Senior Life - Elko Edition - January 2026

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Living Life After 50

Elko Edition REaching ElkhaRt, kosciusko, noblE and lagRangE countiEs

January 2026

Vol. 38, No. 11

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Senior volunteers get back what they give

By MAKSYM HART Staff Writer Senior volunteers across Kosciusko County are proving that experience, compassion

and a willingness to serve remain invaluable assets to local nonprofit organizations, while also providing purpose, connection and fulfillment in their own lives.

Animal Welfare League Of Kosciusko County

HELPING MAN’S BEST FRIEND — Stephanie Gonzalez spends time with Roxy, a dog at the Warsaw Animal Welfare League, where Gonzalez volunteers to help care for animals and support the shelter’s mission. Photo by Maksym Hart.

At the Animal Welfare League of Kosciusko County, senior volunteers also play a meaningful role. Volunteer Stephanie Gonzalez, a stroke survivor, helps care for dogs and assist at events.

She said volunteering has been both healing and motivating.

“It gives me purpose,” Gonzalez said. “It keeps my body and my mind moving.”

Jill Smith, lead kennel technician, said volunteers like Gonzalez provide genuine care and form strong bonds with both animals and staff.

Executive Director Tonya Blanchard added that senior volunteers bring patience,

consistency and a strong sense of community to the shelter.

Across the county, senior volunteers say the benefits are mutual. While nonprofits gain dependable help and seasoned perspectives, volunteers gain connection, purpose and a reason to stay active.

“It gets you out of the house and gives back to the community,” Sawyer said.

“And in the process, you meet good people and realize you still have something important to offer.”

For many seniors, volunteering is not about slowing down, it is about continuing to make a difference.

Combined Community Services At Combined Community Services in Warsaw, senior volunteers play a critical role in helping residents facing food insecurity and financial hardship. Tiffani McClanahan, director of emergency assistance, said older volunteers often bring a depth of life experience that benefits both clients and staff.

“They’ve experienced a lot in their lives,” McClanahan said. “They’re very good at treating people with respect, and many of them understand what our clients may be going through.”

Lane Sawyer, a former nurse who volunteers at Combined Community Services, splits her time between greeting visitors at the front desk and picking up donated food from local businesses. She said

GETTING TO GIVE BACK — Lane Sawyer assists clients at the food pantry at Combined Community Services in Warsaw, where she volunteers to help address food insecurity in the community. Sawyer realized CCS’s mission was important when assisting disadvantaged - and tired - mothers, whose “faces lit up” when talking about their children. Photo by Maksym Hart. her background in nursing has shaped how she serves others.

“You learn how to treat people with dignity and compassion,” Sawyer said, adding that

volunteering opened her eyes to how many families in the community struggle to afford food. “Organizations like this are very necessary.”

Magical Meadows At Magical Meadows, a therapeutic riding center serving children with disabilities, veterans and first responders, senior volunteers contribute hands-on care and steady leadership.

Volunteer Melissa Lewis assists with grooming and handling horses, supporting riders and helping wherever needed.

“Being older, I bring a little more maturity and patience,” Lewis said. “You’ve kind of been there, done that.”

Michael Kuhn, executive director of Magical Meadows, said senior volunteers are essential to the organization’s mission.

“They have more life experience and often more time to give,” Kuhn said. “They’re a great example that it doesn’t matter how old you are, you still have a lot to contribute.”

WHY VOLUNTEERING FEELS MAGICAL — Volunteer Melissa Lewis, left, presents a trophy to a child participant at Magical Meadows, a therapeutic riding center serving children with disabilities, veterans and first responders. Lewis emphasized how much joy doing charitable work has provided her.

“You’ll have such a fulfilled feeling in your heart, it’ll never leave,” she said. Photo provided by Magical Meadows.

Story continues on page 3

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2 ■ SENIOR LIFE — ELKO Edition ■ January 2026

Key Positions

Lionel Garza keeps moving with RV engineering Text and Photos

By ANIKA YODER Feature Writer At Forest River, one of the leading manufacturers in recreational vehicles, putting together large machinery involves an extensive order of operations to get everything ready for sale. According to Engineering Manager Lionel Garza, 58, the work he does along with everyone at the plant, involves many different moving parts. Having worked with the Surveyor RVs for 20 years, his job involves working with a lot of distinct parts and visuals.

“Working in the RV industry, it’s kind of all encompassing, so not only do we do the design as well as mechanical as well as the electrical, I mean, it’s all encompassed in that.

“So we wear a lot of different hats.”

According to Garza, the projects require a group effort in order to develop complete vehicles ready for the road. Working with sales, production and other entities to bring together ideas for different RVs is a part of the process needed to bring the concepts to life. Compromise is an important part of the job Garza said, with everyone working together to make a unit work within specific parameters.

“So, you know, we work with all the groups to come up with one thing, and what’s different about how we do it is we let sales and production dictate what we do,” Garza said. “So sales will come up with the idea, and production wants it to work this way. What we do is we take those ideas and combine them to hopefully come up with something that will work in between.”

A day on the job for Garza is never the same. From discussing floor plans, to testing out new products, every day is different. Figuring out new ideas

and finding out what works for the project are all part of the day to day for Garza.

“So one day, for me, (might involve) coming up with new floor plans. You know, it could be revising prints for production,” Garza said. “Making sure purchasing has lists of what they need for a new unit or what have you, making certain production has what they need to build a unit, and making sure lamination is good to go.

It’s never the same. I mean, we get new products and we have to try. So we’ll send them to testing if they require it or make sure they’ll work in our application. There is no typical day.”

Consistency is another part of the process needed for success Garza said. Running many different products makes making consistency throughout the process necessary for a smooth operation.

“We try not to say no. We try to make it work. We’re not an entity to ourselves. We actually work for production. So we kind of have to be a go between ...,’ Garza said. “I think what we have at Surveyor works well, because the more consistent we are, the faster we turn the product around, and the faster we can make changes.”

Plant Manager Brian Stouder said working at the plant does not involve a high turnover rate and though the RV industry can be a negative space, keeping a positive atmosphere is valuable on the job. Working together to come up with solutions and figuring out what works best for the vehicles takes problem solving and teamwork.

“The good thing about Lionel is he came from the line. So he knows the product very well. He and I work really well together. I was an electrician, he was a plumber. So he knows my weak spot, which is plumb-

IT TAKES TEAMWORK — Shown from left are Operations Manager Jr. Troyer; Engineering Manager Lionel Garza and Plant Manager Brian Stouder stand outside a Surveyor trailer at Forest River in Goshen.

The three work have worked together for quite a while.

TALKING ABOUT THE JOB — Engineering manager Lionel Garza discusses parts of vehicle manufacturing. ing, and I know his weak spot is electrical,” Stouder said. “And we converse a lot on prototypes, new things that come up, think-

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with his coworkers for so long, Garza said they can take for granted how well they work together and do not have to worry about hurting anyone’s feelings on the job. Getting to work every day having developed a positive synergy is a satisfying part of the work according to Garza.

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ing out of the box, These campers, there’s not much you can do with them because there’s so many brands out there. So having him and me work together and figuring out and coming up with new things, new ideas, is very important.”

Work is never boring according to Garza. Having worked

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January 2026 ■ SENIOR LIFE — ELKO Edition ■ 3

Have you made your will? Then your children will end up in probate It’s a brand-new year!

Like many Americans you may have made some New Year’s resolutions. Perhaps a resolution you should include is to get your personal affairs in order. According to the American Bar Association, 60% of all Americans have done no end-of-life planning whatsoever, not even a will!

You could do a will, but wills end up in probate. Do you really want your children to end up in probate court when you pass away?

If you’re like most Americans, you may be considering a living trust rather than simply creating a will. The assets that are in the living trust can avoid probate altogether. There are a number of other documents that would also be present in a good estate plan, including: 1) A living will to make sure you’re not forever hooked up to machines if there’s no hope for recovery.

2) A HIPAA waiver so it’s not a felony for the doctors to communicate with your spouse or your adult children in the event that you become disabled.

CLIFFORD J. RICE Elder Law Attorney Granger 3) An advance medical directive so the doctors and family will know what persons you want to be in charge to make long-term medical decisions in the event you become unable to make your own medical decisions.

4) The in-home healthcare instructions. Nursing homes cost an average of

$9,000 a month in this part of Indiana. If you have a good Living Trust that contains In-Home Healthcare Instructions, there’s a good chance it can keep you or your spouse out of a nursing home, saving most of that $9,000 each month, while maintaining your own privacy and dignity and allowing you to remain in your own home.

5) We can include a funeral planning declaration, personal effects distribution memorandums and build in Remarriage Protection, so if your surviving spouse gets remarried after you die, they don’t lose everything you own to a new spouse.

Because we are an elder law firm, we can even help protect your life savings from nursing home spend-downs.

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Some prostate-cancer risks can be identified

By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features

Age, diet, race and nationality all play a role in prostate-cancer risk, according to the American cancer society.

So does family history. While the causes of this disease that no one likes to talk about are still unknown, statistics reveal that 60% of the cases are diagnosed in men older than 60 years.

Asian men are the least

likely to contract this disease while African-Americans are 70% more at risk than white males. It’s also more common in ethnic groups from northwestern Europe and North America than it is among those from Central and South America and Africa.

A sibling or parent with prostate cancer doubles your chances of contracting the disease.

Men with a female relative who has contracted or has

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a high risk of contracting breast cancer also have an increased risk of developing prostate cancer. So do men who have undergone vasectomies.

Reducing the consumption of red meat and high-fat dairy products reportedly reduces the risk as does eating plenty of fruit and vegetables, such as tomatoes, watermelon, and pink grapefruit.

Mature Life Features Copyright 2025

The Watershed Foundation

BREATHING NEW LIFE — The Watershed Foundation executive director Lyn Crighton, left, stands with Holli Roberts stands inside a refurbished Tippy Dance Hall used for fundraising events benefiting The Watershed Foundation in Kosciusko County. Roberts was familiar with the dance hall before it closed and wanted to restore an old community space - an example of the experience and community knowledge senior volunteers provide. Photo provided by the Watershed Foundation.

Senior volunteers get back what they give Story continued from page 1 Environmental organizations also rely on senior volunteers. At The Watershed Foundation, retired teacher Holli Roberts has spent years volunteering with educational programs and fundraising initiatives.

She said volunteering has allowed her to continue teaching in a new way, while also learning about agriculture, conservation and water quality.

“It felt great to be a part of it,” Roberts said. “I’ve learned so much about how the environment, farming and our lakes all connect.”

Bingo + Exercise = Bingocize Sign up today for Bingocize at the Goshen Public Library from 10:30-11:30 a.m. beginning Jan. 22 for eight weeks.

This free program is for older adults, age 60 plus, and is offered by Real Services. Grab a friend and come for this exciting health-promotion

program that combines the thrill of Bingo with exercise everyone can enjoy. Participants will even learn little about fall prevention while having a blast.

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4 ■ SENIOR LIFE — ELKO Edition ■ January 2026

Individual investing may threaten pensions

By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features

What Seniors Think

What are your hopes for 2026?

This relative lack of investment know-how is trouble in face of the fact that employers are increasingly shifting the burden of pension investment onto their employees.

Almost half of those polled said they get their fiscal advice from friends and family members instead of such business practitioners as financial planners and accountants.

Only half of 1,500 Americans 45 and older could correctly answer such financial questions as whether or not diversifying investments decreases risk, according to an American Association of Retired Persons survey.

And at least a quarter of those surveyed answered “I don’t know” to every question.

Mature Life Features Copyright 2025

AMY TRUSDELL MIDDLEBURY “World Peace.”

DANE PENROD SYRACUSE “That my late wife’s book, ‘The Ripple Effect,’ gets published.”

DAVE ELDRIDGE GOSHEN “The end to the war in Ukraine.”

ELKO EDITION

Covering Six Indiana and Michigan Counties

Elkhart — Kosciusko — LaGrange — Noble — Wabash — St. Joseph (MI)

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Allen Edition

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Kosciusko

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17 Indiana Counties

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www.seniorlifenewspapers.com Senior Life newspapers are monthly publications dedicated to inform, serve and entertain the adults over 50 in Northern Indiana and Southern Michigan. Each of the four editions focus on local news, features, photos and profiles for each area. Senior Life is privately owned and published by The Papers Incorporated.

CORPORATE OFFICE The Papers Incorporated, 206 S. Main St., P.O. Box 188, Milford, IN 46542.

