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October 2025

Hubbard Hill’s Early Learning Center engages residents with intergenerational activity

By ANIKA YODER Feature Writer

Hubbard Hill Retirement Community sits off CR 24, with a 70acre campus that contains assisted living complexes and independent Village Homes along with other care facilities. Though Hubbard Hill is a continuing care retirement community, just down the hill from its Living Wisdom Center is the Early Learning Center.

The center, established in 2022, aims to facilitate an intergenerational experience for residents and children enrolled in the programming.

According to the Director of Intergenerational Experiences and Wellness at the ELC, Kathy Greve, both Hubbard Hill and the school work together to bridge activities between residents and the children. The residents, known as neighbors,

come down the hill to visit the center each day.

“This is our third year here on this campus,” Greve said. “We originated in Granger Community Church, and were there for 11 years and then Hubbard Hill built our beautiful school, and brought us over here to join the community with the intergenerational program.”

Though residents oftentimes come to ELC, the children sometimes visit the residents. According to Greve, her job is to help create either organic or planned activities. Residents come to the ELC to participate with the children in different activities which can include playing outside or specific S.T.E.M. related exercises. The ELC takes children as young as 6 weeks old and caps at 5- year-olds turning 6 during the year.

“So our activities can vary greatly

Continued on page 2

HIGH FIVE Preschoolers enrolled in the Early Learning Center at Hubbard Hill Retirement Community high five some of their neighbors who came to visit. The ELC, which was established in 2022, facilitates intergenerational experiences for both residents and students. Photo provided by Hubbard Hill Retirement Community.

I’M GLAD TO SEE YOU! Students from the early learning center at Hubbard Hill Retirement Community in Elkhart receive hugs from residents. Hubbard Hill residents, known as neighbors, visit the school every day. Photo by Lauren Zeugner.

CHEESE! — A resident and students at the early learning center mug for the camera during a recent activity. Photo provided by Hubbard Hill Retirement Community.

Key Positions

Haddad committed to improving health in his county

By LILLI DWYER Staff Writer

Rich Haddad jokes that at K21 Health Foundation, “we don’t do anything, we just find those that do.”

K21 is a nonprofit providing funding for health initiatives in Kosciusko County. Because K21 was founded using funds from the sale of the nonprofit Kosciusko Community Hospital (now Lutheran Kosciusko Hospital) to a larger health system in 1999, the organization’s mission is to continue positively impacting health for county residents.

“It was really to honor the original donors that built the hospital in the 70s; they wanted to keep that purpose intact,” Haddad explained.

Haddad became its CEO in 2006.

After graduating from Grace College with a degree in business administration and accounting, he spent some time working in public accounting in Indianapolis. He and his wife moved back to the Warsaw area in 1992. He worked at Sym Financial Advisors and later as the executive pastor of Warsaw Community Church for six years. K21 was his next step.

“I have an overall responsibility to make sure the grants we give are in line with our mission,” Hadded said of his role as CEO.

Because K21 has a “giant staff of three people,” Haddad said, team members wear many hats around the office. He describes himself as the

unofficial chief financial officer. He looks after the investments that generate K21’s funding for its grants.

There is also a 17-member board of directors Haddad reports to.

“We try to make this a community kind of foundation, where a lot of people have roles in the board of directors.”

An average day for Haddad might include making monthly reports to the board’s financial committee, reviewing and signing checks, speaking with community leaders on ideas about how to impact health, or meeting nonprofit leaders looking to submit a grant request.

“It’s a lot of variety, but it’s really enjoyable to work with a lot of other leaders in the community, nonprofit and otherwise, to try to continue to explore ways we can improve health in our county,” he remarked.

Some of K21’s notable projects include support of a medical and dental assistance service for the uninsured and a health clinic for Cardinal Services’ clients. It was also a driving force behind the ice rink at Miller Sunset Pavilion in Winona Lake, with a goal of helping people stay active during the winter months.

Haddad later returned to Grace College and earned a master’s degree in nonprofit management. He explained while nonprofit and for-profit companies do have things in common, the two ultimately have different goals.

“In a for-profit world, you’re looking to take your purpose or your idea or your work and make sure that it’s returning profit for the owner; that’s the bottom line. ... But in a nonprofit setting, you are driven and measure yourself by the mission in which you

exist,” he said. “You need to be very clear in why you exist, otherwise it’s hard to stay motivated, committed to the work. The work’s hard.”

Engaging volunteers and donors to support that cause is one of the biggest challenges; however, at 61, Haddad has no plans to stop working.

“It’s very rewarding, and I love the opportunity in leading K21, to come alongside passionate people with a clear mission or clear impacts they’re trying to make in our own community, and being able to help provide funds so they can do their work. That’s probably the real joy, to say, ‘hey, we’re with you,’” he said.

Hubbard Hill’s

Continued from page 1

by the age of the children,” Greve said. “We have the residents we lovingly refer to as our neighbors who come down, and these are neighbors that fill out an application. We have background checks with them, and they are okay to come down, and they sign up for activities, we do the activity, and then we provide transportation to and from Hubbard Hill.”

One of the residential complexes the ELC works with is the Hubbard Hill Living Wisdom Center. According to Executive Director of Dementia Care Services Debbie Carriveau, the center is a new and innovative treatment center for those who have dementia. The design of the space allows for residents with different types of dementia to function in individual living spaces.

“We want to purchase your collections” . . .

“The Living Wisdom Center is designed to create an environment for people living with different types of dementia in a very normalized way,” Carriveau said. “So they live in individual houses, with small groups, they have a lot of freedom. So everything in the design of the Living Wisdom Center is specifically designed to create the best quality of life for people living with different kinds of dementia and to help them have the best sense of value and purpose and belonging.”

According to Carriveau, along with the children at the ELC, children who are enrolled in the Soccer Shots program come to practice at the Living Wisdom Center, where residents watch them play and cheer them on. The center is set up under an atrium that covers four different residential houses, which surround a shared front yard area where children are able to practice and play.

“They look very much like a house you would live in. We have a large farmhouse. We have a colonial plantation-looking house. We have a craftsman,

we have a Tudor cottage. So they’re very normalized living situations that people are in,”

Carriveau said. “And they’re living with roommates, if you will, who all have their own individual private apartments and then are kept engaged in a specific therapeutic program that slows down the disease process.”

According to Carriveau, cognitively, when children come up to engage with the Wisdom Center residents, they are on a more even plane of abilities and can connect in that respect.

Carriveau said the magic happens when the children come up to play with residents and can all understand each other, and is almost like play therapy.

“When the kids come up, the beauty that happens for us is they’re all kind of related on the same level, so the kids can speak to them and they understand the interaction. Now, they are still senior adults and warrant the respect and dignity of

a senior adult, but the way the dementia impacts their ability to process and understand it is a much simpler, less complicated, more relaxed, magic kind of experience with those kids.”

The ELC, according to its website, is accredited through the National Association for the Education of Young Children, in the top 8% of schools accredited. The ELC is a level four rate school in the state, according to Executive Director of the Early Learning Center Mandy Gibbons, which puts the center at the top level for accreditation.

“All of our staff have education degrees, or they’re currently in the process of receiving one,” Gibbons said. “Which is very unique to early childhood education, but it’s really something that’s valued through the NAEYC accreditation program.”

On top of being NAEYC accredited, the ELC also received the Fairbanks Award for 2025 from the Greater Elkhart Chamber of Commerce.

SHARING A GOOD BOOK A resident of Hubbard Hill Retirement Community and a student at the Early Learning Center, located on Hubbard Hill’s campus, chat while they read a book together. Photo by Hubbard Hill Retirement Community.

RICH HADDAD

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Identity theft can a be costly hit

By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features

It’s become a fact of daily living that anybody can know where you are and what you’re doing in today’s highly technological world.

Our computers, laptops, tablets and mobile phones are doorways into your daily lives.

Hackers can move into your existence and walk off with your identity. Then they can wipe you out financially.

More than 1 million cases of

some form of identity theft were reported last year. The actual total number of such cases is unknown because many victims are too ashamed to report them or are unaware they’ve become a victim. The loss is in the billions of dollars and is attributed primarily to what is defined as application fraud — criminals use your identity to open a new account or take over your existing account, including insurance policies and rewards accounts with merchants, air-

CORPORATE OFFICE

lines and hotels.

That’s why you should review your financial picture and change your passwords regularly as well as watch for unfamiliar transactions or transfers.

There are other ways crooks can make use of your identity — giving police your name when pulled over for a traffic stop, for instance.

The instant you suspect someone has stolen your identity, the Federal Trade Commission recommends you report identity theft with them first and take that report to the police so they can open a police investigation. Get a copy of the police report and make copies of both it and the FTC report to show lenders, banks and credit-card issuers.

Besides changing all your passwords, including those used to control the appliances in your high-tech home, have your bank change your account numbers and get yourself new credit cards. If you’re fortunate enough to spot the theft early, many credit-card issuers will wipe the debt if it’s not too large.

Mature

Killer heart attacks not always fatal

By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features

Cardiovascular disease that affects the heart and blood vessels kills someone every half minute. It is the leading cause of death, accounting for one out of every three deaths. That’s about the same number as those caused by cancer, respiratory disease and accidents combined.

Some heart attacks are sudden and intense. Most start slowly with some sort of discomfort and can be survived if recognized for what they are.

Fortunately, 90% of the people who suffer a heart attack survive the event.

Recognizing the signs early is a major factor.

Most heart attacks start with a minor pain, discomfort or tightness in the center of the chest that just won’t go away. If it does dissipate, it returns shortly after.

It can feel like your chest is being squeezed or is full, and it can be painful.

The discomfort can also spread to your stomach or back, into your neck, one or both arms, and your jaw.

You might also experience shortness of breath, with or without discomfort in your chest.

Other signs are dizziness, lightheadedness, nausea and breaking out in a cold sweat.

If you, or anyone near you, is experiencing any of these symptoms, call 911 and get to a hospital immediately.

Heart attack survivors usually are advised to lose weight, develop an exercise program, maintain a healthy diet, and lower their blood pressure and level of stress.

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“We

said Pam.

“And DQ always has a different seasonal Blizzard flavor, those are nice,” said Kevin.

DOUG WEST WARSAW “Pumpkin bread.”

PAM DWYER MILFORD

PAT MULROY MIDDLEBURY

“Chocolate chip cookies fresh out of the oven.”

TY PROPP WARSAW

“Coconut cream pie, even though you can eat that all year long.”

VICKI C. ELKHART “Pumpkin cheesecake.”

Teeing up fun and support for adults with memory loss

By THE GREENCROFT COMMUNITIES FOUNDATION

A team from Marquee Health won first place at the 35th Annual Thelma A. Schrock Homestead Golf Benefit, Sept. 8 at Elcona Country Club. Golfers from as far away as Minnesota came together and helped raise more than $225,000 for the adult day program at Greencroft Goshen.

“In 35 years, this event has raised about $4 million,” Hugh Davis, president and CEO of Greencroft Communities, told golfers before sending them out on the course to play 18 holes. “I want to thank Harold and Thelma Schrock’s family for dreaming of this golf outing and keeping it running strong for 35 years.”

Kerry Ann Sandsmark, Homestead manager, added, “thank you doesn’t begin to cover the appreciation we feel for the impact you are making by simply being here today. Your day on the golf course gives families a safe and affordable place to bring their loved ones.”

The Schrock family and Smoker Craft have been the event’s presenting sponsors for each of the 35 years.

Other sponsors this year include:

Major Sponsors

Champagne Metals, Discovery Cargo Trailers, In Touch

HITTING THE LINKS FOR A GOOD CAUSE

A picture-perfect day at Elcona Country Club set the stage for the 35th Annual Home-

Pharmaceuticals, Nexdine, PWI Works, RSM US LLP and Sterling Group.

Premium Sponsors

Blue Island Investments, Greencroft Communities, Kopf Logistics Group, USI Insurance Services and Viaggio Marine.

Key Hole Sponsors 61 Marine & Sports, Bennington Marine, Mary and Doug Liechty Caskey, DJ Construction, First State Bank, GIBSON, Goshen Health, Horton Group, Lake City Bank, Lippert, Marquee Health, Patrick Industries, R. Yoder

Construction, Welch Packaging, Yoder, Ainlay, Ulmer & Buckingham, and Ziegler.

Team Sponsors

Edward Jones, Everence, Hawkins Water Tech, Healthcare Therapy Services, Indiana Wood Products, Interra Credit Union, Maple City Dispensing and Old National.

Peter Barrett, grandson of Thelma and Harold, chairs the golf benefit planning committee. At the evening reception, Barrett presented awards to the three winning teams — Marquee Health, Champagne

Metals and USI.

