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

Curiosity for history never gets old for Dale Garber

By NATHAN PACE Staff Writer

If you have a question about the history of Elkhart County, you can try and find answers on the internet, or you can save some time and just ask Dale Garber. Garber has been a curator and on the board for the Goshen Historical Society going back 40 years.

“I’m curious about everything. Especially when somebody brings in something new we haven’t seen, such as pictures or information,” Garber said. “As much as I’ve learned, there are still people who will come in and ask me some things I’ve never heard of.”

There are still plenty of items Garber wishes to organize in the Goshen Historical Society. He has bookcases filled with binders full of documents he still wants to go through.

“Until recently, all this stuff was in my basement in home,” Garber said. “The last couple months it’s come here. I’m still working on and breaking it down more. Trying to get it more organized than what it is.”

The Historical Society is located at 124 S. Main Street in Goshen and the building itself is part of the exhibit in a way. When Garber and the Historical Society took it over in 1997, the building had existed for over 100 years with few updates. Electrical, plumbing, the furnace and more all had to be replaced.

What was not replaced was Garber’s appreciation for local history. He wrote a book about the Ariel Bicycle Company, a company that only existed for over a decade before going out business in 1900.

“Each chapter was a year. They had a well-built bike,

but the bicycle conglomerates and the silver collapse at the turn of the century did them in,” Garber said.

He and his wife, Kay, are members of SPOOM, also known as the Society for the Preservation of Old Mills. They serve as treasurers for the Great Lakes region and the couple has visited gristmills across the country. The couple has three children all grown up.

Garber says he enjoys finding answers to people’s questions about Goshen’s history because each answer requires digging.

“You got to do some research and hunt for it. A lot of times it’s not something you can find on the internet,” Garber said.

Continued on page 4

Fitness options abound for Kosciusko County seniors

By MAKSYM HART Staff Writer

From gyms and group classes to walking trails and foot races, Kosciusko County residents over 50 have more ways than ever to stay fit, and more reasons to do so.

Aging brings challenges such as arthritis, age-related muscle loss called sarcopenia, decreased energy and even social isolation.

But local fitness leaders say regular physical activity can counter those effects, boosting both physical and mental health while fostering community.

“Especially as we get older, strength training is very important,” said Mark McQuade, director of healthy living at the Parkview Warsaw YMCA. “We lose muscle mass over time, and that impacts balance and the risk of falls. The most important

step is simply to start, we’ll meet you where you are.”

The YMCA offers senior-focused programs such as Enhance Fitness for arthritis management, SilverSneakers Classic and Yoga, and water aerobics classes like Joyful Joints. Members also use warm-water pools, a walking track and specialized cardio equipment.

Instructors and staff are available to guide new participants through orientation sessions.

Semi-private gyms such as Positive Fitness in Warsaw tailor workouts to individual needs, from hip-replacement rehab to personalized training.

Owner Lou Siri designs sessions that build balance, range of motion and daily-life strength.

Long-time member Chris Leiter said the structured environment keeps her motivated. “I’ve gained strength I didn’t realize

I’d lost after retiring,” she said. For seniors looking for less formal settings, the Kosciusko Senior Center in Warsaw offers chair exercise four days a week, pickleball and walking in a shared gym, balance workshops and nutrition demonstrations. Membership costs $10 a year.

Outdoor recreation remains a popular choice. The Kosciusko County Velo Club promotes cycling and maintains Winona Lake Trails, hosting events such as the Fat & Skinny Tire Fest.

Area bike shops, like Trailhouse Village Bicycles, report that e-bikes have opened cycling to more seniors by allowing longer rides with less strain.

Walking and running opportunities abound. This year alone, the county has hosted 13 foot races, with six more coming in the fall. Information is available at runningintheusa.com.

Local races range from casual runs to competitive 5Ks, but local athletes like Warsaw’s Garett Carolus take running much farther, into ultramarathons.

Starting the sport at 40, Carolus credits it with improving his mind and body, and even with introducing him to his wife, Suzie.

Together, they’ve tackled countless events, including this year’s Badwater 135 across Death Valley, which Garett Carolus completed for the first time. Suzie Carolus has finished the “world’s toughest foot race” three times.

“The social aspect is huge,” said Garett Carolus, 60. “You meet people on the trails, during training and at races. It keeps you coming back.”

Footwear is another consideration. Ava Jones of Cloud 9 Multisport in Winona Lake said seniors often need shoes with stability features and wider toe boxes, such as the Hoka Gaviota, to accommodate bunions or hammertoes and improve balance.

Smaller community centers also offer space to move. The Syracuse Community Center runs free pickleball and walking programs, while North Webster Community Center offers healthy lifestyle programs like cardio drumming and yoga. Parks and trails in Warsaw, Winona Lake and surrounding towns provide low-cost ways to stay active.

Many programs double as social outlets. McQuade said class regulars often meet up afterward for cards or lunch-and-learn sessions. “They build a community and expect each other to be there every week,” he said.

Whether indoors or outdoors, competitive or casual, the message is the same: movement matters.

“Any gym thing, you go in hesitant, you come out feeling better,” Garett Carolus said. “You never regret it.”

ORGANIZING HISTORY — Dale Garber has plenty of historical information he is aiming to go through at the Goshen Historical Society. Photo by Nathan Pace.

Free Community Active Aging, Wellness Resource Fair

By MALANA MAHER President and Founder Aging Connections of Michiana

A Free Community Active Aging and Wellness Resource Fair will be held Sept. 18. It will be held on the second floor of the Ribbon Town Conference and Event Center of the Four Winds Hotel, which is located next to the Four Winds Casino, 3000 Prairie Ave., South Bend.

Opening ceremonies begin at 10 a.m. and the event runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Free parking and valet parking is available. There will be health screenings and resources, information to stay active and healthy, veterans resources, entertainment and raffle prizes with proceeds supporting The Robert L. Miller Sr. Veteran’s Center. Interact with Local Resources

Attendees can speak with 90plus aging resources to help them transition seamlessly through any phase of life. This is a “one-stop shopping” event for community members looking to connect with valuable local resources. Come for resources and stay for the free entertainment.

Opening ceremonies will begin promptly at 10 a.m. and include The Miller’s Vets Color Guard from The Robert L. Miller Sr. Veteran’s Center and the national anthem, performed by Dena Benham, director of customer experience, Hubbard Hill. Additional performers

are Forever Learning’s Solid Silver Dancers, Island Breeze Steel Drum, and Michael Jon DeHays, Imphormal Cello. Four Winds Senior Day Perks are 25% off Edgewater, Timbers, The Buffet, and Kankakee Grille. Club members earn 100 points at Four Winds when they visit a kiosk between 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. to receive an $10 instant credit/ free slot.

We look forward to our third annual event at the Four Winds Hotel’s Event Center.

Last year was a lot of fun, and we had many great resources available for attendees. This year will be even better with 90-plus exhibitors offering veterans resources, aging information, health screenings, and raffle prizes, with proceeds supporting The Robert L. Miller Sr. Veteran’s Center, and great entertainment available all day. Our organization provides

professional and community education. Our members provide the continuum of aging resources. That means we are a resourcing organization. We connect individuals with the services and providers that best meet their current needs. So, we encourage everyone to attend this free event to discover ways we can help. Founded in 2020, Aging Connections is a nonprofit group connecting people and organizations. We offer quality educational programs and community resources to support our aging population. Businesses can connect and share their services with those who need professional resources. By working together, we help each other, and our communities thrive. Aging Connections currently serves northern Indiana and southwestern Michigan. For additional information, visit agingconnections.org.

COME FOR THE RESOURCES A Free Community Active Aging and Wellness Resource Fair will be held Sept. 18 in South Bend.

Photo provided.

Curiosity for

Garber appreciates how the demographics of Goshen have changed over the decades and likes to share the history of the area to the Mexican population that calls Goshen home.

“From what I’ve seen they really enjoy coming through the museum. They spend time going through all the displays,” Garber said.

While he enjoys researching the history of the area

the connections he has formed with locals when they visit are still his favorite aspect of the Goshen Historical Society.

“A lot of them just come in to see what’s going on,” Garber said. “We have a lot of people from different states come in just to see what’s locally interesting. Then you have your locals come in and a lot of times they just want to refresh their memory or they might just want to talk.”

CORPORATE OFFICE

What Seniors Think

SHARON LEAMON SYRACUSE

“I was afraid on my first day of nursery school. It was above where the Revolving Closet is now, and the American Legion sponsored it. They would do band practice, so the walls of the classroom were covered in band uniforms and instruments.”

“Getting to play with my friends at recess after summer break.”

PEGGY MALOTT GOSHEN

“Meeting my fifth grade teacher, Mrs. Cornett, in Philipsburg, Ohio.”

“I can still remember the excitement I felt 65 years ago of starting kindergarten. I was captivated by the special reading nook inviting us to settle in with a good book. That feeling hasn’t left me all these years later.”

KIM JONES NORTH WEBSTER

“We used to go back to school shopping before school started. My favorite part was always getting new shoes.”

“First day of first grade. I went to the right classroom and my friends went to the wrong classroom.”

Hospital stay has pitfalls

By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features

at just under 100,000.

