Senior Life - Elko Edition - November 2022

‘Shepherd Coach Network’ blends faith and coaching

books that blend his faith, his ministry and his love for the game of baseball.

When it comes to baseball, there isn’t much Tom Roy hasn’t seen or done during his legendary career.

While his might not be a household name for most fans of the game, the impact he has left on individuals around the world through his ministry and outreach is immeasurable.

A native of Wisconsin, Roy played minor league baseball and coached at the high school and college levels, including at Grace College in Winona Lake, where he still makes his home. He’s also served as the team chaplain for the Chicago White Sox and has led innumerable baseball camps and clinics around the world through UPI, an evangelistic baseball ministry he began in 1981. Roy has authored several

Roy’s most recent ministry reaches out specifically to coaches, not only of baseball, but at every level of the athletic spectrum. Based on his book “Shepherd Coach,” the Shepherd Coach Network’s mission statement is “to impact and empower coaches and leaders of all kinds, through education, media, speaking, mentoring and books, to utilize their platform to impact and empower those they lead; teaching and living out how we might exhibit Christlike philosophies in positions and areas of life.”

His students, both men and women, range from a former Major League pitcher to a local athletic director. There are three levels to the program: youth league, high school and collegiate.

Geared specifically to the level

of players being coached, each Shepherd Coach student receives an appropriate number of onehour Zoom meetings with Roy, plus one year of unlimited texts, phone calls and email communications to help with situations or questions.

The curriculum includes homework and assigned papers that must be completed. Once the course is finished, the student receives a certificate that declares them to be a “Certified Shepherd Coach.”

Roy admitted that when he started the program in 2020, he wasn’t sure how it would be received or even promoted. However, the popularity of the program has spread through social media and word of mouth.

“Jesus, I don’t know how to market this thing; you can be my marketer,” Roy recalled. “Many Continued on page 3

Key

Resilience breeds success for Joy Goble

degrees, a close-knit family and has climbed the ladder at Zimmer Biomet.

Joy Goble moved to the Kosciusko County area when she was 8 years old and it has been her home ever since. She is a graduate of Warsaw Community High School where she was invested in her education, a triathlete and worked three jobs to support herself.

In the face of financial and circumstantial adversity, Goble put herself through college with her work ethic and determination. As she took part in a co-op program through high school with Zimmer Biomet, she was offered a full-time position there so she would be able to afford additional education.

From that point she had to learn to balance being a single mother, a full-time career and college. Suffice it to say, she did it: Goble now has two business

As she celebrates her 35th year with the company this year, Goble stated her time there has been mutually beneficial. She has made significant advancements and contributions to the company, and they have allowed her to tap into the skill set she worked so hard to create.

Goble started at Zimmer Biomet as a secretary assistant during the co-op program and has since held the following positions: clerk, coordinator, junior administrator, backup administrator, JDE CNC, SAP analyst, manager of the ERP support team and director of I.T. operations.

In reference to the range of positions she has been in, she stated “I got to reinvent myself every time I was interested in another career.”

She noted her troubleshooting skills as a factor in her success; she handles many things on a global scale, so her ability to manage stress and solve problems as they arise with a level head has helped her tremendously. This is a skill she believes has stemmed from how she learned to approach crises in her own life.

Goble also attributes her success to her outlook on life and resilience. She said many people comment she is aptly named because she’s a very happy person, and while it may be her name, she believes its a result of her mindset.

She has faced various struggles in her life and has always come out on the other side because she is committed to her goals and to her children.

Goble’s advice to anyone who may be in a similar situation as she once was or are in a time of hardship is to reflect; figure out their goals and the things that drive or motivate them and to focus on them.

“Time will pass regardless,” she stated. Goble is where she is today because she chose to spend her time focused on and fighting for her priorities. She plans to continue pursuing her goals and will always encourage others to do the same.

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was 50 years ago — ‘I Can See Clearly Now’

Johnny Nash

“I can see clearly now, the rain has gone

“I can see all obstacles in my way

“Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind

“It’s gonna be a bright, bright sunshiny day.”

While the now classic song was not autobiographical for Johnny Nash, his recording is one of the most iconic tunes of the 1970s — or any decade — and the ultimate feel-good work about overcoming adversity and reveling in the joy of new hope and courage, and the determination to move forward.

“Look all around, there’s nothing but blue skies

“Look straight ahead, nothing but blue skies.”

“I Can See Clearly Now” has been described as “soulful pop” powered by a gentle undercurrent of reggae, a musical genre from Jamaica that blended local folk music with such instruments as the guitar, banjo and hand drums. Yet little is known about the talented (and pretty much forgotten) originator of the song that ushered in a form of music new to a mainstream American audience.

John Lester Nash Jr. was born in Houston in 1940 to a homemaker and a chauffeur. A goodlooking, well-mannered child, he was raised on gospel and sang at the neighborhood Progressive New Hope Baptist Church. At age 13, Nash began performing on Matinee, a Houston afternoon program that helped break down the color barrier on local television. Within three years, he was earning more money than his father.

Signing on to the ABC-

Mature health matters

75% of mistakes resulting in disability or death to more than 150,000 patients a year.

Paramount label, Nash became a successful recording artist at age 17. His first release fizzled, but his second single of “A Very Special Love” rocketed into the national Top 25 on the Billboard charts. Movie work soon followed. In 1958, he won the lead role in a film called “Take a Giant Step,” in which he portrayed a Black high schooler struggling in a white neighborhood. Two years later, Johnny appeared as a gang member in the movie, “Key Witness.”

Back in the recording studio, he eschewed rock ’n’ roll in favor of urbane ballads much in the style of Johnny Mathis. By the mid-1960s, though, Nash found himself out of work and pretty much overlooked.

In 1965, he and his manager/ business partner, Danny Sims, moved to Jamaica in hopes a new locale might rekindle Nash’s stalled career. Here Nash met Bob Marley, a dreadlocked reggae artist who was admired but little known outside his Kingston neighborhood. Nash immediately acknowledged Marley’s songwriting talent, and an introduction to Sims resulted in Nash and Sims becoming the future superstar’s managers.

Nash loved the new style of music that was everywhere in Jamaica. (“Reggae represented to me a layer of rhythm that was totally infectious.”) His later 45s became UK winners, and in 1968 he reached the American Top Five with his reggae-fueled

‘Shepherd Coach

coaches I have taught.”

“Hold Me Tight.”

