Encore 7.27.16

A Guide to a Fulfilling Senior Life in Whatcom County

ENCORE Wednesday, July 27, 2016

Adventures of boys are raw material for former Lyndenite Jim VanderMay’s fiction books ..............................................C2

A former Lynden family greets from California ...................................................C6 A supplement of the Lynden Tribune and Ferndale Record

Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, July 27, 2016 | Ferndale Record

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1950s Lynden boy now centers his books here In retirement Jim VanderMay writes stories on friendship, bullying and personal courage

By Calvin Bratt editor@lyndentribune.com

LYNDEN ­— A few years ago, Jim VanderMay of Hudsonville, Michigan, contacted the Tribune wanting to know more about that shocking news item of July 2005 — a smuggling tunnel built under the U.S.-Canada border just north of Lynden.

Long after the Border Patrol filled in the tunnel and arrested some suspects linked to it, VanderMay still had a use in mind.

“I’m in the process of writing a middle grade level novel about a boy who comes to Lynden to live on a farm with his grandfather near the border. The story includes drug-running through a tunnel under the border north of the city,” he wrote at the time.

Of course, VanderMay’s interest was also heightened by the fact that he grew up in Lynden.

“Borderline: A Zak Taggart Mystery” is the 206page book that came out in 2013 as a result of VanderMay’s story-telling through the eyes of a 13-year-old.

It’s set on grandpa’s farm near the border town of Lynden in Washington State, a place that Zak Taggart really doesn’t want to move to. But things do get interesting when he becomes aware of suspected drugsmuggling activity, and Zak faces the biggest challenge of his life when he and his small band of friends stumble upon “an unimaginable terror coming across the border.” Unless they stop it, thousands of lives could be lost.

The book is also about making friends and dealing with bullies. “‘Borderline’ is the story of family conflict, a rich relationship with a grandpa, tactics to survive a bully, personal courage and deep friendship,” the paperback cover declares.

And now VanderMay is out with a sequel, “Sasquatch Camp: A Zak Taggart Adventure,” published in 2015, and he is working on a third book.

He is retired from many years working in the mental health field with children, teens and adults, and later in life he also became a licensed clinical social worker.

“Retirement prompted a desire to write, and since I have a few non-reading grandsons, I decided to write for boys (girls like the stories too) in the middle-grade age group,” VanderMay said by email to the Tribune this week.

Both books so far are contemporary novels set in the Lynden area. They have themes of bullying, friendship and personal courage in the lives of a small group of young teens, VanderMay said.

The stories evolved out of two courses he took through the Institute of Children’s Literature, a school that gave him the skills to take on the task of writing.

“Lynden occupies a very special place in my heart and although none of my immediate family still lives there, we visit every few years,” says the Lynden Christian High School graduate, class of 1959. “The locations in the stories are fairly accurate, but I did notice that the large water tower west of the City Park that is featured in the second book is now at the fairgrounds (in the form of a ground-level water tank).

“My favorite pastime is visiting middle schools to discuss bullying with students and to promote the books,” he wrote.

Jim is married to Judy and they have three grown children and eight grandchildren.

His own parents were Herman and Jeanette (Nyland) VanderMay, and his rich boyhood memories of Lynden are largely centered on the C Street neighborhood that had such an abundance of boys by 1950 that they were tabbed “the C Street gang.”

Some of the names of the families were Vander Griend, Oppewall, Terpstra and Wynstra. Jim VanderMay remembers Lynden in his books.

Jim’s siblings were Dan, Bill, Rick and Mary; Dan and Mary are deceased.

Some classmates he was closest to were Cliff Ba “We weren’t a gang like you might find in cities tojema, Jerry Faber, Gord Buys, Al Stremler, Dennis Timday, but just a bunch of kids who played ball, fished, mer and Gord Bogaard. hunted worms at the city sewer and occasionally “I have great memories of growing up in Lynden.” fought each other in the game of ‘War.’ My reading was The natural beauty of his hometown is unbeatable, limited to a variety of comic books. After college I got with Birch Bay, the Nooksack River and Mt. Baker topturned onto reading in a big way, thanks to my wife,” ping the list, he wrote. he summarizes.

