Generations April 2019

Generations Reflections by people 55 and over

April 25 & 26, 2019 Willmar Civic Center FREE admission

April 2019 Don Shelby took the time to paint at one of the vendor booths at Life Connections 2018. Shelby was the keynote speaker at last year’s event.

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D2 Thursday, April 18, 2019 — West Central Tribune — Willmar, Minn.

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West Central Tribune — Willmar, Minn. — Thursday, April 18, 2019 D3

Life Connections celebrates 20 years at two-day event April 25-26 More than 1,000 attendees are expected at the 20th annual Life Connections event Thursday, April 25, and Friday, April 26, at the Willmar Civic Center in Willmar.

Hours are 4 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, featuring an “Ask the Experts” on the main stage, and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, featuring keynote speaker Paul Douglas.

Life Connections has become a tradition for mature adults of Willmar and southwest Minnesota, providing exhibits, seminars, entertainment and probably most important – interaction – for those who attend.

This year’s event will once again include an evening session on Thursday to make it easier for more people to participate in the event, and to allow for more speakers and events, as well as time to visit the exhibitor booths.

Featured at the evening session will be an “Ask the Experts” presentation

by Dr. Thomas E. Dudley of Heartland Orthopedics Specialists. Dr. Dudley will

FREE ADMISSION TO ALL ACTIVITIES speak on “Joint Pain of the Hip and Knee” at 5 p.m. Thursday, April 25.

Anniversary cake, celebrating 20 years of Life Connections, will be served beginning at 4 p.m. Thursday, while supplies last.

Friday’s session will open with a Dad’s Belgian Waffles breakfast, beginning at 8 a.m. There will also be bingo, the Outstanding Senior Award presentation, musical entertainment by the Kingery family of Atwater/Grove

City, dance music by the Wendinger Band, bringing back the rich, musical heritage of New Ulm, and much more.

Meteorologist Paul Douglas will be the featured speaker on Friday, April 26, beginning at 10 a.m. Also an author, entrepreneur and software expert in Minneapolis-St.Paul area, Douglas has more than 30 years of broadcast television and radio experience.

Transportation from the parking lot of the Civic Center to the front door will

again be provided, and admission to the event is free, including all speakers, seminars, booth exhibits and other activities.

“Once again we are excited to bring Life Connections to the residents of west central Minnesota,” said Christie Steffel, advertising manager at the West Central Tribune heading up the Life Connections event.

“This year’s event proves to be ‘bigger and better’ than ever, with the evening celebration on Thursday and meteorologist Paul Douglas here to share his message with our attendees on Friday.

“And we still have the exhibitors, entertainment, seminars and a lot of fun, with a lot of ‘hands-on’ programs.

This event has a real following here in Willmar. Come join your friends for breakfast, sweets and coffee, or to play bingo; enjoy live music from the Wendingers and Kingery family. You are sure to have a great time.”

D4 Thursday, April 18, 2019 — West Central Tribune — Willmar, Minn.

Life Connections entertainers

Wandering Minstrels Entertainers at the Life Connections 2019 event on April 26 will include the Kingery family musicians, of the Atwater-Grove City area, and the Wendinger Band, bringing the rich, musical heritage of New Ulm to the Willmar Civic Center arena.

Wendinger Band The Kingery family will put on a musical show in the morning, while the Wendinger Band will play at 2 p.m. for an afternoon of dancing and entertainment. Whitney Music will provide the Wandering Minstrels throughout the event.

Kingery family The Kingery family began as a family of 10 – Mike, Chris, and their eight children – singing and ministering together through music. It has grown to include three sons-in-law and seven grandchildren. They have enjoyed singing together for the past

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West Central Tribune — Willmar, Minn. — Thursday, April 18, 2019 D5

Ask the Expert: Dr. Thomas E. Dudley talks ‘Joint Pain of the Hip and Knee’ Dr. Thomas E. Dudley of Heartland Orthopedics Specialists in Willmar will talk at 5 p.m. Thursday, April 25, at the 20th annual Life Connections event at the Willmar Civic Center.

A hand and wrist, shoulder and elbow, hip and knee specialist, Dudley will likely center his presentation on joint pain of the hip and knee.

Dudley earned his undergraduate degree at St. John’s University in Collegeville, his doctorate in physiology at Kent State University in Kent, Ohio, and his medical degree at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, where he also completed his general surgery internship and his orthopaedic surgery residency. He is certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery.

A member of the Minnesota Orthopaedic Society, the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons and a candidate member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Dudley is also affiliated with teams at Alexandria Area High School, University of Minnesota Morris, Minnesota State Community and Technical College in Fergus Falls, Osakis High School, West Central Area High School, Bran-

don-Evansville High School, Minnewaska Area High School, Hancock High School and Parkers Prairie High School.

Dudley has been a published author in Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research, July 2008, and Atlas of the Hand Clinics, 2006. He was a podium presenter at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons “Survivorship of UKA Revisions in a Community Joint Registry” in 2008.

“The thing I really enjoy about orthopaedics is that it gives me the ability to affect people’s lives in a positive way,” said Dudley. “I am committed to providing state-of-theart surgical and nonsurgical care to ensure each patient receives individualized treatment and compassionate care.

“My practice is focused on general orthopedics, joint replacement surgery and fracture treatment.

In addition to seeing patients at Heartland Orthopedic Specialists, I enjoy spending my free time writing, reading, fishing and model building.”

Dudley also enjoys spending time with his wife, Amy, and their two daughters.

Come visit these businesses at Life Connections

Thursday, April 25 & Friday, April 26 at the Willmar Civic Center.

AccuQuest Hearing Centers Alzheimer’s Association MN-ND Chapter America’s Best Hearing Bethesda Grand Brookdale Senior Living Carris Health Cash Wise Pharmacy CentraCare Heart & Vascular Center Central Community Transit Central Minnesota Senior Care Compassionate Care Compassionate Cottage Divine Home Care & Hospice Edward Jones Gutter Helmet Health Insurance Services Heartland Orthopedic Kandiyohi County Sheriff’s Office Kandiyohi Public Health Let’s Go Fishing Meadow Lane Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center Minnesota River Area Agency on Aging

Peterson Brothers Funeral Home Pioneer Public Television Quist Weath Management RC Hospital & Clinics St. Cloud Surgical St. Croix Hospice Sterling Manor Southwest Intiative Foundation Thrifty White Drug - Willmar UCare United Community Action Partnership United Way of West Central Minnesota West Central Dementia Awareness Network Weichert Realty Wermerskirchen Law Office, P.A. West Central Tribune Westview Village Patio Homes Whitney Music Willmar Area Community Foundation Willmar Senior Citizen Club YMCA

D6 Thursday, April 18, 2019 — West Central Tribune — Willmar, Minn.

Outstanding Senior to be named at Life Connections The selection of an outstanding senior for the year is a favorite feature of Life Connections. This year will be the 10th year of the award. The award will be presented at 9:45 a.m. Friday, April 26.

The Outstanding Senior Award will be given to an individual age 50 or older who has demonstrated outstanding leadership and commitment that benefits the community and its citizens.

Leadership qualities include creativity, volunteerism, responsibility, problem-solving, respectfulness, cooperation and organizational skills.

