Generations - Sept. 2022

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SEPTEMBER 2022

Nevis artist will teach paper making at Art Leap Lorie Skarpness Park Rapids Enterprise Participants in Art Leap will be able to visit with three area artists when they stop at Cathy Meyer’s place.

Located three miles north of Nevis on County Rd. 2, Meyer said her place is right before County 85 where Meyer’s Meats is located.

“We’re a couple miles before Gary and Marsha Wolff’s, and

they’re on the Art Leap tour, too,” she said.

Meyer is a retired teacher, having taught fifth grade in Park Rapids for 11 years.

“I’ve always liked being creative, so

when I retired I started painting with acrylics and watercolors and making my own paper and using them for collages. It’s really fun.”

PAPER MAKING: Page 4

Customer favorite retires from supermarket

By Robin Fish Park Rapids Enterprise A longtime, familiar face at Hugo’s Family Marketplace in Park Rapids, and J & B Foods before that, retired this year after working 31 years at the store.

Eric Olson started working for Jeff and Bob Hensel at J & B in 1991, moving with the store from

its former location at the south end of town to where Hugo’s now sits. Hugo’s took over the store in 2012.

“I was up front most of the time,” Olson said, going on to explain that he bagged groceries, collected carts from the parking lot and fetched items, like bags of salt, for customers.

“Now my muscles are deterio-

rating a little bit,” he said.

Olson got the job fresh out of Brainerd Technical College, where he completed an occupational skills program. Prior to graduation, he worked at banquets, washing dishes. He graduated from Park Rapids High School in 1989.

FAVORITE: Page 4

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CONTRIBUTED / KEITH VANDERLIN

Hugo's Store Director Keith Vanderlin presents Eric Olson with a cake and a backpack during Olson's retirement party this spring.

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APPLE OF YOUR EYE

FORUM FILE PHOTO

The simple combination of bread, cream and eggs becomes its own comfort when combined with fruit, nuts and spices to make bread pudding.

Revisit these standout recipes to celebrate the season Apples are in high season, and we have been recently blessed by a dear friend with an abundance of homegrown apples. This has given us a wonderful opportunity to revisit some of our favorite apple recipes and remember why they were standouts in the first place.

I am happy to share two of them with you again here today and hope you love them as much as we do.

Apple Spinach Salad This is one of my favorite autumn salads, but it is so delicious that you will find yourself craving it all year long. This simple salad features Golden

Home with the Lost Italian

BY SARAH & TONY NASELLO

Columnist

Delicious apples and thinly sliced red onion, which are marinated in a honey-grain mustard vinaigrette for two to four hours before being tossed with fresh baby spinach leaves.

Aside from its amazing flavor, the next best thing

about this recipe is that all of the prep work can be done ahead of time so that you only have to toss the salad before serving, making it ideal for entertaining. This recipe serves eight people, but you can easily halve it for smaller groups or double it for large gatherings.

This crowd-pleasing, rustic salad is versatile enough to enjoy with almost any main course, but we particularly like it with pork or ham, as the mustard in the vinaigrette pairs so well with those meats. Serve the salad immediately and enjoy!

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APPLE SPINACH SALAD 2 Tbsp. honey 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar 2 Tbsp. whole grain mustard 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil 2 Golden Delicious apples, thinly sliced, skin on 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced 2 six-ounce bags baby spinach leaves 1/2 tsp. kosher salt 1/4 tsp. ground black pepper In a medium bowl, use a whisk to mix the honey, vinegar, mustard and olive oil together until well-combined.

Add the sliced apples and onion and gently toss until evenly coated.

Cover with a towel or plastic wrap and let sit at room temperature for at least 2 hours but

no more than 4 hours; the apple and onion will become too soft if left longer than 4 hours.

Place the spinach leaves in a large bowl and pour in the dressing mixture. Add salt and pepper and toss until the leaves are evenly coated. Serve immediately. Serves eight.

To store: This salad is best when served immediately.

Leftovers may be refrigerated for up to 24 hours.

Sarah’s Tips: ► This recipe can be halved for smaller groups or doubled for larger gatherings. ► The vinaigrette mixture can be made several days in advance and refrigerated until ready to add the apples and onions.

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Apple Spinach Salad is a delicious autumn dish that you'll crave all year long.

APPLE PECAN BREAD PUDDING 4 Tbsp. unsalted butter (half a stick) 2 cups diced apples, cut into ¾- to 1-inch cubes (Honeycrisp, Granny Smith or Pink Lady are best) 1 tsp. cinnamon 1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg 3 eggs 1-1/2 cups cream 1/2 cup brown sugar 2 Tbsp. pure maple syrup (optional) 1 Tbsp. pure vanilla extract Pinch of salt 1/2 lb. day-old bread, cubed (about 5 to 6 cups) 1/2 cup chopped pecans, toasted Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Melt butter in a large pan over medium heat; add the apples, cinnamon and nutmeg cook over medium-low heat until apples are slightly soft, about 8 to 10 minutes.

Cool in the refrigerator for 10 to 15 minutes.

In a large bowl, use a whisk to combine the eggs and cream togeth-

APPLES From Page 2

Apple Pecan Bread Pudding Bread pudding is a perennial favorite for fall and winter desserts, with myriad flavor combinations available in recipes and at restaurants.

There is something so pleasing about this simple combination of bread, cream and eggs, which becomes its own

FORUM FILE PHOTO

You can use a large baking dish, loaf pans or even muffin tins to make Apple Pecan Bread Pudding. er. Add brown sugar, maple syrup and vanilla and whisk until incorporated. With a wooden spoon or spatula, gently stir in the chilled apple mixture, then fold in the bread

comfort when combined with fruit, nuts and spices.

I love the ease and versatility of bread pudding, which can hold the form of whatever baking vessel you choose to use and also freezes beautifully. I have the best result when I cut it • FULL SERVICE CONSTRUCTION • CONCRETE/MASONRY

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into individual pieces and wrap each one with plastic before freezing.

You can use a large baking dish, loaf pans or even muffin tins for individual-sized portions. I have even made mini loaves of bread pudding to give as gifts at Thanksgiving and

cubes and toasted pecans until evenly distributed.

