Senior Life - Elko Edition - April 2024

Brian Shepherd combines love for running with food bank

By NATHAN PACE Staff Writer

Brian Shepherd began running races when he was 12-years-old. Now at 58, he has nearly a half century of running experiences to build on.

“I still run races. Fitness has always been something that’s important to me. The more you can spread the good news about staying fit, staying active as you get older. I’m 58 now but I’m still out there everyday. I personally run about 50-55 miles a week,” Shepherd said.

Shepherd lives and works in Ligonier as the principal of the West Noble Primary School. Shepherd assists with a running club at the school to encourage good fitness habits for its students. Students keep track of the miles they’ve ran during the year and are rewarded for hitting certain milestones.

“The most important thing you can teach a child is ‘you get one body so let’s

take care of it,’ so we have mileage clubs here at the school,” Shepherd said. “We have 50, 100 and 150. If you reach 50 miles we celebrate it on Mondays with that. If you make the 100 mile club we bring you up, we celebrate you and get a T-shirt. We just teach kids to be active.”

While the understanding of how difficult it can be at times to find the motivation to run, Shepherd uses the connections through the club to keep moving and stay in shape.

“We have a pretty good group here at the Ligonier track club. Yvette Rojas, probably the best female runner in Northern Indiana. She teaches here, teaches Kindergarten for us,” Shepherd said. “There’s always someone to run with in the community.”

Shepherd also runs a company that manages area 5K races called RCC Timing. The company helps keep track of times of runners for a dozen races each year.

His company has become a big help

to the Milford Food Bank to create fundraisers through 5K races. It all started when Bill Doege, director of operations at the Milford Food Bank, spoke at Shepherd’s church. Shepherd knew families at the West Noble Primary who were in need of food assistance.

“That’s how the relationship formed. I called Doege and he started supplying us with food for our needy families,” Shepherd said.

Shepherd now sits on the board for the Milford Food Bank and is thankful the community supports his fundraising efforts.

“Overall in our little area, people will support our 5K races. The businesses the communities, they are behind us. In Milford there is always somebody that will support you,” Shepherd said.

One fundraiser Shepherd uses for the Food Bank is the Rabbit-Grabbit race in Milford on April 6. The race features an Easter theme.

“The Flotilla is something else. It’s just a great event for Syracuse,” Shepherd said. Fundraisers for the food bank can take place outside of the Kosciusko County. Shepherd had a race in Kendallville back in February that showed just how well the area supports the food bank.

“It was the coldest day in February but we still had 80-85 people show up. It was an outstanding day but it was freezing. They are so supportive,” Shepherd said. “It blows my mind how the community will back these events we do.”

RABBIT-GRABBIT Brian Shepherd, right, organizes 5K races in area such as the RabbitGrabbit in 2021. From left are Elias Rojas, top overall; the Easter Bunny; Frank Pizana, Master’s winner; Reece and Quinn Schwartz, half-mile participants; Robby Gingerich, overall runnerup; and Shepherd, Grand Master winner and race organizer. All proceeds from the race were given to the Milford Food Bank. File photo.

The biggest race of the year Shepherd helps manage is the Syracuse Flotilla. The race on July 4 can see well over 300 people running.

PROUD GRANDPA — Brian Shepherd poses for a photo with his two grandsons, Milo Croninger, left, and Evander George, after winning the Master Champion at the Team Schlem 5K in December. Photo provided by Brian Shepherd.

Cindy Fumarolo says her profession is a dream come true

By LAURIE LECHLITNER Staff Writer

“When I was 2 years old, I played nurse with my father,” stated Cindy Fumarolo, Elkhart. “If I decided he needed medicine, I’d give him M&M pills. I’ve always wanted to be a nurse. In my 27 years as a nurse, it’s been a dream come true.”

Fumarolo loved the technical and scientific things she learned in her nursing training. She attended Indiana University, South Bend, for her academic subjects. She did her clinical study at Ivy Tech.

“Science and anatomy have always intrigued me.” Her first nursing job was at Bremen Hospital. “It is a small hospital and I worked in many areas: medical, E.R., surgery, GI lab. Really, the only area I didn’t work in was obstetrics.”

Then she worked at St. Joe

Hospital when it was on Fourth Street in Mishawaka. “Then I was assigned to the medical floor.”

Her longest stint was at Goshen Hospital in the post op and surgical area. “I was there 17 years. I loved working alongside the doctors. Those of us in the medical field understand each other.”

At Elkhart Clinic, Fumarolo was giving chemo infusions to oncology patients. “I spent three years there. But as I was getting older in years, my body had also lost some of the strength I had in my younger days. Working in hospital or clinic settings takes a tremendous amount of strength. Oftentimes people needing to be transferred to a wheelchair, or helped to the bathroom, are dead weight.”

Fumarolo began her career as a school nurse at Battell Elementary School, Mishawaka.

Now she’s in her third year at Twin Branch Elementary, Mishawaka.

“I’ve been a school nurse for five years and love it. I get weekends off and can go to church each Sunday. I also have holidays and summers off. And I no longer have to transfer or lift people like I did in a hospital setting.”

A typical day for her usually starts with a lot of paperwork. “I check immunization records

SCHOOL NURSE

Cindy

Fumarolo, the school nurse at Twin Branch Elementary, Mishawaka, donned her formal nursing attire to show the students one day. The kids were amazed. They claim they have never seen a real nurse’s outfit, complete with cap. Fumarolo loves interacting with students. They also love her very much. Photo provided by Cindy Fumarolo.

and make sure everything is up to date. I also survey state school records. I go through kids’ health files. I take care of kids who visit me and are sick, patching up boo-boos, skinned knees, bumped heads. I check for fractured bone from the playground.” She also works closely with the school social worker. “We survey the backgrounds and family settings the kids come from to better help them.”

Sometimes it’s hard for Fumarolo to keep a straight face, though. “I had three other boys in my area when a fourth one came to me with a slip of paper. One of the other boys asked him, ‘What are you in here for?’

It sounded like he was talking to a fellow inmate. The new arrival said, ‘I was farting in class.’ I looked down at the paper and the teacher had written: This student has excessive gas in the classroom.”

This has been a hard year for Fumarolo health wise. “I had pneumonia that turned into sepsis and was on a ventilator for eight days. I just recently had back surgery. In both those events, through the power of prayer, I got through it. But my biggest reward was the hugs I got when I returned to school.”

Fumarolo’s hobbies include sewing, reading and making quilts. She plays piano at her home.

Community Active Aging and Wellness Resource Fair April 17

Aging Connections of Michiana is hosting the Community Active Aging and Wellness Resource Fair Wednesday, April 17. It will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Elkhart Health and Aquatics, 200 E. Jackson Blvd., Elkhart.

There is free parking and admission. There will be health screenings, vaccines and boosters. There’s resources and information to stay active and healthy, and raffle prize drawings.

When lawn mowers attack

By JAMES GAFFNEY Mature Life Features

Using a lawn mower can be as routine as barbecuing or bike-riding, but people often find themselves in terrifying situations with these seemingly safe household machines.

In fact, more than 250,000 people are injured and 75 are killed in lawn mower-related accidents each year, reports the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Lawn mowers don’t attack on their own. Most injuries, such as severed fingers and toes, limb amputations, broken bones, burns and eye injuries, are caused by careless use and can be prevented by following a few simple safety tips.

“Power lawn mowers are dangerous adult tools, but many children, and sometimes adults unfortunately, see them as toys,” said Dr. John Canady, past president of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. “Lawnmowing can be dangerous to the operator as well as those nearby if proper safety precautions aren’t taken. Physicians in this coalition often repair these heart-wrenching injuries, and we feel it’s our duty to help people avoid these accidents in the first place.”

The ASPS offers the following tips to help prevent lawn mower-related injuries:

• Children should be at least 12 years old before they operate any lawn mower, and at least 16 years old for a sit-down mower.

• Children should never be passengers on sit-down mowers.

• Always wear sturdy shoes, not sandals, while mowing.

•Young children should be at a safe distance from the area you are mowing.

• Pick up stones, toys, and debris from the lawn to prevent injuries from flying objects.

• Always wear eye and hearing protectors.

•Use a mower that stops moving forward when the handle is released.

• Never pull backward or mow in reverse unless absolutely necessary. Look behind you carefully when you do.

• Start and refuel mowers outdoors, not in a garage. Refuel with the motor turned off and cool.

• Blade settings should be set by an adult only.

• Wait for blades to stop

People will have the opportunity to speak with 65-plus local aging resources onsite to help you transition seamlessly through the best phase of life. This is a “one-stop-shopping” experience for community members looking to connect with valuable local resources.

completely before removing the grass catcher, unclogging the discharge chute, or crossing gravel roads. Some newer models have a blade/brake clutch that stops the blade when the operator releases the handle. Mature Life Features Copyright 2024

The public will have the opportunity to learn about various services, programs, and support available in the community. Whether you’re seeking health-related information, legal advice, or social services, this event will offer a wealth of knowledge. As an example, REAL Services will be administering COVID-19 vaccines and boosters, along with the opportunity to get RSV, flu, pneumonia and shingles vac-

cinations, too.

“An event like this will help you foster connections. You can meet professionals, community members, and organizations working together to support our aging population,” said Malana Maher, president and founder of ACOM. “So, whether you’re a senior yourself or assisting an older family member, this event will help you discover services you might not know exist.”

