FRE
Prime Time
E
January/February 2013 Volume 2 Issue 1
hree Steps to T Smarter Investing ow Our Constitution H Came to Be Winter Memories Love of Quilting
for ages 50 and beyond...
Start your New Year off right by
Protecting your
Assets
Many investors have been fooled by the Wall Street Bullies— the con men, the gurus, and the prognosticators—if they really had all the answers do you think that they would tell you? To be a successful investor you don’t have to know everything as long as you know the right things! Do You Know How Markets Work? Do You Know How to Measure Diversification In Your Portfolio? Do You Consistently and Predictably Achieve Market Returns? When Building Your Portfolio, Do You Know Exactly What You Are Doing and Why? Do You Have a System to Measure Portfolio Volatility? Do You Know the Three Signs That You Are Speculating and Gambling With Your Money?
These are just some of the 20 Must-Answer Questions for your journey toward financial peace of mind.
Have a Safe and Happy New Year!
Call about our FREE workshops! Visit our Website at www.raineyassetmanagement.com to download your free Investor Awareness Guide and take the FREE online Investor Quiz! Call our office to speak to one of our Investor Coaches and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
920 Pierremont Rd., Ste. 105 • Shreveport, LA 71106 • 318-869-3133 Toll Free 1-888-836-2738 • www.raineyassetmanagement.com Rainey Asset Management, Inc. is a Registered Investment Advisory Firm registered in Florida, Louisiana, and Texas.
My
First By Kathryn C. Wolfe Through the years Mardi Gras festivities have worked their way up from the Gulf Coast to north Louisiana. We now have a lively Carnival Season throughout the state, but that was not always the case. The first year I ever attended Mardi Gras was 1954 when I was a senior at LSU in Baton Rouge. In those days the celebration was not very widespread beyond the Gulf Coast, and LSU did not even suspend classes on Mardi Gras Day. I don’t remember Baton Rouge having a celebration. But the big event
in New Orleans was just 75 miles away, so I cut classes that Tuesday and sneaked away with some friends to attend. You can imagine how surprised we were to come face to face with some of our professors at Pat O’Brien’s! The next year, 1955, was the first time LSU acknowledged the holiday. That was an early step in the northward spread of Mardi Gras and its related revelry in Louisiana.
Acupuncture & Traditional Chinese Medicine takes a holistic, or whole-body, approach to health by working to restore the balance and flow of the body’s Qi (pronounced “chee”), or vital energy. We are experts at: shoulder pain, headaches, lumbago, arthritis, allergies, lupus, associated women’s conditions, stress, anxiety, depression, fatigue, ADD/ADHD.
Call the office today and schedule an appointment in Carthage or Houston!
Edna Wheless, Editor / Publisher
The locals’ guide to events, people, & items of interest in & around our area.
Free on racks throughout DeSoto Parish Subscribe for $16 annually Circulated every other month
Dr. Ellen Gong Dr. Baisong Zhong
eastern balance oriental medicine
2539 2539 S.S. GESSNER, GESSNER, 2539 S.SUITE GESSNER, SUITE #25 #25HOUSTON, SUITE HOUSTON, #25 TEXAS HOUSTON, TEXAS TEXASThe
713-922-8179 713-922-8179 713-922-8179 ww ww ww . e. e aa sws tw et e rw nr .n beb aaa l sal ta nen cr c e ne tbctac m lm a. c n. c oo e mm tcm.com
January/February 2013
“It’s all about us”
Place to Advertise Your Business!
318-471-2661 for rates
PrimeTime
3
Prime Time Editor’s Note: The New Year Each new experience that comes into our lives may be exciting, scary, traumatic, or gratifying. Whichever, it can be a learning event. Our attitudes toward our circumstances have a profound effect on our outlook, which determines the misery and whining factor. I began this new year as a widow with a broken leg, and though I consider myself as sympathetic as the next person, when IT happens to me (or you), a whole new perspective opens up that brings with it new insight and an enlightenment to what other people struggle with— sometimes for the rest of their lives. My heart, like many other Americans, has been touched by our wounded warriors returning to challenging, forever-changed life circumstances. After literally nearly killing myself trying to walk on crutches, I have an even greater empathy and respect for these American heroes who face so many more difficulties. I am a great believer in the good that the private sector of citizens, churches, and social organizations
Editor/Publisher Elaine Hodge Marze Layout/Art Direction Grace V. Hardesty Contributing Writers Mattie A. Meek Dennise Aiello Dean Mulig Shawn M. Bohannon Blake Rainey Shirley M. Brown Denise Sanders Ric Cochran Loy Spurlock Charlcie King Robin Vosbury Elaine Marze Kathryn C. Wolfe
can and will do when they see the needs of our returning veterans. As the saying goes, “They’ve done their part—now it is time to do ours.” Most of us are aware of the state of America’s economy, and it is not good, but there will still be concerned citizens who will give sacrificially to assist those in need. For more information on the Wounded Warrior Project, you can go to woundedwarriorproject.org or call 855.WWP.HERO (855-997-4376) to donate or learn more. Another area I have received personal enlightenment is concerning families who have on-going illnesses that involve frequent trips to hospitals in other towns and states. Until you have walked in their shoes, you will not realize how much money it takes for hotels, gas, food, medical co-pays, drugs, etc. People assume that insurance pays all the costs, and maybe some companies do, but there are a lot more families whose savings are eaten up by these expenses. Our insurance wouldn’t even pay for feeding-tube supplies
during my husband’s cancer. I am now gratefully paying forward some of the financial kindnesses gifted to us by sharing with others going through similar situations. We may not be able to do much toward the overwhelming national debt, but we can have a positive influence on our little corner of America. The coming years are predicted to be hard on American’s family finances. As difficult as this can be, if we look around we may find somebody who is in greater need who we can bless. I love the concept of “Pay it forward.” It is another way of saying what an old hymn that I learned as a child in church states, “Share your many blessings—show what God can do....” Elaine Marze You are invited to join me at a book signing January 12, 1:00 – 3:00 pm at The Book Rack located at 1700 Old Minden Road, Bossier City, La.