“Record fundraising, beautiful weather, great attendance and the course in immaculate condition made for one of the best outings I can remember,” he said, thanking fellow committee members, Elcona, and Greencroft for an extraordinary day.

For more than 30 years, the Thelma A. Schrock Homestead has been a trusted resource for families navigating memory loss. Enrollment is flexible, accommodating part-time or full-time schedules. Financial

assistance ensures care remains accessible to all families.

In July, the program moved into a brand new wing of the Healthcare building. A portico at the entrance provides a more convenient and accessible location for drop-offs and pick-ups. Funds raised from previous golf events paid for the renovations.

Located off South 15th Street in Goshen, the Homestead is open Monday through Friday. Families interested in learning more or arranging a visit can call (574) 537-4181.

Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Greencroft Goshen Community Center 1820 Greencroft Blvd., Goshen, IN

KICK OFF YOUR HOLIDAY SHOPPING WITH UP TO 40 VENDORS!

Shop items including kitchen products, wood products, books, holiday decor, Scentsy products, toys, jewelry, note cards, doll clothes, Norwex, lotion bars, t-shirts, handbags, all-occasion wreaths, chocolates, bakery items, hats, blankets, and much more!

Breakfast and lunch will be available for purchase from the Bistro located in the Community Center.

stead Golf Benefit, where golfers helped raise $225,000 for adults with memory loss. Photo provided by the Greencroft Community Foundation.

Couple loves to craft handmade wooden toys

Text and Photos

By LILLI DWYER Staff Writer

On a country road outside the tiny town of Silver Lake, just shy of entering Wabash County, is an in-home workshop where Darren Gay and Teresa Martin-Gay spend their days handcrafting items for their toy store, My Unique Wooden Toys. Stick horses, blocks, cars and tractors, doll furniture, games, baby rattles and more line the shelves.

Teresa Martin-Gay grew up on a Wakarusa dairy farm and Darren Gay hails from Stockbridge, Ga., where he started woodworking in eighth grade shop class. The couple met online in the early days of cyberdating, back in 2004, and were married later that year. Gay moved up to Indiana and helped out at the dairy farm

Martin-Gay had lived on with her late husband for a while, but the two had greater ambitions.

When they were looking to start an online business in the fall of 2005, Martin-Gay noticed one of the most popular searches at that time of year was for toys. With that, Gay’s woodworking skills and the equipment that came with him from Georgia, the idea began to take shape.

“I think God directed us to it,” she said. “He gets 100% of the credit.”

My Unique Wooden Toys was solely online at first. After a tornado in 2014, they moved their workshop from an outbuilding to their home’s basement and opened up a physical storefront there.

The couple spends most of their time in the workshop with their three cats, Smokey, Whiskers and Bubs. Martin-Gay mentioned they don’t like to be

— Teresa Martin-Gay,

guard rifles in their home Silver

er in

and

wasteful, so the scrap from the shop goes into their wood-burning stove upstairs.

August begins their busy season, Martin-Gay said. A surprising number of people are already thinking about Christmas in the summertime — not just the parents and grandparents looking for toys, but the theater directors putting on seasonal productions of “The Nutcracker.”

“We do a lot of stick horses and rifles for ‘The Nutcracker,’” said Martin-Gay. “I have a lady right now that’s waiting for 20 color guard rifles ... Another one just ordered 30 muskets, and that’s for reenactments.”

Wooden guns and fishing poles are often ordered as accessories for Halloween costumes.

With as many identical items as they need to produce, Gay said he loves an opportunity to craft the one-of-a-kind, personal items they’ve been asked for over the years. My Unique Wooden Toys once received an email from a worried mother in need of a wooden pocket knife.

“Her dad had made her son a little wooden knife, and it had gotten chewed up by the dog,” said Martin-Gay. “The grandfather had died. She said, ‘I know it could never replace what he’s done, but could you make one that’s similar?’”

Using the provided pictures, they created a near identical copy.

“It was walnut and maple in the middle of it. The maple was the blade, it actually folded out and locked,” Gay recalled with pride.

One of their most unique creations is the toy MRI machine. They had never considered such a thing until they were contacted by parents whose daughter needed to get an MRI. They asked for a wooden MRI machine, big enough for an American Girl doll, they could use to show their daughter how it worked and ease her anxieties about going inside the machine.

“It was like, how are we going to do this?” Gay recalled. Still, they persevered. “We got that all built and shipped to them with special instructions on how to put it all together. ... They sent us reviews on that and they were in awe.”

since eighth grade.

The couple are still making wooden MRI and CT scans to this day, though these are a bit smaller, about the right size for a Barbie doll.

“Hospitals buy them for medical play,” said Martin-Gay. “They’ll take it bedside to a child, to show how they’re going to do it.”

Neither could pick a particular favorite item to craft, though Martin-Gay does enjoy creating the baby toys.

When they’re not working, the couple like to spend time with their 16 grandchildren, and are regular churchgoers.

HANDCRAFTED Teresa Martin-Gay puts together a baby rattles, one of her favorite items to make.

INVENTORY

left, and Darren Gay look over some unfinished wooden color

Lake home workshop. The couple started My Unique Wooden Toys togeth-

2006

spend much of their time in the workshop with their cats.

SMOOTH OPERATOR Darren Gay buffs a wooden stick horse head until it’s smooth. A Georgia native, Gay has been woodworking

Scott Nieveen: Showing what the world can offer from a Christian perspective

By LILLI DWYER Staff Writer

Scott Nieveen, former pastor and current elder of Warsaw Community Church, describes his role as encouraging the lead pastor, shepherding the staff and teaching God’s word accurately.

Originally from Iowa, Nieveen was raised in a Christian home and points to experiences he had in youth camp while a teenager as an inspiration.

“I had a couple really good speakers that challenged me to live out my faith. I had a young guy who really poured into me my junior and senior year in high school. I think because of that impact he had on me, I then had the desire to help high school students,” he recalled.

Nieveen spent three years as a campus life director for Youth For Christ, coaching football and track at Warsaw Community High School.

“I think there’s so many mes-

sages (teenagers are) getting from culture and society, I just wanted a chance to be somebody outside of their parents who could share what Christ had to offer,” he said.

In the midst of that period, Nieveen was among the original group of 180 congregants, who split from another church and formed WCC in the early 1990s. The congregation started meeting in Harrison Elementary School’s gym and continued operating in rental facilities for over a decade, growing all the while, before the current building was constructed.

“We wanted to provide a church that wasn’t so caught up in traditions ... We wanted to remove every barrier we could that would keep people from getting a chance to see who Jesus is,” he said of the motivation to found the church.

At the time, Nieveen worked at Biomet and his degree was in business systems. He decided to take some Bible, ministry and counseling classes to

prepare for a new role in the church.

He said that because he’d had good mentorship, he was not intimidated by the prospect of becoming a pastor.

“They taught me, if you’re willing to let God use your life to impact other people, these are just some skills that can equip you to do that more effectively,” he explained. “I’d been taught God’s word a lot, the Bible classes helped me to study and teach it well.

Counseling classes were really, really helpful. .. I wouldn’t consider myself a counselor, but it helped me be able to listen and equip students, or even adults, who are struggling with different things.”

In keeping with his desire to invest in young people, he was WCC’s first youth pastor for nine years. Throughout his 25-year tenure on the staff, he also served as small groups pastor, missions pastor and executive pastor. Now, he maintains the role of elder, along with acting as a small

LEADER Pictured is Scott Nieveen, former pastor and current elder of Warsaw Community Church. Nieveen has endeavored to encourage people, especially teenagers, through the teachings of Christianity. Photo by Lilli Dwyer.

group leader and heading up WCC’s missions team. He has led many missions to distant

Stretching the truth a bit

places, including Papua New Guinea and Nepal.

“I think what was always encouraging for teens and adults (there) was people willing to leave the comforts of America and come and build a friendship with them,” he said.

By DICK WOLFSIE

My wife takes a yoga class. The session is an hour long, but she’s usually gone about two and a half hours. I understand why she is gone so long. The class is way across the street. You’re not supposed to talk during the session, so a lot of neighborhood gossip builds up during the silent period.

The ladies have their own mats, but most have resisted going into full yoga dress mode. That’s a good thing. Here’s why.

A Canadian clothing company that manufactures yoga garb once had a quality control problem that alienated its fan base. Especially the part of the base that has

a big fanny. Its hottest item was a pair of stretch yoga pants that sold for $100. This is the perfect garment for men and women seeking to transcend their material attachments. And the pants look really cool with a pair of $1,200 Louis Vuitton running shoes.

The company website had a disclaimer that read: “In some cases, you may experience extreme sheerness.” In other words, you can see through the pants. When your garment selection lists possible side effects, you may need to reconsider your wardrobe.

One consumer expert suggested that before you purchase the pants, you should try them on and bend over to see if there is a “see-through” issue. Of course, you are hardly in the best position to gather accurate information that way. You might say to your BFF, “I have a really, really big favor to ask of you.”

A company spokesperson suggested you do a yoga maneuver called a “downward dog” to test the transparency of the fabric. I had no idea what this was, so I searched for it on YouTube. My wife came down to the basement when I was watching a video demonstration and now I’m forbidden to go online unless I have spousal supervision.

One yoga enthusiast, presently employed as an engineer, said she doesn’t mind that her butt shows, but she dislikes the fabric because of the excessive static cling. This is what happens when you ask an electrical engineer a question about tight translucent pants instead of asking a structural engineer.

A sales representative addressed the problem of defective inventory already in the stores. “The company will be pulling our pants down from the shelves.” When you utter a sentence that includes the phrase, “pulling our pants

down,” you’re just asking for some tabloid journalist to take your quote out of context.

One clothing manufacturing analyst said that the company needs to deal with the problem and get some closure. Apparently, he forgot that with elastic-waist pants, closure is seldom an issue. Then he went on to say, “It is clear that they really have a good product.” He could have added, “They also have a product that is really clear.”

Another company official noted: “Investors have been plowing money into the stock, so we still have room to grow,” which is not only commentary on future potential but a nod to the biggest advantage of pants made of spandex. And finally, the chief financial officer added that analysts are taking a “wait and see attitude.”

Men parked in front of the fitness center are adopting a similar approach.

He has also trained new pastors in Nepal.

Five years ago, Nieveen moved to a position as the company culture director of Winona IT, “developing our leaders... making it a place people really want to keep working at.” Perhaps unsurprisingly, he utilizes the skills he gained as a pastor quite often. He sometimes leads a Bible study with co-workers.

“I think the rewarding part has been helping people see God has ways he wants to use for who you are, not who others want you to be,” he reflected. “People get discouraged, they say, ‘I can’t talk like that,’ or ‘I can’t be up front like that.’ There are way more ministry roles that involve just caring for people and being there for each other that have nothing to with being upfront. I was always excited when I could plant those ideas. ... That’s probably the biggest thing that keeps me going.”

NUTSHELL

Accessing your personal My Social Security account

By MONA HARTER District Manager, South Bend Social Security Office

For over 10 years, my Social Security has helped many people access our programs and services online. We will changed the way you sign in to all our online services — including my Social Security. You will no longer be able to sign in to your personal my Social Security account using your username and password. Instead, you’ll need to use one of our credential service providers, Login.gov or ID.me. If you already have a Login.gov or ID.me account, and can sign in to our online services, please continue using that account.

If you only have a Social Security username, our screens will guide you through the process to transition your account to Login.gov. Login. gov provides enhanced online security, helps protect you from identity theft, and allows you to create an account that can be used across other agencies. It will only take a few minutes to create a new Login. gov account.

How to transition your Social Security username account to Login.gov.

To transition your account, go to ssa.gov/myaccount and select ‘Sign In’. On the next page, select ‘Sign in with Social Security Username’. After you successfully sign in with your Social Security username and password you will receive a prompt to create an account with Login.gov. You will then be taken to the Login.gov website.

Once you successfully link your Social Security username

with your new Login.gov account, you will see a confirmation screen. You can start using your new Login.gov account to access our online services immediately. You will no longer be able to sign in with your personal my Social Security account using your Social Security username. Login.gov has 24/7 customer support through phone and chat at login.gov/help to help you set up an account, if needed.

If you’re not receiving benefits, you can use your personal my Social Security account to:

• Request a replacement Social Security card.

• Get estimates for future benefits.

• Get your Social Security Statement instantly.

• Get proof that you do not receive benefits.

• Check your application status.

If you’re receiving benefits, you can use your personal my Social Security account to:

• Request a replacement Social Security card.

• Get an instant benefit verification letter.

• Start or change your direct deposit. (Social Security beneficiaries only)

• Change your address. (Social Security beneficiaries only)

• Get a replacement SSA1099 or SSA-1042S instantly for tax season.

