Mature Focus October 2024

OCTOBER 2024

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309-292-3681 2 October 2024 • Mature Focus

October • 2024

features 6 10 30 42 46

A homemade pie Table-worthy conversations My life as a car Navigating life’s staircase The battle against my email

6

favorites 4 12 16 20 25 32 36

From The Desk Tinseltown Talks Humor Hotel Savvy Senior The History of Ordinary Things Midnight Gardener Talking Digital

10

health 18 34 40

Psychiatric medications Healthy Eyes: Blood in the eye Mayo Clinic: Sleep and dementia

finance 14 38

Life estate planning for the young Choosing a trustee

8 12

recipes 8 29

Spooky snacks S’more delights

games 22 23

Mind Gym Super Crossword

extras 15 26 28 33 44

2025 Mature Focus Calendar All the News That’s Fit Moments in Time Strange But True Mature Focus Volunteer Spotlight

Our Cover: Halloween on Pumpkin Hill © Catherine Holman by arrangement with Ansada Group, LLC. For more information visit ansadagroup.com.

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15 Mature Focus • October 2024

3

From the Desk of the Publisher ByKevin Ferris

I bought a new refrigerator. A beautiful stainless steel LG 30 cu. ft.

French door refrigerator. It replaced my 25-year-old Whirlpool that was undoubtably on it’s last legs and is now resting in the refrigerator graveyard being stripped of its spare parts.

It wasn’t exactly a smooth transition however. The LG remained boxed and in the corner of my garage while I tried to find the time and the manner in which I could maneuver it through the back yard, up the stairs of the porch and through a door with no more than 3/4 of inch of room to spare. It required removal of a deck railing and the screen door. Once we squeezed it through the door, it fit perfectly in its allotted spot. By at least an inch and a half.

I now have an LG ThinQ app on my phone that allows me to communicate with my refrigerator using my smartphone. This app provides a more personalized experience based on an analysis of my usage patterns. It also keeps track of the refrigerator’s power consumption and the number of door openings. That feature would have come in handy during my childhood when my Dad would constantly complain when any of us kids stood at the refrigerator with the door open for more than two-and-a-half seconds.

CELEBRATING

33 YEARS

October 2024 • Vol. 33 • Issue Number 6

P.O. Box 1031 Moline, IL 61266-1031 (309) 277-2000 email: kevin@maturefocus92.com Facebook.com/MatureFocusQC

4 October 2024 • Mature Focus

This is the same Dad who when he came into my house to see the refrigerator saw nothing wrong with leaving the door open on a blistering hot afternoon while the air conditioning was running. “Hey Dad, I’m not trying to cool the entire back yard, can you please shut the door?” I can’t imagine his reaction if I had done that as a twelve-year-old.

I’m still trying to figure out a way for my smart refrigerator to have dinner ready for me after a long day of officiating.

My biggest issue now becomes, once I figure out all the intricacies of the app and all the different smart features, what does my refrigerator decor say about me. By decor, I don’t mean how it looks in the kitchen, but rather what lives on it.

The items on the front of your refrigerator can reveal a lot about your personality, priorities, and lifestyle. In an article from Architectural Digest, “a fridge can say a lot about a person. Adorning your refrigerator is an active choice, one that lets people know who you are, who you care for, and where you’ve been. It’s both personal and performative. The kitchen might be the heart of the home, but the fridge is the soul.”

The front of the refrigerator is the ultimate social bulletin board. I’m sure many of you have a fridge adorned with several colorful magnets from every vacation that screams “I love adventure and collecting memories,” or a collage of family snapshots that indicates a sentimental side.

I have neither. Not even a few motiPublisher Kevin Ferris

Associate Publisher Schary SantAmour

vational quotes that suggest you’re an optimistic soul who needs daily reminders that you can conquer the world - while simultaneously reaching for that last piece of pizza.

My retired fridge was littered with all types of stuff. None of it particularly sentimental. A gift certificate for a 20 minute hydrotherapy massage that thankfully does not have an expiration date. Not unlike the three coupons for $2 off any regular size sub at Jersey Mike’s that expired back in March. A postcard from the Illinois Tollway that my I-PASS account needs immediate attention. Since I’ve had the card for several months, I’m assuming the attention wasn’t that immediate. I can probably also throw away the overdue reminder card for the eye exam that I completed back in June. A copy of a cashiers check from November 15, 2023 and a rebate form for Bravecto (for my dog) that was valid from January 1 through December 31 - of 2022 have already made it to the landfill.

I do, however, have two remaining Forever stamps. Those are at least still good.

Ultimately, the front of your refrigerator acts as a quirky reflection of who you are - part chef, part parent, part adventurer, and all-around unique individual.

At this time my refrigerator is completely unadorned. I wonder what that says about me?

Layout Design Tonya Ranum

Mature Focus, Inc. is a monthly newspaper, distributed to the greater Quad-City area, Geneseo, Muscatine, Aledo, DeWitt, Iowa City, Coralville, Cedar Rapids, North Liberty, Solon, and Tipton. It is designed to inform, serve, and entertain mature readers.

Publication of columnists’ views, as well as advertising herein, does not constitute endorsement. Mature Focus reserves the right to reject or edit any advertising.

Letters to the editor must be signed and include the writer’s address and phone number for verification. All letters must be received no later than the 15th of the month preceding publication.

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Mature Focus • October 2024

5

By Lynn Gendusa Comic strips often entertain us with not only a funny moment but occasionally the cartoonist will introduce a bit of insight within their colorful panels. Such was the case recently when Jan Eliot provided such wisdom in her comic strip “Stone Soup.”

One of the characters is Alix, a nine-year-old, precocious girl who is sitting at the kitchen table watching her grandmother rolling the dough for a homemade pie.

Alix asks, “Gramma, why do you

like to make pies so much?” Her gramma explains that when she was a young mother, they did not have much money, but she and her hus-

band had an orchard abundant with pears, apples, and peaches.

So, when they could afford only rice and beans for dinner, what lifted the spirits of her family, was a delicious homemade pie for dessert.

After hearing her Gramma’s explanation, Alix replies, “In other words. before Prozac, there was pie.”

Gramma ends the story with this statement, “That’s what’s wrong with everyone!

Not enough pie!”

Growing up, I recall my grandmother making pies to deliver to

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folks who were physically ailing or mentally going through a difficult time. She regularly baked my brother his favorite chocolate pie and would always make a blackberry cobbler for my mother when the berries were in season. I don’t think I ever visited her when she didn’t bake a pie out of love or compassion for someone.

I remember one summer day, her friend Mrs. Harris was ill. First thing on a Saturday morning, we visited her bearing an apple pie full of concern and affection. Before we left, Mrs. Harris was giggling with her friend and hugging me goodbye.

The tradition of pie giving was passed down from those ancestors who resided in the Southern hills to hearts who needed a pie’s restorative power. Aunts, mothers, grandmothers, a few uncles, and even some grandpas inherited the gift of producing a mouthful of joy. My granddaddy couldn’t make a pie, but he sure could mend a mortal with his homemade peanut brittle.

My mom could roll out the best pie crust on the planet. Plus, she had the artistic talent to create the perfect lattice top over her delicious fruit pies.

She would serve them warm with a dollop of ice cream. Mom could dry tears and melt hearts with her delicious creations. I once dubbed her the “Queen of Pies,” and to this day, I believe she undoubtedly was.

Friends and family frequently question me, “Lynn, why do you insist on baking homemade desserts? You can go to Publix and get a great pie or cake and not have to go through the trouble?”

My answer never changes: “It’s not the same!”

Generosity, compassion, and joy are only found in the work you go through to create them. Not everyone knows how to bake a pie, but they sure know how to gather flowers, write a sweet note, or hold a hand.

When we use extra energy to lift another’s spirit, whether it’s through baking a pie or going for a visit, we deliver healing. When we go to the trouble to love, we give hate trouble.

Our world is a busy place, where texting emoji hearts, sad or smiling

faces, makes it simple to share our emotions. We are “convenient” happy. Whatever makes our lives easier is becoming the norm.

When we use extra energy to lift another’s spirit, whether it’s through baking a pie or going for a visit, we deliver healing.

However, our days will become more comfortable only when our society becomes a less hateful place.

A peaceful world can exist only through loving each other enough to create a pie made of sincere compassion, prayer, and understanding.

Comforting another is not about easy, it’s about sacrifice and empathy.

There is no emoji in the technological world which shows the recipe for genuine kindness.

“Before Prozac, there was pie,” Alix declared. I suffer from depression, and I understand needing medications for this illness. However, if my family and friends had been too busy to hug me, pray with me, or cook my kids’ dinner through some of those wicked dark hours, would I have made it? When those compassionate souls took the time to physically aid me, they helped me see a sunny day was on the horizon.

“That’s what’s wrong with everyone! Not enough pie!” Gramma happily tells her grandchildren as she holds her beautiful baked pie above her head. What if we brought a homemade pie of kindness to the table of hate and calmed anger with a dose of warmed goodness? Then our grandchildren would learn just like I did from my grandmother - when we take the time to create love, we might just witness healing our hurts, one pie at a time.

Lynn Walker Gendusa is a weekly columnist for newspapers in Georgia and Tennessee. She is the author of It’s All Write with Me! Reach her at lynngendusa.com.

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Mature Focus • October 2024

7

SPOOKY SNACKS FOR HALLOWEEN FUN

Scaring up a good time this Halloween starts with spooky costumes, ghoulish decor and treats you can share with your favorite ghosts and goblins. For an extra haunting twist, skip the store-bought candies and break out your cauldron for tempting homemade sweets.

You can celebrate the seed-to-snack simplicity of one of fall’s favorite snacks - popcorn - with crunchy desserts that pair perfectly with your favorite spooky traditions. Popcorn’s smell, taste and versatility help it enhance Halloween as a budgetfriendly solution for ghostly gatherings. Visit Popcorn.org for more Halloween-inspired snacks.

In microwave-safe bowl, combine white chocolate, olive oil and pumpkin pie spice; microwave on medium 2-3 minutes, or until melted and smooth, stirring after each minute.

Pour melted white chocolate mixture over popcorn; add toffee bits and toss to combine. Transfer to prepared baking sheet, spreading to edges of pan; sprinkle sea salt over top.

Let cool; refrigerate 1-2 hours, or until set. Break into chunks for serving.

Green Halloween Zombies Yield: About 7 pieces (4 ½ x 3 ½ inches each) 2 1/2 quarts popped popcorn 6 tablespoons butter 3 cups mini marshmallows White Chocolate & Pumpkin 4 tablespoons lime gelatin powder Pie Spice Popcorn Bites Red gum balls, candy corn, flat Servings: 12 green candy strips (or fruit leather), 12 cups plain popped popcorn green sugar sprinkles 3 cups white chocolate chips Place popcorn in a large bowl; set 1 tablespoon light olive oil aside.

2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice Melt butter over medium heat in a 1/2 cup toffee bits medium saucepan. Stir marshmallows 1 teaspoon flaked sea salt, crushed into butter until melted. Stir in gelatin Line large, rimmed baking sheet powder until evenly colored. Pour with parchment paper. Place popcorn over popcorn and stir until evenly in large mixing bowl. coated. With buthands, shape Independent Senior Living 55+ • 1&2 BRs tered popcorn into 7 oval shapes. g Flatten one oval n i a ko n s ! shape slightly and T w cati o squeeze one end to N li p form a skull shape.

Ap Place onto parchment lined baking 3425 60th St. sheet. Repeat with Moline, IL 61265 65 309-764-7767 67 remaining shapes. homewoodmanorqc.com To decorate: Press

8 October 2024 • Mature Focus

two gumballs into each skull to form eyes. Press candy corn into skull to form teeth. Use scissors to trim candy strips and press into top for hair.

