August / September 2017 by Montana Senior News

A New Era for Montana Senior News: Farewell to Jack Love and Welcome to Robert and Janet Hunt By Gail Jokerst

Jack W. Love, Jr. former owner/editor of the Montana Senior News and Idaho Senior Independent Photo by Jonathan Rimmel

WHAT’S INSIDE... Automotive / RV ...............25

Discover Montana............26

Letters to the Editor...........3

Beyond Montana.............50

Entertainment..................57

Lifestyle............................67

Book & Literature...............6

Events Calendar ...............63

Medical Directory.............43

Caregiving ........................34

Northwest MT..................17

Real Estate .......................72

Contest Corner...................8

Finance & Insurance.........21

Recreation........................53

Cupid’s Corner ...................4

Golf..................................54

Remember When ............10

Crossword .......................38

Governor’s Conference ....11

Travel...............................32

Dining Guide....................66

Heath & Fitness................41

If you typically read the Montana Senior News from cover to cover, you may have noticed that the logo on the front page has changed, along with the masthead publication information listed inside. Those changes ��not just an updated logo but new ownership and a new era for the newspaper. After 33 y ears of publishing and editing Montana Senior News, the paper’s founder Jack Love has retired. This past spring, he sold the Montana Senior News along with its sister publication, the Idaho Senior Independent, to Robert and Janet Hunt of Kalispell. Although the Hunts live in the Flathead, the newspaper’s headquarters for advertising sales and production remains in Great Falls, where Jack has lived since 1981. From the start, Jack wanted the newspaper to focus on opening the door of possibilities of what readers could accomplish. That has never changed. “Many people are ��yby things they see and hear but aren’t aware of. Reading about older stock car drivers, parachutists and scuba divers can vicariously make readers feel younger by realizing someone their age could do this, too,” explains Jack. “It’s about getting up off the couch and the doing—extending yourself out of your comfort zone. It seems a more interesting way to live.” Now that he has retired, Jack is looking forward to opening his own doors of possibility and various ways he can enjoy and educate himself. With his newly acquired free hours, he and his wife, Joan, are spending more time outdoors, hiking along the Rocky Mountain Front, bicycling River’s Edge Trail, and canoeing the Missouri. They ’re traveling the nation to see their kids and grandchildren living in �� different states. Additionally, Jack plans to do some volunteering and take online classes, “to become more tech-savvy.” A U.S. Navy veteran with a degree in law as well as English, Jack never intended to start a newspaper. However, he had a vision of how to serve Montana’s mature readership and acquired the skills on the job to bring the newspaper to birth. “The paper’s purpose has alway s been to provide interesting and entertaining information for an active 50-plus aged audience,” notes Jack. “It has always been about pr��of people who were worthy of the ink. I also felt it was important to cover a broad range of topics, including travel, �nance and recreation. You need a bit of something for everybody.” Although initially a quarterly publication, Montana Senior News went to a bimonthly format after the ��year. (Continued on pg 55)

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MONTANA SENIOR NEWS

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017

MONTANA SENIOR NEWS

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017

Great Paper Dear All, Your paper and articles are great! Especially the excerpt on the U.S. Army Special Service Group/Force, WWII, of which my father served.

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Some of what you print…brings me to tears, but always in a good way. Thank you. Howard Potter ��

Retractions Retraction: Page 1 of Our June/July Issue The Montana Senior News would like to apologize for our reference to “squaw ��on page 1 of our June/July issue. The correct term should be Northern Pike Minnow. The Montana Senior News staff Easter Egg Hunt Your Senior News is usually very good and I enjoy reading it. In May I sent an entry for the Easter Egg Hunt, listing the page numbers where I found the eggs. In the June/July issue you listed page numbers on which you say they were. I found an egg on page 9. But found not one egg on the 11 other pages y ou claim had eggs. And you listed 12 eggs and there were 18! Am I completely nuts or am I correct? It might be well if the puzzle person were apprised of this note? Dorothy Malkowski Kalispell

Our sincerest of apologies for printing the wrong answers for the Easter Egg Hunt in our June/July issue. The correct answers to the Gather the Hidden Eggs contest in our April/May Issue are listed below: 1. 4 2. 9 3. 14 4. 17 5. 25 6. 36 7. 38 8. 41 9. 44 10. 47 11. 49 12. 52 13. 59

14. 62 15. 68 16. 70 17. 73 18. 74

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PO Box 3363 • Great Falls, MT 59403-3363 406-761-0305 or 800-672-8477 FAX 406-761-8358 WEB montanaseniornews.com EMAIL info@montanaseniornews.com 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 distributed free throughout Montana. Our subscription rate is $10 per year (6 issues). The Montana Senior News is written to serve the interests of mature Montanans. 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 Montana Senior News does not endorse any particular product or service shown in advertisements appearing in this paper. The publisher will not be responsible for mistakes in advertisements unless ��ed within �ve days of publication. All copy appearing in the Montana Senior News is copyright protected and may be reprinted only with the written permission of the publisher. Advertising space should be reserved by the 8th of the month preceding the month of publication.

Robert B. Hunt, Publisher/Editor Janet Hunt Kathleen McGregor Lisa Gebo Sherrie Smith Jonathan Rimmel Peter Thornburg Nann Parrett

Chief Financial Officer Advertising Sales Production Supervisor Advertising Sales Production Assistant Graphic Designer Webmaster Distribution Editorial Assistant

Contributing Writers Connie Daugherty Kim Thielman-Ibes Gail Jokerst Bernice Karnop

Craig Larcom Liz Larcom Jack McNeel Dianna Troyer

Baby it’s hot outside! Time to get out the ice cream, and lounge by the pool! While you’re “chillin,” get out a pen and paper, and write in to our “Cupid’s Corner.” You’ll never know what wonderful relationships await until y ou give it a try. 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 y ou provide to the person placing the ad. Responding to an ad in this section 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 listing to run in our next issue. This is a free service, and your ad may lead you down the path of friendship, companionship and true love! 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 Oct./ Nov. 2017 issue, the deadline is Sept. 15, 2017. SWF 60. Looking for companion, friend or more, 55 to 75. I am blonde with Hazel ey es, 5’7, 165, attractive, healthy, kind and funny. I enjoy cooking, crafts, and museums, day trips in and around our beautiful Montana. I live in Gallatin County. I will answer all. My friend of 20 years recently passed away and I ��y myself very lonely. She was my constant companion in all my endeavors. I’m new to dating so please understand my situation. You are polite, kind and a respectful gentleman. I am European and speak two languages, Greek and American English! Hope to hear from you soon. Reply MSN, Dept. 33601, c/o Montana Senior News, Box 3363, Great Falls, MT 59403. SWF mid 70s, average build, not fat not skinny. I am a bible believing Christian, country raised, now living in western Montana. I’m healthy (with a few creaks and groans), happy almost alway s. Enjoy day trips, fishing, the sound of a meadow lark, a bubbling creek. I don’t smoke and never have but may have a rare glass of wine. I like garage sales and �’ a markets and some TV. Would like to meet a practicing bible believing Christian man who doesn’t smoke,

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017

who believes in honesty, has a sense of humor, who would like a lady in his life and knows how to treat his special woman. Not looking for a Greek god, but a down to earth, upbeat and optimistic guy. Please write and include a photo if possible and a phone number. Reply MSN, Dept. 33602, c/o Montana Senior News, Box 3363, Great Falls, MT 59403. Hamilton widow, 65, 5’7”, 165 lbs, not hard on the eyes. Seeking companion to experience life’s adventures. I’m giving, caring, honest, open, witty , with a love of animals. Just a country gal with old school values and a ranch background, who comes with ply nets, collars, hames, calf puller and drencher. Reply MSN, Dept. 33603, c/o Montana Senior News, Box 3363, Great Falls, MT 59403. SWF 5’5”, ��J mid 60s, attractive, honest, high moraled, disabled, responsible, born-again Christian. I enjoy singing, dancing, camping, church, pinochle, TV, movies, dining out, laughing, friends, family, and good conversation. ISO relocatable (to Hamilton), dependable, clean, stable, affectionate, conservative Christian man who’s not into drinking, drugs, gambling, or porn. Prefer slim to med build, but height, age & ethnicity not important. Working a 12-step program would be a plus. If you’d like a special friend or possible life mate to share what life has to offer and serve Jesus together through our golden y ears, please include a photo with an informative letter and I’ll respond likewise. Reply MSN, Dept. 33605, c/o Montana Senior News, Box 3363, Great Falls, MT 59403. SF, 61, 5’4”, 130 lbs. Fun, ��y athletically inclined, pony tailed tomboy who is also very much a woman. Generally leftward leaning, with an eclectic spirituality . Living active outdoor/ rural lifestyle in upper NW Montana. Productive home life (with animals). Enjoy non-motorized forms of outdoor recreation: hiking, bike riding, horseback riding, just about anything in, on or around the water, winter sports/activities. Well rounded variety of other interests including travel. Longtime married but on my own for a while now and ready to get my toes back in the water with a likeminded gentleman who is in the Missoula/Kalispell to Idaho border area. Someone who is happy inside, kind, considerate, honest, open minded, phy sically active, emotionally mature, y oung at heart, ��ncially secure, has good hygiene including dental, and not looking to rush into anything. If

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017

MONTANA SENIOR NEWS

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interested send informational introduction letter to include address or phone number for initial contact. Reply MSN, Dept. 33606, c/o Montana Senior News, Box 3363, Great Falls, MT 59403. I am looking for a nice elderly gentleman for a good male friend. Age doesn’t matter. No younger than 60s. Just someone with whom I could have good discussions of by gone years. Someone who could enjoy the same things such as movies, eating out or in, picnics, dancing and others. Not much for camping. If this whets your interest or curiosity, please reply and we will go from there. Send your phone number as I’d rather talk on the phone than write. Reply MSN, Dept. 33607, c/o Montana Senior News, Box 3363, Great Falls, MT 59403. DWF, 78 4’10”, 126lbs. I would like to get a live-in companion. I don’t smoke, drink or do drugs. Live in a three bedroom home in town with my big front yard and back. The back yard has nothing in it, but a trailer. Like to ��camp, hike and go on day trips. Don’t own a car or drive one, so do a lot of walking. Like country western music and use to sing with my brother in the summertime like to go to thrift stores and rummage sales. If you like what you read, write me a letter and picture and I will do the same like to hear from people in Bigfork or Kalispell. Reply MSN, Dept. 33608, c/o Montana Senior News, Box 3363, Great Falls, MT 59403. MSN

Good Advice For A Happy Life

Submitted by Julie Brantley 1. Don’t educate your children to be rich. Educate them to be happy so when they grow up they will know the value of things not the price. 2. Eat your food as your medicines. Otherwise, you have to eat medicines as your food. 3. The ones who love you will never leave you because even if there are 100 rea��son to hold on. 4. There is a big difference between a human being and being human. Only a few really understand it. 5. You are loved when you are born. You will be loved when you die. In between, you have to manage! 6. If you just want to walk fast, walk alone! But if you want to walk far, walk together! MSN

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AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017

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Her hands can do more than create beautiful music. “When she �� felt it at the age of 15…her period started then a�� t was the origin of the changes.” But the changes in Loreena’s body were not just the usual changes any teenage girl experiences; something more was going on. It was the beginning of her magic touch, what her uncle calls “a gift from God.” Sometimes, though, Loreena thinks it’s more of a curse than a gift. In her second award-winning book, Loreena’s Gift, Colleen Story takes readers on a unique journey—sometimes dark, sometimes bright and beautiful, but continually surprising. The story is tightly written and cleverly crafted with detailed smell, sound and tactile descriptions as we “see” the world through the eyes of a blind young woman. It is not only a story of family, pain and despair, but also of hope and love. It is a story of overcoming and forgiving. Loreena’s best friend is a marble angel statue that stands outside the church. “When Loreena thought of her own eyes…she pictured the angel’s and imagined they must be similar. Unseeing. Opaque.” But Loreena is not a marble angle. She is a gentle, loving young woman with all the normal desires and dreams of anyone her age, but with a secret nobody can ever know. A secret that keeps her isolated and alone. Preparing for “the ritual,” she pulls on a clean pair of white cotton gloves. “Like a sheath for a knife, they were her assurance her hands would never accidently hurt anyone. Not again.” The gloves protect her hands—her gift—until it is needed. Like any talent, it can be used for good—at least her uncle claims it is good—or evil. But most of all, it must be controlled. Loreena’s soft, gentle hands can kill with just a touch—mercy killing her uncle says. She has a touch that can take a terminally ill person beyond pain and suffering. And that, says her uncle, is “an act of mercy,” her gift to the dying. “She didn’t know the man they were going to see…He just wanted her to help him die…his skin was cold and dry…still it was a living hand and the sensation felt foreign it had been so long since she’d felt skin against skin.” Loreena doesn’t just send the patient off; she takes him, holds his hand through the tunnel from this life to the next. And she can see. For those few moments that she is with another person in the other world, she can see. The colors are warm and bright, her transport peaceful and content. And though she feels guilty about it, Loreena treasures these brief times of sight. So she uses her hands as they were intended, and in exchange she receives sight. Then her brother returns after a three-year absence. He is obviously still living the wild and free life of which her uncle disapproves. But her brother seems happy, and just for one night, Loreena wants to join him, to spend some time with him, to experience what other y oung people experience. To feel normal. The evening out with her brother is not at all what she expects. She is uncomfortable almost from the beginning, and (Continued on page 23)

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Quiz: Paxton Puzzle Do y ou remember taking y our kids to the doctors? Those long waits were made just a little easier by those kids’ magazines. What was the best part of those magazines? The ��the hidden items” puzzle, of course! Now, thanks to reader Florence Paxton of Homedale Idaho, you can enjoy one of your own! Thank you to all who participated in our TV Dads Need Love Too quiz in the June/July 2017 issue. The winner of the $25 prize for submitting the correct answers is John Boltz of Billings. Congratulations, John! 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 1. Accordion 2. Book 3. Butterfly 4. Cherries 5. Clown 6. Dog 7. Flag 8. Football

submits the winning answers to the featured quiz from the previous issue. The second prize goes to the person who submits the entry that our staff selects as the featured quiz or puzzle in the “Contest Corner” for this issue. Be creative, and send us some good, fun, and interesting puzzles! Please mail your entries to all contests to the Montana Senior News, P.O. Box 3363, Great Falls, MT 59403, or email to info@montanaseniornews.com by September 15, 2017 for our October/November 2017 edition. Find the 21 hidden items listed below, then get out the crayons or markers and have some fun!

9. Frog 10. Grapes 11. Ice Cream Cone 12. Kitten 13. Monkey 14. Moon 15. Mouse 16. Owl

17. Ring 18. Rooster 19. Snake 20. Strawberry 21. Umbrella

Answers to TV Dads Need Love Too! Any fool can criticize, condemn, and complain and most fools do. - Benjamin Franklin

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11. H 12. V 13. K 14. E 15. Y

16. G 17. C 18. X 19. I 20. L

21. W 22. Q 23. P 24. T 25. N

26. R

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Gail Jokerst Receives Award at 2017 Outdoor Writers Conference The Outdoor Writers Association of America announced the winners of their 2017 Excellence in Craft Contest at the organization’s 90th annual conference, which was held this year in Duluth, Minn. First-, secondand third-place winners were chosen in nine contests. Winners received prize money, plaques and ��L Gail Jokerst took second place in the Conservation/Nature category for newspapers with her Montana Senior News story, Jim Sheldon Brings to Life an Ice-Age Story. It appeared in the February/March 2016 issue of this newspaper. Gail has been writing for Montana Senior News since 1999 and is a regular contributor. MSN

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017

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MONTANA SENIOR NEWS

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AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017

Every one has home remedies, some more outlandish than others. This month’s Remember When comes to us from Dena Hughes who shares childhood memories of their father’s many crazy miracle cures. Thank you, Dena; please contact us to receive your prize! Remember When contains our readers’ personal �� and contributions describing ��” o nal or non��onal accounts from the “Good ol’ Days” or ��@ ns 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 deemed best by our staff. The contributor of the winning entry will receive a $25 cash prize. We look forward to receiving y our contributions for our October/November 2017 issue. Mail y our correspondence to Montana Senior News P.O. Box 3363, Great Falls, MT 59403; email to info@montanaseniornews.com; or call 1-866-360-5683 or 208-318-0310. Visit us online at montanaseniornews.com.

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By Dena Hughes As a child of the Depression, I grew up in a home with little money to spare—least of all for doctors. We only saw doctors when the need for stitches was indisputable, a bone was clearly broken and when my mother gave birth to my brother, Wes. For all other issues, my father had a remedy. I guess the fact that I’m still here at 86, despite dozens of childhood crises, is fair testament to his skills. I still shudder, though, when I remember some of his medical treatments. Our illnesses seemed to exist in categories. Probably the most common was a stomachache. At our �� frown, the dreaded ritual would begin. First came the bowl of hot milk with toast, followed by a waiting period under our parents’ close watch. If our discomfort continued, that big blue bottle of Milk of Magnesia would appear. I hated that stuff. I was sure it made me feel worse, but never dared admit it, because the next effort was even more torturous: castor oil, accompanied by a wedge of orange. I guess the orange was supposed to neutralize the disgusting taste of the oil. It usually took at least three tablespoons of the castor oil to get one down my throat, because I put up such a royal ��every time, usually wasting the �st two. But the worst was yet to come. If we dared to even look like we might throw up again after all these attempts to cure us, Mother brought out her ultimate weapon, the dreaded…ENEMA. Nothing further need be said, except that by now, the reader surely understands why Wes and I both learned to recover quickly from the ��in our tummies, or at least to conceal the symptoms. Then there was the common cold. What kid doesn’t catch a cold? Even with living in sunny Los Angeles, Dad had a plan.��’ packed the trusty old Vick’s Vaporub ® into the guilty nose. That alone was frequently enough to cure us. If, however, a sore throat Erik & Jolene Stenberg developed, it was time brookdale.com for salt dissolved in a 215 Anderson Street, Big Timber glass of warm water (Cont’d on page 65) stenbergfuneralhome.com

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Age Out Loud: Attend the 49th Annual Governor’s Conference on Aging WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO AGE OUT LOUD? IT MEANS WE AREN’T GOING TO TAKE IT LYING DOWN! By Bernice Karnop Age Out Loud is the Montana Governor’s Conference on Aging theme, but it is also the 2017 theme of the National Older Americans Act for 2017. If y ou are a senior who is not willing to go quietly, if you know that seniors must advocate for themselves, then attend the Governor’s Conference on Aging. Organizer Jackie Stoeckel says that the 2017 Conference centers on the needs and issues that directly affect seniors. She adds, “The Governor’s Advisory Council, who sponsors the Conference, wants seniors to go home educated about how they can better care and advocate for themselves and others. Especially now.” The GCA is being held in two locations, to cut down on travel for people across our broad state. Western Montanans can attend it at the Red Lion Hotel in Kalispell, Sept. 7 and 8, 2017, and Eastern Montanans can attend at the Eastern Plains Event Center in Glendive, Sept. 12 and 13. The meetings will be similar, but not identical. Second-day emphasis in Glendive will be on hospice, wills and end-of-life issues. In Kalispell, the focus will be on how to make community venues and services more accessible for seniors. The AARP will host a special event— Montana musician Jack Gladstone performing in Kalispell.

Lance Robertson, a presidential nominee for the Assistant Secretary of Administration for Aging, has been invited as a keynote speaker to the two conferences. Robertson spoke last year about Caregivers and received great reviews. Marvin Kaiser, from the organization Voices of the Coming of Age, is keynote speaker in both Kalispell and Glendive. A Professor Emeritus from Portland State University , this sociologist focused his research on domestic and international aging issues as related to community development. Kaiser continues to serve on various community boards, promoting age-friendly projects in his community. Raised in a rural community in Kansas, he understands the complexity of resource development for seniors in rural states such as ours. Jolene Brackey, a celebrated national speaker in Alzheimer’s education, is based in Montana. She is the founder of Enhanced Moments and is a delightful and inspiring expert on how people can better communicate with loved ones who have Alzheimer’s or other dementias. She will speak only at the Kalispell Conference. Glenna Chapman, a ��” ed Alzheimer’s

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AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017

speaker, takes on the same subject in Glendive. Glenna’s Glendive session, “Navigating the Uncharted Journey ,” will focus on how to maintain dignity from the perspective of a person who has dementia. The conferences also includes Susan Gobbs, Esq., who will talk on renters’ rights; Jenna Justice, who will discuss hospice; and Tonette Hollingsworth, RDH, who will co-present with local dentists on the topic of how dental care affects health. Other topics include the Balancing Act of Medicare and Medicaid in Long-Term Care and Debunking the My th of Adult Protective Services. Panel discussions will cover agefriendly communities, senior scam alerts, � ancial tools, wills, power of attorney and other end-of-life Issues. The Centenarian Luncheon honors Montanans who reach their 100th birthday or better by December 31, 2017. According to the 2010 census, Montana had 175 Centenarians. Projections indicate that number will increase to 3,000 by 2025. Last year eight centenarians attended the luncheon in Helena and received a warm welcome from Governor Steve Bullock. Readers can help conference organizers

locate these people, so they can receive the Governor’s Certi��y of Recognition. Download a Centenarian Information Form on Montana’s Aging Services web site, or call Jackie Stoeckel for more information. Organizations with limited resources that are located in rural communities with populations under 10,000 are eligible for minigrants ranging from $200 to $1,000, which will be awarded at the conference. Interested programs must apply by Aug. 5. Individuals who are ready to “Age Out Loud” will not only gain important information but will also make valuable connections with likeminded friends, blazing new trails into the inevitable future of aging in Montana. Registration costs only $50 for the two-day Conference. Register online, or ��y out the form in the Montana Senior News. For more information contact Jackie Stoeckel at 800-332-2272 or 406 444-6061 during normal business hours. You may email her at jstoeckel@mt.gov. Information about the Conference, centenarian search and mini grants is available at the Aging Services web page, www. dphhs.mt.gov/sltc under Governor’s Conference on Aging. MSN

Let’s Trade Places for A Moment

By Laverne Bardy “Parents rarely let go of their children, so children let go of them.”—Paulo Coelho I was sitting in my favorite Japanese restaurant, alone, doing the two things I love most: eating sushi and eavesdropping. Two men, probably in their mid-50s, were seated in a booth behind me, discussing their mothers. Their conversation was so absorbing that I grabbed a pen and pad from my purse and began taking notes.

“She drives me crazy ,” said Son #1. “She calls every f*ing day, complaining that I don’t call. I asked what difference it makes who does the calling if we speak every day? But she wants me to call her. And, each time we speak, she needs a full report of that day’s activities. I dread hearing the phone ring. I mean—I love her, but I don’t have time for this crap. She needs to get a life.” “That’s gotta be tough on you. I guess she’s lonely since your dad died,” said Son #2.

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AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017 “She plays bridge on Wednesdays, and the senior bus takes her to the market once a week, so I doubt she’s lonely.” Every woman’s fantasy life.

“Does she drive?” “No more. Her eyesight isn’t great, so after she had a near miss on the road, we took her keys. She wasn’t happy about it.” “Hey, I get it. What choice did you have?” Touch my car keys, and you’re dead.

“She’d like to move to a senior retirement place. The one she wants is 50 minutes away. Too far. Besides, I hear a lot of sex goes on in those places. Not really the environment I want my mother exposed to.” “Well, get this,” said Son #2. “My mother, who’s 73, made a plane reservation for California. I can’t get her to sit in one place for more than ��y minutes. She’ll be traveling, cross country, alone! And when she gets there, she’ll be shacking up with an old boyfriend she reconnected with on Facebook, which makes me sick to think about. I’m damn sure they won’t be playing Tiddlywinks. I wish to hell she’d act her age.” I stopped chewing. What the heck does that mean? I’ve read books on what to expect from infants, toddlers and teenagers, but, if there’s one titled “Characteristics Commonly Found in Women Over 70,” I missed it. And, by the way, Dummy, it’s not as if she’ll be piloting the plane. She’ll be securely seated in one place— for more than five minutes— which should thrill you. Furthermore, there’s no expiration date on one’s sex drive, so get over it.