STAFF Ron Baumgartner, Publisher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .rbaumgartner@the-papers.com Annette Weaver, Business Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . aweaver@the-papers.com Kristin DeVittorio, Director Of Marketing . . . . . . . . . . . . kdevittorio@the-papers.com Deb Patterson, Editor-In-Chief . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . dpatterson@the-papers.com Publication Manager/Account Executive Marla Schroeder . . . . . . . . . . . mschroeder@the-papers.com • 574-350-4488 Lauren Zeugner, Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .lzeugner@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 $37 for one year; and $64 for two years. (Select one edition.) Your cancelled check will serve as your receipt. To order a subscription, call 574-658-4111.

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. To advertise contact Marla Schroeder at 574-350-4488 or mschroeder@the-papers.com.

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JOHN STULL WARSAW “That things go just as well in ‘26 as they went in 2025.”

ROXANNA OUSLEY NORTH WEBSTER “World Peace.”

ROBIN HUME ELKHART “I’m hoping we just keep going and finding the light that’s going to carry us through.”

Catch every remaining note of the Elkhart Symphony

By JAKE SANDOCK, Eyedart Creative Studio Exciting guests and a return to Sauder Hall at Goshen College are on the way! Three-concert season ticket packages are available for the Elkhart County Symphony’s remaining concerts this season. The season package, a great value and an excellent gift at a 20% off, includes tickets for the Symphony’s remaining three concerts in the 2025-26 season: • Northern Expressions, Feb. 15, at Sauder Concert Hall, Goshen College.

• Echoes of Fate, Peskin & Tchaikovsky, March 29, at The Lerner Theatre.

• Exhale & Celebrate, May 17, at The Lerner Theatre.

Northern Expressions is the

Elkhart County Symphony’s annual concert at Goshen College and features a rising, young national talent, and fellow Hoosier, Aleck Belcher, as the guest soloist. Belcher was appointed associate principal bass of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra in the fall of 2019, after graduating from Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music. Northern Expressions features a repertoire including Double Bass Concerto, Op. 3 (Koussevitzky), and Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 43 and Karelia Overture, Op. 10 (Sibelius).

Echoes of Fate, Peskin & Tchaikovsky at The Lerner Theatre features guest soloist Michail Thompson, assistant principal trumpet with the National Symphony Orchestra

in Washington, D.C., and a sideby-side performance with the Concord High School Symphony Orchestra. The repertoire features Trumpet Concerto No. 1 in C Minor (Peskin), Symphony No. 4 in F minor, Op. 36 (Tchaikovsky) and collaborative works with Concord High School!

Exhale & Celebrate features guest soloist Caitlin Edwards on violin. Edwards, a 2023 Sphinx MPower Artist Grant recipient, joins the symphony to perform music from her album “Exhale,” along with “Capriccio Espagnol” (Rimsky-Korsakov) and “Equinox” (Katahj Copley).

Purchase your three-concert season package at The Lerner Theatre Box Office with a call to the Box Office at (574) 2934469.

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January 2026 ■ SENIOR LIFE — ELKO Edition ■ 5

Spotlight

Sharon Chiddister stays moving with horseshoe pitching

By ANIKA YODER Feature Writer For hundreds of years horseshoe pitching has been a staple activity at parties and in more recent decades cookouts and tailgates across the Midwest. For Sharon Chiddister, 76, pitching horseshoes is not just a fun pastime, but a competitive sport.

A National Horseshoe Pitching Association champion, Chiddister has competed at the national level and has been pitching competitively for 26 years. According to the NHPA website, an estimated 15 million people enjoy pitching horseshoes in the United States and Canada. After taking home first place for the Elder Women’s division at the NHPA World Tournament in Sandy, Utah in July, Chiddister came back as an overall champion for her class.

“I’ve pitched in a lot of worlds.

I’ve won different classes, but I’ve never been an overall champion.

And that’s what this one was. It was the goal that I had, I guess, for my whole horseshoe pitching life, to win a world tournament.

And so I did.”

Even though she has been playing the game for over two decades, Chiddister did not start pitching until after she stopped playing volleyball at age 50. Her original interest in the game began with her father. Though she did not begin competing until many years later, Chiddister’s father wanted her to get involved in the sport but she could not make it fit into her already full sports schedule.

“I said, ‘Dad, when exactly would you like me to pitch horse-

shoes? I play volleyball, softball, and basketball,’” Chiddister said.

“And they went year- round …

So I would go out and watch him pitch, but I wouldn’t participate.”

According to Chiddister, one aspect of competing as well as being a member of the NHPA is the friendships that are made along the way. For national competition, people from across the United States come to pitch and connect with other pitchers.

Even though many pitchers are competing against each other, a lot of them are friends off the court according to Chiddister and she has made a lot of friends around the country during her time pitching.

“The world tournament is the only time I can see my friends from other states. You know, I have friends from Tennessee, Arizona, California, North Carolina, and that’s usually the only time you see them,” Chiddister said. “We’re friends off the court.

On the court it’s every man for himself. But off the courts, we’re really good friends.”

Though some pitchers might begin competing because they have enjoyed the game as a hobby, for Chiddister pitching horseshoes has always been competitive. After deciding to stop playing for her church’s volleyball team, she happened upon horseshoe pitching at the fair and thought it would be a good idea to give the game a try.

After trying out a local horseshoe pitching league for a year, Chiddister said she decided to start competing. Chiddister’s first tournament was in Eau Claire, Wis. She came in third in

ACHIEVED HER GOAL — Sharon Chiddister smiles for the camera with her National Horseshoe Pitchers Association awards. Photo by Anika Yoder. her class.

“They have leagues in Middlebury and leagues in Elkhart.

And I pitched them in the league for a year and then I thought, well, if I’m going to do this, I’m going to go for competitive stuff, you know?” Chiddister said. “But I’ve always been a competitive person. So, you know, I just went for it.”

A day for Chiddister getting ready to step on the courts involves getting to her location at least a half an hour before competition in order to warm

The warmth we remember

By KARLA (KJ) MAPES REAL Services CEO

January always makes me think of soup.

Not the fancy kind - the kind that somehow comes out perfect even though there’s no recipe, no measurements and absolutely nothing written down.

My mom made a potato soup so simple it felt like a magic trick: potatoes, onions, milk, salt, pepper and butter. That was it. She never used a recipe.

She never even pretended to.

She’d just slice and stir, trusting instinct the way only mothers and grandmothers seem able to do. And somehow, without fail, it tasted like pure comfort.

Every one of us has tried to recreate it. And every one of us has failed. We follow the ingredients exactly, and it still comes out … wrong. Not bad - just not hers. Because what we’re trying to bring back isn’t the soup. It’s the moment. The smell drifting through the house on a cold day, the sound of her moving around the kitchen, the quiet reassurance that everything was going to be OK. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve found that food carries emotional weight and creates unexpected opportunities for reminiscence.

A simple taste can warm the

heart and ache a little at the same time. It can remind us of the people who shaped us, and it can highlight the empty seats at the table. Aging has a way of making the kitchen quieter, the table smaller, the memories louder.

But the warmth doesn’t disappear.

It just changes shape.

Sometimes it shows up in a shared bowl of soup at a senior center, where conversation flows easily and no one feels the need to hide the bittersweet parts. Sometimes it appears in a warm meal delivered on a winter day by someone who may not know your whole story, but cares enough to knock and ask how you’re doing. Sometimes the comfort comes from a new favorite dish - one that doesn’t replace the old memories but

sits gently beside them.

Comfort isn’t always about recreating what once was.

Sometimes it’s about noticing how that same feeling finds its way back to us in different seasons of life.

This January, as we celebrate National Soup Month, I find myself thinking less about recipes - since my mom never used them anyway - and more about the feeling her soup left behind.

The steadiness. The love. The uncomplicated warmth.

My hope is that every older adult finds a bit of that warmth this winter - whether it comes from a memory, a shared meal, a friendly face or a simple bowl of something soothing.

Because in the end, it was never really about the soup.

It was about the love that simmered with it.

up. Having the proper equipment for competing is important according to Chiddister for those looking to try their hand at tournaments. Making sure to carb load and mentally prepare from the time she wakes up until she drives home are a part of the process Chiddister makes space for before pitching.

“I’ll eat some carbs and then I’ll make, well, make sure I’ve got everything packed. You know, I’ve got a case that I have on rollers, that I have my horseshoes in and I have a pick up stick, so I don’t have to squat down,” Chiddister said. “And then I usually drive and I usually like to be there at least a half an hour before, so I can warm up, and then I’ll pitch against four or five different people and it usually takes about three hours.”

Indiana holds several horseshoe pitching leagues across the

state with the Indiana Horseshoe Pitchers Association. But according to Chiddister, the sport itself is dying. As pitchers grow older, less younger people come to the courts. But if anyone is interested in trying out competitive pitching, Chiddister said she encourages people to come try it out.

“I think that if you, you know, just come out and then stay for a while and ask one of the pitchers if they’ll help you, you know, ‘What can I do? Can you show me how to do this?’ I bet anybody would help you out…” Chiddister said. “Some of them, they’re just pitching for fun and they’ll pitch at the fair, you know, because there’s horseshoe pitching at the fair every night except Sunday.

So if you’re interested, you know, if you’re out at the fair, just wander over to the horseshoe courts and watch.”

I It’s easy! Simply find the ‘Winter Wear’ on another page in this edition.

Go online to www.SeniorLifeNewspapers.com and enter your information, the edition, date and page number you found it on. Thiss will enter you for a chance to win a gift of $25.

(Online Entries Only) Entries Must Be In By Monday, January 12, 2026.

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The winner of the I Spy Contest for December is Bonnie Woodlee from Elkhart. The ‘Winter Trimmings’ were located on page 6 in Senior Life Allen; page 17 in Senior Life Northwest; page 16 in Senior Life Elko and page 1 in Senior Life St. Joseph.

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6 ■ SENIOR LIFE — ELKO Edition ■ January 2026

Sports

Robert Lee trains for life, not just for kicks

By MAKSYM HART Staff Writer When Robert Lee first stepped onto a college dojo mat in the late 1980s, he wasn’t looking for a life’s calling. He simply needed a break.

Then an engineering student at the University of Alabama and a former Army serviceman, Lee discovered in Aikido something he hadn’t expected: a way to reset his mind.

“Taking a little break several times a week was actually very beneficial for resetting the mind and then coming back to study with a renewed focus,” he said.

What began as a small reprieve grew into a decades-long throughline in Lee’s life, guiding him across states, careers and personal chapters.

Today, as co-owner of Caudill’s ATA Martial Arts in Warsaw, Lee brings that same spirit of steady discipline, humility and careful attention to detail to the next generation of students.

Lee’s path has never been a straight line. After leaving the military in 1989, he spent 13 years in Wisconsin before moving to Indiana in the early 2000s. During that period, he became a full-time parent and, eventually, a math instructor at Ivy Tech - a role he held for about 15 years.

Teaching, he found, mirrored martial arts more than he ever expected.

“Math is especially for those that aren’t talented at it ... I had to work at learning math,” he said. “Most people do. And the folks that work at it ... get a little better at what they’re doing because they’ve had to work for it.”

That perspective now shapes the encouragement he offers his students.

His two favorite sayings, “one more time” and “pay attention to detail,” come directly from the habits he built in both the military and the classroom. Perseverance isn’t just a training philosophy to Lee, it’s a lifelong skill.

Beyond physical technique, Lee focuses heavily on respect, something he believes must be modeled as much as taught.

“It’s a reciprocal respect,” he said. “We demonstrate the respect ... and it’s a way to avoid misunderstandings.”

He and co-owner Suzanne Caudill reinforce those values through small but meaningful traditions, like recognizing students who show exceptional behavior at home or school.

Children light up when their efforts are acknowledged, he said, and other students quickly rise to meet the example. “It does what it’s supposed to do. It creates a little sense of competition but in a positive way.”

Throughout the pandemic, Lee’s adaptability kept students connected. He converted classes to Zoom, projected virtual lessons across the training floor and even filmed sessions with black belts on weekends.

The goal was not to maintain business as usual, it was to preserve community. “We could see them and they could see us and it worked pretty well,” he said.

For all his technical skills and teaching experience, Lee is quick to emphasize the emotional and mental dimensions of learning.

That includes frank discussions with kids about boundaries, safety and self-advocacy.

“Learning martial arts doesn’t necessarily mean that you know self-defense,” he said. “Self-defense is a mental mindset.”

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These days, with past injuries slowing his own ability to spar, Lee has taken up competitive shooting and spends much of his free time maintaining the 12 wooded acres around his home.

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But his hopes remain firmly centered on the students he’s guided for years.

“Our goal is always not to compromise what we want to do as part of our teaching integrity,” he said. “We take

what we consider a very traditional approach ... with some modern methods.”

