+ Senior Olympics —See our feature of the April 25-26 event inside — Visit McDonoughVoice.com for additional photos
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For the people John Moon, 98, of Macomb holds a newspaper clipping about his bowling 60 years ago in between turns at Digger’s during the Western Illinois Senior Olympics. JACKIE SMITH /THE VOICE
Senior Olympics draws participants for shared athletic interest, camaraderie By Jackie Smith Editor
MACOMB — After narrowly hitting a single pin to score a strike late last week, 98-year-old John Moon casually pulled a laminated newspaper clipping from his wallet. A handwritten monicker dated the clipping from 1949 along the headline, "John Moon Takes Over Bowling Tourney Lead." The longtime Macomb resident held it up when asked how long he'd been bowling for, maintaining that after more than 60 years, he was still averaging 140 to 150 points. Moon was one of about 20 participants in a bowling event at Digger's College City Bowl and one of about 80 participants in
last weekend's Western Illinois Senior Olympics in Macomb. "They go by age groups, and I'm old," he said, laughing. "There's nobody in my age group. So I'll win." With plenty of blue ribbons at home and bowling tourney experience under his belt, Moon said he participates in the local Senior Olympics annually, as well as a weekly seniors' gettogether at Digger's, simply for the people. It was a sentiment expressed by most participants — no matter their age category. Jim Miner, co-coordinator of the games, said it's a certain culture of people who participate in the yearly events, which were hosted throughout Macomb
and on Western Illinois University's campus on April 25 and 26. This year's games, he said, brought in about 80 participating seniors ages 50 and up. After his final throw in the horseshoes event that Friday, Bob Maschal, 87, a longtime Western games participant, spoke briefly with Miner about the games and the people they'd met. Miner asked Maschal, who hails from Mascoutah, how he'd gotten started. At age 78, Maschal was headed west for a backpacking trip and planned the route to stop at the Senior Olympics at the University of Missouri because he "wanted to throw the football." "I also threw the softball,
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which I hadn't my hand in in a hundred years. I got second place in the softball and third in the football distance," he said. "That was my introduction." But Maschal would find that it'd only be the beginning of new hobbies — and friendships — spurred by Senior Olympics. LETTING IT UNLEASH
Maschal got his blue ribbon for horseshoes the first afternoon of this year's Western Illinois games and, separately in the 50 to 54 age category, so did Bloomington resident Brad Warren. Though among the younger participants, Warren too found a focus on the people he'd met over the last couple years, adding they drew him back. In addition to horseshoes that Friday, he'd participated in three bicycle races that morning, was to dive into two swimming events that afternoon and enter a host of track events the following day. Despite the enormity of participation in the games' nine events, Warren said that of all the games he goes to — each having something that differentiates it from others — the Western Illinois Senior Olympics is likely the most closely-knit. "It's small and laid back, and they have a moment of silence for past participants who've passed away at the social," he said. "I really like how respectful that it is." Warren's comments echoed those of Miner and Maschal's earlier conversation — that the local Senior Olympics were competitive enough but not so seriously that friendships still develop over several years. "I'm in a lot of pickleball tournaments, which aren't senior-related at all. … It's very much serious there, and then of course I'm play-
ing against guys that are in their 20s and early 30s," Warren said. "So playing against someone who's 50 to 54 in my age group is nice. It's just really weird because I'm hearing, 'Oh, I'm the old man, old man,' and then I come here and I'm the kid." Maschal said he goes to about six Senior Olympics a year now. Soon after his first encounter, he delved into other areas. And along the way, certain new friends stood out, including Ron Jelinek, who he called the "best athlete I've ever met in my life." Miner said Jelinek has in the past averaged between 23 and 27 competitions in the nine events at the Western Illinois games, and that he'd sent in his entry fee this year hoping it'd been a good time for him to participate. But Maschal said his friend wasn't medically been able. "He just can't get it unleashed. He's cursing and praying and everything else you can do. I just hate to see the guy not do it, though, because he can do it. He can do it," Maschal said of Jelinek. "No one could touch him in my life. But that's my hero. And I cry for him, like I'm starting to talking about him." Both age 98, seeing
friends and participants come and go from competition is often a norm for Moon and Juanita Briggs, who also bowled in the Senior Olympics. In between turns, Briggs gestured to other participants and said they were like a family. "Goodness when I first bowled back here. None of those people were around," she said. "We all just (got to) know each other. We know what their grand kids are up to." "But I like to bowl and I keep saying I'm going to quit because I can't do it very well" Briggs added. "They keep saying, 'No, you're an inspiration, you've got to keep bowling,' so I keep on bowling. Sometimes, I can't get 100. Once in a while I'll get 130." RELIVING YOUTH
Though many participate for years, last weekend's
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JACKIE SMITH/THE VOICE
Bob Maschal, 87, of Mascoutah readies to toss a horseshoe during the first day of last weekend’s Western Illinois Senior Olympics.
