at AFH require some different skill sets, but both are nonprofits.

“I’m fortunate that both allow me to work with young people who are pursuing their passion supported by a group of committed adults. My experience working at AFH has helped me support Cambridge Youth Hockey,” he said.

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fiftyplus advocate + FEBRUARY 2021 + www.fiftyplusadvocate.com

Marcia Cross recalls her Marlborough childhood Actress now advocates for cancer prevention and research M A R LBO RO UGH –

By Jane Keller Gordon, Assistant Editor

B

efore Marcia Cross — now 58 — performed Shakespeare and starred as Bree Van de Kamp in the hit TV series, “Desperate Housewives,” she was “The Panther,” Marlborough High School’s mascot. Her mom, Janet Cross, shared with the Fifty Plus Advocate, “Marcia worked at Dunkin Donuts back then starting at 5 a.m. so she would be free Saturday afternoons for the football games. She was a great panther.”

Recently, Janet said, “I just found a copy of Marcia’s high school graduation program when I was cleaning out. It went Conway, Cross – as in George Conway, Kellyanne’s husband.”

(Kellyanne Conway is a former senior advisor to President Donald Trump while her husband has been an outspoken opponent of the president.)

Growing up in Marlborough The Cross family raised their three daughters, Ellen, Marcia and Susan, in Marlborough. Janet and her husband Mark have lived there for over 60 years.

“We lived in a great neighborhood with wonderful people. There were lots of children the same age as mine,” she said.

Janet, a retired longtime teacher

Marcia Cross at the 5th Biennial Stand Up To Cancer held at the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles on September 9, 2016.

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www.fiftyplusadvocate.com + FEBRUARY 2021 + fiftyplus advocate Marcia Cross, Nicolette Sheridan, Felicity Huffman and Eva Longoria at the Primetime Emmys 2005, Shrine Auditorium on September 18, 2005 in Los Angeles, CA

PHOTO/SHUTTERSTOCK

Marcia Cross at the Step Up Women’s Network’s 2009 Inspiration Awards Luncheon, Beverly Hills, CA.

in Marlborough, is proud of all three of her daughters, who are very close.

“Susan is a teacher in New Hampshire who now lives in York, Maine. Ellen, a computer program director, lives in Watertown. I have seven grandchildren, including one boy.”

Educators help the young actress Two teachers named Betsy played a significant role in Marcia’s success.

According to Janet, “We owe it all to her sixth grade teacher Betsy Banks who put her in a play called ‘The Witch of Blackbird Pond.’

As a child, Marcia was always lively. She took piano lessons and dance lessons from the Ceil Sharon School of Dance, where everyone

went in those days.”

Marcia also gave credit to another Betsy.

“The biggest influence in my young life was my high school drama teacher Betsy Joseph. At 14 years old I asked her to take me to NYC never thinking she would say yes,” she recalled.

“Much to my surprise she did and accompanied myself and three other students to the Big Apple where we saw ‘A Chorus Line,’ went to Sardi’s, and ate at the Top of the World Trade Center. She also helped me get a scholarship to Tufts University for their summer drama program, had me direct a play at school and encouraged me to follow my dreams.

We are still, all these years later, great friends.”

Julliard During her senior year of high school, Marcia finished her studies by December so she could audition for college theater programs during the second half.

Ultimately she landed a coveted spot at Julliard.

“We could not see any performances at Julliard until Marcia’s third year. When we did, it was beautiful,” Janet recalled.

About Julliard, Marcia said, “What I am truly most grateful for is my parents support in my decision to go to The Juilliard School. I have marveled many times at them paying for an education that must have seemed like a pie in the sky dream.

Once upon a time I took for granted the time, money and love that was so easily given to me growing up, but

never as an adult. They are inherently generous in every way and I have the deepest love and the greatest respect for them.”

• 11

Cancer survivor and advocate These days Marcia is busying raising her 13-year-old twin girls on the west coast along with husband Tom Mahoney. Both Marcia and her husband have recovered from cancer – hers anal and his throat – which have been linked to the same human papillomavirus (HPV ).

