I’ve got a chip to pick. Not a bone. A chip. With Doritos.
To be honest, it’s not a chip at all. It’s a stick.
Doritos are addictive due to a combination of factors including their carefully balanced mix of salt, sugar and flavor enhancers like monosodium glutamate (MSG) which stimulates the taste buds and forges a strong desire to keep eating. Often more than I intended.
My mouth is watering as I’m typing this. I know I have some on hand.
From the Desk of the Publisher
By K e v in F erri s
speculation. They even wrapped the Luxor casino in a giant Doritos chip.
Triangular chips and a pyramid casino. See how they made that work? I’m sure all this promotion wasn’t cheap. Advertising during the Super Bowl never is. They continued with influencers, running TV and digital ads and conducting in-person sampling events.
Then guess what happened.
But I’m also missing some flavors I wish I had on hand. The reason I am upset with Doritos in the first place is they keep discontinuing the flavors I enjoy the most.
Last year, during the Super Bowl, Doritos Dinamita introduced fans to Dina and Mita, a duo of unlikely heroes whose love for the spicy flavors of Doritos Dinamita propels them through any obstacle that stands between them and their new favorite snack. For weeks, the brand dropped teaser images and videos, fueling fan
Less than a year later, Frito Lay cut the entirety of the Doritos Dinamita Sticks line. All three flavors, gone. Hot Honey Mustard, Tangy Fiery Lime and my favorite, Smoky Chili Queso. I loved those sticks! They were the best. I guess the Doritos influencer didn’t influence enough.
I bought my first bag in May and ate it in a hotel room over the span of two nights. Nothing quite like laying in bed, eating chips (sticks) and watching TV. It’s a perfect way to kill time in a hotel room.
This is what always happens to me. If I had known the Doritos Dinamita Sticks were going to disappear a mere eight months later, I would have stocked up. Maybe bought a couple cases. I’m sure they would still taste good in 2028.
You can always buy the Nacho Cheese flavor or for that matter, Cool Ranch. I’ll bet my local pharmacy has a full display of Nacho Cheese Doritos sitting next to the colonos-
Publisher Kevin Ferris
copy prep drink I was supposed to pick up a month ago. Maybe if that drink tasted a bit more like Doritos (any flavor would do) I would be more interested in consuming it. Though I doubt colonoscopy flavored chips would be a hot seller.
While eliminating my Dinamitas, Doritos has introduced a new chip flavor called Golden Sriracha.
According to the Doritos website, “tangy and sweet flavors combine with just a dash of heat to bring a bold twist to Sriracha and a satisfying crunch to every bite.”
I haven’t had the pleasure yet, and until I find them on sale, it won’t happen. I’m not paying $5.29 for a half a bag of air.
Two for $6 is okay, but I’m holding out for two for $4.
Doritos first hit the market in 1966 with a product simply called “Tortilla Chips” which is about as plain as you can get. The magical combination of cheese powder and spices that transformed them into the cheesy goodness we crave today, didn’t happen until 1972.
My go to flavor is Spicy Sweet Chili. Hopefully it never leaves the Doritos lineup. We can only wonder what new flavors Doritos will introduce next.
I’ve got an idea. Smoky Chili Queso. Sticks or chips. It doesn’t matter.
Bring it back.
Please.
North Liberty, Solon, and Tipton. It is designed to inform, serve, and entertain mature readers.
Publication of columnists’ views, as well as advertising herein, does not constitute endorsement. Mature Focus reserves the right to reject or edit any advertising. Letters to the editor must be signed and include the writer’s address and phone number for verification. All letters must be received no later than the 15th of the month preceding publication.
subscription - $30. See page 27 for more information. Image credits: pikisuperstar, shane_ch13, storyset, on Freepik.com.
By Lynn Walker Gendusa
The lesson of the hen and the cow
How often did you hear your mother say, “Eat those peas and carrots on your plate! There are starving children who would give anything for those peas!” When food was left uneaten by many American children, a similar guilt tactic was employed.
Another guilt-ridden beauty was, “When I was your age, I walked miles to school in the snow and rain every day! Why are you complaining about needing a car?”
The school lunchroom was the only place I left a morsel of food on my plate. I was that rare kid who loved vegetables as well as everything else. Mom would laugh about leftovers because she told folks, “We never have any!”
I was very young when I saw a newsreel depicting children begging for food. Flies flew around their gaunt, skeletal faces, and I remember the horror I felt watching the sadness. Perhaps, when I was little, I was deter-
mined to eat everything on my plate so I would never need to beg for food. Now, I did often gripe about the car. And even though I felt the walk in the ice and snow was hard on my parents,
why would that affect me! I was a bona fide selfish teenager just like the rest of my friends. Complaining was a rite of passage, right?
Then I grew up. I have been hungry and worried about food but knew I wouldn't die of starvation. I have been without a car, but only in my first year of college when I walked to classes across my campus.
One freaky day in
Georgia, my car became stuck in the snow, and the kids and I walked home. During the treacherous trek, I thought of Mom and Dad, who were required to do so on many cold, rainy days. That’s the day I felt remorseful for complaining about the car.
We live in America today where few die of starvation and a bus pulls up to most corners along with an Uber driver. Yet, in multiple parts of the world, children still beg for morsels of anything to sustain them. They are walking miles through challenging terrain to find safety and shelter.
Innocent minors live in war-torn villages ruled by rogue governments and terrorists. Because of the savagery, many are left alone to roam and forge like animals in a barren field.
We turn away because it makes us feel guilty. It should. Our mothers were right; there are still starving children somewhere who would beg for the scraps we throw away.
How many of us complain about
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Thankfully, there are steps all women can take to protect their health:
Get tested for HIV at least once in your lifetime.
Request HIV testing any time you get tested for other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Learn about and access the best HIV prevention tools for you!
If you’re living with HIV, connect to care and services to protect you and your partners’ health.
poor service at a restaurant, the price of bacon, or electricity? How many of us just complain? If you need more clarification, look on social media for the rants and tirades regarding this or that. Complaining has become an art form. In other words, many are still selfish teenagers who have never reached maturity, empathy, or thankfulness.
Gratitude for all our bounty is a powerful antidote to selfish behavior. It encourages compassion for those desperately needing it and fosters a sense of contentment. All people are God's people, born in all countries and ethnicities. To close our hearts and eyes to the suffering of others is a form of soul starvation. We will only grow in spirit if we learn to appreciate what we have.
During the Great Depression, my mother told us they didn't have much but owned a cow and a hen. For some strange reason, the hen began to produce abundant eggs, and the cow's milk flowed in buckets. Their neighbors were not so blessed, so my grandparents told their three almostgrown children to take the extra eggs and milk to their neighbors.
“But, mama, we might go hungry ourselves!” The three shouted.
My grandmother smiled and said, “We will never be without.” Of course, they didn't understand at first.
Soon, the three realized that the more they gave away, the more the hen and cow worked to meet the demand. Giving sustained them and brought them joy and a sense of abundance.
Mom said, “We never went hungry. And we never understood why or how we had so much when we had nothing but a hen and a cow.”
My grandparents believed the words in the gospel, “Give, and it will be given to you! A good measure pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
Luke 6:38
Loving our neighbors and all of God's children gives us the riches, peace,
and understanding we need. We should always do more, say less, give more, expect less, and pray that God offers hope to those who have so little by using us who have so much.
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.
Savory Favorites to Make St. Patrick’s Day Special
Discover more celebratory meal ideas from “Cookin' Savvy” by visiting Culinary.net.
Irish Beef and Beer Pot Pie
Servings: 4-6
1 pound ground beef
1 cup stout beer
3 tablespoons flour
1 can (15 ounces) tomato puree
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 cup beef broth
1 bag (28 ounces) hashbrowns with peppers and onions
1 can (14 ounces) carrots, drained
1 can (14 ounces) peas, drained salt, to taste pepper, to taste
1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
1 egg
Heat oven to 400 F.
In large skillet or Dutch oven, brown ground beef; drain and set
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aside.
Over medium heat, deglaze skillet with beer and whisk in flour. After thickening, whisk in tomato puree and add Worcestershire sauce. Mix in ground beef, garlic powder and beef broth. Add hashbrowns, carrots and peas. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Simmer 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Place puff pastry sheet on cookie sheet. Beat egg and brush over pastry. Bake 10 minutes. Place hot puff pastry on top of beef mixture and serve.
4 tablespoons butter, melted
Irish Sweet Soda Bread Servings: 4-6
1 cup sugar
1 1/2 cups buttermilk
4 cups self-rising flour
1 cup currants
2 tablespoons sanding sugar (optional) coffee or tea, for serving (optional)
Heat oven to 375 F.
Mix melted butter and sugar then add buttermilk. Mix in flour and currants.
Flour hands and counter. Add sanding sugar to dough, if desired, and knead into a ball.
Grease small Dutch oven or pie plate and bake 40 minutes. Serve with coffee or tea, if desired, or as a dessert.
Quad City Coin Club
61st Annual Spring Coin Show
Sunday, April 6, 2025
Camden Center
2701 1st Street E
Camden Park and US Route 67, Milan, IL
U.S. and Foreign Coins
Gold and Silver Bullion
U.S. and Foreign Paper Money
77 Dealer Tables FREE ADMISSION
9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Exhibits, Gold Coin Raffle, Free Door Prizes Every Hour, Concessions Available
facebook.com/groups/ 510279799152498/
Substitutions: Raisins can be used in place of currants.
