Senior Life - St. Joseph - May 2025

Jim Champaigne embraces role with South Bend Alumni Association

By NATHAN PACE Staff Writer

Jim Champaigne admits he probably spends too much time on the computer but all of his efforts have been rewarding. Champaigne operates websites for all the schools that make up in the South Bend Alumni Association. He is proud of the high number of classmates from South Bend who have a way to show their history.

“A lot of great history and a lot of great stories,” Champaigne said. “Each classmate can tell your kids and grandkids what they did in high school. That’s the history of South Bend, Indiana in those stories.”

Champaigne’s twin brother, Jack, started a website for their John Adams class of 1961 about 20 years ago. In 2015, Jack suggested to Jim they use their site to assist the South Bend Alumni Association. Each high school in South Bend had their own page created. The SBAA had a collection of yearbooks going back over 100 years the brothers use to gather information. Obituaries of alumni are also posted to the sites thanks to the work of three volunteers. Champaigne says the alumni sites should reach a combined total of 200,000 names later this

year. The site has added over 133,000 photos of alumni in a 10-year span.

“Been about seven or eight days in that 10 years that I am not on the computer,” Champaigne said. “If you have a list or know of classmates that have passed on, please send it to us. If you have a link to the obit, please send that also.”

The websites have made an impact on class reunions for the alumni. Champagine says there are 32 class reunions every year involving South Bend schools.

The websites help reunion organizers reach fellow classmates via email. He adds the work is all voluntary and does not cost the SBAA anything.

Champaigne almost never had a chance to be involved with the SBAA. After he graduated from John Adams he attended Purdue University. He dropped out of Purdue and was drafted in 1964 for the Vietnam War. He spent five months in officer training before having an epiphany.

“It was a 22-week course and the 21st week the idea came to me, “Do I really want to be in charge of others in combat?”

Champaigne said. “I befriended a clerk and he got me to go to Germany. He protected me.”

Champaigne was assigned to

an artillery unit in Germany for two years before returning home.

Today, Champaigne has stepped back a little bit from the websites as his son, Jason, has moved into an administrator position.

Sadly, Champaigne’s wife, Carol, recently passed away. Her obituary was posted to all the school websites.

“She allowed me to do all this stuff when I could have spent that time with her. It was somewhat at her expense. She allowed me to do it and I am very grateful for it,” Champaigne said.

Years from now, Champaigne hopes the websites will continue to be a place where fellow classmates can continue to build connections and share stories.

“Just been a long term project that reconnects people that had the privilege of public education in South Bend, Indiana and we need to be grateful for that. These names in here are the people who have created companies and have done great things,” Champaigne said. “It’s been very rewarding. It’s such a big benefit to the people of South Bend. It’s like a watering hole at an office where people meet.”

May MPHPL programs for adults

Below is the Mishawaka-Penn-Harris Public Library May calendar of events for adults. Registration can be secured by calling (574) 2595277. Check mphpl.org for the most up-to-date information regarding events or to register.

Bittersweet Branch Events

“DIY Spring Mirrors,” 10:30-11:30 a.m. Monday, May 5. Create your own floral mirror using foam clay and your creativity. Registration is required.

Bingo, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 21. Join

MPHPL for an hour of bingo and beverages. Winners will receive small prizes and raffle tickets for a chance to win a door prize. Registration required.

Harris Branch Events

“Five or Fewer: Tacos,” 10:30-11:30 a.m. Friday, May 2. Try out a variety of simple taco recipes. MPHPL staff will demonstrate how to make a few specialty ingredients; participants will construct and enjoy their own tacos. Registration required; limited to MPHPL cardholders.

Chapter Chats Book Club,

10:30-11:30 a.m. Thursday, May 8. The May book, “Persuasion” by Jane Austen, can be picked up in advance at the front desk. Registration required.

Mishawaka Library Events

“Saturday Morning Book Club,” 10:15-11:15 a.m. Saturday, May 3. Join Mishawaka Library to discuss this month’s book selection, “The Housekeeper and the Professor,”by Yoko Ogawa. Registration required.

“American Heritage Spotlight,” 5:30-6:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 13. Archivist and St. Joseph County historian Travis Childs will present “Freshwater Fury: Great Lakes Shipwrecks.” The Great Lakes, the largest freshwater collection on earth, are known for their beauty but hide dark secrets. Learn the hidden history at this month’s American Heritage Spotlight. No registration required.

Summer Reading Challenge

The MPHPL Summer Reading Challenge is just around the corner. Starting Monday, May 19, you can pick up a reading challenge card at any MPHPL location or download one online by visiting mphpl. org/summer-reading. This year’s challenge runs from Monday, June 2, through Monday, Aug. 4. All ages can take part; adult participants must have a MPHPL card.

COMPUTER PRO — Jim Champaigne has volunteered to manage websites for the South Bend Alumni Association for the past 10 years. Photo provided by Jim Champaigne.

Fernwood  Botanical Gardens:  a place to appreciate nature

By LILLI DWYER Staff Writer

Fernwood Botanical Gardens’ mission is “to enrich people’s lives by awakening and deepening their appreciation of nature,” said Executive Director Mary Krinock.

Fernwood, located at 13988 Range Line Road, Niles, Mich., began life as the 12.5 acre country home of Kay and Walter Boydston in 1941. It became a nonprofit public space in 1964. Since then, the land has expanded to 105 acres, including about five miles of hiking trails, an arboretum, a nature preserve and prairie restoration along with the formal gardens.

Visitors can experience local flora and fauna by touring the natural spaces and stopping by a couple of wildlife viewing areas

Check rules before flight

By CECIL SCAGLIONE

Mature Life Features

The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, recommends everyone take a self-health inventory — and getting the suggested shots — before boarding an airliner to anywhere.

Then when returning home, they should get a viral test three to five days after landing.

At the same, time, follow any regulations laid down by the local, regional or state government regarding air travelers.

The best recommendation is to check all the regulations and responsibilities involving your departure and return and the restrictions that apply to the airline and destinations on your itinerary before buying your ticket.

around the grounds. Anyone interested in a more specific topic, like edible plants or pressing botanical specimens, can attend one of Fernwood’s educational programs.

“We have a lot of educational programs, from lectures to hands-on creative classes that help meet people at their level of interest in nature and gardens,” Krinock noted. “We’ve had programs on edible horticulture, winter gardening ... For Earth Day, we have a chalk art program for kids. We have a storytime program for kids during the winter months when it’s a little harder to be outside. There’s always something going on.”

The hub for programs is the Sims Education Center, opened in 2018. The building features a green roof, meaning 25% is covered in living plants that

catch rainwater runoff and help insulate the building so it uses less energy.

“We’re a garden, so we want to lead by example,” Krinock said of this feature. “A green roof helps with energy and it’s also a great educational tool. ... As you’re building things, it’s taking nature and the environment into consideration.”

Also near the education center and the tallgrass prairie are Fernwood’s beehives. In a symbiotic relationship, the bees help pollinate the gardens and staff collect their honey.

Another way staff help the gardens flourish is to do a controlled burn of half of the five-acre tallgrass prairie every spring, encouraging new plant growth.

“It’s good for humans and for the environment,” Krinock said

of maintaining green spaces. “I hope that visitors leave here feeling that they saw something or learned something in one of our programs that piqued their interest, to want to learn and experience more. I think our space offers a sense of beauty and a sense of calm.”

There are also ways to get involved at Fernwood that go beyond just visiting.

“We have a wonderful group of volunteers that do different things around the garden, from working on the garden space to helping with administrative items or helping with events, so that’s another way to get engaged,” said Krinock.

Several clubs hold their monthly meetings at Fernwood, including the Michiana Unit of the Herb Society of America, the Niles Handweavers Guild,

the Fernwood book group and a photography club.

“I think we have something for everybody all year round,” Krinock added. “No matter what your interests are, there’s something here for you.”

Upcoming events at Fernwood include:

• World Migratory Bird Day Hike, 8-10 a.m. Saturday, May 10.

• Mother’s Day Flower Tours, 9 a.m. to noon Sunday, May 11.

• Flower Press Workshop, 1-2:30 p.m. Saturday, May 17.

Fernwood Botanical Gardens is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Admission is $10 for adults, $7 for seniors 65 and up, $5 for kids and free for those 4 and under. For more information or to register for an event, visit fernwoodbotanical. org.

Alice Clark leaves her mark through service

By LILLI DWYER Staff Writer

Alice Clark grew up in Alton, Ill. After graduating from Blackburn College, she joined the Navy and spent six years in Bethesda, Md as a lab technologist. For the next 14 years, she worked in Pennsylvania, before moving in 1999 to work in the South Bend Medical Foundation’s blood bank. Since she retired from that position, she has endeavored to stay engaged

with her community through volunteer service.

“I wanted to make sure I had enough activities that I wouldn’t just come home and be the crazy cat lady,” she said.

As a lover of the Potawatomi Zoo and after some encouragement from volunteers there, Clark joined the Zoo Crew. She answers questions for visitors, helps out at special zoo events and monitors the giraffe deck.

“I enjoy learning about the animals from the keepers and

Clark’s favorite animal at the

Zoo is

marabou stork named Ethel. In fact, she’s so fond of the bird she had a special Ethel T-shirt made. Photo provided by Alice Clark.

other staff, and once I know it I like to share it with other people. All ages, but especially kids. They always have the best questions,” she said.

