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Mother & Daughter Bring Love & Laughter To Their Creativity
Love, luck, hard work, positive attitudes, and true artistic talent have combined to create success for Vanessa and Kate Stevens’ Salvage Designs in Billings, where they create beautiful and useful art from discarded objects. [Photo by Kim Ibes]
By Kim Ibes “At first it was for our own creative interests,” says Vanessa Stevens in a voice so playfully laced with an infectious undertone of merriment and mirth, it can’t help but lighten one’s step while meandering through her overflowing, and vibrantly colored shop, appropriately named, Salvage Designs. Suitably situated in one of Billings’ many industrial districts, it resides in the front half of Stevens Brothers Mechanical (Plumbing, Heating, and Piping Professionals), next to Armstrong’s Pest Control and across the street from Fisher Construction. “This was all office space at one time,” Vanessa says referring to their building. “We cut a hole in the wall.” “Several,” adds her daughter and business partner, Kate, with more than a hint of mischievousness to her voice. Mother and daughter share the same joyful demeanor and often finish one another’s thoughts. As they look around, they point out multiple walls that have been ingeniously finished in creative-industrial-chic (for example, painted pallets stacked floor to ceiling in a rainbow of colors). “We kind of went wild,” adds Vanessa with a chuckle. “But there again, it’s reusing and repurposing.” And recreating, which is the basic theme of Salvage Designs. Here, the discarded, the worn, and the unwanted find not only a new home, but also a new imaginative purpose and inspired new form. Voila! A spurned bike rim becomes a sparkly new chandelier; scrapped toolboxes are blinged up for new precious cargo like jewelry or fine silver; and neglected upholstered chairs find new life with Annie Sloan chalk paint and rivets. “It wasn’t something I’d ever thought I’d do,” says Vanessa. “It’s real therapy, cheap therapy,” she adds with a lilting chortle. Vanessa, Kate, and two friends used to meet at a shared art studio to collaborate on art projects and in general have a wonderfully inventive couple of hours to tell stories and enjoy one another’s company while working on their individual creative vintage projects. “We all had different interests at the time,” recalls Kate. “I was doing faux cabinetry, Jane was a metal worker, Chris was just creative, and mom was doing concrete counter overlays.” (Continued on page 42)
PAGE 2 MONTANA SENIOR NEWS
DECEMBER 2015/JANUARY 2016
HAPPY HOLIDAYS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM
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PETE KATHLEEN
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Montana doctor satisfied that aid in dying is authorized in Montana
“
Do no harm means honoring wishes.
”
– Dr. Jim McCreedy Doctor Jim McCreedy practiced medicine in Montana for 36 years. He Great Falls, MT always believed in listening to his patients and honoring their wishes, particularly at end of life. Dr. McCreedy testified at the legislature in Helena that physician aid in dying is an essential end-of-life option, along with hospice and palliative care for terminally ill adults. In fact, McCreedy has made sure he has a physician who will honor his end-of-life wishes and offer him every available option. The Montana Supreme Court’s Baxter ruling ensures Montanans can exercise their freedom through to the very end of life because it affirms and authorizes aid in dying as an option for adults who are terminally ill. Some groups want to undo the Baxter ruling and take away our right to die on our own terms. If you support death with dignity, help in the fight to protect your end-of-life options. Please fill out and return the petition below.
Ask Your Doctor To Support Death With Dignity Yes! I support end-of-life options. Name: Mailing Address: Phone:
Email: Mail completed petitions to PO Box 1348 Helena, MT 59624.
PO Box 1348 Helena, MT 59624 800 247 7421
DECEMBER 2015/JANUARY 2016
MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 3
Montana Senior News A Barrett-Whitman Publication
P.O. Box 3363 • Great Falls, MT 59403-3363 406-761-0305 or 800-672-8477 FAX 406-761-8358 montanaseniornews.com email: montsrnews@bresnan.net
Public School Dollars Cannot Be Used to Fund Nonpublic Schools By Bob Campbell The last legislature came to Helena a year ago with an overwhelming majority of republicans controlling both the house and senate. Of the many controversial issues discussed was the question of state funding of nonpublic schools in Montana. For the first time in our history, the legislature enacted a tax credit that included tax dollars for private schools. Our 1889 Constitution clearly prohibited any nonpublic schools from receiving “directly or indirectly” any public school money. The legislature was warned that providing a tax credit for nonpublic schools violated the Montana Constitution and could not withstand a court challenge and should not be enacted. Ignoring all warnings legislators decided that they would provide a tax credit for all schools not just public schools. The Department of Revenue has the duty to enact rules, which meet the requirements of the state constitution. They have proposed a rule
The Montana Senior News is published six times each year in February, April, June, August, October and December at 415 3rd Avenue North, Great Falls, MT 59401 and is distributed free to readers throughout the state of Montana. The mail subscription rate is $10.00 per year (6 issues). The Montana Senior News is written to serve the reading interests of mature Montanans 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 Montana Senior News 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.
that deleted the tax credits for nonpublic schools. Legislators were quick to criticize the Department that is correct on this issue. At the 1972 Montana Constitutional Convention, we debated this question and overwhelmingly voted to retain what our founding fathers in the 1889 Constitution passed and was approved by Congress when we were granted statehood. The Department of Revenue is clearly correct in not enacting an unconstitutional rule that would only result in a costly court challenge to apply the correct law. Legislators who say they are vigilant in not wasting state tax dollars but still insist they want a court ruling, should personally bear the cost when they are proven wrong. MSN
Jack W. Love, Jr., Publisher/Editor Colleen Paduano Kathleen McGregor Lisa Gebo Jonathan Rimmel Peter Thornburg Sherrie Smith
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Contributing Writers Bob Campbell Connie Daugherty Kim Thielman-Ibes Gail Jokerst Bernice Karnop Craig Larcom Liz Larcom Michael McGough Jack McNeel Dianna Troyer © 2015
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DECEMBER 2015/JANUARY 2016
Last Bus to Wisdom by Ivan Doig; Riverhead Books, New York, 2015 Reviewed by Connie Daugherty It began with This House of Sky: Landscapes of the Western Mind in 1978 and ended with the Last Bus to Wisdom in 2015. Ivan Doig, who, according to the New York Times, “helped shape our understanding of rural working-class life in the postwar American West,” died in April 2015. But his landscapes of the western mind – memoirs and novels alike have left us with a treasured legacy. The unique Ivan Doig voice – that rhythm of words strung together in a smooth regular gait – is like a welcome voice on the phone – familiar and friendly with a subtle humor that always surprises. The careful sculpting of each character, the detailed painting of each scene remains true in every story Doig tells. And that is really what Ivan Doig was – a teller of stories rather than simply a writer of books. Sometimes a well-developed story is fiction; sometimes a story is fact or memory, but always a truly exceptional and intricately constructed story is engaging, drawing the reader into its realm. With his stories, Ivan Doig invited his readers in and shared his life. “The remembering begins out of that new silence,” Doig writes in This House of Sky. “Through the time since, I reach back… to feel into these oldest shadows for the first sudden edge of it all.” Out of that silence and the shadows and edges of people and places remembered comes a trove of literary accomplishment – memoirs and novels – that preserves the historic western landscape and connects the past to the present for all generations. In his memoir, This House of Sky, Doig writes, “I wait for the language of memory to come into the exact tones.” In his final novel those tones have come together to create something both beautiful and memorable. Last Bus to Wisdom, told as though BASIC DENTURES (SET)...$295 a memory, is the story BASIC CROWN (UNIT).....$495 of one summer in one Family Dentistry • Check Ups boy’s life and explores Cleanings • Digital X-Rays • Partials Bridges • CareCredit® Financing the landscape of the Delta Dental, MetLife, Guardian west in 1951; a land& over 200 Others Accepted scape familiar to Ivan Doig.
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Salish Kootenai College Foundation invites you to join us in Capturing the Vision of a greater future as we embark on this journey of enriching and edifying the lives of our students, and sharing the Vision of propelling Salish Kootenai College forward to a new level of excellence! LEARN MORE AT FOUNDATION.SKC.EDU | 406-275-4983 PO BOX 70, PABLO, MT 59855
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“My big trip was a chance that did not come often in life, really, to get out in the world and see new sights and scenes and meet people and have experiences and all that.” With this admonition from his ailing grandmother meant to soften the unavoidable parting, eleven-year-old Donal Cameron fearfully boards a Greyhound bus with his treasured autograph book in his pocket and his belongings in an old wicker suitcase. Within the first miles, Donal discovers something about himself – an ability to share, convincingly, with strangers a truth that exists only in his mind. “What is imagination but mental mischief of a kind,” he wonders. “Out of my mouth something unexpected… harmlessly made up…. Storying, maybe it could be called.” Thus he passes the long trip from Two Medicine country Montana to an unknown place and never-before encountered relatives in Wisconsin. The place turns out to be nothing he could have imagined and his aunt everything he dreaded. His grandmother’s sister, Kate, is bossy, mean, and resentful of being saddled with an unwanted child. Her hen-pecked husband, Herman the German, is Donal’s only salvation. “I was finding this big husky open-faced man to be the one thing about Wisconsin that I felt vaguely comfortable with….this odd bespectacled garden puttered…had a king hell bastard of an imagination.” Donal and his newly discovered Uncle Herman also had something else in common, both tended to “let what he had read possess him.” Therefore, it should come as no surprise that when Aunt Kate determines to send Donal back to a foster home in Montana, Herman has other plans. He seizes the opportunity to escape to the west about which he has always read. “No one in the entire world knew that the two of us were free as the breeze… we really were footloose…. There is no other thrill quite like disappearing the way Herman and I were about to… not that erasing ourselves from where we were supposed to be was as easy as a snap of the fingers.” But the decision, impulsively made and just as impulsively carried out as this unlikely pair board the “dog bus,” is the real beginning of Donal’s great summer adventure. Peopled with nuns and drunken shepherds, a zealous cop and an equally determined escaped con, Indians and a famous bronc rider, a pretty waitress, and a crew of hobos – all of whom sign Donal’s autograph book – Herman and Donal discover the western mind. “State by state, as the bus rolled up the miles then beyond,” to places like Crow Agency and Yellowstone Park, Donal and Herman explore the
DECEMBER 2015/JANUARY 2016
western landscapes of 1951. Herman discovering the world of his beloved western novels, and Donal, coming to “where I belonged….Around horses and cattle and men of ranches and reservations and the smell of hay in the fields.” Then when adventure becomes dangerous, their money runs out, and reality threatens fantasy, Herman and Donal desperately board the “3:10 to Wisdom…. There was something about Wisdom, scanty as it looked from a bus window, that immediately appealed to me… a place that did not make too much of itself nor too little, and that felt about right.” Finally arriving at Wisdom, though it was never their original destination, could be either the beginning or the end for Herman and Donal. Summer was ending as haying season began. It is hard to keep secrets in a small town, and it’s hard to hide in Montana where somebody always knows somebody who knows somebody. Inevitably the weather will change and with it the direction of
young Donal’s life. I will admit I haven’t loved all of Ivan Doig’s books, but when he hits it – when all his talent comes through – there is nothing better. I will also admit that some of my favorites don’t stand out for other fans. But with Last Bus to Wisdom, he pulls together all of the best of his best – characters and places, language and memory, humor and melancholy, and delivers a definite winner. If you have never read an Ivan Doig book, maybe This House of Sky – his memoir – is a good place to begin. Or maybe begin with his early novels, English Creek and Dancing at the Rascal Fair. The good thing about reading Ivan Doig is that you do not have to start at the beginning (though it’s best with some of the sequel stories). You can start in the middle (Bucking the Sun or Prairie Nocturne) or you can start at the end with Last Bus to Wisdom. Just start somewhere. Do not miss the Ivan Doig experience and legacy! MSN
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PAGE 6 MONTANA SENIOR NEWS
DECEMBER 2015/JANUARY 2016
The challenges that life presents come in many forms and evoke responses across the emotional spectrum. As children, we can be affected significantly by the loss of a parent through divorce. Fortunately, many times there is another adult who can fill some of the void left when a family falls apart. In fact, many parents in intact families recognize the valuable input from an aunt or uncle who doesn’t carry the baggage that Mom and Dad bring to the daily parenting role. Many of us can recall that special aunt or uncle who shared quality time with us and from whom we gained valuable knowledge! This issue’s winning Remember When selection is by Joan Horan of Livingston whose story My Uncle Dobbie relates the joy and value that this special uncle brought to her life after her parents’ divorce. Thank you, Joan for your contribution. Remember When contains our readers’ personal 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 Montana Senior News features the contributions deemed best by our staff. The contributor of the winning entry receives a $25 cash prize. We look forward to receiving your contributions for our February/March 2016 issue. Mail your correspondence to Montana Senior News, P.O. Box 3363, Great Falls, MT 59403; email to montsrnews@bresnan.net; or call 1-800-672-8477 or 406-761-0305. Also visit us online at montanaseniornews. com.
My Uncle Dobbie
By Joan J. Horan, Livingston My parents separated when I was two and my brother, Dick, was nine months. My mother, brother, and I went to live with my maternal grandparents in Sanitaria Springs, a small town in upstate New York. It was during the great depression and my aunts and uncles came to live there at various times. My first recollection of my favorite uncle was watching him shave at the washstand in the kitchen. He would apply shaving cream with a brush, and would always dab my cheeks with shaving cream as I watched in fascination. When he finished shaving, he would put me on his shoulders and give me a piggyback ride through the house. My uncle’s name was Upton, but family, friends, and brothers called him Dobbs because of the soft hat he wore – its trade name was Dobbs. So I
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DECEMBER 2015/JANUARY 2016
eggs, but when slaughter time came, he just could not do it... so a neighbor did. Another time Uncle Dobbie went hunting and spotted a rabbit. That rabbit stood up on its hind legs with its front paws held in front as if praying not to be shot. My uncle couldn’t shoot the rabbit and that was the end of the hunting. Dobbie loved the outdoors – fishing, swimming, and boating. He would take Dick and me out in his boat that he had at his cottage on the lake. We would watch the beaver as they swam and slapped the water with their tails. We all fished. He gave each of us poles and even baited the hooks for us. One time he caught a big pickerel and landed it in the boat. Pickerel have teeth, and my brother and I both crouched up on the stern seat and yelled for him to “get it away!” We were scared that it would bite us, but he just laughed, took it off the hook, and tossed it back into the lake. One summer afternoon we were sitting on the back steps of the house and Dobbie was reading a magazine. He said, “How would you like to build a little car?” Of course, my brother and I said yes. Dobbie raced upstairs and found the book with plans for the car – a racing car! Every Sunday that fall, winter, and spring we were at his house as he built the car. He worked in the basement with us “helping.” Finally, by summer, it was done except for the wheels. It was World War II, and rubber and tires were scarce, but Dobbie finally got some used small airplane tires and the racecar was done. We got to pick the red color. The car had a washing machine motor and a side stick shift. Number 7 was on one side and number 11 was on the other, in yellow. The car had a blue oilcloth seat. It was beautiful. The day it was finished he took it out for a test drive. For the rest of the day, and Sundays after, he watched us go up and down the lane. This went on most of the summer and fall. After what seemed many years, Uncle Dobbie and Auntie Babe divorced, we didn’t see him as much, and we grew apart as we went to school and
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called him Uncle Dobbie. He and his wife, Auntie Babe, stayed with my grandparents until their house was finished. It was within walking distance, and often on Sundays, they came to Grandma and Grandpa’s with the rest of the aunts, uncles, and cousins. When we were old enough, we went to Uncle Dobbie’s home on Sundays. He was a jeweler, very artistic, and Sunday was his only day off. He never scolded us or became impatient with our many questions and our chatter. If he was washing the car, he gave Dick and me cloths “to help.” If he was painting the house or garage, we were given brushes and paint “to help.” We “helped” with the lawn, the barns, and many other things. On many Sundays in the winter, he would paint pictures and we would stand, one of us at either shoulder, watching and chattering as he sat at the dining room table making beautiful pictures. Since Uncle Dobbie was the only one in the immediate family with a car, he would take Mother, Grandma, Aunty Babe, and my brother and me – Grandpa never wanted to go – for rides, often to see another aunt and uncle about fifty miles away. There were no seatbelts in those days, so we would be at his shoulders, one on either side as he drove. Dobbie would point out animals, birds, etc. as we traveled along. If we came to a stream, he would say, “Think there are any fish in there?” Then we would stop and he would get out fishing poles and he, Dick, and I would fish. Dobbie played scary games with us too – saying as we came to a hill where we couldn’t see the other side, “Here we go off the edge of the world!” We would scream and holler and Dobbie would laugh. He never told us to be quiet and sit down. For hours at a time, Dobbie would lead us around on ponies he bought for us. There were always animals – a dog, horses, chickens, and goldfish. He raised chickens once – from chicks – feeding them daily, picking them up, and talking to them. He had named them all. He collected the
MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 7
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PAGE 8 MONTANA SENIOR NEWS
DECEMBER 2015/JANUARY 2016
on to careers. The last time I saw Uncle Dobbie was at Grandma’s funeral. I am sorry, but for some reason we didn’t speak. But, we did have eye contact, and I think I could see in him the understanding of the loss I was feeling. Shortly after, he moved to Florida, and unfortunately, he died there suddenly of a heart attack in the outdoors. Dobbie taught us how to spot animals in the wild and inspired our love of being outdoors, of
fishing, boating, caring for animals, and through this, to care for the environment. When I think of the time he spent with us as we climbed on him, chattered endlessly and boisterously, and “helped” him, I know the most important lesson we learned – to be patient with other people! Dick and I agree that much of who we are today is because of Uncle Dobbie. He was our uncle, but he was like a father to us. MSN
Caring for Your Antique Christmas Decorations
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By Teresa Ambord If you own antique Christmas decorations, you are in good company. Whether your collection is limited to items passed down through the generations of your family, or you actively seek out such decorations to purchase, these treasures require special handling if they are to last. From the experts who know, here are a few tips for maintaining the beauty of your antique ornaments: • If you hang the ornaments on your Christmas tree, be sure to place them on the higher branches where they are less likely to be bumped and broken. If you have cats, you know that felines often like to bat low-hanging ornaments off the tree. • When it’s time to remove the ornaments from the tree and store them again, you should first dust them with gentle makeup brushes. Always remove the hooks, which may cause scratches during storage. • Clean off the glue on ornaments with a product called Goo Gone and a cotton swab. Goo Gone gently removes the glue left by price tags and other substances, without the need to scrub and possibly damage the surface. You can find Goo Gone in hardware stores and home centers. • Store antique ornaments in sturdy boxes capable of keeping out moisture. Some pros recommend Rubbermaid or Sterilite. Better still if you can find such storage containers with trays. Whatever
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container you choose, avoid storing your treasures in cardboard boxes, including the gift boxes they came in. Cardboard is made from wood pulp and therefore is highly acidic. The chemicals in cardboard will eventually destroy the paint on your ornaments. The worst possible choices are corrugated boxes or recycled products, as they have the most acid. • Don’t wrap ornaments in tissue unless you are sure it is acid-free. Ask for acid-free tissue at your craft store. If the ornaments are colored, use a non-buffered or pH neutral tissue for the best results. Some people use Bounty microwave paper towels. These towels do the job, but if your ornament is glittered, the fine fibers on the towels might dislodge it. Some collectors who wish to store their ornaments in their original cardboard gift boxes find they can do so safely if they first wrap the ornament in an acid-free tissue. • It’s a good idea when packing your antique ornaments to add a package of desiccant to remove moisture. You can buy these at craft stores. • Put your storage containers in an area where the temperature will be constant. If you’re interested in joining with other collectors, visit goldenglow.org, which emphasizes pre-1966 ornaments. You can sign up to receive their newsletter to find out about their annual convention. You’ll find a list of other clubs, as well as have the opportunity to buy some antique ornaments by visiting directory.google.com/Top/Recreation/ Collecting/Christmas_Ornaments/ Organizations/. You can buy books on Collecting Antique Ornaments and more from the Preferred Consumer Store: store.preferredconsumer.com/ search.php?q=antique+christmas+ornaments& mode=books. MSN
DECEMBER 2015/JANUARY 2016
Resize Photos in a Jiffy By Mr. Modem Q. Is there any way I can reduce the size of a photo that was given to me in .JPG format? A. There sure is. Irfanview (tucows.com/ preview/194967) is a free graphics viewer/editor. Once installed, click File > Open to display your photo. With the picture displayed, click Image > Resize/Resample. You will be able to choose from several options in the next window, including setting a new size by typing in the pixel dimensions, making the new picture a percentage of the original, or selecting from standard sizes. If you click the Half button, you can reduce the size of the photo as much as you wish. When you reach the desired size, click the OK button and you will see the picture in its new size. If the size is acceptable, click File > Save As, and give the file a new name so it doesn’t overwrite your original photo. Also popular and easy to use is ShrinkPictures.com, which is a Web-based service that enables you to reduce the size of digital photos. No software is required, the service is free, and no salespersons will call. Resize2Mail.com is a similar service, also free. PIX Resizer (bluefive.pair.com/ pixresizer.htm) is another freebie that will resize one or multiple photos in one swell foop. All you have to do is create a new folder within which you can send the resized pictures. Q. A friend gave me a CD of a computer program to make cards and posters. It was a brand new CD, still wrapped in plastic. When I put it in my computer, it asked for a product key and displayed a text field to type it into. What is a product key and how do I find it? A. A product key is a combination of letters and numbers that is used to unlock or open software. Each individual copy has its own unique product key. The product key may be located inside the program’s box or case, or printed or applied as a sticker to the front or back of the envelope the disc came in. For downloaded software, a product key will usually be emailed to you. Do not throw out any of the packaging that comes with a program until you find your product key or try your program out to make sure it doesn’t require one. You might also contact your friend if you cannot locate the product key on the packaging the CD arrived in.