Whatever the figure, the medical community is aware that hospitals can be perilous places.

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tions, give us a call and we’ll walk

A longtime neighbor swore she would never be admitted to a hospital because that’s where people go to die.

Her five children were born at home and her only trips to the hospital were to visit sick friends or relatives.

At her 99th birthday party, she contracted a cold from one of the guests that developed into pneumonia. And she was taken to hospital, where she died.

Reports of the number of patients who die in hospital range widely. John Hopkins University researchers estimated in 2016 that that some 250,000 people die unnecessarily in hospital every year. An Institute of Medicine report a few years earlier set the top figure

The risks you face when you are hospitalized vary.

A Massachusetts General Hospital study in 2015 revealed that mistakes occur in half of all surgical procedures.

You also may receive the wrong treatment for your condition, which may have been misdiagnosed in the first place.

If you’ve been confined to the hospital for some time, you can develop bed sores and face the possibility of falling while getting in and out of bed.

Almost half of hospital falls occur while trying to do so without help.

Taking care of yourself becomes just as important as letting the medical staff take care of you.

Always ask questions. Don’t complain, ask. If the answer doesn’t make sense, keep asking until you understand the answer.

If the bedside nurse can’t explain things clearly, ask for the nursing supervisor. If you’re still confused, ask to talk to your doctor. Should complications develop, ask to have a specialist brought in.

Take a notebook with you and write down the names of all the nurses and doctors that mill around your bedside. Also write down the names of medications and dosages administered and the times you take them. Log the time you ring the buzzer and how long it took for someone to answer.

Keep in mind, you’re the customer. It’s your body, mind and health that are at stake and that you have to protect.

JIM BARE GOSHEN

PERRY STEPHENS GOSHEN

DEB FRANK OSWEGO

Warren Williams finds purpose, community volunteering at Elkhart Humane

By MAKSYM HART Staff Writer

For Warren Williams, volunteering at the Red Barn Resale Shop is a way to stay connected and give back.

The 68-year-old Elkhart Humane Society volunteer, who turns 69 on Sept. 14, has worn many hats in his years with the organization.

He first got involved nearly a decade ago, starting as a dog walker at the society’s old facility before being asked to socialize cats.

His dedication earned him a volunteer award within his first year.

Life changes pulled him away for a time. Williams and his wife, Connie, moved to Grand Rapids, Mich., to be closer to four of their grandchildren. When Connie was diagnosed with breast cancer, Williams retired to care for her until she passed away in 2022.

After her passing, Williams knew he needed to be around people again. He returned to the Humane Society, walking dogs, washing dishes, doing laundry and eventually discovering the Red Barn Resale Shop.

“I like yard sales and stuff like that,” Williams said. “So that’s where I went. And I’ve been there ever since.”

At the shop, Williams sorts through donations, prices items and, most importantly, greets every customer who walks through the door.

Known for his many hats, including a summer straw hat and ‘Papa’ baseball cap — a nod to his seven grandchildren — he has become the friendly face of the operation.

“Probably at minimum half of our customers know who I am,” he said. “They may not know my name, but they know I’m the guy with the funny hat. I greet everybody, tell them about the deals we have going on, and if they want to talk, I’m there.”

Williams’ connection to the Humane Society extends beyond the Red Barn.

He has also volunteered with Here Kitty Kitty Rescue

in Elkhart and once served on the council that advised on the design for the Humane Society’s current building.

“It was a lot of talking,” he said of the planning process.

Williams has always loved animals, having grown up with dogs, cats and farm animals, even participating in a horsedrawn cart rally called a “sulky race” as a child.

“I was too young to do it, but my dad talked them into letting me,” he recalled with a laugh.

For Williams, the Red Barn is vital not only for the shelter’s animals, but for the community and for himself.

Proceeds from sales support the Humane Society’s operations, which in recent years have achieved a no-kill record despite not officially holding that designation. The shop also provides a place for people to connect.

“Red Barn was very important to me for the socialization, being around people, making me feel like I have worth,” Wil-

PETTING A PUPPER

Elkhart Humane Society volunteer, Warren Williams, pets black pit bull mix Gucci, one of the Humane Society’s friendly “puppers.” Over the years, Williams has worked with dogs and cats alike at the shelter. Photo by Maksym Hart.

liams said. “Without it, there would be big gaps in my social life. And I need to be around people and do something.”

He encourages other retir-

ees to consider volunteering, whether with animals or at the shop.

“If you’re bored, come to us,” he said. “We can keep you

occupied. The Humane Society is always looking for volunteers, and the staff is great. It’s social time, it’s giving back, and it’s worth it.”

What is probate and how you can avoid it

By CLIFFORD J. RICE Elder Law Attorney Granger, Indiana

Few things are as traumatic as dealing with the death of a loved one. Just as we’re experiencing pain — legal issues hit us.

Insurance companies, reading the will, investments — suddenly it’s overwhelming. And perhaps the most difficult issue is probate.

Probate? It’s crucial in tying up the deceased’s af-

fairs. Preparing now for the possibility of probate early can lessen the emotional stress and strain on you and your family.

Probate is the process a court takes to conclude legal and financial matters after death. The court will distribute your estate. If there’s a will, the court will go by what the will says.

But it’s often not that simple. For one thing, there may not be a will. So, the court appoints an administrator and it’s the State of Indiana who decides how your estate will be distributed. You can’t assume that your spouse and children will automatically get everything or even an equal share.

Probate is lengthy and complex for folks not prepared for it.

No will? Many assets? You don’t have to be rich to encounter problems, but being wealthy adds complications.

Here’s a list of problems and the ways to avoid them:

• Time — Probate can take a long time. If heirs need their inheritance to pay for college or for medical bills, they may have a problem. The problem of time can add steeply to the costs. Expect probate to take from nine months to a year in court. Complex or contested estates can take even longer.

• Cost — Even with a valid will, there will be court costs and fees. If there’s no will or it’s being contested, costs can be higher. Costs can consume thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars.

• Lack of privacy — Probate court proceedings are public record.

• Family squabbles — If a will is contested, heirs will have to go to court and retain lawyers. The probate judge appoints an administrator who meets with lawyers to see who has a valid claim. Problems cost time and money and may even go public.

How can you avoid this?

At Rice & Rice we focus on living trust-based estate planning because:

• Trusts afford the family privacy and control.

• Trusts allow individuals to put a solid disability plan in place effective during their lifetime.

• Trusts can avoid probate. If you set up a trust, all assets in the trust can pass to your loved ones probate-free. Trusts can include real estate and investment and bank accounts, as well as vehicles. A living trust can be an effective alternative to a will.

To find out more about how you can avoid probate and get your affairs in order, register to attend our estate planning/ Medicaid planning workshop at:

Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, Granger at 6 p.m. Monday, Sept.8; or Monday, Sept. 15. Reservations required; seating is limited! Call now: (800) 303-7423 or visit our website at riceandrice.com.

Social Security supports rural communities

By MONA HARTER District Manager, South Bend Social Security Office

Social Security touches the lives of nearly every American. Millions count on us — retirees, people no longer able to work due to disability, dependents, and survivors. As a member of the Rural Partners Network, we want to continue reaching out to rural communities.

We make it easy for you to access our programs and services. Our website offers a convenient way to apply online for benefits.

Visit ssa.gov/applyonline to learn how to apply for:

Retirement or Spouse’s Benefits — You must be at least 61 years and 9 months and want your benefits to start in no more than 4 months.

Disability Benefits — Our disability program pays bene-

fits to workers who are insured and certain family members. This means that they worked long enough — and recently enough — and paid Social Security taxes on their earnings.

Supplemental Security Income — SSI provides monthly payments to adults and children with a disability or blindness, or people 65 or older, who have low income and resources. After you begin your application online, we will review the information you submit and contact you by mail or phone if we have questions.

Medicare — Medicare is a federal health insurance program for people who are 65 or older or have a disability or end-stage renal disease. If you are not receiving Social Security benefits and not covered under an employer group health plan, you may want to consider applying for Medicare 3 months

before turning age 65.

Extra Help with Medicare prescription drug costs — Extra Help assists with monthly premiums, annual deductibles, and co-payments related to Medicare prescription drug coverage for people with limited income and resources. Apply at ssa.gov/extrahelp.

Rural community leaders should encourage others to sign up for a personal my Social Security account at ssa.gov/ myaccount. With a personal my Social Security account, they can request a replacement Social Security card, verify earnings, get future benefit estimates, and obtain benefit verification letters.

If they are not able to use our online services, they can speak with a representative by calling our National toll-free number at (800) 772-1213, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. If an office visit is required, we can make an appointment.

In addition, our automated phone services are available 24 hours a day, so they may not need to wait for a representative. Learn more at ssa.gov/ agency/contact/phone.html. We remain committed to helping maintain the well-being of the people we serve — including those in rural areas. Please share this information with others in your local community.

TOUCHING NEARLY EVERY AMERICAN Social Security has millions of Americans counting on them, including those in rural communities. Social Security makes it easy to access programs and services at ssa.gov/applyoneline.

Shop membership-free

By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features

You don’t need a membership at Costco or Sam’s Club to buy prescription drugs from their outlets.

