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Pr i m e Ti m e November 2016 1944 Warwick Ave. Warwick, RI 02889 401-732-3100 FAX 401-732-3110 Distribution Special Delivery PUBLISHERS Barry W. Fain, Richard G. Fleischer, John Howell MARKETING DIRECTOR Donna Zarrella donnaz@rhodybeat.com Editor/ Creative Director Linda Nadeau lindan@rhodybeat.com WRITERS Michael Cerio, Don Fowler, Elaine M. Decker, John Howell, Joe Kernan, Larry Grimaldi, Mike Fink
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A Fond Farewell
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Celebrating Father Marciano’s retirement
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Remember Pearl Harbor
Joe Kernan goes behind the scenes of Tim Gray’s latest work
LIFESTYLES Larry Grimaldi..................................................8 What Do You Fink......................................15
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You’ve Got Choices Medicare open enrollment is from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7. Come to one of these meetings in your area to learn more: CHARLESTOWN Charlestown Senior Center 100 Park Lane Charlestown, RI 02813 Tues. Nov. 1st @ 1:15PM Thurs. Dec. 1st @ 10:30AM CRANSTON Immaculate Conception Regional School 237 Garden Hills Drive Cranston, RI 02920 Wed. Nov. 16th @ 5:00PM CRANSTON Pacifica Senior Living @ Victoria Court 55 Oaklawn Avenue Cranston, RI 02920 Wed. Nov. 16th @ 10:00AM CRANSTON Universal Wealth Management 945 Reservoir Avenue Cranston, RI 02910 Fri. Nov. 4th @ 10:00AM Fri. Nov. 11th @ 10:00AM Fri. Nov. 18th @ 10:00AM Fri. Dec. 2nd @ 10:00AM CRANSTON St. Mary’s School (Side Entrance) 85 Chester Avenue Cranston, RI 02920 Mon. Nov. 7th @ 4:00PM EAST PROVIDENCE Chelo’s Hometown Bar & Grille 911 Warren Avenue East Providence, RI 02914 Wed. Nov. 2nd @ 11:30AM Mon. Dec. 5th @ 3:00PM GLOCESTER/CHEPACHET Glocester Senior Center 1210 Putnam Pike Chepachet, RI 02814 Thurs. Nov. 17th @ 10:00AM GREENVILLE The Village at Waterman Lake 715 Putnam Pike Greenville, RI 02828 Tues. Nov. 8th @ 12:00PM JAMESTOWN Lionel Champlin Guest House 20 Lincoln Street Jamestown, RI 02835 Tues. Nov. 1st @ 4:30PM
KINGSTON Kingston Congregational Church 2610 Kingstown Road Kingston, RI 02881 Mon. Nov. 14th @ 10:00AM LINCOLN Atria Lincoln Place 612 George Washington Hwy. Lincoln, RI 02865 Wed. Nov. 30th @ 10:30AM LINCOLN The Café at Trattoria Romana 3 Wake Robin Road Lincoln, RI 02865 Thurs. Nov. 10th @ 2:00PM NEWPORT/MIDDLETOWN Howard Johnson 351 West Main Road Middletown, RI 02842 Tues. Nov. 15th @ 11:00AM NORTH KINGSTOWN Carriage Inn and Saloon 1065 Tower Hill Road North Kingstown, RI 02852 Tues. Nov. 29th @ 11:30AM NORTH SMITHFIELD Gator’s Pub 1402 Victory Hwy North Smithfield, RI 02896 Tues. Nov. 8th @ 2:00PM
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Father Marciano Celebrated at Military F Retirement
ather Robert Marciano is a quick-change artist. He was attired in church vestments as he officiated the 5 p.m. Mass at St. Kevin in Warwick. Then in barely minutes he was wearing the Air Force blue uniform, for Father Marciano is a pastor and State Command Chaplain of the Rhode Island National Guard.
