Senior Life Elko Edition April 2021

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Elko Edition Rea Reaching ch Elkhart, Kosciusko, Noble And LaGrange Counties Vol. 34, No. 2

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provides opportunities for seniors %\ '$9,' +$=/(',1( 6WDII :ULWHU In 1968, church leaders formed Church Community Services to more effectively meet the needs of Elkhart County residents. And while its services are geared to the population at large, seniors have also benefited, particularly through the food pantry, delivery of groceries to the homebound and financial services, CCS is also a great outlet for seniors looking for ways to stay active in the community, with volunteer opportunities at the food pantry, community gardens and more. In mid-January 2021, CCS hired Community Outreach Director Yolo Lopez DeMarco. Among her responsibilities is overseeing the implementation of an initiative to more effectively reach the large Latinx population in Elkhart County. “I hope to provide some vision and guidance to fill the gaps,” she said, making CCS “more inclusive to the broader immigrant community.” Older Spanish speakers, for example, often depend on younger family members or others to interact with the community at large. CCS hopes to reach them more directly with bilingual staff members. DeMarco has begun

meeting with local churches, giving presentations highlighting Church Community Services as well as opportunities it provides for church members to “volunteer as a group.” Though just beginning her tenure, DeMarco already sees opportunities for the older immigrant population. “Gardening is very popular … I think we’re going to get Latinx grandparents who want to be involved with the community,” she predicted. “CCS is an amazing organization that makes a difference in the lives of people every day,” DeMarco stated, and the COVID-19 pandemic helped highlight the needs of the community. For example, CCS food pantry served roughly 1,500 people per month before the pandemic. Since then, said DeMarco, the number has increased. The pantry is open to anybody in Elkhart County, providing nonperishable items and items such as diapers for those with children. The only requirement is to fill out a form indicating income. The pantry also provides volunteer opportunities, with several positions available: organizing food boxes,

DQ\ YROXQWHHUV DW KUHW DUH WZR RI WKH P ( DLO G * DQ IW OH QJ .L NKDUW &RXQW\ ZLWK 0081,7< ³ 'DYLG DQG IDPLOLHV IURP (O DOV GX \ LYL ,QG W DU 6(59,1* 7+( &2 NK (O \ LQ JURFHULHV RQFH HYHU 6HUYLFHV IRRG SDQWU LEOH WR VKRS IRU IUHH OLJ H UH D LGH JX W\ &KXUFK &RPPXQLW\ HU RY RI WKH IHGHUDO S DQ LQFRPH EHORZ G PRQWK 3KRWR SURYLGH of those jobs were lost during the pandemic. “It’s so much interviewing families, checkhelp church groups and service worse than the recession, at ing expiration dates and more. organizations start their own least then people didn’t have “A lot of our volunteers are community gardens. to worry about their health seniors,” DeMarco observed. Church Community Serand that of their loved ones From April through Septem- vices has also been awarded on top of everything else,” said ber, community gardens, along several grants to help address Vonda Horst, CCS financial with a greenhouse on CCS the increased need for emerservices director. CCS can property, also provide fresh gency financial help, includhelp those who qualify make produce to the pantry. And the ing funding from the United ends meet by assisting with Seed to Feed program teaches Way of Elkhart and LaGrange mortgages, utilities and other young people how to grow their counties’ Thrive Grant and payments. own food. This in turn provides the Community Development For information on CCS proopportunities to seniors inBlock Grant through the City grams and volunteer opportuterested in becoming “partner of Elkhart. nities or to donate, visit www. gardeners,” imparting their Many seniors continue to churchcommunityservices.org, knowledge and experience to hold jobs past retirement age their Facebook page or call community youth. CCS will to make ends meet and many (574) 295-3673.

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3. Many seniors lose their homes and life savings to nursing home costs. 6. These and other strategies can also help to avoid will contests and probate.

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2 ■ SENIOR LIFE ■ April 2021

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Key Positions

Ken Heckathorn: Rising through the ranks %\ 5$< %$/2*+ 6WDII :ULWHU Ken Heckathorn has worn many hats in his life, most of them with American Legion Post 154 in Nappanee. Heckathorn graduated from NorthWood High School in 1971. “Ours was the first class to graduate in the new building,” he said. “I graduated along with former Nappanee mayor Larry Thompson.” Right out of high school, Heckathorn enlisted in the U.S. Army and served more than 25 years in two stints. He served three years, then attended Indiana University South Bend to pursue a degree in criminal justice. In 1985, he returned to the military until he officially retired in 2013. “I was deployed in several states around the United States and in Panama and Germany, among other countries. I was in special intelligence and became an instructor, teaching basic and advanced leadership courses.” He wasted no time joining the American Legion, becoming a member of the Nappanee post

in January 1972. “I came home on leave from basic training in December 1971, did all the paperwork and was a member the next month,” he said. He has held “just about every position” of leadership at Post 154, including chaplain, historian, membership chairman, first vice commander and post commander. Heckathorn didn’t stop there. He also worked as service officer for the Third District of the Indiana American Legion, which embraces posts in Elkhart, St. Joseph, Marshall and LaPorte counties. In that position he assisted veterans in following their paperwork and answered their questions and resolved issues with their benefits. He served as district commander for two years after spending a year as membership chairman and was elected northern vice commander for the Department of Indiana American Legion, serving five of the state’s districts “from Kokomo north.” At the national level, Heckathorn sits on the national security and foreign affairs committee.

The positions “give me the opportunity to go to the Indiana statehouse and to Washington D.C. and call on congressmen and senators to get benefits for the veterans.” Heckathorn has also involved himself with educational endeavors. He chaired Hoosier Boys State for four years and currently teaches fourth graders at Nappanee Elementary School about the American flag, what it represents and what each part of the flag means. In return for his decades of service to the nation, its children and his fellow veterans, Heckathorn deems himself to have benefited as well. He listed the most gratifying part of his public service as “just listening to the people I meet. I have learned civility about myself. There are times when you can get emotional and say something you’ll regret later. I’m learning not to do that.” He also enjoys “the camaraderie and working for a common goal. A lot gets accomplished. The American Legion has been a proactive force for veterans since its inception.”

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*Available only through participating retailers and Humana’s mail-order pharmacy, Humana Pharmacy®; always consult with your doctor or medical provider before taking over-the-counter medications. Humana is a Medicare Advantage HMO, PPO and PFFS organization with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in any Humana plan depends on contract renewal. Applicable to Humana Gold Plus - Diabetes and Heart (HMO C-SNP). At Humana, it is important you are treated fairly. Humana Inc. and its subsidiaries comply with applicable Federal civil rights laws and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or religion. English: ATTENTION: If you do not speak English, language assistance services, free of charge, are available to you. Call 1-877-320-1235 (TTY: 711). Español (Spanish): ATENCIÓN: Si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. Llame al 1-877-320-1235 (TTY: 711). 넑⚥ 俑 (Chinese): 岣䠐㥴卓䝟⢪ 欽넑⚥俑 䝟〳⟃⯝顤栻䖤铂鎉⸔剪⹡ կ荜ꨵ 1-877-320-1235 (TTY :711) կ Y0040_GHHJ4H7TE21_M

H5619-055-000-2021

7+(1 $1' 12: ³ .HQ +HFNDWKRUQ SRVHV EHQHDWK WKH SRUWUDLW SKRWR RI KLP DV FRPPDQGHU RI $PHULFDQ /HJLRQ 3RVW LQ 1DS SDQHH 3KRWR E\ 5D\ %DORJK He hailed “the caliber of people” he has met and whose presentations he has heard at conventions, including President Eisenhower’s granddaughter, who spoke on the 100th anniversary of the American Legion at the national convention in Minneapolis in 2019. Heckathorn and his wife, Wanda, have been married since 1984 and have three grown children, all married; two live in Goshen and one lives in Wakarusa. The Heckathorns have six grandkids. “What motivates me is my faith, my family and my fellow veterans,” he said. “If you are a veteran and haven’t enrolled in the VA health system, I would advise you to do it. Don’t wait

until you have a problem. Do it right away. Contact your county’s veteran service officer.” Heckathorn said he loves to read and travel. He recently finished an online course with Harvard University on brain cognition. He and Wanda, who retired from a 35-year nursing career, enjoy “getting out and going to antique markets and hiking in state parks.” They went to Alaska for their 35th anniversary and would like to visit Hawaii. He has taken history trips, such as a tour of Gettysburg, and has traced his ancestry back to Switzerland in the 1600s, discovering he has the blood of French royalty coursing through his veins.

Coping with COVID losses

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It’s easy to feel sorry for yourself during these off-andon COVID confinements and restraints. This form of grief is as global as the pandemic itself, so you’re not alone. It’s normally accompanied by difficulty sleeping, feeling tired, head and stomach aches, difficulty focusing, worry and memory problems. A few simple steps can turn these negatives into a positive feeling. First, review a list of what you’ve lost. It may be a friend or family member, or the freedom to travel about and visit

the grandchildren. Then think about how you gained strength after clearing similar hurdles in the past. Focus on how you’re surviving, along with the rest of your community, as the vaccine makes the future rosier. Take on a project: learn a language, take up gardening or cooking, read those books languishing on the shelf, or write that book you’ve always said you’re going to write. Keep in regular touch with your family and friends. And make a plan for your first major venture or adventure when this pandemic is declared over. Mature Life Features, copyright 2021

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April 2021 ■ SENIOR LIFE ■ 3

Spotlight

Dale Schertz: Staying busy, enjoying the kids %\ 5$< %$/2*+ 6WDII :ULWHU Nappanee resident Dale Schertz enjoys “staying busy.” And there are few folks the 74 year old would rather stay busy with than the youngsters he transports every school day as a bus driver for Wa-Nee Community Schools. He said his favorite part of bus driving, the job he has held for the past 12 1/2 years, is “the kids. It takes a lot of patience, but I really enjoy them, especially the younger ones. This is one of the best routes I have had.” Not that the job comes without challenges, foremost of which Schertz named as “keeping kids safe, which is the number one priority. It’s always a challenge to get them home safely and, when they cross the road, to cross it safely. I pretty well got them trained to do that.” He also mentioned, “It’s hard to get them to keep their masks on, especially the elementary kids. The older ones do pretty well at that.” Schertz does allow the kids to eat on the bus, “as long as they don’t make too much of a mess. They’re pretty good about cleaning up after themselves.” But he does take one nonnegotiable stance: The bus radio plays only Christian music on WFRN. “Some kids ask for other stations,” he said, “but I tell them, ‘As long as I’m driving this bus, this is the station we listen to.’ ” A devout Christian, Schertz considers his bus route “a ministry as well as a job.” He attends Salem Mennonite Church and was involved in the Elkhart County jail ministry for five years before the pandemic scuttled visits. He also participated in the prison ministry at Westville Correctional Facility “quite a while ago.” Schertz grew up in Illinois, but has resided in Nappanee since 1969. He and his wife, Kay, married March 28, 1970, and they have three grown children and 10 grandchildren. Pandemic restrictions prevented Dale and Kay from traveling to celebrate their golden anniversary, but they will spend nine days, starting April 1, in Sarasota, Fla., to celebrate 51 years together. “A couple in our church is letting us use their house down there,” said Schertz. Schertz worked at Monaco Coach for 38 years, running the floor department the first 20 and working in research and development the last five. He lost his job when the plant closed in 2008. “I was too young to retire, so I decided to get

my license and drive a school bus, something I always had in mind.” Until he underwent back surgery last July, Schertz spent his middays between bus routes delivering steel RV parts for Miller Manufacturing in Nappanee. The surgery also put his daily 11-mile bicycle rides on hiatus, but he hopes “to get back to it this summer.” Schertz also enjoys coin collecting, his signal hobby the past 10 years. He collects pennies, dimes and foreign coins — particularly the currency of Israel — and belongs to an internet coin club with Littleton Coin Company. He is also an avid walker. During more amenable weather, he takes an outdoor stroll, but on less clement days, he walks around inside Nappanee Missionary Church, which is half a mile south of his home.