Marcia commented, “As for going through anal cancer, I was very lucky that my gynecologist discovered it early. What I have done since my recovery and continue to do now, is to educate others about the HPV virus and the cancers it can cause.

It certainly wasn’t a job I was looking for, but no one was speaking out about it and too many people were suffering silently.”

“I credit my no- nonsense New England upbringing to feeling no shame. It is a ubiquitous virus,” she added. “Almost everyone gets it so there should be no stigma about protecting ourselves from it or treating it if we do. I hope one day HPV and all its repercussions will be spoken about as freely as we discuss other cancers that were also once thought of as taboo.”

For more information, visit www.HPVAlliance.org and www. analcancerfoundation.org.

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12 •

Planning, prevention and preparation help families maintain dignity and control Estate Planning | from page 3

Believe it or not, we were rebuffed by nursing home personnel numerous times, including having phones hung up and missed scheduled appointments with nursing home staff and leadership. During this time, Mrs. Cronin was locked in her room due to the COVID-19 restrictions at the nursing home.

Hard work and Mrs. Cronin’s diligence and dedication pays off Communication challenges abounded due to COVID-19, as the nursing home and financial institutions both restricted in person access.

We encountered communication challenges with the financial institutions as we worked with the various cepts levels of responsibility at the bank in Group order to ensure Mrs. Cronin’s income taxes, real estate taxes, home insurance, and nursing home bills were paid. vised Despite numerous challenges encountered, we were able to work with the bank regarding Mrs. Cronin’s Trust and the Power of Attorney, as well as the attending physician, eventually, at the nursing home.

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Our main responsibilities were met on behalf of Mrs. Cronin We accomplished Mrs. Cronin’s efforts to exercise her legal rights to retain control of not only financial decisions, but also health decisions

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regarding end-of-life treatment made by trusted individuals, rather than having to go to court. Disability court proceedings are long and expensive and result in ongoing court involvement, expenses, and can mean unmet health and financial objectives.

Initially, we anticipated there would be cooperation with the nursing home and the bank, but were surprised at the time it took (6 weeks!) to establish connection and working relationships because of the levels of bureaucracy, which was especially troubling for the family.

Most importantly for Mrs. Cronin, her Health Care Proxy and Living Will was explained to her attending physician. This was accomplished by an Aging Life Coordinator that we have known for years, who we engaged on Mrs. Cronin’s behalf. Our team is thankful we were there for her and that she had the right plan in place to protect her. As a result, Mrs. Cronin’s legally binding healthcare wishes were honored. Could you imagine if her care was left up to the state, courts, and nursing home?

Our team ensured that Mrs. Cronin’s choices were written into her documents, honoring that no unwanted extreme end of life measures were taken when the time came that she was at the end of life. We and her family were relieved that these goals were met.

Mrs. Cronin’s final wishes on

legal and health care matters with the nursing home and the attending physician, as well as her financial institutions, were met. Despite the obstacles that surfaced with financial institutions and the nursing home, Mrs. Cronin’s legally expressed rights and wishes were honored in full! Needless to say, our team feels fortunate that we were able to provide essential services for a client who thankfully obtained the valuable benefits, protection and our team’s commitment to take action and honor her wishes on her behalf.

We are a compassionate, understanding and committed team that is dedicated to the community and families we serve, and in helping others understand their options at this difficult time. We feel blessed that we are able to help the Cronin family and others to safeguard what matters most to them. With our 19-point Trust, Health, Life, Disability and Estate Planning Guide, families know EXACTLY what they need to protect their health, home, spouse, family, property, legacy, and life savings. If you or a family member had to endure a situation like Mrs. Cronin, wouldn’t you prefer to have “T’s” crossed and “I’s” dotted, so that you and your family are in control rather than the government, health care and nursing home? The alternative is by default to let the key matters be unresolved, which automatically increases the levels of stress and anxiety as well as the risk of financial ruin for families, especially in this critical time in history. Now more than ever, the important changes and updates for you and your family’s plan is exactly why families turn to us for help as they have for generations!

