Issuu

Elkhart County Council on Aging celebrates 50th anniversary

By ANIKA YODER Feature Writer

The Council on Aging of Elkhart County celebrates 50 years serving the county’s senior population this year. The council offers several services and resources for those looking for information or assistance not just for themselves, but for their loved ones as well.

people are aware the council offers transportation and that with the 50th anniversary this year, it is an opportunity for the public to be made aware of this well kept secret.

“Our seniors are the givers in our community …” Zastrow said. “They will support the humane society, they will support the kids, they don’t necessarily support themselves or their cohorts. They are the givers and they are the doers.”

Manager for In-Home Services Jocelyn Anglemyer said the COA receives referrals from the state and directly from the community, requesting caregivers perform homemaking, attendant care and respite assistance.

According to its website, the COA operates to support the aging by offering services and resources which promote wellness, dignity, independence and quality of life for its clients. From transportation, in-home care services, COA Activity Center, Medicare counseling, medical savings plans and tax preparation servcies, the increase in the elderly population in the county is of note when the council looks into the increases in the community’s needs, said Chief Executive Officer of the COA Tina Fraley.

“It’s a large segment of our population, and it’s important that we set up the infrastructure that’s needed to service those individuals when they need it,” Fraley said.

A council board member and Elkhart based audiologist Sharon Zastrow joined the board about five years ago. Zastrow said she was made aware of the council by the transportation services provided by the COA for clients to make it to their appointments. The board hosts members with a variety of specialty backgrounds Zastrow said.

With Zastrow joining the board because of the transportation services provided to her patients, she said not many

“We do meal prep. We also do grocery shopping, picking up prescriptions and running different errands for them,” Anglemyer said. “And the whole point of the program is to help the seniors in the community remain independent, ... our help in the home is what keeps them in their home.”

According to Director of Acts of Service for the Community Foundation of Elkhart and council board member Ashley Jordan, when it comes to the COA, she works to educate people about the council. Between resources for seniors and the community understanding what the different functions of the organization are, Jordan said a 50th anniversary is not just a milestone, but proof of lasting impact, trust and essential service.

“At our core, this work is really about something bigger.

Continued on page 4

ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM Shown is the adminstrative team at the Council on Aging of Elkhart County. Pictured are Denise Hoke, Janet Rupe, Kendra Nowak, Claudia Lightfoot, Jocelyn Anglemeyer, in-home care manager; and Tina Fraley, CEO. Photo provided by Council on Aging of Elkhart Council

COA TRANSPORTATION TEAM Shown is the transportation team at the Council on Aging of Elkhart Council. From left Kim O’ Donnell, James Orr, Doug Allen, Kendra Nowak, transportation manager, Richard Hunt and Janice Verace, Patricia McAllister. Photo provided by Council of Aging of Elkhart County.

Key Positions

New Paris Telephone President retires after 44 years

By LAURIE LECHLITNER Staff Writer

“I started at New Paris Telephone in 1982,” stated Mark Grady of North Webster. “I became the general manager in charge of day-to-day operations, staff recruitment, planning and staff education, to name a few of my responsibilities. I moved to the role of president in 2002. In the 44 years I’ve been part of the company, we’ve experienced many milestones, especially in the area of technology. We’ve been on the cutting edge.”

Grady’s role will soon change to that of advisor and board member. He’s passing the CEO baton to Eric Hartman.

“I grew up on a farm in North Webster. We raised crops and beef cattle. Our farm butted up against the South Shore Golf course. My brothers and I would caddy for the golfers and sell back to them stray balls we retrieved from our field.”

When asked about his continuing education, he remarked, “I attended Baumgartner University.” With a chuckle, he explained, “I worked four years for the-Papers, Inc. I was a pressman and knew both Arch and Della. I’m still good friends with Ron, the owner of the newspaper. I was there when there were only 13 of us on board. I can still remember Della telling me, ‘Watch your pennies and your dollars will take care of themselves.’”

Grady helped set type, run presses and even delivered a few

papers. “It’s amazing what Ron was able to accomplish through the years. The business is now large and prosperous.”

After getting a broadcasting license, Grady worked as a broadcast engineer in 1976-77. “I put in the first computer controlled broadcast system at the radio station, so we could play music automatically.”

In the fall of 1981, Wilbur Brookens, president of New Paris Telephone, approached Grady.

“He told me I think you’ll find it interesting work.’ I came onboard in late January of 1982.”

Grady is a man who sees endless possibilities. “Until 1963, if you lived in New Paris, you had to go through the operator to make a call. When I joined, the company was making a big change to an all-digital system. Everyone had a private line instead of being on a party line. Just a few years later, we were the first phone company with fiber optic cables in 1988. In 1992, we set up internet service for Goshen College and later started BrightNet. That was the beginning of access to internet service for thousands of people.”

Grady loved predicting the next major trend that would advance their rural community. “We’ve come a long way in record time. We started out with rotary phones and moved to touch-tone. Now we offer voice over Internet phones, and our fiber is the gateway to all types of streaming TV services.

“It’s a whole new world. Our

technology has made it possible for people to stay connected at all times. Phones are now miniature computers that have a myriad of functions. One of the other companies that New Paris started is in the 9-1-1 business, and it serves 119,000,000 people across the US.”

Grady has started several businesses over the past 44 years, including Quality Cablevision, Community Fiber Network and Indiana Fiber Network.

“I have done my best to keep this community and employee-owned company on a track of success that now

spans 125 years.”

He and his wife, Denise, have two grown children, Matt Grady and Cheryl Van Laeken. His family is a strong supporter of Riley Children’s Hospital with an endowed fund in memory of his granddaughter.

KEEPING IN TOUCH— Mark Grady has served as president of New Paris Telephone for 44 years. After several advances in technology assisting the company in keeping in touch, he recently retired. Photo provided by Mark Grady.

Buzzing with purpose: Lessons from the hive with Karl Birky

By GREENCROFT GOSHEN

For Karl Birky, a resident of Whispering Pines at Greencroft Goshen, life has always been a little sweeter with bees. His journey into beekeeping began nearly 50 years ago in eastern Ohio, sparked by a simple conversation at church.

“I said something about wanting bees, and a friend told me he had an old hive on his farm. I said, ‘If they’re honeybees, I’ll take them.’ I went home, made a hive, put the bees in it, and started taking care of them. I thought, ‘This is fun! I kind of like this.’”

Since that first hive, Karl’s bees have followed him across the country—from Ohio to Colorado, Oregon, and now Indiana. “I didn’t always have bees, but usually I did, because bees just make life better,” he says. Today, he tends four hives at Greencroft Goshen, enough to keep beekeeping joyful rather than a chore.

A typical day during honey season is surprisingly simple. “With four hives, it takes maybe a half hour to an hour.

up-to-date

from

I take out the honey frames, brush the bees off, and bring the frames inside to extract the honey. Sometimes I’ll get five gallons from a hive. One year I got 10! It’s fun, you know.” Karl loves sharing bee facts. “In their lifetime, a bee makes about a twelfth of a teaspoon of honey. A teaspoon is the work of 12 bees. It really puts into perspective how valuable each bee is.”

For Karl, the hive is more than honey. “The queen doesn’t make all the decisions—the worker bees do. When she gets old, they grow a new queen. Bees work hard, then make room for others. People are like that too.”

He sees clear parallels between bees and human communities. “Bees care for each other. When one finds a good flower, she tells the others. If there’s danger, they defend the hive, even at the cost of their lives. No one gets their way all the time, not even the queen. That’s a lesson for us.”

WORKS WITH BEES

The hives at Greencroft Goshen are also a gift to the local ecosystem. “Honeybees are major pollinators. Their work helps flowers and gardens thrive. Beekeeping teaches kids a lot about community and the environment, even if that’s not the primary purpose.”

For anyone curious about bees — or about finding purpose — Karl’s advice is simple: “Be curious. Don’t be afraid. Sure, you’ll get stung, but that’s how you learn and grow. If you want to be a beekeeper, just ask.”

And if you visit Karl’s hives, watch for his favorite party trick. “Drones are males and can’t sting. Sometimes, if kids are around, I’ll pick one up, pop him in my mouth, and put him back. The kids go crazy!”

Whether tending hives, sharing honey, or teaching neighbors about bees, Karl Birky proves that curiosity, courage, and community can make life a little sweeter for everyone.

Karl Birky checks his hives at Greencroft Goshen, where his longtime passion for beekeeping continues to thrive. Photo provided by Greencroft Goshen.

Growing together to better serve our community

By DAWN SELKE, Chief Experience Officer Paradigm Health

Each month, our Elkhart and St. Joseph team comes together for our Raise the Bar meeting. It is a time to reconnect, learn from one another and continue growing in the work we do for patients and families.

At Paradigm Health, we believe the care we provide starts with the strength of our team. When we take time to build relationships, share knowledge, and learn together, that carries into the hospice and palliative care experience we provide every day. The support we build within our team helps us better care for

the patients and families who count on us.

These monthly meetings are one of the ways we continue investing in our team. They give us time to strengthen skills, share ideas and stay focused on how we can provide thoughtful, compassionate care to the people we serve. They also create space for

collaboration across roles and for learning from community partners who help expand the support available to patients and families.

Moments like these reflect what our Paradigm team is all about: growing together, supporting one another, and continuing to raise the bar in the care we provide across

Elkhart County, St. Joseph County and surrounding communities. As we continue to expand, we are proud to bring that same compassionate care to more families, possibly including those in your own community.

To learn more, call (574) 332-2280 or visit myparadigmhealth.com

May 6: South Bend Cubs Game

Four Winds Field - $62

May 21: Texas Tenors

Blue Gate Theatre - $78

July 3: The Wilds Safari Park

Cumberland, OH - $125

Aug. 7: South Bend Cubs Game

Four Winds Field - $62

Aug. 29 - Sept. 9: Mt Rushmore & Yellowstone, SD & WY

$2,140 dbl /$3,076 sgl

MISHAWAKA TEAM — Shown is the Mishawaka team for Paradigm Health. In the front from left are Cassie Fike, Jill Vandewalle, Nichole Summe, Melody Bolka, Jennifer Rivas-Garcia, Julie Rozinski, Sarah Sieh and Brittany Grajczyk. In the middle are Nicole Leiter, Shanett Higgins, Annie Knapp, Lillian Jarvis, Heather Ball, Michelle Newer, Dawn Hammer, Melinda Weeks, Kristi Powell, Chrissy Rodriguez,

Alicia Williams Lauren Sandusky, Brittany Ward, Frankie Banks and Asma Musleh In the back are Jessica Tshimanga, Jackee Hogan, Jim Carter, Colin Henderson, Neil Davis, Megan Flickinger, Ashli Storlie and Lynn Mahoney. Photo provided by Paradigm Health.