Prime Time® is published every other Prime Time does not accept and is not month (Jan., Mar., May, July, Sept., Nov.) responsible for unsolicited manuscripts. by Prime Time Magazine, We are not responsible for any pictures, articles, 920 Pierremont Rd., Ste. 105 or misunderstandings on opinions expressed or facts Shreveport, LA 71106 supplied by its authors. We respect all points of view and Single edition FREE on newsstands. promote free expression. We recognize all comments, Editorial questions or for letters, notes, contributions, and the participation of this advertising information— community for making this magazine possible. Call: 318.780.0510 or e-mail editor: elmarz7@yahoo.com Fax comments to: 318.869.3134 All rights reserved. Printed in U.S.A. © 2012
Table of Contents January/February 2013
Volume 2 Issue 1
03 My First Mardi Gras By Kathryn C. Wolfe
04 Editor’s Letter 04 Publisher 06 Three Steps to
Smarter Investing in 2013...and Beyond By Ric Cochran
08 Elderly Is Not a
Bad Place to Be By Shirley M. Brown
16 Hoover Watercolor Society’s Annual Spring Exhibition By Denise Sanders
18 Dear Veterans
By Kinsley Clemons & Mellia Johnson
19 American Legion Club Membership Drive By Shawn M. Bohannon
20 Winter Memories By Kathryn C. Wolfe
22 Red Hats Go to Branson
09 Operation Christmas Child
22 Anticipation
10 How Our Constitution
23 From a Widow’s Perspective
By Dean Mulig
Came to Be By Loy Spurlock
12 From Wings to Strings By Dennise Aiello
14 Hearing Specialists: A Family Business
15 Nothin’ Left for Me
By Mattie A. Meek & Robin Vosbury
By Shirley M. Brown By Elaine Marze
24 Senior Adults Tour Arkansas By Dean Mulig
26
26 Love of Quilting By Charlcie King
29 Three Things to Do When
Facing Nursing Home Costs By Blake Rainey
24
January/February 2013
12
PrimeTime
16
5
3
Steps to
Smarter Investing in 2013...and Beyond By Ric Cochran Want to position your portfolio to profit from coming events in 2013 and beyond? Who doesn’t? Magazines at the checkout aisles perennially purport to put you in the driver’s seat. Think your portfolio might need a tune-up? You may think, after all, these magazines are betting their reputations; so you might believe you can trust what they recommend. Are some of your investments down, and others not up as much as you’d like? Got money on the sidelines, or wondering if it’s time to go to the sidelines? Is 2013 a good time to be in the market, or not? Should you buy gold, ETFs, fertilizer or fish industry futures, or keep money under a mattress? The media generously provides an ever-growing collection of magazine covers and broadcasts with pundits recommending investments and strategies that later prove disastrous. With so many epic failures, it’s a wonder publishers and networks maintain any level of credibility. But another month, or year, another set of predictions. Enough consumers seem driven by their present curiosity, ignoring past mistakes, to keep the keyboards, cameras, and pundits busy. The same concept works for handicappers of horse and dog races, as well as sports prognosticators, whose writers could 6
arguably be the richest people on the planet by following their own advice, that is, if it wasn’t so often wrong. I suspect too many consumers don’t understand media revenue models, how profits are driven by advertisers paying for the attention of consumers who are baited by catchy headlines and subjects. The content is just filler. We’re taught to value the guidance of experts without being overly-educated to discern whether so-called expertise is useful or fatally flawed. Amidst a confusion of conflicting content, our eyes wander to ad after ad, many seem to imply special expertise or offer special tools, or that even a toddler can be successful with their platform. So why aren’t we all rich yet? Conditioned to trust certain names, images, or slogans, investors dial a number or visit a Website, proving once again that ad dollars were well-spent even if investors’ dollars were not. So how can we sort out financial fact from fiction so we avoid being roadkill on Wall Street? After all, according to DALBAR studies, most investors earn well below the market averages. It’s no wonder so many are looking for a better way to invest. Some just give up, or trust professionals who sometimes do even worse!
PrimeTime
January/February 2013
Here are three steps to becoming a smarter investor in 2013, and beyond, based on decades of financial market data and the work of Nobel Prize-winning economists like Merton Miller, Harry Markowitz, and William Sharpe: 1. Never, ever, invest based on predictions and proclamations of what any “expert” thinks is going to happen. Even if they correctly guess a particular event will happen, it’s far more likely they will be wrong about the market’s reaction. If they really knew, they wouldn’t tell you and me, and they sure wouldn’t have to work for a living. Markets are random and unpredictable. Articles and interviews with gurus are only filler between ads that are too often equally dubious. 2. Never, ever, invest money without investing sufficient time to understand investing and markets. No one has more at stake in your financial future than you! There are sound principles every investor should understand. In my experience, there are 20 Must-Answer Questions every investor should be able to answer. You can find them on our Website at RaineyAssetManagement.com.
3. Find a financial coach with a fiduciary obligation and legal responsibility to only recommend what is in clients’ best interest and who holds monthly classes on subjects like modern portfolio theory, efficient markets, and the fallacy of trusting financial prognosticators. As a friend and colleague, Mark Matson, says, “You don’t have to know everything. You just need to know the right things.” Magazine covers provide numerous examples of bad investment calls by the media. Learning not to be fooled is a first step to being a smarter investor in 2013 and beyond.
About the Author: Ric Cochran writes, speaks, and teaches about responsible investing based on the work of Nobel Prize winning economists, why investors and brokers too often fail to achieve market returns and what to do about it. He advises clients at Rainey Asset Management in Shreveport and can be reached at 318.869.3133. Rainey Asset Management is a registered investment advisor. Visit them on the Web at RaineyAssetManagement.com.
Ric Cochran works for Rainey Asset Management
I’ve sure gotten old! I’ve had two bypass surgeries, a hip replacement, new knees, fought prostate cancer and diabetes. I’m half blind, can’t hear anything quieter than a jet engine, take 40 different medications that make me dizzy, winded, and subject to blackouts. I have bouts with dementia, poor circulation, and can hardly feel my hands and feet anymore. I can’t remember if I’m 85 or 92. I’ve lost all my friends. But, thank goodness, I still have my driver’s license. January/February 2013
PrimeTime
7
Elderly
Is Not a Bad Place to Be By Shirley M. Brown
What do you see when you look at elderly people? And I’m talking elderly, not just over 60, but well over seventy. Do you see wrinkles, skin like saran wrap? Saggy arms covered with red splotches? Do you see thinning or balding hair and dimming eyes? If they are walking oh-so slowly and tottery, do you think maybe they’ve outlived their usefulness? Do you believe there’s nothing left for them of worldly activities and think they should just sit in their rocking chairs and doze? If that’s what you see, you’d better look again. You’ll be there before you know it, if you’re lucky. However old they may be, however used-up their physical bodies, just take the time to talk with some of them. Ask them if they’re ready to pack it in. Ask them if they feel useless. Ask them if they even feel old. You might be surprised at the answers. Many elderly people have a shining spirit, barely tarnished—and the tarnishing came from living, not from growing old. Older folks are good conversationalists, avid readers, lovers of history, up-to-date on new-age inventions, such as cell phones, computers, the Internet, VCRs and DVDs. More power to them. Someone needs to change the parameters of ‘old age.’ Retiring at 65 doesn’t work anymore. So many older people are still working—some have to, some choose to. Each one is different with different interests, some in science, gardening, cooking, sewing, community service, or just living the good life and having fun. I speak from experience, as just this month I turned 86. 8
You wouldn’t believe how young I feel. My favorite activity, besides two writing group meetings each month, is playing word games. That keeps my brain sharp, and I know about eight women who join me in that passion. We play a simple and simply wonderful word game called Boggle. We compete for the high score as if our lives depended on it; we roar with laughter at the humorous and loving sarcastic remarks around the table. At Randall T. Moore Center for the elderly they shut the doors in the room so we won’t disturb the serious bridge players. Also, our group of players is welcomed at several of the restaurants in Shreveport. After we have had lunch we stay and play for as long as we like. Once a cashier reported to us that a man paying his bill referred to our table of hilarity and said to her, “They must be telling dirty jokes.” So open your mind and welcome aging; make friends with your elders. No matter how old you get, there is fun to be had—and usually at no great cost. So don’t be afraid of the approaching years. Be joyful; anticipate. We might even let you sit in on a game of Boggle, if you can spell.
