Senior Life - Elko Edition - November 2025 by The Papers Inc.

Transportation options keep Kosciusko County seniors on the move

By MAKSYM HART Staff Writer

For many older adults in Kosciusko County, maintaining independence often comes down to one question: how to get where they need to go.

Across the county, several programs from nonprofit agencies to senior care facilities are working together to ensure seniors can reach medical appointments, grocery stores and social activities without giving up their mobility or dignity.

One nonprofit, Kosciusko Senior Services, provides transportation for county residents age 60 and older, with handicapped-accessible vans and

buses equipped with wheelchair lifts.

Riders use the service most often for medical and dental appointments, grocery trips, and weekly social activities such as bingo at the Senior Activity Center.

“We’re trying to meet the needs for health, nutrition and socialization,” said director Lee Ann Andrews. “Those are the things seniors need to stay healthy, active and connected.”

Trips are scheduled at least 48 hours in advance, with four part-time drivers - many of them retirees - helping passengers from door to door.

“Our guys will push a lot of wheelchairs,” Andrews said.

“They know the passengers, anticipate what they need and are very caring people.”

The service is supported by city, county and federal funding through REAL Services. Andrews said rising fuel costs and aging vehicles pose continuing challenges.

“Funding is always something we’re mindful of,” she said. “We try to save where we can, but demand is growing.”

Another service is Kosciusko Area Bus Service, or KABS, operated by Cardinal Services, which offers public transportation countywide.

The system provides both on-demand rides and a new “Lake City Loop” fixed route

through Warsaw and Winona Lake, running weekdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

“People call in to schedule rides 24 hours in advance,” explained Kristen Rude, KABS transportation director. “It’s curb-to-curb, so we’ll take someone from their home to the grocery store, a doctor’s office, or wherever they need to go.”

Fares range from $3 to $5 depending on distance, with discounted passes available.

The Lake City Loop costs $1 per ride or $20 per month for unlimited use, with optional deviations to accommodate riders unable to reach a stop.

Rude said affordability and accessibility are key benefits

for seniors.

“Without these transportation options, people wouldn’t have that level of independence or quality of life,” she said. “We’re helping them stay active, get groceries and attend appointments safely.”

KABS also coordinates closely with Senior Services and other providers. “If they can’t do a ride or we can’t do a ride, we refer people to each other,” Rude said.

For senior living centers like Miller’s Merry Manor in Warsaw, transportation is built into daily care.

“It’s not something extra they have to pay for,” said

Continued on page 2

DISEMBARKING From left, area senior June May is helped out of a Kosciusko Community Senior Services vehicle by driver Kenny Haack. The organization employs four drivers to help transport seniors from their homes and senior complexes for activities, grocery shopping, doctor’s appointments and any other need. Photo by Maksym Hart.

KOSCIUSKO AREA BUS SERVICE Pictured is Michael Creighton, driver for the Kosciusko Area Bus Service, or KABS program. Operated by the local Cardinal Center, the service takes its passengers in and around the county, with a recent addition adding daily routes through Warsaw and Winona Lake. Photo provided by the Cardinal Center.

Mark Loveless finds fulfillment in software development

By ANIKA YODER Feature Writer

Considered to be the receational vehicle capital of the world, according to the Elkhart County Convention and Visitors Bureau, audio and amplification systems are not what residents and visitors might think of when describing Elkhart County. But just off US 20 in Elkhart sits AE Techron, a company focused on creating audio amplification equipment test systems. According to President of AE Techron Larry Shank, around a third of the company’s staff is nearing retirement age and has elected to stay on.

One of the employees still clocking in is Mark Loveless. At 70, he is the engineering manager for software development at AE Techron. Beginning his career after graduating from Purdue University in 1977, Loveless worked in Silicon Valley for 15 years before deciding to move back to Indiana to start a dairy farm and left tech for 17 years.

“Silicon Valley is a young person’s game, and even by the time you’re closing in on 40, you’re pretty much exhausted from the long hours. So my wife and I came back to Indiana and started a dairy farm, got out of technology for 17 years,” Loveless said. “That ran its course and I got back into software development, and through a series of different positions, I wound up here where having software as a commercial product is a fairly new thing.”

Originally having a background in electrical engineering, Loveless said for the earlier part of his career, he only used about 20% of his education. With his position now at AE Techron, he now uses about half of the 80% leftover that he did not before in his time in tech. His role in software devel-

opment consists of managing different pieces the company makes and then bundling them together to make larger test systems for customers.

“I don’t design and build the power electronics, but I need to understand them and how the software can sort of best command those devices and get the result that the customer is looking for,” Loveless said.

Working in several different positions at a variety of other companies before landing at AE Techron, Loveless said he would spend about five to six years in each position and felt that jobs would feel routine and would not really allow for learning and growing. With software development still being commercially a newer concept in the area, Loveless said he can recall when he began in the world of mainframe, where tech was not hidden but in the user’s face. When Loveless was an undergraduate, he took his first programming course in 1974, where nine years before, Purdue University had granted the first computer science degrees anywhere in the world.

“The people that came into the company even five years after me, they didn’t have the benefit of seeing it when it was all exposed,” Loveless said.

“And it became the difference between seeing it in front of you and trying to learn it when it’s abstract. It’s very different and it’s very hard to try and memorize things that you’re not sure you quite understand …So I’ve had the benefit of even watching software evolve, not just hardware.”

According to Loveless, there are three reasons he has not looked for retirement which are his health, interest and enjoyment of what he does. Considering himself to enjoy a challenge, Loveless values problem solving in the workspace and, when dairy farming, would write his own programs

and work financial forecasting with available

“On LinkedIn, I see the people that think ‘Everybody should be like me. You should think the same way I do,’” Loveless said. “And that’s

meaningless, because not everybody has good health like I have. You can read the comments that not everybody enjoyed every day of their working life. And I can honestly say, I haven’t loved every

minute that I’ve worked, but I’ve always enjoyed the work and almost always enjoyed the people that I’ve worked with. And as long as those two, along with everything else, it’s like I just, I don’t do idle very well.”

Elves for Elders program returns

The Elves for Elders program at REAL Services is back again this year. The goal is to provide 1,000 gifts for seniors.

The holidays are all about sharing love and making memories with family and friends. Unfortunately, for many home-bound individuals, the holiday season can be a lonely time. That is why it is inviting people to join the effort to make their holiday season a little bit brighter.

$50 gift. If you prefer Real Services do the leg work, mail your gift card or visit its website to donate online. People’s generosity will make a world of difference and bring hope and happiness to someone who needs it most.

Gift cards can be dropped off or mailed to Portage Commons

133 N. William St., South Bend.

This is an opportunity to spread joy and kindness to lonely individuals during this holiday season. For questions about the program, call Sandy Chambers at (574) 284-7159 or to donate visit realservices. org.

Transportation options

Continued from page 1 monthly group outings.

Transportation Coordinator Carrie Sturgill. “We take residents to doctor’s appointments, shopping, even family events or funerals.”

This year, it is requesting $50 Visa or MasterCard gift card(s) to allow elders to safely shop for something they need. Of course, it welcomes any amount of gift you desire to share. It will group smaller denomination cards and monetary gifts together to ensure that each person receives a

With a small fleet of wheelchair-accessible vans and a larger transit vehicle, Miller’s staff schedule rides for medical procedures, dialysis and

“Our drivers are very flexible,” Sturgill said. “They’ll get residents to early morning surgeries or pick them up from late dialysis appointments.”

For seniors in southern Elkhart and northern Kosciusko, Elder Haus Senior Center’s Dignified Senior Transportation program provides free shared van rides within Nappanee.

The service assists riders with packages and offers curbto-curb pickup on weekdays. By removing cost barriers, Elder Haus aims to “enhance mobility and independence,” allowing older adults to access services, attend appointments, and stay socially engaged.

Between nonprofits like Senior Services, public systems like KABS, residential facilities such as Miller’s Merry Manor and community programs like Elder Haus, Kosciusko County’s senior transportation network continues to expand through collaboration.

“There’s a huge need in the community,” Rude said. “We’re growing to meet it and helping people stay connected and independent along the way.”

WORKING ON SOFTWARE — Shown is Mark Loveless working on software at his desk. He is the engineering manager for software development at AE Techron. He said he has no immediate plans to retire. Photo by Anika Yoder.

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“Spending time with kids and making butterhorn rolls.”

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“Hunting and coming back to eat all the

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“Sitting at home and eating turkey.”

have prepared.”

JOY MCFADDEN GOSHEN

RICHARD BENNETT ELKHART

food

women

WANDA WYRICK NORTH WEBSTER “Pecan pie with ice cream.”

STEVE BORKHOLDER WAKARUSA

Blast

to the Past

‘Calypso’

John Denver

-

John Denver’s last visit to Billboard’s Top 10 singles

Many creative people seem to have a muse that provides much-appreciated guidance. But what happens when that same muse goes AWOL - and at a moment when it’s needed the most?

By RANDAL C. HILL

After creating musical odes to America’s natural wonders, John Denver selected a new subject for his final RCA Records winner; “Calypso” and it also became the singing poet’s last visit to Billboard’s Top 10 singles listing.

The haunting ballad was released as the B side to “I’m Sorry,” which briefly topped the Billboard chart. But when that song slid out of first place, “Calypso” emerged as the preferred offering, and is now the better-remembered of the tunes.

Oceanographer and documentary filmmaker Jacques Cousteau inspired an entire generation to take an inter-

est in the world’s waters. As a youngster, a near-fatal car wreck had left Jacques with two broken arms. For his rehabilitation, he began swimming in the Mediterranean Sea - and quickly became fascinated with all things ocean.

He co-invented the AquaLung, in use to this day in SCUBA-diving. He eventually acquired a World War II British minesweeper which, in time, became the Calypso and a floating research laboratory and movie studio.

