Fifty & Better | SUMMER | 2024

SPRING 2024

SERVING NORTHERN COLORADO • FIFTYBETTER.COM

Check out the summer music scene Join the e-bike revolution

Enhance your yard with special features Explore NoCo by bike Swimming for better health Is weight-loss medication right for me?

INSIDE:

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contents

8 • Publisher’s note Use it or lose it

10 • Better home

FEATURE

Join the e-bike revolution. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 E-bikes are everywhere. People who haven’t been on a bike for years are hopping on e-bikes. Students, professionals

Enhance your yard with special features • Lighting

and parents shuttling children are turning to e-bikes for

enhances the mood • Xeriscape and save water • Non-

transportation. They’re fun! If you are not sure if it’s for you—

toxic pest control

rent one or two for a trial run.

14 • Better health

Take the plunge for better health • Is weight-loss

Growing Season 2024

medication right for me? • Marijuana: pros and cons

18 • Better living

Explore NoCo by bike • Check out the summer music

LOCAL FOOD AND FARM GUIDE

BRINGING LOCAL TO THE TABLE

scene • Don’t miss this summer’s festival line up!

38 • Giving back

Volunteer spotlight: Rose Ann Edleman, Exploring a new

SPECIAL SECTION:

Bounty Local food guide

INSIDE: YOUR GUIDE TO FARM STANDS AND FARMERS’ MARKETS

community through volunteering

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KEEP YOURSELF

HEALTHY WE TREAT KIDS FOR:

digestive issues allergies mood disorders pain, stress, and more.

A SAMPLE OF WHAT ACUPUNCTURE AND CHINESE HERBAL MEDICINE CAN TREAT:

Allergies, anxiety, autoimmune, chronic and acute pain,

digestive issues, hormones,

mental health issues and more!

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700 W Mountain Ave

Fort Collins CO 80521

TcmClinic.org

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Your Partner in Rehab & Wellness Services Skilled Nursing Care

Secure Memory Care

• IV (infusion) therapies • Wound care • Pain management • Medically complex diagnosis

• Certified Alzheimer’s specialist caregivers • Stimulating activity for those with dementia • Cognitive therapy

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From the Publisher

Use it or lose it

Fifty & Better is a publication of Rocky Mountain Publishing, Inc. VOLUME 11 • NUMBER 2 PUBLISHER

Scott Titterington scott.rmpublishing@gmail.com

JUST MOVE. Walk, ride a bike, work in the garden, clean the house, practice yoga and on and on. Though some might argue, it doesn’t matter what you do, just do something! If you stop moving, you stop being able to move and you get out of the habit of moving.

I have a morning routine that kick-starts my day.

I get up early and make some tea. That routine is like my first little block to building a good day. Then I stretch. It’s yoga-based with a little tai chi and Pilates thrown in and a few sit-ups for good measure. After that I meditate for 10 to 40 minutes depending on my schedule. Some days I get out for a bicycle ride, go to the climbing gym or a run on a local trail. And sometimes I take a nap!

Lots of things happen when I do something, anything, active. First my mind seems to clear up some. All those little niggling things that keep running around in my monkey mind seem to slow down and sometimes even stop. This morning I was riding my bike. It was early, before 7am, and I was thinking, thinking, thinking about a meeting that I’m going to have in week or so. I’m out here on this beautiful morning, one of those sunny mornings after it had rained during the night so everything was fresh and crisp, and instead of breathing in the fresh air and enjoying the mountain view, I was in my head making plans and preparing what I was going to say at that meeting.

I pulled over and took some deep breaths and let myself come back to the present moment. It was like a drug. I began to relax and then to truly enjoy the feeling of my legs and heart pumping and my lungs filling and emptying. I could hear birds and notice the green trees flow into the white mountains topped by the blue sky. By the time I got to where I was going, I was relaxed and calm and had completely forgotten about that meeting that was still an entire week away.

And not to be discounted, there is oftentimes a social component to being active whether with family, friends or participating in an activity that helps build those human bonds that buoy us through good times and bad.

In any case, I encourage you to look through this issue. We have stories about gardening, bicycling, swimming and more. And check out the feature on E-bikes, which have helped a lot of us get back to regular cycling or continue our passion in a way that works for us.

Thanks for reading, Scott

8 | Fifty&Better

EDITOR

Kristin Titterington kristin.rmpublishing@gmail.com

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Emily Zaynard emily.rmpublishing@gmail.com

ADVERTISING SALES DIRECTOR Greg Hoffman greg.rmpublishing@gmail.com

WRITERS

Lea Hanson, Katie Harris Linda Osmundson, Scott Titterington DISTRIBUTION MANAGER Susan Harting

Copyright 2024 Rocky Mountain Publishing, Inc., PO Box 740, Fort Collins, CO 80522. 970-221-9210.

All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is strictly prohibited.

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Fifty&Better | 9

Better Home

Linda L. Osmundson

Enhance your yard with special features ADDING SPECIAL FEATURES to your deck, patio or garden creates a relaxing, inviting atmosphere. Consider these three options.

Lighting enhances the mood. Choose from floor/table top lanterns, battery operated candles, LED string lights and wall sconces. Use a combination of all for more impact.

Moving water creates soothing sounds for your patio/deck enjoyment. Or, would you prefer to attract birds with a birdbath? Maybe a combination of both.