As the area’s leading resourcing organization, Aging Connections connects individuals with the services and providers that best meet their current needs.

“So, we encourage everyone to attend this free event to discover caring professionals

who can help you navigate the continuum of care,” Maher said.

Founded in 2020, Aging Connections is a nonprofit, grassroots cooperative of individuals and organizations working together in partnership to catalyze and promote its programs of work. The programs include educational offerings, promoting business, building community and relationships, and serving the aging population for the benefit of each other, other professionals, and the community at large. Aging Connections currently serves northern Indiana and southwestern Michigan.

For additional information regarding Aging Connections or to see updated event information, visit agingconnections.org.

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 Life Features Copyright 2024

ANTONIO JUAREZ GOSHEN

BETH ANN HARDY WARSAW

visit and catch up on his life.

PHYLLIS WALTER PIERCETON

We have a lake house in Michigan that we spend a lot of time at during the summer. It’s a great place to relax and read a good book. I can’t wait!

No big plans, but I’m hoping to buy a new truck if I can find the right one at the right price.

PHIL WILSON WINONA LAKE

I’m going with a couple of friends and my brother to The Masters golf tournament in April. We’ve done it a few times before, but not since 2019 before COVID.

Spending time with my grandchildren once they are out of school. During the school year, they are always so busy and it doesn’t seem like I get to see them much.

MARJORIE MARTIN ELKHART

Our annual family reunion in Tennessee in June. It’s always the highlight of my year to see my big family all in one place at the same time.

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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.

She is totally helpless.

NUTSHELL 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, Mary 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.

Angie Lambert pours heart into early learning,

By NATHAN PACE Staff Writer

Angie Lambert has reinvented her career multiple times but it all led to finding home at Lakeland Christian Academy in Warsaw. Lambert has gone to college three times while helping to raise three kids with her husband Trent.

“It was juggling life finishing my degree being a mom, being a pastor’s wife, going back to work with all of those things together,” Lambert said. “It was a lot but I knew I had a goal in mind.”

Lambert, a native of Edgerton, Ohio, is the early learning director at Lakeland Christian Academy in Warsaw. Her path to Kosciusko County began with a career change nearly 30 years ago when she left a community college in Ohio and married Trent. At the time, Lambert wanted to be an interpreter for deaf and hearing impaired people.

“My husband went to school to be a pastor, we ended up pastoring and started our family. I used my education background and the combination of my sign language skills to teach classes at a community life center to children. Was also in charge of the children’s ministry at our church,” Lambert said.

Her experience of teaching children put her on a collision course with Lakeland Christian Academy. While Trent served as a pastor for a church west of Indianapolis, he was offered a position at Grace College in 2018.

“My husband had written curriculum at that time for Grace had done it for years and they had a new position that they wanted him to fill but it was not remote,” Lambert said. “Our daughter had already been accepted to Grace College so it was just a really neat opportunity for our whole family so we moved here.”

Lambert’s background in Christian education made her an immediate fit at Lakeland Christian Academy. Still, she admits the transition to Kosciusko County was not a walk in the park.

“There were moments where I was not sure I could do this,” Lambert said. “When we moved here I was in school and learning a new community. All of my kids had to make all new friends. Even though it’s still in Indiana it’s a different culture than it was outside of Indianapolis.”

Lambert earned a Master’s degree from Grace College as she completed her undergrad years prior with Indiana Wesleyan University. Three years ago, Lakeland Christian Academy merged with Warsaw Christian and that expanded the early learning program of the school.

“In that process we were

able to grow our early learning program more. We offer full day programs for our preschool students which is a developing need in the community. A lot of families have both parents working full time,” Lambert said. “As the early learning director my job holds a variety of things. I think my favorite is getting to pour into my teachers. Meeting with them. They are brilliant in their own right. Also, one of my favorite things is the admissions part. I get to meet all the families. Give them tours. Tell them about our program.”

Lambert has three kids in Ashland, Claire and Rock. Rock is a name that fit perfectly for their eighth grader who is 6’4” athlete at 240 pounds.

“When our oldest was little I babysat for a little girl and

she had a brother. His name was Nick but his dad called him Rock. That was always his nickname and we were friends with that family for a long, long time. When we got pregnant and found out we were having a boy we were tossing around names and said ‘Wouldn’t it be funny if we actually named our kid ‘Rock.’ I was teasing of course and my husband said “I love that name. He was born at nine pounds so it has truly fit.”

The common denominator of her three children was a Christian education for at least elementary portion of their schooling. Lambert says she emphasizes a biblical worldview with her children.

“All of our kids were in Christian education,” Lambert said. “It’s really important to us.”

RIGHT AT HOME Angie Lambert in her office at Lakeland Christian Academy where she serves as the Early Learning Director.

Photo by Nathan Pace.

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.

If you make less than $1,9

month

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.

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.

COMMITTED TO IMPROVING SERVICE

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

Tax agencies offering free assistance for seniors

By LILLI DWYER Staff Writer

This tax season, there are a handful of places in Kosciusko and Elkhart counties where seniors can find free tax preparation services.

and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. No appointment necessary.

Elkhart County

• Elkhart County Council On Aging, 131 W. Tyler St., Elkhart. Free tax preparation services for anyone over 55. Open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Call (574) 295-1820 to make an appointment.

VITA tax services on Mondays and Thursdays, starting at 12:30 p.m. Call (574) 295-3673 to make an appointment.

If you make less than $1,9 0 per month (single) and are on Medicare, then you might qualify for assistance with prescription drugs and expenses for your medical care.

and are on Medicare, then you might qualify for assistance with prescription drugs and expenses for your medical care.

If you make less than $2,268 per month (single) or $3,080 per month (married) and are on Medicare, then you might qualify for assistance with prescription drugs and expenses for your medical care.

For services offered through Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, or VITA, appointments can be booked over the phone or by visiting www.book. appointment-plus.com/ct6mkn7g/#/.

Kosciusko County

• Church Community Services, 907 Oakland Ave., Elkhart. Free

• Greencroft Community Center, 1829 Greencroft Blvd., Goshen. Free tax preparation services through AARP, available 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Call (574) 537-4090 to make an appointment.

Road less traveled lures many seniors

Extra help to pay for your prescription drug plan.

Extra help to pay for your prescription drug plan.

Extra help to pay for your prescription drug plan.

• Likens Tax Service, (574) 267-3018, 3712 Lake City Hwy, Warsaw. Offers free Form SC-40 service to low income seniors. Likens is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday

By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features

Medicare Saving Program to help pay for your Part A and B deductibles and co-pays.

Medicare Saving Program to help pay for your Part A and B deductibles and co-pays.

Medicare Saving Program to help pay for your Part A and B

and co-pays.

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

For help call

For help call

For help call

on Aging of Elkhart

295-1820

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.

Wilson a fan

By KEITH KNEPP Editor

As you cross the threshold from the ground floor to the steps leading to the basement of Anthony Wilson’s mother’s home in Dunlap, it’s like stepping in to another world. The walls of the stairway, along with most surfaces in the three rooms Wilson considers his own space, are covered with various sports memorabilia. However Wilson, who is on the autism spectrum, a disorder that affects his ability to effectively interact and communicate with people, knows something about most every piece he owns, whether it be a poster, jersey, trading card or souvenir cup, according to his mother, Jeanette.

Wilson, who turned 50 this past Valentine’s Day, has been a collector since he was a young child. His interest started when his late father took him to a Cincinnati Reds baseball game in 1982 when he was 8 years old. He managed to get a replica batting helmet signed by future Hall of Famer Johnny Bench. It remains his prized possession, though it has become only one piece of Wilson’s massive collection.

Baseball items remain his primary interest, although he collects football, basketball and hockey memorabilia as well. When eBay first became en vogue in the late 1990s, it opened a new avenue for Wilson to explore. Until that time, he primarily sourced his collection through garage sales, flea markets and the card collecting store at the now-defunct Pierre Moran Mall.

The opportunity to search for and purchase items from people across the world was probably a sensory overload for Wilson, noted his mother.

“His father and I would give him a budget each month that he could use to shop with online,” she said. “We had to approve and complete each purchase for him, but he enjoyed the chance to bid on items and try to find the best bargains for his dollar.”

Wilson rearranges his collection every couple of months, so that he can enjoy everything all over again when he puts it out on display. There are boxes filled with things he doesn’t have room for sitting in half of the home’s two-car garage. But don’t think that he doesn’t know what’s in each box. His mind is sharp, even if his verbal skills are diminished.

for more than 40 years. Photo provided.

“He knows where everything is. Most of the boxed items are grouped not only by the sport, but also by the team,” his mother said. “He has no desire to sell or trade any of it, much to my occasional dismay. It makes him happy. He loves the teams colors and different logos. It makes his room very colorful.”

His mother said she has curtailed his purchasing power during the last few years, citing the problem of running out of space. Wilson’s father died in 2020, so the family’s modest budget isn’t what it used to be, either.

“He’s contented and happy with the things he collects,” said Jeanette. “It calms him when he

sorts through boxes of items. He loves to rearrange things so that he can enjoy them all over again.”

His mother said she has a contingency plan for Anthony and his vast collection if she should die before him. She wouldn’t reveal what that plan was, but assured that he and his prized collection would not be parted.

Q. What is a Will?

A. A will is a legally binding document that outlines your wishes for the distribution of your assets and property after your death. It is a critical tool for ensuring that your wealth and belongings will be distributed in accordance with your preferences.