Denver met Cousteau in Belize and was so impressed with what he saw that, on the spot, Denver felt inspired to write “Calypso,” a ballad meant to honor Jacques’s ship and the good being done on it. Denver took his acoustic guitar (which he always carried with him) and quickly created a rousing chorus.

“Aye, Calypso, the places you’ve been to “The things that you’ve shown us, the stories you tell “Aye, Calypso, I sing to your spirit

“The men who have served you so long and so well.”

Then, somehow, Denver slammed into an artistic brick wall, as the words simply stopped flowing. Discour-

aged and embarrassed, he returned home to Colorado and spent some sleepless nights trying to conjure the remaining lyrics he sought. He always drew a blank.

What had happened to the muse from his past that had inspired him to create such works as “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” “Rocky Mountain High” and “Sunshine on My Shoulders”?

Strangely, Denver’s lyrics about honoring Cousteau’s oceangoing vessel eventually came to him while he was skiing near his Aspen home.

While on the slopes, Denver experienced an electric-like “zap” that demanded his return home to bring the remainder of “Calypso” to a proper finish.

The rest of the words flowed effortlessly to him as he drove 25 minutes to his house. By the time Denver pulled into the driveway, the uplifting lyrics were finished.

“To sail on a dream on a crystal-clear ocean

“To ride on the crest of the wild raging storm

“To work in the service of life and the living

“In search of the answers to questions unknown

“To be part of the movement and part of the growing

JOHN DENVER

“Part of beginning to understand.”

Denver would declare, “It’s one of the best songs I’ve

As a car egi v er , y ou j uggl e many r es pons i bi l i t i es . When y ou need s uppor t , t he Homes t ead i s her e .

I n our i nt i mat e s et t i ng , par t i ci pant s enj oy a v ar i et y of act i v i t i es t hat f os t er engagement , pur pos e , and cr eat i v i t y We pr ov i de car egi v er s and par t ici pant s t he f r eedom t o f l our i s h

Av ai l abl e Monday – Fr i day , 8 a m t o 4 p m

ever written,” and he often closed later concerts with “Calypso.”

Thank you, muse.

A Boomer Blast To The Past

Greg Weaver stays young with music and reviewing audio equipment

By ANIKA YODER Feature Writer

For many people, the next move after retirement can seem uncertain. For Greg Weaver, his hobby came before his career ever did.

A retired IT engineer for the University of Notre Dame Athletics Department, Weaver has spent his career consuming and analyzing audio equipment and music production. And though he spent years in information technology, Weaver began working for publications like the Associated Press and transitioned into the audio industry.

According to his website The Audio Analyst, Weaver has spent the better part of the past 50 years in and around the high-performance audio and music industries.

In between moving to South Bend and retirement, Weaver got married and moved to Elkhart, then to Goshen in 2015 where he now lives with his Great Dane, Stella.

According to Weaver, music came before anything else.

Originally from New York, he

ended up moving in with an aunt and uncle in Pennsylvania after his mother passed away from ovarian cancer when he was eight.

“I do remember living in New York and the console radio in the living room and the transistor radio on the table in the kitchen, my dad listening to baseball games and music, and it just kind of started there. And then when my mom got really sick and we were moving around, I was left alone a lot,” Weaver said. “I found the radio to be my best friend, no matter how upset I was, no matter how sick parents were, whatever was going on when that song came on, I always felt the same way.”

Weaver has worked as a reviewer and analyst for multiple high end audio publications. On top of his written reviews, Weaver also runs a YouTube channel where he goes in depth into his analysis of the equipment he gets sent.

Though he worked in the audio industry for years, a YouTube channel was not something Weaver originally

thought he could hack. When the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown began, the transition to online events was what got Weaver started on expanding his analytical expertise to YouTube.

According to Weaver, Damon von Schweikert, president of Von Schweikert, a high end audio speaker engineering and manufacturing company, encouraged him to pursue creating a channel.

“The guys who make my reference loudspeakers Von Schweikert audio, I’ve known them since the early 90s. And Damon von Schweikert has always been, ‘Dude. You walk into a room at a show, everybody stops because you have the voice, you have the gravitas. People pay attention to what you say. You’re always funny, you’re always entertaining, you’re never critical or nasty. You should have a YouTube channel.’ And I’m like, ‘I don’t have time for that. I don’t know how to do that.’ And then COVID hit. And I’m like, ‘I got time for that. I’m gonna learn how to do that.’ So the YouTube channel launched on May 10,

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2020 and it’s been five years now.”

At 70, Weaver has decades of not just experience but a love for all things audio that has followed him his whole life.

Self described as a hyper Type A personality, Weaver said it is difficult to get him to sit still and music is his reason to breathe.

“[Music] was a trustworthy companion. Summer breaks from school, I had my transistor radio on my bike, and music has been my savior and my reason to live since I can remember.”

Testing and reviewing equipment is often based on speaker manufacturers comparing their equipment to other speakers whereas for Weaver, sounding as much like live music as possible is the comparison.

Working in photography for years, he uses photography terminology for describing music

By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features

and the sound he receives from the systems he reviews. ‘Corporality’ describes the audience experience when listening to musical events.

“With my photography background, it made it a lot simpler, things like image and focus and that kind of thing. But a word that I’ve coined and used repeatedly for about the last decade is ‘corporality.’ So when you close your eyes with the music playing, you get a sense of just how insane this is,” Weaver said. “Where you can feel like you could get up and walk through the sound stage. The experience of the musicians is recreated like a physical entity in front of you.”

Weaver’s passion for music and a career built on the foundation of audiophilia have given him the perspective that doing what makes him happy into retirement allows for him to stay engaged.

From this new location, 5 miles from Bittersweet, they can provide access to a variety of necessary medical items, including wheelchairs, scooters, lift chairs, walkers, bath seats and more at a fraction of the cost to purchase those same items new. They now have a volunteer center for those who are donating their

Seniors who still ride their bicycles should also wear a helmet. It’s simple to get one that fits comfortably. Don the helmet so it sits low on your forehead - a couple of finger widths above your eyebrow - and evenly over your ears.

When you’ve found one that sits easily in that position, tuck in foam pads to make it fit more snugly but still feel comfortable.

Adjust the junctions of the front and back straps so they sit just under your earlobes, then tighten the chin strap until you can put just one finger between it and your chin.

Mature Life Features

MUSIC LOVER — Greg Weaver holds up a 1969 promotional copy of David Bowie’s second studio album “David Bowie.” A retired IT engineer, Weaver hosts his own YouTube channel where he analyzes speakers and other sound equipment. Photo by Anika Yoder.

18th annual Milford Holiday Market set for Nov. 15

New location, same great market! The Milford Holiday Market returns for its 18th year from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15, in downtown Milford. This beloved annual tradition will feature a festive variety of local vendors, family activities and

By KJ MAPES CEO, REAL Services

The holidays have a way of carrying us back in time. Just one whiff of a roasting turkey, a familiar song on the radio, or the sight of a table set for Thanksgiving can open the door to a flood of memories. These memories are treasures — reminders of the people, traditions and rituals that shape our lives.

In my family, Thanksgiving meant waking up to the smell of my mom’s turkey and dressing.

Charlotte Mapes never called it stuffing. I can still picture her in the kitchen, in her favorite moo moo, Diet Coke nearby, cigarette in hand, somehow managing to orchestrate the entire meal effortless.

One tradition that makes us laugh year after year didn’t involve the turkey or the dressing. It was the rolls. Without fail, one pan would inevitably end up a little too dark. My mom, wise to her own ways, always bought an extra package, knowing a backup was necessary. To this day, my family continues the tradition with a good-natured reminder: “Don’t burn the biscuits!” The phrase has become part of our Thanksgiving vocabulary — a wink across the generations that ties us back to her.

Family traditions like these may seem small, but they carry weight. They bind us together, give us stories to retell, and create a sense of continuity that lasts long after the people who started them are gone. Traditions are a way to pass along identity, history, and even humor to younger generations.

But traditions evolve. Fam-

seasonal shopping opportunities, just in time for the holidays.

This year’s event will take place both outdoors and indoors in a new location, around the Milford Community Building parking lot, inside the Milford Com-

ilies today may be scattered across the country or blended in new ways. Some are too small for a giant turkey feast, while others gather through Zoom instead of around the same table. Some older adults may not have close family nearby — or family at all. For them, creating a “chosen family” of friends, neighbors, or fellow church or senior center members can bring the same sense of warmth and belonging. Sharing a meal, swapping recipes or simply gathering for coffee and conversation can become meaningful new traditions that are every bit as special as the old ones.

Here are a few simple ways to honor the old while making space for the new:

• Write it down and share stories. Record family recipes or share your stories. “Don’t Burn the Biscuits” means even more when the next generation knows the story behind it.

• Involve everyone. Invite grandchildren, friends or neighbors to help cook or decorate; they’ll feel ownership in the tradition.

• Adapt with love. If travel or health makes the old way hard, try Friendsgiving, local-sponsored dinners or sharing dishes virtually.

Holidays are about much more than the perfect meal; they are about connection, traditions old and new, and gratitude. Whether your family still makes “dressing” the way mom did, laughs over a pan of charred biscuits, or gathers with a circle of friends, who feel like family, those traditions — old and new — are what give Thanksgiving its meaning.

munity Building and inside the Milford First Brethren Church gymnasium. While the market will offer a new outdoor layout, it will maintain the same warm holiday spirit the community has come to love.

Shoppers can browse a diverse selection of goods, including home decor, baked treats, jewelry, body and beauty products, handmade crafts, stuffed animals, holiday decorations and more. Food and drink vendors will be on hand to keep visitors cozy, and the beloved Kids Market will spotlight young entrepreneurs selling their own creative items inside the Community Building.

