This Issue RSVP NEWS & NOTES
es m ly Ho ter ts 00 uar en 6,0 Q esid n 1 red R ha ve ty e t eli un or D o M PS ex C US Ess To
February 2015
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR
Saying goodbye to Literacy Vols leader PAGE 4 RETIREMENT
Making sure you do not get board in retirement PAGE 7 RELATIONSHIPS
Tips to successful dating after age 50 PAGE 9
Nancy Tierney is the 2014 RSVP Volunteer of the Year. Hailing from Ticonderoga, Nancy has been a dedicated RSVP volunteer since Jan. 26, 1990. For more RSVP news, turn to page 3.
Reflections on a century of North Country living By Thom Randall thom@denpubs.com
A
woman influential in ThurmanÕ s history has attained her 100th birthday, and as her relatives planned a public gathering to celebrate the milestone, she shared memories of her eventful life. Hannah Delila Reynolds Walter, founder of the Glen-Hudson Campground, bought and sold a large number of real estate parcels over half a century in her hometown. Her work in developing land, launching businesses and rehabilitating homes played a major role in the evolution of Thurman during the 1900s. She also taught local children in a oneroom schoolhouse during the 1930s. In addition, she conducted various enterprises with her late husband, including operating a general store. Thurman resident Persis Granger noted this week that Delila accomplished many of her later achievements on her own Ñ de-
spite some formidable challenges Ñ which was unusual in the mid-1900s for a woman. Delila was born Jan. 31, 1915 to George Burton Reynolds and Ida Parker Reynolds in her familyÕ s home, a three-room primitive home at the foot of Burch Mountain in Thurman. During her life, Delila lost many of her loved ones at an early age Ñ her maternal grandmother perished in a raging house fire, her father departed the family household while she was a youngster, and her beloved husband died well before his time. Persis Granger said that DelilaÕ s mother, who was the sole parent in the household for many years, likely provided a strong role model for the woman who became such a prominent citizen in Thurman. CONTINUED ON PAGE 8
Delila Walter, influential in the development of her hometown of Thurman in the 1900s, shared her memories in an interview conducted as she approached her 100th birthday. Photo by Thom Randall
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Senior Life • Fall 2015 | 3
RSVP News & Notes: 2014 Volunteer Awards Announced 2014 Volunteer of the Year Award We are pleased to recognize Nancy Tierney as the 2014 RSVP Volunteer of the Year. Hailing from Ticonderoga, Nancy has been a dedicated RSVP volunteer since January 26, 1990. She is about to celebrate her 25th year with us. Nancy started out volunteering in the offices at Moses Ludington Hospital. She has volunteered at the Hancock House/Ticonderoga Historical Society, the Ticonderoga Nutrition Site and served on the Essex County Office for the Aging Advisory Council. In 1997, Nancy completed training to become an Osteoporosis Exercise Program leader and for the past 17 years has conducted a once a week class. Assisted by Charlene Dreimiller, they faithfully met each Tuesday, for many years at the InterLakes cafeteria and later at the Armory. Over the course of the program, Nancy has dedicated 1,036 volunteer hours to improve the health and well being of the community. Barb Brassard said, Ò We were sad to hear Nancy is going to be retiring from conducting the weekly exercise classes, but are very happy to learns that she plans to continue to keep busy volunteering at other RSVP stations.Ó Nancy has accumulated 2,333 hours total lifetime hours served! The 2014 RSVP Director Award goes to two very dedicated ladies from Willsboro. They are always there to step up to the plate! I have called on them numerous times this past year and they are always ready to help out and with smiles on their faces. Mona White (pictured top) has been a volunteer for 24 years, serving at hospice, literacy and the Paine Library, with a total of 2,762 lifetime hours. The last 16 years she has been a Growing Stronger Osteoporosis exercise leader. Edna Coonrod (pictured below) has been a volunteer for 23 years, serving on Office for the Aging advisory council, at the Town of Willsboro Interpretative Center, the Smith House and for Project Reach Out, with a total of 5,681 lifetime hours. For 15 years she has been a Growing Stronger Osteoporosis exercise leader. These two ladies have worked and trained together to keep the weekly exercise classes going and growing. Classes sometimes have as many as 16 participants and they have brought two additional leaders, Carol DeMello and Ann Yetman, into the fold to expand the number of classes to 3 per week. Carol and Ann agree that Edna and Mona are an inspiration to not only to them but to everyone in their classes. Thank you ladies! Total hours are still being compiled and will be noted in the next Denton Publication issue of Senior Life. We welcome new volunteers and word of mouth is our most efficient form of advertising. If you have a friend or relative 55+ who would be interested in volunteering, please have them contact me. Volunteering is rewarding for the volunteer, as well as the recipient.
