NewsTribune_Boomers_082920

ILLINOIS VALLEY

Boomers TODAY August 2020

CHANGE IN ROUTINES Boomers adjust to a world with COVID-19: Safe socializing, online options, and staying the course

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2 August 2020 | Illinois Valley Boomers | A NewsTribune Publication

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A NewsTribune Publication | Illinois Valley Boomers | August 2020 3

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CONTENTS

PHOTOGRAPHY BY TOM SISTAK

On the cover Silver Sneakers participant Mary Beth Potthoff works out with light weights during the morning program at the Illinois Valley YMCA. Page 8 NEWSTRIBUNE FILE PHOTO

Veterans still working amidst COVID-19 Brad Oeder of the Princeton Honor Guard sports a face mask while unfurling a U.S. flag ahead of Memorial Day services at Princeton’s Oakland Cemetery. While most veterans groups called off holiday observances, a band of Princeton veterans procured matching black masks and decided to conduct graveside services using social distancing. Page 14

Boomers Today 426 Second Street La Salle, Illinois 61301 (815) 223-3200 (800) 892-6452 www.newstrib.com Publisher Dan Goetz

Social Scene 5

Illinois Valley coffee-clutchers change routines during pandemic.

Editor Tammie Sloup Advertising Director Jeanette Smith

jmsmith@shawmedia.com

Online Options 12

COVID-19 crisis creates new online world for Boomers.

Writers Ali Braboy Kevin Chlum Charlie Ellerbrock Kim Shute Photographers Kim Shute Tom Sistak Designer Liz Klein Published by: est. 1851

4 August 2020 | Illinois Valley Boomers | A NewsTribune Publication

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After weeks of not being able to meet in person, a lot of local coffee groups are starting to get back together to shoot the breeze. Kenny May, of Dover, Bob Warren of Princeton, Fred Pierson, of Princeton and Brian Huffstodt have a handful of different groups they drop in on, and all agree that nothing takes the place of face-to-face conversation.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY KIM SHUTE

Illinois Valley coffee-clutchers change routines during pandemic

By Kim Shute o hear it told, one of the best perks of retirement is joinT ing, or forming a coffee group.

Whether it’s the crack of dawn, or the middle of the afternoon, and whether or not coffee is even present (though it helps), the chance to shoot the breeze, share the latest gossip or just get out of the

house is vital to keeping the body and mind active.

But, what about when circumstances force a change of habits? The coronavirus outbreak put the kibosh on gatherings of all sizes, so how has it affected locals who like to make the rounds at local coffee shops for their daily chats?

Depends on who you ask.

For most, it seems they’ve

adapted and overcome whatever challenge the virus has thrown at them.

Pre-COVID-19, Bob Warren of Princeton could be found most mornings at the Flour House with a rotating cast of characters discussing the business of the day. When they closed their doors, first totally See COFFEE page 6

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A NewsTribune Publication | Illinois Valley Boomers | August 2020 5

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Coffee

Kristi Warren moved her gatherings outdoors as well.

“The family always met at Flour FROM PAGE 5 House so now we met on Saturand then to inside guests, he had to days and do driveway coffee. We find other places to meet, but man- bring our own chairs and coffee,” she said. aged to find a few spots to meet “Moved to porches (those that with a more limited group. had larger nice screened-in spaces).

Buddy Bill Vanvierendonck said I was exempt,” Amber Morris said. he moved his gatherings to Princeton’s Becks North where they could “We each bring our own drink. still meet for a coffee and a chat in a We’re teachers/retired teachers and we met every Wednesday socially distance-able space. morning at the Walnut Cafe.”

Fred Pierson had no such probKaren Towns and her friends are lems. As a founding member of taking a more technical approach the “Turkey Buzzards” he has a as is Nick (Young) Yeazel. large barn just outside of town on “We have adjusted, but it’s an Lovers Lane. imperfect substitute, “Yeazel said.

“Stop on by any Thursday,” he says. “Anyone who’s Zoomed underStill others have taken advantage stands -- technical glitches, probof summer’s warm temps to relolems hearing, participants talking cate their gatherings outdoors. over each other.”

