Senior Life - Allen County - April 2024

Living Life After 50

Unique offerings abound at the Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory

By CATHY SHOUSE Feature Writer

Butterflies and star fruit and a cascading waterfall, oh my.

The Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory in Fort Wayne, offers these and many more rewards for visitors to enjoy. Plus, research has shown that experiencing nature means people may walk away feeling an improved mood and less stressed.

In a career that has spanned decades, Linda Miller’s seen the inside and outside of what the conservatory offers, literally.

“I marked my 24th anniversary with the conservatory and the park department in March 2024,” Miller said. “I started in marketing at the conservatory as the community involvement specialist from 2000 to 2006 and then was promoted to supervisor of business development in 2007 to the present.”

Under the supervision of the Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation Department, the conservatory has multiple exhibits, sponsors several events, and more. Miller was instrumental in a recent funding success.

“The conservatory applied to the Foellinger Foundation in February 2023 for support of our 2023 Showcase Garden Exhibits under their community interests grant,” Miller said. The foundation declined support (and) . . . invited the conservatory and the Foellinger Theatre to apply for a capital

grant to celebrate the foundation’s 65th anniversary. The two park department facilities received $1 million ($500,000 each) to be paid out over the next three years.”

All of the financial aspects aside, Miller has a deep appreciation for what the conservatory actually does, its mission and purpose.

Originally from the area, she grew up on a farm outside of Huntertown.

“A highlight of working at the conservatory is seeing the connection with nature that guests experience during their visit and how the gardens serve as a place of fun, solace, learning, and engagement for all types of people,” she said.

“I also love the vast diversity of our plant collection,” she continued. “I often marvel about having a conservatory right in downtown Fort Wayne where you can visit unique- themed exhibits but also see lots of palms, cycads, chocolate, orange and coffee trees, many different types of cacti and so much more. It’s a great treat to see the different plants bloom in their seasons. I’ve visited the gardens with both family and friends; yes, even on my days off.”

Nate Cardelli, the conservatory’s general manager, said the area covers more than five acres and the indoor garden space is 30,000 square feet. There are more than 150 volunteers and many are age 55 and older.

“Our volunteers help at the front desk, in the gift shop, and with preparing in our production greenhouse,” Cardelli said. “We have plants available for sale and also produce plants for display.”

She added, “This year, I’m looking forward once again to our annual live butterfly exhibit featuring butterflies from tropical areas. It’s our 21st annual exhibit and a lot of hard work for our staff and volunteers, yet I never tire of seeing the amazing species of butterflies.”

She also anticipates a great display for the summer-fall exhibit, “Raise a Glass,” which celebrates the conservatory’s 40th anniversary.

Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory is located at 1100 S. Calhoun St., Fort Wayne. Call (260) 427-6440 or visit botanicalconservatory.org for hours of operation.

Allen County edition ReAChing FoRt WAyne

36, No. 12

New executive director leaves no stone unturned

By BETHANNE BRINK-COX Feature Writer

If you haven’t heard of Fort Wayne UNITED, you absolutely need to.

Michael Patton is the new executive director, and he hit the ground running. He brings multiple decades of expertise and leadership to this position, not to mention passion and commitment, not just to the young men he works with, but to all of Fort Wayne.

Fort Wayne UNITED launched in 2016, and there are now over 10 successful ongoing programs and initiatives. Combining Cities United and My Brother’s Keeper under one umbrella, this program was designed to advance youth advocacy, specifically for black men and boys. The plan was to educate, inform and engage for positive change.

When asked what piqued his interest in this organization, Patton replied, “The opportunity to impact black males, as well as other minority males in the community with programs such as Black Male Achievement, the 10-point coalition

addressing issues such as gun violence, as well as UNITED Front.”

Patton was involved in such activities as a child. It influenced him then and now in his plans for the program.

“Yes,” he said. “Urban League was what impacted me growing up and it was especially meant for young black males.”

How involved is an executive director with these young men?

“We have hands-on (activities) with these kids like Friday Tie Day, a bus tour with President MadAnts, Tim Bawmann, who introduced them to employment opportunities beyond basketball. We monitor their grades and those kinds of things. We bring to the table BMA mentoring, and senior, seasoned Friday Tie Day where we purchase shirts and ties and the mentors, dressed in suits, teach the men to tie their ties,” he said.

A speaker talks on particular topics, like handling conflict, doing better in school, and increasing attendance.

Patton believes this kind of program would be good in any city.

“You would see an immediate response. Imagine someone to mentor you with experience and good tidbits, someone you can be accountable to. You bring in mentors and start building good relationships with young men who have no one to look up to but the streets, drug dealers and replace that with people who are working and solid families,” Patton enthused.

Are there things others in the community could contribute to add to success? Patton stated, “Certainly businesses and community leaders could be of benefit. We need volunteers and good examples. It also takes funding, and we certainly welcome those kinds of opportunities.”

The program’s vision statement is, “Every black male in Fort Wayne is respected and valued and has the opportunity to achieve his full potential.”

It has an equally strong mission, “To advocate for and implement policies, practices and procedures to ensure equity and opportunity for black fathers, brothers and sons at home, work, school and in the community through collaborative effort.”

MICHAEL PATTON

The city of Fort Wayne and every man involved can only benefit from strong intent, compassion and encouragement.

Patton wants nothing more than to see these men reach

their dreams and goals, and he’s enthusiastic and willing to do what it takes, making this happen.

If there’s any way you want to be or can be involved, go for it.

Jeff ‘JJ’ Shaw, Attorney at Law

A rock-solid idea

Late in 1975, there would have been no reason for you to know the name of Gary Dahl. By the beginning of the next year, though, there’s little doubt that you would have become aware of, if not his name, his quirky creation that had made him a pop-culture phenomenon.

By RANDAL C. HILL

“roll over.”

He designed a cardboard pet carrier complete with ventilation holes and a bedding of straw or shredded paper. The rocks themselves — smooth stones from a beach in Baja Calif., — came from a local sand and gravel company and cost one penny each. The straw or shredded paper wasn’t much more. Dahl’s biggest expense was the cardboard carrier.

Dahl owned a California advertising agency that specialized in radio and TV ads. Business had fallen off recently, and the discouraged 38-year-old was frequently casting about to change his fortunes with a clever (and marketable) idea.

One night, he and some pals were drinking at their favorite hangout in Los Gatos, a town in the rapidly growing Silicon Valley. Dahl’s pals were complaining about all the hassles and expenses involved with their household pets. Dahl, though, smiled and joked he had no such problems, as his domestic pet was a rock. Laughter followed, as did a few more drinks.

