Senior Life - Elko Edition - July 2024

helps seniors unlock their inner artist

ACRYLIC

on her acrylic paint painting of a flower. She has been participating in ARTcare for over a year and mentioned her art skills have improved “incredibly.” Photo by Marissa Sweatland.

By MARISSA SWEATLAND Staff Writer

WINTERY CABIN David Ewert shows off his completed piece of a wintery cabin. Ewert is an “expert watercolorist and a stickler for detail.” Ewert has been attending ARTcare for over two years. Photo provided by Michael Conley.

other residents.

“Everyone starts with adult coloring,” Michael Conley, ARTcare instructor, explained. “Then, when they feel comfortable, they move to painting an apple.”

Once an artist feels comfortable with the adult coloring medium, they can graduate to different mediums, such as acrylic painting and watercolor. The curriculum is based on the four seasons, spring, summer, winter and autumn and each finished art piece is titled with a biblical scripture that encapsulates the art the resident developed and created. The class provides residents with a place to get away from their normal routines and become socially connected with

ARTcare is a form of therapy for Grace Village residents. ARTcare reaches residents in independent living, assisted living and healthcare that have an interest in art. The creative process of making art can improve a resident’s physical, mental and emotional health. Art therapy is particularly beneficial for residents with dementia and Alzheimers.

“Creating art can help residents physically and mentally engage parts of the brain that keep the mind active and the memory intact,” Conley explained. “It can also inspire a creative outlet for many with dementia, who can no longer read or have trouble speaking or understanding words. During class time, residents have the opportunity to unlock any trapped emotions, show their unspo-

ADULT COLORING Louise Reichert, healthcare resident, works on her adult coloring project. She has been attending ARTCare for about three years. She “scrubs her colored pencil so heavy it creates artwork that reminds you of stained glass.” Photo provided by Michael Conley.

ken thoughts and feelings and improve their overall well-being and self-esteem.”

The program runs on funds raised through the sale of prints and note cards of the art the residents create. The fundraisers happen in the spring and late autumn.

The program, which was created nearly a decade ago, started with just three to five residents.

“Having lived through Alzheimer stages myself in 2004 and because I had a closet full of unused art materials from 33 years of teaching high school art,” Conley said, “I was inspired to begin this creative journey with no expense to the residents.”

But, as word got out, the class sizes grew and grew. Today, ARTcare curContinued on page 2

PAINT Sharon White, artist-in-residence, works

Nunemaker working on vision for Nappanee’s future

By KEITH KNEPP Editor

A resident of Nappanee for most of his life, Todd Nunemaker has seen the city of Nappanee go through many different changes. For much of his adult life he has held an active role in many of those stages of municipal development. A graduate of NorthWood High School, he also holds a degree in architecture from Ball State University.

At the start of his career, Nunemaker spent several years at three different architectural firms with varying focuses. For 21 years, he had his own firm with a focus on residential buildings. He was a city council member for 14 years and spent 17 years on both the city planning commission and the board of zoning appeals.

Nunemaker currently serves as Nappanee’s full-time city planner, a role that allows him to utilize his experience to help shape the future of the community for generations to come.

“Mayor Phil Jenkins and I have the same background and live next to each other,” he said. “We’ve both been involved in city government for a long time. We both have had an interest in moving the city forward.”

In 2021, at a point when roles

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in Nappanee’s personnel structure were changing, the common council was faced with a decision as to whether the city should hire an engineer or a zoning administrator to fill a vacancy. It was decided to hire Nunemaker as a full-time employee.

“Really my role was more fitting to a city planner, as I have an architectural and zoning background, and to a certain extent some engineering,” he said.

“That’s how this role came about.

“The city planning work that I’m doing is some of the bigger stuff — the bike trail, new street layouts, expanding West Industrial Park — all kind of big-ticket items.”

Nunemaker also is using his background in architecture to help in the designing of the new multi-million dollar fire station that is in the works on the city’s north side.

One of the major things on his desk is the ongoing downtown redevelopment master plan. Part of Nunemaker’s role is gathering the feedback from residents on what they would like to see in the city.

One example he gave is of the pavilion in downtown Nappanee. While it is used for many things, such as the summer farmers market and the annual Christmastime celebration, during most

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times it serves as covered parking. The city was looking for ways to better utilize the space.

“That kind of sparked a bigger picture. We realized that we needed to stop and look at a whole downtown master plan,” said Nunemaker. “We’re still looking at ‘big picture’ ideas.”

During a recent public forum regarding the downtown master plan, companies hired to evaluate the city and possible future plans, several far-reaching ideas were brought to the table, including an alternate truck route, a boutique hotel and a downtown plaza that might be devoid of vehicle traffic.

“We realize that some of the ideas weren’t going to work, but you’ve got to put it on the table,” Nunemaker said. “That process is good, as far as looking at the big picture, even though it might not be realistic.”

Nunemaker said the downtown master plan has three phases. The first two involved gathering the data, then coming up with ideas. The city is now entering the third phase, which

is coming up with main ideas based on public feedback.

“It’s still five to ten years out,” he said. “Some of the drawings and ideas we saw, depending on what they were, it’s a 10 to 20 year implementation. It’s still far off. It’s more looking at the big ideas, the big picture.

“There’s something about giving back to your community,” Nunemaker concluded. “”The big-

gest reward is that I’m making decisions that are going to affect the next generation. Working on this bike trail from Wakarusa to Nappanee, I have a personal interest in that. I want to be able to ride that with my grandkids. If I have the talent, if I have a vision, I want to be a part of my community and help frame it and get it going in the right direction.

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 against your mortgage 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 considering 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

A RTc a r e

Continued from page 1

rently hosts 57 residents, which 31 being Artists-In-Residence. “Now, this life-enhancing,

Icreative time called ARTcare just continues to grow!” Conley explained. “The ARTcare features an Artist-

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.”

Mature Life Features Copyright 2024

In-Residence opportunity as residents develop a feeling of ‘purpose’ for their talent and artwork by exhibiting their work, selling prints and note cards that feature their creations and gifting their artwork to their family and friends.”

Melanie can brighten up the Interior of your home.

Melanie can brighten up the Interior of your home.

Melanie can brighten up the Interior of your home.

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“I love being here! I come down as soon as I can, as quick as I can so I can be here the full three hours,” Sharon White, resident and ARTcare artist, chimed in. She has been participating in the program for about a year and a half.

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The winner of the I Spy Contest for June is Mary L. Price of Elkhart. The Hat & Tie was located on page 8 in Senior Life Allen; page 4 in Senior Life Northwest; page 19 in Senior Life Elko and page 22 in Senior Life St. Joseph.

“He starts by asking you about yourself, about your art skills and what you want to create. He talks with you. He observes your reactions and actions. He will make some suggestions to guide you but he gives us artistic licensing to ignore him,” White said with a big smile.

The beauty of art is that it can meet you at your skill and ability level. The beauty of ARTcare is the joy, purpose and friendship fostered within the hearts of residents.

MAN WITH A PLAN Nappanee City Planner Todd Nunemaker is an architect by trade. He is helping to shape the vision for Nappanee’s future, including its ongoing downtown master plan. Photo by Keith Knepp.

Avoid potential headaches with a proper estate plan

By CLIFFORD J. RICE Elder Law Attorney Granger

Historically, wealth is squandered within three generations because families deal with real-life issues such as these:

• Lawsuits

• Divorce

• Bankruptcy

• Nursing home expense

• Family disputes

Any one of these occurrences can hit home and wipe out an entire inheritance in just one generation! Plan now for both the financial and non-financial components of passing your legacy to the next generation.