When crafting a will, it is important to consider all your assets, including real estate, personal property, financial accounts, and any other possessions of value. Your will can outline how these assets are to be distributed, as well as any specific instructions for their use or management.

A will can also name a guardian for your minor children. The will can designate a person or professional fiduciary to manage your affairs after your death, including the payment of debts and taxes, the sale of property, and the distribution of assets.

It is essential to keep your will up-to-date and valid. A poorly crafted or outdated will can cause

Q. What questions should I ask about Long Term Care Insurance?

A. Long-Term Care Insurance (LTC Insurance) can be a great benefit for those in need of long-term care services, whether in a skilled nursing facility, assisted living, or at home. Unfortunately, by the time that many people consider LTC Insurance, they are either medically ineligible for coverage, or the policy is cost prohibitive.

If you are in the market for LTC Insurance, there are many things to consider.

First, is there a daily maximum benefit?

The daily rate of many facilities now exceeds $400. If a policy only covers $225 per day, you will need to plan on how the rest of that daily rate is getting paid. Second, is there a lifetime maximum payout?

Skilled nursing care costs can exceed $100,000 per year, so understanding how long your insurance will cover your care

is this an Indiana Part-

that will protect my assets

the event that the insurance pays out in full, and I need to apply for Medicaid?

Lastly, if I never use the LTC Insurance, is there a death benefit for the policy?

Like anything, it is best to know what you are getting yourself into before you make a purchase.

PRIZED POSSESSIONS Anthony Wilson stands among some of his massive collection of sports items and memorabilia. He has been a collector

Blast

to the Past

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

Grand Funk Railroad

soared to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

label of the Beatles and the Beach Boys.

A Boomer Blast To The Past

By RANDAL C. HILL

In 1962, fad dances were all the rage among record-buying teens. Included among the steps was the LocoMotion, 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 LocoMotion” for 17-year-old Eva Boyd. Called Little Eva on records, Boyd’s million-seller

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

“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 playon-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

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

Camping sites harder to find

By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features

If you’re planning to camp this summer, especially if you’re heading to campgrounds in the popular state parks, you need to keep some things in mind to help you find a spot and have an enjoyable layover.

The following advice is offered by the California Department of Parks and Recreation, but is probably applicable in most parts of the country.

• Decide where you want to camp, but stay flexible. Have an alternative park in mind in case your first choice is fully booked.

• If all the sites are full when you try to make a reservation, look for a first-come, first-served campground and try to get there on a Tuesday or Wednesday, traditionally the quietest days of the week, to maximize your chances of finding a site.

• Consider less popular campgrounds. If campgrounds in one area draw large crowds, look for campgrounds a bit farther from major metropolitan areas, and perhaps somewhere where the weather is not quite as good.

• Avoid major holiday weekends, when crowds are guaranteed in many popular areas.

• Do your camping during the shoulder season, that time

between the most popular and least popular months. In many areas, that means parts of spring or fall.

• If you still can’t find an open space, check back at regular intervals for any cancellations.

Mature Life Features Copyright 2024

GRAND FUNK’S SECOND NO. 1 HIT SINGLE

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!”

Ron Fumarolo trusts in the care and guidance of God

By LAURIE LECHLITNER Staff Writer

“I cannot remember a time that God was not taking care of me,” stated Ron Fumarolo, Elkhart. “From my adoption as a baby, through my time growing up in the Catholic church, my switch to the Church of Christ, and my cancer diagnosis, He has always been with me, comforting, caring and guiding me.” Fumarolo was born in Quebec, Canada.

“When I was 19 months old, I was adopted from a Catholic orphanage there. I came to live in Elkhart as the child of an Italian family. I was raised strict Catholic, going to school at St. Thomas and celebrating catechism.”

He married his wife, Cindy, in August 1984. “We attended the classes required to get married in the Catholic church. My family was very happy. But Cindy felt ill at ease. She came from the Church of Christ, a nondenominational Protestant faith.”

One thing Cindy loved, though, was the beautiful Catholic Church in which they were married in Fort Wayne.”

An avid student of the Bible, Cindy took Ron through the books of both the Old and New testaments.

“We went verse by verse. When she explained them, I was amazed at how rich Biblical study is and was attracted to her Evangelical belief. Under her guidance and that of the Church of Christ, the Bible came alive to me.”

After both of his Fumarolo parents had died, he was curious about his biological mother. “The Fumarolos will always be my parents. They fed, clothed and disciplined me. But I believe every person has a desire to get in touch with their biological roots.”

Fumarolo started with prayer. “I asked Jesus to help me find my biological mother.” Working backwards from the Catholic records and his passport to come to the United States, Fumarolo was able to find his mother. “It was truly a miracle.”

His timing was right as well. “My mother had cancer and only lived for two more years. During that time, my family and I got to know her. We shared hugs at the airport.

Here’s How It Works: Sudoku

Two summers we traveled there for vacation, staying at a lodge and touring Montreal. Those were fond memories for all of us.”

On his mother’s deathbed she shared the name of Fumarolo’s biological sister, who was placed with a family in New York. “Again, the timing was providential. I was able to contact my sister. She died at the age of 59.”

These events drew Fumarolo closer and closer to Christ. “I watched Him work in my life and it was marvelous. I watched His love and provision at every turn.” Fumarolo was diagnosed with stage 4 prostate cancer in December 2021. “I was also suffering with severe aches and pains I attributed to arthritis and old age.”

His cancer had metastasized to his bones. “The doctor gave me four years. And although that was a shock at first, I’ve seen the Lord in action. His timing has always been perfect. As long as He’s in control I have nothing to fear.”

The Fumarolos have two grown children and four grandchildren. He is a deacon at Elkhart Church of Christ.

the numeric clues already provided in the boxes. The more numbers you name, the easier it gets to solve the puzzle! For Answers See Page 21

Barter can save bucks

By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features

You’ve probably done some bartering without realizing it.

Anyone who’s traded in a car has, by definition, done bartering: your old car and some cash for a new model.

True bartering, of course, usually precludes money, and in these stark economic times, bartering — the oldest form of commerce — has become more widespread.

So what can you trade? Anything somebody else wants if that somebody has something you want.

Are you a retired accountant? You can do the tax returns for someone who will, in return, provide gardening

services for your property. A relative recently traded his ability to make furniture to a dentist for two crowns and a bridge.

Bartering with neighbors can be simple. Offer to keep an eye on their pets when they’re away from home in exchange for free trips to the airport when you go on vacation. Or you might offer him that saxophone you no longer play for the electric lawnmower he no longer uses since he replaced his grass with a stone-and-concrete patio.

Economists have a saying: nothing happens until somebody buys something from somebody else.

Continued on page 11

Lunch

Presented

Tues.

When

There will be a Q&A following the presentation. Kirsten specializes in helping seniors and their families prepare and

their longheld family home. She provides advice and resources to make the transition easier. Lunch will be served.

Space

STANDING ON THE PROMISES Ron Fumarolo, Elkhart, cannot remember a time that God was not watching over him. The trials in his life have drawn him closer to the Lord Jesus and His promise to never leave him nor forsake him. Fumarolo is a deacon at Elkhart Church of Christ. Photo by Laurie Lechlitner.

Kosciusko County towns pursue electric vehicle grants for police departments

By PATRICK WEBB Staff Writer

Several towns in Kosciusko County may receive electric vehicles thanks to a Indiana Office of Energy Development grant program.

According to Michiana Area Council of Governments’ Director of Sustainability Leah Thill, the grant funds came through the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program. Towns will be 100% reimbursed for the vehicles’ costs.

MACOG offered assistance with grant writing. North Webster, Pierceton and Winona Lake applied for grants with MACOG. The EV grants can be used for police, street, utilities, parks and motor pool vehicles.

“We heard of the grant and inquired just at the end of the application process,” said North Webster Clerk-Treasurer Leigh Jessop. “MACOG helped us get everything submitted by the deadline.”

North Webster hopes to acquire Ford F-150 Lightning trucks for their police department. The town also applied for a grant to add EV charging at the North Webster Community Public Library.

“The greatest benefit we see is that our citizens’ tax dollars are contributing to the grant and we would like to utilize that money within our own community,” said Jessop. “We also foresee saving money in repair and maintenance costs.

Silver Lake considered participating in the program. However, the town council on Jan. 31 voted not to pursue the grant over concerns of the reimbursement timeline and reports of charging issues in Chicago.

Thill addressed charging concerns when she and Ryan Lisek, the program director for Drive Clean Indiana, a nonprofit contract partner with MACOG, were invited to speak to the Winona Lake town council on Jan. 23.

“The charging behavior here will be much different than what was causing the problems there,” Thill explained. In Chicago many people who drove EVs lived in apartments and did not have the ability to charge overnight, she said. This resulted in lines during good weather when Thill recently checked a charging app.

Municipality vehicle chargers may be located inside and not available to the public, Thill said. Vehicles will be kept plugged in and preconditioned for the cold. Having the charging stations inside, Thill added, would help avoid chargers being dropped in the snow and not working until the ice that formed melted off, as happened in Chicago.

“This also emphasizes the need to implement charging within the region,” Thill said,

adding the situation was more a commentary on charging infrastructure versus EV performance.

Piereceton Town Marshal Jim Bumbaugh approached the Pierceton Town Council about applying for the grant, with the council approving it. Bumbaugh explained that due to budget constraints, Pierceton keeps equipment for extended periods of time.