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Toothpicks

By Marianne Delorey, Ph.D. Executive Director, Colony Retirement Homes

I

am always impressed by people who build miniature works of art and engineering – my favorite has always been bridges made of toothpicks.

I marvel at the intricacy, the delicacy, and the relative sturdiness of something made of small slivers of wood and glue. I wonder if these bridges were life-size, would they hold up? Would they be knocked over by the first storm? What about an attack on the abutments or pilings?

This makes me think about memory. Our memories are much like those creative endeavors – many memories connect one person to another through common bits of shared experiences, thoughts, world views, and love.

My mom is gone now, but in the decade before she died, she started getting forgetful. Sometimes, it was little things that are easy to brush off – the name of the store near my house or a certain joke we used to share. Over time, she started forgetting more of those little toothpicks. It nearly broke my heart when she forgot my childhood nickname.

But that bridge started looking even less stable when the stories she was forgetting were her own.

Those memories were structural – they did not bridge us but held up her end. I did try to stick that piece of wood back where it belonged by retelling her about her own memories – how she played hide and seek when she was little and accidentally locked herself in the ice box and how she met my father’s family the day the lights went out on the east coast. But I knew the abutment was getting weak.

She knew she was getting forgetful and often made light of it. I will never know how much she had forgotten as she got to the point where she would just chuckle at me, not admitting she forgot, but not quite sure what else she could do.

When she had her stroke, it was like a bomb hit the bridge.

There were still connections from one side to the other, but they could not hold weight. Most days, she knew who I was and where she was. I tried in desperation to pick up all the toothpicks I could find. I made her a photo book so she could have the faces and names in front of her if she forgot.

I made sure she had a guest book so she could keep track of who visited.

These efforts were futile because she could not hold the books with only one hand and reading was a challenge with only half of her visual field.

I recited her favorite poem and prayers with her. The familiar cadence seemed to help, even if she could not independently come up with the right words. I tried in vain to recreate memories and glue everything back in place. Even these efforts probably helped me more than they helped her.

The bridge between us collapsed when she died. From my side, I still see the abutments and pilings. I see many toothpicks reaching out into the void. Some reach far, others are half splintered because without her, I have forgotten things too. They reach into the nothingness desperately trying to cling to the stability they once knew. The abutment on my side was shaken by the bomb but it will stand until I die. It can never be rebuilt, though and so as we age, we are surrounded by abutments that are no longer connected.

If you have a forgetful elder, remember to help shore up their bridge with them while you can. The bridge will not last, but the abutment on your side will stand longer.

I will never know how much she had forgotten as she got to the point where she would just chuckle at me, not admitting she forgot, but not quite sure what else she could do.

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.

• 13

Planning, prevention and preparation help families maintain dignity and control Estate Planning | from page 12

been our experience that health care documents, DNRs and MA MOLSTs need to be reviewed and updated. Could you imagine if Mrs. Cronin or anyone’s life could be saved with a ventilator during COVID-19 but outdated documents prevented that?

Mrs. Cronin’s battle with the financial institutions and nursing home changes started early in March and April of 2020 just when COVID-19 began to wreak havoc on daily life. The pandemic has shown us all how difficult common errands and tasks can become, even when we are able to do them for ourselves.

Needless to say, you should look into legal, tax financial and health choices for now and in the future for you and your family.

At age 97, Mrs. Cronin lived a long, happy, healthy, productive life and was loved and well respected by all who knew her, passing away peacefully, as she wanted.

Neighbors we met with while coordinating services during her declining days and after she passed

noted how nice a couple Mr. and Mrs. Cronin were, and how Mrs. Cronin welcomed many new neighbors over the years. Yes, Mrs. Cronin will be missed by all who knew her.