Sprinkle with sugar sprinkles.

Allow zombies to set for about 20 minutes before wrapping individually in plastic wrap (or serve immediately).

Jack-o-lantern Popcorn Balls Yield: 8 balls (4-inch) 3 quarts popped popcorn 4 tbs (1/2 stick) butter 3 cups miniature marshmallows 3 tablespoons (1/2 of a 3-ounce box) orange gelatin dessert mix Candy corn, jellybeans and sour green apple candy sticks, licorice string, dried fruit, etc.

Spray a large mixing bowl lightly with cooking spray and place popcorn inside.

In a medium saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Stir in marshmallows and gelatin dessert powder until marshmallows are melted and mixture is smooth. Pour over popcorn and mix well until coated.

Spray hands with cooking spray and press firmly to form into balls. Place balls on wax paper. Press candy decorations into balls to form eyes, a stem and a Jack-O-Lantern grin.

Serve immediately or wrap individually in plastic wrap for storage. Add a ribbon tie to plastic wrap as a decorative closure.

Clean-up tip: Soak saucepan before cleaning.

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9

Table-worthy conversations and connection. The one I have in my home was my mother-in-law’s. It became mine not too many years into my marriage. If there was a gathering to be had, it would be around our family table just as my mother-in-law had around it before I inherited it (if that table could talk, it would have tall tales of its own). A vision, or anchor I’ve kept in mind as I’ve navigated a season of enormous life changes is the continuation of family and friends around the table -

By Taprina Milburn “I want a house with a crowded table and a place by the fire for everyone.” - The Highwomen Once a week, I volunteer at a senior center, making and serving, at best, very mediocre pots of coffee.

This doesn’t seem to scare anyone off, though.

The clientele come from all walks of life and have had varied past professions - jewelry maker, truck driver, nurse, military, construction, teacher. Some are financially secure or on a fixed income; some live in their vehicle. But all are eager to sit around a table and swap stories of rich life experiences (there may be a few tall tales thrown in for entertainment purposes).

Most come to the center five days a week and first gather at the coffee bar. At lunchtime, they move on to tables in the dining room; after lunch, it’s tables of card games. New

faces come through from time to time, but mostly, it’s the same, familiar people, and they notice and are concerned when someone is missing.

It’s a good example of community and connection.

A table is an important gathering place; a place to deepen community

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picturing all the years to come with my kids and their kids, new and old friends, and extended family.

We are about to enter a holiday season when, if we are lucky, our loved ones will fill the chairs around our tables. This year, however, the season is colliding with a very complicated and charged presidential election, no matter what side you find yourself on.

I mention this only because of what I notice at the senior center, which could be a harbinger of things if we aren’t proactive during our holiday gatherings. I’ve noticed that when the topic turns to politics (or religion), things become tense, and comradery quickly fades - people leave the table and head to different corners of the room, sometimes not returning.

It’s made me pause and ask myself: Do we have that kind of time to waste on meaningless conversations or snide comments about politics?

The answer, of course, is “No.” Think about the family and friends in your own life who have died in the last decade (I’ve lost seven). They were at my table for a short season.

Some of the chairs around our tables will be empty next year, and I want to remember to be purposeful about showing those gathered that I care about their lives - their actual lives. I want us to laugh at each other’s bad jokes, tell the same stories we’ve told each other throughout the decades, hold the babies in the family, pet the dogs, and eat too much food together.

I don’t want anyone to leave the table because of charged and differing political views.

We just don’t have that kind of time.

Political candidates come and go, but so do our loved ones. Next year, some of those filled seats around the table may be empty. I want to make the conversations table-worthy of the time we have together.

Taprina Milburn is an essayist who lives in the Pacific Northwest with her golden retriever, Scout. Contact her at writeyourstoriesworkshop@ gmail.com.

Protect Your Loved Ones from RSV October is RSV Awareness Month!

Did you know the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) can be dangerous for infants and older adults?

These groups are more likely to be hospitalized from RSV. Fall is a good time to talk to your family’s healthcare providers about RSV prevention.

Ask your family’s healthcare providers about RSV prevention.

Mature Focus • October 2024

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It’s been 14 years since 85-year-old screen legend Tony Curtis died at his Nevada home on Sept. 29, 2010. The much-loved actor left behind a body of work that included over 150 television and movie roles in such classics as “The Defiant Ones,” “Some Like it Hot,” and “The Sweet Smell of Success.” Curtis remarried for the last time in 1998 and his new bride, Jill Vandenberg, was some 40 years his junior. The pair became inseparable, traveling the world together. But back in Nevada, the couple founded Shiloh, a horse rescue ranch.

“I was horrified to learn that tens of thousands of unwanted American horses are slaughtered each year for human consumption in Asia and Europe,” Jill told me in 2006 when I met her and Tony on their ranch.

“I realized I could do more to help

12 October 2024 • Mature Focus

Photo: Nick Thomas

What happened to Mrs. Tony Curtis?

I still recall Curtis’s joy when I asked him to comment on the success of the Shiloh sanctuary: “It picks up my spirits to see the good work done there,” was his reply.

Today, Jill Curtis is now Jill CurtisWeber after marryJill Curtis, center, with husband Todd and mother Sally in ing Todd Weber their Deadwood shop three years after Tony died. The couhorses.” ple met at a country and western club “We were driving in the car one in Vegas and were married six evening and Jilly told me she wanted months later. After selling the Nevada to save some of those horses,” Tony ranch and her Las Vegas home, they recalled to me. “I told her let’s go do moved to Deadwood, South Dakota, it!” often romanticized as the heart of the They did, and the couple soon American West with history steeped acquired 40 acres of desert outside in gold rushes, outlaws, and frontier Las Vegas, eventually transforming legends such as Wild Bill Hickok and the barren area into a nurturing ranch Calamity Jane. where hundreds of horses were saved.

“We both loved the history of the Old West and began traveling around selling our horseshoe art,” said Jill, when I met up with her recently at her shop in the heart of downtown Deadwood. “When we came here we loved it and decided to stay.”

Along with her husband and mother, Sally, the trio run “The Lucky Horse Co.,” a thriving Westernthemed business specializing in decorative horseshoes and other gifts.

Their charming little shop, an openair wooden structure built around a living tree, is located on the main street of Deadwood. It’s filled with hundreds of Western art pieces, showcased by unique horseshoe art – beautifully painted or decorated horseshoes for wall hangings and intricate pieces welded into artistic shapes.

“We make everything here in Deadwood by hand,” said Jill. “Todd does all the welding for the horseshoes and also teaches gold panning to tourists! He built the shop around the tree and based it on an old livery stable from the late 1800s. The profits go towards supporting Shiloh.”

With her deep passion for horses, it

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Nick Thomas teaches at Auburn University at Montgomery, in Alabama, and has written features, columns, and interviews for numerous magazines and newspapers. See getnickt.org.

Trivia Test

By Fifi Rodriguez

1. Which state’s nickname is The Hawkeye State?

2. What are the bad guys called in “Transformers”?

3. What happens to people when Medusa turns her gaze on them?

4. What is a group of crocodiles in the water called?

5. What is the main ingredient in bouillabaisse (stew)?

6. How old is our Sun? 7. Where does Walter White live in “Breaking Bad”?

8. The character named Ichabod Crane appears in which 19th-century story?

9. What is a common name for onychocryptosis?

10. What is the capital of Nova Scotia?

1. Iowa; 2. Decepticons; 3. They turn to stone.; 4. A float.; 5. Seafood; 6. About 4.6 billion years old.; 7. Albuquerque, New Mexico; 8. “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.”; 9. Ingrown toenail; 10. Halifax.

was a natural progression for Jill to expand into Western art. She relocated Shiloh Ranch from Nevada to Newell, about 30 minutes from Deadwood, where the ranch has rescued and rehabilitated over 700 horses since its founding. She remains grateful to her previous husband for supporting her horse rescue efforts and recognizes some similarities between Tony and Todd.

“Todd has the same sense of humor and wit, and is very intelligent and kind,” she said. “I think Tony would have liked him. Todd is very supportive of my past life and has never felt he had to live up to Tony, who had a larger-than-life personality. We were ready to start a new life, a simpler life, in this beautiful historic Old West town. Tony and I watched and really enjoyed HBO’s ‘Deadwood’ series, so I believe he would absolutely love that I now live in the town.”

Mature Focus • October 2024

13

0

Elder Law

By Ben Bekel, Quad City Life Planning When we think of when we should create our life and estate plan, most often it’s not something we think of in the early stages of our lives. Certainly, most of my clients are past retirement age, and it’s a rare day when I meet with someone around my age (full disclosure – I’m 39) to create a plan.

Of course, one’s mortality isn’t necessarily at the forefront of your thinking when you’re younger. By and large, younger people are going to be in better physical condition, better general health, etc. With that, of course, comes a lesser risk of actually having to use a life and estate plan. The logic goes something like “if I don’t have to worry about it as much, then why worry at all?”

Unfortunately, lesser risks don’t mean eliminated risks. As Benjamin Franklin wrote and we’ve all heard many times, “nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” Lives have ends, after all, and if we know an end is coming it would be foolish not to prepare for it somehow. I’m not a hypocrite in writing this – one of the first things I did after getting married was draft my own life and estate plan.

And that was when I was only 31!

Of course, saying it is one thing, but actually going out and making our life

Life and estate planning for the young and estate plan is quite another (which is something that clients of all ages have in common, if we’re being honest). It’s difficult for anyone to confront their own mortality in such a way, particularly when a person is A life and estate plan is one of the best opportunities available to assist our families and beneficiaries as they navigate the after-death process. closer to the beginning of their life than they are to the end. If we want to make things easier on our loved ones after we’ve gone, a life and estate plan is one of the best opportunities available to assist our families and beneficiaries as they navigate the after-death process.

This is another reason I often encourage my older clients to discuss their plans with their children, over and beyond the fact that such discussions tend to reduce conflict after the client’s passing. It’s not infrequently that such a discussion induces the next generation to begin thinking about their life and estate plan (or lack thereof) and motivates them to actually make out that plan in written

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form. I’ve even had multiple generations come in at the same time to draft their separate life and estate plans!

(Like many other offices, we are perfectly happy to serve as a one-stop shop for families.)

Tragedies can befall us at any age, old or young, and as I frequently tell my own clients, the best time to build your life and estate plan is now.

Whether you’re 39, 93, or any age in between or outside those numbers, a well-drafted life and estate plan can bring you and your loved ones peace of mind now and clear instructions when you’re not there to give them.

I believe that’s a good plan for people at any stage in life.

Ben Bekel is the attorney at Quad City Life Planning in Moline, Illinois.

He handles elder law and life planning including probate/trust administration, guardianships and disability/ Medicaid planning. Learn more at quadcitylifeplanning.com.

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Mature Focus • October 2024

15

AI just (sort of) admitted I’m funnier than AI

By Greg Schwem I have tried, since I first heard the term, to stay away from artificial intelligence.

The problem is, artificial intelligence won’t stay away from me.

If AI is not recommending an alternate restaurant to the one I was planning to dine at, it’s offering to rewrite my social media posts. If it’s not driving my car for me, it wants to plan my next vacation. If it’s not suggesting a better title for my upcoming book, it’s using chatbots to locate my missing luggage. The latter failed incidentally.

Now AI thinks it’s funnier than I am.