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4 ■ SENIOR LIFE ■ April 2021

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What Seniors Think

What is your favorite hobby and how did you get started with it?

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Elkhart/Kosciusko Senior Life 15,000 Circulation

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Allen Senior Life 23,000 Circulation

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Senior Life newspapers are monthly publications dedicated to inform, serve and entertain the senior citizens in Northern Indiana and Southern Michigan. Each of the four editions focus on local information for each area. Senior Life is privately owned and published by The Papers Incorporated. STAFF Ron Baumgartner, Publisher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . rbaumgartner@the-papers.com Carrie Goralczyk, Business Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . cgoralczyk@the-papers.com Steve Meadows, Director Of Marketing . . . . . . . . smeadows@the-papers.com Bill Hays, Advertising Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . bhays@the-papers.com Account Executive Kimberly Cates . . . . . kcates@the-papers.com • 1-866-580-1138 Ext. 2401 Commercial Printing Sales Representative Rich Krygowski . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . rkrygowski@the-papers.com Barb Walter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . bwalter@the-papers.com Deb Patterson, Editor-In-Chief . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . dpatterson@the-papers.com Keith Knepp, Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . kknepp@the-papers.com Jerry Long, Circulation Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . jlong@the-papers.com EDITORIAL DEADLINES Elkhart/Kosciusko Edition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15th Month Prior St. Joseph Edition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15th Month Prior Allen Edition. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20th Month Prior Northwest Edition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20th Month Prior SUBSCRIPTIONS Mailed subscriptions are available, prepaid with order at $34 for one year; and $58 for two years. (Select one edition.) Your cancelled check will serve as your receipt. ADVERTISING For advertising deadlines call your sales representative. The existence of advertising in Senior Life is not meant as an endorsement of any product, services or individuals by anyone except the advertisers. Signed letters or columns are the opinion of the writers, and not necessarily the opinion of the publishers. PRODUCTION Senior Life is digitally composed on Macintosh Computers using Digital Technology’s Newspaper Publishing Suite software and Photoshop software. Submit ads as .tif, .eps or .pdf files. ASCII (generic text) may be submitted via email or on CD/DVD. Check our website at www.the-papers.com for guidelines on preparing ads electronically. Graphics for ads can be emailed as PDF files to adcomp@the-papers. com. If you have any questions, give us a call and we’ll walk you through it. REPRINT RIGHTS Reprinting in part or whole of any article in Senior Life is not allowed without express written permission from Senior Life.

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Beat coronavirus at home %\ &(&,/ 6&$*/,21( 0DWXUH /LIH )HDWXUHV

Questions and concerns about the COVID virus are lingering as long as its lingering effects. The populace has to be reminded several times a day that getting the vaccine isn’t a license to quit wearing a mask. Nor is vaccination a passport to travel at will around the city or countryside to shop for groceries, visit family or friends, tour amusement parks or bask at a tropical beach. Whether you agree or disagree with the politics of shutdowns, lockdowns, reopenings and shipments and allocations of the vaccine, the majority of medical experts still proclaim a few simple rules to protect yourself and those around you from being felled by coronavirus. Solidly atop the list of precautions: wear a mask

whenever you’re out of your residence. If you don’t have to be anywhere, stay home. Theories and opinions by politicians, medical experts, the news media and one’s neighbors are rampant. Consider your mask. We’ve been told to wear a cloth mask that covers our face from nose to chin. It should be made of more than one layer of fabric. Or wear two masks, some say. It’s even been suggested we wear three masks at a time. And wash your masks daily. Wash your hands often and quit touching your face during and after you’ve been out to pick up your groceries or returned from a doctor’s appointment. Staying fit and flexible is just as important when you’re hanging around the house and not getting out to the gym or the park. You can walk around your yard to keep your leg strength and push up

your heartbeat. Some simple chair exercises can help. If you’re sitting down, stand up slowly. Now sit down slowly. Repeat this a half dozen times. While you’re sitting, push your feet hard on the floor. Raise one leg slowly until your foot is sticking straight out. Lower it slowly and push your foot into the floor. Now do the same with your other foot. Repeat this a half dozen times. Walk over to the kitchen sink. Stand back about arms’ length and lean over with your chest against its rim. Now push yourself back up. Do these pushups a half dozen times. Repeat these sessions a couple or three times during the day. There is a multitude of simple exercises like these that take little time, require no special equipment and can keep you fit. Mature Life Features, copyright 2021

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April 2021 ■ SENIOR LIFE ■ 5

What’s your why for eating healthy?

Pursue the change. Adopt the mindset that the action has already happened — I am plant-based. Sounds like a mind game, but as many things in life — it is a mindset. If you want an excuse as to why you can’t make changes, there are millions, but if you set your mind to the change, you’re already there. Often you hear that people need a why in order to make changes; boy do I have a few for you: • Two-thirds of the U.S. population is overweight.

• Fifty percent of U.S. adults have diabetes or are prediabetic. • Every 52 seconds an adult in the U.S. dies from heart disease. • Fifty-eight percent of the American diet consists of ultra-processed foods. • Every 40 seconds someone in the U.S. has a stroke. • Strokes are the leading cause of serious long-term disability in adults. This isn’t meant to scare you, but maybe frighten you enough to see that it may be time to implement those changes that you know will improve your health. There are consequences to eating plant-based and they are good. We’ve talked about how to start improving your eating choices by eating more plantbased meals; maybe it’s every breakfast or maybe breakfast and lunch (even better), leaving dinner as your only meal where you consume meat, fish and dairy. Or jump right in and say “I am plant-based” for

the next week or month. Committed change will change you. So what are the consequences of eating plant-based? The top five, according to MD Anderson cancer center, are: • Reduce your risk for cancer. A diet rich in fruit, vegetables, whole grain, beans, nuts and seeds fuels your body with the phytonutrients critical to good health. • Immune system support. Plants have essential nutrients that you cannot get from other foods. The vitamins and minerals, phytochemicals and antioxidants in plants help keep your cells healthy and your body in balance so that your immune system can function at its best. • Plant foods reduce inflammation. • Reduced body fat achieving and maintaining a healthy weight. • Plants are high in fiber, adding a whole host of benefits including lowering cholesterol and stabilizing blood sugar. And let me add a couple —

Cremation gaining popularity over burial %\ &(&,/ 6&$*/,21( 0DWXUH /LIH )HDWXUHV Cremation most often comes down to a choice between culture and cost. Faith and family tradition can lean toward the traditional funeral parlor viewing in a comfortable-looking coffin, with visitations followed by a memorial service in the funeral home or house of worship, then procession to a burial site and lowering the casket into the earth. An alternative to this afterdeath ritual is having the remains of your loved one collected by a crematorium and picking up the ashes a few days later. A memorial service along with a burial or inurnment may follow. Cremation had been outpacing traditional burial before the COVID pandemic struck. It has been boosted in popularity by the restrictions placed on us by lockdowns, prohibitions against gatherings and other governmental and social dictates over the past year. Some religions prohibit cremation. But even deeply religious families of other faiths are finding that picking up the container with the remains of their loved one and carrying it home, to a mausoleum niche, or scattering the ashes at sea can be a deeply personal and satisfying experience. Adding to the attraction of cremation is that the ashes can be kept on the mantel for as long as you wish. Or they can be buried in the backyard. All of this comes at several

hundred dollars less than the traditional coffin viewing, church service and cemetery procession. The most economical option is called a direct cremation. There is no viewing. The body is picked up by a funeral home or crematory business and taken directly to its facility. The ashes usually are ready within a week, although the current coronavirus crisis may have lengthened the time a few days. This method requires no refrigeration or embalming, which may be required for a viewing and add to the cost. After the cremation, the ashes are returned to the family in a thick plastic bag inside a plastic or thick cardboard box. To assure you that they are the proper remains, a steel disk somewhat like a military dog tag is attached to the body and after the cremation process it is clipped to the plastic bag identifying the ashes as those of your loved one. The packaging allows you to distribute portions of the ashes to any family members and friends who would like a small keepsake. Like any major undertaking, this event can be planned and, if you wish, prepaid. Shop around for details and costs. Prices for a direct cremation range widely, from just under $1,000 to more than $4,000. When getting prices, get a list of what service is provided. The usual basic package includes pickup and

transportation of the body to the crematorium; required paperwork, including a couple of death certificates; and the return of the ashes. Mature Life Features, copyright 2021

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• Whole food plant-based foods are delicious so you will enjoy eating healthy. • Energy level will rise. Your body just wants to get up and go because you aren’t feeling sluggish from what you ate. • Taste buds change and cravings stop. No matter your age, no matter your present health concerns, eating clean, healthy meals will change that mind game into a mindset that is beneficial to your life. TUNO (plant-based tuna fish salad) Ingredients 4 servings 1 can (15 oz) cooked garbanzo beans (chick peas) drained and rinsed 1 celery stalk finely chopped 1 cucumber finely chopped

1 cup green onion or less to taste 2 dill pickles chopped 4 tablespoons sunflower seeds 4 tablespoons tahini 4 teaspoons Dijon mustard Instructions Combine all ingredients in a bowl, mashing garbanzo beans while leaving some of them in larger chunks. 1. Or place all ingredients in a food processor and pulse a few times to combine all ingredients (make sure to not over-process). 2. Serve tuno over a salad, in a lettuce wrap, in a pita or on your favorite bread. Cat Wilson lives in South Bend and transitioned from a vegetarian diet to eating a plant-based diet over two years ago. She may be contacted at cwilson@the-papers.com.

At Greencroft Goshen Healthcare, we will do our best to take the worry out of your worries. Our greatest hope is that you will feel free to enjoy your day by relaxing with a cup of coffee in the Terraces, taking a leisurely stroll in one of our beautiful courtyards, or even inviting your friends and family over for a delicious dinner at The Groves Café. We have years of experience in healing the mind, body and soul. (Our chicken soup isn’t that bad either!) Getting older takes heart, guts and a team that never gives up. Feel free to lean on us. It’s the Greencroft way. Whether you need a little bit of help getting back on your feet or a lot of help, please feel free to call on us at Greencroft Goshen. Call Delia Waits at 574-537-4039. Like us on Facebook!