You might also give a mem-

ber money to buy you a gift cad that will allow you to stroll their aisles without having to pay for a membership.

At Sam’s Club, you also can get hearing tests and flu shots without a membership card.

Mature Life Features

Minding money tricks

By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features

A long time ago in a town far away, a wise man told a young lad to always pay himself first.

Whether the amount received was a paycheck or payment for a product or service or just a plain gift, the idea was to sock a portion away into what would be a retirement fund before paying off any debt — mortgage, credit card, automobile loan, taxes, anything.

The idea was not only to build a comfortable nest egg for

one’s golden years but it was also establishing a saving-money mindset that became a routine.

Over the years, the young man who received this advice began devising a few mental money exercises of his own.

Instead of buying popcorn at the movies, he’d tuck that money into his savings account.

As he grew older, he would pick out three T-shirts, toss one back on the store rack and add the price of the garment to his senior-years stash.

As an added fillip, when

spoiling himself with an occasional round of golf or picking up a gallon of his favorite ice cream, he’d match that price with a contribution to his fund.

He never missed the money he kept funneling into his savings plan and was rewarded as he enjoyed his financially-worry-free golden years.

Money management requires mental discipline but it doesn’t have to be restrictive if you employ a few tricks like those cited above.

If you love spending money, just think of how you’ll enjoy spending it on some of the things you’re going to want to do when you have all the time in the world to do them.

If retiring to a tropical beach is your vision, imagine that’s what you’re buying every time you add a few extra bucks to your retirement plan along with your regular deposits.

Set up a plan with your bank to automatically shift a regular amount from your checking account into your savings/retirement fund.

That way, you’ll never see the money so you won’t miss it. And it’ll be a welcome sight when you retire.

Researchers in Britain and the U.S. have have come up with another little trick. Instead of trying to save $100 or $200 a month, save a dollar a day.

Ron Popeil’s ‘gift of blab’ pays off

By RANDAL C. HILL

In the late 1940s, Ron Popeil began pitching his inventor father’s kitchen gadget at a downtown Chicago flea market. Every weekend, Ron would arrive early and prepare mounds of potatoes, onions, cabbages and carrots.

To the crowds that gathered, he enthusiastically told how his manually operated gizmo could rapidly and easily slice, dice and chop the various vegetables that Popeil had at hand. He worked from 6 in the morning until 4 in the afternoon and often took in as much as $500 a day.

He was 13 years old.

After his high school years, he worked the area full-time, securing a spot in the busy downtown Woolworth’s and often earning as much as the store’s manager. Always good to himself, Ron wore the finest clothes when off the job, dined at the best restaurants, and sported a flashy Rolex on his wrist.

Impossibly handsome, he was blessed with thick dark hair, blue-green eyes and a mouth

that was always upturned in a warm and welcoming smile. But Popeil’s presentations were strictly about the simple, inexpensive and indispensable manual food processor he was demonstrating.

Every word of his well-honed promotion counted. Ron maintained that his device had to be explained to customers three or four times, with a different twist each time. To him, the demonstrator needed to show the customer exactly how the widget worked, how it was a boon to one’s kitchen routine, and that, as revolutionary as it was, it was amazingly easy to operate.

The most important part of the sales talk was the “turn.” That’s when Popeil seamlessly switched from explainer to businessman. Those in the crowd before him who surged forward opened their wallets, handed him their money, and left with their item. To those who hesitated, Ron would often say something like, “Wait! There’s something else I want to show you.” With slight variations, the pitch would begin anew, and Popeil would always be able to pocket a few more dollars.

In the early 1950s, television offered a whole new arena for Ron Popeil. He could now reach

thousands — maybe hundreds of thousands — of potential customers, and the Veg-O-Matic (and later, the similar ChopO-Matic) were ideal gadgets to offer on TV.

In 1964, Ron and a friend — both still in their 20s — started a company called Ronco. With television ads, the camera could focus exclusively on the gizmo

and thus compel viewers to pay attention to the product being offered. In creating inexpensive 30-minute Ronco TV ads to run late at night, Popeil invented what we now call the infomercial.

Over the decades, the Ronco catalog grew and grew. The 1970s alone brought the Pocket Fisherman, the Miracle Broom,

and the Inside the Egg Shell Scrambler. Later would come such gadgets as the Smokeless Ashtray and the Showtime Rotisserie and BBQ Oven.

In 2005, Ron sold Ronco for $55 million— around $90 million in today’s cash. Not bad for a man who could make people smile as they opened their wallets to him.

PHOTO BY JEFFREY FITERMAN FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION.

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

A. September’s guests include Malana Maher with information about the 2025 Active Aging and Wellness Fair, Thursday, September 18th, at the Four Winds Casino event center in South Bend. Also, Maggie “O” from The Owls Club comes to us with information on the club’s Open House scheduled for October 10th. Both of these ladies are returning and are very welcome guests to our podcast

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

Tom Rose Author & Speaker Balloon in a Box

Coping with Grief Grief Group Facilitator

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

Rose and Rose Associates Senior Talk Michiana 574-596-6256

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

Hospice Care

A. Hospice care is designed to provide comfort, dignity, and quality of life for individuals facing a life-limiting illness. While the core mission remains the same for every patient managing symptoms, easing discomfort, and offering emotional support, the approach is highly personalized to meet each person’s unique needs, preferences, and circumstances.

The first step in personalization is individualized care planning. A hospice team typically made up of doctors, nurses, social workers, chaplains, and volunteers conducts a thorough assessment of the patient’s medical condition, emotional state, spiritual needs, and home environment. This information guides the creation of a care plan tailored to the patient’s specific symptoms, goals, and wishes.

Medical care is adapted to each patient’s condition. For example, one person may need advanced pain management for cancer, while another might require breathing treatments for end-stage lung disease. Medications, equipment, and treatments are carefully chosen to balance symptom relief with maintaining alertness and comfort.

Personalization also extends to emotional and spiritual support. Some patients draw strength from religious rituals, while others prefer secular counseling,

Your

Financial Services

Q. When should I stop contributing to my HSA to avoid penalties?

A. A Health Savings Account (HSA) is a savings account for individuals with high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) and can be vital tool for paying medical expenses during retirement.

Here’s what to know about HSAs and Medicare:

Once you enroll in Medicare, you can no longer contribute to your HSA. You can make deductions to pay for eligible medical expenses, but any contributions made after enrollment could result in tax penalties.

If you plan to start Medicare when you turn 65, be sure to stop HSA contributions before your birthday month to avoid tax penalties.

If you delay enrolling in Medicare past

Maria Wogomon, CSA

Certified Senior Advisor® Financial Representative, Everence®

age 65, Part A coverage will be retroactive by six months – so you’ll need to stop HSA contributions six months before applying.

To avoid tax issues, consult with a financial professional or accountant to determine the right time to stop contributing.

Everence can help you navigate health care and retirement needs. Call us at 574-537-8773 to get started.

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

Elder Law

“Sound Mind” & Estate Planning

If you have not created your Estate Plan, which typically includes at least a Last Will & Testament (“Will”), Durable Power of Attorney, and Advanced Directive, you should be aware that in order to execute estate planning documents you must be of sound mind. Sound mind generally refers to a person’s mental capacity to understand their actions, make informed decisions free of undue influence, and the consequences of their decisions. Sound mind indicates a state of mental health and clarity, ensuring the person understands the assets they own and how those assets will be distributed.

This is crucial to protect against potential challenges to your Will and ensure your documents reflect your intentions. It is important that estate planning documents are signed in front

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

Hospice

music therapy, or simply quiet companionship. The hospice team works closely with the patient and their family to honor these preferences, ensuring that care supports the whole person not just the illness.

Family involvement is another key factor. Hospice care includes education and guidance for loved ones, empowering them to participate in the patient’s comfort and care. This may mean training a spouse on medication administration, arranging respite care, or helping children understand and cope with the situation.

By focusing on what matters most to each individual whether it’s staying at home, enjoying favorite meals, or having certain people nearby hospice care becomes deeply personal. This tailored approach ensures that every patient’s final chapter is written with compassion, respect, and meaning.

capacity of the signor if challenged. This is also an important reason not to wait to get your Estate Plan created.

You should consult your elder law attorney to ensure that your preferences for your Estate Plan are met and to determine if there are any concerns with the mental capacity required to have estate planning documents executed.

www.beersmallers.com

Tom Rose

I am working the neighborhood

There are many people in our neighborhood with diverse professions. There are insurance agents, physicians, pharmacists, computer software experts and salespeople, among others. All

By DICK WOLFSIE

of these individuals not only excelled in their respective fields but are also accomplished in other areas. For many retirees, this is a way to make the most of their newfound leisure time.

The other day, my neighbor, Steve, came over for a beer, and he noticed that we had a new door installed in our basement to create an additional bedroom. We still needed a craftsman to put what is called “mud” on the wall so we could paint over the screws that held

the drywall in place. I felt sorry for Steve. Poor guy is a retired pharmacist and now has no prescriptions to fill, so I let him fill the holes in my wall. He was here every day for a week. I assume he was grateful, but he never really thanked me.