You and your surviving family members will have a number of burdens and fears put to rest if your legacy can

be planned with some of these potential stumbling blocks in mind:

• If your surviving spouse gets remarried, your children’s inheritance can be lost and other common mistakes made with blended families. In the event your surviving spouse remarries, a new set of pitfalls can arise that could have your hard-earned assets going to the new spouse instead of your children and future beneficiaries.

• How your beneficiaries can fall victim to divorces (“ex” in-laws), lawsuits or inexperienced financial decisions.

Most people give their assets outright to their heirs when they and their spouse are gone … this is a huge mistake! This type of planning almost always fails to protect your loved ones from these real-life occurrences.

• How your family can be torn apart over something as seemingly minor as “who gets Grandmother’s quilt.”

The biggest fights in families aren’t about money, stocks or real estate. They are about the little things that hold memories. The most traditional estate plans fail to protect and pass on these valuable items. Most families also find it important to preserve the wis-

dom, life lessons and history of the family. Traditional estate planning does not address these non-financial assets. Having a proper estate plan will help you to avoid your own potential hidden headaches by helping you protect your family and your legacy.

Our goal is to make sure you have all the information

you need to ensure that none of these life-wrenching events happen to you or your family. Since our practice focuses exclusively on elder law and estate planning, it is our priority to be on top of the continuous changes in the law and techniques we can make available to you. Learn more about the benefits and protections

of an estate plan by attending our estate planning/medicaid planning seminar at Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, Granger, at 6 p.m. Monday, July 22; or 6 p.m. Monday, July 29. Reservations are required and seating is limited. Call now: (800) 303-7423, or visit our website at riceandrice.com to RSVP.

Backyard travel in Vogue

By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features

Travel doesn’t have to encompass an exotic hiatus to some faraway land to capture memories on film that can be shown endlessly to family and friends.

It can be a simple break from the routine to loll on a beach that lines our nation’s coastlines, view a sunset framed by gigantic cacti, or take a gentle hike up one of the many mountains that peak out of several states.

There are neighborhoods, cities and nearby country sites that can be explored with ease. It’s still possible to take a bike ride along forest breaks that used to be railway lines to enjoy the quiet and comfort of the countryside.

And you can drive up to

such major attractions as the Grand Canyon, South Dakota’s Mount Rushmore and bluffs on the Atlantic or Pacific coast to watch sunrise and sunsets without having to get out of your car.

There is much to see, hear and taste in our environs.

While Baltimore lures you with the finest crab cakes in the galaxy, it’s difficult to match fresh lobster dining offered on Canada’s Prince Edward Island.

The Monterey scenic drive still provides long-lasting memories for travellers.

Trains offer comfortable vistas of the Pacific Coast and the Prairies, to mention a couple of interesting travel modes that are handy.

Most RVers will tell you there are views in Canada and the United States that

vie with the most picturesque parts of the world — the Rockies, Yosemite National Park, Mackinac Bridge, Toronto Skyline, the St. Lawrence Seaway’s Thousand Islands, Carlsbad Caverns, Niagara Falls and the Seattle Space Needle, to cite a few.

Many food venues are attractions, including Kansas City steaks, New Orleans jambalaya, ballpark hotdogs and home-cooked Amish dishes in Pennsylvania Dutch country.

If you haven’t dropped by your hometown for a few decades, a revisit can be a door to an entirely new world wrapped around your old memories.

You don’t need special shots or a passport to travel into new worlds. Many are just down the road a piece.

Mature Life Features Copyright 2024

See your doctor about headaches

By JAMES GAFFNEY Mature Life Features

More than 55 million Ameri cans suffer from chronic, recur ring headaches — more than the total sufferers of diabetes, asthma and coronary heart disease combined — yet few take specific action to gain relief. The National Headache Foundation recommends making a special and separate appointment to discuss your experiences so that your physician can determine your headache diagnosis.

Physicians today understand more about the causes and consequences of headache and are well versed in explaining new medications and offering alternative treatment options.

In most cases, your primary care physician is the best person to help you understand your condi tion and inform you about what can be done to alleviate your headache pain.

How do you know when to consult a doctor specifically about your headache?

The following are a few

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sure signs.

If your headache:

• Is sudden and severe

• Affects one side of your head

• Is associated with pain in the eye or ear

• Is accompanied by nausea, vomiting, hallucinations or sen sitivity to light and sound

• Recurs in a definite pattern, regular time of day, or circum stances and duration of pain are

“We

was growing up. I made sure that I took my kids as many places as I could. One of our favorite vacations was to Disney World when my girls were around 8 and 6 years old.

consistently similar

• Causes confusion or loss of consciousness and is persistent when, previously, you’ve been headache‑free

• Interferes with your ability to function normally at work or in social situations

• Is similar to headaches suf fered by other members of your family

• Is different from other head

AMBER WHITTLES GOSHEN

Two summers ago my husband and I took a Caribbean cruise. We visited several places, but I think my favorite was the Grand Caymans. Everything there was so lush and beautiful.

aches you have experienced. One or more of these symp toms should be sufficient to cause you to schedule an appointment with your primary care physician strictly to discuss your headache problem. Your best ally in helping you cope with your headache is a doctor who knows you and is willing to spend sufficient time to diagnose and treat your problem.

Mature Life Features Copyright 2024

ANDREA CARMOZZI WARSAW

My husband and I took our two kids to Italy in 2013. We went to the town that he grew up in and got to meet a lot of his family who he hadn’t seen in several years. The food was amazing, too.

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Senior

PHIL DAWSON DUNLAP

Without a doubt, it the time I learned to surfboard on the North Shore of Hawaii. I wasn’t very good at it, but man, was it fun!

JOE FITZGERALD WARSAW

We have traveled to Montana several times and rented a cabin in the middle of nowhere. We rent horses and explore the area. We haven’t done it since before COVID, but hope to go back next summer.

MARIBETH MILLER GOSHEN

My husband and I like to go to Branson, Missouri, and see the shows. It’s always a relaxing time to get away from home. My favorite show was when we got to see Reba McEntire several years ago. I’ve always been a big fan of hers.

Whetstone sees her job as a way of life

By LAURIE LECHLITNER Staff Writer

“I was always in the summer reading program at the library when I was growing up,” stated Cathy Whetstone, Mentone. “I grew up in a family who loved to teach new and interesting things in a sneaky, educational way. When I was in high school, I worked in the school library for

two years. When I got to college, I begged for a job in the library. I guess working with books is a way of life for me.” Whetstone is the cataloger and circulation head at Bell Memorial Library in Mentone.

Whetstone got her teaching degree from Grace College, Winona Lake. She got her master’s degree in school library and audiovisual sciences from Purdue.

Airports working for your leisure

By CECIL SCAGLIONE

Mature Life Features

While the airport-airplane experience grows more excruciating, airports around the country are working on some of those rough edges.

Several have introduced therapy dogs to pad around the terminal to soothe irritated travellers. Others have brought in restaurants that offer relaxed dining. Some even offer day passes so locals can

get through the security check point to eat and shop as jetliners swoop by their windows.

Some of the amenities tucked into airports around the world include movie theaters, ice skating rinks, wedding reception areas and swimming pools.

When planning your next trip, you might check to see what airports along the way offer the best pastimes while you’re waiting for take off.

Mature Life Features Copyright 2024

Road less traveled lures seniors

By CECIL SCAGLIONE

Mature Life Features

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

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

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

determine just how much activity you can handle. Can you complete the hikes some trips demand, or are you able to handle the canoeing and kayaking on the schedule, 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.