Four years later came the disc that would catapult him to global stardom when he wrote, sang and produced “I Can See Clearly Now,” which sold in the millions.

Could there be a better legacy for any musician?

people have heard about it from others and have signed up.

Painkillers Can Kill Regular use of painkilling medication can kill pain but also can lead to addiction and even death.

Such common over-the-counter brands as Advil and Motrin are among the roots of an opioid epidemic that has spread across the nation, resulting in thousands of deaths each year.

Doctors have been prescribing such pain relievers as ibuprofen for years under the belief, which prevailed until recently, that opioids were not addictive.

As early as 2014, the Food and Drug Administration reported that regular use of OTC painkilling opioids could raise the risk of heart attack and stroke by as much as 10%. Using stronger prescription-strength painkillers could increase that risk by as much as 50%.

To avoid such peril, medical and health experts caution that these drugs should be used only for severe pain at the lowest possible dose for the shortest amount of time.

Three Diseases Account For Majority Of Diagnostic Errors

The caveat to seek a second, or even a third and fourth, opinion is even more critical when your situation involves one of the three leading causes of medical diagnosis mistakes.

Researchers report that the “Big Three” among the malpractice mistakes reviewed are cancer — the most common case of misdiagnoses — vascular events and infections.

They account for more than

Mature Life Features Copyright 2022

“Additionally, there’s a ministry out of Georgia called ‘Turn Two,’ whose mission is to place ‘Shepherd Coaches’ as assistants on the benches of baseball teams so that influence is there. Since they’re nonprofit, the coach who takes my course is certified and can raise support through them, not through me. All I am is the teacher, I’m the ‘University of Shepherd Coach.’ They have recruited a majority of the

Roy hopes that some day the certificate will be credentialed through a university, or perhaps even a master’s program. He admitted, however, that is something he isn’t sure how to accomplish. As the program grows, he is hoping to add additional instructors for the course.

“I’m working on ways to multiply it,” he said. “It’s an intensive, but I have no marketing, so it’s a perfect pace for a retired guy. If I were trying to make a living out of this, do the math, I couldn’t do it. It be-

comes very personal. This isn’t a course where I’m teaching 30 people. The beauty of it is that it’s very interactive.

“When it’s done, the coach and I have a relationship, so I hope they call me, I hope they text me, and most of them do. One of the first things I teach is looking for spiritual return on investment. I take good coaches and help them become better coaches by applying the teachings of Jesus to their culture. I look forward to it every week.”

For more information, visit shepherdcoachnet.com.

What Seniors Think

Insurance not savings account

Think about it. You buy insurance to cover the cost of

or replacing your damaged or destroyed auto or boat or home or other valuables.

Someone smashes into your car, grabs the sound system and you file a claim for both the repair and the loss. And your insurance rates spiral upward. You probably could have covered the cost out of pocket without wrecking your insurability.

First off, consider insurance as just that — insurance against a catastrophe. To help you right off, raise the deductible ceiling on your insurance policies. The money you save on the lower premiums will more than likely cover the costs of any incidents involving your property.

You can do the same with your medical

You can avoid the added cost of dental

if you can afford to pay for your annual dentist

out

“What is the biggest regret in your life that you’re willing to share?”

TONY METZINGER WARSAW

LINDA SWAIDNER

WINONA LAKE

SHARON (THARP) BYRER ATWOOD

PHILIP BYRER ATWOOD

TIM ASHLEY GOSHEN

STEPHANIE TOPPING ELKHART

Goshen quilter learns new skills as she progresses

“I began my journey of quilting in June 2008,” stated Cindy Miller, Goshen. “A girlfriend of mine came over to teach me and told me that if I can sew a straight line, I’d be able to quilt.

“The first quilt I made was a twin-sized blanket for my daughter that I tied together with yarn. Learning to quilt is actually a process. A person can learn something new even if they’ve been quilting for years.”

The first step is piecing fabric together to make a design. “I love this part of quilting. My creative side comes to the forefront. Colors and designs excite me.”

However, once the batting and backing are on the project, the work begins. “In many cases, quilting promotes community. I’m reminded of the ladies at Greencroft Retirement Community who sit together around a quilt frame and hand sew the three layers of the quilt. Their tiny stitching shows real craftsmanship.”

Miller has a sewing machine that does a quilting stitch. “I can do small projects like Christmas stockings and place mats on my machine. Often when it’s time to quilt a large project like a bedspread, I’ll send it out to a person who owns a longarm quilting machine. That’s a computer-

ized unit that does the quilting. I haven’t yet purchased one. It’s a large machine and along with the frame takes up quite a bit of living space.”

After a stroke in 2012, Miller took a long time to get back to her sewing machine. “My husband Mike brought my sewing machine out where I was sitting. His silent gesture encouraged me to gradually sit at the machine.

“At first my fingers were too uncoordinated to thread the needle. Once I got my fingers moving, I threaded the needle and sewed two seams. It took me a couple months of gradual progress to work into doing projects again.

I also struggled with what to do next ... connecting the dots. I believe sewing was actually therapeutic, helping me work my way back to health.”

According to Miller, quilting builds patience. “My son Tyler is deputy airport director at Corpus Christi International Airport, so he’s always loved airplanes. A year before he and Danielle were married, I started an airplane quilt for them. I was part of a quilting group that met once a month.

“We shared the labor of quilting one block a month on each other’s quilt projects. The first month, we each did our own block. The next month we began passing our projects around. At the end

of the year, I had 11 quilt blocks completed by different ones in the group. Including my own block, I had 12. Fine needlework is a process that takes time.”

This spring, Miller went on a bus trip to Missouri Star Quilt Company with her friend Sue

Troxel. “My sewing machine went with me. Missouri Star is the national quilting capital, located in Hamilton, Mo., a town about the size of Wakarusa. The town has nine stores that are sewing related.”

Miller also makes purses and

backpacks. When asked if she sells her creations, she remarked, “That takes the fun out of it.”

Always the learner, Miller has purchased an embroidery machine. “I take embroidery lessons once a month at Calico Point in Goshen.”