If you would like to learn where and why currently 90% plus of the health, life, legacy and estate plans are out of date now, plan to attend a virtual discovery session. You may qualify for $1,425 in valuable benefits to create or update your family’s plan to protect your health, home, spouse, family, legacy, and life savings. Once you understand you will even have the opportunity to schedule a virtual personal review and counseling session. Because our team’s availability is limited due to helping many long-term client families, we require virtual (online) discovery session attendance so you clearly understand not only where the problems exist in your plan, but also how to implement a plan to protect your home, spouse, family, legacy, and life savings without the need to leave your home.

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money matters

Reverse mortgages - ‘Quiet of the Night’

By Alain Valles, CRMP, CSA, MS, MBA Nonprofit Charitable Managing Director Stay strong It’s 4 a.m.

I must meet the deadline to submit this month’s article that I’ve been writing for over six years and perhaps by providence the lyrics of the little-known song “Quiet of the Night” by Karan Casey come to mind – In the quiet of the night I make up my dreams And steal a bit of peace To ease me through the day In the quiet of the night I make up my mind I decide to stay strong For the rest of the way

I have educated and helped hundreds and hundreds of families about the pros and cons of reverse mortgages. I am so honored to provide options on how to remain or obtain financial peace of mind. But it weighs on me knowing that there are so many older homeowners that are living in unnecessary pain when a viable solution is readily available.

If you are a homeowner and are waking up in the middle of the night worrying about having sufficient cash flow today or in the future, then make up your mind to stay strong and learn about all the available options to ease your financial stress. You might find that a reverse mortgage is the optimal plan.

I have made up my mind that I will continue to help as many senior homeowners as possible stay strong for the rest of the way.

Reverse mortgage top uses A reverse mortgage gives a qualified borrower the option to receive cash as a lump sum, a monthly check, or a line of credit with NO minimum required monthly mortgage payment.

The homeowner is, of course, required to pay ongoing real estate tax-

es and insurance and meet other loan guidelines. By not having a monthly mortgage payment, thousands of eligible homeowners have utilized a reverse mortgage to: • Increase monthly cash flow • Pay off a current mortgage or home equity line • Payoff credit cards • Pay real estate taxes and property insurance • Complete needed home repairs or desired improvements • Ability to pay for at home care or nursing home expenses • Finalize divorce situations • Pay IRS obligations • Settle legal matters • Use a reverse mortgage to purchase a new home • Purchase a second home or condo in warmer weather • Install a new septic system • Purchase a new or used car • Buy an RV • Support grandchildren’s educational needs • Gift to adult children for their

home purchase dreams Prepay funeral expenses Estate and financial planning purposes • Cash reserves for unforeseen emergency life events • Estate planning • Home accessibility improvements • The option of receiving a lump sum of cash, a monthly distribution, a line off credit or a combination of the three – all income tax free • Peace of mind knowing that cash is available if needed • And, the list goes on! What are your needs and desires?

The key point is a reverse mortgage is a very flexible financial tool that can achieve varied goals. The first step is to obtain accurate information.

Obtain your free “How to Use Your Home to Stay at Home” 36page book approved by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and published by the • •

SUPER CROSSWORD PUZZLE

Reverse mortgage | 15

“O - E VEY!” (answers on page 15)

www.fiftyplusadvocate.com + FEBRUARY 2021 + fiftyplus advocate

viewpoint

• 15

Do you need one more opinion?

By Janice Lindsay

S

ometimes I feel as if I’m being bombarded with opinions. Too many opinions. Everywhere I look and listen: opinions. Talk shows.

Newspapers. Magazines. Television news and latenight TV. Websites. Blogs. Opinions, all put forth by people who are paid, or hope to get paid or at least get attention, for sharing their opinions.

I suppose that technically, because I’m a columnist, that group includes me. But as I review my past columns, I see that many have been short on opinions. In fact, some are almost opinion-free. Have I been lax in fulfilling readers’ expectations?

Have I been remiss in meeting my obligations in the Opinions Department?

Answers to Super Crossword (puzzle on page 14)

But as I review my past columns, I see that many have been short on opinions. In fact, some are almost opinion-free. Have I been lax in fulfilling readers’ expectations?