On October 1, however, he officially retired after serving 36 years in the military at the rank of colonel. At the conclusion of the ceremony, he said it is time to let others step forward. With a desire to see the world and the consent of then Bishop Louis Edward Gelineau, Marciano joined a chaplaincy program in the Air Force Reserves in 1980. His first assignment was to Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas followed by a stint at Travis Air Force Base outside San Francisco. “I never thought I would last,” Marciano said. But Marciano’s military career has included tours at the hot spots. He remembers saying Mass to about 500 troops during the Iraq war. The area was heavily armed, tensions ran deep and the base was on the alert. The Mass was held in a tent and when it was over a solider came up to him with tears in his eyes. The soldier told him for those brief 20 minutes he felt like he was home again. He served in Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany and Water Reed Hospital in Washington, where he ministered to the wounded. Most trying was his assignment to the Mortuary Recovery Team at the Pentagon immediately following the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, where he prayed and worked with the victims and the family and friends of those who lost their lives. These were emotional and difficult times demanding fortitude and strength. But Marciano also says they made for “pleasant memories of supporting people in their faith.” From 1994 to 2005 he served as the Wing Chaplain for the 143 AirLift Wing at Quonset Point rising to the rank of lieutenant colonel. Then in 2006 he accepted an active duty Air Force assignment at the National Guard Bureau at the Pentagon as chief of personnel and accessions, being responsible for the recruiting, training, and readiness of the Air National Guard Chaplain Corps. He was a distinguished graduate of Air War College in June 2007.
American Revolution
4-Part Lecture Series at Kingston Free Library Join Professor Stanley Carpenter, from the U.S. Naval War College as he shares his extensive knowledge of the American Revolution. Each evenings lecture will highlight the strategy, history and important historical figures during this important time period in American history. The four part series will be held Thursday evenings, January 19 and 26, February 2 and 16 at 7:00 pm. Registration preferred by calling 401-783-8254 or email nnadeau@skpl.org. Free. Sponsored by the Friends of the Kingston Free Library. Kingston Free Library, 2605 Kingstown Road, Kingston, RI. November 2016
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In April 2008 he was named the chief of chaplains and was promoted to the rank of colonel. In that capacity, he was responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Air National Guard Chaplain Corps and served as the “Senior Pastor� of the 107,000 men and women of the Air National Guard and their families. After completing his active duty in Washington, Marciano returned to the state and took on his role at the Rhode Island National Guard. The recipient of many military and church honors during his career, Marciano imagined he would retire from the National Guard without fanfare, but friends convinced him of the ceremony. In his remarks at the conclusion of the military portion of the ceremony, Father Marciano said: “What a grace it has been to serve as a shepherd to this great parish and school where I am privileged to be pastor, and to serve those who guard our freedoms, those inside these sacred walls tonight, and those stationed around the globe holding high the lamp of freedom for all the world to see.� Father Marciano called our nation the “greatest on earth.� “As a chaplain, protecting one of the very first and most important foundations of our republic – the freedom of religion – I have seen the goodness of people here and around the globe and thank God every day for the privilege that has been mine.� Brigadier General Alphonse Stephenson, presiding officer at the military ceremony, spoke of the work of chaplains and how “you don’t know who you’re going to touch.� And often the work is under challenging circumstances. Father Marciano was deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, was among the first responders to the Station nightclub fire that claimed the lives of 100 and served on the Mortuary Recovery Team at the Pentagon immediately following the attacks of 9-11. “The chaplain is there to be a sign of the divine in an all too human situation,� Stephenson said. Col. Mark Rowan of New York gave the homily during the Mass, a collection of stories about their deployment together that had people laughing. Father Marciano was presented the Meritorious Service Medal, Third Oak Leaf Cluster, and Rhode Island Star during the military ceremony.
Brigadier General Alphonse Stephenson affixes one of three medals awarded to Col. Father Marciano during the retirement ceremony. (photos by John Howell)
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b y L arry G rimaldi
lifestyles
We’ve Traveled Many Roads Together
T
he history and culture of America is rich in references to roads traveled during the journeys of life. In Robert Frost’s classic poem, “The Road Not Taken,” the narrator reveals that choosing a less worn path shaped his future. So what did Yogi Berra mean when he advised, “When you come to the fork in the road, take it”? Bob Hope and Bing Crosby made millions of people laugh with their Road to Rio, Bali, and Morocco, etc. movie series. Every four years (although it seems the next election cycle begins when a president is inaugurated) we have The Road to the White House. When we are faced with difficult decisions, we are said to be at the crossroads. In the lower church of the Cathedral of Sts. Peter and Paul in Providence on November 7, 1970, my wife Kathy and I began a journey that has now lasted more than 46 years. I don’t know if it’s the road less traveled that Frost speaks of, but it certainly has been a