Check the internet for DIY suggestions for water features from table tops to water walls. Hardware, garden and home improvement stores offer premade features costing little to lots.

Although firepits seem the rage, consider how much you’ll use it – extensive or occasional use? Nightly gatherings suggest a permanent feature at least 10-25 feet from the house. Choose a base of gravel, cement or pavers and allow space for plenty of chairs. For occasional use, purchase a portable unit. Wood burning is the least expensive, but propane is smokeless and cleanest.

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Non-toxic pest control CONTROLLING HOUSEHOLD PESTS begins with cleanliness, proper food storage and blocking pests’ entryways.

• Sterilize surfaces and kill ants with a sprayer mix of half water/half white vinegar.

• Eliminate fruit flies with a jar of sweet liquid (honey/water) covered in plastic wrap, poked with holes and set in a problem area. Use beer, wine or apple cider without the wrap for other pests.

• Shred and spread citrus peels in problem areas or spray with essential oils like peppermint, neem or lavender.

• Mix sugar and Borax to kill ants.

• Plant natural herb pesticides around outside entertainment areas – basil, lavender, chrysanthemum, citronella grass.

• Fill a spray bottle with one tablespoon liquid soap and one quart water. Shake and spray on pests.

• Drench leafy weeds (top and bottom) with full strength white vinegar to eliminate weeds and hidden pests.

• Purchase UV light traps.

• Hang a mosquito zapper.

Xeriscape and save water ELIMINATE COSTLY MISTAKES—make a scaled design on graph paper of the proposed xeriscape area including buildings, walks, plants, trees, irrigation, slopes, sun and shade.

•R emove grass and rototill in six inches of organic compost or manure to help soil absorb and retain water.

• Install an irrigation drip system. Otherwise, use low-angle, low-pressure sprinklers. Water deeply and infrequently.

•C hoose appropriate plants according to sun, shade and water needs.

•M ulch. If needed, use a weed barrier fabric. Without fabric, cover with four inches of wood chips, peelings or grindings. These decompose and add richness to soil.

Gravel or rocks should be two inches deep.

• Turf. Stay away from water drinking bluegrass. Hybrid Bermuda or Bermuda is a better choice.

• Maintenance. Xeriscapes require weeding, pruning shrubs and cutting back of perennials and native grasses.

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Better Health

Katie Harris

Take the plunge for better health

IT’S FUN, IT’S HEALTHY, and anyone can do it. Swimming is one of the best ways to stay in shape as we age, and it doesn’t require any special know-how to get started. That’s because gaining muscle and improving cardio health in the water can take so many different forms. From freestyle laps to water aerobics, there’s something out there for all ages and levels of fitness.

Local recreation centers offer water aerobic classes where you can meet and exercise with other seniors, or you can go it on your own

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any time you like by visiting a neighborhood pool. Common exercises include water walking, jogging, and flutter kicking while holding on to the side of the pool.

For more serious swimmers, contact your local pool for their lap swim hours. Many have private instructors available to help you brush up on your strokes, if desired.

No matter which route you choose, you can look forward to increased stamina and strength, as well as a mood boost, when you hit the pool!

Marijuana: pros and cons WITH BOTH MEDICAL AND RECREATIONAL marijuana use on the rise, you may be wondering what all the hype’s about. Thought to help with both physical conditions, such as chronic pain, and mental conditions, including anxiety and insomnia, marijuana has become a go-to for curing what ails you. With its wide availability in forms such as edibles, oils, creams, it’s convenience alone has many heading to their local pot shop to give it a try.

While many users have found it to be a great alternative to traditional western medications, it’s important to consider its potential side effects, which may include dizziness, fatigue, reduced brain function, and decreased motor skills while under the influence.

The one thing that’s clear is that more research needs to be done to substantiate claims, both positive and negative, of the effects of marijuana.

Is weight-loss medication right for me?

WHEN IT COMES TO REACHING and maintaining a healthy weight, diet and exercise don’t always cut it. In fact, recent studies have found that obesity is not a matter of simple will power for some people, but a legitimate brain disease. These findings mean that for some, medical intervention may be necessary to reach a healthy weight.

One of the more popular techniques for boosting weight loss is combining healthy lifestyle choices with the short- or long-term use of prescription medication.

While this option isn’t a good choice for everyone, doctors may recommend it for patients with a BMI of 30 or above, or who have been diagnosed with a weightrelated health condition.

If you think a prescription medication might be the right choice for you, consult with your doctor about the pros and cons, including potential side effects, recommended length of use, insurance benefits, and how it can help you achieve your goals.

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The Importance of an

ANNUAL HEARING EVALUATION • 10% of the population has hearing loss–it is common in the aging process.

• Hearing loss can lead to social isolation and depression.

• Hearing aids can help maintain Brain Reserves.

The main reason why I recommend a hearing evaluation as part of your annual health check-up is to rule out medical conditions related to your ears and brain. Common causes of hearing issues and loss include aging, excessive noise exposure, injuries to head/neck, genetics, high blood pressure/heart problems and ear diseases. Basic signs of hearing loss are trouble understanding conversation especially in the presence of background noise like a restaurant, you can hear people talking but cannot understand what words they are saying (mumbling), and trouble hearing soft voices (i.e.

grandchildren, women’s voices).