While this was going on, Mary Ellen had asked on Facebook if anyone knew a good seamstress for a dress she wanted altered. Laura, also retired, called my wife and said she was very accomplished at this sort of thing and would be

Everence offering educational workshops on Medicare and Social Security in September

By ALLISON SCHROCK PLETCHER

Distribution Marketing Director

Everence

happy to do the sewing, Free of charge, of course. Mary Ellen was hesitant to accept this offer, but I insisted she do so. Laura has been very nice to us, so we felt we owed her this favor. We decided to let her do it. She deserved it.

So far, we have had no outof-pocket expenses, except for Steve, with whom I shared a case of Blue Moon. If my wall could get plastered, so could Steve and I.

Ellen was grappling with an issue related to long-term care, which necessitated a conversation with our lawyer, who is paid by the hour. I once again began my trot around the neighborhood. To each person I passed, I casually mentioned our dilemma. That night, I received a call from our neighbor, Dave, a healthcare expert, offering some complimentary advice. I figured he needed something else to keep him busy on the weekends. I let him help us.

Social Security and Medicare are separate government programs, but they work together to support you as you age. Understanding both can help you make informed retirement decisions.

Social Security

Social Security offers financial support for retirees, disabled workers and families of deceased workers. To qualify, you must have worked and paid Social Security taxes for at least 10 years. You can begin receiving benefits as early as age 62, but the longer you wait — up to age 70 — the higher your monthly benefit will be.

The Social Security Administration also manages eligibility for Medicare Parts A and B. If you take Social Security prior to age 65, you’ll automatically receive Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance) when you turn 65 — though you can opt out of Medicare Part B if it is not needed.

Medicare

Medicare provides health insurance for people 65 and older, and for some younger individuals with disabilities or diseases. Original Medicare (Medicare Parts A and B) is offered by the government. You can add a Medicare Supplement plan to help pay for expenses that Medicare approves, but does not pay for, like deductibles and coinsurances.

Part C, also known as Medicare Advantage, is an alternative to Original Medicare. Part D is insurance for prescription drugs. Both Parts C and D are offered by private insurance companies, however enrollment is handled by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

The next day, our clothes dryer went on the fritz, so on my daily jog around the block, I told everyone I passed that the Wolfsies needed an appliance repairman. Tom, a retired automobile salesman from down the street, called and said it was probably just the heating element, and told me he could replace it. He enjoys tinkering. I knew he was desperately looking for something to occupy his time. Giving him the opportunity was the least I could do.

A couple of days later, Mary

Mary Ellen felt guilty about accepting yet another freebie, but I convinced her that this was a magnanimous gesture on our part, a way of helping our friends feel useful in their retirement.

Later that month, I let Eric fix a leaky pipe. I permitted Paul to tune up my lawn mower, and Rahul was offered the opportunity to put my computer back online.

How lucky those folks are to have me as a neighbor. NUTSHELL

Keep fees in mind

By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features

If you’re 65 or older and not receiving Social Security, you’ll need to actively enroll in Medicare through the SSA.

Want To Learn More?

Join Everence for its Medicare workshop on Monday, Sept. 22, and our Social Security and Retirement Income workshop on Monday, Sept. 29 — both at 6:30 p.m. at 1110 N. Main St., Goshen. Call (574) 537-8773 or visit everence.com/michiana to learn more or connect with a financial representative.

As airline companies intensify their hunt for profits, it’s become important to make sure you know you’re getting what you you’re paying for.

An up-front example is that bargain-priced once-in-a-lifetime low fare being offered to a destination. You soon learn that’s before airport fees, taxes and a few other charges are added that far exceed the advertised price.

Some airlines charge you for reserving a seat, which can

be important if you and your spouse want to sit together. Another charge can be added even if you don’t fly. Most airlines claim you can get a refund for your ticket if you decide to cancel within 24 hours of booking. Before relying on this, find out if there’s a service fee for processing the refund.

Dining/Leisure/Entertainment

Blast to the Past! —

‘Rhinestone Cowboy’ changed Glen Campbell’s career

Glen Campbell

Kismet. Another word for fate or destiny. If we’re lucky, kismet, should it enter our life, will be seen as something positive.

By RANDAL C. HILL

As one of 12 kids, Glen Campbell was born in 1936 on an Arkansas farm with no electricity. When he was 4, one of his uncles gave him a $5 Sears guitar and taught him how to play it. Campbell took to the instrument easily and proved to be a most passionate prodigy.

At 14, he left school and moved with some of his brothers to Houston, where they found work installing

insulation. But Glen kept on playing — at churches, at bars, on local radio outlets.

In 1960, he moved to California and eventually became a top Hollywood session guitarist and vocalist, as the good-looking Campbell also possessed a warm-as-honey singing voice.

In the mid-1960s, he briefly toured as a Brian Wilson replacement after the Beach Boy leader battled drug problems. In time, Glen became a Capitol Records hitmaker and a TV celebrity with his “The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour.” He even landed a role in the John Wayne movie “True Grit.”

But as the years rolled on, Campbell gradually lost his luster. His TV show was axed, his name slipped off radio-station playlists, and nobody came forth with more movie roles. But Glen, who was still in his 30s by the mid-1970s, felt he still had

much left to offer the world of entertainment.

One day in 1974, while driving in Los Angeles, he tuned into a country-music station and first heard the song that would change his dwindling career. “Rhinestone Cowboy” had been done by a New York singer/songwriter named Larry Weiss, who was striving for stardom with the original tune that he hoped would put his own name in lights. While nothing in Weiss’s song was anything that Glen could relate to — he had never been a struggling New York country hopeful — Campbell loved the song’s flow and the determi-

nation that dominated the narrative.

To Glen, “Rhinestone Cowboy” had the potential to herald a comeback, maybe even become his signature song if it ever became a hit cover disc under his own name.

He bought a cassette of Weiss’s album “Black and White Suite” and carried it with him during a three-week Australian tour. He claimed later that he listened to “Rhinestone Cowboy” so often that, by the time he returned to America, he could whistle the darned song backwards.

Once home, Glen charged into the office of Capitol Records executive Al Coury

to tell him of the “discovery” he had made. But before Campbell could share Weiss creation’s creation with Coury, Al told the artist that he first wanted him to hear a tune that he felt had great potential for the one-time superstar. It was called “Rhinestone Cowboy.” Kismet?

Glen’s lavish version of “Rhinestone Cowboy” rocketed to Number One (his first-ever Hot 100 chart-topper) on both the pop and country Billboard lists. Had that been random luck? Or maybe —maybe — something else.

Lower your sporting-event costs

By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features

The ballooning prices of sports events is making it financially tougher to be a sports fan.

You can start saving money

by sharing tickets — and the cost, of course. This becomes especially economically attractive if the home team makes the playoffs.

There’s an added fillip to savings during the sport season: Most television-sales stores lower their prices in advance of the playoff season.

Large-screen TV-set prices can be discounted a few hundred dollars in the few weeks leading up to such big games as the Super Bowl or World Series.

CHANGED HIS CAREER Glen Campbell’s “Rhinestone Cowboy” changed his dwindling career.

Photo from The Guardian.

A Boomer Blast To The Past

Stay strong, stay connected, stay protected

By KARLA “KJ” MAPES President/CEO REAL Services

These years, they’re mine and I plan to make the most of them.

I first started getting the flu vaccine when my mom had a stroke. She was high risk, and I needed to protect her. At the time, I got vaccinated for her. But now, with 60 on the horizon and a schedule that rarely slows down, I get vaccinated for me.

Between my work — supporting older adults every day — and my three pre-teen grandboys, who seem to have this Nonnie on speed dial, I don’t have time to be sidelined by respiratory illness. There’s too much I want to do, and too many people who count on me. That’s why I make staying healthy a priority. That’s how I stay strong.

As we age, viruses, like the flu, RSV, and other respiratory illnesses, can hit harder and linger longer. The good news is that we have safe, effective vaccines — many designed specifically for older adults — that help prevent serious illness and

long recoveries.

Each fall and winter, respiratory viruses surge. That’s why the CDC recommends these three key vaccines for adults 60 and older:

• Flu vaccine: An annual essential to reduce complications and protect against hospital stays.

• Booster for respiratory illness: Updated to fight emerging variants and refresh your immune response.

• RSV vaccine: Now available for adults 60 plus, offering protection against a common respiratory virus that can become dangerous later in life.

There’s a lot of noise, opinions flying, misinformation online and more unsolicited advice than anyone needs. But I choose to trust the science, the data and the real-life results I see every day. Vaccines help people stay active, connected and in control of their health. That’s not a trend; it’s a fact.

At REAL Services, we’re making access easy. Whether you need help understanding what’s right for you, getting to an appointment or talking through your options, we’re here.

Goshen author releases new book

Goshen author Tom Rose has released a new book, “Dammit: A Book of Short Stories, Musings & Commentaries,” to make you laugh and cry.

The title of the book isn’t a philosophical masterpiece; it’s more like a loud shout in the library — unexpected, maybe a little scandalous, but oh so relatable! It captures those times when you’re ready to throw up your hands and yell, “Dammit!” In a world where everything seems to be a crime against humanity, this book is a reflection of life’s roller coaster.

