The Bright Side of 50 - Winter 2022

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A S S I S T E D L I V ING & S K I LL E D N U R S IN G

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U.S. Census Bureau: 37.8 and 65

The median age of the U.S. population is 37.8. Half of Americans are below that age; half are above. So, once you reach 38 years old, you’re statistically on the “senior” side of the population. Feeling old now?

Generally, however, the U.S. Census Bureau lumps Americans age 65 and over into the “older population” category. In the 2010 census, 13% of citizens were in that senior category. You can expect that percentage to increase, too. Census projections show that by 2060 the senior population will double, from 46 million in 2014 to 98 million in 2060. That will make seniors 24% of all Americans.

This aging population is what’s causing lawmakers and others to reassess and bump back the “senior citizen” line.

AARP and Senior Associations: 50

You know you’re in the sights of the AARP as soon as you reach 50 and start getting membership appeals in the mail. You may not be a “retired person,” but you can still join AARP to start receiving the discounts and benefits the organization offers.

Conservative-learning alternatives to the AARP, the American Seniors Association and Association of Mature American Citizens, also let you sign up at age 50.

Senior Discounts: 55, 60, 62, 65

Many older people complain about the “senior citizen” label, saying they don’t feel old. However, here’s the good news: Those few extra years can pay off in big savings with senior discounts.

A few senior discounts start as early as age 50, especially with an AARP card (see above). But the senior savings really kick in at ages 55 and 60, with a few businesses and organizations making you wait until 62 or 65.

Senior Housing: 55 and 62

The federal government’s Housing for Older Persons Act is the source of 55+ and 62+ senior housing, including senior apartments, independent living, and retirement communities. This act sets aside a special

What Is the “Senior Citizen” Age? 65 – or Maybe Not

By Mark Edelen

status for housing communities in which the majority of residents are age 55 or older or all the residents are age 62 or older.

Retirement Plans: 59½ and 70½

The IRS has an odd obsession with half years. With some exceptions, if you tap a pension plan, 401k or IRA before age 59½, you may have to pay a 10% early withdrawal penalty tax. After 59½, you can withdraw from retirement plans without a penalty if you are not working. If you are employed, check with your plan holder on specific rules. Generally, you must start receiving payouts the year you hit 70½.

Driver Licenses: 64-80

After55.com recently looked into the extra scrutiny that states place on older drivers when it comes time to renew a license. Among major retirement states, special policies for senior drivers kicked in as young as age 64 in Georgia to age 80 in Florida. Most of the states require a vision test for those older drivers.

Medicare: 65

You can enroll in the federal health insurance program at age 65. You can sign up even if you’re not receiving Social Security yet. As noted below, that’s good since the Social Security age has become a moving target.

Social Security: 65, 66 and 67

Uncle Sam is your most important judge, of course. In the United States, past generations were considered to have reached full retirement age at 65. In recent years, however, legislation has moved the age requirement for full benefits from 65 to 67. The reasons cited: Older people are healthier, and average life expectancy is increasing, as noted above by the Census Bureau.

The Social Security Administration still considers 65 to be full retirement age if you were born in 1937 or earlier. But if you were born in 1938 or later, that gradually rises. If you were born in 1943 to 1954, for instance, your retirement age is 66. If you were born in 1960 or later, sorry, your full retirement age is now 67. (Note: You can still start withdrawing as early as age 62 but at a reduced rate.)

Cleo Nistler, Publisher/Editor

Happy 20th Anniversary to “The Bright Side of 50” Winter 2022.

Who would have thought when we birthed “The Bright Side of 50” that we would still be publishing 20 years later. I am a lot older now but as I look back the process of publishing has not really changed that much. New technology has made the work easier and much more time efficient. I am so grateful to still be doing this at my age! It takes a lot of time and effort to publish The Bright Side of 50, Maybe that’s what keeps me young and energized. We have been blessed to have the best designer Lora Honer, all the beautiful art and composition is done by her. And it is you, our readers, writers and advertisers that really keep us going. We thank all of you for making this 20th Anniversary so special!

In this issue of The Bright Side of 50, we have many great articles pertaining to health matters, fitness, home safety along with legal and financial information. We also have some great new recipes for you to try during these cold winter days. As I write this, I’ve got some Focaccia Bread mixing in the bread machine. I will put it in the oven when it’s ready to bake. Just think how good that’s going to smell!

To all of you, we wish you a Happy Healthy Holiday Season and a good life!

It doesn’t take long after the election for winter and Christmas to come. It has been busy on my end closing things up and looking forward to the new year.

First, I want to express my thanks for the opportunity to serve House District 14A for 5 Terms (10 years). It has been so humbling and such an honor. When I was first elected, folks had told me that even though it is a tough job, it will be the one finest experience in my life. I have learned more and met so many incredible folks and agencies and will be forever grateful.

This election in November was a surprise. Polling and folks were saying one thing, and another happened. In hindsight, we didn’t see the turnout of voters we were told were going to be voting. I heard from several folks that they didn’t think they were going to vote because of low confidence in the system. The one thing I asked folks over and over again when they asked how they could help was to go out and vote.

The Minnesota House of Representatives and Senate have a record number of new members. It will take a bit to get everyone up to speed and working together. The Senate did have in person Committee Meetings and the House did not. That means that there will be a large number of folks who haven’t taken part of that process. It was hard for me not having our meetings in person as I felt it left folks out of the loop and participating. I know leaders will be working hard to make sure the new Representatives will be as prepared as possible.

It was announced several weeks ago that new Leadership was chosen. Representative Melissa Hortman will continue as Speaker for the Democratic Majority and Representative Lisa Demuth was elected as the Minority Leader. It is very important for Greater Minnesota to have that representation. I am very pleased to see Rep. Demuth in that position.

The Senate majority has elected Senator Kari Dziedzic as Majority Leader and Senator Mark Johnson as Minority Leader. I have had the opportunity to work with Senator Dziedzic on a Housing Conference Committee and the Legislative Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources.

I took time to reflect on my time in the Minnesota House of Representatives as I was packing up my office. It is amazing how much one gathers in 10 years. Officially, I am serving until the end of this year. I know there are several things I will continue to follow, including Housing, the I94 Corridor and the need for Skate Parks in our State. Right now, I am enjoying the opportunity of deciding what my next steps will be. I do have a copy of Dr. Suess’ book, Oh the Places You’ll Go, and I plan on reading it again.

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year!

Tama

Written by the SOS Team

Step one foot outside and one thing’s for sure: WINTER IS HERE. For many of us, the race to get fall cleaning done is a real chore, and so often it’s a race against time itself. Did you get your seasonal clean-up done? If not, consider calling Smart Organizing Solutions (SOS). We’re equipped to assist with ALMOST anything.

We say ALMOST anything, because that’s the way it looks when we introduce the expanded services SOS has recently added.

As a team, we found ourselves asking, “How can we better serve our clients and Community, in practical ways they could really use?”

As we thought about it more, we found ourselves talking about all the little nagging items on our “TO-DO” lists, and then asked ourselves why they don’t get done.

For most of us the answer was, TIME, or lack thereof. So, I ask you dear reader, does your home need attention that you just don’t have time to give?

Would you like to come home at the end of the day to a clean house, with no laundry or dishes to do? Do you have an overabundance of Holiday décor needing to be displayed but not an abundance of time needed to do it?

What about wrapping those Christmas presents, tying them up with ribbons and bows? Do your have kids who have an overabundance of toys? Or maybe you have a garage, shed or basement with an overabundance of stuff? SOS IS HERE TO HELP WITH THAT.