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Recommended immunizations for those age 50+ physiciansÕ discretion.
Hepatitis A Individuals with medical, occupational or lifestyle conditions, such as healthcare workers or people with chronic liver disease, may need a two-dose series of the hepatitis A vaccine.
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outine immunizations can keep people safe and healthy. Certain vaccinations can prevent diseases from producing symptoms, while others can lessen the duration of an illness or make conditions less severe. Vaccination schedules become a way of life for parents to young children. But vaccinations arenÕ t just for kids, and adults should keep tabs on their immunization histories to ensure theyÕ re up-to-date with vaccinations for their particular age group and lifestyle. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns that the elderly are more likely to die of a vaccinepreventable disease than other age groups. The immune system begins to decline as we age, so the body can benefit from the disease-fighting boost provided by vaccinations. Individuals at any age should discuss immunizations with their doctors, but itÕ s a particularly important conversation for those age 50 and older. Vaccine schedules and recommendations may vary depending on where a person lives, but the following immunization recommendations are offered courtesy of the CDC.
Adults who are avid travelers to various parts of the world that may bring them in contact with animals or people who do not receive the same course of immunizations may need additional vaccines. Speak with a doctor about which immunizations are recommended before travel.
Influenza An annual flu shot can help prevent the nearly 36,000 deaths that occur due to flu each year in the United States. The flu vaccine is designed to combat the current strain of flu, so it is recommended anytime between September to March, which is the prime flu season. People age 50 and older should opt for the injection rather than the nasal form of the vaccine.
Tdap This vaccine protects against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis and is especially necessary for people who have close contact with young infants. Pertussis, or whooping cough, can be passed on to youngsters and make them very ill. If youÕ ve never received a Tdap vaccine, the CDC suggests getting it at least once. Individual tetanus boosters should be received every 10 years.
Pneumococcal Pneumococcal disease is an infection caused by the pneumococcus bacteria. It can cause pneumonia, blood infection, ear infections, and even bacterial meningitis. This vaccine is given to adults age 65 and older or to younger adults at their
RSVP Volunteers serve at the Literacy Volunteer Program of Essex & Franklin Counties and are sad to see director Maria Burke leave. RSVP wishes her all the best. Shown here: Marie with RSVP literacy volunteer Jim Bullard. Jim volunteers at Moriah Shock.
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How to avoid growing bored in retirement
rom the moment young men and women first walk into the office for their first day as a working professional until the day they officially retire, the notion of planning for retirement is never far from their minds. But when the day to hang up the briefcase and donate all those business suits arrives, some retirees wonder what to do next. Some retirees know exactly how they will spend their days when they no longer have to work, while others who decide to play it by ear may find themselves battling boredom. For those among the latter group, itÕ s important to understand that many retirees find themselves bored once they no longer have to focus on a career. Jobs keep men and women busy and provide a sense of purpose in their lives, so itÕ s understandable that retirees feel bored once those jobs are no longer a part of their lives. But just because you no longer have an office to go to every day does not mean life cannot be as fulfilling or even more fulfilling than
it was when you were still working. You just need to find something to avoid succumbing to retirement boredom.
dition, regular exercise has been shown to reduce stress, boost self-esteem and improve sleep. Working out at a gym also is a great way to meet fellow retirees in your community, and the energy you have after exercising may give you the boost you need to pursue other hobbies.
Work part-time Though it might seem odd to start working right after you retire, a part-time job can provide the type of structure you have grown accustomed to without all of the responsibility that comes with a full-time career. Part-time jobs can range from consultancy work that makes use of your professional experience to something entirely different like landscape maintenance at a nearby golf course that gets you out of the house and enjoying the warmer seasons. Whichever you choose, make sure itÕ s something you find fun and interesting.
