Senior Life - NorthWest Edition - March 2023

‘Cooking Matters’ —

Preparing on limited

Put 12 women in a kitchen, give them cooking recipes and utensils, and their creativity will do the rest.

That’s one way to describe the Portage Township YMCA free class to help adults stretch their shrinking dollars for good food.

they prepared at class.

they hate to cook but want to learn to cook better.

Cooking Matters” teaches families how to prepare and shop sensibly for healthy meals on a limited budget. Each week, participants are sent home with a bag of groceries to prepare the recipe they learned during the course that evening. They also the meals

sample the meals

Britney Mendoza, the class’s instructor, explained she wants to provide “tips and tools to make healthy and affordable

and

meals.”

At the first of six classes, Mendoza’s students made healthy spaghetti and meatballs using wheat pasta and ground turkey for meatballs and made their own sauce.

Follow-up meals may feature brunch items, a breakfast sandwich and banana and peanut butter pancakes.

This YMCA program began in 2020, prior to the start of the COVID pandemic. Some classes involve families while others are for parents only.

“We want to give parents some good ideas or just let them feed ideas off other people,” Mendoza said.

Some class members are single moms. Some are grandmas. Some just like to cook. Others admit

Debbie Zombik of Portage thought the class would be fun. “I cook from scratch a lot,” she said, “and I wanted to get out. There’s always something to learn.”

Some class members are serious about calorie counts. Others are diabetic or have food allergies.

Alex Pavlinovac of Valparaiso wanted to “learn to make something more than tacos.”

“I wanted to learn how to cook healthier,” Forma Fierro of Portage added. Fierro, whose specialty is lasagna, noted, “I want to learn a healthier way of eating.”

Jessica Garnoski, a single mom with a young daughter, wants to be more outgoing. “I want to improve my cooking skills a little,” the medical assistant noted, adding that she and her daughter, 8, work on meals together.

Key Positions

Autism kits can prepare first responders

Joyce Russell tells the story of a firefighter who was shopping with an autistic child when the youngster became agitated. The firefighter went to his vehicle and brought back a Rubik’s Cube for the child, who then calmed down.

That cube came from an autism sensory kit provided for first responders and others by the Portage Township Autism Action Coalition, formed in early 2020 by Township Trustee Brendan Clancy. After Clancy hired Russell, a retired journalist, he put her in charge of the autism program. Russell and the coalition have secured funds and supplies to better prepare the community for children with this disability.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention describes autism spectrum disorder as a

developmental disability. Exact causes are not known, but scientists believe multiple causes of autism act together and change the most common ways people think.

“Every case is different,” said Russell, community outreach coordinator for the township trustee’s office.

According to the latest count, an estimated 200 students in Portage Township Schools have an individual education plan showing they have been diagnosed with autism.

The CDC reports that one in 44 U.S. children has been diagnosed with autism, which affects all races, ethnicities and socioeconomic groups. This disorder is also four times more common in boys than girls. Famous autistics include Einstein, Bill Gates and entertainers Tim Burton and Darryl Hannah.

S. O. S. - Speaking Of Seniors — Helped client

Editor’s note: Woodrow Wilcox is the senior medical bill case worker at Senior Care Insurance Services in Merrillville. He has saved clients of that firm over $3 million by correcting billing mistakes. Also, Wilcox wrote the book “SOLVING MEDICARE PROBLEM$” which can be ordered from book stores and online.

A client from Schererville got a letter from the federal government and didn’t understand it. He brought it to his insurance agent at our Schererville office near the Strack & Van Til store in a shopping center at U.S. 30 and U.S. 41.

The agent read the letter and forwarded it to me. The letter was a copy of one sent to the client’s doctor, informing the doctor that Medicare ruled against him. The doctor had not filed the claim with Medicare in a timely

Shortly after Russell was hired, she learned her grandson, Dylan, now 6, was autistic. Academically the boy is sharp, she said, though he is lacking social skills.

“This has been an education for me, and this makes it personal,” Russell confessed. “I understand the need for more education.”

The purpose of the coalition is to raise awareness of autism in Portage Township, work with partners on that awareness and provide training and tools to the community to improve quality of life for autistic children and their families.

Among these tools are autism sensory kits, of which about 200 have been distributed. Inside kits are noise-cancelling headphones, sunglasses, a fidget toy kit with more than a dozen items, communications boards for both police

understand ruling

doesn’t pay anything.

I phoned the client to talk with him. He did not understand the letter at all until I explained it to him. To make sure that the client would not get a bill, I decided to make a three way call with the client and the doctor’s office. I wanted to make sure that the doctor was aware of the letter from Medicare that explained to him that he can’t bill our client.

The office manager understood the point that the letter made and asked for a copy of it. We arranged for that.

and fire, and dry-erase boards.

Autistic children are also registered with an individually numbered wristband. Information on each child is then posted on a database to help police and fire.

Another tool is the window cling. Shaped like a multi-colored puzzle piece, symbolic of autism, each cling measures 2 inches by 2 inches and may be posted on vehicles or on the front door or window of the child’s home.

First responders from Portage, South Haven and Ogden Dunes have undergone training in autism and participated in a toucha-truck to familiarize autistic children with rescue vehicles.

Autistic children can wander, and the leading cause of death of children on the spectrum who wander is drowning. To address this, the trustee’s office partnered with the Portage Township YMCA on specialized water safety classes. Four YMCA instructors were certified, with two classes already held and a third planned for the spring.

“Parents have been very grateful for the program,” Russell said. “There’s not a lot of support groups for parents of children with autism.”

Russell has prepared a manual on autism awareness. To contact her, call (219) 762-1623, or email joyce.russell@portagetrustee.org.

manner. Medicare told him that his chances of winning an appeal of this ruling was pretty slim. If the doctor did not file the claim on time, the patient

All the help that I gave this client was free of charge. We help any and all clients with Medicare related medical bills that have a problem and might cost the client extra money. We just help to ask others to follow the rules so that they don’t accidentally harm our clients.

Preparing healthy

Continued from page 1

Some students shared their favorite recipes. Denise Neal of South Haven said people love her hot dog bun bread pudding.

“I love to cook,” Neal, a grandmother, said, “and I’m here to improve my craft and share ideas.”

Each class member received a manual loaded with tips for healthy cooking on a tight budget, as well as recipes they can do at home. These include black bean brownies, orange oatmeal pancakes, chocolate strawberry French toast, Northwest apple salad, yogurt parfait and pineapple carrot muffins.

Celena Oliver of Portage, who attended the pre-COVID class, said she returned because “I

like the class and I like simple recipes.”

Cooking Matters, a nationwide program, is also about sharing. Mendoza opened the class by asking participants to share their healthy eating tips, as well as some less-thanhealthy habits they’d like to break.

Positives included buying one fruit every time at the grocery, eating before going to the store and avoiding the cookie and cracker aisle. Mendoza encouraged students to prepare a grocery list of what they’ll need, and then to follow that list.

For more information on this and other Portage Township YMCA programs, call (219) 762-9622.

Markovich enjoys role as unofficial greeter

Not long after Ron Markovich moved into the Residences at Deer Creek in Schererville, he noticed how often people would struggle to open the door as their hands were full of items. He took it upon himself to play the role of the doorman, opening the door for people who were carrying items on their way in. Accompanying the

opening and holding of the door was a friendly smile. People appreciated the help and smiled back. His efforts were noticed.

“I was just watching people come in and go out and I’d see that they were carry things and the doors are heavy, so I just said that I’d like to help open the door for people,” said Markovich. “Everyone appreciates it.”

Soon he was holding the door open for others — even

those with empty hands — and exchanging a pleasant greeting with those coming in. He’ll have simple conversation with people, perhaps commenting on the weather or making other small talk.

The lobby just got to be that place where he felt comfortable. It brightens up his day and gives him an opportunity to brighten the day of others. It brings him joy to see visitors come and go and to interact with them.

“You’ll see moms and dads and grandkids come in and it’s a beautiful thing,” he said. “Sometimes people ask questions and I give directions.”