Nominees must live in Kandiyohi, Swift, Chippewa, Renville, Meeker, Pope or Stearns counties.

The winner will receive a $100 award, plus $100 donated to the charity of his or her choice. In addition, the person providing the nomination will receive $50. Nominations must include a description of the projects, activities and/or volunteerism the person has been involved in; the end results and benefits of the individual’s efforts and

Tribune file photo by Shelby Lindrud

Pastor Paul McCullough, right, was named the Outstanding Senior at Life Connections 2018. Don Williamson from West Central Sanitation, which sponsors the award, introduced McCullough.

contributions; and comments as to how this person’s efforts have helped to make their community a better place.

For more information, call 214-4317 or email csteffel@wctrib.com. Sponsor of the award is West Central Sanitation of Willmar.

2018 recipient

Pastor Paul McCullough of the Willmar Assembly of God Church was named Outstanding Senior at Life Connections 2018.

Known for “always putting others before himself,” and having a ready smile, hug and listening ear, McCullough was nominated by Natalie Weberg, who said in the nomination that “he is one of the most well-known and loved people throughout Kandiyohi County. Pastor Paul is indeed a great man.”

McCullough came to Willmar in 1989 “with a dream to create a stronger connection between the church and the city.” In addition to his pastoral duties at AG, including services, marriages, funerals and counseling, McCullough, at the time of his nomination, also performed a variety of volunteering and outreach. These include ministry to local businesses with over 200 employees, speaking at Woodland Centers meetings and visiting local law enforcement, firefighters and first responders. McCullough also served as the on-call chaplain for Canadian Pacific and Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroads, as well as assisting families with no church affiliation at local funeral homes.

“Whether it be by ministry, prayer, a helping hand or financial contributions, his ongoing outreach benefits many, including a wide variety of people,” the nomination form read.

“Pastor Paul’s mission in life is to reach out to all 40,000 people of Kandiyohi County.”

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West Central Tribune — Willmar, Minn. — Thursday, April 18, 2019 D7

Meteorologist Paul Douglas is keynote speaker at Life Connections Photo courtesy of Paul Douglas Paul Douglas works a three-hour weekday radio show on WCCO Radio with Jordana Green.

A hurricane and a flooded home in Eastern Pennsylvania 50 years ago triggered a fascination in all-things weather and pointing to a career in TV, radio and print in Minnesota. Here is Paul Douglas’ story, as told to Rand Middleton.

From Pennsylvania Eagle Scout to Twin Cities Triple Threat

In 1972, a tropical storm named “Agnes” stalled over Pennsylvania creating historic flooding. It swamped the lower level of our home and flooded the creek behind us. I was in my early teens and to me it was a remarkable catastrophe that sparked my interest in meteorology. I was also a Boy Scout and an Eagle Scout and the Weather Merit Badge was a favorite.

I grew up in Lancaster, about 90 minutes west of Philadelphia. That’s Amish Country with wonderful farmland growing mostly corn and tobacco.

We lived in a fairly traditional two-story colonial home in a subdivision, but surrounded by covered bridges and horse and buggies. It was the best of both worlds.

Dad was a printer who rose from being a proofreader to vice-president of sales. He worked for the same company for over 40 years. Mom was an accomplished antique dealer. She passed away in 2012. I have a younger brother Kent, who is an English teacher, and a younger sister Joan, who heads up human resources for a large and growing dental group in Lancaster.

My interest in science and fascination with weather was encouraged

by several teachers in seventh, and later ninth grade. My degree in meteorology is from Penn State, which was close, cheap and one of the best undergraduate programs in the world, so it was a natural choice. While there I had a business on the side delivering weather reports to radio stations around the state. It earned enough to help pay my tuition, with a little spending money leftover.

Today, I live in the western suburbs of the Twin Cities, close to Excelsior.

My wife of 35 years is a professional architect. Our oldest son works for a tech firm in Seattle and our youngest son is in the Navy working at the Pentagon. We are waiting, patiently, for grandkids.

I enjoy writing as much as being in radio and television. In 11th-grade advanced placement English, the teacher told me to use “action words.”

I’ve tried to take that approach in my writing. I’ve written three books, most recently “Caring for Creation: the Evangelicals guide to Climate Change and a Healthy Environment.” It tracks changes in weather and climate I’ve witnessed here in Minnesota.

Douglas continued on D8

D8 Thursday, April 18, 2019 — West Central Tribune — Willmar, Minn.

Photos courtesy of Paul Douglas Paul Douglas, left, is shown with his younger brother Kent, 88-yearold father, Volker, and younger sister Joan.

DOUGLAS: Continued from D7 I do love to write and tell stories, which comes in handy during my three-hour weekday show on WCCO Radio with Jordana Green. How hard is it to talk for three hours straight?

Harder than I thought!

I also enjoy being on TPT2 “Almanac,” so I still show up on the TV screen, but my hours have improved by no longer working full-time at a TV station. It’s nice to have my evenings and weekends free. I still give talks about the various companies I’ve started and what I’ve learned the hard way, along with presentations about weather and climate change.

Weather predictions will never be perfect, but it’s no doubt gotten better

over the years. People want perfection in an imperfect world, but we’re pretty close most of the time. We still have major “busts” or mega-goofs every now and then, but I want to believe that we wouldn’t entirely miss a blizzard or have a major tornado touch down with no warning.

The age of apps on smartphones creates new opportunities and challenges.

Many people think all they need is an app, but they’re not getting perspective, context or analysis like they do reading a paper, watching TV or listening to the radio.

There is room for new media and social media, but I still believe there’s a place for legacy media. Most Minnesotans want to know why this is happening, and you can’t get that from an app.

“I think this photo was taken in 1968, with my younger brother Kent, sister Joan and late mother, Grace, who passed away in 2012.

P.S. I’m the dorkylooking guy on the left.”

Paul Douglas

“I think I was 15, so this must have been 1973, when I got my Eagle Scout award.

The weather merit badge was a favorite – that, along with great science teachers and a tropical storm named Agnes, got me on the path I’m on.”

West Central Tribune — Willmar, Minn. — Thursday, April 18, 2019 D9

Evolution of education

By Don Kellen and John Kellen formerly of Willmar; as told through conversations between Don and John Kellen Looking back on a life well lived and contemplating the meaning of life, my father Donald Sylvester Kellen and I had many amazing conversations including education, leaving a legacy and being present moment by moment.

Dad grew up on a farm north of Madison, Minnesota, and began formal education at a country school.

I mention formal because as a farm kid his education started well before he attended school. Indeed learning never stops as long as we are on this planet and Don continued to learn right up to the time of his passing last November 1, 2018.

It is with some regret that we didn’t get to write this article together as we had agreed to do. Life is short and one never knows when your time is up.

As I continue to process his loss, I’m reminded of what a gift it has been to spend the last four months of my father’s life caring for him and reminiscing about an amazing journey.

Dad had taken up writing after he retired and had several of his stories published in Generations and elsewhere. He inspired me to take up a pen and chronicle some of my own thoughts and experiences.

