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Bikers Against Bullies Empowers Kids
Flash, Fred Van de Perre is on the left wearing the headband; Jefe, Ken Hughes, (with an accent on the second e) is on the right. Motorcycles have been a major part of both men’s lives. Flash got his first motorcycle when he was 12 and he has been riding ever since. Jefe bought his first motorcycle in 1976 soon after he moved out of the house. He’s also been riding bikes ever since then. [Photo by Gail Jokerst]
By Gail Jokerst Without doubt, Aretha Franklin brought the word “R-E-S-P-E-C-T” to the world’s attention with her 1960s hit song. Half a century later in Missoula, you can find other unlikely champions of this time-honored ideal – tattooed, leather-garbed Harley bikers. However, their message of respect is conveyed, not on dance floors, but at schools
combating bullying. They call themselves Bikers Against Bullies (BAB) and while they may look like a mom’s worst nightmare for her daughter to bring home, these guys are more Pomeranian than Rottweiler… providing you are not into bullying. “We only deserve respect if we respect the people around us,” says Fred “Flash” Van de Perre, who co-founded BAB along with Ken “Jefe” Hughes. “To get respect you have to give it. Our mission is to empower kids by teaching them to embrace their diversity and respect other people’s diversity.” It all started in 2012 when Flash offered to help raise funds so each Hellgate Elementary School District student could receive a T-shirt with the keep-an-eyeon bullying message. He also volunteered to ride into the school gym
on his Harley to deliver that message in person. One look at Flash’s tattoos, jewelry, and headbands indicates why he has the right cool factor to reach these kids. Additionally, he is the parent of a 12-year-old and has a heart as big as Montana. Flash recruited Jefe, the road captain for Missoula’s HOG (Harley Owners’ Group), to join in creating a presentation for Hellgate. They have since brought that program to over 20 schools in Polson, Dixon, Butte, Anaconda, Helena, Darby, and throughout Missoula – usually with 1,500 to 2,800 students attending. “I was very nervous the first time. I didn’t know how the kids would receive the message,” recalls Jefe. “When we were done, I felt like a rock star with the warm fuzzies. Kids hear and feel that we’re genuinely interested in them and in what they’re doing.” The more Flash and Jefe learned about the effects of bullying – from destroying self-confidence to taking one’s own life – that genuine interest grew. “Suicide resulting from bullying is the second largest reason for youth fatalities in America,” says Flash. “More than 60 kids a day commit suicide and about 15 of those deaths are a direct result of bullying.” (Continued on page 9)
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If your facts aren’t correct, how good is your argument?
I understand we are enduring political bait-andswitches on a scale unmatched in recent history, but I must call out the dishonesty dominating the women’s health arena. Unlike the abstractions of “making America great” or “building the wall,” the women’s health subterfuge has real and immediate consequences for our partners, sisters, mothers, and friends. When anti-abortion talking heads voice their concern for women and families, they are woefully uninformed or they are lying. Neither is acceptable. Anti-abortionists push an agenda that limits access while ignoring prevailing science from the American Medical Association, the American College of Obstetricians-Gynecologists, and the Association of Reproductive Healthcare Providers, among many others. Abortion does not increase rates of depression or breast cancer. Abortion rates are not on the rise. In fact, unintended pregnancy and abortion rates are at historic lows nationally. And yes, legal abortion is among the safest surgical procedures. It is time to call anti-abortionists’ bluff; they eschew science. They demand personal responsibility while supporting measures that would block millions of women from accessing contraceptive care and sex education, the two most effective pregnancy-prevention strategies. They say that every child should have a chance, yet they actively oppose social safety net programs that support women and children. They have stretched their fallacy to the breaking point by rallying their “mor-
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 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 8th of the month preceding the month of publication.
Jack W. Love, Jr., Publisher/Editor Kathleen McGregor Lisa Gebo Jonathan Rimmel Peter Thornburg Sherrie Smith
Advertising Sales Production Assistant Advertising Sales Production Supervisor Graphic Designer Distribution Admin/Production Assistant
Contributing Writers Connie Daugherty Kim Thielman-Ibes Gail Jokerst Bernice Karnop Craig Larcom Liz Larcom Jack McNeel Dianna Troyer © 2017
MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 3
als and religion first” masses behind a presidential candidate who has degraded women and denigrated God for decades. We know when a spade is a spade. Please take time to question the individuals, organizations, and political entities that deal in such false currencies. We cannot forget that this is our country and our political system. Let’s hold the dealers accountable and make them work toward the changes we truly want to see. Sylvia Bull Great Falls (Continued on page 29)
THANKFULLY, PHYSICIAN ASSISTED SUICIDE REMAINS A HOMICIDE IN MONTANA “Death with dignity” really means assisted suicide and euthanasia. Proponents of assisted suicide (which historically always leads to euthanasia) claim legalization gives you a “choice.” But do you really have a choice? In Oregon’s and Washington’s assisted suicide laws, not all family members are required to be contacted. A single predatory heir is allowed to initiate and execute the lethal process without witness. Everyone involved in the lethal process gets immediate immunity. No confirmation of the dose or if it was indeed self-administered is required. And if someone changed his or her mind, who would know? Legal assisted suicide empowers other people, the heath care system, and the government to suggest, pressure, or abuse individuals to cut their lives short! In Oregon for example, the state health plan encourages suicide. The plan will not necessarily cover treatment for cure or to extend life. The plan will cover the “treatment” of suicide. Additionally, these laws prohibit investigations or public inquires into such deaths, leaving no recourse for surviving family members who were not contacted. Does this sound like good public policy? This policy allows for the exploitation of elders and people with disabilities of all ages. The 2015 Montana legislature rejected for the third time, legislation that would have legalized non-voluntary euthanasia. Which would trample individual’s rights. This careful and responsible legislative action needs to be appreciated and continued in the 2017 legislature.
SAY NO TO COVERT, FORCED EUTHANASIA IN MONTANA! Help fight against legalizing assisted suicide/euthanasia in the 2017 legislature. Stand in protest at the January hearing. Get a green sticker and fill the Capitol’s hallways! Contact legislators and pray, pray, pray! Send in this form or call to receive more information. 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
Catholics for Life
Lutherans for Life
PAGE 4 MONTANA SENIOR NEWS
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Yes, it’s February, the Valentine month, and time for romance to plant its seeds and hearts to open. It is still cold so you may not be ready to give up your coat and hot cocoa – but spring is just around the corner. Now is a perfect time to plant and nurture a romance or friendship and watch it blossom as the season changes. And anticipating the magic of summer – long drives, picnics, ballgames, fireworks, camping, fishing, travel, fairs, rodeos – with a new friend will add a bounce to your stride. So take that first step by sending in your own personal ad and replying to one listed below. Just pick up your pen or dust off your keyboard, and start writing. To respond to any of these personal ads, simply forward your message, address, and
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 April/May 2017 issue, the deadline is March 18, 2017. SWF, 5’5” in mid 60s. Fluffy, attractive, spirit filled lover of Jesus. I enjoy church, meetings, dancing, movies, plays, chivalry, camping, picnics, games, singing, music, art, walks, bowling, Pinochle, cuddling, and dinner out. I am honest, faithful, moral, tender, and love to laugh and have fun. ISO an honest, clean, stable, kind, conservative Christian man. Willing to explore relocating to the Hamilton area is a plus. Prefer a slim to medium build, but age, height, and ethnicity aren’t important. What matters to me is abstinence from alcohol, drugs, gambling, and porn. Do mutual TLC, trust, respect, and a healthy lifestyle serving the Lord together sound like a good way to spend senior years? If so, please send photo and address in informative letter. Reply MSN, Dept. 33301, c/o Montana Senior News, Box 3363, Great Falls, MT 59403. Energetic SWM from Northwest Montana seeks a platonic dance partner. If you are a swing dancer of any age and of pleasant spirit, please respond and introduce yourself. Hopefully we can cut a rug! Reply MSN, Dept. 33302, c/o Montana Senior News, Box 3363, Great Falls, MT 59403. 82-year-old SWM in Northwest Montana looking for a female email friend. I lost my wife of 60 years last year and would like to find an email pal to correspond and reminisce with. Please let me know if you are interested! Reply MSN, Dept. 33303, c/o Montana Senior News, Box 3363, Great Falls, MT 59403. SWF in 70s, white hair, blue eyes, 4’10”, and 125 pounds seeks a companion in the Columbia Falls or Bigfork area. I don’t drink, smoke, or do drugs. I enjoy thrift store shopping, rummage sales, am always on the lookout for new treasures, and enjoy day trip adventures. My house in Columbia Falls is full of my finds! If you are interested in what you read and live in the area, please send a photograph, letter, and phone number. Reply MSN, Dept. 33304, c/o Montana Senior News, Box 3363, Great Falls, MT 59403. SWM seeks lady anywhere from 40 to 80 who might be looking for fun and companionship. Looks are unimportant and I will answer all replies. Reply MSN, Dept. 33305, c/o Montana Senior News, Box 3363, Great Falls, MT 59403. SWF, 83-years old, tall, blonde, average weight, a nonsmoker, and a widow since 2008. I am very active, and I like to show love by helping others whenever in need. I am also an avid gardener and have many other interests. I am seeking a SWM, 79-85, who would like to correspond with me in Northeastern Montana. Must like animals, be an active person, and love the great
FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017
MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 5
outdoors. I am looking for someone who is a gentleman and a nonsmoker. Send picture, interests, and phone number, and I will reply with the same. Reply MSN, Dept. 33306, c/o Montana Senior News, Box 3363, Great Falls, MT 59403. Artsy horse lover, 58, intelligent, educated, life-long learner looking for a playmate for life. Outdoors, playing golf, hiking, riding, skiing, gardening, football, theater, dancing… it would be heaven to enjoy the company of a gentleman 56 to 65, but age really doesn’t matter. To love and to be loved – it is the heart that loves and the body that keeps going because if you rest you will rust! And, you do not want to miss a day of exploring together with a friend, lover, and playmate for the rest of this wonderful life in God’s country. Art, nature, travel, food, and loving fun! Live well, laugh often, and love much with a companion for the rest of this adventure. Reply MSN, Dept. 33307, c/o Montana Senior News, Box 3363, Great Falls, MT 59403. SWF country gal looking for a Model 1948 or older gentleman, companion, and better half. I am in south-central Montana seeking a friendship with a compatible, mature adventure buddy. This health seeker desires a connection based on respect and trust with a single, divorced, or widowed man. Please be addicted to educational pursuits, not drinking, drugs, or tobacco. I prefer common sense and conversation, not superficial good looks. Not looking for perfection, rather someone perfect for me. I am currently semi-retired working in home health care. I am a homebody mostly in the winter, and a treasure hunter including wild edibles, fossils, and estate sales the rest of the year. Tell me about your interests, hobbies, and goals. Let’s find one another and get ready for spring! Reply MSN, Dept. 33308, c/o Montana Senior News, Box 3363, Great Falls, MT 59403. Continued on page 28
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If Not for This by Pete Fromm; Red Hen Press, Pasadena, CA; 2014; Darkness follows Light: a Memoir of Love, Place and Bereavement by Earle F. Layser; Dancing Pine Publishing Alta, WY; 2016 Reviewed by Connie Daugherty There are all kinds of love stories and happily ever after romances. These titles are definitely love stories with plenty of romance, but both focus more on the journey than the fairytale ending. Pete Fromm’s novel and Earle Layser’s memoir are filled with pain and suffering, happiness and adventure, and through it all, there is love. The kind of love all couples dream of, not the love of perfection, but the love of reality. At first glance, the novel and the memoir have little in common. At second glance, they have everything in common. The writing styles are very different, one the gentle flow of fiction, the other the sharp edge of fact. The authors’ voices are uniquely personal and fitting for the stories they are sharing. Both focus on the “in sickness and in health” part of a relationship that we are seldom prepared to handle. Using fiction (Fromm) and fact (Layser), the authors provide examples of how to deal with the challenges life will certainly throw our way. The subtle humor in Fromm’s novel, If Not for This, makes his characters as lovable to the reader as they are in love with each other and as metaphor and memories pepper each page. “When I have to catch my breath, find something to convince me we’ll always have enough to go on, I reel back to my anchor point, the two of us so strong even Wyoming was nothing but our backdrop.” Dalt and Maddy meet one summer in Wyoming while guiding tourists on Snake River floats. They both love the adventure, the fishing and floating, and each other. “We get married at dawn, outdoors of course.” As friends and family watch Maddy and Dalt climb into a raft and head off on a private river
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float “when we begin to just drift, neither of us at the oars, I think how much like marriage this is. Wondering who is steering, how we’re ever going to get around those wicked-ass snags, what’s going to keep us from beaching....” All too soon, she will have the answers to her unspoken thoughts. “The first real waves, the ones I couldn’t ignore, coming out of nowhere, making me sway and grab Dalt’s arm, then the exhaustion, though one symptom in ten had any chance of lining up with pregnancy, Dalt kept clutching at that straw.” The diagnosis is MS, “Like the multiple sclerosis kind of MS. I’m twenty-seven years old. I run rivers, the picture of fricking health.” Well maybe not a candidate for healthy person of the year, but nothing that can’t be treated and overcome. The same day Maddy is diagnosed with MS she discovers she is pregnant and suddenly their whole world changes. As the disease progresses and her children grow from infants to adults, she longs to be healthy, the old Maddy that Dalt loved, the old independent, self-sufficient Maddy. She feels angry, guilty, unlovable. “With the nap…my body is practically at ease, my hand still, my head just sitting there on my neck like a normal person’s.” She equates the struggle of walking across a room with running extremely difficult river rapids. She watches friends fade away as she becomes more and more helpless. Her children grow up. She wonders what her life would have been like if not for MS. What her children’s lives would have been like, Dalt’s life. Would their love have grown in the same way? Would it have been better or faded away into the pedestrian? Pete Fromm’s, If Not For This is anything but pedestrian. It is beautifully written, heartrending, and funny at the same time, the perfect balance of inspiration and introspection. While Fromm’s novel is told from the perspective of the character that is experiencing a debilitating disease, Earle Layser’s memoir is told from the perspective of a husband as a way to both remember and let go at the same time. “I had gone from intrigued to smitten. Somehow I knew I had found the person I had been looking for, the one person
FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017
MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 7
that makes you feel whole,” says Layser in his memoir, Darkness Follows Light. While it is Layser’s memoir, it is also a tribute to his wife, Pattie and a celebration of their relationship. “This narrative does not rely on the veracity of my mind alone, our history and words have been preserved because both Pattie and I possessed an old-fashioned propensity to write letters, keep journals, save photographs, correspondence and cards.” With extensive use of those writings, Layser builds a detailed and touching narrative. He has divided Darkness Follows Light into four seasons of life: Springtime of Our Lives, Summertime and the Living is Easy, Autumn’s Changing Scene, and Winter’s Darkness and Despair. In the Springtime section he touches on his and Pattie’s different backgrounds, their fated meeting, and their slow, cautious courtship as they reach middle age and establish life and career paths. Still, Layser writes of their relationship, “it only became better the longer we were together,” and eventually they “shyly and gently came to a joint tentative agreement to marry.” An important part of Pattie and Earle’s courtship and marriage was the many trips they took together. “Our road trips were all pretty much before cell and iPhones or GPS and required knowledge of geography and mapreading skills.” Their international travel, which often resulted in published magazine articles, was also arranged and often conducted without the benefit of technology. Each excursion served as its own memorable adventure and many of these expeditions are detailed in the Summer section. In the Fall section of his memoir, Layser struggles to understand why their life would be interrupted by sorrow. “My mind searches for reasons despite an unpretentious, deliberately conservative, health and fitness-conscious lifestyle both of us would experience the tragic destruction....” Premier Affordable Senior Housing Cancer, it seems, is an indiscriminate disease. “Our lives had taken an abrupt turn from ski slopes, Quality, Rent Subsidized Housing for Seniors Ages 62+ trout streams and mountain meadows to cancer Four Montana Locations: hospital waiting rooms... It was incongruent that Pattie, appearing outwardly healthy, well-dressed, Bozeman Summer Wood Apartments attractive and fit should have been there.” Great Falls The Portage Van Ee Apartments But she was there, day in and day out as she Helena Aspen Village received treatment for breast cancer, and Layser Kalispell Van Ee Apartments details the complex processes of diagnosis, treatment options, and decisions. “Cancer patients do not ‘fight,’ they withstand, they endure and they try Features and Ammenities to figure out what to do next.” • One-bedroom apartments Neither of them was prepared for what came next. As Pattie was recovering, Layser was diag• Spacious kitchens & large bathrooms nosed with bladder cancer – more hospitals. • Controlled access entry & lobbies Finally, post-treatment and surgery they pick up • Large multipurpose community rooms the pieces of their lives and rearrange the picture. “After all we had been through, there was aware• Elevator service & on-site laundry ness that all the beauty we were being privileged • Outdoor patios & grass grills (at select buildings) to enjoy was truly fleeting. We existed but in a mo• Activity rooms & tub rooms (at select buildings) ment in time. The fact that we were ‘just passing through’ was no longer an abstraction.” • 30% gross adjusted monthly income based rent Summer Wood Pattie’s cancer eventually came back, and in Darkness Follows Light, Layser chronicles the Short Waiting List • Call Today! last months of life creating a true tribute to her spirit CALL 800-466-7722 | TTY/TDD 800-627-3529 and her accomplishments. Darkness Follows www.accessiblespace.org Light is not only a celebration of Pattie’s life, it is also walks through the stages of grief from anger to reluctant acceptance. Earle Layser is an award winning author and outdoorsman. He continues to live on the west slope of the Tetons in Alta, Wyoming. Pete Fromm’s If Not For This is a four time winner of the Pacific Northwest Booksellers LiterYou may qualify for FREE assistive telephone equipment through the ary Award and has published numerous short story Montana Telecommunications Access Program! collections and magazine stories. He has a degree in wildlife biology from the University of Montana and lives in Montana with his family. MSN
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Nourishing The Soul Along With The Body: YWCA Missoula’s Cooking Angels By Gail Jokerst; www.gailjokerst.com If you tend to think of the YWCA in terms of a place to stay physically fit, you might be surprised to learn that not all YWCAs exist for that purpose. With a mission statement that includes “eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all,” YWCA Missoula has followed a different road, “the one less traveled,” to quote Robert Frost, for over a century. And that, “has made all the difference” to scores of women, children, and men with nowhere to turn when faced with domestic or sexual violence or discrimination. Thanks to YWCA Missoula, which serves five counties, these individuals have found reasons to be hopeful about their future along with refuge from abusive situations. As part of their Pathways Program, this YWCA offers shelter, crisis counseling, and the support necessary to rebuild a life. Their seven– bedroom haven has a community kitchen, living room, and even a back yard for kids to run and play. Men requiring sanctuary from domestic abuse are provided with a free hotel room. “Missoula didn’t have a domestic violence safety net when the YWCA started this program in 1977. The shelter can house up to 25 women and children and it’s usually full. When we have an overflow, we put people up in a hotel,” says Rebecca Pettit, the YWCA’s Volunteer and Outreach Manager, “Women and men are harmed and killed by partners every day. We want people to know we are here for them.” Although the shel-
ter’s kitchen is stocked with canned goods and staples, Antonia Wolf, a community minded nurse and photographer, thought these families might appreciate some help when it came to preparing meals. And she was right. She recruited other local women to buy ingredients and fix dinner for the families and dubbed her volunteers, the Cooking Angels. Four years later, a dedicated group of home and professional cooks continues to take turns providing and delivering meals to feed hungry tummies and nurture hearts. “Sitting around the table together, eating, and visiting, gives the families a sense of comfort and security,” says Antonia, “Plus the kids love it. The dinner helps the residents not feel so alone. Rather than go back to their rooms with the food, they feel safe to share a meal and conversation.” Most of the shelter’s residents depend on food stamps and food banks to stretch their grocery dollars. They also spend much of their day attending counseling sessions, job searching, and locating affordable housing. Having someone else plan and prepare meals twice weekly was not a necessity but it certainly has provided a welcome break for these ladies. “Typically, the Cooking Angels bring satisfying comfort food. Things that are familiar to adults and kids like a homemade rather than a frozen, store bought lasagna. And lots of fruit and veggies,” adds Rebecca, “The residents can live off of that food for a couple of days.” Volunteers plan to feed 15, but when there are more residents, Rebecca increases the count. While some volunteers cook a dinner specifically for the shelter, others simply double whatever is on the menu at home that evening. They work singly or in pairs to provide the meal, whatever suits their time and pocketbook. Although it might appear that the only beneficiaries in this situation are the people living temporarily, 60 days at most, at the shelter, that is not the case. The program also meets the needs of local women wanting to do something tangible to
FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017
support struggling families in their community. “The Cooking Angels really have helped give back to these women at the lowest point in their lives,” states Rebecca, “While going through this trauma, they can focus on getting into housing and filling out applications. The meals, as well as the caring behind them, add important substance to the program.” As Antonia says, “It means so much to these women to realize that someone they don’t know cares enough about them to provide a hot meal. This food nourishes not just the body but the soul as well.” How Can You Help? The YWCA always needs: • Household items like cleaning supplies, toiletries, blankets, sheets, pots and pans either new or in good condition. • Gasoline cards or gift cards.
MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 9
• Pantry staples like sugar, flour, salt, pasta, rice, etc. • Ready–to–eat or prepared foods with a long shelf life such as canned soups, boxed mixes, and healthy kids’ snacks. • Financial support. • High quality fresh produce. • Volunteers occasionally to fill in for scheduled Cooking Angels. For more information about Pathways, call 406-543-6691 or visit ywcaofmissoula.org. For more information about the Cooking Angels, email antonia@montana.com or call 406542-6608. For a list of other shelters and victim services around Montana, visit the website for the Montana Coalition Against Domestic & Sexual Violence at mcadsv.com. MSN
You can help the big bow-wows and the little meows! We are frequently humbled by the gifts that come from our supporters who live small, on a fixed income, but give large. Many of our senior donors provide monthly financial support, bring us pet food, and spend much needed time with shelter animals. We are especially sad when we lose a senior friend of the shelter because of the extraordinary thoughtfulness they bring to our mission. We sometimes find ourselves humbled, again, months later by the presentation of a legacy gift from a family member. In many ways, we have learned that a fixed income is no limit on generosity. If you are considering planned giving for your favorite organization, we urge you to act. Planned
gifts give the donor the comfort and satisfaction of knowing their favorite charity is supported and secure even when they are gone. As a charitable organization, we can attest to the joy we feel when someone thinks highly enough of us to leave a legacy gift. We know that a bequest is a gift of lasting love to the pets in our care and in our community. We strive always to be outstanding stewards of every gift, especially those from our longtime friends. For information on how you can help the Humane Society of Western Montana, please visit myhswm.org or call 406-549-9864. We deeply appreciate your generosity. MSN
Bikers Against Bullies Empowers Kids- - cont’d from pg 1 The BAB presentation Flash and Jefe created lasts less than an hour and works to reverse that trend for kids facing taunts and threats at school, in their neighborhood, or online. Included are a couple of skits communicating that bullies empower themselves by putting down others and that you don’t have to be mean to feel good about yourself. “We let things flow but we always ride up on our bikes into a gym or an auditorium. And the stereo on Flash’s bike can rival anything in that auditorium,” adds Jefe with a chuckle. “Instead of telling them what not to do, we talk about the positive ramifications of their actions,” adds Flash. “We let them know you can be cool and still make good decisions. Despite our looks, dress, and loud bikes, we’re not the bad guys; we’re the parents and grandparents who live down the street.” Their positive message that everyone is special in his or her own way resonates. These kids may have heard the same words before but never presented so effectively. The feedback from teachers, school administrators, and parents who asked them to get involved testifies to that. “They let us know their lives are better for what
we’ve done,” says Jefe. “At the presentations kids come up to us, maybe because we’re not the teacher, principal, or an authority figure. The troubled kids who need help, they come up trying
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Missoula Public Library, Est. 1883 Missoula Public Library has a long tradition of service. But much has changed over the years. Our population has doubled in just four decades. These days, for each new book we add to crowded shelves, another book must be removed. The central branch sees 1,500 daily visitors.
