November 2020

Down to brass tacks Park Rapids man refurbishes antique beds, more By Shannon Geisen sgeisen@parkrapidsenterprise.com

do.” Malaski also sandblasts and powder coats iron beds. an Malaski, 69, is never short A Pac-Man arcade machine is of projects. fully operational, thanks to him. His antique furniture refinishing Malaski built his own buffing business, called The Brass Monkey, wheel when he was 14 years old. “I provides plenty of work. replaced the motor twice. It’s been With 55 years of experience, through two fires,” he said. Malaski specializes in brass bed He spends about five to six hours restorations, but he’s also refura day behind the buffing wheel, bished cash registers, slot machines polishing up brass, copper or iron and much more. that has lost its sheen. “It’s a lost art. Nobody’s doing Malaski has been coming to Park it anymore,” he said. “A handful, Rapids in the summer for 37 years. maybe. Maybe.” He and his wife moved here perLast week, he completed two manently this year. beds for a customer. “I delivered Dan Malaski “Everybody’s going to want a a matching pair to Helena, Monbrass bed when I get started out here, believe me, tana,” he explained. because I do thousands of them,” he said. Prior to that, he refinished two antique desks. Dozens of containers fill his shop, where he’s Soon he’ll apply white lettering to a Coca-Cola renting storage space near the Park Rapids Airport. Bottling cooler that he fixed for a customer. An antique scale awaits buffing. “It’s a produce They are brimming with miscellaneous bed components: scrolls, caps, poles, rails, you name it. scale,” he notes. “I have bought out every company that there is He purchased a couple pocket doors to repair for in the United States, almost,” Malaski said. “Here’s a customer’s historic home in Montana. “I restored his whole house,” Malaski remarked. A revolving another bed I just got out of Jersey. They just mailed bookcase, Murphy bed and rare sewing cabinet are it to me.” He scours online for deals, particularly eBay and waiting to be restored. “I do all of my refinishing by hand,” he says, Craigslist. “with a brush. I don’t spray like commercial people

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BRASS MONKEY: Page 6

Inside this issue... 2  Spice up your yard and landscape with fall color 3 Social Security Benefits increase in 2021 4  What happens to Medicare if Obamacare is overturned? 5  Caregivers can get stuck in fight-or-flight mode 7  Hog Heaven 8  How do you know when to call hospice?

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Euonymus shrubs turn vibrant pink-red in autumn.

Chelone, commonly called turtlehead, is a colorful fall blooming perennial.

Photos by David Samson / The Forum

Spice up your yard and landscape with fall color Growing Together BY DON KINZLER Columnist Elephant jokes are timeless, and here’s a classic. How does an elephant get down from a tree? It sits on a leaf and waits until autumn. Ask anyone to picture autumn, and colorful fall foliage probably come to mind. Autumn has a special ambience, and we can thank trees and shrubs for giving us a classic fall feature. Why do leaves change color? When foliage starts its yearly transformation, we might assume cooler temperatures are responsible because they arrive about the same time. But temperature isn’t the first trigger of fall color — shorter days are. Plants sense the decreasing daylengths of autumn, and begin preparing for winter. Green chlorophyll in leaves breaks down, revealing pigments that were previously masked, mostly yellow and gold. Besides the uncovering of yellow tones, which accounts for the golden fall color of some trees and shrubs, other species go a step further and produce red, orange and scarlet colors by their leaf chemistry. When night temperatures drop below about 45 degrees, sugars are trapped within these leaves and chemical reactions convert the sugars into red and purple pigments. The most spectacular fall colors follow a succession of warm, sunny days and cool, crisp, non-freezing nights. Frost isn’t needed and does more harm than good because it makes leaves drop faster, ending the show. For three seasons of color, plan new landscapes to include fall color favorites. Even established plantings usually have room to add shrubs, small-scale trees or perennial flowers that light up the yard in autumn. The following are some well-adapted favorites.

Annual alyssum and dianthus continue blooming Winter-hardy mums, like the Mammoth series, are spectacular fall blooming perennials. even after frost.