Don’t lose your home to nursing home costs

There are unique opportunities for married couples when it comes to protecting assets from nursing home spend-downs. If advance planning is done with an experienced attorney in the field of Medicaid law, the assets of the first spouse to die can be placed in a special type of trust, which has sometimes been referred to as a “Safe Harbor Trust.”

The technical term is an Irrevocable Testamentary Special Needs Trust. Assets passing to provide for the care of the surviving spouse in this way can

be fully protected from nursing home spend-downs. They are available for care and needs during the lifetime of the surviving spouse, and they may also be better protected from death taxes and probate fees when they pass to the children when the surviving spouse passes away.

Think about the implications of this ... with proper advanced planning, a married couple can shelter forever hundreds of thousands of dollars of assets from the effects of long-term catastrophic illness.

CLIFFORD J. RICE Elder Law Attorney Granger

Other techniques, notably the Medicaid Asset Protection Trust, can be available not only

to married couples, but also to single persons. This type of proactive planning is extremely valuable and offers an incredible return on investment.

Do you have a long-term care policy? The average person age 65 will have to pay almost $2,940 per year for long-term nursing care coverage. For married couples, that is almost $6,000 per year. If each lives to life expectancy and there are no increases in premiums, that total payout could exceed $120,000 or more! Many clients either cannot afford such an investment, or they are not eligible at all because of medical conditions. For perhaps one-tenth or one-20th

of that amount, estate planning and Medicaid planning can give substantial protection not available through any other means.

Because we are an elder law firm, we can often save our clients hundreds of thousands of dollars in nursing home costs, and protect our client’s families in case of long-term catastrophic illnesses.

Want to learn more? Attend our free Estate Planning/Medicaid Planning workshop at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 28, or Monday, June 1, at Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Granger. Reservations are required, seating is limited. Call (800) 303-7423, or visit riceandrice. com.

What do you enjoy most about spring?

“Sunshine, green grass and flowers.”

“The smell in the air and the flowers.”

CORPORATE OFFICE

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

Ron Baumgartner, Publisher rbaumgartner@the-papers.com

Annette Weaver, Business Manager aweaver@the-papers.com

Kristin DeVittorio, Director Of Marketing kdevittorio@the-papers.com

Deb Patterson, Editor-In-Chief dpatterson@the-papers.com

Publication Manager/Account Executive

Marla Schroeder mschroeder@the-papers.com • 574-350-4488

Lauren Zeugner, Editor lzeugner@the-papers.com

Jerry Long, Circulation Manager jlong@the-papers.com

Elkhart/Kosciusko Edition

Joseph

EDITORIAL DEADLINES

SUBSCRIPTIONS

Mailed subscriptions are available, prepaid with order at $37 for one year; and $64 for two years. (Select one edition.) Your cancelled check will serve as your receipt. To order a subscription, call 574-658-4111.

ADVERTISING

For advertising deadlines call your sales representative. The existence of advertising in Senior Life is not meant as an endorsement of any product, services or individuals by anyone except the advertisers. Signed letters or columns are the opinion of the writers, and not necessarily the opinion of the publishers. To advertise contact Marla Schroeder at 574-350-4488 or mschroeder@the-papers.com.

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

at www.the-papers.com for guidelines on preparing ads electronically. Graphics for ads can be emailed as PDF files to adcomp@the-papers.com. If you have

tions,

“Flowers blooming, warm weather and everything turning brown to green.”

“I love watching the trees come to life when they bloom.”

Elkhart County

Continued from page 1 the council, the overall goal is to remove barriers for those the council serves when it comes to healthcare access.

It’s helping people stay independent,” Jordan said. “It’s supporting caregivers, whether that’s a family friend or a family member themselves, but we want to also support them in helping keep our aging population at home. And it’s also ensuring that adults remain connected, valued and cared for.”

As the council celebrates its fifth decade in the county, the reflection on the last 50 years can also serve as a projection for the future. According to Fraley during her 11 years with

Correction

Terry Cuzzocrea’s name was inadvertently misspelled in the April issue of Senior Life newspaper. He serves as vice president of Senior Talk Michiana.

“For those who are low income and unable to afford the additional expense of transportation to the doctor, our services are covered by Medicaid,” Fraley said. “For others that may not qualify for Medicaid, but don’t necessarily have the extra financial capacity to pay for we work with partners throughout the community to set up financial resources.

When it comes to educating the public and spreading the word about the council and the care it provides for aging adults, Fraley said the organization services function as supplementation for clients’ daily needs. With day to day tasks being more difficult to keep up with due to health or

“The weather and getting the lawn ready.”

“Getting back to the lake, boating and fishing.”

age related limitations, Fraley said can best be understood by envisioning our everyday tasks now require more energy, strength and endurance than last year.

“One thing I’ve learned more recently in just being out and talking to people is the impact of our service. It means something different to everyone we serve. So for someone who’s recovering from knee surgery, we’re that team that is helping them complete their rehabilitation and return to their full strength,” Fraley said. “So they may not need us long term right now. They just need us to help them over that hump that’s preventing them from returning to regular activities of their life, whether it’s employment or just getting out and meeting the guys for a cup of coffee in the morning.”

BRIAN ARBUCKLE MIDDLEBURY

LISA ESOLINA-HAMPTON GOSHEN

WENDY GROVE ELKHART

JIM BOONE SYRACUSE

RICK PALOIAN SYRACUSE

FELICIA MOTTERN MILFORD

Amy Mann is always booked

By MAKSYM HART Staff Writer

Amy Mann remembers libraries as places people wanted to be.

Now, in her role at the Warsaw Community Public Library, she tries to pass that experience on to the next generation.

Mann, who has worked at the Warsaw Community Public Library for 15 years, said her path there was not a straight line. Though trained in elementary education, she found herself drawn less to the structure of a classroom and more to the personal connections that come from working with children in smaller settings.

“I’ve always just liked working with kids in smaller groups,” Mann said, noting that the library allows her to interact with a wide range of ages, from preschoolers to older elementary students.

That variety, she said, is one of the most rewarding aspects of her job. Unlike a traditional classroom, where a teacher works with the same group each day, the library brings a constant flow of new faces, and with them, new opportunities to connect.

Those connections often extend beyond the children themselves. Mann regularly interacts with parents and caregivers, helping them find resources and, at times, each other.

“It’s really fun to see groups together,” she said. “Sometimes I’ll ask if they knew each other before, and they’ll say ‘no,’ they just met here - and they act like they’ve known each other forever.”

Creating that sense of community is something Mann traces back to her own childhood. Growing up, she made a point of knowing where the library was wherever her family lived, and she remembers those visits fondly.

Now, she hopes to pass that same experience on.

“I want them to have the same feeling about the library as I did,” she said.

Over the years, Mann has seen changes in how people access information, particularly with the rise of digital tools. Still, she believes physical books hold a lasting appeal.

“Kids want a book. They want to hold it, to feel it,” she said, adding that many adults feel the same way.

While technology has replaced the old card catalog with

TEXT SUPPORT

— Amy Mann works in the children’s department at the Warsaw Community Public Library, where she assists young readers and their families in finding books and navigating library resources. Photo by Maksym Hart.

searchable databases, Mann said her role often involves helping patrons navigate those systems, or stepping in to do the searching herself.

The goal, she said, is always to make the process less intimidating and more accessible.

Among her many responsibilities, Mann said one of her favorite tasks is recommending books. Whether she’s asking a child about their favorite story or guiding an adult toward a

new genre, she enjoys sharing her own enthusiasm for reading.

“It’s just fun to be able to share those things,” she said.

That passion carries into her life outside of work as well.

Mann keeps an “eclectic mix” of books on hand, ranging from fiction to nonfiction and children’s literature, ready to suit whatever mood she is in.

“I always have a stack to read,” she said.

Ultimately, Mann sees the

library as more than a collection of materials. It is a place where relationships form, curiosity grows and people of all ages find common ground.

She welcomes newcomers and encourages them to explore what the space offers, whether that involves finding a book, attending a program or simply spending time there.

Mann is happy making the library a place people want to return to, just as she once did.

Country Fried Steak

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

Chicken, Broccoli & Cheese Casserole Carrots

Dinner Roll/Marg. Oreos

Spaghetti/Meat Sauce

Italian Vegetables

Texas Toast Tropical Fruit Cup

Chicken Pot Pie over Biscuit Corn Brownie

Closed for the holiday!

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

Hamburger on Bun

Red Skinned Potatoes

Stewed Tomatoes Jello w/Fruit

Maple Mustard Pork

Sweet Potatoes

Brussel’s Sprouts Bread/Marg. Mixed Fruit Cup

Meatloaf

Mashed Potatoes Peas

Bread/Marg. Mixed Fruit Cup

Sausage, Green Bean & Potato Casserole

Tomato & Zucchini

Dinner Roll/Marg. Warm Spiced Apples

Pork Fritter on Bun Mayo

Creamed Corn Green Beans

Cinnamon Applesauce

BBQ Chicken Breast

Macaroni & Cheese

California Vegetables

Dinner Rolls/Marg. Strawberry Applesauce

Sausage Gravy over Biscuit

Scrambled Eggs

Diced Potatoes Banana

Bruschetta Chicken Baby Bakers

Vegetable Blend

Bread/Marg. Peach Cup

Chicken Un-Kabob w/ Peppers/Onion/Tomato Rice

Dinner Roll/Marg. Pudding Cup

Ham & Beans Carrots

Cornbread/Marg. Fruit Cup

Sweet & Sour Chicken over Rice Asian Blend Vegetables Bread/Marg. Fortune Cookie Pineapple Cup

Sloppy Joe on Bun Baked Beans

Mixed Vegetables Fruit Cup

Mashed Potatoes/Gravy

Green Beans

Bread/Marg. Jello Cup

Chili w/beans Baby Bakers Broccoli Crackers Mandarin Orange Cup

Potato Crusted Fish

Scalloped Potatoes

Broccoli Bread/Marg. Pudding, Oranges

Potato Cream Soup

Deli Slider Sandwich

Prince Charles Veg. Jello Cup

Tuna Casserole

Crooks thrive on targeting seniors

By CECIL SCAGLIONE

Mature Life Features

Retirees are sitting targets for scammers and schemers.

Seniors lose some $3 billion each year to crooks, according to investigators.

While seniors are pretty savvy about scams, they’re among the most vulnerable victims because so many of them live

alone. They also lose the most money because schemers target them with high-ticket scams involving romance, online purchases, credit renewals, travel, job offers and investments, and whatever schemers adjust according to what’s in the news.

No sooner do people catch on to a scam, such as callers claiming to be from the

Internal Revenue Service, the crooked tactics change but the aim remains the same - getting your money.