His books are available at bookstores through Tate Dad Herman was an accountant for businesses, Publishing, and online from Amazon and Barnes & Noalso a photographer, and he served a stint as the Lynble. “Borderline” is in the Lynden Library. den city clerk.

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Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, July 27, 2016 | Ferndale Record

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Let's talk about seniors' driving Home Instead Inc. launches new public education program SEATTLE — A new scratch on the bumper or avoiding activities that require leaving home are often the first signs that families should talk with their aging parents about driving. Unfortunately, those conversations are not happening enough.

A new survey by Home Instead Inc., a network providing in-home care services to seniors, found that 95 percent of surveyed seniors had not talked to their loved ones about driving, though nearly one-third (31 percent) said that a recommendation from family or friends that they transition from driving would make them reconsider driving.

“As adults, we don’t hesitate to talk to our teenage children about driving, but when we need to address concerns with our own parents, we drop the ball,” said Elin Schold Davis, occupational therapist and project coordinator for the Older Drive Initiative of the American Occupational Therapy Association. “Often, families just need to know how to start the dialogue.”

For many seniors, the idea of giving up driving sparks feelings of anger, anxiety and loneliness.

To help families navigate these sensitive conversations about driving cessation, the Home Instead Senior Care network has launched a new public education pro-

gram, Let’s Talk about Driving, available at www.LetsTalkaboutDriving.com.

The new program offers free resources and tips to help families build a roadmap, together with their senior loved one, for limiting or stopping driving when the time is right. These resources include an interactive Safe Driving Planner to help families assess their senior loved one’s driving habits and provide tools to help older adults drive safely, consider options for driving reduction or cessation, and identify alternative transportation options.

“The ability to drive gives seniors the freedom to do what they want, when they want — and we want to respect that independence,” said Kristi Larson, franchise owner of the Home Instead Senior Care office in Seattle-Tacoma.

“Proactively talking about driving with seniors allows them to take an active role in deciding when and why their driving should be reduced or eliminated, while keeping area families safe on the road.”

Nearly 90 percent of aging adults rely on their cars and driving to stay independent, according to the survey. Although many seniors 70 and older are able to drive safely into their later years, it is critical for families to have a plan in place before a medical or cognitive condition makes it no longer safe for their senior loved one to get behind the wheel.

Family caregivers can look for several potential warning signs that their senior may be losing the confidence or ability to drive, such as unexplained dents, trouble turning

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to see when backing up, increased agitation while driving, and riding the brake.

“We often receive calls from families after an incident occurs behind the wheel. This may be a sign their loved one needs assistance maintaining their independence in and outside of the home,” explained Larson. “Our hope is that by having these discussions and knowing the potential warning signs in advance, we can help ensure seniors and their families stay safe and independent on their terms.”

To access the Safe Driving Planner or to view other program resources and tips, visit www.LetsTalkaboutDriving.com.

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Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, July 27, 2016 | Ferndale Record

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Senior tours go to Washington D.C., Bali Or just a two-day trip to Victoria WHATCOM ­— The Whatcom Senior Tour Program, of the Whatcom Council on Aging, offers a variety of trips to places both far and near and lasting from just one day to many days.

To sign up, call 733-4030 ext. 1015 (or 1019), or visit the tour office at 315 Halleck St., Bellingham. The website is http://wccoa.org/ index.php/Tours and there is also a Facebook page.

Trains of Colorado Aug. 21-28, 2016 Ride the historic routes of the Old West. Experience coal-fired, steam locomotives on a deluxe coach winding through the Rocky Mountains. See Colorado’s highest peaks at Mesa Verde National Park. Ride the Pike Cog Railroad and view Colorado’s diverse wildlife. The Durango Silverton Railway is voted “Top Ten Most Exciting Train Journeys” by the Society of American Travel Writers. Via guided coach, explore Native American culture at the Garden of the Gods and ride to the clouds as you exceed altitudes of 14,000 feet.

