Issue #6 - April, May, & June

EMBRACING THE Aged

PUBLISHER/FOUNDER Jennifer Gish

EDITOR/WRITER

Carol Ullerich

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Richard Abraham

Christine Wielgos

ART DIRECTOR

Amanda Newman

ADVERTISING SALES DIRECTOR

Julie Harris

PUBLIC RELATIONS

Kristi Crockett

ACCOUNTING

Tiffanie Hix

Want to advertise in Embracing the Aged? Curious about ad rates? Call Julie Harris at (270) 559-9099.

Questions about billing or your account? Call Tiffanie Hix at (731) 819-5221, or email her at bom@embracingtheaged.com

Want to subscribe, receive a copy of the magazine by mail, request a back issue, or distribute Embracing the Aged? Email director@embracingtheaged.com, providing contact name, email & phone number.

Embracing the Aged is published quarterly: Winter, Spring, Summer & Fall.

Embracing the Aged is not responsible for any harm or injury resulting from information or advice contained within. Opinions contained within may not reflect the views of the magazine, its publisher, or those associated with the publication.

AN AUTHOR AMONG US

About 50 seniors crowded into the Family Room of Paducah’s Rivercrest Place on March 1. On a misty Friday afternoon, seniors listened intently as Betty Wise read published poems and snippets of novels written by Linda Swift in more than three decades of writing. Some excerpts described events the seniors in the room had personally experienced—one being an eclipse in the 1930’s. One attendee praised the free event, sponsored by Embracing the Aged Foundation, Rivercrest Place and Embracing the Aged magazine, for telling stories of local people who’ve

done unexpected things. Swift was profiled in the Winter 2024 Embracing the Aged Senior Spotlight.

DISSECTING SEVERE SPRING WEATHER

By: Christine Wielgos, Warning Coordination Meteorologist, NWS, Paducah

With spring and summer right around the corner, it’s good to keep an eye on the sky. That includes knowing where to find info on what to do when severe weather strikes.

KNOW THE TERMINOLOGY

What is a severe thunderstorm? A storm producing 1” diameter hail (the size of quarters) or larger, and/or wind gusts 58 mph or stronger.

What does a severe thunderstorm watch, or tornado watch mean? Atmospheric conditions are favorable for severe thunderstorms or tornadoes.

What does a severe thunderstorm warning or tornado warning mean? A tornado or severe thunderstorm is imminent. It is either moving toward your area or is expected to develop in your vicinity.

STAY INFORMED

up to date with the latest information. If you know thunderstorms are forecast, find out how severe they might become and when they are expected. Also, the majority of tornadoes occurring in early spring can develop quickly and travel rapidly—upwards of 50 to 70 miles an hour. Therefore, the lead time, meaning—the time between issuance of the warning and when the tornado strikes—can be limited. Even if a thunderstorm is not severe, it will always produce lightning. Stay indoors during any thunderstorm!

DO NOT RELY ON outdoor warning sirens TO ALERT YOU OF SEVERE WEATHER AT nighttime OR WHILE indoors .

One of the most important things you can do to reduce your chances of being hurt in a severe weather event is knowing what to do. Weather is always changing, and conditions can rapidly intensify during a severe weather event. Therefore, it is important to stay

It is always wise to have multiple ways to receive National Weather Service (NWS) warnings in case one method fails. A NOAA Weather Radio is a great way to receive important weather alerts from the NWS. It is designed to do the work for you. Whenever the NWS issues a warning, the radio automatically turns on to alert you, as long as you have the unit turned on and programmed correctly. This can be especially lifesaving at night when most people are not actively monitoring the weather. Keep fresh batteries in your NOAA Weather Radio so it operates if you lose power.

In an emergency, alerts, such as tornado warnings, are sent automatically to most newer cell phones. For more info on how wireless emergency

alerts work, please visit https://www.weather.gov/wrn/wea. If you plan to use your phone, always make sure the phone is fully charged, and is not on vibrate or in silent mode. (Consider keeping an external fully charged phone bank too).

Monitoring the weather on your local TV and radio stations can also be an excellent way to stay abreast of changing weather conditions. Downloading weather apps is another way to obtain alerts about the weather. Be sure to download apps from reputable sources such as your local TV/Radio Stations, Red Cross or FEMA.

HAVE A PLAN

It is important to know and practice your safety plan so you and your family (including pets) can execute it rapidly and in the dark—you probably won’t need to put it into action on a perfectly clear, warm sunny day. Instead, you’ll likely need it in challenging weather conditions. Think of that when creating your plan.

Do you know what to do if a severe thunderstorm or tornado warning is issued for your area? When severe weather strikes, the best way to stay safe is to be inside your home, on the lowest level, in an interior room and away from windows and doorways. If you do not have a basement, a closet, inner hallway or bathroom in the middle of your home, being on the lowest floor is the next best place to be in a severe thunderstorm or tornado.

Find more information at: https://www.ready.gov/plan. Visit the National Weather Service in Paducah KY at www.weather.gov/pah 

QUILTING KIDS

By: Carol Ullerich

Wednesday, February 21, students from Clark and Heath Elementary Schools visited the Carson Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Paducah. Children visiting the Center for the first time were wowed by the Center’s grandeur and size. The Center turned twenty years old three days later.

The morning’s eye-opener was a Broadway-quality show titled Show Way The Musical by Jacqueline Woodson. Designed for young children, the touring production was a world premiere commission made possible by the Kennedy Center Theater for Young Audiences. The performance backdrop was a large hanging quilt the audience would slowly learn over 45 minutes was a “Show Way,” fabric into which the lead character’s family stitched secret messages directing slaves to freedom. (Similar references can be seen in Paducah’s Hotel Metropolitan—listed in The Green Book, a travel guide published between 1936 and 1967 to assist Black travelers seeking lodging and amenities while moving throughout the segregated American South). The play’s images, lyrics and message were simple enough to resonate with young children, yet evocative for adults.

The musical was just one aspect of the day for Heath students. Tables set up in the Center’s lobby were outfitted with blank quilt blocks waiting to be dressed with circles, starbursts and triangles. A line of ironing boards and irons stood behind the worktables, staffed by volunteers from the National Quilt Museum (NQM) and the Carson Center, and beyond that, the Center’s signature painted wall depicting a map of our region’s four rivers in muted tones and featuring in red, “Paducah”— currently known as “Quilt City, U.S.A.” The wall was painted by the daughter of the Center’s main architect and four local artists.

In late January, Becky Glasby, NQM’s Director of Learning and Engagement, whose quilts have been displayed in the NQM, started working with Mary Katz, the Center’s Executive Director, to achieve three goals: compose a program enabling students to connect with NQM; generate a lasting memory; and, be a quilt artist for a day. In about an hour, Glasby introduced 83 youngsters to the art of quilting using fusible fabric, after which each student appliquéd a quilt block of his/her own unique design.

BECKY GLASBY STARTED WORKING WITH MARY KATZ TO ACHIEVE THREE GOALS: COMPOSE A PROGRAM ENABLING STUDENTS TO CONNECT WITH NQM; generate a lasting memory; AND, BE A QUILT ARTIST FOR A DAY.

Each child had a story explaining his/ her creation. Seven-year-old Weston used triangles to show people searching for freedom—represented by an orange star. The video game Fortnite inspired eight-year-old Tucker to use a yellow starburst and circles to evoke a laser in the night sky. Nine-yearold Chace used a bright yellow star to depict Martin Luther King, Jr. preaching “Freedom.”

The day appeared to have been a success for all. Kids and teachers alike, were excited to use knowledge learned during ‘Show Way’ to create quilt blocks of their own designs. The Carson Center introduced first-time visitors to its magical performance space. And, NQM helped budding artists create fabric memories that may inspire a lifetime of quilting.

More opportunities to view quilts: Paducah’s AQS Quilt Show runs April 24-27, 2024. Looking to connect with NQM: Located at 215 Jefferson Street, Paducah; visit Mon-Sat 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sun 1 p.m.–5 p.m. McCracken County residents may visit NQM for free on Mondays (bring proof of residence/drivers license). For more details, check out quiltmuseum.org and join NQM’s Block of the Month Club at https:// quiltmuseum.org/botm/ 

Photo courtesy of Bill Fox.

WHO WE ARE. WHAT WE DO.

How Embracing the Aged got to where it is today

By: Carol Ullerich

In late 2021, Embracing the Aged Senior Services LLC FOR PROFIT was launched as a website to provide, “one-on-one guidance, support, education, and resources to all older adults.” Having worked in senior care, and currently Executive Director of Gaither Suites at West Park in Paducah, Jennifer Gish—with other senior care colleagues—knows the difficulty seniors and families have navigating senior care services.

The current system is complex. Without knowing true costs and varying services, it is overwhelming. After fielding calls for nearly a year, Gish realized more was needed than explaining dynamics of senior care; many types of help are needed. After a year with no budget, and relying on volunteers, friends, and family to make electrical, plumbing, and other home repairs, in July 2022 she launched Embracing the Aged Senior Services Foundation (ETA), a nonprofit 501(c)(3).

COMMUNITY FOR THE AGING PROCESS BY CONDUCTING COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAMS AND EDUCATIONAL EVENTS. TO REMOVE THE STIGMA OF AGING IN OUR COMMUNITY. TO SUPPORT OLDER ADULTS, INCLUDING THOSE WITH DISABILITIES SUCH AS MENTAL, COGNITIVE, OR PHYSICAL, WITHOUT OPTIONS FOR SUPPORT OR RESOURCES.

Filling gaps

IN SENIOR HEALTH CARE THAT WOULD OTHERWISE GO UNFILLED.

The first big fundraising event, the Trail of Trees, was planned for November 2022, seeking to raise money to help seniors pay for home repairs. Called the First Annual Trail of Trees on Broadway, area designers bought bare artificial Christmas trees, and decorated and donated them to the Foundation to be live auctioned.

January 2023 marked the launch of Embracing the Aged magazine which has quickly become the go-to comprehensive guide for seniors seeking to age gracefully and safely throughout Western Kentucky, Southern Illinois and Northwest Tennessee. Published quarterly, 7,000 printed copies are distributed without charge through places seniors visit—hospital waiting rooms, doctor offices, and businesses catering to seniors, etc. To become an advertiser, email julieharris949@gmail. com. To allow magazines to be placed at your business as a distribution point, email bom@embracingtheaged.com. Access a digital version of the magazine and subscription information at EmbracingTheAged.com

Building on the 2022 Trail of Trees and auction, it was repeated in 2023 with the First-ever White Christmas Ball based on the 1954 movie of the same name. The Trail and Ball netted enough money to continue the Foundation’s original mission of funding senior home repairs. The non-profit’s stated mission is TO EDUCATE AND PREPARE OUR

Education is a prime focus of the non-profit’s mission. Education— of seniors, caregivers and the community—will be front and center April 30, at Blooms ‘n Gardens on Pullen Lane in Paducah from 10:00 a.m. til 2:00 p.m., at the first annual “Singing in the Rain” Health Fair for seniors and caregivers combining games, education and a cake decorating competition. The event is co-sponsored by ETA and The Senior Center. For details, contact: Sarah Walker, info@madetostay.com, 270331-9288; Kristi Crockett, kcrockett@ embracingtheaged.com, 270-5592854; and/or Jennifer Gish, jgish@ embracingtheaged.com, 270-816-0118.

Knowing the flaws in senior healthcare, ETA was created to fill system gaps. For Gish it’s a passion project due to two personal events. First, the FBI confirmed “Bill,” (an alias)—a former boss, was being scammed but could not convince him to stop sending money to a woman in a foreign country. When “Bill’s” death was imminent, his relatives were three hours away—Jennifer connected them and “Bill” via Facetime one last time. That experience taught her many seniors lack nearby friends and relatives to watch over, advise and care for them.

Second, Jennifer’s mom, Janice, enjoyed good health and was actively working. Janice received a COVID shot and quickly began an agonizing downward spiral resulting in death. One of Janice’s last comments was, “I hope my suffering eliminates the suffering of others.” ETA enables Jennifer to put her mom’s words and desires into action.

Between July 2021 and September 2023, the Foundation website logged 247 phone calls from seniors and their families seeking help. Most calls were about senior housing, for which a copy of Embracing the Aged magazine was often provided. The second greatest request was for sitters and companions, followed by housekeeping, and finally, cleaning homes

of hoarders. There were a few requests for household repairs—leaky toilet, nonfunctioning electricity, leaky roof, etc.

There have been occasional requests to fill acute needs. In February 2024, D.S., a diabetic, had no means of refrigerating insulin—an immediate, critical need. A refrigerator was quickly located and provided to D.S. the same day at no cost. Elsewhere, the “meter base” of a senior’s home was damaged in a storm. Facing disconnection of power, the spouse of a Foundation affiliate made the repair for free. Resourcefulness and a deep Rolodex are the best assets of the women responding to these inquiries on behalf of ETA.

How does ETA fund its mission? Donations are accepted; investors are graciously welcomed; but most money comes from fundraisers, like the Trail of Trees, the White Christmas Ball and the Singing in the Rain health fair—each underwritten by healthcare providers. Prior to 2023, the Foundation lacked money to pay for repairs and was limited to providing free advice and finding help for seniors in a bind. Due to funds generated by the successful White Christmas Ball, the Foundation now has money to pay for small repairs, which it strives to have donated. A purpose of starting the Foundation was reviewing requests seeking funds to make repairs. The Foundation is seeking a volunteer to manage phone calls and make business referrals.

The first event of 2024, An Author Among Us, occurred March 1 at Rivercrest Place in Paducah. It was a reading of portions of published works by Linda Swift, the 92-year-old author featured in the Senior Spotlight of the WINTER 2024 edition of Embracing the Aged magazine. The second event of 2024, is the Singing in the Rain health fair for seniors and caregivers at Blooms ‘n Gardens on April 30. The third Trail of Trees on Broadway opens in November; to be followed by the Second Annual White Christmas Ball at the Commonwealth Event Center on December 5, 2024. That’s a snapshot of ETA activities from inception thru today—filling gaps in senior health care that would otherwise go unfilled. 

CALLED TO FEED PADUCAH’S HUNGRY

By: Carol Ullerich

Sally Michelson is one of Paducah’s own. One sister lives in Florida; another in Paducah. Her brother is a concert pianist and Professor of Music at Appalachian State University. At Paducah Tilghman, Sally dreamed only of being a wife and mother. While motherhood is admirable, she could have dreamed bigger. The Community Kitchen’s growth and accomplishments during her tenure as Executive Director eclipse miraculous.

Sally married a local boy, Patrick Thomas Lally II. He died while she was pregnant with their first child, a son she named Patrick. In 1971, Sally married her second husband, Louis Michelson, owner of Michelson’s Jewelers in Paducah and President of the Community Kitchen Board. He adopted Patrick, making the child’s full name Patrick Lally Michelson. He is an Associate Professor of Religious Studies at Indiana University in Bloomington.

With Michelson, Sally has two daughters, Hadley Michelson Kale, whose husband, Bradley, works at Michelson’s. Sally’s other daughter is Lindsay Michelson Blondell who also works at the family store. Sally proudly says, “All three children give to good causes.”

