Senior Life - Allen County Edition - November 2023

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Living Life After 50

November 2023 Hatten Has Been Carting People For The Past Four Years See Page 10

Allen County edition ReAChing FoRt WAyne And SuRRounding CountieS Vol. 36, No. 7

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UNVEILING MONUMENT — Tim Schil, left, and Greg Bedford unveil the Civil War Monument. Dedication of the Civil War Monument took place Aug. 7, 2023. This monument is a recent addition to the walk path of history. Photo provided.

Museum triples in size,

By CATHY SHOUSE Feature Writer Visiting the Veterans National Memorial Shrine and Museum is one way to honor veterans this month. There is much more to see this year, since the museum is in a new building, which has tripled in size, expanding to 6,000 square feet. On May 25, the W. Paul Wolf War History Museum held a formal opening and dedication ceremony, and about 400 people attended. Eric Johnson, Second Vice Commander, presented W. Paul Wolf with an engraved plaque dedicating the new museum named in his honor. Wolf, a veteran who served in Korea, was a generous

...honors veterans

donor to the renovations, and his family attended the event. Robert Thomas, the museum curator, is a Sergeant First Class, who retired from The Indiana Army National Guard. He has been a volunteer as well as an employee for four years. “Many people were impressed by the new museum and the display of artifacts,” Thomas said. “The new museum looked great and so impressive in displays. This museum and grounds is impressive and a place that people need to visit.” Since the new museum’s opening, people have been visiting in record numbers, based on how quickly the registration books have been filling up. The facility is accessible, has double the artifacts, and a new offering called Paul’s Café, as well as picnic area. Thomas described the café. “Paul wanted an area where veterans can sit, have coffee and talk with other veterans or guests visiting the museum. Guests may hear some

interesting stories of the service men and women of their time in service and war,” Thomas said. The improvements have been years in the making. “When we decided to build a new museum, it was planned in the fiveyear plan developed in 2020 to the grounds,” Thomas said. “The project was started in 2021. In March of 2022, I had two months to complete the displays and signage with the collections committee.” Numerous volunteers and board members helped to make the dream a reality. New signage was created for the various areas of the museum. Board members Rick Porfilo and Tom Schmitt played key roles, and it took a coordinated effort to complete the ambitious project. “The area signs were developed by Rick, who got background ideas from me and Tom,” Thomas said. “The maps and timeline signs and information were developed by me, except the Civil War was done by Tom. When

the information was completed, Rick Porfilo developed the layout and then it was given to me for final approval. The maps were researched by me, Rick, and Tom. Once the maps were chosen, I added the needed items to be placed on the maps, except the Civil War was done by Tom.” The museum is on 40 acres, located at 2122 O’ Day Road, Fort Wayne, and offers walking trails. Admission is free and donations are appreciated. Outdoor areas are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Museum hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday. It’s available for rental needs. Its mission is, “Where no veteran will ever be forgotten.” For Veterans Day, Saturday, Nov. 11, a dedication of the new Korean monument is scheduled for 11 a.m. For more information, visit honoringforever.org or call (260) 267-5022. For Veterans Day, Saturday, Nov. 11, a dedication of the new Korean monument is scheduled for 11 a.m.

MUSEUM OPENING — Cindi Marsh, left, a board member for the Veterans National Memorial Shrine and Museum, and Karen Goodman help at the W. Paul Wolf War History Museum opening in May. Photo provided by the museum.

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Key Positions

CEO’s new role continues her life’s work By CATHY SHOUSE Feature Writer

Joyce Moss’ work requires her to think about what most of us hope to avoid. Moss is a forensic nurse examiner and the CEO of the Fort Wayne Sexual Assault Treatment Center. She also has Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner designations through the International Association of Forensic Nurses. Moss came to her role as CEO by working with the organization over many years. An important aspect of her work is the need for confidentiality. She wants to make people aware of what she does, yet cannot share many details. The former CEO brought her into the organization and left this year. She first learned of the Sexual Assault Treatment Center around 2002. “I was a pharmaceutical representative for a large pharmaceutical company and was responsible for calling on Dr. Brandenberger,” Moss said. ”He was also the coroner at that time. I would ask him about being the coroner as I have always been interested in forensic science. He directed me to contact the Fort Wayne Sexual Assault Treatment Center to find out more.”

Jeff ‘JJ’ Shaw, Attorney at Law

A few years later, two of Moss’s friends, a sex crimes detective and a forensic interviewer, encouraged her to reach out to Michelle Ditton to discuss an open position. ”I followed that advice and soon after I was hired as an on-call nurse,” Moss added. “What I find rewarding is helping people through very difficult and traumatic experiences by providing non-judgmental, kind, empathetic medical forensic nursing care. Our goal as a whole is help people start the healing and recovery process after being sexually assaulted.” Since taking over as CEO, Moss manages many administrative tasks. However, she still works with those who come in and need a nurse’s care. “The majority of my time is spent managing the business aspect of our agency,” Moss said. “I am responsible for all accounting procedures as well as management of our building. The balance of my time is spent caring for patients, preparing for, or testifying in court when subpoenaed, and providing education to many different groups of people.” When asked what her career aspirations were in the beginning, Moss said she didn’t

aim to run an organization. Her work ethic and career choices have been a case of one achievement leading to another, until she landed with the additional responsibility as CEO. “Well, my goal in life has always been to provide a good work product for pay that I receive,” Moss said. “With that said I feel I am conscientious about production of result so the company can be successful as a whole. I believe this is what led me to be in the position that I currently hold.” Throughout the positions she has had, she remains steadfast in her goal of helping people. The patients she sees are treated with care and given personal attention. “I would have to say that I am guided by being kind, compassionate and empathetic toward others in all situations,” she said. “I approach my patients, as well as my colleagues, with these principles and if you ‘do the right thing’ it always seems to work out.” Moss is a Fort Wayne native. She played volleyball at Indiana Purdue Fort Wayne, and is in a long-term relationship “with a wonderful man,” with a daughter and a grandson. She loves pickleball, bike riding, and reading in her spare time.

CARING AND COMPASSIONATE —CEO Joyce Moss, RN, Fort Wayne Sexual Assault Treatment Center, is shown in an adult exam room at the center. Photo provided by Joyce Moss.

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60s Flashback —

Making Mary with Uncle Walt On an August night in 1964, 1,200 people packed Hollywood’s legendary Grauman’s Chinese Theater By RANDAL for the C. HILL premiere of what would become Walt Disney’s biggest film success to date: “Mary Poppins.” When the curtain dropped after the final reel had spun, audience members rose together to offer a thunderous, five-minute standing ovation. But not everybody stood to cheer that night; one holdout was a prim lady in her mid60s. Her name was P. L. Travers, and she was the creator of the iconic Mary Poppins tales. Travers was born Helen Lyndon Goff in 1899 in Australia. She began writing as a teenager and later adopted Pamela Lyndon Travers as her pen name. (Travers was her father’s first name, and to Helen the name “Pamela” had a rather delightful lilt.) In 1926, P. L. published a short story called “Mary Poppins and the Match Man,” which introduced her legendary nanny character, as well as Bert the street artist. Seven years later, Travers began work on a full-length Mary Poppins narrative. The resultant book became P. L.’s first literary success the following year — 1934 — with numerous successful sequels to follow later. When Walt Disney’s daughters Diane and Sharon were children, they both loved Travers’ books. Urged on by the girls’ enthusiasm, Walt spent 20 years in pursuit of P. L.’s approval to allow her creation to become a flesh-and-blood movie character. Disney even

Take a walk By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features

Walking beats taking pills when it comes to maintaining your health as you age. A daily 10-minute walk around the block, down in the park or around your apartment building may not add years to your life, but it will keep you much healthier while you are alive. Add five or 10 minutes to that walk every other day or so to make you even healthier. Now speed it up. While strolls can be satisfying, a brisk pace while swinging your arms will not only make you healthier, it should make you feel younger. Mature Life Features Copyright 2023

paid Travers a visit at her London home. Finally, in 1961, Walt earned a reluctant “yes” from P. L., but only after offering her a huge-at-the-time $100,000 advance, 5% of the film’s gross and script approval (although Disney would actually have the final say). At the “Mary Poppins” premiere, P. L. Travers despised what she saw on the screen and what Disney and company had done to her now-iconic character. Especially concerning to Travers was that Mary’s rougher edges had been smoothed out; in the author’s mind, the fictional nanny had always been one who avoids mawkishness and fanciful behavior as she seriously went about her tasks. (“She never wastes time being nice!”) P. L. was also ambivalent

about the movie’s original music, which she labeled lightweight and disposable. She especially disliked Dick Van Dyke’s dancing among a group of animated penguins. Travers decided to speak her mind. At a party following the movie, she loudly announced to Disney, “Well, the first thing that has to go is the animation sequence.” To which Walt calmly replied, “Pamela, the ship has sailed.” “Mary Poppins” won Hollywood’s heart and brought the Disney outfit five Academy Awards, including Best Actress for Julie Andrews (in her first movie role) and Best Visual Effects. “Mary Poppins” became Disney’s first movie to earn a Best Picture nomination. In 1977, a more mellow P. L. Travers agreed to discuss

MARY POPPINS. PHOTO BY WILLIAM BARTON/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM Walt’s release on a BBC radio interview. “I’ve learned to live with it,” she said. “It’s glamor-

ous and it’s a good film on its own level, but I don’t think it is very like my books.”

