Senior Life - Elko Edition - June 2026 by The Papers Inc.

Caregivers are ‘not alone’ - dementia

By LILLI DWYER Staff Writer

“People find that they’re not alone in this situation that’s been changing, they feel like they can express some of the emotions they’re going through,” said Karen Kauffman, facilitator of the Dementia Dialogue support group, Warsaw.

The confidential support group for caregivers of people with dementia has been meeting for 14 years, offering a space to freely discuss the complicated emotions that

arise when caring for a spouse, parent or other loved one.

“I’ll always start with just reminding people that it’s a confidential space, and we really want to give this opportunity to talk freely about their situations that are challenging, and we want to respect each other,” Kauffman said.

Members of the group are able to share their stories, ask questions and listen to guidance from others about the situations they have faced before.

“There was one lady coming to the group who realized her approach needed to change in

how she talked to her husband. She needed to start agreeing with him more,” Kauffman recalled. “First, they started getting along better, but it was because his brain was changing, his ability to think. He didn’t need to be aware of every little thing.”

Meetings also offer free information on current resources.

A recent guest speaker gave the group an update on current dementia research and medication options.

Local elder law attorney, William Stockdale, also visits the group to offer guidance on

getting legal affairs, such as power of attorney and advanced directives, in order.

Dementia Dialogue is one of 30 groups facilitated by Alzheimer’s and Dementia Services of Northern Indiana, a branch of REAL Services. The organization provides family consultations, memory screens, community education and many other resources in Elkhart, Fulton, Kosciusko, Marshall and St. Joseph counties.

Through Alzheimer’s and Dementia Services, families can receive free consultation on their loved one’s care.

”We can help them with the empathy aspect of it, we can help them form a plan,” said Program Director Joe Collins. With the guidance they receive, families can make an informed choice between at-home care, adult day programs, memory care facilities and more.

“Some people struggle with guilt, like they’re not doing enough,” said Kauffman. “But there are so many ways you are caring for your loved one. Even if people have to put their loved one in a type of facility ... I would say that you are caring

Continued on page 3

A SAFE SPACE Facilitator Karen Kauffman lays out free informational pamphlets at a Dementia Dialogue meeting Wednesday, May 6. The confidential support group offers a space for caregivers of people with dementia to share their stories. Photo by Lilli Dwyer.

STAND BY ME Alzheimer’s and Dementia Services Director Angel Baginske, left, and WNDU anchors Caroline Klapp and George Mallet are pictured at last year’s Stand By Me Walk. The walks raises funds for Alzheimer’s and Dementia Services of Northern Indiana, which provides free dementia care resources in five counties. Photo provided by Joe Collins.

Key Positions Sweeney opens the ‘front door’ of Warsaw

By LILLI DWYER Staff Writer

Main Street Warsaw’s Downtown Development

Director Terry Sweeney describes a downtown area as “the front door to the community.”

Sweeney came to Warsaw in 2022 to work at the Kosciusko County Economic Development Commission, but became part of Main Street Warsaw in 2024.

“You work to create 24-hour-a-day, 365-day-a-year vibrancy,” he said of downtown development. “That’s through recruitment of businesses and investment in projects, and making sure it’s clean and safe.”

Sweeney has learned these principles over a long career.

Originally from Indianapolis, he earned a master’s degree in public affairs from Indiana University, focusing on public management and urban place management. He began working in downtown development in Indianapolis in 1994. He also filled similar roles in Corpus Christi, Texas, and Lexington, Ky.

Sweeney pursued this line of work because he was interested in “working to improve the community,” he said. He cites recruiting retailers and restaurants to downtown Indy, as well as contracting with Flaherty & Collins Properties for Cosmopolitan on the Canal - adding 128 housing units - as some of his proudest achievements.

He was also part of the effort to create Indianapolis’ six cultural districts. Altogether, there were about $98 million worth of new projects during his tenure.

“Downtown should be the corporate, civic and cultural identity of the community, where it gathers to celebrate

life,” Sweeney said. ”What I’ve done in other cities, I bring here.”

Recruiting businesses, and thus attracting more customers, to the downtown area is a major part of development.

For businesses, downtown areas can seem risky due to the cost of being so centrally located, Sweeney explained.

In order to recruit successfully, a downtown develop-

ment organization needs a detailed plan, a “road map of where you intend to be,” he said.

Main Street Warsaw has big ideas for downtown, including the cultural arts district plan. Part of this plan is adding art to utility - quite literally, in the case of the utility box mural program the organization recently launched. It also includes renovating downtown Warsaw’s existing alleys and adding a sculptural play park, blending function and beauty.

Main Street Warsaw has also added some regular downtown social events, such as Sip N’ Shop, where visitors can tour downtown businesses and have some complimentary wine at each stop.

“It helps drive customers to shop and socialize, and to just enjoy our downtown,” he said.

Once a year, Main Street Warsaw holds Le Diner En Blanc, a white-themed outdoor dinner in the center of downtown. Regular community events such as the weekly Farmer & Artisans Market and monthly Third Friday events continue to draw crowds.

The most challenging aspect of the work is the so-called “herding cats,” Sweeney said. “You have to get people working together. ... There’s a lot of moving parts.”

The most satisfying part of the job for him is seeing the results when all the disparate aspects come together.

A new day coming

By JIM CARPENTER Guest Writer

I have learned in my now, “quite a few” years. Two things that I know for sure.

The one thing is my trust in God.

I know my future is secure.

The other thing I have come to know,

is because of the way I have come to grow. Questing for answers all of my life.

To find some comfort to fill the void.

The more I journeyed, the more I found, side trails going every which way. Though many would quit, I plodded on. Looking for answers each day.

When I was 20, I thought I knew plenty.

And I suppose I acted that way.

But in all these years it seems I’ve learned, my ignorance grows each day.

But in our ignorance lies the answer, in knowing which questions to ask.

When the heart will find what really matters.

We will have all the answers at last.

POSSIBILITIES Shown is a rendering of a planned sculptural play park for downtown Warsaw.

Photo provided by Terry Sweeney.

TERRY SWEENEY

Council on Aging celebrating 50 years of serving the community

By TINA FRALEY CEO Council on Aging of Elkhart County

Now in our 50th year of service we know a positive

Caregivers

Continued from page 1

for them, you are making good decisions to make sure they stay safe.”

Alzheimer’s and Dementia Services also provides free access to the online health education platform Trualta, which is designed to help caregivers manage care at home.

“They can actually go on and search practically any kind of health-related issues, and get articles, videos - things they can watch in the moment and it’s not going to take an hour to learn,” Collins explained.

The organization also provides ID bracelets for a onetime fee of $20. The bracelet shows contact information and a QR code. When scanned with a smartphone, the code alerts a caregiver to the location of a loved one if they get lost.

impact has been achieved. We also know there is so much more to be done. Establishing infrastructure to support the growing older adult population is necessary to sustain an acceptable quality of life

Another opportunity for caregivers to gather in solidarity will be at the 36th annual Stand By Me Walk, 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, June 13, at Howard Park, 219 S. St. Louis Blvd., South Bend.

“(The money raised) all goes back into the community, so we can continue to provide all these services for free,” Collins said.

Dementia Dialogue meets at 1 p.m. the first Wednesday of the month at Parkview YMCA, 305 Mariners Drive, Warsaw. For more information, call (574) 371-6144.

To find more information on area dementia resources or register for the Stand By Me walk, visit alzni.org. To access Trualta, visit realservices.trualta.com. A toll-free helpline is available at (888) 303-0180.

without discrimination.

As each of us progresses through life, we eventually engage in a battle with our body, struggling to accept it simply doesn’t have the strength and abilities it once had. It is that dreaded realization threatening our independence, the cherished reward granted us upon entering adulthood.

The loss may be temporary, unexpected or gradual. And the best laid groundwork meant to protect our interests foundationally and financially through this transition in life may not be enough to ensure our well-being.

Council on Aging offers pro-

grams to supplement our daily needs, whether recovering from surgery while on leave of absence or requiring long-term assistance in retirement. We offer transportation, in-home care, an activity center, Medicare counseling and savings programs, tax services and an extensive library of resources. Our goal is to eliminate barriers preventing you from attaining wellness, dignity, independence and quality of life. Simply said, the well lived life everyone deserves.

Programs are provided by a dedicated, compassion-driven team, that focuses on the individual needs of each

person they served. Through partnerships with local health care providers, businesses, and individuals from the community, transportation and in home care programs are offered at moderate rates, while others are free of charge. For those of an older adult age and low income, financial resources are established on your behalf to assist with the cost of service.

As we forecast declines grant resources and disruptions in insurance coverage, our reliance on individual donors increases. To become a partner in service, visit our website at elkhartcoa.org/ donate.

Loans can enhance credit scores

By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features

It may sound blasphemous, but taking out a loan could lift your credit score, especially if it has suffered some recent damage. A small loan of a few hundred dollars, repaid on time each month, can re-establish your credit reliability. So will paying off your

credit-card debt monthly and on time. This also saves you a lot of money as interest rates climb.

You can use your credit cards to maintain a solid credit score. Just don’t use your full credit limit. Some advisers suggest you maintain your debt at less than 20% of your limit. If you have more than one credit card,

use all of them - even sparingly - and pay the bills on time to retain a strong credit standing. Keep in mind that any misstep - a late payment, for example - can damage your credit score.

An important step to take to maintain a healthy credit score is to check your credit reports regularly.

L e s s wo r r y .

Mo r e

living.

Our as s i s t ed l i v i ng r es i dent s s et t he pace Mor ni ng wal ks , f av or i t e hobbi es , cat chi ng up wi t h f r i ends i t ’s al l s t i l l par t of ev er y day l i f e. We j us t make t hi ngs a l i t t l e eas i er al ong t he way. I ndependence, connect i on , and l aught er f i l l each day, and f ami l i es can r es t eas y knowi ng hel p i s al way s cl os e by

Ca l l t o d a y t o s c h e d u l e a t o u r.

Greencrof t Goshen 574 - 537 - 4059

Greencrof t Mi ddl ebury 574 - 825 - 6785

What Seniors Think Heart attacks give warning

By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature

You’re driving to the

television or making a sandwich and you suddenly feel “off.”

If it’s a heart attack, look for these signs.

Most attacks involve discomfort in the middle of the chest that can last a few minutes or go away and come back. It feels like you’re being squeezed and

can be painful.

This usually is accompanied by a shortness of breath, although this can occur without any chest discomfort.

Other symptoms can be pain or discomfort in one or both arms, your back, neck, jaw and stomach.

Also signals of a heart attack is breaking out in a cold sweat, lightheadedness and nausea.

CORPORATE OFFICE

What is your favorite activity to do with your grandchildren?

“Telling stories and taking them tubing.”

“Bike riding, golf carting. They love my wood shop. They’re trying to make a treehouse.”

“Boating on Chapman Lake.”

“Play a lot of table games and go camping together and love to swim.”

“A picnic.”

“Help coach their cheer team.”

An insult of height

It’s called a posture corrector.

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

Elkhart/Kosciusko Edition

Joseph

EDITORIAL DEADLINES

SUBSCRIPTIONS

Mailed subscriptions are available, prepaid with order at $42 for one year; and $71 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.

PRODUCTION

Senior Life is digitally composed on Macintosh Computers using Digital Technology’s Newspaper Publishing Suite software and Photoshop software. Submit ads as .tif, .eps or .pdf files. ASCII (generic text) may be submitted via email or on

That was my grandmother’s nickname.

“Sit up in your chair” was her favorite expression.

“Don’t slouch” was a close second.

NUTSHELL

By DICK WOLFSIE

This device guarantees that from the moment you strap it on, you will be 2 inches taller. If you are a guy, this contraption and a pair of high heels will be a hit at your 50th reunion.

Most people stop growing in their late teens or early 20s. I remember reading many years ago that at Barack Obama’s physical, he had apparently

grown by more than an inch since taking office. His doctor said there was no explanation for this. The Democrats said it was Obamacare.

Of course, seniors do not usually get taller. Just the opposite. One of my favorite The “New Yorker” cartoons is an elderly woman tracking her husband’s height with pencil marks on the inside of a closet door, just like our parents did when we were kids. Sadly, the lines on the door suggest the man had slowly been getting shorter.

Recently, I had my annual physical. While I was there, I was also weighed and measured for my height. My father was 6 feet tall, and my mother was barely 5 feet, so I always assumed I was right in the middle at 5-foot-10. (You can see now why I didn’t do well in math.) For almost 60 years, I listed myself as 5-foot-10 on my driver’s license, passport and all medical questionnaires. It not only made me feel taller, but also made me seem trim on the weight chart. If I gained a few pounds, I just told myself I grew. I found this easier than cutting back on pie.

The nurse reviewed the stats:

“Blood pressure: 123 over 80; height: 5-foot-8; weight: 170.”

“Whoa! How tall did you say I was?”

“That would be 5 feet, 8 inches — in your socks, which adds a little, of course.”

“Look, first of all, I’m 5-foot10. OK, maybe 5-foot-9 1/2.”

“Whatever you say, Mr. Wolfsie. Please grab one of the blue gowns off that hook on the door … if you can reach it.”

That night when I got home, I asked my wife how tall she thought I was.

“Well, let’s see. When I’m in heels, I’m taller than you, and I’m 5-foot-7, so I guess I’d say you are 5-foot-8. And you’re just about as adorable as can be.”

“But when we got married, I told you I was 5-foot-10. You should have said something.”

“I figured you just rounded it up from 5-foot-7. You did the same thing with your math SATs. By the way, I also didn’t believe that 170 number you threw at me - not by a long shot.”

“You think I lied about my weight?”

“Oh, I thought that was the IQ you were bragging about. I figure you rounded up again. This time from 100.”

The bottom line is I have to admit that either I’m a pathological liar who needs some expensive counseling, or I am - and this is tough to admitshrinking. It depends on which one is covered by Medicare.

NICK BOYD GOSHEN

DON RAINEY WARSAW

JANET SWANSON WARSAW

JOE SHELTER MILFORD

KAREN MISHLER BRISTOL

REBEKAH WELCH ELKHART

‘Welcome Back’ morphed into a hit single

John Sebastian

From 1965 to 1968, the John Sebastian-led Lovin’ Spoonful band racked up 10, Top 40 singles on Kama Sutra Records. Eventually, though, the quartet’s “flower power” folk rock gave way to “heavier” sounds by such groups as the Doors and the Jimi Hendrix Experience.