• Opt out of mailed notices for those available online.

For more information, read our publication my Social Security: How to Create an Online Account at ssa.gov/pubs/EN05-10540.pdf. Please share this information with your loved ones.

Financial planner worth the investment

By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features

Only death and taxes are certainties, according to Benjamin Franklin, but we’ve also come to learn that nothing is free. So you need a financial plan to make sure you can afford to pay your taxes, as well as groceries and medical bills, as long as you’re alive.

Despite this truism, less than 20% of the adult population seek out and work with a financial adviser. Many are fortunate enough to be employed by a company that provides retirement benefits. Some have purchased a home to build up an equity that cushions their senior years. And there are those who have established a savings plan to make sure their sunset years are golden.

Instead of flying by the seat of your pants financially, seeking out a financial adviser can help you manage your way through economic bumps that occur because of pandemic quarantines, loss of employment, disastrous weather damage, and divorce as well as marriage, children and career moves.

Talking over money matters with your brother-in-law, office colleague or neighbor can do more hurt than help if they have no fiscal foundation. If you have never had a financial adviser, it’s never too late to seek one out, even if it’s only to poke and prod your present position for weak spots.

Start shopping around by talking to friends, relatives, neighbors, and colleagues who have financial advisers. Your

attorney and tax preparer also may have referrals. When you narrow down the list of names to a handful, make an appointment to meet and discuss their approach and your needs.

Ask them to show you their credentials, such as a Certified Financial Planner, that require them to pass an exam and receive ongoing training.

Just claiming to be a “financial adviser” is not enough. Check their credentials with the organizations they cited along with the Better Business Bureau and local chamber of commerce.

Get the names of two or three of their clients you can talk to check their experiences with the planner. Don’t put too much faith in these referrals because they’re going to pick their most satisfied custom-

ers, but the feedback can help round out the other information you collect.

You’re not there to make any commitment because you’re going to review their policies and practices along with those of the other two or three prospects you plan to visit.

Have them give you an outline of what type of program they feel best meets your needs and aims. And ask them how they make their money. Do they charge a fixed fee? A percentage of whatever profit they make for you? Or a commission on each transaction?

Once you’ve chosen a planner, be totally frank with them and give them all your financial information so they can make sound decisions on the best program for you.

Renting can be more economical

By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features

To own your own home is most everyone’s aim.

It’s assurance that you’ll have a roof over your head until you pass way. And this is linked to the yen to die quietly at home in our sleep.

A more pragmatic view is that your house and property is a good investment because it usually increases in value over the years.

A lot of folks take advantage of that process and use the pro-

ceeds from the sale of the family home to fatten their retirement fund and downsize to a home close to the grandchildren or in a year-round warm climate.

There are some people who never have owned a home. They aren’t homeless, they’ve just rented all their lives. It allowed them to move to other parts of the country to take advantage of job opportunities that cropped up.

A colleague never owned his own home while raising a family and moving to seven different cities for better and higher-pay-

ing jobs. Had he purchased a home in each town, he would have faced the strain of having to find buyers for his property each time he got a new job.

As it was, all he had to do was give the landlord proper notice, and call the movers. Finding new digs to rent in his new location was never a problem. He and his family lived in an assortment of quarters, including the upper floor of private homes, apartment buildings, condos, and single-family homes.

Renting has built-in advantages, especially when it comes to downsizing. If you don’t like your new quarters, you can just move out.

Renting also allows you to control your housing expenses. If the owners announce a rental hike, tell them you’re moving. You can usually negotiate a stay or at least decrease the amount of the increase.

When you buy, there are still property taxes and mortgage

insurance payments to make. If you buy into a community, the homeowners association fees normally rise steadily to meet the cost of maintenance and upgrading of the property.

When you rent, you can set aside a sum comparable to what those payment would be and plunk it into your retirement account.

Renting also cuts down worry. When the toilet plugs up or the roof leaks, call the landlord. They have to make and pay for the repairs.

If you’re renting in an apartment building, you have built-in security. You can go on vacation or visit the grandkids without having to worry about the security of your dwelling because there’s always someone in the building. In many cases, the owners have hired security personnel on site.

Before buying, selling or renting, do the arithmetic to see how it works out for you.

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The Eagles

A Boomer Blast To The Past

By RANDAL C. HILL

This upbeat Eagles ballad tells of a woman entangled in webs of frustration, deceit and entrapment. She lies to everyone — her elderly husband, her younger lover, herself. The affair she has undertaken is, as with many such assignations, a bandage on a painful issue and not a step taken to eliminate the basic problem.

“We saw a lot of beautiful women around Hollywood who were married to wealthy, successful men,” Eagle Glenn Frey once said. “We wondered if they were unhappy.” He later recalled being out with some of the band members when an incident occurred that would unexpectedly benefit the country-rockers’ career: “One night, we were drinking at a bar when I spotted this stunning

young woman with a much older, fat, rich guy. One of the guys commented, ‘Look at her. She can’t even hide those lyin’ eyes.’ Immediately, we all began grabbing for cocktail napkins to write down lyrics to go with that great observation.”

Creating tunes is never easy. In fact, much of the time spent is often a long and frustrating process that includes countless revisions. But when Frey and fellow Eagle Don Henley composed “Lyin’ Eyes,” Frey later admitted, “I don’t want to say it wrote itself, but once we started working it, there were no sticking points. Lyrics just kept coming out, and that’s not always the way songs get written.”

Within two nights, they had the music and the lyrics stitched together. Fellow Eagle Bernie Leadon later told Rolling Stone, “Glenn was a great storyteller. Just listen to the way he sings ‘Lyin’ Eyes.’”

As the second Asylum Records single from the group’s million-selling “One of These Nights” album, the infectious 45 shot to number two on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart.

(Elton John’s “Island Girl” kept it from the coveted top spot.)

The Eagles’ masterpiece earned the band a Grammy a year later, and country superstars Dolly Parton, Buck Owens and Lynn Anderson all released cover versions. “Lyin’ Eyes” also appeared on the hit soundtrack of the 1980 movie “Urban Cowboy.”

“You can’t hide your lyin’ eyes

“And your smile is a thin disguise

“I thought by now you’d realize

“There ain’t no way to hide your lyin’ eyes”

In the story, a woman slips away from her husband after telling him that she’s going out to visit a friend “who’s feeling down.”

“She drives on through the night, anticipating

“Because he makes her feel the way she used to feel

“The fleeting moments she enjoys with her lover include a promise that will never be kept.

“She swears that soon she’ll be coming back forever

“She goes away and leaves him with a smile.”

At the story’s end, she sadly realizes that her affair will

SONG ALMOST RIGHTS ITSELF The Eagles hit “Lyin’ Eyes’ came about from an unexpected incident and almost wrote itself. Photo from YouTube.

never restore the life she once enjoyed.

“She wonders how it ever got this crazy

“She thinks about a boy she

knew in school

“Did she get tired or did she just get lazy?

“She’s so far gone she feels just like a fool.”

The Lerner Theater honored with Indiana Governor’s Century Award

The Lerner Theatre has been recognized by the State of Indiana as a recipient of the prestigious Governor’s Century Award, celebrating 100 years of live entertainment in the heart of Downtown Elkhart. The honor, presented by the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, was presented on Aug. 14, during a special ceremony at the Indiana Statehouse recognizing Indiana businesses and organizations that have served their communities for a half century, century or more.

Originally opening its doors on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 27, 1924, the Lerner Theater has been a cornerstone of Elkhart’s cultural and civic life for generations. From vaudeville acts and classic films to concerts, comedy

and community theater, The Lerner continues to bring world class performances and meaningful experiences to audiences across the region.

The Governor’s Century Award is presented annually to Indiana institutions with a century-long history of continuous operation and community impact. The Lerner Theatre is among this year’s group of recipients recognized for preserving tradition while adapting to the needs of a changing world.

“This honor is a proud moment for the City of Elkhart. As the anchor of our downtown, The Lerner Theatre has a critical role in shaping our community but also economic development,” said Mayor Rod Roberson. “To have The Lerner Theatre

118 W. Edison Road Suite 200 Mishawaka, IN (574) 387-4117

honored at the state level is a tribute to all the generations that have supported this gem of our downtown. This state recognition not only honors our past but inspires our future.”

HONORED BY THE GOVERNOR Shown is the staff of The Lerner Theatre in Elkhart. The Lerner was recently honored by the Governor with the Governor’s Century Award. Photo provided by The Lerner Theatre.

Sports Sanford Lehman keeps active with pickleball

By ANIKA YODER Feature Writer

For a lot of people, staying active and being involved in sports is what keeps up morale and gets people moving, and Sanford Lehman is no exception. Known as Sandy to friends, pickleball, biking and community engagement are significant parts of his weekly activity.

A participant of the Goshen Pickleball Men’s 60+ League at the Goshen Soccer Academy, Lehman gets moving by playing pickleball. At 75, he enjoys coming in the mornings on weekdays. According to Lehman, keeping active is what helps him get going each day.

Growing up on a dairy farm in Upstate New York, he spent a lot of his time doing chores and though he did some wrestling in high school, he did not participate in recreational sports until later into his life. Having retired at 71, Lehman found out about pickleball through the Goshen Parks and Recreation department and had seen some of the sport on TV. So, he decided to give it a shot after looking for something to do after retirement.

“It was a sport that took a lot less running than tennis, and I’m not a runner or walker. My wife did a lot of that. I wanted to do something with a court,” Lehman said. “Because pickleball you can play in the summertime, and then the wintertime you play indoors. I found for two reasons, (it) gave you something to do, but you also get to meet tons of people.”

Though Lehman found pickleball through advertisement and media coverage, he attributes his wanting to remain active to his wife, Gay Lehman, who passed away in July from pancreatic cancer. They met while they were attending

Goshen College and receiving vaccinations for the school’s Study-Service Term, and found out they were both going to Guadalupe.

“We bragged that we’re the first married couple that started in the SST program, because it only started a couple years before that,” Sanford Lehman said.

About five years ago, according to Sanford Lehman, Gay Lehman wanted to start walking and running and achieved 20,000 steps a day for the last three and a half years. The couple would walk together, but Sanford Lehman had a hard time keeping up with her as her pace was faster than his. This drove him to find an activity that would work for him particularly in the winter time.

“So I decided, well, if she can do it, I can do it. But running or walking was not exciting at all,” Sanford Lehman said.

“So I, you know, I didn’t try, I didn’t try any other sports but in the wintertime, landed on pickleball. But I give her credit for encouraging me to get out and do some things beyond finding something to do besides biking.”

Living close to the Goshen College campus, Sanford and Gay Lehman had hosted 17 international students over the years who were not able to make it home for the summers and holidays, and he currently has a student living with him now.

“I do have a Goshen College Student staying with (me). Over the years, we’ve had 17 students stay with us because we live close to campus, and some of these students can’t go home in summer, because this costs too much to go to Kenya, to go to Malaysia, to go to India,” Sanford Lehman said.

“So we’ve been very fortunate to learn from these students

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ball through the Goshen Parks and Recreation Department. Not only is it a sport that he can play year long, but it allows him to “meet tons of people.”

how their life has been. So he’s actually teaching me how to do some Indian food. So that keeps me busy during the week.”

Outside of pickleball, keeping up with his grandchildren and general housekeeping, Sanford Lehman also enjoys biking. He owns a condo on Lake Wawasee and keeps his bike down there to ride around, and used to go twice a week

with a basket attached to the bike and sometimes picks up litter on the side of the path he rides. As someone who likes to get exercise not just for the health benefits, but for the community, Lehman said pickleball is unlike other sports.

“I’m 75 so it’s fun at times. I think I’m still fairly quick, but it’s fun beating people that are younger than you are,” Sanford Lehman said. “And I’m hoping

to get into at least 80 or more. It’s fun, but there’s also a joy in winning the set. What I like about pickleball is, you have different partners each time. So it really depends if your partner is what might be a little weaker, a little stronger. Kind of, you have to adjust your play to that, but yeah. I’m not completely competitive, but competitive enough that winning is important.”

Elkhart County Parks offering grief walk Oct. 28

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reflection and healing, hosted by Elkhart County Parks from 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28, at the Lower Fields of Ox Bow County Park.

This event is designed to provide a peaceful, structured space where individuals and families can process grief and loss, connect with others and find comfort in nature. In partnership with Ryan’s Place, the Elkhart County Health Department, the Middlebury Public Library and Elkhart County Parks, the Grief Walk will feature a variety of supportive activities and resources, including:

• Live music to foster reflection.

• A petal drop into the Elkhart River in remembrance of loved ones.

• A fire pit station for writing and releasing personal memories.

• Private counseling areas with onsite therapists.

• Art stations and children’s grief resources.

