Zest For 50+ Living

Zest For 50+ living

MAY 2017

FREE

A WWI story of sacrifice

Steve Dille publishes book about his great-uncle, Paul Dille, who was Dassel’s first World War I battlefield casualty ▲

Attend a community parade or service in honor of Memorial Day

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Local nursing homes receive grant to improve residents’ quality of life

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Nation celebrates Older Americans Month in May

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS MAY

Nordic Fest Ness Church Preservation Board and Sons of Norway Krakeelva Lodge 1-676 will present Nordic Fest from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 6 at Ness Church. There will be traditional music, arts, crafts and food. Larsen Hardanger Fiddle Program will be from noon to 3 p.m. People can bring a fiddle and play along or get an estimate on restoration, sing, dance, learn Hardanger history, and watch how a fiddle is constructed. Ness Church is at 24040 580th Ave., Litchfield.

Monroe Crossing to perform Monroe Crossing, a bluegrass and gospel quintet, returns to the PAC at 7 p.m. May 6 at Dassel-Cokato Performing Arts Center, 4852 Reardon Ave. SW, Cokato. Monroe Crossing offers a blend of classic bluegrass, bluegrass gospel and original songs. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for youth (ages 18 and

younger). Buy tickets online at http://pac.dc.k12.mn.us; in person at D-C Community Education Office at the high school, door B; or by phone, 320-286-4120.

Ladies of the G.A.R. party Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic will host a 125th birthday party, following their state convention, from 1 to 3 p.m. May 7 at the Litchfield G.A.R. Hall. Refreshments will be served.

Veterans Breakfast Ecumen of Litchfield offers a free Veterans Breakfast to honor veterans for their service from 7 to 9 a.m. May 15, July 17, Sept. 18 and Nov. 20 in the Gloria Dei Dining Room, 218 Holcombe Ave. N., Litchfield.

World War I exhibit McLeod County Historical Society and Museum, 380 School Road N.W., Hutchinson, is focusing on World War I this year, in observance of the 100th

anniversary of the Great War. In addition to themed programs, the museum’s permanent displays include the Les Kouba Art Gallery, Emanuel Albrecht Gallery and the Historical Gallery. The museum also offers Ancestry’s Library Edition for family history research. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays; 1 to 4 p.m. Saturdays.

JUNE Paws on Parade fundraiser Walk with “Pawpose” at the annual Heart of Minnesota Animal Shelter “Paws on Parade” pet walk fundraiser June 10 at the McLeod County Fairgrounds, Commercial Building, Hutchinson. Registration begins at 9 a.m., followed by the walk at 10 a.m.

Participants can come with or without pet. There will be raffles, silent auction, activities and food.

To submit an event for this free listing, call Juliana Thill at 320-593-4808 or email information to thill@independentreview.net.

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CONTENTS

Zest For 50+ living

MAY 2017 Vol. 9 No. 3

PUBLISHED BY

Litchfield Independent Review P.O. Box 307, Litchfield, MN 55355 320-693-3266 Hutchinson Leader 170 Shady Ridge Road NW, Suite 100 Hutchinson, MN 55350 320-587-5000

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In the news: On Memorial Day, local communities will 6 remember those who died while serving in U.S. armed forces

PUBLISHER

In the news: Nation

Brent Schacherer • 320-234-4143 schacherer@hutchinsonleader.com

celebrates older Americans in May

NEWS

Juliana Thill, editor thill@independentreview.net 320-593-4808 Litchfield office 320-234-4172 Hutchinson office

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ADVERTISING

Kevin True, advertising director true@hutchinsonleader.com 320-234-4141 Sales representatives Paul Becker • 320-234-4147 becker@hutchinsonleader.com Colleen Piechowski • 320-234-4146 piechowski@hutchinsonleader.com Joy Schmitz • 320-234-4140 schmitz@hutchinsonleader.com Greg McManus • 320-593-4804 mcmanus@independentreview.net Sarah Esser • 320-593-4803 esser@independentreview.net SUBSCRIPTION OR ADDRESS CHANGE

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story: 8 Cover Steve Dille publishes book

about his great-uncle, Paul Dille, who was killed in World War I

Michelle Magnuson • 320-234-4142 magnuson@hutchinsonleader.com PRINTED BY

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Crow River Press 170 Shady Ridge Road NW Hutchinson, MN 55350

12 Money matters: Learn lessons from tiny houses

Zest is published monthly by the Litchfield Independent Review and Hutchinson Leader newspapers. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior consent of the publisher.