Live, here. For the Best of your life. 1904 S 15th St., Goshen, Ind. www.greencroft.org

6 ■ SENIOR LIFE ■ April 2021

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Finance

Understanding Social Security —

Three ways to fight scammers who target your Social Security benefits %\ 021$ +$57(5 'LVWULFW 0DQDJHU 6RXWK %HQG 6RFLDO 6HFXULW\ 2IÀFH Scammers are always finding new ways to steal your money and personal information by exploiting your fears. The most effective way to defeat them is to know how to identify scams and to ignore suspicious calls and emails. One common tactic scammers use is posing as federal agents and other law enforcement. They may claim your Social Security number is linked to a crime. They may even threaten to arrest you if

you do not comply with their instructions. Here are three things you can do: • Hang up right away or do not reply to the email. • Never give personal information, money or retail gift cards. • Report the scam at oig. ssa.gov immediately. This is Social Security’s law enforcement team at the Office of the Inspector General. You should continue to remain vigilant of phone calls when someone says there’s a problem with your Social Security number or your benefits.

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If you owe money to Social Security, we will mail you a letter explaining your rights, payment options and information about appealing. There are a few ways you can identify a scam call or email. Remember that we will never: • Threaten you with benefit suspension, arrest or other legal action unless you pay a fine or fee. • Promise a benefit increase or other assistance in exchange for payment. • Require payment by retail gift card, cash, wire transfer, internet currency or prepaid debit card. • Demand secrecy from you in handling a Social Securityrelated problem. • Send official letters or reports containing personally identifiable information via email. If you do not have ongoing business with our agency, it is unlikely we will contact you. Again, if you get a suspicious call claiming to be from Social Security, you should hang up and report it right away to our Office of the Inspector General at oig.ssa.gov.

‘Ring-and-run’ phone calls %\ &(&,/ 6&$*/,21( 0DWXUH /LIH )HDWXUHV The phone rings and you go to answer it, but it stops before you get there. It’s usually just one ring. Not to worry, the missed number is probably in your phone’s call log. But you should worry. Don’t return that call. You’re most likely to be connected to a pleasant voice asking you to hold on and you’ll be connected shortly. There’s an expensive per-minute charge as well as an automatic fee (usually around $20) that will appear on your phone bill as a “premium service.” Mature Life Features, copyright 2021

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April 2021 ■ SENIOR LIFE ■ 7

Finance

Home is where the work is

%\ &(&,/ 6&$*/,21( 0DWXUH /LIH )HDWXUHV

The stay-home policy promulgated by some physicians and politicians during the COVID pandemic may be just what workers needed to break them of the habit of going to the office. Not only are stay-at-home workers finding they save a lot of time by avoiding commuter traffic, they’ve learned they also save a good chunk of money by not having to invest in clothing for the business day, as well as not having to set up a budget for lunches and not stopping by service stations as

often for gasoline. Call them work-at-homes, remote workers, telecommuting staff or what you will, this trend suddenly forced upon us has led to quick studies on what it means for employment and the economy. One study suggests some 35 million workers will provide their services from home by 2025, representing almost a quarter of the workforce. Another set of statistics suggests the work-from-home phalanx will total more than 40% of the workforce and account for two-thirds of the nation’s economy. Whatever the forecasts, ev-

eryone agrees the labor picture has changed and will remain changed because both employer and employee see substantial savings in having staffers work at desks in their dens rather than crowding into high-rise cubicle complexes. This is something the selfemployed — many of them among our senior population — have always known. The freedom to set your own workday without having to attend meetings and keep a watchful eye out for supervisors from cramped quarters is worth more than what dollars can provide. Focusing on this benefit should be enough to

Steer clear of these scams %\ &(&,/ 6&$*/,21( 0DWXUH /LIH )HDWXUHV Wearing a mask and staying home to avoid contact with other people has been proclaimed as the safest way to avoid the coronavirus. But it doesn’t protect you from being robbed by crooks who are constantly searching for prey — especially those who attack the elderly. Victims are easier to find when most of the population is pinned down by lockdowns, shutdowns and just plain fear of being hit by the virus. A popular scam that has surfaced promises to do all the work to arrange and schedule an appointment for you to get a coronavirus vaccination — for a fee, of course. Once you’ve sent the money, you’ll never hear from them again. Thieves will also call to ask

Keep passwords simple %\ &(&,/ 6&$*/,21( 0DWXUH /LIH )HDWXUHV Complex passwords — something like “din&3SO%#ur@ tRA66ils” — have been cited as protective walls against hackers prowling cyberspace for vulnerable accounts. Such a complicated set of characters can be daunting to remember. You can protect your data with a much simpler method that can be just as effective. Develop your own phrase, made up of a series of disconnected words that you can remember, such as “rainguyscourtsummerweek.” The longer the phrase, the better. You can change it regularly, as cyberspace cops suggest, by moving the first word to the last, like this: guyscourtsummerweekrain. Or move the last word up front: weekrainguyscourtsummer. Or pluck the middle word out and tack on the end: guyscourtweekrainsummer. You also might try inserting one word inside another. For example, put “rain” inside “court”: croauirnt. Mature Life Features, copyright 2021

for “missing information” so the government can send you a stimulus check. Just remember: you will never be asked by any official for personal information to qualify you for a stimulus check. Scammers also hide out in plain sight in the slew of snail mail, email and telephone requests for charitable donations. Before giving, check out the organization with the local Better Business Bureau. It’s best to just narrow down your giving to a few of your traditionally favorite charitable organizations. A cyberspace commandment you should heed is, “Never open any email or text or answer a phone call if you don’t recognize the source.” Even that simple response can open a link for crooks to obtain enough information to steal your identity or clean out your bank account. If you decide to talk to a caller, do so for only a couple of minutes and ask for their number so you can call them back. They’ll likely hang up on you. If they do give you a number, don’t call that number.

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If they told you they were calling about your credit card, call the number on the back of the card and tell them why you’re calling. Don’t let any caller browbeat you. No matter how official or threatening they sound, do not give them any personal information. Scammers know this pandemic has made everyone a bit more tired, confused and vulnerable than normal, and pounce especially on seniors. Another vicious scam is a call or email from someone pretending to be a relative or close friend caught up in a problem far away and in need of bail money to get out of jail or ticket money to get home. Before even considering contributing, call family members, friends and folks who know the individual to clarify the situation. Mature Life Features, copyright 2021

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overcome the fear of whether or not your made-at-home product or service will sell. It doesn’t take long for retirees who have been sitting around the house several weeks or months (like many of us had to do during the pandemic this past year) to discover they need to do something. Many have skills they can employ from home. Teachers become tutors. Accountants become tax preparers. Almost anybody can become a house sitter or pet sitter. An initial thought to eliminate is the possibility of launching your service with the help of your family. Your best source of business is contacts made out in your business world. If you’re an automobile mechanic, colleagues can steer you to sources of information and may even hand off a couple

customers they’re not fond of. Or an aging mechanic might see you as a convenient successor to his client base. You also should talk with an accountant or tax expert. They can help you tailor your expectations to reality and work out how much you need to make to tide you over between jobs. It’s also important to take leisure time, just as you’d get days off from work. But it’s equally important to devote attention to working when you’re at work. For example, if you’re sitting at your desk or work bench with nothing to do, call your customers or prospective customers and see if they can use anything or know someone who might. You have to sell your service or product so you can continue to provide it. Mature Life Features, copyright 2021

If you make less than $1,900 per month (single) and are on Medicare, then you might qualify for assistance with prescription drugs and expenses for your medical care. Extra help to pay for your prescription drug plan. Medicare Saving Program to help pay for your Part A and B deductibles and co-pays. For help call Council on Aging of Elkhart County, Inc. (574) 295-1820

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8 ■ SENIOR LIFE ■ April 2021

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Tiptoeing through a singing career Tiny Tim is typically remembered as a disposable novelty performer, but he deserves better than being a %\ 5$1'$/ mere foot& +,// note in entertainment history. He was born Herbert Butros Khaury in Manhattan in 1932, the son of immigrants who toiled in the garment industry. At home, Khaury spent hours mesmerized by his parents’ sublime 78-rpm discs of Bing Crosby and Rudy Vallee. Outside, neighborhood bullies taunted him and at school the mild-mannered misfit ignored classroom subjects to daydream about the girls there. He took up the ukulele after seeing Arthur Godfrey playing one on television. Shortly thereafter, Khaury set music as a career goal. He left school at 17, grew his hair down to his shoulders (an unusual move at the time), and learned hundreds of old-time songs. Eventually, he found club work as a novelty act in a few local dives, where he strummed his instrument and sang in a quavery but pure falsetto, as well as in a rich, confident male baritone. This unusual skill allowed him to sing duets with himself. He adopted a series of stage names, including Judas K. Foxglove and Larry Love, the Singing Canary. In 1963, his manager proposed the Englishsounding title Sir Timothy Timmins. Khaury preferred Tiny Tim, though, after the iconic Charles Dickens character. Tiny was eventually able to secure better gigs in Greenwich Village. From there, he moved up to a trendy New York club

called The Scene, where he formed friendships with such pre-fame musicians as the Lovin’ Spoonful, Jimi Hendrix and Bob Dylan. Tiny’s life changed dramatically one night in 1967. Mo Astin, the head of Reprise Records, caught Tiny’s act at The Scene and offered him a recording contract on the spot. The result was a future Top 10 album, “God Bless Tiny Tim,” which contained his lone hit single of “Tiptoe Through the Tulips.” The ditty, a laughable anomaly in an era of psychedelia and heavy metal, had been around since 1929, when singer Nick Lucas had recorded a No. 1 hit with it. 1968 became Tiny’s breakout year. That January, most Americans got their first look at Tiny on “Rowan and Martin’s LaughIn,” with the scraggly-haired, beak-nosed, face-powdered entertainer strolling onstage while grinning and blowing kisses. That night, when he launched into “Tiptoe Through the Tulips,” a star was born — although some perplexed viewers probably expected a UFO to drop down and whisk Tiny off to his home galaxy. His star burned white-hot for a while. Las Vegas beckoned with $50,000-a-week offers and, on Dec. 17, 1969, over 40 million “Tonight” viewers watched Tiny marry 17-year-old “Miss Vicki” (Victoria Budinger) on Johnny Carson’s TV show. The couple had a daughter, Tulip, before divorcing in 1977. Tiny married two more times and released numerous disparate records that always tanked. He never could find that elusive second big hit. On Nov. 30, 1996, Tiny Tim suffered a fatal heart attack at age 64, while performing at a small Minneapolis club. He had just finished singing “Tiptoe Through the Tulips.”

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surveys through the course of a year with our employees, who have given scores that exceed industry standards. In general, there are two types of home care services: in-home care (nonmedical) and home health care (medical). Home health (medical) would be for therapy, skilled nursing, injections and wound care type needs. In-home care is for nonmedical needs to assist with daily living and personal care. Always Best Care Michiana offers assistance with activities of daily living, such as companion care, grocery shopping,

meal planning, housekeeping, laundry, etc., in addition to assistance with personal care, such as transfers, showering, medication reminders, end of life care and much more. We serve Elkhart, St. Joseph and Marshall counties in Indiana and Berrien and Cass counties in Michigan. We accept private pay, Indiana Medicaid waiver, Michigan Medicaid waiver, Anthem Medicare Advantage and veteran programs. For additional information, visit www. abc-michiana.com or call (574) 232-8487.