most interesting journey. Since we are a society ruled by statistics, algorithms, and computer models, let’s run a few of the raw numbers. In 46 years of marriage we have lived in and retired the mortgages of two houses; worked at eight jobs; driven 18 different cars, raised three children, welcomed three grandchildren; attended parent-teacher conferences, dance recitals, concerts, sporting events and banquets, and awards ceremonies much too numerous to remember. In fact, some of these events are being lived again with grandchildren. But as with any summary that relies on numbers, the numbers are just the opening paragraph in a real life essay. What began with a marriage proposal on a rickety covered bridge in Vermont has evolved into a life experience with all the elements of a trip through time. Contrary to the current social norms, we did not live together before we were married. So when Kathy and I married, there was a sense of excitement, anticipation, hope, and of course, some uncertainty about the future. I’m probably a marriage relationship dinosaur, but I think our road was better. There was room for mutual adjustment, growth, and new
celebrating 46 years of marriage
discoveries along the way. If I had to do it again, I would not change a thing. We have met the physical, emotional, and financial challenges that four decades of marriage will inevitably bring to your doorstep head on. Our relationship has endured and flourished because we believed in facing these challenges together, working through our differences, having a strong spiritual foundation, supporting each other, allowing each other the independence to live a separate, equal, and parallel lives, possessing a mutual respect consideration for each other, and trying to reaffirm and grow our love in small ways each day. Of course, a sense of humor is invaluable. We are now retired. We enjoy traveling together, playing a little golf, spending time with our grandchildren, pursuing our hobbies and interests, and planning new adventures. Each morning begins with a summary of the day’s agenda and each evening there’s a look back at day’s events. While it’s hard to capture the texture and context of 46 years in a few words, there are some things that I am certain of. Kathy and I have a great appreciation for the joyous times we have spent with family and friends. The good times far outweigh the bad. We are grateful for their support during our life challenges. While we plan for the future, we live life with a Carpe Diem attitude. As with any relationship, there is room for growth and improvement. Complacency is not an option. Kathy and I look forward to new adventures, whatever they may be. We hope to enhance our mutual love and respect for each other during the coming years. The road we took together may not have been the one less traveled, but it was it was our road and our journey. A lesser known Barbra Streisand song is “Why Did I Choose You”? The song closes with this refrain, “If I had to choose again, I would still choose you.” After 46 years, Kathy is still my choice. Larry Grimaldi is a retired freelance writer living in North Providence. Comments can be e-mailed to lgrimaldi@cox.net.
When You Have Friends in All Generations, You Never Grow Old Word has gotten out about the intergenerational collaboration of classes between members of Hamilton House Adult Learning Exchange and high school students from School One. Once students and members heard about the success of a past book club, they said, “Sign me up for future classes.” The collaboration continues with a poetry class, another book club and “Working Stories,” an intergenerational creative writing/story telling/performance class that will meet at School One from late November to February 2017. “Working Stories” takes its inspiration from Gig, Americans Talk About Their Jobs, an anthology of interviews and stories about work and work experiences in contemporary American society. Jessica Haley, Executive Director of Hamilton House notes, “There are few opportunities for intergenerational learning. These projects bridge the gap by providing a platform for learners of all ages, to come together and share viewpoints, experiences and excitement.” Hamilton House is a 60+ adult learning community that offers classes, lectures and events. Victoria, a student at School One says, “I love talking with members of Hamilton House, not only about the class, but about their lives in general. Some are teachers, travelers, readers, writers, lifelong learners and lovers of good discussion. They prove that learning doesn’t have to stop once you leave a classroom-that intellectual curiosity can provide an outlet for great conversation.” School One is a small, independent high school in Providence that provides an arts intensive, college preparatory education to an array of students from across Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts. Projects between School One and Hamilton House show the enormous benefits of intergenerational learning opportunities. The classes change attitudes and break down barriers and stereotypes of what seniors and teenagers are capable of achieving. Maggie Miles, a member and instructor at Hamilton House states, “The difference in our ages disappears as soon as we open up the book and exchange our thoughts and ideas.” For more information about classes at Hamilton House, please visit our website at www.historichamilton.com. | PrimeTime
November 2016
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honoring
military
‘Remember Pearl Harbor’ Sneak preview of Tim Gray’s latest work planned in Providence