As a teenager dad left the farm to enlist in the Navy during World War II. As he completed boot camp at the Great Lakes Naval Station, the war came to an end (fortunately for my siblings and I for whom our very existence may have been in doubt.)

He served for a year in Pensacola, Florida, processing GI’s as they came home from the European Theater.

Don Kellen in his 30s.

Teaching career

After his discharge Don returned to Minnesota and took advantage of the GI Bill which allowed him to attend St. Cloud State University and earn a degree in education. He often said that without this benefit he may have never been able to afford going to college.

Dad got his first teaching job in Magnolia and earned a modest salary of approximately $2800 a year. Hard to imagine what that must have been like to raise a growing family with those resources.

By the time I was born in Marshall, dad was teaching at the high school in Minneota. He loved teaching and had the good fortune of working with a great principal. Over time Don was exposed to the politics of education and wage disparity. He ultimately went back to night school to earn his Master’s degree in counseling and took a job up in Brainerd.

As fortune would have it, dad met Roger Rasmussen at a counselors

John Kellen in 1989, at age 30. training event and was introduced to Willis Black here in Willmar. It’s interesting how important relationships are and how connections ultimately direct one’s journey. In Don’s case it led to our family to relocate to Willmar and a 38-year career as a junior high counselor.

Growing up and being surrounded by educators all my life had a strong influence on me and on my future careers. Coaches encouraged me to work hard and excel at sports, which helped me earn a football scholarship. Dad’s guidance midway through my undergraduate studies prompted me to study international business and a graduate degree. Ultimately, this led to a career in international franchising, academia and real estate development.

Dad loved his work. Especially helping students consider what they were good at and where they wanted their lives to take them. Having my father be a guidance counselor ended up having a profound impact on the

trajectory of my life’s work (yet that is another story for another time.)

In the early years of Don’s career there were countless stories of educators getting together outside of school. They genuinely enjoyed each other’s company. There was a certain connection and comradery that came from common goals and work experience that was palpable. Additionally, since salaries for educators were modest, it forced people to be frugal and creative, therefore gatherings often consisted of potluck suppers or a steak fry. To this day these stories and memories are some of the fondest.

Changing education

Over time the environment in education has changed a great deal. Dad would often lament about how things have become so much more challenging for educators today. He was happy to be able to retire comfortably.

Even in retirement he continued to be involved in education through the Retired Teachers Association and filling in part time as a counselor over in Kerkhoven.

Although it is dangerous to stereotype, I tend to think that the vast majority of educators are involved in teaching because they are passionate about helping kids. What is more noble than pouring into the next generation of community and global leaders? Why then in a country as fortunate as we are here in the U.S. do we not support and compensate teachers and public education? (I know this could be a whole other conversation and story.)

Back in the early years of dad’s

Evolution continued on D10

D10 Thursday, April 18, 2019 — West Central Tribune — Willmar, Minn.

EVOLUTION: Continued from D9 career as a teacher, he would say that there were very few problems with discipline. All a teacher had to do was hint at calling home to their parents. This invariably would have the kid pleading not to call home. They would “straighten right up!” Parents were much more involved in their children’s education. Today’s complicated environment and busy lifestyles don’t lend themselves to the same level of connection. That’s not to say that many families are not closely involved, yet many parents work outside the home to make ends meet. Our society is no longer the “Leave It To Beaver” stereotype.

Changes in technology have totally changed the way we live and work.

There is more computing power in my iPhone than that of the first space shuttle. Let that sink in for a minute. “Smart” devices dominate young people’s experiences and although there are many amazing benefits technology affords us as a society, there are plenty of downsides.

Dad experienced colossal changes during his tenure scheduling junior high students. Initially everything was done on paper, then mainframe computers which filled large rooms and required punch cards to operate.

With the advent of personal computers and the Apple IIe, education was on the forefront of computing in student’s hands. Invariably kids were picking it up much faster than the adults. Just ask your 8-year-old to

John Kellen in his 50s

Don Kellen, age 80

help you program your smart phone or tablet. It’s like it is nowadays baked into their DNA. Traditionally, school taught students skills that would prepare them for a successful life in society. These days regulations and a focus on test scores offer little flexibility to teach young people how to think for themselves. In a world where technology is expanding exponentially, it’s challenging to remain relevant. There is a great YouTube video called “Shift Happens.” It’s a play on words and one of the thought-provoking suggestions is that “we are educating young people today to get jobs that don’t yet exist to address problems that we don’t even know that we have.” As an educator, how do you wrap your head around those chal-

lenges? Many traditionally good jobs no longer exist. With Artificial Intelligence (AI) and robotics getting increasingly advanced, more industries and jobs will evaporate.

Even the basic delivery of education has totally changed. It used to be the teacher stood in front of the class and lectured to students who dutifully took notes, read textbooks and then who were tested to reveal how much they retained. Nowadays most students have instant access to more information via smart technologies and the internet than their instructors.

Gone are the days of memorization and testing for grades. The future of education is tied to teaching young people how to be creative thinkers and collaborators. Teaching financial

literacy and skills which will help them navigate an ever-changing technological landscape will be key.

Teaching trade skills will continue to be important especially given what new trades will evolve. College may or may not be for everyone. The cost of education has left a whole generation strapped with student loan debt, yet many graduates don’t find jobs in their designated degrees. Don’t get me wrong. I am a big proponent of higher education, yet I feel there is a real shift away from traditional educational models toward a future where education evolves as rapidly as the technologies which will drive future innovation.

Questions like “what is the meaning of work?” will play out. Telecommuting is already prevalent. Brick-andmortar businesses are succumbing to online and virtual business. How do we provide for not only the younger generations coming up, but also for the older population who don’t have the current skill sets or access to decent paying jobs?

There are certainly more questions than answers. As much as the challenges are daunting, I remain optimistic. Our country was founded by enterprising individuals who collectively sought to find solutions to seemingly impossible odds. Tapping into the collective minds and best practices in education is key to moving our country forward and I’m confident that we as a society are capable of evolving to adapt to current and future challenges.

West Central Tribune — Willmar, Minn. — Thursday, April 18, 2019 D11

Fighting for life early on

By Beatrice Weber Benson It was early September and I was humming to myself when the phone rang.

It was my daughter Anna calling from the airport at Santa Cruz, California, where she lives. She was in tears telling me she was flying to Washington to be with her daughter Esther who had just delivered a 1-pound, 12-ounce baby boy. She named him Wyatt.

I tried to be encouraging, but I wondered how the little guy would survive, being born so early. I prayed and remembered Jesus saying: “Don’t be afraid to pray for big favors.” So

with tears, I did pray and I felt he may make it.

Wyatt’s dad, Josh, who had two tours in Afghanistan, used all his strength and courage again to pray and be with his son, who was airlifted to a Catholic trauma center hospital in Spokane, Washington, where he was fitted with tubes and oxygen and fed by IV and was cared for 24 hours a day.

Doctors told Esther the first 10 days were critical. We waited out days one to 10 and he made it through. Then it was 1 ounce of weight gain at a time.

He struggled with breathing and lost 2 ounces. He quickly gained it back and never looked back, 1 ounce at a time.

Meanwhile, Josh’s boss transferred

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him to Spokane and they were given a room at the Ronald McDonald House.