• Comfort items like plush animals and emotional support dogs.

• Light refreshments to help create a welcoming, communal atmosphere.

• An ofrenda, a traditional altar for honoring the memory of departed loved ones.

The timing of the event aligns closely with the Day of the Dead, a time of honoring and remembering those we’ve lost, and complements the ongoing seasonal programming in the community.

FOUND HIS SPORT When Sanford Lehman was looking for a way to stay active, he found pickle-

Photo by Anika Yoder.

Elder Law

Q. How to ensure your final wishes are enforced after your death

A. Planning for the end of life can be an emotional and overwhelming process but making sure your final wishes are legally valid and enforceable is essential to give yourself peace of mind that your wishes will be followed and that your loved ones will be protected. Whether it’s the distribution of your assets, your preferences for medical care, or funeral arrangements, having legally binding documents ensures that your intentions are followed and reduces the likelihood of disputes after your passing.

The foundation of any estate plan is a Last Will and Testament. A valid Will must meet specific legal requirements, which can vary by state or country. In Indiana, a Will should be written, signed by the testator (the person making the will), and witnessed by two or more people who do not have any interest in the Will. In some circumstances a handwritten will or recorded statement, can be enforced as a Will, but these

Ryan M. Gardner Attorney at Law and Partner

are far from recommended if enforcement is a concern.

If you believe some or all of your final wishes may be unpopular with your legal beneficiaries (e.g. spouse, children, or other family members) it is extremely important that you obtain assistance from an attorney to oversee the drafting and execution of your final wishes. Ensuring that all legal requirements of a valid Will, trust, or other instrument are met is a must have should your final wishes ever be challenged after you are gone and no longer able to voice those opinions.

DISCLAIMER:

Hospice Care

Q. How does one choose the right hospice care provider?

A. Choosing the right hospice care provider is one of the most important decisions families make during a loved one’s final stage of life. Hospice care focuses on comfort, dignity, and support not only for the patient but also for their family. Because every hospice program is different, knowing what to look for ensures that your loved one receives the compassionate, quality care they deserve.

First, check for proper licensing and accreditation. A reputable hospice provider should be Medicare-certified and meet state regulations. Accreditation from organizations such as The Joint Commission is an added assurance of high standards.

Next, consider the scope of services. Hospice care should include pain management, emotional and spiritual support, respite care for families, and bereavement counseling. Ask whether services are available 24/7 since urgent needs don’t always happen during office hours.

Another factor is the care team approach. The best hospice providers offer an interdisciplinary team that may include doctors, nurses, social workers, chaplains, and trained volunteers. Families

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

should feel confident that this team works together to create and follow a personalized care plan.

It’s also important to evaluate communication and transparency. Families should feel heard, respected, and informed every step of the way. Ask how often updates will be provided and whether staff are easily reachable with questions or concerns.

Finally, trust your instincts. Beyond credentials and services, compassion and empathy should shine through in every interaction. A hospice provider that listens, explains clearly, and treats your loved one like family is often the “right one.”

By carefully weighing these elements, credentials, services, teamwork, communication, and compassion, you can choose a hospice care provider that truly honors your loved one’s journey with comfort and dignity.

Financial Services

Q. What is Medicare Part D and what does it cover?

A. Original Medicare – Parts A and B – doesn’t generally cover prescription drugs. To supplement this gap in coverage, private insurance companies (approved by Medicare) offer Medicare Part D, or prescription drug insurance.

You can enroll during your Initial Enrollment Period – the seven-month window starting three months before the month you turn 65 and ending three months after. Delaying enrollment in Part D may result in a permanent late penalty that is added to your monthly premium for as long as you have Part D. If you don’t take prescriptions, we recommend enrolling in the least expensive plan during your Initial Enrollment Period to avoid penalties. However, if you have creditable drug coverage through your employer, you

can delay enrollment and should not be penalized.

Review your plan annually during the Open Enrollment Period (Oct. 15–Dec. 7). Prescription needs, covered drugs, and plan costs can change, so it’s important to ensure your plan still meets your needs.

Everence provides simple, step-by-step guidance to empower you to confidently enroll in Medicare Part D and review your plan annually. Visit everence.com/part-d to get started.

michiana@everence.com

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

A. October 11th Senior Talk Michiana, along with Goshen Health, will be hosting the second annual Sensational Saturday Senior Expo at Doc’s Pavilion in Wakarusa. The event will take place from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm and feature over 20 senior organizations, live entertainment, food, and door prizes.

The event is free, so please join us.

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 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.

118 W. Edison Rd, Suite 200, Mishawaka, IN. 46545

Your Journey is Our Path www.comfort1hospice.org

Tom Rose

Author & Speaker Balloon in a Box

Coping with Grief Grief Group Facilitator

Rose and Rose Associates Senior Talk Michiana

574-596-6256

www.thomaslrose.com www.cookingtogether.com roseandrose@comcast.net

Tom Rose

Goshen College announces 2025-26 lecture series

Goshen College will host five lectures in its 2025-26 lecture series, as part of its ongoing effort to bring a wide variety of speakers to campus. The series includes two lectures in the fall semester and three in the spring, all of which will be livestreamed and free and open to the public.

Umble Master Class in Speech and Theatre will host

Dan Charles, science writer and audio producer; and Brigid McCarthy, audio producer and editor in a presentation, “Is Radio Coming Full Circle?” at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 21, in Umble Center. McCarthy, longtime producer and editor, and Charles, science writer and audio producer, worked at NPR during its boom years, as the public radio network grew into a

major media operation. More recently, they stepped into podcasting, a free-for-all world where almost anyone, from the New York Times to an individual producer, can report the news or tell stories online and compete with traditional radio stations. They’ll discuss the changes they’ve experienced in how we listen — and what remains the same.

Eric Yake Kenagy Visiting

GiveHear Goshen Clinic hosting Halloween euchre tournament

GiveHear’s Goshen Clinic will host “Play it by Ear,” its first ever euchre tourney fundraiser. The tournament will be held from 6-9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 16, at the VFW Post 985, 1201 W. Pike St., Goshen. Costumes are encouraged but not required. Registration and cash bar

open at 5:30 p.m. with food tables open at 6 p.m. Eurchre tourney begins at 6:30 p.m.

This is a full play tourney where the team with the most points at the end of the evening wins.

Individuals may enter as a team or individual. Individuals will be paired into teams

before the tourney starts. A point system will be used to determine tourney winners. Prizes will be awarded to the teams with the first and second highest point totals at the end of the tourney. For more information or to register to participate visit givehear.org/euchre-goshen.

Artist Isaac Scott, ceramic artist, photographer and educator, will speak at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 13, in Reith Recital Hall

Scott is a Philadelphia-based ceramic artist, photographer and educator, originally from Madison, Wis. Scott works mainly with ceramics and photography, mediums which best allow him to interpret and elaborate upon current political and cultural events. Scott’s photographs of the 2020 uprising in Philadelphia were featured in the June 22, 2020 issue of “The New Yorker.” He is represented by Lucy Lacoste Gallery in Concord, Mass., where Mouros, his solo exhibition, took place in 2023. Scott’s ceramic work has been exhibited around the country and he recently earned a prestigious fellowship from the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts.

Goshen College Conference on Religion and Science will

feature Dr. Wesley J. Wildman, professor of philosophy, theology and ethics, and of computing and data sciences, at Boston University. The conference will be held March 6-8, 2026.

Wildman is a scholar, educator and nonprofit leader whose work spans philosophy of religion, philosophical theology, ethics, religion and science and computational social science. He serves as professor in Boston University’s School of Theology and Faculty of Computing and Data Sciences, where he teaches AI ethics and trains students in computational methods. Author of a six-volume series in religious philosophy and numerous other publications, he also co-founded the journal “Religion, Brain & Behavior.” As executive director of the Just Horizons Alliance, he leads interdisciplinary projects addressing pressing social challenges through research, technology and expansive spiritual vision.

Yoder Public Affairs Lecture will feature Dr. Robert Fatton Jr., professor of politics, emeritus, University of Virginia.

He will speak on “Haiti’s Unending Crises and Struggles: The Hellish 21st Century,” at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 7, in the Umble Center.

Fatton Jr. is the ambassador Henry J. Taylor and Mrs. Marion R. Taylor emeritus professor of politics at the University of Virginia. He taught for over 40 years at the university, while also holding various administrative positions. Fatton is the author of a large number of articles and books on the political economies of Sub-Saharan Africa and Haiti, and has won multiple awards — including the “Lifetime Achievement Award” from the Haitian Studies Association — for his decades-long studies of Haiti.

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The Lerner Theatre celebrates 100 years with volunteers at annual volunteer banquet

The Lerner Theatre hosted its annual Volunteer Banquet on Wednesday, Aug. 27, celebrating the dedication, service and spirit of the more than 100 volunteers who give their time and talents to support the historic downtown venue.

The evening began with a warm welcome from Mayor Rod Roberson and Lerner Governing Board Member Dina Harris, followed by remarks from Lerner director of operations, Deen Tuggle, who expressed deep gratitude for the volunteers’ commitment through a year of growth during the 100th Anniversary of The Lerner Theatre.

“What you do matters. What you do makes a difference,” Tuggle shared. “From greeting guests at the front doors to helping them find their seats, every volunteer position is crucial to our operation. You truly add to the experience for our guests and staff.”

According to Mayor Rod Roberson, “The Lerner Theatre has an amazing volunteer program. They give back by creating a welcoming, memorable experiences for all that walk through the historic Lerner Theatre doors. Their service is a powerful example of community spirit, helping make the arts accessible and vibrant in the City of Elkhart.”

The program highlighted milestones, recognition awards, and service honors.

Helping Hands Award: This year’s honor went to Kathy Ghrist, who dedicated an outstanding 212 hours of volunteer service in the past year alone. Her commitment equals more than five 40-hour work weeks, representing countless evenings and weekends supporting concerts, theater productions, community gatherings and national tours. Ghrist’s steadfast presence and joyful spirit make her an in-

dispensable part of the Lerner team.

Above and Beyond Award: Presented to Barb Hiebert, this award recognizes a volunteer who works tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure success.

Hiebert has been a constant source of support, willingly taking on new and sometimes challenging volunteer roles. She is known for her flexibility, her warm rapport with patrons, and her attentiveness in relaying concerns to staff. Hiebert’s positive presence has left a lasting impression on guests and colleagues alike.

Volunteer of the Year: The evening’s highest peer-nominated honor was awarded to Dawn Little. Described by staff as “always smiling, always willing, and always dependable,” Little volunteered across nearly every type of event at The Lerner this past year — from national concerts and community recitals to city celebrations and Premier Arts performances. She consistently steps in to fill last-minute

needs, takes on roles both large and small and inspires others through her enthusiasm and commitment.

Centennial Spirit Award for Outstanding Volunteer Leadership: A new honor introduced in 2025, this award recognizes extraordinary volunteer leadership during The Lerner’s 100th anniversary year. The inaugural recipient, Therese Geise, was celebrated for her selfless commitment, compassion and steadfast leadership that has profoundly shaped the volunteer program. Her contributions continue to inspire others to serve with purpose and heart.

Service pins and recognition point awards were also distributed, celebrating volunteers reaching milestones from their first year of service up through decades of dedication.

One Year: Susan Adams, Michael Arias, Jessica Burbrink, Dan Cripe, Theresa Culp, Kathy Ghrist, Teresa Haywald, Ruth Hiar, Alan and Karen Hibsh-

No such thing as a stupid question when you invest

By CECIL SCAGLIONE

Mature Life Features

Betting on the Super Bowl is easier than gambling on the stock market, points out the Babson-United Investment Report. To begin with, there are only two teams and one of them is sure to be a winner.

Rather than toss the dice against the vagaries of the various markets that contain thousands of stocks, the newsletter suggests you investigate before buying anything. After all, you wouldn’t go out and buy an automobile and then bring it home to check out its performance. And make sure your information is from a reliable source, not a chatroom.

Shy away from securities offered on the telephone or by e-mail and deal only with a securities firm that you know or one recommended by a person who is familiar with the investment industry.

You might ask your tax preparer, attorney, or accountant for a referral.

Beware of promises of quick and too-good-to-betrue profits as well as any high-pressure tactics by the sales people or visible in the literature. Be sure you understand the extent of the possibility of risk of loss as well as the prospect of gain.

Get all the facts and support them with more research. Don’t buy on tips or rumors. Again, you wouldn’t rush out and buy an automo-

man, Linda Hogarth, Teresa Jenkins, Paula Kelly, Dawn Little, Jim Luccki, Marialuisa Regaldo, Jeff and Linda Rice, Deanna Roberts and Sarah Russel.