Mature Life Features Copyright 2024

“I started out working at the Tell City Troy Township schools. As a librarian, I got to know all the students in grades one through eight. I also taught a seventh-grade English class. There was a set of identical twins in different classes. For the longest time, I thought they were the same kid. I eventually got it straight.” She then worked for three years in the Kewanna school district.

Whetstone started at Bell Memorial Library when her youngest child was 8.

“I was a stay-at-home mom for a while before I went back to work,” she said. “I started working in circulation. Since I’d taken a cataloging class at Purdue, when the head librarian retired, I moved to cataloger. I took on more job responsibility as my kids got older.”

She starts her day checking in books and keeping track of the overdue list. “I’m no computer genius, but I function well enough to see that things get done. It’s funny, two of my sons have computer jobs. The other two are in nursing and the USDA.”

Whetstone loves interacting with folks in the community. “I’ve lived in Mentone practically my entire life. People will stop in and ask me if I remember so and so. They also come to me with their genealogy questions.”

As a 1970 graduate of Mentone High School, Whetstone is a senior citizen and enjoys seeing her peers come to the library. “Many

of the seniors enjoy reading good, clean publications. Often seniors prefer holding books rather than reading them on an electronic device. We also have large print books. The only drawback is that they are heavier than the regular print publications. We also have audio books. Reading library books sharpens the mind. There’s also a once-a-month Monday movie for seniors, complete with popcorn. Those who like to knit or crochet can join the Needle Nerds.”

Whetstone has met author

Wanda Brunstetter several times in person. “We had a meal at a local Amish house with an author at each table. Jennifer Beckstrand sat at my table. Her Huckleberry Hill series features an Amish grandmother who is a horrible cook, contrary to the norm.”

Cathy and her husband, Tim, have four grown sons and three grandchildren. Whetstone enjoys reading in her free time. She and Tim love to travel, especially when visiting family and friends in Alaska.

Are you the primary caregiver for a loved one? Noticing changes? Are you worried about leaving home for long periods? It might be time to explore

Most often a person’s health improves after a move from home to assisted living. They eat better, sleep better and have people around them 24 hours a day in case they need help. For more 574-537-4128

CATHY WHETSTONE

50 Years Ago, Blast From The Past —

Was ‘Please Come to Boston’ a true story?

Dave Loggins

Was “Please Come to Boston” a true story?

Let’s find out.

David Allen Loggins was born in 1947 in Mountain City, Tenn.

A Boomer Blast To The Past

By RANDAL C. HILL

A second cousin to musician Kenny Loggins (“Footloose”), after high school Loggins sold insurance before deciding to become a professional singer/ guitarist/songwriter.

In 1972, he contracted with Nashville’s Vanguard Records as a solo artist. His album “Personal Belongings”

tanked, but Three Dog Night lifted one of Loggins’s LP’s tracks — “Pieces of April” — which became the group’s 14th Top 20 hit. (A YouTube comparison, though, shows that Loggins had the superior version.)

“Pieces of April,” however, did nothing to advance the brand name of Dave Loggins, so he pressed on. In 1974, Epic Records had him record the album “Apprentice (In a Musical Workshop).” “Please Come to Boston” became the lead-off single, and that held the key to Loggin’s (fleeting) success.

In the ballad, a travelingmusician narrator pleads with the love of his life back home to join him on the tour road:

“Please come to Boston for the springtime

“I’m stayin’ here with some friends

And they’ve got lots of room”

Then

“Please come to Denver with the snowfall

”We’ll move up into the mountains so far

“That we can’t be found”

And finally

“Please come to L.A. to live forever

“A California life alone

“Is just too hard to bear”

The woman he misses may love the vagabond, but she always refuses to join him:

“And she said, Hey, ramblin’ boy

“Now won’t you settle down?

“There ain’t no gold and there ain’t nobody like me

“I’m the Number One fan of the man from Tennessee”

Near the tale’s end, the narrator comes clean about how conflicted he is about his situation:

“Now this drifter’s world goes ‘round and ‘round

“And I doubt it’s ever gonna stop

“But of all the dreams I’ve lost or found

“And all that I ain’t got

“I still need to lean to

“Somebody I can sing to”

His lone Top 5 hit explores the tension tug-of-war between a musician’s yearning for the tour road and the desire for a stable relationship; Loggins’s inspiration for the

song followed a 1972 tour with the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band (“Mr. Bojangles”) that included stops in Boston, Denver and Los Angeles, all locales new to Loggins.

As with so many other story-songs—“Cat’s in the Cradle,” “Honey,” “The Boxer” — music fans often wonder if such tear-jerkers are based on truth or are created from scratch. “The story is almost true,” the Grammy-nominated Loggins explains, “except that

there wasn’t anyone waiting, so I made her up, in effect making the longing for someone stronger. It was a recap to my first trip to each of these cities and out of innocence. That was how I saw each one. The fact of having no one to come home to made the chorus easy to write.”

Were “Cat’s in the Cradle,” “Honey” and “The Boxer” true tales? Nope, each creation was also a well-crafted work of pure fiction.

Doctor’s technical skills outpoll bedside manner

By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features

The traditional image of a smiling physician soothing you with a paternal pat and promise to return to check on you has been brushed aside for the more practical and pragmatic medic who will cure you.

Doctors with top-level medical skills were selected by the majority in a survey of people of all ages asked what they preferred in their doctor: a skilled practitioner or one with a friendly bedside manner.

The more than 300 Los Angeles County participants in the research project used report cards of physicians with opposing strengths, such as a doctor shown with high technical skills but low personal graces against a doctor with excellent people skills but poor on the technical medical level.

Two-thirds of the participants chose as their primary care physician the doctor with better technical skills in 60% of the cases.

The respondents’ age, sex or

ethnic background had little or no effect on the choices.

On the other hand, the 33% of the participants who chose a doctor with excellent bedside manner indicated to the surveyors that interpersonal quality is important to a substantial number of people.

The technical skills graded on the mock report included care for sickness or injury, ongoing care for chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, and preventive care.

Included among the physician’s personal relationship proficiency were communication skills, courtesy, promptness and respect shown patients.

The aptitudes listed were taken from medical chart records and insurance bills for the technical side and from patient experiences with the doctors for their bedside manners.

The study helped researchers understand choices patients might make if they had comparative information about the technical and interpersonal quality of care of primary physicians in their area.

TRUTH OR FICTION? David Loggins ‘Please Come To Boston’ was a well crafted work of fiction.

I did an about face to be recognized

I’m a little compulsive about credit cards, so I go to the appropriate website every morning to see what we owe and then check our bank balance. It’s a quick routine,

made even easier by the facial recognition programs that eliminate the need for passwords. But this morning, they didn’t know me.

Looking good feels good

By CECIL SCAGLIONE

Mature Life Features

When you look good, you feel good.

While you don’t necessarily feel terrible when you look lousy, you probably would feel a lot better if you looked better.

In other words, clothes do help make the man, or woman. And you can make yourself feel better by dressing better around the house.

Just because you live alone and don’t go out much (you should be going out more, by the way) doesn’t mean you should shrug around the house in an old bathrobe or housecoat and shabby slippers.

You can be just as comfortable in some complimentary clothing. You’ll feel better by donning a pair of slacks, comfortable shirt, and casual shoes, or, if you’re a woman, a lively skirt, bright blouse, and comfortable shoes.

You will probably feel a lot more like getting out and about, which will enrich your life because others will react to your enhanced physical and psychic personality.

The daily routine of getting dressed is an opportunity to express yourself and strengthen your feelings of self worth. While aging decreases the ease at which these and other chores can be done, so do such infirmities and arthritis, stroke, and loss of vision.

