Senior Life - Northwest Edition - May 2023

Which would you rather visit — a museum located in a former jail or one located in a former retail shop?

On one hand, the Porter County Museum move was short, just across the street. On the other hand, everything is now on one floor and housed in a more modern, welcoming structure.

“The old museum was located in the Porter County sheriff’s home and county jail, which was meant to be intimidating,” said Quinn Albert, a visitor experience associate at the museum. “This is not intimidating.”

The museum foundation moved items from the old museum last year. Porter County owns the previous museum while the foundation is in charge of the new facility, which opened in May 2022.

Another advantage to the new site, Albert said, is that the museum can host special exhibits while rotating other exhibits.

Some of the exhibits have gained an audience. That includes bones from a mastodon first found on Myron Benedict’s farm in Boone Grove around 1909. Benedict stored the remains in a corn crib. Then 40 years later, his children did more digging and discovered the rest of the bones.

Many of those bones remain at the downtown Valparaiso museum while others are at Chicago’s Field Museum. The local exhibit came down at the end of April.

Continued on page 2

Key Positions

Noe poised for continued growth to meet needs

in 2022.

Give Sandra Noe a challenge, and she’ll likely respond, “Give me a couple days, and I can help out.”

As CEO of Meals on Wheels of Northwest Indiana, Noe has faced challenges, including the pandemic. Looking to the future, she has her sights on two issues.

One is reaching out to rural areas, helping farmers stay on their properties. The other is preparing Medically Tailored Meals.

Medically Tailored Meals is a home-delivered nutritional intervention program tailored to clients’ specific needs. According to MOW figures, among 133 million Americans, 45% of the population lives with at least one chronic disease, such as COPD, diabetes, chronic heart disease and renal disorders.

“We already offer four main diets — traditional, sugarfriendly, carb-counted and renal,” Noe said. “Medically Tailored Meals takes that to another level.”

The local Meals on Wheels is the only state agency certified for such meals.

Noe believes the MOWNWI story is “remarkable.” Started 45 years ago serving three families in Crown Point, the agency today prepares 2,000 meals daily, five days a week, for clients in seven Hoosier counties, including Lake and Porter. About 650 volunteers (“we always need more,” Noe interjected) cover 54 distribution routes. Between hours and mileage, volunteers provided $433,129 in services

Even with this growth, Noe sees the agency in grass roots terms of neighbors helping neighbors.

Noe cited research showing that when older adults have the right support, they gain greater quality of life, need fewer hospital visits and live longer.

“Nutrition and health go hand in hand,” the Crown Point resident said. “If you don’t have good nutrition to fortify the body, you won’t have good health. All of us need to eat healthy meals.”

Diet, Noe continued, has a huge impact on one’s health experience. “If you eat well, you won’t have medical issues,” she said.

Meals on Wheels has responded to clients’ needs, even during the pandemic, Noe said. “We never missed a meal delivery. We’ve been very creative in delivering meals.”

To address social distancing, the agency began offering frozen meals to clients in several counties. Meals featured the same nutritional entrees, just frozen.

“We help people stay in their homes,” Noe said. “Our volunteers bring a meal, bring company and bring relief from the challenge of living alone.”

The agency also provides a wellness check. If volunteers suspect something wrong, MOW can contact the client’s emergency provider.

The CEO is marking 37 years with MOW, having started with former Executive Director Margot Clark in 1986.

“She was an incredible mentor,” Noe said, recalling how Clark encouraged her to work toward two more college degrees. “When Margot retired, I felt I was prepared to take over.”

Noe took the reins in 2005.

Noting how young people, including her three children, are leaving the area, Noe said volunteers are needed more than ever. “Volunteering fills a void in people’s lives,” she said. “I’m very proud to have been part of the impact Meals has had in people’s lives.”

For more information on becoming a client or volunteer with Meals on Wheels of Northwest Indiana, call (219) 756-3663 or visit mownwi. org.

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Continued from page 1

Another featured animal, one which died more recently, is Daisy, a family pet dog owned by Helen Slanger of Portage Township. Slanger had a taxidermist preserve her pet after it was killed in 1930.

Albert said visitors come looking for different things, including a military exhibit with a wedding dress from 1948. The dress was made from nylon from a World War II soldier’s parachute. Used in the making of parachutes, nylon was in short supply to civilians during the war.

Also on display is a metal vase from WWI, engraved with the names of battles from that war. From the Korean War era, the museum displays a metal ring made by Koreans and sold to U.S. soldiers.

On a back wall is a WWII memorial plaque with the engraved names of 1,146 GIs from Valparaiso. Those names marked by a star were killed in action.

In sports, the museum has a

baseball playing card of Harry Danning. Named to the Jewish Sports Hall of Fame, Danning was a catcher for the New York Giants. He moved to Valparaiso in 1980 and died in 2004.

“A lot of people like to explore,” Albert said. “A lot of people did not know we existed.”

Another interesting feature is a cash register dated 1914 from Wark’s Hardware Store in Valparaiso. The National Cash Register device was broken into twice and today cannot be opened.

The museum offered activities, including scavenger hunts and information about stores in the nearby courthouse square.

As for the former museum, Albert said the county plans to renovate the building so it is “structurally sound for another 100 years.”

The Porter County Museum is located at 20 N. Indiana St., Valparaiso. Hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesdays through Sundays. To learn more, call (219) 501-1836, or visit pocomuse.org.

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Becerra enjoys post-retirement job with seniors

When you love to work and serve, retirement might not make sense. Frank Becerra of Highland has retired from one career, but is enjoying another role, one that allows him to interact with seniors on a regular basis as a transportation driver for Residences at Deer Creek Senior Living in Schererville.

Becerra was raised in East Chicago in a devout Catholic family of nine children. His religious upbringing led him on a path to the priesthood. He studied with Scared Heart Seminary for several years to be a Catholic priest.

“I was ready to take my first vows and that’s when I decided to ask for a sabbatical,” he said. “I realized I couldn’t go on without having my own child.”

Having helped raise his

siblings, he knew that being a parent was something he wanted and it turned his life in a different direction.

“To this day I feel if I had been allowed to marry I would have been ordained, but it was not to be in my lifetime,” he added.

Instead of becoming a priest, he went into banking, working his way up to a role as vice president of lending, retail and consumer loans with First Midwest Bank (now Old National Bank). At the time of his retirement he had spent a total of 42 years with the banking institution.

Throughout his career, customer service was a big focus and he valued making personal connections with individuals, which is something that has served him well in his job at Residences of Deer Creek. He’s making a difference in many ways for those he serves.

In addition to driving, Becerra saw a need in connecting with older residents who had stories to tell. He started helping the serving staff when it came to meal time, which gave him an opportunity to lend a hand to staff and also lend an ear to residents. He had prior experience as a country club manager, so he was familiar with dining services.

Whether he’s driving the bus or helping in the busy dining room, he takes time to make

sure those he’s dealing with feel heard and appreciated. It’s heartwarming for both parties.

“I’m making amazing relationships with the people who live there,” said Becerra. He is also a part-time patient advocate at Franciscan Hospital.

In his role at the bank, he served many roles and at different locations, which included being a mortgage originator

and branch manager, but one of the highlights of his career was meeting his wife, Lupe, at work. The two have now been married for 26 years. They have adult daughters and now have four grandchildren that they enjoy spending time with. The couple also has three dogs and have been active members in their parish, Our Lady of Grace.