A new Library for the 21st Century Missoula is growing. And so is its library! In mid-2017, construction of a larger, updated facility will begin. The new library will feature five levels of expanded learning opportunities, collections, public gathering space, parking, and innovative museum and media arts partnerships.
Help us build a Legacy of Sharing A public library is a community investment in accessible information, education, and inspiration. You can help MPL continue to provide lifelong learning resources by making a tax-deductible gift to MPL’s Capital Campaign today. Visit us online: www.missoulapubliclibrary.org/grow Or, send donations to: MPL CAPITAL CAMPAIGN The Foundation for Missoula Public Library 301 E. Main Street, Missoula MT 59802
PAGE 10 MONTANA SENIOR NEWS
FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017
Discover Montana’s Beautiful Bitterroot Valley By Bernice Karnop “The Bitterroot Valley is a healthy slice of everything you’re looking for in a Montana Vacation,” says Pat Easley from the Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce. “No matter the season you choose, winter, spring, summer or fall, the Bitterroot Valley has it all.” That is a big claim, but when a person looks at what the Bitterroot Valley has to offer, it’s a convincing one. The Valley boasts major historical sites, unparalleled scenery, endless outdoor recreation, and a host of historic towns with fun, interesting, and quirky festivals. Still, according to Eric Elander, owner and publisher of the Bitterroot promotional magazine, From River to Ridge and a member of the Bitterroot Valley Chamber board of directors, it’s a hidden gem. “People don’t realize what the Bitterroot has to offer. They don’t realize one can actually get away from the crowds down there.” He explains that only about ten percent of the hoard of tourists who drive between Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks, turn south on highway 93. Those who do visit will find there’s at least one thing going on every single weekend in the summer, and plenty throughout the year. Darby alone hosts four individual rodeo events this summer, plus Darby Logger Days, an event with six decades of history. In Hamilton, weekend events include Montana Mule Days, a Scottish-Irish festival, and Daly Days at the Mansion. Stevensville’s Creamery Picnic started back in 1911 when this key business burned to the ground. The optimistic owner asked the community to help him rebuild, and promised a big picnic if they could get it done in a month. They did, and although the creamery is long gone, the picnic continues into its second century. This fertile valley celebrates its farming history with Apple Days, Strawberry Days, Farmfest, and Farmer’s Markets. More than half a dozen microbreweries scatter the length of the valley. Backroad Cider makes hard cider flavored with such local products as raspberries and huckleberries. The valley also has a couple of wineries. Hamilton hosts the Hard Times Blues and Brews festival in July, where visitors can sip their favorite beverages while listening to outstanding music groups. The valley inspires artists of every stripe, each with their own special affair. They include the quilt shows, fiber arts shows, Artists Along the Bitterroot, Art in the Park, and Shakespeare in the Park. Both Stevensville and Hamilton have performing arts theaters. There’s even an annual Scarecrow Festival in Stevensville in October, when the town celebrates these whimsical characters for Halloween. Even without the array of rodeos, fairs, heritage festivals, and other events in the Bitterroot Valley, visitors find plenty to capture their interest in valley towns. Lolo, Florence, Stevensville, Corvallis, Hamilton, Darby, and Sula contain stores, brewpubs, restaurants, and museums unique to the area.
FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017
MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 11
If there were no towns or events, nature itself is reason enough to visit this southwestern most corner of Montana. The Bitterroot River, which created the valley, offers 76 scenic miles of water fun, including rafting, canoeing, and fishing. The Bitterroot Mountains to the west and the Sapphire Range on the east open up miles of trails for hiking, backpacking, horseback riding, mountain biking, ATV riding, and more. Many come to enjoy Lake Como and Painted Rock Reservoir. Others come here to escape to the largest wilderness area in the lower 48 states, the contiguous Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness and the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness. These pristine areas, spilling over into Idaho, give ordinary folks access right into the scenery that includes peaks, cliffs, lakes, and tumbling waterfalls. Birdwatchers and wildlife seekers are never disappointed at Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge, Teller Wildlife Refuge, Three-Mile Wildlife Management area, and Broad Axe and Skalkaho Wildlife Preserves. No one needs to wait for summer. Downhill and cross-country skiers head to the south end of the valley to Lost Trail Powder Mountain or the Chief Joseph Cross Country ski trail system. Snow enthusiasts are treated to some of the best top-of-the-Continental Divide scenery and long-range vistas in the state. The Bitterroot Valley’s history is so fascinating that it’s told in more than a dozen museums from Salmon, Idaho, to Lolo. The historic Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, Nee-me-poo National Historic Trail, and Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail go through Ravalli County, The Bitterroot is the traditional home of the Salish Indians. These peaceful people assisted Lewis and Clark’s outfit by sharing food and trading for fresh horses. C.M. Russell memorialized their meeting with a large painting that hangs in the Capitol in Helena. When the Native people requested “Black Robes,” Father DeSmet came and established St. Mary’s Mission in 1841, a couple of decades before the gold rush. This was the first white settlement in Montana, and St. Mary’s was the first church in the Pacific Northwest. Visitors may tour the church and associated buildings at Stevensville. At nearby Fort Owen State Park be sure to visit the adobe and log structures, and learn about John Owen, his Indian wife, and their trading post that opened in 1850. Marcus Daly, who gained his fortune as one of Butte’s Copper Kings, left his mark on the Bitterroot with a summer home he built in 1886. Touring the three-story mansion, which boasts 56 rooms, 25 bedrooms, 15 bathrooms, and 7 fireplaces, is like stepping into The Great Gatsby. The 50-acre grounds overlooking the river are planted with a variety of trees and feature a tennis court, swimming pool, greenhouse, and laundry. When Daly’s widow died in 1941, the building was boarded up and not opened to the public until 1987. It has now been completely restored, and in addition to tours, many events take place at the Daly Mansion during the summer. Few people have done all that the Bitterroot has to offer, but for those who have, there are always new things to check out, such as the recently completed 45-mile bike/walking trail from Missoula to Hamilton. We hope readers with all their various interests will make plans to visit the Bitterroot Valley, learn about the area, and just plain have fun for themselves in the New Year. For more information, visit bitterrootchamber.com or 406-363-2400. They will be happy to answer your questions and help you plan your visit. MSN
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were the Sons of Anarchy, but only about 1 percent to find someone to reach out to.” of bikers are Hell’s Angels, outlaws, and bandits. And kids recognize bullying behavior. “Once we did a skit with Flash and a police They may not like other bike groups but they like officer making fun of my shaved head. Without kids and are protective of them. They endorse what prompting, the kids yelled out, ‘That’s bullying,’ we do.” Along with the less visible members of BAB, explains Jefe. “Afterwards, a little girl came up and tugged on my vest saying, ‘I think you look good Jefe and Flash continue to raise funds to pay for with a shaved head.’ She was all worried about my stickers, wristbands, posters, and T-shirts tossed out at each presentation – all emblazoned with feelings. She got the message.” Flash and Jefe were especially grateful the day BAB’s logo. They have raised some $80,000 anthat one memorable young teen pulled them aside. nually for child-focused charities in Montana and “She was a “cutter” (someone who displaces South Dakota and created a BAB website and emotional internal pain with self-inflicted external Facebook pages that garner as many as a quarter pain) and trusted us enough to tell what she was million hits monthly. “If a school invites us, we never turn them doing. We realized we had struck a nerve and redown,” says Flash. But unfortunately, BAB referred her to a professional for help. She believed her parents didn’t respect or care about her,” ceives more presentation requests than can quickexplains Flash, who urges parents to, “be present ly be fulfilled since he and Jefe work full time. Jefe in a kid’s life rather than absorbed with the bigger is an electronics technician for the city of Missoula while Flash runs a business that manufactures a house or going on vacation.” But, bikers involved in an anti-bullying cam- flossing tool for people with braces. paign? Those familiar with the biking world understand. “Bikers, hippies, and cowboys are a lot alike Serving our area’s individuals with in their core values. They intellectual and developmental disabilities. all believe strongly in community, protecting each other, and mutual respect,” explains Flash, who describes BAB not as a motorcycle club, Bring in but as an awareness this ad for a group that happens to be mostly bikers. “They love Discount America, God, and family. They just ride different Ronan Polson stuff.” He and Jefe con229 Main St. SW • Ronan • 406-676-2727 417 Main ST • Polson • 406-883-3443 sider themselves to be Open Mon–Fri, 9am–6pm, Sat 9am–5pm Open Mon–Sat, 9am–6pm “99-percenters.” As Jefe puts it, “Most of society Donations to the stores are always appreciated! Call for large donation pickups. sees bikers as if they
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Through other bikers who have met Flash and Jefe, BAB has grown nationally and now boasts 17 chapters that have reached some 100,000 kids so far. “National anti-bullying programs can cost up to $10,000. However, ours is free and we can hand it over to the schools,” says Jefe, whose 82-yearold mom is a non-riding member of HOG and BAB advocate. As a retired second-grade teacher, Donna
PAGE 14 MONTANA SENIOR NEWS
Hughes observed bullying occur even with her students and sees the value in reaching kids of all ages, not just teens. “Because some families have no men in the home, it’s important to have men convey this message, especially to young children,” emphasizes Donna. “This program is a whole new way to ap-
FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017
proach the problem.” Not surprisingly, BAB has also helped the bullies themselves and changed their lives. “We’ve received emails, Facebook messages, and letters from parents,” says Flash. One mother reporting that after seeing a BAB program, her son who had been a bully remarked to her about his changed behavior, ‘You know what, Mom? I think this is what my biker friends would want.’” Flash’s goal is a free anti-bullying campaign that schools can adopt anyplace in the country, but they need a corporate giant to sponsor the effort. “What would you do to keep your kid alive? That answers everything. If this changes the life of a child who was gonna die, was it worth it?” asks Flash. “I’m not saying we’re the answer. But my definition of failure is never trying.”
For more information or to make a donation, visit bikersagainstbulliesusa.com. Pointers from BAB’s message include: • Bullies empower themselves by putting down others. • Never be a doormat. Stand up for yourself and for others. • When you are confident, others feel it and respond. • Ignore the bully either by removing yourself from the confrontation or assisting others in removing themselves. • If you see someone is in danger, get help. Do not be afraid to talk about it. • Be okay with who you are. • We’re free to make choices, but let’s make better choices and celebrate the results. MSN
Silversmith Nancy Bugbee Finds Beauty Everywhere
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lovely country setting • • • •
By Gail Jokerst; www.gailjokerst.com Discipline and play might seem like contradictory mindsets to create art but not for silversmith Nancy Bugbee. For over three decades, Nancy has relied on both discipline and a sense of playfulness to produce her whimsically charming jewelry. In fact, among the drills, scales, presses, and pliers residing in her Missoula studio, you can also see quotes reminding her to maintain a balance between those two concepts. The words of the first quote, “Discipline is remembering what you want,” were inscribed on a sign that Nancy saw at her mother-in-law’s home. They resonated with her so strongly she copied the quote and placed it in her own studio early in her jewelrymaking endeavors. Considering how difficult it can be at times for artists of any ilk to finish a project, the reminder has remained appropriate. “I function best when I can have long hours of work alone,” states Nancy, whose earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and pins appeal to a wide range of ages and backgrounds. “But I get distracted with wanting to give time to family or trying new techniques. I’m an information junkie and love learning new methods or experimenting with new materials. I want to try them all. So to me, the Fword is focus. How do I get my discipline without shutting out the world?” The second quote, “Above all, I feel art should be happy and not lugubrious,” came from the pages of a book penned by Alexander Calder. Best known for originating the mobile, the famed sculptor also fashioned
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jewelry and happens to be one of Nancy’s longtime inspirations. Like Calder, Nancy believes that metal is the “heart and soul” of each creation. She forges fluid or quirky designs as imagination impels her, hammering, cutting, twisting, and looping metal into beautiful shapes. “I really connected with what he said. I think jewelry should be fun. Most of the pieces I make ultimately reflect joy,” says Nancy, whose forays into crafting jewelry began when her teaching career in Clinton ended. After 13 years in the classroom, Nancy was ready for a change and wanted to work from home so she could be closer to her young school-age children. Initially, she tinkered with gluing pretty tumbled stones into pre-made settings. But while the concept was appealing, the outcome was not. “I took some of the jewelry I made to the school where I had worked to show the other teachers,” recalls Nancy. “Unfortunately the room where I put the jewelry was so warm, the glue melted and many of the stones slid out of their settings.” Understandably mortified, Nancy decided it was time to gain some mastery if she wanted to pursue this new direction. So she took a one-week course from an expert in Ennis to learn silversmithing basics. That provided the foundation she needed and convinced her she was on the right track. From there, she enrolled in additional classes in Seattle and Colorado to develop her skills and a signature style. One of the many ways she learned to convey a sense of delight in her pieces is through using colorful beads along with hand-built ethnic silver pieces hailing from Ethiopia, Morocco, and Turkmenistan. Movement is another technique she often employs,
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especially in crafting earrings. “I like the idea of motion. That’s why I make dangling earrings, not posts,” says Nancy. “My body likes to move and my hands need to be busy, too, whether making jewelry, knitting, or playing the piano.” Whenever possible, she also incorporates unexpected objects into her pieces. That explains, in part, why you might notice an old button or rusted disc adorning one of her brooches or bracelets. While most of the world walks past and ignores such artifacts left forgotten on the sidewalk, Nancy stops to examine them seeing potential where others see junk. That is not to say she picks up every lost button she finds. But if the hue or shape catches her eye, she realizes it could possibly star in her next creation. “Even the patina of an antique button can be significant. It has a sense of history and now you’re going to do something new with it to continue that history,” explains Nancy. “Essentially, it’s recycling or conservation. I do it for the same reason I bring clothes to Goodwill and Secret Seconds – the need to use things up, to give them a complete life.” When embarking on a new project, Nancy describes her process as intuitive, not pre-planned. She never begins with a preliminary drawing. “I can’t draw anything,” she admits. “Even stick figures are hard for me.” Instead, it is the piece of weathered glass discovered on a beach that triggers her creativity or a vintage wristlet minus a clasp purchased from a thrift shop. “I’m attracted to beauty and love finding beauty in a broken world. I want objects that we love to continue in the flow of life,” says Nancy, “For instance, I like to take apart antique necklaces to repurpose them. I might make earrings from them. Or, if I’m intrigued by the pattern or design of a section, I’ll use just that portion and give the elements a different life.” Along with found objects, Nancy considers Mother Nature to be another source of ideas. She is constantly motivated by the various textures and color combinations in the natural world. When taking walks, she notices what the clouds and trees happen to be doing at the moment as well as the mountains and meadows. “Nature just gives its beauty to you,” states Nancy, “whether it is a sunset or a shell with a hole in it.” Of all her creations, Nancy’s price-friendly earrings remain her bestseller. People enjoy buying them for themselves or giving them as gifts. “I want to be affordable to the Missoula community, which is one reason I work in Merlin’s Gold and in silver. Merlin’s Gold is a kind of brass,” explains Nancy, who donates jewelry to support
MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 15
organizations such as Montana Natural History Center, Five Valleys Land Trust, and Living Arts. She also donates home-cooked meals as a member of the Cooking Angels team at YWCA Missoula. Like the clothing we wear, the jewelry we chose makes a statement about our personality. It tells the world if we are serious or flamboyant, impish or conservative. It even provides us with an opportunity to change preconceptions we might hold about ourselves. “I don’t want to be pushy,” remarks Nancy, “but at times I just want to say to a customer, ‘loosen up. Be more daring. Have fun with this and choose something that makes your heart sing.’” Laurel Creek Clothing and Gifts in Missoula carries Nancy’s jewelry. For more information, visit: nancybugbee.com or contact her at 406360-0431 or nancybugbee@mac.com. MSN
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President’s Day brings us a welcome long weekend after the long toil of midwinter, but do you ever think about the history behind our February holiday? When was the White House built, and why do we call it the Oval Office, anyway? Test your knowledge of commanders in chief past, and explore some of our nation’s history! Enjoy this month’s quiz, and be sure to get your submission in on time! This issue’s quiz was provided by worldhistoryproject.org, so the prize for submitting the best quiz will double to $50 for the person who submits the winning feature quiz selected in the April/May 2017 issue. Thank you to all who participated in our How Well Do You Know Your Christmas Songs quiz in the December 2016/January 2017 issue. The winner of the $25 prize for submitting the correct
answers is Candy Drader of Missoula. Congratulations, Candy! Two $25 cash prizes are awarded from the “Contest Corner” in each issue of the Montana Senior News. One prize goes to the person who submits the winning answers to the featured quiz from the previous issue. The second prize goes to the person who submits the entry that our staff selects as the featured quiz or puzzle in the “Contest Corner” for this issue. Be creative and send us some good, fun, and interesting puzzles! Please mail your entries to all contests to the Montana Senior News, P.O. Box 3363, Great Falls, MT 59403, or email to montsrnews@bresnan.net by March 15, 2017 for our April May 2017 edition. Be sure to work the crossword puzzle on our website at montanaseniornews.com.
It’s Presidents Day! Provided by worldhistoryproject.org 1. Who was the only President to serve more than two terms? a. Franklin D. Roosevelt; b. Theodore Roosevelt; c. Ulysses S. Grant; d. George Washington 2. Who was the only President to serve two nonconsecutive terms? a. Ronald Reagan; b. Theodore Roosevelt; c. Woodrow Wilson; d. Grover Cleveland 3. Who was the oldest elected President? a. Dwight D. Eisenhower; b. James Buchanan c. Ronald Reagan; d. Zachary Taylor 4. Before the Twelfth Amendment was passed in 1804, how was the Vice President determined? a. There was no official Vice Presidents before 1804; b. The Presidential candidate receiving the second-largest number of electoral votes; c. Appointed by the President; d. President and Vice President were voted on separately 5. Who was the first President to appear on TV? a. John F. Kennedy; b. Harry S. Truman; c. Dwight D. Eisenhower; d. Franklin D. Roosevelt 6. Who was the first President to live in the White House? a. Thomas Jefferson; b. John Adams; c. Andrew Jackson; d. George Washington 7. Who was the only unanimously elected President by the Electoral College? a. Ronald Reagan; b. Franklin D. Roosevelt; c. John F. Kennedy; d. George Washington 8. Walt Whitman’s poem “Oh Captain, My Captain” was written about which President? a. George Washington; b. Abraham Lincoln; c. Theodore Roosevelt; d. Ulysses S. Grant 9. Who was the first President born outside the contiguous United States? a. Barack Obama; b. William Howard Taft; c. Franklin Pierce; d. Benjamin Harrison 10. Who was the first President to appoint an African American to the Supreme Court? a. Lyndon Johnson; b. Bill Clinton; c. George H.W. Bush; d. John F. Kennedy 11. Which U.S. President signed the treaty to purchase Alaska from Russia? a. Andrew Johnson; b. Ulysses S. Grant; c. Andrew Jackson; d. James Buchanan 12. Prior to the Capitol Building in Washington DC, where were presidential inaugurations held? a. Monticello in Charlottesville, VA; b. Independence Hall in Philadelphia; c. Faneuil Hall in Boston; d. Federal Hall in New York 13. Who was the first President to be impeached? a. Calvin Coolidge; b. Richard Nixon; c. Bill Clinton; d. Andrew Johnson 14. What name was given to the commission that was established to investigate John F. Kennedy’s assassination? a. Oswald Commission; b. Johnson Commission; c. Kennedy Commission; d. Warren Commission 15. Who is the only President to resign from office? a. Richard Nixon; b. Franklin Pierce; c. Andrew Johnson; d. Bill Clinton 16. Who awarded Rosa Parks the Presidential Medal of Freedom? a. Bill Clinton; b. Barack Obama; c. Lyndon Johnson; d. Jimmy Carter 17. Who was the first President to win the Nobel Peace Prize? a. Jimmy Carter; b. Barack Obama; c. Woodrow Wilson; d. Theodore Roosevelt 18. Who is the only President to earn his Masters of Business Administration?
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a. George W. Bush; b. Bill Clinton; c. George H.W. Bush; d. Woodrow Wilson 19. How many future Presidents signed the Declaration of Independence? a. 3; b. 4; c. 1; d. 2 20. Which President signed the Civil Rights Act that extended the rights of emancipated slaves? a. Abraham Lincoln; b. Andrew Johnson; c. Rutherford B. Hayes; d. Ulysses S. Grant 21. Which President was the first to use an armored limousine, and who ‘donated’ it for the President’s use? a. Dwight Eisenhower from Winston Churchill; b. Franklin Roosevelt from Al Capone; c. Woodrow Wilson from Henry Ford; d. Harry Truman from Howard Hughes 22. In what city was William McKinley assassinated? a. Norwood, MA;
MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 17
b. Cleveland, OH c. Buffalo, NY; d. Pittsburgh, PA 23. What disease did John F. Kennedy contract as a young child? a. Polio; b. Asthma; c. Diabetes; d. Scarlet Fever 24. Who called for an Indian Removal Act in his State of the Union Message and eventually signed the act into law? a. Martin Van Buren; b. Andrew Jackson; c. William Henry Harrison; d. John Tyler 25. What was the covert operation established during the Nixon presidency to prevent the leaking of classified information to the news media commonly known as? a. The Plumbers; b. The Ghosts; c. The Cleaners; d. The Thugs MSN
Answers To How Well Do You Know Your Christmas Songs
Submitted by Myrtle Gamroth, Butte Christmas Songs Writer/Composer 1. Away in a Manger K. Martin Luther 2. White Christmas I. Irving Berlin 3. Hark the Angels Sing P. Charles Wesley 4. O Come All Ye Faithful C. John Wade 5. Winter Wonderland V. Felix Bernard / Richard Smith 6. Little Saint Nick B. Brian Wilson / Mike Love 7. Joy to the World Y. Isaac Watts 8. All I Want for Christmas L. Mariah Carey / Walter Afanasieff 9. Mistletoe X. Justin Bieber 10. Snoopy’s Christmas D. George Weiss / Hugo & Luigi 11. Little Drummer Boy A. Katherine Davis / Harry Simone 12. Santa Claus is Coming to Town T. Fred Coots / Haven Gillespie 13. Silent Night Z. Joseph Mohr 14. Let it Snow, Let it Snow R. Sammy Cahn / Jule Styne 15. Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer M. Robert May / Johnny Marks 16. I’ll Be Home for Christmas H. Walter Kent / Kim Gannon 17. Silver Bells W. Jay Livingston / Ray Evans 18. Rockin’ Round the Christmas Tree E. Johnny Marks 19. Blue Christmas F. Billy Hays / Jay Johnson 20. Jingle Bells O. James Piermont 21. Frosty the Snowman N. Jack Rollins / Steve Nelson 22. Here Comes Santa Claus S. Gene Autry / Oakley Haldeman 23. Sleigh Ride Q. Leroy Anderson 24. I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus G. Tommie Connor 25. A Holly Jolly Christmas J. Johnny Marks 26. Jolly Old Saint Nicholas U. Emily Miller MSN
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FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017
Three Ways to Look at Death Differently “Fear & Close-mindedness Are Arguably The Real Tragedy Of Death,” Says Franciscan Renaissance Man There are those who just know how they’ll react when they have to confront their own mortality. They will freely admit that they’ll be petrified, and others are confident that they won’t be scared at all. “Perhaps they’re right, or perhaps they’re projecting how they think they’re supposed to feel; in my case, neither fear nor bravery were the dominant notes, but rather one of spiritual and intellectual curiosity and edification,” says Ron Walter, a retired lieutenant colonel in the U.S.