“If we can acquire a car for $0 to local taxpayer expense and to not take advantage (of the grant) would have been irresponsible,” Bumbaugh said.

Bumbaugh hopes that if Pierceton’s grant is rewarded, the EVs will help save on fuel costs and maintenance for gas vehicles.

According to Lisek, studies show police vehicles spend 60-70% of time idling to power communications and emergency equipment.

“Their office is their car and they’re in their car eight to 12 hours at a time. They never shut that vehicle down until they’re done with their shift,” Lisek said. “If we can utilize the efficiency of battery electric vehicles, in order to reduce that fuel cost of idling during those periods, it’s a win-win.”

“There’s a lot of success cases outside of Kosciusko County where we have police fleets that are saving $6,000 per year, per electric vehicle,” Lisek said. “And that $6,000 goes a long way when you start talking about these smaller municipalities that don’t have the tax base of your larger municipalities.”

Lisek said electric vehicles can free up funds used on maintaining vehicles longer to go towards employee pay or investments.

“Some of the big selling points other than just the cost was they would put the charging stations in as well. Not only here at the police station but in the officers’ homes to be able charge at home as well,” said Winona Lake Chief Joe Hawn. Officers with electric vehicles will be reimbursed for electricity cost when charging at home, he said.

Hawn spoke to the police chief of Bargersville, which uses Teslas, and hopes to get two Tesla Y’s and a Ford Lightning F-150. The Tesla Y model, Hawn said, provides more space in the cab for officers and to install equipment. Depending on the data and the EV’s performances, Hawn said the Winona Lake Police Department may purchase more EVs in the future.

On Jan. 11, 50 individuals had a chance to test drive several EV models at Tire Rack’s closed track in South Bend. Lisek recalled the weather was in the negatives and the officers drove the EVs hard. Hawn attended and said “the (Ford Lightning) really tested

out well. It was very comfortable inside.”

“At the beginning of the event we had a lot of naysayers,” Lisek recalled. “And I had two police officers who came up to me and said ‘I wanted to be the devil’s advocate and prove this wrong. But I loved this experience.’” He added the

Barter can

Continued from page 10

Bartering requires a twist: nothing happens until somebody else wants what you have to offer.

You might want to take those old picture frames to a local flea market or swap meet or block sale as an offering for something you might want.

Cyberspace has opened up a whole new universe for the exchange of goods for other goods, or services for other services, or goods for services and vice versa.

There are several websites to choose from, so shop selectively.

vehicles “performed exceptionally well.”

“Our region is leading by example,” Thill said. In Michiana, “we’re seeing EV interest happen all through our smallest and rural communities. Those are most like rest of Indiana. If it can work there (in an area without a lot of EV

An acquaintance had an uninvited swarm of bees removed from his tree by a nearby resident who wanted the pollen-gatherers for his small backyard orchard. That was a barter: bees for their removal. Both parties were content with the outcome.

According to U.S. News and World Report, a New York attorney offered to prepare a simple will and healthcare proxy in exchange for the services of an experienced floor sander or painter. A San Francisco entry sought to trade two sets of luggage for beer or wine for her son’s baptism party.

infrastructure) it can work anywhere. Others will be looking to our small towns as an example of what’s possible.”

The grant winners will be revealed in a few months, Thill said. After the announcement she expects towns will purchase vehicles within the next year.

When you plan a vacation, consider house-swapping if your budget is being bent. You can hunt for a villa around Venice or a cottage near Cork. Again, there are Internet sites you can roam for possibilities.

If the homeowner is interested in visiting your part of the world, you can talk business — or barter.

But barterer beware: most sites discussed here do not screen users, so you have to do be responsible for doing your own checking on the reliability of whoever you deal with.

ELECTRIC VEHICLE TEST DRIVE Police officers from several Kosciusko County police departments had the opportunity to test drive multiple electric vehicles at Tire Rack’s closed track. Photo provided by Drive Clean Indiana.

April is National Volunteer Month: Give Back Today!

It’s no secret that volunteering is good for the community, but did you also know it’s good for you, too? Volunteering improves both physical and mental health. According to Mayo Clinic Health System, “Research has found that volunteering among adults, age 60 and over, provided benefits to physical and mental health .”

It’s no secret that volunteering is good for the community, but did you also know it’s good for you, too? Volunteering improves both physical and mental health. According to Mayo Clinic Health System, “Research has found that volunteering among adults, age 60 and over, provided benefits to physical and mental health .”

who is interested in chatting with you on the phone. Learn about what makes them smile, and bright their day!

who is interested in chatting with you on the phone. Learn about what makes them smile, and bright their day!

3. Office volunteer: Help with mailings and other administrative tasks. Volunteers assist with large and small projects for various REAL Services programs.

3. Office volunteer: Help with mailings and other administrative tasks. Volunteers assist with large and small projects for various REAL Services programs.

Month. If any of these opportunities interest you, contact REAL Services’ Volunteer Services Manager, Sandy Chambers at (574) 284 -7138 or email volunteer@realservices.org.

Month. If any of these opportunities interest you, contact REAL Services’ Volunteer Services Manager, Sandy Chambers at (574) 284 -7138 or email volunteer@realservices.org.

Source: Mayo Clinic Health System

Source: Mayo Clinic Health System Helping people, changing lives: 3 health benefits of volunteering

Volunteering also provides a sense of purpose and teaches valuable skills. The contributions that volunteers provide is essential to everyday activities, giving volunteers a sense of purpose, especially when giving their time and talent in the areas they find meaningful. Older adults who volunteer experience greater increases in life satisfaction and self-esteem.

Volunteering also provides a sense of purpose and teaches valuable skills. The contributions that volunteers provide is essential to everyday activities, giving volunteers a sense of purpose, especially when giving their time and talent in the areas they find meaningful. Older adults who volunteer experience greater increases in life satisfaction and self-esteem.

Volunteering at an organization you are passionate about can also help you make new friends and nurture existing relationships. Volunteering increases social interaction and helps build a support system based on common interests. One of the best ways to make new friends and strengthen existing relationships is to participate in a shared activity. In many cases, volunteers have diverse backgrounds, which helps expand their social network and allows them to practice social skills with others. People volunteer for different reasons, such as exploring careers, sharpening skills, staying active during retirement, meeting new people and serving their communities. Yet all volunteers share a common desire to improve the health and welfare of people in their communities.

Volunteering at an organization you are passionate about can also help you make new friends and nurture existing relationships. Volunteering increases social interaction and helps build a support system based on common interests. One of the best ways to make new friends and strengthen existing relationships is to participate in a shared activity. In many cases, volunteers have diverse backgrounds, which helps expand their social network and allows them to practice social skills with others. People volunteer for different reasons, such as exploring careers, sharpening skills, staying active during retirement, meeting new people and serving their communities. Yet all volunteers share a common desire to improve the health and welfare of people in their communities.

There are numerous opportunities to volunteer right here in St. Joseph County. REAL Services offers something for everyone. See below for several available opportunities:

There are numerous opportunities to volunteer right here in St. Joseph County. REAL Services offers something for everyone. See below for several available opportunities:

1. Meals on Wheels: Help provide healthy meals to homebound seniors by delivering a hot lunch and prepared dinner to their home. A minimum once-a-week commitment of two hours is requested. Must have reliable transportation. This is a great opportunity to volunteer with a friend!

1. Meals on Wheels: Help provide healthy meals to homebound seniors by delivering a hot lunch and prepared dinner to their home. A minimum once-a-week commitment of two hours is requested. Must have reliable transportation. This is a great opportunity to volunteer with a friend!

2. REAL Friends Telephone Program: Be a telephone friend to a homebound senior

2. REAL Friends Telephone Program: Be a telephone friend to a homebound senior

4. Guardianship Advocate: Serve as an advocate for a senior for whom REAL Services is the legal guardian. Visit, check on their cate, and advocate for their interests and preferences.

4. Guardianship Advocate: Serve as an advocate for a senior for whom REAL Services is the legal guardian. Visit, check on their cate, and advocate for their interests and preferences.

Helping people, changing lives: 3 health benefi f l i

5. Seasonal projects: Throughout the year, volunteers gather for one-time projects that may include yardwork, snow removal, leaf raking, and painting.

5. Seasonal projects: Throughout the year, volunteers gather for one-time projects that may include yardwork, snow removal, leaf raking, and painting.

6. Grocery shopping: Provide a much needed service for homebound seniors by picking up and delivering their groceries. Senior look forward to a friendly visit and warm smile. Volunteers for this program must be available during the weekday business hours.

6. Grocery shopping: Provide a much needed service for homebound seniors by picking up and delivering their groceries. Senior look forward to a friendly visit and warm smile. Volunteers for this program must be available during the weekday business hours.

7. Special events: Volunteers are needed to assist with registration and other tasks at annual events.

7. Special events: Volunteers are needed to assist with registration and other tasks at annual events.

8. Foster Grandparents: Be a mentor to a child in our local schools. Provide encouragement, help children build selfesteem, and be a friend. Note that volunteers must be 55 or over and meet income eligibility. The Foster Grandparents program is an AmeriCorps Senior program.

8. Foster Grandparents: Be a mentor to a child in our local schools. Provide encouragement, help children build selfesteem, and be a friend. Note that volunteers must be 55 or over and meet income eligibility. The Foster Grandparents program is an AmeriCorps Senior program.