Three Years: Donna Anderson, Valerie Clason, Doug Cripe, Joseph Euber, Derrick Freshour, Anita Gorden, Connie Hernandez, Esther Lederach, Gretchen Lowell, John and Marilyn Nymeyer, Jon and Vicki Simmons

Five Years: Jerilynn Davis, Jan Longcor and Steve Penrose.

Seven Years: Patti Newton.

Though no new recipients joined this group, the following were recognized for achieving the Decades of Dedication Award in the past for serving 10-plus years as a Lerner

Volunteer: Susan Arneaud, Pam Blankenbaker, Angie Gayden, Mary Golden, Mona Gehring, Jack Gehring, Chris Lantz, Ann Greenawalt, Jane Rapp, Sue Pettit, Nancy Ritchie, Judy Sassaman, Kim Schrock, Enid Schmitt, Cookie Stenberg, Brian Thomas, Bufford Skipper, Pam Weinland, Dave Wienland, Rosalie Zirkle, Terry Vantine, Robert Ward, Mark Wilson, Nancy Wilson, Cliff Yehle and Pat Yehle.

Collectively, Lerner volunteers donated 3,791 hours of service this past year, a testament to the commitment and dedication of the group.

For more information about The Lerner Theatre’s centennial celebrations or volunteer program, visit TheLerner.com.

bile just because a neighbor said you can’t afford not to buy one at the bargain price being offered at the moment. When dealing with a securities salesperson, ask to see his or her Securities Commission licenses as well as information about themselves and their company.

If there’s anything you don’t understand, ask them to clarify it. Ask them to write it down so you can consult with someone who does.

Don’t be afraid of asking a stupid question. You’re only being stupid if you don’t ask a question about something you don’t understand. Especially if you intend to spend or invest any money on the matter.

SERVING FOR OVER 10 YEARS — Elkhart Mayor Rod Roberson congratulates Bufford Skipper for 20 years of volunteering at The Lerner during the Lerner 100th anniversary celebration. Photo provided by The Lerner Theater.

HONORED VOLUNTEERS Therese Geise, left, who received the Centennial Spirit Award for Outstanding Volunteer Leadership, congratulates Dawn Little who was named 2024 Volunteer of the Year. Both ladies were honored at The Lerner Theatre’s 100th anniversary celebration. Photo provided by The Lerner Theater.

Independence | Dignity | Strength

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

realservices.org Real Services, Inc. info@ info@realservices.org

Join Us

for REAL Talk Are You Smarter Than A Scam Artist?

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

Oct. 8 | 11 AM | Portage Commons (574) 284 - 7189

Oct. 16 | 11 AM | OWLS (574) 336-2652

Oct. 24 | 11:30 AM | 1ROOF(Lunch) (574) 284-7189

Oct. 28 | 11:30 AM | Salvation Army of Elkhart (Lunch) (574) 284-7184

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

Energy Assistance

Starting October 1st

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

Health Education Classes

Bingocize | Fridays: Aug 1-Oct 3 10 AM - 11 AM | Portage Commons

Learn important topics while you have fun, exercise, and win prizes!

Stay Active & Independent for Life (SAIL) I Tues & Thurs: Starts Aug 5 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM | Portage Commons

Helping you stay independent, active, and prevent falls.

Wellness Initiative for Senior Education (WISE) I Wednesdays: Sept 17-Oct 22 | 10:45 AM - 12:15 PM (CT) | Michigan City Senior Center

Activities and discussion to better understand the aging process and how lifestyle choices and behaviors impact health, among other topics.

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

Better Age Initiative

REAL Services, your trusted Area Agency on Aging, is partnering with BetterAge to bring you a new way to take charge of your life—on your own terms.

Take a 7–10-minute assessment

Receive Your Personal Health and Well-Being Report. Get a customized Action Plan with guidance and resources you can use immediately.

Explore steps for growth and improvement

Your participation benefits both you and the broader community— locally and nationally.

2025 Trivia Night

Hollywood red carpet themed evening of games, costume contest, prizes, and cash & card bar!

$20 | Per person

$150 | Table of 8

Oct 24 | 6 PM - 9 PM | Elks Lodge #235

3535 McKinley Ave., South Bend, IN

Scan to Register

How I Stay Strong

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

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

portagecommons@realservices.org

133 N. William St. South Bend, Indiana 46601 | (574) 284-7159 | Mon. - Fri. 10AM - 3PM Your Community. Your Time. Your Place.

October 6 | Registration Open House | Portage Commons

October 7 | First Day of Meals

Lunch served at 11:30 AM | Portage Commons

Lunch is provided 5 days a week | Ages 60 and over

realservices.org/portage-commons/ Portage Commons

& Crafts Friendly Faces & Good Company

Special Events & Guest Speakers

Health & Fitness Programs

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

Early detection saves lives, and this is a great opportunity to put your health first.

October 7 | 9AM - 1 PM | Portage Commons | 133 N. William St. South Bend, IN

To schedule an appointment, call 574.335.4500 or toll-free 1.888.455.4450. Walk-ins welcome as schedule permits. Social Activities & Games

70s Flashback —

Lorne Michaels’s brash experiment

results in ‘Saturday Night Live’

By RANDAL C. HILL

“Saturday Night Live” was Canadian comic genius/ producer/director Lorne Michaels’s brash experiment, conceived in three weeks in 1975 as a refreshing NBC-TV alternative to Johnny Carson’s “Tonight Show” reruns.

The idea behind Michaels’s clever brainchild was to channel the counterculture, modernize the traditional variety show, and lure a generation of disaffected young people back to television.

The program was also imagined as a hip offering for baby boomers looking to stay up late. There would be a different host each week, best-selling musical acts, and a cast offering high-octane comedy skits (often about politics), with SNL advertisers targeting viewers who were 18 to 34 years old.

Rather than hire costly, established performers, Lorne tapped into unknown talent from a variety of comedy ensembles unfamiliar to mainstream TV watchers. The original troupe of players included then-unknowns Gilda Radner, Dan Aykroyd, John Belushi, Jane Curtin, Garrett Morris, Laraine Newman, and Chevy Chase — collectively labeled The Not Ready for Prime Time Players.

The show debuted on Oct. 11, 1975, with the always edgy George Carlin as host and Billy Preston and Janis Ian as musi-

Ical guests.

Michaels had a winner right out of the gate. During the first season, the SNL cast members rose from obscurity to national prominence as the weekend broadcast promptly became a “must see” for its roiling stew of satirical humor and celebrity impressions.

The improvisational backgrounds of the ensemble allowed performers to experiment with different approaches to comedy. Iconic characters that sprang from the first season included Belushi’s samurai, the Coneheads and Radner’s Roseanne Roseannadanna.

Although some on the team dabbled in cocaine, drug usage was less of a problem than that caused by John Adam Belushi. Michaels had been reluctant to hire the versatile, multi-talented comic, since Lorne believed that, as good as John was, his often-outrageous behavior loomed large as a potential source of trouble for the show.

Michaels’s doubts were soon proven correct.

Belushi’s conduct caused a tsunami of problems. He especially projected hostility to SNL’s female writers; Jane Curtin later said, “John felt as though it was his duty to sabotage pieces written by women. He believed women should not be there.” Belushi was sometimes told that a female-created sketch had been written by a team man.

“Saturday Night Live” has launched numerous careers and franchises. Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi became the SNL soul/rock duo the Blues Brothers, later starring in the 1980 film “The Blues Brothers”

It’s easy! Simply find the ‘Autumn Decoration’ on another page in this edition. Go online to www.SeniorLifeNewspapers.com and enter your information, the edition, date and page number you found it on. This will enter you for a chance to win a gift of $25.

and recording Atlantic Records discs under their popular stage name.

Beyond the original celebrities came such later alumni who have also had successful careers — Eddie Murphy, Adam

Sandler, Dana Carvey and Tina Fey. SNL has also spun off a dozen movies and won nearly 100 Emmys.

Over the decades, the program has faced some tough criticism, such as the ongoing complaint that SNL has lost its relevance. Oh? Tell that to today’s viewer who still enjoys a dose of weekend laughs from a program that has shaped part of the American popular culture over the past half-century.

Ask shop clerk where to eat

By CECIL SCAGLIONE

Mature Life Features

Finding a good place to eat when you’re on the road, whether your just over the county line or in downtown Tokyo, is usually high on the list of things you want to achieve.

Most folks check with the concierge in their hotel or the desk clerk at their motel. A few ask the cab driver that hauled them from the airport to their inn.

The best sources of information are the people who live and work there.

Pop into a shoe store or pharmacy or any shop and ask the workers where they eat lunch or where they take their dates for dinner. You’ll save a lot of time and money, and get blue-ribbon on-thespot advice.

Senior Resource Fair slated for Oct. 11

The Wakarusa Chamber of Commerce and downtown Wakarusa businesses will host a senior resource fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Doc’s Pavilion, 116 W. Waterford St., Wakarusa.

There will be representatives from assisted living communities, elder lawyers, financial institutions and much more.

From 12:30-2 p.m. there will be entertainment along with

food and beverages, and there will also be door prizes. Admission is free.

Get your airplane water for free

By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features

(Online Entries Only) Entries Must Be In By Monday, October 13, 2025. Brought To You By

206 S. Main St. Milford, Indiana 46542

The winner of the I Spy Contest for September is Kathy Kuhlmann from South Bend. The ‘Labor Day Hard Hat’ was located on page 13 in Senior Life Allen; page 9 in Senior Life Northwest; page 20 in Senior Life Elko and page 8 in Senior Life St. Joseph.

Getting through airports doesn’t seem to be getting any easier or simpler, but you can save a couple of bucks if you pack an empty re-usable bottle that should get through the Transportation Security Administration checkpoint.

After you’ve repacked everything and put our shoes back on, you can fill the bottle with water from a fountain and save yourself the $3 or $4 being charged for a bottle of water in the airport or on the airplane.

A BRASH EXPERIENCE “Saturday Night Life” was Lorne Michaels’s brash experiment as an alternative to the “Tonight Show” reruns. Photo by Rosalind O’Connor/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images.

Greencroft Communities Foundation announces scholarship recipients

Greencroft Communities Foundation recently announced the 2025 recipients of the Gene E. Yoder Legacy of Learning Scholarship to Wendy Hernandez and Magaly Cazabal Gonzalez, both senior nursing students at Goshen College. Each student was awarded a $5,000 scholarship in recognition of their academic achievement, dedication to the field of nursing and passion for serving others.

The awards were presented during the Greencroft Scholar reception Tuesday, Sept. 10, where members of the Greencroft Communities Foundation Board, faculty from Goshen College and family members gathered at Greencroft Goshen Healthcare to celebrate the scholars’ accomplishments and bright futures in nursing.

The Gene E. Yoder Legacy of Learning Fund, named in honor of former Greencroft Communities President Gene Yoder, supports students and employees pursuing careers in long-term care. The scholarship reflects Yoder’s enduring commitment to excellence and compassion in aging services.

“These students exemplify the heart of long-term care,” said Todd Yoder, Greencroft Communities Foundation president. “We are thrilled to support their journey and look forward to the difference they will make in the lives of others.”

Wendy Hernandez, a first-generation college student and certified nurs-

SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS

ing assistant at Greencroft Goshen, aspires to serve under-served communities and Spanish-speaking patients with dignity and compassion.

She said the scholarship will ease her financial burden and allow her to focus on her education and future career as a mission nurse.

Magaly Cazabal Gonzalez, also a CNA, hopes to return to her current nursing home employer in a registered nurse role after graduation. She completed a hospital externship this summer to explore other fields of nursing but remains deeply committed

to long-term care and honoring the sacrifices of her single mother through her success.

The Legacy of Learning Fund

provides annual scholarships to encourage students pursuing undergraduate or graduate degrees in nursing. The program

aims to foster a new generation of caregivers and leaders who are passionate about enriching the lives of older adults.

The League offering free low vision seminar Oct. 8

The League will be hosting a free low vision seminar from 1:30-4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 8, at Greencroft Goshen Community Center, 1820 Greencroft Blvd., Goshen.

The afternoon will feature

speakers including Tiffany Szymarek, MD, opthalmologist, who will discuss eye health; John Coalter, OD, a low vision specialist; and Greg Blackman.

There will also be a num-

ber of vendors from Eye Can See Inc., Real Services, OWLS club, The League: Senior Blind Services, and Alzheimer’s and Dementia Services of Northern Indiana, Inc.

GREENCROFT FOUNDATION

Shown from left are Todd Yoder, Greencroft Communities Foundation president; Wendy Hernandez, CNA; Gene Yoder, former Greencroft Communities president; Magaly Cazabal Gonzalez, CNA; and Hugh

Davis, Greencroft Communities president and CEO. Hernandez and Cazabal Gonzalez recently received $5,000 scholarships from Greencroft Communities Foundation to further their education. Photo provided by Greencroft Communities.