“With the construction project happening at Milford Elementary School, we needed to pivot on the location of this year’s market. The new setup will bring a fresh, festive energy to a favorite community tradition,” said Angie Deak, event coordinator. “It’s a great way to support local makers

and businesses and kick off the holiday season right here in downtown Milford.”

Whether you’re shopping for gifts, enjoying festive treats, or simply spending a day with friends, the Milford Holiday Market promises something for everyone. Admission is free.

For updates and vendor information, follow the Milford Holiday Market on Facebook or Instagram and at meetmilford.org/milfordholidaymarket.

Council on Aging hosting series of ‘Aging Resources’ presentations in November

The Council of Aging of Elkhart County is hosting a series of “aging resources” presentations in partnership with Aging Connections of Michiana, featuring valuable information to help guide seniors through the journey of aging with confidence.

Whether planning ahead or helping a loved one, participants will walk away with knowledge, resources and confidence.

Sessions will be held from 3:30-5 p.m. Thursdays at the

Elkhart Public Library, 300 S. Second St., Elkhart.

Topics include:

• Nov. 6 - What is the difference between a skilled nursing facility and a nursing home?

• Nov. 13 - How do palliative care and hospice differ?

• Nov. 20 - Senior injury and fall prevention.

To RSVP, contact Audrey S. Rush, activity center coordinator, Council on Aging, Elkhart County, at (574) 295-1820 or atarush@elkhartcoa.org.

old U.S. coins

• Gold & diamond jewelry

• All

Lincolnway West Mishawaka, IN 46544 www.nunemakers.com

Faster processing of disability claims for people with Alzheimer’s disease

By MONA HARTER District Manager, South Bend Social Security Office

Today, more than 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease. It is a brain condition that causes problems with memory, thinking, and behavior. Since the onset of Alzheimer’s can occur in younger people before they retire, it may affect their ability to work as the disease progresses.

Our benefits and services are especially vital to people with early-onset Alzheimer’s who are unable to work and may have no other source of income. They may want to apply for Social Security Disability Insurance or Supplemental Security

Income. Our Compassionate Allowances program provides faster processing of disability claims for people with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease and several other neurodegenerative (brain degenerative) disorders.

More than a decade ago,

Social Security added early-onset Alzheimer’s disease to our Compassionate Allowances program. You can learn more about our Compassionate Allowances program at ssa.gov/ compassionateallowances. Share this information with friends and family.

Fraud difficult to avoid

By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features

Crooks see seniors as prime targets because a major portion of them have a nest egg or retirement program that can be picked clean.

A tried-and-true rule to

paste on your fridge is: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Should a phone call or email sound enticing, hang up and check with your tax preparer or attorney or financial advisor if whatever was offered seems to fit into your planning.

An innocuous scam that’s among the many that keep prevailing is the invitation to a free meal to learn about attractive financial opportunities in real estate, reverse mortgages, living trusts, or a variety of other fields.

In many cases, the credentials of the presenters are overstated and the sales force that descends upon the gathering are determined to sell you unsuitable investments or products or even try to convince you to replace your existing portfolio.

FASTER PROCESSING Social Security provides faster processing of disability claims for those with Alzheimer’s. Learn more by checking out the Compassionate Allowances program. Photo provided by Social Security Administration.

Penny earned no longer worth it

By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features

The penny may soon be only in our thoughts only, to paraphrase an old adage.

The wisdom of producing pennies is being questioned because the coin costs more than 2 cents to produce.

Canada quit making pennies more than a decade ago because it was costing 1.6 cents to produce 1 cent.

This relinquishing of the penny is a reminder of the pressures being exerted to do away with cash.

Promoters of a cashless society argue that maintaining

automated teller machinescurrently paid for by the banks - is costly while retailers and other businesses report accepting cash takes more time and money than payments made by store card, debit card, credit card or cryptocurrency.

And don’t forget that handy-dandy contactless-payment tool in your hand - the cell phone.

The pressures for change are not going away.

Next in the line of sight of those who want to abolish coins is the nickel. Their argument sounds familiar. It costs more than five cents to make it.

Faith Pastor Lori King has learned that all things are possible with God

By LAURIE LECHLITNER Staff Writer

“I’ve always believed that with God, all things are possible,” stated Lori King, Elkhart. “In my life, I’ve watched the Lord do some amazing things.”

King’s parents were youth leaders at her Baptist church in California. “That’s where I accepted Jesus Christ into my heart. I was young at the time - probably 5 or 6. I heard there was a possibility of a tsunami in my town by the seashore, a big wave that threatened to drown us all. I went to the altar and told the pastor I was afraid of dying without Jesus in my life.” King not only received her Savior that day, but the fear of dying left her.

Eventually she and her family moved to Ripley, N.Y., right over the Pennsylvania line. King wanted to serve the Lord as a medical missionary and started training at Jamestown Community College. “I got so nervous watching medical procedures that involved pain or blood, I switched to social science my second year.”

She went on a short-term mission trip to Mexico but felt like being there was not right for her. “I kept hearing the Lord in my heart telling me to go home and tell people about Jesus. I was always taught that missionary work was on foreign soil. I was the chairman of our church’s missionary board. I had to redefine what missionary work was locally.”

God has a sense of humor. “In my apartment complex were three girls who entertained men to get college tuition money. We also had some guys selling drugs there. I got to know them as people who needed the Lord. Here I was a good little church lady who had made friends with these people who were making awful choices.”

She took a job at the Teen Challenge Induction Center in Georgia. “We ministered to people who had addiction issues. I was a Bible instructor.”

After being informed that her mother was sick and needed help at home in New York, King left Teen Challenge. “I took care of the family until Mother was back on her feet again.”

It was in 1989 that King met her future husband, when her church took a trip to minister at the New Orleans Mardi Gras. “Frank King was homeless and hungry. We fed him and told him about Jesus. He came to live with one of our church members and graduated from a Bible-based drug rehab center.”

When he asked her to

marry him, she said no. “The third time he asked me I knew I really loved him. We were married Dec. 1, 1990.”

The couple moved to the area in January 1996. They started Guidance Ministries, an outreach church, in January 2000. “Our beginnings were humble. We started by taking an eight-foot cross and some tracts down Main Street in Elkhart, inviting people to church. Over the weekends we’d bring pop and candy for families.”

Now the church has a food pantry, kitchen, shower and a washer and dryer for homeless people. Classes are offered to help struggling individuals succeed in life. They also serve breakfasts for the homeless and dinners for the community and have a Christmas outreach.

Frank King passed away in a cycle accident in November 2016. “As a widow, I know God is with me and loves me. All things are possible with him.”

WILLING SERVANT — Pastor

Lori King, Elkhart, has loved Jesus Christ since she was a child. Before becoming a widow, she and her husband, Frank King, started Guidance Ministries, an outreach church that has a food pantry, kitchen, shower, and washer and dryer for homeless people. Classes are offered at the church to help struggling individuals succeed in life. Members are gearing up for their upcoming Christmas outreach. Photo provided by Lori King.

Let Everence help you discover the joy of giving

By TODD HOLSOPPLE Financial Consultant Everence Specializing

in trust and charitable accounts

Since 1952, Everence Foundation has been helping

donors live out their values through generosity — often in ways they never imagined possible. As a trusted guide in charitable giving, Everence partners with individuals, families and organizations to develop creative giving solutions that are rooted in stewardship, guided by faith and tailored to real life. In just 2024 alone, our clients donated over $100 million to more than 4,300 organizations.

Whether you’re just beginning your giving journey or looking to expand your impact, Everence offers a wide range of charitable tools to help you meet your goals. We’ll work to find the best option for you — whether that

be a donor advised fund, charitable gift annuity, charitable trust or something a bit more unique. These options are designed to fit your financial situation, current income and future expectations. In addition to helping you give wisely today, Everence can also assist in planning how you want to pass on your values to future generations and charitable organizations.

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

velop and carry out these gifts, turning them into meaningful and lasting impact.

When you work with Everence, you’re making a difference by aligning your financial decisions with your values, supporting causes you care about and contributing to a better world through community investing, grant-making and charitable programs. And generosity becomes more than a financial transaction — it becomes a legacy of faith, purpose and impact that can transform lives.

Let Everence help you discover the joy of giving in ways that reflect who you are your values. Call (574) 537-8773 or email michiana@everence. com to get started.

John Howard finds fun, health, community in pickleball

By MAKSYM HART Staff Writer

When John Howard first picked up a pickleball paddle five years ago, he didn’t expect it would change his life.

His son Luke, bound for college, invited him to try the new sport sweeping local parks.

“I had never even heard of the game,” Howard said with a laugh. “But I figured it’d be something fun to do with my son before he left for college.”

With a background in tennis, ping-pong and racquetballand despite weighing nearly 300 pounds at the time - Howard quickly found success.

“Because of my tennis and ping-pong background, I was one of the top players my first time out,” he said. “I thought, ‘Oh, this could be fun.’ And I’ve been hooked ever since.”

A year later, Howard entered his first local tournament, winning gold in singles and bronze in mixed doubles.

“It brought back all the old feelings of competition - the butterflies before a match, the teamwork,” he said. “It was like being back on the high school tennis team.”

Since then, pickleball has become a favorite pastime for Howard, now 56. He’s shed nearly 100 pounds, regained his health, and found a new community of friends and competitors.

“My blood pressure used to be 190 over 150,” he said. “Now it’s 110 over 60. My wife’s been so supportive because she’s seen how much healthier I’ve become.”

The transformation wasn’t easy.

“When I first started playing, I was getting injured every other week,” he said.

That changed after meeting licensed physical therapist Stephanie Amspaugh, who offered to treat his recurring tennis elbow in exchange for pickleball lessons.