Army, successful businessman, and advocate of ecumenical Franciscan spirituality. “I recently had to face my own mortality once again as I dealt with effects of multiple myeloma and ensuing chemotherapy treatment. The encounter led me to a spiritual trek through philosophy, theology, and science. In our evolutionary world, I suggest a view of death for we humans as yet another transition into a new form of being.” How does someone become so circumspect when facing death? Walter, author of Theory of Everything: Franciscan Faith and Reason, (RonaldWalter.com), offers guidance. • Allow your spiritual intuitions to unfold.
Most people have some kind of belief system on spiritual matters, which may remain untested for years and even decades. Whether you’re a devout Catholic, Orthodox Jew, Muslim, secular Buddhist, or one of the growing numbers of “spiritual but not religious,” facing death forces a renewed and often harsh look at one’s true beliefs. As fallible as the mind can be, it is often attuned to signals emergent from deeper truth when faced with significant circumstances. Do not ignore those signals. • Appearances are often misleading. Are reason and faith at odds? How do we really know what will happen to us in death? We might find a clue in death as many of the faithful have in life. Many see the universe entailing a nearly infinite sequence of random events, leading to phenomena such as life on Earth. Most others, however, see a rhyme and reason beyond apparent chaos. Likewise, the apparent silence of death may be just that – apparent. For the spirit experiencing death, a new and unfathomable life may be emerging. • Obsessed with one religion, denomination, or knowledge base? Death’s proposition may have you looking elsewhere. “I find Franciscan theology and spirituality as well positioned to integrate other fields of knowledge and spirituality,” Walter says. “While others prefer specific spiritual traditions, I hope they are not blind to the possibilities posed by other traditions. I believe every religion possesses only a glimpse of God, and disciplines such as science and philosophy capture some of God’s content and significance. “When we hear ‘death,’ we’re conditioned to tremble within,” Walter says. “But when we see it for its deeper truth – involving the transformation of body, mind, and spirit, recognizing the interchangeability of matter and energy – I think most of us can come away from the inevitable with greater equanimity.” Ron Walter (RonaldWalter.com) is an author, commentator, and guest speaker with expertise in human spirituality, business management, and military leadership. He is a retired corporate executive with more than 20 years active military service. Theory of Everything: Franciscan Faith and Reason recounts Walter’s spiritual awakening following chemotherapy in the winter of 2012/2013. It explores the natures of God, humanity, and the cosmos from the perspectives of noted philosophers, theologians, and scientists. A major conclusion of the book is that finite beings emerge within Trinitarian relations of divine Love. MSN
Oh, What Truths Do Tombstones Tell!
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
Submitted by John Early A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour. And, one who can enjoy browsing old cemeteries to read the interesting epitaphs on tombstones. Harry Edsel Smith of Albany, New York: Born 1903 – Died 1942 Looked up the elevator shaft to see if the car was on the way down. It was. In a Thurmont, Maryland cemetery: Here lies an Atheist, all dressed up and no place to go. Ezekial Aikle in East Dalhousie Cemetery, Nova Scotia: Here lies Ezekial Aikle, Age 102. Only the good die young.
Erik & Jolene Stenberg
215 Anderson Street, Big Timber
406-932-4687
stenbergfuneralhome.com
Anna Mann of London, England: Here lies Ann Mann, who lived an old maid but died an old Mann. Dec. 8, 1767
FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017
Anna Wallace of Ribbesford: The children of Israel wanted bread, and the Lord sent them manna. Clark Wallace wanted a wife, and the Devil sent him Anna. Johnny Yeast of Ruidoso, New Mexico: Here lies Johnny Yeast. Pardon him for not rising. Jonathan Blake of Uniontown, Pennsylvania: Here lies the body of Jonathan Blake, stepped on the gas instead of the brake. In a Silver City, Nevada, cemetery: Here lays The Kid, we planted him raw. He was quick on the trigger, but slow on the draw. A lawyer’s epitaph in England: Sir John Strange. Here lies an honest lawyer, and that is Strange. John Penny Wimborne, England: Reader, if cash thou art in want of any, dig 6 feet deep and thou wilt find a Penny. Jonathan Fiddle of Hartscombe, England: On the 22nd of June, Jonathan Fiddle went out of tune. Anna Hopewell of Enosburg Falls, Vermont: Here lies the body of our Anna, done to death by a banana. It wasn’t the fruit that laid her low, but the skin of the thing that made her go. MSN
Montana Funeral Directors Association
In 1901, E. L. Flaherty, an early-day Helena funeral director, along with several of his colleagues including J. A. McAllister of Great Falls, Jacob Opp of Helena, Wade George of Great Falls, Charles Marsh of Missoula and George Safely of Bozeman entertained the idea of forming an organization to advance the professionalism and quality of service they could provide to the families of Montana. So began the Montana Funeral Directors Association (MFDA) in a new western state with newly founded and still-developing towns and cities. Over one hundred years later as Montana has grown into the twenty-first century, the MFDA has grown with it and includes a membership of over forty-five funeral service firms that now serve the communities both large and small of the Big Sky Country. But the mission and purpose remain the same – the on-going process of professional development to serve our families of Montana in new and better ways. The MFDA’s member firms continue to offer the best to Montana’s communities including funeral, memorial, crematory, and cemetery services along with a myriad of thoughtful survivor assistance services and many options for those interested in pre-planning their own services. For further information, feel free to contact one of our members in your community or contact MFDA at 406-449-7244, email info@montanafda.org, or visit montanafuneraldirectors.org. MSN
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Navigating the Hospice Learning Curve
By Phil Rice About twenty years ago a group of friends and I visited an acquaintance who was in a special hospice wing of a local hospital. We were told he had been taken there to die. We visited, and the next day he died. For several years after this experience, my immediate association with hospice was a one-dimensional scenario of the end of life. But my impression would change. In 2005, my mother, who was suffering from non-Hodgkin lymphoma and various other ailments, moved in with my 11-year-old son, Paul, and me. Mom was still ambulatory, but osteoporosis, arthritis, and phlebitis were making movement increasingly difficult. During the first year of this arrangement, she acquired vascular dementia brought on by a series of mini-strokes. Paul and I spent several months caring for her at our home but we were woefully unprepared for the task. When her falls became more frequent and she clearly needed fulltime attention, I reluctantly agreed to let her be taken to a hospital. Five days later, she was in a nursing home, and four months
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after that she was in an assisted living facility. After three difficult years of such care, my cousin Starr asked me if I had considered hospice. My response was to assure her that although Mom was in deep dementia and completely dependent upon physical assistance for even the simplest of tasks, there was no indication that her passing was imminent. Nevertheless, Starr urged me to look into hospice. I finally took her advice, and thus began a profound learning experience. How it worked for our family. A hospice evaluation soon confirmed that Mom indeed qualified – and that her insurance would cover the services. This was an amazing revelation. From that day forward a hospice caregiver would come by three times a week and make sure Mom was properly bathed and generally being treated well. A registered nurse visited at least once a week to monitor any medications and health concerns, keeping me fully informed along the way. If there was a specific concern, the nurse visited more frequently. A chaplain and social worker each made regular visits as well. Having hospice involved was a huge benefit toward ensuring that Mom was comfortable and safe, which in turn eased my own stress. This became even more important a couple of years later when my fiancée, Janice, had emergency brain surgery to remove a malignant brain tumor. Unable to visit with my usual frequency, hospice became my lifeline to Mom during those weeks. When it became apparent that Janice was not going to win her battle, hospice again stepped to the front. What hospice taught me. After two months in the hospital, we were able to bring Janice home. Hospice provided all of the necessary equipment and supplies for us to care properly for her needs. The caregiver showed me how to bathe Janice and change her clothing and sheets with the least amount of discomfort. The RN made sure I understood how to use the feeding tube and how to gage her need for medication. I spent many hours a day alone with Janice, but I never felt alone. There was a team involved. How hospice changes lives. I have accrued years of experience in dealing with healthcare professionals and caregivers, from the top hospitals to the bare-boned assisted living facilities and nursing homes. Some were exceptionally dedicated and skilled, and most were genuinely compassionate and competent. But some were less than competent. Hospice workers are different. I’ve never encountered a hospice worker who was anything less than fully and passionately engaged with the difficult task. Where I once associated hospice with death,
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MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 21
I now regard hospice as representing the essence of life itself. Because of hospice, Janice and I were able to experience life to the fullest in her final weeks, and I was able to share in her journey as much as humanly possible. As a society, we ascribe deep significance to the beginning of life; for many, birth is the moment where the physical is most connected with the spiritual. Hospice provides an opportunity to embrace the end of life just as profoundly and lovingly. Easing the transition of a loved one and sharing the moment of passing are among the finest gifts we can hope to give and receive in this life. I consistently seek new ways to express my gratitude to hospice for my new awareness. Phil Rice is a native Tennessean and author of Winter Sun: A Memoir of Love and Hospice. MSN
The world belongs to the young at heart Big changes are in store for America’s older citizens in 2017 and beyond, says Dan Weber, president of the Association of Mature American Citizens. “It used to be that the world belonged to the young when in fact it has always belonged to the young at heart. With more people living longer than ever before, older generations have an opportunity to show our worth. The stereotypes of the past are slowly but surely giving way to a new way to look at the older generation as more and more of us embrace active retirements and even the establishment of new business careers,” says Weber. Recently, the Milken Institute’s Center for the Future of Aging shed light on the importance of recognizing the nation’s aging population as an invaluable asset. At a summit convened to stress the importance of the contribution the older population can make in the nation’s future, participants focused on the need to reframe perceptions of aging in the 21st century.” First, we must change our perceptions of growing old. A report issued at the conclusion of the Milken summit stated that, “Today it is socially unacceptable to ignore, ridicule, or stereotype someone based on their gender, race, or sexual orientation. So why is it still acceptable to do this to people based on their age? Ageism creates a negative reality of aging. It’s bad enough that ageism can influence public policy, employment practices, and how people are treated in society, but what’s worse is that we accept the ageist behavior ourselves and start acting it out. Older people are as multidimensional as any other group in our society. We need to show the multidimensionality of their passion.” The Census Bureau estimates that America’s population aged 65 and over will be nearly 84 million people or nearly 20 percent of the nation’s expected population. “What’s more important,” says Dan Weber, “is the fact that the majority of them will be active citizens, playing a transformative role in society. The miracles of modern medicine will contribute to the ‘new look’ of old age, but it will be the selfdetermination that we express today that will make the difference. It’s a New Year’s resolution befitting the knowledge we have amassed over the years.” The Association of Mature American Citizens is a vibrant, vital senior advocacy organization that takes its marching orders from its members. We act and speak on their behalf, protecting their interests and offering a practical insight on how to best solve the problems they face today. Live long and make a difference by joining us today at amac.us. MSN
406-542-1344 • 877-542-1344 www.gcmonument.com 1035 Ronan St, Missoula LOCALLY OWNED & OPERATED FAMILY BUSINESS
PAGE 22 MONTANA SENIOR NEWS
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Fifty Years Ago, Ruby Tuesday by the Rolling Stones By Randal Hill The first Rolling Stones single of 1967 listed the A side as Let’s Spend the Night Together, a rollicking, electric piano-fueled tune that lead singer Mick Jagger attacked with gleeful abandon. Predictably, though, radio programmers instantly yanked the controversially titled offering from their play lists. Still, grumpy old Ed Sullivan hired the Stones to sing the song on his popular Sunday night variety show but insisted that Mick substitute the words “some time” for “the night” when he performed live. Later, Jagger insisted, “I never said time. I really didn’t. I said, mumbled, Let’s spend some mmmmm together.” But a YouTube clip of that night’s performance clearly shows him singing “Let’s spend some time together” twice as he rolls his eyes. London Records began promoting the single’s B side, a wistful Keith Richards ballad called Ruby Tuesday. As with Beatles John Lennon and Paul McCartney sharing writing credits, the majority of Rolling Stones tracks list the composers as Mick Jagger and Keith Richards. “That’s a wonderful song,” Jagger said in Rolling Stone. “It’s just a nice melody, really. And a lovely lyric. Neither of which I wrote, but I always enjoy singing it.” Highlighted by the haunting recorder, it sounds like a flute, of Brian Jones, Ruby also featured a large double bass that had bassist Bill Wyman plucking
the notes while lead guitarist Richards drew a bow across the strings and Mick delivered such lines as, “Don’t ask her why she needs to be so free, She’ll tell you it’s the only way to be.” The ballad was a lyrical sketch of a free spirited young groupie who once hung around the band. At least that’s what most thought. Some cited actress Tuesday Weld as being the inspiration. Others claimed that Keith’s lyrics spoke abstractly of the Zen ideal of living in the moment. Some declared it a paean to hippie era female independence. These theories are wrong, wrong, wrong, and wrong. Ruby Tuesday was actually about Richards’s lover, Linda Keith, who had left him for another superstar rocker and sent him into an emotional tailspin. In Life, his autobiography, Richards says, “Basically, Linda Keith is Ruby Tuesday. She went back to New York and took up with Jimi Hendrix, who may have broken her heart, as she broke mine.” He had written Ruby Tuesday a year earlier, alone and in a reflective mood in a Los Angeles motel room. Ruby Tuesday soared to number one on the Billboard singles charts while Let’s Spend the Night Together stalled at a lowly number 55. Later, in Acccording to the Rolling Stones, Keith Richards further explained his composition, saying, “That’s one of those things. Some chick you’ve broken up with. And all you’ve got left is (Continued on page 24)
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MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 23
In Every Corner of Montana There is Something Fun to See and Do
Spring is just around the corner and it is time to start filling up your calendar with all the entertaining, fun, and educational events that the coming months promise. There are definitely too many fairs, rodeos, festivals, art shows, car shows, benefits, concerts, star gazings, parades, music events, wine tastings, and sporting events for us to list them all here. Nevertheless, we have provided a 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 2017! 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. Date
City
Feb 1 Clancy Feb 3 Billings
Event
Contact Information
Mar 5 Great Falls
406-933-5528 406-248-1141 billingsstudiotheatre.com Billings Symphony: Northern Lights 406-252-3610 billingssymphony.org Alberta Bair Theater: Barefoot in the Park 406-256-6052 albertabairtheater.org Elegant Evening Out: Gala Dinner at the Museum 406-563-2422 coppervillageartcenter.com Alberta Bair Theater: The Sleeping Beauty 406-256-6052 albertabairtheater.org John Kelly Blues Band/Valentines Specials 406-741-2361 symeshotsprings.com Alberta Bair Theater: The Irish Rovers 406-256-6052 albertabairtheater.org Winter Crazy Days 406-994-2343 downtownbozeman.org Hamilton Players: The Mystery of Edwin Drood 406-375-9050 hamiltonplayers.com Big Sky Documentary Film Festival 406-541-3456 bigskyfilmfest.org O’Shaughnessy Center: The Neverending Story 406-862-5371 whitefishtheatreco.org Grandstreet Theatre: The Giver 406-447-1574 grandstreettheatre.com Roxy Theater: The Met Live in HD: Rusalka 406-728-9380 mtlive.org Martin Sexton Concert 406-894-2020 1111presents.com Zero Waste Plan Public Input Meeting #1 406-552-6389 ci.missoula.mt.us/ MSU Northern: Jesus Christ Superstar 406-945-0272 mtactors.com Billings Studio Theatre: Sugar 406-248-1141 billingsstudiotheatre.com Yellowstone Art Museum: Art Auction 49 406-256-6804 artmuseum.org Great Falls Animal Shelter: Murder Mystery 406-454-2276
Mar 7 Missoula
Zero Waste Plan Public Input Meeting #2
Mar 8 Missoula
Zero Waste Plan Public Input Meeting #3
Mar 11 Hot Springs
Living Well – Classic Rock, Folk, Blues
Feb 4 Billings Feb 7 Billings Feb 10 Anaconda Feb 14 Billings Feb 14 Hot Springs Feb 17 Billings Feb 17 Bozeman Feb 17 Hamilton Feb 17 Missoula Feb 23 Whitefish Feb 24 Helena Feb 25 Helena Mar 1 Billings Mar 2 Missoula Mar 3 Havre Mar 3 Billings Mar 4 Billings
Jefferson County Museum: American Bison Billings Studio Theatre: Dixie Swim Club
facebook.com/greatfallsanimalshelter
Mar 27 Spearfish, SD Matthews Opera House: Mother King Mar 29 Bozeman
Early Music Festival – Johannespassion
Mar 30 Butte
Early Music Festival – Johannespassion
Mar 31 Missoula
Early Music Festival – Johannespassion
Apr 1 Helena
Early Music Festival – Johannespassion
Apr 6 Billings
Alberta Bair Theater: Garrison Keillor
Apr 6 Great Falls Apr 9 Great Falls Apr 14 Hamilton
Montana Gerontology Society Conference Museum Consortium Free Sunday Sampler Hamilton Players: Love, Sex, & the I.R.S.
Apr 20 Billings
Billings Studio Theatre: The Foreigner
Apr 28 Helena
Grandstreet Theatre: My Fair Lady
May 11 Billings
Billings Studio Theatre: Arsenic and Old Lace
May 20 Kalispell
Armed Forces Day Gala Banquet
May 27 Kalispell
Veterans Appreciation Day BBQ
Jun 9 Bozeman
Downtown Art Walk
Jun 9 Helena
Grandstreet Theatre: Once Upon a Mattress
Jun 9 Billings
Billings Studio Theatre: Ruthless!
Jun 15 Helena
Grandstreet Theatre: Buyer & Cellar
Jun 16 Hamilton
Hamilton Players: She Loves Me
406-552-6389 ci.missoula.mt.us/ 406-552-6389 ci.missoula.mt.us/ 406-741-2361 symeshotsprings.com 605-642-7973 matthewsopera.com 406-442-6825 musikantenmt.org 406-442-6825 musikantenmt.org 406-442-6825 musikantenmt.org 406-442-6825 musikantenmt.org 406-256-6052 albertabairtheater.org montanagerontology.org 406-791-5367 406-375-9050 hamiltonplayers.com 406-248-1141 billingsstudiotheatre.com 406-447-1574 grandstreettheatre.com 406-248-1141 billingsstudiotheatre.com 406-756-7304 veteransfoodpantry.org 406-756-7304 veteransfoodpantry.org 406-994-2343 downtownbozeman.org 406-447-1574 grandstreettheatre.com 406-248-1141 billingsstudiotheatre.com 406-447-1574 grandstreettheatre.com 406-375-9050 hamiltonplayers.com
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PAGE 24 MONTANA SENIOR NEWS
FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017
the piano and the guitar and it’s goodbye, you know. And so it just comes out of that, and after that you just build on it. And for a songwriter, hey, break his heart and he’ll come up with a good song.” Bibliography: Bronson, Fred. The Billboard Book of Number One Hits, Third Edition. New York: Billboard Books/ Watson-Guptill Publications, 1992. Richards, Keith with James Fox. Life. New
York: Little, Brown and Company, 2010. The quotes are from page 187. Rolling Stones and Dora Loewenstein. According to the Rolling Stones. San Francisco: Chronicle Books, 2003. americansongwriter.com songfacts.com; Lyrics to Let’s Spend the Night Together and Ruby Tuesday. MSN
Gerontology Society to Meet Montana Gerontology Society’s 35th Annual Conference, Life Stories: Aging & the Human Spirit will be held April 6 and 7, 2017 at the Holiday Inn, 1100 5th Street South, Great Falls. Many areas of aging including physical, medical, emotional, psychosocial, and financial will be covered. The conference will be of interest to a variety of professionals in the aging network, including healthcare providers, social workers, and senior service organizations, as well as seniors, baby boomers, and retirees. Two exciting keynote speakers have been engaged for the conference. Thomas R. Cole is the McGovern Chair in Medical Humanities and Director of the McGovern Center for Humanities and Ethics at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston. Cole graduated from Yale University with a B.A. Philosophy in 1971, from Wesleyan University with a M.A. History in 1975, and from the University of Rochester with a Ph.D. in History in 1981. Cole’s work has been featured in the New York Times, National Public Radio, Voice of America, PBS, and at the United Nations. He has served as an advisor to the United Nations NGO Committee on Aging, the Union for Reform Judaism, and
various editorial and foundation boards. From 2204 to 2005, he served as a consultant to the President’s Council on Bioethics project on aging and was featured speaker at the AARP and United Nations Briefing Sessions on Aging in February 2009. His current project is A Country for Old Men, a book exploring the lives, ideas, and identities of contemporary male elders. Anthony Cirillo, FACHE, ABC is an advocate for seniors and a thought leader in healthcare. President of Fast Forward Consulting, he is a prolific national and international speaker who consults with hospitals and long term care facilities internationally. Anthony is the author of Who Moved My Dentures?, a book that debunks myths about nursing homes. He is an aging and senior health expert on Wellsphere and a guest blogger for Advance in Long Term Care Management and Long Term Care Living Magazine. A native of Philadelphia, he attained his undergraduate degree from Drexel University and his graduate degree from the University of Pennsylvania. For detailed conference information, registration form, or membership application, visit montanagerontology.org. MGS is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting advances in the field of aging, professional development, as well as public education and advocacy. There are over 150 MGS members including professionals, the public, and students. MSN
FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017
MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 25
Classic DVDs: Black Comedy By Mark Fee Black comedy looks at life’s most horrifying problems and with a droll sense of humor. I recently met a woman in Billings who told me Forrest Gump (1995) was her hero and a real person. She was an intelligent woman. I was aghast. My mouth dropped open in shock. I couldn’t believe my ears. I told her, “Forrest Gump is a creation of Hollywood. He’s fiction.” She was outraged; I was dumbfounded. Later, I laughed so hard, I almost fell out of my seat. Black or dark comedy catches viewers off guard. We end up laughing at hideous, tragic situations. The Graduate (1967) is an example of black comedy. Carl Reiner’s hilarious Where’s Poppa (1971) is a riotously funny black comedy where George Segal plays a lawyer, who is living at home with his mother, played by Ruth Gordon. His mother is developing dementia. He wants to put her in home for the aged, but can’t due to his brother’s objections. Segal hires a nurse for help. The nurse is shocked by Segal’s mother’s behavior and leaves. In times like these, classic black comedy can be a relief from depression, anxiety, frustration, and anger. They will help you laugh and survive. Some of my favorites are listed below. In The Americanization of Emily (1964), James Garner plays an Army public relations specialist, who’s a coward. He uses Julie Andrews for a military upper crust date and falls in love with her. He’s the last person the army wants with them on D-Day. This film is a touching and funny, cynical satire with James Coburn and Melvyn Douglas. Directed by George Roy Hill. NR; 3½ stars. In Bryan Forbes’s The Wrong Box, (1966) a wager is made on two brothers. Whoever lives the longest will inherit a huge payoff. One relative is kept under constant care; the other in pathos and poverty. Everyone’s convinced one brother is dead. Bodies are switched leading to ludicrous fun and mayhem. This is a dilly of a dark humored winner. With Michael Caine. NR; 3 stars. Beau Bridges plays a spoiled and very wealthy
young man in Hal Ashby’s The Landlord (1970). Much to his family’s confusion and distaste, he buys a tenement in the ghetto. He’s in for many surprises and falls in love with a beautiful mulatto woman. His mother (Lee Grant) gets involved and gives her Master Charge to Pearl Bailey to help decorate the building in this sharp, cutting edge comedy. Rated R; 3 stars. In Martin Scorsese’s The King of Comedy (1983), Robert De Niro gives a tour de force performance as a comedian who kidnaps Jerry Lewis. De Niro wants to be a star like Lewis. But he’s a bumbling wannabe who wants to be the next Johnny Carson. The film is achingly funny with troubling insights into the manic world of television super stardom. Rated R; 4 stars. In Big Trouble (1985), Alan Arkin plays an insurance salesman who becomes embroiled in an embezzlement scheme. Arkin wants to pay his son’s college loans, but can’t. Peter Falk plays a scam artist who finds a way to help Arkin, and all Arkin has to do is fall off a train and play dead. Most of the film works, but some of it doesn’t, perhaps due to directors being changed, and John Cassavetes finishing the film. Cassavetes isn’t adept with comedy. But the scenes that work are dead on funny. One of the funniest is when Arkin is given sardine liquor by Falk. Sardine liquor? It’s like drinking a lutefisk cognac. Beverly D’Angelo plays Falk’s enticing wife. Rated R; 2½ stars In Blake Edward’s Blind Date (1986), Bruce Willis wakes to a car alarm radio ad. The alarm is Mr. Soul, James Brown wailing “Ow... Ow... Ow... Ow...” repeatedly, which would wake up anybody, but it is only the beginning of Willis’ problems. He goes on blind date to a corporate dinner with luscious Kim Bassinger, but she has a problem with alcohol. Bassinger is the wrong date for dinner with a Japanese corporate executive and his wife. Rated R; 2½ stars. Michael Caine plays a suave con man in Frank Oz’s hilarious, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (1988). He’s a prince of the con and preys on extremely wealthy women. His lavish life style is almost destroyed when another con, Steve Martin, shows
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up. Caine teaches Martin the rules of the game to fleece a young woman of her millions with Martin’s help. Neither is aware the woman is even more cunning. This is a very, very, funny fall-out-of-yourseat comedy. Rated PG; 3½ stars. Until next time have fun with these hilarious black comedies... and keep laughing! MSN
PAGE 26 MONTANA SENIOR NEWS
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Maintain Sanity!