It was all I could do to keep from turning around and poking him in the face with a chopstick. “Does she have anything physically wrong that could prevent her from traveling alone?” asked Son #1. “Not really . She has some arthritis in her back, and she did have hip replacement, but she says she’s � e. Still, the woman’s much too old to be traipsing around the country herself. I tried to talk her out of it, but she blew me off.” By the time I ��y eating, my head was throbbing. One son had neither empathy nor time for his lonely mother, who had become a pain in his rear. The other son would have been happy to contain his spirited mother within the confines of a fenced-in y ard. Perhaps if he tossed her a pair of earphones and a bag of salted almonds, he could convince her she was in a plane. How much easier both sons’ lives would be without these burdensome women. On my drive home, I tried to see both sides. Was there any validity in what these men were saying? Was Mother #1 too clingy? Should she

PAGE 13 not lean so heavily on her son and aim at making a new life for herself? Had alternate forms of transportation been discussed when they removed her keys? Was her son’s exasperation �� Was Son #2 reasonable in his attempt to frustrate his mother’s travel plans? Should his worries take precedence over her desires? Were his negativity and criticism his way of showing

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MONTANA SENIOR NEWS loving concern, or did he, quite simply, resent having an additional thing to worry about? It occurred to me that I might not be the right person to judge these men. My parents died young. Losing them left a huge hole in my heart. I missed out on the enjoyment of having an adult relationship with them. But I now understood that their deaths also freed me from the worries, demands and exasperation I might be experiencing if I had to care for them today. I would hope that, while adult children are trying to cope with aging parents, they take a moment to understand that the wrinkles on our faces and the canes that we lean on are not indicative of who we are. We do not want to be viewed with pity , disdain, tolerance or condescension. We don’t want to be a burden. We ask only that you be patient, and understand that while all of this is new for you, it is also new for us.

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017

Please take time to talk and to listen to us. You might be pleasantly surprised to � d that we are witty, charismatic, well informed about a wide range of subjects and full of life. We ask that you discard your preconceived notions about our generation and be cognizant of the fact that, one day, you will be us. Equally important is your children are watching. How you treat us will likely be how they treat you. MSN

Spring Brook Ranch: Where the Yak and the Bison Roam! By Holly Endersby Jim Watson went to college to avoid ranching. “I grew up on a cattle ranch on our family place in Mississippi,” Watson explains. “I thought being an engineer would keep me out of ranching, but that clearly didn’t work!” Nope. It sure didn’t! Jim, and his wife Carol Bibler, now own Spring Brook Ranch outside Kalispell where Tibetan yaks and plains bison get fat munching on rich native grasses. Originally, Carol’s dad, Sam Bibler, a WWII veteran, bought the historic ranch in the ‘90s to raise bison with the understanding he would not subdivide it. One of the �rst agricultural conservation easements in Montana was placed on 500 acres and now, all one thousand acres are conserved. “The ranch protects the view shed of the valley,” explains Jim. “Lone Pine Hill will remain undeveloped so what you don’t see in terms of skyline homes and lights at night, is just as important as what you do see.” Part of the conservation easement includes sustainably managed timberland, ce��” ed by the American Forest Foundation and the state of Montana. “The timber goes to the local mill,” says Jim, “so it helps the local economy.” After successfully bringing bison to the ranch, Sam Bibler wanted to include Tibetan yaks as part of his ranching operation. “Sam, not Carol or �� nch,” says Jim. At the time, Jim, an engineer, and Carol, a geologist, were working fulltime in Colorado and raising their son. But in 2001, the couple moved to Montana to be closer to the Biblers. Sam Bibler died the year after bringing yaks to the ranch and was soon followed by his wife, so the entire ranching operation rested on Jim and Carol. “We immediately began applying modern animal science principles and sustainable forestry practices to ranch management,” Jim explains. “Luckily, at the time, my dad was still alive so I would frequently call him for advice, which made him feel great!” Jim and Carol use personality as an important criteria in managing their herd. “Bison are wild and can’t be totally domesticated,” Jim explains. “They are herd animals and when one gets scared and runs, they all do. I call it

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AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017 ��just like a ��of birds that takes off at once when scared. If we get a ��or nervous bison, we don’t breed it, we eat it.” Although Carol and Bill are able to call the bison to them and hand feed them, they always keep in mind their natural instincts as they manage their cow-calf operation, which now produces a crop of calves each year for market. “We have a standing list of customers for the bison,” says Jim, “who buy a quarter, half or whole animal. We are basically at capacity now, don’t advertise, and want to keep our customers happy with our product.” Yaks are just the opposite of bison. “They follow you around like dogs and love back scratches,” Jim shares. “We also halter train some steers, which helps teach the calves not to fear us. We even show some of the yak steers in local parades.” Spring Brook Ranch produces some of the premier breeding stock yaks in the country, shipping animals across the U.S. and Canada. The yaks from Spring Brook are suitable for breeding and showing, with an emphasis on producing wooly and extremely wooly yaks. Those yaks that do not meet standards for breeding or showing are meant for the market. We sell 100% local,” explains Jim. “We provide yak meat to two restaurants and three groceries.” “Tourists are looking for something really unique and the yak burger is just that. Hops is the only restaurant in the Pa�� Northwest that has yak on the menu all year. It’s a ranch gate to restaurant plate concept.” Jim and Carol love introducing kids to the ranch animals and up to 400 students visit each spring. They set up a round pen with the kids on the inside and the yaks on the outside and then call the yaks in. Carol and Jim believe in giving back to other yak owners/breeders as well, so they hold “Yak Camp” on the ranch in the summer. Yak breeders from around the nation and Canada listen to lectures in the morning and in the afternoon learn to trim hooves, give shots, and halter break their y aks. This year’s, featured speaker is a Pakistani expert who has written a book on

MONTANA SENIOR NEWS

PAGE 15

yaks. Jim has also served as a board member and president of the breed association. Jim is a �� hunter education instructor, and he and Carol open their ranch to �st time whitetail deer hunters. “These whitetail are urbanized and accustomed to people so it wouldn’t be fair for an advanced hunter to be part of this opportunity,” Jim explains. If a young person’s parent can’t go with him or her on the hunt, Jim goes along. “We also ensure that student hunters get time on the ranch shooting range, understand safety, explore ethics, and have instruction in �� dressing an animal,” Jim says. Last year the ranch hosted a Hunter Education Field Course and graduated 36 new hunters. Students participated in what Jim calls the “con��L ” “That course simulates a shoot or don’t shoot situation at different stations,” he explains. “...if the station has a doe with fawn, the question the hunter asks himself is, ‘Do I shoot because it is legal or do I not shoot because ethically that’s what’s important to me?’” Combining a passion for sustainability , ranching, conservation, and mentoring new hunters makes for a busy life for Jim and Carol, but it’s one they have embraced. Whether providing bison meat to customers,

supporting local restaurants and groceries with y ak meat, sending logs to the local mill from Spring Brook Ranch, “We believe in working locally,” Jim declares. MSN

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HONORING MONTANA CENTENARIANS Please complete the following form to receive a certificate signed by the Governor recognizing Montanans who are or will be 100 years of age or older this year. 1. Centenarian's Name:* _______________________________________________________ 2. Contact person (who to send certificate to):* _______________________________________________________

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Kalispell | Red Lion | September 7 & 8, 2017

CENTENARIAN LUNCHEON ONLY

Glendive | Eastern Plains Event Center | September 12 & 13, 2017

Centenarian Luncheon honors Montana Centenarians who are or will be turning 100 by December, 2017. Lunch is FREE for the Centenarian and 1 other attendee.

ATTENDEE INFORMATION

Kalispell, Sept 7

NAME: ________________________________ PHONE:______________

Glendive, Sept 12

ADDRESS: __________________________________________________ EMAIL: ____________________________________________________ CHOOSE REGISTRATION OPTION FULL CONFERENCE $50 Full Conference $55 for registrations submitted after 8/27/2017

(Includes all sessions, special events, Centenarian & next day luncheons, & coffee breaks)

SINGLE DAY - Kalispell $35 Thursday, Sept 7 $40 for registrations submitted after 8/27/2017 (Includes all sessions, special events, Centenarian luncheon, & coffee breaks)

$22 Friday, Sept 8 $25 for registrations submitted after 8/27/2017 (Includes all sessions, special events, luncheon, & coffee breaks)

SINGLE DAY - Glendive $35 Tuesday, Sept 12 $40 for registrations submitted after 8/27/2017 (Includes all sessions, special events, Centenarian luncheon, & coffee breaks)

$22 Wednesday, Sept 13 $25 for registrations submitted after 8/27/2017 (Includes all sessions, special events, luncheon, & coffee breaks)

NAME OF ATTENDEE (if different than registrant):___________________________ NAME OF CENTENARIAN: ________________________________________ If the Centenarian needs any special assistance, please list details below (Wheelchair, walker etc, diet restrictions): _________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________ $25 Additional Attendee $25 Additional Attendee $25 Additional Attendee NAME OF ATTENDEE:___________________________ NAME OF ATTENDEE:___________________________ NAME OF ATTENDEE:___________________________ MAIL FORM TO: Governor’s Conference on Aging PO Box 4210 Helena, MT 59604

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Jackie Stoeckel jstoeckel@mt.gov 406-444-6061

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Kalispell’s 21st-Century Renaissance Woman: Judie Overbeek By Gail Jokerst Nobody ��the ideal of a Renaissance man better than Leonardo da Vinci, who excelled at everything from painting, architecture and sculpture to math and engineering. And that is just his short list. Now fast forward to 21stcentury Kalispell, and meet a woman who could qualify as one of Leonardo’s modern-day counterparts. While Judie Overbeek’s pursuits have led her in a more home-based direction than those of the famed Italian, that in no way diminishes her achievements. Photo By Gail Jokerst Aside from singing in choirs and playing the recorder and ukulele, Judie also weaves, spins, dyes and sews. And that is just her short list. “The fact that these arts have evolved and survived into modern times and are practiced today, that stems from home and family,” says Judie. “All that I enjoy doing has a homecentered feel to it.” Like Leonardo’s life, Judie’s reflects an insatiable curiosity and a sense of unlimited possibilities. Nothing pleases her more than the opportunity to learn another new skill—be it on her own, by receiving help from others, or by attending a workshop—all of which gets ��in her creations. That explains why you could see Judie wearing a jacket that she has totally fashioned herself. For her, totally means spinning the �� dying the yarn before weaving it into cloth, knitting the sleeves and then stitching the pieces into a garment of her own design. “I’m a process person. I love to take something from absolute scratch and transform it

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into something beautiful. I ��y that very satKalispell • Columbia Falls • Whiteﬁsh • Glacier Memorial Gardens isfying. When I do things by hand, I can make anything I want, any way I want. I don’t have Create a concept, and to just get what’s in the store,” says Judie, who reality leaves the room. also makes her own bread, granola and yogurt and preserves the harvest from her summer - Jose Ortega, philosopher garden. Although she grew up in New Jersey where she took electricity and Serving our area’s individuals with indoor plumbintellectual and developmental disabilities. ing for granted, Judie was unfazed upon realizing her �� Montana home, a cabin along Bring in the Silver Butte this ad for a Fisher River near Libby, furnished neither of Discount those amenities. The Ronan Polson year was 1972, and she gamely hauled water, figured out how to 229 Main St. SW • Ronan • 406-676-2727 417 Main ST • Polson • 406-883-3443 Open Mon–Fri, 9am–6pm, Sat 9am–5pm Open Mon–Sat, 9am–6pm roast a turkey inside a wood-fired cookstove Donations to the stores are always appreciated! Call for large donation pickups. and chopped wood to the exact diameter required for sustained cooking. During her three years living in that cabin with her husband, Ryan, and their two young daughters, Judie taught herself how to weave placemats and runners on a small table loom. She also discovered how to scare off

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a bear raiding her compost pile—by dumping ashes on the compost. The bear sneezed and never returned. “It was a formative space in my life, an incubation period when I became a self-��” cient woman. I could even stick my hand in the oven and know how hot the temperature was,” says Judie. “That’s a prehistoric skill I’m sorry I’ve lost.”After Ryan accepted a teaching job in Australia and the family moved Down Under for two years, Judie acquired another skill she wished to master—how to use a spinning wheel. “We were living in the country outside of Perth. One day a neighbor poked his head over • Yarns the fence and asked me what I’d like to learn • Craft Fiber WEEKLY • Teas while I was there,” recalls Judie. “When he SPECIALS • Handmade & Made heard my answer, he hooked me up with a local in Montana Gifts spinning guild. They were very welcoming.” After leaving Australia, the Overbeeks moved 338 Main Street, Kalispell CamasCreekCottage.com • 406-755-YARN [9276] to Kalispell, where they have resided for the past four decades. Judie considers her spacious kitchen the center of life in her home. Unsurprisingly, in one • Customized Compounding corner sits a spinning Personalized medication for our patients.We strive to meet the needs of your family wheel. Judie describes and pets.We specialize in bioidentical hormones, pain creams, veterinary and more. it affectionately as, “a • Prescription Refills funky lightweight little Time is precious and we’ere here to help! Access your family’s prescripthing from New Zealand tions wherever you are.We offer convenient ways to request a refill.

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with many different ratios, so you can spin very ��rns.” For Judie, transforming a ��y into yarn is as gratifying as using the results of her efforts. “There’s something endlessly fascinating about watching a handful of �ber turn into yarn as the ��y lock together,” she says. “There is so much tranquility in the process.” These days, Judie creates distinctive yarns by blending together different ��y to attain more sheen, softness or body than any single �� possesses alone. Her yarn repertoire includes familiar cotton, silk, wool and mohair, along with more exotic yak, alpaca and cashmere. “Half of the fun is experimenting to see what works. You have all these different ��y and ways to put them together, so many structures you can produce—anchored bumps, bubbles, spirals and coils. There is an ��y combina tion of variables,” explains Judie. The next step in her creative process is dyeing the hand-spun yarns to obtain whatever color she wants. “My thinking about color has changed over the years. I keep wanting to add more color and variety to my work. No matter what medium you’re working with, it’s all about color,” she observes. “It’s the same whether you are creating a pottery mug, a painting or a piece of cloth.” A born teacher, Judie shares her expertise with everyone from grade-schoolers to grandparents at fiber festivals and conferences, at county fairs, outdoor concerts and in classrooms. “Learning to spin and weave is not for everyone. It takes patience,” warns Judie, who advises newbies to join a weaving guild, where they can be mentored. “These groups connect you with a lot of people who know how to do these things. They are willing to help at all skill levels.” Judie’s passion for creating music matches

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her feelings about ��L “I came from an artistic musical family,” she says. “Music and art have always been constants in my life.” Judie began singing publicly in the fourth grade when she joined her church choir. Nowadays, she still sings publicly, lending her lovely alto to the Valley Voices Community Choir. Thanks to a talent scout who discovered them on a YouTube video, the group will travel to New York in November, where they will perform Handel’s Messiah at Carnegie Hall. For about as long as she has sung in choirs, Judie has played the recorder. Some 30 years ago, she placed a newspaper ad looking for other musicians who enjoyed playing instruments and melodies from the Renaissance and Baroque eras. Enough people answered the ad to form a sextet. A few faces changed during the �� decade, but for the past 20 years, the group’s members have remained the same. “None of us want to be professionals. We just enjoy each other’s company and the music. We might play Bach,” she adds, “or ragtime or something contemporary.” No matter the genre, she loves the sound of recorders in an ensemble. given Judie’s sentiments about home arts, that the It seems ��y group always meets at one of their houses and also partakes of a homecooked dinner. After all, home is her ideal setting for creating something unique from scratch—be it clothing, music, food or friendship. For information about Montana’s weaving and spinning guilds, visit: www.mawsonline.org. For more info about author Gail Jokerst, visit www.gailjokerst.com MSN

Frank Kuntz Marries Music With Humor By Gail Jokerst Considering how many different hats Frank Kuntz has worn during his lifetime he could make any milliner happy. In Frank’s case, the hats happen to be both ��tive and literal. While you will likely see him wearing a baseball cap when picking Lamberts, Lapins, and Rainiers at his Flathead Lake cherry orchard, he occasionally dons sombreros, top hats, bowlers, and berets when entertaining audiences as a humorist. No matter which hat Frank has sported in his life, music has always played a role – both starring and supporting – in whatever he does. His �� love is the piano, which Frank has performed on since childhood and which he currently teaches to private students and plays for Bigfork Community United Methodist Church. He affectionately calls it, “The King Of Instruments” and views it as an essential presence in homes with youngsters. “A piano is a kid magnet at any age. Kids are drawn to it and have fun with the sounds they can create. From an educational standpoint,” adds Frank, “it’s also mathematical and helps kids learn to memorize things.” To keep his own �ngers limber, Frank practices piano daily. He plays Bach and Grieg compositions, among others, and is always adding to his repertoire. It seems fitting that this proud grandpa would choose a Victor Borges quote, “A smile is Antiques, Consignments the shortest distance between two people,” as a & Gifts motto to live by since, like the Danish-American entertainer, Frank is a humorist and classically trained pianist. Both of these individuals could have played the concert circuit but instead used their musical skills as a vehicle to help people laugh. “A little bit of old and For much of his life, Frank has entertained a little bit of new” audiences of all ages at circus shows and on Winter Hours Tues–Sat 10–5 showboats, at television studios and in theme Summer Hours parks including Disneyland. He has also given Starting May 1 Mon–Sat 10–5 motivational speeches to encourage others to

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MONTANA SENIOR NEWS employ humor as a way to communicate whatever message they want to convey. “Humor should be a part of your personality. It’s not just silliness; it helps you come across as approachable. It’s a wonderful tool for caring and loving. Love produces joy and joy produces laughter,” says Frank. “Life is all about laughter, looking at the world in a light-hearted way, and not taking yourself too seriously.” Incorporating the piano into his comedy sketches was a natural step for Frank, who was as ��yby Jimmy Durante as he was by Victor Borge. He admires “The Schnoz’s” ragtime- and jazz-i��y piano riffs as much as his sense of humor and timing. “In comedy as well as acting, timing is essential. You are delivering a personality,” explains Frank. “Knowing when to pause is a gift that can make an audience laugh.” Jack Benny’s routine in which a mugger

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017 points a gun at him demanding, “Your money or your life” exempli��what Frank means. The comedian’s reply of a long silence followed by his immortal, “I’m thinking it over” inevitably elicits audience chuckles. Advice from the late gossip columnist Elsa Maxwell has also shaped Frank’s approach to humor. “She said to laugh at yourself � st before others do. That takes genuine humility but people can identify with it. We all have faults. If you can laugh at them it helps the audience relax and feel comfortable with you,” states Frank. “Making light of my own mistakes has become part of my philosophy.” Additionally, Frank has become known for another unusual claim to fame. He owns a shiny 44-pipe air calliope named Penelope that was hand-built by his father during the 1970s and gifted to him and his family. For most of the year, Penelope remains in storage. But with the advent of summer, Frank unwraps it to make an appearance at special community events such as Bigfork’s Independence Day parade. Penelope’s hand-tooled brass whistles can be heard within a half-mile radius. “The calliope, which some call a callyope, is a truly American instrument. The only other instrument invented in America was the banjo in 1830. The calliope was patented in 1855 and designed to produce loud melodic rhythmic music over long distances,” recounts Frank. “Its function was to promote parades, circuses, showboats, and other celebrations. Since it can be heard from far away, it was great at drawing people to upcoming events. P.T. Barnum, the circus showman, was especially successful at incorporating it into his promotional strategy announcing circus shows.” (Continued on page 64)

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How Much You’ll Pay for Medicare in 2017 By Jim Miller Dear Savvy Senior, I know there won’t be much of a cost-of-living increase in Social Security ��B next year but what about Medicare? How will the 0.3 percent Social Security raise affect our Part B monthly premiums in 2017? �� Dear Inquiring, Considering the rising cost of health care coverage, the news regarding your Medicare costs for 2017 is not too bad. Here’s what you can expect. Part B Premiums Because the Social Security Administration is giving out a measly 0.3 percent cost of living increase starting in January—that equates to about a $4 to $5 increase per month on average—the 2017 Part B monthly premium for about 70 percent of Medicare �� ries will increase only about $4 to $5. Thanks to the Social Security Act’s “hold harmless” provision, Medicare cannot pass along premium increases greater than the dollar increase in their Social Security checks. So, if your Medicare Part B premium is currently $104.90 in 2016, you can expect it to be around $109 (on average) in 2017. And if your 2016 Part B premium is currently $121.80, it will go up to around $126 (on average) next year. Some Will Pay More Unfortunately, the “hold harmless” provision does not protect all Medicare recipients. New Medicare enrollees (those who will enroll in 2017), �� ciaries who are directly billed for their Part B premium, and current �� ries who have deferred claiming their Social Security will pay more. If you �� into any of these categories, your Medicare Part B premium will be $134 per month in 2017, up from $121.80. The “hold harmless” rule also does not protect high-income Medicare ��aries who already pay higher Part B premiums because their annual incomes are above $85,000 for an individual or $170,000 for a couple. If you � into this category, here’s what you’ll pay for your Part B premium next year, based on your 2015 tax returns. • Individuals with incomes of $85,000 to $107,000, or married couples �� ng joint tax returns with incomes of $170,000 to $214,000,

will pay $187.50 per month. • Individuals earning $107,000 to $160,000 (couples $214,000 to $320,000) will pay $267.90. • Individuals with incomes of $160,000 to $214,000 (couples $320,000 to $428,000) will pay $348.30. • Individuals with incomes over $214,000 or couples above $428,000 will pay $428.60. Another increase high-income �� ries (those with incomes over $85,000, or $170,000 for joint �� need to be aware of is the surcharge on Part D premiums. ��yseniors that have a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan will pay an additional $13.30 to $76.20 per month, depending on their income, on top of their regular Part D premiums. Deductibles and Co-Pays Other changes that will affect all Medicare beneficiaries include the Part B deductible, which will increase to $183 in 2017 from $166 in 2016. The Part A (hospital insurance) annual deductible will also go up to $1,316 in 2017 (it’s currently $1,288) for hospital stays up to 60 days. That increases to $329 per day for days 61-90, and to $658 a day for days 91 and beyond. And the skilled nursing facility coinsurance for days 21-100 will increase to $164.50 per day, up from $161 in 2016. For more information on all the Medicare costs for 2017 visit Medicare.gov and click on “Find out how much Medicare costs in 2017,” or call 800-633-4227. 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 NB C Today show and author of The Savvy Senior book. MSN

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AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017

What to do After Retirement By Michael Nash, J.D., Ph.D. Retirement should be simple: I’ll quit, then do whatever I want whenever I want. Right? Well, for most of us, it’s really not that simple. I spent my life in professional service. Then one day I was 70. Can you believe that? Actually, one day I was 75, and you better believe it. I had slowed down at 72, working two days a week. But I began to wonder, should I just quit? I wondered what I would do with my time. Why do I want to retire anyway? In my case, that has to do with hearing loss. As my hearing got worse and worse, I became concerned about my patients, so I had to investigate alternatives. The answer turned out to be more complex than I had ever imagined. I read articles, searched the internet and observed others around me. Suggestions from magazines and the internet generally amount to, “Do something else.” Okay, but what? Some suggestions include getting a degree, driving a school bus, getting into the arts, or becoming a teacher. A lot of these things

