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Maintaining The Cinema Legacy In Anaconda By Connie Daugherty At the center of the Anaconda community sits the Washoe Theater as it has for 81 years. And Jerry Lussy, soft-spoken, and always smiling, is the heart of this historic theater. “It’s in my blood,” he says. He means it literally as well as figuratively. His great-grandmother was a major investor of the Washoe Amusement Company that started building the theater in 1929, rising from the ashes of the former Margaret Theater. “My father got her shares,” Jerry adds, and he ran the theater for several years. Jerry and his three siblings grew up there, and today, Jerry’s three-year-old grandson refers to the theater as, “Papa’s house.” It continues to be a family affair. Anaconda’s Washoe Theater was the last theater built in the U.S. in the art deco style and is still among the most beautiful theaters in Montana. The doors opened for the first shows in 1936. Stepping into the lobby today takes you back to the glory days when a trip to the theater for a movie (talkies were new then) or a live performance was a special event where women wore their best jewelry and men their top hats. In the 1950s, a Saturday afternoon matinee cost ten cents. Jerry Lussy dedicates his time to preserving that nostalgic allure while at the same time providing the small town of Anaconda contemporary entertainment experiences – changing from 35mm film to digital in 2013 including 3D movies. Even though they don’t need to change film reels any more, they kept the traditional intermission. “We’re probably one of the few in the country that do it,” Jerry says. That pause during the movie isn’t something that younger audiences are used to, but it is a part of the charm of the Washoe. The intermission provides a few minutes to stretch, go to the bathroom, get popcorn, or chat with others around you, similar to a live performance and a pleasant holdover from a time when life moved at a slower pace. While Jerry is the owner and the heart of the Washoe Theater, there are also stockholders, a board of directors, and some part-time employees including two long-time managers and custodial staff. “I call myself the one who is responsible for the books, rather than the owner,” Jerry declares with a laugh. Jerry also hires local high school students to work during show times. He recalls his own high school days working at the theater – “the place to meet” and take a date in the 70s and 80s. He remembers sneaking in after hours with his friends. He also remembers being caught and his (Continued on page 48)

Gather the Hidden Eggs! Win $25! Just for fun, we have hidden eighteen Easter eggs throughout this issue of the Montana Senior News. Search for them and mail us a list of the page numbers on which you find them to Easter Egg Hunt, PO Box 3363, Great Falls, MT 59403. This is a fun activity to

do with those grandkids or great grandkids, and who knows, with that $25 cash prize to the

person who finds all of the eggs; you can take the little rascal(s) out for an ice cream cone. If there are multiple correct entries, the winner will be determined by a drawing. None of the hidden eggs is located within an advertisement. Have fun! MSN

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MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 3

A Thank You To The MSN

I’m writing this letter to you to let you know how much I do enjoy reading the Montana Senior News. It is first class! I’m 88 years young and I’m still independent and doing well. My sweet wife Rita and I are still living out on our farm near Glendive. We have been living in the house now for 57 years. Time sure moves on, and reading the Montana Senior News keeps us informed! Richard Reynolds, Glendive

Mental Health And Alcohol Focus Of Presentation

The Great Falls Chapter of Mental Health America is sponsoring a presentation by former Great Falls resident and Pulitzer Prize winning journalist, Eric Newhouse His presentation will focus on issues affecting the lives of Montanans as they are affected by alcohol use and psychological and physical trauma. Montanans and the nation have benefited from his earlier writings, and now, Newhouse’s latest effort, Faces of Recovery, looks at how veterans and everyday people are achieving resiliency and thriving in challenging life situations. The event is scheduled at Great Falls Meadowlark Country Club on Thursday, May 18. Social hour is at 5:30 p.m. followed by the presentation at 6:30 p.m. It hopes to inspire Montanans toward de-stigmatization of the commonest of all health problems and to fearlessly help themselves and others. For further info, contact Rhonda Remsen at remsen2@ bresnan.net. Greg Tilton, Great Falls

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

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Celebrate! Celebrate 2017! Our “assisted suicide corporate opponent” abandoned their legislative effort to legalize assisted suicide in Montana after record lobby spending. Thank you legislators for holding the line since 2011. Thank you Montanans for your prayers. Defense is stronger now than ever before. Saving lives every day. What we have learned so far in this Montana 2017 session, is the current Montana administration believes in "choice and rational suicide". Even though the non-transparent Oregon “model” assisted suicide laws do not honor individual choices and in fact ignore them by empowering others including (predatory) corporations. These “model” laws are disqualified from flying under the choice banner. See: second-thoughts.org. The “assisted suicide corporation” claims there are no problems in Montana, 9 years after the court ruled that if a doctor is charged, they have a possible defense based on consent. It is known that the Montana administration's Board of Medical Examiners have dismissed complaints of euthanasia, so to say there are no problems would be incorrect. The Montana administration's DPHHS also rejected the language in HJ14 which included a specific recommendation to "address[...] the mistaken assumption that suicide is a rational response to disability." See: leg.mt.gov/bills/2017/billpdf/HJ0014.pdf Please ask the Montana administration to request statistics on the suicide of people with disabilities and include them in our Montana Suicide Prevention Plan 2018 rather than ignoring those with disabilities.

SAY NO TO COVERT, FORCED EUTHANASIA IN MONTANA!

Dear Governor, please include Montanans with disabilities in our Strategic Suicide Prevention Plan 2018. Office of Governor Bullock PO Box 200801 Helena MT 59620-0801 Ph: 406-444-3111 • Toll Free: 855-318-1330 FAX: 406-444-5529

Donations Appreciated! Bradley D. Williams - President bradley@MTAAS.org www.MTAAS.org

Catholics for Life

Lutherans for Life

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Overturn Roe v. Wade

This concerns a letter to the editor in the most recent issue of Montana Senior News. The writer commented on dishonesty being put forth in the debate going on in the women’s health arena related to the subject of abortion. In order to look at this issue objectively and truthfully it is necessary to cut through the slogans and political rhetoric such as choice, reproductive freedom, and women’s rights. The overriding unconscionable fact here is that currently it is lawful to kill an unborn child in America. This has been the case since the Roe v. Wade decision in 1973. In the early years after this landmark decision, the argument was put forth that this doesn’t actually affect a human life. It is just a blob of tissue – like a wisdom tooth or an appendix. However, ultrasound imaging now makes it possible to record each stage of an individual’s growth in the womb – to listen to her heartbeat, to

see him recoil at pain and surprise. We now know that each unborn baby has his or her own unique DNA. It is my hope that the Roe v. Wade decision will soon be reversed. However, there will continue to be unwanted pregnancies. For a woman in a major crisis, abortion can seem like the fastest and easiest solution, especially if she feels there is no way that she can parent the child herself. Adoption may not seem like a very attractive option to a young woman scared and alone because it is not immediate, but it is the way of love. The baby lives, and a couple who wants very much to raise a child will have the wonderful experience of doing just that. As part of this process, people of good faith must come alongside these vulnerable women and help them with the practicalities of what they choose to do. I have hope that all of us can work together toward this end and leave behind this most barbaric legal practice in our nation! Dr. Tom Rasmussen, Helena MSN

You Didn’t Know This? Submitted by Julie Brantley Men can generally read smaller print than women can; women can hear better. Coca-cola was originally green. It is impossible to lick your elbow. The state with the highest percentage of people who walk to work is Alaska. The percentage of Africa that is wilderness is 28%, while 38% of North America is wilderness. The average cost of raising a medium-size dog to the age of eleven is $16,400. The average number of people airborne over the U.S. in any given hour is 61,000. Intelligent people have more zinc and copper in their hair. The first novel ever written on a typewriter was Tom Sawyer. San Francisco’s cable cars are our only mobile national monuments. Each king in a deck of playing cards represents a great king from history: • Spades – King David • Hearts – Charlemagne • Clubs – Alexander, the Great • Diamonds – Julius Caesar. 111,111,111 x 111,111,111 = 12,345,678,987, 654,321 If a statue in the park of a person on a horse has both front legs in the air, the person died in battle. If the horse has one front leg in the air, the person died because of wounds received in battle. If the horse has all four legs on the ground, the person died of natural causes. Only two people signed the declaration of independence on July 4, John Hancock and Charles Thomson. Most of the rest signed on August 2, but the last signature wasn’t added until five years later. Half of all Americans live within 50 miles of their birthplace. The most popular pleasure boat name is Obsession. MSN

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Two Decisions By Glenda Hanna Panic gripped me. I huddled in my bedroom corner sobbing and feeling so lost. The reason? I was trapped in an abusive marriage and just discovered I was pregnant. No mistake, I loved my husband then. Yet domestic violence is a desert of bad days with only mirages of good. I already had two children and we were barely surviving in this wasteland of violence. How could I bring another child into this world of cruelty and chaos? My only abundance was scarcity: no money, little knowledge about surviving abuse, and few resources to protect my children. So, I made an appointment at an abortion clinic and I manufactured an excuse to leave without my husband’s surveillance. I’ve always been steady and, even though my world was collapsing around me, I showed up for my appointment, and in the waiting room my exterior revealed none of the pain and fear that constantly accompanied me. As I sat there thinking, however, my world shifted. The walls closed in, my heart pounded, and my inner voice spoke. I didn’t want an abortion. I wanted to continue this pregnancy despite all my misgivings. It wasn’t religion or a sense of superiority to the other patients. It was that I couldn’t believe I, white, middle class, and raised on a Montana farm, could be in such a situation. I felt like I should handle it. I walked out and took a deep breath. I would have this baby. This would make a difference, make it all better, and make us happy. I had made a choice. Fast-forward a year. After an abusive episode that left me with a concussion and strangulation injuries, I fled with my children to my parents’ farm

in north central Montana. I needed to escape but I couldn’t bring myself to explain why. Predictably, my father told me to go home and make my marriage work. Regrettably, I followed his advice and I was soon huddled and crying in my bedroom. I was pregnant again. After more storms of abuse, the same panic set in. This time the decision was life or death. An abusive partner weaves an insidious web of control, terror, and danger. With four children, I knew I would be trapped forever. I wouldn’t get out, at least not alive. I knew for the sake of my children and myself I couldn’t carry this pregnancy. My inner voice knew this as well. Scared and hopeless, I experienced the same scarcity as before. I made another appointment, and I had an abortion. This time I made a different choice and I still knew I did the right thing. I was raised in a religious home and always believed in God. But I had rejected the church and its rules. Though I didn’t ask for the church’s permission in this decision, I abided by my inner voice. I’m 60 now and looking back, I know that God was with me. God helped me leave my marriage and rebuild my life. God helped my children and me become domestic violence survivors. I’ve talked with very few people about this saga. But I’ve talked to God and we’ve always been at peace. I didn’t listen to judgments or try to justify. This was what I had to do to survive and I have never felt regret. My story exemplifies why choice is so important. Nothing is always black and white. No one, let alone politicians, walked in my shoes. No one knew that pregnancy didn’t spare me from abuse and control, that during my second pregnancy I

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had been beaten to the point that I was hobbled, bruised, and blood ran down my Christmas maternity dress. No one could dictate that I carry one pregnancy and terminate another. I love all of my children, but no one knew how to help us escape. Only I knew what my right choice was at that time and in those circumstances. Women are wise and resilient. But most importantly, we are human and deserving of the right

to control our bodies and lives. I thank God that our laws recognized that fact even when my marriage didn’t. I believe that every woman should be afforded that freedom. My decisions allowed me to find peace and autonomy. They allowed me to rebuild my life, provide a safe home for my children, and connect with my God. I pray that our society continues to protect the right of every woman to do the same. MSN

Oh, the exuberance of youth – immortality, foolishness, over-confidence, situational unawareness – and we thank the luck that gets us through to live until our seventh or eighth decade and beyond. As many of our readers can understand, the feeling of coming home in one piece from the dangers of warfare was exhilarating and may have induced a sense of immortality in the returning soldier or sailor that was not entirely warranted. This issue’s Remember When winner is Al Kreymer, a Libby native living in Newport, Wash. who relates a post war experience where the situation got out of hand, but with a little bit of luck turned out okay. We hope you enjoy his article Flying the Kootenai in 1949. Thank you, Al for your contribution. Remember When contains our readers’ per-

sonal reflections, contributions describing fictional or non-fictional accounts from the “Good ol’ Days” or reflections on life in general. Contributions may be stories, letters, artwork, poetry, etc. Photos may be included. Each issue of the 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 June/July 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.

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Flying The Kootenai in 1949 By Al Kreymer, Newport, Washington When WWII ended in 1945, several million GIs were mustered out of the service and sent home to wonder, “What now?” The war material factories closed while retooling for other manufacturing, putting a multitude out of work. Just think of it, all these people out on the street at one time and our government scratching its head and asking, “What’s in store for us now?” Well leave it to one of the better presidents we have had, old Harry Truman, to come up with the GI Bill that paid for college to any GI that was interested and low interest loans to buying homes, which in itself put many to work building. And, many other programs were available to retrain those whom had packed a rifle for the last four or five years. By the way, these were not the out of reason, high interest loans just backed by the government,

that stand a big chance of never being paid back, but were a thank you for having served. This rescued not only an entire generation that served in the military, but kept the country from total financial collapse. Everyone needed a new car because Detroit had built nothing but war machines for the last five years, and the same was true with appliances and most other necessities. But what has this to do with flying the Kootenai? Well, it helps set the stage for the story of my friend, Ray – who wanted nothing to do with going to college. Over his service years, Ray had more than enough regimentation. But learning to fly an airplane caught his attention, so he signed up at the flying school at the airport just out of Libby, where I grew up. They were approved under the GI bill that paid for flying lessons to any former service personal from the war. The school was run by a WWII pilot who had

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flown over war zones in spotter planes much like the bright yellow Piper Cub he used for trainers. Ray was a fast learner and a few days after receiving his pilot license he hailed me on the street with a hearty, “I am going out to the field to log some hours flying in the new Piper Cub. Do you want to go along? Well now I was all for that idea. This was just a year before my dad took up flying, and I don’t think I had ever been in a plane, so it was an exciting invitation. Thus, off we went to the airport to prepare for a trip into the high, mighty, and unexplored – for me anyway. I strapped myself in like an old pro and listened as Ray instructed me on my part of the start up procedure of this Piper. I was to hold my feet on the brakes with the ignition switch off while he hand pulled the prop a few times. Then, at his command, I turned on the switch, then he pulled it one more time, and engine coughed and then purred into action. With Ray in the front seat, we rumbled down the grass landing field, turned around at the far end to run through the checklist of gauges, and we were off with engine at full power into the wild blue yonder. That stirred this nineteen-year-old to

an excitement I can remember even yet today! Ray flew us out around some of the high peaks on a sightseeing tour and then asked if there was anything I particularly wanted to see. So I suggested flying down the Kootenai and over the Falls. Ray obliged, and we entered the Kootenai canyon at a safe altitude but still down close enough for me to take in the scenery of one of the most scenic rivers in the nation. This continued for only a few minutes when I noticed Ray had increased the engine RPM to almost full throttle and there was a sinking sensation. Something must be happening but I knew better that to bother the pilot at a critical time, so I waited while the sinking continued. When it looked as though we were in real trouble, Ray exclaimed, “You know I think we are going to get our feet wet.” But about that time and just a few feet off the water, the propeller caught and all sixty-five of those straining wild horses pulled us up out of the canyon to the relief of this very concerned passenger. After landing at the field, Ray explained how our near catastrophe

MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 7

resulted from downdrafts combined with the hot summer day that made the air less dense. The propeller had less to bite into so it wasn’t powerful enough to pull the plane up until we were within a few feet of the river and the colder, denser air that the propeller needed so we could climb out of the canyon – and not get our feet wet… or worse. Overall, it was a good ride and an experience I will never forget – and I am happy to be around to describe it. MSN

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Montana Madams by Nann Parrett; Farcountry Press, 2016 Reviewed by Connie Daugherty “A successful madam understood the psychology of her employees, clients and community… applied best practices and marketing techniques. She used common sense… her ability to bat her eyes, drop a punch line… even, on occasion, throw a left hook to get her point across.” In her recent book, Montana Madams, Nann Parrett introduces readers to many of the successful madams throughout Montana. “The history of madams operating in Montana offers an intriguing entry into the local history of various communities,” she writes. And by dividing Montana Madams chapters into towns and areas, Parrett deftly gives local context to the life and business of each madam. This extensively researched, richly developed book includes photographs, letters and journal entries, as well as newspaper articles and police reports providing readers an in-depth picture of what it meant to be a madam in Montana. Stories cover Montana history from the 1860s to 1982 with the retirement party of Butte’s last madam Ruby Garrett. In Pioneering Petticoats, we meet the early madams of the territory in Bannack and Virginia City as well as Fort Benton. Eleanor Dumont was one of Montana’s first madams and established in both towns. Once a “dignified lady,” well known for her elegant gambling houses, “after she opened her first brothel in Bannack around 1864 the hardness of her life began to show its effects.” Madam Hall was a Virginia City madam involved with the Plummer gang. Mattie Lee ran houses in Fort Benton, Virginia City, Butte, and other communities. “A mysterious woman named Fannie Bird became the first woman to officially purchase… a piece of property in Last Chance Gulch… [S]he was the area’s first proprietor-prostitute, pioneering a legion of self determined, Last Chance ladies.” Bell Robinson, Fanny Clark, Mary Ann Petch, and Josephine Hensley (Chicago Jo) also became well known Helena madams. “Chicago Jo was magnanimous, paying passage from Ireland for many of her relatives, whom she helped set up in businesses of their own.” Mollie Byrnes began her time in Helena as a “summer woman… who swooped into town during the summer months.” Eventually she settled in Helena operating her brothel and buying and selling property to establish a “respectable” life. “Today, at the tail end of a nondescript block… on State Street in Helena… you can see the red brick house with elegant turrets that was Mollie Byrnes’ house.” The most well known Helena madams would have to be Ida Levy and “Big” Dorothy Barker. Ida Levy owned and operated the Silver Dollar Bar, but the upstairs really kept the business going. “She even got national recognition when her venue’s neon sign, ‘Ida’s Rooms’ reportedly appeared in the pages of Life magazine.” Ida was one of the few Jews living in Helena at the time. She was not only a successful businesswoman; she was also very generous to her family and to her community. “She had a big heart and a propensity for quiet

APRIL/MAY 2017

philanthropy, anonymously donating to local charities… she secretly gave $10,000 to fund the municipal swimming pool.” The last of Helena’s madams, “Big” Dorothy Barker died in 1973 just a month after her brothel was closed by court order for the last time. “Helena was a small town, and Dorothy’s Rooms was an institution… she was even on a first-name basis with the local newspapers.” Actually, Dorothy was on a first name basis with much of Helena – businessmen, politicians, delivery boys, even the police department. Dorothy, like Ida and other successful madams, generated mixed feelings within the community – admiration and denunciation. Dorothy too was also known for her generosity. “She paid for her niece and nephew’s college… she paid for many aspiring students to attend college… she bought piles of children’s books and donated to local children’s homes.” She was a complex woman and not all reports about her actions were positive. Meanwhile, the doors of Butte’s last brothel – Ruby Garrett’s Dumas – were still open. Ruby, who would finally retire in 1982, was the last of a long line of Butte’s colorful madams. Lou Harpell arrived in Butte around 1889 and immediately set up her business. The Irish lassie, Mae Malloy was known for her personal confrontation with Carrie Nation – Mae won. Emma Abbie mostly lived a quiet, though prosperous life. I n 19 6 8 , B e ver ly Snodgrass left Butte to meet with Senators Mike Mansfield and Lee Metcalf in Washington DC. She was determined to “solicit their help in shutting down Butte’s notoriously corrupt sex industry,” and to expose “crooked officials” who were out to ruin her business. Butte’s madams,

MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 9

like their town, had their own way of dealing with whatever came their way. Great Falls, Missoula, and Bozeman also had their share of madams, though not as prominent or as colorful. Betty Rogers and Bea Lamar in Great Falls each had a style all their own. Bea’s business, in conjunction with her husband’s was “owned and operated by African Americans in a state that was more than ninety percent white.” Obviously, most of their cliental were white also. Missoula’s Mary Gleim, most known for her quick temper, “erected a Missoula landmark that still bears her name: the Gleim Building.” Bozeman’s Big Lou Couselle arrived in Bozeman from Helena in 1873. She “scooped up a whopping fifteen properties between Main Street and Mendenhall from Bozeman to Rouse Avenues.” Within two years she bought two farms outside town. She was one of the wealthiest citizens in the Gallatin Valley. Kitty Warren and Frankie Buttner were sisters and most remembered for their loyalty to each other. Billings and the eastern plains communities also had their share of successful madams. In Miles City Fannie Hendrix opened “’Fanny French’s Negro House’ catering to darker-skinned clientele, namely soldiers and railroad men.” Maggie Burns – a Red-Headed Fighting Son of a Gun, arrived in Miles City around 1880 and was one of the small

town’s most successful madams. In Billings, Etta Feeley ran a “working man’s brothel for cow punchers, railroaders, horsemen and laborers …a common brothel for common people,” unlike the higher-end brothels of the community. Billing’s Ollie Warren was, “a stunning beauty who was used to getting what she wanted.” In about 1883, Dutch Mary (Mary Burle) “found herself in Montana alone with four children to care for and one on the way.” She eventually found her way to Miles City and then Billings. Although Dutch

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1-800-551-3191 Montana SMP is a program coordinated by Missoula Aging Services and partnered with local Area Agencies on Aging. This project was supported, in part by grant number 90MP0233, from the U.S. Administration for Community Living, Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, D.C. 20201. Grantees undertaking projects under government sponsorship are encouraged to express freely their findings and conclusions. Points of view or opinions do not, therefore, necessarily represent official Administration for Community Living policy.