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Spotlight

Butler the butcher enjoys longevity of his trade By BETHANNE BRINK-COX Feature Writer If you’re a certain age, you might remember the old-style butcher shops, sawdust on the floor and straw hats on the butchers. Pio’s Market in Fort Wayne is over 100 years old. Neal Butler has been there for 50 of those years. He purchased the store when the owners retired in 1982, and he’s proud of the oldfashioned flavor the store still

exudes. It’s a fact he’s served several generations of families through the years. He started at 15, after walking in and asking if the store owners needed help and finding out they did. Butler began stocking groceries and cleaning up, using the meat slicer very carefully, learning meat cutting as he went along. He’s been there ever since. “I learned it as things came up at the store, new ideas of what people wanted. There was

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something called a distributive education credit at school then, so I got credit for working,” he said. Butler remembers the early days “when the housewives came in and shopped for the whole week.” It’s true that these days shopping often happens several times a week, sometimes nightly, running in for whatever dinner is going to be for the night. The store looks much the same, with as many of the original fixtures in use as possible. One of Butler’s favorite things to do was, and is, creating displays. “I enjoy getting things ready to sell, stocking the shelves, and putting things on display. I did a lot of produce when I first took over. I liked making big, colorful displays, but it got to be too much. We still have groceries, too, not just meat,” he said. Pio’s has a beautifully stocked deli counter, too. There are cuts of meat you don’t see much of anymore, he said. “Heel of round is one much discussed in my family, as it was served in a diner my grandmother owned,” he said. Butler said such meat usually is ground into hamburger now, which makes sense, as the days of long slow simmering all day aren’t the norm among working families anymore. “But boy, they make good eating,” he said. “Soup bones make such a good broth, but you’re likely to see cartons of stocks

LONG-TIME BUTCHER — Neal Butler has been a butcher for 40 years. He started when he was 15 years old. He owns Pio’s Market in Fort Wayne. Photo provided by Neal Butler. and broth in a lot of shopping carts,” Butler said. Butler said his wife helps a bit in the store. “She’s a retired teacher. My mother helped in the 1980s and 1990s,” he said. Pio’s is open from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. every day but Sunday, so there’s plenty of time to stop by after work and see what looks good, which would be pretty much everything. Butler is often asked how to prepare this or that, and lends

itself well to trying something new. Butler’s own idea of the perfect meal? “Stuffed cabbage, made with ground beef. We don’t have it very often, though,” he said. It’s a likely bet that everything you need to make it, especially the ground beef, can be found in Pio’s store, and Butler or his wife, Sally, will be certain to help you find everything you need to make the same perfect meal for your own table.

Later, Mary Ellen and I went for a walk and when we returned the garage door wouldn’t open. Mary Ellen asked me if I put in the right code. “Yes,” I said. “It’s the date of our anniversary, isn’t it?” “Oh, dear. I wish you had used a number you could remember.” Paul came over and taught us how to reset the code, but now to open the door we have to remember Paul and Karen’s anniversary. All this made me realize that I needed additional keys to the front door. At one mega-hardware store, there is an automatic key machine. No humans required; not that you can find one in a place like that. Later, I realized two things. First, the company now had in its computer both a copy of our front door key as well as a copy of my credit card. But it didn’t matter. None of the three keys worked. Paul later showed me his locksmith’s key duplicator in his garage. Now, I have all the keys I need. That same afternoon, Mary Ellen wanted to edge the lawn. She hates mowing the grass, but she enjoys edging it. And then she wants me to come up from my basement office and

tell her what a great job she’s done. A woman shouldn’t ask a married man to come up and see her edgings. But the weed whacker wasn’t working. The string line kept breaking. Paul came over and explained that the cord I was using was the wrong thickness. He had several types in his garage, where he has a complete workshop, so he made the necessary replacement. Someday, if you move, move next door to a retired New York City fireman. Just after Mary Ellen finished manicuring our lawn, she informed me the ice maker and the lights in the laundry room weren’t working. I checked the circuit breakers and then made sure those little weird things in the garage and on the bathroom walls (whose name I don’t know) hadn’t popped out. Paul saw me in the garage and showed me I was not pushing down on the button long enough or hard enough. Suddenly, the lights and the ice maker went to work. When the dryer finally started, I went out to buy Paul a case of beer. Later, the cable went out and the water softener wasn’t working. I knew both these things could be easily fixed, but this late at night, I didn’t want to bother Paul.

I am a broken man

I am retired. So, I don’t work. Neither did anything in our house on Thursday of last week. The problem began about 2 a.m. IN A One of the NUTSHELL fire alarms By DICK started makWOLFSIE ing a weird chirping sound. We assumed it was the batteries, but this is not an easy fix. It required one of us to get up on a high ladder and replace one of those nine-volt puppies. We needed a volunteer to take on this risky task, so I offered to hold Mary Ellen in case she fell. The next morning, the alarm was still chirping. Our next-door neighbor is a former New York City fireman. I called him. “Paul, it’s Dick next door. Our fire alarms won’t stop beeping.” “Well, Dick, it’s one of two things. Either all the batteries need changing, or... “Yes, yes, or what? “Or your house is on fire.” Paul thought that was pretty funny. He came over and replaced all the batteries.

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It Was 50 Years Ago —

Sports

‘Goodbye Yellow Brick Road,’ Elton John’s seventh MCA album Elton John

READY FOR ACTION — Before leaving the locker room to referee the Class 4A Sectional game between New Haven and East Noble high schools, members of the crew headed by Jason Shippy, right, had a quick strategy discussion and paused for a photo. Right to left, are referee Shippy, back judge Jeff Lytle, head linesman Trent Long, umpire Keith Hoyt and line judge Ronnie Branch.

Refereeing keeps Shippy’s hand in the games By ROD KING Feature Writer The wind was gusting, the temperature was in the 40s and it was sprinkling Friday, Oct. 20. Inside New Haven High School’s locker room, the five men who would be refereeing the opening Class 4A sectional game between New Haven’s Bulldogs and East Noble’s Knights were getting ready to go to work. The crew, headed by referee Justin Shippy, included back judge Jeff Lytle, umpire Keith Hoyt, head linesman Trent Long and line judge Ronnie Branch. Most of them had been working games together throughout northeastern Indiana for the past 25 years. After a brief strategy session, they donned their hats and walked to the stadium and the kickoff. As referee and lead on his crew, Shippy wears the white hat. “I wanted to be a referee when I was young and did my first kids’ games when I was at DeKalb High School. After graduation I took the 100-question, true or false test and got my official’s license and have been doing it for the past 26 years. I enjoy it very much and it’s a way for me to still be involved in sports.” Shippy remembers his first official game as a referee like it was yesterday. “I was a junior at Ball State University and worked the Delta v. Winchester high school basketball game. The gym was packed, loud and hot, and I was nervous as all get out. Once, I had a basketball game that went to six overtimes,” he said. Shippy has gone to the pinnacle of high school sports as far as refereeing is concerned. He’s done five basketball and three football state finals.

“The goal of our crew is to do the state finals,” he said. “I really prefer doing varsity games because the players have greater skills and they know the rules. It makes it a lot easier. The fans, on the other hand, seem to be worse than ever.” As secretary of the Northeast Indiana Association of Referees, Shippy serves as the liaison between the officials and the Indiana High School Athletic Association. “We assign referees to basketball, football, baseball and volleyball games. I’m not sure why, but getting people to ref football is more difficult than the other sports. We really could use a lot more football referees. We don’t operate courses on becoming a referee, but we do have a very successful mentoring program that we run through the IHSAA,” he said. Becoming a referee is not difficult, he believes. “All one has to do is register online and take the test. It’s as simple as that. The hard part is putting that knowledge to work in split-second calls on the field. That’s where experience really makes the difference,” he said. The Auburn native said it is not a prerequisite to have played sports to be a referee. “However,” he added, “it is very helpful. I played football and golf at DeKalb High School. It helped me in the golf business, which I was in for 20 years before joining BSN Sports. I guess you could say sports have been a big part of my life and still is. I particularly love watching college football and basketball on TV and participating in a variety of sports, as well.” Shippy is a graduate of Ball State with a Bachelor of Science in sports administration.

Due to a combination of iron and lime, yellow brick roads were fairly common at one time in parts of America. Such routes A Boomer Blast obviously To The Past inspired L. By RANDAL Frank Baum C. HILL in 1900 when he wrote “The Wizard of Oz” and set his whimsical characters on such a path as they searched for the enchanted land of Oz. “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” became Elton John’s seventh MCA Records studio album. It sold 20 million copies, and his two-disc set is now considered his magnum opus with such iconic tracks as “Bennie and the Jets” and “Candle in the Wind.” And, of course, the title track, which reached Number Two on Billboard. Just three years after John and his lyric writer Bernie Taupin had found fame and fortune, Taupin was already tiring of the high-pressure celebrity madness. His early 1970s lyrics sometimes reflected the sentiments of someone who has basked in the spotlight long enough and now yearns to return to a simple past. Taupin’s words tended toward autobiography; he was raised on a farm in northeastern England, where he and his family lived without electricity until Taupin was 5 years old.

Annual Christmas Mart Nov. 11 The Fort Wayne Maennerchor/ Damenchor will host its 21st Annual Christmas Mart from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11, at Park Edelweiss, 3355 Elmhurst Dr., Fort Wayne. Enjoy Christmas shopping with the flavor of a German Christkindlmarkt in two stories of vendors with many new vendors and a number of returning favorites. They will be selling arts and crafts, paintings, woodworking, candles, ornaments, scented oils, knitted and crocheted items, and many other items for gift giving and home decor. While shopping, enjoy a lunch of German bratwurst, chips and a glass of Gluhwein (hot, spiced wine). There will be a table full of German baked goods and other German delicacies to choose from. There will also be a visit from St. Nikolaus (German Santa Claus) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. He will be available for photos.

