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Pam Carpenter Is A Backcountry Snowmobiler
Pam Carpenter demonstrates an Avy Pack that is a critical piece of safety equipment for backcountry snowmobiling where risk of avalanches can be high. [Photo by Jack McNeel]
By Jack McNeel When avid snowmobilers Pam and Terry Carpenter ride, it is into the backcountry and away from the trail groomers and other riders. They spend about 50 days each winter and early spring on their machines, enjoying the scenery and wildlife that wild country provides. They moved to Coeur d’Alene from Redding, California in 1995 looking for better work opportunities for Terry, who worked for Peterbilt Trucks. But, the idea of snowmobiling wasn’t part of their considerations. Pam is a nurse and Terry is someone handy at many things so jobs weren’t a great concern. Pam had been an ATV Safety Institute instructor in California, initially with 3-wheelers and later with 4-wheelers. She was teaching every weekend, focusing on safely maneuvering a course designed by the Institute. “We were really heavily involved with 4-wheelers and riding the sand dunes a lot in Coos Bay which is only a 6-hour trip from Redding,” Pam explains. Their first Christmas in Coeur d’Alene, shortly after moving into their new house in the low hills east of town, brought an unexpected realization. “It was snowing like crazy and we were looking around and wondering what we were going to do for fun,” Pam says with a laugh. “This snow thing was kind of new to us. “ One of their neighbors suggested snowmobiling and Terry’s reply was, “What’s that?” They bought a couple of snowmobiles and Pam discovered the Coeur d’Alene Snowmobile Club. She suggested they get out and explore a little on their machines. “When we got out we realized we had the wrong kind of snowmobiles for the riding they were doing. We rode the trails, but it was kind of boring. We changed snowmobiles and over the years, it’s evolved for us – we’ve been through many snowmobiles! “It became a real passion for us, and we’ve been snowmobiling since ’96. We ride mountain sleds like the Ski-Doo 800s, long-track 154s, and 800 cc. These are big horsepower, lightweight, long-track sleds. Back country riding is mainly what we focus on.” The Coeur d’Alene Snowmobile Club is composed largely of men. “I’m always trying to recruit girls,” Pam says. “The guys really get into it and they’ll go out and buy their wives a really nice sled and all the gear. The wives may ride three times and say, ‘I hate this.’ It’s not a sport for the faint of heart. It’s too much work and they don’t like it. You have to muscle the sled and if you get stuck, you have to dig out. But the girls who do ride are very committed to hanging right with the guys.” (Continued on page 18)
PAGE 2 IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT
FEBRUARY/MARCH 2015
FEBRUARY/MARCH 2015
IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT PAGE 3
Book Reviews
I frequently find books that interest me in your reviews in the Independent. I have recently read a novel set in Idaho and written by an Idahoan – Mel Ressner – that I think you might find worthy of a review. The Leather Man is available from Barnes and Noble. At a book signing in Twin Falls, I purchased several copies for myself and as gifts. I had a lengthy conversation with Mr. Ressner as he signed books – his early life in eastern Idaho, including his graduation from Idaho State in Pocatello, subsequent career in sports journalism with the AP, and his teaching. I am now reading Kicken, suggested by one of your reviews. Jeanne Alban Buhl
Magic Valley Parkinson’s Support Group
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Since the Idaho Senior Independent has such wide circulation, I wanted to offer the following important information for your readers. The Magic Valley Parkinson’s Support Group assists people with Parkinson’s disease throughout the Magic Valley. The meetings are at 1:30 pm at the Jerome Library, 100 1st Ave. E., in Jerome on the 2nd Wednesday of each month. As many as 1.5 million American’s have Parkinson’s disease and every year sixty-five thousand more cases are diagnosed. In the Magic Valley, there may be as many as 1,000 people with the disease. Most cases are diagnosed after age sixty and men are one and a half times more likely to have it than women are. The first symptom of Parkinson’s disease is often tremor, but other motor disorders may be present or exhibited alone such as trouble with balance or slowness of movement resulting in difficulty buttoning a shirt, cutting food, brushing teeth, or a shuffling gait for example. Any of these symptoms cause personal distress and may limit the person’s ability to manage work or social life.
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IMPORTANT CONSUMER INFORMATION: Jitterbug is owned by GreatCall, Inc. Your invoices will come from GreatCall. All rate plans and services require the purchase of a Jitterbug phone and a one-time setup fee of $35. Coverage and service is not available everywhere. Other charges and restrictions may apply. Screen images simulated. There are no additional fees to call Jitterbug’s 24-hour U.S. Based Customer Service. However, for calls to an Operator in which a service is completed, minutes will be deducted from your monthly balance equal to the length of the call and any call connected by the Operator, plus an additional 5 minutes. Monthly minutes carry over and are available for 60 days. If you exceed the minute balance on your account, you will be billed at 35¢ for each minute used over the balance. Monthly rate plans do not include government taxes or assessment surcharges. Prices and fees subject to change. 1 We will refund the full price of the GreatCall phone and the activation fee (or set-up fee) if it is returned within 30 days of purchase in like-new condition. We will also refund your first monthly service charge if you have less than 30 minutes of usage. If you have more than 30 minutes of usage, a per minute charge of 35 cents will be deducted from your refund for each minute over 30 minutes. You will be charged a $10 restocking fee. The shipping charges are not refundable. Jitterbug and GreatCall are registered trademarks of GreatCall, Inc. Samsung is a registered trademark of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. ©2015 Samsung Telecommunications America, LLC. ©2015 GreatCall, Inc. ©2015 firstSTREET for Boomers and Beyond, Inc.
PAGE 4 IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT
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A support group for those suffering from Parkinson’s disease, their spouses, and caregivers can facilitate meeting others and learning coping skills that can be a lifesaver to many families. Neurologists who treat Parkinson’s encourage patients to participate in a support group to also combat depression.
There is no charge to participate in the Magic Valley Parkinson’s Support Group and the meetings include educational speakers, discussions, and socialization. Managed by volunteers, its purpose is to offer support and education for Parkinson’s sufferers, their spouses, and caregivers.
Interested persons are invited to participate. For more information email nfturley@att.net or call 208-358-5807. Nancy N. Turley MVPD Facilitator
You may not be ready to give up your coat and hot cocoa, but spring is just around the corner. What a great time for a romance or friendship to blossom. So go ahead, pick up that pen, and start writing! To respond to any of these personal ads, simply forward your message and address, phone number, or email address to the department number listed in the particular personal ad, c/o Montana Senior News, P.O. Box 3363, Great Falls, MT 59403. We will forward your response, including your address, phone number, and/or email address to the person placing the ad. When you respond to an ad in this section, there is no guarantee that you will receive a response. That is up to the person who placed the ad. P l e a s e s u b m i t your correct address plainly printed, so you can promptly receive replies. Respond to the ads in this issue, and also sit down now and prepare your own ad to run in our
next issue. There is no charge for this service, and your ad may lead you down the path of true love! Responses to personal ads appearing in this column may be submitted at any time. However, to place a personal ad in the April/May 2015 issue, the deadline is March 7, 2015.
humor would be nice. Must dress casually. Reply ISI, Dept. 10602, c/o Idaho Senior Independent, Box 3341, Great Falls, MT 59403
Idaho Senior Independent A Barrett-Whitman Publication
P.O. Box 3341 • Great Falls, MT 59403-3341 208-318-0310 • Toll Free: 1-866-360-5683 Fax: 406-761-8358 www.idahoseniorindependent.com E-mail: idahoseniorind@bresnan.net The Idaho Senior Independent is published six times each year in February, April, June, August, October, and December by Barrett-Whitman, 415 3rd Avenue North, Great Falls, MT 59401 and is distributed free to readers throughout the state of Idaho. The mail subscription rate is $10.00 per year (6 issues). The Idaho Senior Independent is written to serve Idaho’s mature population of all ages. Readers are encouraged to contribute interesting material. Views expressed in opinion stories, contributions, articles, and letters are not necessarily the views of the publisher. The appearance of advertisements for products or services does not constitute an endorsement of the particular product or service. The publisher will not be responsible for mistakes in advertisements unless notified within five days of publication. All copy appearing in the Idaho Senior Independent is protected by copyright and may be reprinted only with the written permission of the publisher. Advertising copy should be received or space reserved by the 5th of the month preceding the month of publication.
Jack W. Love, Jr., Publisher/Editor Colleen Paduano Lisa Gebo Joanne Bernard Jonathan Rimmel Sherrie Smith
Natalie Bartley Holly Endersby Gail Jokerst Craig Larcom Jack McNeel
Office Manager Production Supervisor/Sales Advertising Sales Graphic Designer Admin/Production Assistant
Contributing Writers Connie Daugherty Cate Huisman Bernice Karnop Liz Larcom Michael McGough Dianna Troyer © 2015
SF, fun, fit, 59, 125 lbs, Florida beach girl, California hippie, mountain west woman, with city smarts and country heart. Living active outdoor lifestyle in far NW Montana. Athletically inclined tomboy on the outside, but all woman inside. Eclectic spirituality. Favor public broadcasting. Too many interests to list – love life and dwell in the joy of being. ISO healthy, active, openminded, emotionally mature, financially secure, gentleman with good dental hygiene in the Sandpoint area for intermittent companionship with the possibility of more in the future, but not interested in a full-time live in situation. Do not like emotional drama or head games, Please be truly available if responding. Short note to include address or phone for initial contact. No email. Reply ISI, Dept. 10601, c/o Idaho Senior Independent, Box 3341, Great Falls, MT 59403. SWF, 68, seeking SWM 65-69, who would be interested in having a long-term relationship. No smoking, drinking, or drug use. I like the simple things in life, no fancy frills. I enjoy crafts, sewing, cooking, animals, dining out, yard sales, and much more. I’m seeking a gentleman who is honest, trustworthy, non-judgmental, and doesn’t care what the other person looks like. A sense of
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SWF likes the outdoors and camping, traveling, walks, and fishing when the fish are biting. I’m looking for someone that is nice, not a smoker, drinks occasionally, and no drugs. I’m 5’2” fluffy, 64-years-young and full of life. Reply ISI, Dept. 10603, c/o Idaho Senior Independent, Box 3341, Great Falls, MT 59403. SWF, almost 70 but look and act much younger, most people think I am 55-60. Age really doesn’t matter, being in good shape and having a positive outlook on life is what counts. I am 5’3” average build, hazel eyes and hair color that can change sometimes. Looking for an active, caring, thoughtful, fun, warmhearted, trustworthy male friend that might lead to more if that spark is there! Do you like the outdoors – camping, picnics, walks, some fishing, and nature in general? Do you like to dance and romance? Dining at home or out for a nice dinner? Watching movies, with popcorn of course, playing some board games or cards, having friends over for dinner or BBQ? I am very spiritual – not to be confused with religious. Like to travel, meet new people, learn new things, and live every day to the fullest. Enjoy my home, family, and friends and would like that special someone to share life. I am in the Twin Falls area and looking for a wonderful non-smoking man that would like my cat and me. Reply ISI, Dept. 10604, c/o Idaho Senior Independent, Box 3341, Great Falls, MT 59403.
A Valentine’s Day Icon: Conversation Hearts By Bernice Karnop Not much of what was developed in 1846 is still popular today. The exception may be the little candy conversation hearts that we give and receive around Valentine’s Day. These traditionally pastel hearts with a two- or three-word message printed right on the candy remained popular 100 years later, in 1946, when our readers were kids. They are still around today and are likely to be popular in 2046! They were originally made by the New England Confectionery Company and started as a little paper stuck into a candy shell, similar to a fortune
cookie. The brother of NECCO’s founder discovered that he could print on the candy. At first they were printed by hand but he eventually figured out how to print by machine, using a die-cut press and vegetable food coloring. The novelty of having a message on the candy struck a chord with the public, which, amazingly, continues to resonate today. NECCO makes more than eight billion of these sassy little treats every year. Believe it or not, they sell them all in about six weeks during January and February. They come in two sizes, half inch and three quarters of an inch. In order to fit, the message must be brief. Readers will remember
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IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT PAGE 5
“Be Mine,” “Miss You,” and “Kiss Me,” for example. These old-fashioned treats have changed and will probably continue to be tweaked to fit the times. In 2010, after 145 years, they threw out all the old sayings and created new ones, with input from the public. Don’t be surprised to see such updated messages as “Tweet Me,” “Text Me,” and “You Rock.” They won’t taste the same as the ones that cute boy put on your desk in third grade, either. The texture is softer, the colors more vivid, and the
flavor is sharper. Think of the hint of sour in such flavors as green apple and blue raspberry. Of course, not everyone is happy when a beloved product changes, even a little bit. Before writing them off, however, give the updated product a try. People who really don’t enjoy popping them in their mouth still don’t have to waste them. From almost the beginning, creative folks have used the sturdy little morsels to make delightful crafts and decorations for cakes and cookies. Glue them on cardboard to make a picture frame, a wreath, a
Comfort is a fine companion, isn’t it? And there is a certain sensuality to it. It can be a comfortable diner where the warm smells of toast, eggs, sausage, coffee, and conversation lure us; a favorite, soft, worn sport coat or jacket that may be threadbare but hugs us so warmly; that special pair of well-worn gloves that caresses our fingers; or that pair of soft faded Levis that we want out of the dryer right now. Our attachment creates a bond that is unbreakable as we crave the comfort exuded by our favorite things. This issue’s Remember When selection is by Paul Brown of Burley whose Just an Old Pair of Boots captures that feeling of a comfortable, reliable, long-time friend. Thank you, Paul for sharing your story. Remember When contains our readers’ per-
sonal reflections, contributions describing fictional or non-fictional accounts from the “Good ol’ Days” or reflections on life in general. Contributions may be stories, letters, artwork, poetry, etc. Photos may be included. Each issue of the Idaho Senior Independent features the contribution deemed best by our staff. The contributor of the winning entry will receive a $25 cash prize. We look forward to receiving your contributions for our April/May 2015 issue. Mail your correspondence to Idaho Senior Independent, P.O. Box 3341, Great Falls, MT 59403; email to idahoseniorind@bresnan.net; or call 1-866-3605683 or 208-318-0310. Visit us online at idahoseniorindependent.com.
By Paul L. Brown, Burley I own a pair of Herman Survivors. They are worn, torn, and old. These old boots are similar to other friends in my life. They have been associates, acquaintances, and hunting partners in many situations. Today for the third time, I peeled back the sole from the toe of the left boot, with acetone cleaned the top surface of the sole and the bottom, added a glob of clear silicone as an adhesive, and finished with a compelling squeeze in a vice until fully cured.
his bags failed to arrive with his flight from Alaska. Specializing in Ethical Will and Christian Testimony. That particular morning, we stood too close to 4700 N. Cloverdale Rd. Suite 215 • Boise the fire to warm and prepare something hot for (Near Centennial High School) breakfast, and the toe of the left boot of mine lifestoryllc.org | 208.901.4908 that Doug was wearing momentarily caught fire If you can’t come to us, we’ll come to you. (In the greater Boise Area.) and melted some of the rubber. A few days later, Discounts: Military, Law Enforcement, & Fire Personnel I noticed the loose sole at the front. Our trip to Hell’s Canyon that year was a memorable one as are most hunting trips – scatter gunning Highest Over 3 Prices Turn Your Years S 5 for upland game erv Paid In Old Forgotten the Trea ing Decades birds a four-hour Treasures sure Into Cash!!! Valley drive away in Hell’s Canyon. Estate Jewelry We Pay Top Prices For Gold, Silver & I was able to Platinum Items. 9k, 10k, 14k, Dental 18k, 22k, 24k All Gold, Silver & Platinum Jewelry Any Condition New, Used, Or Damaged keep up climbing We Buy From All Time Periods. Diamonds 1/2 Carat & Larger Loose Or Mounted hills for a while, All Shapes & Quality but the steep slopes became Sterling too much after a Silver couple of days. I was content near the bottom U.S. Silver Coins Buying 1964 while the younger legs Coin Collections & Older took to the steep side hills seeking the “chukachuka-chuka” chorus that had entertained us at first light each morning. Our total bird count Premium Paid For Uncirculated Rolls. We Pay More For Rare was pretty low, but the Dates And Collections. experience was a good one. That area has a GOLD & SILVER BULLION, BUYING GOLD lot to admire with three EAGLES, MAPLE LEAFS, KRUGGERRANDS, consecutive dams on SILVER BARS & ROUNDS, TOP BUY SELL SPREAD the Snake River a few miles apart and elk and Paper Money U.S. Gold Coins deer herds wintering on nearby ridge tops foraging for food, strung out single file in lines several miles long. These Herman SurPrices Subject to Market Changes. vivors have carried me many miles over evROSEHILL COINS & JEWELRY, INC ery conceivable terrain. 3506 Rosehill St., Boise • 208-343-3220 From the dry sagebrush Hours: Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri, 9:30-5:00pm; Sat 10:00-4:00pm, Closed Wed & Sun. hills of southern Idaho to the spongy tundra of
Just an Old Pair of Boots
These boots have seen many hard miles in the ten years they’ve put themselves between my feet and harm’s way. I still use them for “switching” as well as around the house for shoveling snow in the winter because they lace easily. I switch from my other boots after two days tromping in the rough to allow wear on the feet in different places for a day’s walking. They are pretty worn but the Vibram soles still provide good traction, even if the boots have grown seemingly shorter – no doubt to accommodate my feet that have lost their arch and flattened from age. A short day is tolerable with these old friends laced around abused feet to allow a break from bigger, heavier footwear. Each re-glue job brings to mind the hunting trip that caused the sole to separate. We were in Hell’s Canyon one Christmas holiday season, hunting chukars on the near vertical hillsides. My nephew, Mike, my son, Doug, and I were standing very near a campfire one morning after spending a less-than-comfortable night dozing in sleeping bags under the canopy on the back of the pickup truck. Doug and I had slept there while Mike slept curled up in tight quarters in the rear seat of the extended cab 4x4. Doug had borrowed my spare boots because
heart, or whatever your heart desires. Completely cover the cake with them or just use them as colorful border. One of the best ways to bring out the kid in your Valentines, and one of the best Valentines for your grandkids, are those little pastel conversation hearts. Better yet, let them inspire you to write your own message to those you love. Any day it’s good to hear the longer messages: “You make me very happy,” “I’m lucky to have you in my life,” or “You’re still the only one for me.” ISI
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southwest Alaska, they have logged many miles one-step at a time in pursuit of some wily critter. The animal may have been moose, caribou, or ptarmigan in Alaska, chukars, pheasant, mule deer, or wapiti in Idaho. They have made footprints while packing boned-out wapiti or kicked through hip-high thistles on Lewiston hillsides following good retrieving
dogs, and slogged through swamps deeper than they are high in the Alaskan tundra while muscling caribou quarters to transportation points. “These boots are made for walking,” and that’s just what they’ve done! Just like our old friends and us – as well as boots – life is terminal. If the glue job fails again, it
may be time to choke down the memories, stand at attention, and roll my socks at half-mast as the Herman Survivors are solemnly carried past to the garbage can. From there they will take their final journey to wherever old boots rest for eternity. ISI
Boudoirs to Brothels: the Intimate World of Wild West Women by Michael Rutter, Farcounty Press; Helena, MT 2014 Reviewed by Connie Daugherty “Somewhere between starvation and physical abuse, between venereal disease and suicide, between social alienation and depression, falls the woman of easy virtue.” In his most recent book, Boudoirs to Brothels, award-winning author, Michael Rutter examines that in-between space in the lives of several of these Wild West women. While each chapter details the story of a specific woman and the region or community in which she lived, Rutter also includes inserts of general facts about the life of the working girl and the history of late 1800s western settlement era. Photographs of people and places in the stories are also peppered throughout this well-researched book.