Rose has authored other books, including “Balloon in a Box: Coping with Grief” after

the loss of his wife to breast cancer in 2019. Followed by a murder mystery, “The Secret is in the Pasta,” in 2023, and also the “Cooking Together” series of cookbooks with his wife and family. He has made over 170 speaking appearances with the “Balloon in a Box” book throughout the Midwest, and also hosts the weekly podcast Senior Talk Michiana, a nonprofit dedicated to providing senior information on services and events in Michiana

The “Dammit” book, along with his others, is available on Amazon, Fables Books in Goshen, and online at thomaslrose.com.

Visit realservices.org/services/a2aa/vaccines or give us a call, (574) 233-8205.

I stay vaccinated so I can keep doing what I love — leading meaningful programs, saying yes to travel and keeping up

with three busy grandboys who always have a new idea up their sleeves. I hope you will, too. Getting sick at this stage of life doesn’t just mean a few days of rest — it can mean missing out on what matters most.

Take care of yourself. Remind a friend. Talk to your pharmacist or doctor and stay ready for whatever comes next.

Stay strong, stay connected, stay protected. That’s how I stay strong.

Meet Hope the Bear as she helps fight Alzheimer’s

She’s spending the week with Joy Blooms to help the organization raise awareness for the Michiana Walk to End Alzheimer’s and yes, Joy Blooms has a team.

Hope will be joining Joy Blooms on bouquet deliveries, flower pickups and community events as its team prepares for the walk on Sunday, Sept. 14. Follow along all week to see where Hope shows up and how the community can support the cause with us.

To join or donate visit act.alz.org/site/TR?fr_ id=18599&p9=team&team_ id=971056

READY TO MAKE DELIVERIES Shown is Hope the Bear, who will be hanging out with Joy Blooms as its team prepares to participate in the Michiana Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Photo provided by Joy Blooms.

STAY STRONG Karla Mapes encourages seniors to get vaccinated for respiratory illnesses, such as the flu and RSV. Photo provided by REAL Services.

Join Us for REAL Talk Practical Tips for Staying on Your Feet: Fall Prevention

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

Sept. 10 | 11 AM | Portage Commons (574) 284 - 7189

Sept. 18 | 11 AM | OWLS (574) 336-2652

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

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

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

Independence | Dignity | Strength

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

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

Senior Fall Dinner Party

Mocktails, Trivia & Ice Cream Bar Doors Open at 4pm

Health Education Classes

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

SAIL I Tues & Thurs: Starts Aug 5 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM | Portage Commons

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

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

An evening of Mocktails & Mingling, trivia, dinner, an ice cream sundae bar, and music!

Sept 11 | Kosciusko County | Atwood Community Building

Sept 17 | LaPorte County | DAV#23 Greetham Hall

Sept 24 | Marshall County | 1st United Church of Christ

Oct 1 | Elkhart County | Greencroft Goshen Community

Oct 8 | St Joe County | Grace United Methodist

The REAL Grille Food Truck

Sept 6 | Lerner on the Lawn | Kool & the Gang Concert

Sept 12 & 19 | Notre Dame Friday Night Rockne Bash

Sept 27 & 28 | Fushion Fest

Visit REAL Services Facebook for more updates

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.

Upcoming Events

3rd Annual Fall Festival

A day filled with fun for the whole family with music by Jake from Starheart. Free Entry.

September 10 | 11 AM - 2 PM 111 Sunnybrooke Ct. South Bend, IN

RSVP | (574) 232-4121

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

Spa Ministry Homes founder still serves Christ

By LAURIE LECHLITNER Staff Writer

“When I was 8 years old, I said a simple prayer and invited Jesus into my heart,” stated Sandra Bontrager, Elkhart.

“Since then, all I’ve ever wanted to do is to serve Christ. And he’s led me into a ministry with women that I really wasn’t expecting.” Bontrager is the founder of Spa Ministry Homes in Elkhart.

Bontrager began serving Jesus when she was a teenager. “In my young adult years, I taught Sunday school and worked with the youth.”

She began attending Church Without Walls in Elkhart.

“There I encountered women who needed help. Some of them needed a home to get on their feet again.”

Bontrager agreed to open her home to a few of these women.

“I stipulated to the Lord that I did not want women addicted to drugs. I didn’t know what to do to help addicted women.”

One of the first women who came to live with Bontrager had a drug problem. “Jesus taught me what I needed to know one step at a time. I learned early that I could only work with women who really wanted help. From the very beginning, I established firm guidelines. No smoking, drinking or drug use. My doors were not locked and women had the opportunity to leave if they couldn’t abide by the rules. I clung to my faith in the fact that God’s promises are true.”

As Bontrager began to work with these women, she understood her own brokenness. “My self-worth was low, and I decided to do something about it. So, I began to take classes on self-

worth and setting boundaries. I took training on all the things I needed to know to work with these women.”

Through this training, Bontrager learned that all women are created uniquely and are greatly loved by God. “So many women judge themselves by other women. I’ve learned, and am teaching the women, that we are special to the Lord in our own unique way.”

Bontrager started Spa Ministry Homes on Toledo Road in 1998. The organization’s mission is to provide a Christ-centered residential treatment program that empowers women to address the root causes of life controlling issues and addictions, helping them to live productive lives of recovery. “We focus on heart change through our 12-month program, offering counseling, recovery groups, life-skill training, mentorship, Bible study and community activities.”

The first five years, Bontrager took about four women at a time. “That’s all the women my car would hold,” she remarked with a chuckle. However, in 2008, she bought an eight-passenger vehicle. And the organization has continued growing. Now there are numerous staff members and volunteers who are also actively involved.

One of the things that greatly helps the women is to keep busy. “We have curriculum to meet their needs as well as worship and Bible study opportunities. We keep busy sharing God’s love with others and doing the things that we need to get done in day-to-day living.”

In 1996, Bontrager was diagnosed with breast cancer that

opened

founding of Spa Ministry Homes

has since metastasized into her bones. “I started taking chemo pills, but they made me so sick, I’ve decided to trust God. My last checkup showed no activity of the cancer.”

Bontrager has adopted II Corinthians 12:9, “‘God’s strength shows up best in my weakness.’ Through my weakness, his presence grows stronger and stronger.”

Living longer is just a bowl of berries

By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features

You can satisfy your sweet tooth as well as protect your

brain by feasting on a daily bowl of berries.

Research reported in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition reveals a cup of blueberries a day for at least six months lowers your risk of cardiovascular disease by as much as 15%.

Compounds in dark berries like blueberries and blackberries fight inflammation and help protect the brain.

Other popular berries, including strawberries and raspberries, lower cholesterol, fight cancer, slow down aging and improve skin flexibility and tone.

Instead of drizzling syrup or sugar on your cereal, yogurt or ice cream, dump a handful of healthy berries and enjoy.

FAITHFUL SERVANT — Sandra Bontrager, Elkhart, has always wanted to serve the Lord. Feeling led by God, Bontrager

her home to a few women who were struggling. This eventually led to the

on Toledo Road, Elkhart, in 1998. Photo provided by Sandra Bontrager.

Volunteering and sports keeps Don Yoder moving

By NATHAN PACE Staff Writer

Working hard as a kid has kept Don Yoder’s work ethic going strong well into his retirement. Yoder grew up on a dairy farm north of Syracuse and it was there he learned the value of work.

“Milking every morning, every night. I did not miss one milking,” Yoder said. “It doesn’t matter if you’re sick, it doesn’t matter if you’re hurt. You still have to milk.”

Yoder was the youngest in his family, while none of them had the time to play sports, his older brother made his parents prom-

Brickyard Healthcare launches in-center dialysis

Brickyard Healthcare recently announced the official launch of its in-care center dialysis unit at the Elkhart Care Center, one of the few skilled nursing facilities in Indiana offering this level of specialized, on-site care. The new dialysis service, which began seeing patients in early July 2025, is made possible through a strategic partnership with Dialyze Direct, one of the most premier home dialysis providers in the United States.

By eliminating the need for off-site transportation and hours-long treatment schedules, the in-facility dialysis unit drastically improves the patient experience. This advanced care model delivers significant clinical outcomes, including:

• 65% reduction in dialysis-related re-hospitalizations.

• 94% reduction in vascular infections.

• Recovery time reduced from a full day to just one hour.

“Our Elkhart Care Center is now equipped to provide a smoother, more comfortable and efficient dialysis experience,” said Chad Knisley, executive director at Brickyard Healthcare Elkhart. “The recovery time has dropped to one hour, or sometimes zero.”

The on-site dialysis unit is supported by specially trained nurses and staff, personalized treatment plans and Dialyze Direct’s proprietary DialyzeIntelligence technology, ensuring real-time data accuracy for optimal outcomes. The program also includes emotional and dietary support services to treat the whole patient.

This rare offering sets a new standard in post-acute and skilled nursing care throughout Indiana.

For referrals or more information, contact the Elkhart Care Center at (574) 294-7641 or call the 24/7 Brickyard Referral Line at (855) 855-8113.

Visit brickyardhealthcare.com to learn more.

ise to let Yoder play.

“He didn’t have the opportunity. They had to work. He was not allowed to participate in sports,” Yoder said of his brother.