To remedy this situation, I herewith present a backlog of opinions that have been lurking, hoping to be expressed some day. Feel free to ignore them if you are already stressed by being up to your eyeballs in unsolicited opinions.

But here goes, in case you’re still with me.

First, in my opinion, “freedom of speech” has a corollary: freedom of listen. You have the right to say whatever you think. I have the right to ignore you, politely and respectfully, of course. We can all save time and energy we now spend feeling offended and upset if we exercise our right to not pay attention. Here’s my rule: Would I directly ask this person’s opinion, if I had the chance? If not, I feel free to ignore it.

Second. In my opinion, as we enjoy freedom of information, we also have a right to enjoy freedom from information. If Glamorous MegaSuperStar Performer spends the summer on her boyfriend’s yacht, leaving her husband behind, is that my business? Do I care? As Russian writer Alexander Solzhenitsyn wrote, “People also have the right not to know…

The right not to have their divine souls stuffed with gossip, nonsense, and vain talk.”

Third. In my opinion, we shouldn’t allow the technology tail to wag the common-sense dog. My groceries and I once languished in a

Reverse mortgages: retirement derailed?

Reverse mortgage | from page 14

National Council on Aging.

Please give me a call at 781-724-6221 or email infoaboutreversemortgages@gmail.com to receive your free copy of “Use Your Home to Stay at Home.”

Stay strong. Stay safe. Thank you.

Alain Valles 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. He is the senior reverse mortgage loan officer MLO#7946 at Powerhouse Funding Corp. NMLS #1740551. He can arrange but does not make loans. Alain can be reached directly at 781-724-6221 or by email at infoaboutreversemortgages@ gmail.com. For more articles visit www.fiftyplusadvocate.com.

supermarket checkout line because The Computer wouldn’t accept the previous shopper’s check. Numerous human staff members agreed it was an okay check, signed properly, written on a local bank, for the correct amount. But nobody knew how to relay this information to the Computer.

So the rest of us waited while our ice cream melted.

Fourth, speaking of groceries.

Food companies should be honest and raise their prices, instead of giving us shrinking packages for the same price and hope we won’t notice.

What was once a half-gallon con-

tainer of ice cream looks the same, but is now a pint short. Am I a pint less hungry?

Finally, in my opinion, while food companies are being honest about groceries, they should tell the truth about those thumb-size perforations on the sides of cardboard packages that contain, for example, pasta. Instructions say, “Press to open.” Did you ever actually open one by pressing? Me neither. If they were honest, they would direct you to “Stab these little dots with the point of a sharp knife until they give up, and try not to hurt yourself.”

There you are. Random opinions to make up for past columns in which I have not shared enough opinions, and maybe even to make up for future columns where no opinions occur.

I’m aware that you might not have asked my opinions on these subjects if you had a chance. So I will not be offended if you exercise your right to ignore me.

Contact jclindsay@tidewater.net.

16 •

fiftyplus advocate + FEBRUARY 2021 + www.fiftyplusadvocate.com

Quincy entertainment and event producer faces pandemic challenges

By Ed Karvoski Jr. Culture Editor QUINCY – Entertainment and event producer John F. McDonald Jr. of Quincy is accustomed to planning logistics year-round to accommodate attendees at venues of varying capacities.

Now, he and his colleagues are challenged with unprecedented pandemic restrictions.

“Do we start planning for the summer now, or will the summer be a bust?” he wondered aloud. “I think outdoor performances are doable, but the governor might not lift restrictions on gatherings. Everything is unknown.”

McDonald founded his company JM Productions while a junior at North Quincy High School, where he graduated in 1978. His current part-time job is events coordinator for the city of Quincy.

Working alongside celebrities and budding performers As a producer, he draws on experience working in various positions at theaters on and off Broadway in New York City and in Boston. While

JM Productions’ Rising Stars in concert at Church of the Presidents in Quincy

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in NYC, he also worked as a personal assistant for several celebrities. Some contacts from those gigs have ultimately worked in his productions.