Embrace a new hobby Working professionals often say they wish they had time to pursue a hobby. Now that you are retired, you have all the time in the world to do just that. Whether itÕ s perfecting your golf game, writing that novel, learning to cook like a gourmet chef
Volunteer
Embracing a new hobby is one way for recently retired men and women to avoid growing bored during retirement. or whatever else you might have always wanted to do, retirement is a great time to do it.
Get in shape If retirement boredom has started to negatively affect your mood, one great way
to conquer your boredom and improve your mood at the same time is to start exercising. Exercise is a natural mood enhancer. When the body exercises, it releases chemicals knowns as endorphins, which trigger positive feelings in the body. In ad-
If a part-time job is not up your alley, then consider volunteering in your community. Volunteers are always in demand, and volunteering with a local charity can provide a sense of purpose and provide opportunities to meet like-minded fellow retirees, all while helping to quell your boredom. Retirees who love to travel can combine their passion for volunteering with their love of travel by signing up to work with an international relief organization that travels abroad to help the less fortunate. Upon retiring, many retirees initially find themselves coping with boredom. But there are many ways to avoid the restlessness of retirement.
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Centurian
Continued from page 1 Delila said this week that her earliest memories of her childhood were lying in her crib, being tucked in by her mother when she was merely two years old. Another early memory was grieving her infant sister LauraÕ s death soon thereafter at a few weeks of age. DelilaÕ s daughter Anne Rohe said her motherÕ s recollections arenÕ t to be doubted, as the 99-year-old woman can recite thousands of facts with accuracy Ñ even her 16-digit credit card numbers. DelilaÕ s vivid memories of her later youth include picking blueberries on Crane Mountain and collecting worms to sell to people fishing in the local waterways. The loss of her grandmother was a considerable blow, considering Delila considered her as the most interesting person she had ever known. Ò Grandma ParkerÓ collected an array of fascinating treasures, designed and sewed ladiesÕ hats, was a skilled craftsperson, gathered herbs for their medicinal uses, served as a midwife and attended to the family’s afflictions with traditional remedies. DelilaÕ s mother worked hard as well as tending to her family. She worked cleaning houses and area motels, and regularly hiked four miles home to check on her young children who were being watched by Ò Grampa Parker.Ó Ò During the winter, she made our clothing, knit our mittens, cooked, baked and kept the old house clean,Ó Delila wrote of her mother. Ò She knit some socks for sale. She was a dedicated Christian who prayed with us and taught us right from wrong. She never refused to help others, and shared willingly from her meager supply.Ó DelilaÕ s school years were formative Delila recalled her childhood Ñ that she walked two miles to school each day, a one-room schoolhouse where all eight grades were taught by one teacher. The children in the primary grades learned a lot by paying attention to what the older students were learning, she said. After the eighth grade, her mother arranged to send her to Glens Falls, where she worked long hours for room and board so she could attend high school. Delila was one of the very few Thurman residents of that era to attend high school. In the Glens Falls school, she experienced culture shock Ñ encountering modern conveniences for the first time like a shower in the girl’s locker room — as well as learning how differently city children lived and dressed. Delila graduated in 1932 from Glens Falls High along with just 32 classmates, and that fall she began her studies at Oneonta Normal School Ñ which later became SUNY Oneonta. She attended the college for four years, marrying Loren J. Walter after her initial year. Graduating from Oneonta in 1936, she took a job teaching at a one-room schoolhouse in Kenyontown, a tiny hamlet in Thurman. She taught at the school for seven years. Meanwhile, she gave birth to their first of their two daughters, Laurona. Loren built a garage in Thurman, where he had secured part-time work. The couple lived in the garage while they built their home on Glen Creek Road. Loren worked at a chicken farm nearby, which became a dude
ranch. Delila and Loren both worked at the enterprise, called Indian Hill Dude Ranch in the late 1930s. During the early years of World War II, Loren worked on extending the D&H Railroad from North Creek to Tahawus and later was employed as a mechanic at Ford Garage in Glens Falls Ñ while Delila tended to Laurona. Delilah and Loren run joint enterprises Then in 1945, Delila and Loren bought a general store in Kenyontown and operated it for years as WaltersÕ Trading Center. In the earlier years of their enterprise, there was no electricity or telephone service within miles of Kenyontown. In that era, they accommodated customersÕ needs by pumping gasoline with a crank and cut ice from the local river during the winter and stored it in their ice house so local folks could have cold soda and perishables in the warm months. Successful for a while, the business encountered hard times. The advent of automobiles Ñ which made purchasing goods in WarrensburgÕ s markets convenient