Yoder played basketball, baseball and cross-country for Fairfield High School. He was a teammate of the late Doug Brookins, a 6’9” center who would go on to play college basketball at Creighton University.

“I really enjoyed seeing people in other gyms watch our team come through, dropping their jaws when a 6’9” high school kid came through,” Yoder said. “We won 13 straight my senior year.”

Yoder says he ran cross-country just to stay in shape for basketball season.

His big break though was not in sports, but when his family sold the dairy farm.

“I actually thought I might die on the farm working myself to death. When we sold the farm it gave me a whole new thing. I could actually have a 401K. I could actually get paid more money,” Yoder said. “I could actually retire and have free time. I didn’t have free time on the farm.”

Learning how to drive tractors as a kid helped him for his new career driving trucks for the Supreme Corporation in Goshen.

“When I retired, they said they would have to take three to four people to keep up with what I was doing,” Yoder said.

Yoder shares three daughters with his wife, Elizabeth. All of the daughters grew up with farm life, too, and have been married off. Yoder is now up to eight grandchildren.

Now residing in Syracuse, Yoder enjoys volunteering where he can in the community. He was directing traffic at the Mudtastic Classic for the Syracuse Parks and Recreation this summer. He is active in the Syracuse Community Center, too.

“You get the enjoyment out of helping people,” Yoder said.

Age is just a number. Vitality is a choice.

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“There’s so many people in this community that volunteer. A lot of them do a lot more volunteerism than I do, but it is fulfilling. I just try and help out where I can, in the kitchen if they need help with the tables and stuff.”

Yoder is still active in golf and his years of playing ping pong and tennis with his older brother have prepared him for his new hobby of pickleball.

“Pickleball, unfortunately, is addicting. Very addicting. My hand-eye coordination in tennis or ping pong, really gives you a big edge up in pickleball. It’s the same idea in putting spin on the ball,” Yoder said.

Yoder has had to overcome two knee replacements, a hip replacement, and a torn ACL. Despite the injuries he has had, Yoder still has the same work ethic he crafted on the dairy farm.

“People are amazed that I still get up at 4:30 a.m. I’ve done it all my life. Why would I change it?” Yoder said. “It’s my body clock.”

This isn’t hype. It’s real support for your wellness journey—simple, smart, and effective.

Ready to feel like YOU again? Call Or Text Loretta 574-370-6791

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Hitting the sweet spot

By JIM CARPENTER Guest Writer

I suppose our lives are like blank paper with an emptiness that needs filling in. It will take a lot of years and a lot of work to get to the point of “you have been.”

But I’ve decided “I have been” about as far as I am going.

Physically, it would appear, my life is surely slowing. But I find quality in my memories.

Now all I need are the words.

To tell my stories properly, I’ll need adjectives, nouns, and verbs.

But quantity should not be what we seek, as rabbits and mosquitoes might attest.

But finding value in the works of life should really be your daily quest.

The flower, the breeze, the sky, the trees.

A chance encounter of a pleasant kind.

For me I find this engages my soul, and my soul engages my mind.

And I think of my own blank slate.

That is pretty much all filled in,

But there is always a hint of a smile.

When I think of the long, strange trip it’s been.

FAMILY OF VOLUNTEERS — Don Yoder, right, and his grandson Kevin Mehl, volunteer at the Mudtastic Classic in Syracuse back in June. Photo by Nathan Pace.

City Market Catacombs, a labyrinth beneath Indianapolis

Beneath the bustling streets of downtown Indianapolis lies a historic underground relic that’s both mysterious and uniquely Hoosier.

The City Market Catacombs, a 20,000-square-foot network of Romanesque brick arches and tunnels, have long fascinated locals and tourists alike.

The Catacombs, located beneath Whistler Plaza, are the remnants of Tomlinson Hall, a grand public meeting space built in 1886 that was destroyed by fire in 1958. Though the blaze claimed the building’s aboveground structure, its basement, now known as the Catacombs, remained intact and would go on to have a storied second life.

Constructed with funds from local druggist Stephen Tomlinson, the hall once served as an extension of the

City Market, offering overflow space for vendors and an auditorium that could seat more than 4,000 people. Designed by prominent architect Diedrich Bohlen, Tomlinson Hall was both practical and monumental. Its underground corridors were especially vital: used to store and transport goods, preserve perishables with early refrigeration methods and even hang meats to dry.

During a harsh winter in 1911, the Catacombs also became a temporary homeless shelter. More than 350 men reportedly took refuge there in what became known locally as the “Mayor’s Pajama Party.”

But by the mid-20th century, the once-grand hall had fallen into severe disrepair. In 1955, fire inspectors labeled it “the city’s worst fire hazard.” Just three years later, a mas-

sive fire gutted the building. The charred remains of the blaze, started by a pigeon carrying a lit cigarette according to local lore, was demolished by city officials. By the time demolition had finished, only the structure’s basement was left intact.

In the decades that followed, the Catacombs served multiple roles. The Indianap-

olis police used the space as a shooting range in the 1960s, and Halloween events in the 1980s and ’90s capitalized on its atmosphere. Guided tours in more recent years made it a popular destination.

Now, the Catacombs are entering a new chapter. The City Market is undergoing a major renovation, and the underground space is tempo-

rarily closed. Both are slated to reopen as part of an openair park in the redeveloped site. City officials have not yet announced a specific reopening date.

For updates on the City Market redevelopment and the Catacombs’ reopening, visit the official city website or follow Indianapolis City Market on social media.

Kimball organ lunchtime live at The Lerner, Sept. 24

The Lerner Theater recent announced Lunchtime Live Kimball Organ Concerts with Celia Weiss. Lunchtime Live is a non-ticketed, free event for the community of Elkhart to enjoy and all proceeds go to benefit the Lerner Volunteer Program.

The concert will take place 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 24.

The Lerner is pleased to welcome an Elkhart favorite, Celia Weiss, back on piano and The Lerner’s 1924 Kimball Organ in this free community series.

Weiss is one of few musical

artists who hold the enviable record of having served as a soloist on two different musical instruments. A pianist and organist well known to local audiences, the artist has appeared on numerous occasions with the Elkhart County Symphony Orchestra, the South Bend Symphony Orchestra, the IUSB Philharmonic, the Manchester University Symphony Orchestra and in recitals throughout the area.

Weiss is an adjunct assistant professor of Music at IUSB for the Raclin School of the Arts, where she teaches

Melanie can brighten up the Interior of your home.

Walls

Ceilings

Window And Door Trim

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Ceilings

Window And Door Trim

Stairways

Window And Door Trim

Woodwork Staining

Stairways

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Garage And Workshop Floors And Walls

Small Patch Repair

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Garage And Workshop Floors And Walls

Drywall Repair

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Great Service – Reasonable Rates

Drywall Repair

References Available Upon Request. 574-304-5075

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organ. She is a past recipient of the IUSB Merit Status and Outstanding Alumni Awards. She holds a B.M.E from Manchester College and an M.M. in piano from Indiana University. An educator as well as a performer, she has taught music in the Elkhart and Goshen Community Schools and piano at Goshen College. Since 1975, she has held the position of director of music and organist for the First Presbyterian Church in Elkhart. She is a frequent accompanist for the Elkhart County Symphony Orchestra and performs several piano and organ concerts for the Lerner Theatre’s “Lunchtime Live!” each year.

The 1924 Kimball pipe organ located in Elkhart’s Lerner Theatre is one of only two Kimball pipe organs currently installed in its original location. The organ was restored following the 2011 renovation of the theater which opened on Thanksgiving Day, 1924. After the restoration, a crew of nearly 20 from Bunn-Minnick Pipe Organs of Columbus, Ohio, spent three weeks hoisting equipment and filling the two pipe chambers with more than 1,000 pipes. The project absorbed nearly 10,000 man-hours for the crew over a year.

UNDERGROUND The Indianapolis City Markets Catacombs are a noteworthy aspect of the city’s history, its maze-like layout soon to be part of a major renovation in the area. Photo from Visit Indiana.

Funk and frivolity cavort in Key West

By FYLLIS HOCKMAN Mature Life Features

Bocce is popular here because, we were told, “You can play bocce with one hand and hold a drink in the other.”

Welcome to Key West. It’s a state of mind more than a city; a way of life more than a place to live. Turn a corner or pass a restaurant and strands of guitar riffs tumble into your ear drums. Or it could be a rooster crowing. They’re everywhere.

Many houses bear a plaque dating to the 1800s. Old Town, the largest predominantly wooden-housed historic district in the country, features almost 3,000 structures and deserves a truth-in-advertising award.

A sign near Duval Street, the town’s epicenter, reads: “On this site in 1897, nothing happened.”

Renovated cigar factories share space with Victorian mansions laced with gingerbread trimming.

Upscale art galleries are tucked next to tacky T-shirt shops.

Fashion, funk and frivolity define the town.

Art, shlock and whimsy co-exist on the same bar stools, many of which claim that Ernest Hemingway, the most famous Key West resident, occupied it at one time or other.