Olympics were a first for others Scott Reed, 51, of LeRoy had persuaded his mother, See GAMES — page 4
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GAMES Continued from page 3
PHOTOS BY JACKIE SMITH/THE VOICE
Brad Warren, a 50-54 age group participant, leads at the start of the 1,500-meter walk race at Hanson Field. LEFT: Florence Reed, 88, in the 100-meter race .
88-year-old Florence Reed, and his sister Susan Testa, who came in all the way from California, to participate. Florence joined two competitions, while Testa, 64, joined in on four. On the games' second day after a 100-meter race, the family joked that Reed, the baby of the family, was the real athlete. He'd competed in Senior Olympics in Springfield last fall. "I just like competing," he said. "I heard about it, and holy cow, I get to go to a track meet again." Testa chimed in, "He talked us into it." "Oh, I can do it!" Florence said when asked what made her want to participate. "Just because I can. A lot of women my age, they can't get out of a chair." While Maschal tossed his last few horseshoes, Miner said a lot of seniors like to get involved because it helps relive their youth. Reed had admitted track was a love in high school and he could, in part, relive it through its resurgence at WIU's Hanson Field. Similarly, Maschal recalled childhood wishes that played out in old age because of his interest in Senior Olympics in general. "I always wanted to throw the javelin since I was a kid," he said. "A guy there in Belleville got me going. Second year I threw the javelin I got second in the nationals. I was hooked … "I intend to go out of this world throwing the javelin. When I hit the ground, I'll know it was a helluva throw. That's my ambition in life right now."
Reach Jackie Smith via email at jsmith @McDonoughVoice.com.
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New equipment helps break bad walking habits at facility
NICK DRAPER/THE VOICE
Sheila Loyula, PTA, and Katie Kesinger, assistant, help Verne Bissett into the LiteGait for some exercise. By Nick Draper Staff Reporter
MACOMB — Residents at Heartland Health Care now have an opportunity to break bad walking habits through therapy using LiteGait, a partialweight-bearing gait therapy mechanism that helps patients achieve better balance, posture and weight bearing without the worry of falling. “We can use it to support a patient and get them in an upright position quickly,” said Jody Loop, physical therapist and director of rehab at HHC. “Say they’ve had a stroke and one side doesn’t work on their body and they can’t
really stand up, it’ll actually support them in a harness and hold them upright.” The LiteGait teaches proper walking technique early on in the therapy to nip bad gait problems such as putting too much weight on one foot or shambling. Those with a more advanced state can use the device to work on balance or advanced gait technique. The device can also be rolled over a treadmill to allow for better support while exercising. Of course, since the device has a harness not every patient will find it comfortable to utilize. Loop said that any patients that are uncomfort-
able or frightened by the device can easily be removed from it, but that most patients are finding it helpful. “For the most part, it’s been positive,” Loop said. “We can challenge more balance wise without putting them at the risk of falling. For the patients, I think as long as we’re explaining what we’re doing the response has been positive.” Heartland Health Care is located at 8 Doctors Lane in Macomb and can be reached by phone at 309-833-5555.
Reach Nick Draper via email at ndraper @McDonoughVoice.com.
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MCDONOUGH DISTRICT HOSPITAL
Senior Center’s busy spelling bees
Home Health provides specialized care MACOMB — McDonough District Hospital Home Health Care provides specialized medical care in the comfort of your home while recovering from and illness or injury, according to a news release.