Since 1989 I have been a full-time stand-up comedian. Making strangers laugh is difficult for sure but not nearly as tough as developing the material. I spend hours a day at my laptop creating, writing, deleting, and rewriting ideas that become jokes. My goal is to meld together a series of jokes into “bits,” so my act is not a series of random, disjointed one-liners, but a collection of stories about particular topics that I discuss via a seamless array of segues, giving audience members the perception that I’m just having a funny, 60minute conversation with them.

And you thought comedians just slept until 3 p.m., worked an hour and spent the evening’s remainder trying to get phone numbers of every waitress in the club.

So imagine my dismay when, as I was typing a comment accompanying an Instagram photo, AI offered to take over. It could take that com-

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Replacing human comedians with AI? That’s no laughing matter.

ment and “rephrase,” “shorten,” “make supportive” or “make funnier.”

Didn’t I just explain there’s more to comedy than just “making it funny”?

Curious, I relented. The picture in question featured some high school friends who had attended a recent performance. The photo was on my phone, and one friend requested I forward it to her. I did as instructed, but first increased the exposure since the photo was shot in a dark comedy club. Before hitting “send,” I added the message “I lightened it up a bit” and then clicked “make funnier.”

AI’s response? “I tweaked it to make it less likely to induce a coma from boredom.”

Are you convulsing with laughter?

Did you just spit liquid out your nose? Do you need to stop and collect yourself before reading further?

Didn’t think so.

If my laptop were a comedian, I would have heckled it.

Incidentally, AI’s “make supportive” suggestion was, “I made some adjustments to enhance its engagement and prevent it from becoming too dull.”

I’m sure my friend’s mental health would drastically improve after digesting that line.

I could have spent hours reading AI’s miserable attempts at humor.

But, as previously mentioned, creating comedy requires time. So I cut to the chase. Using ChatGPT, the AI-driven consumer application

that uses large language models (LLMs) to answer questions, I posed the following query: “Is Greg Schwem funnier than artificial intelligence?”

Granted, the response was far quicker than the time it takes me to craft a joke.

“Greg Schwem is a professional stand-up comedian known for his corporate comedy, blending humor with insights about technology and the workplace. He’s widely regarded for his relatable and clean humor, which resonates well with live audiences, particularly in corporate settings.

“As for whether he’s funnier than artificial intelligence, humor can be subjective. AI-generated humor can be clever and surprising due to its vast knowledge base and pattern recognition. However, it often lacks the personal touch, timing and delivery that human comedians like Greg Schwem bring to their performances.

Comedy from a live performer can adapt to the audience’s reactions, making it feel more engaging and spontaneous.

“Ultimately it depends on what you find funny. Schwem’s humor may resonate more with those who appreciate human experience and delivery, while AI might appeal to those intrigued by the unexpected or novel use of language.”

Not exactly a glowing recommendation, but one that leaves me hopeful that my fellow comedians and I will always be preferred to computers when it comes to laughter. I never want to see the day when customers file into a club featuring a computer onstage, spitting out “jokes” and making the audience think performing comedy is easy.

Sadly, that’s already been done with From a Corporate Comedian,” music. available at Amazon.com.

It’s called karaoke.

Visit Greg at gregschwem.com.

Greg Schwem is a corporate stand-up comedian and author of two books:“Text Me If You’re Breathing: Observations, Frustrations and Life Lessons From a LowTech Dad” and the recently released “The Open Enrollment October 15- December 7. Call Road To Success Goes Annual the center to schedule your Medicare Review Today!

Through the Salad Bar: A Pile of BS

october ChucklE Albert Einstein was a genius.

But his brother, Frank, was a monster!

Mature Focus • October 2024

17

The top four psychiatric medications you should know about in 2024

By Suzy Cohen, R.Ph. The Top 4 Psychiatric Medications You Should Know About in 2024 When it comes to mental health, I’ve always supported the use of natural remedies first: Herbs, vitamins, and lifestyle changes that can often make a huge difference! I’ll discuss those down below. But I also recog-

18 October 2024 • Mature Focus

nize that sometimes natural approaches aren’t enough, and medication becomes necessary, especially for serious conditions like depression, bipolar disorder, or postpartum mood swings. If you or someone you know is in this situation, read on.

1. Gepirone (Exxua) for Major Depressive Disorder. The condition causes persistent sadness, lack of interest in activities, changes in sleep and appetite, and overwhelming fatigue. Many people also struggle with guilt, difficulty concentrating, and, in severe cases, thoughts of suicide.

Gepirone, approved in 2023, is a newer antidepressant that targets serotonin receptors, but its less likely to cause sexual side effects or weight gain. These side effects are associated with most other antidepressants.

2. Zuranolone (Zurzuvae) for Postpartum Depression. Postpartum depression affects many new mothers and can make caring for a newborn feel incredibly overwhelming. Symptoms include severe mood swings, anxiety, irritability, and an inability to bond with the baby.

Approved in 2023, Zuranolone offers a fast-acting solution, supposedly in just two weeks! Unlike longterm antidepressants, this drug can also be taken for a short timeframe and you’d still see benefits.

3. Dextromethorphan/Bupropion (Auvelity) for Depression.

Depression can sometimes resist standard treatments, leading to what’s known as treatment-resistant depression. In such cases, people may experience persistent sadness, emotional numbness, and frustration even after trying several medications.

Auvelity, a combination of dextromethorphan (used in cough medicine) and bupropion, works by targeting NMDA receptors, which are different from the usual serotonintargeted meds. This drug may work quicker than other more traditional

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antidepressants, and uses an alternative pathway to exert its effects.

4. Olanzapine/Samidorphan (Lybalvi) for Bipolar Disorder and Schizophrenia. Bipolar disorder involves mood swings between depression and mania, while schizophrenia is characterized by hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking. This new combo drug contains olanzapine with samidorphan.

The latter ingredient helps offset the weight gain that olanzapine traditionally causes. This dual-action drug helps one manage the manic phases of bipolar disorder (or the psychotic symptoms of schizophrenia), without as much weight gain.

While medication is often essential for managing psychiatric conditions, natural supplements can sometimes play a supportive role in mild (not severe) cases. I am a big believer in natural alternatives. Consider herbals like saffron, St. John’s wort, rhodiola, ginkgo and more. Also, SAM-e is another excellent option, and so is folate and other B vitamins! I can teach you more about all this, just

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use my search box at suzycohen.com. You will discover numerous articles on this topic, and other ways to enhance your health without all the side effects.

Finding the right balance in managing mental health can improve quality of life. Whether it’s through the

latest medications or a blend of modern and natural approaches, knowing what’s available can help you take the next step toward better mental well-being. I wish you the best!

For more information, visit SuzyCohen.com.

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Mature Focus • October 2024

19

SAV VY SENIOR You ask the SENIOR question - We find the SAVVY answer

By Jim Miller Q: If my mother needs to move into a nursing home, what are the eligibility requirements to get Medicaid coverage?

A: The rules and requirements for Medicaid eligibility for nursing

Paying for nursing home care with Medicaid

home care are complicated and will vary according to the state your mother lives in. With that said, here’s a general, simplified rundown of what it takes to qualify.

Medicaid Eligibility Medicaid, the joint federal and

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state program that covers health care for the poor, is also the largest single payer of America’s nursing home bills for seniors who don’t have the resources to pay for their own care.

(Note that some states have different names for their Medicaid program.)

Most people who enter nursing homes don’t qualify for Medicaid at first but pay for care either through long-term care insurance or out-ofpocket until they deplete their savings and become eligible for Medicaid.

To qualify for Medicaid, your mother’s income and assets will need to be under a certain level that’s determined by your state.

Most states (except California) require that a single person have no more than about $2,000 in countable assets ($3,000 for a married couple) that includes cash, savings, investments or other financial resources that can be turned into cash.

Assets that aren’t counted for eligibility include your mother’s home if it’s valued under $713,000 (this limit is higher – up to $1,071,000 – in some states), her personal possessions and household goods, one vehicle, prepaid funeral plans and a small amount of life insurance.

But be aware that while her home is not considered a countable asset to determine eligibility, if she can’t return home, Medicaid can go after the proceeds of her house to help reimburse her nursing home costs, unless a spouse or other dependent relative lives there. (There are some other exceptions to this rule.)

After qualifying, all sources of your mother’s income such as Social Security and pension checks must be turned over to Medicaid to pay for her care, except for a small personal needs allowance – usually between $30 and $160.

You also need to be aware that your mother can’t give away her assets to qualify for Medicaid faster.

Medicaid officials will look at their

financial records going back five years (except in California which has a 30-month look-back rule) to root out suspicious asset transfers. If they find one, her Medicaid coverage will be delayed a certain length of time, according to a formula that divides the transfer amount by the average monthly cost of nursing home care in their state.

For example, if your mom lives in a state where the average monthly nursing home cost is $8,000 and she gave away cash or other assets worth $160,000, she would be ineligible for benefits for 20 months ($160,000 divided by $8,000 = 20).

Spousal Protection Medicaid also has special rules (known as the community spouse resource allowance) for married couples when one spouse enters a nursing home, and the other spouse remains at home. In these cases, the healthy spouse can keep one half of the couple’s assets up to $154,140 (this amount varies by state), the family home, all the furniture and household goods and one automobile. The healthy spouse is also entitled to keep a portion of the couple’s monthly income – between $2,465 and $3,854. Any income above that goes toward the cost of the nursing home recipient’s care.

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What about Medicare?

Medicare, the federal health insurance program for seniors 65 and older, and some younger people with disabilities, does not pay for long-term care. It only helps pay up to 100 days of rehabilitative nursing home care, which must occur after a three-day hospital stay.

For more information, contact your state Medicaid office. You can also get help from your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (see ShipHelp.org), which provides free counseling on Medicare and Medicaid issues.

Jim Miller is the author of “The Savvy Senior” book.

Mature Focus • October 2024

21

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LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY: 

Answers on page 47 ACROSS 1 Willing to go along with it 9 Lyric work 12 It follows pi 15 Swindle 19 Receiving steady pay 20 Extreme agitation 22 Woman 23 Golf tee shot that goes down a mountain cliff?

25 Sheriff Taylor’s boy 26 Leaking goop 27 Suffix with hero 28 “Ho-hum” 29 Harder to find 30 Pretty soon 33 Brilliant golf shot?

38 Big continent 40 Outfielder Slaughter 41 Intertwine 42 Yearning to play golf again?

47 Bell’s ring 48 Your and my 51 Red as -52 Scarf down 53 Gift topper 54 Singer Fisher 56 Crater parts 57 Eye sore 58 Young woman who’s very skilled with metal golf clubs?

60 CBS series set in Vegas 61 “I never -- purple cow ...”

62 Actress Dunham 64 Tennis star Andre 65 Precious gem hidden among a golf course’s long grass?

70 Immediately 72 -- buco 73 In addition 74 Sigh of relief 77 Amazingly executed approach shot that a golfer recalls often?

80 “I Shot Andy Warhol” actress Taylor 81 Lhasa -82 Circus venue 83 Muffin grain 84 Tots’ batting game 86 Food intakes 87 Belittle, in hip-hop 88 Cafe freebie 90 Golfer’s cry when a wouldbe one-under-par shot almost goes in the hole?

92 Sheep group 93 Foal’s mother 94 Tears on foot 95 Lettuce or spinach cultivated in a golf putting area?

101 One of the Twin Cities 105 Bolt variety 106 Cattle call 107 Jackie’s “O” 109 Height: Prefix 110 Elliptical 111 No matter how an errant

golf shot is made?