Thwart those thieves %\ &(&,/ 6&$*/,21( 0DWXUH /LIH )HDWXUHV The sinister never sleep. Nor do they seem to get sick. While the whole world is suffering intermittent shutdowns during the pandemic, with millions getting infected while thousands die, crooks are running rampant. They’re running off with packages delivered to front doors — and avoiding security camera identification because they’re wearing face masks. They’re taking advantage of the exponential upsurge in online shopping by purporting to offer discounted goods and services. Crafty crooks offer nonexistent part-time work to laid off workers for what seems like a

comfortable fee. At the same time, they and hackers lurking in cyberspace pounce on passwords and other pieces of information that open doors to bank and credit card accounts. With tax time upon us and detailed information flowing between tax preparers and clients, employers and employees, financial advisors and investors, schemers find themselves in a candyland of easy plucking. One thing to keep firmly in mind is that the Internal Revenue Service does not initiate contact with anyone by email or social media to request personal information. Those enticing notices that say you’re entitled to a tax refund and all you have to do is confirm your

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identity are designed by schemers to wipe you out financially. Sadly, this cruel scam still works; that’s why identity thieves are still using it. If you think any such offer is authentic, call the nearest IRS office to report the notification. After completing your tax reporting for the year, you’ll be ready to toss out the threeyear-old records you kept. Be sure to shred them! Dumping them in the trash is like wrapping a present for thieves. And should you lose a card or your wallet, report what’s missing to the proper source immediately. Make sure all your numbers — Social Security, medical and health insurance, driver’s license, bank account, credit card — no longer can be used to cash in on your finances. All those cards and numbers will be changed and sent to you, while your finances remain secure. Check your bank account and credit-card statements regularly and report any suspicious entries immediately. Mature Life Features, copyright 2021

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April 2021 ■ SENIOR LIFE ■ 9

Dining/Leisure/Entertainment

The basic cable blues

We miss seeing others in person, but through the magic of Facetime and Zoom we have been able to keep ,1 $ in touch. 1876+(// Most of %\ ',&. our friends :2/)6,( have been similarly stuck at home, so there isn’t that much to talk about — except movies and TV shows. “Hi, Bob and Cathy, it’s Dick and Mary Ellen. Have you seen ‘Your Honor’ with Bryan Cranston on Showtime? It’s great. Lots to think about.”

“Sorry guys, we don’t get Showtime. But have you seen ‘Frozen II’ on Disney+?” “No, we don’t get Disney+. Surely you’ve seen the awardwinner ‘The Shape of Water’ on Amazon Prime. There’s so much to discuss about that one.” “Dick, we don’t subscribe to Amazon Prime.” “Okay, Bob, let’s talk again when the pandemic is over.” We called our friends John and Jane. “Hi, guys, we have an idea for a fun evening. Let’s all watch ‘The Crown’ on Netflix and make fun of the royal family.” “Dick, we don’t have Netflix. But we found a great show on the Food Network, ‘Amy Schumer Learns to Cook.’ ” “We don’t get the Food Network.”

“But surely you have Vudu TV?” “We didn’t want to take a chance. It sounded like a cult. I bet my brother has it.” We made several other calls, becoming nervous that we were running out of friends we were compatible with. My wife loves old movies but we found very few TCM subscribers. We discovered that the Wideners had satellite TV. They told us it was unlikely we had many interests in common. I felt like they were dishing us, so that was the end of that relationship. We tried to find folks who subscribed to Acorn TV and who enjoyed British mysteries as much as we do, but most of our friends have Hulu, which I had wrongly assumed was just travel shows about Hawaii. My

sister watches a lot of YouTube TV, a service I thought was limited to cat videos. I called my friend Mikki who said she just has an antenna on top her TV. Too bad. We had been friends for 30 years. I had an idea. “Mary Ellen, I’m going to create an Excel spreadsheet where people can sign up and find other people who share similar services. This would be a boon to friendships during this time of isolation.” “I’m very impressed, Dick.” “So, you like the concept?” “No, it’s nutty, but I’m impressed you know how to use Excel.” I logged onto eHarmony and Match.com to see if they even considered viewing options as an important issue in establishing a relationship. I even

went on an adult site called Be Naughty, but when I entered my age, I was automatically transferred to Silver Singles. With the hundreds of personal interests compared on these dating sites, there wasn’t a single question about cable TV or streaming preferences. Just the same old unimportant inquiries: God-fearing or agnostic? Smoker or nonsmoker? Permanent or casual relationship? Drinker or abstainer? All fine and good, but where was: Showtime or Epix? STARZ or Cinemax? Chromecast or Xbox? The bottom line is we are looking for a friendship with another couple who has HBO, Amazon and Netflix. You obviously would need basic cable. If you don’t have it, have it installed. Hooking up is half the fun.

‘I Am … I Said’ Neil Diamond’s sixth Top 10 hit Neil Diamond Humor writer Dave Barry once invited the readers of his weekly syndicated newspaper column to vote for the %\ 5$1'$/ worst pop & +,// song of all time. When $ %RRPHU %ODVW 7R 7KH 3DVW over 10,000 letters piled up on his Miami office desk, he assembled them into Dave Barry’s Book of Bad Songs. “MacArthur Park” took the highest “honor,” but fun-loving Barry offered jabs at several other tunes as well. One was Neil Diamond’s “I Am … I Said,” with Barry citing one particular set of odd lyrics: “I am … I said/To no one there/And no one heard at all/ Not even the chair.” Barry’s gleeful response: “What kind of line is that? Is Neil telling us he’s surprised

Airlines drop domestic change fees %\ &(&,/ 6&$*/,21( 0DWXUH /LIH )HDWXUHV Most airlines have announced that they have discontinued charging fees for passengers changing flight times and dates. Some say they’re dropped permanently for domestic flights. What none of them is proclaiming loudly is that these fees are still being charged for changing basic economy flights. And for the most part, fees are still being charged if you want to change international flights. Still in effect is the no refund policy if you cancel a flight. The general practice is to give you a voucher for the ticket price. Mature Life Features, copyright 2021

that the chair didn’t hear him? Maybe he expected the chair to say, ‘Woah, I heard that!’ ” Okay, funny enough. But a closer look at the song reveals some serious surprises. Diamond, who was born Noah Kaminsky in New York in 1941, took a screen test in 1970 in hopes of playing comedian Lenny Bruce in a forthcoming film. (Dustin Hoffman eventually won the role.) In an interview years later, Diamond described about how he had returned to his Los Angeles Holiday Inn room in a funk because he felt (correctly) that he had failed the audition. Sitting alone at a small table with two chairs, he gazed out the window at the world of golden sunshine and palm trees. He was homesick for his native Brooklyn and feared that perhaps he had made a mistake in his recent move to California. (In an earlier minor hit, “Brooklyn Roads,” Diamond waxed nostalgic about gazing out the window of his thirdfloor childhood apartment.) Diamond picked up his guitar and within one hour wrote “I Am … I Said,” which would eventually become his sixth Top 10 single since 1966. He would spend the next four months honing the tune to his satisfaction. Diamond’s label, Uni Records, questioned his line about the chair, but Diamond insisted that it stay. To him, it repre-

sented where a hotel room companion would have sat if there had been one that day. Others have pointed out that Diamond, who is Jewish, may have subconsciously gleaned the chair image from the Passover, which includes Jewish people keeping an empty chair for Elijah, who will eventually announce the coming of the Savior.

Diamond has since admitted that much of the bulk of his song came from time spent in therapy in Los Angeles: “It was consciously an attempt on my part to express what my dreams were about, what my aspirations were about and what I was about. And without any question, it came from my sessions with the analyst.” He has since proclaimed, “(‘I

Am … I Said’) was by far the most difficult song I have ever written — and probably the best song I have ever written.” By the way, Barry was so overwhelmed by the tsunami of hate mail that flooded in from Diamond’s fans that Barry soon wailed in print, “Please stop writing! You have convinced me! Neil Diamond is a music god!”

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10 ■ SENIOR LIFE ■ April 2021

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Sports

She can’t get enough of the game —

Elliott is hardcore for softball %\ ' 68=$11( %58(00(5 6WDII :ULWHU

Claire Elliott’s got game. It’s in the trunk of her car. Playing ball is the Warsaw resident’s passion. She’s up for a game just about any time, anywhere. “My softball stuff stays in my car from April to October,” she cheerily explained. “I keep buckets of balls in my trunk because you never know when a game’s going to break out.” Elliott, 64, spends her days as a registered nurse. But come Tuesday evenings, when the county’s two dozen or so church league teams play, you’ll find her at the CityCounty Athletic Complex. She’s on men’s, women’s and coed teams. She manages a team, serves as league treasurer and is on the board of directors. She’s been known to play in the city league. Her 60th birthday party was a softball game at the CCAC. “I’ve met a lot of friends, a lot of people I wouldn’t know

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a softball team. Elliott, who’s played since high school, was thrilled. Then she realized it was for men only. Continued on page 11

Professional Forum EXPANDING — Interested Businesses Call Kim Cates At 574-529-0228 A Monthly Question And Answer Advertorial Column

Elder Law

Assisted Living Q. Did you know that “Wartime Veterans and surviving spouses” who need senior care may qualify for a significant monthly income from the Department of Veterans Affairs. A. The VA Aid and Attendance benefit payments have increased! Starting this year, the benefit payments will increase 1.3% providing $27,540 for married Veterans!

Q. Will you please elaborate on the definition, purposes, and protocols attributable to Powers of Attorney documents? A. The term “power of attorney” becomes more

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understandable if you bear in mind that “attorney” originally meant “one who was appointed” or “turned to” to officially represent the appointer. This referred to a private person with no special legal ability and was distinguished from an “attorney at law,” who is a certified legal expert. Nowadays, a “power of attorney” refers to a legal document in which Person A (the “Principal”) appoints Person B to legally act in the name of Person A to the extent allowed by the document. The POA document can be quite simple, or very complex, and can be customized to meet any individual circumstances. For a POA to be effective, Indiana law requires only that it name the Attorney-in-Fact and the power or powers granted thereto and that it be signed by the Principal in the presence of a public notary. You can revoke the POA in whole or in part at any time during your lifetime so long as you remain competent. State law requires that an Attorney-in-Fact act in a “fiduciary” capacity; in other words, an Attorney-in-Fact who accepts the POA is legally required to work in the Principal’s best interests or else face liability for the damages that the Principal may incur. In several states, a POA also ends when you somehow become incapacitated; but, Indiana dispenses with

Kurt R. Bachman Member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, Inc. and a Veterans Affairs Accredited Attorney

this requirement, thereby making all POAs “durable” (i.e., valid through incapacitation until death) unless otherwise specified. Because a power of attorney is a powerful legal tool to help you manage your affairs, you should have your elder law attorney create the form, customize it for your needs, and update it as necessary. By not taking this precaution, you risk giving someone the power (even if they do not have the right) to ruin you financially or otherwise. You also risk the POA not having the legal authority to take action on your behalf at a critical moment because it does not comply with the law or was too narrowly drafted. For instance, you will want certain powers added to make the POA Medicaid compliant if you are in need of long term care asset preservation or Medicaid eligibility planning. Also, if you have real property in another state, the POA should conform to that state’s requirements as well. Please consult with your elder law attorney to explain how a POA can assist your individualized needs.