S.O.S. - Speaking Of Seniors — Too complicated for most seniors

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 $3 million by correcting medical bill problems. Also, Wilcox wrote the book “SOLVING MEDICARE PROBLEM$,” which is available through book stores and online.

continue to get bills like this that Medicare should, but wouldn’t, cover.

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A client brought medical bill papers to our Schererville office in the shopping center at the northeast corner of US 30 and US 41. That office copied the papers and sent them to me. I reviewed the papers and immediately knew it would be a complicated case. I phoned the client to come to my office to work with me.

I needed the client with me to give permission for me to speak and question for the client on every phone call to comply with federal privacy protection law. The bill and

Medicare Summary Notice about the bill showed me that the client’s Medicare file was fouled with false information. The bill was for $975 because Medicare refused to pay anything on it. Until the Medicare file got fixed, our client would

We phoned two offices of Medicare to try to fix the problem. But we had to phone an insurance company and a chiropractor’s office to pursue fixing the Medicare record. The problem was that the insurance company never told Medicare that our client had finished treatment for a car accident in 2021. When our client got treatment in 2023, Medicare refused to pay anything because it thought that the car accident matter never had been settled. The insurance company never got a final report from the doctor so that it could close its file and notify Medicare to end the car insurance matter.

I know what happened. The insurance company sent money to our client instead of directly to the chiropractor. The chiropractor’s office did not know that it was supposed to notify the insurance company of the ending of treatment of our client.

This system is too complicated for most seniors to work to fix.

In addition to this, our client was a little “hard of hearing.”

How is a senior on Medicare supposed to know how to fix a “bad info in Medicare file” matter? Fortunately for her, she got her Medicare supplement policy through our agency and I am helping her.

Rice & Rice — Protect your family and avoid potential headaches

Historically, wealth is squandered within three generations because families deal with real-life issues such as lawsuits, divorce, bankruptcy, nursing home expenses and family disputes.

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

You and your surviving family members will have a number of burdens and fears put to rest if your legacy can be planned with some of these potential stumbling blocks in mind:

• If your surviving spouse

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

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

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

• How your family can be

torn apart over something as seemingly minor as “who gets grandmother’s quilt.” The biggest fights in families aren’t about money, stocks or real estate. They are about the little things that hold memories and most traditional estate plans fail to protect and pass on these valuable items.

Most families also find it important to preserve the wisdom, life lessons and history of the family. Traditional estate planning does not address these nonfinancial assets. Having a proper estate plan will help you to avoid your own potential hidden headaches by helping you protect your family and your legacy.

Our goal is to make sure you have all the informa-

tion you need to ensure that none of these life-wrenching events happen to you or your family. Since our practice focuses exclusively on elder law and estate planning, it is our priority to be on top of the continuous changes in the law and techniques we can make available to you. Learn more about the benefits and protections of an estate plan by attending our estate planning/ Medicaid planning seminar at Teibel’s, 1775 US 41, Schererville, at 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 24; or Lighthouse, 7501 Constitution Ave., Cedar Lake, at 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 31. Reservations are required as seating is limited. Call (800) 303-7423 or visit riceandrice. com to RSVP.

Lake County Master Gardeners hold annual plant sale in May

The 22nd annual Lake County Master Gardeners plant sale will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 13, in the Fine Arts Building at the Lake County Fairgrounds, Crown Point.

A wide variety of plants are

offered for sale to the public. Many plants are grown and offered by the Lake County Master Gardeners from their own gardens. Plants include annuals, perennials, seeds, vegetables, herbs, house plants, bulbs, shrubs, hanging

baskets and even some trees. Master gardeners will be available in abundance to answer any questions. The sale also includes gardening demos and a “Trash to Treasures” area where gently-used

Are Not Alone

can be purchased. The plant sale is one of three fundraisers the Lake County Master Gardeners hold each year. In their commitment to “helping others grow,” the proceeds of the

County Master Gardener scholarship and grant programs. For more information, go to lakecountymastergardeners.org, or visit them on Facebook by searching for “Lake County Master Garden-

Make preparations now to avoid conflict later

apart at the seams like an exploding baseball.

Families are funny things — they’re all unique, full of different dynamics and perspectives and experiences. Many times they contain the best of relationships, like love and trust, and other times there are past traumas that impact all future interactions. When a family member, particularly a patriarch or matriarch nears end-of-life, all the best and, unfortunately, sometimes all the worst comes out.

That is a universal truth for us that provide hospice care: Death either binds a family tighter, or the pressures are too much and it blows it

It’s hard enough to think about end-of-life and planning, what with wills, DNRs and burial plans, to even think about how a family might emotionally function under those circumstances. But there are some steps you can take well ahead of time to reduce some of those pressures that often cause the most distress.

Preplan as much as possible. Take that pressure off of your family now, as little squabbles often turn into major headaches. Appoint a medical and financial power of attorney now who will act in your best interests if you no longer are able to make decisions, and discuss it with all involved now. Write out your preferred plans about your funeral

and who should handle what. Make sure your will is in good standing.

Think about your pets, your home, your car, prized possessions and heirlooms — things that might not be included in a will. Make some decisions now

as to your preferences. Try to create an expectation of comfort and inclusiveness. Family members who might not get along will often behave even under pressure when there is the agreed upon expectation that bygones are bygones at least for

the time being. These little measures can go a long way to future peace. The VNA Hospice of Northwest Indiana is your nonprofit provider of choice for over 53 years. Visit us at www.vnanwi.org or call (219) 462-5195 for more information.

Chili cook-off coming to northwest Indiana

Do you have a favorite chili or salsa recipe? A local chili spice mix business, Man’s Man Chili, LLC, is hosting a professionally sanctioned two-day chili cookoff that is inviting cooks from

Celebrate women’s individuality at ‘All About The Girls’ June 1

For its eighth year, “All About the Girls” will take over the Urschel Pavilion in downtown

Valparaiso Thursday, June 1. Hundreds of attendees will come together to be reminded of how powerful they are when connected with one another. AATG offers a space for sharing their stories and experiences with others.

In addition to the camaraderie, AATG selects six motivational women yearly to speak. These

women, coming from all different professions and backgrounds within the region, are invited on stage to share their personal experiences based on the annual theme. The 2023 AATG theme is #ThisIsMe. The hope is that women will leave the night with a fresh sense of pride in who they are and who they want to become.

“This year is promising to be even better than all the incredible years previous,” said Great-

Distributing over 84,150 newspapers a month

Contact Becky Berggren to Advertise 219-254-2345 slwest@the-papers.com m

News.Life Executive Director and AATG Host/Founder Jenny CraigBrown. “The theme ‘This is Me’ is all about women being their true selves and embracing and loving everything about who they are. The speakers I have planned for this year are amazing and I can’t wait to see everyone, get inspired and showcase these empowering women.”

Over the years, AATG has flourished into an amazing evening that invites women attending, excited to learn, make new connections and spend the evening crying, laughing and feeling every possible emotion brought on by the amazing speakers. AATG would not be possible without the support of local sponsors. Additional sponsors are still available.

Read more about the event at nwi.life/article/seven-years-of-allabout-the-girls,

around the country to compete for the best chili and salsa recipes. All proceeds will benefit the Carmelite Home.

