Senior Life - St. Joseph Edition - December 2022

Key Positions

Salvation Army captain called to ministry

a half ago from Omaha, Neb.

Captain John Gantner retired from a career in information technology. He is in charge of operations at the Salvation Army’s Kroc Center. He and wife, Tracy, are both captains in the Salvation Army ranks and have embarked on a second career in service.

“God was calling us to ministry,” Gantner said. “We were already members of the Salvation Army Church and this was where we needed to be.”

Gantner and his wife are from the Midwest originally. He grew up in Waukegan, Ill., and Tracy grew up in Crystal Lake, Minn. They lived in Lombard, Ill., for 24 years before joining the Salvation Army.

The Gantners moved to South Bend about a year and

One of their first assignments was with Salvation Army. He oversees all Salvation Army programs in St. Joseph County, from the food pantry and rent assistance to the Kroc Center in South Bend.

The Kroc Center is one of 26 similar facilities built from a $1.5 billion legacy from Joan Kroc, the wife of McDonald’s founder, Ray Kroc, which was gifted to The Salvation Army to build centers across the country. Today, there are 26 Kroc Centers nationwide and the one in South Bend is the only one in a city of that size, Gantner said.

The local Kroc Center is a state-of-the-art facility. It offers the community a place for education, fine arts, fitness, faith life and aquatics. Each center offers different amenities, but

all are placed to meet the needs of the communities served.

Gantner is working on ideas to better utilize the Kroc Center. He would like to see more seniors using the center through the Silver Sneakers program.

“We are trying to figure out what that schedule could be,” he said, “what days and times best coordinate with the center.”

He hopes the answer to this will be figured out by spring.

One of the challenges he faces is determining what the community needs.

“Human need is a constantly changing aspect of what we do,” Gantner said.

That was evidenced for the Salvation Army and the rest of the nation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Isolation mandates did not allow the Salvation Army staff to get to know the members and community it served during those times. Gantner said that was uncertain territory for his team and community goals.

Determining what those needs are is part of “maximizing the gift” provided by Joan Kroc’s donation, he said. This must be accomplished without increasing the cost of the operation and this is where volunteers can play a key role.

“We want to raise a volunteer Army to support our staff,” he said.

Gantner supervises 210 employees. The Kroc Center has 4,000 members and 1,000 people per day come through

the doors to the facility. People skills are one of the key factors that make for a successful operation, he said.

“The Kroc Center is only amazing when people are in it and using it,” Gantner said.

Secret shopper shock

It’s so exciting these final days before Christmas. You never know who is going to be at the door ringing your bell.

Will it be UPS dropping off a

package? Maybe Federal Express with a holiday gift? Possibly the U.S. Mail with something for this past Mother’s or Father’s Day?

Sometimes it’s a grumpy neighbor telling you he’s tired of getting all your stuff by mistake.

’Tis the season.

This story begins about 2 p.m. last Tuesday. The UPS truck pulled up to the curb and we wondered what Brown was going to do for us. We saw the driver struggle with a huge carton the size of a big screen TV. He maneuvered it to the front porch and left it leaning against the door. I went outside to look at it.

“Who’s it for?” asked Mary Ellen.

I checked the label and it was addressed to me, but sometimes that sticker is misleading. Some of our credit cards are in my name, some are in Mary Ellen’s, so when a delivery is made, we are not sure who ordered it and who the gift is ultimately for. If the wrong person opens it, well, there goes the surprise on Christmas morning.

“It says it’s for me,” I told her, “but I have absolutely no recollection of ordering anything so big. Maybe you ordered it, Mary Ellen.”

My wife thought for a moment and so began the weirdest conversation in our 42-year marriage.

“Dick, I know what it is. It’s that special item I mentioned two months ago that I wanted for Christmas. You said you found it in a catalog. Don’t you remember? I am so excited! Thank you.”

“I have absolutely no idea what

it is. Can you give me a hint?”

“No, I can’t give you a hint. That would ruin the surprise.”

“Ruin the surprise? Ruin the surprise? The gift is for you! It’s supposed to be your surprise. But you already know what it is. I’m the one who doesn’t have a clue.”

“It doesn’t seem right to tell you. That’s not in keeping with the spirit of giving, Dick.”

“Okay, how about if you whisper softly in my ear and I promise I won’t tell you what you said.” It scared me a little that for a brief moment this actually made sense. It was driving me crazy that I had no memory of what I bought her. “Is it a high tech item?” I asked.

“Not really,” said Mary Ellen.

“Do you plug it in?”

“No.”

“Is it artwork?”

“No, not even close. But I don’t want to play anymore. If you guess it, I’ll have nothing to look forward to on Christmas morning. I want to see the expression on your face when I open it.”

Later that morning when Mary Ellen went out grocery shopping, I opened the box. Let me tell you, it was a really neat present. I don’t think I have ever been happier with something I bought my wife.

Before Mary Ellen got home, I resealed it, then gift-wrapped it and placed it under the tree.

Of course, now we both knew what was in the package. It will still be a surprise on Christmas morning, as long as we can both keep a secret.

I Spy November winner is Deb Gehres.

Traditions are at the core of what makes the holidays special and the Gift of Lights at the Potawatomi Zoo in South Bend is one of those local events by which memories are made.

“The Gift of Lights has become a great tradition here at the zoo,” said Joel Sisk, zoo director. “We’re pleased to give people the opportunity to be outside with friends and family this holiday season.”

The zoo has offered the holiday display of lights to the community for many years, said Marketing and Communications Manager Kristina Barrosa Burrell.

“People miss the opportunity to come out to the zoo when we are closed for the season,” Burrell said.

The Gifts of Lights, which began the day after Thanksgiving, provides that opportunity, she said. Staffed every weekend through Sunday, Dec. 18, the zoo welcomes more people every year. Average attendance is between 10,000 to 12,000.

“We see a lot of grandparents with grandkids. This is one of the more multigenerational events we host at the zoo.”

The Gifts of Lights is sponsored by Indiana Michigan Power, UFP Industries of Granger and Meijer.

Every year, new decorations are added to the zoo grounds. Decorating begins Nov. 1, when the zoo closes for the season. Other decorations, usually some of the favorites, such as the “12 Days of Christmas,”

History Museum hosts Sugar Plum Fairy Tea Dec. 8

Celebrate the wonder of sugar plum fairies and tin soldiers at The History Museum’s Sugar Plum Fairy Tea, taking place at 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 8.

Guests are seated at tables of eight in the Leighton Gallery, aglow with Yuletide decorations. This one-of-a-kind experience offers a menu of savories, sweets and classic teas catered by the Oliver Inn Bed and Breakfast.

Tickets to the teas include a private tour of the first floor of the Oliver Mansion, which is decorated for the holidays.

Ticket prices are $30/adults; $25/members; $15/youth 6-17; and $5/children 5 and under. Reservations are required by Dec. 1 and can be made online at historymuseumsb.org.

For information, call (574) 235-9664 or visit historymuseumsb.org.

move locations in the zoo, which gives returning visitors a chance to see their favorites in a new way.

While many of the animals have retreated into indoor spaces, there are still plenty to see. Some species like the bison and red panda can easily be seen because of the lighted array. Monkeys are enjoying their indoor habitat in the Alligator House and the newly introduced giraffes are sheltering in their barn.

Santa and Mrs. Claus will return to the River Run Yurt to greet their fans from 6-8 p.m. nightly. Elsa from “Frozen” makes an appearance on Sundays. The Zoo Express Train will be running, weather permitting, Burrell said. Fire pits and concessions add comfort and warmth to visitors, too.