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actually amount to taking a low-paying job, or “giving back” through volunteering and charity work. I looked around to see what people are actually doing, and I ��y several patterns. Some of these might �� you; some might �� me. I think most people r� ect a mixture of these patterns, which change as we age further. There is no priority to these patterns. Different people choose their own style. I think some deliberately choose a particular way to spend their time. Others � d their decisions ��y by their friends and physical condition. For example, I might think choosing to be a recycled teen looks pretty good, but in reality, I can’t afford it. But I might try it. A little. Maybe once. Recycled Teens (Teeners). Some people dream of retirement as a return to the freedom of their teenage years. Or the “I wish I had been able to…” teen years. They look forward to travel, ��y dining, golf, music, dancing and lectures. They make “bucket lists” of things to see and do. They have their wish lists of vacation spots, from Paris to Palm Springs. They know the party circuit in their favorite areas and have the best of equipment and clothes. Same but Less So (Stayers). These are people who just continue to farm, go to the bank, attend medical seminars in their 70s or even 80s, just as they always did, but with more days off, or even shorter days. Their job or profession is so much a sense of their identity that they can’t really let go. This is my personal favorite. Deniers. These folks are cltosely related to the Teeners and Stayers, but they try to put up the same face of intensity in their profession, sport or hobby that they presented in their 50s. They may get blustery when someone suggests they take a week off, or that walking 18 holes might not be so good for them any more. This is a case of birds ��y together. You can see them at business lunches or on the golf course with three others who act just the same as they do. Sometimes they change their perspective and become more like Stayers. Clingers. This is a pattern I see in small farming communities. Old-timers come to the local café every day and play cards, or just visit, then mostly just go home after lunch and nap, or maybe �ddle in a shop. In town I see long-time businessmen who are no longer active in their business in this group. There may be six or eight of them who meet every day. A change in location is made as an organic whole. The whole group goes to the new place. They may have a boat or other toy that takes up some balance of the day, or some little home maintenance project. They may just be marking time. Centrists. These are people who seem mindful of each minute. My grandmother was like this. In her 80s, she didn’t seem to need anybody but was ecstatic when someone came to visit. I suspect these people have

MONTANA SENIOR NEWS

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017 always been rather centered. Their decision to retire may have been according to a company policy rather than an autonomous choice. Or “it just seemed like the right time.” God bless them; they smile too much. Activists. These people work about as hard as they ever did, but now they don’t get paid. They are active in the charitable activities in the community: Senior Center, Meals on Wheels, Habitat for Humanity, museum boards and service organizations. This seems to be the direction most columnists recommend. New Lifers. These are usually at the younger end of the retirement spectrum. They leave town, leave their spouse, ��y a degree, get a new degree or sign up to sell real estate. Sometimes they begin whole new families. The engineer goes to medical school. The artist becomes a lawyer. Lord help them. Hedonists. “I spent most of my money on wine, women and song. The rest I just wasted. “ In imagination this may seem attractive, but the reality is that it takes huge tolls on health, family and � ances and really doesn’t look like much fun if you watch someone

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go through it. It does have a nice ring to it, though. I think this may have been the notion of retirement in my youth. Ascetics. “They kicked me out, and I don’t like it, so I’ll go outside and eat worms.” Sometimes we see these people in church, but no place else. They do not participate in the coffee hours or other activities. Sometimes they take on a sense of piety bordering on religiosity. Some in the other groups, such as Activists and New Lifers, choose to go to religious communities, or become much more involved in their parish, but the Ascetics deny themselves pleasure, withdraw and seem to be punishing themselves. They may not eat, do not get regular medical care and are just waiting for the pain to stop. Of course, there are people who have little choice, whose lives are consumed with the need for medical care or rehabilitation from disease or devastating circumstances. No matter what choices you make for yourself, your heart goes out to those who have no choice. MSN

Loreena’s Gift - continued from page 8 things go from bad to worse. Finding herself desperate and scared for her brother’s safety, she reaches out her ungloved hand and touches another rough, calloused hand. She is transported into a place she could never have imagined in her worse nightmares. From that moment, her life is turned upside down. She ��herself having to make choices and decisions she never imagined. First is Dominic, who is young, kind, funny and interested in her. “Dominic’s truck smelled of dirt, dust, and coffee, with that same trace of pine that seemed to follow him everywhere.” True, lunch that day isn’t really a date; he is a reporter, and she is his interviewee, but still there is more. Loreena can sense it. She is happy, happier than she has been in a long, long time. Then it is all over. Loreena is dragged into that dark, angry, violent world, and she takes Dominic with her. She and her gift are exploited and distorted into something unrecognizable. At �rst, she has hope, but gradually, “she came back to one indisputable conclusion: she was alone. Completely.” She begins to think that even God has abandoned her. The only way to end it all, to save what little is left of her world and her family, is to use her gift one last time to cross again into the darkness beyond; but with nobody to call her back, can she return?

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Colleen M. Story is a longtime freelance writer, editor and ghostwriter. Loreena’s Gift won the 2016 Idaho Author’s Award. The author also received a Medalist Honor for the New Apple B ook Awards and an honorable mention for the Reader Views Literary Awards. She was also a ��B for the Best Book Awards. Story’s previous book, Rise of the Sidenah, was a 2015 North American Book Awards winner. Her short stories and poems have been published in several national magazines. Her health articles have appeared online as well as in print, and she maintains an inspirational blog at Writing and Wellness. The author lives in Idaho. MSN

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Runaways

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017

By Elizabeth Larch I live in the sort of place you run away to. It’s a safe place—mountains in each direction, providing nooks and crannies into which you could disappear and never be found. People come here to escape the cities, the tra�” c, the pollution, the crime. The little valley isn’t without it’s problems, but I know it’s worse outside, because people keep coming here to seek refuge, and if they can survive a winter or two, they stay. When I was little, a runaway llama that lived up the road wound up across the street. It was a runaway. Runaways were the naughty horses that left their paddock for greener pastures. They would often be found near a neighbor’s horse pasture, neighing in greeting, as if asking if they could come in. Runaways were the cats that would disappear for weeks at a time, the neighbor’s disappearing dog. Later on, in two entirely separate, unrelated incidents, the runaway was a disgruntled younger sibling escaping a situation controlled by an older sibling when their parents were not home. Somehow, my family was indirectly involved with both—in one case as a source of transport, in another a source of a landline telephone. As I got older, college began to feature in conversations with peers. A mantra began to appear. “I have got to get out of here.” �� ins their pa��@ . “I really don’t want to stay at the community college.” They don’t want to stay a moment longer than necessary. One girl even attributed another girl’s health problems and depression to living in this area. “She’s got to get out of this town.” And so the children complete the circle begun by the parents, or grandparents, or whatever ancestor decided to go West, to this last best place. They leave the hiding pla�� I don’t understand what it is that draws people from this ring of hills. The very cities, perhaps, that parents ��L The oceans that the parents gave up. The culture and variety that the parents abandoned. Abandoned for safety. Maybe this is necessary—a generational rite of passage. Maybe the next generation will return to the hiding place their grandparents chose. Maybe some people just need to run from what their parents ran to. Once, the American colonies were a destination for runaways. Not all colonists, but many, left Britain seeking fortune or leaving tyranny. Running away. Then the West became a vast, empty area, and people escaped from the industrial East to carve out a fortune for themselves from the prairies and mountains, from farmlands and gold mines. And now, people are still running, still hiding themselves from the lives they left to start something new. Maybe, as I continue to grow up along with my generation, they’ll start saying different things. Things like “I don’t want my kids to attend the schools here.” “I don’t want my kids to grow up here.” “I want to move somewhere safer.” Maybe the adventure seekers who once felt the mountains pressing in on them will return to feel the mountains protecting them. Shaky promises of gold and farmland moved America from one coast to another. Now different forces wash people across the land, but we remain a culture eager to be uprooted, a people still seeking new lives in new places, seeking adventure or fortune, or later, security. It doesn’t matter if they return or not. The younger siblings both did. The horses and llama returned. Some of the cats never made it home, though. The place I live will always see its share of runaways–within it, into it, out of it. And all of them will learn that leaving a place and its di�� es is not the same as leaving the di�� es of life. They will all grow up. MSN

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By HR Riley There is a saddle in old San Anton, that straddles a fence—owner not known. It is tattered and torn, what burden has it worn. Now held together with spit and glue, it’s hard to fathom it once was new. Then supple and new adorned with silver and turquoise more than a few. The horn is blackened by dirt and tarnished from sweat—from former owner I bet. The leather now hard and cracked, never more to adorn a horse’s back. Still it is majestic in this hue. What stories does it hold? If we only knew. MSN

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AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017

Automotive

SURPRISING FACTORS IMPACTING CAR BUYERS’ DECISIONS

(STATEPOINT) While make and model are still dominant factors on car lots, today’s consumers have a new set of priorities, thanks to increasingly sophisticated in-vehicle technologies offered in new cars. From connectivity systems that include voicecommand controls to technologies that make parking a cinch, today’s consumers want more from their rides. In fact, nearly half of consumers—48 percent—prioritize in-vehicle technology over brand or body style, according to the 2017 Autotrader Car Tech Impact Study. And consumers know what they want, too. The study found that consumers these days are researching the exact features they ’d like to purchase before visiting the dealership. “What once seemed like something only for ‘The Jetsons’ is quickly becoming every day reality in the automotive landscape,” says Brian Moody, executive editor for Autotrader. “And it’s not just vehicles with a high price-point. Many mainstream family cars are now equipped with technology features only seen on top-of-the-line luxury vehicles just a few short years ago.” Experts say that while consumers should embrace the convenience and enhanced safety that new car technology offers, they also need

to educate themselves, so they fully understand what these features can—and just as important, what they cannot—do. “Understanding your car can help you become a better, safer driver,” says Moody. However, the future may also involve less driving. Self-driving technologies are becoming more sophisticated, affordable and normalized. To that end, a growing number of consumers say they are willing to take a hands-off approach to their cars in the future. Indeed, 49 percent of respondents indicated they’d give up control of their car in exchange for some free time, up from 35 percent in 2016. To learn more about today ’s musthave technology , visit autotrader.com/ MustHaveTech. Whether y ou are concerned with the latest safety features, or expecting y our vehicle’s technology to be every bit as robust as y our smartphone, get educated about the features that matter to y ou before heading to the dealership. MSN

Savvy Senior—Auto Safety Devices Can Help Seniors with Older Cars

By Jim Miller Several auto aids and safety technology products can be added to help with various needs, keeping them safe and extending their driving years. Backup Aids Oversized, rearview mirrors widen rear visibility and eliminate blind spots while backing up. Weatherproof cameras equipped for night vision may be mounted on the rear bumper. While the car is in reverse, a camera feeds live images wirelessly to a small monitor mounted to the dash or to the rearview mirror. Blind-Spot Helpers Convex, blind-spot mirrors stick to the corner of a sideview mirror to improve side and rear vision. More high-tech detection systems use cameras mounted on each side of the rear bumper to alert drivers of anything within 10 feet of the vehicle. Safety Products Collision warning systems employ a camera attached to the windshield, alerting drivers who speed, drift off course, tailgate or get too close to pedestrians or cy clists. Some devices with subscription plans automatically notify roadside assistance or emergency services when mechanical problems or accidents occur. MSN

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MONTANA SENIOR NEWS

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017

MONTANA SENIOR NEWS

Gates of the Mountains

www.gatesofthemountains.com The evening of July 19,1805, was a hot one in the wilderness that would later become Montana. On the Missouri River, not far from present day Helena, the hardy members of the Lewis and Clark expedition toiled to move upstream. Rock embankments made towing from shore impossible, and the deep channel forced the men to row rather than pole their boats forward. Suddenly, there loomed before them towering rock formations unlike any they had ever seen. From both sides of the river, limestone cliffs rose to a spectacular height of 1200 feet. “In many places,” wrote Meriwether Lewis, “the rocks seem ready to tumble on us.” At each bend in the waterway, great stone walls seemed to block passage, only to open like gentle giant gates as the expedition drew near. In his journal, Meriwether wrote: “I shall call this place: “GATES OF THE MOUNTAINS.”

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MONTANA SENIOR NEWS

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017

The name stuck, and for nearly two centuries travelers have ventured down this stretch of the Missouri to marvel at its natural wonders. Today, most visitors enjoy the beauty of the Gates of the Mountains from aboard a tour boat – the “Canyon Voyager” or the “Sacajawea” (named after the only women and indigenous person on the Expedition). The 120-minute cruise starts at our Marina, just 3 miles off Interstate 15 in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains between Helena and Great Falls, Montana. Aboard a comfortable open-air boat (covered in case of rain), you’ll glide through mag��cent country Meriwether Lewis would still recognize if he could return.

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017

MONTANA SENIOR NEWS

Great towering walls of limestone still stand guard over the river. Bighorn Sheep and Mountain Goats scamper in the rocks high above the water. Ospreys, eagles (bald and golden), vultures and falcons (peregrine and prairie) still soar on the updrafts. The canyon is also home to otters, deer, squirrels, ermine, beaver, mountain lions, black bears and other wild creatures. From the vessel you can see Mann Gulch, the site of the raging forest ��y that killed 13 smokejumpers, August 5, 1949. This tragedy was the main subject matter of Norman Maclean’s book “Young Men and Fire”. The story of Mann Gulch is one of the more interesting stories told by the guide and pilot. Near Mann Gulch the pilot will hug the shoreline to give y ou a look at Indian pictographs painted on the rock wall. Proof that indigenous people lived here long before Meriwether named it the Gates of the Mountains. The tour’s main attraction, though, is the inexhaustible scenery— wooded slopes, rugged rock formations, and the placid beauty of the timeless Missouri. MSN

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MONTANA SENIOR NEWS

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AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017

Mike Betts Rides Radio Waves to Make Friendships Worldwide

By Dianna Troyer Radio operators generally fall into three From his living room in Moore, Mike Betts categories, he says. has visited with people from around the world. “Besides rag chewers, there are those who Via his ham radio, he has talked to people in want to do contests and contact as many people China, Japan, Europe, Russia, North Africa, India as possible in a day. They just �� call letand even Antarctica. ters and are on to the next person. That’s not “English is still the universal language for for me. Then there are those who are interested radio,” says Mike, who is licensed as a general in emergency preparedness.” radio operator. “I’ll have the radio on, and if I While Mike set up his radio system mainly hear someone who sounds interesting, I’ll make to socialize, he also appreciates a radio for contact.” emergencies. When he travels for work, he Mike, 64, is a self-employ ed computer carries a radio. technician who says he became fascinated with “I’ve never had to use it, but it’s reassuring amateur radio and anything electronic in junior to know it’s there.” high school. When Mike moved to the Lost River Valley “I’ve alway s loved radios and electronic about four years ago, he joined the Lost Rivers projects. The �nal Amateur Radio Club. test in my high The club’s 25 to 30 school electronics members started it class was the genfor emergency preeral radio exam.” paredness in case Radio operators cell phones or landmust pass American lines fail. When the Radio Relay League Teton Dam failed tests to earn one years ago, ham opof three licenses: erators were availtechnician, general, able for emergency or amateur extra, communication. Photo By Dianna Troyer which allow access Mike say s it is to certain radio frequencies. fascinating how solar activity, such as sunspots Mike explains why amateur radio operators and � res that occur in 11-year cycles, affect are referred to as hams. A ham was considered radio wave transmissions. a critical term, meaning “a poor operator” or “We’re going into a solar minimum and “a plug,” according to a manual called “The will have to wait one or two y ears for more Telegraph Instructor.” sunspots to return. Depending on atmospheric In the early 1900s, the ��amateur radio conditions, you can talk to the same guy for a operators all competed for time with receivers, month, then he might fade away.” sometimes unknowMike says he would like to see more people ingly jamming other become radio operators. JOIN HOST DIANE BECK OF operations in an area. “Morse code is no longer a requirement. It WINDERMERE REAL ESTATE FOR Frustrated commercial was a real stumbling block for some people.” operators sometimes Becoming licensed as a technician is relaONE-HOUR SHOW criticized the ama- tively easy and affordable with the test costing teurs by calling them $15. Practice tests are available on the Internet “hams.” at arrl.org. Equipment is inexpensive, too, with Riding the radio a small radio costing from about $25 to $50. waves to socialize, Mike has helped others set up their radio Mike says he and other systems and given advice. “It’s a great educaradio operators like tional and social hobby.” MSN himself are referred to as “rag chewers, because we just like to visit about what we’re doing. When traveling With over 20 years in Montana real estate, Diane's one-hour show features for work, I’ve met some information about commercial and residential real estate. people I’ve talked to on the radio, and others • Is It Time to Sell Your Home? • Legal & Financial Considerations I’ve never met.”

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AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017

MONTANA SENIOR NEWS

PAGE 31

Oregon Outlaws Bicycles*

By Mike Nash *Caution: some facts may be accidentally true. All I really know is, it wasn’t my fault. I don’t even live there. I was just sitting on a bench with my friend Norval Nozzler. It never occurred to either of us that any state would outlaw cars to protect ducks. The truly amazing thing is that in Oregon, nobody really seems to care. Well, this whole thing started as a ��trip. Norval and I decided one early Sunday morning that since neither of us had work for the next few days, we may as well go ��on the Oregon coast. So, we loaded up our Zebco reels, a cooler of beer and a package of jerky treats from the dog cupboard and left a note for my wife, stating we had some work out of town, but I would be back in a few days. Now the Oregon coast is sort of rocky. But if you look hard enough, you can ��y a stretch of ��y ground big enough for two deck chairs and a cooler. And, after all, what else do you need after driving all night to the middle of the Oregon coast? We took a large chunk of jerky, put it on the biggest hook we had and threw the sucker into the surf. It may be that we were sleeping in the deck chairs when prize game took the bait. It may have been the whiskey, the gin or the two, 12-packs of beer, but, in any event, we reeled in the lines with nothing but bare hooks. All in all, this was shaping up to be a nearly perfect ��” ng trip. I suppose if we had caught something we could’ve thrown it back, but this was working out about as we had hoped. Our �� didn’t get messy or nothin’, and we had a nice rest to boot. We drove to the quaint little town of Eugene, Oregon. The town isn’t that small. It has all the necessities. It has a hospital and a college. There are a couple churches, more than one fast-food joint and several bars. We were just sitting quietly on a park bench Now, like I say, it wasn’t my fault: I just exclaimed, “Hey , that guy just hit a duck!” This guy on a bicycle apparently wasn’t looking, and he just ran head on into the side of a duck. Feathers �’ w every place. So did the rider. But I heard somebody behind our park bench yell, “That guy hit a duck! The guy in front of me saw the whole thing.” Nobody said anything about the bicycle rider. He just got up, looking kind of dazed, and walked off without even taking his bike with its crumpled front wheel. Maybe he thought he would come back and get it later. In any event, within seconds, some news crew that was probably at the courthouse came running over and started shining bright lights and taking pictures and shouting. Then this very pretty lady stuck a microphone in my face and said, “What did you see Mr….” “Michael,” I said. “My name is Michael…” I meant to say my whole name, but before I could, she said, “Come on Mr. Michael. You’re a brave man to raise an alarm. Thank God there are citizens like you.” Next thing I knew, one of the well-spoken lawyers from the courthouse—who apparently considered himself a community organizer—started talking about rights. I don’t know anything about duck rights, but I guess he thought they might be important. Then there were calls from CNN and stations from all over the country. I guess they thought this was some kind of human interest story. Well, you can read about it in Parker Heinlein’s column in the Bozeman Chronicle in April of this year. In any event, pretty soon a bunch of people were in the park. Signs were popping up everywhere: “Save the duck.” “Ducks have rights too.” “What kind of environment doesn’t have room for ducks?” People kept coming up to me and saying, “Mr. Michael,” and I would say, “It’s not Mr. Michael, it’s just…” and they would interrupt, “Don’t be so humble, you saw it all.”

I did, but I never said more than, “Hey! That guy just hit a duck!” After that, it the whole movement took on a life of its own. People had platforms with podiums and microphones and bullhorns and were shouting about the environment and carbon and Global warming and greedy capitalists and Wall Street bankers and pollution. The next thing I knew, someone had �� a bill to outlaw bicycles on city streets in Eugene. Next, it was banning bicy cles from the state. Then someone noted that bicy cles were a better alternative for the environment than cars, and things just went weird from there. I was called, rather forcefully, to testify before the legislative hearing on the automobile ban, but I didn’t get to say much. All I got to say was, “My name is Michael…” and people would start shouting and y elling and rising to support legislation, as long as the TV cameras were on in the hearing room. During a lull, Norval and I got in our pickup and quietly drove as fast as we could. We made it out before the ban on automobiles was enacted. Good thing, too. I suppose people are still failing to catch ��y by shore casting, although it’s sort of scary to contemplate what might happen if somebody should shout, “Hey ! Tha�� Last I heard, Parker Heinlein had canceled his plans to go bird hunting in Oregon. MSN

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AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017

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By Dianna Troyer pit-house tours are self-guided, while the cliff dwelling Surrounded by southwestern Colorado’s postcard- excursions are led by park rangers. perfect scenery, Durango is a perfect place to satisfy At Balcony House, Long House and Cliff Palace, tribal every parent’s admonition to “go outside and play .” masons meticulously chiseled sandstone bricks to build We do our best to relive the adage from our childhoods homes and villages tucked in shady sandstone alcoves and ponder options for along cliffs. Made adventure—hikes at of pastel amberarchaeological sites, and rosy -colored a train ride, biking, sandstone, the zip lines, rafting and storied homes off-roading. still seem to glow. We settle on W h i l e two internationally Europeans were renowned adventures. in the Dark Ages, About 35 miles west the cliff-dwellers of town, Mesa Verde here were thriving National Park, deemed from about 1100 to a World Heritage nearly 1300 A.D., Site, beckons us. when their airy A few day s later in homes were built. town, the DurangoThe dwellers Silverton Narrow relied on rainfall �� Gauge Railroad, rated and water from the Durango-Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad are worldamong travel writers springs seeping renowned travel destinations near Durango, Colo. as one of the world’s through the Photos by Dianna Troyer top 10 train rides, sandstone to grow summons us. corn, beans and squash. They also relied on these water The uncrowded park whisks us back in time. From sources to raise turkeys. 600 to about 1300 A.D., 4,000 Ancestral Puebloans “These were humans at their �nest,” says John farmed the arid land, living first in pit houses on Slevin, who became a park ranger after retiring as a the mesas and later in cliff dwellings. The excavated teacher from East Los Angeles. Leading us through Balcony House, he says, “They were growing dryland crops and still had time for artwork and religion. We don’t see evidence of warfare here.”