Transfer mixture to a 9-by-13inch baking dish, loaf pan or muffin tin and let rest at room temperature

Christmas.

For this recipe, look for firm apples with a sweetly tart flavor, like Honeycrisp, Granny Smith and Pink Lady, as they hold up well during the baking process. This comforting

dessert when topped dollop cream.

for 30 minutes. If using a loaf pan, fill pan to within an inch of the top; for muffins, fill to the top of each mold.

Create a water bath to ensure even baking: Place the pan with the bread pudding in the center of a larger pan and fill with warm water to halfway up the side of the smaller pan.

Bake at 350 degrees for about an hour, until the top is a rich, golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. If the top appears to be overbrowning, place a piece of tinfoil loosely over it until finished baking. Oven temperatures vary, so check for doneness after 45 minutes. Cool for 5 to 10 minutes before serving. Serves eight to 10.

To store: Cover and refrigerate for up to 4 days for best results.

To freeze: Bake first, cool, wrap in plastic and transfer to an airtight freezer bag or container and freeze for up to 2 months. For easy access, cut into individual portions before freezing.

is at its best served warm, with a large of vanilla ice

“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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CONTRIBUTED / KEITH VANDERLIN

Hugo's president/CEO Kristi Magnuson Nelson, visits Olson up front at the store before his retirement this spring. Nelson credits Olson's "smiling face and outgoing personality" with helping create an enjoyable shopping experience.

FAVORITE From Page 1

He enjoyed working in the store, saying he felt like “part of the furniture … like I was an icon. And I helped so many people, like you wouldn’t believe.”

“He’s great,” said Dan Zimmerman, a former Hugo’s store director who now serves as a grocery clerk. Starting at J & B in 1989, Zimmerman worked with Olson for his entire 31-year career.

“He’s quite a character, and he’s been a steady worker all along,” he said. “He’s always been a fun guy.

Everybody likes him.”

Zimmerman said many customers enjoyed being served by Eric.

“A lot of times, even now, they ask where he’s at and they’re sad to see he’s retired. We had many longtime customers who very much had a liking of Eric, and sometimes they requested him to bag their groceries.”

“I enjoyed the people a lot,” said Olson, who still plans to be active in the community as a volunteer. “I love people and I like working with people. I’m what you’d call a people person.”

Olson has previously volunteered with the Lions and Relay for Life, and he talked about doing little jobs around

CONTRIBUTED / CATHY MEYER

Meyer says creating art is her "retirement hobby."

PAPER MAKING From Page 1

CONTRIBUTED / DAN ZIMMERMAN

Eric Olson returns a shopping cart from the parking lot at Hugo's in Park Rapids. According to former store director Dan Zimmerman, "He's pushed a million carts in over the years." town, like helping people with their yards.

“He was awesome,” former employer Bob Hensel said, recalling Olson as “a very caring, young man at all times. He’s always there to help others.”

Olson’s words of wisdom for future shopping cart wranglers is to handle them in short rows of five or six, to save wear and tear on their backs. And of course, “Be loyal and be true to the Lord.”

The store held a retirement party for Olson this spring, com-

plete with a cake and gifts.

“His service to our customers and the store has been invaluable,” said Hugo’s store director Keith Vanderlin.

“Eric’s smiling face and outgoing personality will be missed by all of us,” said Kristi Magnuson Nelson, president/ CEO of Hugo’s. “He created such an enjoyable shopping experience for everyone, and we wish him the best in retirement.”

Robin Fish can be reached at rfish@parkrapidsenterprise. com.

Meyer will be demonstrating how to make homemade paper.

“It’s so easy you can’t believe it,” she said. “You take old paper, like junk mail, shred it and soak it in a blender. Then you chop it up and pour it on a screen with water, take it out of the water and let it dry.

There are lots of videos on YouTube. You make a wooden frame with a screen. The water drains out and you flatten the pulp and dry it.”

The homemade paper can be used to make note cards.

“It’s fun for kids, too,” she said.

Meyer said her own art includes painting a lot of flowers. “And being a former elementary school teacher, I do abstract painting. One of my favorites is my “Moose Squared.”

I painted squares in the antlers, and my nieces loved it so much, I painted some for them. They’re whimsical.”

It is Meyer’s first year involved in Art Leap. She has invited two other artists to participate with her.

Her sister, Meg Muller, is from Grand Rapids and has a cabin on 9th Crow Wing Lake. She makes cards, enjoys photography and

creates garden art from recycled materials.

Ena Skadberg is 10 years old and will be demonstrating needle felting.

She is from Fargo and her family spends summers on West Crooked Lake.

“We just want to have fun with Art Leap,” she said. “We want to celebrate. We’re planning to have a big bonfire and s’mores bars and apple cider for the people who are coming.”

Meyer said she loves creating art. “When you’re doing it you lose track of time and I enjoy the process,” she said. “It’s my retirement hobby. I’m really lucky in that we have five little outbuildings on our property that I can create in. I’m also interested in flipping furniture. I buy old pieces of furniture at garage sales and paint them. And I’ve taught yoga through community ed in Park Rapids.”

She said she is just getting started with her art.

“For me to put myself out for the Art Leap is out of my comfort zone, but I’m excited,” she said.

“There will be some things for sale if people are interested. So far I’ve mostly sold to friends and family.”

Lorie Skarpness can be reached at lskarpness@ parkrapidsenterprise.com

Art Beat

Find new studios, artists at Art Leap 2022 Art Leap, an “open studio event” featuring artists and guest artists, will offer 24 sites and feature more than 90 artists at studios and other locations in Hubbard and Becker counties.

The event will be held Sept.

24 and 25. Sites will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sunday.

Hop from studio to studio, learn process, appreciate skill and support the artists. Let fall’s natural beauty inspire you as it does the artists as you pass lakes and travel country roads. Event guides are available at the Park Rapids Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center, Park Rapids Area Library and other locations. The guide is also available to view and for download at www.heartlandarts.org.

See what’s new at studios and sites you’ve visited in the past and find new places that

Gina Singer’s pottery has always been popular with Art Leap visitors to Bickey Bender’s site.

Art Leap 2022 will offer a variety of artistic expression: sculptures, paintings, mixed media, pottery, photography, mosaics, wood and metal work, fiber and paper arts, jewelry, beading and other Native American cultural work. will be part of this year’s event.