While Sally is the face of this article, she can’t be separated from her passion project—Paducah Community Kitchen. It has become her life’s work and she’s good at it, knowing every client by name and story. If she doesn’t know your name when you arrive, she does when you leave.

Another theme of this article is faith—Sally has followed multiple denominations. Raised Methodist, her first husband was Catholic, her second husband is Jewish, and she currently attends Heartland Church. She readily says, “I’m a Christian; faith was instilled in me from the start.”

THE GENESIS OF PADUCAH COMMUNITY KITCHEN

Years ago, Sally attended New Covenant, a non-denominational church where she heard a sermon titled “Others,” based on the teaching of Matthew 25:35-36:

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.

After that sermon, Sally and about forty church members quickly realized every church has an empty kitchen and parking lot on weekdays. In short order, 1,000 flyers were distributed announcing opening of a kitchen on Broadway. In February 2010, Paducah Community Kitchen was launched.

Volunteers began cooking and set up eight tables. Eight people came; each sat alone at a table. Sally asked Jim Trimble, the Kitchen’s pastor since inception, if she should set up more tables. He said, “No,” explaining many of the displaced clients no longer communicate, are disconnected from their families, and must relearn to converse. Eventually, 35-37 people showed up for that first week of hot meals, beginning a learning process for Kitchen volunteers and clients. Only when clients trust volunteers will they stay and eat.

The Kitchen’s formula obviously works. Fourteen years later, after moving to 1237 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive, the Kitchen averages 270 diners daily. The new location was chosen because it is on the bus route in a neighborhood where clients live. Today the dining hall overflows with laughter, warmth, occasional tears, and conversation. It has hosted memorial services, baptisms, and weddings, as well as weekly non-denominational church services. Each task begins with prayer.

Some days were downright comical. Sally compares COVID days to Lucy and Ethel at the Candy Factory. Lunches were assembled and distributed in a makeshift drive-thru on the parking lot. During 22 months of COVID, the Kitchen served 1,000 meals a day in paper sacks. In Sally’s words, “Food feeds the soul.” She wears a bracelet

bearing the word STRENGTH, a gift from New York City artist Freida Rothman recognizing Sally as a “strong woman.”

One of my visits occurred Friday, January 26, as volunteers prepared to create a warming shelter to house people displaced by condemnation of Noble Lodge Apartments. An added complication—several would not leave pets and the Kitchen does not house animals.

Volunteers from the Bryant Law Center arrived at 7:30 a.m. to cook under the watchful eye of a Kitchen team leader. Community groups—high school sports teams, churches, and civic clubs routinely schedule1 recurring cooking shifts. With meal prep done, the cooks packaged meals for elderly clients who dine at home. Since meals are served only Monday through Friday from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m., the dining room is then readied for Sunday morning church service.

But this Friday was different. When lunch was done, Sally and the Kitchen crew swung into overdrive. Banquet tables were quickly replaced with folding cots assembled by Paducah Lifeline Ministries. Each was outfitted with linens, a pillow, toiletry kit, and a chair to create temporary living quarters.

Turning the dining room into overnight space was not new. Early in its life, the Kitchen was a warming center for eight years. The effort received no government funding and ceased when use waned. At that time, the cots and program template were passed to Pastor Raynarldo Henderson who opened Washington Street Baptist Church as a warming center on Veteran’s Day, 2021. That is another aspect of this mission for which Sally is grateful. A network of nonprofits working independently, yet together, to meet Paducah’s vast and varied needs of an often unseen population. This winter, the Kitchen was prepared to host displaced overnight guests for up to two weeks, but the need dissipated after two days when hotel rooms became available.

Former Mayor Gayle Kaler (2012-2016) was the first to recognize the Kitchen’s potential and championed its approval as a warming center during the 2009 ice storm. Today, Sally appreciates continued support from Mayor George Bray and City Commissioners. While the City has never contributed a dime to the Kitchen, Sally knows government action can help an effort flourish or fail. Other communities have toured the Kitchen to gather ideas for their own projects.

FEEDING ONE PERSON IS A GOAL

When I visited February 5th, Sally’s small office was controlled chaos. Still, each issue—monumental to the affected individual—was handled calmly and efficiently—with a mom’s caring touch. We laughed at all the interruptions of my impromptu visit.

Community Kitchen functions with a small paid staff of cleaners, social workers and a bookkeeper, plus about 300 volunteers monthly. The ministry continues to grow and has bought surrounding property to increase parking. When asked what the Kitchen needs, Sally mentions something practical—a van, a commercial walk-in refrigerator and freezer—and the immediate response has always been, “You’ve got it.” As a result, Sally cannot name anything she wants other than building a desperately needed transient shelter. With Sally’s personality and gentle persistence, do not be surprised when that dream comes true too.

THE MOTTO: FEED THE NEED

As the Kitchen’s promotional material says, it may be known for its feeding program, but it’s so much more, offering laundry services (with detergent provided); shower facilities (with toiletries provided); Sunday morning worship services at 10:45 a.m.; hair stylists offering trims and new dos; access to social services on Tuesday and Thursday; monthly health fairs; bus passes, bus tickets, and bicycles for transportation; connection to health department and KentuckyCare (insurance and access to help for depression, pharmacy, therapists, dentists and doctors); help paying utilities and rent, and assistance securing counseling, documentation, job placement, temporary shelter and a path to permanent housing.

In closing, Paducah’s Community Kitchen serves the community while being its own community. Its success is due to devoted volunteers and generous donors, plus Sally’s trust in God and willingness to ask boldly, as commanded by James 1:5-8. Sally warns, never give money directly to a needy person; donate instead to community groups which stretch your dollars and achieve the most. Her final say: “Everything that’s happened here is a miracle.” 

1 Groups seeking to schedule a volunteer shift should contact Sally Michelson at (270) 519-9233 or ckpaducah@gmail.com. Volunteers must be 16 years of age or older.

IS NOT A WORD IN MY VOCABULARY BOREDOM

Jane

A VIVID LIFE IN PICTURESBright

By: Carol Ullerich

Jane Adler Bright hails from Indianapolis, Indiana. Her dad’s family owned several Adler’s women’s stores around the state. Her dad was a journalist and wrote for the Indianapolis Star which also published his limericks. He then joined the RoundtheClock Hosiery Company, where two of Jane’s uncles invented and patented seamless women’s silk stockings. One of the hosiery mills was converted into a munitions factory during the war effort. Jane’s waist-length braids were cut to her chin and donated to make gunsights. A “daddy’s girl,” Jane turns 92 years young this May.

As a youngster, Jane’s aunt, Sarah Wolf Goodman, routinely hosted renowned musicians in her palatial Indianapolis home, complete with concert piano and full concert organ. These artists were featured soloists with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra which Goodman helped launch. Before moving to Indy, Goodman helped found the St. Louis Symphony.

Jane studied piano six or seven years. When she was 12 or 13, Goodman insisted she entertain the houseguests. Jane hated playing piano for them, thought she was no good—”probably the worst these people had ever heard,”—and figured she was torturing them. But, she obeyed and the guests were “very kind.” One of the guests was renowned pianist Abram Chasins; another was violinist Itzhak Perlman, winner of 16 Grammys and 4 Emmys. Goodman was also acquainted with Golda Meir, the politician originally from Minnesota, who helped found the State of Israel, and became its fourth prime minister.

Fellow campers were daughters from influential New York and St. Louis families. Jane tried to participate in all sports offered—canoeing, swimming, sailing and playing volleyball. But, being asthmatic, sports requiring her to run often landed her in the infirmary.

Jane had an early knack for recognizing talent. She nominated Richard (Dick) Lugar to be elementary room president. Her letter of nomination, written in pencil, exhibits precise penmanship with no erasures. The two graduated from Shortridge High School in 1950 with Lugar as valedictorian. After changing the face of Indy as Mayor, Lugar won election to the U.S. Senate seven times (1977-2013). Dan Wakefield was another classmate. He penned the book, Going All the Way, believed to chronicle the lives of Jane’s graduating class. Writer and humorist Kurt Vonnegut attended the same high school but was slightly older.

Without declaring a major and thinking she might be a writer, Jane attended Wells College, a liberal arts school in Aurora, New York. She fell madly in love with a man headed to the Korean War. After two years of tromping through the snow and enduring bitter cold New York winters, she forgot about the soldier and transferred to Indiana University, where, in 1953, a mutual friend introduced her to Irving Bright, Jr., a business major from Paducah. The first time she saw Bright, a strong, handsome college student, she was smitten; Irv—not so much.

Jane says she grew up a tomboy. Always athletic, she played lots of tennis and golf. Plus, her family spent a good amount of time in Florida. At age eleven, she spent her first of three summers at Tripp Lake Camp. By herself she boarded a train in Indianapolis bound for Poland, Maine, where she stayed two months for three consecutive summers.

The courtship continued. Irv graduated with a degree in business and Jane completed her degree in comparative literature. They married in 1954 and honeymooned in Jamaica—then a new destination with only a few hotels. Afterwards, Jane traveled with Irv as he completed a twoyear stateside Air Force stint with assignments in Illinois, California and finally, Tennessee.

On their return to Paducah, Irv began working at Bright’s—The Store for all Women—alongside his dad, Irv. Sr., and brother, Allen. Their

grandmother, Pearl, had opened the store in 1911. Pearl arrived in Paducah via flatboat from Clarksville, Tennessee, and set up shop in the 300 Block of Broadway. The store ultimately moved to Fourth and Broadway and became known for shoes, furs and hats. In 1963, Irv. Sr. hired Clyde Lawter, an impressionist painter from Oklahoma, to dress the store windows. Lawter loved painting on location and opened the PAPA (Paducah Area Painters Alliance) Gallery on Broadway in 1991.

Irv’s mother died young—while Jane was in her 20’s. Sis Michael, a good friend of both Irv’s and Jane’s mothers, and 25-30 years Jane’s senior, took Jane under her wing and tried to teach her the ways of Southern ladies, including how to cook. Sis shared recipes for strudel and chocolate roll while becoming Jane’s spiritual guide.

The couple’s son, Steve Bright, worked in the store until opening Sylvan Learning Center. Their daughter, Julie Bright Harris, worked in the store while in high school, acquiring her dad’s business acumen. Julie recently retired from the River Discovery Center. Jane dotes on her four grandchildren and three great-grandkids.

Bright’s was a Broadway fixture for decades, joining other Jewish familyrun stores: Wallerstein’s, MManas, Michelson’s, Weille’s, Minnen’s, Finkel’s, Marshall’s, Lookofsky’s and Jean’s. In the 1970’s, when shopping habits shifted from downtown to Paducah Oaks Mall, a second store was opened. Jane was not involved in the stores, other than wrapping presents at Christmas, but she recalls the store hosting elaborate Christmas Eve parties.

While in her 40s, Jane began attending a yoga class taught by Virginia Goheen at the McCracken County Public Library. Friends could not understand what Jane was doing, but she continued the practice which has served her well into her ninth decade. She has no aches and pains when she gets up. She endorses “chair yoga,” which can be done using weights and bands even at an advanced age. She doesn’t think about exercising, she just does it and feels better afterward. She steps carefully and credits being super-cautious with having never fallen. She decided against playing pickleball because players have fallen.

Today she’s part of a small yoga class at True North, 1717 Broadway, taught by Ivy Hansen. She and Peggy Paxton are the oldest participants in the 45-50 minute class; most of the class is between 50 and 80. Students use weights and a chair for support. Her current goal is to “stay healthy.” She’s always been flexible and athletic, having played golf and tennis for years. On a recent trip to Florida, she did not do yoga, but walked instead. She also limits her time in the sun.

She co-chaired Paducah’s Dogwood Trail twice in the late 60’s as a member of the City Civic Beautification Board. Commenting on 2024’s

unseasonably mild winter (several March days in upper 70’s), she described setting the Trail’s date as an unenviable “nightmare.” While in Florida with her kids for Spring Break one year, she called co-chair Ada Ruth Sanders twice daily asking, “How do the dogwoods look?”

PASTIMES

Playing bridge—especially duplicate bridge, which she does Tuesday, Thursday and occasionally Saturday—and painting—are two of Jane’s many pastimes. She began playing bridge in college and resumed playing after Irv’s death in 2010. She considers the folks with whom she plays her “second family.” She says there are probably as many, if not more, men than women in her circle of bridge players, and, it’s an interesting mix of pleasant people with some fierce competitors. She considers herself a mediocre player and no longer enters tournaments.

She began a recent typical day playing duplicate bridge with a new partner; she did not win but came in the money. She came home and fixed a light supper which she enjoyed with her customary glass of wine and considered herself “extremely lucky.” A voracious reader, she always has a book going. She’s currently reading Evie Woods’ The Lost Bookshop. She also does Wordle and Connections daily.

PAINTING

Jane began painting in 1958 as part of a group led by Admiral Gene Paro. She painted part of the mural inside Paducah’s federal courthouse at 501 Broadway. Mary Yeiser started the art program at Paducah Community College—Jane studied with her two years. She started painting still life and benefited from having visited museums with her mom while traveling. She took painting workshops in Italy, France and Mexico.

Jane’s fingerprints are all over Paducah’s art scene. She worked with Yeiser and Bob Evans who founded the Paducah Art Guild—precursor of the Yeiser Art Center named for Mary Yeiser. Just inside the door of Jane’s home is one of the many shower curtains Evans rescued from the old Cobb Hotel and turned into a lively painted canvas. In 1992, then-Mayor Gerry Montgomery chose for the City Christmas card Jane’s painting of the Broadway and Second Street gazebo with a glimpse of Santa in a horse-drawn wagon. In 2000, Jane’s painting of wine, veggies and flowers graced the cover of Thyme to

Entertain, a Charity League Cookbook. She also contributed “N” is for Noble Park to the Paducah Symphony Orchestra’s children’s book titled, “P” is for Paducah. Her first one-woman show occurred in May, 2014, at the Ruth Baggett Gallery; a second show followed in the lobby of the downtown US Bank branch. Jane’s work has been part of many art installations; as a result, she’s sold many paintings.

SHE’S LIVING A vivid life AND DOCUMENTING IT ON LINEN AND COTTON CANVAS.

A case in point. She participated in the plein air component of the Paducah Garden Club flower show at the Carson Center in 2023. She photographed horticulture entries during the show and painted four small canvases based on those photos. All four paintings sold. Jane joined Four Seasons Garden Club shortly after it started. Four Seasons placed a bench bearing a plaque at the Paducah School of Art and Design (PSAD) honoring her six decades of membership. A painting studio at PSAD also bears her name. While acknowledging she’s created and sold many paintings, she maintains, “I’m still just a hobby painter.” The Paducah Sun quoted her in a 2014 interview saying, she paints “with reckless abandon.” She still paints, but not daily, and never at night.

I asked Jane about the influx of artists drawn to Paducah by the Lowertown Artist Relocation Program. She saw it as an opportunity to meet other artists, each with their own niche. She mentioned Mark Palmer, saying “everybody was just crazy about him,” and noted many Lowertown artists— especially painters and jewelers—expected tourists to buy more.