Serving others is something that isn’t new to Markovich. He served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War and, after returning, spent a 30-year career in the fire service. The Gary native graduated from Lew Wallace High School and then went to work at U.S. Steel, following his father who also was employed there and worked his way up to being a supervisor.

His career at the steel mill was interrupted by his military service. He served aboard the USS Turner Joy (DD-951), a Forrest Sherman-class destroyer. He said he spent about a year on the ship toward the end of the war.

“When I got on the Turner Joy, the war was winding down, which everyone was excited about,” he said. “I got home and I didn’t want to think about it. I just wanted to think about us being home.”

He acknowledged what a tough experience it was, but

few servicemen coming home talked about what they’d gone through. “We just focused on being home. It was a rough war and when you think about it, it takes you back where you don’t want to go.”

While he tried to put the circumstances of war at the back of his mind, he was happy to have one memento of his service — a photo of the ship on which he served. He framed it and added a blue star to the corner. Markovich has cherished that picture ever since and still has it displayed in his apartment.

“We tried to forget about the Vietnam experience, but we wanted that photo of the

ship,” he said. “It was a good remembrance. These were hard to come by and I’m glad I have this picture.”

After the war, Markovich met a lovely young woman who he married. The couple had two sons together. Now a widower, he saw her through a tough battle with breast cancer.

He returned to the mill after being discharged and became a part-time Hammond firefighter. When a full-time opportunity came up with the department, he took it and went on to work in a first responder career spanning three decades.

“I’m a blessed man,” he said. “I don’t say that lightly, with everything I’ve been able to do.”

Mundell graduates from Institute for Organization Management

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Institute for Organization Management, the professional development program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, has announced Maura Mundell, president of the Duneland Chamber of Commerce, has graduated from the program and has received the recognition of IOM. Awarded to all graduates of the Institute program, the IOM graduate recognition signifies the indi-

‘New Friends’ seeks new members

New Friends, a club for single people 60 years and older, meets every Tuesday to socialize and play cards. Members go to restaurants, plays and movies. The also have a yearly picnic, anniversary dinner and Christmas party.

Meetings are held at White Funeral Home, 921 W, 45th Ave., Griffith. For more information, call Marge at (219) 201-4174 or Barb at (219) 838-5415.

vidual’s completion of 96 credit hours of course instruction in non-profit management. In addition, participants can earn credit hours towards the certified chamber executive or certified association executive certifications. Nearly 1,000 individuals attend Institute annually.

“Institute graduates are recognized across the country as leaders in their industries and organizations,” said Raymond P. Towle, the U.S. Chamber’s vice president of Institute for Organization Management.

“These individuals have the knowledge, skills and dedication necessary to achieve professional and organizational success in the dynamic association and chamber industries.”

Since its commencement in 1921, the Institute program has been educating tens of thousands of association, chamber and other nonprofit leaders on how to build stronger organizations, better serve their members and become strong business advocates. Institute’s curriculum consists of four weeklong sessions at four different university loca-

tions throughout the country. Through a combination of required courses and electives in areas such as leadership, advocacy, marketing, finance and membership, Institute participants are able to enhance their own organizational management skills and add new fuel to their organizations, making them run more efficiently and effectively.

Institute for Organization Management is the professional development program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. It is the premier nonprofit professional development program for association and chamber professionals, fostering individual growth through interactive learning and networking opportunities.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business organization representing companies of all sizes across every sector of the economy. Members range from the small businesses and local chambers of commerce that line the Main Streets of America to leading industry associations and large corporations.

Adventures on my Caribbean cruise

Mary Ellen and I just returned from a wonderful Caribbean cruise. But no one wants to read a humor column about how much fun we had. So instead, I’ll put on my grumpy old man hat and describe everything that went wrong.

On our first day, we went snorkeling. It took us about an hour on a catamaran to reach the reef, but the fish in Saint Thomas must have seen us coming, because by the time we put on all of our gear and dove into the bay, there was nary a minnow in sight.

The guide tried to paint a rosy picture of our pricey excursion.

“Have you ever seen so many fish?” he asked.

I answered honestly: “Yes, on the wall of Red Lobster.”

Later, on board the ship, one of my hearing aids stopped working.

“Which one?” asked Mary Ellen.

“Starboard side,” I said.

My wife was impressed

that I had adopted the proper nautical terminology. But when I turned around to walk toward the lunch buffet, my broken hearing aid was now on the port side of my head. This created a real problem: Mary Ellen never knew which ear to yell into.

Getting on the elevator required us to scan our room card. I kept swiping but the elevator door didn’t open. A fellow passenger walked by.

“You’re scanning the hand sanitizer dispenser,” he told me.

I complained to the front desk that both pools on the ship lacked a shallow end. They were 5 feet, 9 inches deep everywhere, an inch over the top of my head. Who designed these pools? Retired NBA players?

“Am I the only person to complain about this?” I asked the cruise director.

“No, Mr. Wolfsie, but you are the tallest.”

One night, I carried the TV remote onto the veranda outside our room that overlooked the ocean. The device slipped out of my hand when the ship rocked and it landed in the Atlantic.

“That’s never happened before,” said the steward. “What were you doing when you dropped it?”

“I was channel surfing,” I

told him.

Our room safe required us to choose a security code. I used our old house number. But I must have entered it incorrectly when I programmed it, because I could not unlock it with those same digits later that night. Panicked, I called the security desk.

“How did I get locked out of my own safe?”

“Wait a second, aren’t you the guy who griped about the snorkeling, swiped the hand sanitizer with his key card, complained that the pool has no shallow end and lost his remote in the Atlantic? And did you ever get your hearing aid fixed?”

Wow, word travels fast at sea.

On the way home, I went to the deli at the airport to get a bite to eat before boarding the plane. All they had was a stale-looking chicken sandwich with wilted lettuce and slimy American cheese. I bought one along with a bottle of water. Mary Ellen took a pass.

“That will be $25,” said the cashier.

“$25? At Costco right here in San Juan, I could get five whole rotisserie chickens for $25.

“Good luck fitting them under your seat, sir.”

Again, despite what you

have read, I had a wonderful time. I especially liked our last glorious day in Puerto Rico. As

David Letterman would have said, “It was 75 and sunny. Just like me.”

Lenten pierogi dinners in Valparaiso

The Knights Council 12149 out of Our Lady of Sorrows Parish, 356 W. 700N, Valparaiso, will be having “Lenten” pierogi dinners 4:30-6:30 p.m. Friday, March 10, March 17, March 24 and March 31 in the Parish Hall.

Choices of cheese, potato or kraut, cabbage and noodles, vegetable, soup and salad bar, coffee or tea is $12 per plate. Carry-outs are available and

include the basic dinner, minus the soup and salad, for $10. A children’s menu for those ages 4-8 includes slices of cheese pizza and the salad bar for $4, with kids under 3 eating free. Soft drinks and bottled water are $1 each. Wonderfully tasty desserts will be sold by the Altar and Rosary Society. Cash or credit cards will be accepted. Come and have a great meal and good fellowship.

Permaculture Design Course offered

Purdue Extension has announced that Rhonda Baird, Christine Maloney and guest speakers are partnering with NWI Permaculture Meetup, the NWI Food Council and Purdue Extension to provide the Permaculture Design Course. The course runs from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., March 24-26, April 15-16, April 29-30, May 19-21, June 3-4, and June 23-24 at the Lake

County Purdue Extension office in Crown Point.

More information is available at the Sheltering Hills Design website, shelteringhills.net/education-and-mentoring/permaculture-design-course/?swcfpc=1. Interested parties also can contact Purdue ExtensionLake County at (219) 755-3240, or Rebecca Koetz at busser@ purdue.edu.

Five common estate planning mistakes to avoid

Trust and estate planning is an important part of ensuring the security of your family’s future. Here are five common trust and estate planning mistakes and how to prevent them.

1. Not Planning Ahead

Failing to have an estate plan in place can be a costly mistake. Without a valid will or trust, assets may not be distributed according to your wishes

when you pass away. Without an estate plan in place, it’s likely that probate proceedings will take much longer than if one had been created beforehand, resulting in increased legal costs for those involved.