Irish coffee
4 oz brewed coffee
1.5-2 oz Irish whiskey
1-2 teaspoons sugar
2-3 tablespoon whipped cream
Brew strong dark roast coffee and
lightly whip fresh cream until slightly thickened.
Pour hot coffee into the glass, add sugar on top, and stir to dissolve.
Pour in 1.5-2 ounces of Irish whiskey and gently stir.
Pour lightly whipped cream over the back of a spoon to create a floating layer.
Classic Travels
April 13, 2025, “Nunsense” at the Barn III in Goodfield, IL. “Before the Singing Sisters” became world famous, Sister Mary and Father Chaunce launched their habit wearing choir of chaos right here. Now they’re back to help us celebrate our 50th Anniversary kicking our golden jubilee as only a gaggle of singing nuns can! Their mission was to bring people of all denominations together for dinner, and a show and a spirit-filled celebration of the Barn III. And of course, to ready our hearts for Lent… the season when we give up good things and pretend we don’t miss them. So dust off your hymnals, warm up your vocal chords and prepare for an afternoon of music, laughter, 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. Payment due Wednesday. March 12, 2025.
April 24, 2025, “Murder on The Orient Express” at The Fireside Dinner Theatre, Ft. Atkinson, WI. Just after midnight a snowdrift stops the Orient Express in its tracks. Agatha Christie’s luxurious train is surprisingly full for the time of the year, but by the morning it is one passenger fewer. An American tycoon lies dead in his compartment, stabbed eight times, his door locked from the inside. Isolated and with a killer in their midst, the passengers rely on detective Hercule Poirot to identify the murderer – in case he or she decides to strike again. Join us for this theatrical thriller from the Queen of Crime with both intellectual and comedic twists and turns, masterfully adapted for the stage by Ken Ludwig. Menu is watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew, kiwi and strawberries over fresh garden greens and our famous papaya chutney dressing, pork back ribs, accompanied by our buttermilk marinated southern fried chicken breast, accompanied by roasted garlic redskin potatoes and creamed corn. Dessert is French silk pie with velvety chocolate mousse, topped with fresh whipped cream. Leave at 7:00 a.m., back at 8:30 p.m. Price is $156. Payment due Friday. March 21, 2025.
Tuesday, June 17 – 20, 2025 Mystery Trip. It’s a doozie! It’s a lot of fun and an unusual stop for lunch. There is a March 3, 2025 deadline because of the hotel and luncheon reservations. Price is $1,099 dbl. and $1,299 sgl. Payment due Monday, March 3, 2025.
June 26, 2025 “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 cautiously navigating the politics of the kitchen; and be there in 1944 when Mavis first barreled her way through the door. Menu is an Asian vegetable mix, supreme cut chicken breast with fried rice and peas and honey glazed carrots. Dessert is a lemon custard garnished with fresh-like strawberries. Leave 7:00 am, back at 8:00 pm Price is $156. Payment due Thursday, May 22, 2025.
August 25 – 28, 2025 Shipshewana, IN See details in the next newsletter. December 1 – 6, 2025 Branson, MO See details in the next newsletter.
Now that the “Best of 2024” lists have faded from conventional and social media, make way for the “What to expect in 2025!” articles that have begun dotting the media landscape. These prognostications can range from “How high will the price of eggs really go?” to “Is this the year the Chicago Bears finally make the playoffs?” to “What undiscovered vacation destination will immediately lose that status because some travel writer mentioned it in a blog post?”
Also weddings.
Zola, an online wedding registry and planning service, recently provided its
‘Please take my brother to be your husband’
“first look” report detailing what wedding invitees can expect when they enter a church to celebrate a marriage that will last, on average, eight years according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Of course, that’s assuming the betrothed couple has chosen a religious institution. They are far more likely, Zola reveals, to choose outdoor gardens, rustic ranches, farms and barns. Also, once the bride and groom join arms at the end of the aisle, or the manure and straw-littered dirt road, the person waiting to officiate the ceremony might be the same person who shared a childhood bedroom with one of them.
Sorry, wedding officials who answer to “Father,” “Reverend,” “Rabbi” or some other title denoting a religionbased occupation. You may have more weekends free in 2025. Zola claims 61% of couples will be asking friends
or family members to preside over ceremonies and eventually, present Mr. and Mrs. Whoever to the assembled guests.
I always thought family wedding interactions were reserved for the first toast, when a sister or a usually inebriated brother grabs the microphone and launches into a long-winded, unfunny story about the bride, groom or both. The at first attentive guests eventually begin checking their phones and deciding they can no longer wait for a bathroom break.
Both of those moves are frowned upon during actual nuptials. So expect wedding ceremonies to last longer in 2025 since the officiant will, most likely, use his or her position to include a story that is best delivered after the bar has been open for at least 90 minutes.
I have one sibling, an older sister.
We have a great relationship, but I can’t imagine her saying, “You may now kiss the bride” or emitting any other phrase one associates with a wedding ceremony. Instead, I’d be holding my breath, wondering if she was planning to deviate from the wedding rehearsal script with a crack about my hair, my shoes or my choice of cologne. Hey, siblings insult one another. It’s in our blood.
Then there’s the idea of having a friend join my spouse and I in holy matrimony. Oh, the choices! Select the fraternity brother who accompanied me on spring break to Daytona Beach? Or the co-worker who knows what I REALLY think of my boss, who may be sitting in one of the pews? Surely there wouldn’t be an ad-libbed story, delivered from the altar, about office politics?
Or would there?
I’d rather not take that chance. It’s never wise to start a marriage unemployed.
My marriage ended in divorce after 29 years. At this time, I have no plans to walk down the aisle again, no matter what that aisle is made from or what
seaside gazebo it leads to. But I can provide some cautionary advice for engaged couples who want to shake up a traditional wedding by making their dog the ring bearer or substituting THC-infused beverages for champagne during the first toast.
At the end of the day, your guests are there to eat food and drink liquor they didn't pay for. So don’t overthink what should be an amazing day for both of you. If anything, let others make the decision.
Which leads to another interesting revelation courtesy of Zola:
Fifty-one percent of couples are perfectly OK with using artificial Intelligence to write their wedding vows.
Greg Schwem is a corporate standup comedian and author of two books:”Text Me If You’re Breathing: Observations, Frustrations and Life Lessons From a Low-Tech Dad” and the recently released “The Road To Success Goes Through the Salad Bar: A Pile of BS From a Corporate Comedian,” available at Amazon.com. Visit Greg at gregschwem.com.
SA V VY SENIOR The surprising dangers of earwax
By Jim Miller
Q: I’ve heard that excessive earwax can cause serious health problems in elderly seniors. What can you tell me about this?
A: It’s true! Excessive amounts of earwax can indeed cause problems in elderly seniors including hearing loss or ringing in your ears. Some people experience vertigo, which increases the risk of falling. There’s also a correlation between hearing loss and cognitive decline and depression.
Earwax – which is not really wax at all, but a substance called cerumen that binds with dirt, dust and debris –is normally produced by the body as a way to clean and protect the ears. In most people, the self-cleaning process works fine. But in others, including more than 30 percent of elderly people, the wax collects to the point where it can completely block or
impact the ear canal.
Those that are most affected are elderly seniors, especially those living in nursing homes or assisted living centers that provide substandard hygiene. Those highest at risk are hearing-aid users because the devices push wax down into the canal.
Earwax Removal
Usually, earwax moves up and out on its own so the best way to control it is to leave it alone. But that advice can backfire for those who accumulate excessive amounts of earwax.
The symptoms of an earwax problem can include an earache, a feeling of fullness in the ear, hearing loss, tinnitus, dizziness, an ear infection, ear itchiness, or cough due to pressure from the blockage stimulating a nerve in the ear.
If you or your elderly loved one’s experience any of these symptoms, try using a softening
agent to help the wax leave the ear or to remove it more easily.
If you prefer the natural route, try baby oil or mineral oil. Using an eyedropper, apply a drop or two into your ear, tilting your head so the opening of the ear is pointing up toward the ceiling. Stay in that position for a minute or two to let the fluid flow down to the waxy buildup. Then tilt your head in the opposite direction to let the fluid and wax drain.
You can also try an over-the-counter earwax removal solution or kit, which are sold in most pharmacies. Solutions may contain oil or hydrogen peroxide, and some kits include a bulb syringe that you squeeze to flush your ear with warm water, if needed.
You may need to repeat this waxsoftening and irrigation procedure several times before getting rid of the excess earwax. If, however, the symptoms don’t improve after a few treatments, you need to see an audiologist
or ear, nose and throat (ENT) doctor to have the wax removed.
Earwax removal is one of the most common ENT procedures performed. They have a variety of tools that can remove hard, stubborn earwax.
It might be tempting to poke a cotton swab, bobby pin, pencil or finger into your ear to get the gunk out, but don’t go digging. Yes, it’ll remove some of the wax, but it may also push the rest deeper into the ear canal and increase your risk of injuring your eardrum and making the problem worse.
Jim Miller is the author of “The Savvy Senior” book.
Classical Blast in Kilts Rockin’ Celtic Music
Saturday March 15, 2025 at 7:00 p.m.
Classical Blast, based out of the Chicago area, is wildly popular for their innovative new arrangements of classic rock tunes performed on a mix of classical and rock instruments.
Classical Blast has opened concerts for major rock headliners, including The Electric Light Orchestra; Eagles guitarist, Don Felder; Joan Jett and many others.
From Bach to classic rock to contemporary pop, you'll find their music exhilarating and refreshing.