Jane has no “blueprint” for her days, but “NEVER” gets bored. She watches Netflix, reads and cooks, in addition to playing bridge and doing yoga. She tries to eat healthy and has a nightly glass of wine with dinner. With glee, she says, “Boredom is not a word in my vocabulary.”

She’s learned to manage being alone and realizes life is not empty because she is alone. Irv suffered 18 years with Parkinson’s Disease after being diagnosed. Jane chose to care for Irv at home in familiar surroundings with a team of caregivers and sitters she personally interviewed and assembled. She brought a hospital bed into their bedroom to keep him comfortable; she moved upstairs; Irv took things in stride. The first decade was good; the last eight years, when he was nonverbal, were not—the last two years he was bedridden with a feeding tube. Her greatest regret—Irv not seeing his grandchildren and great grandkids mature.

In the mid-1950’s, when international travel was uncommon, Irv joined an invitation-only men’s investment club. A valuable perk of membership was taking Jane on “mystery trips.” Travel agent Mary Louise Ezell worked for a year with a committee of men to select each fabulous destination and plan the itinerary for each trip. Wives were never told where they were going—only the type of wardrobe to pack. The women tried to guess where they were headed, and usually figured it out when they landed at the second airport. Seven or eight couples participated in each 10-day trip. Jane and Irv took fifteen mystery trips; they were the youngest couple for a long time. They went to “fabulous places, stayed in top hotels and dined on delicious food.” They visited all the major European capitals, with Paris being Jane’s favorite. “The men loved keeping the secret—it was a game for them.” The club still exists, but without mystery trips. The most exotic adventure may have been flying to London, boarding the Venice-Simplon-Orient Express, and arriving in Venice. According to Jane, the trips were “a lark.”

On a 1986 solo cruise to South America, Jane chose to take a threeday side trip to climb Machu Picchu. After a day acclimating to the altitude change, she had no idea what to expect and once underway, found it more challenging than expected, but was determined to finish. It was steep and there was no railing. She climbed steadily for about an hour on rugged, uneven stones—probably the hardest thing she’s ever done. Add to that, she was climbing on a knee replaced more than twenty years earlier—probably from wear and tear on the tennis court. She acknowledges this climb may be the reason her other knee was replaced two years ago, but she recovered quickly. And, the view from the top was “spectacular.” Calling herself fearless, in 2021, she went zip lining in Costa Rica. And in 2022, took the family on a photo safari to Tanzania and Kenya. Her kids have never tried to talk her out of doing anything. She even played Millie in a Market House Theatre production of “California Suite.”

Jane has had a hand in, and a front row seat for, many Paducah initiatives. She and Irv have generously given to their community through Lourdes Hospital, Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce, Kentucky and Paducah Retail Merchants Associations, Rotary Club, Carson Center for the Performing Arts, River Discovery Center (now Inland Waterways Museum) and, Temple Israel. About to turn 92, Jane feels fortunate to live the life she wants. Blessed with good health, wide-ranging interests, and a willingness to accept and attack challenges, she’s living a vivid life and documenting it on linen and cotton canvas.

SCAMS: NEW TAKES ON OLD TRICKS

By: Carol Ullerich

Thieves have been around since Biblical times; they’re just harder to spot nowadays since they often hide behind a computer screen. Those aged 70 and above lost the most money to scammers in 2023. As we approach June, Elder Abuse Awareness Month, and specifically June 15, World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, familiarize yourself with these schemes designed to empty your wallet.

Let’s be honest. As people age, hearing and vision are less acute, and we’re so busy we barely glance at checks and endless emails. Criminals count on us being busy and distracted.

Your greatest tools in protecting yourself and your bank account are your eyes, your ears, and your curiosity. If something doesn’t look or sound right, REPORT IT. If you’re wrong, apologize. But if you’re right, you’ll foil a theft, saving yourself time, money and headache, while earning the appreciation and thanks of your community. “The mark” in this article is the innocent person—often a senior—who loses his money. Scammers target seniors—especially veterans with a steady pension— because many older adults are lonely, gullible, naïve and fearful.

Are scams really a big deal? YES. According to the Federal Trade Commission, Americans lost $10 Billion to scams in 2023, $1 Billion more than in 2022—the highest amount reported.

Of the 2.6 billion people who reported being scammed, 27% reported an average loss of $500 each. Email was the most prevalent form of contact, usually by one pretending to represent government or business. Imposter scams were the fraud of choice, claiming $2.7 Billion. Social media scams were the preferred scam—generating total losses of $1.5 Billion—$250 Million more than 2022. Scams initiated by phone call claimed the highest per-person loss, averaging $1,480. And, while scammers took the most money through bank transfers and payments like Green Dot, MoneyPak and gift cards, Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency ran a close second.

YOU MISSED JURY DUTY

According to Det. Kyle Seratt of the McCracken County Sheriff’s Department, frauds and scams are cyclical. Those used today are the same as yesteryear, with a twist. A current scam—known as an imposter scam—because it appears to have been initiated by a legitimate entity—begins with a realistic-sounding phone call, supposedly the sheriff’s office, telling you (the mark), “you missed jury duty; a deputy is coming to your home to serve an arrest warrant. But, to clear this up, just give me your credit card number.” DON’T be fooled into thinking you’ve forgotten jury duty—and DON’T provide personal or financial information. HANG UP!

KEYS to spotting this fake call: if you fail to appear for jury duty, you will not receive a phone call from the sheriff’s office alerting you an arrest warrant has been issued. Nor will the sheriff ask for credit card or Cryptocurrency payment to resolve the matter.

Det. Seratt says the jury scam is reported a couple times each month, but is probably underreported. He knows it works because it’s still used. He suspects seniors are too embarrassed to report falling for it.

Keep in mind, when “baby boomers,” those born between 1946 and 1964, were reared, money was not discussed—not inside the home and certainly not outside the home. For them there’s an intense desire to keep things private and to avoid appearing foolish. Det. Seratt has noticed folks in their forties and fifties are more likely to say, “This guy scammed me. Catch him!” Whatever your age, “if you see something, say something,” is more important than saving your pride.

Another take on this scam is a phone call from a relative—often a grandchild—claiming he has been arrested or injured and needs a large amount of money now. If you receive such a call, ask yourself why is this child calling me instead of his parents? Then, hang up. Call the child or parent if you need assurance all is fine. It is too easy for someone trolling the internet to gather sensitive details about you and use it to create a realistic sounding phone call from a masked phone number. Don’t be a victim! This scheme—often called the grandparent scam—is not as prevalent in the Heartland; it occurs more often in states with higher senior populations.

Bank tellers are trained to watch for withdrawals of large sums of money. A teller, especially one with a local or regional bank, may question a transaction which appears unusual based on your routine banking practices. If you are being pressured to do something, alert the teller.

SECRET SHOPPER OR DHL SCAM

The mark is given a check with which he agrees to shop for specific items at specific stores and report on the experience. The items being bought are always prepaid gift cards and the purchase is made from a big box store. Don’t fall for this scheme which typically involves fraudulent checks for which the mark (you) cashing or depositing the check will ultimately be held responsible to repay.

FAKE PAPER CHECKS

The key to this scam is stolen checking account numbers. Once the criminal has a valid account number, a fake check is created, and a mark is recruited to pass the bogus check. Carefully examine all checks, paying close attention to spelling and syntax. Many of these schemes originate in foreign countries where sentence structure differs. Does the wording make sense? Is the Bank’s logo correct? Was the email sent from an actual financial institution? HINT: A legitimate business or bank will not use a common public email domain like Gmail, yahoo, proton, etc. to conduct business. Scammers are crafty, but often sloppy. The error won’t be glaring; but it will be in plain sight.

Note: If the mark is a customer of the bank where the fraudulent check was cashed or deposited, the bank will recover lost funds from the mark’s checking/savings accounts. If not a customer, the mark may face criminal charges.

JUNE 15: World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day was first established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2011 to raise awareness about the abuse and neglect experienced by older adults. This day aims to promote understanding of the importance of preventing elder abuse and supporting the rights and well-being of older people.

"No Excuse for Elder Abuse" FREE Community Outreach & Education Event

Tuesday, June 4th, 2024 | 7:00am - 4:30pm

Discovery Park of America

830 Everett Blvd Union City, TN 38261

This conference is dedicated to raising awareness and providing resources, training, and education to combat elder abuse in support of World Elder Abuse Day. Don't miss out on this important event to learn how to protect our elderly and vulnerable adults and ensure their well-being and provide them justice. Together, we can make a difference and break the silence of elder abuse!

For More information, contact Debra Edwards: debra.edwards@nwtdd.org or 731-514-8246

MARKETPLACE SELLERS BEWARE

A person buys an item you listed on Marketplace or another online seller for $300.00. You receive a check for $2,300.00. When you report the overage to the seller, he says, “Sorry, just deposit the check “as is” and send me the extra $2,000.00 in a pre-paid credit/debit card(s) or wire transfer. Don’t! Carefully review the check for typos and you’ll see it’s fake. You will lose the $2,000.00 you send the buyer to correct “his mistake” in this “overage scam.”

ROMANCE SCAMS

Men and women are equally vulnerable in their quest “to find lasting love” on the internet. Seniors are particularly susceptible because they are often new to social media and believe everything they see and read online is real. It is jolting to learn bios and photos are highly manufactured and the person with whom they believe they’ve developed a real relationship does not exist. An 80-year-old man may believe he is corresponding with a 20-year-old vixen. In reality, a 40-year-old man is writing “her” posts and the sexy “picture” is fake. Be realistic. What do you have in common with a person 65 years your junior living in a foreign country? Det. Seratt says these scams generate the greatest financial loss.

FACEBOOK

If you are a 75-year-old widow and begin receiving lots of friend requests from 20-year-old hunks, your sudden popularity probably results from a computer-generated profile identifying you as a “grandma profile” of gullible women. The “relationship” may begin with a request for a prepaid credit card in a small amount—a test to see whether you will follow directions. If you do, the requests and amount of money sought will increase. This often results from a large-scale group of scammers working in tandem in a foreign country. Women are contacted; men seek to make contact. Question why you have become so popular. Is it reasonable for a 20-year-old male bodybuilder to contact you? Reject friend requests from people you do not know.

NOTE: Romance scams typically originate on Facebook—targeting both males and females. Romance scams and Facebook work in tandem, with Facebook being the common link.

PHISHING SCAMS

So called because they cast a wide net. These are emails and generated texts seeking credit card or identity information.

NOTE: These scams often originate as an email or text message appearing to come from a legitimate business, typically reporting a “threat” to a financial account, computer or electronic device. The email or text will direct you to “click here” or “call this number.” When you obey, you activate an embedded link allowing malicious intrusion of your electronic device, or you directly call a professional scammer.

PARTING THOUGHTS

Successfully prosecuting alleged abuse of an adult requires certification the person is “in need of protection,” the underlying question being whether the adult’s “basic needs” are being met. Many of these claims are family squabbles where one sibling thinks a parent is being mistreated but isn’t willing to provide the disputed care him/herself.

To initiate a claim, the first call should be to Adult Protective Services which triggers an investigation. True exploitation cases occur but are difficult to substantiate.

Be cautious of unwittingly hitting buttons on your computer and cell phone. Taping “shop now” may infect your device with hidden malware. Be leery of links.

Never pay with a gift card; reserve them for GIFTS. Payments via Cryptocurrency are ALWAYS a scam. Be suspicious of pleas involving urgency and intimidation. Get referrals only from people you trust.

If it’s too good to be true, IT IS.

Finally, if you think you’ve been scammed, contact:

• Your local Sheriff’s Office, Police Department, or State Police Post to make a report and seek direction.

• Your bank, financial institution and credit bureau. Get a plan from FTC.gov or IdentityTheft.gov

Immediately begin creating a paper trail. Who did you contact? Be SPECIFIC: name, phone number, e-mail address, date, time and info conveyed. These details will be critical to the investigation of your report and to potentially recouping your loss.

You work hard for your money—don’t give it to scammers! 

Det. Kyle Seratt of the McCracken County Sheriff’s Office and Nick Johnson of FNB Bank contributed to this article.

SWIM A LAP FOR FUN AND HEALTH

June 24 is Swim a Lap Day. The origin of the celebration is fuzzy, but the purpose is positive. Take the plunge.

Swimming may have gotten its start as early as 2500 BCE in Egypt. We know it was a discipline in the 1896 Olympics in Athens, open only to male competitors at that time, and is the only sport to have appeared in every Summer Games since inception. In the first Olympics, only Greek sailors were permitted to participate in a 100m race. Women joined the fray in 1912 in Stockholm—with two options—100m freestyle and 4x100m freestyle relay.

Who swam first is debatable. Maybe it was Greeks and Romans who built pools to train athletes and soldiers. Maybe it was Egyptians based on cave wall paintings of the breaststroke.

Maybe it was the Japanese who are said to have held races in 36 B.C. Regardless, competitive swimming emerged in England in the 1800s, followed by the first swimming championship in Australia in 1846.

Prime swim styles are breaststroke, backstroke, freestyle/front crawl and butterfly. But don’t overlook synchronized swimming, also called water ballet—it launched in 1891 in Berlin. Today it combines aerobics, dance and swimming, and in 2024, for the first time in the Paris games in July, men will compete as “artistic swimmers.”

Remember Esther Williams? She set regional and national swimming records as a teen in California, but was prevented from competing in the 1940 Summer Olympics due to the outbreak of World War II. A shrewd businesswoman, she was paired with Olympic gold-medal winner and Tarzan star Johnny Weissmuller in multiple films. MGM movie scouts saw her and cast her in various movies in the 1940s and 50s featuring synchronized swimming and diving in films dubbed “aquamusicals.”

Swimming, especially in a pool, remains popular because age is not a physical limitation. And being in the water allows you to float and exercise without putting pressure on your legs. So, take the plunge, swim a lap, and get fit whether to relax, to exercise, or to rehabilitate.

How to Play:

For Example:

Lettuces: Romaine, Bibb, Arugula, Iceberg

Tomatoes: Celebrity, Brandywine, Early Girl, Juliet

I AM WOMAN!

By: Richard Abraham

My name is Richard Abraham. I’ve heard readers are asking “Who is he?” So, I’m providing personal information in this article to introduce myself.

I’ve been a Certified Personal Trainer more than 30 years. I graduated from Paducah Tilghman High School. The year I graduated I was the number one football recruit in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. I was also First-Team, All-State Kentucky, and I was a football High School All-American. I was 62nd out of the top 100 high school football players in the nation.

I was a Paducah City Commissioner for 14 years. I am presently Color Commentator for Paducah Tilghman High School Football. And, I write a health and fitness article for this lovely magazine.

All that being said, let me address the theme of this issue. Back in 1972, Helen Reddy recorded a song entitled, “I am woman.” That song sparked a change in the way many women thought about themselves. Looking back over some of the things you’ve accomplished, “Yes, you paid the price, but look how much you’ve gained. You are strong. You are invincible. You are woman!” (pardon my paraphrasing).

Some of the best exercises women can do are simple and non-confining. Let us look at a few. Contralateral movement (i.e., walking). When you

walk, your body does this automatically, opposite arm and opposite leg action. This combination of arm and leg movement burns maximum calories. The weather is getting warmer outside now. Get out and go for a walk.