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While some Puebloans chiseled stone or farmed and Charlie Mason were looking for lost cattle and land, others used ��y yucca hair brushes to carefully peered through lifting fog to see towers and homes. paint black geometric patterns on white clay pottery. Unbeknownst to them, they were looking at the largest They wove y ucca into sturdy sandals and other cliff dwelling in North America. After hiking and pondering the mesa’s mysteries, household items. Religious ceremonies were performed we head to Durango to see why this train ride is billed in round kivas. Not looking down among the world’s best. The scenic 45.4-mile, at Balcony House, we one-way trip takes scale a 32-foot ladder, about 3.5 hours. �� marveling at how they along, the coal-fired used ladders and toeand-foot holds chiseled steam engine takes us from town at 6,500 feet in the rock to navigate up to Silverton at 9,300 breathtaking cliffs. feet. Eventually , the As the open air Ancestral Puebloans and roofed passenger moved farther south. cars sway along, Hank Archaeologists theorize Wright, 70, a volunteer they may have grown train ranger, tells us weary of dealing with Hank Wright, a retired attorney, rides the train weekly of the train’s timeless prolonged drought, as a rail ranger to answer passengers’ questions. appeal as its iconic sought new farmland, Photos by Dianna Troyer whistle shrieks, and or just felt like moving on. wheels clack. John says, “It’s still a mystery why they abandoned Riders of all ages fall under its spell. About 200,000 their homes here to migrate to Arizona and New Mexico, passengers board yearly with the most popular event where they are today’s Pueblo tribes.” being the Polar Express ride, which had a sold-out At Long House, the mystery of where the water is ridership of 33,000 last holiday season. hiding is solved. At the back of the alcove, cool clear During summer, three to four trains a day wind water still seeps into small pools like a series of full up through the San Juan National Forest’s alpine kitchen sinks. splendor: the turbulent Animas River parallels the Cliff Palace is still as enthralling as it once was track, waterfalls plunge from mountain slopes, granite in December 1888, when cowboy s Richard Wetherill canyon walls are close enough to reach out and touch,

PAGE 33 and jagged 14,000-foot peaks still shimmer with snow in summer. “Some people outgrew Thomas the Tank, but I never did and never will,” says Hank, who retired from his legal practice three y ears ago to succumb to his childhood addiction of riding trains. He treats himself to a $206 annual train pass. “I ride at least once a week as a ranger answering questions and have probably ridden this train more than 450 times since 1979.” He shares a few of his commandments for riding the train. “Thou shalt bring snacks, a raincoat, and a ��ttitude about a time schedule.” Some passengers disembark to kayak or hike. The cars’ motion lulls others to sleep like the wind blowing a hammock. Hank takes it all in. “Look around. How can you not keep coming back?” MSN

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AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017

National Assisted Living Week 2017: Family is Forever SUNDAY, SEPT. 10 THROUGH SATURDAY, SEPT. 16

“Family is Forever” is this year’s theme for National Assisted Living Week (NALW), inspired 72 & 77 Lily Valley Circle, Billings • 406-245-0334 • 406-252-0747 by a quote from the poet Maya Angelou: “Family Imagination is more isn’t always blood, it’s the people in your life important than knowledge. who want y ou in theirs: the ones who accept - Albert Einstein y ou for who y ou are, the ones who would do anything to see you smile and who love you no matter what.” Assisted living communities across the country are encouraged to organize activities and events during NALW, to celebrate these deep connections between staff and residents. “Anyone who has spent valuable time in an assisted living community has seen how staff can come to think of their residents like family,” said Scott Tittle, Executive Director of the National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL). “It takes a special person to work in our profession, and Highgate Senior Living offers full care for all, no matter what often, caregivers form your age or ailment. Our team of compassionate professionals bonds that can never be can handle almost anything, including complex medical issues broken.” and post-acute hospital care. In fact, we specialize in services As part of National normally provided in skilled nursing, such as diabetic care and Assisted Living Week, oxygen management, injectable medications, wound care, a select group of asfeeding tubes, catheter monitoring, two-person transfers, sisted-living caregivand hospice. Just call any of our ers and programs will three Assisted Living/Memory Care be recognized as wincommunities in Montana, and we’ll ners of the 2017 NCAL make sure your move into Highgate Awards Program for is one of the easiest things in your exemplary service. “We life right now. want to recognize these amazing individuals who give their heart Highgate at Billings Highgate at Bozeman Highgate at Great Falls and soul to their resi406-651-4833 406-587-5100 406-454-0991 dents,” said Tittle. This y ear’s four

Aging has enough difficulties.

Getting the care you need shouldn’t be one of them.

award winners are definitely worthy of recognition. Administrator of the Year: Erin Jones, Executive Director of Emerson House in Portland, Ore. As the executive director of Emerson House (a 55-bed memory care community), Erin Jones has implemented culture change to the satisfaction of the residents, staff and the state survey agency . She has worked in long-term care for over 20 y ears, starting her career in a skilled nursing center while still in high school. Jones helped make Emerson House an ongoing host to medical residents as part of Oregon Health Sciences University’s Medical Student Learning Collaborating on Cognitive Impairment program. In 2016, she was named Administrator of the Year—Community -Based Care by the Oregon Health Care Association. Assisted Living Nurse of the Year: Esther Nederhood, R.N. of Belle Oaks Assisted Living Center in Lake City, Mich. A registered nurse for more than 40 years, Esther Nederhood values ongoing educational opportunities. She is a certi��y assisted living director, a ��dementia practitioner (CDP), a ��assisted living nurse (C-AL), and a ce��” ed gerontological nurse. In 2003, she opened Belle Oaks Assisted Living Center to help meet the elder care demand in the Lake City community . Since then, the community and Nederhood have earned numerous awards, including in 2013, when she received the very �� Ethel Mitty Scholarship from the American Assisted Living Nurse Association. Earlier this month, Belle Oaks was named as one of 27 assisted living communities across the country to earn a Silver—Achievement in Quality Award through the AHCA/NCAL Quality Awards Program. Noble Caregiver in Assisted Living: Lauri Morris, Life Enrichment Director of Prestige Assisted Living at Kalispell in Kalispell, MT. Morris has been the life enrichment director of Prestige Assisted Living at Kalispell for only two y ears but has already created memorable and impactful programs for the residents. One of her recent initiatives is called “Celebrate Your Neighbor,” where each month, Morris works with a select resident to share their life story with other residents, family members and staff. Part of the initiative also involves Morris searching for acquaintances to surprise

MONTANA SENIOR NEWS

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017 the resident at the sharing event. Additionally, Morris has integrated technology to enhance activities as well as organized a monthly volunteer activity for the residents to give back to the local community. She is a �� cognitive stimulation instructor. National Assisted Living Week Program of the Year: Brandywine Living at Pennington in Pennington, N.J. The staff members of Brandywine Living at Pennington put together an engaging National

Assisted Living Week (NALW) program for its residents in September 2016. The community embodied last y ear’s theme “Keep Connected” by linking residents to good causes, such as Christine’s Hope for Kids and the Breast Cancer Resource Center. Residents also explored new technology by video chatting distant family members. Last, staff and residents shot a music video to the tune of Justin Timberlake’s “Can’t Stop the Feeling” that was revealed to residents during NALW. MSN

Music’s Magic By Carrie Luger Slayback “Know this one?” Laurie asked as she belted out, My Girl while trudging along on an afternoon hike. Laurie’s husband, Henri, hiked ahead. I began to lag, weary with the thought of miles to go before doubling back home. But Laurie’s rendition of “My Little Runaway ” transported me to my ‘50s junior high sock hops. Suddenly energized, I marched on. How did Laurie’s carefree accompaniment to our 10-miletrek replace fatigue with enthusiasm from 60-year-old memories? The answer is spe��c— brain chemistry. Music is a powerful stimulant, lighting up the nucleus accumbens, which ��‘ the brain with the feelgood chemical, dopamine. The auditory nerve’s direct contact with the amy gdala

arouses attention, evokes memories. Hormones like oxytocin are released, promoting feelings of bonding. Music also activates the medial prefrontal cortex, thought to be involved with long- and short-term memory. So, my brain, washed in chemical connections, �ooded me with warmth and renewed

PAGE 35

MONTANA SENIOR NEWS

PAGE 36

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017

vigor. This response—nature’s prescription for a tired hiker—is also a well-researched intervention for dementia patients. Music, used as part of daily caregiving routines in two-thirds of Wisconsin’s nursing homes, resulted in a drastic reduction in the use of psychotropic drugs. As proof, Tom Hlavacek, the Alzheimer’s Association director, reported that three years ago, Wisconsin was ranked 14th among states using psychotropic drugs in nursing homes. “Now we’re fourth in the country…way ahead of the curve.” In some dementia patients, personalized musical playlists evoke memories as vivid as my sock hop. Dr. Susan McFadden of the University of Wisconsin wrote a white paper that describes using playlists in dementia patients’ rooms. Special music selections play ing three hours a day, seven days a week for 12 weeks reduced agitated behaviors and increased social behavior. AARP.org cites Jane Flinn, a behavioral neuroscientist at George Mason University , who tested the effects of singing on people with Alzheimer’s disease. She followed 45 people impaired with dementias, who regularly sang. Cognitive testing showed that patients’ mental acuity went up sharply over a four-month period. “Twenty-one drugs 75-Bed facility to treat Alzheimer’s have failed in the last nine years,” Flinn says, “[so] non-pharmaceutical approaches are helpful.” Rehabilitation & transitional care David Cohen, a social worker in New York, teaches the use of music Respite care to treat advanced-dementia patients. “Unfortunately , as a society , we Round-the-clock care for view persons with advanced dementia as no longer able to experience pleasure. Music obliterates that misconception,” he says. “We must use chronic illness tools such as music” to promote tender interactions with people, not Private & semi-private rooms lose them completely. Free cable Our hike continued to illustrate music’s power. Laurie and I got to the bluff top, overlooking ocean swells crashing below. Meals “Come on,” Laurie called, “Let’s climb down to Henri.” Activities “Nope,” I said, staring at surf blasting into jagged rocks below. “I’m done. I’ll wait here.” Humming joy fully , Laurie left me, her voice disappearing into the sound of roaring waves. A half-hour later, a white-faced Laurie reappeared, Henri’s a�� round her waist. “What happened?” I asked. “I stepped down to a little ledge and slid on slippery shale; ��‘ I’d ��off into the rocks, I was paralyzed, afraid to breathe. It took Henri 107 6th Ave. SW • Ronan a long time to get to me.” 406-676-2900 “The wait must have been torture!” I said. “Yes! But I hummed softly, ‘When you walk through a storm, hold y our head up high, and don’t be afraid of the dark…’ Saved me.” Hiking fatigue, and even fear, is trivial, compared to life-altering dementia. But wait, we are talking about music therapy here, proof that music can contribute to changes in behavior. Neurologist Oliver Sacks wrote in his book “Musicophilia” that, for Alzheimer’s patients, WONDERFUL COMMON AREAS music can be a medicine. “Music is no luxury to Club/Billiard Room w/Fireplace, Beauty/Barber Shop, Fitness Room, Coffee Bar, Movie Theater, Den/Library, and Beautiful Courtyard

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MONTANA SENIOR NEWS

them, but a necessity, and it can have a power beyond anything else to restore them to themselves, and others, at least for a while.” Laurie’s singing helped us both. We had visceral experiences of music’s potential to alter the moment—personal illustrations of the credibility of music therapy. MSN

Safety Tips for Alzheimer’s Caregivers – Precautions Can Protect Those with Alzheimer’s From Harm By Lisa M. Petsche Over time, Alzheimer’s disease results in mental, emotional, behavioral, and physical changes. These can include memory loss, altered perception, impaired judgment, disorientation to time and place, constant movement, wandering away from home and becoming lost, rummaging, behaving in ways that don’t appear to make sense, altered sleep patterns, paranoia, verbal and phy sical aggression, decreased muscle strength and a tendency to fall. Considering the nature of the disease, a variety of safety issues is likely to arise while caring for someone with this disease. The following tips constitute a good start. Preventing Falls Ensure your relative has a pair of non-skid slippers or shoes that ��snugly and offer good support. Ensure throw rugs and scatter mats have a non-skid backing. Better yet, remove them. Keep walkway s clear of electrical and telephone cords, and eliminate clutter, including excess furnishings. Use night-lights in rooms and hallways. In the kitchen: Keep frequently used dishes and pantry items within easy reach. In the living room: If it’s not safe for your relative to get up and walk without supervision or assistance. In the bedroom: Ensure there’s a lamp within reach of the bed, and a clear path from the bed to the bathroom. In the bathroom: Have grab bars installed by the toilet and in the bathtub or shower area. Get a rubber mat, a bath seat or shower chair, a handheld showerhead, a�� In stairwells: Ensure steps are in good repair, have a non-skid surface, and are free of clutter. Other Safety Strategies In the kitchen: Remove the knobs from the stove and store them in a safe place. Put away small appliances when not in use. Unplug appliances that are too big to store, such as the microwave oven. Buy shatter-resistant dishes. In the bathroom: Store hair dryers and electric razors in another room to minimize the risk of electric shock. Secure the medicine cabinet or store medications elsewhere. Remove cleaning supplies or lock them up, too. Remove or disable the door lock. Use childproofing safety devices, such as drawer locks, doorknob covers, and electrical outlet covers. Administer medications and ensure your relative takes and swallows all of the pills you give them. Install extra locks on exterior doors to make it hard to get out; or, have door alarms installed. Keep a spare key hidden outside, in case your relative locks you out of the house. Get a portable phone so y ou can supervise your relative while taking and making calls. Turn down the temperature on your hot water heater to avoid scalding accidents. Keep handy a list of emergency phone numbers, including the Poison Control Help Line, 1-800-222-1222. Register your relative with Safe Return, that aids in the identification and safe, return of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias that become lost. For information or to register, contact the local chapter or go online to alz.org/Services/SafeReturn.asp. Ensure close supervision outdoors at all times. MSN

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MONTANA SENIOR NEWS

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017

SEN

U O Y T E G Life Seems to Get More Expensive as Time Goes on

By Elizabeth Larch The cost of gasoline goes up and with it the prices of transportation and travel. ��pushes costs up, slowly but surely. Items on fast-food menus rise from $1, to a $1.15, to a $1.30. Even if the price doesn’t rise over time, inevitably less product will come in the same package. Beware the 10-pack of frozen burritos that was once a 12-pack. In the world of increasing expense and �� tion, senior discounts in their various forms are �� l because of the savings they bring and the message they send. The age when senior discounts become available varies from business to business: sometimes 55, sometimes 65 and often somewhere in between. Occasionally , businesses post discount information online or in signage on location, but much of the time, one must inquire whether discounts are available, what they are, and who is eligible. When requesting a senior discount, one should generally be prepared with an ID in case age ��y is needed. At certain establishments, a manager will be required to authorize the discount, so it may take a few extra minutes to pay. Many senior discounts function like a coupon, reducing the price by a certain percentage. This is common with fast-food restaurants, such as with Wendy’s 10-percent discount for individuals 55 or older. The best way to learn about and obtain these discounts is usually to ask about them; sometimes they are not advertised well. Special senior rates are common at establishments that require memberships, such as gyms and national parks. For example, the National Park Service website lists a senior pass available to citizens over 62 for only $10. The pass also provides lower prices for activities within the park. Senior rates can usually be found alongside standard pricing. Some restaurants have senior menus with lighter portions and lower prices. Perkins Restaurant, for example, has a senior menu available to those 55 and older, with pricing as much as $5 below the normal menu prices. Senior menus are usually located at the back of a normal menu, or handed to customers when they are seated. Some establishments do not have senior discounts, but they do offer veteran discounts, which often require a military or veteran’s ID or other proof of service. Such discounts typically take the form of a percentage off the total bill. The reasons a business may have a senior or veteran discount varies, but the discounts and other senior perks all carry the same dual message: An acknowledgement of service and an expression of thankfulness. Seniors have worked or parented or volunteered or helped their friends or provided numerous other services for decades—without recognition. Up until recently, the Internet wasn’t available to answer every question, and apps didn’t exist to provide quick solutions to any problem. Senior discounts recognize that. An age is not just a number, but a representation of day s and weeks and months and y ears of hard work. Senior discounts acknowledge that work, no matter what form it took. By honoring an age group, discounts offer acknowledgement that these individuals have done �� The other message a senior discount sends is distinct from the first. Acknowledgement of accomplishments is one thing, but thankfulness is another. Acknowledgement is being aware somebody works as a doctor; thankfulness is the realization and subsequent gratefulness that a doctor is capable of performing lifesaving surgery. And there is much to be thankful for. The generations we honor with senior discounts pushed us through the 20th Century, taking us from the Industrial Revolution to the Information Age. It was not an easy time. The U.S. was involved in ��y wars during the 20th century, and much of that time was overshadowed by the Cold War. But through it all, today’s senior citizens didn’t stop raising their kids or doing their jobs or helping their friends, and we now feel the effects of that. Medical technology, transportation and computers improved rapidly, and Americans now have easier lives because senior citizens made that progress back when progress wasn’t as easy. The 10 percent a senior saves on food, or the money they save on a gym membership, is a gift—a small token of thanks—from businesses that appreciate �� nce of what seniors have contributed throughout their lives. MSN

C S I D The

ACROSS 1. Diamond corners 6. CA’s Santa ___ winds 9. At what time? 13. Music to a performer’s ears 14. Yes move 15. Eurasian goat-like antelope 16. *”The ____ Burnett Show” 17. Number in a pair 18. #10 Down, pl. 19. *”Beach Party” garb 21. *Kind of 1960s “invasion” 23. Tokyo, pre-1868 24. *Wilder in 1968’s “The Producers” 25. “Gross!” 28. 9th letter of Greek alphabet 30. Changes 35. High part of day 37. Narcotics agent 39. Donor recipient 40. Musical finale 41. Imprison 43. Funeral cloth

44. MC Hammer’s “Too ____ to Quit” album 46. Command: “At ____!” 47. Popular acronym in education 48. Attractive to look at 50. Clarified butter 52. Greek H 53. Wise old man 55. Beaver’s construction 57. *Civil Rights Act of 1964 signee 61. *Six-Day War nation 64. *Maker of “Mouse Trap” board game 65. Elbow rest 67. Exemplary 69. Mosquito - ____ disease 70. “The Old Man and the ____” 71. Ivy Mike, e.g. 72. Son of Aphrodite 73. Expression of doubt 74. Affirmatives

MONTANA SENIOR NEWS

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017

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DOWN 1. *Home to “Doctor Who” starting in 1963 2. United ____ Emirates 3. Rani’s dress 4. Call forth 5. Forward slashes 6. ____perspirant 7. *Betty Friedan’s org. 8. Acrobat maker 9. *Beatles song on “Rubber Soul” 10. Audiophile’s praise 11. Shining armor 12. *Crosby, Stills & ____ 15. Protection from a sword 20. Nary a soul 22. Ribonucleic acid 24. Waste basket contents 25. *”The Man from ____” 26. Soft and sticky 27. ____podge 29. Wild no more 31. Bests

32. Related on mother’s side 33. Find new tenant 34. *Point of origin of Alabama marches 36. Lack of guile 38. *Folsom State Prison visitor 42. Orchestra section 45. Disorderly fight 49. ____-tzu 51. Like a smell of soil 54. Grind teeth 56. Not yes, nor no 57. Be compatible 58. Wafting output 59. Life saver 60. Grannies 61. Allah’s cleric 62. “Iliad,” e.g. 63. Tart garnish 66. Dream time 68. *”The Munsters” network

Senior Discounts is the New Centerfold

You may notice some interesting new developments with the changing of the guard here at the Montana Senior News headquarters, and we want to ensure a smooth transition for our readers as well as for our advertisers. While we intend to deliver a product that continues to �� the expectations of our audience, (we don’t want to shake anything up…too much), over the next few issues you may spot occasional evidence of this transition in the content of the paper. Because change can be good, right? One new feature our staff is very excited about is splayed out before you, here, in the center spread—in the heart—of our publication. We are proud to introduce Senior Discounts, a collection of coupons for the golden-agers, who deserve a few perks here and there. Our advertisers deserve a few perks on occasion as well. That’s why we are offering advertisers a match for the discounts they provide in the coupons you see listed here. In other words, businesses offering a 50-percent Senior Discount coupon in this section will see a 50-percent discount on the purchasing price for the ad space. That’s the kind of centerfold anyone can get behind! MSN

MONTANA SENIOR NEWS

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AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017

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The Medical Miracle Kidney Patients Count On By Lois Greene Stone “Sixty years after he made the world’s �� kidney dialy sis machine by patching together sausage casings and a water-pump part...” noted a front-page article headlined, “Father of Invention, Dr. Kolff Rarely Saw Necessity for Patents” in The Wall Street Journal in Sept. 2002. Dr. Willem J. Kolff, then 91 y ears old, was still using his genius to prolong lives. But six decades before, he called this creation an artificial kidney , rather than the seemingly indifferent clinical term used today : dialy sis machine. I read this newspaper ��and saved it, staring with almost at disbelief how quickly time moved. My phy sician husband went to the Cleveland Clinic in the early 1960s, studied under Dr. Kolff to learn to use an a��” cial kidney and brought that knowledge to Rochester, N.Y. In 1963, at Rochester General Hospital, he started the procedure for patients with chronic kidney disease. My spouse’s �st “patient” was a cow, until he comfortably coordinated all the necessary tubes and solutions to be able to hook a human to the machinery. In Seattle, “old” people were turned away from this new and expensive treatment, and the y oung were evaluated by a jury selection to determine whose life had more value and who deserved to not suffer the consequences of renal disease. My compassionate mate refused to allow any panel of people to judge the value of living. Three thousand miles away in Seattle, Dr. Belding Scribner had developed a reusable arterial venous shunt, which enabled a patient’s same vein/artery to be used over and over. Without this, repeated dialysis would not have been possible. Probably few had ever even heard the word “shunt” prior to the 1960s. These plastic tubes that kept a patient’s artery and vein connected between treatments weren’t commercially available; my mate had to hand-make each. He

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got a special machine, but the tubing still had to be sized, warmed, bent and then cold-water pumped (via a foot pump) through the tubing once the desired shape had been created. Every shunt had to be as smooth and wrinkle-free as possible, since any small imperfection created a focal point, which could allow a blood clot to form. Only one of every four or ��y he made was usable, but he continued with a positive attitude. A Travenol Twin Coil dialy sis machine was set up in a small storage room that had been converted by putting in plumbing, shelves and

appropriate equipment. It required a six-hour run that included a change of the chemicalsolution “bath” three times: at the beginning, after two hours and again after four hours. During each change, seven different chemicals had to be added to the water to make up the correct solution in the tank. The machine was primed with blood. Imagine, with today ’s hepatitis-C and AIDS, preparing any machine with blood! The description of early dialysis seems like a horse and buggy or gas lamp, compared to now. Every y ear, in one of western New York’s

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shopping malls, people compete for a car by continually touching it with some body part, until only a single, exhausted person is left. Do these young people, dreaming of owning the car while raising sponsored money and awareness of kidney disease, know anything about the journey from pioneer equipment to sophistication? The Wall Street Journal’s 2002 article mentioned that 240,000 Americans were on dialysis. When my husband put his initial human on the hemodialysis machine, even he couldn’t have imagined so many advances that would allow multiple procedures on so many people undergoing the cleansing to prolong their lives. The December 2005 issue of Nursing News ran an article titled, “Arti��y Kidney.” It discussed nanotechnology and experimental equipment that would eliminate dialy sis or kidney transplants in the future, with testing anticipated to occur by 2010. The wonders of inventive minds and available resources would prolong life for individuals with kidney disease and would do it in an easier, more ��way. Still, in 2017, dialysis and kidney transplant procedures are the same as they were in 2005, when the article was written. At the next National Kidney Foundation telethon, when people’s ��are hitting metal car bumpers, I’d love to walk up to the group and tell them to imagine a time when transplants were science �� , and the very concept of a machine to cleanse waste from the body , allowing a person to live, was just in the dreams of a gentle man named Dr. Kolff. Someone has to start the process from vision to reality; then others, like my husband, can begin the slow building. No longer young, my husband takes a smartphone from his pocket to check which medical ��y he’ll be working in as a substitute internist. His stethoscope is current, and his computer has software to access a patient’s laboratory blood work. Few know him as an a�� pioneer, and fewer would care. But I remember when Kolff’s invention and Scribner’s magic made chronic dialysis possible: malpractice wasn’t big business for lawyers, and patents weren’t part of the medical mindset. MSN

You Know You’re From Montana When

You have suffered both sunburn and frostbite in the same week. Your town has more bars than grocery stores. You prefer driving in the winter, because the potholes are ��LMSN