By RANDAL C. HILL

When the Spoonful disbanded, Sebastian recorded as a solo artist, but, with the magic seemingly gone, the one-time hitmaker faded from the music scene until a serendipitous event years later returned him briefly to the spotlight- ironically as a “one hit wonder” to a new audience.

Sebastian recalls, “I got a call from a guy called Alan Sacks from Brooklyn, who was writing a TV show with (comedian) Gabe Kaplan.”

The fun-fueled ABC-TV program, which was to be named “Kotter,” was to focus on a teacher who had once been a

Green Beans

student at the same New York high school where the story takes place and in an isolated classroom set aside for the institution’s bottom feeders, nicknamed the Sweathogs.

Thanks to Mr. Kotter, the cast members (which included a then-unknown John Travolta) would have fun and yet find hope for the future in each halfhour airing.

Sacks wanted a short, lighthearted, Lovin’ Spoonfulish ditty to play over the opening and closing credits. What better artist to tap than Spoonful founder/leader Sebastian.

Sebastian recalled, “I saw a pilot and read some early scripts and went away thinking, ‘I could hit this out of the park!’”

But Sebastian was thrown a curve ball when he slammed into a creative wall: He simply couldn’t find an appropriate rhyming word for “Kotter” at the end of a lyric line, having tried - and tossed - such terms as “otter,” “water,” “daughter” and “slaughter.” In the end, Sebastian eliminated the teacher’s name in his “Welcome Back” lyrics, even though the show’s title itself would become “Welcome Back, Kotter.”

Sebastian’s composition ran just 53 seconds. But when the production team heard the

Strawberry Applesauce

Ziti w/Italian Sausage

Turkey Manhattan over Bread

Manhattan over Bread Mashed Potatoes/Gravy Green Beans Strawberry Applesauce Beef Stew Rice Broccoli Bread/Marg. Pineapple Cup

Mashed Potatoes/Gravy Green Beans

Ziti w/Italian Sausage

Strawberry Applesauce

Italian Blend Veg.

theme song, they (and interested disc jockeys) asked the catchy creation be expanded.

Sebastian added a second verse, and “Welcome Back”with the name “Kotter” absent from the lyrics - morphed into a hit Reprise Records single that ran nearly three minutes. Just right for Top 40 radio airplay.

“Welcome back, your dreams were your ticket out

“Welcome back to that same old place that you laughed about

“Well, the names have all changed since you hung around

“But those dreams have remained and they’ve turned around

“Who’d have thought they’d lead ya

“Back here where we need ya

Ironically, Sebastian was about to be dropped from Reprise because his last several singles had tanked. Not so this time, as “Welcome Back” rocketed to Number One the Billboard Hot 100.

Beef

In a later interview, Sebastian admitted that he would probably have been a Sweathog when he was a student in New York: “As a dyslexic kid, I was always the guy with those marks where the teacher says, ‘John seems to be an intelligent boy,’ and then the rest wasn’t as flattering.”

with The Lovin’ Spoonful and solo career, performs Sunday, Oct. 11, 2015, at the Juneau Arts and Culture Center. Photo by James Brooks via Wikipedia.

Book:

Bibliography

Bronson, Fred. “The Billboard Book of Number One Hits (Third Edition).”

New York: Billboard Publications, Inc., 1992. Internet: Breihan, Tom. “John Sebastian – ‘Welcome Back.’” Sept. 2, 2019. www.stereogum.

Hogan, Ed. “’Welcome Back’ Review” by Ed Hogan. (No date listed) allmusic.com.

Miller, Victoria. “1976 No. 1 Hit

Song Was So Good, a TV Show Was Renamed Before It Was Released.” Feb. 16, 2026. parade. com. The third quote is from here.

“The Theme Song from ‘Welcome Back, Kotter’ is the #1 Song in America.” (No author listed) Nov. 13, 2009. history.com.

John Sebastian, “Welcome Back” (John Sebastian song). (No author or date listed) en.wikipedia.org.

“Welcome Back.” (No author or date listed) songfacts.com. The first two quotes are from here.

Peaches

Chicken, Broccoli, & Cheese Casserole Carrots

Texas Toast

Warm Spiced Peaches

Ziti w/Italian Sausage

Italian Blend Veg.

Dinner Roll/Marg. Oreos

Texas Toast

Warm Spiced Peaches

Chicken, Broccoli, & Cheese Casserole Carrots

Dinner Roll/Marg. Oreos

Chicken, Broccoli, & Cheese Casserole Carrots

Dinner Roll/Marg. Oreos

Spaghetti w/Meat Sauce Italian Vegetables

Texas Toast Tropical Fruit

Spaghetti w/Meat Sauce

Italian Vegetables

Texas Toast Tropical Fruit

Chicken Pot Pie over Biscuit Corn Brownie

Marinated Chicken

Diced Sweet Potatoes Broccoli

Beef Stew Rice Broccoli Bread/Marg. Pineapple Cup

Marinated Chicken

Dinner Roll/Marg. Pineapple Cup

Glazed Chicken Red Skin Potatoes Asparagus Bread/Marg. Nutty Buddy

Hamburger on Bun Red Skin Potatoes

Diced Sweet Potatoes Broccoli

Hamburger on Bun Red Skin Potatoes

Dinner Roll/Marg. Pineapple Cup

Stewed Tomatoes Jello w/Fruit

Hamburger on Bun Red Skin Potatoes

Stewed Tomatoes Jello w/Fruit

Maple Must. Pork Sweet Potatoes

Brussel’s Sprouts

Maple Must. Pork Sweet Potatoes

Brussel’s Sprouts Bread/Marg. Fruit Compote

Polish Sausage/Bun Mashed Potatoes

Glazed Chicken Red Skin Potatoes Asparagus Bread/Marg. Nutty Buddy

Stewed Tomatoes

Stuffed Pepper Soup Cauliflower

Pear Cup

BBQ Riblette/Bun Cheesy Potatoes Carrots Peach Cup Chicken Chipotle Bowl Tortilla Chips Spanish Rice Corn/Blk Beans Pear Cup

Polish Sausage/Bun

Sauerkraut Warm Spiced Apples

Jello w/Fruit

Mashed Potatoes

Sauerkraut

Pork Fritter on Bun Mayo

Warm Spiced Apples

Creamed Corn Green Beans

Pork Fritter on Bun Mayo

Brussel’s Sprouts

Cin. Applesauce

Creamed Corn Green Beans Cin. Applesauce

Pork Fritter on Bun Mayo Creamed Corn Green Beans

Dinner Roll/Marg. Peaches

Stuffed Pepper Soup Cauliflower

Cntry. Fried Steak/Gravy Mashed Potatoes Green Beans

Chicken Un-kabob w/ Pepper, Onion, Tomato Rice

Bread/Marg. Jello Cup

Cntry. Fried Steak/Gravy Mashed Potatoes Green Beans

Dinner Roll/Marg. Peaches

Cin. Applesauce

Chicken Un-kabob w/ Pepper, Onion, Tomato Rice

Dinner Roll/Marg. Pudding Cup

Bread/Marg. Jello Cup

Dinner Roll/Marg. Pudding Cup Closed for the holiday!

California Vegetables

Chicken Un-kabob w/ Pepper, Onion, Tomato Rice

Ham & Beans Carrots

Closed for the holiday!

Potato

BBQ Chicken Breast

Meatloaf w/Gravy Mashed Potatoes Peas

Bread/Marg. Fruit Compote BBQ Chicken Breast Macaroni & Cheese California Vegetables

Dinner Roll/Marg. Strawberry Applesauce Ham & Beans Carrots

Macaroni & Cheese

California Vegetables

Dinner Roll/Marg. Strawberry Applesauce

Bread/Marg. Mixed Fruit Cup

Dinner Roll/Marg.

Dinner Roll/Marg. Pudding Cup

Cornbread/Marg. Fruit Cup

Strawberry Applesauce

Cornbread/Marg. Fruit Cup

Ham & Beans Carrots

Cornbread/Marg. Fruit

Your donation counts. Every donation makes a difference. serve over 160,000 meals each year to seniors!

AUTHOR

‘WELCOME BACK’ Singer-songwriter guitarist John Sebastian, a member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame for his work

Peter Martinez embraces Filipino cooking, culture and community

By ANIKA YODER Feature Writer

When it comes to sharing culture and community, food is a key part of understanding more about where people come from and what can be learned about different cuisines. For Peter Martinez, 55, getting to cook and share Filipino food with people comes from not just the joy of cooking, but also from the instinct to share good conversation and get people to try new dishes.

Growing up, Martinez acquired his love of cooking from his father, who was head chef at his family owned restaurant in the Philippines. Certain dishes in the Philippines, like spaghetti, Martinez said, have different preparation methods depending on how people would like it made.

”Cooking is one of my passions. I know, growing up, because I tried to learn my dad’s…I never [could] copy his spaghetti. He used sardines. We call it stupid fish, because it’s crap in a can, right,” Martinez said. “And I don’t know how he did that. Then I tried to copy it, and it tastes like sardines. But when he cooked it... it’s different. I cook different, too. In the Philippines, our spaghetti is kind of sweet. It depends [on] who cooks it. Me, I put milk [in it].”

One of the items that Martinez said he makes is lumpia, a type of fried egg roll. Cooking for a large number of people, making about 200 to 500 pieces for everyone can take a lot of

time, so Martinez will recruit family and friends to help roll and fill lumpia wrappers to get ready to fry them.

”I have a friend or my niece or my nephew, whatever, I’m going to [have them help] cook [with] me, and then I’m going to start wrapping,” Martinez said. “I can do that easily if somebody is going to help me. Of course, it takes a lot of time doing it myself, because I’m going to cook it, prepare it, everything, and ... Well, it’s fun, because I like it.”

For Martinez, he said sharing food is like sharing happiness. Introducing people to Filipino cooking is something he and his family encourage everyone to do when they visit his home.

“As long as you enter the house, we offer you our food,” Martinez said. “Of course, we ask you first, ‘Have you tried this one? You want to try this one?’”

A public servant and councilman back in the Philippines, Martinez said his time spent working for the public had helped to inform his cooking and his aptitude for human connection. Learning about different cultures and sharing different dishes, Martinez said, helps to build connections with people and is a way to communicate through food.

“When you see people eating your food, and they’re happy, the feeling is... like, overjoyed ... you know?” Martinez said. “That’s so awesome. When you feel happy inside, when you see them eating your food.”

SHARING COMMUNITY AND CULTURE — Peter Martinez loves to share his Filipino culture through food, builidng community along the way. Photo by Anika Yoder.

ALMOST READY — Shown is the filling for lumpia a type of Filipino egg roll, along with prepared lumpia ready for the fryer. Peter Martinez enjoys sharing his culture through food. Photo by Anika Yoder.

Aging is Your Superhero —

Learning to flex our brain to stay sharp

By SHARON DUTKOWSKI School of Behavioral Sciences Grace College

In the previous articles we have explored the reasons why “Aging is your Superpower!” We looked at how our life experiences create resiliency in us, and how we use this resiliency to be able to learn and better prepare for similar situations. This gives us the ability to manage our emotions and our reactions, or in technical

terms, gives us cognitive flexibility and emotional regulation. As we continue to explore “Aging is your Superpower” this month, we will look at how we can “Flex Our Brain”. Flexing our brains is a fun way to think about staying sharp or using our brains on a regular basis. This helps us so we don’t start to forget things or easily get confused. We have all heard the term “use it or lose it.” That is the easiest way to think about flexing your brain. The technical term for flexing your brain is neuroplasticity. Do you remember the toy, Silly Putty? That fun toy that we had as kids, on Sunday mornings we would take our Silly Putty and stretch it out and then we would press it on the comic strip from the Sunday newspaper. Like magic the comic strip image was on the silly putty! That is a great way to think about neuroplasticity. You need to keep stretching

your brain to be able to grasp new things and remember the things you already knew. How you choose to manage your superpower is your decision, but I would argue it is a mindset. That is what flexing our brains is all about. How we see ourselves and what we can accomplish. We have control over our brains; we have an inner voice. There are key areas to think about to keep stretching our brains. First, try new things like cooking, reading, gardening and taking a class at the library. Second, use the technical part of your brain, play cards, solitaire on the computer, try a new app on your phone or even a video game. The third thing to do is stay active, you don’t have to go and join a competitive pickle ball league, just go for regular walks or follow an exercise video at home.

Last year my mom passed away at 90 years old. She was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s

A new chapter for Juday Creek:

OPS Living brings heart led senior care to South Bend

By RAVEN JOHNSON, SHRM-CP, RCA Vice President of Talent and Operations OPS Living

Juday Creek Assisted Living has joined OPS Living, marking a transition company leaders say will bring a renewed focus on connection, dignity and individualized care for residents.

OPS Living says the change is more than a management shift and reflects its broader philosophy of “heart-led” senior care centered on comfort, safety and relationships.

“We’ve walked this journey with our own loved ones,” said founder and CEO Sherri Berghoff. “That’s why Juday Creek is so special to us. It’s a place where we can bring the heart of OPS Living to life in a very personal way for the South Bend community.”

Visitors to Juday Creek will see updates in staff training, communication practices and daily engagement programs, according to the organization. Leaders say the goal is to strengthen consistency in care while maintaining a closeknit, boutique environment. The community’s smaller size allows staff to focus on individualized relationships with residents, OPS Living said, emphasizing that residents are known personally

and supported in daily routines and activities.

“This work is sacred,” Berghoff said. “Juday Creek is more than a communityit’s a home and we are honored to steward its next chapter.”

OPS Living describes its mission as centered on care for residents, staff and the surrounding community, with an emphasis on building a supportive workplace culture alongside resident services.

years ago, but I noticed after she was diagnosed, she did things to keep her mind active. She started doing more word searches and she loved to color in adult coloring books. She especially loved the ones with positive quotes or scripture verses. The Christmas before she passed, she and my sister picked out a picture for each of her children, spouses, grandchildren, and great grandchildren and my sister framed them for a total of 68 framed pictures. My mom gave each of us the framed colored pictures as a Christmas gift. As you can imagine these are treasured gifts. Although my mom showed

symptoms of Alzheimer’s like hearing music in the middle of the night and sometimes seeing things that were not there, she never forgot our names, and she recognized all of us. This is just one example of how to keep your brain flexing and stretching like Silly Putty.

What else can you do? I realize not everyone likes to color or do word searches. The point is to find something you do like to do. Think about what brought you joy in your teens, 20s and 30s, when you did not have time to do everything you wanted to do. Now you have time, explore possibilities and take out your Silly Putty to flex your brain.

INDIVIDUALIZED CARE Juday Creek Assisted Living has joined OPS Living, bringing a renewed focus on connection, dignity and individualized care for residents. Photo provided by OPS Living.