“I meet with a men’s Christian “Still, we’re very glad we have renewal group. For years, we’ve the ability to stay connected. We met at the church at 6:15 a.m. on are, of course, looking forward Fridays,” Dave Roden said. “We to the day we’ll be able to gather were suspended as the church folat the same table again, though lowed pandemic directives. Several none of us anticipates it will be weeks in, we decided to meet at anytime soon. As men of a certain Alexander Park with folding chairs age, some of us with underlying and social distance. Now, we meet health concerns, we are not eager on church grounds, but still outside to resume pre-pandemic activities unless and until the virus has been in the same manner.”

controlled, there is an effective treatment and, ultimately, when there is a vaccine. Until the, Zoom keeps the brotherhood together.”

“Our coffee group had been meeting weekly via Zoom,” Towns said. “Now we are starting to meet at Alexander Park, but it’s been sporadic not consistent.”

“My group is coming out slowly and we do breakfast every day at 8-8:30,” Peggy Gomez said. “We meet at the Coffee Cup. We stay until 10 to talk about everything from where someone is looking for some farm animals, doctors office, and fresh eggs, and few do talk about the weather and fields. I’m learning more everyday about farm life. We also talk about how people who passed on what kind of person they were and how sad they left this world too soon.”

Still, for others, the pandemic has been little cause for change to their routine.

“This pandemic showed me how anti-social I am,” Mike Kohr said.

“Five months into it and nothing is much different than before it started.”

“You know you have become isolated when a pandemic comes through and it doesn’t change your life AT ALL,” Jack Olson said.

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6 August 2020 | Illinois Valley Boomers | A NewsTribune Publication

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How to Lift Skin of the Face and Neck Without Surgery As we age, our appearance in the mirror seems to droop. Laxity of the skin and loss of underlying facial structure components such as bone and fat are the culprits. We asked an expert cosmetic physician, Nicole Norris, MD of Nicole Norris MD Medical Spa, to answer some of our questions about the best non-surgical options when we start to notice falling of the face and neck in the mirror.

What do you tell patients when they come in with concerns of sagging skin? “This is an extremely common concern among women and men when they come into my office seeking rejuvenation. The loss of skin thickness and or sagging of the skin starts at age 25 and is evident by age 40. After age 40, loss of skin collagen is about 1 teaspoon per year and is accelerated by smoking, sugar, and ultraviolet rays. When I assess a patient’s face or neck, I look at the health of the skin, and then the placement of underlying components such as bone and natural fat pads. The ideal shape of the female face is heart-shaped with the fullest and widest part being the cheeks and narrower at the chin and jaw. When our face ages it becomes square with the middle of the face and lower face being close to the same width. I tell patient’s that I have many tools in my toolbox to restore this ratio and depending on the severity, it usually takes several tools to correct it.”

Tell us about the “tools in your toolbox” that you recommend and what they do? “There are three components to face and neck rejuvenation: Lifting, Filling and Skin Rejuvenation. For lifting, when patient’s do not want a surgical face lift, I recommend a PDO thread lift.

For filling, I talk to them about dermal fillers which are manmade syringes of collagen that are injected into areas of the face that need filling. Skin rejuvenation is probably the most important thing that we talk about and correction is dependent on the quality of their skin. The healthier and nicer the skin looks, the better results they will get with lifting and filling. Skin rejuvenation can be achieved with topical products, but sometimes also requires chemical peels, microneedling and laser resurfacing procedures.”

If a patient has the beginning of jowling in the lower face or mild to moderate skin sagging in the neck, what would you suggest? “PDO threads would be my answer! PDO stands for polydioxanone and is a synthetic absorbable surgical suture proven to be one of the safest materials implanted in the body. PDO threads

Dr. Norris’ patient getting ready for PDO thread lift of upper and lower face.

have been used in cardiac surgery for years and used in the face cosmetically for the last 10 years. The sutures are place under the skin on a preloaded cannula which is like a tiny straw. Part of the thread is left outside the skin when the cannula is removed. That thread can be pulled on to lift the skin in the trajectory that lifts the fallen tissue the best. The suture will breakdown over a few months, but the lift will remain a year or more. The lift lasts even longer with healthier rejuvenated skin. Besides lifting, the polydioxanone stimulates neocollagenesis in the skin.

This means that there is improvement in the skin texture and fewer wrinkles in the overlying skin where the threads are placed. Now that is a side-effect my patients like! This procedure is done in the office with local anesthesia and has little if any downtime. There can be risk of bruising and some swelling but otherwise there is very little risk to the procedure. A PDO thread lift in the upper face, lower face or neck is ideal, when you are not quite ready for a surgical face lift.”

If you are wondering if a PDO thread lift, would be right for you, Nicole Norris MD Medical Spa is offering complimentary PDO thread lift consultations in September as well as special pricing on the procedure!