“She said, ‘I can cure that,’ and I didn’t believe her,” Howard said. “But after two dry-needling sessions, it was gone.”

The two became close friends and frequent tournament partners. “We joke that we have a codependent friendship. She keeps me injury-free, and I help her get better at pickleball,” he said.

Their partnership has paid off. This year, Howard earned gold medals in both men’s and mixed doubles at the U.S. Senior Pickleball regional championships, qualifying for the national finals in Daytona, Fla. this December.

Howard also spends his winters giving private lessons at the CCAC in Warsaw, where he teaches players of all ages.

“Seeing others improve, that’s just as rewarding as winning medals,” he said. “Watching a student go from nervous to confident, then win their first tournament, that’s the best feeling.”

He has more than 100 medals at home, but the ones he treasures most are those shared with partners he’s helped train.

“Those medals probably mean more to them than they do to me,” he said.

Howard credits his faith for keeping him grounded. He recently started a Facebook group called Men of Faith and Pickleball, where players can connect, share devotionals and organize games.

“We’re men of God first,” he said. “Pickleball is just another

IS ITS OWN

John Howard has been playing pickleball for five and a half years, competing in “25 or 30 competitions a year,” but he plays for more than just medals.

“One of the fun parts of the game is getting to meet people and have fun,” Howard said. Photo provided by John Howard.

way to build friendships and share joy.”

Looking ahead, Howard’s goals are to keep improving and to enter the 60-plus age di-

vision among the nation’s best.

“When I turn 60, I’ll be one of the youngest in that group,” he said. “I’d like to make sure I’m ready.”

Financial Services

Q. Did you know there are different ways an insurance company can set premiums for Medicare Supplement Plans?

A. When shopping for a Medicare Supplement plan, it’s important to understand how premiums are priced, as it can affect your costs significantly over time. There are two pricing methods: issue age and attained age. Both adjust annually for medical inflation, but each handles rating differently.

Issue age pricing is based on your age when you first sign up for a Medicare Supplement plan (when the policy was issued). You won’t be charged more because you are getting older. An issue age policy may cost more at the beginning, but its total cost is less over the lifetime of the policy.

Maria Wogomon, CSA

Certified Senior Advisor® Financial Representative, Everence®

Attained age will adjust annually based on your current (attained) age. You will be charged more each year because you are getting older. An attained age policy costs less at the beginning, but its total cost is more over the lifetime of the policy.

At Everence, you have the flexibility to choose between issue-age and attainedage pricing – and we’re here to guide you through the options so you can make an informed decision. Call 574-537-8773 to get started.

1110 N. Main St. Goshen, IN 46528

574-537-8773 michiana@everence.com

Q. What should I do if I notice changes in my loved one over the holidays?

A. The holidays often bring families back together — sometimes after months apart. It can be startling to realize that Mom isn’t quite herself, or that Dad is struggling in ways you hadn’t noticed before. Maybe they seem more forgetful, repeat stories, or lose track of time. You might find unopened mail, clutter where there wasn’t before, or changes in mood, conversation, or hygiene. When that happens, it’s normal to feel worried, guilty, or unsure of what to do next. Alzheimer’s & Dementia Services of Northern Indiana (ALZNI) encourages families to begin with calm observation. Take note of what’s different — what’s new, how often it happens, and what seems to trigger it. Have a private, supportive conversation using “I” statements like, “I’ve noticed you seem a little more confused lately — how are you feeling?” Encourage a medical checkup to

rule out medication side effects, depression, or other treatable causes.

ALZNI reminds families that learning what’s typical in aging — and what may signal something more — can make all the difference. Education and awareness help you respond with patience and empathy rather than fear or frustration. Try to approach changes as shared challenges, not personal failings.

Through community education programs, support groups, and personalized guidance, ALZNI helps families navigate memory changes with confidence and compassion. To learn more or speak with someone directly, call (574) 232-4121 or visit www.alzni.org.

111 Sunnybrook Ct., South Bend, IN 46637 574-233-4121 https://alzni.org/

PLAYING

REWARD

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

A. November episodes of Senior Talk Michiana will feature an interview with staff members from Paradigm Health, a leader and innovator in hospice and palliative care. Also joining us will be our friend Doctor Sweeney, who will help us sort through the myriad of supplements, pain remedies, and brain enhancement products whose ads we see on television.

As we mentioned last month, Senior Talk Michiana is now designated as a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization, allowing us to apply for grants and solicit tax-deductible donations. Please consider contributing and sharing this with your friends, enabling us to reach a larger percentage of the 260,000 seniors in Michiana and provide them with information

Tom Rose Author & Speaker Balloon in a Box

Coping with Grief Grief Group Facilitator

about available services, organizations, and events.

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

Rose and Rose Associates Senior Talk Michiana 574-596-6256 www.thomaslrose.com www.cookingtogether.com roseandrose@comcast.net

Hospice Care

Q. How often does hospice come out to provide care and how long do visits last?

A. When a loved one begins hospice care, families often wonder what to expect in terms of visit frequency and duration. The good news is that hospice care is designed to be flexible and personalized, meeting the unique needs of each patient and family.

Typically, hospice services are provided by an interdisciplinary team that may include nurses, aides, social workers, chaplains, volunteers, and physicians. The frequency of visits depends on the patient’s medical condition, level of need, and the plan of care established at the time of admission.

Nurses usually visit one to three times per week to assess symptoms, manage medications, and provide education and emotional support to caregivers. As a patient’s condition changes, visits can become more frequent sometimes daily or even multiple times a day during times of crisis or rapid decline.

Hospice aides may visit several times a week to assist with personal care such as bathing, grooming, and light housekeeping related to the

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

patient’s comfort. Social workers and chaplains visit as needed to provide emotional, spiritual, and practical support, while volunteers may visit weekly for companionship or caregiver relief.

In terms of duration, visits vary based on the service being provided. A typical nurse or aide visit lasts anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour, though longer visits are common when symptom management or emotional support is needed.

Hospice care also offers 24/7 on-call support, ensuring that help is always available even after regular business hours.

Ultimately, hospice care is about quality of life and dignity. Each patient’s schedule is tailored to ensure they receive compassionate, consistent support that meets their evolving physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.

Professional Forum

Advertising Opportunities

Q. Isn’t your paper only read by older senior citizens on limited incomes?

A. According to audit statistics, 80% of our readers are under the age of 75. 65% of our readers have a household income of over $50,000 per year. Nearly 40% of these readers earn more than $75,000 per year. Are households with an income larger than $50,000 your target market? If so, consider advertising in Senior Life! Call or send me an e-mail today!

Hearing Healthcare

Q. How do I get my hearing aids

to do better in noise?

A. Hearing aids deliver the sounds you need, but if your brain can’t separate the words from the noise, you need to improve your speech to noise ratio. A new app called LACE: Listening And Communication Enhancement has proven effective in eleven clinical trials. A series of exercises, like physical therapy for your hearing, improves your ability to hear in noise by 25% to 30%.

LACE AI Pro installs on your phone, tablet or PC. You choose from 26 different topics, so the exercises

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

don’t get boring. If you have someone who is difficult to understand, it can clone their voice for use in your training.

The LACE AI Pro app requires fifteen minutes a day for at least one month. The longer you stick to it, the better your results. A lifetime license has a MSRP of $499, but I’ve negotiated a deal to get you 74% off. Call 574-299-6776 for a demo in Elkhart, Mishawaka, LaPorte or St Joseph.

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

Voted “Best Hearing Center” 10 times!

Tom Rose

Independence | Dignity | Strength

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

info@ info@realservices.org

Join Us for REAL Talk

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

Energizing the Brain Through Expressive Arts: Music and Visual Arts

Nov. 12 | 11 AM | Portage Commons (574) 284 - 7189

Nov. 20 | 11 AM | OWLS (574) 336-2652

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

Maintaining a Positive Attitude While We Age

Nov. 18 | 11:30 AM | Salvation Army of Elkhart (Lunch) (574) 284-7184

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

Energy Assistance

Benefits Begin Nov. 1

REAL Services’ Energy Assistance Program (EAP) will begin accepting applications for the upcoming heating season. EAP (also called LIHEAP) helps income-eligible households with electric, gas, propane, or fuel oil bills—so you can keep your home safe and warm.

Who can apply?

Households in our service area with income within program guidelines. Renters and homeowners are both eligible.

How to get help/apply:

Call: 574-232-6501

Apply/Learn More at https://realservices.org/services/ energy-assistance/

“Energy Assistance kept my lights on and my kids warm last winter. The process was easier than I expected.”

— J.S., South Bend

realservices.org Real Services, Inc.

Health Education Classes

Bingocize | Fridays: Oct 10 - Dec 19 10 AM - 11 AM | Portage Commons Senior Enrichment Center

FREE 10-week Health Promotion program for older adults age 60+ that combines Bingo with inclusive exercise.

Stay Active & Independent for Life (SAIL) I Tues & Thurs: Starts Nov. 11 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM | Portage Commons Senior Enrichment Center

You’ll be stronger, have better balance, feel better and this will help you stay independent, active and prevent falls.

Honoring Our Heroes This Veterans Month

November is Veterans Month — a time to honor and remember the brave men and women who have served our country.

Fri. Nov. 14 | 10AM | Portage Commons Senior Enrichment Center

Join us for a special Flag Raising and Veterans Service led by the Miller Vets Color Guard. We invite veterans, their families, and friends to attend as we come together to celebrate their courage, dedication, and sacrifice.

Thurs. Nov. 20 | 1 PM | Let’s Talk About It – Veterans Services

Pre-Registration Required, Call (574) 284 - 7189

Learn about programs and benefits available to veterans and their families. This discussion will highlight local resources, healthcare options, and ways our community honors and supports those who have served.