Four new locations are located in Park Rapids. Ruth Ann Brady’s artwork is familiar to those who have seen her

Arts Calendar

SEPTEMBER

Sept. 1-30 Dana Schutz, Ryan Johnson and Ginny Sims at Nemeth Art Center Sept. 6 Headwaters Center for Lifelong Learning: Quilts as a Window to History Sept. 13 Headwaters Center for Lifelong Learning: My Law Enforcement Career Sept. 20 Headwaters Center for Lifelong Learning: Travels to Scandinavia Sept. 24-25 Art Leap 2022 Sept. 27 Headwaters Center for Lifelong Learning: Views from Under the Sea Sept. 29 Heartland Concert: Portrait of a Queen, Aretha Franklin Sept. 29 Moving Words: Writers Across Minnesota

OCTOBER

Oct. 1 Dana Schutz, Ryan Johnson and Ginny Sims at Nemeth Art Center Oct. 3 Last day to vote for Sculpture Trail People’s Choice Award Oct. 4 Headwaters Center for Lifelong Learning: Eight First Weeks in a 33-Year Career Oct. 11 Headwaters Center for Lifelong Learning: The Twenty-Ninth Day Oct. 15-16 WorkBench Lighting Workshop Oct. 18 Headwaters Center for Lifelong Learning: Capturing the Moment Oct. 25 Headwaters Center for Lifelong Learning: Creating a Pollinator Highway

NOVEMBER

Nov. 15 Heartland Concert: Jeeyon Kim, pianist Nov. 20 Park Rapids Area Community Band Fall Concert

DECEMBER

Dec. 4 Community Ed trip to the Concordia Christmas Concert

paintings in Park Rapids galleries and businesses for many years. She will display her work at Rust 2 Roses. Necce’s Ristorante will feature Wayzata-based artist Patty MacHalec. Her oils, acrylics and pastels are inspired by that natural beauty of lakes, clouds and the other natural beauty that surrounds her. Wine Not? will host Diane Hane from Walker. Hane creates wind chimes from driftwood, glass, ceramic beads and Noah bells.

Find them on the front porch.

Art Leap visitors have been invited to visit the Salvage Depot in addition to the Hubbard County DAC. This year the Salvage Depot is an additional site offering metal work, wood work, printed items, paintings and fiber arts as well as a sculpture garden.

To help visitors navigate to other locations in the Heartland Lakes area, pick up a brochure with maps and direc-

tions to drive a loop north and west and another south and east.

New on the north and west loop will be Winona’s Hemp Market Store, featuring acrylic and watercolor paintings, posters, cards and apparel as well as Native American appliqué and beadwork. Bruce Engebretson’s home and collection of historic working looms will be back on the tour this year with Ann Zick giving weaving demonstrations and offering hands on weaving lessons. Engebretson will show how he spins wood and flax and the soup kettle will be on.

On the south and east loop, Cathy Meyer and guests will show acrylics, collages with handmade paper, photography, garden art and needle felting.

In addition to new locations, artists and studios who have participated in past years will

host new guest artists and new works that will interest first time and returning visitors.

Be sure to vote for your favorite sculpture on the Park Rapids Sculpture Trail and complete the visitor survey on the tear off page of the event guide. Ballots and surveys may be turned in at your last Art Leap stop or at the library or Chamber Visitor Center by the end of the day Monday, Oct. 3. Those who provide contact information will be entered into a prize drawing.

Heartland Arts sponsors Art Leap with funding provided, in part, by Itasca-Mantrap’s Operation Round Up and the Park Rapids Downtown Business Association. This activity is also funded by a Region 2 Arts Council Grant through an appropriation by the Minnesota State Legislature and the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund passed by Minnesota voters on Nov. 4, 2008.

Noon Hour Concert series had successful season Performing for the Noon Hour Concert July 28 was Adedayo Lawal Emmanuel, who is currently studying trumpet performance at Bemidji State University under the tutelage of Professor Scott Guidry. Adedayo is from Nigeria.

His accompanist was Sarah Carlson, music director at First Lutheran Church in Bemidji and adjunct professor at BSU.

Adedayo was a member of the Divine Symphony Orchestra in Nigeria and a member of the Chamber Music Society of Nigeria.

This summer’s series included eight successful concerts. Noon Hour Concerts are scheduled on Thursdays throughout the summer and take place in local churches. A free will offering is taken at the concerts.

Pianist Sarah Carlson accompanied trumpeter Adedayo Lawal Emmanuel in the July 28 Noon Hour Concert.

Park Rapids Area Community Band rehearses for fall concert The Park Rapids Area Community Band has been rehearsing and performing for local and regional audiences since 1991. The band began with Solon Green as the first band manager and Jim Wheeler as its first conductor. In the years since, the band has grown to be a polished ensemble of woodwind, brass and percussion musicians from the surrounding area including such communities as Park Rapids, Bemidji, Bagley, Menahga, Detroit Lakes and others.

Many participants are area band directors, music teachers and freelance instrumentalists.

The ranks are also filled with financial advisors, health professionals, farmers and social workers. Despite the varied occupations represented in the band, the main commonality is the members’ passion for making music.

For readers, who share this enthusiasm for concert band music, please contact band manager Paul Peterson at paul@ peteport.com or Music Director, Adam Tervola Hultberg at ahultberg@isd116.org.

The Park Rapids Area Community Band is preparing for a Fall Concert at 3 p.m. Sunday,

Nov. 20 at the Park Rapids High School Auditorium. The concert will highlight two genres of music. The first half will be traditional band music and will feature two fine soloists within the band: Karen Onstad, percussionist, and Sandy Sprafka, oboist. The second half will include more holiday music and pieces associated with winter.

Selections to be performed are by well-known composers such as Aaron Copland, Alfred Reed and Percy Grainger as well as some lesser-known composers include Julius Fucik, Ron Nelson and Georges Bizet.