Though we do charge an hourly fee, we believe our services are priceless.

Our services include Home Organizing, Right-sizing, Down-sizing, Cleaning, Moving assistance and Estate sale management.

And most recently, we’ve added the part about helping people check off their “TO-DO” list. Maybe you or someone you know could use an extra hand. Consider gifting SOS services to yourself or others this holiday season. Imagine the smile and peace of mind it will bring. Priceless!

From the SOS family to your family, we hope you all have a fun, safe and blessed holiday season. Let the snow begin!

Call Kelly at 320.333.7733 or Julie at 320.248.6694 for a free consultation. Mention this article when you become our next client and receive a $25 in-store credit at our thrift/consignment store, the SOS Treasure Chest at 24 7th St. N. Sauk Rapids, MN.

Visit our website at www.sosmn.net to learn more about SMART ORGANIZING SOLUTIONS.

Learn more about the SOS Treasure Chest by visiting our Facebook Page.

Aric Putnam

News from the Capitol

My name is Aric and I’m your state Senator. The good people at The Bright Side of 50 have offered me a chance to visit with you regularly in this magazine. I appreciate the opportunity to keep in touch. The legislative session is about to get started. I’m a teacher by trade and calling, and this feels a little bit like the first day of school in all the ways. I feel the excitement of opportunity, meeting new people and learning new things, but also some caution. Part of the excitement of a new start comes from feeling optimistic and uncertain at the same time.

I guess new beginnings have a lot to do with what just ended. In this case, the legislature is coming back after a pretty rough biennium. When I started my first term, we were suffering COVID and the pandemic. You remember how rough that was. Those were challenging days. But one of the things I hope we learned was that community is healthy. We are better when we are together, when we have people with whom we can be in company.

In the legislature, we didn’t seem to learn the lesson. We struggled to work together. But over the last two years I learned that the biggest impediment to progress isn’t ideology. The problem isn’t conservatives vs. liberals or Greater Minnesota vs. the Cities. The problem is ego. And in St. Paul there is plenty to go around on all sides of every issue. So, I’m as disappointed as you likely were by our last session. But this isn’t a time to regret what we could have done. It’s an opportunity to do better.

I think we have many moments of opportunity that we don’t realize. Sure, the start of the legislative session, the first day of school, those are obvious new beginnings. The calendar tells us they are. But I think if we pay attention and care we can make new beginnings when we need them.

You are likely to hear about a lot of big, new ideas that might come up in St. Paul this year. Please rest assured that the Senate is a deliberative body. That means we think about stuff and go slowly. We are supposed to ask questions, consider unintended consequences, do the work to realize who will benefit and who might be harmed by the decisions we make. We can’t do that work well without communicating. I’ll keep holding town halls every month and office hours in town once a week. Hope you can stop by for a visit. If you can’t and you’d still like to chat, here’s my personal cell number: 320.266.4032. We do better when we talk together.

Tours

Upcoming Vacations with Happy Trail Tours

March 20-30 Washington DC at Cherry Blossom Time and Gettysburg (Only 10 Openings)

April 24-29 The Creation Museum and the Ark Encounter plus Belle of Cincinnati on the Ohio River

June 13-17 Mackinac Island at Lilac Time with Two Nights at the Grand Hotel

June 14-25 ALASKA - Inside Passage, Denali National Park, Train & More! ($200 Early Booking Savings)

August 4-6 Explore Minnesota - “Summertime on the Banks of the Mississippi” Two Nights at the St James Hotel, 40th Annual River City Days Craft Fair (Red Wing), Paddlewheel Dinner Cruise on Cruise Pearl of the Lake & More

Sept 8-22 Canadian Rockies w/ 2 days on the Rocky Mountaineer Train and Vancouver (Sold Out) Taking Reservations for 2024 Dates

Nov 3-14 �

Spain’s Classics - 12 days, Madrid, Seville, Granada, Valencia & Barcelona with Collette Vacations ($50 Early Booking Savings)

Nov 12-18 � � � � � � Christmas in the Ozark Mountains - Danny O’ Donnell, Haygoods, Yakov, Silver Dollar City, Titanic Christmas and More

Nov 30- Dec 6 � � � A Shipshewana Christmas - Stay tuned for all the great attractions with that traditinal holiday spirit!

(218) 744-4159

(800) 635-7779 | www.happytrailtours.com

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Catheters & Urinary Care Wound Care & Surgical Dressings

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Traction & Back Support Knee Braces

Habit Stacking

Here we are at that time of year when the New Year’s Resolutions kick in. We ask ourselves; will it finally work this year? Will I be able to become more fit? Will I be able to lose the weight that I tried to lose last year? We set these big lofty goals, and then we get stuck. I think we’ve all had good intentions to start a new habit or reach a new goal, but we struggle to follow through with it.

So, let’s talk about a concept that might help you accomplish the goals you want to achieve. It is the art of Habit Stacking.

What is habit stacking?

Habit stacking is basically what it sounds like. It’s a method by which you stack habits one on top of the other to make them stick. The idea of habit stacking is to build new habits on top of the actions you regularly do. Instead of starting a new habit from scratch, pair it with a current habit. Consider the things you already do most days and how you can add to them.

1.

Write Down Your Current Habits.

Think about habits you already perform every day. You wake up, brush your teeth, make coffee, cook breakfast, pack your lunch, drive to school or work, exercise, shower, make dinner, check out social media, etc. The list could go on and on. The first step is to write these current habits down!

2. 3.

Write Down New Habits You’d Like to Learn.

Now that you have your current habits list think about the habits you’d like to build. Maybe you want to drink more water or take a multivitamin. Perhaps you want to become more flexible, eat healthier, get more organized, become a better budgeter, or go to bed earlier. Jot down each one of these goal habits.

Attach the Habits that Make the Most Sense.

Let’s say you already have a habit of packing your lunch, but you’d like to eat healthier. Maybe your new habit could be to add a serving of veggies

T he habit-stacking process is made up of four basic steps:

and/or fruit to every lunch you pack. Attaching those habits makes a lot of sense (a lot more sense than attaching packing your lunch and improving flexibility, for example).

That’s what I mean when I say to attach the habits that fit together! If you want to get more flexible, work on building a habit of stretching for 5 to 10 minutes after the workouts you already perform throughout the week.

4. Follow-Through!

This is the hardest (and most important) step. It’s one thing to talk about building habits and habit stacking, and it’s another thing to do it! Make a choice every day, and it will get easier and easier.

Several books and resources are available to learn more about habit stacking.

S.J Scott used this term in his book Habit Stacking: 97 Small Life Changes That Take Five Minutes or Less, and it’s been studied, encouraged, and implemented by many behavioral experts over the years. Behavior scientist BJ Fogg, PhD, founder and director of Behavior Design Lab at Stanford University, best-selling author of Tiny Habits: The Small Changes That Change Everything, and creator of the Tiny Habits Method, has written extensively about linking behaviors to make lasting change, referring to the current habit or trigger situation as an “anchor” or “anchor moment” that helps cue and hold the new one in place. Habits and behavior expert James Clear, best-selling author of Atomic Habits and creator of the Habit Journal, is another huge proponent and teacher of this method.

This year, we will have 72 nursing students from the College of St. Ben’s/ St. John’s will be leading the Lifestyle Change Program (also known as Diabetes Prevention Program) in our community. There will be some in-person workshops and also offerings on Zoom. To learn more and to register, visit www.whitneywellness.org.

