montanaseniornews.com TAKE ONE! FREE! Sue Cummings Has Taken A Cheesemaker’s Journey
Article and photo by Gail Jokerst; gailjokerst.com Like many of today’s grandparents, Sue Cummings has a Facebook page and grandchildren she adores. But unlike many of those same grandparents, she does not post photos of her progeny on Facebook. Instead, you will find pictures of something else that gives Sue almost as much joy as those five
little Cummings, her homemade cheese. “After I take the cheeses out of their molds, I am so excited by how they look and what they’re going to taste like, I take pictures to share with friends and family,” admits Sue. This Kalispell native still lives on the farmland where she grew up and where meals consisted of food raised by her father or made from scratch by her mother. Sue’s path to artisan cheesemaker began with her first taste of fresh goat’s milk some eight years ago. It was love at first sip. She appreciated everything about the slightly sweet, creamy milk including the fact that nature delivers it pre-homogenized. “I liked it way better than cow’s milk and decided to get my own goats just for the milk. I realized I’d have more milk than I could deal with and that I’d need to make yogurt,” recalls Sue. That, however, posed no problems since she happens to crave yogurt the way some folks do chocolate. “You can buy goat’s milk,” she adds, “but compared to raw it tastes terrible.” Although cheesemaking never entered into her original decision, Sue figured correctly, even before bringing home three Nubian goats that she would still have an abundance of post–yogurt milk. And what better to make than cheese, another highly rated favorite food. Initially, Sue and her husband Steve planned to buy young goats and raise them over a period of 18 months. That would have given them time gradually to learn how to care for their little herd. However, that plan changed the day they received an emergency phone call from the woman selling them their goats. “Her two adult does and a doeling needed an immediate home, as in ‘come and get them today.’ There was no time to wait for babies,” remembers Sue. “We had to take all three right away.” (Continued on page 29)
PAGE 2 MONTANA SENIOR NEWS
JUNE/JULY 2016
d e t r o f m o C w o d i Montana W y l l u f e c a e P d e s s a P d n a b s u H g n i w Kno
“
I’m grateful Erwin – Ethel Byrnes had this option.
”
On a sunny morning in March 2014, Erwin Byrnes’s long battle with cancer and Parkinson’s Disease had come to an end. He sat down in his favorite chair, took some medication prescribed by his doctor, and passed peacefully at home. He was surrounded by his loving wife and grown children. The Montana Supreme Court’s Baxter ruling ensures Montanans can exercise their freedom through the end of life because it authorizes aid in dying for people who are terminally ill. If you support death with dignity, help in the fight to protect your endof-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
Stronger together. What does it mean to be a New West Medicare member?
At New West Medicare, we are the only Montana company that is 100% focused on providing the best Medicare experience for our friends, family, and neighbors. That’s why we offer no deductibles, low co-pays, the ability to use health care providers you want, prescription drug coverage, and a healthy aging program with a fitness facility membership in every plan. Plus, we pride ourselves on providing our members with excellent customer service from right here in Montana. Let New West make Medicare simple for you.
888.873.8044 · TTY 711 newwestmedicare.com · Find us on
New West Health Services is a PPO Plan with a Medicare Contract. Enrollment in New West Medicare depends on contract renewal. You must continue to pay your Medicare Part B premium. Limitations, co-payments, and restrictions may apply. The formulary, pharmacy network, and/or provider network may change at any time. You will receive notification when necessary. The benefit information provided is a brief summary, not a complete description of benefits. For more information contact New West Medicare. For accommodations of persons with special needs at a sales meeting call 1-888-873-8044, TTY 711, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. Benefits may change on January 1 of each year. H2701_NW#_SP_672-12-2015 Accepted
JUNE/JULY 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
More Indian Coverage Needed
Your paper is interesting; however, you don’t have enough articles or images of Native Americans. The two I saw in last summer’s issue were about the Custer Battlefield, Sitting Bull, and the Crazy Horse Memorial. We need more images and articles about modern Indians too! Angela Helvey Browning
Medical Marijuana
I read with interest the article from the marijuana provider. What he needs to provide also is information on the ages and medical reasons for his clients needing marijuana. When this was initially put out for Montanans to vote on, we were told it was for the severely disabled with pain and the dying. The people I see walking into the building near me are young, driving themselves. Could he get a report from various Hospice facilities to see what percentage of their patients smoke marijuana? I would like to see an in-depth report on this before voting on any laws. Denise Feller
Book Review
Thanks so much for the review of my book Not with my Brain You Don’t. I am particularly happy you appreciated my character development. That to me is the most difficult part of writing. Please pass the
book on – it is available on Amazon and iUniverse in hardback, paperback, and kindle forms. I am on my third book A Toxin for Whatever Ale’s Ya. It’s about developing snail toxin into human medications. Dick Tenney Bozeman
Story Submission
I enjoy reading the Montana Senior News when it comes out – varied and informative articles. I’m wondering if you could use a story I wrote about a year or year and a half ago. It takes place on a drive between my home in Roundup and Billings. In fact, a related front-page story in Montana Senior News came out just after I wrote my own story. “Now that is serendipitous,” I told myself when I read your front page. After you read my attached story, you may recognize the issue to which I refer. I’m unclear about word limits you may require. This story can be adjusted and thank you for taking the time to read it. Edith Sloan Roundup ED: Contributions from readers for our Remember When section can cover virtually any topic and should have a length of 800 words or less. We prefer emailed contributions but reluctantly accept handwritten and typed documents. MSN
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.
Jack W. Love, Jr., Publisher/Editor Colleen Paduano Kathleen McGregor Lisa Gebo Jonathan Rimmel Peter Thornburg Sherrie Smith
Production Supervisor Advertising Sales Advertising Sales Advertising Sales Production Assistant Graphic Designer Distribution Admin/Production Assistant
Contributing Writers Bob Campbell Connie Daugherty Kim Thielman-Ibes Gail Jokerst Bernice Karnop Craig Larcom Liz Larcom Jack McNeel Dianna Troyer © 2016
GIVEAWAY
2016 900 Polaris RZR
• • • •
Promotional Period is thru 08/05/2016
Promotional Period is thru 08/06/2016
2015 Dodge Journey
You must use your players club card to be eligible. For every Player’s Club point earned, you will receive 1 chance at drawing. The drawing will be done electronically by our Players Club System. You are eligible to win only one of the items. (If you win the ATV, you will not be in the drawing for the SUV)
• • • • •
Drawing Date for ATV is 08/05/2016 at 9:00pm. Drawing Date for SUV is 08/06/2016 at 9:00pm. You do not need to be present to win. Must be 18 years or older to play. NWC reserves the right to void points received due to game malfunction or software flaw during this promo • Any dispute or situation arising and not cover in the above rules will be resolved by the NWC management in a manner deemed to be the most fair to all concerned and the decision will be final
By accepting the above prize you agree that your name, picture and likeness can be used by Northern Winz Hotel and Casino on all promotional material including Electronic media (Website, Facebook, Twitter, etc.), Print media (Newspaper, fliers, billboards, posters, etc.), TV and Radio ads as well as all other forms of advertising. You must use your players club card to be eligible to win. All winners must claim prize within 7-days of drawing. Winners are required to provide picture ID and SSN so we can issue a Tax Form for your winnings. If you fail to provide picture ID, SSN, claim your prize with time period specified or refuse to use your name, picture and likeness on promotional material, then you will forfeit the prize and a new winner will be selected. Winners are responsible for all taxes and fees associated with this promotion. Please contact Northern Winz Hotel and Casino for complete terms and conditions of this promotion.
Montana’s Finest Gaming Experience 406-395-5420 | 6 MILES NORTH OF BOX ELDER
PAGE 4 MONTANA SENIOR NEWS
JUNE/JULY 2016
Save Up To Off Your Prescription Medication Costs!
80% access
• Maximize Your Medicare Coverage! • Ships Directly To Your Door • Fully Accredited
®
We Dispense Only Health Canada Approved Prescription Medications (Health Canada is Canada’s FDA)
REFER A SAVE $10 OFF FRIEND: YOUR FIRST BOTH OF YOU ORDER SAVE $10 Start Saving Now
access
access
Call 1-866-888-3784 Toll Free 24/7
906 Main St, Winnepeg, Manitoba R2W3P3, Canada
The release of spring and summer from winter’s grasp gives us all a little room to breathe, look around, assess our lives, and take a long hard look at the changes – around and in us. Just as seasons reliably transform from one to the next, the only constant we experience is the impermanence of our existence. In the face of such transience, sometimes the only catharsis to be found is to run into the jarring reality of change and push its boundary even further. Force the new experiences on your own terms, and in so doing, find untapped veins of courage, exhilaration, and wonder. Today I fly is Edith Sloan’s beautiful, stream of consciousness expression of the power of change over our lives and, after the slings and arrows encountered over a lifetime, the beauty, and release to be found when we embrace it. Thank you to Edith, from Roundup, for your de-
lightful 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 contribution(s) 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 August/September 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.
Today I Fly!
By Edith Sloan, Roundup Today’s the day. I jump into my car. I’m free! Down alley, left to Main. No cars. I turn right, then right again at the blinking light, down the hill. Slowly, I keep at 25 mph. I want to fly! No. Not yet, not yet. The sun, still low in the sky, hits me on the left. Feels good. I cross the river and enter the first curve. Years back, the road twisted and turned. It would be so easy to miss a bend, fly across a fence, a pasture. Now my path cuts through hillsides. Without thinking, I push the radio’s power button. A blast of static assails. Oops. I haven’t yet crossed the Divide where Montana Public Radio kicks in. The road gently inclines. I consider my long, productive life, achievements undisputed. A strict, stifled upbringing leads to a failed marriage but, out of that, comes a daughter with whom I now share my home. The death of my second husband four years ago precipitates my move to Montana. Adjustments have not been easy. Now 74, I’ve questioned my worth many times. But today? Today I fly! Slowly I reach the peak. At the Divide, a railroad trestle spans the highest point in the mountains. Over the edge, cliffs are steep, jagged. Valleys below are rolling, uneven. What if I gunned the mo1001287.3
JUNE/JULY 2016
tor, heading straight instead of curving with the road? Just let myself go, relax into the air, gravity carrying me downward? No, no. Not here. Not yet. Again, I push the radio button. It’s MTPR’s Performance Today. Strauss from Carnegie Hall flows around, through me, providing calm to taut nerves. What will be my performance today? Memories flood in. A schoolteacher, a doctoral degree, a school principal. How else to move up in the 1970s than to have more credentials than male counterparts? A new love, a move to Florida, a consulting venture. I love the work but not clawing to the top. A better fit is serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer with my husband in Bulgaria for two years after retirement. Adjusting to newness of country, language, food, traditions, is a challenge we meet with flying colors. I’m good at adjusting to change, overcoming barriers. I’ve done it many times. There’s been so much to live for. After relocation and my husband’s death, I adapt. The long-distance move to my daughter’s is part of that flexibility. But now, approaching old age, I must again create something new. It’s been difficult. One step forward, two steps back. Where am I now? I have read statistics on suicides in the West, far higher than in the rest of the nation. Montana is ranked third nationally. Will I be considered one of those statistics? No matter. I know what I have to do.
Through prairie land, intermittent hills along stretches of ribbon highway, I spy clouds of rising smoke signaling my arrival into the city. I make a right turn at the blinking light and another further on. I begin my ascent up the long, steep rise. Approaching the summit, I see on my left a sign for Swords Park, a walking path that follows the top of the stone rims that form the city’s northern boundary. Located in the bowl many feet below is the city center.. I often wonder what it would be like to walk this path. Can I take that walk now? No guard rails, no fences, nothing to impede a stumble and fall into the abyss. No surrounding mantle of metal to keep a body from feeling the full impact of bones against rock. A slight movement to the right of my windshield draws my attention, an orange color, waving in the wind. Oh, yes. I pull right into the drive, pass several buildings before arriving at the door of the last one. I climb from my car just as a tall, lanky fellow steps out, seeseme, and grins. “Hey,” he calls. “Right on time.” Are you nervous?” he asks, heading Enjoy Senior Living my way. “Are you kidding? I’m scared silly! My whole Located in beautiful Great Falls, we life has passed before pair fine comfort and hospitality my eyes. But, hey, this is my first tandem skydive. with exceptional service and Today I fly!” MSN accommodations.
Mentors Making A Difference – Share Today, Shape Tomorrow
You too can make a difference by joining the Foster Grandparent Program. And, do not be misled by the word foster! Foster Grandparents is an exciting opportunity for seniors to share their lifetime of knowledge and experience by mentoring young children with special or exceptional needs. The heart of the program is the one-on-one attention the grandparent mentors provide. In addition, you need not have been a teacher, counselor, nor had any formal training – only the love of children and a desire to see them succeed. Linda Gimble, a 72-year-old resident of Kalispell, became a volunteer at Russell Elementary and says, “I just love it, and it’s wonderful to feel needed again. I love all the hugs.” Patricia Panique, a Russell kindergarten teacher is delighted, explaining, “The kids receive so much more attention than when it is just I by myself. Having a grandparent in my classroom has made my life as a teacher so much easier!” The senior mentors help guide and tutor young children and teens in reading, math, and social skills, plus receive a very personal benefit because an active and engaged person is a healthier person! And, there is a modest tax-free stipend and mileage reimbursement. Become a hero today to the children of your community; call 406-8837284, 800-266-4188, or visit area6aging.org. MSN
REVERSE MORTGAGE
Take a look at Montana’s Reverse Annuity Mortgage. Our Reverse Annuity Morgage is a low-interest loan that can turn your home equity into monthly cash. The loan doesn’t have to be paid back until you sell your home, until you die, or until you permanently move out of your home. You live in your home. You retain ownership. You receive payments for up to 10 years. High heating bills? Rising medical costs? Let a RAM help you live life, NOW! Go to housing.mt.gov for more details.
MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 5
Live Life. NOW. To be eligible, you must be at least 68 years old. Income limits also apply: 1 person - $23,540 2 person - $31,860 3 person - $40,180
For more information, call:
1-800-761-6264
at its Finest
See for yourself why our community is such an exceptional place to live. CALL (406) 727-0447
Brookdale Great Falls Formerly Emeritus® at Cambridge Place Independent Living 1104 Sixth Avenue North Great Falls, MT 59401 24557-P1-1015-ROP KS
brookdale.com
BROOKDALE® is a trademark of Brookdale Senior Living Inc., Nashville, TN, USA 06/15
PAGE 6 MONTANA SENIOR NEWS
JUNE/JULY 2016
Stranger’s Dance by Troy B. Kechely; published by author, 2015. Reviewed by Connie Daugherty “The sharp ring of hammer striking steel filled the shed… with each impact a tiny fragment of granite flew away from the large grey slab… Frank knew the gravestone would draw compliments… Frank knew he did good work, but that’s all it was – work.” Work is what shapes young Frank Redmond’s life. Although never especially outgoing, he used to connect with life and the people in his small mountain valley west of Helena. That time has passed, and now he has forgotten how to laugh, how to dream, and how to love. Set in the mid-1930s during the depression, Stranger’s Dance tells the story of the Redmond family’s struggle to survive not only as small ranchers, but also as a family and as individuals with their own dreams. In his debut novel, Troy Kechely draws on his own past as well as on interviews with oldtimers to recreate a time and place in history that might otherwise disappear from the landscape. The writing is tight and descriptive and the story is an inviting and intriguing read peopled with familiar and authentic characters. Stranger’s Dance is a touching tale of family relationships and of how the unconditional love of a dog for his humans can lead those humans to compassion and more sincere humanity. They name the dog who wanders onto the ranch Stranger, but in many ways, the humans – Clay, Frank, and Abby are perhaps strangers to each other just as the dog is to any of them. Frank had always been a loner. “In what little time he had, Frank spent drawing in a sketch pad or carving figures and reliefs, scenes and scrollwork out of any stone he could find.” Then one day he met Abby, the new girl in town, “who had moved West with her parents when she was fourteen.” Abby “was the educated one… if she hadn’t married Frank she would have become a schoolteacher.” She did marry Frank, however, and even came to love him. Yet lately, the man who shared her bed seemed like a different person. In some ways, she almost felt closer to her father-in-law than to her husband. At least Clay spoke to her and acknowledged her efforts on the remote ranch. Clay had moved from Minnesota to Montana with a young wife and dreams of owning a ranch. They eventually purchased “the parcel of railroad land at the mouth of Illinois Gulch… they hunkered down and made it their home.” Now more than twenty years later, his wife lay buried on the hillside, his only son has become a sulking brooder harboring some hidden anger that Clay doesn’t understand, and each day he fears they might lose the ranch. Then one day the large black mongrel wanders out of the forest and onto the ranch. “It was the biggest dog Frank had ever seen… to Frank, dogs were best avoided whenever possible.” He just wants the dog gone – even shot if he had his way. Clay and Abby seem to take to the dog and the dog bonds with each of them almost immediately. Frank is outnumbered again. “Right then… he realized he wanted to leave. He’d never considered it quite so clearly… the old man and Abby chattered away. Frank heard their voices but not their words.” All he could think of was escaping all of it – the ranch, Abby, and the infernal dog. Then, almost as though it were destined, an opportunity presents itself. The new warden at the prison has heard of Frank’s skill as a stonemason and offers him a special job in Deer Lodge. This could be his opportunity. The money – “it was an outlandish wage,” – could help save the ranch for at least another season. More importantly for Frank, the money could be his “starting-over money.” The project reawakens Frank’s creativity. Being with the warden, his wife, and the warden’s secretary reawakens Frank’s sense of connection with people and stirs in him a compassion he didn’t know he had. He continues to think about leaving his past behind, about starting over somewhere else with someone else. Meanwhile life at the ranch goes on, each day a greater struggle without Frank. Abby takes over where her husband left off. Gossip
JUNE/JULY 2016
of Frank’s activities in Deer Lodge finds its way to Avon. Then the project is complete, and Frank is back on the ranch. He has changed, but so has Abby. “Abby was astounded at how long she could live with the question… Abby prayed and wept over what might be the right choice… tired resignation began to grow into a genuine fondness for the land and for Stranger.” Frank and Abby both stay. They work the land and care for the animals. They even lie down in the same bed together at night, but they are still strangers. Fall harvest slips into the isolation of winter. Finally, spring gives way to
A Real Canadian Love Story that Will Bring Tears to Your Eyes Submitted by Jim Meade Alan and Lorraine lived on a cove on Osoyoos Lake in British Columbia. It was early winter and the lower portion of the cove had frozen over. Alan asked Lorraine if she would walk across the frozen part of the cove to the general store and get him some smokes and beer. She asked him for some money, but Alan replied, “Nah, just put it on our tab. Old man Stacey won’t mind.” So Lorraine, being the good wife that she was, walked across the ice, got the smokes and beer at the store, and then walked back home. When she got home with the items she said, “Alan, you always tell me not to run up the tab at Stacey’s store. Why didn’t you just give me some money?” Alan replied, “Well, Lorraine, I didn’t want to send you out there with cash when I wasn’t sure how thick the ice was!” MSN
Idealism is fine, but as it approaches reality, the costs become prohibitive. – William F. Buckely
summer with news of a traveling preacher coming to town. “As much as church was a spiritual act, it was just as vital as a social connection. Abby longed for that connection.” Connection is what Frank and Abby both long for, Connection to each other, to their dreams, to the future. As they search for the answers, Stranger leads the way. Troy Kechely is a nationally known dog behavior expert and author of Management of Aggressive Canines for Law Enforcement. He also regularly teaches national canine behavior seminars. Stranger’s Dance is Kechely’s first novel. MSN
Life is a shipwreck, but we must not forget to sin in the lifeboat. – Voltaire
MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 7
PAGE 8 MONTANA SENIOR NEWS
JUNE/JULY 2016
Simplified Tablets Can Make Internet Use Easier
By Jim Miller Dear Savvy Senior, I’m interested in getting a tablet for my 78-yearold mother for video calls and email but want to get one that’s easy to use. What can you recommend? Shopping Around Dear Shopping, There are several different ways to shop for a simplified tablet that’s easy to use. Depending on how much help is required and how much you’re willing to spend, here are a few options to consider. Simplify a Tablet If your mom already has a tablet but it’s too difficult for her to use, you can install a free userfriendly software application on it like Oscar Senior, OscarSenior.com. The app works on Apple iPads and Android tablets. This app will change the appearance and performance of your tablet into a simplified device with big, understandable icons for commonly used features like video calls, photos, instant messages, Internet, news, weather, reminders, and contacts. This reduces screen clutter and makes for easy navigation. The app even offers remote access so you can see what she sees and help her if she is stuck. Limited Tech Skills If you are interested in purchasing your mom a new tablet that’s specifically designed for ease of use, you have a few choices. For people with some, but limited, computer skills, AARP’s RealPad is an Android Intel tablet with a 7.85-inch touchscreen that provides a simplified home page with large text icons for frequently used functions. It also comes with 24/7 phone support, and a Real QuickFix tool that connects users to technology support agents who can access the tablet and fix problems. AARP recently announced that the RealPad will be discontinued when inventory sells out in a few months, but they will continue offering customer/technical support throughout the life of the product. Available at AARPrealpad.org for only $60.
No Tech Skills If your mother is completely unfamiliar with technology, two simpler options are the GrandPad and Claris Companion. GrandPad is a 7-inch touchscreen Android tablet designed for people aged 75+. It comes with a stylus, charging stand, and Verizon 4G LTE built-in so it works anywhere within the Verizon network. Wi-Fi is not necessary. This tablet provides a simplified menu with big icons and large text, giving your mom clutter-free, one-touch access to make phone and video calls, send voice emails, view photos and videos, listen to music, check the weather, play games, and more. In order to simplify usage and avoid confusion, it does not offer Internet browsing. GrandPad also has a “Help” button that offers 24/7 remote assistance to help your mom with any facet of her tablet and comes with damage and theft insurance so if your mom breaks or loses her tablet it will be replaced at no additional cost. Available at grandPad.net or call 800-704-9412, a GrandPad leases for $60 per month or $53 per month if you pay one year in advance. Another good option to check out is Claris Companions, Wi-Fi or 4G tablets that cost $349, $549, or $649 plus a $29 or $49 monthly subscription fee. Claris Companions are 10-inch Android tablets that have big buttons and text for only essential functions. These tablets are designed specifically for people living at home so their families can connect with them via video calls, email, text messages, and photos. It also gives caregivers the ability to receive alerts and monitor compliance with medications, treatments, and important appointments. Visit ClarisCompanion.com or call 866-284-4939 for more information. Send your questions to Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070 or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of The Savvy Senior book. MSN
JUNE/JULY 2016
MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 9
Antique Clocks – Instant Heirlooms And How To Know They Are Authentic By Lynne Wells Walding Heirs, but no heirlooms? Not to worry! Consider the antique clock! No heirloom is better loved for its ambiance than a ticking, bonging clock. It almost seems alive. Well, face it – it almost is alive! The best part is you can buy an antique today – and by next year, it will seem to have been around forever. It will be a family heirloom. Example: countless people have brought clocks into my shop, which they were positive were very old. How did they know? Well, it belonged to Grandpa (or Uncle Ed), and he was 95 when he died. So it must be old, right? Realistically speaking, Grandpa has been gone for how long? Ten years? He could have bought it new, the day before he died. Making it ten years and one day old! However, if Grandpa had the foresight to buy a clock that was 70 or 80 years old – voila! – instant heirloom. How do you know you are buying an authentic antique, and not a piece of junk? Here are some simple rules: • Buy from someone you trust. (Never buy an antique clock from someone selling from the trunk of his car!) • Don’t buy a clock that’s not working. If the seller tells you that it works, but he doesn’t have a key to wind it – beware! If he can’t wind it, how does he know it works? Master keys to wind all clocks are cheap. Individual keys even cheaper. (Whatever you end up buying, be sure you’re given a snug-fitting key to wind it.) “It’s over wound, and needs to be released by a clocksmith.” Not! No such thing! If a clock is wound, and will not run, there is a problem somewhere. Maybe minor, but it’s definitely not “over wound.” After it’s running, wait a few minutes. It could be broken and still tick for a while. While you’re waiting, ask plenty of questions. If the seller resents your questions, run – don’t walk – to the nearest exit. If the “ticktock” is uneven, tilt the clock until you get an even beat. This prob1001287.3 lem is easily ad-
justed. • With your index finger in the middle of the minute hand, slowly run it around the dial until the hour hand has covered a 12- hour period. Don’t go fast, and never turn the minute hand from the very end. Some are fragile, and will break if you run into a jam. (That’s what we are checking for!) Never go counterclockwise. • If it’s a chiming clock, stop at each quarter hour for it to go through its paces. With strikers, slow down on the hour and the half hour for it to perform. Barring a few exceptions, you can differentiate between strikers and chimers by the number of winding holes. Two for striking and three for chiming. • If the minute hand “jams” during this test, there’s a good chance that expensive repairs are in order. Proceed with caution! • Don’t be discouraged by a dull thud where there should be a melodious bong. Usually, this can be easily fixed by adjusting the strike hammer. • Old papers attached to the clock increase its value. But, you can’t tell the exVintage, Furniture act age by the date on them. They show Clothes, Tools, Jewelry, the date of copyright, Books, Records, etc. not manufacture. Remember that old repair
Buy • Sell • Trade We Pickup & Deliver
219 S. Main St Livingston
406-222-9225
Never lose you.
Keep your dignity and your independence.
Community | Stability | Independence 1801 9th Street South | Great Falls, MT 59405 Phone: 406-771-7440 | www.genesishcc.com
PAGE 10 MONTANA SENIOR NEWS
JUNE/JULY 2016
dates, penciled or etched inside, may not be authentic. They could be the recent, imaginative artwork of a seller attempting to make the clock appear older. I favor American antiques, because the last American Seth Thomas, Sessions, Waterbury, Ansonia, etc., were manufactured in the 1930s. European clocks are harder to estimate, as to manufacture date. And, the Japanese – well, they made some good-looking replicas of old American schoolhouse clocks. If you see the words “trademark,” or arrows around the winding holes, it’s a pretty fair bet that you are looking at a Japanese replica. Attractive in its own right – but definitely
not American. Ask about a guarantee. Better yet, ask about an overhaul! A clock that has been properly overhauled, and maintained, will probably outlast you. Conversely, a guarantee (without an overhaul) means the seller is gambling that the clock will outlast the warranty. However, you don’t have to hold out for an overhauled clock. Few people go to that expense on a clock they are selling. If it works, and you like it – buy it! Repairs can be expensive, but, with the help of a little well-placed clock oil, you might be able to coax it along until it’s your kids’ problem! MSN
Row by Row 2016 – Visit Eight Quilt Stores and Win! The Row by Row Experience™ began in 2011 with 20 quilt shops across New York State. In the past five years, the event has grown to include quilt shops in Canada and 34 US states with over 2,500 shops participating in 2015. With such enthusiasm from quilters across the 50 states and Canada too, 2016 will be the best year ever! Here’s how it works: Although the quilt shops are organized by area, quilters have no borders! Travel, shop, collect patterns and add rows to your quilt from anywhere! It’s like a shop hop, but it’s not: no fees, no cards to stamp, and all summer to play! Simply visit in person any of the participating quilting shops and receive a free pattern for a row in a quilt. Combine your rows in any way to create a unique quilt that represents the fun you
had traveling throughout the summer. Travel with friends, discover new quilt shops, and have fun collecting rows! Once you’ve stitched your masterpiece, enter to win prizes! You can collect rows from participating shops from June 21 to September 6, and submit quilts until October 31 for prizes. Prizes and collectibles! Create a quilt using at least eight different 2016 rows from eight different 2016 participating RxR shops and be the first to bring it into a participating shop to win a stack of 25 fat quarters (6-1/4 yards of fabric!). Use that shop’s row in your quilt and win a bonus prize! Exclusive Fabric Plates™ by Zebra Patterns will be available in many Row by Row quilt shops. Each one is unique! Collect a bunch to create fun projects, sewing studio wall art, or even a fun backing for your quilt. Be watching for pins, t-shirts, caps and even more Row by Row licensed items featuring the Row by Row Home Sweet Home logo. Each area has its own Facebook page. Like the page from the areas you visit to see pictures of the rows, shop displays, winning quilts, and fabric plate projects. Visit rowbyrowexperience.com to find quilt shops in your area or on your travel itinerary and find out where to start collecting your free patterns! MSN
Beautiful, Innovative, Energy-Efficient Windows & Doors
f s* f e s o ha
0 Purc 0 0 1, ying
$
lif
a Qu
Pella Window & Door Showrooms:
*Applies to the purchase of Pella Products greater than $5000. Discount applies to retail list price and is not available in all markets. Other restrictions may apply. See store for details. Not valid with any other offer or promotion. Prior sales excluded.
Billings Bozeman Great Falls Helena Kalispell Missoula
• • • • • •
800-727-3552 800-292-3240 406-216-3131 406-449-2287 406-257-1516 800-289-9550
JUNE/JULY 2016
Plant A Pollinator Garden And Enjoy The Many Benefits By Melinda Myers Whether planting a garden, enjoying the beauty of your landscape, or sitting down to a delicious meal, you have bees, butterflies, and other pollinators to thank. These essential members of our ecosystem are responsible for much of the food and beauty we enjoy each day. Though pesticides and habitat loss threaten their existence, you can do a lot to help! Turn your garden, backyard or balcony into a pollinator’s habitat. Plant a variety of flowering plants that provide nectar and pollen throughout the season. Planting masses of natives, herbs, and other pollinator favorites like sedum, zinnias, alyssum, cosmos, and columbine will attract these beauties to your landscape. Include a variety of day and night blooming flowers in a variety of colors and shapes to support the widest range of pollinators. But don’t let a lack of space dissuade you; even a window box of flowers can help. Keep your plants healthy and blooming with proper care. Match the plants to the growing conditions, provide needed water and fertilize with an organic nitrogen fertilizer when needed. You’ll promote slow steady plant growth that is less susceptible to drought and pests. Plus the slow release low nitrogen won’t interfere with flowering, which is essential to the health and well being of our pollinators. Supplement pollinators’ diets with a bit of rotten fruit. And be sure to provide trees, shrubs, parsley, dill, and other plants that caterpillars, grubs, and the immature stage of other pollinators prefer to feed upon. Put away the pesticides and tolerate a few holes in the leaves of their favorite plants. With a diversity of plants you can easily overlook the temporary leaf damage. Plus, this is a small price to pay for all the benefits pollinators bring to the garden. Provide pollinators with shelter from predators and the weather. Include a variety of trees, shrubs, and perennials. Leave patches of open soil for ground nesting bees and some leaf litter to shelter some butterflies, bumblebees, and other pollinating insects. Supplement natural shelter with commercial or homemade nesting boxes. You’ll find do-it-yourself plans on the internet from various educational sources. Puddles, fountains, birdbaths, and even a damp sponge can provide needed water. Include water features with sloping sides or add a few stones to create easier access. Or sink a shallow container of sand in the ground. Keep it damp and add a pinch of sea salt for the butterflies and bees. Maximize your efforts by teaming up with your neighbors. Together you can create a larger more diverse habitat that provides pollinators with the resources they need to thrive.
MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 11
PAGE 12 MONTANA SENIOR NEWS
JUNE/JULY 2016
Your work will be rewarded with greater harvests, beautiful flowers, and colorful birds and butterflies visiting your garden. Gardening expert, TV/radio host, author, & columnist Melinda Myers has more than 30 years
of horticulture experience and has written over 20 gardening books, including Small Space Gardening and the Midwest Gardener’s Handbook. Myers’ web site is www.melindamyers.com. MSN
The Art of Downsizing
A professional organizer and author, Marcia Ramsland of San Diego, recommends taking pictures of different parts of your home before dismantling it for a move. That’s one way to keep memories alive. By Tait Trussell For many people, move is a four-letter word. It has so many complications. Some people not only lack the strength and energy to move heavy boxes and furniture, they have to figure what to do about a half-century of memorabilia. What do we keep? What goes? But a move to downsize your shelter doesn’t have to carry a full load of maddening frustrations, although problems do exist with some families who are empty nesters and want smaller quarters. Some 43 percent of people 50 to 64 say they plan to move within the next few years. Half of them say they plan to move into a smaller house, according to The ® Wall Street Journal. If you are in the downsizing mode, you probably have been Need an accomodating REALTOR®; looking around at all I Can Help With That! your unused space Scaling back to stay independent; since the kids are gone, I Can Help With That! and wondering why you Selling a parent’s home; need to keep heating I Can Help With That! and electrifying what has become a relatively empty mansion. MARIE@FLOBERG.COM With the real estate
FROM THE DESK OF
MARIE MCHATTON REALTOR
A member of the franchise system of BHH Affiliates, LLC.
406-672-8532
market improving, this is a good time to reap the equity you have accumulated over the years and convert part of it into a smaller space, whether you decide to buy or rent. Retirement real estate experts advise selling your present home before buying the new house, even if you have to move twice. There are plenty of affordable storage options, and you should probably avoid carrying two mortgages at once. A professional organizer and author, Marcia Ramsland of San Diego, recommends taking pictures of different parts of your home before dismantling it for a move. That’s one way to keep memories alive. Others in the ranks of professional moving advisors advise you to keep only what will fit your future lifestyle. For example, if you don’t plan to entertain much, there’s little use in taking multiple sets of dishes and serving ware to your new residence. Laura Feauto, a move manager for seniors, takes on an array of responsibilities, from finding a charity for unwanted clothes, dishes, and tools to deciding what furniture is truly necessary. But it’s not easy. Sometimes a chair is just a chair. Sometimes it’s a symbol of where grandmother used to sit doing her knitting. Major downsizing is necessary when you are moving from a large house to an apartment in an assisted-living facility. Feauto uses scale models of furniture and a floor plan of the new residence to see what can fit where.
I’m a senior too,
so I speak your language. Allow me to help you with your real estate needs. TONY CROTEAU, Broker
Office 406.758.4747 or Cell 406.261.6234 www.tonycroteau.com • tcroteau@tonycroteau.com 685 Sunset Blvd. Kalispell
JUNE/JULY 2016
Estate auctions, charitable organizations, and consignment shops are useful in disposing of excess possessions. But clothing is one of the most difficult problems, says Feauto. When was the last time you wore that suit? Do you think you’ll really need that tuxedo again? These are typical questions to answer. What about all those books? Your children may want some inscribed by the author. But scores have been sitting on their shelves for decades, never to be read again by you. I have gradually been taking bags of books to our local library. They give me a receipt so I can deduct their value for tax purposes. We aren’t
MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 13
downsizing. But I won’t live forever, and my wife will have enough to get rid of without dealing with hundreds of books. Feauto helps pack boxes, arranges for the moving van, and even supervises unloading in the new home. Professional moving managers have multiplied because frequently children who might ordinarily help with moves now live and work across the country and aren’t readily available. These days, when people are living longer but often aren’t able to do heavy yard work or throw big parties, buying a smaller home is the natural and practical decision to make. MSN
You Can Sell Your House With These Brownies You have worked hard to get your house in shape to sell it – including taking care of the blemishes, the yard, and perhaps staging the furniture and fixtures. Now its time to show your home. One very successful tool is the aroma of a freshly baked dessert like the brownies below. Enjoy them anytime, but make use of their olfactory power to assist in your all-important open house. By Gail Jokerst – gailjokerst.com I once overheard a woman say she thought everyone ought to make brownies from scratch instead of from a mix. She had just baked her first batch of brownies relying on a recipe and happily reported the superiority of the one-saucepan method. I was surprised, but not because I was unaware that homemade brownies were one of the easiest and tastiest treats on the planet to prepare. It just seemed amazing to me that it had taken another baby boomer so long to make this discovery. A brownie maven since childhood, I have long known the pleasures of melting chocolate and butter together to create this perennial favorite. Before that, though, I was on intimate terms with brownies from a box. I often made them with my mom, who let me stir the batter and afterwards lick the bowl clean. I also made them with my best friend, Patricia Boyajian, who shared my passion for all things chocolate. For the most part, we were obedient kids willing to follow parental rules. But I recall one time when our zeal for brownies prompted us to forsake common sense and disregard an edict of the Boyajian household: “Never light the gas oven by yourself.” Knowing how much her daughter loved puttering in the kitchen, Mrs. B. had wisely issued this mandate. On this particular day in our fourth-grade lives, however, the lure of fudgy brownies overruled caution. Despite our home-alone status, we grabbed a packaged mix off the pantry shelf and began cracking eggs and measuring oil. When the timer rang, we slid the pan from the oven, poured two glasses of milk, and indulged until we could eat no more. After cleaning up, we stashed the forbidden leftovers in the garbage can outside feeling both confident and content. Alas, our euphoria was short lived. Only a magician could bake brownies and keep it a secret when allowed a mere hour for all signs of the deed to disappear. And that’s how much time remained between when our brownies finished baking and Mrs. B’s Toyota rolled into the driveway. No sooner had she walked in the door than she sniffed the air uttering five words I have never forgotten, “Patricia, have you been baking?” It never dawned on us that the aroma of chocolate wafting through the house and the evidence of a still-warm oven would clearly indicate how we had spent our afternoon. In a flash, Mrs. B. raced to the backyard where the trashcan stood holding the convicting evidence. We watched, stunned, as she rifled her way to the bottom and triumphantly unearthed the empty box plus the remnants of our snack. I did not linger to hear the verdict pronounced on my cohort but knew the punishment would be nothing I would care to experience. “See you tomorrow,” I yelled as my Keds propelled me home faster than you can say Betty Crocker. I still feel twinges of remorse when recalling this incident and my brownie salesmanship
Missoula, MT
PAGE 14 MONTANA SENIOR NEWS
JUNE/JULY 2016
skills, which helped get my friend in trouble. Before long, I parted ways with packaged mixes and mastered a basic brownie recipe. During the decades that followed, I experimented with numerous variations in pursuit of the ultimate brownie. Eventually, I amassed an impressive collection including delectable Heath Bar brownies and almond scented cream cheese brownies. Since I now live 11 miles from the closest supermarket, I always keep
certain necessities on hand – flour, sugar, eggs, butter, chocolate, walnuts, and vanilla. With those staples, I can whip up a pan of chocolate heaven on a moment’s notice. To gussy up the plain version of this old friend, I toss some Andes Mints on the crackly surface while the brownies cool. Then I spread the melted candy puddles into a fragrant green-tinged glaze. While I may not reach for a boxed brownie mix anymore, I can still appreciate the important role this convenience food played in my life. It introduced me at a tender age to the joys of baking and the promise of so many tantalizing things to come. CREAM CHEESE BROWNIES Makes 12 The following recipe comes from the author’s cookbook, The Hungry Bear Kitchen: Recipes & Writings. With its subtle almond flavor and swirls of cream cheese batter, this moist brownie is perfect for those who like to mix and match their chocolate rather than go for it straight. It is a variation on a time tested recipe that originally appeared on the box of Baker’s German Chocolate. 4 ounces chocolate chips 5 tablespoons butter, softened (divided 3 tbsp. + 2 tbsp.) 4 ounces cream cheese 1 scant cup sugar (divided into approximately ¼ c. + ¾ c.) 3 eggs (divided 1 + 2) 1- ½ teaspoons vanilla (divided into ½ tsp. + 1 tsp.) ½ cup plus 1 tablespoon flour ½ teaspoon baking powder ½ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon almond extract ½ cup walnuts, chopped (optional) Melt chocolate with 3 tablespoons of butter over very low heat. Stir constantly to prevent scorching. Set aside to cool. With a food processor or mixer, blend cream cheese with 2 tablespoons of butter. Gradually add ¼ cup sugar and mix until smooth. Blend in 1 egg, ½ teaspoon vanilla, and 1 tablespoon of flour then set aside. Finish chocolate batter by beating together 2 eggs with ¾ cup sugar in a large bowl. Stir in the cooled chocolate, 1 teaspoon vanilla, almond extract, baking powder, salt, ½ cup flour, and nuts (if using them). Spread 3/4’s of the chocolate batter in a greased 9 X 9 inch pan. Over this, spread the cheese batter. Dollop remaining chocolate batter on top, leaving white spaces when possible. Marbleize the batter vertically by running a knife continuously without lifting it from top to bottom and moving from left to right of pan. Then marbleize the batter horizontally using the same method. Bake 35-40 minutes at 350. A tester should come out dry and the top should be golden where you see the cheese batter. MSN
Western Montana’s Only 55+ Community
Maintenance Free Living Custom Single Family Homes • Gated Entry Community Clubhouse Convenient Location • Parks & Walking Trails Energy Star Efficient Homes
406.546.6930 • KootenaiCreekVillage.com
JUNE/JULY 2016
MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 15
A Lust Named Wanda
By Cappy Hall Rearick When did it start? I’ve racked my addled brain for the answer but for the life of me, I can’t come up with a definite time when Wanda Lust became my new best friend. I only know that it was a long time ago and that we have remained in step all the while. A few months ago, I was enjoying an infrequent day of relaxation. I actually allowed myself to gaze above my keyboard and out through my office window. I heaved a contented sigh. A turbo sigh. The laundry was done and the clothes were folded and put away, the groceries were bought; a tuna casserole was baking in the oven that Babe would complain about because he’s not into casseroles although he’d probably eat enough of it to feed a small country. Best of all, I had jump-started my deadline. That’s when Wanda shoved her pushy self into my day. “Are you meadow gazing, girlfriend? Seriously? Come with me.” Her seductive voice cut a path straight to my brain. “We have hills to climb, roads to cross, and beaucoup fun stuff to do.” Having little desire to move from my comfort zone or the chair molded to my derrière, I poo-pooed the idea of going with her. Had I not done it all already? Did I not deserve a day of rest? I told her to take a hike – alone. Wanda Lust is a relentless temptress. She was in no mood for me to enjoy the rewards of my past treks. She forced me to find photos online (in color) of a beautiful house not far away from my own. She grabbed my reading glasses and made me put them on. “Look at that, girlfriend. Doesn’t it make your heart flutter?” Holy Dream House! Seeing things in real time is so not the norm these days so I was not surprised when I fell in love with that Internet photo. Wanda’s lusty moveable parts and her relentless attempts to pull me away from my keyboard worked overtime on my psyche. She convinced me that we owed it to ourselves to see the other house, not just the photo. It was Wanda Lust, not me, that placed a call to our real estate friend, Bill. It was Wanda who supplied him with a pathetic excuse for our wanting to see a house that might very well turn out to be the last we would ever live in. While Bill made the viewing appointment, I stared at the online color photos of that particular house and my imagination took off on a mind’s eye trip. I pictured myself in a rocking chair while seated on the wraparound porch sipping whatever concoction Babe chose to serve for our five o’clock social hour. I saw myself waking up each morning to the hum of an overhead fan turning slowly enough to make me snuggle under light covers and yawn with contentment. I imagined serving meals I had prepared in the large kitchen, the exotic dishes I created to the constant amazement of my always-hungry husband. Smiling at the thought, I think I even heard him say Yum! Holy House Hunt! The three of us, Real Estate Bill, Wanda Lust, and I, walked into a foyer that immediately wrapped itself around my heart and soul. I knew without even seeing the rest of the house that Babe would fall in love just as quickly. It was the home we both had dreamed about for over 20 years. The large kitchen, the bedroom big enough to house a king-size bed, a real stone fireplace, and a yard with enough trees to make us feel we would be living
smack in the middle of a forest. Babe and I are no longer young; we are freakin’ old. We have no business buying more real estate at our age. We already have one too many homes. But what choice did we have after stepping into a space that felt as though we had returned to the womb? We made an offer and they countered. We countered back. They said, “You just bought yourself a house.” Holy Moving Van! That was ten months ago. It has been 307 days since we unloaded 20 years of collected stuff into our new home. Since then, I haven’t heard a peep out of Wanda. Maybe I have seen the last of her. In true Elvis phraseology, Wanda Lust has now left the premises. MSN
More Home Buyers are Taking Advantage Of Today’s Low Rates (StatePoint) If you’re in the market to buy a home, whether downsizing or a vacation home in the mountains or a warm climate, today’s historically low average mortgage rates are something to celebrate. Mortgage rates play a significant role in how much home you can afford – and when rates are low, a home that was once unaffordable may now be within reach. Mortgage rates change frequently, and over the last 45 years they have ranged from a high of 18.63 percent in 1981, to a low of 3.31 percent in 2012. Experts say today’s figures are not anything to take for granted. “While it’s not likely that the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate will return to its all-time record low, today’s average rates are still very low compared to almost any year since 1971 – all to a buyer’s advantage,” says Sean Becketti, chief economist, Freddie Mac. At an average of 3.58 percent as of April 2016, today’s rates are “not to be missed for those ready to make the major investment of a home purchase,” says Becketti. “Small changes in mortgage rates can have a significant impact on monthly payments.” For example, a $200,000 loan financed at 8.86 percent in the 1970s translated to an ap-
Spring is Coming
406.570.1541
Sandy Lee, Broker 406.570.5496
Bill Davis 406.489.2311
Mike Clark 406.580.6129
Give Us a Call…
Price Opinions...Consulting Let Us represent You...Buying or Selling! We Know All Types of Real Estate! Farm and Ranch...Recreation… Residential...Commercial...Investment
Belgrade
www.PEDEandAssociates.com
PAGE 16 MONTANA SENIOR NEWS
JUNE/JULY 2016
proximate monthly payment of $1,589. In the 2000s, the average rate of 6.29 percent meant an approximate payment of $1,237. Today, that
same monthly payment would only be $908. Experts say for this reason, now is a great time to buy.
For more information and tools on buying a home and homeownership, visit myhome.freddiemac.com. MSN
Visit montanaseniornews.com
for quality products and services from these online advertisers. Aging Services Caregiving Drugs/Medications Entertainment Funeral Health Hearing Home Insurance Jewelry Monuments Real Estate
Recreation Restaurant Retirement Living Social Services Travel
Montana Area Agencies on Aging Highgate Senior Living Canada Drug Mart Festival at Sandpoint Lemhi County Museum Smith Funeral Chapels Barrett Hospital & Healthcare Royal Beauty Treatment Montana Telecommunications Access 4G Plumbing & Heating Intermountain Heating & A/C Sun Rental Center New West Harmon’s Agate & Silver Goose Ridge Monuments Advanced Real Estate Management Belt Valley Properties Berkshire Hathaway – Marie McHatton Bill Bahny & Associates – Kathy Sutton Clark Fork Realty Dallas Land Company Exit Realty – Helena Fort Benton Realty Havre Hi-Line Realty - Kim Kripps Kootenai Creek Village Lambros/ERA – Ruth King Montana Brokers – Tony Croteau Montana Legacy Real Estate PEDE & Associates Real Estate Pintlar Territories Real Estate RE/MAX Mountain Property Realty Executives – Jeff Getman Wright Real Estate International Federation of Fly Fishers Peking Gardens West Perkins Timber Creek Village Alzheimer’s Association A & B Tours Big Sky Travel Adventures CapeAir Doreen Stokes & World Discovery Safaris Escape Tours Laird Leisure Travel Satrom Travel & Tour
dphhs.mt.gov/sltc/services/aging/areaagenciesonaging highgateseniorliving.com canadadrugmart.com festivalatsandpoint.com lemhicountymuseum.org smithfuneralchapels.com barretthospital.org royalbeautytreatments.com montanarelay.mt.gov 4gplumbing.com intermountainheating.com sunrentalcenter.biz newwestmedicare.com harmons.net gooseridgemonuments.com 406-756-7325 beltvalleyproperties.com berkshirehathawayhs.com/marie-mchatton-real-estate-agent.com montana-ranches.com clarkforkrealty.com dallas-land.com exitrealtyhelena.com fbrealty.com havrehilinerealty.net kootenaicreekvillage.com lambrosera.com tonycroteau.com montanalegacy.com pedeandassociates.com pintlarterritories.com ennismontanarealestate.com reexecs.com westernmontanaland.com fedflyfishers.org pekinggardenswest.com perkinsrestaurants.com timbercreekvillagecommunity.com alz.org/montana abtoursonline.com bigsky-travel.com capeair.com worlddiscoverysafaris.info escapetoursmt.com lairdleisuretravel.com satromtravel.com
JUNE/JULY 2016
MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 17
PAGE 18 MONTANA SENIOR NEWS
JUNE/JULY 2016
The Magic Of Montana Is In The Details So many facts about Montana are unique that discovering them all is probably an insurmountable task, Janet Spencer, author of Montana Trivia, Riverbend Publishing, $10 + $2 S & H; 866-787-2363, probably knows more than anyone, so we have reprinted a few tidbits for your enjoyment. 1. It took 32 days for Lewis and Clark to portage the eighteen miles around the five waterfalls of Great Falls. 2. There are 1,900 lakes covering 400,000 acres within Montana. 3. Forty-two percent of people buying a Montana fishing license are from out of state. 4. Big Sky has the largest run of vertical feet of ski slopes in the nation – 4180 feet! 5. The Clark Fork, followed by the Kootenai, the Missouri, and the Yellowstone carries the greatest volume of water in Montana. 6. The sign welcoming visitors to Rudyard reads, “Home of 596 nice people and one old sorehead.” 7. Black Angus and Hereford are the two most popular
breeds of cattle in Montana. 8. Seventeen cows went into the 6,000-pound worldrecord-setting burger cooked in 1999 by the folks in Saco. Leftovers the next day included biscuits and gravy for breakfast and sloppy Joes for dinner. 9. When parking meters were installed in Havre, cowboys caused some controversy by insisting on putting in their money and tying their horses to them. 10. Coal lies underneath about thirty-five percent of land in Montana, what may be the largest coal basin on earth. 11. The average square mile of Montana land is estimated to contain 1.4 elk, 1.4 pronghorn antelope, 3.3 deer, and 6 humans 12. The town of Clyde Park was named after the Clydesdale horses that were being raised there. 13. Montana exports seventy percent of its wheat to foreign countries. 14. There are around 250 miles of streets in Butte and over 2,500 miles of underground mining tunnels. 15. Joseph Toole, Montana’s youngest governor, was
JUNE/JULY 2016
thirty-eight when he first took office in 1901. 16. Yellowstone National Park is home to the largest known concentration of free-roaming wildlife in the lower 48 states. 17. Near Malta on July 3, 1901, Kid Curry, Butch Cassidy, and the Sundance Kid held up the Great Northern Number 3 passenger train. 18. 38.1 percent of Montana residents own firearms suitable for hunting, a greater percentage than any other state. 19. Montana is home to the largest population of Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep in the country. 20. Eighty percent of Montana communities have populations of three thousand or fewer. 21. With an average wind speed of 13 mph, Great Falls is the fourth windiest in the entire nation, coming in after Dodge
MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 19
City, Kansas; Amarillo, Texas; and Cheyenne, Wyoming. 22. The total cost of the entire Lewis and Clark expedition was $38,000. 23. Sacajawea was fifteen or sixteen when she and her infant son joined the Lewis and Clark party. 24. The shoreline of Fort Peck Reservoir is equal in length to the California coastline. Both are about 1,500 miles long. 25. Ninety-two Fish, Wildlife and Parks officers patrol the state, each covering an area about the size of Delaware. 26. Seventy percent of Montana’s stream flow originates from melting snow. 27. There are 21,100 miles of rivers and streams in Montana and 13,962 of those miles are polluted. 28. Native Americans make up six percent of Montana’s
PAGE 20 MONTANA SENIOR NEWS
JUNE/JULY 2016
population. 29. Only four percent of the land in the United States still belongs to Indian nations. 30. The front teeth of a beaver can grow one inch in a single month. 31. Wages for underground miners in Butte remained at a maximum of $3.50 per day for over forty years until they got a raise in 1917 to $5.25 per day.
32. Marcus Daly, the Montana copper king, built a stall for his prize racehorse Tammany that included velvet walls, brass railings, carpeted floors, modern plumbing and a hayrack. 33. An average bushel of wheat can make about 73 loaves of bread. 34. Miles City bills itself as the “cow capital of the world.� 35. A meadowlark can repeat its call 200 times per minute. MSN
JUNE/JULY 2016
MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 21
This Year We Can Make a Difference
By Bob Campbell With our advanced technology, we have slowly uncovered the unique history of how this planet has changed over the past 4.5 billion years. Our planet has evolved from ball of molten rock to the pristine environment that allowed humans to live and thrive. In light of how much we owe the planet earth, it seems unconscionable that our species could so quickly dominate the planet and oversee the destruction of the support system that made all life possible. The latest wakeup call of our environmental crisis is the toxic smoke spewing from the Alberta tar sand fires. These vast smoke plumes have reached beyond Florida, and the best estimates suggest that in human history, we have never experienced a volcanic eruption or other natural process that has injected so much poisonous carbon dioxide into our atmosphere so quickly. Add this disaster to the rapid shrinking of glaciers from Alaska and Greenland to our very own Glacier Park, and the changes we see right here with thermometers hitting 80 degrees before the end of March and farmers starved for moisture, the verdict is clearly in. Our planet is sick and humans are the cause of the illness. This is not a superficial opinion reached by a handful of out-of-touch liberal hippies longing to commune with nature. This is a fact proven by decades of research by thousands of scientists across the globe. A fact that multiple studies in peer reviewed scientific journals show 97 percent of climate experts agree with! A fact that an unprecedented 195 countries agreed to address at the 2015 Paris Climate Change Conference. A fact that a majority of Americans now agree with. When 97 percent of the experts in a field agree on something, chances are you can take it to the bank. When a majority of voters in a country agrees on something, you’d expect their elected officials to acknowledge and act on the issue. Yet America’s politicians seem to be the only kids in the classroom refusing to take off the dunce hat and learn the lesson. Our elected officials, either paid for by natural resource extraction industries or held hostage by a fear of rocking the boat, have yet to show they understand the problem or, perhaps more disappointingly, that they care enough to stand up to special interests and do something about it. In other words, while they wear the dunce hat, the land we love is dying around us. By choosing to live in Montana, we know the intangible value of wideopen spaces and mountains that show no signs that humans ever lived in them. We understand the heritage and hard work of the family farmers and ranchers that have worked the same land for generations and are still desperately trying to hold on in the face of the cancerous spread of subdivisions and out-of-state interests that gobble all the undeveloped land in sight. We value clear running streams, protected public lands that afford us hunting, fishing, and recreating, and the room to breathe that comes with your nearest neighbor’s living a mile away. And we have a state constitution that protects these values. Our constitution tells us we have a right to a clean and healthful environment. that we have a right to hold accountable those interests that would befoul our state,
Growing Old With Grace And Dignity A New York Times opinion writer got off to a bad start with seniors when his column on aging contained a litany of the afflictions we face as we grow older, reports the Association of Mature American Citizens. “You are milling in the anteroom of the aged,” the author warned. Readers appeared to be largely offended. One letter to the editor said the essayist, “Sounds more like a Debbie Downer than a guru on aging. He seems to recognize few advantages to late middle age, and to focus instead on the disadvantages.” Another reader pointed out that, “Aging isn’t just about losing capacities and about saving them with a new activity like tennis. It’s also about accepting and deepening who you are and using what you have to continue to learn and grow.” Yet another expressed her surprise that the author was only 63 years of age. “In 1996, when I was only two years younger than [the author] is now, I was just entering Peace Corps preservice training in Moldova. My husband and fellow trainee was 70. We felt like teenagers.”MSN
and that we have an absolute right to an open government and transparency when it comes to the decisions made by our state elected officials. When Montana elected officials like Bozeman Representative Art Wittich decide to hop in the pocket of Big Oil and Big Money, vote in the interests of their contributors and not their constituents, and then try to conceal that fact, our state prosecutes them. We take public trust and transparency seriously in Big Sky Country, and we can let our elected officials know it. This election cycle, we have a chance to let that message resound at the ballot box. From the presidential race to our state legislative elections, we need to demand that our representatives take seriously the issues that matter to us. Starting with our primary election in June, we need to cast the ballot for the candidates who will show a little backbone and work to protect our natural heritage and the culture of our state.This is the year you can make a difference – don’t sit this one out! MSN
If you have difficulty understanding words clearly over the phone, just fill out this form! You may qualify for free assistive telephone equipment through the
Montana Telecommunications Access Program!
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. Yes, I want to learn more about MTAP!
We Salute Our Vets Equipment available through MTAP includes: • Amplified telephones • Captioned telephones • Loud bell ringers TTYs • Artificial Larynxes • And much, much more! Return form to: MTAP P. O. Box 4210, Helena, MT 59604
Name: ____________________________________
Address: __________________________________
City: ______________________________________
State: _____________ Zip Code: _______________
Phone: _____________________________________
For more information just mail us this form or call toll-free 1-800-833-8503
PAGE 22 MONTANA SENIOR NEWS
JUNE/JULY 2016
Montana Senior Olympics Healthy And Fun In Helena, June 16-18 By Bernice Karnop Competition inspires people to put a little more effort into their workouts and it makes the workouts more fun. Physically, the increased activity helps prevent falls through improved flexibility, balance, and muscle tone. And, the benefits of Montana Senior Olympics don’t stop there. Socially, it’s an opportunity to make new friends, maintain social connections, and interact with other people thus reducing stress and improving emotional well-being. The Montana Senior Olympics offers an opportunity for men and women over 50 to compete in more than a dozen different events including archery, basketball, bowling, cycling, golf, horseshoes, racquetball, road race, swimming, tennis, table tennis, pickle ball, and track and field. Pickle ball was added last year, and it brought more entrants than any sport in the game’s history. Athletes compete with their peers in five-year age bracket.
Participants can pick up packets, meet old friends, and attend the athlete recognition banquet on Friday night at the Senior Olympics Headquarters in the Radisson Colonial Hotel. Last year’s 22 athletes who attended the National Senior Games in Minneapolis will be recognized. MSO is a qualifying event for the National Senior games held every other year – next in Birmingham, Alabama in 2017. So, readers, put a little more muscle into your workout, whether it’s swimming, biking, or playing ping-pong. Then travel to Helena and have some fun at the Montana Senior Olympics. If you can’t participate this year, make it a goal for next year – you will be glad you did. For additional information, visit montanaseniorolympics.org or call Kay Newman at 406-586-5543. There is no online registration and no same-day registration. Forms may be downloaded and postmarked by the June 1 deadline. MSN
A lot of people are afraid to say what they want. That’s why they don’t get what they want. - Madonna
MISSOULA | (406) 721-3333
WWW.MOUNTAINLINE.COM
JUNE/JULY 2016
The Hobbyist RVer By Bernice Beard Many RVers have hobbies they pursue both at home and on the road. Here are a variety of hobbies, resources for finding places to pursue them and useful tips. Hobbies • Customizing and maintaining the RV itself is a hobby for some travelers. Some restore vintage RVs and belong to clubs such as the Tin Can Tourists, tincantourists.com. • In geocaching, hobbyists use geographic coordinates shown on various websites along with a GPS or phone to find caches containing “treasure.” The fun is in finding the cache more than in what it contains. Finders may either keep one of the items in the container and leave something in exchange or simply sign the cache’s logbook. Later they can record their find on the website that contained the original GPS information. Part of the excitement is in creating a growing log of caches discovered. To get started, see geocaching.com. • Finding coins, jewelry, and other objects by using a metal detector can be intriguing. Magazines such as Lost Treasure, 800-423-0029 and losttreasure.com, give how-to information. • Needlework such as cross-stitching, smocking, crocheting, knitting, needlepoint, embroidery, quilting, and sewing make excellent hobbies for RVers, who may craft smocking projects in the evenings while watching television or sitting outside in a comfortable folding chair or perhaps knit or crochet while riding. • Arts and crafts that RVers embrace include jewelry making, beading, scrapbooking, painting, woodcarving, letter writing, and photography. • Most RVers carry along a laptop, tablet, and printer. They enjoy writing journals, essays, articles, poems, and book drafts; e-mailing friends and family; writing blogs; or maintaining websites. • Reading is a hobby enjoyed on the road by those who also delight in it at home. Travelers bring the latest fiction or nonfiction book with them or borrow books, talking or print, from a local library. • Shopping is high on the list of hobbies that RVers enjoy.