It is possible that the CD was purchased within a box or jewel case that contained the product key. Q. In the upper right-hand corner of my keyboard is a key marked “PrtSc/SysRq.” Someone told me if I want to print a map, for example, to get it on the screen, press the F11 key, then hold down this key and the SHIFT key to get a full-sized map printed out. Can you elaborate on this a bit more? I don’t understand it at all. A. F11 switches into full-screen mode for most browsers, allowing more of a page to appear on screen. Press F11 again to reverse the action. Pressing the Print Screen (PrtSc) key captures (takes a picture of) the current screen and places it on the Windows Clipboard. You can then go to any graphics editor (Paint is fine, located within Windows, under Accessories) and paste (by pressing CTRL + V) the saved image onto the screen and print it from there. Historical Footnote: The SysRq or SysReq key, which shares the PrtSc key, is a relic from another era – not unlike Mr. Modem. Short for “System Request,” the SysRq key was the 84th key added when the 83-key PC/XT keyboard became the 84-key AT keyboard eons ago. Unless programmed by a particular application, the SysRq key does nothing in most operating systems today. The key doesn’t appear on many new keyboards. Mr. Modem’s DME (Don’t Miss ‘Em) Sites of the Month Answers.com – This self-described “New Standard in Reference” is a free, online reference guide with information about millions of topics. Answers.com differs from search engines in that it provides quick answers to specific questions, as opposed to results that link you to a list of topics. The site’s editors draw their data from hundreds of sources, including dictionaries, encyclopedias,atlases, and the-sauruseseseses. Bozo Criminal of the Day – This site features stories from the Associated Press newswire. electricferret. com/bozo. MSN
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MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 9
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DECEMBER 2015/JANUARY 2016
Meet Montana’s Veterans’ Upward Bound By Lori Borth Project Director My office is crowded with mementos from veterans it has been my privilege to serve during 19 years of working for Veterans’ Upward Bound (VUB). For those of you unfamiliar with VUB, let me introduce you to Montana’s only statewide education program designed to assist veterans as they transition from soldier to student. VUB is funded by a Department of Education grant and was created specifically to assist veterans in preparing for and enrolling in college or another training program. What began in 1992 as a Billings area education project has evolved into a dynamic statewide program delivering instruction,
services, and support. VUB offers: • Faculty-directed classes and workshops on college campuses in Billings, Butte, Great Falls, Hamilton, Helena, Kalispell, Libby, and Missoula. • Online instruction available everywhere to enable veterans to improve their skills at home. • Access to online assessments that evaluate general college readiness or career interests with individual counseling available. • College transition assistance with admissions, financial aid, and the GI Bill process to smooth the way into college. If you are a veteran or know a veteran, call 1-877-356-8387 or visit vubmt.com. Find out how VUB can serve you. MSN
Visit us online at
MontanaSeniorNews.com Fang – The Companion Dog By Dimitri Gat We met Fang at a puppy store. He wasn’t Fang then, of course. Wife, 14-year-old Daughter, and I saw only a small black and white cocker spaniel with ears the size of small dinner plates. The shop owner, who had the look of a down-at-the-heels used car salesman, boasted that the dog’s coat – “Parti-colored” was his term – was unusual for the breed. He claimed the same when we noticed one of the dog’s eyes was brown, the other blue. I was quickly moving on to available basenjis – I knew they never bark – and dodging beagles who, solo, bark all the time. There were some intriguing cockapoos and Scotties ahead. I turned to comment on this. Uh-oh! I was alone. Wife and, more dangerous by far, Daughter were reaching through the spaniel’s cage to pet those ears. Sticker shock struck me at the cash register. I hid my stagger with a firm hand on the greasy counter. I must understand that the dog had papers! Pure breeds were expensive, but you pretty much got what was expected. Earlier in the marriage, firmly behind what might be called the No-Dog-Left-Behind movement, we “saved” a dog at the local animal shelter. “Bear” proved to have a tremendous appetite. Unhappily, it was for car seat belts, headrests, and upholstery, all torn to tatters in seconds. Not to mention custom drapes. Left alone, he went mad. Caged, he burst heavy welds to go forth to do his devilment – on one occasion to indelibly mark our prized Martha’s Vineyard sheep farm blanket. So this time we dared not take a chance. Later we were to be reminded that every dog,
DECEMBER 2015/JANUARY 2016
mixed or pure, has its own ways. “Check or credit card are both okay,” the owner said with a P.T. Barnum-esque smile. Daughter named him “Fang,” despite our pointing out that his weight would max out at around 22 pounds and that his rampant friendliness suggested another name. Furthermore, the across-the-street-neighbor owned a huge German shepherd big enough to hunt wolves and scare crooks, was also called Fang. But “Fang” had been in a TV show or book to which she was attached. Fang it was. We made our first visit to the vet. I noticed a shiny BMW 3 Series convertible in the space marked “Doctor – Reserved.” This should have prepared me for his bill to enter Fang into healthy society. The dog had worms, mites in his ears – oh, those ears – and needed shots. Rabies was the only one I recognized. I also recognized that his bill was well into three figures. Not long afterward, we returned to the vet. Fang’s ears were bothering him and he gnawed at one paw. The vet nodded knowingly while probing the dog’s aural canal with a giant Q-Tip. “Yep. Characteristic of the breed.” Cockers, it seemed, were often troubled with ear problems and allergies – throughout their lives. I groaned inwardly and wondered about the cost of dog health insurance. He presented us with fish oil pills. We passed on his willingness to do “across the spectrum allergy testing.” Fang was going to be trained. We swore he would be taught to sit, heel, come, and not get up on the furniture. Forthwith he was enrolled in Canine College Level 1 training. He proved not to be an apt student. The one thing he did do consistently, no matter how much we paraded around outside before class, was relieve himself in the middle of the training area. The college had on hand suitable tools and liquids to deal with this eventuality, so in that sense at least we got our money’s worth. We moved ahead to Level 2. “Come!,” “Sit!” and “Down!” entered meaningfully into his doggie brain – so long as there were no other dogs nearby. We drilled on “Heel!” but it seemed that “Down!” was the apex of his comprehension. Upon graduation, he was named class clown. As to keeping the dog off the furniture, it proved to be tiresome hounding – so to speak – his every transgression. He soon caught on to our laxness, as does any spoiled child. Shortly he was ensconced on the back of the couch near the baseboard heater. The tip of the wedge. Before long, he became our sleeping companion, sneaking upstairs, jumping onto the king size before bedtime, and growling when we tried to wake him. He played the “sleeping dog” act to a T. Possibly, because Bear’s stay was a short one, we had forgotten the responsibilities of dog ownership. Take food for example. Time was when you just fed the dog off the human table or opened a can of dog food. Not now. Pet stores are a cornucopia – food for puppies, adults, and the decrepit. Natural, organic, grain-free, holistic, small
MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 11
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DECEMBER 2015/JANUARY 2016
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breed, large breed…. The mind spins. Add to feeding, the responsibilities of walking Fang whatever the weather, brushing, ear and eye cleaning, and profession washing and grooming, to name only a few. Months later, I stepped back and took a look at the Big Picture. New to me, but I’m sure not to many other dog owners, came a major understanding: Fang called the shots and we rushed to obey. We were the ones who had been brought to heel, not he. I beheld a four-legged conspiracy, a wink-nudge-nudge dog-to-dog thing. “Look what they are doing now! Woof, woof!” Yet we happily agree to this timeless arrangement. Why? Because we get to see Fang chase the ball and unfailingly return it. Because he chases a whirling leaf. Because he rolls over just so to get his belly scratched. Because he howls with pleasure when we give him an empty Mountain Spring water bottle. He’s always in a good mood, rarely talks back, and listens to me when Wife won’t. Moreover, he provides something like friendship and solace in our brutal world. Poet Elizabeth Barrett Browning surely knew this when she wrote, referring to her cocker spaniel Flush, “His ears were often the first thing to catch my tears.” MSN
How to Inspect the House You Want to Buy – Then Bring in the Professionals
By Patricia M. Johnson Fall is one of the best times to look for houses, and those of us over 55 are looking for new areas, smaller or even larger homes to enjoy throughout our retirement years. Where should we begin? Perhaps you’ve looked at a house, and you are considering making an offer. Your real estate agent showed you briefly through the house. You are going to make a second look with the realtor. How much of an inspection should you make before bringing in a certified home inspector? Many of us feel strange opening cabinets, closets, knocking on walls, and more. Some real estate agents want you just to look through a house without giving you too much information. Many agents feel they should not speak and let you roam. I’ve seen this far too often. For this reason, my husband and I will stay home when a potential buyer tours the house. We stay out of the way but have given the agent notice that we are available for questions. It works out nicely for all involved. We tell prospective buyers not to be afraid to open cabinets, closets, turn on faucets. We have compiled a book showing manuals, purchase dates, and costs for their review. This also includes all renovations. They like it and you’ll be happy you did it too! Most buyers like to start outside, view the lawn, look for rotting of any wood, structural work needed, and driveway and sidewalk repair. It’s very important to notice if there’s a good slant to the lawn to keep rainwater away from the exterior. Check windows from the outside for any needed repairs. Grab the front door firmly, checking the handle and locks. Does anything need repairs? If there’s a Let Us represent You...Buying or Selling! second floor, check out the banisters for strength. We Know All Types of Real Estate! Are there sufficient closets in the front foyer? The kitchen is the most expensive room of a house to remodel so check it out thoroughly. Test the cabinets and drawers; ask what the wood is and/or the manufacturer. Drawers should slide easily; cabinet doors should have no cracks. Knobs and levers can always be replaced to fit your own decor, so don’t worry about those. If this is an older house, ask when the faucets have been replaced. Try out the faucets and notice if there’s any leaking. Check for water pressure. What appliances are included in the cost? Many
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times the washer and dryer and/or the refrigerator are not included. Ask about lighting fixtures, and see if they all work. Check condition of flooring. Any room can be repainted or papered, so this should not be your concern. The bathroom is also a very expensive room to remodel. Check that out as you would the kitchen. You can always apply grab bars if needed. Your main concern should be the size, condition of tub, shower, toilet, and basin. Check for mildew on walls and especially, the condition of the water faucets. Don’t be afraid to flush the toilet. If there’s a basement, smell for mildew. If there’s a dehumidifier, the area should smell fresh. Check for sump pumps if the house is in an area prone to water build-up. Check for signs of water damage and mold. The other rooms, just like the above, should be checked for window pulls, levers, rotting, and glass damage. Look at walls and ceilings carefully. An older house will have some settling, so a few cracks can be expected. The present owner should have repaired them before showing
Getting Set to Sell: Which Home Upgrades Matter Most? (StatePoint) Whether you’re preparing to sell, or just looking to increase your home’s value, it’s important to think about strategic upgrades – and not just how; but where to remodel. Here are a few ideas to help you prioritize home remodeling endeavors. Create Curb Appeal – Imagine walking up your driveway as a potential buyer. Does the exterior leave a lasting impression? Begin the process of preparing your home for sale at the front door by creating an inviting entryway that will entice potential buyers even before they step inside. Adding a pop of color to your front door will make a statement, and changing out the hardware fixtures will update the look instantly. Cleaning up your lawn, power washing siding, and planting trees, bushes, and flowers are simple ways to invest in your home’s curb appeal. Lining the walkway with solar-powered lights is also a nice touch. Update the Bath – Bathrooms and kitchens are the most popular renovation projects, with the greatest number of consumers concentrating their attention on the bath, according to a recent Houzz and Home survey of homeowners. When remodeling, focus on details that can quickly update the space, such as installing quality fixtures. As you begin the selection process for new bath fixtures, consider those with a timeless style that will be appreciated by you and a wide variety of homebuyers. For versatility, check out the Wynford collection from Moen, which offers a wide range of faucet options and finish choices. Increasing storage, along with a few other fixes, can add thousands of dollars to your home’s value, according to a Bankrate.com report. Key updates
DECEMBER 2015/JANUARY 2016
MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 13
the house though. Turn lights on and off. By all means, come back two or three times if you are interested. You’d be foolish not to hire a professional inspector once you are sure that you want this house. An inspector will furnish you with a detailed written report of the conditions. You don’t want to climb to the roof – let them. They have the experience to look at details that you could miss. Choose one that belongs to a group such as the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI). There are many out there that do not meet their standards,
so choose the right one, the qualified one! Patricia M Johnson is a retired interior designer who helps seniors ease the chore on housing, and real estate. She can be reached at pmjeditor@aol.com while she is in the process of selling her home. MSN
PAGE 14 MONTANA SENIOR NEWS
DECEMBER 2015/JANUARY 2016
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DECEMBER 2015/JANUARY 2016
improve both the look and functionality of the bathroom. Try adding storage or installing a new shower curtain rod. A curved shower rod, such as those from Moen, can add up to an additional seven inches of space in the shower. A Little Clean Up – More than two out of five real estate professionals rank dirt, smells, and clutter high on their list of costliest home-selling mistakes, according to a recent survey by Consumer Reports. Smells could indicate a serious problem in the home, such as mold or mildew. Use a dehumidifier to dry out damp areas. Also, have your carpets and drapery professionally cleaned on a regular basis, especially if you have pets. If your home could use a deep clean, it might be worth investing in a professional service. Concentrating on essential repairs and easy updates can instantly change the perception of your home and help you make the most from your sale. MSN
The Accidental Restaurateur: Joanie Swords
By Gail Jokerst – gailjokerst.com Unlike contestants on televised food competitions such as Chopped and Top Chef, Joanie Swords has never aspired to culinary glory. Back in 2010 when she opened Harper & Madison (H & M) Joanie dreamt only of opening a neighborhood shop featuring handcrafted scones, muffins, cakes, and other treats from her oven. The last thing she expected was for H & M to become one of the Magic City’s most beloved eateries as well as a destination for summer visitors looking for creative local fare. “I didn’t mean to open a restaurant; I thought I was opening a bakery,” recalls Joanie. “I put five sandwiches on the menu and bought a used espresso maker figuring someone might want a sandwich or latte. After three days it was clear I’d opened a restaurant not a bakery.” Although passionate about fine food, Joanie focuses on more than high-quality ingredients. She strives to bring a bit of Europe and the big city to Billings, not only through handmade pastries, but also through a friendly atmosphere where patrons and staff know one another by name and feel at home over paninis and quiche. “I’ve told my staff they have the power to change people’s lives by giving customers their full attention. It’s important to look people in the eye and hear what they’re saying whether to take a lunch order or listen to what’s on their mind,” remarks Joanie, whose 12 employees include her son Madison, the current nighttime baker. “Giving that personal attention plus something wonderful to eat or drink is giving comfort in a way that has existed forever.” Joanie has lived in Billings since she was six, when her family moved here from Wyoming. As a child, she was not especially drawn to sifting flour and creaming butter. However, she does have fond memories of making cookies. When she was ten, her older brother Dick served in Vietnam. Joanie’s chosen method of expressing her love and support for him was through baking countless chocolate chip cookies, which she sent overseas packed in coffee cans. “I later learned the cookies never got there in one piece. Dick didn’t mind, though,” laughs Joanie. “Whenever they arrived, he made friends that day.” Her baking skills might have plateaued with cookies if not for a part-time waitressing job she took in 1988 with Hart-Albin Company’s Le Petit Cafe.
MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 15
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The kitchen manager, a classically trained chef, decided to leave soon after that and a replacement had to be found. Despite never having proofed yeast or wielded a pastry brush, Joanie was hired. The chef trained her during a three-week crash course, which ultimately altered her destiny. “The cafe’s owners, who had previously done the baking, were available to help later, if I needed it. They had more confidence in me than I had
in myself,” remembers Joanie. “I learned to make pastry cream and butter cream, baguettes, Danish, and more. The chef taught me in the traditional way with no mixes. I’m grateful to this day for that introduction to baking. At H & M, we also do everything from scratch. It’s real food with no preservatives or chemicals.” From the start, her efforts proved successful, though she admits she would be mortified today to serve her first cakes to anyone. “I learned to make cakes through trial and error. There is no other way to learn than by doing. To be a good baker takes patience. There are some things you can’t do quickly. You also have to be precise, pay attention to detail, and practice a recipe lots of times until you get it just right,” states Joanie, whose 12-hour work-day typically begins at 4 or 5 a.m. depending on the number of that day’s pastry and cake special orders. She becomes centered for her long shift by plunging her hands into dough, deftly kneading and rolling as each recipe requires. After so many years, Joanie’s hands know the routine by themselves, giving her a chance to ponder other things as she works. “I have two hours all my own to be at that table without interruptions. It helps me focus on the rest of my day and what has to be done. Besides that,” she adds, “it’s comforting and calming to have delicious aromas coming from the oven as I work.” H & M is the third business that Joanie has begun and sold. So far, she has invested five years in this restaurant and is still coming up with innovative ideas she wants to test drive – ideas such as her festive farm-to-table summertime dinners. These popular al fresco meals have people lining up to get on the waiting list for a seat as well as just to help – for free – as a server. The interest is not surprising considering Joanie describes her clientele as, “people who are looking for something fresh and homemade, that doesn’t come in a plastic wrapper, and that was made by two hands that very morning.” Her advice to someone considering opening a food business is straightforward and applicable to any start-up. “Be as prepared as you can and have your eyes wide open to the time commitment it will take,” she states. “I had a dream and a passion for food but found this business was more about creating a place where you can build community. It’s pretty magical how food can bring people together. It’s a great thing to witness.” For more information, visit harperandmadison.com or call 406-281-8550. MSN
Cranberry-orange Scones
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(Yields 16 scones) This is an adaptation of one of Harper and Madison’s most requested recipes. You can easily cut it in half. 4 cups all-purpose flour 3 T granulated sugar (for sweeter scones, add another tablespoon of sugar) 2 t baking powder 2 t baking soda ¼ t salt ½ pound (2 sticks) cold unsalted butter, diced in small pieces Grated zest of 2 oranges 2 eggs 1 cup plus 2 T buttermilk 1½ cups dried cranberries Raw or granulated sugar Jam for serving (optional) Whipped cream for serving (optional) 1. Combine flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl; mix well. With a pastry blender or your fingers, cut in butter and orange zest until the mixture resembles fine granules. (You can also pulse these ingredients in a food processor.) 2. Whisk together eggs and buttermilk in a small bowl. Pour over the dry ingredients and toss in cranberries. Stir just until the ingredients come together and soft dough forms. If dough seems too dry, add another 1-2 tablespoons of buttermilk. Be careful not to over mix the dough or the scones will be tough. 3. Pat dough into a circle on a lightly floured board and cut it into 16 wedges. Or divide dough in half and cut each half into 8 wedges. Place scones an inch apart on an ungreased baking sheet. Sprinkle each scone with raw or granulated sugar* and refrigerate 15 minutes or up to overnight. 4. Bake the scones at 375 degrees until lightly browned on top, about 20 minutes. Cool on a rack. Serve warm or at room temperature. The scones are best if eaten the day they are made but may be frozen and gently reheated.
DECEMBER 2015/JANUARY 2016
*Instead of sprinkling the scones with sugar, 10 Tablespoons (1 1/4 sticks) unsalted butter you can drizzle orange glaze over the baked 3 large eggs scones. 3 large egg yolks 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar Orange Glaze 1/2 cup flour 1/2 cup plus 2 T confectioner’s sugar Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Butter six 3/4 4 t freshly squeezed orange juice cup soufflé or Pyrex dishes. Melt chocolate and Blend sugar and juice until smooth. Drizzle over scones 15 minutes after they have finished butter together in a glass bowl in the microwave on defrost setting. Cool slightly. Whisk eggs and egg baking. MSN yolks in large bowl to blend. Sift flour and sugar into
Molten Chocolate Cakes
Harper and Madison posts this cinch-to-make dessert recipe on its web site. It is perfect for a holiday, special celebration, or whenever you have a craving for chocolate. If you like a more intense chocolate flavor, increase the chocolate another 1-3 ounces. Makes six servings 5-ounces bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, chopped
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the egg mixture, whisk together, and then whisk in chocolate mixture. Pour batter into dishes, dividing equally. Cakes can be cooked either immediately or covered and refrigerated for up to a day. Bake cakes until sides are set but center remains soft and runny, about 11 minutes or up to 14 minutes for batter that was refrigerated. Run small knife around cakes to loosen. Immediately turn cakes out onto individual plates. Serve with vanilla ice cream or dusted with powdered sugar. MSN
If you have difficulty understanding words clearly over the phone, just fill out this form!
The Montana Telecommunications Access Program (MTAP) provides FREE assistive telephone equipment to those who qualify, making it easier to use the phone to do business or keep in touch with family and friends.
Joanie Swords displays the delicious, delectable delights that she serves daily at Harper and Madison in Billings. [Photo provided by Joanie Shields]
MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 17
Equipment available through MTAP includes: •A Amplified telephones • Captioned telephones Capt • Loud bell ringers TTYs • Artificial Larynxes A • And much, much more! mu
Return form to: MTAP P. O. Box 4210, Helena, MT 59604
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For more information just mail us this form or call toll-free 1-800-833-8503
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DECEMBER 2015/JANUARY 2016
Thank You
Participants of Montana’s Nursing Home Quality Care Collaborative for putting your residents at the center of all you do
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nursing homes in Montana have joined
Mountain-Pacific’s Nursing Home Quality Care Collaborative
Blackfeet Care Center, Browning and Heritage Acres Nursing Home, Hardin are the Collaborative’s newest participants. They join: Apple Rehab Cooney, Helena Awe Kualawaachee CC, Crow Agency Beartooth HCC, Columbus Benefis SVC, Great Falls Benefis Teton Medical Center NH, Choteau Big Sandy MC, Big Sandy Big Sky HCC, Helena Billings Health & Rehab Community, Billings Brendan House, Kalispell Bridger Healthcare Community Community, Bozeman Broadwater Health Center, Townsend Butte Healthcare Center Genesis, Butte Cedar Wood HC, Red Lodge Central Montana Skilled Nursing, Nursing Lewistown Clark Fork Valley Nursing Home, Plains Community Nursing Home of Anaconda, Anaconda Copper Ridge Health & Rehab, Butte Crest NH, Butte Daniels Memorial NH, Scobey Discovery CC, Hamilton Eagle Cliff Healthcare, Billings Eastern MT Veterans Home, Glendive Elkhorn HC & Rehab, Clancy Faith Lutheran Home, Wolf Point Fallon Medical Complex, Baker Friendship Villa HCC, Miles City Gallatin Rest Home, Bozeman Garfield County Health Center, Jordan Glacier CC, Cut Bank Glendive Medical Center Extended Care, Glendive Good Samaritan Society MVM, Eureka Heritage Place HCC, Kalispell Hillside Health Care Center, Missoula Holy Rosary HRH RL, Miles City Hot Springs Health & Rehab, Hot Springs Immanuel SCC, Kalispell Kindred Healthcare Parkview, Dillon Kindred Transitional Care & Rehab-Park Place, Great Falls Lake View HC, Big Fork Laurel Health & Rehab, Laurel Libby Care Center, Libby Livingston Health Care Center, Livingston Madison Valley Manor, Ennis Marias Care Center, Shelby Missoula Health & Rehab, Missoula Missouri River MCNH, Fort Benton Montana Veterans Home, Columbia Falls Mountain View Care Center, Ronan Mountain View HC Community, Bozeman Northern Montana Care Center, Havre Parkview HCC, Billings Polson Health & Rehab, Polson Pondera Medical Center, Conrad Riverside Health Care Center, Missoula Rocky Mountain HCC, Helena Rosebud HCC Nursing Home, Forsyth Sheridan Memorial Nursing Home, Plentywood Sidney Health Center, Sidney St. John’s Lutheran Ministries, Billings St. Luke’s Extended Care, Ronan Sweet Memorial NH, Chinook The Living Centre, Stevensville Tobacco Root Mountains Care, Sheridan Valley Health Care, Billings Valle Vista HCC, Lewistown Valley View Estates Health Care Center, Hamilton Valley View Home, Glasgow Village Health Care Center, Missoula Whitefish Center, Whitefish
The Montana Nursing Home Quality Care Collaborative is part of a national effort to improve care for millions of nursing home residents across the country. To join Montana’s Nursing Home Quality Care Collaborative, please call Pamela Longmire 406.457.5885. Mountain-Pacific is one of 14 quality improvement organizations in the U.S. under contract with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to work within the communities they serve to help improve the delivery of health care and the systems that provide it. Mountain-Pacific has offices in Montana, Wyoming, Hawaii and Alaska.