But back home, Gary began writing the Pet Rock Training Manual, a 36-page, chuckleinspiring booklet filled with puns, jokes and illustrations of various rocks in (in)action. He lightheartedly explained Pet Rocks required no feeding, walking, bathing, grooming or vet visits. They were hypoallergenic and didn’t bark, bite or have accidents on the floor.

They were good at obeying certain commands — ”stay,” “play dead” — but admittedly required some owner assistance with “fetch,” “come” and

Thinking about a trade-in?

By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features

Keeping your dependable old pick-up or SUV oiled and greased until its last gear slips may no longer be the wisest choice of auto ownership.

Advancing technology is making new cars much safer and easier to drive.

And we’re all being made aware that self-driving cars are just down the road a piece. Testing is going on now around the globe.

Should we wait till they get here or take advantage now of such safety features as blind spot warning systems, rear view cameras, and emergency automatic braking systems? Mature

Tonight Show,” and someone named Al Bolt even released a single record called “I’m in Love with My Pet Rock.”

By Christmas, 100,000 Pet Rocks were being bought daily.

He convinced two friends to invest $10,000 each in his product, and Pet Rocks soon began appearing in Bay Area novelty stores and at gift shows.

Word and interest spread quickly across the country, especially after Newsweek ran an illustrated feature on the preposterous pretend pet. Dahl appeared twice on “The

Following the holidays — and after 1.5 million units had changed hands— the fad died as quickly as had the Hula Hoop. But by then Dahl, who earned 95 cents profit on each $3.95 sale, had pocketed over $1 million. He gifted each newly wealthy investor with a shiny new Mercedes, then purchased a Los Gatos hillside mansion complete with his own Mercedes in the garage.

To many people, Pet Rocks were a silly “craze du jour,” seen as a statement about the absurdity of consumer culture. To others, though, the success of the novelty became a testament to clever marketing.

Whichever, Dahl’s item had made a lasting impact on the toy industry and the American popular culture.

And it had all been fun. Dahl told People magazine, “You might say we packaged a sense of humor.”

A SILLY “CRAZE DU JOUR” The Pet Rock was created by Gary Dahl after friends complained about the hassles and expenses with household pets. Over 1.5 million were sold and to many Pet Rocks were a silly “craze du jour,” seen as a statement about the absurdity of consumer culture.

Hoffman has written a book we all should read

By BETHANNE BRINK-COX Feature Writer

How many of you think you might have a book in you?

Lucinda “Luci” Hoffman did, and she took it all the way to a publishing company.

“I began writing short stories and poems in fourth grade,” Hoffman shared.

Her book, “Where Do We Keep the Screwdrivers? A Spouse’s Guide to Emergency Planning” is the first book

she has gotten published. It became available in December 2023.

Hoffman was raised on a farm on the Ohio side of the state line in Van Wert County, Ohio, but has lived in Allen County for almost 50 years.

“I have a blended family of four children, their spouses, and 29 grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In 2021, my husband of 45 years passed away after a protracted illness,” she said.

STAFF

PUBLISHED AUTHOR

Lucinda “Luci” Hoffman wrote her book, “Where Do We Keep the Screwdrivers? A Spouse’s Guide to Emergency Planning,” after her husband died in 2021. This is her first published book. Photo provided by Lucinda Hoffman.

Her experiences before, during and after this family event were the catalyst for writing “Where Do We Keep the Screwdrivers? A Spouse’s Guide to Emergency Planning.”

“I felt the desire to share my experience with other couples, encourage them to take a proactive approach to information and document gathering before a family emergency occurs,” she said. “The book is geared toward married couples, but would be very beneficial for anyone.”

The book is in two parts.

Part one contains real-life stories about life lessons and the different stages experienced during a family emergency, such as an illness, accident or death.

Part two contains categories, such as finances, sources of income, health, property, insurance and common sense. It poses some interesting questions and beneficial information the public may not have thought about.

With that many genres in mind, she’s got something for everyone to choose from.

The open house at the Opera House in Convoy featured book signings by five local Van Wert County authors, including Hoffman, March 17.

The book also contains worksheets for each of these areas to complete together, so both parties are aware of where their pertinent information is stored and how to access it more easily.

Hoffman has plans for much more, too.

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Mailed subscriptions are available, prepaid with order at $37 for one year; and $64 for two years (Select one edition ) Your cancelled check will serve as your

For advertising deadlines call your sales representative The existence of advertising in Senior Life is not meant as an endorsement of any product, services or individuals by anyone except the advertisers Signed letters or columns are the opinion of the writers, and not necessarily the opinion of the publishers To advertise contact Betty Foster at 260-494-9321

“I have always loved putting my thoughts in writing, and in the future I have plans to publish my poetry and short stories. Although this book might fall in the life skills area, I also would like to publish a cookbook focusing on meal planning and cooking for one to two people in 20 minutes or less. Since I am a widow now, I have learned some quick tips and tricks for making cooking for one much easier, but still satisfying. I also have thoughts about writing my first fictional novel.”

“I have had several book signing events, but have not yet done readings or public appearances. I have been asked to speak at two upcoming events this summer. I hope to develop and present workshops based on the information in my book to senior groups or couples workshops in the future,” Hoffman said.

She even has a website, lucihoffmancreations.com. On this website, one can learn more about her book and download the free, full-sized versions of the worksheets in the book.

Her book is available at FriesenPress Book Store, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other online book stores in hard cover, softcover and e-book versions.

Soccer official stays busy on the field

By CATHY SHOUSE

Feature Writer

Tony Crowell spends many hours on the soccer field every year. The 66-year-old is a soccer official, or what some call a referee. He’s licensed with the IHSAA to work at the high school level and also officiates middle school games, which doesn’t require licensing.

“My sons played all their elementary and high school years, and when my youngest son graduated, I became a soccer official to continue on with the sport,” Crowell said. “I also have a daughter who played in elementary school and moved into marching band.”

It’s hard to say exactly how many hours he officiates. There are variables, mainly whether a school has a junior varsity and also a varsity team. If there are two games in one night, he may be gone from around 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. or 10 p.m. He is grateful for his wife, Terri, who supports his long hours.

Crowell is typically a member of three individuals in his same role at the games. One

is in the center and the others are on the line at each side of the field. He estimates more than 300 people fill the various positions to cover all the games in his area.

Once teams move up to regional games and above, four officials are assigned. A typical season might see him working at 50 games or more, and if he officiates past the regular season, there are many more games he’s responsible for.