• RVing bird watchers can enjoy their hobby wherever they go or at planned birding destinations. Birders’ resources can be found at americanbirding.org. • Many RVers collect items – from rocks and gems to antiques and toys. • Some RVers research family trees by visiting governmental record rooms, genealogical societies, church offices (for birth, baptismal, marriage and death dates), and libraries (for old newspapers). They take photos of ancestral homesteads, church sites, and cemetery tombstones. If you plan to visit civic offices, arrive on a day they are open – not weekends or holidays. • RVing musicians may take along a guitar or other musical instrument for the enjoyment of everyone. Resources • Many RV parks and resorts offer craft, woodworking, and creative arts classes for overnight or long-term visitors. Check a campground directory for specific parks offering activities of interest, or search gocampingamerica.com. • Certain chapters of RV clubs focus on specific interests of its members. For example, the Holiday Hams chapter of the Holiday Rambler Recreational Vehicle Club, hrrvc.org, is for licensed amateur radio operators. • Automobile buffs can find the locations of museums such as the Henry Ford Museum, Dearborn, Michigan, at car?stuff.com/carlinks/museums.htm. • The National Park Service, nps.gov, preserves America’s history. Among many others, it has 70 parks that tell the story of the Civil War, cwar.nps.gov/civilwar. Tips • Before photographing an old gravestone, wet it with water so the lettering will show up better.
MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 23
• When planning a trip, leave some free time so you can see whatever museums or other places interest you as you go along. • At welcome centers, browse the brochures or ask the staff for information related to your hobby. • If photography is your hobby, keep your camera and phone handy beside the passenger seat and have a purse or fanny pack that’s big enough
PAGE 24 MONTANA SENIOR NEWS
JUNE/JULY 2016
Visit us online at
MontanaSeniorNews.com
to hold it. In a small tablet, record date, subject, and location of each photo. • If you’d like to travel to a remote location such as Alaska in pursuit of your hobby but would like company, consider an RV caravan. The sponsoring group plans the itinerary and makes advance
25th Annual Golf Scramble
August 19, 2016 • TEST YOUR SKILLS
• INDIVIDUAL & TEAM PRIZES • LUNCH PROVIDED • SILENT AUCTION Silver Fox Golf Course Salish Kootenai College, Pablo
Starting 8:30am—and—1:15pm Register online: foundation.skc.edu for more info call: 406-275-4983 Proceeds support both the Salish Kootenai College Foundation Scholarship Fund & KSKC Public TV
OPEN TIL 6PM WEEKDAYS
“We’ll Make the Deal!”
You Make the Drive,
SATURDAY HOURS: SALES: 9AM–4PM PARTS: 9AM–12PM
HWY 87 WEST, LEWISTOWN (406) 538-4014 • 1-800-823-4014
www.snowymountainmotors.com
reservations for campgrounds and group activities such as meals, ferries, sightseeing, and shows. Of course, nobody says an RVer must have a hobby. It’s just that there are so many specialinterest activities that are mobile and that enrich the RVer’s travel experience. MSN
Close Isn’t Good Enough By Patrick M. Kennedy If you are new to the game… or considering taking it up to fill that extra time on your hands… follow the bouncing ball. Golf is such an all-the-rage yet controversial pastime the best we can do here is summarize and categorize information, quote the experts, and allow the ball to drop where it may. Just remember, before you proceed into this world, standing on a golf course doesn’t make you a golfer any more than standing in a garage makes you a hot rod. Also remember, it is a game for perfectionists. You must get the ball into the hole, not once, but 18 times. Close isn’t good enough. Consequently, it becomes the source of aggravation and the dusty accumulation of bent drivers and putters. There are so many off-the-wall rules, antidotes, quotes, personal tales, techniques, training hints, and philosophies, the only useful revelations may possibly come by stuffing them all into a ball washer and letting it spit them willy-nilly onto the green. Some of the basic rules for domestic safety are: Never go golfing with your wife; never go golfing with your husband; because here we see the nubbin of an endless debate. But one realistic rule followed by most experienced golfers is: Never go golfing with your goldfish unless you take your SCUBA gear or you train it to retrieve your balls from the #%$&*^ pond. This reveals a sparkle of sanity in an insane distraction. As one unknown duffer (hacker) said, “I’ve spent most of my life golfing... the rest I’ve just wasted.” This goes a long way in describing the commitment and madness of some to a hobby of following a small, white ball around the world … no matter where it lies. Now let’s put golf in perspective and separate it from other activities. One of the most elegant and successful pursuers of this insanity... until his precipitous fall from grace, Tiger Woods, has broken it down saying, “Hockey is a sport for white men. Basketball is a sport for black men. Golf is a sport for white men dressed like black pimps.” And the bowler Don Carter adds, “One of the advantages bowling has over golf is that you seldom lose a bowling ball.” He has a firm finger-hole grip on the game. Honesty has a dubious existence in golf. We’ve all heard of, thought about, seen it, and maybe done it, kicked a ball from behind a tree or pile of cow dung to get an unimpeded shot at the flag. Arnold Palmer (of Arnie’s Army) one of the greatest hackers of all time exposed why he and others are so successful. He is a great teacher of the tricks of the trade, “I have a tip that can take five strokes off anyone’s golf game: it’s called an eraser.” Many aficionados support this revelation that golf is a lot of walking, broken up by disappointment, and bad arithmetic … and maybe a good eraser or creative caddy helps. “Isn’t it fun to go out on the course and lie in the sun?” jibed golf nut Bob Hope. The best advice before the first golf lesson: learn how to stand and to move like a pretzel. “Have you ever noticed what golf spells backwards?’ asks Al Boliska, but do you know it also stands for God’s Ol’ Lunatic Fun. “The only time my prayers are never answered is on the golf course,” observes Billy Graham. Exercise, fun, socializing, and entertainment are the overriding goals of golf – with restrictions. “If you drink, don’t drive. Don’t even putt,” said the well-known expert, Dean Martin. “I play in the low 80s. If it’s any hotter than that, I won’t play,” admitted Joe E. Lewis. Then there’s the exercise. “Golf is golf. You hit the ball, you go find it. Then you hit it again,” long time professional duffer, Lon Hinkle, simplifies the absurdity. A golfer’s diet, besides eating crow and chewing on knuckles after a slice or hook, is living on greens as much as possible. There you have it. There are so many expert quotes and dehumanizing rules and reasons NOT to take up the sport of golf, that you may be disheartened, but don’t be. There are also many more reasons to fulfill this dream, such as… MSN
The Science of Superstition By Jim Brown Are “After 50” golfers superstitious? No. Superstitious is a word that is not strong enough to describe the extreme behavior that many of us exhibit before, during, and after a round of golf. We have taken superstition to the level of science. What goes on in golfers’ heads? You probably don’t want to know everything, but mental conditions like the yips, poor preparation, lack of concentration, and a strong case of the jitters are as curable as they are real. We may not be more superstitious than younger golfers, but we’ve have had more time to contemplate and refine our beliefs. By now, our superstitions have endured and have moved toward science. No matter how ridiculous, we are firm in our superstitions and we’re sticking to them. So, here is a starter list of golf superstitions submitted by readers who were given advance notice. • “Don’t talk to my ball. After I strike the ball on a putt, be quiet. If I miss the shot, it’s because your comments affected the path of the ball. I’m serious.” – Jess, Louisiana • “If I’m playing well, whatever I’m wearing stays on the entire round. It
JUNE/JULY 2016
doesn’t matter if it was 40 degrees when I started the round and now it’s 83, I’m wearing long sleeve shirts, sweaters, jackets... the whole deal. Of course, if I start playing badly, I’ll dress more reasonably.” – Mike, Ohio • “I never buy a golf ball, period. It’s not that I’m cheap. I’m retired and have no money worries. But I can’t play with a ball other than one that I find. I figure if it’s been lost, it’s looking for a new owner. When I find it, I know that it wanted to be mine and for a reason that has to be good. But I cannot play a Top Flight. If I find one of those, I quickly give it away. That ball is bad luck for me. Just Slazengers and Titleists are good.” Jim – Massachusetts • Finally, Australian golfer Adam Holden offers this four-pack: 1. On a trip to the U.S., he packs 300 day-glo orange tees. “Won’t use anything but, mate.” 2. “If I change spikes on my shoes, each spike must be exactly the same. No mix and match jobs. And I change them a lot, because if one is worn just a bit, out they all come.” 3. “If someone touches my clubs prior to a tournament, I’m ready to see a psychiatrist, withdraw, or fight because I figure I just lost all chance of winning or playing well.” 4) “I eat a ham sandwich before each tournament and it MUST be between two pieces of bread. It cannot be on any kind of bread roll.” MSN
Birthing Class Submitted by Jim Meade The room was full of pregnant women and their partners. The Lamaze instructor began the class saying, “Ladies, remember that exercise is good for you. Walking is very beneficial and will make delivery that much easier. Try to stay on a soft surface like grass. Partners! Try walking together as a shared experience.” The room became very quiet as a partnerslowly raised his hand. “Yes?” said the Instructor. “I was just wondering, would be all right if she carries a golf bag?” MSN
MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 25
PAGE 26 MONTANA SENIOR NEWS
JUNE/JULY 2016
The Best-Ever Four-Legged Fertilizing Lawnmowers: Steitzhof’s Merino Sheep ack Welcome b0’s to the 5
ENm OP m–3p 7a
Old fash ne d hard ice-io crea shakes! m
tering mouth waer burg s!
Homemade Pie
r e n i s e s D l e g l n g a n j a BBooj 406-755-1950 • 110 Hutton Ranch Rd. #103 406-755-3222 • 1319 Hwy 2 West
By Gail Jokerst; www.gailjokerst.com Carol Treadwell-Steitz may not be a Trekkie, but she is definitely acquainted with one of Star Trek’s most famous lines: “To boldly go where no man has gone before.” In Carol’s case, it is her fingers that have boldly gone places she never dreamt of before she became midwife to a small herd of South Australian Merino sheep. As anyone who has raised animals knows, sometimes humans have to assist with birthing the young. For sheep, as well as many other critters, survival depends on the front legs and nose exiting simultaneously. When things do not proceed as Mother Nature intends, someone has to make a manual adjustment. Carol’s husband John is usually the one who comes to the rescue. However, occasionally the situation calls for Carol to perform those intimate midwife duties while John keeps the ewe still. Following the lamb’s birth, the ewe normally licks her babe clean and cajoles it to stand on wobbly legs. If the lamb does not promptly aim for the udder, Carol urges it in the right direction. “Some lambs instinctively know what to do, others don’t. My job is to make sure the lambs find the dinner table. The first 30 minutes are critical,” emphasizes Carol, “They get colostrum from their mother’s milk with nutrients and antibodies, which are only absorbed in the first 30 minutes to 48 hours.” Originally a Minneapolis suburbanite, Carol
Retirement Living Montana Style.
To schedule a personal tour, please call:
406-837-2698 TTY 711
406-257-8162
Exceptional Lifestyle Choices Rising Mountains offers attractive apartment homes and just the right amount of assistance. We are close to the cultural activities and healthcare facilities of Bigfork and within 15 miles of a top-rated hospital in Kalispell. Independent, Assisted Living, or Respite Care—Your Choice!
$1000 off Move-in Special
225 Coverdell Road • Bigfork, MT 59911 • 406 837-2698 • www.risingmountains.com
knew nothing about sheep husbandry until she and John bought a Whitefish farm, which they named Steitzhof. John, on the other hand, grew up on a working farm in Pennsylvania with beef cattle, horses, and a large herd of Dorset sheep. He started this venture with a good idea of what to expect, especially during lambing season. “When we moved here, John wanted to raise animals. We decided on a small specialty herd of sheep because they’re pretty easy to raise and aren’t a lot of care. You just grow grass and feed them once a day,” says Carol, “They are four-legged fertilizing lawnmowers. They improve rather than destroy the landscape.” The couple looked into breeds that would produce wool for spinning that featured high-quality luster, strength, and crimp. When they discovered the Australian Merinos, they agreed the species would suit their purposes and locale. “These Merinos have longer legs and bodies than other Merinos and a longer staple length of wool, which spinners like,” explains John, “With the Northwest’s wet weather, the fleeces are more resistant to rot and will felt less than American Merinos.” Raising no more than a dozen sheep at a time has made the workload manageable. To keep the fleeces clean, John and Carol dress each sheep in a cloth coat. Every few months, they exchange it for a larger size. For that task, John wrangles
JUNE/JULY 2016
and Carol acts as valet. A lower head count has also helped manage the health of the herd. The smaller the herd, the easier it is to detect potential problems. “When my family lost a large percentage of our 100 sheep to disease, I found out how a whole flock can go south in a hurry,” recalls John, “That experience told me I didn’t want a large flock again.” During those earlier years, John also learned about protecting sheep from unlikely predators. While some people might assume coyotes and mountain lions pose the most threat to a flock, he found that domestic dogs allowed to run loose are as deadly to sheep as any feral critter. Enter Teddy. Affectionately dubbed the Inspector, Teddy is Steitzhof’s resident watchman. He also happens to be a magnificent black llama who takes his job seriously. “Teddy puts himself between the sheep and any danger. For instance, when horses act up, Teddy moves all the sheep towards and into the barn, then stands guard,” says Carol, “He’ll even rush toward the enemy, which is unusual for llamas.” “His screeches are the best protection available,” adds John, “His alarm call is not like any sound you have ever heard from a four-legged animal.” When the lambs arrive each spring, Teddy keenly observes the birth and patiently waits for each new resident to appear. As soon as it is possible to do so, he sniffs each lamb, imprinting its scent. Then he trots away to keep a lookout over his flock from afar. When the coast appears clear, he sometimes discards his security guard persona and moves into frisky mode. “We see him playfully herding the sheep or letting the lambs climb all over him,” says John, who has been known to join the fun and play a form of Charge with his rams from which he always escapes unscathed. “They don’t see very well but you can still learn what their tricks are and the games they like to play. More than once, a ram has stolen my tractor keys right out of the ignition and dropped them on the
MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 27
ground not far away. Sheep are brighter than we think,” he says, “You get to know their personalities, who’s a boss, a bully, a leader, or a follower.” Shearing occurs about a month before the lambs arrive. As in centuries past, this annual event is best handled by someone fast and adept at clipping the fleece. Friends and neighbors help with wrangling and skirting. The wranglers separate each reluctant, and often uncooperative, sheep from the herd and muscle it to the shearer. The skirters remove the dirtiest and shortest sections of fleece and bag the wool to sell at regional fiber festivals. Since Carol is Executive Director of the Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation and John coaches alpine skiers, their decision to raise sheep was more a lifestyle choice than a full-time business. As John points out, “watching lambs butt heads and play king of the mountain sure beats sitting in front of a TV. There is something about raising animals and being around them every day that is a special thing. It’s always been a part of me. It’s all the life phases of that animal from the day the lamb is born to raising it through reproduction.” “And they are way easier than dogs,” adds Carol, “You don’t have to take sheep for a walk.” She and John love this way of living and are rightfully proud of their herd’s prize-winning fleeces. In just three years, Steitzhof has built a reputation for quality wool as well as a growing roster of spinners wanting their wares. That recognition compensates for any midnight midwife calls and for introducing OR ONTANA Carol’s fingers to foreign places that now qualify io as familiar territory. MSN AudAlso
F
M
HISTORY LOVERS
CD ilable Ava
$
18 SHIPPING INCLUDED
EACH, ORDER BY MAIL
Books by Kalispell Author, Grace Larson
520 14th St. E., Kalispell | 406-890-2112 | www.montanagracelarson.com
PAGE 28 MONTANA SENIOR NEWS
JUNE/JULY 2016
Bringing Out The Kid In Everybody: Magical Entertainer Dan Jimmerson By Gail Jokerst; www.gailjokerst.com “What the eyes see and the ears hear, the mind believes.” The words may be Harry Houdini’s but the truth behind them has guided illusionists long before and after Houdini’s heyday. No one knows this better than magical entertainer Dan Jimmerson. He mastered his first card trick when he was 11
JOHNSON GLOSCHAT Funeral Home & Crematory
Erik Fisher
Family Services • Advanced Planning
406-261-3607 2659 U.S. Hwy 93 North P.O. Box 457 Kalispell, Montana 59903
Kalispell • Columbia Falls • Whitefish • Glacier Memorial Gardens
Many thanks to our Veterans this
4th of July
and is still keeping audiences smiling and baffled. Francisco Bay Area magician, Roger Mycroft. Although too shy to show that card trick to After relocating to the Flathead, Roger placed an anyone except his famad in The Mountain ily and a few friends, Dan Trader looking for knew he wanted to delve people interested in deeper into the age-old art joining a magic club. of illusion. As he continued Dan answered the to perfect his sleight of ad, which turned out hand skills, the more he to be an excellent understood that adeptness move for him. at reading people mattered “Roger taught me as much as deftness of to forget the rabhand movements. bit and the big illu“A lot of magic is real sions. Instead, he simple. You need to have said to concentrate good manual dexterity, on stand-up, closethe ability to make people up magic tricks,” relaugh, and patience,” he members Dan. “He says. “You must be able also said it was betto do the mechanics of ter to do six tricks the trick without thinking well instead of 25 about it and put everything tricks decently. You into the presentation. But can make your living there’s a distinct differdoing six tricks. But ence between practicing you need to do them and performing. You have better than anyone to be able to interact with else.” Magician Dan Jimmerson effectively uses his sleight-ofthe audience when you Another important hand skills to teach 4th and 5th graders about electricity perform and make adjust- and how to avoid electrocution. [Photo by Gail Jokerst] thing Roger emphaments when necessary.” sized is that a trick has to be more than After his military ser- magic. It also has to be entertaining. vice in the 1970’s, Dan “The trick means nothing unless you can hook took a job with the Co- people with the presentation, the reason to be lumbia Falls Aluminum doing it,” states Dan. “So you try and interject a Company, where he story related to the trick or something to go along earned his living for with it.” the next 27 years. DeAs Dan’s reputation as an illusionist grew, spite long hours on the organizations, businesses, and individuals began potlines, he constantly asking him to entertain attendees and guests taught himself new at special events and parties. Nowadays, Dan magic tricks at home. keeps an active year-round calendar performing Through his co-work- throughout the Flathead. And thanks to him, you ers and through talent can definitely tell what day of the week it is if you shows at his daughter’s stop for dinner at The Back Room in Columbia school, he gradually Falls. Every Thursday evening for the past 24 became known locally years Dan has delighted diners at this landmark as a magician. restaurant with his talents. During this time, “My job is to make their evening more enjoyDan absorbed valu- able. To make them laugh, have fun, and want able lessons about his to come back. With two rubber bands, a deck craft courtesy of a San of cards, and a sponge ball I can perform for 30
Genesis HealthCareSM Home means family. Home means safety. Home means feeling restored. At Genesis HealthCareSM Whitefish Center, home also means thriving—physically, emotionally and socially. We provide professional medical services such as skilled nursing and rehabiliation therapy in a quality, caring environment. Welcome home.
Whitefish Center
(406) 862-3557
1305 E. Seventh Street Whitefish, MT 59937
JUNE/JULY 2016
minutes at a table,” notes Dan. “You get so you can read people pretty well, whether they’ll enjoy it or not. I can tell within 30 seconds at a table if I’ll do one or three tricks. I can also count on one hand how many times people have said, ‘no, not interested.’” Given that party guests and the restaurant’s clientele constantly change, he never worries about doing the same tricks over again. “You can repeat them because your audience is always new and second-timers don’t mind seeing a repeat. It doesn’t matter how many times people see a trick, they’ll want to see it again if they like it,” says Dan. “Most people like to be fooled but I never try to make someone look stupid. Some people get frustrated because they want to figure it out and can’t. It’s not often that people do figure it out. About 95 percent of the people don’t care about that; they don’t want to figure it out.” One of the most unexpected offshoots of his sideline occurred when Dan agreed to use his magic skills on behalf of Flathead Electric
Coop to teach school kids how to be safe around electricity. For the past eight years, from February to June, Dan has visited 4th- and 5th-grade classrooms around Flathead Valley and in Glacier County explaining the difference between insulators and conductors and why people are electrocuted. He estimates he has reached some 15,000 students so far. “I want them to see how electricity works and teach them what to do and not do around electricity. I present facts and tie in magic tricks using coins, cards, ropes, and sponge balls to hold their interest,” says Dan, who researched and wrote his own script. “The schools love it and the kids get to be educated and entertained. The biggest lesson they learn is that electricity wants to go to ground and take the shortest way to get there. If you are in its path, you will be electrocuted. You die.” As a performer, Dan loves knowing that where magic is concerned neither age nor language barriers exist between him and his audiences, be they grade-schoolers or grandparents, Ameri-
Sue Cummings Cheesemaker (Cont’d from front cover) As the couple learned to feed, milk, and tend their herd, they also began to notice that these critters bore noticeable similarities to humans. Each one had a distinct personality and occasionally had trouble getting along with others. “Some will tolerate hugs. Others will not. Like people, they want to be together but they head butt and argue all the time, which gets the food first, who goes out the gate first. They are not warm and fuzzy like cats and dogs, but they like you back,” says Sue. Although she does not consider them as smart as dogs, she finds them much smarter than cows or sheep. “They’re very clever and creative at escaping. You need to have a really good fence because they are escape artists. They can even pick locks by jiggling a chain loose to unlatch a gate,” comments Sue, who once returned home to find her driveway dotted with goat poop and flowerbeds missing half their tasty blossoms. While she handles the milking detail twice daily during the seven or eight milk-producing months, Steve tackles other duties. He deals with the hay and straw, cleans the goat barn, and clips the goats’ nails. When Sue first introduced the idea of raising goats for their milk, Steve could not say he was surprised. “Here we go again,” he thought, “a new experiment. It never ceases to amaze me.” Fortunately, for the two of them, their Nubians thrive in the Flathead’s year-round climate. “The land is so dry, parasites are minimized. Plus the goats do well on the hay and alfalfa that grows everywhere here,” observes Sue. “They’re sturdy and tough. However, they do need a barn, someplace to get out of the snow and rain.” To prepare for the goats’ arrival, Sue spent a year reading books on the ancient craft of cheesemaking and experimented with creating cheeses from cow’s milk such as Neufchatel, feta, Colby, and cheddar. While she had plenty of successes, she also had enough failures to prompt her to want to improve her skills. “I have always had a basic curiosity like a scientist, always had projects going, and wanted to know how things worked,” states Sue. “For me, life is a game. Everything I can make by myself is a challenge, like a puzzle to be figured out.” So she and Steve drove to the University of Vermont where she enrolled in an intensive, twoweek cheesemaking course. Getting to talk with dairy experts and ask them her questions met her needs perfectly. “Every class was a revelation,” recalls Sue. “I was constantly saying, ‘Oh, that’s why that happens! ’When you understand the science, you know when precisely to follow a recipe and when you have some leeway. It depends on the type of cheese and the process used to make it. You have to know when you could kill the bacteria because the milk temperature rises too high or when it matters if you add 1/4th instead of 1/8th teaspoon of rennet.” Sue’s desire to share her knowledge with others grew alongside her mastery of the chemistry behind this craft. Consequently, for the past two years she has taught several classes on cheesemaking to continuing education students at Flathead Valley Community College. She offers springtime classes
MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 29
can or foreign. Visitors to the Flathead, who may barely speak English, watch him transfixed often with accompanying ‘oooh’s’ and ‘ahhhh’s.’ So do residents of assisted living and nursing homes, who are especially appreciative of his abilities. “I’ll never forget one woman in particular in the Alzheimer’s Unit at Kalispell’s Emmanuel Lutheran Home. Her eyes lit up and she was like a six-year-old girl again. Magic isn’t just for kids,” Dan concludes. “It brings out the kid in everybody.” For more information, email danj63@charter. net or call 406-261-5763. MSN
PAGE 30 MONTANA SENIOR NEWS
before her goats have their babies and fall classes after harvesting and canning the bounty from Steve’s garden. No matter the season, her classes fill up faster than you can say, “Pass the Gorgonzola, please.” In fact, so many people wanted to enroll in her Introduction to Cheesemaking the first year it was offered; she had to add an extra class session. And despite adding three more classes this spring, there are still names on the waiting list. As Sue has discovered, “There is an enormous demand to learn to make food from scratch and to eat real food.” She also teaches how to make Cheddar, hard aged cheese, and several cheeses from Italy ranging from velvety slightly sweet mascarpone to sharp brick-hard Parmesan. The focus on Italian cheese came about because Americans eat so much of it. Mozzarella ranks as the nation’s best-seller, thanks to all the pizza consumed here. Cheddar, her personal favorite due to its
JUNE/JULY 2016
flavor and versatility, takes second place nationwide. According to Sue, making cheese is much like baking bread, which she also does frequently. In both cases, you start with a few basic ingredients but have the potential of creating a
seemingly infinite number of delicious variations. “I think cheesemaking is as close to magic as we’re going to come. I know the science behind it. I know what happens to the molecules. But every time I see that curd set up and make cheese,” she says, “it still feels like magic.” MSN
Putting All The Colors In Their Places: Potter Joanna Griffin By Gail Jokerst; www.gailjokerst.com If you were a sleuth seeking clues about an artist’s identity, a thoughtful study of that person’s work could reveal intriguing facts. Take Joanna Griffin’s pottery for instance. Some of her pieces are inscribed with quotes from the Scriptures while others bear charming images of African women and children. And yet others create visions of vivid rainbows, pastel-hued skies, or star-sprinkled nights. Together, these details fingerprint the woman behind the colorful artware created in Pomegranate Clay Studio. The child of missionary parents, this Kalispellbased potter was born in Zimbabwe where she lived until age 14. Consequently, her spiritual leanings took root early in life and continued to grow stronger. Joanna’s love for Africa and its people has also remained steadfast. “I remember women laughing. There was a deep joy in these people despite their poverty,” recalls Joanna. “In 2000, I had a desire to paint figures on my pottery for the first time and wanted to have a link back to Africa. It’s an important part of who I am.” Without doubt, Joanna has reached her goal. Her passion for that continent shines through the whimsical figures she portrays as well as the vibrant array of colors splashed across her bowls, cups, and plates. “The more I learned to express emotion and movement in simple figures, the more alive they became. To my surprise,” she adds, “People loved them in Montana. They’ve been a huge success. More so than the cowgirls I’ve painted. People are drawn to the energy of basic original ethnicity. It’s a statement of a longing for a simpler vision than what we live in and it doesn’t get any simpler than the figure of an African
woman.” Aside from crafting these uniquely designed pieces, Joanna donates funds monthly to African education and AIDS relief organizations. The letters she receives regularly from the students she assists count among her sweetest joys. “My creativity needs to be used for something beyond making money. It’s for the good of others, to uplift and encourage through form and color. Once I made the commitment to give away some profit and advance those in need, my work became more lively. It represented an extension of spirit and hope going out from me,” she states. “I saw that the possibilities of making a difference in other people’s lives are endless. I never thought that as an artist I’d have the means to do that.” Her contemplative nature of things unseen yet close to her heart is evident in both the boldness and softness of her color palettes and hand-crafted shapes. All are influenced by Montana’s uncluttered landscape and vast expanse of sky. “Living in Montana as an artist, I need a lot of space and solitude. That’s why I came here. I can hop in a car, go for a drive, and be immersed in a rich sanctuary of open space. It’s like being a paintbrush and needing a blank canvas,” explains Joanna, “like being part of the majestic world around me.” It was while attending Berea College in Kentucky in the late 1970s that Joanna received her introduction to abstract art through the minimalist canvases of Mark Rothko, Barnett Newman, and Jackson Pollock. Notably, it was Rothko’s intense color fields that ignited her imagination and came to define her future work in the medium of clay. “I delighted in and excelled at abstract art. It just fit for me. From the three-minute studies we did, I learned that art is not about capturing what something looks like but capturing its essence,” remembers Joanna, who considers herself an art – not a production – potter. “You let go of trying to do something exactly and feel the energy flowing.” (Continued on page 35)
Polson is at the center of the Flathead Cherry Bowl and life is good!