A common approach is a claim that someone has overpaid you for something and they’d like you to return that amount they claim they over paid. They may sound apologetic or frantic about making the error, but just hang up. Even if you see a check deposited in your account, don’t try to cash it. It’ll more than likely bounce.

Most folks are unaware that the banking system may not recognize a counterfeit check for several days after it’s been cleared in your account.

Don’t refund any overpayments if you’re paid by check. If you receive an overpayment, don’t deposit the check and

ask for one with the correct amount.

Another sign that you’re being conned is a request for payment - or repayment - through some such form as PayPal, gift card, money order, wire transfer or bitcoin.

If you feel you must send money, pay with a credit card. Federal law protects credit card users from fraudulent charges and limits your liability.

Credit cards can also protect you when you’re shopping online, where you can pay for products or services that never get delivered or are of much poorer quality than you were led to believe.

You can protect yourself while you’re online by writing the name of the company in

your search engine and then adding the words “scam” or “complaints” to check its level of quality.

Talking or texting by phone or computer is usually how schemers lure the lonely but a reluctance to meet in person is usually a red flag that the contact is a scam. Increasing talk of the need to pay bills for back rent or medical issues is how they begin to extract cash from their victims.

They may work the theft into the overpayment scheme by saying they’d like to send you a gift or asking you to receive some money for them. Keep in mind, this is someone you’ve never even met no matter how friendly or genuine they sound over the phone or on line.

Gold’s glitter has not died, continues to captivate

By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features

Gold!

It’s been unearthed in mountains and caves around the world, flaunted on fingers and figures for centuries and hoarded and hidden by barons and banks as it became regarded as the standard of wealth.

Then countries dropped the gold standard because it was too stifling. Having to limit the amount of currency to the amount of gold a government has is more bane than benefit.

Without the gold standard, which has been called the “barbarous relic,” hanging around a nation’s neck, it can print as much currency as it pleases.

But the bug to own gold has not died.

A quick picture of this yen is of masked Old West bandits ambushing stagecoaches to carry off sacks of the ore mined out of “them thar hills.”

Gold gains as currency loses its value and buying power.

The price of an ounce of gold has surged steadily over the past couple of decades, from about $300 at the turn of the century to more than $5,000 an ounce earlier this year.

Many gold rushes have a history of turning into bling bubbles.

For one thing, the rising price has encouraged the development of more gold mines, paving the way to lower prices as supply outpaces demand.

Buying gold has been made easier for investors with the appearance of exchange-traded funds that have risen in popularity during the past decade. This eliminates the need for buyers to physically handle the malleable metal.

Those who wish to do so can still buy coins to cuddle and count as they wish. Or they can diversify their portfolios by investing in gold-backed certificates or gold-mining shares.

For those who feel gold is too lavish, there’s silver.

Over the past two decades, its price has leaped from about $10 an ounce to around $75 an ounce earlier this year.

For the record, this precious metal also has been used as a monetary standard. It was done in by gold a few centuries ago.

Gold bugs began collecting gold before the emergence of the great Egyptian pharaohs. They have survived the careening cost of the yellow metal. The competition for its acquisition today rarely involves armies or ambush. But the greedy and gullible still circle each other in a constant drive to outdo each other and get the best deal. When talking with most of these folks about buying gold, they rarely discuss selling it for profit. Most point out you can borrow against it, but the game and gamble appears to be acquiring as much as you can as fast as you can.

Financial times

By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features

During or after tax time, thoughts of getting help with one’s finances aren’t too far out of mind.

Your first move is to ask a friend or family member you trust if they can recommend a financial advisor/tax preparer. You can also get referrals

from your attorney, pastor, co-worker or members of your bridge club. Keep in mind that even honest people can have dishonest or inept advisers. Find one who’s credentials and track record match your needs and who listens to what you hope for your financial future. And make sure they’re accessible.

Bella Largo hosts ALZNI caregivers support group

Bella Largo Senior Living, in partnership with Alzheimer’s and Dementia Services of Northern Indiana, will host a monthly Alzheimer’s and dementia caregiver support group in La Porte.

The free group is designed to provide a welcoming, confidential environment for caregivers to share experiences, discuss challenges and receive emotional support while caring for loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia.

Meetings will be held from 2-3 p.m. the first Wednesday of each month, at Bella Largo Senior Living, 1800 W. HiPoint Drive. Reservations are recommended by calling (219) 878-1141.

70s Flashback -

Sessions will be led by dementia-trained staff from Bella Largo, offering guidance and support to caregivers navigating similar experiences.

“Caregiving can often feel isolating, but no one has to face it alone,” said Joe Collins of Alzheimer’s and Dementia Services of Northern Indiana. “Caregivers want to talk to others who understand what they’re going through. This support group is where they can find that sense of relief.”

Caregivers, family members and friends supporting individuals with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia are encouraged to attend.

Alzheimer’s and Dementia Services of Northern Indiana provides education, resources

and community programs to improve quality of life for individuals

The eyes have it

In Berlin in 1946, a young American named Walter Keane was reportedly heartbroken at what he sawhungry kids wallowing in rubbish heaps and fighting over food scraps. He later wrote, “As if goaded by a kind of frantic despair, I sketched these dirty, ragged little victims of the war with their bruised, lacerated minds and bodies, their matted hair and runny noses. Here my life as a painter began in earnest.”

There was just one problem with Keane’s story: his recollection proved to be a lie.

He may have seen impoverished children, but Keane never did become a painter. It was his future wife, Margaret, who would eventually put to canvas numerous sad-eyed waifs, all created from her Nashville, Tenn., childhood notebooks rather than from European garbage dumps.

Walter, a hard-drinking and canny seller of real estate, met Margaret in 1955 at an art exhibition in San Francisco. “He was just oozing with charm,” the future Mrs. Keane recalled. “He could charm anyone.”

The hippest hangout in the Bay Area was a beatnik joint called the Hungry I. It was there that Walter first ped-

dled his wife’s artwork as his own while she stayed home, creating images of children with eyes three times their normal size.

In time, those paintings became hot properties, and, during the late 1950s and early 1960s, all things Keane (which now included posters and plates) brought in oceans of cash, with originals selling for as much as $100,000 each.

Walter and Margaret bought a gated California mansion with a swimming pool, all the while with Walter taking credit for his spouse’s artwork while Margaret was kept home in isolation, painting 16 hours a day.

In his 1983 memoir, “The World of Keane,” Walter quoted his wife saying, “You are the greatest artist I have ever seen … You are also the most handsome.”

Hmmn. Really?

Margaret Keane eventually reached the end of her patience with her spouse. She filed for divorce after promising her husband - by now a raging alcoholic - that she would keep secretly painting for him. But after handing him several more originals, she finally proclaimed, “No more lies. From now on, I will only tell the truth.” And she did, explaining everything to an interviewer in 1970.

After the split-up, Margaret moved to Hawaii, where she painted her trademark bigeyed kids swimming leisurely in azure seas amid schools of colorful tropical fish. Walter

moved into a fisherman’s shack near San Diego and drank from morning until night.

He later told a newspaper reporter that his ex-wife wanted to defraud him publicly. When the interviewer’s article appeared in print, Margaret sued Walter. This led to a “paint off” in court, where a judge ordered each to create “big eyes” paintings while he watched.

Margaret finished hers in 53 minutes; Walter claimed he couldn’t paint because of a sore shoulder.

Margaret was awarded $4 million. She never saw a penny of the settlement, though; Walter had drunk away all the money from the Keanes’ heyday.

Bibliography

Book: Stern, Jane & Michael. “The Encyclopedia of Bad Taste.” (Pp. 169-170).

New York: Harper Perennial/ HarperCollins Publishers, 1990.

Internet: Brooks, Katherine. “Everything You Need to Know About Margaret & Walter Keane, Tim Burton’s Latest Obsession.” Sept. 23, 2014. huffpost.com.

Dubin, Zan. “The Eyes of Margaret Keane.” July 31, 2000. latimes.com.

Margaret Keane, Walter Keane. (No author or date listed) en.wikipedia.org.

Ronson, Jon. “The Big-Eyed Children: The Extraordinary Story of an Epic Art Fraud.” Oct. 26, 2014. theguardian. com.

June 26th

2-4pm

SUPPORT GROUP Bella Largo Senior Living, in partnership with Alzheimer’s and Dementia Services of Northern Indiana, hosts a monthly Alzheimer’s and dementia caregiver support group in La Porte. Photo provided.

living with demen-

tia and their caregivers. Bella Largo Senior Living is a privately- owned senior

living community offering assisted living and memory care services in La Porte.

WALTER KEANE

By RANDAL C. HILL

Jan Riley worships through poetry

By LAURIE LECHLITNER Staff Writer

“I started writing poetry when I was in eighth grade,” stated Jan Riley, Bristol. “I’ve got two books of inspirational poetry published. The first is titled ‘Praises and Inspiration.’ The second is titled ‘More Praises and Inspiration.’ I’ve found that I can release my feelings on paper. And I find that I can praise God as well. Writing poetry has helped me grow to be a better person and touch the lives of others. Some of my poems are funny, some are thought provoking and some

have come out of the most heart-wrenching experiences of my life.”

Riley’s mom was a writer. “My mother entered jingle contests. I remember the toys and prizes she won for us with her efforts. I think I get my creative streak from her.”

With a smile, she remarked, “Sometimes I’ll just be sitting and thinking. God inspires me with a poem. I call myself God’s secretary. Many times, the words are not mine but His.”

One of her poems is titled “I’m Wonderful.” She writes: “When people ask how I am, I can’t just say I’m fine.

Although it’s true, it’s so cliché. It’s everybody’s line. I’m not just fine. I’m so much more. My Lord has blessed me so. I’m great, I’m good, I’m wonderful. I want the world to know.”

Riley grew up in Bristol. “I attended school in what is now the museum. Our family joined St. John of the Cross Episcopal Church when I was in eighth grade. I grew up there and was confirmed at that church.”

Riley married her husband, Otus, when she was 22. “We couldn’t have children of our own. So, I began to work with children in church and the community. I taught preschool and early elementary students in Sunday school. I also taught a swimming class for 9-month-olds at the YMCA.”

She loved working with small children. “The world is brand new in their eyes. And when I was with them, I was also filled with wonder as I saw my surroundings through their perspective.”

Jan and Otus adopted a son, Shaun Patrick Riley. They also became parents to their godchild, Mary Maletta Morehouse. “Both of our kids love the Lord. Shaun and his family go to Grace Community Church in Goshen. Mary goes to my church and is a vestry member.”

The hardest time in Riley’s life was in 2006, when she became a widow. “My husband was so important to me. Losing him was quite a blow.

At that time, I wrote poetry and leaned on the Lord. My church became the extended family who helped me through those dark days.”

She encourages widows to never give up. “Don’t let the sorrow swallow you. God loves you so much that when you cry, He cries. Take life one day at a time. Talk about your loved one and the good times you shared together.”