ELTON JOHN. PHOTO BY TONY NORKUS/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM John has said, “Bernie was always the more thoughtful one. I was always the one that said, ‘Let’s go out!’ We both burned the candle at both ends, but I did it far more than he did … I was just the guy who wrote the melodies; that was my job.” John then added, “I just loved writing to Bernie’s lyrics, (but) I really don’t analyze them much.” Success with John earned Taupin incredible wealth, but the former farmhand has remained grateful that — unlike his professional partner — he has been able to stay relatively anonymous. “My name does still get recognized,” Taupin says with a sigh. “I go places and give a credit card or give my name at the airport, and someone will recognize me, and the gushing begins. But I couldn’t live Elton’s life. I would rather drill myself in the head with a nail gun than do what he does.” Taupin continues, “There was a period when I was going through that whole ‘got to get back to my roots’ thing … I don’t

believe I was ever turning my back on success or saying I didn’t want it; I think I was just hoping that maybe there was a happy medium way to exist successfully in a more tranquil setting.” “Goodbye yellow brick road “Where the dogs of society howl “You can’t plant me in your penthouse “I’m going back to my plow.” Taupin realized his goal in 1992 when he bought, not a duplicate of the hardscrabble English farm of his youth, but a 30-acre ranch near trendy Santa Barbara, Calif., in the ultra-pricey Santa Ynez Valley, where numerous A-list Hollywood personalities have owned property. Here Taupin now enjoys painting and riding horses. “I finally decided my future lies “Beyond the yellow brick road.” P.S. In 2008, Goodbye Yellow Brickle Road became a Ben & Jerry’s ice cream flavor.

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Elder Law

CAREGIVING

ADVANCE DURINCARE G TPLANNING HE

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A. An advance directive document involves deciding who will be your voice and advocate as well as specific treatment you do or do not wish to receive if you were unable to speak for yourself. In Indiana, the legal document you need for advance care planning is called an Advance Directive Appointing a Health Care Representative. The purpose of this document is to name someone that can make health care decisions for you if you were unable to do so for yourself. In addition, there was a major law change that went into effect January 1, 2023, regarding advance directives. The powers your representative have include but are not limited to the authority to withdraw or withhold health care, access medical records, hire health care pro-

Jesica L. Thorson Attorney At Law

viders, admit you to a health care facility and access your medical records including mental health records. When naming someone as your health care representative, you need to make sure this person knows what your wishes and beliefs are in regard to continuing and withdrawing medical treatment. It is a good idea to talk to an elder law attorney as well as your family and primary care physician when finalizing these documents. Suite 1100 110 West Berry Street Fort Wayne, Indiana 46802 Telephone (260) 426-9706

DISCLAIMER: Jesica L. Thorson and Beers Mallers, LLP Attorneys At Law, appreciate the opportunity to provide insight into legal topics of interest. The content of this article is designed to provide information of general interest to the public and is not intended to offer legal advice about specific situations or problems. Jesica L. Thorson and Beers Mallers, LLP Attorneys At Law, do not intend to create an attorney-client relationship by offering this information, and anyone’s review of the information shall not be deemed to create such a relationship. You should consult a lawyer if you have a legal matter requiring attention. Jesica L. Thorson and Beers Mallers, LLP Attorneys At Law, also advise that any information you send to this newsletter shall not be deemed secure or confidential. Please visit our office to ensure complete confidentiality.

8101 W. Jefferson Blvd. Fort Wayne, IN 46804 www.agingihs.org | 260.745.1200

Professional Forum Interested Businesses Call Betty Foster 1-866-580-1138, Ext. 2403 A Monthly Question And Answer Advertorial Column

Medicare Insurance

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Wanting to downsize from your home to a retirement community can be an overwhelming experience. Many times people want to move, but end up not doing so because of the many things that must be done. A few comments that I have heard over the years include: 1) I have to spend money to fix up my home before I sell it. 2) My attic and basement are full of stuff; I will have to have a garage sale. 3) I have to pack and move all of my belongings. Looking at this list of concerns would cause anyone to just say “Forget It!” This is where we can help! Our services include selling your home

Tim McCulloch, Owner as-is in 30 days for your price, selling your unwanted items for fair market value, selling your antiques & collectible items, knowledgeable antique & real estate appraisal services, professional packing & moving services, climate controlled storage & more. Our firm is highly recommended by many of the leading retirement communities in the Allen County area due to client satisfaction. If you are thinking about making the transition to retirement living, call me at (260) 441-8636. My free analysis will give you the information you will need to make a better decision for yourself! Sincerely, Timothy McCulloch Call Us For An Estimate Today

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“No”. Medicare Beneficiaries cannot stack their Medicare Advantage plans in order to get more coverage. Medicare is the traffic director for the Medicare Advantage plans. This includes Medicare Advantage (MA), Medicare Advantage w/Prescription Drug coverage (MAPD), and stand-alone Prescription Drug Plans (PDP). Medicare receives these enrollment requests and determines if the individual is eligible to enroll; if the individual is enrolled in Medicare Part A and/or Part B; and if the individual is requesting enrollment during a qualified enrollment period. If all criteria are met, Medicare approves the enrollment and sends notice to the carrier

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November 2023 ■ SENIOR LIFE ■ 7

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Jane Seymour speaks on caregiving at Oct. 6 event By PHOEBE MUTHART Editor A British actress advocated for caregiving support services and shared the personal impact caregiving has had on her own family Friday, Oct. 6 in Fort Wayne. Actress Jane Seymour was the featured speaker at the Aging and In Home Services of Northeast Indiana ceremony at Parkview Mirro Center. Seymour was the executive producer of the 2014 documentary “I’ll Be Me” about singer Glen Campbell’s farewell tour in the midst of his Alzheimer’s diagnosis. When she spent time with Campbell and his wife, she helped him learn painting. He had never done so before. His art, she said, “was vibrant.” His wife’s canvas, however, was a “black hole.” “He had an amazing personality and he was very funny,” she recalled. “He could still sing and remember songs.” On a more personal level, Seymour shared that her aunt died before receiving any caregiving

help, and she also had two uncles with Alzheimer’s disease. “This is the elephant in the room,” Seymour said. “If you are a caregiver, you can’t do it all on your own.” Her aunt wouldn’t accept any help, she said in an interview with Senior Life newspaper. She also shared her tips and experience being a caregiver. Her best advice? “Ask for help.” “You can’t do anything without an oxygen mask on,” she related. Seymour said she first got an early taste of caregiving when she joined the English Red Cross at the age of 10. “They gave me the job of going to play with a girl with cerebral palsy,” she said. “Her mother was stressed beyond belief. And I realized that it was so hard on her that she needed respite. So I developed a relationship with this girl. I came back many times, because it gave me an amazing sense of purpose.” Seymour’s father was a highlyrespected gynecologist and obstetrician and she watched surgeries being performed when

she was a young girl. “I used to see bloody gauzes everywhere, blood everywhere,” she said. “I loved watching surgery. I have no qualms at all. If someone gets hurt or some drama happens medically, I go very calm. Like my father did, I go into doctor mode. I don’t get involved emotionally.” When she is not acting, Seymour is making visual art. As an artist, Seymour’s uses watercolor techniques. During her interview and speaking engagement, she wore a colorful outfit she designed. Her designs were offered for sale after the ceremony. Seymour also established the Open Heart Foundation, which curates small, nonprofit organizations and helps them achieve their goals. Visit www.openheartsfoundation.org for more information. She and her daughter, Katie Flynn, are working on an app which would be something like Tinder. It would connect nonprofits with volunteers and other individuals who want to help.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER — Actress Jane Seymour was the featured speaker at the Aging and In Home Services of Northeast Indiana ceremony at Parkview Mirro Center. Photo by Phoebe Muthart.

Professional Forum Interested Businesses Call Betty Foster 1-866-580-1138, Ext. 2403 A Monthly Question And Answer Advertorial Column

AGING SERVICES ADVANCE CARE PLANNING Q. mother Q. My What can Ireceives do to prepare home-delivered meals and and ensure my end-of-life in-home care under Medicaid wishes are followed? Waiver. Will Indiana Pathways for change her services? A.Aging Advance Care Planning (ACP) is the process by which you determine your

wishes in regard to medical carewill andbe a A. Indiana Pathways for Aging

treatment.long-term This process is a series of managed services and supports conversations youHaving have with your loved (mLTSS) program. an mLTSS ones about those wishes so that someone program means Indiana’s Family and can speak for you when you cannot Social Services Administration (FSSA)speak will for yourself. partner with Managed Care Entities (MCEs), to coordinate LTSS benefits, such is important thatbyduring your ACP asIt those covered Medicaid and conversations, you appoint someone you Medicaid Waiver, and an individual’s trust benefits to speaksuch on your behalf and that other as Medicare. person is called a Health Care Representative. The goal is to support people who need assistance with activities of daily living There are no “rules” through services, suchoraseligibility home-delivered requirements regarding healthday meals , in-home personalage care,oradult status to begin your own Advance centers, caregiver support, assisted Care living Planning. ACP is always evolving, both and nursing facility care. personally and legislatively. It is encouraged to update your wishes as Currently, socialand carehealth coordination your personal situationsis done by the Case Management staffstatus of change. For example, if your marital your local or Area Agency Aging (AAA). changes if your healthondeclines or improves you may want to adjust AAAs will continue to fulfill the role of accordingly. Service Coordination under Pathways in partnership with the MCEs selected by the

Connie Benton Wolfe Katie Hougham President & CEO Vice President, Operations Aging & In-HomePACE Services of NEIN 260-745-1200 Ext. 450 State – Anthem Blue Cross and Blue At AIHSHumana we incorporate into alland of Shield, Healthy ACP Horizons, our programs. We have resources United Healthcare. available to help you walk through this conversation withnetwork your loved We The Indiana AAA hasones. selected also have trained staffHub available to help the Community Care of Indiana to facilitate these coordinate this conversations. contract across the state with all MCEs in order to continue to We know these conversations provide consistent high-quality aren’t integrated always easy to individuals. have, but they are care to eligible essential for maintaining the integrity of your wishes. Just Call Us if you need help Indiana Pathways for Aging is scheduled own ACP conversation. tostarting launchyour in the summer of 2024

8101 W. Jefferson Blvd. Fort Wayne, IN 46804 www.agingihs.org | 260.745.1200

Professional Forum . . .

Your exclusive opportunity to present common questions or concerns “Adults 50 Years And Better” may have relating to your product(s) or service.

Advertising with us is a Breeze Q. Isn’t your paper only read by older senior citizens on limited incomes? A.