To get you started on this simple road to self-esteem, go through your wardrobe and toss out anything that’s worn, dated or doesn’t fit. Organize what’s remaining

by color so your selection for the day will be made easier. Put matching slacks, shirts, blouses, and sweaters together.

If you’re having problems with buttons and other clothing closures, take your existing wardrobe to a tailor to replace them with Velcro closings and larger zippers.

You can also sew loops into the sides of slacks, skirts, and underwear so they can be pulled up easily with a finger.

Now go shop for clothing to fill the gaps. Look for garments with Velcro closures, and large zippers or snaps, or slacks and skirts with elastic waist bands. Buy tops with large neck openings to slip over your head easily. Consider such accessories as clip-on ties and ponchos.

Shoes can be a half size larger to accommodate aching and stiffening feet. Larger clothing can also be more comfortable without looking baggy or ill-fitting.

Give yourself plenty of time to dress in the mornings. It should be a statement — “Look, here I am!” — not a chore.

There are some simple grooming steps you can take to make yourself look, and feel, better.

Keep your hair cut short. It’s much easier to wash, dry and care for. Toss out the old safety razor and get yourself a rechargeable electric shaver. This cuts down on the nicks and cuts caused by shaking or arthritic hands.

And keep your teeth clean. Gum disease, plaque, and cavities still can be avoided with daily brushing and flossing.

Mature Life Features Copyright 2024

Face not recognized. Try again. Try what again? All I did was look at my smartphone. It’s not like entering your password incorrectly. I couldn’t have entered the wrong face. Okay, I’ll try one more time.

NUTSHELL

By DICK WOLFSIE

Face still not recognized. Try again.

Worried, I raced into the bathroom and looked in the mirror. My hair was askew. I needed a shave, and I had huge bags under my eyes. Who is that, I wondered? I didn’t even recognize myself. But I needed to know my balance. I combed my hair, shaved, and applied a little of my wife’s foundation under my eyes. This had to work. But no. Your face is really not recognized this time. Use password. Mary Ellen was in the kitchen having coffee. I walked over to the table. “Who are

you?” she asked. “You never look this good in the morning. I almost didn’t recognize you.”

“That’s what the bank said.”

“You’ve been to the bank already?”

As you may recall, my wife is very security minded. She told me that using facial recognition on my smartphone is not safe. I wondered why.

“Because, Dick, if you are robbed, the thief may just ask you to look into the phone and then he can check our bank account and what we owe on our credit cards.”

“Mary Ellen, he’s going to rob me whether we have an overdue balance or not. What will he think: I can’t rob this guy; he only has $122 in his checking account. He owes Comcast Cable $160.”

“Well, I don’t like the whole idea. And, by the way, it wouldn’t work for me, anyway. I’d have to wait every morning to check our balance until I had makeup on.”

I wasn’t getting anywhere with Mary Ellen, so I called my friend, Bob.

“Bob, it’s Dick. I have a problem. I’m not being recognized.”

“Of course, you haven’t been on TV in four years and you don’t have a famous dog anymore.”

“I don’t mean recognized on the street. I mean recognized by the bank. Do they recognize you at the bank?”

“Of course, they recognize me. I’m 6’4” and completely bald.”

“Bob, I’m going to try this one more time. When I wake up in the morning, the first thing I do is check my balance…”

“At your age, good idea. Get out of bed slowly.”

That day I had an appointment with my barber. I brought an old photo of myself before all this trouble started. I showed it to Buddy and told him I wanted to look just like I do in this selfie.

“Dick, I can’t do that. First of all, your hair is all gray now and you have less of it, and I can’t give you sideburns.”

The next morning, I tried again, but still no luck. I tried again and again. There was only one solution. I had to reset my face.

Space is limited for this complimentary event. Please RSVP by July 15th by calling 574-247-1866

Celebrate your independence with Social Security

By MONA HARTER District Manager, South Bend Social Security Office

Every July 4, we celebrate our nation’s independence. For nearly 90 years, our programs have helped create financial independence for millions of hardworking people. We have useful online resources like the Social Security Statement and our benefits estimator tool that helps people not yet receiving benefits.

The statement shows the benefits that you and your family may be eligible for and provides personalized fact sheets tailored to your age and earnings situation. The benefits estimator tool allows you to get estimates based on different ages. These online tools can help you better prepare for your retirement.

If you’re not receiving benefits, you can get the most out of your online experience if you have a personal my Social Security account. You can:

• Request a replacement Social Security card.

• Get estimates for spouse’s benefits.

• Get your Statement instantly.

• Get proof that you do not

receive benefits.

• Check your application status.

If you’re receiving benefits

You can use your personal my Social Security account to:

• Request a replacement Social Security card.

• Get an instant benefit verification letter.

• Start or change your direct deposit. (Social Security beneficiaries only)

• Change your address. (Social Security beneficiaries only)

• Get a replacement SSA1099 or SSA-1042S instantly for tax season.

• Opt out of mailed notices for those available online.

You can create your personal my Social Security account at ssa.gov/myaccount.

Our blog at blog.ssa.gov features news and information about our programs and services. You can subscribe and get notified each time we post a new blog so you can stay informed. From the blog, you can also connect with us on Facebook, X, LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube.

With so many services and helpful information available online, we are here for you when you need us. Learn more at ssa.gov.

CELEBRATE INDEPENDENCE Celebrate independence with Social Security’s online resources like the Social Security Statement and the benefits estimator tool that helps people not yet receiving

efits. Photo provided by Social Security.

Loss of spouse usually means loss of income too

By CECIL SCAGLIONE

Mature Life Features

You’ve worked hard all your life to achieve a modicum of leisure in your retirement years. So has your spouse. You’ve both prepared wills and trusts to take care of your children after both of you have passed away. But you probably overlooked each other.

What happens to your spouse when you die? Or when they die?

In addition to the emotional strain from the loss of your friend and partner, the stress of pulling family and friends together for a final farewell, and the closet clean-out that comes later, there are some basic routine financial matters that require attention.

For example, when are the

house taxes due? How much are they? How about utility bills? Do you know when they arrive and how much they total?

How do you notify the Social Security Administration of your spouse’s death?

This brings us to a vital area that requires discussion. In almost all cases, the death of a spouse means an economic loss to the survivor. Primarily because little or no thought was given to the needs of the surviving spouse.

The most common problem is the loss of the dead partner’s Social Security income.

For example, a couple receiving $1,000 each a month earns $24,000 a year. When the husband or wife dies, that income is slashed in half to $12,000 a year. But the bills aren’t lowered.

This loss can be compounded by the loss of income from investment assets.

Let’s say a married couple each brings $500,000 of separately owned assets to create a combined retirement portfolio of $1 million. They decide to withdraw 5% a year, an amount they believe will ensure that they can live comfortably without running out of money, from that portfolio.

When one dies, his or her half of that portfolio may be passed on to his or her heirs, leaving the surviving spouse with what remains of his or her original $500,000 worth of assets. Using the same 5% withdrawal rate, the survivor’s income is cut in half.

To accommodate this

eventuality, the couple should base their spending on what the surviving spouse will need to live or transfer some of their assets to joint ownership to each other’s estate.

Couples should consider two major factors to avoid the loss of income from Social Security and separate assets:

• How much a surviving spouse will need to sustain what was their standard of living while both are alive.

• How long they will likely survive together.

There is another nicety.

You might leave a letter for your surviving partner. It can include a personal farewell as well as instructions on who you might like to be notified about your death, who should be given your favorite scarf or sports memorabilia, how to operate the kitchen stove, names and phone numbers of pension advisors at your former company, and the location of the electrical fuse or breaker box, among other bits of information that will make your passing less traumatic.

Mature Life Features Copyright 2024

The night disco didn’t

Sometimes a promotional stunt can work too well.