From Texas to Alaska, South Dakota to Idaho these mostly ignored and forgotten women made their mark on western history. Some were notorious, some were early feminists, some were quiet and unassuming, most became excellent businesswomen, and all had stories to tell. In Boudoirs to Brothels, Rutter attempts to go beyond the myth and hyperbole – while acknowledging both – to discover the woman behind the legend. Molly B’Dam, Maggie Hall was a good Catholic girl. She was also a beautiful, well-educated young Irish woman who, “had a wanderlust and felt confined in Ireland….When she was twenty years old, she boarded a ship alone,” and headed for the United States and adventure. Although her dream was never to be a prostitute, she became a very successful one. Eventually, using the name Molly, she found her way to Murray, Idaho. “Her specialty was boomtowns because a lot of money could be made there. She was good at her job and she charged outrageous prices for her services.” But, like many other successful prostitutes, Molly gave back to the community in which she lived. She was well liked and respected by those on both sides of the track. In fact, when she died, “thousands of people came to pay their respects to the tall, perky Irish lady.” Today, Murray hosts the Molly B’Dam Gold Rush Days celebration every August. Molly was not the only woman to find herself in Idaho’s gold fields of the late 1800s. According to legend, Polly Bemis, the Chinese Poker Bride, was won in a poker game in 1883 in the mining camp of Warren. After winning the young Chinese woman in a poker game, Charlie Bemis could have leased “her to a brothel or a dance hall. She was a pretty girl so Charlie decided to keep her,” at least that is how the story goes. “The story of Polly Bemis, slave, prostitute, concubine, dance hall girl, laundress, wife, pioneer,” is also a story of racial intolerance, courage, and hope. Her cabin along the Salmon River is now a museum on the National Register of Historic Places. Polly was not the only fallen woman to have a long and happy marriage. Josephine “Sadie” Sarah Marcus, “Mrs. Wyatt Earp,” lived as the famous man’s common-law wife for many years and even wrote a book titled, I Married Wyatt Earp. Some women became prostitutes to help support their husbands or were introduced into prostitution by their husbands. Others met their
future husbands while plying their trade. Madam Dora DuFran, the Black Hills Madam, even worked under her married name. “When she was a young whore, she met a dashing man named Joseph DuFran…the young couple seemed to stay in love throughout their lives.” Surprisingly Joseph, “not only supported her in her bawdy profession, he helped to build it.” Many prostitutes eventually became Madams simply because, like Dora who actually franchised her business to various Dakota mining towns, they were good businesswomen. Another Dora, Dora B. Topham, Madam Belle London, of Ogden Utah, also had several operations. “For Dora, prostitution was a business and she ran it that way…she hired only women who wanted to be in the profession…not young teens.” Dora Topham, a successful businesswoman and madam, also considered herself a reformer. Another prostitute who considered herself a reformer, or at least an informer, was Lydia Taylor, From Under the Lid…Feminist, Prostitute, Author. Her book, published in 1913, is a candid look at the life from the perspective of a working prostitute. “Her dream was to lecture on women’s rights, or the folly of prostitution…she hoped to change her profession.” However, “even after the publication of her book, Lydia drifted out of history and into obscurity.” In Boudoirs to Brothels, Michael Rutter brings some of those women out of obscurity giving them their place in history once again. He acknowledges their roles as entrepreneurs, businesswomen, and contributors to the society and the history of the west. He notes their serious and often ignored activities as responsible civic leaders and their generous charitable contributions without discounting the controversial way in which they made a living. Besides the women mentioned, Rutter also chronicles the lives of Hattie Lapierre, Kitty Leroy, Etta Place, Emily West Morgan, Annie Groves, Mollie Johnson, Jennie Rogers, Dolly Arthur, and Big Dorothy (Baker) who was still operating a brothel in Helena, Montana until 1973. The women whose stories are told in Boudoirs to Brothels display surprisingly similar as well as unique and individual characteristics. All of them were strong and resilient examples of the pioneering spirit that helped to settle the west. Michael Rutter has written hundreds of articles and authored or co-authored forty books and textbooks including Myths and Mysteries of the West and Outlaw Tales of Utah. He is a passionate historian and devoted outdoorsman. He won the Ben Franklin Award for Outdoor Writing and the Rocky Mountain Book Publishers Award. He teaches advanced writing at Brigham Young University. ISI
Take a read on the side! 800-821-3874 www.farcountrypress.com
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IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT PAGE 7
Historian’s Prize-Winning Book Focuses On Japanese-Americans’ Incarceration
By Dianna Troyer doka, the Legacy of WWII Japanese American Russ Tremayne, 58, never realized a signifi- Incarceration. cant lesson had been omitted from his Idaho hisPublished in 2013 by Boise State University, tory classes until he went to Boise State University the book’s 200 historic photos, 10 essays, artwork, in the early ’70s. and poems enable readers to see and feel what There he studied with Dr. Bob Sims, an it was like to live there from a Japanese point of expert on the Miniview. Symposium presenters doka War Relocaalso contributed essays that tion Center, a desoconfront questions of patriotic late camp 17 miles compliance and constitutionnortheast of Twin al rights. Falls where 13,000 To survive, detainees Japanese residents relied on the Buddhist confrom the West Coast cept of gaman, which means were detained durto bear the unbearable with ing World War II. patience and dignity. They “Dr. Sims was grew ornamental gardens, my mentor and organized baseball teams, spent 30 years reformed musical groups, pubsearching it,” says lished a newspaper, and Russ of the camp opened schools and a hospithat was open from tal. They dug irrigation canals August 1942 until and grew crops on about 950 October 1945. acres. After Pearl “It started out as an acaHarbor, politicians demic book and evolved into questioned the loya coffee table book,” recalls alty of Japanese Russ. residents, so FrankThe book was named the lin Roosevelt signed 2013 Book of the Year by the a presidential order Idaho Library Association. in February 1942 During an awards ceremony in Lewiston, Russ “It’s thrilling to have won Tremayne’s book about Japanese Americans being inthat forced 120,000 carcerated during World War II was named the 2013 Book such a prestigious award,” J a p a n e s e l i v i n g of the Year by the Idaho Library Association. He visits says Russ. “I never imagined a l o n g t h e We s t with Colleen Mahoney, a member of the state Library or could foresee that hapCoast to live in 10 Board of Trustees. (Photo provided by Russ Tremayne) pening.” internment camps. He describes the book as The 33,000-acre Minidoka camp was one of the a two-year labor of love that he worked on while largest and was Idaho’s seventh largest city at teaching fulltime. He contributed three of the 10 the time. essays. Even though Russ had grown up in Heyburn “I wanted to quit about 45 miles from the camp, he had never been many times, but being taught about it in school. After their release, some the fool that I am I plodJapanese detainees even refused to talk about it ded on.” due to anger and embarrassment. He drew inspiration When Russ was hired to teach history at the from writing about inCollege of Southern Idaho, he, Dr. Sims, and ternees who rose above others started the Minidoka Civil Liberties Sym- the incarceration, such posium, an annual event for scholars to discuss as the late George Nathe internment camp’s history and its ramifica- kashima, a renowned tions. This year’s 10th symposium is scheduled furniture maker. in October “in hopes of attracting more students George was 37 and and teachers by offering it during the school year,” a prominent internasays Russ. tional architect when In previous years, the symposium was sched- he was forced to move uled to coincide with an annual pilgrimage, started from Seattle with his in 2003 by the Friends of Minidoka, a non-profit wife and baby daughter, organization dedicated to honoring internees and Mira, to Hunt Camp. He to ensuring such discrimination never happens was among 2,200 deagain. This year’s pilgrimage is scheduled June tainees who alleviated a 25-28. local labor shortage and “It’s educational and emotionally moving to helped farmers harvest hear stories of what it was like to live there and how their crops. the incarceration affected their lives,” says Russ, After living at the who met several former detainees including artist camp a year, one of Roger Shimomura and poet and educator Larry George’s former emMatsuda. “Their lives were shaped by that camp. ployers sponsored the Their stories needed to be told.” Nakashimas’ release. Roger, a renowned painter and retired art They moved to New professor, was 3 years old when his family was Hope, Pennsylvania, forced to leave their home in Washington and live where George evenat Minidoka for two years. tually started a busiLarry was born in 1945 at the camp in block 26, ness, George Nakashibarrack 10 with the resident number of 11464D. He ma Woodworker. He became a prolific poet, prize-winning author, edu- handcrafted exclusive cator, and school administrator in Seattle and has gallery-quality furniture been honored for his civil rights work. and established the NaAlthough Larry was too young to remember kashima Foundation for living there, the camp affected his parents the rest Peace. His daughter, of their lives. Growing up, Larry felt their anger Mira, runs the business and sorrow whenever he heard them talk about today. living there. “He was an amazing Because of the symposium, the pilgrimage, man,” says Russ. and meeting former detainees, Russ was deterAfter the internment mined to have a book published, Surviving Mini- camp closed in 1945,
more than 600 buildings including eight guard towers, hundreds of barracks, and five miles of fence were dismantled and reassembled elsewhere in the area. Local farmers bought the land the Japanese had cultivated. For years, only the basalt chimney of a guardhouse remained. Some features of the camp have been reconstructed since 2001, when a presidential proclamation established the 72-acre Minidoka National Historic Monument. When Russ takes his students there, they see a mile-long barbed wire fence that was erected to give a sense of what it was like to live there. Visitors also see the remains of the entry guard station, waiting room, a rock garden, and an Honor Roll sign listing the names of hundreds of camp residents who served in the military. The National Park Service, which oversees the site, hopes eventually to build an interpretive center there. Until then, a temporary exhibit about the Minidoka camp can be found at the visitor center of the nearby Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument. “More and more people are becoming aware of the camp’s history,” says Russ. “As a historian, I feel it’s my duty to do research that is relevant for our community, and the Minidoka story certainly fits.” ISI
February is American Heart Month
PAGE 8 IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT
Who knows how they came to be, but they are everywhere, and they cover every topic imaginable! What are we talking about? Observances... you know those day, week, or month quasi-celebrations/events that are designed to focus our attention on a particular cause, disease, group, event, etc. so that we will support, recognize, buy, or donate to the idea that the observance represents. For example Bunsen Burner Day, Earmuffs Day, Puppy Day, Thinking Day, Hippo Day, Hoof Care Month, Cupcake Day, and Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week to name just a few of the thousands. They can be local, national, or even worldwide. Some are created by Presidential proclamation typically to honor or commemorate a public issue or social cause, ethnic group, historic event, or noted
FEBRUARY/MARCH 2015
individual. Others are created by national health organizations, historical or cultural organizations, and many are simply marketing tools created by trade or professional organizations. Since there are not many days that are not observances of something, our staff thought they should form the basis for this month’s contest. This month only for our Can You Find These Observances quiz, we will award two prizes – each for $50 – to the first two readers with correct answers drawn from the submitted answers. Thank you to all who participated in our Famous Female Vocalists quiz in the December 2014/January 2015 issue. The winner selected from the answers submitted is Elvira Wheaton of Plummer. Congratulations to Elvira, winner of our $25 cash prize!
Because this issue’s Can You Find These Observances? quiz came from our staff, the $25 prize for submitting the winning quiz in the April/ May 2015 issue will be doubled to $50. Two cash prizes are awarded from the “Contest Corner” in each issue of the Idaho Senior Independent. One prize goes to the person who submits the entry that our staff selects as the featured quiz or puzzle in the “Contest Corner” for that issue. Be creative and send us some good, fun, and interesting puzzles! Please mail your entries to the Idaho Senior Independent, P.O. Box 3341, Great Falls, MT 59403, or email to idahoseniorind@bresnan.net by March 10, 2015 for our April/May 2015 edition. Be sure to work the crossword puzzle on our website www.idahoseniorindependent.com.
Can You Find These Observances? Created by Idaho Senior Independent Staff Are you ready to win $50? Did you know that there are more than 600 observances that occur during the months of February and March? We did not until we started looking, and we are betting that there are many more! Some are serious, some humorous, and some plainly ridiculous. What we have done, with the cooperation of a few of our advertisers, is add an observance within the borders of some of the ads appearing in this issue and in other blank areas of the paper. There are 13 ads in this paper that have an observance on them plus another 34 observances that have been placed in blank areas of the pages. They are scattered throughout the paper in no particular pattern, and your job is to find them. You cannot use any observances mentioned by way of introduction or explanation.
Answers to Wonderful Female Vocalists 1. G 2. A 3. U 4. I 5. B 6. W 7. L 8. E
Submitted by Julie Brantley, Choteau 17. D 9. P 18. R 10. J 19. Q 11. C 20. X 12. F 21. V 13. S 22. O 14. K 23. M 15. N 24. H ISI 16. T
What we require is that you find all of the 13 ads with observances on them plus 32 of the 34 observances in blank areas of the paper. Then, on a numbered piece of paper, write down three things: 1. The page number on which the observance appears; 2. If the observance is in an ad, the name of the advertiser (Acme Travel Agency for example); 3. The observance itself, i.e. Weed Appreciation Day. You do not need to write down the date(s) of the observances. Mail or email (idahoseniorind@bresnan.net) your answers to us by March 10, 2015. By drawing from the entries submitted, we will award a $50 cash prize each to the first three correct entries. What are you waiting for... it’s time to start scouring the paper to find those observances! ISI
It’s Time For The Super Bowl! ACROSS
1. Supporting workers 6. Military activities 9. Self-satisfaction 13. *Mike Ditka has his own brand of this smoke 14. One who is not Jewish, Yiddish 15. Done for dramatic affect? 16. Often done for one’s sins 17. Unagi 18. Garment enlarger 19. *The ___ ____ 21. *Winners of first two Super Bowls 23. Après-____ 24. Keep it up? 25. State V.I.P. 28. Starch used in Asian food 30. Extremely tiny 34. Top of Kilimanjaro, e.g. 36. Texting button 38. Result of too much pressure 40. Pharrell Williams’ 2014 album 41. Last European colony in China 43. Muslim honorific 44. Tax evader’s fear 46. *Something to play for 47. Track ____ 48. Confusion 50. Feudal laborer 52. Like humor or martini 53. Charades action 55. 401(k) alternative 57. *Super Bowl host state 61. Fracas 65. Precedes birth 66. Former measure of U.S. economy 68. Made cow noise 69. Mixtures 70. Earned at Wharton or Kellogg 71. “_____ it!” said the accused 72. *Hendricks and Ginn Jr. 73. Make a scene 74. Type of car
DOWN
1. Wound, eventually 2. South American monkey 3. All excited 4. Vampire’s feature, pl. 5. One who ______ out at the site of a snake 6. Curved molding 7. “The Raven” writer 8. Airy spirit 9. Dropped or fell 10. Source of artist’s inspiration 11. ____-friendly 12. Understands 15. Alfresco meal 20. Unhealthy vapors 22. *Teams rely on this kicker sense 24. To the point 25. Lady of “Applause” 26. Poppy product 27. Opera composer Giuseppe _____ 29. *Cleats, helmet, pads 31. Pack like sardines 32. Was violently angry 33. Shade of yellow 35. *49 37. Copenhagen native 39. *Super Bowl halftime performer 42. Finno-_____ language 45. Malignant or benign ones 49. Bowling target 51. Drab and unattractive people 54. Molten rock 56. Before, in the olden days 57. Sir Mix-_-___ 58. Rapid series of short loud sounds 59. Footnote acronym 60. Menageries 61. A quarrel 62. *Not a Super Bowl party without it? 63. Bulgarian money 64. Place of forbidden fruit 67. *Where to watch ISI
FEBRUARY/MARCH 2015
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If Only You’d Help
Submitted by Julie Brantley Paddy was driving down the street in a sweat because he had an important meeting and couldn’t find a parking place. Looking up to heaven he said, “Lord take pity on me. If you find me a parking place I will go to Mass every Sunday for the rest of me life and give up me Irish Whiskey!” Miraculously, a parking place appeared. Paddy looked up again and said, “Never mind, I found one.”
It Is Not What It Seems
Submitted by Julie Brantley An Irish priest was driving down to New York and was stopped for speeding in Connecticut. The state trooper smelled alcohol on the priest’s breath and then saw an empty wine bottle on the floor of the car. The trooper inquired, “Sir, have you been drinking?” “Just water,” said the priest. The trooper asked, “Then why do I smell wine?” The priest looked at the bottle and said with surprise, “Good Lord! He’s done it again!” ISI
Where Are They Now – Gene Wilder? By Marshall Jay Kaplan The funny man of the cinema – best known for his association in Mel Brooks’ films – considers himself retired from acting, but not retired from writing novels. Gene Wilder was born as Jerome Silberman on June 11, 1933. In Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Wilder first became interested in acting at the age of eight. After high school, he studied Theatre Arts at The University of Iowa. Upon graduation, he attended The Bristol Old Vic Theatre School in England for six months and then returned to the United States for further study acting at the Stanislavski Method of Acting School in New York City. During this time, Wilder began appearing on the legitimate stage in such plays as Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. Always a student of his craft, Wilder further enrolled at the prestigious Actor’s Studio to be taught by the legendary Lee Strasberg. It was at this time that he changed his name – taking “Gene” from a Thomas Wolfe novel, Look Homeward Angel and “Wilder” from author Thornton Wilder. After more than ten years of in-depth, serious acting classes, education, and various stage plays, Wilder made his film debut in the legendary film, Bonnie and Clyde (1967) with Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway. However, all of his training in dramatic acting was soon to be tossed aside after Wilder was approached by a writer/director Mel Brooks. In 1967, Brooks approached Wilder for the role of “Leo Bloom” in the dark comedy/musical, The
Producers (1968). The film became a comedic cult classic and Wilder became a comedy sensation. “I’m not so funny. I’m funny on camera sometimes. In life, once in a while. Once in a while.” Wilder’s association with Brooks continued in the films, Blazing Saddles and Young Franken-
stein (both 1974). Wilder also worked with the legendary Woody Allen in Everything You Wanted To Know About Sex… But Were Afraid To Ask (1972). He also starred as the title character in the classic children’s film, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971). The 1980s saw Wilder form three long-term relationships – two professional ones with Rich-
ard Pryor and Sidney Poitier and one personal one with Gilda Radner. Pryor and Wilder starred together in Silver Streak (1976), Stir Crazy (1980), and See No Evil, Hear No Evil (1989). Poitier directed Stir Crazy and directed Wilder in Hanky Panky (1982) – where Wilder met his future wife, Saturday Night Live alumnus and funny lady Gilda Rader. Radner and Wilder starred together in the Wilder-directed film, The Lady In Red (1984). Sadly, in 1989, Radner died of ovarian cancer, and Wilder founded the Ovarian Cancer Detection Center in her name. Although Wilder continued to make film and television appearances, he really made a conscious decision to take a step back from acting as the films out there were just not for him. “I’m tired of watching the bombing, shooting, killing, swearing, and 3-D. I get 52 movies a year sent to me. If it’s something wonderful, I’ll do it. But I don’t get anything like that,” he explained. Wilder turned his creativity toward writing, with his first novel released in 2007. His most recent novel was published in 2013. Wilder has remarried and lives a quiet life with his wife in Connecticut. “I don’t like show business, I realized,” he explained. “I like show, but I don’t like the business. I like writing books. I’d rather be at home with my wife. I can write, take a break, come out, have a glass of tea, give my wife a kiss, and go back in and write some more. It’s not so bad. I am really lucky.” ISI
March 20 is Astrology Day
PAGE 10 IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT
FEBRUARY/MARCH 2015
San Antonio’s Grand Fiesta – Eleven Days Of Parties Amid Three Centuries Of History Story by Andrea Gross; photos by Irv Green is a major part of San Antonio,” she says, as the It’s seven o’clock in the morning, and the boat passes La Villita, the site of Night in Old San San Antonio River Walk is almost empty. This is Antonio (NIOSA), one of the myriad events that a stark contrast to last night when an estimated take place during the eleven-day party. There’s 200,000 folks crowded the area, cheering and a pooch parade, a jazz band festival, and a “fun run” for costumed miniwaving as 40 boats – marathoners. There’s each festooned in hot, food, a coronation, and bright colors and glitterFriday’s Battle of Flowing lights – cruised down ers Parade. This event the meandering wateris so popular that the way that bisects the city literally shuts down city’s downtown area. for the day so that locals People sat along the and visitors can watch walkways that border the as floats, bands, and river, stood three deep smiling children make on the arched bridges their way through the that span it, and apcity center. Finally, on plauded from the balcoSaturday night, there’s nies of the luxury hotels that line it. After all, this The Texas Cavaliers’ River Parade is a highlight of the the Fiesta Flambeau Parade, reputedly the was the Texas Cavaliers’ Fiesta. (Photo by Irv Green) largest illuminated night River Parade, one of the premier events of Fiesta® San Antonio, the city’s parade in the world, replete with a jewel-bedecked queen and stately king, who reign over Visitors can see gowns worn by Fiesta queens at the annual spring extravaganza. Witte Museum’s annual exhibit. (Photo by Irv Green) But now, as my husband and I board an open- the festivities. We’re not privy to the private parties where air boat for a 45-minute narrated breakfast cruise, there are only three boats on the river – two break- we could see the royal gowns up close, so we missions, all of which still operate as functioning fast boats and one containing workers who are go to the Witte Museum for its annual exhibit that parishes and hold regular Sunday masses in showcases past coronation gowns. I both English and Spanish. The largest and most cleaning ask the curator how much an “aver- well known is Mission San José, which has been up the derestored to its eighteenth-century splendor and age” gown costs. bris from “Let’s just say they cost as much houses an excellent visitor center. the paTwo years ago the simplest way to reach as a high-end luxury car,” she replies. rade. We Between Fienjoy the esta events, we relative explore San Anquiet as tonio, beginning our guide with its most fagives us mous attraction, an overthe Alamo, which view of the began as a miscity’s hission in 1700. tory and Fiesta ac- In La Villita a craftsman carves and paints figures typi- However, it is retivities. cal of those found in the Mexican province of Oaxaca. membered as a fortress, the place “Fiesta (Photo by Irv Green) where Texas settlers chose certain death rather than surrendering to the overwhelming forces of Mexican General Antonio López de Santa Anna. A little over a month after the battle of the Alamo, on April 21, The mural at La Tierra, a well-known restaurant in El Mercado, shows “ordinary 1836, other settlers inspired people” interspersed with important community leaders and historic figures. by their compatriots’ bravery (Photo by Irv Green) defeated the Mexican army at the Battle of San Jacinto, thus paving the way for the establishment of the Republic of Texas and its eventual annexation to the United States. Today the Alamo is a museum, housing exhibits that are related to its days of glory. On the first Saturday of every month, costumed actors roam the grounds depicting life during the early days of Texas. In addition to the Alamo, the Spaniards constructed four other
these missions was by automobile, but now, due to a multi-year revitalization project, they’re also easily accessible by foot or bicycle. Mission Reach, an eight-mile southern extension of the San Antonio River Walk, winds through a semiwilderness area filled with hiking and biking trails as well as portals to each of the missions that make up San Antonio National Historic Park. A three-mile northern expansion of the River Walk, aptly named Museum Reach, leads through urban areas to a newly restored area filled with trendy shops and restaurants as well as the San Antonio Museum of Art and the Witte Museum. Of course, in order to explore these areas, we have to fortify ourselves. We choose three restaurants that promise food that’s both traditional and tasty. We’re not disappointed. Guenther House, built in 1859 by the founder of Pioneer Flour Mills is as notable for its museum of millhouse memorabilia as its buttermilk biscuits. At Viola’s Ventanas, we hear tales of the owner’s mother whose home-style cooking is featured in the res-
FEBRUARY/MARCH 2015
taurant; and at El Machito, which reputedly has the biggest grill in Texas; we happily gorge on a mixed platter of grilled cholesterol. Chef Johnny Hernandez urges us to try one
IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT PAGE 11
of his drinks, which are as Texas-sized as his This year’s fiesta will be April 16-26, 2015. grill. Why not? We lift our glasses and toast San Visit visitsanantonio.com for more information. ISI Antonio, a city that knows how to party as it preMarch 15 is Buzzards Day serves its past and embraces its future.
You Can Dig Their Dinosaurs
By Sue Hansen Eastern Montana is cattle country - wide-open spaces bordered by treeless buttes and dotted with sagebrush. But where cows now roam the range, dinosaurs once dominated a vastly different landscape, a watery world lush with flora. Though these remarkable reptiles died millions of years ago, their fossilized remains are scattered across miles of ranch land. Unlike state and federal lands that have regulations forbidding removal of fossils without a permit, private landowners in Montana own any prehistoric specimens found on their property. They can keep them, donate them to museums, or sell them to the public. However, two ranching families near Glendive have uncovered a new bone business, guiding paying guests to secluded sites to dig their dinosaurs. On the 12,000 acre Baisch Ranch, owners Marge, son Justin, and daughter-in-law Shana offer day trips to hunt Cretaceous creatures, plant fossils, and petrified wood. Except for bones of scientific significance, like those of T-rex, guests can keep what they find. “We want to give people the opportunity to go out on a dig and find something prehistoric to take home,” says Marge. “Most specimens found here are already stockpiled in museums, so why not sell them to people who want them. If they’re left exposed, they’ll deteriorate into sand.” If anyone can “stick your nose right on a bone,” Marge can. Living most of her life on the ranch her father bought in 1956, she knows the land like the back of her hand. Her first find as a child was on an old horse trail. Spotting a funny-looking ‘rock’, it turned out to be a large knuckle joint of an Edmontosaurus, with bite marks. Over the years, Marge’s dinosaur collection has grown extensively and includes a humerus bone and nose horn of a Triceratops, toe and leg bones of a T-rex and a shiny domed skull of a Pachycephalosaur. In the early 1980s, as word spread about the many dinosaur discoveries in eastern Montana (even Steven Spielberg did his homework here for Jurassic Park), paleontological experts descended to set up digs. At first, Marge
allowed paleontologists onto her property because preparation work in the field can be expensive. Then she told them to leave. “They treated me like an idiot because I didn’t have a university degree. But I’m a stockwoman and I know bones when I see bones. And, I’m smart enough to know something is unusual. So I ran them off my land, though one sneaked back and stole several specimens.” It was not until noted paleontologist Jack Horner, from the Museum of the Rockies in Bozeman, wrote a scientific paper on Marge’s Edmontosaurus knuckle joint that she let experts back onto her land. One, Alan Olson, from Minnesota, leased the Baisch land for digs. “It’s a hotbed for dinosaurs here,” Olson says. “The layers of sandstone are peeled back like an onion to reveal reptiles as small as turtles up to the gigantic T-rex.” “Eastern Montana is ground zero for dinosaurs,” says Nate Murphy, the renowned paleontologist who discovered the mummified Brachylophosaurus called “Leonardo,” the world’s best-preserved dinosaur. “The land is like a multi-layered cake and if you drag a hand through the cake’s middle it creates canyons and gullies that expose bones.” For the Baisch family, every specimen found is another piece to the dinosaur puzzle. A puzzle they want to share with others interested in dinosaurs. “It’s like searching for buried treasures, with the treasure being fossils,” says Shana. “And everyone leaves here with some token of their trip back in time.” Baisch Dinosaur Digs are half day ($75) or full day ($100) excursions. Children 6-12 years of age are free with paying adult. Not recommended for those under age six. Groups of 10 or more receive a 25 percent discount. For reservations, call 406-365-4133, e-mail jsbaisch@midrivers.com, and visit dailydinosaurdigs.com. Anyone going on a dinosaur dig must wear sturdy shoes, carry at least a gallon of water, and take a hat and sunscreen, plus a daypack for fossils. ISI
March 15 is Brutus Day
I Am Marco, The Son Of Bea By Bill Hall Hey, everybody, it’s me, Marco. I admit it. I sometimes use another name. I learned this trick from my mother. She never liked her name – Beulah. Some churchy people will recognize the name from the Bible as meaning “bride.” And some will tell you it means “the promised land.” So I think of that bride as the woman who promised children a relevant life. That was my mother and she was my promised land. My mother viewed the name Beulah as the outdated name she had been stuck with. By the time she was in grade school she was getting teased over that name. Most students are teased over the outdated names chosen for them by parents from a previous generation. For some reason, my mother, ordinarily a kind and thoughtful person, faltered on the day my name was chosen. She, a woman who knew how it feels to be named Beulah, was so pleased with my father for helping create me that she went momentarily wacko and named me for my father. For him, that was such a sweet moment in his life that he had a brain freeze and forgot to remember how much he had minded his name (and now mine) – Wilbert! How could a thing like that happen? To a kid, that was a double disaster. He gave me a name he regretted. And he didn’t even use the name himself. When asked, he would tell people his name was W.P. Hall. That’s not fair. His whole name was Wilbert Peter, a compound name even worse than mine was, Wilbert Duane. What were they thinking? Especially my mother, Beulah. She should have understood my embarrassment. But she soldiered on, enduring a name she didn’t like. To tell the truth, I think the worst part for her was not that Beulah wasn’t a popular name when she was a child. It was that a movie made the name famous in a silly way when the comic actress Mai West told her maid in the movie, “Beulah, peel me a grape.” Thereafter, the Beulahs of our land could hardly go anywhere without some joker demanding a peeled grape. It was one of those irritating moments from a silly movie when everybody is suddenly chuckling over your unusual and therefore hilarious name. Unfortunately, it could happen to anyone, including you. However, there is a remedy. Sometimes an unpopular name is removed in a simple way that had never occurred to me. One day a young woman my mother had only recently met threw the Beulah word out of my mother’s life. That shrewd young woman told my mother, “I don’t think a name like Beulah fits you. I’m going to call you Bea.”
