Senior Life - Elko Edition - June 2024

Living Life After 50

Bontrager Makes Functional Artwork

See Page 6

Goshen Historical Society preserves city’s past

KEEPING IT SAFE — C.G. Adams once operated a dry goods store in the building that now houses the Goshen Historical Museum. This safe was purchased when Adams operated a store in Switzerland County in southeastern Indiana in the late 1880s. It was later moved to stores in Tennessee and Rolling Prairie before coming to a Goshen store in 1898. It was moved to its current location in 1901, and was used to store jewelry and clock stock. It also held four, keyed lock boxes that were rented to customers to secure items while they traveled. Volunteer Wanda Hoffman said the safe is a favorite artifact of many who visit the museum.

Text and Photos

By KEITH KNEPP Editor

Quietly situated along Goshen’s Main Street is a building filled with a treasure trove of historical items from the city’s illustrious past. The Goshen Historical Museum is housed in a building constructed as part of a block of retail stores by Charles A. Harper during 1888. It was leased to C.G. Adams and sons in 1901 following Harper’s retirement. It is operated and maintained by the Goshen Historical Society.

Renamed “The Adams Store,” the new owner remodeled the interior, including new, long shelving and extended front windows. These modifications can still be seen today, holding

some of the museum’s displays.

The current awning includes the store’s name, solidifying it as part of the city’s history.

Wanda Hoffman is one of the Goshen Historical Society’s numerous volunteers. A retired nurse, she has been a part of it organization for the past 12 years.

“My husband remembers that I was getting kind of down after my retirement,” said Hoffman. “He said, ‘you’re interested in history and families; why don’t you go check out the museum?’”

Hoffman also recalled perusing a book about the city’s history, “Goshen’s First 150 Years.”

“It didn’t have an index,” she said. “It was so frustrating to try to find something. I sat down at home and read the

book and made out the index.”

Then, a volunteer at the Elkhart County Historical Museum in Bristol (which she continues to do), Hoffman shared the new index to with people at the Goshen Historical Society. After he showed them her work, Hoffman was immediately offered an opportunity to volunteer for the organization.

“That was the start of it, being curious and wanting to help,” she said. “I think it’s important to serve as a link between the past and what will come in the future. I like the research part of my work.”

Part of her role with the Goshen museum is to catalog new items that are donated to the collection. She meticuContinued on page 2

PICTURES OF THE PAST Pictured are numerous boxes filled with photos, which were donated to the Goshen Historical Museum by a former local newspaper reporter after his retirement.

Tina Mazzola helps seniors shine

By LAURIE LECHLITNER Staff Writer

“I love working with senior citizens,” stated Tina Mazzola. “I was very close to my grandmother growing up. I have a world of respect for the elderly. They have a wealth of knowledge. Given the opportunity, I want to enhance their lives and give them a chance to shine.” Mazzola is a life enrichment associate at Waterford Crossing, Goshen. “I started out as a kindergarten teacher in New Jersey and was in the classroom for 18 years. Then I worked with seniors at a YMCA in New Jersey, making up my own exercise routines for them. I’m very familiar with teaching people of all ages. I moved in with my partner in Elkhart in 2015.”

Mazzola has a bachelor’s degree in communication and has been at Waterford Crossing for three years. “This is my first time working with seniors in a long-term healthcare facility. But as we are participating in various activities together, I try to be a ray of sunshine in their lives.”

When she was teaching kindergarten students, they were learning things for the first time. “They’d come in not knowing how to write their names. In the first three weeks, they’d be printing their names. They were like little sponges. The students were curious and loved learning,”

With senior citizens, on the other hand, Mazzola is often taking them down memory lane. “I see the expressions on their faces when I play music for them. Perhaps they’re reminded about their prom date in high school or their favorite song on the radio. Music is a universal language. And even those who are noncommunicative light up when they hear particular songs.”

The residents love balloon tennis. “Again, we’re playing to music. We sit in a circle and keep the balloon in the air as the participants bat it to one another.”

Mazzola and the other life enrichment staff members are very innovative. “In the wintertime, it’s hard for many of our seniors to get out. But one cold afternoon, two winters ago, we invited them on a sleigh ride. The custodians rigged up a makeshift sled with wheels on it. We pulled the seniors around with a golf cart. Indoor sledding, as we called it, was a big success. Almost all the residents gave it a try and we had a blast.”

Of course there’s Happy Hour every Friday from 3-4 p.m. “We have live entertainment and a variety of drinks. We dress up in fancy hats. I’ve been known to wear masquerade attire.”

Another venture is to find out what particular residents have always wanted to do. “We do our best to make those

bucket lists a reality. One lady wanted to attend her 50-year class reunion. We sent her off in style in a stretched limo when the special occasion rolled around. Another wanted to go to the Holland, Michigan Tulip Festival. Some of our people may look frail, but they are vibrant human beings with active hopes and dreams.”

Mazzola has three grown children, all boys. “I don’t have any grandchildren yet. However, my 26-year-old son got married in May, so it’s something to look forward to.” She has two dogs, Bella, a chihuahua mix and Gianna, a golden doodle. Bella visits the facility regularly as a therapy dog. She also has a cat named Tippy.

standing behind resident Lisa Drapeza at Waterford Crossing, Goshen. Mazzola is a Life Enrichment associate. Since it’s happy hour, the

Crossing.

Goshen Historical

Continued from page 1

lously numbers each piece and discreetly tags them. She said there is a cataloging system used by museums, which enables them to more easily communicate with each other. She enjoys using her curiosity in her work for the museum. Hoffman recalls seeing a notebook at the museum about a tornado that went through Goshen in 1942, which included a photo of three young girls with the caption, “Orphaned by the Tornado.” Through her research, she found one of the girls was still alive. The Goshen Historical Society put on a program in which the now-98year-old woman talked about

what happened to her and her two sisters.

“She was floored that we found her,” said Hoffman. “They had lived on 12th Street. The parents had gone up to the second floor after putting their daughters to bed. It was 9:30 p.m., and of course back then they didn’t have sirens. The tornado came through and the parents were blown out of the house and died. The three girls, who were 5, 7 and 10, were left.”

The museum is currently undergoing a major renovation, which will include an elevator, giving easier access completely renovated second floor. The new space will include offices and rooms to display additional artifacts, many of which are now stored in drawers and boxes. Hoffman said the museum is hopeful the renovation will be completed by the end of summer.

If you’re curious about local history, take the time to stop by the Goshen Historical Museum. It is located at 124 S. Main St. The museum’s hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. the first Friday of each month.

The museum always welcomes new volunteers. For more information, stop by or call (574) 975-0033.

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 % 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 age-related infirmities.

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

HAPPY HOUR – Tina Mazzola is

ladies are dressed in party attire. Photo provided by Waterford

MUSICAL ROOTS — Volunteer Wanda Hoffman shows off a historic phonograph on display at the Goshen Historical Museum. It was designed and patented by Zena Ecklebarger and was built in Goshen by the Perian Phonograph Manufacturing Co. in the 1920s.

Elkhart County 4-H Fair seeks senior queen contestants

The Elkhart County 4-H Fair Senior Queen Pageant celebrates those who have “reached the age of

This year celebrates the 45th anniversary of the pageant. The pageant is open to females who are at least 60

years of age by the opening day of the Fair, which this year is July 19. Each contestant must be a U.S. citizen and

be sponsored by an Elkhart County business, organization, group or individual. Candidates must be available

Everwise names market president in South Bend and Elkhart

Everwise Credit Union has announced that Amber Pulford has been appointed to the newly created role of market president for South Bend and Elkhart. Pulford assumed her new position in March.

In her role, Pulford will lead business development, market relations and civic/community engagement efforts in the South Bend and Elkhart region. She will ensure that the Everwise brand is well represented and guide Everwise strategic growth priorities across the Michiana region by actively supporting the success of service, lending and banking teams.

Pulford comes to Everwise with more than 15 years of experience in market management, business development and strategic planning, and has spent much of her career in community banking. She spent nearly nine years at Centier Bank, where she was responsible for the sales, service and operations of a defined group of 12 branches, as she led and coached her team to achieve goals. Pulford was also accountable for the recruitment and development of branch managers and their staff to attain goals for consumer and small business products and services, fee revenue, cross-sales, household

growth, customer satisfaction and retention and profitability.

Just prior to joining Everwise, Pulford was with Cressy Commercial Real Estate serving as the director of corporate advancement.

“We’re excited to welcome Amber to the Everwise team,” said Jason M. Osterhage, president and chief executive officer of Everwise. “Her extensive background in market management and business development, combined with her deep roots in community banking, make her an outstanding fit

for our organization. Amber’s strategic mindset and commitment to fostering strong local connections align perfectly with our goals for the Michiana region. Having her on board will further strengthen our commitment to serving our members and driving positive impact in the community.”

Pulford earned a Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership and supervision from Purdue University and is an alumna of the Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wis.

during a variety of scheduled events in June and July, and throughout fair week, July 19-27.

Contestants can reside in an Indiana county adjacent to Elkhart County if the majority of her activities are in Elkhart County. Applications for this year’s Senior Queen Pageant are due Friday, June 14. Contestants can register at 4hfair. org/events/2024/seniorqueen. The application includes a list of the responsibilities for all candidates, as well as the expectations for the woman who is crowned as the senior queen on July 19. Additional details as well as a list of prizes and gifts is available on the application website.

For further information or for questions regarding the senior queen contest, contact the pageant’s director, Sharon Edwards, at (574) 596-0910, or by email at sharonee@bnin. net.

AMBER PULFORD

What Seniors Think

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 blindspot warning systems, rearview cameras, and emergency automatic-braking systems?

Mature Life Features Copyright 2024

BETHANY CHARLES BENTON

Most certainly, my late grandmother, Pamela Warner. She helped raise me after my mother died when I was 11. She stepped in to fill the role of both mom and grandma. I learned so much from her, right up until the day she died in 2011 at the age of 89.

My best friend growing up in Indianapolis, Cindy West. She always gave me the best advice when it came to boys and life in general. I still call her today when I need advice.

CECILIA AMBROSE GOSHEN

I grew up a tomboy in Minnesota. My dad used to take me hunting, fishing and camping a lot. He was the smartest guy I’ve ever met when it comes to teaching life lessons.

DOUGLAS FRAZIER WARSAW

I had a schoolteacher in high school, Mr. Thomas, who took me under his wing back in the day. If it wasn’t for him, I was probably headed for a life behind bars. He taught me a lot of lessons that probably saved my life.

DON MASTERSON WARSAW

My wife, Barbara. Every day, she teaches me things that I apparently didn’t learn in the previous 58 years of my life.

MARK MYERS NAPPANEE

My high school football coach, who also happened to be my dad. He treated me the same as all the other players during practice and gave all of us a good foundation to become useful members of society.

Seniors’ divorce increasing

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By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features

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It’s called gray divorce and it’s spreading.