In the news: Local nursing homes receive state grant

13 Medicare: Employee insurance, Medicare can work together 14 Recipes: Celebrate May Day and Mother’s Day this month with a Brunch Omelet and Lemon Daisy Cupcakes MAY 2017 | ZEST

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A WARM WELCOME

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ay is one of my favorite months. It starts with May Day, which I loved celebrating as a child — making baskets filled with treats and leaving them at the doorstep of friends and neighbors. I’ve continued the tradition with our children, and now they love the day as much as I do.

Then, we celebrate Mother’s Day, when we remember our mothers and those who have been like a mother to us.

After my dad died when I was young, my mom raised me and my three sisters to be like her — strong, caring, independent women. She is smart, beautiful, kind, and the best bargain hunter I’ve ever known.

At the end of the month is Memorial Day, when we remember the men and women who died while serving our country. While some people spend the day celebrating, it’s meant to be a day to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice to their country, by visiting cemeteries or memorials, attending services and Memorial Day parades.

Steve Dille is our cover story this month. He is passionate about history and genealogy, and when he mixes the two, it usually means he’s writing another book.

Dille, who many remember as a former member of the state House of Representatives and a state senator for many years, has written “First Dassel Casualty in World

War I: The Life and Service of Paul Ferdinand Dille 1893-1918.”

He timed the book to be released this year, and in time for Memorial Day. The book, which Dille coauthored with his uncle Roland Dille and eldest son, Nicholas Dille, focuses on Paul Dille. Paul was Steve Dille’s great-uncle who grew up around Lake Jennie and in the Dassel area. He enlisted in World Juliana Thill War I, and was killed by German Editor artillery. He was the first Dassel resident to die in battle in World War I. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the United States’ entry into the war, and thus, it seemed a fitting time for Steve Dille to release the book. On Page 8, read about Paul’s life, Steve’s research, and the book that is as much a story about Paul as it is about American history and Dassel history. It’s a great read.

Also in the magazine, we have stories about nursing homes that received funding to improve the lives of residents, Memorial Day events and the importance of testing your house for radon.

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ZEST | MAY 2017

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IN THE NEWS

Grants will help nursing homes improve residents’ quality of life

By Juliana Thill EDITOR

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ursing homes throughout Minnesota are launching a variety of initiatives to improve their quality of care for residents thanks to more than $6.7 million in funding through a Minnesota Department of Human Services program.

The nursing home initiatives aim for outcomes ranging from fewer infections and injuries, better sleep and less depression to more meaningful activities for residents and higher employee retention.

Grants for a total of 38 projects in 87 communities will benefit 28 individual nursing homes and 10 nursing home collaboratives with capacity to serve more than 9,500 people.

Participants in this round of PIPP grants include facilities in Cokato, Dassel, Watkins and Willmar. A com-

Nursing homes in several local communities are among the 38 facilities splitting the $6.7 million in grants plete list is available on the DHS website, https://mn.gov/dhs/.

Under the Performance-based Incentive Payment Program, nursing homes sign contracts with DHS to earn higher payments for implementing projects designed to make

improvements in key areas that they identify. The funding is for the next one to two years.

“We want to make sure our seniors and all Minnesotans residing in nursing homes have access to the best quality care possible,” said Loren Colman, an assistant commissioner for the Minnesota Department of Human Services. “This program not only helps improve nursing home quality overall, but it also gives these facilities opportunities to respond to emerging care, quality and workforce issues.”

In this 10th round of PIPP grants, funds will go toward working to improve residents’ overall quality of life, such as broadening and improving dining and meal choices, adding new activities and health and wellness initiatives, and implementing staff retention and recruitment practices to keep high-quality employees around longer.

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IN THE NEWS

Health department encourages people to test house for radon

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hile the number of homes in Minnesota tested for radon has increased more than threefold since 2010, only about 1 percent of properties in the state were tested in the most recent five-year period, a recent analysis by the Minnesota Department of Health revealed.

The same analysis of test data from 2010-2014 found that two in five homes — about 40 percent — have dangerous levels of radon (4pCi/L or above), and the average level of radon in Minnesota homes is about 4.6 pCi/L, more than three times the national average.