Lifestyle Change Program

A CDC-recognized diabetes prevention lifestyle change program can help you build healthy new habits that last a lifetime. When you join a lifestyle change program, you’ll learn, laugh, share stories, try new things, and build new habits—all while lowering your risk of type 2 diabetes and improving your health. This yearlong program is offered at no-cost. A donation/ free-will offering will be requested to help support the overall program.

KEY COMPONENTS OF THE PROGRAM INCLUDE:

• CDC-approved curriculum with lessons, handouts, and other resources to help you make healthy changes.

• A lifestyle coach specially trained to lead the program, to help you learn new skills, encourage you to set and meet goals, and keep you motivated. The coach will also facilitate discussions and help make the program fun and engaging.

• A support group of people with similar goals and challenges. Together, you can share ideas, celebrate successes, and work to overcome obstacles. In some programs, the participants stay in touch with each other during the week. It may be easier to make changes when you’re working as a group than doing it alone.

Best Ever Beef And Barley Soup

This is the perfect soup for a cold winter day. It will fill you up it’s full of amazing flavor! The kids will love it too!

Ingredients

1 pound boneless chuck roast trimmed and cut into 1/2-inch pieces

11/2 cups carrots thinly sliced

11/2 cups celery thinly sliced

2/3 cup onion chopped

1 package pre-sliced mushrooms 8-ounce

2 tablespoons beef base (this is different than beef broth it is a base that makes beef broth)

8-10 cups water

1 large bay leaf

Brown beef in non-stick fry pan until browned, stirring frequently.

Remove beef from pan and place in crockpot, Add carrot, celery, onion, and mushrooms, beef base, water, garlic and bay leaf.

Cook on high heat for one hour, add pearl barley then turn down to low and cook till vegetables and beef are tender. Stir in salt and pepper. Discard bay leaf.

Yield: 10 Servings

In The Kitchen with Cassie & Kristina

Recently we all celebrated Kristina’s 21st Birthday. Now all of Gramma’s grand kids are old enough to drink wine with her. We are all getting cross-country skis for Christmas – so as soon as Dad has some trails groomed at the Resort we will give it a go. Cassie is busy getting everything together for her trip to Egypt where she will be scuba diving in the Red Sea.

Gramma has some new recipes here for you to try for Christmas and New Years!

Cassie and Kristina

Corn Casserole Ingredients

1 (15.25 ounces) can corn, drained

1 (14.75 ounces) can cream-style corn

1 (8 ounces) package Jiffy corn muffin mix

1 cup sour cream (can use light) 6 tablespoons salted butter, melted 1-11/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 2-quart casserole dish.

In a large bowl stir together corn, cream-style corn, corn muffin mix, sour cream, and melted butter. Stir in cheese. Pour into casserole dish.

Bake, uncovered, 1 hour and 10 minutes, or until set in middle and toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

Chicken Alfredo Lasagna Roll-Ups

Creamy, cheesy, chicken Alfredo presented in a whole new way!

Ingredients

10 Lasagna Noodles

3 cups Chicken, cooked and shredded

16 ounces cottage cheese

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning

1/2 teaspoon onion powder

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

11/2 cups Alfredo sauce

11/2 cups mozzarella, shredded

11/2 cups parmesan, shredded

Preheat oven to 350°. Spread out 1/4 cup of Alfredo sauce on the bottom of a casserole dish. Set aside.

Cook lasagna noodles according to package directions. Put parchment paper over the counter and lay the cooked noodles out.

Combine shredded chicken, cottage cheese, salt, onion powder, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning in a large bowl.

Happy Holidays you to all!

Spread 3 ounces of the chicken mixture on each noodle, leaving about 1/3 of the noodle bare. Top the chicken mixture with 1-2 tablespoons of alfredo sauce. Roll the noodle up towards the bare end.

Place each lasagna roll up into the prepared casserole dish. Pour the remaining alfredo sauce over the lasagna roll-ups. Top with shredded mozzarella and parmesan cheese. Cover dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes.

After 20 minutes remove the aluminum foil and continue to bake for 10 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbling.

eggs, yogurt, vegetable oil, milk, vanilla extract, and salt. Beat with an electric mixer until combined and pour into prepared pan.

Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 30-40 minutes. Remove from oven and poke holes all over the cake with the handle of a wooden spoon.

Pour the sweetened condensed milk all over the cake and allow to soak into the holes. Let cool.

While cake is cooling, place chopped chocolate in a medium bowl. Heat cream in a saucepan until just beginning to bubble around the edges. Pour over chocolate and allow to sit for 5 minutes.

After 5 minutes, stir until chocolate melts. Allow ganache to thicken 5 to 10 minutes before spreading over the top of the cake.

Spread coconut frosting over the ganache, serve and enjoy! Yield: 12 Servings

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup pecans, chopped 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350º F and lightly grease a 12x17-inch jelly roll pan with butter or non-stick spray.

Spread graham crackers or saltine crackers out in an even layer in greased jelly roll pan.

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine butter and brown sugar and cook, stirring frequently until butter is melted and sugar has dissolved.

Bring mixture to a boil and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring continuously, then reduce heat to a simmer and cook for another 1-2 minutes.

Remove mixture from heat and stir in vanilla extract and salt, whisking until incorporated.

Pour caramel mixture in an even layer on top of graham crackers or saltines, smoothing as necessary.

German Chocolate Poke Cake

For The Cake:

1 box dark chocolate fudge cake mix

1 (3.4 ounces) box chocolate fudge instant pudding

4 large eggs

1 cup plain yogurt

3/4 cup vegetable oil

1/2 cup whole milk

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon salt

For The Filling: 1 (14 ounces) can sweetened condensed milk

For The Ganache:

4 ounces chocolate, chopped

1/2 cup heavy cream

For The Frosting:

1 can coconut pecan frosting

Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9x13-inch baking pan with nonstick spray. Set aside.

In a large bowl, combine cake mix, pudding,

Praline Christmas Bark

Ingredients

30-40 saltine crackers

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter 1 cup brown sugar

Sprinkle chopped pecans on top of caramel layer, then place baking sheet in oven and bake for 7-9 minutes, or until caramel/toffee mixture becomes bubbly.

Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes.

Sprinkle chocolate chips on top of hot toffee and let sit 2 minutes before melting, then spread into an even layer. Let cool, then cut or break into pieces. Store in an air-tight container at room temperature or in the freezer.

Foster Grandparent Program

The path that leads retirees to volunteer in their newfound “free time” is different for everyone. For some, it’s a need to get back to some type of structure after they’ve retired. Others want to make a difference in the lives of the next generation. One Foster Grandparent summed it up well by saying, “Some children don’t have grandparents, and this program gives children a chance to be around caring adults.” The dedication and commitment of these caring volunteers is truly inspirational.

Grandpa Dave, who volunteers at KIDSTOP at Madison Elementary, makes a difference by being that caring presence around a table of crafts, interacting with students as they work on projects. Staff at KIDSTOP like having Grandpa Dave at the table because, “It’s like having your own Grandpa here.”

Grandma Judi, who serves at Pleasantview Elementary, makes a difference by being able to

help “students learn the basics and then practice what they’ve learned.” Once she began helping students, she was hooked. Her favorite part of the program is when she can help a student who was previously struggling with a concept. “The look of amazement on their faces is priceless!”

Grandma Linda, who assists at Playhouse Child Care Center, makes a difference by “holding the babies! I love kids so much – especially babies!” Staff at Playhouse are grateful to have a volunteer in the room that can rock and comfort the infants.