About the Author: Shirley Brown belongs to two Shreveport writers’ clubs, and is a retired legal secretary. She loves hearing from readers at smbshirley@aol.com.
PrimeTime
January/February 2013
OPERATION
CHRISTMAS CHILD By Dean Mulig Bible Study Teacher, Dan Turner, collects caps at any golf course he attends and had aquired quite a large collection. He gave the caps to these ladies to make him a quilt using the logo off of each one. He then donated over $500 to OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD which First Baptist Bossier does each year for kids in Mexico, as well as other places, who would not receive any gifts at Christmas. Several local churches work together to collect shoe boxes filled with small toys and/or clothes. Trailer loads have been collected in the past.
at bookstores now
Hello, Darling Most love stories are about the beginning of a relationship. This book tells the love story at the end of a relationship. “Elaine has the unique ability to make you laugh through your tears. You’ll learn about the progress and treatment of her husband’s cancer, see the humor that they both found in almost every situation—but most of all you’ll feel God’s presence in everything they faced.” Patti Yeatts, Administrative Asst., Northwest LA Baptist Association
“Each experience as shared through her words has left me wanting more. She writes as if she were talking to you. You’ll feel joy one moment and cry the next. Laughter is always key in her writings no matter what. Anyone who reads her story is sure to share it again and again.” Vickie Clemons, Tennessee WMU
You can schedule a book signing by e-mailing Elaine at elmarz7@yahoo.com. Order by calling 888-361-9473 or visit the Website at: www.elainehodgemarze.tateauthor.com January/February 2013
PrimeTime
9
In My Opinion
How Our
Constitution Came to Be
By Loy Spurlock
It all started on 12/16/1773 with a Tea Party at the Boston Harbor, eventually starting the Revolutionary war at Lexington (the shot heard ‘round the world). This spawned the Declaration of Independence on 7/4/1776. The States then banded together with the Articles of Confederation to fight against the British. When the war was won with the Treaty of Paris on 1/14/1784, the Continental Congress Convention opened to improve the Articles, but turned into a Constitutional Convention. After completion, our Constitution was ratified on 6/21/1788 and went into effect on 3/4/1789, making us the Constitutional United States of America. We wound up with an amazing Legislative work of Art providing us with a Republican form of limited government which couldn’t have happened in any other period of time in history, and was a miracle it came to fruition. One might call it the Goose that Lays Golden Eggs. It was a perfect storm, for a near perfect Constitution starting out with the Preamble stating: 10
“ We The People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”
Some say the Preamble has no legal authority because it’s not in any Article in our Constitution, thereby not being part of the Law of the Land. However, I differ in opinion, because... The Preamble confirms that our Constitution (our contract, a legal document) is to insure domestic Tranquility (calmness, serenity, no worries), common defence (our safety from aggressors by having a strong military), general Welfare (secure in our homes, papers, and possessions), secure the Blessings of Liberty (to protect our God-given rights to prosper with a free enterprise marketing system, and all other natural rights, such as
PrimeTime
January/February 2013
owning guns, freedom of religion, speech, life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness) to ourselves and our Posterity (a continuing limited government dedicated to protect those Blessings for us, our Children, their Children, and theirs...without leaving them with a massive debt to deal with). It also solidifies that We, The People, of the United States of America are in Charge, not the politicians, because it’s We, the people who ordain (set the direction and responsibility of those in our government), and establish (make clear beyond reasonable doubt) about what they are allowed and/or mandated to do, and it’s We, the people who they work for, and us who are paying their salaries for them to comply with the requirements and limitations of our Constitution. So, the Preamble states exactly what the laws of our Constitution are for, and provides the purpose of our Constitution, what we expect them to do, and that it’s OUR authorization to allow THEM (those in our government) to do the things listed in our contract. Without the preamble, there’s no stated purpose for our Constitution. However, the preamble is the opening statement of our contract with those in our government, so is part of our contract, and therefore part of our Constitution. To sum it up; the primary things our employees are supposed to do is follow our Constitution to: 1) protect ALL of the States’ and People’s God given natural rights, including to go forth and prosper for those who are willing to work for it;
2) protect America from enemies Foreign and Domestic; 3) and take care of business that would be difficult for States to do by themselves, such as make treaties, coin money, Promote Commerce among the States and Foreign Nations, and do everything else listed in our Constitution, and nothing more (i.e. Do no harm). That’s it. It’s obvious our government is not currently doing any of those things correctly by twisting and/or ignoring our Constitution.
About the Author: Loy’s school, in the 8th grade (1957), taught the Constitution and why it’s better than Socialism. Starting with the Johnson years, he noticed things were going wrong, so started paying more attention to politics. In his opinion, it is possible to turn around what he considers unconstitutional actions taken in the past 100 years. The subject of ‘Separation of Church and State’ is one of his passions. He believes all that’s needed is enough Constitutional oriented politicians in Congress and a willing President. This is just one of the issues in the 140 page project he’s been working on for nearly two years. If you would like to be added to his e-mail list, contact him at LoyT@LoysToys.com with the subject “Prime Time.”
DATING ADS FOR SENIOR ADULTS LONG-TERM COMMITMENT - Recent widow who has just buried fourth husband, and am looking for someone to round out a six-unit plot. Dizziness, fainting, shortness of breath not a problem. SERENITY NOW - I am into solitude, long walks, sunrises, the ocean, yoga, and meditation. If you are the silent type, let’s get together, take our hearing aids out, and enjoy quiet times. WINNING SMILE - Active grandmother with original teeth seeking dedicated flosser to share rare steaks, corn on the cob, and caramel candy. MEMORIES - I can usually remember Monday through Thursday. If you can remember Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, let’s put our two heads together. MINT CONDITION - Male, 1932 model, high mileage, good condition, some hair, many new parts including hip, knee, cornea, valves. Isn’t in running condition, but walks well. January/February 2013
PrimeTime
11
Wings St rings From
to
By Dennise Aiello
For a lifetime vocation, airplanes and airports kept my husband Robert R. “Bob” Aiello very busy. At the same time his hobbies included enjoying music and working in his wood shop. In retirement, Bob’s focus changed from airplane wings to violin strings. Bob’s career in the aircraft business spanned more than 50 years. His interest in airplanes, flying them and finding out what makes them “tick,” started in his teenage years. After high school, he completed a twoyear aviation degree program at Teterboro School of Aeronautics in New Jersey, then served in the U. S. Air Force. In the late 1970s Bob started his own business, Aiello Aviation, in Marshall, Texas. In 2007, after operating Aiello Aviation for 30 years, Bob retired from the aircraft business and started a new activity, repairing and building handcrafted violins. Sounds like a great leap, but Bob’s interest in music began with playing the piano at age 14. As an adult he took college courses in music theory and composition. He has sung in church choirs for more than 20 years and played the piano on a monthly volunteer basis at a substance abuse facility. For a short time he was the interim music director at St. Matthias Church in Shreveport. Creating gifts with carving and power tools has also been a longtime outlet that Bob used to relax and destress. The combination of his musical interest and his enjoyment for working with wood was the impetus for researching violin building. Reading The Art of Violin Making by Chris Johnson and Roy Courtnall piqued his 12
interest in making a violin and gave him the confidence to get started. There are no violin makers associations in the Shreveport/Bossier area or elsewhere in Louisiana. However, on the internet Bob connected with the Violin Makers Association of Arizona International and became a member in 2008. The members of the Arizona association were more than willing to share information for resources and learning. Violin makers Bob met through VMAAI recommended workshops for serious craftsmen taught by Michael Darnton at Pomona College in Claremont, California. Bob attended some of the classes. Although Bob had a wide variety of woodworking equipment in his workshop, more tools were needed for the delicate task of taking a thick board plank, planing it down to three-and-a-half to four millimeters, and shaping it for the thin body of the violin. Various scrapers, gouges, thumb planes, bending irons, ‘f ’ hole cutters, purfling picks and markers, and a long list of other specialty items were purchased to get started. Bob continues to research and add tools needed for the violins. The Johnson and Courtnall book explains different patterns violin makers choose from to create their musical instruments. Bob uses two of the most popular patterns, the Stradivari and the Guarneri. Aged spruce and maple are the woods used: spruce for the top plate and maple for the bottom plate. “Besides the body of the violin, an essential but difficult component in crafting the violin, is the hand-
PrimeTime
January/February 2013
carved decorative scroll,” Bob said. Another delicate task is heating thin strips of maple and bending the wood to shape the outside rim, called ribs, which holds the top and bottom plates together. Bob has attended VMAAI’s Tucson convention for several years. Each year his violins have been judged “good” and “better” in some categories and “best” in a couple. “I’m striving to reach the point of perfection in handcrafting my violins,” he said. Wood for the violins comes from several sources in the U. S. and Canada. However, finding the so-called “best” wood in the world does not necessarily make the best sounding violin. According to Bob Aiello, “It is the skill and craftsmanship of the maker that give the violin its heart and soul.”