“The increase in home testing is a positive trend, but it’s clear from the data that people are being exposed to high levels of radon who don’t know it,” said Dan Tranter, supervisor of the Indoor Air Program for MDH. Radon, an odorless, colorless gas, poses a significant health risk and is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers. More than 21,000 lung cancer deaths each year in the United States are linked to radon. Radon occurs naturally in Minnesota soils. It can enter homes through cracks or openings in walls or foundations.

The only way for a resident to know if their home has high levels of radon is to test.

MDH recommends that homeowners conduct an inexpensive, do-it-yourself test of their home for radon. Testing takes three to seven days. Test kits are available at city and county health departments, many hardware stores, or directly from radon testing laboratories. A list of health agencies and test kit vendors can be found on the MDH website at Local Radon Contacts.

Tests should be done in the lowest level of the home that is frequently occupied.

For more information, visit www.health.state.mn.us/radon or call the MDH Indoor Air Unit at 651-201-4601 or 800-798-9050.

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Color guards and members of the Litchfield American Legion and VFW posts and auxiliaries entered Lake Ripley Cemetery for the start of the 2016 Memorial Day ceremony.

Many communities mark Memorial Day

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emorial Day events, services and parades will take place in a number of local towns the last weekend of May to commemorate Memorial Day, May 29.

A Memorial Day parade and ceremony will take place May 29 at Veterans Park of McLeod County in Hutchinson. For more information, call 320-587-2665.

A Memorial Day parade will take place at 9:15 a.m. May 29 in Litchfield, starting at Central Park, followed by a ceremony at Lake Ripley Cemetery.

Other Memorial Day events, services and parades will take place in a local towns the last weekend of May to commemorate Memorial Day. Check your local newspaper, or with a local VFW, American Legion for information about a service near you.

FILE PHOTOS Memorial Day is a day of remembrance June Beach laid a wreath during for those who have died while serving in Hutchinson’s Memorial Day America’s armed forces. In addition, the “National Moment of Remembrance,” a ceremony in 2016 at Veterans resolution passed in December 2000, asks Memorial Park of McLeod that at 3 p.m. local time, all Americans County. “voluntarily and informally observe in their own way a moment of remembrance and respect, pausing from whatever they are doing for a moment of silence or listening to ‘Taps.’”

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IN THE NEWS

Spring

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Nation celebrates older adults in May

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ore than ever before, older Americans are working longer, trying new things, and engaging in their communities.

What it means to age has changed, and Older Americans Month offers the opportunity to recognize and celebrate what getting older looks like today.

The Administration for Community Living, which leads the nation’s celebration of Older Americans Month in May, designed the Older Americans Month 2017 theme, “Age Out Loud,” to give aging a new voice — one that reflects what today’s older adults have to say.

The theme encourages people to “amplify the many voices of older Americans and raise awareness of vital aging issues across the country,” according to the Administration for Community Living.

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At left, Steve Dille holds a draft cover of his book,“First Dassel Casualty in World War I,” which he wrote about his greatuncle, Paul Dille.

Below, a submitted photo shows Paul Dille in his Doughboy uniform.

Steve Dille publishes book about his great-uncle, Paul Dille, the first Dassel resident to be killed in battle during World War I

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A casualty of war, a story now told 8

ZEST | MAY 2017

or 95 years, a stone message in the ground at Dassel Community Cemetery has paid tribute to Paul Dille.

This year, on the 100th anniversary of the United States’ entrance into World War I, Steve Dille is paying tribute to his greatBy Juliana Thill uncle by publishing EDITOR a book about Paul’s life, his patriotism, and the role he played in the war in which he was killed.

To Steve Dille and his wife, Pam, there’s a unique aspect to Paul’s death in World War I that stands out in the book.

“He was the first battlefield casualty from Dassel,” Pam Dille said.

There was another man who died of illness before Paul, but Paul was the first Dassel

“

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COVER STORY Dear Father and Mother ... when I decided to help uphold my country’s honor and fight for the flag that we all love, I knew I had to sacrifice something. I knew I could not have everything as nice as it would be at home. I am sure that all of you feel that I should not have stayed at home when our country needed all the men she could get.

I know that I would not feel right if I was not in uniform. Let us hope that before another year is gone there need be no one in uniform.

resident to be killed in battle.