One out of 10 people getting divorced is older than 65, and the number is growing. One third of all divorces involve individuals 50 years or older.

If you’re in either age category and still married, you might be OK for the rest of the year, because January has become known as Divorce Month among lawyers and advisors who deal with this matter.

A few major reasons for the rising divorce rate among aging adults have been listed by Las Vegas-based financial advisor Andrew Hatherly.

Topping the list is the increased acceptance of divorce in our society. Older adults will continue to be more accepting of divorce as the people around them experience divorce.

A growing share of older adults are in second or third marriages, which are more likely to end in divorce than first marriages. While about 45% of first marriages fail, that number rises to the mid-60% level for second marriages, and higher for third marriages.

The increased participation of women in the workforce also contributes to the increase in gray divorce, according to Hatherly.

Divorce is a more feasible option when women have the economic freedom to support themselves outside of marriage.

Increased life expectancy decreases the likelihood that marriages will end because of death and increases the exposure to the risk of divorce. If you’re in a marriage where your goals and dreams show little sign of developing or potentially flourishing, you might be encouraged to get out while you’ve still got time. If you’re 60 years old, in excellent health and have a reasonable expectation of living to at least 80, you’ve got at least a quarter of your life left and might want to make the most of it.

The nest is empty. For couples who’ve avoided getting divorced for the sake of the children, that reason diminishes when the kids go away to college.

A rise in the industry of personal development. Books, articles, educational programs all encourage people to live up to their potential, to follow their dreams and to reject those people, such as a spouse, who may be stunting their personal growth.

The distinctive marriage patterns of Baby Boomers, who merged into the 65-and-older population in 2019, are marked by high levels of divorce and remarriage that continues as they age.

Meanwhile, middle-aged people nowadays are starting to be replaced by members of Generation X, born from 1965 to 1980, and they have come of age during an era of declining divorce and remarriage rates. This suggests the divorce rate for the middleaged group may continue to stagnate, while gray divorce for older adults, who are now primarily Baby Boomers, continues to grow.

The economic implications indicate that couples are rebuilding their financial and personal lives late in the game. The financial nest egg they might have built while working is suddenly cut in half by divorce and there is little time to recover. This may mean suffering a reduced standard of living at a time when they are also dealing with the emotional issues resulting from the failure of the marriage.

Not only has gray divorce smashed the marriage bond, the separated seniors pay a social penalty as well. Their adult children, other family members and friends are affected by the negativity.

Divorcees may wonder if they’ll ever find another partner or fear that they’re destined to live the rest of their lives in a state of loneliness. Added to all that is the issue of declining health combined with the financial and emotional stress.

MICHELLE MARTIN WARSAW

Workout for workaholics of

By JAMES GAFFNEY Mature Life Features

Past-retirement-age Judy retired from her 9-to-5 job several years ago. But it wasn’t long before the budding entrepreneur went to work setting up several home-based businesses that keep her even busier than during her younger working years.

This leaves little time for all of the things she had planned to enjoy during her so-called golden years. Not the least of which is exercise.

For many people like Judy, finding time to get in the recommended 30 minutes a day of exercise can be almost as difficult as discovering the lost city of Atlantis. But, according to experts at the Loyola University Center for Health & Fitness in Maywood, Ill., just because you’re glued to your desk doesn’t mean you can’t exercise.

Taking a break from work for even a few minutes can help you feel better and increase your energy level.

Here are some exercises in the three main fitness categories — cardiovascular, strength and flexibility — that allow you to work out at or near your desk.

Cardiovascular 1. Stand whenever possible.

Standing opens the front of the hips.

2. Take the stairs. Five to seven times a day is a good goal.

3. March in place or take a brief walk around your office to increase your energy and blood flow.

4. To increase your heartrate:

— Pretend you have a jump rope and jump on both legs or try alternating legs; — Do jumping jacks. For a lower-impact version, raise your right arm out to the side while tapping your left toe out to the side, then switch sides; — Do the football shuffle. With feet shoulder-width apart, slightly bend your knees and take quick steps with your feet. Strength

1. Strengthen legs by standing with feet hip-width apart. Sink your hips back as if sitting in a chair. Lower slightly and return to standing.

2. To strengthen your arms, shoulders and chest, sit in a chair without wheels and place your hand on the arms. Use your arms to lift your bottom off the chair seat and lower yourself back down. Aim for 15 repetitions.

3. Work your knees by sitting tall in a chair and straighten one leg, hold it for two seconds and lower. Repeat with your

other leg.

4. Stretch your back and shoulders by squeezing your shoulder blades together and then away from your ears. Hold each position for three seconds and release. Repeat this 15 times.

Flexibility

1. Sit in a chair and stretch both arms overhead, reaching back. Hold this for 10 seconds. Grab your right wrist with left hand and stretch deeper

through your right side, hold for 10 seconds, and repeat with your other side.

2. Hold your arms in front of you and gently circle your wrists in both a clockwise and counter-clockwise motion. Stretch your hands by making fists then opening them as wide as you can.

3. Sit tall in a chair, keeping your weight even in both hips, and gently turn your body to the right. Deepen the stretch

ages

by using your left hand to hold the right chair arm. Hold this for 15 seconds, then switch sides.

4. To release neck tension, sit tall in your chair, drop your right shoulder down. You can even sit on your right hand to pull it down a bit. Tilt your head so your left ear is going towards your left shoulder. Hold for 15 seconds, then switch sides.

Mature Life Features Copyright 2024

Make summer safe

By JAMES GAFFNEY Mature Life Features

Summer brings sun, fun, and some health risks, if you aren’t careful. Here’s how to keep the “good” in the “good ol’ summertime,” say health experts.

Save Your Skin

• Avoid direct sun exposure between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

• Wear protective clothing, such as long-sleeved shirts and long pants.

• Wear a wide-brimmed hat that shades your face, neck and ears. Protecting the scalp is especially important for people with fair or thinning hair.

• Seek shade whenever possible.

• Apply SPF 30, UVA/UVB sunscreen about 15 to 30 minutes before going into the water. Reapply regularly, especially after swimming, perspiring heavily or drying off with a towel.

Keep Your Cool

To help prevent heat-related illness, drink plenty of fluids. When high temperatures combine with high humidity, be on the lookout for signs of heat exhaustion, including heavy sweating, muscle cramps, paleness, weakness, rapid heartbeat, headache, nausea and fainting.

Get Smart, Stay Alert

• Wear helmets and proper safety gear when biking, skating, or rock climbing.

• Supervise children around water, and learn CPR.

• Leave snakes alone, even if they appear not to be alive. If a bite should occur, call 911. If you can, snap a quick photo of the snake on your cell phone.

• Prevent mosquito- and tick-borne diseases such as West Nile virus by avoiding outdoor activities between dusk and dawn and wearing long sleeves and pants.

• When grilling, use separate plates and utensils for raw and cooked meat. Wash your hands before preparing and eating food.

• Leave the fireworks to the professionals.

Mature Life Features Copyright 2024

47739-HM-0721

Bontrager turns discarded wood into functional artwork

Text and Photos

By KEITH KNEPP Editor

Steve Bontrager has found a way to upcycle unwanted wood scraps into beautiful works of art. Working from his home on the northern shore of Waubee Lake near Milford, Bontrager carefully constructs usable cutting boards out of discarded wood he collects near his workplace in Goshen.

USABLE ART Sanding the boards is the most time consuming part of making handmade wooden cutting boards. Steve Bontrager makes each board by hand using discarded wood scraps.

“I’ve actually been doing this for years,” he said. “There’s a cabinet shop in Goshen that puts their cabinet scraps out by the road. They’re nice hardwood — maple and oak — and I thought, I can make something out of those.”

After collecting the wood, Bontrager begins by gluing pieces together and coming up with interesting shapes to

create one-of-a-kind cutting boards. He said the process requires lots of sanding to make them smooth.

them all.”

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.

If you make less than $1,9 0 month (single) 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.

On average, Bontrager said it takes around six hours of labor to make one board. Most of the wood is 3/4-inch thick, which he turns on edge before gluing them together. He adds accent colors using the thinner pieces of wood he collects. He then uses a router to go around the edges of the board to create the perfectly unique shape of each piece.

The boards vary in size, depending on the length and thickness of the wood he gets.

I work on them. During the summer, I’d rather be out there fishing or landscaping.”

He gets a lot of his ideas for different shapes online.

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.

Bontrager estimated he’s made around 40 of the boards in the four years he’s been doing this as a hobby. He has given away many of them to friends and family, as well as donated them to different organizations to use as auction items for fundraisers.

The largest one he’s made is around 3 feet long. Bontrager has never paid for any of the wood he’s used. He does purchase the walrus oil to coat the surfaces, which is a food-safe wood preserver.

“I see different ones on Pinterest and think, ‘oh, I could make that,’” he said. “I’ve started doing some different things where I run the slats at an angle or add more walnut for more accent.”

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 deductibles and co-pays.

“I’ve sold a few, but it’s mostly just a hobby,” he said. “The ones I’ve sold, I donate the money somewhere. I started a Facebook page to keep track of

“They’re kind of pretty to chop on, but some people use them for charcuterie boards for meats and vegetables,” he said. “Making these helps me take my mind off things. It keeps me out of wife’s hair. It’s mostly during the wintertime that

Bontrager said he has been a carpenter most of his life, something his father and grandfathers also did.

“Dad messed with woodworking, so I grew up with it,” he said.

For help call Council on Aging of Elkhart County, Inc. (574) 295-1820

For help call Council on Aging of Elkhart County, Inc. (574) 295-1820

For help call Council on Aging of Elkhart County, Inc. (574) 295-1820

He works at Greencroft Senior Living in Goshen, where he oversees the renovation of apartments and independent living spaces. Before that. he worked for R. Yoder Construction in Nappanee. On May 5, 2005, he said he fell 18 feet through a barn roof and shattered his leg. He said he’s lucky that the injuries he suffered weren’t worse, or that he even survived the fall.

SHIP, State Health Insurance Assistance Program Help for people with Medicare.

After growing up in Nappanee, Bontrager and his wife, Londa, purchased their home at Waubee Lake in 1988. Since then, he has made numerous renovations to the home, including adding another level to what started as a simple cottage. He also has performed many interior upgrades to the house.

“I just enjoy making them and giving them away to people and let them enjoy them,” said Bontrager. “Once I retire, maybe this will become a retirement gig for me. I’ve got a few more years before that will happen.”

A BIG ONE Waubee Lake resident, Steve Bontrager, shows off one of the largest cutting boards he has made.

It’s just a matter of time

By TOM MORROW Mature Life Features

About the only time most of us take the time to take notice of “time” is when we must keep an appointment, find out when our favorite television program is aired, or cuss out the confounding “Daylight Savings Time,” which we changed recently for the umpteenth time since World War I about a century ago.