Riley loves the story of the

lost sheep in Luke 15. “Jesus, our Good Shepherd, left the 99 other sheep to search for me. He cares for each one of us as though we were the only one. He knows me personally and was aware of my life’s purpose before I was even born.”

Riley is so proud of her two kids and their spouses, her eight grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. “They bring me so much joy.”

I am getting a leg up

My wife walks faster than I do. If I hadn’t broken into a full gallop down the aisle the day we got married, she’d have beaten me to the justice of the peace by a nose. I’ve mentioned this before in this column, but things have gotten much worse and far more embarrassing.

When we take a walk around the block, Mary Ellen has to turn around every three or four minutes and walk back around me so that she doesn’t get too far ahead.

As embarrassing as this is, I demand that she do it because a 79-year-old man should not be yelling to his wife, “Wait up,” an expression that I thought I had stopped using in junior high school.

What makes this more humiliating is that I have always been a good athlete. I played center field on my high school baseball

team and even ran track. My wife is not an athlete. When my wife tries to run, she doesn’t bend her legs at the knees and she ends up looking like a soldier doing a goose step on too much coffee. No, she can’t run. But boy, can she walk.

I can’t figure out why she walks faster. Let’s see … her legs are longer than mine. And she moves them back and forth faster than I do. Okay, I just figured it out.

The great irony in this is that one of the reasons I was attracted to my wife almost 48 years ago was her long, slender legs. This is exactly how men get themselves in trouble. When I saw those lovely limbs, my mind turned to romance, but I should have realized that she’d be walking faster than me for the next 50 years.

I knew I was going to marry a woman who was smarter. But faster? That was never the plan.

In fact, during high school and college, I never dated girls who were fast. (My mother approved of that.)

Now, I must admit that when I used to walk my dog, Barney, he also walked faster than I did. Barney was 88 in dog years, 10 pounds overweight, and had

arthritis. But the difference between Barney and my wife is that Barney actually turned around every few minutes to make sure I hadn’t had a heart attack. Back then, I considered using a leash, but neither Mary Ellen nor Barney would wear one.

Sometimes, just to feel loved and wanted, I would hide behind a tree to see if my wife would look for me. Out on a hiking trail, this is okay, but in a residential neighborhood, men behind trees are frowned upon. When you are telling your story to a police officer and he keeps using the word “lurking,” you have a great deal of explaining to do.

Now, when we walk around our new neighborhood, she feels like I slow her down, and the sight of her circling me every few minutes has the neighbors talking. Instead, when my wife and I want to walk, we go in different directions around our neighborhood circle. No matter how leisurely I walk, we pass each other at exactly the same time.

I know that was an incredibly stupid thing to say. But don’t try to explain it to me. You know how slow I am.

INSPIRED POET Jan Riley stands at one of the stained-glass windows at her home congregation, St. John of the Cross Episcopal Church, Bristol. She writes poetry that is inspired by her relationship with Jesus Christ. She loves the fact that God knows her personally and has been aware of her life’s purpose before she was even born.

Photo by Cindy Keck.

By DICK WOLFSIE

Dining/Leisure/Entertainment

Blast to the Past

‘Silly Love Songs’ was a commercial masterpiece

Paul McCartney and Wings

One of Paul McCartney’s biggest post-Beatles hits was a retort to an uncalled-for and caustic insult that undoubtedly pained the ex-Fab Four bassist.

By RANDAL C. HILL

John Lennon, the Beatles’ founder and one-time writing partner of McCartney, had made the snarky statement that, during their partnership, Paul had merely dashed off sentimental slush that was no better or important than so-called “elevator music.”

Really, John? Let’s take a look.

McCartney’s early romantic contributions had actually contributed mightily to the Beatles’ oevre; after all, Paul was responsible for such classics as “And I Love Her,” “Here, There and Everywhere,” and “All My Loving,” the last-mentioned a tune that Lennon once proclaimed “a fine piece of work.”

Lennon had obviously envied McCartney during their years together - 1957 to 1969. McCartney was the most popular Beatle, the best-looking, the hardest-working, the most knowledgeable about 20th century music and, arguably, the most talented.

Lennon’s jealousy-fueled vitriol shouldn’t have surprised anyone.

McCartney had no problem standing up for himself, though. “I’m a fan of old-fashioned writing,” he admitted. “I hate silly

rhymes, but when they work, they’re the greatest little things in songwriting.” McCartney states

“You’d think that people would have had enough of silly love songs

“I look around me and I see it isn’t so.”

He later adds

“What’s wrong with that? I’d like to know

“ ‘Cause here I go again

“I love you “I love you …”

You get the picture.

Powered by a strong bass line, a pronounced disco “thump” and a cornucopia of disparate instruments, “Silly Love Songs” was a commercial masterpiece. Music critic John Bergstrom called it “an exemplary piece of mid-70s pop production and a pure pleasure.”

Wife Linda McCartney gets writing credit on “Silly Love Songs,” and she joins her husband on the tune’s chorus, although her voice is quite distant in the mix.

McCartney: “Over the years, people have said, ‘Aw, he sings love songs, he writes love songs, he’s so soppy at times.’ I have thought, ‘Well, I know what they mean, but people have been doing love songs forever. I like ‘em. Other people like ‘em.’ “

Folks have apparently been “liking ‘em” for millenia. In fact, love lyrics have been around for at least 4,000 years, with the oldest known examples having been discovered in Sumeriamodern-day Iraq - and preserved on clay tablets.

“The fact is, deep down, people are very sentimental,” McCartney continues. “If they watch a sentimental movie at home, they

Smaller bulk buys also save

By CECIL SCAGLIONE

Mature Life Features

Even if you’re living alone, you can save money by buying the family size packages of such meats as beef, pork and poultry, which are usually cheaper per pound than the smaller packages. At home, you can divide the pieces into meal-size portions and keep them in the freezer.

The same, of course, applies to large packages of frozen fruit and vegetables that are much more economical than smaller individual packets.

cry. But in public they won’t. We don’t like to show our emotions. We tend to sneer at that. And, in the same way, people may not admit to liking love songs, but that’s what they seem to crave.

“The nice payoff now is that a lot of the people I meet who are at the age where they’ve got a couple of kids and have grown up a bit, settling down, they’ll say to me, ‘I thought you were really soppy for years, but I get it now! I see what you were doing!’ ”

Bibliography

Book: Bronson, Fred. The Billboard Book of Number One Hits (Third Edition). (P. 436) New York: Billboard Publications, Inc., 1992. The first McCartney quote is from here.

Internet: Benitez-Eves, Tina. “The Meaning Behind ‘Silly Love Songs’ by Paul McCartney and Wings.” June 18, 2022. americansongwriter.com. The third McCartney quote is from here.

Breihan, Tom. “Wings - “Silly Love Songs.” Sept. 4, 2019. stereogum.com. The second McCartney quote is from here.

“Silly Love Songs.” (No author or date listed) beatlesbible.com.

“’Silly Love Songs’ by Paul McCartney & Wings. (No author or date listed) songfacts. com.

“Silly Love Songs.” (No author or date listed) en.wikipedia.org. The fourth McCartney quote is from here. The Bergstrom quote is also from here.

You’re invited to join Aging Connections for our complimentary health and wellness workshops! We’re here to support older adults and their caregivers in living life to the fullest. Come and discover how our resources can enhance your well-being!

Speaker: Laura Vincent, Dunes Hospice

Topic: Backyard Jeopardy: Play Jeopardy to learn the basics of Hospice care May 13th 3:30-4:45 pm May 6th 3:30-4:45 pm

Speaker: Linda Loftus, Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) Michiana Chapter Topic: Emergency Preparedness

Location: Goshen Public Library Auditorium, 601 S. 5th Street, Goshen, IN 46526 www.agingconnections.org

Location: Kosciusko Community Senior Services, 800 N. Park Avenue, Warsaw, IN 46580

elkhartsymphony.org

& CELEBRATE

SUNDAY, MAY 17, 2026, 4 PM LERNER THEATRE, ELKHART, IN SOO HAN, CONN-SELMER ENDOWED MUSIC CONDUCTOR

GUEST SOLOIST: CAITLIN EDWARDS, VIOLIN

Sports writer Anderson earns two honors in 2026

By NATHAN PACE Staff Writer

Anthony Anderson viewed himself on the downslope of his sports writing career, which made it incredibly surprising when he learned of two honors he was chosen for this year.

Anderson was named to the 2026 Hall of Fame class of the Indiana Sporstwriters and Sportscasters Association in January. In February, Anderson received the Distinguished Media Service Award from the Indiana High School Athletic Association during a basketball game at North Side Gymnasium at Elkhart’s North Side Middle School. Anderson calls the gym his “favorite gym in the world.”

For Anderson, the two honors came at an unexpected time.

“It’s kind of dizzying. I didn’t know I would care as much as I do about it. You don’t spend your career thinking about stuff like that,” Anderson said. “I was almost fading myself out of the business. You kind of think, ‘Hey, your work is being forgotten. If it was going to happen it would have happened by now.’ I was pleasantly surprised and appreciative that someone thought enough of what I did to do that.”

Born in Waterloo, Iowa, Anderson and his family moved to Indiana when he was 2 years old, settling in Lake County. He went to high school at Crown Point and made the decision to give sports journalism a try.

“By the time I got to high school, I drew a pretty quick conclusion that I was never going to be good enough to play professionally,” Anderson said. “So I felt like it was a way to do something that I pretty much loved, the writing, and at the same time, stay close to sports. So, it was kind of two things I liked, but together, it’s something I love.”

He attended Indiana University and covered football, and men’s and women’s basketball. This meant he covered the late Bob Knight while he coached the Hoosiers. A story that stayed with him was the death of an IU football player named Denver Smith in 1983. He went to the Smith residence and interviewed Smith’s wife.

“I don’t even know why, but his widow, for some reason, trusted me right away. I remember sitting on their bed interviewing her and it was just pretty surreal,” Anderson said.

Anderson graduated from IU in 1985 and took a writing job with The Goshen News that same year. He moved in 1987 to The Elkhart Truth and stayed there for 30 years. In 2017, he switched to the South Bend Tribune and began covering the University of Notre Dame women’s basketball. He covered coach Muffet McGraw for three seasons and coach Niele Ivey for four.

“They’re both great,” Anderson said. “I mean, Muffett was spectacular, she gave me full access right away. I’m not sure why, but she did. And that was a super relationship right from the start. And then they win the national title that first year.”

Today, Anderson works security for Penn-Harris-Madison Schools but also still freelances in local sports media.

“I’m still engaged in the writing on a lesser basis,” Anderson said. “I work all week at this job, and then on Friday nights I cover football and basketball, and I thought I might be too tired, but then it’s actually the highlight of my week.”