2. Failing To Update Your Plan Regularly Laws and regulations change over time, and without updating your estate plan, parts of it could no longer be valid or effective. Changes in life circumstances also affect how you achieve estate planning goals.

Noe ready to assist with tax and accounting needs

Years ago, when I was a stay-at-home mom with three young children, my husband asked me to take a few accounting classes so I could help at his accounting office. I took more than a few classes, passed the CPA exam, and have been working in accounting for over 40 years.

I have worked at both Martin Binder Jeweler and Strongbow Inn as their accountant, but currently am self-employed in tax preparation. I love helping people deal with our tax systems in the most beneficial way. I serve business and individual clients in all age groups and income levels.

My son, Ben Mortensen, and grandson, Timothy McLean, are now assisting me in my firm. Timothy is working toward his bachelor of science in accounting at Indiana University Northwest. Our goal is

personal, professional service at an affordable price. Clients meet with us in person at our office or send tax documents to us safely via computer and phone apps or the United States Postal Service. I even make house calls for clients who no longer drive and find computer and phone options difficult. Seniors are eligible for an additional 10% discount. Call for more information or to make an appointment at (219) 462-8202.

3. Not Including Funeral And Burial Wishes

If you don’t include funeral and burial wishes in your estate plan, your family may struggle to make important decisions about your service or memorial. Without these instructions, family members often feel overwhelmed and unsure about how to honor their loved one’s memory.

DISCLOSURE

This information is not designed, meant, or constitute the rendering of legal or tax advice. One should consult with an attorney or tax advisor before implementing any strategy discussed here.

Trust services provided by Members Trust Company are

not federally insured, are not obligations of or guaranteed by the credit union or any affiliated entity and involve investment risks, including the possible loss of principle. Members Trust Company is a federal thrift regulated by the office of the comptroller or the currency.

4. Neglecting Tax

Considerations

When it comes to trust and estate planning, one of the most important considerations is taxes. Estate planning professionals can determine what strategy is best to reduce taxes, such as setting up trusts, donating money/property to charitable organizations, or distributing assets to family members with lower tax brackets.

5. Failing To Plan For Incapacity

Incapacity planning is an often overlooked but essential part of the estate planning process. Without this important step, you could be leaving your loved ones with a difficult decision in the event you cannot make decisions for yourself.

Shop for a tax preparer

Most of us spend more time reading the labels on the cans and boxes of groceries we buy than we do checking out the qualifications of a prospective tax preparer. It maybe because we don’t want to display our ignorance to another person. But if we were tax experts, we wouldn’t need tax preparers.

There are some simple steps to take when hiring and reaching an agreement with someone to prepare your taxes.

First of all, make appointments with three or four to discuss your situation and their backgrounds. Find out if you’re comfortable with him

or her. It’s your money you’re spending and there should be comfortable and open communication between the two of you.

Check the person’s credentials, specialized courses, range of expertise and experience, and length of time in business. Find out how busy he or she is — is business so slow that the tax preparer just can’t cover enough ground in the tax field or is business so brisk that there isn’t much room to squeeze you in.

Ask him or her about any professional affiliations and ongoing education. And, before you leave, ask how much your tax preparation will cost.

Mature Life Features Copyright 2023

Slam the scam: How to spot government imposters

Do you know how to spot a government imposter scam? Knowing how to identify potential scammers will help safeguard your personal information.

There are common elements to many of these scams. Scammers often exploit fears and threaten you with arrest or legal action. Scammers also pose as Social Security or other government employees and

claim there’s a problem with your Social Security number or your benefits. They may even claim your SSN is linked to a crime.

When you identify a potential scammer:

• Hang up right away or ignore the message.

• Never give personal information or money.

• Report the scam immediately to our Office of the Inspector General at oig.ssa. gov/scam-awareness/report-thescam.

If you owe money to Social Security, we’ll mail you a letter with payment options and appeal rights. We only accept payments electronically through pay.gov, Online Bill Pay or physically by check or money order through our offices.

We will never do the following:

• Threaten you with arrest or legal action because you

don’t agree to pay us money immediately.

• Promise a benefit increase in exchange for money.

• Ask you to send us gift cards, prepaid debit cards, wire transfers, internet currency, cryptocurrency or cash through the U.S. mail.

Scammers continue to evolve and find new ways to steal your money and personal information. Stay vigilant and help raise awareness about Social Securityrelated scams and other government imposter scams. For more information on scams, visit ssa. gov/scam.

Tell your friends and family about government imposter scams. Let them know they don’t have to be embarrassed to report if they shared personal financial information or suffered a financial loss. The important thing is to report the scam right away.

Together, we can “Slam the Scam!”

Healthy Reminders for Adults over 50!

1. Take Your Medication as Directed

All medications, whether over-the-counter or prescribed, include directions for safe use. Be sure to follow all printed guidelines and the advice of your doctor to ensure that the medicine works safely and effectively.

2. Don’t Overdo It

Using alcohol and medications unintentionally or to cope with big life changes is called substance misuse. Help can begin with diagnosis, addressing chronic health issues, rebuilding support systems and starting treatment.

3. Check in with Your Mood

Feeling persistently sad or that you don’t have value can indicate depression, especially when these feelings affect your daily routine. Depression can be treated with talk therapy and/or medication. You can also lower the risk of depression when you prepare for major life changes, stay physically active, and share how you are feeling with family or friends.

4. Find Purpose Each Day

Feeling that your life has purpose is a key to fulfillment. It can impact your health positively, and may also slow down aging and increase longevity. Make choices and plan activities based on what is enjoyable, interesting, and important to you.

Learn More When You...

• Talk with your healthcare provider. Bring your questions about healthy aging.

• Book your adult group for a WISE class series about living a healthy lifestyle! This 6-week series takes a fun, interactive and educational look at aging. To learn more or schedule your group, visit www.porterstarke.org/lifeonpurpose

• Visit www.porterstarke.org Discover even more healthy ways to live Life. On Purpose.

Age isn’t a deterrent for Crown Point ice hockey player

Ice hockey is a sport typically played by the younger set. As an action-packed, high-intensity, rough, contact sport, people tend to shy away from it as they age and the likelihood of injury increases. But to Kim Pilarski, 66, of Crown Point, age is just a number as he continues on with the sport he loves, despite the physical risks.

It wasn’t until he was around 50 that he took up the sport after his kids joined a league. Although he grew up on a lake and spent time ice skating in the winter months, he never played the sport in an organized way as a youngster. Any games of ice hockey were a spontaneous gathering of neighborhood kids playing around rather than a serious competition among formed teams.

“I have four kids and was playing basketball a lot,” he said. “I was going to the YMCA and in a league there, but I was getting injured quite easily and knew that if I sprained an ankle, I couldn’t work. So when I signed up my kids for ice hockey, I thought maybe it was a sport I could play.”

Shifting from basketball to ice hockey definitely didn’t

eliminate the risk of injury; it just changed the type of injury risk. While he wasn’t spraining his ankle, he took a puck to the eye, had broken ribs and lower body injuries that likely contributed to his knee replacement surgery.

“After surgery, my doctor said I would never play hockey again, and that was six years ago,” he said. “He recommended the I not play again and I exceeded his expectations.”

Currently, Pilarski plays in an adult winter hockey league in Crown Point as well as some indoor tournaments at The Kube in Hammond and Midwest Training & Ice Center in St. John.

“It’s something you can play year round,” he said. He plays weekly on Sundays with a church-sponsored group at The Kube that he described as a hockey ministry with an organization called “Pass It On.” He’s been involved with the organization since he started playing ice hockey. In the hockey ministry, he plays with all ages, including seniors.

“We have tournaments and go across the country,” he said. The ministry has taken him to cities in Minnesota, Texas, North Carolina, Tennessee and other places. “It’s pretty com-

Professional Services

Q. What documents are included in an Estate Plan?

A. A comprehensive estate plan typically includes four important documents:

1. Revocable Living Trust - A revocable living trust includes two plans, describing what you want to have happen to your property after you’re gone and to you if you become incapacitated.