Your PDO thread lift facial rejuvenation consultation will require a $99 deposit that will go towards the procedure that you and Dr. Norris determine is best for you. Call 815-780-8264 to schedule yours and learn more about the webinar Dr. Norris is broadcasting about PDO thread lifts in September.

A NewsTribune Publication | Illinois Valley Boomers | August 2020 7

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YMCA Seniors excited for return of in-person classes at Illinois Valley Y

By Charlie Ellerbrock

he COVID-19 pandemic has certainly made all of T us more aware of the impor-

“When they started back up, I was thrilled to death … and I love it,” said Schmidt, who attends only the Monday tance of staying healthy, and classes because she golfs on there is a growing group of Wednesdays. “There used to seniors who are taking adbe one more advanced class vantage of what the Illinois and one beginner, but there’s Valley YMCA has to offer only one now and it’s much to help them in that regard, smaller now, but it’s still great even during the shelter-inand growing, and Wendy does place term. a great job.”

The Y had been host to a Shirley Eide, 72, of La Salle, rapidly growing senior portion and Alice Vogt, 77, of Peru, like of its membership – estimated others did more walking during to be near 40 percent of that total – prior to the coronavirus the COVID break but they also used the “Y 360” classes on outbreak.

Youtube to stay in shape.

For safety reasons, the Y Still, they couldn’t wait to was forced to close down on March 16 for an indefinite pe- get back in class to see their riod, forcing seniors to rely on friends.

“I did the 360 class daily bethe friendships made in their cause it was so similar to this classes and the fitness classes one and I had my own weights on Youtube to maintain their and band at home,” said Vogt. fitness level.

“But it’s much better here with The break time is now up these people. We stayed in and for the last few weeks, touch through it all during the seniors have been slowly but happily returning to the Silver virus because there’s a bonding that takes place here. It’s Sneakers exercise programs been essential for us physically and the in-pool water courses and mentally during a very difand for the most part, many ficult time.” have not missed a beat.

“I was told to stay active, And they are just as glad stay active,” said Eide, who to be back with their friends joined after having hip surgery and instructor Wendy Kenny, six years ago and has never for the social therapy that’s proven to be as valuable as the left. “I didn’t like the machines as much because I like to be physical. with people and I love music.

Pat Schmidt, 83, of Peru, This class fit in perfect for me with her husband joined the YMCA through her employer, … While we were gone, we missed the people, we missed the La Salle State Bank, and, our instructor and we missed though her husband has passed, she has maintained her the activity. We could always enthusiastic participation ever go walk around Baker Lake, but you can see how much difsince. Most recently, the class was helping her rehabilitate an ferent this is, with the weights, the bands … We came here ankle injury suffered in a fall five days a week and we want last December, but after the COVID break, she couldn’t wait to get back into it.

See Classes page 10

Top Right: Participants in the Silver Splash program at the Illinois Valley YMCA in Peru stay socially distant while working out.

Center: Silver Splash instructor Marge Rettko leads participants in an exercise routine at the Illinois Valley YMCA in Peru.

Bottom Right: Seniors use foam tubes during one of the exercise routines at the Illinois Valley YMCA. PHOTOGRAPHY BY TOM SISTAK

8 August 2020 | Illinois Valley Boomers | A NewsTribune Publication

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A

A NewsTribune Publication | Illinois Valley Boomers | August 2020 9

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Classes FROM PAGE 8

to get back to that as soon as we can.â€? “This is a very fun group,â€? said Kenny, a fitness instructor for 35 years and the Silver Sneakers Circuit leader for all of its 15 years or so. “A lot of these members are alone, so this is where they go to see people, so yes, it’s very important for them to get back, and not just physically. I’ve seen members of this class grow closer and become friends, almost like family. They leave here and go for coffee or to lunch ‌ They support each other very well, too. They realize the importance of moving and staying active. They want to be able to enjoy their vacations and activities and not be hindered by things that go along with age.â€?

Currently, the Silver Sneakers Circuit has on Mondays and Wednesdays at 10 a.m. just one class of up to 15 people, as opposed to the 25-30 over two sections prior to the shutdown. The Silver Sneakers Splash water exercise classes are held on Tuesdays and Thursday at 10 a.m.

The YMCA still has in place strong safety protocols in classes, among them maintaining social distancing, and throughout the building, including cleaning the exercise rooms following each class.