For Lee, teaching martial arts has never been about belts or good form. It’s about forming good people.

Brentwood celebrates 25th anniversary in the community Brentwood at Elkhart Independent Living had a ribbon cutting ceremony with the Greater Elkhart Chamber of Commerce on Dec. 4 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Brentwood. Anna Hagen, local harpist, provided accompaniment music during an open house with

refreshments and mingling of community members, Brentwood staff and Brentwood residents.

Brentwood at Elkhart Independent Living, operated

by Priority Life Care, is a premier senior living community located in Elkhart. Known for its exceptional care and vi-

brant, engaging atmosphere, Brentwood at Elkhart Independent Living offers a range of living options and services tailored to meet the evolving needs of its residents. The community is dedicated to fostering a nurturing and dynamic environment where every resident can thrive.

Webinar on human trafficking offered Bridging the Gaps: National, State and Local Strategies for Human Trafficking Intervention and Recovery, a webinar exploring the full scope of human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, Jan. 9.

Local leading advocates and clinicians will come together to shed light on what human trafficking is, how it affects

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HELPING STRIKE A BALANCE — Robert Lee guides students through a taekwondo drill. Lee, a longtime instructor and co-owner, blends traditional technique with a focus on respect, perseverance and personal development as he works with students of all ages. “Just one more,” is his personal philosophy for training and growth. Photo by Maksym Hart.

the Michiana community and best treatment practices.

Featured presenters will be: • Katie Boller Gosewisch, executive director, Alliance to End Human Trafficking • Ian Hurst, regional coalition coordinator, Indiana Trafficking Victims Assistance Program • Katie Freshour, LCSW, CSAYC, senior program director, Bashor Children’s Home

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At Carol’s Care Cottage we go beyond traditional care by ensuring a nurturing, hands on approach, to meet your loved one’s every need. Choosing us means choosing peace of mind knowing your loved one is safe, cared for, Where Seniors Thrive and Lives Shine and treated like family.

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We invite you to schedule a tour and see the difference our small group home can make!

1203 E. Colfax Ave. • South Bend • 46617

The panel will be moderted

by Lisa Kelly, LCSW, MPH, executive director, Mental Health Awareness of Michiana.

Two CE’s available for the following Indiana Licenses: LCSW, LSW, LMHC, LMHCA, LCAC and LMFT Registration is free to the community and $25 for professionals seeking CE credits.

For more information or to registor send an email to info@mhamichiana.org or call (574) 393-8809, ext. 3

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January 2026 ■ SENIOR LIFE — ELKO Edition ■ 7

How to walk away from poor health

By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features “We have met the enemy and he is us,” proclaimed Pogo, the philosophical possum created by the late Walt Kelly.

The quote, which was first used on a 1970 poster promoting Earth Day, has been and still can be applied to many aspects of human behavior. Including what we do about our health.

While do-gooders blame fast-food chains for stuffing us with calorie- and carbohydrate-crammed cuisine, and look askance at youngsters who’s only exercise is thumb-texting handheld gadgets, they need only look into themselves for reasons they and their families are fat, unfit, and unhealthy. And so does everyone else.

We’re overweight because we eat too much and exercise too little. We’re too tired to do any exercise because we didn’t get enough sleep the night before. We would do more if our back, legs, shoulder, arms didn’t ache and hurt so much. These are just a few of the excuses.

If anything like these affect you, you’re the cause.

You can start now to become the solution. Don’t wait for a milestone, like a birthday, summer, or gimme-time-to-get-ready.

The best way to get rid of unhealthy behavior is to walk away from it.

That’s right, just walk.

Unless you’re suffering a debilitating disease or have some physical infirmity, take a walk right now. You can finish reading this when you get back. If there are reasons you think you should not take a stroll, discuss this

with your doctor.

You don’t have to buy any equipment or special clothing.

Don what you wear to the mall.

While some climates are more comfortable than others, you can walk in any weather.

Nor do you have to go far. If you’re tired after a block from home, turn around and come back. You can do the same tomorrow or go a little farther. And so on.

What you’re doing is devel-

oping a habit, taking time to do something that’s good for you.

You’ll adjust as you go along.

Do you like walking in the early morning, or is a midday after-lunch trek more enjoyable?

Pick your own time. And length of time.

Physical fitness gurus long have touted a 10,000-steps-a-day - about five miles - program as an avenue to health and fitness.

If that sounds daunting, don’t worry.

By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features Everybody wants to live forever but few folks look forward to the aches of aging.

A lot of time and talent have been devoted to eliminating or finding cures for disease, developing drugs that diminish debilitation, and producing prosthesis that help coping more comfortable with our lengthening lives.

Despite all the intelligence applied to the science of longevity, little has been done to enhance our brain’s power, particularly as it ages.

Dementia - its causes and cures - are still a mystery to the best medical minds.

Experienced experts even disagree on the best ways to avoid or alleviate the ravages of such neurological disorders as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.

Play mental agility games, such as crossword puzzles, some say. Learn a language to foster the brain’s flexibility. Travel.

Spaghetti w/Meat Sauce Italian Blend Vegetable Texas Toast Tropical Fruit Chicken Pot Pie over a Biscuit Corn Brownie

19

Join social groups. Stay active.

Exercise to maintain a healthy blood flow to the brain. Eat foods containing chemicals that stimulate brain activity and cells.

All of these are safe and sane advice for anyone wishing to stay healthy.

But there’s still no cure for such degenerative brain diseases as Alzheimer’s. The inevitable result is loss of memory, identity and mobility if death

diseases hurt the heart. With frustration, they watch the fading away of their loved one, all the while trying to rationalize what is happening.

The recurring theme is that these caregivers cannot realize, accept, come to grips with, or face the fact that the person they once knew is disappearing.

The once-witty wife becomes a slug. The once-creative dad gathers dust in the corner.

Mature Life Features Copyright 2025

Leave ear wax alone; it does protect your ears

By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features The next time you reach for a cotton swab to clean your ears you might want to think twice. The ears are self-cleaning so you shouldn’t do anything to them.

Wax has antibiotic properties and keeps the ear moist, medics point out. Swabs increase the risk of eardrum perforation and infection.

A few drops of hydrogen peroxide can relieve severe wax buildup and loosen it so that it comes out easily and

Wednesday

Your donation counts. Every donation makes a difference.

We serve over 160,000 meals each year to seniors!

All donations directly support this program. Please donate what you can comfortably afford. Thank you!

1

BBQ Chicken Breast Macaroni & Cheese California Blend Veg. Dinner Roll/Marg.

Strawberry Applesauce

8

6

13

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Turkey Manhattan over Bread Mashed Potatoes & Gravy Green Beans Strawberry Applesauce

does not intervene.

Alzheimer’s disease ambushes one-third of everyone older than 85. No one is safe.

It caught up to late President Ronald Reagan, actors Jimmy Stewart and Charlton Heston, boxer Sugar Ray Robinson, and British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.

Anecdotes and stories by friends, families and caregivers dealing with victims of this and other debilitating neurological

Tuesday

Closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Day

26

Mature Life Features Copyright 2025

can be wiped away. If your ears itch on the inside, try using baby or mineral oil, administered with a medicine dropper. This is not recommended for anyone with eardrum perforations or ear infections.

Mature Life Features Copyright 2025

Menus Subject to Change | All Meals Served with Milk | Suggested Donation: $4.50

Monday

12

your aching back muscles.

If, as you progress, you feel like heading toward that 10,000-step goal, pick up a pedometer at a sports-equipment store and track your advancement. At this stage, you also should check with your doctor to make sure you don’t get too ambitious - or too strenuous.

You don’t have to do it every day. Taking a day or two off to rest every week can make the outings more pleasant.

Dementia by any other name is still debilitating

January

5

Do whatever you can. And enjoy it.

There are other variations, whether or not you cover 10,000 steps.

Pick your legs up with your knees instead of swinging your feet to move along. This strengthens your hips and adds balance to your legs.

Swing your arms straight out in front and as far back as you can as you stride along. That helps limber up and strengthen

Maple Must. Glazed Pork Sweet Potatoes Brussel’s Sprouts Bread/Marg.

Fruit Compote Meatloaf Mashed Potato/Gravy Peas Bread/Marg.

Mixed Fruit Cup Sausage, Green Bean & Potato Casserole Tomato & Zucchini Blend Dinner Roll/Marg.

Warm Spiced Apples

27

Beef Stew Rice Broccoli Bread/Marg.

Pineapple Cup

7

14

21

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Sausage Gravy over Biscuit Scrambled Eggs Diced Potatoes Banana Bruschetta Chicken Baby Bakers Vegetable Blend Bread/Marg.

Peach Cup Glazed Chicken Red Skinned Potatoes Asparagus Bread/Marg.

Nutty Buddy

We welcome Seniors to join our program and access daily nutritional meals while increasing your socialization.

Meals are prepared fresh daily in our Kitchen. Lunch site locations are open Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

To make a reservation, please call the meal site director at your preferred location listed below. We look forward to serving you.

Meal Site Locations (Elkhart County) Elkhart Tolson Center 1320 Benham Ave. | (574) 320-5863 Riverside Terrace 181 N. Elkhart Ave. | (574) 320-5995 Stratford Commons 2601 Oakland Ave. | (574) 320-5996 Goshen Greencroft Manor II 1425 Greencroft Dr., Manor II | (574) 971-6016

Thursday

Closed for the holiday!

Ham & Beans Carrots Cornbread Fruit Cup

Sweet & Sour Chicken Over Rice Asian Blend Vegetables Bread/Marg.

Fortune Cookie Pineapple Cup

15

Friday 2

9

16

Closed for the holiday!

Potato Crusted Fish Scalloped Potatoes Broccoli Bread/Marg.

Pudding Cup Broccoli Cream Soup Deli Slider Sandwich Prince Charles Veg. Jello Cup

22

Sloppy Joe On a Bun Baked Beans Mixed Vegetable Fruit Cup

23

Tuna Casserole Peas Dinner Roll/Marg.

Pudding Cup

29

BBQ Riblette On a Bun Cheesy Potatoes Carrots Peach Cup

30

Stuffed Baked Potato w/Taco Meat & Cheese Cauliflower Dinner Roll/Marg.

Pear Cup

realservices.org/meals-and-nutrition/

Mentone Mentone Community Room 101 W. Main St. | (574) 353-7555

Silver Lake Lion’s Building 108 N. Harrison St. | (260) 450-2416

North Webster Community Center 301 N. Main St. | Suite D | (574) 834-1193

Syracuse Lakeside Park Center 1013 N. Long Drive | (574) 457-2631

Pierceton Senior Center 205 N. First St. | (574) 526-1060

Warsaw Retired Tigers Senior Apartments 320 W. Main St. | (574) 267-0037 Warsaw Senior Activity Center 800 N. Park Ave. | (574) 267-0026

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8 ■ SENIOR LIFE — ELKO Edition ■ January 2026

Faith

Bill Krogel has a Heavenly Father who cares deeply about him

By LAURIE LECHLITNER Staff Writer “I was the youngest of three siblings,” stated Bill Krogel, Warsaw. “My parents were divorced when I was 5 years old, and my mother never remarried. When I went to church growing up, we attended the Methodist Church. Even though I was raised by my mother, I eventually found that I had a marvelous Heavenly

Father, who cares very deeply about me. But that came later in my life.”

Krogel attended a one-room schoolhouse. “All eight grades were in one room. I did OK in school. And I learned early that if I wanted anything, I had to work for it.”

However, from the ages of 15 to 23, Krogel was heading for trouble. “I was dabbling in drugs and alcohol. I got in trouble with the authorities. I was

Credit scoring scores points

By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features The old saw about the rising young man who was a credit to his community because he owed money to everyone in town takes on a finer edge during these fiscally fatiguing times.

It’s not very fashionable to peek at your credit report right now. A recent survey reveals that almost half the population has no idea what their credit score is.

The biggest stumbling block in the way of understanding your credit situation is not checking your credit score.

Second is not understanding what is considered bad credit.

To begin with, it’s been reported that 25% of credit reports have serious errors that can contribute to a lower credit score. So check your credit score.

Each of the three major credit-reporting bureaus - Equifax, Experian and TransUnion - is required to provide you with a free report once a year. So you can space your requests to get a

free fresh report every four months.

You can do it online. Just type the name of the agency in your search engine. Review the report and correct any errors immediately.

The tipping point for good or bad credit has been wavering.

A 100% score is 850, leading some folks to believe that scoring in the 400 range is pretty good. Not so. Even a score in the 600 range is not considered healthy.

The difference between a good and bad score is in the eyes of the lender.