But there’s much more to time. The globe is divided into time zones — longitudinal north-south geographic sectors that observe a uniform area for legal, commercial and social purposes. There are 24 time zones circling the globe.

Each zones covers 15 degrees (60 miles a degree) longitudinally. However, they often follow the boundaries between states and countries and their subdivisions instead of strictly sticking to longitude degrees because it is convenient for areas in frequent communication to keep the same time … like railroads, airlines and communications networks.

The British Royal Observatory in Greenwich, England, which was founded in 1675, established “Greenwich Mean Time,” which is the solar time at that geographic location. Astronomers developed GMT

as an aid to mariners to determine their longitudinal location at sea. Today, U.S. military units refer to GMT as “Zulu Time.” So, no matter the location on the globe, there always is a time constant for all military personnel.

In the 19th century, as transportation and telecommunications improved, it became increasingly inconvenient for each location to observe its own solar time. In November 1840, the Great Western Railway started using GMT kept on portable chronometers. This practice was soon followed by other railway companies in Great Britain and became known as “Railway Time.”

In August 1852, time signals were first transmitted by telegraph from the Royal Observatory. By 1855, Great Britain’s public clocks were using GMT but it didn’t become England’s legal time until 1880.

Time-keeping on North American railroads in the 19th century was complex. Each railroad used its own standard of time, usually based on the local time of its headquarters or, more important, its terminus.

The railroad’s train schedules were published using its own time. Some junctions served by several railroads had a clock for every railroad company, each showing a different time.

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.

Cameras 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,

STANDARD TIME ZONES OF THE WORLD

In 1863, Charles F. Dowd proposed a system of hourly standard time zones for North American railroads. He took this action without consulting the railroads. Rail officials weren’t consulted on the matter until 1869.

In 1870, Dowd proposed four ideal time zones for the United States, having north-south borders with the first centered on Washington, D.C. But, by 1872 the first time zone was centered on the meridian 75 degrees west of Greenwich. Dowd’s system was never accepted by North American railroads.

Instead, U.S. and Canadian railroads implemented a version proposed by the Traveller’s Official Railway Guide. The borders of its time zones ran through major cities’ railroad stations.

wristwatches and global positioning systems to help monitors keep track of their moves.

Medical alert bracelets help seniors get help when they fall, sensors can be installed to automatically turn off stoves, and devices can be installed to prevent bathtub overflowing.

Mature Life Features Copyright 2024

Canadian-born Sanford Fleming proposed a worldwide system of time zones. His proposal divided the world into 24 time zones. All clocks within each zone would be set to the same time as the others but differing by one hour from those in the neighboring zones. He advocated his system at several international confer-

ences, including the International Meridian Conference, where it received some consideration. Today, his system has not been directly adopted, but some maps divide the world into 24 time zones.

By 1900, almost all inhabited locations on Earth had adopted a standard time zone, but only some of them used an hourly offset from GMT. Many applied the time at a local astronomical observatory to an entire country, without any reference to GMT.

It took many decades before all time zones were based on some standard offset from GMT, also known as “Coordinated Universal Time.” By 1929, the majority of countries had adopted hourly time zones, except Iran, India and parts of Australia which have time zones with a 30-minute offset to UTC.

Today, all nations currently use the UTC time zone system, but not all of them apply the concept as originally conceived. Several countries and subdivisions use half-hour or quarterhour deviations from standard time. China and India use a single time zone even though

the extent of their territory far exceeds the ideal 15 degrees of longitude for one hour.

Others, such as Spain and Argentina, use standard hourbased offsets, but not necessarily those that would be determined by their geographical location. The consequences in some areas can affect the lives of local citizens and, in extreme cases, contribute to larger political issues, such as in the western reaches of China. In Russia, which has 11 time zones, two zones were removed in 2010, but were reinstated in 2014.

When I was a boy, my grandfather could look up at the sun and tell within 30 minutes, what time it was. He’d check himself by looking at his pocket watch as the trains came through town. Those were bygone days.

When I was with him, I never missed a meal. He always knew when to call “Bean Time.” Of course, the sounding of the town’s work siren helped when it sounded at 7 a.m., noon, and 5 p.m., telling everyone when to begin and end work … but that’s another story.

Mature Life Features Copyright 2024

What you can do if you have a Social Security or SSI overpayment

By MONA HARTER District Manager, South Bend Social Security Office

An overpayment occurs when Social Security pays a person more money in Social Security benefits or SSI payments than should have been paid. The amount of the overpayment is the difference between the payment received and the amount that was due.

Social Security is required by law to adjust benefits or recover debts when an overpayment occurs. If you receive an overpayment notice, it will explain why you’ve been overpaid, the overpayment amount, your repayment options, and your appeal and waiver rights.

After receiving an overpayment notice, you can:

• Repay the overpayment in full or through a repayment plan by check, money order, credit card or by monthly reductions from your Social Security benefit. You may be able to make a full or partial repayment using Pay. gov or your bank’s online bill pay option. We offer flexible repayment plans, including payments as low as $10 per month.

• Appeal the overpayment if you don’t agree that you’ve been overpaid, or you believe the amount is incorrect. You can request a non-medical reconsideration online or you can submit a completed SSA-561, Request for Reconsideration, to your local Social

Security office.

• Request that we waive the overpayment if you believe you are not at fault for causing the overpayment AND you cannot afford to pay the money back or it is unfair for some other reason. You can ask for a waiver by submitting a completed SSA-632, Request for Waiver of Overpayment Recovery, to your local office. If your overpayment is $1,000 or less, we may be able to process your waiver request quickly by telephone. You can contact your local office or call us at (800)772-1213, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday.

• Request a different repayment amount if you are unable to meet your necessary living expenses due to the current repayment amount. If you are unable to repay the

debt within 60 months* due to the negotiated repayment amount, you will be asked to complete form SSA-634, Request for Change in Overpayment Recovery Rate. You can find the form at ssa.gov/ forms/ssa-634.pdf.

*This is a recent policy change. Previous policy required the completion of the SSA-634 if the overpayment could not be repaid within 36 months.

To learn more about overpayments and our process, visit our Understanding SSI Overpayments webpage at ssa.gov/ssi/textoverpay-ussi.htm, read our Overpayments fact sheet at ssa.gov/marketing/assets/ materials/EN-05-10106.pdf, or watch our Overpayment video at www.youtube.com/ watch?v=pxYYcjqkFvM.

Time to save is all the time

By CECIL SCAGLIONE

Mature Life Features

It’s never too late or too early to start saving.

If you haven’t started, put a couple of bucks away right now. And you never can save too much.

Saving can be as simple as pouring pennies into a piggy bank or cramming money under the mattress.

That simple stratagem should grow to include a plan to set aside and invest a certain amount of cash regularly during your earning years so you can enjoy your non-earning retirement years.

This also calls for a periodic review to see where you stand.

Things change, and changes during your work and afterwork life affect how much you’re going to need.

Acquiring a non-immune disease or falling off a ladder and crushing a hip will mean higher medical bills for the rest of your life. That might mean having to increase the amount you save now to make sure you can pay all your bills when you leave the labor force.

If you’re already retired and survived a heart attack or stroke, your medical costs already have been affected so you’ll probably have to eliminate previously made travel plans from your financial budget.

Being retired doesn’t mean

you can quit saving and spend to the limit you set for yourself before you quit work. You can still save money by not trading in your automobile every two or three years.

While reviewing this section of your retirement budget, consider how far you’re going to have to drive each year. If it’s minimal, you might consider eliminating the cost of car and liability insurance, parking, monthly payments, auto maintenance and fuel by selling the vehicle. That money and the savings can buy you more than enough cab fares without the responsibility of ownership.

Many seniors have discovered trips to the grocery store no longer are a problem. They use their telephone or computer to order and the victuals are delivered — for no charge in some cases.

Other ways you can still save in your Social Security years is to cut back on the

number of times you eat out.

Cutting back on gifts for Christmas, birthdays, graduation, weddings and other special occasions can also mean savings. It does no good to make a gift or charitable donation above your means. In most cases, a card or telephone call will do.

If you feel cutting back on costs will cut into your social life, you can still have coffee with cronies, just not as often. Volunteering your time and talent to an organization whose work you support will expand your social circle. But you’ve already sold your car, you say. Don’t worry, someone will pick you up.

Or call a cab and you’ll probably be given a ride home.

These are just a few of the facets to consider when you review your savings plan, whether you’re living on it now or haven’t put away a penny yet.

Mature Life Features Copyright 2024

Monitor automatic payments

By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features

Paying bills by automatic withdrawals from your bank account can save you from late

payments as well as cut back on your postage and mailing costs.

Some folks prefer to have the monthly payments withdrawn from a credit card, which is paid off with a single monthly payment from the bank account.

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

Mature Life Features Copyright 2024

WHAT TO DO ABOUT AN OVERPAYMENT Social Security provides various options should you receive an overpayment notice.

The ‘Y’ and the Wherefore

By RANDAL C. HILL

In 1978, after producing two poorly selling Village People albums that featured only a lead singer (Victor Willis) and some session musicians, French record producer Jacques Morali experienced an epiphany for his third effort: a Casablanca Records album called “Cruisin.’ ” And included in that breakthrough disc would be a megahit single that would knock down popculture barriers as it rocketed onto hit charts worldwide.

Jacques had recently strolled through Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood when he noticed the YMCA building on 23rd Street. As the YMCA was unknown to Europeans, he inquired inside and learned that the place offered inexpensive rooms and a safe haven for young men visitors.

When he learned later that it was also a place for gay men to connect, Morali sought to create a song to fit his littleknown group. Jacques created most of “YMCA” in about 20 minutes, then handed everything to Willis and told him to add some lyrics. Victor did just that —with a later quitesurprising admission.

Morali had wanted to exploit the burgeoning New York disco scene, which was primarily confined to gay dance clubs in Greenwich Village (hence the act name Village People). Following a clever plan of action he had devised, Morali assembled a five-man group after advertising in a local music publication. “Macho types wanted,” it stated. “Must dance and have a mustache.”

To sell “YMCA” as a campy song-and-dance number, Morali created a video portraying the Village People as a bunch of fun-loving guys who poked fun at macho-gayfantasy personas.

The new version of the Village People included African American Willis (seen in videos as either a cop or a naval officer), Felipe Rose as the Indian chief, David Hodo as the construction worker, Randy Jones as the cowboy, Glenn Hughes as the leatherclad biker, and Alex Briley as the Black soldier.

Straight? Gay? Who cared?

Fun was the focus here:

“Young man, there’s a place you can go

“I said, young man, when you’re short on your dough

“You can stay there and I’m sure you can find

“Many ways to have a good time

“It’s fun to stay at the YMCA.”

“YMCA” became one of fewer than 40 singles to sell more than 10 million copies.

It’s still a mainstay in ads, movies and television, and at weddings, parties and sporting events, fun-lovers sometimes do the YMCA dance by waving their arms to spell out the letters.