When you finish walking, sit down, and rest a bit. When you get your second wind, find a chair and get a couple 16 oz cans of vegetables. With one can in one hand and one in the other, palms facing upward and at your sides, curl your arms upward, towards your chest. Then, rotate your palms away from your body and press cans over your head for ten reps. Do 4 sets of 10 reps. Take a break after finishing this activity.

Now with your feet flat on the floor, lift your left foot eight inches off the floor, then extend your leg, holding it straight out and hold it there for a count of ten, return it to the floor. Do this ten times. Repeat this on the other leg 10 times too. (Ten reps is the goal for each leg. If you need to start out at 5 reps each leg and work your way to 10, that is fine). You will do a total of 4 sets.

Take care of yourself. And don’t forget to Break A Sweat! 

An interview with Mary Hammond, Executive Director of the Paducah Convention and Visitors Bureau for the last 23 years, was to appear in this issue featuring Strong Women. Her sudden death on Sunday, March 3, prevented completion of that interview. Instead, a retrospective of her life and impact will appear in a future issue.

If you have thoughts to share, please email them to cullerich@embracingtheaged.com.

TOTAL ECLIPSE OF THE SUN

(with apologies to Bonnie Tyler)

By: Carol Ullerich

For two minutes on April 8, 2024, those of us in Paducah, Kentucky, will be really fortunate. We’re on the edge of the path of totality of a total solar eclipse—when the sun fully obscures the moon in midafternoon. A solar eclipse differs from an annular eclipse, which happens about every three to five years and the sun’s edge remains visible around the moon. We’ve beaten the odds—Paducah is on the “edge” of the path of totality. Carbondale, Illinois is nearer the middle of the path. Coincidentally, earth is the only planet in our solar system where total solar eclipses happen. And, according to NASA, after this total solar eclipse, there won’t be another in the contiguous U.S. until August 23, 2044.

2024 Total Eclipse - NASA Science

On average, a person can expect to see an eclipse once in 400 years; we’re about to experience our second in just seven years—the last one occurred August 21, 2017. Like before, expect an influx of visitors before and traffic jams after. According to Dr. Victor Taveras, Professor of Physics at WKCTC, most in the Southwest will likely drive to Texas for viewing; while those in the Southeast will probably come to Kentucky.

experience. Then, as soon as the bright sun begins to reappear very slightly, immediately use your solar viewer again to watch the remaining partial phase of the eclipse.” An unfiltered camera lens, telescope, binoculars, or prescription glasses will not protect your eyes from the intense sunlight. According to eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov, “special-purpose solar filters are at least 1,000 times darker than ordinary sunglasses.”

Dr. Taveras says solar eclipses happen annually, but usually over the middle of nowhere—unpopulated land—so one must travel to see them. Additionally, eclipses usually pass over water because three-quarter’s of the world’s surface is water. “Eclipse tracers” travel the world observing eclipses.

ON AVERAGE, A PERSON CAN EXPECT TO SEE AN ECLIPSE ONCE IN 400 YEARS; WE’RE ABOUT TO EXPERIENCE OUR second IN JUST SEVEN YEARS.

According to the American Astronomical Society, during a solar eclipse, the moon blocks part of the sun from view. “During the brief period of a total eclipse when the moon fully covers the sun (only a couple of minutes), the light of day gives way to a deep twilight sky. The sun’s outer atmosphere (called the solar corona) gradually appears, glowing like a halo around the moon in front of it.” https://aas.org

Eye safety is critical. Special eclipse glasses and other solar viewers are available. Inspect your solar filter or eclipse glasses before use. If scratched or damaged, get new ones.

The eclipse will begin at 12:42 p.m. in Paducah. As the clock approaches 2:00 p.m., the beginning of totality, stand still, COVER your eyes with your eclipse glasses or other solar viewer, THEN glance at the sun for the two minutes of totality, TURN away and REMOVE your glasses. DO NOT remove glasses while looking at the sun. If you lack protective eye gear, DON’T look at the sun. If you do, you’ll damage your retina without knowing it. ONLY if your glasses bear the ISO Certification will they protect your eyes.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology (aao.org) advises, “The only time that you can look at the sun without a solar viewer is during a total eclipse. When the moon completely covers the sun’s bright face and it suddenly gets dark, you can remove your solar filter to watch this unique

According to National Geographic, you’ll miss the full experience by looking only skyward. Notice how animals and plants react. As totality approaches, the sky will darken and air temps will drop. Crickets may begin chirping, birds may roost or become active, and you may see more mosquitoes. One eclipse won’t make you a seasoned scientist, but post-eclipse you may see stories about animal activity and have an opportunity to contribute personal observations. Make notes.

Want to share the experience? Join the Solar Eclipse Watch Party at the McCracken County Extension Service, 2025 New Holt Road, Paducah. The event runs April 8 from 11:00 a.m. til 3:00 p.m. Eclipse begins at 12:42 p.m. with two-minute window of totality occurring between 2:00 p.m. and 2:02 p.m. Some eclipse glasses will be available. Event cancelled if inclement weather.

There’s also a viewing party at the Inland Waterways Museum, 117 Water Street, Paducah. 

According to NPR, to avoid blindness and solar retinopathy, anyone planning to view the eclipse is strongly encouraged to wear appropriate ISO 12312-2 international safety standard for eclipse glasses, ISO logo and manufacturer’s But, presence of the ISO label and number may not be enough to ensure authenticity due to the sale of fake glasses. Take the of ensuring you see no light when you hold the glasses

If ANY light is visible, the lenses are not strong enough to protect your vision during the eclipse. Eclipse glasses distributed by Paducah’s Convention and Tourism Bureau SHOULD NOT be used as they do not bear the required hallmarks to protect your eyesight. Any glasses received from CVB should be returned to CVB.

MISS RETTA: HITTING THE RIGHT NOTES

By: Carol Ullerich

She’s simply known as “Miss Retta” to much of Western Kentucky and beyond. Retta Folsom was born on a kitchen table by the light of a coal oil lamp in 1938 in Henry County, Tennessee. In 1930, her parents moved there from Paducah to farm during the Great Depression and stayed a decade.

In 1940, Retta, three siblings and her parents returned to Paducah, where her dad built their new home in Lone Oak. The baby of seven, her father earned an eighth-grade education in a one-room schoolhouse. He worked at the ICRR shops—beginning as a common laborer and ultimately retiring as a crane operator—a job he loved.

Her mom had been fired in 1930 when she became pregnant with her first child—pregnant women could not work in public. That may have influenced Retta to become a “women’s libber.” When the family returned to Paducah in 1940, her mom played piano at church and kept books for the Walter T. Kelley Beekeeping Company. Her mom worked for several businesses, receiving increased pay as she moved up the ladder. Both parents were musicians and storytellers.

Corinth, Mississippi. Once married, Chuck forfeited his senior spot on the Lone Oak basketball team.

Ready to begin a family, Retta’s first pregnancy ended in miscarriage. Her first job was cashier at Lube Sanderson’s Grocery—in her words, she was “the slowest cashier ever.” She moved to Claussner Mills on South 28th Street in Paducah where women’s silk hosiery was machineknit, shaped and packaged. She recalls that time fondly as older women helping younger women. While working, she studied piano privately with Dr. James Woodard in Murray.

I BELIEVE MOST MUSICIANS FEEL THEIR INSTRUMENTS ARE living things . BECAUSE WE EASILY COAX THEM TO PERFORM, THEY GIVE US all they’ve got!

As a child, music came naturally to Retta. Her mother was her first piano teacher. At age six she began attending Lone Oak School (Grades 1-12). At age twelve, she became a church musician. 1956 was momentous. At age 18, she graduated from Lone Oak, enrolled as a freshman at Murray State studying music, and married Chuck Folsom.

ABOUT CHUCK

When Retta was in eighth grade, the Folsom family moved to Paducah with a seventh-grade son named Chuck. The patriarch of the Folsom family worked with the Atomic Energy Commission and came to Paducah to build the Gaseous Diffusion Plant.

Retta saw Chuck for the first time in the school library where she was an eighth grade aide; he requested a magazine. Though born less than three weeks apart, Chuck was a grade behind Retta. She’d never seen anyone walk like him. Men usually “clumped,” but Chuck “floated.” He was 6’4,” and so quiet. They finally met during Retta’s junior year—“love at first sight” for her. June 30, 1956, the summer before Chuck became a high school senior, he and Retta married in

Retta has played four church organs in Paducah. In 1972, she tickled the keys of a “friendly, easy to play,” organ for a wedding at St. Francis de Salles Catholic Church. She was organist and choir director at St. Luke United Methodist Church on Ohio Street for 15 years where she played a Baldwin— ”a simple, amazingly simple, sweet instrument. My dear choir was so willing, so cooperative to explore creative anthems usually learned by rote.” When she substituted at Arcadia United Methodist, she played a Hammond Organ with drawbars, “Loved it too.” She believes Fountain Avenue United Methodist has the best acoustics. That’s where she occasionally played a small pipe organ, “a sweetheart of an instrument!”

In 1957, Retta began working as a Spectrometer lab assistant at Union Carbide. About 15 months later, her first child was born. The growing Folsom family moved to a rental house in Paducah’s Forest Hills where Retta created a piano studio to give private lessons. All the while she attended workshops and seminars. Her first piano was an upright; but in Forest Hills she graduated to a baby grand. In 1960, daughter Julie was born.

A next-door neighbor on Forest Avenue had a great stereo system and record collection. He shared albums with Chuck and helped him build an audio system for the Folsom home. Chuck developed an appreciation of great music because of his interest in audio equipment. That led to his association with the Paducah Symphony Orchestra (PSO). After each concert, a Carson Center tech passed a recording on a thumb drive to Chuck. He would edit the concert at home to make CDs for Maestro Rafaele Ponti in beautiful cases Chuck designed. Maestro Ponti appreciated Chuck’s efforts, considering Chuck “his ears.” Chuck was a PSO board member many years.

In 1966, the Folsom clan moved to a 1,250 square foot home on Clinton Road. In 1969, son John was born. The current residence eclipses 3,000 square feet because Chuck kept adding new projects during the 58 years it’s been “home.” It’s hosted scores of group and private lessons and “music sharing.” The student bathroom is filled with knickknacks that mysteriously move during and after lessons. Nothing disappears, and no comment is ever made. It’s just an unspoken statement, “I was here; I improved the space; I’ll be back.”

Lest you think all has been sunny, from 1968 to 1972, Retta battled postpartum depression and kidney issues—feeling she was underwater and could not break through the surface. During this time she remained St. Luke’s church organist and in 1972 picked up the guitar.

And where was Chuck? He was a cameraman and then director at WPSD-TV for nine years; followed by two years at CTS (manufacturing loud speakers for stereos, radios, etc.); culminating in three decades at Air Products.

In 1972, Retta took to the road as Bookmobile Driver and Story Time presenter, allowing her to exercise her childhood love of puppetry and musical storytelling. The home studio remains active today.

In 1980, Retta and Chuck attended the international organization of puppetry UNIMA (International Marionette Association) Congress in Washington D.C. A ten-day immersion in global puppetry. Four shows daily at Georgetown College with discussion. Entertainment and symposiums on the Art of Puppetry at the Kennedy Center, including a 2:00 a.m. fire drill prompting puppeteers to share their skills to abruptly awakened folks on dorm parking lots. The captive audience and pop-up shows were surely the best of the lot!

Retta notes Paducah’s best organ may be at First Presbyterian. She hasn’t played it, but has heard it many times. Selected by a committee that included church organist Ella May Read, Retta deems it “an amazing instrument.” She’s also keen on organs at Grace Episcopal and Broadway United Methodist but has played neither. Her favorite pipe organ of all time is in the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. She and Chuck had children living in the area and timed visits for Wednesday noon organ recitals – “Magnificent.”

I was intrigued by Retta’s descriptions of the organs she’s played—as if they were human. She explained,

“I do feel personal about instruments. I can hardly bear to see so many old pianos discarded as they are today. Because of their ability to produce musical sounds with anyone playing them, pianos are always waiting for someone to pass by! I believe most musicians feel their instruments are living things. Because we easily coax them to perform, they give us all they’ve got! Chuck and I loved recycling eight old pianos to new users. A marvelous piano mover, tuner and repair person in our area is Logan Blewett.”

Unlike the pianos, many instruments are cradled to the body! Yet pianists love touching the keys with all gradations of strength available from pianissimo to fortissimo! Watching artists like Jon Batiste or Lang Lang, we notice how much the whole body is involved in playing the piano. It comes to life when joined by a human! Oh JOY!

Retta is known for her sidekick Bob Dog, a life-size puppet she crafted and describes as:

He’s a good old dog! A lucky dog! A kinda old dog! Never meets a stranger! Always jolly!

Open to new Opportunities! Born in 1972, he has made friends with thousands of people in this area! Visiting schools, and a regular at the library for over 30 years! His happiness is contagious! He adores children especially and refers to them as the “most authentic people in the world.” Sometimes he sees grandchildren of the children he knew long ago! He adores them!

Bob Dog was a fixture with Miss Retta during the Children’s Hour of the Lion’s Club Telethon on WPSD-TV for 13 years, each year with a different theme. The segment was rehearsed weeks in advance with children presenting songs and stories during their part of the show. Retta also did three-minute book promotions on noon newscasts, and wrote book reviews for The Paducah Sun. Puppetry became fashionable when The Muppets appeared on TV. In 1981, Retta incorporated the Folsom Puppet Co. LTD which remains active today.

For 51 years, from 1972 until today, Retta has worn numerous hats— church musician, organist, pianist, choir director, piano teacher, puppeteer, wife and mother. Her three children have exceptional careers. Her oldest son served in the military and CIA, and is now pursuing a writing career; her daughter worked in USEC procurement and is a yoga instructor; and, her youngest son is an artist. She’s the proud grandma of five grandkids and four great-grandkids.

She pursues multiple hobbies—walking, hiking, yoga (which she began in 1998 and still practices), making art from found objects, travel, reading, yardwork and genealogy—especially collecting stories of Paris Hill Folsom—Chuck’s great grandfather who was an Indian Agent for the US government and advocated for the Klamath Indian Nation.

Similar to Peter Pan, Retta is the girl who never grew up. As a child she ran with a troop of boys because there weren’t many girls around. Capture the Flag was a favorite game, but she played only if there was an odd number of boys. The Folsom home has many references to “the rabbit hole” from Alice in Wonderland, counterbalanced with “Ode to Joy,” from Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, all overseen by a trio of lively cats.

In 1981, Retta ended a 31-year stint as a church musician. In 2011 she launched Musical Story Time with a curriculum of six separate programs that ran until March 2020 when COVID erupted. It resumed in January 2023 and continues today. All K-2 students in local city, county and private schools receive books about Bach, Beethoven and Mozart written by Folsom and illustrated by Cherri Cunningham. 5,600 K-5 students participate in Musical Story Time annually, in tandem with the PSO and the McCracken County Public Library.