Needs Plan (D-SNP) Members: As a Wellcare by Allwell D-SNP member, you have coverage from both Medicare and Medicaid. Medicaid services are funded in part by the state of New Mexico. NM Medicaid benefits may be limited to payment of Medicare premiums for some members. Louisiana D-SNP prospective enrollees: For detailed information about Louisiana Medicaid benefits, please visit the Medicaid website at https://ldh.la.gov/medicaid. Notice: TennCare is not responsible for payment for these benefits, except for appropriate cost sharing amounts. TennCare is not responsible for guaranteeing the availability or quality of these benefits. Any benefits above and beyond traditional Medicare benefits are applicable to Wellcare Medicare Advantage only and do not indicate increased Medic aid benefits.” Indiana D-SNP prospective enrollees: For detailed information about Indiana Medicaid benefits, please visit the Medicaid website at https://www.in.gov/medicaid/. Wellcare by Allwell (HMO and HMO SNP) includes products that are underwritten by Superior HealthPlan, Inc. and Superior HealthPlan Community Solutions, Inc. Wellcare (HMO and HMO SNP) includes products that are underwritten by Wellcare of Texas, Inc., Wellcare National Health Insurance Company, and SelectCare of Texas, Inc. Washington residents: Health Net Life Insurance Company is contracted with Medicare for PPO plans. “Wellcare by Health Net” is issued by Health Net Life Insurance Company. “Wellcare” is issued by Wellcare of Washington, Inc. “Wellcare” is issued by Wellcare Health Insurance Company of Washington, Inc. Every year, Medicare evaluates plans based on a 5-star rating system.

Social Security is thankful to serve you

ability Insurance benefits for veterans, including:

Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on the blessings we have in our lives and to share memories with our loved ones. Social Security is thankful because they are able to provide you and your family with services, benefits, tools and information to help you throughout life’s journey.

Social Security is more than just a retirement program. They provide services that assist many families across this country.

They are there for joyous moments like the birth of your child and issuing their first Social Security card. They are there during times of hardship and tragedy to provide disability, spouses and survivors benefits. And they’re there to help you celebrate your retirement, too.

They’re there to serve you online, by phone and in person in their local offices. You can learn more at blog.ssa.gov/weremain-committedto-serving-you.

Veterans Day this year is Friday, November 11. Every year on this day, Social Security honors all veterans who served our country and risked their lives to protect us.

Their Wounded Warriors website is an important resource for military members who return home with injuries. If you know a wounded veteran, please let them know about the Wounded Warriors website at ssa.gov/woundedwarriors.

The page shares information about Social Security Dis-

• How SSDI benefits are different from benefits available through the Department of Veterans Affairs and require a separate application.

• How Social Security expedites the processing of Social

Security disability claims for service members. If they develop a disability while on active military service on or after October 1, 2001, they can file a disability claim regardless where the disability occurs.

• Answers to questions asked about Social Security.

If active duty military service members are unable to work due to a disabling condition and continue to receive pay while in a hospital or on medical leave, they should consider applying for SSDI. Active duty status and receipt of military pay doesn’t necessar-

ily prevent payment of SSDI benefits.

Social Security’s websites are easy to share on social media and by email with your friends and family. Please consider passing this information along to someone who may need it.

Animal Welfare League announces leadership team

The Animal Welfare League of Kosciusko County has announced its 2022 board of directors and officers. AWL is a nonprofit organization that serves all of Kosciusko County.

This year’s AWL officers include John Lantz, president; Kris Underwood, Wagon Wheel Center for the Arts, vice presi-

dent; Dan Woods, W.R. Hall Insurance Group, treasurer; and Kierstan Yates, Silveus Crop Insurance, secretary.

The AWL directors for 2022 include Dr. Carla Carlton, DVM, Lake City Animal Health and Wellness Center; John Hall; Liz Harkness; Lauren Klusman, Kosciusko Chamber

of Commerce; and Tom Tearney, 1st Source Bank.

The Animal Welfare League executive director is Tonya Blanchard.

“Along with our amazing staff, executive director and board of directors, we are committed to working for — and engaging with — our Kosciusko

community through educational programming, reuniting pets with their owners, a robust kitty fosters program and innovative adoption promotions,” said Lantz.

“These are all key pieces of our lifesaving strategy for abandoned and unwanted pets from our county.”

Gall dedicates over 20 years of service to Fairfield girls volleyball

that I have not had a family member on the team.

Wanda Gall has spent over 20 years serving Fairfield girls volleyball in a variety of capacities.

“I started as a bus driver. I had nieces in the sport. Clear back in 2003, I had a niece in seventh grade. I was not only the bus driver to games but also the scorebook keeper at that time,” she said. “My brother Andy Gall has elkhartcountysports.com, and we would be broadcasting some of the games on the internet. So when I wasn’t keeping score, I would be on the radio or on the internet or driving the bus, and that has been going on for any number of years.

“After Katie graduated in 2009, I had a great-niece who started playing. Besides driving the bus and keeping the scorebook, I also started running the clock. This is the first year in over 20 years

“Fairfield volleyball has had quite a record over the years. They have been a champion. I’ve made four trips to the final four and two trips to the finals. I wasn’t scorekeeper for all of those, but I was on the internet at that time doing internet broadcasting,” said Gall.

“When you get to the finals, the state provides time keepers, score keepers, etc. I’ve worked a couple sectionals running the scoreboard. I believe I’ve also done one regional as well,” she said.

“I have so many volleyball T-shirts. The one I received last night might be my most treasured one because it says ‘number one Falcons volleyball fan.’ I have seen so many girls go through the program and believe so much in girls/womens sports. Fairfield has been very fair and caring for their girls sports,

Kallimani running for Middlebury Town Council

which makes me very happy.

“I guess one of the biggest things I’ve seen is the change in competition. When I started helping, one of our biggest competitors was Westview. They have not been as fortunate as Fairfield in keeping the girls interest and strengthening their program. It was almost heartbreaking last night to see what used to be such a rivalry not be as much of a rivalry. I’ve also noticed that some other area programs have not been able to maintain as much consistency as Fairfield,” she said.

“Parents seem to be even more involved than they were 20 years ago. One example was Pink Out Night — a night for supporting cancer and raising money for cancer treatment. We’ve had nights where we raise a lot of money for cancer. I’m a cancer survivor, so it always gets my attention when we’re raising money for cancer. This year’s theme was ‘Stronger Together’ and the entire school participated. Another strength of Fairfield is they made it possible for every fall team to be a part of that

program for the entire week.

“I’ll miss all the friendships I made sitting at the score table bench, both relationships with other scorekeepers I worked with and the officials. I got to know quite a few officials over the years, and it was an honor to work with them and for them,” said Gall.