Proud sponsor of Noon Noon Hour Concerts Leap 2022 2021 and Art Leap Many Heartland Arts activities are made possible by the voters of Minnesota, through the Region 2 Arts Council, thanks to legislative appropriations from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund and the States General Fund.

www.heartlandarts.org Facebook: parkrapidsarts

Art Beat

Nemeth Art Center open through Oct. 1 The Nemeth Art Center (NAC) continues to share new work from emerging and established artists across a range of mediums. This fall audiences in the Park Rapids region will be able to view artwork that is available for the first time.

New work by painter Dana Schutz and sculptor Ryan Johnson together for the first time is on display through Oct. 1. The Brooklyn-based couple have established reputations for creativity and expressiveness, with work on display in major galleries across the U.S. and internationally. The NAC show is a unique opportunity for art world audiences.

Dana Schutz’s vivid, gestural paintings combine figuration and abstraction and often depict subjects in a fluctuating state of invented and realistic scenarios that plumb the emotional complexities of contemporary life. The renowned artist’s work can be found in the Hammer Museum, Metropolitan Museum of Art and San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, among others. Ryan Johnson’s creations rely on a variety of sculptural media to depict dreamlike subjects that convey both stillness and the potential for action. Recurrent themes include family, mortality, frailty and strength.

Dana Schutz hails originally from Livonia, MI, and Ryan Johnson grew up in Jakarta, Indonesia. They maintain family connections here in Hubbard County. Their work will be on display at the NAC galleries July 5 through Oct. 1, and the NAC is hosting a reception with the artists Friday, July 8, from 4 to 6 p.m.

Ceramicist Ginny Sims creates functional and sculptural objects that are highly narrative. For inspiration, she looks to different moments in ceramic history, and incorporates the cultural information she finds with present day social and political experiences. Pottery is a reflective, invisible, critical and - for millennia - necessary material object of culture whose very existence is testament to human beings in their environment.

Ginny Sims was born and raised in Little Rock, AR, and now makes Minneapolis her home. She teaches ceramics and art history at Minneapolis College. Her work also is at Nemeth Art Center through Oct. 1.

A youth art class is planned Saturday, Sept. 24 as part of Art Leap 2022.

The Nemeth Art Center is located at 301 Court Avenue, in the upper floor of the historic Hubbard County Courthouse. Galleries are open and free to the public 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Thurs-

‘Dog Chasing Tail,’ a sculpture by Ryan Johnson, will be on view at the Nemeth Art Center this season along with the artwork of his spouse, Dana Schutz.

Dana Schutz’s figurative paintings will be on display at the Nemeth Art Center from through Oct. 1. days, Fridays and Saturdays until Oct. 1. More programming information is available at www.nemethartcenter.org.

The Nemeth Art Center’s 2022 season is made possible in part by the voters of Minnesota from a grant through the Region 2 Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund.

Ginny Sims’ artwork includes ceramics that tell a story.

It will be on display at the Nemeth Art Center through Oct. 1.

Vote for your favorite sculpture The Park Rapids Arts and Culture Advisory Commission invites the public to vote for their favorite sculpture and will give a People’s Choice Award to the sculptor who wins the popular vote.

The 14 sculptures that are part of this year’s Park Rapids Sculpture Trail are located in Red Bridge Park and Downtown Park Rapids. Ballots are available at the Park Rapids Area Library and Park Rapids Chamber Visitor Center or you can cast your vote on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PRsculpturetrail.

Ballots also will be included in the event guide for Art Leap 2022, which

will be available at the library, Chamber Visitor Center and other locations.

Cast your vote by the end of the day Monday, Oct. 3. If you provide contact information, your name will be entered into a prize drawing.

“We are excited to announce we will give a People’s Choice Award for the first time,” said Commission Chair Laura Grisamore. “”So make sure to get out there and vote for your favorite. We greatly appreciate your participation.”

Artists whose works were accepted for this year’s Sculpture Trail are Paul Albright, Akeley; Al

Bellevue, Puposky; Brian Berle, Shakopee; Tim Cassidy, New York Mills; Aidan Demarals, Janesville and Tim James, Good Thunder; Hubbard County DAC/Salvage Depot, Park Rapids; Jon Kamrath, Mahtomedi; Isaac Kidder, Minnetrista; Sunghee Min, Roseville; Tim Nelsen, Bemidji; James Pedersen, Walker and Ryan Pedersen, North Mankato; Jamie Weinfurter, Iowa City, IA; and Simon Zornes, Bagley.

This year’s sponsors are CHI St. Joseph’s Health, Good Life, Heartland Arts, Hubbard County DAC, Klein Insurance, Northview Bank, Northwoods Bank, Park Rapids Downtown Busi-

Tim Nelsen’s entry, Rocket Fox, is among sculptures on the ballot for a People’s Choice Award. ness Association, Park Rapids Rotary Club, Russel Skoe Family Trust, Sanford Health, Thelen’s Excavating & Septic, Thielen Motors and anonymous donors.

Nemeth Art Center

Meet Minnesota authors at a special event Sept. 29 The Park Rapids Area Library will welcome (after two years of COVID interruptions) a fantastic in-person panel of authors who will share insights into their work and the writing process at a Moving Words: Writers Across Minnesota event.

Enjoy a lively discussion with three Minnesota Book Award-winning authors at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 29 at the Armory Arts and Events Center. Meet Andrew DeYoung, Shannon Gibney and Sun Yung Shin at this free Moving Words event.

Moving Words is an opportunity for writers and readers to explore various themes together including the impact of literature in their lives, their connection as fellow Minnesotans, and the lens through which we read.

Andrew DeYoung likes to juxtapose seemingly disparate places and ideas. ”I like something that’s a little bit of high and low, that mashes things together, whether that’s a novel that draws from multiple genres, or a piece of culture writing that explores the intersection between art and life,” he says. His newest YA novel book, The Temps, follows the success of his 2018 Winner, The Exo Project.

Shannon Gibney describes her writing as “stories that may have previously gone untold. Sometimes these perspectives have remained hidden because the speakers have not had an outlet for their stories; other times, the stories carry darkness and fear that we prefer to look away from.” Park Rapids readers may remember Shannon when she toured here as part of our Park Rapids Reads selections, A Good Time for the Truth, and her book, See No Color, the 2016 Winner for Young Adults.