The cook-off will be held indoors on Saturday, May 6, and Sunday, May 7, at the I.U.O.E Local 150 Hall, located at 2193 W. 84th Place, Merrillville.

This event is sanctioned by the International Chili Society and the Chili Appreciation Society International. Both organizations host sanctioned events across the country, with each holding their own annual National Championship. CASI is the world’s largest organization of chili and contest enthusiasts, and sanctions nearly 400 contests judging more than 15,000 cups of chili across the U.S. annually. The ICS has raised and donated close to $100 million to charities.

This event is managed by regional ICS representatives, Darin and Tonya Jester, who have been competitive cooks for more than 20 years. Tonya is the 2022 ICS World Champion for home-style chili.

“We are excited to host this inaugural event here in northwest Indiana where the winner could qualify for a spot in the World Chili Cook-off Championship held in Myrtle Beach,” stated David Uran, president/CEO of

For 4 Decades Munster has set the STANDARD in Post-Acute Rehabilitation and Memory Support Services!

the South Shore Convention & Visitors Authority. “Events like this bring people together from near and far to enjoy good food and friendly competition for a great cause.”

Man’s Man Chili hopes to bring in cooks from across the nation by offering great awards. First place winner for chili will receive custom silver belt buckles made by Montana Silversmiths, and first place winner for salsa will receive a beautiful 7-inch chop knife made by Dalstrong. The event will be open to the public at noon and attendees can make a $5 donation to sample all the chili and salsa, while supplies last. The cook with the most votes will receive the People’s Choice Award. Local musicians will also be playing acoustic sessions each day from noon until 2 p.m.

There are four categories of chili to compete in: CASI red and ICS red, homestyle and verde. All are welcome to attend and participate! For more information or to become a sponsor, visit mansmanchili.com.

St. Joseph’s Carmelite Home in East Chicago is a nonprofit organization that serves children and families going through difficult times. Learn more at carmelitehome.org.

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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.

Bender impacting golfers of all ages and abilities

Nancy Bender is the golf professional at Creekside Golf Course and Training Center in Valparaiso, where she loves introducing new people to the game of golf and helping experienced golfers improve their game. Her interest in the game dates back to her early days growing up across the street from the Valparaiso County Club.

“The game was enticing to me,” she said. “I started watching the game on TV and the pros made it look so easy. I was all in.”

Although her parents weren’t golfers, they encouraged their kids’ interest in it. At age 8, Bender began golfing.

“My parents took my two brothers, Bob and Dennis, and myself to Fetlas to purchase an iron from a barrel of used clubs,” Bender recalled. “The family had a 40-acre farm on which we designed our own three-hole course.”

Bender also has a love for teaching. She attended Valparaiso University where she earned her degree in secondary education, specializing in social studies. She was hired at Valparaiso Community

Schools and taught government, economics and U.S. history at Valparaiso High School for 25 years. She also met her husband through education. He was hired the same year as a science teacher at the local middle school.

Her love of golf and of teaching made her the perfect candidate to coach golf, which she did at the high school level for 22 years. She has also been involved in the First Tee organization since its inception.

Creekside was the first site in the world to have a chapter of First Tee.

“The international organization uses golf as an avenue to develop character,” said Bender.

“There is no referee on the course. The player enforces the rules. Learning the game challenges one’s honesty, integrity, judgment, etc.”

Bender wears three hats within the organization: program director, recognized coach and fundraiser. “We program in Valparaiso, Michigan City, Laporte and Rensselaer, impacting over 4,000 youths ages 7-17,” she said.

Bender also teaches lessons and classes through Creekside and is an LPGA (Ladies Professional Golf Association) teaching professional, which was a

Professional Services

Q. What is Estate Planning?

A. Did you know that “estate” is a Middle English word derived from the Latin term for status? Since the 13th Century, this archaic word has been used to describe a person’s social standing. Another definition for the word estate is a large house situated on an extensive area of land in the countryside.

Maybe it’s these exclusive definitions for the term “estate” that misled people into believing that estate planning doesn’t apply to regular people. The truth is that there is also a legal definition for the term “estate” and it simply refers to all the property you own. An estate plan defines who you want to manage or receive your assets in the event of incapacity or death.

long three-year process and a big commitment.

“I had to demonstrate my playing ability and teaching of the game to students under the supervision of fellow teachers,” said Bender. “After completion, I dedicated 10 years traveling to different parts of the country helping others to become the best teachers that they can be. I have received many honors and for that I am thankful. The one I covet the most is being voted by my LPGA peers as ‘National Teacher of the Year.’ I am presently a life member of the organization.”

As the golf professional at Creekside since its inception in 2000, she has worked with all ages.

“I like the variety of ages and abilities,” she said, adding that she is especially fond of working with kids between the ages of 6-12. “They are so open and candid and full of surprises,” she said.

Her job enables her to help grow the game through developing instructional programs and serve as a social director, “creating avenues so players of all levels consider Creekside a friendly and safe environment to learn and play.”

For those who have never

Continued on page 9

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

Ryan Hahn Trust Administrator

Contact TCU Trust Services, we welcome the opportunity to discuss your estate and what plan is best to protect you and your loved ones.

Contact TCU Trust Services for more information. DISCLOSURE:

Ryan Hahn Trust Administrator

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.

Identity thieves steal more than numbers

Burglar alarms, motion detector lights, open space, fences and iron-barred windows are among the shields placed around your home to discourage burglars and break-ins.

Most of today’s automobiles are equipped with alarms to fend off theft.

Wallets, however, don’t come with such tools to foil identity thieves.

Most people carry a couple of numbers that make crooks salivate: the numbers on their Social Security card and driver’s license.

Add credit cards and checkbooks that may be in their purse or briefcase or car’s glove compartment and you’re a walking candy store for anyone wishing to make off with your assets.

Chances are you know someone who’s been victimized by identity thieves. Most of them don’t talk about it willingly because they feel violated with

Food manager class and examination

Purdue University Extension-Lake County is offering a ServSafe training and exam from 8:15 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, June 15. Go to https:// cvent.me/1rganw to register for this eight-hour ServSafe class and exam.

The training will be held locally at Purdue University Extension-Lake County, located at 2291 N. Main St., Crown Point. Call Health and Human Sciences Extension Educator Linda Curley at (219) 755-3240 for further information.

If you are in need of accommodations to attend this program, contact Curley by June 1.

Bender

Continued from page 8

played, she encourages everyone to try it, saying there are many benefits to the game. “It serves as a networking tool and is a game that is a lifetime endeavor.”

She and her husband, Richard, live on a lake where they enjoy their pontoon boat, bike riding, walking, working out at the gym and hanging out with their three rescue cats. Richard recently started golfing and the couple play together once a week.

Bender also volunteers with school golf teams, Special Olympics and the First Tee program.

She’s done quite a bit in her teaching and golfing career, but there’s one thing she’s still working on — her first hole in one.

all that personal information taken from them, stupid because a few simple steps could have protected them and frustrated because it takes some determination and detail work to repair the damage.

Almost $45 billion was ripped off from some 1.5 million folks in this country in 2021.

Identity theft has become so rampant there’s even a special insurance policy available for it.

