Free Living Life After 50

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By LILLI DWYER Staff Writer
The Magical Meadows started in 2007 with “a young man with autism, a horse named Magic and my driveway,” said owner and founder Tammy Stackhouse.
The Magical Meadows offers therapeutic horseback riding to children and adults with disabilities, at risk children, veterans and first responders.
Stackhouse, a former medical worker and school bus driver, was approached by the mother of one of her students with an idea. Knowing Stackhouse had horses, she was curious about therapeutic horseback riding for her son.
“I knew nothing about it, began to research it and fell in love with the concept because with having horses, I knew how healing they were in my
EQUINE FRIEND — Volunteer Kerry Coulter pets Midnight the
life. I could see how beneficial it could be for disabilities,” Stackhouse said.
Eighteen years later, the facility is up to 42 acres, 23
Since then, the
horses and nine dedicated staff members. About 120 riders are served weekly, including Stackhouse’s first rider, now 33. Riding and challenges like weaving through poles on
horseback offer many benefits, Stackhouse said, that complement traditional therapies.
“There’s stretching, hand/eye coordination, vocalization, eye contact, communication. We try
to encourage things the kids struggle with ... Even if they do nothing but sit on that horse, they are receiving benefits because the movement of the horse is exactly like the moveContinued on page 2
By NATHAN PACE Staff Writer
Dawn Wilkinson had worked as a trauma nurse for 22 years and realized she needed to make a change. It did not take long for Wilkinson to chart a new course through the Kosciusko Economic Development Corporation, or KEDCO.
“It’s kind of funny because you would think that trauma nursing and economic development are very different, but in a lot of ways there are a lot of similarities,” Wilkinson said. “It’s not life and death like it is in the hospital, but it is very important to people’s lives and they and the economics of our community, so just managing all those different roles at the same time is a similar skillset.”
Wilkinson was born in Warsaw but her family would move to South Whitley. She met her
husband, David, while attending Whitko High School and the couple raised their kids there.
During this time, Wilkinson was a trauma nurse, but the COVID-19 pandemic combined with caring for her own mother made Wilkinson reconsider her career.
“It had kind of ran its course. Mother passed away and after caring for her I left nursing,” Wilkinson said. “Just took a step back. After doing that I realized I was bored. I didn’t really want to return to nursing but I didn’t want to stay home.”
She was soon connected with KEDCO about an office assistant job. The role expanded when personnel changes allowed Wilkinson to be more active in the organization. For about a six-month stretch in 2024, many had to wear multiple hats until a new CEO arrived in Peggy Friday. Wilkinson now has the role as di-
rector of projects and operations.
“There was a lot of us who had to pick up some things that we hadn’t normally been doing. I had the opportunity to start getting involved with projects at work. I was fortunate to grow in that role a little bit more,” Wilkinson said. “We have a very supportive board of directors. A wonderful staff that all work for the same goal of increasing the wealth and benefits of everyone in the county.”
She and David Wilkinson have since moved to Syracuse, where he serves as town manager. The couple has three grown children in Trevor, Alec and Emily.
“It’s great to be back in the community where my parents grew up and graduated from. Kosciusko is such a great county,” Wilkinson said. “We are very fond of this area. The county just has so much to offer with all the lakes and all the recreation. It’s a big county landmass-wise.”
Wilkinson says she feels settled into her job and is excited to continue improving the communities in Kosciusko County. She enjoys the feedback KEDCO receives and how communities get a better understanding with each passing year of what KEDCO is capable of.
Continued from page 1
ment of our muscles when we walk or run,” she explained. Learning to ride can offer emotional benefits as well as physical.
“Through the years, people have said, ‘how can you get them to sit up straight, how can you get them to do this?’ Well, it’s that horse that is giving them the courage, the confidence, the opportunity. Those kids rarely show any sense of fear,” Stackhouse said. “It’s beautiful to watch them do things that so many times they’re told they can’t. To watch a wheelchair sit on the ramp and the kid be
“I think that word is getting out a little better than what it used to be, but I think we still have a little work to do. We touch on retaining businesses that are currently here and we work, obviously, to bring new business to the county,” Wilkinson said. “We have so many great towns and communities. Warsaw is a wonderful community, as is Winona Lake. We have some great pocket communities that I love in Silver Lake, Mentone and Claypool. Those are all communities full of people who have a lot of love for the place they live. Working with them has been really close to me.”
lifted onto the horse where they can sit up tall and do things just like everybody else ... It’s a sense of pride, of accomplishment, of joy.”
Currently, The Magical Meadows is working on its Growing With Heart campaign. The organization is looking to expand with two new indoor riding arenas, one being dedicated to the veterans and first responders program it started a few years ago. Warriors Mount Up is designed to give riders a sense of peace and connection with nature.
“Now that program is really beginning to expand ... PTSD
doesn’t only happen on Mondays, and that’s the only day we really have available for them with our classes. This gives them the chance to have that space and that care,” Stackhouse explained.
The Magical Meadows is also planning to offer more classes for its disabled riders with the other arena, as well as looking into partnerships with Joe’s Kids and other organizations that provide physical, occupational and other therapies.
The Magical Meadows runs mainly on volunteers, and Stackhouse noted no prior experience with horses is necessary. Anyone interested can learn to groom the horses and lead riders through their sessions.
“Pretty soon you forget you’re walking next to a 1,200 pound animal,” she remarked.
Judy Himora, 70, hadn’t worked with horses when she started volunteering 11 years ago. Himora used to work for Whitko Community School Corporation.
“We brought the kids out here, I saw what they did and thought it was cool,” she recalled. “I mow, I trim, take care of the dogs, the horses, I’m with the riders. Whatever’s needed.”
She enjoys many aspects of volunteering there, including “being outside with the animals ... the kids are really cool. The adults, too, they’re really interesting. You never know from day to day what’s going to happen,” Himora said.
To learn more about The Magical Meadows’ programs, apply to volunteer or donate to the Growing With Heart campaign, visit themagicalmeadows.org or call (574) 265-3085.
DR. LAKELYN EICHENBERGER, PHD, Gerontologist
Home Instead, Inc., the world’s leading provider of in-home care for older adults, has teamed up with renowned nutrition expert and TV personality, Joy Bauer, to spotlight the powerful connection between nutritious food, longevity and meaningful aging in helping older adults age at home.
As a trusted voice in wellness and a No. 1 New York Times bestselling author, Bauer has built a career around helping people feel their best through food. Her collaboration with Home Instead centers on a shared belief: healthy aging begins at the table with care-
givers helping to lead the way.
“Cooking with — and for — my parents is the ultimate feel-good! It’s quality time together, and it enables me to fuel their health and vitality,” said Joy Bauer. “I’m excited to team up with Home Instead to demonstrate how nutritious meals can help older adults thrive, using simple and delicious recipes that provide joy at every age.”
Bauer joined Home Instead in New York City on April 16 for an intimate media event focused on Cooking for Longevity: sharing recipes, meal prep tips and stories that highlight how food can fuel wellness and connection.
With adults over 65 now outnumbering children for the first time in history, the
demand for aging support is skyrocketing, while the supply of caregivers struggles to keep up. This collaboration addresses that growing care gap, showing how Home Instead can step in to provide vital help with nutrition, meal prep and daily routines that support healthier aging at home.
As more people choose to age at home, the support of Home Instead makes this easier. From personal care and medication reminders to companionship, transportation and nutritious meal preparation, Home Instead helps older adults maintain independence, preserve dignity and continue living life on their own terms. Call Home Instead for more information, (574) 875-7777 or (574) 256-1479.
The Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Paddock Springs, Live Well Kosciusko, Stillwater Hospice, CARES and McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapels, is proud to present the upcoming Senior Expo & Outreach.
This will be a community-focused event designed to connect seniors and their families with the many resources, services, and activities available to enhance their well-being.
The expo will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, June 3, in the gymnasium at Lakeview Middle School, located at 848 E. Smith St., Warsaw. The event promises a full day of learning, connection, and fun.
“No,” I said to my wife. “They can’t do that again. It will completely mess us up.”
By DICK WOLFSIE
She knew I was correct. The city was changing the pickup day for recycling. It was going from Monday to Tuesday. Every other Tuesday. It didn’t take long for us to get confused.
“Is this the day we put out the recycling?” I asked Mary Ellen.
“I think it’s the right day. It may not be the right week.”
“We put it out last week, but they didn’t pick it up, so it must be this week.”
“But I think we put it out too late and we simply missed the truck,” said Mary Ellen. “Well, does anyone else have their recycle bin out?”
“Yes, Paul has his out,” I said.
“You can’t go by him. Paul still puts it out every Monday. He didn’t get the memo. He’s the cause of the confusion every week.”
“Wait, Eric is putting his out now. I’m going to put ours out, too.”
Eric called to me as I wheeled our recycling dumpsters out of the garage. “Dick, is this the correct Monday for the recycling?”
“No, it’s Tuesday since they made the change. But now I see Paul putting his out. Paul is a retired fireman. He knows how to put things out.”
“Paul, are you sure this is the week for recycling?”
“I don’t think it is, Dick, but I saw you guys putting yours out, and I figured you must know what you’re doing.”
Suddenly, about three garage doors opened and Maurizio, Susan and Dave all put their recycling containers at the curb.