The Gifts of Lights is meant to be a casual experience, Burrell said, a time for families to unwind and enjoy the sights and sounds of the season.

“It’s a low-key zoo day,” Burrell said.

That doesn’t mean the staff and volunteers have it easy, though. Zoo guests are helped and kept safe through the efforts of staff and volunteers who answer questions, introduce some of the zoo ambassadors to the public and assist in the Learning Center for “Crafting with the Creatures” and North American Porcupine Encounter.

Admission to The Gift of Lights is $11 for adults and $6 for seniors and children.

Children 2 and under are free. Zoo member admission is discounted to $8 for adults and $4 for children. This year, the Holiday Express train is $3 per rider over 2 years old.

For staff, like Burrell, the event is a wonderful way to mark the season. “It is seeing joy from people enjoying the zoo that makes this final event of the year so memorable for staff and guests,” she said.

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allowed without ex-

Kenya native, bell ringer said he

‘learns

The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle campaign is underway at locations throughout St. Joseph County and one of the many volunteers ringing that bell to raise money supporting the organization’s programs is Ephraim Ndegwa of South Bend.

Ndegwa, a native of Kenya, has lived in the area since 2007. Every year since 2016, he has volunteered to ring the bell and raise funds for the Salvation Army. He often put in 40 hours a week doing what he considers his Christian duty, but this year he is cutting down to only 20 hours or so.

As he gets older, he said he finds the cold December weather is a little harder to handle than when he stood next to the Red Kettle in his younger days. But, he enjoys doing his part for the good of the cause.

“I am a Christian and a soldier in the Salvation Army,” Ndegwa, 79, said. “The money we collect can be used to help others.”

The money that comes in through the annual Red Kettle campaign helps The Salvation Army love beyond tragedy, love beyond poverty, and always love beyond all circumstances, according to a press release from the organization announcing the launch of the campaign.

The Red Kettle campaign began in 1891 when a large pot was placed near San Francisco’s Oakland Ferry Landing to raise funds to provide Christmas dinners to those in need. The tradition caught on, allowing The Salvation Army to provide food, shelter and toys for families who would otherwise go without.

It’s a national campaign with a local twist, because the money raised remains in the

written permission from Senior Life.

a lot’

community where the money is given. Every dollar a person gives goes to support their own neighbors, co-workers and families just like theirs, according to the organization.

Ndegwa goes anywhere he is needed. He has learned that people work hard for the money they give to charity so he does more than just stand there and ring the bell. He whistles, sings and dances to draw attention to the kettle and encourages people to give.

He enjoys what he does to help the Salvation Army. It’s exciting to interact with people and he enjoys talking with them, he said. And he knows drawing their attention to the donation kettle is effective.

“I learn a lot,” Ndegwa said.

Letter to the editor

This season, The Salvation Army will have bell ringers and red kettles at Walmart, Sam’s Club, Kroger, Hobby Lobby, JC Penney and inside University Park Mall. There are also smaller counter kettles at area Culver’s, Chick-fil-A and Low Bob’s stores.

Donors can also give online at mykroc.org/kettle or scanning the QR code at any Red Kettle in the area. Visit mykroc.org/ring to volunteer to ring the bell and join volunteers like Ndegwa.

“There are plenty of opportunities to help make a difference this year,” said Aaron Helman, public relations representative for the Salvation Army.

Call (574) 233-9471 for more information.

Appreciation for WWII Honor Flights

Dear Editor:

There are not enough words to say thank you and congratulations to fellow writer Lois Thomaszewski for her November Senior Life front page article, “Michiana veteran takes part in Honor Flight.”

I moved to Myrtle Beach, S.C., for seven and a half years back in November 2010 and

We welcome readers’ letters.

returned to Mishawaka in the spring of 2018.

In early 2011, I became a guardian on their second WWII Honor Flight and the next three flights: a total of four of their seven flights. My deceased father was a WWII vet, but died in 1979.

Being an assigned honor guardian was a highly satisfy-

ing and emotional experience. I endorse the Northeast Indiana Honor Flight and encourage everyone to get involved in one way or another.

Again, many thanks to Lois for her story and to all who make these flights possible.

Gratefully, Dr./Pastor Greg Lawson Mishawaka

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.

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

‘No more mister nice guy’

In the early days of television, talk show hosts were always seen as being really, really nice folks.

In a 2000 video, Regis Philbin said, “When you get right down to it, the personality of the person who is conducting that show is the chief selling factor in making it a success.”

But what if he or she is not so pleasant? In fact, just the opposite?

Case in point: Joseph Edward Pyne. He was born in 1924 in Chester, Pa., the son of a bricklayer and a homemaker. As a child, he stuttered and was often mocked by his classmates. He finished high school in 1942 and

immediately escaped Chester by enlisting in the Marine Corps.

After the service, Pyne enrolled in a drama school and successfully overcame his handicap. He found work in radio, drifting through a series of announcing jobs. By 1949, he was in Kenosha, Wis., taking song requests from people who called in. Back then, listeners could hear only the announcer’s part of a conversation. One night, Joe held his phone receiver up to his microphone — and two-way call-in radio was born.

As a strongly opinionated loose cannon, the chain-smoking Pyne grew increasingly conservative and outspoken over the years. He began arguing with — and eventually insulting — callers who disagreed with him, sometimes ending a debate with, “Go gargle with razor blades!”

As his ratings soared, Pyne moved inexorably from smaller radio markets to larger ones.

When his show became syndicated, he was eventually heard on 254 stations around the country.

In time, Pyne landed a bigger venue — television. He was lured to Los Angeles to independent station KTLA, who offered him $1,000 a week — more than the Yankees paid Mickey Mantle. “The Joe Pyne Show” then went into syndication, and he became a household name in 240 national markets.

The eternally skeptical Pyne invited guests from society’s fringe — astrologers, psychics, faith healers, UFO witnesses, hippies, “pinkos,” women’s libbers, Manson followers, KKK members and American Nazis, sparring with them all through a fog of cigarette smoke as he sat at his desk. “The subject must be visceral,” Pyne said. “We want emotion, not mental involvement.”

Media historian Donna Halpin enthused, “Pyne was one of

As you plan for the holidays, consider a living trust gift

your doctor, nurse or a health care provider to share your medical information with your spouse or children. It should also include an advanced directive so that the children know, and the doctors know, who is to have the legal authority to make medical decisions on your behalf when you are someday incapacitated.

so that you don’t lose everything you worked for your entire life simply because you someday have a stroke, break your hip or suffer from Alzheimer’s or dementia.

The average person with Alzheimer’s is likely to be in a nursing home an average of five years, which would burn through nearly $600,000.

broadcasting’s truly unique figures — the original angry talker. He rose from the lowest ranks of radio and founded the modern TV shoutfest.”

The money flowed in like a tsunami. In 1965, the 40-year-old celebrity married a 21-year-old Norwegian model. Together they shared a Hollywood Hills mansion complete with a swimming pool and high-end foreign cars in the driveway.

But the good times weren’t

to last. In the late 1960s, Pyne was diagnosed with lung cancer, and he died at age 45 in 1970. He quickly disappeared from the public consciousness. Later TV producers often recorded over his videotapes.

However, Joe’s spirit lives on through such abrasive wouldbe Pynes as Howard Stern, Bill Maher and Bill O’Reilly.