Slowly, all of the Y programs are coming back and hope to be full again soon, but at a safe pace. “Pre-COVID, we ran

PHOTOGRAPHY BY TOM SISTAK

Silver Sneakers instructor Wendy Kenny leads the class through a variety of exercises at the Illinois Valley YMCA in Peru. a monthly senior group where we’d get together, have lunch, play bingo and we also had more Silver Sneakers classes than we’re offering now,� said Carmen Turigliatta, the Y’s media coordinator and senior group director. “During COVID, we adjusted our programs so seniors could get out and interact with others at safe distances apart and we’re back with one class a week for now. As the public health situation improves and COVID comes to an end, more and more of them will come out to join us and we’ll have more classes again.

“They truly enjoy coming out, being active and not feeling as isolated as they once had to be. They thrive

on it ‌ We want to re-introduce them back into things just like all our members, slowly and responsibly.�

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A NewsTribune Publication | Illinois Valley Boomers | August 2020 11

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COVID-19 crisis creates new online world for Boomers

By Kevin Chlum

W

hen the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic began to grow and the governor issued the stayat-home order, most people’s habits changed.

People tried to limit interaction with others, including family and friends.

That meant turning to online resources.

For many older people in the Illinois Valley, they were doing more shopping online than ever before while visiting with family virtually more often than in the past.

“At first, I was kind of apprehensive about everything going on,” Char Edgcomb, 57, said about COVID19. “Once I got laid off, I thought, ‘Boy, I have to take this more seriously and stay home.’ I didn’t want to go to town and into stores unless absolutely necessary.”

So Edgcomb found ways to purchase more items online.

“All of my soap and laundry detergent and stuff I order online and it gets delivered right to the house,” said Edgcomb, who lives on a farm outside of Troy Grove. “I do it through an app. If I spend $35 I get free shipping. It’s opened my eyes to online shopping. It keeps everything in the app so when I run out, I just click on it and I don’t have to go to town and fight the people.

And it saves you money.”

Edgcomb also began shopping for clothes online.

“If you go into a store, you can’t go into fitting rooms,” Edgcomb said. “Online shopping isn’t so bad, especially with clothes. They make it so easy for returns.”

One thing Edgcomb hasn’t really gotten into is grocery shopping online. She’s tried it, but it didn’t fully meet her needs.

“I only do it because I feel like I need some exercise,”

PHOTO SUBMITTED

Char Edgcomb, 57, has turned to more online shopping since COVID-19.

She doesn’t think she’ll ever go back to her old shopping habits.

Edgcomb said. “Having someone else shopping for me, if they didn’t have something they substitute and I didn’t always want it. The groceries get to the car and they wouldn’t have things so I’d have to go back in anyways.

Groceries are the only things I shop for now.”

Marsha Piraino, 71, of La Salle, said she’s shopped online in the past, but she began doing her grocery shopping online in March when the pandemic hit.

“Instead of going to the grocery store, most of the time I order online and have them delivered to me,” Piraino said. “I’ve always ordered other stuff online, so that hasn’t changed a whole

lot, but I started having groceries delivered because I have not found a way to socially distance in grocery stores or big box stores.”

While shopping online has been the biggest change for Edgcomb and Piraino, both have turned online for interaction as well.

Edgcomb has participated in a few Zoom meetings with family members, but since she has an iPhone, she prefers Facetime.

Piraino also enjoys Facetime, but she did join a Zoom birthday party for her great-grandson’s second birthday party in April and has also experienced a virtual doctor appointment.

“We usually have a birth-

day party with cake and ice cream, decorations and presents, but we couldn’t do that this year so my granddaughter set up a Zoom meeting, which was nice,” Piraino said. “Everyone was able to be at the Zoom party except one granddaughter who was working. It was the first time we’ve ever done that and I thought it was great.

“My significant other had to see a rheumatologist in Peoria and they weren’t doing face-to-face appointments, so he had a Zoom meeting.

The doctor was early for it so there was no sitting and waiting in the waiting room.

In 10-15 minutes, it was all done. I thought that was great. I would continue to do that kind of thing.”

However, she does not plan to continue grocery shopping online once the pandemic and year delivery subscription is over.

“It’s a fair alternative to shopping but not a great one,” Piraino said. “As an example, I placed an order for 20 items and I only got 13.

I find it hard to believe they had no head lettuce at all or half and half.

“A lot of improvement could be done for the delivery services. For me, there have been more cons than pros, but it’s better than being out among a lot of people.”