There is competition among officials to be invited to officiate at regional games and above.

So far, Crowell has gotten to work at regionals.

“I’m hoping to get up to semistate,” he said.

All of the moving along the field is demanding physically. He rides a stationary bike and had to stop running a few years ago after having back surgery. Retirement from officiating isn’t on his radar.

“I’ll keep doing it as long as I don’t put anyone in harm’s way,” he said.

He’s able to work for middle school games and also high

school games because the two age groups have different seasons. His spring is filled with officiating middle school level.

Starting when school begins in the fall, he turns to the high school season. That’s usually August, but sometimes there will be scrimmages where he’s needed before the actual season play starts.

In addition to keeping up to

date on all the intricate rules of the game, he also maintains an awareness of every aspect of what’s going on around the students, who are playing on the field.

Sometimes, fans will question the calls or shout out during the game. He choses his words carefully about the environment on the field at some games, keeping a professional

tone and calm as he remembered details of some games he’s been involved with.

“Parents can be passionate,” he said. He noted that when people interact with officials, he considers that an important distinction; however, he remained unruffled about all he juggles as he officiates.

“It’s all part of game management,” he said.

National Wheelchair Basketball Association Championship April 26-28

Tickets for the 2024 Women’s and Military Division Wheelchair Basketball National Championships are on sale now.

This event will be hosted in Fort Wayne, April 26-28, and is expected to draw over 300 athletes from across the country.

The event will be held in the Plassman Athletic Center at Turnstone, and is hosted by Turnstone and Visit Fort

choice for the 2024 championships.

Tickets

• All-session adult ticket, $30. Admission for one adult for all three days of the NWBA National Championship Tournament.

• All-session child ticket, $15. Admission for one child, 18 and under, for all three days of the NWBA National Championship

sanctioned competitions annually throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, Ontario, and Quebec. The NWBA season is from October to April, culminating in the national tournament.

The Women’s Division Na-

tional Championship is set to be the largest women’s wheelchair basketball event in the organization’s history, while 2024 also signals the second year the NWBA will crown a national champion in its newly-founded mililitary division.

Hundreds of volunteer shifts are also available for the community to fill during the championship event.

For more information, to volunteer or to purchase tickets, visit turnstone.org or call (260) 483-2100.

$2,000

$2,000

President & Founder

SOCCER REFEREE Tony Crowell, middle, is licensed with the IHSAA to work at the high school level and also officiates middle school soccer games. Shown with him are Mark Perry, left, and Jeremy Penrod, right.

They are pictured at the Girls 3A Soccer Sectional, hosted by Warsaw Community High School, held Oct. 7. Photo provided.

Spring showers bring aah choo!

By MICHELLE M. WALTERS, PHR, CHRS, CCWS, CSIS Executive Vice President Health Insurance Shop

I suppose it would be more appropriate to say that spring brings on histamines, and for many, the very unwanted result of an overabundance of these tiny little crusaders released

into our bloodstream in an attempt to rid our bodies of what is perceived as “foreign.”

Despite their noble intentions, this overreaction results in things like sneezing, itchy eyes, runny noses, skin rashes and sometimes even more serious effects, like anaphylaxis. That is allergies.

I cannot say what amount

(if any) research has been done regarding the aging process and the development of allergies, but I can say for certain that as I have gotten older, I seem to be less tolerant of seasonal allergens compared to my younger years.

Falling leaves allergy? Yep, I got that now. I even developed an allergy to the cold (seriously, it’s

Science Central to host Eclipse Day April 8

Activities, demonstrations, and more will highlight Science Central’s celebration of the upcoming solar eclipse Monday, April 8.

Eclipse Day is from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. It will feature both indoor and outdoor programming. Outdoors, visitors can look forward to using special telescopes, and other solar viewers, that will provide a safe view of the eclipse. There will be activity tables, giving visitors the opportunity to make sundials and create eclipse chalk art. At 2:30 p.m., Science Central will launch a highaltitude balloon equipped with cameras, which will record the eclipse’s progression. Visitors will also have the chance to dine at on-site food trucks and play cornhole games.

There is no fee for Science Central’s outdoor programming, which is weather dependent.

Indoors, visitors will be able to check out activity tables, covering topics such as sunspots and scale. Informative presentations on eclipses will be held in the center’s AEP Foundation Theater, featuring Science On a Sphere and Demonstration Theater. Storytellers will provide insight on the cultural significance of eclipses. Also, live eclipse coverage from NASA will be available to watch.

Science Central general admission is required for indoor programming. Admission can be purchased online or at the door.

The eclipse, as viewed from Science Central, will be a partial

solar eclipse. It will begin at 1:53 p.m. and conclude at 4:24 p.m. At the height of the event, 99.8 percent of the sun will be covered by the moon. From 2:45 p.m. to 3:15 p.m., the center’s interior will be temporarily closed, permitting staff and visitors to enjoy the eclipse as it reaches its darkest point at 3:10 p.m.

Eclipse glasses are currently available for purchase in Science Central’s Gift Shop for $3.99. The center strongly encourages the public to buy glasses now.

Science Central is located at 1950 N. Clinton St., Fort Wayne. For more information, call (260) 424-2400.

For a detailed Eclipse Day schedule, visit sciencecentral. org.

called cold urticaria) after my first pregnancy.

When you have allergies, how do you deal with it? Most of us will attempt an over-thecounter option (antihistamine) to start, but which one?

We often graduate to prescribed oral medications, and still others are required to get periodic injections from their doctor. Do Medicare insurance plans cover allergy medications?

Many of the Medicare Advantage plans will include an “OTC” benefit (allowance) that

allows members to get overthe-counter items like allergy medications. Otherwise, many prescription strength allergy medicines will be covered by Medicare Part D plans. Injections received at a doctor’s office can be covered under Medicare Part B if the provider participates in a “buy and bill” program.

If you need help sorting out how your Medicare plan covers your allergy relief, me and my staff would be more than happy to go through your plan with you. Give us a call at (260) 4847010.

Senior Citizens Expo May 9 in Bluffton

The Wells County Council on Aging Senior Citizens Expo will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, May 9, at the Wells County 4-H Community Building, 1240 4-H Road, Bluffton.

The expo is open to the public. There will be over 60 vendors ranging from home health care, assisted living, elder law specialists, and financial information. Also, mobility specialists, a Disney travel agent, home improvement, numerous health agencies and more.