By Bernice Karnop Erma Bombeck made Americans laugh when she said, “If life is a bowl of cherries, then what am I doing in the pits?” But still, if life is a bowl of cherries, it’s a pretty darn good life, pits and all. What could possibly top the taste of a deep red, sweet cherry? They are perfect just as they come from the tree. Pick up one by the stem, bite into it, and let the decadent sweetness explode in your mouth. They even look
JOHNSON GLOSCHAT Funeral Home & Crematory
Erik Fisher
Family Services • Advanced Planning
406-261-3607 2659 U.S. Hwy 93 North P.O. Box 457 Kalispell, Montana 59903
Kalispell • Columbia Falls • Whitefish • Glacier Memorial Gardens
JUNE/JULY 2016
perfect, round and plump, polished to a shine, a red so deep it’s almost black. The color seeps right into the firm, juicy flesh. And, yes, Erma, even smooth-shelled pits are a pleasure to suck on and spit out. But to a Montana native, the succulent cherry means even more: Flathead cherries. It’s a long wait since last summer and difficult to settle for less at the grocery store when they do arrive. Of course, there’s no Flathead variety – cherries may be Bing, Lambert, Vann, Rainer, and more. But you’d have a hard time convincing the faithful that cherries grown in orchards around Polson and on the east shore of Flathead Lake aren’t sweeter and more beautiful than the rest. Some say that there’s a reason Flathead cherries are better. The huge natural lake helps to moderate temperatures year-round with the winds that blow across it to the east shore. Considering that the elevation there is about 3,000 feet above sea level and considering how far north it is, the temperatures are uncommonly mild. Days are sunny and warm, but it cools down in the evenings. This causes the cherries to mature more slowly than in orchards that stay warm at night. The extended growing season produces the super-sweet Flathead cherries. The rocky, well-drained soil and the glacier-fed water are also factors that help make the cherries special. Cherries were introduced early in the settlement of Montana, first in the Bitterroot. They weren’t successful because the trees winterkilled or the blossoms froze. A few decades later, they were brought to the Flathead with more success. According to Chuck Robbins, in Flathead Lake: from Glaciers to Cherries, the first commercial orchards were planted in 1929. In 1935, the cherry growers organized a cooperative to facilitate the packing, hauling and marketing of cherries, Flathead Lake Cherry Growers, Inc. Although growing conditions around Polson are ideal for growing cherries, growers face an astounding number of challenges. They gamble with the weather – rain, hail, freezing temperatures – every year. If a severe winter freeze kills trees and they have to replant, it takes at least five years before new trees produce, and 12 years before they come to full production. Mice can kill trees by chewing the bark off all around, and deer like to chomp off new shoots. Producers have to make sure that the flowers are pollinated, usually by bringing in bees. Rain or hail can split the fruit once it’s formed, and the cherry fruit fly can wreak havoc on a crop. To see the cherry blossoms, you have to be there around the second week in May. If you plan your trip to Polson around the third week of July, you can load up on fresh-picked cherries from a roadside stand or in town. The Polson Business Community and the Flathead Lake Cherry Growers host the Polson Main Street Cherry Festival July 16-17, 2016. This is a fun and a little bit crazy time to test cherry related food, participate in games and contests, or buy Montana products on the streets. Competitive spirits can try the oldfashioned cherry pie-eating contest, or the cherry pit-spitting contest. Grandchildren will have a ball! There’s more to keep you lingering in this “port city” including a comedy or musical show from the Port Polson Players, a visit to the amazing Miracle of America Museum, or a chance to shop in one-of-a kind local businesses. Flathead Lake is the largest natural freshwater lake west of the Mississippi in the contiguous United States and a remnant of ancient glacially dammed Lake Missoula. Just 30 miles south of Glacier National Park, it’s surrounded by the lovely Mission Mountains on the east and the Salish Mountains on the west. Naturally, Polson located on the southern shore provides endless water related recreation, such as swimming, boating, sailing, fishing, birding, and more. Fortunately, the state of Montana established and manages five state parks on the lake’s 128-mile shoreline, and one in the middle of the lake, Wild Horse Island. Wayfarers State Park is near Bigfork, Yellow Bay State Park is in the heart of the cherry orchards, Finley Point is a beautiful arm of land that curls into the Lake near the south end. Big Arm and West Shore State Parks are on the west side. Kerr Dam, on the south end of the Lake, regulates the water level. As you plan your summer adventures, make sure you put Polson, cherries, and Flathead Lake on your itinerary. MSN
MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 31
Mission Mountain Enterprises Serving our area’s individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Bring in this ad for a
20% Discount
Ronan
Twice But Nice
229 Main St. SW • Ronan • 406-676-2727 Open Mon–Fri, 9am–6pm, Sat 9am–5pm
Polson
Nifty Thrifty
417 Main ST • Polson • 406-883-3443 Open Mon–Sat, 9am–6pm
Donations to the stores are always appreciated! Call for large donation pickups.
PAGE 32 MONTANA SENIOR NEWS
JUNE/JULY 2016
JUNE/JULY 2016
MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 33
PAGE 34 MONTANA SENIOR NEWS
JUNE/JULY 2016
Trumping Your Favorite Church By Bill Hall Over the centuries, religions have been like individual people. From time to time, they are stricken with a pious sickness of sorts, a furious fever of hatred for other religions. This spiritual rage overheats your noggin and robs even a normally sane person of his notion of brotherhood. There’s often some jealousy and alleged superiority among religious people or even among people with political prejudices. But worse, sometimes small factions inside a single religion – or inside just one lonely little church – can get cantankerous and yell at each other during sacred services. However, most religions recover sooner or later. Let bygones be flesh wounds. The crotchety members regain their former prudence. They have the decency to blush a little at the memory of their my-religion-can-whip-your-religion phase. Some religions more than others try to get along. For instance, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam all began as well-intentioned do-gooders out to help the poor and the hungry. In early times, all three of those religions would occasionally share some of the same great leaders and motives. But well-led church people can go through a cranky mood and, even with an entire planet to live on, some fanatical religious people just feel crowded. The first thing you know, the hot heads take offense over something of no great import, grab a sword, and start killing other fanatics Centuries ago, Christianity, backed by the Catholic Church of that era, rounded up “crusaders” in suits of armor who picked up their swords and away they went on a bloody mission to butcher members of other religions. Mostly that meant they leaped on their horses and rode away determined to murder Muslims. Now, all these years later, a new, infuriated offshoot of Islam is trying to return the murdering
favor, while the rest of Islam suffers from the embarrassment. Most hideous of all, sometimes one small denomination will kill all its own men, women and children, primarily because the charismatic leader of a sect thinks an early chance at heaven would be a dandy idea. It isn’t. For instance, there was Jonestown. That was a Christian congregation from San Francisco with a blatantly insane, drug-addled preacher named Jim Jones. He moved his large flock to a jungle in Guyana. Then, on November 18, 1978 under his twisted leadership, more than 900 people ingested a lethal dose of poison – some cooperating and some forced to swallow a dose at gunpoint. In small ways, it was the ISIS of its day, another irrational leader getting gullible young people killed. Naturally, most religions that have binged over the years on killing each other for praying in the wrong house of worship are people who are slow to apologize or forgive. But let me call all such people’s attention to the favor they could do to their alleged enemies: When it comes to Christian crusaders and crusading Muslims, they long for an early entry into heaven. Bizarre people on both sides of such fantasies should bear in mind that, when they kill you, they will be giving you a ticket to heaven. Now, here in our time, we have a relatively new form of making your own religion or politics look lousy. Much of the normal Republican leadership in the United States is openly aghast at the outbursts of Donald Trump, the current leading presidential candidate. The other day, out of the blue, he signaled his supporters that, as president, he would ban all Muslims from entering the United States, even though they arrive here the same way my immigrant ancestors and yours did. When our ancestors came to America, they were frequently told to get lost by self-important
JUNE/JULY 2016
earlier arrivals on these shores. The Irish were starving in Ireland’s potato famine. They came in such great numbers that they were slapped in the face on their way through America’s door. Now some descendants of those hungry Irish immigrants are among today’s tormentors of the newest batch of starving people coming to this country. Muslims are among the bullied today. Chances are your immigrant an-
MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 35
cestors weren’t exactly welcomed with open arms. Some among us are still uneasy around former enemies like Germany. If a couple dozen Germans moved into your neighborhood, would Trump try stopping that? Wait a minute! Trump? Isn’t that a German name? Hall may be contacted at wilberth@cableone.net or at 1012 Prospect Ave., Lewiston, ID 83501. MSN
Potter Joanna Griffin - continued from page 30 The difference, she explains, matters. In production pottery, each plate, for example, intentionally duplicates the other plates in a given design line. In art pottery, similarities may or may not be visible but each plate is meant to express a unique presence. “I put no rules on my artwork and listen to what each piece needs. It may be five minutes or 25 minutes of decorative painting. Each piece has to be allowed its own energy,” says Joanna. After moving to Bozeman from the East Coast in 1980, Joanna took several sculpture classes at Montana State University. She quickly learned she had an affinity for clay, terra cotta in particular with its warm reddish color base. “Throwing pots came very easily to me; it fell into my scope of ability. I had been seeking ways to allow my creative voice to speak,” says this energetic grandmother. “I wanted something contemporary, things people could use so my abstract work would have a life of its own.” An unexpected fringe benefit of her business occurred when Joanna invited her children’s teachers and their students to her studio for a hands-on workshop. Classrooms of enthusiastic little artists have visited ever since. Interestingly, Joanna credits these children as the influence behind a style that has become unmistakably her own. “I watched the kids create these beautiful pieces of artwork using all the colors of paint I had available. My spirit was longing for a wild explosion of color. Because of them, I started treating my clay more like a canvas and going back to my abstract roots,” remembers Joanna, who describes her work as, “a bouquet of color bursting forth of joy, freedom, and life.” These days, her studio also welcomes groups of women, church youth, and special needs groups. Additionally, it makes an innovative venue for birthday parties. Of all the forms she shapes from mounds of clay, it is the everyday multi-purpose bowl that gives Joanna the most satisfaction to produce. Along with mugs, they comprise the bulk of her
output and sales. “Bowls are a simple fluid form. Nothing about a bowl gets in the way of its design as I make it,” she notes. “A mug, on the other hand, is a more constructed piece. It’s a very intimate object; people hold and cherish their mugs – what the mugs might say, how they feel.” Her philosophy about art – whether applied to a mug, bowl, or any of her other clay inspirations – could certainly be adapted by any individual desiring mastery in the creative realm.
Over 60?
“You need to be attentive to yourself, aware, and disciplined with a freedom to flow with the design. It requires a certain amount of letting go of control. The tighter we try and control our creativity, the more we defeat ourselves. You can’t force it. You have to be responsive to it, which is a good practice in all of life,” she advises. “When all the colors are in their places, everything is somehow balanced. Your spirit is alive and the magic begins.” For more information: visit www.joannagriffinpottery.com or call 406-755-0845. MSN
Need a little help with food?
Call Billings Food Bank, we can help you today!
If you are over 60 and your monthly income is less than $1287, or $1736 for a couple, you are eligible for the Senior Nutrition Program. Come see us today! We can help with the forms and you can take your first monthly box of food home with you. Commodities provided include: juice, dry milk, shelf-stable milk, cold cereal/oatmeal, canned fruit and vegetables, cheese, chili or beef stew, peanut butter, rice and pasta. If you pick up your box at the Food Bank, you will get a bigger variety of food items, as well as fresh fruit and vegetables, milk and bread as available.
Distribution Hours M-F 10am-3pm
2112 4th Ave. N • Billings MT 59101 • (406) 259-2856
Premier Affordable Senior Housing Quality, Rent Subsidized Housing for Seniors Ages 62+
Four Montana Locations: Van Ee Apartments
Bozeman Great Falls Helena Kalispell
Summer Wood Apartments The Portage Aspen Village Van Ee Apartments
Features and Ammenities
Summer Wood
• One-bedroom apartments • Spacious kitchens & large bathrooms • Controlled access entry & lobbies • Large multipurpose community rooms • Elevator service & on-site laundry • Outdoor patios & grass grills (at select buildings) • Activity rooms & tub rooms (at select buildings) • 30% gross adjusted monthly income based rent Short Waiting List • Call Today!
CALL 800-466-7722
|
TTY/TDD 800-627-3529
www.accessiblespace.org
PAGE 36 MONTANA SENIOR NEWS
JUNE/JULY 2016
Summer Is Here And So Are All The Fun Things To Do Yes, there are too many fairs, rodeos, festivals, art shows, car shows, benefits, concerts, star gazings, parades, music events, wine tastings, and sporting events going on for the next several months to be able to list them all here. But we have provided a small sampling of fun things that may pique your interests, and with a little searching on the web, you can fill in the gaps. To start, we would suggest readers contact visitmt.com; visitbillings.com; discoverkalispell.com; glaciermt. com; visitbigskymt.com; centralmontana.com; virginiacity.com; southeastmontana.com; southwestmt.com; and visityellowstonecountry.com. These are just a few of the regional and community resources that you can consult in order to make this a most memorable Summer 2016! Additional information regarding events marked with an asterisk can be found in advertisements in this issue of the Montana Senior News. Many of the events listed run on multiple days, but we have listed just the first day of the event. Please call the listed phone number or visit the website for more details. Start Date Location Event Phone Web Address Jun 1 Bigfork Church Basement Ladies 406-837-4886 bigforksummerplayhouse.com Jun 1 Kalispell *Kalispell Farmers’ Market 406-881-4078 kalispellfarmersmarket.org Jun 1 Medicine Hat *Mavericks Baseball Starts 403-527-6422 tourismmedicinehat.com Jun 1 Missoula *Out to Lunch - Caras Park 406-543-4238 missouladowntown.com Jun 1 Missoula *Missoula Farmers’ Market 406-241-9870 missoulafarmersmarket.com Jun 1 Virginia City *Theatre: The Lodger 800-829-2969 virginiacityplayers.com Jun 2 Havre Actors Theatre: Equivocation mtactors.com Jun 2 Missoula *Downtown Tonight Caras Pk 406-543-4238 missouladowntown.com Jun 2 Philipsburg Music at Philipsburg Brewing 406-859-2739 Jun 3 Livingston *Blue Slipper: Steel Magnolias 406-222-7720 blueslipper.com Jun 3 Medicine Hat *Spectrum Arts/Music Festival 403-527-6422 tourismmedicinehat.com Jun 4 Harlem *Casino ATV Giveaway 406-353-2235 fortbelknapcasino.com Jun 4 Red Lodge Red Lodge Music Festival 406-855-3961 Jun 4 West Glacier Music at Belton Chalet 406-888-5000 beltonchalet.com Jun 6 Polson *Family Summer Reading 406-883-8225 northlakecountylibrary.org Jun 6 Polson *Usborne Book Fair 406-883-8225 northlakecountylibrary.org Jun 6 Polson *Makerspace – Mondays 406-883-8225 northlakecountylibrary.org Jun 7 Bozeman Bogert Farmers’ Market starts 406-539-0216 bogertfarmersmarket.org Jun 7 East Glacier Trad. Native Games Clinic 406-226-9141 traditionalnativegames.org Jun 9 Havre Actors Theatre: Equivocation mtactors.com Jun 10 Hot Springs *Homesteader Days 888-305-3106 symeshotsprings.com Jun 10 Virginia City *Brewery Follies 406-843-5218 breweryfollies.net Jun 11 Butte Gem & Mineral Show 406-496-4395 Jun 11 Great Falls *Pet-A-Palooza 406-454-2276 greatfallsmt.net/animalshelter
JUNE/JULY 2016 Jun Jun Jun Jun Jun Jun Jun Jun Jun Jun Jun Jun Jun
11 Helena 11 Lewistown 15 Polson 15 Various 16 Fort Union 16 Helena 16 Three Forks 17 Billings 17 Billings 17 Gardner 17 Great Falls 17 Helena 17 Pryor
Governor’s Cup *Charlie Russell Chew Choo *Adult Coloring Program Shakespeare In the Parks Fort Union Rendezvous Montana Senior Olympics Headwaters Country Jam Billings Mustangs Season MT Brewers Rendezvous Upper Yellowstone Roundup Lewis & Clark Festival Helena Brewers Season Starts History of Crow People
800-447-7828 406-535-5436 406-883-8225 406-994-3901 701-572-9083 406-586-5543 855-821-9212 509-456-7615 406-948-2749 406-848-7710 406-727-8733 509-456-7615 406-252-1289
Jun Jun Jun Jun Jun Jun
18 Bozeman 18 Bozeman 18 Virginia City 21 Medicine Hat 21 Missoula 21 Statewide
*MOR: The Villas of Oplontis Gallatin Valley Farmers Mkt Brothel Days *Jazz Festival Missoula Osprey Season Starts *Row by Row Experience
406-994-2251 406-388-6701 406-843-5700 403-527-6422 509-456-7615 406-257-5799
Jun Jun Jun Jun Jun Jun Jun Jun Jun Jun Jun Jun Jun Jul Jul Jul Jul Jul Jul Jul Jul Jul Jul Jul Jul Jul Jul
23 Deer Lodge 23 Great Falls 24 Fort Benton 24 Garryowen 24 Hardin 24 Polson 24 Whitefish 25 Absarokee 25 Crow Agency 25 Scobey 26 Big Fork 27 Havre 29 Arlee 1 Deer Lodge 1 Martinsdale 1 Medicine Hat 1 Whitefish 2 Deer Lodge 2 Livingston 3 Hope, Idaho 4 Bozeman 4 Deer Lodge 5 Livingston 7 Browning 7 Deer Lodge 7 Wolf Point 8 Butte
*Old Prison Gun Show Great Falls Voyagers Season *Summer Celebration *Custer Battlefield Enactment *Little Big Horn Days Mission Mt NRA Rodeo Classic Wooden Boats Montana BBQ Cookoff *Ultimate Warrior Challenge *Pioneer Days Riverbend Concert Series *Basic Internet/Email Training Arlee July 4 PowWow *Big Sky Draft Horse Expo Bair Art Museum – Native Art *Canada Day Festival Whitefish Arts Festival Grant-Kohrs Historic Mowing Festival of the Arts Lake Pend Oreille Music Sun Festival of the 4th Concert *Old Prison Pig Roast BBQ Bob Scriver Bronze Display North American Indian Days Grant-Kohrs Cattle Branding Wolf Pt Wild Horse Stampede Montana Folk Festival
406-846-3111 509-456-7615 406-622-5316 406-638-2000 406-665-1672 406-883-1100 406-862-5085 406-690-3030 406-638-4440 406-487-5965 406-837-2036 800-332-1201 406-275-2727 406-490-1305 406-572-3314 403-527-6422 406-862-5875 406-846-2070 406-222-2300 208-264-5251 406-585-9774 406-846-3111 406-222-5222 406-338-5194 406-846-2070 406-653-2012 406-497-6464
MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 37
govcupmt.com montanadinnertrain.com northlakecountylibrary.org shakespeareintheparks.org nps.gov/fous montanaseniorolympics.org headwaterscountryjam.com pioneerleague.com montanabrewers.org gardinermtrodeo@yahoo.com lewisandclarkfoundation.org pioneerleague.com stateparks.mt.gov/chief-plentycoups/ museumoftherockies.org gallatinvalleyfarmersmarket.com baleofhaysaloon.com tourismmedicinehat.com pioneerleague.com rowbyrowexperience.com/ montana.htm pcmaf.org/prison.htm pioneerleague.com fortbentonmuseums.com custermuseum.org hardinchamber.com polsonfairgroundsinc.com bigskyacbs.com montanabbqcookoff.com apsaalookenightscasino.com scobeymt.com
Join us for the sixth annual
Big Sky Classical Music Festival August 12-14, 2016
A weekend of amazing music, featuring:
Ana Vidovic (guitar) Angella Ahn, (violin) M5 Mexican Brass Quintet Big Sky Festival Orchestra
itstriangle.com drafthorseexpo.com bairfamilymuseum.org tourismmedicinehat.com whitefishartsfestival.org nps.gov/grko livingstondepot.com beyondhoperesort.com bozemansymphony.org pcmaf.org/prison.htm livingstoncenter.org blackfeetnation.com nps.gov/grko wolfpointchamber.com montanafolkfestival.com
featuring Maestro Peter Bay (Austin, TX) Join us for a weekend of Beethoven, Rodrigo and more in beautiful Big Sky, Montana
www.bigskyarts.org
Presented by the Arts Council of Big Sky and sponsored by:
THE END OF ALZHEIMER’S STARTS WITH YOU
SPONSOR
WALK
VOLUNTEER
DONATE
You are invited to take part in this inspiring event to reclaim the future for millions. Together, families, friends, co-workers, businesses, community, and religious groups come together in a display of combined strength and dedication in the fight against this devastating disease. All funds raised through Walk to End Alzheimer’s benefit the care, support, and research efforts of the Alzheimer’s Assocation. Your participation will: • Help families throughout Montana and accross the country by enhancing education and support programs. • Advance critical Alzheimer’s science searching for treatment, prevention, and ultimately, a cure. • Give voice to the needs and rights of those facing Alzheimer’s through our public policy initiatives.
Billings Bozeman Butte Eureka Great Falls Helena Kalispell Missoula
Sunday, September 25, 2016 Sunday, September 18, 2016 Sunday, October 2, 2016 Saturday, September 10, 2016 Saturday, September 17, 2016 Saturday, October 1, 2016 Saturday, September 17, 2016 Sunday, September 11, 2016
NATIONAL PRESENTING SPONSOR
alz.org/walk 800.272.3900
PAGE 38 MONTANA SENIOR NEWS
JUNE/JULY 2016 Jul Jul Jul Jul Jul Jul Jul Jul Jul Jul Jul Jul Jul Jul Jul Jul Jul Jul Jul Jul Jul Jul Jul Jul Jul Jul Jul Jul Jul Jul Aug Aug Aug Aug Aug Aug Aug Aug Aug Aug Aug Aug
8 Wolf Point 9 Choteau 9 Dutton 9 Red Lodge 10 Polson 11 Havre 15 Virginia City 15 Anaconda 16 Choteau 16 Deer Lodge 16 Lewistown 18 Bozeman 20 Havre 21 Missoula 22 Virgina City 23 Choteau 23 Choteau 23 Hamilton 23 Livingston 25 Havre 27 Glasgow 27 Helena 27 Livingston 27 Medicine Hat 28 Havre 28 Livingston 28 White Sulphur 29 Great Falls 29 Hot Springs 29 Libby 2 Livingston 3 Sidney 4 Havre 4 Livingston 4 Sandpoint, ID 5 Billings 5 Box Elder 5 Livingston 6 Box Elder 6 Lewistown 6 Miles City 11 Lewistown
*Centennial Celebration *Jesse Gleason @ Stage Stop Dutton Fun Day *43rd Art in the Beartooths Flathead Poker Paddle *BYO Gadget Free Training Dog & Grog at Bale of Hay *Art in the Park *Old North Tr. Tour of Teton Grant-Kohrs Haying w/ Horses *Charlie Russell Chew Choo *Big Sky Country State Fair Great Northern Fair *Last Chance Wagon Ride Bozeman Trail Cook-off *Old North Tr Tour of Teton *Summer Camp for Kids *Bitterroot Brew Fest *Redhead Express Fair Kickoff *Social Media Class NE Montana Fair & Rodeo *Last Chance Stampede *Park County Fair *Medicine Hat Stampede Actors Theatre: Band Geeks Music Ranch MT Concerts Red Ants Pants Music Festival Montana State Fair *Symes Blues Festival Kootenai River Rodeo *International Fly Fishing Fair Richland County Fair/Rodeo Actors Theatre: Band Geeks The Livingston Hoot *The Festival at Sandpoint Magic City Blues Festival *N Winz Casino ATV Giveaway *Blue Slipper: Lend Me Tenor *SUV Giveaway *Charlie Russell Chew Choo Miles City Maltfest *Montana Cowboy Poetry
Aug Aug Aug Aug Aug
12 Big Sky 12 Billings 12 Libby 12 Trout Creek 14 Butte
*Big Sky Classical Music Fest *Montana Fair Riverfront Blues Festival *Huckleberry Festival An Ri Ra Montana Irish Fest
800-653-1319 406-466-5332 406-476-3311 406-446-1370 406-298-5253 800-332-1201 406-843-5700 406-563-2422 406-466-5332 406-846-2070 406-535-5436 406-582-3270 406-265-7121 406-543-7154 406-829-2969 406-466-5332 406-466-5335 406-363-2400 406-222-4185 800-332-1201 406-228-2222 406-457-8516 406-222-4185 403-527-6422
missouririver.visitmt.com oldtrailmuseum.org duttonfunday.com carboncountydepotgallery.org flatheadlakers.org itstriangle.com baleofhaysaloon.com coppervillageartcenter.com oldtrailmuseum.org nps.gov/grko montanadinnertrain.com 406statefair.com themissoulaseniorcenter.org oldtrailmuseum.org oldtrailmuseum.org bitterrootchamber.com parkcounty.org itstriangle.com glasgowchamber.net lastchancestampede.com parkcounty.org tourismmedicinehat.com mtactors.com musicranchmontana.net redantspantsmusicfestival.com goexpopark.com symeshotsprings.com
406-222-2255 406-209-8135 406-727-8900 888-305-3106 406-293-4167 406-222-9369 fedflyfishers.org 406-433-1916 sidneymt.com mtactors.com 406-920-1149 livingstonhoot.com 208-265-4554 festivalatsandpoint.com 406-534-0400 magiccityblues.com 406-395-5420 northernwinzcasino.com 406-222-7720 blueslipper.com 406-395-5420 northernwinzcasino.com 406-535-5436 montanadinnertrain.com 406-853-6291 milescitymaltfest.com 406-538-4575 montanacowboypoetry gathering.com 406-995-2742 bigskyarts.org 800-366-8538 montanafair.com 406-293-1661 riverfrontbluesfestival.com 406-827-4091 huckleberryfestival.com 406-498-3983 mtgaelic.org
Everybody thinks you reach a certain age and you’re a grown-up but it’s not true. Nobody grows up until they croak. – Keith Richards
45
Microbrews & Select Wines from Montana & the Northwest Voted Bitterroot’s Best
Annual Festival for 2014 & 2015
22
ND
Food, Fun & Live Music
Saturday, July 23 2016
bitterrootchamber.com
3:00 - 10:00 pm Legion Park in Hamilton
$20 for
5 Tastes
and a Commemorative Glass
Come Vote For Your Favorite BEER!
406-363-2400
JUNE/JULY 2016 14 Missoula 16 Crow Agency 17 Kalispell 20 Hamilton 20 Polson 25 Missoula 27 Lewistown 28 Bigfork 29 Havre 9 Libby 10 Lewistown 10 Lewistown 10 Eureka 11 Missoula 17 Great Falls 17 Kalispell 18 Bozeman 23 Spokane, WA 24 Lewistown 25 Billings 28 Minot, ND 1 Helena 1 Butte
*Young Frankenstein Crow Fair & Rodeo NW Montana Fair & Rodeo Bitterroot Celtic Games Flathead Lake Festival of Art *Virginia City - Philipsburg *Charlie Russell Chew Choo Crown of Continent Guitar Fest Internet SecurityTraining Libby Nordicfest Heritage Fest *Chokecherry Festival *Charlie Russell Chew Choo *Walk to End Alzheimer’s *Walk to End Alzheimer’s *Walk to End Alzheimer’s *Walk to End Alzheimer’s *Walk to End Alzheimer’s Oktoberfest at the River *Charlie Russell Chew Choo *Walk to End Alzheimer’s Norsk Hostfest *Walk to End Alzheimer’s *Walk to End Alzheimer’s
406-543-7154 406-638-3808 406-758-5810 406-274-8886 406-883-5956 406-543-7154 406-535-5436 855-855-5900 800-332-1201 406-293-4167 406-535-5436 406-535-5436 406-272-3900 406-272-3900 406-272-3900 406-272-3900 406-272-3900 509-621-0125 406-535-5436 406-272-3900 701-852-2368 406-272-3900 406-272-3900
themissoulaseniorcenter.org nwmtfair.com bcgg.org sandpiperartgallery.com themissoulaseniorcenter.org montanadinnertrain.com crownguitarfest.org itstriangle.com libbynordicfest.org lewistownchamber.com montanadinnertrain.com alz.org/walk alz.org/walk alz.org/walk alz.org/walk alz.org/walk oktoberfestattheriver.com montanadinnertrain.com alz.org/walk hostfest.com alz.org/walk alz.org/walk MSN
Going to the Sun: Artists in Glacier National Park pays tribute to those artists who have captured the breathtaking landscape and people of Glacier National Park including Charles M. Russell, Maynard Dixon, Joe Scheuerle, Joe De Yong, John Fery, Winold Reiss, John Clarke, Julius Seyler, Philip Goodwin, and Carl Rungius. Join us for a look at this breathtaking exhibition.
C.M. Russell MuseuM
400 13th Street North Great Falls, Montana 59401 (406) 727-8787 www.cmrussell.org
Museum Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday–Sunday
Winold Reiss (1886-1953). Sundance No. 2, c. 1930-1940. Collection of the C.M. Russell Museum
Aug Aug Aug Aug Aug Aug Aug Aug Aug Sep Sep Sep Sep Sep Sep Sep Sep Sep Sep Sep Sep Oct Oct
MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 39
7 SHOWS FOR $64 Includes gate admission for all 9 DAYS of MONTANAFAIR! Call: 406-256-2422 or 1-800-366-8538 Tickets: MetraPark Box Office & Leslie’s Hallmark at Rimrock Mall
5 6 th A n n u a l
www.montanafair.com
LAST CHANCE STAMPEDE & FAIR July 27-30, 2016 • Helena, MT
GARY ALLAN
Live in Concert Wed • July 27
STAMPEDE PARADE Sat • July 30
Food • Exhibits Entertainment & More!
CARNIVAL
lastchancestampede.com facebook.com/lastchancestampede
Wed-Sun • July 27-31
AUG. 12
Sunday Saturday
4-H LIVESTOCK
RAM PRCA PRO RODEO Th-Sat • July 28-29-30
Friday
Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias
Jason Derulo with
AUG. 13
DJ Jae Murphy
Supercross August 16
AUG. 14
3 Doors Down with special guest
Theory of a Deadman
Yellowstone River Roundup
PRCA Rodeo August 18-20
PAGE 40 MONTANA SENIOR NEWS
JUNE/JULY 2016
A place where you can enjoy theater, improv comedy, musicals, youth productions and opera.
www.NOVAbillings.org H 406.591.9535 2317 Montana Avenue, Billings, MT 59101 NOVA Center for the Performing Arts prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sexual orientation, handicap or age. Handicap seating is available, and large print on request.
It Is Curtain Time Across Montana This Summer
The Bigfork Summer Playhouse will celebrate its 57th Season of live professional theater thru September 10, 2016 with exciting productions of Church Basement Ladies, Young Frankenstein, 42nd Street, Shrek – the musical, and Grease, followed by a late summer show, Hits From the 50s, 60s, and 70s. The theater is located at 526 Electric Avenue in Bigfork. Visit bigforksummerplayhouse.com or call 406-837-4886 for more information. For over 60 years, friends and strangers have gathered through Billings Studio Theatre, a volunteer-based community theatre located at 1500 Rimrock Road. Productions this summer include Becky’s New Car in June and Rock of Ages in September 2016. Visit billingsstudiotheatre.com or call 406-248-1141 for more information. Considered the “Jewel of the Prairie,” the Fort Peck Theatre will celebrate its 47th season of professional theater thru September 4, 2016 with The Last Five Years, Man of La Mancha, My Way: a Tribute to Frank Sinatra, Mary Poppins, and The Woman in Black. The theatre is located at 201 Missouri Avenue in Fort Peck. Visit fortpecktheatre.org/or call 406-228-9216 for more information. In the Bitterroot, the Hamilton Players at 100 Rickets Road will present Into the Woods, Dearly Beloved, and Once Upon a Mattress through October 30, 2016. Visit hamiltonplayers.com or call 406-375-9050 for more information. High on the Hi-Line in Havre you will find the Montana Actors Theater at the MSU-Northern Theater presenting the remainder of its 2016 season with Equivocation June 2-4, followed by Band Geeks July 28-30 and August 4-6. Visit mtactors.com for more information. “It’s hard to imagine community theater could get any better than this!” says the Independent Record about Helena’s Grandstreet Theatre at 325 North Park. Upcoming productions include Dear Edwina Jr., The Last Five Years, Rock of Ages, James and the Giant Peach, Rabbit Hole, and Peter and the Starcatcher through October 30, 2016. Visit grandstreettheatre.com or call 406-447-1574 for more information. For over four decades the Blue Slipper Theatre has been entertaining Livingston area audiences with delightful live theater. Blue Slipper will be presenting Steel Magnolias Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays June 3-26 followed by Lend Me A Tenor Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays August 5-28. Visit blueslipper.com or call 406-222-7720 for more information The 1891 Opera House Theatre in downtown Philipsburg at 140 South Sansome St. is recognized as the oldest continually operating theater in Montana! The 2016 season runs from June 23 to August 28 and will feature Making God Laugh, Unnecessary Farce, and a Vaudeville Variety Show. Visit operahousetheatre.com or call 406-859-0013 for more information. The Port Polson Players celebrates its 41st summer theatre season with music and comedy at the beautiful 1938 John Dowdall log theatre at Port Polson Golf Course on Flathead Lake, 111 Bayview Drive. The 2016 season through August 30, 2016 includes Fools, Shadow on Oak Island, and Guys on Ice. Visit portpolsonplayers.com or call 406-883-9212 for show dates, curtain times, and ticket information.