Call 9-1-1

IMMEDIATELY at the first sign of a heart attack. Many Montanans don’t survive a heart attack because they don’t get treatment in time. Take action, even if experiencing just one of these symptoms: Cold sweat Chest pain or discomfort Jaw pain Upper body pain or discomfort Shortness of breath Nausea or lightheadedness Thanks to Mission: Lifeline Montana, an initiative from the American Heart Association, new life-saving equipment is available on ambulances throughout the state.

heart.org/montanalives

Montana

PAGE 10 MONTANA SENIOR NEWS

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Mary had her share of trouble and heartache during her years in Billings, she “continued running her brothel and prospering well into the 1930s as one of Billings’ wealthiest citizens.” In Montana Madams, Nann Parrett neither idealizes nor criticizes the complex women who made their living in the skin trade. She presents their flaws and their virtues equally, showing that these unique, smart, and generally successful

businesswomen were really no worse than male entrepreneurs were and were an integral part of Montana’s history. Nann Parrett serves on the faculty at the University of Great Falls. She is also the founder and executive director of Cultivate Helena, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting urban gardening projects to educate area youth about healthy local food. She

Take a Day Trip to Crystal Lake Next Summer By Bernice Karnop Crystal Lake is a shallow alpine lake on the northwestern slopes of the Big Snowy Mountains. It’s surrounded by Douglas fir, Engelmann spruce, and lodge pole pine. Wildflowers are abundant in season, and there are several hiking trails from which to see them. There are picnic facilities, campgrounds, a boat dock, and on a warm summer day, the lake is perfect for a refreshing swim. Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks stocks the lake with rainbow trout each spring because it is too shallow for the fish to winter in it. It is around 13 feet deep during run-off season, 4.5 feet deep by August, and even lower before the next snowy season refills it. The shoreline trail passes through several ecosystems and makes for good bird watching. Some species occurring in the vicinity include mountain chickadee, red-breasted nuthatch, brown creeper, mountain bluebird, and boreal owl. The ice caves trailhead is southeast of the lake and climbs about five miles to the cave with a 2,200-foot altitude gain and an open hike along the ridge on top called the Snowy Crest. Besides the ice caves, which never melt, the view makes it more than worth the climb. On a clear day one can see the Absarokee Range to the south, and if it’s really clear, the Grand Tetons, 220 miles into Wyoming. You can see the Little Belts and the Crazy Mountains to the west, the Highwoods to the northwest, and the Moccasin and Judith

Mountains to the northeast. The Crystal Cascades trail leads to a waterfall that emerges from a cave and drops 100 feet down stair step ledges. Other trails for ambitious hikers include the West Peak trail and the Grandview trail. To get to Crystal Lake from Lewistown, drive west on Montana 200/US 87 for about 8 miles. Turn left (south) on Crystal Lake county road. Continue south on this road following the wellsigned directions to the lake for 20 miles. At the “T” junction, turn left and continue onwards to Crystal Lake. The last six miles is paved and mostly one lane. From Billings, drive to Harlowton then turn north onto US 191 traveling to Eddy’s corner (Junction of US 191 and Montana 200/US 87). Turn east towards Lewistown onto Montana 200/US 87and turn right into the town of Moore. Continue through town (south) accessing a graveled county road and follow the well-signed route (south then east) to Crystal Lake until you reach the “T” junction described above. Take a right (south) at the “T” and continue as directed above. From Great Falls, drive east on Montana 200/US 87 for approximately 90 miles to Moore. Turn at the second right into the town of Moore. Continue through town (south) accessing a graveled county road and follow the well-signed route to the lake until you reach the “T” junction described above. Take a right at the “T” and continue as directed above. MSN

There are always flowers for those who want to see them. - Henri Matisse

It’s Time To Train And Register For Montana Senior Olympics

APRIL/MAY 2017

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. There are fourteen different sports from which you can choose to compete, 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 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 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 406-586-5543, or visit montanaseniorolympics. org. MSN

MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 11

Working Tirelessly To Reduce Breast Cancer Deaths

Save lives by meeting the most critical needs in our communities and investing in break-through research to find the cure for breast cancer. Over 40,000 women die annually from breast cancer in the U.S. By 2026, it is Susan G. Komen’s Bold Goal to reduce the current number of these breast cancer deaths 50%. Whether you are the doctor who won’t give up on a patient, the volunteer who gives time to push the cure forward, or the sponsor who allows us to provide vital breast health resources to the community. Together, we can save lives. Seventy-five percent of the funds raised by Komen Idaho Montana STAY LOCAL to provide mammograms, diagnostic services, patient assistance, and breast health education programs to uninsured and underserved women and men in Idaho and Montana. We invest 25% in global breast cancer research to better diagnose, treat, and ultimately find the cures for breast cancer. To see how your dollars are being used locally visit komenidahomontana.org/grants/current-idaho-montana-grants. To date Komen Idaho Montana has raised over $7 million for the fight against breast cancer. We need your help to keep this work going… Let’s Race for the Cure! Join us in Boise on May 13 and in Helena on May 20 as we honor survivors, remember those we have lost, and raise money to find the cure. Take part in the fight by visiting komenidahomontana.org today and registering for the Race for the Cure®. MSN

Home Is Where The Baseball Stadium Is

By Gary Bores As the Boys of Spring hear the umpire’s call to “play ball,” Major League Baseball begins the season after last year’s most-watched World Series in decades. Did the 2016 seven-game-extrainning contest between the Chicago Cubs and the Cleveland Indians, the two teams with the longest World Series victory draughts, achieve renewed status as America’s pastime? Take a stroll down memory lane to reminisce about historic ballparks, ballgames, and the excitement of the game. Let’s begin with last year’s World Champion Cubs and their iconic, century-old Wrigley Field with its ivy-covered outfield walls – the very last ballpark to install lights for night games (1988). This was 53 years later than Cincinnatti’s Crosley Field (1935). Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox, with its vaunted “Green Monster” inordinately high left field wall has changed many easy home run balls into singles or doubles and is the oldest ballpark (older than Wrigley Field) still in use. The Cleveland Indians’ home field when they last won the World Series in 1948 was the massive Cleveland Stadium, referred to as “the mistake by the lake,” because of its lack of appeal. Urban legend says it was built to lure the 1932 Olympics, but they had been awarded to Los Angeles in 1923, long before ground was broken for the stadium. Perhaps the most recognizable ballpark of all time due to the seemingly never-ending success of its teams and fondly referred to as the house that Ruth built, was the original Yankee Stadium. Who can forget the monuments honoring Yankee greats situated in the deepest part of the outfield in the field of play and the source of the moniker “Monument Park?” The Bronx Bombers’ neighbors witnessed the first African American Major League ballplayer, Jackie Robinson, start his historic career in fanfriendly Ebbets Field, home of the Brooklyn Dodgers, before their beloved team chased the dollars to Los Angeles. The New York Giants played one of the most memorable games of all time that included “the shot heard round the world” – a home run by Bobby Thompson winning the National League Pennant over the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1951 in the horseshoe shaped Polo Grounds. The Giants joined the Dodgers in heading West in 1958 making history by playing each other in the first Major League game ever on the West Coast in San Francisco’s Seals Stadium on April 15, 1958. Candlestick Park, the Giants’ home beginning in 1960, is remembered as much for the toofrequent adverse weather in which games were played as for the games themselves. This included

almost constant swirling, gusty winds that blew relief pitcher Stu Miller off the mound in the 1961 All Star Game. The Dodgers started their western play in the Los Angeles Coliseum, which was anything but a baseball stadium – the left field fence was only 250 feet from home plate. With the high, left field fence installed to prevent cheap home runs, left-handed Dodger Wally Moon adjusted his swing to hit very high fly balls over that fence. These became known as “Moon Shots.” The Dodgers moved into their state-of-the-art (at the time) Dodger Stadium in 1962 where they still play. It was the last privately financed stadium to be built in the Major Leagues. New Yorkers got a National League team back in Queens when the New York Mets with the lovable Casey Stengel of Yankee fame and success as their first manager in 1962. They moved into their new Shea Stadium in 1964. In 1969, lasting memories were made in the stadium when the “Miracle Mets” won the World Series. Major League Baseball’s first foray into the Pacific Northwest in 1969 with the expansion Seattle Pilots is memorable for all the wrong reasons. Among many problems, Sicks Stadium often had such low water pressure that visiting teams had to shower back at their hotels. The Pilot franchise lasted only one year before packing up and moving to Milwaukee to become the Brewers that played their games in Milwaukee County Stadium, formerly the home stadium for the Milwaukee Braves before they departed for Atlanta. That’s just a short visit to a few of the ballparks of the past as we look forward to the those iconic words from Major League umpires, “Play Ball” that will open the 2017 season. Who knows, maybe the Cubs won’t have to wait another 108 years for another World Series Championship! MSN

PAGE 12 MONTANA SENIOR NEWS

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In Every Corner of Montana There is Something Fun to See and Do With spring just beginning and summer on the horizon there are plenty events coming up to keep you busy and entertained. Here is 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 visityel-

lowstonecountry.com. These are just a few of the regional and community resources that you can consult in order to make this a most memorable spring and summer 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.

Month Apr 1 Apr 1 Apr 1 Apr 6 Apr 6 Apr 8 Apr 8 Apr 9 Apr 14 Apr 15 Apr 16 Apr 20 Apr 21 Apr 23 Apr 28 Apr 28 Apr 29 May 1 May 4 May 6 May 6 May 6 May 11 May 11 May 13 May 14 May 14

Dates Helena Ekalaka Bozeman Billings Ekalaka Missoula Hot Springs Great Falls Hamilton Bozeman Hot Springs Billings Bozeman Butte Helena Hot Springs Missoula Billings Ekalaka Whitehall Hot Springs Billings Billings Bozeman Bozeman Great Falls Lewistown

City Early Music Festival – Johannespassion American Indian Exhibitions The Ellen: Carlos Nunez Alberta Bair Theater: Garrison Keillor Carter Country Geological Society Meeting YMCA Missoula Healthy Kids Days Alex Boey – Contemporary Rock Museum Consortium Free Sunday Sampler Hamilton Players: Love, Sex, & the I.R.S. The Ellen: TUTU COOL Dance Collective Easter Brunch Billings Studio Theatre: The Foreigner The Ellen: Peter Mawagana Malawian Sounds Spring Polka Party Grandstreet Theatre: My Fair Lady John Kelley Blues YMCA Missoula Riverbank Run Women’s Museum Spring Hat Exhibit Carter Country Geological Society Meeting L&C Caverns Military Discount Lori & Pam – Bluegrass Women’s Museum Spring Hat Creation Billings Studio Theatre: Arsenic and Old Lace The Ellen: Antigoni Coni Greek Guitar MT TheatreWorks: Once Upon a Mattress Auditions Mother’s Day Brunch Buffet Charlie Russell Chew Choo Dinner Train

Event 406-442-6825 406-775-6886 406-585-5885 406-256-6052 406-775-6886 406-721-9622 406-741-2361 406-791-5367 406-375-9050 406-585-5885 406-741-2361 406-248-1141 406-585-5885 406-453-1238 406-447-1574 406-741-2361 406-761-9622 406-861-4602 406-775-6886 406-287-3541 406-741-2361 406-861-4602 406-248-1141 406-585-5885 406-585-5885 406-452-8585 406-535-5436

May May May May May

Hot Springs Anaconda Kalispell Hot Springs Kalispell

Mother’s Day Brunch Sebastien Richard Opening & Reception Armed Forces Day Gala Banquet Jerry Fletcher – Piano Man Veterans Appreciation Day BBQ

406-741-2361 406-563-2422 406-756-7304 406-741-2361 406-756-7304

14 16 20 26 27

YES

BUTTE HAS A SYMPHONY Playing its 68th season Join us in 2017–2018

For Maestro Luis Millan’s 9th season as Music Director October 21, 2017 • December 16, 2017 • March 10, 2018 • April 21, 2018

Season Tickets for all 4 Concerts $99 Main Floor (compare to $40 each individual concert) $89 Mezzanine (compare to $35 each individual concert) $79 Belcony (compare to $30 each individual concert) $40 Students (compare to $15 each individual concert)

Tickets are available at the Mother Lode Box Office or by calling 406-723-3602 For more information on the Butte Symphony, Call 406-723-5590 or visit us on the web at www.buttesymphony.org

Phone Web Address musikantenmt.org cartercountrymuseum.org theellentheatre.com albertabairtheater.org cartercountrymuseum.org ymcamissoula.org symeshotsprings.com hamiltonplayers.com theellentheatre.com symeshotsprings.com billingsstudiotheatre.com theellentheatre.com foximom@bresnan.net grandstreettheatre.com symeshotsprings.com ymcamissoula.org cartercountrymuseum.org statepars.mt.gov/lewis-and-clark-caverns symeshotsprings.com billingsstudiotheatre.com theellentheatre.com theellentheatre.com ursulinecenter.com enjoylewistown.com/lewistown-montana -attractions/montana-dinner-train symeshotsprings.com coppervillageartcenter.com veteransfoodpantry.org symeshotsprings.com veteransfoodpantry.org

APRIL/MAY 2017

May 28 Hot Springs

Memorial Day BBQ

Jun 1

Ekalaka

Carter Country Geological Society Meeting

Jun 2

Hankinson, ND Hankinson’s 4th Annual Polka Fest

Jun 3

Great Falls

Pet-A-Palooza

Jun 3

Glasgow

Bike Camp Event

Jun 3

Malta

Car Show, Dino Days, PCMS Drag Races

Jun 4

Plentywood

Big Muddy Motorcycle Rally

Jun 9

Bozeman

Downtown Art Walk

Jun 9

Helena

Grandstreet: ...Once Upon a Mattress

Jun 9

Billings

Billings Studio Theatre: Ruthless!

Jun 9

Culbertson

Frontier Days & All School Reunion

Jun 9

Poplar

Wild West Days

Jun 10 Lewistown Jun 15 Helena Jun 15 Fort Union Jun 16 Hamilton Jun 16 Wolf Point Jun 16 Frazer Jun 16 Deer Lodge Jun 17 Wolf Point Jun 17 Fort Peck Jun 18 Jordan

MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 13

406-741-2361 symeshotsprings.com 406-775-6886 cartercountrymuseum.org 701-899-3087 hankinsonnd.com/polkafest.html 406-454-2276 greatfallsmt.net/animalshelter 406-228-2222 glasgowchamber.net 406-654-1776 maltachamber.com 406-765-8500 sheridancountychamber.org 406-994-2343 downtownbozeman.org 406-447-1574 grandstreettheatre.com 406-248-1141 billingsstudiotheatre.com 406-787-5271 culbertsonmt.com 406-768-3916

Charlie Russell Chew Choo Dinner Train 406-535-5436 enjoylewistown.com/lewistown-montana-attractions/montana-dinner-train Grandstreet Theatre: Buyer & Cellar 406-447-1574 grandstreettheatre.com Fort Union Rendezvous 701-572-9083 nps.gov/fous Hamilton Players: She Loves Me 406-375-9050 hamiltonplayers.com Rods & Rides Poker Run & Car Show 406-653-2012 wolfpointchamber.com Red Bottom Celebration 406-768-2300 fortpecktribes.org Territorial Days Classic Cars 406-846-3111 pcmaf.org Brewfest 406-653-2012 wolfpointchamber.com Longest Dam Race 406-228-2222 glasgowchamber.net/fortpeck.html Match Bronc Ride 406-557-6178 garfieldcounty.com

He dreams of discovering treasure. You dream of enough college savings for his future.

Achieve Montana offers 529 investments for tax benefits now, and college savings for the future. Anyone can contribute to a child’s college savings. Plus, through our Ugift® option, it’s safe and easy to help build their savings. Give your grandchildren the chance to explore all they want in life. START AN ACCOUNT TODAY FOR AS LITTLE AS $25. AchieveMontana.com · 1.877.486.9271 For more information about Achieve Montana, download an Enrollment Kit at achievemontana.com or call 877.486.9271. The Enrollment Kit includes a Program Description that discusses investment objectives, risks, charges, expenses, and other important information; read and consider it carefully before investing. If you are not a Montana taxpayer, consider before investing whether your or the beneficiary’s home state offers any state tax or other benefits that are only available for investments in that state’s qualified tuition program. An Achieve Montana account is not insured by Montana and neither the principal invested nor the investment return is guaranteed by the State of Montana. Ugift is a registered service mark of Ascensus Broker Dealer Services, Inc., an affiliate of Ascensus College Savings Recordkeeping Services, LLC.

PAGE 14 MONTANA SENIOR NEWS

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Jun

23 Hardin

Little Big Horn Days

Jun

Jul

406-665-1672 thehardenchamber.com Scobey Pioneer Days & Dirty Shame Show 406-487-2061 scobeymt.com Deer Lodge Weapons Collector’s Gun Show 406-846-3111 pcmaf.org Lewistown Charlie Russell Dinner Train 406-535-5436 enjoylewistown.com/lewistown-montana-attractions/montana-dinner-train Bozeman Thursday Music on Main 406-994-2343 downtownbozeman.org Deer Lodge Big Sky Draft Horse Expo 406-846-3111 pcmaf.org Helena Thomas Meagher Festival meagherfest.org

Jul

Lewistown

Jul

Livingston

Jul

Hinsdale

Jul

Wolf Point

Jul

Fort Peck

Jul

Sidney

Jul

14 Bozeman

Jul

15 Lewistown

Jul

22 Lewistown

Jul

27 Plentywood

Jul

29 Ekalaka

Jul

30 Ekalaka

Jul

30 Scobey

Charlie Russell Dinner Train 406-535-5436 enjoylewistown.com/lewistown-montana-attractions/montana-dinner-train Depot Center Festival of the Arts 406-222-2300 livingstondepot.org Rodeo & Street Dance 406-228-2222 glasgowchamber.net Wild Horse Stampede & Parade 406-653-2012 wolfpointchamber.com Governor’s Cup & Walleye Tourney 406-228-2222 glasgowchamber.net/fortpeck.html Sunrise Festival of the Arts 406-433-1916 sidneymt.com The Ellen: Once Upon a Mattress 406-585-5885 theellentheatre.com Charlie Russell Dinner Train 406-535-5436 enjoylewistown.com/lewistown-montana-attractions/montana-dinner-train Charlie Russell Dinner Train 406-535-5436 enjoylewistown.com/lewistown-montana-attractions/montana-dinner-train Sheridan County Fair & Rodeo 406-765-8500 sheridancountychamber.org Dino Shindig & Fossil Expedition 406-775-6886 cartercountrymuseum.org Fossil Field Expedition 406-775-6886 cartercountrymuseum.org Daniels County Fair & Rodeo 406-487-2061

Ten Tips For Taking Better Photos By Gail Jokerst; gailjokerst.com “You can look at a picture for a week and never think of it again. You can also look at a picture for a second and think of it all your life.” Although the words belong to Joan Miró, best known for his paintings and sculptures, the truth behind them applies equally to photography. That was the message conveyed at the 89th annual conference of the Outdoor Writers Association of America held in Billings this summer. Professional photographers and instructors conducted workshops for conference attendees wanting to learn or improve essential camera techniques. They emphasized that you do not need a giant lens to take great pictures. However, a 600 mm lens certainly is a wise investment if you intend to portray wildlife – especially critters sporting antlers, horns, and claws – in a natural setting. Understanding some of the basic tenets of composition that were covered will help your pictures remain memorable for all the right reasons. Whether

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APRIL/MAY 2017

you are capturing scenes at a family reunion or on a Yellowstone vacation, the following techniques can improve your results. Seek Complementary Colors – When possible, juxtapose color pairs opposite one another on the color wheel. For striking contrasts place red and green, blue and orange, or purple and yellow images next This picture juxtaposes the complimentary colors of red to or near each other. and green for added interest. The subject is intentionally This makes each color off center and features three faces, the pleasing odd appear more intense and number arrangement. (Photo by Gail Jokerst) brighter. Watch The Light – Take photos with the sun behind you and your shadow pointing in front of you. If the person you are photographing is wearing glasses, tilt the glasses slightly up or down to avoid potential glare from a flash or sunlight. If the person is wearing a hat, use your flash so it fills in shadows cast on the face. Find Shapes In Nature – Wedges, diagonals, ovals, and curves add interest to photos. They engage the viewer to linger and look rather than scroll to the next frame. These shapes evoke a sense of movement and grab attention to follow

This photo was taken while hiking to Scenic Point in Glacier Park. Capturing an S-curve in a natural setting, in this case of Two Medicine Lake, was the intent. (Photo by Gail Jokerst)

each line to see where it goes. Triangular wedge imagery is a powerful compositional element as in the V formations commonly seen with airborne geese. Diagonal lines lead you into the picture with a sliding motion and create dramatic dynamics. Ovals gently draw the viewer’s eye around the image while C-curves add a graceful element. And S-curves – envision a winding river flowing from the lower corner of the photo and streaming back into the scene – create a feeling of depth and motion. Avoid Centering Your Subject – This is also known as “The Rule of Thirds,” a common mantra in the world of art but not as well known elsewhere. When looking through the viewfinder, imagine the

The aim here was to avoid centering the horizon in the frame and to keep it as level as possible. Eliminating much of the foreground put more emphasis on the skyscape in the upper two-thirds of the frame. (Photo by Gail Jokerst)

MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 15

PAGE 16 MONTANA SENIOR NEWS

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scene before you overlaid with a nine-block grid. Rather than placing your main subject in the middle block, put it in one of the four spots where the lines of the grid intersect. This not only adds interest and balance to your composition but also provides an opportunity to include more of the setting in front of or behind the main subject, which rounds out the scene for the viewer. Never Place The Horizon In The Middle – Following the Rule of Thirds, horizons are most appealing when located in the upper or lower third of your picture. For a sunset photo where you want to show a widespread splash of color, place the horizon in the lower third. For a lake portrait featuring cloud reflections or submerged rocks, raise the horizon line to the upper third of the frame so the focus remains on the foreground. And wherever you place the horizon, it should be level. The Odds Are Better Than The Evens – While you might expect the human eye to appreciate perfect symmetry in artwork, the opposite is true. We humans instinctively prefer compositions consisting of three, five, or seven focal points over those with two, four, or six elements. Odd numbers move the eye around the image better than even numbers and add appeal to your compositions. Notice Your Background – Don’t include anything in the frame that is not needed to deliver your visual message. Extraneous elements distract the viewer. Additionally, make sure nothing in your background, like a branch behind someone’s head, could be interpreted by the human eye as piercing that individual’s head. If you fill your frame

with your subject, this is less likely to occur. Less Can Be More – Sometimes you may want to show part rather than all of an element in your photo. The human eye will compensate for the omission and complete the picture for the viewer so you need not show an entire arm or plate of food. If you “‘amputate” an arm or leg, do it right above the joint. The Eyes Have It – Focus tightly on the subject’s eyes so they are clearly visible even if the rest of the head or body is not sharp. Likewise, if you have prominent text in the image, it must be sharp. Out-of-focus lettering and eyes disorient the viewer. If several of your subjects have eyes, the most important ones to keep in focus are those of the main subject. The rest need not comply with this rule. Try A Dutch Tilt – This camera shot is useful when you want to add interest or possibly tension to a simple composition. As a general rule, angles create energy. Rather than taking the picture straight up as the eye sees the scene, tilt your camera at an angle so that the shot is composed with vertical lines angling to one side of the frame. To create photos you are proud to show and share obviously requires more than mere luck. It takes concentration plus a passion to lasso the image that has prompted you to pick up your camera, iPad, or cell phone. Again, to quote Joan Miro, “The works must be conceived with fire in the soul but executed with clinical coolness.” MSN

Outstanding Native American Exhibit Awaits At Bair Museum

The Charles M. Bair Family Museum in Martinsdale has an exciting 2017 season. This summer the museum will feature a display spanning two galleries of rarely exhibited Edward Curtis photogravures selected from all five of the museum’s Curtis volumes. Edward Curtis became friends with Charles Bair in Montana in the early 1900s. Bair purchased the first five volumes of Curtis’s 20-volume work, The North American Indian. This summer’s exhibit will highlight approximately forty photogravure images representing the following tribes: Apache, Jicarilla, Navajo, Pima, Papago, Qahatika, Mojave, Yuma, Maricopa, Walapai, Havasupai, ApacheMojave (Yavapai), Teton Sioux, Yanktonai, Assiniboin, Apsaroke (Crow), Mandan, Arikara, and Atsina.