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

Betty Foster, Account Executive Serving Fort Wayne and Surrounding Counties 260-494-9321 slallen@the-papers.com

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8 ■ SENIOR LIFE ■ November 2023

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Dining/Leisure/Entertainment

Updates and happenings 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, pmuthart@the-papers.com. With the listing, include the contact person, area code and phone number. —o— Woodlands Senior Activity Center The center is located at 710 N. Opportunity Drive, Columbia City. For more information or to make reservations, call (260) 248-8944 or visit whitleycountycouncilonaging.com/senior-citizens-center. Line Dancing — 9-10 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays Pixie Bingo — 9:30-10:30 a.m. Wednesdays Movin’ & Groovin’ with Nate — 1-2 p.m. Wednesdays Community Yoga Class with Nathan — 5-6 p.m. Wednesdays with a $5 donation Euchre — 9-10 a.m. Tuesdays and Fridays Dominoes — 12-1 p.m. Tuesdays Bible Study with Cheryl — 9-10 a.m. Tuesdays Mah Jongg — 3:30-4:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 13

Board Meeting — 9-10 a.m. Monday, Nov. 20 —o— All-you-can-eat fish fry and pork tenderloin, sponsored by Ft. Wayne Maennerchor/Damenchor, at Park Edelweiss, 3355 Elmhurst Drive, Fort Wayne, is from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 3. Cost is $13 adults, $6 children. All-you-can-eat fish and pork tenderloin with scalloped potatoes, coleslaw, dessert and coffee. Full service bar available with German and domestic beer, wine and other beverages and soft drinks. Carry out is available. —o— “Winter Wonder Dash” is Nov. 17-18. Participants are encouraged to arrive 30 minutes prior to start time. The starting line for the 2K and 5K distances is in the parking lot at Foellinger Theater; start the walk anytime between 6-7 p.m. Nov. 17. The 5K is a timed run/walk and begins at 6 p.m. Nov. 18. —o— American Legion Auxiliary No. 241, 7605 Bluffton Road, Fort Wayne, is hosting its eighth annual holiday bazaar from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18,

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with lots of vendors with unique items. Serving donuts, coffee and lunch, a 50/50, and door prizes. Proceeds will help veterans and families and local charities; public is welcome. —o— Cookies and hot chocolate and do-it-yourself snowman pompom popper will be in the Allen County Public Library starting at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 22.

“Night of Lights” is from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 22, at the Grand Wayne Convention Center, 120 W. Jefferson Blvd., Fort Wayne. Visit a make-and-take craft table while enjoying “Night of Lights.” There will be a variety of crafts to create. This program is intended for all ages. —o— Tri-Lakes Lions Fish and Tenderloin Fry will be from 4-7

p.m. (or until sold out) Saturday, Nov. 11, at Tri- Lakes Lions Hall, 2935 E. Colony Ave., Columbia City. This is an all-you-can-eat, dine-in meal. The cost is $15, adults to children 12 years old; $7 for children 6-11; and children 5 and under eat free. The cost for carry-out is $15 for meat or a meal or $5 for a quart of potato salad.

Embassy Theatre Annual Festival of Trees Nov. 22-29 The Festival of Trees is one of the region’s most highly-anticipated holiday traditions. The Embassy Theatre will host the 39th annual event, beginning Wednesday, Nov. 22 through Wednesday, Nov. 29. This year, Ambassador Enterprises has returned as the event’s title sponsor. Founded in 1984, the Festival of Trees supports ongoing operational and restoration efforts for the Embassy Theatre Foundation. The festival is the organization’s largest annual fundraising event. Last year’s event presented over 60 lavishly decorated trees throughout the building, activating thousands of smiles filled with wonder and awe.

The annual traditions at the festival continue in 2023. Lobbies of the Embassy Theatre and Indiana Hotel will transform into a wonderland of decorated trees of various sizes, shapes, and an array of themes. Admission includes visits with Santa and festive entertainment on stage, including the Grande Page pipe organ as well as youth choir and dance performances. Breakfast with Santa is a huge community favorite and will take place Friday and Saturday. Cost for the breakfast is $30 per person with reservations required and limited seating. The breakfast is sponsored by Steel Dynamics. New this year: families can

dance the night away at Santa’s Rockin’ Pizza Party Tuesday, Nov. 28. Cost is $30 per person with reservations and very limited seating. The Embassy expects of 20,000 plus visitors at this year’s festival. Ticket pricing remains the same as last year: $10 for 13 years and older, $5 for youth ages 1 to 12; children under 1 year are free but a ticket is still required for entry for an accurate 2023 visitor count. For complete information and updates, you can visit this page on the Embassy’s website for up-to-date plans and festivities, fwembassytheatre.org/festivalof-trees.

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<mmm> <yyyy> ■ SENIOR LIFE ■ 9

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Dining/Leisure/Entertainment

Aging and In-Home Services recognizes honorees at annual meeting BY PHOEBE MUTHART Editor Aging and In-Home Services of Northeast Indiana held its 48th Annual Meeting and Awards Ceremony at the Parkview Mirro Center Friday, Oct. 6. Actress, artist, philanthropist and family caregiver Jane Seymour was the featured speaker. Two individuals and one organization were honored with “Communities for a Lifetime Awards of Excellence.” Topeka Pharmacy Topeka Pharmacy has worked hand-in-hand with AIHS and LaGrange County Council on Aging to provide vaccine clinics as part of USAging vaccination grant award. These clinics have proven to be important to reach the critically-underserved community where public health outreach efforts seldom occur or succeed. As an established and trusted community provider to the Amish and non-Amish residents, Topeka Pharmacy values these clinics as an opportunity to protect and serve the community. Topeka Pharmacy team members have travelled over 1,000 miles supporting its vaccination clinics from Steuben County to Wells County. These dedicated professionals are recognized for the work they are doing to help AIHS get “shots in arms” of rural clients. Sandy Markwood, USAging USAging is the national association for Area Agencies on

Aging, including AIHS. Markwood is committed to ensuring society values and supports people across the lifespan. This commitment has taken many forms, including advocacy with multiple administrations and, on Capitol Hill, for the reauthorization of Older Americans Act legislation aimed at supporting older adults and their caregivers in their homes and communities. In her tenure at USAging, she’s presided over numerous initiatives addressing major changes and challenges affecting the aging network and the evolution of aging in America, including the USAging Aging and Disability Vaccination Collaborative, The Center of Excellence to Align Health and Social Care: Enhancing Community-Based Aging and Disability Organizations to Improve Access to Long-Term Services and Supports, and a four-year cooperative agreement to launch the Innovations in Family Caregiver Services and Supports Initiative. Dr. Shantanu Agrawal Elevance Health Foundation As chair of Elevance Health Foundation’s Board, Agrawal oversees philanthropic investments. Under his leadership, $30 million has been committed over three years to programs addressing food insecurity by helping individuals reach optimal health through good nutrition. The Indiana Area Agency on Aging Association and AIHS benefactors of this support.

An opportunity to build a memory with a child will be Nov. 22 Looking for a memory-building adventure with loved ones from 3-8 p.m. Thanksgiving eve, Nov. 22? This is the same day of Fort Wayne’s Downtown Night of Lights. Need a place to unwind for a few minutes after shopping the day after Thanksgiving? Christmas In the Library, sponsored by Christ Child Festival, will be offering the same activity on the Reason for the Season from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Want to share an educational experience, while solving the mystery of how the Crimson Thread connects these narratives: creation, prophets, birth, baptism, death, resurrection, and the Parousia? There will be seven craft tables for an opportunity to make six Christmas ornaments and one bracelet; each relates to one of the displays. The bracelet even teaches how to share the continuous narrative. This idea originated with a family that still uses a handcrafted Christmas ornament from a Christ Child Festival decades ago. Want to share some Christmas joy without expending funds? They will be collecting used Christian Christmas cards for constructing a gift bag. The most central drop-off sites for the cards for preparation are Dan’s Porch and Patio,

3710 N. Clinton, or the church office at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 1126 S. Barr St. Learn of additional drop-off sites at ChristChildFest.org. Another option is donating good, used shoes of any size. Changing Footprints will have them cleaned to distribute to Continued from page 10

CHAIRMAN’S AWARD — AIHS gave its first Chairman’s Award of Distinction to Senator Mike Braun. The statewide grant of $4.4 million dollars came through the Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation to each of Indiana’s area agencies on aging to obtain fresh produce, which is provided to participating seniors at meal sites or as part of home-delivered meals. In addition, seniors may receive a scale and blood pressure cuff to track health indicators. Reports from early grantees have collectively flagged individuals reporting one or more chronic conditions, 64% having reported improved health outcomes. Agrawal said, “We believe food is medicine, and when we fuel our bodies with nutritious foods, we can prevent diet-sensitive chronic diseases.” Sen. Mike Braun AIHS gave its first Chairman’s Award of Distinction to U.S. Sen. Mike Braun. In just one term in the U.S. Senate, he’s positioned himself as an important advocate for older Americans. He serves with special distinction as the ranking member of the Senate Special Committee on Aging. Braun, working with Chairman Bob Casey, has conducted a number of critical hearings, the most recent on ensuring accessible government technology for people with disabilities, older adults and veterans. He is also the author of several important bills, including

HEALTHY FOOD INITIATIVE — Dr. Shantanu Agrawal, of Elevance Health Foundation, was given an award for his efforts to secure healthy food to senior citizens. the Susan Muffley Act to restore retirement benefits for more than 4,000 retirees in Indiana and bipartisan Care Act to improve the Veterans Administration Caregiver Program. Braun also was one of four bipartisan leaders in Congress responsible for the 2022 White House Con-

HONOREE SPEAKS — Sandy Markwood, USAging, spoke at the Oct. 4 event in Fort Wayne and was honored with an award. ference on hunger, nutrition, and health. His service on the Senate Agriculture Committee will help move some of the recommendations from that conference, especially those related to older adult nutrition. Braun will consider the renewal of the Older Americans Act in 2024.