PARTING WORDS TO STUDENTS ON TAMING JITTERS BEFORE A PERFORMANCE:

Ah! Think about this: “Remember you’re playing to share the beauty, the art, the joy, the fun of music! It’s not so much about YOU performing, you are the vehicle on which the music rides! Keep your mind and heart on the music, not so much on yourself! This sharing becomes spiritual as we try to give the music to others! It’s a present to present! It is a gift for your audience. Then take a bow; and when you do that, you’re saying, ‘thank you for listening to me’ and they will applaud which means, ‘thank you for playing for us.’ Then you will understand what it means to share the music.”

There you have it. A life and love story, dissonant at times, but resolved by hitting the right notes! 

A reader has requested tips on meeting new people and making new friends.

If you have suggestions to share for that story, or an idea for another topic, reach out to

How to Play: Find 4 four-word groups, each having a link

For Example:

Lettuces: Romaine, Bibb, Arugula, Iceberg

Tomatoes: Celebrity, Brandywine, Early Girl, Juliet

LUNGE ADMIRAL CRYPTIC MATH OFFICE COMEDY SQUAT TRIVIA

FRITILLARY WORD SEARCH ROWING HAIRSTREAK CLUB STOOL MONARCH BURPEES

Puzzle #2 • Answers on page 50

CELEBRATING VALENTINE’S DAY WITHOUT A SPOUSE, BUT NOT ALONE

By: Carol Ullerich

Filbeck-Cann Life Celebration Center of Milner & Orr Funeral Homes, in Benton, Kentucky, was filled with laughter and mirth Monday, February 12. Billed as a gathering for Widows and Widowers, it was a night of fun and fellowship, just as organizers hoped it would be. One widow of 23 years said it’s the first time she’d been invited to a Valentine’s Day celebration. The night was based on a similar event launched in 2023, and repeated this year, at Morgan’s, their funeral home in Princeton.

The room was awash in red, white and pink balloon bouquets. Tables were festooned with fresh flowers and Hershey’s candy kisses. Children distributed handmade valentines to each attendee, followed by a lighthearted game. The emcee’s first question, “who at your table traveled the furthest tonight,” sparked conversation and got tablemates learning about each other. There was one ultimate prize per table—a heart-shaped box of candy—but all won by making friends.

Those in the room were linked by loss of a spouse. I was not, but I invited two widows to accompany me to gain their perspective. Neither came with any expectations. Both enjoyed the evening, especially the speaker.

Dana Spears, Filbeck-Cann’s Family Hospitality Coordinator for nearly three years, joined me at a table of five. Spears is no stranger to death—experiencing multiple losses in a matter of months. Her mother died with COPD in March, 2019, leaving Dana to assume care of her nearly 90-year-old father. In November, 2020, her dad fell, breaking his hip. Dana recalls standing outside the nursing home where he received rehab. Due to COVID restrictions, all she could do was wave to him through the window. He died in December, 2020.

Dana’s aunt (her late dad’s sister) died from PAD in May, five months after her dad passed.

June 7, 2021, Dana’s husband died. His cancer had returned and while no longer a chemo candidate, he qualified for floating radiation. Preparing for a treatment, Dana found him—dead of a massive heart attack. He wanted to go quick and he did. Her dad, aunt and husband died in a five-month span.

Dana said losing her parents was hard, but losing her husband was worse. Suddenly there was no one to talk to and she was lonely. A neighbor suggested she consider working at Filbeck’s. Dana weighed the suggestion. She had clicked with Andrea Orr while making funeral arrangements for her own family members and by coincidence, Dana had always wanted to be an “undertaker.” Happy with her job, she deems it “a pleasure to be around the Orrs.”

Dana said she drew strength from the Widows and Widowers event. She folded and tied napkins and did other pre-meal tasks not realizing how cathartic it would be. At nearly 74, she comforts those beginning their grief journey without their spouse. Dana seems to be where she’s meant to be.

According to Mary Beth Orr, about 120 attended the inaugural Valentine’s Day Widows & Widowers event in Benton. The hosts have decided it will be an annual event. Women far outnumbered the six men I counted. That’s not unusual. According to the Brookings Institute, www.brookings.edu, men die at 1.6 times the death rate for women, with the widest gap falling in middle age, when 184 males die for every 100 females. Today, the average male lives to about age 73.5, while average life expectancy for a woman is 79.3 years. Acknowledging the difficulty surrounding loss of a mate, Filbeck-Cann and Milner & Orr Funeral Homes host a monthly widow support group.

The evening went smoothly due in large part to the efforts and personalities of three young couples serving as hosts. For these driven sixth generation funeral directors, the business is both a ministry and a profession. According to Mary Beth, “all my in-laws are my absolute best friends; and I don’t just love my in-laws, I really like them.” Each of the three Orr siblings, and spouses, earned a college degree (five from University of Kentucky; one from University of Wisconsin) and pursued a separate profession (three in medical sales; and one each in golf course management, architecture and accounting) before accepting

their parent’s/in-law’s invitation to join the family business and return to Western Kentucky. For example, the Life Celebration Center is the previous Marshall County Public Library. Jenna Orr Wainer holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in architecture. She oversaw transformation of the former library into the new venue which opened in July 2023.

After tossed salad, we enjoyed a hefty plated dinner of spaghetti and fettuccine alfredo prepared by Moor’s Resort and capped off by a scrumptious array of cakes. Rather than a buffet line, dinner was personally served by staff and owners who thoroughly enjoyed waiting on their guests.

We were then treated to brief, but dynamic, comments from Donna Wear, herself a widow of nineteen years, but as she noted, “widow is not my only title.” She’s been a school principal in both Ballard and McCracken County but is currently preparing student teachers for classroom assignments at the Teacher Quality Institute in the Murray State University College of Education. Her remarks focused on choices everyone—coupled or not—makes daily. Speaking publicly on the topic for the first time, she addressed thoughts many who find themselves suddenly single due to loss of a spouse have probably asked themselves: is it okay for me to eat alone at Cracker Barrel? Can I go to church and sit in the same pew where I sat for decades with my spouse? Wear’s answer: whether widow, widower or teenager, we face choices daily; and one down day is not a doomed life—tomorrow is another day. Wear suggested the crowd draw daily strength from family, friends and faith. She acknowledged shedding occasional tears, but in the end, noted it’s all about the daily choices we make and each day is a chance to make a

positive choice. Wear shared this poem from an unknown source with the audience: “My mother once said, Hate has 4 letters, but so does love. Enemies has 7 letters, but so does friends. Lying has 5 letters, but so does truth. Cry has 3 letters, but so does joy. Negativity has 10 letters, but so does positivity. Life is two sided . . . choose the better side of it.”

If one had the slightest tinge of sadness entering the Center that night, it quickly disappeared. The sole purpose of the night was fun and fellowship. Both were achieved in great measure. Mary Beth was pleased by how nicely the event unfolded and its positive impact on the community. From the handmade valentines that began the evening, to the long-stemmed red roses that ended the night, it was a joyous, thoughtful evening. The couples aspire to attain even more in 2025, but this night will be hard to top. 

DEFINITIONS OF Care WAYS TO Pay

Adult Day Care: a nonresidential facility that supports the health, nutritional, social, and daily living needs of adults in a professionally staffed, group setting.

Life Plan Community: is a type of retirement community in the U.S. wtih a continuum of aging care needs—from independent living, assisted living, and skilled nursing care.

Assisted Living (Social Model): residential living offering mobile residents minimal assistance for daily activities.

Hospice: provides a team approach of care for those with a life limiting illness providing support mentally, emotionally, spiritually and physically for the patient and their loved ones. The hospice team works with the patient and their loved ones to keep the patient comfortable, coming alongside them as they achieve their short term goals.

Homecare: a non-medical service that provides support and services for daily needs as well as coordination among caregivers and provider agencies to help adults at risk of institutional care remain in their own home.

Home Health: a medical services provided at home to treat a chronic health condition or help you recover from illness, injury or surgery.

Independent Living: a housing designed for seniors 55 and older. Independent senior living communities commonly provide apartments, but some also offer cottages, condominiums, and single-family homes.

Residents include seniors who do not require assistance with daily activities.

Memory Care: a form of residential long-term care that provides intensive, specialized care for people with memory issues.

Palliative Care: provides continuity of care for those patients with a serious illness while collaborating with the patient’s regular physicians and specialists. Palliative Care manages care treatment in their home setting as they pursue curative options.

Personal Care (Assisted Living With Basic Healthcare): a residence for older people or people with disabilities who require help with some of the routines of daily living as well as access to medical care when needed.

Rehabilitation Services: are health care services that help you keep, get back, or improve skills and functioning for daily living that have been lost or impaired because you were sick, hurt, or disabled. These services may include physical and occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, and psychiatric rehabilitation services in a variety of inpatient and/or outpatient settings.

Skilled Nursing Care: primarily provides inpatient skilled nursing care and related services to patients who require medical, nursing, or rehabilitative services but does not provide the level of care or treatment available in a hospital.

Respite Care: provides shortterm temporary institutional care of a sick, elderly, or disabled person, providing relief for their usual caregiver.

Home Care, Independent, & Assisted Living are currently not covered by Medicare or Medicaid. They are out of pocket, private pay with personal funds. Nursing facilities use all the below for payments depending on each individual situation.

Private Pay: personal funds are used for the out-of-pocket expenses. This includes personal money from your bank accounts, pension, stocks and bonds, and sale of home. Most of your homebased services, adult daycare programs, independent livings and assisted livings are paid by personal funds.

Private Financing Options: in addition to personal funds and government programs there are other options for older adults by private financing by using long-term care insurance policy, reverse mortgage, certain life policies, annuities, and trusts.

Long-Term Care Insurance: a specific policy purchased prior to reaching senior years. These policies can cover services at home such as home care, assisted living, nursing home, palliative and hospice.

Government Programs: Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)—If a veteran meets specific criteria, they are eligible for benefits that will help cover the cost of home care, independent living, assisted living, and nursing care.

U.S. Department of Labor Resource Centers Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act (EEOICPA) benefits available for current and former nuclear weapons industry workers, and their survivors. Information is also available for medical providers who care for nuclear weapons workers. Paducah Resource

Center 1-866-534- 0599

TOLL FREE or visiting www. dol.gov/energyprogramresourcecenters.com

Medicare: a federal health insurance program for people over 65 and certain disabled people under 65. Medicare covers only those nursing facility services rendered to help a beneficiary recover from an acute illness or injury. Medicare is administered by The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

Medicaid: is a cooperative federal-state program designed to aid low-income people. It has become the major funding source for longterm care, covering nearly 75 percent of nursing facility bills. Sourced: http://www. kahcf.org/paying.aspx

MEDICAID WAIVERS

Kentucky offers 2 waiver programs:

The Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Waiver Program provides support for elderly residents of Kentucky to enable them to age in place.

The Supports for Community Living (SCL) Waiver is targeted towards individuals who are intellectually or developmentally disabled. To be eligible for this program, the disability must have developed before the age of 22. Sourced: https://www.payingforseniorcare.com/kentucky

Care DIRECTORY

BALLARD CO.

LIFE CARE CENTER AT LA CENTER

Skilled Nursing Rehabilitation (270) 665-5681

252 W. Fifth St., La Center, KY 42056

Pricing: Call for pricing

Ways to Pay: Medicare, Medicaid, PP, Insurance

CALDWELL CO.

PRINCETON NURSING & REHAB

Skilled Nursing Rehabilitation (270) 365-3541

1333 W. Main St., Princeton, KY 42445

Pricing: $190 per day or $5700 per month

Ways to Pay: Medicare, Medicaid, PP, or CI.

CALLOWAY CO.

BROOKDALE MURRAY

Assisted Living (270) 759-1555

905 Glendale Rd., Murray, KY 42071

Pricing: $3395-4500/month

Ways to Pay: PP, VA, & LTC Ins.

HICKORY WOODS SENIOR LIVING

Assisted Living (270) 759-8700

84 Utterback Rd., Murray, KY 42071

Pricing: $3930-5515/ month

Ways to Pay: PP, VA, & LTC Ins.

SPRING CREEK HEALTHCARE

Skilled Nursing Rehabilitation (270) 752-2900

1401 S. 16th St., Murray, KY 42071

Pricing: $195/shared, $215/Private

Ways to Pay: Medicare, Medicaid, PP, or CI.

CARLISLE CO.

COUNTRYSIDE CENTER FOR REHAB AND NURSING

Skilled Nursing Rehabilitation (270) 628-5424

47 Margo Ave., Bardwell, KY 42023

Pricing: Call for pricing

Ways to Pay: Medicare, Medicaid, PP, or CI.

CRITTENDEN CO.

CRITTENDEN COUNTY HEALTH & REHABILITATION CENTER

Skilled Nursing Rehabilitation (270) 965-2218

201 Watson St., Marion, KY 42064

Pricing: Call for pricing

Ways to Pay: Medicare Medicaid, PP, or CI.

FULTON CO.

FULTON NURSING AND REHAB

Skilled Nursing Rehabilitation (270) 472-1971

1004 Holiday Ln., Fulton, KY 42041

Pricing: Call for pricing

Ways to Pay: Medicare, Medicaid, PP or CI.

GRAVES CO.

GREEN ACRES HEALTHCARE

Skilled Nursing Rehabilitation (270) 247-6477

402 W. Farthing St., Mayfield, KY 42066

Pricing: Private $258 day, Semi $233 day

Ways to Pay: Medicare, Medicaid, PP, or CI

MILLS HEALTH AND REHAB

Skilled Nursing Rehabilitation (270) 247-7890

500 Beck Ln., Mayfield, KY 42066

Pricing: $233 day

Ways to Pay: Medicare, Medicaid, PP, or CI.

THE BUNGALOWS AT MAYFIELD

Assisted Living (270) 251-0233

1517 W. Broadway, Mayfield, KY 42066

Pricing: Starting at $2,935

Ways to Pay: PP, VA, & LTC Ins.

CLINTON PLACE

Skilled Nursing Rehabilitation (270) 653-5558

106 Padgett Dr., Clinton, KY 42031

Pricing: Shared $216, Private $240

Ways to Pay: Medicare, Medicaid, PP, or CI.

LIVINGSTON CO.

SALEM SPRINGLAKE HEALTH AND REHAB

Skilled Nursing Rehabilitation (270) 988-4572

509 N. Hayden Ave., Salem KY 42078

Pricing: Call for Pricing

Ways to Pay: Medicare, Medicaid, PP, or CI.

LYON CO.

LANDMARK OF KUTTAWA

Skilled Nursing Rehabilitation (270) 388-2291

1253 Lake Barkley Dr., Kuttawa, KY 42055

Pricing: $196/day short term or $5,900/mo

Ways to Pay: Medicare, Medicaid, PP, SI

RIVERS BEND RETIREMENT COMMUNITY

Independent Living Assisted Living Skilled Nursing Rehabilitation (270) 388-2868

300 Beech St., Kuttawa, KY 42055

Pricing: Call for pricing

Ways to Pay: Medicare, Medicaid, PP, SI, VA

MARSHALL CO.

LAKE WAY NURSING AND REHAB

Skilled Nursing Rehabilitation (270) 527-3296

2607 Main St., Benton, KY 42025

Pricing: Call for pricing

Ways to Pay: Medicare, Medicaid, PP, SI

THE STILLEY HOUSE SENIOR LIVING

Assisted Living Independent Living (270) 527-1700

971 Birch St., Benton, KY 42025

Pricing: Call for Pricing

Ways to Pay: PP, VA, & LTC Ins.