“I enjoyed working with the staff at Fairfield. I have sat through more volleyball games than I can count, but I will tell you that I don’t regret any of

them. I always considered my seat at the score clock one of the very best seats in the gym. I enjoyed every minute of it. I told the assistant athletic director Tim Fritz that I’m going to have a hard time giving up this seat. He said, ‘If you make it to the game, we’ll find a seat for you.’

“I thank Fairfield High School for the opportunity to do it as long as I did. I think it’s time for new blood to come in. I think they would have kept me on longer, but it was my time,” she said.

My name is Beth Kallimani and I am running for Middlebury Town Council at-large.

Knocking on doors, sharing coffee and working the local festivals have been great learning opportunities for this candidate. I believe they have led me to a better understanding of what voters in the town of Middlebury are looking for in an elected official.

Our constituents need someone to listen and clearly communicate with them.

They want to have someone who is available.

They want to know someone will return a call, come out to their homes and take their concerns to heart as they raise families, update their homes and navigate the roads.

Of all the parts of my platform, the most important piece to my campaign pledge is to keep listening and responding to our voters.

I am uniquely positioned, as a retired educator, to sit down and

be with my Middlebury friends as a friendly, easy-to-talk-with mother, grandmother and neighbor.

There’s a good chance I have the same concerns as you, as we face the challenges of the next few years in our part of the state.

Just know that I will be happy to spend the next four years keeping you updated on what’s happening in our town and sharing your voices with the town council.

Remember, representation from both parties makes for a better organization.

Kallimani

Lerner Theatre hosting numerous events

The Lerner Theatre in Elkhart has several events planned in the coming months.

• Jordan Feliz’s “Feliz Navidad Tour,” 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3. Feliz quickly became a household name when his first radio single, “The River” — the title track from his criticallyacclaimed debut—became a smash hit. Spending an unprecedented 12 weeks at No. 1, the chart-topping single was named ASCAP’s “Christian Music Song of the Year” and garnered Feliz his first RIAA Gold certification.

• TUSK: “The World’s No. 1 Tribute to Fleetwood Mac,” 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 27, 2023. TUSK is the No. 1 Tribute to Fleetwood Mac in the world, bar none. No fancy tricks, no gimmicks, just five musicians recreating the music of Fleetwood Mac to perfection with note-for-note renditions that no other Fleetwood Mac tribute on the touring scene today can come close to duplicating. The five seasoned, well-respected musicians comprising TUSK

have been making music together in various combinations and styles, in original outfits and in cover bands, for more than 25 years.

• MJ LIVE, 8 p.m. Friday, March 3, 2023. Tickets for the No. 1 Michael Jackson tribute concert in the world are now on sale. The show features all his biggest hits, including “Bad,” “Billie Jean,” “Beat It,” “Thriller,” “Smooth Criminal” and many others. Relive the energy, excitement, spectacle and pure joy of this legendary superstar and his music. Witness the awesome sound, lighting and special effects. Feel the energy from the MJ LIVE band and mega-talented MJ LIVE dancers. Sing along to some of the greatest hits of all time.

Tickets for all shows are now on sale and can be purchased at thelerner.com . The Lerner Theatre is located at 410 S. Main St. Elkhart.

For more information, visit thelerner.com or call (574) 2934469.

Adult day care provides respite for caregivers

care professional.

Caring for an older adult can be overwhelming especially with the added challenge of taking care of a loved one diagnosed with memory loss such as Alzheimer’s. It can be physically and emotionally draining for caregivers. It can also be extremely difficult to navigate all the resources available to assist with taking care of an older adult, especially if you are not a health-

Fortunately, adult day health services have become increasingly more available and provide a win-win situation for both the caregiver and their family member. The Thelma A Schrock Homestead Adult Day Services, located on the campus of Greencroft Goshen, aims at providing individuals coping with memory loss a safe, supportive and stimulating environment while providing the caregiver time to rejuvenate, work or run errands.

In the Homestead’s intimate atmosphere, each member benefits from a variety of health, social, and therapeutic activities designed to encourage meaningful engagement, purpose, and creativity. The Homestead caregivers thoughtfully develop person-centered care plans with the goals that each member gains increased mental functioning, greater independence, social interac-

tion, and enhanced self-esteem. Common activity programs include arts and crafts, spiritual programs, physical exercise, baking and cooking, music therapy, holiday celebrations, pet and children visits and games as well as entertainment.

The adult day services of the Homestead have been serving families in Elkhart County for over 25 years. The Homestead offers an affordable alternative to other long-term care services in the area and financial assistance is available to those unable to pay the full cost. Part-time and full-time enrollment is available. Members are also eligible for therapy, beauty shop, and transportation services.

The Homestead is accessible by a private entrance off South 15th Street and is open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Call (574) 537-4181 for more information.

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Greencroft Goshen —

I Spy October winner is Roxy Miller. The pumpkin was located on page 14 in Senior LifeSt. Joseph; page

in Senior Life

Elko; page 19 in Senior Life

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Senior Life

Northwest.

Q. What is a Special Needs Trust?

A. Special needs trusts offer a solution for those who want to provide assistance to someone with special needs, while maximizing the benefits of government programs.

A special needs trust is a fiduciary and legal arrangement that provides financial assistance to someone with special needs, without affecting eligibility for government programs. Public assistance benefits, like Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medicaid, have strict eligibility requirements.

For example, if a beneficiary with special needs receives more than $2000 in assets, through a direct transfer, court settlement, or inheri-

Kathy Misukanis Trust Administrator

tance, he or she will not qualify for SSI or Medicaid benefits.

By creating a special needs trust, the beneficiary will remain eligible for state and federal assistance. Contact us for more information and to help you determine if a special needs trust is right for your situation.

Senior Assisted Living

Q. Is socialization important to senior citizens?

A. YES, especially during the holidays. Spending a little bit of quality time can go a long way toward making someone’s day.

This Veterans Day, visit a local nursing home, VA hospital or assisted living community near you, just to sit and talk with a resident for a little while. Older veterans are often willing to share stories about their experiences in service, as well as answer any questions you might have.

Here are a few sample questions to ask veterans if you’re unsure where to start:

• Why did you pick the service branch you joined?

• Were you awarded any medals? How did you get them?

Sue Roesner, MSOL Community Relations Manager

• What did you do when on leave?

• Where did you travel while in the service?

• Did you make any close friendships while in the service? Did you continue any of those relationships?

• Did you join a veteran’s organization?

Many elderly veterans will be grateful for the chance to talk about their service; they are proud to have served their country and will feel appreciated when you want to learn more.