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
I wonder if the snow loves the trees and fields, that it kisses them so gently? - Lewis Carroll Independent & Assisted Living
By Lisa M. Petsche Caring for an aging relative typically involves physical, psychological, emotional, and financial demands. There aren’t enough hours in the day to get everything done, let alone spend time with other important people in a caregiver’s life and tend to their own needs. If you have a parent or other close family member who is caring for an aging relative, it’s important to reach out and support them. This can be done even if you don’t live close enough to provide direct help or your personal circumstances don’t allow it. Sharing the care is only fair, and by lightening the caregiver’s load, you can help prevent them from wearing down, so they can take optimal care of your relative. Read on for a variety of ideas for supporting the primary caregiver in your family. If You Live Nearby Offer to sit with the care receiver for an hour while the caregiver runs errands or gets their hair done, for example, or for a longer stretch so they can attend a social event. Set up a regular time for providing such respite. Offer to accompany the caregiver and care receiver to a community event, so the caregiver has an extra pair of hands and eyes. Coordinate get-togethers that don’t involve any work on the caregiver’s part. For example, invite the caregiver and care receiver to dinner. Or visit with refreshments and a meal. Offer to accompany the caregiver to a support group meeting if they can make respite arrangements; otherwise, offer to be the respite provider so they can attend a caregivers’ group. Help make it possible for the caregiver to practice self-care. For example, bring over a meal or offer to stay with the care receiver while they attend an exercise class. Ask, rather than guess, what kind of practical help would work best. Perhaps it’s walking the dog, running errands, or providing transportation to appointments. If your assistance is declined, continue to express your desire to help. Meanwhile, take it upon yourself to deliver a casserole or freshly baked goods or perform outdoor tasks such as yard work and snow clearing. Helping From A Distance Even if you’re not available for hands-on assistance, you can still help the primary caregiver with meeting your relative’s needs. The following suggestions can also apply if you’d like to help but have your own health challenges or competing responsibilities; or perhaps you have a conflicted relationship with the caregiver or care receiver and need to maintain some distance. If your relative has a chronic illness, gather and share information to help family members understand the disease and get an idea of what to expect for the future. Offer to research support services in your relative’s community that may be of help, and encourage their use as appropriate. Information can be obtained from the local Area Agency on Aging. To find the appropriate office, call the Administration
tudios, one or two bedroom S apartments available for seniors. For more info please contact us at: 406-228-2208 or visit us on the web: prairieridgevillage.com • Glasgow
FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017
on Aging’s toll-free Eldercare Locator Service at 800-677-1116 or search online at eldercare.gov. Clip and send articles about caregiving that contain practical information – behavior management or self-care strategies, for example. Give the caregiver a gift membership in a caregivers’ organization or the non-profit organization associated with your relative’s health condition (for example, the Alzheimer’s Association). Membership benefits usually include a newsletter and access to other valuable resources. Volunteer to be the point person who keeps family and friends up-to-date on how the care receiver and caregiver are doing and needs that arise. Organize a telephone tree so important information can be shared in a timely fashion. Ask what kind of help the caregiver could use most. Perhaps you can cover, or at least contribute towards, the cost of medical equipment, home adaptations, a house cleaning or yard maintenance service, specialized transportation, respite care, or a vacation for the caregiver. Coordinate pooling of funds with other family members as needed. Offer to come and stay with your relative so the caregiver can take a vacation. Emotional Support Assume responsibility for communication. Arrange a regular time to call or Skype. With each contact, ask not only how the care receiver is doing, but also how the caregiver is coping. Encourage the caregiver to call you (collect if necessary) with any concerns. Don’t forget to express appreciation for all that they do for your relative. Listen to the caregiver without judgment and don’t give unsolicited advice. Offer empathy and
words of support. Encourage them to take one day at a time so they don’t become overwhelmed. Send a card or note to brighten the caregiver’s day. Include a humorous anecdote or cartoon clipping. Surprise the caregiver with a treat, such as a music CD, fresh flowers or a plant, gourmet coffee or tea, or a gift certificate to a restaurant that has takeout and delivery service. Encourage the caregiver to accept offers of help and to ask for assistance. Offer to facilitate a conversation among family members if the caregiver is hesitant to make requests for fear of “burdening” loved ones. Final Thoughts If you have not been a family caregiver, it can be hard fully to understand or appreciate what’s involved. Even if you have experience with the role, no two caregiving situations are identical. Caregivers tend to be reluctant to request help, so don’t assume that if they have not asked, it means they are managing well. There’s a good chance they are trying to shield family members
Moving In With A Child: Should You Do It?
MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 27
from heartache or added responsibilities in their already busy lives. They may need reminding that caregiving is a family affair, and easier to bear when the load is shared. Lisa M. Petsche is a medical social worker and a freelance writer specializing in boomer and senior health matters. She has personal and professional experience with elder care. MSN
Once you’re here, you’re home. Come discover the many comforts of our caring community.
By Lisa M. Petsche When you join our family, you can feel secure knowing that When older folks are living alone, there may be concerns from others we’re here for you every step about their physical wellbeing, emotional welfare, or both. Particularly in of the way. Whatever the situations where they are having health problems or do not live close by, a future holds, our communities son or daughter may invite them to move in. are designed to care for your needs If you receive such an offer, ask yourself the following questions and take through all the stages of life. time to honestly and thoroughly answer each one before making a decision. For more information, call (406) 587-4570. Interpersonal Issues What kind of relationship do you and your son or daughter have? How Brookdale Springmeadows well do you get along with others in the household? Any personality clashes Assisted Living 3175 Graf Street are sure to be magnified when you are living under the same roof. If you need Bozeman, Montana 59715 assistance, are you comfortable with the idea of role reversal? Your Needs and Expectations brookdale.com Bringing New Life to Senior Living™ Would the move uproot you from important relationships and community connections such as supportive longtime neighbors, a church congregation, or seniors’ clubs? If you have a pet, can it be accommodated? If your child has pets, are you comfortable around them? If you have a chronic illness, how are your needs likely to change? Would you expect your family to provide whatever help you may require? If so, are they willing and able to do so? Your Family’s Needs and Expectations Would you be expected to contribute to the household in practical ways, such as cooking meals or providing child care? If you require assistance, would your child or other household members be able to cope with the demands of caregiving? Would they have enough time to devote to the rest of their family? Would they still have time for whatever else is important to them? Lifestyle Issues Do you and your son or daughter have similar lifestyles and values? If not, are differences likely to be an ongoing source of tension? If you require care, how might your needs affect your child’s work life, social life, vacation plans, and other pursuits? Is he or she prepared to make adjustments? • Independent Living Available Supports Would you be within walking distance of a con• Independent Living with supportive services at Meadowlark Landing venience store, pharmacy, or bank? What about • Assisted Living with memory care support at Novak Cottage proximity to a place of worship? Would you be close to public transit routes? Easy access to at least some amenities would maximize your independence. Would friends and former neighbors be able to 1920 WyndStone Way • Billings, MT 59105 visit frequently? Consider the distance they would have to travel to get to your new location and what type of transportation is available to them. 24101-P4-0716-ROP CB
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How much would you be expected to contribute toward household expenses? Do you have savings or insurance that would cover the cost of any needed medical equipment or healthcare services? If not, would your family
be prepared to pay for them? Home Setup Is there sufficient space in the home to meet everyone’s needs for privacy? Would you have separate living quarters?
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How accessible is the home? If adaptations would be needed, what is the estimated cost and who would pay it? Other Options Before making any decisions, explore alternatives such as: • Home healthcare services and other home supports such as meals on wheels; • Live in help; • Home renovations; and • Moving to a condominium, seniors’ apartment complex, or assisted living facility. Find out if any of these options are appropriate and affordable. The Decision If you decide to move into your son or daughter’s home, consider a six month trial period with an understanding that other options will be pursued if you, your child, or other household members feel it’s not working out and issues can’t be resolved. Keep in mind that such a plan involves changes in family dynamics and household routines that will affect daily living. Therefore you need to allow plenty of time for everyone involved to adjust. There are bound to be some difficulties, but these can usually be worked through if you are committed to making the arrangement work. Lisa M. Petsche is a social worker and a freelance writer specializing in senior concerns. She has personal experience with elder care. MSN
Personals - cont’d from pg 5 I am a 5’ 10” blue eyed Christian cowboy with blonde hair who is raising a granddaughter and looking for a cowgirl, 58 to 65, who is in good shape, does not drink or smoke, and is a romantic, good lover. I play the guitar, write songs, and sing on a worship team at a cowboy church. I love mountains and enjoy spending time at my cozy cabin. I have horses that I ride and love. I am retired but do some outfitting and saddle work on the side for extra money. I love God, music, and the arts. I’m 40 pounds overweight but healthy. I love to joke and tease, tell stories, watch romantic movies, and listen to romantic songs. I’m looking for a like minded lady who has no hang ups about the past or future, who is ready to live, love, serve God, be a romantic, and looks at life’s struggles as stepping stones. Write and send a picture and phone number and let’s see what happens! I would prefer close to Dillon, as that is where I am with my family. Reply MSN, Dept. 33309, c/o Montana Senior News, Box 3363, Great Falls, MT 59403. MSN
FEEL OUR WARMTH Come by and talk with us.
independent Living, Assisted Living and MeMory CAre 406-272-6983 • 3710 American Way • Missoula • The SpringsLiving.com
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MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 29
Letters To Editor - continued from page 3 The extermination of an estimated 26 million in the Nazi Holocaust horrifies us. Ironically, the legacy of the Baby Boomers is a Silent Holocaust numbering fifty-eight million abortions. Prior to 1973, abortion was safe, rare, and legal if medically necessary to save the life of the mother. Most of those in the Right to Life movement agree that this was as it should be. Since then, a number of restrictions on abortion have been passed despite opposition from abortion advocates. These include the following: an abortionist must be a qualified physician with hospital privileges (in case of complications) who maintains the clinic in the same sanitary conditions as any medical facility and performs no abortion on a minor without consent of a parent. No clinic may practice partial birth abortion, kill any infant who survives an abortion, or sell baby remains for profit. Federal regulations have outlawed these practices. These are considered unscientific regulations by only the most rabid abortion supporters. Before personal responsibility became passé in 1973, women managed their own preventive reproductive health. That meant contraception, not abortion. There is no constitutional right to abortion. There is a constitutional right to life. (Section 1, Amendment 14) Science proves that the unborn baby is alive and human from conception. They have unique DNA, a beating heart, brain waves, and feel pain. They recognize their mother’s voice. We should recognize their humanity and protect, not destroy them. Every life is precious and cannot be replaced. Lianna Karlin, President Right To Life Of Montana
Pickleball
Thanks for sending the articles on Pickleball. I enjoyed them both. The latest one catches so well Larry Seekins’ sense of humor (my current instructor). The one from Idaho includes separation of women from men in playing the game – I can understand why, but just hadn’t seen it before. That article also focuses on reasons for their playing the game.
I think there’s more to the story. Larry has talked about how it saved his life. I know my reasons for playing go beyond the fun and laughter, such as seeing if I can learn something new and still keep up – but it may go beyond that. I’d like to interview more of the participants. What do they get out of playing? What does it actually do for them, and what’s the takeaway – increased self-confidence, camaraderie not otherwise available, encouragement rather than criticism? There also seems to be a passion involved; where does that come from? I will pinpoint some participants for interviews and see what comes out of it. Thank you, Edith Sloan Billings
Many thanks for publishing
My husband called me the other night and stated he had just read the essay I submitted about the Coleman stove. I was thrilled to say the least as this was a complete surprise. Thank you so much! I also noted the “Remember When” section considers poetry and photography. For your consideration, I am submitting a poem and a couple of photos to accompany the piece. Again, thank you for publishing me and all that you do at Montana Senior News, a muchloved publication. Alanna J. Ober Kalispell
MT Gems Assisted Living SPECIALIZING IN DEMENTIA /ALZHEIMER’S CARE
Robin Cislo Fleek-Owner/Administrator
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My smile says it all , even if I can’t. Just for the day!
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Too much history, seeking information on Montana ancestors
Years ago, my sister Pam and I decided to do our family’s genealogy. With four generations of my mother’s family in Montana, I thought it’d be easy, but I still haven’t gotten to the twentieth century! Here’s how it started; I wrote the Montana Historical Society and asked, “My grandfather claimed to be a fourth generation Montanan. Is it true?” I also included my great-grandmother’s death certificate from Sanders county, Estelle (Berube) Adams, born in Augusta, Montana in 1883 and passed away in Hot Springs in 1977, buried in Kalispell. Six weeks later, I received a thick envelope and a 45-minute phone call from the Society. It was an awkward call to take notes from; if I were to list my grandparents buried in Montana, I would write “great” eighteen times! I was grateful for the information and I will be working with the historical society for a few more years. Thank you so very
MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 31
much, Zoe Stolz of the Montana Historical Society. Now, I am attempting to put together the stories of three 1860s pioneer families in Montana and asking fellow readers to help me! I am looking for information about Virginia City, the Diamond R Mine, the Preemption Act and early homesteaders in the Sun River Valley, Jim Bridger, as well as any other topics fellow history enthusiasts would like to share or discuss! If you are a fifth or sixth generation Montana Baby Boomer, you have pioneer history, and I’d like to hear from you. Does anyone have any photos, newspaper clippings, or stories they would like to share? If so, please contact Zoe Stolz of the Montana Historical Society at 406-444-2694 or reach out to me. I’m excited to see what else we can find together! Jeannie Bequette Lonepine 406-741-2801 MSN
We have rooms available
Stop in for a tour today! We provide a caring, all inclusive home-like setting, with customized home cooked meals, planned activities, and an environment well suited for the needs of aging seniors. We also specialize in personal care including incontinence and respite care.
Casi Atkins, DEER LODGE Doritta Stenson, DILLON Doritta Stenson, DILLON Roma Gleed, HELENA Roma Gleed, HELENA Aubrey Matoon, GREAT FALLS Brianna Schrader, KALISPELL
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406-846-3342 406-683-4002 406-683-4200 406-449-1258 406-449-5489 406-453-2882 406-755-4483
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Making Community Connections Through Cooking: Missoula’s Harriet Eichenholz
By Gail Jokerst; www.gailjokerst.com Early in her catering career, Harriet Eichenholz made a memorable mistake involving, of all things, Rocky Mountain Rug Gallery deviled eggs. Those eggs taught her a business lesson that continues to guide her over 20 years later. The problem was not that people considered deviled eggs passé or that no one would eat them. Quite the contrary. Even among Missoula’s foodie sophisticates, this all–American appetizer still commands respect and requests for “more please,” which is where Harriet’s problem arose. When prepared in huge quantities, this oldie–but–goodie quickly glides into labor intensive territory. “One of my first catering jobs was for an event with 300 guests and I suggested serving deviled eggs. That was a really bad choice,” admits Harriet with her trademark frankness, “You have to handle the eggs so many times – boiling, peeling, and splitting them, then preparing and piping the filling. After making hundreds and hundreds of them for that Call today to schedule a visit. event, I vowed to never again do that for any Grizzly Peak Aspen View group larger than 30.” Missoula, MT | 406-530-2329 Billings, MT | 406-204-0753 Another lesson she *SPECIAL PROMOTIONS ARE LIMITED WITH SPECIAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS. TALK WITH COMMUNITY soon learned is that sucMANAGEMENT FOR DETAILS. ©2017 HARVEST MANAGEMENT SUB LLC, HOLIDAY AL MANAGEMENT SUB LLC, HOLIDAY cess in that field depends AL NIC MANAGEMENT LLC. on the ability to work long
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and hard. “You can’t say ‘I’m tired and going to bed now’ until the work is done. Instead, you pour yourself another cup of coffee and persevere,” states Harriet, who festoons her kitchen cabinets with flow charts when tackling complex or multiple catering gigs, “Sometimes, I’m working till midnight then I’m up at 4; it’s intense.” It would be difficult to say which aspect of her culinary past has influenced her the most. Born in Louisville, Kentucky, Harriet was raised in an extended family that loved to cook. Her American born mom excelled at Southern specialties while her Eastern European grandmothers prepared traditional dishes passed down from their Russian and Polish mothers. “Every Sunday night, 12 to 15 relatives would gather around the dinner table. I can close my eyes and still remember the house and all the kibitzing,” recalls Harriet with the slightest trace of a gentle Southern accent, “I grew up liking and eating good food.” That sense of appreciation for fine dining coupled with her adventuresome spirit drew her to Greece for the first time in 1969. She was smitten by both the countryside and the cuisine based on local ingredients. Harriet eventually returned to Greece and opened a restaurant there. She ran the taverna seasonally with her daughter Miranda for four years – the only eatery owned and operated by a woman on that island. After the restaurant closed, several years later Harriet bought a house on the mainland of Greece. She affectionately describes it as, “a few steps above camping,” and stays there as often as her busy catering schedule allows. Understandably, producing Greek and Turkish meals comes as naturally to her now as baking brownies did when she was a child. But her repertoire, which also includes Thai and Korean dishes, among others, is by no means limited to Mediterranean style menus. A self–taught chef, Harriet regards herself as a
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lifelong student when it comes to the gustatory arts despite her years in front of a professional stove. “I can always be learning no matter how long I’ve cooked,” she says, “Cooking is not a static thing. I learn from other people, from magazines, and books. I have a zillion cookbooks because trends change and I keep needing inspiration.” Her Missoula food career began with catering parties for Adventure Cycling. Thanks to word of mouth recommendations, her business grew from there. She has been feeding Missoulians ever since at gatherings ranging from Christenings and funerals to weddings and birthday parties. Aside from catering larger events, Harriet regularly delivers dinners to couples who prefer to have her do the meal planning and preparation. And she provides the same service to visiting fishermen who would rather spend their time in a blue ribbon trout stream than in a kitchen. “They don’t care what I bring them,” notes Harriet, “When someone has a good reputation, people trust it.” Being civic-minded, Harriet generously contributes dinners and desserts for several local fundraisers. Organizations such as KUFM, Five Valleys Land Trust, and the Jeanette Rankin Peace Center have all benefited from her largesse and talents with some of her dinners garnering as much as $3,000. “I donate ethnic meals that can be auctioned to the highest bidder. Many pick a Greek menu because it’s not too spicy,” explains Harriet, “Missoula seems to love Greek food but paella and other Spanish meals are popular, too.” For the last five years, Harriet has offered cooking classes at The Good Food Store for anyone wanting to expand on or acquire culinary skills. “It’s an exchange, a hands on class. I learn to interpret techniques so people can understand them. It’s a back and forth learning situation for all of us,” says Harriet. To maximize her class time, she preps all the ingredients before students arrive so they can whip up a multi–course feast and sit down to enjoy it together in 90 minutes.