117 Walk in shallow water 118 -- Boys (rap trio) 119 Thrombocyte 120 Winter glider 121 Mag workers 122 Likely (to) 123 Special outdoor mall event DOWN 1 “Likewise” 2 See 42-Down 3 Doolittle of “Pygmalion” 4 Places for warships 5 Is plural?

6 Life story, in brief 7 Jeans maker Strauss 8 Idyllic places 9 Slugger Mel 10 “Obviously!”

11 In advance of 12 Bronc riding event 13 Pompous 14 Corrida yell 15 2017 U.S. Open winner Stephens 16 -- pants 17 Kin of “Ciao!”

18 Clinton aide Dee Dee 21 Viral videos, e.g.

24 On Social Sec., say 29 Group of amateur sports teams playing for fun

31 32 34 35 36 37 39 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 53 55 57 58 59 61 62 63 66 67 68 69 70

“-- really true?”

Stannite yield Brand of lens solution Like spud-peeling GIs Boxing stats Damsel Tot’s “terrible” time With 2-Down, stand-up comic who co-starred on Netflix’s “GLOW” Heron cousin Rounded roof halves -- egg (flop) Native suffix In addition Having an irregular form Road 180s Italian painter Guido -Male bud From corner to corner: Abbr.

Lacking in variety, informally Grooving on Native Kiwi Christian rite Speech flaw USNA grad A part of “Get going!”

Actress Blunt Hair curler In -- rush

71 75 76 78 79 80 81

Actress Garr -- Spumante Stockings Sentenced to punishment Cap Testing site Often-restricted flying zones 84 Banks of fashion 85 Telly network, with “the” 86 By -- of (due to) 89 Hip-hop mogul Gotti 90 Belfry flier 91 Urban vehicle 92 Followed closely, as a dog 93 Cat calls 95 Gets bigger 96 Opponent 97 Sidestep 98 Works by painter Francisco 99 Thai tongue 100 Explode 102 Amtrak train 103 An archangel 104 Singer Lenya 108 Atoll unit 111 1860s prez 112 -- glance 113 Quick bark 114 Despite that 115 Multiple-PC system 116 “Addams Family” cousin

Mature Focus • October 2024

23

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☞ With holidays on the way, money is getting tight in my household. This is a fun, creative way to save a bit of cash: Plan a no-spend weekend every month, where you don’t spend any money on your activities. Your holiday savings will quickly grow. ☞ To keep my sharp kitchen scissors in the kitchen, I tied a long piece of yarn to the handle and attached it to the handle of the drawer that I keep them in.

Now, those scissors get used in the kitchen, or nowhere! ☞ Remove scuff marks from hard-surface floors (wood, linoleum, tile) with a clean tennis ball.

If your floor has many scuffs, you can poke a hole in the tennis ball and insert it on the top of your broom handle. When you hit a scuff, flip your broom over and rub. Most come off right away! ☞ Buy pretty dishtowels and tablecloths on clearance and clip them on curtain rods for a quick window treatment. ☞ This is a great, natural solution for tightening your facial pores, and it feels wonderful on tired skin, too. Start by brewing a cup of rosehip tea and pouring it into an ice-cube tray to freeze.

When it’s all frozen, take out a cube. Wrap it inside of a washcloth, and wet just the spot where the cube is. Then rub it over your face. ☞ When working with juicy items (lemons, watermelon, etc.) on a cutting board, try placing the board on a kitchen towel. When the juices run over the edge, they will be caught by the towel.

Cleanup will be easy! ☞ To clean the TV remote in my home, I dip a cotton swab into rubbing alcohol, shake off any excess and use it to gently clean the surface. I do this weekly during cold and flu season.

Your dollhouse story

By Doris Montag The dollhouses of our youth allowed us to play house. Like a modern simulation game, our dollhouses let us practice running a household and decorating a home. When first designed in the late 1500s, dollhouses were created for show.

Originating in Northern Europe, cabinet houses, now referred to as dollhouses, displayed wealth, social class and status. These cabinet houses were designed with a glass front which could be opened and closed and was typically locked. Inside the cabinet were displayed miniature handmade items reflecting one’s wealth.

By the late 1600s the dollhouse, now often just one room, transitioned to a useful teaching tool called Nuremberg kitchens. The metal kitchen might

contain only a hearth, cooking pots, and a straw broom. Girls created daily living situations within the house.

They were not learning work skills, but rather, given the era, they practiced giving orders to the cooks and servant dolls. Dollhouses taught girls how to be the lady of the house. High end models had the upstairs family living areas and the downstairs with the kitchen, laundry and servants’ work areas.

In the 1700s the Victorian dollhouse was called a “baby” house. These houses were exact replicas of the house and the interior rooms of the owner. Baby houses reflected the lifestyle of the era with finely handmade furnishings of exotic woods, metals, fabrics, and other materials. These dollhouses were created to show off.

They served as symbols of a lady’s wealth and refined tastes.

She did not need to give you a tour of her house.

She could show you around the dollhouse.

In the mid-1800s people had embraced the concept that children needed nurturing, training, and play.

The dollhouse became an object of play and fantasy.

But for most people, they were unaffordable as cus-

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A 17th century Nuremberg, Germany dollhouse.

tom-built houses. The Industrial Revolution led to mass production, making dollhouses more affordable to the middle class. Once the status symbol was gone, the dollhouse became a toy.

By the 1900s, companies in Germany, England, and the United States supplied dollhouses and furnishings of multiple sizes, styles and price ranges. Germany had been the primary manufacturer of toy dollhouses.

During WWI those factories were retooled for wartime needs. Post war, American companies began manufacturing dollhouses.

Dollhouses had a resurgence in popularity in the 1960s-1990s. Once again dollhouses served as a teaching tool allowing young girls to play house.

Children also developed their fine motor skills, spatial awareness, and critical thinking skills. Dollhouses continue to be a favorite plaything of American girls today.

Adult enthusiasts have created a thriving hobby with dollhouses and their decorations. Houses and furnishings typically come in 1:12 scale.

Barbie’s house needs 1:6 scale and there are teeny tiny houses at 1:24 scale. In each scale there is a full line of accessories which may include books, wallpaper, pets, plants, parquet flooring, and dishes. Today, technology has introduced the smart dollhouse.

In 2023, the American dollhouse market was valued at $1.25 million and is expected to reach over two million by 2031.

Follow Doris Montag on Facebook at HistoryofOrdinaryThings.

Mature Focus • October 2024

25

All the news that’s fit

By Scott LaFee Observation “Self-care is giving the world the best of you instead of what’s left of you.” - Katie Reed, American writer and mental health advocate Fiber Optics Sure, you can try to lose weight using a trendy drug like Ozempic, Wegovy or Mounjaro, assuming you can afford it. (The reported cost is at least a few hundred dollars per month - for the rest of your life.)

Or there’s a cheaper, natural way: Eat more fiber.

But maybe not just any fiber.

Researchers at the University of Arizona fed rats diets rich in five different plant-based fibers: pectin, betaglucan, wheat dextrin, starch and cellulose. They found that only the betaglucan diet resulted in rats losing body weight and fat, plus improved blood sugar homeostasis.

Beta-glucan is found in many foods, including oats, barley, mushrooms and yeasts.

Of course, what makes a skinnier rat isn’t necessarily the same for humans. Researchers plan further studies to further refine their findings, and perhaps develop enhanced fibers that might enhance a lighter you.

Body of Knowledge Most people have experienced it on occasion: those moments when your eyelid suddenly and involuntarily twitches or wiggles for a couple of seconds. They’re typically harmless and the exact cause isn’t known, though stress, lack of sleep and caffeine use have been suggested as possible causes.

The reason eyelid twitches are so noticeable is due to the muscle involved - the orbicularis oculi. This eyelid muscle is the fastest-working muscle in the human body, able to close an eyelid in less than 100 milliseconds and reopen it in about 200 milliseconds. That’s roughly equivalent of time it takes the human brain to process a single thought.

So when the orbicularis oculi muscle spasms, it really spasms.

See below if you want to know what to call these twitches.

Doc Talk Blepharospasm: An eyelid spasm that causes one or both eyes to close involuntarily. Although benign, they can become chronic and, over time, increase in frequency, making some tasks, such as staring contests, more difficult.

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More than 20% of American adults (50 million-plus) experience some sort of mental illness every year, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, and 5% encounter a more serious mental health concern every year.

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commonly reported are illnesses such as post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Fewer than 1% of Americans have schizophrenia.

Medical Myths The color of your mucus is not a clear indicator of a nasal infection.

Studies have shown that green or yellow mucus is slightly more common in certain bacterial infections, but it’s not a sure sign that you have an infection or require antibiotics. A sinus infection, for example, can produce transparent mucus.

Green or yellow mucus caused by an infection is visible evidence of dead white blood cells having done their job fighting the virus and now being flushed from the body. Red or pink mucus indicates the presence of red blood cells, maybe from blowing one’s nose too much or too hard.

Brown or orange mucus can contain old, dried blood or be the result of inhaling something brown, like dirt or cigarette smoke. Black mucus can be the result of inhaling something darker, but it might also be a symptom of a fungal infection.

Best Medicine Moments before a surgery is to begin, the surgeon says to the patient, “Relax, Jim. It’s just a small scalpel incision. No reason to panic.”

The patient replies, “Doctor, my name isn’t Jim.” The surgeon responds, “I know.

I’m Jim.” Observation “May this tusk root out the lice of the hair and the beard.” - An inscription on a 3,700-year-old lice comb (apparently made from a tusk or bone) unearthed in 2016 at an Israeli archeological site called Lachish, once a Canaanite city. The inscription, written in Sumerian, is the oldest known sentence written in an alphabet.

Join us for upcoming Club activities!

An active lifestyle for 55+ Healthy Habits Medicare Program The Quad City Plus 60 Club welcomes back the Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) volunteer team for two presentations designed to offer timely information on what’s new about Medicare for 2025.

Every year, Medicare’s open enrollment period begins on October 15 and continues thru December 7, which is when all people with Medicare can change their Medicare health plans and prescription drug coverage for the following year to better meet their needs.

SHIIP is a free, objective, and confidential service offered through the states of Iowa and Illinois to help people sort through confusing information about Medicare and health insurance. The October presentations are highly recommended for persons turning 65 in 2024 or 2025, as well as any Medicare-eligible individuals experiencing changes in personal health care needs. Come listen to either one-hour presentation and bring your questions!

Advance registration is necessary to not exceed each location’s seating capacity. Registration is now open until seating capacity is reached at each Genesis campus location.

Clip the registration form or contact Dave at 847-334-6720 to register by phone. Can’t find your Club membership number or unsure if you are a current member? Need to cancel your previously confirmed registration? Text or call Dave at 847-334-6720 and provide your name and question.

Healthy Habits - Medicare Informed choices for Medicare Open Enrollment Quad-City Plus 60 Club Event Registration Form Clip & mail completed form in time for OCT. 2 delivery to:

Plus 60 Healthy Habits, Registrar Dave Geller 5009 35th Avenue, Moline, IL 61265-6606 CHECK ONE BOX FOR WHEN & WHERE YOU WILL ATTEND TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8 THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10 1:00 p.m.

1:00 p.m.

Adler Education Center Larson Center Building Lower Level Lower Level Genesis Heart Institute Genesis Campus 1236 E. Rusholme St. 855 Illini Drive Davenport, Iowa Silvis, Illinois

Questions? Call or text Dave at 847-334-6720.

Attendee #1 ʹ Print First & Last Name on above line

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Attendee #2 ʹ Print First & Last Name on above line

Email: ___________________________________________ Cell Phone # ( ) Landline Plus 60 Membership #

Trivia Night Fundraiser Last Call for Trivia Night! Want to join the fun, but don’t have a group of 8?