Free breakfast is provided by Adams Health Network and is from 9-10 a.m. A free lunch, provided by River Terrace Retirement Community, is from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Peyton’s Northern/Kroger has donated a non-perishable food giveaway that will be distributed starting at 1:30 p.m. Bluffton Regional Medical Center will be doing free LIPID panel blood work starting at 9 a.m. It requires a 12-hour fast; medications should be taken as

prescribed with water. There will be blood pressure checks all day.

The Friends of the Shelter will have a booth in the hallway and from 11 a.m. to noon the Bluffton Animal Clinic will be doing basic cat and dog vaccinations. The cost is $30 for rabies, and $30 for DRP/Dhlpp at this booth. Pets must be kept on a leash or in a carrier and are not allowed in the food area.

Attorney David Anthony with Burt, Blee, Dixon, Sutton and Bloom will do a presentation on probate versus non-probate assets in the dining area from 10-11 a.m. and again from 12:30–1:30 p.m.

Wells County residents only may call Wells on Wheels at (260) 824-4969 to schedule free transportation to and from the expo.

Contact Susie at the Wells County Council on Aging at (260) 824-1070 for more information.

Elder Law

Q. Does my new spouse have rights to my estate? I’d like to leave everything to my children from a prior marriage.

A. If you are married at the time of your death, then yes, your spouse has certain rights to your estate.

First, Indiana law automatically grants your spouse a survivor’s allowance. Currently, this allowance amount is $25,000. In addition, your spouse is given an option to either accept the benefits provided for him or her in your Will, or to renounce those benefits and take a percentage of your estate. The percentage is set by Indiana law and depends on your family structure, including whether you and your current spouse have joint children.

These spousal rights take precedence over the terms stated in your Will. Other

Janell M. Sprinkle

Attorney at Law jmsprinkle@beersmallers.com

documents, such as a divorce decree or a prenuptial agreement, can also take precedence over your Will.

If you have concerns as to the percentage, or dollar amount that will be directed away from your children, you should discuss this matter in more detail with a trust and estate attorney.

Telephone (260) 426-9706

Medicare Insurance

Q. What options do I have to see a doctor under my Medicare Advantage plan?

A. Your Medicare Advantage plan is required to include coverage for all Medicare Part A & Part B services. Primary Care Physician (PCP), Specialist Physician, and even Urgent Care visits to name a few. But what do you do when you get that same ole’ poison ivy rash after working out in the garden?

Most of your Medicare Advantage plans will include telehealth or virtual office visits with a physician as part of the benefits package. Using this benefit gives you the ability to “meet” with a Board Certified medical professional to address common ailments and illnesses that do not necessarily require a trip to the office. A sort of triage is conducted initially, and from there the physician will advise what treatment

Michelle Walters Executive Vice President

option they recommend. Sometimes the result is a prescription called into your preferred pharmacy. Other times, it might be the recommendation that you be physically examined.

Have questions? Give our office a call at (260) 484-7010 to learn more about what your Medicare Advantage plan includes.

3609 Lake Avenue Fort Wayne, IN 46805 (260) 484-7010 www.buyhealthinsurancehere.com Fort Wayne’s Medicare Enrollment and Education Center

Professional Forum

Senior Relocation

Q. What are “Senior Relocation” services?

A. Several years ago, some friends whom had moved from their home to a local retirement community had an interesting conversation with me regarding their experiences in making their transition. One of the things that stood out in my mind was the fact that very little of the things they needed done was completed on a schedule that fit their needs. Also, coordinating all of the things that they needed to do was a bit overwhelming. And then it struck me that nearly everything that they needed accomplished were exactly what I was doing or had training in.

Having many years of experience in moving furniture in my younger years, a successful career in real estate, and a successful career in auctioneering and appraising, it didn’t take me long to see that all of my abilities were just what the doctor ordered for my friends. Hence the term “Senior Relocation” was born.

Tim McCulloch, Owner

Our systems include professional and courteous moving services, real estate brokerage, real estate and antique appraisals, auctioneering services, floor planning assistance and climate controlled storage. These services are all geared to assist the mature adult market in helping make the transition to retirement living much easier.

Whether you need all of our services or just a few, you can feel free to call us for a free analysis. We can show you how to sell your home in 30 days for your price, coordinate a professional and courteous move, along with any other services you may need to help your transition be as simple and as worry free as possible. Call (260) 441-8636 for a free consultation.

Tim McCulloch,

Owner

Call Us For An Estimate Today (260) 441-8636 Ft. Wayne or (260) 356-4111 Huntington and clean out your junk!

4420 Ardmore Ave., Fort Wayne, IN 46809 210 W. Park Dr., Huntington, IN 46750

ADVANCE CARE PLANNING

Q. What is Advance Care Planning and how do I get started?

A. Advance Care Planning (ACP) is the process by which you determine your wishes in regard to medical care and treatment should you be unable to communicate your wishes for yourself.

To start the ACP process, it is important to identify not only your wishes but also a trusted person to ensure your wishes are followed should you be unable to communicate them yourself. In Indiana, this person is called a Health Care Representative. If you have not identified a Health Care Representative, a proxy will be determined based on the Indiana Proxy Decision Maker Tree.

The next step in ACP is to set your advance directives – or wishes. New legislation recently passed which no longer mandates the use of an official advance directive form.

Anna Hinen ADRC Supervisor

260-745-1200

Depending on your specific health situation, you may want to complete additional ACP documents such as the POST form. This document is a Physician Order for Scope of Treatment and is only available to individuals with advanced chronic or terminal illnesses. The POST form must be completed with your physician.

Getting started is the hard part – Just Call Us to learn more about ACP and how to begin putting your wishes in writing!

Fort Wayne Northeast

LIVING Apartment

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 20th of each month to pmuthart@the-papers.com. With the listing, include the contact person, area code and phone number.

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Woodlands Senior Activity Center

The center is located at 710 N. Opportunity Drive, Columbia City. For more information, call (260) 248-8944 or visit whitleycountycouncilonaging.org/ woodlands-activity-center.

Fort Wayne Southwest

9-10 a.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday, line dancing

9-10 a.m. Tuesday and Friday, euchre

1 p.m. Tuesday, Bible Study with Bob

10-11 a.m. Wednesday, chair exercise

Noon Tuesday, dominoes

9:30 a.m. April 3 and April 17, pixie bingo

11:30 a.m. Friday, April 5, chilli dogs

Churubusco & Columbia City

6-8 p.m. starting April 1 and runs for eight weeks.