Anita Krogel follows Jesus in the freedom of love

By LAURIE LECHLITNER Staff Writer

“I was raised in a church that had many rules,” stated Anita Krogel, Warsaw. “After hearing a fire, hell and brimstone message, I went home at the age of 6 and accepted Jesus into my heart at the side of my mother. It was later that I experienced the love and grace of the Holy Spirit in my life — that freeing realization that I was following Jesus out of love and not out of a barrage of rules and regulations.”

Krogel played the part of the obedient child but had trouble living by those strict guidelines. “I couldn’t play cards, go to movies or wear a two-piece swimsuit. That limited my choice of friends and social activities.”

She met her future husband, Bill, in seventh grade. “In our sophomore year of high school, we attended ball games together. I remember Bill saying to me, ‘I sure like you. You’re a very nice person. But you sure can’t do many things that are fun.’”

Krogel attended the Grand Rapids School of Bible and Music. “I wanted to earn a social worker’s degree. I loved

the camaraderie and Christian friendships I was able to make there. We had strict guidelines at the school. But we also had fellowship and fun.”

“I was beginning to realize that all of these church rules were put in place to help me become a good person,” Krogel explained. “However, some of them had little to do with God’s directions in the Bible.”

Bill Krogel was a new Christian when they were married in 1973. They attended David Jeremiah’s church in Fort Wayne. “We started going to David Jeremiah’s church before he became known worldwide. To us, he was simply our pastor.”

The Krogels began attending Nappanee Missionary Church in 2001. “When we moved into the area, I remember hearing Pastor Dave Engbrecht on the radio. His sermons were dynamic. We eventually made it to his church and have stayed ever since.”

Since Nappanee Missionary Church is so large, the Krogels knew that to move from the fringes, they’d have to find a Sunday school class. They began attending “One Accord,” taught by Pastor Joe Focht. “It became a very large

class. It wasn’t long until Bill was asked to start another class. He started with six people 20 years ago and now has about 45 people, including me.”

Krogel facilitates a women’s Bible study called “Coffee Break” on Tuesday evenings. “I’ve done that for the last 10 years. Right now, we’re going through a video series taught by Lysa TerKeurst called ‘The Seven I Am’s in John’s Gospel.’ We learn many new things together.” Krogel enjoys walking with her ladies through life’s journey.

The Krogels have three grown children and six grandchildren. “Sometimes life throws us a curve ball. I am struggling with some health issues right now that I wouldn’t choose. But I’ve discovered that Jesus is there when we seek him. I want my family to know that He loves them. I also encourage them to keep their sense of humor. Zephaniah 3:17 tells us that God sings over us. He is happy with us! He is delighted with His children.”

Krogel concluded, “I like to think that I can help people have hope in Jesus, and His strength to make it through each day.”

ALZNI supporting caregivers and their loved ones living with dementia

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

Caring for a loved one can be one of the most meaningful roles in life, but it also comes with challenges leaving families feeling overwhelmed, isolated or unsure where to turn. That is why our organization exists: to provide supportive services for caregivers and their loved ones — especially those living with dementia — through a wide variety of programs, resources and community connections. Best of all, every service we offer is free of charge.

Our vision is simple yet powerful: to ensure that no caregiver has to walk this journey alone. We know caregiving is not a one-size-fits-all experience, which is why we provide multiple pathways for support. Whether you are seeking practical guidance, emotional connection, or activities which bring joy and meaning, our programs are designed with you in mind.

With about 30 in total, one

of our cornerstone offerings is support groups, which give caregivers across northern Indiana a safe place to share experiences, gain encouragement, and connect with others who truly understand.

For families who need more individualized guidance, family consultations offer one-on-one support by a licensed social worker to address unique challenges and create a personalized plan of care.

Education is also central to our mission. Through community presentations, online-based education, and our quarterly newsletter, caregivers stay informed about the latest strategies and resources. These tools empower families with knowledge, helping them feel more confident and prepared.

We also know that caregiving affects both the caregiver and the person living with dementia. That’s why we offer specialized programs designed just for caregivers, activities for individuals living with dementia and shared experiences for both caregivers and loved ones together. These

programs not only ease stress but also create opportunities for connection and meaningful moments.

Safety and peace of mind are critical parts of caregiving, which is why we provide our CARES ID bracelet program. This initiative helps ensure individuals, who may wander, are safely returned home, offering reassurance for care-

givers and protection for their loved ones for only a one-time fee of $20. At the heart of it all, ALZNI is about community. We believe when caregivers are supported, loved ones receive better care, and families are strengthened. For anyone navigating the caregiving journey— whether you’re just starting out or have been caring for years — we are here to walk

alongside you with guidance, resources, and hope.

Caregiving is a journey filled with both challenges and rewards, and you don’t have to face it alone. Through our free programs and supportive services, we are here to ensure that every caregiver and loved one has access to the care, education, and community they deserve.

What kind of fool am I?

By JIM CARPENTER Guest Writer

The title seemed about as likely as any title I could find.

Because at times I am a fool.

But most likely just the regular kind. I tried to fight the foolishness, or at least keep it within reason.

But particularly when I was young, it seemed it was never out of season.

But really, adolescents acting foolish? That seems to be par for the course.

But it always came so naturally.

It never had to be forced!

Even a foolish boy just might grow up, to become an unfoolish man.

Like the little steam engine that could,

“I think I can, I think I can.”

And I suppose I mostly did.

Leaving the foolishness behind. But it can be a funny world. Foolish things are easy to find.

But I persevered and I tried, and I think I’ll pass the test.

My behavior may have been foolish, but I still tried my very best.

HAPPILY EVER AFTER — Bill Krogel, left, and Anita Krogel, Warsaw, were married in 1973 and have served the Lord together through the years. Bill teaches a Sunday school class at Nappanee Missionary Church and Anita is facilitator of a women’s Bible study on Tuesday evenings. Photo provided by Bill Krogel.

From connection to care: Reflecting

senior centers, supporting caregivers

By KARLA “KJ” MAPES President and CEO Real Services

As September comes to a close, we wrap up National

Senior Center Month —a time when communities across the country celebrate the power of connection, engagement and lifelong learning. But here in our region, we don’t just cele-

brate it — we live it.

At Portage Commons Senior Center in South Bend, laughter echoes during exercise classes, cameras click during photography club and neighbors turn

Register for Elkhart County Extension Homemakers Fall Holiday Program by Oct. 3

The Elkhart County Extension Homemakers will host their “Creative Crafts & Cuisine — Homemade for the Holidays” program from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 25, in Maple Hall (former Home and Family Arts Building), located on the Elkhart County 4-H Fairgrounds in Goshen. Each participant will receive a booklet with all of the craft instructions and recipes.

The cost is $15 per person with pre-registration or $18

per person at the door. Cash and check will be accepted. Checks can be made payable to Elkhart County Extension Homemakers. Come enjoy food tasting, make-and-takes, craft demonstrations, a silent auction, holiday decorating ideas and networking. Extension Homemaker Clubs will be participating in the first annual gingerbread contest. Attendees will vote on their favorite and receive the gingerbread con-

test entries as door prizes. Registration forms are available at the Purdue Extension Elkhart County office, can be downloaded/printed at bit. ly/FallProgram2025 or email fink24@purdue.edu for a copy.

If you are in need of accommodations to attend this program, special dietary needs or an interpreter or translator, contact Emily Christ prior to the program at (574) 533-0554 or ewitters@purdue.edu by Oct. 3.

Traipsing through space might keep us healthy

By CECIL SCAGLIONE

Mature Life Features

Space exploration could be good for our health.

While it might be of faint benefit to you, the health and well-being of your great-greatgreat kids could depend on it.

It has to do with the fate of planet Earth and its residents. Will climate change make it unlivable? Will the globe become overcrowded with people? Will viruses and other critters overpower humans?

A means of escape and a place to escape to already are being explored as the road to survival for the human race.

The media has been treating upper-space flights by Tesla’s Elon Musk, Amazon founder and ex-CEO Jeff Bezos as funfilled fillips of flabillionaires. But these gravity-beating sorties by far-seeing individuals may be giving us a peek into what will save mankind.

The United Arab Emirates’ Hope reached its Mars orbit in February and is man’s first mission to study the possibility of humans living on another planet. Chinese and U.S. orbiters joined it shortly after that. Their collection of data to determine if it’s feasible to colonize the red planet is more

than mere curiosity.

Extinctions have barraged the earth a handful of times, the last occurring some 65 million years ago after a giant asteroid smashed into the Gulf of Mexico resulting in a catastrophic wipe-out of half of all marine organisms and a major chunk of land creatures, including the dinosaurs. There’s no certainty that a similar event can’t happen again.

Mr. Musk argues for making life multiplanetary to safeguard the existence of humanity in the event that something similar was to happen again.

“We need to get to Mars as quickly as possible,” he said, “to establish a base.” But he doesn’t expect us to stop there.

“One does not simply hopscotch to the stars on a whim,” he said. “It will take decades, if not centuries, to progress. We need to start now.”

The process actually began back in the 1950s when the Russians launched Sputnik, the first artificial satellite to orbit the Earth.

In the meantime, we enjoy a bundle of health benefits spawned by the space race. They include the development of memory foam mattresses and pillows that help us

sleep better, more comfortable sneakers that ease pressure on legs and feet, and scratch-resistant lenses that keep our glasses clear so we can see better and avoid falling.

into friends over coffee and cards. At OWLS Active Aging Center, local councils on aging, and senior meal sites, older adults find energy, belonging, and daily opportunities to connect.

As we look ahead to National Family Caregivers Month in November, I find myself reflecting on how deeply important these spaces are — not just for older adults but for caregivers too.

When my mom had her stroke, my dad became her full-time caregiver. He did it with love, quiet strength and determination but also in deep isolation. Like many men of his generation, his social life had been tied to his job. When that ended and caregiving began, there was no team, no outlet. He never said he was lonely. But I could see it.

He created his own network: the local convenience store, credit union, barber shop, gas station and the post office. These weren’t just errands. They were his connection to the world beyond caregiving — short, meaningful exchanges that helped him feel like himself.

And here’s what truly moved me: after he passed away, many of those people — the ones behind the counters and service desks — sent cards or came to his funeral. They told me how much his weekly visits had

meant to them. They said he was an inspiration. He thought he was leaning on them but he was also lifting them.

What I know now is this: he would have loved having a senior center nearby. It would’ve been a lifeline, a space to talk, laugh, learn, and simply be and oh did he have a great laugh. Especially as a male caregiver, it could have filled the void left by work and reminded him he wasn’t alone.

That’s why senior centers and caregiver programs matter. These aren’t luxuries. They’re essential. Resources, like Alzheimer’s and Dementia Services of Northern Indiana, offer free, local caregiver support because no one should walk this journey alone.

We all have a role in strengthening this web of support.

For caregivers, those daily moments of connection matter more than most people realize. They offer a pause, a reset, and a chance to feel human again — even if just for a few minutes. My dad knew that instinctively.

I like to imagine him at a senior center, sitting near the coffee pot, chatting with whoever walked by (insert stale jokes here), forming a new routine filled with purpose and people. He would’ve belonged there, and I think he would’ve stayed awhile.

Poking into the past: Our most beloved humorist

By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features

Today’s humorless woke culture makes it almost impossible for anyone to poke fun at anyone in the political spectrum without being shouted down by some portion of the population.

That is to say, it’s a good thing Will Rogers isn’t tossing off his incisive barbs these days when so many folks search for reasons to be offended.

He was born Nov. 4, 1879, in the Cherokee Nation of Indian Territory, now Oklahoma, and fashioned a life as a cowboy, vaudeville performer, stage and film actor, cowboy, humorist, newspaper columnist, and social commentator.

Rogers often quipped his ancestors did not come over on the Mayflower, but they “met the boat.”

As an entertainer and humorist, he traveled around the world three times, made 71 films — 50 silent films and 21 talkies — and wrote more than 4,000 nationally syndicated newspaper columns. By the mid-1930s, Rogers was among the highest paid Hollywood film stars.

He poked fun at prohibition, politicians, gangsters, government programs, and a host of other controversial topics in a way that found general acclaim from a national audience. He often proclaimed, “I am not a member of an organized political party. I am a Democrat.”

In 1901, he and a friend went to work as gauchos, or cowboys, in Argentina for a spell before setting sail for South Africa, where he was hired at a ranch. It was there that he started his show business career as a trick lariat roper in the Texas Jack’s Wild West Circus.

That’s where Rogers, in his words, “learned the great secret of show business —

knowing when to get off the stage. It’s the fellow who knows when to quit that the audience wants more of.”