Clark’s favorite zoo animal is another resident of the savanna area, a marabou stork named Ethel.

“She’s short and ugly and meaner than a snake and she is my spirit animal. She is the smallest animal out there, but she doesn’t take anything from anybody ... She is a bird of firmly held opinions and I admire her for that,” Clark said, laughing.

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This summer, Clark is looking to be trained as a docent and participate in Potawatomi’s educational events outside the zoo with their ambassador animals.

Back in 2005, Clark was looking to meet people outside of work and joined the Knute Rockne Kiwanis. She and her fellow Kiwanis help out monthly at the Food Bank of Northern Indiana and at Cultivate Food Rescue.

For the past several years, she has volunteered her time weekly as “Grandma Alice” at Walt Disney Elementary through Kiwanis. She reads to students, plays games or sometimes just sits and colors

“It just makes you feel good that you’re touching them in some way, that you’re helping them enjoy their day at school. Some of them are a little overactive, some of them are shy, some just need a little extra attention. That’s what grandmas do,” she said.

Three days a week, Clark also gives her time to Busy Hands of Michiana, a nonprofit where volunteers handcraft comfort items for people with Alzheimer’s, autistic children, nursing home residents and more.

Clark mainly sews. One of her jobs is to open up donated stuffed animals, put an extra pound of weight inside and sew them back up. The added pressure is soothing for those with extra sensory needs.

“They refer to it as ‘Alice doing her surgery,’” she joked.

Clark stays very busy between all her service commitments and the social connections she has made with her fellow volunteers. She enjoys the level of activity and the impact it allows her to have.

“There’s just something special about doing something where you know you’re leaving something behind, something tangible that’s helping people. I’m not leaving my genetic material behind, but I think I am touching people and leaving something of myself behind in that way,” she explained.

Outside volunteering, Clark is also a member and former president of the South Bend Area Genealogical Society. She enjoys doing genealogical research for “the thrill of the hunt,” she said.

She shares her home with two cats, Poindexter and The Princess Cat.

Memories of a muddy pond

By JIM CARPENTER Guest Writer

I suppose the smell got pretty strong, on those dry, dog days of summer. When the muddy pond receded, into shallow pools of water. With luck fallen trees might lie about, to form a connecting trail, On which the 10-year boy could walk, above the stench of the muddy pond smell.

Observing the trapped aquatic life, he edges closer to the water.

There to spy the insects and the tadpoles.

And on the surface glide the spiders. The pond was his playground for the summer. His curiosity constantly piqued. With no near friends or neighbors, it would be the water he would seek.

Animal tracks in the mud

were fun.

Getting bit by a struggling snake was not.

But even going home in muddy clothes, was worth the lecture that he got.

That boy has grown and is now a father.

But those pond memories live on.

As his kids hike the wooded paths, making memories of their own. Contact Carpenter at pokeberryjim@gmail.com.

ANIMAL LOVER Alice

Potawatomi

PART OF THE ZOO CREW Alice Clark is pictured at one of her volunteer days on the Potawatomi Zoo Crew, holding a display that allows guests to feel an actual feather from one of the zoo ostriches. Zoo Crew volunteers interact with the public and help out at educational events. Photo provided by Alice Clark.

Snatched from the Jaws of defeat

As many of us probably remember, “Jaws” was a fun movie to watch.

Filming it, though, was a different story. Just ask the director.

By RANDAL C. HILL

In 1973, movie producers Richard D. Zanuck and David Brown bought the rights to Peter Benchley’s just-released novel “Jaws.” The pair in turn offered film-directing chores to Steven Spielberg, the 26-yearold hotshot who had become an overnight success with his now-classic TV movie “Duel.”

Spielberg handed the screenwriting project to a friend, TV scriptwriter Carl Gottlieb, who gleefully promised Spielberg, “If we do our jobs right, people will feel about going in the ocean the way they felt about taking a shower after ‘Psycho’.”

Spielberg discarded the book’s many subplots, as he figured the shark was the star

of the story. He thus hired lesser-known actors for the movie — Roy Scheider as police chief Martin Brody, Richard Dreyfuss as marine biologist Matt Hooper and Robert Shaw as shark hunter Quint.

Spielberg also insisted on filming on the ocean rather than in a Hollywood tank.

Three huge, pneumatically powered sharks were then constructed. The California project took five months and required the use of 40 effects technicians, who managed to get the props to swim, gnash their teeth, flip their tails and dive. The sharks, each nicknamed “Bruce” after Spielberg’s lawyer Bruce Ramer, were then trucked to Massachusetts. Once in the Atlantic Ocean, 14 operators were needed to control the movements of the beasts, each of which was fastened to an elongated sled during shooting scenes.

Spielberg chose the quaint village of Martha’s Vineyard for filming, as it met his needs for a place with a shallow and sandy ocean floor (for effective camerawork), small tides and

Open class is returning to

St. Joseph County 4-H Fair once again

Once again, open class is returning to the St. Joseph County 4-H Fair for adults ages 18 and older who are not eligible for entry into 4-H.

Participants may enter as many categories as they want, such as antiques (six categories are selected each year), baking, sewing, canning (food preservation, including honey, syrups and vinegars), flowers, gardening, quilting, general crafts, fine arts, holiday decorations, model diorama/farm toy scene (to include Farmers Market, 1800s Homestead, fall harvesting, spring planting, Modern Farmstead), barn quilt signs, recycled items, collections, models (plastic or wood), needlecraft, photography, green ware and woodworking.

Also there will be a special Bar Cookie Contest (cookies made by adults, judged by the fair queen and children, a teapot contest, LEGO contest and a charcuterie board contest.

Open class submissions cost $1 per entry, and entries should be brought to the south end of the Esther Singer Building at the fairgrounds. Categories excluding baked foods, flowers, gardening, Bar Cookie contest, LEGO Build contest and the charcuterie board contest, should be brought to the fairgrounds between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday, June 23. Flowers and Gardening should be brought between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Friday, June 27. The LEGO Build contest registration will be between noon and 1 p.m. Saturday,

an unbroken horizon. Called Amity in the story, the locale was depicted as a small tourist resort on Long Island’s south shore.

In May 1974, Spielberg’s crew came to town with a $3.5 million budget to cover 55 days of filming.

June 28. Building will begin at 1 p.m.

Baked foods should be brought between 2-4 p.m. Sunday, June 29. The charcuterie board should be brought at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 1. The bar cookies should be brought between noon and 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 2.

For more information or to receive a program book, email Miljim1501@gmail.com or call (574) 291-4870.

From the outset, though, problems threw the schedule into disarray. Many issues involved the Bruces, whose hoses burst, the props became tangled in forests of kelp, and the sleds that the sharks rode ran aground. Add to this the aggravation of recreational sailboats drifting into view, stormy weather canceling shoot times, and some actors and crew members becoming seasick.

Everybody complained. After a while, frustrated crew members began calling the

project “Flaws.”

The movie eventually wrapped, but in 159 days rather than 100, and $5.5 million over the original budget. Spielberg understandably moaned, “I thought my career as a filmmaker was over.”

To Hollywood moguls, summertime was best for dumping teen-oriented films into drivein theaters. But Tinseltown’s outlook was turned inside out

when, in June 1975, Universal Pictures’ “Jaws” became history’s first-ever summer movie blockbuster. Just how big was it? Steven’s release recouped all its production costs in only 10 days and became the highest grossing film of all time until “Star Wars” appeared two years later.

And Mr. Spielberg, thankfully, never had to worry about his career again.

FROM BOOK TO MOVIE

The rights Peter Benchley’s newly released novel “Jaws” was bought by movie producers Richard D. Zanuck and David Brown in 1973. The 26-year-old Steven Spielberg was given the directing chores. Photo from peterbenchly.com.

Bob Pastoor loves the long journey to Holy Cross

By NATHAN PACE Staff Writer

The career path for Holy Cross College Athletic Director Bob Pastoor spans coast to coast and nearly five decades. Given the variety of schools he has worked for Pastoor feels it has trained him for how to to make adjustments and changes at athletic departments for the better.

“There have been good experiences and bad experiences at everywhere I work. In leadership it is always good to learn from your mistakes. Failing is not as bad as people think it is. You learn to adapt and that has been helpful with everywhere I’ve been,” Pastoor said.

Pastoor has had to adapt to new places throughout his career. He graduated from Mount Saint Mary’s University located in Maryland in 1976 and would later serve as vice president for student affairs up until 1995. His next job took him all the way to Montana at Carroll College. He then spent two years at the University of San Diego.

“It’s been quite the journey, Every place we’ve lived it’s been great because it has been new. I was in Maryland for 20 years. It was a great state. Montana was a great state. I was colder in Maryland than I ever was in Montana as Montana does not have humidity. The beauty of the state has never been surpassed. San Diego was not too shabby either,” Pastoor said.

In 2015, Pastoor became president of Saint Joseph’s College in Rensselaer. Unfortunately, the school faced financial difficulties and made the decision to close in 2017. Pastoor would make stops at the University of Providence in Montana and the University of Saint Francis located in Fort Wayne.