Age-related hearing loss (ARHL) is estimated to be the third most reported chronic condition in the United States. With the increase in the number of older adults and overall life expectancy, more individuals will be at risk of acquiring ARHL than ever before. For instance, the United States National Institute of Health-National Institute of Deafness estimates that approximately 25%– 45.6% of adults aged 65–74 years have a disabling hearing loss (HL).

This estimate increases to 78%–80% in those who are 75 years and older.

(Masterson et al., 2016)

Source: Frontiers in Human Neuroscience; Somatosensory Cross-Modal Reorganization in Adults With Age-Related, Early-Stage Hearing Loss Garrett Cardon and Anu Sharma

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If your brain suffers long-term profound lack of information from the auditory system (hearing), this will lead to reorganization of the brain. In other words, systems like vision and spatial awareness will take over the auditory system.

If you are experiencing signs of ARHL mentioned above or concerned about your cognitive wellbeing, I recommend a hearing exam and consultation.

Susan Baker has been helping people with hearing loss and Tinnitus for the past 24 years.

Please call (970) 221-5249 for a hearing evaluation and complimentary consultation.

Susan D Baker, BC-HIS

Board Certified Hearing Instrument specialist LOCALLY OWNED & OPERATED

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Better Living

Katie Harris

Explore NoCo by bike

NORTHERN COLORADO’S trail systems represent one of the top choices in outdoor recreation for area residents as well as creating a necessary means of transportation. While Open Lands Master Plans for local counties indicate that more is yet to come, cyclists can currently bike from city to city and between natural areas and open spaces via a number of paved trails.

Top paved trails in the area include Fort Collins’ 13-mile out-and-back

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Poudre Trail, which follows the river along a quiet path through the city; Loveland’s 31mile Recreation Trail, a loop around the city’s outskirts and through downtown; The 21-mile Poudre River Trail which connects Greeley to Windsor; and the Colorado Front Range and Long View Trails, both of which connect Fort Collins to Loveland. To learn more and explore trail maps, visit www.larimer.gov/ naturalresources/parks/regional-paved-trails.

Don’t miss this summer’s festival line up!

FROM SMALL GATHERINGS to allout parties, Northern Colorado loves a good festival, and knows how to throw one. This year you won’t want to miss Taste of Fort Collins in Washington Park on June 8-9th, where a variety of big names and local bands will take the stage, dozens of food vendors will be on scene, and sipping an adult beverage while you peruse the retail tents is totally acceptable! Visit www. tasteoffortcollins.com/ for tickets.

Another can’t-miss Northern Colorado celebration set to bring in

guests from near and far is the Greeley Stampede. The concerts, food and vendor booths, rodeos, carnival, and host of special events will take place June 26-July 7. For information and tickets visit www.greeleystampede.org.

And don’t miss Loveland’s Corn Roast Festival, back for its 128th year on Aug. 23-24th. The event will feature a parade through downtown, corn shucking contest, roasted corn for purchase, vendors and musical guests.

To learn more visit www.loveland.org/ events-2/corn-roast-festival/.

Check out the summer music scene WITH SO MANY OPPORTUNITIES to catch free, live music this season, your only dilemma will be which direction to go! UNC in Greeley will delight audiences with its Concert Under the Stars series in the Garden Theater on Tuesdays in July at 8pm (www.arts.unco.edu/concerts-understars/). Windsor Parks Summer Concert Series will be back at Boardwalk Park this year on Thursday nights, June through August, from 6:30-8:30pm (www.recreationliveshere.com/219/Summer-Concert-Series). Loveland will once again host lawn concerts in the Foundry Plaza this year on select Wednesday nights in July and August as part of the city’s One Sweet Summer Series. Concerts will take place from 6:30-8:30pm (www. downtownloveland.org/wednesday-night-concert). In Fort Collins, the Bohemian Nights concert series will be back by popular demand this summer in Old Town Square. The series of 14 concerts will take place on Thursday nights from 7-9pm and feature a wide variety of genres (www. bohemiannights.org/thursday-night-live/).

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Partners in Medicare

T

here are more than a few myths about Medicare; when you should get it, how it should work, and what it covers. We meet many potential retirees and hear the myths repeated over and over. Google is not a great source for unbiased Medicare information. Medicare’s website is very comprehensive but understanding it can be challenging for those new to Medicare.

Finding a trusted source for information particular to YOUR situation will be the most important task when you are nearing age 65 or past age 65 and planning to retire. Your trusted agent can provide you

details that assist you in making a very important decision for your future, one that will help you retain health and money.

Qualifying for Medicare is determined by turning 65, Social Security disability pay of 24 months, End Stage Renal Disease or ALS diagnoses, or leaving creditable employer coverage.

If working past 65 with creditable employer coverage, you can either elect Medicare, elect Medicare Part A, or delay Medicare Part A and B. The key to delay Medicare means your large employer coverage must be as good as Medicare’s

Our Team partners with you to make understanding your Medicare options as easy as possible.

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Prescription coverage. An annual notice is provided to you from your group health administrator telling you whether your coverage is considered creditable or not.

With legislative changes in the past two years, this may be more difficult for employers to maintain.

A myth that Medicare is free and covers almost everything when Medicare was never designed to cover everything is very common. Written in the 50’s and enacted into law in the 60’s there have not been many changes to that law. Medicare Supplements, Part D drug plans, and Medicare Advantage have all come about to fill the large gaps between Medicare coverage and the massive change to the cost of our medical care and prescription drugs.