Sun Yung Shin is a poet, writer and cultural worker whose works include the poetry collection, Unbearable Splendor, which was the 2016 winner in Poetry. She was the editor of A Good Time for the Truth, the Summer 2020 selection for The Friends of the St. Paul Public Library’s statewide One Book | One Minnesota. She also co-directs the community organization Poetry Asylum with poet Su Hwang.

Presented by BNSF Railway Foundation, Moving Words is a program of The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library as the Library of Congress-designated Minnesota Center for the Book. Additional support is provided by the Harlan Boss Foundation for the Arts, Northern Lights Library Network and Education Minnesota. This program is made possible in part by the State of Minnesota through a grant to the Minnesota Department of Education and the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

Art Beat Left: April Hodge brought Dolly Levi to life in this summer’s NLOC production of Hello, Dolly. This is the scene of the title song and she nailed it. Top center: Performing “Elegance” were ( from left) Levi Trygstad as Barnaby Tucker, Maeve Bolton as Minnie Faye, Abby Jasmer as Mrs. Molloy and Jake Jager as Cornelius Hackl. Top right: The Men’s Chorus joined Levi Trygstad as Barnaby Tucker ( front left); Jake Jager as Cornelius Hackl (kneeling) and Dave Konshok as Horace Vandergelder ( front right) in “It Takes a Woman.”

2022 will be a summer to remember NLOC plans more events this fall

Northern Light Opera Company (NLOC) celebrated its 20th Anniversary June 25 after two previous postponements resulting from COVID issues.

The Armory Arts and Events Center was decorated with many props, costumes, photos and videos from past productions. There was a competition to identify the show the props and costumes were from. Past and present performers presented favorite scenes and songs. Libby and Hawken, who were on stage as 8-year-olds, were in many productions and are now post graduates working in music theater careers, returned to share the fun. Mike Swan and a young dancer reprised the Drum Song from Annie Get Your Gun. The program listed performers and volunteers through the years and also recognized those who sadly have passed. The event was a fun trip down memory lane.

NLOKids Drama Camp

weekly music rehearsals began This year’s Camp for 8- to in early June. Full production 13-year-olds from Pine Point rehearsals and building sets and Park Rapids had guest began mid-June. By late June, specialists helping with writ- every week day, there was set ing scripts, designing sets construction transforming the and props, and composing Armory into a theater, every songs for their original musi- evening found cast members cal, “SKYVIEW: The One-Eyed learning their lines, dance steps and music and, on the Time Ride.” lower level, the costume room The kids rode the bus, was alive with folks sewing and worked, played and ate togethfitting, magnificent costumes. er for four weeks and perThe average attendee to a formed an original musical for production has no concept of family and friends, both at the the time and creative enerPine Point Community Center gy invested by folks behind and Park Rapids Armory. After the scenes. This is a shout the performance at the Armory, out to those who have worked all piled into the bus and took a behind the scenes, as well as trip to the Dairy Queen to celethose who are seen on stage. brate a job well done.

Thank you! Well done!

A special visit from a Star Directors were aware of Tribune writer, Jenna Ross, the COVID uptick in Hubbard and staff photographer, Erica County so regular home tests Dischino, resulted in a very were mandated. All tests were impressive story with photos negative at dress rehearsal and covering several pages of the the first week of “Hello, Dolly!”

Star Tribune’s Sunday, July 24 shows was fun and energetic, edition. Jenna was here day and sets and costumes were one and two, and Erica joined impressive and acclaimed by WorkBench New Play her for the last two days of the audiences. However, COVID camp, capturing pictures and made an appearance among Workshop A second year’s WorkBench video. Subscribers can watch several cast members so an New Play Workshop saw play- the video at https://video. emergency board meeting was writers Melanie Goodreaux startribune.com/up-north- called and the decision made and Greg Paul, both from New kids-from- pine-point-and- to postpone performances and York City, again leading ses- park-rapids-come-together- reschedule for the following sions with eight participants. to-stage-a-play/600192488/. week. All forms of media were The week-long intensive engaged, and tickets were workshop culminated with the ‘Hello, Dolly!’ - NLOC’s either exchanged or reimnewly created scripts read by Summer Production bursed. Cast and crew were NLOC performers before an Auditions for “Hello, Dolly!” excited to share their creation were held late March and of “Hello, Dolly!” Aug. 10-12. enthusiastic audience.

WorkBench/Filmmaker Intensive

Led by award winning Los Angeles filmmaker David Leidy and playwright Greg Paul, the Workbench Filmmaker Intensive will lead a group of aspiring filmmakers through three packed days of learning the ins and outs of making your own film. The Intensive will culminate with a showing of the newly created films and a reading of the full-length screenplay,The Secret.

No previous experience is required to participate in and there will be no charge to participate.

The dates that were planned had to be changed because of the re-scheduled Hello, Dolly productions. Check the website - northernlightopera.org - for an updated schedule.

WorkBench Lighting Workshop

The objective of the WorkBench Lighting Workshop is to introduce participants to some of the basic principles of stage lighting and offer participants a chance to practice applying what they have learned to creating some lighting cues.

Each person in the workshop will have an opportunity for hands-on experience working with lighting instruments and a light board. Knowing more about the principles of stage lighting, participants will

Top: NLOKids Drama Camp participants work with guest specialists to write scripts, design sets and props, and compose songs for an original musical.

Bottom: This year’s NLOKids performed their original musical, SKYVIEW: The One-Eyed Time Ride, at the Pine Point Community Center and Armory Arts and Events Center. have more informed choices about how light is employed in theatrical productions.

Area high school theater departments will find this workshop especially helpful in training theater tech students to approach lighting in a more professional way. The workshop will be led by professional Lighting Designer Heidi Eckwall, Colorado College, and NLOC Technical Director Greg Paul. Dates of the workshop are Oct. 15-16. For more information, email info@northernlightopera.org.

HCLL fall programs start Sept. 6

Sue Harmon, a certified quilt appraiser, will be the first presenter in the Headwaters Center for Lifelong Learning fall series. Her topic will be Quilts as a Window to History for the program Sept. 6.

The Headwaters Center for Lifelong Learning (HCLL) finished a very successful, in-person series last winter and has announced the lineup for the fall series starting Sept.

6.

As in the past, attendance is free and open to all. Programs are held on Tuesdays from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at the Armory Arts and Events Center, which is handicap-accessible.