Such insurance does not cover financial loss resulting from the theft. It offers coverage for the cost of recovering your financial identity. This includes such expenditures as phone calls, making copies, mailing documents and attorney’s fees.

And there are deductibles. Some homeowner insurance policies include identity-theft coverage.

One of the first things lawenforcement personnel will tell you to do to guard yourself against identity thieves is to leave your Social Security card at home.

Another protective step is to shred all credit card offers and statements before disposing of them.

Officials also urge you not to put outgoing mail in your home mailbox but to place it in a U.S. Postal Service mailbox. This prevents crooks from stealing your mail to obtain all those numbers you use to obtain and maintain credit.

Don’t let your credit or store card out of your sight when using it. Employees of the shop or salon can make a copy of the card or run it through the embossing machine twice. While they may not use the copy themselves, they can sell it to others. It’s wise to swipe the card through the machine

yourself when possible, such as in most grocery and department stores.

Make sure no one is hovering nearby to catch your personal identity number or your signature.

There’s a way to protect your checks, too. Write the dollar amounts and recipient’s name in capital letters. They’re more difficult to alter. And when you write the amount for which the check is made out, fill in that entire section. Start writing at the left-hand edge of the check and make sure you add a strong wavy line to the right-hand end so no one can add anything.

Using credit cards online is peppered with pitfalls. Think of it as being akin to flashing your credit card around in a crowded bar or restaurant. You’re never quite sure if anyone’s seen and remembered or written down the numbers.

A wise move is to use one particular card for online purchases rather than spread these transactions over more than one card.

Make photocopies of all your credit cards and credit contact numbers and store them in a safe place that is easily accessed.

Check your credit report regularly and report any unusual activity immediately. The three major credit bureaus are Equifax (equifax. com), Experian (experian.com) and TransUnion (transunion. com). You can check online for their phone numbers.

If you suspect someone has stolen your financial identity, call one of them immediately and ask that a 90-day fraud alert be placed on your credit report. One call will cover all credit reports by all three bureaus.

Mature Life Features Copyright 2023

‘Stuck in the Middle with You’

Stealers Wheel

Even before he became a successful and respected musician, Gerry Rafferty had developed a loathing for the often underhanded machinations of the pop music industry.

He was born in 1947 in Paisley, Scotland, a town that borders Glasgow, Scotland’s largest city. Rafferty came from a working-class family, where his mother taught him Scottish and Irish folk songs. As he

grew into his teens, he became influenced by the music of the Beatles and Bob Dylan.

His father was a hot-tempered alcoholic who died in 1963, when Gerry was 16. That year, young Rafferty left school to work in a butcher store and a shoe shop, although deep down he wanted only to earn a living by making music. On weekends, he and best pal, Joe Egan, played in a local rock band called the Maverix, primarily offering up covers of Beatles and Stones hits.

Rafferty later joined a folk pop group called the Humblebums, which included future comic star Billy Connolly.

The Humblebums cut a pair of albums for Transatlantic Records, which received critical appreciation but sold poorly. When the Humblebums

disbanded in 1971, Rafferty continued with Transatlantic as a solo performer and recorded his first album, “Can I Have My Money Back?” His creation received enthusiastic praise but was ignored by the recordbuying public.

In 1972, he and Egan reunited, this time to form a soft rock outfit called Stealers Wheel. They promptly struck gold with “Stuck in the Middle with You,” which became a Top 10 single in America, the UK and Canada. That hit 45 gave Rafferty a chance to vent his spleen against the negative

forces that controlled the music business. In a voice that mimicked his idol Bob Dylan, Rafferty set the scene for his tune at a record company party that made him uncomfortable being in the midst of the power people he always preferred to avoid:

“Well, I don’t know why I came here tonight.

“I got the feeling that something ain’t right.”

Rafferty just wanted to make music, revel in the satisfaction of its creation and ignore that part of the picture that included insensitive bean counters and friends who were supposedly

Monitor blood pressure to aid your memory

High blood pressure has been cited as the cause of many health issues and recent reports indicate it may be a reason for loss of mental facilities because it can damage small

blood vessels in the brain. Women are apparently most at risk because researchers report those who develop high blood pressure in their 40s are more than 70% more likely to suffer dementia than those logging normal blood pressure.

Mature Life Features Copyright 2023

Blue Collar Antiques — Valuating your

antiques

and

furthering his career:

“Clowns to the left of me, jokers to the right.

“Here I am, stuck in the middle with you.”

He found his frustrations maddening:

“Trying to make some sense of it all.

“But I can see that it makes no sense at all.

“Is it cool to go to sleep on the floor?

“‘Cause I don’t think that I can take anymore.”

Stealers Wheel cut a trio of albums, but by the time the first one was issued, Rafferty had already left the outfit. Stealers Wheel officially disbanded in 1975, and for three years Rafferty’s creative hands were tied by legal hassles that prevented him from releasing new material.

In 1978, his 6 million-selling LP “City to City” featured his signature song, the worldwide hit, “Baker Street.” As a result, his success brought Rafferty financial independence — thanks, ironically, to the industry that he despised.

collectibles

IIt’s easy! Simply find the butterfly 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.

(Online Entries Only) Entries Must Be In By Monday, May 15, 2023.

My company, Blue Collar Antiques, buys and sells a variety of antiques and collectibles. We also purchase entire estates. This time of year, a lot of people are spring cleaning and having garage sales. Make sure you are not throwing away anything that is worth good money. If you find anything weird or unusual, I would be happy to look at it for you. I am always

looking for military items, comic books, baseball cards, antiques, old toys, advertising items, coins, jewelry and much more.

I have always enjoyed antiques and have a deep appreciation for history. I go to several auctions each week which helps me stay current with what people are buying and how much items are selling for. I also subscribe to many research sites. I am able to find the market value for almost

any item you may have.

I have been in business for over 15 years. I believe in treating people fairly. Because of this, a big part of my business comes from referrals or repeat clients. Often when people call me to look at their collections or estates, they are pleasantly surprised to learn that items they considered worthless are actually very valuable. I would recommend to anyone that before items are discarded or given away, please give me the opportunity or someone with experience in antiques to take a look at it for valuation.

Since I have been in business for so long, I have established many contacts in the industry. Even if you have something that I do not buy, many times I can at least give you a value for it, put you in contact with someone who would buy it or tell you the best way to go about selling it. You can contact me at (219) 794-6500.

I Spy April winner is Marcia McCartney. The raindrop was located on page 17 in Senior Elko, page 17 in Senior St. Joseph, page 15 in Senior Allen and page 4 in Senior Northwest.

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

ACROSS

1. Kitchen boss

5. Churchill’s “so few”

8. Epochs

12. “Watch out!” on a golf course

13. East of Java

14. *Pinocchio’s state of being

15. Hard currency

16. Emanation

17. TV and radio

18. *Mr. Popper’s birds

20. Newspaper piece

21. *Like “Goosebumps Classic”

22. “What?”

23. *Richard Scarry’s Things That Go

26. Oxygenate, as in lawn

29. Skin cyst

30. Middle Eastern meat dish, pl.

33. Antonym of “yup”

35. Dispatch boat

37. Female sheep

38. Throat infection

39. Searching for E.T. org.

40. *”I think I can, I think I can...”, e.g.

42. *”____ Spot run!”