Extend the Garden Season with Spring Planted Bulbs By Melinda Myers Keeping your garden looking its best throughout the growing season and into fall is possible with the help of low maintenance spring planted bulbs. Plant them in spring among other annuals or perennials and watch as these bulbs brighten the garden, adding new life to your late season gardens. Whether your gardens and containers are in full sun or shade, you’ll enjoy the attractive foliage and pop of color that dahlias, cannas, calla lilies, caladiums, and elephant ears will add to the landscape. These easy care plants reward you with loads of beauty. Just plant, water and enjoy. Quality retailers offer the greatest variety of color, shapes, and sizes as well as planting and care instructions. Grow dahlias in sunny areas with at least six hours of sunlight for the best floral display. Simply plant the tuberous roots four to six inches deep with the stem facing up after the danger of frost has passed. Use dahlias in a cutting garden or as an attractive screen along fences and property lines. Use the shorter more compact border dahlias, like Gallery Pablo in containers on your patio, balcony, or deck where you and the hummingbirds will enjoy their blooms. Calla lilies, like with the black flowers of Night Cap and white blooms of Crystal Clear, are spring planted bulbs that thrive in full sun or part shade and can be cut to create an elegant display indoors. (Photo: Longfield Gardens, longfield-gardens.com)
As a volunteer with YWCA Missoula’s Cooking Angel program, Harriet also donates meals for families dealing with abusive home situations that are living at a shelter. Every six weeks, she buys the ingredients to make a dinner that will feed the shelter’s current 15 to 25 residents. Typically, she chooses kid friendly comfort food for the menu fare; things like mac n’ cheese, enchiladas, or meatloaf. As she says, “nothing unusual.” “I give my time and expertise to help these
MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 33
families. It’s better than writing a check. Cooking connects you to your community and gives you an understanding of others’ lives. It’s no sacrifice. It’s a way to do something for others and puts you in touch with everybody else who’s out there,” sums up Harriet, “We’re all the same; we’re all on the same picnic blanket.” For more information, call 406-543-4292 or visit harrietsfinecooking.com. MSN
Missoula, MT
PAGE 34 MONTANA SENIOR NEWS
Wait until the danger of frost has passed to plant cannas in a full sun to partially shaded location. Plant the canna rhizomes horizontally two to three inches deep with the growing point facing
FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017
up. Take advantage of their bold foliage and use cannas as a backdrop in the flower border or screen in the landscape. Use as a vertical accent in a large container or select dwarf varieties for smaller pots. Calla lilies are another spring planted bulb that thrives in full sun or part shade. The speckled foliage adds color to the garden all season long. Include these one- to two-feet tall plants in the front or middle of the flower garden or as a vertical accent or filler in a pot. And don’t forget to cut a few flowers to enjoy indoors. The black flowers of Night Cap teamed with the white blooms of Crystal Clear create an elegant display. Like the other bulbs, wait for the danger of frost to pass before planting them outdoors. Plant the knobby rhizomes two to four inches deep with the growing point facing up. Add some color and plenty of wow factor to shaded areas with the foliage of caladiums and elephant ears. These tropical beauties thrive
when soil and air temperatures are warm. Wait for the danger of frost to pass and the soil to warm, 65 to 70 degrees, before planting them in the garden. Use caladiums to brighten containers, dress up window boxes, or edge a shady pathway. The colorful leaves stand out amongst the greens of shade gardens. Team variegated varieties with complimentary colored begonias, coleus, or impatiens. Include elephant ears in the garden or containers. Their large heart shaped leaves give a tropical feel to the patio, deck, or pool area. Consider planting one, two or more to create an impressive welcome for guests or a bold statement in the landscape. They pair nicely with caladiums, coleus, and other shade loving plants. Make this the best season yet with the help of spring flowering bulbs. You’ll enjoy the variety and late season color these easy care plants provide. Melinda Myers has over 30 years of gardening experience and has written over 20 gardening books, including Small Space Gardening. She hosts The Great Courses How to Grow Anything: Food Gardening For Everyone DVD set and the nationally syndicated Melinda’s Garden Moment TV & radio program. MSN
Oral Health For Healthy Pets By Jen Dorsey We love our pets. Sixty-two percent of U.S. households have one, according to an APPA National Pet Owners Survey. We spend big dollars on their care – estimated at more than $3 billion – and many hours in their presence. In addition to supplying love, exercise, food, medical care, boarding, chew toys, and cute sweaters, we must give them good oral hygiene. Pets can get gingivitis, periodontal disease, tooth loss, and tooth decay, too. According to the American Veterinary Dental Society, 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats show signs of oral disease by age 3. Providing good oral care from the time you bring your puppy or kitten home will help establish a healthy foundation. Home care Start a brushing routine early in your pet’s life. Easing into the process will help make the adjustment more comfortable for both parties. 1. Sit or kneel near your pet to keep the encounter relaxed and non-threatening. 2. Start by lightly rubbing a soft cloth or gauze-wrapped finger along his or her teeth. 3. After practicing this daily for a few weeks, start using a fingerbrush with pet-specific toothpaste or a paste of baking soda and water. The American Animal Hospital Association and others recommend brushing at a 45-degree angle
FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017
using a gentle, circular motion. Be sure to lift your dog or cat’s lip to brush along the gum line. 4. Brush for at least 2 minutes. You may need to start with shorter intervals and build as your pet adjusts. Look for changes to your pet’s teeth, gums, and mouth. His or her gums should be pink. Red, white, or swollen gums are not normal. Offensive breath or unusual eating patterns are also cause for concern. Be sure to contact your veterinarian if you notice these things. Oral health changes and problems can be a sign of other illnesses – in humans and pets. For instance, halitosis may be the result of kidney failure, diabetes and other serious ailments. Visiting the vet During your pet’s annual checkup, your veterinarian will give your dog or cat an oral screening.
MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 35
He or she will look for swelling and other signs of periodontal disease and/or decay, and then make recommendations regarding professional cleaning and home care. Much like the professional cleanings we humans get twice a year, professional pet teeth cleaning is more extensive than at-home care. Your pet will be put under general anesthesia and monitored during the cleaning. The vet will perform a more thorough exam before using special tools and instruments to remove plaque and tarter buildup on the teeth and along the gum line, polish teeth, and apply fluoride. The frequency may vary, but professional cleanings tend to be an annual procedure, especially in older pets. Oral health and overall health are linked in humans and animals. As such, it is important to
make oral hygiene part of your pet’s routine care. After all, we want to give our pets the longest, happiest life possible. Find more oral health information and tips at dentalinsurance.org. Provided by EzineArticles.com/expert/Jen_ Dorsey/1380785. MSN
Real Insights From Realtors
(NAPSI) – For many people, whether buying or selling a home is often the most significant financial decision they’ll make in their life. If you’re among them, consider this advice: Given the mass amounts of information, data, and tools available, it’s critical to work with a professional who can help you make sense of it all. During the home buying or selling process, it’s wise to follow these tips: • Work with a local expert. Realtors are the most trusted resources for up-to-date, comprehensive, and accurate real estate information when it comes to navigating each step of the complex homebuyers process. More than four out of five recent homebuyers and sellers used a real estate professional, according to the National Association of Realtors. • Learn about the area. Looking to move to a new neighborhood? Chances are you’re unfamiliar with some characteristics of the area, such as traffic patterns on busy streets and the best schools within the district. Realtors have a finger on the
pulse of each market where they do business. They’re responsible for knowing the nuances to consider before buying a home and can leverage that expertise to help you. • Seek accurate information. Many websites offer to help potential homeowners find the perfect house. Some people have even suggested the Internet will eventually make buying a home as easy as buying an airline ticket or a stock certificate. However, consumers often complain that some of the information provided on these sites is either out of date or inaccurate, creating confusion and frustration. A Realtor, on the other hand, can provide valuable counsel, discuss listings, show you homes in person, negotiate on your behalf, and help you stay focused on the emotional and financial issues that are most important. That may be one reason 88 percent of buyers in 2013 used a real estate agent, up from 69 percent in 2001. MSN
When The Family Home Is Sold, How To Divvy Without Suffering By Karen Telleen-Lawton Dear Karen: The event I have anticipated and dreaded for years is upon us in a few months. My folks are still active and relatively astute at 85 and 86. Nevertheless, I am grateful that they have decided on their own to move to a retirement home that is just being built. They’ve lived in their house for over 50 years! My siblings and I will help them move, of course, but I’m more concerned about divvying up 50 years’ worth of accumulation. There’s everything from our third grade pottery to a large silk carpet I suspect is quite valuable. How do we do this with three siblings 3,000 miles apart and still keep speaking to each other? Signed, Dreading sibling confrontation Dear Sibling: Congratulations to your parents on their upcoming milestone. You and your siblings are fortunate indeed that your parents are healthy and that they made their own decision. They are leaving under their own power. The Center for Retirement Research at Boston College says baby boomers will eventually inherit $8 trillion in cash, real estate, and a whole lot of curios. You’re not alone in your predicament. Since your folks are preparing in this way, they likely already have wills and perhaps a trust. These should be consulted for any special instructions as to the division of assets. Aside from specific wishes by your parents, the choosing of household items presents challenges that are best solved on the ground.
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PAGE 36 MONTANA SENIOR NEWS
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This situation presents as many opportunities as challenges. If your parents are willing, you might want to spend some time asking them about the provenance of various objects. They will likely appreciate your caring about family heirlooms, keepsakes, and mementos. At the same occasion or a subsequent one, you can assemble an inventory list including this special information. Ebay can be a valuable resource for some ballpark values, if you choose to include that in the list. Then it’s time to hold the great Eeny Meeny Miney event. On the day of the event, realize, remember, and keep remembering, that your relationships with your siblings are more important than stuff. Agree to try to be your best selves, and forgive each other for inevitable moments when old hurts get in the way. Here are some guidelines that worked for us: 1. Local siblings can put together the inventory list, perhaps including photographs. It may not be comprehensive, but it can help form a common base of knowledge, especially for faraway sibs. 2. The closest siblings can also arrange for appraisals of any particularly valuable items. 3. Each sibling should familiarize him or herself with the inventory list. 4. Ask your folks to give you a general idea of items they plan to take with them. These items can still be available for picking, but the picker would understand that
they might not take possession for a long while. 5. As much as possible, each sibling should attend the great Eeny Meeny Miney event in person. Faraway siblings may send an adult child as emissary, or can attend by phone, Skype, Facetime, or whatever. It will likely run more smoothly if you do not open the event to spouses or children other than as a substitute. 6. For example, if there are three of you, the participants can draw straws for order of pick. Then proceed in order and then rearrange order. For example, 1, 2, 3; 3, 2, 1; 2, 1, 3, and so forth. 7. Walk around the house, picking items. Document the choices with a sticker on the item and a note on the inventory list. 8. Cover one category at a time: paintings, rugs/fabrics, furniture, tablescapes, knickknacks, lamps, silver, crystal, china, and kitchen. 9. When you reach the point in each category where no one wants to take possession, the rest of those items can go to charity or a rummage sale. Each sibling receives cash or a charitable donation receipt for 1/3 the sale. 10. For the items that are much more valuable, some options are that one sibling buys the others out; siblings co-own and pass it around every few years; or items are sold and the proceeds split. 11. Items that each sibling gifted to your parents over the years are returned apart from the pick. 12. If appropriate, compensate the siblings who did all the work or paid event expenses. This may be with cash or extra picks or whatever. Our Eeny Meeny day wasn’t without trauma, but I think in the end we all received items we cared about. No one felt cheated. I’m convinced the planning helped keep the “Miney” at bay. MSN
Sticky Insurance Questions Need Action
By Jonathan J. David Dear Jonathan: My wife and I have a living trust and recently after consulting with our attorney, we transferred our home, as well as our family cottage to our trust for probate avoidance. Last week as I was writing out a check for our homeowner’s insurance premium, it occurred to me that my wife and I are the insureds on the policy, but our trust isn’t. Is that the way it should be, or now that the trust owns the home and cottage, should the trust now be the insured on the policy? I just want to make sure that we are properly covered. Jonathan Says: It was a good thought to have and a good question to ask. Anytime real estate is transferred to a trust, it is critically important that the homeowner’s insurance agent be contacted to make sure that the proper coverages are maintained under the homeowner’s insurance policy. With that said, you and your wife want to continue to be insureds on the policy and depending upon what your policy requires, you may need to name your trust as an additional insured on the policy. My recommendation is that you contact your homeowner’s insurance agent and advise him/her of the transfer of your home and cottage to your trust, and ask the agent what needs to be done to make sure that the appropriate coverage is maintained and that the policy insures both of you, as well as your trust. I would also recommend that you have your agent provide you with a written response verifying what coverages you have and who the insureds are under the policy. MSN
FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017
Advice from Arla Eckert: “Get Out and Bird” By Bernice Karnop therefore easier to identify, can be seen during the Welcome to spring! Daylight increases, the day. Arla finds that her vehicle acts like a blind. crocus push through the crusted snow, and migrat- Instead of jumping out and scaring the birds, she ing birds return to Montana. Every year they do, sits and watches. The birds don’t feel threatened and every year it’s a delight to those who watch and she can get a close look at them. One day at Giant Springs, she parked for them. beside a flowering bush. Veteran Great Falls birder Arla In two hours, she counted Eckert says spring birding starts 13 species of warblers with migration. The most dramatic and chickadees, feeding migration event in Montana hapon the insects and petals. pens around the third week in March when as many as 300,000 Many birds winter in Montana, and some, like snow geese and 10,000 tundra rough legged hawks, are swans stop over at Freezeout Lake near Fairfield on their way to the Arctic. The last few years they have been early but people don’t have to guess. The Montana Online Birding website reports when they start arriving. “I never get tired of seeing them,” says Arla, “It’s always different and you always learn something.” If the ice goes out all Arla Eckert, Great Falls, got started birding as at once, they congregate on the a fifth grader in New Hampshire. She shares far shore. If a little stream opens her birding wisdom with all ages through field up first, observers may get a trips for her local Audubon chapter. [Photo courtesy of Richard Mousel] closer look. The Northern pintail ducks arrive before the only here in winter. A snow geese, shorebirds like avocets and curlews few robins spend winter follow, and then warblers start arriving. Meadow- here, but in the spring, larks welcome spring with their cheerful trill in early flocks hang out in towns. April. A few bluebirds come as early as February, When the mountains risking their lives to get the best nesting spots. open up they go there When a storm comes in, they return to the rivers to nest. Canada geese don’t all nest at the same to feed on bugs. The arrival of nighthawks signals the end of time. The early nesters migration in Montana. Not long after they arrive, get their goslings on the the early arriving shorebirds are ready to leave river before high water and swift currents make around the end of July. it challenging for them. Arla advises birders to buy the best binoculars or scopes they can afford. She says one can’t have too many bird books, but she takes advantage of web sites, programs, and apps for her iPad. Some favorites include Montana Online Birding, ebird, and the Sibley’s app. During spring migration, one may see birds that aren’t The iPad lets her normally in your local area, like this common loon. It was compare two birds on near Giant Springs State Park in mid-April but summers a split screen. Photos in more remote lakes. [Photo courtesy of Arla Eckert] and drawings are often Migration is exciting to birders like Arla because based on east coast one can never tell what bird will show up in any sightings and are somegiven spot. Birds that aren’t normally in your local times a bit different from area are flying through. “It really gets wild. You want our birds. She may go to be everywhere at once.” she says. through three or four In spring, birds are easier to identify. In full books before she idenbreeding plumage, their colors are brighter, they tifies a bird. Montana display their feathers, and they sing to attract a Audubon has bird lists mate. They build nests and defend their territory available with more than and their young. In April, it is possible to set blinds 425 documented birds near some grouse dancing grounds, including in the state. “If you think Benton Lake, where early risers can sit quietly and you know what a bird is view this amazing rite. and it’s not on the list,” Birding has made Arla a weather watcher. she says, “you probably The weather affects when birds arrive. A spring have it wrong.” snowstorm causes migrating birds to come down, Rare birds are docurather than just fly by. She goes out in the storm mented by taking notes to see which hungry travelers stop to wait out the and hopefully, photos storm or find lunch. Rainy weather also makes for for verification. Last good birding but wind causes birds to disappear. year Arla was thrilled to Arla goes looking for them in sheltered places like see a little green heron coulees and draws. on the Missouri near Songbirds are most active in early morning Sacajawea Island in or evening, but ducks, which are also bigger and Great Falls.
MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 37
PAGE 38 MONTANA SENIOR NEWS
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Arla calls birding a lifelong learning experience, which a person can do anywhere, even sitting in a parking lot. “There is always something going on for birders,” she says. Birders’ interests often go beyond birds because they become aware of other things like conservation, butterflies, dragonflies, porcupines, and beaver. Birding is a good way to meet friends. Audubon chapters in Montana sponsor field trips, even in winter. This spring the state meeting, Wings Across the Big Sky, is in Great Falls June 9 through June 11 and is open to anyone. In addition to talks, attendees go on field trips with those who know the area and who can help identify birds. Audubon chapters also give people a chance to participate
in the Christmas Bird Count and the Great Backyard Bird Count, important online, citizen science opportunities that collect data on wild birds. More than 160,000 people of all ages worldwide will join the four day Great Backyard Bird Count, February 17 through February 20, 2017. Readers may find out how they can participate at gbbc.birdcount.org/. This important event helps create an annual snapshot of the distribution and abundance of birds for scientists and bird enthusiasts. Wherever you are, whatever the season, whether or not you have mobility challenges, Arla Eckert has one message: “Get out there and bird!” MSN
Montana Senior Olympics Calling You To Go For The Gold!
If you are 50+, it is time to get moving and making plans to attend the 32nd annual Montana Senior Olympic Games to be held June 15-17 in the Polson, Ronan, and Pablo areas. Although the games are for senior athletes of all abilities, the games are patterned after the Olympic games that many of you watched on TV last summer. We have fourteen different sports from which you can choose to enter, including archery, basketball, badminton, bowling, cycling, golf, horseshoes, pickleball, racewalk, road race, swimming, table tennis, tennis, and track & field. Competition is friendly among entrants that come from all over Montana, Alberta, and other states and Canadian provinces. Whatever your skill level we encourage you to compete
15th Annual Montana Early Music Festival
Montana Premiere of Historically Informed Performances of
J.S. Bach’s Johannespassion
Passion of Christ according to the Gospel of St. John
Festival Chamber Orchestra & Musikanten Montana with Daniel Hutchings, Evangelist
Kerry Krebill, Conductor
March 29 – April 1, 2017
Wednesday, March 29 • 7:30pm • Holy Rosary Church • Bozeman Thursday, March 30 • 7:30pm • Immaculate Conception • Butte Friday, March 31 • 7:30pm • St. Francis Xavier • Missoula Saturday, April 1 • 7:30pm • St. John’s Lutheran Church • Helena
Information & tickets: 406-442-6825 • www.musikantenmt.org
for the gold, silver, and bronze medals that are awarded in five-year age brackets for each sport. Pickleball is one of the favorite new sports that was added a few years ago and has caught on like wildfire. This year badminton is our new sport, one that you probably played as a teenager. Montana Senior Olympic Games are promoted to help keep you active, healthy, fit, and to promote the social aspects of friendly competition. The local games directors include Ken Chomo, Monty Morengo, and Beth Trosello who have been hard at work finding venues and commissioners for each sport. Whether you are an athlete or a spectator, volunteers will be needed to assist in running the games. If you are interested in helping or would like more information, contact Montana Senior Olympics at kayjn3@gmail.com, call 406586-5543, or visit montanaseniorolympics.org. MSN
How to Help Older Drivers Give Up the Car Keys By Jim Miller Dear Savvy Senior, What tips can you recommend that can help me deal with my mom’s bad driving? At age 83, her driving abilities have declined, but I know she’s bound and determined to keep driving as long as she’s alive. Nervous Nelly Dear Nelly, There’s no doubt that giving up driving can be a tough step for many elderly seniors, as well as a difficult conversation for concerned family members. While there’s no one way to handle this sometimes touchy topic, there are a number of tips and resources that can help you evaluate and adjust your mom’s driving, and ease her out from behind the wheel when she can no longer drive safely. Assess Her Driving To get a clear picture of your mom’s driving abilities, your first step, if you haven’t already done so, is to take a ride with her and watch for problem areas. Does she drive at inappropriate speeds, tailgate, or drift between lanes? Does she have difficulty seeing, backing up, or changing lanes? Does she react slowly, get confused easily, or make poor driving decisions? Also, has your mom had any fender benders or tickets lately, or have you noticed any dents or scrapes on her vehicle? These, too, are red flags. For more assessment tips see SeniorDriverChecklist.info. If you need help with this, consider hiring a driver rehabilitation specialist who’s trained to evaluate older drivers. This typically runs between $100 and $200. Visit AOTA.org/older-driver or ADED.net to locate a specialist in your area. Transitioning and Talking After your assessment, if you think it’s still safe for your mom to drive, see if she would be willing to take an older driver refresher course. These courses will show her how aging affects driving skills, and offers tips and adjustments to help ensure her safety. Taking a class may also earn your mom a discount on her auto insurance. To locate a class contact your local AAA at aaa.com or AARP at aarp.org/drive or 888-227-7669. Most courses cost around $20 to $30 and can be taken online or in a classroom. If, however, your assessment shows that your mom really does need to stop driving, you need
FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017
to have a talk with her. However, don’t overdo it. If you begin with a dramatic outburst like “Mom, you’re going to kill someone,” you’re likely to trigger resistance. Start by simply expressing your concern for her safety. For more tips on how to talk to your mom about this, the Hartford Financial Services Group and MIT AgeLab offers a variety of resources at TheHartford.com/lifetime – click on “Publications” on the menu bar, then on the “We Need To Talk” guidebook. Refuses To Quit If your mom refuses to quit, you have several options. One possible solution is to suggest a visit to her doctor who can give her a medical evalu-
Houseboating – the Perfect Getaway
By Sandra Scott Enjoy the outdoors in a most unique and relaxing way – on a houseboat. It can be a romantic getaway or the perfect multigenerational family vacation. There is a houseboat for all occasions, all seasons, all reasons, close to home, or in an exotic location. Be it basic or luxurious, make your next vacation home a houseboat. 1. Low Bridge! Everyone Down! Once a busy waterway filled with settlers moving west, the Erie Canal is now a tranquil waterway through the middle of New York state. Start in Tonawanda, near Buffalo, and head east at a maximum of five miles an hour. www.CanalPrincess.com, (716) 693-2752. 2. Sailing in the Desert. Just 45 minutes from Las Vegas the bright lights are called stars. Set sail from Callville Bay on Lake Mead in the middle of the desert and explore over 500 miles of pristine, and barren, shoreline. foreverhouseboats.com, (800) 255-5561. 3. California or bust! Surrounded by mountains and a forest of evergreens houseboat on Lake Shasta, California’s largest lake formed by four rivers – the Sacramento, McCloud, Squaw, and Pit. Explore the hundreds of coves and byways. Operational all year. www.sevencrown.com, (800) 752-9669. 4. Get Wild! Head to Zimbabwe in Africa where Sengwa Safaris offers skippered and crewed houseboats on Lake Kariba. From the decks view game along the shoreline of the lake in Matusdona National Park. A safari like none other. www. karibahouseboats.com. 5. Tie me kangaroo down. Awaken to the raucous laughter of the kookaburras in the old gum tree and spot kangaroo foraging along the Murray River, Australia’s second longest river. Liba Liba, aboriginal for “canoe, canoe,” offers paddlewheel houseboats. www.libaliba.com.au 6. Rice is nice. One of the most unique houseboat adventures is through the backwaters of Kerala, India. Boats once used to transport rice from the field, to the ports have been resurrected as houseboats with woven mat tops to resemble boats carrying the rice. The non-motorized ones are the best and come with two pole men plus a cook. www.houseboatskerala.net 7. Kiwi time. In 1820 Whangaroa Harbour was describe by a British naval captain, as “A Singular and Beautifully Romantic Place,” and it still is. Located on the North Island of New Zealand it is an area of unspoiled natural beauty with calm waters, and majestic fiord-like scenery, unique rock formations, and vertical cliff faces protruding through steep forested shores. www.houseboatrentals. co.nz. If you can drive a car you can operate a houseboat. The adventure starts with an operational lesson. Check to see what is included; some include bedding, others do not. If necessary, most companies will do the grocery shopping for you. MSN
ation, and if warranted, prescribe that she stops driving. Older people will often listen to their doctor before they will listen to their own family. If she still refuses, contact your local Department of Motor Vehicles to see if they can help. Or, call in an attorney to discuss with your mom the potential financial and legal consequences of a crash or injury. If all else fails, you may just have to take away her keys. Alternative Transportation Once your mom stops driving she’s going to need other ways to get around, so help her create a list of names and phone numbers of family, friends and local transportation services that she can call on.
MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 39
To find out what transportation services are available in her area, contact Rides in Sight, ridesinsight.org, 855-607-4337, and the Eldercare Locator at 800-677-1116, which will direct you to her area agency on aging for assistance. 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
PAGE 40 MONTANA SENIOR NEWS
FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017
RV Boondocking By Bernice Beard Boondocking is camping in an RV without benefit of utility hookups. The term came origi‑ nally from people who parked (docked) out in the Aboonies,@ or remote rural areas. Dry camping is another name for boondocking. Economy, inde‑ pendence, necessity, and a sense of adventure are the chief reasons to boondock. Serious boondockers camp with limited or no utilities for two or more weeks running. The oc‑ casional RV boondocker, how‑ ever, parks overnight or for short periods of a week or less. Overnight stays may occur at places such as a Wal‑Mart, a Fly‑ ing J truck stop, a Cracker Barrel Restaurant, a service plaza along an interstate highway or the drive‑ way of a friend or relative. Longer stays may occur at a fairground, in a state or national park, or in a Bu‑ reau of Land Management area. Most RVs with auxiliary generators and regular inverters (to furnish electricity from the coach bat‑ teries) can sustain their occupants for occasional boondocking episodes. RVers, however, benefit from conserving both energy and water when dry camping. Here are tips for such times. • Before boondocking, fill the freshwater hold‑ ing tank and empty the black and gray water holding tanks. Put on board several gallon jugs of drinking water. • During the summer, look for a shady glade or lower the awnings and blinds on the south‑facing side of the RV to combat heat. In cooler seasons, find a sun‑filled campsite. • When parking in a forested area, watch for and avoid touching poisonous plants such as poi‑ son ivy and poison oak. Try not to have tree limbs
or bushes (which can serve as a highway for ants) touch the RV=s tires or exterior. • In primitive areas, be aware of possible wild‑ life that may come grazing near you. They are not tame; do not feed or try to pet them. • Select a location that will not become a small
pond beneath your RV if the weather should sud‑ denly bring rain. Avoid parking near dead limbs and trees that can blow onto the RV in a sudden gust. • Never park overnight in a rest area that is not patrolled by security officers, and especially do not park there alone. • Use propane to run the refrigerator, hot water heater, and furnace. • Limit using hair dryers, air conditioners, mi‑ crowaves, washer/dryers, and other appliances that require a lot of electricity. • Turn on the water heater just ten minutes before using it. Save the cool water that comes from the faucet before the hot water arrives and use it later to wash dishes. Turn off the water heater when the water gets warm. If you've been traveling during the day, the water may be warm enough already for bathing. MSN
Auto Neurotic By Dick Wolfsie I purchased a new car last week, the first in almost 10 years. It comes with a 250‑page instruc‑ tion book, plus three additional manuals to guide you through the high‑tech accessories, but there is no key. I always liked the idea of having a key. “Hey, Dad, can I have the fob to the car tonight?” Sorry, that doesn’t have the same charm. The car also comes with Bruce, the sales guy at Hyundai, who said he will “always be by my side.” He didn’t literally mean that, but he did give me his cell number in case I had any problems. Unless, of course, the problem includes using the Bluetooth cell phone technology, in which case I could drive back to the dealership. That is, if I remember how to start the car. Bruce was very pa‑ tient with me. He told me “before you bring this
baby home, you need to know how to take care of her and understand exactly how she operates.” This is pretty much what Mary Ellen’s father said to me the night before our wedding. My new steering wheel has 12 buttons on it. That’s more than a corset from the Elizabethan era, and probably just as difficult for an inexperi‑ enced guy like me to manage. There are also four buttons on the rearview mirror, including a garage door opener, which Bruce told me I would have to sync with my old garage door opener. Or was it my computer? No, maybe it was my smart phone. No matter. When he said sync, I knew I was sunk. One of the apps I can purchase for my smart phone allows me to disable my car if someone steals it. But why not just call the guy? After all, he has all this new Bluetooth stuff in the car now. Let’s see if he can figure it out. There are lots of ways to thwart a crook. “Hello?” (Continued on page 64)
FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017
ANACONDA
Mike King 118 Cherry Anaconda, MT 59711 406-563-2991
BILLINGS
George Andrikopoulos 2500 Grand Ave, Suite M Billings, MT 59102 406-651-0610 Bonnie Dedmore 405 Main St Ste D Billings, MT 59105 406-248-8088 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
GREAT FALLS
MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 41
HAVRE
Gary T. Fosse 222 15th Street S Great Falls, MT 59405 406-452-6446
Anthony Cammon, FSS, LTCP 115 4th Ave W Havre, MT 59501 406-945-9000
Greg Franczyk 17 2nd St S Great Falls, MT 59401 406-770-3040
KALISPELL
Aaron Hamilton 1900 4th St NE Great Falls, MT 59404 406-761-7601 Pam Hansen-Alfred 2817 10th Ave South Great Falls, MT 59405 406-453-6010
TJ Wendt 2129 Hwy 2 East Kalispell, MT 59901 406-752-9300
LIVINGSTON
Sarah Skofield 125 E Callender St Livingston, MT 59047 406-222-1000
PAGE 42 MONTANA SENIOR NEWS
FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017
Support a Cause? Leave a Legacy By Teresa Ambord There is no mistaking the fact that Americans are a charitable bunch. According to the National Philanthropic Trust, in 2015, we gave more than $373 billion from a combination of individual gifts, 71 percent of total giving, foundations, 16 percent of total giving, bequests, 9 percent of total giving, and corporations, 5 percent of total giving. Even after emerging from the great recession, approximately 75 percent of us made some kind of chari-
"It's the little things that make a difference when you have nothing." Tumbleweed helps connect youth to a better future. • Drop-In Center provides safety, shelter, food, clothing & hygiene. • Emergency services for youth & families during times of crisis. • School Crisis Counselors • Individual & Family Counseling • Transitional Living Program • Human Trafficking Program
M-F, 8am-5pm: (406) 259-2558 24 hr Crisis Line: (888) 816-4702 505 N 24th St, Billings MT, 59101
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table donation. Yet only about eight percent of those who make charitable gifts do so by legacy giving. Legacy giving is a gift made by bequest. It can also take more complex forms such as a trust, a life income arrangement, or an endowment. • A bequest is a directive made in a will to give a certain amount of money or property to a specified beneficiary. A bequest can be structured in various ways. It can be general and unconditional so that the recipient organization gets a predetermined amount. It can also be for an amount that remains after certain events take place, a residuary bequest, or it can be an amount that is conditional, a contingent bequest. • A trust is an arrangement wherein the legal title to property is held by a trustee for the benefit of another. • A life income arrangement specifies money or property to be left to an organization, with the stipulation that income be paid to designated beneficiaries for their lifetimes. Nonprofit organizations love legacy gifts because this is the least costly way to raise money and it helps them achieve stability and sustainability. From your perspective, it is not only a vehicle for supporting a cause close to your heart, but it is also a way to reduce your taxable estate. Whatever you leave by bequest will not be subject to estate or inheritance tax. Those amounts are deducted from your taxable estate, and there is no limit to the amount that can be set aside by bequest. Keep in mind, through 2016, the top estate tax rate is 40 percent for estates exceeding $5.45 million for an individual or $10.9 million for married couples. So if you are inclined to support a charity for the long term, a legacy gift is a tax advantaged way to do this. You may think that you are not wealthy enough to have an estate, but you’re wrong! Everyone has an estate of some sort, because an estate is simply a list of what you own. Anyone can designate a charity to be the beneficiary of a checking account or pension account, for the total balance or a specific amount. If everyone who is inclined to make charitable gifts during his or her lifetime were to make a legacy gift of even $100 upon the time of death, billions would be funneled easily into the coffers of critical charitable causes. So how do you go about setting up such a designated gift? If you have a will, contact your attorney or financial advisor to discuss the possibilities. But of course, not everyone has the resources to pay these professionals. If that is your situation, call the charity that you wish to support, and ask to speak to the Planned Giving Director. This person should be able to guide you through the process of ensuring that the funds go where you designate them. Before sitting down with a professional, make a list of what you own. Don’t forget to include your retirement accounts, stocks and bonds, real estate, and other valuable property like expensive jewelry
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and artwork. Next, decide to which charities you wish to leave money or other assets. Be sure to get the name of the charity exactly right. You may intend your gift to go to the local branch of the Salvation Army, but if you do not specify the location, the gift will likely go to the national headquarters. Also, be aware that there is no shortage of scam artists out there. Some unscrupulous organizations deliberately choose names that are deceptively close to agencies with highly recognizable names, like the American Heart Association or the Red Cross, knowing that some individual donors will mistake them for the real deal, and the poser organization will siphon off donations that
were not intended for them. Leaving a legacy gift in whatever form you choose is an easy way to help an organization you care about go forward, doing the good work that is meaningful to you. While it might not occur to most people to indulge in legacy gifts, America is a generous nation of individuals who support the causes close to our hearts. This is an easy way to do just that. Before you say no, give the idea some thought. Teresa Ambord is a former accountant, now a fulltime business writer working from her home in rural northern California. MSN
By Teresa Ambord Like most professions, financial advisors can range from the honest and trustworthy to the self serving and greedy. Before you trust your financial future to a financial advisor, make sure you have a good one. White collar prisons are full of people who appeared respectable and trustworthy all while bilking clients out of their savings. Many worked far harder to create a façade of success than they ever did to succeed at investing client money. That’s why it can be difficult even for sophisticated investors to detect fraud. Here’s one aspect of financial fraud that experts in the investment field note. It’s called churning. CNBC defines churning as “trading in and out of securities, often over a short period of time, in a way that serves no purpose for the investor but generates commissions for the broker.” Churning represents a huge conflict for the advisor, because he or she is not paid unless transactions are made. So if your advisor has your permission, you might wake up to find your money has been moved around, ostensibly to get you the best possible investment. But in reality, your advisor is in it for the commissions. What could happen? First, your money could be taken out of a well performing investment and put in a riskier one. But it gets worse. You could lose large chunks of money to commissions, taxes, and surrender fees. By the time you know about the transactions, the money is lost. What are the warning signs to watch for? Start with the documents sent to you by the broker. After every transaction, your broker must send you a confirmation of the action taken. Generally, there isn’t much activity in an account unless you are a sophisticated trader. If you’re a conservative investor, in it for the long term, it’s generally considered wise to buy and hold. So if you end up receiving confirmations of activity several times a month, contact your broker to ask what’s going on. You must also receive a document if your mutual fund is switched for another mutual fund, or your annuity for another annuity. These accounts come with upfront loads, so if they are sold soon after purchase, a brokerage firm generally will
send you a confirmation that this is what you want to do and ask you sign an acknowledgment. This is done to prevent excessive transactions that would generate commissions. If you find you are receiving many such confirmations, this could be a red flag that your account is being churned. Another warning question, do you have accounts that are declining even when the market is moving upward? Or if the market is moving downward, is your account declining even faster than the general market? The decline could be the result of excessive commissions that erode an account and cause an underperformance compared to the general market.
MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 43
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If you believe your account has been churned, you may have a claim to recover churning losses, if you can demonstrate control, excessive trading, and scienter.
FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017
Who had the control? Did the broker have your express or implied permission to make a trade? You may have been asked to sign a discretionary trading agreement. Or, if you have always followed your broker’s advice, you may have given him or her “de facto” control. Excessive trading is determined by evaluating the turnover ratio of your account. The turnover ratio is the total amount of purchases in the account divided by the average monthly equity in the account. You can annualize this amount by dividing the result by the number of months involved to get the per month ratio, and then multiply that by 12. So if you purchased the investment in early January and sold it in late July, divide the amount in the first step by 7 months and multiply by 12 months. Courts have said that generally for a conservative investor, the annualized turnover rate of two suggests there may be churning. A turnover rate of four presumes churning, and six or more is conclusive of excessive trading. Scienter is intent. To prove churning, the final element is that the broker had the specific intent to defraud your account, or at least had reckless disregard for your interests. Suppose you take this to court.
What can you recover? Typically, the damages in an excessive trading case are the excessive commission or expenses, and the actual losses to the client’s portfolio from churning. A recent case involved SecuritiesAmerica in Nebraska, which allowed one of its brokers to break the company’s own rules. Broker Stuart Horowitz was charged with engaging in unsuitable trading in a fund. The fund had multiple red flags that made its viability questionable, but Horowitz failed to investigate those red flags. He wanted to sell preferred notes to people who were already invested in the fund. Over a period of a few months, he converted $8 million of existing investments in the fund to preferred shares, which required $2.5 million in additional money from clients. His commissions were $200,000. Just a few months into the conversion, the funds started making late payments to investors and soon, stopped making payments at all. Stockbrokers are members of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, FINRA, and they and their employers must abide by its laws. If your stockbroker breaks those laws, contact the firm that employs him or her. The firm must supervise the broker’s actions and should compensate you for any negligence and fraud, and you have the legal right to pursue such compensation. If you don’t get satisfaction, you should contact your attorney or a securities defense attorney. MSN
Who’s Eligible for Social Security Survivor Benefits? By Jim Miller Dear Savvy Senior, Who all is eligible for Social Security survivor benefits? My ex-husband died last year at the age of 59, and I would like to find out if I, or my two kids – ages 13 and 16 that we had together – are eligible for anything? Divorced Widow Dear Divorced, If your ex-husband worked and paid Social Security taxes, both you and your kids may very well be eligible for survivor benefits, but you need to act quickly because benefits are generally retroactive only up to six months. Here’s what you should know. Under Social Security law, when a person who has worked and paid Social Security taxes dies, certain members of that person’s family may be eligible for survivor benefits including spouses, former spouses and dependents. Here’s a breakdown of who may be eligible. Widow(er)s and divorced widow(er)s: Surviving spouses are eligible to collect a monthly survivor benefit as early as age 60 (50 if disabled). Divorced surviving spouses are also eligible at this same age, if you were married at least 10 years and did not remarry before age 60 (50 if disabled), unless the marriage ends. How much you’ll receive will depend on how much money (earnings that were subject to Social Security taxes) your spouse or ex-spouse made over their lifetime, and the age in which you apply for survivors benefits. If you wait until your full retirement age (which is 66 for people born in 1945-1956 and will gradually increase to age 67 for people born in 1962 or later), you will receive 100% of your deceased spouses or ex-spouses benefit amount. But if you apply between age 60 and your full retirement age, your
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benefit will be somewhere between 71.5% – 99% percent of their benefit. To find out what percentage you can get under full retirement age visit ssa. gov/survivorplan/survivorchartred.htm. There is, however, one exception. Surviving spouses and ex-spouses that are caring for a child (or children) of the deceased worker, and the child or children are under age 16 or disabled, are eligible to receive 75 percent of the worker’s benefit amount at any age. Unmarried children: Surviving unmarried children under age 18, or up to age 19 if they are still attending high school, are eligible for survivor benefits too. Benefits can also be paid to children at any age if they were disabled before age 22 and remain disabled. Both biological and adoptive children are eligible, as well as kids born out of wedlock. Dependent stepchildren and grandchildren may also qualify. Children’s benefits are 75 percent of the worker’s benefit. Dependent parents: Benefits can also be paid to dependent parent(s) who are age 62 and older. For parents to qualify as dependents, the deceased worker would have had to provide at least one-half of the parent’s financial support. But be aware that Social Security has limits on how much a family can receive in monthly survivor’s benefits – usually 150-180% percent of the workers benefit. You also need to know that in addition to survivor benefits, surviving spouses or children are also eligible to receive a one-time death benefit of $255.
The Absolutely, Positively Best Time To File For Social Security? It All Depends... After roughly four decades of non-stop work, it certainly can be enticing. You can begin drawing Social Security as early as age 62; finally getting back those dollars you’ve been paying into the system, possibly since you were a teenager handling cashier duties for a fast-food restaurant. But taking Social Security a few years shy of traditional retirement age comes with a caveat. Your monthly check will be reduced, so you’ll draw as much as 30 percent less than you would if you waited until your full retirement age, which is 66 to 67 for most people these days. At the other end of the equation, if you put off filing for Social Security until you’re 70, you can increase the amount of those checks. So what’s a potential retiree to do? “Unfortunately, there’s no perfect answer that applies to everyone,” says Alexander Joyce, president and CEO of ReJoyce Financial (rejoycefinancial.com). “When I’m working with a client, I’ll look at their entire financial situation and see how Social Security fits in. It’s not always an easy decision and there’s no exact science to follow.” But Joyce says there are a few things to keep in mind as you approach 62 and begin mulling your options: • Your neighbor’s decision isn’t your decision. It might be interesting to hear what other people have done, but that doesn’t mean you should follow suit. Their financial situation may be very different from yours, Joyce says. The right answer for them could be the wrong answer for you.
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Maximizing Strategies Social Security also provides surviving spouses and ex-spouses some nice strategies that can help boost your benefits. For example, you could take a reduced survivor benefit at age 60, and could switch to your own retirement benefit based on your earnings – between 62 and 70 – if it offers a higher payment. Or, if you are already receiving retirement benefits on your work record, you could switch to survivors benefits if it offers a higher payment. However, you cannot receive both benefits. You also need to know that if you collect a survivor benefit while working, and are under full retirement age, your benefits may be reduced depending on your earnings. For more information, visit ssa.gov/survivorplan or call 800-772-1213. Send your senior questions to Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070 or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of The Savvy Senior book. MSN
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• Working in retirement makes a difference. Many people like to continue working, at least part-time, even after they begin drawing Social Security. But that can have ramifications. If you’ve reached full retirement age, no problem. Make as much money as you like. But if you take Social Security early, there’s a $15,720 annual limit on how much you can earn. For every $2 over that, you’ll lose $1 of Social Security. • Maybe you need the money now. It could be that you worked the numbers and decided to wait until your full retirement age. But then fate intervened. You lost your job or health problems keep you from working. “There certainly are very good reasons why some people begin drawing their Social Security at 62,” Joyce says. JD, CLU, ChFC,RHU
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• Maybe you don’t need the money – just yet. If your finances are in good order, your savings robust, and your employment stable, putting off Social Security until you’re 70 could make sense because you would be able to optimize the amount of those monthly checks. For example, if your full retirement age were 66, you would be able to receive 132 percent of your monthly benefit if you delayed filing for four years, according to the Social Security Administration website. “Ultimately, the decision is yours, but it’s important to make that decision knowing all the implications,” Joyce says. “While there’s no right answer that applies to everyone, there could be at least a best answer that applies to you.” Alexander Joyce is president and CEO of ReJoyce Financial LLC and a Safe Money and Retirement Income Planning specialist who has hosted radio shows, such as The Safe Money and Income Radio Show and The Ask Mr. Annuity Radio Show. MSN
Potpourri: Miscellaneous Stuff You Should Know about Money and Taxes
By Teresa Ambord Credit to Help Lower Income Savers 2055 N 22nd, Suite 2A • Bozeman, MT 59718 If you or your adult children are on the lower end of the income spectrum 406-586-4367 • mike@mcleodinsuranceservices.com and have an IRA or other retirement plan, there might be a special income tax credit available. But to get it, you must claim it. It’s the Retirement SavInsurance • Employee Benefits • Consulting ings Contributions Credit, more commonly called the Saver’s Credit. It’s intended to provide lower income individuals with an incentive to save for retirement security. To be eligible, you must be at least 18, not a full-time student, and not be a dependent on someone else’s tax return. And, you must have filed a Form 1040 or 1040NR, not a 1040EZ. The amount you qualify for depends on your filing status and your income, and is a percentage of the amount you contributed to your retirement plan. The maximum credit you can receive on your 2016 and 2017 return is $1,000 if you file a single return or $2,000 if your file a joint return. If you meet the qualifications and limits listed below, you will need to file IRS Form 8880. For married taxpayers filing joint return: • For adjusted gross income, AGI, of $37,000 or less, the credit is 50 percent of your qualified The Montana Department of Revenue can help you. contributions. • At AGI exceeding Need help deciding which tax form to use? $62,000, the credit is Need information on how to electronically file your tax return? completely phased out. Head of household Wonder if you qualify for the Elderly Homeowner/Renter filers: Credit worth up to $1,000? • AGI of $27,750 or less brings a credit of 50 percent. Call us toll-free at (866) 859-2254 (in Helena, • At AGI exceeding 444-6900) or visit us at revenue.mt.gov $46,500, the credit is completely phased out.
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All other filers: • At AGI of $18,500 or less, the credit is 50 percent. • At AGI exceeding $31,000, the credit completely phases out. For elective contributions to retirement plans under 401(k) or 403(b) you would’ve had to complete them by December 31. However, the Saver’s Credit and contributions to a new or existing IRA will be permitted until the filing date for your 2016 tax return, which is April 18, 2017. For more details, go to irs.gov/taxtopics/tc610.html.
MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 47
depending on your income level. To learn more about these programs, contact your local Montana Department of Revenue office, visit revenue.mt.gov, or call us toll free at 1-866859-2254 (in Helena, 444-6900). You have until April 15 to apply for all three programs. MSN
Do You Have Questions About Medicare?