Are you looking for a meaningful reason to get out of the house a couple days a week? The Foster Grandparent Program is looking for more volunteers age 55+ to make a difference in the lives of children at sites that best serve the interest of the volunteer. For information, call Sue Feliciano at 320-229-4589 or toll-free at 1-866-895-7992. You can also email at: sue.feliciano@ccstcloud.org.

For more information, call Sue Feliciano at 320-229-4589 or send an email to sue.feliciano@ccstcloud.org.

Diabetes

Wed, Jan 25- May 3, hourly from 6am-6pm

Tues, Feb 7-Jun 6, 10:30am-11:30am

Tues, Feb 7-Jun 6, 9:00am-10:00am

Living

Thurs, Jan 5-Feb 16, 1:00pm-3:30pm

Steps

Thurs, Jan 19-Feb 23, 11:00am-12:00pm

Tues, Jan 3-Feb 28, 1:30pm-3:00pm

Walk with Ease

Sat, Jan 14-Feb 18, 10:00am-11:00am

Mon, Feb 13-Mar 27, 9:30am-10:30am

Cancer: Thriving & Surviving

Mon, Jan 23-Mar 13,1:00pm-3:30pm

Guided Autobiography

Mon, Jan 9-Mar 13, 9:00am-10:30am

Mindful Presence

Tues, Feb 21-Apr 18, 5:30pm-7:00pm

UP NORTH with Josie & Katherine

Annual Winter Rendezvous 2023

January 21st Deep Portage Environmental Learning Center There are games, competitions, prizes, and ice fishing!

Ice Fishing Extravaganza

Jan. 28, 2023 | 12pm-3pm Gull Lake’s Hole in the Day Bay World’s largest charitable ice fishing contest is held in the Brainerd Lakes Area. The Brainerd Jaycees 33rd Annual Ice Fishing Extravaganza.

2023 Crosslake 20th Annual WinterFest

Feb. 2, 3, 4 | Crosslake Bundle up the kids and bring your sleds and ice skates on Friday evening to enjoy a huge snow mountain and pond skating! The whole family can take part in the scavenger hunt, games, roast a s’more and sip hot cocoa while enjoying a fantastic fireworks display! Rise and shine Saturday morning for the Firefighters pancake breakfast before taking part in the days activities including Ice Car Racing, Bocce Ball Tournament, Helicopter Rides, Radar Runs, Italian Olympics, Kids Games, shopping, food, kite flying on the lake and drink specials all over town plus the 20th Annual SoupFest. For more information go to: www.explorebrainerdlakes.com

Us Nistler girls are loving the snow so far! Snowshoeing, cross country skiing, snowmobiling, and ice fishing during our free time have been keeping us very busy. We are both still living in Duluth where there are plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities but we love going back to the Brainerd Lakes area to all of the fun trails, like ones at historical Crow Wing State Park. We hope to see you out and about enjoying winter wonderlands, fishing extravaganzas, and get togethers!

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

- Katherine - The Nistler Girls

Two Harbors Lighthouse

Paid Volunteer Opportunities in your Community

Lutheran Social Service of MN is seeking volunteers age 55+ in your area to provide companionship to older adults. Make a difference in someones life by offering support and friendship.

Volunteers commit to regular weekly hours for a tax free

and

reimbursement. Please contact Janel at 320.241.5173 or janel.heinen@lssmn.org for more information and to make an impact in your community!

Compacting Time Looking at Two Decades

By Dennis R. Waller

As we age, it’s normal to condense periods of time. For example: “just recently” can mean three to five years back; “a while ago” may really mean ten to twenty years previously; and “back then” can cover anywhere from twenty to thirty years and beyond. “Way back” can be a disclaimer covering all time before your birth.

This issue marks the Twentieth Anniversary of The Bright Side you’re holding. For many of us, this free, quarterly publication is a refreshing break from depressing, confusing and divisive reading material like most news coverage. It’s meant to brighten your life and enlighten your healthy lifestyle.

So, unpacking the two decades that have lapsed since the magazine began, here’s what the world presented us with - “back then.” Remember 2002? Sorry, but not all 20 items are positive news. Remember: it’s not really news when the plane lands safely.

US Airways didn’t, and declares bankruptcy.

In the world of sports, Venus and Serena Williams begin ruling tennis. Forever. Ohio State is the college champion and New England is led to the Super Bowl title by you know who, Tom Brady.

Looking at the entertainment venue, the second installment of “Lord of the Rings” and the newest Harry Potter film pack theatres, while more seasoned movie-goers enjoy “The Pianist” and Jack Nicholson in ”About Schmidt”. Halle Berry and Denzel Washington win Oscars.

After the horrific bombing of the World Trade Center the previous January, President George W. Bush denounces the “Axis of Evil” and Osama Bin Laden goes into hiding.

Former President Jimmie Carter wins the Nobel Peace Prize.

People complain about rising prices - gas is $1.44 gal., eggs $1.03 doz., coffee $2.92 lb., milk $2.75 gal., and a loaf of bread is $1.

Queen Elizabeth’s mother, the Queen Mother, dies.

Teenager Elizabeth Smart is kidnapped from her Salt Lake home. (Spoiler – freed the next year).

J-Lo and Ben Affleck “hook up”. Ask your grandchild for definition.

Terrorists kidnap and behead reporter Daniel Pearl. And film it. Snipers kill 10 innocent citizens and wound others in Washington, DC.

E. Coli is making the rounds. AIDS is hitting Africa and Asia.

In other bad news “The Osbournes” reality show debuted, complete with new, vulgar language.

Catholic higher-ups are cracking down on predatory priests.

The XIX Winter Olympics in Salt Lake is judged a big success – especially for Norway, with the most gold medals.

US and Russia reach a landmark deal to reduce nuclear arms by two-thirds in ten years.

Dozens of Pennsylvania coal miners are rescued from water-filled mine shafts after 77 desperate hours.

We sadly bid farewell to Milton Berle, Rosemary Clooney, Sir Richard Harris, James Coburn, Lionel Hampton and Rod Steiger.

Despite a late surge, the Stock Market finishes down for a third consecutive year

Want some good news? Michael Jackson does not drop his child as he dangles it by its heels from a high rise in Germany. And love is blind, right? Anna Nicole and an ancient billionaire fall in love and their touching marital career is captured on a reality television show.

So do you agree with the old adage: “the more things change, the more they stay the same”?

The author has two childhood memoirs on Amazon: “Walkin’ Joe and The Midnight Marauders” and “The Lollygagging Years.”

Don’t go where you’re not invited.

Don’t talk about what you don’t know.

Don’t open the fridge in other people’s house.

Don’t call someone after nine o’clock at night.

Don’t visit someone at lunch.

Don’t enter other people’s bedroom without permission.

Always flush the toilet when you use it.

Always, always ~ speak the truth.

Please & Thank You are good words ~ use them often.

Love the soul of people, not their physical ~ it is what is inside that matters.

Be kind to your fellow humans & all living things.

Give from the little you have, expect nothing in return. Be conscious of your words ~ they matter!

Wake up & be grateful.

Pray daily, because prayer brings peace to our heart & soul

Watch Your Step!

by Simplicity Health, Julie Anderson, MD, FAAFP

People fall at all ages. However, when we get older, we tend to be at higher risk of injury due to a multitude of factors. Not only do we lose muscle mass, we tend to have more trouble with our nervous system that controls our balance and gait. Some people also take medication that may cause the blood pressure to drop and make them feel dizzy when standing or changing position. Our sense of position, called proprioception, doesn’t work as well and we tend to misjudge our location of our feet and bodies in space. A fall at an older age can have serious consequences to our health and independence.