Ñ and extending too much credit to Thurman neighbors, both took their toll, Delila recalled. Ò We lost more money than we made,Ó she said. During this era, Loren was elected chairman of the Thurman Board of Assessors at a salary of $1,000 per year, and the two started buying and selling homes and land locally. Later, they started a new business called Perma Green, spray-painting artificial grass used by funeral directors and cemeteries to conduct burials. The business expanded fast over the entire eastern U.S. coast, and the two traveled to destinations from Maine to Florida accompanied by Anne. Meanwhile, a neighbor or two tended their general store back home. In 1956, Loren Ñ a charter member of the Thurman Volunteer Fire Co. — responded to a fire at the renowned local French restaurant, Le Chalet Francaise. After working a while to fight the fire, Loren died suddenly of a coronary occlusion on June 23, a day after he turned 52. Delila rode in the ambulance that took Loren straight from the fire scene to the local funeral parlor. Ò Life thereafter changed for all of the family,Ó Delila
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wrote in her memoirs, as she described her heartfelt loss. She continued to run the general store on her own for a while, but later moved to a home beside the town hall in Athol. She lived there with Anne, and stayed there for years alone after Anne left for college. Meanwhile, the town board appointed Delila to the post of Town Assessor to take over LorenÕ s remaining year in office. She was elected to a subsequent four-year term. Ò I heard enough complaints to last a lifetime,Ó she said in her memoirs. Ò I refused to run again.Ó She did run, however, for town supervisor in the early 1960s, challenging a popular politician, she recalled. Her intent was to improve conditions in town. Ò I got beat so badly, I have tried to forget it. I guess that I probably had raised too many assessments beforehand to ever get elected.Ó Delila launches her public campground From the mid-1950s to early 1960s, she purchased a large number of properties, including plots on the upper Hudson River. Hearing that state campgrounds were immensely popular and turning away campers, she decided to develop her own private campground. In launching the enterprise, she utilized skills she had acquired in the prior decades, fixing up one home after another. She started by clearing the property on her own. In early 1962, Ted Katchele, an entrepreneur who had developed a marina in New Hampshire, came to look at some hunting property she had advertised for sale. Ted was intrigued, however with the campground instead, and Delila took him on as a partner. The two began by developing a spring as well as blazing trails around Heath Mountain nearby for their campers to hike. D&H Railroad workers welding track that crossed Delila and Ted’s campground caused a major fire that burned dozens of trees, and the railway paid them $8,000 as compensation, The sum provided the duo vital working capital during the campgroundÕ s initial years. During that era, the town road leading to the campgrounds was unimproved and often impassable. Also, the campground had no telephone and electric service. Delila petitioned the town government for road improvements as well as utility service. The two operated the campground together until until 1968 when Katchele decided to move on, and Delila bought out his share. She continued to run the enterprise more than a decade, then leased it out to the Strain family for three years. She turned it over to her daughter Laurona in 1981, so she could take care of her aging mother. Delila concentrates on real estate From the 1960s through the 1980s, Delila bought and sold real estate, fixing up homes in Thurman in Warrensburg as rentals. After giving up the campground, she also conducted this enterprise in Florida. She worked alongside contractors on much of the rehabilitation efforts. Later in life, she kept active in town politics, attending town meetings, delving into local history, and writing poems and memoirs. Asked two weeks before her 100th birthday about what prompted her longevity, she answered with a smile. Ò When a doctor once asked me that question, I told him I stayed away from doctors,Ó she quipped. Ò I canÕ t give others good advice on living to 100 Ñ ItÕ s just that God gave me the reason to live.Ó
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Senior Life • Fall 2015 | 9
Dating after 50: Tips for readjusting to the scene
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weaty palms, heart palpitations and nervousness are common first date symptoms. Many people can remember the feelings of excitement and fear they felt the first time they went out on a date as a teenager. But those who find themselves back in the dating pool as mature adults quickly learn that dating jitters still may be present even after all this time. Recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau finds that those over the age of 50 are now divorcing at double the rate of younger people. Loss of a spouse is another reason the over 50 crowd may once again be dabbling in dating. Recent reports say that 40 percent of online daters today are over the age of 50. Successfully navigating the waters of matchmaking sites or old-fashioned meet-and-greets means reacquainting oneself with a few handy tips. •Don’t open up with your extended history. Older daters have more life experiences and potentially a greater number of past relationships. Recognize that you both may bring former spouses and even children to the table, but donÕ t feel the need to delve into all of your adventures (or misadventures) on the first date. Early dates are not for setting the entire course of your relationship. TheyÕ re for getting acquainted and seeing if this is a relationship you want to continue. Getting too personal right off the bat can sabotage a relationship before it starts. •Take it slow. ThereÕ s no need to rush anything along. Biological clocks or perceived societal notions no longer may be causing pressing relationship deadlines. Take the first date and any other subsequent dates