Saving money difficult on car lot

By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features

As the weather turns bright and balmy, a young man’s fancy is visited by visions of a new car.

Once a person, male or female, is infected with this infatuation, it’s difficult to shake.

Most seniors have purchased at least one vehicle during their lifetimes. Many, after memorizing the mantra “Never borrow money on something that depreciates,” paid cash for the family flivver.

That’s pretty tough to do these days because few folks have $50,000 or more sitting around the house or nestled in their bank or credit union account to slap down on a new car.

Those last two words are

worth repeating: new car.

How often have you been told to shun used cars because “you’re just buying someone else’s problems?” And the used car salesman has been saddled with an image somewhere between a conniving con man and a masked bank robber. Purchasing a used car from a reputable operator can save you a lot of money.

The moment you drive a new car off the lot, it depreciates at least 20%. If you paid $50,000 for it, it’s only worth $40,000 the second it hits the street.

A two-year-old vehicle has already depreciated about one-third from its new-car price. Some buyers shop car auctions to save money. There are folks who track down sales of rental cars. The image of these vehicles being kicked

around by every kind of driver who doesn’t treat them with respect can be misleading. They’re well maintained by the rental companies during their lives as temporary transportation for any and all types of drivers.

If you feel you want to treat yourself to a new car, settle on what car you want. Then find out how much it costs the dealer so you’ll know how much haggle space you have between that figure and the

manufacturer’s suggested retail price pasted in the window.

Don’t for a nanosecond think that the smiling team of “experts” on the lot is considering your welfare. They’re out to make a living and they make that living by moving the inventory - selling cars along with customized packages of extras, insurance, financing and a host of other add-ons that get slipped into the conversation willy-nilly

Social Security Matters -

and can fracture your finances if you aren’t alert. If you have an auto to trade in, don’t take it on the lot with you. Walk on the lot and do all your negotiating. Once you’ve settled on a price, then introduce your trade-in. Before going on the lot, find out how much you can get for your vehicle on the open market. That way you’ll know whether or not you’re getting a good deal. Mature Life Features

The right time to sign up for Social Security

By RUSSELL GLOOR National Social Security Advisor, Association of Mature American Citizens

Dear Rusty: I will be 62 in two years. I plan on signing up for SS at age 62, but I have heard there are details that are important when signing up. When it comes time, I want to make sure I do everything right. Can you help me understand? Signed: Claiming Soon

Dear Claiming Soon: Deciding when to claim your Social Security benefit is a decision you should make only after careful consideration of your personal circumstances. And details are, indeed, important.

For example, if you claim at age 62 (when you first become eligible), your monthly SS benefit will be only 70% of the amount you would get by waiting until age 67 to claim. And there are other considerations as well, including:

• If you are still working and claim at 62, you will be subject to Social Security’s Annual Earnings Test which limits how much you can earn from working while collecting early SS benefits.

The earnings limit changes each year, and for 2026 it is $24,480. If the annual limit after you claim early is exceeded, SS

will take back $1 in benefits for every $2 you are over the limit. And, if your work earnings substantially exceed the annual limit, you may even be temporarily ineligible for early SS benefits (until you either stop working full time or reach your SS full retirement age).

FYI, the AET lasts until you reach your FRA (age 67).

• The benefit reduction for claiming SS early is permanent. After you claim, you will only get increases for Cost-of-Living Adjustments which occur annually according to inflation.

FYI, the average annual COLA adjustment is about 2.5%.

• If you are married, the reduced benefit you get by claiming early will potentially be the basis of your spouse’s survivor

Bank fees send customers shopping

By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features

The financial fiascos and failures of the past couple of years have led to an array of new fees by credit-card companies and banks. Automated teller machine fees are on the rise, as are service costs for in-person bank visits.

If you have a checking account, take the time to shop around at other banks conve-

nient for you and ask what their fees and costs are for the type of checking account you need.

If you find a deal better than the one you have with your current bank, you can check with it to see if you can get the same treatment there. If not, move your account. You can do some shopping online by typing into your search engine such catchphrases as “bank fees” and “checking account fees.”

benefit if you pass first. Surviving spouse benefits are based on the amount you are receiving at your death, thus waiting longer for a higher personal benefit may also provide your spouse with a larger survivor benefit as your widow.

• If you wait longer than age 62, your monthly benefit will continue to increase (by approximately 6% per year) until you reach your FRA, when you get 100% of the amount you are entitled to from a lifetime of working.

FYI, you can even wait longer - up to age 70 - to claim an even higher monthly amount (8% more for each year of delay after FRA). At age 70, your SS benefit would be about 75% more than your age 62 benefit amount.

If you haven’t already done so, I suggest setting up your personal online “my Social Security” account at ssa.gov/myaccount to see what your SS benefits are estimated to be at various ages. Then, when you are closer to age 62, contact us again to talk about your specific personal circumstances at the time, and we can provide you with everything you need to know about applying for Social Security.

In the end, when claiming your Social Security benefits, you should consider your financial need, your health and life expectancy, your plans for working, and your marital status. We commend you for exploring this well in advance of becoming eligible and we will be here to assist when it is time for you to apply.

This article is intended for information purposes only and does not represent legal or financial guidance. It presents the opinions and interpretations of the AMAC Foundation’s staff, trained and accredited by the National Social Security Association. NSSA and the AMAC Foundation and its staff are not affiliated with or endorsed by the Social Security Administration (amacfoundation.org/ programs/social-security-dvisory) or email us at ssadvisor@ amacfoundation.org.

RUSSELL GLOOR

Wonder Woman, a wonder to behold

In 1941, educational consultant William Marston was hired by a publishing house that would become DC Comics.

By RANDAL C. HILL

Asked to create a collection of superheroes known as the Justice League, Marston soon devised a roster of six fictional folks.

One was a female do-gooder called Wonder Woman. As the lone lady on the baddie-bashing team, Diana Prince (her “normal” name before frantically spinning to become Wonder Woman) was a character drawn from Greek mythology.

“She’ll fight for democracy, but she’ll be fighting for equal rights for women,” Marston explained. “And her superpowers will be love and truth and beauty.”

Much of that would change 33 years later - except for the part about beauty.

ABC-TV decided to film a show based on the iconic crime-fighter. Enter Lynda Carter, a beauty-contest winner - she was Miss World USA in 1972 - who had moved from Phoenix (where she had sung in two bands during high school) to Los Angeles. A few minor film roles and TV commercials had come her way before Carter auditioned for the starring role in the forthcoming “Wonder Woman” show. When offered the part, Carter was down to $25 in the bank and proclaimed her contract a godsend - or so she thought.

With the growing women’s liberation movement, she felt this was the perfect time for the appearance of a tall (she’s 5’ 9”), brave and powerful female. The men behind the television production, though, focused more on other things.

Resplendent in a tight-fitting outfit of red, gold and blue, Carter’s striking face and hourglass figure often took precedence over the scripts that regrettably emphasized her appearance over her validity as a formidable female.

Production men seemed leery of promoting feminism and focused instead on how alluring they could make Carter for public consumption.

Cameramen and other crew members often ogled Linda in her provocative outfit, and

whispered comments and barely suppressed giggles were frequent occurrences on the “Wonder Woman” set.

She became famous. A Lynda Carter poster sold one million copies, fan mail poured in and she was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

“Wonder Woman” had middling ratings, but ABCTV axed it after one season. CBS-TV then picked up the program, and, according to Carter, an overdone erotic aura was added to each episode, while Carter was made

to wear an even more daring outfit.

After two more seasons, “Wonder Woman” mercifully ground to a halt.

“I never meant to be a sexual object,” she groused later. “I hate men looking at me and thinking what they think. And I know what they think; they write and tell me.” To distance herself, she became a recording artist, but the public always associated her with the TV role.

Writer Andy Mangels maintained that Wonder Woman

represented importance and believed that Wonder Woman was the purest embodiment of what a brave, strong woman could be.

“She stood for peace, love and equality,” he says. “She made statements regularly about the strength of sisterhood, and about treating people well.”

Bibliography Book:

Pingel, Mike. “The Q Guide to ‘Wonder Woman.’” New York: Alyson Books, 2008. The third quote is from p. 37.

Internet:

Garcia, Nelson A. “Lynda Carter: The Wonder of a Woman.” April 22, 2011. 55plusmag.us.

“Lynda Carter.” (No author or date listed) tvguide.com.

Lynda Carter (the second quote is from here), Wonder Woman (history), Wonder Woman (TV show). (No author or date listed) en.wikipedia. org.

“Wonder Woman’s Origin Story.” (No author listed) June 11, 2017. cbsnews.com. The first quote is from here.

Manage knee arthritis with activity

By JAMES GAFFNEY Mature Life Features

Staying fit and active can ease the pain of osteoarthritis in the knee and make it easier to manage. Osteoarthritis, also called wear-and-tear arthritis, involves gradual wearing away of the smooth slippery cartilage that lines a joint. Knee pain often is worst after periods of inac-

tivity, such as first thing in the morning. Walking up and down stairs or overuse also can trigger pain.

Some conservative measures to minimize this knee pain include: Strengthening. Strengthen the muscles around the knee and hip to help support those joints and improve stability.

Low-impact exercise.

Regular aerobic exercise can alleviate pain, improve function, build strength and help with weight management. Low-impact options include swimming, cycling or tai chi. Weight loss. Excess weight puts extra strain on knee joints.

Ice and rest. Icing the knee can relieve a pain flare-up. Total rest for up to a day may be helpful, but it’s

generally better to keep the knee and body moving in the least-aggravating way.

Knee bracing. Bracing can be effective at reducing pain, providing a feeling of support and for some people improving the ability to walk.

Shoe selection. A shoe with a soft, cushioned heel can absorb some of the impact from walking.

CONTINUES TO ADVOCATE FOR WOMEN Lynda Carter continues to advocate for women and girls through the beloved Wonder Woman character, as well as the LGBTQ+ community and others who have been impacted by Wonder Woman. Photo from lydacarter. com.

DIDN’T BELIEVE IT WOULD BE A HIT In 1975, studio executives didn’t believe that a Wonder Woman telebision program would be a hit. They were, of course, dead wrong. Photo from lyndacrarter.com.

Golf drives Matt Wolkins

By MAKSYM HART Staff Writer

A change in sports during high school set Matt Wolkins on a course that still shapes how he spends his free time today, with golf offering both competitive outlets and a steady social circle.

Wolkins turned to golf after stepping away from soccer as a teenager. With a set of clubs already available through his father, he gave the sport a try and found early success.

“I was a soccer player first and then kind of got out of soccer and needed another sport to play,” Wolkins said. “My dad had clubs, so I just kind of took up golf ... it was pretty easy for me.”

That early experience led to a spot on his high school team and later some time playing in college. Years later, golf remains a regular part of his routine, and he said it is the only sport he still plays consistently.

Most of his rounds take place at Stonehenge Golf Club in Winona Lake, where familiar faces and shared routines have created a tight-knit group of players. Wolkins said the appeal lies not only in the game itself but also in the relationships that form around it.

“I think, honestly, the competitiveness of it and then the friendships,” he said. “I have a decent amount of friends out

there ... it’s kind of like a little club.”

Wolkins has also found success in tournaments, particularly during his years playing at Raccoon Run Golf Course. He recalled winning seven club championships there, along with several smaller events and league titles.

Those victories carry meaning, but he said the nature of golf keeps outcomes in perspective.

“As golfers ... you can have good days and bad days,” Wolkins said. “Just because a guy wins a tournament one day, he may get beat by all his friends the next day.”

He continues to enter tournaments each year, usually competing in six or seven events depending on his schedule. This season includes early play in a par-3 event, with additional tournaments planned through the summer. Wolkins is also considering entering senior-level competitions across Indiana.

Preparation ahead of competition includes practice sessions aimed at addressing weak spots, followed by a more relaxed approach on tournament day. Staying calm, he said, often makes the difference.

“You always have nerves on the first tee, especially if there’s people watching,” he said. “You shoot a lot better when you’re calm.”

Physical challenges in recent

years have influenced how Wolkins approaches the game, with periods away from the course leading him to place greater value on quality rounds and time spent with friends.

“I’m going to try to play less golf this year, play more meaningful golf,” he said.

Even with those interruptions, golf remains accessible in a way few sports are. Wolkins noted that older players can remain active for decades, including his own father, who still plays at 83.

Time on the course also offers a break from daily routines. Whether playing alone, with his wife riding along or meeting friends for a round, Wolkins values the chance to unplug and spend time outdoors.

“It’s a great way to get outside and get some sun ... and just a great way to relax,” he said. “The friendship that comes with it means more than anything.”

As he looks ahead, Wolkins said he plans to remain active in the game for as long as he is able, continuing to balance competition with the connections that have formed along the fairways.

STILL ON PAR Matt Wolkins poses beside a hole on a golf course, where the sport has provided years of competition, friendship and relaxation. Photo provided by Matt Wolkins.

Report: Exercise, creative hobbies can help Alzheimer’s patients

By TERRI DEE Public News Service

The Alzheimer’s Association said keeping your brain and body active in the transition from middle age to the senior years is important for cognitive health. Good habits can play a significant role in combating the development of Alzheimer’s, a disease affecting more than 121,000 Hoosiers.

Behaviors showing the onset of the incurable condition include forgetting important dates or events and asking the same questions repeatedly. An inability to remember the names of family members or longtime friends is another significant sign.

Heather Snyder, senior vice president of medical and scientific relations for the Alzheimer’s Association, said a person’s overall health and fitness are major factors in their cognitive ability.

“We’re often worried about other factors, like our blood pressure, our cholesterol,” Snyder observed. “I think while we’re worrying about those in midlife, we’re not necessarily making the connection that addressing those, or doing something about them, may actually impact our brain health.”

The majority of people living

with Alzheimer’s have at least one other chronic condition, such as heart disease, diabetes or stroke. A recent study showed 88% of U.S. adults say maintaining brain health as they age is very important, but only 9% know what to do.

Snyder acknowledged there is not a list of specific activities someone can do to prevent Alzheimer’s but learning something new helps engage the brain. Suggested activities to encourage mental stimulation can include working on crossword puzzles, playing cards, listening to music and participating in fun hobbies.

“By learning a new language, you’re engaging your brain, you’re challenging your brain, you’re building new brain connections between your brain cells that are building that resilience,” Snyder outlined. “Other people I’ve met over the years have talked about taking a class that is in economics, but they were an art teacher. Again, learning something new.”

