It’s a song from the score composed by Sergei Prokofiev for Sergei Eisenstein’s 1938 film Alexander Nevsky. You may want to add this movie to your Netflix queue. It has a 91% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. TV Guide says “Sergei Eisenstein’s classic tale of 13th century Russia is as magnificent today as it must have been in 1938.” I’ll take their word for it.
I’ve really got you hooked now don’t I? Wait until you read what follows.
“Russia Under the Mongolian Yoke” refers to the period of Mongol domination over the Kievan Rus’ from the early 13th century until the late 15th century.
Absolutely fascinating don’t you think?
Bet you didn’t realize you’d learn about Russian history today. And this from a guy who wrote about his love of Doritos in last month’s column. Obviously my writing talents can touch a variety of subjects. From the boring, (Russian history) to the delectably satisfying (Doritos). Now I will try to tie these two subjects together. My so-called talents will be tested. How exactly did I fall on the song
From the Desk of the Publisher
By K e v in F erri s
“Russia Under the Mongolian Yoke”? It actually started with last month’s column about Doritos. I received an email from a reader who thought I would enjoy the book, The Dorito Effect, which I’m currently close to finishing. The book explores the relationship between flavor and food and argues that the artificial flavors used in processed foods, like Doritos, have changed our perception of taste and our relationship with real food. It hasn’t, however, changed the fact that I’m still eating them. This I’m sure comes as a disappointment to another reader who wished I would google for myself and see how bad these are for us.
Note to reader: I understand your position, but I can’t just throw them out. I have to at least eat what I have on hand. Plus, those Spicy Sweet Chili Doritos are so good and addicting! The book does explain why this is so.
The book also references a research study done at the University of Illinois where 61 overweight or mildly obese women answered an ad for carbohydrate cravers. To qualify, they had to experience afternoon or evening urges to eat carbohydrate rich, protein poor snacks between meals at least four times per week in what the study termed emotional eating episodes. They were then asked to recall a sad memory while simultaneously listening through headphones to “Russia Under the Mongolian Yoke.”
Finally! The connection is made. The author calls it a piece of music that is more miserable than it’s name suggests. Valery Gergiev, artistic
director of the Bolshoi Theatre, has stated his opinion that Prokofiev’s music for the film is “the best ever composed for the cinema.” I guess it depends on who you listen to.
I immediately wanted to hear it.
The problem is Google. I can’t stand Google and I hate to google anything. Including “Russia Under the Mongolian Yoke.”
Between user accounts, cookies, search history, location tracking, analytics, third-party tracking and integration services, Google seems to know everything about me.
The last thing I need is for Google to know I searched “Russia Under the Mongolian Yoke.”
I realize I can adjust my settings or use incognito or private browsing modes to limit tracking, but this does not always work. Googling something usually happens innocently enough and then before you know it, bam! Mongolian yoke stories. The last thing I want to experience is a Russia, Mongolian or yoke rabbit hole.
I now conduct all my searching on DuckDuckGo, which is great for privacy and browsing the web without being tracked.
Because nothing screams “good times” quite like a catchy chorus about the mongol invasion that makes you want to cry over the collective suffering of a nation. So grab your balalaika and rock out to some seriously medieval vibes.
Program for Family Caregivers of People with Chronic Illnesses
• We know caregiving can be stressful
• This program will teach:
• stress management techniques
• relaxation and coping strategies
• Program available at no cost
Who: Family caregivers
What: Multi-component program meets
• 90 minutes/ week for 9 weeks
• Groups of up to 8 people
Where: Alternatives
3800 Ave of the Cities, Suite 101 Moline, IL 61265
When: First Session is Monday, April 14th, 2025 10 am – 11:30 am
By Lynn Walker Gendusa
He was seventeen, ready to begin his last year of high school. This handsome, happy fellow looked forward to playing football and his favorite, Lacrosse. He loved rooting for the underdog, kidding his little sister, Greta, and bringing his South Dakota ways to the suburbs of Atlanta. He was a rare kid whose mission was to make all around him light up with smiles, anchored by his unwavering faith.
Carter Davis never entered his senior year, picked up another ball, nor laughed again. He, along with Natalie Henderson, was murdered behind a grocery store just a few miles from my home on August 1, 2016. Mental illness mixed with a gun claimed all the tomorrows waiting for Carter and Natalie.
My grandmother declared, “If you can walk through pain and survive, you find the courage you never dreamed you could possess on the other side.” However, losing a child is suffering beyond most of our comprehension. How could anyone endure such grief, especially when a young life ends so horrifically abruptly?
Carter was born into a family of bravery and enormous faith. Michele Davis is Carter's mom. Her blond hair frames a face that, like her son, lights up space, as she did sitting at my breakfast table on a recent afternoon.
Some people walk into our lives and change us. We are unsure how they arrived or why, but God moves the
On a warriors wings
wheel to join folks at intersections in mysterious ways. I am honored to tell a piece of her story, glimpse into her son's spirit, and realize that death is never the end of a journey.
To help ease his daughter's confusion and pain after their first meeting with the detectives, Jeremy Davis said to Greta, “People believe that God sends signs to let us know our loved ones are okay — like birds, dragonflies, or butterflies.”
“Maybe a doggy?” replied eightyear-old Greta.
Her father responded, “Perhaps God will send an eagle or a hawk since he loves sports and those are team names.” The thought of a soaring bird comforted Greta, as she knew her brother's spirit would fly.
A prayer service was soon held outside of Carter's high school. Countless students lined up on the sidewalk, writing chalk messages in memory of Carter. Just as they did, a loud screech filled the air. With its wings spread wide, a hawk dove down and flew the entire length of the sidewalk as if it were reading the words.
From then on, the family began searching for the soaring bird. While returning to their hometown in South Dakota for another memorial service, they started noticing images of hawks. These hawks appeared on interstate signs, farm fencing,
and resting on tree branches. After spotting several hawks, they decided to keep a count. They tallied a total of 144 hawk sightings in just two days. If we take the time to notice, we can trust that God will ease our pain in unexpected ways.
After the investigation, convictions, and overwhelming grief, Michele realized that she must move through the pain. She had to raise her daughter, be a supportive wife, teach her classes,
and fulfill her purpose in life. With the support of a large family, she also found comfort in a group called Warrior Moms. This group consists of mothers who have lost children under various circumstances
and share the same devastating experience. The strength and support of this gathering of women who understood her suffering was a beacon of hope for Michele, highlighting the power of community in overcoming grief.
A teacher and writer, Michele began to express her grief through poetry. One was “Traces of You,” about Carter.
Each year, about six weeks into the school term, Michele shares the story of Carter's life and death with her new English students, concluding the class with her poem.
When she read it to a new class two years ago, Slater Nalley was a spirited sophomore. The news of a young man's death, someone Slater had never met, impacted him profoundly. As he worked on transforming his teacher's poem into a song, he felt a connection to Carter's spirit.
Slater's dedication to honoring Carter's memory led to unexpected opportunities he never anticipated. Today, Slater is chasing his dream of becoming an American Idol, performing “Traces of You.” At the same time, Michele and her friends from the Warrior community are in the final
stages of publishing their book. This book will share their personal stories to support others who have experienced profound loss. Titled “Grieve Like a Mother, Survive Like a Warrior,” it will be available later this year.
As Michele eloquently says, “We live in the “AND.” We experience victory AND failure, grief AND joy. If we can appreciate the AND in life and grow from what we have endured, we will continue to thrive.”
God is a mighty God, and even though we go through tremendous heartache, somehow, we can soar on the wings of a wild bird and spread the blessings of his merciful love. We will hold each other in the darkest of nights and celebrate with song in the light of day.
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.
Focus • April 2025
Woodstock, Georgia teen Carter Davis was killed Aug. 1, 2016, but his memory lives on through his mother’s poem, “Traces of You.”
Sweet, delicious treats make Easter celebrations magical, putting the final touch on brunch, lunch or dinner gatherings. Whether your crowd enjoys the sweet-tart combination of fruit-infused cakes, mini bundts with personalized decorations or rich, creamy cheesecake, the dessert table is sure to be popular.
Find more ways to elevate Easter celebrations with food by visiting Culinary.net. All recipes courtesy of Cookin’ Savvy.
Blueberry Lemon Bundt Cake
Yield: 1 cake
1 pint fresh blueberries, rinsed
1 box lemon cake mix
1 stick butter, melted
4 eggs
1 cup milk
Glaze:
3 tablespoons melted butter
1 cup powdered sugar
3 tablespoons milk
Heat oven to 350 F.
Grease bundt pan and place rinsed blueberries in bottom. Mix cake mix, butter, eggs and milk; pour on top of blueberries. Bake 35 minutes. Let cool and remove from pan.
To make glaze: Mix butter, sugar and milk then pour over cake.
Fun Mini Easter Bundts
Yield: 24 mini bundts
1 box confetti cake mix
1 stick butter, melted
4 eggs
1 cup milk
Chocolate Toppers:
1 cup each color melting chips of desired colors
silicone Easter candy molds of desired shapes
1 pouch ready-made green
icing
Heat oven to 350 F.
Mix cake mix, butter, eggs and milk. Pour into greased mini bundt pan and bake 20-25 minutes. Let cool and remove from pan.
To make chocolate toppers: In bowl for each color, melt melting chips in 1-minute intervals in microwave until thoroughly melted. Pour into baggies and snip corner. Pipe melted chips into molds and freeze 15-20 minutes. Pipe green icing onto mini bundt cakes for “grass” then place chocolate mold pieces on top.
Substitution: Save time on toppers by replacing with store-bought chocolate bunnies, eggs, crosses or marshmallow bunnies.
Carrot Cheesecake
Yield: 1 cake
Cake:
1 box spice cake mix
1 cup grated carrot
1 cup coconut
4 eggs
1 stick butter, melted
2/3 cup vanilla Greek yogurt
Cheesecake:
1 cup heavy whipping cream
3 tablespoons sugar
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup powdered sugar
Topping:
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1/2 cup chopped white chocolate chips
Heat oven to 350 F.
To make cake: Mix cake mix with carrot and coconut. Using hand mixer, blend in eggs, butter and yogurt. Pour mixture into greased springform pan and bake 30 minutes. Let completely cool in pan.
To make cheesecake: Using hand mixer, whip whipping cream and sugar to form whipped cream and set aside.
Using hand mixer, whip cream cheese, vanilla and powdered sugar. Add in whipped cream and mix. Pour onto completely cooled carrot cake in springform pan. Let set in refrigerator at least 4 hours or overnight before unspringing pan.
For topping: Sprinkle chopped nuts and chocolate chips on cake before serving.
Tip: For extra festive appearance, add desired Easter candy on top.
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Pain Relief Without Surgery
By Greg Schwem
Loyal readers, if any of you hear of an entry-level job in pile driving, I have a request.
DM me. ASAP.
At 62, I have little interest in pounding large foundational supports for bridges and other construction projects into frozen soil. But my retirement portfolio could use a boost. Pile driving could net me some fast and additional income, particularly since the profession is one of only 36 job categories out of 1,016 that had no overlap with Artificial Intelligence. In other words, AI won’t drive piles better, faster or more efficiently than humans. For now anyway.
I gleaned this information while reading “Co-Intelligence: Living and Working with AI,” a fascinating book by Wharton School business professor
Thanks to AI, it’s time to brush up on my pile driving skills
Ethan Mollick. In his efforts to teach readers how to use AI tools effectively, Mollick cites data from Edward Felten, Rob Seamans and Manav Raj, economists at Princeton, New York University and the University of Pennsylvania respectively. In March 2023 the trio authored “How Will Language Modelers Like ChatGPT Affect Occupations and Industries?”