In a 2017 interview, Victor Willis, a preacher’s son who co-wrote the hits and delivered the goods in a gospel-like shout, explained, “ ‘YMCA’ wasn’t written to be a gay song because of the simple fact that I’m not gay. I wrote it about hanging out in urban neighborhoods in my youth. ‘You can hang out with all the boys’ was a term about me and my friends playing basketball at the ‘Y.’ But I wanted to write a song that could fit anyone’s lifestyle. I’m happy the gay community adopted it as their anthem. I have no qualms with that.”

FUN WAS THE FOCUS The Village People was a clever plan of action by Jacques Morali after learning about a YMCA in Manhattan. Fun was the focus of the song and about hanging out in urban neighborhoods. Photo from Wikipedia.

Stacy Lind can’t imagine life without tennis

By NATHAN PACE Staff Writer

Warsaw Community High School tennis coach Stacy Lind has been involved in tennis since she was a teenager in high school and now she is coaching her daughter and many area athletes in the sport.

“I can’t imagine my life without tennis. I’m either teaching it, playing it, coaching it or talking about it.” Lind said. “I think tennis falls into a lot life lessons out on the court. Learning how to stand up for themselves. I feel that tennis is a very classy sport so you are learning how to control your emotions for the most part and yet be very competitive at the same time. It’s all I know I guess.”

Lind coaches her youngest daughter, Addie, a junior at Warsaw. Addie has been undefeated for three years against conference opponents in the tough Northern Lakes Conference.

Of her four children in Addie, Colton, Gage and Trislynn, only Colton and Addie played the sport as she never put pressure on her kids to play tennis too.

“I loved watching my kids do what they love to do,” Lind said.

“Our rule in our house is that they didn’t have to play tennis but they had to be involved in something in their school.”

At Warsaw, Lind has coached individual players deep into the postseason tournament. She took her girls team to semistate in 2022.

Lind worked at Warsaw Racquet Club for 12 years teaching tennis and is now at the Eastlake Athletic Club in Elkhart. Teaching the sport has been her main job outside of a few years where she focused on raising her children.

Her love for the sport came from learning the game in high school from her late father, Thomas Pugsley. At the time, Lind was in Southern California.

“Tried out for volleyball, didn’t make the team. I was walking home and I saw girls playing on the tennis court and I told my dad I wanted to play. He taught me,” Lind said.

Her success in the sport led her to a college offer in a polar opposite climate at Minnesota State University. She and her husband, Eric, would eventually move to Warsaw as Eric worked in orthopedics.

When Lind was approached in

2019 about helping out with the boys team at Warsaw it led her to coaching both the boys and girls programs with the Tigers. The community support and passion towards her programs is something Lind is thankful for.

“I had never had to go out and recruit kids they just come,” Lind said. “I have been really fortunate and we have such a good group of kids and parents. I get a lot of the very high academic

kids. On my boys team, two of my boys were the valedictorian and the salutatorian.”

Lind says her time playing the sport has been positive for her health and for keeping others active too.

“Health wise it’s very good,” Lind said. “You’re out here exercising. Tennis is a smart person’s sport. You have to be very strategic to be successful in tennis.”

While pickleball has been

trending up nationally, Lind wants to see the same for tennis. She says she is not ready to switch from tennis to pickleball anytime soon.

“I have not gone to the dark side yet,” Lind said when comparing tennis to pickleball. “I would just like to see tennis grow. I want to see it explode. I want to see my athletes love it as much as I do. It also never hurts to have a really successful season.”

Professional Forum

Professional Services

Q. What is a Special Needs Trust?

A. A special needs trust is a legal document designed to help individuals with disabilities maintain their eligibility for government assistance programs while still receiving financial support from their loved ones. There are two primary types of special needs trusts – first-party trusts and third-party trusts.

A first-party special needs trust is used when an individual with a disability has funds or assets of their own and wishes to preserve their eligibility for government assistance programs. In this case, the trust is funded using the beneficiary’s own assets, such as an inheritance, a legal settlement, or proceeds from a personal injury case. This type of trust is also known as a “self-settled” or “d(4)(A)” trust, referring to the specific provision of the federal law that allows for it.

A third-party special needs trust is funded by someone other than the individual with special needs, typically a family member or friend. This type of trust is ideal when the beneficiary with a disability has a friend or family member that wants to leave funds for their benefit. The third-party trust holds the funds and uses them to provide for the beneficiary with a disability without impacting their eligibility for government benefits. These trusts can be used to provide for the ongoing financial care and support of the individual with special needs and can be established during the lifetime of the family member or friend. Third-party special needs trusts can also go into effect after the passing of the donor family member or friend, if stated in the trust document.

Ryan

Administrator

Elder Law

Q: What is one of the most pervasive and significant estate and succession planning failures you have experienced recently?

A: One major area that clients often fail to address, which creates major difficulties for family members at death, is planning for and documenting digital assets (e.g., sky-miles, hotel points, credit card points, Instagram pages, Apple and Apple Wallet, iTunes, Bit Coin, Venmo, Amazon, PayPal, Netflix, Hulu, photos, Snapfish, Shutterfly, electronic lock codes, sports betting, trading accounts, eBay accounts, and email accounts, etc.).

Almost everyone has valuable assets in digital form which are often lost at death because those assets were not properly documented, beneficiary designated, and password or code transferred. These assets must be properly documented during life, and the client should have a plan developed for transferring them at death. Failure to do so can have devastating results and incur unnecessary costs to address.

TENNIS MASTER — Warsaw tennis coach Stacy Lind has no plans to slow down with the sport she loves. Photo by Nathan Pace.

Havin’ fun on California’s 101

Text and Photos

By TOM MORROW Mature Life Features

It’s more widely known as Pacific Coast Highway, but the old US 101 is as storied as it’s more renowned neighbor, Route 66.

We took our motor home, Marvin the Magnificent, along some of the remaining sections — much of it has been obliterated in the metropolitan Los Angeles region — to recall fond memories and build new ones along this scenic coastal route that links Canada with Mexico.

After tracing its original route — currently called Highway 1 — along the Pacific from Dana Point an hour north of downtown San Diego and on through Malibu, we rolled into Oxnard about 60 miles north of Hollywood and, voila! there was US 101.

Our first stop was in nearby Simi Valley, which houses the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library.

My mom served him breakfast every morning when he was the play-by-play voice of the Chicago Cubs on WHO radio in Des Moines, IA, and passed on her reactions, all favorable, to me through the years.

These recollections made it even more poignant to hear the former sportscaster-actor-California governor-U.S. President, whose memory was erased by Alzheimer’s disease after he left office, close the 22-minute opening film in his library with, “I’ll take away so many great memories when I leave office.”

Our next stop was at Solvang to drop into Mission Santa Ynez, the 19th of 21 Spanish missions initiated more than two centuries ago by Franciscan friars along El Camino Real,

which forms the founding backbone of California and is the original route of Highway 101.

The Santa Ynez Valley is California’s wine country, locals will tell you. Other areas that claim otherwise are just pretenders, they say.

The Hans Christian Anderson-looking Scandinavian village neighboring the mission has many attractions, but we just took time to soak in the Museum of Gasoline Pumps, since this was an automotive odyssey

Pismo Beach was next stop on this 1,500-mile ribbon of pavement. It’s just south of the first motel in the world that was opened to highway travelers in 1925 at nearby San Luis Obispo. It began as the Milestone MoTel and is currently called the Motel Inn.

About 10 miles north of San Luis Obispo is Morro Bay, called the Gibraltar of the Pacific because of Morro Rock punching out of the ocean just off the coast. It’s one of nine extinct volcanic peaks that punctuate the coastline.

Another couple of dozen miles north, we detoured into San Simeon, the fabled castle built over three decades by newspaper baron William Randolph Hearst.

The great Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw said, after being a guest at what Hearst called The Ranch, “This is the way God probably would have done it if he had had the money.”

There aren’t many cities that have played such an important part of California history as Monterey, up the road a piece. It was the capital of both Spanish and Mexican California and, for a time, the headquarters of

Nest egg can still grow after retirement

By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features

Retirement doesn’t necessarily signal the end of all efforts to add to your assets.

Whether you feel your nest egg is not big enough or subscribe to the you-can-never-have-enough school, there are still opportunities to enhance your estate during retirement.

One of the first things most retirees can investigate is the possibility of moving into a smaller house.

If your home is paid for, there are a variety of ways to exploit this position to improve your standard of living.

You can check out the pluses and minuses of a reverse mortgage, which allows you to borrow against your mortgage in regular payments, a lump sum, or a line of credit. The amount you take out does not have to be paid until you move out or the property is sold.

Or you can get your home appraised and shop around for a smaller, less expensive residence,

territorial Gov. John C. Fremont during its transition to the United States.

Besides being the site of the world-renowned Monterey Bay Aquarium and Maritime Museum of Monterey, it’s also the home of John Steinbeck’s Cannery Row, which once was touted as the sardine capital of the world.

Inland about 30 minutes is Steinbeck’s home town, Salinas, and his memorial – the National Steinbeck Center with its scenes recreated from such books as East of Eden and Grapes of Wrath, clips of movie versions of his works, and his notes and references. A few minutes away is the 1898 Victorian structure that was the Pulitzer Prize-winner’s boyhood home.

Next door to Monterey is Carmel, home of Mission San Carlos Borromeo del Rio Carmel, the second mission to be established in California. Buried under its altar is the body of Junipera Serra, the founder of the first missions to open up the California Coast to European settlers.

Carmel garnered national attention some years ago when Clint Eastwood, the Oscarwinning movie star, long-time resident, and owner-operator of a popular bistro called the Hog’s Breath, was elected the town’s mayor. It was time to turn back south, saving the other sections of this road up through Redwood Forests to the wild Oregon coast for another time.

Mature Life Features Copyright 2024

pouring the difference in real estate prices into your retirement portfolio.

You might even consider moving to a less expensive part of the country. Compare real estate prices, and the income and property tax rates where you live now with other sections of the nation.

Besides pulling in a lump sum from the sale of your home and acquisition of a lower priced house, you can also cut other costs — taxes, insurance, and, in some cases, residential upkeep.

These savings will help boost your standard of living by lowering day-to-day expenses.

Another way to pay your bills in retirement is to work part time.

If you earn $10,000 a year, that’s $10,000 a year less you have to pull out of your nest egg and gives that amount an additional year to grow.

You can get answers to a lot of the questions these matters raise by checking with your financial advisor or online at aarp.org.

Mature Life Features Copyright 2024

MISSION SANTA YNEZ Mission Santa Ynez at Solvang is the 19th of 21 Spanish missions founded more than two centuries ago by Franciscan friars along El Camino Real. It is the original route of Highway 101 and forms the backbone of California.

SAN SIMEON The baroque twin towers of San Simeon, the fabled castle built over three decades by the late newspaper baron, William Randolph Hearst, are perched on a high hill less than an hour north of San Luis Obispo.