The show will remain on view the entire 2017 season from May 26 through October 29. An exhibit of Japanese-inspired painted kites by Bozeman artist Harold Schlotzhauer will be on view – suspended in the air in the museum’s lobby. The Bair Family’s collection of paintings by Charlie Russell and Joseph Henry Sharp, its collection of beautiful, beaded objects by Northern Plains Indians, and daily guided tours of the Bair’s eclectic and unique antique-filled home are at the center of your visit to the museum and learning about the Bair family’s place in Montana history. For additional information, visit bairfamilymuseum.org or contact the Museum at 406-572-3314. MSN

Tizer Botanic Garden and Arboretum Tizer Botanic Garden and Arboretum (TBGA), Montana’s only full-time botanical garden and internationally accredited arboretum, grows the largest collection of trees, shrubs, and perennials in the region. TBGA works with Colorado State University and the Denver Botanic Gardens on high-altitude, drought-tolerant zone 3 and 4 plants. TBGA is also Montana’s only All American Selections Demo Garden growing all of the newly chosen Plants of the Year in North America. In 2012, TBGA was designated an international accredited arboretum by ArbNet, a division of the Morton Arboretum’s international Register of Arboreta – one of only three privatelyowned arboreta in their

international accreditation program and perhaps the one with the largest collection of plants. The purpose of the Morton Register is to identify all of the organizations that collect and display trees, shrubs, and other woody plants for the benefit of the public, science, and conservation. Bring a lunch and enjoy strolling along the trails through our beautiful gardens and arboretum. You’ll see 100+ varieties of roses, 100+ varieties of clematis, and 1,200+ varieties of conifers, deciduous shrubs, and trees, plus thousands of varieties of perennial and annual flowers. TBGA is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily including holidays from Mother’s Day through October, weather permitting. The Garden Center opens April 15. For more information, visit tizergardens. com or call 406-933-8789. Make plans to visit us soon. MSN

APRIL/MAY 2017

MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 17

Our Massey 65 By Bryce Angell When we were young, we skied behind our Massey 65. We drew high card to see who’d ski. The loser had to drive.

We stopped at every farmhouse to pick up those who’d ski. I think we all were cousins or kinfolk of some degree. The Massey pulled us ‘round our block and that was four cold miles. But you should have seen us all back then with our beaming great big smiles.

That Massey tractor had no cab. Nothing there but air. We wore our heavy mittens and long handled underwear.

One day the sheriff stopped us and said, “You’re quite a rowdy bunch.” I think someone had turned us in. Not sure, but just a hunch.

We didn’t have the bucks to buy tow lines for everyone. So, we braided old baler twine and tied it to the tongue.

At least six boys were skiing. Three more were on a sleigh. A total of six barking dogs had come along that day.

We tied a double knot at the end of every line. It kept our hands from sliding off the frozen baler twine.

The sheriff hopped back in his car and left without a word. Guess he knew we were all good boys, no matter what he’d heard. By dark, the skiers had enough.

The gravel roads were covered with weeks of falling snow. A six-foot berm along each side challenged skiers then in tow.

Sunday Golf Provided by Julie Brantley Pastor Norton woke up Sunday morning and realizing it was an exceptionally beautiful and sunny early spring day, decided he just had to play golf. So he told the Associate Pastor that he was feeling sick and to perform the service that day. As soon as the Associate Pastor left, Father Norton headed out of town to a golf course about forty miles away. This way he knew he wouldn’t accidentally meet anyone he knew from his parish. Standing on the first tee, he relished the beauty and warmth of the day... and the solitude. After all, it was Sunday morning and everyone else was in church! At about this time, Saint Peter leaned over to the Lord while looking down from the heavens and exclaimed, “You’re not going to let him get away with this, are you?”

All of life is a dispute over taste. - Friedrich Nietzche

The Lord sighed and said, “No, I guess not.” Just then, Pastor Norton hit the ball and it shot straight toward the pin, dropped just short of it, rolled up, and fell into the hole... a 420-yard hole-in-one! St. Peter was astonished. He looked at the Lord and asked, “Why did you let him do that?” The Lord smiled and replied, “Who’s he going to tell?” MSN

We all had frozen drawers. We’d take a minute to warm up, then go out about our chores. Well that was fifty years ago, and now we ski downhill. But I don’t believe I’ve ever felt that same old boyish thrill. There’s nothing like skiing down a country road and feeling so alive behind that old farm tractor – our Massey 65. MSN

PAGE 18 MONTANA SENIOR NEWS

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We Got Game, Well, Mostly Small Defenseless Animals

By Ernie Witham Sounds like it could have been a meeting of organized crime members – or Dr. Seuss characters. “On the first tee, Doc, Roc, Sunny, and Moose,” said the starter, and then added, “You guys from Disneyland or something?” It was Saturday morning at Glen Annie Golf Course and the excuses started early. “I haven’t played in a year,” said Doc. “I haven’t played in eight years,” said Roc, a guy who carries a picture of Nicole Richie around for inspiration. “I’m from Denver,” said Sunny. “The ball flies longer there.” He then proceeded to hit his first drive straight up the middle beyond where any of us old guys could even see it without our distance glasses.

“Well then that one would have landed in Boulder,” Roc said. I knew I’d better get my excuse on the table too. “I’ve only played a couple times in the last month,” I said, “because of my motorcycle accident.” “How fast were you going?” asked Sunny. “Zero,” I said, “but gravity was strong that day.” I then hit a low liner that decapitated several worms and scared the hell out of an old coot (the bird type) before landing just in front of the women’s tees. We didn’t need distance glasses to spot that one. “Looks like you’ve still got that gravity thing going for you,” Doc said. A group of crows in a nearby tree made a lot of noise that sounded suspiciously like laughter. I took a bow. And, as the saying goes, we were off.

APRIL/MAY 2017

The reason for today’s big game was Sunny (Doc’s sun, err, son) was only going to be in town a few days and Doc didn’t want to get whomped all by himself, so he invited Roc and me. And because I had actually played this course during this millennium, I took on the role of gracious host. “Looks like you pulled that a bit,” I said just after Roc hit one further left than Bernie Sanders. “Bummer. If you see a sign that says ‘Welcome to Goleta Beach’, you’re probably getting close to your ball. Oh yeah, and watch out for red-legged frogs.” The infamous red-legged frog almost brought down Glen Annie Golf Course. Seems environmentalists concluded the endangered species could not walk across fairways, were too small to drive golf carts, and would therefore not be able to survive. So the designers had to build frog crossings that bisect several fairways (I’m not kidding). Somehow being able to walk across the fairways made the little guys – probably delicacies in some countries – less endangered. And I have to admit, the way our group was playing the safest place they could have lived was indeed in the middle of the fairway. But it was a beautiful day and we were getting a lot of great exercise. “You want to drive the cart

or should I?” I asked Roc. “You’d better drive,” he said. “I keep spilling my beer when I turn.” Golf is a game of give and take. So we gladly shared golf balls with pond creatures, woodland inhabitants, and people driving to and from Dos Pueblos High School, before we settled down and found our games. Doc hit a couple beauties right up the middle of the fairway – once it was even our fairway. Sunny hit one that sliced so far it actually came back around and landed in front of us. Then Roc hit one that really got our attention. “Whoa,” we said as the ball whizzed by our heads forcing us to bend over backwards in an advanced choreographed yoga move. “Guess we shouldn’t stand to the right of you when you hit.” Several holes later we added, “Or to the left of you.” By the 18th hole, the cart girl was out of beer, which was okay because it was almost time for lunch. For good measure both Sunny and I hit one more ball into the pond, and Roc made his best score all day, which caused him to say, “Let’s do this again, real soon.” Then the crows laughed so hard I thought they were going to fall out of their tree. So we all took a bow and headed home. MSN

Great Gadgets for Golfers By Jim Miller Dear Savvy Senior, Can you recommend any products that can help my golf game? I love to play golf and am looking to deal with the infirmities of my 74 years. Any ideas? Ailing Eddy Dear Eddy, There is actually a wide variety of nifty golf accessories and adaptive equipment that can help you improve your comfort and score as you enjoy your lifelong game. Here are several products for different needs. Bending Substitutes – The game of golf requires a lot of repetitive bending and stooping that comes with teeing up the ball, repairing divots, marking the ball on the green, retrieving a ball or tee on the ground, along with picking up a club, sand rake, or flag stick off the ground. For teeing up the ball without bending over, consider one of the Northcroft Golf Tee-Up devices. These are long-handled tools (1.5-3 feet long) that have trigger-style handgrips and a jaw that holds the ball and tee for easy placement. They cost between $69 and $72 and are available at NorthcroftGolf.com. For other tee-up solutions, see the Tee Pal ($55, TeePalPro.com) and Joe’s Original Backtee ($15, UprightGolf.com). NorthcroftGolf.com and UprightGolf.com also offer a variety of stoop-proof ball pickup accessories, divot repair, and magnetic ball marker products ranging from $5-$12. Or, if you just want a great all-around golf picker-upper, consider the Graball GrabAll Jaw – sold through Amazon.com for $10 for a package of two. It attaches to the handle end of your putter and chipper and is designed to pick up golf balls, flagsticks, putters, and green side chippers. Gripping Aids – To help alleviate your golf club gripping problem, there are specially designed golf gloves and grips that can make a big difference. Some of the best gloves are the Bionic Golf Gloves (BionicGloves.com) that have extra padding in the palm and finger joints to improve grip. And the Power Glove (PowerGlove.com) that has a small strap attached to the glove that loops

around the club grip to secure it in your hand. These run between $20 and $30. Another option is to get oversized grips installed on your clubs. This can make gripping the club easier and more comfortable and are very good at absorbing shock. Oversized grips are usually either one-sixteenth-inch or one-eighth-inch larger in diameter than a standard grip, and cost around $10 per grip. You can find these grips and have them installed at your local golf store or pro shop. For a grip-and-glove combination fix, consider the Quantum Grip (QuantumGrip.com) that incorporates Velcro material recessed in the golf club grip and a companion golf glove that has mating Velcro material in the palm. Cost: $20 per grip, plus $35 per glove. Vision Helper – If vision problems make finding the ball difficult, Chromax golf balls (ChromaxGolf.com) can make a big difference. These reflective colored golf balls make them appear larger and brighter. Cost: $10.50 for a threepack. Send your senior questions to Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070 or visit SavvySenior.org.MSN

MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 19

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There Is Nothing like the Month of May By Neil Wyrick Nothing going on in the world has affected the annual flights of all the different birds gathered for their annual spring convention. They line up with such precision on telephone lines and backyard trees. Growth and green hold sway as dogwoods with their particular beauty decorate mile after mile with their sprightly spring

exuberance. Then, of course, there is the MAYple leaf with its particular beauty and it wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be long before the lilacs bloom. If worms could dance, they certainly would for this is the mood of spring.

APRIL/MAY 2017

The first day of May is officially Plant a Flower Day, and could any other day be so appropriate? It isn’t that mothers are loved more on their special day but the warmth and cheer of May does seem to be the perfect month for this particular day of celebration. And what of the Kentucky Derby and Memorial Day, and did you know that May 12 was Florence Nightingale’s birthday? May, not to be outdone, has its silly days just like all the other months. Therefore, just so the following days won’t pass you by without your checking them out; be sure and toot a horn or beat a drum when National Candied Orange Peel day comes around on May 4. Nor would your month of May be complete if you did not

MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 21

honor Mother Goose Day, No Socks Day and Frog Jumping Jubilee Day. To celebrate this month have a MAYonnaise sandwich while dancing around a MAYpole in a kind of self controlled MAYhem. Well, MAYbe this is carrying things a bit too far. Soon it will be too hot, but just now lovers walk hand in hand with a scantily clad cupid shooting arrows in their direction. The air is mild and filled with songs of sparrows and their like. Walk the parks painted over with a dozen different flowers each extolling their particular colors for all they are worth. Not long ago whiteness was upon the ground. Now it can be found only in the whiteness of the clouds. It seems like ages ago that March winds roared for there is such softness to this month; even its name is gentle. Because everything is starting anew, it is nature’s positive thinking alive

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and well. The glowworm lights up the evenings. Everywhere is pageantry. It is the month when so many plant gardens much larger than they will ever need – even including their neighbors – but then, “A little Madness in the spring is wholesome even for the King,” wrote Emily Dickinson. And, oh what mirth in the madness. Lovers are more courageous in May. They do not call it the merry month of May for nothing. Of the 12 children of the year May will always be among the youngest; all bright eyed and bushy tailed. An inspiration for all that is young, expectant, and filled with hope. While

wintry rain chases one off the streets, a soft spring rain is often an invitation to explore and to walk beneath its special quality. I wax poetic because May affects me as I can but hope it affects you. To be excited as bud explodes to bloom. To exult when some new flower opens up to greet its day. To laugh when you realize that this is the time when a fever is good because it is spring fever. I like the way Robert Orben said, “Spring is God’s way of saying, ‘One more time.’” MSN

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MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 23

ANACONDA Mike King 118 Cherry Anaconda, MT 59711 406-563-2991

BUTTE Jim Lynch 600 Dewey Boulevard Butte, MT 59701 406-494-3300

GREAT FALLS Gary T. Fosse 222 15th Street S Great Falls, MT 59405 406-452-6446

HAVRE Anthony Cammon, FSS, LTCP 115 4th Ave W Havre, MT 59501 406-945-9000

BILLINGS Brian Nearpass 751 S 24th St W Billings, MT 59102 406-248-2193

15 West Legion Whitehall, MT 59759 406-287-3907

Greg Franczyk 17 2nd St S Great Falls, MT 59401 406-770-3040

LIVINGSTON Sarah Skofield 125 E Callender St Livingston, MT 59047 406-222-1000

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

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

PAGE 24 MONTANA SENIOR NEWS

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Do I Need To File A Tax Return In 2017?

By Jim Miller Dear Savvy Senior, What is the IRS income tax filing requirement for retirees this year? My income dropped way down when I retired last year in 2016, so I’m wondering if I need to even file a tax return this year. New Retiree Dear New, There are several factors that affect whether or not you need to file a federal income tax return this year including how much you earned in 2016 and the source of that income, as well as your age and filing status. Here’s a rundown of this tax season’s IRS tax filing requirement thresholds. For most people, this is straightforward. If your 2016 gross income, which includes all taxable income, not counting your Social Security benefits, unless you are married and filing separately, was below the threshold for your filing status and age, you probably won’t have to file. But if it’s over, you will. • Single: $10,350 or $11,900 if you’re 65 or older by Jan. 1, 2017.

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• Married filing jointly: $20,700 or $21,950 if you or your spouse is 65 or older; or $23,200 if you’re both over 65. • Married filing separately: $4,050 at any age. • Head of household: $13,350 or $14,900 if age 65 or older. • Qualifying widow or widower with dependent child: $16,650 or $17,900 if age 65 or older. To get a detailed breakdown on federal filing requirements, along with information on taxable and nontaxable income, call the IRS at 800-8293676 and ask them to mail you a free copy of the Tax Guide for Seniors publication 554 or see irs. gov/pub/irs-pdf/p554.pdf. Special Circumstances There are, however, some other financial situations that will require you to file a tax return even if your gross income falls below the IRS filing requirement. For example, if you had earnings from self employment in 2016 of $400 or more, or if you owe any special taxes to the IRS such as alternative minimum tax or IRA tax penalties, you’ll probably need to file. To figure this out, the IRS offers an interactive tax assistant tool on their website that asks a series of questions that will help you determine if you’re required to file, or if you should file because you’re due a refund. It takes about 15 minutes to complete. You can access this tool at irs.gov/filing. Click on “Do you need to file a return?” under the Get Ready tab. Or, you can get assistance over the phone by calling the IRS helpline at

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800-829-1040. You can also get in person help at a Taxpayer Assistance Center. See irs.gov/ localcontacts to locate a center near you. Check Your State Even if you’re not required to file a federal tax return this year, don’t assume that you’re also excused from filing state income taxes. The rules for your state might be very different. Check with your state tax agency before concluding that you’re entirely in the clear. For links to state tax agencies see taxadmin.org/state-tax-agencies.

Tax Preparation Help If you find that you do need to file a tax return this year, you can get help through the Tax Counseling for the Elderly, or TCE, program. Sponsored by the IRS, TEC provides free tax preparation and counseling to middle and lowincome taxpayers age 60 and older. Call 800906-9887 or visit irs.treasury.gov/freetaxprep to locate a service near you. Also check with AARP, a participant in the TCE program that provides free tax preparation

MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 25

at more than 5,000 sites nationwide. To locate an AARP Tax Aide site call 888-227-7669 or visit aarp.org/findtaxhelp. You don’t have to be an AARP member to use this service. 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

AARP Tax-Aide Program in Full Swing Until April 18 Through April 18, AARP Foundation is again providing free tax assistance and preparation for taxpayers with low to moderate income through the AARP Foundation Tax-Aide program. Now in its 49th year, it is the nation’s largest free tax assistance and preparation service, giving special attention to the older population. People do not need to be a member of AARP or a retiree to use this service. “There’s no question, over the years the U.S. tax code has become more complicated and confusing,” said Tim Summers, AARP Montana state director. “It is almost overwhelming nowadays for the average person to do their own taxes – and not everyone can afford to hire a tax preparer.” In 2016, AARP Foundation Tax-Aide’s 35,000 volunteers at more than 5,000 sites around the nation provided more than 2.7 million people with free tax help. AARP Foundation Tax-Aide volunteers are trained and IRS-certified each year to ensure their knowledge of revisions to the U.S. tax code. Taxpayers who used AARP Foundation Tax-Aide received $1.41 billion in income tax refunds and more than $240 million in Earned Income Tax

Credits (EITCs). Last year in Montana, 183 AARP Foundation Tax-Aide volunteers helped more than 15,600 residents file their federal and state. Refunds in Montana totaled more than $4.83 million. The program is offered at approximately 29 sites in Montana including senior centers, libraries, and other convenient locations. “It’s extremely important to make sure that any tax credits or refunds are not overlooked – to someone on a fixed income, every dollar counts,” added Summers. “AARP Foundation Tax-Aide helps seniors, as well as low to moderate income taxpayers of all ages, prepare their returns with substantially less stress.” For more information on documentation required or to locate an AARP Foundation Tax-Aide site, visit aarp.org/findtaxhelp or call 888-2277669). AARP Foundation Tax-Aide is offered in conjunction with the IRS. MSN

The ABCs of Picking A Medicare Supplemental Policy By Jim Miller Dear Savvy Senior, Can you provide any advice on choosing a Medicare supplemental policy to help cover medical bills beyond what basic Medicare covers? I’ll be 65 in a few months and could use some assistance. Looking for Help Dear Looking, If you plan to enroll in original Medicare, getting a supplemental policy (also known as Medigap insurance) too is a smart idea because it will help pay for things that aren’t covered by Medicare like copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles. Here are some tips to help you choose an appropriate plan. Medigap Plans – In all but three states (Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Wisconsin), Medigap plans, which are sold by private health insurers, come in 10 standardized benefit packages labeled with the letters A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M and N. Plan F is the most popular policy followed by plan C because they provide comprehensive coverage. Plans K and L are high-deductible policies that have lower premiums but impose higher out-ofpocket costs. Plan F also offers a high-deductible version in some states. And a popular middle ground policy that attracts many healthy beneficiaries is plan N. For more information on the different types of plans and the coverage they provide, including Medigap options in Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, see Medicare’s “Choosing a Medigap Policy” guide at Medicare.gov/pubs/pdf/02110medicare-medigap.guide.pdf, or call 1-800-MEDICARE and ask them to mail you a copy. How to Choose – To pick a Medigap policy that works best for you, consider your health, family medical history, and your budget. The differences among plans can be small and rather confusing. To help you choose, visit Medicare.gov, and click on Supplements & Other Insurance at the top of the page, then on Find a Medigap Policy, and type in your ZIP code. This will give you a list of the plans available in your area, their price ranges, and the names and contact information of companies that sell them. But it’s up to you to contact the carri-

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Great news! You can invest your IRA distributions to support great programs—and reduce your taxes Taxpayers 70½ and older have a wonderful opportunity to support the Benefis Foundation and other charitable organizations now that Congress has made the IRA Charitable Rollover permanent! Charitable gifts of any amount up to $100,000 may be made from your IRA each year. The best news is that these gifts count toward your Required Minimum Distribution and are not subject to income taxes. The benefit is available even if you don't itemize your federal tax returns. The charitable distribution must be sent directly from the IRA administrator to the charity. Ask your IRA administrator how this option works or contact us at the Benefis Foundation. You choose how you want your gifts put to use through the dozens of vital funds and healthcare programs the Foundation supports. Please contact your financial advisor or Marilyn Parker Certified Specialist in Planned Giving Benefis Health System Foundation 406-455-5836 or marilynparker@benefis.org