Volunteers kept them hopeful, and some cooked and baked for them, some crocheted blankets and caps and were so kind.

Wyatt make it to 2 pounds, then 3, and when he made 4 pounds he was given a diploma and his parents were able to feed and bathe him.

He still had trouble breathing.

Finally, his parents had to take over for one night on their own.

They did so well they were allowed to take him home the next day. He weighed 7 pounds, 4 ounces. He had oxygen at home.

Wyatt is doing well so far. One ounce at a time.

Wyatt at 10 pounds, 4 ounces; greatgrandson of Beatrice Weber, Benson, MN

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D12 Thursday, April 18, 2019 — West Central Tribune — Willmar, Minn.

Seasons of splendor

By Corrine Nelson Grove City May these thoughts and visionaries of the “Seasons of Splendor” help the depressed, lonesome, hurting and troubled souls receive the ability to focus on the horizons of the many free gifts of nature we receive every day of our lives.

It is like the song I was taught from childhood, “Count your many blessings, and name them one by one and it will surprise you what the Lord has done.”

The month of March ushers in the last of the melting snow and welcomes longer days. Ice begins to recede from lakeshores and fish houses come off the lake.

The red-breasted robin is one of the first birds to appear, sometimes before all the snow has disappeared. The holiday that appears at this time of the year is Easter.

Easter comes in the last part of March or the first part of April. The crocuses and tulips are the first flowers to bloom in our gardens, followed by yellow and green daffodils, pussy willows and green budding leaves on trees.

Grass is turning green; farmers are out plowing and planting. The wind, rain and thunder clears the air and the warm sun comes out again. People shed their winter clothes and welcome the coming warmer weather.

The April and May calendars are filled with celebrations of life such as graduations, weddings, Mother’s Day. The smell of lilacs, roses and a freshness of earth is bursting and running over everywhere.

In summer’s still twilight I sit transfixed in my blue swivel chair in our living room and feel within me the beauty and magic of Earth’s many gifts.

From low on the ground I hear the choir of busy crickets blending in the cool of the evening, as a light breeze moves through the trees and birds sing their soft lullabies preparing for rest.

The dark silhouetted trees of various sizes look foreboding at twilight, yet peaceful against the star-studded heavens that seem alive as they send twinkling greetings to the Earth below.

Tomorrow may be warm to hot with much work to be done. Harvest will soon be in full swing, as gardens yield food that will need to be cooked, canned or frozen.

Outdoor meals and picnics are enjoyed by family and friends. Flowers of all kinds brighten up gardens. The Fourth of July, with its parades, fireworks and large family get-togethers at homes, parks, cottages and community centers, will be enjoyed.

Summer blends into fall. Here in Minnesota, in my hometown of some 600 people, we can hear the busy farmers harvesting, trucking their grain, plowing their fields and preparing the soil for winter.

The first cold frost comes in late September or the first part of October. When we take a drive through the country in mid-September and into October, we see the wonders of nature and feel the strong feelings of life and its blessings.

The brilliant days of autumn illuminate the nuances of shadows, hues and tones of amber, gold, yellow, orange, red, copper and green.

Now and then a chilling breeze touches and reminds one that these beautiful colorful days of fall will soon fade, replaced by falling temperatures, rain and sleet – and we will be in the season called winter.

Before it comes we need to bring in

the garden produce, rake the lawn, smell the burning of leaves, gather in the pumpkins and honor with family and friends the warm feeling of togetherness in the celebration of Thanksgiving.

Winter months are December, January and February. It is time to be indoors for warmth and rest. It is also a time to enjoy outdoor sports of hockey, ice fishing, skating, skiing, sledding, sleighing – as well as indoor sports.

And a time for reading, writing, sewing and working on various crafts.

Winter is crowned with the strongest of holidays – Christmas, with programs, concerts, family celebrations and the many warm traditions shared from civilizations throughout the world.

Then we ring out the old year on the last day of December and ring in the new year on the first day of January.

On New Year’s Eve the twinkling stars and the glow of the moon above in the cold dark sky remind us of the constant universe we live in.

It is a time for us to hold fast and firm to the vast opportunities we have seen and heard through gifts given in the Seasons of Splendor.

This is Dorothy.

STRENGTHENING COMMUNITY AND CREATING OPPORTUNITY IN OUR WILLMAR AREA SINCE 1998.

Dorothy was an amazing teacher.

Dorothy left a gift to grow the next generation of teachers.

Dorothy’s investment will ripple through students for years to come.

The possibilities of a legacy like Dorothy’s are endless, how can we help you make your plan?

1601 East Highway 12, Suite 9, Willmar MN 56201 Phone (320) 235- 4380 • Toll Free (877) 253-4380 • CommunityGiving.org/Willmar CommunityGiving connects local foundations, donors and charitable partners to create a lasting legacy in the communities we serve. CommunityGiving also serves the Alexandria, Brainerd Lakes, and St. Cloud areas.

West Central Tribune — Willmar, Minn. — Thursday, April 18, 2019 D13

‘Saturday Night Special’ was not so special

By Ann Pederson Willmar In the mid 1980s we were in need of a second car. One of the car dealerships in town had a promotion of a “Saturday Night Special.”

My husband was interested in the car they had displayed for a weekend special. Early Monday morning, he was at the dealership and was able to purchase the 1979 blue Chrysler LeBaron.

After buying the car, he drove it to work. At a stop sign, he noticed steam rising under the hood. He parked the car and a co-worker gave him a ride to work. After work the car was towed home and the radiator hoses were replaced.

A couple of weeks later, we took the car to visit our daughter’s family in South Dakota for the weekend. We left

their home mid-afternoon on Sunday to get home to attend an event at our church that evening.

As we were leaving the town of Morris, there was a loud noise and the hood blew open. The battery had exploded. The car was towed to a repair shop in Willmar the next day.

The explosion had destroyed the computer system and was replaced by a different system.

My husband went to pick up the car after the repairs were done. As he turned into our street, the axle broke and the front wheel fell off. “That’s it,” declared my husband, “we are

getting rid of this lemon.”

A month later we attended a graduation party at the home of a friend. In front of the house was parked a 1979 blue Chrysler LeBaron. We inquired about the ownership of the car and where they had bought it. It was the “Saturday Night Special.”

The ironic thing was, they drove it for years and had no trouble with it.

Post note: A couple of years later we made the trip again to the family in South Dakota. As we were coming into the town of Morris we met a pickup with a load of building scraps. A piece of drywall flew off the truck and hit our car. It broke the side mirror and scratched up the car. It was at the same “spot” as the battery event. We have made many trips to visit the family and we are always apprehensive as we approach this “spot” on the highway.

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D14 Thursday, April 18, 2019 — West Central Tribune — Willmar, Minn.