Protecting against a head injury, especially falls, managing stress and not smoking were identified as three key lifestyle habits for well-being. The report indicated respondents identified age 35-64 as the most effective life stage for better brain health practices.

reported more than 7 million Americans

estimates the cost of care could reach $409 billion

Solo travel multiplying

By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features

Statistics vary but tour operators generally indicate around half of their sign-ups are by single travelers and as many as 80% of these soloists are women.

Still a thorn in the side of single travelers are the single-supplement fees charged by cruise ships, hotels and tour operators.

You can avoid these fees by negotiating the price before booking or working with a travel provider that can tailor tours by, among other things, providing shared accommodations with a fellow traveler with similar interests.

LIVING WITH ALZHEIMERS — The Alzheimer’s Association

are living with Alzheimer’s disease. The organization

this year. Photo provided.

Combine sightseeing while enhancing cooking skills

By VICTOR BLOCK Guest Columnist

When Marie Crawford decided to enhance her culinary skills, she found that no cooking classes were offered in, or very near to, her home in northern Indiana. She signed up to take courses at the Ivy Tech Community College campus in Bloomington, one of a number of locations which are dotted around the state.

Among classes offered there are Culinary Art, Confidentially Cooking and College for Kids.

Crawford also turned her gastronomic gallivant into a sightseeing excursion.

She checked out the Porter West Preserve, laced by trails that lead through a lovely forest and past a history cemetery, and the Beanblossom Bottoms Nature Preserve, a wetland which is home to a variety of endangered animal species.

Similar opportunities to combine a culinary learning experience with stimulating

sightseeing abound throughout the United States. After a search to find cooking classes that are of interest, people may hunt for things to see and do nearby.

Among culinary course at Bossier Parish Community College in Louisiana are food basic skills, development and preparation principles. The region’s relationship with food traces back to the 1830s, when the Elysian Groves Plantation grew corn, sweet potatoes and other crops which were shipped to markets in the south and east.

Meal time in Texas often means brisket, chicken fried steak and pecan pie. At the Spread Oaks Ranch in Markham selections include fresh-from-the gardens and greenhouse veggies, and learning to pair wines with food. When they’re not preparing, or enjoying edibles, guests may select from a long list of activities including fresh and salt water fishing, hunting birds and stalking deer, wild hogs and alligators.

Agriculture has long shaped Idaho’s identity and the state’s food culture reflects a deep connection to locally grown ingredients and seasonal produce. Students at North Idaho College in Coeur d’Alene may study classical cooking techniques, nutrition and baking fundamentals.

Similar classes - Culinary Essentials, Nutrition, Bakeshop I and II - also are offered at the Danville Area Community College in Illinois. They’re augmented by courses in salads, sandwiches, farm-to-fork and other topics, all taught by master chefs in a state-of-the-art kitchen.

The choices at Ivy Tech Community College in Indianapolis, are equally varied, and are available at nine locations. In addition to overall culinary arts classes they include baking and pastry, dietary administration and beverage management.

Hands-on experience is a focus of study at Edmonds Com-

munity College in Lynnwood, Wash. It blends classic cooking techniques with regional flavors. Students gain experience working in local kitchens, including the College Café. Opportunities to cook in a college café, perfect your pastry prowess, broil brisket and try out regional recipes are just a

few of countless approaching to upgrading one’s culinary talents. Combining that learning experience with a sightseeing sojourn can offer benefits well beyond the plate, and palate. For a comprehensive list of cooking schools throughout the United States, log onto culinaryschools.org/us.

EXPAND YOUR SKILLS Combine a culinary learning experience with sightseeing. Photo provided by Dreamstime.com.

CLASSES FOR KIDS Enjoy some time with the grandchildren and sign up for cooking classes specifically for kids and then spend time seeing the area. Photo provided by Dreamstime.com.

CLASSES FOR MEN While the women are enhancing their cooking skills, why not sign up the man in your life for similar experiences. Photo provided by Dreamstime.com.

The lowest prices on hearing aids from A to Z

By DAVID KEENAN Owner Affordable Hearing Store

Finding affordable hearing aids can feel overwhelming, but there are several good options available. From insurance benefits to local charities, it pays to know where to look.

If you have a Medicare Advantage plan through AARP, your benefits may provide hearing aids at very reasonable prices. Even a basic AARP membership can save you thousands on top-brand hearing aids through local providers.

Affordable Hearing Store, with locations in La Porte, Mishawaka, Elkhart, and St.

Joseph, Mich., offers some of the lowest prices while still providing full local service. They will help you find the best deals, even if it isn’t through them.

Audicus is one direct-to-consumer option worth considering. Their products are good, prices are competitive, and their telecare support is among the best.

Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Advantage plans include hearing aid discounts, and most Medicare Advantage plans offer hearing benefits; however, benefits may not be as generous in 2026 as they were in 2025; they could be reduced further in 2027.

Costco remains the champion

of low-cost hearing aids. They are the largest hearing aid retailer in the U.S. offering the lowest pricing, multiple brands, and excellent service, return, and exchange policies; however, they don’t accept insurance.

Medicare and Medicaid dual plans may provide advanced hearing aids at no cost. The Lions Club may also help through recycled hearing aid programs.

The top-rated Sennheiser over-the-counter hearing aid is worth considering, especially when on sale for as little as $799 per pair.

Other options include Sam’s Club, which now works with Nations Hearing; Soundly, which offers prescription hearing aids through the AARP network; and UnitedHealthcare Hearing, especially its Relate brand.

State vocational rehabilitation programs may also help those who need hearing aids for work. ZipHearing connects patients with local providers offering discounted prices.

The bottom line is that affordable hearing aids are available. The key is knowing which programs best fit your needs, location, insurance coverage, and budget.

New Steps to Aid in Elder Abuse and Neglect

Q. What should I do if I suspect an older adult is being abused or neglected?

A. Many people hesitate because they are not completely sure what they are seeing. But when it comes to elder abuse, neglect, or exploitation, paying attention and speaking up can make an important difference.

Warning signs may include sudden isolation, unusual financial activity, poor living conditions, fearfulness, or noticeable changes in behavior. Sometimes concerns are subtle, but it is important not to ignore them.

You do not need proof to ask questions or seek guidance. If something feels wrong, trust your instincts.

In Indiana, concerns about abuse,

Karla (KJ) Mapes, CEO REAL Services

neglect, or exploitation involving older adults can be reported anonymously through Adult Protective Services at 800992-6978. If someone is in immediate danger, call 911.

If you are unsure where to start, contact the REAL Services Aging & Disability Resource Center (ADRC) at 574-233-8205 for information, local resources, and support.

Sometimes the first step is simply recognizing that someone may need help.

1151 S. Michigan St., South Bend, IN 46601

574-233-8205 https://realservices.org/

Q. What’s coming in June?

A. Having posted our 100th Senior Talk Michiana episode in May, we begin moving forward and God willing, celebrate number 200 in May of 2028. I missed the 100th; it was posted on May 11th, and our guest was Pastor Chris Knight, who was instrumental in creating the podcast.

June episodes will feature Wendi Geons from Careforth discussing their support programs for caregivers and Tony Varda from Iconic Care, sharing information on diabetic footwear and testing solutions. We are also looking forward to episodes on Veterans’ information and our Senior Talk medical adviser, Dr. Thomas Sweeney, discussing medical myths.

Senior Talk Michiana is a non-prof-

it 501(c) (3), and in June, we are introducing a new sponsor, Greencroft Communities, along with our other sponsors Everence Financial, Senior Life Newspapers, Aging Connections of Michiana, The Owls Club, and the Wakarusa Chamber of Commerce. Listeners can easily access the podcast through free subscriptions on platforms such as Spotify, Facebook, and www.seniortalkmichiana.org. We would also love to have your feedback, so please contact us at seniortalkmichiana@gmail.com

SAVE THOUSANDS

Financial Services

Q. How can I teach my grandchildren about generosity?

A. Generosity doesn’t always come naturally to kids, and it can sometimes be an uphill battle to teach them to give freely. However, there are many things you can do to instill generosity in your grandkids, no matter their age.

Build empathy: By developing empathy, our grandchildren can be motivated to bring out good feelings in others in a healthy way – such as sharing with friends or donating to an important cause.

Model: Witnessing generosity firsthand can be incredibly powerful for kids. Model generosity with your time and resources –and make sure your grandkids are watching!

Partner: Go a step further and invite your grandchildren to join you as you help

a friend in need or volunteer at a local nonprofit. Let them join in on the fun!

With a robust youth program, Everence Federal Credit Union can help the young people in your life develop essential financial skills – including generosity. Learn more at everence.com/youth-program, call 574-533-9513, or visit us at the Everence Family Entertainment Center at the Elkhart County 4-H Fair July 24 through Aug. 1!

1110 N. Main St. Goshen, IN 46528 574-537-8773 michiana@everence.com

Hearing Healthcare

Q. What level of hearing aid do I need?

A. Most hearing aid models come in three to five technology levels. Physically, they are very similar, with the same microphone, speaker, chip, and design. The main differences are the software features and the price.

At Affordable Hearing Store, we do not believe everyone needs the most expensive hearing aid. To recommend the right level, we look at three things: how well you understand speech in background noise, how often you are in noisy places, and your budget.

Some providers recommend premium technology to almost everyone, assuming the highest level will always give the best results. Premium hearing aids can help, especially in busy listening situations, but they are not

David Keenan

always necessary.

In one trial, patients tried both a basic and a premium hearing aid. Most could not tell a meaningful difference. Those who benefited most from premium devices were usually people who were still working, attended frequent meetings, or spent a lot of time in noisy group settings.

LACE AI Pro, an auditory training app, helps improve your ability to understand speech in noise at any technology level. For people who truly need extra help, combining LACE with premium hearing aid features can make a significant difference.

Elkhart - Mishawaka - Laporte - St. Joseph Call 574-387-4215

Voted “Best Hearing Center” 10 times!

Elder Law

Q. How long does Medicare really pay for a nursing home?

A. Original Medicare will cover a shortterm stay in a skilled nursing facility under specific conditions. Medicare Part A covered a limited stay after a qualifying hospital stay of at least three days. This coverage includes room and board at the skilled nursing facility as well as physical therapy, occupational therapy, medications, and other necessary treatments. Original Medicare will cover the full cost from days 1 – 20. Medicare will require a daily copayment from days 21- 100. This copay is $217 per day. Medicare coverage stops after 100 days.

It should be noted that the Medicare coverage only lasts so long the patient needs skilled medical services. The patient’s physician will determine if skilled nursing care is necessary to maintain or improve their condition or to prevent or delay the condition from getting worse. It is possible that the coverage will not last 100 days if it is not medically necessary.

It should also be noted that Medicare Advantage plans will sometimes waive the three-

Jesica L. Thorson Attorney At Law

day hospital stay requirement. However, some plans do charge copays during the first 20 days, and not all skilled nursing facilities may accept your plan.

Once Medicare days have ended the patient will need to determine if it is suitable for them to return home. If they are unable to return home, then they will need to determine a different pay source for their stay at the skilled nursing facility. An elder law attorney can help determine how best to cover these expenses through Medicaid, Veterans benefits or private pay.

Senior Relocation

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

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,

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

Tim McCulloch, Owner

Independence | Dignity | Strength

1151 S. Michigan St, South Bend IN 46601 | (574) 233-8205

info@ info@realservices.org

Come to the Table Good Food. Good Company. Good Days

Join REAL Services for fresh meals, friendly conversation, and community connections at senior meal sites across northern Indiana.

Whether you enjoy lunch with friends at a local dining site or receive Meals on Wheels at home, REAL Services is helping older adults stay healthy, independent, and connected.

• Fresh, nutritious meals

• Friendly visits & conversation

• Activities & social connection

• Home-delivered meals for eligible adults 60+

REAL Services proudly serves more than 30,000 people each year throughout St. Joseph, Elkhart, Kosciusko, Marshall, and LaPorte Counties.

REAL Services launched the nation’s first congregate meal program in 1968, creating a model now used across the country.

There’s always a seat waiting for you.

Call: 574-370-3432

Email: nutrition@realservices.org Visit: www.realservices.org

Join Us for REAL Talk

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

Planning Ahead: Legal Tools for Your Peace of Mind

June 10 | 11:30 AM | Portage Commons (574) 284-7189

June 18 | 11:00 AM | OWLS (574) 336-2652

June 23 | 11:30 AM | Salvation Army (574) 284-7189

June 26 | 11:30 AM | 1ROOF (Lunch) (574) 284-7189

realservices.org Real Services, Inc.

Community & Conversations

Come Hungry. Leave Connected.

As spring arrives and the days grow brighter, it’s the perfect time to reconnect with neighbors and share a meal together. Join us for Community & Conversations, a relaxed monthly gathering at the Portage Commons Senior Enrichment Center, 133 N. William St.

Stop by Thursday, June 11 from 4:00–6:30 PM for a free meal and easy conversation in a welcoming setting. No speeches, no formal program, just good food, friendly faces, and the simple joy of community.

Come for the meal, stay for the conversation, and celebrate the fresh start that spring brings.

Free and open to all. Donations accepted.

PLAN!

Talk with trusted family members and professionals to plan for the future.

INFORM EACH OTHER!

Speak up about the supports and awareness needed to protect us from abuse as we go.

STAY CONNECTED!

Keep in touch with others regularly, isolation can increase the risk of abuse.

REPORT!

Making a report in instances of abuse or neglect is the right thing to do, and it’s easy. Don’t be afraid! We all have the right to feel safe!

realservices.org/portage-commons/ Portage Commons portagecommons@realservices.org

June Highlights at Portage Commons

Tue. Jun. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 | 10:00 AM | Trivia Tuesdays

Put your thinking cap on and enjoy friendly competition, laughter, and lively conversation.

Tue. Jun. 23 & 30 | 1:00 PM | Acrylic Painting Class

Fri. Jun. 5, | 12:30 AM | Friday Flick: A League of Their Own

Settle in for a meaningful film and a relaxing afternoon with friends.

Wed. Jun. 10 | 11:30 AM | REAL Talk: Legal Tools for Your Peace of Mind

This session will focus on advance directives-including Powers of Attorney, Health Care Representatives, and Living Wills explaining what they are, why they matter, and how they can help ensure your wishes are respected.

Thu. Jun. 18 | 1:00 PM | Let’s Talk About It: Rehabilitation after Surgery

Fri. Jun. 12 | 12:30 PM | WNIT Presents: Built on Baseball

Mon. Jun. 15 | 1:00 PM | Intro to Watercolors

Ready, set, paint! Explore beginner-friendly watercolor techniques and unleash your creativity.