He took his roping act to Australia and returned to the United States in 1904, appearing at the St. Louis World’s Fair before joining the vaudeville circuit, which led him to New York’s Ziegfeld Follies on Broadway.

In 1918, Hollywood producer Samuel Goldwyn gave him a three-year contract at triple his Broadway salary. At the same time, Rogers was on his lecture circuit and wrote his New York Times syndicated column, “Will Rogers Says,” that reached 40 million readers daily.

His newspaper column expressed his traditional morality and belief that political problems were not as serious as they sounded. He urged isolationism for the U.S.

During his lectures, Rogers quipped, “A humorist entertains, and a lecturer annoys.”

From 1929 to 1935, Rogers’ radio broadcasts sponsored by the Gulf Oil Co. was ranked among the nation’s top programs.

He was an aviation enthusiast and promoted a military air force along with his friend, Army Gen. Billy Mitchell.

Although he supported President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal, he easily joked about it, saying, “Lord, the money we do spend on government. It’s not one bit better than the government we got for one-third the money 20 years ago.”

Rogers increasingly expressed the views of the common man and downplayed academic credentials, noting, “Everybody is ignorant, only on different subjects.”

In 1935, Rogers asked his friend, famed aviator Wiley Post to fly him to Alaska searching for new material for his newspaper column. On Aug. 15, they left Fairbanks for

Point Barrow. About 20 miles southwest of their destination they landed to ask directions.

Upon takeoff, the engine failed and they plunged into a lagoon. Both men died instantly.

Before his death, Oklahoma commissioned a statue of Rogers, representing the state in Statuary Hall of the U.S. Capitol. Rogers insisted his image be placed facing the House Chamber so he could “keep an eye on Congress.” Capitol tour guides say each president traditionally rubs the statue’s left shoe for good luck before entering the House Chamber to give the annual State of the Union address.

Many landmarks are named in the humorist’s honor: Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma City, the Will Rogers Turnpike between Tulsa and Joplin, MO, and 13 Oklahoma

public schools.

U.S. 66 is known as The Will Rogers Highway with a dedication plaque at the roadway’s western terminus in Santa Monica.

There have been two U.S. Postage stamps dedicated in his honor and the U.S. Navy’s Benjamin Franklin class submarine, USS Will Rogers was launched in 1966.

Among his more widely known sayings are, “All I know is what I read in the newspapers,” and “When I make a joke no one gets hurt; when Congress makes a joke it becomes law.”

Probably his most famous quote is the epitaph in his Clairmont, Okla., tombstone: “I never met a man I didn’t like.”

Senior driving is serious business

By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features

Giving up the car keys is one of the toughest decisions to make as we grow older.

The best way to delay this move is be a safe and stable driver.

It’s become somewhat easier these days as new cars come outfitted with an array of goodies never envisioned just a couple of decades ago — rear view cameras to ease parking and warning systems when you veer out of your lane or get too close to other vehicles, for example.

But the person behind the steering wheel still has to be alert out in traffic.

A first step is to become totally familiar with the vehicle you’re driving. Take a page out of the long-ago learning-to-drive manual and practice driving in a nearby mall or parking lot when it’s not busy.

Get to know all the gadgets and how they work and the size of the vehicle so you’ll be comfortable in tight traffic situations.

Oldsters who no longer are working should avoid heavy-traffic time, such as when commuters travel to or from work, to make their life in the lanes easier.

It pays to walk around the car before getting behind the wheel. Check the condition of the headlights and taillights, all the tires and the windshield wipers. Keep your automobile in safe working condition. Have the brakes checked regularly. Make sure all the fluids are at their necessary levels. Regular maintenance is an important factor in being a safe driver.

Once you leave the driveway, pay attention to your driving. A peril these days are car drivers with cellphones. Studies reveal that cell phone drivers are more than five times likely to get into an accident than an undistracted driver. They’re no better than a drunk driver, whether the phone is handsfree or not.

Adding to the pressure on older drives is the fact that their reaction time gets slower

so they should keep extra space between them and cars in front of them.

They should be able to keep up with traffic because a slow driver can become a danger to other motorists.

Keeping yourself healthy is also important. Check your vision and hearing regularly. Make sure your seat is comfortable and you can reach the dashboard and foot pedals easily.

Feeling nervous on the road is a sign that you might need to take a driving refresher course. Or it might be time to hand in your keys.

more to losing weight than dieting

By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features

More than a third of people 65 and older are obese, and the number is growing. This condition affects both their physical and mental health.

Going on a diet my help but there are much simpler ways to combat carbs.

A first step is to downsize servings of whatever you eat. Then adopt the Mediterranean diet — fresh fruit and vegetables, nuts, some fish, a little wine and some olive oil.

When snacking, instead of sitting down with the large family-size bag, pour some of the contents into a cup or small bowl and put the rest of the bag back on the shelf. Instead of noshing on chips or popcorn while watching TV, sit down with some crunchy produce like carrots, celery or apples.

A HUMORIST ENTERTAINS

American humorist, columnist and cowboy Will Rogers. Photo from Mature Life Features.

Barge through France with Bacchus

By FYLLIS HOCKMAN

Mature Life Features

The 12 of us gathered for a sumptuous four-course gourmet dinner, each dish seasoned, served and savored with elan. The artistically folded napkins were rivaled only by the several glasses at each setting aligned to designer specification. The conversation flowed as freely as the wine, laughter bubbling up and over the table like a fine bottle of champagne.

It was hard to believe we had met for the first time just a few hours earlier when we boarded our luxury barge for a weeklong cruise on the waterways of France.

This is not a cruise as most of the world defines it. The boat is small; the body of water of is a canal, not the ocean; there are no swimming pools or discos on deck, and shipboard activities range from reading on the sundeck to reading in the parlor area.

We were aboard a barge named the Nenuphar. It was one of four operated by French Country Waterways Ltd. that lumber through the Loire Valley on canals dating as far back as 1604. They wind through tree-lined towpaths and past medieval villages, stately chateaux, rolling fields, and endless vinyards.

All the senses are satiated, but taste and smell predominate, with wine and food the focus of the trip. The de rigueur Plat de Fromage, a selection of three different cheeses, is served with as much reverence as the wine.

The table is hushed as it learns of the wine’s vintage, heritage, blush, fruity nose, supple taste, sweet aroma, lightness, elegance, finesse, its children, hobbies, indiscretions — whatever.

Comparable homage is paid to the cheese. There’s always your basic cow, goat and blue varieties.

When I returned home, I found it difficult to look at a glass of wine or wedge of cheese without wanting to know its entire history.

The French take their wine and their cheese very seriously. If this barge were to sink, the crew would save the wine and cheese first. Fortunately, this is not a concern in four feet of water.

And it is this wine-and-cheese worshiping crew hailing from across Europe that sets the tone for the trip.

Case in point: I was sitting on deck reading and lusting after a refreshing glass of white wine. And voila! Alice, one of the hostesses, appeared with a glass in hand. I raised a very skeptical eyebrow.

“Télépathique,” she explained in her irresistible French accent. The whole crew was “telepathique” — and magnifique.

Delightfully planned excursions to French chateaux, abbeys,villages, or to a well-known vineyard for a wine tasting take

up most of the afternoons.

My husband and I chose to skip a tour of an artisan oak wine-barrel-making facility because it sounded boring. Each sliver of wood, we were told later, is handcrafted and the

artistry throughout impressive.

The other 10 passengers spoke about the outing with reverence for the next two days.

We didn’t make the same mistake at the pottery factory, where the totally hand-crafted

creations, fashioned here since 1821, more resemble works of art than household furnishings.

Barge cruising is synonymous with slow. You could probably get to your destination faster by walking, but that’s not the

point. Traveling by barge is about enjoying the process, reveling in the countryside, and mastering the fine art of relaxation. Oh yes, it’s also about the wine and the cheese.

BARGING Nenuphar on the river. Photo from Mature Life Features.

‘A LA CAMPAGNE’ The countryside along the canal is breathtaking. Photo from Mature Life Features.

Yesteryear’s Christmas in the Middle West

By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features

Today’s anticipated Christmas booty would never appear on the dreamscape of most youngsters during the 1940s or early 50s. What toyland wonders we didn’t know about in those days weren’t missed. Comparatively speaking, post-war vintage toys were, at best, primitive. After World War II, plastic was hard to get and metal of any kind was expensive. After the war, toys

were, shall we say, fragile. Fighting off Indians and robbers trying to win the American West was no easy. The biggest problem with six-shooters of the last half of the 1940s was that many toys, especially pistols, were made of compressed sawdust. We had to lay our pistols down on the ground ever so gently lest it break apart.

On more than one occasion, Mom came to the rescue and got the barrel glued back a bit crooked. Sometimes she glued

the barrel upside down. Roy, Gene and Hoppy would be shocked.

The only gift Santa might bring that would be close to that of today were Tinker Toys — the Legos of yesteryear.

Gift ideas for Santa were limited because there was no television. Surveying hints for his bag were found primarily in store windows or in the annual Sears, Wards, or Spiegel catalogs. Somehow our requests were hinted to Mom and Dad. Of course, a little help from the

Time and rest battle colds

By CECIL SCAGLIONE

Mature Life Features

Colds have been compared to, among other things, hangovers — the only thing that cures both of them is time.

Youngsters catch a half-dozen or so colds a year, while adults average a couple or so.

During these complex COVID-19 times, it’s difficult to tell if you’ve been attacked by the original virus or a variant, or if you’ve contracted the flu, or if you have a cold.

If you and your doctor have narrowed down your event to the common cold, what do you take for it?

Home remedies abound.

Many oldsters may remem-

ber the mustard plaster: a poultice of mustard-seed powder pressed between two towels and placed over the chest while you slept. It’s was supposed to sweat the ills out of your body and stop the cough accompanying your cold.

It’s still being used.

Also on the cure-yourself list is to totter off to bed with a box of tissue handy for blowing your nose. To help you sleep, a shot of brandy, straight or in a glass of warm water, is often recommended.

Staying hydrated has become more popular and so has gargling a warm salt-water solution to relieve a scratchy throat.

A world-wide cure for almost

anything is a nice warm bowl of chicken soup. Supporters of this remedy concede it may not always help, but it can’t hurt.

The array of cold remedies at your nearby pharmacy have been rated no better than what you can come up with at home.

For example, combining honey, lemon and ginger in a jigger of warm water is a tasty bit of relief. Adding a bit of whisky or rum doesn’t hurt.

Garlic in any form is regarded by many cultures as a hefty weapon against the common cold.

How can anyone resist the offer of a nice cup of warm tea while wrapped in a shawl and seated in a recliner beside a warm stove.

And, back to the beginning, getting rid of a cold takes nothing but rest and time. Everything else you do is an effort to be comfortable. Don’t do anything without consulting with your doctor.

U.S. Post Office was our backup for direct requests.

Being good was always part of the bargain. Those items of joy neatly on display in stores had price tags. The price of $3.95 seemed to be the most popular number. As it happened, the price was just a tad out of our Dad’s budget range.

Having lots of presents under the tree measured the amount of joy you expressed. If you were lucky enough to get a biggie like a sled, then it occupied a place of honor unwrapped displayed among a pile of gift-wrapped goodies. On lean years, Mom would increase the gift count by separately wrapping socks, making the big day seem more abundant than it really was.

Electric trains were high on the lists for most-coveted items. While Lionel train sets were the most popular, no self-respecting railroad man would be satisfied with anything but an American Flyer. Lionel trains were powered by a center track while American Flyers copied the real thing with just two rails. Flyers were authentic-looking in every respect. Mom didn’t understand such things but Dad did. His problem was the price tag. A Lionel set was around $14.95. American Flyer commanded $19.95. Such extravagances at our house were out of the question.

Ironically, if you could find either a Lionel or an American Flyer today, they’d probably command a collector’s price tag in the hundreds of dollars.

The Holy Grail on nearly every boy’s wish list was a Red Ryder air rifle. Mom said what

nearly every mom did: “No! You’ll shoot your eye out.” Remembering Mom and Dad at Christmas could be a bit of a challenge. Weekly allowance didn’t go very far. I got 50 cents a week.

If you had any money, it wouldn’t be enough to buy more than one item. For Mom there was always “Evening in Paris” perfume for 50 cents. It certainly wasn’t Chanel No. 5.

As for Dad, we somehow managed to buy him a necktie, for a man who only wore one for weddings and funerals. Mom usually helped by giving us a dollar or three to buy him something. Dad went through a number of fashion seasons.

One year late in their married life, they had made some huge expenditure, causing Mom to tell Dad not to worry about getting her a gift for Christmas. Dad took Mom at her word, causing a very tense Christmas morning. Of course, as she always did, Mom remembered Dad with at least two or three presents. From that year forward, my sister and I made sure Dad had something for Mom under every tree. Throughout my years at home, I don’t think Dad ever shopped for anything at Christmas or birthday.