CALVERT CONVALESCENT CENTER

Skilled Nursing Rehabilitation (270) 395-4124

1201 E. 5th Ave., Calvert City, KY 42029

Pricing: Call for pricing

Ways to Pay: Medicare, Medicaid, PP, SI

OAKVIEW NURSING AND REHAB

Skilled Nursing Rehabilitation

(270) 898-6288

10456 U.S Hwy 62, Calvert City, KY 42029

Pricing: Call for pricing

Ways to Pay: Medicare, Medicaid, PP, SI,

MCCRACKEN CO.

CHARTER SENIOR LIVING

Personal Care Memory Care

(270) 297-4301

2747 West Park Drive* Paducah, KY 42001 New building is being built, address will change.

GAITHER SUITES AT WEST PARK

Assisted Living Personal Care Hospice Therapy

(270) 442-3999

4960 Village Square Dr., Paducah, KY 42001

Pricing: Call for Pricing

Ways to Pay: PP, VA, & LTC Ins.

HOLIDAY JACKSON OAKS

Independent Living

(270) 554-8122

2500 Marshall Ave., Paducah, KY 42003

Pricing: Starting at $2,109 Ways to Pay: PP

PARKVIEW NURSING & REHABILITATION CENTER

Skilled Nursing Rehabilitation Respite Care

Palliative Care Hospice (270) 443-6543

544 Lone Oak Rd., Paducah, KY 42003

Pricing: Call for pricing

Ways to Pay: Medicare, Medicaid, PP, SI,

PROVIDENCE POINTE HEALTHCARE

Skilled Nursing Rehabilitation Respite Care

Palliative Care Hospice (270) 442-6884

100 Marshall Ct., Paducah, KY 42001

Pricing: Call for pricing

Ways to Pay: Medicare, Medicaid, PP, SI

RIVERCREST PLACE

Assisted Living (270) 554-6911

2121 New Holt Rd., Paducah, KY 42001

Pricing: Call for pricing

Ways to Pay: PP, VA, & LTC Ins.

RIVER HAVEN NURSING AND REHAB

Skilled Nursing Rehabilitation (270) 442-6168

867 McGuire Ave., Paducah, KY 42001

Pricing: $272/day Ways to Pay: Medicare, Medicaid, PP, SI

STONECREEK HEALTH AND REHAB

Skilled Nursing Rehabilitation (270) 444-9661

4747 Alben Barkley Dr., Paducah, KY 42001

Pricing: Call for pricing

Ways to Pay: Medicare, Medic- aid, PP, SI

THE LAKES OF PADUCAH

Assisted Living

Independent Living (270) 366-0408

2265 Olivet Church Rd., Paducah, KY 42001

Pricing: Call for pricing

Ways to Pay: PP, VA, & LTC Ins.

THE NEIGHBORHOOD AT PADUCAH

Assisted Living

Memory Care

(270) 534-9173

1700 Elmdale Rd., Paducah, KY 42003

Pricing: Starting at $3,420

Ways to Pay: PP, VA, & Memory Care

TRIGG CO.

BARKLEY PLANTATION

Assisted Living

(270) 522-0018

640 Bypass Rd, Cadiz, KY 42211

Pricing: Starting at $3,355

Ways to Pay: PP, VA, & LTC Ins.

BETTER SENIOR LIVING PERSONAL CARE

(270) 522-3711

66 Shelby St., Cadiz, KY 42211

Pricing: Starting at $3,483

Ways to Pay: VA, Medicare, Medicaid

SHADY LAWN NURSING AND REHABILITATION

Skilled Nursing Rehabilitation

(270) 522-3236

2582 Cerulean Rd, Cadiz, KY 42211

Pricing: Starting at $6,798

Ways to Pay: Medicare, Medicaid, PP, SI

MASSAC CO.

METROPOLIS REHAB AND HEALTH CENTER

Skilled Nursing Rehabilitation (618) 524-2634

2299 Metropolis St., Metropolis, IL 62960

Pricing: starting at $4,779

Ways to Pay: Medicare, Medic- aid, PP, SI

MISTY MEADOWS SENIOR LIVING

Independent Living

(618) 524-1818

2550 Devers Rd., Metropolis, IL 62960

Pricing: Starting at $1,975

Ways to Pay: PP

SOUTHGATE NURSING AND REHAB

Skilled Nursing Rehabilitation (618) 524-2683

900 E 9th St., Metropolis, IL 62960

Pricing: Call for pricing Ways to Pay: Medicare, Medicaid, VA., PP, SI

SOUTHGATE SENIOR LIVING

Independent Living (618) 524-6868

1421 W. 10th St., Metropolis, IL 62960

Pricing: Call for pricing Ways to Pay: PP

OBION CO.

AHC UNION CITY

Skilled Nursing Rehabilitation (731) 885-8095

1630 E. Reelfoot Ave., Union City,TN 38261

Pricing: Call for pricing Ways to Pay: Medicare, Medicaid, PP, SI

ETHERIDGE

HOUSE SENIOR LIVING

Assisted Living (731) 389-5024

701 Sherrill St., Union City,TN 38261

Pricing: Call for pricing Ways to Pay: PP, VA, LTC Ins., TennCare “Choices”

MAGNOLIA PLACE ASSISTED LIVING

Assisted Living (731) 885-8004

1620 N. Clover St., Union City,TN 38261

Pricing: $125/day for shortterm care; $2,900-$3,500/ month for long-term care Ways to Pay: PP, VA, pay, LTC Ins., TennCare “Choices”

OBION COUNTY

NURSING HOME

Skilled Nursing Rehabilitation (731) 885-9065

1084 County Home Rd., Union City,TN 38261

Pricing: Call for pricing Ways to Pay: Medicare, Medicaid,PP, SI

THE WATERS OF UNION CITY

Skilled Nursing Rehabilitation (731) 885-6400

1105 S. Sunswept St., Union City, KY 38261

Pricing: Call for pricing Ways to Pay: Medicare, Medicaid, PP, SI,

WEAKLEY CO.

AHC VANAYER

Skilled Nursing Rehabilitation (731) 587-3193

431 Hanings Ln., Mar tin, TN 38237

Pricing: Call for pricing

Ways to Pay: Medicare, Medicaid, PP, SI,

DIVERSICARE MARTIN

Skilled Nursing Rehabilitation (731) 587-0503

158 Mount Pelia Rd., Martin, TN 38237

Pricing: Call for pricing

Ways to Pay: Medicare, Medicaid, PP, SI,

GREENBRIER MEADOWS

Assisted Living

(731) 213-3157

436 Hannings Ln., Martin, TN 38237

Pricing: Call for pricing

Ways to Pay: PP

HILLVIEW NURSING HOME

Skilled Nursing Rehabilitation (731) 364-2450

897 Evergreen St., Dresden,TN 38225

Pricing: Call for pricing

Ways to Pay: Medicare, PP, PI, CI, Medicaid

WEAKLEY COUNTY NURSING HOME

Skilled Nursing Rehabilitation

Long Term Care

(731) 364-3158

700 WC Nursing Home Rd., Dresden,TN 38225

Ways to Pay: Medicare, PP, Medicaid

Home HEALTH

MEDICAL

BALLARD CO.

See surrounding counties.

CALDWELL CO.

CALDWELL COUNTY HOSPITAL HOME HEALTH AGENCY

(270) 365-2011

1310 US-62, Princeton, KY 42445

Medicare & Private Ins

CALLOWAY CO.

INTREPID USA HEALTHCARE SERVICES

(270) 753-1434

1616 Hwy 121 Bypass, Ste C, Murray, KY 42071

Medicare, Veteran’s Benefits, Private Ins, and Medicaid

CARLISLE CO.

See surrounding counties.

FULTON CO.

LIFELINE HEALTH CARE OF FULTON

(270) 472-2294

309 Main St, Fulton, KY 42041

Medicare, Private Ins

GRAVES CO.

INTREPID USA HEALTHCARE

(800) 437-2001

1025 Paducah Rd Suite A, Mayfield, KY 42066

Payment Medicare, Veteran’s Benefits, Private Ins.

LIFELINE OF JACKSON PURCHASE HOME HEALTH

(270) 753-5656

1011 Paris Rd #345, Mayfield, KY 42066

Medicare Advantage Plans

MERCY HEALTH HOMECARE & MERCY HEALTH HOSPICE

(270) 415-3636

305 Wyatt Drive, Suite B Mayfield, KY 42053

Services are listed by county to show what services are closest to your location. If you do not see an office in your county, then search surrounding counties. Most businesses serve a large area.

HomeCare & Hospice

Payor Sources: all payor sources including Medicare, Medicaid and Private Insurances

LIVINGSTON CO.

See surrounding counties.

LYON CO.

See surrounding counties.

MARSHALL CO.

MARSHALL COUNTY HOSPITAL HOME HEALTH

(270) 527-8084

673 Old Symsonia Rd, Benton, KY 42025

Medicare Replacement Insurance *No Private Insurance

MCCRACKEN CO.

BAPTIST HEALTH HOME CARE

(270) 575-2990

220 Lone Oak Rd, Paducah, KY 42001

Medicaid, Medicare & Private Ins

BRIGHTMORE HOME CARE OF KENTUCKY UNITED ENERGY WORKERS HEALTHCARE

(270) 709-3145

3565 Lone Oak Rd, Suite 4 Paducah, KY 42001

Type: Medical free Services for EEOICPA and RECA beneficiaries. (Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act and Radiation Exposure Compensation Act)

MERCY HEALTHHOME CARE AND HOSPICE

(270) 415-3600

225 Medical Center Dr # 203, Paducah, KY 42003

HomeCare & Hospice

Payor Sources: all payor sources including Medicare, Medicaid and Private Insurance

SUPPORTIVE CARE OUTPATIENT (SCOP)

Provider visits in the home setting

(270) 415-6100

25 Medical Center Drive, Suite 203 Paducah, KY 42003

SCOP Payor Sources: all payor sources including private insurance, Medicare and Medicaid

TRIGG CO.

CARETENDERS HOME HEALTH

(270) 522-0488

72 Lone Oak Dr, Cadiz, KY 42211

Medicare & Private Ins

LIFELINE HEALTH CARE OF WESTERN KY

(270) 885-6353

210 Burley Ave # A, Hopkinsville, KY 42240

Medicare & Private Ins

MASSAC CO., IL

BAPTIST HEALTH HOME CARE METROPOLIS

(618) 524-3661

1003 East Fifth Street, Metropolis, IL 62960

Medicare and Private Ins

MERCY HEALTH HOMECARE & MERCY HEALTH HOSPICE

(270) 415-3600

704 East Fifth Street, Metropolis, IL 62960

HomeCare & Hospice

Payor Sources: all payor sources including Medicare,Medicaid and Private Insurances

OBION CO., TN

ADORATION HOME HEALTH

(731) 885-6622

1625 E Reelfoot Ave, Union City,TN 38261

Medicaid, Medicare and Private Ins

AMEDISYS HOME HEALTH CARE

(731) 886-1113

1509 E. Reelfoot Ave Union City,TN 38261

Medicare & Most Private Ins.

BAPTIST HOSPICE

(731) 884-8617

1201 Bishop St, Union City,TN 38261

In Baptist Memorial Hospital- Union City 3rd Floor Medicare, Medicaid, & Private Ins

EXTENDICARE HOME HEALTH OF WESTERN TENNESSEE

(731) 885-0866

1720 E Reelfoot Ave #203 Union City,TN 38261

Medicare and Private Ins

VOLUNTEER HOME CARE

(731) 886-0305

800 E Reelfoot Ave St. 200, Union City,TN 38261

Medicare and Private Ins

WEAKLEY CO., TN

ADORATION HOME HEALTH

(731) 587-2996

135 Kennedy Dr, Martin,TN 38237 Medicare and Private Ins

NHC HOMECARE MILAN

(731) 686-7471 14091 S 1st St, Milan,TN 38358

** Service Obion and Weakley County

TENNESSEE QUALITY CAREHOME HEALTH

(731) 587-0072

115 Neal St Suite E & F, Martin,TN 38237

Medicare and Private Ins

BALLARD CO.

See surrounding counties.

CALDWELL CO.

See surrounding counties.

CALLOWAY CO.

A PLACE CALLED HOME

(270) 753-5990

1406 N 12th Suite C Murray, KY 42071

Private Pay

BLACK PEARL HOME CARE –MURRAY

(270) 557-7418

1712 KY-121, Murray KY 42071

Private Pay

CARLISLE CO.

See surrounding counties.

FULTON CO.

See surrounding counties.

HICKMAN CO.

See surrounding counties.

GRAVES CO.

See surrounding counties.

LIVINGSTON CO.

See surrounding counties.

LYON CO.

See surrounding counties.

MARSHALL CO.

See surrounding counties.

MCCRACKEN CO.

BLACK PEARL HOME CAREPADUCAH

(270) 557-7418

2520 New Holt Road, Paducah, KY 42001

Price varies per client

Payment LTC policies

CARING PEOPLE SERVICES

(270) 575-4529

1049 Jefferson St, Paducah, KY 42001

Type: non-Medical Private Pay

GOLDEN YEARS HOME CARE

(270) 564-3526

2855 Jackson St., Paducah KY 42003

HOME INSTEAD

(270) 558-0301

3429 Lone Oak Rd #5b, Paducah KY 42001

Private Pay

PADUCAH NURSES REGISTRY INC

(270) 554-7344

60 Lakeview Dr # 1, Paducah, KY 42001

Private Pay

SENIOR HELPERS

(270) 707-2273

VA KENTUCKY

MAYFIELD VA OUTPATIENT CLINIC

1253 Paris Rd A, Mayfield, KY 42066 (270) 247-2455

MAYFIELD FIELD REP

Michael Fries

Cell (270) 705-6656

Fax (270) 780-3630 michael.fries@ky.gov

PADUCAH VA OUTPATIENT CLINIC

2620 Perkins Creek Dr, Paducah, KY 42001 (270) 444-8465

CAROL LIVINGSTON, SSGT. USAF VETERAN KY DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS FIELD REPRESENTATIVE II WKCTC-KDVA

2620 Perkins Creek Dr. Paducah, KY 42001

Cell (270) 556-0474

Home CARE

657 Lone Oak Rd Suite 2, Paducah, KY

Private Pay

TRIGG CO.

See surrounding counties.

MASSAC CO., IL

See surrounding counties.