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Free tax help is available at select Allen County Public Library branches through April 15. Assistance is provided by AARP Tax Aide volunteers on an appointment basis. Use the event calendar on its website to see dates and times, acpl.lib. in.us/tax-assistance or call any branch to make an appointment.

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The ladies of Emmanuel Lutheran Church (Soest), 9909 Wayne Trace, Fort Wayne, will host a rummage and bake sale from 8 a.m to 4 p.m. Thursday, April 18 and 8 a.m. to noon Friday, April 19. Friday is a bag sale. The church is located southeast of the I-469/Wayne Trace overpass at the corner of Wayne Trace and Emmanuel Road.

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A spring bazaar will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 13, at Taylor Chapel Ministries, 10145 Maysville Road, Fort Wayne.

Botanical Speedway” until April 7. In he Botanical Conservatory’s latest winter exhibit, kids will pedal along and burn some rubber on a tropical racetrack as part of this exciting family outing, which will have you strolling down victory lane; helmets are available while supplies last.

“Kelly Bremer: The Octane Collection” runs until April 7. A nationally-recognized artist, Bremer presents “The Octane Collection” featuring acrylic paintings and renderings depicting iconic race and road cars spanning the past 100 years of the automobile. Dynamic perspectives pull you into the action, while the subject’s realism and abstracted backgrounds hold you tight through every twist and turn.

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New Haven United Women in Faith will be holding its annual spring rummage sale to support its local and global mission works. The church is located at 630 Lincoln Highway East, New Haven.

The sale is from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 1 and from

Fort Wayne Southwest

My help is not wanted

Do you need help?

I’d like to give you some. Help is unwanted in my house. I try to give help, but Mary Ellen doesn’t want it.

NUTSHELL

She is totally helpless.

By DICK WOLFSIE

This is of her own choosing. If you are confused by this, let me give you a few examples that might be helpful.

First, Mary Ellen is usually in the kitchen around 6 p.m. preparing dinner. I always ask, “Anything I can help with?” It’s been more than 40 years since she could think of something that I would really be of any help doing. I sometimes say, “Is there anything you can help me, help you with?” Nope. Nothing.

I’m also not allowed to do the taxes anymore. One year, we were audited because I had taken a deduction for pizza delivery because I ate in my home office.

I am not allowed to load

dishes in the dishwasher because Mary Ellen has this crazy idea that cups, utensils and plates have their own special place in the machine.

But I am good at getting stubborn lids off cans and bottles. I like doing this because it makes me feel needed. Plus, I enjoy the beer.

On rare occasions, she requests that I go to the supermarket on my own, but she takes no chances with my ability to find exactly what she needs. Let’s take one example.

“Dick, I need almond milk. I am sending you a text to remind you exactly what to get. It has to say UNSWEETENED; it has to say ALMOND BREEZE and it has to say ORIGINAL on the container. It can’t say VANILLA. Now I am also going to send you a picture of the package so you can’t possibly make a mistake.”

I ask people shopping in the dairy department if they know where almond milk is. They just shrug. Apparently, these people drink something that comes from a cow’s udder. Yuck.

Finally, I did see a bottle of

cashew milk, so I bought it.

“What did you buy, Dick? This is cashew milk. I don’t like cashew milk.”

“I figured any nutty idea was as good as the next.”

Once, when Mary Ellen called me, she requested canned tomatoes and said she would text me a photo and description of exactly what she wanted. But when I got to the supermarket, my phone was dead. I wasn’t taking any chances. I did not want to go back to the store. So, I got tomatoes every which way: diced, as a sauce and a soup, stewed, crushed, whole peeled, quartered, sun dried and condensed. They were all wrong. I was back at the store an hour later. What the heck is tomato paste? At least it doesn’t sound as bad as Gorilla Glue.

Recently, Mary Ellen requested I stop and pick up, get ready for this, a container of egg whites.

“Mary Ellen, I’ll never find something weird like that. I’ll buy two dozen eggs and separate them myself.”

“No, the package must say cage-free. It has to be 100% liquid, and it must be

zero cholesterol.”

I asked one of the clerks.

“Do you sell egg whites?”

“Of course.”

“Where should I look?”

“Inside our eggs.”

Finally, later that day,

IMary Ellen agreed she would extract the egg whites herself. This incident did cause some conflict between us. But we made up. Now only our eggs are going to be legally separated.

It’s easy! Simply find the umbrella 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.

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The winner of the I Spy Contest for March is Roseanne Cabrera of Wanatah. The shamrock hat was located on page 8 in Senior Life Allen; page 6 in Senior Life Northwest; page 8 in Senior Life Elko and page 24 in Senior Life St. Joseph.

Woman shares her faith with area school children in special program

By CATHY SHOUSE Feature Writer

Rhonda Maller’s days are full as she spreads her faith to the school children in her local school system.

She is far from alone. though. She’s involved with LifeWise, a program created after the United States Supreme Court ruled in 1952. It teaches Bible education during school hours and was legal as long as three criteria were met.

“I am the program director of LifeWise Northern Wells,” Maller said. “The other two school districts in our county also have LifeWise programs.”

She is well versed on the ruling and follows it to the letter.

Students must want to attend the Bible instruction and have written permission from their parent or guardian. Classes are held off campus, and the program is entirely privately funded.

“Since childhood, I have had a secure faith in God and recognized Christ as my personal savior as a teen,” she said. “I have always had a deep love for children and yearn for them to know about a God who created them, loves them, and sent his son to die for them; a God who is a safe place and will always keep His promises.”

She remembers well how her involvement with LifeWise came about. In 2021, her mother-in-law, who had

lived with them for six years, passed away. Maller took time to reflect and pray about what she should do next. That same year, a group of Wells County residents formed a steering committee and began the process of bringing LifeWise to the Northern Wells Community Schools.

LifeWise is a plug-in model to help communities start a Bible instruction program.

“One November evening, my husband and I heard about LifeWise and the people trying to get it started. They were in the process of collecting signatures,” Maller said. “I sat at my computer before bed that night to sign the sheet online. I ended up spending a couple of

hours on the LifeWise website; my heart was captured. When I finally crawled into bed, I told my husband, ‘Someday, I’m going to be involved in that ministry.’”

Fast forward through many steps and she applied for the program director position. When the job was offered to her, she took a leap of faith.

“My education is in professional and business writing, but I taught Vacation Bible School for 20-plus years and currently teach Sunday School to 3 and 4-year-olds,” she said. “As I work with all the volunteers who ride the bus and help as aids in our LifeWise classrooms, the common bond

and motivation is our love for Jesus and for taking his truth to children, whether the volunteers are 19, 79, or anywhere in between.”