The price of this trip is $2,999 double occupancy and $3,499 single occupancy.

Colonial Williamsburg and Washington, D.C. Downtown Victoria awash in lights in December destination. (Courtesy photo) Oct. 13-19, 2016 Experience our country’s heritage. Visit our impressive U.S. capital city, taking in the city’s major highlights including the World tate nestled on the picturesque Potomac River and the first English settlement in AmeriWar II, Iwo Jima, Korean and Vietnam War memorials as well as Capitol Hill and Embassy ca at Jamestown. Discover Yorktown as you interact with costumed actors recreating the row. Be guided through colonial Virginia with stops at President George Washington’s es- era’s daily life and treat yourself to a traditional colonial farewell dinner. Also take in the

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Contact us at: 360-671-3316, or visit www.alzsociety.org

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Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, July 27, 2016 | Ferndale Record

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Smithsonian Institution and the D.C. Twilight Illumination Tour, all with a professional tour director.

The price is $2,499 for double occupancy and $3,174 for single occupancy. An early booking price is past.

Victoria Holiday Escape Dec. 6-7, 2016 Take in Canada’s city with British flair. Experience a traditional Victorian Christmas at the century-old Craigdarroch Castle in the historic Capital Regional district, with its period festive scenes. Tour the Butchart Gardens, bedecked in an impressive holiday lights display, and enjoy the songs of carolers accompanied by a four-piece brass band.

Also included is picturesque Ogden Point, Clover Point and Chinatown’s Fan Tan Alley, as well as holiday shopping and dining at the Steamship Grill, only steps from the Days Inn on the Harbor hotel and an inter-island ferry cruise.

The price is $400 for double occupancy or $461 for single occupancy. A passport or enhanced driver’s license is required for this trip.

Blissful Bali March 5-13, 2017 This special tour of Indonesian island Bali offers an exquisite beach resort experience. Deluxe coach tours go to cultural and geographic treasures in Mas, Celuk, Batubulan and the Ubud rainforest district. Discover more of Bali with optional island add-on tours or exploration of local features.

The price of this trip is $2,590 for double occupancy The blue waters of Bali have long made the island a traveler's paradise. (Courtesy photo) or $2,965 for single occupancy. A passport is required. on tour, a special dinner on the beach, Balinese dance show and English speaking tour Included is all the transport and round-trip international airfare, seven nights at the Grand Mirage resort, daily breakfasts and refreshments guide assistance.

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Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, July 27, 2016 | Ferndale Record

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Loving Lynden from afar Art and Rita Van Winkle, formerly of Lynden and now living in Palm Springs, California, will have been married for 66 years on Sept. 1. They have also been subscribers to the Lynden Tribune for 64 years, since 1952, they say in a letter. They were able recently to have this fourgeneration photo taken.

Art and Rita, center, hold baby Evelyn Hecock; at left is grandmother Kathy Hutchinson of Encinitas, California, and the father, right, is Aaron Hecock of Napa,California. (Courtesy photo)

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Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, July 27, 2016 | Ferndale Record

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Keep missteps from tripping up retirement plans About 10,000 folks are retiring each day; here are five helpful warnings to east the transition In the Baby Boomer generation, about 10,000 Americans retire each day and millions more are lined up right behind them, waiting for the day when they can finally enjoy a little relaxation after a lifetime of toil.

But many of those people could be headed for retirement disaster if they don’t develop a better understanding of what their financial needs will be once their working years come to an end.

“Studies show that most Americans are way behind in saving what they will need for retirement,” said Bryan Slovon, founder and CEO of the Stuart Financial Group (www.Stuartfg.com).