The next thing we knew, all the neighbors had their yellow-lidded receptacles in their driveways.
Mary Ellen and I began to think about this.
“If this is the wrong week, everyone will blame us,” she said. “But I think we should blame it on Paul.”
We decided not to mess with the situation. We knew we had the correct day. But was it the right week? Tuesday at about 4 p.m. the bins were still sitting untouched, so I watched everyone haul their recyclables back into their garages. There were a lot of people talking trash about the Wolfsies.
The next morning was Wednesday and about 11 a.m. I headed outside to the mailbox. Just as I was putting the red flag up, Rays Recycling came from around the corner.
“NO, NO!” I screamed. “Not on a Wednesday.” Then I remembered that Monday was a holiday,
so everything was delayed a day. I dragged my bin to the curb. The huge arms extended from the sides of the truck, clutching the container and emptying the contents.
I felt guilty that I had messed up everyone on the block, so I organized a neighborhood meeting the next day. We created a recycling schedule for the next 20 years and emailed the spreadsheet with detailed information about what you should recycle and what you shouldn’t and we added a friendly reminder to all about which side of the bin should point toward the street.
The whole thing was educational, but I agree with Kermit the Frog. It’s not easy being green.
This event is generously sponsored by Blue Moon Estate Sales, Grace Village, Goshen Home Medical, Home Helpers, Miller’s Senior Living, Peabody, Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, Titus Funeral Home & Cremation and Visiting Angels.
The Senior Expo & Outreach will feature a wide range of exhibitors offering products and services tailored to senior living. From health and wellness resources to financial planning, home care and more, attendees will have the opportunity to explore valuable information and engage with local professionals. Informative speakers throughout the day will provide practical insights on senior health, safety and lifestyle enhancement.
Organizations and businesses interested in hosting a vendor booth can now register online. Limited booth space remains. To register, visit kchamber.com and click on the events tab.
The event is free and open to the public and is especially beneficial for seniors, caregivers, and family members looking to discover new ways to support aging well. Whether you’re seeking helpful services or simply looking for a day of meaningful connection, the Senior Expo & Outreach is an excellent opportunity to explore what’s available in the community and celebrate the value of senior living.
For more information, contact the Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce at events@kchamber.com or (574) 267-6311.
Melanie can brighten up the Interior of your home.
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By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features
Even before the coronavirus disrupted life on earth, health agencies here and in other nations had lists of immunizations required if you planned to see their sites.
Before traveling anywhere these days, make sure you know all the medical requirements for the places you’re visiting as well as local regulations governing what happens when you return home.
Mature Life Features Copyright 2025
CORPORATE OFFICE
“Excited to watch baseball,” said Brenda. “Excited to harvest peaches from my peach trees this summer,” said Shaun.
“I love the whole thing. Parades, the weather being nice, all of it.”
“Excited to play tennis and pickleball.”
“Hiking the trails of local parks. I love being outdoors and not working in it, listening to the birds, greeting people on the trails.”
“Watching baseball games.”
The Papers Incorporated, 206 S. Main St., P.O. Box 188, Milford, IN 46542. STAFF
Ron Baumgartner, Publisher rbaumgartner@the-papers.com
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Publication Manager/Account Executive
Marla Schroeder mschroeder@the-papers.com • 574-350-4488
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Elkhart/Kosciusko Edition
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EDITORIAL DEADLINES
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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tions, give us a call and we’ll walk
The Animal Welfare League of Kosciusko County is proud to honor and express heartfelt gratitude to its long-term donors whose unwavering commitment continues to save and enrich the lives of countless animals in the community.
For decades, the generosity of donors has empowered AWL to rescue, shelter, rehabilitate and re-home thousands of animals in need. From emergency medical care
to daily nourishment, enrichment programs and adoption services, every life-changing moment at AWL is made possible by your support.
“Long-term donors are the backbone of our mission,” said Executive Director Tonya Blanchard. “Their compassion and consistency allow us to not only care for animals today but also plan for a better, more humane tomorrow.”
Recent milestones include the generous Kosciusko Coun-
By JIM CARPENTER Guest Writer
As a young child, he read the comics.
From Superman, the Hulk, the Flash.
He even invented his own super power.
He thought it could make him some cash.
This super power that he made up, was about someone who could read minds.
He thought how cool that might be.
It seemed a neat power to find.
You would know just what a person was thinking.
What they had done or what they might do.
Even to know what they had for lunch.
Or a crisis they were going through.
To know what might be on their mind.
Their innermost thoughts revealed.
What a power that would be.
At just the thought, the boy was thrilled.
The years went by and the child grew.
His superpower interest diminished.
And now with the advent of social tech, his desire to read minds is finished.
ty resident who bequeathed his estate to AWL. This allowed AWL to pay off its mortgage and make a few needed improvements to its campus; however, AWL still has ongoing needs and expenses.
Shelter expenses were:
• 2023, $746,605.00.
• 2024, $828,382.00. Government funding:
• Warsaw, $100,000.
• Kosciusko County, $180,000.
AWL relies on donations and fundraising for the balance of its expenses.
AWL operates 365 days a year, caring for between 200-320 animals daily. To maintain appropriate care standards, this requires six to eight staff members on duty daily, resulting in an annual payroll expense of $470,783.44.
AWL continues to rely on these contributions to help ensure that every animal — whether abandoned, abused, or simply in need of a second chance — finds hope, healing, and a loving home.
“Ongoing support makes a lasting difference. Together, we are not just saving lives; we are building a compassionate community for animals and the people who love them,” said Blanchard.
70s Flashback —
Not all rewards involve money.
By RANDAL C. HILL
Edward “Shorty” Sweat was born in Holly Hill, S. C. in 1939. As one of nine children of a sharecropper, he grew up in a cinder-block house with no running water and a small woodstove to ward off winter’s chill. With only a sixth-grade education, he seemed destined to be picking cotton and tobacco during the years that lay ahead.
Fortunately for him, Holly Hill was also where U. S. Racing Hall of Fame trainer Lucien Laurin maintained a Thoroughbred horse farm. In 1957, Lauren offered Shorty a job after seeing the 18-year-old studying the animals through a fence surrounding the property. Sweat went to work as a full-time groom for Lucien’s stable of racehorses, in return for a small salary and a promise of 1% of the horses’ eventual winnings.
Eventually, Sweat became the farm’s most trusted and
valued groom. He drew especially close to the giant stallion Secretariat, who Sweat and the others called “Big Red.”
Shorty once told a reporter, “I guess a groom gets closer to a horse than anyone. The owner, the trainer, they maybe see him once a day. But I lived with Secretariat.” To monitor the great horse’s moods and cycles, Eddie often slept on a cot outside the beautiful stallion’s stall.
In 1973, Big Red became the first racehorse since 1948 to win the Triple Crown. His record-shattering victory at Belmont — he won by 31 lengths — is often considered the greatest race ever run by any Thoroughbred racehorse.
Ebony and Jet magazines featured Eddie Sweat stories and photos, while Secretariat graced the covers of Time, Newsweek and Sports Illustrated. An instant legend, Big Red was retired and lined up for what would amount to 16 years of stud service worth $6 million (about $45 million now). No stallion on the planet was worth more.
The magnificent beast would eventually sire 663 foals, including 59 racing winners that brought in $29 million on
racetracks throughout North America. In 1999, Secretariat became the first Thoroughbred to be featured on a U. S. postage stamp.
No one in the horseracing world understands these sublime creatures better than a focused, caring groom —and no one gets less credit. Although Shorty could be considered a sort of human security blanket to the champion animal, Secretariat’s owners treated Eddie as a racetrack gypsy, continuing to dole out low wages and consigning him to a migrant worker’s life. Sweat, though, never grumbled about the hours worked, the money earned, or the sacrifices of his time away from his wife and children.
Shorty died in 1998 at age 58. Some track folks showed up at his funeral —mainly exercise riders and training-center staff — but no owners or trainers came. Eddie left his family two acres of land. The 1% of the promised race winnings—about $13,000 — never materialized.
Eddie Sweat always took great pride in his association with perhaps the greatest racehorse of all time: “I guess you could say I was his main man.”
U p c o m i n g
Greencroft Community Center Tours
Jun 3: South Bend Cubs Game - $60
Jun. 12: Joseph & The Technicolor Dream Coat, Wagon Wheel Theatre - $84
Jul. 2: Shipshewana Flea Market - $30
Aug. 28: Day trip to Frankenmuth, MI - $170
Sept. 3: Michigan City Shopping - $40
Sept 17: The Rise & Fall of Miss Fannie’s Biscuits, Blue Gate Theatre - $64
Oct. 5-11: New Hampshire & The White Mountains - $1,210 dbl /$1,675 sgl
Want to learn more or join us? Call 574-537-4090 today!
By LILLI DWYER Staff Writer
Among the volunteers stacking canned goods and distributing necessities in the food pantry at Combined Community Services, Warsaw, are Kathy and Marlin Carr.
Marlin Carr was born in Rochester and raised in Silver Lake, graduating from Warsaw Community High School. The two still have a cottage near the shores of Silver Lake.
Kathy Carr grew up on a dairy farm in Columbia City, the youngest of six siblings.
