Forever Learning Institute to host trivia night Feb. 24

It might be cold outside but as the days inch longer, Michiana adult learners are getting ready to return to Forever Learning Institute for its famous trivia night fundraiser, as well as another 10-week semester of lifelong learning at its finest.

“Our annual trivia night has been very successful, and we are excited to continue this tradition,” said Eve Finnessy, Forever Learning Institute’s executive director.

“A trivia contest fits so well with our mission of lifelong learning, and we have several teams that return each year to vie for the top spot. It’s great competition and a lot of fun.”

The event is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 24, at Little

Flower Catholic Church, South Bend. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the contest begins at 6:30 p.m.

The Forever Learning Institute Inc., is a nonprofit organization. Its mission is to improve the quality and dignity of senior adult life through continuing intellectual challenge, spiritual reflection, and social interaction. Classes are available to all seniors 50 years of age and older regardless of race, color, religion, or ethnic origin.

Advanced registration for trivia night is required. Teams may register at foreverlearninginstitute.org. Registration is $100 a team, with a maximum of eight members per team.

Blue Collar Antiques —

The event will include 10 rounds of 10 general trivia questions. A cash bar will be made available for beer, wine and soft drink purchases. Teams may bring their own snacks. Prizes will be awarded to the top three teams and several door prizes will be given away.

Forever Learning’s 10-week spring semester will begin Monday, March 6. Registration for all classes is available online beginning Monday, Feb. 13. Interested students should go to the Forever Learning Institute’s online catalog at fli.coursestorm.com. Students may also register for classes by mail, using the registration form online or in the course guide.

you throw it away, check to see if it’s valuable

they have gone up a lot in value. Now may be the time to sell.

sidered worthless are actually very valuable.

My company, Blue Collar Antiques, buys and sells a variety of antiques and collectibles. We also purchase entire estates.

Holiday decorations have been selling very well lately. Old Christmas decorations are very popular. Also, I am always looking for military items, old toys, advertising items, coins and jewelry. Check your attics and basements for anything weird or unusual. Old photographs and postcards have been selling very well for the last couple of months. Old comic books and baseball cards are still going strong. Over the past couple of years

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 almost 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 con-

I would recommend to anyone that before items are discarded or given away, please give me or someone with experience in antiques the opportunity 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 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.

Schemers and scammers always in season

A Social Security scam linked to tax time can reach you any time of year via email, telephone or the postal service.

The thieves offer refunds of Social Security taxes you’ve paid over the years, an attractive lure during the economic slough in which everyone has been wallowing.

This is not — repeat, not — even remotely connected to the Social Security Administration.

The schemers usually offer to file a refund claim with the Internal Revenue Service in return for a percentage of the refund and an up-front fee of $100 or so for doing the paperwork.

The only sure thing that will happen is you will lose whatever money you send to these crooks.

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

RiverBend Cancer Services, 3516 E. Jefferson Blvd., South Bend, offers the following events this month: general cancer support group, 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 1; Beginning yarn work, 10 a.m. every Thursday; Debbie’s Wig Salon, 1 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 2; Mindful Movement, 9:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 3, 10; liver cancer webinar, 1:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 6; Gyna Girls, 4:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 6; endometrial cancer webinar, 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 7; Empowered Movement, 5:30 p.m. every Tuesday; DIY card-making, 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 8; cookie decorating, 2 p.m. Mon-

How much do you REALLY love your family?

According to a 2021 survey conducted by caring.com, only 33% of adults in the United States have estate planning documents such as a will or trust.

day, Feb. 13; bites and bits, noon, Tuesday, Feb. 14; Valentine’s luncheon, 12:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 17; Kim’s Bra Boutique, 2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 22; game night, 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 23; Book Club 5 p.m. Monday, Feb. 27; chair yoga, 10:30 and 11:45 a.m. every Tuesday and Thursday; seated strength, 10 a.m. every Wednesday; and gentle yoga, 5:30 p.m. every Monday.

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The Kroc Center’s Healthy Aging program begins Monday, March 6. The program includes fall prevention education, appropriate group workout sessions, gym orientations, fitness assessments, dietary education and small group personal training sessions.

The program is grant funded and completely free to participants. Participants do not need to be a member of the Kroc Center.

To register, visit mykroc.org or call (574) 233-9471.

Many respondents attributed their lack of estate planning to procrastination, but many others indicated a mistaken belief that estate planning is not necessary because they do not have many assets.

Why Should You Have An Estate Plan?

An estate plan can provide significant peace of mind by ensuring that your money and property are protected, and plans are in place for the day when you become ill or die, and your accounts and property pass down according to your wishes. Did you know the biggest fights in families aren’t about money, stocks or real estate? They are about the little things that hold memories. Your family can be torn apart over something as seemingly minor as “Who gets Grandma’s car or Grandpa’s tools!”

What Key Elements Of An Estate Plan Should You Consider?

• Do you have a last will and testament or a trust? If you do not have these important documents, state law will determine who will inherit your property — and it may not occur in the way you would have chosen.

In addition, someone appointed by the court instead of a trusted person of your choosing will be in charge of caring for any children or pets and winding up your affairs. Spelling out your wishes in a will or trust will also prevent unnecessary confusion, anxiety and expense for your loved ones when you are gone.

• Are the proper powers of attorney in place? A financial power of attorney designates an individual to make financial and property decisions (e.g., opening a bank account, signing a deed, getting your mail) should you become unable to handle your own affairs. An advance directive designates a person you trust to make medical decisions for you when you are otherwise unable to speak for yourself.

• Ensure that you have a living will, which memorializes your wishes concerning your end-of-life care, such as whether you want to receive life support if you are in a vegetative state or have a terminal condition.

• You should also have HIPAA authorizations in place with medical professionals to ensure that your loved ones can obtain needed information.

• Pass along your personal belongings according to your wishes with memorandums for distribution of personal property.

Learn more about the benefits and protections of an estate plan by attending our estate planning/Medicaid planning seminar at Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, 902 E. University Drive, Granger, at 6 p.m. Monday, Feb. 27. and Monday, March 6. Reservations required; seating is limited. Call (800) 303-7423 or visit riceandrice.com.