43. Accounting journal

45. *The Plaza Hotel resident of kids’ book fame

47. Long, long time

48. Caffeine-containing nut trees

50. Off-color

52. *Ludwig Bemelmans’ Parisian boarding school resident

55. Middle Eastern porter

56. Movie “____ Brockovich”

57. Karl of politics

59. In a cold manner

60. Obscenity

61. Middle of March

62. Fringe benefit

63. *Side for Green Eggs

64. Put in the outbox

DOWN

1. Chlorofluorocarbon, abbr.

2. Obstacle to jump through

3. Great Lake

4. Tiny fox with large ears

5. Two halves of a diameter

6. Like one in isolation cell

7. Evergreen trees

8. *Babar, e.g.

9. Thumb-up catch

10. Full of enthusiasm

11. *”The Little Mermaid” domain

13. Stock exchange, in Paris

14. Affair, to Emmanuel Macron

19. Michael Douglas’ 1987 greedy role

22. “For ____ a jolly ...”

Mashed CHICKPEA SALAD with Dill & Capers

This creamy yet light vegan salad is full of bright, herby goodness. On its own, it’s great to serve alongside a sandwich or veggie burger in place of potato salad or coleslaw. You can also make it into a light lunch by adding a handful of arugula to enjoy it as a green salad. Double the recipe and refrigerate to have on hand throughout the week.

4 servings; Active 10 minutes; Total 10 minutes

INGREDIENTS:

1 (15 ounce) can low-sodium chickpeas, rinsed

1/3 cup finely chopped celery

1/4 cup vegan mayonnaise

1/4 cup chopped fresh dill

1 scallion, finely chopped

2 teaspoons capers, chopped

2 teaspoons lemon juice or more to taste

1/4 teaspoon ground pepper

DIRECTIONS:

Place chickpeas in a clean kitchen towel. Fold the towel over and gently rub the chickpeas to release any loose skins. Discard the skins; transfer the chickpeas to a medium bowl. Mash the chickpeas with a fork. Add celery, mayonnaise, dill, scallion, capers, lemon juice and pepper; stir until well coated.

28. *Athos’, Porthos’ and Aramis’ swords

31. *Corduroy or Paddington

32.

TIPS:

To make ahead: Cover and refrigerate for up to 4 days.

NUTRITION INFORMATION:

Serving Size: 1/2 cup

Per Serving: 186 calories; protein 4.9g; carbohydrates 16.1g; dietary fiber 4.5g; sugars 2.9g; fat 11.7g; saturated fat 1.1g; vitamin a iu 92.7IU; vitamin c 2.1mg; folate 33.6mcg; calcium 36mg; iron 0.8mg; magnesium 18.5mg; potassium 109.8mg; sodium 262mg.

Kubiszak and staff serve as ‘God’s eyes and ears’

an opportunity to socialize,”

Barb Kubiszak, director of St. Agnes Adult Day Service Center, tells the story of a woman who, while dropping off her husband, had prepared a list of things to do in her free time. When she returned and Kubiszak asked how much she’d accomplished, the woman said she went home and just slept. “‘It was the best sleep she’d had in a long time,’ she said,” Kubiszak noted.

This is what St. Agnes does, said Kubiszak, who has been with the facility since it opened 25 years ago.

“It gives the participants

Kubiszak said. “They belong to a group. It gives them a program. Plus, it’s respite for caregivers, just for the day.”

The facility is open four weekdays, closed Thursdays, and, at the end of the day, participants go home.

Located on the campus of St. Paul Catholic Parish in Valparaiso, St. Agnes Adult Day Service Center was founded in 1997. St. Agnes provides a place where trained staff provide meaningful activities, safety, healthcare and personal care for adults who cannot stay home by themselves. Program and services include health monitoring, medications, monthly beauty

Senior Life says goodbye to longtime freelance writer

Gregg K. Lawson, a longtime freelance writer for Senior Life, passed away Sunday, April 2, 2023, in Mishawaka after an illness.

He was born Oct. 27, 1947, in Elkhart, the son of Herbert Jr. “Bernie” and Irmalee “Susie” (Bowers) Lawson. Formerly of EdwardsburgAdamsville, Mich., he graduated from Edwardsburg High School. He had been a police officer with the Ontwa TownshipEdwardsburg Police and, at one time, had been a park ranger for Oxbow Park.

He was a freelance writer for Senior Life, starting with the Elko edition in the late 1980s. He wrote many articles about area history and human interest stories. In May of 1994, he graduated from Bethel Uni-

versity with a masters degree of ministries.

Surviving Gregg are his children, Christopher Lawson and twins, Tracy Lawson and Terese Lawson; granddaughters, Gracie and Julie Lawson-White; and a son-in-law, Robert “Bobby” White. He also has two sisters, Debra LawsonFischer and Gloria LawsonBradfield.

Family and friends gathered for a memorial service Monday, April 17, at the Paul E. Mayhew Funeral Home, 26863 W. Main St., Edwardsburg, Mich. The service was conducted by Pastor Douglas Cripe of First Christian Church, Mishawaka.

Cremation has taken place and inurnment will be in Adamsville Cemetery on the Lawson family lot.

parlor, creative arts, monthly support group, nutritional and dietary counseling and an outdoor serenity garden.

St. Agnes also enables adult caregivers to work, run errands or just take a break. The facility, named for a first-century martyr who is the patron of girls and betrothed couples, was also the patron saint of a parish woman who donated to the center.

A registered nurse, Kubiszak learned about the facility proposed by her former pastor, the late Monsignor John Charlebois, and she thought the place would need a nurse.

“We’re God’s hands, His ears and eyes to help the people,” Kubiszak said. “It’s just the idea of helping other people and making them feel fulfilled.”

Kubiszak, who prefers people just call her Barb, chooses Matthew 14:22-33 as a favorite passage from scripture. After addressing the crowd, Jesus walks on water and invites Peter to join him. Peter initially walks on water, then doubts and starts to sink. “Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of [Peter], saying to him, ‘O, you of little faith. Why did you doubt?’”

As Kubiszak explained, “It’s very human to be afraid and not have faith from time to time, but Jesus is always there, there with his hand out to calm us.”

A graduate of the Wheeling (West Virginia) Hospital School of Nursing, Kubiszak came to northwest Indiana in 1990, becoming a parishioner at St. Paul.

At St. Agnes, Kubiszak said, “We strive to have each participant function at their highest potential for as long as possible. We do this through therapeutic activities that offer mental and physical stimuli.”

Activities change every 30 minutes.

The facility is non-denomi-

national. As Kubiszak noted, “I love being able to help people with Alzheimer’s, who have anxiety, fears. And I love helping caregivers have some time

for themselves.”

For more information on St. Agnes Adult Day Service Center, call (219) 462-9553 or visit stagnesvalpo.org.

Home is where the hazard is

but what about a fire that starts in the kitchen or living room? Is there a fire extinguisher handy?

As more and more multi-unit senior living facilities are being built, more and more seniors are moving into these apartment buildings.

They no longer have to worry about cleaning furnaces and flues, keeping sidewalks and driveways clear and clearing pathways of children’s toys.

But there still are plenty of chores to be done to make sure they’re prepared for an emergency.

To start with, they need a list of emergency numbers — 911, doctor, family members — right by their phone.