On a July evening in 1979, a melee ensued at Chicago’s Cominskey Park that resulted in six people being injured and 39 being arrested for disorderly conduct. Why?

By RANDAL C. HILL

During a stunt called Disco Demolition Night, thousands of attendees stormed the diamond following the first game of a double-header between the Chicago White Sox and the Detroit Tigers. With many rioters amped-up on beer and drugs, rowdies tore up turf, set infield fires, climbed foul poles, upended the batting case, and (literally) stole the bases. Police in riot gear intervened, and the White Sox had to forfeit the second game.

The year before, irreverent Chicago radio DJ Steve Dahl had helmed the highly rated “Steve Dahl’s Rude Awakening” show on Top 40 powerhouse WDAI-FM. But near the end of 1978, WDAI switched formats from rock ‘n’ roll to disco music — and fired Dahl on Christmas Eve. He was devastated and immediately focused his anger on a music form he had always despised.

Disco, pioneered by gays, Blacks and Latinos, had risen from the 1970s underground into the mainstream following the success of such recording artists as Donna Summer, the Bee Gees, and KC and the Sunshine Band, as well as the commercial clout of the film and soundtrack of “Saturday Night Fever.”

In March 1979, still distraught about disco’s influence, Dhal landed a morning gig at Chicago album-rock outlet WLUP-FM. He and the overnight DJ there (a fellow disco-music hater) were soon loudly demolishing records during their on-air shifts.

With some other radio pals — and the son of the White Sox’s owner — Dahl created a promotion idea he thought could grant him heroic status: He would destroy disco music forever, while at the same time raising the often-pitiful attendance figures at Cominskey Park. (The 52,000-capacity stadium usually drew crowds of about 16,000 on any given White Sox game day.) Set for July 12, the DJ’s scheme was labeled Disco Demolition Night.

The admission charge that night was a disco record and 98 cents (WLUP-FM’s frequency was 98.0). Dahl’s scheme had called for the collecting of the records, piling them into a dumpster in center field, and blowing everything to smithereens. Dahl hoped the stunt might draw a few thousand

extra folks to the park. Wrong. On the night of July 12, Cominskey Park sold out, with 40,000 restless souls milling about outside.

With the first game over (the White Sox lost 4-1), Dahl, in military regalia, circled the playing field in a Jeep before whipping the crowd into a frenzy with chants of “Disco Sucks!” The “fun” began when a powerful explosive charge set off in the dumpster rocketed thousands of discs into the sky.

Dahl’s escapade didn’t end disco’s reign, any more than Buddy Holly’s death marked “the day the music died.”

By the early 1980s, disco’s popularity had faded, but because of changing musical trends and not one rock jock’s stunt gone awry one Chicago evening many years ago.

A STUNT Disco Demolition Night was a promotional stunt to end disco music by DJ Steve Dahl and others who disliked disco music. The event took place in a double header at Cominskey Park between the Chicago White Sox and Detroit Tigers.

INDEPENDENCE | DIGNITY | STRENGTH

Beat the Heat: Summer Safety for Seniors

Summer is officially here! Are you prepared?

While summer is an exciting time to spend time outdoors with friends and family, it is important for older adults to be prepared for the heat. Being well hydrated, putting on sunscreen, and limiting sun exposure are all small steps seniors can take to make summer more enjoyable. Here are some more tips:

Stay Hydrated!

Drink plenty of liquids, such as water, fruit or vegetable juices, or drinks that contain electrolytes. Avoid alcohol and caffeinated beverages. If your doctor has told you to limit your liquids, ask what you should do when it is very hot.

Keep your Space Cool

If you live in a home without air conditioning or fans, try to keep your space as cool as possible. Limit use of the oven; keep shades, blinds, or curtains closed during the hottest part of the day; and

open windows at night. If your living space is hot, try to spend time during midday in a place that has air conditioning. For example, go to the shopping mall, movies, library, senior center, or a friend ’s home. You may also contact your local health department or city to find out if they have airconditioned shelters in your area.

Wear Sunscreen

Make sure to use a broad spectrum sunscreen, SPF 15 or higher, and reapply it throughout the day, especially if your skin will have continuous exposure to the sun. Wear a hat and other protective clothing, and sunglasses. If you do get sunburned, stay out of the sun until your skin is healed and use cool cloths and moisturizers to treat the affected area.

Dress for the Weather

Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing. Natural fabrics such as cotton may feel cooler than synthetic fibers.

Join us for the Senior Picnic!

Wednesday, August 28, 2024 11:00 a.m.

Potawatomi Park,500 S. Greenlawn Avenue

South Bend, IN 46615

Physical Activity during the Summer

Avoid outdoor exercising and other physical activity when it is very hot. Instead, try to find someplace you can be active while staying cool indoors.

Be Mindful of Medications

Ask your doctor if any of your medications make you more likely to become overheated or sunburned.

By following these tips, you can stay cool this summer!

Adapted from the National Institute on Aging, September 2022

Call (574) 229 3254 to purchase tickets

Tickets are $2.00

INNDDEEPPEENDDEENCCE | D DIIGGNNIITY | S STTREENNGTTH H

Although focused on older adults, everyone is welcome! Come and learn while you enjoy a healthy snack. There is no cost for this program.

July 11: Asking for Help: Where to Start (Kroc Center South Bend) July 18: Physical Activity (OWLS Club Elkhart)

July 26: Asking for Help: Where to Start (1Roof South Bend)

Call (574) 284-7189 to register or learn more.

YOU can win $25,000 with the REAL Big Raffle! Coupons are $50 each and benefit Meals on Wheels and other programs at REAL Services!

Final grand prize drawing: July 31

Call (574) 284-7104 or email events@realservices.org to request your coupons .

Come to the Table! Join us for lunch!

Elkhart County

Elkhart: 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) 320-5996

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

LaPorte County LaPorte: Cambridge Square Apt. 1111 Longwood Dr Bldg B (219) 380-1885

Michigan City: Simeon Square 1207 S Woodland (219) 380 -1439

SMRT Center 301 Grant Ave. (219) 207-1720

July Menu All meals are served with milk. Suggested donation $4.25

Marshall County Argos: B & R Community Bldg. 194 S. Michigan St. (574) 892-9669

Bourbon: Senior Center on 805 N. Harris St., (574) 342 -7031

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

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

Wilson Valera excited to lead local baseball team

By NATHAN PACE Staff Writer

Wilson Valera has played baseball all over the country but Elkhart, is where he has settled. Valera is the manager for the Elkhart Miracle, a team now in its second season.

A native of the Dominican Republic, Valera feels Elkhart is great place to live.

“Made Elkhart home in the last three years. Plenty of Dominican family here, have a church with 20 family members who attend. A lot of my family already has a house over here. We have a little Dominican town over here already.”

Valera played in the minor league organizations for Cleveland Indians, New York Mets and the Chicago White Socks for a total of eight seasons. One of his last assignments was with the South Bend White Sox in 1988.

With his playing career

winding down, Valera became a bullpen catcher for the San Francisco Giants and Cincinnati Reds. It was during this time where Valera was able to build friendships with Major League Baseball players such as Barry Larkin, Deion Sanders and Barry Bonds. His coaching career began in 1996 in the Dominican Summer League.

“I love teaching young kids baseball,” Valera said. “If you give them the right information they will grow into a great player in the future.

I’m a Christian and I love to teach what I have. The Bible says you should give the good things you have received to other people. I am very happy with what I have and I would love to give it to somebody else.”

Baseball in the Dominican Republic is the top sport and the number of professional baseball players from the country is proof of the nation’s

passion towards the game. Valera says his hometown in the Dominican has produced 1,000 professional baseball players despite having a population under 50,000 people.