2. Pour-Over Will - A pour-over will ensures any remaining assets will automatically transfer or “pour over” into an established trust. If the creator of a trust forgets to title an asset in the name of the trust, this will inform the probate court that the asset should be distributed to the trustee and beneficiaries according to the terms of the trust.

3. Financial Power of Attorney (POA) -

petitive. You’ll see former NHL players there.”

It’s a different story with the outdoor winter league at Bulldog Park. “In that league, I’m the oldest by far,” he said. “At one point, I was skating in a game and added up the ages of three of the players and it was still less than my age.”

So, sometimes he finds himself on the ice with players like himself, who might have had hip replacement surgeries and other times he’s skating with players who could be his grandchildren.

“Hockey in your 60s is all about fighting off injury and finding a way to adapt to conditions,” said Pilarski. “It’s a big challenge to stay in physical shape, but when you get out there, it’s the best thing. It’s like flying.”

To stay in shape, he and his wife do long-distance running and bicycling.

“Some weeks I combine biking, running and hockey,” he said. “You have to be physically fit to play hockey.”

Now retired, he still does occasional work as a longdistance mover and he enjoys woodworking, building furniture and playing piano and guitar. “And my goal is to continue skating into my 70s,” he said.

Advertising in Senior Life News Works!!

Q. What is the likelihood I will get a response if placing an ad in Senior Life?

Ryan Hahn Trust Administrator

A POA is a legal document that authorizes someone to act upon your behalf in financial matters.

4. Advance Healthcare Directive - An advance healthcare directive is a legal document that specifies what actions should be taken for your health if you are no longer able to make decisions because of illness or incapacity.

DISCLOSURE: This information is not designed, meant, nor does it constitute the rendering of legal or tax advice. You should consult with your attorney and/or tax advisor before implementing any strategy discussed here. Trust services provided by MEMBERS Trust Company are not federally insured, are not obligations of or guaranteed by the credit union or any affiliated entity, involve investment risks, including the possible loss of principle. MEMBERS Trust Company is a federal thrift regulated by the Office of the Comptroller or the Currency.

Ryan Hahn Trust Administrator Wealth Management Center 110 S. Main St. South

Bend, Indiana 46601 (574) 284-6210, ext. 6232

A. If your product or service is geared to adults over the age of 50, Senior Life is the newspaper for you! According to CVC, our readers average 45 years of age and older and frequently purchase products or services from the ads they see in Senior Life (74.8%). Call or send me an email today to discuss adding Senior Life into your marketing strategy.

Sixties Flashback —

When the greatest met the greatest

“Gorgeous George” was born George Raymond Wagner in 1915. He grew up in a tough Houston neighborhood, where he learned to wrestle at the local YMCA and soon established himself as a freestyle champion.

He later became a self-promoting professional wrestler and the sport’s first superstar villain. After growing his blond hair long and dyeing it platinum, Wagner began calling himself Gorgeous George. And that was just the beginning.

The savvy showman also started making entrances that could be labeled bona fide spectacles. Amid catcalls and jeers from the sellout crowds, George, bathed in a purple spotlight, would stroll slowly down the aisle in a red velvet gown on a red carpet amid the booming strains of “Pomp and Circumstance.”

Once inside the ropes, his valet would spray a scented mist around the ring. After loudly proclaiming his greatness to the people there, George would then usually proceed to vanquish each challenger.

In the late 1940s, in the early days of television, he helped bring professional wrestling — with all its well-rehearsed antics — into America’s living rooms. By the 1950s, George was the best-known wrestler in the world, raking in over $100,000 a year (when the hourly federal minimum wage was $1) and becoming one of

Ladders can be hazardous

Ladders can be mighty helpful but they also can be hazardous to your health and well-being. Just like step-stools.

Whether it’s cleaning the eaves or taking down the Christmas-tree decorations, you’re just a slip away from a fall.

The first thing you have to see to is setting the ladder (or stool) on a firm and level foundation.

If the ground or floor is uneven, use boards or furniture-feet coasters to provide a safe setting.

Make sure the climbing angle is safe and then climb slowly and carefully. Never stand on the top of any ladder. Stop three runs form the top of a straight or extension ladder.

If you have to reach to get the job done, climb back down and reposition the ladder.

the highest paid athletes of his time.

One day in June 1961, at a Las Vegas radio station, he met a rising young boxer from Kentucky named Cassius Clay. Each was there to give an interview to promote an upcoming event in their respective fields at the nearby Convention Center.

Clay went first, calmly and politely answering questions about his future opponent, a Hawaiian named “Duke” Sabedong.

Things changed when George, who was there to wrestle “Classy” Freddie Blassie, took the mic. Asked what Gorgeous George would do if he lost to his opponent, the aging showman thundered, “I’d crawl across the ring and cut my hair off! But that’s not going to happen, because I am the greatest

wrestler in the world!”

After the interviews, the 46-year-old George gave the 19-year-old Clay some sage advice: “Boxing, wrestling, it’s all a show. A lot of people will pay to see someone shut your mouth. So keep on bragging, keep on sassing, and always be outrageous!”

Cassius took the words to heart. As the Louisville Lip, he began boasting that he was the greatest boxer ever. (Like George in his prime, he had the skills to back up those boasts.)

Clay would also offer such witticisms as “I should be a postage stamp. That’s the only way I’ll ever get licked!”

George’s star eventually dimmed, and on the day after Christmas 1963, he died anonymously at 48 of a heart attack. Two months later, on Feb. 25, 1964, Clay, at age 22 a 7-to-1

underdog, defeated heavyweight boxing champ Sonny Liston. That night, Cassius — soon to become Muhammad Ali — echoed the words of the man

who had changed his future and bellowed to the ringside press, “Eat your words! I am the greatest!” And, truly, he was.

Let the glycemic index be a guide

For vegetables: Low GI

Broccoli, 10

Cabbage, 10

Mushrooms, 10

Chillies, 10

Lettuce, 10

Red peppers, 10

Onions, 10

Eggplant/aubergine, 15

Cauliflower, 15

Tomatoes, 15

Green beans, 15

Raw carrots, 16

here? Two pieces of toast for breakfast, a sandwich and chips for lunch and pizza for dinner has never been ideal. Planning out your day will always serve you better. Knowledge will always serve you better. Commitment will

Some people insist “a calorie is a calorie” and it doesn’t matter if you are eating 1,500 calories of marshmallows or 1,500 calories of vegetables, to which I would say, “Not so fast.”

Our bodies convert what we eat to energy — glucose, and since marshmallows are already sugar, which is at the top of the glycemic index, our body very quickly converts the calories into glucose, which makes blood sugar soar. Conversely, 1,500 calories of vegetables slowly digest without blood sugar spiking, as it would with sugar or refined carbohydrates like bread and baked goods.

The GI is based on 50 grams of whichever food,with a measurement of how high the blood glucose peaks two hours after consumption. That translates to 1 cup of pasta, but it also translates to 7 cups of carrots, so you need to consider the food groups.

The GI can also change based on the ripeness of fruit, whether an item is cooked and even whether it is overcooked, as that breaks down the cellular structure causing the food to be more easily digested.

Frozen green peas, 39

Boiled carrots, 41

Frozen sweet corn, 47

To the high end: High GI

Pumpkin, 75

Parsnips, 97

Let’s look at bread: Medium GI

Pita, white, 57

Hamburger bun, 61

Wholemeal Rye, 62

Croissant, 67 High GI

White, 71

Bagel, 72

French baguette, 95

And beans: Low GI

Lentils, red, 21

Lentils, green, 30

Haricot/navy beans, 31

Yellow split peas, 32

Butter beans, 36

Chickpeas, 42

Pinto beans, 45

Black-eyed beans, 50

Kidney beans (canned), 52

And snack food:

High GI

Donuts, 76

Water crackers, 78

Puffed crispbread, 81

Pretzels, 83

Rice cakes, 87

Scones, 92

Do you see where I’m going

always serve you better.