(Top) The violin starts as two blocks of wood joined with hide glue (right) and takes shape (left) using very sharp finger planes. (Above Left) Bob Aiello measures the arch of the top plate of a violin to determine how much farther to plane the wood.
About the Author: Bob Aiello’s workshop is located in Benton, Louisiana. His email address is robtaiello@aol.com. Dennise Aiello is a freelance writer/photographer. Her e-mail address is aiellodennise@bellsouth.net.
(Above Right) A member of the Tucson Symphony Orchestra plays one of Bob Aiello’s violins entered in VMAAI competition.
“Good character is more to be praised than outstanding talents which are, to some extent, gifts. Good character, by contrast, is not given to us. We have to build it piece by piece— by thought, choice, courage and determination.” ~John Luther January/February 2013
PrimeTime
13
Hearing Specialists:
A Family Business
Sam San Angelo, Sr. and wife, Gerry San Angelo, bought their business in 1979. Their son, Sammy, went to work at Audibel early on, and took over ownership from his parents. His daughter, Briget, officially joined the family business full time in 2011. Audibel of Shreveport is located on the corner of Jordan Street and Irving Place off Line Avenue. Sammy San Angelo, Jr., licensed hearing instrument specialist of 30 years and hearing aid user for 50 years, is dedicated to the tradition of his family-owned and operated hearing center in delivering top-notch customer service in a friendly environment. Members of the Shreveport and Bossier Chambers of Commerce and the Better Business Bureau, Sammy and Briget wants the public to count on Audibel to be the number one choice for quality, expert hearing care. Briget earned her bachelor’s degree in Finance at Louisiana State University – Shreveport and is working towards obtaining her Louisiana hearing instrument specialists license. She currently does all the marketing for Audibel and volunteers as a diplomat with the Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce. Audibel products are made right here in the USA and all products come with a full warranty. They offer a wide variety of hearing aid styles to fit any hearing loss, lifestyle, and budget and free hearing tests in home, office or nursing home. Audibel of Shreveport offers 30-day trial-beforeyou-buy hearing instruments. Their policy is, “No money down, no restocking fee—leave your checkbooks and credit cards at home!” For those who currently wear hearing instruments, Audibel of Shreveport will gladly clean and service them
FREE of charge. Giving back to the community is very important at Audibel. Last year was their first year to hold a food drive benefiting the NWLA Food Bank at which over 540 pounds of food was donated from Audibel’s clients. This year the food drive is off to a great start and they hope to double—if not triple—that number. Audibel specializes in hearing aids but also offers a wide array of products for the ear, including custom-fit Bluetooth earmolds, custom-fit audio or stage monitors, custom-fit earbuds, floatable swim plugs, custom ear protection, hunter’s ears (enhance your environment while protecting your hearing), and many more products! They serve several parishes in Northwest Louisiana and visit Arcadia, Homer, Mansfield, Minden, and Springhill monthly. Old-fashioned home visits are still available for those unable to go to them. For a complete list of service centers and to find out when Audibel will be in your area, call their office at (318) 425-5417.
Prime Time contributing writer, Dennise Aiello, has been a customer of Che’Bella Day Spa and Salon’s Lisa Turner for several years. Dennise says, “Che’Bella Salon in Benton brings a lot of class to town! Not only does the salon staff have experience with hair styles and cuts as well as highlights and color, their offerings for day spa treatments compare with “big city” salons. Along with pedicures and manicures, Spa services include therapeutic and relaxation massage, facials, microdermabrasion, and full-body waxing, in a relaxing, friendly atmosphere.” (See ad on page 17) 14
PrimeTime
January/February 2013
NOTHIN’ LEFT FOR ME Copyright 2011 Mattie A. Meek & Robin Vosbury They said, don’t worry, Son, we got yo’ back We ain’t gonna raise your income tax Well, son of a gun that’s what they done Now there ain’t nothing left for me CHORUS: Well, I’ve paid my dues...Now I’m singin’ the blues ‘Cause there ain’t nothin’ left...ain’t nothin’ left for me No, there ain’t nothin’ left...ain’t nothin’ left for me (Naw, naw) I had me a nice house and a sweet little wife Together we had a pretty good life Now, my house is gone and my wife is too Lord, what’s a man to do
(Editor’s Note: Mattie is a lovely lady who has written many poems and songs that have been recorded by local and Nashville singers. She has had more than her share of physical problems in the past decade, and is currently suffering from some serious ailments, yet she continues to write poems and songs. She collaborated with Robin Vosbury on this song. Robin is also a local musical legend who has played and toured with big-name entertainers and continues to perform locally. For those who are active in the country music scene, you may hear this one being performed by area bands. Mattie’s health may not be allowing her to dance down the aisles like I remember her doing in year’s past, but she has the heart and soul of a fighter who keeps doing what she enjoys!)
It is health that is real wealth— not pieces of gold or silver.