She and her husband, Ed, have been married for 47 years, and he has played a “huge role” in LifeWise. They have three children, 13 grandchildren, and one great-granddaughter.

“It’s only 40 minutes from when the students leave the school and board the LifeWise Bus and when we have them back at the school door,” Maller said. “We sing songs on the bus, talk to the kids, and then make the most of our classroom time. Yes, it’s challenging, but it is also rewarding.”

Road less travelled lures seniors

By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features

Travel and tour operators are reporting a surge in demands for adventure travel by folks 55 and older.

The level of adventure can range from a Serengeti safari with luxurious food and facilities to patrolling the Antarctic among the penguins.

If you’re thinking about an adventurous getaway, check with your doctor to determine

just how much activity you can handle. Can you complete the hikes some trips demand, or are you able to handle the canoeing and kayaking on the schedule offered, or does the food provided match your health and medical requirements?

As with all travel, consider a travel insurance policy that includes emergency medical care and evacuation. And expect the unexpected.

Everyone is invited to attend a county-wide time of prayer for our national and local leaders that they be granted divine wisdom

Everyone is invited to attend a county-wide time of prayer for our national and local leaders that they be granted divine wisdom

Everyone is invited to attend a county-wide time of prayer for our national and local leaders that they be granted divine wisdom.

Everyone is invited to attend a county-wide time of prayer for our national and local leaders that they be granted divine wisdom

Allen County Public Library

Allen County Public Library

Allen County Public Library

Allen County Public Library

900 Library Plaza Fort Wayne IN

In the “Theater” , on the ground floor prayer for our national and divine wisdom IN floor.

900 Library Plaza Fort Wayne IN

900 Library Plaza Fort Wayne IN

In the “Theater” , on the ground floor.

900 Library Plaza Fort Wayne IN

In the “Theater” , on the ground floor

PROGRAM DIRECTOR — Rhonda Maller is program director of LifeWise Northern Wells. It teaches Bible education during school hours. Classes are held off campus at another location. Photo provided by Rhonda Maller.

‘The Loco-Motion’ became the headbangers’ second No. 1 single

Grand Funk Railroad

and “The Loco-Motion” regains the top chart slot again, but this time by a Flint, Mich., power trio called Grand Funk Railroad.

A Boomer Blast To The Past

By RANDAL C. HILL

In 1962, fad dances were all the rage among recordbuying teens. Included among the steps was the Loco-Motion, where participants shuffled their arms to simulate the driving of steel rods that turned a locomotive’s wheels.

“A chug-a chug-a motion like a railroad train now.”

Songsmiths Carole King and husband Gerry Goffin had created “The Loco-Motion” for 17-yearold Eva Boyd. Called Little Eva on records, Boyd’s million-seller soared to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Fast-forward a dozen years,

Welcome Home

To a senior community in a quiet northeast residential setting

“We were loud, but there was a reason,” proclaimed leader Mark Farner. “We wanted to create an atmosphere in which nothing existed but the music.”

Farner had apprenticed in two bands in high school before dropping out and assembling an eardrum-cracking aggregation with pals Don Brewer (drums) and Mel Schacher (bass). They gleaned their play-on-words name Grand Funk Railroad from a Michigan rail line named the Grand Trunk Western Railroad.

Wowing the crowd as an unknown (and unpaid) opening act at a 1969 Georgia rock festival, the threesome eventually signed with Capitol Records, the prestigious one-time home label of the Beatles and the Beach Boys.

Beloved by their fans but frequently ignored by Top 40 DJs or reviled by music critics who often saw them as unpolished and

unnecessarily loud, Grand Funk Railroad found recording success right out of the gate, beginning with their “On Time” album late in 1969. After seven more hit LPs, they shortened their name to Grand Funk in 1973. In that year, Craig Frost came aboard to play keyboards with the band.

“Shinin’ On,” the rockers’ 10th album, included “The Loco-Motion.” Don Brewer recalled that, during a break in the recording studio, Mark had begun singing, “Everybody’s doing a brand new dance now!”

Farner had been goofing around, but everyone there that day declared that the band could possibly pull “The Loco-Motion” off as a valid recording— if it were done right.

Their top-notch producer Todd Rundgren recalled the Beach Boys’ “Barbara Ann,” an oldie single lifted from their “Beach Boys’ Party!” LP and done in a studio but made to sound live, as at a casual music jam.

Rundgren, a wizard at the recording console, made the band’s “The Loco-Motion” sound live. Brewer explained, “Todd could really crank up everything with the hand claps and all of that stuff. It just had this huge sound to it. It sounded like a big party!”

“The Loco-Motion” became the headbangers’ second Number One single. (“We’re an American Band” had arrived a year earlier.) Goffin later offered a diplomatic take on the hard-rock version of the iconic tune he wrote with Carole King: “You can still hear how it appeals to the kids.”

Farner and friends never abandoned their roots. “People want the real thing,” Farner once proclaimed. “As long as there’s room for sledgehammer rock and roll, there’s room for Grand Funk Railroad!”

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GRAND FUNK’S SECOND NO. 1 HIT SINGLE

Habits that will push you into a better you From

I’m so ready to spring into spring!

I enjoy walking whether it’s in our subdivision or on trails, but my husband only likes trails, so when the weather was nice, we went trail walking. I would sometimes walk in my subdivision, but I seem to be a fair-weather walker and even with the mild winter, it was still

cold. A habit broken.

It is a firm belief of mine that we should be eating a salad as a meal once a day. Load it up with a variety of raw vegetables and throw some beans in there. But, again it was cold and when it’s cold a salad isn’t as enticing as a bowl of hot vegetable soup. While soup is a healthy choice on any day, it is critical to get both cooked and raw vegetables into your daily habit. A habit broken.

We tend to be very selective with which restaurants we go to and already know what we are likely to order — it’s a habit.

Vacations though, you have to be diligent in the choice of restaurants; seafood or gastropub for instance. It is difficult to order healthy options in a gastropub. Stay strong and keep your healthy habits.

Welcome spring, it is time to renew our healthy habits.

Get moving — walk, swim, take a chair yoga class, or a million other things that keep you off the couch.

Keep healthy foods in the house. This is so important when changing habits. It has to be available as the first choice.

Choose whole foods. That is a complete sentence and way of eating. Pick a new fruit or vegetable to try every time you shop.

Get creative in the kitchen. The picture here shows the way to start a meal. Start with this and say, now what am I having with this.