And a flashlight. Better still, they should have night lights plugged all through the residence so they don’t have to fumble and stumble — and fall — in the dark.

They’ve probably been instructed to stay in their apartment if the alarm goes off because the apartment is fireproof,

They should get rid of those scatter rugs that can trip them up and see to it the floor is not slippery. There should be a handrail to hold themselves up when they step out of the bathtub or shower onto a tiled bathroom floor. Do the bathtub and shower have non-skid surfaces?

They should move their toaster away from the coffee maker and keep all appliances away from each other to avoid disastrous sparks and spills. Unplug them when they’re not in use.

They might get some handy electrical outlet covers to shield those outlets when they aren’t being used.

They should always be looking around for possible hazards. Perils are always lurking.

When they light candles for a quiet anniversary dinner, for example, they should make sure there are no curtains nearby to catch fire.

Mature Life Features Copyright 2023

Fountain View Apartments —

The grass is growing!

Well, its time to sharpen the blades on the lawn mower. That grass is starting to grow! Let’s get those paint cans mixed up too, the windows need to be painted and caulked. Maybe you might need to re-shingle the roof. Check the rungs on the ladder to make sure they will hold your weight. Do we need a new stove? Is the refrigerator sounding like a loud band performance?

Are we getting too old for all this work? Yes! Yes! There a solution! Come live with us at the Fountain View Apartments. We do all that work and we fix refrigerators.

Fountain View Apartments is located in Crown Point. The west end of the property is just off of 96th Avenue and Merrillville

Road. The complex is comprised of 191 apartments in nine buildings, situated on 12 acres of lovely, landscaped grounds.

Fountain View is a senior community, a community for older adults. We cater to the 55 and older individual who still intend to be independent and active — someone not ready for the retirement home. We provide for a quiet, well maintained, secure community. We rent to older adults 55 and older, good neighbors, good friends and wonderful people.

We provide a cost-affordable lifestyle, offering one bedroom for $1,100 per month and two bedroom apartments for $1,200. We continually remodeling our apartment homes with vinyl plank flooring, mosaic back splashes, stainless steel appliances and new bathrooms.

We have gardens to plant and friends to meet. We just need you. Our model and management office is on the grounds, at 9614 Dona Court, Crown Point. Our office is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, and we are always available by appointment, at any time, any day. Call us at (219) 6638228 for the details. We would love to hear from you and we want you to come live with us!

Chia Seeds —

Packed with nutritional benefits

Closely related to the chia plant made popular by chia pets (how could we forget?), but not the same seed, the tiny seeds we speak of are packed with a punch of nutrition including:

• Fiber, which improves heart health, reduces cholesterol and promotes intestinal health.

• Omega 3 fatty acids, important for both body and heart. Harder to obtain than Omega 6.

• High quality protein.

• Improvement of digestive health.

• All nine essential amino acids.

One serving is about 2.5 tablespoons and contains:

• 140 calories.

• 5 grams of protein.

• 10 grams of fiber. Remember, your goal is 25-38 grams a day.

• 12 grams of carbohydrates.

• 9 grams of fat, of which 8 grams are heart healthy Omega 3 fats.

Chia seeds are very small, but will expand into a soft gel when mixed with any liquid. Typically, they are used to make chia pudding; added to oatmeal, smoothies, yogurt and baked goods; or soaked to soften and use as a thickener. Just don’t eat them off a spoon unless you follow with plenty of water to chase them down — in fact, just don’t eat them off the spoon, but do consider incorporating them into your eating plan.

Quick And Easy

Chia Berry Compote

2 cups of berries (I use blueberries) fresh or frozen

2 tablespoons chia seeds

Cook berries in small pan over medium low heat, mashing them as they heat up. Frozen takes about 5 minutes. Add chia seeds and simmer until thickened. Eat warm on their own or over pancakes. Refrigerate and eat like a dessert.

Overnight Chocolate

Chia Seed Pudding

Serves 4

1-1/2 cups almond milk

1/3 cup chia seeds

1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

4 tablespoons maple syrup

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Add all ingredients except chia seeds to a mixing bowl and whisk vigorously to combine. Mix in chia seeds until well combined. Let rest covered in the refrigerator overnight. The

pudding can be stored covered in the refrigerator for two to three days. Serve chilled with desired toppings, such as fruit or a dollop of whipped topping.

Carrot Cake Overnight Oats

Serves 1

This oatmeal is loaded with calcium, protein, fiber and vitamin A. The amount of carrot in this recipe provides 100% of your vitamin A for the day, which is good for your eyes and immune system.

1/2 cup rolled oats

2/3 cup skim milk

1/3 cup plain, nonfat Greek yogurt

1/4 cup finely grated carrot

1-1/2 teaspoons chia seeds

2 teaspoons maple syrup

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 tablespoon pecans, chopped

1 tablespoon shredded coconut, unsweetened

Mix all ingredients, except for the pecans and coconut, in a bowl or Mason jar. Top with pecans and coconuts, and cover

with lid. Refrigerate overnight and eat chilled.

Cat Wilson lives in South Bend and transitioned from

a vegetarian diet to eating a plant-based diet more than two years ago. She may be contacted at cwilson@the-papers.com.

Don’t forget to use reminders

overcrowding their brain.

Many folks take pride through their lives of having excellent memories. They’re able to yank facts and figures right out of their forehead and never forget where they’ve tucked their keys, wallet, purse or favorite sweater.

That can change as they age, and many are at a loss what to do to retain their ability to recollect.

Rather than try to fight it and force yourself to remember what you’re forgetting, a few simple steps will enable you to maintain a reliable memory.

First of all, if you think about it, you’ll probably recall that many of the productive people around you kept notebooks and day-timers to keep their days organized. These are the same types who keep appointments and names and addresses and important data in their mobile phones.

They use the tools available around them to keep from

You can do the same thing. Why crow about the fact that you don’t need to write down the birthdates of your spouse and three children because you’ll always remember them? If you write down those dates, all you have to remember is where you’ve stored that information.

There are several age-old tricks that can help you when you forget.

There’s the memory bowl you can keep on the kitchen counter or dining room table. It should be handy to your door because that’s there you always — always — toss your keys when you enter the house. It’s also where you keep your shopping list so you’ll take it with you when you leave. Maybe your notebook will sit in there, too. And your sunglasses.

Modern technology has made memory aids much easier to access and use. Enter appointments — especially important ones like those with doctors — into your mobile-phone

calendar and check the calendar every morning. When you make any appointment, enter it immediately so you don’t forget it.

Keep a calendar handy and keep it updated as you add appointments and other special dates.

If you’re going shopping to replace something special, use your phone camera to take a picture of the item so you can keep checking what it looks like and show it to salesclerks if you have trouble tracking it down.

Brightly colored sticky notes are also excellent memory aids. You can attach them anywhere — the front door, refrigerator, computer, television set, car door, bathroom mirror — wherever they can grab your attention to remind you of what you didn’t want to forget.

And there’s a simple way to keep track of whether or not you’ve taken your medications. Get a couple of those handy pillboxes with compartments for each day of the week.

Mature Life Features Copyright 2023

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 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

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

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

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 May 26 for June 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 I-phone, 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, 8:3011:30 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, 8:30-10:30 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 is $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 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 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.