Kathy Misukanis Trust Administrator Wealth Management Center 110 S. Main St. South Bend, Indiana 46601 (574) 245-4735, ext. 5878

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

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Elder Law

Q. If my spouse goes into the nursing home, will they take my house?

A. Contrary to popular belief, the nursing home and the government do not come and take your assets to pay for long term care. However, many couples and individuals are required to “spend down” their resources to qualify for Medicaid assistance. Medicaid is a state/federal program often leveraged to pay for nursing home care, and it has strict income, asset, and level of care requirements.

For a single person going into long term care, the rules are simple. An individual must be under $2,000 worth of countable resources in order to qualify for Medicaid, and the person’s residence is typically required to be put up for sale or rent. For married couples, the requirements are much different. The residence is considered an

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“exempt resource,” as long as the healthy spouse remains living there, and the healthy spouse is entitled to a Community Spouse Resource Allowance to avoid becoming impoverished by their spouse’s cost of care.

Regardless of your financial situation, it is critical to speak with an experienced elder law attorney about your rights and obligations regarding Medicaid as soon as long-term care becomes an issue.

1930s: The softball girls of long ago

Back in the 1930s, what was a young girl to do given there was no TV, video games or the coming “luxuries” of the future granddaughters. Well, they could become a girls’ softball team player or loyal spectator of this flourishing pastime.

It seems there were an almost infinite number of girls’ softball teams back in the 1930s in Elkhart, surrounding areas and states. Most of the softball teams’ names have been retired to the dusty pages of history. Newspaper pages of sports history tell us about the Osceola Merchants vs. Milt’s of Niles, Mich., at 8:30 p.m. at Crull Park, a softball park that Osceola businessman Ivan Crull built.

Most, if not all, of the teams no longer exist: Main Street Plumbers, De Molay, Rotary, Lions, St. Joseph Valley Bank, Boris Smoler, Farmerettes and many, many more.

Even C.G. Conn had a girls softball team that “nosed out Grumbly Drugs, 3-2 … at Niles, Mich.” And the best was; there was no admission charged. Most, if not all, of the old ball fields no longer exist, I presume: Police-

Fireman diamond, St. Vincent diamond, C.G. Conn ball field, Cook’s Field in Mishawaka (price 10 cents on July 12, 1940) and more.

One of the most popular girls softball teams was the Elkhart ACs who were based at Crull Park ball field in Osceola thanks to Ivan Crull, who built the diamond and “swanky” park buildings.

Perhaps there are descendants of these Elkhart AC girls, and other teams, living in the area or somewhere in America.

Memories or information welcome to: Dr./Pastor Greg Lawson, 1801 E. 3rd St., Mishawaka, IN 46544.

Lake City Place — A place for heroes to call home

Lake City Place provides scheduled transportation to local service events so they continue to be a part of veterans groups in the area. We recognize those connections are important and are here to help support those relationships in every way.

At our community, we work hard to create an environment where veterans will feel at home and supported. With a variety of veteran-focused programs and events, we can help ensure that our heroes thrive at Lake City Place.

Lake City Place Senior Living offers:

•

ceremonies

• Community outreach

• Fundraising

community and veteran programming.

•

holiday celebrations

•

•

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days

Honor Wall

Enrichment

outings

call thank-you cards

parties

• Educational speakers

• Veteran support groups

In addition to compassionate care and a comprehensive activity calendar, we provide many veteran activities at our community. Call (574) 267-3873 today to learn more about our

Get your questions answered during a personalized tour and join us for a complimentary meal.

Lake City Place Senior Living is located at 425 Chinworth Court, Warsaw.

For more information, visit enlivant.com.

Unwavering faith guides Janet Haas

Janet Haas, mother and wife, has attended The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Warsaw for 46 years.

Haas is a family-oriented woman who grew up attending a local Methodist Church. In the time before she was introduced to the gospel, she attended many other churches on what she referred to as “a whim,” just trying to find a place that truly resonated with her.

Her brother-in-law and sister-in-law were the first to encourage Haas and her husband, Art Haas, to learn about the church by supplying them with pamphlets. Missionaries came to their home to talk, share the gospel and give them a book of Mormon.

During a trip they took together, Art read the book of Mormon and from that point forward, everything changed for the couple. Haas said, “Its another testimony of Jesus Christ, Art was very much impressed.”

Haas said that the book of Mormon and the Bible are cohesive, she felt blessed to be able to read and study it.

After the couple began attending the LDS church, Haas began to get more involved with the community. She noted that the church as a whole does a lot of community service and the environment there was very loving and supportive.

She had been a teachers aide at Harrison and Washington elementary schools for many years, which was a part of the reason she was compelled to work with the church youth. She is currently a primary teacher for 8-11 year old girls. She had also been a seminary teacher for 19 years.

Haas stated that she felt that her involvement with the church was a calling, “I don’t only feel that its for who I serve, its for me to learn.”

“What the church has done in my life is give me knowledge, I don’t just believe in Jesus Christ but I know him,” Haas said, “when I go through the hardest things, I know that he is there to help me through.”

Haas stayed true to her beliefs and turned to them for comfort and guidance in times of difficulty. She believes that her outlook on adversity and the undeniable presence of Jesus Christ in her life have helped her tremendously. She

referenced this sense of support by stating, “for whatever reason, maybe its because of my knowledge of the heavenly father and Jesus Christ or because I know that we’re put here on this Earth to have challenges, to grow and to be better, but that is who I turn to instead of away from.”

Rather than turning away from her faith and questioning the reason behind the things that were happening, Haas leaned into life with full trust that everything would work out the way it was intended.

Cooking during an inflationary time — Stretching your food purchasing power

day (surely it wasn’t just me).

A pot of chili, spaghetti, stew or soup goes a long way and heading into winter makes all those sound really enticing.

Whether you have a food budget or not, it’s obvious food costs are rising about every time you go back to the store. It’s time to control your controllables. You are in control of what you purchase and what you don’t, so create your own purchasing power and stretch those dollars.

I would imagine we have all had a time in our lives we made a big pot of something and survived the week consuming it each

Friends have told me they are walking away from the meat counter due to the skyrocketing prices and I gladly share non-meat ideas. If you eat meat, though, stretch out that pound of meat by using it more of an accompanying part of the meal which would be more grains and vegetables, or use just enough in the pot to enhance stew, chili or soup.