Tickets: $25 (advance), $28 (door) Students 18 and under: $15 (advance) $18 (door)
Get Tickets Now!
All Seating is General Admission
Office Hours:
9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Monday - Friday
1215 E Platt St., Maquoketa, IA 52060
563-652-9815
Tickets available online at ohnwardfineartscenter.com
Stay Safe From Shingles
1 in 3 people will get shingles. Prevention is possible.
Shingles can cause a painful skin rash and lead to serious health problems, such as long-term nerve pain and vision loss. Shingles stays dormant in your nervous system after you recover from chickenpox. Your risk of shingles increases with age.
The shingles vaccine is the best way to protect against the virus and its complications.
The shingles vaccine is recommended for:
• Adults 50 and older.
• Adults 19 and older with weakened immune systems. Ask your healthcare provider about the shingles vaccine.
Source: cdc.gov 2/25
Elder Law
By Ben Bekel, Quad City Life Planning
In 2012, Art Modell passed away. If you’re a football fan, you probably recognize his name. He was the longtime owner of the Cleveland Browns and later the Baltimore Ravens. (What your opinion of Mr. Modell is likely depends on whether you’re a Browns fan or a Ravens fan, but that’s a story for a different time and place.)
He had things set up so that his estate ran relatively smoothly – except for one small problem. In 2001, the Ravens won the Super Bowl, and of course Mr. Modell received a ring from the NFL as the owner of the winning team. One ring, to be precise – large as rings go, but small as compared to the rest of the estate. Regardless of how large, there’s no good way to divide a Super Bowl ring, and it holds enough sentimental value that simply selling it isn’t a good solution either.
Mr. Modell had two children. His estate plan simply said to split everything he had equally between his children. His children now had a big problem on their hands, caused by something that was relatively small.
Of course, this big problem need not be so big, if we make sure to anticipate these potentially big problems caused by small and indivisible
It’s the little things (that can create huge
personal items. There’s no one particular strategy that works better than another, but the one I’m thinking of in particular is what life and estate planners call the “personal property memorandum.”
A personal property memorandum can be any document, hand or type written, which happens to bear your signature. It must also contain a list of certain personal items and the individuals whom you wish to have those respective items upon your passing. Finally, your life and estate plan –will-based or trust-based – should contain a reference to this personal property memorandum. If these three conditions are met by a given document, the list you create becomes fully incorporated in your life and estate plan automatically. As though
you had the list inserted in your planning documents originally.
I always recommend you go over this personal property memorandum with your loved ones when you review your documents, as a way to minimize conflict and make sure everyone is aware of your planning and what it entails. Such conversations can also take the place of a personal property memorandum. But remember, if it’s not in writing it may not be fully legally binding.
The story of Art Modell’s estate has a happy and unique ending. His children got together and worked out an unusual arrangement – one child would take possession of the ring for two years, then send it to the other child for two years, and so on.
They’re still doing that with their father’s Super Bowl ring today and they now each have their own ring to keep thanks to the Ravens winning another Super Bowl.
While unique, this arrangement is a testament to both the cooperation and knowledge of their father’s estate plan in advance. Something that is beneficial to everyone, even if you don’t have a Super Bowl ring to give away.
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.
By Doris Montag
Before antibiotics, even small cuts posed a risk of infection. There were no ways to bandage small injuries to keep them clean and dry. Over history wound care varied widely. There is evidence that in 1500 BC the Egyptians used honey on cuts to serve as an antibiotic barrier.
By 460 BC, the Greek physician Hippocrates washed wounds with vinegar and then wrapped the wound with fig leaves to prevent infection. In the first century AD, Roman physicians used lead, silver and spices with antiseptic qualities including saffron, thyme and mint. In the 1860s, Joseph Lister, M.D., used surgical gauze with carbolic acid, a disinfectant.
In 1886, brothers Robert, James and Edward Johnson created Johnson & Johnson to mass produce sterile
Band-Aid Brand adhesive bandages
dressings and gauze. Two years later they introduced the first commercial first aid kits. Initially produced for injured railroad workers, the package of sterile gauze, bandages and dressings were soon sold to the public.
Thirty years later, a cotton buyer for J & J, Earle Dickson, created a bandage for his new wife who often cut her fingers in the kitchen. Using the company's adhesive tape and gauze, he laid out an 18-inch piece of surgical tape and placed a strip of gauze down the middle. To keep the adhesive from sticking, he covered it with crinoline fabric. His wife could then cut a strip for the size of the
injury and dress her own wounds. It was so successful at home that Dickson took it to work, and a new product was born.
BAND-AID® Brand adhesive bandages entered the market in 1921. These first bandages, measuring three inches wide and 18 inches long, were made by hand. To promote sales, Johnson & Johnson hired traveling salesmen to demonstrate the bandages to doctors, butchers and retail pharmacists.
By 1924, Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc. had invented machines to mass-produce bandages that were three inches long and threequarters of an inch wide. By 1940, the little red string was introduced to make the wrapper easier to open. In 1926 the decorated tin boxes debuted. The bandages stayed dry, and the box could be reused.
During World War II, millions of bandages were shipped overseas to the front lines and packaged in soldiers' first aid kits.
Little Golden Books published Doctor Dan, The Bandage Man in 1950. Doctor Dan applies a bandage to a little boy's finger. The first printing of 1.75 million copies of Doctor Dan was the largest first printing of any Little Golden Book to date.
Decorated bandages started in 1956 with BAND-AID® Brand Stars 'n Strips adhesive bandages.
In 1992 the little red pull-string was replaced with a new tear-apart design.
Antibiotic adhesive bandages debuted in 1997 with an ointment on the gauze pad to help prevent infection and protect from dirt and germs.
Today, Band-Aid is one of the most recognized brands in the adhesive bandage market, and the overall market for wound care products, including adhesive bandages, is substantial, with billions of dollars in sales globally. All because Mrs. Dickson had a habit of cutting her fingers!
Follow Doris Montag on Facebook at HistoryofOrdinaryThings.
Shrimp, once seen as a splurge, has become a frugal choice - not because shrimp prices have dropped, but because everything else has gone up! This seafood favorite is now an economical protein compared to the skyrocketing costs of beef, chicken and even eggs. Pair that with one-pot preparation, and you've got dinner that's easy on your wallet and your schedule.
One-pot recipes streamline prep, cooking and cleanup, leaving you with more time to enjoy your meal and less time spent scrubbing dishes. This dish is fast, flavorful and destined to become a weeknight favorite.
ONE POT LEMON GARLIC SHRIMP
Yield: 4-6 servings
Total Time: 30 minutes
16 ounces uncooked shrimp (41-60)
thawed and peeled
1 fresh lemon, see note below*
3 tablespoons butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced
2 cups long-grain white rice
2 cups chicken broth
1 1/2 cup water
1 teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
Prep the Ingredients: If using frozen shrimp, thaw and peel before starting.
*Zest the lemon, reserving the zest. Slice lemon in half, juice half the lemon (about 2 tablespoons juice) and slice the other half for garnish.
Saute the Garlic and Rice: Heat a deep skillet over medium heat. Add butter and garlic, and red pepper, sauteing until fragrant (1-2 minutes). Stir in the rice and continue sauteing for another 1-2 minutes until the rice begins to toast lightly. You might hear a faint crackling sound.
Add Liquid and Seasoning: Carefully pour in the chicken broth,
water, lemon juice and half the lemon zest. Stir in the Old Bay and parsley. Give everything a good stir to combine.
Cook the Rice: Cover the skillet with a lid and bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 12 minutes.
Add the Shrimp: After 12 minutes, most of the liquid should be absorbed. Lift the lid briefly to scatter the shrimp across the top of the rice. Replace the lid and continue cooking on low for 5 minutes.
Let It Rest: Without removing the lid, remove the skillet from the heat. Let it rest for an additional 5 minutes. During this time, the shrimp will finish cooking, becoming pink and opaque.
Fluff and Serve: Gently fluff the rice with a fork, mixing in the shrimp slightly. Garnish with the reserved lemon slices, lemon zest and a sprinkle of fresh parsley, if desired. Serve hot and enjoy!
To save time, use pre-minced garlic or frozen shrimp that's already peeled. Want to switch up the flavors? Try Italian seasoning with a sprinkle of Parmesan for a Mediterranean twist, or black pepper and grated Parmesan for a cacio e pepe-style dish.
Craving spice? A dash of Cajun seasoning, or smoked paprika adds a bold kick. For a fresh take, toss in fresh dill and a touch of crumbled feta. Love warm, aromatic flavors? Stir in a pinch of curry powder and a splash of coconut milk for a subtle, creamy depth.
Or go zesty with lime juice, cilantro and a hint of chili for a vibrant, Southwest-inspired version.
The combination of tender shrimp, fluffy rice and bold seasoningswhether it's zesty lemon and garlic, smoky Cajun spice or a Mediterranean twist - makes this dish a winner. We hope you try your favorite variations and love it as much as we do!
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.
Monthly Recipe brought to you by our:
• 3-4 large potatoes, peeled and diced
• 1 celery stalk, cut into thirds lengthwise and sliced
• 2 green onions, chopped
• 4 eggs, hard-boiled and diced
• 3/4 cups of mayo
• 1/2 tablespoon mustard
• 1-1/2 tablespoons apple cider or white vinegar
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon paprika for garnish (optional)
1. In a large stockpot, add the potatoes and cover with cold water. Place the pot on the burner and turn to medium-high heat until it comes to a boil; then reduce the heat to a rolling boil (about medium) for 10-15 minutes until the potatoes are easily pierced with a fork.