JUNE 3–26
By Robert Harling,
2016
Directed by Christopher DeJohn
Fri & Sat 8pm, Sun 3pm Adults 18-59 $15 Students & 60+ $12
Coming Up in August... "Lend Me A Tenor" 113 E. Callendar St., Livingston 406-222-7720 or blueslipper.com
JUNE/JULY 2016
In the West Yellowstone area, take in live productions at the Playmill Theatre at 29 Madison Ave, which will present Singing in the Rain, Mary Poppins, and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers through September 2016. Visit playmill.com or call 406-646-7757 for more information. With more than 75 performances scheduled, the 43rd season of Montana Shakespeare in the Parks will present Richard III and The Comedy of Errors through September 6, 2016 in every corner of Montana – 62 cities! Visit shakespeareintheparks.org or call 406-994-3303 for the touring
MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 41
schedule and more information. Since 1948, the Virginia City Players Theatre Company has been performing authentic 19th century melodramas and a varied, vigorous, vagary of vivacious vaudeville variety acts in the Virginia City Opera House located at 338 W. Wallace St. in one of the best-preserved Old West towns in the country. Productions include The Lodger, Sleeping Beauty, and The Legend of Sleepy Hollow through September 4, 2016. Visit virginiacityplayers.com or call 800-829-2969 for more information. MSN
America’s Revolution: Rebels with a Cause
Come to the Museum of Idaho (MOI) and experience the year 1776 when a group of American rebels joined ranks and declared our sovereignty. Travel back in time to the foundation of the United States of America, when a group of men and women fought for the right to self-govern. Examine the letters they wrote and experience how their ideas came together to form the Declaration of Independence. George Washington, Paul Revere, Thomas Jefferson, John Hancock – you know the names from history books and classrooms. At the MOI you will see artifacts from our Founding Fathers, some of which have never been exhibited in public and may never be publicly displayed again. This exhibition is the product of two years of scouring the nation for collectors willing to share their Revolutionary War treasures. Come look at
these artifacts that personalize and humanize the men and women who fought the King – and Won! The MOI will be showcasing weapons that were the personal possessions of men such as John Stark who declared, “Live Free or Die!” and a decorative pair of Hessian dueling pistols that were taken after the battle of Trenton. Look at reproductions of the uniforms that the soldiers wore and imagine our forefathers fighting on east coast battlefields, sweltering in wool, and carrying flintlock muskets. America’s Revolution: Rebels with a Cause will be at the Museum of Idaho June 3 thru November 26, 2016. Take a break from the politics that are a part of election season, and get in touch with the Patriotism that fueled the birth of our great nation. For additional information call 208-522-1400 or visit museumofidaho.org. MSN
MontanaSeniorNews.com BRUCE HORNSBY & THE NOISEMAKERS RAILROAD EARTH EMMYLOU HARRIS FAMILY CONCERT ANGELIQUE KIDJO NITTY GRITTY DIRT BAND BEN HARPER & THE INNOCENT CRIMINALS THE SPOKANE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
FesTival aTsandpoinT
Local, Nutritious, Delicious Come enjoy a hot breakfast and the relaxed charm of an Old World Market
The
augusT 4 - 14, 2016
FestivalAtSandpoint.com • 208.265.4554
Open 8:00am–12:30pm Saturdays Tuesdays
May–Oct July 5–Sept 27 5:30pm–7pm
Double SNAP Dollars for Card Holders Music Performed 9:00am–Noon North End of Higgins Ave by the XXX’s Contact Evita Blouin at 406-241-9870
www.MissoulaFarmersMarket.com & Facebook
PAGE 42 MONTANA SENIOR NEWS
JUNE/JULY 2016
Boy! Have They Got Bit And Bytes At The American Computer Museum
Montana’s only modern technology museum, the American Computer & Robotics Museum recently opened a new comprehensive display on the once secret World War II German Enigma Machine and how it was decrypted by Polish, British, and American cryptanalysts, thus shortening the war by at least 2 years. If you enjoyed the Imitation Game movie, about the brilliant mathematician Alan Turing, this exhibit is not to be missed. In addition, exhibits on the future of computers and artificial intelligence (another of Alan Turing’s inventions) inform visitors on the impact of this technology on the future of human employment. Open in Bozeman since 1990, the American Computer & Robotics
Museum is the world’s oldest continually operating museum dedicated to the history of computers and communications. Its exhibits span over 5,000 years of human history, from early Babylonian clay tablets to today’s handheld smartphones. Come and visit what the renowned Harvard biologist Edward O. Wilson has described as, “Inch for inch, the best museum in the world” and Montana Magazine has called, “An eye-opener for nine-year-olds to ninety-nine-yearolds.” As seen and recommended on TripAdvisor.com, this summer the museum’s hours in June, July, and August are 10 am to 4 pm 7-days-aweek – closed July 4. Visit at 2023 Stadium Drive, Bozeman, compustory. com, or call 406-582-1288. MSN
Big Sky Draft Horse Expo The Big Sky Draft Horse Expo is a fun family show with a small town atmosphere. Hosted in Deer Lodge, the show is the largest and longest running draft horse show in Montana. The Expo will be a North American Classic Series double point show. Exhibitors from throughout the U.S. will compete in showy hitches and teamster classes, demonstrating the driving skills and the capabilities of
never. stop learning Free training from Triangle.
their horses and mules. Visitors will see Belgians, Percherons, Shires, Clydesdales, Fjords, and mules. Teamster and show classes will include unicorn, tandem, four horse, six horse, eight mule hitches, cart class, and junior class competitions. The Grant Kohrs Ranch will be celebrating the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service with special presentations. Additionally, the Old Prison will feature special late night Ghost tours after the horse show. Teamster entertainment will showcase the Crazy Eights pony hitches and chariot races. Show passes for all three days and daily tickets will be available at the fairgrounds and online. The Expo takes place at the Deer Lodge Fairgrounds and runs from July 1-3. For details, visit drafthorseexpo.com or find us on Facebook. MSN
Fly Fishing is a Sport for All to Enjoy – Join us at the International Fly Fishing Fair
We make technology simple for you.
Join us for FREE classes on the Triangle Campus in our Hospitality Room • All classes held from 6pm-8pm 2121 Hwy 2 NW in Havre, MT
June 27th – Basic Computer, Internet & E-mail July 11th – Bring Your Own Gadget July 25th – Social Media For Beginners August 29th – Internet Security & File Sharing September 12th – Bring Your Own Gadget September 26th – Google Chrome Beyond the Browser
Fly Fishing can be a little intimidating. What equipment do I need? How do I put it all together? I’m on the water… NOW WHAT? With a few basic skills, ANYONE can do it! The International Federation of Fly Fishers (IFFF) is a 51-year-old non-profit organization dedicated to the betterment of the sport of fly-fishing through conservation, restoration, and education. The IFFF is the only organized advocate for fly fishers on a regional, national, and international level. Our goal is to support fisheries conservation and educational programs for all fish and all waters. Anywhere fly fishers have an interest; the IFFF can and does play a role. Because of this belief, from the first meeting 51 years ago, the organization has held the International Fly Fishing Fair. This event is geared toward education so anyone can Experience All Things Fly Fishing. From novice to expert we promise you will learn something. Join us August 4-6 in Livingston where day entry includes access to the exhibit hall with vendors showing and selling fishing products, tying demonstrations, walk-up casting clinics and demonstrations, hour long seminars, and so much more. Bring kids to learn to tie a fly, fish identification, casting, and other fun activities. Workshops are available August 2-6. For more information go to fedflyfishers.org. MSN
October 24th – Basic Web Building November 14th – Bring Your Own Gadget
Register at itstriangle.com/free-training or call Angela at 394-2862.
800.332.1201 | itstriangle.com
ANTIQUITIES
Leisure & Luxury in the Age of Nero
The Villas of Oplontis Marble Statue of Centaur with Boar
Near Pompeii June 18 – December 31, 2016 Vesuvius’ catastrophic eruption destroyed the seaside villas of some of Rome’s wealthiest citizens. Come see the artifacts of leisure and luxury that are all that remain of Oplontis. Join us at MOR, one of only three museums in the U.S. to host this stirring exhibit of artifacts that have never left Italy before. www.bozemancvb.com And numerous private donors
This exhibition is organized and circulated by The University of Michigan Kelsey Museum of Archeology in cooperation with the Ministero dei Beni e delle Attivitá Culturali e del Turismo and the Soprintendenza Speciale per i Beni Archeologici di Pompei, Ercolano e Stabia.
JUNE/JULY 2016
MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 43
“
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 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, so if someone struggled and changed his or her mind who would ever know? In addition, these laws prohibit investigations or public inquiries leaving 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 the exploitation of elders and people with disabilities of all ages. However, it serves the medical industrial complex 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
PAGE 44 MONTANA SENIOR NEWS
JUNE/JULY 2016
JUNE/JULY 2016
What Is Freedom? By Neil Wyrick What is freedom? It is a community working in unison. Otherwise, it is anarchy. It is an abomination when it is selfish and self-centered. It can destroy a home when misused and leave only the shaky remains of a house. It is seldom truly appreciated until it is lost, this ability to speak one’s mind and not pay the price of imprisonment. We cannot thank our forefathers enough for this majestic gift. A familiar quotation says, “The temptation is to enjoy the fruits of citizenship without tending the tree of liberty.” Each Fourth of July, I repeat these words to remind myself of all those who have sacrificed to allow this beloved country to celebrate over 200 birthdays. I can imagine that the hand of John Adams might have shook as he placed his signature at the bottom of the Declaration of Independence. His words certainly express the fervor of this action. He stated, “Whether we live or die, sink or swim, succeed or fail, I stand behind this Declaration of Independence. And if God wills it, I am ready to die in order that this country might experience freedom.” Many of the signers faced just that. Through
MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 45
PAGE 46 MONTANA SENIOR NEWS
JUNE/JULY 2016
broken bodies, bankruptcy, and even death, their dream remained very much alive. The bright and shining statements of the special men of the revolution stay with us. “Patriotism is not a short and frenzied burst of emotion but the long and steady dedication of a lifetime,” Thomas Jefferson observed. The shining challenge that freedom brings with it is the responsibility to make that dedication and tend the roots of our democracy. In this, we each have a role to play. We as denizens of these United States must do our part to ensure that liberty is for everyone in spite of our differences. We must guard against the demagoguery that attempts to conceal bigotry and discrimination under the veil of patriotism. We must make our voices heard at the ballot box, and elect officials who serve “We, the people” rather than the one percent. We must demand that our government reflect our shared values of community, acceptance, stewardship,
and social responsibility. After visiting America in 1831, French writer Alexis de Tocqueville said, “I sought for the greatness of the United States in her commodious harbors, her ample rivers, her fertile fields, and boundless forests and it was not there. I sought for it in her rich mines, her vast world commerce, her public school system, and in her institutions of higher learning and it was not there. I looked for it in her democratic Congress and her matchless Constitution and it was not there. [ ] America is great because America is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great!” So then, fellow citizen of this great land, give future generations the opportunity to revel in the same. Work to build our communities around these shared ideals and stand up to protect our forefathers’ legacy. MSN
JUNE/JULY 2016
MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 47
PAGE 48 MONTANA SENIOR NEWS
JUNE/JULY 2016
The Magruder Murder: One Idaho Man’s Quest for Justice By Bernice Karnop “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.” The gold rush town of Lewiston, Idaho where the Snake and Clearwater Rivers come together in a giant T was flooded with gold-seekers in the 1860s. The only thing more difficult than finding gold was knowing how to hang on to it once you had it. There were no banks and few good hiding places. Evildoers could take one’s gold – and life – with little worry of facing justice. The country was just too big, too wild, and too unsettled. When Lewiston’s first hotel owner, Hill Beachey, suspected that his friend, Lloyd Magruder had been murdered, he could not let evil triumph. He pursued the outlaws for thousands of miles on horseback, buckboard, stage, and ship. He caught up with them and painstakingly brought them back to Lewiston to face a trial that resulted in the first legal hanging in Idaho Territory. The nefarious murder, the discovery of the crime, and the epic pursuit could not be more dramatic if it were fiction. It was October 1864, and Beachey watched uneasily as his friend, successful freighter Lloyd
Magruder, left town with a string of 60 mules, loaded with supplies for the miners in Virginia City. The rugged Southern Nez Perce Trail was the shortest distance between the two gold mining towns, which in 1864, were both in Idaho territory. Today, Virginia City, 300 miles from Lewiston, is in Montana. Beachy knew Magruder was a good man and successful merchant who had agreed to represent Idaho Territory in Congress when he returned. A short time after Magruder left, Beachey took note of a trio of rough-looking men who left in the same direction. Later he would learn that the men, James Romaine, David Howard, and Christopher Lowery, met up with Magruder, and joined his party. Mountain man and trapper Billy Page also joined the party. They arrived in Virginia City where Magruder sold the goods and cleared around $25,000 in gold dust. Magruder hired Romaine, Howard, Lowery, and Page as guards for the trip home, never suspecting that they had a plan for getting more than their wages. Far from either town, they set up a remote camp on the Little Clearwater
where Romaine, Howard, and Lowery murdered Magruder with a hatchet in his sleep, and killed four others in the party with knives and rifles. They threw the bodies over a cliff, and burned and buried the evidence. They herded the pack mules into a gorge and shot every one. Snow soon buried the crime scene. They threatened to kill Page unless he would stay with them. They needed his help to get through the mountains. Meanwhile, back in Lewiston, Beachey had a vivid nightmare in which he saw his friend murdered. The murderous trio meant to bypass Lewiston, but they had problems crossing the rivers so they went into town and spent the night at Luna House. Beachey noticed their trying to hide their faces and realized that they were the men who followed Magruder out of town. They had left their horses, “to be kept ‘til called for” at a ranch just out of town. A suspicious Beachey rode out to the ranch to see what he could learn. He found Magruder’s horse and saddle. He hurried back to town but the men had left on the stage. Beachey determined he would not let them get away with murder, but he was no vigilante. He obtained a commission as a deputy sheriff, a warrant for their arrest, and with partner, Thomas Pike, took off after them. At Walla Walla, they learned that the murderers had gone on to Portland. By the time Beachey arrived in Portland, the men were on a steamer to San Francisco. No new departures were scheduled for ten days. Desperately the pair traveled night and day 400 miles south to Yreka, where there was telegraph service to San Francisco. They telegraphed the names and aliases of the guilty men and the warrant for their arrest. The law was waiting when the murderers got off the ship. Beachey and Pike continued to San Francisco, took custody, and brought the prisoners back to Lewiston. William Page was also arrested but they found out he had no prior knowledge of the plan to murder and rob Magruder. His testimony clinched the case for the prosecution. Lowery, Romaine, and Howard were hanged in Lewiston
Ground Level Independent
SENIOR LIVING
• Custom Designed Units
• Dinner Buffet w/Fresh Fruit & Salads Daily
• Luxurious 1 & 2 Bd Floor Plans • Garages Available • Ground-Level Private Patios • Comfortable & Quiet • Close to hospitals & shopping
Call for Details & a Tour
509-928-9197
1309 N. Evergreen Rd. Spokane Valley www.courtlandplacespokane.com
SPOKANE VALLEY’S ELITE COMMUNITY
JUNE/JULY 2016
MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 49
SOUTHWEST ALBERTA – WHAT A VACATION ! Call to order your
FREE Vacation Guide
1-800-661-1222, operator #74, or visit our website at www.ChinookCountry.com
A NOTORIOUS STORY
LOCATED IN LETHBRIDGE, ALBERTA 10 am – 5 pm Monday to Saturday 10 am – 9 pm Thursdays 1 pm – 5 pm Sundays & Holidays closed after Labour Day galtmuseum.com
S L O T S PA C K A G E
ONE NIGHT IN A STANDARD ROOM $20 CASINO PLAY BREAKFAST BUFFET FOR TWO $99 USD
(Available Sun-Thur Rate code “MONT”) Valid April & May 2016 Not valid with any other promotion or discount. Subject to availability
For Reservations Please Call 1-800-661-8095
1.866.320-3898
8 Hotels in the heart of the Canadian Rockies
BANFF HOTEL ROOMS SUITES CONDOS 1-800-563-8764 www.bestofbanff.com
PAGE 50 MONTANA SENIOR NEWS
JUNE/JULY 2016
MEDICINE HAT ALBERTA Visit Medalta in the Historic Clay District
medalta.org
Alberta Adventures with Dinosaurs, Pottery, and History
Visit this Summer and take advantage of a great exchange rate!
1
$
1
EQUALS $
on March 4, 1864. Later, Page led them to the scene of the crime, validating his story. Beachey brought Magruder’s body and the four others who were with him back to Lewiston for burial. Part of the stolen gold, about $17,000, was returned to Magruder’s widow. A grateful territorial legislature voted to give Beachey $6,200 for expenses. It is hard to imagine that this murder would have been solved except for the determination of a man who was unwilling to let evil triumph, even though it cost him time and hardship. Beachey’s hotel, Luna House, was built in 1862 and torn down in 1890. The Art Deco building that now occupies the lot was constructed by the WPA in 1937 for government offices. The Nez Perce County Historical Society Museum moved into the building in the 1970s. In addition to being a repository of historical artifacts, it is a research library, educational resource, and home to historical photo collections. Today the site of the Magruder murder is marked by a sign on the primitive Magruder Road Corridor that runs for about 100 miles from Elk City, Idaho to Darby, Montana over Nez Perce Pass. According to Forest Service literature, the corridor was created in 1980 by the Central Idaho Wilderness Act. This unique road enables travelers to drive between two wilderness areas, the 1.2-million-acre Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness to the north, and the 2.3-million-acre Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness to the south. Together they represent the largest roadless block of land in the lower 48 states. The one-lane road is rough, steep, and winding with few turnouts for passing and no services. Anyone considering driving it should research conditions and make sure they are prepared. The solitude, the pristine beauty, and the expansive mountain views are much the same as when Magruder and his mules crossed it. And hopefully a bit less dangerous to travelers not carrying large quantities of gold dust. MSN
31 *
CND
Medicine Hat is located in South East Alberta Distances from Medicine Hat to other locations are: Great Falls, MT
250 miles
Calgary, AB
182 miles
Havre, MT
133 miles
Sweetgrass Border Crossing
Waterton National Park
185 miles
131 miles
* exchange rate as of March 22, 2016
Park your RV at Gas City Campground
campground@medicinehat.ca
To request a visitor’s guide, please visit
tourismmedicinehat.com
Brooks Aqueduct – This National and Provincial Historic Site sits five miles southeast of Brooks. Standing as a monument to pioneer farmers who developed the region, the Brooks Aqueduct, which rises twenty meters above the parched prairie landscape, was constructed between 1913 and 1915 by the Canadian Pacific Railway’s irrigation division. Spanning a shallow two mile wide valley, the Aqueduct stretched the limits of engineering, design, and technology, and was the largest concrete structure of its kind in the world. Today, the site is a perfect spot for a picnic and an unforgettable history lesson on early irrigation and agricultural development in Alberta. Dinosaur Provincial Park – Home to one of the richest dinosaur fossil deposits on the planet, the remains of 40 different species of dinosaurs have been unearthed here thus far, Dinosaur Provincial Park is a prehistoric treasure trove, and as such was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979. Be amazed by the abundant fossils, unusual wildlife, and stunning landscape. Explore badlands, camp under the stars, or participate in an
JUNE/JULY 2016
authentic dinosaur dig. Make sure to book your interpretive programs well ahead of your visit to this busy site located just northeast of Brooks! Medalta Potteries – Once the hub of pottery in western Canada, this historic factory now combines a unique museum, art gallery, and ceramic arts facility in one convenient location. Explore the beehive kilns and production areas where everything from fine china to rustic crock pots were created, browse the gallery where
Creston, B.C., a fun town for a short vacation, plus the Selkirk Loop Article By Jack McNeel Photos By Jackie McNeel We don’t normally think of going north into Canada to find extraordinary orchards and vegetable gardens – that’s what California and Arizona do, right? But, orchards, vineyards, and massive
gardens fill the Creston Valley of British Columbia, with innumerable roadside stands offering a wide selection of produce all grown within minutes of the stand and often right at the stand. One stand had nearly 25 different varieties of squash, a huge selection of peppers – big peppers, little peppers, peppers of various colors – plus countless other vegetables. It would be difficult to find such a variety in border states like Idaho and Montana. Cherries are abundant in the early summer and peaches, plums, apricots, and apples fill the bins in the fall. Corn, tomatoes, and many other vegetables compete for space as well. Vineyards and wineries invite travelers to stop and sample their local wine from local grapes, and you will probably leave with a bottle or two. You can sign on to a wine and art tour to tease your palate, please your eyes, and satisfy your hunger. Visit with vintners and artists to learn their methods and what drives their creativity. It will take you several days to sample the various restaurants – places like the Skimmerhorn Bistro and Blueberry Patch Country Kitchen. We enjoyed dinner one evening at Jimmy’s Pub & Grill in downtown Creston, dining outdoors on and outstanding Greek steak and spinach flour wrap along with a glass of wine – not normal pub fare by any means. Another interesting tour is the Columbia Brewery, home to Kokanee Beer, popular in Canada and the U.S. Their ads invite you to the brewery to see how they make their beer, but also warn, “This is Sasquatch country... but the Columbia Brewery is well-protected so you and your fellow visitors should be safe.” They remind you to bring your cameras, “just in case. It’s happened before!” Another favorite stop is the Creston Valley Wildlife Management Area, just west of town, which offers a visitor center plus short and long walks through marshlands (Cont’d on page 55)
contemporary potters display their wares, and discover a part of Canadian history that has not received the attention it deserves. For a special treat, drop in on a Thursday evening and take part in one of Medicine Hat’s most popular weekly events at the Market @ Medalta. Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park – Straddling Alberta and Saskatchewan, Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park allows visitors the pleasure
MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 51
of gazing up at the clear night sky in one of North America’s largest Dark Sky Preserves. In the daylight, explore over 90 miles of hiking trails, brush up on your history at Fort Walsh, catch a fish at one of the stocked lakes, or channel your inner paleontologist at the T.rex Discovery Center. Cypress Hills contains unique experiences and programs to satisfy the inquisitive mind and the active soul. MSN
PAGE 52 MONTANA SENIOR NEWS
JUNE/JULY 2016
Door Number Three By LaDawn Whiteside Last Saturday morning, I thought about options people have related to eldercare. As a mediator, my job is directly related to working with options – giving people more options to solve their problems, and as I see it, there are three choices when resolving eldercare problems. Choice one is to solve eldercare problems relying on only their own skills and life experiences. Some people bully their way to a solution. Some threaten others into a solution. Some take on a martyr status and some give up in frustration. Some people can cuss and discuss a problem for years in order to wear down the target of their concern. And some can even negotiate the decline or loss of a parent with fortitude, logic, and grace. I applaud those people who are able to figure out problems on their own without sacrificing their financial future or health status. As my grandmother frequently said, getting old isn’t for sissies.
— Reduced Rates —
Independent Living: One & Two Bedroom MOVE IN BY JUNE 30
Another Fascinating Life & Welcoming Neighbor at MorningStar...Ellie & Knud
S ENIOR L IVING of B ILLINGS
406.652.9303
4001 Bell Ave | Billings MorningStarSeniorLiving.com
Choice number two involves seeking assistance from an attorney or a regulatory agency to solve a problem. During the 25 years I spent in healthcare regulation, people submitted over 2,000 formal complaints to me about healthcare facilities and I offered options within the regulatory parameters available. In most cases, my agency conducted an investigation and cited deficiencies that violated state or federal regulations. In some cases, the complainant was happy, and in others, the outcome did not meet their expectations. This option allows another person or entity to verify and solve the problem for you. Walk your fingers through the yellow pages if you are seeking legal assistance. Call the Montana Licensure and Certification Bureau at 406-444-2099 to evaluate your legal options. Five years ago I found choice number three, mediation. Though many families dealing with the issues of eldercare overlook this option, mediation facilitates problem solving between parties who have reached an impasse. Through mediation, solutions can be crafted that are effective and unique to the particular problem – usually more so than those imposed by a judge. With mediation, solutions can be achieved without waiting weeks or months and mediator fees are usually less than attorneys charge. Mediation is a fabulous opportunity where parties make informed choices. Mediation helps people identify what is most important to each party. Mediation is not bound by state or federal healthcare regulations. It is not bound by civil monetary penalty structures. It is not bound by fears of apology. Generally, mediation is not precedent setting. The solution is not achieved by public opinion or the media. When a mediation agreement is achieved, both parties are satisfied with the outcome. The Montana Mediation Association member directory can help you find a mediator to open your eyes to choice number three at mtmediation. org or by calling 406-241-2422. MSN
JUNE/JULY 2016
MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 53
Caregiving Transition – Adapting to Long-Term Care By Lisa M. Petsche When a person moves into a long-term care home, both the individual and their caregiver can find the transition difficult. Caregivers lose a companion and the rhythm of their days changes significantly. They must schedule visits in order to spend time with their relative. Transportation may pose challenges, especially if they do not drive. Feelings about the situation may include sadness, anxiety, anger, and guilt. Caregivers may wonder if they made the right decision. They may worry about their relative’s ability to adjust. They may also worry about how well he or she is being treated. They may wonder what role they now play in their relative’s day-to-day life. If you find yourself in this position, read on for some suggestions. Relating With Care Providers • It’s important to perceive and position yourself as an integral part of your relative’s healthcare team and their life in a long-term care home. • Share as much as possible about your relative’s routines, likes and dislikes, and any tips that can help make care provision easier. • Educate yourself about the roles of the various healthcare professionals, and ask about their goals for your relative. You may need to adjust your expectations or negotiate changes. • Let staff know how involved you wish to be in terms of hands-on care. • Get to know the staff, in order to develop a partnership of trust and mutual sharing. Show your appreciation if you are pleased with their care. • Think twice before you criticize. Some family members initially find fault with virtually everything professional caregivers do. This makes it hard to establish constructive relationships. • Address concerns directly with the relevant care provider. Express it as calmly as possible, and in a timely fashion. Involve the person’s supervisor only if the issue is not resolved. Relating With Your Loved One • Be prepared for your relative to have many initial complaints. If a concern seems legitimate, discuss it with staff. Otherwise, provide a listening ear and allow your relative to vent. Be attuned to underlying feelings and empathize with them. Discourage your relative from dwelling on the negative. Change the subject if necessary. • If your relative asks you to take them home, gently but firmly reinforce that they need more care than you can provide. Reassure them that you’ll return soon, and plan what you’ll do together. • If your relative shares a room, inquire about private areas for visiting. • Develop a regular pattern of visiting so your relative knows when to expect you and
can anticipate your next visit. Telephone between visits if you can’t get in as often as you would like. • When you visit, bring items like a newspaper, flowers from your garden, or a favorite food. • Re-create routines from home, such as playing cards, watching a favorite TV program together, or sharing a meal. • Show interest in your relative’s daily activities. Join them for some special recreational events. • Keep your relative up-to-date on news about friends and relatives. • Plan activities outside of the facility. Go for a walk around the neighborhood or to a nearby park or take a drive. If your relative uses a wheelchair, get them registered with local accessible transportation services. Then you can go out shopping or to community events together. • Continue to include your relative in family celebrations. If members’ homes are not accessible, choose a restaurant that is, or ask staff to help you plan a gathering onsite. If feasible, arrange for your relative to come home for a few hours. • Keep in mind that even though you are no longer the primary caregiver, your role is still important. With the primary responsibility lifted, you can focus your energy on meeting your relative’s emotional and spiritual needs and enjoying your time together. In conclusion, spend time with friends and relatives who support the move to long-term care. Family members of other residents as well as staff, especially the social worker, are also valuable sources of support. Initially you may need lots of reassurance that this was a good decision. Be patient and give yourself and your relative plenty of time to adjust. MSN
Aging has enough difficulties. 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
Highgate at Bozeman 406-587-5100
Highgate at Great Falls 406-454-0991
PAGE 54 MONTANA SENIOR NEWS
JUNE/JULY 2016
Montana’s warm days are finally here, and with them come all the rodeos, family reunions, 4th of July celebrations, farmers markets, ice cream socials, fairs, expos, carnivals, camping, and outdoor activities that make Montana summers great! Isn’t this just the time to find a friend or special someone with whom to share these summer days and nights? Take a moment today to write a personal ad or reply to one of the personal ads on these pages. Just pick up your pen or dust off your keyboard, start writing, and find out who’s waiting for you! 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 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 and companionship! You may submit your responses to personal ads appearing in the Montana Senior News at any time. However, to place a personal ad in the August/September 2016 issue, the deadline is July 7, 2016.