Shop what’s on sale. Meal planning is good, but right now we are in survival mode, so check out the flyers and plan around what’s on sale. If it’s shelf stable and on sale, stock up. Fresh vegetables are always preferred, but frozen works, as will canned. Just get your vegetables on your plate.

Break out the slow cooker or pressure cooker and make homemade meals that will last more than one day. Use all leftovers. Make bread — it’s easy, fun and so much less expensive. It’s time to hone your skills in the kitchen, control what you purchase and how you create healthy, less expensive meals at home. Make conscious decisions that focus on healthy home-cooked meals and minimize the unhealthy prepackaged meals and snacks. Stay well.

Burgundy Stew

From IG plantpurenation Ingredients

8 ounces mushrooms, sliced

1 small onion, diced

½ cup dry red wine

2 ½ cups low sodium vegetable broth (divided)

2 carrots, diced

1 large russet potato, small dice

15-ounce can diced tomatoes

1 teaspoon garlic power

1/2 teaspoon dried thyme

½ teaspoon dried rosemary

2 tablespoons molasses

2 tablespoons tamari (or soy) sauce

¼ cup whole wheat flour (or white)

Salt and pepper to taste (Or, skip the chopping and use a frozen bag of stew mix)

Instructions

In a large pot over mediumhigh heat, sauté the onions and mushrooms in the red wine until tender. Add 1 1/2 cups of the vegetable broth, carrots, potato, tomatoes, garlic, sage, rosemary, molasses and tamari sauce and continue cooking over medium heat.

Continued on page 15

Jim Smith running for Kosciusko County Sheriff

Republican Jim Smith is homegrown Kosciusko County.

A law enforcement officer since 2005, he’s raised his family here. Smith is a proud veteran, serving 12 years, including a 2003 tour of duty.

Smith is a servant leader with a core value of selfless

service demonstrated through serving as a supervisor for a local business and in multiple civic organizations. He has strived to selflessly lead over the years in roles as president of Tippecanoe Township Board, Warsaw Breakfast Optimist Club, North Webster-Tippecanoe Township Chamber of Commerce and Leesburg Lions

Club and as vice president of FOP Lodge #149.

From the beginning of announcing his run for sheriff, Smith’s message and plans have been consistent: be fiscally conservative; implement his plan to take care of the jail and make it safer for staff and inmates through reducing vandalism and drugs; bring

back accountability to the work release program; and grow the Jail Chemical Addiction Program, including adding a community service component that not only benefits the JCAP participants, but also benefits community organizations.

As Smith said in a recent speech, “The bottom line is this: If inmates are serious about their recovery from drug addiction, then we’ll continue to surround them and support them on their journey.”

At a time when inflation is high and your dollars are being

stretched, a fiscal conservative is needed. Smith has pledged to take a sheriff’s salary that follows state statutes and is more in line with the average Indiana sheriff’s salary.

Indiana State Senator Ryan Mishler recently praised Jim Smith for his willingness to return to the more fiscally conservative way the sheriff’s salaries have been done prior to the current sheriff, including the tax warrant money going back to the county.

On Nov, 8, vote Republican Jim Smith for sheriff.

My marriage in jeopardy

For decades, Mary Ellen and I have been fans of the show “Jeopardy.” Every night at 7:30 we watch to see how long it takes for us to feel really stupid. I often say, “I used to know that but I forgot,” which is pretty much the same thing as not knowing the answer … I mean the question.

After Alex Trebek died a couple of years ago, the show’s producers ran old episodes featuring the legendary host. I’m not sure why I found that so unsettling. They do the same with all old game shows. “Hollywood Squares” has had more than 800 different personalities in the boxes. While I watch those re-runs, I have to do google searches to see which of the brilliant comedians are still with us. What about putting some notation under each celebrity’s name to save me the time and trouble? For example:

Paul Lynde (died 1982, age 55)

Rose Marie (died 2017, age 94)

Wally Cox (died 1972, age 48) Joan Rivers (died 2014, age 81)

No, that would depress me even more. Bad idea.

At 7:00, during or just after our dinner and before “Jeopardy,” we usually watch “Wheel of Fortune,” despite neither of us being very good at it. Here’s one that stumped us a few nights ago:

TOPIC: SONG LYRIC THIS __AND WAS MADE FOR YOU AND ME Mary Ellen guessed, “This hand was made for you and me.” I said: “This band was made for you and me.” The right answer, of course, was “This LAND was made for you and me.” I mean, how embar-

Stretching

Continued from page 14

In a separate bowl, add the remaining 1 cup vegetable broth and whole wheat flower — whisk until the lumps are removed and add to stew. Turn the heat to low and continue simmering 10-15 minutes or until potatoes and carrots are

rassing! We decided to stop having wine with dinner.

During COVID, “Jeopardy” fever spilled over into our daily lives, since we had nothing better to do. Typically, around 6 p.m., Mary Ellen would say something like:

“Sauteed chicken with green beans and sweet potatoes.”

Then I’d reply, “What’s for dinner?”

How much more fun can a couple have than that? (Now, remember, we are both in our 70s.)

Even when we had little arguments, our obsession with “Jeopardy” was evident. Mary Ellen would say to me in a broadcaster’s voice: “He leaves all the kitchen cabinet doors open, forgets to close the fridge door and also leaves the garage

door up.”

“Who is Dick Wolfsie?” Saying it out loud made me feel like I had been tricked into pleading guilty to these crimes.

But I’m a very competitive person. I wanted to win.

My wife is a stickler for game rules. For example, while driving, I once said, “I think we’re lost.” I was quickly corrected by Mary Ellen: “Please put that in the form of a question.”

“What does Dick Wolfsie say when the GPS isn’t working?”

As we celebrated our 42nd anniversary last week, we reminisced about our decision to get married way back when. Mary Ellen said: “When her husband-to-be had this nutty idea to be a TV personality, she unselfishly quit her good job in

Chicago and went with him to Indianapolis.”

“Who was Mary Ellen Swegles?” I said without a moment’s thought.

“That is correct,” said my wife. “That’s exactly the question I was looking for.”

tender. If you prefer a thinner consistency, add more vegetable broth.

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

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Italy’s heart beats in Umbria

Umbria is perched comfortably in the shade — not the shadow, the shade — of its more renowned neighbor, Tuscany.

While the Etruscans fashioned a culture that became identified as Florentine, Umbria wove its history through such hillside towns as Assisi, Gubbio, Orvieto, Perugia, Spello and Todi. They’re all within an hour’s drive from this castle-cum-village plunked atop a hill midway between Rome and Florence.