2. Drain the potatoes in a colander.
3. In a large mixing bowl, combine the celery, green onions, eggs, mayo, mustard and vinegar. Once combined, toss in the potatoes to the mixture, taste and season accordingly with salt and pepper and additional mayo (if needed).
4. Transfer to a serving dish and garnish with paprika. Serve immediately or place in an airtight container and place in the refrigerator.
Recipe provided by craftymorning.com
The Villas at Friendship Manor
Find luxury active living at The Villas at Friendship Manor! Our 13 independent living villas offer all the coziness of home without the hassles or upkeep of homeownership. This active community is in a quiet neighborhood setting just a short walk away from the Friendship Manor main campus.
As a villa resident, you’re free to explore, grow and continue pursuing the things you’ve always loved to do — but you’re always welcome to join us across the street to dine, shop, schedule a salon appointment, join friends for activities and more.
WORD SEARCH
Healthy Eyes: Trouble reading?
By William Benevento, M.D.
Why is my reading vision getting worse? Here's what you need to know about this natural but frustrating part of aging.
Q: Aren’t reading problems just fixed with glasses?
A: For the vast majority of people, this is true. Generally, the lens inside the eye is supposed to bring the distance focus up close. We start to lose that ability in our 20s and 30s, and by the time we are in our 40s, we can’t crank in enough power to bring that distance focus in and our arms aren’t long enough to read. Because of that, we need a little crutch for the up close
stuff, either reading glasses or a bifocal. This is actually very predictable based on our age, and our need for reading glasses continues to go up into our 60s. Whether or not you wear glasses doesn’t change this at all, so you’re not “saving yourself” by not wearing readers and gutting it out. It’s just part of passing a few more birthdays along the way.
Q: What else causes reading problems?
A: The other problem that we run into frequently is dry eyes. The difference here is that people with dry eyes can generally read pretty good to start with, but minutes later, because you’re staring at the page, your eyes dry out and your vision becomes blurry and/or you can’t focus. Your eyes also tend to get really tired or gritty when they read for a while, especially at the end of the day. They may also have problems on the computer for the very same reason; they
stare a lot and that dries them out. Again, the difference here is they can start out pretty good and then they tire out.
Q: What do you do for that?
A: Artificial tears, hot compresses to the lids for a couple of minutes, sometimes medicated drops. Taking breaks every so often (looking into the distance) helps, too.
Q: Any other problems we should know about?
A: A less common problem is convergence insufficiency. Generally, our eyes are pointed straight ahead when we look in the distance, and they converge when we come up close. This ability can fail in some folks as they grow older, especially in people with Parkinson’s disease. They can have double vision or a halo effect. These folks strain to bring the images from each eye together and have a tendency to close one eye when they read because it eliminates the struggle. Prism in the glasses can help with this; basically, it’s a little crutch for the patient to move those images together.
Q: When does someone need to be seen?
A: A lot of diseases blur the vision for distance and near, but sometimes people notice the reading stuff first because that’s when they’re looking at little things and “pushing the system.” It’s always a good idea to schedule a complete eye exam if you’re having problems seeing. It may just be glasses, but it’s good to know it’s not something else.
Dr. Benevento is a board certified ophthalmologist. He practices in Bettendorf, Iowa. For more information, please visit: esaeyecare.com.
The material contained in this article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider.
❖ On March 17, 461 A.D., Saint Patrick - Christian missionary, bishop and apostle of Ireland - dies in Ireland. Much of what is known about his legendary life comes from the “Confessio,” a book he wrote during his final years. The first St. Patrick's Day parade was held not in Ireland, but in New York City in 1762.
❖ On March 18, 1852, businessmen Henry Wells and William Fargo join with other New York investors to create Wells, Fargo and Company to serve and profit from the economic boom in California. The discovery of gold at Sutter's Mill in 1849 spurred a huge demand for shipping.
An active lifestyle for 55+
❖ On March 13, 1781, astronomer William Hershel discovers Uranus, the first new planet to be found by use of a telescope. In 1986, the spacecraft Voyager 2 visited Uranus, discovering 10 additional moons to the five already known.
❖ On March 14, 1879, Albert Einstein is born in Germany. Einstein's theories of relativity drastically altered man's view of the universe, and his work in particle and energy theory ultimately helped make the atomic bomb.
❖ On March 19, 1916, eight Curtiss “Jenny” planes of the First Aero Squadron take off from Columbus, New Mexico, in the first combat air mission in U.S. history.
Laughter Yoga and Lunch at Senior Star
Join us for a fun and insightful workshop where we will explore the physiological and psychological benefits of laughter, practice mindfulness and deep breathing techniques, while learning new ways to bring more joy to your life and others! This program will take place from a seated position and no experience or equipment is necessary.
Laughter yoga is a practice that combines breathing, movement, and laughter to improve your mood, strengthen your immune system, decrease blood pressure and pain, while increasing oxygen to the brain which improves performance and overall health.
This event will be held Tuesday, March 18 from 12:00-1:00pm at Senior Star in the Independent Living building, located at 4500 Elmore Ave., Davenport, IA. Parking will be directed by Senior Star on-site. Lunch will be provided during the program. Doors will open at 11:30 am and the program will take place 12:00-1:00 pm. Advance registration and payment is required.
All proceeds for this event will be donated to the Alzheimer’s Association. SPACE IS LIMITED! Mail in your registration and payment to the address provided. For more information contact Jennifer (563) 370-4412.
Tour with Plus 60 and Collette
You are invited to a free no-obligation informative presentation on Tuesday, March 11, from 5-6:30 pm in the Adler Health Education Center on the lower level of the Genesis Heart Institute at 1236 E. Rusholme St., Davenport. Collette Travel will highlight the following trips (early bird savings) with departure from the Quad Cities: Aug. 14-19, 2025 – Spotlight on Washington, DC
Sept. 29-Oct. 6, 2025 – California Dreamin’, Monterey, Yosemite & Napa Oct. 4-11, 2025 – Discover Colors of New England Oct. 25-Nov. 2, 2025 – NEW! Iceland’s Magical Northern Lights
Please register in advance to help plan for adequate brochures by calling Connie (719) 649-2960. Please provide your first and last name, membership #, daytime phone number, and number of attendees.
The squadron flew in support of U.S. troops who invaded Mexico to capture Mexican revolutionary Pancho Villa.
❖ On March 16, 1926, in Massachusetts, American Robert H. Goddard successfully launches the world's first liquid-fueled rocket. The 10-foot rocket traveled for 2.5 seconds at a speed of about 60 mph.
❖ On March 15, 1972, “The Godfather” - a three-hour epic chronicling the lives of an ItalianAmerican crime family led by the powerful Vito Corleone (Marlon Brando) - is released in theaters.
“The Godfather” was adapted from the best-selling novel by Mario Puzo.
92 S.O.S or Brillo product 93 Very helpful tip, informally
"Bonjour, -- amis!"
100 Fashion frill
102 Michael formerly of Disney
Word on Winnie-the-Pooh's pot
105 Total overhauls
Suit fabric
Wallach of
Less typical
"Am not!" retort
112 Full of the latest info
115 Spacewalks, in NASA lingo
116 Mo. #10
118 Tennis
119 Air quality gp. 120 -- Mama (rapper) 121 School stat
By Tonya Ranum
As we embark upon March Madness, I’ve been reflecting on the lackluster Iowa Hawkeye’s 2024/25 athletic season. Namely, women’s basketball, men’s basketball, and football. It’s been rough, Hawk fans. It’s been rough.
Isn’t it great to be a Hawkeye?
Ladies first.
I’m not over losing Caitlin. Anytime I see highlights showcasing #22 draining deep threes to win games or break records, I die a little inside...she does it time and time again! Those four years we had with her were magnificent. I didn’t appreciate them enough at the time (I tried) and now I’m lamenting the void from CarverHawkeye Arena like a painful breakup. My heart aches for her. Thank God for the WNBA!
I applaud loyal Iowa fans. They have come out to support the current women’s basketball team well aware Caitlin’s grandeur is a memory. We get teensy tastes here and there of the past magic from Lucy Olsen when she splashes threes or drives to the basket for the and one. It’s then I contemplate
what could have been had Lucy played for Iowa all four years of her college career. Can you imagine Olsen’s 20+ points combined with Clark’s 30+? Maybe we would have defeated LSU in the national championship game. Maybe. For the record, Angel Reese was never in contention for the WNBA rookie of the year, injury or no injury. But I digress...
A nod to our new head coach, Jan Jensen as she tries her best to rebuild a team after losing the GOAT. It’s a herculean task but I’m optimistic that with several freshmen producing solid minutes this season, perhaps in a year or two, we’ll be back in contention. In the meantime, I’m extending Jan grace and patience as she solves this unique puzzle. One freshman I’m particularly excited about is 6' 4" center, Ava Heiden. I believe she could be the next Megan Gustafson; provided we don’t lose her to the transfer portal.
Let’s talk men’s basketball.
Fran McCaffery is, well, Fran. Hired in 2010, he’s Iowa’s winningest head basketball coach, leading the Hawks to the NCAA tournament seven times, and the NIT four times, yet never finishing first in the Big 10 conference.
I like Fran’s fast-paced, quick-ontransition, aggressive style. He recruits solid shooters, has an annoying penchant for small, out-of-control point guards, and is a loose cannon whose assistant coaches hold him back from throttling a ref when a call doesn’t go his way.