At the Willmar Civic Center AccuQuest Hearing Centers...........................102 Alzheimer’s Association - MN-ND Chapter ...106 America’s Best Hearing ..................................310 Bemer Group .................................................. 219 Bethesda ........................................................ 302 Bethesda ........................................................ 304 Brookdale........................................................103 Cambridge Apartments.................................. 121 Carris Health .................................................. 116 Carris Health .................................................. 118 Carris Health ..................................................120

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West Central Tribune — Willmar, Minn. — Thursday, April 18, 2019 D15

MARK YOUR CALENDARS THURSDAY, APRIL 25, 2019 & FRIDAY, APRIL 26, 2019

20TH ANNIVERSARY OF

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THURSDAY, APRIL 25, 2019 4:30PM-7:30PM

20th Anniversary Cake served at 4:30pm ASK THE EXPERT ON THE MAIN STAGE

8am-9am 9:45am 10am 11:30am 1:15pm 2pm

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Dad’s Belgian Waffles sponsored by Heritage Bank Outstanding Senior Citizen award sponsored by West Central Sanitation Guest Speaker Paul Douglas The Kingery Family sponsored by Whitney Music BINGO sponsored by Thrifty White Drug Wendingers Polka Band sponsored by Pioneer Public TV

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Booth space available! For more information, contact Christie Steffel, Marketing Manager • csteffel@wctrib.com • 320-214-4317

D16 Thursday, April 18, 2019 — West Central Tribune — Willmar, Minn.

2019, a year for the wise

By Doug Bultman - Spicer

ome!

H r u Tour O e m o C

“Me Too” and “Us Too” a great debate Many confused and twitterpate All we need to know now where we rate Who we are and define a date Where we buy now getting confused No touchy, no feely, computer now used Abandoned malls now looking abused Technology will find my next pair of shoes Some matador may kill our stock bull Bleeding IRA’s that last year were full Profits leaked out from a market so dull Hardly know now which stock to cull

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Our world is churning, much like a blender Transporting creeds of every gender Each border now demands, special defenders And leaders who now should be the menders Schools and churches are no longer safe Public places need forts that we make Evil thoughts churn and quick bake Looking at ways for our lives to take How can we heal the world’s killing spree While many still fight to just become free As we gather together our thoughts and pleas We pray that a kinder, world this will be.

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2019, our year to become wise Time to fix up the 2018 surprise Start to listen to a world that cries Sort the truth from a pile of lies.

Revisit goals we’ve long put off Ignore suggestions from those who scoff Don’t follow all with challenges soft Create new ideas and spread them aloft Be aware of frauds and fakes Renew the strength life often takes Stay the course for everyone’s sake A greater democracy it will make

West Central Tribune — Willmar, Minn. — Thursday, April 18, 2019 D17

Danielle I call her Drama Mama

By Beverly Schneider New Lonodn I have a new name for my great granddaughter Drama Mama She said to me she has a problem with her hair Looks like elephant ears big, big and fluffy Wow she can give me a chuckle You take after your great-great-grandmother what can I say There is no hope washing again it just won’t do You have inherited the thick curly hair that great-great-grandmother Pearl gave to you.

By Beverly Schneider New London Birthday cards you throw away Soupy writing you say nay Exterior ice queen you portray … but Grandma knows what’s really there …

You have a heart that loves and really cares.

You do the waka waka with your knees and put on shows – should be rated PG. She touches so many hearts and I am proud to say she’s my granddaughter.

A girl who has been in my heart right from the start.

Applications are open for the Fall 2019 Session of the Cyber Seniors Program.

Seniors are mentored by NL-S High School students during an eight week course on technology. All levels of experience welcome with flexible classes. Sessions held at the Dethlefs Senior Center. Cyber Seniors Program is funded through Willmar Area Community Foundation and Blandin Foundation.

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D18 Thursday, April 18, 2019 — West Central Tribune — Willmar, Minn.

About this section: Generations, formerly Prime Time, sections are published periodically throughout the year as a special section within the West Central Tribune.

People age 55 and older are invited to write stories and submit pictures or other artwork for publication in these sections.

We recognize that senior citizens have much knowledge and experience.

What better way to share that with the community than by writing an article for publication?

We invite all interested senior citizens to contribute articles. They may deal with serious issues, or tell human interest stories.

Photos or other graphics may be included with the submission of your article to help illustrate the piece.

If you need a photo returned, please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope.

Try to keep articles to within 500 words. Articles may be sent to: Generations, West Central Tribune, Box 839, Willmar, Minn. 56201; or emailed to news@wctrib.com with Generations in the subject line.

Generations sections are currently published January, April and October.

For additional information, call 320235-1150.

Benefits for Veterans and their surviving spouses:

• Free Supplemental Health Insurance for Veterans that Utilize the VA for healthcare • Dental and optical benefits for Veterans and Dependents • Up to $1800.00 a month to help with the cost of assisted living or nursing home benefits • Home Health Care • Adult Day Services

Call 320-231-6226 or 1-888-Linkvet to find out information on Veterans Benefits

Senior Transportation

PROGRAM

• Uses volunteer drivers who use their personal vehicle to transport seniors.

• Available Monday through Friday 8:00am-4:30pm.

• Available to residents who are at least 60 years of age and who register with CCT. • A priority of the program is medical trips and can be used up to 3 times per week.

• The Fare/Cost is based on your income in the form of Cost-Share Contributions.

• This Program will provide transportation in Kandiyohi, Renville, and Meeker counties as well as outside the service area.

Volunteer Driver Programs: Willmar 320-235-8413 Olivia 320-523-3589 Litchfield 320-693-2718

Please join the Good Neighbor Club for our upcoming activities and have some fun!

Good Neighbor Club ENJOYING LIFE AFTER 50!

DAY TRIP & EVENTS May 6 May 8 May 9 May 22 May 29 June 5 June 19 June 27 July 18 July 24 July 31 August 8

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West Central Tribune — Willmar, Minn. — Thursday, April 18, 2019 D19

They come for breakfast, lunch and dinner

By Marguerite Hufford Hoiseth Hawick I don’t go away for the cold months to bask in the lovely warm sunshine. I stay in my home in Minnesota and feed the birds and animals.

I am fortunate I have a deck right off my dining room. I have a chest on the deck to keep bird seed in but when it is really cold, I keep the bags of seed right inside the sliding door in my dining room.

I keep a snow shovel right outside the door and my winter boots in the dining room. It all makes for a pretty messy dining room – but it’s more important to feed the birds.

I have suet squares for the woodpeckers, 40 pounds of sunflower seeds for all the birds; 40and 50-pound bags last a little over a week.

I also throw out cracked corn. The wild turkeys and the blue jays like the corn. It doesn’t take long for the pesky squirrels to show up.

I spend a lot of my day at the dining room table with a cup of coffee watching and enjoying the cardinals, lots of blue jays, juncos, house finches, all feasting together.

There are always nuthatches eating upside down.

The red-bellied, hairy and downy woodpeckers are very busy eating at the suet.

My favorite birds are the little black capped chickadees. They are so tiny and always busy grabbing a sunflower seed and flying to the oak tree nearby to eat. I wonder how these birds with their tiny legs and feet survived the bitter cold days.

The blue jays often take over the feeder along

Birds and bird feeders at Marguerite Hufford Hoiseth’s home, Lost Valley Road, Hawick, MN, winter 2018-19.

with the squirrels. I open the sliding door a little and they take off, so the smaller birds can come and eat.

I have several feeders, my nephew bought me the neatest feeders. One is a plastic circle that swings out from the deck railing, and another feeder I can remove from the railing and clean.