PAGE 26 MONTANA SENIOR NEWS

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ers directly to get their specific pricing information. You can also compare Medigap prices on most state insurance department websites (see NAIC. org/state_web_map.htm for links), or you can order a personalized report from Weiss Ratings for $99 at WeissMedigap.com. Since all Medigap policies with the same letter must cover exactly the same benefits (it’s required by law), you should shop for the cheapest policy. You’ll get the best price if you sign up within six

months after enrolling in Medicare Part B. During this open-enrollment period, an insurer cannot refuse to sell you a policy or charge you more because of your health. You also need to be aware of the pricing methods, which will affect your costs. Medigap policies are usually sold as either: community-rated where everyone in an area is charged the same premium regardless of age; issue-age-rated that is based on your age when you buy the policy, but will only increase due to inflation, not age; and attained-age-rated where premiums start lower but increase as you age. Communityrate and issue-age-rated policies are the best options because they will save you money in the long run. You can buy the plan directly from an insurance company, or you can work with a reputable local insurance broker. Drug Coverage – You also need to know

that Medigap policies do not cover prescription drugs, so if you don’t have drug coverage, you need to consider buying a separate Medicare Part D drug plan too. See Medicare.gov/find-a-plan to compare plans. Also note that Medigap plans do not cover vision, dental care, hearing aids, or long-term care. Alternative Option – Instead of getting original Medicare, plus a Medigap policy and a separate Part D drug plan, you could sign up for a Medicare Advantage plan that provides all-in-one coverage. These plans, which are sold by insurance companies, are generally available through HMOs and PPOs. To find and compare Advantage plans visit Medicare.gov/find-a-plan. 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

Do You Lose Social Security When You Work? By Certified SS Advisor Russell Gloor This is a much more common question as more and more people are choosing to work even after they are entitled to receive Social Security benefits. Social Security’s rules say that if you work and are receiving benefits but have not yet reached your full retirement age (assume 66) and you earn more than the annual earnings limit, Social Security will “take back” half of everything you earn over the earnings limit (which for 2017 is $16,920). The way they do this is by withhold-

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ing what you owe from future benefit payments until they recover what you owe – which could cause you not to receive benefits for a number of months. This would happen every year up to the year you turn 66, which would mean that during that working time frame you would have gone some number of months without receiving Social Security. In the year you turn 66, the amount you can earn is much more generous and the amount they withhold is much less. After you turn 66, you can earn as much as you like without penalty. The way you “get back” what they withheld is this: When you reach 66, Social Security will recalculate your benefit amount taking into account the number of months you did not receive benefits in those working years between age 62 and 66. They will then advance your original start-of-benefits date by the number of months you didn’t receive benefits, effectively moving your start date forward and increasing your benefit amount accordingly. Let’s assume you originally applied at age 62 and continued to work. And, over the course of those years between age 62 and 66, you did not receive benefits for a total of 12 months. When you reached age 66, your benefit start date would be moved to age 63, so instead of receiving $1,000 per month for the rest of your life, you would get about $1,070. So, while they do take away some benefits while you are working, the increase you receive at your full retirement age will last for the rest of your life. MSN

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doing a two-week horse packing trip with Montana By Dianna Troyer As she does physical therapy for her left knee State University in the Gallatin Canyon in 1996. replacement, cyclist Roberta Ennis envisions what I needed a change, and the lifestyle in Bozeman reminded me of Juneau.” her new joint will enable her to do this fall. After moving to town, “I’ll ride in Ohio and R o b erta heard about Michigan in September and the Gallatin Valley Bicycle cross off two more states,” Club, attended events, and says the 70-year-old Bozemade lifelong friendships. man resident who has been “For me, Alaska’s wet doing long-distance group climate wasn’t comfortbicycle tours around Amerable for cycling,” says Roica for the past two decades. berta, a self-described “A life goal is to ride in lifelong rider who has all 50 states, so after next never been more than a fall I’ll only have New Jersey recreational athlete. “Here and Hawaii left. Once I’m in Bozeman where the done, it’ll be time for a big weather is better than Alascelebration.” ka, I became a committed Roberta is still deciding rider at age 52. I follow the how to celebrate. She might mantra ‘I don’t go fast, I just even consider doing Cycle go far.’” Zydeco, Louisiana’s Cajun She has ridden varyand Creole Cycling Festival, ing routes and distances again. of at least 25 miles in a “I liked it so much the first time that I did it twice.” Roberta Ennis likes to say she may not go fast but state to weeklong tours of The four-day road ride she does go far. She has cycled in nearly 50 states. 400 to 500 miles. “My favorite routes is staged out of Lafayette, [Photo courtesy of Roberta Ennis] are paved highways or Louisiana. The festival offers flat routes that vary in distance and show- Rails-to-Trails paths. I just love seeing the land cases Cajun music, food, and the local landscape. from a bicycle and feel a great sense of accomRoberta’s love for touring was kindled after plishment when I’ve made it to the top of a steep she moved from Juneau, Alaska to Bozeman in hill.” After joining the Gallatin Valley Bicycle Club, 1998 and joined the Gallatin Valley Bicycle Club. Roberta became the Touring Director. She helps “I became hooked on the Gallatin Valley after

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plan diverse routes for members of all ages and athletic abilities. Club events range from intense races to easygoing family events. She says the club welcomes cyclists of all abilities. “Anyone can enjoy riding a bicycle,” she says. “I’m always saddened to hear that people, especially women, stay home from tours because they don’t feel like they can ride that far. It’s wonderful to find companions who like to go the same distance at the same pace. Sometimes, it’s hard to find like-minded riders, but you just have to attend an event to meet those comparable riders. Meeting compatible cyclists still keeps me motivated.” As a semi-retiree, Roberta has more spare time to ride than she did while working fulltime in a hospital lab as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist. “I still work about six hours a week in a local Family Practice Clinic lab and help train new re-

MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 29

cruits to our field at MSU.” After work during winter, she keeps in shape for her upcoming bicycling season by skiing or going to spinning classes at a gym. In her spare time, Roberta often researches future trips and looks at itineraries offered by some of her favorite cycling companies. One of her most memorable Rails-to-Trails trips was the C&O-GAP tour from Washington D.C. to Pittsburgh, a trek organized by Adventure Cycling in Missoula. “The history, beauty of the landscape in fall, food, and camaraderie of the other 45 riders and staff was wonderful,” she says. “After I finish Ohio and Michigan this fall, I’ll have to start looking for rides in New Jersey and finally, Hawaii. Then I can move on to other countries….” MSN

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By Dianna Troyer Since 1976, he has been making and selling magiMagician Walt Woolbaugh asks his wife or cal apparatus worldwide. friends to lend him a hand so he can fine-tune his “I enjoy making people happy,” says Walt, latest magic trick. whose shows combine mag“Have you ever heard of the ic, music, and comedy. “The trick where the magician makes smiles on people’s faces his assistant vanish, only to have when doves appear or rabbits the assistant reappear somewhere disappear are truly priceless.” else?” he asks. “Let’s do someWalt’s perfectionism with thing like that here.” his performances has earned He takes a Sharpie pen, draws him accolades. He received an X on his palm, and closes his the Eddie Clever Award for hand into a fist. The spectator closBest Magic Act. He is also a es her hand into a fist, too. When member of the Order of Merhe opens his hand, there is no X, lin Shield in The International and it has suddenly appeared on Brotherhood of Magicians the spectator’s palm. and the Society of American “I’ve been working on it for Magicians. about four months, and it should Walt says his favorite trick be ready to use this summer,” is cups and balls because “it’s says Walt, who performs magic a classic that uses the basic Walt Woolbaugh has been entertainshows nationwide during his time ing audiences and teaching students principles of magic. My specoff from teaching junior high school with his magic tricks for more than tators’ favorite is anything science in the Manhattan School four decades. [Photo provided by Walt that happens in their hands, Woolbaugh] District. like multiplying sponge balls.” Walt, 64, became enthralled For Walt, magic not only with magic at age 10 after receiving a Hocus Pocus entertains on stage or in a parlor but in the classmagic set for selling garden seeds. Since then, he room as well. has become an award-winning magician and has “Magic and science go hand in hand,” he says, performed at varied venues including shopping referring to an air pressure trick as an example. malls, universities, street fairs, and on television. “A piece of paper is placed over a glass of He also teaches classes, wrote A Course in water, and it’s all turned upside down. The air Magic, and has a website, magicmontana.org. pressure means the water won’t fall out.”

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While his explanation is logical, what he does next seems to defy logic. “Then, I remove the paper, and the water still stays in. I love showing students science demonstrations like this because it helps engage them and motivates them to ask questions.” Walt entertains and educates students with a magic and science show he developed. “I use magic principles to teach process skills in science along with the nature of science,” he says. “As a science teacher I love great science demonstrations like the glass of water/air pressure one. They help engage students for further science lessons. Walt believes teaching scientific principles is

an important factor in students’ developing the rational and critical thinking skills so important to life. In this age of overwhelming information, plenty of which is untrue, thinking scientifically will help students learn to separate fact from fiction – and perhaps figure out the “how did he do that?” of a magic trick! For those who want to dig deeper, Walt teaches magic classes for both children and adults. The X on the palm is not the only trick Walt is perfecting. “Over the years, I’ve torn and restored a newspaper,” he says. “In the most recent version I’m working on, I immediately hand the paper out to the spectator. I’ll always be learning new tricks.” MSN

George And Barbara Keremedjiev Display A Vast Technology Collection At Acclaimed Museum By Dianna Troyer George Keremedjiev says holding one of the fewer than 200 Enigma Machines still in existence from World War II was magical but was not as thrilling as displaying it for all to see. The vintage Enigma Machine was the center of an exhibit, Hacking Hitler’s Code, at the American Computer and Robotics Museum, a nonprofit enterprise he and his wife, Barbara, founded in Bozeman in 1990. “We feel fortunate to have had it on loan for a year,” says George, museum director. It came from the private collection of David Bohnett, founder of social networking site GeoCities. Although it was returned in February, a working replica has replaced it. “We have rotors from other original Enigma Machines,” says Barbara, museum manager. “It’s an amazing and popular exhibit showing how the Allies deciphered encrypted German messages during the war.” The display also includes some original papers of Alan Turing, a British computer scientist who developed ways to speed up deciphering methods.

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The replica Enigma Machine is among more than 1,000 items displayed at the 6,000-squarefoot museum. Exhibits range from ancient Sumerian clay tablets to a modern NASA Apollo Moon Mission navigational computer, and a robotic arm. “These pieces of our history in the museum belong to everybody,” says Barbara. The Keremedjievs opened the museum to preserve and explain the history of the information age, robotics, and social networking. It is the longest continually operating nonprofit computer museum in the world and has received national acclaim. Last year, USA Today ranked it among the top 10 free museums in the nation. Trip Advisor awarded it a certificate of excellence consecutively from 2014-2016. In online reviews, visitors, from geeks to technophobes, have raved about it for its variety and interpretations. The museum has an original Apple 1 computer signed and donated by its inventor Steve Wozniak, co-founder of the Apple Computer Company. Another display features Bill Gates’ and Paul Allen’s original 1975 Altair software. As for the written word, there is a first folio of Shakespeare’s Macbeth. Several of Lincoln’s Civil War telegrams are shown, too. Other items awaiting visitors include an operator’s switchboard, Montana’s oldest telephone and calculator, adding machines, typewriters, cash registers, the first handheld calculator, and dozens of mainframes and personal computers. Barbara says they are excited to celebrate the museum’s 27th anniversary on May 27. Besides the enigma machine display, another popular exhibit, Man on

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While on a business trip, he detoured to Bozeman and knew it would be their new home. “I loved the natural beauty, the dynamics of a university town, and the reliable air service for my work.” After unpacking their belongings in 1988, George and Barbara realized how many vintage technological devices they had collected. “Our first piece was a 1914 German adding machine we found in an antique store,” recalls Barbara. “After that, we started collecting vintage calculators and other technological antiques at estate sales, flea markets, or by word-of-mouth. Soon we had enough to fill a warehouse.” The museum still has much of its collection in storage. “We have plenty so we can rotate exhibits. We outgrew two previous buildings before we settled here,” says Barbara of their location at 2023 Stadium Drive near the Montana State University campus. “We’re thinking of looking for a bigger place in the future, so we can show more of the collection.” MSN

Barbara Keremedjiev shows an Enigma Machine replica at the American Computer and Robotics Museum in Bozeman. It is part of a popular exhibit that explains how the machines were used to decipher encrypted German messages during World War II. [Photo provided by Barbara Keremedjiev]

the Moon, features original NASA hardware including Apollo Moon Mission program items displayed publicly for the first time. The collection includes a watch worn on the moon, which is on loan from the Smithsonian. During the past half century, George, 64 and Barbara, 61, have seen rapid technological advancements. George says he feels especially compelled to document the discoveries of his youth in the ’60s and ’70s, which paved the way for the development of microprocessors and computers. “The displays emphasize how far we’ve come with transmitting information. Centuries ago, it was done mechanically by hand, then with geared machinery, and finally digitally via computers,” says George. “You don’t think about it, but computers in the form of microprocessor chips control so many things in our daily lives from coffee makers to our cars. It may seem like magic, but this is information technology that is exciting and ever-changing.” Information technology is constantly being finetuned in his field of expertise. George is a technical consultant for mistake-proof manufacturing, a career he chose after graduating from Rutgers University. Manufacturing has become heavily dependent on microprocessors and electronics, a field that has intrigued George since childhood. When he was young, his father worked for Phillips Electronics in Venezuela, a country that provided refuge to Russian migrants like his family after WWII. When he was nine, his father moved the family to New Jersey. George’s worldwide travels for work eventually led him to Montana. “I’d been to many places but never Montana and wanted to see it,” he says.

MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 31

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Livingston: A Timeless Town By Bernice Karnop If you haven’t been to Livingston for a few decades, don’t worry. You’ll still feel right at home. A person can still buy stationary and books at Livingston’s oldest continuous business, Sax’s & Fryers, which opened in 1883. One can still stock a fishing box from Dan Bailey’s Fly Shop, which has been around since 1938, and you can still book a comfortable western-style room at the Murray Hotel (circa 1904). Livingston’s Main Street with buildings from the 1880s and 1890s could be the setting for a Louis L’Amour western, and one would be hard pressed to find a prettier backdrop

for his novels than here where the Yellowstone River bends away to the east. Out the front door, you see the massive Livingston Peak and all around stand the Absarokee Mountains, the Bridgers, and the Crazies. Livingston is a western town, and the flavor of the place is reflected in such representative statements as, “When the wind stops blowing, the people in Livingston all fall down” or “If you can’t fix it with duct tape and baling wire, it’s not worth fixing.” While cowboys and wind are part of the fabric of Livingston, people are often surprised at how much more there is to

APRIL/MAY 2017

the history of this valley. That grand Italian style Northern Pacific Railroad depot with its arms open to receive passengers from the train is one example. It’s been standing there since 1902 and it has a significant story to tell. “It is huge, way beyond what the town needed for a depot,” says Paul Shea, director of the Yellowstone Gateway Museum. When the Northern Pacific finished the line to Gardiner in 1883, a person could board the train in New York City and ride across the country to Yellowstone Park. Livingston was THE GATEWAY to Yellowstone Park and the Northern Pacific cashed in on that fact, bringing hundreds of thousands to Livingston. Fifty miles south, at Gardiner tourists boarded stage coaches to see the marvels of geysers, hot pools, mud pots, and wildlife. Today’s visitors don’t always realize how very early in the opening of the west this was, and how huge an impact the transcontinental railroad made. “The train really opened everything up,” says Shea. “It’s been a big player in developing the Park and Livingston. The Northern Pacific shops here were the Northern Pacific’s largest outside of Minnesota.” The population hovers between 5,000-7,000 people, and at one time 1,500-1,700 of them worked in the shops. For much of the past century, no one imagined the demise of the Northern Pacific’s North Coast Limited with scenic Vista Dome cars. The Burlington Northern acquired the NP,

MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 33

and in 1986, they closed the shops, eliminating about 400 jobs. Today it belongs to Montana Rail Link that employs a couple dozen people. The Depot Museum is open May through October. Visitors may wander around this beautiful structure, see the historical exhibits, and discover the cultural programs they offer including the Festival of Arts in July. For more history of transportation in Park County, the Yellowstone Gateway Museum covers Indian Trails, wagon roads, rails, and Interstate 90. This is not your parent’s museum. It was founded in 1977 but has been completely reexhibited in the past seven years since Paul Shea became director. The Native Cultures exhibit explains the Clovis hunters who lived in Park County 12,000 years ago, and what was discovered at a significant archeology dig near Wilsall. It also interprets the original Crow Agency located just a few miles out of Livingston on Mission Creek. Other current exhibits include expeditions, pioneers, fire, and more. Bring the grandchildren. Every exhibit has something to keep them happy and interested. Dress up clothing, a tipi, a saddle, and a washboard and tub are some of the items they can get their hands on. For the curious, the Yellowstone Gateway research center contains rare books and periodicals, photo archives, family histories, and artifacts. This year you can attend the Yellowstone Gateway

PAGE 34 MONTANA SENIOR NEWS

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Museum’s 40th anniversary celebration at History Day, June 3, 2017. They’ll move outdoors where you can tour the old caboose, see demonstrations of flint knapping and Dutch oven cooking. They fire up the blacksmith shop and show mining equipment that was used in Park County. Anglers come to Livingston to catch a wily trout and to raft or float the Yellowstone. The Fly Fishing Discovery Center in the old Lincoln School building shares a history of fly-fishing. A tackle room is filled with rods, reels, lines, float tubes, and art. A fly room displays thousands of flies tied by masters from around the world. A visit to Livingston should include a picnic under the canopy of trees at Sacajawea Park, with a stroll along the

river and lagoon where you’ll spot geese, wood ducks, other waterfowl, and songbirds. You won’t run out of things to do in Livingston. You can shop for sporting equipment, cowboy gear, antiques, quilting supplies, and Native American crafts and art. You can connect with dude ranches and fishing or hunting outfitters and guides. There’s a vibrant arts community including artists, writers, and photographers. Folks enjoy live theater at the Blue Slipper or the Firehouse 5. And while we hope you never need it, they have a beautiful new hospital. So, if you haven’t visited Livingston recently, it’s about time you did! MSN

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MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 35

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Eyeing Iceland: Stopovers Amongst Sheep, Waterfalls, Glaciers, And Hot Springs Article and Photos by Natalie Bartley Iceland is known for its natural beauty and was on my bucket list. The United States Tour Operators Association named Iceland in the association’s list for top 10 destination fads for 2017. There is plenty of space to absorb curious travelers on this island of 39,768 square miles with a population of less than 500,000. Icelandair, with flights from Portland and Seattle to Europe, makes it easy to experience Iceland. The airline allows a free stopover up to seven nights, offered on flights across the Atlantic Ocean. Available since the 1960s, the stopover is included at no additional cost to your airline ticket price. Another airline, WOWair, offers inexpensive flights from Los Angeles and San Francisco but does not provide free stopovers. This past September during Iceland’s shoulder season, I took advantage of an Icelandair stopover on my return flight from Germany to Seattle. We flew to the Keflavik International Airport (KEF) near the capital city of Reykjavik. Two of us rented a small, fully equipped camper van from Kuku Campers. There are several companies offering larger campers for rent. Our mission was an 8-day drive around the island on the Ring Road. This 826-mile paved road is ideal for viewing Iceland’s famous scenery. On the way, we stopped at numerous waterfalls, ocean beaches, and quaint towns, spending nights in campgrounds and undeveloped sites. Our cameras recorded a thousand photographs of glaciers, rivers, mountains, lava rocks, and autumn leaves. One night we camped with views of the ocean while parked beside a glacier next to a river. Another night we stayed in a pasture at a campground near the Strokkur geyser in the Haukadalur geothermal region on the Golden Circle driving route. Along the north side of the island, we slept on a high point at a roadside pullover area with

the ocean spread out below us. Later in the week, we experienced the healing geothermal waters at a community recreation center’s swimming complex. Another campground, located at a golf resort, featured hot tubs facing a mountain. Icelanders take geothermal pool sanitation seriously. The facilities require thorough showers prior to entering and one city facility even had attendants checking that everyone complied. Our last night outdoors was at a campground near a lighthouse with the northern lights peeking out occasionally. Though I love watching wildlife, I admit the sheep and Icelandic horses stole my heart. Fluffy white sheep dotted the green fields, and horses with punk-rocker hairstyles strolled over to fence lines and interacted with us. Last autumn, some of my friends heading to Europe stayed in the capital Reykjavik. They rave about the local organic farm-to-table eateries and beautiful waterfalls. Sue Allison, a Boise resident, visited on her way to Germany and says, “Probably my favorite thing about Iceland was how environmentally focused and friendly the country is.” She likes their emphasis on organic foods and gardening. Sue says they have premium quality dairy products due to their dairy farming techniques and protection of native species. Visitors with only a few days for a stopover generally base out of Reykjavik. In town are bicycle, beer, and food tours. Blue Lagoon geothermal springs are easily accessed on the way to or from the airport. Shannon Page, of Boise, spent two days in Iceland on her way to Germany. She says, “Don’t make the same mistake I made and schedule too little time in this amazing country.” A three-night stay allows for tours to waterfalls and geysers along the Golden Circle route near Reykjavik. Longer stays permit renting a car or camper and exploring further. If you want to whale