Does he deserve our thanks, or do we blame him for what he has brought to our TV screens today?

We are soon coming up on the Christmas holiday season. Will you be getting together with your loved ones and family? Will you be seeing your children and grandchildren? This is a wonderful holiday and it is a fun thing to be around the people that we love. Right now, you might want to give some thought to those people, and to your personal situation. Do you have an estate plan in place? A good estate plan should include a living trust, which will pass assets probate free to your children someday when you die. That same living trust, if properly prepared, could have language to help you stay in your own home and to avoid unnecessary placement in a nursing home. You may not be aware that nursing home costs went up 20% last year alone, and are now averaging over $10,000 per month, in this area.

In addition to avoiding probate, and helping you remain in your own home as long as possible, a good estate plan can also include things like a Living Will, to make sure you’re not forever hooked up to machines when there’s no hope of recovery. It can include a HIPAA waiver, so that it’s not a felony for

A good estate plan can also include a funeral planning declaration so that your spouse or children will know how to handle your final arrangements. This alone could save many thousands of dollars and a great deal of confusion and uncertainty in the future. If you work with an elder law attorney, it is very likely that you will receive a Medicaid agency agreement, which can enable your loved ones to help you qualify for Medicaid, and potentially save your home, and your life savings, from being spent down for nursing home costs, in the event of a long-term catastrophic illness. Unless you have nursing home insurance, the right kind of elder law planning is critical, right now,

One of the wisest and kindest things you could possibly do would be to schedule an appointment with an experienced professional who can help you get your personal and legal affairs in order. For your sake. For your spouse’s sake. For the sake of your children and the ones you love.

At Rice and Rice, estate planning and elder law is all we do. We have been doing it for over 50 years. Call today for a free consultation, or attend one of our dinner workshops at Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, 902 E. University Drive, Granger, at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 6, or 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 12. Reservations required and seating is limited. Call now: (800) 303-7423 or visit riceandrice.com.

Berger enjoys success at Marian

When asked how he decided to go into coaching, Mishawaka Marian boys head basketball coach Robb Berger said, “it was pretty much the last thing on my mind.

“I played for my dad. I was going to get a business degree. I played one year in college at Lake Michigan Junior College in Benton Harbor, Mich. They needed an eighth grade coach at Jackson Middle School.

“I had no plans to follow in my father’s footsteps. Then I started asking the question how I could coach full time. I coached basketball and taught science just like my dad. I kind of got hooked.

“I was 19 years old coaching a middle school team. I changed my degree and took five years to complete college,” said Berger, whose father, Bob Berger, was a longtime coach at South Bend Riley.

Berger is now in his 25th year as a head coach. He coached at Marian for three years. He coached one year at Wawasee and eight years at Mishawaka. He then returned to Marian and is now entering his 16th year overall as their head coach between his two coaching stints at the school.

When asked about some of the highlights of his coaching career, Berger said, “it keeps you young.

“I see a lot of people my age and to me they look older. Being around students, especially coaching high school kids, it feels like I’ve been in high school 54 years. The Marian-St. Joe rivalry is still a big deal to me.

“Every year is a challenge. You lose kids. You try to put the best team on the floor. You start to see your former players and they have kids. You not only coach good players, but good people,” he said.

Berger has been blessed with many great players over the years, including three players who made it to the NBA:

Demetrius Jackson, Devin Cannady and Jaden Ivey.

“They all figured out at a young age they wanted to make a living out of it. What stood out is just how focused they were to play the sport and eventually earn a paycheck.

Demetrius was the first one. I’ve coached some good players, but none more driven than he was. He was yelling at kids for not showing up during the summer. He couldn’t understand how other players didn’t put in as much time as he did.

“Same thing with Devin. He was constantly working on his game. They were obviously blessed with natural talent.

Demetrius changed the whole dynamic of Marian basketball. He really put Marian on the map. Devin followed. Jaden followed,” said Berger.

“At the time, Demetrius was special. I thought he looked like he could be an NFL defensive

back. Jaden was a similar athlete but he was 6’4”. During the end of Jaden’s sophomore

year, start of his junior year, you could see he really figured things out. His sophomore and junior years, he was great,” said Berger.

Berger mentioned Cannady is now with the Los Angeles Lakers G-League team, South Bay Lakers. Ivey starts for the Detroit Pistons as a rookie.

Berger led his team to the IHSAA Class 3A State Championship game last year. They were the 2022 Class 3A state runners-up. “Anyone who gets into coaching, that’s a bucket list thing,” said Berger, referring to playing in a state championship game.

“We had a great group of kids who battled every game. There are a lot of great coaches who didn’t have that opportunity. My dad never got down there. Practicing in the Pacers arena was cool. It was one of those things you won’t forget. I have a group of kids who will be linked together for history,” he said.

“We lost two starters from last year. We return four of our top six players. Our JV team went 18-3. Going forward we should be pretty good. With St. Joe and Washington, I’d argue our sectional was better than the 4A sectional. Anytime you win the sectional, you have a chance to keep going. We’d like to get back and take that one last step. That would be great,” he said.

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Roses only one Pasadena pastime

There’s much more to do in Pasadena than smell the roses.

Most of the world becomes aware of this town 15 minutes north of downtown Los Angeles when it unveils months of work on blossom-burgeoned floats in the yearly Rose Parade along Colorado Boulevard.

This is a prelude to the granddaddy of all college bowl games: the annual New Years’ Day football festival in the Rose Bowl, where the University of California, Los Angeles Bruins play their home games.

When visitors consider Los Angeles, they envision a melange of movieland, Malibu, Disneyland and Beverly Hills.

Few folks even consider visiting this quiet community that’s as homey as a ’57 Chevy.

You can please both your palate and your psyche in this town

that appears, in spots, like it might have been plucked out of the Poconos rather than sequestered alongside the San Gabriel Mountains.

While teasing your taste buds at one of the 500 local eateries — this number should be no surprise when you learn cooking icon Julia Child was born here — you may stumble upon luminaries of stage and big and small screen who have long found this “city that feels like a village” a livable locale.

But you can get closer to much bigger stars here. Creative minds at Jet Propulsion Laboratories monitor progress of their historymaking space probes. Reservations are required, but tours of this facility are free. Details for a visit are available at jpl.nasa.gov.

To pleasure your psyche, the Norton Simon Museum offers an intimate walk among works by, among others, Monet, Rembrandt, Rubens, Renoir, Raphael and Degas, including his famous depiction of a young ballerina, “Waiting.” All are within touching distance in this visitor-friendly facility along the Rose Parade route.

While you’re in this part of town, skip over to the Pasadena Museum of History for a quick tour of the 18-room Fenyes House. The mansion echoes how Pasadena emerged out of the Spanish outpost established at Mission San Gabriel by Franciscan Friar Junipero Serra back in 1771.

The community grew after the transcontinental railway reached the sleepy little town of Los Angeles in the 1870s and the region was discovered by a handful of wealthy Midwesterners from Indiana, Illinois and Michigan seeking escape from frigid winters.

The Fenyes House is one of 52 grand maisons built in the late 1800s along “the Boulevard,” a Millionaires’ Row that included such renowned families as the Wrigleys.

When domestic help all but disappeared after the Second World War, the Boulevard was transformed into Condo Row. These condos are still sought after, so the neighborhood is still called Millionaires’ Row.

It was a millionaire railroad and real estate magnate who established the Huntingon Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens, known simply as The Huntington, in the city of San Marino, a wealthy enclave perched on Pasadena’s southern city limits.