One feeder a good neighbor made me many years ago; it’s wood and sits on the railing. It’s had a lot of wear and tear over the years.

Another feeder I’m very fond of is one my Godchild made me when she was in high school many years ago.

I feel so fortunate to be able to sit here in my home and watch these beautiful birds enjoying their meal.

I think about these birds and their lives. I’ve read that cardinals mate for life. What about the chickadees, grosbeaks and blue jays? Where do they sleep at night? What would happen to them if I wasn’t here to feed them? On really cold days, the squirrels don’t run away so fast when I open the sliding door.

I feel so blessed to be able to enjoy the symphony of all these different birds and watching the small birds jostling for a place at the feeder. It’s truly a gift to sit here in my own house and listen to the birds’ magnificent melody and watch this beautiful display of nature.

Soon the Baltimore orioles, bluebirds and the hummingbirds will be back. More hymns to be sung.

D20 Thursday, April 18, 2019 — West Central Tribune — Willmar, Minn.

A great day we didn’t want to end

By Gary P. Hotovec Danube Have you ever experienced a day lately that you wished would never end?

On March 26, I, along with former fellow Danube high school graduates, Mike Gort, Jerry Seehusen and Al Schochenmaier, and Ty Wacker (formerly from Stewart) drove to Minneapolis and attended a ceremony inducting our former teammate and friend Bob Bruggers into the Minnesota High School Basketball Hall of Fame.

Bob, Mike and I were all teammates and classmates. Mike and I remember him as shy and very quiet; never seeking all the attention that centered around him. He would just as soon stand in the back of the room rather than in front.

For those of you who remember, and for those who have moved into the Danube and local area, these are just a few of the highlights I recall during our senior year of high school in Danube. I might be off a little with the numbers and if I am, it won’t be by much.

During his senior year Bob averaged 30.6 points per game, without the three-point basket like now. His lowest scoring night

was 22 points, and after that game many considered Bruggers had an “off night” scoring just 22 points.

Only 6 foot 1, his legs were like tree trunks and his jump shot, as the ball would go through the hoop Bob Bruggers the net, would just snap. Around the key his shot was deadly. You also just stayed out of his way when he had the ball when he was driving in for a layup.

Only one player I remember ever blocking his jump shot was one of the Ehler twins from Hector. After repeating the 212 Conference, District 12 and Region 3 championships in1962, we were off to the Minnesota Basketball State Tournament, again.

I’ll just mention a few of the highlights of what I remember during the period of time that we played in the basketball tournaments. There were only eight teams and no classes. Out-state teams from small towns (our high school

class had only 37 students) ran head on into the big city teams.

Bob did score 36 points when we played in the second round against St. Louis Park. Lots of stories circulate about that game! Danube did place fourth in the state in that state tournament.

The last game of the tournament was on Saturday night and was played at a crowded Williams Arena and was attended by an over-capacity crowd of 19,000-plus fans. The various awards were given out after the last game.

When Bob’s name was announced to the All Tournament Team and while walking out on the court to accept his trophy, he received a “standing ovation.” In true form of him being humble and shy, he never looked up at the crowd to see this ovation. We heard this was the first ever standing ovation and I don’t think there has been one since. The basketball fans of Minnesota had just witnessed in the past three days of this tournament, a player that was something special and something like they had never seen before.

We all graduated from Danube in 1962 which makes us all turning 75 this year (where did all the time go?).

Bob now walks with the aid of a cane.

This personally really hurts me to

see this because I remember what a strong and gifted athlete he was in high school.

To the young, he may be just another old man with a cane and gray hair, however he once was the baddest (and best) of all local athletes Danube and the 212 conference ever produced, in my opinion.

It has been an honor for me to have had the privilege of being a teammate and classmate of Bob. To the people in this area who never had the opportunity to see Bob play, you missed seeing one of the greatest athletes this area has ever produced.

Not only did Bob excel in basketball, but he also held a number of records in the 212 Conference in football, baseball and track. For more information, check out: The Danube Historical Center in Danube or for all the conference town sports visit 212conferencesports.com.

Driving back that evening one of the guys in the car said, “Hey Gary, would you mind driving up to Fargo yet tonight? I just don’t want this day to end!” It didn’t, we stopped in Glencoe to grab a bite to eat and sitting at Bumps Cafe was our Coach Rod Black, his daughters Deb and Pam and son-in-law Terry. We stayed till closing reminiscing about this day that we all didn’t want to end.

Photo courtesy of 212conference.com Bob Bruggers scores the first two points of the 1962 State Tournament. Number 42 is Jerome Roelofs, number 20 is Mike Gort. Bruggers was one of the most productive athletes in Minnesota State High School History.

West Central Tribune — Willmar, Minn. — Thursday, April 18, 2019 D21

How Lydia won her car – and her man

By Alex Lunser as told to his son Bill Lunser Submitted by Phyllis Wodash, Willmar In 1916 I bought my first car, a brand new 1916 Chevrolet, in order to sell Heinrich products, the earnings from which I was able to pay for the car in less than a year. Mr. Heinrich said it was company policy that business be conducted from a horse drawn van but was willing to forego the rule in order to get the product line established in the area.

Later on, while employed selling magazine subscriptions, the roadster carried me all over southern Minnesota, as well as Chicago on special occasions.

My boss was Mr. Wiggums, who promoted any publication willing to retain him. Wiggums, I and Robert Horne, who hailed from the state of Virginia, were working the farmers in southern Minnesota with very little success. We were broke, possibly enough for 10-cents worth of gas, when we decided to pull off the road and spend the night. Mosquitoes made it impossible to sleep.

The next day we arrived in Owatonna. While hanging around in a very

fancy hotel lobby, we had no idea what to do next. Wiggums said, “Wait here, I’ll be right back.”

Having doubts about the man’s character, I did not expect to see him again.

But shortly, he returned with enough money to feed all three of us, plus gas to get back to Minneapolis, where relatives lived.

I learned that Wiggums had sold a magazine subscription. I suppose the unsuspecting buyer is waiting for his first issue to arrive.

Then, in 1920, one of the two newspapers in Long Prairie was suffering from poor circulation. Not knowing where else to turn, the paper hired Wiggums and Company to run a contest, the person selling the most subscriptions would win a new Chevrolet.

Now my sister Lydia was a blossoming young thing and showed some interest in the matter. So I said, “Why don’t you enter and I’ll drive you around in my Chevy to see my old

Heinrich customers.” She did and she was a huge success, selling to threshing crews, ball teams and anywhere we stopped.

Needless to say, she won and Robert Horne got the honor of awarding her the car. Being a smooth talker – and after a whirlwind courtship – he became your “Uncle Bob” and a co-owner of a brand new Chevy.

Sort of as a honeymoon and wanting to show off his new bride (or was it the car) to his folks back home, he asked me to go along with them to Virginia.

The only hard roads at the time were a short stretch southeast of St. Paul and once more between Milwaukee and Chicago. In Wisconsin we had to drive through a barn, opening and closing the doors as we went.

In Kentucky we came upon a mud hole in which a young man from Florida sat hopelessly mired. Nearby sat a young man who informed us that he

knew a man just down the way with a team of mules and that he would be happy to pull us through for just $5.