The volunteer onboarding process is simple. Visit our website (www.realservices.org) to complete a volunteer application. We will reach out to you within 48 business hours of receiving your application regarding next steps and to set up your orientation.

The volunteer onboarding process is simple. Visit our website (www.realservices.org) to complete a volunteer application. We will reach out to you within 48 business hours of receiving your application regarding next steps and to set up your orientation.

To all those who already volunteer in our community, we cannot thank you enough. Because of your support, no matter where you volunteer, you make a difference. Know that you bring a smile to all those you serve, and you make our communities a safer and more welcoming place to live, work, and play.

To all those who already volunteer in our community, we cannot thank you enough. Because of your support, no matter where you volunteer, you make a difference. Know that you bring a smile to all those you serve, and you make our communities a safer and more welcoming place to live, work, and play.

Make a commitment to give back and make a difference during National Volunteer

Make a commitment to give back and make a difference during National Volunteer

We are here to help. Our Aging and Disability Resource Center is here to answer your questions.

We are here to help. Our Aging and Disability Resource Center is here to answer your questions.

Call (574) 233-8205 with questions or for referral needs of services available in our communities.

Call (574) 233-8205 with questions or for referral needs of services available in our communities.

Health Education for Seniors

If you or someone you know if concerned about fall, and want to learn more about falls prevention, join us for Matter of Balance. This program offers fall prevention strategies and suggests changes in daily life that can help reduce the fear and risk of falling. It is beneficial for people who have fallen, have a fear of falling, and those who want to manage fall concerns. Topics include:

 Facts about falls

 Evaluating concerns about falls

 Exercising and fall prevention

 Improving balance

 Recognizing fall hazards

St. Joseph County Public Library Main Branch, Community Learning Center Room B

305 South Main Street, South Bend, IN 46601

May 10 June 28, 2024 10:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m.

To register, call the (574) 284 -7132

Elkhart County

Bristol UMC

201 Division St. (574) 848-7182

St. Paul’s UMC

405 W. Beardsley (574) 320-5863

Riverside Terrace 181 N. Elkhart Ave. (574) 320-5995

Stratford Commons 2601 Oakland Ave. (574) 320-5995

Goshen

Greencroft Manor 1801 Greencroft Blvd. (574) 971-6016

Maple Leaf 2926 Elkhart Rd. (574) 238-8760

If you are 60 or older and seeking an opportunity to learn how to stay healthy and make new friends, join us for WISE! REAL Services is excited to host the Wellness Initiative for Senior Education (WISE) Program in May and June. This educational program offers six lessons covering a wide range of topics. Topics include:

 The aging process and how to make healthier lifestyle choices.

 Celebrating this exciting stage of life and all its benefits.

 Risk factors and behaviors you should avoid to maintain your health.

 Examine how prescription and over -the-counter medication and alcohol impact seniors differently and how you can avoid problems.

 Learn how to use simple tools to feel more empowered about your health, and the healthcare you receive.

OWLS Club, 2715 East Jackson Blvd. Elkhart, IN 46516

May 7 June 11, 2024 1:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m.

To register, call OWLS Club at (574) 336 -2652

LaPorte County

LaPorte: Cambridge Square Apt. 1111

Longwood Dr Bldg B (219) 380-1885

Michigan City: Simeon Square 1207 S

Woodland Jerri (219) 380 -1439

SMRT Center 301 Grant Ave (219) 872-0942

Marshall County

Argos: B & R Community Bldg.

152 S Michigan St (574) 892-9669

Bourbon: Senior Center on North Harris, Jan (574) 342 -7031

Bremen: Oakhaven Apartments 500 S Montgomery St (574) 993-2944

Plymouth: Garden Court West 400 W. Washington St (574) 935-0047

April

Courtesy smooths the road for RV travel

By IGOR LOBANOV Mature Life Features

“You may be on vacation, but don’t leave your manners at home,” urges the late veteran recreational-vehicle traveler Bernice Beard in her book, “301 Ways to Make RV Travel Safer, Easier and more Fun.”

Much of her writing involves nuts-and-bolts type of information ranging from campground advice to using electronic equipment, and is paired with various travelogue narrations from her travels. Suggestions are based on her own experience, but tips from readers and others are included.

Among her suggestions for exhibiting courtesy on the road:

• Especially when staying in “mixed use” campgrounds, don’t run your generator, various appliances, or the vehicle’s engine late at night or early in the morning. You are sharing the area with tent campers, who are there to enjoy the peace and quiet, and closeness to nature that the campground allows.

• Similarly, keep in mind that using the auxiliary generator at rest stops can stir up dust in areas where others may be trying to eat their lunch.

• Drive slowly on dirt roads in the campground so you won’t stir up too much dust for other campers or vehicles that may be following you.

• Never dump refuse or

other material except at a dump station or sewer connection in the campground.

• When visiting fellow campers, ask if they would like to see the inside of your vehicle. In return they may invite you to see theirs. This way, each of you may gain some ideas that you can adopt for your camping style.

• When driving in a caravan, stay at least a quarter of a mile behind the vehicle in front of you. Leaving that amount of space gives you and the driver ahead of you time to maneuver in the event of stopped traffic or unexpected road conditions, and lets those wishing to pass you have more room to get in and out of your lane.

• If there are three or more vehicles close behind you, pull over and let them pass.

• When a trucker passes you, blink your headlights (at night, flash your high beams) to let him know his vehicle has cleared yours and it’s safe to pull back into your lane. If a driver gives you a double blink of his lights, he’s saying, “thank you.”

Included among suggestions about getting along with those traveling with you are:

• Keep in mind that one of the basic tenets of camping is freedom, where each person can choose to relax, cook, read, or remain inside while others may wish to sit out by the campfire.

• RV travel can involve several people, perhaps with diverse personalities, being

together day and night in a small space. To get along they need to exhibit patience and accept one another. Even people who have known each other for years may find they are learning new things about their companions.

• You may find certain habits of others bother you. To stay friends, you need to be able to overlook such annoyances. Beard suggests a little trick that can help you

do this. Tell yourself that no one except you is perfect; and so as a perfect person you can be gracious toward those imperfect fellow travelers.

• If you’re uncertain whether you can get along with another couple for an entire trip, plan to go together one way, then return independently. That way, everybody can count on having their own schedule for part of the trip.

• Before starting out on a trip with friends, ask each person what he or she wants to have included in the trip itinerary. Have them write it out, even if it’s only a tentative plan. You can change destinations as you go along. Her final bit of advice: the RV lifestyle means that domestic duties are not genderrelated. Everyone pitches in whenever necessary. Mature Life Features Copyright 2024

Good night’s sleep tough for some women

By JAMES GAFFNEY Mature Life Features

For many women, it’s tough to get a good night’s sleep. Studies show that women may be 20 to 50% more likely to have insomnia than men.

One culprit behind women’s sleep difficulties is fluctuating hormone levels, which can occur for several reasons.

If you find yourself tossing and turning at night, simple changes in your daily and nightly habits may result in better sleep. Here are a few simple steps.

Caffeine

Limit it. In addition to the usual sources — coffee, tea and soda — be aware of caffeine in chocolate and medications used to treat headaches, colds and sinus congestion.

Nicotine

Nicotine impairs the ability to fall asleep and stay asleep.

Alcohol

Even though drinking alcohol may make it easier to fall asleep, as few as one or two drinks within two hours of bedtime tend to disrupt your sleep and lead to more frequent awakening in the latter half of the night.

Inactivity

Lack of physical activity during the day is associated with increased sleep problems. However, exercise close to bedtime

can make it more difficult to fall asleep.

Large meals

Eating too much close to bedtime may make falling asleep and staying asleep more difficult.

Naps

Naps during the day can make it harder to fall asleep at night.

If you can’t get by without one, limit it to less than 30 minutes.

If self-treatment strategies don’t help, ask your doctor for help. Sleep difficulties can be related to a number of medical conditions.

Mature Life Features Copyright 2024

Bethel University Choir to perform in Middlebury

First United Methodist Church of Middlebury is hosting a free concert featuring the Bethel University Choir, which is beginning its spring tour. Concerts will take place at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Sunday, May 5. Enjoy the grand sound of the

choir, which will be performing many classical and spiritual music numbers.

A free will offering will be taken. For more information, call the church at (574) 8252585. The church is located at 720 S. Main St., Middlebury.

Exercise with your dog to fight fat

By JAMES GAFFNEY Mature Life Features

Unconditional love tops the list of reasons people dote on their dogs so much.

Veterinarians have discovered another reason canines may be man’s, and woman’s, best friend: exercise.

Both people and their dogs need physical activity to fight obesity and there are many exercises they can do together that can improve their health and their relationship.

“Obesity is a big problem in pets, just as it is with people, and exercising helps keep the dog’s weight down,” said Dr. Susan Nelson, Kansas State University veterinarian and assistant professor of clinical sciences. “Dogs also need an outlet to relieve their energy or else they may develop destructive behavior. Your dog is going to be happier and more content if it receives adequate exercise.”

Dogs differ in the amount and types of exercise they should be doing to maintain good health. A blanket recommendation cannot be given because exercise needs vary vastly between individual animals. Factors such as age, breed, weather and general health influence the amounts of exercise your dog will need.

Larger and working dogs have higher energy needs and smaller toy breeds need less.

Ideally, dogs should get out twice a day for exercise. Times may vary from 15 to 60 minutes, depending on your individual pet.

Nelson said there are many generalities when it comes to exercising with dogs.