“Quilts as a Window to History” will lead off the programs Sept. 6 with examples of carefully crafted quilts. Sue Harmon will relate ways that quilt artistry reveals insights into daily lives, historical events and interests from a different time period.

Author Terry Smith will give the program Sept. 13 on “My Law Enforcement Career.” From his book, Code 4, Smith shares high-

lights of a 37-year career with law enforcement, including homicide investigations and more.

“Travels to Scandinavia” will be the program Sept.

20 when Linda Nordlund returns to HCLL with a visually impressive virtual tour, including cultural commentary on Iceland, Sweden and Norway.

On Sept. 27 the Headwaters Center for Lifelong Learning program

will be “Views from Under the Sea.” Mark Hewitt, a SCUBA enthusiast, will bring up close encounters with the beautiful coral and sea creatures of the Florida Keys reefs with memorable photos and videos.

Eric Haugland will speak on “Eight First Weeks in a 33-Year Career” in the National Park Service” Oct. 4.

HLLC: Page 8

Art Beat

Heartland Concert series will open Sept. 29 The Heartland Concert series for the 2022-23 season is about to begin!

This season’s line-up should have artists to please almost everyone’s musical likes. There are three tribute concerts from artists who have entertained generations of music lovers - it’s the music you love! There is a classical concert for our members who enjoy piano and classical music, and the season will end with a lively show presented by a brass group to keep you on the edge of your seats.

You are invited to join the series to see all five concerts at the low price of $45 per person! You will also be able to attend four concerts through the Wadena Concert Association - with your season ticket. There is no greater value for entertainment in the area.

Membership packets are available at Beagle and Wolf Books in Park Rapids, Northwinds Café and Grocery in Nevis,and Thrifty White Drug in Walker.

The season’s concerts and dates are:

Portrait of a Queen, Aretha Franklin - Sept. 29

The Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, taught her listeners how to Think and demand R-E-S-P-E-C-T while riding down the Freeway (of Love). In this production, award-winning songstress Cece Teneal takes music lovers on a trip down memory lane with stellar hits from Aretha Franklin’s 50-years of musical entertainment. Audiences will be energized by Teneal’s strong, soulful voice, and beautiful piano accompaniment to Franklin’s lyrical life lessons.

Forever Simon and Garfunkel - March 27

Starring award-winning singer-songwriters Sean Altman (founder of Rockapella) and Jack Skuller (Songwriters Hall of Fame Buddy Holly Prize) Forever Simon & Garfunkel celebrates the best-selling duo in rock ’n roll history. With humor, soaring energy, charm and laser-precise harmony, Altman and Skuller lead the audience on a journey through Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel’s teenage roots, their early success as a groovy folk act, their global dominance as hit-makers and the best of Paul Simon’s solo career.

Copper Street Brass - May 12

Jeeyon Kim will provide the Heartland Concert audience piano and classical music in her award-winning style Nov. 15. Beautiful videos will complement her performance.

Jeeyon Kim, pianist - Nov. 15

Classical pianist Jeeyoon Kim delights audiences with a sparkling combination of sensitive artistry, broad emotional range and impeccable technique. At the 2018 Global Music Awards Kim became a two Gold Medal winner for Emerging Artist and Instrumentalist. Kim provides a uniquely engaging and innovative concert experience, including beautiful videos to complement the music.

Patsy Cline Project - March 7

Lisa Brokop’s warm, rich voice and accompanying band will be paying homage to one of country music’s greatest ladies, Patsy Cline. Sit back, relax and enjoy many of Patsy’s classic hits like “Crazy,” “Sweet Dreams” and “Walkin’ After Midnight.” Brokop is Canadian born but lives in Nashville. She is a songwriter as well as a singer. The Patsy Cline Project was created in 2016 and includes many of Patsy’s hits. It also features a couple of Brokop’s originals, written in the style of Patsy Cline.

Copper Street Brass is a Minneapolis-based sextet comprised of two trumpets, trombone, tuba, French horn and percussion with several members doubling on keyboard, percussion, guitars and electric instruments. Copper Street Brass presents a variety of music in bold innovative ways with a friendly and charming stage presence. “That ‘70s Show” cleverly features music from the 1770s, 1870s and 1970s from classical and opera, jazz and folk, to rock and disco. Their eclectic performance will feature something for everyone.

All concerts are at 7 p.m. held in the Park Rapids High School auditorium.

Visit heartlandconcertassociation. org for more information. We’ll see you at the show!

Community Ed offers new experiences for youths, adults Park Rapids Community Ed programs offer a chance to try new experiences, improve on what you already know or think you know, or go along on a trip.

The fall news edition holds much more information about programs for youth and adults and is available at the Community Ed office, 301 Huntsinger Ave. Open Art Studio is an after school activity begun last year by Jody Ziemann and Becky Steinhoff. It was such a hit that not only did they offer it every month, they also offered a second class. Students are given a variety of art supplies with a proj-

ect in mind so they can create their own individual project.

Piano and string instrument lessons are offered throughout the year by Melody Bober and Jeff Menten.

A variety of classes are available for adults, including Custom Flowers, Watercolor Greeting Cards, Ribbon Embroidery, Steel Art, Intro to Quilting and more!

Community Ed also organizes trips.

Sign up to go to the Concordia Christmas Concert on Sunday, Dec. 4, Holiday Shows at Branson Dec. 4-10 and Hamilton at the Orpheum Theater Thursday, May 4.

Thirty-nine students participated in a production of Peter Pan with Prairie Fire Theater in July. In just four days, they practiced and performed the show.

Young girls participated in an Open Art Studio class after school. These classes will be available again this fall.

Participants in Open Art Studio classes after school are given art supplies and encouraged to make their own individual projects.

Heartland Concert Association DON’T WAIT TO BE ASKED. JOIN NOW!

HLLC From Page 7

The program will include an update on building the multiuse Itasca-Heartland Trail Connection as well as details about his responsibilities and unique memories from his career with the National Park Service.

Alex Messenger was 17 years old when he was mauled by a grizzly bear while on a Canadian wilderness canoe trip. On Oct. 11, he will share memories from his best-selling book, The Twenty-Ninth Day. In “Capturing the Moment,” the program Oct. 18, Steve Maanum documents a natural process in a series of photos of wood ducks, ruffed grouse, great blue herons and loons.