Now things didn’t seem right, since the ground all around was dry, only the mud hole was wet. So Bob, Lydia and I walked up ahead to talk to the Floridian. He said he would rather spend the rest of his life there than pay that @!*#. But if the three of us would help him get out he promised to stay and help us in return.

I found a fence rail nearby, but when he saw me bringing it toward the stalled car the local boy said, “No, no, the man with the mules would never allow that.”

So with muscle power only, we freed the Florida car from the mud and set about planning how we would get through without making the same mistake.

Forethought paid off, for with three people standing on the left running board, leaning outward while hanging on to the top, the driver merely had to keep two wheels on the grassy strip alongside the mud hole while “giving her snoose.”

And so Lydia’s 1920 Chevy got us to Virginia and back in one piece.

Believe it or not

By Bev Goodmund Blomkest

It doesn’t seem possible I did this Yet I’ve been told often Caught in the act, photos don’t lie Spanked many times but fascinated I returned to the scene of my crime Those old hens picked and twisted my skin It was fun breaking all those eggs I didn’t care about the consequences Believe it, a real rascal in the flesh Now walking into a hen house, no thanks I can’t believe I ever did that

I wouldn’t want that mess on my shoes What drew me to the hen house I’ll never know I only know I did it Disappearing, they knew where to look Where else but the hen house breaking eggs Spending time with angry hens Taking revenge then only they know how My partner Mickey, grandma’s dog Kept me company and I loved him So believe it or not, it’s your choice

D22 Thursday, April 18, 2019 — West Central Tribune — Willmar, Minn.

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Jeanne Ashburn, AAMS® Doug Kveene, AAMS® www.edwardjones.com Member SIPC Financial Advisor Financial Advisor 2211 1st Street S Ste 130 1408 Willmar Ave SE Willmar, MN 56201 Willmar, MN 56201 320-214-5448 320-231-2728

Life Connections Friday April 20th!

• Keep You off the Ladder, PERMANENTLY • Gutter Helmet can be Installed Over New & Existing Gutters • If They Ever Clog We’ll Clean Them for FREE

1550 First Street North | WILLMAR, MN | 320-222-5000

Trust Your Heart

The service that treats you like family!

Contact Us About Our

Advanced Cardiac Services

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www.centracare.com (320) 214-6801

CALL NOW! Today for a 866.765.4311 • Gutterhelmet.com Call Free Estimate!

“Be Compassionate” Eph 4:32

Prescription/OTC Drop Box

in the main lobby of the Kandiyohi County Law Enforcement Center at: 2201 23rd Street NE, Willmar, MN 56201.

SOLUTION

Come visit our booth at

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Sleep Issues Pain Management Smoking Cessation Weight Reduction Stress Management

Serving Seniors for over 20 years

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Willmar Hypnosis

Providing non-medical service for older adults in the comfort of their home. · Bathing/Dressing · Hair Care/Grooming · Companionship · Medication/ Exercise Reminders · Meal Preparation/ Shopping · Laundry/Light Housekeeping · Transportation/Errands · Medical Appointment Escort · Overnight, Respite Care · Other “Just-For-You” Services Free In-Home Consultation Call

320-231-9868

601 4th St. SW Willmar, MN www.compassionatecareofmn.com

West Central Tribune — Willmar, Minn. — Thursday, April 18, 2019 D23

BUSINESS DIRECTORY Joanne Marquardt joannemarquardtrealtor@gmail.com 320-212-6468

Samantha Esse realtor@samesse.com 320-905-3969

Tower Properties 320.262.7787 office

2320 East Hwy 12 Willmar

Come visit us at

Life Connections-Senior Expo Willmar Civic Center Thursday, April 25, 2019 Friday, April 26, 2019

We help with:

• Housing & Heating Assistance • Energy-related Repairs • Resource Information

Helping People. Changing Lives.

200 4th St SW, Willmar • 320.235.0850 www.unitedcapmn.org

Sterling Manor Apartments

Meadow Lane offers 24-7 skilled nursing services for all levels of care including transitional care, traditional long-term care, and short-term rehabilitation and memory care.

855.278.2764

855.278.2764

Finding joy in the journey...

320-235-2685

Westview Village Patio Homes 320-235-2600

Stop by our booth at the expo!

Contact us to schedule a tour today!

320-843-2225

Finding joy in the journey...

Shining a Light on Dementia: Dementia Education and Shining aAwareness, Light on Dementia: Shining a Light on Dementia: Local Resources Dementia Awareness, Education and Dementia Awareness, Education and Local Resources Local Resources LINK TO A LOCAL AGING EXPERT

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www.wcdan.com Funding www.wcdan.com provided by a Minnesota Board on Aging grant. www.wcdan.com

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The Senior LinkAge Line® is a free service, offered by the State of Minnesota, for older adults and their families to find community services or plan for their future.

Funding provided by a Minnesota Board on Aging grant.

Funding provided by a Minnesota Board on Aging grant.

Building for Generations

social, educational, and recreational services to enhance the quality of life for the community 624 Highway 71 North • Willmar

(320) 262-5288

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Willmar Community & Event Center

320-235-7615 • mwlawpa.com • mark@mwlawpa.com

Happy Together Age 55 Plus Free to Members and Non-Members Kandiyohi County Area Family YMCA

Quality care in the comfort of your own home.

Choose the services that fit your needs & budget.

Payment options include private pay & long-term care insurance.

Office 320.441.2501 Cell 612.501.0641

425 Benson Ave. SW Willmar, MN | contact@uscarehomecare.org

www.uscarehomecare.org

Adding life to days.

ricehospice.com | 800.336.7423

D24 Thursday, April 18, 2019 — West Central Tribune — Willmar, Minn.

The seasons of our lives

By David V. LeVine Fargo, formerly of Willmar There’s a jazz ballad titled “Spring Can Really Hang You Up the Most.”

One Oak residents are in or near our eighth decade. In other words, eighty years of the four seasons. Each of us cherishes a lifetime of special memories across those so-different seasons.

We think of spring as the season of rebirth. All seems born again, blossoming with promise and excitement for more seasons to come.

If you’re a music lover, the Americana song book is full of springtime songs. One of my favorites is, “Spring Is Here.” After those opening lyrics are the words “why doesn’t my heart go dancing?” Spring always made our hearts dance.

We watched nature green-up our world and, though we likely never thought about it, subconsciously, we wished it would never end. In this corner, spring will always mean rebirth.

“Summertime, and the living is easy, fish are jumping, and the cotton is high.” You recognize those words from the George Gershwin pen for the

play “Porgy and Bess.”

I was never a fisherman but renting a rowboat on an early June morning and rowing out on perfectly calm waters made me part of nature’s beautiful touch. I’d set the oars inside the boat and just inhale. Silence was the sound.

A look into the freshwater lake showed fish gliding through and around. Even a stray turtle went by. The fresh morning air wrapped me in its arms and I felt warmth of a special kind.

I was a city kid and summer meant a trip to my grandparents’ farm. A young boy’s senses are so perfect and the smells of growing things, and even manure, were just fine with me.