This material was developed by Mountain-Pacific Quality Health, the Medicare quality improvement organization for Montana, Wyoming, Alaska, Hawaii and the Pacific Territories of Guam and American Samoa and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, under contract with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Contents presented do not necessarily reflect CMS policy. 11SOW-MPQHF-MT-C2-14-14
Roundup’s Allison Saddlery
By Bernice Karnop Bill Allison, 65, loves crafting handmade custom leather saddles. In his Roundup business, Allison Saddlery, he’s made more than 500 of the unique custom creations. When he sees a tree, he can’t wait to make it into a saddle. “I want to know what it’s going to look like when I get it done,” he says. Ask him whether he’d rather be making a saddle or sitting in one, however, and the seasoned rancher doesn’t hesitate. “Sitting in one... there is just nothing like getting on a horse and riding away.” Bill’s fascination with shaping and decorating leather started when he was about six years old. From the family home near Broadus, he visited the Miles City Saddlery. The rows and rows of saddles he saw there are still imprinted on his mind. He made himself chaps when he was 16. Still, he hesitated to tackle saddle making until one cold winter when he was 35 years old. Even then, he says, “It took me over sixty saddles before I had one I wouldn’t sell.” He admits to being drawn back to the old time saddles they built in the 1800s and early 1900s in places like Miles City and Cheyenne, where the cattle trails ended. He likes making this style of saddle and even more, he loves riding them. “They had a lot of class that you don’t see today,” he insists. The saddles had a deep seat and a lot of support and were comfortable for those men who spent their lives in a saddle. “They fit you pretty much like you’re standing in the saddle,” Bill explains. This led Bill to making replicas of old saddles – Charlie Russell’s saddle, Pierre Wibaux’s saddle, and Pony Express rider saddles. These take longer to make than the others, as much as a month, and that’s working long hours. He also makes Miles City Cogshall saddles. According to Bill, at Miles City Saddlery, Cogshall hired as many as 27 saddle makers and they still couldn’t keep up with the demand, back then. Bill has a hard time picking a favorite from the saddles he’s made, although the replica of Pierre Wibaux’s comes to mind. “I got to where I please myself, and that’s hard to do,” he says. In fact, he’s so sure of his work that if a customer doesn’t care for the saddle he makes for them, they can bring it back and he’ll build them something different. His saddles have gone to nearly every state, and people from other nations who come to the dude ranches near Roundup have taken his saddles as far away as Australia and England. Most are sold as working saddles and some for rodeo. The replicas are purchased by collectors and most likely will never sit on the back of a horse. Bill keeps every 100th saddle he makes. These are not like the factory made saddles one finds in most stores. If an individual wants a custom saddle, they come in and are fitted to the tree. They can sit in the different styles of saddles and pick one that suits them. Bill makes his saddles in different shades of leather and uses different patterns for the tooling. His favorites are the old Spanish flowers that are different each time they are drawn. These were favorites of the old saddle makers in Miles City and Cheyenne. The Allison Saddlery is a family business where everyone helps. Bill’s wife, Brenda, makes fancy decorated chaps and chinks – the short chaps. She’s a sewer who used to make their western shirts and even jeans, so making chaps fits what she likes to do. Daughter Tassie makes the tack. Bill makes tooled leather framed mirrors with western scenes done in the leather, and framed pictures of people like Russell and Will James carved in the leather. These well-crafted items are increasingly popular, as well as the larger items, according to Brenda. Bill was inducted into the Montana Arts Council’s Circle of American Masters in 2011. (Continued on pg 21)
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Wisdom From six-year-olds
Allison Saddlery – (Continued from page 18)
After making saddles full time for a dozen years, Bill and Brenda started taking the summers off to run cows north of Winnett. “We take the summers off just so we can get to riding, get out into the fresh air,” Bill says. They take the cows back about Thanksgiving, and do leatherwork from the first of December until the middle of May. The Allisons keep busy with their work, but balance it with play. Bill’s out strumming guitar most winter weekends with the Roundup group, the Drivin’ Sideways Band. They came up with the name on the frequent trips home from Billings in the snow. To see photos of the saddles, chaps, and artwork, visit the Allison Saddlery website, allisonsaddlery.com or call them for more information at 406-323-3309.
MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 21
Submitted by Julie Brantley An elementary school teacher with twenty-four students in her class presented each child with the first half of a well-known proverb and asked them to complete the remainder of the proverb. It’s hard to believe these were actually done by first graders. Their insight will surprise you. 1. Don’t change horses until they stop running. 2. Strike while the bug is close. 3. It is always darkest before Daylight Savings Time. 4. Never underestimate the power of termites. 5. You can lead a horse to water but how? 6. Don’t bite the hand that looks dirty. 7. No news is impossible. 8. A miss is as good as a mister. 9. You can’t teach an old dog new math. 10. If you lie down with dogs, you’ll stink in the morning. 11. Love all; trust me. 12. The pen is mightier than the pigs. 13. An idle mind is the best way to relax. 14. Where there’s smoke, there’s pollution. 15. Happy is the bride who gets all the presents. MSN Bill Allison, Roundup, has made more than 500 custom saddles that now have homes all over the world. Brenda makes fancy chaps and the shorter chinks while daughter, Tassie, makes tack. The ranching family also runs cattle on a ranch north of Winnett in the summer. [Photo provided by Allison Saddlery]
Lifes L ifesmemories
MSN
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You dream of enough college savings for her future. Achieve Montana offers 529 investments for tax benefits now, and college savings for the future. Anyone can contribute to a child’s college savings. Plus, through our Ugift® option it’s safe and easy to help build their savings. Give your grandchildren the chance to explore all they want in life. START AN ACCOUNT TODAY FOR AS LITTLE AS $25. achievemontana.com · 1.877.486.9271 Investing in Achieve Montana is an important decision for you and your family. Please carefully review and consider the Enrollment Kit available at achievemontana.com before making a decision to invest. An Achieve Montana account is not insured by Montana and neither the principal invested nor the investment return is guaranteed by the State of Montana.
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Warm the Heart, Body, and Palate
By Ann Hattes “Scotch. The very word is enough to send waves of warmth through your body, and to revive flagging spirits on a cold winter’s day,” says the Cocktail Whisperer, Warren Bobrow, author of the new book, Whiskey Cocktails (Fair Winds Press). He goes on to suggest that with Scotland’s raw landscape and rainy weather, “it’s no wonder that Scotch is so effective in warming the body, its heat filtering down to the very soles of your feet, and the soul.” Whiskey – whether bourbon, scotch, or rye – is the world’s most popular spirit, and Glenfiddich is the world’s most awarded single malt Scotch whisky. (In Scotland, there’s no “e” in whisky.) Scotland shipped 99 million cases of whisky to the world in 2014. America exported a little less than a third as much, Bobrow notes. Glenfiddich, now in its fifth generation and one of the last family-owned distilleries in Scotland, means “Valley of the Deer” in Scottish Gaelic, thus the presence of a stag symbol on their bottles. Scotch whisky presents the palate with a wide array of choices. “Some are sweet and delicate; some are lightly smoky and fruity; and some are dark, heavily smoky, peaty, and earthy,” writes Bobrow. As far as pairing Scotch with food, Bryson writes, “You can rarely go wrong with a whisky and a cuisine that have grown up together over centuries.... Therefore, it’s not surprising that Scotch whisky is, in general terms, a great match with lamb, fish and shellfish (smoked or not), sweets, citrus, and oatcakes, the national snack.” Whether you sip it neat, on the rocks, or in a cocktail, Scotch will engage your palate. MSN
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HELENA AREA TRANSIT SERVICE M–F Except Holidays
Office Hours: 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Curb to Curb Service 6:30 a.m.–5 p.m. EAST VALLEY HELENA CHECK POINT ROUTE
Love and Truth
By Melanie Fennel, Great Falls To me, love and truth go hand in hand. Truth exists in and of itself, but love cannot exist without truth. So what are love and truth really? Love is getting out of yourself and realizing others are the same as you. It is wanting for others the same as you want for yourself. Love is forsaking no one, letting no one go without – even with great sacrifice. Love is understanding others’ needs and helping to change the circumstances, so that those needs no longer exist. Truth is that intrinsic something that cannot be changed, contaminated, or destroyed. We may lie and cheat… but the truth still exists and will always be found. If we let truth guide us, we will find our way to love of life, of ourselves, and of others. Love is when you buy yourself a new pair of
shoes, and you know a poor person does not have a pair and you buy them a new pair also. It’s not love to give the poor your old pair that are falling apart and that you were going to throw away. Truth says that the poor are people too, not receptacles for others’ castoffs and garbage. It is love to get behind the wheel of a car and drive safely, knowing other people rely on our safe driving. Socially responsible conduct is love. Thinking of others and following the Golden Rule are love. This is the giving time of year when we are focused on kindness and generosity and giving seems easy. But we must focus on love and kindness at all times – not just on religious holidays. Let’s pause, reflect, and soften our hearts to help those less fortunate. Let us live love and truth.
“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep, to gain what he cannot lose.” – Jim Elliot “I would prefer to combat the, ‘I’m special’ feelings not by the thought, ‘I’m no more special than anyone else,’ but by the feeling, ‘everyone is as special as I.” – C.S. Lewis “Love is not only something you feel. It’s something you do.” – David Wilkerson “The best portion of a good man’s life is his little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and love.” – William Wordsworth “There is no exercise better for the heart than reaching down and lifting people up.” – John Andrew Holmer “Wisdom is only found in truth.” – Wolfgang Von Goethe “Some people are so intractably vain that when they admit they are wrong, they want as much credit for admitting it as if they were right.” – Sydney Harris “Everybody thinks of changing humanity, and nobody thinks of changing himself.” – Leo Tolstoy
“Everyman is guilty of all the good he didn’t do.” – Voltaire “Change your heart and you change the world.” – Norman Vincent Peale “It is becoming more and more obvious that it is not starvation, not microbes, not cancer, but man himself who is mankind’s greatest danger.” – Carl Gustav Jung “Money spent on myself may be a millstone about my neck; money spent on others may give me wings like angels.” – R.D. Hitchcock “To be clever enough to get a great deal of money, one must be stupid enough to want it.” – G.K. Chesterton “Men are not against you; they are merely for themselves.” – Gene Fowler “Kindness is the golden chain by which society is bound together.” – Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe “The high destiny of the individual is to serve rather than to rule.” – Albert Einstein “Living without loving is merely existing” – George Sweeting MSN
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The Christmas Stocking
By Marti Healy It was at the bottom of the box. Carefully folded. Tucked in among the packages that were wrapped in colorful reds, greens, and patterns of snowmen and Santas. It was my childhood Christmas stocking. It had been delivered to me in a brown cardboard box – shipped by my parents who had obviously uncovered it as they continue to downsize and dispose of and pass along a family’s lifetime of accumulation. There, together with the packages of new surprises and unknown delights intended for opening this upcoming Christmas morning, was the unexpected, well-worn, red-and-white-cloth memory. My hands reached for it first. I knew immediately what it was even before I turned it over and saw the familiar script-written “Martha” across the white band at the top. My heart filled with joy and sadness. Simultaneous, spontaneous, tears and smiles. Something caught in my throat. This was not my first Christmas stocking. Somewhere, in an attic-stored trunk I know I could find that one. Colors faded. Fabric worn thin, even to nothingness in places. That original stocking had outlines of Santa in his sleigh and candy canes. It was long and thin and held my first blocks and a small cloth doll and, later, a set of jacks.
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But not far into my life, my mother must have decided it would be fun for us all to have matching stockings to hang across the fireplace mantel. These stockings, however, were for decoration only, rather than filling with tiny treasures. Each of these mantel stockings was made of red felt. Graduating in sizes – from Dad’s largest to Mom’s to my older sister’s to mine as the smallest. A baby-size was added for my little sister after a nine-year spread in ages. Attached to the top of each stocking was a wide band of white felt. At the left edge, there was a cloth loop for hanging. And across the white top band was written in bright red ink, in plain script lettering, our first names. More than anticipated treats and seasonal secrets, to me, these stockings represented our family. There we were, all together, a “set.” Different sizes, different names. But we matched. We were complete. We belonged to each other. Hung across that Christmas mantelpiece every year was redand-white-felt proof that we were a family. I don’t remember when the red felt stockings were first omitted from the rest of the decorations. I suppose they fell out of fashion after awhile. Or perhaps it was when we began to grow our own families. And we all moved away to different houses, different towns, and different states. As the only daughter without my own family, however, I continued to join the rest for Christmas in their homes. It is great fun to be visiting Aunt Martha, who arrives in a flurry of snow, presents, (Continued on page 43)
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A Man For The Outdoors: Jack Ballard By Gail Jokerst; gailjokerst.com It is no coincidence that Jack Ballard is one of the most widely published outdoor writers and photographers in America today. Chance had nothing to do with his success. But two facets from his Montana past did – a zeal for reading and growing up on an expansive farm-ranch near Three Forks. “You can occasionally get lucky being at the
NEW! WESTERN ART EXHIBIT The Jefferson County Museum
Located at 9 Main Street, Clancy in the Old Elementary School Building which was built in 1898.
Dramatic Moments:
Frederic Remington’s Early Engravings, 1882-1893 Feb 5–May 15, 2016
Lee Silliman, exhibit owner, speaks about his exhibit’s 37 vintage engravings which helped launch Remington’s career Saturday, April 22 at 7pm Exhibit’s grand opening Feb 6 with refreshments from 1–6pm
Admission Free, Donations Accepted
Open Fri-Sat 1-5pm
For Info, Speakers & Special Tours 406-933-5528 | 406-933-5861 11 miles S of Helena between Montana City & Jefferson City
sites.google.com/site/jeffersoncountymuseum
right place at the right time with photography. develop a sense of urgency and punctuality about But you can’t get lucky with writing,” explains work and doing tasks on time.” Jack, whose freelance stories and photos have Although Jack’s father was not formally eduappeared in over 50 regional and national pub- cated, he was curious about the outdoor world, lications. “Some people which left a lasting imprint may have an innate gift on Jack. with words but unless you “Dad put out bird feeders take your art seriously and and had a bird identification work at it, you won’t be a book nearby. He hunted and good writer. That requires we fished. He had really deliberately mastering the good eyesight and was exmechanics of writing and ceptional at spotting game,” using different literary deremembers Jack. “When vices that lead to artistic we were out on the ranch, writing.” he’d often say, ‘Look at the Jack’s interest in the buck or watch that coyote!’ written word traces back to It was woven into the fabric his childhood when he and of running our ranch and the his six siblings could often occupation there.” be seen curled up with a By the time Jack began book once chores were penning his first stories in done. the early 1990s; he had “There was no TV on acquired two Masters Dethe ranch for entertaingrees and was lecturing for ment but we had a pretty Montana State University robust collection of outdoor on the history and philosoyouth fiction available at phy of public education. He home. During the summer did not have any academic when we couldn’t get to the training in writing but taught Red Lodge’s Jack Ballard is widely known for school library, we ordered himself the craft through pahis photos and articles covering hunting, angling, a box of books from the and natural history as well as snowshoeing and tience and persistence. As state library in Helena. I alpine and Nordic skiing. [Photo provided by Jack he says, “If you read good would read them over and Ballard] writing, a certain amount of over,” recalls Jack, who it inevitably rubs off on you.” now makes his home in Red Lodge. “I was a voraJack soon learned that if he wanted to sell cious consumer of fiction books on wildlife based his photos, editors would need a specific reason in biology. Yellow Eyes and The Black Wolf of to publish them. So he focused on creating textSavage River were two I wore out the covers on.” photo packages realizing if he sold the article idea, In fact, you can see the influence these books photos could follow. And they did. had on Jack if you search Amazon for The Black “I figured out pretty quickly that unless a magaWolf of Savage River. You will find one of Jack’s 10 zine had a need for photos, I would twiddle my book titles listed below it thumbs waiting for a sale. But if I wrote an article – Wolves: A Falcon Field about meadowlarks, that would provide the opGuide. portunity to sell my meadowlark photos.” Like his other sibJack’s advice to anyone considering a similar lings, Jack assumed endeavor reflects the path he followed. farm responsibilities “If you want to do something, learn everything early on. At six years you can about it and work hard. Approach your old, he was feeding 100 vocation in an analytical manner and you can be laying hens daily for his a success at anything,” says this award-winning mom who collected and author. sold the eggs. While many people regard his career as glam“As I got older, I did orous, that is not an adjective Jack would use to more jobs – feeding the describe his profession despite the varied places hogs and cattle, driving and opportunities it has brought him. the tractor, putting up “When you are staring at your computer screen hay and stacking bales at midnight knowing you have a deadline coming by hand. Every ranch soon, it is just a job,” he admits. “I awake every from that era did those day knowing if I’m not producing, I’m not getting things,” recounts Jack. paid. I’m either unemployed or I’m working.” “When you grow up in As an outdoorsman and Montanan, Jack is that environment, you especially concerned about future access to public develop work habits and private lands so his home state’s hunting and that are invaluable. You fishing legacies are preserved. “When I was growing up, we assumed families hunted. You can’t assume that anymore. We hunted our land and hunted on neighbors’ places. But ownerships have changed. Many ranches now have absentee owners and on-site managers,” notes Jack. “If you knock on those doors and ask to hunt, you will likely be told the ranch is not open for hunting.” Not surprisingly, Jack feels strongly about supporting public and private programs and organizations that strategically acquire private lands to make them public. Whenever possible and appropriate, his prose educates readers to learn more about this important issue. Jack cites organizations such as the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, the Montana Wildlife Federation, Montana Public Lands Access Association, and
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Backcountry Hunters and Anglers as examples of groups working alone and cooperatively along those lines. When he is not backpacking in remote forests, fishing at timberline, or on intimate terms with his computer keyboard, Jack can be found renovating fixer-uppers he has bought around Red Lodge. He enjoys the physical work, which he considers, “a good counterpoint to the writing and photography.” And when he really wants to tilt his world
upside-down, Jack and his wife Lisa head somewhere you might consider the Treasure State’s polar opposite – the Big Apple. “I love New York City, the whole scene, the culture and access to the performing arts, looking around Times Square. There is all that energy. But I have no desire to live there,” adds this thirdgeneration Montanan. “I just like to visit.” For more information visit jackballard.com. MSN
Here Are A Few Fun Things To See And Do As The Weather Cools
Some of the events below run on multiple days, although we have listed just the first day of the event. Please call the relevant phone number or visit the website for more details. Start Date City Event Phone Web Address Dec 1-31 Great Falls Great Falls Animal Shelter – Giving Trees 406-454-2276 greatfallsmt.net/animalshelter Dec 3-20 Billings Billings Studio Theatre: A Christmas Story 406-248-1141 billingsstudiotheatre.com Dec 4-20 Helena Grandstreet Theatre: A Christmas Carol 406-447-1574 grandstreettheatre.com Dec 19 Billings Billings Symphony – Celtic Christmas 406-252-3610 billingssymphony.org Dec 25 Hot Springs Symes Hot Springs – Wayo on the Piano 406-741-2361 symeshotsprings.com Dec 31 Hot Springs Symes Hot Springs – Jerry Mntn Band 406-741-2361 symeshotsprings.com Jan 7-10 Billings Billings Studio Theatre: Seussical Jr 406-248-1141 billingsstudiotheatre.com Jan 15 Clancy Jefferson Cnty Museum - Airplanes/Dolls 406-933-5528 sites.google.com/site/ Jeffersoncountymuseum Jan 21 Helena Grandstreet Theatre: Mothers & Sons 406-447-1574 grandstreettheatre.com Jan 29 Billings Billings Studio Theatre: Outside Mullingar 406-248-1141 billingsstudiotheatre.com Feb 5 Clancy Jefferson Cnty Museum - Remington 406-933-5528 sites.google.com/site/ Jeffersoncountymuseum MSN
Discover the Montana Audubon Center in Billings By Bernice Karnop Readers may know that the mission of the Montana Audubon Society is “to promote appreciation, knowledge, and conservation of Montana’s native birds, other wildlife and natural ecosystems, and to safeguard biological diversity for current and future generations.” What they may not know is how the organization implements its mission on the ground. One place you can see what Audubon has done, is on a 27-acre former gravel pit along the Yellowstone River, within sight of Montana’s largest metropolitan center, Billings. After I-90 was completed, the Yellowstone
River Parks Association, Yellowstone Valley Audubon Society, and Montana Audubon collaborated to restore this large gravel mine. They brought in an “unfathomable amount” of topsoil, and, starting in 1998; volunteers planted more than 65,000 trees and shrubs. Dozens of schools and local businesses supported the project, known now as the Montana Audubon Center (MAC). All of the birds, deer, fox, and other creatures came on their own except fish stocked in three constructed ponds. Accessible trails with benches allow grandparents to sit while children explore. Included is an exciting Americans with
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Disabilities Act compliant play space –the only playground in the Billings area accommodating children with disabilities. “It’s about experiencing nature in a safe area, using their imagination, and having as little plastic and metal as possible,” says Laura Woodward, the MAC’s naturalist and volunteer coordinator. The play space includes balance beams that children can move and rearrange, and a music corner where children can bang on
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a mahogany turtle and hear the different tones that come from different spots. It also has such things as a tipi and a nest building area. The visitor center is only five years old and has a naturalist on hand to answer questions and help visitors see live turtles, toads, and fish. Grandparents with visiting grandchildren sign them up for fun summer camps geared for youngsters as young as 4 years old up to those in eighth grade. The MAC offers after school programs, pre-school programs, home school programs, and family programs. Billings fourth graders are “super excited” about an educational field trip they can visit three times in the year. The building is open Sunday through Friday (call for hours). Sunday family programs change frequently and it’s good to call to see what is scheduled. It can be anything from bird watching to bug catching or even canoeing. Norm’s Island in the Yellowstone River, a canoeing destination, gives a look at a little different ecosystem. Kids can also fish in the ponds. Of course, there is no need to wait until the
visitor center is open. “People can drop in anytime the sun is up,” says Laura Woodward. They can walk the accessible trails, sit on a bench and watch the birds, or just drink in the serene natural environment. There’s no charge to access the grounds and the activities generally have a $2 fee for materials. On the conservation side of the MAC’s mission, are such projects as removing invasive plants, composting, replacing trees, and tending the wildflower garden. South-central Montana eco-systems such as prairie, riparian cottonwood, and flood plain ecosystems are reproduced at the Center. According to its website, the Montana Audubon Center is “a regional hub for placed-based education, conservation/environmental research and mentoring, citizen science, and Yellowstone River Basin natural history.” As a non-profit organization, the MAC can always use donations. They also welcome volunteers who like to work with children, answer phones, or dig in the dirt. Call 406-294-5099 to learn more. MSN
RVing: Today’s Campgrounds Offer Challenging Activities like Zip Lines and “Wet and Wild” Fun By Ann Hattes RVing is the quintessential American product and industry, and nowhere do more Americans gather to celebrate their love of RVing than at The Rally, held annually at various sites around the U.S. (last year in Phoenix, AZ ., Feb 26 – Mar 1, 2015, 2016 TBA). Attendees from every state and province in the U.S. and Canada gather to celebrate their passion of the open road and to learn about the RV industry. The Rally features the latest in recreational vehicles (RVs) and accessories with live entertainment, family-friendly activities, and educational seminars. New RV models from top manufacturers are displayed and available for test drives. (www.therally.com) Campgrounds and RV resorts today offer an increasing variety of challenging physical activities like ziplines, rope courses, and “wet and wild” weeks. Some offer paintball and laser tag while Pineland Camping Park in Arkdale, Wis., has just installed a 4-story inflatable waterslide. Granville, Ohio,
Winter Driving Tips
Keep windows, mirrors, and lights clear of snow and ice. Drive with headlights on. Don’t use cruise control with wet, snowcovered, or icy roads. Drive an appropriate speed for conditions. Watch for ice on bridge decks and in shaded areas. Always wear your seatbelt.
Safe Driving Near Plows When approaching a plow from the rear, reduce speed. Hang back. Don’t crowd the plow. Plow operators will pull over as soon as it’s safe to do so. When approaching an oncoming plow, don’t crowd the centerline.