The 207-acre attraction is the legacy of Henry Huntington, who first visited the site in April 1892 and proclaimed it “the prettiest place I’ve ever seen.” He built a railroad spur onto the property to simplify supplying the complex.

The Library, a research center that has been dubbed the Bastille

of Books, houses original Shakespeare works as well as Benjamin Franklin’s handwritten autobiography and an original Gutenberg Bible.

On display in the art gallery are several works by Gainsborough, including his renowned “Blue Boy.”

A mausoleum built on the grounds was designed by John Russell Pope and used as a prototype for the Jefferson Memorial in Washington, D.C.

Fifteen gardens exhibit botanical eye candy stretching from Chinese and Japanese landscaping to a patch of desert.

It was near a knoll now supporting a rose-festooned Temple of Love where a neighbor’s young lad used to play his war games. The

boy grew up to be Gen. George Patton of World War II fame.

Between tours of these and other attractions, such as the Pacific Asia Museum, where some 50 centuries of Asian ceramics are among its exhibits, there’s a wide choice of palate pleasing moments.

Just an interlude away from the Pasadena Playhouse — such household names as Dustin Hoffman and Gene Hackman launched careers here — is Maison Akira, where French and Japanese cuisine are fused.

An interesting spot is Café Santorini, which overlooks a small Old Pasadena square that resembles an Italian piazza with its intimacy and informality. The Mediterranean climate and ambience that permeate Pasadena are matched in the menu.

You mustn’t overlook the nouveau-California cuisine mastered at the Twin Palms, an airy eatery originally owned by movie star Kevin Costner that is sheltered under a flowing retractable tent.

After all this activity, you just might want to take a few moments to smell the roses in Pasadena.

New start dates for Medicare Part B coverage coming in 2023

Changes are coming next year for when Medicare Part B coverage starts.

What is not changing:

If you are eligible at age 65, your Initial Enrollment Period:

• Begins three months before your 65th birthday.

• Includes the month of your 65th birthday.

• Ends three months after your 65th birthday.

If you are automatically enrolled in Medicare Part B or

if you sign up during the first three months of your IEP, your coverage will start the month you’re first eligible. If you sign up the month you turn 65, your coverage will start the first day of the following month. This won’t change with the new rule.

What is changing:

• Starting Jan. 1, 2023, your Medicare Part B coverage starts the first day of the month after you sign up if you sign up during the last three months of your IEP. Before this change, if you signed up during the last three months of your IEP, your Medicare Part B coverage started two to three months after you

enrolled.

• If you don’t sign up for Medicare Part B during your IEP, you have another chance each year during the General Enrollment Period (GEP). The GEP lasts from Jan. 1 through Mar. 31. Starting Jan. 1, 2023, your coverage starts the first day of the month after you sign up.

You can learn more about these updates at ssa.gov/medicare and ssa.gov/pubs/EN-0510043.pdf.

Please pass this information along to someone who may need it. Please also share that Social Security imposter scams are

widespread across the United States. Scammers use targeted, sophisticated tactics to deceive you into providing sensitive information or money.

Social Security’s Office of the Inspector General has received reports of scammers creating fake versions of the identification badges most federal employees use to gain access to federal buildings. The scammers may text or email photos of the fake badges to convince potential victims of their legitimacy. These badges use government symbols, words and even names and photos of real people that are available on government

websites or through internet searches.

If you receive a suspicious letter, text, email or call, hang up or do not respond. If you owe money to us, we will mail you a letter with payment options and a notice of appeal rights.

We encourage you to report suspected Social Security imposter scams — and other Social Security fraud — to the OIG’s website at oig.ssa.gov/report. You may read our previous Social Security fraud advisories at oig.ssa.gov/news-releases. Again, please share this information with your friends and family.

Editor’s note: Sending listings of events, for nonprofit organizations only, to Senior Life, P.O. Box 188, Milford, IN 46542, or email Editor Phoebe Muthart by Thursday, Dec. 15, at pmuthart@the-papers.com. With the listing, include the contact person, area code and phone number.

—o—

RiverBend Cancer Services, 3516 E. Jefferson Blvd., South Bend, offers the following events this month: seated strength, 10 a.m. every Monday and 11:45 a.m. every Thursday; Debbie’s Wig Salon, 1 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1 and 15; chair yoga, 10:30 a.m. and 11:45 a.m. every Thursday; “Coping with Grief at the Holidays,” 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1; drop-in crafts, 11 a.m. Monday, Dec. 5, 12 and 19.

Colorectal cancer webinar, 1:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 5; gentle yoga, 5:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 5, 12 and 19; food and fitness webinar, 1 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 6; empowered movement, 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 6, 13 and 20; general cancer support group, 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 7.

Holiday house party, 4 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 8; “Bites and Bits,” noon Tuesday, Dec. 13; Kim’s Bra Boutique, 2 p.m.

Wednesday, Dec. 14; “Bites and Bits After Dark,” 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 15; cookie decorating/swap, 2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 21; game night, 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 22. —o—

Cookie walk and Christmas decor sale, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, at Dowagiac First United Methodist Church, 326 N. Lowe St., Dowagiac, Mich. Gluten-free treats are available. For more information, call Darlene (269) 782-8551.

—o—

La Porte County Symphony Orchestra’s 28th Annual Holiday at the Pops, 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, at La Porte’s Civic Auditorium. The concert will feature the La Porte High School Mixed Chorale, under the direction of Tom Coe, singing “The Musicological Journey Through the Twelve Days of Christmas” as well as Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas.”

Also featured will be the choral group, Illumination, under the direction of Becky Osborn, singing several carols in addition to “Spirit of Christmas.” Leading the LCSO will be Dr. Carolyn Watson, music director, and Chuck Steck, associate conductor, as they trade conducting duties throughout the evening.

The evening will conclude with a rousing Tran-Siberian Orchestra arrangement of “Carol of the Bells” followed by the traditional moving closing selection of “Silent Night” performed by the Orchestra and LCSO audience.

A number of balcony tickets are available. Tickets can be purchased by visiting “Holiday at the Pops” at lcso.net. Tickets can also be purchased at Roxy Music and Civic Auditorium, La Porte. Tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for ages 12 and under.

“Home for the Holidays,” with the South Bend Symphony Orchestra, combines seasonal favorites with storytelling. Guest conductor Geoffery Larson, renowned Irish-American Baritone Emmett O’Hanlon, Notre Dame Concordia Octet, and Southold Dance Theater unite with the symphony to create South Bend’s favorite holiday performance.

Hear favorite Christmas carols such as “Silent Night” and holiday classics like “Deck the Halls” and “White Christmas” with O’Hanlon and Notre Dame Concordia Octet. Revel in the Southold Dance Theater as they join the symphony and Larson on stage. Experience

South Bend’s favorite holiday program at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17, or 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 18, at Morris Performing Arts Center.

Tickets start at $19 and can be bought online at morriscenter.org/upcoming-events;

Morris Performing Arts Center Box Office, (574) 235-9190, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday; or The Morris, 211 N. Michigan St., South Bend, during the times listed above or two hours before any performance.

Foods that will fight for health

headaches and viruses.

No matter how often you say, “an apple a day keeps the doctor away,” it doesn’t diminish the importance of the message.

Nutritionists generally agree that the fruit that caused the downfall of Adam and Eve is not to be discarded, because it contains, among other beneficial ingredients, fiber and antioxidants. And eat them with the peel, where most of the antioxidants are concentrated.