Mortal medical mistakes

When we’re sick, injured or close to dying, we look for aid and assistance from the medical community — doctors, nurses, pharmacists and medical technicians.

Yet more than 250,000 people are killed every year by these same people, not

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

a little brighter.”

DENTAL

NORTHSHORE HEALTH CENTERS

Locations in Portage, Lake Station, Chesterton, Merrillville & Hammond www.northshorehealth.org

By appt. or walk-ins welcome. (219) 763-8112 or (888) 459-2349

on purpose, but because of errors in judgement and treatment. That’s more than six times the number who die in traffic accidents.

While medical and health care personnel are dedicated to keeping their patients alive and well, errors occur simply because they’re human, and humans make mistakes.

Death due to medical error is defined as one caused by inadequately skilled staff, error in judgment or care, a system defect or a preventable adverse effect. This includes computer breakdowns, mixups with the doses or types of medications administered to patients and surgical complications that go undiagnosed.

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EMERGENCY

(219) 531-8181 Fax https://www.vnanwi.org/services/ medical-guardian.php

A not-for-profit organization for over 50 years. The VNA Medical Guardian program provides dependable, fast access to help when you need it. Live an independent and active lifestyle with the VNA Medical Guardian program’s medical alert pendant or wristlet. Making Best Days Possible

Call Becky At 219.254.2345 To Join Our HEALTH AND SERVICES DIRECTORY

FUNERAL HOMES

SMITH BIZZELL WARNER

FUNERAL HOME

4209 Grant St. Gary, IN 46408 (219) 887-1852

www.smithbizzellwarnerfuneralhome.com

Facebook: smithbizzellwarnerfuneralhome

HOME HEALTH CARE

VISITING ANGELS HOME CARE

2340 Cline Ave., Schererville, IN 46375 (219) 322-6100

www.visitingangels.com

Nationally respected, non medical, home care service. Providing CNA’s, HHA’s & Companion Care.

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HOSPICE CARE

HEART TO HEART HOSPICE OF NORTHERN INDIANA

402 Wall Street, Suite 22

Valparaiso, IN 46383

Phone: (219) 462-6529

Fax: (219) 462-9017

www.HTOHH.com

Compassionate care from our heart to yours.

Volunteers needed.

CHAP Accredited

HOSPICE CARE

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Serving Porter, Jasper & Newton Counties in Indiana.

219.769.8648

Greater Illinois area

312.427.6000

www.unityhospice.com

Family owned & operated hospice

Offering premier end-of-life care

For over 25 years at no cost to you, Because we care.

VNA HOSPICE NWI

501 Marquette St.

Valparaiso, IN 46385

Additional Office In: Crown Point, IN (219) 462-5195

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A not-for-profit organization for over 50 years. Accepts all hospice eligible patients, regardless of ability to pay. Veteran specialty hospice program. Serving Lake, Porter, LaPorte, Jasper, Newton and Starke Counties. Making Best Days Possible

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HOUSECALL DOCTORS

HOUSECALL DOCTORS, PC

At-Home Medical Care for Elderly & Homebound Patients Serving NW Indiana & Plymouth/So. Bend areas

www.housecalldoc.org

219-750-9497

Providing at-home care from Medical doctors and Nurse Practitioners.

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MEALS ON WHEELS

VNA MEALS ON WHEELS OF PORTER COUNTY

501 Marquette St., Valparaiso, IN 46385

HOSPICE OF THE CALUMET AREA MUNSTER

www.hospicecalumet.org

(219) 922-2732 / (219) 736-2422

• Serving Lake, Porter and Bordering Illinois Communities Since 1981

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Additional Office In: Crown Point, IN (219) 462-5195

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https://www.vnanwi.org/services/vnameals-on-wheels.php

A not-for-profit organization for over 50 years. Providing nutritional meals for individuals in Porter County delivered to your home. Meals are available both on a long-term basis and temporarily, meals are available for ages 3 years and up. Making Best Days Possible

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MEALS ON WHEELS OF NORTHWEST INDIANA

8446 Virginia St. Merrillville, IN (219) 756-3663

www.mownnwi.org

A not-for-profit nutrition provider serving Lake, Porter, Newton & Jasper Counties. Offering hot lunches delivered daily Mon.-Fri., or 5 or 7-pack frozen meals once a week. All meals are heart healthy & low sodium. Specialized diets are available, homemade & prepared in our kitchen. For ages 3 & up.

MEDICAL CLINIC

NORTHSHORE HEALTH CENTERS

Locations in Portage, Lake Station, Chesteron, Merrillville, Hammond, LaPorte & DeMotte

By appt. or walk-ins welcome. (219) 763-8112 or (888) 459-2349

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Affordable medical and urgent care regardless of ability to pay. Medicare, Medicaid, commercial insurance accepted. Discounted self-pay option.

REHABILITATION SERVICES

VALPARAISO CARE & REHAB 606 Wall St. Valparaiso, IN 46383 (219) 464-4976

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TELEPHONE SERVICES

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Niagara Falls —

Still one of the great wonders of the world

Niagara Falls is literally being eaten away by the forces of erosion. But don’t panic. You needn’t rush off to see the falls before they disappear, because it’s going to take a long time. So, the falls will still be around for spectacular views and an exciting experience whether you visit this summer or 10 years from now.

The falls straddle the U.S. and Canadian border where the Niagara River plunges over a 170-foot-tall cliff, smashing into the rocks below and creating an enormous mist cloud. The best view of the tremendous power of the cascading water is right at the bottom, up close and personal, where it hits the rocks.

People can do that by purchasing a ticket and walking down or taking the elevator to the bottom of the gorge where doubledeck boats are moored. Depending on whether a boat sails from the Canadian side (“Voyage to the Falls”) or the American side (“Maid of the Mist”) determines

the color of the plastic rain poncho that comes with the price of a ticket. Red is Canadian and blue is American. You’ll need it. The mist totally envelops the boat, which edges within 50 yards. The noise of 600,000 gallons of water per second coming over the falls and crashing on the rocks is deafening.

If you decide to stay dry and view the falls from afar, the best views are from Queen Victoria Park on the Canadian side. In fact, the Horseshoe, Bridal Veil and American Falls can be seen from the visitor’s center and park. The Horseshoe Falls are by far the most spectacular. Water going over the falls is extremely clean because there’s no sediment, which contributes to its overall beauty.

From the American side, visitors can get up close and personal to the falls by crossing a bridge to Goat Island, which separates Horseshoe Falls from Bridal Veil and American Falls. The Hurricane observation deck is perched between the Bridal and American Falls and affords a great view.

Another way to experience them is the Cave of the Winds at the bottom of American Falls. The volume of water passing over the two smaller falls is 150,000 gallons per second. Continued on page 19

Still a great

My class (reunion) behavior

As of a month ago, Mary Ellen and I planned to attend her reunion in Ohio where she would celebrate the 50th anniversary of her graduation from college. We had talked extensively about the event, especially since Mary Ellen was one of the organizers.

The truth is, we were both hiding how we really felt about the arrangements. I’ve put in parentheses what we were silently thinking when we discussed the trip.

“Mary Ellen, your reunion is getting close. Sounds like fun.” (Sounds like fun for you. For me, this is about the last thing in the world I want to do.)

with a big screen TV.)