Register as an individual, couple, or small group at a cost of $15/person when completing the form and you’ll be assigned to a table.You DO NOT need to be a Plus 60 Member to participate. For more information, please contact Kathy Halter at 563-265-9045 or Ron Calvert at 563-579-7414.

Collette 2025 Tour Program Please join us for the Collette Travel Program with Lora Carlson. It will be held in the lower level Adler Health Education Center at the Heart Institute building at the Genesis Davenport campus on Tuesday, October 22, 2024 from 5:00pm – 6:30pm. Lora will present Collette Tour information with time for questions on: Shades of Ireland (if not already sold out) • Bluegrass Country & the Smoky Mountains • California Dreamin’: Monterey, Yosemite, Napa • Colors of New England The Club will provide bottled water and cookies as refreshments.

Holland America Alaska Plus 60 is turning 50 in 2025 and to celebrate, we will be offering a two-week Ultimate Alaska Experience Cruise tour August 24-September 7, 2025. The first week we’ll explore by land and the second week by cruise. SAVE THE DATE: On Stage Alaska presentation of our trip by Holland America on November 1 at 6pm at Adler Health Education Center in the lower level of Genesis Heart Institute. Reserve and pay your deposit by October 31, 2024, and receive a free Kenai Fjords National Park excursion valued at $249.00! For more details, contact Connie Johnson (719) 649-2960.

Membership information and 2024 events and trip details are always readily available at qctplus60.com.

Questions? Email us at qctimesplus60@gmail.com.

Trivia Pursuit Event October 11, 2024 ± Doors open at 6:30 PM Registration Form Registration Fee for this event is $120/Table of 8 attendees. Plus 60 membership is not required.

Enclose a check payable to Quad City Plus 60 Club and mail by Oct. 4, 2024 to: Trivia Night, Attn: Kathy Halter; 1437 Birchwood Dr; Bettendorf, IA 52722 Team Name: __________________________________________ Team Contact phone # _______________________ xxx-xxx-xxxx Players:

Member # or N/A

#1 ________________________

____________

#2 ________________________

____________

#3 ________________________

____________

#4 ________________________

____________

#5 ________________________

____________

#6 ________________________

____________

#7 ________________________

____________

#8 ________________________

____________

If you have questions about this event, call Kathy Halter at 563-265-9045. Event registrations are nonrefundable but attendee substitutions are allowed at check-in at the event.

Like us on Facebook Facebook.com/Plus60

Mature Focus • October 2024

27

❖ On Oct. 28, 1775, the commander in chief of the British army, Major Gen. Sir William Howe, forbids Boston residents to leave the city. He ordered citizens to organize into military companies for the preservation of order. ❖ On Oct. 20, 1803, the U.S. Senate approves a treaty with France providing for the purchase of the territory of Louisiana, which would double the size of the United States.

President Thomas Jefferson believed it was essential for the U.S. to maintain control of the mouth of the Mississippi River. ❖ On Oct. 15, 1863, the C.S.S. Hunley, the world’s first successful combat submarine, sinks during a test run, killing its inventor and seven crewmembers. The Hunley was operated by a crew of eight one person steered while the other seven turned a crank that drove the ship’s propeller. ❖ On Oct. 21, 1918, a German Uboat submarine fires the last torpedo of World War I, as Germany ceases unrestricted submarine warfare. The torpedo sank a small British merchant ship in the Irish Sea. ❖ On Oct. 18, 1931, Thomas Alva Edison, one of the most prolific inventors in history, dies at the age of 84. Edison received little formal schooling, but he employed assistants who provided the mathematical and technical expertise he lacked. ❖ On Oct. 19, 1957, Maurice “Rocket” Richard of the Montreal Canadiens becomes the first NHL hockey player to score 500 goals in his career when he slaps a 20-foot shot past Chicago Blackhawks goalie Glenn Hall. ❖ On Oct. 17, 1968, Olympic gold medalist Tommie Smith and bronze medalist John Carlos are forced to return their awards because they raised their fists in a black-power salute during the medal ceremony, which repudiated “the basic principles of the Olympic games.” ❖ On Oct. 23, 1983, a suicide

28 October 2024 • Mature Focus

bomber drives a truck packed with explosives into the U.S. Marine barracks in Beirut, killing 241 U.S. military personnel. The Marines were part of a multinational force sent to oversee the Palestinian withdrawal from Lebanon. ❖ On Oct. 16, 1987, 18-month-old Jessica McClure is rescued after being trapped for 58 hours in an abandoned well in Texas. Rescue

workers labored for two days to drill a parallel shaft, then tunneled horizontally to connect the two shafts. ❖ On Oct. 24, 2003, the British Airways supersonic Concorde jet makes its last commercial passenger flight, traveling from New York to London. The Concorde, developed jointly by the British and French governments, began commercial service in 1976.

Classic Travels October 10, Apples and More in Speer, IL enjoy lunch and continue on with orchards over 13 varieties of apples, baked goods, a store full of gifts and more. Leave at 8:00 am, back at 5:30 pm. Price is $99 includes bus, lunch, and snacks. Payment due Monday, October 7.

November 3, “As Long as We Both Shall Live” at the Barn, Goodfield, IL. Enter the wealthy and charming Jamie Wilcox, but marrying Jamie means trouble with his disapproving mother, as well as her favorite wedding planner, Raul. When Raul is poisoned at the rehearsal dinner, tensions between the bride and her mother-in-law, go from heated to full on inferno when Mrs. Wilcox points to Addison as the killer. Leave at 9:30 am, back at 6:00 pm.

Price is $119, includes show, bus and meal. Payment due Wednesday, October 2.

November 11, 1-Day Shopping, Des Moines area. Spend time at Valley Junction shops including Yarn Junction, Isabel Bloom, Heart of Iowa and several lovely women’s boutiques. Then it’s on to Jordon Creek in West Des Moines with over 180 stores and restaurants like Apple, Brighton, Scheels, Dillard’s, Von Maur and many more. On the way home we visit the 40 Outlets in Altoona, offering stores for Vera Bradley, Nike, Skechers, Bath & Body Works and Under Armour. Leave at 6:45 am, back at 8:30 pm.

Price is $77. Payment due Wednesday, November 6.

November 14, “Miracle on 34th Street,” at the Fireside Dinner Theatre in Ft. Atkinson, WI. Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade needs a new Santa.

Kris Kringle, a sweet and jolly old man who claims that he is the real Santa Claus. Menu includes chicken and ribs and Mississippi Mud Cake for dessert. Leave at 7:00 am, back at 8:00 pm. Price is $154. Payment due Friday, October 11.

December 2-6, Branson, MO. Our first stop is at Lambert’s Café, home of the “throwed rolls.” The shows are Doug Gabriel, #1 Hits of the 60’s, Yakov Smirnoff, Hot Rods & High Heels, Clay Cooper’s Country Express, Cassandre the Voice of an Angel and the Hughes Brothers Christmas Show. Meals include Uptown Café, SS Dockside Café, Mel’s Hard Luck Diner, McFarland’s Restaurant, lunch and time on your own in historic downtown Branson. A $50 deposit holds your space. Price is $1,079 dbl and $1,299 sgl. Payment due Thursday, October 31.

Check out our website or call (563) 332-0014 Jill Kirkpatrick • 3371 Eastridge Drive • Bettendorf, IA 52722 email: jill@classictravelsllc.com • www.classictravelsllc.com

Confession time: I’m not a happy camper. I really don’t enjoy camping.

Roughing it, sleeping in a sleeping bag in a tent in the wild. No thanks.

It’s a little too quiet for me. If my hotel room faces the trees, I would consider that to be camping. But it seems like everyone’s going camping, and that got me thinking about the one camp tradition I can get behind: S’mores!

This warm, ooey, gooey treat always leaves us wanting some more.

Which is where the name is believed to originate. As in “I want s’more!”

It’s uncertain who invented the s’more, but Loretta Scott Crew, who made them for Girl Scouts by the campfire, is given credit for the recipe when it was first published in a 1927 publication called “Tramping and Trailing with the Girl Scouts.” But it wasn’t until 1974 when MerriamWebster added it to the dictionary, making it official.

Much of the fun of s’mores is cooking them with friends and family over a campfire, but if you don’t have access to a fire, don’t despair! These can be made on a BBQ, the stovetop or, my personal favorite, with a kitchen torch.

There is nothing lacking in the traditional s’more. But let’s take the humble s’more and give it a Diva makeover, because it’s what I do. We can switch out crackers and candy bars, and add some unexpected ingredients.

This way you have a ridiculously delicious finale for every BBQ, cookout or campout.

Top 10 Variations for S’mores 1. Reese’s S’more: Graham Cracker + Peanut Butter Cup + Marshmallow.

2. Chocolate Mint S’mores: Chocolate Graham Cracker + Peppermint Patty + Marshmallow.

3. Cookie S’mores: Chocolate Chip

or Oreo Cookies + Chocolate + Marshmallow.

4. Salted Caramel and Chocolate S’mores: Graham Cracker + Chocolate + Caramel Topping + Sprinkle of Coarse Sea Salt + Marshmallow.

5. Lemon Meringue Pie S’more: Graham Cracker + Lemon Curd + Marshmallow.

6. Nutella Banana S’more: Graham Cracker + Nutella + Banana Slices + Marshmallow.

7. Cheesecake S’mores: Graham Cracker + Whipped Cream Cheese + Strawberry or Raspberry Jam + Marshmallow.

8. Berries and Cream S’mores: Graham Cracker + White Chocolate + Strawberries + Marshmallow.

9. Banana Split S’mores: Graham Cracker + Chocolate + Banana Slices + Strawberry Slices + Marshmallow.

10. Black Forest S’mores: Chocolate Graham Cracker or Cookie +

Photo: JasonCoblentz.com

S’more delights: Elevate your campfire treats with these delicious twists

Grilled Cherries + Chocolate + Marshmallow.

Now that we have all these s’mores ideas to try, we’d better get started.

With or without the camping part, let’s roast some marshmallows!

Lifestyle expert Patti Diamond is the penny-pinching, party-planning, recipe developer and content creator of the website Divas On A Dime Where Frugal, Meets Fabulous! Visit Patti at divasonadime.com.

Welcoming New Retina Specialist DR. CLAYTON KIRK Dr. Clayton Kirk is fellowshiptrained and specializes in retinal detachments, macular puckers, macular holes, diabetic eye diseases, vitreous 昀oaters and secondary intraocular lens placement.

(563) 323-2020 (309) 793-2020 ESAEYECARE.COM

New patients are welcome.

Schedule your appointment today.

Mature Focus • October 2024

29

My life as a car you’re not wondering, I’m about to tell you.) You can blame it on the time of year. It’s fall, but for me, it’s also check-up season. It’s the time when all my annual medical visits come due, and with each passing year, it seems the calendar of appointments

By Susan Goldfein grows longer, and I am running from one doctor’s office to the next. My I’m not sure if I really believe in reincarnation, but I do find the notion body is no longer a singular entity, but very seductive. One can take a meas- is dissected into its separate components, each one falling under the purure of comfort in the belief that, although one’s physical body may be view of a different medical specialist.