Home Health care is ordered by a physician and a personalized program is developed to meet individual health needs promoting a full recovery and independence in your home. Home Health skilled
services are available to children or adults of any age in need of nursing or therapy services. Some of the specialized expertise of home health staff includes wound care, IV medication administration, medication teaching or care for orthopedic patients. MDH Home Health Care provides services through regularly schedule home visits within a large multi-county area. Our service area includes: All of McDonough county and portions of Fulton, Hancock, Schuyler and Warren counties. See MDH — page 7
Anna Mae Watson, Liz Colgate, Lee Hamm, Ron Henry (standing) and Ila Robb (hidden) participated in the YMCA of McDonough County Senior Center's spelling bee on Friday, April 25. Hamm, of Macomb, finished in first place and Anna Mae Watson, also of Macomb, finished second. Hamm and Watson will go on to participate in the senior spelling bee at the Illinois State Fair on Senior Citizen Day.
LAINIE STEELMAN/THE VOICE
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Grand Prairie gets active with Wii Bowling team
COURTESY PHOTO
Pictured are Ginger Abernathy (from left), Howie Adams, Sharon Dimmitt and Clydene Waller. Grand Prairie Assisted Living in Macomb recently finished a tournament with its Wii Bowling team. Out of its corresponding section, the team finished third. Grand Prairies Wii Bowling team name is Crazy X Bowlers, and its trivia team name is the Grand Prairie Dominators.
MDH Continued from page 6
Members of The MDH Home Health Care team include registered nurses, a certified wound ostomy continence nurse, physical, occupational and speech therapists, social workers and home care aides. Telemonitoring is available from home health to enhance your care at home. This technology allows for daily monitoring of heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen level and weight. The information is monitored by specially trained nurses allowing for early intervention to prevent unnecessary hospitalizations.
Medicare and Medicaid cover home health services. In addition, Home Health Care is covered by most insurance plans, including HMOs and managed care organizations. MDH Home Health Care is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. A registered nurse is on-call 24 hours a day, seven days a week, available to talk over the phone or make a visit. MDH Home Health Care admits patients after hours. The MDH Home Health Care is located in the Medical Arts Building on the MDH campus, east of the main hospital building, 525 E. Grant St. For more information contact MDH Home Health at 309-8361544.
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20 years of ‘Seniors’ Day’ at Citizens Bank MACOMB — This year is the 20th anniversary of Seniors’ Day at Citizens Bank, according to a news release. Seniors’ Day is a monthly community service for area citizens, with special emphasis for area senior citizens. The event was started in March, 1994, as a joint venture of Citizens Bank, Heartland Health Care and McDonough District Hospital. The original idea was to provide a convenient, easy-to-locate location for seniors to obtain basic health screenings, mainly for blood sugar and blood pressure. In 1994, this testing was not as easily accessible as it is today. At one time, Seniors’ Day was on the third of each month to coincide with the arrival of Social Se-
curity checks. Seniors’ Day is now held on the first Thursday of most months. Those interested can learn what those services are by calling Citizens 309-8334551. This event is also an opportunity for local vendors, clubs, event sponsors and service providers to promote products, name recognition and services. There are no charges to vendors and all services are free except the flu clinic in the fall. About 30 vendors or groups are participating with information table in 2014. Some of the services and screenings available this year are blood pressure, blood sugar, sun damage, balance evaluations, achilles (bone density), hearing, diabetic
retinopathy, tele-health monitoring, leg and foot health testing, and pulse oximetry. Information at times during the year are the Alzheimer’s Walk, Library programs, L.I.F.E. Classes, AARP Safe Driving Classes, health issues, Medicare and insurance issues, diabetic supplies, SRC programs, sun protection, hand wax therapy, Chair massages, and Museum programs. These services and information tables are offered on a rotating basis. Seminars in the planning stage are Medicare, insurance, Social Security and more. Seniors’ Days for the rest of 2014 are June 5, Aug. 7, Sept. 4, Oct. 2, Nov. 6 and Dec. 4. There is no Seniors’ Day in July.
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