INDEPENDENCE

REAL Services Honors Community Heroes at Age of Excellence

On May 9, 2024, REAL Services celebrated four individuals who give back to our community. This year, the organization held its 29th annual Age of Excellence Awards event. Although this year looked different than in the past, the mission of the event stayed the same—to honor true heroes right here in our own community. The following individuals and com panies were honored this year

Becky Zaseck Professional of the Year Award

The Becky Zaseck Professional of the Year Award is dedicated to a professional who has demonstrated dedicated service to older adults in our community. REAL Services honored Healthy U RX, a local pharmacy, for their dedication to supporting REAL Services through their USAging Vaccine grant. Because of Healthy U RX, over 800 vaccines have been provided to older adults at over 30 vaccine clinics.

Wyatt Mick Volunteer of the Year Award

The Wyatt Mick Volunteer of the Year Award honors an individual who dedicates their lifetime to serving others, especially those in greatest need. This year, Lisa Gammon was honored for her dedication to the REAL Services Adult Guardianship program.

Sargent Shriver Lifetime Achievement Award

The Sargent Shriver Lifetime Achievement Award honors an individual who has spent the majority of their life in service to low-income populations. The award recipient this year this Judith Fox for her dedication to research and advocacy for lowincome individuals and families in our community.

Les Fox Hoosier Lifetime Award

The Les Fox Hoosier Lifetime Award honors an individual who has dedicated a lifetime of service to the community. This year, REAL Services honored Terry McFadden, who recently retired from WNDU. Not only has Terry served the local community, but he has served REAL Services through his support of serving as the Master of Ceremonies for Age of Excellence for the past 28 years.

REAL Services looks forward to their 29th Age of Excellence event in April or May of 2025.

Madelyn Martinec Development Director, REAL Services

Join us for WISE AND SAIL!

INDEPENDENCE | DIGNITY | STRENGTH

INDEPENDENCE | DIGNITY | STRENGTH

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

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

June 13: Get to Know REAL Services (Kroc Center South Bend)

June 20: Why Sleep Matters (OWLS Club Elkhart)

June 25: Expressive Arts (Elkhart Public Library Elkhart)

YOU can win $25,000 with the REAL Big Raffle!

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!

Coupons are $50 each and benefit Meals on Wheels and other programs at REAL Services!

First early bird drawing: May 25

First early bird drawing: May 25

June 28: Get to Know REAL Services (1Roof South Bend)

June 13: Get to Know REAL Services (Kroc Center South Bend) June 20: Why Sleep Matters (OWLS Club Elkhart) June 25: Expressive Arts (Elkhart Public Library Elkhart) June 28: Get to Know REAL Services (1Roof South Bend)

Call (574) 284-7189 to register or learn

Call (574) 284-7189 to register or learn

Second early bird drawing: June 26

Second early bird drawing: June 26

Final grand prize drawing: July 31

Final grand prize drawing: July 31

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

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

Come to the Table! Join us for lunch!

Come to the Table! Join us for lunch!

Elkhart County

Elkhart County

Elkhart:

Elkhart:

Bristol UMC 201 Division St. (574) 848-7182

Bristol UMC 201 Division St. (574) 848-7182

St. Paul’s UMC 405 W. Beardsley (574) 320-5863

St. Paul’s UMC 405 W. Beardsley (574) 320-5863

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

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

LaPorte County

LaPorte County

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

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

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

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

Marshall County

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

Argos: B & R Community Bldg.

194 S. Michigan St. (574) 892-9669

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

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

Bremen: Oakhaven Apartments

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

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

Stratford Commons 2601 Oakland Ave. (574) 320-5996

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

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

Stratford Commons 2601 Oakland Ave. (574) 320-5996

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

500 S Montgomery St (574) 993-2944

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

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

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

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

50 Years Ago, Blast To The Past —

Was ‘Band on the Run’ jinxed

Paul McCartney and Wings

Did Paul McCartney ever consider “Band on the Run” to be jinxed? If he did, there had been a couple of good reasons to think so.

He and his Wings group were scheduled to fly to Nigeria to record “Band on the Run.” But some of the musicians never showed, so only Paul and Linda McCartney and Wings guitarist Denny Laine made the journey.

In the studio, McCartney

sang lead and filled in on guitar, electric piano, bass and drums. (“I played a lot of stuff myself. It was almost a solo album. Almost.”) Not quite. Wife and partner Linda McCartney added synthesizers and electric piano to the tracks, and Denny Laine offered lead guitar. And both sang backup vocals.

“Band on the Run” became a five-minute-plus work that played out like a three-act mini-drama. There was the slow, meandering opening. A hard-rocking section kicked in next. Finally, a dynamic Eagles-like harmony drove the work to a powerful finale.

But as the trio was walking back to their hotel that night, they were robbed at knifepoint, with thieves snatching their tapes and vanishing into the darkness. Paul, Linda and

recording from memory.

Flashback. At one time, the Beatles were a struggling band covering Top 40 hits in German bars. They eventually broke big in the UK in 1962, became teen idols throughout Europe the following year, and conquered

But when the Fab Four began their own music label — Apple Records — in 1968, they “officially” entered the world of Big Business. Consequently, the Beatles often had to endure boring meetings in stuffy

At one such gathering, George Harrison unknowingly handed McCartney a part of “Band on the Run.” McCartney remembered, “It started off with, ‘If I ever get out of here.’ That came from a remark George made at one of the Apple meetings. He was saying that we’re all prisoners in some way.”

Lyrically, “Band on the Run” opened with the narrator already being incarcerated:

“Stuck inside these four walls, Sent inside forever.”

When the song shifted to the next tier, we heard a prisoner’s lament:

“If I ever get out of here.”

In the final section, we learned of a “jailer man” and how a county judge held a grudge because he’ll have to “search forevermore” but will never capture the elusive “band on the run.”

McCartney later explained that his lyrics involved police hassles and drug problems: “We were being outlawed for pot.” (He preferred marijuana over booze.) “Our argument on ‘Band on the Run’ was that we’re not criminals … So I just made up a song about people breaking out of prison.”

McCartney later said of his musical creation, “It’s a million things, all put together … a band on the run — escaping, freedom, criminals. You name it, it’s there.”

To McCartney’s delight, his fans embraced the Apple single, which topped Billboard’s chart. Even ex-partner John Lennon, often one of McCartney’s harshest critics, enthusiastically pronounced it “a great song.”

WINGS Denny Laine, Linda McCartney and Paul McCartney of Wings pose for a photo in 1977.

A Boomer Blast To The Past By RANDAL C. HILL

Sunday wants to show the world the love of God

By LAURIE LECHLITNER Staff Writer

“I’ve been in love with the church my whole life,” stated Cyd Sunday, Bristol. “I have a desire to serve. But I don’t want to serve only within the church walls. I want to reach out to those who are hurting in the greater world, assisting the homeless, the prisoners, the hungry and those in nursing homes. I want to show them God loves them through me.”

Sunday is a member of St. John of the Cross Episcopal Church in Bristol. She is in her third year of formation to become a deacon. “I grew up in the Methodist Church in Stephenville, Texas. I call myself a cradle Methodist, having

attended Sunday school and church faithfully from third grade into adulthood.”

Sunday earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Tarleton State University in Stephenville, then completed master’s work in English. She also attended Brite Divinity School at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, completing coursework in theological studies.

“My husband Michael and I moved to Elkhart and became involved in St. John of the Cross Episcopal Church in 2012. The church was a wonderful support when Michael became sick. My church family helped carry me through widowhood in 2018.”

St. John’s continued to pray for Michael while he was sick.

I am getting negatively charged

Yesterday, I walked in the house and casually asked Mary Ellen, “You haven’t had a chance to call the plumber yet, have you?”

By DICK WOLFSIE

“Why do you have to be so negative?” she asked.

“I’m not being negative, Mary Ellen. I don’t know what you mean. Didn’t I just ask a question?”

“See, there you go. In that one response you used three negative words. You could have said, ‘I am a positive person. I’d like to know what you mean. I always try to be agreeable.’”

This was not a discussion I was looking forward to. Not then, not ever. Oh dear, three nots.

Time for lunch.

“Mary Ellen, we don’t have any peanut butter, do we?”

I did it again. Maybe Mary Ellen was right. I asked for advice on how to change.

“Next time, Dick, simply ask: ‘Do we have any peanut butter?’” I was guilty as charged, of course, and she was not about to drop the topic. Not while she was on a roll.

“Mary Ellen, this is not fair. We’ve been married a long time, haven’t we? You haven’t ever mentioned this issue before.” Okay, that was three negatives right there. “This is not an easy thing to stop doing. Don’t you agree?”

I decided to show my wife that this was not really an uncommon way for people to communicate. Before she returned from shopping this afternoon, I purposely didn’t shut the garage door and

“During the final hours before he died, church ladies took turns staying with me around the clock. They also helped me administer Michael’s morphine. He died the morning of Sunday, Oct. 14, 2018. I did not attend church that morning. That afternoon, two church friends as well as our priest visited me. Another friend came and did laundry.”

Sunday knew she was not alone. After the funeral, she continued to receive the love and support of her church family. “I was suffering from depression and so began taking an antidepressant. I also joined a support group that met at Goshen Hospital for persons suffering from grief.”

Through all of her pain, she knew the Lord was taking care of her. “God orchestrated this support I received. Caring friends were with me all along the journey.”

I didn’t turn the lights off in the kitchen. I also didn’t check the dishwasher contents before starting it. And I didn’t feed the cat. When she returned, I’d hear about all the things I didn’t do. And I’d be told, “don’t do them again.”

When Mary Ellen walked in the door, she approached me. I was ready for her to explode with negativity. “In the future, Dick, please remember to close the garage door when you come home. And you left all the lights on in the house. Let’s try to save on electricity. By the way, the cat is meowing. Make sure to feed her when I am gone. It also appears you ran the dishwasher half loaded. We should always try to conserve water.”

“No, no, no, Mary Ellen; a typical wife would not respond that way when her husband messed up so many things.”

“That’s four negatives, Dick. You’re getting worse at this.”

I told Mary Ellen what I thought most wives would say in a similar situation.

“Don’t leave the lights on in the middle of the day, Dick.”

“Don’t leave the garage door open when you get home.”

“Don’t forget to feed the cat.”

“Don’t run the dishwasher half-loaded.”

“Sorry, Dick,” she responded, “I’m a positive person. I would ne...ne...

“Yes, say it, say it, Mary Ellen! Say the word ‘never.’ It will help you get out of this positive rut you are in.”

“Ne...nearly every day I strive to be optimistic. And I do that by using positive words. Do you see the difference?”

I wanted to say “I don’t,” but that would have really gotten me in trouble.

Instead, I decided to play it safe and repeat something smart I said almost 44 years ago: “I do.”