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MONTANA SENIOR NEWS

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017

Captioned Phones Help Those with Hearing Loss Stay Connected

(NewsUSA) – Every conversation is challenging. Words are �� and heard only indistinctly . They are forced to ask people to repeat themselves, and in many cases try to fake their way through a conversation. This is the world of the hard-of-hearing. According to the Hearing Loss Association of America, about 20 percent or 48 million people report some degree of hearing loss. While faceto-face interaction is �� at best, telephone conversations can be the stuff of nightmares. “I went to the VA, and I found out that the problems I have with my hearing were caused partially through the explosions [from the war],” says World War II veteran Don Pullan, 89, of Salt Lake City, Utah. “It was �� to have a simple conversation with my two daughters over the phone.” While hearing aids do an “excellent job of helping people meet many of their communication needs,” sometimes more is needed,” adds Dr. Sergei Kochkin, a board member and executive director of the Better Hearing Institute in Washington, D.C. “There are situations where additional assistive listening devices are needed,” he say s. “Some hearing aid users continue to experience dif�� understanding speech in noisy environments,

PAGE 43

such as in a restaurant, from a distance, or while listening on the telephone.” To this end, one company is helping to break the silence for those who have trouble hearing. Salt Lake City -based CaptionCall created a new telephone that allows hard-of-hearing users to follow conversations on their phone much like they would closed-captioning television. CaptionCall uses voice recognition technology and a transcription service to display written captions of what callers say on a large screen. The service is provided free to all quali��y individuals as a result of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Customers make and receive calls as they always have. All that is required to use CaptionCall is a high-speed Internet connection, a standard home phone line and medically recognized hearing loss. “Every day we’re providing a better way to improve communication for hard-of-hearing people,” say s Pat Nola, president and CEO of the company . “It improves people’s lives in a ��nt way.” Pullan agrees.“[CaptionCall] has been absolutely wonderful,” he say s. “It connects me with everybody for everything. It really does. It’s beautiful.” For more information on this free service, visit www.CaptionCall.com or call 877-863-1196.MSN

Constipation: A Gummed-Up Gut By Dr. Holly Carling Recently, a patient came in to be treated for constipation. He asked his medical doctor how long he could go without having a bowel movement (he hadn’t gone in a month). He was stunned by the answer: “It doesn’t matter. When it gets to the point that you can no longer stand it, we’ll just take your colon out!” ��at the possibility, and not given a satisfactory answer, he called us for help. You are ��y considered constipated if you have three or fewer bowel movements per week. However, most health care providers agree that less than one bowel movement per day constitutes constipation. Constipation is a symptom, not a disease. It is a good monitor of your general health. Most people know that stools contain the waste byproducts of foods eaten. However, that is only half of the dry weight of stools. The other half is dead, discarded cells, bacteria, viruses, parasites and other metabolic wastes from normal physiological functions. When your system is gummed up, you may be reabsorbing these waste products. Most common causes of constipation are well within our control. First is inadequate ��in the diet. It is best to have both soluble and

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MONTANA SENIOR NEWS insoluble ��in every meal. That means both raw and lightly steamed vegetables, fruits and whole grains. Next is lack of physical movement. Regular physical activity, whether aerobic or strengthening, is helpful. Yoga, stretching and Pilates are also great for keeping tone and movement of the bowels. Certain foods tend to be constipating. Pasteurized milk products (especially cheese), white ��products, bananas and processed bakery foods can contribute to constipation, especially if they are consumed in lieu of fresh vegetables and fruits. A diet lacking in meats and other healthy fats can also be constipating. When one eats meats or other foods containing fat, bile is released to emulsify the fat. Bile is the number-one bowel mover the body makes. But it is released only when called to act on fat in the diet. Other causes of constipation include side effects of medications; changes in life routines, such as vacationing, pregnancy or change in job; dehy dration; and certain medical conditions, such as neurological diseases, blood sugar issues and hypothyroidism.

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017 Frequent use of laxatives, functional problems with the colon, or diseases of the colon or rectum also can result in constipation. Sometimes constipation is due to not taking time to go to the bathroom. We get so busy that even when we get the urge to go, we put it off. Fortunately , we can re-train ourselves to go regularly again. I “lovingly ” tell my patients they need to be potty trained, and then I tell them how. Dr. Holly Carling is a Doctor of Oriental Medicine, Licensed Acupuncturist, Doctor of Naturopathy, Clinical Nutritionist and Master Herbologist, with nearly four decades of experience. Dr. Carling is a “Health Detective”: she looks beyond your symptom picture and investigates why you are experiencing your symptoms in the �st place. She is currently accepting new patients and � ers natural health care services and whole food nutritional supplements in her Coeur d’ Alene clinic. Visit Dr. Carling’s website at vitalhealthcda.com to learn more. View a list of upcoming health classes, and read other informative articles. Dr. Carling can be reached at 208-765-1994 and would be happy to answer any questions regarding this topic. MSN

Prostate Symptoms That You Should Watch For Provided by ProstateProblemCenter.com The vast majority of men will develop prostate problems of some description as they get older, with the �st signs of trouble appearing for a few men at about the age of 50, or possibly slightly earlier. By the age of 60, about half of all men will be experiencing prostate symptoms and this ��y will have increased to about ninety percent by the age of 80. There are many different sy mptoms that might point to a developing prostate problem and one difficulty we have in recognizing the cause of these sy mptoms is that they are often sy mptoms that could arise for many different reasons. However, if symptoms

are not being caused by prostate problems then they will often be short lived and will disappear without the need for treatment. However, where symptoms stay with you, there it is likely that they are being caused by a problem with the prostate gland. Common symptoms include: 1. Dif��beginning urination and the need to strain in order to start urination. 2. �� 3. A flow of urine that tends to stop and start. 4. A feeling that y ou need to urinate even after you’ve just been to the bathroom. 5. A need to visit the bathroom urgently and problems in ‘waiting’. 6. The need to visit the bathroom more frequently and, in particular, to get up to visit the bathroom during the night. 7. A tendency to dribble urine for a while �� throom. With these ongoing sy mptoms be sure to consult your doctor. MSN

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Cataracts Facts: Understanding the Inevitable Aging Process By Dr. Sheri Rowen, M.D., NVISION Eye Centers This article originally appeared on ThirdAge. com, www.thirdage.com. Particularly for those approaching middle age, cataracts are a fact and a natural condition that has a��y humans for hundreds, if not thousands of years. In simple terms, a cataract is a white, cloudy formation or opacity that develops in the lens of the ey e – progressing slowly over time and with age – reducing the amount of light that passes through it and leading to blurred vision and, and if left untreated, blindness. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 90% of people over age 65 will develop cataracts, which annually causes total vision loss in approximately 20 million people, most of whom have little or no access to proper medical care. Despite the fact that cataracts remain the leading cause of blindness throughout the world, there is good news. Thanks to modern medicine and advances in technology, cataracts can easily be diagnosed and treated with relatively painless and brief procedures that not only restore sight but also dramatically improve quality of life. Myths, Facts, and Risk Factors Myths and misinformation abound regarding the causes, symptoms, and cures for cataracts, which is neither a disease that spreads from one eye to the other nor one that results from eye strain or overuse. Cataracts do increase exponentially with age. Here is why: The lens, which lies behind the iris and the pupil, functions similar to the lens of a camera by focusing light onto the retina at the back of the eye where an image is recorded. Consisting primarily of water and protein, the lens also adjusts the eye’s focus in order to see objects both near and far away. As a person ages, the protein – arranged with precision to keep the lens clear and allow light to pass through – clumps together and clouds a small area of the lens. Over time, the cataract may grow larger and cloud more of the ��ffecting vision clarity. Research points to several causes for cataracts. While aging is the most common cause, cataracts can also result from ey e injuries, medications, and congenital birth defects, which occur in approximately one out of 10,000 infants. Here are some other important facts to consider: · Women are at higher risk than men are · Cataracts tends to run in families · People who are nearsighted (myopia) are at increased risk of developing cataracts · African-Americans are at twice the risk of developing cataracts as Caucasians · By the age of 80, more than half of all Americans have a cataract or have had cataract

surgery · By the age of 95, nearly every American will have a cataract or have had cataract surgery Factors that can increase the risk of developing cataracts Include: · High blood pressure · Diabetes · Use of steroid medications · Eye in�� on due to injury or autoimmune disease · Obesity · Overexposure to UV rays from sunlight · Cigarette smoking · Heavy alcohol consumption · Long-term exposure to lead, gold, and copper · Prolonged exposure to x-rays and radiation to treat cancer · Previous intraocular eye surgery · Glaucoma and its treatments Medical Alert Tags Save Lives Signs and Symptoms During the early stages, cataracts have little Order your custom effect on vision and, as a result, the condition engraved tag today often goes undetected until more pronounced. for only $9.00* As the cataract progresses, sy mptoms may Call Doug Chandler include double vision or clouded vision, which is often described as looking through a dirty 406-499-2756 window. In addition, images may appear with *includes shipping a yellow tint as the vibrancy of colors diminishes. Reading, too, becomes challenging as the contrast between letters and their backgrounds decreases. Some experience an increased sensitivity to bright lights, which makes driving at night �� or impossible due to scattered glare from the headlights of oncoming cars. In advanced cases, the pupil – normally black – looks milky and eventually vision is reduced to the ability only to distinguish light from dark. Although some cataracts may stop progressing after a certain point, the condition is never reversible and surgery is the only option to restore ey esight to clarity . Since cataracts is not a life-threatening condition nor cause for we’re here to help you turn wear and tear emergency , many peoI N TO R E C OV E R Y A N D R E J U V E N AT I O N . ple manage early stages of cataracts by wearing stronger ey eglasses or contact lenses, or taking medication that dilates the pupil. When vision loss impedes or interferes with every day activities, surgery is recommended.

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MONTANA SENIOR NEWS

Prevalence of Concussions in the Golden Years

By John Bigart III, Brain Injury Alliance of Montana

The Brain Injury Alliance of Montana (BIAMT) frequently partners with the Dy lan Steigers Concussion Project and Peak Performance Physical Therapy to expand our similar missions throughout Montana. This helps us stay current with up-to-date concussion research and bestpractices. BIAMT wanted to know more about the

increasing number of concussions among older adults, so we interviewed Jill Olson, PT, Director of the Dylan Steigers Concussion Project and owner of Peak Performance Physical Therapy. BIAMT: Tell us about concussions among older adults. Jill: Concussions are a growing epidemic among our aging population. I don’t know if they are truly occurring more frequently, or if we are just getting better at identifying them. Concussions are so often unrecognized, under-��ed, minimized, marginalized and under-reported. Among the elderly , concussions can be even harder to diagnose because their symptoms can be misinterpreted as dementia, drug side effects, age-related issues, etc. Our senior population frequently has other health issues going on at the same time, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, migraines, heart disease and Parkinson’s disease. If a patient with this ��were to present to their healthcare provider with complaints of dizziness, headaches, balance impairments, blurred vision, nausea and frequent falls, it would be reasonable to attribute these signs and symptoms to the patient’s previous health history and totally miss the concussion. It is possible that they have sustained a concussion (and often times, multiple concussions, if there have been multiple falls), and the accurate concussion diagnosis had been completely missed due to the individual’s more complicated health history. Concussions are mild traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). TBI is

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017

responsible for more than 80,000 emergency department visits, mostly from falls, each year with seniors; three quarters of these visits result in hospitalization. Senior falls are a large driver of concussions, because they are often under-recognized by both the healthcare providers and the seniors themselves. Many seniors are afraid their independence will be taken away if they admit to falling, and so they minimize it. What may seem like a mild initial fall may result in a concussion that throws off their balance and vision, which leads to the next fall and the next concussion. Seniors are also more likely to have impaired vision, dizziness and other de-stabilizing health problems and are less likely than others to have the strength and agility to ��y their feet once they begin to lose their balance. BIAMT: What should our seniors do to address the possibility of concussions? Jill: If they have had a fall and have any signs of a concussion, they should seek out a healthcare provider who is skilled in concussion ��y and management. Understand the possibility of concussion. Seek out a phy sical therapist who specializes in vestibular therapy, to properly identify and treat their symptoms of dizziness, fogginess, blurred vision, headaches and balance impairments. A vestibular-trained phy sical therapist specializes in inner-ear and balance disorders and will help to maximize their recovery, regain their balance and con�‘ ence and prevent the next concussion.” For more information, contact the B IAMT Brain Injury Help Line at 800-241-6442 or www. biamt.org. MSN

Plan Ahead For Positive Medical Visits

By Lisa M. Petsche When the relative you are caring for must attend a medical appointment, planning is crucial, especially if they have special healthcare needs. You need to be prepared not only for the appointment itself, but also for the travel and wait time involved. Follow the tips below to minimize stress and maximize success. Before You Go If accessible transportation is required, book it well in advance and don’t schedule anything else on the appointment day. If y ou are driving to an unfamiliar location, call in advance to get directions and information about parking options. Also inquire about the accessibility of the premises in terms of parking, entrances, washrooms, and whether wheelchairs are available. Complete any forms received at a previous appointment or by mail—for example, questionnaires or pre-appointment medical paperwork. Review any literature received in advance regarding how to prepare for the appointment and what to expect. Ensure y our relative wears loose-fitting, breathable clothing and comfortable walking shoes. Layer garments to make it easy to adapt to warm or cool temperatures. If the weather is inclement or you are anxious about parking, plan to take a taxi so you and your relative can be dropped off and picked up at the medical building’s entrance. Make a list of every thing to bring along. Read on for items you may want to include. What To Bring 1. Tickets for accessible transportation, disabled parking permit, parking pass or �� money for parking lot fees. 2. Mobility aids. 3. Nourishment. Snacks are especially important if you or your relative are diabetic. If your appointment is near lunchtime, pack a sandwich and drink for both of you. If your relative resides in a care facility , request a bag lunch a day in advance. Bring an apron or towel to protect their

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017 clothing while they eat and wet wipes for cleaning up afterwards. 4. Sufficient prescription and over-thecounter medications to cover the time y ou expect to be away. Bring an extra dose in case the wait is unusually long. 5. Extra incontinence pad or brief. 6. Change of clothes and a plastic bag for soiled garments. 7. Facial tissues and hand sanitizer (travel size). 8. Medical insurance information. 9. List of all health conditions and medications, including dosages and frequency of use. 10. List of questions and concerns. 11. Note pad and pen to record information and instructions. When You Arrive If it’s your �� time in the building, orient yourself. Consult any layout plans or directories, ty pically found by main entrances. Find out where washrooms are located, and whether there’s a cafeteria or a coffee stand for purchasing drinks and snacks. Have health insurance information ready when y ou check in at the o�” ce or clinic. Let the receptionist know of any special needs your relative may have – for example, behavioral issues that may be exacerbated by noise or a long wait. Also advise of special circumstances – for example, if y our relative has another appointment in the building or elsewhere, such that time is a concern. Before You Leave If y our relative resides in a care facility , ask the healthcare provider to make a brief note regarding any ��recommendations, and plans. This is important information for you to take back for the charge nurse and the phy sician overseeing your relative’s care. Also, inform staff of any tests or follow-up appointments that are

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scheduled or require booking. If a referral is being made to another healthcare professional, ensure you are clear about his or her name, area of expertise, location, and the FITNESS purpose of the consultation. “Your house, or mine – It’s a friendly atmosphere.” If your relative is being booked for a test, inquire about the typical amount of time involved Myriah Marsh and whether special preparation is required. Bozeman Personal Trainer inhomefitnessMT.com When You Get Home Note any further consultations or tests on your calendar right away . Attach appointment cards with a paper clip, so you have phone numbers handy should you have any questions or need to reschedule. Keep any forms • Alzheimer’s • Lung Issues • Shoulder Pain or information sheets you’ve been given in a • Dementia • Nerve Damage • Hip Pain labeled ��y folder, for • Autoimmunity • Inflammation • Osteoarthritis easy access. • Chronic Pain • Back Pain • Neuropathy Lisa M. Petsche is a medi• Macular Degeneration • Knee Pain • Plantar Fasciitis cal social worker and a freelance writer specializing in boomer and senior health matters. She has extensive personal experience with elder care. MSN

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AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017

Cataracts - continued from page 45 Improving Vision and Preventing Blindness With sig��cant advances in technology and techniques, cataract surgery has become one of the safest, most common medical procedures – usually completed within 15 minutes using drops for anesthesia. In the U.S. alone, some three million cataracts surgeries are performed every year, typically utilizing one of the following methods: · �� (phaco) is the most common type of cataract surgery, normally completed within 15 minutes and with little discomfort to the patient. Through a small incision made on the side of the cornea, an ophthalmologist inserts a tiny probe, which emits ultrasound waves that soften and break up the lens. The affected lens is removed by suction and replaced by an intraocular lens (IOL), a clear, plastic lens that requires no care and becomes a permanent part of the eye. Today, new lifestyle (or lifetime) lenses offer all ranges of vision from near to far away, with astigmatism correction if needed. Patients will most often not require assistance after cataract surgery, but vision acclimation may take several days. Complete vision restoration, which results in almost 95 percent of all patients, can be expected within one to four weeks. Prevention: The Best Defense Like aging itself, developing cataracts is unavoidable. There are, however, practical and precautionary measures that can delay its occurrence – many of which apply to increasing overall health and wellbeing: · Drink only in moderation · Avoid smoking – or quit · Limit exposure to sunlight · Wear sunglasses that block harmful UV rays · Eat foods rich in antioxidants and carotenoids If eyes are the windows to the soul, they most certainly provide deep insight into a person’s state of health. So, above all, visit an eye doctor for a dilated eye exam once every two years and yearly after age 60. Not only can a comprehensive ey e exam diagnose cataracts, dry ey e, and other vision-related issues, but also a broad array of health conditions, from hypertension to diabetes. Prevention has long been recommended as the best medicine and safeguarding vision during the aging process can have a tremendous impact on every aspect of life. Cataracts are often a fearful proposition when poorly understood. Knowing the facts and making educated decisions will go a long way in ensuring the precious gift of sight will last a lifetime. MSN

What is a Cataract? What are the Risk Factors? What is a Cataract? A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s natural lens, located behind the iris and pupil of the eye. You have a 50-50 chance of having a cataract by age 65. What are the risk factors? Risk factors , other than advancing in age, include: diabetes, hypertension, smoking, obesity, significant alcohol consumption, ultraviolet radiation, family history, and high myopia. Even if you are not noticing any vision changes, a comprehensive yearly eye exam after the age of 55 is important. Our doctors perform a 21 point exam focusing on all parts of your eye health. Cataract Surgery With Lens Replacement Our clinic offers pre-op and post-op services for Dr. David Boes, an indepdendent opthamolgist from Great Falls who specializes in non-suture cataract surgery, among other procedures. Dr. Boes sees patients in our clinic and will perform their surgery in Great Falls or Havre. The rest of their treatment is taken care of by our doctors right here at home. Take good care of your vision and schedule your appointment today!

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MONTANA SENIOR NEWS

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017

Insider’s Advice on Jackson’s ��

One of the penalities for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors. - Plato

Article & Photo By Dianna Troyer You can drop a small fortune entertaining y ourself in Jackson—or not, advises Rick Schreiber, 73, who raised his kids in western Wyoming’s renowned resort town. On a recent weekend, his granddaughter Eloise was learning to paddle a kay ak for the ��time at Rendezvous Park, a free public park off Wilson Road, nicknamed R Park. As Eloise guided herself near shore, the smooth water in the park’s pond built her 5-year-old ��L Nearby, families ��J hiked and explored meadows, knolls and trails. “Most of the land here in Teton County is public,” said Rick. “There’s an incredible network of public, paved bike paths.” As Rick’s son Matt coached Eloise, he reminisced about his childhood. “I grew up fishing, climbing, skiing, mountain biking, camping, boating,” said Matt. “There are hikes galore. I can’t think of a better place to raise kids.” Along with exploring Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks, here are a few free or inexpensive activities to do throughout

the summer in Jackson. • Free downtown walking tours at town square—At 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, guides lead an hour-long tour and tell of Jackson’s wild past and architecture. • The Jackson Hole Shootout—At 6 p.m., villains and heroes confront each other in a shootout at the town square. A tradition since

1957, it is the longest, continuously running �� tion. • Free star parties at R Park—From 9:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. on clear Friday nights from May through September near the north entrance to R Park, astronomers from Wyoming Stargazing set up a Dobsonian telescope to look at planets, stars, nebulae and galaxies. The non-profit organization also has an outdoor inflatable planetarium and augmented reality goggles from Universe2go for virtual stargazing. • Grand Teton Music Festival—From July 3 to Aug. 20, free family concerts are offered Wednesday afternoons and weekends at Teton Village. At 10 a.m. on Friday s, rehearsals are open and free with tickets required. Times vary and are listed at www.gtmf.org. • Free bouldering park—At the base of Snow King Mountain, a free bouldering park offers three large boulders/walls for all ages and skill levels. Adjacent to the wall is a small picnic shelter with eight tables, horseshoe pits and a grassy area. • Free mountain bike trails—Snow King trails connect with the Cache Creek and Game Creek trail networks. • Alive @ 5—From June 27 to Aug. 15 at the Teton Village Commons, Tuesday through Friday . This free, summer program includes

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AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017 music, education and story telling, starting at 5 p.m. • Browse N Buy —The St. John’s Episcopal Church, located at 139 North Cache Street, runs an upscale thrift retail store with every thing from clothes to sporting goods and household items. It’s not free, but close.