: 0LFKLJDQ 6WUHHW /D*UDQJH ,1 NUE#EHHUVPDOOHUV FRP 3K )D[ DISCLAIMER: Kurt R. Bachman and Beers Mallers Attorneys At Law, appreciate the opportunity to provide insight into legal topics of interest. The content of this article is designed to provide information of general interest to the public and is not intended to offer legal advice about specific situations or problems. Kurt R. Bachman and Beers Mallers Attorneys At Law, do not intend to create an attorney-client relationship by offering this information, and anyone’s review of the information shall not be deemed to create such a relationship. You should consult a lawyer if you have a legal matter requiring attention. Kurt R. Bachman and Beers Mallers Attorneys At Law, also advise that any information you send to this Newsletter shall not be deemed secure or confidential. Please visit our office to ensure complete confidentiality.

www.seniorlifenewspapers.com

April 2021 ■ SENIOR LIFE ■ 11

Nutrition Sites And Menus For April 2021 Nutrition Sites

IN ELKHART COUNTY Bristol: United Methodist Church, 201 Division, Loretta, (574) 848-7182 Elkhart: Funtimers, St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 405 W. Beardsley, Elkhart, (574) 320-5863; Riverside Terrace, 181 N. Elkhart Ave., Sherrie Cobb, (574) 320-5995; Stratford Commons, 2601 Oakland Ave.,

Connie, (574) 320-5996 Goshen: Greencroft, 1801 Greencroft Blvd., Lina, (574) 971-6016; Maple Leaf Commons, 2926 Elkhart Rd., Candy Jerome, (574) 238-8760 IN KOSCIUSKO COUNTY Mentone: Community Room, 201 Main St., Linda, (574) 353-7555

MONDAY

TUES.

Your donation counts. Even small donations make a big difference. We provide over 160,000 meals each year to seniors.

Wasted meals are costly. Please, if you cannot make it for any reason, please call to cancel.

12

19

26

Macaroni & Cheese Ham Slice Green Beans Applesauce

Hot Dog on a Bun Baked Beans Cauliflower Fruited Jello

Spaghetti Italian Vegetables Spiced Apples

Stuffed Peppers Creamed Corn Cauliflower Brownie

WEDNESDAY

Warsaw: Retired Tigers, 320 W. Main St., Janet Harrison, (574) 267-0037; Warsaw SAC, 800 N. Park Ave., Nancy Zinz, (574) 267-0026 IN MARSHALL COUNTY Bourbon: Senior Center on North Harris, Jan, (574) 342-7031

THURS.

FRIDAY

1

2

8

9

15

16

22

23

29

30

All Meals Served With Milk Menus Subject To Change

Suggested Donation: $4.25

5

North Webster: Community Center, 301 N. Main, Suite D, Linda, (574) 834-1193 Pierceton: 205 N. First St., Tammy Jefferson, (574) 526-1060 Silver Lake: Lions’ Building, SR 14 E., Lauren Eicher, (260) 450-2416 Syracuse: Syracuse Community Center, 1013 N. Long Dr., Carolyn, (574) 457-2631

6

7

13

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27

28

Seasoned Chicken Breast Meal & Smoked Sausage On Bun Meal

Lasagna Meal & Hamburger Meal

Turkey Rice Casserole & BBQ Chicken Thighs

Chicken Chop Suey W/Mini Eggroll Meal & Biscuit & Gravy Meal

Stuffed Baked Potato Meal & Tuna Noodle Casserole Meal

Chicken Alfredo Meal & Country Fried Steak Meal

Goulash Meal & Chicken Parmesan Meal

Ham & Beans Meal & Potato Crusted Fish Meal

Meatloaf W/Gravy Meal & Chili Meal

Hardcore for softball Continued from page 10 “I asked, ‘Why can’t women play?’ ” she recalled. “My pastor said, ‘I don’t know. Let’s ask.’ ” League organizers checked and discovered there was no rule prohibiting women. Elliott made the team. Elliott has often had to prove she’s fully capable of holding her own, no accommodation required. A confident athlete with a bent toward any team sport, she relishes the opportunity. Raised in Cincinnati, she heard in seventh grade about a promotion: free Reds tickets for students with straight As. Elliott had never played ball, but she had good grades. “So my dad and I started going to baseball games together and he taught me baseball,” she said. Elliott quickly fell in love with the game. But in the late 1970s there were few options for girls her age. She went to her brothers’ Little League games and, when they finished, she and dad took the field to practice. In 10th grade she made the girls’ slow-pitch team. She played catcher. Still does. Catchers then blocked the plate to tag runners. So she

learned to stand firmly and be intimidated by no one. It would come in handy. Elliott figured she could qualify as a bat boy for the Reds. She wrote them a letter. The Reds replied that they didn’t permit girls since the job involved going in the locker room. “I was just convinced that I could get them to make the change,” Elliott said. She’s still a loyal Reds fan. She’s delighted that policies have since changed. And, she said, “I still have that letter.” Elliott was hired as a Little League umpire while in her teens. She remembers a lot of heckling for being a female ump. One game was particularly bad. Elliott mustered her full authority, marched onto the field and addressed the coaches. “That’s enough,” she declared. “Get your team and your fans to stop or I shut down this game right now.” The bad-mouthing ceased. Fifty years have passed and Elliott’s fondness for baseball endures. After 2020’s COVID shutdowns, she’s more ready than ever for spring. “It killed me not to play all last year,” she said. As a nurse with Kosciusko County Hospital, she’s been

involved with the county’s virus response. KCH tapped her to manage its COVID respiratory clinic. She’s also on her church’s COVID response team. With infection levels low now and vaccinations in full swing, Elliott said, “I’m hoping that softball will be a way

back for us. It’s something we can do safely and outdoors.” For those interested in Kosciusko Church Softball, participation is open to teams of anyone over 16. There’s no upper age limit. “The rule is you have to be able to safely play at your position,” Elliott noted.

For details, go to www. quickscores.com/kcs or send a text to league director David Sweeny at (574) 453-8215.

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12 ■ SENIOR LIFE ■ April 2021

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Middlebury Community Public Library welcomes new director The Middlebury Community Public Library welcomed its new director, Juli Wald, on March 15. Wald, a Hoosier at heart, is happy to return to her home state. She grew up in New Albany and has lived in North Carolina, Florida, Wyoming and Colorado. As the new Middlebury Community Public Library director, she brings experience from academic and public libraries, manage-

ment and retail. Her library experience began as a parttime circulation clerk at a large library system and it was there she discovered her love of sharing knowledge, resources and serving the public. After completing her graduate studies, she worked as an assistant librarian, digital librarian, adult services librarian, assistant branch manager and, most recently, a branch manager at Anythink Libraries in the

metro Denver area. As a southern Hoosier, she is excited to discover northern Indiana. She enjoys camping and hiking with her dogs, reading with her cat and writing letters to people all over the world. Wald earned a B.A. in communications from the University of North Florida and a Masters of Library and Information Studies from Florida State University.

Seed donation drive upcoming The 4-H City Farmers club will be hosting a seed donation drive at various locations throughout Elkhart County. Seed packets will be collected for Seed to Feed, a program out of Church Community Services, which helps address food insecurity by providing free produce to those in need. The seed donation drive will

run April 1 through May 1. Members of the community can donate any unopened and not expired seed packets to one of these four locations: • Family Christian Development Center–Nappanee. • Bristol food pantry. • Church Community Services-Elkhart. • Purdue Extension Office

foyer-Goshen. Not sure what to donate? Zucchini, tomatoes, onions, green beans, cucumbers, peppers, peas and any other fruit or vegetable seed packet. For more information, contact Lindsey Caterina at (574) 533-0554 or lwalejew@ purdue.edu.

-8/, :$/'

Tax filing time is a good time to look ahead to next year

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With tax time upon us, one message we keep hearing is that you should file as early as possible. You may recall that last year there were numerous delays in getting tax refunds after the pandemic caught everyone, including the IRS, off guard. If you have a refund coming, the sooner you file, the sooner that refund will make its way into your

bank account. If you’re like most Americans, you also want to do everything you can to reduce your overall tax bill. We all understand that taxes are needed to run the government, but there’s no need for you as an individual to pay more than you owe. Let’s face it, though. It’s a little late in the game to put into play most steps that can help you reduce your 2020 tax bill. You really need to have done whatever

you were going to do before the end of the tax year. But now is definitely a good time to start thinking about ways you can improve your tax situation for next year. Here are a few areas to consider or understand as you do so: • Funding tax-preferenced accounts. One way to save on taxes is by putting money in a variety of tax-preferenced savings accounts such as an IRA, a 401(k) and others. Depend-

Flourish, Here.

As a caregiver, you manage multiple responsibilities for your loved one in addition to your own. When you need help, for whatever reason, The Thelma A. Schrock Adult Day Services program is here for you. We are available for a few hours a day or a few days per week. You get time to do the things you need to do while your loved one stays in a safe environment while enjoying themselves. We are now offering a four-hour free trial period. Call 574-537-4181 to learn more.

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ing on the account, you can deduct your contribution each year, defer paying taxes on growth or take withdrawals tax free. In at least one case — health savings accounts — you can do all three. Since an HSA gives you that triple whammy of tax avoidance, it’s definitely something you want to consider although there are eligibility requirements you need to meet. Also, unlike retirement accounts, an HSA can only be used for medical expenses. With a traditional IRA or a Roth IRA, you don’t get that triple whammy that comes with an HSA, but there are still significant tax advantages. With a traditional IRA, you don’t pay taxes on your contributions and you defer taxes on the account’s growth. You do pay taxes on withdrawals you make in retirement. A Roth IRA has different advantages. You can’t deduct your contributions now, but your money grows tax free and you aren’t taxed when you make withdrawals. • Using a 529 for K-12 private education. Many people are familiar with 529 plans, but often they think of these solely as a way to save for a child’s college education. But a 529 can also be used to pay for private school in elementary and high school if you so desire. The big tax advantage with a 529 is that you don’t pay federal income taxes on the account’s growth, but you must spend the money on qualified educational expenses and nothing else. That last point is important to remember and understand because if you use the money for other reasons, you will pay taxes on that withdrawal and you will also pay a penalty. A 529 account is definitely something to consider if you have children

or grandchildren and want a tax efficient way to save either for K-12 or college educations. • Making charitable contributions. Charitable contributions are a powerful tool for reducing your tax bill and they come with the added bonus of allowing you to make a positive impact in your community or the world. What could be better? Through charitable contributions, you can reduce your income tax, your capital gains tax and your estate tax. Some people view this in the most straightforward way — you choose a worthy cause that qualifies under the tax rules and you write a check. But there are other tax-advantaged ways to approach charitable giving. Here’s just one of many examples: You can establish a donor-advised fund, which is a personal charitable account opened in the name of one or more donors and held in custody by a nonprofit organization. How does that work? Let’s say you sell a stock and, instead of paying the capital gains tax, you place the proceeds in a donor-advised fund. You can claim the full amount as a charitable deduction, but you don’t have to donate the money all at once. The money remains in the fund and can be donated in small amounts over a period of years. All the while it is drawing interest. These are just a few examples of strategies you can consider as you seek ways to reduce that tax bill. Certainly, all of this is complicated, but your financial professional should be able to help you work your way through the IRS weeds and find what works best for you and your personal situation. Your future tax-filing self will thank you.