If you’re a telemarketer, better start looking for another profession, as that occupation landed at number one among jobs that AI could easily replace. Of course, I bet most telemarketers are always seeking other employment. I just can’t believe someone is, as I write this, donning a headset, preparing to call a stranger at dinnertime with information about supplemental medical insurance plans and thinking, “This is EXACTLY how I want to spend the rest of my life!”
I am a full-time standup comedian, a job one would think is safe from AI. But, as I have noted in past columns, AI wants to be a comedian too. Emails and social media posts constructed with AI’s help often come with “make it funny” prompts, enticing the user to discover AI’s sense of humor. Indeed, Mollick notes, “AI overlaps most with the most highly compensated, highly creative and highly educated work.”
I’d put “comedian” in the “creative” category. Most of us are poorly compensated. As for education, we chose to become comedians. Not a particularly intelligent decision.
Mollick goes on to say the occupations least affected by AI involve physical labor. The study from Felten and his colleagues backs that up. If my pile driving career doesn’t work out, the
world will always need terrazzo workers, fence erectors, oil and gas roustabouts and slaughterers (of meat, not humans).
Artificial intelligence has nothing on human knowledge/skills when it comes to pile driving.
But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. For now, my goal is to get quickly hired as a pile driver. I fired up ChatGPT and, following Mollick’s advice, wrote a very specific query:
“Please tell me how to rewrite my resume if my goal is to be a 62-yearold pile driver with no pile driving experience but a strong desire to learn the tools of the trade?”
Within seconds, ChatGPT roared to life.
“If you’re aiming to become a pile driver at 62 with no direct experience but a strong willingness to learn, your resume should highlight transferable skills, physical readiness, and a commitment to training,” it suggested.
Transferable skills? I could make my fellow pile drivers laugh. Physical readiness? I play pickleball twice a week. Commitment to training? I assume most pile driving occurs in daytime, which leaves my evenings open for comedy gigs.
ChatGPT went on to say that I should list any skills that involved tools, construction, machinery or physical labor. Oh, and I should also be prepared to acquire OSHA 10 or 30 certification, whatever that means.
The latter may interfere with the pickleball games.
I closed ChatGPT and called my financial advisor. Instead of a second career, maybe it was time to pad my portfolio with more aggressive investments. He promised to look into
some, but I’m not sure I will ever hear from him again.
No, he’s not retiring; but he, too, may soon be seeking pile driving work.
While telemarketer is the number one replaceable occupation, the Felten et al. study also listed the top INDUSTRIES most exposed to AI. Guess what came in at number one?
“Securities, commodity contracts, and other financial investments and
related activities.”
Greg Schwem is a veteran comedian, motivational speaker and humor specialist known for blending business insights with standup comedy. He is also the author of three Amazon bestsellers. His latest, “Turning Gut Punches into Punch Lines: A Comedian’s Journey Through Cancer, Divorce and Other Hilarious Stuff,” was released in September 2024. Visit Greg at gregschwem.com.
Classic Travels
April 13 “Nunsense” at the Barn III in Goodfield, IL. “Before the Singing Sisters” became world famous, now they're back to help us celebrate our 50th Anniversary and of course, ready our hearts for Lent so dust off your hymnals and warm up your vocal chords and prepare for an afternoon of music, laugher and maybe even a few shouts of AMEN! Leave at 9:30 a.m., back at 6:00 p.m. Includes, show, bus and meal. Price is $120. Call for seats.
April 24 “Murder on The Orient Express” at The Fireside Dinner Theatre, Ft. Atkinson, WI. An American tycoon lies dead in his compartment, stabbed 8 times, his door locked from the inside. Isolated with a killer in their midst the passengers rely on Detective Hercule Poirot to identify the murderer. Menu is pork ribs and southern fried chicken breast; garlic roasted red skin potatoes and cream corn. Dessert is French silk pie. Leave at 7:00 a.m., back at 8:30 p.m. Price is $156. Call for seats.
June 26 “The Church Basement Ladies” at Fireside Dinner Theatre in Ft. Atkinson, WI. Travel back to 1897 and meet Vivian's grandmother; see Karin as a newlywed; and be there in 1944 when Mavis first barreled her way through the door. Menu is supreme-cut chicken breast with fried rice and honey glazed carrots. Dessert is a lemon custard garnished with fresh strawberries. Leave at 7:00 a.m., back at 8:30 p.m. Price is $156. Payment due Thursday, May 22, 2025.
August 25-28 Shipshewana, Indiana. We will stay at Das Dutch Essenhaus and visit numerous attractions in this Amish Community, like Teaberry Wood Products, Yoder's Meat and Cheese, Silver Star Leather, and over 100 shops and boutiques. Price $769 dbl., $999 sgl. Final Payment due Tuesday, July 22, 2025.
December 1-6 Ultimate Branson, Missouri. We'll travel to Missouri. We'll make a stop at Lambert's Café. We'll be staying at the Best Western Music Capital. Shows are Retro Christmas Spectacular; Dublin's Irish Tenors and Celtic Ladies; Legends in Concert; Hughes Brothers Christmas; Dean Z's Ultimate Elvis Show, Texas Tenors, The Haygoods; The Sounds of Simon & Garfunkel; Branson Christmas Wonderland; and The Sight and Sound production of David. We'll have lunches at Mel's Hard Luck Café, Keeter Center, McFarlain's, Uptown Café and dinners at the SS Dockside, Heroes Tastes & Taps, Black Oak Grill and Chateau on the Lake. Leave at 6:00 a.m., and return about 9:00 p.m. Price is $1,499 dbl., $1,699 sgl. Final payment due Saturday, November 1, 2025.
Q: Is there a rule of thumb on how long someone should keep their old financial paperwork? I have file cabinets full of old receipts, bank and brokerage statements, tax returns and more that I would like to toss.
A: It’s a great question. As we grow older and our financial life becomes more complicated, it’s diffi cult to know how long to keep old financial records and paperwork and when it’s safe to get rid of them. Some things you’ll need to hold on to for your whole life and others for just a month or so. Here’s a checklist I’ve created that can help you determine what to save and what you can throw away.
Keep One Month
* ATM receipts and bank-deposit slips, as soon as you match them up with your monthly statement.
* Credit card receipts after you get your statement, unless you might return the item or need proof of purchase for a warranty.
other investment statements until you get your annual summary (keep longer for tax purposes if they show a gain or loss).
* Receipts for health care bills in case you qualify for a medical deduction.
Keep Seven Years
Supporting documents for your taxes, including W-2s, 1099s, and
* Credit card statements that do not have a tax-related expense on them.
* Utility bills when the following month’s bill arrives showing your prior payment was received. If you wish to track utility usage over time, you may want to keep them for a year, or if you deduct a home office on your taxes keep them for seven years.
To avoid identity theft, be sure you shred anything you throw away that contains your personal or financial information.
Keep
One Year
* Paycheck stubs until you get your W-2 in January to check its accuracy.
* Bank statements (savings and checking account) to confirm your 1099s.
* Brokerage, 401(k), IRA and
receipts or canceled checks that substantiate deductions. The IRS usually has up to three years after you file to audit you but may look back up to six years if it suspects you substantially underreported income or committed fraud.
Keep Indefinitely
* Tax returns with proof of filing and payment. You should keep these
for at least seven years, but many people keep them forever because they provide a record of your financial history.
* IRS forms that you filed when making nondeductible contributions to a traditional IRA or a Roth conversion.
* Retirement and brokerage account annual statements as long as you hold those investments.
* Defined-benefit pension plan documents.
* Savings bonds until redeemed.
* Loan documents until the loan is paid off.
* Vehicle titles and registration information as long as you own the car, boat, truck, or other vehicle.
* Insurance policies as long as you have them.
* Warranties or receipts for bigticket purchases for as long as you own the item, to support warranty and insurance claims.
Keep Forever
Personal and family records like birth certificates, marriage license, divorce papers, Social Security cards, military discharge papers and estateplanning documents including a power of attorney, will, trust and advanced directive. Keep these in a fireproof safe or safe-deposit box.
Reduce Your Paper
To reduce your paper clutter, consider digitizing your documents by
scanning them and converting them into PDF files so you can store them on your computer and back them up onto a cloud like Microsoft OneDrive, Apple iCloud or iDrive.
You can also reduce your future paper load by switching to electronic statements and records whenever possible.
Jim Miller is the author of “The Savvy Senior” book.
Elder Law
By Ben Bekel, Quad City Life Planning
Most of you are familiar with the old saw “April showers bring May flowers.” At its heart, it’s a lesson that’s useful in all seasons, not just spring. Even seemingly dark and gloomy times will lead to happier and better things, whether it’s rain to blooms or unhappy moments to joyous occasions.
One of the most frequent questions I’m asked in the practice of law goes something like this: “When is the right time, and what are the right motivations, to start my life and estate planning project?” It’s not a legal question, – there’s no limitations the law imposes on when you can put your plan in place, as long as you’ve reached adulthood and have your mental faculties intact. It’s more of a practical question – something the law doesn’t specifically speak to, but common sense or other factors do.
In many cases, the legal and practical answers to a given question differ. It might be legal, for example, for a millionaire to take his savings to a casino and bet it all on black 23 at the roulette wheel – but I doubt anyone would counsel a person to take his millions and bet it all on a spin of a wheel. Put another way,
Showers and flowers: The timing and motivation for life and estate planning
whether you can actually do something doesn’t necessarily give us a good answer as to if we should do it, whether it’s gambling, signing a document, or any number of other actions we can engage in.
As long as you are a legal adult who understands the consequences of what you’re doing, you can prepare a life and estate plan.
As applied to life and estate planning, that dichotomy might be phrased this way: You can wait until the very last minute to put together a life and estate plan. I’ve prepared and witnessed the execution of documents in hospital rooms, deathbeds, and plenty of other places with clients who either don’t have much time left in this world or who are very near to losing their abilities to execute those documents. As long as you are a legal adult who understands the consequences of what you’re doing, you can prepare a life and estate plan – right up to the moment you lose your mental faculties or pass away.
But then again, whether you can
GREECE
wait until the last minute doesn’t mean you should. Quite the contrary. Waiting until the last minute causes all manner of undue stress to your loved ones, who may not know or be able to carry out your wishes. Worse still, there’s no way for us to know what particular minute that last minute is, and by putting it off until what we think is the last minute, we’re actually waiting until it’s too late.
When clients ask about the right time or motivation, my answer usually sounds like this: The right time can be any time you please, but it should be now. Your motivation may vary – maybe you’ve just handled a loved one’s estate and want to relieve your family of the burdens you had to take on, maybe you feel the time is right, or maybe you just want the peace of mind of knowing you have a plan in place.
Regardless, the answer is the same – there is no wrong motivation for wanting to put a plan in place. Whatever the motivation, the time for life and estate planning should be now – so when you encounter a shower in your life, the chances of flowers blooming afterwards can be increased.
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.
Because if you’ve seen Juan you’ve seen Amal.
Amal and Juan are identical twins. Their mom only carries one baby photo in her wallet.
By Doris Montag
Could you do tricks with your toy?
A yo-yo (also spelled yoyo) consists of an axle connected to two small disks with a string looped around the center axle. It can be made of metal, wood or plastic. It’s played by winding the string on the axle and inserting one finger, usually the middle or ring finger, into a slip knot at the end.
In the simplest play, the yo-yo is thrown downward, hits the end of the string, then rewinds itself toward the hand. The yo-yo is grabbed and ready to be thrown again. One of the most basic tricks is called the sleeper, where the yo-yo spins at the end of the string for a brief time before returning to the hand.
The yo-yo is an ancient toy. A Greek vase painting from 440 BC shows a boy playing with a yo-yo, but it’s believed it originated in China. The yo-yo has been called many names across different cultures and has been associated with stress reduction and forms of entertainment.