Umbria wraps around most of Lake Trasimeno, the fourth largest lake on the peninsula, on the edge of the Pisa-Florence-Sienna triangle. Hills quilted with chestnut, oak, olive and grape groves roll away from its shores and house dozens of villages.

Panicale is also called the Balcony of Lake Trasimeno

because of its panoramic view of the lake. It also offers a peek into both medieval and modern living. Piazza Umberto I is built around the town’s 500-year-old fountain and is the town’s living room.

Newlyweds have wedding photos taken here. Locals begin and end their days here over espresso and wine. They stop gossiping only to stand up for crucifix-led funeral processions chanting the Pater Noster (Our Father) on their way down from the massive 1,000-yearold Umbrian Gothic Church of St. Michael the Archangel that dominates the piazza.

Most of their city shopping is in the Tuscan town of Arezzo, about an hour north. Sometimes they shop in Perugia, the capital and commercial hub of Umbria just 30 minutes away.

On a hillside within viewing distance from Perugia is Assisi, the birthplace of St. Francis, the patron saint of

Italy and founder of the religious order that established the string of 21 missions that form the backbone of California.

His remains are housed in the basilica named after him, as are those of St. Clair entombed in the church named after her at the opposite end of town. Both churches are decorated with heart-stirring frescoes, which are everywhere — inside and outside buildings in every community throughout the region. They were the graffiti of the Renaissance.

A small church in Panicale (the town once had seven) houses a famous fresco — “The Martyrdom of St. Sebastian.” It was painted in 1505 by Piero di Cristoforo Vannucci, known as Il Perugino, whose most famous pupil was Raphael.

There’s an amusing story attached to this piece of art.

On each side of this image Continued on page 17

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

www.GreenleafHS.com

Chinworth

267-3873

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Probing the past: The film legend who was a real-life general

A number of Hollywood actors joined the Armed Forces during World War II, but none of them equaled the service and recognition of Jimmy Stewart.

He was the first in uniform and the only movieland service member to rise in rank from private to full colonel in only four years.

Stewart completed more than 35 missions as a B-24 pilot before returning to Hollywood to continue his career. His first postwar film was “It’s a Wonderful Life.”

But he didn’t cut his ties to the military. He spent activeduty time during the Vietnam War in the Reserves and worked his way through the ranks to major general.

James Maitland “Jimmy” Stewart was born May 20,

1908. He is among the most honored and popular stars in film history. A major MetroGoldwyn-Mayer contract player, Stewart was known for his distinctive drawl and downto-earth persona which helped him often portray American middle-class men struggling in crisis. Many of the films he starred in have become enduring classics. He was born in a small town, Indiana, Pa., to a hardware store owner, like many film characters Stewart portrayed.

Before the war, Stewart was nominated for five Academy Awards, winning one for “The Philadelphia Story” (1940). He received an Academy Lifetime Achievement award in 1985, and in 1999, Stewart was named the third-greatest male screen legend of the Golden Age of Hollywood behind Humphrey Bogart and Cary Grant.

Italy’s heart

are two small groups of faceless bystanders watching Roman soldiers fire arrows into the martyr’s body. To make a fresco, the painter puts in the colors while the plaster is still wet. The people in these groups were the patrons of the painting and Il Perugino learned they weren’t going to finish paying him, so he painted their faces after the plaster dried. That’s why their faces fell off.

Il Perugino was summoned by Pope Sixtus IV in 1481 to

paint a portion of the Sistine Chapel. His “Charge to Peter” is still on view in the Vatican.

Gubbio, tucked into Umbria’s northeastern corner at the foot of the Apennines, gives you a look at what medieval life looked like. People still live in 1,000-yearold houses and work in 1,000-year-old workshops. And they attend outdoor productions at a 2,000-year-old 15,000-seat open-air Roman theater.

Mature Life Features Copyright 2022

The American Film Institute also named five of Stewart’s films to its list of the 100 best American films ever made.

A shy youngster, Stewart held a dream of flying, enhanced by the legendary Charles Lindbergh. Ironically, he would portray Lindbergh 30 years later on film.

After college, Stewart and Henry Fonda became roommates and close friends in New York over the summer of 1932. With Fonda’s encouragement, Stewart took a screen test and received a seven-year contract with MGM at $350 a week.

His early interest in flying led Stewart to gain his private pilot certificate in 1935 and commercial pilot license in 1938. He often flew crosscountry to visit his parents in Pennsylvania, navigating by the railroad tracks. Nearly two years before the Dec. 7, 1941, Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Stewart had accumulated more than 400 hours of flying time.

In 1940, Stewart was drafted into the Army and became the first major movie star in uniform. Stewart was a private but applied for an Army Air Corps commission and Service Pilot rating because he was both a college graduate and a licensed commercial pilot.

At 33, Stewart was almost six years beyond the maximum age restriction for Aviation Cadet training. After a lot of red tape, Stewart received his commission as a second lieutenant shortly after the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor.

After training, Stewart wanted assignment to an operational unit rather than serving as a recruiting symbol and aircraft ferry pilot. In early 1942, Stewart was asked to make a film to recruit the 100,000 airmen the Air Corps anticipated it would need to win the war. The Air Corps recorded his voice for narration. The short recruitment film, “Winning Your Wings,” appeared in movie theaters nationwide, resulting in 150,000 new Air Corps recruits.

Stewart was concerned that his expertise and celebrity status would relegate him to instructor duties “behind the lines.” Stewart appealed to his commander, a 30-year-old who understood his situation and recommended Capt. Stewart to the commander of the 445th Bombardment Group, a B-24 Liberator unit.

To inspire the unit, Stewart flew as command pilot in the lead B-24 on several missions deep into Nazi-occupied Europe. Promoted to major, and then lieutenant colonel, his official tally of mission credits while assigned to the 445th and 453rd Bomb Groups was more than 20.

For combat action, Stewart received two Distinguished Flying Crosses, the French Croix de Guerre, and an Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters.

In July, 1959, Stewart was promoted to USAF Reserve brigadier general. During his active-duty periods of Reserve time, he remained current as a pilot on the B-36, B-47 and the

B-52 bombers of the Strategic Air Command. In 1966, Brig. Gen. Stewart flew on a B-52 bombing mission during the Vietnam War.

After 27 years of service, Stewart officially retired on May 31, 1968. He received more recognition upon his retirement: the U.S. Air Force’s Distinguished Service Medal and, in 1985, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, awarded him by President Ronald Reagan.