Fri. Jun. 12 | 1:00 PM | Sound Therapy Class

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

Thur. Jun. 4, 11, 18 & 25 | 10:00 AM | Knitting & Crocheting

June

Wed. Jun. 3 | 4:30 PM | Photography Club

Mon. Jun. 1, 8, 15, 22, & 27 | 10:00 AM | Chair Yoga

Wed. Jun. 3, 10, 17, 24, | 1:00 PM | Senior Strength

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

Faith Pat Anderson has a Heavenly Father who holds her up in her darkest days

By LAURIE LECHLITNER Staff Writer

“One of the darkest periods of my life was when my husband Donald was diagnosed with cancer in 2012,” stated Pat Anderson, Bristol. “I remember the day after he passed away six months later. I attended my home church Mount Perry Presbyterian Church in Ohio. Some of my friends were amazed that I made it to church the day after Donald’s passing. But, really, where would I be? I needed my Heavenly Father to hold me up and comfort me.” She served as an elder in that church.

Anderson was baptized in the Methodist Church. “But I spent much of my growing-up years at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Bristol. When I got into my late teens I asked Jesus into my heart, developing a personal relationship with Him. That’s when I started to realize that Jesus is not just a story, but a real person. He is also God incarnate.”

Through the years, Anderson has gone through many health struggles. “When I was weighing in at about 300 pounds, I decided to have bariatric surgery. Although I’d do it again because I was able to lose weight, I suffered many

additional health issues later in life.”

She went through a period after bariatric surgery where she suffered from severe dehydration and malnutrition. “I got to where I wasn’t sure what I was doing. I was almost comatose at times. I was in the hospital every few weeks. Because of my past trouble with obesity, I suffered from congestive heart failure, high blood pressure, AFib and incontinence. I used a cane and walker to get around.”

Anderson was also prone to falling. “I had very low energy. And sometimes I’d find myself on the ground and I wasn’t even aware I had fallen.”

She got a pacemaker to help regulate her heart. But Anderson suffered from broken bones from her falls and osteoporosis. “I’d had both hips replaced before Donald died. I also had a shoulder replacement and carpal tunnel surgery. I was in and out of the hospital.”

During this time her surrogate son Mark and sister Jan were taking care of her. “Mark was diagnosed with cancer and taking treatments. And my sister is seven years older than me. I didn’t think they should have to care for me.”

She dropped into a deep

depression. “I cried out to the Lord, saying, ‘God, I cannot see You, feel You or hear You anymore. Open my eyes, ears and spirit to draw near You again.’” The doctor prescribed a mild antidepressant that helped immensely. “This was happening when I was past 70 years of age.”

After undergoing another heart procedure for her AFib a year ago last March, things began to look better. “I was able to complete my therapy sessions, dress myself, take sponge baths and wash my hair.”

Anderson moved back to Indiana to live with her sister, Jan Riley, in September 2025, after Mark passed away in August of that year. She lost his twin brother, Matthew, three years prior.

“Through my health issues and the loss of those I dearly loved, I learned to lean on the Lord. He gave me the mercy and strength to survive.” Now she is back at the home church she attended as a child, St. John’s Episcopal Church.

“I feel like a walking miracle. This past March marks a year since I have not been in the hospital or rehab. I am truly living proof that with God all things are possible. I’m convinced He still has a purpose for me.”

Slowing down is part of mature motorists’ manual

By CECIL SCAGLIONE

Mature Life Features

The “get ‘em off the road” gang is after aging drivers again.

This happens every time anyone behind the wheel 75 or older gets into an accident.

The more major the mishap, the more media coverage and the louder the argument about yanking all silver-haired vehicle operators off the road. Take away their licenses. Test them every year. Let them walk. It’s safer.

They bring out the statistics that senior drivers are the second-most accident-prone segment of America’s motoring public.

The single-most road-risky group are teen-aged drivers.

But no one suggests taking away their licenses when a group of teens are killed or maimed when their overloaded vehicle rolls over or smashes into another.

Detractors of senior drivers suggest taking driving licenses away at a certain age. How about holding back drivers’ licenses to young people until they reach a certain age? Neither of these suggestions make sense.

Age is not the problem. The problem is common sense and competence behind the wheel.

It is estimated that one out of every five of the nation’s drivers will be older than 65 by 2030.

A Massachusetts Institute of Technology study indicates that most older drivers limit or stop driving on their own as

they perceive their capabilities diminishing.

About 70% of more than 3,800 drivers 50 years and older queried said they restricted their driving under a variety of conditions. These included bad weather, heavy traffic, rush hour, at night, long distances and freeways.

Older drivers apparently develop strategies to compensate for failing vision, slower reflexes, stiffer joints and medication, according to researchers.

The transportation needs of some 70% of the people who live in the suburbs or rural areas are a major hurdle to such simple solutions as forcing seniors out of their cars and forcing them into buses, subways, trolleys and trains.

It’s been proved that the cost of car payments, auto insurance, fuel, upkeep and maintenance can buy a lot of taxi-cab rides. But that alternative is not always available.

Older drivers can help their cause by supporting physical improvements such as signs that are larger and less complex, improved lighting and enhanced visibility at intersections and remedial-driving programs.

Translating gestures is tricky

By IGOR LOBANOV Mature Life Features

Body and sign language can be as offensive as the spoken word when you’re traveling. Even greetings can be misunderstood.

North Americans normally wave a hello or goodbye by raising an arm with the palm outward and waggling the hand back and forth.

Most Europeans also greet and say goodbye with a raised arm, but they move the hand up and down, much as one would dribble a basketball. Waggling the hand, as we do, signals a “No.”

In the West, many fathers instruct their sons, “When you shake a person’s hand, do it several times with a strong grip while looking the person in the eye.” In Scandinavian countries, custom dictates a curt, firm, one-pump shake. Women and children also will extend a hand to shake.

Koreans are taught not to look adults in the eyes, which is a sign of respect for the older person. Among some adults there and in Japan, to look a person in the eye is considered intimidating.

The Japanese customarily will make a slight bow first, then, as a measure of accepting Western standards, will extend their hand.

If greeted with a bow, you need not return the gesture, but doing so, even slightly, tells the person you respect their customs.

In the Middle East, people will grip an outstretched hand gently. A firm handshake suggests aggressiveness. Some older people still give the salaam, where the person’s right hand makes an upward sweep, touching the heart, forehead and finally up and outward, while the head gives a slight nod. The words you will hear are “salaam alaykum” (peace be with you).

Also in this region, a man is forbidden to touch any woman he is not related to. A visiting male who ignores this rule is inviting trouble.

If you’re journeying in India and other Southeast Asian nations, you may be greeted by a local leaning forward a bit with hands clasped on the chest as in praying and saying, “Namaste,” which has various meanings. It can mean “I honor your inner light” but is also used to say “Thank you” or even “I’m sorry.”

Body language also is translated differently around the world. When conversing with another individual, people begin by defining their personal space. Ask yourself, “What is my comfort zone?”

In the United States and Canada, we generally are at ease about an arm’s length from the other person. Japanese often position themselves even farther apart, while Chinese move in close. Those from Latin countries and Middle Easterners converse toe-to-toe or side-by-side.

Continued on page 17

LIVING MIRACLE Pat Anderson, Bristol, has lost some of the people she loved most through death. She has also struggled with countless health issues. But through it all, God has given her the strength to persevere. She believes He still has a purpose for her.

Photo by Cindy Keck.

June events at the LaGrange County Public Library system

Here are the events coming up for June 2026 at the LaGrange County Public Library and its branches in Shipshewana and Topeka. For more information and the latest updates go to lagrange.lib.in.us The summer reading programs have started!

For Youth: Unearth a StorySpecial summer programs start June 1. You can sign up at any library branch until July 16 to be able to earn prizes for reading. First day to turn in your reading log and get a prize is June 10. Join the library staff as they “Unearth a Story” this summer!

For Adults: America 250: Unearth a Story - Adult Summer Reading Challenge through July 25. All LaGrange Co. Public Library branches and bookmobile. For every three books read and/or library programs attended, participants can put an entry into a drawing for one of three metal detectors!

LaGrange Monday Movies — 1 p.m. every Monday. The library will show a kid-friendly movie and have free popcorn. Bring a covered drink if you wish. June movies: Moana 2, Zootopia 2, PBS Walking with Dinosaurs, GOAT and Spongebob: The Search for Squarepants.

Pre-School Story Time (ages 0-5) Theme: Alphabet, Letters K, L, M Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. Enjoy stories, songs and rhymes with a fun craft or activity.

Makerspace and Lego play 2:30-7 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays in June.

For ages 5 and up, parents must stay with children 10 and under. Makerspace is a collaborative space where people can use a variety of tools and materials to create, learn and share. Library staff will have different building materials and crafting supplies available for use. Staff will have new special projects every week and they will have all of their Legos out to build what you want or complete the monthly challenge.

Friday Family Games! 10 a.m, to 4 p.m. Fridays in June:

All ages – children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult. Bring the whole family and join library staff for board games, Nintendo Switch or Wii! They will have tables and games, and TVs set up to play video games together. Come and go as you are able during this time.

Culinary Adventure: Sower House Shoppe and Tea Room

1 p.m. Friday, June 5, 8983 N 350 E, Rome City, IN

This historic home, built in 1888, now offers coffee and tea, as well as an assortment of locally crafted goods. Meet at the house for a delightful snack, then – if you wish – travel just down the road to join our Patchwork Trails group at the Gene Stratton-Porter State Historic Site. Food and drink are at your own expense. Register at the LaGrange Main Library or by calling (260) 4632841 x1030 so we’ll know how many to expect.

Patchwork Trails: Gene Stratton-Porter State Historic Site

2 p.m. Friday, June 5,1205 Pleasant Point, Rome City Wander the glorious gardens at the home of northern Indiana’s most famous author. Meet the group in the parking lot, or register to enjoy a Culinary Adventure at the nearby Sower House before the walk.

Teen Games (Ages 6th -12th grades)

4-7:30 p.m. Monday, June 8. Drop in anytime and stay as long as you can. Play some larger group party type games or settle in for something longer. Free pizza and water provided!

Second Saturday Book Club

11 a.m. Saturday, June 13

This month we’ll discuss Moloka’i by Alan Brennert. Rachel Kalama, a spirited 7-yearold Hawaiian girl, dreams of visiting far-off lands, but when a rose-colored mark appears on her skin, those dreams are stolen from her. Taken from her

Translating

Continued from page 16

Keeping your hands in your pockets during a conversation, while common on this side of the Atlantic, is seen as impolite in France, Belgium, Japan and many other countries.

A popular signal of approval in North America, usually exhibited in appreciation of a musical or other performance or upon glimpsing a pretty girl, is the whistle. In England, it signifies disapproval.

Hand signals can be a source of malice or misunderstanding. Take the American “hang loose” sign, in which the hand is raised palm outward with the forefinger and little finger extended. In Texas, it represents a cheer for sports fans named for the state’s longhorn cattle. In Africa, it’s deemed to levy a curse on one.

Italians view it as a sign

home and family, Rachel is sent to a quarantined leprosy settlement on the island of Moloka’i. Here her life is supposed to end—but instead she discovers it is only just beginning. Copies available at the LaGrange Library Adult Information Desk. Ages 16+

Books & Banter Book Club: Grade 7-12 4-5 p.m. Monday, June 15

Discussing: Matched by Ally Condie. Come to the library in May to get your book to read & discuss in June. Stay after for our Teen Book Bedazzling program!

Teen Book Bedazzling: Grade 6-12

5-7 p.m. Monday, June 15

Bring your own book or choose one of ours and decorate a section of the cover with diamond art beads. Supplies included and snacks & water provided.

Book Buddies Book Club: Grade 1-3

4-5 p.m.Tuesday, June 16

Rider Woofson, the Very First Case by Walker Syles. At each meeting, we start reading our book together, do a fun activity, then you will take the book home to finish reading and bring back next month.

Page Turners Book Club: Grades 3-7

4-5 p.m.Tuesday, June 16

Discussing Lemonade War by Jacquelin Davies. Come to the library in May to get your book to read and discuss in June. At each meeting we will discuss the book we read this month and do a fun activity or craft related to the story.

Teen Video Games and Table Top Roll Play Games (Grades 7-12)

4-7:30 p.m.Monday, June 22

Join library staff for Nintendo Switch, Wii and VR. If you enjoy TTRPG’s like Dungeons & Dragons, the staff will have some premade games to play through. There will also be snacks and TVs set up to play.

Make & Take with Deb: Patriotic Firecracker Porch-Sit-

ter Trio

6 p.m. Wednesday, June 24. Participants will make a set of three firecracker porch-sitters in a patriotic theme. All supplies included. Sample on display at LaGrange Main Library. Cost is $25 per person. Register with non-refundable deposit of $15 at the LaGrange Main Library by June 17. Ages 12+

Archi-Trek: South Bend Thursday, June 25. Depart 8:30 a.m., return 5 p.m; from the LaGrange Co. Public Library

South Bend is many things at once: Historic, educational, crossroads, industrious, world stage and artistic. All of these things influence its architecture. There are mansions large even by mansion standards. Is there a dominant architecture style at Notre Dame University? Let’s find out. We might even find evidence of an architectural visionary, if we look in the Wright place. This is a walking and riding tour. Cost is $12 per person. Registration is required as space is very limited. Register by cash or check at the library, or payable online at Eventbrite.com, or by mailing a check to Green Bus Tours. Ages 12+ Cookbook Club

11 a.m. Saturday, June 27

This month’s cookbook is Historic National Road Yard Sale Cookbook. Check out the cookbook of the month at the Main Library Adult Service’s Desk. Choose a recipe. Make it and bring it to the Cookbook Club carry-in! Plates, silverware, coffee and tea will be

provided. Cookbook Club meets the fourth Saturday of each month. Families welcome!

LaGrange Co. Arts Summer Arts Festival Kids Creation Station!

9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, June 27 outside the LaGrange Library and at the Courthouse Square

Events include local and regional artists, music, food, and a kid’s creation station! Kids – come prepared to possibly get messy creating some great art! Coming in October!

Explore the nation’s capital in our 250th year on a six-day Motorcoach Trip to Washington D.C. & Gettysburg!

Oct. 26 through Oct. 31.

Complete information available at the Library or watch for details!

Shipshewana

Pre-School Story Time (ages 0-5) Theme: Alphabet, Letters K, L, M

Tuesdays at 11 a.m

Enjoy stories, songs and rhymes with a fun craft or activity.