Come to the TableA Warm Meal and Good Company

Good food and good friends are always on the menu at Portage Commons! Our “Come to the Table” Senior Meal Program welcomes older adults to enjoy a freshly prepared, nutritious lunch served Monday through Friday at 11:30 a.m.

More than just a meal, it’s a chance to connect, share stories, and build friendships in a welcoming environment. We invite all seniors to join us for food, fellowship, and fun.

Please call at least two days in advance to reserve your place. To make a reservation, contact the center at 574-284-7159 — Cheryl, our Meal Site Director, looks forward to serving you!

This is a donation-based program, and every contribution helps us continue to provide meals for seniors in our community. We gratefully accept whatever you can comfortably afford, but donations are never required.

To learn more or sign up for any of our meal sites, contact the Nutrition Office: Call (574) 370-3432 or Email nutrition@realservices.org Nutrition Manager: Jarena Baker – jarena.baker@realservices.org

portagecommons@realservices.org

November Highlights at Portage Commons

This month’s conversations at Portage Commons focus on wellbeing, creativity, and connection — with opportunities to learn, share, and strengthen both mind and spirit.

Thurs. Nov. 6 | 1 PM | Let’s Talk About It – Seasonal Depression

As the days grow shorter, many people experience mood changes that can affect mood, sleep, and motivation. Join us to learn how to recognize the signs of seasonal depression and discover simple ways to stay active, connected, and positive through the colder months.

Wed. Nov. 12 | 11 AM | REAL Talk – Energizing the Brain Through Expressive Arts with Patty

Discover how creativity boosts brain health! Patty will lead this engaging session using expressive arts to spark imagination, relieve stress, and enhance cognitive well-being. You’ll leave feeling inspired to add a little more creativity to your everyday life.

Tues. Nov. 4, 11, 18 & 25 | 1 PM | Grief 101 with Center for Hospice

Grief touches us all. Whether you’ve experienced loss recently or years ago, this supportive series offers understanding, coping tools, and a compassionate space to talk about healing and hope. Presented by the caring team from the Center for Hospice Care.

Thurs. Nov. 13 | 1 PM | Joyful Journey Brain Strengthening – Brain Games with Gayla

Keeping your brain sharp can be creative and fun! Join Gayla J. Konanz, MSW, LCSW, Care Specialist with Alzheimer’s & Dementia Services of Northern Indiana (ALZNI) for an interactive session filled with laughter, learning, and activities that boost memory and focus.

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

November

realservices.org/portage-commons/ Portage Commons

AM | Bingocize 10:00 AM | Flag Raising Ceremony w/ Miller Vets Color Guard 11:30 AM | Lunch 1:00 PM | Playland Park Docs & Discussion w/WNIT

Dining/Leisure/Entertainment

70s Flashback -

Trials and tribulations of the Tucson troubadour

Linda Ronstadt has sold over 100 million records, earned 11 Grammys, three American Music Awards, an Emmy, and an induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

By RANDAL C. HILL

And yet, she has never considered herself a very good singer.

“I had a pretty normal life at home,” she recalls. “I listened to country music and Mexican songs on the radio. (Her father was Hispanic.) I never wanted to be anything but a singer. (But) I thought that I would be singing at pizza parlors or Holiday Inns or places like that.”

At age 18, she left Arizona with $30 and her father’s guitar: “I had to get where the music was, and it was not in

Tucson but in L. A.”

Once settled in Hollywood, she and two male pals formed a trio called the Stone Poneys, the name coming from a Charlie Patton blues song. It didn’t take long to find work. (“We got gigs in little beatnik dives.”)

Sometimes the band earned as little as $30 a night.

Each Monday, Hollywood’s hip Troubadour folk-music club offered an open mic night, which served as a way for singers to audition and to be heard and seen by record company executives, managers and agents.

The Stone Poneys signed with Capitol Records and cut a Top 15 single called “Different Drum,” which had been written by future Monkee Mike Nesmith. But follow-up Poney tracks tanked, and the outfit split up. Ronstadt then toured as an opening act for such diverse artists as Neil Young, the Doors and Jackson Browne.

She eventually formed her own backup group, mostly

comprised of Troubadour music friends who would, in time, become the Eagles.

Capitol Records signed Linda as a solo act, but she later switched to the more progressive Asylum label, claiming that staid old Capitol never really “got who I was.”

Ronstadt hit her stride in the 1970s, releasing million-selling albums and hit cover singles by such iconic artists as the Everly Brothers, Buddy Holly, Roy Orbison, and Motowners Martha and the Vandellas, and Smokey Robinson’s Miracles.

Ronstadt racked up countless miles on the tour road, which she often found boring and lonely. She also waged personal battles against stage fright and discouragement, especially when performing at large venues. “Playing at Madison Square Garden is something you just endured,” she has admitted. “You can’t hear yourself. The crowd is restless. They’re out buying hot dogs. It’s not a really artistic experience.”

Around 2000, she noticed

that her voice was giving her problems. “I saw my throat doctor every year for a checkup, but everything was fine. But I knew it was something. The top end of my voice kept slipping away.” The culprit was Parkinson’s disease.

No longer performing, she currently spends her free time knitting, gardening, sewing and reading. (“I do everything that I didn’t have time to do when I was on the road.”)

How would she like to be remembered? “That I wasn’t very good,” she says, “and I got better.”

Home For The Holidays at The Lerner Dec. 9

The Lerner Theatre recently announced Home For The Holidays featuring Peabo Bryson, Sheena Easton, Ruben Studdard and Ilya Serov in partnership with Friends of The Lerner at The Lerner Theatre, 410 S. Main St., Elkhart, at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 9.

Tickets for the performance are on sale now.

Kick off the holiday season with an incredible night of music from four world-renowned artists! Home for the Holidays stars two-time Grammy Award winner and two-time Academy Award winner Peabo Bryson; twotime Grammy Award winner

Sheena Easton; American Idol winner and Grammy Award nominee Ruben Studdard; and international trumpet prodigy Ilya Serov. Home for the Holidays will feature both holiday favorites, plus a selection of each artist’s biggest hits. Peabo Bryson’s hits include “Tonight, I Celebrate My Love” with Roberta Flack, “Can You Stop The Rain,” “If Ever You’re In My Arms Again,” “Without You,” “By The Time This Night Is Over” with Kenny G, “Show & Tell,” and two iconic Disney classics: “A Whole New World” and “Beauty and The Beast” with Celine Dion. Sheena Easton’s

hits include “Morning Train: 9 to 5,” “We’ve Got Tonight” featuring Kenny Rogers, “Sugar Walls,” “The Lover in Me,” “What Comes Naturally,” “Modern Girl,” “Telefone,” “Strut,” “U Got The Look” featuring Prince, “The Arms of Orion” featuring Prince, and “For Your Eyes Only” from James Bond. Ruben Studdard’s hits include “Superstar,” “Sorry 2004,” “I Need An Angel,” “Change Me,” and “Flying Without Wings.”

Tickets are, all-in price: $144.25, $118.50, $92.70, $66.95, $39.10

Visit thelerner.com or contact The Lerner Box Office at (574) 293-4469.

LINDA RONSTADT

A switch in time

“What time is it?” I asked my wife.

“It’s exactly 5 o’clock,” she replied as she glanced at the grandfather clock (grandpa, from now on) in our living room.

NUTSHELL By DICK WOLFSIE

“It can’t be, Mary Ellen. It was precisely 5 o’clock 20 minutes ago. Come to think of it, it’s been 5 all day. Isn’t it only supposed to be 5 o’clock twice a day? I do like it, though, because whenever I look at the clock, it’s time for an aperitif.”

That’s when we realized our favorite antique had ceased to function. It wasn’t that we depended on it; we both have digital watches and a microwave that tells the time, but this was a fixture in our home with a long history in Mary Ellen’s family.

Just to annoy my wife, I suggested getting rid of grandpa. Understandably, this made her angry.

“Get rid of it? Get rid of it? This is a family heirloom, over 100 years old. It’s timeless.”

“I know it’s timeless. That’s the problem.”

We finally found a repairman to come to our house. There are very few repair women who fix grandfather clocks. But there are also very few grandmother clocks. By the way, the big difference between a grandmother clock and a grandfather clock, according to Wikipedia, is that a grandfather clock is taller and has a much longer pendulum.

The repairman was very knowledgeable about the history of the antique, informing us it was over 100 years old and of

German origin. I wondered if I could fix it myself with a little intimidation. I tried my best German accent: “If you don’t start verking, vee can make you tock.”

The repair was successful. We were delighted grandpa was back in working order. Not only was he keeping time, but his chiming ability had been restored. Recently, he hadn’t celebrated each hour with a tuneful outburst but simply ticked away. Mary Ellen and I were eager to hear him and also see if his dinging and donging would awaken us at night.

The repairman left at 4:20 p.m., so we had to wait until 5 p.m. to see if the old guy was really operating. It was like waiting for a pot to boil: 4:55, 4:56, 4:57, 4:58, 4:59, 5, 5:01, 5:02, 5:03. Nothing. Mary Ellen wanted to wait a little longer. Grandpa was over 100 years old; he deserved a little time to get up to speed. Ironically, for most of his life, he was fast.

“I’m not sitting here another hour,” I said.

But, of course, I did. At 7 p.m. he chimed, but he didn’t at 8 p.m. At 9 p.m., he was right on target. Not at 10 p.m. So, we figured that he only chimed on odd hours, which seemed, well, very odd. The next day, he chimed at 9 p.m. again but only eight times. Should we believe the clock or the number of chimes? The following day, he dinged whenever he wanted: 5, 5:50, 6:45, and 11:20. At noon, he chimed. We threw our hands up, just like grandpa does at noon and midnight.