Besides a lengthy career in the military, he logged a legendary career in film and television and is considered one of the greatest of Hollywood actors.

James Steward died July 2, 1997. He was 89.

Vice president’s Columbia City home highlights his political life

The 27th governor of Indiana, Thomas Marshall of Columbia City, who was well known for his humorous asides, once quipped, “There were once two brothers. One went to sea and one became the 28th vice president of the United States. Neither of them were ever heard of again.” He was also credited with saying, “What this country needs is a good five-cent cigar.”

Marshall’s popularity as governor, and the fact that Indiana was a critical swing state, helped him secure the Democratic vice presidential nomination on the Woodrow Wilson ticket in 1912.

Under Wilson, as it turned out, he became the forgotten man in the government. A major ideological rift developed between the two in their first term, leading Wilson to limit Marshall’s influence in the administration. Marshall’s sense of humor rubbed the president the wrong way so he had his office moved out of the White House. This quote made by Marshall in his vice presidential acceptance speech when he promised to “acknowledge the insignificance of the office,” and another quip saying, “I was the Wilson Administration spare tire … to be used in case of emergency,” infuriated the president.

After Wilson suffered a debilitating stroke, Marshall

was kept in the dark while Mrs. Wilson essentially ran the government. With Wilson unable to function, Marshall faced a huge decision because in 1918 there was no procedure for the vice president to step into the presidency. Fearing he would open up a constitutional crisis, he decided not to become president.

Scholars are still debating whether or not he made the right choice, but for Marshall, putting the Constitution ahead of his own agenda made perfect sense. It was not until 1967 that the 25th Amendment established a process for transfer of power if the president was not able to continue to serve.

In addition to the controversy over accepting the presidency or not, Marshall has a couple of firsts to his credit. He was the first vice president to hold cabinet meetings, which he did while Wilson was in Europe. He’s also the only vice president to have been the target of an assassination attempt while Continued on page 19

Vice president’s

in office.

Marshall was a prohibitionist. Most guests at his parties made an obligatory appearance and left quickly because no alcoholic drinks were served.

His modest, two-story Italianate home in downtown Columbia City is part of the county historical museum that

focuses on his life, the history of Whitley County and its people.

Between 30% and 40% of the furnishings were originally owned by the Marshalls. The house, which was built in 1864, was purchased in 1958 by the Whitley County Historical Society and it took several years to rehabilitate it. He was born in North Manchester,

Age affects survivor’s Social Security benefits

ment age of 66, if he was born between 1943 and 1954.

practiced law in Columbia City and is buried in Indianapolis.

A couple upstairs rooms focus on famous Whitley County people, including singer Janie Fricke, actor Dean Jagger, World War II Major General Keller Rockey and others.

Free tours are available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and from 9 a.m. to noon Fridays. Freewill donations are accepted. The home is located at 108 W. Jefferson St. Call (260) 244-6372 to set up a tour.

Your spouse is entitled to 100% of your benefits after your death.

For this example, assume the husband earned the most money during his working life and, as a result, qualified for the higher of the couple’s Social Security benefits.

His widow qualifies for 100% of her husband’s benefits after his death.

The amount of those benefits depends on two things: the husband’s age when he began collecting Social Security and the age when the surviving spouse begins collecting the survivor benefits.

For every year the husband waited beyond the normal retirement age before collecting monthly Social Security checks, he received an 8% retirement credit.

If he waited until age 70 before collecting, he received about one-third more than he would have had he begun collecting at the current retire-

To qualify for and collect that full amount, the widow should also have reached the full retirement age, which is increasing to 67 for people born after 1959, before filing to collect the survival benefits.

Mature Life Features Copyright 2022

Sometimes a dragon is just a dragon

In 1959, Brooklynite Lenny Lipton was a 19-year-old sophomore at New York’s Cornell University. One spring night, the engineering major planned to meet for dinner with his friend Lenny Edelstein, a campus pal who roomed with a folk-musicplaying student named Peter Yarrow.

To kill a little time that afternoon, poetry-loving Lipton wandered over to the library at the Cornell Student Union — and consequently changed his fortune.

There he selected a volume of poems by humorist Ogden Nash. (Lipton had always been drawn to Nash’s droll, playful works.) One particular Nash creation caught Lipton’s eye. “The Tale of Custard the Dragon” was a 1936 tale that involved the end of childhood, something which had been on Lipton’s mind as of late.

He reshelved the book and headed for his friend’s house in the Collegetown area. As he strolled into town, Lipton created his own poem about a dragon, an

imaginary and ageless creature named Puff, who lived for a while in the heart and mind of a young boy named Jackie Paper.

By the time Lipton reached the Edelstein-Yarrow house, his verses were fully formed, and he wanted to write them down before they faded from his mind. Nobody was home, but the door was unlocked, so Lipton let himself in, rolled a sheet of paper into Yarrow’s typewriter, and typed furiously for three minutes to create “Puff the Magic Dragon.” Lipton then left his poem in Yarrow’s machine and promptly forgot about it.

“Puff the magic dragon lived by the sea

“And frolicked in the autumn mist

“In a land called Honalee.”

When Yarrow saw the work later, it struck him that Lipton’s words could easily become a catchy folk ditty. Yarrow wrote it as “Puff (the Magic Dragon)” and, once he became a part of the supergroup Peter, Paul and Mary, he began including the fantasy yarn in the fast-rising trio’s act. In early 1963, Yarrow made sure Lipton received writer’s credit when the melancholy tune became the first million-selling single for the trio. Strangely, Lipton had forgotten all about his off-the-cuff cre-

ation about what would, in time, become the world’s most beloved dragon.

Lipton later blamed some Puff problems on gossipy New York journalist Dorothy Kilgallen, who in 1964 charged that Lipton’s ode contributed to the growing drug culture. Eventually rumors spread that Jackie Paper referred

to rolling papers for marijuana cigarettes and that Puff meant taking a “puff” on a joint.

When asked about the real meaning, Lipton scoffed. “The Puff story is really just a lot like Peter Pan. (It’s about the) loss of innocence and having to face an adult world. ... I find the fact that people interpret it as a drug song

annoying. It would be insidious to propagandize about drugs in a song for little kids.”

In Peter, Paul and Mary concerts, as Yarrow picked the opening guitar notes of “Puff,” he would sometimes smile and explain, “This is a song about a dragon ... It’s not about anything else … Just a dragon …”