OBION CO., TN

A PLACE CALLED HOME

(731) 407-9051

206 E Reelfoot Ave, Union City,TN 38261

Private Pay

WEAKLEY CO., TN

SENIOR SOLUTIONS HOME CARE

(731) 203-1660

215 Hawks Rd STE 12, Martin,TN 38237

Private Pay and VA

Veterans AFFAIRS

Fax (270) 495 -0835 carol.livingston@ky.gov

DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS-KY ROBERT WORDEN, SERVICE OFFICER 270-444-9808

1133 Murray Ave. Paducah, KY 42002

ANDY G BURKART, CPCU, CLU, RICP, RHU, AAI, QRV, LLC

ALL VETERANS

Cell (920) 912-4556 Paducah, KY

All Lines Insurance & Retirement Risk Mgmt Assistance (Pro Bono)

VA ILLINOIS

MARION VA MEDICAL CENTER

(618) 997-5311

2401 W Main St, Marion, IL 62959

VA TENNESSEE

OBION COUNTY TN DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS FIELD REPRESENTATIVE WALTER “WALT” W. ASHER

(731) 885-2781

622 Depot Street Union City,TN 38261

WEAKLY COUNTY TN DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS FIELD REPRESENTATIVE RON CHEATHAM

(731) 364-5727

116 W Main St. - G-04, Dresden,TN 38225

DYERSBURG VA OUTPATIENT

(731) 287-7289

Clinic 1067 Vendall Rd, Dyersburg,TN 38024

Outpatient MENTAL HEALTH

BALLARD CO.

FOUR RIVERS- BALLARD CO. SERVICES

115 North 4th St., Wickliffe, KY 42087 (270) 442-7121

Payment: Medicaid, Private, Self, Medicare, Financial Aid, Military

CALDWELL CO.

HEALTH FIRST COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER

1100 S. Jefferson S., Princeton, KY 42445 (270) 365-9455

Payment: Commercial Insurance, Medicaid, Medicare, Kcip, Sliding Fee Scale

PENNYROYAL CENTER

1350 Highway 62 West Princeton, KY 42445 (270) 365-2008 Payment:

Insurance Billed, Underpayment Billed, Sliding Fee Scale

CALLOWAY CO.

EMERALD THERAPY – MURRAY

111 Popular St. #104 Murray, KY 42071 (270) 534-5128 Option 8

Payment: Private Insurance, Medicaid, Medicare

FOUR RIVERS BEHAVIORAL HEALTH – LAKES CENTER

1051 North 16th St., Murray, KY 42071

(270) 753-6622

Payment: Medicaid, Private, Self, Medicare, Financial Aid, Military

CARLISLE/FULTON CO.

FOUR RIVERS FULTON CO. SERVICES

201 N. Highland Dr., Fulton, KY 42041 (270) 247-2588

Payment: Medicaid, Private, Self, Medicare, Financial Aid, Military

GRAVES CO.

EMERALD THERAPY MAYFIELD

1019 Paducah Rd. Suite C Mayfield, KY 42066 (270) 278-1240 Option 9

Payment: Medicare, Medicaid, Private

LIVINGSTON CO.

LIVINGSTON HOSPITAL NEW BEGINNNINGS BEHAVIORAL HEALTH

131 Hospital Dr., Salem, KY 42079 (270) 988-2675

Payment: Medicare Part B Program, Traditional Medicare, Supplemental Insurance

MCCRACKEN CO.

EMERALD THERAPY VILLAGE SQUARE

5050-B Village Square Dr., Paducah, KY 42001

(270) 534-5128 Option 6

Payment: Medicare, Medicaid, Private

EMERALD THERAPY LIVING WELL CENTER

2327 New Holt Rd., Paducah, KY 42001 (270) 534-5128 Option 5

Payment: Medicare, Medicaid, Private

EMERALD THERAPYINFORMATION AGE

1640 McCracken Blvd., Paducah, KY 42001 (270) 534-5128 Option 7

Payment: Medicare, Medicaid, Private

FOUR RIVERS BEHAVIORAL HEALTH

425 Broadway St., Paducah, KY 42001 (270) 442-7121

Payment: Medicare, Medicaid, Private

MASSAC CO., IL

NEW BEGINNING- MASSAC MEMORIAL HOSPITAL/ INTENSIVE OUTPATIENT

28 Chick St., Metropolis, IL 62960 (618) 524-2151 Payment: Traditional Medicare and Private Insurance

New Beginings Provides Transportation to and from Appointments

MASSAC MENTAL HEALTH AND BEHAVIORAL CENTER

206 W 5th St,, Metropolis, IL 62960 (800) 851-1251

Payment: Medicaid, Private, Self, Military

OBION CO., TN

PATHWAYS – OBION CO. OFFICE

930 Mount Zion Rd. Union City,TN 38261 (731) 885-9333

Payment: Medicare, Medicaid, Private, Self

WEAKLEY CO., TN

CAREY COUNSELING CENTER, INC.

457 Hannings Lane, P.O. Box 648 Martin,TN 38237 (731) 480-0011

MSHN ENTERPRISES

8584 Cordes Circle, Germantown,TN 38139 (901) 410-9010

*JOLIE HOUSE

550 Lee St., Martin, TN 38237 (731) 207-0262

*TWAIN HOUSE

370 Haygood Rd., Martin, TN 38237 (731) 214-1933

CALLOWAY CO.

MURRAY – CALLOWAY COUNTY HOSPITAL, GERIATRIC PSYCH UNIT

803 Poplar St., Murray, Ky 42071 (270) 762-1100

Payment: Medicare and Private

GRAVES CO.

JACKSON PURCHASE MEDICAL SENIOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH

1099 Medical Center Dr., Mayfield, Ky 42066 (270) 251-4250

Payment: Medicare and Private

Inpatient MENTAL HEALTH Hospitals

MCCRACKEN CO.

MERCY HEALTH BEHAVIORAL HEALTH, INPATIENT SERVICES

1530 Lone Oak Rd., Mercy Hospital 6th Floor Paducah, Ky 42003 (270) 444-2250

Payment: Medicare and Private

WEAKLEY CO.

UNITY PSYCHIATRIC CARE, INPATIENT SERVICES

458 Hanning Ln., Martin, Tn (731) 588-2830

Payment: Medicare and Private

KENTUCKY

CALDWELL CO.

CALDWELL COUNTY HOSPITAL

100 Medical Center Dr., Princeton, KY 42445 (270) 365-0300

CALLOWAY CO.

MURRAY-CALLOWAY

COUNTY HOSPITAL

803 Poplar St., Murray, KY 42071 (270) 762-1100

GRAVES CO.

JACKSON PURCHASE MEDICAL CENTER

1099 Medical Center Circle, Mayfield, KY 42066 (270) 251-4100

LIVINGSTON CO.

LIVINGSTON HOSPITALHEALTHCARE

131 Hospital Dr., Salem, KY 42078 (270) 988-2299

MARSHALL CO.

MARSHALL COUNTY HOSPITAL

615 Old Symsonia Rd., Benton, KY 42025 (270) 527-4800

MCCRACKEN CO.

BAPTIST HEALTH PADUCAH

2501 KY Avenue, Paducah, KY 42003 (270) 575-2100

MERCY HEALTHLOURDES HOSPITAL

1530 Lone Oak Rd., Paducah, KY 42003 (270) 444-2444

TRIGG CO.

TRIGG COUNTY HOSPITAL

254 Main St., Cadiz, KY 42211 (270) 522-3215

ILLINOIS

MASSAC CO.

MASSAC MEMORIAL HOSPITAL

28 Chick St., Metropolis, IL 62960 (618) 524-2176

TENNESSEE

OBION CO.

BAPTIST MEMORIAL HOSPITAL-UNION CITY

1201 Bishop St., Union City, TN 38261 (731) 885-2410

WEAKLEY CO.

WEST TENNESSEE HEALTHCARE VOLUNTEER HOSPITAL

161 Mt Pelia Rd., Martin, TN 38237 (731) 587-4261

BALLARD CO.

PREMIER PHYSICAL THERAPY

203 Avenue, Kevil, KY 42053 (270) 462-8252

Fax: (270) 462-8253

Medicare, Medicaid

CALDWELL CO.

FULLER PHYSICAL THERAPY

358 S Main St., Leitchfield, KY 42754 (270) 259-0551

Medicare, Medicaid, Private

CALLOWAY CO.

H2 HEALTH MURRAY, KY

308 N. 12th St., Murray, KY 42071 (270) 759-9500

http://h2health.com

Private

IMAC CENTER OF MURRAY

1601 Hwy 121 N Bypass, Ste B, Murray, KY 42071 (270) 971-4344

imacregeneration.com

Private, Veterans

Outpatient THERAPY CLINIC

KORT PHYSICAL THERAPY

732 Vine St., Murray, KY 42071 (270) 753-6477

Contact your insurance company before your first appointment.

GRAVES CO.

ATLAS PHYSICAL THERAPY

1413 State Route 45N Mayfield, KY 42066 (270) 247-9500

Private

CORE PHYSICAL THERAPY

123 Kings Dr., Mayfield, KY 42066 (270) 727-5120

Commercial Insurance, Medicare, VA

JACKSON PURCHASE MEDICAL CENTER

1099 Medical Center Cir Suite 302, Mayfield, KY 42066 (270) 251-4121

Self and Payment Agreements LYON COUNTY

FAMILY SERVICE SOCIETY INC.

827 Joe Clifton Dr., Paducah, KY 42001 (270) 443-4838

KENTUCKY CARE

1901 Kentucky Ave., Paducah, KY 42003 (270) 575-3247

HEART USA PRESCRIPTION ASSISTANCE

1530 Lone Oak Rd., Paducah, KY 42003 (270) 538-5828

H2 HEALTH EDDYVILLE, KY

414 Newman Drive, Eddyville, KY 42038 (270) 901-3340

Private

MARSHALL CO.

DRAFFENVILLE ATLAS PHYSICAL THERAPY

244 US-68 E. Benton, KY 42025 (270) 527-4322

PRO PHYSICAL THERAPY

302 US-68 W, Benton, KY 42025 ( 270) 252-7600 Medicare, Certain plans of Medicaid, VA but has to be approved first

MCCRACKEN CO.

ATLAS PHYSICAL THERAPY

100 Kiana Ct., Suite A, Paducah, KY 42001 (270) 443-0681

Private

BAPTIST HEALTH

PHYSICAL THERAPY

115 Kiana Court, Paducah, KY 42001 (270) 534-1200

Medicaid

MERCY HEALTH LOURDES

1528 Lone Oak Rd, Suite 100 Paducah, KY 42003 (270) 444-2850

CORE PHYSICAL THERAPY

2321 New Holt Rd., Paducah, KY 42001 (270) 908-0294

Commercial Ins., Medicare, VA

IMAC REGENERATION CENTER OF PADUCAH

2725 James Sanders Blvd., Paducah, KY 42001 ( 270) 554-5114

Private, Veterans

Nonprofits SERVING SENIORS

MADE TO STAY

P.O. Box 7802 Paducah, KY 42001 (270) 331-9288

PADUCAH COMMUNITY KITCHEN

1237 Martin Luther King Jr Dr., Paducah, KY 42001 (270) 575-3400

PADUCAH COOPERATIVE MINISTRY

402 Legion Dr., Paducah, KY 42003 (270) 442-6795

PURCHASE AREA DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT

1002 Medical Center Cir., Mayfield, KY 42066 (270) 247-7171

MARTHA’S VINEYARD

1100 N 12th St., Paducah, KY 42001 (270) 575-0021

WESLEY SENIOR MINISTRIES

1615 Appling Rd., Cordova,TN 38016 (901) 213-1939

Medical SUPPLIES & EQUIPMENT

Many businesses serve multiple counties. They are listed under the county of their main address. Please call to find out what counties they serve.

MEDICAL EQUIPMENT PHARMACY

DIABETIC SUPPLIES

BALLARD CO.

MEDCARE PHARMACY AND HOME MEDICAL

409 Court St, Wickliffe, KY 42087 (270) 335-3172

SUTTON DRUGS OF LA CENTER

234 Broadway St, La Center, KY 42056 (270) 665-5192

CALDWELL CO.

ORR MEDICAL EQUIPMENT

108 E Washington St, Princeton, KY 42445 (270) 365-3903

PRINCETON DRUG

103 W Main St, Princeton, KY 42445 (270) 365-5585

AUDIBEL HEARING CENTER

378 US HWY 62 Princeton, KY 42445 (270) 761-1900

CALLOWAY CO.

OXYGEN SUPPLIES HEARING AIDES

EYEGLASSES

AUDIOLOGY & HEARING CENTER

1711 State Route 121 Bypass N Murray, KY 42071 (270) 759-7000

AUDIBEL HEARING CENTER 506 N.12th St. Unit 1 Murray, KY 42071 (270) 761-1900

BELTONE HEARING CARE CENTER

707 S 12th St Unit A, Murray, KY 42071 (270) 753-9558

LEGACY OXYGEN & MEDICAL EQUIPMENT

924 S 12th St, Murray, KY 42071 (270) 753-2001

MIRACLE-EAR HEARING AID CENTER

307 N 4th St, Murray, KY 42071 (270) 713-7137

ROTECH OF WESTERN KENTUCKY

SLEEP SUPPLIES

WOUND CARE

MASTECTOMY PRODUCTS

1608 HWY 121 Bypass North, Suite F Murray, KY 42071 (270) 759-8889

STONE-LANG COMPANY

210 S 12th St, Murray, KY 42071 (270) 753-8055

WALTER’S FAMILY PHARMACY

604 S 12th St, Murray, KY 42071 (270) 753-7688

CARLISLE CO.

BARDWELL PHARMACY

178 US HWY 51 N Bardwell, KY 42023 (270) 628-5445

FULTON CO.

EVANS DRUG COMPANY

214 Lake St, Fulton, KY 42041 (270) 472-2421

STONE-LANG COMPANY

424 Lake St, Fulton, KY 42041 (800) 949-5728

GRAVES CO.

DUNCAN CLINIC PHARMACY

1111 Medical Center Circle, Mayfield, KY 42066, 1st Floor Jackson Purchase Medical Pavilion (270) 247-7000

GIBSONS DISCOUNT PHARMACY

1206 Paris Road, Mayfield KY 42066

KENTUCKYCARE MAYFIELD PHARMACY

Coming Soon

110 Kings Dr., Mayfield, Kentucky 42066 (270) 804-7713

STONE’S HEALTH MART PHARMACY

414 S 9th St, Mayfield, KY 42066 (270) 247-3232

Insurance Medicare Part D

PHARMACY, INC

370 Industrial Road Murray, KY 42071 (270) 762-0602

EVANS TOTAL CARE

214 Lake St, Fulton, KY 42041 (270) 472-2984

HICKMAN CO.

CLINTON PHARMACY

119 E Clay St, Clinton, KY 42031 (270) 653-5361

BYASSEE DRUGS

107 E Clay St, Clinton KY 42031 (270) 653-2151

LIVINGSTON CO.

CLINIC PHARMACY OF KY

141 Hospital Dr, Salem, KY 42078 (270) 988-3230

GLENN’S PRESCRIPTION CENTER

119 E Main St, Salem, KY 42078 (270) 988-3226

SMITHLAND DRUGS

203 E Adair St, Smithland, KY 42081 (270) 928-2161

LYON CO.

AT PENNYRILE HOME MEDICAL

307 East Main, Eddyville, KY 42038 (270) 885-2500

LYON DRUG STORE

201 Main St, Eddyville KY 42038 (270) 388-2236

MCCONNELL HEALTH MART PHARMACY

86 Cedar St, Kuttawa, KY 42055 (270) 388-7371

MARSHALL CO.