“Yes, and I think you’ll get a kick out of chatting with other spouses.” (Maybe all the spouses can get together and find a bar nearby with a big screen TV.)

While it was true I was dreading this event, I was also sensing that Mary Ellen preferred that I not accompany her. Finally, last week, we started getting honest with each other.

“Okay, let’s think about this, Dick,” said my wife. “If you go with me and simply hang around, no one will know you, you won’t know where to put yourself, and people will wonder why you look so bored and uncomfortable.”

the guy asleep at the bar.”

Mary Ellen then offered a compromise, suggesting I make a brief appearance, then excuse myself and go back to the hotel. I reminded her that once when I did that very thing at another get together, she was annoyed. “I was angry because that was no way to behave at our engagement party,” she said.

She also mentioned that at her 25th college reunion I said things she didn’t find funny. An old boyfriend told me jokingly that when they broke up three decades earlier, he started drinking. After he downed his third cocktail that evening, I told him it looked like he was still celebrating.

Niagara Falls is not the highest in the world by a long shot. At 170 feet tall, it’s not even in the top 500. Angel Falls in Venezuela is the highest at 3,212 feet.

During the past 560 years, the

Continued from page 18 rate of recession was estimated at 1 to 1 1/2 meters per year. The current rate is about 1 foot per year, and utilizing flow control it may be reduced to 1 foot in 10 years. Upriver from the falls are four huge tunnels that divert water to power plants downstream. This has greatly reduced the amount of the erosion at the falls. During tourist hours in the summer months, however, the flow is maintained at a high level so visitors can enjoy the beauty and uniqueness of this physical phenomenon.

Travel insurance sometimes isn’t

Among the many lessons a lot of folks learned during the coronavirus shutdown is that travel insurance doesn’t always cover everything.

Many would-be travelers found out that they didn’t have the trip cancellation coverage they thought they had Everyone learned a worldwide pandemic changed all the coverage rules.

Some airline and cruise customers were fortunate enough to receive refunds for their fares. Most of these ticket holders, however, have been given vouchers that precluded them from making insurance claims to recoup their loss.

The real lesson here is to ask questions and more questions when you buy the coverage. Some insurers do not provide coverage for mishaps suffered during such activities as skiing or scuba diving. You also have to determine if your policy covers you for any misadventure or cancellations caused by any act of terrorism.

Before putting together a travel insurance plan, check with your health and medical insurance agent to see what coverage travels with you.

Then be aware that trip cancellation insurance pretty well settles around injury, sickness or death of you, members of your family or a travel companion. You also have to make sure you define any and all coverage you want, ranging from emergency medical evacuation to lost luggage.

The force of the water will mean the eventual demise of the American Falls in approximately 2,000 years. Horseshoe Falls, on the other hand, will recede about 4 miles in the next 15,000 years and could end up being a series of rapids.

For 30 Days For A

1 Column x 1 Inch Ad

“Yes, Dick, I am looking forward to the evening. I sure hope you’ll enjoy it.” (I beg you: Please drop me off at the front door and go find something else to do until midnight.)

“It will be great to meet your old classmates and friends, Mary Ellen.” (This will be unbearable, viewing endless photos of the grandchildren of people I don’t know.)

“Dick, I’ll be proud to introduce you as my husband.” (But, if I could just tell everyone about you in your absence, I could make you sound even better.)

“I can’t wait to hear all the stories from your friends about your campus activities, Mary Ellen.” (I need to find a bar nearby

“In all fairness, Mary Ellen, that’s exactly how I felt at my own 50th reunion. Look, I attended your last high school reunion, and you told me that friends were all asking about me.”

“Yes, they asked me if I knew

Now, it appears I’ll be staying home for the upcoming event in Ohio. I’ll spend my time alone, drinking beer and falling asleep in a chair.

Exactly what I would have done at Mary Ellen’s reunion.

A breaking board, a witch cackle, stardom

“Surf music is one of those things that makes people happy when they hear it,” declared Bob Berryhill, at age 75 the lone surviving member of the group responsible for the best-known surf instrumental in history.

Jim Fuller, Pat Connelly and Berryhill were three 15-yearold guitarists who attended Glendora High School, located in a middle-class suburb east of Los Angeles. Their drummer, Ron Wilson, was the “grand old man” of their band at the

advanced age of 17. They called themselves the Surfaris.

Dale Smallin, Berryhill’s former scoutmaster, was a cartoon voice-over actor who also owned a photography studio in nearby Azusa. With no experience in band management, he took on the Surfaris’ affairs and lined up gigs for the guys.

One night, when Ron Wilson came to practice with his bandmates, he told the others about a dream he had about a surfer who joined the Marines. That dream had inspired Wilson to create an ingenious spokenword story-song he called “Surfer Joe.”

Smallin felt “Surfer Joe” was good enough to record as a novelty single — something they could sell at their concerts

Mediterranean diet promotes healthy living

had 35% less chance of developing cognitive impairment and memory loss.

— and scheduled a recording date. As none of the boys had a driver’s license, Berryhill’s father offered to drive the band members to the studio that day.

The soon-to-be-immortal session took place in nearby Cucamonga, at a cramped former shoe store now dubbed the PAL Recording Studios, which was owned and operated by Paul Buff, a self-taught electronics genius who had built the recording studio by himself.

After the Surfaris finished “Surfer Joe,” Buff announced, “Boys, you need a second side for your 45.” A second side? Uhoh. They hadn’t thought about that.

Ron Wilson spontaneously began a furious drum riff called a paradiddle, a quick succession of drumbeats with alternating left- and right-hand strokes. Lead guitarist Fuller joined in with some basic rock guitar chords, with bassist Connelly and rhythm guitarist Berryhill soon adding to the effort. Within 10 minutes, “Wipeout” had been created.

One way to live a long and healthy life is to adopt the Mediterranean diet, report Harvard researchers.

Tables that focus on fruit, vegetables, olive oil, fish and nuts add healthy years to life, according to the report. Those who followed this type of diet also

Even now-and-then feasts on this diet helps protect the body from cell damage and disease.

Results of another six-year study of adults 50 years and older revealed that vegetarians and subjects who eat fish occasionally logged the lowest mortality rate.

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For the third and final “take,” Berryhill’s father suggested adding the sound of a surfboard breaking as a novel way of announcing the introduction. In the alley behind the studio, Berryhill’s father found a sundried plywood board to break near the microphone.

Smallin, who had named the future classic instrumental, later recalled, “I came up with the idea for a laugh. That laugh was based on a witch’s cackle that I did for a cartoon voice-over for a series called Fractured Fairy Tales. … I pictured a little wannabe surfer sitting on the rocks, laughing at some surfer who’s wiped out.”

(In surfing lingo, a “wipeout” means being thrown off one’s

surfboard and has nothing to do with a board breaking.)

Issued on Dot Records, “Wipeout” — not “Surfer Joe” — raced to Number Two on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart by mid-summer 1963, the peak of surf music’s popularity. It has since been recorded over 700 times and is frequently used by rock drummers and guitarists as the first tune they learn to play.

At Brentwood at Hobart Senior Living, our assisted living and memory care programs capture all the fun and vibrancy of our community while providing exceptional support services that accommodate the individual needs of our residents. Our signature Generations Memory Care program puts your loved one first by creating a culture where they are the person they were and still are, not identified by their disease or behaviors.