www.seniorlifenewspapers.com

April 2021 ■ SENIOR LIFE ■ 13

Faith

Tammy Cotton shines a LITE %\ '$9,' +$=/(',1( 6WDII :ULWHU In the New Testament, Matthew 5:14-16 states, “You are the light of the world … let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Syracuse’s Tammy Cotton has found much inspiration from this verse as she has worked to help those struggling with substance abuse and its effects on their loved ones and the community at large. “I learned the hard way the effects it has on the family,” stated Cotton, whose first husband suffered from a “substantial substance abuse disorder … I have a passion and a heart for people in that situation.” That passion led her to become a board member and interim director at Rose Garden Recovery Community from 2014-19, during which time Rose Garden was able to acquire additional transitional housing, which she saw as a vital bridge back to the community for those in recovery. Then, in 2017-18, when her daughter, Kayla, was incarcerated in Kosciusko County Jail, Cotton was again moved to address the issue of transition. “I would hear, ‘There’s nothing to do in here’ … there were no books and little access to resources,” Cotton recalled of her

)5(( %,%/(6 ³ 2Q 0DUFK /,7( IRXQGHU 7DPP\ &RWWRQ OHIW FROOHFWHG D GRQDWLRQ RI 6SDQLVK ODQJXDJH %LEOHV IURP *DU]D /DZ 2IÀFH WR EH GLVWULEXWHG LQ WKH .RVFLXVNR &RXQW\ -DLO $OVR SLFWXUHG DUH IURP OHIW 7RQ\ *DU]D 7UDYLV 1HII (OLMDK 1HII DQG 6KHULII .\OH 'XNHV 3KRWR SURYLGHG talks with her daughter, whose and met with Sheriff Kyle Dukes, LITE, said Cotton, is a “Christ- way for us.” The difference is unusually long year-and-a-half who agreed to allow her access centered ministry dedicated LITE classes will be available to stint afforded additional insights. and revamp the jail library. Then to successful transition from the general population, whereas “She kept seeing the same COVID-19 hit and it was several incarceration,” providing spiriJCAP is rigorously structured women come in, get released, months before she could get the tual, educational and vocational for 12-15 qualifying inmates at a come back … “ Cotton asked herproject off the ground. services and connections. time. “Ours is more a la carte.” Inself, “How can we stop this cycle?” That project is now called mates will fill out an assessment, Over the past year, LITE got Cotton began her research. She LITE, Living In Transition Effec- permission to revamp the library: which will help LITE better serve met with the Kosciusko County tively. It’s inspiration is Matthew cleaning, adding four new booktheir needs, and available classes Jail Ministry team, shadowed 5:14 and what she consistently will be posted. shelves and collecting 700 new members of Elkhart Jail Ministry told her daughter, “Be a light.” Cotton has found many inmates books so far. “It keeps growing.” have not completed high school, Cotton said she “copied the which high school equivelancy Elkhart County Jail book loan classes will address. LITE will process.” Inmates can borrow also help navigate a pathway to three books at a time, exchanging them when they want. Bibles successful re-entry by helping inoff at cities along the way. On a buying your ticket. Once you’ve settled into your Los Angeles to New Orleans ride, are free for any inmate who asks, mates get driver’s licenses, health insurance and jobs. including Spanish versions. seat, you’ll realize that sitting in for instance, you can stop over Cotton’s daughter has related In February, LITE started the train is a lot more comfortin Phoenix, Tucson, El Paso, San stories of how her words have had able than a crowded jetliner. And Antonio and Houston if you wish. classes in the work release facila rippling effect in prison. One ity with a financial workshop. A you don’t have to strap yourself On a ride from Chicago to in. Miami, you can hop off in Cincin- parenting class for fathers began woman even has a “Be A Light” tattoo. in March and “Facing Adversity” Train operators do currently nati and Washington D.C. “Even if we can help just one is expected by May. require wearing masks at all A cross-Canada trip whisks it’s worth it,” Cotton said. “God’s times. But you can still get up Cotton acknowledged Kosyou from Vancouver to Toronto and stretch your legs comfortably over the Rockies, with side trips intent for us is to first love Him ciusko County Jail Chemical during the trip. And each car has available that include Lake Louthen love people.” Addiction Program “paved the its own bathroom. ise and Niagara Falls. For real luxury, you can book a Early booking usually can save roomette to enjoy the trip in our you money after you’ve explored own private cabin. and planned your favorite train Another advantage to train trip. travel is the ability to get on and Mature Life Features, copyright 2021

Train travel: just the ticket %\ &(&,/ 6&$*/,21( 0DWXUH /LIH )HDWXUHV The phalanx of seniors who remember boarding the train to visit Grandma is thinning rapidly. Images of burly huffersand-puffers rolling into town undoubtedly remain indelible in their memory banks from childhood. This form of getting around is much more popular in Europe than in North America. Londoners ride the rails through the Chunnel for dinner in Paris. Napolitanos hop aboard for quick shopping trips in Rome. On this side of the Atlantic, you can take comfortable day trips between downtown San Diego and Los Angeles, Baltimore and the nation’s capital, and Montreal and Quebec City. The return to train travel has been picking up a bit of steam here as vacationers review family trips within our borders. A long-forgotten advantage of this form of travel is that train stations are situated right downtown. No need to call an airport shuttle to be dumped at a terminal miles from anywhere. Train stations usually are roomier, with teller windows lining the walls of a massive hall. You don’t have to drop off or pick up your luggage because you can keep it with you all the time. Some rail services offer checked-baggage service, but you should ask if it’s available before

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14 ■ SENIOR LIFE ■ April 2021

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Greenleaf Health Campus —

Tips for caring for Parkinson’s disease %\ 6+(5,1$ *21=$/(= *UHHQOHDI +HDOWK &DPSXV What is Parkinson’s Disease? Parkinson’s disease is a disease of the nervous system marked by tremors, muscular rigidity and slow, imprecise movement, chiefly affecting middle-aged and elderly people. It is associated with the degeneration of the basal ganglia of the brain and a deficiency of the neurotransmitter dopamine. Symptoms Checklist Four cardinal symptoms: 1. Shaking or tremor at rest. 2. Bradykinesia — slowness of

movement. 3 Stiffness or rigidity of the arms, legs or trunk. 4. Postural instability (trouble with balance, falls). How Can You Stay Well? • Exercise. • Nutrition. • Keep a strong voice. • Sleep. • Enlist an active health care and support team. • Stay positive. 10 Tips for Caregivers Obtained from the National Family Caregivers Association. 1. Choose to take charge of

your life and don’t let your loved one’s illness or disability always take center stage. 2. Remember to be good to yourself. Love, honor and value yourself. You’re doing a very hard job and you deserve some quality time, just for you. 3. Watch out for signs of depression and don’t delay getting professional help when you need it. 4. When people offer to help, accept the offer and suggest specific things that they can do. 5. Educate yourself about your loved one’s condition. Informa-

tion is empowering. 6. There’s a difference between caring and doing. Be open to technologies and ideas that promote your loved one’s independence. 7. Trust your instincts. Most of the time they’ll lead you in the right direction. 8. Grieve for your losses and then allow yourself to dream new dreams. 9. Stand up for your rights as a caregiver and a citizen. 10. Seek support from other caregivers. There is great strength in knowing you are

not alone. Education is key when facing Parkinson’s disease, whether you are the patient, a family member or a health care provider. At Greenleaf Health Campus, we’re here to offer that education and support you through the Parkinson’s journey. For more information on how we can help you through this journey, please call our campus at (574) 206-0086 or visit our website at greenleafhs.com. Greenleaf Health Campus is located at 1201 E. Beardsley Ave., Elkhart.

Fever isn’t always an enemy %\ &(&,/ 6&$*/,21( 0DWXUH /LIH )HDWXUHV Paranoia has become as much a part of the pandemic as the coronavirus. It’s what can cause panic when anyone develops a fever. If you have a fever (your body temperature rises over 100 degrees Fahrenheit), contact your family doctor. It’s a sign that your body is fighting off an infection caused by some virus or bacteria. In some cases, a fever can be regarded as an ally in helping

your body fight off several types of infections. Fevers usually last a couple or three days and there are several over-the-counter remedies to lower temperature. Bacterial infections may call for an antibiotic, but in most cases it’s best to let the fever do its work. Lowering your temperature might inhibit its effectiveness. Because your body is busy with this battle, you probably feel tired, achy and uncomfortable. You might also have the chills. All this is telling you to

R SUPPORT OU S! BUSINESSE

stay in bed and let your body repair itself. An environmental fever (rising body heat caused by heated surroundings) is a different matter. The elderly are especially vulnerable to heat stroke. They’re more likely to become dehydrated because their bodies are less sensitive to tem-

perature changes. Some medications can exacerbate this problem. And some drugs can be the source of a fever. So discuss these concerns with your doctor. When you do feel a fever, drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration. Eat easy-to-digest food because your body needs to use your energy to help you

heal. And get plenty of warm, comfortable rest. While COVID is raging around the globe, there are several other sources of fevers such as colds, flu, heat exhaustion and joint inflammation. As with any medical condition or concern, call your doctor immediately when a fever strikes. Mature Life Features, copyright 2021

Hearing loss can contribute to falls %\ &(&,/ 6&$*/,21( 0DWXUH /LIH )HDWXUHV “If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?” is a philosophical thought experiment that raises questions regarding observation and perception.