For Road Conditions Call 511 or visit www.mdt511.com Mobile app available on our website 800.226.7623 | 800.335.7592 (TTY)
DECEMBER 2015/JANUARY 2016
campground owner Mark Kasper shook his head in disbelief when his 79-year-old mother, Phyllis, climbed a 30-foot staircase and rode his park’s 300-foot long zipline, literally dangling alongside a river that skirts the west end of the park. That was a few years ago, and to this day, 83-year-old Phyllis Kasper holds the record for being the oldest person to ride the zipline at Lazy River a 195-site campground just east of Columbus. But don’t think for a moment that the elder Kasper will easily surrender her title. “She told me that if anyone older than she rides the zipline, she’ll wait until she reaches that age and ride it again,” Mark Kasper said. “We hope she will.” As campgrounds across the country are investing in unique and challenging physical activities to keep their guests entertained, other parks are offering unique accommodations. Treehouse Camp in Rohrersville, Md., near the Appalachian Trail, for example, offers its guests the chance to escape to the forest, while spending the night in tree house cottages that literally stand on stilts, eight to 10 feet above the ground. “The kids really have a lot of fun here, and when the kids are happy, the parents are happy, said Louise Soroko, the park’s co-owner. Here’s a sampling of other privately owned and operated campgrounds, RV parks, and resorts across the country that offer unique activities and accommodations: • Beaver Lake Campground in Custer, S.D., an 81-site campground located 20 to 25 minutes from Mount Rushmore and Wind Cave National Park, offers a 360-foot-long water slide as well as cabin and teepee rentals, and more than 40 bicycles for guest use. • Camp Taylor Campground, Columbia, N.J., just one hour from New York City, has a wolf preserve on site with 25 arctic and gray wolves, so you can literally hear them howl at night. Deer and bear sightings are also common here. • Coloma Resort in Coloma, Calif., located near the site where gold was discovered in California, offers a challenging ropes course as well as opportunities for gold panning, white water rafting, and classes in yoga. For those who don’t have their own RV or tent, the resort also offers tent cabins and RVs, park models, and bunkhouse rentals. • Heavenly Acres in Stanardsville, Va., not far from Shenandoah National Park, has train cabooses that have been remodeled into cabins. Each caboose comes equipped with a fully equipped
MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 31
kitchen and bathroom. The park, which also offers fishing, mountain bike trails, and hayrides, also offers standard cabins and RV sites. • Redbeard’s Ranch in Lebanon, Mo., offers quiet campsites on a wooded 295-acre ranch with weekend bow hunting of whitetail deer and wild turkey. The park, located along the Niangua River, has weekend classes in fly-fishing, along with canoe, raft, and kayak rentals and hayrides. The park also offers three heated Sioux Indian-style teepees, which are popular with families, as well as a fully furnished, luxury “Glamping” tent cabin. • Sweetwater Campground, RV Park & Riding Stables in Loranger, La., roughly 50 miles northwest of New Orleans, offers daily guided horseback riding as well as periodic rodeos. “Camping enthusiasts always seek access to water, whether it’s rivers, lakes, swimming pools, or along the beach. But many parks find they can further enhance their appeal by offering fun, waterrelated activities,” said Linda Profaizer, president and CEO of the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds. Some campgrounds organize water war competitions that pit staff against guests and involve virtually everyone in the campground “There are three adjectives we like to hear. Awesome, sweet, or wow! If I get one of those out of the adults or their kids, I’m doing my job, said Wisconsin campground owner Bud Styer. Styer caters to an active family crowd, the kind of people who will go through 14,000 water balloons in a weekend game of “water wars” in which everyone in the campground gets wet. Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp-Resort in Williamsport, Md. has held a Wet and Wild Week. “Wherever you are in the park and whatever you do that week, there is a very good chance you are going to get wet,” said park co-owner Vicki Vitkun. “We have water balloon fights. We do a water balloon pitch burst. We do wet sponge ball fights, big water gun battles, volleyball in the pool, and basketball in the pool. Everything is wet.” Meanwhile, the KOA in Rusk, Texas, has installed a new Frisbee skills court. “But watch out for the water hazards,” warns park owner Walter Preble. “Everyone gets wet.” For help locating unique campgrounds visit www.gocampingamerica.com. MSN
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DECEMBER 2015/JANUARY 2016
DECEMBER 2015/JANUARY 2016
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DECEMBER 2015/JANUARY 2016
Feathered Friendships: Frankie Moves In younger children, a connection that brings meanBy Bernice Karnop There’s a new resident at Village Health Care ing and purpose to them. She knew how endearing Center in Missoula, but unlike most residents, he Speckles was to the residents, so when he passed on, another cockatiel was has no wrinkles or stubby a must. whiskers on his face. For “Animals are just as one thing, he’s just a important to the healing baby, and second, he’s process as the meals a cockatiel, so his face is and the care one gets,” covered with bright feathshe says. ers. Although the average Frank ie has only resident is 80, no generabeen there a few weeks tion gap exists between but the new resident them and this four-monthhasn’t ruffled any feathold toddler bird. ers. He adjusted quickly Frankie is not the first to his new home and, cockatiel to live at the Villike a young child, he lage Health Care Center. learns quickly. He already Speckles, who passed away after being there Pat Lyons checks out the baby cockatiel does a great wolf whistle 15 years, also brightened who recently took up residence at the Valley and his new friends are the day for residents and Health Care Center in Missoula. Frankie, who teaching him the Andy staff. Executive Director, whistles and chirps in response to attention, Griffith theme song. The Kathy Hammond says makes the finest of feathered friends, accord- residents adore him and that residents have a ing to residents and staff. [Photo Courtesy of he relishes every scrap of attention he gets, and connection to animals or Village Health Care] begs for more Sharon Rose, who’s lived at the Village for the past 26 years, describes him as being light grey with yellow on top and orange cheeks. His face is Retirement Living punctuated with a sassy yellow beak and round Montana Style. ebony eyes. “He is very vocal, very friendly, and kind of a clown,” she says with a grin. “Everybody loves him,” says Jaquie Adams. “He picks up our day,” adds Pat Lyons. Loyda Salaberry boasts about Frankie’s skills. “He dances,” she says. When John Philipps Sousa marches were playing, Frankie “went nuts.” He To schedule a Exceptional Lifestyle Choices transitioned into a different dance each time the tune changed, bouncing up and down, and weavpersonal tour, Rising Mountains offers attractive apartment homes and ing back and forth. please call: just the right amount of assistance. We are close to the It took a couple of weeks to pick a suitable 406-837-2698 cultural activities and healthcare facilities of Bigfork and name. Some thought he should be R2D2 because within 15 miles of a top-rated hospital in Kalispell. his whistles and chirps reminded them of the little Independent, Assisted Living, or Respite Care—Your Choice! TTY 711 robot from Star Wars. But when they voted, Frankie 406-257-8162 $1000 off Move-in Special won out, and Hammond says it fits him perfectly. Pat has her doubts whether Frankie recognizes his 225 Coverdell Road • Bigfork, MT 59911 • 406 837-2698 • www.risingmountains.com name yet, but it’s enough that the residents know it. “He has a higher personality than any bird I’ve seen,” says Pat. Two mirrors in his cage serve as two cockatiel friends. He talks to one mirror and then dashes to the second mirror and carries on with it. When a SSISTED IVING OMMUNITY group of children visited, Frankie put on a show, Columbia Falls & Havre whistling, warbling, and doing all his tricks. Sharon Rose misses having Speckles on her shoulder as she moves around in her wheelchair. Wonderful Common Areas: Club/Billiard Room One day he dropped off on to the floor and couldn’t w/Fireplace, Beauty/Barber Shop, Fitness Room, Coffee Bar, get back up. She set her foot down on the floor; Movie Theater, Den/Library, and Beautiful Courtyard he hopped onto the foot, and then climbed up her leg and on up to her shoulder. Large Units: 4 Floor Plans, Living Area, Kitchen, Private Frankie is just learning about shoulder sitting. Bathrooms, w/Walk-In Showers, Bedrooms w/Walk-In Closets, Staff person, Ann Marie Chambers, had him acand Private Patio company her for the first time, giving him a chance to visit people all over the center. 24 hour, Caring & Professional Staff; Affordable Rates; When someone talks or sings to him, Frankie & All Utilities Included gives them his full attention. He looks intently at them, watching their mouth to see if he can repliColumbia Falls 406-892-3400 | Havre 406-265-3111 cate the sounds. Robert Redfield, life enrichment director, says Frankie is someone a person can www.timbercreekvillagecommunity.com tell his or her troubles to when there’s no one else
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resident cat. She actually belongs to one person, but she brings joy to others who greet her when she steps out into the hallway. The Village Health Care Center encourages visits by family dogs, and has therapy dog visits as well. One favorite is a Saint Bernard who is larger than many residents are. The Humane Society did a Pet Shop event at the Center, complete with a rooster, a miniature Shetland pony, reptiles, lizards, and more. One man’s little dog was brought in to be with
to listen. Cockatiels are very social and Frankie seems delighted to have so many friends. It’s obvious that he enjoys his new home because he constantly chirps and warbles. When he’s especially happy, the long crown feathers on his head stand up. “We’re dedicated to our elder’s well-being, and to creating memorable experiences with them,” says Hammond. “And part of that is pet therapy.” As well as the resident cockatiel, they have a
MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 35
him at the end of his life. “That brings meaning and comfort and is a necessary part of life,” says Hammond. Having a bird that shares their residence, however, is special. “That little bird fills a great need in people’s lives. They suddenly open up and once again feel alive inside,” says Hammond. The current challenge for residents, however, is to see if Frankie’s little birdbrain can master the Grizzly fight song. MSN
Friendly Furniture Aids for Mobility Challenged Dear Savvy Senior, I am interested in purchasing a recliner that lifts and lowers off the ground, or some other type of furniture that can help my elderly father. He’s arthritic, overweight, and struggles mightily to get up from most of the cushioned furniture in the house. What can you recommend? Need a Boost Dear Need, The task of sitting down and/or getting up from soft cushioned furniture is a problem for many people who struggle with excessive weight, arthritis, or other mobility issues. Here are some different product solutions that can help. Lift Recliners One of the most popular types of cushioned furniture on the market today for mobility challenged people is an electric recliner lift chair. While they look just like regular recliners, powerlift recliners come with a built-in motor that raises and lowers the entire chair, which makes sitting down and getting up much easier. With literally dozens of different types and styles of lift recliners to choose from, here are a few key points that can help you select a good fit for your dad. • Chair size: The recliner needs to fit the person sitting in it, so your dad’s height and weight will determine the size of chair he needs.
• 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 your dad wants to nap, he’ll probably want a three-position or infinite-position chair that reclines almost completely horizontally. • Style and features: You’ll also need to choose the type of fabric, color, and back style you want, or if you want any extra features like built-in heating or massage elements, or a wall-hugging chair
that is great if you’re tight on space. While there are many companies that make lift recliners – such as Med-Lift, NexIdea, Catnapper, Berkline, Franklin, and La-z-boy – Pride Mobility (pridemobility.com) and Golden Technologies (goldentech.com) have been around the longest and have some of the best reputations. With prices typically ranging between $600 and $2,000, you can find lift recliners at many medical supply stores and online. You will also be happy to know that Medicare can provide some help purchasing a lift chair. It may cover the lift mechanism portion – about $300
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Getting the care you need shouldn’t be one of them. Highgate Senior Living offers full care for all, no matter what your age or ailment. Our team of compassionate professionals can handle almost anything, including complex medical issues and post-acute hospital care. In fact, we specialize in services normally provided in skilled nursing, such as diabetic care and oxygen management, injectable medications, wound care, feeding tubes, catheter monitoring, two-person transfers, and hospice. Just call any of our three Assisted Living/Memory Care communities in Montana, and we’ll make sure your move into Highgate is one of the easiest things in your life right now. Highgate at Billings 406-651-4833
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towards your purchase. Risedale Chairs If powerlift recliners don’t appeal to your dad, another option to consider is a Risedale chair. These are open-legged, wing back chairs that are different from lift recliners because only the seat cushion lifts instead of the whole chair. Sold by Carex Health Brands (carex.com), the Risedale costs $725. Furniture Adapters If you’re looking for something less expensive, or if your dad doesn’t want different furniture, there
DECEMBER 2015/JANUARY 2016
are also a number of assistive products that can be added to his current furniture that can help too, like the Stander CouchCane or EZ Stand-N-Go (see stander.com). These products provide support handles that make sitting down and standing up a little easier, and they both work on couches and recliners. Available online at Amazon.com, the CouchCanes sell for around $110, and the EZ Stand-N-Go costs $129. Another way to make your dad’s furniture more accessible is by increasing its height with
furniture risers. These typically range from 2 to 5 inches in height, are made of heavy-duty plastic or wood, and are inserted under the base of the legs or supports of his furniture. Costs typically range from a few dollars up to $50 or more and can be purchased at retail stores like Wal-Mart and Target, or online at Amazon.com. 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. MSN
Montana Family Caregivers Provide $1.4 Billion In Unpaid Care According to AARP Study
Family caregivers in Montana provided 110 million hours of care – worth an estimated $1.4 billion – to their parents, spouses, partners, and other adult loved ones in 2013, according to AARP Public Policy Institute’s new report, Valuing the Invaluable: 2015 Update. The total estimated economic value of uncompensated care provided by the nation’s family caregivers surpassed total Medicaid spending ($449 billion), and nearly equaled the annual sales ($469 billion) of the four largest U.S. tech companies combined (Apple, Hewlett Packard, IBM, and Microsoft) in 2013. Family caregiving for relatives or close friends with chronic, disabling, or serious health problems so they can remain in their home is nearly universal today. In 2013, about 118,000 family caregivers in Montana helped another adult loved one carry out
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daily activities (such as bathing or dressing, preparing meals, administering medications, driving to doctor visits, and paying bills). “This new report demonstrates that we need to do more to assist the 118,000 caregivers in our state,” said AARP Montana State Director Tim Summers. “Some of the things that will help family caregivers include improved workplace flexibility, respite care, and home care services.” Family Caregivers in the Future – As Americans live longer and have fewer children, fewer family members will be available for older adults to rely on for everyday help in the future. The ratio of potential family caregivers to the growing number of older people has already begun a steep decline. In 2010, there were 7.2 potential family caregivers for every person age 80 and older. By 2030, that ratio will fall sharply to 4 to 1, and is projected to drop further to 3 to 1 in 2050. Impact of Caregiving on Jobs, Money, and Health – Family caregivers report that the stress of caregiving affects their physical and emotional health, finances, and their jobs. • More than half (55%) of family caregivers report being overwhelmed by the amount of care their family member needs. • Nearly 4 in 10 (38%) family caregivers report
a moderate (20%) to high degree (18%) of financial strain because of providing care. • In 2014, the majority (60%) of family caregivers had full- or part-time jobs. Valuing the Invaluable: 2015 Update Methodology – The estimates in this report by AARP’s Public Policy Institute are based on a meta-analysis of 11 U.S.-based surveys of family caregivers conducted between 2009 and 2014. Estimates are based on about 40 million caregivers providing an average of 18 hours of care per week to a parent, spouse/partner, or other adult loved one, at an average value of $12.51 per hour. Caregiver is defined as an adult age 18 and older providing care with daily activities such as bathing or dress, preparing meals, and/or managing their finances, currently or within the last month to a parent, spouse, or other adult loved one. AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, with a membership of nearly 38 million, that helps people turn their goals and dreams into real possibilities, strengthens communities and fights for the issues that matter most to families such as healthcare, employment and income security, retirement planning, affordable utilities and protection from financial abuse. Learn more at www.aarp. org. MSN
DECEMBER 2015/JANUARY 2016
MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 37
Clint Peck – Grape Wrangler and Proprietor of Yellowstone Cellars & Winery
By Kim Ibes For Clint Peck, whether you’re talking cows or wine, it all goes back to good genetics. “My job is to seek out the best,” explains Clint. In the same discriminating manner that he researched his assigned articles on Brazilian or Australian cattle production during his 20+ years as an agricultural journalist, or meticulously investigated cattle breeds from which to buy heifers, he faithfully pursues grapes. Not satisfied with good, he unearths the best. While Clint will tell you that it’s “chemistry, chemistry, chemistry” (those courses he readily admits he pretty much slept through during high school), the quality of Yellowstone Cellars wines rest on the beautifully plump shoulders of its grapes. While Peck makes his wine at the Yellowstone Cellars & Winery in Billings, Montana, he contracts with Yakima Valley wine-grape growers for his grapes. “The Yakima Valley is arguably one of the five best areas in the world to grow wine grapes,” Clint states definitively. It is Washington state’s oldest grape growing region with over 17,000 acres planted in wine-grapes including Syrah, Bordeaux, Rhone, Riesling, and a surprisingly large number of other varieties. The Yakima Valley supplies half of Washington state’s vintners with wine-grapes – including award winning Otis, Kestrel Estate, Quilceda Creek, and Red Willow wineries. Tucked between the Yakima River and Red Mountain, the valley’s climate, soil, and European grape genetics produce distinctively high quality wine grapes in the style of the north-
ern Rhone region of France. “I contract my grapes with Yakima growers at the first of each year,” explains Clint. “All of our grapes are hand-picked, and we pay a premium for that.” For Clint, the reputation of the Yakima Valley, not only for its grapes, but also for the award-winning wines that Washington vintners make from their homegrown product, is just what he is looking for. Each fall, starting somewhere around Labor Day and ending midto late-October, Clint makes his grape-runs. With a trailer hitched to the back of his pickup, he makes short work of the 1,500-mile round trip between Yakima and Billings. Used to the long hours of mixing international journalism and ranching, Clint stops briefly to load 8,000 to 12,000 pounds of premium, Yakima Valley stem-on wine grapes. “We make around 15 barrels of wine per load,” he adds. “Each barrel should eventually cork approximately 300 bottles of Yellowstone Cellars wine. “Right now we have 9 reds and 4 whites,” Clint explains. “It’s continually evolving based on what’s available from Yakima Valley and what I’ve decided to make.” Regardless of the variety – whether Mal-
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Montana Stirrups, Sage and Shenanigans Western Ranch Life in a Forgotten Era
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bec, Dolcetto Rose, or Cabernet Sauvignon – the process essentially starts and finishes the same. Clint’s mad dash from the Yakima Valley to Billings is the first step in his process. Only 30-hours pass between handpicking the grapes in Yakima to crushing them back at Yellowstone Winery in Billings. Most of the crushing takes place in crushing machines, but once every season – typically the last Saturday every September, Clint hosts a “grape stomp.” Once crushed and free of their stems, the grapes are loaded into large fermentation tanks and the chemistry begins. “I went to two different wine-chemistry short courses – one at the University of California Davis and one in Ellensburg, Washington. Both were very specific to the small-scale wine making that we do,” explains Clint. The fermentation process takes approximately 2 weeks, and after testing, re-testing, and perhaps testing some more, and when his palette tells him it’s time, the wine is transferred into French oak barrels to age 2-3 years before bottling. While Clint’s foray into wine making may have shocked his cowboy friends, this fourth generation Montanan had family roots for guidance. “My brother and sister-in-law moved to Washington about 15 years ago and opened a winery,”
Clint relates. “I learned to make wine from them and made my first four vintages in their winery before starting my own in Billings in 2010. “I was 56-years-old and too young to retire,” he says. Tired of travelling for his agricultural journalism and having a rough time making his cattle business profitable on leased land, it was time for something new. “Going into the wine business was not inexpensive, nor was it without risk,” Clint says, “But I did do my homework, found a good banker, and I had a fair idea of what I was doing making wine, but,” he adds with a laugh, “everyday is still a learning experience.” While this Montana boy’s passion was and remains ranching in the west, this cowpuncher turned vintner has found another way to make his mark on Montana’s landscape. Yellowstone Cellars and Winery might be considered a 21st century watering hole – a place for a herd of friends to gather and enjoy a quality glass of wine made in Montana with world-class wine grapes – and made by a cowboy no less. Who would’ve thunk? For more information on Yellowstone Cellars & Winery visit yellowstonecellars.com or call 406281-8400. MSN
Montana Stirrups, Sage and Shenanigans: Western Ranch Life in a Forgotten Era by Francie Brink Berg, Anne Brink Sallgren Krickel, and Jeanie Brink Thiessen; Flying Diamond Books, 2013 Reviewed by Connie Daugherty “We write of ranch life as lived in Montana and other western states through a legacy of pioneer values and traditions,” explain the Brink sisters in the introduction to Montana Stirrups. In compiling their memories of growing up on the family ranch in southeast Montana near the Yellowstone River, the Brink sisters help to document and keep alive a history that is fast fading from memory into legend. It started as conversations shared around a campfire. “The stories flowed and laughter
DECEMBER 2015/JANUARY 2016
erupted… interweaving the memories, transported back half a century... our stories of branding and trailing cattle, breaking horses, hunting and Nazi Prisoners of War in our fields… overcoming emergencies… helping a needy stranger.” Out of this nostalgic family conversation came Montana Stirrups, Sage and Shenanigans. Divided into sections by topic rather than by chronology, the book creates a natural conversational flow. Many of the stories include the sisters’ different perspectives of a single event or situation, which adds a unique and successful touch not often seen in memoirs. Old photos add to the story. “We moved to the ranch ten miles east of Miles City in the spring of 1939,” Francie recalls. “This new ranch was to be ours for the next thirty-three years.” Between typical chores, the girls immediately began to explore and make memories. In the section Stirrups, Sage and Shenanigans, they tell about trailing cattle through a blizzard and about an injured goose that spent the winter in their chicken house. In Horses We Knew, Francie tells about her first horse. “An eighth grader, I owned my first horse – and soon after, experienced my only serious riding accident.” Jeanie relates stories about her horse, Buck, and Anne recalls the time her foot got stuck in the stirrup and was dragged by Dusty. In Trailing Cattle, they each pitch in to tell about sleeping out in the open. “We often slept on the ground when the weather was nice… the scent of pine wafting through the pine branches above our
heads,” Jeanie writes. Anne and Francie recall a stormy night sleeping in the back of a stock truck tucked in around alfalfa bales. “Sleeping in the back of the truck felt snuggly and cozy,” recalls Anne. “When something hit me a hard blow on the shoulder that night I knew it was an alfalfa bale,” Francie says. The wind had picked up and their cozy refuge had suddenly become a trap. Other chapters include Riding Summer Ranges, Hunting – Rancher Style, Working Livestock, Field Work, Rural School, and Neighbors. In On the Home Front, the girls recall how helping strangers who happened by was just normal hospitality. The busload of teenagers returning from camp, a destitute family whose car broke down, WWII veterans hitchhiking along Highway 10 all shared meals. In Creating Ranch Fun, Francie remembers the Christmas older sister, Beverley, came home from her freshman year at college. She was determined to have a pine tree instead of the native junipers they usually cut. They took off on horseback in the morning. Finally, they climbed up and cut off the top of a forty-foot tree, carefully strung it between two horses, and hauled it home arriving after dark. And the tree “was completely bare on one side… the wood polished to a russet sheen.” The Brink sisters’ Montana Stirrups, Sage and Shenanigans presents a perfectly balanced picture of ranch life with its challenges and rewards, and happy and sad times as they record the history of the land they called home. MSN
By Kim Ibes As Joyce Jensen tells it, when she was born the whole world was celebrating. The year was 1945. “It wasn’t because I was born,” she says with dry wit and a historic sense of humor, “It was between the time the bombs dropped on Japan and their official surrender.” It’s hard to get an answer out of Joyce that doesn’t involve some interesting nugget from the past – not her past, Billings’ and Yellowstone County’s pasts in particular. Ask her about her time with the Western Heritage Center and you’ll find out, through a rollicking story, that the center’s building was the original Billing’s library.