What does this have to do with reindead, the soul can still thrive. Just carnation, you may well ask? think about it. I, or at least my soul, can start a new life in a different phys- Assuming I have some personal input ical body or form. Which leads me to as to where my soul lands in the next life, I’ve decided that I want to return ponder about my present life, and as a car. Although I’m still trying to whether my existence as Susan just decide about make and model, foreign may have been the result of transor domestic, sexy or practical, I’m migration, and in a former life I was, certain I want to spend my next golet’s say, a platypus. But a discussion around on earth as an automobile. about past lives is a topic for another Does my choice surprise you? It’s day. simple, really. At least to me. By If you’re wondering what triggered Labor Day I had visited an ophthalconsideration of reincarnation at this mologist, cardiologist, gastroenterolotime, I’m about to tell you. (Even if gist (that was the worst) periodontist, radiologist, and gynecologist.

Waiting in the wings are the dermatologist, podiatrist, internist, and at least one more, Offering a full range of Funeral Service options whose specialty Family Owned & Operated escapes me now.

(Perhaps it’s a Call Caralee to schedule a memory doctor?) pre-planning appointment today.

It’s exhausting!

When I’m a car, and it’s time for my routine checkups, will I have to make numerous appointments and drive around from waiting room to waitHalligan-McCabe-DeVries ing room? No! It Funeral Home can all be accomSince 1889 plished in a single 563.322.4438 visit to one locawww.hmdfuneralhome.com tion.

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30 October 2024 • Mature Focus

While I’ll continue to have as many moving parts as I currently do, possibly more, I will not be required to make separate appointments with a transmission expert, or a tire rotation specialist. I will not need someone with a degree in oil changes, brake examination, or piston inspection, not to mention a lube maven.

The visit won’t require my

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insurance cards, photo identification, or checking off the boxes on an endless number of forms inquiring about my medical history. The mechanic is not interested in the number of pills I take, or if there’s any possibility that I might be pregnant.

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Best of all, I will no longer be required to wear those ridiculous paper gowns that open in the front, (or is it the back?), that barely cover your anatomy no matter where you tie the strings.

When I’m a new car, the maintenance visits will be simple. But as I grow older, and some of my parts need replacing, there won’t be the hassle about finding the right specialist. The same friendly mechanic will have me up and running in no time.

All things considered, I think I’ve made a rational choice for my next life. I feel supported by the fact that, if one examines the word “reincarnation” they will surely find the clue that helped guide me in this direction.

When my mileage adds up, and it’s my time for a trade-in, I won’t be sad.

Instead, I will focus on the possibilities for my next life. Perhaps I can be something without a body altogether and be completely maintenance free.

If I do have a choice, next time around I should like to be Alexa.

Visit Susan’s blog, susansunfilteredwit.com.

Embark on a journey through the Smoky Mountains this spring and experience the perfect blend of adventure and relaxation. From exploring the vibrant landscapes of the Smokies and the charming streets of Gatlinburg to savoring Southern cuisine and thrilling shows like Dolly Parton’s Stampede, this tour offers something for everyone. Delight in guided tours, unique attractions, and the warm hospitality of our luxury motorcoach travel. Join us for an unforgettable getaway in the heart of nature’s splendor!

Visit Us Online at TrailwaysTravel.com to find a full list of tours & to sign-up for our newsletter!

319.753.2864 ext. 162 | 3211 Division St., Suite 1 | Burlington, IA 52601

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Mature Focus • October 2024

31

Bring annuals in for winter

Midnight Gardener

By Lori Rose It’s that time of year again. Frost will cause tender outdoor or tropical plants to turn black and mushy as soon as the thermometer reaches 32 degrees. Why not try bringing some of those annuals or tropicals indoors for the winter? A bright window or fluorescent lights on a timer will keep them, and you, happy over the dreary days of winter. Beware of either hot or cold drafts, and of placing plants too close to radiators or hot air outlets. The plants may not flower or look their best in February, but if you can hold out until the frost has passed, you can bring them back outside again for another season of lush beauty.

The easiest plants to store over the winter are the bulbs and tubers that are not frost hardy, such as cannas, caladiums, elephant’s ears, gladiolas and dahlias. Dig the tubers up after frost has killed the foliage. Cut off the stems and leaves and let the tubers rest and dry for several days in a cool place, like a shelf in the garage or shed. Store the tubers in labeled paper bags filled with peat moss. Check the bags now and then over the winter,

• Tree Trimming

and remove any tubers that have visibly rotted to prevent the others from rotting as well.

The next easiest plants to store over the winter are the frost-sensitive ones that can be grown as houseplants, including fuchsia, bougainvillea, and hibiscus, tropical such as bananas, palms and citrus trees. You can also try begonias and annual geraniums.

When night temperatures dip Annuals can be brought inside and thrive with into the 40s, gradually reduce the proper care. light levels by moving plants from sun to light shade to heavy moved indoors where there is less shade over the course of one week. light, and will help it naturally resist Then, inspect the plants carefully, removing any dead, damaged, or dis- diseases and insects. Kelp also has micronutrients that give plants a boost eased parts, and any visible insects.

Wash the leaves and stems and allow to make the transition from outdoors to indoors easier. Even if some old them time to dry. Spray the entire leaves drop, new ones will sprout plant (upper and lower surfaces of when the plant has adjusted to its new leaves) with insecticidal soap or spot. neem. Before repotting, submerge In the spring, wait until the danger each pot in a bucket of water. This of frost is past and then cut plants will cause any insects crawling in the back by about one-third before transsoil to float to the top. planting them back into the garden.

Repot each plant using a clean pot Keep them shaded and well-watered and fresh indoor potting soil, as garfor a few days as they make the tranden soil is not suitable for indoor use. sition back to the outdoors.

Once the plant is potted up, water it Now that you’ve decided which of and place it in a shady spot to recover your lovely annuals and tropicals to and prepare for its journey indoors. bring inside, how about some pretty Keep these plants away from existing plants that can take some frost and indoor plants and watch them careliven up your autumn garden. fully for signs of pests.

Mums offer show-stopping color You may want to try watering with very little care. Mums look newly repotted plants with kelp. This beautiful in containers and can can reduce the plant’s shock at being replace tired annuals that are past

• Tree Removal

Call: 563-396-3894 $.*- ')%-,,.10"011#10 -+1& *!//(+/. *%(.,"./-+,/- &,/./ *&(+'' -) ,./-+,/-)$.#+!./

32 October 2024 • Mature Focus

ART MONUMENTS IN STONE S O MONUMENTS ONUM MEN MEN MARKERSS Family Owned & Operated 1406 W. Locust, Davenport • (563) 323-8807 1800 11th Street, Rock Island • (309) 786-8134 Serving the Quad Cities Community Since 1904

their prime in landscape beds. A combination of early, mid-season and late blooming mums will provide color from mid-August to early November and are long-lived if properly cared for.

Mums can also be treated as annuals, easily replaced as flowers fade with later blooming varieties, and removed from the garden at the end of the season each year.

Ornamental cabbage and kale offer interesting texture and color to complement your mums. Many varieties have creamy or rosy centers, and

leaves that are frilly or scalloped.

Try saving some of your favorite summer plants over the winter. It will be so rewarding to plant them outside again next spring.

Lori Rose, the Midnight Gardener, is a Temple University Certified Master Home Gardener and member of the GWA: The Association for Garden Communicators. She has been writing about gardening for over twenty years. Email Lori at midnightgardener@hotmail.com.

By Lucie Winborne ✐ Beethoven went out of his way to ensure his morning coffee was made with exactly 60 beans per cup. ✐ In the hit film “Back to the Future,” the time machine was originally an old fridge. According to HuffPost, “Ultimately, it was determined that it probably was not a good idea to use a refrigerator in such a manner as kids might want to reenact the scene.” ✐ Up until the beginning of the 19th century, models were not used to showcase clothes. Fashion companies would use dolls instead. ✐ Pentheraphobia is the intense and disproportionate fear of your mother-in-law. ✐ To ensure Queen Elizabeth II received her food on time, clocks in the royal kitchen at Windsor Castle were set five minutes ahead. ✐ While they might look the same, Jenga blocks have subtle differences in dimensions to make their construction less stable. Each brick is a different size and weight, so no two games are alike. ✐ As a souvenir from his trip to the Middle East, French author Gustave Flaubert brought home a mummy’s foot and kept it on his working desk. ✐ Herrings communicate through flatulence. ✐ In 1916, Adeline and Augusta Van Buren became the first women to travel across the country on two solo motorcycles. They made it despite frequently being arrested for the “crime” of wearing pants. ✐ Galileo’s middle finger is on display at the Museo Galileo in Florence, Italy. ✐ In 2009, a team of scientists searched Scotland’s Loch Ness for evidence of Nessie. While the fabled monster remained elusive, they at least recovered more than 100,000 golf balls.

Mature Focus • October 2024

33

Healthy Eyes: Yikes, is that blood in my eye?

It’s helpful to know a little bit of the anatomy. The white of the eye is the A subconjunctival hemorrhage is a sclera, above this layer is a thin clear layer of tissue called the conjunctiva. very common cause of a red eye Within this layer there are many tiny seen in the clinic. Many times a red fragile blood vessels. If one of these eye has other symptoms associated blood vessels happens to break or with it, such as pain, redness or discharge. What make a subconjunctival bursts, a subconjunctival hemorrhage is created as the blood becomes hemorrhage unique is that many trapped between those two layers. If times the patient is unaware of it this happens the eye truly appears unless someone else points it out or blood red usually in one sector, or they look in a mirror. one quadrant of the eye.

To understand it a little bit better.

There can be many causes of a subconjunctival hemorrhage including straining, coughing, or heavy lifting. Trauma, and eye surgery, such as LASIK can also cause these. Patients who have high blood pressure or patients who are on

blood thinners such as aspirin or Coumadin may be at a higher risk for developing them.

No treatment is needed for a subconjunctival hemorrhage, as many resolve on their own in one to two weeks without any problems. Rarely

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34 October 2024 • Mature Focus

Photo: JeffUK

By Chad Kluver, O.D.

A subconjunctival hemorrhage typically resolves on it’s own in one to two weeks, is rarely painful, and any discomfort can be aleviated by artificial tears.

is there any pain with these, but sometimes the eye can be a little irritated or the patient may feel some discomfort. If this happens patients can use artificial tears, as needed, for comfort. Typically, while a subconjunctival hemorrhage resolves, the eye may appear to change color, just as a common bruise does. If these become a recurrent problem for the patient a blood work up may be advised to rule out any underlying clotting or bleeding problems.

Dr. Kluver, is an Optometrist with Eye Surgeons Associates and practices in Bettendorf, IA. He focuses on providing comprehensive eye care for patients and is involved in co-managing cataract surgery patients. For more information, please see our website: www.esaeyecare.com.

The material contained in this article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider.

Mouth-watering facts about pizza K The word pizza dates back over a thousand years; it was first mentioned in a Latin text written in southern Italy in 997 CE. K The first pizza place in America was Lombardi's in New York City. Originally opened as a grocery store, Lombardi's started selling pizza in 1905 and is still operating today.

K At first, pizzas were sold exclusively by the pie. But in 1933, Patsy Lancieri (of Patsy's Pizzeria in New York City) started selling pizza by the slice - a trend that was quickly picked up by other pizzerias.

K Domino's was founded in 1960. The restaurant chain's founder, Tom Monaghan, is one of three people in the world who hold an advanced degree in “Pizza-ology” from the Domino's College of Pizzaology - a business management program he founded in the 1980s.

K Pizza has also helped prevent several crimes: In 2008 when a pizza delivery man in Florida was confronted by robbers, he threw the hot pizza he was delivering at them and escaped harm.

K In 2001, Pizza Hut delivered a six-inch salami pizza to the International Space Station - the first pizza delivered to outer space.

K The U.S. Military Lab recently invented a ready-to-eat pizza that can last for up to three years. The pizza is intended for soldiers abroad who are craving a slice … and also presumably for anyone preparing for a zombie apocalypse.