A conversation with Holy College College President Dr. Marco Clark, led Pastoor to the athletic director spot in 2023. In his time at Holy Cross, Pastoor feels he has been given the support from college executives to make the changes needed for Holy Cross to grow in sport. For Pastoor, that means having everyone in the college being on board and taking ownership regardless of what job one has at the school.

“The president has asked me to be a ‘change agent.’ There has never been anything stagnant,” Pastoor said. “It’s like anything else in a leadership position you have to have buy-in. Knowing the importance of having leaders and followers and even the followers are trying to be leaders in their own way. You still have a lot of influence as a follower. You have power as a follower in terms of getting things done. A good leader understands the impact of followers.”

Upgrades are in the process to a few facilities at Holy Cross and Pastoor hopes the changes will lead to more teams. The college currently offers men’s and women’s basketball, soccer, golf and tennis. Pastoor is confident

lacrosse, cross-country and volleyball could be added in upcoming years. Holy Cross College has over 500 students and plays in National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. Pastoor says a goal for the college is to reach 800 students in the near future.

“It’s going to require some support and construction. In the next five years there will be a lot changes,” Pastoor said on the college goals.

Pastoor has been charge of the athletic department at Holy Cross College since 2023.

Welcome to more of the active lifestyle you deserve at St. Paul’s

By CHRISTINE M. LOOBY, M.A. Director of Marketing and Communications Trinity Health Senior Communities

If Shakespeare was right that what’s past is prologue, then retirement just may be the best chapter in your life story. This is the time when you can focus on family, friendships, your passions and excursions to places you’ve promised yourself you’d visit when there was opportunity. When you choose a St. Paul’s lifestyle, you’ve written “opportunity” in boldface at the top of the page.

Nestled on a beautiful property in South Bend, St. Paul’s offers older adults a wide range of pet-friendly floor plans and residential options in independent living, assisted living, and memory care. In addition, our Journey to Recovery program provides short-term nursing assistance and onsite therapy services for folks who need a little more, before returning home from a hospital, sub-acute, or skilled nursing stay.

St. Paul’s is one of Michiana’s most trusted names in senior living. With an emphasis on holistic wellness, hospitality, and health care, St. Paul’s has a monthly calendar of events filled with performances, lectures, activities, spiritual programs for people from all faith traditions, fitness classes, arts and crafts and so much more.

Our expansive campus boasts beautiful gardens, walking paths, indoor and outdoor gathering spaces, and even a shuffleboard court. We have recently renovated our resident library, and it’s the perfect place to browse the stacks, curl up with a great novel or check your email.

One of the benefits of choosing St. Paul’s is that you no longer have to keep up with home maintenance, housekeeping or endless meal planning and preparing. We take great pride in keeping our tree-lined campus looking its best. As a St. Paul’s resident, you’ll receive complimentary, bi-weekly, in-apartment cleaning services. And best of all, you can trade in the cooking for chef-prepared meals with friends in our gorgeous dining room or let us host you in our private dining room for your family’s next special occasion.

It is our pleasure to take on the household duties so that you have time for more of the things you love to do. Discover our resident council, committees or special interest groups. Take the “Me Time” you deserve at our beauty salon, barber shop, or Fitness Center. And if it’s a day trip you’re yearning for, take a drive or hop on our shuttle bus for an outing to the Potawatomi Zoo, a Silver Hawks game at Four Winds Field or shop and dine at one of the countless gems in downtown Mishawaka: appropriately nicknamed the “Best

Hometown in America.”

The St. Paul’s experience could be one of the best parts of your story. Be our guest for a conversation in our Discovery Room, lunch, dinner or an upcoming special event.

Call (574) 284.9000 or visit sjmed.com/st-pauls so that we can welcome you to more.

Get doctor’s opinion on medical fees

By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features

Whether or not you have health insurance, always ask your doctor if there is a fee involved when discussing any appointment, surgery, test, procedure, or any other arrangement being made to continue your treatment. Follow-up appointments for such purposes as checking on proper healing of minor surgery or monitoring blood pressure can be chargeable but any fee might be avoided if the patient asks the doctor about any charge when the follow-up is discussed.

For example, follow-up visits after surgery normally is included in the surgeon’s original fee. But not all, so ask to avoid surprises.

The process has been complicated by the recent rise in telemedicine: internet contact with doctors by telephone and computer. In some cases, they’re covered by Medicare, Medicaid or supplemental insurance. In some cases, they are not, so you have to check with the doctor.

Mature Life Features Copyright 2025

SPORTY SAINT — Bob

Photo provided by Evan Cobb and Holy Cross College.

COMPASSIONATE CARE

Comfort 1 Hospice is a compassionate and dedicated provider of exceptional hospice care services.

Pictured in front row from left are Anastasia Koucouthakis, marketing liaison; Paul Chimutu, part owner; Abby Miller, RN, case manager; Alison Fox, business office manager; and Rain, a certified therapy dog. In back row are Amanda Wynn, compliance and insurance manager; Charles Pine, chaplain; Casey Eycleshymer, VP of business development; Karen Fox, volunteer; and Tim Bradley, executive director. Visit comfort1hospice.org or call (574) 3874117 for more information.

Professional Forum

Q. What’s new at Senior Talk Michiana?

A. Effective May 1st, Senior Talk Michiana will be designated a non-profit organization, allowing us to apply for grants and solicit tax-free donations. By becoming a non-profit, we hope to generate funds to expand our reach to a much larger number of followers, a larger percentage of the 260,000 seniors in Michiana. Tax-deductible donations can be processed by credit card at www.seniortalkmichiana.org.

Guests on the schedule for May include Megan Rogers from SHIP, the State Health Insurance Program. She will be discussing Medicare, Medicaid, and Pathways. Also in May, Amy Hemphill and Jill Chorba will join us to share all the information about Dunes Hospice

Tom Rose

Author & Speaker Balloon in a Box

Coping with Grief Grief Group Facilitator

Resource Fair.

Sponsored by Aging Connections of Michiana, Senior Life Newspapers, and Goshen Home Medical, Senior Talk Michiana is tailored specifically for seniors and offers valuable information regarding 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

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Hospice Care

Q. When is it time for Hospice Care?

A. Deciding when it’s time for hospice care can be emotionally challenging, but recognizing the signs can help ensure a loved one receives the compassionate support they need. Hospice care is typically appropriate when a patient has a terminal illness with a prognosis of six months or less, and curative treatments are no longer effective or desired.

Some key indicators include frequent hospitalizations, declining ability to perform daily activities, significant weight loss, uncontrolled pain or symptoms, and increased confusion or sleepiness. It may also be time when a patient expresses a wish to focus on quality of life rather than prolonging it.

Hospice care isn’t about giving up, it’s about enhancing comfort and dignity during the final stage of life. The care team of doctors, nurses, social workers,

chaplains, and volunteers are all focused on physical, emotional, and spiritual support.

Families are encouraged to explore hospice options early, allowing time for meaningful moments and well-planned transitions. Early hospice involvement often leads to improved comfort and peace—for both the patient and their loved ones.

Tom Rose

Blast To The Past —

‘Philadelphia Freedom’ was Elton

John’s 4th chart-topping disc

Elton John

A recording superstar + an iconic athlete = a million-selling song that made no sense.

Huh?

A Boomer Blast To The Past

By RANDAL C. HILL

In early 1975, Elton John had personal reasons for wanting to create what would become his fourth chart-top-

ping disc. A couple of years earlier, at a party in California, he had met Billie Jean King, who at the time was busy becoming a feminist hero.

Shortly after meeting Elton, Billie Jean— arguably the best woman tennis player in the world — decimated Bobby Riggs in the well-hyped 1973 “Battle of the Sexes” match at the Houston Astrodome. While King destroyed Riggs in three consecutive sets, Elton, who watched the match from a hotel room, screamed so loudly that he lost his voice.

Also Pulp Magazines and Original Illustration Art! Will pay CASH immediately for collections, large or small!

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The John-King friendship grew over time. King collected his albums, and John often cheered at King’s matches. In gratitude, she had a custom tracksuit uniform made for the British superstar. He would eventually find his own way of returning the favor.

One day, John told King he wanted to write a song for her. King thought he was kidding and later recalled, “I didn’t think I heard him right. I turned scarlet red.” But John assured her that he was on the up-and-up and could create a hit song with her in mind.

“What are we going to call it?” he asked King, who at the time was the player/coach for the (World Team Tennis) Philadelphia Freedoms. He answered his own question with “How about ‘Philadelphia Freedom’?” Thus was born the title of what would become Elton’s next journey to the top of Billboard’s Hot 100 chart.

In the King-oriented creation came a rare moment in which John gave his lyric writer Bernie Taupin an unusual assignment: John wanted a song called “Philadelphia Freedom,” and Taupin needed to come up with … well, something. Later, Taupin admitted that his words had nothing to do with tennis and, really, meant nothing in particular:

“Oh, Philadelphia Freedom

“Shine on me, I love ya

“Shine a light through the eyes of the ones left behind

“Shine a light, shine the light

I“Shine the light, won’t you shine the light

“Philadelphia Freedom, I love ya

“Yes, I do”

John later said to King, “We don’t have to understand what the words mean.”

To which she remarked, “It doesn’t matter. It’s the emotion of it.”

It was one of the few times that John decided that this release should be a standalone single and not an album track. (It would eventually show up on “Elton John’s Greatest Hits Volume II.”)