The Inflation Reduction Act 2022 is helping consumers who have very high-cost medications by putting a cap on consumer spending. Yet until negotiations with Pharmaceutical companies are finalized and implemented there is a negative effect on the consumer as well. Right now, insurance companies are on the hook for the costs that Medicare is no longer paying as well as what consumer previously paid for prescriptions prior to IRA. This comes full circle back to the consumer with increased premiums for Part D plans both in 2024 and 2025.

For our agency, this means looking at how we can repackage insurance policies for our Medicare clients.

Investigating creative ways to provide other coverages that Medicare ignores or in areas that individuals are more worried about; such as, dental vision and hearing, or where you would like to recover after a stroke, heart attack, or cancer…at home, in a facility, or a combination of both? This is all part of the service we provide you for no additional cost, as your partner and trusted agency in Medicare Health Plan solutions.

Lisa Wentz-Kinnison

Your Partner in Medicare Health Plan Solutions Owner and Independent Insurance Agent

(970) 224-5500 | 421 Stover Street, Fort Collins

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Fifty&Better | 21

Very

EMPOWERING Join the E-BIKE revolution

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I’VE SEEN E-BIKES CHANGE LIVES all around me and close to home in the past few years.

When my dad was 84, he announced that he wanted to get an e-bike. He hadn’t ridden a bike for several years. We greeted the news with a mixture of excitement and concern. That bike was one of the best things ever. He was out on it constantly. Freedom of the road! Then he lost his balance and fell, and the bike stayed in the garage until he said that he wanted an e-trike, which we greeted with the same skepticism. And once again that e-trike was a game-changer.

He’d come back from long rides feeling tired but completely refreshed with his entire outlook on the day buoyed by that excursion.

When Kristin, my wife, was 65 she thought she’d like to try an e-bike. We had lived in Old Town for 19 years where we enjoyed a bike-centered lifestyle, but when we moved

a few miles east of downtown, her riding dropped to short cruiser rides to the neighborhood pool. Once she had that e-bike, it was game on. Now, without a thought, she rides into town to meet friends at City Park, a 12-mile round-trip excursion.

Andy, Alli and Fin (our son and his family) inherited my dad’s e-bike when he switched to the e-trike. Suddenly they were taking long trips with little 2-year-old Finny, when they had driven before, and loving it.

I bet you know someone who has recently started riding an e-bike. If not, you’ve certainly seen them around town. E-bikes are not just changing how we recreate, they’re a paradigm shift for how we get around.

“These are not just electric bicycles. These are ideas about the future of sustainable transportation,” says Josh Kerson, owner of Precision E Bikes in Fort Collins. Josh has spent the past two decades committed to electric bikes and seen them go from an interesting concept to the booming reality they are today.

“Fills me with joy to help people get riding again,” Josh says. “It’s an exciting new way to enjoy old cycling habits.”

WHO’S JOINING THE REVOLUTION All sorts of people are jumping on e-bikes for a variety of reasons: Highschoolers who don’t want to drive, college students for primary transportation, parents with cargo

E-BIKES HAVE CLASS(ES)

Under Colorado and Fort Collins law, e-bikes are defined as bicycles with two or three wheels, fully operable pedals, and an electric motor.

CLASS 1 E-BIKE • Provides electrical assistance only while the rider is pedaling, up to 20 mph.

• Allowed on paved trails. Not permitted on soft-surface trails.

CLASS 2 E-BIKE • Provides electrical assistance regardless of if the rider is pedaling or not, up to 20 mph.

• Allowed on paved trails. Not permitted on soft-surface trails.

CLASS 3 E-BIKE • Provides electrical assistance while the rider is pedaling, up to 28 mph. Must be equipped with a speedometer and may not be ridden by people under 16 (unless as a passenger). People under 18 must wear a helmet.

• Not allowed on paved or softsurface trails. Allowed on streets and in bike lanes.

From the FC Bikes/City of Fort Collins website

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bikes, about-to-retire folks who want to continue getting out there, people who stopped riding but remember how much they once loved to ride, and on and on.

“There’s this amazing group of moms who are using the cargo bike to take kids to school,” Josh says.

“You get young professionals and young parents driven by finance, practically and an ethical response to sustainability, ” says Greg Munz, manager of Pedego Electric Bikes Fort Collins.

EXTEND YOUR RIDE E-bikes have a huge range and can easily go 80-90 miles.

“You can ride from sunrise to sunset and go further, have more fun for longer,” says Tom Keating, manager Elite E-Sports, Fort Collins. “Now, you can do a 50mile loop on trails.”

TRY A RENTAL Many shops in the northern Colorado area rent e-bikes.

“We’ve seen our rental business grow,” Greg says.

Visit Fort Collins and other organizations rent e-bikes to show guests around town, he says. Locals who have friends and family visiting also might choose e-bike rentals, along with visiting college families and other tourists who have read what a great, bike-friendly area we live in.

SERVICE, REPAIRS AND CONVERSIONS Buying from a local shop helps ensure that you’ll be able to get proper servicing and repair work done. It’s part of the value of buying from a place you can walk into and know the people.

If you need to get an e-bike up and running but you can’t find a shop that can do it, contact Precision E-bikes. They can source just about any parts, it seems, and they have the experience and know-how to get it going.

They are also specialists in converting that bike you love into an e-bike when you’re ready to make the transition in your transmission.

If you’re curious about what all the hubbub is, stop into your local bike shop and take a test ride.