As a guideline, low GI is 55 or less, medium GI is 56-69 and high GI is 70 or more. Sweet potato over white potato, corn over flour, 100% whole wheat over white flour. And, of course, whole food

over processed.

To your health.

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

Hapless headlines

More than six decades in the newspaper business has given me the opportunity to collect, correct and clip out headlines that have caused red faces — from embarrassment by those who wrote them and from laughing by those who read them.

Many sneaked through the editorial staff at papers I worked for, others hit the streets in competing pages, a lot were sent to me by colleagues, and the rest I just read in papers picked up here and there.

Some of you must have seen some of them.

Like:

Police launch campaign to run down jaywalkers

Panda mating fails, veterinarian takes over Miners refuse to work after death

Astronaut takes blame for gas in spacecraft

Kids make nutritious snacks

Homicide victims rarely talk to police

Marijuana issue sent to a joint committee

China may be using sea to hide its submarines

Man kills himself and runs away

Federal agents raid gun shop,

Offering A Full Spectrum Of Care For All Your Needs

Sheffield Manor Assisted Living

offers affordable, luxury living with a professional staff that is dedicated to providing the assistance you need to remain active and as indepedent as possible.

Dyer Nursing & Rehabilitation Center

offers Post-Acute Rehabilitation Programs helping individuals become as independent as possible following an injury, surgery or illness.

find weapons

Bugs flying around with wings are flying bugs

Bridges help people cross rivers

Girls’ schools still offering “Something Special” — Head State population to double by 2040, babies to blame

Greenland meteorite may be from space

Students cook & serve grandparents

City unsure why the sewer smells

Man found dead in graveyard

Planes forced to land at airports

Statistics show that teen pregnancy drops significantly after 25

Diana Was Still Alive Hours Before She Died

One-armed man applauds the kindness of strangers

Most earthquake damage is caused by shaking

And my all-time favorite:

Cold wave linked to temperatures.

Mature Life Features Copyright 2023

‘Pee-Wee Prom’ for all ages at Portage YMCA

Originally intended to celebrate graduating preschoolers, the Portage Township YMCA’s Pee-Wee Prom quickly became a tradition for families of all shapes and sizes. In line with the Portage Y’s mission of “For All,” this year’s event, “Under the Big Top,” will be held from 6-8 p.m. Friday, March 10, at Woodland Park’s Oakwood Hall.

The circus-themed evening is for all family types and is geared towards children 8 years old and younger, but all ages are welcome. Attire is themed, dress-up or semi-casual and is open to the public.

Amber Jones, preschool coordinator for the Portage Township YMCA’s Active Learning Preschool Academy has attended Pee-Wee Prom long before she was ever employed by the Y. “I

just love this event for families. It gives parents, grandparents, step-parents, stand-in parents, guardians, adoptive parents, family friends and any other adult role models an opportunity to have a magical evening with some very special kiddos. PeeWee Prom truly encompasses the Y’s ‘For All’ stance.”

Catered food by Cappo’s with music and professional photos by Classic Photo will make for a most memorable evening, and the fun doesn’t stop there. The Y’s iconic balloon-drop and takehome gift will end the evening.

Tickets are just $20 per person for all ages. Tickets can be purchased at the YMCA or online at www.ymcaofportage.org/prom. For more information, call (219) 762-9622 or visit ymcaofportage. org/prom.

IIt’s easy! Simply find the chick on another page in this edition. Go online to www.SeniorLifeNewspapers.com and enter your information, the edition, date and page number you found it on. This will enter you for a chance to win a gift of $25.

I Spy February winner is Teresa Heckler. The groundhog was located on page 5 in Senior Elko, page 18 in Senior St. Joseph, page 15 in Senior Allen and page 18 in Senior Northwest.

For Information On How To Advertise Call 219-254-2345

AMERICAN HISTORY 101

ACROSS

1. Frill on a blouse

6. Consumed

9. Toothy freshwater fish

13. *Site of famous Texas Revolution battle

14. “Losing My Religion” band

15. Opposite of crazier

16. Marine polyp 17. “____ Te Ching”, book

18. Gastric woe

19. *First Catholic President

21. *Underground Railroad conductor 23. Knot-tying vow (2 words) 24. Cold transmitter 25. Definite article 28. Popular fairy tale beginning

Woody tissue

X-ray units 37. Women in habits 39. It follows eta

Quantity of measurement 41. Crosswise, on deck

Old flames

Avocado HUMMUS

This vibrant green hummus recipe couldn’t be easier--j ust toss a few ingredients in the food processor and whirr away! Aquafaba (the liquid from a can of chickpeas) and avocado make this healthy dip extra smooth and creamy. Serve with veggie chips, pita chips or crudités.

10 servings; Active 10 minutes; Total 10 minutes

INGREDIENTS:

1 (15 ounce) can no-salt-added chickpeas

1 ripe avocado, halved and pitted

1 cup fresh cilantro leaves

¼ cup tahini

¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil

¼ cup lemon juice

1 clove garlic

1 teaspoon ground cumin

½ teaspoon salt

DIRECTIONS:

Drain chickpeas, reserving 2 tablespoons of the liquid. Transfer the chickpeas and the reserved liquid to a food processor. Add avocado, cilantro, tahini, oil, lemon juice, garlic, cumin and salt. Puree until very smooth. Serve with veggie chips, pita chips or crudités.

NUTRITION INFORMATION:

Serving Size: 1/4 cup

Per Serving: 156 calories; protein 3.3g; carbohydrates 9.5g; dietary fiber 3.2g; sugars 0.3g; fat 12.4g; saturated fat 1.7g; vitamin a iu 148IU; vitamin c 5.2mg; folate 34.8mcg; calcium 25.2mg; iron 0.7mg; magnesium 18.5mg; potassium 168.6mg; sodium 174.8mg.

Exchanges: 2 1/2 fat, 1/2 lean protein, 1/2 starch

Faith Parish catechists guide students on faith journeys

Kids can ask the darnedest questions, even in religion class.

Michelle Baumgarten, a longtime catechist at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Parish in Schererville, recalled a thirdgrader who posed this question: Christmas has the word “Christ” in it, but what goes with Easter? She had to research the answer.

(Spoiler alert: The word Easter apparently derives from Old English, Dutch and German.)

“I love working with kids,” said Baumgarten, a catechist for 23 years. “They come up with the craziest ideas. They challenge you, too.”

“I love children, too,” added fellow catechist Jo Brown. “I love teaching them about Jesus and his church. I tell them that Jesus loves them, and then you see it in their eyes.”

Brown, a retiree, has been in faith formation for at least 25 years. Baumgarten has been a software engineer for 42 years. Both women teach eighth grade formation, while Baumgarten also works with third-graders.

Third grade preparation for first reconciliation and communion was a victim of COVID, so Baumgarten has been working on that. Teaching eighth grade can be tough, she noted, “but I get such positive feedback.”

She recalled a student who returned to thank her for this advice: As your prayer life gets better, your whole life gets better. Brown noted, “Students think their faith formation ends at eighth grade when they walk out the door. I tell them it’s not over. They’re just beginning their faith journey.”

Faith formation students participated in an evening burning of the ashes prior to Ash Wednesday. Afterward, Brown gave students a tour of the church, while Baumgarten helped students build prayer boxes.

“I love their passion about their faith,” said Kim Hoogeveen, parish director of faith formation. “They’re not afraid to talk about the Lord, especially to the middle grades. They talk from a true sense of self.”

The faith formation at St. Michael the Archangel has 319 students and a staff of 39 cat-

echists.

“We have a big program,” Hoogeveen noted.

Baumgarten is teaching the three pillars of Lent — prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Her students are also involved in the Stations of the Cross, a common Lenten devotion, and take part in Living Stations later in Lent.

“Lent is different from any other time of the year,” Brown said. “I tell my students you can’t have Easter without Good Friday. Say ‘thank you’ to Jesus for his suffering.”