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206 S. Main St. Milford, Indiana 46542

The winner of the I Spy Contest for October is Fran Blocker of Elkhart. The glass of cider was located on page 13 in Senior Life Allen; page 13 in Senior Life Northwest; page 19 in Senior Life Elko and page 9 in Senior Life St. Joseph.

EMBASSYFESTIVALOFTREES 39TH ANNUAL NOVEMBER 22-29, 2023

Beautifully decorated trees. Youth performances & other stage programming. Visits with Santa. Architectural splendor.

HOURS AND EVENTS

TICKETS

Opening Day, November 22, 6-9 p.m.

$10 Adults $5 Children 1-12 (Free under 1 year old) $30 Breakfast with Santa (per person) $30 Santa’s Rockin’ Pizza Party (per person)

Thanksgiving Day, November 23, 3-7 p.m. Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch (2018) animated film: 4 p.m. November 24-27, 11 a.m. - 8 p.m. Breakfast with Santa on Friday and Saturday: 9:00 a.m. Fort Wayne Children’s Choir Community Sing-Along: 6:30-8 p.m. on Monday November 28-29, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Tuesday is Senior Day! (open to all ages) Santa’s Rockin’ Pizza Party on Tuesday: 6-8 p.m.

Available at the STAR Bank box office at the Embassy at 125 W. Jefferson Blvd. (260.424.5665) or at fwembassytheatre.org.

TITLE SPONSOR

MADE POSSIBLE WITH ADDITIONAL SUPPORT FROM Sweetwater/Surack Family Foundation AEP Foundation Fort Wayne Metals Steel Dynamics STAR Financial Bank Partner’s 1st Federal Credit Union Parrish Leasing Dan’s Porch & Patio First Merchants Bank PHP NiSource Foundation/NIPSCO Aging & In-Home Services of Northeast Indiana Mike’s Carwash

A GOODWILL COMMUNITY EVENT A fundraiser for the Embassy Theatre Foundation, Inc. Embassy Theatre Foundation Gaming License #015875

10 ■ SENIOR LIFE ■ November 2023

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Faith

Working with St. Vincent DePaul gives Hatten a lot of satisfaction By ROD KING Feature Writer In a work career covering more than 30 years and five Fort Wayne area companies and organizations, New Haven’s Charlie Hatten has found his calling. He drives one of St. Vincent DePaul’s vans, which takes people to doctor appointments. Hatten has been carting people throughout Allen County for the past four years. “I would drive every day if I could. St. Vincent DePaul has a number of drivers, so I’m on duty just a week every couple months,” he noted. Being able to help people who, for the most part, don’t have any way to support themselves is what Hatten likes best. “It’s not just the driving to doctor appointments or Community Harvest Food Bank, but the opportunity to sit down with people to help figure out a budget, manage their finances, assist with rent payments and help them overcome situations that have taken normal life out of their hands,” he said. Hatten said God has blessed him with a lot of experiences in finding and working with resources that can help improve their lives. “There are tons of resources

available out there and it’s rare that I don’t know of one or more that could help. I was on the board of Associated Churches for many years and am on the board of St. Vincent DePaul District,” he said. When he isn’t behind the wheel of one of the blue and white vans, Hatten volunteers as maintenance man at Center for Life Transitions, which works with intellectually- challenged adults. It is owned and operated by his daughter, Jessica Shannon. Hatten’s wife, Teresa, serves as the organization’s nurse. She also ran the Baby’s Closet for a few years and an Associated Churches program for new mothers. Hatten has a history of helping people. He served as chaplain at the Allen County Jail for more than 20 years and when the program was suspended, he was instrumental in getting it started again. The Decatur native joined the U.S. Air Force after graduating from Belmont High School and married his high school sweetheart while in the service. They’re celebrating their 51st anniversary soon. Along the way, they had two daughters and now have five grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.

Following Hatten’s military service, they returned to the Fort Wayne area, where he went to Indiana Purdue Fort Wayne to pursue a business degree and she returned to IPFW to complete her nursing degree. “After a couple years at J.C. Penney’s, I went to Ivy Tech to earn an associate’s degree in computers, which helped me land a job at Tokheim where I worked for 23 years, starting as a programmer, and was director of IT when the company went bankrupt,” he added. He worked a few years at Petroleum Parts and Dennis Signs in New Haven before joining the New Haven Chamber of Commerce as president and CEO. “Fortunately, I had been a member of the board and had a pretty good idea of what the job entailed. I was used to taking care of people, so it turned out to be a pretty good fit. The chamber grew and New Haven

DEMONSTRATING LIFT — Charlie Hatten, who has been picking up people with the St. Vincent De Paul van and taking them to doctor appointments and Community Harvest Food Bank for the past four years demonstrates the wheel chair lift in the back of the van. flourished,” he said. “St. Vincent DePaul does a lot of great work helping the needy in our com-

munity and I’m privileged to be doing something that gives me a lot of satisfaction.”

An opportunity Continued from page 9

those in need. This Thanksgiving season, a veteran may be blessed by you coming by the military booth where it will provide note cards; use one to write a note to a veteran while listening to musical bears. There will be an opportunity to participate in a drawing every half hour. The winning adult and a child accompanying an adult can each choose one of the display books. Grand drawing will be two admissions to the Creation Museum; no need to be present for this last drawing.

CHRISTMAS CARDS — Used Christian Christmas cards will be made for constructing a gift bag, such as these, at Christmas In the Library, sponsored by Christ Child Festival. The event is Nov. 22. Photo provided by Judi Hapke.

Monitor automatic payment By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features Paying bills by automatic withdrawals from your bank

account can save you from late payments as well as cut back on postage and mailing costs. Some folks prefer to have the monthly payments withdrawn from a credit card, which is paid off with a single monthly payment from the bank account.

In either case, you should make a list of such payments that can be reviewed by survivors after your death to make sure all payments are made and scammers have not added charges to your accounts. Mature Life Features Copyright 2023

Leave Your Legacy with the residents of Saint Anne Communities! The ONLY senior living community in Fort Wayne that offers daily Mass and Sacraments while providing the highest quality of health care. Invest in honoring the lives of our seniors.

PATIO APARTMENTS & DUPLEX HOMES RETIREMENT LIVING AT ITS FINEST! 260.589.3173 • BERNE, INDIANA • SWISSVILLAGE.ORG

If you would like to give a monetary donation in honor of a loved one or if your business would like to donate, please contact our Fund Development Department at (260) 399-3232 or email miranda.haupert@sacfw.org for our list of needs.

Saint Anne Communities 1900 Randallia Drive Fort Wayne, IN 46805

260-484-5555 • www.sacfw.org

November 2023 ■ SENIOR LIFE ■ 11

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Anniversaries

Pack up your troubles for a trip

Celebrating an anniversary? There are many people who will be celebrating special wedding anniversaries in the coming months. Senior Life would like to include pictures and information on those persons celebrating 40 years of marriage or more. In addition to including your names, address, date of marriage, children and date of celebration tell us something about you and your spouse. If you have a special or unique story of how you met and dated, share it with us and the rest of our readers. Send us your anniversary information and photo by the 20th of every month. Anniversary information should be e-mailed to dpatterson@the-papers.com, or mailed to Senior Life, P.O. Box 188, Milford, Indiana, 46542-0188. If you include a self-stamped addressed envelope, we will be glad to return your photo.

By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features The vacation of your dreams can turn into a nightmare just as your time on a tropical beach can turn terrible. A hurricane, a fractured wrist, a traffic accident, lost luggage, a missed transportation connection — any of these or many other reasons can be the cause. Being a bit paranoid when planning your trip can ease some

of the pain should anything happen. Make sure someone in your family knows where you’re going, what you plan to do and how long you’ll be away. Have that person or someone else be aware that they’ll be called should anything happen to you. And don’t forget to have someone keep an eye on your apartment, house and property while you’re gone. Mature Life Features Copyright 2023

Worship Anew launches new website 70TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY — Eugene and Marlene (Bandelier) Springer, New Haven, are celebrating their 70th wedding anniversary. They met in 1951 at the Sky Line Grill, New Haven, where Marlene was working. On Oct. 24, 1953, they were married in New Haven Methodist Church. They have five children: Lloyd (Mary Jo) Springer, Marjean (Lenny) Litzenberg, Wendell (Brenda) Springer, Darryl (Dorinda) Springer, and Lon (Shannon) Springer; seven grandchildren; and two greatgrandchildren. Gene retired from Phelps Dodge after 38 years, then worked at McMillen Golf Course for 20 years. Marlene is still working for American Greetings after 40-plus years. Over the years, they enjoyed golfing and bowling, watching Colts football and IU basketball games, spending time at the lake with family and friends and taking many family vacations around the country. To celebrate their 70th anniversary, a family dinner and reception is planned.

Worship Anew has announced the launch of its new website that will help to better serve aging adults. The new website will have more spiritual, mental, and physical articles, tips, and resources to help aging adults live full and abundant lives in Jesus Christ. The website provides topics to lead visitors to Worship Anew Programs, Hope-Full Living devotionals, articles, and videos related to “Who is God?” “Identity,” “Faith,” “Finances,” and more. Visit the new website at

worshipanew.org. Since 1980, Worship Anew, headquartered in Fort Wayne, has been broadcasting weekly worship services for aging adults, who seek to help them live an abundant life in Christ. Today, Worship Anew reaches thousands of people each week across the nation and around the world on television and streamed online. To learn more about Worship Anew and other ministries, including the care ministry and Hope-Full Living daily devotions, visit WorshipAnew.org or call (260) 471-5683.

Assisted Living, nursing And rehAbiLitAtion guide

Welcome Home

To a senior community in a quiet northeast residential setting

dM emory • Long Term Caree and Memory Care suites with bathrooms and showers ensuring privacy Homestead, Inc. quality care, Years staff • 5-starGolden 3136 Goeglein Road, Fort Wayne, IN 46815 provide 24 hour services (260) 749-6725 • www.goldenyearshome.org

260-749-9655 www.goldenyearshome.org Like us on Facebook!