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watch, sea kayak, or take a helicopter ride, Icelandair and WOWair websites outline these and other tours. Or, book a tour once you arrive in Iceland. Tour buses transport passengers to all parts of the island for scenic views or overnight stays in luxury hotels. Hostels are available for the budget backpackers and van campers. Home stays on farms offer an intimate look at the sheep and horse cultures. If you saw the Icelandic scenery in the 2013 film The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, you might recognize the movie locations during your travels. Game of Thrones filmed scenes in south Iceland. The busiest tourist season is June through August, with endless daylight and many festivals. Bring a raincoat and warm clothing for the constantly changing weather. The island is an expensive place to travel since food and gasoline prices are high, so carry credit cards, ATM cards, and cash. We found the wifi reliable and readily available throughout the country at gas stations, restaurants, and campgrounds. Iceland has high-quality tap water, so we only needed bottled water for camping at the undeveloped sites. Icelandic, a Germanic language, is the country’s designated language however, English is widely spoken. Road signs can be tricky because place

MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 37

names are sometimes spelled in various ways. Occasionally Icelandair conducts a winter Stopover Buddy Service, introduced in 2016. For events or your specific interests, the airline matches you with an airline employee for one day. A matchup is free but you pay for your food, accommodations, and other fees. The recent buddy service expired March 31, 2017. Monitor the Icelandair website for the next Stopover Buddy Service availability and view photos of prior activities. Our weeklong driving tour through Iceland was a teaser for what the island offers. I am eager to return to for an in-depth exploration in the backcountry beyond the roads and waterfalls. Information sources: • Icelandair at icelandair.us, 800-223-5500. • WOWair at wowair.com, 888-209-3170. • Kuku Camper budget rentals for the young at heart kukucampers.is. • Visit Iceland info at visiticeland.com. Natalie Bartley is a Boise-based author of trail guidebooks Best Easy Day Hikes Boise and the newly updated Best Rail Trails Pacific Northwest. MSN

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Delicious Desserts

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ACROSS 1. Scottish Highlands’ pattern 6. ____ Brown from “Back to the Future” 9. “For ____ the Bell Tolls” 13. Alluring maiden 14. Feminists’ 1923 proposal, acr. 15. Push 16. Not Ionic or Corinthian 17. SNL’s “home” 18. Acquired behavior pattern 19. *Danish or croissant 21. *With ice cream 23. Color wheel feature 24. *”Baking with Julia,” e.g. 25. Rejuvenating spot 28. Stephen King’s “The Green ____” 30. License to park, e.g. 35. Olympic castaway? 37. Read, watched, or listened to 39. Hot spot 40. Swirling vortex 41. Wilt “The ____” Chamberlain 43. Beginning of musical staff 44. DNA and RNA 46. Recipe direction 47. Saw incision 48. Rh in Rh disease 50. “Follow me!” 52. Pig’s digs 53. Loud get-together 55. Actress Thompson 57. *Apple coat 61. *Like Cherries Jubilee 64. Defendant’s excuse 65. One who copies behavior of another 67. Lion sounds 69. “Thesaurus” author 70. Intelligent humor 71. Grassy plain 72. School activity 73. Anagram for #49 Down 74. Those in favor

DOWN 1. High degree 2. Roller coaster feature 3. Heavenly glow 4. March celebrants 5. Authoritative declaration 6. Refuse to accept 7. Eyeball shape 8. *Chocolate tree 9. George Michael/Andrew Ridgeley duo 10. Great Depression drifter 11. “Metamorphoses” poet 12. Boundary line 15. *Milk-based concoctions 20. Buggy control, pl. 22. Chop off 24. Cause to be enamored 25. *Common dessert ingredient 26. Study of behavior and mind, for short 27. Eagle’s nest 29. “____ Make a Deal” 31. Medieval torture device 32. The cocktail Moscow ____, pl. 33. Dead to the world 34. *Seaside candy 36. *In M&M’s pack: browns, greens, and these 38. Fit for a skinny one 42. Online troublemaker 45. What to do with an application 49. Greek letters on campus 51. Almost 54. Shredded cabbage dishes 56. Mexican detergent plant 57. Rental on the links 58. Medicinal succulent 59. Semis 60. Lend a criminal hand 61. Sheep’s milk cheese 62. Barnyard sounds 63. Marine eagle 66. *____-throwing contest 68. Vessel’s last call MSN

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MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 39

PAGE 40 MONTANA SENIOR NEWS

When information moved slowly before radio, TV, the Internet, and the latest electronic devices, our knowledge was generally limited to what we could read in newspapers, magazines, or books. Today of course, there is more information than we can possibly absorb – and plenty of it is misleading or false. As current information has exploded and overwhelmed us, old information has been left in the shadows to be dug out of our memories (which may be fading) or from the search engines of digital resources. This issue’s Test Yourself With Trivia quiz will give you the opportunity to see how deep into the shadows you have to dig to find the answers. Thank you to Kelly & Rebecca Wilke of Ka-

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lispell, winners of the doubled $50 prize for submitting the winning featured quiz in this issue. Thank you to all who participated in our It’s Presidents Day! quiz in the February/March 2017 issue. The winner of the $25 prize for submitting the correct answers is Fran Latimer of Kalispell. Congratulations, Fran! 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

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some good, fun, and interesting puzzles! Be sure to hunt for the eighteen Easter eggs hidden throughout this issue (see page 1 for details). You may win the $25 cash prize! 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 May 15, 2017 for our June/July 2017 edition. Be sure to work the crossword puzzle on our website at montanaseniornews.com.

Test Yourself With Trivia Submitted by Kelly & Rebecca Wilke, Kalispell Below are twenty trivia questions regarding everything from soup to nuts and more. On a numbered piece of paper, write down your answers and mail or email them to us at the address above. You may just win our $25 cash prize. 1. What color boots did Superman wear? 2. What did Gerald Ford’s “WIN” button stand for? 3. What did Howard Hughes officially die of? 4. What town had a TV station named BDRX? 5. What singer was the “Shirley Temple” of Great Britain? 6. Whose parents paid $12.95 for his first guitar? 7. What was the Everly Brothers first #1 song? 8. What was the flavor of the original blue Popsicle? 9. Who couldn’t swim Butch Cassidy or the Sundance Kid? 10. Which of the Archies owned a dog named Hotdog? 11. What New York City building has 280 elevators and 43,600 windows? 12. What planet has the longest day? 13. Who ran away when the boys came out to play? 14. Who was Sitting Bull’s right hand man? 15. What is a funambulist? 16. What bird lays the largest eggs? 17. What’s the cube root of 27? 18. How many from the state of Arizona perished on the U.S.S. Arizona? 19. Who was the third man in space? 20. In 1980, what company’s motto said, “We bring good things to life?” MSN

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MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 41

Answers to It’s Presidents Day! Provided by worldhistoryproject.org 1. a. Franklin D. Roosevelt served as President for over 12 years, the longest time in office. He is the only president to serve more than two terms; he died shortly into his fourth term in 1945. 2. d. Grover Cleveland served two nonconsecutive terms and is counted chronologically as both the twenty-second and the twenty-fourth president. 3. c. Donald Trump was when he was inaugurated on January 20, 2017. 4. b. The Vice President was originally determined by the presidential candidate receiving the second-largest number of electoral votes. The Twelfth Amendment, passed in 1804, changed the system so that the Electoral College voted separately for president and vice president. 5. d. The first President to appear on black and white television was Franklin D. Roosevelt on April 30, 1939 at the opening ceremonies for the World’s Fair. 6. b. On Saturday, November 1, 1800, John Adams became the first president to take residence in the White House. 7. d. George Washington was unanimously elected by the Electoral College in 1789, and again in the 1792 election; he remains the only president to have received 100% of the electoral votes. James Monroe, the fifth President, received every Electoral College vote except one. A New Hampshire delegate wanted to preserve the legacy of George Washington. 8. b. “O Captain! My Captain!” is a poem written in 1865 by Walt Whitman, concerning the death of American president Abraham Lincoln. 9. a. Barack Obama was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, to Stanley Ann Dunham, an American of predominantly English descent from Wichita, Kansas, and Barack Obama, Sr., a Luo from Nyang’oma Kogelo, Nyanza Province, Kenya Colony. Obama is the first President to have been born in Hawaii. 10. a. On June 13, 1967, President Lyndon Johnson appointed Thurgood Marshall to the

Here’s to a long life

Star Trek Vulcan, Mr. Spock, used to say, “Live long and prosper.” And a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics seems to echo the sentiment, says the Association of Mature American Citizens. Dr. Jiaquan Xu, chief author of the report, concludes, “The health of the U.S. population is improving. The death rates for heart disease and cancer, the two leading causes of death that account for 46.5% of all deaths, have been falling since 1999.” MSN

Supreme Court following the retirement of Justice Tom C. Clark, saying that this was “the right thing to do, the right time to do it, the right man and the right place.” Marshall was confirmed as an Associate Justice by a Senate vote of 69-11 on August 31, 1967. He was the 96th person to hold the position, and the first African-American. 11. a. The purchase of Alaska from the Russian Empire in 1867 is considered Andrew Johnson’s most important foreign policy action. The idea and implementation is credited to Secretary of State William Seward who dubbed the purchase Seward’s Folly. 12. d. Both George Washington and John Adams were inaugurated at Federal Hall in New York, NY. Thomas Jefferson was the first President to be inaugurated in Washington, DC. 13. d. Johnson was impeached on February 24, 1868 in the U.S. House of Representatives on eleven articles of impeachment detailing his “high crimes and misdemeanors”, in accordance with Article Two of the United States Constitution. 14. d. The President’s Commission on the Assassination of President Kennedy, known unofficially as the Warren Commission, was established on November 29, 1963, by Lyndon B. Johnson to investigate the assassination of United States President John F. Kennedy on November 22. Its 888-page final report was presented to President Johnson on September 24, 1964, and made public three days later. 15. a. Richard Nixon was the 37th President and 36th Vice President of the United States. Nixon was the only President to resign the office. 16. a. On September 9, 1996, Rosa Parks was presented, by President Bill Clinton, with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. This is the highest honor that can be bestowed upon a civilian by the United States Government. 17. d. Theodore Roosevelt was the first President to win the Nobel Peace Prize in 1906. In June, 1905, President Roosevelt offered his good offices as mediator between Russia and Japan, asking the belligerents to nominate plenipoten-

tiaries to negotiate on the conditions of peace. 18. a. Beginning in the fall of 1973, Bush attended the Harvard Business School, where he earned an MBA in 1975. 19. d. Two future U.S. Presidents signed the Declaration of Independence: Thomas Jefferson and John Adams. 20. d. The Civil Rights Act of 1875, 18 Stat. 335, was a United States federal law proposed by Republican Senator Charles Sumner and Republican Congressman Benjamin F. Butler in 1870. The act was passed by Congress in February, 1875 and signed by President Grant on March 1, 1875. 21. b. Secret Service needed a car to drive Roosevelt to Congress to make his speech on Pearl Harbor the day after the attack. Luckily, the Treasury Dept. had impounded Capone’s armored car years earlier. 22. c. William McKinley was assassinated on September 6, 1901 by anarchist Leon Czolgoszwhile while attending the Pan American Exposition in Buffalo, NY. 23. d. John F. Kennedy’s youth, and much of his adult life, was marked by health problems, including scarlet fever, an appendectomy, Addison’s Disease, and colitis. 24. b. Passed after a bitter debate in Congress, the Indian Removal Act paved the way for the reluctant, and often forcible, emigration of tens of thousands of American Indians to the West. It was signed into law by Jackson on May 26, 1830. 25. a. The White House Plumbers, sometimes simply called the Plumbers, were a covert White House Special Investigations Unit established July 24, 1971 during the presidency of Richard Nixon. Its task was to stop the leaking of classified information to the news media. Its members branched into illegal activities working for the Committee to Reelect the President, including the Watergate break ins and the ensuing Watergate scandal. MSN

a taste for cricket, too – not the game, but real crickets, the kind that go click in the night, reports the Association of Mature American Citizens. Joachim’s urban farmstead in Brooklyn is up and running, producing crickets that he claims are not only a treat that taste like figs or nuts, but may help address the problem of world hunger. “We can’t go on eating steak and the amount of livestock we do. The key to solving hunger is through insect protein being a much more integrated part of our diet,” he told reporter Lauren Gill. He’s even hired a chef to create tasty new cricket-based dishes. MSN

How to get rid of old electronic equipment

Washington Post writer Elisabeth Leamy recently offered a few tips on what to do with all those old electronic devices we’ve been collecting over the years, according to the Association of Mature American Citizens. You might try selling them on Amazon or eBay, she says. Or, you might want to donate them to a charity. And, if local laws don’t allow you to put them in with your trash, you may have to recycle them at stores such as Best Buy that offer recycling options or at an electronic recycling center. MSN

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2017 National Nursing Home Week By Bernice Karnop In observance of Nursing Home Week, May 14-20, 2017 nursing facilities across Montana will be sponsoring events meant to encourage residents, families, and others to engage with their loved ones, family members, or neighbors. In fact, everyone can get set to enjoy the week as the American Health Care Association (AHCA) has designated it as the week to celebrate with the theme of Spirit of America. Families, friends, businesses, and the public are encouraged to recognize and appreciate during National Nursing Home Week the million Americans who need assistance with daily living needs. This week is set aside to remember not only residents and rehab patients, but also their families, care providers, and staff.

It just takes a visit to a nursing center near you to see the American spirit in action, where you can hear stories from proud veterans, immigrants, and other hardworking Americans from different faiths and backgrounds. This variety of people from different cultures and experiences helps define our proud country. Bring cookies, flowers, or other tokens of appreciation during National Nursing Home Week – or any time of year. A simple visit may be just the boost a resident needs. Those things that brighten the day for the resident brighten the day for caregivers as well. National Nursing Home Week is an annual observance sponsored nationally by the American Health Care Association, based in Washington, D.C. For more information on National Nursing Home Week, visit nnhw.org. MSN

Gerontology Society to Meet Montana Gerontology Society’s (MGS) 35th Annual Conference, Life Stories: Aging & the Human Spirit will be held Thursday and Friday, April 6-7, 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 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 (UTHealth). Dr. Cole has published many articles and books on the history of aging and humanistic gerontology. Cole’s interest in the life stories of

older people has taken him into biography and filmmaking. His keynote topic on Thursday will be Life Stories and Well-Being in Later Life. Anthony Cirillo, FACHE, ABC, President, The Aging Experience, is an aging and caregiving expert. He is a speaker, consultant, and author of the book, Who Moved My Dentures. His company offers patient experience management, strategic marketing, and international health care consulting. He is focusing on assisting health care organizations to become dementia friendly. His keynote topic on Friday will be On the Journey to Excellence, The Experience Drives Everything. Breakout sessions will cover medical/clini-

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cal topics, psycho/social services, legal and financial issues, and caregiving advice. There will be several sessions on Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Diseases ranging from Dealing with Grief and Loss, Communication Techniques, Coping Strategies, the Memories in the Making Art Program and an Update on the Montana Alzheimer’s/ Dementia State Plan. Other topics include Legal & Financial Planning, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of Vulnerable Adults, Fighting Senior Hunger and Improving Nutrition, Treating Addiction in Older Adults, Spirituality, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. A Thursday early evening session presented by the Benefis Spirit of Women will be The Country Side of Care, a documentary on the Lifeside Farms program in Flathead Valley. Refreshments will be served with a no host bar. MGS 2017 paid members receive a discount

on the full conference fees of two days ($180) or one day ($110). The discounted fees for students, seniors, retirees, and family caregivers are $80 for the full conference and $45 for one day. Registration includes lunch, breaks, program booklet, and handouts. For detailed conference information, registration form, or membership application, visit montanagerontology.org. MSN

Accentuate The Positive – Change Your Attitude To Improve Your Life

By Lisa M. Petsche There is no shortage of information in the media about how to improve your well-being through positive lifestyle changes such as eating nutritiously, exercising, and not smoking. Did you know, though, that changing your mental attitude could also go a long way toward improving your life? Even if you do not consider yourself a naysayer, make it a point over the next few days to scrutinize everything you think and say. You might be surprised. For instance, how much of your self-talk and communication with others contains the words can’t, don’t, shouldn’t, couldn’t, and never? Do you often start sentences with: If only, I can’t be-

lieve, or I hate it when? And do you tend to use think or use phrases such as it’s impossible, I have no choice, that’s terrible, and why me? Unfortunately, it is much easier to be pessimistic and critical of yourself, others, and the world in general than to be optimistic and enthusiastic. It doesn’t help that the media thrive on disaster, failure, and discord. Publicity not only perpetuates the negativity but also creates more. And it’s true that misery loves company; when we complain aloud, other people usually join in, reinforcing the gloom. Negative thinking takes many insidious forms – doubt, worry, catastrophizing (magnifying the importance of upsetting events), focusing on our own shortcomings or those of others, seeing only the flaws in proposed plans, dwelling on what we perceive to be lacking in our lives, approaching life from the perspective of entitlement (believing that we are owed certain things), denial, inflexibility, hopelessness, and regarding the world as an uncaring even hostile place. By-products of such thinking include self-absorption, depression, defensiveness, self-criticism, destructive criticism of others, sarcasm, distrust, blame, jealousy, bitterness, self-pity, avoidance, indecision, chronic complaining, low self-esteem, resistance to change, and helplessness and passivity. Negativity is harmSPECIALIZING IN DEMENTIA /ALZHEIMER’S CARE ful to your physical and mental health, generating stress that can lead Robin Cislo Fleek-Owner/Administrator to illness. Also harmful to your spiritual well-being, Sapphire House • Ruby House • Emerald House it is a significant drain on your life energy. 811 2nd Avenue South, Great Falls Following are some ideas on how to re@ rfleek@mymtgems.com focus from negativity and mymtgems.com accentuate the positive instead.

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• Limit your exposure to the news. • Use positive self-talk. Emphasize phrases such as I can, I will, and I choose. • Be generous with praise and encouragement and cautious with criticism, giving only the constructive type. • Cultivate a healthy sense of humor. Read the comics, watch a TV sitcom, or rent funny movies. Don’t take yourself or others too seriously. • Accept realities you can’t change and focus instead on those you can influence. • Trust there is a valuable lesson in every type of adversity. And remember that no matter what happens, you always have a choice about how to respond. • Stay connected to people who care. Minimize contact with those who are negative or selfcentered. • Find an outlet for expressing your thoughts and feelings, such as talking with a friend or keeping a journal. • Pick your battles; don’t make a major issue out of every concern. • Don’t dwell on past mistakes, hurts, or other unpleasant events. • Look for the good in people and situations. Demonstrate empathy, give others the benefit of the doubt, practice forgiveness, and do nice things for others. • Let go of the need for perfection, and be flexible about plans and expectations. Take things one day at a time.

Fat Dummies Americans are overweight and so it comes as no surprise that automakers are starting to use obese car crash dummies, reports the Association of Mature American Citizens. Trauma surgeon Stewart Wang, M.D. says it is simple logic. “You can’t talk about injuries without talking about the person – it’s individuals who are hurt. The condition, size, and shape of an individual are hugely important in how severe their injuries are in any given crash.” One manufacturer of crash dummies recently created one that weighs 273 pounds, 106 pounds heavier than the traditional model, according to Insurance Journal. MSN

The Pearly Gates Submitted by Julie Brantley A minister died and was waiting in line at the Pearly Gates. Ahead of him was a guy dressed in sunglasses, a loud shirt, leather jacket, and jeans. Saint Peter approached the man and asked, “Who are you, so that I may know whether or not to admit you to the Kingdom of Heaven?” The man replied, “I’m Joe Mazzetti, a taxi driver out of Noo Yawk City.” St. Peter consulted his list, smiled, and said, “Take this silken robe and golden staff and enter the Kingdom of Heaven.” When it was the minister’s turn, he stood proudly erect and in a booming voice said, “I am Joseph Snow, pastor of the Holy Church of the Shepherd for the last forty-three years.” St. Peter consulted his list and said to the minister, “Take this cotton robe and wooden staff and enter the Kingdom of Heaven.” “Just a minute,” replied the minister. “That man was just a taxi driver, yet he got a silken robe and golden staff. How can this be?” “Up here, we work by results,” replied Saint Peter. “While you preached, people slept; while he drove, people prayed.” MSN

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Finally, focus on the good things in your life, such as supportive relationships, and seek beauty and tranquility – through appreciation of art and nature, for example. Count your blessings and learn to live in the moment, enjoying life’s simpler

pleasures. Lisa M. Petsche is a medical social worker and a freelance writer specializing in boomer and senior health matters. She can be reached at lmepetsche@gmail.com MSN

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PAGE 52 MONTANA SENIOR NEWS

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Great Falls’ New Voyageur Apartments Voyageur Apartments is a new, accessible, and affordable apartment community for people age 55+ and the fourth apartment community in Great Falls sponsored and developed by Accessible Space, Inc. (ASI), one of the nation’s premier nonprofit developers and operators of accessible, affordable housing. Situated directly adjacent to the Great Falls Clinic Northwest, Voyageur is designed as a convenient and beautiful setting where income qualifying Great Falls seniors can live and age in place. The 32 one-bedroom apartment units at Voyageur are approximately 642 sq. ft., and the six two-bedroom

units are approximately 855 sq. ft. All units are air-conditioned and include washers, dryers, ceiling fans, ample storage space, and audio/visual enhancements for the hearing or visually impaired. Eight of the 38 resident units are designed to be fully wheelchair accessible for those with physical disabilities including oversized wheel-in showers, adjustable closet shelves, roll-under counters, counter-top stoves, and much more. Outdoor space includes extensive landscaping, patio and sitting areas with accessible picnic tables, benches, and barbeques all along a wheelchair accessible walking path. For more information, please call Jessica A. Ruybal, Property Manager, at 406-208-6968 or stop by for a visit at 1630 Division Road in Great Falls. MSN

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“The first hundred years are the hardest. After that you just roll along,” says 103-year-old Edward Palkot, the father of TV reporter Greg Palkot. Palkot, the younger, says his Dad is the very model of a modern centenarian, “living on his own and staying active with his own family and his girlfriend, Alice. He’s also stayed very much plugged-in to the 21st century via email, Facebook and even Twitter.” Palkot, the elder, is also quite busy on a book tour, promoting the new book, Aging Gracefully, in which he’s featured along with 51 other not-sogrumpy old men of the 100-plus generation. In fact, he believes that if you want to grow old gracefully, “you have to think about positive things. If people are crabby, that’s going to wear on you. So you should look for people who are pleasant.” MSN

Driverless Air Taxi At Your Service?