MONTANA SENIOR NEWS • Granite Hot Springs – A short drive south of Jackson, the natural hot springs offer a soaking pool and campground, ��” ng along Granite Creek, and hiking into the Gros Ventre Mountain Range. • Other activities in town that require a nominal fee are the nightly ghost tour and

PAGE 51 visits to the Children’s Museum, the Mercill Archaeology Center, the Jackson Hole and Greater Yellowstone Visitor Center and the Wildlife Art Museum. For calendar info and special offers, visit www.jacksonholetraveler.com, and click the ��l available coupons. MSN

Cardston – A Nostalgic Ride Anchored by its landmark massive, white granite temple and the wide streets of its historic downtown, the town of Cardston (pop. 3,580) is backed by the towering snow-capped peaks of the Canadian Rockies with distinctive Chief Mountain majestically watching over this corner of southern Alberta. Cardston, founded in 1887 by Charles Ora Card, a leader with the Mormon church who immigrated from Utah, is much more than a refuelling stop for travellers headed to and from nearby Waterton & Glacier National Parks. Lined by a number of historic buildings, the town’s Main Street boasts shops, eateries, artisans, and the beautiful old Carriage House Theatre, which has revitalized the arts scene locally. The theatre has undergone an extensive renovation to restore its art-deco-like glory . Besides serving as a movie house, there are also live performances and musicals almost nightly during the summer months performed by a large troupe of local talent combined with imported professionals. This summer they will bring The Scarlet Pimpernel and Tarzan to the stage. A visit to downtown would not be complete without a tour of the 1887 Card Pioneer Home, the original log cabin built by the town’s founder. This provincial historic site is also a museum that contains period artifacts depicting the life and times of Card and his community. Also downtown is the Remington Carriage

Museum – which houses America’s largest collections of horse-drawn vehicles. Wander past immaculately restored antique carriages, school buses, hearses, and early automobiles. Enjoy the hands-on displays, or browse the museum gift shop, but make sure to leave time for a horsedrawn carriage ride through the town center. Monday through Thursday during the summer, visitors can experience a guided Mormon Pioneer Trail Tour at the museum and during a carriage ride through Cardston. The museum grounds feature a life-size bronze statue of George Woolf, Cardston-born jockey , on the legendary racehorse Seabiscuit. Woolf rode Seabiscuit to championship glory in 1938 against War Admiral in what was touted as “The Match of the Century .” As y ou leave, don’t forget to snap y our photo at the Fay Wray Fountain on the north side of Lee Creek, a block from the museum. The late actress, another of Cardston’s notable citizens, found fame in Hollywood movies such as King Kong. A few blocks west of Main Street is the Cardston Temple, which was built in 1923. Not only was it the �� Mormon temple in Canada, it was also the second to be built outside the United States. In 1995, the Cardston Temple was named a National Historic Site, recognized as “the �st consciously modern building in the province of Alberta.” While the temple is not open to the public, an information center on

temple grounds offers insights about the temple and the Mormon faith. Another provincial historic site that stands as a reminder of early days in Cardston is the Courthouse Museum. Built in 1907 from sandstone quarried just outside of Cardston, this building was a working courthouse longer than any other in Alberta was. The courthouse still has the original judge’s bench and witness stand as well as jail cells, and other historical items. You can even ride in the footsteps of the original settlers and book trail rides to enjoy incredible �� and wildlife through the rolling green hills in the shadow of Chief Mountain and the Rockies, or camp and ��y at several beautiful campgrounds in the area. And don’t miss a main attraction each summer; Cardston Heritage Days, the second weekend in August, welcomes former residents and visitors to enjoy a parade, pet show and pancake breakfast. The rodeo is a big hit every y ear, and is followed soon after by the World Mini Chuckwagon Championships at the carriage museum. Whatever time you choose to visit, you can be sure of a warm welcome with plenty to see and do. For more information, contact the Cardston Visitors Centre at 403-653-3787 and visit www. TheMormonTrail.ca and www.cardston.ca. MSN

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AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017

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By Holly Endersby Spring and summer of 1910 were hot and dry, and by mid-August, people were sweltering in unforgiving high temperatures. Throughout summer, hundreds of small �� burned in Idaho and Montana. But they would pale in comparison to the blaze erupting on August 20, when winds reaching hurricane force blasted in to push many of the ��into two mega-infernos that unleashed waves of rolling ��yhundreds of feet high. At the end of two days, three million acres burned, and the area straddling the Idaho/ Montana border in the Clearwater and Lolo National Forests would henceforth be known as the Great Burn. Fifty-�ve years later, a high school graduate enrolling in the University of Montana in Missoula drove into Hellgate Canyon. “I instantly fell in love with the area,” Dale Harris recalls. “Just one look, and I was hooked.” Born in Michigan but transplanted to Billings, Montana, in high school, Dale spent his early y ears camping, hiking and fishing with his family . His love of the outdoors was

entrenched in his psyche. Graduating with a degree in forestry, Dale worked as a contract administrator for the Forest Conservation Experiment Station, an arm of the Montana Wilderness Institute. Over time he became the Assistant Director and learned a lot about national forest policy. Although he was steeped in policy at work, the wildlands on the Idaho/Montana border captivated his interest. Others in and around Missoula felt the same, so much so that in 1970, a group of dedicated Montanans started the Great Burn Study Group. “We were a bunch of long-haired hippies at the time,” Harris laughs, “but we had great mentors in people like Senators Metcalf and ��yCecil Garlan, Don Adlrich and Doris Milner.” A group of early supporters took a 21-day backpack trip into the Great Burn in 1971, and from that moment on, Harris was devoted to protecting the area. The goal of the group was to get permanent wilderness protection for this special landscape.

But like most new conservation groups, the Great Burn Study Group was an all-volunteer effort. “I volunteered from 1971 to 1998,” Dale says, “and during that time we had no paid staff, but a lot of passion for protection.” In 1998, Dale became the Executive Director of the Great Burn Study Group in order to bring energy and focus to their efforts. “In 1988, Congress passed the Montana Wilderness Bill, which included the Great Burn in it,” he recalls. “But President Regan allowed the bill to sit on his desk, creating a ‘pocket veto’ of the bill. At least 16 bills have had the Great Burn included in them for wilderness protection, but to date, none have passed.” Dale realized the GBSG could be the eyes and ears of the Forest Service, actively checking on the condition of trails, camp sites, streams and wildlife. “Instead of filing appeals to help safeguard the area, we needed to build a relationship with the Forest Service, because they are the keeper of the land,” he states. (Continued on page 64)

MONTANA SENIOR NEWS

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Ask the Expert

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017

HOW CAN I HIT A GOLF BALL FARTHER?

ISN’T IT TIME YOU PLAYED A LITTLE

(SPM Wire) Muscling up to whack that golf ball may be a bad idea. One of the biggest traps golfers fall into is the overswing. “Too much Tiger TV has many golfers swinging with delusions of grandeur,” say s Sean Callanan, Head Golf Professional at the Minisceongo Golf Club in Pomona, NY. Of course, distance is important. You just have to go about achieving it the right way. In softball, swinging with all your might may be effective. In golf, it isn’t. Distance is generated by controlled force, not brute force, stresses Callanan who offers these tips: Start by making some slow-motion swings. Focus on the ��y of the swing. Practice swings should be done with intent, not just to go

through the motions. Check y our plane and posture throughout the swing. Steadily increase the velocity of your swing by relaxing and extending the club. Make sure you remain focused on the sensation of �ow. Your grip should stay relaxed, and your swing should feel �uid and controlled. The moment you feel a clenching of muscles in your hands and forearms, slow it back down. Try to keep your body quiet. Continue this drill until you are taking full, controlled swings. Remember these words from Callanan, “swing faster, not harder. Think smooth and fast, not hard and jerky.” It is great to hit the long ball, but 250 yards down the center beats 300 yards in the trees. MSN

Living

TIPS TO IMPROVE YOUR GOLF GAME

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in the afternoon. You can save money on green fees, and the course may be less crowded. • Know your game: By being familiar with how far your shots carry, you’ll better navigate course hazards. “Carry is the key word here, especially when water lies between you and the green,” says Kiawah’s Preisinger. “Plan accordingly, and pick the best club that will carry the water.” • Improve your club selection: Updating your golf clubs can help. Consider investing in custom wedges to save strokes, in hy brids to hit more greens and in a putter to ensure the length and head weight are right for you. But lugging a set on your vacation isn’t all that appealing. Leave them at home if they aren’t imperative to your game. Many resorts provide top-of-the-line equipment. Just don’t forget to buy golf balls. • Play challenging courses: Top resort golf courses typically offer scenic landscapes, lagoons or ocean views, which add beauty to the eye and depth to your game. • Learn the rules: It might seem elementary, but familiarizing yourself with the USGA rule book, especially speci��situations and procedures, may save you some strokes. Ask if local rules allow for “drop areas” on holes with water hazards, which could save you time and golf balls. For information about the courses on Kiawah Island, which is just off the coast of South Carolina, visit www.Kiawah.com. Difficult to pick up Public 9 hole course and impossible to maswith a driving range, ter, golf has confounded pro shop, and clubhouse players their entire lives. with a full bar. But with a few simple tips, the grand game can 838 Golf Course Rd get just a little easier. MSN Deer Lodge, MT (406) 846-1625

(StatePoint) On the surface, golf can be a game of beauty and majesty , producing some of the most-storied traditions in all of sports. But for casual players, it can be the single most frustrating exercise ever invented. You don’t necessarily need to hire your own golf pro to improve your experience on the greens. Of course, a lesson or two probably wouldn’t hurt . “If you feel rusty or self-conscious, take a golf lesson or join a clinic to brush up your game and co�” dence,” says Carol Preisinger, the Director of Instruction at the award-winning Kiawah Island Club Golf Academy . “A good grip, posture and alignment go a long way when y ou don’t play often. If y ou don’t have time to play , visit the practice facility, and spend the majority of time working on your short game.” Preisinger knows what she’s talking about. Kiawah Island hosts a number of heralded courses designed by such ��luminaries as Tom Fazio, Tom Watson and Jack Nicklaus. In fact, Kiawah’s Ocean Course was designed and built �� lly for the 1991 Ryder Cup matches. However, if lessons aren’t in the cards, Preisinger offers some other helpful tips: • Call in advance: Before arriving at a course, inquire about rates, dress code and other necessary information. If you’re on a budget, ask about twilight rates. Many resorts have discounted rates

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017

A New Era for Montana Senior News - continued from cover Eventually, two popular departments—“Contest Corner” and “Cupid’s Corner,” the personal ads section—were added. Jack believes the publication has touched the lives of many Montanans. And considering he has heard reports of several marriages resulting from “Cupid’s Corner” ads, he knows it certainly has changed some lives. The Hunts plan to carry on the Montana Senior News legacy with a mission to “educate, entertain and empower readers.” As Bob says, “Nothing is stopping. It will just be more enhanced, like a fresh coat of paint. We’ll still focus on stories of interest to mature readers. But we’re also excited about empowering this audience with information they need, and that gives advertisers a large ��to reach this audience in print and online.” One enhancement readers can expect to see in the future is a more developed Montana Senior News website with a library of original content and an optimized search engine. Expanding the service side of the newspaper is a prime goal. In particular, the Hunts want to include articles enabling readers to ��navigate topics such as the sometimes dizzying world of smartphone apps and social media. “We want to embrace those subjects in a non-threatening way, so readers can adapt to the new technology through life. It’s exciting to have a platform to help people,” says Bob, who has a legitimate reason to claim, “Newspapers are in my blood.” Aside from a brief stint as a real estate agent, Bob’s entire career has been based in the newspaper industry. Starting when he was a kid in Illinois delivering newspapers to people’s doors, it has culminated in taking over the helm of these two Northwest publications. “I’ve worked as a janitor, reporter and photographer in the press room, in circulation

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and in advertising. I have a real belief in this business,” says Bob, whose father rose through the ranks to become president of the Chicago Tribune. An accomplished seamstress and gardener, Janet describes herself as “more of a numbers person.” She handles the accounting for the financial side of the enterprise, along with whatever else requires immediate attention. “We have a team approach to everything and take over from one another when necessary,” explains Janet. During the couple’s 25-y ear marriage, they hand-built their home together in a place where they can hear bird songs and see starry nights. Not surprisingly , Janet is as actively engaged behind the scenes as Bob is with the more visible editorial, sales and distribution end of things. And in true family fashion, even their daughter Ruth is involved with the new venture, despite living in the West. “She’ll take over our social media. She can do that from a distance,” says Janet, who regards being a mom as one of her greatest accomplishments. For his part, Bob isn’t ready just yet to name his greatest accomplishment. “I don’t think it’s ever over. I’m alway s striving to do better and move forward,” he

PAGE 55 say s. “However, we are both proud of this benchmark with Montana Senior News and Idaho Senior Independent. These newspapers are about the ��amendment—freedom of speech and freedom of the press.” For more info about author Gail Jokerst, visit www. gailjokerst.com MSN

MONTANA SENIOR NEWS

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ANACONDA

BOZEMAN

GREAT FALLS

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017

HAVRE

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

Jeff Weedin 1351 Stoneridge Dr Ste A Bozeman, MT 59718 406-586-4900

Aaron Hamilton 1900 4th St NE Great Falls, MT 59404 406-761-7601

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

BILLINGS

GREAT FALLS

Pam Hansen-Alfred 2817 10th Ave South Great Falls, MT 59405 406-453-6010

LIVINGSTON

Bonnie Dedmore 405 Main St Ste D Billings, MT 59105 406-248-8088

BOZEMAN

Dan Rust 1805 W Dickerson Bldg 2, Suite 1 Bozeman, MT 59715 406-587-8287

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

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

MONTANA SENIOR NEWS

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017

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Ode to Billie Joe BOBBIE GENTRY, AUGUST 1967 By Randal Hill In the summer of 1967, folks were asking, “What really happened to Billie Joe McAllister? What did he throw off the Tallahatchie Bridge? And what about that girl up on Choctaw Ridge?” It was all part of the fun of trying to analyze Bobbie Gentry’s chart-topper, “Ode to Billie Joe.” Years later, Gentry explained in “The Billboard Book of Number One Hits” that many listeners missed the point of her song. “Everybody seems more concerned with what was thrown off the bridge than they are with the thoughtlessness of people expressed in the song,” she groused. “The real ‘message’ of the song, if there must be a message, revolves around the nonchalant way the family talks about the suicide.” Gentry was born Roberta Lee Streeter in Chickasaw County , Miss., in 1942. When her parents divorced, she moved in with her grandparents. She taught herself to play the piano and wrote some catchy little tunes. In the mid-1950s, her mother relocated to Palm Springs, Calif., and Bobbie followed. During high school, she also mastered the guitar, bass, banjo and vibes. After graduation in 1960, she moved to Los Angeles and took philosophy classes at UCLA before switching to the prestigious Los Angeles Conservatory of Music to study guitar and composition. Now calling herself Bobbie Gentry —from the 1952 movie “Ruby Gentry”—she made a demo record of an original song—“Mississippi Delta.” When she shopped

it around, Capitol Records executives were instantly taken with both Gentry ’s obvious talent and stunning good looks. Capitol people chose to promote the bluesy “Mississippi Delta” as her � st single; they were lukewarm about the “B” side, a haunting Gothic southern ballad she called “Ode to Billie Joe.” Gentry had cut “Ode” in less than an hour, accompanying herself on a ��‘ acoustic guitar. Violins, a cello and a bass were added later. “Ode” was eventually edited from seven minutes and 11 verses to a more radiofriendly (read: shorter and simpler) tune. Capitol promoted “Mississippi Delta,” but DJs soon preferred spinning “Ode to Billie Joe.” Once it hit Billboard’s singles charts, “Ode” took just three weeks to reach Number One and pave the way for three Grammy awards that followed the next year. She moved to Las Vegas early in the 1970s and headlined the Strip with a revue that she created, produced and starred in. Still, she could never escape the shadow of her lone megahit, which eventually was relegated to the playlists of “oldies” stations. Eventually, she packed up and left Sin City behind. In 1999, “Ode to Billie Joe” was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. Oddly, when the Grammy people tried to send Gentry her award, nobody could � d a phone number or an address for her. The award was set on a shelf where it still rests today . Forget Billie Joe McAllister. Now people should ask, “What really happened to Bobbie Gentry?” MSN

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AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017

What? Paul McCartney is Dead?

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By Randal C. Hill The Beatles’ Abbey Road, the group’s last effort together, was released in the fall of 1969. The record would go on to become the band’s best-selling album, outperforming even the iconic Sergeant Pepper. On Sept. 17, 1969, the student newspaper at Drake University published an article entitled, “Is Beatle Paul McCartney Dead?” Huh? Supposedly some Drake students had discovered “clues” from previous Beatles albums, as well as on the Abbey Road cover. On Oct. 12, 1969, Detroit DJ Russ Gibb received a call at WKNR from a listener who claimed to have uncovered a number of clues himself. In the next few days, dozens of listeners phoned Gibb to discuss the rapidly spreading story. According to the tale, McCartney had argued with the other Beatles during a recording session on the night of Nov. 8, 1966, a little over two months after the Beatles had called it quits as a touring group. Early in the morning—on Wed., Nov. 9—he supposedly bolted from the studio and roared off in his white Aston-Martin sports car. Later, at about 5:00 a.m., he crashed his car and died in a small town outside of London. To spare the world the agony of enduring a Paulless Beatles, a man named William Campbell (who had recently won a Paul look-alike contest) was brought in for photo shoots. The release of Abbey Road offered numerous “clues” to ��lly tell the world of McCartney ’s demise; before long, fans were analyzing previous tracks and album covers, and the rumor quickly gathered momentum worldwide, sending many Beatle fans into a frenzy. From the Rubber Soul cover: The grim-faced Beatles are (possibly ) looking down into a

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gra��L F r o m t h e Yesterday and Today c o v e r : McCartney is seen sitting in an open trunk. When the trunk is turned on its side, it could be seen as a�� From the Revolver album: McCartney sings “I was alone, I took a ride, I didn’t know what I would ��y there” (from “Got to Get You into My Life”). However, all of these works appeared before Nov. 9, 1966! From the Sergeant Pepper album: The opening track mentions Billy Shears, but some rumorpromoters thought the words might have been “Billy’s here!” in reference to William Campbell. On “A Day in the Life,” John Lennon says that somebody had “blown his mind out in a car” and “didn’t notice that the lights had changed.” The crowd that gathered as a result of the accident “had seen his face before.” On the front cover, we see the “funeral” of the old Beatles. A hand is raised above McCartney’s head (a death omen in some cultures). A white, toy Aston-Martin is on the doll’s knee. On the ground is a y ellow wreath in the shape of a left-handed bass guitar—and McCartney was the only left-hander in the band. The guitar has three strings instead of four. Turned on its side, the guitar forms the letter “P.” Inside the album, McCartney seems to be sitting out in front of the others and wearing a patch that says OPD—in England, our term of DOA (Dead on Arrival) is expressed as ��y Pronounced Dead. On the back cover, McCartney is the only Beatle with his back to the camera. George Harrison (on the far left) points to the printed lyric line, “Wednesday morning at ��y o’clock,” the time when McCartney had supposedly died. From the Magical Mystery Tour album: At the end of “Strawberry Fields Forever,” Lennon says, “I buried Paul,” although he slurs the last word. At the end of “I Am the Walrus,” Lennon say s, “Is he dead? Sit y ou down, Father. Rest you.” (This is from Shakespeare’s King Lear.) On the cover, one Beatle is dressed as a walrus— another death symbol in some cultures. In the inside booklet, McCartney sits at a desk behind the nameplate with the letters IWAS. (I WAS?) In another photo, he plays his guitar with his ey es closed, and his (removed) shoes nearby show a red stain on them. In a later picture, the other Beatles wear red �� in their lapels, but McCartney’s is black. From The B eatles (The White Album): On “Glass Onion,” Lennon says, “I told you ‘bout the walrus and me, man. You know that we’re

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AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017 as close as can be, man. Well, here’s another clue for you all: the walrus was Paul.” Between the tracks “I’m So Tired” and “Blackbird,” we hear mumbling. Reversing the disc, Lennon says, “Paul is a dead man, miss him, miss him, miss him.” (He sounds on the verge of tears.) On Revolution #9, if the disc is reversed, Lennon says, “Turn me on, dead man,” again and again. From the Abbey Road album: Walking across the street called Abbey Road (also the name of the band’s recording studio), Lennon is seen in long reddish hair and dressed in white, a Jesus symbol. Ringo Starr follows, clothed as an undertaker. McCartney is the only Beatle with his eyes closed, the only Beatle without shoes (in some countries people are buried shoeless). He’s the only Beatle out of step with the others,

and the only one smoking, although left-handed McCartney holds his cigarette in his right hand. Harrison, the last in line, wears the ��y of a gravedigger. The license plate of a VW “beetle” in the background reads 28IF. McCartney was 27 in 1969; however, in some cultures a person is counted as one year old at birth. On the album’s back cover, a series of dots before the word BEATLES form the number 3 if connected. Also on BEATLES, a crack runs through ¼ of the S. Turned slightly to the left, the shadows on the wall after BEATLES form a human skull. The only possible vocal clue is from “Come Together,” when Lennon say s, “One and one and one is three.” Distressed Beatle fans probably heaved a

The Mountain Mob By Ken Fielder If you happen to be wandering up a trail anywhere in Glacier National Park, or the nearby �� Range, Salish Mountains, Swan Range, or thereabouts and come across a group of 6-8 women, all over the age of 60, you might say to yourself, “Shouldn’t these nice old ladies be home knitting booties for their great-grandchildren?” Now, certainly some of these women may like to knit, and some may have great-grandchildren, but their shared passion is to be out stomping around in the mountains. My friend, what you have just encountered is the Mountain Mob. I ��became aware of this group when Nancy Roberts, a recently retired co-worker of mine at Finnegan’s Restaurant, asked me if I’d like to accompany her hiking group, which went out every Tuesday and Thursday . Having weekday s off ty pically since made it �� for me 2014 to find people to hike with, so I jumped at the opportunity to join them. A brisk morning a few day s later, I found my self meeting with a small knot of people in the parking lot of Herberger’s. What struck me at the time was not so much that I was the only male in the group, but that I would have expected these women to be wandering the aisles of Herberger’s, not hiking up the fall splendor of Doris Mountain. Monday–Sunday 11:30am–9:00pm (406) 587-2124 • BridgerBrewing.com Noteworthy too was that 1609 South 11th Avenue Bozeman at 64, I was one of the

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sigh of relief when McCartney gave his �st postrumor interview. To a reporter at McCartney’s isolated farm in Scotland, he simply asked, “If I were dead, wouldn’t I be the �st to know?” MSN

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PAGE 60 youngest members of the group! As octogenarian Elle Jones puts it, “I’m not old, I’m mature.” Born as an offshoot of the Flathead Outdoor Club a number of years ago, this group has a welcoming camaraderie and a very adventurous spirit. Having hiked in this area for over forty years, I like to think I’m more familiar than

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most with local trails, but often their schedule of hikes will have two or three destinations of which I’ve never heard. (Where the heck is Mt. Conner?) And when the snow ��y they don’t slow down. They just dig out their Yak Traks, snowshoes, and cross-country skis and keep exploring. Since that �� morning, I have thoroughly

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017 enjoyed every outing with this unique group of engaging people – despite my being the only member who shaves. For more information, please call Ken Fielder at 406-885-5549 or email ��@ bresnan.net. MSN

The Wizards Behind the Curtain

By Bernice Karnop In the Wizard of Oz, Dorothy’s dog, Toto, rips the curtain aside to reveal the ordinary man who tricked them into thinking he is a great and powerful wizard. In this glanceback issue, we give readers a peek behind the curtain at some ordinary people who pull off the wizardly feat of turning ideas into a senior paper you can hold in your hands. Ads are an important step in producing a paper that is free to the readers. Sales representative Lisa Gebo say s the ads they sell help advertisers meet their marketing goals, “because our paper targets a ��y demographic, people 50 and better.” She adds, “I don’t think there’s a better way to reach them than with the Montana Senior News and Idaho Senior Independent. They’ve been around for 33 years and 13 years respectively.” Readers, in turn, ��when they learn about products and services that can make their lives better. It’s more than a sale to Lisa. “I have established so many friendships and discovered so many shared interests over the phone,” she says. Lisa grew up in Wisconsin and worked as art director for an insurance company there. She met editor/ publisher Jack Love through the Montana Wilderness Association. She’s worked for the paper more than five years. “We are outdoors people,” Lisa say s. She

and her husband hike, kayak and ride horses. She loves hanging out at their ranch, spending time with family and caring for her Orpington chickens. Sales Representative Kathleen McGregor likes to recognize the contributions nonpro�ts bring to their communities and to the state. Kathleen has a Master’s degree in microbiology and has worked in various medical-related positions before discovering that she liked sales better. She was one of the �st sales reps when the Montana Senior News was established. She worked out of state for a few y ears and returned to the Montana Senior News in 1998. “When y ou look at the media today , y ou have the good, the bad and the ugly. I’m looking for the less ugly, something that will uplift. Readers of the Montana Senior News and Idaho Senior Independent ��y inspirational ��J good thoughts, and really good ideas about how to direct their lives,” Kathleen says. Kathleen’s free time is spent with her grown son and the Christian renewal community to which they belong. The sales reps give their information to Jonathan Rimmel, who crafts it into ads that are graphically pleasing and, at the same time, get the message across to readers. “I do a few hundred ads each issue, so it’s challenging to make each one stand out,” he says. Jonathan’s mechanic talked him into racing his Mazda MX-5 Miata roadster at the Great Falls Sports Car Club of America autocross races held on the local fairgrounds parking lot. Drivers aim to get their best time as they weave through a series of cones, trying their best not to hit any. Other interests include photography, and, at church, he teaches, sings in the choir and does some graphic design. Jonathan doesn’t �t the 50-plus demographic but feels connected HISTORIC MONTANA AVENUE