Smaller-scale trees

Flame Amur maple (red), Prairie Horizon alder (yellow), Prairie Radiance euonymus(red), Quaking aspen (yellow), Prairie Gold aspen (golden yellow), Canada Red cherry (purple in summer, red mix in fall), Juneberry (gold and scarlet) and Hot Wings Tatarian maple (scarlet).

Annuals for fall flowering

Alyssum, ornamental kale, dianthus, dusty miller, fountain grass, viola and pansy. Don Kinzler, a lifelong gardener, is the horticulturist with North Dakota State University Extension for Cass County. Readers can reach him at donald.kinzler@ndsu.edu or call 701-241-5707.

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Shrubs

Fireworks Amur maple (scarlet red), Carousel barberry (red), Rosy Glow barberry (purple in summer, red mix in fall), winged euonymus burning bush (bright scarlet), cotoneaster (orange red), Alaska viburnum (red), Gary viburnum (red), sumac (scarlet), gooseberry (copper orange), Siberian Pearls dogwood (purple red), Summer Wine ninebark (purple in summer, red mix in fall), Cotton Candy smokebush (scarlet) and Amber Jubilee ninebark (copper mix).

Perennial flowers for fall bloom

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Chrysanthemums (Minn and Mammoth series), tall sedums (Autumn Joy, Neon, Pure Joy and Maestro), ornamental grasses, coneflower, rudbeckia, chelone, asters (Purple Dome and others) and ironweed.

Larger-scale trees

Dakota Pinnacle birch (yellow), Prairie Dream birch (yellow), Northern Tribute River birch (yellow), Northern Acclaim honey locust (yellow), Prairie Torch buckeye (orange-red), LavaBurst buckeye (orange-red), Autumn Splendor buckeye (orangered), Prairie Stature oak (red), Prairie Expedition elm (yellow), Northern Flare sugar maple (orange red), Northern Red oak (red), Prairie Sky poplar (yellow), hackberry (light yellow), larch (golden yellow), Autumn Blaze maple (red) and Firefall maple (scarlet). (Note: Autumn Blaze and Firefall maples are highly susceptible to iron deficiency chlorosis, and are often not the best choice for heavy clay soil.)

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November 2020

Social Security Benefits increase in 2021 Approximately 70 million Americans will see a 1.3 percent increase in their Social Security benefits and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments in 2021. Federal benefit rates increase when the costof-living rises, as measured by the Department of Labor’s Consumer Price Index (CPI-W). The CPI-W rises when inflation increases, leading to a higher cost-of-living. This change means prices for goods and services, on average, are a little more expensive, so the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) helps to offset these costs. We will mail COLA notices throughout the month of December to retirement, survivors and disability beneficiaries, SSI recipients and representative payees. But, if you want to know your new benefit amount sooner, you can securely obtain the Social Security

Social Security Matters BY DARLYNDA BOGLE

Social Security Administration Assistant deputy commissioner

COLA notice online using the Message Center in your “My Social Security” account. You can access this information in early December prior to the mailed notice. If you prefer to access your COLA notice online instead of receiving the mailed notice, you can log in to your personal “My Social Security” account to opt out of a mailed COLA notice and any other

notices that are available online by updating your preferences in the Message Center. You can also choose to receive a text or email alert when there is a new notice. That way, you always know when we have something important for you – like your COLA notice. If you don’t have an account yet, you must create one by Nov. 18, 2020 to receive the 2021 COLA notice online. January 2021 marks other changes that will happen based on the increase in the national average wage index. For example, the maximum amount of earnings subject to Social Security payroll tax in 2021 will be higher. The retirement earnings test exempt amount will also change in 2021. Be the first to know! Sign up for or log in to your personal my Social Security account today. Choose email or text under “Message Center Preferences” to receive courtesy notifications.