Topeka

Pre-School Story Time (ages 0-5) Theme: Alphabet, Letters K, L, M

Wednesdays at 11 a.m.

Enjoy stories, songs and rhymes with a fun craft or activity.

Patchwork Trails: Historic Topeka

6 p.m. Tuesday, June 16, 133 N. Main St., Topeka Meet at the Topeka Branch Library. Historian Harold Gingerich will lead a walking tour of the downtown area, sharing stories of the town’s past.

that someone is being cuckolded. In Japan, it signifies the number six: the thumb equals five, the little finger adds one more.

In Germany, the upright thumb alone signals one.

The popular signal we use with the thumb and forefinger touching to say “OK” means zero or worthless in France. Chinese interpret it as “Up yours!”

The commonly used V-for-Victory sign of World War II is fine, especially in England, if you make it with the palm facing outward. Raising the V with the back of the hand facing an Englishman sends a rude remark.

Boyz II Men, the Jacksons to perform at free Elkhart concert in August

The city of Elkhart and The Lerner Theatre have announced “Celebration Under the Stars” featuring Boyz II Men and The Jacksons at 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 29.

The performance is free and will take place on the Central Green, across from The Lerner Theatre, 300 S. Main St., downtown Elkhart. It is being presented by the Elkhart County Convention and Visitors Bureau and Friends of The Lerner as a continuation of an outdoor event that blends Elkhart’s musical heritage with a one-night, outdoor, festival-style concert.

“Last year we saw more than 15,000 people come out for Celebration Under the Stars,” said Elkhart Mayor Rod Roberson. “It was the largest event that’s happened in the city history and completely reimagined our downtown Central Green. Our entire downtown is in a real transformative period and

Celebration Under the Stars embodies the new energy of downtown. I’m very thankful to all of the partners who have made this happen and I’m excited to see everybody this summer for our second celebration under the stars.”

“The Elkhart County CVB is excited to be the co-presenting sponsors of Celebration Under the Stars along with the Friends of the Lerner,” said Jon Hunsberger, executive director of the Elkhart County CVB. “Last year’s concert proved how a powerful downtown Elkhart event could bring together community for an unforgettable night of music. Now we’re bringing two more icons of music to create yet another magical night that will be memorable for residents and visitors and impactful for our downtown businesses.”

“The Friends of the Lerner is excited to partner with the city of Elkhart and the Elkhart

County CVB on Celebration Under the Stars. It is a great musical event for our community. It will be a wonderful

evening in downtown Elkhart with awesome musical acts,” said Ashley Martin, Friends of the Lerner.

To reserve a place or learn about sponsorship opportunities, contact the Lerner Theatre box office at (574) 293-4469.

Elkhart County 4-H Fair Announces Sheriff Jeff Siegel as 2026 Fair Parade Marshal

The Elkhart County 4-H Fair recently announced Elkhart County Sheriff

Jeff Siegel as the 2026 Fair Parade Marshal, recognizing his decades of public service, leadership and commitment to the Elkhart County community.

The announcement aligns with the 2026 Fair theme, “Driven by Purpose, Powered by Community,” a message that Fair leadership says perfectly reflects Siegel’s lifelong dedication to serving others.

Siegel was elected Elkhart County Sheriff in 2018, but his law enforcement career spans more than 30 years. After beginning his career as a jail officer, he joined the Elkhart County Sheriff’s Office in 1991 and served in patrol, narcotics investigations, detective operations, and crimes against children investigations before ultimately rising to the position of Sheriff.

Long before his years in law enforcement, Siegel learned the importance of service and community involvement as

an eight-year member of the Noble County 4-H program.

That connection to youth development continues today through his service on the Elkhart County 4-H Fair Board and Safety and Emergency Management Committee, where he has helped support the safety and success of the Fair for the past seven years.

“Sheriff Siegel leads with purpose, serves with integrity, and understands the importance of community partnerships,” said Jason Wogoman, 2026 Fair Board president. “His commitment to public service extends far beyond his badge, and our fair has directly benefited from his leadership, collaboration, and unwavering support year after year.”

The Elkhart County 4-H Fair also recognized the partnership and support provided by the Elkhart County Sheriff’s Office, whose efforts help create a safe, family-friendly environment for hundreds of thousands of fairgoers each year.

CELEBRATION UNDER THE STARS Elkhart’s Central Green was packed last year for Celebration Under the Stars. Photo provided by The Lerner Theatre.

PARADE MARSHAL ANNOUNCED — Elkhart County Sheriff Jeff Siegel, left, shakes hands with Jason Wogoman, Elkhart County Fair President, after the announcement that Siegel will be this year’s parade marshal. Siegel himself was a 4-H member in Noble County. Photo provided by the Elkhart County Fair Board.

Connection is a form of prevention

By KJ MAPES CEO REAL Services

I recently came across a message for World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, observed annually June 15, encouraging people to “stay connected.” The more I thought about those words, the more meaningful they became. Isolation can make people more vulnerable, while connection creates visibility, support and protection. When people remain engaged with family, neighbors, faith communities, senior centers and friends, it becomes harder for struggles to remain hidden.

Elder abuse is uncomfortable to think about because we want to believe older adults are safe, respected and cared for by the people

around them. Many are. But reality is often quieter and more complicated than people expect.

Sometimes abuse involves finances. Sometimes it involves neglect, manipulation or emotional harm. Sometimes the warning signs are subtle enough that even those close to the situation may not immediately recognize them.

The older I get, the more I notice quieter changes in people — the neighbor who suddenly stops coming around, the friend who seems more withdrawn than usual, or the older adult whose opinions slowly stop being included in conversations that directly affect their life.

None of those things automatically mean abuse is taking place, of course. But they do remind me how important

CARE —

is Susie with her Home Instead Care Pro, Kay. Often times a small amount of support can allow an older adult remain in their home longer.

How to know when it’s time to start looking Into home care

By EMILY WILSON, Business Development Advisor, Home Instead

Many families don’t begin thinking about home care until something changes suddenly — a hospitalization, a fall, worsening memory concerns or caregiver burnout within the family. But often, the signs that additional support may help start much earlier.

You may notice a parent struggling with meals, forgetting medications, withdrawing socially or having difficulty keeping up with daily routines and housekeeping. Spouses caring for one another may become physically or emotionally exhausted trying to manage everything alone.

it is for people to remain connected to one another.

Most older adults are not asking for extraordinary things. They want to feel safe. They want to maintain their dignity and independence for as long as possible. They want to feel heard, respected and included in decisions about their own lives. Those are not unreasonable expectations. They are deeply human ones. That is why community

matters so much. A phone call matters. A visit matters. A neighbor noticing something seems different matters. In a world that often moves too quickly, staying connected to one another may be one of the simplest and most important ways to help prevent older adults from becoming isolated, overlooked or vulnerable. World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is not only about recognizing harm when it

occurs. It is also about recognizing the value of connection itself. Connection creates visibility. It creates support. Sometimes, connection becomes a form of prevention. Paying attention to one another, checking in and making sure people remain connected to family, friends and community may seem like small things. Often, those small things matter more than we realize.

Breaking rules should not harm your good health

By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features

Making rules is pretty easy. Following them is the difficult part. The easiest of this whole exercise is breaking them.

Eat right, sleep tight, and exercise daily are among mantras that have been built into our brains over the years. Skip one of these and you feel guilty.

It’s come to light this obsession with regimens we’ve developed to keep us healthy may be overplayed.

Take the time-honored tenet that you should get eight hours sleep every night. If you’re job doesn’t require any heavy lifting or if you no longer have to get up and get to work, a little as six hours a night is all you

need. Naps during the day will whittle away any tired feelings you get.

Now how about those houra-day exercise sessions. There are those with buff bodies who spend that much time or more each day in a nearby gym hefting weights to build abs and pecs and calves. Others run miles and miles every day to stay in top conditions. Some swim dozens of laps to tend to their conditioning.

If you’re not one of these, you’ve probably learned that a simple walk around the neighborhood regularly keeps you healthy and flexible with less stress and pain than those who build their lives around exercise sessions. Regardless of what your exercise plan is, skipping a day now and then gives your body and

mind a bit of relaxation. It feels good to break the rule.

Your eating habits don’t have to take enjoyment out of food. Feasting on a wedge of birthday cake or basking in the coolness of an ice cream cone or enjoying a few French fries in your shrimp bucket shouldn’t ruin our day.

So eat sensibly, things you like and in small portions. Some science says snacking several times a day is as healthy as sitting down to three square meals daily.

A daily dip in your backyard pool, or a bike ride around the neighborhood, a short hike around the back 40 or all three all contribute to health maintenance. And feel free to skip them now and then.

At Home Instead, we often remind families that exploring care does not mean giving up independence. In many cases, a small amount of support can actually help older adults remain safely and comfortably at home longer.

Non-medical home care can include companionship, meal preparation, transportation, personal care assistance, dementia support, and respite for family caregivers. Services are customized based on each family’s needs and can range from just a few hours a week to more ongoing support.

The earlier families begin conversations about care, the more options they typically have available. Even if someone is not ready for services today, having information and a plan in place can reduce stress during future health changes or emergencies.

Families across Northern Indiana and Southwest Michigan often reach out simply looking for guidance, reassurance, or answers to questions. Sometimes the best first step is just having a conversation.

Home Instead, serving older adults and families throughout Northern Indiana and Southwest Michigan.

PROVIDING

Shown

Photo provided by Home Instead.

Breathing Easier: A minimally invasive option for severe COPD/emphysema

(NAPSI) - Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease affects approximately 16 million Americans and can make even simple daily activities feel overwhelming.

For people with severe COPD, walking across a room or climbing a flight of stairs can be exhausting. Today, however, new treatment options - including endobronchial valves - offer renewed possibilities. These minimally invasive devices can help certain patients breathe easier.

“I feel completely renewed,” says New Jersey accountant Nick, 61, who credits the valves with giving him his life back. “I know there’s no cure, but this is the closest to being cured that I’ve felt. I can take long walks, fly on a plane and enjoy time on the beach with my family again.”

The Diagnosis

Nick was barely 50 when his longtime smoking habit came back to haunt him. After a series of upper respiratory infections that antibiotics didn’t fix, he got sicker and was eventually diagnosed with severe COPD/ emphysema.

Nick was soon spending his days on his living room couch surrounded by oxygen tanks and a bulky concentrator connected by a long tube that stretched across the room.

The future looked bleak. There was no desire to live. There was no comfort in knowing what the progression of COPD was to bring.

A Surprising Discovery Nick tried pulmonary rehab and medications with little effect. The next intervention would’ve been a surgical lung

reduction or transplant.

Nick’s wife, Jennifer, an ER nurse and educator, was frustrated with the lack of treatment options doctors presented to her husband. She began doing her own research and eventually learned about the Zephyr Valves, a type of EBV manufactured by Pulmonx Corporation.

The tiny, one-way devices are placed in patients’ airways bronchoscopically without incisions.

The valves release trapped air and redirect airflow to healthier parts of the lung.

Nick had the endobronchial valve procedure in 2024. While individual results vary, many patients experience meaningful improvements in breathing - and for Nick, the effect was substantial.

With greater capacity to move and exercise, he committed to rebuilding his overall health. He became more active and lost more than 75 pounds and was able to reduce several medications he previously relied on.

Soon, Nick was completely off oxygen, walking up to 15,000 steps a day.

“I’m very proud of my husband,” says Jennifer. “I just wish more people - both patients and doctors - knew that endobronchial valves exist. Having information about all the potential options can make a big difference.”

A Physician’s Perspective

Dr. Killol K. Patel, who performed Nick’s Zephyr Valve procedure, is the director of interventional pulmonary at Hackensack Meridian Health - Central Region.

Patel has placed the valves

for a number of patients, and many have experienced positive outcomes, like Nick.

Patel explains how he defines success for patients before placing valves: “A good outcome means that you can walk further; even if you get short of breath, you’ll recover quicker. And for many patients, you’ll be able to get back to your life. In my experience, most of my patients achieve these outcomes.”

The Zephyr Valves received FDA approval in 2018, and today more than 40,000 people worldwide have been treated. While progress is being made, awareness remains limited.

“There’s a saying in healthcare that even if the data pans out, it can take seven to 10 years for a treatment to become mainstream,” Patel says. “What’s most important is making sure patients are evaluated early. If the disease progresses too far, they may no longer qualify.”

The valves were the right answer at the right time for Nick. “It’s not just my life that was changed,” he says, “it was our family’s lives. I feel like I have a purpose again.”

Advances in COPD treatment can offer a chance at a renewed life. For those living with severe emphysema who have exhausted standard medical therapies, discussing all available options with a specialist could be the first step toward breathing easier.

Learn more about Zephyr Valves: pulmonx.com/.

1.Criner, GJ, et al. Am J Respir Crit Care Med, 2018; 198(9), 1151-1164

Results of individual cases vary.

Important Safety Information: The Pulmonx Zephyr® Endobronchial Valves are implantable bronchial valves indicated for the bronchoscopic treatment of adult patients with hyperinflation associated with severe emphysema in regions of the lung that have little to no collateral ventilation. Complications can include but are not limited to pneumothorax

(tear in the lung), worsening of COPD symptoms, hemoptysis, pneumonia, and, in rare cases, death. The Zephyr Valve is contraindicated in patients who have not quit smoking. Please talk with your physician about other contraindications, warnings, precautions, and adverse events. Only a trained physician can decide whether a particular patient is an appropriate candidate for treatment with the Zephyr Valve.

Caution: Federal law restricts this device to sale by or on the order of a physician.

Headaches are a real pain

By CECIL SCAGLIONE

Mature Life Features

We’re surrounded by headaches.

Bustling traffic, noisy neighbors, relentless relatives, busybody bosses, and

you’ll think of a few more. Those aren’t really headaches, although they may be causes.

Most of us will suffer at least one headache this year.

While everyone has heard of migraines, only about one in 10 individuals suffer their blinding pain and the accompanying complaints, such as sensitivity to light, noise and smells, nausea and upset stomach among others.

Sinus headaches usually are the result of infected sinuses and hover around the front of your face - forehead, nose and cheeks.

Cluster headaches hit about 1 percent of the population. They’re usually short but extremely painful and tend to occur in clusters - several

times a day or at the same of time of day for several days.

Tension is the most common cause of the most common headaches. These can be triggered by anxiety, allergies, eye strain and loss of sleep. You can also suffer such a headache after too much carousing the night before. These types of headaches usually are a steady ache rather than a throbbing that’s a hallmark of many migraines. And, fortunately, they are the easiest to treat because they respond favorably to most over-the-counter pain relievers.