But what happens if you fall, no one is around to hear it ... and you have trouble hearing? Hearing loss can contribute to falls because our ears control our balance as well as keeping us aware of our surroundings. Sound becomes even more critical to well-being as our physical

strength and other senses, such as vision and smell, diminish. If ringing in your ears becomes persistent or sounds become muffled, make an appointment for a hearing test. It may help keep you on your feet. Mature Life Features, copyright 2021

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April 2021 ■ SENIOR LIFE ■ 15

Library director celebrates 25 years of service %\ 6+21'5$ %52:1 :DNDUXVD 3XEOLF /LEUDU\ Matt Bowers, library director of the Wakarusa Public Library, is celebrating 25 years of service this month. Bowers has worked as the director for the past four years, taking over after the retirement of Jo Geleske. The transition to director seemed like a natural progression after starting at the library as a junior in high school. His employment during high school included working an evening and some Saturdays, which quickly became his summer job while in college. From 1996 to 2000, he became a full-time circulation clerk with various other responsibilities. For 17 years, starting in 2000, “Mr. Matt” became the much beloved children’s librarian and shared his passion for books and reading with scores of children. When asked about his career at the library, he states, “My career path is not one that I necessarily pursued but came as opportunities offered to me and it has been one that I have enjoyed and found fulfilling.” In looking back over the past

quarter of a century, Bowers has seen a fair bit of change in the library — from using library cards and the old-style card catalogs to the automated system we now use, from vinyl records to compact discs and from filmstrips to DVDs. He has also seen the library go through its addition and renovation in 1997, which is one of his fondest memories. He recalls packing up the entire library and moving to the old IGA store, operating out of that building while the work was completed and then moving back into a new space which created many memorable moments that have remained fresh in his mind. Kristin Sherk, current children’s librarian, says of Bowers, “Moving into the position of children’s director was a little daunting to say the least. I knew I had big shoes to fill. His story hour legacy is a tale to be told, that even today, I still run across individuals that hold their story hour memories close to their hearts. All kidding aside, the transition of the changing of the guard could not have gone any smoother. Through his leadership and guidance, I have been gifted

with the knowledge needed to carry the torch for this next leg of the journey. I can only hope I do the job half as well as he did.” Brooke Reinhardt, current parttime circulation clerk, is one of those individuals that remembers coming to Story Hour as a child with “Mr. Matt.” Reinhardt is just one of the many co-workers Bowers has had over the years whose library tales have grown through their early connection with him. Librarians are frequently asked to share their favorite titles or authors with patrons and this is his current answer: “Being asked this question is always difficult because the answer is always changing. Right now, my favorite book is “Merci Suarez Changes Gears” by Meg Medina because it gave voice to what I was experiencing in my own life. My favorite author is Katherine Peterson because her stories have a timeless quality and an emotional depth that grows deeper with each reading.” To find an employee that has been with the same company or business for 25-plus years is a rarity in today’s world. Such dedication and commitment is hard to

0$77 %2:(56 find and the communities of Harrison and Olive townships have greatly benefitted from his devotion. Over the past year, he has diligently worked at keeping the library patrons and its staff safe

while still accessible throughout the pandemic. The community and staff can be reassured that with Bowers at the helm, only great things are ahead in the future of the library.

FOR LISTING CALL 1-866-580-1138 EXT. 2401

HEALTH SERVICES DIRECTORY ALZHEIMERS/MEMORY CARE GOLDEN LIVING CENTER ELKHART 1001 W. Hively Ave. SEE OUR AD IN THIS Elkhart, IN 46517 ISSUE (574) 294-7641 www.goldenlivingcenters.com GREENLEAF LIVING CENTER 1201 E. Beardsley Ave. Elkhart, IN 46514 (574) 206-0086 www.greenleafhs.com

NORTH WOODS VILLAGE SEE OUR AT EDISON LAKES AD IN THIS ISSUE 1409 E. Day Road Mishawaka, IN 46545 (574) 267-1866 www.northwoodsmemorycare.com

HOME CARE SERVICES ALWAYS BEST CARE - MICHIANA 3120 N. Home St. Ste. B SEE OUR Mishawaka, IN 46545 AD IN THIS (574) 232-8487 ISSUE www.abc-michiana.com Leaders in Non-Medical Home Care. VA Provider. Indiana Medicaid Waiver Provider. Michigan Medicaid Provider. Private Pay. Long-term Care Insurance. Veterans Care Bridge.

HOME CARE SERVICES GREENCROFT AT HOME 1820 Greencroft Blvd., Goshen, IN 46526 (574) 537-4086 www.greencroft.org Housekeeping, Meal Preparation, Laundry, Non-Medical Companion Help, Personal Assistance, Activities, Shopping Services, Accompany To Appointment, Handyman Services, And More

HOME INSTEAD SENIOR CARE 1450 Magnolia Ave., Suite B Elkhart, IN 46514 (574) 875-7777 www.homeinstead.com/588 Serving Elkhart & Kosciusko counties and surrounding areas. From companionship to transportation to loving care, to us it’s personal.

VISITING ANGELS 209 S. Main St. Nappanee, IN 46550 (574) 970-7992 Non-medical living assistance — Hygiene assistance, meal-prep, med-reminders, transportation, light housekeeping and more. Helping seniors and disabled adults remain independent. Serving Elkhart, Kosciusko and Marshall Counties www.visitingangels.com/elkhart

HOSPICE CARE CENTER FOR HOSPICE CARE 22579 Old U.S. 20 East Elkhart, IN 46516 (574) 264-3321 / 1-800-HOSPICE (467-7423) Serving Elkhart, Kosciusko & LaGrange Counties Indiana’s Most Chosen Hospice Program Serving area patients & families since 1980. www.CFHcare.org

HOSPICE CARE HEART TO HEART HOSPICE 620 Edison Rd., Suite 122 Mishawaka, IN 46545 CHAP Accredited (574) 855-4475 hearttohearthospice.com Compassionate care from our heart to yours. Volunteers needed.

KOSCIUSKO HOME CARE & HOSPICE 1515 Provident Drive, Suite 250 Warsaw, IN 46580 (574) 372-3401 www.koshomecare.org Hometown care for hometown people serving you for 42 years!

INSURANCE ASSISTANCE THE STATE HEALTH INSURANCE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SHIP) is a FREE health-benefits counseling and advocacy service for Medicare Beneficiaries and their families or caregivers. The mission is to educate, advocate FOR, counsel and empower people to make informed benefit decisions. Confused about your Medicare? Have questions about Medicaid? Visit your SHIP Counselor at Courtyard or call for an appointment 574-533-0351.

TELEPHONE SERVICES RELAY INDIANA - INTRAC SEE OUR AD IN THIS 7702 Woodland Drive #130 ISSUE Indianapolis, IN 46278 (877) 446-8722 Problems hearing on the telephone? We provide captioned telephones to assist you to read what the other person is saying. No more garbled or misunderstood conversations. Simply, READ what you’re hearing.

16 ■ SENIOR LIFE ■ April 2021

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Cheers Those having friends who are senior citizens 65 years or older who will be celebrating birthdays or anniversaries soon may send their names and addresses to include them in the Cheers Report. Also, know people listed in this column? Then send them cards to remember them on their special day. APRIL Elkhart County 2 — Sandra Wise, East Lake Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Elkhart 3 — Richard Grant, East Lake Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Elkhart 4 — Bernita Foreman, East Lake Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Elkhart 10 — Charles Chew, East Lake Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Elkhart 11 — Lester Matlock, East Lake Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Elkhart 13 — Ruth Cruz, East Lake Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Elkhart 14 — Virginia Vilmure, East Lake Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Elkhart

25 — Cecil Butler, East Lake Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Elkhart 30 — Ernest Lehman, East Lake Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Elkhart Kosciusko County 4 — Shirley Williams, Grace Village Retirement Community 5 — Dorotha Lawlor, Max and Lucy Fawley, Grace Village Retirement Community 11 — Perry Hathaway, Ted Lenox, Sharon Jenkins, Grace Village Retirement Community 16 — Don and Donna Holle, Grace Village Retirement Community 17 — Barb Riner, Grace Village Retirement Community 21 — Paul and Mary Stork, Grace Village Retirement Community 20 — Miriam Kay Pacheco, Grace Village Retirement Community 23 — Carilyn Denlinger, Grace Village Retirement Community 25 —Barbara Hedington and Denzil Mauk, Grace Village Retirement Community

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around or held in place over an injury or ache. The comfort here is that the ice numbs the area and reduces the pain. A general rule is that ice is the go-to therapy for a fresh injury, such as a sprained wrist or ankle, because heat can exacerbate swelling, bruising and bleeding. Ice also dulls chronic pain and, as our doctor teammate explained, allows healing

Neither ice nor heat should be applied much longer than 20 minutes at a time and should be limited to about A teammate on our senior three times a day. Many medsoftball team who was a pracics support alternating ice ticing osteopathic doctor in his and heat application over a younger days told us, “When short period of time. in doubt on how to treat an Doctors also advise against injury or ache, try ice.” falling asleep with an ice It was a simple answer pack or heating pad applied to a simple request by anto your problem area. Put a other team member who had towel against your skin to twisted his wrist a bit when protect it from the ice he stumbled over first base. ´:KHQ LQ GRXEW RQ KRZ WR WUHDW or heat. There are times to Then the ex-doc qualDQ LQMXU\ RU DFKH WU\ LFH µ use different applicaified his advice: “If the tions for the same pain or injury persists, without being felt. problem. For example, heat see your doctor.” On the other hand, a can ease the pain in an arAt which point you might comfortable heating pad or thritic knee but ice should be revive the ice versus heat hot water bottle can soothe used if the joint is swollen. debate. chronically aching muscles, Other sources of temperaEveryone agrees some ligaments and tendons that ture therapy are hot baths pain is assuaged by ice and have been bruised or batand cold showers. some relieved by heat. Which tered, as well as deep inflamAs with all cases involvshould be used on what is mation such as ongoing back ing your health and welfare, where the confusion begins. and neck pain. check with your doctor to Ice packs (usually made of But heat also increases explore the best treatment in some sort of gel) and crushed blood flow, so it should not be your case. ice have generally replaced Mature Life Features, copyright 2021 ice cubes and can be wrapped used on a bleeding injury.

$66,67(' /,9,1* 1856,1* $1' 5(+$%,/,7$7,21 *8,'( &RXUW\DUG +HDOWKFDUH &HQWHU 2400 W. College Avenue, Goshen, IN 46526 (574) 533-0351 • www.courtyardhcc.com 5HKDELOLWDWLRQ 8QLW 6NLOOHG /LFHQVHG 1XUVLQJ 6HPL 6NLOOHG 1XUVLQJ RU ,QWHUPHGLDWH &DUH 7KHUDSLHV 6SHHFK 2FFXSDWLRQDO 5HVSLUDWRU\ 3K\VLFDO /RQJ 7HUP &DUH 7HPSRUDU\ &DUH 3ULYDWH 6HPL 3ULYDWH 5RRPV 3HW 9LVLWDWLRQ $OORZHG 0HGLFDUH DQG RU 0HGLFDLG

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*UHHQFURIW ³ *RVKHQ 1225 Greencroft Blvd., Goshen, IN 46527-0819 (574) 537-4000 • www.greencroft.org $VVLVWHG /LYLQJ 5HKDELOLWDWLRQ 8QLW 6NLOOHG /LFHQVHG 1XUVLQJ ,QWHUPHGLDWH &DUH 7KHUDSLHV 6SHHFK 2FFXSDWLRQDO 3K\VLFDO /RQJ 7HUP &DUH 3ULYDWH 6HPL 3ULYDWH 5RRPV 3HW 9LVLWDWLRQ $OORZHG 0HGLFDUH DQG RU 0HGLFDLG

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1201 East Beardsley Avenue, Elkhart, IN 46514 (574) 206-0086 • www.trilogyhs.com

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+XEEDUG +LOO 5HWLUHPHQW &RPPXQLW\ 27833 County Road 24, Elkhart, IN 46517 (574) 295-9058 • www.enlivant.com

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April 2021 ■ SENIOR LIFE ■ 17

Kosciusko Chamber offers fingerprinting services The Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce is now providing fast and accurate live scan fingerprinting services through IdentoGo by IDEMIA. The chamber made the decision to take the necessary steps and complete training to become a certified fingerprinting location to help support local child care workers. The effort was spearheaded by

LaunchPad, Kosciusko County’s early learning coalition, as state regulations require early learning providers to be fingerprinted annually. Due to long wait times and difficulty finding available appointments locally, many providers were required to travel out of the county to complete their annual fingerprinting. This has hindered their ability

to onboard the new staff members they need to operate. With the new location opening at the chamber, it will provide child care workers with a more convenient and efficient option. Though supporting early learning providers was the driving force behind the chamber’s decision, fingerprinting services may be completed for a

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wide variety of state agencies, programs and industries. Those include adoption, attorneys and legal workers, banking, child care, construction industry licensing, education, firearm permits, financial services, health care, human services, insurance, management services, mortgage industry, pharmaceutical industry, real estate, social

services, state employment, transportation and many more. The chamber’s hours of operation for fingerprinting services are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. by appointment only. The Kosciusko Chamber is at 523 S. Buffalo St., Warsaw.