At an optometrist’s office: If you don’t see what you’re looking for, you’ve come to the right place.
And so she did. Soon everybody else stopped calling Mom anything but Bea and it made her happy. She had lived a Beulah life for six decades and then she became a Bea, a real honey of a Bea. In subsequent years, I would sometimes find ways to avoid telling people I Destinations presents my real name of Wilbert.C I would even abandon my nickname Bill. Just for the fun of it, I would encounter strangers who asked me my name and I would lie to them. I would pose under a name of the moment that could replace withnames the Lewis Clark valley Chamber of Commerce Wilbert – strong like Bruno or Barack or George Clooney. Departing October 13, 2015 For instance, when I go into some espresso joint, they ask my name, write it on the side of the paper cup, and then call me by that name the $2 when nlfib. 99Ofat drink is ready. So when a barista asks me for my name, I tell$3a1big, y, 9 9 “Marco,” I answer. Highlights if b 9 no mem nAp oproduct b After all, Marco is an Italian name and espresso is a famous ril oked memofer ber 1, b • 7 Nights at 4-Star Hotels Italy. 20 y 1 • Muckrose I sit there with my Marco cup full of hotHouse latte wondering if I don’t look a 5 little • Cliffsand of Moher more handsome and sophisticated possibly Italian. Glancing sideways, St. Patrick’s Cathedral I thought maybe that attractive• 76-year old was peeking at me from behind • Wicklow National Call for more a 16-inch mocha (topped with a wild and crazyPark puff of whipped cream). • Adare Village information I routinely take on other names in other situations. I hide from the Wilbert • Blarney Castle (509) 758-7712 in me. Trinity College it. If you have an odd name, it’s Yes, it’s all a charade, but I•recommend • Book of Kells time you start deciding whether to Bea or not to Bea. • Old James Whiskey Distillery Hall may be contacted at wilberth@cableone.net or at 1012 Prospect Ave., Lewiston, ID 83501. ISI
the Best of Ireland
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PAGE 12 IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT
FEBRUARY/MARCH 2015
Spring Thoughts By Bernice Karnop In Ecuador, because it is on the equator, the sun rises at 6 a.m. and sets at 6 p.m. every day, summer, spring, winter, and fall. (There are small variations as you move north and south from the exact equator.) Folks who live there can scarcely comprehend our long summer days and long winter nights. We share that 12-hour cycle of daylight and darkness two days a year where we live. On the spring, or vernal, equinox the sun rises exactly in the east, tracks its way across the sky for exactly 12 hours and sets in the west. After the spring equinox, the sun continues to follow a higher and higher path through the sky, giving us longer and longer days until the summer solstice, when it reaches its highest point. Another name for the spring equinox is the first day of spring. That does not mean that it can’t
snow or that the wind won’t blow. It just tells us what is happening on a grander scale on our planet. One might miss the workings of the sun, but few fail to notice the other firsts of spring. The bluebirds return. You spot a robin. Tens of thousands of geese and ducks make their way to the artic from their winter sojourn in warm southern climes. Newborn calves and lambs appear in the greening fields. Overhead the cottonwood buds burst to become delicate green leaves. Fuzzy grey tips adorn the pussy willows, and purple crocus poke their heads up through the snow. We’re fortunate, blessed really, to live where there are four distinct and equally lovely seasons each year. Why not take the time to notice and appreciate them even more deliberately this spring. ISI
FEBRUARY/MARCH 2015
IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT PAGE 13
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Article & Photo By Jack McNeel Jan Clizer remembers as a small child spending summer months in a gold mining camp in Alaska where her mother was camp nurse and her dad a maintenance welder on mining dredges. Winters were in Seattle and later Kirkland. On the outskirts of Coeur d’Alene, she now lives in a remodeled barn with living quarters and studio to devote her spare time to painting with a Scottish theme. As a youngster, Jan had a strong interest in Scottish and Irish music that grew into Scottish culture as she got older. Perhaps it was that her dad was half-Scottish.
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Spirit Lake, Hope, and Coeur d’Alene. She tried 208.677.6494 art in the early 80s but with youngsters to care for 1523 N 4th St. Coeur d’Alene, ID and a divorce, it was 1998 before she really could focus on her art. Jan ran a frame shop in Coeur d’Alene for nine years, first in her home and later downtown. It supported her family, worked well, and was “enjoyable and rewarding for all of us,” she declares. By 2003, her sons were over 18, able to care for themselves, and responsible young men. Since Jan knew she would need to help care for her aging parents, 2003 seemed her best opportunity to return to Scotland. “I’d go to music festivals because I’m a Celtic music nut,” she explains. “That brought all kinds When you or your loved one of incredible connecWhen it comes to quality care, needs quality short-term or tions and invitations to there’s no place like my home community. long-term care, consider the come back and stay with friends; offers to stay in center close to home. Kindred spare rooms, to paint, Nursing and Rehabilitation and to play music with Mountain Valley. people. And I did.” “There were comWe offer care in a comfortable missions to paint and I setting, close to home, where taught fiddle to locals, your loved one will feel right Celtic fiddle. At one point We invite you to call at home. I had 13 students rangor visit and learn more. ing from age 4 to 67.” Jan participated in group art exhibitions and did Mountain Valley a couple of solo shows Care and Rehabilitation and two studio tours. “It was incredible,” she A Kindred Healthcare Community exclaims. 601 W. Cameron, Kellogg | 208-784-1283 | www.mountainvalleycare.com Jan r em ai ned i n Scotland until 2007, although she made several trips home during Northern Idaho advanced Care Hospital those years. Her dad was starting to get dementia and she knew it was time to return home. With the help of a friend she remodeled the old barn on her parents’ property where she has lived since. Her father has since passed on and YOUR CHOICE for advanced long-term ACUTE care. Our compassionate and highlytrained medical team provides SPECIALIZED medical and nursing services for patients who her mother turned 93 in are medically complex, requiring extended Critical and Acute care to achieve recovery. January. At our state-of-the-art 40 bed hospital, we care for patients who have suffered a Jan works on paintcatastrophic injury or illness such as: ings most days and is • Trauma • Lung & Heart Disease • Spinal Cord Injury an active musician, per600 North Cecil • Head Injury • Stroke forming both solo and Post Falls, Idaho 83854 with a group interested ph: 208.262.2800 fx: 208.262.2813 in Celtic music. There NIACH.ernesthealth.com are nearly 30 musicians 185220-0507 in the group from area
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“There was something that drew me from the get-go,” she explains. When she was very young, she remembers that her dad would take her to hear the Black Watch Tattoo, a musical group from Scotland that would perform in the Seattle Arena. “It made an incredible impression on me,” she adds. At 18 and fresh out of high school, she left home for a year, travelling to Munich, Germany. “I really wanted to get away. I got a job as a housemaid, an au pair. My parents made me get a round trip ticket before I left.” When not working, she had time for travel. “Scotland was the favorite country I visited. At the end of the year I came home – with 50 cents in my pocket,” she adds with a laugh. College and various jobs followed along with marriage and two youngsters. Over the years, she has lived throughout northern Idaho – Lenore,
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towns and as far away as Potlatch and Bonners Ferry. They play occasionally at assisted living residences, at the Jacklin Art Center in Post Falls, and have a tentative date to play there again in late March during the Celtic season. Jan doesn’t work the club scene but does play at private parties and dinners, providing background music. She will also busk in front of Art Spirit Gallery during art walks, explaining that busk or busking means performing music in public for money, a widely acceptable and recognized activity in Europe. All Jan’s work is Scottish based, and she is a good artist but says there is always room for improvement. The past three years she’s been studying with a local classical realism artist to improve her skills. “There are so many landscapes I want to do – sea scenes, boats and harbors, and cattle and you name it,” she explains laughing. She encourages people, at any age, to do things they perhaps haven’t allowed themselves to attempt in the past. Many feel they have no ability, no talent, and perhaps have been told so by others. “All of us need to take a look at whatever makes us feel good every day
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and do the best we can to allow at least a little bit of that into our lives,” she advises. “Painting was once looked upon as a waste of time in my family and I was seriously discouraged from it when I was a young child. I taught myself music from a very early age. We all have things that sing to us and lift our spirits. We’ve got to allow ourselves to do those things. It makes for happier people.” She definitely plans to return to Scotland. When asked when the best time to visit is or the best places to go, Jan replies, “I’d go over any day, all year. Winter, spring, summer, or fall, it doesn’t matter to me. It’s the music and culture. They are so supportive of traditional music and all other kinds. Oh my gosh, there are music festivals in the winter in Edinborough and other places. There’s a huge traditional music festival in Dunkeld over Halloween that is just the bee’s knees. Eight days long of fantastic musicians! And concerts! I’d go any time!” Scotland and things Scottish obviously inspire and stimulate Jan Clizer. To view some of her art visit janclizer.com. ISI
From L.A.P.D. To Landing Nets Article & Photo By Jack McNeel Kent Setty was happy in his job with the Los Angeles Police Department until July 1993. “God gave us a message,” Kent says. He was diagnosed with prostate cancer, a disease that was killing his father at that same time. Retirement and starting a new life prevailed over continuing in law enforcement, no matter how much he enjoyed. Kent and his wife, Rio, had heard of northern Idaho from friends and knew they wanted to live in the northwest, so they checked out Coeur d’Alene. “We didn’t see the lake and didn’t see the resort,” Kent relates with a laugh. But a homebuyer’s guide showed prices in their price range. They drove around the older portion of town with many homes dating back 50 years or more. “Let’s drive until we find a neighbor we wouldn’t want to live next to,” Kent said to Rio. “It took us quite a while because the pride of ownership just stood out.” One year later, they moved to Coeur d’Alene. “I’ve never looked back. We just love it here,” Kent declares. Kent had a goal of learning to fly-fish when he retired. Rio bought him a fly-fishing outfit complete with fly-tying equipment for a retirement gift. He almost immediately joined the local fly-fishing club and has been an avid member and fisherman ever since. He has served as president, treasurer, board member, and is presently the vice president. One night a guest speaker talked about building fishing nets, landing nets, and Kent immediately became interested. In fact, he built a net from a copy he made that same night. “I still have the net,” he said. “I’m not very proud of it but it was my first one.” Kent had been into woodworking for about 15 years doing work on patios, sheds, etc. plus some furniture. He experimented with the landing net methods of that guest speaker, trying different adhesives, different finishes, and different types of net bags. Kent’s 600 square-foot workshop is a testament to his father’s maxim, “Why are you buying it? Why don’t you build it?” It was air conditioned before their house, and is fully equipped with a bathroom, coffee maker, microwave, and sink. Rio provided some impetus to building a shop and its being preferable to tracking sawdust through the house. To make the beautiful laminated handles, Kent started with exotic woods from the rain forest but has switched to native North American woods. Ash is his favorite, which is laminated with other woods like walnut, cherry, madrone, and black locust. Some may sound exotic like fiddleback maple, quilted big leaf maple, or one he found in Seattle called toasted curly maple, but they are all native. “I don’t use any stains or dyes on the wood.
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Volunteering and community involvement go far beyond his cancer work. Both Kent and Rio are members of the Panhandle Kiwanis Club. “Kiwanis is dedicated to changing the world for children, one child at a time,” Kent explains. He volunteers at the KROC Center in a number of programs but the longest running one is a mentoring program for middle school students called Press On. “I have a 12-year-old young man I meet with once or twice a week. He just needs somebody to talk to sometimes. We play games: pool, air hockey, and sometimes just sit and talk.” Membership in the fly-fishing club also brings opportunity for volunteering by going to schools to teach fly-tying classes. Kent served a couple of years on the Board for the Senior Center and volunteered in the past for the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, working at game check stations, building bluebird boxes, and even painting the exterior of the Clark Fork fish hatchery. Naturally, Kent has helped with fishing activities such as free fishing day with youngsters, helping kids tie and use flies at Calder Pond, and water awareness week where both water quality and fishing were emphasized. Kent and Rio enjoy travelling in their RV, but on their return and that first glimpse of Coeur d’Alene Lake, they look at each other and say, “We’re home. We love the people. We love to be here!” ISI
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It’s all natural,” Kent adds. A light colored wood is set off by putting a dark wood next to it. “It’s just a matter of what color will look good. After you’ve made a thousand of them you kind of know.” Kent also makes different lengths for people of different heights or from fishing from a float tube versus wading a riverbank. Kent used to make his own net bags but most are now purchased. “Technology has gotten to the point where plastic or rubber net bags are better for the fish then the old cloth bags. There is less damage to the slime on the fish so they have a better chance of survival after release.” What started as a hobby has become even more. Kent is now in his 3 rd year of actively selling landing nets at art and craft shows throughout the region. “It’s fun. I’m gregarious. I like m e e t ing p e o p le and talking to them. I also have to say I’m pretty proud of what I make.” Kent sold about 130 nets during 2014. Plus, he gave away a fair number for drawings and auctions for causes that he supports. Causes are important to Kent. He was a member of the American Cancer Society and served as area director for 2 ½ years, traveling 26,000 miles one year to meetings in Idaho’s 10 northern counties. He then started and facilitates monthly meetings for a group in Coeur d’Alene called Man to Man, which is dedicated to men with prostate cancer.
IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT PAGE 15
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The Sandpoint Follies Bring Fun & Humor You Don’t Want To Miss Article & Photo By Cate Huisman Each year in early March (March 6-7, 2015), panhandle residents somewhere between frozen and thawed have an opportunity to escape their winter blahs when the Angels Over Sandpoint stage The Follies at the Panida. “It’s a night when the regular rules don’t apply,” says Deb McShane, one of its founding mothers. Set free for two performances over a weekend, the community puts on a risqué show that can’t happen any other time of year. The Follies were first staged 13 years ago, when the Angels, a homegrown community aid group, were casting about for a way to raise more money to help more people. Gail Fendley, a local radio personality, came up with the idea of a community-based bawdy show based on a successful production she’d seen in her former hometown of Durango, Colorado.
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“It’s fun to see that guy you never thought had a sense of humor get up there and sing in his underwear,” she points out. A committee of Angels auditions acts in early winter. Recruiting performers is not a problem. “Everybody wants to be in The Follies!” says Kate McAlister, president of the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce, who has been in the show for over a decade. The Sandpoint area is home to a remarkable number of talented dancers, musicians, and comics, and many of them seem to be willing to remove a few layers of clothing for a good cause. The committee screens acts that might be a bit over the edge even for the seasoned and appreciative audience and tries to create about 20 acts that are balanced between the raunchy and the humorous. Skewering politicians of all stripes and at all levels is almost as popular as showing some skin. “It’s not for the easily offended,” the Angels explain. Nevertheless, most years, a few audience members are offended – although this is usually by the political comments rather than the excess of skin. And this is okay with the Angels. As Fendley says, “If we don’t have at least one or two people that walk out, we haven’t done our job.” The entire show doesn’t come together until two nights before the first performance. A technical rehearsal runs through how all the acts will fit together, and the next night a dress rehearsal makes sure all the costumes and props will hold up as well. A master or mistress of ceremonies – the role is given to a different person each year – is responsible for weaving the acts together with between-the-scenes banter and plenty of double entendres. Follies Girls and Boys give the backstage crew a bit of breathing room between acts. These
individuals are chosen for their healthy physiques and resistance to chills. They bump and grind on and off the stage between acts, each carrying a placard with the name of the next act, which they place on a stand on stage. Occasionally they might blow the audience a kiss. Tickets go on sale on Groundhog Day and sell out within a few days. Readers who don’t have “delicate sensibilities,” as McAlister says, and who could use a good dose of levity in the waning days of winter are advised not to put off buying tickets. For more information visit angelsoversandpoint.org or call 208-290-5895. ISI
The Silver Valley Is Irresistible!
By Joan Block Whatever an active person wants, Idaho’s Silver Valley has it – two ski resorts, three golf courses, over 100 miles of bike trails, hunting, ATV and snowmobile trails, hiking, snowshoeing, camping, bird watching and numerous lakes for water activities like boating, kayaking, fishing, and swimming. Locals are friendly and happy to share favorite spots such as the stone couch overlooking Revette Lake, the eagles’ nest near the Coeur
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d’Alene River, spectacular views from a trestle on the Hiawatha Bike Route, or that stash of powder on the backside of a mountain. The Chambers of Commerce in Kellogg and Wallace are excellent places to meet people and discover current activities. The Silver Valley hosts classic car shows, festivals that feature accordions, blues, brews, huckleberries, fireworks on July 4 and Christmas, as well as great places to eat, drink, and shop. The mountain valley has extremely affordable housing, no traffic, or stoplights. We invite you to explore our 2,600 square mile playground. You might find you want to stay. I did! Joan Block is a stockbroker who has resided in the Silver Valley for 23 years. She and her husband, John, are dedicated volunteers and enjoy all of the area’s lively activities. ISI
Caribou Lodge: A Haven For Backcountry Skiers
Article & Photo By Cate Huisman High on a remote ridge top in the Selkirks, Caribou Lodge is a popular destination for hardy winter travelers. It is a seven-mile ski into the lodge from Caribou Creek Road, and guests tend to find out about it from word of mouth or an ad on the Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center website. The lodge is a haven in the midst of a multitude of alpine ski routes with broad views of the Selkirk and Cabinet mountains as well as Lake Pend Oreille far below. Caribou Lodge is the vision of owner Mark Remmetter, an Indiana native who dreamed of coming west after his family received a gift subscription to Arizona Highways. He trained as an electrician and his migration started when he got a job doing electrical work at Grand Canyon National Park in 1975. The dream was bigger than just moving west, however. Mark wanted to own land and build a house – not an option in a national park. He wanted a place with distinct seasons, inexpensive land, and an abundance of water. “Water being a key part of it,” Mark emphasizes. Prices in Arizona were high, and water scarce.
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An article about north Idaho in Mother Earth News led him to the Idaho panhandle. He headed north in 1978, bought land, and built a house in the Selle Valley north of Sandpoint, where broad farm fields open to wide views of the Cabinet and Selkirk Mountains. Having landed in the valley, Mark discovered that “all my friends were playing in the mountains,” and soon he was headed into the alpine backcountry too. He and some friends started Bonner County’s first search and rescue team in 1979. Looking for lost people on foot, on skis, and on snowshoes helped him get to know the surrounding mountains. Over the next three decades, while working as an electrician and in related construction businesses – including his own business, Remmetter Electric – Mark began to think more and more about owning mountain land. “I wanted something up high where it snowed more than it rained,” he recalls. “The weather is better higher than it is lower,” Mark believes. “There’s more sun in the winter up there at 5,000 feet than there is down here. The air’s cleaner year round up high than it is down here.” Car i bou Lodge, at 4,960 feet, is often above the clouds that settle down into the Purcell Trench and Pend Oreille and Priest Lake basins around it. He found the 80 acres on which the lodge sits, high up under Caribou Peak, in 1986. But finding the property was just the beginning. It was another decade before Mark started to build the lodge. The permitting process alone took four years of work with the county, the state, and the U.S. Forest Service. “Because of the way property was sold way back then, there weren’t always recorded easements,” Mark says. “The county wasn’t sure I had a legal right to access my property.” He had to negotiate with the timber company that owned neighboring land, but they needed an easement through his property to access one of their sections too. “So it was an exchange. But things like that don’t happen overnight.” And then there was the water. “The original plan for water was to develop an existing spring,” he recalls, but the county required a well, since he was applying for a food service permit. Fortunately, he hit great water just 83 feet down, and his well provides 30 gallons per minute, which enables the lodge to offer showers and flush toilets even at this remote location. Actual construction started in 1996. Summer access was and is via a steep road, which made delivery of construction materials a challenge. A yard of concrete spilled out the back of the first concrete truck that came up the grade, so Mark had to shorten orders after that. Parts also had to be delivered for the windmill and solar collectors that provide for all the lodge’s power needs. “It was my first installation of renewable energy systems,” says Mark, and since then he has done maybe a dozen more such systems for individuals in the Sandpoint area who are looking to live off the grid. Lumber did not have to be hauled in. Trees were abundant on the property, and cutting them simultaneously provided construction material and views, which are spectacular now. Construction was completed at the end of 1999, and the lodge’s first paying guests arrived in time to celebrate the turn of the millennium. Although Mark originally considered running a full-service establishment, he instead has decided to let out the lodge as a recreational rental. Guests provide their food, drink, and cook their own meals, and they are on their own as they travel in on skis. Mark meets them at the trailhead and loads up their luggage onto a sled towed to the lodge behind a snowmobile, and this can be an adventure! Despite the detailed instructions for packing on the lodge’s website, unsecure luggage has been known to go astray. Once a keg of beer took off and didn’t come to rest until it was 300 feet below the road, requiring its own rescue party the next day.