The final program of the season Oct. 25 will be about “Creating a Pollinator Highway.” In response to the ongoing loss of pollinator habitat, the Nevis Women’s Club undertook an ambitious project to create a pollinator-friendly corridor. In this program, they’ll describe the concept, funding and implementation of their vision.

HEARTLAND CONCERT SERIES FOR 2022/2023 THURSDAY, 9/29/22 - Portrait of a Queen (Aretha Franklin) TUESDAY, 11/15/22 - Jeeyoon Kim, pianist TUESDAY, 3/7/23 - The Patsy Cline Project MONDAY, 3/27/23 - Forever Simon and Garfunkel FRIDAY, 5/12/23 - Copper Street Brass VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE INFORMATION

www.heartlandconcertassociation.org This activity is funded in whole or in part by a Region 2 Arts Council Grant through an appropriation by the MN Legislature, and the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund passed by MN voters on Nov. 4, 2008

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How to protect trees for winter

DAVID SAMSON / THE FORUM

Fencing young trees for the winter can prevent injury from rabbits.

Growing Together

Heritage Manor Service-enriched Assisted Living 218-237-8345

BY DON KINZLER Gardening Columnist

D

o you know how lumberjacks know how many trees they’ve cut down?

They keep a log.

Dad jokes aside, trees are a valuable resource that take years to reach full potential. Apple trees take an average of five years to begin fruiting, sometimes longer.

Shade trees require a decade or more before their canopy is large enough to cast much shade.

Trees are all the more precious because they do require years of patient growth. In the mean-

Heritage Cottages time, we can partner with our trees to give them every possible advantage, and one of the prime ways is by protecting them for the winter. Years of growth can be ruined in minutes as rabbits, deer and voles can quickly kill a tree while gnawing bark as a winter food source.

Sunscald and bark cracks can ruin a tree in just one winter.

Young trees are particularly vulnerable during the first five years following planting.

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10 TREES From Page 9

Their bark is thin and easily damaged during winter, and thin, smooth, tender bark is an attractive food source. Fruit trees are especially vulnerable, as their bark remains thin well past the onset of fruit bearing, and the bark and twigs contain compounds flavorful to animals and rodents.

The following are measures to protect our trees for the winter. ► If younger trees aren’t already mulched with shredded wood, apply a layer 5 inches thick in a circle 5 feet in diameter and kept 5 inches away from the trunk. This moderates soil temperatures in winter, preventing extreme cold from penetrating so deeply into the soil. ► Wrap trunks to prevent sunscald, which causes elongated, sunken, dried or cracked areas of dead bark, usually on the south or southwest side of a tree. Just as a skier can get a sunburn as snow reflects winter sun, tree bark can heat, thaw and refreeze on sunny days, rupturing cells. Sunscald is especially damaging to young trees, smoothbarked trees and fruit trees. Older trees with deeply furrowed bark are less susceptible.

Several forms of tree wrap and tree tubes are available at garden centers, and white reflects sun the best.

If dark tubing is used, be sure there’s a deadair space between the material and the trunk.

Wrap trunks to the lowest branch, and slightly higher, if possible.

Apply each fall and remove each spring. ► Wrapping trees is also a good way to prevent damage to the trunk from animals and rodents. Deer use young trees for rubbing posts, and rabbits and voles consume bark and branches. For best protection, bury the lower end of the tree wrap an inch or more below soil surface, which helps deter vole damage to the trunk at ground level. ► Unfortunately, wrapping the trunk

DAVID SAMSON / THE FORUM

Top: Wrapping trees for at least five years after planting can reduce winter sunscald and animal damage. Right: Rodent baits or traps, which can be placed inside PVC tubes, can minimize vole damage around trees and the lawn. doesn’t prevent all feeding injury, especially from rabbits, who use snowbanks for easy access to a tree’s upper branches.

Younger fruit trees are attractive targets for rabbits, and the upper structure can be ruined by winter feeding. Prevent snowbank access with fencing placed around trees. Adding extra fence height might be needed in midwinter depending on the snow depth. ► Rodent baits or traps can minimize vole damage around trees and lawn. Where pets and children are present, baits can be placed inside PVC tubes, into which voles enjoy traveling. ► Although gardeners try a myriad of homemade repellents, including mothballs, human hair, soap and even vodka, all with mixed results, repellents with the widest

researched success rate are those containing sulfurous compounds or blood waste, as found in Liquid Fence, Deer Away and Plantskydd. ► Water evergreens before the soil freezes solid, by soaking deeply.

An amount that is sometimes used as a guide is 2 gallons of water for every inch of tree trunk diameter. ► Some evergreens, like arborvitae, are susceptible to winter sunscald and windburn damage. If protective

burlap is used, instead of wrapping snuggly against the foliage, create a burlap screen around the evergreen with stakes inserted into the ground, creating a frame around which the burlap is wrapped. ► Arborvitae are particularly attractive to winter feeding from rabbits and deer. Protect with fencing or the repellents mentioned above. ► When using a snowblower, don’t aim

it at trees or shrubs, especially evergreens.

Many dead spots on evergreens are caused by the targeted force of blown snow.

BRIAN HILLESLAND National Board Certified Hearing Instrument Specialist

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.

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Is slipping memory dementia or stress?

D

ear Carol: My dad’s 79 and I’ve been worried about his memory. Mom’s got Alzheimer’s and he’s been her only caregiver for six years, so that pushes him to the limit. I know that’s part of his problem, but I’m worried about him getting dementia. I kept after him until he finally said that he’d talk to his doctor about his memory.

Well, he did that, and the doctor did an office test but said that he’s fine, just stressed. I’ve read where in-office tests aren’t all that good, so what do I do now? Dad’s healthy, but I hate to see future deterioration in his functioning if that can be prevented with early medication. How do I get him to another doctor for a diagnosis? ~ GW Dear GW: You’re being an attentive adult child and your suggestion that your dad see his doctor was a good one.