“The Billing’s family had a pain in the neck son named Parmly,” she begins. But then you’ll actually learn, in a uniquely memorable manner, how the library came to be known for Parmly, why he missed butter (an important part of the story you’ll have to ask her about), and how this once raw frontier town came into being. Wait a minute let’s get back to her time with the Western Heritage Center. Joyce started as a volunteer for the center in the early 1980s. “This is a museum of
MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 39
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the greater Yellowstone River Valley, not a Billings museum,” Joyce explains. “We were getting calls from teachers to come out and talk about Billings and no one wanted to go, so they assigned it to me.” A good decision, as Jensen has a particularly artful way of engaging young people so that history comes alive as much more than dusty, boring events from before they were born. “What is history?” asks Joyce rhetorically.
DECEMBER 2015/JANUARY 2016
“Well, it starts at the time that you were born (and goes backward). From that time forward it’s just current events.” Joyce Jensen doesn’t just “tell” history, she puts her audience into the shoes of those that came before them – which delights her listeners regardless of age. Her artful story-telling skills are icing on the cake for this MSU Bozeman elementary education graduate (including a graduate degree). When Joyce went to work at the Western Heritage Center she became the Learning Expedition Manager – and explore she did. Joyce has spent much of her adult life along with her husband (now deceased) studying and compiling the history of Yellowstone County. So much so, that in 2003 she was awarded the Eugene T. Carroll Historic Preservation Award – its very first recipient, for the collection and preservation of documents, photographs, negatives, and memorabilia from Yellowstone County’s past. Joyce and her husband donated the collection to the Western Heritage Center where it now resides as the Jensen Collection. It’s hard to keep up with Joyce, even with a little hitch in her giddy-up from a pesky hip injury. Over the years she has published three books on some facet of Billing’s storied past, contributed as a historian to a number of historical fiction books, as well as non-fiction research publications. She’s become the go-to gal for anything history in Yellowstone County. “History can be boring, but it can be fun,” notes Joyce. “I’d rather do fun!” Her career with the Western Heritage Center has come full circle; she retired 2-years ago, yet,
continues as a volunteer leading walking tours of downtown Billings and working at the front desk. Not one to let moss grow under her feet, Joyce also volunteers at Pompey’s Pillar and belongs to the Rochejhone Chapter of the Lewis and Clark Trails Heritage Foundation. The group recently found the campsite where Clark built canoes to cross the river. “Rochejhone,” notes Joyce, always a teacher, “means rock yellow and is the French name for the Yellowstone River.” While history may be Joyce’s first love, it is certainly not her last. “Many years ago I heard a bell choir playing here in town,” she recalls. “It intrigued me as one of the most beautiful sounds I’d ever heard.” That was 31-years ago. Joyce investigated, and as a result ended up playing in two bell and chime choirs while directing several children’s bell choirs for her church – a beloved hobby she still enjoys. “Hobby?” she asks. “I got in a fight with a lady at church maybe 5 years ago, because I said I was the least crafty person in this whole church. ‘Uh-uh,’ she said that she was. So when we figured out what we were arguing about we started laughing because it was so silly.” Joyce doesn’t do crafts, per se, but one might say she is a skilled crafter of stories, a modern day raconteur. Perhaps we might go so far as to say she is the 21st century bard of Yellowstone County. “At the moment I’m not doing a heck of a lot,” Joyce Jensen declares modestly. “But that will change when the next project comes along!” For the history buffs among us, we hope that’s not too far away. MSN
DECEMBER 2015/JANUARY 2016
Macie Ahlgren - Entrusted Defender of Bear Gulch Article & Photo By Kim Ibes “It’s beautiful country,” says Macie Ahlgren, sweeping her hand across the windshield pointing out landmarks that punctuate its rolling short-grass prairies. Girdled by the Judith Mountains to the north and the Big and Little Snowy Mountains to the west and south, Algren’s family ranch, once numbering over 2,000 acres, is home to Bear Gulch, the narrow, high-walled limestone canyon for which we’re headed – home to the largest known cache of Plains Indian rock art petroglyphs and pictographs in North America. Much like the ancient drawings – 90% of which took place between 1000 and 1850 A.D. – the gulch itself is an enigmatic treasure. Over 318 million years ago, the canyon was an inland bay for an intercontinental sea. Its limestone walls are celebrated for an amazing collection of marine fossils buried within its fragile layers covering some 70 square kilometers and 30 meters deep containing over 110 species of fossil fish, many new to science. One such fossil (a chimaeroid) is named for Macie Ahlgren. Two of Bear Gulch’s fish fossils are on display at the Smithsonian. “Echinochimaera meltoni,” says Macie. So studied is Ahlgren on the fossil fish, petroglyphs, and pictographs that the words flow from her lips as if they were part of her everyday vernacular since birth – and for the most part they were. Macie’s mother, Ida Lundin, first saw the Plains Indian rock art in 1947 after marrying into the Lundin family. Though the Lundins purchased the property in 1919, it was Ida that began to appreciate what a special place Bear Gulch was. Though she was not formally educated, nor was she aware of the fish fossils and their 4 YEARS scientific significance, she became the family’s
first self-taught preservationist. “My brother and I used to come over here and slide down that rock slide,” says Macie pointing to a mountain of tenuous shale rock only a child would love. “Mom would usually make us a pancake with peanut butter, give us a pint jar of milk and tell us we could play in Bear Gulch but when she honked the horn we’d better come running,” Macie recalls with a grin. “And we’d sure better leave them Indian signs alone.” Like many of its mysteries, Bear Gulch is slow to reveal itself, given the undulating terrain and our unfamiliarity with the area. Yet, Macie barely bats an eye as she deftly handles the 4x4 down the narrow, steep, and sinuous road that will take us to its trove of pictographs and petroglyphs – numbering more than 4,000 of the most studied and published rock art images in North America. The gulch is lined by massive, cragged cliffs with precarious canyon walls, and at its bottom lays Bear Creek. Now, only occasionally interrupted by beaver dams, the tiny waterway winds downstream for more than a mile before the landscape opens into a broad, grey-green valley where, if you look closely, you can spy remnants of an old homestead
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MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 41
PAGE 42 MONTANA SENIOR NEWS
DECEMBER 2015/JANUARY 2016
wagon road now covered with chokecherry bushes. Macie points across the narrow gorge to the southwest canyon wall that rises 150 feet from top to bottom. Here, rock art covers the surface for over one-half mile. So many images are painted and carved into the wall, it took 7 years and more than 50 people to document them all. The cliffs are composed of various limestone layers, each layer a sediment deposit from the great sea. Its ledger-like appearance seems to frame individually each piece of rock art. As we walk the wall, Macie points out unique details in many of the drawings. We are asked not to touch the ancient art as the natural oils in our skin increase the rate of deterioration. “Many of these drawings are pre bow and arrow and pre horse,” Macie adds. “In many places there are 3 or 4 layers of drawing. This one is a shielded warrior, you see the feet, his arms, and on the shield is a bear design.” Macie counts the
red ochre bear’s claws and points out his tail and then talks us through the petroglyph overlay. The smallest shield-bearing warrior drawing is the size of a pencil eraser, and they range in color from red to yellow and black. Occasionally interspersed among the ancient native art are historic graffiti and signatures dating from early homesteaders into the ‘70s when Macie’s mother quit letting people visit the site alone. Macie and her son began giving public tours nearly 15 years ago. The first year only six people came through this incredible, yet virtually unknown, cultural site. Though the numbers of visitors have increased significantly over the years, it remains one of the Montana’s hidden gems. The Ahlgren’s give daily tours throughout the summer and will provide tours on a reservation basis during the rest of the year. Visit beargulch.net or call 406-428-2439 or 406-428-2185 for more information. MSN
Creativity – Vanessa & Kate Stevens – Continued from front cover Before Vanessa did commercial concrete counter overlays, a creative endeavor she started at age 50, she’d owned Kate’s Florals in downtown Billings for 13 years. “It was a gift store and we put floral designs in a lot of the parade homes,” recalls Vanessa. In 2008, her parents fell ill and Vanessa sold Tammy Compton the store to spend more OWNER time with them. Thus her 406-896-0204 | 520 Wicks Lane, Billings creative energy, along
with those of her daughter and friends, found their outlet in repurposing, revitalizing, and producing inventive new pieces from castoff items. “We all loved being at the studio so we thought we should just open a little store of repurposed stuff and see what happens,” says Vanessa. They opened their doors on weekends only, but with the advent of Pinterest, interest in their artistically revamped wares took off. Vanessa opened her first Salvage Designs store in 2012. “We started with a small space on Broadwater; moving here was a giant leap,” Vanessa explains. At 2,500 square feet, the current location is already bursting at the seams. “But the rent is right and we have laborers that can unload our pallets of paint and stock that we buy from our pickers,” adds Vanessa and both girls breakout into laughter. The storefront is owned by Stevens Brother’s Mechanical, which turns out to be Vanessa’s husband. “It works out pretty well for us,” Vanessa says with a wink in her eye, and Kate explains that they are essentially banned from going into the plumbing, heating, and mechanical side of the building because they’ve been known to raid parts for their projects. “I wish we could lift more of it up, when we go back to their yard we see lots of things that would work great for repurposed projects,” says Vanessa. “But it takes a couple of people to pick up the radiators, they’re so heavy. They watch us now,” she adds barely getting the sentence out through her laughter. Within a couple of years, Vanessa and Kate added Annie Sloan chalk paints to their stocked items. Along with this unique chalk paint, they began giving classes on how to use it to create faux design projects including repainted and distressed furniture. “We’ve already done our own businesses individually and this is something we both enjoy and can help each other,” says Kate. “It’s fun and we’re having a blast doing it. It would make me sad if we stopped.” “It’s just one of those fun jobs,” agrees Vanessa. “We’d probably be doing the same thing even if we didn’t have this space.” For more information on Salvage Designs visit salvagedesignsmt.com or call 406-861-1717. MSN
DECEMBER 2015/JANUARY 2016
(Continued from page 27) and leaves too soon. I have been blessed to have shared 60 Christmases with my family – wherever they have been. I have adored doing it, even though it has meant leaving my own home for the holidays for over 35 of those years. Driving, flying, snowstorms, ice, in the middle of the night – I’ll be home for Christmas no matter what. This year, however, I have decided that I will stay put for Christmas. It is time that I celebrate in my own home, with my own wonderful friends and loved ones right here in this hometown place that I love so much. And, when my stocking arrived in a package today, it was the perfect love- and wisdom-inspired gesture from my family. So, to each of you, my Christmas wish this year is that you have your very own redfelt stocking, a mantel upon which to hang it, blessings and memories with which to fill it, and a family to love because of it. Merry Christmas! MSN
MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 43
PAGE 44 MONTANA SENIOR NEWS
DECEMBER 2015/JANUARY 2016
Presents on the Christmas Tree were in
By Mildred Moss Somewhere on one of your Christmas playlists is the song, I’ll Be Home for Christmas. While humming along as you bustle about making your holiday preparations, you must have heard the lyrics in the song, “Please have snow and mistletoe and presents on the tree.” On the tree? That doesn’t sound quite right. Shouldn’t it be under the tree? Not if you’re a traditionalist at heart and you’re striving for authenticity in your Christmas decorations. That being the case you will wait until the children and grandchildren are “nestled all snug in their beds” on Christmas Eve to put up your tree and you will hang candy, various treats and small toys such as “smart dolls and other whimsies” on its branches. The “whimsies” bit is taken from the family memoirs of one Charles Follen, who put up the first documented Christmas tree in this country in 1833. Follen was a German immigrant, who taught literature and gymnastics at Harvard. The decorating of a Christmas tree was standard practice in his native land, and Follen wanted to start the same tradition in his new home for the benefit of his three-year-old son. Several weeks before Christmas Eve, he showed the cook how to crack eggs around the middle of the shell, making two small cups. These were washed, dried, gilded, and then filled with “comfits, lozenges and barley sugar.” They were intended to be carefully balanced among the branches of the tree. Follen took sheets of colored paper from which he cut ornamental figures and rolled-up cornucopia. These ornaments were filled with more goodies and toys and then fitted with string for hanging on the tree. Candles in small holders were clipped to the end of each branch. A houseguest, Miss Harriet Martineau from London, visited the Follens that first Christmas tree year, and was so enchanted with the decorations,
DECEMBER 2015/JANUARY 2016
MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 45
she wrote a book about the experience. She relates that Charlie Follen’s small son, waited along with other family members and guests, just outside the closed parlor door, while the tapers were lighted until “the room seemed in a blaze.” It was the first time anyone on this side of the Atlantic had seen such a glorious sight. As a safety measure, it is noted that “a sponge tied to the end of a stick” was placed in a bucket of water ready to douse any fire. Miss Martineau went on to prophesy, “The Christmas tree will become one of the flourishing exotics of New England. She definitely knew whereof she spoke. By 1900, every parlor in New England as well as the rest of the country had its very own tree, but never going up before Christmas Eve. It’s quite understandable that the idea of decorating a tree at Christmas time was brought to the United States by a German. The tradition was actually born back in 8th century Germany. Legend has it that a missionary, who later became St. Boniface, returned one Christmas to Germany, where he had brought Christianity some years earlier. There in the village square, the Druids were worshiping a huge oak tree. Enraged, Boniface took out his ax and chopped the oak down. It fell to earth crushing
PAGE 46 MONTANA SENIOR NEWS
DECEMBER 2015/JANUARY 2016
everything in its path. Everything, that is, except one little fir tree that had miraculously escaped the massive oak’s destructive fall. Thinking quickly, Boniface declared the survival of the fir a miracle and proclaimed the tree a representation of the Christmas spirit. For 200 years, fir trees were planted all over Germany, and in the 10th century, the first one was cut down and brought inside to be decorated with candles, apples, paper flowers, and gilt. Paper cornucopia were decorated and filled to represent the fullness of the Christmas season. Germany continued to lead the way in tree decoration, when in the 16th century Martin Luther hit upon the notion of lighting the branches of the Christmas tree with candles to symbolize the Christ Child. MSN
DECEMBER 2015/JANUARY 2016
MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 47
Required IRA and 401(k) Withdrawal Rules for Retirees
By Jim Miller Dear Savvy Senior, Can you give me the details on required IRA and 401(k) distributions? I turned 70 this year, and want to be clear on what I’m required to do, and when I’ll have to do it. Planning Ahead Dear Planning, The old saying “you can’t take it with you” is definitely true when it comes to Uncle Sam and your tax-deferred retirement accounts. Here’s what you should know about required retirement account distributions along with some tips to help you avoid extra taxes and penalties. Required Minimum Distribution Rules Beginning at age 70½, the IRS requires that all owners of tax-deferred retirement accounts – like traditional IRAs, SEP IRAs, SIMPLE IRAs, SARSEPs, 401(k)s, 403(b)s and 457s – must start taking annual required minimum distributions (RMDs), and pay taxes on those withdrawals. The reason: The IRS doesn’t want you hoarding your money in these accounts forever. They want their cut. Distributions are taxed as income at your ordinary income tax rate. There are, however, two exceptions. Owners of Roth IRAs are not required to take a distribution, unless the Roth is inherited. And if you continue to work beyond age 70½, and you don’t own 5 percent or more of the company you work for, you can delay withdrawals from your employer’s retirement plan until after you retire. But if you have other non-work-related accounts, such as a traditional IRA or a 401(k) from a previous employer, you are still required to take RMDs from them after age 70½, even if you’re still working. RMD Deadlines Generally, you must take your distribution every year by Dec. 31. First timers, however, can choose to delay taking their distribution until April 1 of the year following the year you turn 70½. So, for example, if your 70th birthday was in March 2015, you would turn 70½ in September and your required beginning date would be April 1, 2016.
But if your 70th birthday occurred later in the year, say in August, you wouldn’t turn 70½ until 2016. In that case, you would be required to take your first distribution by April 1, 2017. But be careful about delaying, because if you delay your first distribution, it may push you into a higher tax bracket because you must take your next distribution by December 31 of the same year. Also note that you can always withdraw more than the required amount, but if you don’t take out the minimum, you’ll be hit with a 50 percent penalty on the amount that you failed to withdraw, along with the income tax you owe on it. Distribution Amounts Your RMD is calculated by dividing your taxdeferred retirement account balance as of Dec. 31 of the previous year, by an IRS estimate of your life expectancy. A special rule applies if your spouse is the beneficiary and is more than 10 years younger than you are. IRA withdrawals must be calculated for each IRA you own, but you can withdraw the money from any IRA or combination of IRAs. 403(b) accounts also allow you to total the RMDs and take them from any account or combination. With 401(k) plans, however, you must calculate the RMD for each plan and withdraw the appropriate amount from each account. To calculate the size of your RMD, you can use the worksheets on the IRS website – visit irs.gov/Retirement-Plans and click on Required Minimum Distributions. Or, contact your IRA custodian or retirement-plan administrator who can do the calculations for you. For more information, call the IRS at 800829-3676 and ask them to mail you a free copy of the Distributions from Individual Retirement Arrangements (publication 590-B), or visit irs. gov/pub/irs-pdf/p590b.pdf. 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. MSN
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PAGE 48 MONTANA SENIOR NEWS
DECEMBER 2015/JANUARY 2016
Many Medicare Beneficiaries Missing Out on Other Benefits – Benefits Enrollment Centers Can Help
Are you having difficulty paying for prescriptions or Medicare premiums? Is it sometimes hard to stretch your monthly budget to cover all your bills, like food and utilities? If the answer is yes, you aren’t alone. About one-third of all Medicare beneficiraies have limited incomes that make it difficult to pay for necessities. And about 1.7 million of them aren’t enrolled in the other benefits that are designed to help them live independently, stay healthy, and make ends meet.
Sometimes people don’t know about the services, think it’s too difficult to apply, or they aren’t sure it’s okay to get help. Benefits Enrollment Centers are here to make it easy. They don’t sell insurance and they don’t charge for benefits counseling services. Funded by the non-profit National Council on Aging (NCOA), Benefits Enrollment Centers are unbiased sources of information that will explain the different programs that can help you with medical and prescription costs, insurance premiums, and household expenses. Trained counselors will do a Benefits Check-up with you to see which services might be right for you. The Benefits Check Up is simple and will not cost you anything. Here is how it works: • Call 1-800-551-3191 to make an appointment at the Center that serves the county where you live. • Gather information about your income, resources, medical, and insurance expenses, prescription drugs, and household bills to bring to your appointment. And don’t forget your I.D. • The Center will also want to know about the benefits you are receiving now (like your Medicare plans, etc.) and if you are a veteran. • Meet with a counselor who will go over your information, explain the programs for which you may be eligible, answer your questions, and help you fill out and submit applications. • You can expect a follow-up to make sure your benefits have been approved and the services are meeting your needs. Some of the programs you may be eligible for include: • Medicare Part D Extra Help – pays for part of your Prescription Drug Plan premium, deductibles, and coinsurance. • Medicare Savings Program – helps pay Medicare Part A and/or Part B premiums, deductibles, and copayments. • Medicaid – pays for medical care for people
who have very low incomes and helps pay for long-term care at home or in a facility. • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) – provides an electronic card used to purchase food at the grocery store. • Low-Income Energy Assistance (LIEAP) – pays for weatherization of your home and/or a part of winter energy bills. • Big Sky Rx Program – helps pay for part of your Prescription Drug Plan premium. • Property Tax Assistance Program – reduces taxes for renters or homeowners age 62 and over. The Benefits Enrollment Centers are also Area Agencies on Aging and Disability Resource Centers that offer other services (may vary by location) that may be of interest to you, such as: • Meals on Wheels – hot, home-delivered meals, • Social dining – places to eat a hot meal and enjoy the company of others, • In-home and community-based assistance – housekeeping, personal care, senior companion services, etc., • Transportation – public transit and individualized services, • Support for caregivers – respite, training, and support groups, • Senior centers – meet people and enjoy a variety of activities and events, • Legal assistance, • Volunteer opportunities, • Help accessing local community services, • Education and advocacy.*Services offered may vary by location. Start getting the benefits you deserve –call now to schedule an appointment! A short amount of time spent with us may result in big savings for you! Benefits Enrollment Centers Area Agencies on Aging Aging and Disability Resource Centers 1-800-551-3191 MSN
Tax Time – What’s New? Provided by Montana Department of Revenue The Montana Department of Revenue is discontinuing its Form 2M for your Montana individual income tax return. You can file your 2015 taxes using Form 2EZ (short form) or Form 2 (long form). If you file electronically, you will not notice a difference because the software guides you through filing based on your situation. Our online Taxpayer Access Point (TAP) is fast, easy, and secure. If you previously requested a paper Form 2M, we will mail you a Form 2. It has everything you need to file your taxes. If you would like to claim the Elderly Homeowner/Renter Credit (Form 2EC), you will need to file Form 2. If you need help filing your taxes or deciding whether to use Form 2 or Form 2EZ, you can go online to revenue.mt.gov or call us at 406-444-6900 or toll free at 866-859-2254. We are happy to help you! There is one more thing. This tax season refunds will take a little longer to get to you than in past years. We apologize for the inconvenience, but we have stepped up measures to protect you against tax fraud, which extends the time. Thank you for paying your taxes and helping keep Montana a wonderful place to live. MSN
Need answers at tax time?
The Montana Department of Revenue can help you.
Need help deciding which tax form to use? Need information on how to electronically file your tax return? Wonder if you qualify for the Elderly Homeowner/Renter Credit worth up to $1,000?