The two met when they worked together at United Telephone Company. They were married Aug. 3, 1985.
There’s always a lot to do on the Carrs’ property in the spring and summer — mowing, gardening, and maintaining the 10 acres. But after retiring three years ago, Kathy Carr felt compelled to find something to do in the colder seasons. In October 2024, she came across a social media post stating volunteers were needed at Combined Community Services’ food pantry. She took an interest and persuaded her husband to join her.
Both of them are responsible for stocking shelves and putting together carts of food for food pantry clients. Kathy Carr also checks out clients, while Marlin Carr takes care of trash and empty boxes and sometimes cleans around the building.
“I’m very versatile,” he said with a smile.
In addition to the food pantry, Marlin Carr has been actively involved with the Silver Lake Lions Club for 46 years — the oldest member of the club at age 70 — as well as the Lakeview Cemetery board for the past 30 years. When their children were
young, he coached for the Silver Lake Youth League and Kathy Carr was the league’s treasurer.
“I’m a people person. I like to be around people, I like to give back to the community, both Silver Lake and Warsaw,” Marlin Carr said.
Two days a week, Kathy Carr assists two English as a Second Language students with their schoolwork at Eisenhower Elementary School. She enjoys helping out with math, a strong subject for her.
Working in the food pantry reminds Kathy Carr of the first job she ever had, stocking shelves in a grocery store.
“That was my favorite job. I loved stocking the shelves, I thought it was so fun. It was a no-brainer, you know?” she said.
After choosing to give her time to CCS, Kathy Carr found a sense of fulfillment.
“I wanted to do something that felt like I was helping someone, and I really like it. It feels rewarding to know that there’s people that need to eat, and they’re just like you or I, they might be between jobs and can’t meet all their needs at the end of the month, that I can help,” she explained. “Everyone’s appreciative of what I do at school. Also here, the people that come to pick up food, the majority of them are always thankful for what we’ve given them.”
“We really like the people, the camaraderie back there (in the food pantry) is really fun,” added Marlin Carr.
“They’ve all got a sense of humor in the food pantry,” Kathy Carr concurred.
When they’re not volunteering or working on their property, the Carrs love to fish, hike, travel and spend time with their family. They have three kids and four grandkids.
By ASEA Medical Professional Board
What Are Redox signaling molecules?Redox signaling molecules
within every cell
your body and act as either cellular messengers or cellular activators.
The activator molecules carry the messages that tell your cells to activate antioxidants stored in your body. Antioxidants are chemicals (both naturally occurring and
man-made) that keep oxidative free radicals in check and prevent them from causing other cellular damage. However, antioxidants don’t work unless activated by redox signaling molecules. Messenger molecules are responsible for enabling proper cell communication within your body to ensure optimal performance of the immune system. They also activate your body’s immune system to protect against bacteria, viruses, and infection.
Why Is Redox Signaling So Important?
Oxidative stress creates an imbalance between pro-oxidants and antioxidant systems in your body. An imbalance can be a result of several environmental factors such as exposure to pollutants, infections, poor diet, toxins, and radiation. To counter this, your body utilizes redox signaling molecules to communicate and to help maintain a healthy balance between pro-oxidants and antioxidants.
Your health depends on the balance between oxidative stress and antioxidant defenses. As we age, and as stress and environmental toxins inundate our lives and weaken our defenses, normal cellular function declines, and with it, the body’s ability to produce and maintain a proper balance of redox signaling molecules. Through this process, these molecules support crucial immune system functions, as well as cell renewal and healing at every age, but our ability to utilize these molecules becomes less efficient as we age.
For many years, researchers have explored ways to supplement redox signaling molecules in your body to combat the effects of age, toxins, and environmental stress. ASEA has developed a patented technology that replicates these naturally occurring molecules outside of the body.
To learn more, call Ernie Chupp at (574) 773-9040 today.
By TERRI DEE Indiana News Service
A new study showed costs are rising for caring for Hoosiers with Alzheimer’s disease and forms of dementia.
The report indicated nearly 122,000 residents age 65 and older are living with the health conditions. This year’s Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report showed Indiana has 219,000 unpaid family caregivers, who cost the state almost $7 billion annually.
Natalie Sutton, executive director of the Greater Indiana chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, said knowing the difference between the two disorders is important for an accurate diagnosis.
“Dementia is an umbrella term that represents a set of symptoms that are known with cognitive impairment, memory loss, and ultimately an impact on activities of daily living,” Sutton explained. “Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive brain disease that is the most significant cause of someone developing dementia, or those symptoms that we know.”
The timing of a diagnosis can influence the quality of life for someone with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia symptoms, which can be present in the brain for years prior to detection. Alzheimer’s and dementia are unique and personal illnesses, Sutton pointed out, so the frequency and type of care provided should be tailored to a patient’s needs.
Forgetting what day it is or misplacing routinely used items are often mistaken for general age-related changes instead of Alzheimer’s or dementia. The report found almost four of five Americans would want to know if they have the disease before symptoms surface due to concerns over how a diagnosis could affect daily activities. Sutton noted science is addressing the concerns.
“We can detect and diagnose Alzheimer’s with biomarkers like imaging and cerebral spinal fluid, and there are blood tests now that are being used in research settings that are proven to be highly effective,” Sutton outlined.
In 2024, Indiana passed a bill requiring insurance companies
Memory, language, and thinking
Alzheimer’s disease, followed by changes in a
and increased suspicion and fear.
to cover biomarker testing. Sutton added two Food and Drug Administration-approved treatments to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s are covered by most insurance companies and Medicare.
A 24/7 resource helpline is available at (800) 272-3900.
By CECIL SCAGLIONE
Mature Life Features
Caregivers, especially those unpaid individuals who take on the responsibility of caring for a family member or friend, have to be a bit selfish to be dependable and reliable over the long haul. They have to take care of themselves first so they can keep on taking care of others.
Disease and depression can break up the time that should be devoted to their charges, be it aging parents or disabled children.
If you’re a caregiver, it’s important to curb burnout so you can handle the finances, deep-
ening depression, short temper, demands and irritating habits of the person you’ve taken charge of.
So take a walk. Get out in the fresh air in the nearby park. Or stroll around the block. Combine exercise with relaxation so you can handle the expected, and unexpected, trials and tribulations you face every day.
And don’t feel guilty for taking this time out. In fact, set aside some more time to enjoy yourself. Find somewhere to kaffeeklatsch with old friends. Read a book out in the backyard or soak yourself in a warm bath. Share a sand-
wich with family members you haven’t visited for a while. Or go visit the grandchild you haven’t seen for awhile.
Become an expert in your area of caregiving. If your aging parent is losing chunks of memory, contact the local Alzheimer’s support group and learn what to expect and how to cope.
There are non-profit organizations that can help you deal with an array of disabilities and disease as well as dementia.
Asking for help is not a sign of weakness. It helps make you stronger in your ability to care for your loved ones.
Mature Life Features Copyright 2025
or
By MONA HARTER District Manager, South Bend Social Security Office
We strive to provide the public with accurate and helpful information. In addition to the resources available on our website at ssa.gov, we post useful information on our social media channels. We invite you to learn about our programs and services on our social media pages:
Our Social Security Blog
Here we post articles about our program, current events, and online services. We respond to general questions and comments people share. You can read our articles and subscribe at blog.ssa.gov. Our blog is now available in Spanish at blog.ssa.gov/es.
Facebook — facebook.com/ socialsecurity. Facebook is
our primary page for sharing information about our programs and services with our vast network of followers and advocacy groups.
Administración del Seguro Social — facebook. com/segurosocial. Our Spanish Facebook page shares information about our programs and services.
X — x.com/socialsecurity. @ SocialSecurity is our official account. This page to provide timely information and updates about our programs and services with our followers and advocacy groups.
Seguro Social — x.com/ segurosocial. On this page we share information about our programs and services in Spanish. Instagram — instagram. com/SocialSecurity. On this page we share stories and
resources that can help you and your loved ones.
YouTube — youtube.com/ SocialSecurity. We have many informative videos on this page.Our videos cover online services, applying for retirement and disability benefits, Social Security-related scams, and much more.We also offer some of our videos in Spanish and other languages.
You can find a full list of our social media channels at ssa.gov/socialmedia. Connect with us on social media to learn helpful information and ask general questions. But remember, you should never post personal information on social media. Follow along and share our pages with friends, neighbors, or loved ones today.
By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features
If you don’t have a will, write one out right now.
While its legality may be questionable because laws differ from state to state and country to country, you’ve at least made your wishes known regarding the distribution of your stuff after you die.
This act of doling out your worldly goods might also get you started on the road to establishing a legally sound estate plan that will make life a lot easier for your family and friends when you pass away.
If you do have a will, and an estate plan, take a look at it to see if anything should be changed. If one of your children has died of some disease or disaster, you might have to make some adjustments.
The same might be necessary if
Iyou’ve remarried, whether after a divorce or the death of your previous spouse. Or if someone originally included in your plans has fallen out of favor.
A will signed by you and witnesses is simple to prepare. Think of who should get what and write it down. It can be as simple as stating your assets should be left to your spouse. If he or she has already passed away, you can designate how your estate should divided among your children.
A will establishes your wishes for the handling of your property when you die rather than having the state distribute it.