In the 1920s, Pedro Flores brought the first Filipino yo-yo to the United States. In 1928, he opened Yo-yo Manufacturing Company in California. Within a year, Flores was operating three factories employing 600 workers and producing 300,000 units/day. The primary difference
between the Filipino design and the traditional yo-yo is the way the string is strung. In earlier yo-yos, the string is tied to the axle using a knot. The yo-yo will go down and back on the string, but it will not spin for an instant at the end of the string. Flores’s design used a looped slipstring fitted around the axle. This resulted in more sophisticated motion and a variety of spins, or tricks.
Entrepreneur Donald F. Duncan purchased the Yo-yo Manufacturing Company in 1929. To fight off imitators, Duncan trademarked the word “yo-yo” in 1932. He sponsored the first International Yo-Yo Competition in London.
In 1946, the Duncan Toy Company opened a yo-yo factory in Luck, Wisconsin. Sales steadily declined after WWII. To create a revival, in 1962, Duncan Toy Co. launched TV advertisements with yo-yo champions making the toy “walk the dog,” “shoot the moon,” and go “around the world.”
High cost and trademark disputes challenged the business. In 1965, a federal court of appeal ruled that yoyo had become a part of common speech and that Duncan no longer had exclusive rights to the term. In 1968, the Duncan family sold the company name and associated trademarks to Flambeau, Inc. This company had manufactured Duncan’s plastic models since 1955 and continues to operate as Flambeau, Inc. today.
As popularity grew during the 1970-1980s, innovations in yo-yo technology (primarily in the attachment of the string with the axle) changed the game. New ball-bearing technology enabled yo-yos to spin much longer and new yo-yo designs allowed for more complicated maneuvers. These are demonstrated at the Yo-yo competitions which continue today.
The Duncan yo-yo was inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame in 1999.
The history of the yo-yo is a testament to its adaptability and enduring appeal, captivating generations with its simple yet profound ability to entertain and inspire.
Follow Doris Montag on Facebook at HistoryofOrdinaryThings.
Chicken Ranch Wraps
• 2 cups cooked or grilled chicken breasts, chopped and seasoned to your liking
• 1/4 cup ranch dressing
• 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese
• 1/4 cup cilantro, minced
• 4 - 8” tortillas
1. Lay tortillas on a clean, flat surface. Place about 1/2 cup chicken, 1 tablespoon ranch dressing, 2 tablespoons of cheese, and 1 tablespoon of minced cilantro on each tortilla. Fold tightly to form a burrito shape.
2. Heat a heavy-duty pan or grill to medium heat. Coat with a light layer of oil or cooking spray, and cook wraps for 1-2 minutes on each side or until the tortilla is crispy and golden. Remove from heat, slice in half and serve immediately.
Are you ready for a culinary journey to the Middle East? Buckle up, buttercup, and bring your taste buds, because today, we're making Mujadara (moo-zha-DAH-rah), a simple, satisfying dish of lentils, rice and caramelized onions that prove frugal can also be fabulous.
Mujadara has been enjoyed across Lebanon, Jordan and Syria for centuries, and for good reason. It's hearty, flavorful and budget-friendly. Traditionally known as a “poor man's meal,” don't let the name fool you - as with most “peasant food,” this dish is so comforting and delicious, it'll make you feel like royalty. Think of it as the Middle Eastern equivalent of mac and cheese: cozy, familiar and always a hit.
At its core, Mujadara is a lesson in culinary alchemy. A handful of pantry staples - lentils, rice, onions and spices - transform into something far greater than the sum of their parts. The secret? Those deeply caramelized onions. They add a richness that takes this humble dish to the next level.
For this version, I've opted for brown rice over white to boost the nutritional value, though white basmati works too. Just check the recipe notes for adjustments. The lentils provide protein, the rice offers fiber, and the onions bring an irresistible depth of flavor and sweetness that ties it all together.
Mujadara is best served with a
Rich in flavor, light on the wallet: Meet Mujadara
dollop of yogurt or a drizzle of tahini sauce, a scattering of fresh herbs and, if you like a bit of heat, a spoonful of your favorite spicy sauce. You can enjoy it hot, warm or at room temperature, making it an excellent makeahead meal.
Mujadara
Yield: 4 generous servings
Total Time: 45 minutes
4 cloves garlic, chopped
2 bay leaves
1 tablespoon ground cumin
2 teaspoons Kosher salt, divided
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
5 cups water
1 cup brown basmati rice, rinsed and drained
1 cup brown or green lentils, rinsed and drained
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced 1/2 cup sliced green onions, divided 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro or parsley, divided
Plain yogurt, for serving (or tahini sauce for a vegan option)
In a large saucepan, combine garlic, bay leaves, cumin, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and black pepper with water. Bring to boiling over medium-high heat.
Stir in the rice, reduce heat to medium-low, cover and simmer for
10 minutes.
Add lentils and stir. Return to a simmer, cover and cook until liquid is absorbed and grains are tender (about 20-23 minutes).
Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until deeply caramelized and crisp at the edges (about 20-30 minutes). Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and sprinkle with remaining salt.
When the lentils and rice are done, drain excess water if needed, remove bay leaves and mash garlic cloves against the pot's side. Add 3/4 of the green onions and cilantro, fluff with a fork and adjust seasoning.
Transfer to a serving dish, top with caramelized onions and garnish with remaining green onions and herbs. Serve with yogurt or tahini sauce.
Diva Tips - Rice Swap: If you use white basmati rice, cook the lentils first for 10 minutes before adding the rice to ensure both cook evenly.
Lifestyle expert Patti Diamond is the penny-pinching, party-planning, recipe developer and content creator of the website Divas On A DimeWhere Frugal, Meets Fabulous! Visit Patti at divasonadime.com. Email Patti at divapatti@divasonadime.com.
When you place your most important documents and items in a DuTrac Community Credit Union Safe Deposit Box, you can rest easy knowing that we have all the security measures in place to protect your precious valuables. Trust us to keep your treasures and documents safe, secure, and out of harm’s way for generations to come.
Solar eclipses have fascinated observers for thousands of years. The ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle pointed to the round shadows that appear during eclipses as evidence that the Earth is round. European Renaissance figures like Nicolaus Copernicus, Galileo Galilei and Isaac Newton paved the way for more widespread interest in and more advanced devices for learning about the orbits of planets around the sun.
One such device was the orrery, believed to have been invented in the early 1700s. The name comes from the Earl of Orrery, whose commissions helped popularize them. The orrery is a kind of planetarium that models the position and motion of planets relative to the sun. This one was made about 1900 and sold for $630 at Donley Auctions.
The sphere in the center, made of brass, represents the sun. A small globe on a wooden arm represents Earth, with a smaller sphere connected to it by a wire for the moon. Another
small sphere closer to the sun stands for Venus or Mercury, one of the planets whose orbit lies between Earth and the sun. The gears and chains that allow the arms to move are visible, and the base is labeled with the seasons and months of the year as well as the names of the 12 zodiac constellations. It makes an effective teaching tool to show how Earth revolves around the sun but remember that it's not an accurate model of the solar system.
Q: I have an old bottle of Crown Royal with the seal intact bought at Thule Air Base from 1956 to 1958. Before we crack it open at a celebration, I thought I should make sure we weren't doing something foolish. Do you have any thoughts on valuation?
A: We have seen unopened Crown Royal bottles from the 1950s sell for about $200 at auctions. If the original box and bag are included, the price will be higher. Vintage Crown Royal bottles tend to sell at house sales and
Solar models
estate auctions. They may also sell at sales of whiskey or liquor bottles held by national auction houses.
This type of planetarium, called an orrery, models the relative positions and motion of the sun, moon and Earth. With a strategically placed light source, you could use one to demonstrate an eclipse.
Q: I have a very old microscope that is beautiful, and it still works. It has been in my family for at least 100 years. I would like to sell it and I am not sure how to proceed. It has a French inscription reading “C. Verick, eleve special de E.
Photo: Kovels.com
Hartnack, rue de la Pax cheminerie 2 Paris.”
A: Your microscope was made by Constant Verick, who lived from 1829 to 1892. He worked for Edmund Hartnack before starting his own business in 1866. Both Verick and Hartnack were highly regarded microscope makers in the 1860s and '70s. Antique microscopes with a known maker can sell for about $250 to $500 at general antiques auctions. Usually, the more information (maker, date, etc.), the higher the value. The original box, slides and other “extras” also increase the value. If there are any antique shops or auction houses in your area, check to see if they sell microscopes or related antiques like binoculars, scientific instruments or medical equipment. You can search online or check ads in antiques publications for collectors or clubs specializing in antique microscopes or scientific or optical tools. You can also check medical supply companies; some of them also deal in antique equipment.
TIP: When stacking dinner plates, put a piece of felt or paper between each plate. Never put more than 24 in one stack.
For more collecting news, tips and resources, visit Kovels.com.
An active lifestyle for 55+
Plus 60 Highlights for April
Moline Township Senior Resource Fair Friday, April 11 - 9 am to 11am
Moline Township Activity Center • 620 18th Street, Moline, IL
Receive valuable information on community services that specifically benefit seniors. The Senior Fair is a great place to learn about local agencies, products, and services available to help seniors. This Fair is free to the public for citizens who are 55 and older – a chance to win one of several door prizes – refreshments will be served.
Ballet Quad Cities
Ballet Quad Cities will be offering two scheduled performances of “The Firebird” with La Creation Du Monde at the Adler Theater, 136 East Third St., Davenport. The organization has graciously extended an invitation to Plus 60 members to receive tickets for $15. Members just need to show their Plus 60 membership card at the box office. Take this opportunity to enjoy this wonderful production at an amazing price.
Courtney Lyon’s version of this classic Russian Fairytale is full of good, evil, magic and romance. “The Firebird” tells the story of the handsome Prince Ivan, his beautiful princess and the magical firebird who saves them! Fans of Igor Stravinsky will love the music as well as the dance.
The performance is Saturday, April 12 at 2pm and 7pm. Tickets will be $15 ($30 value) with Plus 60 membership cards at the Adler Box Office, Monday – Friday 10am-5pm.
FREE Estate Planning Program
Healthy Habits will return this spring with an April awareness and education program for seniors, featuring speakers from Blackhawk Bank and Trust. The program will cover Estate Planning including wills, trusts, probate, living wills and power of attorney. If you have no estate plan or are looking to upgrade your current plan this may be a good seminar to attend.
Register and join us for this free educational program for Plus 60 members only. This presentation will be held at 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM on Tuesday, April 22, in the Adler Room on the lower level of the Davenport MercyOne Genesis Heart Institute at 1236 E. Rusholme St. and repeated on Thursday from 1:00 – 3:00 PM, April 24, at MercyOne Genesis Silvis Health Plaza, Larson Center at 855 Illini Dr., Silvis, Illinois in the lower level. For more information and/or to register go to www.qctPlus60.com and click on “Calendar.”
Check-in for the program opens at 12:30 PM. The speakers will answer questions during the program, and Blackhawk Bank and Trust is providing bottled water and cookies as light refreshments at this event.
Registrations Open for Circa ’21 “Heartbreak Hotel” on April 27
Registration is now open for Plus60 Club members to attend the Sunday, April 27, Circa ’21 Dinner Playhouse performance of the musical, Heartbreak Hotel, at a discounted price of $66.00 for Club Members. Reservations will be accepted until April 10 unless the event is sold out before then.
Doors open at 3:45 p.m. Plated meals with your choice of entrée will be served followed by the Bootleggers Preshow at 5:00 p.m. and the musical performance at 5:30 p.m. Your ticket will be ready for you to pick up under your last name with the Quad City Plus 60 group at the ‘Will Call’ lobby vestibule window when you arrive at Circa ’21. Your ticket price includes dinner, show, tax and gratuity for the meal portion of the evening. At your expense, you have the option of ordering bar service, appetizers and/or dessert menu items from your Bootlegger.
The Heartbreak Hotel performance registrations are for reserved seating within the Club’s group and are non-refundable. You can find the registration form on the website (www.qctplus60.com) under the “Calendar” .