Happy 4th Of July
SWM Seeking Great Falls area lady 50 to 80 to be my live-in companion. I am 65 years old and do not smoke or drink. Looks are unimportant. Please send phone number and I will answer all replies. Reply MSN, Dept. 32501, c/o Montana Senior News, Box 3363, Great Falls, MT 59403. SWF in SW Montana. I do not usually indulge my age as I look and feel much younger. I am a very active 5’ and 104 lb intelligent lady. I do lots of volunteer work in schools and love children, but truly miss adult companionship,
Elect
Fred Anderson
Proven Leadership at Local, State & National Levels
Priorities • Promote Great Falls as a business friendly community • Stimulate economic growth & job creation by eliminating unnecessary bureaucracy & regulation
Fred
Anderson House District 20 • Republican
Serving You for a Brighter Future andersonforlegislature.weebly.com anderson.for.legislature.hd20@gmail.com
• Protect & expand Malmstrom Air Force Base & Montana Air National Guard • Advocating for Seniors • Strengthen public education with innovation & local direction • Advance responsible energy & national resource development • Preserve access to public lands & waters • Lower property taxes & business equipment taxes • Defend 2nd Amendment rights • Enhance public safety operations
Paid for by Anderson for Legislature • Becky Anderson, Treasurer • PO Box 6921 • Great Falls, MT 59406
dining, and outdoors fishing and hiking. I’m a nonsmoker and have an occasional drink with dinner. I’m tenderhearted and am not fond of any crude or redneck behavior. Hope to find something in common with male between 58 and 70 years old. Respond if you think we might enjoy the company of one another. Reply MSN, Dept. 32502, c/o Montana Senior News, Box 3363, Great Falls, MT 59403. Summer in Montana, time to enjoy the beauty of our wonderful state. Such activity as more enjoyable with a special friend to share. A SWWF, I hope to meet a SWM to enjoy such activities and more. Someone honest, dependable, with a sense of adventure, someone who feels that life still has much to offer. Age and looks not important but would appreciate a picture. No tobacco, drugs, or gambling. A glass of wine or beer is okay. I am active, in good health; enjoy travel, road trips, exploring new places, reading, and long walks. Cultural activities are important as well. What are your interests? Are you adventurous, do you enjoy new things; do you have a sense of humor? If this sounds like you, please feel free to contact me. I would love to hear from you. Reply MSN, Dept. 32503, c/o Montana Senior News, Box 3363, Great Falls, MT 59403. SWM. Not too old to do many things like load the dishwasher and washing machine and take out the dishes and laundry after pushing a few buttons. Maybe go fishing occasionally. Maybe a few nice ladies will respond to this letter and want to go for lunch, coffee, a cold beer, or maybe a movie or a country drive. It’s the lady’s choice, and maybe we will get time to know each other and see how things go. An interested lady does not have to do the laundry, clean the fish, nor do the yard work. Please write or call and we will find the fun things to do together! Reply MSN, Dept. 32504, c/o Montana Senior News, Box 3363, Great Falls, MT 59403. WWM 72 years young, 6’4” tall, 190 lbs brown eyes, S/P beard, and mustache. I don’t drink, gamble, or smoke. I own my own home in Columbus, MT and have no interest in relocating. I’m a very clean person, keep a clean house, and am looking for the same. I enjoy the great outdoors, fishing, garage sales, using my hot tub, walks, drives, taking pictures, and just enjoying life with a warm women. I like old rock n’ roll music, tie-dyed shirts, and wildlife shirts. I’m in fair health and have diabetes controlled by pills and exercise. I’m a compassionate, warm, loving, caring, generous person who can treat a lady well. I’m looking for a slender lady who knows how to fish, operate a 16’ boat, likes some of the things I like. If you are interested, send picture, phone number, likes and dislikes. May the sun always shine warm in your face and the wind always blow at your back. Reply MSN, Dept. 32505, c/o Montana Senior News, Box 3363, Great Falls, MT 59403. SF, 60 years old, 5’4”, 125 lbs. Fun, fit, independent, free spirit with eclectic spirituality and who favors public broadcasting. Living active outdoor and rural lifestyle in upper Northwest Montana. Longtime married, but on my own now for a while and looking to get my toes back in the water with a recreational companion who does not want to rush into anything. Interests include hiking, biking, skiing, water sports, birding and wildlife watching, some travel, productive home life, animals, reading, various exercise practices, occasional visits to the city for dining, movies, symphony, museums, etc. Looking for a good man in the Missoula to Kalispell to Idaho border area who is healthy, happy, strong in body, mind, and spirit, openminded, emotionally mature, financially secure, and ready for the possibility of a new relationship. If that sounds like you and if you are interested
JUNE/JULY 2016
in learning more about me please send short informational letter and include address and phone number. Reply MSN, Dept. 32506, c/o Montana Senior News, Box 3363, Great Falls, MT 59403. SWF, 5’5”, mid-sixties, not slim but attractive, honest, faithful, affectionate, outspoken, highmorale, fun, nurturing, trustworthy, and dependable. Have small income and own my own home. I have a non-life threatening illness that causes chronic fatigue and pain so I generally sleep late. I am deeply grateful for all my blessings as a born again, spirit filled lady with 45 years of recovery from alcoholism. I enjoy rock, country, and worship music, chivalry, dancing, singing, art, church, my
12 Step program, camping, romance, bowling, Pinochle, games, movies, plays, TV, friends, family, laughter, and good conversation. I’m looking for a special friend or possibly life mate if willing to relocate to Hamilton area to share all that life has to offer. His height, color, income, and age aren’t important. He must love Jesus and not be into drinking, drugging, gambling, or porn. A clean, gentle, honest guy who isn’t materialistic and has a sense of humor would be a great blessing to this big-hearted lady. Please send photo with descriptive letter and address. Reply MSN, Dept. 32507, c/o Montana Senior News, Box 3363, Great Falls, MT 59403.
Creston, B.C. Fun Town - continued from page 51 with abundant bird life and the possibility of seeing everything from turtles and skunks to moose. Some trails are boardwalks and one leads to a three-story bird watching platform. Guided canoe trips through the area are another opportunity. Hikers will find a number of trails in the area, and several bicycle routes add another way to see the countryside. While you are in the area, plan to add a day or two and drive the International Selkirk Loop. From Creston you can head west over the densely timbered slopes of Kootenay Pass to Salmo where the loop turns north to Ymir which once was a mining town of 10,000 with 13 motels. It’s now a small, quiet little town of about 250 but worth a stop. A rest stop just beyond offers views of a spectacular waterfall plus picnic tables – a perfect place to enjoy the fruit you brought from Creston. Then continue northward to Nelson, a much larger city (population 9,200) that overlooks Kootenay Lake. This former mining and logging town dates to the 1800s and features more than 350 heritage buildings plus many shops – a great little city to spend a day or two. Continuing northward, you will pass the magnificent Blaylock Mansion, now a B&B, and on to Ainsworth Hot Springs where you can soak and swim in their beautiful pools. Then stay on the main highway to Balfour and enjoy the free ferry ride across the northern end of Kootenay Lake to the eastern shore. The 30-minute ride is billed as “the longest free ferry ride in the world.”
As you turn south near Crawford Bay, be sure to stop and peruse the creations of numerous artisans – potters, blacksmiths, weavers, glass blowers, and more. Southward the road twists and turns through beautiful dense forests and cars generally stay under 45 mph. It’s been called B.C.’s best motorcycle ride. As you continue southward, make sure you have time to stop and tour the Glass House. Built from more than 500,000 embalming bottles, it was started in 1952 as the home of a retired funeral worker. Located on a rock shelf overlooking Kootenay Lake, it is highly unusual and in a spectacular location. You will then arrive back in Creston, the “Valley of Produce” and an opportunity to stock up on fruits and produce before returning home. Creston is ideal for a weekend vacation or longer, and it is only eight miles from the border crossing at Porthill, Idaho – just a 2.5-hour drive north from Coeur d’Alene. During the summer months, it’s advisable to make reservations. To plan for what can be one of the most enjoyable and scenic vacations you will ever take, visit crestonvalleybc.com or call the Chamber of Commerce at 250-425-4342. Log on to discovernelson.com for information about Nelson and that portion of the Selkirk Loop. And of course, a thorough Internet search will reveal the endless opportunities available to you in this spectacular region. MSN
Curiosity is one of the permanent and certain characteristics of a vigorous intellect. – Samuel Johnson
Let’s talk about it. One out of every five older adults falls victim to financial exploitation. It has no limits as to who it affects...it could even happen to you!
Join other Montanans in the fight against this growing problem. Let’s face it and take a stand against senior financial fraud!
Learn how at the Area Agency on Aging nearest you.
Call 1-800-551-3191 This message is sponsored by
MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 55
PAGE 56 MONTANA SENIOR NEWS
JUNE/JULY 2016
JUNE/JULY 2016
MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 57
Eat Dessert First By Jan Hoffbauer When you celebrate a special occasion by dining out, treat yourself. Eat dessert first! I have loved gooey desserts since I was a little girl and my favorite aunt and uncle arrayed Dawn donuts on the kitchen table for consumption any time of day. At home though, desserts were the reward for finishing a meal. That same theory held true when my husband and I raised our children. Many years ago when I drove older friends on restaurant outings, they introduced me to a new and improved concept to dining. Eat dessert first. “I might be too full for dessert if I eat it last,” said Evelyn.
“What if I die before I get to eat my dessert,” said Vera, who added that everyone in her family was so slow in everything they did that often people would forget what the question was by the time the other person gave an answer. I loved eating at Old Country Buffet, because I could skip salad and go right to dessert without any fuss. My favorite was the bread pudding, even though I am a chocoholic. At a local restaurant, it was a different story. Our favorite waitress would save a piece of homemade pie for me, but she held fast to the golden rule; no dessert until your plate is clean. “I never had anyone ask for dessert first. People
PAGE 58 MONTANA SENIOR NEWS
JUNE/JULY 2016
often say they should eat dessert first, but they never do,” said Pam, another veteran waitress, when I ordered dessert with my soup. “Wait until I tell my mother,” said a young girl at another restaurant. She couldn’t wait to tell her mother that it is okay to eat dessert first when I ordered pie as my appetizer. When my husband, Mike, and I were in Spain, one restaurant’s bread pudding sounded so good I ordered it first and last. They called me crazy, but it was one of the best I ever tasted.
On my counter is a Boyd’s Bear angel. She is holding chocolate cake and a mug of hot chocolate. She states, “Life is short, eat dessert first.” Her halo is made of a cookie, and her apron says, “I never met a chocolate I didn’t like.” This gift from our daughter-in-law, Mindy, is a reminder that I’m forgiven for my influence upon the grandchildren. When we dine with friends, they know I will order dessert first and savor every bite. On our next anniversary, I will make a cherry pie for my husband. Of course, before we go out to dine, we will eat his favorite dessert first. MSN
Five Tips For The Grill
(NAPSI)–You can step up your grilling game this summer with some insider tips and tricks from Chef Kevin Gillespie, BBQ expert, restaurant owner, cookbook author, and fan favorite from Bravo’s “Top Chef.”
From temperature tips to unexpected ingredients such as hard cider, Kevin has some great tricks to make your grilling easier and even more delicious: • Make sure your grill marks are brown, not black. Dark
Great Falls
Everything is made fresh! • Suppliments • Gluten Free Baked Goods • Turkey, Veggie, Roast Beef Sandwiches • Soups & Salads • Chilli & Cornbread (Wednesdays)
508 1st Ave N, Great Falls • 460-452-0361
JUNE/JULY 2016
char can give food a burnt taste. • Have all your ingredients and tools readily available. The grill cooks foods faster than most traditional cooking techniques, so be sure to watch carefully and have what you need close by. • Be generous when seasoning. With a grill, there’s less surface area than when cooking on a stove – all those gaps in the grates on the grill – so salt, pepper and other seasonings may fall through. • Temperature is key when grilling. A general rule of thumb is to cook on medium or medium-high heat. The hand trick is good to go by. Carefully hold your hand 6 inches over the surface of the grill. If you can count past three, the grill is too cold. If you can’t count
D MITR S GREEK-AMERICAN CUISINE Lunch & Dinner 11-9 Tue-Sat
• Private Meeting Room • Monthly Belly Dancing Call for date & reservation
dimitrismt.com 406-452-5774
1919 3rd St NW, Great Falls • 3 blocks W of Walmart
MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 59
to three, it’s too hot. • Using cider, such as Angry Orchard Hard Cider, for your marinade, as an ingredient or on its own produces juicy, tender meats while infusing a refreshing, fruit-forward taste into every bite. It also helps to create that golden-brown grill mark color you’re looking for as the sugar helps to caramelize the outside of your meats. Hard Cider is also a refreshing alternative to beer and wine when grilling or for any occasion. Angry Orchard Crisp Apple is available in 12-oz. and 16-oz. cans, so you can flip a burger with one hand and hold your cider in the other – it’s handy when you’re on the go, too. MSN
PAGE 60 MONTANA SENIOR NEWS
JUNE/JULY 2016
JUNE/JULY 2016
MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 61
Terry Munson Takes the Role of Grumpy Old Man By Bernice Karnop Terry worried about memorizing so many lines, After retiring from teaching business at MSU but discovered he was pretty good at it. The play Northern, being in a play didn’t sound like anything required a tremendous amount of work and time Terry Munson, 66, Havre, wanted to do. but the MAT directors, actors, and staff helped him He was overcome problems with his inexperiaware of the ence. Audience reaction and interaction Montana Actors’ with other players brought out the best Theater (MAT), in him. They did ten performances of the which performed play and felt both relief and regret at the on the campus final performance. where he worked, “I didn’t know it was this much fun,” but he didn’t pay he declares. “It’s just a blast.” much attention After that first play, he was hooked. He to it. “It just didn’t learned to speak with an Italian accent as concern me,” he grandfather in says. Over the River Sons Ian and Through and James, and the Woods. grandson BrenHe played den, played their Scrooge in guitars for some the Seussiof the plays, and fied Christmas became friends Carol. That w i t h B r a n d o n Terry Munson played Gramps in the Havre was challengBarreth and oth- Montana Actors’ Theater production of On ing because he ers at MAT. They Borrowed Time. [Photo courtesy of Montana had to transcalled Terry, a big Actors’ Theater] form from a guy with a classic curmudgeon face, and told him he’d be good in the part of a into a saint. He became grumpy old man in a coming play. aware of how facial Terry brushed them off, but they didn’t give up. expressions and body They badgered him until he agreed to audition. language contribute, Sure enough, he got the part. and how players’ bring “They didn’t tell me it was the lead part of the out the best in each play,” he says with a deep chuckle. other. Each role has The lead characters in the play, On Borrowed challenged him to grow Time, are a grandfather and his orphaned grand- as an actor. son. Showing how death plays an important role They’ve all been in life, the grandfather traps death up a tree so fun but his favorite role nobody can die until he lets him down. The grand- might be the first one, father and the boy are the only ones who can see playing Gramps in On death trapped up the tree, and everyone else Borrowed Time. “I was thinks the old guy is crazy. Others want to “rescue” the grumpy old man. I the boy and commit Gramps to an asylum. got to shout and scream
Lots To Do On The Hi-Line
TIMBER CREEK VILLAGE ASSISTED LIVING COMMUNITY
Columbia Falls & Havre
Wonderful Common Areas: Club/Billiard Room
w/Fireplace, Beauty/Barber Shop, Fitness Room, Coffee Bar, Movie Theater, Den/Library, and Beautiful Courtyard
Large Units: 4 Floor Plans, Living Area, Kitchen, Private
Bathrooms, w/Walk-In Showers, Bedrooms w/Walk-In Closets, and Private Patio 24 hour, Caring & Professional Staff; Affordable Rates; & All Utilities Included
Columbia Falls 406-892-3400 | Havre 406-265-3111 www.timbercreekvillagecommunity.com
PAGE 62 MONTANA SENIOR NEWS
JUNE/JULY 2016
at everyone else on stage, but I also got to kiss the pretty girl,” he says with a smile. In Suessified Christmas Carol, he, Scrooge, says to the Ghost of Christmas Present, “Oh that was very clever, did you think of that?” and the Ghost replies in rhyme, “No it’s just something I pulled from my hat.” The Ghost isn’t wearing a hat, but gestures to his empty hand. In the silent theater, a small lad in the front row suddenly yells out, “Grandpa, where is his hat?” The actors nearly burst from trying to stay in character and not laugh. Terry beams when a stranger in IGA stops to say they liked him in a play. He finds it fun to be learning something completely new, and he says all that memorizing keeps his mind busy. Plays are thought provoking, and they help a person see how to deal with people, and how to treat people. When he thinks about it, Terry realizes that he’s really not new to performing. He was in the junior play in high school, performed in rock and roll bands, and was lead singer in a country western band for several years. Teaching, he adds, is like acting before an audience every day! But the MAT experience in Havre is an adventure he’s glad he didn’t miss. “I’m just so thankful that Ian and Brandon harassed me into it,” he says with a grin. Terry grew up on a farm near Dodson, 70 miles east of Havre. He thought he’d be a high school math teacher and coach in a small Montana town. Although he enjoyed coaching, he didn’t like teaching high school. He decided he wanted to work for
• Pro-Agriculture • Pro-Business
VOTE
CASEY
• Property Rights
KNUDSEN
• Individual Rights
REPUBLICAN
Missouri River Country: Where the Land Still Belongs to God
• 5th Generation Hi-Liner • Degree in Mechanical Engineering • Volunteer Firefighter & EMT
HOUSE DISTRICT 33 cjamesknudsen@gmail.com • (406) 390-0274 Paid for by Casey Knudsen for House, PO Box 18 Malta, MT 59538
John Deere, so he earned another degree in diesel technology. Instead of getting that job, he earned a Master’s degree in international management so he could work in the corporate world. His job with Mack truck in Allentown, Pennsylvania had him traveling all over the world. He enjoyed it, but in the five and a half years he worked there in the 1980s, they downsized from 18,000 employees to 3,000 in response to the recession. No one knew if they had a job on any given day. When a friend from Montana suggested he apply for a job in the business department at Northern, he did. Teaching at this level suited him, and he stayed for 18 years. He’s traveled the world. The family – wife, Kathryn, and four children – lived in Wisconsin, South Dakota, Pennsylvania, and Arizona, but he’s a Montanan. He doesn’t mind 20 below weather and 80 degrees is too warm for him. He’s told stories from his active life on Facebook, including Why Farmers don’t Make Good Cowboys, and Why aren’t You Dead? about his work on large farms. Stories from his job in the corporate world are in A Farmer Goes International. Terry Munson says he wouldn’t change a thing in his diverse life. “Every piece is a growing piece in who I am. I believe that the Lord has a plan and it’s all part of the plan, and it’s not over yet,” he asserts. “I’m still looking forward to new adventures.” For more information or to buy tickets to Montana Actors’ Theater performances, visit mtactors. com or call Jay Pyette, Executive Artistic Director, at 406-945-0272. MSN
By Bernice Karnop Before the gold fields brought pale-skinned men to what’s now Montana, Lewis and Clark, the crusty trappers and traders, and other adventurers came up the Missouri River. This early thoroughfare entered the northeast corner of the state, where it intersected with the Yellowstone, another
FOR THE BEST LOOKING LAWN ON THE STREET
NEW
AUTOMOWER ®
INTRODUCING THE HUSQVARNA AUTOMOWER® TRIM WHILE YOU MOW Quiet precise cutting for a perfect result.
133 W. Railroad St. | Cut Bank 406-873-4123
riverine highway that served the state for decades. Today’s explorers find that, better than any other part of the state, the Missouri River landscape and its creatures along the Hi-Line hold most closely to what they were created to be. Where some see only wind and sagebrush, they see the prairie waiting to share her secrets.
JUNE/JULY 2016
Citizens are fortunate that much of this land is unspoiled because designated state and federal lands belong to the people. Though accessible, not all of it is easily accessible. Visitors need not expect paved roads or restaurants when they want them. They can expect to see large tracts of land filled with big game and small animals, abundant bird species, reptiles, and fish. They can see the land much as Corps of Discovery it saw it, as it was – to quote Montana’s favorite artist, Charlie Russell, “when the land belonged to God.” According to Missouri River country literature, eleven areas here are listed under the National Watchable Wildlife program. The lists vary, but it is enough to say that this area has room for creatures great and small to live and thrive without much interference from man. Charlie would be pleased to know that, by itself, the Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge covers 1.1million acres, and multiples of that number of birds and animals – elk, deer, antelope, foxes, prairie dogs, coyotes, and big horn sheep. Feathered populations include osprey, blue heron, Canada geese, sandhill cranes, cormorants, ducks, grouse, and dozens of songbirds. Bowdoin National Wildlife Refuge outside of Malta is a series of lakes and wetlands. Known as a nesting area for white pelicans, it also provides habitat for more than 200 bird species. The UL Bend National Wildlife Refuge 50 miles south of Malta, deep in the Missouri River Breaks is noted for its big game. These rough roads offer no prob-
lems to birds and wildlife, but people in cars may find them impassible in the mud. Near Fort Peck Dam, the Missouri River Downstream Recreation Area and, 30 miles south, the Pines Recreation Area are wildlife-viewing areas. Fox Lake near Lambert is a Wildlife Management area, and Medicine Lake south of Plentywood is a National Wildlife Refuge, summer home to 100,000 waterfowl. Other wildlife haunts include Bitter Creek, 20 miles northeast of Hinsdale; Elk Island at Savage; the Little Rocky Mountains and the Manning Corral Prairie Dog Town. Hell Creek State Parks north of Jordan, teems with not just living creatures, but also those who’ve turned to stone. Brush Lake State Park, very close to both Canada and North Dakota, is also a popular place. While there’s not a restaurant behind every sagebrush out here, there are small towns at regular intervals where you can buy something to eat, gas, and supplies Museums scattered across the Hi-line, amaze one with the diversity of subjects. Many pay homage to the brave pioneers who settled the land, but they also cover Indians, Lewis and Clark, and the fur trade. This is dinosaur country, and several museums have fresh bones right from the area where the great lizards lumbered around the landscape. Havre’s intriguing Havre Beneath the Streets, and Chinook’s museum depicting the Bear Paw Battle are both worth the drive. At the wildlife museum in Chinook, one can examine the native
MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 63
creatures of Montana up close and before they get away from you. The Museum at Fort Peck covers both the dam story and dinosaurs. In Savage, which is on the Yellowstone, the Agate Stop and Montana Agate Museum celebrate one of Montana’s beautiful stones. Those who just want to have fun will get a hoot out of small town festivals. The Sugarbeet Festival in Chinook, Havre’s Festival Days, and Milk River Days in Hinsdale are filled with old-fashioned family fun. People drive long distances to see a play at Fort Peck’s unique and historic theater. Each summer they celebrate powwows at places like Brockway, Frazier, and Poplar. Small town rodeos include the not-so-small Wolf Point Stampede, which is nearly a century old. Who wouldn’t enjoy one of the county fairs, each with its own personality and traditions? Make this the summer to get out of the rut and explore some place you haven’t been in Montana. Check out our magnificent Hi-Line and be surprised to see how much you’re missing. MSN
Jokes From On High Submitted by John Early, NY City A father was approached by his small son who told him proudly, “I know what the Bible means!” His father smiled and replied, “What do you mean, you ‘know’ what the Bible means?” The son replied, “I do know!” “Okay,” said his father. “What does the Bible mean?” “That’s easy, Daddy,” the young boy replied excitedly, “It stands for Basic Information Before Leaving Earth.” There was a very gracious lady who was mailing an old family Bible to her brother in another part of the country. “Is there anything breakable in here?” asked the postal clerk. “Only the Ten Commandments,” she answered.
Somebody has said there are only two kinds of people in the world. There are those who wake up in the morning and say, “Good morning, Lord.” And there are those who wake up in the morning and say, “Good Lord, it’s morning.” A minister parked his car in a No Parking zone in a large city because he was short of time and couldn’t find a space with a meter. Then he put a note under the windshield wiper that read, “I have circled the block 10 times. If I don’t park here, I’ll miss my appointment. Forgive us our trespasses.” When he returned, he found a citation from a police officer along with a note reading, “I’ve circled this block for 10 years. If I don’t give you a ticket, I’ll lose my job. Lead us not into temptation.”
“A two-year-old is kind of like having a blender, but you don’t have a top for it.” – Jerry Seinfeld
C U STO M F R A M I N G & G I F T S
406-265-3125 220 3rd Avenue #401-Upper Level Atrium • Havre hpg@highplainsgallery.com
PAGE 64 MONTANA SENIOR NEWS
JUNE/JULY 2016
They say that rock n’ roll is dead but in the hearts and minds of baby boomers the world over, the music of icons like Buddy Holly, Chuck Berry, Little Richard, and Otis Redding will live forever. Take some time to think back on the cultural melting pot of the 1950s that threw together rhythm and blues, folk music, boogie woogie, and swing to produce the rock n’ roll adventure that captured the mood of independence, exploration, and rebellion that flourished in post WWII America. Dust off your record player, pull out a few of your favorite LPs, and listen to the music as you try this month’s challenge. This month’s quiz was submitted by Gail Jokerst to test your knowledge of our great rock n’ roll music tradition. Thank you and congratulations to Gail, winner of the $25 cash prize. Thank you to all who participated in our National Parks Trivia – Celebrating our National Treasures quiz in the April/May 2016 issue. The winner of the $25 prize for submitting the correct answers is Rachel Walter of Lewistown. Congratulations, Rachel! 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
Paid for by Bushman for PSC P.O. Box 80272, Billings
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 July 7, 2016 for our August/September 2016 edition. Be sure to work the crossword puzzle on our website at montanaseniornews.com.
Rock n’ Roll... What Music! By Gail Jokerst Nothing brings back memories like music. Take this quiz and enjoy a trip back to the fabulous 50s and early 60s. Just match the correct performer’s letter to the numbered clue, send us your answers, and you may win the $25 cash prize! 1. Who sang The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance? 2. A respected recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom who originally sang gospel. 3. With a real last name of Deutschendorf, this singer-songwriter loved the Rocky Mountains. 4. This entertainer popularized the dance known as the Twist. 5. A heartthrob who performed on the Ed Sullivan and Steve Allen Shows. 6. Which three entertainers were killed in a plane crash the day the music died? 7. Which rockabilly star had a hit song that later titled a 1990 movie starring Richard Gere? 8. This New Orleans pianist received the National Medal of Arts from President Bill Clinton. 9. Who took a hat off to Larry and sang about a little runaway? 10. Among the 40 biggest hit makers of the rock era, this person worked with Burt Bacharach. 11. Who traditionally began every concert with, “Hello, I’m…”? 12. This entertainer sang duets with a brother. 13. At age 13, this artist recorded a Christmas tree song that has since sold 25 million copies. 14. Early teen idol who said hello to Mary Lou and whose parents had a TV show. 15. Detroit is closely linked to this entertainer who sang in a famous trio. 16. Breaking Up Is Hard To Do is this individual’s signature song. 17. A name that is synonymous with the electric guitar. 18. This mellow-voiced King of Sweet Soul had 29 Top 40 hits starting with You Send Me. 19. Singer of The Wanderer, this person’s style epitomized the music of the Bronx streets. 20. Who received the Kennedy Center honors and sang about papa’s
JUNE/JULY 2016
MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 65
25. A gruff-voiced artist who broke down the brand new bag? 21. This pianist was nicknamed “The Killer” barriers between sacred and secular music. A. Del Shannon and married seven women. B. Neil Sedaka 22. Who originally wrote and recorded Blue C. Jerry Lee Lewis Suede Shoes? D. Buddy Holly 23. Carole King’s babysitter whose hit creE. Brenda Lee ated an early 60s dance craze. F. Dion DiMucci 24. Which lead singer claimed that big girls G. James Brown don’t cry? H. Frankie Valli ACROSS 1. Urn contents 6. Mischief-maker 9. Yahoo 13. Turf, as opposed to surf 14. Bygone bird 15. Slow, musically speaking 16. *“I’ll knock you off your broom!” he said 17. Barley bristle 18. Type of flu 19. *“My precious!” 21. *“I’ve a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore.” 23. ____ Francisco 24. Hindu woman’s dress 25. Apple’s opponent, 2016 28. *“Never let the fear of striking out get in your way.” 30. *“Et tu, Brute?” 35. Not to be broken? 37. Finish a road 39. Chef’s headgear 40. Seed covering 41. *“Sign your name across my heart,” sang Terrence ____ D’arby 43. Botticelli’s Venus, e.g. 44. Tsar’s edict 46. *“Hang down your head, Tom Dooley,” sang The Kingston ____ 47. It propels some boats 48. Abscond 50. Month of Purim
I. Chubby Checker J. Johnny Cash K. Ricky Nelson L. Carl Perkins M. J.P. “The Big Bopper” Richardson N. Little Eva O. Sam Cooke P. Dionne Warwick Q. Elvis Presley
52. Disk operating system 53. Inlaid furniture decoration 55. Witness 57. *“May the Force be with you.” 61. Slanting character 64. Roundish 65. *“If you can’t change your fate, change your attitude,” said Amy ____ 67. ____ of Pergamum, Ancient Greece 69. Short for pinafore 70. Santa’s helper 71. Leaning 72. Middle of March 73. *“If you want to be happy, be,” said ____ Tolstoy 74. Not o’er DOWN 1. Mary Kay’s last name 2. Rudolph, e.g. 3. *Bette Midler: “Did you ever know that you’re my ____.” 4. ____ Grey and James ____ Jones 5. U.S.’ first manned space station 6. Mosque V.I.P. 7. Yard work 8. Shoots-eating bear 9. Prefix in levorotary 10. *The Fonz: “Sit ____ ____!” 11. Home to Bryce Canyon 12. *“They’re grrreat!” he exclaimed
R. Ritchie Valens S. Diana Ross T. Roy Orbison U. Aretha Franklin V. Les Paul W. John Denver X. Phil Everly Y. Fats Domino Z. Gene Pitney AA. Ray Charles MSN
15. Cowboy’s rope catcher 20. Unsuitable 22. Middle-earth creature 24. More than one 25. Ponzi scheme, e.g. 26. Dr. Preston ____ of “Grey’s Anatomy” 27. Relating to #62 Down 29. *“Ai, caramba!” 31. Ages and ages 32. Small group of soldiers 33. A in AV 34. Rods and ____ 36. *“The cold never bothered me anyway.” 38. Children’s author Blyton 42. Breakfast side 45. Personify 49. Afghan monetary unit 51. *“Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall” 54. The Eagles’ “____ California” 56. Make one ecstatically happy 57. Arizona Indian 58. Like a devoted fan 59. “Master of ____” on Netflix 60. Deadly ones 61. Facts and figures 62. Hipbone 63. Medieval Northern European 66. Draft pick 68. Indefinite degree MSN
Answers to National Parks Trivia – Celebrating Our Nation’s Treasures 1. R 2. W 3. F 4. M
5. H 6. U 7. P 8. B
Submitted by Gary Bores 9. K 13. O 17. E 10. Y 14. C 18. Q 11. S 15. J 19. N 12. G 16. T
20. I 21. V 22. L
23. D 24. X 25. A
Croxford Funeral Home & Crematory
“Parents don’t want to think about their death...and nobody wants to talk about it. But...parents need to be parents one last time.”