How to stay safe

It is important to ask your doctor if you are at a higher risk of falling. This is usually discussed at your Medicare Annual Wellness examination but can be brought up at any visit. In addition to age, certain medical conditions put you at risk, including diabetes, arthritis, cataracts, and hip problems.

Exercise regularly to keep your body, muscles, and bones healthy and strong. Exercise should focus on balance and resistance training.

Install good lighting in your home. A well-lit home will help you avoid tripping over objects that are not easy to see.

Fasten rugs firmly to the floor or, better yet, pull all rugs off the floor if possible. If you must have a rug, it helps to apply nonskid backing so the rug doesn’t move and make sure corners are well tacked down.

Install handrails in your bathroom for the bath, shower, and toilet. Add them to both sides of your stairs if you don’t already have them in place. Keep electrical cords away from high-traffic areas in your house.

Store your most-used kitchen objects in easy-to-reach areas. This eliminates the need to reach high, bend over, or climb on a stool.

Wear shoes with firm, nonskid soles. Avoid wearing loose-fitting shoes and slippers.

Get regular vision and hearing exams.

Keep your feet healthy, especially if you have diabetes or another neurologic condition that causes decreased sensation in the feet.

Be aware of medication side effects. Some medicines can cause dizziness. Use a cane or walker if your doctor recommends it.

Don’t smoke, and limit alcohol to no more than 2 drinks per day for men and 1 drink a day for women.

Ease in and out of bed. Sit on the side of the bed for a few minutes with your feet on the ground before you stand. Getting up too quickly can cause dizziness.

Don’t go outside in icy conditions. If you must, plan ahead by having someone walk with you, treat the conditions with anti-icing materials, or have your walkways shoveled.

You can help to reduce your risk for falling:

Things to consider

Broken bones. Our bones become more brittle as we age. Broken bones take longer to heal as we age. Other breaks, such as hip fractures in the elderly, have been linked to health decline. This health decline can result in death within 6 months after the fall. Additionally, you lose your ability to be independent when you can’t walk.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI). This is a serious injury to your brain. It can happen if you fall and hit your head (hard) on an object or on the floor.

Cognitive decline. Alzheimer’s disease and other conditions that affect a person’s cognitive ability can increase the risk of falls.

Questions for your doctor

Do certain vitamin supplements and dietary changes strengthen aging bones?

What physical activity and exercise is best for older persons trying to avoid a fall?

Am I taking any medicines or combination of medicines that could increase my risk of falling?

Is my diet appropriate enough to keep me strong to prevent falls?

We Amused Ourselves

by Donna Gorrell

For us kids growing up in the 1940s in Midlothian, Illinois, the street was our playground, summer or winter. The dusty, gravelly road in front of our houses was a place for neighborhood kids to get together, get some exercise and fresh air, and give the parents some quiet in the house. Most summer evenings back then would find us, if the Fox boys across the street had their way, playing a game of softball—or whatever sort of ballgame could be played with six or seven young kids. Both Fox boys were a lot better than we girls were, and I think they enjoyed showing it. They could hit the ball, catch the ball, field the ball. About the only thing we could do just about as well as they could was run the bases—except we didn’t have as many opportunities. They usually caught our little pop flies before we got to first base. They were always in charge too, no doubt about it, even though I was the oldest and a little on the bossy side. Terry Fox was a

couple of years younger than I was; Albert not quite my age. Terry and Al were the ones to lay out the bases because with their experience they knew exactly where they should go. They also made up the teams. And they decided when the game was over. It’s not that my sisters and I were entirely ignorant—our dad, after all, coached the Midlothian baseball team—and we sometimes argued about one of their calls, but mostly we let them be the experts. Of course they usually won the game too.

In the winter we’d have battles of a different kind. After accumulating several inches of snow in the yards and on the street, we’d all don our winter clothing: wool coats, hats, mittens, boots, and those ugly, baggy, scratchy wool, flannellined leggings that ballooned out and made our legs look fat. But we stayed warm—too warm, too itchy. We four Ketelboeters—Charlotte, June, Dolores, plus me—would build a snow fort on our side of the street, and the Foxes and Shirley Luebke would build one on their side. Both sides competed to see who was the better builder, then we’d stock up on ammunition and the battle would begin.

You might think that the numbers were a little unfair—three on one side against the four of us—but you need to remember that they had two kids who could throw! We never knew who won or lost those battles anyway, we’d just end by cheerfully knocking down what was left of the forts and going in to eat our supper and dry out all those snow-covered, sweaty clothes, laid out and steaming on radiators all over the house.

Sometimes we’d put all those clothes on, get out the sled, and take turns doing belly-flops out on the road. Or getting and giving rides on the sled. Or we’d put on ice skates and skate out there. Most of the time in the winter our road was rutty and ice-covered because as a side street it was seldom plowed. The snow was just mushed up by the traffic until it was worn out or frozen hard. It was less than perfect condition for skating, and I remember sore ankles from trying to stand up and move on those rough surfaces. Skating was better at Shedd’s Pond. We’d sometimes go over there, maybe once or twice a season, a few of us walking together, galoshes on our feet and skates hanging around our necks. Understand, this was not a developed public recreational area. It was not a park. It was just a pond that was frozen over. To put on our skates we’d sit on tree stumps or logs or a rare bench that someone might have dragged in. But the ice surface here was usually smooth, and our skates glided rather than stumbled or twisted. Sometimes we’d make up a game of crack-the-whip, hoping we didn’t get stuck at the end to be whipped at top speed to the edge of the pond.

Most winter evenings were spent in the living room, playing cards or working a jigsaw puzzle, listening to the radio that stood in the corner of the room. Gabriel Heatter would tell us the latest news on the progress of

the war, and then we’d tune in to the network comedies or dramas. Our mom and dad favored “Mr. District Attorney,” so that was on every week. And of course “Fibber McGee and Molly” was a regular. We kids would try for the hit parade on Saturday nights to hear the latest Bing or Vaughn Monroe tune. Then too there were Bob Hope, Red Skelton, Jack Benny, and Edgar Bergen and Charley McCarthy (it didn’t even seem odd listening to a ventriloquist and his puppet on the radio).

The next day we’d be out on the street again, ready for school, again wearing those coats and hats and scarves and leggings, all those woolly things. We’d trudge the rutted road, the uncleared sidewalks, the open fields where our boots left evidence that we’d walked the half mile or so to school. Our elementary school didn’t have school buses, and most families had only one car, the one the dads drove to work in Chicago, so kids walked. But even this could be amusing. A couple of boys might get in a fist fight in the field, we might race someone to the next street corner, we might test the snow’s consistency for making snowballs. That sort of thing. Our amusements probably weren’t much different from those of most kids back then. We amused ourselves, and we grew up.

St. Cloud Flower & Garden Club Events

Date: 17 Jan 2023 (Tuesday) | Time: 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM

Topic: “Top Twenty Native Plants”

Speaker: Adam Hjelm, Stearns County Master Gardener

Via ZOOM: scflowerandgarden@gmail.com

Date: 21 Feb 2023 (Tuesday) | Time: 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM

Topic: “Trees”

Speaker: Linda Tennyson, Benton County Master Gardener

Via ZOOM: scflowerandgarden@gmail.com

Date: 21, Mar 2023 | Time: 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM

Place: St. Cloud Library- Room: Bremer Topic: “Bluebirds and backyard birding”

Speaker: Dan Kneip, The Central Minnesota Audubon Society

Date: 18 May 2023 (Thursday) | Time: 4 PM to 7PM Event: PLANT SALE Place: Whitney Senior Center, 1527 Northway Drive, St. Cloud, MN 56303

We will have annuals, perennials, shrubs, trees, vegetables, herbs, house plants, Dahlias, Cannas and garden things.