SAVE-THE-DATE
Mark your calendar for Thursday, June 26, 2025, at 5:00 pm. Plus 60 Social Club has something very special planned to celebrate our 50th Anniversary! You won’t want to miss this. More information is coming soon.
By Dan Repp, M.D.
Healthy Eyes: Drooping eyelids
Drooping eyelids are the most common reason new patients visit an oculofacial specialist. Due to aging, drooping lids can also occur from pregnancy or result from repeated injury or trauma, frequent eyelid infections and swelling, excessive lid rubbing, eye surgery, and certain nerve disorders. The two most common types of drooping eyelids are ptosis (pronounced ‘toe-sis’) and dermatochalasis (pronounced “der-mato-caley-sis”). Ptosis is a drooping of the eyelid itself, whereas dermatochalasis is excess eyelid skin cascading over the eyelashes.
I regularly use the analogy of a garage to explain the difference. In the garage analogy, the eyelid is the garage door and the excess eyelid skin, an awning blocking the door. A garage door hanging too low is like ptosis (a condition where the eyelid is too low). Dermatochalasis resembles an oversized, heavy awning blocking
our view into the garage. With dermatochalasis, excess skin prevents us from seeing a patient’s whole eye.
In patients with excess eyelid skin (dermatochalasis), the eyelid is often in a good position behind the extra skin. But this isn’t always the case. Sometimes there is so much extra eyelid skin that the skin acts like a veil, hiding a drooping eyelid behind it. Put another way, some patients have both extra skin and a drooping eyelid, meaning they have both ptosis and dermatochalasis combined. In our analogy, this is the equivalent of having a large awning in front of a garage door that is too low. Knowing the difference between excess eyelid skin (dermatochalasis) and a low upper eyelid (ptosis) is essential because surgery to remove extra eyelid skin will not fix a drooping eyelid.
Surgery to fix excess eyelid skin is very different than raising a drooping upper eyelid. Fixing excess eyelid skin is the more straightforward of the two surgeries. Trimming back the excess
Enhancing Quality of Life Through Compassionate Care
skin in this surgery reveals a wider field of view. This surgery is called blepharoplasty, or commonly a “lid lift.”
Fixing a drooping eyelid (ptosis) is more complicated. Let’s carry our garage analogy a little further. A garage has a motor to lift the door and a chain connecting the motor to the door. The eyelid is similar, with a muscle that lifts the lid and a tendonlike structure connecting the muscle to the eyelid. If a garage door is too low, you could imagine removing chain links between the motor and the door to help raise the door. Surgery for drooping eyelids (ptosis surgery) is similar – tighten the connection between the eyelid and the lifting muscle to raise the eyelid/garage door. There are several ways to tighten the connection between the eyelid and the lifting muscle, but the underlying strategy is the same: tighten the connection and raise the eyelid. Either procedure can be done for medical or aesthetic reasons, clearing central blurry vision, restoring normal peripheral vision and improving the cosmetic appearance of the eyelids. The methods typically are performed under local anesthesia on an outpatient basis. Vision is quite normal after surgery, enabling reading and other activities to be enjoyed during the recovery. There is swelling and bruising of the eyelid after surgery. Most of this is gone within five to seven days but can persist for up to 14 days in individuals who bruise easily.
Remember, comparing ptosis surgery to a “lid lift” is like comparing apples to oranges. The two surgeries are very different and have different risks and benefits. Your surgeon must match the eyelid surgery to your problem to accomplish the desired outcome.
Dr. Dan Repp completed a fellowship in ophthalmic plastic and reconstructive surgery and is certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology. He practices at Eye Surgeons Associates’ Bettendorf and Rock Island offices. For more information, please visit esaeyecare.com.
By Tonya Ranum
Want my opinion?
All you have to do is ask. I have an opinion about anything you can think of. Sports? Slam dunk. Movies? You can’t handle the truth. Politics? Bigly. However, if you’re a business I patronize, offer me something good in exchange for my opinion - such as a chance to win a gift card or at least a coupon for my next visit. Rest assured, I check the bottom of my receipts for survey offers - everywhere I go. It just so happens that before working on this article, I completed an online survey for ALDI - my grocery store of choice.
I told them the usual stuff. How much would I recommend ALDI to a friend? 10. How clean was the store? 8 (but the exterior is prone to litter). Did you find everything you wanted?
Survey says: no gift card
No. Please tell us more (level of detail meter is ready to judge my comments). Wanting to please the people at ALDI and hoping to increase my odds of winning a gift card, I describe how for the past three weeks they have been out of teriyaki sauce and that my husband keeps asking if we have any teriyaki sauce every time I make chicken fried rice and I have to say no, ALDI is still out and all we have is soy sauce and he’s really disappointed about it... (the meter is maxed out and won’t allow me to type anymore.)
Apparently, the ALDI people were over my teriyaki sauce details. I’m hopeful there will be oodles of teriyaki sauce available on my next shopping trip because the ALDI people care, right? (Update: they’re still out.)
The survey concludes with: Do you want to be entered into a drawing for a $100 gift card? Heck yes, I do! I complete the fields while dreaming about perusing the ALDI Finds aisle, $100 richer.
Before this, I completed a T.J.Maxx survey with a chance to win a $500 gift card. I informed the T.J.Maxx people they should offer more
women’s golf clothes, no I didn’t use the dressing rooms, and yes I browsed the impulse purchase items lining the checkout line (it’s impossible not to). I wanted to tell them about what brought me to T.J.Maxx in the first place - to purchase new underwear because the ones I bought at T.J.Maxx
the week before were a nightmare. Inexplicably, I threw away all my old underwear before giving the new undies a try. Adding insult to injury, I wore a pair to play golf before knowing how wretched they were. Have you ever golfed 18 holes with an interminable wedgie? (Not to be confused
with the club you use to hit out of the sand.) Talk about a handicap! Unfortunately, the T.J.Maxx people didn’t ask that question. Perhaps they aren’t interested in that level of detail.
Another good one is Hy-Vee. Up for grabs: a $500 gift card. My MO: Gush about their produce department, the variety of products they offer, and politely mention their prices are higher than ALDI’s. Do you think my survey comments were the impetus for HyVee’s recent efforts to lower prices? I don’t think so either.
Hey, Home Depot people! I’m calling you out. You used to tempt me with a $5,000 gift card for my feedback. I faithfully completed every survey and my detail was extraordinary: Not one employee was to be found to assist me. I roamed the aisles searching in vain for anyone wearing an orange apron. Alas, with angst and foreboding, I departed, venturing southward to K&K Hardware where trusty, ubiquitous employees were available to assist me with my key duplication requirements. It occurs to me now the Home Depot people hate me.
Now they’re hitting me up with emails soliciting feedback. No gift card sweepstakes, no 25% off my next purchase offer, no anything. To which I proclaim, no deal Home Depot! I’m not doling out my pretentious opinions just willy-nilly. Hit me up when the $5 Gs are back because I need a ton of leaf bags this year.
I’ve been completing online surveys
for several years and so far: bupkis. This raises several questions: Is anyone actually winning gift cards? (Good luck finding that information on the store website’s contest rules and regulations.) Is this all a ruse?
(Probably.) Am I the laughingstock of the survey people? “Guys! That moron from Iowa sent in a survey whining about the stupid teriyaki sauce again! Get a clue, lady! You’re never going to win the gift card!”
SEE BETTER LIVE BETTER
CATARACT SURGERY
While all of this may be true, I’ll keep filling out online surveys hoping one day I’ll win. In the meantime, hey ALDI, could you at least restock the stupid teriyaki sauce?
Tonya Ranum is a graphic designer and writer. Read her story, “Greatest Mistake Ever” in “Chicken Soup for The Soul: My Hilarious, Heroic, Human Dog” available at Amazon.com. Email her at tonyaranum@gmail.com.
Improve the color clarity and sharpness of your vision. Ask how inserting a new lens during your cataract surgery can reduce or eliminate the need for glasses. Find out if you’re a candidate for the new Light Adjustable Lens. (563) 323-2020 l (309) 793-2020 ESAEYECARE.COM
By Susan Goldfein
Is it something I said?
No, it’s not! Full disclosure. I DID NOT write the following essay. I was speaking to my partner-in-crime, the person who helps me clutter your inbox once a month, and bemoaning the fact that I was running out of ideas. Over the past 12 years, I have succeeded in raising kvetching to an art form, but I was indeed running out of material. “How can I complain when there’s nothing left to complain about,” I whined, borrowing the title from my second book of essays. I don’t do politics and my family, except for my husband, is off limits.
The tyranny of the fitted sheet
present it to you below. Since this is the first time I’ve ever used A.I. for anything, I’d love to know what you think. Unless you conclude that it’s better than I could have done. Full disclosure: the title is mine!
There’s a certain humbling magic to the art of putting on a fitted sheet - a task so deceptively simple it could qualify as an Olympic event. It’s a domestic rite of passage, one that can reduce even the most competent among us to a sweaty, muttering mess. You’d think the sheet’s elasticized edges would make this a straightforward endeavor. Spoiler alert: they don’t. First, let’s talk about identifying the corners. This is where the journey into the labyrinth begins. At first glance, the fitted sheet appears to be a manageable rectangle.
Appreciating the gravity of my situation, he suggested it was perhaps time to request robotic assistance. So, we did. We asked his A.I. account to provide us with a list of trivial annoyances that one might complain about. In an instant, the list appeared. I chose the prickly topic I could most relate to, and we told the machine to create a 700 to 800 word humorous essay. In less time than it would take to knock over a cup of coffee, the essay was generated. I
But as you unfold it, it reveals its true form: a misshapen, elasticized enigma. One corner looks like it’s meant for the bed, while the other three appear to have been designed for a geometry-defying, multi-dimensional mattress from the future. The tiny tag that’s supposed to indicate the bottom corner? It’s either completely missing or located in the least helpful place possible.
Once you’ve convinced yourself you’ve found the right corner (spoiler alert: you haven’t), it’s time to wrangle it onto the mattress. This is where the real battle begins. The first corner might go on smoothly, giving you a
false sense of accomplishment. But as you stretch the second corner over the mattress, the first one pops off with the smug elasticity of a rubber band. It’s as if the fitted sheet has a mind of its own and is actively resisting your efforts.
By the time you’ve managed to secure three corners, you realize something isn’t quite right. The sheet is either too loose, sagging in the middle like a hammock, or stretched so tight it threatens to catapult you across the room. You’ve also inadvertently climbed onto the bed at least twice, a maneuver that transforms the act of making the bed into an impromptu gymnastics routine. Who knew contortionist training would come in handy for household chores?
Then there’s the ultimate indignity: the rogue corner. No matter how many times you reposition it, it refuses to stay put. You push, you pull, you curse - but it always finds a way to spring loose, mocking your persistence. It’s at this point that you start to question your life choices. How did it come to this? Why is a piece of fabric winning this battle? Should you just throw a blanket over the mattress and call it a day?
And let’s not forget the moments when you realize, halfway through this ordeal, that the sheet is inside out. The elastic edge is smugly glaring at you, reminding you that you’ll have to start over. It’s a soul-crushing realization, akin to finding out your coffee has gone cold after you’ve microwaved it twice.
But the struggles don’t end there.
Even after you’ve successfully tamed the beast and secured the sheet, it’s not always smooth sailing. The fitted sheet’s job, theoretically, is to stay put and provide a snug, wrinkle-free surface for you to sleep on. In reality, it’s more like a rebellious teenager, constantly pushing boundaries. One restless night, and it’s halfway off the mattress, making you question why you even bothered in the first place.