The resulting 45 was a perfectly crafted aural stew that included shout-along energy, augmented by instrumental music that included sweeping strings, energetic horn-

bursts, a bouncy baseline, and piercing guitar stabs, all of which were fueled by an infectious “thump” that helped to eventually bring disco into mainstream music.

Back then, radio music programmers constantly grumbled that the song had a too-long running time of 5:21, but what rockin’ station wasn’t going to play “Philadelphia Freedom”? Hmmn?

Schemers never let a crisis go to waste

By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features

Crooks love it when folks are on edge, especially when such calamities as hurricanes, brush fires, tornadoes, floods or other disasters are predicted or just passed.

Melanie can brighten up the Interior of your home.

Melanie can brighten up the Interior of your home.

Melanie can brighten up the Interior of your home.

Walls

They show up at the door, contact you by mail, call you on phone or alert you on the internet that they are government officials or on-the-spot fixer-up contractors or some other helpful person or organization that can solve all your problems. For a fee.

Ceilings Window And Door Trim

Walls Ceilings Window And Door Trim

Walls Ceilings Window And Door Trim Stairways

Stairways

Woodwork Staining

It’s easy! Simply find the ‘Mother’s Day Gift’ image 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.

Their approaches usually narrow down to the demand or need for immediate precautions and repairs that requires money up front money to get the material for the work that needs to be done.

Stairways

Woodwork Staining

Garage And Workshop Floors And Walls

Garage And Workshop Floors And Walls

Woodwork Staining

Small Patch Repair

Small Patch Repair

Drywall Repair

Garage And Workshop Floors And Walls

Drywall Repair

Small Patch Repair

Drywall Repair

Great Service – Reasonable Rates References Available Upon Request. 574-304-5075

Great Service – Reasonable Rates

References Available Upon Request. 574-304-5075

Great Service – Reasonable Rates

References Available Upon Request. 574-304-5075

The winner of the I Spy Contest for April is Joyce Thompson from Middlebury. The Spring Greeting was located on page 8 in Senior Life Allen; page 19 in Senior Life Northwest; page 4 in Senior Life Elko and page 9 in Senior Life St. Joseph.

Getting their name and the name and phone number of their government department or having them leave a card with you isn’t always a protection because their information can be bogus.

To protect yourself from these impostors, contact your local government office and Better Business Bureau. Mature Life Features Copyright 2025

GOOD FRIENDS A friendship grew between Billie Jean King and Elton John and in the early 1975 he found a way of returning a favor to King for his custom tracksuit uniform. That was the creation of “Philadelphia Freedom.” King and John are shown with Helen Reddy in a photo from Facebook.

UPDATES & HAPPENINGS IN THE AREA

Editor’s note: Send listings of events, for nonprofit organizations only, to Senior Life, P.O. Box 188, Milford, IN 46542, or email Editor Phoebe Muthart by the 15th of every month at pmuthart@the-papers.com. With the listing, include the contact person, area code and phone number.

—o—

Free Fishing Day is Sunday, May 4. On select days of the year, Indiana residents may fish without a state fishing license in Indiana waters. Free Fishing Days were created by the Indiana General Assembly and are designed each year by the Department of Natural Resources to promote angling as a recreational activity.

Free fishing is from 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Ferrettie/Baugo Creek and St. Patrick’s County Park. Free gate fee for those fishing; just show poles.

—o—

Nature Journaling 101 for beginners will be Saturday, May 10, at St. Patrick’s County Park, 50651 Laurel Road, South Bend. This indoor/outdoor workshop includes lessons on nature journaling, exploration and practice. Included in this workshop is a basic journal to get you started. No art experience or supplies are required; bring a sack lunch for a midday break. Space is limited. Registration and payment

required by May 2. Cost is $20 per adult. Call (574) 654-3155 to register.

—o—

The La Porte County Symphony Orchestra 20th Annual Hoosier Star vocal competition is Sept. 13, at the LaPorte Civic Auditorium. It will feature the adult winners from the nine prior Hoosier Star competitions who will compete for the prestigious title “Hoosier Star of Stars” as well as a cash prize. The finalists will sing their winning songs, accompanied by the LaPorte County Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Music Director Dr. Carolyn Watson.

The finalists are: Alyssa Atkinson, South Bend (2024 winner); Kelly Staton, Griffith (2023); Julia Thorn, Crown Point (2022); Jarynn Sampson, South Bend (2021); Alyse Flores, LaPorte (2020); Joe Stewart, Michigan City (2019); Mike Green, LaPorte (2018); Julia Campoli-Biek, South Bend (2017); and James Neary, LaPorte (2016).

The event also serves as a fundraiser for the LCSO; last year’s event raised nearly $50,000 for the symphony’s mission.

There will be no auditions for Hoosier Star this year. Interested parties are encouraged to check the LCSO website in January 2026 for

information about Hoosier Star 2026 auditions, which will take place in March 2026.

—o—

Wild Ones South Bend chapter is holding its native plant sale from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 3, at Pinhook Park in South Bend. Area nurseries and greenhouses will be selling native flowers, trees, shrubs and grasses. Wild Ones will be distributing free native tree saplings (limit three per family), while supplies last.

Local community partners, such as Audubon and Izaak Walton League, will be tabling. The Ragamuffin Bakery will be selling muffins and breakfast items. More information is available at southbend. wildones.org.

—o—

RiverBend Cancer Services, 3516 E. Jefferson Blvd., South Bend, offers the following events each month: 10 a.m. Mondays and Wednesdays, seated strength; 1 p.m. Mondays, a craft; 5:30 p.m. Mondays, gentle yoga; 10:30 a.m. and 11:45 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, chair yoga; 1 p.m. Tuesdays, Melt; 10 a.m. Wednesdays, Support Squad and Knitting Krew; 2 p.m. Wednesdays, dominoes; 5:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Support Group; 3 p.m. Thursdays, Zumba. Visit riverbendcancerservices.org or call (574) 287-4197.

A big photo bomb

This could only happen to me and it did.

NUTSHELL

By DICK WOLFSIE

I got a new iPhone. It has a lot of new features, which are wasted on me because I am a meat-and-potatoes kind of guy, so I don’t need a lot of bells and whistles. However, the camera does have some neat photography enhancements, which I was particularly interested in, as we were going to Iceland and I wanted to bring home more than just a bad cold. As you will see, I don’t have an eye for photography, but I do have a foot for it.

I was sitting on the couch, my legs propped up on the coffee table, snapping photos and learning how to switch between landscape mode, portrait mode, night mode, slow-motion mode, and, for pastry fans, pie à la mode.

To test the camera’s precision and light sensitivity, I took a photo of the TV screen I was watching. But because I am a lousy photographer, it ended up as a photo of both my legs and feet. So, I deleted it. I thought.

After completing my self-tutorial, I went to Facebook to check on a few friends, and there was the photo I had just taken. How did it get there? What did I click? I had no idea.

As perplexed as I was, I didn’t panic. There was nothing lasciv-

ious about the picture. Unless you have a thing for feet. I was innocent of any indiscretion. I was also confident that, even with my limited technical prowess, it would be easy to delete a photo on Facebook, but in this case, I discovered that I had inadvertently created a video for Instagram, called a reel. I could see my feet twitching.

Before I could respond to the problem, our friends, Bob and Cathy, called me. They saw the photo on Facebook and wondered why I was wearing white socks before Easter. Bob wanted to know how many of my little piggies went to the market, and how many went to Instagram.

This is not my first goof online. Years ago, when I was testing my acumen with Twitter, I sent a message to myself with just my name to see if I was doing everything correctly. I also accidentally sent it to about 500 Facebook friends.

I got some irritating responses:

“Bad column. No plot development.”

“It’s always about you, isn’t it?” “Rotten story, hated the main character.”

“Dick, I used your name for a week instead of mine. You can have it back.”

I tried and tried to delete the photo of my legs and feet, but I must have been doing something wrong because it wouldn’t go away. In the meantime, I had 50 likes, then 85, then 120. This yielded more responses than I had ever received for my weekly column.

Once again, I got annoying comments:

“In a contest for the worst photographer in the world, you’re a shoe-in.”

“I usually get a kick out of your stuff, but this is ridiculous.”

As they say in show biz: “Break a leg.”

And my favorite: “This photo stinks in more ways than one.”

Finally, the photo magically disappeared. I was tired of all the stupid leg and foot jokes, so I was happy the reel was finally amputated. I mean deleted

Not all germs should be washed away

By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features

An accent has been placed on washing your hands often with soap and water to eliminate any germs you may have picked up during the day.

Doing this to your entire body may not be healthy, we’re told. Taking long hot showers or baths can wash away the layer of dead skin cells and natural

oils and organic compounds that protect your skin from becoming brittle and scaly. Soap ingredients are designed to remove dirt, but they also take away that protective layer.

Skin specialists recommend lukewarm water for baths or showers that are limited to 10 minutes or less. They also suggest patting yourself dry rather than rubbing vigorously so you don’t irritate your skin.

Mature Life Features Copyright 2025

Independence | Dignity | Strength

Join Us for REAL Talk!

REAL Talk offers free presentations and community connections. Topics target those 60 and older, but everyone is welcome to attend.