Sunday is part of the altar guild at church, setting up for Holy Eucharist, putting out colorful hangings for the liturgical seasons, arranging flowers, etc. “The Lord nudged my heart to do more – I believe I’m called to be more than a lay worship leader.

“I’ve been in training (formation) since 2018, and experienced several interruptions along the way. Our formation group meets monthly for instruction, meals, prayer and fellowship. Local priests and scholars usually instruct us, but sometimes a qualified

layperson will do so.” Sunday wants people to know that being a deacon is quite different than being a priest. I’ll set the table for communion and assist the priest when needed. But I want my ministry to be primarily outside the church walls.”

An Episcopal deacon is to interpret the needs and concerns of the world to the church. A deacon is also to serve espe-

cially the poor, weak, sick and lonely. She volunteers at HUB, Bristol, in the food pantry. Sunday also wants to become involved in prison ministry and Kairos again, like she was in Texas. She has a daughter, Shelley, and an 8-year-old granddaughter, Thea, in Arlington, Texas. Another important member of the family is her German shepherd, Anthony.

EPISCOPAL DEACON Cyd Sunday, Bristol, is in training to become an Episcopal deacon. She is a member of St. John of the Cross Episcopal Church, Bristol. As a deacon Sunday wants to serve the poor, weak, sick and lonely. Photo provided by Cyd Sunday.

NUTSHELL

Caregiver shortage calls for family to fill In

By CECIL SCAGLIONE

Mature Life Features

As the aging population expands, its care and caregivers are diminishing.

In other words, it’s getting more difficult to provide the staff and services to care for the growing number of elderly.

Some 10,000 baby boomers celebrate their 65th birthday every day. By the end of this decade, the population will be made up of more than 75 million people 65 years and older.

Finding space to care for seniors and finding people to care for them is already a problem.

older adults are more likely to have never married or to be divorced and adult children often live far from their parents or may be caring for more than one adult or their own children,” noted a 2016 study by the National Academy of Sciences.

At the same time, the stress takes its toll — some 30% of caregivers die before their patient.

Long gone are the days when everyone was born, raised and died on the family farm.

Greencroft Community Center Tours

This increases the demand for in-home care at a time when the breakdown of family has exacerbated the problem by shrinking the supply of family caregivers.

“Families have fewer children,

Greencroft Community Center Tours

The nation needs somewhere near two and a half million additional healthcare workers, from physicians to lab technicians, in the next five years to take care of its aging population.

No one expects that to happen.

If you haven’t already, it’s time to talk about what’s going to happen to you, whether you’re the senior or a sibling, son or daughter of a senior. Hiring someone to help can cost hundreds of dollars a day.

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

Upcoming Tours

Upcoming Tours

Old folks face several health issues: faulty hearing, fading eyesight, arthritic joints, memory loss and confusion, crippling disease and a host of unexpected disabilities.

Discuss ailments, concerns, availability, schedules, medications and all other facets of each other’s day-to-day living so you can make a reasonable decision on just how much you can offer as a caregiver or expect as the person being cared for.

Moving can be taxing

By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features

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

The caregiver should start attending doctor’s appointments with the patient and take an active role in any prescribed treatments.

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 19 - Cook’s Bison Ranch, Wolcottville, IN

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

June 24-28 - Mackinac Island, Mackinac City, Soo Locks & Sault

Sainte Marie, MI

June 24-28 - Mackinac Island, Mackinac City, Soo Locks & Sault

June 24-28 - Mackinac Island, Mackinac City, Soo Locks & Sault

Sainte Marie, MI

Sainte Marie, MI

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

You can make your job easier as caregiver by assuring the patient you’re just a phone call away and that you’re monitoring their medications, program, and progress. Ask them to help you by keeping a log or journal you can go over with them. This also helps keep them more alert and able as they age.

Develop an online connection with all the doctors, clinics and medical centers through their patient portals, which you can sign on to after getting the patient’s proxy permission.

Mature Life Features Copyright 2024

What to do after quitting work and where to do it eats up a lot of planning time.

Factors range from downsizing to cutting day-to-day living costs to moving closer to the grandkids to relocating in a more amiable climate.

Often overlooked are the hidden costs of making a move that will make your retirement years as comfortable as you hope. Such as the taxes. Moving out of the country does not allow you to evade U.S. taxes, but there is an array of regulations that need

studying to determine how much you will have to pay depending on what type of documentation you have.

Thousands of expatriates live in comfortable communities in Mexico, the most popular retirement country for U.S. retirees, where reports reveal a couple can live comfortably for about $2,500 a month.

Many expatriate Canadians look forward to getting back home to spend time at the family cottage or in their old neighborhood.

states, according to a Bottom Line report, are Florida, Texas, Alaska, Nevada and Wyoming.

It takes more than just moving to escape high-tax states. You have to cut all linkages. You have to sell any and all property in the state you’re moving from and establish your address in the new location.

Co-owning any property can put you in a position of owing taxes in the state you leave. For example, co-signing a mortgage loan for one of your children may establish you as a property owner in that state.

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

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

Those thinking of returning or escaping to Canada have to do some arithmetic to determine the tax rate on their level of income.

Aug. 29 - Love Comes

Softly, Round Barn Theatre, Nappanee, IN

Aug. 29 - Love Comes

Aug. 29 - Love Comes

Softly, Round Barn Theatre, Nappanee, IN

Softly, Round Barn Theatre, Nappanee, IN

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

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

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

The highest-taxing province is Quebec, with neighbor Ontario settling down among the lowest.

On the other hand, New Yorkers and Californians have become aware of their burdensome state taxes and are slipping away to Florida, Texas and Arizona.

Among the tax-friendliest

Snowbirds fall into a trap by thinking all they have to do is switch their address from the burdensome-tax northern state to the more affordable sunshine state. The tax man looks at such things as which is the larger home, how much time you spend in each residence, and where you keep your stuff.

Mature Life Features Copyright 2024

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

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

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

LET’S GET PHYSICAL Staying active is beneficial for everyone, especially as a person ages. Here, fitness trainer Jewel Lehman, left, guides Carol Grieser through using a recumbent bike in the Rinker Family Wellness Center at Greencroft Goshen. Photo by Lilli Dwyer.

Singles can save on food and waste

By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features

Living alone has its banes and benefits.

The single life allows you flexibility and freedom to set your own schedule and suit your own tastes.

On the other hand, folks who have been wed for decades and lose their lifetime partner can have traumatic times learning how to cope with loneliness and finding diversions to keep them-

selves busy.

Lifestyle changes are economic as well as emotional. The surviving partner suddenly has to learn how to shop and save, especially when it comes to groceries. Not only is it difficult to cook for one person, it’s difficult to shop for one person.

Like a multitude of other single and senior citizens, you probably waste a lot. Many of you probably have learned how to cut back on shopping cost and the amount of food you toss into the trash.

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

GREENLEAF LIVING CENTER

1201 E. Beardsley Ave. Elkhart, IN 46514 (574) 206-0086 www.greenleafhs.com

NORTH WOODS VILLAGE AT EDISON LAKES 1409 E. Day Road Mishawaka, IN 46545 (574) 267-1866 www.northwoodsmemorycare.com

HOME CARE SERVICES

COMFORT KEEPERS

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

Provides In-Home Care Services through our interactive caregiving approach, personal care, companionship and housekeeping, transportation, respite care, dementia care.

One way to cut down on both cost and waste is to shop more often. Many Europeans still drop by the local food counters daily to pick up fresh meat, fruit and vegetables for their daily meals. This allows them to pick a few pieces of chicken, a fresh tomato, a small head of lettuce, a newly baked roll, and a couple of eggs to go with the bacon and cheese and other longer-lasting victuals they have in their refrigerator.

When you do your shopping, take a list of what you need for

the meals you’ve planned until your next shopping trip. You won’t buy as much and you might not throw anything out.

Supermarket shopping may be the handiest, but not necessarily the wisest or cheapest. A nearby bakery or butcher can help you eat better and fresher. You can work with each to enhance your daily menus while saving money. How you use your refrigerator can be as wasteful. Just tossing your salad fixings and fruit into the crispers expecting them

to last until you’re ready to eat them is a sure signal some of it is going to wind up in the garbage can. It becomes part of the 20% of the food we waste in this nation. There’s a lot of waste sitting in many freezers. When left too long, freezer burn can affect the taste of many foods and get thrown out.

While gracing your table with fresh food you like, paying attention to your choices not only is more satisfying, it can save you money.

HOME CARE SERVICES

HOME INSTEAD

1450 Magnolia Ave. Elkhart, IN 46514 (574) 875-7777

www.homeinstead.com/588

Serving Elkhart & Kosciusko counties and surrounding areas. From companionship to transportation to loving care, to us it’s personal.

HOME HEALTHCARE AGENCY

NORACARE

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

info@noracare.us www.noracare.us

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

HOME HEALTHCARE EQUIPMENT

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

hearttohearthospice.com

Compassionatecarefromourhearttoyours. Volunteers needed. CHAP Accredited

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

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

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

See Our Ad In This Issue

AGING & WELLNESS RESOURCES

Mature Life Features Copyright

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

1201 East Beardsley Avenue, Elkhart, IN 46514 (574) 206-0086 •

Assisted

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

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.

Care of Goshen

2400 W. College Avenue, Goshen, IN 46526 (574) 533-0351

www.MajesticCare.com/Location/Goshen

Mason Health Care

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

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

The Laurels of Goshen

1640 Autumn Blaze Lane, Goshen, IN 46526 (574) 312-8501 • www.LaurelsofGoshen.com

Beautiful Setting, Home-Like Environment, Family-Style Dining, Private Rooms, Activities, Long-Term, Short-Term, Occupational, Physical Therapy, Private Pay, Medicare, Medicaid Accepted.

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 Goshen Greenleaf Health Campus

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.

Waterford Crossing (Healthcare)

1332 Waterford Crossing Circle, Goshen, IN 46526 (574) 534-3920 • www.trilogyhs.com

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, Pharmacy On Premises, Medicare and/or Medicaid

Waterford Crossing (Assisted Living)

1212 Waterford Circle, Goshen, IN 46526 (574) 537-0300 • www.waterfordcrossingsl.com

Licensed Assisted Living, Alzheimer’s Unit, Memory Support

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

Colorado wine warms you up after saddle sessions

Text and Photos

By CECIL SCAGLIONE

Mature Life Features

If you want to have fun riding a horse, grab the grandkids and head for the carousel nearest you.

If you want to enjoy riding a horse, head for a dude ranch — a real working ranch like this one, not a flossy facility with spa, bowling alleys, golf course and movie theater.

Latigo Ranch is nestled some 9,000 feet above sea level, a couple of hours north of Denver. It’s been turning tenderfeet into horse-sensible riders since 1929 by walking, loping and trotting through the aspenand fir-coated hills with such distracting views that the halfton horse under you learns to relax with its rider.