Trust Issues: What Should Beneficiaries Know? If you have your money in a trust, should you let your beneficiaries know? Some states allow residents to have quiet or silent trusts. That means you can leave your money to your heirs without them knowing. Why would you do this? Some parents don’t want their kids to know how much they might inherit, for fear they will live irresponsibly. Some advisors warn against a silent trust because children have ways of finding out how much you’re worth. Also, there might be an increased risk of litigation with a quiet trust. The trustee must act in the best interest of the beneficiaries. When the children ultimately become aware of the trust, they may seek to challenge any past decisions the trustee made. A better approach to incentivize responsible behavior with an incentive trust, which provides opportunities for you or the trustee to shape the future behavior of your heirs. An incentive trust provides positive reinforcement by communicating terms of the trust that let beneficiaries know what they must do to receive their rewards. MSN
Volunteer Tax Assistance (VITA)
Around 12 noon, Wednesday through Friday, the soft bump of the hinged door leading downstairs to HRDC’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site can be heard, indicating another busy day of assisting taxpayers with their taxes has begun. Children are laughing and playing; numerous questions are being asked; computer keyboards are clicking; qualified tax preparers are interviewing clients; and the printer is churning out page after page of completed state and federal tax returns. Each year, through mid-April, VITA provides free tax preparation services for qualifying individuals. Services are provided by trained and certified volunteers who walk clients through the preparation and electronic filing of their tax return. Individuals and families who earn less than $54,000 are eligible for this fast, free service. Last year HRDC prepared taxes for nearly 2,000 low-to moderate-income individuals… all with no fees! Thirty-two VITA volunteers logged hundreds of hours of preparation, securing over $2.8 million in tax refunds for these clients. VITA has geared up again for 2017, and we are eagerly taking appointments with convenient times available to assist you with your tax return. Please call HRDC for an appointment at 406-247-4710. MSN
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Montana tax assistance programs The Montana Department of Revenue wants to let you know about several tax assistance programs for which you or your neighbors and loved ones may qualify. The Homeowner/Renter Tax Credit (or 2EC) offers up to a $1,000 tax credit to Montana homeowners or renters age 62 or older. You might qualify even if you do not have to file an income tax return. Eligibility for this program is based on your age, residency, income of all your household members, and the amount you pay in rent or property taxes. Total household income must be less than $45,000. You may be able to claim refunds for previous years. The Property Tax Assistance Program (PTAP) reduces property taxes on your home. You might qualify if you are a Montana property owner with a household income of less than $28,349 or a single income of less than $21,262. Veterans with Disabilities – If you are a property owner and a disabled veteran whose disability is 100 percent, or if you’re the surviving spouse of a disabled veteran, you might be eligible for reduced Montana property taxes
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MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 49
NEW!
AMERICAN BISON EXHIBIT The Jefferson County Museum
February is the month of love, or at least the month to buy flowers and chocolates with a good excuse. Jesting aside, however, sometimes Valentines Day gives us an opportunity to look back on our lives and loves and think about things that really matter regardless of candy hearts and roses; the kindness, genuine human connection, passion, and respect that underlie true love. So as you battle the pink and red that seem to blossom in storefronts the minute the New Year begins, take heart in remembering the times and people you’ve loved. This issue’s Remember When winner is Larry Roland from Missoula whose poignant love story recalls decades of Valentines and how he made them so important and meaningful despite the commercialization of the holiday. Thank you, Larry for your contribution.
Remember When contains our readers’ personal reflections, contributions describing fictional or non-fictional accounts from the “Good ol’ Days” or reflections on life in general. Contributions may be stories, letters, artwork, poetry, etc. Photos may be included. Each issue of the Montana Senior News features the 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 April/May 2017 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 406-7610305. Also, visit us online at montanaseniornews. com.
My Favorite Valentine By Larry Roland, Missoula Valentine’s Day irritates me. I made it a point for many years not to get my wife, Vivian, anything for Valentine’s Day because it seems so artificial and the retailers are getting the best of it! I believe in saying I love you all year round, and demonstrating it every day, not just on one day when someone tells us that it’s time. How commercial can you get? Especially when guys buy their girls sexy lingerie, who is that really supposed to benefit? I always ended up feeling guilty, however, because Vivian would invariably have a Valentine’s card for me on the morning of the holiday. Some of them were really sweet and meaningful and I still have them around somewhere. I remember that one of them was a Peanuts card showing Lucy van Pelt on the front saying something like, “You think that your wish is my command, that I am totally in love with you, and that all you have to do is tell me to jump! Well, let me tell you something!” and inside is written, “How high?” I decided to bite the bullet one year, just to surprise her and went into a florist shop on the holiday thinking I would get her carnations. She liked them more than roses because they last longer without wilting. When I walked in, there
was a crowd of guys waiting their turn to do the same thing for each of their girls. I viewed the mass of men, exclaimed, “For Pete’s Sake!” and walked out without buying anything. What a bunch of lemmings! Months after we were first married, when I knew she needed a new watch, I told Vivian that I was going to walk downtown to G. C. Murphy’s for a minute. When I got there, I purchased a watch, a couple of romantic cards, and a dozen flowers. I sneaked into the apartment, laid them on the dining table, and then buried myself in the newspaper. When I heard a little scream a few minutes later I innocently asked, “What’s wrong, honey?” For us, every time we went out to eat at a restaurant was a ro-
These Noble Brutes
45 Framed Vintage Engravings of the American Bison 1749–1909
January 27–May 27, 2017
This exhibit explores the natural history of the bison, its centrality to many Native American tribes, and its near extermination in the late 19th century. Lee Silliman, exhibit owner, will give a gallery talk May 6th on his collection and the American Bison Admission Free, Donations Accepted Open Fri 1–5pm & Sat 12-4pm For Info, Speakers & Special Tours 406-933-5528 | 406-933-5861 11 miles S of Helena between Montana City & Jefferson City
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mantic dinner, not because we had candlelight and music but because we just enjoyed being together. We didn’t sit there and coo to each other, although sometimes we held hands when we were alone, but the pleasure was palpable, if subdued. One year, I got a package of those valentines that are sold for kids to hand out to classmates at school and hid them all over the house where Vivian was likely to find them; in the cupboards, in her dresser, in the bathroom, and so on. She was pleased, and thought that it was a very romantic gesture! As she discovered them, she put them in a pile on the nightstand beside the bed. She noticed, though, that they kept disappearing because I would take them and hide them again. After that, she began destroying each one as she found it so that I wouldn’t hide it repeatedly. By
the time she found the last one, she didn’t care if she ever saw another valentine card for the rest of her life! Vivian and I had 39 years together, which made for a lot of memories, many adventures, and years of love. When Vivian passed away, I discovered that she had kept what seemed like every love note or poem that I had ever written to her. In the bookshelf under her nightstand there were five scrapbooks filled completely, testimony to the difficulty of composing so many notes while remembering what I had written before so as not to write precisely the same thing more than once. Someone once mentioned that it seems that, even though she’s gone, I still talk about Vivian quite a bit. I replied, “We had some really good times together and the memories are as fresh as if they happened today.” MSN
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MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 51
Touring Magical Canyons with Navajo Guides By Jack McNeel The slot canyons near Page, Arizona and Canyon De Chelly near Winslow, Arizona are both magnificent and personal. While many snowbirds make annual trips to Arizona to visit Grand Canyon, Bryce, and Zion National Parks, the less known slot canyons and Canyon De Chelly provide a more intimate experience than any others. Let’s look at each location. Page – Slot Canyons Slot canyons are just that: narrow corridors eroded into the sandstone hills near Page. When one ventures into one of these canyons, the world suddenly changes. The crevasses are n a r r o w, o f ten only wide enough for one person to pass at a time before opening into slightly larger rooms. The canyon walls are spectacular with red, orange, purple, and black rock swirling together in a kaleidoscope of color. It can be very dark, depending on the location of the sun and gaps in the canyons overhead, but when the sun shines through it is magic. This experience is unlike anything found in the larger canyons and parks. One almost senses a kinship with the canyon. In order to view the wonder of these natural phenomena, a few preparations are necessary. Guides are required to tour the canyons, and today all guides undergo extensive training. For an increased price, professional and amateur photographers can book tours designed to hit optimum canyon locations and times of day. The slot canyons are on Navajo lands and all guide companies are Navajo owned and operated. Traffic depends on the canyon and the season, with Upper Antelope Canyon receiving the most visitors and Cathedral Canyon the fewest. The tour companies may be booked in advance, so plan a visit early!
Page has a number of motels but if you should want to extend the Navajo connection a bit farther, the Quality Inn is beautifully appointed and owned by the Navajo Nation. Chinle – Canyon De Chelly For a different canyon experience, visit Canyon De Chelly, the only National Monument in the U.S. not owned by the Department of the Interior or the National Park Service. This Navajo Nation-owned monument is vast and covers 131 square miles. Like the slot canyons, Navajo guides are required but the majority of this tour takes place inside a 4-wheel-drive vehicle. The tour routes can takes visitors along the streambed at the heart of the canyon. The beautiful vantage points highlight the vertical red cliffs all around, some of which arch over sections of the streambed. The history of Canyon De Chelly is lengthy and amazing. The Anasazi lived here from 2,500 BC to 1,300 AD. The Hopi occupied the canyon from 1,300 to 1,600 AD. The Navajo have lived here since 1,600, and a small
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number of Navajo families still live within the canyon and visitors pass areas being farmed for alfalfa, corn, beans, or squash. Evidence of this rich history can be seen throughout the tour. There are over 2,700 archeological sites and over 700 ruins contained within the monument. Not all are visible during tours, but the popular Antelope House and White House ruins are included in most tours and there are enough
other archaeological sites along the way to keep even the most enthusiastic visitor happy. Leonard Skyhorse Thomas runs one of the companies that take visitors into the canyon. He’s been guiding since 1993 and his knowledge of the history is second to none. I felt privileged to learn from him as he explained the petroglyphs as we passed and stopped for me to take photos.
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“The Hopi chain coming down represents the Snake Clan. The 4-leaf clover on the bottom represents the Coyote Clan. Above there you have a Hopi Snake Dancer. These horses are Navajo. They were introduced to the southwest by the Spanish and the first military expedition was in 1539,” he said. He continued to inform me as we progressed upstream, telling of the U.S. Army, the War of 1864, and Kit Carson. When Navajo crops were destroyed, they were forced to take the Long Walk, only to return four years later. There is also a road that generally circles Canyon De Chelly with a number of viewpoints where visitors can look down into the canyon. It’s beautiful and no guide is required but lacks the intimacy and knowledge gained with a guide along the valley floor. Like Page, one of the Navajo Nation’s four motels, the Thunderbird Lodge, is located near the mouth of the canyon. Additional lodging is available in Chinle, situated just northwest of the monument. MSN
Air travel can be confusing… for some Ticket agents encounter many different types of passengers as they help them negotiate the ins and outs of moving around the world. Below are a few of these humorous encounters from the agent side of the ticket counter. 1. I got a call from a man who wanted to go to Cape Town. I started to explain the length of the flight and the passport information, and then he interrupted me with, “I’m not trying to make you look stupid, but Cape Town is in Massachusetts.” Without trying to make him look stupid, I calmly explained, “Cape Cod is in Massachusetts. Cape Town is in South Africa.” His response was a click of the phone. 2. An older man called, furious about a Florida package we had done for him. I asked what was wrong with the vacation in Orlando. He said he was expecting an ocean-view room. I tried to explain that that was not possible, since Orlando is in the middle of the state. He replied, “Don’t lie to me! I looked on the map, and Florida is a very thin state!” 3. A man once called and asked if he could rent a car in Dallas. I pulled up the reservation and noticed he had only a one-hour layover in Dallas. When I asked him why he wanted to rent a car, he said, “I heard Dallas was a big airport, and we will need a car to drive between gates to save time.” 4. A woman called last week. She needed to know how it was possible that her flight from Detroit left at 8:30 a.m. and got to Chicago at 8:33 a.m. I explained that Michigan was an hour ahead of Illinois, but she couldn’t understand the concept of time zones. Finally, I told her the plane went fast, and she bought that. 5. A man called to inquire about a trip package to Hawaii. After going over all the cost info, he asked, “Would it be cheaper to fly to California and then take the train to Hawaii...?” MSN
MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 53
Step Back Millennia And Immerse Yourself In The Roman Empire Join us at the Museum of Idaho thru May 29, 2017 to experience Rome: Military Genius & Mighty Machines. Journey back in time 2,000 years to discover the life, the culture, and the engineering genius that was created by the Roman Empire. Handcrafted by Italian artisans, this exhibition contains more than 30 interactive models that integrate science and history. Visitors will be encouraged to explore the innovative machines that continue to influence the technologies of today. This hands-on exhibit contains four areas that allow visitors to explore ancient Rome. Military Genius showcases the uniforms and weapons used by Julius Caesar’s armies to conquer the world. All Roads Lead to Rome examines the surveying and construction tools that are still being utilized in the modern day. Building Rome highlights the architectural masterpieces that inspire us to this day. Entertainment and Lifestyle contains clothing, ancient coins, and stories of the gladiators who fought to the death in the Coliseum for the entertainment of the masses. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to admire the weapons, technologies, and artwork of the ancient Romans. Rome: Military Genius & Mighty Machines will inspire the next generation of inventors, engineers, and artists to create technologies of the future! For more information, visit museumofi8 Hotels in the heart of the Canadian Rockies daho.org or call 208522-1400. Follow the BANFF Museum of Idaho on HOTEL ROOMS SUITES CONDOS Facebook for current happenings! MSN
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Five Exercises for a Solid Strength-Building Regime
If you want good health, a long life, and to feel your best well into old age, the No. 1 important thing you can do is strength training, says Dr. Brett Osborn, author of Get Serious, A Neurosurgeon’s Guide to Optimal Health and Fitness, www.drbrettosborn.com. “Our ability to fight off disease resides in our muscles,” Dr. Osborn says. “The greatest thing you can do for your body is to build muscle.” He cites a large, long-term study (www.bmj. com/content/337/bmj.a439) of nearly 9,000 men ages 20 to 80. After nearly 19 years, the men still living were those with the most muscular strength. (BMJ, formerly British Medical Journal, 2008). Muscle is all protein – “nothing but good for you,” Dr. Osborn says. Fat, however, is an endocrine organ, meaning it releases hormones and other chemicals. When a person has excess fat, he or she also a disrupted flow of excess biochemicals, which can increase insulin resistance and boost risk factors for stroke and high blood pressure, among other problems. “Increased cytokines, an immune system chemical, for example, are associated with increased risk for cardiovascular disease,” Dr. Osborn says. “You’re only as old as your arteries!” Strength training has health benefits for everyone, he adds, no matter their size. “Some fat is visceral fat – it’s stored around the organs and it’s even more dangerous than the fat you can see,” he says. “People who look thin may actually be carrying around a lot of visceral fat.” So, what’s the workout Dr. Osborn recommends?
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“Back to basics,” he says. “These five exercises are the pillars of a solid training regime.” • The squat is a full-body exercise; it’s the basic movement around which all training should be centered. Heavy squats generate a robust hormonal response as numerous muscular structures are traumatized during the movement (even your biceps). Standing erect with a heavy load on your back and then repeatedly squatting down will stress your body inordinately – in a good way -- forcing it to grow more muscle. • The overhead press primarily activates the shoulders, arm extenders, and chest. Lower body musculature is also activated as it counters the downward force of the lifted dumbbell. From the planted feet into the hands, force is transmitted through the skeletal system, stabilized by numerous muscular structures, most importantly the lower back. • The deadlift centers on the hamstrings, buttocks, lumbar extensors and quadriceps, essentially the large muscles of your backside and the front of your thighs. As power is transferred from the lower body into the bar through the upper body conduit, upper back muscles are also stressed, contrasting with the squat, which is supported by the hands. Deadlifts are considered by some to be the most complete training exercise. • The bench press mostly targets the chest, shoulders, and triceps; it’s the most popular among weightlifters, and it’s very simple – just push the barbell off the lower chest until the arms are straight. This motion stresses not only the entire upper body, but also the lower body, which serves a stabilizing function. This provides a big hormonal response and plenty of bang for your buck. • The pull-up/chinup stress upper body musculature into the body. A pull-up is done when hands gripping over the bar; a chin-up is where hands are gripping under the bar. Nine out of 10 people cannot do this exercise because most simply haven’t put in the effort. It’s also been called a “man’s exercise, which is nonsense,” he says. There are no gender-specific exercises. Women, too, should aspire to enjoy the health benefits entailed with this pillar.
FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017
“There are no secrets to a strong and healthier body; hard work is required for the body that will remain vital and strong at any age,” Osborn says. “Always practice proper form and safety. Otherwise, the result will be the opposite of your goal, an injury.” Brett Osborn is a New York University-trained, board-certified neurological surgeon with a secondary certification in anti-aging and regen-
MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 55
erative medicine, Diplomate; American Board of Neurological Surgery, Diplomate; American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine. He holds a CSCS honorarium from the National Strength and Conditioning Association. Dr. Osborn specializes in scientifically based nutrition and exercise as a means to achieve optimal health and preventing disease. MSN
Medicinal Herbs from the Bible By Suzy Cohen Many of you are convinced that prescription medicine is the best way to heal. As a pharmacist, I would agree with that at times, but not all the time. Don’t forget that before man pulled the plant from the ground, took it to a lab, and attached a synthetic chemical by force, just to get it patented, we all used Mother Earth. I focused a number of health segments on the power of ancient herbs to improve health. I’ll recap several herbs today, and if the topic interests you, sign up for my newsletter. Everything I mention here is available at a health food store. Now, let’s go back in time. Bitter herbs are our friends. If you just had a salad of leafy greens, chances are you had some plants considered bitter herbs. The most common bitter herbs are romaine lettuce, parsley, green onions, and horseradish. These contain antioxidants and support detoxification, while stimulating saliva and gastric and intestinal enzymes to help with
digestion and high amounts of minerals. Horseradish root contains an enzyme called horseradish peroxidase that is thought to kill cancer cells. Garlic does more than ward off vampires. Mentioned in the Bible after the Israelites escaped from slavery in Egypt, it’s dubbed “the stinking rose.” The odor comes from sulfur based compounds known today to promote heart health and reduce cholesterol and blood pressure. The journal Cancer Prevention Research shows that the sulfur compounds found in garlic deactivate cancer causing compounds. We should be nuts for almonds. Also known as “Prunus dulcis” these nuts contain salicin, which acts like modern aspirin. Eat 10 to 15 almonds per day to get mild pain relief. The al-
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mond is a popular symbol of resurrection because the flowers bloom in January or February. The magnesium in almonds lessens nerve excitability and induces muscle relaxation. Ever hear of black cumin seeds? Known as “Nigella sativa” and mentioned in Isaiah 28:23, these jet-black seeds help reduce blood glucose by improving beta cell function in the pancreas. It could be a great addition to a diabetes protocol. Further, a study suggests black cumin seeds help reduce the frequency of seizures, possibly in those who are resistant to drug therapy. Black cumin seed are not the same as cumin, the more common ground spice. Cinnamon is not just for baking. There are two types of cinnamon derived from closely related plants but they are not exactly the same. Both pro-
vide benefits and cinnamon can help with athlete’s foot, indigestion, cognition and blood glucose. Frankincense is more than just ancient perfume. It goes by another name on supplement labels called “boswellia.” This “Gift of the Magi” has been shown in studies to help with ovarian and bladder cancer. It works a little bit like celecoxib, Celebrex, the prescription blockbuster drug for arthritis. It helps reduce a nerve toxin called Th 17 so if you have cognitive problems, consider boswellia. These are just a few examples of plant derived substances that do more for us than simply making our food taste good. As mentioned before, look for these in any nutrition or health food store. Happy hunting! MSN
March Is Brain Injury Awareness Month Have you or a loved one experienced a motor vehicle crash, fall, or stroke? These are leading causes of brain injury that affect the individual and their family. Brain injury often results in memory loss, fatigue, headaches, depression, and feeling overwhelmed. Brain injury affects who we are, the way we think, act, and feel. Some changes caused by brain injury may be subtle but have a major impact on the way a person lives his or her life. This is where the Brain Injury Alliance of Montana can help. Established in 1987, the Brain Injury Alliance of Montana is a statewide nonprofit organization whose mission is to assist and create a better future for individuals and families affected by brain injury through awareness, support, advocacy, community engagement, and the prevention of brain injury. Our services include an annual brain injury conference, support groups, helmet giveaways, Brain Injury Help Line, and our quarterly newsletter, Strides. This March we are kicking off a year of editorials sponsored by the Injury Prevention program of the Department of Public Health and Human Services. In each edition, we will bring a message about prevention and resources. Every month 25 Montanans sustain a brain injury and die. However, every day 33 Montanans sustain a brain injury and LIVE! Here, we bring you one survivor’s story. “My name is Douglas Combs. On May 5, 2006, I suffered a major stroke that almost took my life. From that day on, I became a survivor of brain injury. I prefer to call myself a ‘thriver.’
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“After about a year of rehab and therapy, including learning to speak and walk again, I became active in a support group called the Puzzle Club here in Missoula. This alliance caused me to want to give back to all of those who helped me. “I decided I too needed to offer to others with brain injury the hope of recovery. Since early 2007, I became a volunteer at St. Patrick Hospital and visited those in the rehabilitation center. I also became a co-leader of the Puzzle Club. I later took over and ran a support group at both St. Patrick and Missoula Community Medical Center. To this day, I visit with all who ask for help. My goal is to offer them proof of recovery and hope. I aspire to continue these functions for the remainder of my life. That’s why I call myself a ‘thriver!’” For more information on the Brain Injury Alliance of Montana, please visit biamt.org or call 1-800-241-6442. Our funding comes from grants, fundraising events, and donations from generous supporters like you. Please keep the Brain Injury Alliance of Montana in mind for donations during March Brain Injury Awareness Month! MSN
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MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 57
New device stops a cold before it starts
USA — New research shows you can stop a Users wrote things like, “It stopped my cold cold in its tracks if you take one simple step with a right away,” and “Is it supposed to work that fast?” new device when you first feel a cold coming on. “What a wonderful thing,” wrote Physician’s Colds start when cold viruses get in your nose. Assistant Julie. “Now I have this little magic wand, Viruses multiply fast. If you don’t stop them early, no more colds for me!” they spread all through your airways and cause Pat McAllister, age 70, received one for Christmisery. mas and called it “one of the best presents ever. But scientists have found a quick way to kill a This little jewel really works.” virus — touch it with copper. Researchers at labs People use CopperZap often for prevention, and universities worldwide all agree — copper is before cold signs appear. Karen Gauci, who flies “antimicrobial.” It kills microbes, such as viruses often for her job, used to get colds after crowded and bacteria, just by touch. flights. Though skeptical, she tried it several times That’s why the ancient Greeks and Egyptians a day on travel days for 2 months. “Sixteen flights used copper to purify water and heal wounds. They and not a sniffle!” she exclaimed. didn’t know about viBusiness owner ruses and bacteria, Rosaleen says when but now we do. people are sick Researchers say around her she uses microbe cells have CopperZap morning an internal electric and night. “It saved charge which copme last holidays,” she per’s high conductsaid. “The kids had ance short-circuits. colds going round This destroys the cell and round, but not in seconds. me.” Tests by the EnviSome users say it ronmental Protection also helps with sinusAgency (EPA) show New research: Copper stops colds if used early. es. Attorney Donna germs die fast on copBlight had a 2-day per. So some hospitals switched to copper touch sinus headache. When her CopperZap arrived, surfaces, like faucets and doorknobs. This cut the she tried it. “I am shocked!” she said. “My head hospital spread of MRSA and other illnesses by cleared, no more headache, no more congestion.” over half, and saved lives. Some users say copper stops nighttime stuffiThe strong scientific evidence gave inventor ness if they use it just before bed. One man said, Doug Cornell an idea. When he felt a cold com- “Best sleep I’ve had in years.” ing on he fashioned a smooth copper probe and The handle is sculpted to fit the hand and imrubbed it gently in his nose for 60 seconds. prove copper contact. Tests show it kills germs on “It worked!” he exclaimed. “The cold went away fingers to help you stay well and not spread illness completely.” It worked again every time he felt a to your family. cold coming on. He reports he has never had a Copper may even help stop a flu if used early cold since. and for several days. In a lab test, scientists placed He asked relatives and friends to try it. They 25 million live flu viruses on a CopperZap. No visaid it worked for them, too, every time. So he ruses were found still alive soon after. patented CopperZap™ and put it on the market. The EPA says the natural color change of copSoon hundreds of people had tried it and given per does not reduce its ability to kill germs. feedback. Nearly 100 percent said the copper CopperZap is made in the U.S. of pure Ameristopped their colds if used within 3 hours after the can copper. Purchase for $47 with a full money first sign. Even up to 2 days, if they still get the cold back 90-day guarantee. it is milder than usual and they feel better. CopperZap.com or 1-888-411-6114 toll-free
Well, Well, Well… Acupuncture By Judith Duryea What do you consider your preventative health care? Do you eat whole, natural foods, exercise, drink adequate water, get at least seven hours of sleep, practice a relaxation technique, get a scheduled massage, laugh regularly, and hug your friends and family? Each one of us hopefully has a way to stay healthy to avoid medical intervention, but maybe we don’t even label it prevention. We might just think of it as our lifestyle. The other day, when I realized I had forgotten my regular acupuncture appointment, I acknowledged that this technique was one way I keep myself balanced and healthy. Sure, I exercise daily, eat natural foods, and work at living healthy behaviors to avoid doctor visits. Yes, I get yearly blood work done, I get my eyes and teeth checked regularly, but for overall health, I count on my natural health care providers to keep me well. This includes the chiropractor, naturopath, and acupuncturist. Those of you who haven’t used acupuncture may think it’s only for pain relief or to stop smoking, but this is only part of its wide healing scope. I know acupuncture can be the difference between physical agony and the ability to see and breathe. Years ago, I had such a bad sinus infection from having the floors in my house refinished I thought I’d die. I went into my acupuncturist’s office unable to breathe or talk. I had a headache, backache, sore neck, and was literally in tears. After treatment, I walked out able to breathe, with my voice returning, no pain anywhere, and thankful for the relief.