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to our readers in other ways. “I’m pretty heavy into health and �� ys. The heart of the Montana Senior News and Idaho Senior Independent is the stories about neighbors and friends whom readers may know. Writers are a varied bunch of curious individuals who feel privileged to meet awesome seniors doing amazing things. Writer Jack McNeel was born in Idaho and has lived there almost all of his 80 years. He worked for the Idaho Fish and Game until he turned 57. As an information and education ��y he wrote and spoke for various media outlets, keeping the public informed about a variety of topics. He wasn’t ready to quit when he retired. “Writing keeps me active both physically and mentally,” he says. He and his wife enjoy international travel as well as traveling in the U.S. In the past decade, they’ve been to Costa Rica, Guatemala and Italy. They took a memorable “barge and bike” trip in the Netherlands about three years ago. A boat dropped them off on a series of islands where they biked around and then came back to the boat. Altogether they did about 150 miles on the bicycles. And then there’s me. I started writing for the Montana Senior News because I was spoon-fed Montana stories since I was in diapers, and I still ��y them intriguing. My great grandfather came to Virginia City in 1863, in time for the gold rush and to witness the hanging of George Ives. My �� story for the paper was about my husband’s grandmother. Verda was 19 when she stepped off the train at Two Dot in 1911. She’d ��y out an application to teach in a country school as a joke and a dare with her friends back in Grafton, N.D. She never intended to teach, and she certainly didn’t want to go to Montana. When she was accepted, her mom insisted that she go, and buckets of tears did not change her mind. We laugh at her adventures (she married a rancher from the school board), but they were no joke at the time. Family stories ��out Montana and Idaho’s varied and astonishing history, and I’ve had the privilege of hearing many. I’m still impressed! When all the material for an issue is ready, Sherrie Smith goes onto the computer and puts the ads and articles where they belong. She sends the document to Spokane. They send back proofs for her to check before it is published. Sherrie works about one week before each issue comes out, so she feels mostly retired. When she and her husband aren’t camping and ��” ng, she’s quilting. She calls herself a non-traditional quilter. Instead of buying material with a pattern in mind, she says, “I buy material that I like and then ��y out what I’m going to do with it. I think it’s the graphic designer in me.” After the papers are printed, Pete Thornburg picks them up in the of��y in Great Falls and distributes them to around 250 stores, businesses and medical centers. Pete’s 83 and retired from Bell Telephone Company. He says the most fun is chatting with the people he sees on a regular basis, and he likes that the job gets him out and around town. In 2009, the Montana Senior News did a story about how Pete sponsors older adults in extreme poverty, through the Christian Foundation for Children and Aging. “It’s sad that they seem to die fairly young,” he says. “They get to 60 or 62 but are in pretty poor health for a number of years before that.” He writes and receives letters, which helps him to know them personally. When one dies, they ask if he wants to sponsor another person, and he is happy to do so. Florence Moore delivers papers throughout Billings. She takes them to senior living places, retirement centers, restaurants and grocery stores. “It’s rewarding to see how much people appreciate the paper,” she says. Florence’s husband LeRoy delivered the papers for 15 years. She took it over when he passed away last year. Florence is also a seamstress and has run her business of sewing garments and doing alterations for 25 years. She says she advertised the �� year but hasn’t needed to since. Florence grew up in Hardin and has lived in Montana all her life. Now you know a few of the people who put out the Montana Senior News and Idaho Senior Independent. As y ou page through this issue, be assured that everything from the ads to the articles were created with you, the reader, in mind! MSN

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AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017

Charlie Russell Film Inspires World Premiere Events in Great Falls

Montana’s favorite cowboy artist, Charlie Russell, will soon rise from the canvas to the big screen. The new Montana PBS �lm C.M. Russell and the American West will share Russell’s inspiring story at a free and public world premiere screening in the Great Falls Ma�� . 9. Caught in the excitement of hosting a world premiere movie, the Great Falls community and C.M. Russell Museum are inviting Russell fans

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to enjoy two, art- and fun��days at their “Raise the Roof for the Russells” events. Activities include gallery openings and dedications, a lively auction ��y the Russell House and Studio and a Chuck Wagon Barbecue. Guests can also attend a Holly wood-sty le VIP access party to meet special guests involved with the making of the documentary. Tickets are on sale now by calling 406-7271939. Details and pricing are available at cmrussell. org/raise-the-roof “Hosting the world premiere of a story as inspiring as Charlie’s is an incredible honor, and we are putting together a fantastic celebration,” said Tom Figarelle, Executive Director for the C.M. Russell Museum. “Plan to be in Great Falls Sept. 8 and 9 as the world meets the Art and Soul of the American West.” Montana PBS brought a talented team together to create the documentary. Academy Award winner J. K. Simmons narrates, Bill Pullman voices Charlie Russell’s illustrated letters and assorted writings and Kathy Baker voices lines from Nancy Russell’s memoirs. The film was created by Producer/ Director Gus Chambers and Producer/Writer Paul Zalis. William Marcus and Aaron Pruitt of

Montana PBS are Executive Producers. C.M. Russell and the American West showcases the life and art of Charles Marion Russell (18641926). Viewers will follow his arrival in Montana as a y outh, his apprenticeship and work as a cowboy on the open range and his self-taught, almost explosive growth into an iconic American artist who affected generations. Charlie’s body of work was panoramic, modern and notable for its sensitivity for the land, wildlife and its Native people. The World Premiere and Chuck Wagon Barbecue pre-party are presented by Benefis Health System with generous support from Great Falls Tourism, Pepsi, KRTV, KFBB, Pa�� Steel & Recycling, Russell Country Federal Credit Union, Montana Senior News and Signature Montana. Community promotional partners helping to bring this captivating ��y to Great Falls include Great Falls Area Chamber of Commerce, C.M. Russell Museum, Montana PBS, Providence University (formerly University of Great Falls), Great Falls College-MSU, Great Falls Public Schools, Great Falls International Airport, City of Great Falls, Central Montana Tourism and �� Health System. MSN

MONTANA SENIOR NEWS

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017

Start a New Tradition with the Service Men and Women in Your Life

Celebrating our country ’s 240th birthday this summer calls to mind the ��y made to create our nation and keep it independent. It is important to share our interest in the stories, memories, and meaningful experiences of the service members in our circle of family and friends. There is a national initiative to help people get conversations started called Have the Talk of a Lifetime. Have the Talk of a Lifetime (talkofalifetime.org) offers free guides and even a forum where other families have shared their experiences in having the talk. Recognizing our country’s service men and women and the sa��” ces they have made for all of us is ex tremely important. We as citizens must not let pass the collective opportunities to pay respect and honor to those who served or are currently serving. So, how do y ou begin to Have the Talk of a Lifetime? Simply ask questions. Ask for stories. Things like: • What is y our proudest achievement as a member of our armed forces? • What is the most important thing about your service to our country? • What was the one piece of advice you received from basic training that you never forgot? • Tell me about the most memorable part of your time in service. • Tell me about some of the people with whom you serve (or served). What did you learn from them? For more information or resources to get y ou started with the Talk of a Lifetime, visit talkofalifetime.org. MSN

Trailing of the Sheep Festival It is wild, woolly and wonderfully authentic. It is the annual Trailing of the Sheep Festival, Oct. 4–8, celebrating its 21st y ear in the picturesque Wood River Valley of Idaho. Each fall, the popular Festival celebrates the 150+ y ear tradition of moving sheep (“trailing”) from high mountain summer pastures down through the valley to traditional winter grazing and lambing areas in the south. This annual migration is Idaho living history and a familyfriendly festival that highlights the people, arts, cultures and traditions of sheep ranching in Idaho and the West. The five-day Festival includes nonstop activities in multiple venues—history , folk and traditional arts, a Sheep Folklife Fair with music and dance, a Wool Festival with classes and workshops, story telling, two-and-a-half days of Championship Sheepdog Trials, multiple culinary events and the always entertaining Big Sheep Parade with 1,500 sheep �� it down Main Street in Ketchum. This year, the Festival is bringing in Stanzin Dorjai Gya as the presenter for the Friday night Sheep Tales Gathering, to screen his documentary ��“Shepherdess of the Glaciers,” which won the Grand Prize for the 2016 Banff Film Festival. The film features a shepherdess (Stanzin’s sister) and endangered Pashmina goats in the Himalayas. The Trailing of the Sheep Festival has garnered its share of top accolades: recognized as one of the Top Ten Fall Festivals in the World by msn.com travel, Top Ten US Fall Festivals by smartertravel.com, One of the Greatest Cultural Events in the West by Northwest Travel and Best Festival by readers of Sun Valley Guide. It was also recipient of the Idaho Governor’s Award for Cultural Heritage. For all of the details, visit www.trailingofthesheep.org. MSN

PAGE 63

In Every Corner of Montana is Something Fun to See and Do Summer has warmed up, and now is the time to �ll up your calendar with entertaining, fun, and educational events that the coming months promise. There are ��y too many fairs, rodeos, festivals, art shows, car shows, ��concerts, star-gazings, parades, music events, wine tastings, and sporting events for us to list them all here. Nevertheless, we have provided a sampling of fun things that may pique your interests, and with a little searching on the web, �� ps. To start, we would suggest readers contact

August

visitmt.com; visitbillings.com; discoverkalispell.com; glaciermt.com; visitbigskymt.com; centralmontana. com; virginiacity.com; southeastmontana.com; southwestmt.com; and visityellowstonecountry.com. These are just a few of the regional and community resources that you can consult in order to make this a most memorable summer 2017! Many of the events listed run on multiple days, but we have listed just the �� day of the event. Please call the listed phone number or visit the website for more details. Most of all enjoy your summer!

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Livingston Glasgow Billings Helena Sidney Billings Dodson Hot Springs Wolf Point Charlo Hot Springs Lewistown Culbertson Ekalaka Jordan Polson Great Falls Big Sky Billings Butte Fort Peck Hamilton Hot Springs Libby Trout Creek Hot Springs Polson Fort Shaw Crow Agency Kalispell Circle Lewistown Cardson, Alberta Hot Springs Lewistown Hot Springs Philipsburg Bozeman Calgary, Alberta Miles City Great Falls Hot Springs Livingston Hot Springs Lewistown Bigfork Paradise

International Fly Fishing Fair 406-222-9369 �� NE Montana Fair, Concert, Rodeo and Derby 406-228-222 glasgowchamber.net Magic City Blues Festival 406-534-0400 magiccityblues.com Cry Baby 406-447-1574 grandstreettheatre.com Richland County Fair & Rodeo 406-433-1916 sidneymt.com Art Walk & Jam at the YAM 406-256-6804 artmuseum.org Phillips County Fair 406-654-1776 maltachamber.com Ocelet Wizard: Acoustic Rock 406-741-2361 symeshotsprings.com Wadopana PowWow 406-653-2012 wolfpointchamber.com Edgar S. Paxson Day 406-664-3435 ninepipesmuseum.org John Kelley: Blues 406-741-2361 symeshotsprings.com Charlie Russell Chew Choo Dinner Train 406-535-5436 enjoylewistown.com Roosevelt County Fair 406-787-5271 culbertsonmt.com Days of ‘85 Parade and Rodeo 406-775-6886 cartercountrymuseum.org �� 406-557-6178 �� Death by Golf 406-883-9212 portpolsonplayers.com Music on the Mo at Oddfellow’s Park 406-453-6151 exploredowntowngf.com Big Sky Classical Music Festival 406-995-2742 bigskyarts.org Montana Fair 800-366-8538 montanafair.com An Ri Ra Montana Irish Festival 406-498-3983 mtgaelic.org Cam Am Sailing Regatta 406-228-2222 glasgowchamber.net/ fortpeck.html Hamilton Players: Enchanted April 406-375-9050 hamiltonplayers.com Jerry & David: Acoustic Rock 406-741-2361 symeshotsprings.com Riverfront Blues Festival 406-293-1661 riverfrontbluesfestival.com Huckleberry Festival 406-827-3227 huckleberryfestival.com �� 406-741-2361 symeshotsprings.com Aber Day Reunion Concert 406-544-2478 grizalum.com 150th Celebration of the Historical Fort Shaw 406-965-3025 srvhs.info Crow Fair & Rodeo 406-638-3808 Northwest Montana Fair & Rodeo 406-758-5810 nwmtfair.com McCone County Fair & PRCA Rodeo 406-485-4782 circle-montana.com montanacowboypoetry Montana Cowboy Poetry Gathering 406-538-4575 gathering.com Minature Horse World Chuckwagon 403-653-5139 remingtoncarriagemuseum. com Shiloh Rising: Acoustic Folk 406-741-2361 symeshotsprings.com Charlie Russell Chew Choo Dinner Train 406-535-5436 enjoylewistown.com Hot Flash Blues 406-741-2361 symeshotsprings.com Montana Summer Concert philipsburgrotary.org Cruisin’ on Main Annual Car Show 406-994-2343 downtownbozeman.org Society of Paleontology Conference 301-634-7024 vertpaleo.org Eastern Montana Fair 406-234-2890 milescitychamber.com “Music on the Mo Oddfellow’s Park” 406-453-6151 exploredowntowngf.com Wayo & Keiku: Originals 406-741-2361 symeshotsprings.com Blue Slipper Theatre: Baskerville 406-222-7720 blueslipper.com Black Mountain Band: Bluegrass 406-741-2361 symeshotsprings.com Charlie Russell Chew Choo Dinner Train 406-535-5436 enjoylewistown.com Crown of the Continent Guitar Festival 855-855-5900 crownguitarfest.org Rocklyn Road 406-826-3150 quinnshotsprings.com

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Hot Springs Billings Charlo Malta Saco Hot Springs Culbertson Ekalaka Helena Billings Butte Butte Lewistown Lewistown Great Falls Kalispell Culbertson Paradise Paradise Minot, N.D. �� Kalispell Lewistown Anaconda

Good Old Fashion: Bluegrass 406-741-2361 symeshotsprings.com Big Sky Polkafest 406-855-9806 First Saturday w/ Cordell Hardy 406-664-3435 ninepipesmuseum.org Milk River Wagon Train & PCMS Drag Races 406-654-1776 maltachamber.com Saco Fun Days sacomontana.net Labor Day BBQ 406-741-2361 symeshotsprings.com Wagon Train 406-787-5271 culbertsonmt.com Carter Country Geological Society Meeting 406-775-6886 cartercountrymuseum.org Fun Home 406-447-1574 grandstreettheatre.com Million Dollar Quartet 406-248-1141 billingstudiotheatre.com Pow Wow 406-482-0461 naia-butte.org Aids Fun Run-Walk 406-482-0461 naia-butte.org Charlie Russell Chew Choo Dinner Train 406-535-5436 enjoylewistown.com Charlie Russell Chew Choo Dinner Train 406-535-5436 enjoylewistown.com Motoberfest 406-453-6151 exploredowntowngf.com Flathead Quilters Guild Annual Quilt Show �� logspot.com NE Montana Threshing Bee 406-787-5271 culbertsonmt.com Rocklyn Road 406-826-3150 quinnshotsprings.com High Country Cowboys 406-826-3150 quinnshotsprings.com Norsk Hostfest 701-852-2368 hostfest.com Oktoberfest 406-862-3501 �� Annual Libby Stand Down 406-756-7304 veteransfoodpantry.org Charlie Russell Chew Choo Dinner Train 406-535-5436 enjoylewistown.com Oktoberfest 406-563-2422 coppervillageartcenter.com

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Kalispell Hailey, Idaho Charlo Lewistown Paradise Helena Butte Livingston

Annual Libby Stand Down Trailing of the Sheep Festival �� Charlie Russell Chew Choo Dinner Train High Country Cowboys Ken Ludwig’s Baskerville Gershwin & Bizet Blue Slipper Theatre: The Woolgather

406-756-7304 208-720-0585 406-664-3435 406-535-5436 406-826-3150 406-447-1574 406-723-3602 406-222-7720

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Elf Jr. The Musical Santaland Diaries A Holiday Concert

406-447-1574 406-447-1574 406-723-3602

grandstreettheatre.com grandstreettheatre.com buttesymphony.org

September

October

December

1 Helena 8 Helena 16 Butte

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AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017

The Great Burn - continued from page 53 The GBSG is one of the few ��ythat ��joint work crews with the USFS. “Our joint trail crews are in the backcountry ��y days straight,” he say s, “but we also have a roving ranger who checks on campsite conditions. In addition, in 2017 there will be ten weed eradication crews working the Great Burn.” Asked to name some of his favorite hikes in the Great Burn, Dale has ��y naming just a few. “Heart Lake in the northern part is simply beautiful, and the hike in is pretty easy. From the Trail Creek trailhead, you can access that lake as well as Pearl Lake, and just over the Divide is Dalton Lake,” he says. “You can also take the State Line Trail from Hoodoo Pass and drop into Heart Lake that way and experience Goose Lake as well. These are high-elevation trails and lakes, with few trees and gorgeous scenery.” For forested hiking or horse riding, the Schley Mountain trailhead gets y ou into Kelly Creek country , a blue-ribbon trout stream that is

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nationally known among �� Kelly Creek stretches a long way into Idaho, but the upper Montana end is an easy hike to Kid Lake and Cedar Log Lake, both of which are small, mountain gems. “I’ll turn 70 this year,” Dale reveals, “and I’m not a young warrior any more. But we can’t give up on the Great Burn: it’s just too spectacular a place to leave unprotected.” Over 30 trips are available for volunteers to help keep the Great Burn in pristine condition this summer, so be sure to check out their website for a chance to volunteer: it’s a great way to learn about new country without going it alone! Visit www.greatburnstudygroup.org for more information. MSN

Music With Humor - continued from page 20 Other than being a parade attraction, Penelope has also starred in a short Christian children’s movie Frank wrote and produced with his brother, Darryl. And it has inspired him to write original piano scores with the calliope sound in mind, which Frank describes as happy-sad and reminiscent of old-time America. “It has to be an outdoor instrument because it’s so loud,” says Frank, who wears ear protection whenever he plays Penelope. “There’s nothing electronic about it. Everything is pneumatic. The action isn’t as quick as a piano’s, it has a slower keyboard, but it’s still conducive to playing waltzes, fox trots, and marches.” As a tribute to his dad and to Penelope, Frank penned a four-stanza poem in their honor and called it “The Callyope Is Here.” This is the last verse: A machine that spreads its love around with music so sublime it grabs the heart and touches soul with sounds of summer time. Down the street around the bend a joyful noise so dear. ‘There it is!’ I hear them shout, ‘The Callyope is here!’” For more information, visit LoveAPiano.com or contact Frank at 406-207-6808 or via frank@frankkuntz.com. MSN

BUTTE SYMPHONY PRESENTS 2017–2018 CONCERT SEASON Saturday October 21, 2017 | 7:30pm

Bozza & Itturalde, Gershwin & Bizet

august 25–september 10 WRITTEN BY: KEN LUDWIG DIRECTED BY: PEGGY WEISGERBER

Saturday December 16, 2017 | 7:30pm

A Holiday Concert

Saturday March 10, 2018 | 7:30pm

Beethoven & Grieg

Saturday, April 21, 2018 | 7:30pm

An Evening with Bach, Beethoven, & Mussorgsky

113 E. Callendar St., Livingston

406-222-7720 or www.blueslipper.com

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

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017

MONTANA SENIOR NEWS

PAGE 65

How Dad Kept Us Healthy - continued from page 10 and lessons in how to gargle without choking to death. I don’t deny the effectiveness of that remedy. In fact, I confess that I used it on my own brood in later y ears. Next, for a cough, Dad’s standby was a mixture of honey and lemon juice. That one I always liked, it both soothed and tasted good. The specter hovering over us, though, was if the cold were to “go to my chest,” producing a deeper, scary cough. This was before Pertussis shots, and the threat of Whooping Cough was frightening for all parents. That’s when the big guns would appear—that dreaded “Poultice.” Dad would place a small amount of shortening (he called it lard) in a dish. Next, he’d go to his garage and return with a tin can from which he poured a couple of tablespoons of turpentine into the lard, mixing until he got a fair blend. Mother, meantime, would produce a square of ��big enough to cover my chest, which she pinned inside my clothing. She then rubbed the “turpentine and lard” mix thoroughly into my entire chest, where it quickly went from warm to downright hot. Next, she covered it with the ��y which she pinned to my shirt, and there it would stay for three days. I didn’t even get to take a bath. In addition, since I wasn’t actually dy ing, I also didn’t get to stay home from school. I just went, eyes smarting from the fumes, smelling like a diesel truck and feeling very � mmable. So embarrassing. It must have worked though; I never caught pneumonia or whooping cough. Kids get lots of cuts, and unless ours were more than an inch long or very deep, it was home treatment as usual. For open wounds, peroxide was the go-to remedy. It was poured into any break in our skin as soon as the bleeding stopped. We were always impressed by the foamy bubbles it made. Dad said those bubbles were killing the germs. If the cut gaped too much, he drew the edges together tightly with strips of adhesive tape and painted the whole thing with bright red mercurochrome. If it seemed especially bad, he used iodine, which burned like heck. Those various cuts all eventually healed, and scars were minimal. Dad wasn’t cavalier about his treatments. He was very serious about his home doctoring and would check frequently, watching for any sign of infection. If he thought a lesion looked iffy, out came the peroxide for another splash. However, if redness indicated an infection was starting, he had his ultimate weapon. He would get a slice of raw bacon, fold it to �� the spot and then bandage it tightly to the site. His explanation for this one was that the salt in the bacon would “draw out” the infection. Oddly enough, it always seemed to work, though I was ��from wearing that greasy bandage to school, which instead of a diesel truck, left me smelling like breakfast. One less serious but common issue for kids is a wart. Appearing for no apparent reason, they

will usually ride on a kid for a few months and then my steriously disappear. Some, however, are more persistent and can be downright painful if bumped. Oh yes, Dad had a solution for those too. I had several warts though my early years, and I always thought he was teasing me when he’d say I should tie a horsehair around it to make it go away. I ��lly got one wart on my arm that was quite persistent and got bumped regularly . I made the mistake of complaining about it. I should have known better. The next day, he came home from work with an envelope in his hand and told me to sit down at the table. He then pulled from the envelope a very long, brown hair, longer and darker than any hair grown in our household. He said his friend, Mike, had a horse and had brought him hair from the horse’s mane. I watched as he formed a slipknot in the middle of it and then told me to put my arm on the table. He laid the loop over the wart, told me to hold a ��y over the wart, so the loop couldn’t slip off, and then slowly synched up the loop until it began to hurt. He then tied a knot and told me to leave it there for a few days. For the next two or three weeks, he would periodically tie a new, tighter knot around that wart. So help me, that wart �nally fell off. He ��y up his job with a slosh of peroxide and said, “Didn’t I tell you it would work?” You might be wondering by now how Dad treated his own periodic ailments. You won’t be disappointed. He was basically a very healthy man, but when trouble came calling, he was always ready. He sometimes suffered stuffiness in his sinuses, but never for long. His solution was to get a pillow, place it on the �@ or next to a baseboard, and stand on his head with his feet against the wall, remaining there for �ve minutes with much snif� g and snorting. That would be followed by a volley of sneezes, after which he faced the world with a clear head. He began every morning with a glass of warm water, to which he added three or four tablespoons of vinegar. “Good for everything,” he would say. If his neck and shoulders bothered him, he would sit at the table, leaning on his elbows. He’d place his chin on one hand

and push his head to that side, slowly twisting it until there was an audible “crack” from the back of his neck. Then he’d repeat on the other side. With a little shoulder shrugging afterward, he’d swear the pain was gone. Of course, he used all the same medicinal remedies on himself that he did on us. Looking back from my perspective now, I believe his best self-remedy was that he walked. He walked daily, rain or shine, at least two or three miles. He also performed good, hard, physical work for at least a part of every day, well into his seventies. When I asked about his theories, he’d usually just chuckle, and then add his ultimate solution, “If nothing else works, a good shot of Kentucky Bourbon will always do the trick.” MSN

PAGE 66 Submitted by Julie Hollar I remember the bologna of my childhood And the bread that we cut with a knife, When the children helped with the housework And the men went to work – not the wife. The cheese never needed a fridge And the bread was so crusty and hot

MONTANA SENIOR NEWS

A Poem To Which I Can Relate The children were seldom unhappy, And the wife was content with her lot. I remember the milk from the bottle With the yummy cream on the top. Our dinner came hot from the oven And not from a freezer or shop. The kids were a lot more contented; They didn’t need money for kicks – Just a game with their friends on the road

And sometimes the Sa�� I remember the shop on the corner Where cookies for pennies were sold. Do you think I’m a bit too nostalgic? Or is it I’m just getting old? Bathing was done in a washtub With plenty of rich foamy suds. But the ironing seemed never ending As Mama pressed everyone’s duds.