To advertise in upcoming issues of
CHORUS: Well, I’ve paid my dues...Now I’m singin’ the blues Cause there ain’t nothin’ left (ya’ll)...ain’t nothin’ left for me No, there ain’t nothin’ left...ain’t nothin’ left for me Well, I’m too young to be retirin’ You know there ain’t nobody hirin’ I got holes in both my shoes... But, I keep on a’walkin’...and a’singin’ these blues Now I’m on the street, nobody knows my name Some might say that I’m to blame When all I did was pay my dues Now all I do is sing the blues CHORUS: Ain’t nothin’ left to lose...So, I’m singin’ the blues ‘Cause there ain’t nothin’ left...ain’t nothin’ left for me No, there ain’t nothin’ left (ya’ll)...ain’t nothin’ left for me BRIDGE: I keep hearin’ things are lookin’ up... But, there ain’t no money in this poor man’s cup CHORUS: (Repeat last chorus) TAG: Nothin’ left...ain’t nothin’ left for me
Prime contact: Time
Mattie A. Meek (BMI) d.b.a. MAM Productions www.mamproductions.com P.O. Box 6260, Bossier City, LA 71171-6260 Ph: 318-752-3226 or 318-230-0839 E-mail: mam@mamproductions.com
Tom Brown
Robin Vosbury (BMI) 9873 Deepwood, Shreveport, LA 71118 Ph: 318-655-8770 E-mail: Robinvosbury@gmail.com
primetime.tom11@gmail.com
318 218-9415
January/February 2013
PrimeTime
15
Hoover Watercolor Society’s
Annual Spring Exhibition By Denise Sanders
The Hoover Watercolor Society’s Annual Spring Exhibition Opening Reception will be on Sunday, April 7, 2013 at the Norsworthy Gallery of Art on Texas Street. The show opens with a reception beginning at 2:00 pm and ending at 4:00 pm with the Awards being announced at 3:00 pm. Over 80 paintings are entered in this colorful show and will be juried to 45-50 paintings; the top awards range from $400 to $500. There are fifteen awards received each year. This show normally
hangs at the R. S. Barnwell Garden and Art Center, but due to construction taking place at the facility, Chris & Christine Bailey, owners of the Norsworthy Gallery, have graciously offered their gallery to allow our area artists a venue to display their exquisite works. This show will close on May 19 and the top award winners as well as four to five honorable mentions will travel to the Michelson Museum of Art in Marshall, TX where they will hang for another six-week show.
First place winner: Tree by Donna McGee, teacher at Grambling State University. Second place winner: Boat by Gwen Talbot Hodges of Shreveport. Third place winner: Guitar by Denise Sanders of Shreveport.
16
PrimeTime
January/February 2013
Happy
Valentine’s Day!
Dear Veteran, Thank you for your service. You have no idea how much it means to me that you fought for my freedom. You are my hero. If it weren’t for you and the other men and women who fought in the wars this country wouldn’t be a free country. Again, God bless you and your family. Thank you sooooo much for all you did and do.
Mellia
Kinsley
Sincerely, Kinsley Clemons & Mellia Johnson, 9 years old
For Sale: $151,90000
1979 Beechcraft B 55 Baron 3442 hrs. – Complete New Interior & Paint in 2006 Contact: Aircraft Solutions, Shreveport @ 888-617-2258 18
PrimeTime
January/February 2013
American Legion Club
Membership Drive By Shawn M. Bohannon The Lowe-McFarlane Post 14 of the American Legion is hosting a membership drive from 2:00 to 5:00 pm on Sunday, January 27, 2013, at the post home at 5315 South Lakeshore Drive in Shreveport. The largest Legion post in Louisiana with over 1,200 members, Post 14 has been a community force for veterans benefits, child welfare, volunteerism, and patriotism for over 93 years. Named in honor of Sergeant Robert Frances Lowe and Private Sidney Edwin McFarlane, two local veterans who paid the ultimate sacrifice for America with their lives in World War I, Post 14 is seeking qualified veterans to join its ranks. Veterans interested in joining Post 14 should bring a copy of their DD Form 214 to prove eligibility. The membership drive will include an open house and tour of the facilities and grounds. Chartered by Congress in 1919, the American Legion is the largest wartime veterans service organization in the United States. A nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization, the American Legion, through its grass roots network of thousands of local posts throughout the United States and abroad, remains committed to mentoring youth, advocating patriotism and honor, promoting strong national security, and devotion to our fellow service members and veterans. The Legionnaires of Post 14 play a leading role in fostering the spirit of local Boy Scouting and building the next generation of leaders through the Boys and Girls State programs. In addition to staging patriotic events throughout the local area, Post 14 hosts the annual Cross
Lake Floatilla and recognizes the best and brightest of area high school students through the annual oratorical competition and junior ROTC scholastic and achievement medals program. Legionnaires routinely visit and assist fellow veterans hospitalized at the Overton Brooks VA Medical Center and the residents of the Northwest Louisiana War Veterans Home. For those with a passion for motorcycles and the open road, Post 14 sponsors an American Legion Riders chapter dedicated to fun, service, and charitable work. The important work of Post 14 could not be accomplished without the passionate support and dedication of the women of the Unit 14 Auxiliary and Squadron 14 of the Sons of the American Legion, two affiliated organizations that are likewise seeking new members. Membership in Post 14 allows veterans, spouses, and their guests access to the beautiful Legion clubhouse on Cross Lake. With over 10,000 square feet of floor space on 11 acres of land and 1,100 feet of shoreline, the clubhouse is one of the most impressive private clubs in the state. The grounds feature a boat dock, launch ramp, fishing pier, cooking grills, picnic tables, and a playground for children. Food, live music, and camaraderie are on the calendar every Friday night at Post 14. Qualified individuals interested in joining any facet of the American Legion family are encouraged to attend the open house and membership drive. For more information, contact Post 14 at (318) 635-8186 or via the post’s Website at www.lowemcfarlanepost14.org.
5315 S. Lakeshore Drive ★ Shreveport, LA 71109 For Info: 318-635-8186
January/February 2013
PrimeTime
19
Winter
Memories By Kathryn C. Wolfe
About the Author: Kathryn got her Journalism degree from LSU-Baton Rouge in 1954. She worked 25 years as an industrial draftsman before becoming a self-employed property manager and renovator of old houses and apartments in South Louisiana. When she retired she moved to Shreveport to be near her daughter. She is a member of Centenary Writers Group. Contact Kathryn at wolfeklc@yahoo.com. 20
PrimeTime
As a retired senior citizen, I have no desire to play outside in snow and ice these days. However, when the blizzard of 1948 hit the sunny South, my friends and I were delighted. It was the first time in our young memories that our world had been covered with beautiful snow and single-digit temperatures that lasted more than two days. We had never seen the rural ponds frozen hard enough to walk on or snow deep enough to slide on. Our version of ice skates was our shoes or galoshes. Our version of a sled was an abandoned car hood, probably from a ’39 Ford or similar car or truck. It was rounded and narrow in front, widening out toward the back, and deep enough to hold several of us at once. It made a great sled. Our little northwest Mississippi Delta town was nestled close against the bluff where hill country began, so a good sliding hill was less than a mile away. We dragged that car hood up onto that hill, and groups of three or four of us took turns sliding down. In 1951 we had another memorable snowstorm. There was thunder and lightning as the storm began. We lost electricity, and I remember heating soup on top of a butane space heater. Today it seems humorous that I can remember that
January/February 2013
heater so vividly. It was in a light beige metal cowling, about two-feet wide, 18 or so inches tall, and probably six or seven inches from front to back. The top was flat, just right to hold one or two small pans of soup. I remember only two of those heaters in our house, though there may have been more. The one in the bathroom was white and much smaller than the soup-heater in the breakfast room. We had a good kitchen stove that was electric. It had four tall legs with an oven beside the flat surface containing the burners. But it was useless without power. The breakfast room was adjacent to the big cold kitchen, which we closed off. Our bathroom had two doors, one into the hall and one into Granny’s bedroom. We opened the one into her room so she could get some warmth. We moved a trundle bed into the breakfast room, and for several days we lived in those three rooms. The snow and ice was great fun for the children, but quite a different story for the adults. Daddy was a lineman for the Illinois Central Railroad, so it was really
rough on him. He was gone day and night, working his territory riding on an open-air railroad motorcar. He was climbing ice-encrusted poles, repairing telephone and telegraph lines. I think of him every time I see our modern-day linemen up in their “cherry pickers” making repairs. Mama was busy trying to keep Granny safe from the heaters, yet warm, dry, dressed, and indoors. Granny was a very intelligent and well-educated woman, but that year she was 85 and her brilliant mind had recently become confused. She often got out of bed during the night and wandered outside where she could have frozen or slipped on the ice, or both. Sometimes she took off all her clothes, or put on two or three dresses—one over the other. She died that April. No doubt Granny had some interesting childhood winter memories from the 1800s. I wish I had asked about them when I could have.