“Paul represented millions of young and promising Americans, who sacrificed their bright futures in service to their country and the greater world,” Steve Dille said.

“The book is about Paul Dille and the role he played in World War I. It is something that has been worked on for eight or 10 years. A long time. My uncle, Roland Dille, who is co-author on this, is the one who started to write this story. He was working on a big history of Dassel,” Steve said.

Roland Dille had spent time in the basement of the Dassel Dispatch studying the history of Dassel for 20 years or more, Steve said.

“When he went back and forth to Moorhead State, he went to Dassel and stayed overnight with his mother and went down to the bowels of Main Street Dassel looking for information.

He knew he was closing in on the end of his life, so he did a lot of writing in the last few months, but he wasn’t able to get to an end point before he passed away,” Steve Dille said.

Roland Dille, who owned more than 1,000 books on World War I, was president of Moorhead State University for 26 years. He shared his knowledge and research with Steve before his death two years ago.

“He never got around to finishing this. So, I’m finishing the part about World War I,” Steve said.

Steve has written 90 percent of the book, titled, “First Dassel Casualty in World War I: The Life and Service of Paul Ferdinand Dille 1893-1918.”

“This is more Steve’s compiling and research and writing. He (Roland) had the interest. He did write a couple sections,” Pam said.

— Paul Dille, Dec. 25, 1917, U.S.S. Georgia

In addition to Roland’s contributions, the Dilles’ oldest son, Lt. Col. Nicholas Dille, provided military expertise as his father worked on the book. And Pam helped edit and organize the book.

“This is the story of Paul’s life in the context of one of those extraordinary times when those entering military service put the needs of family and country before self,” Steve says in the forward of the book.

Family history, Dassel history The book, while focused on Paul Dille, also serves as a history book about Dassel because Steve Dille’s ancestors moved to the Dassel area more than 130 years ago, and it’s hard to write about one without mentioning the other.

“There was a young man (Peter Dille) who got sick and tired of being at home in Sweden, and he wanted to get out and see the world. So, he left home with some of his friends and joined a vessel traveling the Mediterranean Sea with supplies. That was my greatgrandfather (Paul’s father). He did that four years, and then he left for America. That was in 1878. He wrote back to his parents and said, ‘it’s good over here, why don’t you come and visit.’ So his parents did show up in 1879. As near as I can tell, they brought all their siblings with them and kids. There were a whole bunch of them who came. They all settled around Lake Jennie (south of Dassel in Collinwood Township),” Steve said.

Paul was born April 3, 1893, to Peter and Christine Dille on his parents’ farm in Collinwood Township. He was baptized and confirmed at Lake

Jennie Swedish Covenant Church. He attended country school.

In 1910, the family sold the farm south of Dassel and bought and moved to a farm one mile north of Dassel.

“They wanted to move north of Dassel because Paul Dille was a good student, and he didn’t want to be like the other boys and go through eighth grade in the country school and graduate and have that be the end of the line for him for education. Most kids were eighth-grade graduates then. He wanted to go on and further his education. It could be they moved so they were closer to town — a mile away from school rather than seven miles away,” Steve said.

Paul graduated from Dassel High School in 1912, in a class of 11 students — 10 girls and Paul. He was the class valedictorian and senior class president.

“He was just an all-around good guy from everything we’ve read,” Pam said.

“His life goal was to get his bachelor’s degree, a degree in law, become an attorney and maybe someday become involved in politics and run for the U.S. Senate. It was a goal in the back of his head,” said Steve, who shares an interest in politics with his great-uncle.

Steve, a veterinarian, farmer and author, served in the Minnesota House from 1987 to 1993 and the Minnesota Senate from 1993 to 2011.

After high school graduation, Paul attended Hamline University in St. Paul for one year.

“That was unusual at that time to go on (to college) — a little farm boy, one mile north of Dassel with parents who didn’t have any more means than anyone else in the area. It was expensive,

MAY 2017 | ZEST

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COVER STORY

so he transferred to Minnesota College in Minneapolis, which was part of the University of Minnesota,” Pam said.

“There was a lot of promise and potential.”

Paul enrolled in the college’s school of commerce, which was similar to a school of business back then, Pam said, “So you took bookkeeping, shorthand, typing.”

Meanwhile, World War I, which began in 1914, was waging.

“The United States was tempted for a number of years to get into World War I,” Steve Dille said.