“It’s a great new world. I wish I could see more people just dive in. I haven’t introduced anyone to an e-bike who didn’t love it,” Tom says.

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Growing Season 2024

LOCAL FOOD AND FARM GUIDE

BRINGING LOCAL TO THE TABLE

INSIDE: YOUR GUIDE TO FARM STANDS AND FARMERS’ MARKETS

Container gardening Katie Harris

’Tis the season for gardening, and if you’ve found the task too daunting to try in the past, this year’s the time to get started! Read on to find out why you can have your own garden, regardless of any space, time or physical constraints that may be holding you back.

WHY TRY IT? Let’s start with the obvious reason: You want to! Container gardens brighten up the landscape, attract birds and desirable insects, and can save you money on your grocery bill!

The perfect solution in small spaces, all it takes is a pot or two outside your front door to get started. Small gardening pots are portable, making them convenient to bring inside and protect in poor weather, or to move to a new locale as desired.

Not only that, but compared to larger, in-ground gardens, containers tend to attract fewer weeds and use less water overall. Best of all, they are easy on the back.

Consider setting small containers on a table or bench as you plant or opt for larger pots that sit high off the ground already.

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GROWING SEASON 2021

WHAT TO GROW Container varieties of many plants can be found at your local gardening store.

Other options include dwarf varieties which stay small and require less space.

When choosing plants, the sky is the limit. Flowers, herbs, fruits and vegetables can all be grown in pots, and many can be mixed together to create a more attractive and efficient raised garden.

While a large variety of plants can be grown in Colorado, some make better choices than others for beginners.

Zinnias and petunias are favorite flower varieties to start with, while peas, beans, and radishes are some of the easiest vegetables to grow. From the fruit family, strawberries, peppers, tomatoes and squash tend to be fairly foolproof, and basil and chives make great starter herbs.

USEFUL TIPS It’s important to give your plants a strong start by selecting the right containers. While nearly any type of pot, basket, barrel or tub can be used for planting, whatever you choose should have proper drainage. You can easily

create your own drainage if needed by drilling or poking holes in the bottom of a container.

Next, it’s time to choose a location for your garden. Check the planting instructions on your seed packets or plant containers and follow sunlight recommendations, which may call for shade, partial sun or full sun.

When you’re ready to plant, be sure to purchase potting soil, which is formulated for container planting, rather than garden soil. Keep in mind that plants in containers need to be watered more frequently than plants in the ground, and soil should be kept damp to a knuckle deep at all times.

Follow directions on the seed packet or container when planting to ensure proper spacing and pot depth and add stakes or trellises to containers when called for.

Finally, keep track of what you plant and record your successes along with any lessons learned in a journal to refer back to next year. Reap your rewards, learn from your mistakes, and you’ll be a gardening pro in no time!

Happy planting!

GROWING SEASON 2021

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Bringing local to the table Healthy and sustainable eating

for everyone

Lea Hanson

4|

GROWING SEASON 2021

IN AN EFFORT TO BECOME more locally based and self-reliant food consumers, more and more people seek organic food, and many families are turning to local farm shares and farmers’ markets for as much food as they can.

One of the biggest problems for those who swear by locally grown/raised food is access. The words “organic,” “sustainable,” and “local” have been used in our vernacular long enough to morph into being synonymous with the lifestyles and resources of the wealthy and privileged.

The cost of food is skyrocketing, and organic food, which has always been priced at a premium, is rising to the point that it is putting it out of reach of more people. However, while the cost of organic food purchased from retailers continues to shoot up, local organizations in Northern Colorado aren’t giving up. In fact, many are doubling down on their efforts to provide access to all, not just those with six-figure household incomes.

Food should not be a luxury. Everyone needs to eat. People who are poor and/or food insecure should not be shamed into hunger, and children should not grow up feeling like their basic human needs are burdens on the world around them. Poor people deserve to eat and eat well. Period.

The Food Bank for Larimer County’s website reads, “In Larimer County, almost 10 percent of the population may be facing food insecurity. That’s more than 40,000 people.” With this many

people in our local area not knowing from where the resources to obtain their next meal will come, local organizations are upping their games to reach these families. Yet, the work too often goes unnoticed; both by people who could use the support, and by those who could contribute to giving it.

ACCESSIBLE WAYS TO OBTAIN LOCAL FOOD Northern Colorado is bursting at the seams with food-share options, locally raised animal farms, dairies, and more.

But, even those with more than enough resources struggle to collectively obtain all these products without complex family scheduling, lots of driving, and lots of money spent. LoCo Food Distribution’s website reads, “without an established food network, piecing together local meals was not an easy task.

Milk is delivered here, veggies there, meat over in the next place.” How does any “normal” household actually get all the local products they seek?

LoCo Foods says, “we have worked for over ten years to develop a network to streamline local sourcing that gives Colorado growers and manufacturers an easy way to reach wholesale buyers in the state.”

VEG OUT PROGRAM A partnership between the Food Bank for Larimer County (foodbanklarimer.

com) and the Northern Colorado Foodshed Project (foodshedproject. org/) is a special place with complex opportunities and challenges. Carli Donoghue, Executive Director, says this new initiative increases access to those who cannot afford it otherwise: “Our local food system has the potential for growth and impact. Left unrealized and untapped, we miss out on all the amazing outcomes that local food can bring.” That’s why the Northern Colorado Foodshed Project exists, she says. “This organization manifests the power of local food in our region. We want to enliven our local food system to be more productive, accessible, and secure. We believe in a future where our local food system is nourishing the well-being of our region and all who live within it, restoring connections to fuel a vibrant and dynamic community.”