Now, a week later, for reasons we will never understand, grandpa is functioning perfectly with a melodious sound right on the hour with the proper number of chimes. How long will this good fortune last?

Time will tell.

Grace College exhibits ‘Stacked Houses’

The Grace College School of Arts and Humanities has announce a new show of artwork by Will Carpenter, titled “Stacked Houses.”

The exhibition, on display through Friday, Dec. 12, will feature a selection from his oil painting series of abstracted suburban landscapes. The show will be in the Art Gallery on the garden level of Mount Memorial Hall, 1 Lancer Way, Winona Lake.

The artist will give a talk in the Mount Memorial Art Gallery at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23. The community is invited to attend a free reception from 7-9 p.m.

“We are thrilled to welcome the return of Will Carpenter,” said Dr. Kim M. Reiff, dean of the School of Arts and Humanities. “His work continues to combine representation and abstraction in energetic and thoughtful ways. This new show of Carpenter’s oil paintings reveals his passion for composition, interper-

sonal relationships and the overarching presence of spiritual reality. Viewers of Will’s artwork, conveyed through house-like shapes, abstracted vertical design and layered colors, are invited to consider their own experiences of building relationships in various neighborhoods as they have journeyed through local and foreign landscapes.”

Now the chair of the Division of Art+Design at Indiana Wesleyan University, Carpenter lives in Marion, and is in his 20th year serving as a professor of art there. He teaches courses in art appreciation, color, design, drawing, printmaking and painting.

His work has won numerous awards and has been featured in nationally-juried exhibits and other shows around the country. He holds a B.A. from Wheaton College and an M.F.A. from the University of Miami in Florida, where he studied under the

abstract expressionist painter, Walter Darby Bannard, and the author of “Drawing from Observation,” Brian Curtis.

This will be the second of six art exhibits hosted in Grace’s newly- remodeled Art Gallery space on the garden level of Mount Memorial Hall. The exhibit is open to all without charge through Friday, Dec. 12. Art Gallery hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday.

For more information, contact the Grace College Department of Visual and Performing Arts at (574) 372-5100, ext. 6258, or email artgallery@grace.edu. The exhibit is ADA-accessible. For more information about the Department of Visual and Performing Arts, visit grace. edu/academics/undergraduate/academic-schools-departments/school-ofarts-and-humanities/ department-of-visual-performing-and-media-arts.

NEW EXHIBIT The Grace College Department of Visual and Performing Arts announces its new art exhibition, “Stacked Houses” by Will Carpenter. Photo provided by Grace College.

Medical mistakes in the millions

By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features

Medical mistakes rank as the third leading cause of death behind heart disease and cancer.

So it behooves you, as elderly academicians are prone to proclaim, to get a second opinion when faced with a medical crisis of any sort.

A neighbor’s wife underwent surgery not too long ago after she was diagnosed as having a spinal nerve disorder and was left with several inches of metal in her backbone that limited the use of her right arm and hand. It was later revealed that all this was unnecessary because she was diagnosed with having spinal cancer that radiation would have been used to cure.

More than 12 million people die from medical misdiagnoses each year, according to most surveys dealing with this matter. Autopsies reveal that 20% of the bodies inspected died of causes other than those reported.

Medical annals are cluttered with cases of mistaken diagnosis of disabilities and disease. Even within medical ranks.

For example, a nurse complaining of a severe headache that radiated down her shoulder to her waist was diagnosed by a doctor as having tensions headaches and was prescribed some pain medication.

When she collapsed a few days later, doctors discovered she had a ruptured blood vessel in her brain.

This event mirrors what thousands of folks suffer after visiting a doctor - they receive treatment that doesn’t cure the cause and can die or become permanently disabled.

Doctors, like all humans, make mistakes.

Even common and widespread health problems such as high blood-pressure and fractures are misdiagnosed.

No matter what your doctor tells you at your next visit, get a second opinion. If your doctor balks at the suggestion,

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change doctors. Take charge of your health issues. Write down an outline of your medical history as well as a list of the symptoms of

whatever condition you’re seeking help for. Also write down the diagnosis so you’ll have it correctly to show the second doctor after they’ve given you

their opinion of your malady. If you still haven’t been satisfied or assured of a positive outcome, get a third opinion.

Review your health insurance

By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features

As each year approaches its end, seniors get the opportunity to switch their health insurance coverage without paying a penalty.

Medicare allows you to switch from traditional Medicare to an Advantage plan, or to switch from one Advantage plan to another, or back to

traditional Medicare.

Because your health changes as you age, your current Medicare insurance coverage may not meet your needs. It also may require a look at supplemental medical-insurance coverage.

A quick review of your status will help. Has your health changed or have you been diagnosed with a new condition? Have you incurred significant

out-of-pocket expenses or co-payments under your present coverage?

Before making any changes, check to see if your doctors and preferred hospitals are included in the plan you’re looking to change to.

It may also be an opportunity to consider the possibility of long-term-care insurance coverage.

Strokes strike anyone anytime

By CECIL SCAGLIONE

Mature Life Features

Recognizing a stroke in its early stages can save the life of the victim, which could be yourself or someone nearby. There are several tell-tale signs that blood flow to your brain has been cut off, which causes brain cells to die and affects your awareness and activity.

The most common cause of a stroke is a blood clot that plugs a blood vessel in the brain. Strokes can also occur when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures and bleeds into the brain. The victim may feel nothing, some numbness or severe pain. The result can be minor or debilitating, striking the whole body with long-term mental and physical paralysis.

It’s the third leading cause of death.

Getting treatment within an hour of the attack can prevent much of the damage and disability it inflicts. Restor-

ing blood flow to the brain as quickly as possible lowers the chance of serious permanent injury.

Those most likely to have a stroke are the elderly and risk factors include hypertension, high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, high cholesterol, sickle-cell disease and a family history of stroke.

Indications that you’re having a stroke are stumbling as you try to walk, weakness on one side, trouble seeing and difficulty speaking. Most people do not recognize they’re having a stroke so it’s up to someone nearby to recognize

the signs and call 911 immediately.

What you will notice is the stroke victim is confused and has trouble talking to you and understanding what you are saying to them. They might suddenly have trouble seeing you out of one or both eyes.

You could notice a sudden drooping, especially of one side of their face and body.

They might complain of a sudden headache and dizziness while losing some of their physical coordination.

If you notice anyone with just one of these signs, call 911.

Fish fight arthritis

By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features

The omega-3 fatty acids in fish bolster your body’s ability to battle inflammation that autoimmune rheumatoid arthritis

Dementia and Alzheimer’s

causes to its victims’ joints, heart and lungs.

A couple of fish servings a week can alleviate the pain and discomfort as can a daily dose of fish supplement.

Vitamin C-rich foods, such as citrus fruit, also can help.

Two CCs - celery and cherries - can help alleviate the pain caused by gout, a form of arthritis that flares up without warning to attack joints. Cherry juice also can help.

If you’re prone to gout attacks, you should avoid carbohydrates, such as white bread, and commercially prepared baked goods as well as processed foods.

Assisted Living, nursing And rehAbiLitAtion guide

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.

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

Majestic Care of Goshen

Goshen

2400 W. College Avenue, Goshen, IN 46526 (574) 533-0351

www.MajesticCare.com/Location/Goshen

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

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

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.

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

Waterford Crossing (Assisted Living)

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

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

It was a good experience

By JIM CARPENTER Guest Writer

I took piano lessons once. Actually, I took them twice Nothing much ever came of it. But the experience was nice. And then I bought a new guitar. Thinking this might work for me. Loving that old time rock and roll. Perhaps a rock star wannabee. Well, I took guitar lessons once. Actually, I took them twice. Nothing much ever came of it. But the experience was nice. Minimal skill but still a gain, my musical skills were not found. I do still blow an old harmonica, but only when no one is around. Now my kinfolk in Texas convinced me. The ukelele is here to stay. So I bought one and I love it. Unfortunately, I have yet to play.

Ways to snore no more

By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features

Snoring can ruin your partner’s sleep as well as your own. Almost half the population snores at some time in their lives. One out of four people snore regularly. Only half of the people who snore admit to snoring.

The sound of snoring has been reported to hit as high as a car horn or low-flying jet.

Folks who snore regularly are five times as likely to suffer heart disease than those who only snore now and then.

It’s the third major reason given for getting a divorce, following infidelity and financial issues.

A little exercise can help you

avoid snoring or, if you’re already a snorer, cut down on its effect on you and those around you. You don’t have to get any special equipment or join a gym. These exercises can be done while you’re standing, sitting, or lying down. You can do them in the shower, when walking the dog, or while watching television.

Developers of these exercises call them throat sit-ups. They report that patients who face surgery or have been wearing mouth guards to curb snoring have been able to discard the devices or avoid surgery after doing these exercises, which take about five minutes, three times a day for six weeks.

The first is a simple tongue press. Push the tip of your

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tongue firmly behind your upper teeth and drag it tightly back along the roof of your mouth as far as you can. Try saying the five vowels – a,e,i,o,u – at the same time.

While saying the vowel sounds again, suck your entire tongue up against the roof of your mouth.

Now try raising the back of the roof of your mouth and, if you can’t get the vowel sounds, say aaah.

Repeat each of these throat sit-ups about 20 times.

You should discuss your situation with your primary care physician, who can recommend therapies or specialists as needed.

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COMFORT KEEPERS

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

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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

1450 Magnolia Ave. Elkhart, IN 46514 (574) 875-7777

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TABBY CARE, LLC

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Dedicated to providing exceptional home care services that promote a healthy and safe environment while preserving the integrity and livelihood of the individuals we serve. Services offered in Elkhart, Goshen, South Bend, Mishawaka, Granger and surrounding communities. We do accept Medicaid Waiver. Let Us Help You Today.