- Time Magazine, “Who Gets The Stuff”
Pre-Planning is important. Call today to learn more. 1307 Central Ave, Great Falls ~ 406.453.0315 ~ www.croxfordfuneralhome.com
PAGE 66 MONTANA SENIOR NEWS
JUNE/JULY 2016
Discovering the Chinese Story Article & Photo By Connie Daugherty “I just like old things,” says Crystal Wong Shors as we sit in antique chairs at her Helena shop, “And I’m mad about photographs. When I go someplace and they’ve got a box of old photos for sale, I just can’t leave those people sitting there.” Whether volunteering, overseeing an estate sale, managing her own business, or researching Helena’s history, Crystal loves people and their stories. She was raised in an historic area of Helena next door to the family restaurant and surrounded by buildings from the early days of Helena. Many of those buildings were lost to urban renewal in the 1970s. Although as a child it was just a neighborhood like any other, her memories of those childhood
For All Your Railing Needs... INTERIOR • EXTERIOR RESIDENTIAL • COMMERCIAL
Call Today!
Senior Discount
406-458-1904 • helena
days are strong and filled with happy recollections. Treasuring, preserving, and sharing memories of the times and places and people help to keep the area alive today. It is her love of old things that drives her interest in historical research and her passion for preservation of Helena’s historic buildings. This love also led her to
collect antiques. “If you have one of something that’s fine, if you have two then you need to have three and four,” she says with a laugh, “Pretty soon the more you get the better it is.” Her personal collecting evolved into a business about 30 years ago and eventually to handling estate sales. This led Crystal to the home of the Lee family and an amazing collection of Chinese artifacts and photos from Helena’s early settlement days. “Everybody has a story and every object is a piece of somebody’s history,” she says. “I like to keep alive the people stories.” T h e s t o r y, e x pressed or imagined, attached to each photograph and each artifact is what Crystal finds most fascinating. “I’m just so curious about the people, the times, the way they lived,” she says, “I can find some little thread, just keep pulling on it until I find the whole fabric.” It was researching the history of the photos from the Lee family estate that led her to delve into her own history as well as the history of the Chinese community in Helena. “When you start opening some of those doors you just want to open more doors, find more information,” She explains. Although being Chinese was a proud and important part of Crystal’s identity, her Irish-German mother made sure of that, she had not spent much time exploring her family history. “My mother was the Chinese cheerleader,” Crystal says, “I think maybe she knew that there would be times when it wouldn’t be easy to be Chinese.” However, Crystal’s father, a second generation Chinese American who was born in
JUNE/JULY 2016
Helena, and her Chinese grandmother did not relate many family stories. “It was hard to get her to talk very much about the past,” she recalls, “They were so focused on moving forward that what happened in the past was not as important to her as what was happening right now or what was happening tomorrow.” While Crystal remembers an uncle who tried to teach her siblings and her the Cantonese language of their family; she was not very interested at the time. Crystal was busy being a child of the fifties and a teen of the sixties. She started helping out in the family restaurant, Yat Son, when she was thirteen. “And [I] enjoyed it,” she recalls. The oldest of six children and a girl, she seemed to be a natural for helping out in the kitchen. Her father, the owner and chef, needed help. However, “I made him so nervous I was in the kitchen for about fifteen minutes and he sent me to the dining room,” she says. It was there that she truly blossomed. She was able to interact with the customers and to grow her interest in people and their stories. “It was good times with my family,” she says. In high school, she worked on the school newspaper and during her junior and senior years wrote a column for the Helena Independent Record called Bugging the Beat. This first person column “got a lot of attention, it was published in the San Francisco Chronicle,” she says. The column was about the urban renewal that, in the name of progress, destroyed much of Crystal’s childhood neighborhood and Helena’s history. “It generated a lot of letters to the editor,” she recalls. Today she is still passionate about saving what needs to be saved. Her high school experiences at the Independent Record inspired Crystal and although she earned a degree in English rather than Journalism at the University of Montana in Missoula, she always maintained her passion for telling important stories. She worked for Information Services on the
University campus writing feature stories during her college years. She also worked in public relations for the phone company for several years. She had careers with AT&T and Quest, including teaching diversity workshops, as well with as at other businesses over the years, but she never lost her love of history or of writing and research. In the background was always the Lee family. “It was a little bit like watching a movie in bits and pieces with long intermissions in between. It’s been episodes from the time I was a teenager,” she says. Then boxes, albums, and even a gilt-framed portrait fell into her lap. “And I just really had to know everything I could find out about them,” she says. Not all the photos in the collection were of the Lee family, but each photo added to the story of the Chinese community in Helena. “I’ve been kind of a stopping place for a lot of this stuff for many years,” she says, “The images were such fun!” For years Crystal collected and was given artifacts and photos connected with Chinese individuals in Helena, but it wasn’t until recently that “it just took over my life,” she jokes. In her research, she credits the mentorship of historians like Robert Swartout and Ellen Baumler, who have done extensive research on Chinese history and events in the west and Montana. “I just like the people stuff,” she says, “But it’s very hard to find people with information about Montana’s Chinese people.” Crystal Wong Shors is up to this challenge. Her life, like those of the owners of the artifacts and people in the photos she collects, has been filled with lots of twists and turns and like a true historian, she treasures each of those paths. “Life is full of experiences and lessons and I don’t think we should have a lot of regrets,” Crystal says, “You find your way to a good life.” MSN
By Liz Larcom Jeanne MacPherson, owner of Helena’s Mountain Airdance, LLC, takes many pilots into the backcountry to teach them mountain flying. At first, she says, they gaze in total disbelief. Watching a jillion internet videos of flying amongst the peaks and canyons of the Rockies plants a dream in a pilot’s heart, but it never quite prepares him or her for the in-the-flesh experience. “When you’re flying really close to the rocks and terrain, it takes a while to believe that it’s really okay!” says Jeanne. Mountain flying involves more than simply pointing the aircraft towards the peaks. Precision counts in a narrow valley, and the pilot must always remember that a plane handles differently in the thin air, changing throughout the day with temperature and barometric pressure. Other elements confound, too. The pilot may find dramatically different weather when flying into a neighboring drainage only 13 miles away. No local forecast will cover it, so the pilot must detect
the changes from the air. And he must also adjust to widely scattered, unmanned airstrips that don’t include fuel or repair services. So Jeanne has much to teach her students, many of whom come from states as far as Florida, Texas, and California. “Last year I got this call from these guys, they were at Oshkosh (Wisconsin, site of an annual fly-in and convention) and they wanted to do some mountain flying in their Cessna 185,” says Jeanne. The father-son team had flown all the way from
MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 67
Veteran-Sportsman-Leader-Engineer
Montana needs government that works for... Good Jobs, Quality Education & Infrastructure www.johnsonformontana.com
Paid for by Johnson for HD 80, P.O. Box 9542, Helena, MT 59604
She’ll Be Flying Around The Mountains When She Comes
HELENA AREA TRANSIT SERVICE M–F Except Holidays
we are
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
7 a.m.–11 a.m. 1 p.m.–5 p.m.
7 a.m.–6 p.m.
1415 NORTH MONTANA AVE | 406.447.1580 WHEEL CHAIR ACCESSIBLE
REFRESHED WITH NEW SYSTEMS AND TECHNOLOGY
switch to
PAGE 68 MONTANA SENIOR NEWS
JUNE/JULY 2016
the Isle of Man, between Ireland and Great Britain. Bureau. Here she coordinated air searches, pro“Both airline pilots, the father flew amazing runs moted aviation and education, and taught mountain like Cairo, and his son was flying also at places flying to the search pilots. that I can’t imagine why he was doing mountain While there, she thought the pilots would benflying with me. Indonesia!” says Jeanne. efit from learning emergency training maneuvers They hopped from straight from Rich Stowthe Isle of Man to Reykell, the world-renowned javik to Newfoundland “Spin Doctor” from Calito Oshkosh, where they fornia. asked, “If we wanted to When Stowell came do mountain flying, who to Montana, he trained would we fly with?” Jeannie and the search “They ran into maypilots, and afterward both be the only person who she and her husband Bill knows me,” says Jeanne. Gallea, an emergency So they extended their room doctor, took further trip to Helena. training with Stowell. Teaching, a role that A favorite project suits Jeanne well, has during her time with the been a part of her flying Aeronautics Division (she almost since the beginretired in 2010) was the ning. Young Eagles program. At age 12, the Blue “I would go to schools Angels awed her. Latall over. So I went to Saco er a friend who flew a and many of the eastern fighter in Vietnam also Montana schools. First built her interest. But I’d go into the science Beryl Markham’s book Owner of Mountain Airdance LLC, Jeanne MacPherson and math class. We did West with the Night, the of Helena enjoys teaching pilots mountain flying and maybe a navigation probauthor’s chronicle about emergency training maneuvers. Here she is seated in lem where they would go his days as a bush pilot the cockpit of her Super Decathlon at Helena Regional from their home to their Airport. (Photo by Liz Larcom) in Kenya in the 1930s, grandfather’s home and tipped the balance. “A history, and very beautifully they would do the plot and figure out how much written,” says Jeanne. So in her early 30s, Jeanne fuel it would take. And then we flew the children,” took her first flying lesson. Jeanne says. “I began flying in 1989 and I took a pretty fast The project went well, says Jeanne, enthusitrack. In ’92 I was already instructing, so I would astically supported by her administrator and the have already had my instrument rating, my com- schools. The project also led to the biggest surprise mercial, my instructor, and probably was working of Jeanne’s career. on my instrument instructor, my double I,” she “The Experimental Aircraft Association? They explains. have an award called Freedom of Flight. And what By 1995 she joined the Aeronautics Division of I believe they were trying to do in 2003 was fly the Montana Department of Transportation, where a million young eagles with their program. I had she served as Chief of the Safety and Education flown more children than anyone in the world,
Join us for a free screening of
FLEECED: Speaking Out Against Senior Financial Abuse
Panel Discussion: • Law enforcement • Government • Legal • Banking
Wednesday, June 15 2:00–4:00pm Myrna Loy Center 15 N. Ewing, Helena More info 406-457-7376
JUNE/JULY 2016
over 3,000, and so I won that award. The people that usually have won it are like Neil Armstrong (astronaut, first person to walk on the moon), Dan Goldin (longest-tenured administrator of NASA), and Harrison Ford (actor, pilot, and chair of Young Eagles program). All these names and little Jeanne MacPherson from Montana!” she says, laughing aloud at the thought. “I really do love mountain flying. I love flying where we are. I love flying in the backcountry of Idaho, and I love flying in the backcountry of Montana,” Jeanne explains. In fact, you’ll likely find Bill and Jeanne in the backcountry when they’re not at work.
“We both love camping, hiking, birding,” she adds. Together they provide a special treat for the grandchildren. “Each grandchild goes for a week with us, backcountry flying and camping. They grow to love Montana,” she says. After Michael, the first grandchild visited, Jeanne heard about his return to Houston. When her daughter picked up Michael, the 16-year-old didn’t even say, “Hi, I love you, Mom!” Instead he greeted her with, “Just tell me one thing. Why did you ever leave Montana?” MSN
Just Click And You Are At MHS No matter where you are, dozens of Montana Historical Society (MHS) programs, hundreds of historical photos and stories, instant research opportunities, interaction with staff, and much more are just a click away through the power of social media. “In the last few years, we’ve been able to connect more and more people to history. People in every corner of the state and beyond,” says Christy Eckerle, head of the MHS Social Media Committee. “People anywhere in the world can watch our programs on YouTube or see historic photos that we post to Instagram. Social media allows us to share our collections and expertise with others like never before.” The MHS uses Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest, and Soundcloud, and a couple of blogs. Here is a brief look at what each of the sites offers: • Facebook – This is the hot gossip place to go. You can find out what is going on behind the scenes at MHS and get sneak peeks of the collections and historic photographs. • Twitter – This is a place to get quick information on events and collections at MHS and let the staff and other followers know what you think about it. • Instagram – You’ll find photos of some of the most interesting items in the collection, including historic photographs. You’ll also find behind the scenes snapshots of MHS staff at work. • YouTube – This is your gateway to streaming video of MHS programs and other events you weren’t able to catch live. There are currently over 200 programs and events posted for your enjoyment. You’ll also find short videos of staff
members showing and telling about their favorite things in the MHS collection. • Pinterest – This is where you can explore MHS exhibits and other resources online. • Soundcloud – Allows you to listen to the programs and lectures given at MHS. The site also has dozens of short History On The Go stories about Montana recorded by MHS Research Historian Ellen Baumler. Eckerle said in addition to reaching out to people across the state and nation to tell the Montana story, there are two main goals behind MHS social media. “The first is to educate people about all the things we do here at the Society. We are much more than just a museum,” she said. “The other is to be approachable. Some people think that museums and history are cold and impersonal. We want to be available to all and to let people know they can talk to us and have their questions answered, whether in person or online.” To locate the Montana Historical Society social media sites, go to montanahistoricalsociety.org. The links that will connect you to each media platform are on the main page. If you have any questions, call 406-444-4708. MSN
Supporting Helena’S SeniorS and retireeS
If ElEctEd to Hd 83, I WIll:
our community is stronger when we invest in programs that support seniors and retirees. our state can do more to make sure that seniors are able to stay in their homes, participate in our community, and live with dignity. WWW.KImabbottforlEgIslaturE.com
• Work to ensure that healthcare for seniors is accessible and affordable, • fund services that allow seniors to stay in their homes and communities
PaId for by KIm abbott for lEgIslaturE, dEmocrat | Post offIcE box 1752 | HElEna, montana 59624
MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 69
PAGE 70 MONTANA SENIOR NEWS
JUNE/JULY 2016
JUNE/JULY 2016
Connection To The Past
MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 71
the connection and how she is related through her father to folks on the By Ella Mae Howard Margaret Morse Eagle’s memory has faded some since she packed her Mayflower, using a family history from her brother handed down from their handgrip for the move from her home in Anaconda to a dormitory room at father. She thinks a cousin, William H. Pear of Boston, did most of the work on the genealogical document. (Continued on page 74) Colorado Women’s College more than seven decades ago. Margaret remembers, “My suitcase was black and carefully packed inside were my 2-3 dresses, some undergarments, a coat, and my riding pants and boots.” Her family had agreed to send her so far from home because their daughter had a beautiful soprano voice and they wanted her to pursue a career in music. Margaret enjoyed singing, but she was more interested in learning to jump horses. Today, she admits, “I really did not know what I wanted to do after finishing high school in the spring of 1938.” So o it was; the pretty blue-eyed girl from the smelter town in Montana arrived in Colorado. Margaret recalls, “Much time in my voice instruction classes was spent correcting bad habits, habits which I picked up from my Montana piano teacher. I didn’t mind the stern corrections as I liked to sing and I wanted to improve.’’ Margaret’s equestrian class at Colorado Women’s College was disappointing. She could ride but she wanted to learn to jump. The instructor dampened her horse experience when he insisted the young Montana gal was not built to jump horses. After a year in Colorado, Margaret came home to Montana. The next year, she enrolled at Montana State College (MSC) to study Home Economics, one of the few courses of study offered for girls. Margaret continued her music lessons, and as the word got around about her strong soprano voice, she got more and more offers to sing at church and funerals. “I don’t ever recall getting paid for my singing and it didn’t matter. I just wanted to sing for people.” In the summer of 1942 after she had graduated from MSC, she worked in a fishing camp near West Yellowstone. There wasn’t much opportunity to perform that summer, except when former President Herbert Hoover was a guest in the camp. He celebrated his 68th birthday there, and Margaret was called on to sing Happy Birthday as she carried in the cake. When she refused to kiss President Hoover, she was teased, “All Margaret’s kisses are saved for Harold.” She married Harold Eagle in 1943. Margaret has warm feelings about how her family made time for music. “We all sang. My Mother played the violin and the piano; my brother played the violin, and my sister played the piano. The violin from those musical times is still in the family and now belongs to my niece, Kerry Morse, who is a violinist and fiddler.” Like her musical interests, Margaret’s equine bent also came from her family. Her father Charles Woodman Morse, who had moved from Grass Valley, Calif. to work for the Anaconda Company, enjoyed riding horses. Margaret told the story of her Father taking his bride, Alice Winifred Cornelius, who had come to Anaconda from Wisconsin in 1916 to teach German in the high school, on a horseback trip in Glacier Park to celebrate their wedding – riding from Lake MacDonald to Many Glacier. And Margaret’s roots go much deeper into American history than California. On November 21, 1620, 105 individuals walked With nearly 600 of Montana’s very own employees, Blue Cross and Blue down the gangway from the Mayflower to the land Shield of Montana is one of the most loyal employers in town. Since 1940, near Cape Cod. They came “for the glory of God, we’ve been here when our boys came home from the war, when you first and advancement of the Christian faith and honor of our King and Country, a voyage to plant the first got married, when you had your first baby and when you went through a colony in the northern parts of Virginia.” family health crisis. We’ve always been here for you. And we pledge we’re not And Margaret is a direct descendent of seven of going anywhere. We’re Montana’s own Real Montanans helping you when those Mayflower pilgrims: John Alden, John Howland, Elizabeth Tilley, William Mullins, wife Alice you need it most. Through it all. Mullins and daughter Priscilla Mullins, and Frances Cooke. And, now at nearly ninety-six years of age, Learn More or Enroll Today Margaret Eagle is compiling the paperwork that will A division of Health Care Service Corporation, a Mutual Legal Reserve Company, bcbsmt.com I 1.800.447.7828 put her in the Society of Mayflower Descendants. an Independent Licensee of Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. She is very knowledgeable and talks readily about
MONTANA’S OWN
PAGE 72 MONTANA SENIOR NEWS
JUNE/JULY 2016
Curious About Cuba
Most of the time, I feel entirely unqualified to be a parent. I call these times being awake. - Jim Gaffigan
Natalie Bartley ing fundraiser and practice their English skills. For years, I was curious about Cuba, an is- Some of the Global Volunteers team members asland nation in the Caribbean. My experience vol- sisted in a community garden or on maintenance unteering in Cuba this April was a perfect blend projects. Evenings consisted of conversational of close-up views of English lessons with the citizens of Ciego Cuban life and the opde Avila at a neighportunity to contribute to a local community. borhood community center. I chose to go to Working with the Cuba with the nonlocals made it easier profit organization for me to form friendGlobal Volunteers. ships with a wide They helped obtain range of Cubans. I my Cuba visa and the travel affidavit license learned Cubans are friendly, sweet, refrom the U.S. Office of silient, and creative. Foreign Assets Control. Global Volunteers Despite our government’s stance toarranged my air travel wards Cuba over the from Miami, Florida to A must-do activity in Havana, Cuba is a taxi ride in an AmerSanta Clara, Cuba as ican-made 1950s car. [Photo by Natalie Bartley] years, the Cubans I well as my bus travel met did not seem to hold ill feelings towards us as Americans. to the project home base in Ciego de Ávila. After 12 days in Ciego de Avila, we said a sad Located in the plains of central Cuba, this town of over 100,000 is the capital of the Ciego de adiós to our new friends. We departed from our Ávila province. Far from the tourists in Havana, hotel, rode an air-conditioned bus through seven residents of this rural area rely on transporta- provinces, and arrived in Havana six hours later. tion provided by men pedaling bicycle-taxis and For the last few days in Cuba, we shifted into an by horse-drawn carriages. Old American-made educational people-to-people trip in which we vehicles from the 1950s and newly imported visited with individual Cubans for specific purvehicles are also in the transportation mix. We poses through a carefully structured educational regularly used horse-drawn carriages for our program. A visit to two artist communities, plus lectures on the education system and church taxis in the evenings. During the mornings, we helped a Baptist history, brought us in contact with Cuban profeschurchwomen’s group make crafts for an upcom- sionals. We stopped at some of the area’s famous
Travel with Satrom Travel & Tour! Quality • Value • Experience
Since 1978
Our renown New York City Theatre Tours: Oct. 20 - 24 Limited Space Dec. 1 - 5 Sold out; may be waitlisted New departure added! Dec. 8 - 12 Hosted by Katherine & Joe Satrom Our hallmark New England Fall Foliage Tour Sept. 19 - Oct. 5 & Sept. 22 - Oct. 10
Go Down Under with Joe Satrom! Australia/New Zealand Jan. 30 - Feb. 19, 2017
Sail away with Satrom
Missoula
Blue Danube River Cruise
Senior Center
Sept. 16 - 26, 2016 Hosted by Andy Peterson
12- Night Mediterranean Cruise on the brand new Holland ship ms Koningsdam Sept. 29 - Oct. 12, 2016 Hosted by former US/ND Senator Byron Dorgan
NCL Hawaii Cruise
Panama Canal Cruise - Full Transit Feb. 28 - Mar. 15, 2017 Go with Joe!
Land Tours
Winnipeg Folklorama
Aug. 3 - 7 Hosted by Brenda Rogerson
Black Hills
Aug. 23 - 26 Hosted by Joe Satrom
Branson Holidaze Tour
Nov. 6 - 11 Hosted by Joe Satrom
info@satromtravel.com www.satromtravel.com
Call for free brochures:
1-800-833-8787
2016—TRIPS & TRAVEL
Jan. 28 - Feb. 4, 2017 Hosted by Katherine Satrom
Last Chance Wagon Ride & Prime Rib Dinner Gates of the Mountain Boat Tour & Visit to Tizer Gardens July 21, 22
Mel Brooks musical Young Frankenstein August 14 • Big Fork Playouse
Virginia City - Nevada City - Philipsburg August 25, 26
705 South Higgins | Missoula | 406-543-7154
JUNE/JULY 2016
attractions such as the Museo Hemingway, the Malecón waterfront avenue, and the Museo de la Revolución. Our group also posed for photographs in front of the newly established United States of America Embassy. Some of my personal highlights included learning to dance to Cuban music at five different musical venues and riding in antique Chevrolet and Ford convertibles along the waterfront in Havana. These taxi rides are a must-do if you go to Havana. Even though Cuba is now one of the most desired travel destinations according TravelAge West, certain travel restrictions remain in effect for U.S. residents. Under U.S. law, tourist travel to Cuba is still prohibited.
A neighborhood Cuban band provides listening and dancing opportunities in Havana. [Photo by Natalie Bartley]
MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 73
Though travelers from other countries travel independently as tourists in Cuba, U.S. citizens currently can’t enter as tourists and roam the country freely. A travel affidavit-general/ specific license for legal travel in Cuba is needed. Twelve categories qualify for authorized travel. Fortunately, the U.S. rules and allowances are changing rapidly. Starting March 16 individuals could travel on their own if they comply with a full-time agenda of educational exchange activities resulting in meaningful interactions between the traveler and individuals in Cuba. On May 1, Carnival’s 704-passenger cruise ship was the first to sail from Miami to Havana in 50 years. Expect more
Plan a Vacation to Remember... Call your Travel Agent Today! ESCAPE TOURS P.O. BOX 3833 Missoula, MT 59806 406-240-8687
MISSOULA SENIOR CENTER 705 S. Higgins Missoula, MT 59801 406-543-7154
LAIRD LEISURE TRAVEL 1601 2nd Ave N #100A Great Falls, MT 59405 406-761-9700 866-967-9700
SATROM TRAVEL & TOUR 561 South 7th Street Bismarck, ND 58504 800-833-8787
JUNE 2016 8–11 Quilt Fest A&B Tours 12–29 Grand France Laird Leisure Travel JULY 2016 5–9 Oh Canada—My Canada! A&B Tours 6–26 Alaska Laird Leisure Travel 8–10 Coeur d’Alene Big Sky Travel 15–18 Calgary Stampede Laird Leisure Travel 18–31 Alaska Land & Sea Journey Satrom Travel & Tour 21–22 Last Chance Wagon Ride Missoula Senior Center AUGUST 2016 3–7 Folklorama, Winnipeg Satrom Travel & Tour 7–26 Cruisin America’s Great Lakes Laird Leisure Travel 9–19 Railroads of the Colorado Rockies Laird Leisure Travel
14 Musical Young Frankenstien Missoula Senior Center 17–27 Martin Luther Reformation Tour Satrom Travel & Tour 19 Philipsburg & Old Montana Prison Big Sky Travel 23–26 Black Hills Satrom Travel & Tour 25 Virginia & Nevada Cities & Philipsburg Missoula Senior Center 8/27- Alaska Land & Sea 9/6 Satrom Travel & Tour SEPTEMBER 2016 4–6 Coeur d’Alene Big Sky Travel 7–21 Historic East Laird Leisure Travel 13–24 Mackinaw Island & Niagra Falls A&B Tours 16–26 Blue Danube River Cruise Satrom Travel & Tour 9/19- New England Fall 10/5 Foliage Tour Satrom Travel & Tour
A&B TOURS PO Box 2176 Minot, ND 58702 701-852-8144 800-440-2690 BIG SKY TRAVEL ADVENTURES 300B Main St Stevensville, MT 59870 406-777-6934
CAPEAIR 406-698-4359 DOREEN STOKES 39 Eagle Valley Ln Plains, MT 59859 406-326-5766
9/22- New England Fall Foliage 10/10 Satrom Travel & Tour
10/30- Coeur d’Alene 11/1 Big Sky Travel
9/23- New England / 10/1 Canada Cruise Satrom Travel & Tour
NOVEMBER 2016 1–7 Branson-Always In Season A & B Tours
9/23- Charming New England 10/2 Laird Leisure Travel 9/29- 12 Night Mediterranean 10/12 Cruise Satrom Travel & Tour OCTOBER 2016 TBA Africa Safari Doreen Stokes 1–11 Rivers & Rails of the Northwest A & B Tours 3–14 Best of Maritimes Lair Leisure Travel 4–12 Hot Air Balloon Fiesta Laird Leisure Travel 20–24 New York City Theatre Satrom Travel & Tour
4–10 7 Day Hawaiia Islands Cruise Big Sky Travel 6–11 Branson Holidaze Satrom Travel & Tour 6–15 9 Day Cruise up Mississippi Big Sky Travel 12–13 Beautiful–Musical Escape Tours 13–19 Branson-Always in Season A & B Tours DECEMBER 2016 1–5 New York City Theatre Satrom Travel & Tour 8–12 New York City Theatre Tour Satrom Travel & Tour MSN
PAGE 74 MONTANA SENIOR NEWS
JUNE/JULY 2016
loosening of restrictions in the upcoming months. As I reflect on my 14 days in Cuba, I treasure the friendships offered by the women, men, and children of Cuba as we worked towards a common goal of producing crafts, sharing cultures, and learning languages. I will save my beach vacation with snorkeling and scuba diving for another trip to Cuba in the near future. Tips for Traveling in Cuba Convert your U.S. dollars to Euros before you leave home for a better exchange rate. Bring all your needed lotions and medicines since most U.S. products are not yet available. Be careful when crossing roads because pedestrians do not have the right-of-way. Carry a washcloth or bandana for baths and showers. And importantly, open your mind to a different way of doing things. There is much to learn! Natalie Bartley is a Boise-based author of trail guidebooks Best Easy Day Hikes Boise and the newly updated Best Rail Trails Pacific Northwest. MSN
Both residents and visitors rely on horse-drawn carriages for transportation in the provinces outside of Havana, including the Ciego de Avila Province. [Photo by Natalie Bartley]
There are three stages of scientific discovery: first, people deny that it is true; then they deny that it is important; finally, they credit the wrong person. - Alexander von Humboldt
Connection To The Past - continued from page 71 “I was too busy making a home for four children and a husband who was a civil engineer, to worry about family history.” For ten generations, Margaret can trace a complicated trail through both paternal grandparents to the Mayflower – ten generations of who married whom and who was born to whom. Rather
Easier there. Easier back. Whether for medical appointments or visits with the grandkids, hopping on a fast, affordable flight is so much easier than hours behind the wheel. Take the worry out of travel for you and your family, and enjoy the ride.
49
$
*
each way
from
Havre
Glasgow
than trace through multiple lineages, Margaret chose to tie her connection to Frances Cooke. In the seventh generation, Hazen Morse, Margaret’s great grandfather, married into the Cooke lineage and the Morse name continued down through her grandfather and father to Margaret Morse Eagle. The folks who sailed on the Mayflower came to be known as pilgrims. Facts don’t bear out the idea that those who sailed on the Mayflower were all devoted religious folks. About half of them were “saints”; the others were “strangers,” people who came for the chance to make money and a better life. Whether Margaret’s ancestors were saints, strangers, or maybe both was not discussed, but it’s not likely a significant distinction. Almost four hundred years after setting foot in the New World, it’s about the journey that Margaret’s family has taken and their making the connection to their roots so far back in American history. Now, Margaret Morse Eagle will join others like Franklin Roosevelt, Marilyn Monroe, Katherine Hepburn, and Clint Eastwood on the list of direct descendents of the Mayflower. MSN
MOTORCOACH TOURS Mackinaw Island & Niagara Falls Sept 13–24
The perfect mix for an early fall escape! This tour is packed with “bucket list” items! Lunch at the Grand Hotel on Mackinaw, all new illuminations cruise at Niagara Falls, Frankenmuth, the Ford Museum, Notre Dame & Basilica plus more!