Your payment history most likely has the biggest impact on your score. Second comes the amount you owe.

While the world of finance is not closed to those with bad credit, they pay more for interest, fees and the cost of services than borrowers with higher credit scores.

You can learn to live with bad credit. For example. if you have more than one card, keep your charges revolving so you don’t overload one card, which can damage your score.

Mature Life Features Copyright 2025

definitely going in the wrong direction.”

Things came to a head when he was 23. “My best friend and I were building a house.

We worked for a construction company. Terry had gotten in more trouble than I did. His past crimes included robbery, attempted murder and car theft. He was on work release from jail when we landed this job.”

One day the friends took a break from work and went out and got drunk. “We skipped town and was on our way to California by way of Atlanta, Ga. I was dating my future wife, Anita, at the time and wanted to say goodbye to her.

As I sobered up a bit, I came to my senses. By this time, Terry was wanted by the police for running from jail.”

Krogel decided to part company with Terry, who eventually turned himself in. Anita was working for the Salvation Army in Atlanta. Bill got a room there and stayed for three days before boarding a plane for home.

“Anita shared the way of salvation in Jesus Christ with me.

I told her I appreciated the food and lodging but was not ready to surrender my life.”

However, Krogel had second thoughts after boarding the airplane. “I was 23 and single. I had a good job and fast car. Yet I was deeply unhappy. I prayed silently, ‘Jesus, we both know I’m a sinner. Please come into my heart and be my Savior. Although, I don’t know why you’d really want to.’”

Although Krogel didn’t hear bells and whistles, his life changed from that moment on.

“A year after I was saved, Anita and I were married. We started

HAPPY COUPLE — Bill Krogel, right, was heading for trouble before he married his wife, Anita. But she led him to faith in Jesus Christ and now they are actively serving the Lord together. Photo provided

by Bill Krogel. our married life by attending David Jeremiah’s church in Fort Wayne.”

Krogel graduated from Calvary Bible College in Missouri, majoring in Biblical languages.

The couple moved to Warsaw in 1983, and Bill attended Grace Theological Seminary, Winona Lake.

“I enrolled in the seminary’s counseling program. One of my assignments was to write a letter to God. I thought it was a rather strange assignment, but

I went home and did it. I found I was angry with God, partly because I grew up without a father. But God spoke to my spirit, ‘I am Father enough for you!’ I suddenly felt very peaceful.”

Krogel counsels three days a week at Life Touch in Warsaw and on Tuesdays at New Song in Plymouth. He and his wife, Anita, are members of Nappanee Missionary Church. Bill has taught adult Sunday school classes there for 15 years.

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January 2026 ■ SENIOR LIFE — ELKO Edition ■ 9

Call for entries for 2nd annual Journey of the Mind exhibit Jan. 6 Mental Health Awareness of Michiana, in partnership with the Elkhart Public Library and the St. Joseph County Public Library, has issued a call for entries for Journey of the Mind 2026.

Michiana artists of all ages and skill levels are invited to submit work showcasing interpretations of mental health, wellness and recovering for the second annual Journey of the Mind exhibit.

Entries are being accepted

through Jan. 16.

The exhibit will be on display Feb. 21-March 26.

Works chosen for display will be exhibited at the Elkhart Public Library’s main branch, 303 S. Second St., Elkhart, from Feb. 21-March 11 and the St. Joseph County Public Library’s main branch, 304 S. Main St., South Bend, from March 12-26 Any artist who feels their work fits the mental health theme and is comfortable

with displaying their work in a public space is eligible to enter. Artists do not need to have a history or diagnosis of a mental health condition, substance use disorder or other disability. Artists are allowed to submit up to three works of art, though space constraints may limit how many works can be accepted.

• Works must be original, meet public decency standards, free of images of violence, nudity, sexual con-

duct or degradation of racial, sexual, religious or gender identity.

• All artwork must be human-generated. AI submissions are prohibited.

Due to space constraints: • Two-dimensional pieces must be framed and ready to hang with wire back and may not exceed 24 inches by 24 inches in diameter.

• Three-dimensional pieces must be ready to display on flat surfaces and not exceed

Check your cruise requirements, then check again

By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features Seasoned travelers are aware of the multi-leveled airline fees to take into account when making travel plans but the fine print in cruise clauses can also be costly.

Stories abound of hefty cancellation fees, especially by first-timers who take the word of their travel agent or cruise customer-service representative that there will be a full refund if the buyers have to cancel their voyage.

The fine print in many

cases will clarify that there is a 75% cancellation fee so the refund is but 25% of the total cost.

Cruise lines have been raking in easy money from folks who don’t read their contracts carefully.

Wannabe cruisers also are

California’s Humbolt County, especially Redwood National and State Parks, and Humbolt Redwoods State Park.

Some of these giants have been standing since before the birth of Christ. Those in the Redwoods National and State Parks help make up vast tracts of old-growth and second-growth forest, together with scenic rivers, open prairies, oak woodlands, and 37 miles of pristine Pacific coastline.

Hiking, biking, and camping are among the recreational activities along with ranger-led walks.

Amateur naturalists can register online to join seminars and field trips with a range of experts.

making all kinds of mistakes, from not remembering to check their testing requirements to overlooking their passport expiration.

Representatives of the cruise lines may be able to assure people with health conditions or impairments that they can be accommodated comfortably aboard ship, but there’s no mention of the problems they might have boarding the airliner that will fly them to and from the vessel.

A major mistake many make is ignoring international travel requirements.

Entry requirements vary by country. Even if you’ve sailed on a cruise lines’ ships before, rules and regulations have changed.

If you have a voucher for future cruise credits, check the expiration date on the voucher.

What happens if you get sick on the voyage? Get sufficient travel insurance to cover you should you be quarantined in a foreign port for a couple of weeks and the cost to get you home.

After you’ve done all this, confirm and re-confirm your travel requirements before your cruise because requirements change.

Mature Life Features Copyright 2025

Mature Life Features Copyright 2025

Walk among the giants on California’s redwood coast

By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features From Big Sur to the Oregon border, groves of towering redwoods stand in misty silence, pillars among fern-

fringed aisles carpeted with moss. Those who walk among these trees often experience a peace and reverence befitting a natural cathedral.

Perhaps primary among the groves are those found in

Don’t dump food and liquid for diarrhea

By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features With all the different locations and exotic foods at our disposal, travelers can pick up a bout of diarrhea.

Fortunately, most people experience a mild form and respond well to regular fluid intake and anti-diarrhea medication. Those with underlying diseases and the very young or elderly are at greater risk and may require antibiotics or other medications.

As many as 60% of travelers to developing countries

will come down with diarrhea, making it the number-one travel ailment. It can manifest itself up to two weeks after returning home.

Preventing travelers’ diarrhea begins with rehydration, putting liquid back into your body. Travelers should eat as normally as possible. There is no good evidence to support a restricted diet. High-risk patients or those with concerns about becoming ill and obtaining medical service and products while abroad should take a first aid kit.

Mature Life Features Copyright 2025

Grand Emerald Place

Call for your tour to come visit our community today!

4010 S. Ironwood Dr., South Bend, IN 46614 | 574-291-2222 opsliving.com/grand-emerald-place

14 inches in depth.

There are no entry fees for this exhibition, however, artists are responsible for costs related to producing and preparing/framing their artwork for display. Artists are also responsible for artwork dropoff and pick-up on designated dates, times and locations.

An online application form is available. Artists will submit their personal information, information about the artwork and a high-quality photo of their work along with any personal narratives describing struggle and recovery.

Sharing personal stories is an important part of Journey of the Mind. Stories may be published to promote the exhibit, spread awareness of mental health issues and/ or be included in the exhibition booklet. There may also be opportunities for artists to speak about their experiences during exhibit events.

Submission of narratives implies permission to publish these accounts in the exhibition booklet and elsewhere.

Written narratives will have maximum of 300 characters.

For more information contact info@mhamichiana.org or call (574) 393-8809, ext. 3

www.seniorlifenewspapers.com

10 ■ SENIOR LIFE — ELKO Edition ■ January 2026

Hearing Healthcare

Financial Services

Q. Will hearing aids help my tinnitus?

Q. How can I start or expand my charitable giving?

A. Whether you’re just beginning

A.

About 14 percent of us suffer with buzzing, ringing, or whooshing sounds in one or both ears, ranging from a mild annoyance to a debilitating condition, making it difficult to focus, relax, and even sleep. Luckily, support is available to help you live with tinnitus.

A major study found 2 out of 3 subjects reported hearing aids relieved their tinnitus most of the time, while 3 out of 10 reported that hearing aids alleviated their tinnitus all of the time. Habituation, the use of background noise like music or white noise as masking is the most common approach. When combined with Notch Therapy, patients reported a

David Keenan “strong improvement” in dealing with their tinnitus over a 3-to-6-month period.

Counseling plus hearing aids provided twice the reduction in tinnitus handicap over counseling alone, but these programs have been expensive and time consuming. Now we offer patients an affordable app for your phone, tablet or computer that offers all these approaches for you to apply at home on your schedule. Call 574-387-4215 and I’ll let you try the app for free.

your giving journey or looking to expand your impact, you have a wide range of charitable options to help you meet your goals. These options are designed to fit your financial situation, current income, and future expectations. In addition to helping you give wisely today, Everence® can also assist in planning how you want to pass on your values and legacy to future generations and charitable organizations.

And charitable giving at Everence goes beyond traditional tools. You can open new roads of generosity by giving a variety of assets – such as real estate, life insurance policies, farm commodities, valuable collections, business interests, and more. Everence provides expert

Brent Miller

Vice President Michiana Region Everence® support to help you develop and carry out these gifts, turning them into meaningful and lasting impact.

With Everence by your side, generosity becomes more than a financial transaction – it becomes a legacy of purpose and impact that can inspire others and transform lives. Let Everence help you discover the joy of giving. Call us at 574-537-8773 to start your legacy today.

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Elkhart - Mishawaka - Laporte - St. Joseph

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Professional Forum Interested Businesses Call Marla Schroeder 574-350-4488 A Monthly Question And Answer Advertorial Column

Senior Relocation Scheerer McCulloch: Your trusted partner in auction, real estate and moving:

Q. What’s up for Senior Talk Michiana in January?

Introducing Relocation Services

A.

January’s episodes include Tom and Chris reviewing 2025 and discussing the expanded projects of Senior Talk Michiana for 2026. Also, Hugh Davis, President and CEO of Greencroft Communities, will join the podcast to discuss Greencroft Communities and the future of retirement communities.

As we have announced, Senior Talk Michiana is now designated as a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization, allowing us to apply for grants and solicit taxdeductible donations. Please consider contributing and sharing this with your friends to help us reach a larger share of the 260,000 seniors in Michiana and provide them with information about

Tom Rose

Author & Speaker Balloon in a Box Coping with Grief Grief Group Facilitator roseandrose@comcast.net

Tom Rose available services, organizations, and events.

Sponsored by Aging Connections of Michiana, Senior Life Newspapers, and Goshen Home Medical, Senior Talk Michiana is tailored for seniors and offers valuable information on services and organizations in Michiana. Listeners can access the podcast through free subscriptions available on Spotify and www.seniortalkmichiana.org. Episodes are also available at www.thomaslrose. com/senior-talk.

Rose and Rose Associates Senior Talk Michiana 574-596-6256 www.thomaslrose.com www.cookingtogether.com

Several years ago, some friends whom had Moving can be a stressful experience for a wide range of people, not just seniors. Whether you’re downsizing, relocating for work, or handling life changes such as divorce or inheritance, the process can feel overwhelming. A few years ago, I spoke with friends who had recently moved from their family home to a retirement community. They shared how the coordination, delays, and stress made the experience challenging. This inspired me to expand our services beyond seniors to help anyone facing a move.

With a background in real estate, auctions, and appraisals, I recognized how our comprehensive services could ease the burden. Today, my team offers professional moving, real estate brokerage, antique and home appraisals,

Tim McCulloch, Owner auctioneering, floor planning, climate-controlled storage, and both online and onsite auctions. We also provide complete property clean-up, selling items, and removing non-salable belongings. Our goal is to make every move seamless, stress-free, and efficient.

We serve clients across surrounding counties and beyond, ensuring everyone has access to reliable, compassionate support during their transition. Contact us today for a free consultation and experience a smoother move. Call (260) 441-8636. We’re here to help.

Tim McCulloch, Owner Call Us For An Estimate Today

(260) 441-8636 Ft. Wayne or (260) 356-4111 Huntington and clean out your junk!

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www.seniorlifenewspapers.com

January 2026 ■ SENIOR LIFE — ELKO Edition ■ 11

Hospice Care

Elder Law

Hospice: Hope for the New Year!