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Hauling in guests’ gear has been the most time-consuming aspect of renting the lodge, says Mark, more even than laundry and cleaning to prepare for each new group of guests. He would prefer it otherwise: Like many backcountry skiers, “I hate snowmobiling,” he says. On the other hand, “I don’t mind domestic work.” Mark retired from Remmetter Electric last year, and his wife, Lynn Olafson, retired this past winter from her career as a nurse. They intend to keep the lodge business going “as long as it’s fun.” Having left the Selle Valley property, they now own a small house in Sandpoint. And while they enjoy the conveniences of city life, they are always glad to escape to the peace and quiet of the mountains. “It’s the best of both worlds,” says Mark. For more information, visit cariboumountainlodge.com. ISI
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Bob Schaffer And Coeur d’Alene – Then and Now Article & Photo By Jack McNeel For several reasons, Bob Schaffer remembers what Coeur d’Alene was like back in the day – he has lived in Coeur d’Alene since he was born here in 1937. “In the summer months in the yard we’d throw a blanket over the clothes line to make a tent and sleep in there with our dog. I wouldn’t consider letting my grandkids or great grandkids do that today. We didn’t have to worry about locking doors or worry about someone coming along and stealing things. Half the time you left the keys in the car. It was laid back. I remember how we were dismissed from school in the fall to help with the county fair. It was held at the City Barn then, near the lake.” In 1940, Coeur d’Alene’s population stood at about 10,000 while Kootenai County had just over 22,000. Today the city is approaching 50,000 and the county is nearing 150,000. Things have changed, some for better and some for worse. Bob would tell you it’s hard to call the new better than the old was. The main street through town, Sherman Av-
enue, was Interstate 90 in those earlier years, but traffic was far less than now. Downtown Coeur d’Alene had three movie theaters where kids would gather on a Saturday to watch cartoons and westerns. “The Roxy was on the end of 4th Street. There used to be a bus station on the corner of 4th and Sherman (I-90) and the Roxy was just below it. The Dream Theater was on Sherman and up from it was the Wilma Theater. The Sugar Bowl bowling alley was in that same area,” Bob explains. “The Missouri Lunch was there too and across the street was Hudson’s. The Missouri Lunch later became Hudson’s Hamburgers.” Hudson’s is still there and run by the grandsons of the original owner. Bob laughs as he tells about Don Harlem, a logger from that era. “Everyday he’d go through town on I-90, deliver his logs to a mill and return about lunch time. He’d park that logging truck right in front of these lunch places. He got a stack of tickets for parking on the road. They finally came and got him and told him he’d have to go to court. He beat the city because it was against the law to charge to park on an
interstate highway and it didn’t belong to Coeur d’Alene at that time.” Bob describes a clothes-cleaning business off Second Street. “It supplied all the downtown with steam,” Bob remembers. “Everything was fired up with sawdust or coal. There was no gas.” “There was a railroad,” Bob adds. “I remember the winter months and the old coal engine. The engine would start up, ‘whooo, whooo, who who who’ and the steam would pour out.” He adds that there was even a couple-of-hundredfoot tunnel that passed just south of the current courthouse and over to Northwest Boulevard. Industry in those years revolved around the woods or mines in the Silver Valley. Five lumber mills were located in and around Coeur d’Alene – Potlatch, Ohio Match, Northwest Timber, Diamond National, and Atlas Tie. Bob’s dad worked for Ohio Match, logging up the North Fork of the Coeur d’Alene. “They ran 10- and 12-foot bunks on the trucks,” Bob remembers. “In the summer they would take the door off, pull out the throttle, and stand on the outside to steer because (Cont’d on page 20)
Pam Carpenter - continued from cover Practically every weekend and occasionally during the week when there’s snow Pam and Terry will be riding their snowmobiles. In their smaller group of 18, only three are female and Pam laughs as she says about 15 guys call her “mom.” “I get to take care of all my single guys and make cookies for them. It’s great. I get a lot of Mother’s Day calls.” Pam and Terry go to Canada for spring riding with Cranbrook and Revelstoke being two of their favorites. They also spend a week in McCall. Wherever they go, they make friends. “We made a trip to Dixie a few years ago and contacted the snowmobile club there to explain there was a group coming for a week. They said, ‘Great, we’ll take you out to our favorite spots.’ So now there’s a network of friends, it’s great exercise, and gets you going to new places.” Riding the backcountry off roads and trails increases avalanche danger, so preparedness and knowledge are critical to a safe return. Pam explains that the Ski-Doo Corporation provides avalanche training – traveling the country with a topflight instructor. One day is classroom work and a second day is in the field to practice with avalanche equipment. Pam and Terry usually attend the training class each year to increase their awareness and to learn about new safety products. Pam insists that others riding in their group are knowledgeable and equipped.
“If you’re riding with me and I get buried in the snow I’d like you to be able to find me and know how to use your gear. We all carry probes and wear avalanche beacons that send and receive. You wear them in the sending mode. If you have a burial, everybody switches over to receive so the buried can be located. You only have about a 15-minute window before hypoxia sets in and survival rate drops off. There’s no time for search and rescue to come so you’re the first responders.” And even rescue may not be enough as Pam tells of a friend caught in an avalanche while coming down through trees. Although he was located in about seven minutes, he was not able to survive a broken neck. There are safety innovations. Pam describes the Avy Pack. “It is an inflatable balloon that comes out of a backpack. When you are in a slide or think you will be, you deploy it, it inflates, and then it keeps you on top of the snow. They’re about $1,000 for a backpack which also has pockets that hold your probe and shovel.” Considering snowmobiling as a good family sport, Pam says, “Even if you just ride the trails and get your kids into doing something other than hanging out at the mall. You see so many things you wouldn’t normally see: beautiful scenery, lots of wildlife, and people who are just awesome.” Regarding wildlife, Pam relates, “One day south of Wallace toward Avery we ran across 12 moose. It took us all day to get to Avery because we would stop and wait for them to mosey on. We usually stop and take a break if they’re on the road. It lets them get out of the way.” She adds, “In McCall last year we actually saw two wolverine dens.” Pam says they also see a fair number of wolves in addition to more common species. Pam encourages people to give snowmobiling a try, and get out and join a club. “It’s a great winter sport for everyone from grandparents to grandkids, and with more people participating, the sport will continue to prosper and grow.” ISI
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Bob Schaffer - continued from page 18 you went slowly and it was hot with no air conditioning. It would take all day to make a round trip into Coeur d’Alene.” In his late teens and early 20s, Bob followed in the footsteps of his dad, uncles, and cousins and worked in the woods. “We had a jammer and three cats and I operated the jammer and sawed.” He also worked part of the year with the State Forest Service but his final 35+ years were spent with Kaiser Aluminum in the Spokane Valley where he retired in 1998. During his childhood, he recalls fishing and picking huckleberries. “I remember fishing the Little North Fork of the Coeur d’Alene. You would cast your line and sometimes see 6 to 10 fish follow it. Now you could fish for half a mile and maybe get a few strikes.” Cutthroat ranged to 15 or 16 inches and a few rainbows as well. “Beautiful fish, deep like a football.” “During summer we’d go swimming down at Coeur d’Alene Lake. We’d maybe ride our bikes down in the morning and come back late in the afternoon. Maybe go to town and have a coke and ride around Tubbs Hill which was a lot of fun.
where they had to raise all the lines across the road for the truck to pass under. “We had lots of marching bands from area high schools and as far as Calgary, and probably 10 or 12 floats from Canada and Washington as well as from around here.” Some have referred to that era as “the age of innocence” and perhaps that’s true. Life was simpler without many of the concerns seen today. Safety was not an issue. Boredom wasn’t either. The sheer number of people has complicated many aspects of a relaxed life style. Bob Schaffer ponders the changes by adding, “Everybody thinks it’s progress – but to me it’s like taking a gallon of water and trying to pour it into a two-quart jar. Everybody used to visit and it seemed like they were a lot friendlier. Highways move faster. Streets are plugged up. Places we used to put our boat in, nowadays they charge for. You can’t find a parking spot. Parking lots used to be free but now they charge and still want you to take part in everything. Everything to me is just more of a rush.” ISI
Same trail as now only it was a narrow trail.” “Kids could run around on their bicycles at night, go through the park and weren’t bothered. You didn’t have to worry about somebody kidnapping a kid or shooting or stabbing you. People watched out for everybody too. If you needed help somebody was always there.” It was also a time before drugs were even heard of. Coeur d’Alene was known for Playland Pier with the various rides and penny arcade. “When Canadian relatives came down the first place they wanted to go was Playland Pier and run the bumper cars,” Bob says with a chuckle. Summer months saw lots of Canadian visitors as many things were cheaper here. “Cotton goods were cheaper here but we could get wool clothing cheaper in Canada,” he adds. “Around July 4 there were little vendors set up with tents and they had cotton candy, hamburgers, and all kinds of flags, canes, straw hats, and buttons or pins. Nowadays there’s nothing like that. The parade today is nothing compared to the ones we had.” Bob remembers one big load of white pine
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Submitted by Julie Brantley Father Murphy walked into a pub in Donegal, and asked the first man he met, “Do you want to go to heaven?” The man said, “I do, Father.” The priest said, “Then stand over there against the wall.” Then the priest asked the second man, “Do you want to go to heaven?” “Certainly, Father,” the man replied. “Then stand over there against the wall,” said the priest. Then Father Murphy walked up to O’Toole and asked, “Do you want to go to heaven?” O’Toole said, “No, I don’t Father.” The priest said, “I don’t believe this. You mean to tell me that when you die you don’t want to go to heaven?”
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O’Toole said, “Oh, when I die, yes. I thought you were getting a group together to go right now.”
Dead And Gone
Submitted by Julie Brantley Gallagher opened the morning newspaper and was dumbfounded to read in the obituary column that he had died. He quickly phoned his best friend, Finney. “Did you see the paper?” asked Gallagher. “They say I died!” “Yes, I saw it!” replied Finney. “Where are ye callin’ from?”
You Can Run But You Can’t Hide
Submitted by Julie Brantley As he walked into the bar, Mike said to Charlie the bartender, “Pour me a stiff one – I just had another fight with the little woman.” “Oh yeah?” said Charlie, “And how did this one end?” “When it was over,” Mike replied, “She came to me on her hands and knees.” “Really,” said Charlie, “Now that’s a switch! What did she say?” She said, “Come out from under the bed, you little chicken.”
Time For Reflection
Submitted by Julie Brantley Patton staggered home very late after another evening with his drinking buddy, Paddy, and took off his shoes to avoid waking his wife, Kathleen. He tiptoed as quietly as he could toward the stairs leading to their upstairs bedroom, but misjudged the bottom step. As he caught himself by grabbing the banister, his body swung around and he landed heavily on his rump. A whiskey bottle in each back pocket broke and made the landing especially painful. Managing not to yell, Patton jumped up, pulled down his pants, and looked in the hall mirror to see that his bottom was cut and bleeding. He managed quietly to find a full box of Band-Aids and began putting one as best he could on each place he saw blood. He then hid the almost empty Band-Aid box and shuffled and stumbled his way to bed. In the morning, Patton woke up with searing pain in both his head and bottom and Kathleen staring at him from across the room. “You were drunk again last night weren’t you?” she said. “Why you say such a mean thing?” Patton replied. “Well,” Kathleen said, “it could be the open front door; it could be the broken glass at the bottom of the stairs; it could be the drops of blood trailing through the house; it could be your bloodshot eyes; but mostly… it’s all those Band-Aids stuck on the hall mirror.” ISI
FEBRUARY/MARCH 2015
IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT PAGE 21
How to Divvy Up Your Stuff By Jim Miller Dear Savvy Senior, What is the best, conflict-free way to divvy up my personal possessions to my kids after I’m gone? I have a lot of jewelry, art, family heirlooms and antique furniture, and five grown kids that don’t always see eye-to-eye on things. Any suggestions? Seeking Peace Dear Seeking, Divvying up personal possessions among adult children or other loved ones is a task that many parents dread. Deciding who should get what without showing favoritism, hurting someone’s feeling or causing a feud can be difficult, even for close-knit families who enter the process with the best of intentions. Here are some tips to consider that can help you divide your stuff with minimal conflict. Problem Areas – For starters, you need to be aware that it’s usually the small, simple items of little monetary value that cause the most conflicts. This is because the value we attach to the small personal possessions is usually sentimental or emotional, and because the simple items are the things that most families fail to discuss. Family battles can also escalate over whether things are being divided fairly by monetary value. So for items of higher value like your jewelry, antiques and art, consider getting an appraisal to assure fair distribution. To locate an appraiser, visit appraisers.org. Ways to Divvy – The best solution for passing along your personal possessions is for you to go through your house with your kids (or other heirs) either separately or all at once. Open up cabinets,
drawers and closets, and go through boxes in the attic to find out which items they would like to inherit and why. They may have some emotional attachment to something you’re not aware of. If more than one child wants the same thing, you will have the ultimate say. Then you need to sit down and make a list of who gets what on paper, signed, dated, and referenced in your will. You can revise it anytime you want. You may also want to consider writing an additional letter or create an audio tape, CD, or DVD that further explains your intentions. You can also specify a strategy for divvying up the rest of your property. Some fair and reasonable options include: • Take turns choosing: Use a round-robin process where family members take turns picking out items they would like to have. If who goes first becomes an issue, they can always flip a coin or draw straws. Also, to help simplify things, break down the dividing process room-by-room, versus tackling the entire house. • Have a family auction: Give each person involved the same amount of “play money,” or use “virtual points” to bid on the items they want. This can also be done online at eDivvyup.com, a website for families and estate executors that provides a fair and easy way to distribute of personal property. For more ideas, see “Who Gets Grandma’s Yellow Pie Plate?” A resource created by the University of Minnesota Extension Service that offers a detailed workbook or interactive CD for $12.50, and DVD for $30, that gives pointers to help families discuss property distribution and lists important factors to keep in mind that can help avoid conflict.
You can order a copy online at yellowpieplate.umn. edu or by calling 800-876-8636. It’s also very important that you discuss your plans in advance with your kids so they can know ahead what to expect. Or, you may even want to start distributing some of your items now, while you can still alive. Send your senior questions to Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. ISI
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By James Young (NAPSI) – According to the U.S. Census Bureau, homeowners spent $130 billion on remodeling projects last year. If you hope to join them anytime soon, there are a few things you will want to keep in mind. After all, a kitchen remodel can give you one of the best returns on investment as long as you know where to save and where to spend. I help homeowners who dislike their kitchens evaluate all their options, from cabinets to countertops. Here are a few tips for a kitchen renovation that’s worth the time and investment. • Play with color. You spend a lot of time in the kitchen and you want it to be an inviting, comfortable place. One way you can really spice things up and show your true personality is with paint. Go bold or lighten things up with your favorite wall color; it’s really up to you and your personal style. It’s also one of the most inexpensive things to change down the road, so don’t be afraid to go outside your comfort zone or experiment with the latest color trends. • Mix and match materials. Combining materials of different textures – such as stainless steel, concrete, and reclaimed wood – adds warmth and interest. Invest in a marble slab for baking prep and a coordinating laminate or solid surfacing on other surfaces. This is your kitchen; get creative. • Make a statement with countertops. One place you can make a big statement is with countertops. The amount you spend on this item should account for only around 10 percent of your kitchen renovation budget. For this reason, I prefer working with Formica® brand laminate. Through the latest design and print technologies, you can get the look of granite and marble without breaking your budget. For example, the 180fx® line of laminates captures the true scale and color variation of exotic, natural surfaces but at a fraction of the cost. • Update your cabinets. While this can be a pricey endeavor, new cabinets can completely transform your kitchen. No budget to replace
them completely? You can create a unique look by adding laminate to the fronts of cabinet doors and drawers. Even more simple: Update them with paint; add new hardware and you’ll be all set. For more tips on renovating and getting the best bang for your buck, visit the Knowledge section at formica.com. James Young is a licensed contractor, electrician, and TV host. ISI
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FEBRUARY/MARCH 2015
Finding Comfortable Furniture By Jim Miller Dear Savvy Senior, I am in the market for some furniture and could use some help. My husband and I have arthritis and have gotten to the point where getting up from a seated position – especially from our living room couch and recliners – has become a real chore. Can you recommend some good cushioned lift chairs or furniture accessories that can help us? Can’t Get Up Dear Can’t, The task of sitting down and/or getting up from soft cushioned furniture is a common problem for many people who struggle with arthritis pain and mobility issues. Fortunately there are a variety of home furnishing products and accessories that can help give you a boost. Lift Recliners – Having been around for nearly 30 years now, “electric recliner lift chairs”
are one of the most popular types of seniorfriendly furniture on the market today. While they look just like regular recliner chairs, lift recliners come with a built-in motor that actually raises and lowers the entire chair, which makes sitting down and getting up much easier. How to Choose – With literally dozens of different types and styles of lift recliners to choose from, here are some key points to help you cut through all the options and select a good fit for you and your husband. • Chair size: The recliner needs to fit the person setting in it, so your body size (height and weight), or your husband’s, will actually determine the size of chair you need. • Reclining options: Aside from the lifting system, the degree in which the chair reclines is your choice too. Most lift recliners are sold as two-position, three-position, or infinite-position lift chairs. The two-position chairs recline only to about 45 degrees, which makes them ideal for watching TV or reading. But if you plan to nap, you will probably want a three-position or infiniteposition chair that reclines almost completely horizontally. • Fabric and features: You will also need to choose the type of fabric and color you want the chair to be, or if you want any extra features like built-in heating or massage elements, or a wallhugging chair, which is great if you are tight on space. Where to Shop – While there are many companies that make lift recliners - such as MedLift, NexIdea, Health Circle, Catnapper, Berkline, Franklin, and even La-z-boy - Pride Mobility (pridemobility.com) and Golden Technologies (goldentech.com) have been around the longest and have the best reputation. With prices typically ranging between $600 and $2,000, you can find lift recliners at many medical supply stores and online. You will also need to know that Medicare
provides some help purchasing a lift chair. They cover the lift mechanism portion, which equates to about $300 towards your purchase. If, however, the lift recliners do not appeal to you, here are several other products on the market that might. Risedale Chairs – These are open-legged, wing back chairs that are very different from lift recliners because only the seat cushion lifts instead of the whole chair. Made by Uplift Technologies (up-lift.com, 800-387-0896), the Risedale retails for around $500. Uplift also sells a variety of portable seat lifts that can work with any chair in your home and can be used when you are traveling. Couch Cane – Made by Standers, this nifty tool acts as a support handle that makes sitting and standing much easier, and it works on both couches and recliners. The base fits directly under the feet of the furniture for sturdy support. Couch Canes sell for around $100 and are sold online at medical equipment sites like medexsupply.com (888-433-2300) and activeforever.com (800-3778033). Furniture Risers – Increasing the height of your existing furniture a few inches is another inexpensive way to make it more accessible. Furniture risers typically range from 2 to 5 inches in height, are made of heavy-duty plastic or wood, and are inserted on the base of the legs or supports of your furniture. They cost from a few dollars up to $50 and can be purchased at Wal-Mart and Target, or online at amazon.com and mobilityhome.com. Send your questions to Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior. org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of The Savvy Senior book. ISI
February 10 is Extraterrestial Visitor Day
Tapping Your Real Estate Home Equity Loans Can Free Up Funds… But Be Cautious
By Marilyn Pribus Home equity loans can be a useful source of cash for homeowners who are considering remodeling jobs, mortgage refinancing, major appliance purchases, or other big-ticket items. They may also be a smart economic move when consolidating existing high-interest-rate loans such as credit card debts. Paying off high-interest loans with a single home equity loan translates into a single monthly payment with a considerably lower interest rate. In addition, the interest on a home equity loan is usually tax deductible. Still, it is always prudent to understand fully the benefits and risks of taking another loan on your home. What Is a Home Equity Loan? A home’s equity, of course, is the home’s value minus the existing mortgage balance and any other existing loans. Equity loans take two forms. One is an outright loan that provides a lump sum, generally at a fixed rate for a fixed term. The other is a home equity line of credit that is abbreviated to HELOC (pronounced HE-lock) which provides money as needed and usually has a variable interest rate that may change
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during the term of the loan because it is tied to the prime lending rate. Both kinds of loans have additional costs such as appraisals, originator and title fees, closing costs, and pre-payment fees. In some cases, the borrower pays, sometimes the lender pays, and sometimes the costs are shared. The closing costs are typically less than for a mortgage. Outright Loans. Generally, people can up borrow up to 90 percent of the equity (not the market value) in a home they occupy and about 70 percent for non-owner-occupied houses. There is a variety of options from five- to 30-year loans. These loans are commonly second mortgages, however if a home is owned outright, the loan would be a first mortgage. Home equity loans are usually made through banks or credit unions rather than a mortgage company or broker. A repayment schedule, like that of a mortgage, is set up, so the costs are regular and predictable. HELOCs – Line-of-credit loans are useful for providing ready credit for needs that don’t require a large one-time payment. Proceeds might be used for long-term renovation projects and the borrower can choose when and how much to borrow. The interest may be tax deductible. As a rule, interest rates are lower than those for an
The Idaho State Historical Society Seeks Nominations for Annual Esto Perpetua Awards About the Award The Esto Perpetua Award, which honors significant contributions to the preservation of Idaho History, takes its name from Idaho’s state motto meaning “Let It Be Perpetual.” Awards are considered in the following categories: Individual, Organizational, and Academic/Professional. “The Idaho State Historical Society engages community by building on shared experiences and inspiring further action and understanding. These awards allow the State Historical Society to acknowledge and thank those people and institutions who make a significant contribution to the preservation and promotion of Idaho history,” explained Tom Blanchard, Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Idaho State Historical Society. Nominations Nominations can be made by completing a nomination form that can be found at www.history. idaho.gov/esto-perpetua-nominations. Anyone can nominate an individual or organization for the award and any organization, business, government entity, or individual is eligible to receive an Esto Perpetua Award. Nominations should be sent to the Idaho State Historical Society, Esto Perpetua Award, 2205 Old Penitentiary Road, Boise, ID 83712. Deadline for submission is Friday, March 20, 2015. Award Ceremony The 2015 Esto Perpetua Awards will be presented Tuesday, June 2, 2015. Each year, these awards honor individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to the preservation of Idaho history through professional accomplishments, public service, volunteerism, or philanthropy. The ceremony and reception will be at the Old Idaho Penitentiary, 2445 Old Penitentiary Rd., Boise, Idaho on Tuesday, June 2 at 5:30 p.m. Tickets may be purchase online at www.history.idaho.gov or by calling Kimberly Baker at 208-514-2302. ISI
outright loan, however, it’s important to remember that variable rates can climb. Borrowers can use any part of the credit line at any time and payments are made on only the amount of the loan, not the total available. It’s similar to a revolving account on a credit card and the money can be used, repaid, and used again. Unlike a credit card, a HELOC is secured by the equity in the home so rates are much lower than an unsecured loan and depend on the repayment option chosen by the borrower. It’s common for a borrower to have the option to make full repayment at any time or just to pay the interest. There are many variables such as the size of loan, the credit profile of the borrower, and whether it’s a first or second lien. It’s always a good idea to shop among institutions. Caveats – Borrowers must always remember they are taking equity out of their home, which decreases its value. If the house is sold, the loan must be repaid. In addition, failure to repay could result in foreclosure or a short sale.
IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT PAGE 23
HELOCs should be repaid in a relatively short time. A HELOC can be a smart idea when the money is being used to improve the home, but it’s not a good way to pay for a car or a big vacation. Still, for people who handle their finances well, home equity loans can be a practical low-interest way to find money for expenses. Lynn Pribus lives near Charlottesville, Virginia, with her husband and their dog. ISI
March 6-8 is Festival of Owls Week
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FEBRUARY/MARCH 2015
Fall Prevention A Matter Of Survival Provided by Helping Hands Home Health, Pocatello One of every three Americans over the age of 65 falls each year. At least half of them will fall again. Falls are the leading cause of injury and death among older adults and cause more than eight out of every ten fractures among older people. Although any older person is at risk of falling, the following circumstances will increase that risk. The person has fallen before. After people fall, they may not move around as much as before because they are afraid of falling again.
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This can lead to stiffness and poor coordination. Because they are fearful of falling again, they may also make jerky movements instead of walking smoothly. The person uses an assistive device. It would seem people who use assistive devices for balance and support would not be as likely to fall. However, many people do not use them properly. They may have bought them from a pharmacy or borrowed them from a neighbor and were never taught how to use them or had them properly fitted, which actually increases the risk of falls. The person has a chronic illness. People with a joint disease (such as arthritis) are at greater risk of falling. Also, patients with strokes, lung disease such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or heart disease with congestive heart failure (CHF) are much more likely to fall. Having multiple chronic illness increases the risk even more. The person is taking certain medications or many different medications. Many medications have side effects that cause problems with balance, unsteadiness, or dizziness. Some of these are medications for hypertension, diabetes, CHF, heart disease, depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbance. These medications, especially when taken in combination, increase the risk of falling. The patient has urinary urgency or incontinence. Many people fall because they are trying to get to the bathroom quickly. Some fall
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because they are trying to get out of a wet bed. Others may fall trying to change soiled clothing. The person wears only socks or improper shoes. Often people fall because their footwear is slippery. Some older people wear socks to bed and forget to put on shoes when they get up. Or they wear bedroom slippers with slick soles. All of these contribute to falling. Hazards in the home increase the risk of falls. More than half of the people who fall will fall in their own homes. Often this occurs while reaching for an object or while attempting to transfer. Many falls could be prevented by simple measures to make the home safer. Problems areas include the following: • Floors – cluttered furniture, loose throw rugs, objects on the floor, and even pets. • Lighting – inadequate lighting in any area, especially near stairs, bedrooms, or bathrooms. • Bathroom – Toilet seat too low, slippery bathtub, no grab bars, and no bath chair or bench. • Stairs – clutter, broken or uneven steps, loose handrails, torn carpet, and light switch out of reach. • Bedroom – bed difficult to get into or out of, bedside lamp hard to reach, and no nightlights. • Kitchen – poor placement of items, shiny floors, using a chair as a step stool, and spills not cleaned up. If you are concerned about falling, or have an elderly family member who is a fall risk, please contact their health care professional for additional support. ISI
February 7-14 is Have A Heart For A Chained Dog Week
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Many Ways To Help Loved One With Heart Disease
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By Lisa M. Petsche Heart disease is the leading cause of death for adults in the U.S.A., and coronary artery disease (CAD), also known as arteriosclerosis, is the most common type – caused by accumulation in the coronary arteries of fatty deposits called plaques. This results in narrowing within the arteries, restricting blood flow to the heart. Typically, CAD progresses over many years and may go undetected until a crisis occurs. Symptoms can include angina (usually brought on by physical exertion or emotional stress), shortness of breath, and if a coronary artery becomes completely blocked, a heart attack. A diagnosis of heart disease is unsettling at best and oftentimes frightening. It launches the diagnosed person and their loved ones into a new world of medical information, jargon, and medical procedures. At least initially, consultations, tests, and treatments may take center stage. And the possibility of a heart attack and the need for major surgery is always lurking in the shadows. Coping Advice If someone close to you has been diagnosed with CAD, it is important to
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understand that your loved one may initially be in denial about the severity of his or her health condition. This is a natural part of the grieving process when faced with a significant life change that’s involuntary and anxiety provoking. Allow them plenty of time to adjust to their diagnosis and recommended lifestyle changes. Ask how they wish to be treated, and keep communication lines open. Learn as much as possible about the disease, its management, and educate family and friends. The local chapter of the American Heart Association is a good source of information, or visit www. heart.org. Focus on controllable risk factors. Commit to making lifestyle changes together, keeping in mind it takes about 30 days to develop a new habit. Taking some control will help you both feel less vulnerable. Encourage your loved one to find an outlet for expressing their thoughts and feelings – perhaps talking with a friend, keeping a journal, or joining a support group. And follow this advice yourself. If your loved one continually feels sad, angry, overwhelmed or unmotivated, arrange an appointment with their primary physician and accompany them. They may have a clinical depression, which is treatable. Practical Tips For Daily Living Accompany your loved one to medical appointments. In addition to being a supportive presence, you can take notes. You may also have questions that didn’t occur to your loved one. Assist your loved one in following the prescribed treatment plan, which may include medication, smoking cessation, blood pressure monitoring, diet changes, exercise, rest, stress management techniques, and regular checkups. For example, you might buy a dosette (compartmentalized pillbox) to make it easier to manage their medications, and collect and experiment with heart-healthy recipes. Assist your loved one in keeping an up-todate medication list, including a copy for their wallet. Encourage them to consider crisis options such as medical alert jewelry and, if they live alone, a personal emergency response system for summoning help. Assist in setting up a record-keeping system to organize their health information. Ready-made binders with customized tabs can be found in bookstores. If your loved one has a fast-paced lifestyle, encourage them to re-evaluate their priorities, streamline activities, and make time to enjoy life’s simpler pleasures. It’s also a good idea to set aside quiet time each day, to nurture their spirituality, and help keep them grounded. If you are concerned about the impact of certain household chores on your loved one’s health, consult with their doctor. Arrange help for high-exertion tasks such as moving furniture or shoveling snow. Managing Stress Cultivate a healthy sense of humor by reading the comics, watching a TV sitcom now and then, or renting funny movies together. Find something enjoyable to do together, such as volunteering or engaging in a hobby. Revive a former pastime or try something new. Refrain from frequent lifestyle reminders that your loved one may perceive as nagging. Also refrain from admonishing them for unhealthy behaviors. You can’t force your loved one to make lifestyle changes and trying to do so will only create
conflict. Express concerns gently, and ask if and how you can be of help. It’s important to avoid judgment. Let the person know you’re concerned about their health because you want to enjoy their company as long as possible. One of the best things you can do is set a good example of healthy living. After all, if you live in the same household, you too may be vulnerable to heart disease from common bad habits related to diet and exercise. Remind your loved one that even modest lifestyle changes can make a difference. Support them in taking small steps and building on their success. Keep in mind that however unwelcome it may be, the diagnosis of heart disease presents opportunities for a healthier lifestyle and for personal growth. Ultimately, it can lead to a more fulfilling life for your loved one and, by extension, for you. Lisa M. Petsche is a social worker and a freelance writer specializing in boomer and senior health matters. She has personal and professional experience with elder care. ISI
IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT PAGE 25
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Nearly Half of Family Caregivers Spend Over $5,000 per Year on Caregiving
30% Spend More than $10,000 per Year, 21% Don’t Know How Much They Spend Almost half (46%) of family caregivers spend more than $5,000 per year on caregiving expenses, according to a new Caring.com report. A family caregiver is defined as someone who takes care of a family member or friend, but is unpaid for his/ her services. Their caregiving expenses include out-of-pocket costs for medications, medical bills, in-home care, nursing homes, and more. Of the 46% of family caregivers that spend more than $5,000 annually: • 16% spend from $5,000 to $9,999 • 11% spend from $10,000 to $19,999 • 7% spend $20,000 to $29,999
• 5% spend $30,000 to $49,999 • 7% spend $50,000 or more each year. Thirty-two percent of family caregivers spend less than $5,000 per year, and 21% do not know how much they spend on caregiving each year. “Caregiving can be a startlingly expensive endeavor that most people aren’t financially prepared for,” said Caring.com CEO Andy Cohen. “But yet only three in 10 caregivers have spoken to their loved ones about how to pay for care. Having an open and honest conversation about finances is a sensitive, but necessary discussion to have.” Caregiving not only has an effect on finances, but it can also affect current employment and future retirement plans, too. One-third of family caregivers (33%) spend more than 30 hours per week on caregiving, making it almost the equivalent of a fulltime job. Half of caregivers have made changes to their work schedule to accommodate caregiving, while 30% often arrived late or left early and 17% missed a significant amount of work. “Family caregivers, especially baby boomers, run the risk of derailing their retirement plans if they
don’t prepare for the costs associated with caregiving,” said Cohen. “Almost half of caregivers spend $25,000 on caregiving in just five years – that’s a significant chunk of money that could delay retirement by a couple of years.” Additional Findings: • For 43% of family caregivers, deciding on a senior care or senior housing option took only one month. But for 21% of caregivers, the decision process took six months or more. • 60% of caregivers say their caregiving duties have a negative effect on their job. • 54% of caregivers are caring for a parent or spouse/significant other. • 20% of people being cared for live in an assisted-living center, nursing home, or other living community. More information about the survey results and resources to support family caregivers is available at caring.com/research/senior-care-costindex-2014. ISI
February 1 is Hula in The Coola Day
Top Ten Recommendations For Dementia Eldercare By Jacqueline Marcell, Senior Wire When people hear about what I went through during the year of caring for my elderly parents, they often ask what I would do differently if I had to relive the experience with the knowledge I have now. I sigh and say, “Oh, if only I could. I’d know exactly what to do to help my parents much sooner and I would be able to save so much time, money, and a fortune in Kleenex!” If you are heading into the eldercare years, please learn from my mistakes and do not reinvent the wheel. Here are my top ten recommendations: 1. Consider buying long-term care insurance while everyone is healthy. 2. Consult an elder law attorney to get all legalities done - durable powers of attorney for health and finances, as well as living wills, trusts, etc.
3. Realize when your elder says and does things that strike you as strange or illogical or irrational – they are! Do not wait and just chalk it up to old age or second-guess yourself. Call the Alzheimer’s Association (800-272-3900) and ask for a referral to a neurologist specializing in dementia who will perform a battery of blood, neurological, and memory tests to diagnose accurately what type of dementia it is. 4. Ask the doctor about the medications Aricept, Exelon, Razadyne, and Namenda, which can mask and slow down dementia symptoms, keeping a person in the early stage longer. Make sure vitamin B-12, folate, thyroid, and depression are checked, which can cause dementia-like symptoms. Have the doctor evaluate all medications for interactions. Optimize nutrition and fluid consumption. 5. Ask the doctor to consider prescribing an anti-depressant for your elder if needed, which will help to smooth out bad moods. And if you need an anti-depressant for yourself - get one! 6. When dementia surfaces, live in your elder’s reality of what is true for them at the moment. Do not argue, question, or try to force logic or reason. Agree and use calm non-threatening body
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language, while you distract and redirect their attention to things they are interested in. Get them reminiscing about the old days, thus capitalizing on their long-term memory. 7. When illogical demented episodes surface, realize that your loved one may be trying to work through unresolved issues of a lifetime. Validate their frustrated feelings, go with the flow, and do not contradict, which may help them bring some degree of closure to difficult past experiences. 8. Enroll your elder in adult day health care, where professionals are trained to manage dementia patients. By maintaining a daily routine and keeping loved ones engaged during the day, everyone will sleep better at night.
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9. Call your Area Agency on Aging and the Eldercare Locator (800-6771116) for resources, and attend a support group regularly. 10. Shift your perspective to being grateful for the lessons you are learning, even though they are hard. Celebrate the life that is left and stop focusing on the dying. You are required to make sure your elderly loved ones are safe, that they have good doctors and the right medications, but you are not required to let caregiving destroy your life – nor would they want that for you. Jacqueline Marcell B.S. is an eldercare advocate, author, speaker, and radio host. “Elder Rage, or Take My Father... Please! How to Survive Caring for Aging Parents” was selected by the Book-of-the-Month Club. ISI
Caregivers, Here’s How To Thrive In The New Year By Lisa M. Petsche Informal caregivers provide practical assistance and en hance the quality of life for medically frail older people who might otherwise require placement in a long-term care facility. Typically, they are spouses or adult children, many seniors themselves. Their role involves physical, psychological, emotional, and financial demands. It is a heavy load, exacerbated by the limited availability of community support services. A common phenomenon is caregiver burnout due to the physical toll and emotional strain of caring for an ill relative. If you are a caregiver, consider these strategies for not only surviving, but also thriving during the year ahead. Reduce your stress Learn as much as possible about your relative’s illness and its management, and educate family and friends to help them understand. Knowing what to expect and how to deal with challenges can go a long way to reduce anxiety and foster a sense of control. Accept realities you can’t change and focus instead on those you can influence. Pick your battles; don’t make a major issue out of every concern. Use positive self-talk. Emphasize phrases such as “I can,” “I will,” and “I choose.” Practice relaxation techniques, starting with deep breathing. Nurture your spirit. Do things that bring inner peace, such as meditating, praying, reading something uplifting, journaling, or listening to soothing music. Create a relaxation room or corner in your home – a tranquil spot you can retreat to in order to rejuvenate. Develop a calming ritual to help you unwind at the end of the day. Avoid watching the news before going to bed. Make healthy lifestyle choices: eat nutritious meals, get adequate rest, exercise, and see your primary physician regularly. Seek ways to streamline your life. Set priorities and don’t waste time or energy on unimportant things. Simplify necessary tasks, letting go of the need for perfection. If finances permit, hire a housecleaning service or a personal support worker or companion for your relative to free up some of your time and energy. Don’t keep problems to yourself – seek support from family members, friends or a counselor. Join a community caregiver support group (some
offer concurrent care) or an online group if it’s hard to get out. Accept offers of help, and ask other family members to share the load. Be specific about the kind of help you need. Also find out about services in your community that may be of help now or in the future. Find out about funding sources that may assist with the cost of prescription medication, medical equipment, transportation to appointments, home health services, and community programs. Consult the non-profit association related to your relative’s disease. Take advantage of respite services in your community such as day-care programs and facilities that offer temporary residential care. Inquire at your local office on aging. Increase your joy Stay connected to people who care through visits, phone calls, e-mail, or letters. Cultivate a healthy sense of humor. Read the comics, watch a TV sitcom now, or rent funny movies. Don’t take yourself or others too seriously.
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Do something you enjoy every day, perhaps calling a friend, savoring a cup of tea, reading the newspaper, or engaging in a hobby – perhaps revive a former pastime or try something new. Make it a priority, even if all you can manage is 15 minutes at a time. Put together a pamper kit of items that give you a lift – for example, a favorite magazine or CD, scented candles, fragrant shower gel or body lotion, a face mask, foot balm, nail polish, or gourmet coffee or tea – and delve into it when you find your spirits drooping – or better yet, on a regular, preventive basis. Bring a bit of nature into your home: get a plant to nurture or buy fresh flowers every month. Do something nice for someone who is going through a difficult time. It will bring joy to both of you.
Create little things to look forward to: visiting with a friend, calling a longdistance loved one, watching a favorite movie, ordering takeout food, buying a book you’ve been wanting to read, or getting something new to wear. Plan a special outing with or without your relative – to a restaurant or perhaps a cultural or sporting event. Focus on the good things in your life, such as supportive relationships, and seek beauty and tranquility through appreciation of art and nature. Learn to live in the moment, enjoying life’s simpler pleasures. If you think looking out for your own needs is selfish, remember that you can only take good care of your relative if you take good care of yourself. Lisa M. Petsche is a clinical social worker and freelance writer specializing in adult care issues. ISI
March 17 is Irish Coffee Day
American Academy Of Ophthalmology Urges Sight-Saving Habits For Older Adults To Help Maintain Independence The American Academy of Ophthalmology – the world’s largest association of eye physicians and surgeons – is issuing seven tips to help older adults take care of their eyes as they age to ensure longer independence and wellbeing. In the United States, one in six Americans over age 65 has a visual impairment that cannot be corrected with glasses or contact lenses. This is often caused by common eye conditions and diseases. Among older Americans, visual impairment is one of the most significant contributors to loss of independence; it is also associated with a higher prevalence of chronic health conditions, falls, injuries, depression, and social isolation. Though many vision-impairing eye diseases are age-related – such as cataracts, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration – in most cases proactive steps and preventative care can help preserve sight. The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends that seniors follow these seven tips to help protect their vision:
1. Get an Eye Exam. Adults age 65 and over should get a medical eye exam every one-to-two years. Regular eye exams are crucial in detecting changes in vision, which may be a symptom of a treatable eye disease or condition. Seniors who have not had an eye exam in the last three years and for whom cost is a concern may qualify for EyeCare America (www. eyecareamerica.org), a public service program of the Foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, which delivers eye exams and care at no out-of-pocket cost for eligible seniors age 65 and older through its corps of more than 6,000 volunteer ophthalmologists. “Some eye diseases have no obvious symptoms in their early stages unless detected during a comprehensive eye exam, so older adults should make these appointments a priority,” said Charles P. Wilkinson, M.D., ophthalmologist. “Detecting and treating eye problems early can make all the difference in saving a person’s vision as well as their independence.” 2. Know the Symptoms of Vision Loss. Signs of vision loss may become apparent as reading, writing, shopping, watching television, driving a car, and/or recognizing faces become more difficult. Vision loss that may be noticed by friends and family include missing, bumping into or knocking over objects, stepping hesitantly, and squinting or tilting the head when trying to focus. 3. Make Eye-Healthy Food Choices. A diet low in fat and rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains benefits the entire body, including the eyes. Studies show that foods rich in vitamins C and E, zinc, lutein, and zeaxanthin are good for eye
health. These nutrients are linked to lower risk for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and dry eye later in life. Eye-healthy food choices include citrus fruits, vegetable oils, nuts, whole grains, dark green leafy vegetables, and cold-water fish. 4. Quit Smoking. Avoiding smoking and second hand smoke – or quitting, for current smokers – are some of the best investments everyone can make for long-term eye health. Smoking increases risk for eye diseases like cataract and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and raises the risks for cardiovascular diseases that indirectly influence eyes’ health. Tobacco smoke, including secondhand smoke, also worsens dry eye. 5. Maintain normal blood pressure, cholesterol, and glucose levels. High blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood glucose (sugar) levels all increase the risk of vision loss from an eye disease. Keeping these under control will not only help one’s eyes but also overall health. 6. Get Regular Physical Activity. Not only does 30 minutes of exercise a day benefit one’s heart, waistline, and energy level, it can also do the eyes a world of good! Many eye diseases are linked to other health problems, including high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol levels. 7. Wear Sunglasses. Exposure to ultra violet (UV) light raises the risks of eye diseases, including cataract, growths on the eye, and cancer. Always wear sunglasses with 100 percent UV protection, and a hat while enjoying time outdoors. For more information about keeping eyes healthy, visit www.geteyesmart.org.ISI
March 11 is Johnny Appleseed Day
Hepatitis C: Older Americans Are At Risk By Ron Pollack, Executive Director, Families USA Hepatitis C is a disease that is caused by a virus that affects the liver. Even though the disease often doesn’t produce symptoms, it can seriously damage the liver and can be fatal. An estimated 3.2 million Americans have Hepatitis C. Older people are more likely to have been exposed to Hepatitis C, but many older Americans are not aware that they need to be tested for it. A December 2013 report found that Hepatitis C infections are concentrated in the Baby Boomer generation (the report is available online at bit.ly/ TTsXih). In another major study of people with the virus, 75 percent of the patients were born between 1945 and 1964. What is Hepatitis C? Hepatitis C is a conta-
gious liver disease that results from infection with the Hepatitis C virus, which is spread through contact with the blood of an infected person. Hepatitis C ranges in severity from a mild illness that lasts a few weeks (referred to as an “acute” infection) to a serious, lifelong illness that can destroy the liver (referred to as a “chronic” infection). Most people with Hepatitis C do not have any immediate symptoms. However, 75 to 85 percent of people who are infected eventually develop a chronic infection. Chronic Hepatitis C is a serious disease that can result in long-term health problems, including liver damage, liver failure, liver cancer, and even death. It is the leading cause of cirrhosis of the liver (liver scarring) and liver cancer and is the most common reason for liver transplants in the United States. Approximately 15,000 people die every year from Hepatitis C-related liver disease. What are the symptoms of chronic Hepatitis C? Most people with chronic Hepatitis C do not have any symptoms, and they may not have symptoms until years later when they develop liver problems. In people with no symptoms, Hepatitis C is often detected during routine blood tests to measure liver function. Infected people who do develop symptoms may experience the following: fatigue, joint pain, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, fever, dark urine, light-colored stools, or yellowish eyes and skin (called jaundice). Can a person spread Hepatitis C without having symptoms? Yes. Most people who are infected with Hepatitis C do not know they are
FEBRUARY/MARCH 2015
infected because they do not look or feel sick. An infected person with no symptoms can spread the virus to others. Any activity that exchanges blood between two people can put a person at risk. Before 1992, Hepatitis C was commonly spread through blood transfusions and organ transplants. Widespread screening of the U.S. blood supply for Hepatitis C began in 1992. Should I be tested for Hepatitis C? Both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Preventive Services Task Force recommend screening for the Hepatitis C virus for people born between 1945 and 1964. Talk to your doctor about being tested for Hepatitis C if any of these apply to you: • You were born between 1945 and 1964. • You were treated for a blood-clotting problem before 1987. • You received a blood transfusion or organ transplant before July 1992. • You are on long-term hemodialysis treatment. • You have abnormal liver tests or liver disease.
• You work in health care or public safety and were exposed to blood through a needle stick or other sharp object injury. • You have HIV. • You engaged in sex that could have caused bleeding. • You are a current or former injection drug user, even if you injected only one time or many years ago. Can Hepatitis C be treated successfully? Yes. In about 25 percent of people, an acute infection clears up on its own without treatment. However, if acute hepatitis C is diagnosed, treatment reduces the risk that it will become a chronic infection. There are several medications that treat chronic Hepatitis C, including new treatments that appear to be more effective and have fewer side effects than previous options. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) keeps a list of approved treatments online at fda.gov/ForConsumers/ByAudience/ForPatientAdvocates/ucm151494.htm.