“Baseball has been in my whole life. This is what I know. I’ve been around baseball for many years. This is what I love I have a lot of family that have been playing professionally in my town,” Valera said.

The Miracle began their season on June 6, with a 3-2 win. The team plays in the Northern League and consists of college players and minor league prospects.

“It’s a lot guys who for some reason haven’t made it to play professional but they keep dreaming to play professional baseball. I try to help them the most that I can to help their dream come true,” Valera said.

With the Miracle, Valera does a bit of everything, from helping bring players on to the team assisting in the groundskeeping. The team plays games at American Park north of Elkhart Freshman Academy.

He still plays baseball when he can with a team that

travels to the Dominican in October.

“I like to exercise and the physical conditioning. I’m always in the field doing something,” Valera said.

The season for the Miracle is a short one lasting roughly two months. Valera hopes his team can be an inspiration to area youth during the summer months.

“The name of the team

is Miracle,” Valera said. “I believe in miracles and second chances. I believe that if you put everything in God’s hands everything can be possible. We can show players over here in high school and college that it’s another level. Something that they can come and see. When little leaguers come to watch the game we can give them something to take home and learn from that.”

Professional Services

Understanding probate basics

Probate is the legal process that takes place after a person’s death to authenticate their will, settle debts, and distribute assets. Probate can be a lengthy, expensive, and public process that you may want to avoid for the sake of your loved ones.

Probate can be an expensive process, with court fees, legal fees, and other expenses putting a burden on your estate. The executor of your will must allocate a portion of your assets to cover these expenses, reducing the amount that beneficiaries will receive. These fees and expenses will vary depending on the size of your estate, location, and legal requirements.

Probate is a public process. Court documents with your beneficiaries’ names, addresses, and other confidential information will be exposed. This lack of privacy

Ryan Hahn Trust Administrator

can lead to unwanted attention, including solicitation from creditors or scammers. Through efficient estate planning, you can limit the assets that go through probate, or even bypass it altogether, safeguarding your estate and ensuring a smoother transition of assets to your beneficiaries.

Ryan Hahn Trust Administrator

Wealth Management Center 110 S. Main St. South Bend, Indiana 46601 (574) 284-6210, ext. 6232

Elder Law

Q.

Do I need a prenup?

A. A prenuptial agreement is a contract created by two people before they are married. The prenup will list all of the assets and debts of each person, and spell out certain rights and obligations of the parties upon death or divorce.

In a divorce, Indiana law starts with a presumption that the marital assets should be split 50/50. What is less commonly known is that after the death of one’s spouse, the surviving spouse has rights against the deceased spouse’s estate. In a second marriage, the surviving spouse is often entitled to one-third of the deceased spouse’s personal property, one-quarter of the value of any real estate, and a $25,000 survivor’s allowance. Even if you have a will that leaves everything to your children of a previous marriage, in the absence of a prenup, your surviving spouse has these rights against your estate.

William J. Stockdale Attorney at Law

Prenuptial agreements should be considered before any marriage, particularly between individuals later in life, who are often well-established financially and have their own separate children. A well drafted prenup can not only simplify divorce proceedings, but also protect your children after your death.

NEW MIRACLE Wilson Valera is the manager of the Elkhart Miracle and has called Elkhart home the past three years. Photo provided by Doug Boquist of the Elkhart Miracle.

‘The Global Language of Headwear’ exhibit in Elkhart

By CAROLYN BONANNO Ruthmere

Ruthmere is hosting a traveling exhibit this summer from the International Arts and Artists. “The Global Language of Headwear: Cultural Identity, Rites of Passage, and Spirituality” presents eighty-nine hats

and headdresses carefully selected from a private collection of more than 1,300 extraordinary pieces of international headwear. It will be exhibited from July 5 through Sept. 27 at the Havilah Beardsley House, 102 W Beardsley Ave., Elkhart.

This exhibition features hats from 42 countries across Asia,

Africa, Europe, the Middle East and North and South America, and is a tribute to the stunning diversity of the world’s cultures. With a few exceptions, the pieces are from the mid-to-late 20th century, and many are still worn today in parts of the world for revelry, ritual and the rhythms

Technology helps keep you at home

By CECIL SCAGLIONE

Mature Life Features

As the aging population grows, so grows the need for facilities and workers to provide senior care.

Complicating matters is the fact that many folks intend to grow old at home.

Technology may have come to the rescue for folks who are still alert and physically unchallenged.

Camera and sensor systems can be installed that link

with the children, siblings or caregivers who monitor the household. There are devices available to dole out the proper medication at the proper time.

When seniors leave the house, they can use cellphones, wristwatches and global position systems to help monitors keep track of their moves. Medical alert bracelets help seniors get help when they mistakingly fall, sensors can be installed to automatically turn off

of everyday life. More than utilitarian objects of material culture, each hat is a unique work of art — not merely because of the skill required to make it, but also as a singular expression of creativity and cultural meaning.

The profusion of shapes, styles and materials, as well as the ingenious use of embellishments to decorate the hats, are limited only by imagination. The Global Language of Headwear is organized into

five thematic sections: Cultural Identity; Power; Prestige and Status; Ceremonies and Celebrations; Spiritual Beliefs; and Protection. Hats and headdresses communicate timeless ideas — not only of beauty, but also of what it means to be human.

Come enjoy this international exhibit at Havilah Beardsley House during the exhibition period. For more information, call (574) 264-0330, or email cbonanno@ruthmere.org.

stoves, and devices can be installed to prevent bathtub overflowing.

Mature Life Features Copyright 2024

As a caregiver, you manage multiple responsibilities for your loved one in addition to your own. When you need help, The Thelma A. Schrock Adult Day Services program is here for you – at least five hours a day or a few days per week. You get time to do the things you need to do while your loved one stays in a safe environment while enjoying themselves.

We are available five days a week, MondayFriday from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Call 574-537-4181.

ELKHART LANDMARK — The Havilah Beardsley House is hosting a special exhibit “The Global Language of Headwear” this summer. Photo provided by Ruthmere.

Bose recalls God’s presence throughout her life

By LAURIE LECHLITNER Staff Writer

“I married my high school sweetheart,” stated Joyce Bose, Mentone. “We moved to Texas and lived in a trailer park. Those who say it never rains in Texas didn’t live through the flood in 1974. But God was with us. An area church put us up temporarily. And the pastor kept coming back to see how we were doing. So, we decided to attend his church.”

Even though Bose was terrified of water because of the flood, she was baptized in December 1974. “My husband Abraham and I attended church together, but he wasn’t

living for the Lord. He drank too much and chased women.”

Bose was pregnant when her sick father wanted to visit his grandfather in Canada. “He was a diabetic and had his legs amputated earlier in his life. My mother and I went with him to visit his grandpa, my great grandpa. But he got so sick coming back that we had to hospitalize him in Minnesota. When we were able to fly him back home, he died ten minutes after arriving.”

With tears in her eyes, Bose remarked, “Dad cried because he’d always wanted grandchildren and didn’t live to see my child.”

She was staying with her

mom when her daughter, April, was born. “Mom and I joined the Baptist church in Mentone.”

Abraham got out of the army and Bose eventually divorced him. “I’ve always felt bad about divorcing my spouse. But even afterward, he was always behind on child support.”

A coworker and matchmaker wanted to introduce Bose to a man she affectionately referred to as “Cupcake.” “His name is Richard Bose and when I met him it was love at first sight.”

The couple was married in April 1976. “Richard wanted to adopt April and Abraham gave him the OK. In 1980, our son Matthew was born. God has since blessed us with six grandchildren, three boys and three girls. We also have a great granddaughter named Vera.”