Of course, no discussion of fitted sheet struggles would be complete without addressing the chaos of folding one. The fitted sheet, when removed from the bed, doesn’t fold so much as it collapses into a shapeless blob. You try to fold it neatly, channeling the calm precision of a Zen master, but it always ends up looking like a crumpled mess that’s been through a hurricane. It’s the kind of task that turns you into a philosopher, pondering the futility of order in a chaotic universe.
Despite all of this, there’s a strange sense of victory when you finally conquer the fitted sheet. It’s a triumph of persistence, a testament to the human spirit. You may be sweating, your hair disheveled, and your dignity slightly bruised, but you’ve won. For now, at least. Until the next laundry day.
In a way, the fitted sheet struggle is a metaphor for life. It’s messy, frustrating, and often nonsensical, but it’s also filled with moments of triumph and humor. Sure, it’s just a piece of fabric, but it’s also a reminder that even the smallest challenges can feel insurmountable - and there’s joy to be found in conquering them, one corner at a time.
The next time you find yourself locked in combat with a fitted sheet, take a moment to laugh at the absurdity of it all. After all, if you can survive this battle, you can survive anything. And who knows? Maybe one day, someone will invent a fitted sheet that practically leaps onto the mattress by itself. Until then, we’ll just have to keep wrestling with these elasticized enigmas and sharing our war stories. Visit Susan’s blog, susansunfilteredwit.com.
Seniors by Seniors
We provide companionship and daily assistance to seniors throughout the Quad Cities community. Whether you are needing a little extra help or wanting to provide care yourself, let’s connect!
Midnight Gardener
By Lori Rose
Here’s a lovely little herb that no garden, whether vegetable, flower or herb should be without. Thyme is a
low-growing shrubby perennial in the mint family called Thymus vulgaris, also known as common thyme or garden thyme. Its tiny grayish-green leaves are about a quarter of an inch long. Aromatic garden thyme grows up to nine inches tall and produces small mauve flowers in summer. As soon as the flowers have finished, the plant should be trimmed to encourage new growth. Thyme can be harvested anytime during the growing season, but the flavor is best just before flowering.
Although it grows easily in light, dry soils, thyme will also grow in heavy clay soils, but it becomes less aromatic. It prefers lots of sun and well-drained soil. As a companion plant, thyme will deter the cabbageworm, and is good planted anywhere in the garden where it can accent the aromatic qualities of other plants and herbs, such as lavender. Thyme flowers
can be used in the same way as lavender – in sachets to scent and preserve linen from insects.
There is quite a selection of lowgrowing thymes with different colored foliage and flowers, such as wooly thyme, creeping thyme and mother of thyme. It will thrive despite being walked on, and give off a pleasing scent with each step. It’s also wonderful planted between the stones of a walkway.
Thyme is the little plant with a big flavor. A little goes a long way, and too much can smother more subtle flavors. Closely related to garden thyme, aromatic French summer thyme has more narrow, pointed leaves with a grayish tint. The famed culinary thyme from France, it is higher in essential oil content than other varieties, which means more and better flavor. This is the one to grow for cooking.
Use thyme to season meat, poultry, fish and seafood, chowders, and soups. It goes well with lamb and veal as well as in eggs. Thyme is delicious in salads, on vegetables like beans, onions and tomatoes, and in herb butter and breads. Use it to flavor stuffings, sauces, pickles, stews, or soups. The Spaniards use it in the pickle with which they preserve their olives. Romans used thyme to give an aromatic flavor to cheese and liqueurs. Benedictine monks still use it as an ingredient in their liqueurs.
Thyme plants are available in an incredible range of scents and flavors, like orange, nutmeg, caraway, mint, pine, pepper, lemon and citronella. Try scattering different thyme plants around the garden, just for the fun of seeing, smelling and tasting the differences between them. Lemon thyme is beautiful – emerald green leaves edged in chartreuse, with a spreading-butnot-invasive habit. Pick or squeeze a handful when you walk by. It smells delicious. With that in mind, these unusual cookies will satisfy the desire to take a bite of lemon thyme right off the plant. Try substituting orange zest and orange thyme for the lemon. Either way, try serving these cookies
with thyme herbal tea by infusing a handful of leaves in boiling water for 5 minutes. Strain, sweeten if desired, and enjoy.
Lemon Thyme Cookies
1/4 pound butter (one stick)
3/4 cup sugar
1 whole egg, beaten
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 tablespoon milk or cream
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
1/2 cup fresh lemon thyme leaves, finely chopped
1 1/4 cups flour
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
Preheat oven to 350F. Cream butter, gradually adding sugar, and beat until light. Add egg, vanilla, and milk and blend thoroughly. Blend in lemon zest and thyme. Mix flour, salt, and baking powder and sift into butter mixture. Blend well. Arrange by teaspoons on greased cookie sheet and bake 8-12 minutes, until lightly brown. Makes three-dozen cookies.
Here’s another recipe from The International Herb Association. It’s easy to prepare, and it will disappear
quickly, so be sure to do a lot of taste testing before serving.
Thyme And Again
8 oz. cream cheese
4 oz. sour cream
2 tablespoons chopped thyme leaves
1 tablespoon coarsely chopped basil
1 tablespoon minced parsley
Blend all ingredients thoroughly and chill overnight. Place in a serving bowl and garnish with basil, parsley, and thyme
leaves. Serve on a tray with crackers and/or vegetable sticks. Guests will visit this appetizer “thyme and again.”
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 Suzy Cohen, R.Ph.
Spring is here, and so is allergy season. Beyond the obvious pollen, mold spores thrive in damp environments, especially after seasonal rains, while dust mites multiply as temperatures rise. Pet dander also becomes a bigger problem as animals shed their winter coats. Meanwhile, grass pollens like Bermuda, Timothy, and ryegrass kick into high gear in late spring, especially in May and June. These lightweight particles travel easily on the wind, making you miserable in your skin.
For fast relief, many people turn to OTC antihistamines like cetirizine
(Zyrtec) or loratadine (Claritin). Cetirizine works quickly but can cause drowsiness so it should be taken at night, while loratadine is non-drowsy but may take slightly longer to kick in. Both block histamine, the chemical responsible for sneezing and itching. These are available nationwide.
Nasal sprays like fluticasone (Flonase) reduce inflammation and congestion, but they take a few days to work and may cause nosebleeds if overused. This is effective for mildto-moderate allergies, but if symptoms persist, you may need stronger support.
If OTC meds aren’t cutting it, your doctor may prescribe montelukast (Singulair), which blocks leukotrienes, another inflammation trigger that your body makes when faced with pollen.
It’s great for asthma-related allergies, but some people experience mood changes or vivid dreams. Ask your
doctor about that one.
Antihistamines come in two generations and a lot of people don’t know that. The first-generation (like
diphenhydramine/Benadryl) work fast but cause drowsiness. That’s why it was rebranded as a sleep aid. It’s great for nighttime relief but not for daytime function. The second-generation medications (like cetirizine, loratadine, and fexofenadine) provide longer-lasting, non-drowsy relief. They’re better for daily use but can still cause dryness or headaches.
Some people live on these medications. You should know that taking antihistamines or steroid nasal sprays year-round can deplete essential nutrients, what I call the “drug mugging” effect. Here’s what to watch for:
Antihistamines: Can lower vitamin C and zinc, both crucial for immunity.
Nasal steroids: May reduce vitamin D, leading to weakened bones and increased infections.
Montelukast: Can impact magnesium and B vitamins, affecting mood and energy.
If you rely on these meds daily, consider supplementing with what
they deplete, your body will thank you.
I love weaving in natural options for allergy relief, consider the following:
1. Vitamin C: Acts as a natural antihistamine, reducing sneezing and itching.
2. Vitamin D: Keeps your immune system balanced.
3. B Complex: Helps regulate histamine and supports energy.
4. Catalase: Helps detox oxidative stress, which can worsen allergy symptoms.
If OTC meds aren’t helping or your symptoms include wheezing, facial swelling, or sinus infections (like sinus fungal balls, which I’ve written about before), it’s time to see a doctor.
You don’t have to suffer all season. If you’re interested in a deeper dive into this topic, I’ve written a longer, more comprehensive blog on my website at suzycohen.com.
For more information, visit SuzyCohen.com.
May 30 – 31 vs. Connecticut Sun
June 26 – 27 vs. Los Angeles Sparks
July 8 – 9 vs. Golden State Valkyries
July 24 – 25 vs. Las Vegas Aces
August 12 – 13 vs. Dallas Wings
August 26 – 27 vs. Seattle Storm
here’s a tip
By JoAnn Derson
☞ There's no end to the quick time-savers and innovations in the kitchen. Here's one for those mornings when you want to get a little fancy, but don't have all day: Make hash browns in a waffle iron. Parboil shredded potatoes the night before. Store in the refrigerator in a plastic bag. Generously oil your waffle iron and scatter precooked potato shreds on. They cook twice as fast, and have all of the double-sided crispiness of panfried.
☞ Freeze leftover wine for use in cooking. Use an ice-cube tray for uniform measuring.
☞ Want to hard-cook many eggs at once? Bake the eggs in the oven 325-350 for 30 minutes, then submerge them in ice water for ten minutes. Peel and enjoy.
☞ Tension rods can be used in cabinets to separate cookie sheets and have them stored upright. Use two shorter ones mounted vertically in the cabinet, and slide the sheets right in. You can also use a dish rack to store pot lids upright. This is something I do, and my cabinets are nice and organized.
☞ Try prep cooking once a week for as many elements of that week's meals as possible. Chop veggies, saute or even brown meats for casseroles or prep slow cooker bags. It does save time if you are able to cook two meals at once, say, roast two chickens: one for tonight's dinner and another for chicken enchiladas later in the week.
☞ I only buy my bread when it's two for one. I freeze it in half loafs, so I always have fresh bread.
☞ Tiny tears in your window screen can be secured with clear nail polish. I dab the spot, then use tweezers to line up the tiny wires, then dab again. Just make sure the window is open, or the screen might stick to the windowpane.
What to know before ‘reversing’ your retirement FINANCIAL FOCUS®
By Edward Jones
After working for decades, you may have been looking forward to retiring. But what if you decide to “reverse” your retirement?
You could rejoin the workforce for any number of reasons. You might need the added income to help pay for your living expenses, but you also might miss the social interactions with co-workers, or simply desire more purpose or stimulation in your life.
And if you do un-retire, you’ll have plenty of company. More than 13% of previously retired baby boomers returned to the workforce in 2023, the highest level in five years, according to data from LinkedIn, the online career networking platform. When pondering the decision to go back to work, you’ll want to evaluate the advantages and the possible drawbacks.
First, let’s look at the benefits of rejoining the workforce. By improving your cash flow, you may be able to do more of the things you enjoy, such as traveling. And you might also be able to reduce your debt load,
which can free up even more cash. You might also use the extra money for other purposes, such as contributing to a tax-advantaged 529 education savings plan for your grandchildren.
Furthermore, depending on where you’re returning to work, and whether you go back full- or parttime, you might gain access to your employer’s benefits programs. If you aren’t already enrolled in Medicare, you could find it financially advantageous to sign up for your employersponsored group medical plan. And you may also be able to contribute to your employer’s 401(k) or similar plan. Even if you’re not eligible for an employer-sponsored retirement plan, you can contribute to an IRA if you have any earned income. And here’s something else to think about: By bringing in income from employment, you may be able to take less out each year from your existing 401(k) and IRA, giving them a chance to potentially grow more. (Once you turn 73, or 75 if you were born in 1960 or later, you’ll have to start taking withdrawals from your traditional IRA and 401(k). With a Roth IRA and 401(k), you’re not required to take withdrawals at any age.)