If you feel matters are getting complicated, contact an attorney familiar with estate planning.
Another important document you should prepare is a living will, which advises your family and medical staff how you wish to be treated when you no longer can speak for yourself. And you’ll
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want to give a person power of attorney to make those decisions for you. Which leads to another decision to make – giving someone you trust durable power of attorney to handle you financial matters when you no longer are able to.
After all of this is in place, it requires regular review to make sure your list of assets are up to date. Have you sold your house or your stamp collection? Are all retirement accounts and insurance policies accounted for?
Also make sure the location of your documents and safety deposit boxes along with a list of all your computer passwords is made available to the individuals who will be taking care of you and your estate.
Mature Life Features Copyright 2025
By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features
Having a coffee or chat with a friend will help assuage your grief when another friend dies. Reviewing old times with someone will help soften the blow after a pal has passed away.
The winner of the I Spy Contest for May is Alan Patterson from Niles, Mich. The ‘Mother’s Day Gift’ image was located on page 7 in Senior Life Allen; page 2 in Senior Life Northwest; page 4 in Senior Life Elko and page 1 in Senior Life St. Joseph.
Grief counselors suggest you concentrate on the good times you had with the deceased to lighten the load of grieving. It also helps to write down some of those memories and send them to members of the dead person’s family along with your expressions of sympathy.
There are a couple of don’ts: don’t try to forget them and don’t feel guilty.
Thinking of how you might have visited more often or made a few more phone calls or sent a couple more emails only fuels your grief. So does trying to shut out the times you spent together.
Mature Life Features Copyright 2025
By NATHAN PACE Staff Writer
Monday, April 28, was an emotional day for Wawasee alumnus Erique Paradis. Paradis played baseball on the 1974 Wawasee baseball team and 51 years later, is the only Wawasee team to win the Northern Lakes Conference.
About 10 players from the 1974 team took part in a pregame ceremony in a game with Northridge. The veteran baseball players even threw out the first pitch.
“That was the first time I had seen a lot of those guys in 50 years,” Paradis said. “Basically I hadn’t had any close friends from the school since leaving. It was good to see everybody and reminisce a little bit. I didn’t realize they hadn’t won conference in 50 years.”
The 1974 team had a record of 21-13 and 11-3 against NLC opponents. While they did not win a sectional title, many on the roster won sectionals in 1973 and 1975. Those were the first two baseball sectionals for Wawasee and they came at a time where Indiana had a single class for the sport.
Paradis said the reunion im-
pacted each of his teammates in their own unique way.
“It affected everybody a little differently than others but everyone was extremely pleased to have to have the chance to reminisce,” Paradis said.
Originally from South Bend, the Paradis family moved to a lake house on Lake Wawasee just in time for his freshman year in 1970. Paradis says he felt like an outsider at Wawasee but found connection on the baseball field.
“I was rather a black sheep. I moved to the lake my freshman year. I didn’t know anybody,” Paradis said. “Fortunately, I was able to make the team and get to know people.”
Wawasee High School was built in 1970, making Paradis and his class the first group to spend all four years in the current building.
He was one of three players to make the All-NLC team his senior season in 1974. The AllNLC players received a medal in the form of a small golden baseball that could be attached to a letterman jacket. His teammate, Vince Rhodes, currently is an assistant coach on the varsity baseball team. He and head coach Andy Zaebst helped
A. The hospice care team is made up of a group of professionals who work together to provide compassionate, holistic care for patients nearing the end of life. Their goal is to support the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of both the patient and their family.
At the center of the hospice team is the patient and their family, all care is centered around their needs, values, and wishes. The team works closely with them to create a personalized plan of care.
A hospice physician or medical director oversees the patient’s care, managing symptoms and coordinating with the primary care doctor. They ensure that the care plan prioritizes comfort, dignity, and quality of life.
Registered nurses (RNs) are key to monitoring the patient’s condition, administering medications, and managing pain or symptoms. They often serve as the main point of contact for the family, providing education and reassurance.
Certified nursing assistants (CNAs) provide hands-on support with daily activities such as bathing, grooming, and mobility. Their gentle presence helps patients maintain dignity and comfort.
Social workers help address emotional and
organize the event.
Paradis made the drive with his wife, Lori, for the game from Angola. He spent his career teaching math and sometimes physical education at Hamilton High School. During his time at Hamilton, he also worked as an assistant or head coach for the baseball team there. Hamilton, like Wawasee, was a bit of an underdog that found ways to upset bigger schools.
“We were only graduating 60 kids. It was a big deal if we could knock off the big boys,” Paradis said.
At Hamilton, Paradis said he coached multiple generations of baseball players from a few families.
“That’s when I knew it was time to retire,” Paradis said.
He and his wife now live on Lake James, as Paradis said the lake got in his blood at Wawasee. He expressed gratitude for the reunion and to interact with the current Wawasee team.
“Everything had it’s own separate merits and joys. It was nice talking to the kids and throw out the first pitch. Go over the glory days,” Paradis said. “I appreciated the varsity coach for reaching out to us. That was a nice gesture.”
Tim
Bradley, MA,
BSN, RN Executive Director-Comfort1 Hospice
practical concerns, offering counseling, support with end-of-life planning, and connecting families to resources.
Chaplains or spiritual counselors offer spiritual care tailored to the patient’s beliefs, whether religious or not, providing comfort, rituals, or simply a listening ear.
Volunteers often assist with companionship, errands, or respite for caregivers, adding a layer of personal connection and support.
In some cases, bereavement counselors or grief support specialists continue to care for the family after the patient passes, offering follow-up support and counseling for up to a year.
This interdisciplinary team works collaboratively to provide compassionate, respectful care honoring each person’s journey through the end of life.
A. Trying to decide when to take the car keys from a loved one can be one of the most challenging things on the journey through dementia. Initially, the family may have a hard time determining if it is safe for the person to continue to drive. The ability to drive allows your loved one to continue to have their freedom and independence.
While things like taking away the car keys, disabling the car, or selling the car may seem like a good idea, it may lead to more confusion and arguments. Their doctor may be able to evaluate their mental competence and explain why their driving poses a threat to themselves and others. If their doctor wants more details about your loved one’s cognitive ability to drive, they may recommend a driving evaluation. There are many places in Indiana that will complete this type of evalu-
Servicing St. Joseph|Elkhart|Marshall|Starke|La Porte Counties (P) 574.387.4117| (F) 833.334.0327
ation, and they can be found under the Driver Ability Department of the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles. The driver will need to refer to the list of Certified Driver Rehabilitation Specialists. If you are in the difficult position of taking away the keys from your loved one, you should prepare to have some transportation alternatives quickly available.
Servicing St. Joseph|Elkhart|Marshall|Starke|La Porte Counties (P) 574.387.4117| (F) 833.334.0327
Servicing St. Joseph|Elkhart|Marshall|Starke|La Porte Counties (P) 574.387.4117| (F) 833.334.0327
118 W. Edison Rd, Suite 200, Mishawaka, IN. 46545
Your Journey is
118 W. Edison Rd, Suite 200, Mishawaka, IN. 46545
118 W. Edison Rd, Suite 200, Mishawaka, IN. 46545
Your Journey is Our Path www.comfort1hospice.org
Your Journey is Our Path www.comfort1hospice.org
Your Journey is Our Path www.comfort1hospice.org
REAL Talk offers free presentations and community connections. Topics target those 60 and older, but everyone is welcome to attend.
June Events: From Legacy to Peace
June 10 | 11 AM | Portage Commons | (574) 284 - 7189
June 12 | 11 AM | OWLS | (574) 336-2652
June 27 | 11:30 AM | 1 ROOF (Lunch) Reserve lunch by 6/24 | (574) 284-7189
June 24 | 11:30 AM | Salvation Army of Elkhart (Lunch) Reserve lunch by 6/20 | (574) 284-7184
Reserve your spot by visiting realservices.org/get-involved/real-talk/
BINGOCIZE
May. 7 - July 9 | 10 AM - 11 AM
SAIL
June 3 - July 1 | 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Register for classes at realservices.org/getinvolved/health-education-classes/ Join Us for REAL Talk!
Ticket Sales Begin May 23rd | $3 June 25 | 10 AM | Rum Village Park
10 AM | Nature Walk
10:30 AM | Bingo
11:30 AM | Senior Royalty Crowned
12 PM | Lunch 12:30 PM | Entertainment
To purchase tickets call 574-229-3254, stop by Howard Park Office , or visit any St. Joe County nutrition site
Learn more by visiting realservices.org/services/a2aa/vaccines/
Address: 133 N William St. South Bend, IN 46601
Phone: (574) 284-7159
Business Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday | 10 AM - 3 PM
Make new friends, join a card game, discover a new hobby, laugh together! Enjoying each moment! It’s all here at Portage Commons Senior Enrichment Center.
Games scheduled daily: Crosswords, Card Sharks, Dominos and Puzzles
Programs include: Bingocize, Crafting, Book and Needle Arts Club Friday Movie Flicks
Visit Facebook for Events and Classes: facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575250702801
Homemade Beef Stew Cauliflower Dinner Roll/ Marg. Pineapple Cup
Polish Sausage w/bun Sauerkraut Applesauce
Vegetable Soup Tuna Salad Slider Spiced Peaches Cottage Cheese
Deli Turkey on Hoagie Bun Cheese, Mayo, Pickles Macaroni Salad Coleslaw Berry Applesauce
Turkey Manhattan over bread Mashed Pot/Gravy Peas Fig Bars
Meatloaf Baby Bakers Green Beans Peach Cup Dinner Roll/Marg.