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What happens to Medicare if Obamacare is overturned? Dear Savvy Senior, Will my Medicare benefits be affected if Obamacare is overturned by the Supreme Court? ~ Concerned Beneficiary Dear Concerned, Unfortunately, yes. If the Affordable Care Act (ACA) – also known as Obamacare – gets repealed by the Supreme Court next year, it will weaken Medicare and increase costs for beneficiaries. Here’s what you should know. Currently, about 60 million people are covered under Medicare, the federal health insurance program for people 65 and older and people of all ages with disabilities. Even though the main aim of the ACA was to overhaul the health insurance markets, most people don’t realize that the law also touches virtually every part of Medicare. Without the ACA, Medicare beneficiaries will have to pay more for preventive care services, which are now free. They’ll have to pay more toward their prescription drugs. Their premiums and deductibles will rise faster, and Medicare will face insolvency much sooner because of lost funding and cost cutting measures. With the help of Kiplinger’s Retirement Report, here is a more detailed breakdown of what happens to Medicare if the court invalidates the law. Preventive care services will no longer be free. Thanks to the ACA, there’s no copayment or deductible for potentially life-saving screenings for cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and other illnesses. Flu shots and annual wellness visits are also free. Before the ACA, beneficiaries had to pay 20 percent of the cost for most preventive care services, after their deductible was met. The doughnut hole will return. Since 2011 the ACA has been steadily closing the prescription drug coverage gap, also known as the doughnut hole, in Medicare Part D by requiring drug manufacturers and insurers to pick up more of the cost. The hole was finally closed this year with seniors paying 25 percent of the cost for both generic and brandname medications and manufacturers picking up

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The Savvy Senior BY JIM MILLER Columnist 70 percent of the tab, while insurers kick in the remaining 5 percent. Before the ACA, seniors paid 100 percent of Part D prescription drug expenses while in the doughnut hole. Medicare premiums and deductibles will rise faster. The ACA also curbed Medicare payments to providers to help keep Medicare Part A deductibles and copayments in check. Similarly, Part B premiums and deductibles are much lower than projected before the ACA became law. From 2011 to 2020, Part B premiums increased 23 percent. From 2000 to 2009 – the nine years before the law’s passage – Part B premiums rose almost five times faster, increasing 112 percent over that period.

Medicare Advantage plans will be more expensive. The ACA requires Medicare Advantage plans to spend 85 percent of premium dollars on health care, not profits or overhead. The plans also can’t charge more than traditional Medicare for chemotherapy, renal dialysis, skilled nursing care and other specialized services. Those restrictions dramatically lowered costs for Medicare Advantage plan enrollees. Since the ACA became law in 2010, the average Medicare Advantage premium has decreased by 43 percent while enrollment has increased 117 percent. Insolvency accelerates. The ACA extended the solvency of the program’s trust fund by eight years to 2026, mostly by finding new sources of revenue and slowing the growth of payments to all providers. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that reversing those changes would cost the program $700 billion over 10 years, which would make Medicare almost immediately insolvent. Send your senior questions to Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070 or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.

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November 2020

Caregivers can get stuck in fight-orflight mode Dear Carol: Over the past few years, my parents have had two strokes and one broken hip between them. They both have recovered and are doing fine for people in their 80s. Their in-home care services have remained reasonably stable even during this COVID-19 epidemic. I’m the problem. I can’t shake the feeling that another health emergency is just around the corner. I understand that expecting that there will be more emergencies is only realistic, but this thinking that I’ll be called out to handle something horrible is keeping me from enjoying the fact that things are going well for now. How do I accept the uncomfortable reality yet allow myself to enjoy this period of relative calm? — JH Dear JH: By definition, caregivers provide care for people with at least somewhat fragile cognitive and/or physical health, and often both. That reality keeps many caregivers stuck in a fight-or-flight mode due to handling repeated emergencies, sometimes several at once. Unfortunately, staying in this mindset can quickly become a habit that keeps us chronically stressed — even

during calmer times. You are ahead of many in that you recognize that your mindset is unhealthy and want to change it. Some things that might help: ► Gratitude: Arriving at what is often called an attitude of gratitude isn’t always a smooth journey, but it’s a rewarding one to attempt. No one will always succeed in expressing continual gratitude. However, some practices, such as writing lists of what we have to be grateful for, or regular journaling so that you can return to our notes to look for good things that have happened, can help us maintain a more balanced view. ► Make a plan but keep it flexible: Work out the best possible system with your parents to keep you on top of their health and life events, but don’t become rigid. Rigidity