389,900
$
819 Brittany Lane
Wills and Successions Oil and Gas Business Agreements Real Estate
Bossier City
3186 Sq. Ft.; 5 BR + bonus room; 4 baths; 3-car garage; built-in cabinets; French doors w/built-in blinds; hardwood, tile, & carpet flooring; sprinklers. A true must see! Contact: Stacey Thomas, Coldwell Banker J. Wesley Dowling & Associates 2146 Airline Drive #100, Bossier City (318) 747-5411 or (318) 469-3349 (cell) January/February 2013
(318) 230 -7170 PrimeTime
21
Red Hats Go To
Branson
Red Hat Queen Lynda Herzog-Pope and her Red Hat sisters recently returned from a trip to Branson. “It was a marvelous 5 days of touring, dining, dancing, and shopping— and we attended 5 shows!” she reported. “We stayed wonderfully busy and met lots of new Red Hat friends from different states.”
(Top Left) Shelby Britt & Ginny Bates from Shreveport pose with our two girls, Sandy Crowe and Susie Gough from Houston. This was taken in the lobby of the Branson Belle Paddle Wheel dinner cruise boat prior to the show.
MED PAY OF LOUISIANA, LLC Providing Customized Electronic Payment Solutions for the Healthcare Services Field
By Shirley M. Brown
Contact us today!
(318) 219-5325 22
(Below Left) Red Hat Queen Mother Lynda Herzog-Pope enjoys a little stage time with an invitation from the MC to join the guys medley during the Branson Belle’s Christmas dinner show.
Anticipation
• Lower Cost for Accepting Credit, Debit, & HSA Cards • Countertop Terminals; Medical Software Integration, Virtual Terminals • Multiple Location Solution • Store Payment Card Info Securely • Recurring Payments for Patients • Louisiana Owned Med Pay of • NO CONTRACT
Jamie@medpayla.com
(Center) Queen Ginny Bates and Queen Sandy Crowe enjoy a photo shoot with the 13 Tenors following their Christmas Show.
Louisiana, LLC
Some of us never outgrow our need for Valentines, and receiving those frilly, sometimes silly and bold, declarations of love means a lot WHETHER SIXTEEN OR SIXTY. They affirm that someone cares. I personally haunt my mailbox on February 14 of any year, looking for envelopes so big they overhang. I peer out the front window a dozen times, to see if maybe a bouquet of roses has landed at my door. The doorbell rings and shivers of anticipation zoom up my spine. I’m remembered; I feel adored! Beautiful, colorful, gushy Valentines asking the age-old question: WILL YOU BE MINE? You bet I will!
PrimeTime
January/February 2013
From a
Widow’s Perspective By Elaine Marze
This is another “Appreciate your husband while you still have him” article that one man told me inspires his wife to serve him coffee in bed every time she reads one. In my Widowhood book, I mentioned the bug squashing aspects of needing a husband, but this is something I hadn’t thought about. I had plans to meet my son and grandson one morning (pre-broken leg), but when I opened my window blinds there was a nasty green lizard looking at me with beady little eyes. I got excited because I don’t like lizards. They jump. I called the apartment manager and told her to send a lizard catcher! Quickly! I was on lizard-watching duty while I waited because if he ran off and hid, I would have to move out of the apartment until he was found. In the meantime, a friend called, and it is a testament to my bravery and courage that I did not squeal or shriek once while I carried on a conversation with him. Neither did I take my eyes off the lizard. If the friend had not been so many miles away, I’d have asked him to come catch the lizard. When I got off the phone, I called the manager again to see what was delaying the lizard slayer. This was when I began thinking about doing to the lizard what I’ve done to snakes. I knew the apartment people might object to bullet holes in their window, but I figured the cost of replacing the glass would be worth the peace of mind knowing that creature wouldn’t be climbing under the covers with me. Then I saw a car driving up the street so I left my vigil long enough to
run out into the middle of the street and stop the car while yelling to the driver than I needed help. It didn’t occur to me at the time, but I guess he thought “help” as in 911/heart attack kind of help because he didn’t even bother to pull into a parking spot. He just left his car in the middle of the street and ran after me into my apartment. I guess you could say he was mildly surprised to find that I needed him to catch a lizard, but after a slightly awkward moment he agreed to catch it. Since his car was still blocking the street, and I was blocking the door and wasn’t going to let him leave until he took the lizard with him, we reached a mutually satisfactory agreement. He left with the lizard, and I left to meet Daniel and Hagen. Those of you who still have husbands, appreciate that you have your own personal lizard-catcher and that you do not have to stop strangers driving by.
Order online today
Widowhood I Didn’t Ask for This! After being married to the same man for nearly 40 years, I found myself at a place I hadn’t wanted to be, hadn’t asked to be, and hadn’t planned to be. The physical loss of my love, my hero, my best friend, was devastating, but the fear of a future without him is terrifying. All our hopes, dreams, and plans are gone!
Prime Time
To advertise: contact
Bonnie Byrd
bonniebbyrd@gmail.com
318 469-9937
January/February 2013
A nice gift for any widow or widower
Elaine’s new book Widowhood can be ordered on the author’s Website, www.elainehodgemarze.tateauthor.com, and is available at book signings. Schedule a book signing by e-mailing Elaine at elmarz7@yahoo.com.