Don’t get me wrong, I like an emotional coach; it shows he’s invested, but when Fran pulled that embarrassing stare-down stunt with an official back in 2023 (see photo) - I lost a lot of respect for him. Fast forward to this season, with a 6-10 conference record (as of this writing,) he now parks himself on the sidelines, hands stuffed in his pockets resigned to neither an NCAA nor NIT tournament berth. In Fran’s defense, he lost Owen Freeman, one of his best players, to injury. However, the men’s team “meh” factor came into sharp focus during the Caitlin years when the women were selling out Carver and the men were not. When that happens, you know something has gone terribly awry!
I agree with Sioux City, Iowa sports writer Blake Hornstein, who wrote, “The consequence of perpetual mediocrity is apathy. Loyal fans will invest, but attendance and television ratings don’t lie. For the Iowa men’s
basketball program, we’re beyond that point.”
Nailed it - it’s time for Fran to take his red-faced freakouts to a different program (Iowa State?). And maybe while Iowa’s Athletic Director, Beth Goetz is buying Fran out of his contract, she could do something about the pathetic student section at Carverthink Gonzaga’s Kennel Club or Illinois’ Orange Crush as great examples. Oops, I’m digressing again...
Finally...football.
It was Monday, December 30, 2024 when I sent the following text to my family group chat: “Not watching Iowa football anymore until Kirk is gone. Punting on fourth and two, down three with three minutes left in a BOWL GAME is the FINAL STRAW!” I’d witnessed that scenario play out enough in past Hawks’ seasons but this was too much. If the coaching staff doesn’t have enough confidence in our guys to gain TWO yards when it counts, I refuse to commit to another season. I’d rather watch the Hofbräu Masskrugstemmen Steinholding championships on The Ocho. Oddly enough, Kirk Ferentz is Iowa’s winningest football coach at
204. It’s kind of inevitable when you’ve been the coach for 27 years. Kirk needs two more wins to be the winningest Big 10 coach of all timeWoody Hayes, coach of Ohio State from 1951-1978 holds the record. So you know what that means...a 28th season of Kirk because when a guy gets that close to breaking a record he’s going to GO FOR IT!!
FYI: Kirk’s contract expires in 2029.
Anyway, I’m optimistic the women will be selected for the NCAA tournament, the men will see zero post-season action, and the football team will have another below-average season and eke out a “decent” bowl game because that’s all we can ever expect, right Hawk fans? We certainly shouldn’t hope for a national championship or anything crazy like that. Well, at least Kirk will get his title and hopefully then he’ll hang it up. Oh no, there I go again...digressing.
Caitlin’s next pre-season Fever game is May 4, at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Cheapest ticket: $1,489. Bring on the magic!
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.
University of Iowa basketball coach, Fran McCaffery, embarrassing himself on national television.
By Susan Goldfein
Spoiler alert: I griped about this very same topic a couple of years ago, but apparently no one was listening. I’m still hearing the same
Words I never want to hear again in 2025!
robotic-like comments from wellmeaning people, comments to which I feel coerced to politely respond. It’s the “politely respond” part I find particularly irksome. Call me cranky or something worse, but it’s becoming more difficult to stop myself from blurting out, “don’t tell me what kind of a day to have!”
By the way, even though we're into
our third month, I need to talk about Happy New Year! By the middle of January, it's no longer “Happy New Year.” Enough already! There should be a national “say by” date after which it’s no longer appropriate to utter those three words. Much like a “use by” or “sell by” date on a product.
I am no longer foolish enough to make New Year’s resolutions, but I thought if I could get some petty annoyances off my chest straight away, I will be able to face the rest of the year with a smile on my face. Maybe.
Let me begin with one of my favorites, “have a great day,” and its derivatives “have a good day,” and “have a good evening.”
If a stranger tells me to “have a great day,” how am I supposed to respond? Do I simply say “you, too?” But that’s ridiculous. I know perfectly well that the guy who parked my car is not going to have a great day. It’s Florida; he’s sweating. He’s running around in the heat parking and fetching cars for impatient people and cursing under his breath when they give him a stingy tip.
Instructing one to have a “great day” puts an onus on the recipient. Now one must ponder about what extraordinary thing to do to make this day grander than the days before when there was no mandate. It’s less of a burden to have a “good day,” I suppose.
Similarly, I’m leaving a restaurant at 10 p.m. and the hostess at the door smiles sweetly and says, “have a good evening.” Do I look twenty years old and about to go dancing? I’ve had my “good evening” in your restaurant and it’s already past my bedtime. Do I bother to tell her it’s no longer evening, and a simple “good night” would be more appropriate? I want to, but behind my smile I am gritting my teeth.
I find restaurants to be the source of another teeth-gritting experience. I’m
sure this has happened to you. (If not, tell me where you dine because I want to go there.) A wait person comes to take your order. You tell her (or him, but it’s mostly a her) what you want, and she responds with an enthusiastic “great!” You can almost see exclamation points coming from her mouth. Was the menu a quiz and I made the correct selection? Is she complementing me on a good score? And can you tell me why ordering a Caesar salad and a plate of pasta is a wondrous thing? I find the response of “great” in this context highly grating.
Then, there’s “hi, how are you?” Frequently uttered when you walk into a shop. You had me at “hi.” Do you care how I am? Do I care to tell you? “If you must know, my husband and I had a terrible row last night and I didn’t sleep a wink. Then I spilled tomato juice all over the dog and had to bathe him three times before his white coat was no longer red. Then I slipped on the kitchen floor because it was wet from bathing the dog three times. Later I found out my best friend has an incurable disease...” But the truth is not what's expected. You smile, lie, and simply say “fine.”
How do you feel about political cliches? Whatever he (or she, but most often, a “he”) is ranting on about, the wind-up to the tirade is most often “...because that’s what the American people want!” How do you know what the American people want? Did you waste my taxpayer dollars on a sweeping survey of every American? Funny, because I’m an American person and I don’t remember being asked. Argh!
In closing, I’d like to award honorable mention to “follow your dream,” and its cousin, “do what you love,” both of which, to my mind, have about as much substance as a fortune cookie.
Let’s raise a glass to a cliché-free 2025. And until we meet again, promise me you’ll at least try to have a great day!
Visit Susan’s blog, susansunfilteredwit.com.
Midnight Gardener
By Lori Rose
Here’s a description of the perfect garden plant - a beautiful perennial that grows up to three feet tall and wide and comes in a variety of leaf and flower colors, and is edible. Imagine it in your perennial border, herb or vegetable garden, even in containers. No plant can be all of the above, right? Wrong. Allow me to introduce sage.
Native to the Mediterranean region of southern Europe, sage is a strongly flavored, aromatic evergreen subshrub of the mint family. Garden sage (Salvia officinalis) is the most common of the many varieties of green sage and is most often used for culinary purposes. This variety produces
purple flowers and gray-green leaves which have a rough, woolly texture. The drier the weather, the grayer the leaves will be. The name salvia is from Latin salvere meaning to heal.
At one time sage tea was a popular drink. Sage tea is recommended as a gargle for sore throats and hoarseness. The ancient Greeks and Romans used it as a meat preservative, and they also believed that it could enhance memory. Tenth century Arabs believed it could extend life to the point of immortality. After the Crusades, this belief showed up in Europe as well. Medicinally, sage has the unique property among herbs of reducing perspiration. In Italy, sage was believed to preserve health, and country folk would eat bread and butter sandwiches filled with sage leaves. (Don’t be afraid to try it – it’s good!)
Garden sage will grow in almost any welldrained soil in a sunny spot, reaching a height
and width of up to three feet. Other varieties include golden sage which has gold tipped leaves; variegated leaf sage which has green leaves flecked with cream; and tricolor sage which produces gray-green leaves speckled with white, purple and pink. These are lovely as accents or grouped together in the garden or container plantings. The golden, purple and tricolor forms also may be used for cooking, but they are not as hardy or flavorful as the green garden sage. Sage continues to grow well with frequent clippings, taking leaves as needed. Prune it down by about one-third after it has flowered to stimulate growth. The leaves make an attractive garnish.
Grow sage with broccoli and other members of the cabbage family. Sage is protective to cabbages and all their relatives against the white cabbage butterfly, and it also makes the cabbage plants more succulent and tasty. It’s good to grow with carrots, protecting them against the carrot fly, whose larva attacks rootlets of young plants. Do not plant sage with cucumber, which does not like aromatic herbs in general, and sage in particular.
Sage is widely used in Italian cooking and is a delicious flavoring for sausage, pork, duck, and poultry stuffing. Sage helps make meats more digestible. It cuts the richness and fattiness of pork, goose, duck, veal, and other heavy meats. It’s also good with rabbit (if you are so inclined), eggs, cheeses, beans, onions, tomatoes, risotto, salads, and pickles. Did I miss anything?
Use long stems of sage leaves as a brush to marinate meats on the grill, or lay them over the coals to impart a lovely flavor to barbecued meats, fish, and vegetables.
Fresh sage can be frozen - place small sprigs in plastic bags to freeze for up to two months. It can also be dried - simply tie a small bundle of stems together and hang them upside down in a cool, dry place. Although fresh sage has a prominent lemon zest flavor that is lost in drying, fresh sage has a milder flavor than dry so you can use more. Check the recipe when deciding whether to use fresh or dried sage. They taste very different, and do not really substitute well for one another.