K The four primary kinds of mozzarella used to make pizza are mozzarella di bufala (made from the milk of water buffalo in Italy, and used on Neapolitanstyle pizzas), fior di latte (similar to mozzarella di bufala, but made from cow’s milk), burrata (a fresh

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K But spinning pizza dough isn’t just for show: It’s the best Saturday 8-4 • Sunday 10-4 way to evenly spread dough, create a uniform crust, and even 125 Exhibitors helps the dough retain moisture.

Admission $6 K According to legend, the “Pizza Margherita” takes its name from Queen Margherita of Savoy who, in 1889, sampled First Annual Show three pizza flavors made by East Moline, Illinois master pizza chef Raffaele Esposito and expressed a preferBend XPO Center ence for the version topped with tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil, and designed to resemble the Italian flag. Nice story - and Friday 3-9 • Saturday 9-5 while the Queen did eat 150 Exhibitors Esposito's pizza, there's no evidence of what was on the Admission $6 menu, and a lot of skepticism that this was mostly a marketing ALL SHOWS scheme concocted (complete with forged historical documents!) to FREE PARKING boost business.

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Mature Focus • October 2024

35

Talking Digital: The future is here

By Adam Cochran

are starting to place it on exercise equipIn July of 2023, I wrote about a ment, food packagnew trend that was all the rage within ing, and even comthe tech world, “Artificial pletely analog items, Intelligence.” Or, as the cool kids call such as reading it, AI (also, cool kids don’t put glasses, and camping periods after the initials). equipment.

I revisited the topic in September Artificial and October because the topic was Intelligence is a selftoo robust to cover in a single coldefining term. It is, umn. My goal, then, was to prepare in fact, intelligence readers that they were about to be that is synthetic. I inundated with the term AI or would love to go Artificial Intelligence over the comdown the philosophiing year. cal and physiological Well, the future is here. Based on rabbit hole of definpast market-driving buzzwords such ing intelligence, but as HD, “Next Gen,” broadband, and almost all definitions interactive, I anticipated that comapply. Intelligence panies would begin using AI to mar- can be the ability to ket anything. process, curate, Companies aren’t only using AI to organize, remember, market home appliances, smartanticipate, recognize, judge, or calcuphones, and computer programs, they late. Intelligence does not mean, “think.” Living beings use their ability to think as a part of demonstrating intelligence.

However, much of what we measure on standardized tests as “intelligence” has more to do with recall or the ability to perform a task efficiently. Thinking is a process that involves abstract considerations like ethics, imagination, Alternatives provides professional relative variables, guidance to maintain independence for critical thinking, or older adults, adults with disabilities, creativity. and their families In other words, artificial intelligence is computer programming that (800) 798-0988 uses existing data alternativesforyou.org to provide new data that is derivative, augmented, and/or aggregated

36 October 2024 • Mature Focus

based on existing patterns and data.

Artificial intelligence is not actual intelligence, nor is it sentience (feels emotions and pain) or self-aware (autonomously aware of itself as an entity).

Now that AI has become a buzzword, it’s important to be able to distinguish the difference between beneficial and irrelevant uses of the term. There are also countless ways that AI is being implemented into products specifically so companies can train and improve their own proprietary AI platforms.

AI can be extremely useful for performing tasks such as gathering data, making predictions, and generating conceptual art and designs based on existing precedents. But, AI cannot innovate, empathize, or value beyond the measuring standards it has been programmed to implement.

Artificial intelligence can solve problems. But, whether those problems are sufficient for the client, conditions, market, culture, or sensitivities of the intended use is a decision that can only be made by a human.

Great uses for AI include spelling and grammar checking, curating and organizing complex data, or

generating a tintype photo of Abraham Lincoln holding his therapy octopus on a city bus.

There is no magic or creative intellect behind AI technology. It analyzes all available data and provides results based on patterns and preferences that it “learns” through trial and error.

As people use AI-enabled technology, the computers keep track of how users respond to what is generated. AI computers create or modify algorithms based on whether users approve, use, or delete results the system generates.

Essentially, AI replicates the process that humans use to learn a skill, craft, or fundamental understanding.

Humans learn by mastering what is known and augmenting that knowledge into something that meets their custom needs or interests. That is also how artificial intelligence works.

When I asked Chat-GPT to write a poem describing French Fries from the perspective of a pigeon in Central Park, it gave me a poem that would probably receive a B- in a 12th-grade poetry class: In Central Park, where shadows play, I wander in the light of day, A humble pigeon, eyes alight, On golden fries, a pure delight.

They tumble down like crispy rain, From picnics on the grassy plain,

With every crunch, my heart does soar, Oh fries, I dream of you once more.

Of course, the computer doesn’t appreciate poetry, but it can generate a fitting poem by curating, analyzing, and aggregating everything humans have written about poetry as well as all examples of poems that humans have assessed as “good poetry.”

Artificial intelligence is a frightening technology for teachers, artists, and anyone whose job involves knowing how to make stuff based on the rigid rules of a skill or craft. But, are those types of jobs, skills, and processes truly taking work from humans, or was our educational system and industry built on the premise of turning humans into machines?

Perhaps AI technology is just another example of humans being forced to recognize their humanity as the machines take their proper place as machines.

This isn’t a new phenomenon, the process augmenting the work of humans with the abilities of machines dates back to the oldest tools.

Perhaps a positive perspective on AI, that doesn’t get discussed much, is that AI technology is forcing humans to reconsider how we value intelligence compared to human traits, such as creativity, emotion, compassion, empathy, ethics, excitement, risk, or relationships.

The value of humanity isn’t within our intelligence, it’s within our ability to see that the best answers are not always the right answers. And the most perfectly calculated and quantified solution isn’t necessarily the most appropriate.

Send your technology questions to Adam in care of Mature Focus, or email him at AdamC@Talking Digital.org

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37

FINANCIAL FOCUS

Whom should you choose as a trustee?

®

By Edward Jones When drawing up your estate plans, you might find it useful to create a revocable or irrevocable trust, either of which can help your estate avoid probate court and give you significant control over how and when your assets are distributed. But who should oversee your trust?

As the person who established the

trust - known as the “grantor” or “settlor” - you can also name yourself as trustee. However, this may not be the best move, particularly if the trust is irrevocable. An irrevocable trust protects the assets in the trust from creditors and civil judgments, but if you serve as trustee, this protection will disappear. It might be more advantageous for you to be the trustee of a revocable (living) trust, which can be modified without much trouble and allows you to move assets in and out of the trust and to change trust benefi-

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ciaries. You should work with a qualified estate-planning attorney to determine which type of trust, if any, is appropriate for your situation, and to get some guidance on the wisdom of serving as your own trustee.

Instead of choosing an individual, you could name a corporate trustee.

If you decide to choose someone else as trustee, you’ll want to consider the following factors: • Trust – In thinking about whom you might want to serve as your trustee, the most important attribute is trust. Do you trust that this individual will always act in your best interest?

If so, then they may be a good trustee candidate, but you’ll also need to look at other considerations.

• Financial management skills – The person you choose to be your trustee doesn’t have to be an accountant or a financial professional — but they should be skilled at managing their own finances. And they should be well-organized and good with details.

• Mental and physical fitness – Your trustee could serve in that position for many years, so you’ll want to name someone who is in good physical and mental health. Of course, things can change over time, so if you observe that your chosen trustee has begun to suffer physical or mental decline, you may need to name a successor trustee in your trust document.

• Conflict of interest – You want your trustee to carry out your wishes in a fair manner — so, you should pick someone who doesn’t have a conflict of interest with any of the beneficiaries you’ve named in your trust. Of course, this can be tricky if you want to name a family member

as trustee. So, if you do, you’ll need to spell out your wishes clearly — to the trustee and to other family members.

Here’s something else to think about: Instead of choosing an individual, you could name a corporate trustee. By doing so, you can receive some key benefits, such as objectivity and potentially avoiding some of the family-related disputes that can arise when an estate is settled. Also, corporate trustees have the expertise and

resources to navigate the various tax and inheritance laws affecting living trusts.

Whether it’s a trusted individual or a corporate entity, the right trustee can make a big difference in the effectiveness of your living trust — and, by extension, the outcome of your comprehensive estate plans. So, start your search, get the help you need and take the steps necessary to arrive at a

choice for trustee that’s right for you and your family.

This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor. Edward Jones, its employees and financial advisors cannot provide tax or legal advice. You should consult your attorney or qualified tax advisor regarding your situation.

Edward Jones, Member SIPC.

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Mature Focus • October 2024

39

Mayo Clinic Q & A: Are sleep and dementia connected?

By Diego Z. Carvalho, M.D., Sleep Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota Q: I’ve never been a great sleeper, and that’s gotten worse as I age. Now, I see more and more news about poor sleep being a risk for dementia. But then I’ve also heard that too much sleep is also a health problem. What does the science say? And how can I improve my sleep?

A: Everyone has different sleep needs, but generally, about seven hours a night is recommended for a healthy adult.

While research has shown too little or too much sleep can be detrimental to one’s health, the relationship between insufficient sleep and poorer health outcomes is better understood.

Research has shown that too little sleep raises the risk of dementia and even death.

Sleep is as vital to our health as eating or drinking. During sleep, multiple cells and tissues are restored, and the immune system, hormones and blood pressure are regulated.

Research has shown too little or too much sleep can be detrimental to one’s health.

During sleep, nerve cells in our brain make new connections. Called neuroplasticity, this rewiring of the brain helps us process the continuous information humans accumulate while awake.

Perhaps more importantly to prevent dementia, sleep promotes clearance of toxic proteins that accumulate in the brain while we’re awake that may be linked to Alzheimer’s disease or other neurodegenerative processes.

However, it is unclear whether an increase in sleep duration at night is a risk factor for dementia. As we age, our sleep patterns change, with more sleep disruption, awakening and gen-

erally poorer ability to maintain sleep.

Increased sleep at night in some people may help to compensate for more sleep instability, which may be better than getting too little sleep.

Perhaps more concerning is how people feel during the day. Excessive daytime sleepiness despite sufficient sleep at night as well as increased frequency and duration of naps - particularly in people who have never been habitual nappers - have been associated with increased risk for dementia or accumulation of Alzheimer’s disease proteins in the brain.

Increased sleepiness and daytime naps may signal poorer-quality sleep at night or dysfunction of brain regions related to wakefulness. It’s also possible to have changes in sleep patterns related to our internal clock, known as circadian rhythm.

This rhythm takes cues from the environment, such as light, darkness, mealtimes and physical activity.

As we age, the circadian rhythm becomes less responsive to environmental factors, increasing the need to maintain a regular schedule.

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Research has shown that Alzheimer’s disease starts much earlier than the onset of cognitive symptoms such as memory loss. Early on, the process affects areas of the brain responsible for sleep, circadian rhythm and wakefulness. More study is needed to understand if poor sleep quality may be both a cause and a consequence of the disease process.

While we can’t control all the factors involved in sleep, these tips can help build habits to encourage better sleep: T Stay on a sleep schedule: Although some people can do well with less, adults typically need seven to eight hours of sleep. Go to bed and get up at the same time every day.

That’s your sleep-wake cycle, including weekends. If you don’t fall asleep in about 20 minutes, leave your bedroom and do something relaxing. Go back to bed when you’re tired.

Repeat as needed, but maintain your sleep-wake cycle.

T Watch what you eat and drink: If you’re too full or hungry, it

may be hard to sleep. Stimulants in stress: Sometimes our worries keep nicotine and caffeine take hours to us awake. Help yourself by setting wear off. Alcohol might make you priorities, getting organized and delsleepy, but it can disrupt sleep later at egating tasks. Try meditation to ease night. anxiety.