WHAT A BUGGER

By Karla Krueger, Attorney at Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid

“Good night. Sleep tight. Don’t let the bed bugs bite!” This was a phrase often repeated by my Grandma as she left the room after tucking me in for night. While this phrase evokes fond memories for me, the reality of dealing with bed bugs is anything but pleasant. I have counseled several clients who had the misfortune of finding bed bugs in their apartment. Many of these clients have also been asked to pay the cost to eradicate the bed bugs.

As a tenant, you have the right to live in a home that is in reasonable repair, fit for use as a proper home, meets local housing codes and is reasonably energy efficient. This includes being free of pests like bed bugs.

Minnesota law imposes a responsibility on the landlord to make sure your home is fit to live in. The landlord should bear the cost of any necessary repairs, including the extermination of bed bugs, unless the problem was caused by willful, malicious, or irresponsible conduct by the tenant or their guest.

In many cases, a landlord will pay for the exterminator’s treatment of the apartment but not the other costs associated with bed bugs, including the cost to prepare the apartment for extermination or the reduced value of the rental unit during the weeks of the extermination. You can ask a court to order the landlord to pay these additional costs or return a portion of your rent for the period the value was reduced. If you need help to prepare the apartment for extermination due to a medical condition, the Fair Housing Act and Minnesota Human Rights Act may require the landlord to provide that help.

If you have a repair issue such as bed bugs and the landlord does not try to fix the problem, you can call the local housing inspector to inspect your apartment. A housing inspector can tell the landlord to fix the problem by a specified deadline. You can also just send a letter to the landlord identifying the repairs that are needed. If the inspector’s deadline passes or it has been more than 14 days since you sent your letter and the repairs have not been made, you can file an Affidavit of Rent Escrow with the court.

The Senior Law Project provides free legal help to seniors age 60 and over who live in the counties of Stearns, Wright, Benton, Sherburne, Todd, Morrison, Wadena, Cass, Crow Wing, Isanti, Kanabec, Pine, Mille Lacs, and Chisago. Appointments can be made by calling (320) 253-0121 or toll free at 1(888) 360-2889.

A Little Poem for Seniors, so true it hurts!

Another year has passed And we’re all a little older. Last summer felt hotter And winter seems much colder.

There was a time not long ago When Life was quite a blast. Now I full understand About ‘Living in the Past’

We used to go to weddings, Football Games and lunches.. Now we go to funerals And after-funeral brunches.

We used to go out dining, And couldn’t get our fill. Now we ask for doggie bags, Come home and take a pill.

We used to often travel To places near and far. Now we get sore asses From riding in the car.

We used to go to nightclubs And drink a little booze. Now we stay home at night And watch the evening news.

That, my friend is how life is, And now my tale is told. So, enjoy each day and live it up... Before you’re too damned old!

Cataract Surgery and Macular Degeneration

by Mitchell Gossman, MD

As we get older, there are two very important, and common, eye conditions that can develop: Cataracts and Macular Degeneration.

Cataract is a progressive clouding of the natural lens that can cause blurry vision. In fact, it’s a normal consequence of aging – everyone gets them eventually, so long as you live long enough.

Macular degeneration also causes blurred vision, and other symptoms. It’s not a normal development, however. Most patients live into their 80s and beyond without macular degeneration. Some do not, and this likely has to do with genetics and just good fortune to not develop this.

Consider this: The eye is a biologic camera. Your eye has a lens that focuses light just like a camera lens. The film of a camera (or digital sensor these days) senses images from the outside world, and the retina of your eye performs the same function.

Imagine if you have a camera that’s taking blurry images. You look at the camera and discover that the sensor or film is defective, and the lens is dirty. Imagine that there’s no way to replace the film or sensor. Would you give up and suffer with poor photos? Of course not, you’d clean the lens to get the best possible pictures.

The same thing happens with cataracts and macular degeneration. If you have both problems, that is a very common situation. Unfortunately, the most common cases of macular degeneration don’t have a good treatment available. (“Wet macular degeneration” is treatable, but is less common). If you’re having trouble with your vision, should you avoid cataract surgery just because you have macular degeneration? Of course not. Cataracts are very treatable, and it can be very beneficial to eliminate the cataract problem which is compromising your vision so your retina can process the sharpest image from a new lens implant that replaces the cataract.

So, is macular degeneration a reason to not have cataract surgery?

Of course, with perfect cataract surgery, it’s still possible that the vision won’t be normal since the retina isn’t normal. But it often makes sense to have cataract surgery anyway. It’s not always possible to predict how helpful cataract surgery might be. In fact, sometimes the only way to know is to do the surgery and see what you get. Whether surgery is likely to help in a meaningful way is a judgment call to be made by an optometrist or ophthalmologist.

It would be unfortunate if a patient with vision problems assumes that the issue is his or her macular degeneration, and there’s no point in cataract surgery. He or she could be missing out on better vision. I recommend you ask your eye doctor if cataract surgery could offer improved vision even though macular degeneration also exists.

Mitchell Gossman, MD

“Dr. Gossman is an ophthalmologist and eye surgeon at Eye Associates of Central Minnesota in St. Cloud, Minnesota, and sees patients from all over Central Minnesota and the St. Cloud area. They are accepting new patients and appointments may be made at 320-774-3789.”

Who is Caring for the CAREGIVER?

by Jodi Danielson, Good Shepherd Community

“Loving yourself isn’t vanity. It’s sanity.” ~ Katrina Mayer

Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Multiple Sclerosis, and other chronic medical conditions is ongoing and can become increasingly complex. It’s no secret that managing these chronic diseases is costly. An estimated 40% of the cost can be attributed to uncompensated family caregivers.

Family caregiving is an unsung profession. Most caregivers are juggling paying jobs, raising families, and taking care of their loved one. Time is always a premium, but for family caregivers, time constraints are stretched even further, making self-care the last priority.

Placing importance on self-care can bring up feelings of guilt or selfishness. What most caregivers don’t realize is that by making self-care a priority, the caregiver can feel better physically and emotionally, allowing their focus to be more balanced and effective for the care receiver.

One of the most difficult things for family caregivers to do is ask for, and accept, help. Think about things that others can do for you like grocery shopping, mowing your lawn or taking care of snow removal, meal prep, laundry, cleaning, and other household tasks. Having them hang out with your loved one while you go and take some much-needed time for yourself can also be a huge help. Being ready with a list when a friend or neighbor offers to help, will make it easier to accept.

Don’t underestimate the value of taking a breather. Pausing to do some deep breathing throughout your day can provide great stress relief and can revive your energy level. Box breathing is quick and easy to do. Take a deep breath in for a count of four, hold that breath for a count of four, breathe out through your mouth for a count of four and then hold for a count of four. By doing this several times while closing your eyes and relaxing your muscles you will feel a peaceful feeling throughout your body. I call this my attitude adjustment because I feel so much better.

Other deep relaxation practices include stretching, yoga, and meditation. I found some great 10-to-15-minute yoga videos on YouTube for stress-relief and relaxation. I also follow several guided relaxation and sleep meditations. They must really work because I usually only remember hearing the first few minutes of the sleep meditation.