Justin Vann, Veg Out’s Food Bank spokesperson, says Veg Out makes it easy for local farmers to get rid of unsold products; local farmers sell unsold items for 65 percent of the retail rate; this benefits farmers because they can make money on ALL of their product.

In turn, this food goes into the hands of those who need it most: those experiencing food insecurity. A partnership with the Food Bank for Larimer County, food purchased goes directly

from the Larimer County Farmers’ Market to the Food Bank’s Food Share facility on Blue Spruce Drive in Fort Collins each week and is usually in the hands of clients within hours. “All in all,” Vann says, “far less food is wasted.”

“It is given to those in need instead of being disposed of.”

PLANT IT FORWARD The Food Bank for Larimer County debuted their Plant it Forward initiative several years ago. In partnership with the Gardens on Spring Creek, the Food Bank saw the need to increase local produce donations from backyard gardeners. Through this program, community members are invited to plant an extra row in their gardens and when the crops are ready, drop them off at either the Food Bank for Larimer County or the Gardens on Spring Creek. Home growers can share their produce (no donation is too small).

Once donated, the food is handed out to clients who visit their Fresh Food Share locations where the fresh, locally grown products are in the hands of someone in need within hours.

Most people need cheaper food, especially with recent food inflation.

Food-at-home prices increased by 5 percent in 2023, much lower than the growth rate in 2022 (11.4 percent) but still double the historical annual average growth from 2003 to 2022 (2.5 percent).

These rates are drastically higher than the annual average household’s income increase, if they had any at all.

An increasing number of households, regardless of income, need to choose between their ethical beliefs and desire to consume local, organic foods, but for most this practice is becoming unaffordable. Luckily, Northern Colorado has innovative organizations and leaders who strive to make accessing these types of products easier for all.

GROWING SEASON 2021

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2024 NoCo Farmers Markets

2024 NoCo Farmers Markets

Berthoud’s Fickel Farmers Market Fickel Park, 620 Mountain Ave., Berthoud Saturdays, beginning June 8, 8am–noon www.berthoud.org/1430/The-Berthoud-Market Erie Farmers Market Briggs Street between Wells and Moffatt, Erie Thursdays, 5–8pm, May 9–Sept. 26 www.realfarmersmarketco.com Estes Valley Farmers Market Visitor Center, 500 Big Thompson Ave., EP Thursdays, 8am–1pm, June 6–Sept. 26 www.facebook.com/EstesValleyFarmersMarket

FARM STANDS Bartels Farm 3424 E. Douglas Rd., Fort Collins www.thebartelsfarm.com www.facebook.com/The-Bartels-PumpkinPatch-137755902661 Chapmans Produce 31985 CR 17, Windsor www.facebook.com/ChapmansProduce Colorado Fresh Farms 8101 S. Timberline Rd., Fort Collins coloradofreshfarms.com Desiderata Ranch 4617 W. CR 2, Berthoud desiderataranch.org Folks Farm & Seed 2917 S. Taft Hill Rd., Fort Collins www.folksfarmandseed.com Garden Sweet 719 W. Willox Ln., Fort Collins www.gardensweet.com Green Dog Farm 3421 West CR 54G, Laporte (next to Overland Foods) www.greendogfarmcsa.com

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GROWING SEASON 2021

Farmers Market at Fairgrounds Park 700 S. Railroad Ave., Loveland Sundays, 9am–1pm, June 2–Sept. 29 www.cityofloveland.org/farmersmarket

Loveland West Farmers Market at Jax 2665 W Eisenhower Blvd, LV Tuesdays, 9am–1pm, April 23–Nov. 5 www.facebook.com/ LovelandWestFarmersMarket

Fort Collins Farmers Market 1001 E. Harmony Rd., FC (rain or shine) Sundays, 10am–2pm, May 5–Nov. 10 Wednesdays, 10am–2pm, June 12–Sept. 25 www.fortcollinsfarmersmarket.org

Timnath Sunday Market Colorado Feed & Grain, 4138 Main St., Timnath Second Sundays, 10am–3pm, May–Oct www.TimnathFarmersMarket.org

Greeley Summer Farmers Market 7th St, North of Lincoln Park, GR Saturdays, 8am–Noon, May 4–Oct. 26 www.greeleygov.com/fm

Windsor Farmers Market Boardwalk Park, 100 5th St., Windsor Saturdays, 8am–12:30pm, June 1–Aug. 31 www.windsorgov.com/FarmersMarket

Larimer County Farmers Market 200 W. Oak St., FC (courthouse parking lot) Saturdays, 9am–1pm, May 18–Oct. 26 larimercountyfarmersmarket.org

Something about being on a farm just feels good. The pace feels relaxed and your interactions, maybe, more genuine. So swing by a farm stand soon and pick up some deliciousness while you’re at it.