Q. Can I make and sign my own Last Will & Testament A. Each state has slightly dif-

As we welcome the new year, hospice is filled with positive, purposeful hope: the hope of making the most of every day. In hospice care, each day is an opportunity for comfort, connection, and meaning. It is about helping patients live fully in the present—enjoying a favorite meal, listening to cherished music, sharing stories, or simply resting without pain or fear.

The new year brings renewed energy to focus on what truly matters: honoring individual wishes, supporting families, and creating moments of joy and peace. Hospice teams work to ease symptoms so patients can engage in what brings them happiness and comfort, no matter how small it may seem. These

Tim Bradley, MA, BSN, RN Executive Director-Comfort1 Hospice

everyday moments often become the most meaningful ones.

Hope in hospice is found in living well, one day at a time. It is the belief that even in life’s final season, there is room for laughter, love, gratitude, and connection. As the year begins, we remain committed to helping patients and families embrace each day, stay present, and make every moment count with compassion always.

ferent requirements on what makes a Last Will & Testament (“Will”) valid.

If the requirements are not followed, a Will may be determined to be invalid if challenged. Anyone could draft a Will, but as my mother used to tell me, just because you can do something does not mean you should.

In Indiana, several requirements for execution of a Will include that you must be at least 18 years old and be of sound mind at the time the Will is signed. Sound mind generally refers to a person’s mental capacity to make informed decisions free of undue influence, understand their actions, and the consequences of their decisions. Either you, or someone acting on your behalf, at your direction, and in your presence,

Tony B. Manns Attorney at Law

must sign the Will. In addition, you must have at least two disinterested witnesses sign the Will. The formalities are crucial to ensure your wishes stated in the Will can be completed.

It is strongly recommended that you consult your elder law attorney to ensure your Will is drafted properly, executed properly, and addresses your concerns adequately and legally.

108 W. Michigan Street Servicing St. Joseph|Elkhart|Marshall|Starke|La Porte LaGrange, IN 46761 CountiesPorte Servicing St. Joseph|Elkhart|Marshall|Starke|La Porte Servicing St. Joseph|Elkhart|Marshall|Starke|La Ph: (260) 463-4949 (P) 574.387.4117| (F) 833.334.0327 Servicing St. Joseph|Elkhart|Marshall|Starke|La Porte Counties Counties Fax: (260) 463-4905 Counties (P) 574.387.4117| (F) 833.334.0327 833.334.0327 118 W. Edison Rd, Suite 200, (P) 574.387.4117| (F) www.beersmallers.com (P) (F) 833.334.0327 118574.387.4117| W. Edison Rd, Suite 200, Mishawaka, 118 118 W.W. Edison Rd, Suite 200, IN. 46545 DISCLAIMER: Tony B. Manns and Beers Mallers, LLP Attorneys At Law, appreciate the opportunity to provide insight into legal topics of interest.

Edison Rd, Mishawaka, IN.Suite 46545200, 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 Mishawaka, 46545 Mishawaka,IN. IN. 46545 situations or problems. Tony B. Manns and Beers Mallers, LLP Attorneys At Law, do not intend to create an attorney-client relationship by offering

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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. Tony B. Manns and Beers Mallers, LLP Attorneys At Law, also advise that any information you send to this advertisement shall not be deemed secure or confidential. Please visit our office to ensure complete confidentiality.

Professional Forum Interested Businesses Call Marla Schroeder 574-350-4488 A Monthly Question And Answer Advertorial Column

Advertising with us is a Breeze

Memory Services

Q. Where are Senior Life Newspapers distributed?

A. Each Senior Life Newspaper is distributed to over 300 locations each month and is free for public pickup and supported by advertisers. Locations for distribution are chosen with the 50+ aged person in mind and include grocery stores, libraries, senior centers, restaurants, senior communities, banks, gas stations, apartment complexes, doctor offices, drug stores, farmer’s markets, resale locations, churches, convenient stores, and retail stores.

There are four distinct issues of Senior Life Newspaper including: • Allen — including Allen, Adams, DeKalb, Huntington, Noble, Wells and Whitley counties • Elko — including Elkhart, Kosciusko,

Marla Schroeder, Publication Manager/ Advertising Sales

LaGrange, Noble and Wabash counties in IN and St. Joseph county in MI • Northwest — including Lake, Porter counties in IN and Cook county in IL • St. Joseph — including LaPorte, Marshall and St. Joseph counties in IN and Berrien and Cass counties in MI Call today for more information on how we can help your business reach the Senior Life loyal audience.

mschroeder@the-papers.com Elkhart & Kosciusko Call Senior Life Newspapers 800-733-4111 Ext. 2319

www.seniorlifenewspapers.com

Q. How can we tell the difference between normal winter fatigue and signs of depression in older adults?

A. Winter naturally slows us down. Shorter days, colder weather, and limited sunlight can leave anyone feeling a little tired or unmotivated. For older adults, this seasonal fatigue can be even more noticeable. But when low energy lingers—or begins to change daily functioning—it may signal something more than the winter blues.

KJ Mapes

CEO Real Services

Normal winter fatigue tends to come and go. A good night’s sleep, a social outing, or a sunny day often brings relief. Depression, however, shows up in ways that don’t resolve as easily: persistent sadness, withdrawal from activities once enjoyed, changes in appetite or sleep patterns, or a loss of interest in connection and routine.

111 Sunnybrook Ct., South Bend, IN 46637

574-233-4121 https://alzni.org/

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12 ■ SENIOR LIFE — ELKO Edition ■ January 2026

Independence | Dignity | Strength 1151 S. Michigan St, South Bend IN 46601 | (574) 233-8205 info@realservices.org info@

realservices.org

Real Services, Inc.

A MATTER OF BALANCE

Free Fall-Prevention Workshop for Adults 60+ Join Us for REAL Talk

Free presentations and community connections. Topics target those 60 and older, but everyone is welcome to attend.

Concerned about falling? This award-winning program helps older adults build confidence, improve balance, and stay active. Learn practical tips to reduce fall risks and move with ease.

Mondays | Feb. 23 - Apr. 13 2026 10:00-12:00 | Mishawaka Library

SMART Goal-Setting Jan. 14 | 11 AM | Portage Commons (574) 284-7189 Jan. 15 | 11 AM | OWLS (574) 336-2652 Jan. 23 | 11:30 AM | 1ROOF (Lunch) (574) 284-7189 Jan. 27 | 11:30 AM | Salvation Army (574) 284-7189 Reserve your spot by visiting realservices.org/get-involved/real-talk/

Help With Heating Bills This Winter: EAP & the Utility Moratorium Staying warm shouldn’t be a winter worry. REAL Services’ Energy Assistance Program (EAP) helps households manage rising heating costs by offering a one-time benefit paid directly to your utility provider. Eligibility is based on the previous three months of income, and many households qualify — including renters, those with utilities included in rent, and those whose bill isn’t in their own name. If you’re unsure, apply anyway; our team can walk you through what’s needed.

Another layer of protection during the coldest months is Indiana’s Winter Utility Moratorium. From December 1 through March 15, eligible households enrolled in EAP cannot have their heat shut off due to non-payment. It’s designed to ensure that no one faces the dangers of winter without warmth and basic safety.

If your heating bill is stretching your budget or you’re worried about staying warm, help is available — and it’s easier to access than you might think.

Learn more or apply at: https:// realservices.org/services/energyassistance/ Call (574) 232-6501 for friendly help getting started.

Space is limited for this FREE program. Please register by calling (574) 284-7132 or scan the QR Code

Community & Conversations A New Monthly Gathering Come Hungry. Leave Connected.

Portage Township and REAL Services invite you to the launch of Community & Conversations, a new monthly evening event centered on food, connection, and community.

Join neighbors, families, and local leaders for a free meal and relaxed conversation in a welcoming, informal setting.

No speeches—just good food, friendly faces, and meaningful connection, especially during the winter months.

Thursday | January 8, 2026 | 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM Portage Commons Senior Enrichment Center Held the 2nd Thursday of each month FREE and open to all!

How I Stay Strong #REALStrong Protect yourself, your loved ones, and your community—stay up to date on vaccinations to prevent serious illness, reduce costly health impacts, and safeguard the future.

Learn more by visiting realservices.org/services/a2aa/ vaccines/

Learn more by visiting

realservices.org/services/ a2aa/vaccines/

www.seniorlifenewspapers.com

January 2026 ■ SENIOR LIFE — ELKO Edition ■ 13

133 N. William St. South Bend, Indiana 46601 | (574) 284-7159 | Mon. - Fri. 10AM - 3PM portagecommons@realservices.org

realservices.org/portage-commons/

Portage Commons

January Highlights at Portage Commons Thurs. Jan. 8 | 1:00 PM | Let’s Talk About It: Glaucoma Awareness Kick off the year by taking care of your eyes—learn the signs, risks, and steps to keep your vision sharp all year long.

Fri. Jan 9 | 12:30 AM | WNIT Presents: The American Revolution, Pt. 2

Mon. Jan 26 | 1:00 PM | Intro to Watercolors Ready, set, paint! Explore beginner-friendly watercolor techniques and unleash your inner artist.

Fri. Jan 30 | 1:00 PM | My Friend by Fredrik Backman A heartwarming read paired with great conversation—join us as we dive into Backman’s latest gem.

History buffs, assemble! Settle in for an engaging look at the turning points that shaped our nation.

Wed. Jan. 14 | 11:00 AM | REAL Talks: Goal Setting

Visit Facebook for Events and Classes: https://www.facebook.com/PortageCommons

New year, new goals. Come get inspired and set intentions that stick (with a little help from your friends).

Fri. Jan. 16 | 1:00 PM | Sound Therapy

Float into the weekend with calming tones designed to reset your mind and melt away winter stress.

Tue. Jan. 20 | 1:00 PM | City of South Bend: Home Repair Program Info Session Got a project? Learn how local programs can help you stay safe, comfortable, and thriving at home.

Thurs. Jan. 22 | 1:00 PM | Let’s Talk About It: Organ Donation A thoughtful conversation on the lifesaving impact of organ donation—and how you can make your wishes known.

Fri. Jan 23 | 12:30 PM | Friday Flick: Wicked Ease on down to the center for this magical musical tale— perfect for a cozy winter afternoon.

January

Monday 12-29-25

01-05-26

Tuesday 12-30-25

01-06-26

Wednesday 12-31-25

Thursday 01-01-26

Friday 01-02-26

Closed for the holiday!

Closed for the holiday!

01-07-26

01-08-26

01-09-26 10:00 AM | Bingocize 11:00 AM | Dominos 11:30 AM | Lunch 12:30 PM | WNIT Presents - The American Revolution Part 2 1:30 PM | Euchre

10:00 AM | Crosswords and Conversations 11:30 AM | Lunch 1:00 PM | Card Making 1:00 PM | Monday Memories Share & Tell

10:00 AM | Trivia Tuesdays 11:00 AM | Senior Strength with the Kroc 11:30 AM | Lunch 2:30 PM | Stay Active & Independent for Life SAIL

10:00 AM | Bingo 10:00 AM | Chair Yoga 11:30 AM | Lunch 4:30 PM | Photography Club

10:00 AM | Knitting & Crocheting 11:30 AM | Lunch 1:00 PM | Lets Talk About It – Glaucoma Awareness 2:30 PM | Stay Active & Independent for Life SAIL 4:00-7:00 PM | Community & Conversations

01-12-26

01-13-26

01-14-26

01-15-26

01-16-26

10:00 AM | Crosswords and Conversations 11:30 AM | Lunch 1:00 PM | Monday Memories Share & Tell

10:00 AM | Joyful Journey Brain Strengthening 11:00 AM | Senior Strength with the Kroc 11:30 AM | Lunch 2:30 PM | Stay Active & Independent for Life SAIL

10:00 AM | Chair Yoga 11:00 AM | REAL Talks - Goal Setting 11:30 AM | Lunch 1:30 PM | Euchre

10:00 AM | Knitting & Crocheting 11:30 AM | Lunch 2:30 PM | Stay Active & Independent for Life SAIL

10:00AM | Bingocize 11:00 AM | Dominos 11:30 AM | Lunch 1:00 PM | Sound Therapy 1:30 PM | Euchre

01-19-26

01-20-26

01-21-26

01-22-26

01-23-26

Closed for the holiday!