I loved how everyone was always busy working, milking, cooking, collecting eggs, beheading a chicken; but always, I remember, they smiled. I played in the barn’s hay mow, liked using the outhouse and the water pump, and seeing the kerosene lamps lit in the evening.

By no means was she accomplished, but I remember grandma playing a few notes on the foot-pump organ. I slept like a baby on a cot upstairs. Everybody else was already up when I awoke. What did it was the aroma of bacon and coffee.

Each day and night brought an adventure to be lived and cherished forever. Summer also brought playground pick-up games, bicycle rides to downtown, parks and friend’s homes. Doing odd jobs, earning some money, and all of it – adding to life’s lessons.

By August, the anticipation of school opening hung like a cloud. So, we crammed every day with boy events.

We walked downtown and around and talked about how we couldn’t wait for another birthday to tick by so we could get into the pool room.

“Oh, it’s a long, long while, from May to December, but the days grow short as we reach September.

“And the autumn weather turns the

leaves to flame.”

And here we are in life’s autumn and, for some, the winter of our lives.

To review life by the season seems a nice way to bring us to this endpoint. Our hair is grey, even silver or white. For some the hair that may have defined us all those years ago, is gone.

We, in the winter of our years, share things. We know it’s soon over. We pass in hallways, nod, smile and give a cheery good morning. Most of us, although able to walk, are slower, maybe even use a walker, or have graduated to a scooter.

In reality the calendar shows today is May. Fall, winter and spring are spent, and we are chilled. “And the days dwindle down to a precious few, September, November. And these few precious days I’ll spend with you. These precious days I’ll spend with you.”

And… “And now the days grow short, I’m in the autumn of the year, and I think of my life as vintage wine from fine old kegs, from the brim to the dregs, it poured sweet and clear. It was a mess of good years.”

Lyrics by Sammy Cahn and Jimmy Van Huesen from September of My Years album; vocal by Frank Sinatra.

West Central Tribune — Willmar, Minn. — Thursday, April 18, 2019 D25

BROOKDALE Once you’re here, you’re home.

Come discover the many comforts of our caring community.

A Community of Caring

Dedicated to serving our community by providing living options and services to help you or your loved one live fully and live well! independent and assisted living apartments short-term care and rehabilitation long-term care | memory care

Openings now available!

Call

(320) 354-6053

Hearing Aids?

© 2017 Brookdale Senior Living Inc. All rights reserved. BROOKDALE SENIOR LIVING and BRINGING NEW LIFE TO SENIOR LIVING are registered trademarks of Brookdale Senior Living Inc.

Apr. 25th & 26th Life Connections Event At the Willmar Civic Center As a hearing instrument specialist with AccuQuest Hearing Centers, Chad Ulferts, H.I.S, is committed to providing you with excellent patient care, sound hearing health recommendations and state-of-the art diagnostic testing and hearing aid technology.

Join Us At Our Booth to Learn About the Latest Hearing Technology & FREE HEARING SCREENINGS!

R SEE OUH T O O B

brookdale.com

SENIOR SAFETY Kandiyohi County TRIAD Seniors, Law Enforcement and Community

Visit us at Life Connections on April 26th at the Willmar Civic Center and learn what TRIAD is all about.

CALL TO SCHEDULE YOUR APPOINTMENT

(320) 214-7737 1305 South 1 Street, Suite 1 WILLMAR st

Other Locations:

Glenwood 12 6th Avenue NW, Suite 103 St. Cloud 4138 2nd Street South

www.accuquest.com

Bringing New Life to Senior Living®

working together

MEET YOUR LOCAL HEARING EXPERT

Chad Ulferts, H.I.S.

Assisted Living 1501 19th Avenue South West Willmar, Minnesota 56201

for a tour or more information.

Thinking About

For more information, call (320) 235-1024.

Brookdale Willmar

43440-Willmar SC

100 GlenOaks Drive, New London, MN 56273 | www.gracelivingcommunity.org

Hearing Instrument Specialist License #2723

When you join our family, you can feel secure knowing that we’re here for you every step of the way. Whatever the future holds, our communities are designed to care for your needs through all the stages of life.

PROMO CODE N-WCS-397-QH-C

We’re looking forward to visiting with you!

Also, watch for details on our Spring meeting.

Everyone is invited!

D26 Thursday, April 18, 2019 — West Central Tribune — Willmar, Minn.

u! o Y r fo g n i t i a w e’re W . . . d r a o b A Climb 2019 Motorcoach Tours

Holland, Michigan’s Tulip Festival ........................................................May 6 - 10 Mystery Tour .....................................................................................May 13 - 20 Explore the Black Hills & Badlands .................................................... June 14 - 17 New York City & Washington DC ....................................................... June 19 - 30 Lake Superior Circle Mystery Tour ..................................................... June 21 - 27 Alaska Direct #1 ................................................................................ July 12 - 21 Nova Scotia .............................................................................. July 18 - August 3 Winnipeg’s Folklorama ...................................................................... August 4 - 7 A Pig, A Feud & Moonshine Too .................................................... August 10 - 16 Best of West Virginia ..................................................................... August 17 - 26

208 N. 12th St. Kerkhoven, MN | www.rustadtours.com Call Now! 1-800-525-0730 or 320.264.2987 Park Your Car in Our Secure Garage While Traveling With Us.

Live & Recover

at Home

CashWise Pharmacy in 3 convenient locations: • CashWise Willmar • Willmar Carris Health Clinic • New London Carris Health

Cash Wise Pharmacy

provides more than just prescriptions and over-the-counter medications. Your Cash Wise Pharmacists are dedicated to your health and wellness and are a trusted resource for advice, support, and information.

Diabetes Care

www.cashwise.com/pharmacy

Medication Management

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Medicare Questions

5 offices serving 26 counties | divinehomecare.com 320.231.9757 | 322 2nd Street SW, Willmar

West Central Tribune — Willmar, Minn. — Thursday, April 18, 2019 D27

D28 Thursday, April 18, 2019 — West Central Tribune — Willmar, Minn.

Be Impressed with your

Healthcare

Better Care.

With healthcare costs rising, it pays to do your research. Choosing to have your outpatient surgery procedure performed at St. Cloud Surgical Center versus a hospital can save you approximately 30-50 percent. And because all we do is outpatient surgery, our focused and trained staff work closely with your surgeon to provide a positive patient experience. Call us today to learn more.

Better Care, Better Costs, Better Recovery… Better YOU. • Ear, Nose, Throat

• Gynecology

• Podiatry

• Oral / Dental

• Ophthalmology

• Spine

• Gastroenterology

• Orthopedics, including Joint Replacement

• General Surgery

St. Cloud Surgical Center complies with applicable federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex.

Interpretalk 1-877-386-9235 & Keystone Interpreting Solutions (TTY: 1-651-454-7275) Spanish: ATENCIÓN: si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística.

Pida asistencia de un empleado. Somali: KA DIGTOONOW: Haddii aad ku hadasho somali, gargaarka aad heli karto lacag la’aan. Fadlan weydiiso caawimaad ka xubin shaqaale ah.

1526 Northway Drive, St. Cloud, MN 56303 |

PH

800.349.7272 | stcsurgicalcenter.com