May Events: Mental Health Awareness

May 13 | 11:30 AM | Portage Commons

May 15 | 11 AM | OWLS | (574) 336-2652

May 23 | 11:30 AM | 1 ROOF (Lunch) Reserve lunch by 5/20 | (574) 284-7189

May 27 | 11:30 AM | Salvation Army of Elkhart (Lunch) Reserve lunch by 5/23 | (574) 284-7184

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

Health Education

PATH: Class for individuals 60 and older with 1 or more Chronic Conditions. This is a 6 week courseRegistration open until May 30th

Apr. 23 - May 28 | 12 PM - 2:30 PM | 1Roof

Jun. 23 - July 28 | 1 PM - 3:30 PM | Portage Commons

BINGOCIZE:

May. 7 - July 9 | 10 AM - 11 AM | Portage Commons

Register for classes at realservices.org/getinvolved/health-education-classes/

How I Stay Strong

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

Portage Commons

Address: 133 N William St. South Bend, IN 46601

Phone: (574) 284-7159

Business Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday | 10 AM - 3 PM

We welcome you to join this vibrant community designed for active adults 60+. Whether you are looking to experience the joy of connection, engage in meaningful activities, the center offers a wide variety of recreational programs, wellness and lifelong learning.

We Welcome You to Join Us: Bingocize, Games & Card , Library Open, Men’s Lounge, Crafting, Music, Therapy Dog Visits and MORE

Visit Facebook for Events and Classes: facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575250702801

Stuffed Gr. Peppers Mashed Potatoes Carrots, Dinner Roll Peaches

Crust. Haddock Scall. Potatoes Gr. Beans, Bread Choc. Pudding

Chix. & Dumplings

Mashed Potatoes

Broccoli, Dinner Roll Graham Cracker Bites

Lemon Chix. Thigh Rice Pilaf Brussels’ Sprouts Dinner Roll, Pears

Turkey Tetrazzini California Veg. Garlic Bread Mandarin Oranges

CLOSED FOR

Meatloaf w/gravy

Scall. Potatoes Peas, Bread

Mixed Fruit Cup

Saus, Gr. Bean, Potato Casserole, Stewed Tom. Dinner Roll Warm Spiced Apples

Saus. Gravy/Biscuit Scrambled Eggs

Breakfast Potatoes Banana, Yogurt

Hot Dog/Bun Potato Wedges, Corn Cherry Apple Crunch Bar

Ham & Beans Carrots Cornbread Fresh Fruit

Bruschetta Chix. Garlic Mashers California Veg. Bread, Mandarin Oranges

Baked Ziti w/Saus. Salad w/dressing Gr. Beans, Texas Toast Spiced Peaches

Polish Sausage/Bun German Potatoes Sauerkraut, Carrots Pineapple Cup

Sweet & Sour Chix. w/Rice, Egg Roll Stir Fry Veg. Pineapple Cup

Stuffed Baked Potato Cheese & Taco Meat

Broccoli, Breadstick Oreo Cookies

Sloppy Joe/Bun Baked Beans

Mixed Vegetables Strawberry Applesauce

Chix. Mush. Rice Casserole

Mixed Veg., Bread Nutty Buddy Bar

American Goulash Cauliflower Ciabatta Bread Warm Spiced Apples

Minestrone Soup Chix. Salad Slider Succotash Peach Cup

Tuna Casserole w/Peas Glazed Carrots Dinner Roll, Jello Cup

Chix. Drumstick Garlic Mashers Gr. Beans, Bread Mandarin Oranges

We welcome Seniors to join our program and access daily nutritional meals while increasing your socialization. Meals are prepared fresh daily in our Kitchen. Lunch site locations are open Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

To make a reservation, please call the meal site

realservices.org/meals-and-nutrition/

Meal Site Locations (Saint Joseph County)

Osceola | (574) 674-6503

Free Resources for Caregivers

Toll-Free Helpline MON - FRI: 8:00AM - 4:30PM EST 1-888-303-0180

Caregiver Support Groups ST. JOSEPH & ELKHART COUNTY (574) 232-4121 Memory Screenings

TO SCHEDULE (574) 232-4121 Family Consultations

TO SCHEDULE (574) 381-8983

Meals on Wheels: more than a meal, a lifeline for independence

By NADINE KARNER

J2 Marketing Social Media Manager

May is Older Americans Month, a time set aside to honor the lives, stories, and achievements of those who have soared into their golden years. This year’s theme, “Age My Way,” reflects a powerful truth: older adults thrive when they are given the support they need to live independently and comfortably at home.

That belief is at the core of everything we do at REAL Services Meals on Wheels program.

Through the delivery of nutritious meals, we’re not just nourishing bodies — we’re preserving independence, dignity and connection.

In 2023 alone, Meals on Wheels served 956 individuals in our community and delivered over 155,000 meals. For many of these neighbors, the knock at the door is as meaningful as the meal itself.

As Meals on Wheels CEO Jennifer Steele reminds us, “The most meaningful advice I’ve found from older adults is ‘Just keep celebrating every day,’ and ‘Laughter keeps you healthy.’”

The grace, humor, and wisdom shared with our volunteers every day are just a few of the

reasons this program is so special.

Earlier this month, South Bend Mayor James Mueller joined one of our delivery routes to see firsthand the impact of Meals on Wheels.

“Meals on Wheels is a vital program. It not only provides nutritious meals, but also a sense of connection and care. It’s heartwarming to see the smiles when we show up at the door and it reminds us how powerful these small acts of service really are,” said Mueller.

The program goes far beyond nutrition. Each visit from a volunteer serves as a wellness check and a moment of human connection.

Crystal Hallwood, director of nutrition and transportation at REAL Services, shared, “I think it’s important to note that, as saving federal dollars go, Meals on Wheels can feed a senior all year long for the same cost as one day in a hospital, or 10 days in a nursing home. This program enables people to age on their terms and maintain their independence for as long as they are able. Our program is a comfort not just to the meal recipient, but to their loved ones, their neighbors, and our community at large.”

Still, the need continues to grow. One in three local pro-

grams nationwide has a wait list, and with more funding and volunteers, we could reach more of our most vulnerable neighbors.

That’s where you come in. Volunteers are the heartbeat of Meals on Wheels. Last year, over 1,300 hours were donated to ensure that more than 400

people were reached each day.

Whether you have a lunch break to spare or want to engage your workplace in our Adopt-A-Route program, your time makes a difference.

To get involved, call (574) 256-1649 or email volunteer@ realservices.org. If you can’t volunteer, consider donating in

honor of a senior who has impacted your life at realservices. org/giving.

This May, and every month, let’s celebrate older Americans by showing up for them.

Meals on Wheels is more than a meal. It’s a movement of compassion, connection, and community.

County parks start ‘My Special Spot’ project

St. Joseph County Parks has started a new “Art in the Park” series with the “My Special Spot” project.

Show your favorite spot in the parks by submitting a painting, drawing or photograph representing the place you enjoy. Then add a poem, quote or simply tell everyone

what makes the spot so special. It will make a photocopy of your artwork and place a laminated copy on the trail near the spot. The original can also be safely displayed in the main building of the park of one’s choice.

There is no cost for this program; all ages are encour-

aged to participate.

During the week, instructions and paper may be picked up at the gate houses and/or administrative buildings of St. Patrick’s, Ferrettie/Baugo Creek, or Bendix Woods County Parks during normal business hours.

On the weekends, materials will be in the gatehouse. Materials can also be found in the restroom vestibule in the Visitor Center from 8 a.m. to the park’s closing at Spicer Lake Nature Preserve, 50840 County Line Road, New Carlisle.

All patrons are asked to always stay on the maintained marked trails. Add some color and creativity to the trails of all the county parks this spring.

This program runs until Aug. 1. For additional information, visit sjcparks.org or call (574) 654-3155. Call ahead to drop off artwork.

MORE THAN A MEAL

Earlier this month, South Bend Mayor James Mueller joined one of the delivery routes to see firsthand the impact of Meals on Wheels. Mueller, left, visited with Carol Anderson, right.

Photo provided by REAL Services.

Hamilton Grove Assisted Living

— Affordable, flexible care that grows with you

By MICHELLE GENSLINGER Area Marketing Liaison

At Hamilton Grove, we understand that every resident’s journey is unique. That’s why we’ve designed an affordable and flexible pricing model for assisted living that ensures you only pay for the care you need — nothing more, nothing less.

Unlike many senior living communities that charge an all-inclusive rate or offer only a few levels of care, Hamilton Grove provides a tailored approach with seven levels of care. This means residents who move in with no care needs, can start at our affordable base rate, free from unnecessary service charges. As care needs evolve, our structured pricing model ensures you receive the support you require without overpaying for services you don’t yet need.

This approach not only makes

assisted living more accessible but also aligns with our ministry values of financial stewardship. We are committed to protecting our residents’ resources, helping them maintain their independence and financial security for as long as possible. By avoiding large, bundled care costs, residents can stretch their funds further, ensuring they receive the right level of care at the right time.

At Hamilton Grove, we believe in providing compassionate, person-centered care in a welcoming environment where residents feel valued, safe and at home. Our goal is to support seniors in aging gracefully, while offering peace of mind to families, knowing their loved ones are receiving high-quality care that is both affordable and adaptable.