Call us toll-free at (866) 859-2254 (in Helena, 444-6900) or visit us at revenue.mt.gov
What we have learned from history is that we haven’t learned from history. - Benjamin Disraeli
DECEMBER 2015/JANUARY 2016
ANACONDA
Mike King 118 Cherry Anaconda, MT 59711 406-563-2991
BILLINGS
George Andrikopoulos 2500 Grand Ave, Suite M Billings, MT 59102 406-651-0610 Bonnie Dedmore 405 Main St Ste D Billings, MT 59105 406-248-8088 Tim Friez Friez Insurance Agency, Inc. 513 Hilltop Rd Ste1 Billings, MT 59105 406-248-2507 Mike McElvain 1310 Main St. Ste D Billings, MT 59105 406-248-1213 Brian Nearpass 751 S 24th St W Billings, MT 59102 406-248-2193
BOZEMAN
Jim Paffhausen 16 N 9th Ave, Suite 5 Bozeman, MT 59715 406-586-2200 1-888-950-4727 Dan Rust 1805 W Dickerson Bldg 2, Suite 1 Bozeman, MT 59715 406-587-8287 Jeff Weedin 1351 Stoneridge Dr Ste A Bozeman, MT 59718 406-586-4900
BUTTE
Jim Lynch 600 Dewey Boulevard Butte, MT 59701 406-494-3300 15 West Legion Whitehall, MT 59759 406-287-3907
DILLON
Ted Ori 24 South Idaho Dillon, MT 59725 406-683-2472
GREAT FALLS
Pam Hansen Alfred 2817 10th Ave South Great Falls, MT 59405 406-453-6010 Gary T. Fosse 222 15th Street S Great Falls, MT 59405 406-452-6446 Greg Franczyk 17 2nd St S Great Falls, MT 59401 406-770-3040 Aaron Hamilton 1900 4th St NE Great Falls, MT 59404 406-761-7601
KALISPELL
Sandra Goode - Long 491 N Main Kalispell, MT 59901 406-257-7714
MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 49
LIVINGSTON
Dean Hendrickson 224 West Lewis St Livingston, MT 59047 406-222-2250 125 McLeod Street Big Timber, MT 59011 406-932-5321 Sarah Skofield 125 E Callender St Livingston, MT 59047 406-222-1000
PAGE 50 MONTANA SENIOR NEWS
DECEMBER 2015/JANUARY 2016
Best Steps to Jump-start Your Financial Planning for Retirement By Doug Dubitsky The Guardian Life Insurance Co. Saving for retirement is one of the biggest challenges Americans will face in their life. However, with proper retirement planning and saving strategies, they can get the most out of their retirement years. Learning how to budget money wisely will prepare folks to survive on a reduced income when they retire. Following is a list of best tips to help Americans prepare for retirement, so they can more easily transition to living on a fixed budget. Calculate Debt to Income Ratio How does your debt to income ratio look? The amount of debt you can comfortably carry is unique to you and depends on your overall financial situation. A core question is whether you will have enough retirement income to cover your debt payments – mortgage, student loans (yours or your children’s), credit cards, etc. Work with a retirement planning professional to find out what your financial landscape looks like, and what you need to do to plan for your retirement. Get your financial life in order. Trim Expenses What can you do in order to save money? Cut your expenses! Do you really need to have a 200-channel cable TV or Satellite TV subscription? These are luxury things that you could easily do without if you are serious about saving money and putting more of your earnings toward your retirement savings. If it makes sense with your lifestyle, consider selling one of your cars and paying off the other one. A monthly car payment is a huge expense and one that can really hurt financially. If you need two cars, consider downgrading them as well. Purchase affordable used cars that can make it easier on your wallet each month. Consider a Part-Time Job Obtain a part-time job to earn some extra retirement income. Having some income makes it easier to pay your tax bill, and can give you additional money
to live on, so that you do not start withdrawing money from your retirement savings account too early. If you do not want to go back to work part-time, search for jobs that allow you to work remotely. Having access to your job whenever and wherever can make it easier for you to get work done. If you have begun receiving Social Security benefits, keep in mind that if you are younger than full retirement age and make more than the yearly earnings limit, your benefit will be reduced until you reach full retirement age. This may affect whether you work or not. Downsize Your Home If you are close to retirement, downsizing your home and moving to a townhome or condo may make sense. You may reduce your maintenance costs as well as your monthly payment amount. Refinancing your own home is another option to consider if you need to focus your efforts on saving for your retirement. Mortgage rates fluctuate, so it is important to compare rates often to determine if you are getting the lowest possible rate. Remove Clutter Do you have a lot of unused objects or clutter? Why not sell off some of these items? You’d be surprised to see how much money you can bring in just by selling off some of that old sports equipment from your children or materials from an old hobby. You can choose to sell them on eBay where people bid on them, or you might try a faster method like listing them in your local paper, Craigslist, or even hosting a garage sale. Selling off old items is a great way to clean your home and to make some money while doing it. Rental Property Some people feel the best way to earn some extra money during retirement is by investing in a rental property. Other people may rent their existing home, or convert their basement into an apartment they can rent. Investing in real estate can be a smart business move if you are focused on effective retirement investment planning. Whatever your situation, don’t delay. By evaluating your situation sooner than later, you can ensure that you are making the best preparation for your retirement years. MSN
Volunteers Needed For AARP Foundation Tax-Aide in Montana
AARP Foundation Tax-Aide, the nation’s largest volunteer-run tax preparation and assistance service, is looking to build its team of volunteers in Montana. Tax-Aide is a free tax assistance and preparation program for taxpayers with low to moderate income. AARP Foundation Tax-Aide has volunteer opportunities for people at every level of experience who want to stay sharp while giving back. Tax volunteers will complete a tax preparation workshop from the Internal Revenue Service prior to working with taxpayers. There is also a need for grassroots leadership, on-site greeters, those who are skilled in technology, and dedicated translators who can provide language assistance in Spanish, Mandarin, or Cantonese. Last year in Montana, 177 AARP Foundation Tax-Aide volunteers helped
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DECEMBER 2015/JANUARY 2016
more than 11,634 people file their federal, state, and local tax returns. The program is offered at approximately 27 sites throughout the state including senior centers, libraries, and other convenient locations. “As people age it’s important to be active, stay connected in social settings, and to challenge their minds in order to maintain optimal brain health,” said Tim Summers, AARP Montana State Director. “AARP Foundation TaxAide volunteers are not only helping people within their community but they are doing all those things that help keep their minds healthy as well.” AARP Foundation Tax-Aide has grown remarkably since its inaugural team of just four volunteers in 1968. The program now involves more than 35,000 volunteers and serves 2.6 million taxpayers annually at more than 5,000 sites nationwide with free tax help. Taxpayers who used AARP Foundation Tax-Aide received $1.3 billion in income tax refunds and more than $250 million in Earned Income Tax Credits (EITCs). Now in its 48th year, AARP Foundation Tax-Aide is the nation’s largest free tax assistance and preparation service. Its volunteer advisors understand the needs of lower-income older taxpayers. The program was designed with the understanding that retirement or other life changes may mean taxes can be a little more complicated. Its advisors are trained to help ensure that taxpayers of all ages and backgrounds receive applicable tax credits and deductions. Those seeking the services of AARP Foundation Tax Aide do not need to be a member of AARP or a retiree to use this free service. For more information, visit aarp.org/taxaide or call 1-888-687-2277). AARP Foundation Tax-Aide is offered in conjunction with the IRS. AARP Foundation is a charitable affiliate of AARP. Learn more at aarpfoundation.org. MSN
MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 51
Volunteer drivers needed.
Open Your Eyes to Planned (Tax-Wise) Giving
By Marilyn Parker Director of Planned Giving & Finance Benefis Health System Foundation As you are probably aware, our federal and state governments encourage financial gifts to nonprofit organizations by providing significant tax benefits when you make a gift to a qualified charity. Gifts made using some special techniques can provide even more benefit. These “planned gifts” may be made in a number of ways. One example is a Charitable Gift Annuity, where you transfer cash or property to a charity in exchange for a current tax deduction and a lifetime stream of annual income from the charity. Deferred Payment Gift Annuities are simple to complete, the amount required is within many people’s capacity, and it is a wonderful way to make a very “tax-smart” gift. Another vehicle for a planned gift is a charitable trust, which can also
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PAGE 52 MONTANA SENIOR NEWS
DECEMBER 2015/JANUARY 2016
provide income for yourself or your loved ones. A contribution to an endowment fund is a gift that will continue to benefit the purposes of the charity as your donation earns continuous income far into the future. If you would like to take advantage of the tax deduction for a charitable contribution and bypass some capital gains, you can fund the annuity with appreciated assets, such as stocks. This is a great strategy for making a meaningful, lasting gift without affecting your cash flow. If you are subject to the new 3.8% surtax on net investment income, this strategy may reduce your tax bill.
You Can Help! A year-end gift can impact a student right here at Great Falls College MSU. For more information on how your contribution could make a difference, contact: Lewis Card at 771-4412 or lewis.card@gfcmsu.edu Great Falls College MSU 2100 16th Ave. S. Great Falls, MT 59405 The mission of Great Falls College MSU is to educate and inspire you.
Did you know 51% of our homeless Veteran population have disabilities? Or that 32% of these individuals reside in rural areas? The Montana Veterans Foundation is dedicated to serving these individuals by providing a variety of services, including: A Veterans Service Center, The Willis Cruse House, a transitional house for homeless Veteran Men, Two Veterans Recovery Workshops and much more!
Please join the Montana Veterans Foundation in making a difference in the lives of these men and women.
Contact us at: 1112 Leslie Avenue Helena, MT 59601 406-449-7666
Gifts can be structured to provide the donor with the maximum tax benefit under the Montana Endowment Tax Credit. The purpose of this tax credit is to build a strong future for our state by strengthening our nonprofit organizations, and it provides for a direct reduction of your Montana state income tax. Gifts that qualify for the Montana Endowment Tax Credit also qualify as charitable deductions for federal income tax purposes. Provisions of the tax credit include a tax credit of 40% of the charitable value of a planned gift made to a qualified endowment and a tax credit of 20% of the value of outright, direct gifts made to qualified endowments by corporations, partnerships, and limited liability companies. In both cases, the tax credit limit is $10,000 per year per taxpayer; couples may claim up to $20,000. Several other types of planned gifts qualify for special tax treatment and have benefits to the donor, so as you are planning your year-end charitable giving, you should consult your tax advisor to ensure your plans are appropriate for your individual situation. And, whatever your tax situation, it is important also to consider the charity to which you are making a planned gift. For example, are its goals important to you and consistent with your values? The planned giving staff of your favorite charity can provide you with a confidential personalized illustration of the income and tax implications of your gift. For more information, feel free to contact Marilyn Parker at 406455-5836 or marilynparker@benefis.org. MSN
Year-End Giving Provides Lasting Impact on Students at Great Falls College MSU Without private contributions, Great Falls College MSU wouldn’t be the standout school it is today. Although the Montana University System supports Great Falls College MSU, these University System funds only go so far. To enhance and expand learning opportunities in the Great Falls area, the college continually searches for private support that will ensure this college remains a premier two-year institution of higher learning in North Central Montana. Scholarships enable students to pursue their goals of higher education. Students at GFC MSU tend to be a little older, may have children, mortgages, full time jobs, and other responsibilities not experienced by a traditional-age student. Scholarships allow students to concentrate on their studies and minimize the necessary outside work and many distractions life presents. This year, consider supporting Great Falls College MSU. Your generosity can help someone find the beginning of his or her new career and life’s path. All donations further our efforts to provide the best education and learning environments possible for our students. For more information on how your year-end giving can help students at Great Falls College MSU, contact Lewis Card at 406-771-4412, or lewis. card@gfcmsu.edu. MSN
Failure To Enroll In Medicare at age 65 could cost you a bundle.
If your 65th Birthday is approaching, waiting to sign up for Medicare could result in dramatically increased premiums. Q: I am helping my mom navigate the process to sign up for Medicare. She is 68 years old and wanted to wait until age 70 to collect Social Security to maximize her monthly payments. She thought she could just wait until that same time to sign up for Medicare too since she would have her Social Security income to help pay the Medicare costs. We just found out that by waiting, it will cost her a huge amount more. That just doesn’t seem fair – by not signing up at age 65, she has saved the system money. Is it true that my Mom will be penalized for waiting? A: Yes – you are correct. Signing up late for Medicare could raise the cost for your mom. Your mom’s reasoning is understandable, but it’ important to note that Medicare works much differently from Social Security. For the more than 1,000 Boomers that turn 65 every month in Montana, it’s crucial to know the Medicare “rules of the road.” Most of us are eligible for Medicare when we turn 65, but it generally isn’t something that automatically happens. Medicare Enrollment Rules Learn how planned giving can help you, your loved ones If you are nearing Medicare eligibility, you have and the charities you care about. Also, save up to $10,000 a seven-month signup window called your Initial Enrollment Period. This is the three months before on your taxes with the Montana Endowment Tax Credit. your birth month, your actual birth month, and the three months that follow. During this time, you can call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-7721213, go online at socialsecurity.gov, or go to your local Social Security office to apply. It’s a good move to sign up as early as possible, in the three-month window before your birth month. www.mtcf.org • 406.443.8313 This way you can avoid any gaps in coverage. If you www.mtcf.org • 406.443.8313 sign up in the first three months, your coverage will
Montana’s Future is in Your Hands.
DECEMBER 2015/JANUARY 2016
begin on the first day of your birth month, even if your birthday falls at the end of the month. Medicare Premiums Increase for Late Enrollment If you miss your Initial Enrollment Period, you’ll have to wait until the General Enrollment Period, which runs January 1 – March 31 each year. Your coverage will then begin July 1. Not only do you risk facing a gap in health care insurance, but you’ll also pay more. If you don’t sign up in time for Medicare Part A (hospital coverage), your premium may go up 10%. The increase lasts for twice the number of years you could have been covered but didn’t sign up. For Medicare Part B (medical services), your premium will permanently increase by 10% for each year you could have been covered but didn’t sign up. If You or Your Spouse Still Works If you are receiving health benefits from a job when you become Medicare-eligible, you may be able to stay on your employer’s plan. Check with your human resources benefits manager first to find out how the employer coverage works with Medicare. Note that if you or your spouse works for an employer with fewer than 20 workers, you might have to sign up for Medicare at age 65. If You Receive Retiree Health Coverage If you or your spouse is retired and have retiree health coverage, check with your employer or union to see how it works with Medicare. If You Receive Social Security Benefits If you currently receive Social Security retirement or disability benefits or Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) benefits, you will be enrolled automatically in Medicare Parts A and B. It’s important to understand that the only people who are automatically enrolled in Medicare are Social Security and RRB benefit recipients. For More Information AARP offers an easy-to-use Medicare Q&A tool at aarp.org/MedicareQA. Use it to learn the basic guidelines for eligibility, enrollment, and coverage options. Also, the Montana State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) provides free help to people with Medicare who have questions about their health insurance. These services are free of charge. The Montana SHIP website can be found at aging. mt.gov click on the SHIP link in the left-hand navigation column or call the SHIP office at 1-800-551-3191. Getting to know how Medicare works is an important step in plan-
Here Are Some Chuckles Submitted by Julie Brantley 1. Money can’t buy happiness but it sure makes misery easier to live with. 2. If flying is so safe, why do they call the airport the terminal? 3. I don’t approve of political jokes. I’ve seen too many of them get elected. 4. The most precious thing we have is life, yet it has absolutely no trade-in value. 5. If life deals you lemons, make lemonade. If life deals you tomatoes, make Bloody Marys. 6. Shopping tip: You can get shoes for a buck at bowling alleys. 7. Every day I beat my own previous record for number of consecutive days I’ve stayed alive. 8. No one ever says, “It’s only a game...” when their team is winning. 9. Have you ever noticed that people who spend money on beer, cigarettes, and lottery tickets are always complaining about being broke and not feeling well? 10. How long a minute is depends on what side of the bathroom door you are. 11. Isn’t having a smoking section in a restaurant like having a peeing section in a swimming pool? MSN
MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 53
ning for your future. No matter where you are headed in life, Medicare will be part of it, and signing up for Medicare at the right time is important. Aim for a smooth transition with no gaps in coverage or penalties for enrolling late. Because when you are confident that Medicare has you covered, you can focus on turning your life goals into real possibilities. Do you have a question for AARP Montana? Send your question to “Ask AARP Montana” at MTAARP@aarp.org or 30 W 14th St., Helena, MT 59601 or call toll-free hotline at 866-295-7278. As we receive questions, we will consult with both internal and external experts to provide advice. MSN
History is a Journey Come explore with us!
Donate today or apply for a grant www.mthistory.org
406.449.3770
PAGE 54 MONTANA SENIOR NEWS
DECEMBER 2015/JANUARY 2016
Flowers, Fish, And Fun In Fiji Photos and article by Natalie Bartley Winter is upon us and it’s only natural that thoughts turn to tropical beaches. Think Fiji for the ultimate in flowers, fish, and fun in the sun. With over 300 islands comprising this Polynesian country, boatloads of options entice visitors from around the world. Four of us started our Fijian adventure after an 11-hour flight from Los Angeles. Groggy, we landed in the warmth of the South Pacific at Nadi on Viti Levu Island. Our mission was to scuba dive as much as possible, starting with an all-inclusive 5-day resort dive package on Beqa Island on the south side of Viti Levu. Being Idaho scuba divers who only dive on tropical vacations, we shook off the cobwebs with a few easy dives. Beqa Lagoon
is a 17 square mile area famous for diving with sharks. While diving in Fiji, we frequently saw black tip, white tip, and bull sharks. Occasionally, a lemon shark made an appearance. Divers often see up to eight species of sharks in one dive. On Beqa Island, we hiked to a Fijian village. Keeping with protocol, our group started with a visit to the village chief to obtain permission to enter his village. As always, every person we passed greeted us merrily with the word “bula” and a big smile. So many happy hellos warmed our hearts throughout the trip. With more islands to explore, we headed to Port Denarau in the large town of Nadi on the west coast of Viti Levu Island, our starting point for island hopping in the Yasawa Island Group via the Yasawa Flyer ferry. Prior to departure, we researched and booked to Coeur d’Alene Casino the Bula Combo Pass Jan 22–24, Mar 11–13, April 22–24, June 10–12 offered through AweJuly 15–17, Aug 26–28, Sept 30–Oct 2, Nov 4–6 some Adventures Fiji. $129 Double Occupancy It included unlimited transportation by ferry Includes transportation & 2-night accommodations. Board bus in Butte, combined with lodging/ Helena, Missoula; other stops upon request. meal options along the Yasawas. We created Call Ray Lynn Van Oort at our own itinerary, though pre-packaged options www.bigskybus.com were available. In keeping with the
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island theme, resort accommodations in the Yasawas were labeled with a numbering system using coconut symbols on scale of one to three
Guests at the Beqa Lagoon Restort on Bega Island start their visit with a complementary foot and leg massage.
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Beqa Lagoon Resort, located on Beqa Island off the large island of Viti Levua, offers tropical views of an ocean ful of fish and coral. indicating quality cost. The resorts we stayed at provided inexpensive budget backpacker dorm lodging with shared bathrooms and the option for an individual thatched-roof hut called a Bure with a private bathroom or a shared bathroom. All guests accessed the resort’s open-air restaurant, dive services, beach, and activities. Meals were sometimes included in the package, depending on
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the resort and the level of meal service selected. In general, the accommodations for the Bula Combo Pass tended towards rustic and attracted a wide assortment of clients, ranging from collegeage young adults to agile silver-haired adventurers able to clamber on and off ferries and small motor boats. If desired, floatplane transport to a luxury resort is another option you could access through other vendors. The round-trip ferry ride from the port to the most distant island in the Yasawas took about five hours, with various pauses for the local boats to pick-up or drop-off resort guests and local residents. After observing the various resorts while on
DECEMBER 2015/JANUARY 2016
MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 55
the ferry, we booked additional resorts for our unplanned days. Our nights in the Yasawas ranged from Nacula Island in the northern reaches of the island chain to Waya Lailai and Kuata Islands in the south, and to Drawaqa Island mid-chain. At each island, ferry passengers and their luggage were efficiently scooped onto small motor boats and zoomed to the various resorts. As guests stepped out of the local boats and waded on to shore, resort staff stood on the beach and sang a Fijian welcome song then handed out fresh juice drinks. Often we found red and yellow flowers strewn on our beds as part of the welcoming. Every island was unique. Each offered nearby,
inexpensive diving and a variety of activities. We coconut bowled, raced crabs, line danced, and watched firewalkers. One of the many highlights was participating in a traditional kava ceremony held in the evening. Guests shared a drink made from this Fijian pepper plant sipped from a halved coconut shell passed around the circle. Men and women sat separately. I was more concerned about the beverage, rumored to have a drugging effect, than I was about diving with sharks! Our hosts kindly mixed a diluted batch and I only experienced the camaraderie of the ceremony and a tingling feeling on my lips after consuming the earthly-tasting beverage.
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PAGE 56 MONTANA SENIOR NEWS
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Throughout the islands, the diving astounded me. The variety of fish, corals, and sponges visible in the warm, clear water was a diver’s dream come true. I lost count on how many sharks I saw and how many dives I did. Best seasons for visiting Fiji depend on which islands you want to visit. Initially, we considered a January trip but were told that was the wet season where we wanted to go. By visiting in September, we hit the dry season and it worked well for high-visibility diving in stunning blue water. We first booked our flights during the winter prior to the trip, then the all-inclusive dive resort, and then the ferry combined with resorts in the Yasawa islands. Finally, we pre-booked a few nights in the highlands outside of Nadi at a lodge that had a pack of rescued dogs and cats. While in the mountains, we planned a zip line tour and a hike to waterfalls. Our trip was rich with memories. Woven into most of our experiences was the Fijian lifestyle. We sipped fresh coconut milk out of a green coconut shells and were summoned to meals by the sound of drums. At night, we slept in a thatchedroof hut with the ocean lapping at the beach a few yards away – just what winter dreams are! Natalie Bartley is a Boise-based author of the mobile app travel guide Boise’s Best Outdoor Adventures and the trail guidebooks Best Easy Day Hikes Boise and newly updated Best Rail Trails Pacific Northwest. MSN
A Bure is a beach accommodation common at the resorts on the Yasawa Islands northwest of Viti Levu Island.