“We get a lot of seniors,” said co-owner Randy George, who also wrangles up the meals that satisfy both stomach and spirit. “A lot of grandparents with grandchildren.”

In many cases, the youngsters go riding while the seniors rock and read on the porch of one of the cozy cottages — they’re called bunkhouses here — under the mountain-propped skies.

It’s never too late to learn the rudiments of riding, however. To satisfy your interest, visit their website at latigotrails.com.

Working a horse is not like training a dog, George said. “A horse doesn’t understand punishment.

“A horse wants to be comfortable. It doesn’t like to be uncomfortable.”

You’re here to learn how to ride, and you’re also training your horse. A horse will only do two things: what you let it do or what you tell it to do.

Horses don’t like to be ridden. They don’t go out and look for riders, we were told.

There are a couple of “nevers” to wrap in your wrangler’s word-book. Never walk behind

a horse. Give its rear a wide berth. And never walk up too quietly to a tethered horse. It could be asleep and you’ll startle it. Since horses are prey animals, they’re built to bolt, and they spook easily.

Mounting from the right is more tradition than technique. Back in the days when men wore swords, most people were right-handed and their swords were worn on the left. They got in the way if you tried to mount or dismount on the right side of the horse.

Learning all this is worth it after you’ve poked all the precautions into your psyche and introduced yourself to the horse by approaching it from the front and sliding onto the smooth leather saddle that gives you a view from about twice your height.

After, of course, you’ve snugged up your stampede string. This is a hat or cap retainer that slips under your chin so your headgear won’t blow off and startle your horse or any of those around you.

Keeping a “smile” in your reins, which you hold like an ice cream cone, you squeeze your legs to signal the horse to move forward. Prod it with your heels if it doesn’t respond, and kick it a bit harder if it still doesn’t move.

A lesson you learn aboard the beast is that its eyes are built so it can look back at you. It monitors you constantly. Look where you want to go before pulling your reins to turn that way, because the horse is looking at you to see if that’s the way you want to go.

The sense of satisfaction that comes with smoothly straddling a creature you can whisper to as you soak in the scenery is akin to that of learning how to ski or snorkel. It’s a gut glow.

Before getting to the next steps in my skill- and relationship-building with horses — overnight camping treks, cutting cattle, and rounding up strays in the surrounding hills

— it was time to sample another side of northern Colorado.

As planned, we drove to the western edge of the state to tour the wineries peppered around Grand Junction, where the Gunnison River joins the Colorado.

These oenological outposts are less pretentious and more fun than their more formal cousins in Northern California.

While sipping a sirah at Grande River Vineyards, we visited the rows of vines outside the main office that were labelled with the description and derivatives of the dozens of varieties of grapes grown here. Honey-based wine designed to drench ice cream was the main attraction at Meadery of the Rockies and Carlson Vineyard offered a cherry wine that becomes deliciously decadent by dipping the rim of the glass in melted chocolate before pouring.

Between stops for sips, you can drive up to Colorado National Monument, the massive bluff overlooking the Grand Valley, for vast vistas of this land of clouds, canyons, mountains and mesas.

Mature Life Features Copyright 2024

CHROME ON THE RANGE “Chrome on the Range” bison greets visitors in downtown Grand Junction, Col.

LATIGO RANCH The view from Latigo Ranch peers over mountains toward Denver a couple of hours south.

Elderly face age discrimination

By CECIL SCAGLIONE

Mature Life Features

Discrimination of any sort is insidious and covered by an assortment of other excuses.

Ask left-handers what they had to put up with from teachers and students as they sweated and stuttered their way through school. Talk to short people about the jokes and jibes tossed their way by siblings and strangers.

Sit and listen to the insensibilities suffered by anyone with a disability or disfigurement — a hare lip, a large prominent birthmark, a shrunken finger, anything.

And think about being discriminated against because of your age. It can start long before you become a senior citizen.

The world long has been aware of the career challenge facing Hollywood actresses when they no longer look like they’re in their sexy 20’s and 30’s.

As the nation’s population ages, the focus on ageism has become sharper.

There are rumbles about who will take care of the elderly, and what will be considered sufficient care.

A few of the oldest folks among us recall living on the farm and having the family responsibility of caring for both the property and parents handed down from father to son to grandson. With the move to cities, the trend turned to “warehousing” the elderly —

finding a good institutional home to meet the needs of the ageing.

The workplace also became less fertile ground to nourish the experience of long-time employees. To dodge the bullets of age discrimination charges and court actions, companies simply eliminated the jobs held by the younger, and lower paid, staffers who complained the oldsters were uncreative barriers to promotions. Take a look at who’s laid off or given furloughs or buyouts when corporations announce they’re downsizing for economic reason — the older workers.

Middle managers have always resisted having personnel on their teams who are older — more experienced — than themselves.

Another issue is the dwindling work force expected to fund government programs in place to care for the elderly, e.g, Social Security.

Forecasters expect senior citizens will outnumber children for the first time in the early 2030’s.

This adds weight to ageism — the diminishing younger population gets to resent the ageing phalanx.

To meet the demand, multifaceted senior-living facilities are being built — country-club type complexes, independent living communities, assisted living centers and combinations of these.

More than 1 million of today’s 50 million seniors live in some such facility. That number

is expected to double in the next decade.

Still, some 15 million individu-

als 65 and older live by themselves.

The medical support and health services for all these is not keeping up with the needs and demands.

Mature Life Features Copyright 2024

U.S. Marshals, FBI urge public to report phone scams

The United States Marshals Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigation are alerting the public to several nationwide imposter scams involving individuals claiming to be representatives of the marshals service, court officers or other law enforcement officials.

The USMS is urging people to report the calls to their local FBI office and file a consumer complaint with the Federal Trade Commission, which has the ability to detect patterns of fraud from the information collected and share that data with law enforcement.

Scammers use many tactics to sound and appear credible, sometimes providing information, like badge numbers, names of actual law enforcement officials, federal judges and courthouse addresses. Scammers may also spoof their phone numbers to appear on caller IDs as if they are calling from a government agency or the court.

Several residents in the Northern District of Indiana have reported having received calls from individuals claiming to be the “U.S. Marshal” informing those called that their identity had been stolen and their bank account hacked. The caller(s)

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 options for assisted living.

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 information please call 574-537-4010 or 574-537-4128

- receiving long term care insurance reimbursement since 2000

then instruct those called to go to their bank and withdraw funds from the account before they are frozen.

Those victims called are further told to purchase gift cards with their money and the “marshal” would then put that money into a new account and issue them a new Social Security number. This is all false and a scam.

Be advised that the U.S. Marshal’s Service will not call and ask for any money or monetary instrument over the telephone.

Nationally, there have been many victims of these types of scams with losses in the tens of thousands of dollars. The U.S. Marshals Service receives inquiries daily from victims and potential victims of this very scam. The U.S. Marshal’s Service

for the Northern District of Indiana is providing this information in an effort to alert the public to be aware of and on the lookout for these scams and the tactics used.

If you believe you were a victim of such a scam, you are encouraged to report the incident to your local FBI offices and/or to the Federal Trade Commission.

The Department of Justice launched the National Elder Fraud Hotline, which provides services to seniors who may be victims of financial fraud. Case managers assist callers with reporting the suspected fraud to relevant agencies and by providing resources and referrals to other appropriate services as needed. The hotline’s toll-free number is 833-FRAUD-11 (833372-8311).

Travel through time

By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features

As you motor around the country, visiting the grandkids or getting to see the sites on your to-do list or heading back for a class reunion, you can also travel back through time to trace your ancestry.

When you get to your home town, you can leaf through local records to trace your forebears back as far as they lived in that location. Having pored through your lineage

online or through family files, you can stop on the way there or the way back home in towns and cities mentioned in your chronicles.

It’s a good way to see America, or whatever country your forebears were from, as well as trace your ancestors.

On a grander scale, you can visit the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Foundation to track some 65 million immigrants who were documented at the island from 1820 to 1957.

Mature Life Features Copyright 2024

Melanie can brighten up the Interior of your home.

Melanie can brighten up the Interior of your home.

Melanie can brighten up the Interior of your home.

Walls

Walls

Ceilings

Ceilings

Window And Door Trim

Window And Door Trim

Walls Ceilings

Stairways

Stairways

Window And Door Trim

Woodwork Staining

Stairways

Woodwork Staining

Garage And Workshop Floors And Walls

Garage And Workshop Floors And Walls

Small Patch Repair

Woodwork Staining

Small Patch Repair

Drywall Repair

Garage And Workshop Floors And Walls

Drywall Repair

Small Patch Repair

Great Service – Reasonable Rates

Great Service – Reasonable Rates

Drywall Repair

References Available Upon Request. 574-304-5075

References Available Upon Request.

Great Service – Reasonable Rates

574-304-5075

References Available Upon Request.

574-304-5075

Flying not the only way to go

By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features

Fearful flyers have had a lot of time to think about when and whether or not to board another airliner.

Researchers report as many as one out of three people is either afraid or anxious about flying. Data also reveal one out of every four passengers aboard any flight is a white-knuckler.

A late colleague logged thou-

sands of miles in his constant global search for top-grade material for his company, but he remembers none of them. The only way he could get himself to board a plane was to fortify himself with booze so he could

Wheel your way through airports

By CECIL SCAGLIONE

Mature Life Features

Many pre-pandemic rules and regimens have been replaced or revised. It seems like an exception has been made for airports.

They’re still a hassle to get through, thanks in part to security measures imposed after the 9/11 Twin Tower attack that are still in play.

There are ways you can make your trip more enjoyable.

First off, get to the airport early.

This will ease the strain on your patience because you won’t be fighting the clock as well as the crowd to get to your departure gate.

Airports can be daunting because of their size.

Sky Harbor International Airport sprawls over 300 acres just three miles from downtown Phoenix, AZ.

It’s more than a mile-and-

a-half from the ticket counter to some gates in HartsfieldJackson Atlanta International Airport.

There is help available. Simply ask for a wheelchair.

Federal law requires all airlines operating in the U.S to provide a wheelchair or motorized cart with an attendant to anyone making a request. No proof of any disability is required. Just ask for it at check-in.

Better yet, call the airline at least 48 hours before check-in and make your request. If you plan on taking a carry on, make sure it’s small and manageable enough to ride in the wheelchair with you.

If you’re trip involves making connections, keep in mind that wheelchair users debark the airplane last so you have to allow for that time between flights.

Wheelchair attendants are not required to make stops at

Manners make travel more enjoyable

By CECIL SCAGLIONE

Mature Life Features

Listening to travelers complain about how they were treated in some foreign land is akin to hearing kids complain about their teachers.

First off, keep in mind that the travelers were guests where they were. Just because the locals didn’t understand English is no reason to harp about their rudeness. You might discover the travelers have no concept of what language was spoken in the country they visited. They didn’t try to learn a few vital words in that language, such as

“please” and “thank you.” Ignorance of one’s surroundings is an all too common trait of travelers.