His home is one of the most visited sites in the city. The tiny second-story studio in which he wrote remains exactly as he left it. Photos, books and furnishings reflect his life there of more than a decade in the 1930s. Stuffed heads of animals he shot on safari adorn the walls. Almost as famous as the author was his beloved six-toed cat, Snowball, whose dozens of descendants still prowl the premises.

Another notable but very different personality also lived here, but only in the winter.

Harry S Truman’s (yes, S without a period is his middle name) Little White House has its own colorful history wrapped in tales of lively poker games and “loud Hawaiian shirt” contests the 33rd president enjoyed with staff and guests. It’s also rumored he insisted on downing an early morning “shot of bourbon followed by a large glass of fresh-squeezed Florida orange juice,” allegedly on the advice of his doctor.

Hemingway, an ardent imbiber himself, would most certainly have approved of his neighbor’s breakfast ritual, which might have made both welcome visitors at Schooner Wharf, which boasts the earliest Happy Hour in town. It begins at 7:30 a.m. The theory is you can’t actually drink all day if you don’t start early.

While Hemingway hunted game and Truman hunted humor, Mel Fisher hunted treasure. His museum houses them for the visiting public.

The fortune hunter spent 16 years hunting the wrecks of Spanish galleons that sank off

the coast of Key West. The $450 million treasure includes more than 40 tons of gold and silver as well as emeralds, Chinese porcelain and other precious artifacts.

Just as fascinating as the exhibits is the story of his search for the valuable cache.

Along with these three attractions for which Key West is most famous are the enchanting Botanical Gardens, Oldest Wooden House with its original furnishings, artifacts and island history dating back to 1829, and Tennessee Williams’ small cottage housing insight into another literary giant.

My favorite, the Shipwreck Treasure Museum, allows you to relive the lives of wreckers — those brave souls who saved people and ships careening off the dangerous reefs surrounding the island as well as the greedy pirates who pillaged the lost treasures. For a time, that enterprise made the tiny island the richest city per capita in the United States.

SHIPWRECK MUSEUM Shipwreck Museum draws visitors in Key West, Fla. Photos by Victor Block, Mature Life Features.

A regular dose of coffee keeps you going

By CECIL SCAGLIONE

Mature Life Features

Sit down to a relaxing cup of coffee and you’ll feel better. Drink too much and you’re liable to get anxious and irritable.

A regular intake of the brew can help you live a little longer while lowering your risk of stroke, diabetes and several other ailments. Overdo it and

it can become addictive and wreck your digestive system.

At the moment, it appears that the coffee-can-be-goodfor-you school outweighs the naysayers so you can relax with a cup — decaf or regular — while reading this.

Legend has it that a goat-herder in Ethiopia discovered the benefits of the coffee when he noticed his goats’ excitable and energet-

ic behavior after eating the beans.

The earliest substantiated evidence of coffee drinking is from the early 15th century in the Sufi monasteries of Yemen. About the same time, a Venetian botanist imported some to Italy and it spread throughout Europe.

Coffee houses became popular gathering places fomenting revolutionary thoughts and

Have you heard the latest about hearing aids?

By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features

If you haven’t been listening, you can now pick up a pair of hearing aids without having to deal with a doctor.

While you should consult with your primary care physician if you have any hearing loss, you can sit back and order a pair of over-the-counter instruments online, or drop by your corner drugstore and pick up a pair.

They’re so readily available, you can even pick up a set for your hearing-impaired favorite aunt.

Folks with hearing loss who have been avoiding paying several hundreds of dollars for doctor’s visits and hearing aids, and a few extra bucks to have them molded separately to fit comfortably into each

ear, have been stopping by their nearest drug store to pick up a much-cheaper pair of devices that can magnify sound since they were approved a couple of years ago.

It also presents the possibility that you can buy a pair of hearing aids for a birthday, anniversary or Christmas gift for a parent or spouse you’ve been yelling at for who-remembers-how-long.

Don’t expect this development to solve the hearing-loss problem for you and those around you.

When you consider picking up a pair of pre-packaged hearing devices, think of the cartoon figure of the old gaffer with a trumpet-like instrument held up to his head so he can participate in the goings-on around him. It also picked up all loud noises that

occur — passing trucks, loud music, clattering dishes, and other people’s conversation, to cite a few.

The first and best step anyone should take when considering the status of their hearing is to get tested by an audiologist.

Perhaps simple sound amplifiers will work for you. Just because these ear buds are going to be available over the counter, they’re still going to cost a few hundred dollars. You might be smarter and be able to hear better by getting a pair of hearing aids made for you and serviced regularly by your testing team.

A pleasant offshoot of this development is that it may bring down the cost of hearing devices tailored for you by your audiologist.

Misdiagnosis can kill

By CECIL SCAGLIONE

Mature Life Features

Estimates run wild in this case but anywhere from

I40,000 to 250,000 people die each year from having their medical issues misdiagnosed by a medical professional. These errors are not limited

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to rare diseases but are rife among the most common maladies, ranging from fractures to high blood pressure.

Errors in three major illness account for half of all the disabilities and deaths caused by diagnostic errors.

These are cancer, infections and vascular events, ranging from blood clots to stroke.

To help avoid such mistakes, learn to take care of yourself. Write down a timeline and symptoms of your condition when you meet with your doctor. As the patient, you’re the customer, so ask questions before you buy what you’re being told. Ask for a second opinion that will either confirm or correct the original diagnosis.

movements. Police tracked down Prussians who preferred the black brew over beer. England’s rulers sought to ban coffee houses because their riotous gatherings were disturbing the peace of the realm.

It was introduced to the New World by the mid-17th century but it wasn’t until British tea was dumped into Boston harbor in the revolt against King George III that the colonists switched firmly from tea to coffee.

Through all this, coffee has emerged as a disease fighter because it’s loaded with antioxidants. Drinking a couple or three cups a day has become part of most folks’ day as medical researchers report the liquid lowers the risk of chronic heart disease and age-related cognitive decline.

A cautionary note: coffee

intake tends to boost blood pressure so it’s wise to space coffee consumption. At the same time, a recent medical study indicated that seniors 65 and older who drink as many as four and more servings of caffeine a day, whether in coffee or soft drinks, have less than half the risk of dying of heart disease then those who consume less than that.

The benefits of coffee reportedly are its ability to relieve pain, fight mouth cancer, battle depression, aid digestion, protect the liver, and reduce the risk of breast and prostate cancer. And meeting old friends to socialize over a cup of coffee also is good for your health.

As with anything that affects your health, discuss your coffee intake with your family doctor.

Many a deaf ear turned to hearing aids

By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features

Hang around seniors long enough and you’ll find yourself repeating yourself more and more.

“I can hear OK,” the oldsters will explain. ‘It’s just the noise around me and people keep chattering while you’re talking to me,” is a common explanation.

But they still keep staying “Huh?” and “What did you say?” and “Were you talking to me?”

Those that do are among the more than 70% of adults who could use hearing aids but refuse to acknowledge the fact that they would be of benefit. Or, in plain language, that they really can’t hear very well.

One reason is a false sense of pride, that by getting hearing aids they’re showing their age and infirmities that accompany aging. Other reasons for not getting these tiny devices is their cost and discomfort.

More than 10% of people who do acquire hearing aids toss them in a drawer for a variety of reason, including the vanity and discomfort mentioned earlier.

And many more don’t wear them around the house, wear them for only part of the day or just plain forget to put

them on.

Hearing aids can be an important safety factor if you still drive. While vision is vital in traffic, hearing is just as important in detecting motorists’ movement, trucking activity, sirens and other activity around your vehicle to help avoid accidents.

A common complaint among new hearing-aid owners is that they are uncomfortable and they amplify strange noises.

The latter is a result of not hearing these sounds as your hearing diminishes. And the former takes time, and can be eased by working closely with your doctor and hearing-aid supplier, both of whom want your experience to be comfortable and rewarding.

They also will see to it that your ears and your hearing aids are kept clean and wax free. Work with them until the devices become more comfortable and the sounds around you become more normal.

For added comfort, you can get hearing aids molded to fit your ear.

There’s more to hearing aids than just amplifying sound so you can keep up with conversations and hubbub around you.

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Hearing aids can be adjusted to lower the volume. When you’re in any noisy situation, such as a construction zone or sports event, you can tuck your hearing aids in your pocket or purse and avoid the noise.

Medical research has revealed that even mild hearing loss doubles our risk of dementia. The more severe your hearing loss, the higher the risk of sliding into dementia.

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Poking into the past: roadside education

By TOM MORROW Mature Life Features

If the name “Burma Shave” has little or no meaning to you, then read on for a quick history lesson in advertising that was popular among motorists from the 1920s through the early 60s. If you know about the signs, you’ll enjoy some pleasant memories.

It was before freeways when the highways had one lane going each way at a speed limit that was “reasonable and prudent.”

Drivers and their passengers were greeted by strings of roadside signs with clever slogans sponsored by Burma Shave, a popular men’s shaving product of that era.

The signs first appeared along US 65 near Lakeville, Minn., in 1926 and remained a major roadside attraction throughout most of the United States until 1963.

Typically, consecutive small poetic signs would be posted along the edge of highways, spaced about 100 feet apart for sequential reading by passing motorists. The last sign almost always proclaimed Burma Shave: DROVE TOO LONG DRIVER SNOOZING WHAT HAPPENED NEXT IS NOT AMUSING.