The U.S. declared war on Germany on April 6, 1917, as Paul was finishing his courses at Minnesota College.

He graduated on May 25, 1917, with a combination degree from the School of Commerce.

“The same day, he went down and registered for the Marine Corps,” Pam said.

“He was a very patriotic kid,” Steve said, “and he felt every family should step forward and do their part to supply men for the war. So, he went down to enlist at a time when the military leaders of our country thought that there would be no problem to get another million men to enlist.

“But they were wrong. After they were trying for six or eight weeks, they had only gotten an extra 80,000.

America declared war on Germany, and then Paul volunteered — enlisted — before the draft got in place. It’s a demonstration of his patriotism and his interest in serving,” Steve said.

“He felt he was the one who should go because he wasn’t married, he wasn’t in school any longer. He was eager to serve,” Pam said.

Through extensive research, the Dilles learned about Paul’s military involvement. Paul reported for duty June 1, 1917, with Company C, U.S. Marine Corps in Norfolk, Virginia. He completed basic training in Portsmouth, Virginia, during the summer.

On July 22, 1917, he joined the Marine detachment on the U.S.S. Vermont.

From Aug. 11, 1917, to May 10, 1918, he was part of the Marine detachment on the cruiser U.S.S. Georgia. He served as a messman and a cook.

In a letter written to his brother Oliver on March 2, 1918, from aboard

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SUBMITTED PHOTO

Dassel High School class of 1912 included first row, from left,Anna Gordon, Lillie Johnson, Paul Dille, Esther Mattson and Ethel Anderson. Back row, Ruth Johnson, Olga Peterson, Miriam Gayner, Minnie Stone, Frances Spath and Garnet Ferguson. the U.S.S. Georgia, Paul said: “You see at least one from our family had to go and as you and Walt could not get away I had it all planned out that it was my place to go. I knew the day that war was declared that I would be in the Outfit in a short time. ... I am sorry if I caused Mama or Dad any grief by joining but at the same time I do not think they would want it said that they were not brave or patriotic enough to stake something on this war.”

“He joined (the Marines), and I don’t think he told his parents,” Steve said, based on letters Paul wrote to home.

“Those letters are very revealing, very touching. In one he writes to his brother, ‘please explain to my parents why I felt I needed to go.’ I don’t think he was able to actually face them. I’m sure they didn’t want him to go,” Pam said.

In that same letter to his brother, Paul also wrote: “Of course every man in the Outfit is certain that he will get back after the war. We know that if this war lasts any time at all there will be thousands who will never see home again. ... I am sure that we are fighting on the side of the Lord, because it is to make the world safe for all people and to do away with

all oppression and bondage. What I believe in is fighting and dying for your neighbor.”

Gen. John Pershing was leader of American forces, and “when he was ready to fight, it was June 1918,” Steve said.

Paul, now part of the 51st Company, 5th Regiment of the U.S. Marine Corps, landed June 8, 1918, in Brest, France. Between June 21 and July 9, 1918, Paul took part in two major battles — Aisne Defensive, ChateauThierry Sector capture of Hill #142, Bouresches, and Belleau Wood.

He became part of the American Expeditionary Force, “whose contribution stemmed the tide and ultimately resulted in victory for the Allies on Nov. 11, 1918,” the book says.

“Tragically, Paul did not live to see this. He was killed in action on July 19, 1918, during the Battle of Soissons, the first Dassel citizen killed in WWI or any other war involving the United States. The Battle of Soissons is considered the turning point of WWI, after which the Germans started their retreat.”

Paul was killed in action by German artillery.

“Some of these military authorities claim that this battle was probably one

of the three worst ones the Marines had to face,” Steve said, the other two being Iwo Jima in World War II and the Korean War’s Battle of the Chosin Reservoir.

“Our son (Nicholas) said Paul’s unit drew the short end of the stick,” Pam said. “They ended up getting dropped off 12 miles short of their destination and had to march all night in the rain.

When they got to the front, they were half-strength. They didn’t have the four deep to supersede the one in front of them. They just had two (deep). The artillery hadn’t shown up for reinforcement. They got there on the 18th, Paul died on the 19th, we think. Nobody knows for sure,” she said.

Paul’s parents, Peter and Christine Dille, didn’t learn of his death until two months later when a Western Union Telegram arrived.