Lasagna Bake w/Sausage Italian Green Beans Warm Spiced Apples Garlic Bread
Chicken w/ Creamy Garlic Sauce Baby Bakers Asparagus Wheat Bread/ Marg. Mixed Fruit Cup
Cheeseburger on Bun Red Skin Potatoes Stewed Tomatoes Jello
Turkey Sausage Patty Scrambled Eggs English Muffin O’Brien Potatoes Banana & Yogurt
Bourbon Chicken Roasted Potatoes Asparagus Rye Bread/ Marg. Pear Cup
BBQ Chicken Baked Beans Corn Wheat Bread/Marg. Pudding Cup
BBQ Riblet on Bun Red Skin Potatoes Spinach Fresh Orange Closed - Juneteenth
Hamburger on Bun Baked Beans Roasted Summer Squash Jello
Fire Braised Chicken Breast Garlic Mashers Maple Roasted Beets Wheat Bread/Marg. Brownie
Chili w/Beans Baby Bakers Broccoli Crackers Brownie
Potato Crust. Fish Mashed Potatoes Brussels Sprouts Bread/Marg. Mandarin Orange
Minestrone Soup Chix. Salad Slider Succotash Peach Cup
Sausage Gravy over Biscuit Scrambled Eggs Roasted Rosemary Potatoes Fresh Fruit
realservices.org/meals-and-nutrition/
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.
Elkhart Bristol UMC
Division St. | (574) 848-7182 St. Paul's UMC
W. Beardsley | (574) 320-5863
Toll-Free Helpline
- FRI: 8:00AM - 4:30PM EST 1-888-303-0180
In early 1975, Toni Tennille and Darryl Dragon sat in the Los Angeles office of A & M Records. Company executive
Kip Cohen played them a track from the latest Neil Sedaka album, “Sedaka’s Back,” which was a “best of” selection of cuts lifted from three albums he had released in the early 1970s in London. (He had moved to England after the Beatles had demolished
his once-successful career.)
The tune Cohen spun on a turntable that day was a bouncy ditty called “Love Will Keep Us Together.”
“The minute I heard it,” Tennille remembered later, “I knew we would do a number on it.”
“Love, love will keep us together
“Think of me, babe, whenever
“Some sweet-talking girl comes along, singing her song
“Don’t mess around, you just gotta be strong
“Just stop…’cause I really love you
“Stop…I’ll be thinking of you
“Look in my heart and let love keep us together”
From 1958 to 1963, Sedaka and his lyric-writing partner
By RANDAL C. HILL
Howard Greenfield placed 13 RCA singles in the Top 40 charts. But in January 1964 the Fab Four exploded onto the American music scene and, overnight, swept away the careers of most rockers here.
As their final collaboration, Sedaka and Greenfield wrote “Love Will Keep Us Together.”
Rock writer Tom Breihan later declared, “The song is about a couple fighting to keep their flame alive, but Sedaka says that he and Greenfield were really writing about each other. Sedaka also says that they were crying when they finished writing it.”
In San Francisco a few years earlier, Tennille had co-written songs for an ecology-based rock musical called “Mother Earth.” (1970 had been the first year for Earth Day.) The show was about to move south to Los Angeles, and the troupe’s pianist couldn’t make the move. Tennille ran an ad seeking a replacement musician.
Enter Darryl Dragon, the son of orchestra leader Carmen Dragon. Darryl Dragon was known in the industry as “The Captain.” (Beach Boy Mike Love had often teased keyboardist Dragon about wearing a yachting cap onstage during tours.)
Dragon was in between gigs, so he flew to the Bay Area, met
with Tennille and was hired.
Needless to say, neither musician realized that they would spend the rest of their careers together.
Tennille and Dragon formed a duo —the Dragons — and spent two years performing at a Los Angeles-area restaurant. It was during that time that they changed their stage name to Captain and Tennille.
“Love Will Keep Us Together” hit the top of the Hot 100 chart, where it stayed for four weeks.
It became Captain and Tennille’s signature song and was named Record of the Year at the 1976 Grammy Awards ceremony. The remaining days of the ‘70s brought the hitmaking pair half a dozen more hits. In 2009, Sedaka recorded a children’s CD called “Waking Up Is Hard to Do.” Included among the tracks was “Lunch Will Keep Us Together.”
Don’t laugh; that disc earned a whopping 86% approval rating on Amazon!
By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features
It’s a truism that no one invests their money to lose it.
But investment clubs can
not only be profitable but also socially supportive for seniors who feel they have a few dollars to play with. This doesn’t mean they should gamble away their funds. It means they can gather in social groups and devote time to learning more about and earning more from the stock market.
These groups can be highly organized units in which members pool their funds, vote on where to invest it, make regular monthly contributions, research investment possibilities, and even file club returns. Or they can be more-relaxed monthly gatherings where individuals who trust each other compare notes on how the investments they’ve listed for club monitoring have performed in the previous month and discuss possible new opportunities for making money.
The latter is less stressful and probably less profitable but can be socially beneficial along with small financial returns.
Mature Life Features Copyright 2025
By LAURIE LECHLITNER Staff Writer
“When we follow Jesus, we’re not promised an easy life,” stated Phil Schaddelee, Winona Lake. “Divorce is hard for anyone. I’ve experienced it twice. There were days when I felt like I was flat on my back. But in that posture, all I could do was look up. That’s when I leaned into Jeremiah 29:11 in the Bible. It states, ‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord. ‘Plans to prosper you, and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’ And God has given me hope and a very good future.”
Schaddelee was raised in the Dutch Reformed Church in Chicago. “My grandparents on both sides attended that church. My grandpa led the choir, and my grandma played the organ there.”
When his family relocated, they started going to a Baptist Church. “Music runs in our family. My dad led the choir there and my mom played the piano.”
At 16, Schaddelee attended a seminar at his Baptist Church on witnessing. “We used a tract when we went out to witness. I read through the tract myself. I’d been raised in church, so I knew Jesus died for my sins. But then I stumbled upon a very important question. It asked, ‘Have you taken the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Savior?’ I had to admit that I hadn’t formally done that.”
Schaddelee repeated the sinner’s prayer on the tract. “I said a simple prayer, stating that I was sorry for my sins and thanking Jesus for dying on the cross for me. I stated that I trusted Jesus Christ as my personal Savior, and I wanted to live for Him.”
He was never one to get into trouble or do bad things as a youth. “The transformation was not so much outward. It was rather an inner transformation. I had the hope of eternal life that many others did not have.”
In his college days, Schaddelee worked with the youth group at a small church close to campus. After college, he got married.
“My first marriage produced three kids. When it fell apart my heart was broken. I had to leave the church we had attended together, because my ex-wife and her family attended there.”
His second wife lived in Goshen. “We got married and attended the Mennonite Church together. But our marriage was short-lived.”
Then he met Marsha Schaddelee. “We got married and attended Walnut Creek United Methodist Church together for
By CECIL SCAGLIONE
Mature Life Features
When disaster strikes, you’re going to need vital documents to file insurance claims, renew your driver’s license, and reestablish lines of credit as well as replace destroyed credit cards.
It can be a flood, hurricane, earthquake or electrical malfunction that damages or destroys your home.
If you don’t have a kit prepared already to help you recoup from any such emergency, start putting one together now.
Begin with your birth certificate. And your Social Security and Medicare identity cards, driver’s license and passport.
Make a copy of everything. You can store the original documents and records in a secure place, such as a safety deposit box, and one copy can be kept at home and another given to a member of your family for safekeeping.
Modern technology allows you to keep a copy in the internet cloud or you can make copies on several computer thumb drives.
Now take an inventory of everything on the property, from the linoleum on your floor to the lawn mower out in the garage.
Take a photo of everything. Use you cell phone or get yourself a camera. When everything has been copied in your phone, you can download it all into a couple of thumb drives that you can store in handy and safe places.
Log the serial numbers of your stove, fridge, television set, computer, wrist watch and anything else you think of as you compile your data. If you’ve been assiduous enough to keep the manuals, warranty material and receipts that came with your purchases, gather those and copy pertinent pages. As you make major purchases, copy those papers to keep your inventory updated.
You might want to have
expensive heirlooms, jewelry, art and antiques appraised after you photograph them.
While you take photographs of your goods, take pictures of the interior and exterior of your home to record its condition.
Now review what you have and make sure your emergency package includes all your insurance policies and, if possible, the contact information for the agents who sold them to you. You also need the title, deeds and ownership papers for your home and automobile along with any mortgage papers.
Also valuable are the originals and copies of your estate plan, will, and power-of-attorney documents.
All this becomes vital in the aftermath of a disaster to prove your ownership because crooks feed on such chaotic conditions to rush in and make claims that you might have to disprove.
Mature Life Features Copyright 2025
TWENTY-THREE YEARS OF MARRIAGE Phil and Marsha Schaddelee, Winona Lake, recently celebrated their 23rd wedding anniversary. The couple attends First Christian Church in Warsaw. Phil Schaddelee runs camera there and does other technical work. Photo provided by Phil Schaddelee.