The apple is among the weapons available to help in the body’s ongoing battle against certain types of cancers, diabetes, high blood pressure and arthritis, as well as battling

No food does everything, but each is pretty good when combined with your daily diet.

Garlic gets a bad rap because of its aromatic behavior after being eaten, but it offers antibiotic and anti-inflammatory properties, as do onions.

Dark chocolate also is an anti-inflammatory and helps lower blood pressure, as does olive oil, which also helps maintain your cardiovascular system.

Avocados boost the ability to absorb nutrients from other foods and are excellent sources of potassium, as are pomegranates, which lower blood pressure and promote good circulation.

Mature Life Features Copyright 2022

Professional Forum

A Monthly Question And Answer Advertorial Column

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Mishawaka-Penn-Harris library hosting December events

Following is a partial list of the December calendar of events for adults at Mishawaka-Penn-Harris Public Library.

Bittersweet Branch

“DIY at Dusk: Quilled Ornaments,” 5:30-6:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 5. Learn about this relaxing hobby that involves the shaping of paper or fabric into delicate pleats or folds.

“Family Holiday Trivia,” 5:30-6:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 12. Bring the whole family for holiday-themed trivia including seasonal movies, music and food. A small prize will be given to the winning team. Teams must be between two and six members.

“Yak, Snack & Read Hybrid Book Club,” 10:30-11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 13. “The Christmas Train” by David Baldacci can be picked up in advance at the front desk.

“Make with Us: Corkboard Coasters,” 10:30-11:30 a.m. Monday, Dec. 19.

“Wrap and Yap,” 5-6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 21. Take the stress out of wrapping gifts by doing it in the company of others. Participants should bring their unwrapped gifts and are encouraged to bring their own supplies. The library will provide wrapping paper, ribbon, tape and scissors; light refreshments will be served.

Harris Branch

“Planning 101: Holiday Planning,” 6:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1. Learn about fun, creative and beneficial ways to get organized while meeting new friends.

“Holiday Happenings: Snowman Craft and Cocoa,” 10:3011:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 9.

Mishawaka Library

“Stocking Decorating,” 10:30 a.m. to noon Saturday, Dec. 3. Use the decorations at the library or bring some from home to add your own special holiday cheer. Christmas music and

Lottery scam is no winner

cookies will be provided.

“Business After Hours at the Mishawaka Library,” 4-6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 7. Popcorn and light refreshments will be provided. Mishawaka historian Peter De Kever will give tours of the Heritage Room. Cookie decorating will take place. The Roz Puppets will perform a holiday show at 4 p.m., 4:45 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Tickets for the puppet show must be secured prior to show times.

“Holiday Happenings: Holiday Treats,” 10:3011:30 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 7.

“Delectable Lit,” 5:307 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 8. In this unique book and baking club, people get the chance to combine the two. “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens can be picked up in advance at the front desk.

“Holiday Happenings: Gift Bags and Tags,” 10:30-11:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 10. Make it a homemade holiday with a

Twice: A Mystery” by Susanna Calkins. Books can be picked up a month in advance at the front desk.

“Mental WellBeing with Mental Health Awareness of Michiana,” 6-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 20. Mental Health Awareness of Michiana, a local organization that strives to educate the community about important mental health topics, will lead the presentation.

“Sew Fun,” 10:30-11:30 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 29. Each participant will walk away with a travel eye mask.

“Planning 101: Planning for the New Year,” 6:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 29.

Zoom Only

“Snack Attack,” 10:30-11:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 2. Learn to create a new snack that will satisfy all the cravings in your household. The theme is “made in a mug.”

“Take a Trip to Norway on Zoom,” 6:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 6.

little creativity and a whole lot of fun.

“Mug ‘n’ Muffin” monthly hybrid book club, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 15. Enjoy coffee, conversation and muffins. This month’s title is “Murder Knocks

“Treat Yo’ Pup,” 10:30-11:30 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 22. Learn how to make homemade dog treats.

“Holiday Mocktails and Music,” 6-7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 22. Enjoy holiday music while sampling festive mocktail recipes.

“Adult Game Night,” 5:307:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 27.

“Virtual Craft Hour: Crepe Paper Trees,” 10:30-11:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 16. Details on when and where to pick up program supplies will be sent via email to registrants.

Registration required for all events. All reservations for in person or Zoom attendance may be secured by calling (574) 259-5277 or visiting mphpl.org.

It’s been around for years, but the Canadian Lottery scam is still making money for the crooks that operate it.

It starts with a letter, phone call or email message congratulating you for winning a big prize in a national lottery. To receive this unexpected fortune, you have to send money to pay taxes and processing fees.

Now, this should be the clue that this is an obvious scam, because the people notifying you should be able to deduct all charges and fees from the winnings, right?

Greed must be blinding, though, because victims continue to send thousands of dollars to qualify for the prize money. In fact, there is no prize.

Church volunteers will host ‘Walk Through Bethlehem’ Dec. 9-11

life. It’s spiritual.”

This is Coone’s second year taking part in the event.

For Christians, the story of the birth of Jesus is a treasured part of Christmas. That story is recounted in religious celebrations, and for one South Bend congregation, bringing that story to life is an annual tradition.

Christian Center Church transforms the 1/8-mile perimeter hallway surrounding the sanctuary with the sights, sounds and smells of Bethlehem at the time of Jesus’ birth. It is a tradition that has been taking place for about a decade, Director Adam Lantz said.

“Our goal is to share the incredible story of Christ’s birth to our community in a fun and unique way,” Lantz said. “We hope that all who come are touched by the performances and that we can reach those who may otherwise not come to a regular church service.”

Volunteer Doris Coone, 55, is one of the 39 cast members who take on various roles in the event. She brings experience as a community actor, but it is more the interactive nature of the “Walk Through Bethlehem” experience that intrigued her.

“Many people know the story of the Messiah’s birth,” Coone said. “This brings the story to

Carla Kellog, 62, is also playing a role. This is her first year. She was moved to volunteer after hearing others in the congregation talk about it, she said.

“It’s a very good portrayal of Biblical times,” Kellog said. “It helps people understand the Christ and Biblical times, what it took to get to Bethlehem and the conditions for Christ to be born.”

People in groups of about 12 are guided through the experience, following the star purported to have guided others at the time of Christ’s birth.

Church employee Brad Bourdon, 53, Lakeville, has been helping out with the event for about seven years. He takes care of maintenance as part of his regular duties, but adds his skills in carpentry and building to help create the sets that make up the streets of Bethlehem.

“Walk Through Bethlehem” started out as a children’s event, Bourdon recalled. With props borrowed from local television station WHME, the beginnings of the all-age-inclusive “Walk Through Bethlehem” began.

Since then, many of the sets that tell the story have been built by Bourdon and stored downstairs from year to year. Moving the sets and staging the streets of Bethlehem is a task that takes three long days to complete with the help of many volunteers, Bourdon said.

This year’s “Walk Through Bethlehem” opens at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9. It is open only for one weekend and wraps up Sunday, Dec. 11. There are about 15 performances each night,

Lantz said. Tickets to the event are free.

The church is located at 530 E. Ireland Road, South Bend. To reserve a spot, visit christiancenter.org or call (574) 291-3292.

Let family know your funeral wishes

Death can bring out the very best in people. The love seen and felt is quite an amazing gift to witness, but emotions become raw, making the entire process worse for everyone involved.