For those who annually watch Jean Shepherd’s movie, “A Christmas Story,” you get a good picture of what Christmas was like in my hometown of Seymour, during the ‘40s and ‘50s.

In that movie, the 1937 Pontiac parked in the family’s driveway is exactly like my Dad’s car.

Save time, money at alternate sites

By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features

Travelers flock to Florence and plunk down a chunk of

cash (or put a dent in their credit card) for a ticket to cram into line at the Accademia Galleria to ooh and aah at Michelangelo’s statue of David.

Just minutes away, a copy of this world-famous work and those of other Renaissance greats can be viewed leisurely and for free in the city’s Piazza della Signoria.

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If you’re traveling through Italy, you can pop into the church of San Pietro in Vincoli overlooking the Coliseum in the heart of Rome and stand quietly and for free within touching distance of another of Michelangelo’s eternal works: Moses, which was commissioned by Pope Julius II at the same time he hired the artist to paint the ceiling of the Sistine chapel.

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Woodwork Staining

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Travel planning becomes perilous

By CECIL SCAGLIONE

Mature Life Features

Con artists and crooks create stumbling blocks in the path of worry-free travel and tourism.

Scam artists have come up with more realistic schemes designed to pick your pockets before you even hit the road.

Part of the problem is the ease with which travel plans can be made on line. It’s difficult to tell if a travel-agency website is legitimate or lying in wait for victims.

High on the list of ravel traps are websites claiming to be able to help you — for a fee — renew or enroll in the Transportation Security Administration, or TSA, pre-check program or the

Customs and Border Patrol’s global entry system that speed you through airport security.

If this topic interests you, initiate your own approach and go directly to the official website tsa.gov.

Mail boxes, both traditional and electronic, are being flooded with exotic and enticing offers that sound too good to be true. And more pour into your life on your phone.

The old saw is still the voice of wisdom: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Those offers of several nights in a luxurious beachfront hotel with free airfare for a couple of hundred bucks falls into this category. An additional sign that this is a scam is any request

that payment be made with a gift card. You’ll be making a gift to the crook who just got your money

Bogus rental-car companies and vacation rentals are appearing more frequently as business traffic increases online.

Fake customer-service sites are being tucked into cyberspace so you have to double check to make certain you’re communicating with the legitimate contact for a legitimate company.

When you do get out on the road, avoid connecting your

laptop or mobile phone into any Wi-Fi source, because hackers around the world sit and wait for the unwary so they can plunder your personal information and clean out your bank or credit-card accounts.

The passing of cash

By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features

Cash used to be king. But the gradual disappearance of hard-earned money was accelerated by the COVID-19 shutdowns and mandates that has led to re-

tail outlets refusing to accept cash. The growing acceptance and usage of online purchasing has also diminished the value of cash.

Credit and debit cards, cellphone apps that transmit payments, and electronic storage of money are just a few of

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Steam power still rules at Heston Steam Museum

Visiting Hesston Outdoor

ESCAPES

By ROD KING

Steam Museum near LaPorte is like taking a step back in history to the time when steam power ruled. Three, smokebelching trains of varying sizes transport people over bridges, up inclines, through a forest around the 155-acre property just like they did around the turn of the century at the end of the 1800s and early 1900s.

Crossroad Tours

Steam power still rules here. Plumes of smoke rise from the stacks of a variety of locomotives and the air is full of the sounds of their whistles. A conductor punches each passenger’s ticket at the station before they board the coaches. A classic Shay engine pulling four passenger cars, moves off slowly and chugs up an incline, across a bridge before disappearing into the trees. The powerful Shay locomotives were used to haul huge logs out of the forest to the saw mills in the valley.

ABOVE: READY TO BOARD Passengers are ready to have their tickets punched for a ride on one of the three various sized railroads at Hesston Steam Museum, that will take them through the forest on the 155-acre property.

RIGHT: READY TO ROLL An engineer climbs into the Shay narrow gauge locomotive for a trip through the 155-acre property. Shay locomotives were formerly used to haul large logs from the forest to the sawmills because they could handle heavy loads up and down relatively steep grades.

Crossroad Tours Crossroad Tours

A smaller, former amusement park train is full of enthusiastic visitors and a third, even smaller train with the engineer perched on top of the coal car, operates on

Crossroad Tours Crossroad Tours

Crossroad Tours Open House

Crossroad Tours Crossroad Tours

another set of tracks. Rides for adults are $9 and children under 13 years of age is $5.

Nearby a huge steam belch-

ing crane built for the U.S. Navy in 1940 lifts logs and places them on a platform at the steam-powered sawmill, where a huge radial blade

rossroad Tours Crossroad Tours

fills the air with sawdust and quickly turns the log into lumber.

daorssorC sruoT Crossroad

Tours

Crossroad Tours Crossroad Tours

Family Fun Tours

amily Fun Tours

Diamond Tours

Built in Kalamazoo, Mich., it served as a lumber mill in nearby Michigan City before coming to Hesston in 1959. Custom sawing helps support the outdoor museum.

Family Fun Tours

April 19, 2025 - Shedd Aquarium

October 23-25, 2025 - The Ark Encounter & Creation Museum

May 26-30, 2025 - The Ark Encounter & Creation Museum

December 4, 2025 - Christmas in Ohio

May 10, 2025 - Tulip Festival

October 23-25, 2025 - The Ark Encounter & Creation Museum

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

May 24, 2025 - Fort Wayne Zoo

October 23-25, 2025 - The Ark Encounter & Creation Museum

June 9-13, 2025 - Niagara Falls & Toronto

December 4, 2025 - Christmas in Ohio

June 14, 2025 - Indy Zoo

December 4, 2025 - Christmas in Ohio

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

One unique machine is the generator that first brought electricity to the city of LaPorte to power the courthouse and the jail. When in operation, it lights up a big sign that reads “100 years of generating power.”

August 4-9, 2025 - Beautiful Branson

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

Diamond Tours

June 22, 2025 - Dayton Air Show

July 5, 2025 - Columbus Zoo

November 3-7, 2025 - Nashville Show Trip

December 7-12, 2025 - Charleston, South Carolina

Diamond Tours

September 21-27, 2025 - Beautiful Vermont

July 12, 2025 - Air Zoo

Diamond Tours

November 3-7, 2025 - Nashville Show Trip

April 11-19,2026 - San Antonio, TX

July 19, 2025 - Peru Circus

November 3-7, 2025 - Nashville Show Trip

Family Fun Tours

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

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

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

December 7-12, 2025 - Charleston, South Carolina

ylima Fnu Tsruo

amily Fun Tours

December 7-12, 2025 - Charleston, South Carolina

August 16, 2025 - Chicago Air Show

May 18 - 23, 2025 - Branson show Extravaganza

April 11-19,2026 - San Antonio, TX

August 23, 2025 - Toledo Zoo

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

June 8-13,2026 - Lancaster Show Trip

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

September 13, 2025 - Fair Oaks Farms

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

May 18 - 23, 2025 - Branson show Extravaganza

August 31- September 4, 2026 - Mackinac Island

June 8-13,2026 - Lancaster Show Trip

September 27, 2025 - Brookfield Zoo

June 8-13,2026 - Lancaster Show Trip

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

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

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

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

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

November 3-7, 2025 - Nashville Show Trip

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

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

October 23-25, 2025 - The Ark Encounter & Creation Museum

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

December 7-12, 2025 - Charleston, South Carolina

ctoberO 23-25, 2025 - The rkA Encounter & Creation useumM

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

August 31- September 4, 2026 - Mackinac Island

December 4, 2025 - Christmas in Ohio

October 23-25, 2025 - The Ark Encounter & Creation Museum

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

berDecem 4, 2025 - ashristmC in hioO berDecem 15-16, 2025 - Antiquing, Elizabeth, IL

December 4, 2025 - Christmas in Ohio

August 31- September 4, 2026 - Mackinac Island

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

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

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

Tours

Ddnomai Tsruo

Diamond Tours

Hesston Steam Museum is actually the outgrowth of a threshing bee, hosted by the LaPorte County Threshermen, in 1957. It has been growing steadily since then and now includes a blacksmith shop, 1930s ice cream parlor/sandwich shop, gift shop and picnic area. The museum is open only on weekends starting at 11:30 a.m., with trains running at noon. It is operated solely by volunteers.

November 3-7, 2025 - Nashville Show Trip

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

December 7-12, 2025 - Charleston, South Carolina

April 11-19,2026 - San Antonio, TX

November 3-7, 2025 - Nashville Show Trip

December 7-12, 2025 - Charleston, South Carolina

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

April 11-19,2026 - San Antonio, TX

Get in the Halloween spirit by taking one of their ghost train rides in October. The rides, which take visitors through the forest in search of the “Mad Lumberjack,” will pass many scary vignettes of skeletons popping out of caskets and weird ghoulish creatures doing a lot of other strange things.

Continued on page 27

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

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

May 18 - 23, 2025 - Branson show Extravaganza

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

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

May 18 - 23, 2025 - Branson show Extravaganza

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

GREAT

Text and Photos

BIG CRANE Built in 1940 for the U.S. Navy, this railroad steam crane lifts logs onto a platform at the museum’s steam-powered sawmill. The mill does custom sawing to help fund the museum.

Steam power

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The three railroads operate Saturdays and Sundays throughout the month. Trains begin running at noon and haul screaming passengers through 5 p.m.

The museum is closed in November, but open the weekends of Dec. 6-7 and Dec. 13-14 for Santa’s Candy Cane Express rides.

Hesston Steam Museum is located just minutes off I-94 and the Indiana Toll Road on the east edge of LaPorte. There’s no charge to park. Be sure to remember LaPorte is on Central Time.

For additional information and detailed directions to the museum, visit hesstonsteammuseum. com.

Escorted tours offer safety, mobility

By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features

Travel in any form can be rewarding, whether its hitch-hiking solo around the world or cruising the Caribbean in a luxury liner loaded with hundreds of folks.

In most cases, people seem to enjoy traveling with other people. Cruise lines, tour operators, travel agents and the internet offer endless choices on destinations, levels of comfort, length of time, variety of activities, and type of lodgings.

If you wish to avoid the crowds participating in most of the above, you can seek out an escorted tour that is tailored more closely to your tastes.

They can make travel much simpler because your trip is preplanned and you have the safety and security of traveling in a group. When any problem arises, the tour escort handles it.

These group travelers no longer have to spend their trip packed into a bus between stops to take photos of their sites.

Now they feed the animals on the farm they visit if they wish and have plenty of free time to tour the villages they visit on the back roads they travel.

An attraction right off is that

the cost of such a tour is an all-in-on package that’s much cheaper than booking all the components yourself. The price includes transportation, meals, lodgings and activities on your schedule.

Among the major attractions of an escorted group tour is the ability to focus on a particular destination, event or activity.

You can be part of a pilgrimage to Jerusalem or to the Olympic games in a country you’ve always wanted to visit. Or you can be among a group that settles comfortably into Tuscany or southern France for a few days to sip and sample their wines.

You can do almost anything and visit anywhere you wish, but don’t have to go it alone.

ANSWERS:

S & S TRAVEL

Motorcoach Tours 1404 E. Lake Bluff Dr. Kendallville, IN 46755

NOV. 5-9:CHATTANOOGA

CHOO CHOO Tennessee: National Corvette Museum, City Tour, Chattanooga Choo Choo Hotel & Glen Miller Gardens, Rock City Gardens, Missionary Ridge Train Ride, Ruby Falls, Lookout Mountain Incline, TN Valley Dinner Train, Falcon Crest Mansion NOV. 17-21: BRANSON

CHRISTMAS: Fantastic Caverns & 6 Great Shows: Dutton Family, Hughes Brothers, Daniel O’ Donnell, Doug Gabriel, Sight/Sound’s DAVID, Cassandra Voice of an Angel, Lamberts Café DEC. 8-12: BLUE MTN

MIST CHRISTMAS: Blue

Mtn Mist Bed & Breakfast

Lodging, Patty Waszak Show, Smoky Mtn Church Tour, Dolly’s Stampede, Red Skelton Tribute Show, Pokin’ around the Smokies Tour, Country Tonite Show, Dollywood, Hill & Hollows

Details: www.s-stravel.com Tour Calendar: Call 888-262-4423

STEP BACK IN TIME Steam Power still rules at Hesston Steam Museum just east of LaPorte. The museum is open on weekends and trains start running at noon.

STEAM GENERATOR— This steam generator formerly provided electric power to light the LaPorte County courthouse and jail. When running, it lights up the sign on the roof.