“But that’s just one of the problems. Many people

also tend to misjudge the amount of expenses they might face when they retire,” he said.

There are some common missteps people often make when planning for retirement.

• Their retirement strategy is sketchy or non-existent.

People often stash away money for retirement without any clear strategy about how much they should be saving and what their projected expenses in retirement might be. A carefully planned strategy will help you determine what percentage of your income you should save.

If you already have a strategy, Slovon suggests reviewing it every three years to make sure you’re still on track to achieve your goals.

• They live beyond their means.

Perhaps all that excessive spending is working out for now while you’re fully employed. But when the regular paychecks stop, there could be trouble.

It’s important in retirement planning to create a bud-

get and stick to it, Slovon says.

• They assume they’ll always be healthy.

Many people either don’t factor in healthcare costs at all or they underestimate how much those costs might be. One study estimated that a 65-yearold married couple who retired in 2014 would need about $220,000 to pay for healthcare costs in retirement.

• They don’t save enough to cover inflation.

This is an easy mistake to make, but a costly one. The amount of money you’ll need in year one of retirement isn’t the same as what you’ll need in year five and year 10, even assuming that nothing about your lifestyle changes. Inflation can chip away at your retirement nest egg, causing you to come up short.

• They fail to plan for the possibility of longterm care.

Most people who think ahead to retirement dream about beaches, cruises, hobbies or time with the grandchildren. They don’t give much thought to the likelihood that at some point they will require long-term care, yet that’s the case for 70 percent of those over 65. The average nursing home costs $6,844 a month, according to a survey by Genworth Financial Inc. “It can’t be stressed enough how important it is to have a good strategy in place as you save and plan,” Slovon said. “You can’t leave financing your retirement to chance.”

Navigating into the unknown terrain of retirement is best done with a plan beforehand. (Courtesy photo)

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Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, July 27, 2016 | Ferndale Record

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Lose to Win at YMCA this fall Over a year, this program can provide real tools for weight control and lifestyle change Feeling like you’ve put on a few pounds, or struggling over and over to get rid of some extra weight, is pretty common for most of us.

National statistics show that more than two-thirds of adults are considered to be overweight or obese. For many, it is not easy to lose that extra weight and it is even more challenging to keep it off. Many weight loss programs are costly or have special foods and routines that are hard to keep over a long period of time. What’s a person to do?

One solution to seeing lasting change could be the Y’s new Lose to Win program. This one-year program has two goals, says Tammy Bennett, healthy living coordinator with the Whatcom Family YMCA — to eat better and to move more.

The once-a-week group meetings provide tools to set goals and make change that you can live with over time.

You get to choose the changes you make, then your YMCA facilitator and group provide you with the troubleshooting and support that leads to success.

Some of the topics covered include these: Goal Setting, Sticking With It, All Foods Fit, Sustaining Your Progress and Engineering a Supportive Environment.

These topics rely on sciencebacked behavior change and tell us that adjusting nutrition and caloric reduction is the first step to achieving weight loss, that tracking food and activity is key to being accountable for behavior, and that activity is important to losing weight and maintaining that loss.

Learning and practicing new behaviors, with group support, is the most important part of the Lose to Win program.

Elsa, one appreciative participant in Lose to Win, said this: “With the encouragement and support of my ‘Y village,’ I have lost 25 pounds and increased my balance, flexibility and strength. There are so many fulfilling activities at the Y that I have to remind myself there are only so many hours in a day.”

Losing weight can be difficult without support, but remaining overweight is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and other health problems. Lose to Win at the Y can help you commit to the healthy lifestyle changes. You set your own goals so that this is not one more program you have tried and failed,

but you learn to think about weight loss and activity in an entirely different way.

Here’s some more good news: Lose to Win is included in Y membership and the next session starts in the fall at all four Whatcom Family Y branches, including Lynden (100 Drayton St.) and Ferndale (5610 Barrett Rd.). Call 733-8630 for more information.

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