Anderson is married to his wife, Tamela, and they have six children and one grandchild. Anderson says the relationships he has built along the way have kept him passionate

www.briarcliffsouthbend.com

Feb.

about sports media.

“I’ve worked with a ton of really high quality people and I

would say high quality, I mean, both as journalists and as people. And that’s made the work

Don’t put on

By JAMES GAFFNEY Mature Life Features

Thanks to decades of research, outreach from the medical community and stern warnings from physicians, it has finally sunk in that too much bad cholesterol and other fats can lead to disease. What should not be overlooked is that our bodies need a certain amount of fat to function and we can’t make it from scratch.

Triglycerides, cholesterol and other essential fatty acids - the scientific term for fats the body can’t make on its own - store energy, insulate us and protect

more rewarding because I’ve developed a lot of friendships from that,” Anderson said.

fat - process it

our vital organs. They act as messengers to help proteins do their jobs. They also trigger chemical reactions that help control growth, immune function, reproduction and other aspects of basic metabolism.

The cycle of making, breaking, storing and mobilizing fats is at the core of how humans and all animals regulate their energy. An imbalance in any step can result in disease, including heart disease and diabetes.

Fats also help the body stockpile certain nutrients. The so-called “fat-soluble” vitaminsA, D, E and K - are stored in the

liver and in fatty tissues.

Triglycerides, the main type of fat we consume, are especially suited for energy storage because they pack more than twice as much energy as carbohydrates or proteins.

Once triglycerides have been broken down during digestion, they are transported to cells through the bloodstream. Some of the fat is used for energy right away; the rest is stored.

When we need extra energy - when we run a marathon, for example - our bodies use enzymes to break down the stored triglycerides.

CAREER SPORTSWRITER Anthony Anderson, right, was joined by his wife, Tamela Anderson, and grandson, Beckett Anderson, at the North Side Gym, Tuesday,

24 for an Elkhart basketball game. Anderson was honored by the Indiana High School Athletic Association at the game as the 2026 Distinguished Media Service Award recipient. Photo provided by Casey Clopton.

There is not a mountain to climb

By KJ MAPES President and CEO REAL Services

Each May, Older Americans Month recognizes the contributions of older adults and encourages all of us to support healthy, active aging.

This year’s theme is “Champion Your Health,” and I’ve been coming back to that word,

champion. Not in the sense of winning or conquering, but in the sense of showing up for something and taking it seriously in a steady, intentional way.

I’ll be honest, turning 60 this August has my attention. Not in a dramatic way, but in a quieter, more reflective sense. It makes you pause just long enough to take stock. You notice

how you feel day to day, what your body is telling you, and what your family history might mean for the years ahead.

The truth is, we know more now than we used to. We understand more about what helps us stay healthy as we age. We hear about staying active, eating well, managing stress and staying socially connected. That knowledge is

a gift. It gives us more control than previous generations may have had.

But all of that information can sometimes feel like a lot, like there’s a perfect standard we’re supposed to meet. The more I think about it, the more I believe championing your health isn’t about doing everything right.

More often, it comes down

Women need extra precautions during exercise

By JAMES GAFFNEY

Mature Life Features

Despite our nationwide obsession with fitness, obesity levels in the United States remain alarmingly high among all ages in both genders.

Researchers and health-care professionals tout the benefits of good nutrition and regular exercise throughout one’s life to achieve and maintain overall wellness.

This is especially important for women, say experts, to help keep those extra pounds at bay. The reason is simple.

Beginning in her late 20s

and 30s, a woman’s average body weight climbs steadily each year. This increase usually continues into her 60s. For most women, the weight gain is between one to two pounds per year. Some women gain more, others less.

Women who incorporate regular exercise into their daily schedules may not only lose weight but lower the risk of certain diseases and conditions. Women who exercise for at least 150 minutes a week significantly reduce their risk of endometrial cancer.

To prevent weight gain, an average woman who eats a

normal diet needs 60 minutes of moderate exercise per day. If she is overweight or obese, 60 minutes of exercise is not enough to keep off the weight. In many cases, she will have to modify her diet, including cutting down on overall daily caloric intake. For older women, a dose of moderate, regular exercise may slow the progression of age-related memory loss. Despite the numerous health benefits that accompany exercise, there are some important things women need to keep in mind to prevent injury. Women need to take extra precautions because, although they may feel

Hot tea in the afternoon

By JIM CARPENTER Guest Writer

He sips a bit on his hot tea.

Red Zinger with some honey.

His basement dwelling stays quite cool.

This beverage will warm his tummy.

He is at a stage with his age, where time constraints are at a lack.

He’s fortunate to have developed, a seemingly endless poetry knack.

As he sips his tea, he thinks a bit.

To his stories from years ago.

Among those tales are some jewels. Some might even be gold. His immaturity and bad decisions, gave rise to a story or two.

Walking the line between trouble or not.

Seemed a favorite thing to do. The past cannot be erased.

Live and learn and live some more.

So when you’re old and can’t do much. You’ll have your memories to explore.

less sore than men after vigorous exercise, due to hormonal differences, women will have more laxity in their ligaments and potentially more ligament injury at extreme stresses.

Women also are more likely to experience knee pain than men, especially in the knee-cap region. This is partially due to an anatomical difference in the knee angle that puts women’s knees at an increased level of stress.

Before working out, women should make sure to:

Stretch. Stretching and light aerobic activity to get the heart rate up helps to warm you up and prevent muscle injury, and Hydrate. Many people are chronically operating on a fluid deficit, and working out and sweating further depletes their fluid reserves. It is vital to stay hydrated before, during and after exercise and always monitor your fluid levels to prevent muscle injury and overheating.

to small, steady choices that fit into real life. Moving a little more when we can. Saying yes to opportunities to be around other people. Paying attention when something doesn’t feel right and following up. And sometimes, simply giving ourselves a little grace and doing the best we can with the day in front of us. And maybe not trying to do all of it at once.

That’s what “championing your health” looks like to me. Not a dramatic overhaul, but an ongoing commitment to yourself. Staying engaged. Staying aware. Continuing to make choices that support your well-being in ways that are realistic and sustainable.

It’s something we see every day at REAL Services. Whether it’s attending a health education or fitness class, sharing a meal at a senior center or simply finding ways to stay connected, these everyday moments matter. They support health, strengthen independence, and build a sense of community. Sometimes the biggest step is just walking through the door.

As I look ahead to this next chapter, I’m not thinking about a finish line or trying to meet some ideal. I’m thinking about how I want to feel, how I want to stay engaged and how I can continue to show up - for myself and for others.

Championing your health doesn’t require perfection. It simply requires that you keep showing up.

Independence | Dignity | Strength

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

info@ info@realservices.org

realservices.org Real Services, Inc.

Join Us for REAL Talk

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

Understanding Mental Health

May. 13 | 11:30 AM | Portage Commons (574) 284-7189

May. 21 | 11:00 AM | OWLS (574) 336-2652

May. 26 | 11:30 AM | Salvation Army (574) 284-7189

May. 22 | 11:30 AM | 1ROOF (Lunch) (574) 284-7189

Reserve your spot by visiting realservices.org/get-involved/real-talk/

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, May 14 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.

Celebrate One Amazing Year at Portage Commons!

Join us at Portage Commons for a special afternoon as we celebrate our 1-year anniversary AND proudly honor our Wyatt Mick Volunteers of the Year—individuals whose dedication shows up in countless meaningful ways every single day.

Friday | May 8, 2026 | 3:00-5:00 PM

Portage Commons Senior Enrichment Center 133 N. William St., South Bend

These are the people who keep our center welcoming and running strong…who deliver meals to seniors across our community…and who show up for those who may not have someone else to count on. They are neighbors, lifelines, and quiet champions of care—and this celebration is for them.

Light appetizers will be served! Come celebrate a year of impact, connection, and the people who make it all happen. You’ll leave inspired… guaranteed.

Volunteer Recognition begins at 3:30 with special remarks from Mayor James Mueller

portagecommons@realservices.org

This May, Portage Commons is celebrating Older Americans Month by bringing healthy aging to life every single day. Move. Connect. Learn. Thrive.

Move

Stay active with Chair Yoga (Mondays at 10 AM), Senior Strength (Wednesdays at 11 AM), and SAIL (Tuesdays & Thursdays at 2:30 PM).

Connect

Build relationships through Music & Memories (Tuesdays at 1 PM), Veterans Coffee & Chat (May 11 at 1 PM), and daily lunch gatherings.

Learn

Engage your mind with Crosswords & Conversations (Tuesdays at 10 AM) and “Let’s Talk About It” discussions (Thursdays at 1 PM).

Thrive

Explore creativity and joy through Bingocize (Wednesdays at 1 PM), art classes, and social activities throughout the month.

At Portage Commons, healthy aging isn’t one program, it’s a lifestyle.

Take charge of your health. Try something new. Be part of a community that’s moving forward together.

realservices.org/portage-commons/ Portage Commons

Portage Commons is partnering with Portage Township for their “Spring Cleaning” Food Drive to help restock the Portage Pantry.

Community members are invited to donate non-perishable food items throughout May by dropping them off at Portage Commons. Every donation supports local individuals and families facing food insecurity.

Can’t make it to South Bend? Consider supporting a food pantry in your own community. Every act of giving helps ensure our neighbors have what they need.

From buffalo hunter to NYC sports writer

By TOM MORROW Mature Life Features

Bartholomew William Barclay Masterson, who helped make famous the “wild” western frontier during the last quarter of the 1800s, was born Nov. 26, 1853, on a farm in the Canadian province of Quebec.

He was given the nickname “Bat” by boyhood companions while out on a hunting trip. The name stemmed from a popular character of the day, “Baptiste Brown” or “Old Bat,” who was a popular hunter and trapper of his time.

Bat Masterson worked as a buffalo hunter, U.S. Army scout, lawman, professional gambler and popular newspaperman well into the early 20th century.

He became an expert in the use of firearms during his boyhood years and accompanied expeditions that went out to hunt buffalo. In the fall of 1871, 18-year-old Bat headed west with his 19-yearold brother Ed. They camped with other buffalo hunters working along the Salt Fork River in the present-day Kansas counties of Comanche and Barber. During visits to other buffalo hunting camps, they met several men who would also become legends in western history, including Wyatt Earp, Billy Dixon and Tom Nixon. And “Prairie Dog” Dave Morrow, who, as far as research has gone, is not

clinging to any branch of our family tree. I recently wrote of his friendship with Earp.

On the western frontier he quickly earned fame as a gunfighter and sheriff in Dodge City, Kansas, beginning Jan. 24, 1877, with an argument with Army Cavalry Sgt. Melvin A. King over a game of poker and a dance hall beauty named Mollie Brennan. Gunplay erupted and King was left dead, but before falling he got off a shot that killed the woman and hit Masterson in the pelvis, leaving him with a limp for the rest of his life.