Casper, Wyoming: Historic Trails, Cowboys, Oil, and More
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By Bernice Karnop Red and black lines showing the nation’s highway system crisscross maps of the United States like a closely woven net. Maps of the Western U.S. in the 1840s didn’t look like that. One broad red line slashed across the country from Independence, Missouri, to South Pass in what’s now Wyoming. And that red line isn’t a highway, but a Trail. It splits into paths leading to Oregon, California, or Salt Lake City. People today are fascinated and amazed by how difficult it was then to cross the continent and by how many people did just that. A good place to learn the stories of these pioneer immigrants is at the National Historic Trails Interpretive Center in Casper, Wyoming. The National Historic Trails Interpretive Center. More than 500,000 people – roughly the population of Wyoming today – crossed the North Platte River at Casper on their way west to Oregon, California, and Salt Lake Valley between 1840 and 1869. The unpaved trails through this area carried one of the most impressive human migrations in the history of the world. The National
Historic Trails Interpretive Center tells the migration story through the experiences of those travelers, and qualifies for the must-see list of any visitors to Casper today. The center is near Interstate 90 on the north side of town, just before you drop down into the city. Near the entrance, which resembles a covered wagon, guests linger out on the veranda to enjoy an overview of the city and the river with Casper Mountain in the background. Inside a visit begins with a short multi-media program called Footsteps to the West. It recreates the lives of the pioneers, often in their own words taken from journals and diaries. After this introduction, visitors explore seven galleries, starting with a look at the Native Americans who lived in the Casper area and then moving to the earliest European Americans to travel west, the trappers, traders. and missionaries. Separate galleries for the Oregon Trail, the Mormon Trail, and the California Trail explain the different reasons people left the relative comforts of the east for the grueling journey west. Special features include a virtual river crossing of the North Platte River, which could be 300 yards across and four feet deep. Participants crawl into the wagon and follow a man on a horse who guides them though the water. They feel the jolts from the uneven riverbed and witness an upset. In another area, a visitor can heft a backpack like the miners carried to the gold fields in California. Visitors may try pushing and pulling a handcart like the ones Mormon converts took over the mountains. One group of handcart pushers, according to a DVD playing in the center, was the Martin Handcart Company party. They started too late in the season and were caught in an October blizzard west of Casper. They took shelter in what is now called Martin’s Cove but nearly 200 of the Martin party died from hunger and exposure before a rescue party from Salt Lake reached them. Another gallery at the Historic Trails Interpretive Center tells the short but exciting history of the Pony Express. The Pony Express carried the mail from St. Joseph, Missouri, to San Francisco, California, in ten days. Before this, delivery took six
DECEMBER 2015/JANUARY 2016
months. The Pony Express lasted for 19 months and halted when the telegraph lines were completed from coast to coast. This story is a revelation for people of the digital age as they learn about the men, the horses, the organized relay, and the dangers of sending messages in the 1860s. Fort Caspar Museum and Nearby Trail Sites. A short drive from the Interpretive Center to the river takes visitors to old Fort Caspar. At this recreated fort, originally called Platte Bridge Station, where hoards of people crossed the river, visitors see replicas of the Mormon Ferry, established around 1847, and the Platte Bridge, built in 1859. The museum at Fort Caspar covers cultural history from prehistoric times through recent development. Those who are interested in seeing other trails sites may drive out to Bessemer Bend, Prospect Hill, Independence Rock and other places a short distance from Casper. Wagon ruts may be spotted in many places across the landscape, notably the deep ruts in the rocks near Guernsey. Other Interesting Things to do in Casper. Fittingly enough, today’s Casper also has an outstanding network of recreational trails for its
MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 57
citizens and visitors to enjoy. The Platte River Parkway Trail follows the river for ten miles through the city. Other trails feed into it, including the Casper Rail Trail that follows the former Chicago & Northwestern Rail Line through downtown, and a spider web of city trails and streets with bike lanes. Casper Mountain, 8,500 feet high, multiplies the outdoor recreation possibilities with fishing, canoeing, other water sports at Alcova and Pathfineder Reservoirs, cross-country and downhill skiing and other winter sports, hiking, hunting, picnicking, and This striking bronze meets visitors as they come to the National Historic Trails Interpretive Center in Casper, Wyoming. [Photo by Bernice Karnop] more. Other museums in Casper Casper’s interesting downtown was built with include the Salt Creek Oil Field Museum that ex- cowboy and oil money and is filled with historic plains Wyoming’s oil history, the Tate museum that buildings, good independent restaurants, and lots explores local geology, the Casper Planetarium of shopping. where one can study the universe. The Nicolaysen If your “trail” leads to Casper, plan to stop and Art Museum features modern art. enjoy some of what it has to offer. MSN
Anthem Veterans Memorial England’s Stonehenge or Egypt’s Karnak and Abu Simbel have nothing on the Anthem Veterans Memorial located in Anthem, Arizona north of Phoenix. The memorial even has an explanatory plaque on its pedestal so archeologists of the future won’t have to guess what the significance of the site. Once a year at 11:11 a.m. on November 11, the sun shines perfectly on the Anthem Memorial as the sun’s rays pass through the ellipses of the five Armed Services pillars to form a perfect spotlight over a mosaic of The Great Seal of the United States. The Anthem Memorial is a monument dedicated to honoring the service and sacrifice of the United States armed forces. The pillar provides a place of honor and reflection for veterans, their families and friends, and those who want to show their respect to those service men and women who have and continue to courageously serve the United States. The memorial was designed by Anthem resident Renee Palmer-Jones. The five marble pillars represent the five branches of the United Ready for a getaway States military. They are staggered in height from 17 ft. to 6 ft. and arranged in accordance with the Department of Defense’s prescribed precedence, ranging from the United States Army, the United States Marine Corps, the United States Navy, the United States Air Force, and the United States Coast Guard. Additionally, the brick pavers within the Circle of Honor are inscribed with the names of over 750 U.S. service members, symbolizing the support for the Armed Forces. The pavers are red, the pillars are white, and the sky is blue to represent America’s flag. The circle represents an unbreakable border. Anthem resident and chief engineer Jim Martin was responsible for aligning the memorial accurately with the sun. For more information visit onlineatanthem.com/ anthem-veterans-memorial or phone 623-7426050. MSN
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They are close... snowflakes falling, frost on the trees, crunching snow, crackling logs on a cozy fire, and a steaming mug of hot cocoa – yes, the holidays have arrived! Sharing them with someone special could add that extra touch of romance to make them even more memorable this year. Take that first step by sending in your personal ad or replying to one listed below. Just pick up your pen, dust off your keyboard, 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 the address, phone number, and/or email address that
DECEMBER 2015/JANUARY 2016
you provide 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. Please submit 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 February/March 2016 issue, the deadline is January 7, 2016. SWM seeking lady 64-80, to be my live-in companion. I am 64 years old. I do not smoke or drink. I live in Great Falls. Looks are unimportant. Please send phone number. I will answer all replies. Reply MSN, Dept. 32201, c/o Montana Senior News, Box 3363, Great Falls, MT 59403. SWM. Young almost 68 man, 5’11”, 190lbs. Looking for SWF, fairly slim, 60-70 who enjoys the outdoors, fishing, camping, drives in the mountains, eating out, day trips, companion, friend, or more. A woman who likes cooking, cleaning, gardening, flowers, a plus. Financially secure. Are you a woman who likes taking care of your man? No drugs, no heavy drinkers, Missoula area a must. Reply MSN, Dept. 32202, c/o Montana Senior News, Box 3363, Great Falls, MT 59403. Nice single white woman in 50s, 5’3” 105 lbs. 2 years college, part time yoga instructor, social drinker. Seeking easygoing man for LTR, possible marriage. Own your own home, secure. Seeking a man who wants to have fun and be happy. Honesty, loyalty a must. Inter-
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ested in relocating to or snow birding in Arizona, Oregon, California, or Florida. Reply MSN, Dept. 32203, c/o Montana Senior News, Box 3363, Great Falls, MT 59403. Single male, late 60s, fit and active, live a rural lifestyle, built my home in western Montana. I have a wide variety of interests and hobbies both inside and outside and am always open to new possibilities and learning. I am retired with no debts, good health which allows me to do a little traveling around the Northwest. There is a lot to see and do right in our backyard and we are fortunate enough to have all four seasons to enjoy it. I would be interested in establishing a friendship with a lady who has some common interests. I have a phone and email address but prefer an exchange of letters. What do you enjoy doing in your free/spare time? Reply MSN, Dept. 32204, c/o Montana Senior News, Box 3363, Great Falls, MT 59403. Are you in your 80s and feeling lonely? Then please do send me your letter and where I can find you. I will be very happy. I am in very good health and was married happily for 63 years, but am lonely now. I am looking for a lady to share the rest of my life. Close your eyes and dream we are sitting together watching the sunset and I am holding your hand – it does feel good, doesn’t it? So please send me a letter and perhaps we can hold our hands together. Reply MSN, Dept. 32205, c/o Montana Senior News, Box 3363, Great Falls, MT 59403. SWF 5’5”, mid 60s, not skinny, but attractive, intelligent, affectionate, funny, outspoken and opinionated, but tenderhearted. Own home in Hamilton. Enjoy singing, dancing, camping, church, plays, art, pinochle, my 12-step recovery, TLC, chivalry, music, eating out, PDA, family and laughter. ISO a relocatable, real lover of Jesus who doesn’t drink, drug, or gamble. If he happens to be slim to med build, a N/S and working a 12-step program that would be a big bonus. He can be any age, height, or race. I’m impressed by honesty, faithfulness, dependability, being organized rather than impulsive, emotionally and financially stable, high morals, and a sense of humor. If you desire a Christ-centered, lifetime relationship, with
DECEMBER 2015/JANUARY 2016
a conservative born again, spirit-filled Christian lady, please send a photo and address with your letter and I will do likewise. Reply MSN, Dept. 32206, c/o Montana Senior News, Box 3363, Great Falls, MT 59403. MSN
Senior Corps Making An Impact! By Barb Brady, St. Vincent Healthcare You may have heard of Peace Corps or AmeriCorps, but have you heard of Senior Corps? This last year, more than 5,400 older Montanans made their communities a better place as Senior Corps volunteers! Three Senior Corps programs for people age 55+ include the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), Senior Companion Program (SCP), and Foster Grandparent Program (FGP). There are many benefits to becoming a Senior Corps volunteer. Because your service is targeted, your time is effective and not wasted. The program staff coordinates you with your projects, which ensures that your service is a good fit for you. As part of a family of volunteers making Montana a better place, you will be recognized for your service. Each program has its niche; Senior Companions work to keep homebound seniors and other adults independent; RSVP volunteers address a variety of needs, from veteran assistance and disaster preparedness, to helping with a food bank; and Foster Grandparents are classroom mentors working one-on-one with struggling students and youth. Both FGP and SCP offer tax-free stipends for income eligible volunteers. The programs are funded by federal grants through the Corporation for National and Community Service with local match through community sponsors. Senior Corps volunteers are serving their country and for that, we are very grateful. If you want to join this group of dedicated volunteers visit seniorcorpsmt. org/home.html or seniorcorpsmt.org/images/Senior_Corps_in_MT_Service_Areas_3_2014_with_facebook.pdf for contact information for your local program. For information on Foster Grandparents, call: • Billings area at 406-237-3485 • Flathead area at 406-883-7284 • Great Falls area at 406-454-6990 • Helena area at 406-447-1680 and • Missoula area at 406-728-7682 For information on Senior Companions, call: • Central Montana at 406-457-7325 • Eastern Montana at 866-433-4967 • Western Montana at 406-728-7682. For information on Retired Senior Volunteers call: • Billings at 406-245-6177 • Bozeman at 406-587-5444 • Butte at 406-533-2508 • Glendive at 406-377-4716 • Great Falls at 406-454-6990 • Hamilton at 406-363-1102 • Kalispell at 406-758-5712 • MIles City at 406-234-0505 • Missoula at 406-728-7682 • Plentywood at 406-765-7907 • Roundup at 406-323-1403 • Sidney at 406-433-2207 MSN
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MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 59
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MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 61
Prescription for Service: Volunteer! By Barb Brady, St. Vincent Healthcare Foster Grandparent Program Director A volunteer applicant handed me a prescription. It was from his doctor and the only words written on it were, “Volunteer!” Well, I am obviously not a pharmacist, but as a volunteer program director, I could certainly “fill” that prescription! More and more medical professionals are recognizing that volunteer service plays a role in a patient’s physical and mental health. Many of us have recognized this for years by witnessing the service of friends, family members, or even through our own service. And it has been validated in the report from the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), The Health Benefits of Volunteering for Older Americans showing that volunteer service does indeed enrich, enhance, and lengthen the lives of people who donate their time helping others. The report shows a significant relationship between volunteering and mental and physical health, with lower mortality rates, lower rates of depression, fewer physical limitations, and higher levels of well-being. Do you have stress in your life? Are you bereaving the loss of a loved one? Volunteering may help. Studies show that those who volunteer to help others “experienced a shorter course of depression than those who did not volunteer.” Want to live longer? In a study by the University of Michigan Institutes for Social Research, researchers found that older people who are helpful to others live 7½ years longer than those who do not. Many retirees face the loss of “purpose” in their lives and the “identity” that their work provided them while employed. In Formal Volunteering as a Protective Factor for Older Adults’ Psychological Well-Being by Greenfield and Marks, volunteering was found to provide a sense of purpose and lessen the sense of loss that retirees and empty nesters experience when they lose their major role identities such as wage earner and parent. One Foster Grandparent volunteer says, “Vol-
unteering gets me out of the house. I don’t feel as lonely now and I have a purpose in my life to be proud of. No one wants to get old, but just because you are aging doesn’t mean you have to stop living. Volunteering gives me a way to live each day with a purpose.” More than 20.7 million older Americans experienced the benefits of volunteering by serving more than 3.3 billion hours of service last year. Here in Montana we have reason to be proud. Statistics from 2013 show that Montana ranks 16th in the nation for volunteering, with 30.6% or our population serving others. Among those 65-74, the rate was 34.4%. In addition, “those who volunteer at an earlier stage are less likely to suffer from ill health later in life, thereby offering up the possibility that the best way to prevent poor health in the future... is to volunteer,” reports a 2007 CNCS study and an incentive to the young people in your life to volunteer! As for our volunteer with the prescription from his very perceptive doctor? His doctor’s volunteer prescription has worked! He now feels physically and mentally healthier, has made new friends, has a new life purpose, is staying connected to his community, and has made a positive impact through his service. He’s proud of what he does and knows that he’s leaving a legacy. To learn more about volunteering, look no further than your own community. Contact a local non-profit, serve with a Senior Corps Program in your area, help at your local service club, faith community, school, or occasionally lend a hand to a neighbor. Make a difference in your life while making a difference in the lives of others. MSN
Bits of Wisdom Submitted by Julie Brantley Usually the more a man is wrapped up in himself the colder he is. Nine times out of ten, when the unexpected happens we bring it on ourselves. Cold cash melts a lot of hearts that are not affected by warm love. The wise worm doesn’t crawl out until after the early bird has eaten his breakfast. If fortune’s wheel doesn’t revolve to suit you, pump up the tire. Whenever a man makes a mistake, you may expect a tidal wave of explanation. A man may save money, but he need not hope to be saved by money. Jealousy is a tree that bears the most bitter of all fruits. MSN
Volunteer drivers needed.
For many cancer patients, getting to and from treatment is one of their toughest challenges. The American Cancer Society needs volunteer drivers to help provide free rides for people facing cancer in your community.
Visit cancer.org/drive or call 1-800-227-2345 for more information. cancer.org
1.800.227.2345
Visit montanaseniornews.com
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©2014, American Cancer Society, Inc. No. 030420 Rev. 3/15
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Create Holiday Gifts That Keep on Giving
By Melinda Myers Make this holiday season one filled with creating memories and gifts that keep giving throughout the year. Terrariums have made a comeback and make wonderful do-it-yourself projects and gifts for beginning and experienced gardeners. They enable gardeners to continue to grow no matter the weather and can be updated and used as decorations throughout the year with some simple updating for different holidays and other special occasions. Just add a few ceramic items like a Christmas tree ornament, ceramic bunny or other adornment or two that represent the season. Don’t know where to start? No problem. You can create your own from an old glass jar or vase or purchase an elegant terrarium with copper bottom guaranteed to create the perfect stage for your tabletop garden. Or purchase a terrarium kit that includes the plants, container, and all you need. For the artist, young or old, and avid birder, consider a green birdhouse. These biodegradable birdhouses are made from 100% recycled paper and designed to last through one nesting season. You will have fun decorating it with stickers, markers, or paint, making this a gift you and the birds will enjoy. Plus, once the season is over, there’s no need for cleaning. It can simply be added to the compost pile.
DECEMBER 2015/JANUARY 2016
Not feeling artistic? No worries. Give a decorative treat for the birds. Those with live Christmas trees can extend their enjoyment by decorating the tree with colorful birdseed ornaments once it is moved outdoors. Make your own ornaments from suet, peanut butter, and birdseed or purchase ready-made ones. And no green thumb is needed for this DIY holiday beauty. Easy care waxed amaryllis bulbs (gardeners.com) are self contained and easy to grow. The bulb is sealed in gold or silver wax, making it both decorative and low maintenance. There’s no watering or container needed. Just set it in a bright location and wait for the floral display to appear before your eyes. You’ll be enjoying big blooms for several weeks. MSN
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Zinc Deficiency Linked To Immune System Response, Particularly In Older Adults
By Michelle Klampe Zinc, an important mineral in human health, appears to affect how the immune system responds to stimulation, especially inflammation, new research from Oregon State University shows. Zinc deficiency could play a role in chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, and diabetes that involve inflammation. Such diseases often show up in older adults, who are more at risk for zinc deficiency. “When you take away zinc, the cells that control inflammation appear to activate and respond differently; this causes the cells to promote more inflammation,” said Emily Ho, a professor and director of the Moore Family Center for Whole Grain Foods, Nutrition and Preventive Health in the OSU College of Public Health and Human Sciences, and lead author of the study. Zinc is an essential micronutrient required for many biological processes, including growth and development, neurological function, and immunity. It is naturally found in protein-rich foods such as meat and shellfish, with oysters among the highest in zinc content. Approximately 12 percent of people in the U.S. do not consume
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enough zinc in their diets. Of those 65 and older, closer to 40 percent do not consume enough zinc, Ho said. Older adults tend to eat fewer zinc-rich foods and their bodies do not appear to use or absorb zinc as well, making them highly susceptible to zinc deficiency. “It’s a double-whammy for older individuals,” said Ho, who also is a principal investigator with the Linus Pauling Institute. In the study, researchers set out to better understand the relationship between zinc deficiency and inflammation. They conducted experiments that indicated zinc deficiency induced an increase in inflammatory response in cells. The researchers were able to show, for the first time, that reducing zinc caused improper immune cell activation and dysregulation of a cytokine IL-6, a protein that affects inflammation in the cell, Ho said. Researchers also compared zinc levels in living mice, young and old. The older mice had low zinc levels that corresponded with increased chronic inflammation and decreased IL-6 methylation, which is an epigenetic mechanism that cells use to control gene expression. Decreased IL-6 methylation also was found in human immune cells from elderly people, Ho said. Together, the studies suggest a potential link between zinc deficiency and increased inflammation that can occur with age, she said. Understanding the role of zinc in the body is important to determining whether dietary guidelines for zinc need to be adjusted. The recommended
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daily intake of zinc for adults is 8 milligrams for women and 11 milligrams for men, regardless of age. The guidelines may need to be adjusted for older adults to ensure they are getting enough zinc, Ho said. There is no good clinical biomarker test to determine if people are getting enough zinc, so identifying zinc deficiency can be difficult. In addition, the body does not have much ability to store zinc, so regular intake is important, Ho said. Getting too much zinc can cause other problems, including interfering with other minerals. The current upper limit for zinc is 40 milligrams per day. “We think zinc deficiency is probably a bigger
MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 65
problem than most people realize,” she said. “Preventing that deficiency is important.” Understanding why older adults do not take in zinc as well is an important area for future research, Ho said. Additional research also is needed to understand better how zinc works in the body, she said. The findings were published recently in the journal Molecular Nutrition & Food Research. Coauthors are Carmen P. Wong and Nicole A. Rinaldi of the College of Public Health. The research was supported by the Oregon Agricultural Experiment Station, Bayer Consumer Care AG of Switzerland, and OSU. MSN
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Osteoporosis And Senior Shrinkage By Tait Trussell When you get your annual physical, the nurse will have you step on a scale to find your weight. Then, typically, she will measure your height. You likely will be slightly shorter than the last time you were there. People do shrink as they age, and it mainly has to do with your bones. They are deceptively hard looking if seen from the outside. But their solid appearance hides an intricate and busy network of blood vessels that carry nutrients to, and transport wastes away from your bone cells, according to Discovery Health, a health and wellness technology information service. Bones are in a constant process of destruction and renewal until you die. So, as the years go by, bones become weaker. As time passes, you tend to lose more bone than you build. From age 40 to 80, the average person is likely to lose two inches in height, just because of bone loss. Osteoporosis, a condition in which the bones become thin and weak, is influenced by genetics. Caucasian and Asian women are more likely to develop osteoporosis. Bone loss also accelerates in the years after menopause. Bad habits, such as smoking, excessive
use of alcohol, and an overly sedentary lifestyle also can contribute to osteoporosis, as can an inadequate intake of calcium and vitamin D. Does everyone get shorter as they age? Yes. Spongy disks separating the vertebra in your spine deteriorate, so usually your posture also changes with age. You begin to slump. Too much time spent bending over your computer or trying to read a book with small print will do it. Joints become resistant to wear over time because of changes in cartilage. That tissue cushions the tips of the bones in your joints. Getting old makes cartilage lose lubricating water, making it more vulnerable to injury from years of repetitive motion. Osteoarthritis, the most common form, comes about when the cartilage starts to fray. You can feel it in your hips, knees, spine, and hands. If you are overweight, this increases your prospects of developing osteoarthritis. You probably notice you can’t lift as heavy weights as you could several years ago. Aging causes less strength, size, endurance, and blood flow in the muscle tissue. Inactivity does more damage than aging does.
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The tendency to become shorter occurs among all races and both sexes, declares Medline Plus. People tend to lose close to half an inch every decade after age 40. Height loss is even more rapid after age 70. You could lose one to three inches in height in the years after 70 if you live long enough. Some people “may sustain small compression fractures in their spine, often without their knowledge,” says Dr. David B. Reuben, chief of geriatrics at the School of Medicine at UCLA. These fractures can lead to excessive curving of the spine. When it is very pronounced, it is known as “dowager’s hump.” New research by the Gerontological Society of America, working with a team in Japan, found that a sloping spine angle of the elderly, if severe enough, could necessitate admission in a nursing home or the need for care at home for activities of daily living (ADL). As for shortening your height, even the flattening in the arches of your feet can contribute to a loss of height.
Some people are just naturally short and have been since maturity. My mother always maintained she was “five one.” My brother and I insisted on measuring her height one time. Instead, she measured just less than five feet. From then on, we had a nickname we sometimes used: we lovingly called her “Schmaltz.” The best way to slow your natural shrinkage as you age, doctors recommend, is to get regular exercise, eat a healthy diet that includes fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and optimal amounts of healthy fats, limit your alcohol use, and avoid smoking. But you knew these facts already. Of course with a diagnosis of osteoporosis, there are treatments that can slow its progression. There are plenty of short people whose height didn’t hold them back. The famous singer Dolly Parton is barely five feet tall. Harry Houdini, the famed magician, was only five feet four. James M. Barrie, who wrote Peter Pan and was an accomplished cricket player, was only five feet one. Their size didn’t keep them from success. MSN
Screening For Cervical Cancer Important – Get Your Pap Test! By Melissa Baker A century ago, cervical cancer was the most common cancer among American women. Today, it ranks 14th. This is largely due to widespread use of the Pap test, which allows doctors to catch and treat abnormal cervical cells early, before they become cancerous. Having many sex partners and not using condoms can put you at greater risk for developing cervical cancer. Other risk factors include smoking, using oral contraceptives for a long time, and having a medical condition that compromises your immune system. The recommendation for how often women
should be screened for cervical cancer has changed recently. While the Pap smear used to be an annual test, new guidelines recommend that women ages 21-65 who have a history of normal Pap tests should get one every 3 years. If a woman tests negative for human papilloma virus (HPV), she should have the test every 5 years. Women who’ve had one or more abnormal Pap tests should talk to their doctor about how often they need to repeat the test. The Montana Cancer Screening Program pays for Pap tests for uninsured women ages 30-64 whose income falls below 200 percent of the federal poverty level. To learn more about this program, call 1-888-803-9343. MSN
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DECEMBER 2015/JANUARY 2016
Montana Needs More Volunteer Road to Recovery® Drivers Having cancer is hard. Finding help shouldn’t be. The American Cancer Society offers services to help people with cancer and their families overcome obstacles so they can focus on getting well. One of the toughest challenges people face is getting to and from much-needed cancer treatments. They may be too sick to drive themselves, may not have a car or someone to drive them, or may not be able to afford gas or other transportation costs. The American Cancer Society Road To Recovery® program provides patients with free rides to treatment centers, and that’s where you can help.
“Road to Recovery volunteers arrange their own flexible schedules,” says Kathy Velasquez, American Cancer Society senior market manager. She adds, “If you have a car and some spare time, you can help someone keep a very important appointment.” Your American Cancer Society is looking for people who can use their own vehicles to drive patients to and from their cancer treatments. To become a volunteer, please call us at 1-800-2272345 to find out more about this program. By giving a little of your time, you can help save lives while fulfilling your own. MSN
Stress, Lack of Energy, Brain Fog, Forgetfulness, Depression? What’s going on? By Dr. Holly Carling, Vital Health Are we losing our heads? More times than not, I hear people complain of these things but they can’t understand the reason. We all have stress, and probably always will, however, when it is coupled with fatigue, lack of mental clarity, or depression, the ability to cope evaporates. We become irritable, are quick to anger, become despondent, or turn to addictive substances in an effort to manage life’s conflicts. Why do so many people suffer in this way? The most abused substance is food. We power down coffee, soda pop, energy drinks, and sugar trying desperately to get a lift anywhere we can. We fill the emptiness with garbage foods, expecting them to miraculously clear our brain, lift our spirits, and dissolve the stress – but the effect is opposite. To get energy and feel good mentally, you have to feed your body’s systems real food. That means carbohydrates, minerals, fats, protein, and water. And although carbohydrates are needed to fuel the energy machinery of our cells, too many and the wrong kinds of carbohydrates can clog the machinery. Minerals are needed for proper operation of every organ and glandular function in the body, including energyproducing glands such as the thyroid, adrenals, and blood sugar handling mechanisms. Without them, it is like trying to run a car on diluted gas. The greatest density of nutrients is found in the vegetable kingdom so the more vegetables eaten – especially green leafy and cruciferous vegetables – the better!