10:00 AM | Trivia Tuesdays 11:00 AM | Senior Strength with the Kroc 11:30 AM | Lunch 1:00 PM | City of South Bend Home Repair Program 2:30 PM | Stay Active & Independent for Life SAIL

10:00 AM | Chair Yoga 11:30 AM | Lunch 1:30 PM | Euchre 2:00 PM | Birthday Celebration 4:30 PM | Photography Club

10:00 AM | Knitting & Crocheting 11:30 AM | Lunch 1:00 PM | Lets Talk About It - Organ Donation 2:30 PM | Stay Active & Independent for Life SAIL

10:00AM | Bingocize 11:00 AM | Dominos 11:30 AM | Lunch 12:30 PM | Friday Flick - Wicked 1:30 PM | Euchre

01-26-26

01-27-26

01-28-26

01-29-26

01-30-26

10:00 AM | Crosswords and Conversations 11:30 AM | Lunch 1:00 PM | Monday Memories Share & Tell 1:00 PM | Intro to Watercolors

10:00 AM | Joyful Journey Brain Strengthening 11:00 AM | Senior Strength with the Kroc 11:30 AM | Lunch 2:30 PM | Stay Active & Independent for Life SAIL

10:00 AM | Chair Yoga 11:30 AM | Lunch 1:30 PM | Euchre

10:00 AM | Knitting & Crocheting 11:30 AM | Lunch 2:30 PM | Stay Active & Independent for Life SAIL

10:00AM | Bingocize 11:00 AM | Dominos 11:30 AM | Lunch 1:00 PM | Book Club - My Friend

by Fredrik Backman 1:30 PM | Euchre

Call us at (574) 284-7159 to register for programs, sign up for membership, or become a senior ambassador. Stop in to learn more at 133 N. William Street, South Bend, IN 46601

Follow us on Facebook

www.seniorlifenewspapers.com

14 ■ SENIOR LIFE — ELKO Edition ■ January 2026

Dining/Leisure/Entertainment

70s Flashback -

Jim Jacobs: Scorning his success Picture this: You’re a one-time stage actor who, along with a fellow stage actor, has created a book that becomes a winBy RANDAL ning stage C. HILL play that becomes a hit movie that begats a best-selling soundtrack. You both become millionaire success stories, yet you often complain about the changes that eventually made your R-rated creation palatable to a mainstream audience.

What’s going on here?

When the stage musical “Grease” closed on Broadway in 1980, it had been playing there

for a record-breaking 3,388 performances. But what had premiered in 1971 in a seedy Chicago nightclub as a raunchy musical with an amateur cast had been radically transformed on its journey to Big Time Theater.

Stage actors Jim Jacobs and friend Warren Casey had based their original tale on Jacobs’s experiences at Taft High School in northwest Chicago. The “Grease” story - first as a book, then as a music-tinged play - followed the misadventures of rowdy blue-collar hoods there. “It was about having leather jackets and beehive hairdos,” claimed Jacobs, “about doing a lot of smoking and spitting on the sidewalk.”

The original “Grease” picked up momentum as it morphed from off-Broadway to the great

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White Way itself. During the transition, much of the original crude content had been diluted in order to not offend any theatergoers.

In filming the story in 1978, Paramount Pictures initially tapped Henry Winkler for the pivotal role of Danny. Winkler, though, famed as Fonzie on TV’s “Happy Days,” rejected the offer for fear of being typecast. Thus, John Travolta from TV’s “Welcome Back Kotter” was ushered in as the male headliner.

The primary female lead of Sandy, pitched first to Carrie Fisher, then to Marie Osmond, went to Australian recording star Olivia Newton-John. A young-looking 29, in order to appear even more youthful alongside the 23-year-old Travolta, she was filmed using “soft” camera lenses.

Both stars were, of course, a bit long in the tooth to be portraying adolescents, but Jacobs staunchly defended the casting, admitting, “You may say Olivia Newton-John was too old, but look at Stockard Channing. Stockard’s my age.” (Jim was born in 1942, Stockard two years later.)

On the silver screen, “Grease” proved to be a music-saturated romantic comedy about a tough local hood (Travolta) and an Australian transfer student (Newton-John) who develop an attraction for each other during a summer fling. Later, as Sandy prepares to return home, she’s convinced that she’ll never see Danny again, but he assures her that summer is only a beginning for them as a couple.

The campy frolic sold nearly $400 million worth of tickets

THE ORIGINAL PRODUCTION — Shown is the original poster from Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey’s production ‘Grease.” Image from Original Chicago, Donna Jacobs Costello’s Facebook page. as a movie, and the two-disc soundtrack, with sales of 30 million copies, became one of history’s biggest albums ever.

There’s little doubt that Jacobs enjoyed his success, but years later we found him still grumbling: “We had written the show as the real nitty-gritty story of the kids I went to school with. It went from an in-your-face show about delinquents to a gang of lovable people singing rock ‘n’ roll.”

Bibliography - Internet: Durant, Sabine. “Interview: Did You

Get Very Far? Aha, Aha,” July 6, 1993, independent.co.uk, the first two quotes are from here’; “Grease.” broadwaymusicalhome. com; “Grease” (film); “Grease” (musical), Jim Jacobs, Warren Casey, en.wikipedia.org; “Grease,” stageagent.com; Horwitz, Jane.

“For co-creator Jim Jacobs, ‘Grease’ Is Still the Word (Even If It’s Cleaned Up),” Feb. 2, 2010. washingtonpost.com, the third quote is from here; Robin, Marcy, “ ‘Grease:’ 10 Facts You’ve Probably Never Heard,” June 15, 2015, biography.com.

Elkhart County 4-H Fair announces first 2026 concert headliner: Charley Crockett The Elkhart County 4-H Fair recently announced its first concert artist for the 2026 Fair. Acclaimed country star Charley Crockett will take the stage as part of next summer’s entertainment lineup.

A “street busker turned critically acclaimed singer songwriter turned actual country star” (Rolling Stone), Crockett has built one of the most compelling and unconventional careers in

modern American music. The Texas-born artist has defied expectations at every turn, rising from performing with an open guitar case on Louisiana sidewalks to selling out some of the world’s most iconic venues.

Crockett’s signature “Gulf and Western” sound and distinctive storytelling have earned him widespread recognition across the music industry. He has been praised

by The New Yorker, The New

Call for your tour to come visit our community today!

2024 County Road 24, Elkhart, IN 46517 | 574-295-9058 opsliving.com/elkhart-place

York Times, Pitchfork, Rolling Stone and Variety, and has amassed hundreds of millions of streams worldwide. Earlier this year, he received his first Grammy Award nomination, marking an important milestone in his fast-growing career.

“We are incredibly excited to welcome Charley Crockett to the Elkhart County 4-H Fair,” said Nick Kieffer, Elkhart County 4-H Fairgrounds president-elect. “His unique sound, authenticity and rising stardom make him an exceptional fit for our 2026 lineup. This will be a concert our community will not want to miss.”

Tickets are on sale now at 4hfair.org. Additional 2026 Fair entertainment announcements will be released soon. For the latest updates, follow the Elkhart County 4-H Fair on social media or visit 4hfair.org.

www.seniorlifenewspapers.com

January 2026 ■ SENIOR LIFE — ELKO Edition ■ 15

Blast to the Past! -

‘50 Ways to Leave Your Lover’ Paul Simon, in partnership with heavenly voiced Art Garfunkel, established himself as a major recording force A Boomer Blast To The Past during the By RANDAL 1960s. When C. HILL Simon and Garfunkel went their separate ways in 1970, each continued as a solo act.

While Garfunkel recorded a few successful albums, Simon consistently did him better, especially with “Still Crazy After All These Years,” his solo LP that reached Number One on Billboard. It is from this disc that “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover” came, following such previous hits as “Mother and Child Reunion” and “Loves Me Like a Rock.”

In 1975, Paul and his first wife, Peggy Harper, called it quits after six years of marriage. One day, Simon had their 3-year-old son Harper at his Manhattan apartment, and Paul was trying to teach the lad how to rhyme words.

Paul’s enjoyable endeavors ended up working their way into “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover,” a masterfully crafted piece of storytelling. Here Simon presents a snapshot of the tale as a dialogue, almost as a scene from a movie, as we witness his protagonist rushing from the ruins of a marriage into a (hopefully) better situation this time around.

Unlike numerous country classics, Paul’s creation of a divorce song doesn’t get bogged down with self-pity or overwrought reflection. One can almost imagine the New Yorkborn musical poet slyly winking as his rhyming list unfolds without a trace of viciousness or callousness.

He recorded “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover” around the rat-a-tat-tat of a military-style drumbeat and was backed up by three women singers of note - Valerie Simpson, Patti Austin and Phoebe Snow; their voices, though, are pushed into the background so as not to distract from Paul’s playful poetry.

During the narrator’s journey, his awaiting lady friend offers what she thinks will help assuage Simon’s concerns about his departure: “The problem is all inside your head,” she said to me “The answer is easy if you take it logically “I’d like to help you in your struggle to be free “There must be 50 ways to leave your lover.”

Did Paul actually did come up with exactly 50 clever lines involving the abandoning of a relationship? The answer is yes, but only five survived the

limitations of a vinyl 45 at the time: “You just slip out the back, Jack “Make a new plan, Stan “You don’t need to be coy, Roy “Hop on the bus, Gus “Just drop off the key, Lee.” Paul Simon fans were thus deprived of a number of clever gems: “Act like a slob, Bob “Flee to a cave, Dave “Keep on lyin’, Brian “Offer to pay alimony, Tony “Finally use that canoe, Lou “Jump off the Staten Island ferry, Jerry “Say they’re not funny, Sunny.”

Paul has married twice more - to actress Carrie Fisher, then

APARTMENT LIVING

Paul Simon

to singer Edie Brickell.

He has always dismissed “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover” as merely “a nonsense song.”

Nonsense? Hardly. In fact, this clever concoction proves that you were really on the ball, Paul!

Bibliography - Book: Bronson, Fred. “The Billboard Book of Number One Hits (Third Edition),” (p. 428) New York: Billboard Publications, Inc., 1992. Internet: Breihan, Tom. “’50 Ways to Leave Your Lover’

by Paul Simon,” Aug. 23, 2019; stereogum.com. The Simon quote is from here; Leonetti, Michael. “The Other 45 Ways to Leave Your Lover That Paul Simon Didn’t Want You to See,” April 6, 2020, pointsincase.com.

A 2011 PHOTO — Paul Simon playing his guitar at the 9:30 Club in Washington, D.C., May 27, 2011. Photo by Matthew Straubmuller, ffrom flickr.com/photos/imatty35/5766935439/imatty35/.

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16 ■ SENIOR LIFE — ELKO Edition ■ January 2026

Health & Fitness

Bursitis doesn’t have to become a pain in the neck

By JAMES GAFFNEY Mature Life Features You pick up your newborn grandchild and feel all of the joy and love in your heart that a proud grandparent is expected to experience when a throbbing pain in your shoulder ruins that special moment.

Bursitis happens.

It occurs when a bursa is inflamed. We each have about 160 bursae in our body.

These little, fluid-filled sacs cushion pressure and lubricate points between our bones, tendons, and muscles near our joints. They’re lined with synovial cells that produce a lubricant to reduce friction. This cushioning and lubrication allow our joints to move easily.

When a person has bursitis - inflammation of the bursa - movement or pressure is painful.

Overuse, injury and an infection from gout or rheumatoid arthritis may cause bursitis. Any bursa can become affected, but the most common places are the shoulder, elbow, ankle, knee, buttocks, hip and thigh.

Many cases are mild so lots of people with bursitis sit it out or self-treat and never see a doctor about it. Medical experts estimate one in every 200 patient visits are because of bursitis.

Bursitis is accompanied by

CA7L4 L 5 30 295-22 5 M-F 12-

one or more of the following symptoms: pain that increases with movement or pressure, tenderness even without movement, swelling, and loss of movement.

Bursitis is caused by an infection and may include these additional symptoms: fever, the affected area is red, and the affected area feels hot when touched.

Bursitis can be caused by an injury, infection, or preexisting conditions in which crystals can form in the bursa.

An injury can irritate the tissue inside the bursa and cause inflammation. Bursitis caused by an injury usually takes time to develop.

Instances of bursitis include: • Tennis elbow: common among tennis players and golfers, repetitive bending of the elbow can lead to injury and inflammation.

• Clergyman’s knee: repeated kneeling can cause injury and swelling to the bursae in the knee.

• Shoulder: caused by repeated overhead lifting or reaching upwards.

• Ankle: can be caused by walking too much and with the wrong shoes. It’s also common among ice skaters and athletes.

• Buttocks: the bursae in that area can become inflamed after sitting on a hard surface, such as a bicycle, for

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Mature Life Features Copyright 2025

Making a will won’t kill you

By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features If you want to get the last laugh on your family, don’t make a will.