In that same year, he became a lawman along with his friend Wyatt Earp and was appointed an under-sheriff by Ford County Sheriff Charles Bassett. At the same time, his brother Ed became an assistant marshal of Dodge City. Among his friends at that time was the notorious gambler and gunfighter John “Doc” Holiday, whom Masterson once described in a newspaper column as a “most picturesque character on the western plains.”

Dodge City was known then as a “wicked little town” and cattle drives replaced the buffalo hunts as longhorn cattle were driven up from Texas along the western branch of the Chisholm Trail to the railroad.

Masterson moved to Denver in the mid-1880s and established himself as a “sporting man,” which was a popular label for being a gambler. He

took an interest in prizefighting and became a leading authority on the sport, attending almost every important match and title fight in the United States from the 1880s until his death in 1921. He became such an authority on prizefighting he refereed a number of important matches.

In 1902, he moved to New York City and spent the rest of his life as a reporter and columnist for the Morning Telegraph. His column covered boxing and other sports and frequently included his editorial opinions on crime,

war, politics and other topics such as his experiences in the Old West.

During his years in New York City he became a close friend of President Theodore Roosevelt and was one of his so-called “White House Gunfighters” who received federal appointments from the president along with other frontier lawmen Pat Garrett and Ben Daniels.

By the time of his death on Oct. 25, 1921, Masterson was known throughout the nation as a leading sportswriter and celebrity.

APARTMENT LIVING

Burglary effects linger

By CECIL SCAGLIONE

Mature Life Features

More than a million homes are burglarized each year, which means a couple of households are broken into and ransacked every minute.

More than half of these burglaries occur during the day. Few last longer than 10 minutes. In two-thirds of these incidents, the thief knows and is known by the occupants of the residence. In many cases they are a relative.

A lot of the times, the thieves were part of a home remodeling crew or had been called to repair an appliance.

Statistics reveal that a burglarized home is likely to be broken into again within six months.

Anyone who’s been the victim of a burglary knows the result is more than just the loss of personal possessions. There’s the residual feeling of exposure and vulnerability - that someone could violate your private space. And the fear that you could have been home when it happened.

If you return from a shopping trip or a several-week vacation and see your dwelling has been broken into, don’t go inside. The perpetrators might still be inside, so call the police and wait until they come and secure your residence.

After you’ve entered, take inventory. Walk through every room and write down what’s missing - computer, jewelry, television set, silverware, fur coats, anything and everything that’s not there. Give that list to the police. If you discover something else missing later, give that update to them.

There is little likelihood your stuff will ever be retrieved but a copy of that list can be used to file a claim with your homeowner’s insurance.

Make sure no credit cards are missing and you might consider changing bank account numbers if you can’t account for all your checkbooks.

BARTHOLOMEW WILLIAM BARCLAY MASTERSON

Marine general thwarted plot to overthrow FDR

By TOM MORROW

Mature Life Features

Slipping in modern minds is the well financed attempt to overthrow President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s administration almost a century ago.

In 1934, the American news media discovered there had been a year-old plot to replace FDR with a fascist government.

The claims of the conspiracy came from Marine Maj. Gen. Smedley Butler, one the most-decorated war heroes of his time. Even more unbelievable were his claims of who was involved in the attempted coup - respected finance and business names such as Robert Sterling Clark, Grayson M.P. Murphy, and Prescott Bush, father of the late President George H.W. Bush and grandfather of former President George W. Bush.

Much like today’s news media, many major newspapers of the day pooh-poohed the reports when details were leaked by government officials.

Born in 1881, Butler came from a line of civil-servants. His father, Thomas Butler, was a representative from Pennsylvania in Congress and his maternal grandfather, Smedley Darlington, was also a Republican congressman.

He was the most decorated Marine up to that time, having been awarded two Medals of Honor, an Army Distinguished Service Medal, the Marine Corps Brevet Medal, a Navy Distinguished Service Medal and a host of other honors during his 34 years in the Corps. His battle record covered duty in the Boxer Rebellion, Mexican-American War and World War I.

In 1933, Gerald C. MacGuire, a bond salesman, and Bob Doyle, an executive with the American Legion, asked the general to speak at a Legion convention in Chicago. Butler agreed but began to suspect something was amiss during their second meeting. The general was told there was more than $100,000 (about $2 million today) available to bring veteran

MARINE MAJ. GEN. SMEDLEY BUTLER

supporters to the convention. The general was stunned because there was little chance a group of veterans was able to gather such a large amount of money.

MacGuire also asked Butler to deliver a speech that was highly critical of FDR’s recent move away from the gold standard, which was a major sticking point for high-ranking financiers. Many bankers feared their

gold-backed loans would not be re-paid in full by the new policy.

There were concerns about the President’s socialist leanings and some business leaders even suspected he was a communist.

Butler was told he’d be the ideal leader of veterans, promising him an army of 500,000 men and financial backing from an assortment of rich businessmen, so long as he would be willing to lead a peaceful march on the White House to displace FDR.

Butler refused to deliver the speech and he heard little about the matter until MacGuire began traveling through Europe on a trip funded by Robert Sterling Clark, an heir to the Singer Sewing Machine fortune.

MacGuire believed the only way to save the country from FDR’s policies was to create a military state run by former servicemen, with Roosevelt serving as a mere figurehead.

Butler knew he would need to corroborate any plan he drew up to stop the intended coup. He contacted Philadelphia Record

writer Paul Comly French, who agreed to meet with MacGuire. The businessman openly described the fascist state he foresaw to replace FDR and believed General Butler was the “ideal leader.”

In November 1934, Butler and French appeared before the House Un-American Activities Committee and revealed the plot, which quickly became known as the “White House Coup” and “Wall Street Putsch.” Many major newspapers derided Butler’s claims when some of the committee’s report leaked out. The full report was not made public officially until recently.

No one was ever prosecuted in connection to the plot. The general’s account was published in his 1935 book, “War is a Racket.” There’s no telling how far the plot to overthrow FDR may have gone without Butler’s intervention. Its failure was the work of one patriotic Marine general. He died in 1940 at the age of 58.

Mature

Getting up shouldn’t be the hardest part

For many older adults, one of the hardest parts of the day isn’t walking – it’s simply getting up.

What most people don’t realize is that struggling to stand isn’t just frustrating —it can be dangerous. Loss of balance when rising from a chair is one of the most common causes of falls at home, often leading to serious injury and loss of independence.

That’s why lift chairs are changing lives.

Lift chairs are specially designed recliners that gently and safely assist individuals from sitting to standing. But the impact goes far beyond mobility — they restore confidence, reduce pain and help people stay in the homes they love.

“It’s not just a chair,” says

Marlies West, marketing representative at Goshen Home Medical. “It’s the ability to get up without fear. It’s comfort. It’s dignity.”

Many models offer added benefits like heat, massage and customizable positioning to improve circulation and relieve pressure — making everyday life easier and more comfortable.

To help families take that step toward safety and independence, Goshen Home Medical is offering a Mother’s Day Lift Chair Sale, including:

• At least 20% OFF all instock lift chairs

• FREE delivery within 50 miles

• Financing available, including interest-free options with CareCredit Families are encouraged to

Healthy foods all around you

By CECIL SCAGLIONE

Mature Life Features

Mangoes are one of the most-eaten fruit in the world for good reason: they’re among the superstar health foods, providing us with decent doses of vitamins A and C along with blood-pressure-lowering potassium and fiber.

Other plant products listed

among this galaxy of health boosters by some nutritionists include sweet potatoes, broccoli, garbanzo beans (chickpeas), watermelon, butternut squash and leafy greens, such as kale, spinach and Swiss chard. Along with this array of healthy food in your larder, you might want to add plain yogurt, wild salmon and oatmeal.

Commons at Juday Creek

visit the showroom, try different models and find the right fit with expert guidance.

Because no one should be

afraid of standing up!

Goshen Home Medical, 1501 S. Main St. Goshen i s open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday–Friday, 9

day

a.m. – 5 p.m.

For more information, call (574) 533-0626 or visit GoshenHomeMedical.com.

Beauty treatments could actually be killing your hair

By JAMES GAFFNEY Mature Life Features

In a culture where beauty is king - or, in this case, queen - it seems women will go to any length to meet the arbitrary standards of glamour and sexiness set by the media, especially slick high-fashion magazines.

When this pursuit of perfection extends to a regimen that includes regularly subjecting hair to harsh chemicals and heated styling devices that can damage otherwise healthy hair, it can leave women looking like anything but the fashion plates they so often try to emulate.

One of the most common misconceptions is that hair is living when, in fact, hair is nonliving and does not heal itself. “Healing” is really new hair growth.

Over time, damage to hair caused by artificial dyes and other treatments can turn glamorous manes brittle - so much so that the only corrective treatment is a “complete hair-care overhaul” to improve hair health and appearance.

When hair is damaged, the protective layer of fat on the outside of the cuticle, responsible for making hair shiny, is removed. Chemical damage is one of the most common culprits, as processed hair loses its natural moisturizers. The result is dried-out frizzy hair that does not hold its style and accounts for the hair’s dull appearance.

Experts offer the following

tips to help combat chemical damage:

Use conditioning shampoos and conditioners regularly to improve the appearance of frizzy hair. Two-in-one shampoos that remove oil from the scalp, clean the hair and then condition the hair in the rinse phase also are good choices.

Stop dyeing your hair. If you must dye your hair, stay “on shade,” or dye it within three shades of its natural color.

Dyeing hair darker rather than lighter is generally better.

Another source of hair damage is heat-styling devices and treatments that can produce a condition known as bubble hair. Signs of this form of damage include hair that smells burned, frizzy ends and hair that breaks easily.

You might think of hair as a piece of steak - it starts out nice soft and flexible. But when you cook it, it changes texture and becomes hard.

Hair damaged by heat cannot be repaired. It must be cut off and allowed to regrow as healthy hair. For hair care, allow it to air-dry when possible.

When using a hair dryer, don’t use the highest heat setting immediately. Start out low and gradually increase the heat.

To straighten hair with a ceramic iron, put a moist towel in the device to protect the hair from direct heat.

Moisturizing your hair regularly will improve the appearance of heat-damaged hair to some degree, but stopping the source of heat damage is essential.

To keep healthy hair looking its best, the less you do to your hair, the better. Avoid overstyling or overprocessing hair.

Be sure to wash the scalp, which is where the oil is produced, and then let the shampoo run through the hair. Shampoo is meant primarily to clean the scalp and can damage the hair if overused. An oily scalp should be washed more frequently than a dry scalp.

Conditioner should be used on the ends of the hair, not on the scalp for best results.

And wear a hat to protect hair from ultraviolet radiation.