AT HOME MEDICAL

837 US 69 Benton, KY 42025 (866) 515-0897

BENTON DISCOUNT PHARMACY

2606 Main St, Benton, KY 42025 (270) 527-1409

CALVERT CITY PHARMACY

906 5th Ave SE, Calvert City, KY 42029 (270) 395-4350

DRAFFENVILLE PHARMACY

153 US-68, Benton KY, 42025 (270) 527-1404

J&R PHARMACY OF BENTON

817 Main St, Benton, KY 42025 (270) 527-9374

J&R PHARMACY OF DRAFFENVILLE

34 US HWY 68 E, Benton, KY 42025 (270) 527-3135

MIRACLE-EAR HEARING AID CENTER

805 Main St, Benton, KY 42025 (270) 713-2122

MCCRACKEN CO.

AUDIBEL HEARING CENTER

130 Brett Chase Suite B, Paducah, KY 42003 (270) 761-1900

AUDIOLOGY & HEARING CENTER

4570 Pecan Dr, Paducah, KY 42001 (270) 554-6000

BELTONE HEARING CARE CENTER

918 Broadway St, Paducah, KY 42001 (270) 443-4594

DAVIS DRUGS

250 Lone Oak Rd Ste A, Paducah, KY 42001 (270) 443-1442

LEGACY OXYGEN & MEDICAL EQUIPMENT

800 Broadway St, Paducah, KY 42001 (270) 442-7887

LINCARE

1051 Husbands RD, Paducah, KY 42003 (270) 443-0957

KENTUCKYCARE PADUCAH PHARMACY

125 S. 20th St., Paducah, KY 42001 (270) 408-1584

Fax: (270) 408-1585

MIRACLE-EAR HEARING AID CENTER

4793 Village Square Dr Ste 140, Paducah, KY 42001 (270) 713-7064

ORR MEDICAL

3434 Lovelaceville Rd, Paducah, KY 42001 (270) 554-7311

PHARMACY INC.

120 Cave Thomas Dr Suite B, Paducah, KY 42001 (270) 908-2577

PURCHASE EAR TECHNOLOGY

2008 Broadway St, Paducah, KY 42001 (270) 558-3996

REIDLAND PHARMACY

5433 Reidland Rd, Paducah, KY 42003 (270) 898-7313

RICK’S PHARMACY

3001 Schneidman Road, Paducah, KY 42003 (270) 443-7200

ROTECH OF WESTERN KENTUCKY

1914 Broadway St, Paducah, KY 42001 (270) 442-6311

STONE-LANG COMPANY

MEDCARE HOME MEDICAL

2800 Clark St, Paducah, KY 42001 (270) 448-2273

2620 Broadway St, Paducah, KY 42001 (270) 442-3561

STRAWBERRY HILLS PHARMACY

New Holt Rd # D, Paducah, KY 42001 (270) 444-7070

WEST TOWNE PHARMACY

2755 W Park Dr, Paducah, KY 42001 (270) 443-0909

TRIGG CO.

CADIZ PHARMACY

435 Lakota Drive, Cadiz, KY 42211 (270) 522-3441

MAIN STREET PHARMACY

289 Main St, Cadiz, KY 42211 (270) 882-2222

Senior APARTMENTS

BALLARD CO.

BALLARD SENIOR APARTMENTS

307 Lake Dr., Barlow, KY 42024 (270) 334-3115

COLONY HOUSE APARTMENTS (HUD APPROVED HOUSING)

South 6th St, Barlow, KY 42024 (270) 334-3148

LIBERTY MANOR APARTMENTS

526 Phillips Drive, Wickliffe, KY (270) 335-3686

CALDWELL CO.

PRINCETON COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY

100 Hillview Ct, Princeton, KY 42445 (270) 365-5769

FRANKLIN PLACE APARTMENTS

200 North Franklin St, Princeton, KY 42445 (270) 365-3368

PRINCETON MANOR APARTMENTS

655 Grace Ct, Princeton, KY 42445 (270) 365-5280

PRINCETON GREENS APARTMENTS

420 Cooper Circle, Princeton, KY 42445 (270) 365-2365

CALLOWAY CO.

HOUSING AUTHORITY OF MURRAY

716 Nash Drive, Murray, KY 42071 (270) 753-5000

WESLEY AT MURRAY

440 Utterback Rd, Murray, KY 42071 (270) 753-7735

CARLISLE CO.

GARLAND MANOR APARTMENTS (HUD APPROVED) 215 Rd St, Bardwell, KY 42023 (270) 628-3822

FULTON CO.

HOUSING AUTHORITY OF HICKMAN

50 Holly Court, Hickman, KY 42050 (270) 236-2888

MASSAC CO.

RHODES CENTERS FOR BETTER HEARING

202 E 2nd St, Brookport, IL 62910 (618) 309-7163

OBION CO.

KIZER PHARMACY

1117 S Miles Ave, Union City,TN 38261 (731) 885-2226

WEAKLEY CO.

MEDICAL RENTALS

152 Mt Pelia Rd, Martin,TN 38237 731) 587-5876

SUZANNE’S PHARMACY

932 University St, Martin,TN 38237 (731) 587-0587

FULTON HOUSING AUTHORITY

201 N. Highland Dr, Fulton, KY 42041 (270) 472-1115

FULTON MANOR SENIOR APARTMENTS

1109 Middle Rd, Fulton, KY 42041 (270) 472-2721

PARKWAY SQUARE APARTMENTS

1001 Airport Rd, Fulton, KY 42041 (270) 472-3020

GRAVES CO.

LOCUST RIDGE APARTMENTS

676 Lebanon St , Wingo, KY 42088 (270) 247-6391

MAYFIELD MANOR APARTMENTS

320 East James St , Mayfield, KY 42066 (270) 251-0800

MAYFIELD PLAZA APARTMENTS

405 Babb Drive, Mayfield, KY 42066 (270) 247-7723

VILLA MADONNA

85 Father Riney Road, Fancy Farm, KY 42039 (270) 623-6300

WESTWOOD OF SYMSONIA

60 Westwood Ave, Symsonia, KY 42082 (270) 851-3681

WINGO APARTMENTS

90 Atlantic Ave, Wingo, Kentucky (270) 653-4593

HICKMAN CO.

CLINTON HILLS APARTMENTS

205 Ringo Dr, Clinton, KY 42031 (270) 653-6218

HENLEY PARK APARTMENTS

300 Henley Ct, Clinton, KY 42031 (270) 653-2582

LIVINGSTON CO.

CUMBERLAND VIEW APARTMENTS

504 Rudd St, Smithland, KY (270) 928-4278

LYON CO.

AMBER VILLAGE

Amber Ct, Eddyville, KY 42038 (270) 388-7108

LYON COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY

425 Linden Ave, Eddyville, KY 42038 (270) 388-2049

MARSHALL CO.

COX MANOR

1203 5th Ave SE, Calvert City, KY 42029 (270) 395-4126

HOUSING AUTHORITY OF BENTON

101 Walnut Court, Benton, KY 42025 (270) 527-3626

LAKELAND WESLEY VILLAGE

1127 Village Road, Benton, KY 42025 (270) 354-8888

MORGAN-TREVATHAN APTS.

1003 Elm St, Benton, KY 42025 (270) 252-0111

WALNUT COURT

101 Walnut Court, Benton, KY 42025 (270) 653-6000

MCCRACKEN CO.

DUBLIN MANOR

665 McAuley Dr, Paducah, KY 42003 (270) 441-0026

ELMWOOD COURT

2330 Ohio St, Paducah, KY 42003 (270) 450-4239

IRVIN COBB APARTMENTS

600 Broadway, Paducah, KY 42001 (270) 443-4721

HOUSING AUTHORITY OF PADUCAH

2330 Ohio Street, Paducah, KY 42001 (270) 443-3634

JACKSON HOUSE APARTMENTS W.B. SANDERS RETIREMENT CENTER

301 S 9th St, Paducah, KY 42003 (270) 442-7591

LONE OAK MANOR APARTMENTS

650 College Ave, Paducah, KY 42001 (270) 554-0504

MCAULEY MANOR

631 McAuley Drive, Paducah, KY 42003 (270) 415-9166

MERCY MANOR

601 McAuley Drive, Paducah, KY 42003 (270) 415-9166

TRIGG CO.

EMMA ROSE SENIOR APARTMENTS

149 CS-1089, Cadiz, KY 42211 (270) 512-5690

MASSAC CO.

MASSAC COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY

1209 E 5th St Apt 5G, Metropolis, IL 62960 (618) 524-8411

OBION CO.

SOUTHSIDE MANOR

722 Broadway St, South Fulton,TN 38257 (731) 479-3877

PARK TERRACE VILLAGE

Park Terrace Cir, South Fulton,TN 38257 (731) 479-1321

WEAKLEY CO.

WESLEY AT MARTIN

448 Hannings Ln, Martin,TN 38237 (731) 587-6324

Funeral HOMES

BALLARD CO.

MILNER & ORR FUNERAL HOME

1079 Court St, Wickliffe, KY 42087 (270) 335-3377

MORROW FUNERAL HOME

376 West Kentucky Dr, La Center, KY 42056 (270) 665-9222

MORROW FUNERAL CHAPEL

449 Wyatt Ave, Kevil, KY 42053 (270) 462-2346

CALDWELL CO.

GOODMAN FUNERAL HOME

1032 W Main St, Princeton, KY 42445 (270) 365-3838

MORGAN’S FUNERAL HOME

301 W Washington St, Princeton, KY 42445 (270) 365-5595

CALLOWAY CO.

BLALOCK-COLEMAN FUNERAL HOME

713 S 4th St, Murray, KY 42071 (270) 753-6800

IMES FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY HERITAGE CHAPEL

1804 Hwy. 121

Bypass N, Murray, KY 42071 (270) 753-8888

IMES FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY DOWNTOWN MURRAY

311 N 4th St, Murray, KY 42071 (270) 753-7000

J.H. CHURCHILL FUNERAL HOME

201 S 3rd St, Murray, KY 42071 (270) 753-2411

CARLISLE CO.

MILNER & ORR FUNERAL HOME BARDWELL

41 US-51, Bardwell, KY 42023 (270) 628-5497

MILNER & ORR FUNERAL HOME ARLINGTON

501 Walnut St, Arlington, KY 42021 (270) 655-6990

FULTON CO.

HORNBECK FUNERAL CHAPEL

302 Carr St, Fulton, KY 42041 (270) 472-1412

STRONG FUNERAL HOME 903 Broadway St, Hickman, KY 42050 (270) 236-2820

GRAVES CO.

BROWN FUNERAL HOME

1223 W Broadway, Mayfield, KY 42066 (270) 247-0077

BROWN FUNERAL HOME 6263 KY-339, Wingo, KY 42088 (270) 376-2231

BYRN FUNERAL HOME

1020 Paris Rd, Mayfield, KY 42066 (270) 247-3592

MASON’S MEMORIAL CHAPEL

420 E Water St, Mayfield, KY 42066 (270) 247-8938

HICKMAN CO.

BROWN FUNERAL HOME

420 Mayfield Rd, Clinton, KY 42031 (270) 653-2941

LIVINGSTON CO.

BOYD FUNERAL DIRECTORS AND CREMATION SERVICE

212 E Main St, Salem, KY 42078 (270) 988-3131

Give your loved ones the gift of planning ahead.

SMITH FUNERAL CHAPEL

319 E Adair St, Smithland, KY 42081 (270) 928-2186

LYON CO.

DUNN FUNERAL HOME

301 Fairview Ave, Eddyville, KY 42038 (270) 388-2231

LAKELAND FUNERAL HOME

1133 US-62 East Eddyville, KY 42038 (270) 388-4045

MARSHALL CO.

COLLIER FUNERAL HOME, INC.

211 W 5th St, Benton, KY 42025 (270) 527-3141

FILBECK-CANN FUNERAL HOME

1117 Poplar St, Benton, KY 42025 (270) 527-3281

MARSHALL CO.

FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICE

1206 Main St, Benton, KY 42025 (270) 527-6600

MCCRACKEN CO.

CREMATION SOCIETY OF PADUCAH

2001 Park Ave, Paducah, KY 42001 (270) 443-5132

HUGHES FUNERAL HOME

2975 Old Husbands Rd, Paducah, KY 42003 ( 270) 415-1885

KEELING & GOODMAN FUNERAL HOME

2410 Jackson St, Paducah, KY 42003 (270) 443-7991

LINDSEY FUNERAL HOME

226 N 4th St, Paducah, KY 42001 (270) 443-2489

MILNER & ORR FUNERAL HOME- PADUCAH

120 Memorial Dr, Paducah, KY 42001 (270) 442-5100

MILNER & ORR FUNERAL HOME OF LONE OAK

3745 Old US Hwy 45S, Paducah, KY 42003 (270) 534-4200

PETTUS FUNERAL HOME

1229 Madison St, Paducah, KY 42001 (270) 442-5749

TRIGG CO.

GOODMAN FUNERAL HOME INC.

138 Main St #9163, Cadiz, KY 42211 (270) 522-6676

KING’S FUNERAL HOME

161 Lone Oak Dr, Cadiz, KY 42211 (270) 522-7172

MASSAC CO.

AIKINS-FARMER FUNERAL HOME

70 Jon St, Metropolis, IL 62960 (618) 524-2156

BROOKPORT FUNERAL HOME

7742 S US 45 Rd, Brookport, IL 62910 (618) 564-2664

MILLER-LOFTUS MCMANUS

414 Metropolis Street Metropolis, IL 62960 (618) 524-2128

OBION CO.

CRYER FUNERAL HOME

206 E Main Ave, Obion,TN 38240 (731) 536-5389

EDMAISTON-MOSELY FUNERAL HOME

1200 S Miles Ave, Union City,TN 38261 (731) 885-1033

RAWLS FUNERAL HOME

114 Roach St, South Fulton,TN 38257 (731) 479-2181

WHITE RANSON FUNERAL HOME

212 W Washington Ave, Union City,TN 38261 (731) 885-1211

WHITE & MAHON FUNERAL HOMES

225 W Harper St, Troy,TN 38260 (731) 536-4666

WEAKLEY CO.

BOWLIN FUNERAL HOME

279 W Main St, Dresden,TN 38225 (731) 364-3101

MURPHY FUNERAL HOME

207 Central St, Martin,TN 38237 (731) 587-3121

WILLIAMS FUNERAL HOME

2209 N Meridian St, Greenfield, TN 38230 (731) 235-2224

WILLIAMS FUNERAL HOME OF GLEASON

429 S Cedar St, Gleason,TN 38229 (731) 648-5801

PUZZLE #1

THINGS THAT DECREASE Weight

Blood Pressure

Temperature

Cholesterol

BRACELET TYPES

Bangle

Charm

Cuff

Tennis

SNACKS

Yogurt

Popcorn

Almonds

Apple

MOVIE GENRES

Action

Comedy

Thriller

Western

PUZZLE #2

EXERCISES

Lunge

Rowing

Squat Burpees

TYPES OF SEATING/CHAIRS

Office

Stool

Club

Folding

PUZZLES

Cryptic

Math

Trivia

Word Search

BUTTERFLIES

Admiral

Fritillary

Monarch

Hairstreak