Julie Hayball And Her Furry Valentine Spread Love Year-round
Julie recalls an unforgettable experience at By Dianna Troyer Mourning the passing of their dog, Norm the hospital’s behavioral center. “A patient dropped to his knees, hugged her, and Julie Hayball resisted getting a replacement. Unexpectedly, a scrawny stray Siberian/shepherd and started crying,” recalls Julie. “She just sat cross found them, changing their minds and melt- there patiently. He told me that Callie had made his day. When he said that, it made my whole ing their hearts. Now a pet therapy pooch, the once shy Callie year.” Julie says studies have shown that pets can has not only brightened the Hayballs’ lives but also touched the lives of countless patients and comfort patients, helping them to lower their blood staff at Portneuf Medical Center and care centers pressure and reduce stress. After visiting hospital patients, including those in Pocatello. In late September 2009, Callie came into the receiving chemotherapy, Julie and Callie take a lunch break. Their next Hayballs’ lives. stop is Caring Hearts “This stray came Assisted Living. through my niece’s dog “After we’re done door into her garage there, we head home. one day,” says Julie She’s tired by then and before making rounds spends the rest of the with Callie one Tuesday afternoon napping,” morning at the hospital. says Julie. “She called us, thinkWherever they go, ing we might be ready Callie revives employfor another dog. Norm ees as well as patients. instantly fell in love with “You can see their her; then I did, too. We faces brighten and named her Callie in resense their workload is membrance of a friend a little lighter after they who had passed.” see Callie and pet her. A veterinarian esSometimes they tell me timated her age at 18 they needed a puppy months. break. Callie knows our “She only weighed routine and remembers 25 pounds, and you who usually has a few could see her ribs,” says treats for her, too.” Julie. “For a while, she They also visit Aconly felt safe under our cess Home Care and bed. We had to coax her Hospice when requestout to eat.” Julie Hayball and Callie cheer up patients at Portneuf The Hayballs were Medical Center, where they are a welcome sight on Tues- ed. With Callie’s life exsmitten with her ap- day mornings. (Photo by Dianna Troyer) pectancy at about 15 pearance and attitude. A medium-sized dog, Callie has soft short cream- years, “she still has plenty of years left to brighten lives,” says Julie. ISI colored fur with strawberry blonde highlights. “She’s so gentle,” says Julie. Callie’s kindness and desire to please Julie caught the attention of a dog obedience class instructor, who suggested the duo join a local organization, Heart to Heart Pets with a Purpose. About that time, Julie, now 65, had retired from Farmers Insurance and was looking for volunteer opportunities. Julie enrolled in an online pet therapy class, and Callie passed obedience and temperament tests to be a therapy dog. Since they were approved in 2012, Julie and Callie have visited patients at the hospital from 10 a.m. to noon on Tuesdays. “Callie loves all the attention she receives while we are visiting,” says Julie. “When I get her backpack off the hook to get ready to go, she gets so excited. She knows exactly where we are going.”
IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT PAGE 29
However, treatment can be expensive. Clinical trials of new drug treatments may also be available. Hepatitis C and the Affordable Care Act Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, hundreds of thousands of people with Hepatitis C have new access to treatment. • All insurance must provide free screening for Hepatitis C for anyone born between 1945 and 1964. • People with Hepatitis C cannot be turned down for insurance or discriminated against by an insurance company. • Limits on out-of-pocket costs will make expensive treatment more affordable. ISI
February 8 is Laugh and Get Rich Day
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Diabetes and Eyes: What People Don't Know Could Leave Them Blind Recent studies show low uptake of sightsaving exams among Medicare beneficiaries While people with diabetes are more likely to develop blinding eye diseases, recent studies have revealed low awareness of the issue among ethnicities at higher risk for diabetes and low uptake of preventive eye exams among affected Medicare beneficiaries. With the findings signaling that many Americans may not be defending themselves against diabetes-related vision loss, the American Academy of Ophthalmology is sharing information about diabetic eye disease and dilated eye exams to encourage those with diabetes to take proactive steps to protect their vision.
Although Hispanics and African-Americans are more likely to have diabetes than most other ethnicities, a recent poll commissioned by the Alliance for Eye and Vision Research has revealed that only 27 and 32 percent (respectively) report to know about diabetic eye disease. In addition, while the Academy recommends that people with diabetes have a dilated eye exam every year, one study recently published in the journal Ophthalmology found that, among Medicare beneficiaries diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, or diabetes – all conditions that require an annual eye exams – three-quarters of those who did not have an exam in five years were those living with diabetes. “It’s alarming that so many people with diabetes or at risk for diabetes may be unaware of the damage their condition can do to their eyes and may not be getting exams to check for it,” said Raj K. Maturi, M.D., ophthalmologist and clinical spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology. “Outside of maintaining good blood glucose levels, having an annual dilated eye exam is the best first line defense against vision loss from diabetic eye disease.” While “diabetic eye disease” is often used, people may be unaware that this term encompasses a number of diseases and conditions that can cause blindness if left untreated. These include: • Diabetic Retinopathy affects 28.5 percent of people age 40 and older living with diabetes. It occurs when the small blood vessels in the eye change by swelling, leaking fluid or closing off completely, blocking blood flow from reaching the retina. In its earliest stages, diabetic retinopathy does not have symptoms, but can lead to changes in the eye, such as macular edema, which is the most common cause of vision loss among people with diabetes. Treatment for diabetic retinopathy
and many of its related changes include laser surgery, medical injections, and vitrectomy surgery in which blood and scar tissue caused by abnormal blood vessels is removed. • Cataract occurs when the eye’s lens becomes cloudy, causing vision to become blurry, cloudy, or dim. While this happens in many people as they age, those with diabetes are more likely to develop cataracts than their peers without diabetes. Mild cataracts may be treated with eyeglasses, but once the cataract is advanced, it will require cataract surgery, in which the natural cloudy lens is removed and replaced with an artificial lens implant known as an intraocular lens or IOL. • Glaucoma is a disease that damages the optic nerve and peripheral vision. The damage to the optic nerve is usually caused by elevated pressure in the eye. People with diabetes are also more likely to develop glaucoma, which rarely has any noticeable symptoms in its early stages. Glaucoma can be treated with medication such as prescription eye drops or with surgery, but will result in blindness if left untreated. The Academy recommends that those with type 2 diabetes should get a dilated eye exam at the time of diagnosis and every year following. Those with type 1 diabetes should start receiving annual eye exams five years after their initial diagnosis. Seniors who have not had a recent eye exam or for whom cost is a concern may qualify for EyeCare America, a program of the Foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, that offers eye exams and care at no out-of-pocket cost for eligible seniors age 65 and older. EyeCare America is the largest public service program of its kind in American medicine, and has helped more than 1.8 million people access eye care services. Visit eyecareamerica.org to learn more. ISI
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By replacing caloric beverages with non-caloric beverages, the average American could lose 35 pounds a year with no other dietary changes, according to Tim Covell, author of The Simply Fit Diet (TheSimplyFitDiet.com). Body fat is becoming a national crisis. In the U.S., 74% of men and 64% of women are overweight or obese – almost 70% of the adult population. Eleven percent of American adults have diabetes and 35% have pre-diabetes. For those over age 65, 25.9% have diabetes and an additional 51% have pre-diabetes. Dieters often spend hundreds to try to sweat off weight in a gym when a cheaper and easier strategy could be more effective. Government statistics reveal that the average American adult drinks 400 calories a day in the form of regular soda, energy, sports drinks, alcoholic beverages, milk, 100% fruit juice, and fruit drinks, in that order. Caloric beverages constitute 21% of all calories consumed by the average American. But throughout most of man’s history, water was the primary beverage. Fruit juices, wine, and beer are recent inventions – only in the past several thousand years. Coca-Cola arrived on the scene in 1886, Gatorade started in 1965, and energy drinks, the most recent high calorie fad, have only become a significant force in the past decade. When compared to the hundreds of thousands of years that humans have been around, most
caloric beverages have only been available for the blink of an eye. Therefore, Covell says, it would not be surprising that the body ignores beverage calories. Scientific studies support this premise. In one study, students were allowed to eat as much pizza as they wanted, accompanied by no beverage, a non-caloric beverage, or a caloric beverage such as milk, soda, or orange juice. The students ate the same amount of food, whether or not they consumed a beverage, and felt just as full, whether or not the beverage had calories. Although the pizza-eating study found that milk acted like soda or juice, other studies find milk the exception to the body ignoring liquid calories. This makes sense, Covell says, we are designed to thrive on human milk, and cows’ milk is a similar substitute. In some studies, milk is the single beverage that the body seems to acknowledge and therefore adjust the consumption of solid food. Even excluding the 2.9% of calories (about 64 calories a day) consumed as milk, the average American still drinks 336 calories a day. Applying the standard that it takes 3,500 calories to lose a pound, if the average American would replace the non-milk caloric beverages with natural zerocalorie drinks and not replace those drinks with other calories, he could lose 35 pounds a year! Covell suggests this strategy and a host of others in his new book which is available free at TheSimplyFitDiet.com. ISI
FEBRUARY/MARCH 2015
Is Snoring Hurting Your Love Life? By Barbara O’Brien Trumblee Premier Dental Care, Idaho Falls Does your mate’s snoring wake you up? Has it gotten so bad that you’ve moved to a different bedroom? Let’s talk. I might be able to help. There are several reasons that people snore, but you should be aware of a potentially serious sleep disorder that is quite common and closely associated with snoring, obstructive sleep apnea. Not all snorers have sleep apnea, but most people with sleep apnea do snore. During an episode of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), muscles in the back of your throat relax during sleep and restrict airflow, reducing the amount of oxygen that gets into your bloodstream. You may stop breathing for 10 to 20 seconds. Oxygen levels decrease and carbon dioxide levels in the blood increase, signaling the brain to wake you briefly, so you can start breathing again. This can happen a hundred or more times in a night. Because of these episodes, you spend much more of your sleep time in a light sleep, rather than the deep restful sleep that you need. Most people with OSA are not even aware that they have the disorder. How can you know if you have obstructive sleep apnea? Here are several clues that should alert you: • Snoring loudly enough that it wakes up you or another person. • Several seconds of not breathing during sleep, often followed by a loud snort or choking sound. Someone else would have to tell you if this is happening, since you would probably not wake yourself enough to remember that it happened. • Not feeling rested when you awake and daytime sleepiness. • Morning headaches. • Irritability. • Lack of concentration. • Dry throat and mouth. In addition to these annoying symptoms, there are long-term effects to untreated OSA, including increased risk for high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, depression, and surgical complications. Did I mention your partner’s irritability because of disturbed sleep? If these symptoms seem all too familiar to you, call your health professional and ask about it. Several factors contribute to your risk for obstructive sleep apnea. Excess weight, alcohol consumption, and smoking are major risk factors. We lose muscle tone as we age, including in those muscles that are in the throat. Men are more likely to snore and have OSA than women are. Other factors that contribute to the likelihood and severity of OSA are sinus and nasal issues, congestion, and certain medications, especially those that increase muscle relaxation as you sleep.
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Dr. Tom Anderson, an Idaho Falls dentist trained and experienced with oral appliance therapy for snoring and OSA, says that your dentist is often the first health professional to suspect sleep apnea. Dr. Anderson often witnesses episodes of loud snoring and apnea first-hand during dental procedures in which he uses conscious sedation on a patient. Your dentist can work together with your physician and possibly a sleep specialist to determine the best course of treatment for you. What comes next? Your health professional will need to perform a sleep study, either at a sleep center or at home. This study will monitor blood oxygen saturation levels, heart rate, respiration rate, and may record brain waves and leg movements while you sleep. Once the results of the sleep study are in, possible treatments can be considered. There are a number of treatment options. Work with your health professional to determine which is best for you. If your snoring or OSA is mild, changes in lifestyle may be all that is need-
March is Mad for Plaid Month
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ed. Even if you don’t have OSA, these things will almost certainly help that snoring problem. Maintain a healthy weight and get at least 30 minutes of moderate activity most days. You should also avoid alcohol, especially near bedtime, and, if you smoke, quit. If these changes are not enough, you may be prescribed a CPAP - a machine that delivers pressurized air through a mask that you wear while sleeping that helps keep the airway open. Although CPAP is currently the most popular treatment for OSA, many people find it uncomfortable and stop using it. It is also bulky for travel and noisy. Oral Appliance Therapy is another possible treatment, especially for those that can’t tolerate the CPAP machine. An oral appliance is a device that looks like a sports guard or bleaching tray that fits in your mouth while you sleep. There are several different kinds of oral appliances for snoring and sleep apnea, but all work on the principle
of positioning your lower jaw to maximize airflow and to prevent tissue collapse around the airway. Oral appliances have the advantage of portability and are silent, unlike the CPAP. These devices may be used instead of a CPAP or as an alternative to CPAP when traveling. A dentist trained in oral appliance therapy can help you determine whether an oral appliance would be a safe and appropriate way to treat your snoring or sleep apnea. As a last resort, there are surgical options to treat OSA. There are a number of possible procedures, and each surgery should be tailored to an individual’s specific area of obstruction. If you opt for surgery, it is vital to find a surgeon with extensive knowledge of sleep apnea. Regardless of the treatment that works for you, it’s important to see your health professional for regular evaluations to be sure that your treatment continues to be effective and comfortable for you. You deserve a good night’s sleep. ISI
Protect Your Kidneys! Control Diabetes And Blood Pressure
Diabetes can be a total body experience: It affects your eyes, heart, nerves, and kidneys. If you have diabetes, you should work with your doctor to make sure you receive all the screenings you need to keep your diabetes under control and potential kidney complications at a minimum. If someone you care about has diabetes, encourage him or her to do the same. Screening for chronic kidney disease (CKD) is important because diabetes is the leading cause of CKD. Tests that measure your urine protein and blood creatinine levels can detect early CKD. A blood test assessing your glomerular filtration rate, or GFR, can provide the best measure of your kidney function. Make sure you ask for these tests if you have diabetes or are at risk for developing CKD. Conditions like high blood pressure can be extremely damaging to the kidneys, so make sure you get regular screening for it. If you do have
high blood pressure and need medication, ask your doctor about angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs). These blood pressure medications may have a protective effect on your kidneys. Also, be sure to take your medications as prescribed. Chronic kidney disease affects 26 million American adults and millions more are at an increased risk, particularly among the over 65 group with rates rising along with the incidence of diabetes. The best thing you can do to avoid CKD is to work with your healthcare team. Your goal should be to have good control over your blood sugar, blood pressure, and lipids. Get tested regularly. These preventive measures will go a long way to protecting you from CKD or to slow its progression so you can have many more years of good health. ISI
The Mouth-Body Connection: Don’t Overlook Dental Health
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By Jean De Luca Most of us know that brushing and flossing daily are important. This advice is embedded into our psyche by our parents, our dentists, and even toothpaste advertisers. But good dental health is not just about keeping your teeth sparkling. Oral health affects your overall health in significant ways. Up to 80% of adults have some form of periodontal (gum) disease, according to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. Studies suggest that gum disease may cause health problems including increased risk of heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. Pregnant women with gingivitis also show higher incidences of pre-term, low-birth-weight babies. Gingivitis and other health symptoms can be prevented and even reversed with regular dental care. The National Association of Dental Plans reports dental benefits increase access to dental care, which in turn improves oral and overall health. It is estimated that almost half of all Idaho adults have no dental insurance, along with 70,000 Idaho children. These individuals often miss the
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opportunity for preventive treatment and are more likely to need extensive and expensive restorative procedures like implants, root canals, and crowns. Some of them even end up visiting hospital emergency rooms for immediate dental treatment. If you or someone you know does not receive dental benefits through an employer, there are
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individual and family plans available. These plans can be purchased through a broker or from a dental benefits carrier. They are offered at various price points and coverage levels, from affordable prevention plans to maximum coverage. This is a good solution for retired adults, self-employed adults, unemployed adults, and even kids.
Dental benefits, regular checkups, and an ongoing plan from your dentist are low-cost, effective ways to improve not only your dental health, but also your overall health, and keep you and your loved ones smiling for the years ahead. De Luca is President and CEO of Delta Dental of Idaho. ISI
Don’t Miss Out On The Life-Changing Effects Of Fitness (NAPSI) – If you are an older adult, exercise is one of the best things you can do for your physical and mental health. According to the Centers for Disease Control, older adults should exercise for 150 minutes a week, with a good mix of cardio and strength training. Unfortunately, many people don’t get enough exercise to keep them healthy and strong as they age. Not only does exercise help individuals stay healthy and reduce the risk of disability and disease, it has been proven to reduce the cost of care for individuals and their families. The benefits of exercise have been realized by SilverSneakers Fitness members for more than 20 years. SilverSneakers Fitness is the nation’s leading program designed for older adults and has helped thousands of people reach their goals. For Priscilla Farrell, it was to walk on the beach with her granddaughter and to rely less on an oxygen tank. For George Jacobs, it was to step foot in a gym for the first time to improve his physical and social well-being. For Cecil Daniels, it was to overcome his diabetes and high blood pressure. “SilverSneakers Fitness members like Priscilla, George and Cecil are not only changing their lives through fitness, they are leading a senior fitness revolution resulting in health improvements, higher quality of life, and fulfillment at every age,” said Joy Powell, president of the Senior Solutions Division for Healthways. “Today’s active older adults are extremely dedicated to physical health through fitness, and they are more passionate and dedicated than any previous generation.” Bringing this to life, the SilverSneakers Fitness Annual Member Survey of more than 35,000 respondents in 50 states revealed that SilverSneak-
ers participants are seeking personalized fitness options in record numbers, with nearly 46 percent joining a fitness center for the first time as a result of their SilverSneakers membership. While many are stepping foot in the gym for the first time, they are not doing it alone. Nearly 60 percent of SilverSneakers members participate in classes with a friend and 41 percent attend class to socialize, which can have a great impact on a person’s mental health and well-being. The annual member survey also showed that today’s older adults are more active than ever before, with four out of five participants doing aerobic activity three or more times per week. Physical fitness is vital to overall health, as 60 percent of SilverSneakers participants rate their health as “excellent” or “very good,” in comparison to only 47 percent of peer respondents to Medicare’s annual
Health Outcomes Survey. SilverSneakers Fitness was founded in 1992 and today serves more than 11 million members in more than 11,000 fitness facilities nationwide. For information, to SilverSneakers and to find a class in your area, call 877-210-1307 or visit www. SilverSneakers.com. ISI
Can’t Catch Your Breath? Diagnosed with COPD?
Pulmonary rehab is now a covered benefit under Medicare. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease is a lifelong condition, but it can be managed. EIRMC’s Pulmonary Rehab team can provide you with the required amount of education and physical training required for living with COPD. Call 529-6195 to start breathing better today!
Where You Go When it Matters. www.eirmc.com
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Colorectal Cancer And Crohn’s Disease – What’s The Link? By Sarah Jenkins If you have Crohn’s disease, should you be more worried about developing colon cancer? The answer, unfortunately, is yes. Many of the forms of inflammatory bowel disorder (IBD) have shown an increase in the risk of colon cancer. However, having Crohn’s disease does not emphatically mean you will develop cancer; in fact, 90% of IBD patients do not acquire cancer. A link has been shown to exist between Crohn’s disease and an increased chance of developing cancer; however, this risk is greatly increased if you have had IBD for an extensive period, such as 8-10 years, and it affects the entirety of your colon. If, on the other hand, only a small part of your colon is involved and you have not had the disease for a long period, you are less likely to develop cancer. Likewise, if Crohn’s does affect other areas of your digestive tract and not your colon, you are at less risk. Unfortunately, inactive Crohn’s disease is just as likely to develop colon cancer as the active disorder. Therefore, the original onset of symptoms matters more than the frequency or intensity of flare-ups.
March 9 is Napping Day
It is sometimes difficult to detect colon cancer in Crohn’s sufferers as the early symptoms often mimic those of IBD. Diarrhea and rectal bleeding are common among Crohn’s patients and may not cause concern. As an extra precautionary measure, you should see your gastroenterologist at least once a year if you have had Crohn’s for more than 8 years. It may be necessary to have regular colonoscopies to identify any possible problems early. During a colonoscopy, your gastroenterologist may identify concerns from the appearance of your colon, as well as take biopsies to examine possibly affected tissue. Unfortunately, a colonoscopy is not guaranteed to detect cancer if it is present; however, a colonoscopy with multiple biopsies is the most reliable means currently
available. If you particularly concerned about developing colon cancer, you should discuss your situation with your doctor, as well as do additional research on the subject. You should understand you will not necessarily develop cancer simply because you have Crohn’s disease. There are also support groups and agencies, such as the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA), that are available to offer information and literature on the likelihood of developing cancer, as well as general information about your condition. The most effective measures you can take are regular doctor visits and healthy living to ensure ongoing wellbeing. EzineArticles. com/128037. ISI
NAPSI – There’s actually some good news for those in need of a colonoscopy. New technology is offering patients more comfort when undergoing the test. It also potentially enables medical professionals to complete the exam in less time than when performed with existing equipment. Currently, there are over 12 million colonoscopies performed each year in the U.S. The demand is driven by the fact that colon cancer is the second most prevalent form of cancer and that early detection through screening offers a better chance of beating the disease. One of the biggest challenges with colonoscopies is “looping,” where the colonoscope overlaps and causes patient discomfort and slows down the procedure. ScopeGuide from Olympus is a new technology that assists physicians during a colonoscopy.