After the Boses were married, they attended the church Richard’s father pastored. “Eventually, we decided we needed to go to a church we chose as a couple. We were involved in the Wesleyan church for a while. My mother, who is now 91 years old and lives a mile east of us, invited us to New Harvest Church of the Nazarene. We’ve been there about 17 years now.”

At first Bose was involved in a fund-raising effort for homeless people. “We raised $1,200 with a spaghetti supper and donated it to the area Salvation Army.”

Being the Sunday school teacher of the senior citizen class at church fills Bose with joy. “The youngest is my daughter April. She’s 45. The oldest is 90. Right now, we are doing a lesson on the names of God in the Bible. There are 967 references to His name in the Bible. I love the discussions we have in class.”

She’s also involved in the church’s meal ministry the

first Monday of every month. “We not only fix marvelous lunches, but we have great fellowship.”

The Women of Worship meets the second Tuesday of the month. “We have devotions. Again, I’m in charge of the food. Another gal does a craft.”

She concluded, “God is always with me. I’ve had a host of health problems. But He is always there.”

JOYCE BOSE

Assisted Living, nursing And rehAbiLitAtion guide

Brentwood at Elkhart Assisted Living

3109 E. Bristol Street, Elkhart, IN 46514 (574) 266-4508

https://brentwoodatelkhartassistedliving.com

Licensed Assisted Living, Physical & Occupational Therapy On-Site, Nurses 24 Hours Per Day, Private Apartments, Respite Care, Activities, Studio/1 BR/2 BR Apaartments, Pet Friendly.

Greencroft — Goshen

1225 Greencroft Blvd., Goshen, IN 46527-0819 (574) 537-4000 • www.greencroft.org

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

Greenleaf Health Campus

1201 East Beardsley Avenue, Elkhart, IN 46514 (574) 206-0086 • www.GreenleafHS.com

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

Hellenic Senior Living

2528 Bypass Road, Elkhart, IN 46514 (574) 389-1776

https://elkhart.ahepaseniorliving.org/

Licensed Assisted Living, Medicaid Waiver Accepted, 24 Hour Medical Care, Restaurant Style Dining, Therapy, Private Apartments, Daily Activities, Pet Friendly. Stop In To Tour Today!

Hubbard Hill Retirement Community

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

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

Living at NoraCare

28688 CR 16, Elkhart, IN 46516 (574) 222-5992 • info@noracare.us

We Offer A Home To High-Functioning Individuals With Physical Assistance Needs At A 3.2 Ratio. Enjoy Independence With Meals And A Certified Nurse Aide Available 24/7.

Mason Health Care

900 Provident Drive, Warsaw, IN 46580 (574) 371-2500 • www.masonhealthandrehab.com

Orchard Pointe Health Campus

702 Sawyer Rd., Kendallville, IN 46755 (260) 347-3333 • www.orchardpointehc.com

We’ll meet you with the appropriate level of care wherever you are — whether you’re fully independent or looking for additional assistance. Call us.

The Waters of Wakarusa-Assisted Living Facility

303 N. Washington Street, Wakarusa IN 46573 (574) 862-1918

admissions@watersofwakarusaALF.com

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

Rehabilitation Unit, Skilled Licensed Nursing, Semi-Skilled Nursing or Intermediate Care, Therapies: Speech-Occupational-RespiratoryPhysical, Long Term Care, Temporary Care, Private/Semi-Private Rooms, Pet Visitation Allowed, Medicare and/or Medicaid Majestic Care of

www.MajesticCare.com/Location/Goshen

343 S. Nappanee Street, Elkhart, IN 46514 (574) 295-0096 • www.woodlandmanornursingandrehab.com

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

Woodland Manor

GOSHEN HOME MEDICAL Goshen Home Medical has everything one might need to live a comfortable life, including an in-house certified orthopedic and mastectomy fitter, Shelly McCrindle, left. Marlies West, right, helps McCrindle brush out some wigs Goshen Home Medical offers. For more information about what Goshen Home Medical has to offer, call (574) 533-0626. Photo by Marissa Sweatland.

By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features

Walking beats taking pills when it comes to maintaining your health as you age.

A daily 10-minute walk around the block, down in the park or around your apartment building may not add years to your life, but it will keep you much healthier while you are alive. Add five or 10 minutes to that walk every other day or so to make you even healthier.

Now speed it up.

While strolls can be satisfying, a brisk pace while swinging your arms will not only make you healthier, it should make you feel younger.

Mature Life Features Copyright 2024

Thinking about a trade-in?

By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features

Keeping your dependable old pickup 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

Scammers never sleep

By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features

Seniors get scammed out of more than $3 billion a year.

An adage the elderly should keep in mind is that schemers never sleep. Crooks are active around the clock. And they’re everywhere.

High on the list of scams aimed at the elderly are those cloaked in Social Security.

To begin with, anyone who gets a call or email or video message claiming you’re involved in some sort of situation that requires immediate payment should just ignore the message and make their own contact with the agency cited.

If you get a call from Social Security claiming you have a problem, hang up and call your local Social Security office and tell them what’s happened.

There are some sure signs that such a call is a scam.

Don’t even bother to make a follow-up call if you’ve been told your Social Security num-

ber has been suspended. Or if the messenger claims your benefits have been suspended.

An enticing lure used by these crooks is to let you know that you can pay to have your benefits increased. Or they can threaten you; “You owe some money and it has to be repaid immediately.”

Just ignore all of the above. These conniving callers are cool and convincing as they claim to be from several agencies, such as the local water utility claiming to cut off your service if you don’t pony up payment immediately.

These scams often start with a phone call, email or a text message claiming that you or a family member received an overpayment requiring an immediate refund or someone will be arrested. They want you to act quickly, so stay calm and do not speak to the caller and do not click on any links in an email or text message. Just hang up and report the contact immediately to the agency the fraudster claims to be from.

Many victims are afraid or too embarrassed to admit to those closest to them what has occurred. And once you send money, the scammers know they can victimize you again. In so many of these cases, seniors who were so scared that, without consulting anyone, just sent money. In many cases, they also gave away vital information, such as their Social Security number.

There are some obvious signs to warn you it’s a scam.

There’s constant pressure to act immediately because there’s a problem or you won a prize. And you have to send money.

A simple scammer scenario goes something like this: you’re instructed to tell no one about the call and to go to your bank to withdraw cash because the caller, who you think you recognize, needs it for something, like taking advantage of a bargain to buy a car.

Hang up.

AGING & WELLNESS RESOURCES

AGING CONNECTIONS

Serving Northern IN & Southwest MI

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

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

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

ALZHEIMERS/MEMORY CARE

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HOME CARE SERVICES

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INSURANCE ASSISTANCE

THE STATE HEALTH INSURANCE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SHIP) is a FREE health-benefits counseling and advocacy service for Medicare Beneficiaries and their families or caregivers. The mission is to educate, advocate FOR, counsel and empower people to make informed benefit decisions. Confused about your Medicare? Have questions about Medicaid? Visit your SHIP Counselor at Majestic Care of Goshen or call for an appointment 574-533-0351.