20 years. Pastor Frank Beard was a mentor to both of us. I was part of the praise team there, did technical work and helped with live broadcast.”
Two years ago, the Schaddelees began attending First Christian Church in Warsaw. “I love the fact that our pastor speaks directly from the Bible and lets God’s word do the talking. I run camera for livestreaming and do other tech work at the church. I work very closely with the
worship pastor.”
He and Marsha recently celebrated their 23rd wedding anniversary. “God continues to bless us both as we follow him. We enjoy our five kids and five grandchildren.”
Schaddelee concluded, “Two months ago, I left my job. The Lord provided me with another job at a Christian company, PWI in Nappanee. Every staff meeting begins with prayer. God continues to give me a bright future.”
By CECIL SCAGLIONE
Mature Life Features
Summertime: While the living might be easy, it can be hard on your skin.
Stretching out beside the pool, heading to the beach, donning shorts and tank tops, and cavorting with the kids out
in the park all damage your skin and increase your chances of getting skin cancer, the most common form of cancer in this country.
More than 3 million people — young and old — are treated every year for two types of skin cancer, basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma, which are rare-
ly life-threatening.
Melanoma, a more serious form of skin cancer, is diagnosed in more than 100,000 people a year.
Overexposure to the sun at any time of year wrinkles your skin and makes it less elastic. What a lot of people are unaware of is that the sun’s ultra
violet rays still are damaging on cloudy days.
The best way to protect your skin and prevent cancer is to limit your time in the sun. When outdoors, head for shady spots out of direct sunlight. Look for those same spots on cloudy, overcast days. Use sunscreen. A neighbor
By CECIL SCAGLIONE
Mature Life Features
It wasn’t all that long ago when most of us never heard of an autoimmune disease.
Medical science and research has identified more than 100 of these disorders that range from type one diabetes to multiple sclerosis, lupus, and autoimmune rheumatoid arthritis.
No one knows what causes these diseases nor why anyone gets them. Many victims live with the condition for years before being diagnosed properly.
An autoimmune disease occurs when your immune system mistakenly attacks your body. For example, autoimmune hepatitis is a result of your immune system attacking your liver instead of the lurking germs and viruses.
Your immune system never rests in its battle against bacteria and it somehow can turn on you, causing debilitating, and life-threatening in some cases, inflammation of joints, nerves and organs.
Recent reports indicate the problem is increasing as more than 15% of the population carry biomarkers of autoimmunity, a 5% rise over just a few decades.
Medical experts attribute the increase to chronic stress in our day-to-day lives, diets loaded with processed foods, and environmental toxins, such as insecticides and pesticides in the air and food.
A healthy diet and lifestyle helps combat the onset and treatment of autoimmunity.
Starting with your diet is
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For more information on our services, call 574.243.7727
probably the simplest and easiest first step toward insulating yourself against autoimmune attacks. The Mediterranean diet is recommended widely as a healthy weapon against autoimmune disease.
There is plenty of literature available on what comprises this anti-inflammatory list of food that calms your immune system. A quick overview includes vegetables, fruit, nuts, fish and olive oil.
Foods to avoid include refined oils, processed meat, and anything with added sugar.
Almost three-quarters of your immune system lives in your guts, so probiotics and live-culture foods such as yogurt are
strong shields against autoimmune attackers.
A dietitian can work with you to prepare a list of eat and don’teat items.
Regular exercise is also urged. You don’t have to sign up at a gym for daily two-hour weight-lifting sessions. A walk in the park with your dog, a bicycle ride, or some laps in the pool all work and can be enjoyable.
This activity will also help avoid stress and relax. And you’ll probably sleep better, giving your body and immune system more time to repair itself.
Before adopting any regimen in your life, discuss your situation with your family doctor.
Mature Life Features Copyright 2025
long ago learned that her dermatologist dabbed on sunscreen every morning to protect her skin from sun damage. The higher the SPF number on the label, the better.
Wear sunglasses, the kind that wrap around the side of your head, to protect your eyes from sun damage.
While skimpy clothing may appear attractive and comfortable, they expose your skin to sunlight, so wear long sleeves and slacks, and a hat or cap with a brim.
You might notice that folks in some countries carry an umbrella to shield them from the sun. It’s called a parasol, which can be translated literally in some tongues as “for the sun.”
Sunbathing is out, even under tanning beds in salons because they damage the skin with ultra violet rays the same way the sun does.
Contrary to how we view a buff and bronze body, there’s no such thing as a healthy suntan.
If you spot a strange freckle or spot appearing anywhere on your skin, visit your family doctor immediately.
Mature Life Features Copyright 2025
By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features
If your aren’t caring for a diseased or disabled relative, you probably know someone who does because about one out of four people in the U.S. and Canada is a caregiver for a family member or friend.
An interesting sidelight indicates some 6 million American seniors live with grandchildren — and half of those elderly are the caregivers in the household.
Statistics can serve as headlines on the subject but does little to bring the stress and heartbreak caregivers undergo because they can become overwhelmed and forego or forget about caring for themselves.
It’s important to know that, if you don’t take care of yourself first, you can’t take care of anyone else.
In addition to following the usual motherly advice to eat well and get a plenty of rest,
caregivers need to overcome the stress-induced depression, the fatigue and feelings of guilt and helplessness, and the array of their own aches and pains that accompany this environment along with aging.
Experts in the field suggest caregivers start helping themselves by seeking out and meeting with other caregivers.
It’s a giant step toward getting expert advice on how to handle your own charge.
How do you handle your father’s finances? Your aunt’s diet as she bounces in and out of dementia and forgets to eat? Their refusal to take care of themselves and skip visits to the bathroom that you have to clean up? And all of this without a thank you.
You have to teach them how to handle the remote so they can watch television when you’re not around, learn how to give them a shower, and show them how to open a snack package they like to dive into.
Keeping track of their medications and medical appointments is your responsibility along with making sure they eat well, sleep well and have not developed any new symptoms or sores. It’s a 24-hourjob.
At the same time, you have to squeeze in time to take care of yourself and your health, to visit with friends, to get out from under the caregiver cloud and relax. You might consider having a friend, family member, volunteer or paid-proxy fill in for you for a few hours each week so you can take in a movie or other pastime.
Taking care of yourself is not selfish. You’re keeping yourself strong so you can care for your loved one. Talking with other caregivers helps. So does consulting with your doctors and volunteer organizations that focus on problems you face, such as the Alzheimer’s Foundation and American Cancer Society. Mature Life Features Copyright 2025
Brentwood at Elkhart Assisted Living
3109 E. Bristol Street, Elkhart, IN 46514 (574) 266-4508
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Licensed Assisted Living, Physical & Occupational Therapy On-Site, Nurses 24 Hours Per Day, Private Apartments, Respite Care, Activities, Studio/1 BR/2 BR Apaartments, Pet Friendly.
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2528 Bypass Road, Elkhart, IN 46514 (574) 389-1776
https://elkhart.ahepaseniorliving.org/
Licensed Assisted Living, Medicaid Waiver Accepted, 24 Hour Medical Care, Restaurant Style Dining, Therapy, Private Apartments, Daily Activities, Pet Friendly. Stop In To Tour Today!
Hubbard Hill Retirement Community
28070 CR 24 ., Elkhart, IN 46517 (574) 295-6260 • www.hubbardhill.org
Rehabilitation, Healthcare, Assisted Living, Memory Care, Maintenance Free Homes, Licensed, Locally Owned, Non-Profit, Faith Based, Physical, Occupational, Speech Therapies, Memory Care Support Group, Pet Friendly, There’s No Place Like Hubbard Hill
Majestic Care of Goshen
Goshen
2400 W. College Avenue, Goshen, IN 46526 (574) 533-0351
www.MajesticCare.com/Location/Goshen
Rehabilitation Unit, Skilled Licensed Nursing, Semi-Skilled Nursing or Intermediate Care, Therapies: Speech-Occupational-RespiratoryPhysical, Long Term Care, Temporary Care, Private/Semi-Private Rooms, Pet Visitation Allowed, Medicare and/or Medicaid
900 Provident Drive, Warsaw, IN 46580 (574) 371-2500 • www.masonhealthandrehab.com
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By FYLLIS HOCKMAN Mature Life Features
As a travel writer, words are what I do. But when I heard about the newly opened Planet Word in Washington, D.C., I was wordless.
I knew I couldn’t get here fast enough to see all the magical ways words — the entire focus of the museum “where language comes to life” — can be employed to explain, entertain and elucidate.
Words are everywhere. Interactive exhibits talk, teach, train and titillate. The floor you walk on reveals the development of language from cave dwellings to hieroglyphics to alphabets around the world. Elevators resemble libraries.
The many side experiences in every gallery are fascinating but so easy to overlook. We ducked in to see how babies acquire language skills.
And almost missed the Joking Around Room: “Outside of a dog, a book is a man’s best friend. Inside of a dog, it’s too dark to read.” Bada boom.
At the Visual Puns exhibit, there’s a large picture, among many, of two suitcases. One is laughing and one is crying. Its title is Emotional Baggage.