Let them squirm while they squabble about who should get what when you’re gone.

It’s a fine way to get even.

But whether you like them or not, you’d be smarter to make out a will delineating the disposition of your belongings so the government won’t get them.

Writing out a simple will - “I leave my watch to my oldest son and my baseball-card collection to my youngest son and my wedding ring to my daughter” - on your kitchen table and

having a couple of neighbors witness it is still a simple and basic step toward shielding your assets from the coffers of the Capitol.

Stationery stores have handy write-your-own-will forms that require signatures of two witnesses after your wishes are written.

A will is an easy estate-planning tool to ensure that your goods go where you want them to go instead of leaving the decision in the hands of the courts.

It also eliminates much of the legal costs that can arise out of disputed estate claims.

A written will - you should talk about this and other estate plans with an attorney who

specializes in such matters avoids leaving the disposal of your assets and heirlooms open to legal maneuvering. It also can lessen the burden of death, estate, property and all sorts of other taxes local, state and federal politicians keep piling up on their side of the ledger.

You also should name an executor to process and administer the terms of your final testament.

There’s plenty of assistance available on the shelves at your local library or on the Internet if you don’t want to take on the expense of an attorney or proceed to more detailed estate-planning processes.

Mature Life Features Copyright 2025

Breathing a bit easier This is “Not so good; it’s a little fishy. about a medI’d try something else.” ical concern You don’t get this kind of honesty from your average nurse.

I had last “Is this Dr. Jones a good rasummer. I’m diologist?” fine, but this “He’s no Dr. Smith, but I’m is my only sure you’ll will be OK. Maybe chance to you should try someone else.” write funny Jill explained to me that after stuff about a the procedure I would return lung biopsy. I IN A to the recovery area and would hope.

NUTSHELL not be allowed out of bed for any When I

By DICK reason for two hours. “So I am arrived at WOLFSIE going to encourage you to go to the hospital, the bathroom now,” she said.

I met Jill, the RN, and immediately asked her if the doctor “How are you going to do assigned to me was good at that?” I asked. what he did. Jill confirmed he The nurse seemed confused was “the best we have here.” I by my attempt at being funny, admire nurses, but I don’t think but my wife became absolutely they are as forthcoming as hysterical at this remark. There waitresses. was even some talk of sedating “How’s the tilapia tonight, her.

Tina?”

I wanted to know if I was the If you are turning 65 or retiring, call us today

physician’s first patient that morning, because the needle probe requires really good aim and I was hoping he had a chance to warm up on someone else first. When I saw the doctor, he informed me that we’d be talking to each other during the biopsy, but I would have no memory of what I said. He promised me that, in the very unlikely event I said something amusing (he apparently reads my column every week), he’d note it on my chart.

During the four hours I was there, the staff constantly asked my name and date of birth, confirming that I was the right person getting the correct procedure, and also to see if the meds they had administered were affecting my ability to recall information. Sometimes the same people asked me this question over and over again, so I started to set up a time to learn more about Medicare to worry about their memories.

If you are turning 65 or retiring, call us today Later, the staff brought me Advantage plans. lunch, but before I took a bite, to set up a time to learn more about Medicare I today had to confirm my name and If you are turning 65 or retiring, call us With one-to-one support from an agent, you can Advantage plans. date of birth again. This time to set up a time learn more about Medicare get clear, helpful answers to all to your Medicare it was because the hospital will not buy you a meal if you’re plans.

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And you can IV many got clogged up with mashed questions, bigyour and specific small. why so as which best meet health, enroll withplans confidence, knowing that 4 You’ll out oflearn 5 potatoes. The nurse said she people choose Medicare Advantage, was required to note it on my budget and medication needs.

And you can members recommend UnitedHealthcare Medicare as well medical records. Technically, it as which plans best meet your specific health, enroll withcoverage. confidence, knowing that 4 out of 5 Advantage was a blockage. budget andUnitedHealthcare medication needs.

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Contact us today I told the nurses how incredPlans are insured throughat UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company or one of its 1-844-236-3281, TTY 711. ibly nice everyone had been. affiliated companies, a Medicare Advantage organization with a Medicare contract Contact us today She informed me that the staff and a Medicare-approved Part D sponsor. Enrollment in these plans depends on treats the plan’s contract renewal with Medicare. May 2024.

Member recommendations TTY 711.everyone the same way, at 1-844-236-3281, no matter who they are. But just based on Human8, May 2023. © 2025 United HealthCare Services, Inc. All Rights to be sure, I told her anyway: Reserved. Y0066_P1856400_C P1856400 Richard Wolfsie, March 5, 1947.

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January 2026 ■ SENIOR LIFE — ELKO Edition ■ 17

Assisted Living, nursing And rehAbiLitAtion guide Brentwood at Elkhart Assisted Living

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Mason Health Care

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Green Oaks of Goshen

282 Johnston Street, Goshen, IN 46528 (574) 501-5342 marketing@greenoaks-goshen.com

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Greencroft Goshen

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701 Windridge Drive, Middlebury, IN 46540 (574) 825-6785 Greencroft.org/GreencroftMiddlebury

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Greenleaf Health Campus

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

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18 ■ SENIOR LIFE — ELKO Edition ■ January 2026

Be like a good Scout at tax time

By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features Be prepared.

This maxim emblazoned in Boy Scout lore also applies to the thorny annual chore known as “doing my taxes.” It’s never too early to prepare for filing your income-tax return.

The simple system of keeping receipts and monthly statements can save you a lot of aspirin at filing time. It can also cut down on your cost of tax preparation, since the less time your tax preparer has to spend on your return, the lower the bill.

Three basic items will help establish a workable record-keeping system: • Your checkbook register.

• A clutch of file folders for financial statements and receipts.

• A workbook to log any business-related expenses, such as mileage, subscriptions, and entertainment.

If you’re self-employed, keep a daily log of activities - phone calls, appointments, and lunches, for example. It needn’t be complicated, just a simple list to corroborate your checkbook-register entries and credit-card statements.

Your tax preparer can advise you on how to make this basic program work best for you. They might suggest that you update your files monthly.

It’s always wise to call your tax accountant early because the rules keep changing. By starting

early, you’ll be aware of what you’ll need to wrap up your current year’s tax filing.

Remember that banks, bosses, and brokerage houses - almost anyone paying you an income of any sort - reports these transactions to the Internal Revenue Service. The agency gets all these notices and its computers try to match up the information from these sources with the information you prepare and file.

Besides staying ahead of the game by being prepared, keep in mind that the IRS makes mistakes. It’s easy to foul up a Social Security number, for example, and you might get an IRS notice based on garbled data.

One tax preparer recounts

often an incident in which a bank’s report to the IRS of a customer’s mortgage interest payment was read as interest income. The taxpayer was then notified by the IRS of a disparity in tax owed to the government because of this “additional income.”

If you receive any notification from a taxing agency, check all the items listed and turn the matter over to your tax preparer. If a simple reply letter can solve the matter, send the letter yourself to save tax-preparer fees.

Mature Life Features Copyright 2025

Replace missing manuals

By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features It’s time to repair your ailing air-conditioning unit. Or your fridge is on the fritz and you need your manual to help rectify the problem. Do you know where it is?

Besides being a link to the world of information and research, the internet also allows you to check with the manufacturer’s website to seek out a manual for the proper model of your particular product.

Mature Life Features Copyright 2025

HEALTH SERVICES DIRECTORY FOR LISTING CALL MARLA AT 1-866-580-1138 EXT. 2319

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AGING & WELLNESS RESOURCES

AGING CONNECTIONS Serving Northern IN & Southwest MI www.agingconnections.org

Trusted Resource Directory: Visit our searchable website to find vetted professionals providing services in your area for aging resources, education, and information. For more details, check our Community Calendar for events and FREE educational meetings. Aging Connections is a 501(c)(3) Non-profit Organization.

ALZHEIMERS/DEMENTIA SERVICES

ALZHEIMER’S & DEMENTIA SERVICES OF NORTHERN INDIANA, INC. (ALZNI) 111 Sunnybrook Ct. South Bend, IN 46637 (574) 232-4121 https://alzni.org/

Providing specialized education, support, and resources for caregivers and those affected by Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias including screenings, support groups and programming.

ALZHEIMERS/MEMORY CARE

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

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ALZHEIMERS/MEMORY CARE

GREENLEAF LIVING CENTER 1201 E. Beardsley Ave. Elkhart, IN 46514 (574) 206-0086 www.greenleafhs.com

“We treat our residents with the same love and dignity that we would expect for our own loved ones. Fulfi lling activities with our Daily Rhythms programming that stimulate the mind and offer socialization.”

SIGNATURE HealthCARE OF BREMEN 316 Woodies Lane Bremen, IN 46506 (574) 546-3494 SHCofBremen.com liaison2.bremen@signaturehealthcarellc.com

Our Gated Community is a smaller, dedicated unit for comfort and safety for Alzheimer’s and Dementia Residents. We offer Enhanced Quality of Life Programming which includes cognitive strengths, life skills, daily movement, power of music, artistic expression, creativity and socialization.

ASSISTED LIVING

REAL SERVICES, INC. 1151 South Michigan Street South Bend, IN 46601 Phone (574) 233-8205 www.realservices.org

Helping seniors and caregivers access meals, transportation, in-home and aging-in-place services, senior programs, healthy aging, guardianship and other aging services.

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A Trilogy Senior Living Community

MY MOTHER’S HOUSE, LLC 55665 County Road 14 Bristol, IN 46507 (574) 202-7091 mymothershouse2022@gmail.com

We provide a compassionate environment where your loved one will be treated like family in our private care home.

WATERFORD CROSSING 1212 Waterford Circle Goshen, IN 46526 (574) 537-0300 www.waterfordcrossingsl.com

Licensed Assisted Living, Alzheimer’s Unit, Memory Support Unit On Campus, Long Term Care, Temporary Care, Private/Semi-Private Rooms, Pet Visitation Allowed, Daily Activities

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January 2026 ■ SENIOR LIFE — ELKO Edition ■ 19

HEALTH SERVICES DIRECTORY FOR LISTING CALL MARLA AT 1-866-580-1138 EXT. 2319

CONTINUING CARE COMMUNITY

BRICKYARD ELKHART HEALTH CARE CENTER 1001 W. Hively Ave. Elkhart, IN 46517 (574) 294-7641 brickyardhc.com

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HOME CARE SERVICES

SENIORS HELPING SENIORS Serving St. Joseph, Elkhart and LaGrange counties (574) 385-3900 info@shsnorthernin.com We provide in-home care services that brighten the lives of seniors. Our mature caregivers, many are seniors themselves, make life easier through compassionate, caring support. VA Provider, Long-Term Care Insurance and Private Pay.

HOSPICE

Comfort 1 Hospice 118 W. Edison Rd., Suite 200 Mishawaka, IN 46545 (574) 387-4117 www.Comfort1Hospice.com

Our homegrown team of local health care providers offer comfort and compassion to those with lifelimiting illnesses in our community. We Can Help!

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Goshen MAJESTIC CARE OF GOSHEN 2400 W. College Avenue Goshen, IN 46526 (574) 533-0351 www.MajesticCare.com/Location/Goshen

Memory Care Unit, Rehabilitation Unit, Skilled Licensed Nursing, Semi-Skilled Nursing or Intermediate Care, Therapies: Speech-Occupational-Respiratory-Physical, Long Term Care, Temporary Care, Private/Semi-Private Rooms, Pet Visitation Allowed, Medicare and/or Medicaid

HOME CARE SERVICES

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HOME HEALTHCARE AGENCY

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20 ■ SENIOR LIFE — ELKO Edition ■ January 2026

Finance

When Mr. Dow met Mr. Jones

By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features Nearly everyone has asked: what is or was a Dow Jones Average? Is it a person, place or just a business moniker? It’s all of the above.

It is a weekday reading of 30 key American stocks reflecting the nation’s business climate.

Charles Dow and Edward Jones met as writers at the Providence Evening Press. Jones could skillfully and quickly analyze a financial report. They were committed to reporting on Wall Street without bias.

Other reporters at the time could be bribed into reporting favorably on a company to drive up stock prices. Dow and Jones refused to do so.

They believed Wall Street needed a financial news bureau.

So they started the business

firm of Dow, Jones & Co. in 1882.

They developed an intricate system of reporting business news that allowed investors and business leaders to keep track of daily stock pricing.

In 1883, the company started an afternoon two-page business summary called the Customers’ Afternoon Letter. Their daily stock report included nine railroads, one steamship line, and Western Union.

By 1889, the partners realized it was time to transform their two-page news summary into a real newspaper. They founded the Wall Street Journal daily business newspaper.