Heritage Park

2001 Hobson Road, Fort Wayne, IN 46805 (260) 484-9557 • www.ASCCare.com

Life Care Center of Fort Wayne

1649 Spy Run Avenue, Fort Wayne, IN 46805 (260) 422-8520 • www.lcca.com Rehabilitation Unit, Alzheimer’s Unit, Skilled-Licensed Nursing Or Intermediate Care, Therapies: Speech-Occupational-Physical, Long Term Care, Respite Care, Wound Care, Outpatient Therapy, Medical Transportation, Medicare/Medicaid, Pet Visitation Allowed

1350 West Main Street, Berne, IN 46711 (260) 589-3173 • www.swissvillage.org

Assisted Living, Rehabilitation Unit, Alzheimer’s Unit, Skilled Licensed Nursing, Semi-Skilled Nursing Or Intermediate Care, Therapies: Speech-Occupational-Respiratory-Physical, Long Term Care, Temporary Care, Private/Semi-Private Rooms, Pet Visitation Allowed, Hospice Care, Medicare and/or Medicaid

14409 Sunrise Court, Leo, IN 46765 (260) 627-2191 • www.thecedarsrc.com

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

Assisted Living, Rehabilitation Unit, Alzheimer’s Unit, Skilled Licensed Nursing, Semi-Skilled Nursing Or Intermediate Care, Therapies: Speech-Occupational-Respiratory-Physical, Long Term Care, Temporary Care, Private/Semi-Private Rooms, Pet Visitation Allowed, Hospice Care, Medicare and/or Medicaid

Assisted Living, Rehabilitation Unit, Alzheimer’s Unit, Skilled Licensed Nursing, Semi-Skilled Nursing Or Intermediate Care, Therapies: Speech-Occupational-Respiratory-Physical, Long Term Care, Temporary Care, Private/Semi-Private Rooms, Pet Visitation Allowed, Hospice Care, Medicare and/or Medicaid

Swiss Village

The Cedars

The Village at Anthony Boulevard

6701 S. Anthony Blvd., Fort Wayne, IN 46816 (260) 447-1591 • www.ABetterWayofLiving.org

of Fort Wayne

Assisted Living, Rehab Unit, Alzheimer’s Unit, Skilled Licensed Nursing, Intermediate Care, Therapies: Speech, Occupational, Respiratory, Physical, Long Term Care, Temporary Care, Private/Semi-Private Rooms, Pet Visitation Allowed, Hospice Care, Medicare and/or Medicaid, Outpatient Therapy

The Village at Kendallville

351 North Allen Chapel Road, Kendallville, IN 46755-0429 (260) 347-2256 • www.ABetterWayofLiving.org

Rehab Unit, Skilled Licensed Nursing, Therapies: Speech, Occupational, Respiratory, Physical, Outpatient Therapy, Long Term Care, Temporary Care, Private/Semi-Private Rooms, Pet Visitation Allowed, Hospice Care, Medicare/Medicaid, 3 Years Deficiency Free Surveys

The Village at Pine Valley

9802 Coldwater Road, Fort Wayne, IN 46825 (260) 469-0600 • www.ABetterWayofLiving.org Rehab Unit, Skilled Licensed Nursing Therapies: Speech, Occupational, Respiratory, Physical, Long Term Care, Temporary Care, Private/ Semi-Private Rooms, Pet Visitation Allowed, Hospice Care, Medicare and/or Medicaid, Outpatient Therapy

Contact Betty For More Details! 260-494-9321 slallen@the-papers.com • www.seniorlifenewspapers.com

12 ■ SENIOR LIFE ■ November 2023

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Retiring abroad requires extra work

By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features

Some folks look forward to retiring to their lakeshore cottage after resigning from the labor force. Others plan on moving closer to the grandkids when they sell the house as soon as they retire. And there are those who dream of sipping cooling refreshments by a tropical beach or strolling into a village nestled into the hillside just below their Alpine villa. While their dreams are more exotic than most soon-to-beretirees, their planning is a bit more involved because of the financial arrangements and conditions they face. The costs of everything will

probably change after they leave home. Appliances, utilities, groceries, healthcare, automobile maintenance and everything else will be paid for in a foreign currency. It’ll take a while for your brain to quickly translate and compare the local price for coffee or a cab to what it was back home. In most cases, it’s likely you’ll find day-to-day living is cheaper, which is probably one of the reasons you chose to move in the first place — climate and cost. Before you move anywhere, you should visit and spend some time there. Not long ago, a move within this country served as a cautionary tale to anyone retiring to a new locale. The individual sold their house and belongings in south-

ern California and relocated in Oregon “because everything looked so green all the time.” In less than a year, they returned to their California hometown “because it rains up there all the time.” They had never set foot in Oregon before ripping out all of their California roots. Before tumbling holus-bolus into a Caribbean cabana, take a few trips there for a couple of weeks at a time at different time of the year to find out if the climate if what you’ve dreamed it is. You might even establish a financial presence to make your transition easier. Open a bank account and use your credit cards to make purchases. Get referrals for and set up relationships with an attorney,

loan officer, insurance salesperson and real estate agent. You’ll need medical services, so check out how medical insurance works there. Make an appointment with a doctor you plan to use and visit a local clinic to make a list of services it provides.

Go shopping in the locale so you’ll know where to go for the goods and services you’ll need when you live there. Will language be a problem and will your television set, computer and cell phone work there?

Mature Life Features Copyright 2023

Monitor automatic payment By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features Paying bills by automatic withdrawals from your bank account can save you from late payments as well as cut back on postage and mailing costs. Some folks prefer to have the monthly payments withdrawn from a credit card, which is

paid off with a single monthly payment from the bank account. In either case, you should make a list of such payments that can be reviewed by survivors after your death to make sure all payments are made and scammers have not added charges to your accounts. Mature Life Features Copyright 2023

Call Betty At 1-866-580-1138, Ext. 2403 To Join Our

HEALTH SERVICES DIRECTORY A COMPLETE RETIREMENT COMMUNITY

GOLDEN YEARS HOMESTEAD, INC. A Christian Retirement Community 3136 Goeglein Road and 8300 Maysville Road Fort Wayne, IN 46815 Phone: (260) 749-6725, (260) 749-9655 www.goldenyearshome.org

* Independent Living * Licensed Assisted Living * Villas & Garden Apartments * New Duplexes, Two & Three Bedrooms With Two & Three Car Garages * Complete Healthcare Center, Including Medicaid & Medicare Certified * Memory Care Neighborhoods “A Christian Ministry Dedicated To Serving The Seniors”

HERITAGE PARK 2001 Hobson Road Fort Wayne, IN 46805 Phone: (260) 484-9557 www.asccare.com

Garden Homes, Assisted Living Apartments, Moving Forward Rehabilitation, Auguste’s Cottage Memory Care, Skilled Nursing, Long Term Care, Hospice, Respite

SWISS VILLAGE, INC. 1350 W. Main St. Berne, IN 46711 Phone: (260) 589-3173 www.swissvillage.org

Duplex Homes, Independent Living Apartments, Residential & Assisted Living, Short Term Private Rehab Suites, Healthcare & Dementia Care, State Of The Art Wellness Pavilion, And Intergenerational Programming

A COMPLETE RETIREMENT COMMUNITY

THE CEDARS 14409 Sunrise Court Leo, IN 46765 Phone: (260) 627-2191 www.thecedarsrc.com

Complete Retirement Amenities: Skilled & Intermediate Long Term Nursing Care, Assisted & Residential Apartments, Total Rehab Unit, Villa Of The Cedars With Condominium Homes - “Come To The Country”

ATTENDANT AND COMPANION SERVICES

JENNI’S IN HOME CARE LLC Phone: (260) 760-1546 jennisinhomecare@gmail.com

We offer non-medical services to individuals in their homes, Alzheimers and Dementia, Companionship, Respite, Custom Services to fi t your needs.

AUDIOLOGY

ASSISTED, INDEPENDENT LIVING & NURSING CARE

LIFE CARE CENTER OF FORT WAYNE 1649 Spy Run Avenue Fort Wayne, IN 46805 Phone: (260) 422-8520 www.lifecarecenteroffortwaynein.com

Newly remodeled facility, top-of-the-line service for rehab patients. Rapid rehab program, separate wing with 30 rehab suites — private single bed for short-term patients. Medicare, Medicaid & insurances accepted.

CARTER HEARING CLINICS 1335 Getz Road, Fort Wayne, IN 46804 NORTHEAST: 3136 Goeglein Rd., Suite A Phone: (260) 436-6400 or (877) 436-6401 www.carterhearingclinics.com

• Creating A Higher Standard of Care • Board certified audiologists by the American Board of Audiology serving Fort Wayne since 1967. • Offices located in Fort Wayne, Auburn, Angola and Decatur. PROVIDING • Hearing Evaluations, Hearing Aids, Assistive Listening Devices and Auditory Training • FREE TRIAL HEARING AID PROGRAM

November 2023 ■ SENIOR LIFE ■ 13

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Worship Anew welcomes guest pastor for All Saint’s Day program Worship Anew, 5 Martin Luther Drive, Fort Wayne, is excited to welcome Pastor Jeremy Swem to the program for the Sunday, Nov. 5, service. Swem, the pastor of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Grand Rapids, Mich., will be speaking for All Saint’s Day on “Our True Hope” from Matthew 5:1-12. “In the midst of hardships, struggles, and persecution it is easy to lose hope and falsely believe that God has abandoned us. He has not. John in his Revelation provides us the sure and certain hope that our Savior brings us through all these things finally giving to us His victory,” Swem wrote in preview of his sermon. Swem was a Lutheran school

teacher before entering the seminary in 2007. He first served as a pastor in Saskatchewan for four years and then accepted a Call to Our Savior where he has been for the last eight years. Swem is pleased to continue his ministry in a new way through the Worship Anew program as the broadcast has already impacted so many in his own congregation. “Worship Anew is a great blessing to many members at Our Savior Church but especially our homebound members,” he said. “I was talking with one of our homebound members, and she let me know she calls her friend to chat about the sermons they hear or the beautiful choir music. I’d

love to give back to an organization that has bestowed so many blessings not only to our homebound members but Christians throughout the world.” Swem’s sermon will be available Sunday, Nov. 5, on local broadcasts throughout the country, as well as TCT, and online at WorshipAnew. org, Vimeo and YouTube. Learn more at worshipanew.org/bytype/watch/watch-on-tv. GUEST PASTOR — Worship Anew, 5 Martin Luther Drive, Fort Wayne, is excited to welcome Pastor Jeremy Swem to the program for the Sunday, Nov. 5, service. Photo provided by Ashley Wiehe.