Solve sleeping problems

By JAMES GAFFNEY Mature Life Features

Most sleep problems are treatable, but some sleuthing might be necessary to find their source. Sleep isn’t a luxury. Restful sleep is just as important to health as adequate nutrition and exercise. Sleep is necessary to think clearly.

Studies have shown that being well rested improves the body’s response to infection. Evidence suggests that brains are hard at

work during sleep, possibly forming the pathways necessary for learning, making new memories and insights and coming up with creative solutions to problems.

Inadequate sleep is linked to depression and irritability as well as diabetes, weight problems and cravings for high-calorie, high-carbohydrate foods.

Advising a physician about both insomnia and depression symptoms is important before determining a treatment plan.

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

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.”

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

CONTINUING CARE COMMUNITY

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.

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

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.

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.

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!

Goshen

MAJESTIC CARE OF GOSHEN 2400 W. College Avenue Goshen, IN 46526 (574) 533-0351

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

HOME CARE SERVICES

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.

GOSHEN HOME MEDICAL

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

GoshenHomeMedical.com

• Free Delivery Within A 50 Mile Radius

• 24 Hour Emergency Service

• Most Insurances Accepted

STILLWATER HOSPICE

5910 Homestead Road Fort Wayne, IN 46804 (260) 435-3222

stillwater-hospice.org

Helping families face serious illness and loss with comfort, compassion and guidance through hospice, palliative and adult grief support.

DUNES HOSPICE

SENIORS HELPING SENIORS

Serving St. Joseph, Elkhart and LaGrange counties (574) 385-3900

info@shsnorthernin.com

We provide in-home care services that brighten the lives of seniors. Our mature caregivers, many are seniors themselves, make life easier through compassionate, caring support. VA Provider, Long-Term Care Insurance and Private Pay.

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!

HOME HEALTHCARE AGENCY

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.

(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.

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.

601 E. Bristol Street Elkhart, IN 46514 (574) 333-3094

CustomerService@WeaverInsuranceLLC.Com

Family-Owned local insurance agency serving our community with personalized Auto, Home, Life, Commercial and all Medicare Plan options with trusted guidance.

Market trends, opportunities in gold, silver, coins at Scheerer McCulloch Auctioneers

By WENDY BEER Executive Assistant/ Marketing Data

Scheerer McCulloch Auctioneers

Recent auctions have shown a notable increase in interest in gold, silver and coins, reflecting broader market trends. Gold has recently traded

between $4,735 and $4,749 per ounce, while silver has ranged from $74 to $76 per ounce.

Auctions have featured a wide variety of precious metals and collectible coins, attracting both seasoned collectors and new buyers.

In recent months, the company has offered an array of items, including rare coins

such as an uncirculated 1884-CC Morgan silver dollar with wheel, a 1982 Canadian one-ounce fine gold Maple Leaf coin, a 1980 South African Krugerrand one-ounce gold coin, and Mexican 1982 Libertad silver coins. Auctions have also included unique jewelry pieces, such as gold high school rings, along with other collect-

ibles with historical significance. The company’s catalog team plays a key role in presenting these items. Staff conduct detailed research to ensure accurate descriptions that highlight each piece’s history and value. High-quality photographs also help showcase items and provide transparency for bidders.

The increased interest in precious metals and coins presents opportunities for buyers and sellers alike. Those interested in selling items or participating in upcoming auctions can contact the company for appraisals and auction services.

For more information, call (260) 441-8636.

Politicians blur vision of social security

By CECIL SCAGLIONE

Mature Life Features

When the first phalanx of baby boomers - some 3.5 million of them - turned 65 more than a decade ago, the bell rang to signal the opening round of the intense battle whirling around Social Security payments and benefits. Politicians talked about decreasing the federal deficit by cutting back on entitlement programs. High on their lists are Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security.

More than 70,000,000 baby boomers - folks born between 1946 and 1964 - comprise the largest generation in the history of this country.

They also contributed to the Social Security system throughout their entire working lives, and it’s doubtful they’re going to let any politician get away with what would be called a Ponzi scheme if it were operated by anyone but the government. Such a scheme, which made Madoff millions, is simple: pay returns to investors with money paid by subsequent investors. Washington likes to call it a pay-as-you-go system because payments to current retirees come from current payments into the system.

For a time, Social Security payroll taxes raised more money than was paid out. To account for

the excess, the federal government established the Social Security Trust Fund. The key word is “account” because it’s a bookkeeping item. There never was any money in the fund. The surplus, which reportedly grew to some $2.6 trillion, was merely a few pen strokes in the legislative ledger.

The surplus was poured into the general fund each year and replaced with securities - government IOUs - to be redeemed when payroll taxes and self-employment contributions fall below the level needed for benefit payments. To pay for those securities, the federal government either raises taxes or borrows

more money (puts more bonds on the market). These are the only ways politicians can make or save money.

For years now, these elected officials and bureaucrats who brayed about the surplus built up over the years are bellowing about the need to cut back on Social Security payments and pushing back the years at which you can collect it. They believe everyone’s forgotten that they’ve spent all that money that might have been saved and invested to take care of the expanding need for Social Security funds.

Exacerbating the problem is the fact that the number of workers paying into the system

is much lower than forecast. The ratio of contributors compared to beneficiaries has fallen and still is falling. There were 5.1 workers contributing to Social Security for every beneficiary in 1960. That ratio has dropped to 2.8-to-1.

A decade ago, the trustees of the surplus fund reported that there was not enough money to sustain the system at the existing tax rate. For those born in 1960 or later, the long-traditional age of collecting full benefits at age 65 has been pushed back two years to 67.

Forecasters predict payments will be reduced by some 25% early in the next decade.

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

It all started in 2014, and here we are in May 2026, celebrating episode number 100. On the May 25th episode, Pastor Chris Knight will join us to discuss the beginning, the last 100 episodes, and the future of the Senior Talk Michiana podcasts. From the first episode introducing the podcast to some of the highlights. These include the special episodes with Dr. Sweeney, our medical advisor, the discussions with elder lawyer Will Stockdale, Debbie Carriveau from Hubbard Hill explaining Dementia and Alzheimers, to the recent discussion with Detective Ken Ulanowicz from Elkhart Police Department about scams and fraud. Senior Talk has provided valuable information to seniors in Michiana.

Other upcoming episodes will feature Jill and Jenn from Dunes Hospice with information on the Dunes Family Fair on May 27th and Wendi Geons from Careforth discussing their support programs for caregivers.

Senior Talk Michiana is a non-profit 501(c) (3) sponsored by Goshen Home Medical, Senior Life Newspapers, Everence Financial and the Owls Club. Listeners can easily access the podcast through free subscriptions on platforms such as Spotify, Facebook, and www.seniortalkmichiana.org.

Tim McCulloch, Owner

Elder Law

Q. Does a Last Will & Testament avoid probate?

A. We often hear clients concerned about “probate” and looking for ways to avoid it. Probate is the legal process for settling a deceased person’s estate and in volves validating their Last Will & Testa ment (“Will”), paying any required debts and taxes, and distributing remaining assets to beneficiaries. Although a Will does not avoid probate, it allows you to dictate the terms of how probate handles your estate and makes your instructions legally effective. Your Will covers probate assets, meaning those assets owned solely by a deceased individual without designated beneficiaries or survivorship features. For example, if a vehicle is titled jointly with your spouse, typically that means once you pass away, it is owned by your spouse and not subject to probate. If a 401k has properly designated beneficiaries, it will not be a probate asset and will

Hearing Healthcare

Q. What are

“upgradeable” hearing aids?

A. Most people do not realize that some hearing aids can be upgraded later.

David Keenan

108 W. Michigan Street LaGrange, IN 46761

Ph: (260) 463-4949

Fax: (260) 463-4905

www.beersmallers.com

Therefore, there are steps you should take to allow some assets to avoid probate so that only those items necessary to be subject to probate are covered in your Will. You should consult your elder law attorney to ensure your Estate Plan is drafted properly, executed effectively, and address your concerns adequately and legally. DISCLAIMER: Tony B. Manns and Beers Mallers,

When a manufacturer releases a new line of hearing aids, it usually comes in several technology levels, from basic to best. These devices are built with the same hardware, including the chip, microphone, speaker, buttons, and casing. What changes is the software and the features that are turned on.

That is where Unitron stands out.

Unitron allows you to move from a lower technology level to a higher one. So if you start at the good level and later want the added benefits of better or best, you can upgrade by simply paying the difference.

Even better, we let you try the upgrade for two weeks to see whether it is worth the added cost.

While many providers push patients toward the premium level right away, we believe your decision should reflect your lifestyle, your hearing needs, and your budget.

Upgradeable hearing aids give you options.

You can start with what fits your needs today and upgrade later if your needs change.

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

Voted “Best Hearing Center” 10 times!

Professional Forum

Aging & Disability Resource Center

Offers Help

Q. I need help in my home, or with caring for someone. Where do I start?

A. It’s a question many people face, often during a time of change. Searching online can seem like the quickest option, but it often leaves you sorting through choices on your own. Many referral sites only show providers who are part of their network, which means you may not be seeing all of the options available in your community.

REAL Services, as your local Area Agency on Aging, offers a different approach. We live and work in this community, and we know the resources, providers, and programs available right here. Instead of a list, you get a conversation with someone who

understands your local options and can help you find what truly fits your needs.

Our Aging & Disability Resource Center (ADRC) connects you to a wide range of supports. Many are available at no cost through the Older Americans Act and Older Hoosiers funding. We can also help you navigate additional services, including private-pay options like guardianship and REAL Solutions. To get started, visit www.realservices. org or call 574-233-8205. You don’t have to figure it out alone.

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

https://realservices.org/

Financial Services

Q. What is a qualified charitable distribution?

A. If you take a Required Minimum Distribution and give regular donations to your church or a charity, a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) might be the perfect charitable giving tool for you.

A QCD is a tax-advantaged way for individuals age 70½ or older to donate money directly from their IRA to a qualified charity. And instead of taking your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) as taxable income, you can have it transferred straight from the IRA to the charity of your choice. This can help lower overall tax liability, as the donated amount is excluded from taxable income.

You can donate up to $111,000 in 2026 through QCDs, and married couples can each donate the individual annual limit,

Brent Miller Vice President

Michiana Region Everence®

making the maximum impact $222,000. The donation must go to a qualified 501(c)(3) organization. Donations from donor advised funds, private foundations, and supporting organizations are not eligible.

QCDs make it possible for you to give more effectively, with your retirement savings going tax-free directly to the charities that are important to you.