PrimeTime
23
Senior AdultsTour
Arkansas By Dean Mulig
A group of seniors took a bus ride through Arkansas stopping to visit Walton’s 5-&10 store, which is a step back in time chock full of retro toys, candies, and souvenirs. From whirly pops and wax lips to Ole’ Roy coloring books and sock monkeys. The gallery begins with the Sam Walton Theatre; there you will learn about Mr. Sam Walton’s life as an American leader and role in helping people save money. Then it was on to visit the Museum of Native American History. I took pictures of all
24
PrimeTime
the old antiques, hand carvings, and guns that the Indians used for killing large animals. It took a lot of time to view all the handmade items made by the Indians. Then the tour went to Eureka Springs to hear and see David the Shepherd, Parables of the Potter, and Christ of the Ozarks. This project was originated and initiated by Gerald K. Smith, built by the Elna Smith Foundation, and was completed in 1966. The Statue of Christ is the largest Statue of Christ on the North American continent. Standing
January/February 2013
seven-stories high and spanning 65 feet, it can be seen for miles. It is one of the most photographed statues in the world today. Of course, we saw “The New Great Passion Play.” This play is a “MUST SEE” when you are visiting Eureka Spring, Arkansas. (www.greatpassionplay.org) The director of the tour, Ray Rainy, had a surprise stop for us—we were to take a ride on the North Arkansas Railway! We experienced the elegant dining and specially-prepared cuisine offered in the Eurekan Dining car. We enjoyed exploring the train yard and the “wye” as the engine is turned around and reconnected to the excursion car. The Historic Deport and Gift Shop was just the thing for the ladies to browse before boarding the train. We had a great meal. Then it was on to Branson, Missouri to see the performance of the new sextet, “SIX,” which use no musical instruments and performers make the music by their voices only. It was a fantastic bus tour for a group of Seniors from First Baptist Church in Bossier.
BRAVO Air Charters
Photos By Dean Mulig
Pick up your
Prime Time
LLC LLC
Magazine at one of these distribution places:
Experience Experience the the comforts comforts of of
Private Private Air Air Travel Travel Contact us for a free quote and availability Contact us for a free quote and availability
318.424.8395 318.424.8395
www.bravoaircharters.com www.bravoaircharters.com January/February 2013
PFF Credit Union Mark Ford CPA American Legion Post (Cross Lake) Stratford Retirement Center Waterford Retirement Center Louisiana Tourist Bureau (I-20) Notini’s on Airline Dr. The Swim School (Texas St.) Southern Hills Nursecare Shreveport Neuropathy Roundtree Ford Lincoln
Mike Morgan Diabetic Life Pulse Firestone (Bert Kouns) Performance Carwash Monjunis on Airline The Oaks The Tower Horizon Bay (Bossier) Caddo Council on Aging Sue’s Country Kitchen
In addition,
Prime Time can also be picked up at racks in local hospitals and medical offices. If you have a business and would like to have magazines for distribution at your site, please contact us at primetime.elmarz7@gmail.com or 780-0510. PrimeTime
25
Loveof
Charlcie & Judy Byles show off a beautiful handmade quilt
Quilting By Charlcie King
If my mother was still alive today she would likely say “your middle name should be quilt.” I first started helping my mother do hand quilting when I was twelve years old. I grew up in East Texas, the second in a family of seven children. Mama taught me how to piece blocks by hand, then on the sewing machine. That is, when we could get a few quilt scraps. Then we would get enough feed sacks for the lining and some kind of batting and we’d be in business! At first I didn’t like trying to use a thimble. Then one day I got the threaded end of the needle stuck into my finger. I learned to use the thimble real quick! Mama had gotten one of my own for me. I remember helping Mama “card” fresh-picked cotton into “bats” for the filler/batting. The cards were metal pieces about six by eight inches with “teeth” at intervals on the bottoms and a handle on the sides. You use two of these and comb the cotton between them. If your technique is good, you end up with a layer of batting roughly the size of the cards. You lay these side by side and end to end until the lining of the quilt was covered. The lining would already be attached to the quilt frame. The corners of the frame hang from the ceiling by heavy fishing line or sometimes strips of heavy fabric—anything that wouldn’t break with normal stress of quilting. You didn’t dare tilt the quilt until it was completed or you’d likely have the “bats” sliding toward the low side. After I married and while raising two children, I did a lot of sewing and some quilting. I never collected a stash of fabric during those years; mostly buying what I needed 26
for the next project or two. After my first husband’s death and when I was twentyfive years out of school, I went to nursing school and worked for another twenty years. During these years my sewing, quilting, crocheting, etc. was limited considerably. Spare time was not anything that hung around my house! After retirement and the death of my last husband, I stayed outside much of the time—working in my garden and yard. I made flower beds where there had never been a flower bed before. I even went to school again and became a Louisiana Master Gardener. I don’t know how so many people learned that I quilted. I would get calls from people wanting a baby quilt, an old top quilted, or an inherited quilt repaired. It seemed everyone had a quilt top that mama, grandma, or an aunt had pieced and they had inherited. Our local Council on Aging got a large new building several years ago. I went to tour the building and check out the Sew Crafty Quilters projects. I decided real soon that was not my “cup of tea.” They had their portable sewing machines, cutting mats, and rotary cutters. They had some interesting work in progress and did a lot of socializing. By then I had a mat, ruler, rotary cutter, and a sizable stash of fabric but preferred hand quilting. Also, at the time my sewing machines were both cabinet styles which I had no desire to haul off anywhere every week! I told the director that I was only interested in hand quilting and preferred making my tops at home. She called me the next day and said another person or two seemed interested in hand quilting also. She asked me to come see
PrimeTime
January/February 2013
her and we’d find an area to work. She put me in charge of the hand quilting. A week later we had a room assigned to us, my old frames in place with a quilt ready for quilting. I had two rules: (1) Anyone who came along and wanted to quilt could do so. (2) Any money we made for doing a quilt for pay would go to the Council unless we needed it for supplies. In addition to needles, thimbles, scissors, and other supplies, our quilting money has bought wheeled office chairs for easy moving along the quilt. We also bought two cabinets for supplies. These are great for keeping the room tidy and looking good. They sit side by side along a wall. Early on we had quilting frames donated to us. One quilter’s husband made a new set of stands to put the frame on. The regular quilters never have to pay for putting a quilt in at the Council building. We do, however, take fair turns getting our quilts in the frame when we get a break from other people’s quilts. The frames are almost never empty. We usually have three to five quilters there on any quilting day. We enjoy chatting as we work. We keep the language clean and free of controversy. People often stop in to chat with us and see our latest project. I have taught numerous people to quilt in all age groups—even a three-year-old boy, a five-year-old girl, and an eight-year-old boy! These younger ones require considerable supervision. We have had several ten- to sixteen-year-old girls who did great work after only a few minutes of initial training. A few women in the eightyyear-old range who helped their mothers or grandmothers some as children have now relearned how to quilt. In 2012, I learned through a television program about an organization who does “Quilts of Valor” for veterans who are mostly in hospitals and nursing facilities. I told a friend (who told a quilting friend of hers) to watch it when it came on again. This lady decided to do some quilts for area veterans in south Louisiana. I sent her a piece of patriotic fabric from my collection. When I ran across more pieces of patriotic fabric I decided to do some myself to give to veterans, starting with my brothers. This has extended to cousins. So far I’ve presented three in person, mailed one, have another finished, and another one started. These are lap-size quilts. The fabric with small anchors all over went to—you guessed it— January/February 2013
Navy veterans! All are the fence rail pattern, very manly, very country looking. Most of the people in our family grew up in the country. I picked up a couple pieces of patriotic fabric at a flea market and caught a fantastic piece on sale at a local store, so you can see I’m not quitting yet! And none of them have cost much except time. This pattern works up fairly fast so I’m certainly not complaining. The joy of presenting them, and getting an excited phone call makes it an exciting endeavor. I don’t see any end to my quilting joy. In addition to the projects I do at home, we usually have three or four waiting to be done at the Council on Aging. I’ve “rescued” lots of quilts by doing repairs and quilting tops that have been around for years. I once saw thru an open window
Orville Wright is one of the veterans who received a patriotic quilt.