Baumgarten sees living one’s faith as doing and sharing the faith. “Faith without works is meaningless,” she said.

Brown added, “Every second, day in and day out, you have to follow Jesus.”

Baumgarten has two children and three grandchildren. Brown has three children and five grandchildren.

Turning to scripture, Baumgarten recites Proverbs 16:9: “In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.”

For the religion teacher that means this: “Let go and let God.”

Brown believes “anything is possible with God” and “do not be afraid.”

“I know Jesus can cure any kind of problem,” she said. “Jesus, I trust in you.”

Falls happen any time of year

Half of the 32,000 deaths caused by falling happen to folks 75 years or older.

Falling is second only to heart disease as the major cause of deaths and aging is the number one factor involved in these fatalities.

Three major causes of the more than 35 million falls reported annually are a step, slip or trip, all of which can be prevented, according to a consensus of health officials across the land.

Maintaining a healthful regimen is the initial process in the campaign to avoid falling.

Eat regularly and drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration. Develop and a keep up a regular exercise program that includes stretching and balance exercises as well some stamina, such as walking or swimming or biking.

Get regular medical checkups as well as hearing and vision tests.

Talk with your doctor about the effects and interaction of the medications you’re taking and ask if you should add vitamin D or calcium to the list.

Meet with them immediately if you’re having light-headed, dizzy or fainting spells.

Have all your prescriptions filled at one pharmacy and get your supplements there so you can discuss how everything interacts.

When you get home, remove all loose mats and rugs that make easy trip-over material. Check your furniture layout to ensure you have plenty of room to move around. Get rid of excess pieces that may look nice but are in the way. Wear non-slip footwear around the house.

If it’s suggested that you might need a walker or cane, get one, and use it. Consider getting a medical alert device, especially if you’re living alone.

To avoid slipping, install nonslip flooring in your tub/shower and install grab bars at critical spots in the bathroom.

Add nightlights and handrails along the corridors that lead from your bedroom to bathroom.

While you’re at it, install night lights and handrails along the stairs to your basement and bedroom. Keep all passages well lighted and clear of rugs and objects you can trip over.

Store everything — canned goods, tools, laundry soap — within easy reach without the need of a ladder or step stool.

Mature Life Features Copyright 2023

Letter to the editor A suggestion for a new law

Dear Editor:

A big problem with the Medicare system is that medical firms use billing firms in other states and don’t share information or responsibilities in a timely manner. When one of our clients has a medical bill problem, I search for someone who is competent and responsible to discuss and resolve the problem.

As I write this, I am on hold with a billing firm in North Carolina to discuss and resolve a medical bill problem with a firm in Lake County, Indiana. There is a balance of a bill to our client because Medicare failed to send claim information to our client’s Medicare supplement insurance company.

I should be able to just call

We welcome readers’ letters.

the medical firm and/or the billing firm to talk to someone and get them to send the critical claim information to our client’s insurance company. But people at medical firms and billing firms often hide from calls like mine. They don’t want to do any work to resolve such problems. That hurts senior citizens on Medicare. It makes helping such seniors very difficult.

I suggest that every state and the federal government pass laws that require every billing firm to file for authorization to do business in any state where a bill is being sent. If that is done, then the consumer protection division of each state’s attorney general’s office will be able to help get the attention of medical and billing firms that

send bills to senior citizens in their respective states. With that authority, it will be easier for people who help senior citizens get to a person who can help resolve the billing problem because the attorney general will be able to “put fire under” any firm that does not cooperate.

If you like this idea and want to help consumers who are victims of such medical and billing firms, contact your congressman and state representatives, or your state’s attorney general. The attorney general can propose and explain a proposed law to the state’s representatives and governor.

Sincerely,

Woodrow Wilcox Dyer

Our requirements are as follows: Letters must be written to the editor, not the public. They must be signed with full name in ink. Signature will be printed on all letters. Letters must include an address and phone number, which will be used for verification, but will not be published. Emailed letters will be accepted but the above information must be included.

We ask that letters be limited to 400 words. Letters longer than 400 words may be edited for brevity.

Writers may be limited to one published letter per month. Readers with lengthy comments should contact an editor about possible guest columns.

Send letters to: Senior Life, P. O. Box 188, Milford, IN 46542 or dpatterson@the-papers.com.

Update cash beneficiaries

The individuals or institutions benefiting in your will might not benefit from your bank, mutualfund and brokerage accounts if they aren’t named on them, too.

If the information on those is out of date, the wrong people may inherit the money if the beneficiaries and co-signers on those accounts differ.

Check all your accounts to make sure the proper beneficiaries are listed with their Social Security numbers, addresses and dates of birth. Make sure their contact information also is up to date.

Get

Hospice of the Calumet Area — Korellis employees taking stock in their community

A surprise call came into the Hospice of the Calumet Area office on Valentine’s Day morning from Korellis Safety Coordinator Meredith MoranPruim. She informed HCA Marketing Director Damian Rico that her office staff from their Employee Stock Ownership Plan team made Valentine’s cards for their hospice patients.

“We just love the work

Hospice of the Calumet Area does in our community,” said Moran-Pruim. “Both my grandparents were cared for by HCA and when I recently heard the marketing team speak at St. Michael (the Archangel), I just knew we needed to do something for them, not just financially, but stewardly.”

Now retired, owner Pete Korellis recently donated a generous $60,000 gift to Hospice of the Calumet Area as part of their William J. Riley Memorial Residence Capital Campaign. The campaign

includes a new roof, windows, parking lot, a Veterans Memorial and landscaped gardens. The entire initiative total cost is $1 million and is slated to be completed in 2024.

“Korellis has been so generous and their donation for our in-patient facility is greatly appreciated,” said Joan McInerney, HCA development director. “Not only have they invested financially, but emotionally. That is so important because our organization is very special and patient and family centered, from our emphasis on hospice educa-

tion to the expert care we provide.”

The Korellis’ Employee Stock Ownership Plan team

has been heavily involved in the community for the past two years and has made blankets for Phil’s Friends, raised funds for Salvation Army, NWI Food Bank, Relay for Life, Ronald McDonald House, sent care packages to Ukrainian children and even went to the Feed My Starving Children facility in Schaumburg to pack nutritious meals for children.

“We like to help others in any way we can, big or small,” said Meredith Moran-Pruim. “Bringing a smile to someone’s face and making someone’s day brighter is what we hope to accomplish.”

Life Care Center of Valparaiso

3405 N. Campbell, Valparaiso, IN 46385 (219) 462-1023 • www.lcca.com/Valparaiso

Rehabilitation Unit, Skilled Licensed Nursing, Ready Set Go Rehab Program, Inpatient/Outpatient Physical, Occupational, Speech, Respiratory, Therapy, Wound Care, Respite And Hospice Care, Private/SemiPrivate Rooms, Pet Visitation Allowed, Facility Van, JCAHO Accredited, Medicare, Insurance, Medicaid Accepted

8380 Virginia St., Merrillville, IN 46410 (219) 769-9009 • www.lincolnshirehrc.com

7935 Calumet Ave., Munster, IN 46321 (219) 836-8300 • www.munstermed-inn.com

Brentwood at Hobart

1420 St. Mary Circle, Hobart, IN 46342 (219) 945-1968

www.BrentwoodHobartSeniorLiving.com

Assisted Living, Alzheimer’s Unit, Therapies: Speech-OccupationalPhysical, Temporary Care, Private/Semi-Private Rooms, Pets Allowed, Private Dining Room, Enclosed Courtyard, 14 Passenger Van

Dyer Nursing & Rehab Center

601 Sheffield Avenue, Dyer, IN 46311 (219) 322-2273 • www.dyernursingandrehab.com

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

Hammond-Whiting Care Center

1000-114th Street, Whiting, IN 46394 (219) 659-2770

www.hammondwhitingconvalescentcenter.com

Rehabilitation Unit, Skilled Licensed Nursing, Semi-Skilled Nursing, Therapies: Speech-Occupational-Physical, Long Term Care, Temporary Care, Respite Care, Hospice Care, JCAHO Accredited, Private/SemiPrivate Rooms, Pet Visitation Allowed, Medicare and/or Medicaid