T Create a restful environment: For anyone who feels like their Keep your room cool, dark and quiet. sleep routine - too little or too much Avoid light-emitting screens before – is a problem, a visit to a health care bed. professional may be in order.

T Limit naps: Most adults respond better to short naps (20-30 minutes) to avoid getting into deep Mayo Clinic Q & A is an educasleep and waking from the nap feeltional resource and doesn’t replace ing groggy. regular medical care.

Avoid napping late in the day.

E-mail a question to MayoClinic However, if you work nights, you Q&A@mayo.edu. For more informamight need to nap before work. tion, visit mayo clinic.org.

T Get active: Exercise can promote better sleep, but it’s best to avoid activity close to bedtime.

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41

Navigating life’s staircase

By Lynn Walker Gendusa

den. Mollie Sparks never complained about her sagging porch, the rickety Three concrete block steps rose from rockers, or shattered dreams. the street to my great-grandmother’s She was a petite powerhouse, standhouse. The withering front porch ing under five feet tall and weighing a sagged a bit, but it was still good mere 88 pounds. Yet, her strength was enough to sit in wobbly rockers while not to be underestimated. Mollie stringing the green beans from her gar- Randolph Sparks, a devout Baptist,

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never missed a church service. When she wasn’t at the First Baptist, she was quilting, canning, hoeing, cooking, or cleaning. The word “impossible” was not in Mollie’s dictionary, a testament to her resilience after her husband’s fatal tragic sawmill accident just before the birth of her last child.

When I was young, I thought my great Grandmother Sparks would never die. I mean, death surely couldn’t kill such a mighty person.

Age never stopped her, so how could it win? I figured some folks would just stay around forever, and she was one.

I was in my preteen years when I realized I could be wrong. My grandmother (aka Grandpa), her daughter, and I were leaving for church one Sunday morning. As we headed to Mom’s waiting car out front, they walked ahead of me by a few paces.

Just as they reached the concrete steps, Grandpa took her mother’s arm to help her down.

“Mama, let’s slowly navigate these old steps, so you won’t fall.” Grandpa gently said. I was waiting for Mollie to slap her silly, but instead, I heard her say, “Thank you, honey, I reckon I could use the help.”

After the church service and while I was away from the family, Grandpa pulled me aside. “Lynn, why do you seem so sad?”

I blurted out, “Grandpa, I am never helping you down the stairs! Never!”

She looked shocked and declared, “Why?!”

“Grandpa, if I help you down the stairs like you helped your mother, it means you are old, and I don’t want you to grow old and die!”

Tears welled in my eyes as she held me tightly without saying a word because she understood what I began to understand…one day, she would be gone.

Years passed, and so did Grandmother Sparks and many others who once sat on the old, withering porch and in the pews at the Baptist church. When Grandpa was in her 90s, we went shopping in town. She was healthy, but as we headed down

some steep stairs at the local store, I held her arm to support her descent.

She quickly pulled her arm away.

“Grandpa, why don’t you let me help you?”

“You once told me that you would never help me down the stairs because it would mean I was near death, and you couldn’t handle that!” I smiled as I recalled when and how I learned life can end even for little giants.

Grandpa navigated those store steps and lived another six years before she climbed the staircase to heaven.

During last year’s holidays, my college-aged granddaughter, her aunt Amy, and I enjoyed a casual conversation. Amy asked me if I thought I would live to be as old as Grandpa.

I answered, “I doubt it, but I would like to live as long as my father.”

Avery questioned, “How old was he when he died?”

“85,” I answered.

Avery’s eyes widened as saucers when she quickly did the math and realized that wasn’t too many years away.

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“Grandma! That can’t happen! I need you to be here when I have children!”

I understood she had just realized that my life would eventually end, and until that moment, she had believed I would live forever.

When we love someone deeply, it’s hard to fathom a day when their voices are silenced, their comforting embrace is gone, and we are left to climb the stairs of life without them.

While we should not dwell on death, we should pay better attention to living and how we navigate life.

Do we appreciate the beauty of those who sat on a sagging porch in a wobbly rocker?

Are the stories we leave behind worthy of being shared by many? Do we ask for wise support to guide us through treacherous times? These questions remind us to live fully and with thankfulness.

We are accustomed to

living without thinking about such things, but the essential things we choose to ignore could lead to ignorance. If we live with the mindset that today is our last day and give it our best, would we not believe that tomorrow could be better for all?

Or do we think about such things too late?

Lynn Walker Gendusa is a newspaper columnist in Georgia. She is the author of “It’s all WRITE with Me: Essay’s from My Heart” and her newest, “Southern Comfort.” She can be reached at lynngendusa.com.

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Mature Focus • October 2024

43

Mature Focus Volunteer Spotlight

By Ken Ferris

The spotlight volunteer in September was Jill Finn, a volunteer who supports people suffering the loss of a spouse or loved one.

The focus this month is on Kim McCool and her leadership of The St. Francis of Assisi Pet Ministry and Pet Loss Support Group.

Kim is 68, lives on a small farm in Davenport, and is a grandmother. She graduated from the University of Iowa in 1978 with a Bachelors of Business Administration degree. She spent the next 30 years employed by IBM, Moline. She is now retired.

Over the years Kim has had several avocations. She is a certified riding instructor, a certified porcelain art teacher (travelling around the U.S.), and was juried into the largest miniature art show (Miniature Art Show Society of Florida) in the United States.

Kim completed two pet loss training courses and received

44 October 2024 • Mature Focus

certification in Pet Chaplaincy.

“One was an extensive 16-week course. It was invaluable to opening my mind and heart to pet loss,” she shared.

As a volunteer, Kim introduced the St. Francis of Assisi Pet Ministry in 2022 located at St. John Vianney Catholic Church, Bettendorf.

The ministry’s mission: promote compassion for all God’s creatures and to encourage pet owners and caretakers with love; to support all who care about animals with prayer and action.

When asked how much time she devotes to this ministry, Kim said, “On average, ten hours a week with therapy dog visits and when conducting the five week Pet Loss Support seminar, another 3-4 hours a week, plus 2-3 hours per month speaking with people, sending sympathy cards, and sending prayer chain requests for a pet keeper whose pet companion has passed.”

In the past eight weeks Kim has invested an additional six hours a week creating and launching a Jr. Handler Therapy Dog scholarship program.

Frankie (pictured) is a two-year-old miniature

Kim McCool and Frankie, a two-year-old Aussie Labradoodle.

Aussie Labradoodle. He is certified through the Alliance of Therapy Dogs. Frankie has accompanied Kim over 200 visits, earning the title “Therapy Dog Excellent” Pet Loss Coping Strategies

by Alan D. Wolfelt, Ph.D. and author of “When Your Pet Dies” t Acknowledge the death t Allow yourself to hurt t Remember the pet that died t Find new responsibilities t Find friends for support t Find your own faith for your heart

“Kim has brought a new dimension to loving our pets!

Her activities highlight the needs of pets in shelters and her advocacy for setting up vaccination clinics for pet owners with limited resources has never been done in this community. She recognizes the need to support pet owners through the transition of pet loss by facilitating a pet loss group. God bless Kim McCool!”

- Chris McCormick Pries, Health Minister, St. John Vianney Catholic Church, Bettendorf

award. They visit hospices, all local hospital campuses, nursing homes, special needs friends, behavioral health facilities, schools, and libraries. “Wherever we are invited,” Kim emphasized.

Currently there are 55 volunteers in the program. The only requirement is that you love animals. The ministry is non-denominational.

Kim shared two memorable experiences: “I had a touching conversation with a lady in ICU who was being moved to hospice. She

was appreciative of us being there and loved how Frankie simply layed next to her while we talked. She didn’t stop petting him and loving him.” Also: “My friends and I were at a middle school for career day with our therapy dogs. One young girl came over to pet Frankie. She asked a lot of questions about therapy dogs. Then she inquired, ‘Why do you do this?’ My reply: We make people happy.”

Kim added, “We hope by sharing our sweet pups, we can help people get through their difficult day, that we might make their days brighter and bring them a bubble of joy. That’s why we do what we do.”

Do you know a volunteer who deserves to be recognized? Mature Focus is highlighting Quad City volunteers who go above and beyond for their community, making a positive difference in the lives of others. Email nominees to Kevin Ferris at kevin@maturefocus92.com and tell us why your nominee deserves special recognition for his or her exceptional service.

Ken Ferris is the founder and former publisher of Mature Focus.

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45

The battle against my email is simply unwinnable

By Ana Veciana-Suarez I don’t give up easily. In fact, I pride myself in fighting the good fight, in tilting at windmills, in forever pushing the boulder uphill like the mythical Sisyphus. Some battles however, are unwinnable.

My fight with email is one of them.

I no longer believe I can tame my inbox. I’ve surrendered. I’ve succumbed. I’ve come to accept — finally and with reluctance — that Inbox Zero will not happen anytime soon, maybe not even in my lifetime.

It wasn’t always so. I clearly remember the advent of email, the wonder of it, how this form of communication, so quick and accessible, would transform our lives. Like so many of my friends and colleagues, I was delighted with its promise. Way back in the late 1990s, the last thing on my mind was that this new technology would become an albatross, a

reminder that there will always be something pending. Something I cannot master.

So, yes, email was transformational, but the price of convenience turned out to be steep, proof that the simplicity of modern life often serves as a disguise for unexpected complications. A wolf in sheep’s clothing.

For example, if I don’t check my email regularly, my inbox balloons into the hundreds in spite of spam filters and my zealous unsubscribing efforts. Overwhelming, this onslaught. Surprisingly stressful, too. It feels like a perpetually uncompleted chore.

Though I’ve managed to establish a control system of sorts, it doesn’t work as well as I’d like. For every email I delete, a dozen others pop in to take its place. What’s more, though I try to ignore that red-circled number on the right-hand corner of my smartphone email icon, it always seems to draw my eye and my curiosity. I hate to admit that I’m one of those people who scrolls through her email while waiting in a checkout line or sitting at the doctor’s office.

As if by not checking in I might miss some-

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thing important, news so consequential that I might regret ignoring it.

But here’s the hard truth: Most of

my email is junk, plain and simple.

Titillating junk, but junk nonetheless.

And yet…and yet. Those electronic missives can be addicting if you’re not careful.

Here’s a sampling from a recent

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By the way, these subject-line descriptions don’t include other tasty tidbits from my email buffet. I receive emails asking for political donations, emails begging for signatures on petitions, emails reminding me of expiring subscriptions, emails selling shoes, swimsuits, sofas, guns, houses, and pretty much everything I don’t need.

How about the dangerous phishing emails from “companies” warning that my credit card has been compromised or that my electric (or cable or cellphone) bill is past due? All fake.

And let’s not forget the official-looking money requests from Nigerian princes and foreign banks that inform me I need to claim an inheritance.

All this flotsam is annoying, even dangerously so. Worst of all: the staggering number of spam emails makes the truly worthy ones — from friends, from family, from newsletters I follow — all that much more difficult to find. Junk buries the fun notifications, like those from our family friend Noel who specializes in the funniest jokes ever.

But enough about my email fatigue.

Sometimes it’s necessary to throw in the proverbial towel and move on.

Sorry not-sorry, my once-beloved email, but it’s time for me to cool a relationship that at its best, was very one-sided.

Ana Veciana-Suarez writes about family and social issues. Email her at avecianasuarez@gmail.com or visit anavecianasuarez.com.

Mature Focus • October 2024

47

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