Call Betty At 1-866-580-1138, Ext. 2403 To Join Our

HEALTH SERVICES DIRECTORY HOME HEALTH CARE

MEMORY CARE

A HIGHER STANDARD OF HOME CARE BRIGHTSTAR 333 E. Washington Blvd. Fort Wayne, IN 46802 Phone: (260) 918-0933 www.brightstarcare.com/fort-wayne

Enthusiastic, kind personal level client care connection, 24/7 support enables clients to check on loved ones. Rigorous caregiver screen/background check ensures optimal security & family peace of mind.

HOME PET CARE

HUMANE FORT WAYNE IN-HOME SERVICES 4914 S. Hanna St. Fort Wayne, IN 46806 Phone: (260) 744-0454 www.humanefortwayne.org

This FREE program helps seniors care for their pets. Services include grooming, walking, waste clean-up, wellness checks, transportation and more.

IN-HOME CARE

COMFORT KEEPERS 3182 Mallard Cove Lane Fort Wayne, IN 46804 Phone: (260) 484-5858 MollyTritch@comfortkeepers.com Comfort Keepers provides award winning in-home care for seniors and other adults in need of assistance with daily activities.

LIFE CARE CENTER OF FORT WAYNE 1649 Spy Run Avenue Fort Wayne, IN 46805 Phone: (260) 422-8520 www.lcca.com

Denton Hall, Memory Care Unit We offer a premier special care unit for those with Alzheimer’s disease or related disorders. We provide a safe, homelike environment to increase and/or maintain each resident’s level of function at its highest sustainable stage.

PHYSICAL THERAPY

HOOSIER PHYSICAL THERAPY Michael F. Barile, D.C., P.T. 3030 Lake Avenue Fort Wayne, IN 46805 Phone: (260) 420-4400 www.hoosierpt.com Medicare Assignment Accepted “Personalized Care”

PHYSICIAN’S OFFICE

FAMILY PRACTICE CENTER 750 Broadway Suite 350 Fort Wayne, IN 46802 Phone: (260) 423-2675

• New Patients Welcome • Most Insurance Companies Accepted • Medicare & Medicaid Accepted • Staffed By Over 30 Family Medicine Residents • Supervised By Board Certified Faculty

TELEPHONE SERVICES

RELAY INDIANA - INTRAC 7702 Woodland Drive #130, Indianapolis, IN 46278 (877) 446-8722

Problems hearing on the telephone? We provide captioned telephones to assist you to read what the other person is saying. No more garbled or misunderstood conversations. Simply, READ what you’re hearing.

14 ■ SENIOR LIFE ■ November 2023

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Health & Fitness

Medicare drug plan improvements for diabetics Beginning Jan. 1, 2023, Medicare Prescription Drug Plans have been required to improve access to affordable treatment for Medicare beneficiaries. As provisions of this new law are phased in, you can expect to see the following changes: • Vaccinations. Medicare beneficiaries covered by a part D drug plan will no longer pay for vaccines, which the advisory committee on immunization

practices recommends. This includes, but is not limited to, shingles, whooping cough, etc. • Insulin. A PDP plan cannot charge you more than $35 for a one-month supply of each covered insulin prescription you have filled. Even if your insulin is administered through an insulin pump and covered under Part B, your plan cannot charge you any more than $35 for a one-month supply; generally, no

more than $105 for a threemonth supply. In addition to these specific improvements, you may see additional enhancements, which are designed to lower the out-ofpocket expense for prescription drugs. Beginning Jan. 1, 2024, the catastrophic stage under PDP plans will no longer require the Medicare beneficiary to pay a cost share for their prescrip-

tion drugs. If the total retail cost of combined prescription medications reaches the second maximum out-of-pocket level, the plan and Medicare will begin paying for the prescription medications for that beneficiary for the balance of the calendar year. Beginning Jan. 1, 2025, all Medicare part D plans will have a maximum out-of-pocket of $2,000 for combined prescription

medications for a beneficiary. Monthly installments will also be an option instead of up-front payments when they happen. Look for additional improvements to continue phasing in over the course of the next few years. Give us a call to discuss the options and which work best for your needs. We are happy to answer your questions. Call (260) 484-7010.

You can change your life by deciding to sick-care system. We go into the system when we are sick, not when we are well and wanting to remain so, and certainly not for nutritional information. I’m not blaming the doctors; the protocols they trained under were to respond a certain way based on the symptoms presented. The standard American diet is currently: 54% processed products, 32% animal products, 10% veggies, fruits & nuts and 4% whole grain. The 10% veggies, fruits and nuts says it all for me. Flip these numbers and you’ve got it right. I find it amusing that we’ve become so conditioned to eating unhealthy that whole foods plant based eating is considered dieting, disordered eating or just weird. Whole Food equals food without an ingredient list; veggies, fruits, raw nuts & seeds. Plant-based — it grows

From My Table To Yours By Cat Wilson According to Science Journalist, Max Luavere, a recent study found that being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in your 30s shaves 14-16 years off of your life. Diagnosed in your 50s, lose six years of life. Type 2 diabetes is a food disease — a preventable food disease. You may respond with — “my doctor didn’t say that,” and you would be right. Sadly, our healthcare system is more of a

Proud National VA Provider IN HOME CARE: • Companionship • Housekeeping • Hygiene • Errands • Cooking • Laundry • And More!

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intact from the ground, a tree, a hothouse or hydroponically, greens, beans, mushrooms, onions, brown rice. We are coming up on the holidays folks and you can decide to eat your way through it because it’s only six weeks long and: I hate vegetables. I hate salad. I hate mushrooms. I hate beans. I can’t give up cheese. You either see opportunities

or obstacles — it’s always been your choice. Fall in love with taking care of yourself. Fall in love with the path of healing. Fall in love with becoming the best version of yourself and respect your journey. You are a product of your decisions — yesterdays, todays, and tomorrows. Do your research, find a bud-

Obesity also weighs heavy on elderly By JAMES GAFFNEY Mature Life Features

Obesity in children and younger adults has attracted a great deal of attention, but the prevalence of obesity in adults aged 60 and older has increased steadily since the turn of the century. But the problem of a few extra pounds can pale in comparison for many people when they consider such other oldage issues as chronic disease,

When people think of poor health among older adults, images of frail and underweight individuals often come to mind. But older Americans have not escaped the obesity epidemic, according to nutritionists and health-care professionals.

Call Today For A

FREE Medicare Coverage Review

260-255-5335 Mark Shuler Medicare Specialist

Reliable Insurance Services

New At Our Campus! Independent Living at The Orchard Feel free. To embrace a whole new grass-isdefinitely-greener way of living. Come explore how living at Golden Years can free you from the headaches of home maintenance. Your time is valuable and better spent doing all the fun things you’ve always wanted to do! • Floor plans ranging from 1,200 - 1,900 square feet • Two bedroom, two bath with attached extra-large garage • Customizations available • Refundable entry fees starting at $195,000

Call 260-749-6725 to schedule an appointment to tour our model homes!

JOIN US FOR ONE OF OUR OPEN HOUSES Thursdays, November 2, 9, 16 & 30 • 2-4 p.m.

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dy, move every day, write down what you eat and take a look at it. Remember the GBOMBS: Greens, beans, onions, mushrooms, berries and seeds. To your health 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.

(Entrance Off Parent Road)

260-749-6725| www.greencroft.org/golden | www.greencroft.org/golden years | 8300 Maysville Wayne, IN 46815 260-749-6725 years | 8300 Maysville Rd.,Rd., FortFort Wayne, IN 46815

lifestyle limitations, and money woes. Physicians may avoid talking about obesity with their older patients because they think it may be too late to encourage a change in health behavior. Here are some facts: One in four people older than 50 is considered obese. Sarcopenic obesity, a change in body composition associated with a reduction in muscle mass during aging and accumulated intraabdominal fat, are prevalent obesity-related conditions among the elderly. There has been a steady increase in the prevalence of Americans between the ages of 50 and 69 who have difficulty bathing, dressing or just walking across a room. In a study of some 7,000 people aged 65 and older, obesity was associated with poor perception of health, physical functioning and social functioning among women. In a British study of more than 4,000 men aged 60 to 79, the obese subjects had a doubled risk of major cardiovascular disease and were three times more likely to have diabetes, as were older men at a normal weight. Vascular problems posed by obesity and related syndromes like hypertension and type-2 diabetes are important influences on the risk of vascular and Alzheimer’s dementia. More than 15% of individuals older than 85 are considered to have a poor diet. Only one-third of adults older than 65 get the daily recommended level of exercise, according to one study. Another 35% of individuals in this age group do not get enough exercise, and 28% get no exercise at all. Mature Life Features Copyright 2023