The next time your taxi is stuck in traffic, take heart. It appears that the first flying taxi will begin ferrying passengers to their destinations in July, according to the Association of Mature American Citizens. The bad news is that you will have to move to Dubai in order to avail yourself of the world’s first airborne hack. According to the Emirate’s Roads and Transport Authority they’ve successfully tested the service and will “spare no effort” to start taking fares “up, up and away” in July 2017. But they are not hiring drivers; these flying cabs fly themselves. MSN

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Ludin Family Shares A Love Of Entertainment At Bozeman’s Historic Theater Article & Photo By Dianna Troyer Award-winning film and animated television writer John Ludin says he laughs at himself for recently rejecting job offers to write for new television shows. “When I was in my 20s, I would have never done that because I was so eager for writing work,” says the 60-year-old Bozeman resident, whose work has won accolades. He received Emmy Awards and Annie Awards for his work in Hollywood on movies, “The Land Before Time,” and “An American Tale,” and animated television shows like “Back to the Future” and “Pinky and the Brain.” “At this point in my life, I’m more aware of my time limitations and am more selective about projects.” His focus is working as executive director of The Ellen Theatre, a historic and beloved performing arts center on Main Street where local actors and nationally renowned celebrities entertain. Acting and theater production classes are also offered for all ages through the TATE Academy (Theater at the Ellen). “We want to bring the community together at The Ellen by offering quality entertainment and programming for all ages,” says John. Since its renovation in 2008, the theater has been a venue for plays, musicals, concerts, comics, and singers. Each summer The Ellen features a series of classic cowboy movies and this June sees a return visit from The Glenn Miller Orchestra. “There’s an amazing energy that can only be felt with live entertainment and being in a place where 400 people are laughing together – connecting with performers,” he says. “Lily Tomlin talked

about it when she did a fund-raising project for us two years ago.” To his pleasant surprise, Tomlin was smitten with the Ellen’s acoustics, architecture, and size. “She usually doesn’t perform at small venues like The Ellen, but our company manager Glenda Singer had been in contact with her in the past and made it happen. The night before she performed here, she was in Chicago with an audience of 3,000. Here, our 400 seats were full. She said she loved the intimacy of being so close to the crowd and seeing people’s facial expressions.” One of The Ellen’s successful shows last year was a play John secretly wrote called “Just Add Water.” “I told friends someone else had written it, so I could get honest feedback about the script.” The comedy/drama was inspired by memories of reuniting with his brothers in 2000 to deal with their father’s death and estate. The play focuses on three brothers who reconnect and learn to tolerate each other’s quirky personalities with humor. They recall different memories of the same childhood events as they ponder life’s big questions. “Writing such a personal play was more cathartic than I thought it would be,” says John. When he and his wife, Mary Jo, moved from Los Angeles to Bozeman in 1992, they never intended to become involved in local theater. He still had California job commitments and commuted every few weeks.

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“We just wanted a place with clear air and quality education to raise our daughters, Cate and Kelsey. We made a list of five possible places in the West, and Bozeman just happened to be first on the list.” They visited during a Thanksgiving weekend. “We liked the clean environment, sense of community, and local schools. At the time, Montana’s Teacher of the Year, Lynne Scalia, was teaching elementary school in Bozeman. We knew it was the place for us.” After they were settled and the birth of third daughter Malia, the Ludins wanted to share their love of professional theater and entertainment with the community. The two had met while working for Disney. While John was a writer, Mary Jo auditioned actors, worked in production, and toured extensively as a performer. In 1995, John and Mary Jo established the non-profit theater company, Montana TheatreWorks. For years, members performed plays at

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several places in town. A decade later when The Ellen Theatre, aged yet still adored, was for sale, Montana TheatreWorks raised local funds to buy it for a permanent home. “The Ellen had meant so much to generations of people, and we didn’t want it to close permanently and fall into disrepair,” says John. Named for the wife of a town founder, Nelson Story, The Ellen was built in 1919 as a Vaudeville venue and through the decades hosted all kinds of entertainment. After extensive renovations, it opened in 2008 with a glowing gilded interior. “Once again, it’s cherished by the community,” says John, citing last year’s attendance of 45,000 and more than 237,000 since 2008. “About 55 percent of our annual budget comes from local

donations, which is impressive. We’re proud and grateful it has become so vital to people in the region. We have a barebones staff and volunteers to keep the budget down. Mary Jo serves as artistic director of The Ellen and education coordinator of the TATE Academy, while daughter Cate handles marketing. Cate refers to a slogan she coined, “Whatever classes we’re offering, whenever we walk into The Ellen, we try to live up to our academy motto: ‘A place where hard work and joy collide. It’s serious fun.’” John’s next project of serious fun will likely be another play. “I hope I have a few more in me,” he says, grinning. MSN

Tom Powers - continued from page 48 His grandmother also lived with them. “My grandmother was Irish; she didn’t talk about being Irish,” he explains. “My parents were Irish-American, and they talked about the Irish.” Tom celebrates his Irish roots, but is admittedly more “Butte than Irish.” However, sometimes it is difficult to separate the two – so what being Irish and what being Butte have in common is history. And Tom Powers appreciates all aspects of the history. “That’s just what I took to – academically that’s what I took to,” he says. He earned a degree in history at the University of Montana and about 30 years ago came back to his hometown where he got a job as Deputy Clerk of the District Court. Now the Clerk of the District Court, Tom says, “I’m responsible for the maintenance of all the court records. In that sense I am very well situated in the position of being the main keeper of the court record because I have an appreciation of the history.” His appreciation shows in the excite-

ment and animation of his voice. “If there’s something there, I’m apt to know,” he says. In maintaining the “little bits of the story,” he becomes a part of the story as the keeper of the records, without which there would be no story… and no history. But music was first. Tom recalls being seven or eight when he was first introduced to the Irish folk music he plays now – some Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem records from his uncle. “We listened to those records all the time… I learned those songs and then I learned about those songs and I kept them with me forever.” Little did that little boy know where those songs would lead. There is an old saying about not whistling in a graveyard. When he was in high school, Tom Powers worked at the Catholic cemetery mowing the lawns. He didn’t whistle, but he would “bellow over the top of the lawn mower just to pass the time.” He would sing the Clancy Brothers, Peter Paul and Mary, Neil Young, and Bob Dylan. “The songs were always in there just waiting to come out,” he says. Perhaps the cemetery’s residents were his first audience. While at U of M, Tom met other folk music musicians. “One in particular encouraged me to sing, sing, sing. It’s legitimate – you’re good at it!” So, Tom did and he got better and better while getting to know other musicians and learning to sing with them. Back in Butte, he met Kevin McGreevey, a neighbor sharing his interest in folk music. They

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started playing and singing, and ultimately calling themselves Dublin Gulch – an Irish neighborhood on Butte’s hill. They added Mick Cavanaugh from Walkerville and his whistle. Tom recalls the group’s wondering, “Maybe we should put it out there and see if anybody is interested. So we did and it was fun.” Then came St. Patrick’s Day and a call for their music. “I’ve played in the Silver Dollar for twenty-five years,” he says. They also started playing at a quiet more intimate venue on the flat for “people who were getting chased off the hill bacchanalia orgy that it had become.” And suddenly they were in demand. Kevin left Montana and John Joyner from Missoula and Jim

Schulz from Helena joined the group. In 2002, they produced their first live CD, Any Day Above Ground is a Good One. Then came Dirty Old Town a few years later and most recently, Tap ‘er Light. Early on, Dublin Gulch was invited to play for a Montana Gaelic Cultural Society (MGCS) language immersion event in Missoula. After a couple of years of playing at the event, MGCS leaders suggested moving the festival to Butte. Tom was at the meeting – with his background and his pragmatism. “I’m interested in being able to bring Irish groups to Butte, but… I understood this was not going to be a walk in the park,” he recalls. “And I thought I don’t want this to fail.” So he jumped in kicking and screaming, but determined to make this Butte experiment of An Ri Ra a success.

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His wife, Cindy, also jumped in and insisted that they couldn’t have an Irish Festival without Irish dancers. So, with determination and persistence she made it happen. “And it has been successful beyond our wildest dreams,” With summer approaching, the An Ri Ra volunteers – including Tom and his family – are preparing for their 16th year of providing an intimate fun, family, and Irish experience. Tom’s wife, Cindy, is head of the Tiernan Irish Dancers in Butte. His son sometimes plays drums with Dublin Gulch, his daughter teaches Irish Dance. Together they are preserving and sharing the stories contained in the songs. As Tom says with a smile, “I work to maintain this connection to ‘Irishness’ – and some of us kind of pass it on.” MSN

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In Every Corner Of Montana You Will Find An Interesting State Park By Bernice Karnop Montana has 54 state parks, free to Montanans who pay the Montana vehicle registration fee ($6). Nonresidents pay a nominal $5 per car, or they may buy an annual pass for $25. All of the parks preserve some part of the Treasure Stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s varied wealth. They encompass historical sites, natural wonders, and water recreational areas. For Montanans who love the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s history, we have compiled a list of those parks that highlight the past: Native American his-

tory, Lewis and Clark trail sites, Ghost Towns, and other pieces of history. Native American History The state park system has set aside several important areas that interpret the lives of Native Tribes before the coming of settlers and the interaction between European and Native cultures. Pictograph State Park, near Billings, is known for hunting and fishing, and the pictographs on these cave walls show that hunting was just as popular 2,000 years ago. Visitors enjoy it more now that

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thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a visitor center, staff, and printed trail guides to help. Chief Plenty Coups State Park, one mile west of Pryor, south of Billings is admired by people from all nations. Chief Plenty Coups of the Crow Nation (Apsaalooka) was a forward-looking man of peace. He and his wife, Strikes the Iron, willed their log home and farmstead as a place where people of all nations could come together in harmony. Visitors can stroll along Pryor Creek, look around the farmhouse, and learn about Plenty Coups and the Crow Nation at the Visitor Center. Madison Buffalo Jump is located 23 miles west of Bozeman near Logan. From the top of the limestone cliffs over which Native tribes stampeded their bison, hikers can see marvelous views of the Madison River valley and the Tobacco Root Mountains. This is a natural site where visitors can imagine the activity created by a bison kill site. Teepee rings and eagle pits from which hunters emerged to drive the bison over the cliff may be seen from the trail.

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First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park is located 10 miles south of Great Falls near Ulm. From 900 to 1500 A.D., people used this site to hunt buffalo and it is one of the most significant sites of its kind in the world. Learn about it at the visitor center, and then hike the trails for a better feel for the life of hunter-gatherer people years ago in northern Montana. Hikers see amazing panoramic vistas of the Rocky Mountain Front, Crown Butte, the Missouri River Valley, and the broad plains that stretch forever. And sometimes rattlesnakes.

Council Grove State Park is located 10 miles west of Missoula on Mullan Road. Here on the banks of the Clark Fork River among old-growth ponderosa pines, the Hellgate Treaty of 1855 was signed between the U.S. government and the Salish, Kootenai, and Pend dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Oreille tribes, creating the Flathead Indian Reservation. The park features a monument explaining the treaty, but is used chiefly as a quiet place where visitors can watch birds, fish, cool their feet in the water, or otherwise enjoy the quiet beauty.

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Rosebud Battlefield State Park east of Billings near Busby marks an encounter between the U.S. Army and the same combined forces of Sioux and Cheyenne that Custer battled. It took place just about a week before the Battle of the Little Big Horn and is one of the most significant battles of the Indian Wars. General George Crook’s troops met Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse here on Rosebud Creek on June 17, 1876. Remote and undeveloped, Rosebud Battlefield State Park looks much like it did to the army and the Tribes 140 years ago. Individuals will enjoy the beauty of these rolling hills, listening to the birds, and identifying the prairie wildflowers. Lewis & Clark Expedition State Parks Lewis and Clark kept journals of their trip to the west coast in 1803-1805. Today’s followers can find some of these places by the descriptions they left. It is fun to stand where we know they stood and see what they saw, or, perhaps, see how the landscape has changed. Tower Rock State Park is six miles south of Cascade. It’s still startling to see the place where the prairie halts at the base of the mountains. Can you imagine what it looked like to these early explorers who ventured out without any knowledge of what they might find? Turns out, they were surprised more than once. A stop at Tower Rock, named by Captain Lewis, provides the same awesome vistas he saw, to hikers today. Missouri River Headwaters State Park, four miles northeast of Three Forks. This time Captain Clark stood on a limestone cliff and surveyed the coming together of the three rivers that form the Missouri. Take your grandchildren here to see and learn about something they read about in school. You can hike and camp in this pristine spot just like the Corps of Discovery did. Beaverhead Rock State Park, 14 miles south of Twin Bridges, is where Sacagawea pointed out this landmark, named long before, by her people, the Shoshoni. There aren’t any improvements or services here but it marks a crucial place for the Corps. Individuals may hike to the top for an awe-inspiring view of the valley. Clark’s Lookout State Park is one mile north of Dillon. Interpretive signs explain how Clark took compass readings and about the scientific way they used them to navigate in unexplored territory. Traveler’s Rest State Park, 8 miles south of Missoula, near Lolo, is where Lewis and Clark camped in September 1805, and again when they returned a year later. Rather than just using the descriptions in the journal, the Traveler’s Rest campsite is verified through archeological evidence. Stop at the visitor center and gift shop to learn how meticulously they verified each piece of evidence to make sure the campsite belonged to the Corps of Discovery. Hike the short trail with a brochure and see how the camp was set up. Pirogue Island State Park is one mile north of Miles City. On their return journey in 1806, Clark, his contingent of men, and Sacajawea, are believed to have camped on this island in the Yellowstone River. Dominated by the old cottonweed trees, the park is a haven of protection for the plants and animals that call it home. Trails and interpretive signs enhance visitors’ knowledge of the natural environment. Ghost Towns and Early Places Three state parks are fun-to-visit ghost towns. These mining towns were wildly prosperous, then abruptly bankrupt and deserted nearly over night. Residents prided themselves on beautiful houses, ostentatious meeting halls, and prosperous businesses. Visitors can’t help but wonder what stories these old buildings and homes could tell. Bannack State Park is about 20 miles south and west of Dillon. Bannack is not only the site of the first gold discovery in Montana, July 28, 1862, but also the home of the most outrageous stories of frontier days. Because it’s well cared

for, you can go into many of the more than 50 buildings that remain. Bannack was the first territorial capital of Montana and today is one of the best-preserved ghost towns in the west. Bannack has both a visitor center (open in the summer only) and campgrounds. Elkhorn State Park near Boulder. Visitors find only two publically owned buildings in Elkhorn, but they are impressive. They are the Fraternity Hall and Gillian Hall, both two-story buildings with distinctive architectural features. Granite State Park, just four miles out of Phillipsburg. Known as the Silver Queen, some $40 million worth of silver was taken from these mines. The two-story Miner’s Union Hall held an auditorium for shows, a pool parlor, and a large dance floor. Granite once had eighteen saloons, a roller rink, school, four churches, several banks, a water system, and fine homes. The hospital had five doctors to serve upwards of 3,000 residents. With the repeal of the Sherman Act in 1893, the price of silver nosedived, and within 24-hours, residents were seen streaming down the mountain, like rats from the sinking ship. Visitors who walk the trails will find additional deserted homes and other remains of this once booming town. Fort Owen State Park, 25 miles south of Missoula near Stevensville, is the earliest permanent white settlement in western Montana and claims the first Catholic Church, the first sawmill, and the first school in the territory. This oneacre park gives visitors a chance to see the barracks and original cabin in addition to some reconstructed structures. The Anaconda Smoke Stack, on the west end of Anaconda.

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Mining in Montana continued after the demise of towns like Bannack, Elkhorn, and Granite. No Montana history is complete without some knowledge of the Anaconda Copper Mining Company, which arguably left its own ghosts on the landscape. The Anaconda Smoke Stack state park on the west end of Anaconda is a treasure of information about the company, the men and women who worked for them, Marcus Daly, the man in charge, and more. The stack itself, erected in 1919, to carry off the smoke and gasses produced as a byproduct of copper smelting, is taller than the Washington Monument. MSN

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Tips For Managing Pain By Elizabeth Landsverk, MD Older adults are more likely to experience pain than the general population but they may be less likely to be treated for it. The most common reason that pain in elders is under treated is that it is under reported. According to Elizabeth Landsverk, MD, founder of ElderConsult Geriatric Medicine, many elders consider pain a natural consequence of aging – something they just have to live with – and don’t report it to their doctors. “Untreated chronic pain puts a great deal of stress on the body and on the individual’s emotional health as well,” she adds. “It can lead to depression, anxiety, reduced mobility and strength, and loss of appetite and sleep.” Chronic pain can be caused by a wide range of factors. It is most frequently associated with musculoskeletal disorders such as arthritis and degenerative spine disorders but may also be linked to conditions such as cancer, shingles, circulatory problems, and fibromyalgia, or may result from damage to nerves or the central nervous system. “The first step for someone suffering persistent pain is to have a doctor determine the source of the pain,” says Dr. Landsverk. “It is important to see a doctor who is familiar with pain assessment and treatment in elders, since the approach to pain management is different in older people than in the general population.” For less intense pain, Dr. Landsverk first recommends non-pharmacological steps like ice packs, physical therapy, and exercise. When pain relievers are called for, she recommends the progressive guidelines recommended by the American Geriatric Society. “Pain can be effectively managed in elders

and pain relievers are safe for these patients,” she says, “but they must be prescribed cautiously, since older people metabolize medication differently, are more prone to side effects, and may suffer complications from interaction with other medications.” For these reasons, doctors often start their older patients on the lowest possible dose of a pain reliever and increase the dosage only as necessary. The American Geriatric Society classifies pain relievers in four groups: non-opioids, including acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs); opioid analgesics; adjuvant drugs; and other medications. • Non-opioids: Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is generally the first choice for pain relief in elders, particularly for arthritis and lower back pain. While there is some risk of liver damage with long-term use at high dosages, acetaminophen is the safest pain relief option. NSAIDs (aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen) may be more effective for inflammatory pain but pose serious risks of gastrointestinal bleeding and cardiovascular complications. Dr. Landsverk recommends avoiding them. • Opioid analgesics (acetaminophen with oxycodone, hydrocodone, and stronger opioids such as sustained release oxycodone and morphine): The devastating effects of opioid abuse and addiction are well known. However, the risk of addiction is very low in older patients with no current or past history of substance abuse. But the side effects of opioids – particularly over-sedation and constipation – can be serious in elders and usage must be carefully controlled and managed. With cautious use, regular follow-up, and a thorough discussion of the risks and benefits, opioid analgesics can be

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safely recommended for some older patients with chronic pain. • Adjuvant drugs are those that were developed for other purposes but have been found to be effective for pain relief. These include some antidepressants and anticonvulsants such as gabapentin, which has been beneficial in relieving neuropathic pain. • Other medications used for pain are based on anecdotal evidence and limited clinical studies but have been found useful. Corticosteroids, muscle relaxants, and topical analgesics such as lidocaine fall in this category. “There are many treatment options for older adults suffering from chronic pain,” Dr. Lansverk concludes. “And there are lifestyle factors that can also mitigate its effects. The most important

is to stay active – mentally and physically – to the maximum extent possible. It may seem contradictory but studies have shown that activity shifts the patient’s focus away from the pain and makes it more bearable. Another important factor is communication between patient and family, caregivers, and the medical team. Keeping relationships open and talking honestly about pain helps avoid misunderstandings and prevents the patient from feeling isolated and alone in dealing with the challenge of chronic pain.” Elizabeth Landsverk, MD, is founder of ElderConsult Geriatric Medicine, a house-calls practice in the San Francisco Bay Area that addresses the challenging medical and behavioral issues often facing older patients and their families. Visit elderconsult.com for more information. MSN

Cool Tips For Warm-Weather Foot Care (NAPSI) – If you’re like most people, you take 8,000 to 10,000 steps a day. Here are 12 more steps you can take to keep your feet in good shape, especially during the warmer months: 1. Sunny days and warm nights may encourage wearing flip-flops, but it’s a good idea to get the kind made of high quality, soft leather to minimize the potential for blisters. Make sure your foot doesn’t hang over the edge and beware of irritation where the toe thong fits. It can lead to blisters and infections. Don’t wear flip-flops to play sports, do yard work, or walk long distances. 2. Keep your feet healthy with a waterproof, oil-free sunscreen every time you wear sandals outdoors. 3. Dr. Kathleen Stone, president of the American Podiatric Medical Association, says, “Pampering and grooming your feet promotes good foot hygiene and should be done frequently to contribute not only to your foot health in warmer weather but also to your body’s overall health.” Try soaking your feet for at least five minutes in a bucket of cool water. 4. Use a foot file or pumice stone to gently

smooth the skin around the heel and the balls and sides of your feet. 5. Gently push back cuticles with a cuticle pusher or manicure stick. Cuticles provide a protective barrier against infection and should never be cut. 6. To prevent fungal infections and viruses that cause warts, wash your feet daily with soap and water, drying carefully between the toes. 7. Change your shoes regularly. 8. Avoid walking barefoot, particularly in public showers and locker rooms. Bare feet are exposed to plantar warts and athlete’s foot.

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9. To prevent hot, sweaty feet and foot odor, rub cornstarch or roll-on antiperspirant directly on the soles of your feet. 10. Use a nail clipper to cut toenails straight across. Then, use an emery board to smooth the nail edges by filing in one direction without drastically rounding the edges. When toenail edges are rounded, it increases the chances for painful ingrown toenails.