The telegram dated Sept. 16, 1918, states with regret that Paul was killed in action and nobly gave his life in the service of his country Paul was buried July 22, 1918, in the American Cemetery in France at Qulchy-le-Chateau. In 1922, at the request of his parents, Paul’s body was exhumed and sent home to Dassel and buried in the Dassel Community Cemetery, north of Dassel.

“We visit the grave just about every Memorial Day,” Steve said.

Paul was among a large group of young men and women from the Dassel area who served his country during World War I, and among a smaller group of men who never returned home from the war.

A Meeker County roster of the men and women who served in World War I includes 1,009 names.

“What is amazing to me, is there were 1,009 from Meeker County who were willing, able or physically fit to go,” Steve said.

The Dassel Dispatch in 1919 printed the names of World War I soldiers and sailors from the area, including 78 from Kingston, 58 from Collinwood, 55 from the village of Dassel, 50 from Dassel Township, 47 from Darwin, and 16 from Ellsworth.

In addition, the Dilles compiled a list of 14 men, including Paul, who died while serving in the U.S. armed forces during World War I. On Nov. 8, 1919, Dassel applied for an American Legion post charter. It

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COVER STORY

Pam and Steve Dille, who own and operate a 950-acre crop and livestock farm northwest of Dassel with their son Mitchell, review mementos, newspaper clippings and photos about Paul Dille, Steve’s greatuncle who died in World War I. PHOTO BY JULIANA THILL

was the second city in Meeker County to receive a charter, following Litchfield. A permanent charter was issued Oct. 29, 1920, and to honor Paul, the post was named the Paul F. Dille American Legion Post 364.

“That was quite an honor for the family, but an honor you’d rather not have, I guess,” Pam said.

Paul’s story becomes a book “Trying to embed his story into a larger story (about World War I) has been part of the goal of the book,” she said. “This was a way to honor his life because he has no descendants; he never married.”

Steve wanted the book finished and published in 2017, the 100th anniversary of the U.S. entry into World War I. “We think it’s interesting and it’s a part of Dassel’s history. People not interested in their genealogy; it seems they are missing out on getting to know themselves better,” said Steve, 72, who has authored other historical works including a book co-authored by his grandmother, Eleanor Johnson Dille, “The Alfred Johnson and Elizabeth Erickson Family: 105 years in America.” He also co-authored with his mother, Bonnie Anderson Dille, “Self-Made in America: A Biography of

Alfred Anderson.”

Pam and Steve worked with the Dassel Historical Society on the book.

“Our intention is to be accurate,” he said.

The book is to be published in early May and for sale by Memorial Day. It will be available for purchase at Dassel History Center, Grand Army of the Republic Hall in Litchfield, and the Litchfield Independent Review.

Steve said there are a number of reasons why he wanted to write a book about Paul.

“He was clearly a leader in his high school class, he was a good student, well-liked,” Steve said. “One of the goals I have is, this is one of the most significant events of this past century.

World War I and World War II are probably the two most significant events of the last century, and I think people know quite a bit about World War II because there are still World War II veterans living,” Steve said.

“We are 100 years out now from the U.S. entering World War I, and so the time is ripe for educating the public about what happened in our history, and it’s ripe for the citizens to wonder, too, and refresh their memories and learn about the terrible loss of life and property in World War I.” ■

MAY 2017 | ZEST

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MONEY MATTERS

Lessons learned from tiny houses New phenomenon forces tiny-home owners to buy what they need, save money

Simple living and conscious buying aren't exclusive traits of tiny-home owners. Regardless of the size of a home, homeowners might find that incorporating these principles and practices save time and money.

Y

ou may not have seen one in your neighborhood yet, but the tiny house phenomenon has spread across the country. For some, the move is driven by a desire to downsize and live a minimalistic lifestyle. Others see it as a way to decrease their impact on the environment.

Economics are often a large part of the equation. Buying and maintaining a tiny home is relatively inexpensive, and the savings can help many people on their path towards financial freedom.

Tiny-home living (often shortened to tiny living) isn’t for everyone.

However, tiny living requires ingenuity and resourcefulness and we can all learn something from those who choose tiny.

Freedom from debt is priceless.

Living within one’s means is a foundational belief to many within the tiny living community. Between labor and materials, a tiny home could cost about $20,000 to $60,000 to build. By contrast, the U.S. Census Bureau found the median sale price for a new home in December 2016 was $322,500.