If you’re looking for an assisted living community that prioritizes affordability, independence,

Take advantage of the SJC tax cut

By AMY DRAKE Councilwoman

As tax bills arrive in the mail, remember that the St. Joseph County Council passed a tax cut a couple years ago to help those 55 and older with rising property tax bills. If you have not yet applied for the program, there are still two more years worth of savings before the tax break runs out.

This tax credit works by limiting the amount of property tax you pay on your home to no more than a 2% increase on your tax bill from the previous year. This safeguard provides peace of mind to our citizens, knowing that your tax payment will be limited even if you see a big increase in your assessment.

Longevity opens a new world

By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features

People are getting older. By 2030, the senior population around the world is expected to top 1.5 billion from the current 900 million. China’s over-65 phalanx that accounts for less than 10% of the population now is predicted to account for a quarter of its population in just three decades.

By the end of this decade, more than 20% of the North American population will be 65 years or older. By 2060, one out of four people will be in that age bracket.

2030s, workers will account for only 30% of the population. This shrinking workforce means a shrinking source of payroll taxes to finance Social Security and Medicare benefits for the aging population that no longer will be working.

Counterbalancing this trend is recent reports that three quarters of the current labor force plans to keep working past the age of 65. But pundits still predict Social Security benefits will have to be cut by at least 20% by the mid-2030s.

and personalized care, Hamilton Grove Assisted Living is here for you. Contact us today at (574) 654-2200 to learn more about our flexible pricing model and how we can help you or your loved one find the perfect place to call home.

This phenomenon is occurring for a few reasons. One is the graying of the postWorld War II baby boomers, the 77 million Americans born between 1946 and 1964. Added to that is the fact that we’re living longer while the birth rate is diminishing. The 1950 U.S birth rate was 25 per 1,000 compared with 12 per 1,000 at the beginning of this decade.

By the beginning of the

All of this movement not only affects financial-support programs, it puts a strain on the health-care industry, which foresees a shortage of more than 120,000 doctors in the next 10 years.

The combination of this anticipated shortage and an older work force is expected to result in openings for seniors in the health-care industry, which already is looking to avoid shortages of 100,000 nurses assistants and other medical aides forecast over the next half dozen years. Mature Life Features Copyright

the only other specifications are that you must have lived in your house at least 10 years, and you must have a homestead deduction, which generally means that your St. Joseph County home is your main residence.

Keep in mind this won’t affect any additional referendum payments, such as South Bend schools. Also, file an appeal with the assessor’s office if you do not think your assessment is fair, as this tax benefit is only temporary.

The council wanted to make sure we could reach as many people as possible, so there is no income limit to receive this tax break, nor is there an assessed value limit. Besides the age rule,

To receive a savings on next year’s tax bill, be 55 years old by Dec. 31, and make sure you apply with the county’s auditor’s office. You can do that in person, at the County City Building, or online at sjcindiana.gov/auditor. If you apply once, you will see a tax savings for the remainder of the two years left on the program. Contact me, Councilwoman Amy Drake, with any additional questions at adrake@sjcindiana. gov.

STORIES AND SMILES Jean Cashman, left, shares her family album with Laura Black, a CNA.

Photo provided by Hamilton Grove.

Talking about death and grief

A doctor friend told me a story when he was in medical school, and a doctor /professor was talking about a specific medical condition. He said, “If these complications occur, the patients who develop them will eventually die.” Then he stopped for a second or two and said, “But then, all patients eventually die.” My friend commented, “The medical profession is stalling for time.”

It became clear to me during my wife’s battle with breast cancer that doctors are well aware that the added time is precious to the patient. With the advanced medical tools available, they can improve their patient’s length and quality of life. The professor’s point that we all eventually die is not something we are taught and we don’t discuss it very much. As long we have lived, we have died. The simple fact of life is that we will eventually die, and someone we love will die. We will, at some time in our life,

regardless of our diagnosis. We may cruise through our twenties, thirties, or forties without ever facing the reality of our mortality. So, we rarely ever discuss it. If we don’t talk about it, it won’t happen. Our ancestors were much better at talking about death. In those times, people may have been reluctant to discuss sex, but death was part of their daily life. Disease was rampant, so living with death was expected. No matter your wealth, everyone will eventually die. Less than 40% of babies born in the 1800s would reach their 60th birthday. Less than 10% made it to their 80th. That meant that our ancestors experienced a lot of death and attended a lot of funerals. We are no strangers to death, though. Over the last 125 years, death has occurred on a significant scale with two world wars, Korea and Vietnam, a major flu epidemic, and now the Covid-19 pandemic. Yet, we still don’t openly discuss the

will only perpetuate the fears, misconceptions, and confusion surrounding it.

In my book “Balloon in a Box: Coping with Grief,” I suggest

that we reclaim our emotions and learn how to process better how we feel. Let’s talk openly about death and how we think about how something is impacting us. We can begin to understand that whatever we are feeling is normal and find a way through it. By sharing our experiences and talking about them, we will know that grief will always be with us; that is something you really have to get over. We must learn that life continues, understanding that it’s something we can learn to live with. We do not need to feel we’ve failed because we continue to grieve the death of someone important. We must learn to embrace the changes it brings to our lives. By embracing the end as we do the beginning, acknowledg-

ing our mortality, not thinking that we will live forever and not taking our lives for granted. Talking about it, maybe we will be able to view death, our death, in a different way. Let’s not wait until the final moments of our lives to talk about it. Let’s talk about it now, and remember, life continues, and we must embrace the changes.

Editors Note: Tom Rose is the author of “Balloon in a Box: Coping with Grief” available on Amazon, at Fabells Books in Goshen, and on his website, thomaslrose.com. He is avilable for speaking engagements and facilitates grief groups. Feedback can be directed to rosandroseassociates@comcast.net or (574) 596-6256. Additionally, Tom hosts the weekly podcast “Senior Talk Michiana” available on Spotify and his website at thomaslrose.com/senior-talk.

Aging at home sweet home

By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features

If you’re looking forward to aging gracefully in your own home, you’re among the 80% of the over-50 population that looks forward to doing just

If you’re part of that phalanx that isn’t interested in moving into one of the assisted-living or nursing-home facilities mushrooming throughout the land, you might look around the house for ways to make it senior-citizen friendly. Start with the kitchen, which is where you spend much of your time every day. Your stove should have its push buttons and dials easy to reach at the front instead of at the hard-to-reach rear behind the burners. You might even consider voice controls. You should also think about ovens. Replace the usual instove oven with a wall type or microwave oven. Make

the location handy and low enough. Do the same with your cupboard handles.

If you’re still physically mobile, sit in a chair as you check these details so they will be accessible should you ever require a wheelchair.

Keep this image in mind and head for the front door to check if you should replace those steps with a ramp. And is the doorway wide enough. Check out the rear entry, too.

You can also get digital locks for the door so you don’t have to fumble for keys to lock up or get back in.

Make sure you have plenty of light at these entry points. And inside the house, too.

See about eliminating any stairs or steps and making hallways wider, if necessary. Handrails along corridors and in bathrooms and showers should be considered and remove loose rugs and doormats that can trip you up.

If you’re used to having our

bedroom upstairs, think about moving it down. Stairs are a major cause of falls that kill or cripple. Falling down stairs kills about half of the 30,000 seniors who die from falls each year.

Check your bedroom for loose cords. Curtain pulls, electrical cords or any loose ends should be tucked out of the way to avoid tripping and falling.

Check lights switches around the house. Make sure they’re low enough to reach from your chair while you’re making sure there is plenty of lighting around the house, including entry ways, closets, bathrooms and your yard. Plug in nightlights throughout so you can see your way to a light switch without stumbling or tripping over unseen objects, such as slippers, magazines or sweaters that may have been dumped before going to bed.

Look around for slippery spots, especially on any steps and in the bathroom. You can apply non-nonskid strips to the shower floor and get a shower chair that can also reduce the chances of falling. While you’re doing all this, you’ll probably discover other perils as well as come up with some ideas of your own to make life more comfortable as you age in place.

Coping with Grief By TOM ROSE

Why a will may not be enough

A will has no legal power until it is admitted to probate and a personal representative is appointed by the court. But courts don’t act on their own after your death; someone must file the necessary paperwork. This is a built-in delay that can slow down the process significantly. Further, probate is a public process; the contents of your will can be available to anyone who asks. Probate can be expensive and time consuming. In some cases, probate can take months or even a year or more, and court costs and legal fees can reduce an estate’s value significantly.

A will also doesn’t help if you’re incapacitated. For that, you will need a healthcare proxy

and a durable power of attorney; these are documents that allow someone you trust to make medical and financial decisions on your behalf if you’re unable to do so.