Water, water, and more water. It fills your belly, improves your skin, makes your organs work better, along with a multitude of other benefits.

Get rid of Sugar — period.

Grains are a whole food — but, bread, buns, crackers, chips, and tortillas or not.

Recently, I ordered a root vegetable salad at a restaurant in Goshen and it was fabulous.

I wasn’t sure about it because it listed beets, and I dislike beets because of the mess they make on a plate, but to my surprise, these were golden roasted beets, and I can’t wait to get my

hands on some to have at home. Try new things.

Wishing you healthy new habits this spring and may they bring you good health in the future.

HALFPLATE DECISION Deciding first that half your dinner plate will be a raw salad is a healthy habit to create. The other side could be split with a cooked non-starchy vegetable and a starch.

Cat Wilson lives in South Bend and transitioned from a vegetarian diet to eating a plant-based diet over two years ago. She may be contacted at cwilson@the-papers.com.

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Take steps to walk safely

By JAMES GAFFNEY Mature Life Features

Walking is the most popular form of exercise among older adults and it’s a great choice. Walking can strengthen muscles, help prevent weight gain, improve balance, lower the likelihood of falling, and lower the risk of heart disease,

stroke, diabetes and osteoporosis.

Before older adults plan their first walk, they should check with their primary care physician.

Tell them if you have any pain or problems walking. It’s important to be as healthy as possible before you start to walk, but don’t let a health

problem keep you from getting started. Many people feel better once they start moving.

Plan a walking program with your doctor. If it’s been a long time since you exercised, they may recommend walking just one or two blocks at first, then building up slowly to 20 or 30 minutes daily. The most important thing is to just

get started. You don’t have to worry about walking miles and miles.

Wear the right shoes. Comfortable sneakers work well for most people, but discuss this with your doctor.

Get a walking buddy. Chances are you’ll stick with a walking program if you have someone to walk with.

Don’t let a cane or walker stop you. It’s OK to use your cane or walker if you already have one. These can improve your balance and help take the load off painful joints.

Aim for the right pace. Try not to walk too fast. You should be able to chat with a friend while walking.

Mature Life Features Copyright 2024

Fort Wayne’s Great American Cleanup is May 4

The Great American Cleanup is the nation’s largest community improvement program Fort Wayne has participated in for nearly 30 years. It’s a time to show community pride by lending a hand to clean up littered roadsides, parks, trails and river ways.

A clean city makes a difference. With the help of volunteers, Fort Wayne can come together and show how much

it cares about the community’s neighborhoods and public spaces. Volunteers are invited to join this year’s Great American Cleanup the morning of Saturday, May 4. Clean-up efforts are a great way to see family, friends, co-workers, classmates, neighborhood associations, faith-based organizations or any other group you can encourage to come out to help.

Although it takes only a few hours to clean, it makes a huge difference when a lot of people participate. After the work is done, a volunteer celebration with food, drinks, prizes and live entertainment will be held at Headwaters Park from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The city of Fort Wayne will provide groups with garbage bags, gloves, and T-shirts. Volunteers are asked to pre-

HOME HEALTH CARE

IN-HOME CARE

register by April 19 at cityoffortwayne.org/great-americanclean-up.

For more information, call the City of Fort Wayne Solid Waste Department at (260) 427-1345 or email greatamericancleanup@cityoffortwayne.org.

Staff members from the Solid Waste Department will coordinate and assign locations to ensure areas with the most need are addressed, but groups may

pick an area of their choice if they have identified a location. The clean-up process will begin between 8-9 a.m. May 4.

In 2023, over 4,600 volunteers collected more than 164,000 pounds of litter and debris from neighborhoods, parks, riverbanks and roadsides.

The Great American Cleanup is the country’s largest beautification and community improvement effort.

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you to read what the other person is saying. No more garbled or misunderstood conversations. Simply, READ what you’re hearing.

Travel

Instead of campaigning across country, Harding brought voters to him

Back in the summer of 1920, when Senator Warren G. Harding was running for president, it was considered degrading for a candidate to traipse across the

GREAT ESCAPES

Text and Photos

By ROD KING

country like a door-to-door salesman stumping for votes. Instead, he brought the people to him.

Smoke–belching steam locomotives pulled into the Marion, Ohio, station with thousands of eager supporters clamoring to hear what the Ohio Republican had to say. They were met as they stepped down from the train by a marching band, which led them a few blocks from the station to the Harding Home at 380 Mount Vernon Ave.

When they arrived, they found the then senator and his lovely wife, Florence, waiting for them on their front porch. The crowd jostled and pushed for the best spots on the front yard, spilling over into the neighbors’ yards, the street and the yards of those neighbors across the street as well. He delivered more than 100 front porch campaign speeches to crowds ranging in size from 6,000 to 10,000 people.

It worked. He trounced his Democrat opponent by a record margin to become the 29th president of the United States. His tenure in office, however, was short lived. He died Aug. 2, 1923 on a visit to

August

Oct.

19-26, 2022…Manatees, Mermaids & Marine Life Crystal River Plantation, Nature Coast o f Florida

Nov.

Dec.

18, 2022……….. ”Cruising Through the Decades ”

Feb.

23 – 27, 2022…………..Wisconsin’s Door County Including Visit to Historic Lambeau Field

June

27-30, 2022………..Mississippi Riverboat Cruise

June

ON THE PORCH President Harding and wife, Florence, are shown on their front porch. This is where he delivered more than 100 speeches to followers during his three-month campaign that saw him bring thousands to Marion, Ohio, by train to hear him speak. Photo provided by the Ohio History Connection.

Seattle, after less than two years in office.

July

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26 – Oct. 3, 2022……….

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Today, visitors can tour the totally renovated home, the museum and presidential library (all on the same site) and then drive 1.5 miles to the Harding Memorial, which was designed to resemble a Greek temple. Though it makes for a full day, visitors come away with more information than they ever thought they would need to know about the 29th president.

Restoration of the Queen Anne-style home in 2020 was undertaken by the Ohio History Connection to return it to how it looked in 1920, during

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Harding’s famous front-porch campaign for the presidency, and that’s exactly where the tour begins.

The Hardings lived in the home from 1891 to 1921 and were married there July 8, 1891. Furnishings and decorations, which reflect their middle-class values, are 95% original. Inside the Neoclassical museum are tasteful exhibit galleries with memorabilia, including an enormous paper mache potato presented by the citizens of Idaho Falls, Idaho, the President’s Oval Office chair, and a section replicating the train car which took the Hardings to the Pacific Northwest and then returned his body to Washington, D.C. At the time, he was considered to be one of the most popular presidents ever.