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Minding Our Elders CAROL BRADLEY BURSACK Columnist can promote anxiety for all of you, while simply having a loose plan for emergencies can help you feel more in control. ► Meditation and/ or prayer: There are many forms of meditation. Some are coupled with prayer, while others focus on breath-

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ing and/or nature. You might want to try one of the numerous apps for today’s smartphones that can serve as guides or prompts. While meditation isn’t for everyone, it’s an approach worth trying. ► Time alone: While this time of COVID-19

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ruminating and overthinking, JH, but you deserve to enjoy this calmer time. If you feel that you can’t control your anxious thought pattern, you may want to see a counselor for extra support. Carol Bradley Bursack is a veteran caregiver and an established columnist. She is also a blogger, and the author of “Minding Our Elders: Caregivers Share Their Personal Stories.” Bradley Bursack hosts a website supporting caregivers and elders at www. mindingourelders.com. She can be reached through the contact form on her website.

What can I do with my droopy eyelids?

Dermatochalasis is most commonly found in patients over 50 years of age, and involves excess skin of the upper eyelids.

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has proven far too isolating for some, others have realized for the first time how healing time alone can be. Try to find a balance that works best for you. ► Support groups: Caregiver support groups can provide the understanding that you likely need because the people attending them know on a personal level what you are going through. Online support groups have proven invaluable during our current health crisis. Most of us are prone to a certain amount of

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What are the symptoms of dermatochalasis? Symptoms can vary depending on the severity of the condition. The most common symptoms include brow ache, eye fatigue and reduced peripheral vision. Many patients will notice their eyelid skin resting on their eyelashes, and may see their eyelid or lashes interfering with their upper visual field. Many patients also report their eyes get tired later in the day, and they struggle with reading and other tasks due to fatigue. Many of these patients will also have horizontal wrinkles across their forehead from constantly lifting their brow to help hold their eyes open wider. What treatment options are available? The excess lid skin can be removed in a minor outpatient procedure called a blepharoplasty. During the procedure, a wedge of skin is removed from the upper lids, and the lids are sutured back together. Occasionally during this surgery, the patient’s upper eyelid muscles are also tightened to assist with lifting the lids. There are rarely any complications and patients enjoy brighter vision and less fatigue after the surgery. Where do I start? If you are having symptoms of dermatochalasis, your first step is to see your optometrist for a comprehensive eye exam. If your dermatochalasis is significant enough, we will have you perform a peripheral vision. We will then send all your information to a lid surgeon, who you will see to discuss treatment options. In many cases, ance may cover a portion of the surgery.

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Shirley Temple slept in this style of bed, called the Pollyanna. “This is all going to be polished,” Malaski explains. A shiny bedframe is ready to be returned to its owner. (Submitted photo)

Ornate scrolls adorn the Some beds feature jewPollyanna brass bed. el-inlayed pieces. Oven cleaner and elbow grease aid in burnishing brass pieces.

BRASS MONKEY From Page 1

“My wife goes nuts when I get on the phone. She knows what I’m doing,” he quipped of his shopping habits. The pièce de résistance is a Pollyanna bed, awaiting his attention. Fanciful scrollwork embellishes the classic Victorian bed made of solid-cast brass. “That’s very, very, very, very rare,” Malaski said. “I’ve only had two of them in my lifetime.” First, he’ll disassemble the bed. He uses oven cleaner to remove the patina – created by oxidation – with a scouring pad. “A little elbow grease here and there takes off the dark marks,” Malaski says, demonstrating this simple phase and resulting shine. Everything passes through the buffing wheel before being reassembled. The venture began when he was 14, staying at his grandparents’ home in St. Paul. His grandmother gave him a brass bed “to take out in the boulevard and clean. She said, ‘Just use Brasso and lemon juice.’” A barber stopped by and offered a couple hundred dollars for the bed. Malaski was allowed to keep the sale proceeds. His grandparents had purchased furniture from hotels, motels and houses all over St. Paul. They had four to five warehouses of goods. “She probably had 35 to 40 brass beds in that bunch – the hospital-style, the round ones. They’re a dime a dozen. She sold it all to him,” he recalled. The barber correctly predicted that Malaski would be in the brass bed business. Purchased at $40, for example, a bed can be buffed and sold for $2,500. Malaski seeks out copper boilers at flea markets, then resells them for a profit. He used to take his buffing wheel on the road, hitting antique shops in Boston and New York. “I’d say, ‘Hey, how many brass beds you want done today or tomorrow?’” he recalled.