Now, let’s consider some potential
areas of concern about returning to the workforce. If you’ve been taking Social Security, your 2025 benefits will be reduced by $1 for every $2 earned above $23,400 if you haven’t reached your full retirement age, which is likely between 66 and 67. In
By bringing in income from employment, you may be able to take less out each year from your existing 401(k) and IRA, giving them a chance to potentially grow more.
the year in which you do reach your full retirement age, your benefits will be reduced by $1 for every $3 earned above $62,160. Starting in the month in which you reach your full retirement age, you can earn as much as you want without losing benefits. (Also, Social Security will then recalculate your payments to give you credit for the months in which your benefits were reduced due to your earned income.)
Another area of concern might be your Medicare premiums. Because these premiums are based on your income, they could rise if you start earning more money. Also, if your income increases enough, you might be pushed into a higher tax bracket. Ultimately, you’ll want to weigh the pros and cons of returning to work. If it seems the advantages outweigh the disadvantages, you may well enjoy embarking on your “second act” in the working world.
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.
Mature Focus Volunteer Spotlight
By Ken Ferris
Our volunteer this month is Debbie Rowley, 67, from Davenport. Her journey of volunteering began over 30 years ago as a bell ringer for the Salvation Army. Her first post was located at the old JoeVan Foods grocery store on Kimberly Road in Bettendorf. “It was a cold and snowy night. I remember looking across the parking lot at the bell ringer next door to Target and thinking maybe I wasn’t cut out for this.”
Muscatine for ten years. She married in 1998 and moved to Davenport. When her children were young she obtained a position with the Davenport Schools as a special education para educator.
Three years ago she retired from the school district.
“When I retired it left a space in my life that had been previously filled with a job and a purpose and friends so volunteering has been the perfect way for me to fill that space,”
Debbie declared.
Debbie grew up in Muscatine, Iowa. She earned a degree in Business Administration from St. Ambrose University followed by working in sales at Carver Pump in
Patty Mixdorf, the Salvation Army volunteer coordinator contacted Debbie to help with their Christmas toy distribution. “I helped sort toys by ages and helped parents with their selections. That program is great because the parents can ‘shop’ for their kids and pick out what their kids like. The parents are so grateful.”
Subsequently, Debbie learned the Salvation Army has a food pantry among the many services provided
and was asked if she could help. She agreed. Now two years later, she is still helping. “The guests are very appreciative of their food box,” she noted and went on to say, “Every time I volunteer I feel I am doing something important and necessary.”
“All volunteers are needed to make a program run properly.”
- Major Lucy Gates, Quad Cities Area Coordinator
Debbie also volunteers at her church pantry and at Good Samaritan Heritage Court apartments for their monthly Bingo and pancake suppers.
Debbie clearly enjoys her duties and offered, “The other volunteers I work with are hands down some of the best people I’ve ever met.”
If you are interested in volunteering for the Salvation Army, visit centralusa.salvationarmy.org.
Do you know a volunteer who deserves to be recognized? In the coming months, Mature Focus will be highlighting Quad City volunteers who go above and beyond for their community, making a positive difference in the lives of others. Email your volunteer 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.
Mayo Clinic Q & A: Manage your risk of carotid artery disease
By Tiziano Tallarita, M.D., Vascular and Cardiac Surgery, Eau Claire, Wisconsin
Q: Stroke runs in my family. I’ve heard about carotid artery disease being linked to strokes. How can I lower my risk?
A: You’re correct. Carotid artery disease is one of the key underlying factors leading to stroke. It occurs when the blood vessels supplying your brain and head, known as carotid arteries, are damaged or blocked by fatty deposits. These deposits contain cholesterol that creates plaque, which clogs or blocks the carotid arteries. This is similar to coronary artery disease, which reduces blood flow to your heart.
This blockage in blood vessels increases your risk of stroke - a medical emergency that occurs when the blood supply to the brain is interrupted or seriously reduced. When a stroke occurs, oxygen can’t reach the brain, and within minutes, brain cells begin to die.
Carotid artery disease usually develops slowly. The first sign that you have the disease may be a stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA), a temporary decrease of blood flow to your brain.
Who is at risk for carotid artery disease?
Your risk of developing carotid artery disease increases if you have a family history of the disease or atherosclerosis. As you age, your arteries become less flexible and are more easily damaged.
degree of blockage in your carotid arteries, and it could include a combination of lifestyle modifications, medications and surgery.
Other risk factors for carotid artery disease include: Diabetes, high bloodfat levels, high blood pressure, lack of exercise, obesity, sleep apnea and tobacco use.
What are treatments for carotid artery disease?
Preventing a stroke is the primary goal of treating carotid artery disease. A treatment plan will be based on the
Treatment for mild to moderate blockages may include lifestyle changes to slow the progression of damage to your arteries, such as quitting smoking, losing weight, reducing salt intake and exercising regularly. Medication to control blood pressure, lower cholesterol or prevent blood clots also may be recommended. If the blockage is causing severe narrowing or you’ve already had a stroke or TIA, the blockage can be removed surgically or treated with a stent. A stent is a tiny device that is similar to a tube. It’s often made of metal or fabric. In medicine, it’s used to open blocked or narrowed blood vessels. Your care team can discuss several surgical options with you.
Are there ways to reduce the risk of developing carotid artery disease?
Take these steps to prevent or slow the progression of carotid artery disease and manage your risk factors:
t Control chronic conditions. Manage any chronic conditions, such as diabetes and high blood pressure.
t Consider limiting your salt intake. Reducing sodium can help lower your risk of developing high blood pressure.
t Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables. Healthy foods provide valuable nutrients for your body, which may protect you from a stroke.
t Exercise regularly. Being physically active can improve the health of your blood vessels and heart.
t Limit cholesterol and fat intake. This may help reduce the accumulation of plaque in your arteries.
t Limit your alcohol intake. Drinking alcohol in excess increases your risk for carotid artery disease.
t Maintain a healthy weight.
Maintaining a healthy weight reduces your risk of developing high blood pressure, diabetes and other health risks.
t Quit smoking or don’t start. After just a few years, a nonsmoker’s and a former smoker’s risk of stroke are comparable.
Mayo Clinic Q & A is an educational resource and doesn’t replace regular medical care.
E-mail a question to MayoClinic Q&A@mayo.edu. For more information, visit mayoclinic.org.
SHiNDiG - A Tribute to the ’60s
Saturday April 26, 2025 at 7:00 p.m.
SHiNDiG! A Tribute to the ’60s always delivers an entertaining trip back to the greatest and most diverse decade of rock and roll music. Covering over 90 different bands from that period in time where music told the story of an entire generation - early ’60s, British Invasion, Psychedelic, Pop, Girl Groups, Woodstock are all part of the show!
Featuring songs by The Beatles, The Beach Boys, The Monkees, The Rolling Stones, The Supremes, Herman’s Hermits, Cryan’ Shames, The Mamas and the Papas, Sonny and Cher and the best girl groups, SHiNDiG! recreates “true to the originals” renditions of the 45’s played on AM radio during this decade of great music.
Tickets: $25 (advance), $28 (door)
Students (18 & under): $15 (advance), $18 (door) Get Tickets Now!
All Seating is General Admission
9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Monday - Friday 1215 E Platt St., Maquoketa, IA 52060 563-652-9815
Tickets available online at ohnwardfineartscenter.com
Illini
Langman Apartments 2301 E. 1st St., Milan 61264 309.787.3063 • Langmanapartments.com
Watch Hill Tower 3705 9th St., Rock Island, IL 61201 309.794.0001 • Watchhilltower.com
All 3 Properties Have
Great Locations on a Bus Line
Eligibility: 62 yrs. or older or disabled
Rent: Affordable, Based on Household Income Service Coordinators on Site
DAKOTAS
From the land of warlocks and witches
By Lynn Walker Gendusa
“What’s that Joe?” Little Ruthie asks her slightly older brother as he holds up a mysterious bottle in the bathroom. Joe answers, “Styling Mousse. It’s made from Moose guts.”
Ruthie makes a grimacing face as Joe continues, “And, if you spray it on a Zombie, it’ll die a painful and lingering death.”
“What’s lingering mean?” Ruthie responds.
“Smelly, like limburger cheese.” Joe casually answers.
Ruthie: Why is cheese so smelly?
Joe: It’s so you can tell what you’re eating in the dark.
Ruthie: Why do people eat in the dark?
Joe: It’s a tradition in some countries, like Detroit.
Ruthie: Detroit’s a country!?
Joe: Yeah, and it’s run by witches and warlocks.
Finally, Ruthie asks, “How do you know all this stuff, Joe?”
“DUH, Ruthie! Have you never heard of the internet?” *
Out of the mouths of cartoon characters under the age of seven, lies a sad adult problem and truism.
Joe is casually fabricating nonsense because the story he tells is more fascinating. Plus, it’s easier than researching what mousse does for the hair. Or having to dig into a dictionary and find the meaning of a word. Who needs a map to find a land of warlocks and witches?
Why take time to find answers, truth, and meaning? Why look at several different sources for news or
We can stop HIV, Iowa—
listen to those more knowledgeable on a subject we know little about?
Educating ourselves to be better informed might improve our wisdom, our decisions, and our attitudes.
The amount of misinformation spread across the internet continues to be a divisive and explosive detriment to our nation and its citizens. When any of us accept or embrace an idea without examination then we become victims and not victors.
We have a huge issue today with aligning ourselves with what we prefer to believe than truth. Facts are often disappointing and hard to accept. Often, truth resembles nasty cough medicine. Tastes horrible but stops the menacing cough. Taking a dose of truth can rid ourselves of bias, lies, and anger.
The scrouge of conspiracy theories and bogus ideas are increasing because it’s easier to believe a fascinating story that aligns with our belief. We often applaud our foolish wisdom when others think as we do. The more
talk by protecting our sexual health when we talk, test, treat .
Talk with your partner before having sex.
Talk about when you were last tested and suggest getting tested together.
Talk to your healthcare provider about your sex life. Ask them what STI tests you should be getting and how often.
test
Get tested! It’s the only way to know for sure if you have an STI or HIV.
Many STIs don’t cause any symptoms, so you could have one and not know.
If you feel like you can’t ask your regular provider for an STI or HIV test, 昀nd a clinic that provides free or low cost con昀dential testing.
treat
All STIs, including HIV, are treatable. If you test positive for an STI, work with your healthcare provider to get the right treatment.
Ask about partner services to get your partner tested & treated.
If you test positive for HIV, your provider or testing location will help connect you to treatment and resources!
STI Awareness Week is April 14–20—but taking care of your sexual health is something you can do all year! Learn more & 昀nd free testing near you at stophiviowa.org
folks agree, the more factual it seems, and it spreads.
Finally, we become like seven-yearold, Joe, who believes Detroit is a country. If Joe then shares his theory with other kids, soon Detroit is in Russia with a warlock and witches tribe called Michigan!
How do we know where a story begins on the internet? We know that foreign entities and hackers use tactics to divide us. “Divide and conquer” is a strategy that has been used for centuries. The internet just makes it easier. I am constantly amazed at the number of otherwise reasonable folks falling prey to the fear spread by some unknown expert from somewhere in the open seas of the world wide web. Just give me a newspaper. There is more truth in a newspaper’s comic section than there is in weird stories found on social media.
Often, I take a photo of a funny cartoon and send it to my friends first thing in the morning. They don’t subscribe to the paper and Garfield started my day with a laugh that I want to share.
Let me read a story backed by an actual event based on facts. As a matter of fact, give me a state, national, or local paper and allow me to discern truth from fiction. I went to school.
I write for several regional as well as national newspapers and magazines. Each of their skilled editors are filled with determination to represent honesty, fairness, and open-mindedness. Through the years I have yet to see any nefarious schemes or distortions as found in other branches of news outlets and certainly on the internet.
I have stated this before, but by gosh, I love my fellow citizens enough to say it for the thousandth time: “Do not listen to only what you want to hear!”