In the fat department, we need essential fatty acids for many functions in the body, including those responsible for good mental health and energy. These come from fish, avocados, raw nuts, eggs, and butter. As their name implies, these are not just optional, but essential! Quality meats, raw nuts, eggs, raw cheeses, and fish are the best sources of protein. Though protein powders can be helpful, it is important to find one that isn’t processed under high temperatures, which renders many of the amino acids ineffective. And remember, real whole foods are always best. Much fatigue and fogginess is also associated with dehydration. It may sound simple, but drinking adequate water is essential. Properly feeding our bodies will go a long way toward our overall health and feeling better. By eliminating junk and providing vital nutrients, we can accomplish more than any artificial substance can ever do for us! It is also important to consider illnesses by
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investigating possible physical problems such as subluxations in the spine, visual problems, or the medications used to manage pain. Hormonal imbalances affect brain functions, as well as the ability of our endocrine system to play its role in our overall health. Especially up for consideration are the pancreas (blood sugar imbalances), liver (responsible for thousands of activities in the body), the adrenals (responsible for many hormones, including those that help us manage stress and give us sustained energy throughout the day), and our sex hormones (estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, etc.). Stress, lack of energy, brain fog, forgetfulness, depression… we are not losing our head! There are reasons for these issues and ways to resolve them. If you want to reclaim your health, emotional stability, brain function, and the vital energy needed to live life the way you have always wanted to live, now is the time to take action. Dr. Holly Carling is a Doctor of Oriental Medicine, Licensed Acupuncturist, Doctor of Naturopathy, Clinical Nutritionist, and Master Herbologist with over three decades of experience. Visit vitalhealthcda.com to learn more about Dr. Carling, view a list of upcoming health classes, and read other informative articles. Dr. Carling is happy to answer any questions regarding this topic. She can be reached at 208-765-1994. MSN
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STOP Foodborne Illness National Food-Safety Advocate Group Offers Safe Food Tips STOP Foodborne Illness (stopfoodborneillness. org), the leading national advocate for safe food, is urging older adults to follow a number of important food-safety practices to avoid getting sick. Older Adults have increased vulnerability to food borne illness for several reasons: they typically have decreased stomach acid (the body’s natural defense from food borne bacteria) or they may have a weakened immune system from an underlying illness such as diabetes, kidney disease or from undergoing cancer treatment. Two food borne pathogens in particular, Listeria and Vibrio, cause more illnesses for seniors than any other age group. Seniors need to be especially careful when consuming foods that are likely to be contaminated with these bacteria. “Most people don’t realize that their natural defenses to food borne pathogens decrease as they age,” said Darin Detwiler, Senior Policy Coordinator of STOP Foodborne Illness. “If you’re older than 65, taking precautions can help save you from suffering from an illness that you might have been able to fight off even a few years ago.” Darin himself experienced the personal tragedy of food borne illness when he lost his young son to E. coli O157:H7 poisoning from contaminated ground beef in 1993. Since then, Detwiler, an FDA Certified Food Science Educator recognized by four different Secretaries of Agriculture for his efforts in consumer education and who has served two appointments on the USDA’s National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection, has been a tireless advocate for food safety. STOP Foodborne Illness promotes the following Safe-Food Guidelines for Adults 65+: • Cook eggs to 160F. Salmonella can grow both inside and outside eggs. The safest practice is to cook all eggs to 160F. To reduce risks further, wash hands thoroughly after handling eggs. For those who like eggs runny or who eat uncooked
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eggs in foods like raw dough, eggnog, or homemade Caesar dressing, buy pasteurized shell eggs or liquid pasteurized egg products. • Heat lunchmeat, cold cuts, and hotdogs to 165F. Listeria is a bacterium that can be found in ready-to-eat foods, such as lunchmeat. Although the majority of the population can resist Listeria, those more vulnerable may become sick and pregnant women can suffer miscarriages because of eating Listeria-contaminated ready-to-eat foods. To reduce the risk of Listeria, order hot sandwiches in restaurants. • Avoid raw fish. Raw fish and shellfish can be a source of pathogens, including a particularly harmful one, Vibrio that is most often found in raw seafood items, such as oysters and scallops. Some Vibrio illnesses can be fatal, especially in patients with liver disease and the immunocompromised. Avoid raw finfish, such as raw fish found in sushi. • Avoid raw or unpasteurized milk and cheeses. Most are pasteurized, but read the labels, particularly on soft cheeses such as feta, Brie, Camembert, Roquefort, blue-veined cheeses, and Mexican-style soft cheeses. • Drink pasteurized juices. Most juices are pasteurized, but some may not be. Unpasteurized juices can contain harmful bacteria, but should be easy to steer clear of because they are required by
law to carry a warning label. When buying smoothies, ask the preparer if they use pasteurized juice. If they aren’t sure or say no, it’s best to skip it. • Cook to safe temperatures as follows: burgers/ground meat (except poultry) to 160F; grilled chicken & other poultry products (like turkey burgers) to 165F; and whole cuts of meat including pork to 145F and let rest 3 minutes. • Avoid cross contamination by using separate cutting boards and utensils for raw meats and produce, washing hands with soap and water for 20 seconds, and sanitizing surfaces, such as countertops, where raw meat and poultry have been. For National Food Safety Month, STOP Foodborne Illness also is offering food safety tips for school-age children, pregnant women, and mothers with young children. For more food safety tips, please visit stopfoodborneillness.org. If you think you have been sickened from food, please seek medical attention immediately. STOP Foodborne Illness (STOP) is a national, nonprofit, public health organization dedicated to preventing illness and death from food borne pathogens. STOP achieves its mission by advocating for sound public policies, building public awareness, and assisting those impacted by food borne illness. MSN
Watch Your Spirits This Holiday Season – And Thereafter By Patrick M. Kennedy There are the good spirits, like guardian angels, Gabriel delivering God’s messages, and the gods of good luck and fortune throughout history. But there are also bad spirits, like demon rum or a Red Devil drink. Alcohol abuse by seniors is a growing problem and one that is often undiagnosed. Aging and alcoholism produce similar deficits in intellectual and behavioral functioning. Alcoholism may accelerate normal aging or cause premature aging of the brain. Don’t listen to W. C. Fields: “I never drink water; that is the stuff that rusts pipes.” Water as a drink is good, water as a chaser is not so good. If you are older than 50 and you have a couple of drinks when you go out to eat, you may want to take some extra time before getting into the car and driving home. Research shows that after
5-7 drinks the brain is numbed to an extent that a person cannot even hold a pen and write properly. Some seniors can’t do that anyway. But, despite knowing this, many drive under the influence. No one knows exactly why, but moderate amounts of alcohol impair a senior more than a younger drinker. It may be because alcohol is metabolized and removed from the body differently once you are older, but even moderate amounts of alcohol can cause measurable impairment for those over age 50. According to government studies more than half of adults older than 55 drink socially. Probably one of the reasons for this is that with more time on their hands, they
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can sit on their bar stools longer and sip a few more. If those social drinkers are more impaired than they think they are, it can cause a significant threat to their health. It must be noted here that there is a difference between a drinker and a drunk. Social drinking in moderation is acceptable. But slugging down one after another is close to being a drunk. Again, don’t count on W. C. Fields: “Actually, it only takes one drink to get me loaded. Trouble is I can’t remember if it’s the thirteenth or fourteenth.” Drinking in moderation and socially is not all bad. Social drinking is an accepted part of life, and it is hard to know when the thin line to alcoholism is crossed. There are many factors – genetic, psychological, social, and environmental – that play a role in alcohol addiction, and any of these can sneak up on a person without alarms going off in the brain. It’s often difficult to tell when they’re crossing the line into dependency. There are alerts that must be considered, like: using alcohol to get through painful situations, physically or mentally; not remembering what happened last night; hiding your drinking by drinking alone; or resenting people who advise you to drink less. This is a problem that must be and is being addressed. The American Medical Association says, “The onset or continuation of drinking behavior becomes problematic because of physiological or psychological changes that occur with aging, including increased sensitivity to alcohol effects.” But there are other checkpoints as described by that famous philosopher, Anonymous, “Drunk is feeling sophisticated when you can’t say it.” Or, ‘Reality is an illusion that occurs due to lack of alcohol.” The point is that alcohol is, or can be, a life-changer for many people. MSN
Bringing New Hope Through Psychiatric Research To Montana The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Montana has been working to bring more mental illness and related brain research into the state. We embarked upon this effort because the most innovative and effective mental health treatment in the country is usually near psychiatric research centers. Without that type of research occurring in Montana, we often are left waiting for the best treatments to migrate slowly here from the coasts. One of the fruits of this advocacy effort is the creation of the Center for Mental Health Research and Recovery (Center) at Montana State University. The Center was just awarded over $1.46 million in funding by the Montana University System to conduct research projects that will: 1. Analyze electrical and blood-oxygen patterns using imaging tools to improve the mental illness diagnostic process and to prevent misdiagnoses of adolescents exhibiting symptoms of depression and anxiety; 2. Explore the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease with deep transcranial magnetic stimulation; 3. Develop a non-opioid chronic pain treatment; and 4. Bring the most effective suicide prevention curriculum in the world to Montana (it is currently only used in Europe). I think these four projects will put us in a great position to advance Montana’s mental illness diagnosis and treatment system. For more information visit namimt.org, call 406-443-7871, or mail to P.O. Box 1021, Helena, MT 59624. MSN
Understanding Gout By Susan Frances Bonner RN BSN Gout is a form of inflammatory arthritis that causes sudden, severe pain, swelling, and tenderness – most often in the large joint of the big toe. However, it can affect other joints including the feet, ankles, knees, hands, wrists, elbows, and soft tissue and tendons. It usually affects only one joint at a time, but it can become chronic and, over time, affect several joints. A gout attack can last anywhere from a few days to two weeks. Throughout history, gout has been associated with rich foods and excessive alcohol consumption. Gout occurs when excess uric acid (a normal waste product) collects in the body, and needle-like urate crystals deposit in the joints. This may happen because either uric acid production increases
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or, more often, the kidneys cannot remove uric acid from the body well enough. Uric acid is produced when the body breaks down purines found in some foods and drinks. Most uric acid dissolves in the blood, travels to the kidneys, and then passes out in urine. Too high a level of uric acid in the blood is called hyperuricemia. Some drugs may raise uric acid levels and lead to gout attacks, including certain diuretic medications taken for high blood pressure, edema, or heart failure. Low-dose aspirin and immunosuppressants used in organ transplants such as cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune) and tacrolimus (Prograf) can also lead to a gout attack. Certain lifestyle choices and medical conditions may also raise uric acid levels including crash diets and fasting, joint injury surgery, sudden or severe infection, starting a uric acidlowering treatment, and chemotherapy. Although gout can be diagnosed by evaluating signs and symptoms, gout can only be diagnosed definitively by testing the blood for high levels of uric acid and by examining synovial fluid – the lubricating liquid found inside your joints – under a microscope. The presence of uric acid crystals signifies gout. People of all sizes get gout – although extra pounds increase the risk. Gout is also more common in people who have diabetes and high blood pressure or high cholesterol. If your parents had gout, you’re more likely to have it as well. The disease most commonly affects men over the age of 30, although women get gout too, but it usually appears after menopause. New cases of gout in men and women tend to equal out after age 60. The first objective is to relieve the pain and inflammation of a gout attack. Once under control, you and your doctor will focus on preventing future attacks to avoid long-term damage to your joints, managing chronic pain associated with uncontrolled gout, and preventing the formation of tophi, lumps of crystallized uric acid that can form in the affected joints and surrounding tissues. Gout medications are used to treat acute attacks, prevent future attacks, and reduce your risk of complications and include NSAIDs, colchicine, corticosteroids, medications that block uric acid production, and medication that improves uric acid removal. Lifestyle changes can help you deal with gout. Slowly lose weight and stay hydrated. Dehydration affects the excretion of uric acid from the kidneys by keeping urine more concentrated. Gout was once known as the “disease of kings” because people associated it with the “rich” diet of the wealthy. Up to 4 percent of American adults have gout, and our rising rates of obesity certainly increase our risk. Diet can play a part in gout. • When eaten in moderation, desserts and other rich foods do not affect gout flare-ups. • High-fructose corn syrup is a known factor for gout flare-ups because it raises uric acid levels in your body. Avoid foods with corn syrup on the ingredient label. • Acidic foods such as tomatoes, citrus and other fruits, beans, and dairy products do not necessarily lead to higher uric acid levels. • Eat meat in moderation and avoid organ meats such as liver because they have higher levels of purines. Moderate intake of lean meats such as chicken and turkey should not affect your
condition. Seafood such as shrimp and lobster tends to be higher in purines, though. • Certain dairy products, especially milk, can help you remove uric acid from your body. • It’s a good idea to cut out alcohol. Alcohol molecules in your body tend to increase uric acid levels, so drinking can push you over the edge and into a flare-up. If you do drink, it’s best to avoid beer and liquor and stick to safer choices such as red wine. As far as self-treatment, you may want to use a cane or similar support to keep your weight off that hot and swollen joint. It may be helpful to keep the swollen joint elevated above your chest as much as possible. Ice packs can be helpful in relieving pain and reducing inflammation. As with all chronic diseases or conditions there are ways to have a normal life, be active, and cope with day-to-day living. Gout is no exception. MSN
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Glaucoma Questions And Answers By Gretta Gregg, R.N. Dear Gretta: My neighbor had her eyes tested last week. She said something abut the pressure and damage to the nerve. When I expressed concern, she said she’s had glaucoma for years but the numbers were getting higher. I don’t know much about glaucoma. What’s she talking about? – Concerned Neighbor Dear Neighbor: The chambers of the eye are filled with fluid, somewhat like a self-filling water balloon. And like a water balloon attached to a continuously dripping faucet, the pressure can build up. In the eye, the pressure is regulated by tiny canals that drain away the excess fluid. If the flow through those canals is reduced, increased pressure results. During an eye examination, the physician routinely checks the pressure in each eye. The test, called tonometry, is simple and painless. Normal pressure is 11-22. If the canals become narrowed, however, the pressure increases and the test shows higher numbers. As the disease progresses, the numbers show the severity and rate of increase. At the back of the eyeball, the optic nerve waits to pick up messages of sight from the eye and carry them to the brain. In a typical case of glaucoma, increasing pressure in the eye damages this nerve. The damaged nerve loses its ability to carry images. We say that the person is losing his/ her sight from glaucoma.
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In the United States and Canada, glaucoma has long been a leading cause of blindness, second only to cataracts. Dear Gretta: I’ve never been one to run to the doctor about this and that. But at a physical exam, they discovered raised pressure in my eyes. Now, this time, the pressure is higher, and the doctor said that I have chronic glaucoma. So what is he talking about? – Not a chronic complainer Dear Chronic: Your physician did not mean to imply that you complain chronically, but that your glaucoma is progressing slowly rather than rapidly. In the chronic form of an illness, the onset is typically gradual, and the condition is long lasting. In contrast to the acute form described above, chronic glaucoma usually is treated with eye drops and watched closely. If eye pressure continues to increase, even with the medication, the drainage canals must be opened by laser or other surgery. In the case of glaucoma, your eyesight can be damaged as surely by the chronic form as by the suddenly apparent acute form. Dear Gretta: My aunt and uncle both have failing eyesight because they went to their doctors too late with their glaucoma. Does it run in families? If so, what can I do to prevent it? – Scared Dear Scared: Everyone should assume they might someday develop eye problems. Therefore, everyone should have regular eye checks. Tell your physician if you have any of the following risk factors for glaucoma: • If you are over age 40 • If close relatives have the problem • If you have diabetes • If you have African heritage. Glaucoma is more likely to occur in the aging population and in these other groups. Don’t procrastinate. Have your eyes checked! This article is intended to provide general information. If you have symptoms or are worried about a serious medical problem, contact your health care provider. MSN
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Think of the arguments that must have occurred when the citizens of each of the United States selected their state’s motto. There must have been as many opinions as there were citizens. Imagine how diverse the choices were and how they reflected folks’ different perspectives. Depending on whether you were a farmer, a miner, a logger, a banker, a store owner, a doctor, or teacher, it’s easy to see how your work could affect your opinion of what was important about your state. Or did you live in the mountains or on the prairie? Geography could affect your choice. When you work this month’s State Mottos quiz, imagine what you would have chosen as your state motto if you had the chance. Thank you and congratulations to Patty Friedrich of Missoula for submitting this quiz. She is the winner of the $25 prize. Thank you to all who participated in our First
Ladies quiz in the October/November 2015 issue. The winner of the $25 prize for submitting the correct answers is Kim Kronmiller of Billings. Congratulations, Kim! Two $25 cash prizes are awarded from the “Contest Corner” in each issue of the Montana Senior News. One prize goes to the person who submits the winning answers to the featured quiz from the previous issue. The second prize goes to the person who submits the entry that our staff selects as the featured quiz or puzzle in the “Contest Corner” for this issue. Be creative and send us some good, fun, and interesting puzzles! Please mail your entries to the Montana Senior News, P.O. Box 3363, Great Falls, MT 59403, or email to montsrnews@bresnan.net by January 10, 2015 for our February/March 2016 edition. Be sure to work the crossword puzzle on our website montanaseniornews.com.
Do You Know Your State Mottos? Submitted by Patty Friedrich, Missoula Below are the numbered names of twentyfive states and their state mottos designated with letters. Match the letter of the motto to its correct state. All the letters and all of the states are used. Good luck! 1. Alabama 2. Alaska 3. Arkansas 4. Texas 5. Vermont 6. Utah 7. California 8. Delaware 9. Florida 10. Idaho 11. Indiana 12. Kentucky 13. Louisiana 14. Minnesota 15. Mississippi 16. Montana 17. New Hampshire 18. New Jersey 19. Ohio 20. Oregon 21. Rhode Island 22. Wyoming 23. Tennessee 24. Nevada 25. South Dakota
Answers to How Well Do You Know Your First Ladies? Submitted by Jim Kerns 1. G Abigail Adams 2. T Nellie Taft 3. H Florence Harding 4. F Mary Lincoln 5. S Hillary Clinton 6. I Frances Cleveland 7. E Grace Coolidge 8. R Harriet Lane 9. J Edith Wilson 10. D Ellen Wilson 11. Q Julia Grant 12. K Dolly Madison 13. C Bess Truman 14. P Ida McKinley 15. L Nancy Reagan 16. U Abigail Fillmore 17. O Mamie Eisenhower 18. M Jackie Kennedy 19. A Eleanor Roosevelt 20. B Lucy Hayes 21. N Lou Hoover MSN
A. Industry B. Gold and Silver C. She Flies with Her Own Wings D. Agriculture and Commerce E. The People Rule F. It Endures Forever G. Eureka (I have found it) H. Live Free or Die I. All for Our Country J. United We Stand, United We Fall K. Star of the North L. With God, All Things Are Possible M. We Dare Defend Our Rights N. The Crossroads of America O. Hope P. In God We Trust Q. Equal Rights R. Liberty and Prosperity S. By Valor Arms T. Friendship U. Liberty and Independence V. Union, Justice and Confidence W. North to the Future X. Under God the People Rule Y. Freedom and Unity MSN
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ACROSS
1. Black ____ snake 6. NY Giants HOF outfielder Mel 9. For capturing attention 13. Relating to axis 14. National Institute of Health 15. Aussie bear 16. Rekindled 17. Compass reading 18. Sign of bad news 19. *Hans Anderson’s Emperor lacked these 21. *Reflecting truth-teller 23. 1/60th of min 24. What aides do 25. *Beauty and ____ Beast 28. The Sun ____ Rises 30. Chinese tea 35. Lemongrass, e.g. 37. Wrong 39. Golfer’s accessory 40. Arm part 41. Shipping weights 43. Beige 44. Sprays 46. River in Egypt 47. Innocent 48. Lowest part 50. Use a cat o’ nine tails 52. Brit. fliers 53. Not straight 55. Dot-com’s address 57. *1001 what? 60. *Genie’s master 64. Pope’s court 65. Philosophical system 67. Famous bandmaster 68. Make fit 69. Wow! 70. What a bridge does 71. Affleck and Stiller 72. Indian bread 73. WWII conference site
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1. Painter ____ Chagall 2. Michelle Kwan’s jump 3. Venus de ____ 4. Entices 5. Tennis great Gibson 6. Singles 7. *Steadfast Soldier’s substance 8. Unifying idea 9. For, in French 10. Kind of palm 11. Hurtful remark 12. Toni Morrison’s “____ Baby” 15. Kasparov’s famous opponent 20. “Bravo! Bravo!” e.g. 22. International Labor Organization 24. Tell a scary story? 25. *Tom’s size equivalent 26. Sunny prefix 27. Famous German artist Max 29. *Ugly Duckling, at end 31. Bank holding 32. Grouchy Muppet 33. Waterwheel 34. *”Three Goats ____” 36. Quilt stuffing 38. Raise the roof 42. 1988 Olympics site 45. “____ ____” by Pink 49. Yoga class accessory 51. The infamous ____ knoll 54. “Peace” with fingers 56. Parkinson’s disease drug 57. Artist’s model? 58. Formerly Persia 59. Deprive of by deceit 60. So be it 61. Like Jekyll and Hyde’s personality 62. Antonym of “is” MSN
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“
THANKFULLY, PHYSICIAN ASSISTED SUICIDE REMAINS A HOMICIDE IN MONTANA
”
Our 2015 Montana Legislature rejected for the third time an Oregon model bill, Senate Bill (SB) 202, which would have legalized non-voluntary euthanasia and trample individual’s rights. Montana Disability Rights advocates describe (SB) 202 as a blunt instrument. Once people learn how poorly the bills are written to allow abuse, they are not in favor of such a dangerous public policy.
By Oregon and Washington law, all family members are not required to be contacted. A single predatory heir is allowed to initiate and execute the lethal process without a witness, thus eviscerating intended safeguards. Everyone involved in the lethal process gets immediate immunity. A witness is not required to confirm the dose was self-administered. In 2015 they added another loophole, “someone who claims to know how you communicate may speak for you throughout the lethal process.” No other qualifiers. In addition, these laws prohibit investigations, no recourse for surviving family members who were not contacted. Does that sound like good public policy to you? This is a very dangerous public policy that allows predators and predatory corporations to sift through our seniors for a windfall profit. However, it serves the health insurance corporations very well. Thankfully our legislators read the bills. Thank them for their careful and responsible legislative action that keeps us safe. To learn how these bills are written and deceptively promoted, book a speaker for your small group. Contact Bradley@MTAAS.org. Thank you all for your generous support.
SAY NO TO ASSISTED SUICIDE IN MONTANA! Send in this form to recieve more information or to volunteer and help fight against assisted suicide. Name: Address: Phone: Email: Montanans Against Assisted Suicide 610 North 1st St., Suite 5-285 Hamilton, MT 59840 406-531-0937
Donations Appreciated!
Bradley D. Williams - President bradley@MTAAS.org www.MTAAS.org
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