Burma Shave

The southwestern states of New Mexico, Arizona and Nevada were not included before the Great Depression because they were thought to have insufficient road traffic. Many highways in those states weren’t even paved.

Massachusetts was eliminated from the program due to that state’s high-cost for land rental and thick roadside foliage. NO MATTER THE PRICE NO MATTER HOW NEW THE BEST SAFETY DEVICE IN THE CAR IS YOU.

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Burma Shave

This use of a series of small signs was a successful approach to highway advertising during the early years of highway travel because the passing motorists were curious to learn the punchline. As the modern interstate system expanded in the late 1950s and vehicle speeds increased, it became more difficult to capture drivers’ attention with the small signs.

When the company was acquired by Philip Morris the signs were discontinued on advice of the company’s legal counsel. Some of the signs throughout the series featured safety messages about speeding instead of clever advertising sayings.

Re-creations of Burma-Shave signs appear on Arizona’s portion of old U.S. Highway 66 between Ash Fork and Kingman, as well as along old U.S. Highway 30 near Ogden, IA.

Other examples are displayed at the Henry Ford museum in Dearborn,MI, a rest area along Interstate 44 in Missouri between Rolla and Springfield, the Forney Transportation Museum in Denver, and the Virgina Museum of Transportation in Roanoke.

1930 saw major growth in the company and the signs began to appeal to the wives as well.

DOES YOUR HUSBAND MISBEHAVE, GRUNT

AND GAMBLE RANT AND RAVE?

SHOOT THE BRUT SOME

Burma Shave In 1931, the writers began to reveal a cringe side to their creativity, which would increase over time.

SPEED WAS HIGH WEATHER WAS NOT TIRES WERE THIN X MARKS THE SPOT

Burma Shave

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BIG MISTAKE One of the many Burma Shave highway signs that dotted the roadways of mid-20th century America. Photo provided by Mature Life Features.

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Korean War Monument —

Veterans of the “forgotten war,” their families and friends will find the Korean War Monument at the Veterans National Memorial and Shrine on O’Day Road, Fort Wayne, to

be both moving and emotional.

In fact, it’s probably the most unique monument on the property. It was dedicated two years ago on Veterans Day to recognize those who fought in that conflict and those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

It’s located just east of the Vietnam Wall and north of the W. Paul Wolf War History Museum. It depicts a weary group of a dozen American soldiers slogging their way back from a patrol to their base camp.

The larger-than-life, 7-foot-tall

fiberglass figures are unique because the faces on each of the 12 is that of a soldier, airman, sailor or marine from Fort Wayne, Allen County or northeastern Indiana.

Each one weighs 125 pounds, and the name of the individual is displayed on its concrete mounting pad. The monument resembles the Korean War Monument in Washington, D.C., but it’s made of different material (the ones in Washington are made of metal) and slightly bigger.

Each soldier in the Fort Wayne portrayal is poised in a different position as they proceed through the night toward camp. It’s particularly stunning when lit at night and gives the appearance of them coming out of the woods in the background.

A paved sidewalk surrounds the monument so visitors can get a close look at each figure. According to Second Vice Commander Eric Johnson, each of the figures required separate molds and is made up of 19 different pieces.

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“We utilized veterans to pose in various positions and photographed them from the ground and from a drone to get the proper prospective and layout for the monument. They were dressed in uniforms of that time and carried weapons used by the military then.”

“Our biggest hurdle,” said Johnson, “was to come up with names of a dozen Korean War veterans in Fort Wayne, Allen County and northeast Indiana.”

At the top of the list was U.S. Navy third class petty officer Continued on page 23

AARP opens discount doors to travel

By CECIL SCAGLIONE

Mature Life Features

An American Association of Retired Persons’, or AARP, membership is also a ticket to discounted travel.

The membership card can open doors to discounted pricing on airlines, car rentals, hotels, cruise lines and tour packages, ranging from British Airways to the Grand Canyon Railway.

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HEADING TO CAMP This Korean War Monument at the Veterans National Memorial and Shrine on O’Day Road, Fort Wayne, depicts a weary and exhausted patrol trudging back to their base camp. It is unique because each of the 12 figures has the face of a local or area veteran.

INJURED SOLDIER ASSISTED After receiving injuries, machine gunner Gary Sink, left, is being assisted back to base camp by private first-class William Walters. Sink was later awarded the Purple Heart.

GREAT ESCAPES Text and Photos

By ROD KING

Unique

Continued from page 22

gunners mate, Walter “Bud” Mendenhall, who served on the minesweeper USS Camick.

He was active with the Veterans Memorial and served on the board. His figure is at the head of the patrol carrying a mine detector. Mendenhall was 17 when he enlisted and needed his parent’s permission.

“Additional names were submitted and we began contacting them (eight of the 12 were still living) to get photos and information. Getting pictures of them when they served was key to the project. We obtained DD 214 government documents that listed their dates of service, rank, where they served, unit they were in and medals received.”

CHECKING

FOR MINES — Heading the patrol is U.S. Navy third class gunners mate, Walter “Bud” Mendenhall, carrying a mine detector. “Being chosen to be the face of one of the soldiers is the greatest honor of my life,” said Mendenhall.

An injured soldier, Gary Sink of Zanesville, is being helped. He was later awarded the Purple Heart. Assisting him is private first class, William Walters. He was assigned to the 506th Motor Pool in Korea.

Ken Kurtz joined the U.S. Army with 65 other young men from Allen County.

“I feel as though I represent those I joined with, many of whom didn’t return. I started out as an ammo bearer and was transferred to division personnel where I remained until my enlistment was over,” Kurtz said.

Sunscreen protects indoors as well

By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features

A friend’s dermatologist said she spreads sunscreen over her skin every day, even on weekends when she doesn’t leave the house.

The sun’s ultra violet rays pour down to earth even on rainy wintery days and through car and house windows, causing skin cancer

— the most common type of cancer.

Studies reveal one out of every five individuals will suffer the disease by age 70.

For added protection, use a sun-blocking lip balm.

If you manage your own schedule, avoid being outdoors between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the risk of skin damage is at its highest.

Mature Life Features Copyright

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NOV 18-22 BRANSON CHRISTMAS 6 Great Shows: Dutton Family, Hughes Brothers, Christmas Wonderland, Presley’s County Jubilee, Clay Cooper ’s Ozark Christmas, Sight & Sound’s “The Miracle of Christmas & Fantastic Caverns. An S & S Tradition Dec 4-7 OPRYLAND COUNTRY CHRISTMAS

Opryland Hotel Lodging, Ray Stevens Dinner show, Grand Ole Opry Show, Hotel Holiday Show, The Hermitage, Country Music Hall of Fame & More www.s-stravel.com

OCT 30-NOV 2 FOUR DAY MYSTERY???? NOV 18-22 BRANSON CHRISTMAS 6 Great Shows: Dutton Family, Hughes Brothers, Christmas Wonderland, Presley’s County Jubilee, Clay Cooper ’s Ozark Christmas, Sight & Sound’s “The Miracle of Christmas & Fantastic Caverns. An S & S Tradition Dec 4-7 OPRYLAND COUNTRY CHRISTMAS Opryland Hotel Lodging, Ray Stevens Dinner show, Grand Ole Opry Show, Hotel Holiday Show, The Hermitage, Country Music Hall of Fame & More www.s-stravel.com

Tours Depart Goshen/Kendallville/Auburn/Ft. Wayne

Passport Required. 3 night say in Sault Ste Marie, Soo Locks Boat Ride, A Day Exploring Sault Ste Marie, Full Day Train Adventure w/Picnic Lunch in the Canyon OCT 5-12: NEW ENGLAND FALL ADVENTURE: New Hampshire & Vermont: Hildene-Lincoln Home, Lake Winnipesaukee Boat Cruise, Castle in the Clouds, Conway Scenic Notch Train Ride, Vermont Statehouse, Shelburne Museum, Lake Champlain Chocolates, Morse Sugar Farm, Morgan Horse Farm, Quechee Gorge, Ben & Jerry Factory Tour, VT Country Store, Yankee Candle NOV. 5-9: CHATTANOOGA CHOO CHOO Tennessee: National corvette Museum, City Tour, Visit 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 & Gardens, Opryland Hotel NOV. 17-21: BRANSON CHRISTMAS, a Tradition. Ride thru the Fantastic Caverns, 6 Great Shows: The Dutton Family, The Hughes Brothers, Daniel O’ Donnell, Doug Gabriel, Sight & Sound’s DAVID, Cassandra Voice of an Angel, Lamberts Café DEC. 8-12: BLUE MOUNTAIN MIST CHRISTMAS Four Nights at the Blue Mountain Mist Bed & Breakfast, Patty Waszak Show, Historic Smoky Mtn Church Tour, Dolly Parton’s Stampede, Red Skelton Tribute Show, Guided Pokin’ around the Smokies Tour, Country Tonite Show, Dollywood, Gatlinburg Light Tour.

Details: www.s-stravel.com

Tour Calendar: Call 888-262-4423

Tours Depart Goshen/Kendallville/Auburn/Ft. Wayne