FRE
Prime Time
PrimeTime
E
September/October 2012
Volume 1 Issue 1
The Mystery Behind Mailing Lists Is It Going to Be Tricking or Treating? Azalea Falls Lodge, s The Beauty of the Ozark Beat the HEAT... Racing for Education Restoring Houses, lding a Neighborhood
To advertise: contact
Evelyn Pesnell
318 762 1354
Rebui
Keithville Couple Loves to Dance
27
of an old house that was falling in, what I thought was a quilt top on a shelf across the room. No one had lived in the house for a long time. The owner gave me permission to get it if it wasn’t too decayed to use. It turned out to be three tops that were remarkably well preserved. One had been pieced on paper on which I found a date of about thirty years before. As I recall, these had been pieced by a great, great grandmother. Soon after this the family got someone to tear down and bum the remains of the old house. The quilts are still in good shape after several years of occasional use. The Lord seems to bless old quilts, quilt tops, and fabric pieces. A little care goes a long way. I am convinced sometimes that my fabric stash multiplies! My work should live on long after I’m gone. Just don’t take a close look at my housekeeping!
Quilts to own
Or quilts to share, Most of all to remember is
Give them good loving
care
“The word “Cabins” does not give credit to the actual buildings for rent at Azalea Falls. They are so much more; filled with art and beautiful furniture and treasures. Kathy and Alf are excellent and gracious hosts. I can highly recommend that you, your family or group call and reserve a few days or more at these excellent facilities!” ~ Elaine Marze
Kathy & Alf stand ready to welcome guests to one of their Azalea Falls "cabins."
Ozark Getaway Visit our perfect Winter Wonderland— and in the Spring your senses will be delighted by our beautiful and bountiful azaleas!
Nestled in a secluded glen a couple of miles north of Boxley Valley and the Buffalo National River, Azalea Falls Lodge makes a relaxing, comfortable getaway. Its 136-acres of woodland paths and canyon trails reveal an enchanting slice of the legendary Ozarks for the casual stroller and the serious hiker. A couple looking for a magical romantic getaway or a group looking for an uncommonly comfortable place to meet will find our luxurious vacation home or our deluxe cabin the perfect retreat for a weekend or a week.
Azalea Falls Lodge Upper Buffalo River
H.C. 65, Box 140, Kingston, AR • 870.420.3941 • www.azaleafalls.com 28
PrimeTime
January/February 2013
3
Things to Do When
Facing Nursing Home costs By Blake Rainey 1. Ask them to put what they’ve told you in writing on their business letterhead and sign it. Any reluctance should tell you something. If they do put it in writing, keep it in a safe place. It might come in handy.
Paying for long-term care causes many patients to unnecessarily squander their estates. Is “squander” too strong a word? If a patient loses most or all of their estate because they didn’t know how to get the very same care and preserve assets, what would you call it? Monthly nursing home costs in the Shreveport area average either side of $5,000 per month. Care for patients on ventilator units will average above $10,000 per month. And lest you think ventilator patients are all comatose, think again. Many can think and communicate better than many non-vent patients. Too many spouses and family members lose their whole estates listening to bad advice which might even come from nursing home employees with years of experience, attorneys, financial advisors, bankers, and friends who all mean well but don’t know how wrong they are. If someone tells you a family member’s assets can’t be preserved, then I strongly suggest three simple steps:
2. Seek help from professionals with experience helping families preserve assets from nursing home expenses, even at the last minute. But ask them how many cases they handle and their success rate as well as how many years they’ve been handling similar cases. Ask if you can talk to some of their clients who have used their services to get family members qualified for government benefits they otherwise would have been turned down for because of having too many assets. 3. Remember that time is money for a family member in a nursing home. If they’re on rehabilitation, it won’t last long. And if they’re already paying, every month is another big check to write. If they have a long-term care policy, don’t wait for the benefits to run out or let someone go broke paying the shortfall with a policy that doesn’t pay the whole cost. What you don’t know can really hurt, financially. Remember that help is available for those who seek it.
About the Author: Blake Rainey, President of S.A.F.E. Planning in Shreveport, helps clients to preserve assets from devastating longterm care costs, even at the last minute, for over a decade. He can be reached at 318.869.3133. Visit them on the Web at safeplanning.net.
Based on my current rate of income, I estimate a comfortable retirement about 100 years after my death. January/February 2013
PrimeTime
29
Hospice of Shreveport/Bossier 3829 Gilbert Drive, Shreveport, LA 71104
(318) 865-7177 (888) 824-4672 www.hospicesb.com
BETTER HEARING SYSTEMS NW LA 1000 China Berry Dr. Ste 103 Bossier City, LA 71111
318-747-9191
TriStar
Security Services, LLC Shelby St. Claire P.O. Box 5726 Bossier City
746.0120
Happy New Year! Janet Brown
Residential Branch Manager
(p) 318-795-4837 (c) 318-218-5928 (f) 318-798-4188 (tollfree) 800-555-4310 jbrown@utla.com www.utla.com
Shelly
WAGNER of Louisiana, Inc.
Independently Owned and Operated
318-518-6983 P: 318-868-3600
6425 Youree Dr., Ste. 140 • Shreveport, LA 71105
F: 318-868-3689
ShellyWagner@mac.com www.ShellyWagner.com
SB
8575 Fern Ave, Suite 105 Shreveport, LA 71105
Randy Pinkley
LMP#1639
Certified Public Accountant Quickbooks Pro Advisor Notary Public
2600 Brown Street, Bossier City, LA
Karl G. Heiserman, D.D.S.
(318) 742-1086
benjaminfranklinplumbing.com
Free Service Charge ($59 Value)
1613 Jimmie Davis Hwy. Ste. 300 Bossier City, LA 71112
(318) 742-0096 Office hours Mon./Tue./Thu. 9-5 Wed. 12-7
• 100% Financing Available (WAC) • Only $1500 Down • Over 250 clients have saved from $40,000 to over $400,000 by building their own home with the Owner Builder program!
318.925.2244 rpinkleycpa@gmail.com P.O. Box 18037 Shreveport, LA 71138
Is someone you love paying thousands of dollars for nursing home care every month? Were you told they didn’t qualify for government assistance? Too much income? Too many assets? Much of what well-meaning people think they know about paying for a nursing home is WRONG!!!
Don’t let someone you care about lose everything—
It is NOT too late! For over a decade, S.A.F.E. Planning has helped hundreds of clients to qualify for government assistance to pay for nursing home care.
Your loved one deserves a second opinion! Don’t lose thousands of dollars each month! Call to schedule a FREE consultation and find out more!
Call about our FREE workshops!
Have a Safe and Happy New Year!
920 Pierremont Rd., Ste. 105 • Shreveport, LA 71106 • 318-869-3133 Toll Free 1-888-836-2738 • www.safeplanning.net