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VILLAGE CAREGIVING

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NORACARE

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

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PARADIGM HEALTH

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November 2025 events at the LaGrange County Public Library System

Here are the events coming up for November 2025 at the LaGrange County Public Library and its branches in Shipshewana and Topeka. For more information and latest updates go to lagrange. lib.in.us

Note - The LaGrange Co. Library and branches will be closed: Tuesday, Nov. 11 in observance of Veterans Day.

Thursday, Nov. 27 and Friday, Nov. 28 in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday.

LaGrange

Pre-School Story Time (Ages 0-5)

10:30 a.m. Tuesdays. Theme: Movement. Enjoy stories, songs and rhymes with a fun craft or activity.

Makerspace 2:30-7 p.m. Wednesdays, Nov. 5, 12, 19.

For ages 5 and up, parents must stay with children 10 and under.

Makerspace is a collaborative space where people can use a variety of tools and materials to create learn and share. We will have different building materials and crafting supplies available for use. We will have new special projects every week.

Makerspace: Special Science Central Program Wednesday, Nov 5, 6-7 p.m. Ages kindergarten to fifth grade. Parents must stay with kids 10 and under. Investigate how to solve problems by using the engineering process in this fun, hands-on lab by Science Central. Students will examine the parts of the engineering process, then create and modify a paper glider.

Culinary Adventure: A Taste Of New York

Thursday, Nov. 6.

Otter Bay Deli, 655 W. SR 120, Suite C-23, Fremont.

Meet at the restaurant at 11 a.m. Join a group to explore interesting restaurants and food stores throughout our area. All food purchases at your own expense. Register at the LaGrange Library or by calling (260) 463-2841 x1030 so we’ll know how many to expect. Ages 12 and up.

Lego Play (Registration Not Required)

4-7:30 p.m. Thursdays, Nov. 6, 13, 20.

Ages 5 and up, parents must stay with kids 10 and under. Drop in anytime between 2:30-7 p.m. Legos will be out to build anything you want, or attempt to complete the challenges for the month.

Second Saturday Book Club

11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 8.

p.m. if interested, or stay playing other games.

Pokemon Club (ages 8-18)

6-7:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 10. Join us to have fun playing Pokemon, trading cards and learning strategies for improving your game. Bringing cards to trade is optional. Sign-up is not required but you can sign up online or call the library to help us know how many are coming.

Archi-Trek: Three Rivers Depart and return: LaGrange Co. Public Library.

Thursday, Nov. 13. Depart 8:30 a.m., return 5 p.m.

The junction of the St. Joseph, Rocky, and Portage Rivers was an ideal transportation hub hundreds of years ago and still is today. Culture and commerce overlap via water, rail or road. Pioneer structures, industrial and lumbering sites, and gilded age painted ladies all meet in this historic location. This is mostly a riding tour. Food purchases at your own expense. Cost is $10 per person. Registration required as space is limited. Register by cash or check at the library, or online at eventbrite.com, or by mailing a check to Green Bus Tours. Ages 12 and up.

Homeschool Hangout (Registration Not Required)

10:30 a.m. to noon Friday, Nov. 14.

At each meeting we will start reading our book together and do a fun activity, then you will take the book home with you to finish reading.

Page Turners Book Club: Grades 3-7 (formerly Mid-Grade B.C.)

4-5 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 18.

“The Bookwanderers” by Anna James.

Come to the library to get your book in October to read and discuss in November. At each meeting we will discuss the book we read this month and do a fun activity or craft related to the story.

Make and Take with Deb: Large Poinsettia Wreath

6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 19 .

Participants will make a winter door decoration from poly burlap, ball ornaments and a wire form. Cost is $25 per person. Register with non-refundable deposit of $15 by Nov. 12 at the Main Library in LaGrange. Ages 12 and up. Cookbook Club

11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 22. This month’s cookbook is: “Baking Yesteryear” by B. Dylan Hollis. Borrow the cookbook from the library, choose a recipe. Make it and bring it to the Cookbook Club carry-in! Plates, silverware, coffee and tea will be provided. Cookbook Club meets the fourth Saturday of each month. Families welcome!

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 4 PM

LERNER THEATRE, ELKHART, IN

SUNDAY,

ELKHART, IN

SOO HAN, CONN-SELMER ENDOWED MUSIC CONDUCTOR

GUEST ARTISTS: GIRL NAMED TOM elkhartsymphony.org

SOO HAN, CONN-SELMER ENDOWED MUSIC CONDUCTOR

GUEST ARTISTS: GIRL NAMED TOM

Breathtaking Palm Springs aerial tramway

Text and Photos

By FYLLIS HOCKMAN Mature Life Features

The world’s larges rotating cable car suspended alongside the California mountain overlooking Palm Springs doesn’t sound appealing to someone like me, who isn’t all that happy about heights.

But safely enclosed as it slowly climbed to the top, I was able to fully appreciate the surroundings and prepare for even a more spectacular view awaiting me at the summit. And enjoy several attractions not usually associated with mountain tops.

The tramcar travels 2.5 miles along the cliffs of Chino Canyon to a height of more than 8,500 feet, offering 360-degree panoramic views of the desert below and the rugged mountain landscape.

keep in mind that temperatures can be as much as 30 degrees cooler than the city below.

Stunning views are everywhere. And looking down offers a very different perspective than looking up. The high-elevation patchwork of meadows, granite peaks and conifer forest is hard to turn away from.

You don’t often get a chance to look down upon the famed San Andreas fault - which Californians are always waiting to erupt into a dreaded earthquake. The sign at the viewing area warns the fault is moving almost 2 inches a year, suggesting that in a million years, Los Angeles and San Francisco will be neighbors.

Crossroad Tours

As I focused on the scenes unfolding above me and below me, I overheard several people saying, “Okay, that’s high enough.” The popping in my ears alerted me to the increase in attitude. And then the experience began.

A restaurant and, as expected, a gift shop and 360-degree views, of course. Add a couple of theaters and a natural history nestled within 50 miles of hiking trails from easy to moderate to strenuous.

You could live up there. But

Save time and air fare

By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features

Flying from hub airports can save you time, money and airport discomfort.

If you live in San Diego, for example, it can be cheaper and faster to take the train or drive to LAX in Los Angeles if you’re looking to fly across the country or over the Pacific or Atlantic oceans.

This applies to anyone living close to such major hubs as Atlanta, Chicago, Denver, Minneapolis, Phoenix and St. Louis.

Back at the restaurant a number of big-horn sheep straddled the mountainside right outside our table-side window.

One movie theater describes how to negotiate the mountain to best preserve the habitat, animal life and rangers in the San Jacinto wilderness. Two hundred species of wildlife, including coyotes, mountain lions, deer and bobcats roam the park. The other film tells the inspiring story of the creation of this monumental architectural “building of a dream” almost four decades ago. And then there’s the nature museum featuring all the plants and animals in the park, which is the largest wilderness area in southern California.

Cr Crossroad Tours

June 7, 2025

Crossroad Tours Crossroad Tours

Crossroad Tou Crossroad Tours

Family Fun Tours

April 19, 2025 - Shedd Aquarium

Diamond Tours

May 26-30, 2025 - The Ark Enc Creation Museum

December 4, 2025 - Christmas in Ohio

May 10, 2025 - Tulip Festival

December 15-16, 2025 - Antiquing, Elizabeth, IL Family Fun Tours

June 9-13, 2025 - Niagara Falls & Toronto

May 24, 2025 - Fort Wayne Zoo

June 14, 2025 - Indy Zoo

June 22, 2025 - Dayton Air Show

July 5, 2025 - Columbus Zoo

July 12, 2025 - Air Zoo

August 4-9, 2025 - Beautiful Branson

Diamond Tours

December 7-12, 2025 - Charleston, South Carolina

July 19, 2025 - Peru Circus

April 11-19,2026 - San Antonio, TX

August 16, 2025 - Chicago Air Show

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

August 23, 2025 - Toledo Zoo

May 18 - 23, 2025 - Branson show Extravaganza

September 21-27, 2025 - Beautiful Vermont

October 11-19, 2025 - Amelia Island, St. Augustine, Jacksonville, FL

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

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

November 3-7, 2025 - Nashville Show Trip

September 13, 2025 - Fair Oaks Farms

une 8-13,2026 - Lancaster Show Trip

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

December 4, 2025 - Christmas in Ohio

September 27, 2025 - Brookfield Zoo

August 31- September 4, 2026 - Mackinac Island

J Diamond Tours

December 15-16, 2025 - Antiquing, Elizabeth, IL Family Fun Tours

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

December 4, 2025 - Christmas in Ohio

December 7-12, 2025 - Charleston, South Carolina

December 15-16, 2025 - Antiquing, Elizabeth, IL

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

December 4, 2025 - Christmas in Ohio

December 4, 2025 - Christmas in Ohio December 15-16, 2025 - Antiquing, Elizabeth, IL

December 15-16, 2025 - Antiquing, Elizabeth, IL

December 4, 2025 - Christmas in Ohio December 15-16, 2025 - Antiquing, Elizabeth, IL

December 7-12, 2025 - Charleston, South Carolina

April 11-19,2026 - San Antonio, TX

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

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

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

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

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

WILDLIFE IN THE HIGH LIFE Bighorn sheep wander outside the a Palm Springs Aerial Tramway restaurant.

VERTIGO Palm Springs’ rotating cable car system, the world’s largest, offers panoramic views of the mountainsides and canyons below.

The automobile man and his dream

Text and Photos

By TOM MORROW Mature Life Features

Long before Elon Musk produced his all-electric Tesla - the car that was designed to do right - to an awaiting world, there was a revolutionary car created a more than half a century ago by automotive visionary Preston Tucker.

He conceived and built the forerunner of safety features that are commonplace in today’s transportation.