November 2023 ■ SENIOR LIFE ■ 15

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Travel

Chickens rule the roost in Key West Roosters can be heard crowing throughout the length and breadth of Key West, Fla., at all times of the day GREAT and night. ESCAPES The colorText and Photos ful birds By ROD KING frolic on the sidewalks and chase each other across Duval Street, the town’s busiest street. They’ll strut right into an open-air restaurant just like they had a reservation. They fit right in with the millions of tourists coming to the island town, but they’re protected. The whole chicken thing goes back to the early 1800s when a revolution in Cuba sent Cubans fleeing to Key West by the thousands. They brought their cigar-making skills with them, plus their love of cock fighting. Key West’s government frowned on the “sport” and outlawed it. So, the Cubans turned them all loose and they’ve been roaming free ever since. They’re as famous as the sixtoed cats inhabiting the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum. The famous author was given a white, six-toed (polydactyl) cat by a boat captain. Kittens of Snow White all had extra toes and were extremely good mousers. Today, nearly 60 live at the house and are cared for by local veterinarians. When outside cats wander in, they’re unceremoniously chased off by the resident felines. Hemingway bought the house in 1931. The next decade turned out to be his most prolific writing period. Tours of the home and gardens are available. Sloppy Joe’s Bar, Hemingway’s favorite watering hole, was opened in 1933 as the Blind Pig. It was Hemingway who convinced owner Joe Russell to change the name of his establishment to Sloppy Joe’s after a bar they frequented in Havana, Cuba. In 1938, Russell got into an argument with his landlord over a $1-a-month raise in his rent, closed down the bar and moved it lock, stock and barrel a half-a-block away to its present location on Duval Street. Also on Duval Street is the late, great Jimmy Buffett’s very first Margaritaville Bar and Restaurant. He opened it more than 30 years ago and people have been flocking to it searching for that ‘lost jigger of salt’ ever since. President Harry S. Truman’s Little White House is a mustsee. He and his family came here to work and enjoy the warm Florida temperatures during winter months. The home, which is open for tours, was built by the U.S. Navy in 1890 and is full of Truman’s original furniture and memorabilia.

OFFICIAL TRANSPORTATION — 1950 Lincoln Cosmopolitan Stretch Limousine was one of nine such vehicles staged at various cities throughout the country for the president’s use.

DOWNTOWN ROOSTERS — Chickens roam throughout downtown Key West and even enter outside eateries. Cubans who came to the island in the 1800s loved cock fighting, but it annoyed the local government. When it was outlawed the Cubans turned them loose. Today they’re protected.

HEMINGWAY HOUSE — Visitors line up to tour the house once SIX-TOED CATS — Nearly 60 six-toed (polydactyl) cats reside at the Hemingway Home and Museum in Key West. Local veterinarians owned by Ernest Hemingway from 1931 to 1941, which is considered the time period when he did his most prolific writing. care for them. Mallory Square, which is just a few blocks north of the Little White House, is a hopping place every afternoon around 5 p.m. when street vendors and performers appear suddenly out of nowhere to entertain huge crowds gathered to watch the spectacular sunsets. Key West’s original residents were Calusa Indians, who fished the surrounding waters. It was occupied by transient Cuban fishermen in the late 1700s. In 1821, the Florida territory was annexed, along with Key West, from Spain by the United States in reparations for war debts. It became the seventh city in Florida in 1828. Three years later, political unrest in Cuba caused William Wall to relocate his cigar factory there and opened the floodgates to Cuban migrants

Bucket List Tours with Pam

Steamboating on the American Queen From New Orleans to Memphis

March 25, 2024

Mississippi River Boat Cruise $4,198 Inside Cabin $4,998 Outside Cabin $5,298 Veranda Pam Crone 260-224-2339 Email pamkaycrone@aol.com

seeking freedom and employment. The island was long a mecca for salvagers, who brought up treasures from ships sunk by powerful storms.

S & S TRAVEL

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

Memories in Motion

“Memories to Last a Lifetime” March 13, 2024 .........“Beautiful” — The Carole King Musical

2021 is Completely Beef and Boards, IndySold Out

2022 Trips

March 25-27, 2024 ............................................. Come Sail Away No Boat ... No Water ... No Problem ... A Cruise on Land!

NOV 13-17 It’s a Branson Christmas: Six Shows: Dutton Family, Presley’s Country Jubilee, Doug Gabriel, Sight & Sound’s Queen Esther, Hughes Brothers, Daniel O’Donnel Great Food, Great Shows NOV 27-29 An OHIO Christmas, Lehman’s General Store, Victorian Mansion & Glass Museum, Hands On activities, Troyer Sweet Shop, Tis the Season Shows, Shrocks Heritage Village, P Graham Art Gallery, Two Great Shows: Christmas in the Country & The Christmas Tree Ship. CALL NOW DEC 4-8 Smoky Mountain Christmas, Taking Waitlist DEC 9 Yuletide Celebration w/Indianapolis Symphony Saturday Matinee, Main Floor seating, 45 Broadway Singers/Dancers bring the Christmas season alive. Lunch too before the show APR 27-MAY 5, 2024 San Antonio, Texas

April 22-26, 2024 ........................ Springtime in New York City June 7-14, 2024 ..................................Black Hills, South Dakota

Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial and More Feb. 5, 2022……………………..……...‘HAMILTON”

Schuster Center, Dayton June 24-27, 2024 .......................... Mississippi Riverboat Cruise 4 Seats Left

Feb. 19-26, 2022…Manatees, Mermaids Marine Li Sept. 9, 2024 ......................... Memories of Elvis, 3-Hour& Cruise Crystal River Plantation, Nature Coast of Florida

Sept. 17-19, 2024...................................“RUTH” — An Original

Sight and Sound Theatres® Production May 18, 2022………..”Cruising Through the Decades At the Ohio Star Theatre, Sugercreek, OH

30-Oct. 7, 2024 ..................................................................... May 23 – 27,Sept. 2022…………..Wisconsin’s Door Count Best of Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine Including Visit to Historic Lambeau Field Waitlisted

Oct. 22-30, 2024 .....................................Great Plains Adventure June 27-30, 2022………..Mississippi Riverboat Cruis Kansas & Oklahoma ... Including a visit to Pioneer Woman

Dec. 3-6, 2024 ............................ Nashville’s Country Christmas July 29 – August 10, 2022…….….Nova Scotia, Canad Opryland Hotel Feb. 15-23, 2025 ...............Manatees, Mermaids & Marine Life

Sept. 13-16, 2022……………….Niagara Falls, Canad Crystal River and St. Augustine, FL 10 Seats Left

and Sheila Magsamen, Tour Managers Sept. 26 – Oct. 3,Steve 2022………. Decatur & Fort Wayne Departures 260-432-8488 Best of Vermont, New Hampshire & Maine Tour Details: www.s-stravel.com

Departs: Ft Wayne, Auburn, Kendallville

Tour Calendar: Call 888-262-4423

www.memoriesinmotion.net

Steve and Sheila Magsamen, Tour Managers Decatur & Fort Wayne Departures

16 ■ SENIOR LIFE ■ November 2023

www.seniorlifenewspapers.com

Finance Senior Relocation Program

Making lists is helpful when downsizing By KURT J. NESS Ness Bros Realtors and Auctioneers Senior Relocation Program

Our Services Include • Assisting in Organizing • Determining what to Sell, Keep or Donate • Pack for the Move • Inventory Appraising • Move Management • Overseeing Repairs, Painting, Cleaning and Staging Home for Sale • Selling Personal Property & Real Estate • Assisting Executors, Attorneys, Trustees Huntington 260.356.3911 | Fort Wayne 260.459.3911

www.SeniorRelocationServices.info

HELPING YOU THROUGH EVERY STAGE OF LIFE’S JOURNEY. Scott Wray

swray@contewealth.com (888) 717-2921 | (260) 413-1220 ConteWealth.com Securities offered through Registered Representatives of Cambridge Investment Research, Inc., a broker/dealer, member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory services offered through Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, Inc., a Registered Investment Advisor. Conte Wealth Advisors and Cambridge are not affiliated. 2009 Market Street Camp Hill, PA 17011

When people start to think about downsizing, they may become overwhelmed, not knowing where to start. One approach is to start with the end in mind. Visualize where you see yourself at the end of the downsizing journey. Write down what is the size and number of rooms of your new residence, the location and what amenities you will need and want. To keep you

motivated make a list of all the benefits that downsizing will do for you. Next, create a list of the challenges that you may face when going through the downsizing process. And last, make another list of who will be available to help you with these challenges. Now that you have made your lists, start thinking outside the box for as many possible solutions. Don’t worry about how absurd they may be. A helpful tip is to get many people involved in this process. You will find this syn-

ergy creates more options and solutions to your challenges. Be sure to write down all the ideas. If after going through this process you still don’t have a comfortable plan of action, don’t worry; just call Ness Brothers. We can help you with possible solutions and even provide a personal consultant who will assist you through the downsizing process. Remember, don’t do it alone. Our family helping yours. We can be reached at (260) 459-3911 or my direct line is (260) 240-8311.

evening news. Hosting night-time festivities for friends and family decreases as a result, so why not invite everyone over for Sunday — or Saturday — brunch. Or Tuesday — or Thursday — afternoon tea. You’re likely to get better re-

sponses since everyone will be able to drive home in daylight. And you’ll probably save money on the food and refreshments since your guests will likely down less wine with the array of less-expensive finger food you prepare for them.

Save on socializing

By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features Partying into the wee hours of the morning are events of the long ago for most seniors as they become accustomed to bedtimes shortly after the

Mature Life Features Copyright 2023

Social Security is thankful to serve you By MONA HARTER District Manager, South Bend Social Security Office Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on the blessings we have in our lives and to share memories with our loved ones. We are thankful because we can provide you and your family with services, benefits, tools, and information to help you throughout life’s journey. Social Security is more than just a retirement pro-

gram. We provide services that assist many families across this country. We are there for joyous moments like the birth of your child and issuing their first Social Security card. We are there during times of hardship and tragedy to provide disability and survivors benefits. And we’re there to help you celebrate your retirement, too. We’re here to serve you online, by phone, and in person in our local offices. You can learn more on our website at ssa.gov.

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Please share this information with those who need it. Happy holidays!

A GRANDFATHER WITH HIS GRANDCHILDREN AT A PUMPKIN PATCH