For example, many small dogs prefer lighter activities. Exceptions are Jack Russell terriers, which are very highenergy pets.

Medium-sized and large dogs typically make better long distance running partners. If your dog can run longer than you are able, consider biking while having your dog run beside you on leash.

Smaller dogs are better suited for shorter distance running or walking.

While many dogs like catching flying discs, be careful to keep the throws low to avoid injury to joints from higher leaps.

Herding breeds, such as border collies and Australian shepherds, perform well competitively, but there are many other pure and mixed breed dogs that perform equally as well.

Medium-sized dogs, especially herding breeds, are good at agility activities.

If you like playing fetch, a retrieving breed such as a

Labrador or golden retriever may be your best candidate. While retrievers are usually best at this activity, many dogs enjoy playing fetch with tennis balls, racquetballs, toys or sticks.

Playing fetch indoors with your small breed dog is often a viable option.

Swimming is a non-joint stressing exercise for dogs, just as it is for people. It is a great option during the hot summer months when heat exhaustion is a concern. Retrievers lead the pack for this activity.

Dogs also need mental exercise. Breeds, such as border collies, need a lot of mental stimulation to keep them happy. Activities to consider are searching for hidden items, laser light chasing, or completing special tasks.

According to Nelson, health concerns to be aware of when

exercising with your dog include:

• Make sure your dog is in shape before doing long or intense workouts. If you want to do a long-distance run, you need to build your dog up gradually to the longer mileage, and

• Dogs need to get acclimated to hard surfaces, whether they are going out to walk, run or go hunting with their owners.

“If they have been on soft grass in the yard for an extended period of time, and then run on gravel or cement, they may tear up their pads,” Nelson said. “Be mindful also in hot weather that your dog may suffer from burns to the pads from hot cement or asphalt.”

All dogs are at risk for overheating. When it’s hot, the heat, especially combined with humidity, makes it easier

for the dog to succumb to heat exhaustion. Be especially cautious with dogs with short noses, like bulldogs and Boston terriers, because they can’t cool themselves as effectively as other dogs due to the conformation of their noses.

Dark-haired and longcoated dogs also are at higher risk. If your dog starts acting woozy, or gets a dark redcolored tongue or thick ropy saliva, stop immediately and get it in a shaded area. Give it water and hose it down with cool water if necessary. For more severely effected dogs, wet them down with water and then take them to a veterinarian immediately.

Give your dog frequent water breaks while exercising, especially when it’s hot. Limit exercise to early morning and late evening, and be aware of daytime temperatures and humidity.

Cold weather also poses special risks to your pet. Frostbite to the feet, nose and ears is possible, along with irritation to the feet by ice melts. Do not allow your pet to drink from puddles in the street as they may be contaminated with antifreeze. Short-coated and smaller breed dogs may require a jacket for warmth.

Young dogs, particularly large-breed puppies, shouldn’t go on long runs until around 12 to 15 months of age. Up to that time, their bones are still growing and prolonged, pounding exercise on hard surfaces can damage their joints.

Don’t feed your dog within an hour before or after intense exercise. This may predispose the dog’s stomach to bloat or twist, especially for large breed or deep-chested dogs.

Mature Life Features Copyright 2024

Habits that will push you into a better you

FI’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 fairweather 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.

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@thepapers.com.

HALF-PLATE 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.

Earthquakes shake your fiscal foundation

By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features

While California gets most of the attention when kaffeeklatsch talk turns to earthquakes, no one is really exempt.

earthquakes is the one that trampled San Francisco in 1906. But an 1811 earthquake in New Madrid, in what is now Missouri, shook a much larger area and changed the course of the Mississippi River.

insurance coverage on their homes. And, in California’s quake country, insurance premium costs are so high most homeowners pass on it.

Melanie

Melanie

While the densely populated Southern California experiences some 10,000 quakes a year, most of them too minor to feel, Canada logs about 5,000 a year, half of which are of a magnitude sufficient to be felt by anyone living in temblor’s zone.

One of the most notorious

Melanie

The two states deemed to possess the least peril of earthquakes are North Dakota and Florida.

Quake-prone areas in Canada include the densely populated St. Lawrence River Valley and British Columbia.

It’s doubtful that many folks in Canada have earthquake

Everyone should consider preparing for an earthquake just as thou would for any disaster, from wildfires to war. Have a survival kit ready and available. Have a plan in place to keep in touch with family and friends.

And consider some simple steps to protect your home, which is probably your largest investment, from collapsing during a quake.

First of all, check for and repair all faulty electrical and gas lines.

Bolt down your furnace, hot water heater, refrigerator and other heavy appliances.

Fasten large pictures, mirrors and shelves to the walls.

Now take a look at what’s on your shelves.

Place heavier and breakable items at the bottom.

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Store flammable liquids and chemicals away from heat sources, including electrical and gas lines, and where they are least likely to spill.

You could call in a building contractor to walk around the place to see what else might be necessary to make it sturdier. You might need, for example, to bolt the house to its foundation.

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If you have a mobile home, leaving its wheels on will diminish its fall.

While such earthquake talk may not sound like the language of economics, a few such steps can wind up saving you a lot of money should disaster strike.

You’re never too old to enjoy a good night’s sleep

By JAMES GAFFNEY Mature Life Features

As Shakespeare wrote in Hamlet, “To sleep, perchance to dream — ay, there’s the rub.”

Apparently, the Bard knew a thing or two about the lack of a good night’s sleep.

So do millions of Americans who are finding it no longer easy to sleep like a baby.

“As we age, sleep quality deteriorates dramatically,” says Dr. Brian Bohner, co-medical director of the Sleep Centers at Northwest Hospital in Randall-

stown, MD, and Good Samaritan Sleep Center in Baltimore. “The biggest decline is in slowwave sleep, also called delta sleep. By the time we’re 70, delta sleep has become almost completely extinguished.”

This can be a problem because delta sleep, a form of non-REM sleep, is the deepest, most restful sleep a person can get.

REM sleep occurs at intervals during the night and is characterized by rapid eye movements, more dreaming and bodily movement, and

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faster pulse and breathing.

To put things in perspective, delta sleep makes up about 25% of a 25-year-old’s sleep but only about 3% of the sleep of someone who is 60.

Because a decline in sleep quality is so common with age, the average person doesn’t know that he or she has options to improve rest at night. Experts estimate that up to 95% of people with at least one sleep disorder go undiagnosed.

“Older patients may not actually need a sleep study,” says Bohner. “Sometimes we

can find and solve the problem simply by having them come in for a consultation and going through their medical histories.”

The most common sleep problem in the elderly population is insomnia, which is often caused by arthritis pain, acid reflux, heart problems, or certain medications, like betablockers and steroids.

Caffeine, alcohol and tobacco all cause sleep disturbances, so patients may need to change some of their habits to get the sleep they need.

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Sleep apnea, which is three times more prevalent in younger men than in younger women, becomes more common among women as they age. Estrogen helps control breathing, so after menopause, a decline in this hormone leads to the same percentage of women and men with sleep apnea.

“About 10% of older patients also suffer from restless leg syndrome,” says Bohner.

“Sometimes a patient’s symptoms aren’t obvious, but they will tell me, ‘I can’t sleep

Continued on page 18

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Family structure shapes retirement plan

By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features

The differences between a functional and dysfunctional family prompt powerful opinions from a wide range of diverging views.

But there appears to be consensus forming from at least one perspective, according to stud-

ies: Planning for retirement is tougher and more complicated for middle-aged Americans who are single or married with children from previous relationships than it is for those with “traditional” families.

Those 40- to 65-year-olds with non-traditional families face more saving and investing challenges

You’re never too

Continued from page 17

because my legs feel weird.’

Well, that’s RLS, and there are medications that can effectively control it.”

Medication may also be prescribed for REM disorder and advanced sleep phase syndrome. REM disorder is when people act out their dreams, which can be dangerous for frail older adults, who have a greater potential for falls and experience dire consequences from a fall.

Advanced sleep-phase syndrome is when the body’s internal clock changes so that the older person wants to go to bed

earlier and wake up at a much earlier time. “Not necessarily a bad thing,” says Bohner, “but some people may want to fix this so that they can be awake at the same time as the rest of society.”

If you or an elderly family member are experiencing increased disturbance of sleep, call a physician or sleep clinic for a consultation. Your insurance may require you to see your primary care physician first, so you may need to let your doctor know that you’re interested in seeing a sleep specialist.

Mature Life Features Copyright 2024

and are less likely to have a clear retirement vision. They also are less likely to have specific income vehicles, such as a 401(k)s, pension plans and annuities.

A lot of attention has been paid to the role gender plays in retirement planning, but family structure is also critical and often overlooked, said Sandra Timmermann, director of the former MetLife Mature Market Institute that conducted a study.

“This research shows that retirement planning for people in mid-life is strongly influenced by family dynamics. We should not be ignoring how former spouses, stepchildren, and having no children influence savings and income for retirement as well as estate planning.”

Three mid-life segments of almost 1,600 respondents were identified in the study: traditional families, two parents with children from their current relationship; blended families, two parents with at least one child from a previous relationship; and single women, widowed, divorced or never-married women with or without children.

Among the survey’s major findings:

1. Blended families and single women report a significant disadvantage in retirement planning.

• Nearly seven out of 10 traditional families (66%) feel at least somewhat prepared for retirement, compared with 56% of blended families and only 40% of single women.