Instead of relying solely on a will, it might be worth engaging in more comprehensive estate planning. This can begin with creating a living trust. Trusts offer more flexibility and more protection than wills. You can transfer assets such as investments, property and personal belongings into a trust that is managed by you, as trustee. The trust allows you to outline how and when your assets should be distributed. You can also include specific condi tions, such as age milestones,

Our trusts also contain language to help you remain in your own home as long as possible, avoiding unnecessary placement in a nursing home. A long-term catastrophic illness could otherwise cost your family up to $10,000 each month, or more. Our trusts also contain language for married couples it usually lacks the detail and safeguards of a trust, which can provide instructions for how funds are to be used and clarify expectations for your children’s upbringing. To learn more about how a comprehensive estate plan can fully protect you and your loved ones, come to Ruth’s Chris

Assisted Living, nursing And rehAbiLitAtion guide

Aperion Care - Arbors Michigan City

1101 E. Coolspring Avenue, Michigan City, IN 46360 (219) 874-5211 • www.aperioncare.com

Short Term Rehab, Long Term Care, On-Site Therapy 7 Days A Week, Orthopedic Rehab, Post-Stroke Rehab, Nurse Practitioner Oversight, Wound Care, Respiratory Care, IV Therapy, Cardiac Rehab, Newly Remodeled Communities, Memory Care

Holy Cross Village at Notre Dame

54515 933 N., P.O. Box 706, Notre Dame, IN 46556 (574) 287-1838 • www.holycrossvillage.com

Dujarie House, Independent Living, Assisted Living, Respite Care, Rehabilitation Unit, Alzheimer’s Unit, Skilled Licensed Nursing, Intermediate Care, Therapies: Speech-Occupational-Physical, Long Term Care, Respite Care, Private Rooms, Pet Visitation Allowed, Residential Apartments

Hubbard Hill Retirement Community

28070 CR 24 ., Elkhart, IN 46517 (574) 295-6260 • www.hubbardhill.org

Rehabilitation, Healthcare, Assisted Living, Memory Care, Maintenance Free Homes, Licensed, Locally Owned, Non-Profit, Faith Based, Physical, Occupational, Speech Therapies, Memory Care Support Group, Pet Friendly, There’s No Place Like Hubbard Hill

Majestic Care of South Bend

52654 N. Ironwood Road, South Bend, IN 46635 (574) 277-8710 • www.Majesticcare.com

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

475 North Niles Avenue, South Bend, IN 46617 (574) 246-4123 • www.morningview-alf.com

Compassionate and trained caregivers on staff 24-hours per day. Accepting Medicaid waiver. Secure units. Assistance with activities of daily living. Daily life enrichment activities. Nutritional and dietary support.

Primrose Retirement Community of Mishawaka 820 Fulmer Road, Mishawaka, IN 46544 (574) 259-3211 • primroseretirement.com

Our spacious independent and assisted living apartments offer something to retire to not just something to retire from. Residents at Primrose enjoy a healthy and active living environment.

Riveridge Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center

1333 Wells Street, Niles, MI 49120 (269) 684-1111 • www.riveridgerehab.com

Riveridge Rehab in Niles, Michigan, offers newly renovated rehab units with 4 private suites. Additionally, we have a locked memory care unit with multi-sensory room.

316 Woodies Lane, Bremen, IN 46506 (574) 546-3494 • SHCofBremen.com liaison2.bremen@signaturehealthcarellc.com

Our Gated Community is a smaller, dedicated unit for comfort and safety for Alzheimer’s and Dementia Residents. We offer Enhanced Quality of Life Programming which includes cognitive strengths, life skills, daily movement, power of music, artistic expression, creativity and socialization.

Tanglewood Trace Senior Living

530 Tanglewood Lane, Mishawaka, IN 46545 (574) 277-4310

www.tanglewoodtraceseniorliving.com

Offering Retirement Villas, Independent and Licensed Assisted Living, Therapy Services, Respite Care, Social and Recreational Activities, Pets Welcome, Transportation, Beauty Shop and Spa Services Available.

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

AGING & HEALTH RESOURCES

REAL SERVICES, INC.

1151 South Michigan Street

Phone (574) 233-8205

www.realservices.org

Provides services to empower our community to live with independence, dignity, and strength. Call us to learn more.

See Our Ad In This Issue

AGING CONNECTIONS

Serving Northern IN & Southwest MI

A free online directory for aging & wellness resources. Our members offer a wide variety of services and information for your specific needs. www.agingconnections.org

Hover over Chapters on the navigation bar, then select your area and click directory.

Aging Connections is a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization

ALZHEIMERS/MEMORY CARE

NORTH WOODS VILLAGE

AT EDISON LAKES

1409 E. Day Road, Mishawaka, IN 46545 (574) 247-1866

www.northwoodsmemorycare.com

See Our Ad

ALZHEIMERS/MEMORY CARE

SIGNATURE HealthCARE OF BREMEN

316 Woodies Lane Bremen, IN 46506 (574) 546-3494

SHCofBremen.com

liaison2.bremen@signaturehealthcarellc.com

Our Gated Community is a smaller, dedicated unit for comfort and safety for Alzheimer’s and Dementia Residents. We offer Enhanced Quality of Life Programming which includes cognitive strengths, life skills, daily movement, power of music, artistic expression, creativity and socialization.

CONTINUING CARE RETIREMENT COMMUNITY

HAMILTON GROVE

31869 Chicago Trail

New Carlisle, IN 46552 (574) 654-2200

Greencroft.org/HamiltonGrove

SOUTHFIELD VILLAGE

6450 Miami Circle

South Bend, IN 46614 (574) 231-1000

Greencroft.org/SouthfieldVillage

Hamilton Grove and Southfield Village provide a full continuum of care-assisted living, rehabilitation, and long-term care.

DAY CENTER

SAINT JOSEPH PACE

250 East Day Rd. Mishawaka, IN 46545 (574) 247-8700

saintjosephPACE@trinity-health.org Helping seniors live safely at home. PACE’s main objective is to keep seniors out of nursing homes.

FOOT CARE

FOOT SOLUTIONS

323 Florence Ave., Granger, IN 46530 (574) 272-3668

granger@footsolutions.com

Better Health Through Your Feet! Solutions for Plantar Facitis Morton’s Neuroma, bunions, morton’s neuroma, sore knees, sore ankles and more. Call for your FREE foot analysis.

HEALTHCARE

HealthLinc

Multiple locations throughout Lake, Porter, LaPorte, Starke and St. Joe Counties (888) 580-1060

healthlincchc.org

Providing quality medical, dental, optical, behavioral health, pharmacy, podiatry, chiropractic and much more.

NIHC - NORTHERN INDIANA HEARING CENTER

2406 Mishawaka Ave., South Bend, IN 46615 (574) 383-5595

Willow Creek Office Center 3179 Willow Creek Road, Portage, IN 46368

Starting at $895 each.

SERVICES

ALWAYS BEST CARE - MICHIANA

310 N. Ironwood Dr. South Bend, IN 46615 (574) 232-8487

www.abc-michiana.com

Leaders in Non-Medical Home Care. VA Provider. Indiana Medicaid Waiver Provider. Michigan Medicaid Provider. Private Pay. Long-term Care Insurance. Veterans Care Bridge.

COMFORT KEEPERS

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

www.southbendin.comfortkeepers.com

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

HANDS IN MOTION HOMECARE (574) 395-6339

www.handsinmotioncare.com

Accept private pay, long-term insurance, Medicaid Waiver and VA through AVCC. Deaf-friendly and Hearing welcome. Serving South Bend, Mishawaka, Granger, Osceola, Elkhart and surrounding counties. Accepting Applications

HOME CARE SERVICES

HOME INSTEAD

3025 Grape Rd. Mishawaka, IN 46545 (574) 256-1479

www.homeinstead.com/343

From companionship to transportation to loving care, to us it’s personal.

VILLAGE CAREGIVING

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

villagecaregiving.com

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

VISITING ANGELS OF MICHIANA 3840 Edison Lakes Parkway Mishawaka, IN 46545 (574) 323-6756

jfinnessy@visitingangels.com

Nonmedical services include: Customized Memory Care Program, Housekeeping, Transportation, Bathing, Dressing, Transferring, Companionship, Meals, Dementia and Alzheimer’s Care. We are a VA Provider.“We’re Here for You — Always!”

HOME HEALTHCARE AGENCY

NORACARE

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

info@noracare.us

www.noracare.us

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

3120 N. Home St. Mishawaka, IN 46545 (574) 855-3017

www.caringcovehospice.com/ We’re here to help by providing personalized exceptional hospice care. Serving St. Joseph, Elkhart, Marshall and Laporte counties.

Comfort 1 Hospice 118 W. Edison Rd., Suite 200 Mishawaka, IN 46545 (574) 387-4117

www.Comfort1Hospice.com

Our homegrown team of local health care providers offer comfort and compassion to those with life-limiting illnesses in our community. We Can Help!

TO HEART HOSPICE 620 Edison Rd., Suite 122 Mishawaka, IN 46545 (574) 855-4475

hearttohearthospice.com

Compassionate care from our heart to yours. Volunteers needed. CHAP Accredited

IN-HOME CARE

SENIOR HELPERS 230 W. Catalpa, Ste. B Mishawaka, IN 46544 (574) 968-1068

https://www.seniorhelpers.com/in/southbend/ South Bend’s Premier Service Provider of Personalized In-Home Senior Care. Our mission is to provide reliable senior care throughout our community. We will visit you or your loved one where you ARE. Call TODAY for more information.

Locations in Portage, Lake Station, Chesteron, Merrillville, Hammond, LaPorte & DeMotte By appt. or walk-ins welcome. (219) 763-8112 or (888) 459-2349

www.northshorehealth.org

Affordable medical and urgent care regardless of ability to pay. Medicare, Medicaid, commercial insurance accepted. Discounted self-pay option.