Many caregivers underutilize respite care. All caregivers need a break and respite care is temporary care provided so the caregiver can take a much-needed vacation or take care of their own medical needs. It can be provided by friends and other family members or can be accessed through long term care organizations. Yes, there is a cost to respite care if you use an organization, but there is also a cost to not taking care of yourself. Staying social can sometimes be difficult depending on your loved one’s stage of memory loss or medical condition. Maintaining friendships and social connections is very important in staving off isolation and loneliness so utilizing respite care may help in those situations. Attending support groups and connecting with others with similar circumstances can be especially helpful by sharing stories and tips with each other.

The more obvious ways to care for yourself are to make sure you’re getting adequate nutrition and sleep. Sometimes this is easier said than done. If you are caring for a loved one who is at risk of getting up at night and wandering outside, installing alarms or motion detectors on doors and windows can provide enough security to allow you to fall and stay asleep knowing you will wake up if something happens.

Chronic stress can wreak havoc on our bodies. Being a caregiver can add stress to your life but utilizing some of these self-care activities can help mitigate the stress and increase quality of life for you and your loved one.

Road Safety MYTHS You Might Be Falling For

By: MIMI BERLIN

Every year as the temperature drops, many vehicle owners resort to different winter driving “hacks.” However, Mother Nature is not easily outsmarted. That's why we’re setting the record straight on five common winter driving myths.

Myth No. 1:

You should warm up your car before driving in the cold. This is a myth almost as old as cars themselves. Perhaps the reason it’s lasted so long is because it seems to make so much sense. After all, cold causes engine oil to thicken, so it only seems logical that you’d need extra time to get oil flowing through a cold engine.

In reality, most cars only need about 20 seconds to properly lubricate engine components in the winter. After that, the best way to continue warming up your engine is to drive. While it certainly feels good getting into a cozy car in the winter, warming up your ride is solely for creature comfort, not the health of your vehicle.

Myth No. 2:

Partially deflating your tires will give you better traction.

The thought behind this misconception is that by letting some air out of your tires, you’re increasing the surface area of the portion of each tire that touches the road. But in reality, this theory is just hot air. Road tests have shown that fully inflated tires actually perform better in the snow. What’s more, underinflated tires can compromise vehicle handling. No matter the season, always keep your tires filled to their recommended PSI and check your tire pressure often in the winter, as cold temperatures cause air to compact.

Pouring hot water on your windshield is an easy way to melt ice.

If only it were that easy. It’s true, hot water will certainly break up windshield ice — but it can break your windshield too. Although automotive glass is typically reinforced, it isn’t designed to handle an instant temperature change from freezing cold to boiling hot.

Instead, try a homemade de-icer. Grab a spray bottle and fill it with two parts rubbing alcohol and one part water, then spray generously on your frozen windshield. Scraping off an icy windshield may not be everyone’s favorite task, but if you’re looking to make the job easier, a hot water bath can quickly leave your hopes shattered.

Myth No. 3: Myth No. 4:

Carrying sandbags in your trunk will improve traction.

Back in the earlier days of automobiles, this myth would have been true. This is because many cars of yesteryear featured an unfortunate pair of characteristics: a front-heavy load with rear-wheel drive. Piling sandbags in the trunk became a popular way to add weight on a vehicle’s rear wheels, thereby increasing traction in slippery conditions.

Today, this winter driving hack is unnecessary for most drivers. That’s because modern cars are typically frontwheel or four-wheel drive. Putting extra weight in the trunk can throw off a modern vehicle’s balance, reducing traction and possibly affecting handling and braking. Today, trunk-sandbagging is generally recommended only for rear-wheel-drive trucks.

Myth No. 5:

Four-wheel drive makes you invincible.

A 4x4 can make a big difference when it comes to winter driving. Four-wheel drive equips a vehicle with powerful acceleration, helping you get moving on slick surfaces and power out of deep snowbanks.

But with great power comes great responsibility: four-wheel drive is known to give many drivers a false sense of security. Just because a 4x4 provides more power doesn’t mean your vehicle can brake any faster. Always respect the road, no matter what you’re driving. That means accelerate and brake gently, and leave plenty of space between you and the car in front of you.

Want a winter driving tip that isn’t a myth? It’s important to always keep your gas tank at least half-full during the winter. Too much empty space inside a gas tank is a welcome mat for condensation — which is just one step away from a frozen fuel line.

Driving Behind a Spreader: Putting Trash in its Place!

by Steve Penick

You never know what will happen while driving around town. The experience often brings a litany of encounters from tailgaters to frequent lane changers. Add another one to the commuter list. Last summer, my windshield got defaced with a wad of fast food wrappers. The culprit? A driver who decided to carelessly pitch their trash out the window.

I did not know what to immediately do, other than turn on the wipers to remove the waste from my car. Once airborne again, the garbage floated by, an unfortunate consequence for someone else to clean up.

After a block or two, I thought about what would prompt an individual to do such a thing. Obviously, they never took note of “Give a Hoot, Don’t Pollute”, the famous tagline by cartoon character Woodsy Owl, the US Forest Service’s environmental public steward. Woodsy began life in the early 1970’s to promote awareness among youth, educators, and the broader community about environmental concerns. The Forest Service’s message over the decades, though, became so much more. Their “Lend a Hand— Care for the Land!” became a pathway to recycle waste, reduce your imprint, reuse materials, and encourage composting. This second phase formed a two-pronged approach to pollution—limiting waste and disposing of what a community produces.

Cloud Drive-In Theater site, Waite Park (Minn), ca 1986

Stearns County Adopt-A-Highway Program

https://www.stearnscountymn.gov/654/Adopt-A-Highway

Partnerships are the key to success in dealing with these complex issues, especially at the local level. Stearns County began managing solid waste in 1972 around the time Woodsy started his work, initiating a series of ordinances over the years to improve plan objectives.

A widely recognized agency in dealing with garbage is the Tri-County Solid Waste Commission. Established in 1983, it’s comprised of representatives from Stearns, Benton, and Sherburne with contract for additional services with Pope County. One of the Commission’s goals is to encourage the discarding of hazardous materials safely. Much like the Forest Service, a catchy phrase was adopted, “Don’t Toss, Drop Off!”

The disposal list handled by the Commission is impressive. Batteries, oil, paint, and other household items can be brought in during their operational hours. Here’s a link for those interested: https://www.stearnscountymn. gov/1393/Tri-County-Solid-WasteManagement-Commis There are a host of other services, from business hazardous waste to a car seat recycling program. Rather than pitch something, contact them for guidelines on what to do.

While the Commission concentrates its efforts on proper disposal, the Stearns County Adopt-AHighway Program cleans area roadside ditches of trash that is deposited there. Here is a link: https:// www.stearnscountymn.gov/654/Adopt-A-Highway

The program began in 1990, and since then dozens of local organizations have helped to clean roadways throughout our area. Perhaps our fast-food wrapper thrower will benefit from the good work of A-A-H participants.

It’s sometimes not easy to think how one action such as throwing garbage results in a series of other reactions. In other words, the domino effect. Maybe rather than doing something that is convenient, we can instead do the right thing. Give a Crapper, Dispose of Your Wrapper.

How Old is TOO OLD to Shovel Minnesota’s Snow

By Pete Hanson

?

Don't ask John Gustafson or Max Goldman, the beloved characters of 'Grumpy Old Men' fame, 'How Old is Too Old to Shovel Snow?' You just might get a big, "Why don’t you do the world a favor and take your lower lip and pull it over your head and swallow?”

Ask someone who may be a bit more open-minded and medically trained, and you'll probably get a different, more educated answer.

According to a study reported in the American Journal of Emergency Medicine, snow shoveling isn't for everyone.