Erasing these attacks calls for learning how to relax mentally as well as physically. Getting enough sleep is a good start. So is some form of regular exercise. Swimming, biking, walking and gardening are simple means to keep you moving enough to assure you of a good night’s sleep.

If you’re experiencing headaches more than once a week for any reason, make an appointment with your primary-care physician to discuss their source and suggested solutions.

A BIG DIFFERENCE A tiny device can make a big difference in the lives of people with severe COPD/emphysema, like Nick here with his wife Jennifer. Photo provided by NAPSI.

Brentwood at Elkhart Assisted Living

3109 E. Bristol Street, Elkhart, IN 46514 (574) 266-4508

https://brentwoodatelkhartassistedliving.com

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.

Green Oaks of Goshen

282 Johnston Street, Goshen, IN 46528 (574) 501-5342

marketing@greenoaks-goshen.com

Green Oaks of Goshen provides affordable assisted living, with personalized support, and a safe engaging enviornment promotingindependence and dignity for seniors.

Greencroft Goshen

1225 Greencroft Blvd., Goshen, IN 46526 (574) 537-4000

Greencroft.org/GreencroftGoshen

Comprehensive Care With Assisted Living, Rehabilitation, Skilled Nursing, Memory Care, Respite Care, And On-Site/Outpatient Therapy; Medicare/Medicaid Accepted.

Greencroft Middlebury

701 Windridge Drive, Middlebury, IN 46540 (574) 825-6785

Greencroft.org/GreencroftMiddlebury

Assisted Living With Studio And One-Bedroom Apartments, Meals, Housekeeping, Laundry, Daily Assistance, And Priority Access To Greencroft Goshen Healthcare.

Greenleaf Health Campus

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

Assisted Living, Rehabilitation Unit, Alzheimer’s Unit, Skilled Licensed Nursing, Semi-Skilled Nursing or Intermediate Care, Therapies: SpeechOccupational-Respiratory-Physical, Long Term Care, Temporary Care, Private/Semi-Private Rooms, Pet Visitation Allowed, Pharmacy On Premises, Medicare and/or Medicaid

Hellenic Senior Living

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

900 Provident Drive, Warsaw, IN 46580 (574) 371-2500 • www.masonhealthandrehab.com

and/or Medicaid

Orchard Pointe Health Campus

702 Sawyer Rd., Kendallville, IN 46755 (260) 347-3333 • www.orchardpointehc.com

Offering Memory Care, Assisted & Independent Living Apartments and Skilled Services. We’ll meet you with the appropriate level of care wherever you are — whether you’re fully independent or looking for additional assistance. Call us.

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.

The Waters of Wakarusa-Assisted

Living Facility

303 N. Washington Street, Wakarusa IN 46573 (574) 862-1918

admissions@watersofwakarusaALF.com

Independent/Assisted Living. Private studio/1bed/2bed apartments. Home-like family-oriented environment. Family-style dining. Daily activities. Transportation available. 24-hour care-givers. Pet friendly. Out-patient therapy available. Come for tour today.

Waterford Crossing (Healthcare)

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

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, Pharmacy On Premises, Medicare and/or Medicaid

343 S. Nappanee Street, Elkhart, IN 46514 (574) 295-0096 • www.woodlandmanornursingandrehab.com

Rehabilitation Unit, Alzheimer’s Unit, Skilled Licensed Nursing, Semi-Skilled Nursing or Intermediate Care, Therapies: SpeechOccupational-Respiratory-Physical, Long Term Care, Temporary Care, Private/Semi-Private Rooms, Pet Visitation Allowed, Medicare and/or Medicaid

Woodland Manor

Previously Miller’s Senior Living

ADULT DAY CENTER

RIVERVIEW ADULT DAY HEALTH CENTER

2715 E. Jackson Blvd. Elkhart, IN 46516 (574) 293-6886

www.radhc.org

At our ADULT DAY HEALTH CENTER in ELKHART, we focus on creating meaningful, engaging days for seniors. With personalized care plans, enriching activities, and a friendly, professional team, we’re here to support caregivers and brighten lives!

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.

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.

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

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.”

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.

SIGNATURE HealthCARE OF BREMEN 316 Woodies Lane Bremen, IN 46506 (574) 546-3494

SHCofBremen.com

liaison2.bremen@signaturehealthcarellc.com

VIVA SENIOR LIVING AT SOUTH BEND 955 N. Hickory Road

Mishawaka, IN 46545 (574) 314-5369

www.vivaseniorliving.com/southbend A Distinctive Approach to senior living, with personalized care and services Tailored to each resident. Offering Age-In-Place from assisted living to Memory and Respite Care in a secured, safe community requiring individual access codes for guest entry. We honor long-term insurance and veteran discounts.

ASSISTED LIVING

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

ASSISTED LIVING COMMUNITY

COMMONS AT JUDAY CREEK 17441 SR 23

South Bend, IN 46635 (574) 273-2233

opsliving.com/juday-creek

Juday Creek delivers boutique senior living with intimate, personalized care, warm hospitality, and thoughtfully curated experiences designed for comfort, connection, and elevated everyday living.

ELKHART PLACE 2024 CR 24 Elkhart, IN 46517 (574) 295-9058

Place

opsliving.com/elkhart-place

Elkhart Place offers compassionate assisted living with personalized support, vibrant daily engagement, and Medicaid Waiver acceptance, ensuring seniors receive dignified, affordable, relationship centered care.

GRAND EMERALD PLACE 4010 S. Ironwood Dr. South Bend, IN 46614 (574) 291-2222

opsliving.com/grand-emerald-place

Grand Emerald Place provides supportive assisted living with enriching programs, dedicated caregivers, and Medicaid Waiver acceptance, creating a welcoming community focused on safety, dignity, and belonging.

CONTINUING CARE COMMUNITY

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

brickyardhc.com

Short and long-term care, memory care, respite plus therapy, pain management, pharmacy, audiology and IV therapy. New Dialysis Unit! Call Today!

Commons at Juday Creek

Grand Emerald Place

Elkhart

CONTINUING CARE COMMUNITY

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

VILLAGE CAREGIVING

2515 N. Bendix Dr., Ste. 201 South Bend, IN 46628 (574) 931-0712

villagecaregiving.com

Nations Largest Privately Owned And Operated Home Care Agency. VA Provider. We Accept A Variety Of Payment Options. Call Today!

PARADIGM HEALTH

3625 Park Place West, Suite 200 Mishawaka, IN 46545 (574) 332-8320

MyParadigmHealth.com

Honoring life’s journey with expert hospice and pallative care services. Dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for our patients and their families. Exceptional end-of-life care is provided by our valued and empowered team. Hoosiers Caring for Hoosiers.

SERVICES

COMFORT KEEPERS 6910 N. Main St., Ste. 3, Unit 47 Granger, IN 46530 (574) 277-4121, (574) 327-6123

www.southbendin.comfortkeepers.com

Providing Compassionate Senior Home Care & Home Assistance In Northern Indiana Region. Includes personal care, respite care, transitioning home care and more. Indiana Medicaid, VA Provider, long term insurance and private pay.

HOME INSTEAD

1731 E. Bristol Street

Elkhart, IN 46514 (574) 875-7777

www.homeinstead.com/588

Serving Elkhart & Kosciusko counties and surrounding areas. Care they deserve in the home they love.

See Our Ad In

NORACARE

1251 N. Eddy Street, Suite 200 South Bend, IN 46617 (574) 222-5992

info@noracare.us

www.noracare.us

Access experienced health professionals to support your home healthcare needs at affordable rates. We accept long-term care insurance.

HOSPICE 5910 Homestead Road Fort Wayne, IN 46804 (260)

and Respiratory Equipment 1501 South Main Street Goshen, IN 46526 (574) 533-0626

GoshenHomeMedical.com

DUNES HOSPICE

(888) 602-9004

4711 Evans Avenue

Valparaiso, IN 46383 1417 N. Michigan Street Plymouth, IN 46563

duneshospicellc.com

A 5 Star hospice. Dunes Hospice has the highest visit frequencies in the area for nurses, CNAs, Social Workers, and Spiritual Counselors. We serve with dignity, honor, and above all, compassion.

Goshen

Senior Expo & Outreach Event Happening June 9

The Kosciusko Senior Expo & Outreach (Senior Expo) event, supported by the Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce, will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, June 9, at Warsaw Community Church located at 1855 S County Farm Road in Warsaw.

The Senior Expo connects senior citizens and caregivers with meaningful local resources, services, and activities supporting health, independence, and well-being. Nearly 60 exhibitors will

participate, including the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department, which will provide a prescription drug drop-off for safe disposal from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Enjoy informative workshops and a wide range of exhibitors offering products and services for senior living. It’s a day of fun, education and community – perfect for seniors and their families. Attendees may take part in giveaways, informational breakout sessions featuring community

resources, and a “tech corner” where seniors can bring device questions and receive limited tech assistance from local business, The Lab.

This free community event offers both helpful information and opportunities for connection! Free boxed lunches from Miller’s Senior Living Community will be available for the first 150 attendees.

Special thanks to Gold Event Sponsors: 1st Source Bank, Advocate Financial, Guidepost Insurance, Lutheran Kosciusko

Hospital, Mason Health Care and Rehabilitation Center, McHattonSadler Funeral Chapels, Miller’s Senior Living Community, Paddock Springs, and Warsaw Community Church.

Don’t miss this opportunity to discover new ways to live life to

Is coffee good for you? Texas A&M researchers provide new insight

By ABAGAIL CHARTIER and RACHEL KNIGHT

Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical

Sciences

Coffee is one of the most widely consumed beverages worldwide.

It also has been associated with health benefits, including decreased rates of Parkinson’s disease and Type 2 diabetes, as well as a lower risk of some cancers, including colon, rectal and breast cancers. Although the general benefits of coffee consumption are well known, the specific drivers are still being discovered.

A recent review by Texas A&M University researchers examines coffee’s health benefits and suggests there is still much to learn about its effects on human health.

The lead author, Stephen Safe, D.Phil., is a distinguished professor and Sid Kyle Endowed Chair in Veterinary Toxicology in the Texas A&M School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. He also is a faculty member in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics.

The paper builds on a collaborative study conducted by Safe and Robert Chapkin, Ph.D., Allen Endowed Chair in Nutrition and Chronic Disease Prevention and distinguished professor in the Departments of Nutrition and Biochemistry and Biophysics. Chapkin also co-authored the review, along with Laurie Davidson, Ph.D., a research scientist, and Jainish Kothari, a graduate student.

Additional co-authors include Srijana Upadhyay, a senior research associate, and Amanuel Hailemariam, a graduate student and research assistant.

The Mechanics Of Coffee Consumption

Safe said his primary interest was understanding how coffee compounds function in the human body.

“The mechanisms are really good to know because if you understand how something’s working, you have a better shot at understanding and harnessing coffee to improve health outcomes,” Safe said.

One mechanism identified in earlier research is that roasted coffee activates the aryl hydrocarbon receptor, or AHR, which regulates metabolism and immunity. Activation of AHR

may boost the body’s ability to convert food into energy and fight disease.

Researchers also examined coffee’s interaction with NR4A, a receptor involved in the development of certain cancers.

“It turns out that a lot of natural products bind to the NR4A receptor,” Safe said. “It could contribute to the health effects of both coffee and a vegetable-rich diet, though we don’t know that for sure.”

Identifying such receptors is a key step in developing treatments, Safe said.

“Once a contributor to a disease has been identified, we can develop drugs to block it,” he said. “Conversely, if something helps fight disease when activated, we can develop treatments to enhance that effect.”

The study also identified NRF2, an oxygen sensor in cells, as another mechanism influenced by coffee. AHR enhances NRF2’s protective properties, helping maintain healthy oxygen levels and potentially prevent disease.

However, NRF2 can also interfere with certain treatments.

“Some diseases are treated with therapeutics that increase reactive oxygen species,” Safe

IS COFFEE GOOD

FOR YOU? A recently published paper by Texas A&M University researchers examines the health benefits of coffee and reveals there is still much to explore about coffee’s impact on human health. Photo by Laura McKenzie, Michael Miller, Shelby Dittman/Texas A&M AgriLife.

said. “These compounds attack diseased cells. While NRF2 can be protective, it may also create resistance to treatment in those cases.”

Double Shot Of Cancer Benefits

While caffeine’s energy- and focus-boosting effects are the most well-known benefits of coffee, the roughly 2 billion cups consumed daily may also offer chemotherapeutic and chemopreventive effects. Most benefits appear to be chemopreventive, helping reduce cancer risk, similar to vegetable-rich diets such as the Mediterranean diet. These effects may contribute to longer life spans, though findings in the scientific literature are

sometimes mixed.

Researchers said potential chemotherapeutic effectsusing coffee compounds to treat cancer - remain unproven but promising.

“There are possibilities for clinical applications of coffee extracts,” the researchers noted.

They added that coffee research continues to reveal new findings, with many benefits still unknown.

“We still have a lot of research to do, but I’ve been hooked on coffee for a long time and have never seen any reason to unhook myself,” Safe said. “It’s essentially a cooked vegetable with a wide range of health benefits.”

Paula Abraham has 21 years of dedicated service to the community

By ANGEL BAGINSKE, RN, QMCP ALZNI Director

We are honoring an extraordinary individual, Paula Abraham, whose life exemplifies dedication, compassion, and advocacy. Her story symbolizes an unwavering commitment to her students, family, and community.

As a beloved retired teacher, she invested her heart into her students, nurturing their minds and spirits with love and encouragement. Her influence extended far beyond the classroom. She became a cherished community member, devoted mother, and adoring grandmother, leaving a legacy of love and education that continues to resonate through generations.

Her journey has not been without challenges. Abraham witnessed her father caring for her mother during her battle with Alzheimer’s disease and later stepped in herself to provide comfort, support, and advocacy. She fought not only for quality care for her mother, but also

for the dignity and respect every resident deserves. Tragically, her father passed away shortly after her mother entered a nursing home, highlighting the emotional and physical toll caregiving can take on families. Recognizing the need for greater awareness and support, Abraham dedicated herself to helping others facing similar circumstances.

This calling led her to volunteer with Alzheimer’s and Dementia Services of Northern Indiana, where she found a meaningful outlet for her passion for helping others. She devoted countless hours to educating caregivers, speaking at community events, and providing support to families - all while nurturing her own growing family.