Harbor Health & Rehab

5025 McCook Ave., East Chicago, IN 46312 (219) 397-0380 • www.harborhealth.com

Skilled Licensed Nursing, Semi-Skilled Nursing, Rehabilitation Unit; Therapies: Speech, Occupational and Physical; Long Term Care, Respite/Temporary Care, Hospice Care, Trach/Respiratory Care, Private/Semi-Private Rooms, Certified Medicare and Medicaid Provider

Life Care Center of The Willows

1000 Elizabeth Drive, Valparaiso, IN 46385 (219) 464-4858 • www.lcca.com

Rehabilitation Unit, Skilled Licensed Nursing 24/7, Ready Set Go Program for Rehab to Home; Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapies; Exceptional Wound Care; Respite Care; Pallitative and Hospice Care; Long-term Care; Private/Semi-Private Rooms; Pet Visitation Allowed; Medicare, Medicaid, Most Insurances, Private Pay Accepted

Saint Anthony

221 W. Division Road, Demotte, IN 46310 (219) 987-7005 • www.oakgrovecrv.org

Experience Our Unique Approach To Senior Living & Memory Support 2300 Village Point, Chesterton, IN 46304 (219) 921-5200 • www.ResidencesAtCoffeeCreek.com

Experience Our Unique Approach To Senior Living & Memory Support 401 E. U.S. 30, Schererville, IN 46375 (219) 864-0700 • www.ResidencesAtDeerCreek.com

203 Franciscan Drive. Crown Point, IN 46307 (219) 661-5100

MajesticCare.com

Assisted Living, Private Rooms, Memory Care, Skilled Nursing, Long Term Care, Respite Care, Rehabilitation Services (including Physical, Occupational, Speech and Respiratory Therapy), Pet Visitation, Accepts Most Payer Sources. *Saint Anthony is no longer affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church, the Diocese of Gary or the Franciscan Sisters of Chicago.

601 Sheffield, Dyer, IN 46311 (219) 865-5200 • www.assistedlivingdyer.com

606 Wall Street, Valparaiso, IN 46383 (219) 464-4976

Send listings of events, hosted by nonprofit organizations, to Senior Life, P.O. Box 188, Milford, IN 46542 by March 27 for April events. With listing, include contact person and a phone number.

Maria Reiner Center

• Monday Stretch class level 1, 9 a.m.; ukulele, 10 a.m.; cardio strength with Janice, 10 a.m.; bocce ball, 10 a.m.; smart phone class Androids, 10:30 a.m.; smart phone class Iphone, 11:30 a.m.; oil painting, noon. Pickleball: intermediate, 8-10:30 a.m., advanced, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., open play, 12:30 p.m. to close.

• Tuesday — Breakfast served from 9-11 a.m. for $5. Dominos, 10 a.m.; pool tournament, 10 a.m.; senior cha cha cha, 11 a.m. Pickleball: beginner drills, 8:30-9:30 a.m., beginner and low intermediate, 9:30-11:30 a.m., open play, 11:30 a.m. to close.

• Wednesday Experienced art class, 8:30-11 a.m.; stretch plus level 2, 9 a.m.; bocce ball, 10 a.m.; hand and foot, 10 a.m.; beginner’s art class, 11:30 a.m.; euchre, 12:30 p.m. Pickleball: intermediate, 8:30-10:30 a.m., advanced, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., open play, 12:30 p.m. to close.

• Thursday Lunch served from noon-1 p.m. for $5. Bridge, 10 a.m.; pool tournament, 10 a.m.; dominos, 10 a.m.; Bible as literature, 1:15

p.m.; Happy Hookers and Naughty Knitters, 1 p.m.; Scrabble, 1 p.m.; meditation, 1 p.m. Pickleball: beginner and low intermediate, 8:30-11:30

a.m., open play, 11:30 a.m. to close.

• Friday — Yoga, 10 a.m.; bocce ball, 10 a.m.; bingo (every second and fourth Friday), 12:30 p.m.; bunco (every first and third Friday), 12:30 p.m.

Pickleball: intermediate, 8:3010:30 a.m., advanced, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., open play, 12:30 p.m. to close.

Plus many special classes and presentations. Computer

“Ask the Doc” technology Zoom classes on the first Thursday of each month from 2-4 p.m. Book Club on the third Thursday of every month. Call for more information. Membership $30/ year for Hobart residents and $50/year for outside Hobart residents. $3 daily visitation fee for non-members. Call (219) 947-1864 or visit 705 E. Fourth St., Hobart. For more information, visit www.hobartseniors. com.

St. John Lions Club

Seeking donations of old eyeglasses, sunglasses, hearing aids. Drop-off sites: Community Outpatient Clinic, 9660 Wicker Ave. (Route 41); St. John Library, 9450 Wicker Ave.; Boric Religious Supply Store, 10951 Thiel St.; St. John Town Hall, 10955 W. 93rd Ave.; VFW Post 717, 10400 W. 93rd

AGING & WELLNESS RESOURCES

AGING CONNECTIONS

Serving Northern IN & Southwest MI

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

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

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

ASSISTED LIVING

BRENTWOOD AT HOBART

1420 St. Mary Circle

Hobart, IN 46342

(219) 945-1968

www.BrentwoodHobartSeniorLiving.com

Assisted Living and Memory Care

Pet Friendly

We offer the Vibrant Life® program, Elevate® dining and a variety of assisted living services for our residents.

Come see for yourself why this is living ...

Senior Living

See Our Ad On The Back Page

Ave.; Clear Vue Eyecare, 9270 Wicker Ave.; Dr. Weisman Ophthalmology, 10220 Wicker Ave. # 3; Kolling School, 8801 Wicker Ave.; Metropolitan Eye Care, 9488 Wicker Ave.; Moses Eye Care, 7974 Wicker Ave.; Strack & Van Til, 9825 Wicker Ave.; Vision Boutique, 8319 Wicker Ave.; Welch’s Stop and Shop, 11333 W. 95th Ave.

Monthly meetings are held

at 7 p.m. the first Thursday of every month (September to June) at Roma Grill, 9543 Wicker Ave., St. John. Questions, contact Lion Al at (219) 201-9103.

Whiting Lions Club

Seeking donations of old eyeglasses, sunglasses, hearing aids. Drop off in yellow collection box on 119th Street, Whiting.

Highland Lions Club

Seeking donations of old eyeglasses. Drop off sites are: Town Hall, 3333 Ridge Road; Lincoln Center, 2450 Lincoln St.; Centier Bank, 9701 Indianapolis Blvd.; McColly Realty, 2002 45th St.; Dr. Ligget, 2940 Highway Ave.; Family Eye Care, 8417 Kennedy Ave.; and Johnson Opticians, 8128 Kennedy Ave., Highland.

Tips for tippers

“I don’t tip,” a table-mate made clear during a travel conversation recently. “I pay for service,” he said.

This primarily North American trait has sneaked its way into some countries but not all of them. Chinese and Japanese can take offense if you try to add a tip to their charge. Most European nations add a service charge so you don’t have to leave them a tip. Italian restaurants do appreciate it if you round out the total on the bill.

But what about paying for service, as our colleague said earlier. He still travels a lot and was referring primarily to housekeepers who attend to the cleanliness of his room when he’s on the road.

This has become significant as reports keep mounting of hotels, inns, B&Bs and the assortment of publicly provided quarters not cleaning their guests’ rooms every day.

If my buddy happens to land in a facility that does not clean its rooms every day, he never leaves a tip. Instead, he leaves that hostelry to find another inn that does clean up daily. His tip depends on the level of service.

Housekeeping is a dirty, messy but invisible job. If it isn’t done right and regularly, the customer suffers.

If the shower curtain isn’t wiped down, that lowers the tip. Is there still dust under the bed? A smaller tip. How about those dirty windows? If they’re not cleaned, that may be enough to send him on the hunt for temporary quarters

elsewhere.

So do sticky TV remotes and a shortage of towels.