It is designed to identify and mitigate loops, which can increase patient comfort and reduce procedure time. The new technology shows an accurate 3-D reconstruction of the position and configuration of the endoscope position within the colon that is refreshed multiple times per second for real-time viewing. Physicians can now view the image provided by the device alongside the endoscopic image when they use it in conjunction with a monitor with picture-in-picture functionality. As a result, they only have to view a single monitor. There is evidence that professionals in the field have a positive response to the technology. For example, when asked about his experience using the device, Steven Lichtenstein, D.O., Director of the Division of Gastroenterology, Medical Director, Endoscopy/GI Lab at Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital, said that using it had decreased the time required for a colonoscopy and that he now uses it for every colonoscopy he performs. Lichtenstein said, “The efficiencies created by ScopeGuide include improved patient comfort and a more precise anatomical location for where your scope is at any point during the procedure.” ScopeGuide is an integral part of Evis Exera III, the Olympus endoscopy platform. For additional information, call 800-848-9024 or visit the website at www.olympusamerica.com/scopeguide. ISI
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Another Year Older
George Orwell said happiness can exist only in acceptance and apparently, you can go through a large chunk of your life achieving acceptance, says the Association of Mature American Citizens. In fact, according to David Brooks, who writes about culture and social science, older folks are happier folks and that the happiest people of them all are those between the ages of 82 and 85. In a recent Op-Ed article in the New York Times, Brooks wrote, “I’d rather think that elder happiness is an accomplishment, not a condition that people get better at living through effort, by mastering specific skills. I’d like to think that people get steadily better at handling life’s challenges. In middle age, they are confronted by stressful challenges they can’t control, like having teenage children. But, in old age, they have more control over the challenges they will tackle and they get even better at addressing them.” As the new year gets under way and we consider the fact that we are all another year older, take heart and consider the real possibility that the coming years will, indeed, be among the happiest of our lives. ISI
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Putting Off Working On Your Tax Return May Cost You, Financial Planner Warns Nearly 150 million Americans will file federal income tax returns this year and, unfortunately, many will be shelling out much more of their hard-earned money than necessary, says veteran financial expert Jeff Gorton. “With the ridiculous complexity of our tax code, I can understand how the average person might want to put off doing their homework, but that’ll cost you,” says Gorton, a veteran Certified Public Accountant and Certified Financial Planner™, and head of Gorton Financial Group (www. gortonfinancialgroup.com). “When you think about all you do to earn your money, and the lengths we’ll go to save a few bucks, it doesn’t make sense to not do all we can to prepare for the inevitable – our compulsory contribution to Uncle Sam’s bank account.” There is nothing unpatriotic about taking advantage of legal measures to reduce your tax bill, Gorton says. Most Americans, however, don’t understand the basics of how to minimize the tax burden, he says. “If you wait until the last minute to do your taxes, you’re sure to miss out on savings,” says Gorton, who offers some basic and more advanced tax-saving options. • Credits: Tax credits are usually subtracted
Third-place Wasn’t Enough For Former Chubbuck Resident By Robb Hicken, Better Business Bureau Ben Murray wasn’t amused when he was told he had received the “third prize” in the Senior Citizens Cash Rewards for paying his utility bills on time. Reward center CEO David Washington, speaking through a thick European accent, said one of his agents was in the area and was ready to deliver the $2.5 million in cash and a new white 2015 Mercedes-Benz. “The prize is apparently awarded to people who pay their various bills on time and who shop at stores such as Wal-Mart, Walgreens, Dollar General, and a bunch of other stores that were all common big-box type places,” says Murray who now lives in Boise. After describing the lucrative prize, “(Mr. Washington) then asked me if I still lived at the same address, which was an old address of mine in Chubbuck and I kind of mumbled which he took to be a ‘yes,’” Murray says. “In the time-honored tradition of the scam, though, he continued.” Common to “lottery” scams – whether through a contest letter or caller – is the requirement that the prospective recipient of the winnings send a sum of money to pay for processing fees or taxes. Victims wire the money or use a prepaid money card, but never get their “winnings.” Older people who tend to be trusting and those in vulnerable financial situations are targeted because they are less likely to verify if the prize is legitimate and thus lose their hard-earned money by falling for the scammer’s demands. Murray did the right thing – he hung up on the caller. “Within about two minutes Mr. Washington called back and just started right in on how lucky I was, so I told him, ‘I’m hanging up now because we are done talking and I’m not interested, so don’t bother,’” Murray says. “I hung up the phone; about two minutes later the phone rang. It was he again!” Everyone should be aware of the following scam red flags:
dollar for dollar from the actual tax liability and may be utilized when filing for 2014. They include the Child Tax Credit, which allows up to $1,000 for children younger than 17; the American Opportunity Credit, featuring up to $2,500 in tax savings per eligible student for tuition costs for four years of post-high-school education; and the Energy-Efficient Home Improvement Tax Credit, which grants qualifying taxpayers 10 percent of the cost of certain energy-efficient building materials — up to a $500 lifetime credit. The Child and Dependent Care Credit, for those who have to pay someone to care for a child younger than 13, or another dependent, offers up to $3,000 for one qualifying individual, or up to $6,000 for two or more qualifying individuals. • Deductions: Like tax credits, deductions have phase-out limits, so you may want to consult with a professional. Deductions are subtracted from your income before your taxes are calculated, which may reduce the amount of money on which you are taxed and, by extension, your eventual tax liability. Some examples include contributions made to qualifying charitable organizations. And, you may be able to write off out-of-pocket costs incurred while doing work for a charity. Others may include amounts set
aside for retirement through a qualified retirement plan, such as an Individual Retirement Account; medical expenses exceeding 10 percent of your adjusted gross income are now deductible – expenses exceeding 7.5 percent are still deductible for those older than age 65; and, potentially, mortgage interest paid on a loan secured for your primary residence. • Tax-favored investing: This involves both tax-exempt investments and tax-deferred investments. Tax-exempt investments, which include such vehicles as municipal bonds and certain money market funds, offer a way to grow your money that’s exempt from federal taxes. Municipal bonds are free of federal income tax and may be free of state and local income taxes for investors who live in the area where the bond was issued. Tax-deferred investments, on which taxes are postponed until you withdraw your money, include qualified retirement plans, such as traditional IRAs and employer-sponsored plans, as well as insurance products such as annuities and, sometimes, life insurance. Jeff Gorton is a Certified Public Accountant and a Certified Financial Planner™ specializing in individual tax and retirement planning. ISI
February is Pull Your Sofa Off The Wall Month
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• You can’t win a contest you didn’t enter. You need to buy a ticket or complete an application to participate in a legitimate contest or lottery. • You are offered ‘too-good-to-be-true’ prizes. It is usually a large sum of money, and sometimes even a brand new car but there is always a catch. Scammers make it sound easy to claim your prize. • You have to give personal information. Anytime someone tries to get your bank account number, Social Security number, or other sensitive information, the red flag is up. • You have to pay to win. Don’t be blinded by large sums of money. Legitimate prizes do not come with processing fees, and taxes are paid directly to the Internal Revenue Service and state revenue agencies. • You have to purchase Green Dot Money Cards or wire transfer funds. It’s difficult to
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track these types of transactions, so you will have little to no way of getting your money back. Murray says, “This guy kept going on about how many satisfied customers there are at the Senior Citizens Cash Reward Center, though he was never able to explain where they got all this money and why they could just dole it out since
the reward center didn’t seem to be taking any money in. They were just giving me an award based on how well I paid my water and power and other utility bills?” These scams are perfect examples of something being too good to be true. If you keep your guard up, you will keep your money safe. ISI
Kaniksu Land Trust – Preservation Partner To Landowners By Eric Grace, Executive Director Sophisticated estate planning tools exist to help preserve your assets for future generations. Charitable remainder trusts, life insurance, and testamentary trusts are just a few options. However, did you know that if you own land, these tools could also be used to protect that land forever, while giving you and your estate significant tax-savings? If you own land that has habitat, farmland, woodland, or scenic values that you would like to see remain protected into the future, you might consider working with a land trust to achieve your goals. Many of the same estate planning tools can be used not only to protect the property, but also
to preserve your wealth. In north Idaho, the Kaniksu Land Trust has successfully partnered with 13 landowners on projects that protect over 2,300 acres of open space. We use tools that ensure the land remains free from development, while meeting the economic needs of the property owner. For more information, see our advertisement on page 14 and give us a call at 208-263-9471 or visit us at kaniksu.org. The Kaniksu Land Trust is not alone. There are 19 land trusts that operate in Idaho. If you do not live in north Idaho, contact the Idaho Coalition of Land Trusts at idaholandtrusts.org. ISI
March is Quinoa Month
Only Half of Americans Over 70 Financially Confident About Retirement February 1 is Serpent Day
Retirement should be a time to concentrate on the things you care about most rather than spending a majority of your time worried about finances. However, according to recent data from Consumers’ Research, almost half of Americans over 70 say that they are either unprepared financially for retirement or they just don’t know. • Of those over 70, 26% said that they were NOT on track to have enough savings to retire and 22% were unsure. • Of those 60-69, 46% said they weren’t on track to have enough savings to retire. • 22% of those over 70 don’t feel as if they have enough for their monthly expenses; that
number rises to 40% for those 60-69 and an astounding 57% of those 50-59 feel as if their income isn’t enough to cover their expenses. • Only 28% of 40-49 year olds think that they will have enough to retire, 33% of 50-59 year olds think that they do and only 45% of those 60-69 think that they will have enough to retire. • 33% of 50-59 year olds have less than 3-month’s expenses saved; that number climbs to 44% for 40-49 year olds. • Those 60 and over were most concerned about the rising cost of medicine/healthcare, food, and home heating, in that order. Data are from a nationwide survey of 1,200 adults aged 18+ in conjunction with Magellan Strategies. The survey data has a margin of error of +/- 2.83% at the 95% confidence interval. ISI
AARP Foundation Tax-Aide Program In Full Swing For 2015 Tax Season AARP Foundation is again providing free tax assistance and preparation for taxpayers with low to moderate income through the AARP Foundation Tax-Aide program. In its 46th year, AARP Foundation Tax-Aide is the nation’s largest free tax assistance and preparation service, giving attention to those 60 and older. Taxpayers do not need to be a member of AARP or a retiree. Over the years, the U.S. tax code has become more complicated and confusing. It can almost be overwhelming for the average person to do his or her own taxes – and not everyone can afford to hire a tax preparer. Last year, 278 AARP Foundation Tax-Aide volunteers helped more than 32,000 Idahoans file their federal and state returns. Refunds in Idaho totaled more than $19 million. The program is offered at 48 locations. It is extremely important to make sure that any tax credits or refunds are not overlooked – to someone on a fixed income, every dollar counts. AARP Foundation Tax-Aide helps seniors, as well as low to moderate income taxpayers of all ages, prepare their returns with substantially less stress. Nationwide, AARP Foundation Tax-Aide’s 35,000 volunteers at nearly 5,000 sites provided 2.6 million people with free tax help. Taxpayers who used AARP Foundation Tax-Aide received $1.3 billion in income tax refunds and more than $244 million in Earned Income Tax Credits (EITCs). For more information or to locate an AARP Foundation Tax-Aide site, visit states.aarp.org/help-idahoans-who-need-it-the-most/#sthash.jDrT1Sqs.dpuf or call 1-888-227-7669. AARP Foundation Tax-Aide is a program of AARP Foundation, offered in cooperation with the IRS. ISI
Facts About Las Vegas Submitted by Julie Hollar There are more churches in Las Vegas than casinos. During Sunday services at the offertory, many worshippers contribute casino chips as opposed to cash. Some are sharing their winnings and some are hoping to win. Since they gets chips from so many different casinos – and worth a lot of money – the Catholic churches are required to send all the chips into the diocese for sorting. Once sorted into the chips for each casino, one junior priest takes the chips and makes the rounds to the casinos turning them into cash to be returned to the diocese. And of course, he is known as the Chip Monk. ISI
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Why We Have Had Funerals Since the Beginning of Time By Dr. Alan D. Wolfelt “A meaningful funeral celebration is about saying hello on the pathway to goodbye.” – Dr. Alan D. Wolfelt For thousands of years, funerals have been a means of expressing our beliefs, thoughts, and feelings about the death of someone we love. As you enter into the planning process, you may find it helpful to remind yourself why we have funerals. The funeral ceremony: • helps us acknowledge that someone we love has died; • helps us remember the person who died and encourages us to share those memories with others; • offers a time and place for us to talk about the life and death of the person who died; • provides a social support system for us and other friends and family members; • allows us to search for the meaning of life and death; and • offers continuity and hope for the living. One of the most important gifts of planning a meaningful funeral is that it helps you and your family to focus your thoughts and feelings on something positive. The funeral encourages you to think about the person who has died and to explore the meaning of their life and the ways in which they touched the lives of others. The remembering, deciding, and reflecting that takes place in the planning of the service are often an important part of the process of grief and mourning. And ultimately, this process of contemplation and discovery creates a memorable and moving funeral experience for all who attend. Wolfelt’s Hierarchy of the Purposes of Funerals Imagine a multi-colored triangle that depicts the many reasons we have had funerals since the beginning of time. The most practical reason is on the bottom of the pyramid, and the most spiritual and significant is at the top. Let’s talk a little bit about each layer of the pyramid. Reality When someone we love dies, we are faced with acknowledging a difficult reality. It is hard truly to accept the finality of death, but the funeral helps us begin to do so. At first, we accept it with our heads, and only over time, do we come to accept it with our hearts. Recall Funerals help us convert our relationship with the person who died from one of presence to one
of memory. When we come together to share our memories, we learn things we didn’t know, and we see how the person’s life touched others. Support Funerals are social gatherings that bring together people who cared about the person who died. This reason for having funerals is especially important to remember if the person who died liked to say, “I don’t want a funeral. Don’t go to any trouble.” Funerals are in remembrance of the person who died, but they are for the living. Those who loved the person who died need and benefit from having a special time to support one another in their grief. Expression So many thoughts and feelings fill our minds and our hearts when someone we love dies. Collectively, these thoughts and feelings are what we mean by the term “grief.” In other words, grief is what’s inside us. When we express our grief – by crying, talking to others, sharing memories, taking part in a funeral ceremony – we are mourning. Mourning is grief communicated outwardly. When we grieve but do not mourn, our sadness can feel unbearable and our many other emotions can fester inside of us. Mourning helps us begin to heal. The funeral is an essential time for mourning. Meaning Did the person I love have a good life? What is life, anyway? Why do we die? There are no simple explanations, but the funeral gives us a time and a place to hold the questions in our hearts and begin to find our way to answers that give us peace. Transcendence Funerals have a way of getting us to wake up – to think about what we truly care about and how we want to spend our precious remaining days. Ultimately, funerals help us embrace the wonder of life and death and remind us to live deeply with joy and love. Planning and attending a meaningful funeral can have a lasting and profoundly important impact on your life. I encourage you to tap into the power of ceremony on your journey to transcendence. About the Author Author, educator, and grief counselor Dr. Alan Wolfelt is the author of Understanding Your Grief and many other books for grief caregivers and mourners, Dr. Wolfelt is committed to helping people mourn well so they can live well and love well. Recipient of the Association of Death Edu-
February 9-15 is Random Acts of Kindness Week
cation and Counseling’s Death Educator Award, Dr. Wolfelt presents workshops across the world to grieving families, funeral home staffs, and other caregivers. He also teaches training courses for bereavement caregivers and funeral home staffs at the Center for Loss and Life Transition in Fort Collins, Colorado, where he serves as Director. For more information and to order Dr. Wolfelt’s books, visit centerforloss.com. ISI
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The Wrong Funeral Author Unknown, Submitted by Julie Hollar Consumed by my loss, I didn’t notice the hardness of the pew where I sat. I was at the funeral of my dearest friend - my mother. She finally had lost her long battle with cancer. The hurt was so intense; I found it hard to breathe at times. Always supportive, Mother clapped loudest at my school plays, held a box of tissues while listening to my first heartbreak, comforted me at my father’s death, encouraged me in college, and prayed for me my entire life. When mother’s illness was diagnosed, my sister had a new baby and my brother had recently married his childhood sweetheart, so it fell on me, the 27-year-old middle female child without entanglements, to take care of her. I counted it an honor. “What now, Lord?” I asked sitting in church. My life stretched out before me as an empty abyss. My brother sat stoically with his face toward the cross while clutching his wife’s hand. My sister sat slumped against her husband’s shoulder, his arms around her as she cradled their child. All so deeply grieving, no one noticed I sat alone. My place had been with our mother – preparing her meals,
helping her walk, taking her to the doctor, seeing to her medication, reading the Bible together. Now she was with the Lord. My work was finished, and I was alone. I heard a door open and slam shut at the back of the church. Quick footsteps hurried along the carpeted floor. An exasperated young man looked around briefly and then sat next to me. He folded his hands and placed them on his lap. His eyes were brimming with tears. He began to sniffle. “I’m late,” he explained, though no explanation was necessary. After several eulogies, he leaned over and commented, “Why do they keep calling Mary by the name of Margaret?” “Because, that was her name... Margaret. Never Mary, no one called her Mary,” I whispered. I wondered why this person could not have sat on the other side of the church. He interrupted my grieving with his tears and fidgeting. Who was this stranger anyway? “No, that isn’t correct,” he insisted, as several people glanced over at us whispering. “Her name is Mary, Mary Peters.” “That isn’t who this is.” “Isn’t this the Lutheran church?” “No, the Lutheran church is across the street.” “Oh.” “I believe you’re at the wrong funeral, Sir.” The solemn nature of the occasion mixed with
the realization of the man’s mistake bubbled up inside me and came out as laughter. I cupped my hands over my face, hoping it would be interpreted as sobs. The creaking pew gave me away. Sharp looks from other mourners only made the situation seem more hilarious. I peeked at the bewildered, misguided man seated beside me. He was laughing too, as he glanced around, deciding it was too late for an uneventful exit. I imagined Mother laughing. At the final amen, we darted out a door and into the parking lot. “I do believe we’ll be the talk of the town,” he said smiling. He said his name was Rick and since he had missed his aunt’s funeral, he asked me out for a cup of coffee. That afternoon began a lifelong journey for me with this man who attended the wrong funeral, but was in the right place. A year after our meeting, we were married at a country church where he was the assistant pastor. This time we both arrived at the same church, right on time. In my time of sorrow, God gave me laughter. In place of loneliness, God gave me love. This past June, we celebrated our twenty-second wedding anniversary. Whenever anyone asks us how we met, Rick tells them, “Her mother and my Aunt Mary introduced us, and it’s truly a match made in heaven.” ISI March 7 is Sock Monkey Day
Why Preplan? A Message from the Idaho Funeral Service Association Although thinking about your own funeral leaves most people feeling a little uneasy, many adults are finding that preplanning a funeral offers great emotional and even financial security for them and their families. With preplanning, families find comfort in knowing that the funeral reflects what their loved one wanted. It also gives them peace of mind of not having to make important decisions at a stressful time. If you are considering prearranging a funeral, you should contact funeral homes in your community. A funeral director can walk you through the prearrangement process and answer your questions. Once you have made those prearrange-
ments, keep a copy of the plan and any pertinent paperwork in a safe place. Also, inform a close friend or relative what arrangements have been made and where the information may be found. If you choose, there are several ways to prepay for your funeral, offering you financial benefits. For an individual who may be applying for Medicaid benefits, establishing an irrevocable pre-need funeral plan can significantly affect and benefit your heirs. If you need a referral to an Idaho Funeral Service Association member in your community, please call us at 208-888-2730. Our members also belong to the National Funeral Directors Association and adhere to the highest ethical standards in Funeral Service. All our members abide by the Code of Professional Ethics as adopted by the National Funeral Directors Association. ISI
Green Burial: A Final Statement
By Bernice Karnop For people who have lived in an environmentally sensitive way, a traditional burial at the end of life feels like a contradiction. Why put embalming fluid, casket metals, concrete vaults, and polished granite headstones into the earth? Why pollute the air with carbon dioxide by cremation? Many feel they don’t have much choice. States and counties regulate burials. Most cemeteries require a concrete vault, mowed, and watered grass, etc. But, more environmentally friendly options are emerging. While a true green burial may not be possible for everyone, people can find different levels of being environmentally responsible in their passing. Dahl Funeral Home in Bozeman, Montana, was one of the first in the state of offer natural burials, starting in 2007. Owner Irene Dahl is quick to admit they can’t offer a totally green burial. “It’s a process, not perfection,” she says. “Do what you can.” She points out that in the state of Montana bodies don’t have to be embalmed for burial. The law states that within 48 hours after death a person must be buried, cremated, embalmed, or refrigerated. Refrigeration will buy time. Unless the deceased has a communicable disease, open wounds, or infections, a family may have a family viewing with the body. There is even good news for situations that embalming is required or desired, according to The Idaho Funeral Service Association (IFSA) members belong to the National Funer- Dahl. Chemical companies today are offering more environmentally friendly embalming fluids. al Directors Association and adhere to the highest ethical standards in the funeral Funeral homes offer basic wood caskets but most cemeteries require an outer container to go service industry. All of our members abide by the Code of Professional Conduct as around the casket. There are cemeteries, however, adopted by the National funeral directors Association. For contact information on including Sunset Hills in Bozeman, which do not require a vault. A green burial in such cemeteries an IFSA member in your community, please contact us at could use a plain wooden casket – no vault and a native rock headstone. 208.888.2730. Those looking for a completely green burial will find one in the Swan Valley in Montana and Meridian, Idaho—ifsa@ifsa.us—www.ifsa.us one near Leadore in Idaho.
Idaho Funeral Service Association
FEBRUARY/MARCH 2015
The Natural Cemeteries in the Swan Valley was set up by Peter Meyer and his parents, Henry and Joan Meyer, on their 120-acre plot of family land tucked between the Bob Marshall Wilderness and the Mission Mountain Wilderness areas. “It’s probably the nicest one in the lower 48 because of the location,” says Peter. Lion Creek, a major tributary to the Swan River runs through it. Bull trout spawn in it, and the area is home to elk, mountain lions, grizzly bear, and many other treasured Montana critters. Henry and Joan bought it when they were 19, for a staggering $2,000, built a log cabin and lived there simply and in harmony with the environment for the nearly 7 decades since. Although it is worth many times that purchase price, in the Meyers’ minds, the value of the land has little to do with money. They don’t want it developed, ever. And they don’t want their heirs fighting over it. They considered a conservation easement but found it wasn’t as secure as they wanted. Creating a natural cemetery they felt, put enough teeth into the agreement that it can never be developed. Peter takes the long view. He says, “In 200 years it will be like a beautiful park in the Swan.” Jim and Bonne Lockes established Mountain View Green Cemetery on their ranch south of Salmon, Idaho, near Leadore. It’s on a sagebrush hillside near the Lemhi River with a backdrop of the Continental Divide. Those buried in the Natural Cemeteries are not embalmed. They may be placed in a simple wood casket, a wicker basket, or cardboard carrying box that may be purchased at a funeral home. The body may be wrapped in a blanket or shroud. Families are encouraged to plant a tree or native wildflower like bear grass or lupine at the gravesite, or they may place a flat native stone on the grave. The loved ones may also add a flat native rock to a peaceful memorial site consisting of a ring of six-foot-high native rocks arranged near the creek at Natural Cemeteries. While the Natural Cemeteries doesn’t generally allow embalming, according to Peter, they would consider exceptions for such cases where the person needed to be transported a long distance, such as military personnel killed in war. State regulations in Idaho are similar to those in Montana. At Mountain View Green Cemetery, the Lockes have sold plots to people who request burial in blankets, pine boxes, and mummy bags from the Army store. One person wants to be wrapped in an elk hide shroud. They can purchase a pine box from the Lockes for from $350 to $500 and also mark the grave with a natural stone or a planting. One of the challenges to creating the natural
cemetery in Montana was concern for the resident grizzlies. Would they dig people up and be harmed by medical devices like pacemakers? No says Peter. The cemetery rules say they have to bury bodies six-feet deep in the rocky soil. They are very careful to protect the land, forest, wildlife, fish habitat, and the water quality. At Mountain View Green Cemetery, the Lockes don’t go quite as deep, about 4.5 feet. An important advantage of green burial is cost. Natural Cemeteries requires that one buy a membership for $50. The family may use a funeral home or lay the deceased out at home. They may have a service at home or elsewhere, and transport the body to the cemetery themselves. They may choose to have a funeral home care for the body and transport it. Natural Cemeteries opens and closes the grave for a charge of around $1,600. It is a non-profit cemetery and fees go to maintain the cemetery. At Mountain View Green Cemetery, one can lay a loved one to rest for as little as $750, which includes the plot and backhoe costs. “My reward is not financial,” Jim states. “My reward is helping people.” Natural Cemeteries did its first burial in 2007 but less than a dozen have been interred there so far. It is too far out for many and some simply aren’t into green burial, according to Peter. “It’s meant for people who like the environment and who view the traditional funeral as expensive,” he says. “A lot of Montana people have that mentality.” The Idaho cemetery hasn’t buried anyone yet, but has sold 11 plots. The Lockes have had people asking about their service from Boise, Pocatello, Blackfoot, and more. They even had one call from Washington, DC. Jim believes it’s the cemetery of the future, but right now people have a hard time changing the way things are done. He hears people say that this is how they want to go, but they don’t follow through and actually do it. “It’s pretty simple. Kind of like they did in the old John Wayne days,” says Jim Lockes. A few generations ago, this kind of burial where the body goes back to the earth naturally was familiar to folks. Funeral home owner, Irene Dahl is committed to giving people the options they want at the time of a death. They do about two green burials a year. Irene says green burial is part of her personal burial plans. She’s committed to a lifestyle of being as environmentally friendly as possible, and that includes having her body return
February 9 is Read in The Bathtub Day March 1-7 is Return The Borrowed Books Week
Here Is The Heads Up On Headstones Submitted by Bob Jordan Garden City Monument Services, Missoula It is an inescapable fact that most of us will face the death of loved ones, which gives us an opportunity to memorialize their lives. The possibilities are endless and how we do it can be a loving tribute to their lives. Headstones, more formally known as memorials, are available in granite and an extensive array of styles, shapes, and colors. Memorials can be personalized to reflect the life of your loved one with an infinite selection of designs to suit your desires. In addition, your local monument dealer can provide you with information regarding cemetery requirements and acceptable memorial sizes and styles. Additional features such as etched or ceramic photos, flower vases, statues, and eternal lights can be included in a monument. Prior to the engraving process, your monument company will show you a scale drawing (proof) of your monument illustrating the overall appearance of lettering and the design for your approval. If your family is seeking a non-traditional granite memorial there are benches, statues, columns, birdbaths, and natural granite boulders available. These commemorative pieces can also be designed, lettered, and fabricated or partially cored (hollowed) for placement of cremains. These tributes can be placed in a yard or garden, parks, churches, hospitals, cemeteries, and other monument sites. If relocating becomes a necessity, they may be transferred to a new locale as per your wishes. When the time comes and you face decisions about memorializing your loved ones, consult with your monument dealer to understand fully your options. ISI
IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT PAGE 39
to the earth without putting a bunch of chemicals, metals, or other things in to the ground. “I want it to be a little healthier for the environment and that means I will have a natural burial if the situation warrants,” she says. For more information about green burials, contact Peter Meyer at Natural Cemeteries near Seeley Lake, Montana, 406-754-0136. Contact Jim Lockes, Mountain View Green Cemetery, Leadore, Idaho, at 208-768-7095, 208-768-7404, or visit mountainviewgreencemetery.com. Contact Irene Dahl at Dahl Funeral & Cremation Service, Bozeman, Montana, at 406-586-5298, dahlcares. com. Be sure to inquire about green or greener burial options available from your funeral home. ISI
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Kyle Ashley Turns Scrap Metal, Glass, And Stone Into Fine Art By Dianna Troyer Discarded metal, glass, and stone often become abstract sculptures with artist Kyle Ashley’s welding torch. With an artist’s vision, he shops in salvage yards for pieces to fuse together. “Ideas just come to me, and it’s incredibly fun and gratifying to feel them flow and to express my creativity,” says the 56-year-old Almo resident, whose work is collected worldwide. Besides abstract sculptures, Kyle welds practical items such as arbors, bridges, pendulums, furniture, wall art, gates, and garden seats.