MEMORY CARE

CHAPTERS LIVING OF SOUTH BEND 955 N. Hickory Road South Bend, IN 46615 (574) 314-5369

chapterssouthbend.com

Memory Care Community where your loved ones can live. Not just exist! Start your next chapter. Call Today!

REDOXGold

Ernie Chupp 26659 CR 54 Nappanee, IN 46550 (574) 773-9404

realredoxresults.com (password: redox)

In Pain? Experience immediate, targeted relief and recovery. Relieves ailments like joint discomfort, kidney problems, depression, migraines, fatigue, cholesterol, allergies, auto-immune and more.

PAIN RELIEF

Benton County landscape full of wind machines

Agriculture has been the backbone of Benton County since before it was established in 1840. Located on the Illinois line in north central Indiana, half way between Indianapolis and Chicago, the county has always been known for its corn, soybeans and wheat.

As of 2005, Benton County experienced the beginning of a new kind of farming when researchers determined it possessed another valuable resource. It had the highest sustained winds in northern Indiana. They blow steadi-

ly through the county from the southwest from Boswell to Earl Park along Fowler Ridge. This discovery sparked the development of the state’s first utility-scale wind farm near the city of Goodland and has earned it the distinction of being the capital of Hoosier wind farming.

The Goodland project, which produces 130.5 megawatts of electricity, was just the tip of the iceberg. Then came the Benton County Wind Farm with 135 turbines, Fowler Ridge Wind Farm with 460 turbines, Hoosier Wind Farm with 106 turbines, and Fowler Ridge IV with 65 turbines.

There are wind turbines everywhere, 560 in all, with more on the drawing board. They’re visible from US 52 and US 41. Together, they produce 988 megawatts of

Continued on page 19

LANDSCAPE OF TOWERS Wind turbines dot the Benton County landscape with more scheduled to be erected. They can be seen from both US 52 and US 41.

PRODUCING ELECTRICITY

200 FEET TALL

Each wind tower is supported on a base of 377 cubic yards of cement (33 truck loads) and 135 tons of steel reinforcing bars

Benton County

Continued from page 18

electrical power, which is enough electricity to serve 265,000 homes.

Standing well above area grain storage silos and church steeples, they’re actually quite majestic with the sun glinting off their 100-foot-long blades. Though they appear to be turning slowly, the speed of the blades at the tip is approximately 120 miles per hour. Each turbine has its own weather station, can determine wind

direction and change the angle of its blades to fit the conditions. Optimum wind speed is between nine and 56 miles per hour. They’re held erect on a concrete base, which require 377 cubic yards of cement and 135 tons of reinforcing bars. According to the director of Benton County Economic Development, Latisha Provo, there initially were some people who were opposed to the invasion of

the 162-foot-tall wind machines on the pristine landscape.

“Besides making Fowler a new tourism center,” she said, “the wind farms have been a big shot in the arm for local businesses serving workers during the developmental/construction stages and those who have stayed to maintain the machines. All of the area towns, school corporations and county governments have benefited, as have the residents

Family Fun Tours

May 10, 2025 - Tulip Festival

Family Fun Tours

May 24, 2025 - Fort Wayne Zoo

May 10, 2025 - Tulip Festival

May 24, 2025 - Fort Wayne Zoo

from lower property taxes.”

”Yes,” Provo pointed out, “the turbines do make some noise, but it’s basically a low hum that has simply become part of the ambient sound and is generally ignored.”

To schedule a tour, call (765) 884-2080, ext. 8153. A fee of $5 for adults and $3 for children/ students is charged for groups of more than 21. Groups under 20 persons pay a $75 flat fee. Tours

Diamond Tours

May 27-29, 2025 - The Ark Encounter & Creation Museum

May 27-29, 2025 - The Ark Encounter & Creation Museum

June 14, 2025 - Indy Zoo

are available from 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday or by appointment.

The hour-long tours include a video overview with questions and answers, a visit to an operating turbine and getting up close and personal with a 100-foot-long blade.

To get there, head toward US 52 on the west edge of the state, turn north and head right into Fowler.

Diamond Tours

June 9-13, 2025 - Niagara Falls & Toronto

OPEN HOUSE

June 14, 2025 - Indy Zoo

June 21, 2025 - Dayton Air Show July 4-5, 2025 - Horse Progress Days July 5, 2025 - Columbus Zoo

June 21, 2025 - Dayton Air Show July 4-5, 2025 - Horse Progress Days July 5, 2025 - Columbus Zoo

July 12, 2025 - Air Zoo

July 19, 2025 - Peru Circus

August 16, 2025 - Chicago Air Show

August 23, 2025 - Toledo Zoo

Saturday, June 14 • 9am-1pm Rain or Shine!

September 21-27, 2025 - Beautiful Vermont

July 12, 2025 - Air Zoo

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

July 19, 2025 - Peru Circus

August 16, 2025 - Chicago Air Show

November 3-7, 2025 - Nashville Show Trip

August 23, 2025 - Toledo Zoo

September 13, 2025 - Fair Oaks Farms

September 13, 2025 - Fair Oaks Farms

September 27, 2025 - Brookfield Zoo

December 7-12, 2025 - Charleston, South Carolina & July 5,

September 27, 2025 - Brookfield Zoo

Diamond Tours

June 9-13, 2025 - Niagara Falls & Toronto

August 4-9, 2025 - Beautiful Branson

September 21-27, 2025 - Beautiful Vermont

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

November 3-7, 2025 - Nashville Show Trip

December 7-12, 2025 - Charleston, South Carolina

Meal and ice cream to be provided. Sign up for chance to win Giveaway!

September 21-27, 2025 - Beautiful

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

December 7-12, 2025 - Charleston, South Carolina

August 4-9, 2025 - Beautiful Branson

November 3-7, 2025 - Nashville Show Trip

BLADE ART A 100-foot-long turbine blade on display in Fowler has become a favorite wall for local graffiti artists. Seeing it up close and personal gives visitors good perspective on overall size.

Social Security’s FAQ page can answer important questions

By MONA HARTER District Manager, South Bend Social Security Office

There are many online resources about Social Security, but it is important that you visit our official website — SSA. gov — for the most accurate and up-to-date answers. You can find lots of information about our programs and services on our Frequently Asked Questions page at faq.ssa.gov. We feature the most asked questions at the top of the page to include:

How can I get help from Social Security?

How much will the COLA amount be for 2025 and when will I receive it?

What should I do if I receive a call from someone claiming to

be a Social Security employee?

How do I schedule, reschedule, or cancel an appointment?

What happens if I work and get Social Security retirement benefits?

You can also browse by topic, including: Disability. Supplemental Security Income. Retirement. Medicare.

Many of our FAQs are available in Spanish, as well, at ssa. gov/espanol.

Visit our publications library at ssa.gov/pubs for more detailed information on many important topics. Most publications are available in text, audio, downloadable formats, and in other languages.

Share this information with your loved ones.

FIND ANSWERS TO YOUR QUESTIONS Visit Social Security’s Frequently Asked

page to find your answers to important questions at SSA.gov.

Downsizing could lead to house hunting

By CECIL SCAGLIONE

Mature Life Features

Just the thought of downsizing after the kids have left and we’re heading into our senior years makes most of us shake our heads.

We face such issues as whether to move into a highrise apartment building or

senior-living community or to a friendlier climate or near the grandkids. Other matters include whether or not we can still have a garden or workshop or two-car garage and what do you do with all our “stuff.”

Most folks in this position for the first time decide to shop around for a smaller house, something cozy and comfort-

able as they grow older. Some rent in the area or domicile they think they they’d like before deciding on what and where to settle.

If you see yourself in or approaching this situation, you’ll probably list location and price range before looking.

Keep in mind the time-worn warning when shopping: caveat

emptor — let the buyer beware.

Homes for sale are primped and prettied up to look most-inviting and dream-home-like to looky-loos.

While older structures may have the most problems, even newly built buildings can be poorly put together.

When you go through a building that has some appeal, turn on every light switch inside and outside and out in the garage and every electrical appliance — stove, air conditioner, heater, washer and dryer, microwave, dishwasher and anything else — to make sure everything works and you don’t trip a circuit breaker. If the electrical system can’t handle what’s installed, it probably needs an upgrade, which can be costly.

Then check the water system. Turn on all the faucets, indoor and outdoor and shower and flush the toilets. Check for leaks and check the walls for damp spots that indicate dripping or cracked pipes.

As you inspect walls, look closely for tell-tale signs of patching that can mean the dry wall was cut open to repair piping or electrical circuits. Check the ceiling the same

way. While such patches might indicate that whatever problem existed has been repaired, they can also be signs of ongoing problems.

Now check the flooring for the same thing as well as sagging spots or sloping. Mismatched coloring of carpeting or wood are indicators that the flooring was ripped up and replaced. A sagging or slanting floor can mean the building’s foundation is sinking.

It also can be an indicator that a section of the building was added to the original structure. Mismatched roofing can be a sign of the same thing.

Mold may be hiding behind these walls, floors and ceilings as well as in closets and kitchen cabinets. Exercise your sense of smell as you prowl around the house to make sure it’s as clean as it looks.

If you’re still interested in the property, make sure the owner signs a written record of all the problems and how and when they were repaired.

Before making a final decision, you might have a professional builder give the property a thorough inspection.

Or you might keep on looking.

Question