Practiced in China for thousands of years, acupuncture is a medical discipline designed to prevent, diagnose, and treat illness, as well as to improve overall health. Acupuncture uses what modern science has only recently confirmed, that the human body is a complex bioelectric system. According to traditional Chinese medical theory, bioelectric energy, known as Qi (chee), circulates throughout the body along well-defined pathways known as meridians, and acupuncture balances the energy of the body as it flows along these pathways. Specific points on the skin are energetically connected to specific organs, body structures, and systems, and if this energy flow is disrupted, optimum function is affected, which can result in pain or illness. When a person receives an acupuncture treatment, these points are stimulated with needles to balance the circulation of energy, which then influences the health of the whole body. While many patients turn to acupuncture for healing an injury or acute pain, treatment is more than just pain relief. Acupuncture affects the immune system, nerve supply, blood circulation, respiration, and lymph and endocrine systems. This allows the body to do what it does best, heal itself. When physiological balance is restored and Qi moves through the body unimpeded, health flourishes. A typical acupuncture treatment involves a diagnosis determining which points to stimulate with needles. Many potential patients balk at the idea of being poked with needles, but it truly sounds worse than it is. A skilled acupuncturist places the needles into the skin with little or no sensation; the needles
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themselves are very fine, about the size of a hair and much smaller than a hypodermic needle. Once in the skin, bodily sensations can be stimulating or relaxing, and are seldom painful. Often during a treatment, patients will rest or sleep as the needles “work” to unblock energy meridians. Conditions that respond to acupuncture include
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asthma, allergies, sinusitis, intestinal disorders, ulcers, hiatal hernia, PMS, migraines, anxiety, stress, and depression. Because acupuncture has no harmful side effects, it can be used along with other medical treatments and prescription drugs. It is often noted that after receiving acupuncture for a while, many medications can be reduced or eliminated (after approval from your doctor). Acupuncturists offer comprehensive health care. They work with their patients to correct the underlying cause of illness by strengthening the body’s natural ability to heal and be well. By treating the body, mind, and spirit, acupuncture creates a natural flow and balance of energy in all three. Whether acupuncture is your first choice medically or your last resort, it should not be overlooked as an avenue to wellness. Judith Duryea owns Dancing Rainbow Natural Grocery in Butte. Call 406-723-8811 for more information. MSN
Yes! Montanans Want Access To Natural Medicines
Do you or someone you know rely on pharmaceutical drugs to function throughout the day? According to the Mayo Clinic, nearly 7 out of 10 Americans are relying on prescription medication. So how and why did Montanans Ensuring Access to Natural Medicines (MEANM) come together? The answer is simple, and it has a lot to do with the opening question. More and More Montanans are looking for cleaner and safer ways to treat illness and manage discomfort. Our great state’s legislature has done a poor job of managing these avenues and recently cut off nearly 80% of all patients seeking Medical Cannabis. As of December 7, 2016 the largest age bracket in Montana for Medical Cannabis use was the 61-70 age range. These folks accounted for a whopping 26% of all registered Cannabis users in Montana. So, if you are seeking to reduce the number of pharmaceutical drugs you are taking, you are not alone. MEANM was formed out of the desperate need for Montanans to have representation in the legal system. As you are reading, this MEANM has a lobbyist at the Montana capitol working to ensure legal access to medicine. This is absolutely necessary, the track record of the Montana State Legislature has shown that they clearly do not respect what Montana citizens have demanded twice now; legal access to medicine. MEANM will continue to work for patients across Montana in two ways: • By connecting people to respectable Medical Cannabis providers, and • By working to pass legislation on behalf of patients. It is of the upmost importance that Montanans have the option to choose legal Medical Cannabis when pharmaceuticals are not the best choice to address their medical situation. Please, if you have the means, MEANM needs the support of all Montanans! Visit us on facebook.com/meanm406 or at www.meanm.org to read about our team, explore what we are doing for older patients, and to provide financial support in this effort to ensure Montanans’ access to all beneficial medications. MSN
Your Heart, an Embodied Perspective By Wendy Masterson Your heart is your own and unlike any other. It has been a part of your life since the very beginning of your embryonic development. Potent and powerful, the heart is symbiotic with cell and self throughout life. Our hearts are expressive organs giving voice to our physical vitality, thoughts, and feelings. At one point in our early development, the cells that will form the heart, brain, and mouth are virtually touching and communicating with each other. Remembering this connection after birth can give clarity in the integration of heart, mind, and spirit. Your heart is a beautiful helical knot. The unfolding embryonic cells form a tube that spirals into a conical shape, which then nestles into what will become the chest cavity. Your heart resides within the embrace of the lungs and rests on the strong muscular diaphragm. As the lungs fill with oxygen, the diaphragm and heart move down creating more space for expansion.
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As the lungs release and become smaller, the heart and diaphragm return upward. This is a dance, cyclical with the heart and breathing rhythms. If you touch the place of your heart on your sternum, you can feel its pulse and its life beat as the cells move and exchange electrical charges into their cellular fields. This rhythm supports the motion of blood in and out of the chambers, receiving deoxygenated blood from the extremities and sending it to the lungs for rejuvenation before sending it back through the body. This pulsation began during your fifth week of existence as a cellular being and will continue throughout your lifetime. It is your pulse, your distinct rhythm. It is part of the motion that makes you, you. Wendy Masterson is a Certified Body-Mind Practitioner, RSME, IDME, who operates The Motion Space in Great Falls. She can be reached at themotionspace.com, wendy.themotionspace@gmail.com or 406-770-9244.
Heaven is under our feet as well as over our heads. – Henry David Thoreau
MSN
How Can An Artificial Pancreas Device System Help Control Your Diabetes?
Provided by the U.S Food and Drug Administration The pancreas is an organ in that plays a key role in how your body processes carbohydrates. It secretes several hormones, including insulin and glucagon, as well as digestive enzymes that help break down food. Insulin helps cells in the body take up glucose, sugar, from the blood to use for energy, which lowers blood glucose levels. Glucagon causes the liver to release stored glucose, which raises blood glucose levels. Type 1 diabetes occurs when the pancreas produces little or none of the insulin needed to regulate blood glucose. Type 2 diabetes occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or the body becomes resistant to the insulin that is present. Patients with Type 1 diabetes and some patients with Type 2 diabetes inject insulin, and occasionally glucagon, to regulate their blood glucose, which is critical to lower their risk of long term complications such as blindness, kidney failure, and cardiovascular disease. When managing diabetes, many patients must vigilantly test blood glucose with a glucose meter, calculate insulin doses, and administer necessary insulin doses with a needle or insulin infusion pump to lower blood glucose. Glucagon may be injected in an emergency to treat severe low blood glucose. Some patients benefit from additional monitoring with a continuous glucose monitoring system. The artificial pancreas device system is a system of devices that closely mimics the glucose regulating function of a healthy pancreas. Most artificial pancreas device systems consist of three types of devices already familiar to many people with diabetes; a continuous glucose monitoring system, CGM, an insulin infusion pump, and a blood glucose device like a glucose meter that calibrates the CGM. A computer controlled algorithm connects the CGM and insulin infusion pump to allow continuous communication between the two devices. Sometimes an artificial pancreas device system is referred to as a closed-loop system, an automated insulin delivery system, or an autonomous system for glycemic control. An artificial pancreas device system will not only monitor glucose levels in the body but also automatically adjust the delivery of insulin to reduce high blood glucose levels, hyperglycemia, and minimize the incidence of low blood glucose, hypoglycemia, with little or no input from the patient. MSN
MONTANA’S OWN With nearly 600 of Montana’s very own employees, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana is one of the most loyal employers in town. Since 1940, we’ve been here when our boys came home from the war, when you first got married, when you had your first baby and when you went through a family health crisis. We’ve always been here for you. And we pledge we’re not going anywhere. We’re Montana’s own Real Montanans helping you when you need it most. Through it all.
A division of Health Care Service Corporation, a Mutual Legal Reserve Company, an Independent Licensee of Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.
Learn More or Enroll Today bcbsmt.com I 1.800.447.7828
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Women and Heart Disease, the Real Story Could Save Your Life Silence is one of the most deadly aspects of women’s heart disease, and cardiologist Dr. Jacqueline Eubany, Dr. Jackie, makes that point in her concise, accessible book, Women and Heart Disease, the Real Story. Angie is a 46 year old divorced mother of two school-aged children. One morning she was just not feeling her usual self. Undaunted, the busy mother went about her usual morning routine. Angie’s coworkers noticed that she looked unusually pale and advised her to go to the doctor’s office. Hardworking Angie declined. As the sole financial provider for her family, the young woman felt she could not afford to take time off. There were too many outstanding bills and her children needed her. Angie hoped she would soon start to feel better. Tragically, she did not. Days later she made it to the emergency room, but her heart was permanently damaged. Through anecdotes and friendly, jargon free advice, Dr. Jackie tells readers how to avoid situations like Angie’s and reduce their risk by up to 80 percent, how to recognize a heart attack earlier, and how to make the healthiest choices for your heart and your loved ones. Heart disease remains the number one killer of women in the United States, killing more women than breast and lung cancer combined. Dr. Jacqueline Eubany was inducted as a fellow in the prestigious American College of Cardiology, and in the Heart Rhythm Society. An active member in other distinguished societies, Dr. Eubany also serves on several advisory boards related to heart disease. She is a popular guest speaker for heart health events because of her accessible, articulate style. MSN
How to Buy Incontinence Underwear By Dianna Malkowski It can be overwhelming and even frightening when someone is first diagnosed with incontinence. Many people assume that the only individuals with incontinence are sick, elderly, and bedridden. Whatever their age, many people try to manage their incontinence while leading normal lives. The bottom line is that with the help of this underwear an individual can continue working, socializing, and participating in their daily activities. The key to managing effectively incontinence is to understand what should be considered when you are buying an incontinence undergarment. Having the right undergarment will allow anyone with incontinence to continue their normal activities while wearing normal clothes with discretion and comfort. Today, manufacturers of adult incontinence products have a wide range of products that anyone can choose. Here is what you need to know about how to buy incontinence undergarments:
Advancing Care for All
It’s a big deal for our patients.
Heart Failure
At Billings Clinic, we offer the only cardiologist in Montana and Wyoming, board certified in advanced heart failure.
Kristin Scott-Tillery, MD, FACC Medical Director of the Heart Failure and Recovery Clinic
Symptoms of Heart Failure: • Shortness of breath • Swelling of feet & legs • Chronic lack of energy • Difficulty sleeping at night due to breathing problems • Swollen or tender abdomen with loss of appetite • Cough with frothy sputum • Increased urination at night
Stroke ... heart attack ... car wreck ... ... whatever the sudden turn for the worse for you or a loved one, the highly trained physicians and nurses in Northcentral Montana’s Regional Trauma Center at Benefis Health System are there for you, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. But now they are asking for your help. The existing Benefis Emergency Department took care of 24,000 patients a year when it opened nearly two decades ago. That number is now more than 34,000. A proposed remodeling and expansion project would more than double the space dedicated to the ED, but it needs community support to make it happen.
Please consider making a gift today to this important project. You will be helping ensure the future of world-class, life-saving emergency care for our region for years to come.
• Confusion and/or impaired memory
You may give securely online at benefisfoundation.org or mail your gift to:
• Sudden weight gain
Benefis Foundation PO Box 7008 Great Falls, MT 59406-7008
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, make an appointment: (406) 238-2000 or 1-800-332-7156
billingsclinic.com/heart
For more information, please call: 406.455.5840
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• Receive a diagnosis – It is crucial to understand that anyone who is experiencing incontinence symptoms should immediately seek an evaluation from their health care professional. Incontinence is always a medical problem and often occurs due to an underlying medical condition. Symptoms of incontinence should never be ignored. Do not let the fear and embarrassment you may feel keep you from seeing your doctor. Keep in mind that there are many different treatments and the more you know about your incontinence the better the decision you can make when buying incontinence underwear. Once you know what type of incontinence that you have and how severe it is you can choose what type of incontinence underwear will work best for you. • Consider your lifestyle – Some people want incontinence underwear that looks and feels like normal underwear. They want to be able to wear it to the gym and other places without feeling self-conscious. The good news is that this is completely possible. You can choose from a wide range of incontinence undergarment styles that allow you do this and continue with your normal activities. For others with medical conditions or mobility issues that will affect how they manage their incontinence, there are styles of incontinence underwear that accommodate these needs as well. If you need incontinence underwear that has tear-away sides or provides a heavier level or protection, it is available. • Understand your needs – Incontinence varies dramatically from person to person. Each individual will need to determine the best incontinence underwear for them. Some people want to boost the effectiveness of their incontinence underwear by wearing an incontinence pad inside – facilitated
Diabetic Retinopathy Provided by Centers for Disease Control Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a common complication of diabetes. High blood sugar damages the blood vessels in the retina (a light-sensitive part of the eye), where scarring can cause permanent vision loss. DR is also one of the most preventable causes of vision loss and blindness. Early detection and treatment can prevent or delay blindness due to DR in 90% of people with diabetes, but 50% or more of them don’t get their eyes examined or are diagnosed too late for effective treatment. People with diabetes are also at higher risk for other eye diseases, including glaucoma and cataracts. If you have diabetes, an eye exam every year is necessary to protect and preserve your eyesight and eye health. Diabetes is the leading cause of new cases of blindness in adults. This is a growing problem as the number of people living Cont’d on pg 64
Dr. Randy Beach Dr. Mirna Bowden Dr. Kathleen Lewison Dr. Carrie Merrill Board Certified OB/GYN Urinary Incontinence Infertility Obstetrics Robotic Surgeries
406.862.6436 2002 Hospital Way, Whitefish MT
alpinewomenscenter.com
MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 61
by a pouch that holds an incontinence pad that can be changed when it becomes wet or soiled without removing their incontinence underwear. In addition, many styles of reusable incontinence underwear can be washed and reused. Finally, there are incontinence products for men and women that meet the unique need of each gender. Dianna Malkowski is a Board Certified Physician Assistant and Mayo Clinic trained nutritionist specializing in diabetes, cancer, wound healing, therapeutic diets, and nutrition support. Visit the Care Giver Partnership for more info on incontinence underwear. Provided by EzineArticles.com/expert/Dianna_Malkowski/559429. MSN
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Diabetic Retinopathy - continued from page 61 with diabetes increases, so does the number of people with impaired vision. In the early stages of DR, you may not notice any symptoms or changes to your eyesight, and you cannot tell that this condition is damaging your eyes. If it is not detected and treated in a timely manner, your vision can be damaged permanently. A study conducted at CDC found that the prevalence of DR was high, affecting almost one-third of adults over age 40 with diabetes, and more than one-third of African-Americans and Mexican-Americans.
REVERSE MORTGAGE
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• 4.2 million adults had DR and 655,000 had vision-threatening DR. The more severe, vision-threatening form of the disease was more than twice as common in Mexican Americans, and almost three times as common in African-Americans, than in the white population. • Male gender, higher A1c level, longer duration of diabetes, insulin use, and higher systolic blood pressure were independently associated with the presence of DR. Diabetes-related blindness costs the nation more than $ 500 million annually. Prevention is important. Vision problems and blindness caused by DR may be prevented through: 1. Good control of blood sugar and blood pressure levels, and 2. Early detection and treatment of eye diseases. The number of Americans aged 40 years and older with diabetic retinopathy (DR) and Vision Threatening Diabetic Retinopathy (VTDR) will triple in 2050, from 5.5 million in 2005 to 16.0 million for DR and from 1.2 million in 2005 to 3.4 million for VTDR. Increases among those aged 65 years and older will be more pronounced (2.5 million to 9.9 million for DR and 0.5 million to 1.9 million for VTDR). Bottom line? If you might have diabetes and you haven’t had your vision checked recently, make an appointment today to visit your eye doctor. For more information on diabetes prevention and control, visit cdc.gov/ diabetes. MSN
Live Life. NOW. To be eligible, you must be at least 68 years old.
Quotes From George Burns Submitted by Julie Brantley 1. First you forget names, and then you forget faces. Next you forget to pull your zipper up and finally, you forget to pull
it down. 2. I love to sing, and I love to drink scotch. Most people would rather hear Income limits also apply: me drink scotch. 1 person - $23,540 The loan doesn’t have to be paid back until 3. Bridge is a game that separates the men from the boys. It also sepayou sell your home, until you die, or until you 2 person - $31,860 permanently move out of your home. rates husbands and wives. 3 person - $40,180 • You live in your home. 4. Smartness runs in my family. When I went to school, I was so smart • You retain ownership. my teacher was in my class for five years. • You receive payments for up to 10 years. 5. I can’t understand why I flunked American history. When I was a kid High heating bills? there was so little of it. Rising medical costs? 6. When I was young, I was called a rugged individualist. When I was in For more information, call: Let a RAM help you live life, NOW! my fifties, I was considered eccentric. Here I am doing and saying the same Go to housing.mt.gov for more details. 1-800-761-6264 things I did then and I’m labeled senile. 7. If you live to the age of 100 you have it made because very few people die past the age of a hundred. 8. By the time you’re eighty years old you’ve for quality products and services from these online advertisers. learned everything. You only have to remember it. Accountants/CPAs Anderson-Zurmuehlen azworld.com 9. Too bad that all the people who know how Books Harmon’s Agate & Silver harmons.net to run the country are busy driving taxicabs and Caregiving Highgate Senior Living highgateseniorliving.com cutting hair. MSN The Springs Living thespringsliving.com Entertainment Museum of Idaho museumofidaho.org Tri-State Museum bellefourche.org continued from page 40 Funeral Smith Funeral Chapels smithfuneralchapels.com Health Barrett Hospital & Healthcare barretthospital.org “This is Dick Wolfsie. Who is this? Partnership Health Center missoulacounty.us/community/ “Oh, hi, Dick! I’m Joe. How are you? partnership-health-center “Why did you steal my car?” The Eye Clinic theeyeclinicsurgicenter.com “Sorry, I didn’t know it was your car.” Home 4G Plumbing & Heating 4gplumbing.com “This sounds like a Seinfeld episode. Now, Intermountain Heating & A/C intermountainheating.com I’m going to tap this little app and disable the Lodging Chateau Rouge chateaurouge.com vehicle. Then I have another app that tells me Rimview Inn rimviewinn.com exactly where the car is.” Monuments Goose Ridge Monuments gooseridgemonuments.com “Okay, but this is a pretty bad neighborhood. Property Mgmt Bitterroot Property Management rentbpm.com You won’t have any wheels on this vehicle when Real Estate Alpine Realty alpinerealtymt.com you do find it. By the way, this is a great car, but Century 21 Big Sky Real Estate shirleytyler.com why didn’t you opt for the on-screen GPS? It’s Clark Fork Realty clarkforkrealty.com hard to avoid the police without it. Anyway, I’m Exit Realty – Helena exitrealtyhelena.com outta here. Thanks for the ride… and all that Havre Hi-Line Realty - Kim Kripps havrehilinerealty.net loose change.” Kaufman Real Estate 406-370-4277 Hyundai also provides assistance if you have Kootenai Creek Village kootenaicreekvillage.com a crash and your air bag inflates. The brochure Lambros/ERA – Ruth King lambrosera.com says that within minutes “help will be on the Landmark Realty – Jade Fuhrman montanaproperty.com/ way.” I don’t know what kind of help an automoauthor/jfuhrman bile manufacturer can provide in a situation like PEDE & Associates Real Estate pedeandassociates.com this, but I’m hoping they send a paramedic or Realty Executives – Jeff Getman reexecs.com a neurosurgeon, not some guy from body and Restaurant Peking Gardens West pekinggardenswest.com fender repair. Perkins perkinsrestaurants.com I’m so dense I never know whether someRetirement Living Timber Creek Village timbercreekvillagecommunity.com thing is broken or if I’m just stupid. Last night I Social Services Alzheimer’s Association alz.org/care stayed up until 4 a.m. reading about the camera Billings Food Bank billingsfoodbank.com that is mounted on the back of the new Hyundai. Travel A & B Tours abtoursonline.com I memorized every word so that in the morning CapeAir capeair.com I’d remember how to adjust the lens angle, and Escape Tours escapetoursmt.com Missoula Senior Center missoulaseniorcenter.org fiddle with the contrast and brightness. Satrom Travel & Tour satromtravel.com MSN I did forget one thing: I hadn’t ordered that accessory. MSN
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In Montana, some doctors and family members are engaging in assisted suicide. Tell your legislators and governor that you don’t want assisted suicide in Montana.