• More than half of traditional families have a clear idea of what they hope to experience when they retire, compared with only 38% of single women and 48% of blended families.

• Only two out of 10 single women and 29% of blended families contribute consistently to their retirement accounts, compared with 41% of traditional families.

• Roughly one in five blended families and single women expressed concern about the lack of safeguards to ensure that an ex-spouse will not lay claim to income or savings meant for themselves or their children.

2. Single women report specific challenges. They say they lack the safety net of a second income

that their married peers have. A common sentiment is, “Because I am a widow, I do not have the buffer of a second income from a partner.”

• Twice as many single women — 25% — do not own retirement savings/investment vehicles, compared with 13% of blended families, and almost three times that of traditional families (8%).

3. Help is wanted for “families like mine.”

• A significant portion of all families report a desire for financial advice tailored to their specific needs.

• Slightly more than half of single women long for retirement advice and tools designed for them.

• 45% of traditional families and 43% of blended families seek the same thing.

As one blended family respondent put it, “There is a lot to plan for...how long should I work, how much to save, how much to help my children vs. help myself and my future so my children are not taking care of me.” Mature Life Features Copyright 2024

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’70s Flashback — 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

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 “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.

He convinced two friends to invest $10,000 each in his prod-

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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.

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

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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.”

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By TOM MORROW Mature Life Features

Will Rogers was an American humorist and social commentator beloved by an entire nation.

He was born William Penn Adair Rogers on Nov. 4, 1879, a citizen of the Cherokee Nation in the Indian Territory that is now part of Oklahoma, and became known as “Oklahoma’s Favorite Son.”

He travelled around the world three times, made 71 films (50 silent and 21 talkies) and wrote more than 4,000 nationally syndicated newspaper columns.

By the mid-1930s, Rogers was known throughout the country for his leading political wit and was the highest paid of Hollywood film stars.

Rogers began his career as a performer on the vaudeville stage. His rope act led to success in the Ziegfeld Follies, which led to the first of his many movie and radio contracts. His earthy anecdotes and folksy

style allowed him to poke fun at gangsters, prohibition, politicians, government programs, and a host of other controversial topics in a way that found general acclaim from a national audience with no one offended.

“I am not a member of an organized political party,” he proclaimed, “I am a Democrat.” One of his most famous sayings was: “I joked about every prominent man of my time, but I never met a man I didn’t like.”

Rogers was born on his parents’ Dog Iron Ranch near present day Oologah, Oklahoma, now in Rogers County named in honor of his father, Clement V. Rogers.

He claimed his ancestors did not come over on the Mayflower, but they “met the boat.” He was an avid reader, but dropped out of school after the 10th grade. He said he was a poor student who “studied the Fourth Reader for 10 years.”

He was much more interested in cowboys and horses, and learned to use a lariat to launch his show business career as a trick roper in “Texas Jack’s Wild West Circus” touring South Africa

On April 27, 1905, during a trip to New York City, Rogers was at Madison Square Garden when a wild steer broke out of the arena and began to climb into the viewing stands. Rogers roped the steer to the delight of the crowd. The feat got front page attention from the newspapers, giving him valuable publicity and an audience eager to see more.

Willie Hammerstein saw his roping vaudeville act and signed Rogers to appear on the Victoria Roof, which was literally on a rooftop, with his pony. In the fall of 1915, Rogers began to appear in Florenz Ziegfeld’s Midnight Frolic. The variety revue began at midnight in the top floor night club of Ziegfeld’s New Amsterdam Theatre that drew many influential customers.

Rogers’ monologues on the news of the day followed a similar routine every night. He appeared on stage in Western clothes, nonchalantly twirling his lasso, saying, “Well,

what shall I talk about? I ain’t got anything funny to say. All I know is what I read in the papers.”

Rogers had made 48 silent movies when sound arrived in 1929, and he became a top star in that medium. His first talkie, “They Had to See Paris” (1929), gave him the chance to reveal his verbal wit.

From 1922 to 1935, The New York Times syndicated his weekly newspaper column. His short column “Will Rogers Says” reached 40 million readers. The humorist advised Americans to embrace the frontier values of neighborliness and democracy on the domestic front, while remaining clear of foreign entanglements. He took a strong, highly popular stand in favor of aviation, including a military air force of the sort his flying buddy General Billy Mitchell advocated.

He wrote from a non-partisan point of view and became a friend of presidents. Loved for his cool mind and warm heart, he was often considered the successor to humorist Mark Twain. Rogers became a star on the radio by broadcasting his newspaper pieces. His weekly radio show ranked among the top national programs.

In 1908, Rogers married Betty Blake (1879–1944), and the couple had four children: Will Rogers Jr., Mary, James, and Fred. Junior became a World War II hero, played his father in two films, and later was elected to Congress. Mary became a Broadway actress, and James a newspaperman and rancher. Fred died of diphtheria at age two.

From about 1925 to 1928, Rogers travelled the length and breadth of the United States in a “lecture tour.” He began his lectures by pointing out that, “A humorist entertains, and a lecturer annoys.” He became the first civilian to fly from coast to coast with early air mail pilots.

In 1932, Rogers supported Democrat Franklin D. Roosevelt for president. While he supported Roosevelt’s New Deal, he joked about it just as easily.

“Lord, the money we do spend

on Government and it’s not one bit better than the government we got for one-third the money 20 years ago.”

Asked what issues would motivate 1932 voters, Rogers quipped: “Prohibition. What’s on your hip is bound to be on your mind.” Asked if there should be presidential debates? “Yes: Joint debate in any joint you name.”

When asked, “What does the farmer need?” Rogers replied, “Obviously, he needs a punch in the jaw if he believes either of the parties cares a damn about him after the election.” He downplayed academic credentials, noting, “Everybody is ignorant, only on different subjects.”

Will Rogers became an advocate for the aviation industry after noticing advancements in Europe and befriended Charles Lindbergh, the most famous American aviator of the era.

Rogers’ newspaper columns frequently emphasized the safety record, speed, and convenience of aviation and he helped shape public opinion on the subject.

In 1935, famed aviator Wiley Post, a fellow Oklahoman, became interested in surveying a mail-and-passenger air route from the West Coast to Russia. Rogers asked Post to fly him across Alaska.

On Aug. 15, they left Fairbanks for Point Barrow. About 20 miles southwest of Point Barrow they landed to ask directions. On takeoff, the engine failed and the aircraft plunged into the lagoon, shearing off the right wing. Both men died instantly.

Rogers was buried Aug. 21, 1935, in Forest Lawn Park in Glendale, CA. It was a temporary interment. He was reinterred at the Will Rogers Memorial in Claremore, OK.

apartment Reverse mortgage movers still hustling

By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features

Among the newest reverse mortgage wrinkles promoted by lenders in the business is the fact that any unused balance grows at the same interest rate as the rate being charged on the line of credit.

That means, if you borrow $100,000 at 5% interest rate and plan to use it only as a line of credit, that loan grows to $105,000 in a year. If you pull $25,000 out of that loan, the remainder will grow by 5% a year.

And it keeps on growing by 5% a year. While reverse mortgages sound enticing when consider-

ing its main selling point — borrow on the equity of your house and never have to pay anything back as long as you live in it — the devilish details include, among other things, exorbitant fees and an annual review to make sure you’ve paid the taxes, maintained the property and kept it insured.

Keep in mind that you’ll have to pay off the loan if you and your spouse are forced to move into a nursing home after a mishap or because of agerelated infirmities.

As a lawyer acquaintance strongly advised years go, “If you don’t need the money, don’t even think about a reverse mortgage.”

WILL ROGERS

KELLERMAN’S LODGE

By FYLLIS HOCKMAN Mature

The

looms as large in real life as it does in the movie, and the resort itself promotes an immersive connection to the movie.

That includes the sound track that seems to embed in the ear — from “Hungry Eyes” to “Big Girls Don’t Cry” and “Will You Love Me Tomorrow” to the indelible “Time of My Life.”

You can book a theme weekend and relive the movie from start to finish, including dance lessons, trivia contests, costume parties, scavenger hunts and multiple viewings of the film.

Having viewed the film once again before arriving, we hunted down many of the film’s key locales and couldn’t help but feel an immediate attachment not usually associated with other

hotel visits. Signs everywhere designate important locations — the gazebo where Penny gave dance lessons; Baby’s cabin where the Houseman family resided; the lake where Johhny and Baby practiced “the lift.” Dirty Dancing permeates the grounds and once the guests arrive — seniors, couples, mothers, daughters, sisters, girlfriends on a weekend getaway — many in a variety of Dirty Dancing t-shirts, electricity abounds.

Apparently, no age group is immune to the long-term appeal of the film.

I’ve seen the movie a couple of times but was unfamiliar with all the references I saw to “I carried a watermelon.” This was the first thing Baby said to Johnny to indicate she belonged and immediately berated herself for it. The meme was everywhere.

Want to rent Baby’s cabin?

No problem. Just start a year or more in advance. But try to leave everything in place. The hotel manager told me that guests keep stealing the plaque denoting Room 232 in the main lodge,

the one Patrick Swayze stayed in during filming. Other lodging options include cottages dating back to the 1920s.

Our first night was a costume and dance party. Lots of Babys, of course, a bunch of Pennys, a few Lisas (Baby’s sister), a couple of villain Vivians and, you guessed it, a number of watermelons (so they could belong, too). And a surprising number of Johnnys of all ages, several sporting some impressive dance moves.