I want to help you and your loved ones, so when that day comes you are ready and can face it with some forethought, preparation, and hopefully a little bit of confidence.

Would you tell someone to spend thousands of dollars to buy a car on the most emotional day of their life? Of course not, so why would you wait to think

about what kind of funeral to choose on the absolute worst day of your life? Or how much others will (or should) pay for yours? No one needs to be unprepared.

Here is the most important thing you can do to make that day much easier, and it doesn’t cost you anything but a little time. I recommend calling or stopping by your favorite funeral home and asking for a family emergency handbook or funeral planner.

This document can go by many names, but it’s a pamphlet every funeral home has available to help you. We at St. Joseph Funeral Home offer them free of charge. We won’t try to sell you

anything if you ask for one.

You can take it home and fill it out. You can give it to a trusted family member who will be handling your arrangements when the time comes, or you can place it with your important papers for your family. But I would recommend giving it back to your funeral home. We will keep it on file for you.

Also, if you relocate, we will mail it to any funeral home (near or far) with a simple phone call; no questions asked.

St. Joseph Funeral Home is located at 824 S. Mayflower Road, South Bend. Call (574) 288-4685 or visit sjfh.net.

Educators invited to the History Museum’s ‘Gallery Talks for Teachers’

Teachers are invited to learn about educational offerings for students at “Gallery Talks for Teachers,” taking place 4:30-5:30 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month, starting Dec. 1. The event is free. To register, contact Stephanie McCune-Bell, director of education, at smccunebell@historymuseumSB. org or call (574) 235-9664, ext. 241.

A different area of the

museum will be featured monthly, with a brief talk plus a tour of a gallery. In December, the topic is “Copshaholm: Community and Innovation.” Teachers will be able to visit the Oliver Mansion and hear about standards-based topics and activities provided during classroom or virtual visits to the historic house.

Each talk will provide a certificate of completion for 1 PGP point, and teachers will

receive corresponding curriculum materials. Complimentary wine will be offered.

The History Museum welcomes school visits all year long. In the past five years, over 16,500 students have toured the museum, including seven exhibit galleries, the 38-room Oliver Mansion, and Kidsfirst, an area designed for youth up to third grade.

For information, visit www. historymuseumSB.org.

Natuzzi sofa set is falling apart

didn’t identify the issue the day it was delivered. That was impossible to do.

Leslie Azor’s new Natuzzi sofa set is coming apart. The company keeps sending a repairman to her home, but so far, he hasn’t been able to fix the furniture. Can she get a refund?

I bought a Natuzzi recliner sofa set last year from a local retailer. After using the furniture lightly for a few months, it was clear there was something wrong with it.

One recliner was completely defective where you feel the metal bar in the footrest. The leather has wrinkled and pushed up the metal pieces because the foam holding it all together is defective. The sofa warped to one side. The other

side is following suit.

The retailer would not replace the damaged recliner and said we had to deal with Natuzzi directly because we

Natuzzi has twice sent a repairman with stacks of foam to “repair” one of the recliners, and after the second visit, the repairman also requested parts for the other recliner. I have had to wait six months each time for the foam parts and then for the repairman, and he has had to leave both times, unable to fix the recliners because the foam was defective.

Now I have had to wait again for more foam shipped from China, with no guarantee that it will come when promised or that it will work. This is now a year of waiting with no end in sight and accepting at best a patch of what was supposed to be an expensive Italian sofa.

Dementia by any name is still debilitating

Everybody wants to live forever, but few folks look forward to getting old.

A lot of time and talent has been devoted to eliminating or finding cures for disease, developing drugs that diminish debilitation and producing prosthetics that help make coping comfortable.

Despite all the intelligence applied to the science of lengthy living, little is known about enhancing our brain’s power, particularly as it ages.

Dementia — its causes and cures — is still a mystery to the best medical minds. Experienced experts even disagree on the best ways to avoid or alleviate its ravages.

Play mental agility games, such as crossword puzzles, some say. Learn a language to foster the brain’s flexibility.

Travel. Join social groups. Stay active. Exercise to maintain a healthy blood flow to the brain. Eat foods containing chemicals that stimulate brain activity and cells.

All of these are safe and sane advice for anyone wishing to stay healthy.

But there’s still no cure for such degenerative brain diseases as Alzheimer’s. The inexorably inevitable result is loss of memory, identity and mobility if death does not intervene.

Alzheimer’s disease ambushes a new victim every minute.

More than 5 million people in this country reportedly suffer from it. That number is expected to triple over the next three decades as the population ages.

Anecdotes and stories by friends, families and caregivers dealing with victims of this and other debilitating neurological diseases hurt the heart.

Helplessly, they watch the frustration and falling away of their loved one, all the while trying to rationalize what is happening.

The recurring theme is that these caregivers cannot realize, accept, come to grips with or face the fact that the person they once knew is fading away. The once-witty wife becomes a slug. The once-creative dad gathers dust in the corner. This also victimizes the caregivers.

Much has been learned about brain functions and malfunctions over recent years from work with war veterans and athletes in such violent sports as hockey and football.

Researchers hope that, with pressure applied by the aging phalanx of some 75 million baby boomers, more attention will be devoted to exploring the brain.

Mature Life Features Copyright 2022

The repairman has told us he practically needs to reconstruct all of the inside parts. I have a copy of the back-and-forth emails with Natuzzi — all communication with them has been in writing. I want to close this chapter with them and stop trying to patch a new sofa as if it were 10 years old.

I want them to either fully replace both recliners, with the assurance they will be checked before they are sent to us to ensure they are not defective, or return our money. — Leslie Azor, Miami

Natuzzi should have delivered the quality product it promised, and for which you paid $6,000. Also, the retailer should have stood behind the purchase.

Many retailers have warranties, guarantees or policies that ensure if something happens to your purchase, you can get a quick refund. I think the retailer’s demand you say something upon delivery was unreasonable. I mean, you hardly had time to sit on your new leather furniture before its warranty expired. Come on!

Natuzzi’s warranty leaves something to be desired. It

contains lots of exclusions and doesn’t specify a time frame for repairs. It also appears to be an awkward translation of the Italian warranty. When I read it, I’m not sure what you are — and aren’t — entitled to. It’s just a promise to repair your furniture if something goes wrong.

You did a great job of keeping a paper trail — all the correspondence between you and the retailer. It’s one of the key components of being able to advocate for yourself.

Unfortunately, your case dragged on for too long. The company was not living up to its promise to “create harmony in spaces.” So I reached out to Natuzzi on your behalf.

A representative from both your retailer and Natuzzi contacted you the next day. They offered you a full replacement of the sofa. “You did in one day what I couldn’t in nine months,” you said.

I’m happy to help.

Christopher Elliott is the chief advocacy officer for Elliott Advocacy. Email him at chris@elliott.org or get help with any consumer problem by contacting him at www. elliott.org/help.

Thanks-Christmas is not a holiday —

Tips to stay on track through the holidays

day. If it helps you to write down what you eat each day, then do that. As you know, results happen over time — not overnight.

especially berries.

• If you dine out, choose wisely — salad, vegetable wrap, soup or vegetables and brown rice.

healthy leftovers.

• If you dine out — be the first one to order so you don’t change your mind. You know it happens.

The trifecta of holidays is upon us: Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day.

Three days, but, in reality we need to add on the entire Thanksgiving weekend because of the leftovers, plus, Christmas party upon Christmas party throughout December, and then New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day

Don’t let it happen. You can enjoy the holidays without going completely off the healthy eating rails.