Rivers & Rails of the Northwest
Wolf Point
Oct 1–11
Sidney
Montana pick up points included. A true mix of rail & river adventures! A full day on the Snake River, dinner cruise on the Columbia River, rail journey via Mount Hood, narrated ride on the last intact interuban electric railway, breathtaking views & more!
Glendive
Enjoy the ride.
Billings
Branson-Always in Season Nov 1–7
Minot & Bismarck departures OR
Nov 13–19
Dickinson & Bismarck departures
More tours & details available online or by following us on Facebook
capeair.com
800-CAPE-AIR
*Including all taxes and fees. Fares are subject to availability and other conditions. Fares may change without notice, and are not guaranteed until ticketed.
2016
800-440-2690
abtoursonline.com
JUNE/JULY 2016
MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 75
“Love Gets Better With Age,” Say American Singles Over 70 In an eye-opening insight into the sexual behaviors of the elderly, a study of 2,667 Americans has revealed that seniors’ early bedtimes have nothing to do with more sleep. Sorry, seniors still have sex – and a lot of it! The survey by dating service elitesingles.com found that 91% of over 70s believed sex to be important in a relationship, with 33% rating it as very important. In fact, 81% of over 70s said sex gets better with age! In addtion: • Over 70s are more okay with casual sex than singles aged 18-30 • Over 70s are less accepting of celibacy than singles aged 18-30 • And for the romantics: 97% of over 70s believe you can fall in love at any age Grandma, what a big sex drive you have! A gender comparison revealed that older women are the slightly more fervent fornicators; 87% of women think the quality of sex improves with age and experience, compared with 77% of men. No rest in their twilight years: over 70s want sex more than singles in their 20s. In a finding that’s sure to surprise (and perhaps dismay), the study showed that seniors over 70 have a higher desire for sex than singles aged 18-30. Indeed, celibacy was considered less acceptable for older singles than the younger ones; just 9% of seniors said they were ‘happy without sex in a relationship’, compared to 19% of the 18-30 year olds. The over 70s were also more accepting of casual sex; 75% said they don’t need to wait for a solid relationship commitment before having sex, a sentiment which was shared with just 56% of younger singles. Romance isn’t dead. They may have been around the block, but that doesn’t mean seniors have lost their faith in love. Even after break-up, separation, and divorce, 97% believe you can fall in love at any age. Sixty- two percent of seniors still believe in love at first sight, and superficial attraction remains important; the face, chest, and hair were voted the top 3 features in an older person. Psychologist says, “There’s no age limit to eroticism.” EliteSingles’ Psychologist Salama Marine says, “People tend to feel uncomfortable with the idea of senior sexuality because it has nothing to do with reproduction; senior sex is purely about love and sexual fulfillment. But in a society often too associated with youth, we tend to forget that there is no age limit to desire and eroticism. We must recognize that today’s seniors have lived through society’s sexual liberalization and enjoy the same sexual freedom as the rest of us.” Visit elitesingles.com for more information. MSN
Great news! You can invest your IRA distributions to support great programs—and reduce your taxes Taxpayers 70½ and older have a wonderful opportunity to support the Benefis Foundation and other charitable organizations now that Congress has made the IRA Charitable Rollover permanent! Charitable gifts of any amount up to $100,000 may be made from your IRA each year. The best news is that these gifts count toward your Required Minimum Distribution and are not subject to income taxes. The benefit is available even if you don't itemize your federal tax returns. The charitable distribution must be sent directly from the IRA administrator to the charity. Ask your IRA administrator how this option works or contact us at the Benefis Foundation. You choose how you want your gifts put to use through the dozens of vital funds and healthcare programs the Foundation supports. Please contact your financial advisor or Marilyn Parker Certified Specialist in Planned Giving Benefis Health System Foundation 406-455-5836 or marilynparker@benefis.org
PAGE 76 MONTANA SENIOR NEWS
JUNE/JULY 2016
U.S. Adults Get Failing Grade In Healthy Lifestyle Behavior By David Stauth Only 2.7 percent of the U.S. adult population achieves all four of some basic behavioral characteristics that researchers say would constitute a “healthy lifestyle” and help protect against cardiovascular disease, a recent study concluded. In this study, researchers from Oregon State University and the University of Mississippi examined how many adults succeed in four general barometers that could help define healthy behavior: a good diet, moderate exercise, a recommended body fat percentage, and being a non-smoker. It’s the basic health advice that doctors give to millions of patients all over the world. Such characteristics are associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease as well as many other health problems, such as cancer and type 2 diabetes. “The behavior standards we were measuring were pretty reasonable, not super high,” said Ellen Smit, senior author on the study and an associate professor in the OSU College of Public Health and Human Sciences. “We weren’t looking for marathon runners.” From the perspective of public health, the findings of the research were not encouraging, Smit said. “This is pretty low, to have so few people maintaining what we would consider a healthy lifestyle,” she said. “This is sort of mind boggling. There’s clearly a lot of room for improvement.” Part of the value of
this study is that the results are based on a large study group, 4,745 people from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. It also included several measured behaviors, rather than just relying on self-reported information. Measurements of activity were done with an accelerometer, a device people wore to determine their actual level of movement, with a goal of 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous activity a week. Blood samples were done to verify a person was a non-smoker. Body fat was measured with sophisticated X-ray absorptiometry, not just a crude measurement based on weight and height. A healthy diet was defined in this study as being in about the top 40 percent of people who ate foods recommended by the USDA. The lifestyle characteristics were then compared to “biomarkers” of cardiovascular health. Some are familiar, such as blood pressure, cholesterol, and glucose levels. Others are more sophisticated, such as C-reactive protein, fasting triglycerides, homocysteine, and other data that can provide evidence of cardiovascular risk. Many people, of course, accomplished one or more of the four basic lifestyle goals, such as not smoking or being adequately active. The most striking finding was how few people accomplished all the goals. “I would expect that the more healthy lifestyles you have, the better your cardiovascular biomarkers will look,” Smit said. Indeed, the researchers found that having three or four healthy lifestyles, compared to none, generally was associated with better cardiovascular risk biomarkers, such as lower serum choles-
terol and homocysteine levels. Having at least one or two healthy lifestyle characteristics, compared to none, was also associated with better levels of some cardiovascular risk biomarkers. Among the other findings of the research: • Although having more than one healthy lifestyle behavior is important, specific health characteristics may be most important for particular cardiovascular disease risk factors. For healthy levels of HDL and total cholesterol, the strongest correlation was with normal body fat percentage. • A total of 71 percent of adults did not smoke, 38 percent ate a healthy diet, 10 percent had a normal body fat percentage, and 46 percent were sufficiently active. • Only 2.7 percent of all adults had all four healthy lifestyle characteristics, while16 percent had three, 37 percent had two, 34 percent had one, and 11 percent had none. • Women were more likely to not smoke and eat a healthy diet, but less likely to be sufficiently active. • Mexican American adults were more likely to eat a healthy diet than non-Hispanic white or black adults. • Adults 60 years and older had fewer healthy characteristics than adults ages 20-39, yet were more likely to not smoke and consume a healthy diet, and less likely to be sufficiently active. More research is needed, experts say, to identify ways to increase the adoption of multiple healthy lifestyle characteristics among adults. This study was published in the Mayo Clinic Proceedings and was done in collaboration with researchers from the University of Mississippi and the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga. MSN
Booster Shots Recommended By Jim Miller Dear Savvy Senior, I just turned 65 and would like to find out what types of vaccinations are recommended for Medicare beneficiaries and how they are covered. Health Conscious Dear Conscious, Most people think vaccinations are just for kids, but especially adults who tend to have
weaker immune systems, need their shots too. Here’s a rundown of what vaccines the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends for those 65+ and how they’re covered by Medicare. Flu (Influenza): While you probably already know that flu shots are recommended every fall, you may not know that those over 65 also have the option of getting a high-dose flu vaccine instead of a regular flu shot. The Fluzone High-Dose contains a higher dose of antigen and creates a stronger immune response for better protection. All annual flu shots are covered under Medicare Part B. Td/Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis): A one-time dose of the Tdap vaccine, which covers tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis or whooping cough, is recommended for all adults. If you’ve already had a Tdap shot, you should return to getting a tetanus-diphtheria booster shot every 10 years. All Medicare Part D prescription drug plans cover these vaccinations. Pneumococcal: This vaccine protects against pneumonia, which kills about 50,000 Americans each year. It’s now recommended that those 65+ get two separate vaccines, Prevnar 13 and Pneumovax 23, at different times. Medicare Part B covers both shots if they are taken at least 11 months apart. Shingles (zoster): Caused by the same virus that causes chicken pox, shingles is a painful, blistering skin rash that affects more than 1 million Americans each year. All people over age 60 should get the Zostavax vaccine even if they’ve had shingles before. All Medicare Part D prescription drug plans cover this one-time vaccination, but coverage amounts and reimbursement rules vary depending on where the shot is given. Check your plan. Varicella (chickenpox): If you’ve never had chickenpox, the two-dose Varivax vaccine is recommended for adults and is covered by Medicare Part D plans. Hepatitis A: This two-dose series of shots is recommended to adults that have chronic liver disease, a clotting-factor disorder, unprotected sex with male partners, illicit injectable drug use, close contact with a Hepatitis A-infected individual, or who travel to areas with a high incidence of Hepatitis A. These shots are covered by Medicare Part D drug plans. Hepatitis B: This three-dose series is recommended for adults who are on dialysis, have renal disease or liver disease, are sexually active with more than one partner, or have a sexually transmitted disease or HIV. These vaccinations are covered under Medicare Part B. Meningococcal: Adults over 56 who have had their spleen removed, have certain blood
JUNE/JULY 2016
deficiencies, or plan to travel to parts of the world where Meningitis is common should receive the meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine. This is covered by Medicare Part D. To help you learn about the vaccines that are appropriate for you, take the CDC’s What Vaccines Do You Need? quiz at cdc.gov/nip/adultimmsched. Also, talk to your doctor during your next visit about what vaccinations you should get. If you can’t remember which vaccines you’ve already had, check with your past doctors to see if they have any records or contact your state’s health department. Some agencies have vac-
MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 77
cination registries like vaccineinformation.org/ state-immunization-programs that may help you. If you can’t locate your records, your doctor can give you blood tests to see if you’re immune to certain vaccine-preventable diseases. Or they may just give you the shot. It’s safe to repeat vaccines, according to the CDC. 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
The Important Role Pets Play in Human Lives Now is a great time to consider the many reasons pets play such an important role in our lives. Millions of people around the country have pets, and they can feel the benefits. Pets bring more to our lives than just a few laughs as they do something silly or pose for the camera. They give us a better quality of life and come with a dose of health benefits. Many people lack knowledge of the mental and physical health benefits owning a pet can bring. Pets fill a critical role in human lives in a variety of ways. Here are some of the important roles that pets play in human lives: • According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), pets can help lower one’s blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and triglyceride levels. They can help people live healthier lives. • The CDC also reports that pets increase exercise and outdoor activity opportunities. Take a drive through a community in the morning or evening and there are people out walking their dogs on a regular basis. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) reports that those with dogs tend to get more exercise and health benefits than those who do not have them. They also found that older adults who lived with dogs tended to have better
mobility than those who didn’t have a dog. • Having a pet also reduces feelings of loneliness and increases opportunities for socialization. People often stop to talk to others who have pets, and pets are great at keeping people from feeling alone. • There have been several studies conducted that show pets can help those who have chronic illness or are in rehabilitation. A recent study in the journal Rehabilitation Nursing reported that incorporating animal assisted therapy in acute rehabilitation settings helps patients obtain greater satisfaction. A March 2016 study in the journal Gerontologist reported that bonding occurs when people walk their dogs. The study reports those who engage in dog walking have a lower body mass index, fewer daily living limitations, fewer doctor visits, and get more exercise. Having a pet can have an influence on how well someone ages. “It is amazing all of the benefits that we can get from having a pet, especially if we are actively walking our dogs every day,” says Will Post, the founder of Hound and Gatos Pet Foods Corporation. “They do a lot to help keep us healthy.” For more information, visit HoundGatos.com. MSN
At DaVita, our approach is to treat people, not just their kidney disease.
Better manage your health, your care, and your life with help from our highly trained clinical support teams and a wide range of tools and services. IN OUR NEW LOCATION 3400 10th Ave S Great Falls 406-727-0411 KidneySmart.org learn about your kidney health and treatment options © 2016 DaVita HealthCare Partners Inc. 09099 Denovo
DaVita.com
PAGE 78 MONTANA SENIOR NEWS
JUNE/JULY 2016
JUNE/JULY 2016
How Aspirin Stops Nerve Pain By Suzy Cohen We take for granted the comfort we feel in our hands and feet, but some people have lost that comfort, and they suffer all day long with nerve-related concerns. There is new research about aspirin that could help you, but first let’s talk about nerve pain, i.e. “neuropathy.” It feels as if you are touching or stepping on pins and needles! It can affect you all over, not just your hands and feet. Depending on various factors (race, age, weight, alcohol consumption, insulin, and A1c), your experience of neuropathy may also include pain, vibration or buzzing sensations, lightheadedness, burning (even in your tongue), trigeminal neuralgia, or cystitis. Recognizing what your neuropathy stems from is critical to your getting well. For some, it is due to a vitamin deficiency. For example, vitamin B12 or probiotics, which help you to manufacture your own B12 in the gut. For others, it could be that wine you drink with dinner because wine is a potent drug mugger of B1, (thiamine) which protects your nerve coating. By a mile, the most common cause of neuropathy is diabetes. Approximately half of all people with diabetes experience diabetic neuropathies, mainly in the hands and feet. Some doctors will tell you that maintaining healthy blood glucose will reverse neuropathy but that’s not true, we know from the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial that even intensive glucose control is insufficient to control the risk of diabetic neuropathy. It’s tough love but I need to say it: Uncontrolled neuropathy can cause a 25 percent higher cumulative risk of leg amputation. I’ve written about natural supplements for neuropathy in the past (articles are archived at suzycohen. com), and you can have a free ebook Spices that Heal which offers more natural advice (get it by signing up for my email newsletter). New research was published last March in Current Diabetes Reports. Scientists confirmed that targeting inflammatory cytokines can help relieve diabetic neuropathy. Oftentimes, that bad gateway called NF Kappa B (NFKB) opens its floodgates, and spits out pro-inflammatory cytokines like COX-2 (Celebrex lowers this), nitric oxide synthase, lipoxygenase, TNF alpha, and many pain-causing interleukins (IL-1, IL-2, IL-6, IL-8). The researchers reported that something as simple as salicylate therapy could help reduce some of these cytokines as well as circulating glucose, triglycerides, C reactive protein, and free fatty acids. When you think of salicylates, please understand this is a broad group of compounds found naturally in the plant kingdom. Salicylate is the main ingredient in aspirin and other analgesics, both prescribed and over-the-counter. Salicylates include spearmint, peppermint, and in muscle rubs. White willow bark is an herb that is morphed and turned into aspirin. They’re not right for everyone so please ask your doctor about salicylates for neuropathy. Ask if you can have a blood test to evaluate some of the pro-inflammatory markers I noted above. MSN
MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 79
Does leg pain keep you from enjoying the activities you love?
Vein Center Confused by all of the available treatment options? Come see the vascular experts at Billings Clinic’s Vein Center for an individualized treatment plan, from painful varicose veins to unsightly spider veins. Many procedures are office-based and minimally-invasive, resulting in faster recovery, so you can quickly return to the activities you love.
To learn more, call the Vein Center at 435-VASC (8272) or 1-800-332-7156 billingsclinic.com/veincenter
PAGE 80 MONTANA SENIOR NEWS
JUNE/JULY 2016
How to Split Pills Safely By Jim Miller Dear Savvy Senior, Is pill splitting safe? I have several friends who cut their pills in half in order to save money, but I have some concerns. What can you tell me? Cautious Kim Dear Kim, Pill splitting – literally cutting them in half – has become a popular way to save on pharmaceutical costs but you need to talk to your doctor or pharmacist first, because not all pills can be split. Pill splitting is a money saver because of a quirk in the way drugs are manufactured and priced. A pill that is twice as strong as another may not be twice the price. In fact, it is usually about the same price. So, buying a
With more than
40 YEARS OF SERVICE we’re here to help you turn wear and tear I N TO R E C OV E R Y A N D R E J U V E N AT I O N .
Because you’re still booming
AND SO ARE WE.
Our history is our promise.
OUR STORY IS YOURS. 406.496.3400 | MontanaOrthopedics.com | Butte, Montana B L AVAT S K Y
BUEHLER
DIGIOVINE
GALL AG H E R
RUSSO
double-strength dose and cutting it in half may allow you to get two months worth of medicine for the price of one. But is it safe? As long as your doctor agrees that splitting your pills is okay for you, you learn how to do it properly, and you split only pills that can be split, there is really no danger. Ask Your Doctor If you are interested in splitting your pills, talk to your doctor or pharmacist to find out if any of your medications can be safely split. It is also important to find out whether splitting them will save you enough money. The pills that are easiest to split are those with a score down the middle. However, not every pill that’s scored is meant to be split. Pills that are most commonly split include: • Cholesterol drugs, like Crestor, Lipitor, Mevacor, Pravachol, and Zocor • Antidepressants, like Lexapro, Celexa, Serzone, Paxil, and Zoloft. • High blood pressure medicines such as, Accupril, Zestril, Diovan, Avapro, Norvasc, Tenormin, Toprol, and Cardura. • Erectile dysfunction pills, like Viagra, Cialis, and Levitra. Use a Splitter Having the right equipment is very important too. Don’t use a knife or scissors to cut your pills in half. It can cause you to split them unevenly resulting in two pieces with different dosages, which can be dangerous. Purchase a proper pill cutter that has a cover and a V-shaped pill grip that holds the pill securely in place. You can find them at most pharmacies for $3 to $10. For convenience, you might be tempted to split the whole bottle of pills at once. But it’s best to do the splitting on the day you take the first half, and then take the other half on the second day or whenever you are scheduled to. That will help keep the drugs from deteriorating due to exposure to heat, moisture, or air. It will also help ensure that any deviation in the size of one dose is compensated in the next. It’s also important to know that pills are only safely split in half. Don’t Split These Drugs that are time-released or long lasting and tablets that contain a combination of drugs probably shouldn’t be split because it’s difficult to ensure a proper amount of active ingredient. Pills with a coating to protect your stomach and pills that crumble easily or irritate your mouth shouldn’t be split either, along with chemotherapy drugs, anti-seizure medicines, birth control pills, and capsules containing powders or gels. Again, your doctor or pharmacist will know which drugs can and cannot be split. If you’re taking a medicine that can be split, you’ll need to get a prescription from your doctor for twice the dosage you need. 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
Ignore The Headlines – Calcium Is Very Important – How Probiotics Improve Bone Strength
By Suzy Cohen Did you hear the report recently on Good Morning America or Fox News? The British Medical Journal announced the results of a major study that made headline news. “Dietary calcium intake is not associated with risk of fracture, and there is no clinical trial evidence that increasing calcium intake from dietary sources prevents fractures.” Calcium supplementation is a multi-billion dollar industry. Whether or not calcium helps prevent bone fractures and the onset and progression of osteoporosis is a hotly debated topic. So today, I want to defend calcium and tell you about new research that could help you build better bones. First the facts. • Ninety-nine percent of the calcium in our body is found in our bones and teeth.
JUNE/JULY 2016
• One percent of calcium is involved in blood vessel and muscle contractions and relaxation, electrolyte function, and other metabolic functions. When we do not have enough calcium, we may experience muscle cramps, hypertension, insomnia, dental caries, and bone deterioration. • Women are at high risk for osteopenia (early stages of osteoporosis) and osteoporosis because of our small frame, post-menopausal declines in estrogen and progesterone, and less muscle mass. It is estimated that half of women over the age of 50 experience an osteoporosis- related bone fracture in their lifetime. As for calcium, I don’t love supplementation, so I recommend you eat a calcium-rich diet. Now the new research. Your intestinal health plays a very large role in your bone health. We already know that if we do not have adequate stomach acid (i.e., we take proton pump inhibitors or Tums,) that calcium suddenly fails to get absorbed well. It requires some acid. Acid blockers are drug muggers of calcium and other minerals. There is actually a gut flora-bone signaling “pathway” and in animal studies, researchers proved that beneficial probiotic strains (Lactobacillus reuteri and Bifidobacterium longum) actually mitigated menopause-induced bone loss. Gut bacteria “talk” to the bone cells whose task is to remodel bone tissue. These bacteria dictate the rate of remodeling. The more friendly flora you have, the faster your bone remodels. That’s not all. Your microbiome and intestinal hormones improve the absorption of calcium and other nutrients you need for a healthy skeleton.
Not Your Grandfather’s Tooth Filling! By David Stauth A few years from now millions of people around the world might be walking around with an unusual kind of glass in their mouth, and using it every time they eat. Engineers at Oregon State University have made some promising findings about the ability of “bioactive” glass to help reduce the ability of bacteria to attack composite tooth fillings – and perhaps even provide some of the minerals needed to replace those lost to tooth decay. Prolonging the life of composite tooth fillings could be an important step forward for dental treatment, the researchers say, since more than 122 million composite tooth restorations are made in the United States every year. An average person uses their teeth for more than 600,000 “chews” a year, and some studies suggest the average lifetime of a posterior dental composite is only six years.
MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 81
It’s about absorbing your calcium, not just dumping a lot into yourself. You have to absorb it or it just goes through you. I take from this that high-quality probiotics are the next frontier to reduce risk for hip fractures and falls. I bet that’s weird to you. After all, we don’t associate the gut with bones, right? Most people think of probiotics for constipation, so this is new thinking. I think most of us take intestinal health for granted until reflux or food poisoning hits us! The reality is, routine ingestion of gluten, antibiotics, foods contaminated with glyphosate, GMO foods, and medications increase our risk for osteoporosis by damaging the gut flora. I think that British Medical Journal headline really did people a disservice because calcium is important for bones, and apparently, so are probiotics. MSN
PAGE 82 MONTANA SENIOR NEWS
JUNE/JULY 2016
The new research Bioactive glass is was just published in the very hard and stiff, and journal Dental Materials, it can replace some of in work supported by the inert glass fillers the National Institutes of that are currently mixed Health. with polymers to make “Bioactive glass, modern composite tooth which is a type of fillings. crushed glass that is “Almost all fillings able to interact with the will eventually fail,” Krubody, has been used zic said. “New tooth in some types of bone decay often begins at healing for decades,” the interface of a filling said Jamie Kruzic, a and the tooth, and is professor and expert in called secondary tooth advanced structural and decay. The tooth is literbiomaterials in the OSU ally being eroded and College of Engineering. demineralized at that “This type of glass Tooth fillings of the future may incorporate bioactive interface.” is only beginning to see glass, seen here under an electron microscope. [Photo Bioactive glass may provided by OSU College of Engineering] use in dentistry, and our help prolong the life of research shows it may be very promising for tooth fillings, researchers say, because the new study fillings,” he said. “The showed that the depth of bacterial penetration into bacteria in the mouth that the interface with bioactive glass-containing fillings help cause cavities don’t was significantly smaller than for composites lackseem to like this type of ing the glass. glass and are less likely Fillings made with bioactive glass should to colonize on fillings that slow secondary tooth decay and provide some incorporate it. This could minerals that could help replace those being lost, have a significant impact researchers say. The combination of these two on the future of dentistry.” forces should result in a tooth filling that works just Bioactive glass is as well, but lasts longer. made with compounds Recently extracted human molars were used in such as silicon oxide, this research to produce simulated tooth restoracalcium oxide, and phos- tion samples for laboratory experiments. OSU has phorus oxide, and looks developed a laboratory that’s one of the first in the like powdered glass. It’s world to test simulated tooth fillings in conditions called “bioactive” be- that mimic the mouth. cause the body notices If this laboratory result is confirmed by clinical it is there and can react research, it should be very easy to incorporate to it, as opposed to other bioactive glass into existing formulations for combiomedical products that posite tooth fillings, Kruzic said. are inert. The antimicrobial effect of bioactive glass is attributed, in part, to the release of ions such as those from calcium and phosphate that have a toxic effect on oral bacteria and tend to neutralize the local acidic environment. “My collaborators and I have already shown in previous studies that composites containing up to 15 percent bioactive glass, by weight, can have mechanical properties comparable, or superior to commercial composites now being used,” Kruzic said. This work was done in collaboration with researchers from the School of Dentistry at the Oregon Health & Science University and the College of Dental Medicine at Midwestern University. MSN
JUNE/JULY 2016
MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 83
PAGE 84 MONTANA SENIOR NEWS
JUNE/JULY 2016
Auto Insurance Discounts for Older Drivers By Jim Miller Dear Savvy Senior, I’ve read that many car insurance companies offer a variety of discounts to older drivers when they retire or reach a certain age. What can you tell me about this? Discount Seeker Dear Seeker, Most auto insurance companies offer policyholders a wide variety of discounts, many of which can benefit retirees. Auto insurers love older drivers because they’re experienced behind the wheel and they drive less than younger age groups, which makes them a lower risk for accidents and
ELECT
CHARLES “Charlie”
BROWN
• EXPERIENCED • LEADERSHIP
• HARD WORKING
“COMMON SENSE - NOT POLITICS” House District 17 • Republican CBROWNHD17@GMAIL.COM 406-590-0744 PAID FOR BY CHARLES BROWN BOX 296 FAIRFIELD, MT 59436
a safer bet for insurance companies. While discounts will vary by insurer, many of these benefits can reduce your overall premium by 15 percent or more, and you are usually allowed to combine discounts to increase your savings, though total discounts are often capped at around 25 percent. To find out what discounts may be available to you, contact your auto insurer and inquire about these benefits and any others that may apply. Age discount: Many auto insurance companies offer a general senior discount that will reduce your premium just because you’ve reached a specific age. The actual name and amount of the discount will vary by insurer. Allstate, for example, provides a senior adult discount of up to 10 percent to drivers who are at least 55 years old and aren’t actively looking for full-time work. Liberty Mutual offers a newly retired discount to drivers who reach that employment milestone, regardless of age. Low mileage discount: Most insurers offer discounts to customers who drive limited miles each year, which is often beneficial to retirees who drive less because they don’t commute to work every day. The fewer miles you drive, the lower your odds of getting into an accident. The parameters of low mileage discounts differ by insurer, but generally about a 10 percent discount is available for driving less than 5,000 to 8,000 miles each year. Smaller discounts may also be available to those who drive less than 15,000 miles a year. Drivers Ed discount: Many states require insurance companies to offer defensive-driving discounts to drivers who take a refresher course to brush up on their safety skills. The discounts
usually range from five to 15 percent. Driver safety refresher courses usually cost $20-$30 and can be taken in a classroom or online. To locate a class contact your local AAA, aaa.com, which operates a Driver Improvement Course for seniors, or AARP, aarp.org/driversafety or 888-227-7669, which offers the Smart Driver Course to members and non-members. Club member discount: Insurers offer discounts to members of clubs and associations with which they have partnered. These could include professional associations, workers’ unions, large employers, or membership organizations such as AAA, the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association, the Seniors Coalition, and AARP. You could even qualify for savings based on the college you attended or the fraternity or sorority you belonged to decades ago. Safe driving discount: Many insurance providers now offer discounts based on how and when you use your car. To do this, they would place a diagnostic device in your car that transmits wireless data on how you drive (including how fast you’re going and how hard you’re braking), when you drive, and how much you drive. Drivers are rewarded for safe driving, low mileage, and for not driving late at night. In addition, many insurance providers also offer discounts to drivers who do not have any violations or accidents for three or more years. 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
GROWING RELATIONSHIPS
SINCE 1936 COMPETITIVE RATES PERSONALIZED SERVICE LOCAL DECISION MAKING 406.277.3314 | 888.665.9246 | beltvalleybank.com
Do You Have Questions About Medicare? Contact the experts at the Roger L. Daniel Insurance Agency We represent multiple carriers and products.
Roger L. Daniel
You Have Questions... We Have Answers Roger L. Daniel Insurance Agency Inc. 4 YEARS
2047 Broadwater Ave • Billings 406-252-3411 • rdaniel@famersagent.com
JUNE/JULY 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 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
Dan Rust 1805 W Dickerson Bldg 2, Suite 1 Bozeman, MT 59715 406-587-8287
DEER LODGE
Karen Flynn 712 Main Deer Lodge, MT 59722 406-846-1111
DILLON
Ted Ori 24 South Idaho Dillon, MT 59725 406-683-2472
MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 85
GREAT FALLS
KALISPELL
Pam Hansen Alfred 2817 10th Ave South Great Falls, MT 59405 406-453-6010
Sandra Goode - Long 491 N Main Kalispell, MT 59901 406-257-7714
Gary T. Fosse 222 15th Street S Great Falls, MT 59405 406-452-6446
LIVINGSTON
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
Sarah Skofield 125 E Callender St Livingston, MT 59047 406-222-1000
MISSOULA
Riley McGiboney 3420 S Reserve Ste Missoula, MT 59801 406-541-3621
PAGE 86 MONTANA SENIOR NEWS
JUNE/JULY 2016
EDGEWOOD MEMORY CARE Belgrade
Missoula
406.388.9439 1011 Cardinal Drive
406.549.9660 2815 Palmer
Billings
Kalispell
406.256.5398 1225 Wicks Lane
406.755.3240 141 Interstate Lane
JUNE/JULY 2016
MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 87
PAGE 88 MONTANA SENIOR NEWS
JUNE/JULY 2016
Get ready to experience excellence in dialysis care.
NOW OPEN Fresenius Great Falls Clinic Dialysis 1724 26th Street S. Great Falls, MT 59405
Fresenius Medical Care Polson 305 Ridgewater Drive Polson, MT 59860
If you are interested in new options for your dialysis care, we’ve opened new locations in Great Falls and Polson. We’re Fresenius Medical Care, the leading dialysis care network in the nation. Our new facilities will offer in-center hemodialysis, as well as hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis at home. To make your in-center experience more comfortable, we will provide reclining, heated, massage chairs, individual televisions, and wireless internet access. Get ready to experience excellence in dialysis care. For more information, please call Kristin Flo, Area Manager, at 406-549-2980 x 212.
www.UltraCare-Dialysis.com