1110 N. Main St. Goshen, IN 46528 574-537-8773

michiana@everence.com

Travel

On The Road Again: Northeast Indiana’s trusted tour experts

By SHERYL GODBY Tour Planner and Escort

S & S Travel

S & S Travel is family owned and operated out of Kendallville, specializing in senior group bus tours. They offer fully escorted one day to multi-day adventures. Founded in 1980, by Ron and Mary Godby, the company began with a simple motor coach trip for East Noble Marching Band parents. Today, second generation tour planner and escort, Sheryl Godby, continues the legacy. S+S Travel charters buses from Go Riteway,formerly Cardinal Buses, out of Middlebury, and Royal Excursions out of Fort Wayne.

As the company begins its 47th year, staff reflect on memories from all 50 states and 10 Canadian Provinces. They have also been overseas to Ireland, Iceland, Austria, The United Kingdom, Germany, Australia and New Zealand in addition to cruises to The Caribbean and Mexico.

S+S Travel picks up in Middlebury or Goshen, Kendallville, Auburn and Fort Wayne for their travels during

the months of April through December. Each remarkable adventure begins with the playing of Willie Nelson singing “On the Road Again,” and with Roy Rogers and Dale Evans singing “Happy Trails” as the tourists say “goodbye” to home.

Reservations are accepted on a first come/first serve basis and accompanied by a deposit. Final payment is due 30 days before departure. They take checks or credit card.

From their own planned journeys to private outings for churches, banks and service

clubs, every getaway reflects personal service and thoughtful planning. At S & S Travel, the favorite adventure is always “the next one.” They love bringing America to their many passengers. No matter where the miles lead them, they can smile at the people and beauty

of our wonderful country. Visit s-stravel.com or call (888) 262-4423 or (260) 3472253 for your next adventure. Experience “hassle free” motor coach traveling with all the great fun and great friendships with S & S Travel. There is no easier way to travel.

Tahquamenon Falls draw visitors with size, scenic views

By PURE MICHIGAN

Tahquamenon Falls State Park - pronounced “tuhKWAHM-in-uhn” - is home to the 200-foot-wide Upper Falls, one of the largest waterfalls east of the Mississippi River. During peak spring runoff, more than 50,000 gallons of water per second plunge over the brink, making it the

S & S TRAVEL

JUNE 1-7: ROUTE 66

ST LOUIS to OKLAHOMA City: CALL TODAY - Visit the Sights, Sounds & Smells on the Mother Road, Uranus Fudge, Fantastic Caverns, Spencer Bridge, Gearhead Curios, Coleman Theater, Totem Pole Park, Will Rogers Museum, Catoosa Blue Whale, Wheeler Ferris Wheel & So Much More. JOIN US

JUNE 17-22: WISCONSIN

HEARTLAND - Full One day Mississippi River Boat Ride LaCross WI-Red Wing MN, Wisconsin Dells, House on The Rock, Lost Canyon, Circus World, & Much More

JULY 13-15: OHIO HAILS

AMERICA’S 250th: Pres. McKinley Museum, Warther Ivory Ship Carvings, Three Patriotic Themed Shows

JULY 22-23: THE GREAT GATSBY, Broadway Show Grand Rapids, MI: Kellogg Manor House w/Lunch, Gilmore Car Museum.

JULY 28-29: THE ARK

ENCOUNTER/CREATION

MUSEUM and Ohio River Dinner Cruise

second most voluminous waterfall in the eastern United States, behind only Niagara Falls. The average annual flow is closer to 7,000 gallons per second.

The river’s distinctive amber color comes from tannins leached from cedar, spruce and hemlock trees in surrounding swamps. The unusually soft water, churned by the falls, also creates the river’s signature foam.

About four miles downstream, the Lower Falls offer a quieter experience. Accessible observation platforms along the riverbank provide views of a series of five smaller cascades, separated by rocky outcroppings and dropping 15 to 20 feet. The gentle roar of the water and peaceful setting make the Lower Falls

UPPER FALLS — Tahquamenon Falls State Park is home to the 200-footwide Upper Falls, one of the largest waterfalls east of the Mississippi River. Photo provided by Pure Michigan.

a serene destination.

The park also continues to improve accessibility. A track chair is available at no cost on

a first-come, first-served basis, allowing visitors with mobility challenges to explore areas beyond traditional wheelchair access. In addition, construction began in 2024 on a fullyaccessible, 930-foot boardwalk and stairway at the Upper Falls, expected to provide expanded views by late spring. Wildlife is abundant throughout the park. Visitors may encounter black bears,

coyotes, otters, deer, foxes, porcupines and beavers, along with a wide variety of bird species, including spruce grouse, pileated woodpeckers, bald eagles and waterfowl. Moose are occasionally spotted in wetland areas, particularly along M-123 between Paradise and the Lower Falls.

For more information, visit Michigan.org.

For flyers or more information about the upcoming trip to Michigan, call Dennis Donathen at (574) 220-8032.

ANSWERS:

READY FOR ADVENTURE — Shown is a group tour from S & S Travel out of Kendallville. The motor coach tour company has offered trips to all 50 states,

Canadian Provinces as well as Europe, Aus-

tralia and New Zealand, the Caribbean and Mexico. Photo provided by S & S Travel.

Palm Beach area delivers a mix of glamour and laid-back appeal

By VICTOR BLOCK Guest Columnist

If there’s a destination in the United States with a more convergent personality than Palm Beach, Riviera Beach and Singer Island, Fla., I can’t imagine where it is.

One morning, during my recent visit, I observed nattily dressed men and women playing the genteel game of croquet. That pastime traces its roots to England in the 1860s, when it became a popular, socially accepted form of leisure.

That afternoon, I watched a polo match, a sport that originated in ancient Persia more than 2,000 years ago and became known as “the Sport of Kings.”

Come evening, I ate dinner at one of numerous dive bars which are dotted throughout the community. They compete for customers with fine-dining establishments that offer excellent food at sometimes excessive prices.

This diversity is one of the Palm Beach area’s most inviting traits. The region introduces visitors to a smorgasbord of things to do and see, ranging from upscale to underprivileged, from man-made attractions to nature’s magnificent handiworks.

For starters, Florida means inviting seashores, and this location has its share of them. For a serene setting and calm waters,

head for Sandy Point Beach. Trails meander inland, crossing dunes and coastal hammocks, and this stretch of sand offers excellent shelling. Ocean Reef Park is often pounded by powerful waves that challenge all but the most accomplished swimmers.

This oceanfront location attracted Native Americans 3,000 years ago. Evidence of their habitation includes a burial mound and cemeteries.

In the late 1800s, Standard Oil tycoon Henry Flagler constructed three resort hotels that transformed the tropical landscape into a winter retreat for the wealthy. In 1902, he built a spectacular mansion as a gift for his bride, a Beaux-Arts–styled manor adorned with pink aluminum-leaf wallpaper. The 4,750-squarefoot Grand Hall, library with its painted cast plaster ceiling and silk- and wood-lined drawing room give visitors a feel for the opulent lifestyle of that era.

Palm Beach continues to live up to its reputation as a retreat for the superrich. Forbes magazine has reported that the city is home to at least 30 billionaires. As I strolled along Worth Avenue, past high-end stores like Valentino, Versace and Ralph Lauren, I agreed with its description as one of the most beautiful shopping venues in the country.

I also enjoyed the balance provided by stores, restaurants, bars

Diamond Tours

May 17-23, 2026 - Cape Cod & Martha’s Vineyard

une 8-13,2026 - Lancaster Show Trip

May 17-23, 2026 - Cape Cod & Martha’s Vineyard

and other establishments that cater to locals. Along with their local vibe, they offer opportunities to mingle with residents, who can recommend below-the-radar places to see and things to do that visitors otherwise might miss.

In an area where technicolor flowers and multihued foliage grow wild, gardens might seem redundant. However, formal plantings add an inviting painter’s palette to the landscape.

The Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens add a human touche to nature’s handiwork. Norton was a renowned sculpture whose works are displayed among some 250 species of rare tropical palms and native plants, as well as in her home.

Wildlife also abounds at this destination. The John McArthur Beach State Park offers sightings of sea turtles, osprey and pelicans. Hikers in Phil Foster Park frequently encounter gopher tortoises and herons. Droll-looking mammals known as sea cows congregate in large numbers in Manatee Lagoon. In the visitor center there, I enjoyed close-up views of the animals as they ate lettuce and vegetables.

Getting close up and personal with those endearing creatures is just one opportunity among many to meet and mingle with the denizens of the Palm Beach area. Other experiences range from reliving the Gilded Age of high

ENJOY THE BEACH Enjoy a walk along Riviera Beach or just play in the sand. Photo by Victor Block.

society to enjoying magnificent natural settings to checking out fun and funky places at which to

sup and sip. For more information, visit thepalmbeaches.com.

July 23-29, 2026 - New York City & Statue of Liberty

uly 23-29, 2026 - New York City & Statue of Liberty

August 31- September 4, 2026 - Mackinac Island

Saturday, June 13 • 9am-2pm

August 31-September 4, 2026Mackinac Island

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

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

of Liberty c Island bec City, Canada Capital Vegas and Hoover Dam t Augustin , FL geon Forge & Smoky

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

Diamond Tours

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

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

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

May 17-23, 2026 - Cape Cod & Martha’s Vineyard

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

June 8-13,2026 - Lancaster Show Trip

July 23-29, 2026 - New York City & Statue of Liberty

Family Fun Tours

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

August 31- September 4, 2026 - Mackinac Island

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

May 9, 2026 - Paint & Sip Wine Tour

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

May 9, 2026 - Tulip Festival

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

May 2, 2026 - Fort Wayne Zoo

June 27, 2026 - Indy Zoo

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

June 13, 2026 - Dayton Air Show

July 3, 2026 - The Wilds

Family Fun Tours

July 18, 2026 - Peru Circus

(21+ Trip)

May 2, 2026 - Fort Wayne Zoo

May 9, 2026 - Paint & Sip Wine Tour

August 15, 2026 - Chicago Air Show

May 9, 2026 - Tulip Festival

August 1, 2026 - Columbus Zoo

June 13, 2026 - Dayton Air Show

May 2, 2026 - Fort Wayne Zoo

June 27, 2026 - Indy Zoo

September 12, 2026 - Brookfield Zoo

June 27, 2026 - Indy Zoo

July 3, 2026 - The Wilds

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

June 13, 2026 - Dayton Air Show

July 18, 2026 - Peru Circus

July 3, 2026 - The Wilds

August 1, 2026 - Columbus Zoo

July 18, 2026 - Peru Circus

August 15, 2026 - Chicago Air Show

September 12, 2026 - Brookfield Zoo

August 1, 2026 - Columbus Zoo

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

September 12, 2026 - Brookfield Zoo

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

NORTON’S SCULPTURES DISPLAYED Renowned sculpture Ann Norton’s works are displayed among 250 species of nature’s handiwork at the Ann Norton Sculpture Garden. Photo by Fyllis Hockman.