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Malaski is in the process Malaski restores copper of refurbishing an antique boilers, returning them to cash register. their original sheen. He traded his labor for furniture. “I’d come home with furniture, sleighs and buggies.” “I sleep on a bed at home that, believe it or not, actually says Civil War on the rails. I had a matching pair of those,” he says. Malaski used to travel to 37 antique shows annually – until he and his wife started raising their two grandkids. “I did all high-high-end furniture,” he said. He anticipates working on 15 to 20 beds this winter. “It’s my hobby, and it’s gotten crazy.” He can be reached at 406-581-6860.

Malaski disassembles a brass bed, the first step in restoration. Photos by Shannon Geisen/Enterprise

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November 2020

Sarah's Triple Pork Stuffed Pork Tenderloin is perfect for Sunday dinners and features a trifecta of pork: prosciutto, bacon and pork tenderloin.

The pork tenderloin is scored lengthwise down the center (from left to right, top to bottom), then opened like a book and scored again on each half, being careful not to cut all the way through the meat. Next, the tenderloin is pounded flat until 1/4-inch thick, then topped with prosciutto and a savory bacon, blue cheese and spinach filling.

(Photos by Sarah Nasello / The Forum)

Hog heaven

Triple-Pork-Stuffed Pork Tenderloin makes a hearty dinner I am sharing a recipe that showcases three variations of this delicious protein in my Triple-PorkStuffed Pork Tenderloin. This dish is perfect for a hearty Sunday dinner, with a casual elegance that would also make it a hit at any dinner party (remember those?). The mild flavor and versatility of pork tenderloin makes it a terrific partner for bolder flavors, like prosciutto, which is layered on top of the flattened tenderloin, and bacon, spinach and blue cheese, which are featured in the filling. To prepare the pork tenderloin, you will need a sharp knife, a large cutting board, plastic wrap, kitchen twine and a meat mallet. The first step is to score the tenderloin into two halves by slicing it down the center, lengthwise, but being careful not to cut all the way through. Think of it like a book — you will want to cut deep enough so that each half can be splayed open, but stopping with about a half-inch of meat left to hold it all together. Once the tenderloin has been folded open, the next step is to score each half from top to bottom, again not cutting all the way through. This will help the opened tenderloin stretch out for the final step: flattening. To flatten the tenderloin, place a layer of plastic wrap over the scored meat and use the flat side of a meat mallet to gently pound the pork until it is an even quarter-inch in thickness all around. Once the tenderloin has been pounded thin, a single layer of salty prosciutto is placed on top, followed by a layer of creamy filling made with bacon, blue cheese, cream cheese, spinach, ground mustard, sage, garlic powder and seasoning. The result is a marvelous blend of savory flavors, with a lush and creamy tang from the cheeses, and a smoky punch of salt from the bacon and prosciutto. After the filling is spread over the prosciutto, the tenderloin is rolled into a long log and tied with kitchen twine in several places to prevent the filling from oozing out. The tenderloin is then seared on the stove in hot oil until golden brown on all sides, and then roasted in the oven until it reaches at least 145 degrees and is only just slightly pink in the center. This recipe is just a starting point to inspire you on different ways to utilize pork tenderloin. Once you know how to flatten the tenderloin, you can experiment with a variety of different stuffing ingredients, like feta or grated fontina cheese, dried cranberries, roasted red peppers and sundried tomatoes, ham or sausage, and even toasted nuts. The presentation of this Triple Pork Stuffed Pork Tenderloin will draw your family and friends to the table, and the burst of flavor in every bite will hold them there until seconds are served.