The last major event McDonald produced pre-pandemic was a finale concert for the daylong Fair Saturday Quincy presented Nov. 30, 2019.

Created in Spain in 2014 and now held internationally, Fair Saturday is an arts and culture festival with a social impact.

“Quincy was chosen to be the first city in the United States to hold this event,” McDonald noted.

He worked double-duty as concert producer and the city’s events coordinator.

The concert featured Tony and Emmy Award-winning actress-singer Lillias White and SiriusXM radio host Seth Rudetsky of “Seth Speaks” and “On Broadway.” Also featured were middle and high school singers of JM Productions’ Rising Stars program.

“It was cool for the Rising Stars kids to be able to show their talent while the Broadway performers watched them,” McDonald recalled.

Fair Saturday’s return in 2020 with a finale concert featuring Broadway singer-actress Liz Callaway got canceled, as did other events that Quincy typically hosts during Thanksgiving weekend culminating with a Christmas parade. 2020 would

have marked the parade’s 68th year.

“Hundreds of thousands of people have been attending the Christmas parade over the years,” McDonald relayed.

Counteracting cancellations with a new online contest For McDonald’s company, his first 2020 cancelation was an annual spring concert series beginning in March at Common Market Restaurants for which he brings NYC entertainers to Quincy.

For Quincy, McDonald was planning the city’s inaugural Plant & Flower Festival. In preparation, he and his team wanted to network with vendors at 2020’s Boston Flower & Garden Show, which was held only three of its five scheduled days last March.

“We went to talk to vendors and they said, ‘We’re packing up,’” McDonald recounted. “They canceled the rest of the show’s weekend the day we were there. That was an eye-opener!”

2020 cancelations continued for JM Productions with its two ongoing summertime projects: Showboat Cruises from Squantum Point Park in Quincy and the Rising Stars summer camp. The camp is an opportunity for Broadway or touring performers to coach young singers to present a public concert.

www.fiftyplusadvocate.com + FEBRUARY 2021 + fiftyplus advocate (l to r) Tony and Emmy Award-winning actress-singer Lillias White, entertainment and event producer John F. McDonald Jr., and SiriusXM radio host Seth Rudetsky

I think I’ll find a way to stay in the business because I’ve been doing this for so long. It may not look like it did during the successful years, but the business is in my blood. It’s part of who I am.

— John F. McDonald Jr.,

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• 17

“A lot of kids who’ve done the Rising Stars program went on to do Broadway and national tours,” McDonald noted.

Now, JM Productions’ Rising Stars is launching an online singing contest. Sixthto 12th-graders (not necessarily from Quincy) can submit a video of themselves singing, which will be uploaded on Facebook for public viewing. The public’s “love” reactions will count as 30% toward the elimination process. The other 70% will be decided by celebrity judges.

“We wanted to do the contest in the winter because winter blues could set in – and COVID-19 blues could really set in,” McDonald explained. “We’ll announce the winners in the spring.”

Cash prizes will be awarded to the top three winners. Other prizes will be announced during the process.

Hope for 2021 McDonald is looking toward 2021 with mixed feelings of uncertainty and hope.

“It’s difficult when the ways of bringing income into your life dry up and you’re dependent on only a part-time status,” he acknowledged.

“I think I’ll find a way to stay in the business because I’ve been doing this for so long. It may not look like it did during the successful years, but the business is in my blood. It’s part of who I am.”

Find more information about his JM Productions and Rising Stars’ contest at jmproductionspresents.com and facebook.com/JMProductionsPresents.

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Cambridge native Digney Fignus continues musical evolution

By Ed Karvoski Jr. Culture Editor REGION – Singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Digney Fignus began making a name for himself in Boston’s late-1970s art-rock scene with the trio called The Spikes. His popularity broadened geographically in the 1980s when MTV showcased Digney Fignus, the band he named after himself. Now, Fignus is in the process of adapting a previously-released song of his to a stage musical.