Her life took another joyful turn when she met her husband, Jim. Together, they became a remarkable team, volunteering at Alzheimer’s events and planning and leading fundraising campaigns with tireless energy and dedication. This year marks her 21st year of

dedicated service, though it also comes with profound loss following her husband’s passing earlier this year after his own dementia diagnosis. Rather than allowing adversity to defeat her, she has embraced her role as both advocate and caregiver, embodying resilience, strength, and grace in the face of hardship.

This remarkable woman has become a beacon of hope throughout northern Indiana, tirelessly raising awareness and funds to support families affected by Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Each year, her efforts help generate thousands of dollars for community programs and events, where she educates businesses, encourages compassion, and inspires her grandchildren to understand the importance of advocacy and service.

Through her work on various committees, she continues to foster community involvement, encourage support from local businesses, and reconnect with former students whose lives she helped shape. Her infec-

tious smile and warm sense of humor brighten every room, even during life’s most

Acting early on cholesterol advised

By ERIC GALATAS Public News Service

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States and the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology are providing new advice on managing your cholesterol levels.

Health professionals said what makes high cholesterol so dangerous is many people in Wyoming and across the U.S. don’t realize they have it.

Dr. Mark Huffman, Washington University Medicine cardiologist at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in Saint Louis, said there is some good news.

“We can prevent high cholesterol from developing and manage it through a combination of things like healthy behaviors, screening,” Huffman outlined.

“We have got to know our numbers, including how to know our risk and then, when needed for the right patients, medication.”

He stressed because high cholesterol shows no noticeable warning signs, it is critical to know your numbers through regular screenings. The new guidelines also emphasize early intervention to reduce the longterm risk of heart attack and stroke.

preventive measure against bad cholesterol is healthy eating, though he acknowledged it can be challenging with so many unhealthy options available.

“You have to be unusual and unusually healthy, often times, and avoiding many things that are widely available to be able to have a healthy cholesterol level,” Huffman emphasized.

The recommendations include additional testing options and newer treatments, giving

patients and doctors more ways to personalize care. Researchers said taking action as early as

Doctors pointed out another major barrier: Many people do not fully understand “bad” cholesterol or how it affects heart health. They said one of the biggest takeaways from the updated guidance is people now have more tools to assess their risk. Huffman added another key

vulnerable moments.

Today, we celebrate not only her accomplishments, but also the incredible person she is - a warrior for those who cannot advocate for themselves, a loving mother and grandmother, and a friend to all. Her spirit is unyielding, her heart immeasurable, and her impact profound. She continues to make the world a better place for caregivers and families affected by Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.

Thank you, Paula Abraham, for your inspiring spirit, unwavering dedication, and boundless love. You are a true champion, and we are all better for knowing you.

FAITHFUL VOLUNTEER Shown are Paula Abraham with Jim Von Bergen, her husband. She is a volunteer with Alzheimer’s and Dementia Services of Northern Indiana. Photo provided by ALZNI.

childhood can significantly lower the risk of heart disease later in life.

Palm Beach: An introduction to a very unusual spa treatment

By FYLLIS HOCKMAN Guest Columnist

Palm Beach, Fla., is well known for Mar-a-Lago, beaches, Mar-a-Lago, golf courses, Mara-Lago, extraordinary wealth, Mar-a-Lago, John F. Kennedy’s Winter White House, MARA-LAGO and oh yes, spas. So that’s where I focused my energy. Also, I don’t golf. Or have extraordinary wealth.

Spas are ubiquitous - and most offer similar services: massages, facials, reflexology, hot coal treatments. I sought out the unusual. I’ve had several different massages over the years. A couple of facials. But they all had one thing in common. Tactile manipulation of various body parts. That and soft New Age-y music in the background to induce relaxation.

berations throughout my body, a magical, musical symphony coursing through every organ.

And there’s a theory underlining the enchanting experience. Mostly it’s based on aligning the chakrasapparently, there are seven of them, points along spine said to represent energy sources in the body. Each is associated with physical, emotional and spiritual functions. ranging from the root chakra between your legs up to the crown chakra atop your head.

260-768-75 Crossroadbus m 1070 N 675 W, Shipshewana, IN

August 31- September 4, 2026 - Mackinac Island

Neither was true at SiSpa at the Palm Beach Marriott on Singer Island. My body remained untouched - at least by a masseuse - and the sounds more resemble bells - Tibetan bowls to be exact - which more reflect a spiritual journey - an affirmation of self - that the usual relaxation escape.

There’s also heart, throat and solar plexus - and each chakra controls a different body part - and if the energy in any is blocked, it can have physical and emotional repercussions. Enter the Tibetan Bowls - a sort of sound therapy to entice your brain to incorporate relaxation and health and peace; to release tension in the body; to bring clarity, improved self-esteem and the healing of negativity. One bowl was placed on each chakra and emitted its own sound when struck.

September 12-19, 2026 - Montreal, Quebec City, Canada CapitalOctober 1-12, 2026 - Grand Canyon, Las Vegas and Hoover Dam

November 7-15, 2026 - Amelia Island, St. Augustin , FL November 30 - December 5, 2026 - Pigeon Forge &Smoky Mountains March 7-13, 2027 - Savannah, Jekyll Island, Beauford, South Carolina May 15-23, 2027 - San nt io, TX

Every kind of sound - different tones and pitches, highs and lows, soft and loud, close and far away - I felt the rever-

e A on

I know one bowl was on my solar plexus, which is related to survival, heart and communication and another on my head, connected to prayer and intuition. I lost count after that.

Elsa, a Reiki-trained master (a step-above my chakra-addled

June 13, 2026 - Dayton Air Show

June 27, 2026 - Indy Zoo

July 3, 2026 - The Wilds July 18, 2026 - Peru Circus

ROSSROAD

August 1, 2026 - Columbus Zoo August 15, 2026 - Chicago Air Show September 12, 2026 - Brookfield Zoo September 26, 2026 - Mini Golf (21+ Trip)

brain), encouraged me - in her soft voice in my dimly lit room - to be calm and listen to the sounds of the bowls, to close my eyes, breathe in and out and connect with the bowls, to focus on their message. Meditation was key.

D ond Tours

260-768-7549

August 31- September 4, 2026 - Mackinac Island

Fam

N W, Shipshewana , IN 46565

Crossroadbus.com 1070 N 675 W, Shipshewana , IN 46565

iamond Tours

September 12-19, 2026 - Montreal, Quebec City, Canada Capital

October 1-12, 2026 - Grand Canyon, Las Vegas and Hoover Dam

June 13, 2026June 27, 2026 - Indy Zoo

October 1-12, 2026 - Grand Canyon, Las Vegas and Hoover Dam

June 27, 2026 - Indy Zoo

I did the best I could, while trying not to think about all these notes (paper ones, not musical) I should be taking.

June 13, 2026 - Dayton Air Show

July 3, 2026 - The Wilds

amily Fun Tours

There’s a separate chant for each chakra which Elsa repeated while circling the table on which I was lying. Apparently, each chakra also has its own color but fortunately I didn’t have to concern myself with that.

August 31- September 4, 2026 - Mackinac Island

31- September 4, 2026 - Mackinac Island

November 7-15, 2026 - Amelia Island, St. Augustin , FL

September 12-19, 2026 - Montreal, Quebec City, Capital

July 18, 2026 - Peru Circus

amily Fun Tours Diamond Tours

November 30 - December 5, 2026 - Pigeon Forge & Smoky Mountains

September 4, 2026 - Mackinac Island 12-19, 2026 - Montreal, Quebec City, Capital 1-12, 2026 - Grand Canyon, Las Vegas and 7-15, 2026 - Amelia Island, , FL 30 - December 5, 2026 - Pigeon Forge

September 12-19, 2026 - Montreal, Quebec City, Canada Capital

August 1, 2026 - Columbus Zoo

June 13, 2026 - Dayton Air Show

August 1, 2026 - Columbus Zoo

June 13, 2026 - Dayton Air Show

November 30 - December 5, 2026 - Pigeon Forge & Smoky Mountains

1-12, 2026 - Grand Canyon, Las Vegas and Dam

March 7-13, 2027 - Savannah, Jekyll Island, Beauford, South Carolina

June 27, 2026 - Indy Zoo

August 31- September 4, 2026 - Mackinac Island

June 13, 2026 - Dayton Air Show

October 1-12, 2026 - Grand Canyon, Las Vegas and Hoover Dam

November 7-15, 2026 - Amelia Island, St. Augustin , FL

May 15-23, 2027 - San nt io, TX

Diamond Tours e A on

August 15, 2026 - Chicago Air Show

June 27, 2026 - Indy Zoo

March 7-13, 2027 - Savannah, Jekyll Island, Beauford, South Carolina

May 15-23, 2027 - San nt io, TX

e A on

November 7-15, 2026 - Amelia Island, Augustin , FL

July 3, 2026 - The Wilds

September 12, 2026 - Brookfield Zoo

July 3, 2026 - The Wilds

September 12, 2026 - Brookfield Zoo

Different bowls were struck at different times, sometimes in conjunction with each other, other times in concert. The concert - I mean the treatment - ended with a grand finale (crescendo?) of all seven bowls playing in unison. It was mesmerizing.

September 12-19, 2026 - Montreal, Quebec City, Canada Capital

September 26, 2026 - Mini Golf (21+ Trip)

July 3, 2026 - The Wilds

June 13, 2026 - Dayton Air Show

Continued on page 27

September 26, 2026 - Mini Golf (21+ Trip)

July 18, 2026 - Peru Circus

August 1, 2026 - Columbus Zoo

June 27, 2026 - Indy Zoo

August 1, 2026 - Columbus Zoo

November 30 - December 5, 2026 - Pigeon Forge & Smoky Mountains

October 1-12, 2026 - Grand Canyon, Las Vegas and Hoover Dam

August 1, 2026 - Columbus Zoo

August 15, 2026 - Chicago Air Show

July 3, 2026 - The W

August 15, 2026 - Chicago Air Show

November 30 - December 5, 2026 - Pigeon Forge Mountains

e A on

March 7-13, 2027 - Savannah, Jekyll Island, Beauford, South Carolina

August 15, 2026 - Chicago Air Show

September 12, 2026 - Brookfield Zoo

e A on

November 7-15, 2026 - Amelia Island, St. Augustin , FL

September 12, 2026 - Brookfield Zoo

e A on

2027 - Savannah, Jekyll Island, uth Carolina 2027 - San nt io, TX

7-13, 2027 - Savannah, Jekyll Island, Beauford, South Carolina 15-23, 2027 - San nt io, TX

May 15-23, 2027 - San nt io, TX

September 26, 2026 - Mini Golf (21+ Trip)

September 12, 2026 - Brookfield Zoo

OPEN HOUSE

September 26, 2026 - Mini Golf (21+ Trip)

OPEN HOUSE

JUNE 13

November 30 - December 5, 2026 - Pigeon Forge & Smoky Mountains

July 18, 2026August 1, 2026 - Columbus Zoo

August 15, 2026 - Chicago Air Show

September 12, 2026 - Brookfield Zoo

CHANTING Reiki master playing Tibetan Bowls and chanting. Photo by Victor Block.

ONE OF THE BOWLS Tibetan bowls. Photo by Dmtry Marchenka, Dreamstime.com.

TREATMENT

Palm Beach

I may not have understood it all; I may have been a tad preoccupied with trying to remember the experience for this article as opposed to just experiencing it. But it did feel somewhat mystical and magical - and I really didn’t want the session to end.

But there’s even more to the overall spa experience - to

Flying no longer fun

By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features

Air travel is still quite safe. It’s what happens to you when you land that can be harrowing.

Rules that made flying thorny in the past have been expanded to make flying thornier from now on.

There is some good news.

Airplanes are sprayed with disinfectant between flights to sanitize the interior and given thorough cleansing overnight.

Unless someone sitting beside or behind you is coughing all over you, you’re pretty safe aboard the jetliner because the entire interior air is purified every few minutes by the aircraft’s circulation system.

Many airlines have cut back on food and drink service to reduce interaction between

passenger and crew. Boarding many aircraft is now being done from back to front to diminish passenger contact.

Some airlines have closed down first-class and filled the space with business-class and premium-economy seats.

Most forecasters predict ticket prices will continue to rise, the assortment of fees will expand, some - think of baggage fees - will spike and seats will get smaller and closer together.

be explored at leisure either before your scheduled procedure or after. And yes, you can get all kinds of massages and facials you want. There’s a nail salon, a fitness room, a room with stone beds to lie on with cold cucumbers on your eyes (don’t ask - or at least don’t ask me ...), a steam room, a relaxation room with tea, infused water, fruit and

a Chex Mix assortment - and of course a jacuzzi. The actual treatment may be the least of the relaxation options. The Mimosa at the end satiates the only sense not yet gratified!

For more information, visit thepalmbeaches.com/listing/ sispa-at-palm-beach-marriott-singer-island-beach-resort-spa.

JUNE 17-22: WISCONSIN HEARTLAND: Northern All Day Mississippi River Cruise from LaCross WI to Red Wing MN, Wisconsin Dells, Lost Canyon, Circus World Museum w/Big Top Show, Upper Dells Boat Ride, House on the Rock, Seats Available we can still get you on!

JULY 13-15 OHIO CELEBRATES AMERICA’S 250TH Pres. McKinley Presidential Museum, David Warther’s Ivory carved Sailing ships, The Victorian Mansion, Millersburg Glass, 3 Shows incl. a Big Band USO Show.

JULY 22-23 THE GREAT GATSBY — Broadway Musical Plus Kellogg Manor House w/lunch, Gilmore Car Museum

JULY 28-29 THE ARK ENCOUNTER with the Creation Museum and an Ohio River Dinner Cruise.

AUG 4-6 THREE DAY MYSTERY ???

AUG 17-28 WILD WEST WYOMING. Deposit June 17th Yellowstone Nat. Park w/Old Faithful, Grand Teton Nat. Park w/Snake River Float Trip, Covered Wagon Ride on the Oregon Trail, a Rodeo, Native American Experience with music, dancing & Storytelling, Buffalo Bill Center of the West and much more. Visit the towns of Cheyenne, Laramie, Rawlins, Jackson, Cody, Sheridan.

SEPT 9-12 ABLAZE & AMAZING NORTHERN MICHIGAN with International Fireworks Championship Plus, Thunder Bay Elk Viewing & Dinner, Charlevoix’s Castle Farms, Mushroom Houses, Music House Museum, Sleeping Bear Dunes, World Class fireworks competition Frederik Meijer Gardens w/Dale Chihuly’s Art Glass.

Tibetan Bowl spa treatment. Photo by Victor Block.

Continued from page 26

LINED UP Tibetan bowls lined up. Photo by Aliak Sandra Salalaika, Dreamstime.com.