Home with the Lost Italian BY SARAH & TONY NASELLO

Columnist

Triple-Pork-Stuffed Pork Tenderloin

1w  hole pork tenderloin, fat and silver skin trimmed 2 slices bacon, cooked and chopped into small bits 2 oz. cream cheese, room temperature 1/4 tsp. garlic powder 1/4 tsp. ground sage 1/4 tsp. ground mustard 1/4 tsp. kosher salt 1/4 tsp. black pepper 2 Tbsp. blue cheese crumbles 1/2  cup frozen spinach, thawed and drained of moisture, or 5 ounces fresh baby spinach, sauteed 3 to 4 slices prosciutto 2 Tbsp. canola oil Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Use a sharp knife to cut lengthwise into the center of the tenderloin, being careful not to cut all the

The stuffed tenderloin is rolled tightly into a log and then secured with kitchen twine to prevent the filling from oozing out. way through (stop with about a half-inch remaining). Open the tenderloin like a book and gently score lengthwise down each half to help the meat expand and flatten. Cover the flattened tenderloin with a sheet of plastic wrap and use a meat mallet to pound the pork until it’s about ¼-inch thick all around. In a medium bowl, add the bacon, softened cream cheese, garlic powder, sage, mustard, salt and pepper. Use a wooden spoon or spatula to mix until well combined. Place a single layer of prosciutto atop the pork, and then spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the prosciutto. Starting at a long end, roll the tenderloin tightly into a log, and tie with kitchen twine in several places to secure the log. Heat the canola oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Once hot, sear the pork on each side until golden brown all over, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer tenderloin to a baking sheet or pan and bake until an internal temperature between 145 to 155 degrees is achieved, about 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from oven, transfer pork to a cutting board and let rest 5 minutes. To serve, remove the kitchen twine and carve the tenderloin into half-inch medallions. Serves 2 to 4. “Home with the Lost Italian” is a weekly column written by Sarah Nasello featuring recipes by her husband, Tony Nasello. The couple owned Sarello’s in Moorhead and lives in Fargo with their son, Giovanni. Readers can reach them at sarahnasello@gmail.com.

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How do you know when to call hospice? The Family Circle LAUREL HED Columnist In all the years that I worked as a hospice social worker the one thing I heard the most often was, “I wish we had called hospice sooner.” It is normal for families to put off the hospice conversation because people feel like they are “giving up.” So, now is a good opportunity to provide you with information on what hospice is about and when is the right time to ask for it. According to an article written by the Crossroads Hospice, there is a list of things to look for to help determine if it is time to investigate hospice. They are as follows: ► frequent visits to the ER or hospital; ► a decline in ability to perform daily tasks (eating, dressing self, walking or independently using the bathroom); ► an increase in falls; ► changes in cognitive status; ► weight loss; ► and infections. If these things are happening, it is time to visit your loved one’s physician about a referral to hos-

pice. The criteria to qualify for hospice care is a diagnosis of a terminal condition with less than six months to live. If your loved one lives beyond the six months’ time frame, they may continue to receive hospice care if their physician recertifies their eligibility. So, now that you have the referral, what will happen next? Once the physician has made the referral you can expect a phone call from hospice to set up a home visit. Generally, a nurse and social worker would come for that first visit and get all the admission paperwork completed. During that first visit, it is decided what services are needed at that time, this changes as the illness and needs progress. So, what all does hospice offer? Nurses, nurses’ aides, social workers, chaplains and volunteers. The goal of hospice is to add extra support to the patient and family/caregivers. This team will help to provide physical, medical, emotional and spiritual support as needed. How much does all this cost? Hospice is 100 percent covered by Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurance companies. Any medications related to the terminal illness and all medical equipment and supplies related to the diagnosis are provided. This service helps both the family and patient have more quality time together as well as giving the caregiver much needed breaks. Having all these professionals available to a person takes the guesswork out of caregiving and allows the family to “be the family” and not just caregivers. It is a true gift to everyone involved.

Don’t wait too long, it is a great program. Contact CHI St. Joseph’s Hospice, Park Rapids at 732-4552 or Hospice of the Red River Valley, Detroit Lakes at 800-237-4629 Laurel Hed is a licensed social worker and geriatric care manager for the elder law attorneys of Thomason Swanson and Zahn Law Firm.

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