In the garden, sage is an old-fashioned, easy-going, colorful plant. On the table, sage will add a gourmet touch to just about any dish you can imagine. Meet sage at your local garden center and you’ll become fast friends for life.
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.
• SouthDakotaStateCapitolTourwith FightingStallionsMemorial,Flaming FountainMemorial&WorldWarII Memorial
• AktaLakotaMuseum&CulturalCenter
• “DignityofEarth&Sky”Sculpture
• SiouxFallsParkVisitorInformationCenter
• LittleBrownChurchTour
By Suzy Cohen, R.Ph.
Egg yolks have been unfairly demonized for years. Some fear their cholesterol content, while others, especially those on keto or carnivore diets, swear by them. Let’s crack open the truth about this nutrient powerhouse.
First of all, eggshell color (white or brown) doesn’t affect taste or nutrition, it just depends on the breed of the hen! And maybe you’ve wondered if you’re eating a baby chicken when you eat an egg. Nope! You’re eating an unfertilized egg. Hens lay eggs whether or not a rooster is
The yolk is no joke: Facts about the ultimate super food
around, so eggs sold in stores that were never fertilized will never develop into a chick.
Egg whites are praised for being low-calorie and high in protein (about 3.6 grams per large egg white). But yolks carry the real magic. They’re packed with essential vitamins like A, D, E, K, B12, selenium, and choline. A single yolk has 2.7 grams of protein, 4.5 grams of healthy fats, and about 55 calories. One large egg has just 70 calories but delivers a solid punch of nutrition. That’s what I call efficiency!
Are you worried about cholesterol? Many people avoid eggs due to this fear. Egg yolks contain about 186 mg of cholesterol, but the good news is that research proves that this cholesterol has little impact on blood cholesterol levels for most people. The real culprits? Processed foods (like sugary
June 18-25, 2025
Join us on an unforgettable road trip along the most iconic highway in America—Route 66! From the bustling streets of Chicago to the heart of Oklahoma City, this journey will take you through historic towns, famous roadside attractions, and breathtaking sights that embody the spirit of the “Mother Road.” Enjoy stops at landmarks like the Gateway Arch, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library, and quirky favorites like the Blue Whale of Catoosa. Relax in comfort aboard one of our luxury Trailways motorcoaches and indulge in delicious meals, including a Kansas City BBQ dinner Along the way, you’ll stay at classic Route 66 hotels, including the famous Palmer House in Chicago, and enjoy guided tours at places like the Will Rogers Memorial Museum and Meramec Caverns. Every mile brings new adventures and unforgettable memories. Reserve your spot now for this nostalgic drive through America’s history!
cereals and fast food), trans fats (found in margarine and fried snacks), and excessive saturated fats (from heavily processed meats like hot dogs) are the real culprits, not eggs! Studies confirm that an egg a day is just fine. And if you’re on keto or carnivore diets, those healthy fats in yolks improve satiety, keep you energized, and allow you to burn fat efficiently.
Let’s discuss the drug mugging effect, something I wrote the book on. Statins, commonly prescribed to lower cholesterol, like atorvastatin can strip your body of key nutrients, many of which are found in egg yolks! These drugs deplete CoQ10 (essential for energy and heart health) and vitamin K2 (needed for proper calcium absorption). Over time, statin medications may lead to side effects due to the nutrient depletion of these things. You could develop hypothyroidism, depression, chronic fatigue, muscle cramps and even hair loss. If you’re taking statin meds, be mindful of nutrient deficiencies and consider supplementation in addition to your prescription.
By the way, eggs aren’t vegan, but they fit well into vegetarian diets, especially for those who need vitamin B12 and choline, which are hard to get from plant-based sources.
Egg allergies are uncommon, affecting about two percent of children and even fewer adults. Most reactions come from egg white proteins, though some people react to yolks. While cholesterol concerns persist, the evidence shows that eggs can be part of a balanced, healthy diet. If you’re on statins, be extra mindful of nutrient depletion. 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.
Time for financial spring cleaning? FINANCIAL
FOCUS
By Edward Jones
Spring is almost here, which means it’s time for some spring cleaning. This year, in addition to tidying your home and surroundings, you might want to consider sprucing up your financial environment, as well.
Here are some suggestions for doing just that:
• Improve your vision. Once the days are warmer and longer, you may want to get outside and clean all the winter grime and smudges from your windows, allowing you to see the world more clearly. And you may want to bring more focus to your financial vision by asking some key questions: Is my investment strategy still appropriate for my needs, goals and family situation? If not, what changes should I make? And am I prepared for changes in my life, such as health challenges or a need to retire earlier than planned? The answers to these and other questions can help you clarify where you are, in terms of your financial picture, and where you want to go.
• De-clutter. As you look around your home, you may find things such as expired health care products, old prescriptions, ancient cleaning solutions, and so on, in addition to duplicate household items (how many blenders do you really need?) and non-working equipment - printers, lap-
tops, etc. Most people find that eliminating this clutter gives them a good feeling – and more livable space. As an investor, you can also find clutter in the form of redundant investmentsfor example, you might own several nearly identical mutual funds. You might be better off selling some of these funds and using the proceeds to find new investments that can help you further diversify your portfolio. As you may know, diversification is a key to investment success, but keep in mind that it can’t prevent all losses.
• Plant seeds of opportunity. Whether they’re planting camellias and crocuses or carrots and cilantro, gardeners are busy in the spring, hoping their efforts result in lovely flowers and tasty foods. And when you invest, you, too, need to plant seeds of opportunity in the form of investments that you hope will grow enough to enable you to make progress toward your goals. So, you may want to review your portfolio to ensure it’s providing this growth potential, given your individual risk tolerance.
• Reduce dangers. You may not think about it that much, but your home and surroundings can contain potential hazards. You might have ill-fitting caps on cleaning products with toxic chemicals, or sharp cutting instruments protruding from shelves in your garage, or heavy, cracked tree branches hovering close to your
roof. Spending some time on a springcleaning sweep can get rid of these dangers - and devoting time to consider the possible threats to your financial security, and those of your family, can pay off, too. For starters, review your life insurance to determine if you’ve got enough. Your employer may offer some coverage as an employee benefit, but it might not be sufficient, so you may need private coverage. And the same is true for disability insurance, because if something were to happen to you, and you couldn’t work for a while, you’d still want to protect your family’s lifestyle.
Spring is a great time for brightening your physical space - and your financial one, too.
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
The Quad City Veterans Outreach Center located in Davenport is featured this month because EVERYONE associated with this organization is a VOLUNTEER. There are NO paid staff at any level including the founder, Lola VanDeWalle.
2016 in memory of my Dad, Emerson “Ted” Walters. He served at the age of 17 in WWII and was shot twice earning the Purple Heart.” She added, “Since
Services and programs available through the efforts of all the volunteers:
• Daily Mini Mart
• Monthly grocery store
• Library
• DVD exchange
• Hair salon
• Seasonal room
• Movie room
• Gift shop support services
• Sewing and project classes
• ReBoot Recovery Program
• Adaptive sports including basketball, lacrosse, and pickleball
• Open gym on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday
“OUR OUTREACH PLEDGE IS TO HONOR AND ASSIST OUR VETERANS WHO HAVE SERVED AND SACRIFICED FOR OUR COUNTRY”
because of the generosity of the businesses and citizens in the Quad Cities and the surrounding area.
There are many ways to volunteer. From offering your time and making crafts for the store to bringing food items to the pantry, or making a donation.
Lola is from Louisiana, but moved to the Quad Cities to be with her ill mom. “I started the center in
that time family, friends, community members, and veterans have joined in supporting and working at the Outreach Center to make it what it is today.”
The Outreach Center is a non-profit organization that has no connection with the Veterans Administration (VA).
The Outreach Center receives no state or federal funding and is able to operate solely
Lola said, “The community is invited to come and see our Outreach Center and visit with our local veterans.” She concluded, “The Outreach Center is our way of giving back, it’s not a handout it’s a hand up.”
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.
The Quad City Veterans Outreach Center receiving an award from the Scott County Sheriff’s Reserve in 2024.
Mayo Clinic Q & A: Bipolar disorder - beyond the stigma
By Janice Schreier, M.D., Psychiatry & Psychology, Mayo Clinic Health System, La Crosse, Wisconsin
Q: My friend recently bought a new car on a whim and announced he was leaving on a cross-country trip without planning a destination or duration. Now he’s uninterested in any activity and doesn’t want to leave home. Could he have bipolar disorder? How can I help him?
A: Previously known as manic depression, bipolar disorder causes extreme mood swings of emotional highs and lows called episodes. The highs create a mania or hypomania state with euphoria and energy. A hypomania state is a less extreme mood shift than mania. The lows cause depression, sadness and hopelessness.
There are several different types of bipolar disorder. The type of bipolar disorder is diagnosed based on the occurrence of mania, hypomania and
depressive episodes.
People with bipolar I disorder have had at least one manic episode preceded or followed by hypomanic or major depressive episodes.
Bipolar II disorder is a separate diagnosis and is not a milder form of bipolar I disorder. People with bipolar II disorder have had at least one major depressive episode and at least one hypomanic episode, but they have not had a manic episode.
For someone with bipolar disorder, periods of elevated mood can last up to four days. Typical early warning signs include increased activity level and decreased need for sleep.
have a quicker cadence or more force, and movement and actions to be more pronounced.