Indiana tax filing date extended Governor Eric Holcomb recently announced the Indiana Department of Revenue is extending individual income tax filing and payment deadlines to align with the Internal Revenue Service deadline of May 17. “Recently, the IRS announced tax deadline and payment extensions for individual tax returns. By aligning with the IRS filing deadline, we are ensuring we are making filing and paying taxes as easy as possible for Hoosiers,” stated DOR Commissioner Bob Grennes. “Even with the extended filing deadline, we encourage individuals to utilize electronic filing. Electronically filling is a superior process that allows customers to securely submit a more accurate return and experience a faster turnaround for their refund.” Individual tax returns and payments, originally due by April 15, are now due on or

before May 17. All other tax return filings and payment due dates remain unchanged. Individuals who are not able to file by the May 17 deadline can file an extension directly with DOR or with the Internal Revenue Service. If the IRS extension is granted, the Indiana extension is automatically granted. A timely filed extension moves the federal tax filing deadline to Oct. 15 and the Indiana filing deadline to Nov. 15. It is important to note that the extension only shifts the filing deadline and not the payment deadline. Ninety percent of the taxes owed are still required to be paid by May 17 to avoid penalties and interest. Other helpful information including the latest forms, FAQs and tax tips for those who collected unemployment in 2020 is available at dor.in.gov.

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425 Chinworth Center, Warsaw, IN 46580 (574) 267-3873 • www.enlivant.com

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North Woods Village at Edison Lakes

1409 E. Day Road, Mishawaka, IN 46545 (574) 247-1866 • http://www.northwoodsmemorycare.com Michiana’s Premier Licensed Memory Care Assisted Living. Offerig “NEW DIRECTIONS” ® program designated specifically for those with Alzheimer’s, dementia and their families. Secured building with state-of-the-art monitoring systems. 24/7 nursing care led by a Nationally Certified Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care Trainer.

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7KXUVWRQ :RRGV 9LOODJH 307 North Franks Avenue, Sturgis, MI 49091 (269) 651-7841 • www.thurstonwoods.org

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1332 Waterford Crossing Circle, Goshen, IN 46526 (574) 534-3920 • www.trilogyhs.com

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18 ■ SENIOR LIFE ■ April 2021

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Travel

History oozes from St. Augustine’s pores Not many American cities can boast a history that goes back 450 years. St. Augustine, Fla, can! It was founded in 1565 and is *5($7 hands down (6&$3(6 the oldest %\ 52' .,1* city in the United States. On top of that, it has the oldest wooden school in the nation, a lighthouse that’s a couple centuries old, a huge fortress made out of broken shells that is the country’s only 17th Century masonry fort still standing and a college whose campus is touted as being the most beautiful in the nation. In addition to all that, St. Augustine is headquarters to the Golf Hall of Fame, Lightner Museum of eclectic collections all accumulated and displayed

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in a former hotel, the Fountain of Youth, Ripley’s Believe it or Not and an alligator farm. First, the fort. Castillo de San Marcos, a popular national park, is constructed in the shape of a star with a wide moat around its exterior. It’s made of coquina, which is a soft limestone made up of broken shells. Doesn’t sound very impressive, but the British found it impenetrable on two occasions. Unlike stone, coquina absorbs the impact of cannon balls and doesn’t crack. Some enemy projectiles even stuck in the walls. Most, however, just bounced off. After the barrage stopped at the end of the day, the Spaniards crept out under the cover of darkness, retrieved the cannon balls, melted them down to fit their own cannons and fired them back the next day. The British finally gained control of the fort in 1763 through the Treaty of Paris. They renamed it St. Mark. The U.S. Army took over in 1825 and named it Fort Marion, but in 1942 the original name was restored to honor its unique Spanish heritage. The best view of the old lighthouse is from the fort battlements. Alumni of colleges and universities around the country will no doubt challenge the ‘beautiful campus’ claim of Flagler College. It originally was the 540-room Ponce de Leon Hotel built by the railroad mogul Henry Flagler in Continued on page 19

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April 2021 ■ SENIOR LIFE ■ 19

Travel

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Jim Thorpe’s namesake town %\ &(&,/ 6&$*/,21( 0DWXUH /LIH )HDWXUHV Rolling along the country roads stitched throughout this northeastern pocket of the Keystone State is akin to meandering through central Italy, where every hill is crowned by a town with its own history. Jim Thorpe, Pa., is like that. The all-American athlete after whom this town is named was not born here, did not attend school here and there is no evidence he ever set foot or even drove through here. Yet this “Gateway to the Poconos,” cited as one of the nation’s prettiest towns, owes its survival to the Oklahoma-born Olympic champion who, when the King of Sweden handed him his pentathlon and decathlon medals at the 1912 Olympic Games and proclaimed him “the greatest athlete in the world,” said “Thanks, King.” The struggling little coal community straddling the Lehigh River was known as Mauch Chunk and East Mauch Chunk until the 1950s. Its populace had blazed through the heyday of coal and railroad expansion and was existing on those fumes of fame when Thorpe died in 1953. Thorpe’s widow, disappointed and disgusted when Oklahoma movers and shakers refused to establish a memorial to their renowned native son, began shopping around for a place that would welcome his remains. The Mauch Chunk leaders, desperate for new lifeblood and new business, heard of her search. They listened to her offer and agreed to build a memorial for her late husband and rename their town after him. They even dug up some soil from the Stockholm Olympic Stadium and used it to form a small mound at the base of his monument. Native American tribal and family factions in Oklahoma have battled through several courtrooms to have Thorpe’s remains returned to the Sooner State. An appeals court decision a few years ago appears to have settled things by leaving matters as they lay. To visit the memorial, pop into this forest-girdled Carbon County community between Wilkes Barre and Allentown and head about a mile north of downtown. A small park is dedicated

to the football Hall of Famer who was arguably the finest all-round athlete in recorded history. Park beside the train station that debouches passengers into the commercial zone and you’re likely to see Molly Maguire’s Pub and Steakhouse — a benign reminder that this also is where four members of the infamous group involved in a bloody mining war were found guilty of murder and hanged in the 1870s. More comfortable memories are housed in the Asa Packer Mansion overlooking the town. The Victorian building peers at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, atop a hill on the other side of the village. Packer started out as an apprentice carpenter. He opened a store in Mauch Chunk while operating a boatyard that made vessels for transporting coal along the Lehigh Canal. This led him into the mining industry and, eventually, railroading. His first rail link connected with Easton, Pa. The Lehigh Valley Railroad eventually reached to the Jersey shore. When Packer died in 1879, his estate was valued at $54 million (about $1.5 billion in today’s dollars). The comforts of his life as an industrialist, congressman, candidate for governor, presidential nominee and judge are on view during tours. Packer was, of course, instrumental in having this Gothic landmark built. Among its eyecatching features are two vibrant Tiffany windows. Mature Life Features, copyright 2021

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History oozes Continued from page 18 the early 1900s as a vacation destination for his rich friends. As you might expect, he spared no expense, specifying the finest marble and the most exotic woods from around the world. The dome inside the main entrance is exquisite. It must be special to be a student in these extravagant surrounds. St. Augustine’s culture is an eclectic mixture of Timucuan Indians, Spanish (they ruled Florida for more than 200 years), French, British, African, Minorcan, Seminole and Swiss which combine for a rather laid back citizenry. Explorer Ponce de Leon is said to have sampled the fresh spring water at what is now The Fountain of Youth attraction. Visitors can do the same, but will unlikely revert to their childhood. Old town’s George Street is a treat to stroll. It’s chock-full of boutiques, restaurants, galleries and bars along with the nation’s oldest wooden school-

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learn some history at the same time. Add to all that sunny weather and some of the greatest beaches in Florida. What’s not to like?

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20 ■ SENIOR LIFE ■ April 2021

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Mom: A first-line responder —

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Heroes! A word or term that might be best defined by the person affected or involved. It came unexpected to the Michiana area back in the late 1940s and into the 1950s. Call it a pandemic if you wish, but it struck fear in the lives of every parent and others across America. No person, adult or child was exempt from this dreaded disease with no known cure or vaccination at the time. I recall, in my teen years, mom telling me that she and many other mothers were deathly afraid of even leaving the house with me or any of their own children for fear of catching the disease. A “hero” was soon to arrive on the American scene in the

person of Dr. Jonas Salk and hundreds, if not thousands, of researchers. Finally, a vaccine was becoming available to the hopeful, but too late for others already affected by this painful and crippling disease. Luckily, I escaped the effects of this horrible disease and received the new vaccination. I recall a friend of mother’s who had a crippled hand and I never knew until my teen years that it was the polio she didn’t escape. She was thought lucky to be alive. We who grew up polio free because of the polio vaccine may also consider our mothers and fathers as in the ranks of heroes as they did strive to protect our health and safety until the vaccine was perfected. Most of our parents are gone now, but we can still give thanks to them in our prayers.

And may our prayers also give thanks to Dr. Jonas Salk and the researchers of so long ago. It is now time, some 70 years later, to give thanks to the current vaccine makers and all “heroes” involved in the fight against the deadly pandemic and its swift defeat of the current deadly disease we now face. May God bless the heros of 2021 and keep them safe and protected. (Memories of the polio years welcome to: Dr./Pastor Greg Lawson, 1801 E. 3rd St., Mishawaka, IN 46544.)

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If you’ve never ridden a bicycle before, you might think about starting now. It’s a neat form of walking while sitting down. The pedaling tones your legs, sitting up boosts your balance and the exercise cleans out your lungs while you enjoy the sunshine, breeze and scenery during the ride. A major advantage is taking the strain off your joints (ankles, knees and hips) that have aged and no longer appreciate a walk, jog or run. Not interested in balancing on a two-wheel contraption? Take a look at three-wheelers. They’re designed to offer all the benefits of a bike without having to worry about coordination. If you’re experiencing lightheadedness or weakness, a stationary bike might be your better choice. As you get back to biking, listen to your body. Start out on short 10- or 15-minute treks. Stop when your arthritis or muscles tell you. As with any form of exercise, check with your family doctor to discuss how cycling may help or harm your health. Mature Life Features, copyright 2020

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