Eating for health starts as a mindset, day ... after day ... after day. Declare your plan, write it down and work on it every single

Eating a holiday meal with friends and family is good for your soul and you can make it good for your heart too by making it one meal, not meal after meal until all the pies are gone. If you say, “No, I shouldn’t,” then leave it there, don’t put that “but” after it. “No, I shouldn’t” is a complete sentence and it can keep you on your path.

Here are some tips from past columns that may be of help to you:

• Go one day a week without an ingredient list. That means whole foods only; nothing prepared from a box or a frozen dinner.

• Reduce or stop eating cheese. Cheese is addictive and it’s 70% fat.

• At the most, eat meat at only one meal per day.

• Eat a pound of cooked vegetables per day.

• Eat a pound of raw cruciferous and greens per day.

• Eat more fruit,

• Make healthy soup and always keep it on hand.

• Meal prep or at a minimum make sure when you open the refrigerator there are vegetables, fruit, salad fixings and

• Watch the labels for added sugar. Females should have no more than 25 grams of added sugar and males 36 grams.

• If you bake for the holiday, take it all with you to wherever

you go, or if you are hosting, make sure you put it all out and package it up for your guests to take with them. You will be so glad you did.

However you spend your holidays, keep your health goals in mind. It’s really about the holiday and sharing it with friends and family. Cheers!

History Museum presents Christmas at Copshaholm

The community can enjoy the wonder of the Yuletide season during The History Museum’s Christmas at Copshaholm, taking place from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4 and 11. Over 15 beautiful Christmas trees are on view throughout the 38-room historic house. Festooned fireplace mantels, garlands of greenery on the stairways, and tabletops with holiday décor add to the beauty of the home; take note: there are steps leading to the mansion and stairways inside of the house.

Tours during Christmas at Copshaholm are self-guided, providing visitors the rare opportunity to walk through

the mansion at their own pace, staying as long as they wish in each room. Docents on each of the three floors are available to answer questions about the home. Gary Kowalski will play holiday music will be played on the Steinway piano in the mansion’s music room, and families can have fun with an “Elf-on-the-Copsha-Shelf” scavenger hunt. On Dec. 4, the River Bend Chorus will perform from 4 to 6 p.m. in the Leighton Gallery.

It was 125 years ago, in 1897, when J.D. and Anna Oliver and their four children moved into their new home at 808 W. Washington St. in downtown South Bend. Cop-

shaholm, as they would later name it, is in honor of the Scottish birthplace of J.D.’s father, James. The mansion would be home to the family for the next 75 years. The Oliver family donated the house completely intact to The History Museum in 1988. Copshaholm’s furnishings are original, showing the house as it appeared when the family lived there. The historic house is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Tickets are $15 for general admission, $10 for members; $5 for youth 6 to 17; and free for children 5 and under. Tickets can be purchased online at historymuseumSB.org or by calling (574) 235-9664.

‘You’re So Vain’ refers to three famous, arrogant individuals

Carly Simon

“You walked into the party like you were walking onto a yacht.

“Your hat strategically dipped below one eye, your scarf it was apricot.

“You had one eye in the mirror as you watched yourself gavotte.

“And all the girls dreamed that they’d be your partner, they’d be your partner.

“And you’re so vain, you probably think this song is about you.

“Don’t you, don’t you?”

Some lyrics of Carly Simon’s No. 1 hit often left many music fans scratching their heads in

wonder. Let’s start with the little-known word gavotte. “A gavotte is a French dance,” Simon explained. “I thought I would use a word that was slightly presumptuous … He’s gavotting because that’s what a pretentious, vain man would do.”

Then there is that mysterious line, “There were clouds in my coffee.” That statement came about during a flight Simon took with her piano player, Billy Merritt. She explained, “As I got my coffee, Billy said to me, ‘Look at the clouds in your coffee.’ There were clouds outside the window of the airplane, and you could see the reflection in a cup of coffee.” And we were supposed to figure this out?

But the question that most fans asked was: Who was Carly ridiculing in “You’re So Vain,” an Elektra Records tune that topped the Billboard singles

chart for three weeks in the waning days of 1972? That hit, whose creation consumed nearly a year of Simon’s time, came from her third LP, “No Secrets,” a No. 1 Billboard album for more than a month.

Simon claims that “You’re So Vain” actually refers to a total of three famous, arrogant individuals. She has stated that ex-husband James Taylor and Rolling Stone Mick Jagger are definitely not the men she had in mind when she put pen to

paper many years ago. Other possible candidates — deep breath here — have included David Bowie, Cat Stevens, Kris Kristofferson, David Cassidy and Jack Nicholson.

“I was brought up by a mother who was adamant you didn’t even kiss a man until you were in love with him,” Simon has admitted. “So I was in love with a lot of men. I was besotted by the lads. I was

definitely a romantic.”

Recently, Simon admitted the second verse was about actor Warren Beatty — but only the second verse.

“You had me several years ago, when I was still quite naïve.

“Well, you said that we made such a pretty pair and that you would never leave.

“But you gave away the things you loved, and one of them was me.

“I had some dreams, they were clouds in my coffee, clouds in my coffee.”

In August 2003, she agreed to reveal the unknown names to the highest bidder of a Martha’s Vineyard charity auction. Dick Ebersole, the head of NBC Sports, won with a bid of $50,000, but he had to agree to never reveal what she told him.

And so, to this day, Carly Simon’s mystery men have remained a mystery.

Morningview Assisted Living Residences

475 North Niles Avenue, South Bend, IN 46617 (574) 246-4123 • www.morningview-alf.com

Spacious studio apartments at affordable rates. Services available based on your needs. Respite Care, Physical, Occupational & Speech Therapies, Medicaid Waiver accepted. Quality Care for Quality Life.

Primrose Retirement Community of Mishawaka

820 Fulmer Road, Mishawaka, IN 46544 (574) 259-3211 • primroseretirement.com

Our spacious independent and assisted living apartments offer something to retire to not just something to retire from. Residents at Primrose enjoy a healthy and active living environment.

Riveridge Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center

1333 Wells Street, Niles, MI 49120 (269) 684-1111 • www.riveridgerehab.com

Riveridge Rehab in Niles, Michigan, offers newly renovated rehab units with 4 private suites. Additionally, we have a locked memory care unit with multi-sensory room.

Saint Joseph Health System - Holy Cross

17475 Dugdale Drive, South Bend, IN 46635 (574) 247-7500 • www.sjmed.com

Offering Rehabilitation and Nursing Care services for seniors, Sanctuary at Holy Cross focuses on wellness for the body, mind and spirit. Our therapies include: aqua, speech, occupational, physical, and therapeutic recreation.

316 Woodies Lane, Bremen, IN 46506 (574) 546-3494 • SHCofBremen.com

Southfield Village

6450 Miami Circle, South Bend, IN 46614 (574) 231-1000 • www.greencroft.org

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

St. Paul’s

3602 S. Ironwood Dr., South Bend, IN 46614 (574) 284-9000 • www.sjmed.com/st-pauls St. Paul’s, a Saint Joseph Health System Life Plan Community in South Bend, provides continuing care that is faith-based, hospitality-rich and wellness-focused. A variety of living options includes affordable Independent Living and Assisted Living apartments and secure Memory Care.

Tanglewood Trace Senior Living

530 Tanglewood Lane, Mishawaka, IN 46545 (574) 277-4310

www.tanglewoodtraceseniorliving.com

Offering Retirement Villas, Independent and Licensed Assisted Living, Therapy Services, Respite Care, Social and Recreational Activities, Pets Welcome, Transportation, Beauty Shop and Spa Services Available.