During this time, the person may demonstrate risky behaviors, poor decision-making and an inability to think clearly. Their level of impulsivity is high, particularly with drug or alcohol use. The body’s physical response is raised, causing speech to
Usually, a person will spend more time in a depressive state with slowed actions, speech and responses. The person may lose interest in activities, need more sleep, and experience intense sadness and hopelessness. This is different from major depressive disorder, in which people do not experience the highs of bipolar disorder.
Certain factors increase the risk of developing the condition or may trigger the first episode of bipolar disorder, including:
* Drug or alcohol misuse or abuse.
* Having a first-degree relative, such as a parent or sibling, with bipolar disorder.
* Stressful life events paired with latent genes for bipolar disorder.
Getting treatment early can help prevent bipolar disorder from worsening. Learn the symptoms of the disorder to manage them better. It can increase your feelings of empowerment and hope by understanding how treatable the condition is.
These strategies can lessen disruptions in your life due to bipolar disorder:
* Avoid drugs and alcohol. Using alcohol or nonprescription drugs changes the chemicals in the brain. This can worsen symptoms and make them more likely to return.
* Watch for early warning signs. Addressing symptoms early can prevent episodes from getting worse. Over time, you may have identified a pattern to your bipolar episodes and what triggers them.
* Involve friends and family. Share the warning signs and triggers you’ve identified with family, close friends and your healthcare team so they can better support you. Develop a specific
plan and share how you would like them to cue you into your symptoms when you show signs of mania. They often can identify the behaviors and actions that signal a mania episode first and help you prevent your symptoms from reaching the highest level.
* Engage in a purpose. Explore ways to create a sense of purpose by evaluating your values and beliefs. Identify what is important to you, and set goals matching those ideals.
* Manage stress and recharge. The brain and body react similarly to positive or negative stress, which can trigger an episode. Consider keeping a daily journal or record of your feelings, mood and stress level. Find a creative outlet or physical activity, such as yoga or meditation, to channel your energy.
* Keep a sleep schedule. Sleep disturbance is a core symptom of bipolar disorder. Maintaining a consistent, scheduled sleep pattern with the same sleep-wake schedule daily is vital. Getting seven to nine hours of sleep per night is important. A work schedule that requires changing shift times can predispose a person with bipolar disorder to episodes.
* Take your medications exactly as directed. You may be tempted to stop treatment — but don’t. Stopping your medication or reducing your dose on your own may cause withdrawal effects, or your symptoms may worsen or return. For some people, it can be tempting to stop medication during a manic episode because the symptoms produce a good feeling. This can lead to negative consequences, including taking longer to stabilize when back on medication.
Bipolar disorder is a lifelong condition, but it is treatable. Learn to manage your mood swings and other symptoms with the help of those who love and care for you. Call your healthcare team if you feel you’re falling into an episode of depression or mania.
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 mayo clinic.org.
Is Important.
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3030 - 7th Avenue Rock Island, IL 61201 (309) 786-5421
201 E. 4th Avenue Milan, IL 61264 (309) 756-5513
801 W. Edgington St. Reynolds, IL 61279 (309) 372-8433
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THE HENRY FORD
& Green昀eld Village
August 4-7, 2025
Discover the innovation and history that shaped America at The Henry Ford & Greenfield Village! Step back in time as you explore over 80 acres of iconic landmarks, ride in a Model T, and see the lab where Thomas Edison changed the world. Marvel at the creativity and ingenuity on display, from the original Wright brothers’ home to the Rosa Parks bus that sparked a movement. Whether you’re a history buff or simply curious, this tour offers an inspiring, immersive experience into the past that’s perfect for all ages. Don’t miss this chance to explore, learn, and be inspired!
First it was COVID, then a chronic non-life-threatening illness kept Richard Glazier from performing. This year, he returns to the stage where audiences can again experience the pianist seamlessly blending recitals with fascinating personal stories describing friendships with legendary figures in American Popular Song such as Ira Gershwin. I first encountered the master musician and music storyteller in 2011 during a four-day cruise to Cozumel, Mexico. Wandering the decks late one Friday night, I was drawn by the sound of piano music to a lounge where Glazier was in full swing.
Although he didn’t finish until 1 a.m., Richard hung around talking to
Pianist Richard Glazier revives great songs from stage and screen
passengers and posing for photographs. Since that evening, Glazier has released several CDs and his three Public Television specials have
been broadcast on PBS affiliates across the country.
His most recent CD was “Pure Imagination – Great Songs from the Stage & Screen.” As the title suggests, the recording contains (16) tracks from classics such as “Fiddler on the Roof,” “West Side Story,” and “Meet Me in St. Louis.”
Glazier’s journey to the concert stage as a performer and historian of popular Broadway and Hollywood music goes back over four decades when then nine-year-old Richard started digging through his aunt’s collection of old 78-records in her Indianapolis home.
“I found an Oscar Levant recording of ‘Rhapsody in Blue’ and became obsessed with the music,” recalled Glazier. “That led me to the library where I learned about the composer, George Gershwin, and his brother Ira.”
Glazier was hooked after discovering the 1943 musical film “Girl Crazy” that featured Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney singing Gershwin songs and he began piano lessons.
George, the composer, had died in 1937, but when young Richard learned that lyricist Ira was still living, he wrote to the aging songwriter asking for a photo. That led to a three-year correspondence between the music legend and his young fan.
“I was a small child who loved Gershwin music, so I think Ira wanted to encourage my passion for their music and my goal of being a pianist,” said Glazier who, to his astonishment, was invited to Gershwin’s California home to meet his hero.
Accompanied by his mother, Glazier remembers the butler
Pianist, Richard Glazier.
leading them into the living room where Ira sat waiting. “He was very reclusive during his later years and hardly ever had company, but I would never have known since he
was very warm and animated.”
During the two-hour visit, Ira showed Richard the Pulitzer Prize for Drama he won in 1932 for writing “Of Thee I Sing.” He invited the
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boy to play a piano in the room –the same instrument on which the Gershwins composed their music such as “Porgy and Bess.”
When he departed, the lad didn’t leave empty-handed.
“He gave me a picture of George, along with one of his cancelled checks, an autographed photo of himself, and an autographed score of ‘Rhapsody in Blue,’” said Glazier, whose mother also took a photo of her son with Gershwin wearing a monogrammed gold sweater.
Despite his absence from the concert circuit for four years, Richard says he’s playing better than ever and shared some emails from audience members who attended a recent concert in Phoenix:
“Loved every minute...your story of the joy a little boy had to meet his idol and play on his piano brought joy to my heart” (Shirley Rosenblum).
“You played with your heart fully engaged… the evening was extraordinary” (Janice M. Hollowelli).
“I couldn’t practice for almost two years,” said Glazier. “But I came out of this difficult time seeing life and music more emotionally and deeper, and that’s reflected in my playing which is better than ever. A real triumph for me. I’m definitely back!”
Nick Thomas teaches at Auburn University at Montgomery, Ala., and has written features, columns, and interviews for numerous magazines and newspapers. See getnick.org.
By Scott LaFee
Observation
“As for butter versus margarine, I trust cows more than chemists.”
- American environmentalist and food policy expert Joan Gussow
Stories for the Waiting Room
Medical authorities advise that people spend no more than ten minutes at a time sitting on a toilet. It's a problem of physics. Sitting on a standard toilet compresses the buttocks and places your, uh, anatomy in a lower position that increases pressure on blood vessels in the area. Doing so for extended periods of time can cause these vessels to become enlarged and engorged with blood, increasing the risk of hemorrhoids.
Fortunately, you can read this entire article in less than ten minutes.
Food for Thought
Phosphoric acid is a colorless, odorless, corrosive acid that contains phosphorus and is used in fertilizers and rust removers. Phosphorus is an ingredient in phosphoric acid grenades and other munitions for its incendiary and illuminating properties.
Phosphoric acid is also an ingredient in Coca-Cola and similar sodas, serving as a flavoring agent and preservative. No wonder those carbonation bubbles really explode on the tongue.
Medical Myths
You don’t need to stay awake after a concussion. Back in the day, the only way doctors could assess brain function in a concussed person was to wake them hourly and gauge their level of responsiveness. Medical imaging like CTs and MRIs now do that more effectively, and rest has been shown to significantly speed recovery.
Best Medicine
Ten commandments for seniors: 1. Talk to yourself. There are times
Difficulty with stairs?
when you need expert advice.
2. “In style” are the clothes that still fit.
3. You don't need anger management. You need people to stop irritating you.
4. Your people skills are fine. It's your tolerance for idiots that needs work.
5. The biggest lie you tell yourself is: “I don't need to write that down. I'll remember it.”
6. “On time” is when you get there.
7. You've noticed people your age are much older than you.
8. Aging has slowed you down, but it hasn't shut you up.
9. You still haven't learned to act your age, and you hope you never will.
10. “One for the road” means peeing before you leave the house.
Med School
Q: What does the levator labii superioris alaeque nasi muscle do?
A: Located on both sides of the nose and cheeks, it widens the nostrils and elevates the lip, allowing the facial expression of snarling.
Medical History
In 1902, Harvey Cushing, the first U.S. physician to practice exclusively as a neurosurgeon, performed his first brain operation. Born in Cleveland, Ohio, Cushing's clinical contributions are legendary.
Among them are the use of x-rays in surgical practice, physiological saline for irrigation during surgery, the discovery of the pituitary as the master hormone gland, founding the clinical specialty of endocrinology, the anesthesia record, the use of blood pressure measurement in surgical practice, and the physiological consequences of increased intracranial pressure.