A small sample of such mindlessness occurred not long ago. A member of a small group ahead of us strolling along in the shadow of St. Peter’s in Vatican City proudly proclaimed loudly how thrilled she felt “walking in the footsteps of Jesus.”

Then she complained — loudly— to her tour guide that the Pope’s noon blessing from his high-up window was too far away to tell if it was really him.

Mature Life Features Copyright 2024

restaurants or food stands so you may want to prepare your own airport lunch before leaving home. You’ll also have to take that into account if you plan to use wheelchair service for connecting flights.

And don’t forget to tip the attendant. If he or she does stop so you can pick up a bite, make the tip larger.

Mature Life Features Copyright 2024

fall asleep immediately after he buckled himself in.

Airlines boast of their safety record, and rightly so. Flying ranks atop the list of travel methods for safety, speed and cost.

But senior travellers who can take their time to get around can shop for a cruise ship to transport them comfortably to and from Rio or Rome without having to be crowded into an uncomfortable seat in an uncomfortable metal tube.

Another maritime alternative is a freighter. While the quarters aren’t as luxurious as a mega-liner, they can be just as comfortable at a third of the cost.

The COVID-19 shutdown and border closings gave everyone

a new look at daily living and time to consider how they’re going to live the rest of their lives.

Visiting friends and family has climbed higher up to the travel ladder and, since many of them are within these borders, driving can replace flying.

The airlines are squeezing you into a tight seat after you’ve manhandled whatever luggage you’re allowed through airport gates, security, and crowds.

There’s no doubt flying still is the safest and quickest way to get you there. This becomes especially attractive the farther away your destination is. But it’s not stretching the truth when you say it’s not fun anymore.

By ROD KING

NORMANDY BEACHHEAD, JUNE 16, 1944 — “I took a walk along the historic coast of Normandy in the country of France. It was a lovely day for a stroll along the seashore. Men were sleeping on the sand, some of them sleeping forever. Men were floating in the water, they didn’t know they were in the water, for they were dead.

The water was full of squishy little jellyfish about the size of your hand. Millions of them in the center of each of them had a green design exactly like a four-leaf clover. The good-luck emblem. Sure, hell yes.

I walked for a mile-and-ahalf along the water’s edge of our many-miled invasion beach. You wanted to walk slowly for the detail on that beach was infinite.

The wreckage was vast and startling. The awful waste and destruction of war, even aside from the loss of human life, has always been one of its outstanding features to those who are in it. Anything and everything is expendable. And we did expend on our beachhead in Normandy during those first few hours.”

Those were the opening paragraphs of Ernie Pyle’s newspaper dispatch the day after the Allies stormed the Normandy

E. Lake Bluff Dr. Kendallville, IN 46755

JUNE 27 South Bend Treasures: Notre Dame Campus, Tippecanoe Place Lunch, Oliver Mansion, Studebaker Museum

JULY 8-10 Three Day Mystery???

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 Museum, & More

AUG 8 BEAUTIFUL, The Carole King Musical, Warsaw Wagon Wheel, Lunch too.

AUG 21 One Day Mystery

AUG 23-25 Blue Moon

Over Kentucky: Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame, Bill Monroe Birthplace, Rosine General Store/Barn, KY

BBQ w/Bluegrass concert, Bluegrass Gospel Brunch

SEPT 14-21 The COAST

LAKES, & The COG, Maine & New Hampshire

www.s-stravel.com Tour Calendar: Call 888-262-4423

WWII CORRESPONDENT

Ernie Pyle featured the ordinary GIs in his articles as he slogged with them through France, Italy, Sicily and the South Pacific. A movie called “GI Joe” was based on Pyle’s columns starring Burgess Meredith as Pyle.

beach in World War II. The story, which went to hundreds of newspapers in the U.S., was entitled “The Horrible Waste of War.”

This article and many others, along with the stories behind them, are on display at the Ernie Pyle World War II Museum in his hometown of Dana. The house in which he was born in 1900 sits next door to the museum and is also open to the public. The Friends of Ernie Pyle are dedicated both to preserving the memory of America’s most beloved World War II civilian newspaper correspondent and the GI’s whom he admired and wrote about in his daily column.

Inside the first of two Quonset huts that comprise the museum is a 10-minute video presentation of Pyle’s life as a roving reporter and then as a war correspondent starting in England, slogging through France, Italy and Sicily and finally in the Pacific Theater. Pyle never dealt with the statistics of the war, but had a way of relating what was going on to the folks back home through the eyes of the everyday soldier.

The hands-on museum features vignettes of the war

from a sandbag dugout in Italy similar to one where he wrote many of his columns, and a room-long diorama of the Normandy beach head to a scene of a GI encampment with a Jeep and the final display, which is a sign that reads, “At this spot, the 77th Division lost a buddy, Ernie Pyle, 18 April, 1945.”

That’s when Pyle was killed by an enemy machine gunner

on Shima, an island near Okinawa. He was 44 years old. Throughout are enlargements of articles like the rather humorous one he wrote about the work horse of the infantry, the Jeep, and another about how the night Capt. Waskow was brought down the mountain on the back of a mule and the reaction of his men to his death. Pick up a field phone and hear the voice of wellknown actor William Windom of “Murder She Wrote” fame relating the stories behind the scene in front of you.

For a microcosm of World War II and Pyle’s view of the action, plan to visit the Ernie Pyle World War II Museum in Dana. Head over to Interstate 69 and take it south to Interstate 465 at Indianapolis and Continued on page 23

CHILDHOOD HOME Ernie Pyle was born in 1900 at the home of his grandparents. It was moved into Dana and is furnished as it would have been in that era.

SANDBAG SHELTER — Vignettes, such as this one of a sandbag shelter in Italy where he wrote some of his articles, highlight the life of Pyle and GI’s during the war.

GREAT ESCAPES

Text and Photos

LANDING Step off the end of a simulated landing craft onto the beach at Normandy and witness the carnage that Pyle wrote about after the invasion.

A close look

Continued from page 22 right (north). Just a couple minutes up the road is Dana. Cross the railroad tracks and you’ll see the house and museum on the left.

go west to US 36 (Rockville Road). Then drive west for about an hour and 20 minutes through the towns of Rockville and Montezuma to IN 71N (County Road 300W) and turn

Manners make travel more enjoyable

By CECIL SCAGLIONE

Mature Life Features

Listening to travellers complain about how they were treated in some foreign land is akin to hearing kids complain about their teachers.

First off, keep in mind that the travellers were guests where they were. Just because the locals didn’t understand English is no reason to harp about their rudeness. You might discover the travellers have no concept of what language was spoken in the country they visited. They didn’t try to learn a few vital words in that language, such as “please” and “thank you.”

Ignorance of one’s surroundings is an all-too-common trait of travellers.

A small sample of such mindlessness occurred not long ago. A member of a small group ahead of us strolling along in the shadow of St. Peter’s in Vatican City proudly proclaimed loudly how thrilled she felt “walking in the footsteps of Jesus.”

Then she complained — loudly — to her tour guide that the Pope’s noon blessing from his high-up window was too far away to tell if it was really him.

Mature Life Features Copyright 2024

It is open May 3 through Veterans Day, Nov. 11. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. No admission fee.

Crossroad Tours

Horse Progress Days

Join us on July 4-6th on a journey to Horse Progress Days, located in Gordonville, PA. We will leave the evening of the 4th so you can enjoy all day Friday and part of Saturday and then head home Saturday afternoon! Our price includes bus fare! You will be required to book your own hotel within a 10 mile radius of HPD. The bus will drop and pick you up there!

and perform in all varieties of circus acts from tumbling to the flying trapeze! In mid-July, the youth showcase their talents with a week full of performances in our very own permanent big top!

HONORARY SIGN — Members of the 77th Division erected this sign to recognize their good friend Ernie Pyle.

‘Library of Things’ brings nontraditional items to Nappanee and Warsaw libraries

Text and Photos

By KEITH KNEPP Editor

What should you do if you lost your wedding ring in the grass during a family picnic? Naturally, you should head to the library.

A metal detector is one of the many useful items that are available for checkout from the “Library of Things” at the Nappanee Public Library. Other very nontraditional items available include an air fryer, leaf blower, a robot vacuum cleaner, games and LEGO sets. The library now has more than 200 items in the “Things” collection, all of which are available for its patrons age 11 and older. Another collection geared toward children ages 5-10 has been started, as well.

“We’ve always had a ‘Library of Things,’ but we didn’t start calling it that until February 2021,” said Pat Birky, a longtime library staff member who is in charge of the collection. “We’ve always had artwork and cake pans you could check out. There are things that people may only need once or twice. You don’t want to go out and buy something that you only need once, or maybe you want to try something out before you buy it.”

Birky said she chooses items

for the special collection based not only on things she believes people would be interested in borrowing, but also on recommendations from her fellow staff members and even requests by library patrons. She also keeps an eye on other libraries who have their own “Library of Things” to see what they have purchased for their collections. Birky noted that Bristol and Middlebury libraries in Elkhart County and Warsaw library in Kosciusko County also have similar collections.

Warsaw’s program began in late 2017, according to Dana Owen, head of information services at the library. Their collection began with specialty cake pans and evolved further with games and puzzles. Owen said she has expanded the collection gradually during the last six years, adding things such as kitchen appliances, party equipment and outdoor tools. She echoed Birky’s sentiment that items in the collection are things patrons might not want to purchase for themselves, whether because of perceived usage, space or cost.

“A lot of times, people will request something,” said Owen. “I will also go out and look at other libraries’ websites to see what they have added to theirs and see

if it’s something we’d like to try as well.”

At both libraries, items can be placed on hold if they are already checked out to other people. Warsaw limits its patrons to have a maximum of two, checked-out pieces from the collection, but Nappanee does not have a limit.

“Once people find out about it, they’re very excited,” said Birky. “We are sure to tell new patrons about it when they get their cards. We’re also working on better signage directing people to the ‘Library of Things.’”

In Nappanee, you can check out the library’s website or its Instagram and Facebook pages to keep updated on the evergrowing “Library of Things.”

Patrons can also stop by or call (574) 773-7919 with questions about the collection. Birky can be reached by email at PBirky@ nappaneelibrary.org.

For a list of items available in Warsaw, visit warsawlibrary.org/ explore/library-of-things-(lots) or stop by and see the collection for yourself. People can also call (574) 267-6011 with questions about the collection or anything else going on at the library.

“Libraries are evolving, and they need to,” concluded Birky. “We need to be a place where people can check out more than

just books. It’s becoming more about what patrons want, rather than what librarians might think they need.”

Jeff ‘JJ’ Shaw, Attorney at Law

FULL HANDS Pat Birky shows off a few of the nontraditional items available to borrow at the Nappanee Public Library, including a leaf blower, metal detector and pickleball equipment. Photo by Keith Knepp.