at a pace thatÕ s mutually agreed upon. It may take several months to years before all of your truths come out, but for now focus on having fun until youÕ re both ready to share more. •Look for the positives. Before you decide a person is not for you, make a note of all of his or her positive attributes. What do you like most about him or her? Initial negativity or doubts may stem from your fear of rejection. Be open to others who may not fit your type. •Don’t get discouraged. The per-
son you first meet may not be the right fit. DonÕ t let this turn you off of dating. The right person may be the next one around the corner. •Meet in public places. Many dates begin with online conversations with the intention to meet for a physical date later on. Always keep safety in mind when setting a rendezvous with someone you donÕ t know well. Choose a public meeting spot, such as a busy restaurant. Ask a friend to check in on you via phone call. Consider a double-date if youÕ re weary. Take your own car
and meet at the date location rather than being picked up at home. •Wait for intimacy. It may take a while before you feel comfortable getting intimate with someone new. This person should respect your feelings and not pressure you into a physical relationship until you are both ready. Also, give the other person time to grow comfortable with intimacy. Dating after 50 means taking chances, going slow and exploring new relationship possibilities that make you feel comfortable.
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The best countries for retirement abroad
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any couples look to downsize once they retire. Empty nest retirees may no longer need their large family homes, which can be expensive and difficult for seniors to maintain. While some retirees choose to move into senior living communities or condominiums, some opt to be a bit more adventurous and venture further from home. A number of retirees choose to spend their golden years abroad. Doing so can equate to a more adventurous retirement, a lower cost of living and the ability to stretch retirement savings much further than if you decided to stay closer to home. Many of the more popular international retirement locations offer beautiful climates, culture and health care systems that are hospitable to retirees. Affordability is a key consideration for men and women mulling whether or not to retire internationally. According to U.S. News and World Report, retiring overseas may run the average person anywhere from $700 to $1500 USD per month. Those who can offer higher budgets may be able to retire to any location of their choosing. Before you make any drastic changes, first calculate your retirement budget. Add up retirement savings, Social Security income (if applicable), pensions, and any other investments or savings you may have. Have an estimate of the market value of your current home and any other property you may own. These figures will be your working numbers. Subtract your age from your estimated life expectancy and divide the retirement funds sum by that many years to see how much per month you will have to spend. Once you have established your budget, begin investigating where you would like to live. Argentina, Ecuador, Belize, Costa Rica, and France are some of the more popular retirement locations among North Americans. Once youÕ ve selected a potential location, take a vacation there and explore. In addition to the climate, check out the infrastructure, shopping, medical services, amenities, and crime rates. Try the place on for size and figure out if this is an area where you can comfortably spend your retirement. Once you have narrowed down your prospects, contact your native countryÕ s embassy to determine what will be needed to legally live in a foreign country and obtain a visa. Some places are more accommodating than others with regard to residency visas. It also pays to contact an accountant or tax professional to see what, if any, taxes you will still be required to pay even if you move abroad. Your obligation may be less than if you chose to stay closer to home. Another consideration is health insurance. Government-sponsored plans may not cover services overseas, requiring you to find an alternative insurance source. The good news is that many international plans may be more affordable than ones found in the United States. Retiring abroad does not mean you have to cut all ties to home. Some couples choose to keep dual residency and fly back and forth when necessary. But the slower pace, affordability and other draws of international retirement spots could be challenging to leave behind. AARP, Forbes and International Living routinely rank the best international retirement destinations. Check with these sources for more information about retiring abroad.
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