Hazel Dell Mushrooms 3925 E. CR 32 (Carpenter Rd.), Fort Collins www.hazeldellmushrooms.com

OwlTree Farm 4605 E. CR 58, Fort Collins www.owltreefarmco.com

Hoffman Farms, LLC 3545 W. O St., Greeley www.hoffmanproduce.com

Papa Joe’s Honey 4855 W. Eisenhower Blvd., Loveland www.facebook.com/PapaJoesLocalHoney

Hope Farms 1601 N. Shields St., Fort Collins www.facebook.com/CULTIVATINGHOPECO

Pope Farms and Produce 6501 West 28th St., Greeley www.popefarmsproduce.com

Jodar Farms/Fort Collins Vine Farm Order online/pick up in Fort Collins www.jodarfarms.com

Scofield Fruits 1821 W Eisenhower Blvd., Loveland scofieldfruits.com

Long Shadow Farm Order online/pick up Berthoud longshadowfarm.wixsite.com/longshadow

Sunny Daze 901 S. CR 5, Fort Collins, sunnydazegardens.com

Native Hill Farm 2100 CR 54G, Fort Collins www.nativehillfarm.com

Tigges Farm 12404 CR 64½, Greeley www.facebook.com/tigges.farm

Ollin Farms 8627 N. 95th St., Longmont www.ollinfarms.com

Vibrant Life Farms 3315 Glade Rd., Loveland Or order online, delivery to Loveland/Fort Collins www.vibrantlifefarms.com

On the Vine at Richmond Farms 3611 Richmond Dr., Fort Collins onthevineatrichmondfarms.com

Well Fed Farmstead 2229 W. Vine Dr., Fort Collins www.wellfedfarmstead.com

GROWING SEASON 2021

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Finance and Investing As the summer season is quickly approaching, many Americans are turning their attention to the upcoming travel season. There are numerous articles and statistics available to illustrate that planning a vacation can be a time-consuming ordeal. However, when vacation time is increasingly more valuable, most recognize that dedicating time before the trip can certainly maximize our time away from home. According to a recent article from Travelwires.com, in the 45 days prior to booking a trip, travelers spent an average of 303 minutes a day perusing travel-related content before booking their trip. That’s more than 5 hours per day, and the average American views over 277 pages of travel related materials in those preceding 45 days.

So, I think it’s safe to say that when things are important to us, planning becomes paramount.

Now when you start to unpack these numbers and put them into perspective, I begin to draw some interesting conclusions. Based on the averages, we spend 13,635 minutes or 227+ hours planning a vacation that on average lasts one week. In other words, for all the non-math nerds, we spend almost 9.5 days planning for our 7 day vacation. Statistically the average American receives approximately 14 days of vacation time per year, which equates to almost 19 days of planning, comparing, and scrolling through the internet to make the most of our coveted vacation time. So, when you break it down in this fashion you begin to realize that we are willing to dedicate a significant amount of time, energy, and resources, for a relatively short period of time. Now I don’t say this to admonish this behavior because I am right there with you. I truly believe that vacations are important, and they represent a significant investment of time and money. Which generate returns in the form of memories and experiences, which in my opinion is invaluable.

However, I look at this through the lens of an investment advisor; someone who dedicates his working hours focused on planning for the retirement years of those who have left or are looking to leave the work force. I see some stark contrasts to the dedication of time spent when comparing financial planning to our summer vacations. Based on a recent article from the Motley Fool only 3% of Americans engaged in any type of financial planning on an average day in 2022. This number has steadily declined since the early 2000’s according to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics. Some of this can be attributed to age and what we deem important and most pressing in terms of our lifetime. After all, the average 30-year-old

will regularly take a vacation but sees retirement as a very distant proposition without any sense of urgency. So, when we view this from an age demographic perspective, it does not surprise me that just 2.2% of Americans, age 35 to 44, engage in some type of financial planning when compared to 5.8% of those 65 and older.

So, it would be evident that based on the time spent, we as Americans are dedicating more time, energy, and resources to financial planning as we get closer to retirement.

However, we can all relate to the notion that our ideal timeline is not always the way reality plays out. According to The Motley Fool Ascent survey indicated that 24% of respondents engaged in “crisis budgeting” or urgent type financial planning when faced with an unexpected expense or loss of income/job. Which of course is less than ideal and a main driver of stress among many Americans. According to several surveys, less than 50% of Americans can afford to pay a $1000.00 emergency expense, and that number is rising. Now there are many causes for this to be prevalent including things like inflation, property tax increases, fuel costs etc. However, when you look at the decline in time spent on financial planning it all begins to add up, pun intended. Which begs the question, if we are seeing rising costs across much of the economy, why aren’t we responding by committing more time, energy, and resources to make certain we are financially stable when unexpected things happen? That’s why they call it an emergency fund after all.

Now I recognize that a lot of you are doing your very best to

https://www.travelwires.com/this-is-how-much-time-travelers-spendresearching-before-booking-a-trip https://www.fool.com/the-ascent/research/average-american-time-personal-finance/ https://www.cnbc.com/2024/01/24/many-americans-cannot-pay-for-an-

unexpected-1000-expense-heres-why.html#:~:text=Fewer%20than%20half%20 of%20Americans,level%20when%20compared%20to%202022. https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2023/10/12/how-long-does-retirementlast/71074947007/

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juggle all the tasks of the day and still have dinner on the table at a reasonable hour. But I think we are going down a path of financial fragility that is becoming more delicate by the year. I attribute much of this to how we view spending and how we view saving.