It’s similar to reading the Bible. If you only read “Thou shalt not kill” you might miss the part “Do not judge, or you too will be judged.” We should never choose words from the Bible only to validate our ideas but rather read the Bible to learn how to live according to the word of God. To live an honest life with honest
leaders we must take the time to seek truth even though it might taste like hair mousse or smell like stinky cheese. It may take research to escape from darkness where warlocks live. And it may take God to return us to Detroit, Michigan in the land of America.
* From the comic strip, One Big Happy by Rick Detorie.
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.
Fly the Flag
2018 4th Ave., Rock Island
By Scott LaFee
Observation
“I didn’t know the full facts of life until I was 17. My father never talked about his work.” - Austrian lawyer Jean-Martin Freud (1889-1967), eldest son of Sigmund Freud
Body of Knowledge
The pineal gland produces a single, critical hormone: melatonin, which helps regulate sleep and wake cycles by tracking the presence of light.
The gland has been called the “third eye” because it is located at the center of the brain and because of its connection to light. The French philosopher Rene Descartes believed all our thoughts were formed in the pineal gland. Scientists now credit the neocortex.
Alcohol Causes Cancer
In one of his final acts, Vivek Murthy, former U.S. surgeon general, said alcoholic beverages should carry an updated warning label that says consumption increases the risk of cancer. Murthy said most Americans have no idea.
Recent research underscores the point, finding that quitting or reducing alcohol consumption reduced the risk of a striking list of cancers.
Otis Brawley, a professor of oncology and epidemiology at Johns Hopkins University, agrees with Murthy.
There is “a high likelihood - and there’s good scientific correlation to suggest - that alcohol causes breast cancer, colon cancer, rectal cancer, esophageal cancer and liver cancer,” Brawley said.
“The precautionary principle is, if it might cause cancer, you should warn people that it might cause cancer. Now, this is not a ‘might cause cancer.’ This is ‘it does cause cancer.’
Therefore, many of us feel that we should be warning people.”
Get Me That, Stat!
In a lifetime, according to the Daily Infographic, the average male spends a total of 855.8 days in the bathroom85 days more than the average female. That total breaks down to 185.4 days showering for men and 195.7 days for women (both take about 88 days over a lifetime drying themselves); 58.8 days shaving for men compared to 23.5 days for women, and 309 days on the toilet for men versus 259 days for women. Both men and women spend 824 days each in a lifetime brushing their teeth (four minutes a day).
The average human lifespan is approximately 28,854 days.
Sum Body
Speaking of days (see “Get Me That, Stat!” above), here is more of your life reduced to 24-hour increments in an average life expectancy: 180 days exercising 1,769 days socializing with others 7,709 days sitting 10,625 days looking at a tech device
Mania of the Month
Allodoxaphobia: An intense and irrational fear of other people’s opinions.
Medical History
In March of 1894, the first bottles of Coca-Cola were sold. Coca-Cola was invented by Dr. John Pemberton, an Atlanta pharmacist who created the formula in a three-legged brass kettle in his backyard, combining lime, cinnamon, coca leaves and the seeds of a Brazilian shrub to make the famous beverage. Carbonated water was introduced later. Coca-Cola was originally used as a nerve and brain tonic and a medical elixir.
Best Medicine
The plague, the flu and common cold walk into a bar.
The bartender says, “What is this? Some kind of sick joke?”
When you hear the word “cult,” you probably think of Jonestown, Guyana, in the 1970s or Charles Manson almost a decade earlier. However, cults can take on several variations while quietly sucking in its victims, isolating them, and preying on their weaknesses. Knowledge is protection, and these podcasts can arm you and your loved ones with a wealth of information:
“Was I In A Cult?” What makes this podcast so engaging is that each episode is told firsthand from the survivor of a cult, and trust me, there are plenty out there. This podcast is presented documentarystyle while also using “levity and info-tainment.” The storytellers vary widely in their shared experiences.
Not all cults take place in a commune with a leader wearing the equivalent of a giant Snuggie. There's the college advisor who isolated a student from her family, the acting class that “blurred the line between ambition and exploitation,” and the TikTok astrologer who led a powerful social media cult.
(PodcastOne.com)
“Fair Game” Old episodes of this podcast from actress and former Scientology member Leah Remini and her mentor/ Scientology whistleblower Mike Rinder are still available. Listen to how they discovered new ground and exposed shocking
Cults
documents about the church since its inception in 1953. Guests include former Sea Org executive Claire Headley (who was at the highest level of staff within Scientology), attorney Ray Jeffrey who took on the organization in the courtroom, and “Going Clear” documentary filmmaker Alex Gibney. Sadly, co-host Rinder died from esophageal cancer this past January, but his tenaciousness and bravery live on in this podcast.
(Audioboom.com)
“Escaping NXIVM” This seven-part podcast about what was initially billed as a self-help group for women but was secretly a trap of sexual slavery is as horrifying to listen to now as it was seven years ago. Canadian actress Sarah Edmondson shares her story of what it was like to escape the NXIVM cult. She has since publicly denounced it and participated in an expose in the New York Times, as well as a subsequent HBO documentary series called “The Vow.” Be sure to also listen to the bonus episode “Inside the Trial,” where justice is finally served to NXIVM cult leader Keith Raniere in the form of a 120-year sentence. (CBC.ca)
“Speaking of Cults”Host Chris Shelton interviews cult survivors as well as psychologists and other professionals on the topics of “cult recruitment, retention and recovery.” A particularly important episode is the one titled “You'd Have to be a Moron to Join a Cult!” What you hear just might surprise you. (SpeakingofCults.com)
✖ A Spanish civil servant went unnoticed for six years after he stopped showing up for work until someone tried to give him an award for his long service.
✖ The Spangler Candy Company named their famous lollipops “Dum Dums” because it was a word that was easy for any kid to say.
✖ In the 1960s, the Goodyear tire company tested the bright idea of lighted tires, to be available in a range of colors. They looked pretty cool in the dark, but their unfortunate tendency to melt under heavy braking and poor performance in wet conditions doomed the concept to the dustbin.
✖ A 2016 study revealed that only 27% of the words spoken in the biggest movies were uttered by women.
✖ National Donut Day originally started as a way to honor Salvation Army volunteers who served donuts to soldiers in World War I.
✖ When a man allegedly found a dead mouse in his can of Mountain Dew, Pepsi had an expert claim in an affidavit that the drink was so acidic it would have dissolved the mouse after 30 days.
✖ The Hubble Space Telescope is so powerful that it can spot the glow of a firefly from some 7,000 miles away.
✖ During his inauguration, Teddy Roosevelt wore a ring that contained a lock of Abraham Lincoln’s hair.
✖ The mayor of Bogotá, Colombia, once hired 420 mimes to make fun of traffic violators, believing his fellow
countrymen feared ridicule more than fines.
✖ When Katherine Johnson was little, she loved to count things. By the age of 10, she was in high school. In 1961, she calculated the trajectory of NASA’s first trip into space. She was so consistently accurate that when NASA began to use computers, they had her check the calculations to make sure they were correct.
✖ In Norse, the name Siri means “a beautiful woman that leads you to victory.”
✖ And speaking of Siri ... she will flip a coin for you if you can’t make a decision.
✖ Looney Tunes was created to promote the Warner Brothers music catalog in the 1930s, hence the name “Looney Tunes” instead of “Toons.”
✖ James Vernor put the basic components of a new beverage into a barrel in 1861 before heading off to serve in the 4th Michigan Cavalry during the Civil War. When he returned four years later, he tasted the barrel’s contents and, voila!, Vernor’s Ginger Ale was born.
✖ Norway’s Bouvet Island was discovered in 1739, then “lost” again for the next 69 years due to the original spotter’s mislabeling its coordinates.
✖ Canada has a strategic maple syrup reserve to ensure global supply in case of emergency.
✖ Elvis Presley wore a cross, a Star of David and the Hebrew letter chai because he didn’t want to “miss out on heaven due to a technicality.”
✖ A single person’s DNA contains as much information as 50 novels.
✖ Soccer player Mohammed Anas accidentally thanked both his wife and girlfriend in a postmatch speech.
If Your Hands, Arms, Feet, or Legs Are Numb - If You Feel Shooting or Burning Pain or An Electric Sensation - You Are at Risk
Don't Let Creeping Nerve Death Ruin Your Life
Get The Help You Need - Here's What You Need to Know...
Davenport, IA - If you experience numbness or tingling in your hands, arms, legs, or feet or if you experience shooting or burning pain, this is important.
Please read this carefully.
Peripheral Neuropathy is when small blood vessels in the hands, arms, feet or legs become diseased and tiny nerves that keep the cells and muscles working properly shrivel up and die.
Early-warning symptoms include tingling and numbness, mild loss of feeling in your hands, arms, legs or feet, inability to feel your feet, which increases your risk of footinjury and falling.
More Advanced Symptoms Include... Loss of coordination & dexterity, which puts you at increased risk of accidents. Inability to feel clothing like socks and gloves.
High risk of falling, which makes walking dangerous, and makes you more dependent on others. Burning sensations in your arms, legs, hands or feet that may start mild, but as nerves and muscles die, may feel like you're being burned by a blow torch.
Ignore the early warning signals long enough and you risk progressive nerve damage leading to muscle wasting, severe pain, loss of balance and a lot of staying at home wishing you didn't hurt.
When every step is like walking on hot coals, sitting still may be the only thing you feel like doing. But there's little joy in sitting still all day long.
Now here's the scary part.... Nerve damage CAUSES cell damage. Cell damage SPEEDS UP nerve degeneration
Without treatment this can become a DOWN-WARD SPIRAL that accelerates. The damage can get worse fast. Mild symptoms intensify. Slight tingling, numbness or lack of feeling can turn into burning pain.
Before you know it, damage can become so bad you hurt all the time.
Unless this downward spiral is stopped and nerves return to proper function - the damage to nerves and cells in the affected area can get so bad your muscles begin to die right along with the nerves and cells. And that sets the stage for weakness, loss of mobility, disability, and dependence on others.
If you have early warning signs of peripheral neuropathy, (tingling &/or numbness, loss of feeling or pain) it's CRITICAL you get proper treatment.
It's critical, because with proper treatment the symptoms can often be reversed. Without it, you are playing Russian Roulette with your health.
Once your nerve loss reaches 85%, odds are there's nothing any doctor can do to help.
The most common method your doctor may recommend to treat neuropathy is prescription drugs
Drugs like Gabapentin, Lyrica, Cymbalta, & Neurontin are often prescribed to manage the pain. But, damaged nerves and dying cells do not heal on their own.
Pain pills do not restore healthy nerve function. They just mask the pain as the nerves continue to degenerate and cells and muscle continue to die.
Taking endless drugs and suffering terrible side effects that may damage your liver & kidney and create even more problems, is not a reasonable path. You deserve better.
Three things must be determined to effectively treat neuropathy. 1) What is the underlying cause? 2) How much nerve damage has been sustained? 3) How much treatment your condition will require?
With proper treatment, shriveled blood vessels grow back & nerves can return to proper function. How much treatment you may need depends on your condition.
With Dr. Brian Glaus, D.C. we do a complete neuropathy sensitivity exam to determine the extent of your nerve damage. The exam includes a detailed sensory evaluation, extensive peripheral vascular testing, & a detailed analysis of the findings. Dr. Brian Glaus, D.C. will be offering this complete neuropathy sensitivity exam for $49. This special offer goes away at the end of this month as we have a limited number of exam appointments available.
Stop Hurting & Start Healing
Call Now to Schedule Your Complete Neuropathy Sensitivity Exam with Dr. Brian Glaus, D.C. (563) 355-3100
2220 E 53rd Street Davenport, IA 52807
Without treatment, nerve degeneration that begins with slight tingling or numbness may lead to a hot burning sensation and intense pain. Without treatment muscle wasting, loss of mobility and loss of independence is often the next stop.