In the study, almost 200,000 people were treated in U.S. emergency rooms for shoveling-related incidents during the 17-year study period, with a yearly average of 11,500 individuals needing medical attention.

Doctors say that in addition to soft-tissue injuries and lower-back problems -- heart attacks are also at an increased risk when snow shoveling.

“The most common reasons for a medical emergency are acute musculoskeletal exertion, slips, and falls, and being struck by a snow shovel. Cardiac-related emergency room visits accounted for 7% of the cases in this study, including all of the reported deaths.”

The bottom line is that the magic age of 45 (according to this study) is the age when snow shoveling should be passed on to the next generation. <Insert collective Minnesota laughter here.>

Clearly, this study was done by a bunch of softie Californians.

ADULT & PEDIATRIC UROLOGY CLINIC Connecticut Ave., Sartell

BELLO CUCINA 15 E Minnesota St., St. Joseph

CARE MEDICAL SUPPLY, INC. 1000 S. Benton Dr., Sauk Rapids

CHAIN OF LAKES MEDICAL CLINIC Hwy. 23, Cold Spring CHURCH OF ST. JOSEPH St. Joseph

COLD SPRING PUBLIC LIBRARY

COLD SPRING COUNTRY STORE 300 Main St., Cold Spring

EYE ASSOCIATES OF CENTRAL MN 628 Roosevelt Rd. Ste 100, St. Cloud

FOLEY MEDICAL CENTER Foley FRANDSEN BANK & TRUST Foley

HERITAGE OF FOLEY CAMPUS 253 Pine Street, Foley

INSIGHT EYE CARE 206 W. Division, Waite Park

MIDSOTA PLASTIC SURGEONS

12th St. N., St. Cloud MINNWEST BANK 3130 2nd St. S., St. Cloud

PARAMOUNT THEATER 913 W. St. Germain, St. Cloud PAYNESVILLE AREA HOSPITAL & CLINIC PLANTENBERG’S FOOD PRIDE Richmond

QUICK MART Avon RICHMOND AREA MEDICAL CLINIC 30 First St. NE, Richmond RICHMOND PUBLIC LIBRARY STEARNS HISTORY MUSEUM ST. AUGUSTA LEGION CLUB St. Augusta

ST. CLOUD SEWING CENTER 3603 W. Division, St. Cloud

ST. CLOUD PUBLIC LIBRARY ST. JOSEPH’S MEDICAL CLINICS Baxter & Brainerd

ST. JOSEPH’S HOSPITAL Brainerd

SIMPLICITY HEALTH 1511 Northway Dr., Ste 103, St. Cloud

SOS TREASURE CHEST 24 7th St N, Sauk Rapids, MN 56379

SUPER AMERICA Cold Spring

CASHWISE EAST 4th St. SE, St. Cloud

TEALS MARKET Paynesville

WAITE PARK PUBLIC LIBRARY

WAITE PARK SENIOR CENTER

WHITNEY SENIOR CENTER

Professor Monchi Uri from the University of Montreal believes that the brain of an elderly person chooses the least energy-intensive path, cutting unnecessary and leaving only the right options for solving the problem. A study was conducted in which different age groups took part. Young people were confused a lot when passing the tests, while those over 60 made the right decisions.

Now let's look at the features of the brain at the age of 60-80. They are really rosy.

FEATURES OF THE BRAIN OF AN ELDERLY PERSON.

The neurons of the brain do not die off, as everyone around them says. Connections between them simply disappear if a person does not engage in mental work.

Absent-mindedness and forgetfulness appear due to an overabundance of information. Therefore, you do not need to focus your whole life on unnecessary trifles.

Beginning at the age of 60, a person, when making decisions, uses not one hemisphere at the same time, like young people, but both.

Conclusion: if a person leads a healthy lifestyle, moves, has a feasible physical activity and has full mental activity, intellectual abilities DO NOT decrease with age, but only GROW, reaching a peak by the age of 80-90 years.

So don't be afraid of old age. Strive to develop intellectually. Learn new crafts, make music, learn to play musical instruments, paint pictures! Dance! Take an interest in life, meet and communicate with friends, make plans for the future, travel as best you can. Don't forget to go to shops, cafes, concerts. Do not lock yourself alone - it is destructive for any person. Live with the thought: all the good things are still ahead of me!

A large study in the United States found that:

The most productive age of a person is from 60 to 70 years;

The 2nd most productive human stage is the age from 70 to 80 years old; 3rd most productive stage50 and 60 years old.

Before that, the person has not yet reached his peak.

The average age of the Nobel Prize laureates is 62; The average age of the presidents of the 100 largest companies in the world is 63 years;

The average age of pastors in the 100 largest churches in the United States is 71;

The average age of dads is 76 years.

This confirms that a person's best and most productive years are between 60 and 80 years of age.

This study was published by a team of doctors and psychologists in the NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE.

They found that at 60 you reach the peak of your emotional and mental potential, and this continues until you are 80.

Therefore, if you are 60, 70 or 80 years old, you are at the best level of your life.

* SOURCE: New England Journal of Medicine *.

The EMOTIONAL Side of STROKE RECOVERY

Author: Erica Klimmek, APRN, CNP

Every 40 seconds, someone in the United States has a stroke. During the road to recovery, we often think about one’s physical changes. These can include helping one recover from loss of strength, regaining the ability to communicate, memory problems or helping someone return and live comfortably at home. However, with stroke survivors there are often emotional changes. We may dwell on the physical changes in the immediate days after a stroke — but it’s extremely important to be aware of the emotional changes. Among them may include:

• Grief. A stroke survivor may feel guilty or ashamed that a stroke happened or dwell on what has been lost.

• Depression. Along these same lines, stroke survivors can also feel helpless, lose interest in favorite activities and feel restless or irritable. Recognize that it’s not someone’s choice to be depressed. It’s possible that changes to their brain during stroke may make positive emotions difficult. With depression, individuals do have increased thoughts of death or suicide. If you or your loved one needs immediate help:

▶ Contact the Central Minnesota Mental Health Center Crisis Line at 1-800-635-8008.

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Or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

• Intimacy Changes. Whether due to the location of the stroke or a side-effect from medications, stroke survivors may have less sexual desire or, at times, feel too tired for intimacy.

• Changes in Mood and Personality. Depending on the type of stroke, survivors can feel apathy, not pay attention to one side of the body, or become impulsive and not understand consequences.

• Pseudobulbar Affect (PBA). It is possible that stroke survivors can lose control of their emotions. They may suddenly laugh or cry when it’s not appropriate. The cause of this behavior may be due to a disconnect between the different parts of the brain that control emotions and reflexes. While perfectly some of these feelings are perfectly natural, it’s also important for one to proactively cope and accept their new reality. Whether you are a survivor or a caregiver, it’s important to be social and communicate openly about what you are feeling. Some places where you can turn include:

• The St. Cloud Stroke Support Group meets monthly to offer free help to survivors, family and friends.

• The American Stroke Association offers an online tool to help you find a local support group.

• Talk with your health provider about therapy options and other ways to support your mental health.

CentraCare has a senior living setting for every stage. We’re here to help families walk their aging journey.

• Senior Apartments

• Assisted Living

• Memory Care

• Long-Term Care

• Transitional Care (short-term care)

• Onsite Dialysis

Long Prairie 320-732-7315

Melrose 320-256-1769

Monticello 763-295-4051

Melrose Monticello St. Cloud

Paynesville 320-243-7100

St. Cloud 320-203-2747 Sartell 320-654-2352 Sauk Centre 320-351-1784

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