Unfortunately, our society is fixated on social media and showcasing our highlight reels to strangers on the internet, but if we continue to spend money we don’t have, to buy thing we don’t need, to impress people we don’t know, the course will never be corrected. So, as we engage in these types of activities, they become habits which become patterns and it is something we repeat in our subconscious thoughts and ultimately behaviors. Which by no means is an

easy thing to alter but if you want long-term success, you must be devoted to long-term planning and unfortunately for some that means learning about delayed gratification.

Which is exactly why when we meet a new family at our office we ask about your goals, both long term and short term. If you don’t have any goals, you need to set some and define them with a deadline. They need to be attainable and meaningful at the same time. Establishing a budget is going to be a key driver of how

much you can spend but more importantly, how much you can save. Not to belabor the point but planning for emergencies and can help reduce the financial impact and emotional toll of those emergencies. Managing debt is also going to be vastly important because debt is a tool and improperly used tools can be harmful.

As all of these begin to come together, they can be refined and you can begin investing for the long term, to start saving for retirement and everyone’s favorite planning for taxes. All of which are going to sharpen your skills in financial literacy, so as you begin to build wealth you will be better equipped to have wealth.

So, I want you to consider this, if the average American spends 1.8 minutes on financial planning per day that’s almost 632 minutes over 351 days. Why 351? Because the other 14 days you are on vacation and not thinking about financial planning! Meaning that’s not quite 5% of the time we spend planning our annual one-week vacation. Meanwhile the average retirement in America can last upwards of 25 plus years. Which is considerably longer than those blissful oneweek vacations that can be attributed to the lion’s share of time we spend planning. So, if we begin to shift our focus to the long-term goals and break them into bite size pieces, planning for retirement becomes much less daunting. Not to mention that if we start investing and saving sooner our money has a much longer time to appreciate and enjoy the 8th wonder of the world, compound interest. Which is to the advantage of all those younger folks who don’t think or recognize that they do have a significant advantage over their older counterparts.

In summation, I realize there are lots of things to consider and some people may procrastinate due to several excuses, most of which we have already heard. But I encourage all of you to put pen to paper and define your goals. Then sit down with a financial professional to put all your goals, income, investments, tax liabilities, and legacy plans into context with a written retirement plan. A retirement plan you can understand, work towards, and includes a plan for long term financial success. This way you can enjoy the longest vacation of them all, retirement!

5401 Stone Creek Circle Suite 201 Loveland, Colorado

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This piece is for informational purposes only and is not a solicitation to buy or sell any of the products mentioned. The information is not intended to be used as the sole basis for financial decisions, nor should it be construed as advice designed to meet the particular needs of an individual’s situation.

Investment advisory products and services made available through AE Wealth Management, LLC (AEWM), a Registered Investment Advisor. Investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal. 2219579- 2/24.

Fifty&Better | 29

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Giving Back

Linda L. Osmundson

Exploring a new community through volunteering

Rose Ann Edelman, pictured right

FROM THE TIME ROSE ANN and Charlie Edelmon were newly married until they became empty nesters, they vacationed in Colorado. Visiting from Pagosa Springs to Steamboat Springs allowed them to hike, bike and ski beneath the clear blue skies and Aspens they loved. The Edelmons decided early on they’d retire in Colorado.

After two visits while their daughter held a summer internship in Fort Collins, they chose this city to fulfill their retirement dream. They moved from Texas to Fort Collins in March of 2020 – a new location with no family or friends. How could Rose integrate herself into the community?

A former elementary school teacher, Rose signed up to fill the important need for substitutes in the Poudre and Thompson Valley School districts. She used her professional experience in other unexpected ways over the next four years.

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Rose utilized the city’s many amenities and, in so doing, discovered ways to get involved. One Spring day in 2020, while biking in LaPorte, she passed a sign – “Wolf Sanctuary.” She returned home to research W.O.L.F. (Wolves Offered Life and Friendship). “Keeping with the mission of W.O.L.F., I want to enrich the public on the rescue, education and sanctuary for captive born wolves and wolf dogs.” Her duties include feeding and watering the 27 current residents, providing enrichment, cleaning their habitats and walking them.

Rose hoped to enhance her understanding of her new environment – its native plants and gardening in Northern Colorado. The Gardens on Spring Creek offered that knowledge.

Rose volunteered in July 2020. She teaches all ages about North American butterflies, welcomes guests and guides/teachers all programs of the Gardens – summer

concert series, Pumpkins on Parade, Garden of Lights, plant sales and checking in children for the Read and Seed preschool program.

Fall of 2021 found Rose sharing her love of the performing arts. Visit the Lincoln Center and you’ll find her serving as ticket collector, patron greeter and usher.

Another opportunity presented itself in the summer of 2021 when Rose visited the downtown Fort Collins Farmer’s Market. She witnessed volunteers preparing bags of produce for the Partnership for Age Friendly Community’s food program for older, needy adults. Now, she lends her hands to pack produce when needed during the season. Another program of PAFC and CSU Extension is Senior Access Points (SAP). As a SAP ambassador, Rose educates older adults and their families on how to connect to reliable Colorado resources. Along with other ambassadors, she often mans a booth at various farmer’s markets.

Since Rose loves biking, a friend suggested in the Spring of 2023 she might enjoy helping with the Safe Routes to School program, which teaches students of all ages bike safety and rules of the road. Of course, she was interested and volunteered.

In just four short years, Rose has positively impacted her new Northern Colorado communities.

“Sharing my strengths and knowledge with people of all ages gives me a sense of being a productive citizen of my community. Volunteering is a win-win opportunity.”

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