Upon arriving at the site, enter the parking lot from East Church Street or Mount Vernon Avenue and park in front of the library and museum; enter and sign up for a specific tour time.

Fee to tour the house and museum is $16 for adults, $15 for seniors, veterans and students six through 17, and $8 for children. Children under 5 are free. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. To tour the library alone is $10 for adults and $8 for students.

The impressive presidential grave site, which is located on 10 acres of landscaped grounds, was designed to resemble a Greek temple with huge columns. It was built entirely with private funds at a cost of just under a billion dollars. President Herbert Hoover dedicated it in 1931.

Rick Springfield to play at Foellinger Theatre, May 23

Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation announces that Fort Wayne’s Foellinger Theatre will host Rick Springfield “Full Band Electric” and feature his new “Automatic” album Thursday, May 23.

Over the past four decades, Springfield has worn many hats as an entertainer and performer; The creator of some

Local agency hosting ‘Get Connected’ Volunteer Expo

The Volunteer Center will host its annual “Get Connected” Volunteer Expo from 3-6 p.m. Wednesday, April 24, at Glenbrook Square Mall, 4201 Coldwater Road, in the lower level near the food court.

The Volunteer Expo offers an opportunity for current volunteers or those interested in learning more about volunteering in the Fort Wayne community, to meet with area nonprofits and civic-based organizations. Attendees will speak directly with agency representatives, learn about their missions, goals and current volunteer needs all in one convenient location.

Prospects for volunteering from home will also be available. As of this date, 45 organizations plan to be in attendance.

Attendees are encouraged to register at the event to be entered for a chance to win gift cards from local restaurants.

Executive Director Ani Etter stated, “Volunteering offers many benefits, opening the doors to meeting new people, learning new skills and creating social connections, all while having fun and helping others. There is a perfect volunteer opportunity waiting for you. Don’t be left out. Come and find your perfect match at the expo.”

Volunteer Center is a nonprofit agency connecting volunteers with local community organizations in need of help. Its signature programs are Coats for Kids, VITA Tax Assistance, and I CAN Service Team, addressing critical disparities affecting low- to moderate-income households and the most vulnerable in the community.

of the finest power pop of the 1980s, a Grammy-winning singer, songwriter, and musician who has sold 25 million albums and scored 17 U.S. Top 40 hits, including “Jessie’s Girl,” “Don’t Talk to Strangers,” “An Affair of the Heart,” “I’ve Done Everything for You,” “Love Somebody,” and “Human Touch.”

He’s also an accomplished actor. He starred opposite Meryl Streep in the feature film “Ricki and the Flash,” gave a chameleonic performance as the creepy Dr. Irving Pitlor in HBO’s prestige drama “True Detective,” earned great reviews for his portrayal of Lucifer on the CW hit “Supernatural” and most recently played the insane Pastor Charles on FX’s worldwide hit series “American Horror Story.”

An author as well, both his

candid 2010 memoir “Late, Late at Night,” which Rolling Stone named one of the 25 greatest rock memoirs of all time, and his 2014 comedic novel “Magnificent Vibration” earned rave reviews and spots on the New York Times Best Sellers’ list.

In 2014, Springfield was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, located around the corner from the first apartment he lived in when he first arrived in the U.S. from Australia in 1971.

Springfield’s Sirius-XM radio show, Working Class DJ, is a huge hit and airs weekly on 80s on 8. His new album “Automatic” is out now. It is his first album of all new original material in five years.

For more information, visit fortwayneparks.org and click on purchase theatre tickets.

Social Security improves customer experience ranking

By MONA HARTER District Manager, South Bend Social Security Office

We’re committed to improving customer service by providing more access to our programs and services, and our efforts have paid off. We’re proud to announce that Social Security’s ranking on Forrester’s 2023 Customer Experience Index increased by 3.3 points — the only agency on the list to make a significant gain.

We achieved this higher ranking by focusing on key initiatives in 2023, like:

Implementing online scheduling for in-office enumeration

appointments. Customers can now schedule appointments online for both original and replacement Social Security cards. This service is currently available in all 50 states, as well as Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Conducting a targeted mail campaign to reach people who may be eligible for extra help with Medicare prescription drug costs and Medicare Savings Programs with enrollment information. Please see our publication, Understanding the Extra Help with Your Medicare Prescription Drug Plan, at ssa.gov/pubs/EN-0510508.pdf.

Employing strategies to

help people facing barriers in accessing our programs and services, including people with:

• Limited income and resources.

• Limited English proficiency.

• A risk of homelessness.

• Mental and behavioral disabilities.

Partnering with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Services to test new ways to make it easier for SSI applicants to access nutrition assistance programs.

For more information, see our press release at ssa.gov/news/press/releases/2022/#12-2022-2.

COMMITTED TO IMPROVING SERVICE Social Security is committed to improving customer service by providing more access to programs and services.

Forrester’s’ recognition of our customer service improvements reflects our commitment to making it easier for you to do business with us. We invite you to learn more at forrester.com/pressnewsroom/forrester-2023-usfederal-customer-experienceindex/.

Share this news with those who may need it.

Moving Carl: a case study

By KURT NESS Broker/Co-Owner, Auctioneer Ness Bros. Realtors and Auctioneers Senior Relocation Services

We recently worked with a gentleman named Carl, helping him downsize as he was living alone and beginning to lose his eyesight. His desire was to move into an independent living facility. At age 97, his closest relative was his daughter who was in her 70s and living in Tennessee with health issues of her own.

We helped Carl navigate the decision-making process regarding what to take and what to leave as he prepared for his move. We also assisted him with packing and moving to his new home.

In order to help Carl feel as comfortable as possible and eliminate stress as much as we could, we went the extra mile to do many of the little things such as setting up his new phone, pre-set his television stations and other simple things he needed done.

Once Carl had moved from his home, we were able to comfortably facilitate the sale of his home and personal property. We were able to completely reduce the amount of stress Carl was experiencing when we met versus how he felt once we began helping him.

Our senior relocation program and services offer every client the personal help they require with a specific road map to meet their specific needs. Call us today; our family is here to help your family.

Contact Ness Bros. Senior Relocation Services at our Fort Wayne office, (260) 4593911; Huntington office, (260) 356-3911; or if you prefer, you can stop in at one of our offices conveniently located in Fort Wayne at 3344 Mallard Cove Ln. Our Huntington office is located at 519 N. Jefferson St., if you want to speak to one our senior relocation professionals.