Much honored, Cushing died in 1939 at the age of 70 of a heart attack, just days after receiving word that funds had been allocated to build a medical library, named in part after him, at Yale University.
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Death doesn't have to be morbid. It's inevitable, so you might as well make things easier on your loved ones by planning ahead. These podcasts introduce you to the world of unconventional burials, reflect on bizarre traditions of the past, and gossip about the legendary lives and deaths of celebrity superstars:
“Close to Death” - This short, bingeable podcast from 2021 earned numerous five-star ratings from listeners who say that this podcast is “medicine for our fear-mongering and death-averse (but obsessed) culture.” In the “Earth & Stars” episode, learn about other options besides traditional burials and cremation, like a “green” burial site in Washington and a company that will shoot your remains into outer space! (ART19.com)
Six feet under
Audrey Hepburn, Sammy Davis Jr., and Marlene Dietrich. (iHeart.com)
“Death in the Afternoon” - This podcast aims to dispel the myths surrounding death and corpses, and it “dives into the history and dark tales you've never heard before.” Delve into the history of death and burials during 18th century Rome, 19th century Paris, and the Reconstruction Era. Tune in to special episodes about cadaver dogs, crematory “whoopsies,” and an interview with the author of “Will My Cat Eat My Eyeballs?” (DeathInThe Afternoon.Libsyn.com)
“Mobituaries With Mo Rocca” - CBS News reporter Mo Rocca has always been fascinated by obituaries, and in this weekly podcast, he shares his “favorite dearly departed people and things.” Scroll back to the show's first season in 2019, where it all began with stories like “The Forgotten Forerunners” Elizabeth Jennings and Moses Fleetwood Walker, who were the “pioneers before the pioneers.” He also profiles the lives and deaths of Hollywood icons like
“Films To Be Buried With with Bret Goldstein” - To call this podcast a “death” podcast is a stretch, but it's in the title! And it comes highly recommended by its loyal listeners. Host Brett Goldstein (“Ted Lasso”) states simply, “We are born. We die. In between, we watch a lot of films. And some of these films shape the people we are. This is a podcast about those films. (And a bit about death.)” Celebrity guests include Daisy Ridley and Joshua Jackson. But no matter who he's interviewing, Goldstein is a delight as the host. (iHeart.com)
“Obitchuary” - Each week, hosts Spencer Henry and Madison Reyes share the most “outlandish, hilarious and sometimes scathing obituaries,” including vintage ones they've come across. They also share bizarre tales throughout history involving the dead, as well as strange funeral traditions. (Wondery.com)
✖ In Israel, the movie title “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs” was translated as “It's Raining Falafel.”
✖ The Latte Index, which was developed by The Wall Street Journal, compares the price of a tall Starbucks latte in dozens of cities around the globe to estimate which currencies are overvalued and undervalued.
✖ While Finland refers to itself as the “Land of 1,000 Lakes,” it actually contains 188,000.
✖ Gucci manufactured a pair of jeans named the Gucci Genius Jeans that sold for an astonishing $3,134.
✖ In 1859, America was swept by a moral panic over young people playing...too much chess.
✖ Eighty-five percent of Vakkaru Island in the Maldives is made up of fish feces.
✖ After Thomas Edison was confined to a wheelchair in his last years, his good friend Henry Ford bought one as well so the two could have wheelchair races around their adjoining Florida estates.
✖ Fifteen minutes of shivering from cold temperatures can be the metabolic equivalent of one hour of exercise.
✖ At the age of 104, a fellow by the name of Jack Reynolds became the oldest known person to get a tattoo. He followed that up by becoming, at age 105, the oldest person to ride on a roller coaster.
✖ St. Nicholas is the patron saint of penitent murderers.
✖ America's first female state senator was a Mormon polygamist who not only ran against, but defeated, her husband.
✖ In 2009, an Italian neurosurgeon had a heart attack in the middle of performing surgery. He powered through it when he realized his patient wouldn't recover if he stopped.
Half an hour after finishing the surgery, the dedicated doctor had an angioplasty.
✖ During her 1982 restoration, the Statue of Liberty's head was accidentally installed 2 feet off-center.
✖ General George S. Patton believed he was reincarnated from either a military leader from Napoleon's army or a Roman legionary, claiming to have seen combat multiple times in previous lives, and also believed that after he died he would return to again lead armies onto the battlefield.
✖ Only deceased people can appear on American currency.
under a microscope, tears produced by grief, hope or onions were unique in form from each other.
✖ Viking names included such gems as “desirous of beer,” “able to fill a bay with fish by magic,” “lusthostage” and “the man who mixes his drinks.”
✖ North Korea accidentally hit one of its own cities during a 2017 failed missile test.
✖ In 1916, a proposed amendment to the U.S. Constitution would have put all acts of war to a national vote. Anyone voting “yes” would have to register as a volunteer for army service.
✖ Dynamite was originally going to be called “Nobel's Safety Powder.”
✖ Singer James Brown was such a strict bandleader that he had signals arranged with his manager to let him know if a musician made a mistake during concerts. After a performance, band members' errors were deducted from their paychecks.
✖ Ostriches are the only birds with a bladder.
✖ In 1872, sitting president Ulysses S. Grant was pulled over and fined $20 for exceeding the Washington speed limit...on a horse.
• Engraved Rocks
• Grave markers
• Pet memorials
• Benches
• Signs
With a deep history of memorialization, we strive to serve our community with compassion and care. Designing the proper memorial for your family is our goal.
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.
By Bob Levey
Taking a walk past the neighborhood elementary school is usually a benign affair. But one recent morning, as I sauntered by the faculty parking lot, I was brought up short.
Here was a Toyota. Then another. Followed by a Hyundai. Followed by another. Then a gaggle of Hondas. Then a cluster of Kias.
I decided to count. In all, 42 cars were parked in the lot. Not a single one was an American make.
Yes, I'm sure all the cars in that lot ran just fine. Yes, I know that socalled foreign makes are now partially constructed in the United States.
Yes, I recognized I was seeing the truth about teacher salaries. There wasn't a single Mercedes or Porsche anywhere in sight.
But not even the exhilaration of a morning walk can keep this old guy from turning sentimental. As I turned
a corner and headed home, I ruminated on the fate of the American car business in my lifetime.
Remember Studebakers? De Sotos? Those worthy, hefty specimens have gone to the great boneyard in the sky.
So have several once-stalwart lines from the Big Three of Detroit. Remember Pontiacs and Oldsmobiles?
Today, even the dumpiest Ford sedan is marketed as if it's the greatest wind-in-the-hair experience. But ads for Pontiac and Olds always showed the same scenes.
There was Dad, behind the wheel, with a huge smile on his face and a hat on his head.
There was Mom, riding shotgun, in a prim dress. In the back seat - no seat belts - were one boy and one girl, each festooned with freckles and chortling as if this was the greatest experience of their lives. The entire tableau screamed out for a Sunday drive.
Okay, some American models of yesteryear had a little more bee-bop-a-lula in their DNA.
The Mercury
Cougar, as the name implies, had snarl in its V8 engine. The Chevrolet Corvette remains an icon for those who like to jackrabbit away from red lights. The Ford Mustang has been one of the most popular cars in the world for 60 years.
But the marketplace can be unforgiving, and it has not forgiven a few American products that didn't come close to succeeding.
The Ford Edsel, of course, leads the way. A commercial disaster from the very first, it has at least captured first place in one way. When today's school children Google - Car Trotted Out With Greatest Fanfare That Never Sold - Edsel pops to the top.
The Chevrolet Vega was supposed to be utilitarian and cheap to run. It proved to be neither.
I can speak from experience. I bought one in 1974, new. The
salesman, bless his heart (did he have one?), never told me the car had been built on a Friday just before a United Auto Workers strike began on the following Monday.
I owned a Sabotage Special. It clunked and bucked and coughed and sputtered for about two years before I gave up on it. So did thousands of others. Eventually, so did Chevrolet.
But the no-longer-with-us car that I miss the most was my Nash Rambler. This, too, was built to be a family car. It had a wide and deep back seat, an engine that roared when it didn't purr and - wonder of wonders - a push-button transmission!
You want to go forward? Push D for drive. You want to go backward? Try R for Reverse.
No more awkward shifting of gears or fumbling for a clutch. These were the late 1950s, buster! You were in the space age!
Unfortunately, repair bills were also somewhere in outer space. I quit on the Rambler before it threatened to quit on me, yet again. Nash went out of business shortly afterward.
If I want to go way back in the memory vault, I can still conjure up my mother's 1957 Ford Fairlane, a blessed memory.
I learned to drive on this baby. It had a V-8 engine that seemed better suited to the Indianapolis 500. It had a radio that could bring in both AM and FM! It had tail fins, trimmed in gold!
Too bad I backed it into a neighbor's fence during my second stint behind the wheel. He was very understanding. My mother was less so.
As I make my usual plans to live forever, I plan to saunter past my neighborhood elementary school in about 30 years. What will be parked there then?
Surely smaller cars. Hybrids and EVs. Maybe General Motors and Ford will still be in business; maybe not.
But I won't care a whit. I will have found a Nash Rambler for sale on the Internet - beautifully maintained, impeccably restored. I'll be pushing the D and the R button, with a big, fat smile on my face.
Bob Levey is a national awardwinning columnist.
Coming in April
Yo-yo
How long to keep tax records and other documents
From the land of warlocks and witches
Thanks to AI, it's time to brush up on my pile driving skills
Salvation Army
Mind Gym Answers
Puzzles on page 22 & 23.
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