If he asks for an extra blanket or more ice, he’ll toss in an extra gratuity when they’re delivered.

He’s also learned tipping staffers early helps guarantee good service for the remainder of his stay. When a request is granted, a thank-you note is wrapped around the tip.

Since he and his family rarely book high-end luxury resorts where tipping can slip over $10 a night, his normal range for a tip is $2 to $5 a day.

He still checks on the tipping rules for whatever region he visits. Some countries still frown on tipping and he wants to avoid offending the service people he counts on to make his visit comfortable. Mature

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Cruising the Great Lakes — Enlightening and relaxing

Editor’s

Note: This piece on Cruising the Great Lakes will serve as an introduction to the places the ship stopped and for the next six months those destinations will be highlighted.

Cruising the Great Lakes is just as enjoyable as doing the Caribbean or the Mediterranean. In fact, it has some advantages that make it very attractive.

For starters, it’s closer to home. Then, it’s less crowded because ships only carry around 200 people. And, they stop at familiar places like Niagara Falls, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

in Cleveland, the Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village in Detroit, Mackinac Island, the Soo Locks at Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., and Holland, Mich. Along the way, it docks in places most people have probably never heard of or would

probably never go to, like the world’s deepest natural freshwater port at Parry Sound, Ontario, Canada, the 30,000 islands of Georgian Bay or Midland with more than 30 beautiful murals.

The Great Lakes are pretty much taken for granted by Midwesterners. On board the Pearl Seas Mist, passengers learn how important they are to the health and welfare of this area and the entire country. Eighty-four percent of North America’s fresh water comes from the Great Lakes, and they hold one-fifth of the world’s fresh water.

The 11-day cruise we took last August departed from Toronto, crossed Lake Ontario and passed through several canals and locks to Niagara Falls. There we donned red plastic ponchos and rode to within 30 yards of the base of Horseshoe

Falls. Water crashing off the rocks filled the air with mist. Cleveland was next on the itinerary and a visit to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In addition to listening to classic performances by many of the hall’s inductees, passengers viewed memorabilia from the stars, including Prince’s famous purple coat and Elvis’s motorcycle.

One section highlighted the fact that when the rock ‘n’ roll revolution hit, parents were concerned it was corrupting their youngsters and actually petitioned to have it banned from the airwaves.

In Detroit, we visited Greenfield Village and rode the steam locomotive around the property before walking to specific buildings. Coal particles from the engine covered everyone in the open viewing cars. Station employees advised to shake

rather than brush. Riding in a 1923 Model T Ford was the highlight.

At Sault Ste. Marie, the ship docked next to a 1917 freighter that is now a maritime museum. Passengers could take a narrated ride through the Soo Locks into Lake Superior and back. In town, a 210-foot tower afforded an overview of the locks, which control the world’s busiest inland shipping channel.

At Mackinac Island, the ship moored just a block from the center of town where horsedrawn wagons and carriages are available to take visitors past Victorian homes, 17 fudge shops, the historic fort and the Grand Hotel. Only people staying at the hotel are allowed to wander the grounds, enjoy the view from its long porch or enter the lobby.

Though tulips were not in season, the city of Holland, Mich., was festooned with flowers of all kinds. One stop was at Windmill Gardens to see a working mill purchased in the Netherlands, dismantled, shipped to Holland and reassembled.

A demonstration of an antique street organ donated by the people of Holland to honor the U.S. servicemen during World War II was a real treat.

World War II Honor Flights —

The Greatest Generation remembered

No doubt many readers have heard of the World War II Honor Flight chapters that are active throughout the United States in various areas. Two of those chapters are northeast Indiana (including northwest Indiana and flying out of Fort Wayne), as well as Illinois in the Chicagoland area.

This story journeys back to my own experience as an honored “guardian” on four of the seven flights carried out by the Myrtle Beach, S.C., Honor Chapter and very similar to Indiana and Illinois.

We arose around 5 a.m. in order to get to the Myrtle Beach International Airport, where we awaited our flight to the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport after a hearty treat of breakfast biscuit sandwiches and coffee and juices provided by a local organization.

Landing at Reagan Airport, we were greeted by an orchestra and a cheering crowd of people who were awaiting

their outbound flights on other airlines. We 90 WWII veterans plus 90 guardians, our own doctor and nurse then boarded three buses, which began our sentimental and tear-filled journey back into history, if you will.

My father was a WWII Army vet but passed away in May 1979 at age 53, so he never got to see “his” WWII Memorial. My vet assigned to me felt as if Dad was with me.

After a brief tour through the city, we arrived at the World War II Memorial where we are greeted by dozens of grade school children who were waving flags and handing the vets thank you cards; homemade, of course. Spending several hours at the WWII Memorial, and choking back tears of happiness, it was time to again board the three buses and continue on.

Our next stops not far away were the Korean and Vietnam memorials and then on to the Iwo Jima Memorial. After a large box lunch provided by Arby’s, we were ready for a quick stop at the Air Force Memorial high atop a hill right after we completed our

viewing of the changing of the guard at Arlington Cemetery.

Soon we were onboard the three buses and headed back to the airport. As we boarded the plane, we were handed a sack lunch of turkey or ham sandwich; our choice. Fifty to

55 minutes later, we landed in Myrtle Beach to another cheering crowd and a wonderful day with 90 World War II veterans.

May we pray that the Honor Flights continue until the last veteran is taken to see his or

her memorial in Washington, D.C.

Any information welcome to: Dr. Greg Lawson, 1801 E. 3rd St., Mishawaka, IN 46544. Lawson is a long-time writer laureate of area history and human interest stories.

It

was

50 years ago

— ‘Rocky Mountain High’ became controversial

John Denver and his wife, Annie, moved to Aspen, Colo., in December 1970, hoping to purchase a home in the couple’s favorite part of their favorite state. What they discovered was that everything cost much more than they could afford. The two thus bought land in a nearby scenic valley, with plans to build a house the next year — if John’s career continued its ascent.

The success of “Rocky Mountain High” would put their minds at ease.

“He was born in the summer of his 27th year.

“Comin’ home to a place he’d never been before.

“He left yesterday behind him,

“You might say he was born again.

“You might say he found the key for every door.”

In his autobiography, “Take Me Home,” Denver stated, “I remember, almost to the moment, when that song started to take shape in my head.” He recalled how he and Annie and some friends had hiked up to Lake Williams to camp below the stars and watch the Perseids meteor showers. (They are called the Perseids because the point from which they appear to hail lies in the constellation Perseus.)

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“Imagine a moonless night in the Rockies in the dead of summer and you have it. … We were right below the tree line, just about 10,000 feet. … Around midnight, I got up and could see the shadow from the starlight, there was so much light from the stars. I went back and lay down in front of our tent, thinking about how in nature all things, large and small, were interwoven, when swoosh, a meteor went smoking by. … It got bigger and bigger until the tail stretched out all the way across the sky and burned itself out. It was raining fire in the sky.”

He began work on a folk tune about the experience with friend Mike Taylor, an acoustic guitarist who had performed with Denver and had also moved to Aspen. The result was Denver’s autobiographical “Rocky Mountain High.” After Denver tweaked it for several months, the resulting RCA Records single became a Top 10 classic.

“The Colorado Rocky Mountain high.

“I’ve seen it rainin’ fire in the sky.

“The shadow from the starlight is softer than a lullaby.

“Rocky Mountain high.”

However, his creation became controversial when some listeners thought the word “high”

referred to drug use. (Nine times we hear “high in Colorado” in the background whenever the line Rocky Mountain high is sung.)

This led Denver to testify before a Senate hearing. “My song ‘Rocky Mountain High’ was banned from many radio stations as a drug-related song,” he said. “This was obviously done by people who had never seen or been to the Rocky Mountains and

also had never experienced the elation, celebration of life or the joy in living that one feels when observing something as wondrous as the Perseides meteor shower.”

End of discussion.

In 1915, “Where the Columbines Grow” became Colorado’s state song. In 1973, “Rocky Mountain High” was added as the official second one.