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017

I remember the slap on my backside And the taste of soap if I swore. Anorexia and diets weren’t heard of, And we hadn’t much choice what we wore. Do you think that bruised our ego, Or our initiative was destroyed? We ate what was put on the table And I think life was better enjoyed. MSN

MONTANA SENIOR NEWS

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017

PAGE 67

Home & Garden

HOW TO SPRUCE UP YOUR GARDEN WITH BIRD SAFETY IN MIND (StatePoint) The average residential UV Liquid, a gel that can be applied between property can be hazardous to local wildlife decals for greater protection. Because the UV re�’ ctivity may fade over without proper precautions taken. An estimated 98 million birds die annually time based on exposure, replace the decals in the U.S. when colliding with windows, every four months, and reapply the liquid every according to Western Ecosystems Technology, three months. If you want migratory birds to stay awhile, making your home a potential death trap during migratory season. You can take steps to protect y ou may want to consider to avoid using the birds whose ��y paths traverse your yard pesticides that kill insects, which are a natural and offer them a safe place to rest and feed, food source for birds. A strategically placed bird feeder can provide nourishment and energy adding natural beauty for your garden. Start by making glass visible to birds by to hungry birds. Ideally , bird feeders should apply ing safety decals to window exteriors be placed in bushes and trees, well away from every few feet. Remember sliding glass doors where prey may be lurking. If you own cats, you should also be mindful as well. Maintain the look of your home, and your of their danger to birds, and monitor y our view by using decals that are unobtrusive feline’s time spent outdoors, ensuring they to the human ey e, but contain a component don’t hunt our feathered friends. More tips for turning your yard into a safe that r� ects ultraviolet sunlight. Those from WindowAlert have proven in studies to be haven for birds can be found at windowalert. effective visual barriers that only birds can see, com. MSN particularly when combined with WindowAlert

Top Down Tips for Enhancing Your Home’s Curb Appeal By StatePoint Media The power of curb appeal should not be underestimated. A whopping 99 percent of National Association of Realtors members believe it’s important in attracting a buyer. August is National Curb Appeal Month and the perfect time for homeowners to make upgrades. Whether repairs enhance form, function or both, homeowners should select projects that will improve quality of life now and add value when it comes time to sell. To take a top-down approach, start with the roof. You can get 68.8 percent of y our cost recouped from this investment when reselling a mid-ranged priced home, according to the “2017 Cost Versus Value Study ” from

Remodeling Magazine. Plus, it’s a big impact project with long-lasting value, especially if y ou choose low maintenance, high-quality materials. For example, the composite slate and shake roof offerings at DaVinci Roofscapes are durable and impact- and ��K resistant. To view colors or customize your own blend, visit www. davinciroofscapes.com/color/designer. Don’t neglect garage doors. Styles, surface treatments, colors and other options can vary considerably , so be sure y ou’re boosting curb appeal when making this upgrade. For example, the American Tradition Series at Haas Door can give your home a carriage house look. Use HaasCreate, the online visualizer tool available at Haascreate.com to upload a photo of y our

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MONTANA SENIOR NEWS

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home and compare options visually . It also offers a 76.9 percent return on investment, according to the “Cost Versus Value” study. To make life more comfortable indoors, consider installing acry lic block or decorative glass privacy windows in living spaces, bathrooms and hallways. For simple installation, consider Hy -Lite, which offers pre-framed, ready -to-install options, as well as the opportunity to ��y some products to meet ��tions. Boost beauty by adding shutters, along with decorative trim to doors and windows. Be sure products are moisture-, insect- and rot-resistant, so they don’t prove to be more trouble than they ’re worth. Low maintenance polyurethane options, such as the thousands of pieces available from Nu-Wood, replicate the look and feel of wood and are easy to install.

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017 Don’t forget any columns you may have on your porch or front of your home. For long-term beauty and performance, use sturdy products that are structurally certified. For example, the sturdy posts from Woodtone RealPost are manufactured from premium selected Western SPF (spruce, pines and �� and are warranted against warping, twisting and joint separation. Accent walls are not just for interiors. Manufactured stone veneer siding can be an attractive way to boost curb appeal and add value to a home. Indeed, you can recoup an estimated 89.4 percent of the cost of this investment when reselling your home. Surround a chimney wall exterior, half wall or wainscot application. For an easy-to-install option, look at the mortarless styles and colors available by ClipStone. MSN

managed by Sparrow Management

Potpourri

STUFF YOU SHOULD KNOW TO KEEP YOUR MONEY SAFE FROM SCAMS, SCHEMES AND SCOUNDRELS By Teresa Ambord Impersonating the watchdogs The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is one of the watchdogs that keep after the wolves seeking to scam the rest of us. But now the scammers are trying to use the good reputation of the FTC to try to steal your personal ��ncial information. Here’s what they do: Scammers are sending out emails claiming to be from…you got it, the FTC. �� lly, Maureen Ohlhausen, the FTC Acting Chairman. The fake email will tell you the FTC is trying to distribute the money from the recent huge government settlement with Western Union. And, they say, they’re trying to ensure you get your share, if you’ll just be so kind as to provide them access to your bank account and other ��ncial information. The FTC reminds us that scammers are skilled liars—don’t fall for it. In fact, imposter scams are growing in frequency . In 2016, more consumers reported some ty pe of imposter scam than any other fraud. If you get an email like this, don’t respond or click on any links. You can forward it to the FTC at spam@uce.gov. If y ou happen to be someone who expects a refund in the Western Union settlement, y ou should know the refunds will come from the U.S. Department of Justice, not the FTC. And the process (406) 721-3333 hasn’t started yet. www.mountainline.com You can keep an ey e on the latest scams uncovered by the FTC by signing up for free scam

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AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017

alerts, at FTC.gov. Theft at the gas pump Theft at the gas pump is not necessarily rising gas taxes, and the gas pump itself does not steal from you. It’s a scam tool called a “skimmer.” You may have been alerted to the possibility of a skimmer at ATMs, but gas stations may be an even greater risk, particularly those that aren’t open 24 hours a day. Why? Because this scam involves a thief attaching a fake card reader to the slot where you insert your debit or credit card to pay for your gas. Obviously, that’s easier when the card slot is not being watched. Here’s how a skimmer works. A device that looks like the usual card slot is attached right over the actual card slot. Unsuspecting customers dip their cards as usual, but the fake skimmer reads your account information and grabs the password or PIN that you enter. Criminals then sell your data or use it to make purchases online. Generally, y ou’ll be none the wiser until a statement or overdraft notice arrives. Here are tips from the Federal Trade Commission to avoid being a victim of skimmer fraud. • Take a moment to notice the panel of the gas pump where you insert your card. Many stations now add protection by putting a security seal on the panel that breaks if someone tampers with it. If it has been tampered with, the seal will read “void.” • Look at the card reader. Does it look like the other readers at the station? If it doesn’t—for example, if it sticks out farther or is a different color—it might have a skimmer attached. You might be able to wiggle it and see if it moves. If so, report it to the station attendant, but, either way, if it looks odd, move to a different pump. • Use a credit card instead of a debit card, as a credit card is generally less risky for you. Or if you use your debit card, run it as a credit card, so you don’t have to enter a PIN. If you must enter a PIN, cover the key pad with y our hand. Why ? Because some scammers operate by installing a tiny pinhole camera that actually records what you enter. • Keep an eye on all of your accounts, looking for unauthorized charges. • If you’re really concerned, just pay with cash inside, or use the pump closest to the view of the station attendant. Obviously, thieves depend on being unseen. If your card has been compromised, report it to the bank or card issuer. By federal law, your liability is limited if your card is lost or stolen. But the amount of your liability may depend on how quickly you report the loss or theft. It’s vacation season, time for a reminder about vacation scams The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) wants you to have a scam-free vacation. Before you pay

MONTANA SENIOR NEWS

Rocky Mountain Rug Gallery

PAGE 69

PAGE 70 MONTANA SENIOR NEWS AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017 in advance or make a reservation, check these points: •Don’t rely on one set of reviews if you’re going somewhere new. Check • Make sure the cancellation and/or refund policies are clear and that out a few sites, and keep in mind that some people will only post a review you have a copy in writing. to complain. Sometimes you’ll need to take the reviews with a grain of salt. • Pay by credit card if you can, as credit cards offer more protection than I like to use Yelp, but again, I realize some people only go there to gripe. paying by cash, check or debit card. Be alert if you receive a robo-call telling you that you’ve won a free trip. • Ask for the total with fees and taxes when you’re quoted a per-night According to the FTC…you should assume it’s a scam. Hang up, and report price. Depending on where you’re going, the local taxes can be exorbitant. the caller on ftc.gov. MSN

Tatting Relaxes Diane Wilson as She Creates Delicate Decor By Dianna Troyer With cotton thread wrapped around a tiny hand-held shuttle, Diane Wilson makes countless knots, combining them into a series of chains and rings to create lace, ornaments, wall hangings, dresser covers and even curtains. “Tatting is really relaxing,” says the Mackay, Idaho resident of the centuries-old art that is resurging in popularity with tatting clubs forming in cities. “It’s appealing because it helps people practice mindfulness and to simply be in the present moment. When you’re tatting, you forget about every thing else going on in y our life. It’s popular, too, because it’s inexpensive and can be done anywhere.” An alternative to electronic pastimes, tatting offers an immediate and tangible �� tion, she says. “Getting back to the home arts and creating something beautiful in an evening is really satisfy ing,” say s Diane, who can tat a 2-inch diameter Christmas ornament in about three hours. “People tell me they really appreciate getting a handmade gift like this.” Her sister had an unusual request. “She wanted me to make tatted curtains for the windows on her boat.” Diane learned to tat in 1990 when she and her husband, Dave, were living in Lompoc, Calif. “I saw some tatted pieces and thought they looked really cool and knew I wanted to be able to do that. I asked around until I found someone who would give me a few lessons.” After taking three to four lessons, Diane began reading patterns and learned how to combine the chains and rings into round and square motifs.

“At the time, I was a house mother at a residential treatment facility, so when there was a lull during the evenings, I practiced tatting.” Years later, when she and Dave owned and operated a motel in Missouri, Diane tatted snowflakes, starched them, and hung them from the ��L Diane, 68, says tatting for more than two decades has helped keep ��L “You really have to concentrate with tatting because the patterns are �� lways counting.” Along with patterns of rings and chains, gaps can be left between stitches to form a picot, a French word meaning a small loop. Centuriesold French instruction manuals are among the oldest documents describing tatting patterns. Historically, tatting traces its origins to ��nets made of cord tied into knots. Eventually the techniques were ��among European weav��d to tat decorative edgings for clothing. Diane’s tatting impressed judges at the Custer County , Idaho fair, where she won a blue ribbon a few years ago. She has given lessons, so others can understand the joy of tatting. “I’m happy to get someone started, but you have to set aside time with no distractions to really learn.” Tatting supplies are inexpensive, she say s. The thread of vary ing thicknesses and colors can be purchased at fabric or craft stores. “I like the DMC brand of thread. It’s a cotton pearl thread, so it’s made to slide, which you can make so many beautiful things, and it’s just fun,” she says. “I joke that tatting keeps me out of the malls and off the streets. It’s great for people who are looking for a sense of calmness in their lives and who want to quiet their minds for a few hours.” MSN

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Why Sew?

By Frances, Tabor, A-1 Vacuum & Sewing If y ou are an avid quilter, enjoy creating modern thread art or are thrilled with designing y our own clothes, “Why Sew?” is the silliest question ever. Sewing is fun! Too many people haven’t learned how fun and creative modern sewing is, or how much easier it is than it was when we were little. Once, everyone needed to mend clothing, because low-cost clothes didn’t exist. Today , cheap mass-produced clothing is readily available. Mass-produced home decorations abound. What is not readily available are the truly personal touches that say , “This is my home” or “This is my style” or “This is a special gift from me to someone I love.” Today ’s modern sewing machines make it easy to personalize everything in your home. Want to create themed kitchen appliance covers? Pick or create y our own embroidery design. With y our modern sewing machine, embroider that design on every cover and even on your kitchen curtains. Want to make holiday s special? Quilted placemats. Want to personalize a baby blanket? Embroider the name and date, or perhaps a short poem, on it. People who create, who have an artistic outlet, are calmer, happier people. Creativity is a fountain of youth for the brain. When we create, our mind focuses on problem solving. When y ou constantly ask y ourself questions like, “Which color choice will make this design POP?” or “Which fabrics will go with this panel to turn it into a larger quilt?” or “Should I put special ��y in my table runner, so it can double as a long hot pad?” you

are telling y ourself y ou have good ideas and can make the world a better place. You can pat yourself on the back for creating beauty and for becoming an empowered problem solver. Frontier women bonded during quilting bees. Modern Montana women bond together in quilt guilds. Quilt guilds offer opportunities for experienced women to share their life-long love of sewing with their younger sisters. Young women who have never threaded a needle are discovering the beauty and personalization of sewing. Modern fabric features everything from Wonder Woman to infants, from grizzly bears to kittens. Today, quilt themes are personalized. Why sew? Modern sewing is not a chore, needing to get done. It is art, waiting to wake up your soul!

Montana has over 30 quilt guilds. If you want to learn how much fun you can have sewing, or if you have sewing knowledge to share and seek opportunities to make new, lasing bonds, check them out. Just look up “Montana quilt guilds” online. MSN

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AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017

Updates to Transform Your New House into Your Dream Home By StatePoint Media Congratulations, y ou’ve purchased a home! Now what? You’ve saved a million ideas on Pinterest, and y ou’re ready to start making improvements. But how do y ou prioritize to make the most of y our money? Consider these simple upgrades to transform your new house into your dream home. Update Lighting ��G ��Brightens the room, enhances ambience, increases ��L Let there be light! There are several way s to make a room feel

We are senior citizens with memory and hearing losses. She displayed immeasurable patience with us and accommodated us in everyway possible. It was a pleasure to work with someone with such an upbeat and pleasant disposition. We sincerely appreciate her services. She was excellent! -Lee Eide

Call Chris Dunn: 406-698-3531 2050 Broadwater Ave #B, Billings chris@dunndeal.us | dunndeal.us

brighter. Start with something quick, like swapping out bulbs to brighter or more ��choices. For a mid-level task and a dose of style, add new lampshades. Or go big by replacing outdated ��y with on-trend options. Find a Better Faucet Cost: $150 - $500 �� lity. One in five millennials say they want to update their kitchen, according to Moen research, and a simple faucet upgrade can be impactful. Replacing a basic kitchen faucet with a one-handle pulldown, like Moen’s Sleek faucet, creates a clean, modern look while adding functionality that makes cleanup a breeze, thanks to the easy-to-maneuver spray wand. Equipped with Power Clean technology , it provides more spray power while containing splash, which means faster cleanup for tough-to-rinse foods. Install a Kitchen Backsplash Cost: $125 - $250 (varies based on materials and if paying a pro) ��Creates a focal point, protects walls from cooking splatter, prevents water damage. If y our new kitchen has the blahs, a fresh backsplash may be the solution. In addition to protective and easy -to-clean qualities, a backsplash provides customization possibilities, from material and color to cost. Options could be glass mosaics, salvaged brick, or even peeland-stick tile for easy installation. Replace Your Showerhead Cost: $75 - $150 �� lization, adds style, enhances daily routine. New to DIY? Replacing a showerhead is an easy way to get y our feet wet—pun intended! Whether trying to save water with a �� or updating something out of style, swapping showerheads can be done in minutes. For ultimate customization, try a multi-function showerhead like Moen’s Attract combination handshower and rainshower with Magnetix, which provides three showering options for your perfectly personalized shower every time. Plus, the magnetic dock on the handshower makes re-docking a snap. Add a Coat of Paint Cost: $25 - $60 ��n instant makeover. Whether y our space is screaming for a makeover (mustard walls, anyone?), or you’re itching to try new trends, a coat of paint makes a big impact. Try creating an accent wall with a pop of color or fun —it’s a smaller project that’s ea��L

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Maximize Space with Shelves Cost: $10 - $45 �� ximizes space, revamps walls. With practice and the right tools, installing shelving is an inexpensive project to help better use space. Creative way s to add storage include installing ��y shelves for books or adding ��y shelving in a closet. Coordinate Accessories Cost: $20 - $40 �� consistent look, easy to install. Create a cohesive look throughout y our home with coordinating accessories. Choose hardware matching in color and sty le with the existing fixtures, sink and flooring to achieve a sophisticated feel. Easy -to-install accessories, like towel bars and rings with Moen’s innovative Press & Mark technology, ensure fast and accurate installation. Accessories with the technology have a washable ink stamp to show exactly where to drill. MSN

Western Montana’s Only 55+ Community

Before Buying a Home, Learn the Lingo! By StatePoint Media Buying a home for the ��time? You may discover that one of the biggest obstacles is learning the lingo. Homebuy ing can be overwhelming and perhaps a bit intimidating if you aren’t familiar with the terminology. To help aspiring homeowners gain �� in the home-buy ing process, the experts at Freddie Mac are sharing a guide with some top terms you’ll hear. • Pre-approval letter. A letter from y our lender telling you how much home you can afford and the maximum amount you are qua��y to borrow. Having a pre-approval letter while shopping can help you move faster and with greater �� rkets. • Appraisal. After y ou make an offer on a home, y our lender will order an appraisal to get a professional opinion on its value. This is a necessary step in getting ��ncing secured, as it validates the worth to you and your lender. • Closing costs. In addition to a home’s price, a buy er must pay “closing costs.” This is the cost to complete the real estate transaction. This includes points, taxes, title insurance, ��ncing

Maintenance Free Living Custom Single Family Homes • Gated Entry Community Clubhouse Convenient Location • Parks & Walking Trails Energy Star Efficient Homes

406.546.6930 • KootenaiCreekVillage.com

50300 Hwy 93, Ste 8, Polson

Two Fully Handicap Accessible Bungalows for Rent On Flathead Lake

The larger includes: multiple skylights, granite countertops, Jen Aire stove/oven, 2 bed, 2 bath, washer/dyer, & remote control blinds, posturepedic adjustable beds, leather massage reclincers, big screen TV, & wrap around deck. The smaller bungalow is perfect for a caretaker or visiting family members. 2 bed, 1 bath, washer/dryer, lovely lakefront deck & fire pit.

406-883-0505

48901 US 93 Ste B • Polson besmartpm.com

Marty Sage • Real Estate Broker • SENIOR Real Estate Specialist • Home Staging Expert • Interior Design • Baby Boomer

Brokers First Real Estate

Helena, MT 406-461-3585 martsage@aol.com

I’m a senior too,

so I speak your language. Allow me to help you with your real estate needs. TONY CROTEAU, Broker

Office 406.758.4747 or Cell 406.261.6234 www.tonycroteau.com • tcroteau@tonycroteau.com 685 Sunset Blvd. Kalispell

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costs, items that must be prepaid or escrowed and other costs. Closing costs a��L • Escrow. The holding of money or documents by a neutral third party before closing, escrow can also refer to an account held by the lender or servicer into which a homeowner pays taxes and insurance. • Mortgage rate. The interest rate you pay to borrow money for y our house. The lower, the better. Bill Davis • Fixed-rate mortgages. A 406-489-2311 mortgage with an interest rate that doesn’t change during the term of the loan, and is typically 15 or 30 years. • APR. The annual percentage rate, commonly referred to as “APR,” is a broader measure of y our cost for borrowing money and includes the interest rate, points, broker fees and other credit charges you’ll be required to pay . Because these costs are rolled in, the APR is usually higher than your interest rate. • Credit Score. A number ranging from 350 to 800 based on an analysis of your credit �� Your score plays a ��role when securing a mortgage, as it helps lenders determine the likelihood that y ou’ll repay future debts. The higher your score, the more options that may be available to you, including lower interest rates. • Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI). If y ou make a down payment of less than 20 percent on your conventional loan, your lender will require PMI. PMI serves as an added insurance policy protecting the lender if you’re unable to pay your mortgage, and it can be cancelled from your payment once y ou reach 20 percent equity in y our home. Hear a term not included or confused by some of the processes? Check out Freddie Mac’s my home.freddiemac.com for every thing home 6-Acre Horse Property buy ing and be sure to follow the Freddie Mac’s Updated ranch-style 4-bedroom home w/ full basement, Homebuy ing Season Blog Series at freddiemac. 2-car garage/shop, large barn w/ concrete floor. Great com/blog. views of the surrounding farm land & nearby Sweet “Homebuying speak can seem like an entirely Grass Hills. Area has Antelope, Deer, Geese, Ducks, new language, especially for �st-time homebuyHungarian Partridge & Grouse hunting. Boating & fishing in nearby Fresno Reservoir, Tiber Reservoir & ers. Before entering the market, it’s helpful to Marias River that has Walleye, Pike & Trout. A great learn phrases and terminology so y ou can be a multiple-use property in a semi-remote & quiet area w/ savvy shopper,” says Mike Dawson, Vice President easy access on all-weather county roads. Located in N of Single-Family at Freddie Mac. MSN Central MT approximately 20 miles N of Rudyard.

406-570-1541

Your Realtors with Montana Experience! We are your Land Specialists! We KNOW Montana!!!

www.PEDEandAssociates.com

Call Mark Pyrak 406-788-9280 for details. $167,500.

Irrigated Hay Farm

208 acres located 5 miles E of Harlem, MT. There’s 153 acres of flood irrigated hay, a newer & very nice 5-bedroom home, 30’x60’ heated shop, storage shed tack room, and older set of corrals. Includes some of Seller’s farm equipment. Good Pheasant hunting area. Call Shane Ophus, Broker & Listing Agent, for details at 406-788-6662. $571,000.

Fort Benton

Realty, LLC

1426 Front Street, Fort Benton

406-622-3803 | fbrealty1@gmail.com | fbrealty.com

McPartlin Realty

John Jeff McPartlin Broker–Owner

From one senior to another... It would truly be my honor to help you with your Real Estate needs. Office: 406-453-4388 Cell: 406-899-5556

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017

2300 12th Ave S. Ste 120 Great Falls • mcpartlinrealty.com

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017

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AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017

SENIOR APARTMENTS AVAILABLE NOW! SIMPLIFY BILLS • ELIMINATE CHORES • PRIORITIZE LIFE New Apartments, Mission Mountain Views, and Small Town Charm.

All Units Include • Upscale Private Home • Washer/Dryer • 1 Car Garage • 2 Bedrooms / 1.5 Baths • Full Size Premium Kitchen • Private Front & Back Porches • Master Bath (includes tiled walk-in shower)

406-676-PEAK (7325)

• Paid Property Taxes • Basic Phone Service • Basic Cable TV • WiFi • All Utilities • Housekeeping • Lawn Care & Snow Removal

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575 Eisenhower St SE | PO Box 435 | Ronan, MT thepeaksronan.com | sage@thepeaksronan.com