At a table with two computers, you and a friend get to read jokes to each other and try to make each other laugh — or not. What’s the difference between a hippo and a Zippo?
One’s heavy and the other is a little lighter Yes, they’re corny but it’s very hard to keep a straight face.
At The Word World, you paint pictures with adjectives. Pick up the Hibernal (relating to winter) brush and snow appears over the nature scene on the wall. The Nocturnal brush brings darkness; Tempestuous splashes on wind and rain.
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The Magical brush elicits great whimsy. Paint the deer on the wall and it becomes a unicorn; swipe it across the airplane and it turns into a magic carpet.
In the Magical Library, people appear to walk on the ceiling. Read a descriptive plaque to a wall mirror and a 3-D diorama pops up before you. Open the drawer below to find the book from which the scene is taken.
I shook my head in disbelief when I turned to a designated page in the book I opened and it lit up as a narrator read the story and relevant images kept re-appearing next to the book.
If you feel a bit overwhelmed, you can duck into a poetry nook to can sit back, relax, breathe out and let a sonorous voice reciting poetry re-vitalize you.
This might lead you to think you want some tips on
public speaking. Head to the Lend Me Your Ears Auditory Gallery to learn when to effectively pause in your remarks, when repetition reinforces your message, and how the use of metaphor to better convey your meaning. Then you can go into a private recording booth and deliver your own speech.
Beware of the I’m Sold Gallery where you may have to come to terms with how susceptible you are to advertising. Here you’ll encounter how words are used to persuade and change people’s minds through ads, videos and social media. Deference is paid to those slogans that have become part of our lexicon: Where’s the Beef? What’s in your Wallet? Melts in your Mouth.
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The final gallery is devoted to How Words matter. People, known and unknown, talk about how words have changed their lives, how the power of certain words, expressions, and stories significantly impacted them.
Should you choose to go to the bathroom before you leave, you’ll come upon more relevant words that’s not your usual bathroom graffiti: heed the call of nature, see a man about a horse, take a whiz, tinkle.
Leaving with a smile on your face, you might feel inclined to make a donation since entry to the museum is free, but contributions are encouraged.
Mature Life Features Copyright 2025
And think about this. What do you say when you drink something refreshing? Ahhh, yes? So it’s no accident that three major bottled-water companies are named Evian, Aquafina and Dasani to wrap around the Ahhh sound.
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By TOM MORROW Mature Life Features
In the 1930s, before sea-going aircraft carriers became the dominant weapons platform of the U.S. Navy, giant dirigible (Lighter-Than-Air) ships, also known as Zeppelins, operated on both coasts.
The rigid vessels served as mother ships for up to four small fighter/scout planes that were launched and harbored aboard the great helium-filled airships.
The Curtiss F9C Sparrowhawk was a light 1930s biplane fighter aircraft known as a parasite fighter designed to be deployed from a dirigible or bomber. It was launched primarily by the dirigibles USS Akron and USS Macon.
The concept of fixed-wing aircraft being carried and launched from dirigibles was developed during World War
I by the British to to engage German LTA Zeppelins. The increasing use of airships by nations led to variations on the idea of using aircraft with them.
This was before the advent of radar. Their major use was for reconnaissance, extending the reach of the airship beyond the horizon, and to provide the airship with a degree of self-defense.
In the late 1920s, the U.S. Navy began experimenting with its airships, initially using the German-built USS Los Angeles as a platform for testing the concept of the so-called parasite aircraft. The success of these tests led to the decision to build two new airships — the Akron and Macon — that were capable of accommodating an on-board air group of specially designed aircraft, which resulted in the Curtiss Sparrowhawk.
Although designed as a pursuit plane or fighter, the Sparrowhawk’s primary duty was reconnaissance. It was chosen for service aboard the airships because of its small size, although its weight, handling, and downward visibility from the cockpit were not ideal.
The maximum capacity of the airship’s hangar was five aircraft, one in each hangar bay and one stored on the trapeze but the Akron’s two structural girders obstructed the aft two hangar bays, limiting her to a maximum complement of three Sparrowhawks. The Macon carried four airplanes.
The Sparrowhawk’s undercarriage was replaced with an external 30-gallon fuel tank, significantly increasing its range.
To achieve launching and recovery from the airship in flight, a skyhook system was developed. The Sparrowhawk
SHORT-LIVED LIFE The USS Akron was destroyed in a thunderstorm off the coast of New Jersey on the morning of Tuesday, April 4, 1933, killing 73 of the 76 crewmen and passengers. The accident involved the greatest loss of life in any airship crash. Photo by U.S. Navy.
had a hook mounted above its top wing that attached to the cross-bar of a trapeze mount-
ed on the carrier airship. For launching, the biplane’s hook Continued on page 19
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By ROD KING
If you didn’t already know it, New Orleans is a city that embraces eccentricities. It’s well known for its gaudy parades, its outlandish night life, its passion for jazz and its eclectic culinary tastes. The Crescent City, which turned 300 years old in 2017, was first in the country to have opera and first to have theater. Now it’s got a huge, bona fide World War II museum occupying several blocks in five buildings.
And it’s growing. The 34,800-square-foot Hall of Democracy has opened, along with a new hotel and conference center and in 2020 the Freedom Pavilion, which focuses on the years immediately after the war opened. The place, which is considered by Congress as the “official” WWII museum of the United States, is just plain big. One will be doing well to fully
cover it in several days.
Formerly known as the D-Day Museum, the National World War II Museum was founded by historian, Stephen Ambrose, writer of the “Band of Brothers” book and TV series. It offers a self-directed exploration that takes visitors through exhibits highlighting the role of world leaders at the time, the military brass and frontline doughboys to everyday men and women whose contributions helped win the war, as well as those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
After getting tickets, be sure to catch the next showing of the Tom Hanks-produced and narrated “Beyond All Boundaries” interactive theater presentation. It will literally have you on the edge of your seat. It begins with what appear to be live actors in civilian clothes of the 1940s coming into view. As they cross the stage, they’re suddenly in uniform and headed for war.
When German Tiger tanks rumble into the Kassarine Pass, you’ll feel your seat vibrating, you’ll see snow falling at the Battle of the Bulge and you’ll see steam rising from the jungles of Guadalcanal. A concentration camp guard tower rises from the
depths of the theater to highlight the Holocaust. You experience the war as if you were in the middle of it right up to the point when there’s a bright white flash and a thunderous roar as atomic bombs decimate two Japanese cities.
The amazing presentation closes with a few of the original people who opened the show coming back on stage. It’s extremely emotional and leaves the audience in awe.
Unlike many war museums that display row after row of trucks, tanks and weapons, you wander from vignette to vignette to hear personal experiences in a war setting. Trace the European and Pacific campaigns through separate facilities. In the Boeing Center, war planes are suspended from the ceiling and you can look inside the nose of a B-25 bomber.
Each visitor gets a plastic dog tag (credit card size) that can be used to follow a specific soldier through the war. Dog tag stations throughout the museum can be activated to learn more about your particular individual.
Check into the special entertainment scheduled for BB’s Stage Door Canteen where one can dance to live big band music or listen to the Victory Bells female trio singing songs from
Visit nationalww2museum.org for more information.
— This vignette demonstrates how soldiers lived and protected themselves while trying to defeat the
By CECIL SCAGLIONE
Mature Life Features
Anyone who has done any travel by air knows that being crammed into the jetliners middle seat is akin to sitting in a dentist’s chair for however long their flight is.
Seating in the cramped containers that log millions of miles a day several miles up the air has become a scramble through first class to last class in pricing of everything from booking time to online or telephone contact to seating charts to boarding times to determine what’s included and not included in your fare.
Adding furrow to the worried brows of airline executives is what looks like the permanent loss of a dependable portion of their passengers — business travelers. While less than 15% of planeloads has comprised business travelers, they have accounted for as much as 75% of the revenue on any particular flight.
Lessons learned during the coronavirus shutdown indicate the business community has found that such standard
operating procedures as corporate meetings, client visits, product-support services and centralized command centers — all of which require regular travel — have been demolished by the handy and inexpensive contact through cyberspace.
Exacerbating the pain of plane travel is the news that makers are cramming more seats into their planes to meet their airline customers’ demands. Five-abreast seating is being replaced by six-abreast seats in the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 and the wide-body Boeing 777 has come out with 10-abreast seating to replace its nine-abreast configuration.
First class, even if you can afford it, is disappearing. It’s being replaced by business class and premiums economy as the airlines focus on maximizing revenue and space efficiency.
Further obstructing one’s ability to find comfort in the cabin are the fares slapdashed together by the airlines.
The lowest fare available is what’s featured in large figures when ads tout travel to
sunny beaches or iconic landmarks around the world.
That’ll probably get you a middle seat. And you’re still going to have to pay for luggage and pick up a take-withyou lunch in the airport before boarding. Reserving your seat
online, or even in a phone chat with a reservations agent, isn’t surefire either because, if that model aircraft doesn’t fill up for that flight, it’s likely going to be replaced by a smaller plane — and there goes your selected seat.
Continued from page 17
was engaged on the trapeze inside the airship’s internal hangar. The trapeze was lowered clear of the hull into the airship’s slipstream and, engine running, the Sparrowhawk would then disengage its hook and fall away from the airship.