The name of the game Born in Cambridge and raised in Lexington as Bobby Brown, he started songwriting and played bass for a garage band while in high school. He moved in the 1970s to Los Angeles, where he played acoustic guitar for solo gigs as well as bass in a disco band called Pipedream. Upon relocating to Cambridge a few years later, he continued performing solo and discovered an astounding statistic of his birth name in the Billboard entertainment guide.

“I looked up ‘Bobby Brown’ to see how many there were,” he recounted.

“There was a whole page-and-a-half of

Above: Danny McGrath and Digney Fignus on the mainstage at The Chanel in Boston in the 1980s

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them, so I knew I had to come up with something completely unique.”

After adopting the moniker Digney Fignus, he played electric guitar with The Spikes at Boston clubs and loft shows. Among their original songs that achieved local radio airplay were “Air Raid” and “Summer Vacation.”

“All of a sudden, everything opened up for bands with original music,” Fignus recalled. “Visual artists and musicians were getting together, and there was a big loft scene on Thayer Street with all-night parties. It was pretty wild.”

Fignus also co-owned the nightclub Streets, located on Commonwealth Avenue in the Allston neighborhood of Boston. Streets was named Boston’s #1 nightclub in 1981 by the now-defunct alternative newspaper Boston Phoenix.

His chance meeting on the subway

PHOTO/SHEILA ROBERTS ORLANDO

with Danny McGrath ultimately led them and other musicians to form the band known as Digney Fignus in 1983.

McGrath was a cast member of the PBS children’s television show “Zoom” from 1972 to ’74.

Creating MTV’s ‘Basement Tapes’ winning video Initially based in punk and new wave music, the band recorded Fignus’ song titled “The Girl with the Curious Hand” and shot an accompanying video, which won MTV’s “Basement Tapes” competition.

Hired to portray “the girl” in the video was a 19-year-old Gail Huff, before her 1986 marriage with Scott Brown (U.S. senator, 2010-2013; U.S ambassador, 2017-2020) and her 1993 to 2010 stint as a WCVB-TV broadcast journalist.

www.fiftyplusadvocate.com + FEBRUARY 2021 + fiftyplus advocate

• 19

The Moving Stories of

Artisan at Hudson

At Artisan, fitness is a key component of our overall approach to health and well-being. Our Move for Life program and our stateof-the-art fitness center keep residents moving, motivating even the most “exercise resistant.” We offer countless ways to keep fit in both group programs and individual training sessions.

Digney Fignus

PHOTO/LAURIE ATWATER

“She fit the dress,” Fignus said of Huff landing the gig. “They had this fabulous red dress and needed somebody who fit in it. She was awesome.

We shot the whole video in a day. It got some good play on MTV – that was back when they were actually playing videos.”

Huff and Fignus reunited many years later as judges on “Community Auditions” when the local television music competition returned in 2008.

As MTV’s “Basement Tapes” winner, the band received $5,000 worth of audio equipment. Digney Fignus also got the attention of Columbia Records and signed a recording deal. Their self-titled debut album was released in 1985.

Country-rock roots to a new stage musical Subsequent Digney Fignus albums include some songs that are reminiscent of the country-rock music that was written and performed solo by Bobby Brown in the 1970s. In 1996, Fignus’ song “Boston Town” won WZLX’s anthem contest. The album of the same

name was nominated for CD of the Year by the Massachusetts Country Music Awards Association.

“Once I started to get into country music, I really began to respect it a lot more and especially appreciated the lyrics,” Fignus noted. “I started going back to my country-rock roots.”

Now residing in Harwich, he’s currently writing the songs, lyrics and book for a stage musical based on his song “Trouble on the Levee,” which was released on the 2006 CD of the same name. The central character in both the song and musical is Johnnie Boudreaux, “a man too good-looking for his own good.”

Fignus finds Cape Cod to be a creative setting for him to live and work.

“There’s a bunch of really talented people on the Cape and there’s a great scene for plays as well,” he noted. “I can’t complain. I love living in the city, especially Cambridge and Boston, but there’s something to be said for the Cape – that’s for sure.”

Find more information about Digney Fignus at digney.com.

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