The relatively low price gives you a chance to own a tiny home without having a mortgage that’ll take three decades to pay off. The ongoing savings in the form of lower utility, tax and maintenance bills also make it easier to pay off non-housing debts, such as student loans, and live a debt-free life.

That being said, you can live in a larger home and still look for ways to lower your monthly expenses and fight lifestyle inflation (spending more as you make more money). A common tip is to allocate half of your next raise or bonus to your savings or use it to pay down debts. But why not challenge yourself and use your entire raise or bonus to build your net worth?

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Nathaniel Sillin Director of Visa’s financial education program

Make room for things that are important. Moving into a tiny home can require major downsizing, but some view that as a feature rather than a disadvantage. It’s not about getting rid of things that aren’t absolutely necessary, after all sometimes “unnecessary” decorations turn a house into a home. Rather, from furniture to clothing, you have to decide what’s important to you and leave the rest behind.

Watch a tour of a tiny home, and you’ll see that great organization skills and original storage ideas are a must. Tables turn into benches and chairs double as shelves – everything seems to have at least two purposes.

How could a little imagination transform your home? Might a new shelving system and selling items

that aren’t important to you anymore give you more room? Inventiveness and thinking outside the box are keys to making the most of what you have.

High-quality products are worth the investment. Many tiny-home owners are keenly aware of the waste they’re putting back into the world.

Some even choose to live in a tiny home because it’ll reduce their ecological footprint. The savings that come from tiny living and this approach to life often lead to investments in longlasting products rather than cheaper alternatives.

Quality over quantity is certainly a worthwhile mentality to adopt. Put it into practice by looking for companies that offer lifetime warranties on their products. You might be surprised to find that from socks to power tools there are dozens of manufacturers that uphold this promise.

How will you make use of these lessons? Simple living and conscious buying aren’t exclusive traits of tinyhome owners. Regardless of the size of your home, you may find that incorporating these principles and practices saves you time and money.

Two valuable resources that should never be wasted.

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MEDICARE

Employee insurance, Medicare can work together, depending on circumstances Dear Marci, How does Medicare coordinate with insurance from an employer?

— Zayden Dear Zayden, Medicare and current employee insurance will work together in different ways under different circumstances.

Without knowing your specific situation, let’s go over some of the most common instances where the two forms of health insurance coverage coordinate: 1. You are 65 or older. If you are 65 or older, current employee insurance from your or your spouse’s work pays primary to Medicare if the employer has 20 or more employees. Current employee insurance from your or your spouse’s work pays secondary to Medicare if the employer has fewer than 20 employees.

2. You have received Social Security Disability Insurance for 24 months or more. If you have Medicare due to a disability, current employee insurance from your or your family member’s work pays primary to Medicare if the employer has 100 or more employees. Current employee insurance from your or your family member’s work pays secondary to Medicare, if the employer has fewer than 100 employees. If you have Medicare due to disability, the insurance based on current employment can be from your or your spouse’s current work or from your family member’s current work.

3. You are self-employed. If you are self-employed and provide coverage for yourself and at least one other person, Medicare considers you to have current employee insurance. (Medicare calls this a group health plan.) A group health plan for a self-employed individual often pays secondary to Medicare, so you usually need to enroll in Medicare Parts A and B, which will pay primary.

If your employee insurance is supposed to pay primary, there are certain things that the employer and the plan cannot do. Once you are eligible for Medicare, the employer cannot (a) offer different coverage than the coverage offered to employees who are not eligible for Medicare, (b) refuse to cover you, or (c) restrict your coverage.

The employer-based plan cannot (a) charge you more for your premium, deductible, coinsurance charges, and/or copays, (b) limit the benefits you receive, (c) give you misleading information to get you to disenroll, (d) pay providers less for services, (e) require you to wait longer for your coverage to begin, and (f) end your coverage because you become eligible for Medicare.

— Marci “Dear Marci” is a service of the Medicare Rights Center, the largest independent source of Medicare information and assistance in the United States. For more information, call the center’s toll-free helpline at 800-333-4114.

Tom Fischer.