Edgcomb on the other hand, doesn’t see herself reverting to old habits. “(The pandemic) has made me slow down and realize what’s important in life,” Edgcomb said. “I haven’t been working all the time and running here and there. It’s made me slow down. I’m enjoying everything now. I never would have done that before. Now that I don’t have to go shopping, it saves me a lot of time.

“My shopping habits will never go back to what they were.”

12 August 2020 | Illinois Valley Boomers | A NewsTribune Publication

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A NewsTribune Publication | Illinois Valley Boomers | August 2020 13

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Veterans organizations still working amidst COVID-19 and aging membership

By Ali Braboy

said Don Kirby, the Post say too much at this point because they don’t know what Commander of the Princeton American Legion, about their the situation will be like. n June, the Peru VFW Post membership.

The organization provides 8232 announced it was disHe is not afraid at all of the gifts to veterans in nursing banding. possibility of their post dishomes around the area. She The number of World War II and Korean War veterans is said they send bananas around banding (their post is an older building, and they own it. “It’s Christmas time to nursing dwindling rapidly, and there not the fanciest building in the homes, the La Salle Veterans aren’t enough veterans from world, but it’s ours”).

Home; and they go shopping Vietnam and post-Cold War He said the Princeton area conflicts to refill the VFW hall. for things like socks, stamps, is unique to other areas: AMthings veterans may need.

But there are still organizaVETS Post 180, American “If we know of active militions surviving amidst aging tary in Oglesby, we send them Legion Post 125 and VFW membership and during the Post 4323 all make up the gifts,” Claudnic said.

COVID-19 pandemic.

Her late husband was an ac- Princeton Veteran’s OrganiThe La Salle VFW Post zations who work together to 4668 in July announced plans tive member of the American complete service.

Legion. to raise $25,000 to replace Due to COVID-19, he said “After he died, I felt like I two large air conditioning they’ve probably missed out wanted to continue his conunits for the large back hall.

The VFW celebrates its 75th tributions, so I volunteered to on around 50 percent of their fundraisers this year. become part of the legion,” anniversary in October. The “We’ve been very, very caushe said, and now has taken nonprofit assists veterans, tious with our expenditures,” he more of an active role since their families and promotes said, explaining that whatever retiring. pride in community and self. they take in through a year is They encourage others to “We could use more parabout equal to what they hand join; Claudnic mentioned the ticipation from some of our Oglesby organization now has out to different charities. younger veterans who are “By being careful with a young girl whose grandpa is members, and those who are our finances, we’re going to eligible in the area could join,” a veteran. weather this thing just fine,” “This is the first time we’ve said Elton Murphy of La Salle, Kirby said. ever had a junior member,” a current VFW member and He said he also notices how she said. past post commander as well well the community reacts “We‘ve been pretty stable, as past district commander. we’ve actually picked up three and supports first responders In July, the Post held a and veterans.

“Bratwurst Night” to help with since the first of the year,” raising funds for the AC units.

The Oglesby American Legion Auxiliary continues to work with a strong membership, said President Bonnie Claudnic, but they’re always looking for new members.

The organization supports the American Legion, and their mission is to help veterans.

“It’s very important for us to remember our veterans. They risked life and limb for us.

Many gave the ultimate sacrifice,” Claudnic said. “It’s important we acknowledge them and take care of them.”

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the organization — their biggest fundraiser is selling poppies on Memorial Day Weekend, but they were unable to do that this year.

They have tentative plans LA SALLE VFW FACEBOOK PAGE to conduct the sale later this year, but they’re hesitant to The exterior of the La Salle VFW Post 4668 building.

I

14 August 2020 | Illinois Valley Boomers | A NewsTribune Publication

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• Minimally Invasive Arthroscopic Surgery of the Hip, Knee, and Shoulder

• Nerve and Tendon Problems • Masses and Growths

• Sports Related Injuries • Rotator Cuff and Shoulder Instability • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome • Joint, Ligament, Tendon and Cartilage Injury

920 West Street, Suite 211 • Peru, IL

Dr. Connor Kasik Orthopedic Surgeon

Call Illinois Valley Orthopedics for an appointment today. (815) 223-2143

Dr. Robert J. Mitchell Orthopedic Surgeon

ivch.org/orthopedics

A NewsTribune Publication | Illinois Valley Boomers | August 2020 15

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    

        

                               

     

               

                              

                                                       

    

     

      

               SM-LA1798912

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