11. Consult a podiatrist if you have any foot pain or other problems affecting your feet. Podiatrists, explains Dr. Stone, are uniquely qualified to diagnose and treat conditions of the foot and ankle. 12. For more information about foot care or to find a podiatrist near you, visit www.apma.org. MSN

Ageism In America Is No Laughing Matter Remember Tyrone F. Horneigh, the dirty old man in the trench coat, from Rowan and Martin’s Laugh-In? From Jonathan Winters’ Maude Frickert to Johnny Carson’s Aunt Blabby to Tyler Perry’s Madea Simmons, comedians have poked fun at the elderly. But Professor Howard C. Eglit, a nationally known expert on law and aging at IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law, is not amused. “In American culture, humor and old age are often wed,” says Eglit. “But it’s a bad marriage. To get a laugh, old age and old people are commonly derided, deprecated, and disparaged.” Eglit is the author of Age, Old Age, Language and Law: A Dysfunction – Often Harmful – Mix and How to Fix It, a book that examines the impact of language and popular culture on ageism. “Words have enormous power and they have consequences – both for those who think, utter, or write them – as well as for those who hear or read them,” says Eglit. “Language is often used to express real, hard-core antipathy against old people and old age.” Eglit’s book focuses on depictions of the elderly in the media, movies, television, literature, and even birthday cards. He says a cursory look at these greeting cards reveals a distressing commonality of themes related to the physical and mental decline many associate with aging. “The cards’ ostensibly funny spoofs of the foibles of old age actually serve to reinforce the notion that what old age is all about is loss and decline.” The elderly are virtually invisible in movies and on television, adds Eglit, “Older people rarely are

seen. If they are depicted, it is not as heroes or heroines. Rather they are shown as cantankerous oddballs or passive observers.” He also points to what he calls “Gosh isn’t s/he amazing?” stories in which the elderly are extolled for jumping from a parachute or for climbing Mt. McKinley at age 90. These stories, explains Eglit, are “really subtle ways of planting the notion that such ‘daredevils’ are very rare exceptions because most old people are decrepit and incapable of doing much of anything.” The ultimate problem is that these negative portrayals and the pejorative language do real harm, says Eglit who cites studies that show older people who are indoctrinated to believe that old age means decline perform less well physically and intellectually because they have been conditioned to perform poorly. “Their health can be adversely affected by this indoctrination,” he adds. “And of course, children and young adults – who are trained to believe that old people and old age are bad – wind up believing this propaganda. They, in turn often become fearful, young biased ageists who as they age become fearful, old, biased ageists.” What can be done? Eglit suggests more education, self-regulation by the media, and public rejection of ageist language as a start. “While pejorative terms and epithets related to sex and race are not tolerated, comparable words and phrases used against the elderly are rarely questioned.” This must change. MSN

Nine Bone-Chilling Facts About Osteoporosis (NAPSI) No bones about it, osteoporosis – bone loss – is a serious disease, though fortunately, testing and treatments are available so you can protect yourself and those you care about. The Facts And Stats You Should Know: 1. Fifty-four million Americans have low bone density or osteoporosis. 2. One in two women can expect to develop osteoporosis at some time in her life. 3. Sixty thousand deaths annually are due to complications from osteoporosis. 4. Every year, 300,000 hip fractures occur and 20 percent of those affected die within a year, while half never regain their independence. 5. More U.S. women die each year from complications of hip fracture than from breast cancer. In fact, a woman’s lifetime risk of hip fracture equals her combined risk of breast,

uterine, and ovarian cancers. 6. Sixty percent of women 50-plus have either osteoporosis or low bone mass. 7. Seventy percent of fractures happen in people over 65. 8. Osteoporotic fractures lead to 2.5 million medical office visits annually. 9. Women who have a bone density test have 35 percent fewer hip fractures than those who do not, yet less than 24 percent of eligible Medicare patients are tested. Every three minutes, someone has a fracture due to osteoporosis – but you don’t have to be one. What To Do About It The experts at the National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF) say that if you’re a woman over 65, a man over 70, or if you’re over 50, postmenopausal, and have risk factors for

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osteoporosis, you should probably talk to your doctor or other health care provider about getting a bone density test, especially if you’ve never had one. This test tells you if you have normal bone density, low bone density (osteopenia), or osteoporosis. It’s the only way to diagnose osteoporosis. The lower your bone density, the greater your risk of breaking a bone. The test can help you and your health care provider predict your chance of breaking a bone in the future and consider treatment to prevent that. Testing Your Bones X-rays are not able to show osteoporosis until the disease is well advanced, so the NOF recommends a simple, painless, non-invasive bone density test using a central DXA machine to diagnose osteoporosis. DXA stands for dualenergy X-ray absorptiometry. The test usually takes less than 15 minutes – though some newer testing devices are much faster than that. Understanding The Results Your bone density test results are reported using T-scores. A T-score shows how much your

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bone density is higher or lower than the bone density of a healthy 30-year-old adult. A health care provider looks at the lowest T-score to diagnose osteoporosis. What Your T-score Means According to the World Health Organization (WHO): • A T-score of -1.0 or above is normal bone density. Examples are 0.9, 0 and -0.9. • A T-score between -1.0 and -2.5 means you have low bone density. Examples are T-scores of -1.1, -1.6, and -2.4. • A T-score of -2.5 or below is a diagnosis of osteoporosis. Examples are T-scores of -2.6, -3.3, and -3.9. The lower a person’s T-score, the lower the bone density. A T-score of -1.0 is lower than a T-score of 0.5 and a T-score of -3.5 is lower than a T-score of -3.0. Learn More For further information about osteoporosis and your own risk, see your doctor. Many doctors are learning more about testing devices at hologic. com. MSN

“It Always Seems Too Early, Until It’s Too Late” Theme For National Healthcare Decisions Day situation we are all subject to face. Part of the planning process includes completing advance directives, which is putting your preferences into writing. Advance directives come in two main forms: • A “healthcare power of attorney” designates the person you select to be your voice for your healthcare decisions if you cannot speak for yourself. • A “living will” designates what kinds of medical treatments you would or would not want at the end of life. If you have not completed your advance directives, now is the time to do so. To find free tools and resources on guiding yourself through this process, visit courts.mt.gov/library/topic/end_life or nhdd.org. MSN

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By Tait Trussell Underwire bras, cell phones, and deodorants can cause cancer. Wrong. There is no significant evidence that any of these causes cancer. But an unmistakable cancer cause is being fat. The National Cancer Institute has said, “A recent report estimated that, in the United States, 14 percent of deaths from cancer in men and 20 percent of deaths in women were due to overweight and obesity.” But isn’t it common to put on extra pounds as you reach retirement? Isn’t middle age spread as natural as winter following fall? As we age, less food energy is burned off as calories and more of it is stored as fat. Then, there is the tasty pleasure of eating fatty or sugary foods. For many, relaxation is given a higher priority than exercise and weight loss. So, how do you know if you are really too fat? The National Institute of Health puts adults in one of four categories based on their body mass index (BMI). BMI is a more accurate yardstick to measuring obesity than weight alone. If you are a woman who is, say, five feet three and you weigh between 145 and 165, your BMI says you are overweight. If you weigh 170 or more, you are considered obese. If you are a man who is, say five feet eleven, and you weigh from 185 to 210, you are overweight. If you weigh 215 or over, you are judged obese by the BMI index. Seniors who are overweight or obese are at greater risk for many diseases, including diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular diseases, stroke, and certain cancers. Obesity lowers life expectancy. What have scientists learned about the connection between obesity and cancer? Experts have concluded that colon cancer, breast cancer in postmenopausal women, and cancers in the lining of the uterus, in the kidney, and the esophagus are linked to obesity. Some studies also have found links between obesity and cancer of the gallbladder, ovaries, and pancreas. If you are already overweight or obese, you are advised to stop putting on any more weight and to lose that fat through a balanced low-calorie diet and exercise. “Even a weight loss of 5 to 10 percent of your total weight can offer health benefits,” the National Cancer Institute says. After menopause, obese women have 1.5 times the breast cancer risk of women of a healthy weight. Estrogen is produced in fat tissue. And, after menopause, when the ovaries stop producing hormones, fat tissue becomes the largest estrogen source. Estrogen levels in postmenopausal women are 50 to 100 percent higher in heavy versus lean women. Estrogen-sensitive tissues are therefore exposed to more estrogen stimulation in heavy women. This leads to more rapid growth of estrogen-responsive breast tumors. And breast cancer is not likely to be detected until at a later stage in fat women. Finding a breast tumor is harder to find in obese women than in lean women. One study from the Women’s Health Initiative found that walking about 30 minutes a day by postmenopausal women was associated with a 20 percent reduction in breast cancer risk. But this reduction in risk was greatest among women of normal weight. There is only one message from this research, “Cut the fat to cut the cancer risk. MSN

Brain Injury and Benefits of Gardening

On average, 33 Montanans per day sustain a brain injury and live. Events such as falls, motor vehicle crashes, and strokes (to name a few causes of brain injury) may result in changes in memory, sleep, vision, balance, and frequent headaches. These symptoms may create depression, anxiety, and stress for not only the individual but also their family members. We are learning more and more about alternative and holistic options in adYou may qualify for FREE assistive telephone equipment through the dressing the symptoms of brain injury including Montana Telecommunications Access Program! the link between it and the benefits of gardening. Rehab News (December 2015) reported that National Garden Scheme (NGS) conducted a (MTAP) Montana TelecommuEquipment available study and found that 79 per cent of people connications Access Program through MTAP includes: sider a garden to be an essential part of having provides FREE assistive a good quality of life. The research also found • Ampliﬁed telephones telephone equipment to those that 39 percent of those questioned said being • Captioned telephones who qualify, making it easier to in a garden made them feel healthier. • Loud bell ringers TTYs use the phone to do business So, what are the benefits of gardening fol• Artiﬁcial Larynxes or keep in touch with family lowing brain injury? • And much, much more! and friends. • Rebuild strength and stamina • Increase sensory skills • Increase confidence • Stimulate a sense of ownership • Improve problem-solving skills

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With Spring here, it is a good time to start plans for your garden! Consider first whether you would like a traditional, raised bed, patio, or inside garden. In you chosen garden, then consider what you would like to grow – vegetables, fruits, flowers, or herbs for example. Here are a few gardening tips: • Looking for a sweeter tomato? Sprinkle baking soda in the soil of your tomato plants. • Looking for a tastier and healthier harvest? Wait to pick the fruit until they are ripe. • Is it challenging to manage a garden at ground level? Build raised beds and include accessible paths. • Looking to improve your senses? Be sure to include a variety of colors, textures, and fragrances. Not sure about when to start your garden? Remember that to get a successful harvest, timing is everything so make sure to check out the Farmers Almanac planting dates online at almanac.com. Their site covers the 30 most popular vegetables, herbs, and fruit and you can search for dates by specific Montana cities. Grab your gloves, shovel, seeds, and maybe a gnome to get started with your personal therapy in a garden. Good luck with your plants and remember to enjoy Spring because as we know here in Montana the weather changes quickly. The Brain Injury Alliance of Montana (est. 1987) is a statewide nonprofit assisting Montanans affected by brain injury and their families through awareness, support, advocacy, community engagement, and prevention. Our resources include the Brain Injury Help Line, education and outreach, and collaboration with support groups throughout Montana. For additional information or to support our mission, please visit biamt.org or call 800241-6442. Additional support provided by the Montana Injury Prevention Department. MSN

MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 65

SUNBURST MENTAL HEALTH SOMETHING ON YOUR MIND? WE ARE HERE FOR YOU.

Services are provided by a team of committed, skilled, mental health practitioners which include the following: • Out Patient Therapy • Psychiatric Medication Management • Case Management • Advocacy & Community Support • Various Groups • Family Therapy Kalispell: 406-756-8721 Polson: 406-883-4060 St. Ignatius: 406-745-3681

Libby: 406-293-5284 Eureka: 406-297-3435

May Is Mental Health Awareness Month By Greg Tilton The Great Falls Chapter of Mental Health America wants you to be aware that mental illness is real, recovery is a goal, and the best prospects come when we act to de-stigmatize others and ourselves and gain help. Recognition of a problem is how we grow. Why is this important? The following statistics demonstrate the need. • In 2014, Americans over the age of 65 died by suicide at a rate of 16.6 per 100,000. • The rate of male suicide in late life was 7 times greater than for females. • White men over the age of 85, who are labeled “old-old,” were at the greatest risk of all age/gender/racial groups. Continued on page 73

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Antiques – The Modern Day Treasure Hunt By Tom Murphy In today’s world, everything that’s old can be described as an antique and generally, that’s quite true. A product is considered an antique if it is over 100 years old or is rare enough to have some value. In other words, these old items are in limited supply. An antique is something collectible. It may be a piece of antique furniture that you want to collect to enhance the look of a room, a piece of antique pottery to decorate a corner cupboard, books, a camera and photographs, antique jewelry, antique money, an antique car, antique clocks, old documents, or an antique watch that you want to hand down to your grandchildren – but the items must be rare enough to be considered an antique. The others are just secondhand goods junk. Most people have a common misconception about an antique: the older it looks, the more antique it must be. Appearance has nothing to do with it, just because a piece looks like it came out of grandma’s attic does not necessarily mean that it’s an antique. The value of an antique is based on demand due to suitability and limited supply. Most people become fascinated with an antique for two reasons; either they have an interest in collecting antiques purely for personal enjoyment and are willing to shell out money for antique restoration or they inherited it from a family member. However

they came about it, everyone wants to be sure that what they buy or inherit will appreciate over time. That is what antique collection is all about. There are two main principles that apply when collecting an antique: The first is to know everything that you can about the antique that interests you and second is to obtain them at the lowest possible price. Doing so will not only give you satisfaction and enjoyment, but also you will be assured that your investment will appreciate. Some people only develop an interest in an antique because they inherited an item or a whole house full of antiques from a relative. The dollar signs started to appear and they began their search for antique appraisals and antique auctions. But what most fail to consider is that much of what Great Grandmother had is probably just junk, unless she was a seasoned and knowledgeable collector. It’s true that people could have bought a piece of furniture to decorate their home a long time ago and that furniture, if it were of fine quality, would now be worth something. But only a professional appraiser can accurately assess the value. So if you are keen on bringing your item to an antique auction and contemplating asking someone how much an item is worth, be prepared to pay a fee for the appraisal. Appraisers charge fees because their opinions form the basis for insurance coverage and estate valuations. Although appraising is not an exact science, it does require a certified appraiser to do the research and prepare a detailed report that’s acceptable in a court of law. MSN

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MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 67

Celebrating Green Beyond St. Patrick’s Day And Aiming For Zero Waste: Home ReSource And The City Of Missoula

By Gail Jokerst; gailjokerst.com Back when many readers of this newspaper were growing up, the “3 Rs” referred to the educational basics of reading, writing, and arithmetic. Nowadays, that term also means something else – reduce, reuse, and recycle, in that order, as ways to minimize waste. These “3 Rs” do not qualify as new concepts, especially to Montanans raised on farms and ranches where thrift, stewardship, and resourcefulness are traditional practices. But in the 21st century, they are playing a leading role in the Zero Waste movement to drastically shrink the amount of trash dumped into our landfills. As the first Treasure State city with a Zero Waste goal, Missoula is currently developing a plan to decrease its waste by 90% by 2050. According to Jeremy Drake, Community Engagement Manager for Home ReSource, one simple way individuals can contribute to the effort is to ask themselves, “Do I really need to buy this new (fill in the blank)?” “This puts the first R, reduce, into action. That’s how we begin to use less stuff,” says Jeremy. For a growing number of value-conscious Missoulians, that question’s answer has gradually switched from “yes” to “no.” Thanks to the efforts of places such as Home ReSource, a building materials reuse center, people are more aware of the wealth of used items ranging from ten-foot 2x4’s to one-inch nails that are available locally. “When we buy fewer things and instead reuse what has already been made, we’re extending the life of those products. That creates less of a demand for manufacturing more things, which in turn helps keep natural resources in place and reduces what goes into our landfills. Aside from that,” adds Jeremy, “older items are typically made better than new products and cost less.” Through his work with Home ReSource, Jeremy has met scores of home and business owners either donating building materials from their projects or purchasing used items. Bricks, lighting fixtures, doors, and windows just hint at the spectrum of what can be brought or bought here. Missoulians engaged in remodels and deconstructions (versus demolitions, which end up in landfills) have good reasons for gifting used building materials to Home ReSource. Donations are tax-deductible and Home ReSource will pick up unwanted materials they can sell. Romaine’s and Moonlight Kitchens are two Missoula companies that have worked with Home ReSource and followed the “3-Rs” philosophy while remodeling their business spaces. Romaine’s is Montana’s only Certified Green Restaurant® featuring locally grown and sourced ingredients. Moonlight Kitchens are two commercial kitchens where farmers’ market entrepreneurs, caterers, or anyone cooking for a crowd can rent space. Long before these owners were ready to open for business, they started buying used kitchen and restaurant equipment and rented storage units as holding areas. “We paid half to a third of brand new for the equipment. This stuff never dies. It’s made of solid steel,” says Moonlight Kitchen’s Anne Little, who perused Craig’s List during the start-up phase for things like commercial stoves and double-stack convection ovens. Incidentally, the convection ovens she ended up buying were manufactured in 1953. And according to Anne, “They are still going strong.”

“With used equipment some parts may be worn and need to be replaced but I’d still prefer to buy old than new. Being wasteful is a luxury. I grew up here with that principle of reusing,” says Graham Roy, Romaine’s chef-owner whose goal was, “to create a bright atmosphere with rustic elements that included used wood.” Besides acting as a clearinghouse for building supplies, this nonprofit is also a trusted referral center. When people need a reputable source for older materials not found there, Home ReSource gladly recommends businesses many customers never knew existed. Graham found their referrals especially helpful since he wanted as many previously used products as possible for his North Reserve Street restaurant. Through them, he learned about Bad Goat Lumber. Not only does Bad Goat deal in the kind of older wooden products he was seeking to create countertops, a dividing wall, and a menu board, but they also salvage trees that are about to be cut down.

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PAGE 68 MONTANA SENIOR NEWS

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In addition to buying as much previously owned equipment as possible, both Moonlight Kitchens and Romaine’s donated the building materials they could not reuse themselves to Home ReSource. “Our drywall and plywood went there and, in turn, we found some fencing that we could clean up and paint,” says Anne. Graham was able to donate items such as cabinets, sinks, and mirrors. “If you are thinking about a remodel, go talk with the guys at Home ReSource. You’ll be surprised at the quality of the stuff they’ve got. You can find pretty much what you need in your own backyard. I don’t have any ruby slippers,” quips Anne, “but you might find some at Home ReSource.” For more information, visit HomeReSource.org, call 406-541-8300, or stop by 1515 Wyoming Street. MSN

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Our Four-legged Loved Ones: End Of Life Services Article and Photo by Natalie Bartley We love them deeply. They’re our family members. And when their short stay on earth ends, we want a smooth transition. Our dogs, cats, and other in-home pets can pass with dignity and comfort. Even in a rural state like Montana, an assortment of businesses offers a range of services consisting of euthanasia, cremation, and pet Even though Labrador retrievers are good swimcemeteries mers, for whitewater trips Bruneau wears his life My yellow Labrador retriev- jacket on this outing down the Weiser River. [Photo er is 14-years-old and I know by Natalie Bartley] the day is coming when he will need veterinarian services for euthanasia. When I realized he is too heavy to lift into my vehicle, I was relieved to learn there are options to ease him into the after-life. Some veterinarian offices send their in-house staff for home visits, though the timing will require coordination with the veterinarian’s schedule. This type of visit can include an exam to assess your pet’s quality of life and comfort – recognizing that regarding comfort at the end of life, it is better to be a day or two early than a few hours late.

APRIL/MAY 2017

The basic end-of-life option is scheduling a professional to come to perform the euthanasia, which involves an injection to relax your pet followed by an injection that provides eternal rest for your pet. This process takes as little as 20 minutes. Pricing varies, but you can expect to pay approximately $175 to $200 for the visit, which may factor in the distance the veterinarian travels to your home. However, an end-of-life visit to you home can include a full-range of services. The Billings Animal Family Hospital conducts the in-home euthanasia, transports the pet’s body to a crematorium, and coordinates the return of the ashes to the owner. In the Gallatin Valley area, Peaceful Journey provides in-home hospice, in-home euthanasia, grief support, crematory transport, and ash return. As Peaceful Journey’s Chris O’Rourke, DVM says, “Hospice is a newer area in veterinary medicine that I would like to see grow.” In-home hospice care augments the pet’s regular veterinarian services and includes a homeassessment. Her specialties include terminal cancer and mobility issues such as arthritis. Dr. O’Rourke is a member of the International Association of Animal Hospice and Palliative Care and was in the first class of veterinarians to be certified. When the time comes for euthanasia, Dr. O’Rourke says, “The biggest benefit of in-home euthanasia is it decreases the stress and anxiety for the animal while allowing them to be in their home environment.” This is particularly helpful for cats, who don’t like vehicle transports. She says the home setting also allows family members and household pets to be present in a private setting. Part of the process can include the children’s assisting the veterinarian in creating a clay paw impression. In-home euthanasia can also be adapted to the family’s needs, for example, where Dr. O’Rourke has provided outdoor euthanasia in fields and by lakes. Her tailored approach lasts up to an hour and includes grief support. In addition to euthanasia, the veterinarian’s service can include taking your pet to a local crematorium and returning the ashes to you. The cremation cost is in addition to the cost of euthanasia and ranges from $50 to $600 depending on the type of cremation, pet’s size, and the ash receptacle selected, which can include a variety of urns, ash distributors, and locket necklaces. Many crematoria offer a cost-effective and

energy-efficient partitioned cremation where your pet is in the cremation chamber at the same time as other animals, but is physically separated. Your pet’s ashes can come back to you in an urn or an ash-spreading container, a commonly used option. Though more costly, crematoria also offer a private cremation in which your pet is the only body in the cremation chamber, after which your pet’s ashes are returned to you. In a communal cremation, multiple animals are in the chamber at the same time without separation, and the ashes are not returned, though the ashes might be spread at a scenic location. If you are considering burying your pet, check the state statutes and rules. A few of the many Montana animal burial restrictions include the burial cannot create a public health hazard or nuisance, the landowner needs to own a minimum of 5 acres, and the burial must be at least 50 feet from a property line. The burial also has to have a 4-foot minimum distance from the bottom of the grave to ground water, a minimum of a 2-foot-deep cover over the grave, and a 100-foot minimum distance from a well or a surface body of water. Pet cemeteries are another choice, with burial and mausoleum costs that range from several hundred to a thousand dollars. It is soothing to know our pets have many of the same eternal resting options we have. Bozeman Area: • At Home On The Range: crematory and cemetery, 406-282-7378, athomeontherange.net. • Peaceful Journey: in-home hospice, in-home euthanasia, and other end-of-life, 406-414-7240, peacefuljourneyvet.com, peacefuljourneyinc.com. Billings Area: • A Treasured Friend: crematory, 406-2523320, atreasuredfriend.net. • Billings Animal Family Hospital: in-home euthanasia, 406-245-4772, billingsanimalfamilyhospital.com. • Faithful Friend Animal Memories: cremations, 406-628-4683, faithfulfriendanimalmemories.com. Bitterroot Area: • Bitterroot Pet Crematorium in Hamilton, 406363-1650. Natalie Bartley is a Boise-based writer. Her yellow Labrador retriever served as a photo model in her updated Best Rail Trails Pacific Northwest hiking and bicycling guidebook. MSN

THE FINAL JOURNEY CAN BE A

PEACEFUL JOURNEY At Peaceful Journey, we recognize this is a difficult time for you, your pet, and your family. We provide compassionate individualized care to help minimize pain and suffering. We aim to help your pet’s final journey be as peaceful as it can be.