February 28 is Sword Swallowers Day
“Whatever someone can dream up, I can tions. His sculptures also stand in public places, make,” says Kyle, who creates about 20 new including Green River, Wyo., where he worked in sculptures every year, never crafting the same the trona minefield and in a coalmine in Superior. A welding school graduate, Kyle was introthing twice. duced to the craft when he was nine. “Why be consistent? That would be too bor“My dad worked in construction and got me ing,” says his wife, Leisha. “All his work is one-ofa-kind, which is what collectors like. Besides he started,” says Kyle. “He was really creative and after we were done with a job, we’d make custom never measures or writes down dimensions.” His materials are as varied as his pieces. To stainless steel belt buckles and other things.” Kyle’s affinity for metal was a constant force in create his art, he has used nails, old car parts, tractor discs, wood, punched-out pieces of circu- his childhood and helped him deal with perpetular metal, and glass that has been fractured and ally changing homes, as his dad’s jobs took the family to Ohio, Indiana, slumped. Louisiana, and Wyoming. Since 2003, Kyle has “From all those moves, been showing and selling I learned flexibility and his work from January to to appreciate different March at the Celebration cultures and their art,” of Fine Art in Scottsdale, says Kyle, who worked Ariz. The juried invitain oil fields, underground tional show accepts 100 mines, and on offshore artists of all disciplines oilrigs. who create their pieces In 1994, while working in a 40,000-square-foot in Green River, he went to area of studios. More than a fateful blues concert at 50,000 collectors come to Snowbird Resort in Utah, the show to interact with where he met Leisha. the artists and watch them “He asked a group of at work. us if anyone could country “It’s intense,” says the swing. I told him I grew up high-energy artist. “You’re in Idaho and could dance there seven days a week and off we went.” from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. I After dating for several have one collector from California who always Kyle and Leisha Ashley have a T-Rex made from scrap years, he moved to Utah, where they got married. comes and has bought metal in their front yard. (Photo by Dianna Troyer) One day, a neighbor who 14 of my pieces for her was an artist encouraged him to enter his metal five-acre sculpture garden.” While acceptance into the Scottsdale show is pieces in local art shows. In 2003, Kyle was accepted into a juried show, Kimball Art Festival in a sign of his success, Kyle remains humble. “I’ll tell you how to spell full-time artist. F-O-O- Park City. L,” he says, laughing. He juggles his time between his two occupations, creating his artwork in winter and remodeling homes during warm months in Utah, where he has a general contractor’s license. Last summer, he and Leisha, 63, who retired as an office manager, sold their home in Murray, Utah, and moved to Almo to create their biggest artwork, a new house near Leisha’s mom, Bea Durfee. “This is such a beautiful valley and is a great place to create art without distractions,” says Leisha, who jokes that her job is naming Kyle’s pieces. She scrolls through her computer, showing a few of the hundreds of pieces he has made during One of his sculptures is named Destiny. He shows the past decade including Slot Canyon, Awaken- his work at the Celebration ing, Destiny, and Suspension. of Fine Art in Scottsdale, Ari“This piece is at a private residence in London,” zona from January to March. she says of three powder-coated bronze 36- and Clients interact with artists, 42-inch balls that rest who create their pieces in on bases, so they seem small outdoor studios. (Photo by Dianna Troyer) to float on a bed of ivy. “My pieces took off from there,” he says. “They’re made from the Kyle said it was easy to choose the theme for ends of propane tanks.” Besides England, his work at this year’s Celebration of Fine Art show. “It will be earth, wind, and fire, which is perfect collectors from Germany, Canada, Australia, for what he does with glass, wood, stone, and and throughout the U.S. metal,” Leisha says. ISI have bought Kyle’s work for their private collec-
March 22-28 is Root Canal Awareness Week February 8-14 is Secondhand Wardrobe Week
FEBRUARY/MARCH 2015
IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT PAGE 41
Gene Wiggers Is “Mr. Volunteer” By Dean & Nancy Hoch “I was often beaten up by the same bullies over pancreatic cancer. The organ was removed, and Yes, there are many wonderful volunteers out and over again. No wonder I became a fighter,” he lost 30 pounds. Told to have chemotherapy bethere, but there are some who go so far down that Gene explains. “I did push-ups and chin-ups until cause the cancer had metastasized to his lungs, proverbial “extra mile” that they leave the rest of I could do more of them than any other person he chose instead to leave the hospital against us in the dust. Pocatello’s Gene Wiggers is one in my class. After several unofficial wrestling and medical advice and went home to put his affairs of those people – in spite of daunting obstacles boxing matches, the word got around – and the in order. “Miraculously, I survived,” he says. in his life. bullying stopped.” Now semi-retired, Gene still holds his nursing And, yes, we all know some of the stories Other huge difficulties in Gene’s life involved license and does a free monthly diabetes screenabout volunteers never get told because of the coming from behind in his schooling, but he fought quiet lives lived by those who give so wonder- his way through this challenge, as well, eventu- ing at the local senior center among his many fully of themselves. Again, Gene Wiggers is one ally earning a high school diploma at night and other activities. Only a partial list of Gene’s volunteer activities of those – serving the Red Cross, United Way, going on to earn a diploma in nursing from the covers everything from Senior Games, Chamber of Commerce, the local Valley International Dance Festival, New KnowlPride organization, the Senior Center, the edge Adventures, and Pocatello Zoo, to Idaho State University community, and community access television, Red Cross, on, and on. and AARP accompanied by many awards Gene Wiggers was born in Northand honors recognizing his service over western Pennsylvania with severely the years. deformed legs, a condition known as Over the years, volunteering and helptalapes equinaDvarus or “club feet.” The ing others has become a part of Gene tiny limbs were so twisted and contorted Wiggers’ heart and soul. And when asked that amputation and other treatments how he can accomplish so much – and were suggested. However, this was durall as an unpaid volunteer, Gene replies, ing the Great Depression of the 1930s “Only with the help and support of a kind and his parents could barely put food on and patient wife,” the table let alone handle huge medical And on Gene Wiggers goes, quietly bills. making his community a better place to Fortunately, the family was introduced live. ISI to a Dr. Bennett, a Masonic Shriner, who introduced them to the renowned orga- Gene Wiggers “Mr. Volunteer” and his wife, Edith. [Photo by Dean & Nancy nization’s program for crippled children. Hoch] Seven years and multiple surgeries later, along with casting of the limbs and terrifying elec- University of New York, as well as a B.S. from to experience the trical shock treatments to his legs, the little boy Long Island University. Gene became head nurse Quail Ridge lifestyle. could finally walk, though not without difficulty. at a hospital in New York and later taught nursing Sadly, at school he became a target for bullies in Pennsylvania. (208) 233-8875 who had a great time tripping him or pushing him It was while in NYC that Gene met his wife, 797 Hospital Way over backwards. Edie, at a concert. The couple married in 1964 Pocatello, ID 83201 “I was fortunate to be male and able to hide and, over the years, added five daughters to their March 1st, Compliment Day my stunted legs under pants, but mandatory gym family. www.quailridgeretirement.com class required dressing in shorts, and the taunting Then in 1978, he was recruited to teach nurswas unrelenting,” he explains. ing at BYU-Idaho (Ricks College at the time) and Going to and from school every day plus an- thus made his way west where he later taught at other round trip for lunch became a nightmarish ISU. running of the gauntlet as Gene faced kids throwIn 1993, six credits and a dissertation short of Rocky Mountain ing sticks and stones. a doctorate in nursing, Gene was diagnosed with
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AN ASSISTED LIVING COMMUNITY
Jim Bagot Swaps Law Books For Farm Equipment Catalogs By Dianna Troyer Daydreaming about his retirement, Jim Bagot envisioned himself shucking off his attorney attire and shimmying into the jeans of a farmer. “I always wanted to farm,” recalls Jim, 68, who put his hopes on hold for a few decades. To finance retirement, he became an attorney in his hometown of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He worked for the Louisiana Public Service Commission, wrangling with legal issues that dealt with trucking, railroads, and public utilities. When he retired in 1999, memories of a circuitous, six-week road trip throughout the West with his best friend and law partner, the late Marshall Brinkley, drew him back to Idaho’s fertile valleys rimmed with mountains. “God put me here on earth to work, and that’s what I do every day,” says Jim, who searched several years before finding a small, one-person farm in southeastern Idaho. “I’ve never been a TV watcher. I’d die doing that because it’s so sedentary. I swapped an indoor job for an outdoor occupation. Driving a tractor is more peaceful than arguing about the law, I can tell you that.” Of all the western states Jim and Marshall explored in 1975, Idaho captivated Jim the most. “It seemed like back then, the streams were clear, and there were mountains everywhere you looked.” In 1994, Marshall died of cancer. For several years after that, Jim worked without a vacation. “One day, I told my wife I needed a break and as a tribute to Marshall, I’d fly to Idaho and buy some property.” While stopped at a hotel one evening in Po-
catello, he glanced through a real estate magazine and read of a small house in Downey, about a 40-minute drive south near Interstate 15. When he read the house’s address, his heart raced, and he did a double take. “It was 386 North Main Street, the exact address for the law office we shared all those years,” he says. “I had no doubt that was the house for me.” From the real estate magazine, he picked a local realtor who resembled another Louisiana friend. “In 30 minutes, he met me at the hotel and we left to look at the house,” says Jim, who bought it without hesitation. “Marshall and I had bought western hats on our trip, so his hat is right there at home in the house.” A year after buying the house, Jim bought a 160-acre farm with water rights. He found a farmer in Soda Springs who was going out of business and bought his equipment. A neighboring farmer suggested a person who would lease the land and be willing to show Jim how to farm. For the next two years, Kevin Koester taught Jim about planting, irrigating, and harvesting soft white spring wheat. “Learning to farm was a steep learning
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PAGE 42 IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT
February is Spunky Old Broads Month February is Women Inventors Month
FEBRUARY/MARCH 2015
curve, but I’ve loved every minute. There’s always something new to learn, every day is different, and I’ve got the time. I’ll always remember that first year I farmed on my own. The days were long, but I couldn’t quit grinning.” Jim and his wife, Wendy, have invited their urban sons and grandchildren to the farm. “They wondered what I was getting myself into, but now they understand why I did it,” says Jim. “They like seeing the mountains around here.” In winter, he heads back to Louisiana, with visions of yet another growing season dancing in his head. “I wonder what Marshall would say if he were here, seeing me farm. He’d probably be laughing and helping me.” ISI
LOCAL COMPANY IMPROVES THE LIVES OF FORMER ENERGY WORKERS The Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act (EEOICPA), first implemented by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) in July 2001, provides compensation and medical benefits to former Department of Energy (DOE) employees who became ill as a result of working in the atomic weapons industry. The Program compensates those suffering from any of more than 20 types of cancers or other ailments including beryllium and asbestos-related ailments and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Uranium miners, millers, and ore transporters are also eligible for benefits if they have developed an illness as a result of toxic exposure at a facility covered under Section 5 of the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA). Nuclear Care Partners (NCP), an authorized provider of skilled home health care under the DOL, doesn’t file claims but can help chronically ill individuals navigate this process. NCP works exclusively with former DOE workers who’ve been diagnosed with work-related illnesses and who’ve qualified for no cost in-home medical benefits under the DOL EEOICPA, RECA, DCMWC and FECA Programs. They provide superior, patient-centered care and their goal is to support individuals in maintaining independence while
living in the comfort of their own homes. Company spokesperson Tyler Skeen states “NCP is committed to serving the atomic heroes who’ve sacrificed so much to ensure the independence of our great nation.” Jim Furniss is an NCP patient who will not let his exposure to chemicals and asbestos keep him down. Working as a welder and pipefitter for over 53 years with various DOE sites, he started at the Idaho National Laboratory in October 1957. “Back then I could weld anything but the crack of dawn,” he joked. Today, his NCP care team and his wife Cathy, his family caregiver through the Program, follow Jim from his summer home in Blackfoot, ID to his winter home in Lake Havasu, AZ.
If you or anyone you know suffers from exposure at work please call Nuclear Care Partners at 1-208-8819022 orr visit their website at www. nuclearcarepartners.com.
Jim Bagot, a retired attorney, finds joy in farming near Downey, where he does his own welding to repair equipment. (Photo by Dianna Troyer)
Virginia Kelly Expresses Her Gratitude Through Volunteerism
By Dianna Troyer Although decades have passed, Virginia Kelly’s first-grade students still remember her vividly. “I can still see in my mind what our classroom looked like,” says Sharesa Tolman, 34, who drops by Pocatello’s Portneuf Medical Center gift shop where Virginia works as a volunteer. “We had a reading loft. We loved going up there. When we studied Japan, she made a small Japanese Tea house to enter. We learned to count from one to ten in Japanese. I still can.” Virginia, 80, taught school for 33 years, Virginia Kelly straightens toys at the Portneuf Medical with 30 of those years Center gift shop, where she volunteers. (Photo by Dianna in first grade. Troyer) “She was an amazing teacher, the kind you’ll always remember,” says Sharesa, a patient advocate at the hospital. “She had so many ways to make learning fun. To teach us left and right, she put a stool at the water fountain, with green for the left foot and red for the right. To teach us table manners, she cooked a spaghetti dinner at her home for small groups.” To recognize students when they did well, Virginia awarded “warm fuzzies, little pom-poms. I finally got one,” says Sharesa. Virginia says, “I’ve always believed in rewarding good behavior. First graders are at a wonderful age. They’re eager to learn and are loving and forgiving.” After retiring from teaching in 2000, Virginia channeled her abundant energy into volunteerism. Working at the hospital gift shop is only one example of her community service. “How can I not give?” she asks. “A grateful heart gives time or money or both. I’m so appreciative of my health and to live in a caring community like Pocatello.” Virginia devotes her time to organizations that promote education for all ages. She organizes publicity for New Knowledge Adventures (NKA), a continuing education program for those 50 and older, and helps develop curriculum. “Sometimes I’m a facilitator for classes and have also presented films. For me, NKA has been an opportunity for learning, exercise, entertainment, and new friends.” She also helps to coordinate volunteers at the Festival of Trees sponsored by Pocatello School District #25. “Last year, we cleared $90,000.” The money has been used to enhance technological education in classrooms. She also is a member of the Philanthropic Educational Organization (PEO), an international non-profit that supports education for women by providing individual grants and loans and by supporting community projects. Virginia is also on the executive board of the Friends of the Marshall Public Library. She has served as treasurer for the last eight years. Volunteers raise money through book sales and other events to support various library programs. They buy materials for the children’s section and the summer reading program and help bring in visiting authors. A lifelong reader and writer, Virginia also
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belongs to three book clubs and a writing group at the Pocatello Senior Center. She also was appointed to the city’s Human Relations Advisory Council. “One of my mottos is ‘If you’re green, you grow, if you’re ripe you rot,’” she says. “I don’t ever want to rot.” With so many volunteer activities, Virginia’s life is unlikely to ever stagnate or rot. “I keep busy,” she says. “My days are full and fulfilling. Besides volunteering, I enjoy practicing woodcarving and painting.” Despite her busy schedule, she devotes time every day to exercise by walking her dog, Kipu. “Kipu is a Tibetan word for happy, which describes her personality. She’s a Keeshond, a breed known for being extremely gentle and smart.” Medium-sized dogs with plush black and gray coats, Keeshonds were traditionally used as companions and watchdogs on barges that navigated Holland’s rivers and canals. To take a break from volunteering, Virginia vacations internationally. She treated herself to an overseas adventure in June 2014 to celebrate her 80th birthday.
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“I’d always wanted to go to Italy, so my son, Greg, and his wife, Lisa, and I went,” she says, crediting Lisa with planning the itinerary to not only Italy but also Finland and Latvia. She has also traveled in Ecuador and Japan and taken a cruise to England and Ireland. Wherever she travels or lives, Virginia is at home. Having spent many years in California, she and her husband, Bill, moved to Idaho in 1963. After working as a school psychologist in American Falls, Bill retired in 2002. He died in 2003. “We were married 46 years,” she says. Their daughter, Nancy, a policy advisor for Western Resource Advocates, lives in Pocatello. Their son, Greg, is an attorney working for the Navajo Nation in Albuquerque. Besides volunteering, one of Virginia’s priorities is spending time with her 13-year-old granddaughter, Abby Ariella Picard. “I waited 67 years for her to come into my life.” Wherever Virginia goes, she is never quite certain when her former students will come back into her life. “I’m delighted and grateful whenever February 19 is The Great American Spit Out they do.” ISI
John Skjei And Sons Tame And Train Wild Horses By Dianna Troyer “We chose them based on conformation, how they interacted with other Long before Extreme Mustang Makeover contests became popular horses, whether they were loners or leaders.” nationwide, John Skjei was busting myths that the wild horses could not be At his home, John and his friends had built a round corral and lean-tos trained. The bond of a wild mustang to a human who has tamed and trained with 6-foot tall sides, according to BLM specifications. it still boggles his mind. After he got off work as a fire engineer at the Idaho National Laboratory, “It’s incredibly strong,” says the 57-year-old he began training. Moore resident, who began training wild horses To establish himself as the herd leader, John from Utah and Nevada 16 years ago. began working a horse in a round corral, applying At the time, his son Jordan was 12 and had and releasing pressure with his body language. He helped his dad with a mare named Mesa. walked toward it assertively, and then backed off. “She really bonded with him,” recalls John. “You can be firm without being abusive.” “One day, he was bored watching me work with Depending on the horse, his training objectives another horse, so he stretched out on her without for each session could be accomplished in a few a saddle or bridle. He put his head on her rump hours or days. Once the horse realized John wasn’t and his legs around her neck and fell asleep. For a predator, it would allow him to rub its neck, back, an hour, Mesa just stood there until he woke up. and head with a rope or halter. Whenever a horse approached her, she laid her “Once I had a horse’s respect first and trust ears back and shook her head, telling it to back second, I’d slip a halter on and bridle. Then I’d show off.” it a blanket and saddle and slip that on. Then I’d Another time, John and Jordan were riding in ride. There was never a rush.” the mountains when a sudden autumn snowstorm His patience and persistence paid off even blew in. with stallions, which he had castrated. Depending “We couldn’t see beyond our horses’ heads,” on their personality, some horses were easier to recalls John. “I was behind Jordan who was on train than others. Mesa. We dropped our reins, and she led us to Mercedes, who likely has draft horse bloodthe safety of someone’s camp.” lines, “is a jewel – mellow, sturdy, and dependable,” Of the horses he has trained, John kept Mesa says John, who named her for her comfortable gait. and another mare named Mercedes. “She bonded with us quickly.” “For endurance, stamina, and intelligence, you Cola, on the other hand, was like “a mare on can’t beat them,” says John, who sold the other steroids – big, beefy, bad, and showing no mercy.” horses he trained to people who use them for trail They saved one of the most difficult horses for riding and ranch work. last, a mare who earned her name of Militia. His son, Logan, says, “Once trained, they’ll do “She should have been in special forces with anything for you. Because they’re so surefooted, her pent-up fire power,” says John of the slender they’re great in the mountains.” Appaloosa that a neighbor bought and appreciates. John first thought of adopting a mustang after John Skjei trained mustangs more than a decade ago. He “Sometimes, mercy me, she scared me to death still has Mercedes, a calm mustang that responded quickly hearing about a friend’s grandfather who had to training. (Photo by Dianna Troyer) with her charges. A lot of people would have given worked with the Bureau of Land Management to up on her.” train them. John couldn’t get a halter on her and asked a “That put a bug in my ear. What a great new adventure it would be, to do local trainer, Kurt Wanstrom, for advice. something I’ve never done, to make a wild horse functional,” says John. “Kurt has such a calm disposition. He just walked in her pen and started When John started training his wild horses, he heard plenty of advice, talking to her in a gentle voice and rubbing her neck, back, and head, then mostly negative. just slipped the halter on as if it was no big deal. After that, she did great “They’re in-bred with undesirable physical traits, they’re psycho, and with her training.” they’ll try to kill you.” After training his first batch of horses, John purchased a few more. But he couldn’t take the advice to heart. “We’re done now,” he says. “We have what we want. What an adventure “I wanted to know for myself what was and wasn’t myth.” it was, and what a sense of personal satisfaction. I love training, whether His horse background was minimal, “just riding at my aunt’s house a few dogs or horses.” times as a kid,” but he didn’t let that stop him. The rogue image of wild horses has changed since John began train“I train German shepherds for law enforcement, so I thought I could apply ing them. In Idaho, the Bureau of Land Management partnered with 4-H those training principles to horses.” clubs, whose members train young mustangs to lead on a halter and to be With trepidation and high hopes, he and some friends went to a BLM handled in preparation for adoption. After eight weeks, the 4-Hers compete auction in Pocatello and picked nine mustangs. in a mustang-only, in-hand trail contest. He noticed the horses’ conformation varied greatly. Some heavy-boned John says he enjoyed “busting mustang myths. Some of those people horses were likely descended from draft horses that had been turned loose who warned me about them have said they owe me and the horses an apolfrom ranches. Others were more slender and could have been related to ogy.” ISI February 15-21 is Through With The Chew Week Spanish horses.
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