The first issue of the WSJ appeared July 8, 1889. It cost 2 cents per issue or $5 for a oneyear subscription. Dow was the editor and Jones managed the desk work.

Although his name wasn’t on

WALL STREET JOURNALIST — Charles Henry Dow, American journalist and founder of The Wall Street Journal and Dow Jones & Company. Dow is recognized for creating the Dow Jones Industrial Average, one of the most widely followed stock market indices in the world. Photo from Fyllis Hockman, Mature Life Features. the Dow Jones Co.’s logo, Charles Bergstresser became an important founding partner.

The three journalists opened a wire service in 1882 that delivered news to investment houses along Wall Street. Their operation was in a basement of a building next door to the New York Stock Exchange.

Bergstresser chose to be a silent partner. His strength lay in his interviewing skills. Jones once remarked Bergstresser could make a wooden Indian talk and tell the truth.

The WSJ has become one of the most respected financial publications in the world. It developed a series of principles for understanding and analyzing market behavior that later became the groundwork for technical analysis.

Charles Dow often warned

DOW JONES CO-FOUNDER — Edward Davis Jones, a statistical expert and co-founder with Charles Dow of Dow Jones & Company. Jones was instrumental in developing the firm’s financial news services and the methodologies behind the original stock averages. Photo from Fyllis Hockman, Mature Life Features.

his WSJ staff reporters about exchanging slanted stories for stock tips or free stock. Crusading for honesty in financial reporting, Dow published the names of companies that hesitated to give their information about profit and loss. Soon after, the newspaper gained power and respect from the reading public.

Vermont Royster, later the editor of the WSJ, said “Dow always believed business information was not the ‘private province of brokers and tycoons.’”

Dow came up with a simple tracking system to monitor the nation’s daily business climate.

By tracking the closing stock price of 12 companies, adding up the stock prices, and dividing the total by 12, Dow came up with his “stock average.” In 1896, the first such average appeared in the WSJ. Later, the Dow Jones

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Co. expanded the report to a “20 Active Stock” index, which included 18 railroad and two non-rail stocks That has been expanded and is known as the “Dow Jones Industrial Average,” or DJIA. In 1893, many mergers began taking place, resulting in the formation of huge corporations.

These corporations sought markets for their stock shares. The wildly speculative market meant investors needed information about stock activity, hence the active stock listing became vital to investors.

By 1898, the WSJ was a morning daily newspaper covering more than just financial news.

Unlike other newspapers, the WSJ reported on such events as war without added rhetoric. Dow also added editorial columns called “Review and Outlook” and “Answers to Inquirers” in which readers sent in investment questions.

Jones retired in 1899, but Dow and Bergstresser stayed on. Dow continued writing editorials, focusing on the government’s position regarding American business. The WSJ set a precedent in reporting during the election of 1900 by endorsing White House incumbent President William McKinley. He was re-elected with Theodore Roosevelt as vice president.

Over the years many companies have been added or subtracted depending upon their company’s financial position. For example, K-Mart was dropped a few years ago. General Electric and Western Union were the only companies that survived the ups and downs of the many DJIA listings, but they no longer are among today’s 30 Dow industrials.

The current DJIA consists of 30 stocks and remains one of the world’s oldest and most popular stock indices.

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January 2026 ■ SENIOR LIFE — ELKO Edition ■ 21

6,000 years of history survive in Egypt

By FYLLIS HOCKMAN Mature Life Features I’m looking over the Nile River from a hotel balcony in Cairo, Egypt - a fantasy land I’ve heard about my whole life. I needed to revel in the moment.

I was about to begin a magical journey through 6,000 years of history, and then accept the hard truth. How do you recapture 60 centuries of history in words? All I can do is let you experience a little bit of Egypt the way I did.

Consider first a stop at the Egyptian Museum as an introduction to the many iconic sites across the country.

Amid the many monochromatic miles lies Sakkara, a sprawling complex of temples, pyramids and crypts. The largest of the many tombs is the Step Pyramid of King Zoser. It dates back to 2650 B.C.E. and remains the oldest stone structure in the world.

The statue of Ramses II in Memphis that’s 3,200 years old is an intimidating size - about 36 feet tall, and that’s with its legs cut off. Ramses reigned for 67 years, the longest of all the pharaohs, and was the most prolific builder of temples. His list of 55 wives and 115 children is pretty impressive, too.

The Valley of the Kings outside Luxor takes you deeper into the tombs of the most famous of Egypt’s rulers. These pharaohs had their tombs chiseled deep into the sides of desolate cliffs.

Because they had been sealed so long, the walls preserved their colors to look as if they were just painted. Deeply etched carvings depicted in hieroglyphic symbols described the journey to the afterlife appear as if they were recently crafted.

Our guide, Hussien, spoke fluent hieroglyphics and could read the walls like a storybook. Thus, we learned of the royal lives of the kings and the everyday lives of the villagers from 5,000 years ago. Sort of ironic that our country celebrates the historic lives of the colonists who lived 250 years ago in Williamsburg.

Pyramids have always been a fanciful figment far away and so long ago, but nothing I could personally relate to - until now.

Landscapes were reshaped to the ego of the pharaoh to ensure his safe journey into the next life along with all the accoutrements - jewelry, foodstuffs, furniture, chariots, weapons - he

EGYPT’S ENDURING MONUMENT — One of the massive Giza Pyramids that tower over the Egyptian Desert, on the outskirts of methad acquired.

The Pyramids of Giza pretty much define Egypt. No matter what else you see, this probably will be where your mind’s eye returns whenever you look back on the trip.

The Great Pyramid, at 480 feet tall and built more than 4,500 years ago, is the last of the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World to still stand. Looking at the 2 million to 3 million massive boulders hauled around the clock from limestone quarries 20 miles away over a 20-year span, I could imagine the 10,000 workers sweating and straining to create this eternal edifice in honor of the pharaoh Khufu.

“Take some time to revel in the history embedded in every block of stone and the incomprehensible size of each structure standing tall in the desert sand,” intoned Hussien.

From afar, the surface of the pyramid looks smooth. As you get closer, you can see the enormity of each stone, several feet in diameter, carefully placed beside and atop the others. To look at the pyramids astride a camel added a whole new level of authenticity not usually associated with standard sightseeing options. As I climbed newly embedded stairs onto the pyramid itself, I wondered if Khufu would take offense.

I was pretty sure I wasn’t going to be impressed by the size of anything else anytime soon.

And then we came to the Sphinx

ropolitan Giza. Photo from dreamstime, Mature Life Features.

STONE SENTINEL — The Great Sphinx of Giza, a limestone statue with the head of a human and the body of a lion, guards the adjacent Great Pyramid of Giza, the largest and oldest of the three pyramids in the Giza necropolis. Photo from Fyllis Hockman, Mature Life Features.

- the inscrutable and mysterious Sphinx, equally as old and carved from almost one piece of limestone. The head of a man and the body of a lion represent the combination of intelligence and strength attributed to the pharaohs.

While our OAT tour took a deeper dive into other ancient temple complexes as well as a taste of Egyptian lifestyle and culture, archaeologists have announced that they have uncovered yet another trove of ancient artifacts at the necropolis of

Sakkara, including mummies and bronze statues dating back 2,500 years.

I suspect that will continue to be true for quite some time. After all, it’s been going on for 6,000 years.

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Travel

From Liberty Hall To The High Seas:

America marks its semiquincentennial

By VICTOR BLOCK Guest Columnist In Philadelphia recently, a crowd gathered to enjoy a “Musical Medley,” a reenactment of George Washington’s commissioning and wreath-laying at the tomb of the Unknown Revolutionary War Soldier.

It was a collection of historic ships along the Delaware River which people checked out and were allowed to board.

Other folks have been climbing into an Airstream travel trailer which is making a yearlong cross-country tour. Once inside, they’re recording stories of their family history, honoring a local hero or simply describing what it means to them to be an American.

These are among countless examples of activities being undertaken, and planned, to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. They all recall the moment when the Founding Fathers, gathered in Philadelphia, declared independence of the 13 American colonies from Great Britain.

This historic event joined together disparate people with equally diverse backgrounds.

It included Virginia, where Jamestown was established in 1607 as the first permanent English settlement in the New World. The Massachusetts Plymouth Colony, created in 1620. And Maryland, founded

by Lord Baltimore in 1632.

These and other states, and cities, have planned a year-long list of festivities to recognize and honor this special birthContinued on page 23

EXTENDED SAILINGS — American Cruise Lines’ American Symphony will provided extended sailings honoring the nation’s founding. Photo by American Cruise Lines.

RIVER CRUISES — American Cruise Lines’ American Eagle will be launching extended river cruises throughout 2026. Photo provided

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FORMER HOSPITAL — The Grand Opera House, Wilmington, Del., is the former site of a hospital that treated wounded from both sides. Photo by Jon Bilous, Dreamstime.com.

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January 2026 ■ SENIOR LIFE — ELKO Edition ■ 23

Travel

HONORING REVOLUTIONARY WAR SOLDIERS — The Tomb of the Unknown Revolutionary War Soldier, located in Washington Square, Philadelphia, Pa., honors the HISTORICAL SITE — Independence Hall National Historical Park, where the Decla- thousands of soldiers who died during the American Revolutionary War. Photo by Ark. ration of Independence was signed. Photo by F11 photo, Dreamstime.com.

Neyman, Dreamstime.com.

America marks Continued from page 22

day. Some will be solemn and serious, others less so. All will attract people from near and far who are seeking to recall and commemorate the nation’s birth, past and accomplishments. Wherever you live, whatever your interests there’s sure to be a choice of exciting, and educational, events that you may wish to take in.

Indiana will do its part to join in the celebration. Among activities in the Hoosier State will be Pioneer Day, a Colonial Fair and a deep dive into the events and causes of the American Revolution.

The festivities in Philadelphia is part of a year-long party. The Declaration of

Got the blues?

Hit the door

By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features The first step toward combating loneliness could to be just walking out your front door, according to mental-health experts.

Feeling isolated and alone has become a growing problem in today’s society. One simple solution is simply to get involved in an activity that interests you. Outdoor activities can bring interaction with others who have similar interests, whether that includes taking scuba diving or canoeing lessons, joining a bicycle or camping club, getting involved in community outreach or church groups, or any number of creative alternatives.

Whatever activity you pick, make sure it’s something you like. Make lifestyle changes that will stick, and new and better relationships will follow.

Mature Life Features Copyright 2025

ANSWERS:

Independence and wording of the U.S. Constitution were both debated and signed there at Independence Hall. Close by is the Liberty Bell, which was used to summon lawmakers to legislative sessions and to alert citizens to public meetings and proclamations.

At the Museum of the American Revolution, located just steps away from Independence Hall, immersive galleries, interactive exhibits and theater experiences relate compelling stories of the people and complex events that helped to spark the rebellion.

Celebration of the birth of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps in the self-proclaimed City of Brotherly Love got underway this fall with a parade of ships along the Delaware River, a

Toast to the Navy gala, and a gathering meeting at the tavern, which was the birthplace of the Marine Corps.

States also will get into the action. A web-based hub has been posted which helps residents of, and visitors to, Delaware locate sites associated with the semiquincentennial remembrance. It includes a threeday Revolutionary War driving itinerary; a calendar of events listing special exhibitions and other related activities, and an overview places with strong ties to the Revolutionary War. These include Cooch’s Bridge, sight of the only significant military action in the state, and the Grand Opera House, former site of a hospital that treated wounded from both sides during the fighting.

A road trip through Massachusetts is like an immersion in history. That state kicked off its fetes by reliving the Battle of Lexington when - on April 19, 1775 - the British sent 700 soldiers from Boston to destroy ammunition and other supplies and the town’s militia confronted them, leaving eight colonists dead. George Washington wrote “The first blood was spilt,” and the American Revolutionary War had begun.

After Lexington, the British marched to Concord to ransack more equipment. Among displays at that town’s museum is the iron-and-glass lantern that Paul Revere famously carried during the “midnight ride” recalled in the familiar poem written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.

Events in Philadelphia and along the Delaware River recalling and recounting the genesis of the U.S. Navy aren’t the only water-related activities planned. American Cruise Lines, the largest river cruise company in the country, will launch an array of extended sailings throughout the year in honor of the nation’s founding.

They will include Great United States, Spring Across America and Civil War Battlefields itineraries.

Whether you prefer to wander by water, mull over museum displays or check out places where important chapters of U.S. history were written, numerous opportunities abound throughout the country to celebrate the nation’s special birthday.

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24 ■ SENIOR LIFE — ELKO Edition ■ January 2026

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