Pet Hospice & In-Home Euthanasia Services PO Box 2028 Bozeman 406-414-7240 doc@peacefuljourneyvet.com | www.peacefuljourneyvet.com Chris O’Rourke, DVM

MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 69

Don’t Dump or Abandon Pets CALL A RESCUE OR A SHELTER 4 Paws Rescue is an all volunteer non-profit pet rescue. Misty Hammerbacker 439-1405 Bonny White 581-7693 P.O. Box 13 Cardwell, MT 59721 Volunteers, Members, & Donations Happily Accepted.

PAGE 70 MONTANA SENIOR NEWS

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Grow an Abundant Tomato Harvest in a Pot By Melinda Myers Harvest and enjoy the garden-fresh flavor of tomatoes right outside your kitchen. Grow them in containers set on your patio, balcony, deck, or stairs. You’ll enjoy the convenience of harvesting fresh tomatoes just a few feet from where you prepare your meals, and your guests will enjoy those fresh tomatoes in their salad or sandwich. Tomatoes need warm air and soil to thrive. Containers give you the ability to jump-start the season. Plant tomatoes in containers earlier than in the garden and leave them outdoors when it’s warm (but bring them inside whenever there’s a danger of frost.) Protect your plants with the help of season-extending products like cloches, red tomato teepees, or garden fabrics. These will help warm the soil and air around the plants, reducing the number of days to your first harvest. Select flavorful and disease-resistant varieties for your container gardens. Consider determinate tomatoes that are more compact and generally less than four feet tall. But don’t eliminate your favorite indeterminate tomato. Just provide a strong tall support for these plants that continue to grow six feet and taller throughout the season.

Grow your tomatoes in a sunny spot that receives at least eight hours of direct sunlight. You will grow the biggest harvest and reduce the risk of disease. Fill your container with a quality well-drained potting mix, and add a slow-release organic fertilizer to your potting mix if needed. This type of fertilizer feeds the plants for several months. Give the plants an additional feeding midseason or as directed on the fertilizer package. Check soil moisture daily and water thoroughly and often enough to keep the soil slightly moist. Maintaining consistent soil moisture means healthier plants and fewer problems with blossom end rot. This disorder is not a deadly disease, but it causes the bottom of the first set of fruit to turn black. You can reduce your workload by using selfwatering pots with a large reservoir for holding water that moves up into the soil to the plant roots as needed. This means you’ll be filling the reservoir less often than you would normally water other planters. Stake or tower your plants to save space, and increase air circulation around and light penetration into the plant. You’ll further reduce the risk of disease and increase productivity by growing vertically. So start gathering your favorite tomato recipes now, and soon you’ll be harvesting armloads of tomatoes to use in salsas, salads, sauces, and of course BLTs. Melinda Myers has written more than 20 gardening books, including Small Space Gar-

Jump-start the season by growing tomatoes in container gardens. (Photo by Gardener’s Supply Company)

dening. 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 segments. Myers’ web site is melindamyers.com. MSN

When Is The Right Time To Sell And Downsize? By Miss Nora Dear Miss Nora: I’m having trouble convincing my children that I’m not going crazy or losing the will to live all because I’m getting rid of anything superfluous and planning to sell so that I can downsize my home. I’ve thought this through and considered every item in my home as to its need or purpose. I lost my husband last year after a lengthy illness, and I now feel ready to economize in order to live a much more modest lifestyle. I asked each of my three children to come collect anything they wanted and to fight it out amongst themselves as to who gets what. What I would be discarding is the accumulation of many years of junk collecting, books, and well-worn furniture. I also asked that they no longer buy me gifts and each holiday or occasion either to donate the money to a good cause or to spend it on coming to see me and taking me out to dine. You’d have thought I announced that I was shaving my head and joining a cult, such was their panic! They insisted that I seek help for depression and not make any hasty decisions! How can I get my adult children to realize that I am far from depressed and that I’m just trying to move into a community with more social contacts, and enjoy life? Done in Denver 406.570.1541

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Dear Done: Good for you! I applaud your foresight and level-headedness. It’s a daunting task to make all the necessary decisions at any time, let alone while you’re dealing with a crisis or illness. So it’s commendable that you are managing this ahead of time. Trust me; your children will eventually appreciate the gift you’ve given them when it comes time to handling your estate in your absence. When my mother passed away suddenly, my siblings and I were forced to dispose of our mother’s entire household without the slightest idea of what she wanted. Had she been as sensible as you had, it would have been so much easier to know what she had, where she wanted it to go, and what to do with the proceeds from the sale of her home. As it was, we were left to blunder along blindly until we had removed everything and divided monies as fairly as we could. I can’t help but to think of how much easier your children will have it than we did because of your organization. However, before you proceed too far, I strongly

MONTANA SENIOR NEWS PAGE 71

advise that you find a locally reputable realtor and company specializing in senior downsizing. These businesses have all the administrative skills and systems to make the sale of your home and the transition as easy and as safe as possible. Now, I can also understand that your emancipation might be alarming to your offspring. Obviously, your children fear that you might be depressed and waiting for your own death, taken advantage of, or regret your decision to reduce your lifestyle once it’s all done and dusted. Perhaps it’s time to write a short letter to each of them explaining that you are of sound mind and body and that you’re looking forward to the benefits. Give them all a firm deadline to claim their items of interest, the contact information of the realtor and downsizing company, and remind them you are preparing to live! I wish you a long, uncluttered, and carefree life and in fact I’m doing the same. For starters, I’ve decided to get rid of Walt’s stuff first! MSN

Probate Homes for Sale - Pros and Cons

By Lora Davis Probate homes for sale are generally homes of a person who has died and did not bequeath their home to someone so the state will take over and administer the sale of the home. They could also include a home that the heirs have no intention of living in or keeping so they sell it. Buying this type of property is sometimes a good way to start building an interest in real estate. It is often possible to purchase these homes for sale at a reasonable price once the court system has completed the process of probate and to resell these homes at a tidy profit. Pros of buying probate homes • If there are heirs, they may be willing to sell the home for a bit less than market valuation. • When you are able to purchase these homes for sale at a price lower than market value, it could make it easier to get financing. • With a lower price, it gives you some money to make a few improvements so you can resell it for a profit. Cons of buying probate homes • Home location could limit the number of buyers if you have bought the home and are trying to resell it for a profit when the home is located in an undesirable area. • If you do not have it inspected before purchasing the home, you could find out that the plumbing and electrical systems need extensive work. This could lessen the amount of profit when resold. • Although you paid less than market value and remodeled it, you may not be able to sell it for a profit because of a soft home market. Before you purchase a probate home, take the time to have the property inspected so there are no unex-

pected repairs. Make sure that the structure is sound and the wiring and plumbing are up to date with the current standards. You should also check the neighborhood to see if other homes are well kept or rundown, which can help to determine if you can make a profit reselling the home. Provided by EzineArticles.com/expert/Lora_ Davis/2146280. MSN

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PAGE 72 MONTANA SENIOR NEWS

Spring is finally here! You can’t help but smile while breathing in the sweet aroma of gentle rain and budding plants. Listen to the birds’ floating melodies as they return to their warm weather homes. What a perfect season for love and friendship. Do you feel that new life in the air? Perhaps it is time for new friendships or a new romance! All you have to do now is find someone special. 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 June/ July 2017 issue, the deadline is May 15, 2017. SWM, 55 years old, looking for the one to spend the rest of our life as one! I’m honest and thoughtful. If you needed it, I would give you the

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shirt off my back. I will always pay it forward. I live by that rule and the golden rule. Love to look at our wonderful state; drives in the woods and hikes. Love to laugh and have someone to make me laugh. I live a little out of Missoula by Lolo Hot Springs. Ethnicity doesn’t matter to me. I just want one person to spend the rest of my life with as one. Thanks for your time. Hope I’m blessed to get to know you. Reply MSN, Dept. 33401, c/o Montana Senior News, Box 3363, Great Falls, MT 59403. Being a Christian and Lutheran is a paramount part of my life. Most Sundays I enjoy being in Church at Valier Lutheran. Ideally, I seek a Lutheran gal to spend the rest of the journey with. Friends first. Compatibility would be nice and experiencing Montana outdoors. Montana fishing and hunting are things I know a lot about. I was one of Montana’s better-known licensed outfitters for 19 years, so I am an avid horseman, but I no longer own horses. I am financially secure with two pensions plus Social Security. I do not smoke anything or use tobacco at all and I distain illicit drugs including marijuana. If you use tobacco or marijuana, do not contact me. I am an avid Constitutional Conservative. I often enjoy a cold beer or a glass of wine with my meals. I like to meet people, enjoy all music, like to dance, and I am very romantic with good personal hygiene. I like to respect a woman by opening doors, holding hands, and showing affection for my better half. I am 75 and in good health. Reply MSN, Dept. 33402, c/o Montana Senior News, Box 3363, Great Falls, MT 59403. SWF in early 80s looking for a young man late 70s or early 80s who wants to have some fun with what’s left of our life. Must be a gentleman and clean. No drinking, smoking, or drugs. I am too old to take up those nasty habits. Not looking for marriage just some company. I’m a what-you-see is what-you-get gal. Must be close to Thompson

Falls and Plains. Hope to see you down the trail. Reply MSN, Dept. 33403, c/o Montana Senior News, Box 3363, Great Falls, MT 59403. SWF going on 71 years old, looking for correspondence via snail mail or email to establish friendships and later maybe companionship to go places and do things together. If it develops from there that may be okay, and if not that is okay too. A little romance would not hurt, but not interested in sex or marriage. Location in South Central MT. Looks not important. Will answer all. Reply MSN, Dept. 33404, c/o Montana Senior News, Box 3363, Great Falls, MT 59403. I’m a SWF looking for a companion close to Townsend. I’m a full figured woman and I enjoy cuddling. My idea of an ideal date is either going out to eat or me cooking for you, followed by an evening on the couch watching movies. I love to play cards and board games, and do lots of arts and crafts. I would like to put some color into your life and I will answer all letters. Please send photos and phone numbers. Reply MSN, Dept. 33405, c/o Montana Senior News, Box 3363, Great Falls, MT 59403. SWM Looking for SWF in Flathead area 40-50 years old, non-smoker, non-drinker, and no drugs. Outdoors type. Me 5’10” @ 185lbs and 62 yrs old. Financially secure never married. Gold prospector. Dog Lover. Own several homes. Please send photo. Reply MSN, Dept. 33406, c/o Montana Senior News, Box 3363, Great Falls, MT 59403. SWM - Missoula area, retired, educated, mid 60s. Looking for woman to spend time with or more. Camping, fishing, Harley Davidson enthusiast. No drugs or heavy drinkers period! Looking forward to hearing from you. Reply MSN, Dept. 33407, c/o Montana Senior News, Box 3363, Great Falls, MT 59403. NW Montana gal, a very young 70! 4’10” and 115 lbs. I am a self sufficient, creative, retired musician seeking a “country boy” at heart. I like fishing, exploring, RVing, stargazing, rock hounding, concerts, arts, and crafts and want to share adventures with a like-minded, special man. Are

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your interests similar? Please send a letter and photo, and I’ll write back. Happy springtime! Reply MSN, Dept. 33408, c/o Montana Senior News, Box 3363, Great Falls, MT 59403. SWF in her 70s is seeking a live in companion. I don’t drink, smoke, or do drugs. I like to take day trips in the summer and I enjoy thrift stores and rummage sales. Since I don’t drive, I enjoy walk-

ing and making it part of my daily routine. I live in a three-bedroom house just outside of Columbia Falls. Looking for a companion from Bigfork or Columbia Falls. If you like what you read, drop me a line and picture and I will do the same! Reply MSN, Dept. 33409, c/o Montana Senior News, Box 3363, Great Falls, MT 59403.

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in the Kalispell area. Someone who loves the outdoors, likes to travel, dine out, and go to movies. I am a Christian. I like camping, fishing, and dancing. If you feel the same way and are interested, please send a picture and a phone number. Reply MSN, Dept. 33410, c/o Montana Senior News, Box 3363, Great Falls, MT 59403. MSN

I am an attractive 67-year-old woman seeking a male companion, preferably 60-69 years of age,

Mental Health Awareness - continued from page 65 In 2014, the suicide rate was 54.4 per 100,000. • Seventy-three percent of elders who complete suicide have had contact with a primary care physician within a month of their death. Nearly half visited within two weeks. Suicide is a national crisis and reflects the need for increased mental health awareness. Our state brings a unique challenge because Montana consistently ranks in the top five states nationally with the most suicides. Awareness of our own personal risk is highly important and gaining assistance in screening to determine one’s risk is a personal responsibility. Understanding the signs of mental illness and identifying how it feels can be confusing, and can contribute to silence and hesitation in seeking help. It is crucial for us to talk about how it feels to live with mental illness. The warning signs of depression can be a significant predictor of suicide. Among these can be a lack of interest in formerlyenjoyed activities, a change in sleep patterns or appetite, becoming socially isolated, having feelings of hopelessness, experiencing the recent loss of a loved one, having financial problems, and experiencing a loss of independence. Fortunately, clinical depression is a very treatable illness. If you or someone you know is experiencing passive or active suicidal thoughts or has described a plan with intent to act, it is essential that you intervene and seek help from a mental health professional immediately. A timely and appropriate intervention can prevent suicide and

addressing issues sooner rather than later often results in better treatment outcomes. Communities across our state are working hard on a daily basis to combat the mental health battle. Suicide prevention groups affiliated with the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services or local Public Health Departments exist in Missoula, Butte, Bozeman, Helena, Great Falls, Billings, and Havre. Mental Health America provides support statewide. The United Way sponsors project Tomorrow based in Missoula. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) has a very active state chapter with contacts throughout Montana. And, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) provides families and peer support for persons experiencing mental illness. Resources exist, and continue to grow. You can make a difference by identifying the warning signs and starting a conversation. Connect with your community, and together, we can heal our state. For further information, visit mentalhealthamerica.net, afsp.org/understanding-suicide/facts-andfigures, and dphhs.mt.gov/amdd/Suicide.aspx. Please see Letters to the Editor of this issue for information regarding a presentation by former Great Falls resident and Pulitzer Prize winning journalist, Eric Newhouse, sponsored by Mental Health America. MSN

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I Am A Changed Person “Before I came here to Lustre Christian High School (LCHS), everything in my mind was what I wanted to do. I liked to control rather than be controlled. My dad likes to control too. In order to get out of his control my home became just a place where I slept. “Because I did not acknowledge God, I sinned naturally – disobeying my parents, going places where I was not supposed to go, lying, and lying again. It destroyed my ideals and I lowered my high standard in order to get what I wanted. I thought I was a “good kid” and would stay away from bad things, but I didn’t.

“I learned about how Jesus died, how salvation works and what the Bible teaches. But I didn’t buy it. First, I didn’t think I was sinful and second, I thought science could explain everything. When it couldn’t, I realized I was a sinner and accepted Jesus into my life. How neat is God’s plan and how many chances He gives!” Joyce has changed her life, loves her family, and is on a mission to show God’s love. Lustre is a remote community in northeast Montana committed to compassionately guiding high school students. For more information, visit lustrechristian.org. MSN

Related How Again? By Mark John Astolfi Why did Maury Povich’s grandparents give his father a girl’s name, Shirley Povich? Sportswriter Shirley Povich’s first name is actually a last name or surname, and before that, it was a British place name dating back to the 7th century. It’s derived from “scir” meaning bright and “leah,” which was a forest clearing or meadow. If you wondered why that baseball pitcher from the 1980s, Bob Shirley, had a girl’s first name as a last name, it’s actually the other way around. The use of surnames as first or given names began as a way to honor a mother’s or grandmother’s family. The custom started with boys, but eventually included girls as well. Shirley Booth was one of the first famous female Shirleys, but it was Shirley Temple who really popularized the name for girls. Still, if things had been different, her name could easily have been Temple Shirley. Shirley Povich was born in Bar Harbor, Maine in 1905, when male Shirleys in the United States still outnumbered female Shirleys. He went to school with several other male Shirleys and had a male first cousin also named Shirley Povich. As he tells it, children in his family were named after deceased relatives, and by the time he came along, the eighth of an eventual ten siblings, they had just about run out. He was named after his grandmother Sarah, one Yiddish nickname for which is Suri. His parents decided Shirley was “close enough.” And yes, it’s true that in 1962 he was the only man listed in Who’s Who in American Woman. I’m confused. On “The Beverly Hillbillies,” are Jethro and Elly May siblings or cousins? If by cousins you mean first cousins, then it turns out they are neither! Elly May’s father, Jed Clampett, and Jethro’s mother, Pearl Bodine, are first cousins, making Jethro and Elly May second cousins.

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I need some help. If my grandfather is a cousin to Brenda, what is Brenda to me? Here’s your help! What you are asking is the definition of “removed” cousins. Brenda is your removed cousin because she is the cousin of one of your direct ancestors. She is not your cousin, but the cousin of somebody removed from you by a number of generations. Your parent’s cousin is your cousin once removed. Your grandparent’s cousin is twice removed. Your great grandparent’s cousin is three times removed, and so forth. So Brenda is your cousin twice removed. Most of the time “cousin” means “first cousin,” but if Brenda were a different kind of cousin, say your grandfather’s half-third cousin, she’d likewise be your half-third cousin twice removed, because the “twice removed” identifies your grandparents’ generation. Do Barbie dolls and her friends have last names? They sure do. Barbie’s full name is Barbara Millicent Roberts. Then there are Ken Carson, Midge Hadley, Alan (originally spelled Allan) Sherwood, and Francie Fairchild. In 2003, Midge and Alan were married and had several children, so she became Midge Sherwood. But in 2013, Midge was rebooted as single with no kids, so presumably she’s a Hadley again. Send questions and comments to relatedhowagain@gmail.com. Also visit the World’s Most Fascinating Genealogy Blog at relatedhowagain. wordpress.com. MSN

It is spring again. The earth is like a child that knows poems by heart. - Ranier Marie Rilke

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Online Dating Can Be Frustrating, Time-Consuming, But Can Produce Long-Term Results Dating in the digital age is big business, with daters turning to a slew of popular apps and sites in the hopes of finding that very special someone. The chances they will find someone are good, according to Consumer Reports, which discovered a substantial 44 percent of survey respondents who tried online dating said the experience led to a serious long term relationship or marriage. Consumer Reports surveyed almost 115,000 subscribers about online dating, as well as a subset of some 9,600 respondents who used an online dating service in the past two years rated the sites for effectiveness and value. Traditionally well known for reviewing products like refrigerators and services like banking, the survey was new territory for the nonprofit organization, which learned from the survey that 20 percent of respondents are either divorced or have never married and may benefit from the investigation. Readers were asked to rate sites and apps based on overall satisfaction and satisfaction with the quantity of matches, quality of matches, amount of information provided about the potential dates, value, ease of sign-up/profile setup, ease of making changes, search features, filter features, privacy settings, appearance, and messaging features. Popular free sites OkCupid, Tinder and Grindr received marginally higher ratings than paid sites. Ashley Madison, which had one of the highest fees for some of its services, was among the lowest scoring online dating services. “While the prospects of finding a long term match were surprisingly good amongst our survey respondents, our survey suggests that online dat-

ing can be as frustrating and emotionally fraught as off line dating” said Margot Gilman, Consumer Reports Money Content Development Team Leader. While long term success is possible, our ratings suggest online dating can also be highly frustrating. Respondents gave online dating services the lowest satisfaction scores Consumer Reports has ever seen. Complete ratings, survey results, and a field guide to popular dating sites are available at CR.org, or on newsstands in the Consumer Reports February 2017 issue. Disappointment was inevitable but also expected. CR’s survey found that among those reluctant to try online dating, 21 percent of women and 9 percent of men said it was because they knew someone who had a bad experience. The survey also found that twenty-eight percent of online daters who used more than one service tried four or more. CR’s survey shows some consumers are concerned about dipping into Cupid’s digital world because they fear being scammed The survey found among respondents hesitant to try online dating, 56 percent of women and 41 percent of men had this worry. But the story suggests ways to protect yourself. “If a person you haven’t met face to face wants to quickly leave the dating site’s messaging app, and the privacy it offers, to talk by phone or send messages to your email address, that can be a red flag,” Gilman says, “Beware of ensuing pleas

for money that might involve expenses for family members, medical problems, or a business deal gone sour.” For daters ready to commit to online matchmaking, CR recommends the following tips to help craft a better profile: • Use recent pictures, ones taken within the past 12 months, maximum. Everyone needs at least one good, close-up headshot. • Consider your tone. You don’t want your profile to sound like a resume or to come across as bragging about how wonderful you are. Show that you’re human and humble through a joke, a self-effacing story, or a humorous anecdote. • Get the reader’s attention on your profile by keeping it brief but interesting. • To make a strong first impression, do more than use a string of adjectives describing yourself. Instead, describe your best qualities using anecdotes. • Never lie about your age or what you do for a living. Consumer Reports online dating services ratings are based on 9,636 Consumer Reports subscribers who completed the 2016 Online Dating Survey. Respondents told CR about their experience with one or two dating websites or apps between 2014 and 2016. The survey reflects 13,532 ratings. The complete article, including dating websites and apps ratings and online dating tips, is available at cr.org or on newsstands in the February 2017 issue. MSN

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