Anesthesia Required for Colonoscopy Has a Very Low Risk of Delirium
Q: My husband, who is 71, has been having some short-term memory problems over the past two years. We recently saw his primary care doctor, who asked him some questions and had him do a few tasks. He did fail a few of them. She agreed that there was something going on, and now we have to wait to see a neurologist. He has an appointment for a colonoscopy next month, and I'm concerned about how the anesthesia will affect his already compromised short-term memory. I saw
the same thing happen with my father; he was having the same issues and broke his leg, which required surgery. He was never the same afterward. He couldn't live on his own anymore and required memory care right away. I have been told by medical staff at the hospital that this sometimes happens after a surgery because of anesthesia.
What are your thoughts about my husband's upcoming colonoscopy? Should I be worried about what this will do to his memory issues?
A: There are many kinds of memory issues that can affect older adults, and while Alzheimer's disease is the most common, this does not mean that your husband has it. Getting an evaluation by a neurologist is an excellent idea.
Anesthesia does not cause dementia. However, some people, like your father, do develop a complication called postoperative delirium. Delirium is different from dementia because it comes on quickly. The cause is almost always identifiable, whether it's due to medical illness, surgery, infection, low oxygen, metabolic abnormalities (such as sodium levels), etc. Delirium can last for a very long time and often unmask dementia that had been previously well-controlled.
The risk of delirium after the usual medication for a colonoscopy is small. The inhalation agents given in general anesthesia are much more
likely to cause delirium. While a colonoscopy can be performed without sedation, in my opinion, the risk of delirium after a colonoscopy with the usual sedation is so low that it is not necessary to forgo it.
Dr. Roach regrets that he is unable to answer individual questions, but will incorporate them in the column whenever possible. Readers may email questions to ToYourGood Health@med.cornell.edu.
Scams against seniors are getting worse
I CAN HELP. I CAN HELP.
Trivia Test
By Fifi Rodriguez
1. The show “Happy Days” is a spinoff of which older sitcom?
2. Which author created the character Hercule Poirot?
3. Where is Barack Obama's presidential library located?
4. What river forms part of the border between the United States and Mexico?
5. Which planet in our solar system has the strongest gravitational field?
6. Which four states intersect at the Four Corners monument?
7. What is anemophily?
8. How much does an Oscar award trophy weigh?
9. What is a haboob?
10. How many millimeters are in a meter?
Data breaches and financial scams against seniors are at all-time highs. What was bad before is worse now. Why do scammers target seniors?
Here are the top reasons:
They believe we have a lot of money. After all, we worked all those years...we saved a lot of cash, they assume. And now we have huge pension and Social Security income that surely puts us in a high income bracket, they assume.
Many of us grew up in an era when we were polite to people on the phone. Scammers take advantage of that and coax us into divulging private information.
Many of us aren't especially skilled with technology. We press buttons on our phone we shouldn't, or click links in a strange email, not realizing that we've enabled the download of a virus or made a connection to the scammers.
Here are suggestions for staying safe in the war with the scammers: Order your credit report from TransUnion, Equifax and Experian and review them line by line. Be sure there isn't anything you don't recognize, that no extra loans show up and no additional names are listed. To do this, go online to annualcreditreport. com and order your free credit reports. If you spot something wrong, report it at IdentityTheft.gov or call the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 833-372-8311.
Lock down your credit at all three credit bureaus. This will keep anyone from opening credit in your name. To learn safety on your electronic devices, ask your senior center, library or even your bank for a class on how to avoid falling for an online scam.
Most valuable of all: Don't be polite if a stranger calls you on the phone and starts asking questions. Just hang up. Better yet, don't answer if you don't recognize the number.
1. “Love, American Style.” 2. Agatha Christie. 3. Chicago, Illinois. 4. The Rio Grande. 5. Jupiter. 6. Arizona, New Mexico, Utah and Colorado. 7. Pollination by the wind.
8.5 pounds. 9. An intense dust storm. 10. 1,000.
By Dick Wolfsie
“What time is it?” I asked my wife. “It's exactly five o'clock,” she replied as she glanced at the grandfather clock (Grandpa, from now on) in our living room.
“It can't be, Mary Ellen. It was precisely five o'clock 20 minutes ago. Come to think of it, it's been five o'clock all day. Isn't it only supposed to be five o'clock twice a day? I do like it, though, because whenever I look at the clock, it's time for an apéritif.
That's when we realized our favorite antique had ceased to function. It wasn't that we depended on it; we both have digital watches and a microwave that tells time, but this was a fixture in our home with a long history in Mary Ellen's family. Just to annoy my wife, I suggested getting rid of Grandpa. Understandably, this made her angry...
A switch in time
few grandmother clocks. Incidentally, the big difference between a grandmother clock and a grandfather clock, according to Wikipedia, is that a grandfather clock is taller and has a much longer pendulum.
“GET RID OF IT!? GET RID OF IT!? This is a family heirloom, over a hundred years old. It's timeless.”
“I know it's timeless. That's the problem.”
We finally found a repairman to come to our house. There are very few repairwomen who fix grandfather clocks. But there are also very
The repairman was very knowledgeable about the history of the antique, informing us it was over a hundred years old and of German origin. I wondered if I could fix it myself with a little intimidation. I tried my best German accent: “If you don't start verking, vee can make you tock.”
The repair was successful. We were delighted that Grandpa was back in working order. Not only was he keeping time, but his chiming ability had been restored. Recently, he hadn't celebrated each hour with a tuneful outburst but simply ticked away. Mary Ellen and I were eager to hear him and also see if his dinging and donging would awaken us at night.
The repairman left at 4:20 pm, so we had to wait until five o'clock to see if the old guy was actually
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operating. It was like waiting for a pot to boil: 4:55, 4:56, 4:57, 4:58, 4:59, 5:00, 5:01, 5:02, 5:03...NOTHING! Mary Ellen wanted to wait a little longer. Grandpa was over 100 years old; he deserved a little time to get up to speed. Ironically, for most of his life, he was fast.
“I'm not sitting here another hour,” I said.
But, of course, I did.
At seven o'clock, he chimed, but he didn't at eight. At nine, he was right on target. But not at ten. We assumed he only chimed on odd hours, which seemed, well, very odd. The next day, he again chimed at nine o'clock but only eight times. Should we believe the clock or the number of chimes? The following day, he dinged whenever he wanted: 5:00, 5:50, 6:45, and 11:20. At noon, he chimed again. We threw our hands up, just like Grandpa does at noon and midnight.
Now, a week later, for reasons we will never understand, Grandpa is functioning perfectly with a melodious sound exactly on the hour with the proper number of chimes. How long will this good fortune last?
Only time will tell.
Dick Wolfsie is a freelance writer and public speaker. He has authored 14 books. He retired from WISH-TV in 2020, after 40 years on air in Indianapolis.
❖ On April 13, 1742, Handel's “Messiah,” one of the world's most beloved musical works, premieres in Ireland. Although now associated with Christmas, “Messiah” made its world premiere during the Christian season of Lent.
❖ On April 12, 1861, Confederate Gen. P.G.T. Beauregard opens fire on Union-held Fort Sumter in South Carolina, launching more than 4,000 rounds. Two days later, President Abraham Lincoln issued a proclamation calling for 75,000 volunteer soldiers to quell the Southern “insurrection.”
❖ On April 17, 1882, several copies of Sheriff Pat Garrett's wildly inauthentic, fictionalized biography, “An Authentic Life of Billy the Kid,” arrive at the Library of Congress. The first full, realistic biography of William Bonney (the Kid's principle alias) was not published until 1989.
❖ On April 14, 1818, Noah Webster, a Yale-educated lawyer with an avid interest in language and education, publishes his American Dictionary of the English Language. The dictionary, which took him more than two decades to complete, introduced more than 10,000 “Americanisms.”
❖ On April 15, 1912, the ocean
liner Titanic sinks into the North Atlantic about 400 miles south of Newfoundland. It was later discovered that the liner Californian had been less than 20 miles away but had failed to hear the Titanic's distress signals because its radio operator was off duty.
❖ On April 16, 1947, a giant explosion occurs during the loading of ammonium nitrate fertilizer onto the freighter Grandcamp at a pier in
Texas City, Texas. Nearly 600 people were killed and thousands injured when the ship was literally blown to bits. Its 3,000 pound anchor was found two miles away.
❖ On April 11, 1988, actress and singer Cher collects the Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance in “Moonstruck.” Cherilyn Sarkasian first became famous as the taller, female half of the 1960s singing duo Sonny and Cher.
By Bob Levey
My wife came home from lunch with a former colleague. She’s usually bubbly after such events. On this day, she was a bit moody.
“He got divorced,” she announced. “And he wants me to fix him up with a female friend of mine. Any female friend.”
She agreed to try, without enthusiasm, without any guarantees offered or expected. But as she tossed her raincoat onto a chair and slumped onto the couch, it was clear that the prospect of arranging a meet-up didn’t delight her.
Fixing people up, at our (advanced) age?
Fixing this guy up, when he’s 71, kind of nerdy and kind of set in his ways?
“I don’t really know what he’d be like in a dating situation,” my wife said. For that matter, she doesn’t
really know what any of her female friends would be like, either.
She now has two pals - the guy she just had lunch with, and whoever she might suggest to him as a date. But if the date goes sour, she might quickly cascade from two friends to neither. Who needs that?
On the other hand, there’s always a whiff of possibility when someone has just divorced and comes back on the market, regardless of age.
So many people think that having a partner, a regular date, even a sometime squeeze, is the natural order of things. Why be lonely? Any companionship/cuddleship is better than none, right?
I asked my wife if she had any ideas about unattached women she might suggest to this guy.
I know her so well. She mulled by walking that question up one side of her face and back down the other. Then she said:
“I know a lot. But none of them have ever told me that they’d be interested. They’re women of a certain age, and they’re perfectly happy to be single.”
In this day and age, a single man with wrinkles and white hair isn’t as rare as it used to be,
I pointed out.
“But it isn’t a fair fight. That single guy attracts far more attention than a single woman does or would. It’s not a level playing field. But it’s the truth.”
My wife knows me so well. She asked if I could please recount the story of my two fix-ups.
In both cases, the couples were in their 20s (I was in my 40s).
Couple One consisted of my research assistant and my wife’s cousin. They met. Sparks flew. They’ve now been married for more than 30 years, and have moved on to grandchildren, no less.
Then there was the fix-up that turned to mud.
She was a colleague. He was a professional acquaintance. She asked if I knew anybody. I asked if he was interested. He was.
The relationship took off like a rocket. Three dates in three days. Tentative plans to meet the other’s family. They called me separately to thank me.
Was I batting 1,000?
Nope. A mere .500.
Something went badly wrong. The couple splintered into a million pieces on a snowy street corner in downtown Washington. She called me the next
day to say she never wanted to see him again.
But they did meet once more - on the “Oprah Winfrey Show”!
A producer called me. Oprah was doing a segment about blind dates that didn’t work, but might have. Did I have any guests to suggest? I sure did.
Winfrey management flew the couple to Chicago (yes, on separate planes). They sat five feet apart on a couch while Oprah grilled them on national television.
Neither looked at the other. Neither smiled. Neither had a good word to
say about the other, or the whole experience.
I had stayed home from work to watch the episode. As glares and grimaces multiplied, I remember thinking:
“Robert, you gave America THIS?” Which was exactly why my wife wanted to hear my fix-up stories yet again.
She asked if I had ever again tried to play matchmaker after the street corner splinter. I said I hadn’t. Why risk a lifetime .500 batting average?
She is still mulling whether to help her lonely, divorced male friend. She is still landing on the basic truth of all potential couplehood: You never know until you try.
But the mulling has become less frequent lately. I think she has landed on a soft no.
Dating is so fraught at any age and any stage. My spouse seems sold on the idea that it will all work out for her divorced friend somehow, without her help - and without Oprah’s prying post mortem.
Bob Levey is a national awardwinning columnist.
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