MAY 2017 | ZEST

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FOOD & FUN Brunch Omelet

Toppings mushrooms chorizo, bacon or ham cherry tomatoes spring onions herbs Omelet 8 eggs 8 tablespoons water or milk salt, to taste pepper, to taste 2 tablespoons butter 8 slices Jarlsberg Cheese 8 slices ham

Prepare toppings. Fry mushrooms and chorizo, bacon or ham; cut cherry tomatoes and spring onions. To make omelet, crack eggs in bowl and add water, salt and pepper. Whisk eggs until they turn a pale yellow color, about 25-35 whisks.

Heat frying pan on medium heat and melt butter. When butter is bubbly, add about one quarter of the egg batter. This will make one of four omelets. When WWW.CULINARY.NET batter starts setting, move hardened parts toward the middle, enabling the rest to get direct heat, as well. Use a gentle hand to avoid scrambled eggs. When batter starts to look cooked, add cheese and meat and flip omelet over. The omelet should be slightly golden on fried side and a little runny and soft in the middle.

Finally, put omelet on plate and add garnish before serving. Makes: 4 portions.

Crossword puzzle Across 1. "The Sound of Music" backdrop 5. Kennel cry 9. Book of maps 14.Attack, with "into" 15. Sundae topper, perhaps 16. Glove material 17. Certain surgeon's "patient" 18. Property of being alluring 20. Brought on board 22. Daughter of Saturn 23. Process restricted to discontinuous time sequences 26. "Chicago" lyricist 29.Absorbed, as a cost 30. Grassland 31. Clothing 33. Perfumes 36. Face-to-face exam 37. One who facilitates the sale of land (3 wds) 42. Halo, e.g.

43. Charms used in an African sorcery belief 44. Influenza 47. "... ___ he drove out of sight" 48. Charge 51. Ground cover 52. Tools can be ____________ 56. Forming a basis 57.Void 58.To withdraw money from

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ZEST | MAY 2017

Crossword puzzle answer on Page 15 use 63. Honey 64. Come to mind 65. "... happily ___ after" 66. Building additions 67.Verb with thou 68. Big game 69.Attends

Down 1. Respiration disorder

2. Rodeo rope 3. Capital on the Missouri 4.Aerodynamic 5. ___ constrictor 6. "A jealous mistress": Emerson 7.To vomit 8. "M*A*S*H" setting 9. Rise 10. Sounds of reproof 11. "Fantasy Island" prop

12. "Much ___ About Nothing" 13. Clinton, e.g.:Abbr.

19. "Mi chiamano Mimi," e.g.

21. Dolce (Italian) 24. Flashed signs 25. "The Faerie Queene" division 26. Cork's country 27. Breakfast staple 28. Boxing prize 32. Clothing 33. High-five, e.g.

34. Bar bill 35.Animal in a roundup 37. From ___ to riches 38. Coin featuring Leonardo da Vinci's Vitruvian Man 39. Bone-dry 40.All ___ 41. Up, in a way 45. Krypton, e.g.

46. "___ on Down the Road" 48. Big ending 49.Allow 50. Exit 53. Restrained 54.Antipasto morsel 55. Feelings 56. Big cheese 58. Code word 59.Victorian, for one 60. ___-Atlantic 61. #26 of 26 62. "To ___ is human ..."

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FOOD & FUN Lemon Daisy Cupcakes

1 package (2-layer size) white cake mix 1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons McCormick Pure Lemon Extract, divided 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter, softened 2 tablespoons sour cream 1 package (16 ounces) confectioners’ sugar 10 drops McCormick Yellow Food Color 18 large marshmallows Decorating sugar Jelly beans Green sprinkles Prepare cake mix as directed on package, adding 1 tablespoon of lemon extract. Spoon into 18 paperlined muffin cups, filling each cup 2/3 full. Bake as directed for cupcakes. Cool cupcakes on wire rack. For frosting, beat cream cheese, butter, sour cream and CULINARY.NET/MCCORMICK & CO. remaining 2 teaspoons lemon extract in large bowl until light and fluffy. Gradually beat in confectioners’ sugar until smooth. Stir in food color until evenly tinted. Frost cooled cupcakes. To decorate cupcakes, cut each marshmallow crosswise into 5 slices.

Sprinkle 1 side of each marshmallow slice with decorating sugar. Arrange 5 marshmallow petals on top of each cupcake to resemble daisy, pressing marshmallows into frosting. Place jelly beans in center of petals. Garnish with sprinkles. Servings: 18

Answer to Crossword Puzzle published on Page 14

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