West Woods of Niles

1211 State Line Road, Niles, MI 49120 (269) 684-2810 • www.peplinskigroup.com

Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, 24-Hour Nursing Care, Outings, Social Activity, Short/Long Term Rehabilitation, Wi-Fi, Beauty Shop, Private/Semi-Private Rooms, Medicare/Medicaid Certified

Contact Cathy Wilson For More Details!

(574) 298-8806 1-866-580-1138 Ext. 2402 cwilson@the-papers.com

HOLY CROSS

What else does an estate plan do?

ity during a difficult time.

Benefit Loved One With Special Needs

You may want to consider creating an estate plan that includes a trust if one or more of the following circumstances or priorities apply to you and your family:

Preserve Family Harmony

By designating an objective third party trustee, you can relieve loved ones of the burden of dealing with legal complex-

A trust can provide an inheritance to a loved one with special needs while preserving his or her eligibility for government benefits like Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income.

Support Children From A Former Relationship

If you’re married with children from a previous relationship, a trust can help you

protect your biological children from potential disinheritance.

Cater To Financially Inexperienced Beneficiaries

By setting up a trust, you can restrict trust distributions, reducing the likelihood that your loved ones will squander their inheritance.

Include Distant Children

If you live far from loved ones, it’s important to plan ahead to ensure a trustee is designated to manage your financial affairs upon your

incapacity or death.

This information is not designed as, meant for or constitute the rendering of legal or tax advice. People should consult with their 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, and

may involve investment risks, including the possible loss of principal.

MEMBERS Trust Company is a federal thrift regulated by the office of the comptroller or currency.

NORTHSHORE HEALTH CENTERS

Locations in Portage, Lake Station, Chesteron,

HOSPICE CARE

LaPorte, IN 46350 (219) 575-7930

1-800-HOSPICE (467-7423)

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HEART TO HEART HOSPICE

620 Edison Rd., Suite 122 Mishawaka, IN 46545

CHAP Accredited (574) 855-4475 hearttohearthospice.com Compassionatecarefromourhearttoyours. Volunteers needed.

Seiberling Mansion in Kokomo is worth visiting during the holidays

This holiday season, consider a road trip to Kokomo to visit the elegant Seiberling Mansion. The 11,000square-foot Neo-Jacobean/Romanesque Revival mansion, which is beautifully lit for the season, is a testament to the great Indiana Gas Boom of the late 1800s, which brought an era of prosperity to Hoosiers and laid the foundation for a new industrial economy.

Monroe Seiberling, lured to Kokomo with the offer of free land and free gas, was already a wealthy man in

Akron, Ohio, before founding Diamond Plate Glass Company, Kokomo Strawboard and other firms in Jonesboro and Elwood.

Construction on the mansion began in late 1889. It was completed in 1891 because a wooden structure was built over the site for year-round work. After completion, the cover was dismantled and the materials given to anyone who could haul them away.

The initial estimate to build was $40,000 (a lot at that time), but ended up costing $50,000. The local gentry weren’t necessarily concerned by that figure, but when they learned that Seiberling had spent another $6,000 to build a carriage house they were shocked. Both, of course, were heated by natural gas.

The Seiberlings lived in

the mansion until mid-1895 when the gas fields dried up and the boom fizzled. They moved out — lock, stock and barrel —to Peoria, Ill., where he established new factories and continued to make tons of money. There were a couple of owners after Seiberling and before George Kingston, inventor of the carburetor used in Ford’s Model T automobiles, moved into it in 1914. He also founded Kingston Products, a major Kokomo manufacturer for years.

In 1946, Indiana University took over the property and established headquarters for IU Kokomo until 1965. It must have been special to attend classes in such historic surroundings. After IU, the mansion was empty until 1972. During that time it was vandalized and suffered from weather and neglect.

Give the gift of travel

ing local sights and activities unique to that destination.

There are thousands of items you could gift someone during this season of giving, but are they filled with memories?

Think about the joy a gift of travel would bring to your loved one.

We currently have availability on four of our 2023 trips. As always, just a $75 deposit holds a seat on our luxury motor coach. There are two-, four- or five-night trips taking you to Niagara Falls, Chicago, Memphis or Branson, with each location packed with fun and interest-

People are never traveling alone when the host is Dennis Donathen. He has a way of making sure everyone on the coach enjoys the ride and activities, making the travel time fly by, and the details taken care of at each stop so you can sit back and enjoy.

The upcoming trips are:

• New York and Niagara Falls in May. Four nights and all the sights (no passport required).

• Chicago in August. Yes, we live close, but when was the last time you were a tourist in Chicago? No worries about driving

in Chicago traffic. We’ve got it all planned out and you have all the fun.

• Memphis, Tenn., in September is unforgettable. Visit Graceland, Beale Street and so much more.

• Branson, Mo., in November for Holiday Show Extravaganza. Six fabulous shows plus area sights.

See our ad in this travel section for more details and visit grouptrips.com/ddresales for daily itineraries, videos and booking.

Give Dennis a call at (574) 220-8032 if you have any questions.

It was close to feeling the power of the wrecking ball before the county stepped in and turned it over to the Howard County Historical Society, which carried out renovations and restored it to its original opulence.

Neither the furniture nor the light fixtures are original. They are, however, from the Victorian era. Brass door fixtures and window lifts are of Moorish design, while the woodwork is oak, walnut, maple, cherry, mahogany and tulip poplar. Seiberling Mansion is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The mansion includes a Miami Indian display, cooking ranges made by Globe America Company and a World War I exhibit of sixinch trench mortar shells

produced in Kokomo. The company made 17,460 mortars, but none of them made it to the battlefield. The ballroom on the third floor features photos of Howard County war heroes, uniforms, paintings and photos of the city through the years.

Seiberling Mansion is located at 1200 Sycamore St. Drive past the mansion and turn right at the next street. Go another block, turn right again and come into the parking lot from the rear. It’s open from 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, February through December. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for students (K-12) and free for children under 5. For more information, visit howardcountymuseum.org or call (765) 452-4314.

Grandma and the 1910 Christmases

Journey back with me to the decade of the 1910s and Bremen. Grandma was about 10 years old then and one of eight siblings who lived in Argos and Bremen during their lifetime.

A favorite means of communication with each other was through the sending and receiving of beautiful postcards. Grandma and the Zentz girls sent and received dozens of postcards to each other during the 1910s and even into the 1920s.

Whatever Grandma’s siblings did with their postcards may never be known, but what is known is that Grandma saved hers in a priceless postcard album now owned by this grandson and writer laureate.

Before she passed away in May 1974, Grandma gave me her precious album, which contains more than 300 cards, the album being more than 110 years old. As I turn the pages of this fragile album, I am treated to the beautiful artwork of Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter and all the other holidays we celebrate throughout the year. Many cards are real photos of scenes of Bremen itself.

Grandma and her sisters and brothers loved Bremen and

Grandma was wise to save so many of these postcards that have preserved the memories of so many Christmases and much more from her youth.

The Zentz girls and boys are all gone now, but I can surely enjoy returning to the 1910s and 1920s simply by reading what they wrote to my Grandma and each other on the backs of these precious cards.

Merry Christmas to Grandma, Argos, Bremen and all my Zentz relatives who now survive from my great-aunts and great-uncles.

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.