Now, I’d give the doctor credit for taking the request seriously and recognizing the fact that your dad is under

Minding Our Elders

BY CAROL BRADLEY BURSACK Columnist a lot of strain. Unless your dad’s memory and decision-making seem to worsen significantly, there might be better places for your focus, at least for now.

What he most likely needs to do is to recognize that nearly all dementia caregivers will eventually require help if only to protect their own health. I keep repeating this concept, but many caregivers need to hear it applied specifically to them before it hits home.

So, put it to him plainly: If he doesn’t take better care of himself now, he may not be around to be your mom’s advocate in the future.

Sometimes, it’s easiest to start with in-home caregivers because that doesn’t seem like such

a drastic change. If he hired someone to help half-days, he could at least go out if he chose or just get some sleep if that’s his biggest priority.

The other choice, which could be considered now or after he tries in-home care for a while, would be placing your mom in memory care. I’m thinking that in your mom’s case, memory care might be the best choice from the start, but your dad would have to decide what he thinks would work best.

COVID isn’t a big issue in care homes now if your parents are vaccinated, so that concern is manageable.

If your mom goes into memory care, she’d have expert care and more

ADOBE STOCK

socialization. Also, your dad could once again become her husband rather than her overworked, overstressed caregiver. That means he could visit with her, comfort her and have some fun with her while the staff does the ongoing, hands-on work.

Unfortunately, these changes are expensive.

You could help by taking him to see an elder care attorney to see how to make some outside care feasible considering their financial situation.

If after changes are made and he has had time to rest and recover he still seems to need more cognitive assessment, then you could consider asking him to

see a memory specialist.

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.

When is it time for respite?

The Family Circle

BY LAUREL HED

LSW GCM, works for Security First, SBC Adult Care Management Services

B

eing a family caregiver is a sacrifice in many ways. Over 30 billion hours a year are spent caregiving and are usually unpaid.

This can be exhausting both physically and mentally, not to mention the strain on relationships and emotions.

Respite is a good option for family caregivers to make sure they don’t end up sick themselves.

Respite can provide help in many ways. Caregivers need to have some uninterrupted sleep, run errands, pay bills or just go out for coffee or lunch with friends. These can all be done for a few hours a day. But respite can also be for several days, so

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caregivers are able to attend a wedding or take a little vacation.

Some caregivers have a hard time allowing other people to provide cares but there are ways of knowing when to take a break. Caregivers may find themselves getting sick more often, or there may come a time it just feels overwhelming. A caregiver can start to feel sad because they are losing touch with friends, this can lead to feelings of depression which can easily lead to feelings of frustration towards the care receiver.

At some point we all need to take a break and give ourselves permission to do something fun, knowing your loved one is being cared for.

These are a few ways of knowing it is time to use respite services.

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How does Social Security work when a spouse or ex-spouse dies?

D

ear Savvy Senior, Who qualifies for Social Security survivor benefits?

My ex-husband died last year, so I would like to find out if me or my 17-year-old daughter are eligible for anything? ~ Divorced Survivor Dear Divorced, If your ex-husband worked and paid Social Security taxes and you and/or your daughter meet the eligibility requirements, you may very well be eligible for survivor benefits, but you should act quickly because benefits are generally retroactive only up to six months.

Here’s what you should know: Under Social Security law, when a person who has worked and paid Social Security taxes dies, certain members of that person’s family may be eligible for survivor benefits including spouses, former spouses and dependents.

Here’s a breakdown of who qualifies: Widow(er)s and divorced widow(er)s: Surviving spouses that were married at least nine months are eligible to collect a monthly survivor benefit as early as age 60 (50 if disabled). Divorced surviving spouses are also eligible at this same age, if you were married at least 10 years and did not remarry before age 60 (50 if disabled), unless the marriage ends.

How much you’ll receive will depend on how much money (earnings that were subject to Social Security taxes) your spouse or ex-spouse made over their lifetime, and the age in which you apply for survivor benefits.

If you wait until your full retirement age (which is 66 for people born in 1945-1954 and will grad-

The Savvy Senior

BY JIM MILLER Columnist ually increase to age 67 for people born in 1960 or later), you’ll receive 100 of your deceased spouses or ex-spouses benefit amount. But if you apply between age 60 and your full retirement age, your benefit will be somewhere between 71.5 – 99 percent of their benefit.

There is, however, one exception. Surviving spouses and ex-spouses that are caring for a child (or children) of the deceased worker, and they are under age 16 or disabled, are eligible to receive 75 percent of the worker’s benefit amount at any age.

Unmarried children: Surviving unmarried children under age 18, or up to age 19 if they’re still attending high school, are eligible for survivor benefits too.

Benefits can also be paid to children at any age if they were disabled before age 22 and remain disabled.

Both biological and adoptive children are eligible, as well as kids born out of wedlock. Dependent stepchildren and grandchildren may also qualify. Children’s benefits are 75 percent of the workers benefit.

You should also know that in addition to survivor benefits, a surviving spouse or child may also be eligible

Home Care I would get up in the morning, weigh myself, do my blood pressure, take my temperature, and my oxygen.

And if that got too low, then they (Knute Nelson) would call.

My doctor wanted me to be at 90 or above.

And if went to 89 or 88, they would call within a 10 minute period.

- Dale, Remote Health Monitoring Client

to receive a special lump-sum death payment of $255.

Dependent parents: Benefits can also be paid to dependent parents who are age 62 and older. For parents to qualify as dependents, the deceased worker would have had to provide at least one-half of the parent’s financial support.

But be aware that Social Security has limits on how much a family can receive in monthly survivors’ benefits – usually 150 to 180 percent of the workers benefit.

Switching strategies Social Security also provides surviving spouses and ex-spouses some nice strategies that can help boost your benefits. For example, if you’ve worked you could take a reduced survivor benefit at age 60 and switch to your own retirement benefit based on your earnings history – between 62 and 70 – if it offers a higher payment.

Or, if you’re already receiving retirement benefits on your work record, you could switch to survivors benefits if it offers a higher payment. You cannot, however, receive both benefits.

You also need to know that if you collect a survivor benefit while working, and are under full retirement age, your benefits may be reduced depending on your earnings – see SSA.gov/pubs/EN-05-10069.pdf.

For more information on survivor benefits, visit SSA.gov/benefits/survivors.

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.