TELEPHONE SERVICES

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

See Our Ad In This Issue

Louisville Slugger integral part of America’s pastime

Towering over the Hillerich and Bradsby building at 800 W. Main St. in downtown Louisville is a 120-foot tall baseball bat marking the home of Louisville

By ROD KING

Upcoming Tours

July 18 - Murder on the Orient Express, Wagon Wheel, Warsaw, IN

Aug. 29 - Love Comes Softly, Round Barn Theatre, Nappanee, IN

Sept. 18-24 - Boston, Salem, Cape Ann, MA

Oct. 11 - Shopping in Shipshewana, IN

Dec. 4 - Texas Tenors Christmas, Blue Gate, Shipshewana, IN

Dec. 13 - Miracle on 34th Street, Wagon Wheel, Warsaw, IN

Slugger bats. The enormous bat weighs 68,000 pounds, is constructed of carbon steel, and has a hollow interior, which can hold 30,000 gallons of water. The diameter at its base is 9 feet, the handle is 3 feet, 6 inches, and the knob is 6 feet, 6 inches — perfect for a guy like Paul Bunyan. It’s leaning slightly as though it’s ready to be picked up and taken to the plate by the likes of Babe Ruth, Joe DiMaggio, Ted Williams, Jackie Robinson,

KING OF SWING

George Herman, “Babe” Ruth, started his baseball career as a pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles, was traded to the Boston Red Sox, and then to the N.Y. Yankees in 1919. He hit a record 60 home runs in 1927 and was in the first class to be enshrined in the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1936.

downtown Louisville is 120-feet tall and weighs 68,000 pounds. A tour of the factory shows visitors how bats were made in the late 1800s and today.

Roberto Clemente, Hank Aaron, George Brett, Ken Griffey Jr. or Derek Jeter.

Tours Crossroad Tours

These megastars are just a few of those who counted on Louisville Slugger and made it their bat of choice. Life-size replicas of some of them are scattered throughout the museum along with a host of hands-on exhibits about the game and the bat that put Louisville on the baseball map.

After purchasing admission tickets, tour the factory to see bats being made. The first stop is a lathe operator making a bat like it was done in the late 1880s. It took him around 20 minutes to turn out a single bat.

Maple and white ash from Continued on page 19

JULY 20 Let’s Ride in Saugatuck MI. Dune Buggy, Boat Cruise & Exploring Downtown AUG 5-9 New York Finger Lakes: Strawberry Fields Farm, Belhurst Castle, Montour Falls, Sonnenburg Mansion, Two Lake Cruises, Lucille/Desi

LOUISVILLE LANDMARK — A monster baseball bat in front of the Louisville Slugger factory and museum in

THE

ESCAPES Text and Photos

Louisville Slugger

6,500 acres of timberland, owned by the company in Pennsylvania and New York, is used to make bats. Part of the tour shows how the logs are turned into bats and how the company reforests the property. As the tour progresses, see chunks of bat-size wood moving along a conveyor belt and into a machine, which turns out a bat in just 30 seconds.

Continued from page 18 involves Bud Hillerich. He was a teenage apprentice in his father’s woodworking shop where they made butter churns. Hillerich, an avid baseball enthusiast and amateur player, skipped work one day to watch the Louisville Eclipse play. When Pete Browning broke his bat, Bud offered to make him a new one. According to the story, Browning got three hits in the next game with the bat made by Hillerich. By the way, Pete Browning’s nickname was “The Louisville Slugger.”

Today, around 3,000 full-size bats are made per day and approximately 1.8 million bats of all sizes are produced each year. That number includes the 18-inch souvenir bat each guest receives at the conclusion of the tour.

Back in the museum, stand behind home plate and see a 90mile per hour fast ball slam into a dummy catcher. In another exhibit, guests are invited to step to the mound and throw a strike. After putting on gloves, visitors are welcome to pick their favorite player’s bat from a rack for a photo opportunity. A short film called “Heart of the Game” glorifies America’s past time.

The story behind the Louisville Slugger baseball bat

The Louisville Slugger became the company’s registered trademark in 1894 and Hillerich’s father made him a partner in 1897.

Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. To buy tickets online, visit sluggermuseum.com and get a dollar off the admission price.

Tickets are: adults, $24; seniors 60 plus, $23; children 6-12, $16; and children 5 and under are free.

ENTERPRISING TEEN

was

A TREE’S JOURNEY Maple and white ash trees grown on the Hillerich and Bradsby land in New York and Pennsylvania are the source of wood for Louisville Slugger bats. This exhibit explains how trees are selected, cut and made into baseball bats.

Apprentice Bud Hillerich played hooky from work at his father’s woodworking shop to watch a Louisville Eclipse baseball game in which the team hero broke his bat. Hillerich, left in this vignette, made a new bat for Pete Browning, whose nickname

“the Louisville Slugger.”

FAMOUS PLAYERS BATS Louisville Slugger Museum guests can don gloves and pose for photos with their favorite players’ bats.

The Lerner Theatre’s historic Kimball Organ delights audiences

By JENNA BROUILLETTE Communications and Marketing Coordinator

The Lerner Theatre

The Lerner Theatre’s 1924 Kimball Organ is one of only two Kimball Organs still installed in its original home.

Unlike regular organs, theater pipe organs, such as the Lerner’s, rose to fame in the 1920s as the world’s first synthesizers, designed to replicate the sound of a full symphony with the skill of just one musician. Musicians had the freedom to mold and shape the scores and effects of popular films with each performance.

With three keyboards, a player piano, dozens of instruments and over 15 sets of pipes, the mighty Kimball plays the Lerner Theatre in the way that only an acoustic instrument can. The historic organ hosts over 1,100 pipes up to 16 feet long, concealed behind large gold chamber covers in the theatre’s auditorium.

Today, the Kimball Organ is

used for both concerts and silent films as it has been in years past. The Lerner frequently hosts free LunchtimeLive Concerts with local favorite, Celia Weiss, at no cost to attend. Additionally, The Lerner Theatre invites guests to come back in time to an era where silent cinema reigned supreme as renowned organist Clark Wilson performs captivating selections of film live from the historic organ. Both sound effects and movie scores are played live on the organ as the film plays on the silver screen. For any performance, the

Kimball Organ offers a unique, immersive experience like no other. For more information about how to attend the next Kimball Organ performance, stop by The Lerner Theatre Box Office or go online to thelerner. com.

TALENTED ORGANIST

Clark Wilson sits on the bench in front of The Lerner Theatre’s 1924 Kimball Organ. Wilson often performs on the historic organ to the delight of music and movie fans. Photo provided by The Lerner Theatre.

Seniors Helping Seniors — Keeping seniors active and safe in the summer sun

By TERRY CUZZOCREA President/Owner Seniors Helping Seniors

A 2023 study published in the “Journal of Nature Medi-

cine” found that people ages 40-69 who engaged in spurts of movement for even just one or two minutes, three times a day, significantly reduced their risk of death from heart disease or

cancer, compared with those who weren’t physically active at all.

“Keeping seniors active has proven health benefits and from what we have seen, usually helps their mood and mental

health as well,” said Becky Cuzzocrea, owner of Seniors Helping Seniors. “It’s essential for loved ones to prepare for keeping their seniors active in the safest way possible, as rising temperatures present more risks.”

Whether summer workout plans for seniors include a quick morning walk or a water exercise class, there are practical ways that loved ones can help their seniors have a positive summer workout experience:

• Encourage lower impact workouts.

• Opt in for water exercise to keep the body cool and the joints healthy, if it’s available near you.

• Keep medications and snacks handy during any out-ofhome workouts.

• Take water breaks whenever they feel needed and keep lots of water on-hand.

“According to the CDC, people aged 65 years or older are more prone to heat-related health problems. Because of this, it is even more critical for loved ones and seniors to plan and prepare for their summer activities and workouts for safety purposes” said Cuzzocrea.

Seniors Helping Seniors inhome care provides a variety of services to support seniors so that they are able to maintain their independence. These services include companionship, light housekeeping, cooking and shopping support, assistance with personal care, dementia care, pet care and medication reminders. For more information call (574) 385-3900.