His 1948 Tucker sedan, nicknamed the “Tucker Torpedo,” introduced many features that became adapted for modern cars.

Tucker was born Sept. 21, 1903, and grew up near Detroit. He became obsessed with automobiles from an early age and, during World War II, linked up with Andrew Jackson Higgins, builder of Liberty ships, PT boats and landing craft. He moved to New Orleans to serve as a vice-president of Higgins Industries in charge of the Higgins-Tucker Aviation division. This entity produced gun turrets, armament, and engines for torpedo boats.

After the war, the public was ready for a new car but Detroit’s Big Three automakers, Ford, General Motors and Chrysler, had been busy producing wartime vehicles. They hadn’t developed any new models since 1941 and were in no hurry to introduce any new ones.

That attitude gave an independent automaker the opportunity to break into the market.

Tucker’s first design appeared in Science Illustrated

AN INNOVATIVE VEHICLE

in collisions.

magazine in December 1946, showing a car with a hydraulic drive system. The motoring public became excited.

Tucker’s specifications for his revolutionary car included a rear engine, a low-RPM 589 cubic-inch engine with hydraulic valves instead of a camshaft, fuel injection, direct-drive torque converters on each rear wheel (instead of a transmission), disc brakes, the location of all instruments within the easy-to-reach diameter of the steering wheel, a padded dashboard, and self-sealing tubeless tires.

These were never-before-conceived innovations for cars, but he ran out of time to develop the 589-cubic-inch engine and settled on a modified aircraft engine

His design also included independent springless suspension, a chassis that protected occupants in a side impact,

a roll bar within the roof, a laminated windshield designed to pop out during an accident, and a center “cyclops” headlight which would turn when steering to improve visibility around corners during night driving.

But production of the Tucker ‘48 was shut down in 1949 amidst controversial accusations of stock fraud. The 1988 movie “Tucker: The Man and His Dream,” starring Jeff Bridges, is based on Tucker’s ordeal surrounding the car’s production.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, was embittered after small automaker Henry J. Kaiser was given millions of dollars in grants towards development of his new Kaiser and Frazer cars, but reportedly squandered the money. While Tucker took no money from the federal government, the SEC kept him under close scrutiny.

His SEC trial began Oct. 4, 1949, and his factory was closed the same day. Only 38 Tucker Torpedos had been built. However, a corps of 300

loyal employees returned to the factory (some without pay) and finished assembly of another 13 cars for a total of 51 vehicles.

The SEC contended Tucker never intended to produce a car. Throughout the trial, the SEC report on Tucker was classified as “secret” and, while his attorneys were never allowed to view or read it, the document was leaked to the press.

The prosecution and defense debated until the judge demanded prosecutors “get down to the meat of the case and start proving the SEC conspiracy charge.”

Tucker’s defense attorneys surprised everyone by refusing to call any witnesses. Defense attorney Daniel Glasser told the court, “It is impossible to present a defense when there has been no offense.” Kirby invited the jury to take a ride in one of the eight Tucker ‘48s parked in front of the courthouse. The verdict quickly came in “not guilty” on all counts.

Preston Tucker’s reputation

rebounded after his acquittal. His optimism was remarkable; after the trial was over, he was quoted as saying, “Even Henry Ford failed the first time out.”

Despite the outcome of the trial, speculation became widespread that the entire Tucker enterprise was a sham. The Tucker Automobile Club of America has amassed more than 400,000 drawings/blueprints, corporate documents, and letters suggesting Tucker was, in fact, planning to mass-produce the Tucker ‘48. He had hired more than 1,900 employees.

While Tucker may have been a carmaker with foresight, he was financially short-sighted and his lack of financial backing forced his company into foreclosure.

His assets were auctioned off, but two remaining Tucker 48s were given to him and his mother. He died of lung cancer on Dec. 26, 1956, at the age of 53, and is buried in Flat Rock, Mich.

1404 E. Lake Bluff Drive Kendallville, IN 46755

E. Lake Bluff Drive Kendallville, IN 46755

Drive Kendallville, 46755

NOV 17-21 BRANSON CHRISTMAS, a Tradition. Ride thru the Fantastic Caverns, 6 Great Shows: The Dutton Family, The Hughes Brothers, Daniel O’ Donnell, Doug Gabriel, Sight & Sound’s DAVID, Cassandra Voice of an Angel, Lamberts Café.

DEC 6 YULETIDE CELEBRATION, Indianapolis. Enjoy a Matinee Performance of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra and 45 Broadway Singers & Dancers. Hosts Ashley Brown and Curtis Bannister. Ashley originated the title role of Mary Poppins on Broadway and Curtis just recently starred in The Color Purple in Chicago. Lunch too.

DEC. 8-12 BLUE MOUNTAIN MIST CHRISTMAS Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg/Sevierville TN: Four Nights at the Blue Mountain Mist Bed & Breakfast, Patty Waszak Show, Smoky Mtn Church Tour, Dolly Parton’s Stampede, Red Skelton Tribute Show, Guided Pokin’ around the Smokies Tour, Country Tonite Show, Dollywood, Gatlinburg Light Tour. 2026 SAVE THE DATES

MAY 4: THE TULIPS OF HOLLAND MICHIGAN

JUNE 1-7: ROUTE 66 MISSOURI to OKLAHOMA

JUNE 17-23: RIDE THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER, LaCross WI to Red Wing MN.

JULY 13-15: 250TH AMERICAN CELEBRATION, An Ohio salute to the USA.

JULY 22-23: THE GREAT GATSBY, Grand Rapids MI.

OCT. 2-7: ALBUQUERQUE BALLOON FIESTA, A Fly Tour with Mayflower Cruises & Tours. Details: www.s-stravel.com

Tour Calendar: Call 888-262-4423 Tours Depart Goshen/Kendallville/Auburn/Ft. Wayne Celebrating 46 yrs 888-262-4423

THE AUTOMOBILE MAN

Preston Tucker, automotive innovator and subject of the 1988 film, “Tucker: A Man and His Dream.”

A Tucker Torpedo, part of a small line of innovative vehicles designed by Preston Tucker following the second World War, with features such as a roll bar, turn-activated headlight and a windshield that popped out

The power of volunteering: Building dementia awareness, supporting caregivers

By JOE COLLINS, QMCP Program Manager Alzheimer’s and Dementia Services of Northern Indiana

Volunteering is more than just giving time; it’s about building stronger, more compassionate communities.

When volunteers dedicate their efforts to causes, like dementia awareness and caregiver support, the impact ripples far beyond individual acts of kindness. It fosters understanding, reduces stigma, and creates a network of support for those navigating the challenges of memory loss and caregiving.

Dementia is often misunderstood, and stigma can isolate those affected.

Volunteers play a crucial role in changing that narrative.

By participating in regional summits, educational events or annual memory walks, volunteers help bring dementia into the public conversation. Their presence and advocacy encourage others to learn, empathize, and engage.

Community education is one of the most powerful tools in combating misinformation. Volunteers can help distribute materials, host workshops, or simply share their own experiences.

These efforts humanize the condition and promote early diagnosis, better care, and more inclusive communities.

Behind every person living with dementia is often a caregiver - usually a family member who provides daily support, often at great personal cost.

These caregivers face emotional, physical, and financial stress, and many feel invisible or alone.

Volunteers can make a profound difference in their lives. Whether it’s offering respite care, going for walks, or just being a listening ear, small acts of support can ease the burden.

Volunteer-led support groups also provide safe spaces for caregivers to share their experiences, find resources, and connect with others who understand their journey.

Volunteering in dementia-related causes also opens the door for inter-generational learning. When young people engage with older adults through memory cafes, art therapy or storytelling projects, they gain empathy and insight. These interactions break down age-related stereotypes and fos-

ter mutual respect.

At the same time, older adults with dementia benefit from the energy, curiosity, and companionship of younger volunteers.

These moments of connection can spark joy, reduce loneliness, and even stimulate memory.

A community which supports its most vulnerable members is a stronger, healthier one. Volunteers are the backbone of dementia friendly initiatives - helping businesses become more accessible, training first responders and advocating for inclusive public spaces.

These efforts not only improve quality of life for those with dementia but also create a culture of compassion and preparedness. when more people understand the signs of dementia and know how to respond with patience and kindness, everyone benefits.

Volunteering in this space is deeply meaningful. It offers a sense of purpose, connection and the opportunity to make a tangible difference. Many volunteers report increased empathy, improved mental well-being and a deeper appreciation for life’s small moments.

Volunteering tied to dementia awareness and caregiver support is a powerful way to uplift individuals and transform communities. It’s about showing up, listening, and standing together. Whether you have a few hours a week or just a willingness to help, your time can bring light to someone’s journey and help build a more understanding world.

Shots to consider before travel

By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features

There are so many of rules and regulations affecting travel these days, you have to make sure you don’t get quarantined during your journey.

Diseases that have been conquered here still run free in many other parts of the world.

Travelers can protect themselves by taking some extra care when packing medications for their trip.

Malaria still is a threat because it’s transmitted by mosquitoes. Travelers should pack mosquito repellent and avoid areas where the insects thrive. Mosquitoes also spread yellow fever and some countries require proof of vaccina-

tion before allowing travelers entry.

There is no known protection against West Nile virus, Dengue fever and a few other similar possibly-fatal disorders spread by mosquitoes, so the only protection is to avoid areas where these creatures breed.

A vaccination can protect you from meningitis and a booster shot can ward off polio if you’ve been immunized earlier.

Before leaving on any trip, have a chat with your primary care physician to protect yourself on your travels.

TOUR TIME — Dennis Donathen, owner of DD Resales, uses costumes to tie in with the theme of each of his tours. This photo was taken during a Yellowstone

ddresales or call (574) 220-8032 for more information. Photo provided by DD Resales.