For recovery, the biplane would fly underneath its mother ship, climb up from below, and hook onto the cross-bar.
More than one attempt might have to be made before a successful engagement was achieved, for example in gusty conditions.
Once the Sparrowhawk was caught, it could then be hoisted by the trapeze into the airship’s hull, the engine being cut as it passed the hangar door.
Pilots soon learned the tech-
By CECIL SCAGLIONE
Mature Life Features
There was a time when motor-home travel was considered laborious and rather quaint by jetsetters who bounced around the globe and toured what were deemed exotic locations or poured out of luxury cruise ships into alluring attractions.
Well, RV (recreational vehicle) vacations took on new luster when the COVID-19 pandemic shut down the universe at the beginning of the decade.
Cruise ships stopped cruising, countries closed their borders, hotels shut down, and airlines slashed their number of flights.
At the same time, RV sales hit record levels as travel-hungry buyers saw the comfort and convenience of traveling safely in their own home to go wherever whenever they wanted to.
First-timers unfamiliar with life on campgrounds and campsites learned that overnight parking is available at federal, state and local government parks as well as some of the thousands of retail locations operated by such chains as
Walmart, Cracker Barrel, Costco, Sam’s Club, Home Depot and Cabela’s. All they have to do is check local regulations with the business manager before settling in.
Veteran RVers have learned to draw up an itinerary with a map of RV parks that provide at least electrical and water connections. Many also offer bathrooms, Wi-Fi, showers, club rooms and swimming pools.
Rental fees can range from about $50 a night for a compact travel-trailer to some $300 for a bus-size motor home.
Government-owned and operated campgrounds normally are less expensive or free but permits or passes may be required. They usually lack hookups and comforts available at RV parks.
If you’re not sure about how
nique and it was described as being much easier than landing on a moving, pitching and rolling aircraft carrier. To increase their scouting endurance while the airship was on over-water operations, the Sparrowhawks would have their landing gear removed and replaced by a fuel tank. When the airship was returning to base, the biplanes’ landing gear would be replaced so that they could land independently again.
For much of their service with the airships, the Sparrowhawks’ effectiveness was greatly hampered by poor radio equipment and they were effectively limited to remaining within sight of the airship.
In 1934, new direction-finding sets and voice radios were fitted that allowed operations beyond visual range, exploiting the
Seasoned travelers have learned one thing. Be polite and patient with the gate agent because they play a major role in making the final decision on what kind of seat you’re going to get.
Mature Life Features Copyright 2025
extended range offered by the extra fuel tanks and allowing the vulnerable mother ship to stay clear of trouble.
These Navy’s airships lasted from the late ‘20s until the 1960s.
While the use of the large dirigibles was short-lived, the smaller, three- and four-passenger- crew blimps that did not have a rigid airframe like the dirigibles served successfully as coastal patrol aircraft during World War II, sinking large numbers of German submarines while protecting Allied shipping on the Atlantic.
The three large Navy dirigibles airplane carriers, the USS Los Angeles, the USS Akron, and the USS Macon, became a footnote in history with the advent of improved radio communications and introduction of radar.
Mature Life Features Copyright 2025
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SEPT 2-13 SOUTHWEST CANYONLANDS Utah & Arizonia: Canyons Zion, Bryce & Grand. Arches, Monument Valley Jeep Tour, Canyonland Boat Cruise, Lake Powell Boat Cruise, Red Heritage Dinner Show, Hubbell Trading Post, Indian Pueblo Culture Center, National Cowboy & Western
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By BEVERLY RAHN Mature Life Features
While the scenery at Locarno, in the Swiss “sun parlor,” the country’s southernmost canton of Ticino, may not overwhelm you with dramatic alpine vistas as some more-rugged sections of the country do, it carries a lingering charm.
Life in this polenta-pastaand-palm-tree finger of land poking into northern Italy offers a more-leisurely Latin lifestyle.
Conversation is punctuated with gestures not seen in the more sedate sections of Switzerland. Grappa, a potent Italian liquor, is the traditional after-dinner Ticino tipple.
Not only do Italian, French and Swiss cultures mingle here, it’s also the geographical point at which the great plate of the African continent shoulders its way into the European continent, rumpling the landscape into what we call the Alps.
We rolled into this vista of valleys, vineyards and villas, following a couple of days in the magnificent Hotel Dolder Grand in Zurich. A leisurely day-long boat-and-train trip carried us almost the entire width of this nation.
A short walk from the Locarno train terminal is the
Grand Hotel Locarno overlooking the crisp, cool waters of Lago Maggiore. We took the time to sip a satisfying local merlot in the wine cellar of this historic hostelry, where the fragile treaties designed to keep a lasting peace in Europe following World War I were drafted.
Then we boarded a bus to neighboring Ascona, a lakeside town that peers up at the border village of Brissago, renowned for its hand-rolled cigars.
It’s only a one-hour drive from Locarno to Lugano, Ticino’s largest city, but we took a bit longer by stopping for lunch in the canton’s capital, Bellinzona. Three medieval castles here still guard the Magadino Plain, historically a major entrance to Europe’s heartland.
Lugano, the third major Swiss financial center after Zurich and Geneva because of its perch on Italy’s northern border, embraces its namesake lake. Along its shores are a chocolate museum, curiously the only one in this country.
This resort city is within a couple of hours by auto, bus or train from Milan, Genoa, Geneva, Lucerne and Lausanne.
Menus in many Ticino restaurants are fixed and
LEISURELY FERRY Lake Lucerne captures the serenity of central Switzerland. Photo by Cecil Scaglione, Mature Life Features.
feature the freshest mixture available of hearty peasant cuisines.
Polenta, mentioned earlier, is a regional favorite. This traditional Italian corn-meal dish is served in endless ways: as a side dish like rice or potatoes, sliced cold and re-fried with an entree, or as a dessert swimming in syrups and sauces. Its distinct smoky flavor results from slow stirring as it simmers over an open fire.
ASCONA BELLTOWER Ascona is one of the comfortable communities alongside Lago Maggiore that straddles the Swiss -Italian border. Photo by Cecil Scaglione, Mature Life Features.
Mature Life Features Copyright 2025
May 10, 2025 - Tulip Festival
May 24, 2025 - Fort Wayne Zoo
May 27-29, 2025 - The Ark Encounter & Creation Museum
May 10, 2025 - Tulip Festival
June 14, 2025 - Indy Zoo
May 24, 2025 - Fort Wayne Zoo
June 21, 2025 - Dayton Air Show
June 14, 2025 - Indy Zoo
May 27-29, 2025 - The Ark Encounter & Creation Museum
July 4-5, 2025 - Horse Progress Days
June 9-13, 2025 - Niagara Falls & Toronto
Saturday, June 14 • 9am-2pm Rain or Shine!
September 21-27, 2025 - Beautiful
June 14, 2025 - Indy Zoo
July 5, 2025 - Columbus Zoo
June 21, 2025 - Dayton Air Show July 4-5, 2025 - Horse Progress Days July 5, 2025 - Columbus Zoo
July 12, 2025 - Air Zoo
June 21, 2025 - Dayton Air Show July 4-5, 2025 - Horse Progress Days July 5, 2025 - Columbus Zoo
July 19, 2025 - Peru Circus
August 4-9, 2025 - Beautiful Branson
September 21-27, 2025 - Beautiful Vermont
July 12, 2025 - Air Zoo
July 19, 2025 - Peru Circus
October 11-19, 2025 - Amelia Island, St. Augustine, Jacksonville, FL
July 12, 2025 - Air Zoo
August 16, 2025 - Chicago Air Show
August 16, 2025 - Chicago Air Show
August 23, 2025 - Toledo Zoo
July 19, 2025 - Peru Circus
August 16, 2025 - Chicago Air Show
August 23, 2025 - Toledo Zoo
September 13, 2025 - Fair Oaks Farms
August 23, 2025 - Toledo Zoo
November 3-7, 2025 - Nashville Show Trip
September 13, 2025 - Fair Oaks Farms
September 27, 2025 - Brookfield Zoo
September 13, 2025 - Fair Oaks Farms
December 7-12, 2025 - Charleston, South Carolina
September 27, 2025 - Brookfield Zoo
September 27, 2025 - Brookfield Zoo
June 9-13, 2025
June 9-13, 2025 - Niagara Falls & Toronto
Niagara Falls & Toronto
August 4-9, 2025 - Beautiful Branson
August 4-9, 2025 - Beautiful Branson
September 21-27, 2025 - Beautiful Vermont
September 21-27 - Beautiful Vermont
October 11-19, 2025 - Amelia Island, St. Augustine, Jacksonville, FL
October 11-19, 2025 - Amelia Island, St. Augustine, Jacksonville, FL
November 3-7, 2025
November 3-7, 2025 - Nashville Show Trip
Nashville Show Trip
December 7-12, 2025 Charleston, South Carolina
December 7-12, 2025 - Charleston, South Carolina
August 4-9, 2025 - Beautiful Branson
October 11-19, 2025 - Amelia Island, St. Augustine, Jacksonville, FL
December 7-12, 2025 - Charleston, South Carolina Meal and ice cream to be provided. Sign up for chance to win Giveaway!
November 3-7, 2025 - Nashville Show Trip