Next day was built around a trivia contest in an auditorium packed with Dirty Dancing aficionados. There was a round of 50 detailed questions requiring an encyclopedic knowledge of the film (What was the license plate number of Johnny’s car as he drove off?) with the soundtrack playing in the background.

I guessed at maybe five or six correctly. The winning couple correctly answered almost all.

Then a scavenger hunt lured the 200 devotees all around the resort, clicking pictures to prove their righteous reconnaissance. Then off to claim their prizes at the Kellerman Gift Shop, a store

devoted to all things Baby-andJohnny-related, from clothing and posters to gifts and books, written by and about the protagonists. If it has anything to do with the movie, it’s there.

And as a change of pace after scavenging, we had the option of some salsa and meringue lessons from a modern day Penny.

Before I left, I slipped in for one more replay of the movie and practically shouted throughout: “There’s a trivia answer; there’s a trivia answer!” There was a noticeable gasp as everyone in the theater particularly noted Johnny’s license plate number.

For those of you who don’t care if Baby is put into a corner, there are all kinds of activities that any normal resort might offer readily available to guests: miles

of hiking trails, ropes course and zip lines, ATV tours, clay shooting, escape rooms, bubble balls, arts studio and more.

P.S. Dirty Dancing 2 is in the works, produced by and starring Jennifer Grey. To be filmed, of course, at Kellerman’s.

Mature Life Features Copyright 2024

ROPES COURSE Kellerman’s Lodge offers a variety of outdoor activities, such as: miles of hiking trails, ropes course and zip lines, ATV tours, clay shooting and more. Photo by Victor Block.

Travel

Instead of campaigning across country, Harding brought voters to him

GREAT ESCAPES

Text and Photos

By ROD KING

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

Greencroft Community Center Tours

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,

Greencroft Community Center Tours

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 Seattle, after less than two years in office.

Apr. 24 – Mid-America Windmill Museum, Kendallville, IN

Upcoming Tours

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

The Hardings lived in the Continued on page 23

Upcoming Tours

Upcoming Tours

May 8 – Holland Tulip Festival, Holland, MI

Apr. 24 – Mid-America Windmill Museum, Kendallville, IN

Apr. 24 – Mid-America Windmill Museum, Kendallville, IN

Apr. 24 – Mid-America Windmill Museum, Kendallville, IN

May 10 – Greenhouse Shopping Tour, Elkhart, IN

May 8 – Holland Tulip Festival, Holland, MI

May 8 – Holland Tulip Festival, Holland, MI

May 24 – Michigan City Outlet Mall, Michigan City, IN

May 8 – Holland Tulip Festival, Holland, MI

May 10 – Greenhouse Shopping Tour, Elkhart, IN

May 10 – Greenhouse Shopping Tour, Elkhart, IN

May 10 – Greenhouse Shopping Tour, Elkhart, IN

May 24 – Michigan City Outlet Mall, Michigan City, IN

June 1 – Hello Dolly, Round Barn Theatre, Nappanee, IN

May 24 – Michigan City Outlet Mall, Michigan City, IN

May 24 – Michigan City Outlet Mall, Michigan City, IN

June 19 - Cook’s Bison Ranch, Wolcottville, IN

June 1 – Hello Dolly, Round Barn Theatre, Nappanee, IN

June 1 – Hello Dolly, Round Barn Theatre, Nappanee, IN

June 1 – Hello Dolly, Round Barn Theatre, Nappanee, IN

June 19 - Cook’s Bison Ranch, Wolcottville, IN

June 19 - Cook’s Bison Ranch, Wolcottville, IN

June 24-28 - Mackinac Island & Sault Sainte Marie, MI

June 19 - Cook’s Bison Ranch, Wolcottville, IN

Sept. 18-24 - Boston & Salem, MA

June 24-28 - Mackinac Island & Sault Sainte Marie, MI

June 24-28 - Mackinac Island & Sault Sainte Marie, MI

June 24-28 - Mackinac Island & Sault Sainte Marie, MI

Sept. 18-24 - Boston & Salem, MA

Sept. 18-24 - Boston & Salem, MA

Sept. 18-24 - Boston & Salem, MA

For full information on any of these tours, or to make a reservation, please call 574-537-4090

For full information on any of these tours, or to make a reservation, please call 574-537-4090

For full information on any of these tours, or to make a reservation, please call 574-537-4090

For full information on any of these tours, or to make a reservation, please call 574-537-4090.

1820 Greencroft Blvd. Goshen, IN 46526

1820 Greencroft Blvd. Goshen, IN 46526 www.greencroft.org

www.greencroft.org

1820 Greencroft Blvd. Goshen, IN 46526 www.greencroft.org

1820 Greencroft Blvd. Goshen, IN 46526 www.greencroft.org

GLEAMING COLUMNS — The Harding Memorial, which stands on 10 acres of beautifully-landscaped property, was dedicated in 1931 by President Herbert Hoover. Photo provided by the Ohio History Connection.

PRESIDENT HARDING’S HOME Renovation of the Queen Anne-Style home in 2020 was undertaken by the Ohio History Connection. It has been restored to the way it looked during Harding’s famous front-porch campaigns in 1820. Photo provided by the Ohio History Connection.

Instead of campaigning

Continued from page 22

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 Neo-classical 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.

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Georgetown Scenic RR, Silverton-Durango RR, Cumbre’s & Toltec RR, Royal Gorge RR, Pike Peak Cog RR, Red Mountain Jeep

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.

OVAL OFFICE CHAIR — The chair used by President Harding while he was in the White House is one of the displays, along with the Presidential Seal. Photo provided by the Ohio History Connection.

Coping with grief and remembering

Editors

Note: Tom Rose is the author of “Balloon in a Box, Coping with Grief.”

comcast.net.

By TOM ROSE Guest Writer

The book is available on Amazon, fables Books, Goshen, or at ThomasLRose.com. He is available for speaking engagements and as a grief group facilitator. He would love to hear your comments or questions, by phone (574) 5966256, or email: roseandrose@

With my love journey (remember it is not a grief but a love journey), one of my biggest fears was forgetting my wife, and I have learned talking with others grieving the loss of a loved one, they have the same fear. While having beautiful days remembering our loved ones, we all want to remember them regularly. It is easy to do it on those special days, birthdays, anniversaries, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, holidays etc. Still, we want to remember our loved ones beyond these special days, and we want the memories to be beautiful and

pleasant, filling us with joy, not pain.

The dictionary defines remember as “being able to bring an awareness of someone or something to one’s mind.”

This is true for everyone; however, the way we experience a memory of our deceased loved one will be different for everyone. The way these memories are triggered will differ from one person to another based on their relationship with their loved one. The big problem is, as we continue on our journey, how do we find a way to keep our loved one’s memory alive

Local fundraising effort to help VFW in Hawaii

The Goshen High School class of 1972 is partnering with Goshen VFW Post 985 in a fundraising effort to aid VFW Post 3850 i Lahaina, Hawaii.

The town of Lahaina was devastated by a wildfire in early August 2023.

It is the goal of the Goshen organizations to raise funds intended to provide VFW Post 3850 the means to support

their veterans and citizens with food and cloting, or any other assistance they deem necessary. They are asking for the public’s help in their efforts.

Specifically, they are asking for financial donations and/or items to be offered in a silent auction, to be held at the Goshen VFW from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, May 4. Other activities that day will include music,

food and a cornhole tournament. Any help you are willing to provide would be greatly appreciated. Checks can be made payable to VFW Post 985.

For further information or to donate, contact Deb Brown at (574) 536-4233, Connie Pestow at (574) 202-3839, Wes Higginbothan at (574) 5363894 or Nita Malcom at (574) 370-6124.

while we move forward? We must remind ourselves that continuing on our journey doesn’t mean forgetting our loved ones; instead, it means learning how to move through grief and carry their memories with us.

In my book, “Balloon in a Box, Coping with Grief,” I explain how I do this with my “balloon on a string.” The balloon contains my memories and goes with me as I move forward. Learning to control the balloon, I have been able to handle my emotions and memories most of the time. Yes, sometimes an emotion or memory will sneak up on me, which is to be expected.

As I mentioned, memories are triggered and will differ from one person to another based on their relationship with their loved one.

What triggers memories of your loved one? With me, it is several things, one of which is music. We loved to dance, so I play our favorite songs if I want to have pleasant memories. I will have memories of us dancing. We also both enjoyed cooking, so when I am cooking, I think of her and everything she taught me. Read the “turkey story” in my book.

So, I believe with a severe conscious effort, we can control our emotions and memo-

ries most of the time. If we want to “prompt” ourselves to have a pleasant memory, use the shared action to bring you the memory, like my music and dance. For most of us, photographs will be a good prompt. They may be difficult at first, but soon you will enjoy them. But remember, the best memories are those captured in your heart, not in your photo albums.

Thanks for your emails and phone calls. You have posed some great questions; keep them coming, so I thought I would try to answer them, but please remember I am not a trained counselor. I am like you, a guy on a love journey.

Question: If I have a good day, not grieving; does that mean I no longer care?

Answer: No, I think you are learning to control your grief ... learning to control your balloon.

Question: I’m afraid I won’t remember what it’s like to be with them. Do I forget the sound of their voice?

Answer: We can’t stop time ... our life without our loved ones will inevitably be different. The challenge is to find that balance between things that stay the same while others change.

Just remember ... hang onto that balloon!

Jeff ‘JJ’ Shaw, Attorney at Law