One of the last tasks left from World War II is to make sure that America never forgets how much was sacrificed by so many to defeat the Axis powers. Rhode Island filmmaker Tim Gray has been doing more than a little to make sure we remember. His latest film focuses on Pearl Harbor and the attack on it that forced the United States to finally take sides. The Axis powers were determined that a ruthless few would assert their perverse will over freedom-loving people everywhere. Americans were reluctant to get involved. There were two vast oceans between America and the warring countries, and the first War to End All Wars was too recent to forget. Then all hell broke loose. The vicious attack on Pearl Harbor happened and America was outraged. Young men, often teenagers, volunteered in droves after the sneak attack on Pearl Harbor pushed the industrial might of the United States toward making war. One veteran described Pearl Harbor as the first suicide bombing of the war. While some Japanese military men saw it as one of many victories, their most celebrated Admiral worried that they woke a “sleeping giant” and took the first step toward the destruction of Japan’s over-reaching empire. Rhode Island filmmaker Tim Gray has spent the last decade gathering the real stories of the men and women who fought that war and has been telling those personal histories before all of the living memories pass on. His latest release, “Remember Pearl Harbor,” offers personal glimpses into the event that outraged Americans and provided the rallying cry of “Remember Pearl Harbor” to all the American troops in the Pacific. Those veterans are disappearing before all of their stories are recorded. Gray’s mission has been to get to as many of those veterans as possible. “We are losing veterans [of that war] at about 750 per day,” said Gray, who is promoting his latest film about Pearl Harbor. “The window of time to gather their stories is closing very fast.” As a seasoned journalist, Gray has a good ear for a good story, and he knew there was much that needed to be told about Pearl Harbor, an attack that stood as the worst on American soil until Sept. 11, 2001. Sunday, Dec. 7, 1941 was a beautiful morning on the Hawaiian island of Oahu, as Gray’s news release described it. A few sailors and soldiers were already up and playing a game of football near Pearl Harbor. Others were sleeping in their barracks or aboard ships after a late night of partying in Honolulu. An unlucky few were wiping the sleep from their eyes and reporting for duty aboard their ship anchored off Ford Island in Pearl Harbor. Still others headed for adjacent Hickam Field or up north to Wheeler Field. Ship decks were being washed, planes wiped down and hangars swept. It was just another day in paradise. At 7:48 a.m., all that changed as the first Japanese planes dropped their bombs and started firing their guns at stunned American soldiers and sailors. The United States had been violently thrown into World War II. Anyone who was there can attest to the total confusion that followed. What is ironic about the timing of this film’s release is that it describes the moment the USA entered the war. Gray has done about 17 other films featuring the stories of ordinary citizens reacting with extraordinary courage in battles that were months and even years in the future. But in most cases those battles were anticipated. “It’s hard for someone who wasn’t there to imagine the frustration and rage as the reality of what was happening unfolded. Every sailor, airman, soldier and civilian who was in or near Pearl Harbor … has their own individual story of courage, fear, heroics or tragedy,” wrote Gray. “No two stories from that day of infamy are the same … From sailors on the U.S.S Arizona and West Virginia on Battleship Row to pilots at Hickam and Wheeler Fields, to young children who were waved at by Japanese pilots flying over their homes, the memories remain vivid to this day.” “Remember Pearl Harbor” will be featured in a sneak preview at Veterans Memorial Auditorium in Providence next month. Gray had hoped that a local veteran, Raymond Haerry of the battleship Arizona, would be around for the November 2016
premiere of Pearl Harbor. An explosion threw Haerry, who was 19 at the time of the attack, into the water, according to his obituary. After swimming to shore, he helped defend against the attack and then to recover bodies after the attack had ended. Haerry remained in the Navy, retiring as a master chief after serving for 25 years. He was one of six living crewmen from the USS Arizona before his death last month. Haerry’s son, Raymond Jr., suggested to The Associated Press that his father would be put to rest in Pearl Harbor. “As he was getting closer to the end, I think he felt that if there’s any place that he’d like to be at rest, it would be with his crewmates, the people who suffered and died on that day,” Haerry Jr. told a reporter. Gray hopes to host veterans at the sneak preview of the film at Veterans Memorial Auditorium on Sunday, Nov. 13 at 1 p.m. The event is being held in honor of Raymond Haerry and for all of all Rhode Islanders who have served. Tickets are free for all veterans and current military personnel with proper ID. For people not familiar with Gray’s work, the former news anchor is an awardwinning director, producer and writer based in Rhode Island. He has done 17 documentary films to date, including the preposterous but true story of the late Bruce Sundlun’s escape from occupied territory after his B-17 bomber was shot down over Europe. Gray focuses on the personal stories of World War II veterans. All of his films have aired nationally on American public television and in other countries such as China, Australia, France and England. “I have always been interested in the history of the war,” said Gray, who is far too young to have been there. “There were so many personal stories, good stories. People talked about the War … My Uncle Jack actually worked on the Manhattan Project.” REMEMBER – PAGE 17 PrimeTime |
b y michael cerio
Building Something Better for Rhode Island’s Veterans
Kasim Yarn, a Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy who retired from his 20-year military career in October, was appointed Director of Veterans Affairs by Governor Gina Raimondo in February 2016.
In thinking about my feature for this month—which is all about services for veterans if you read on—I found myself continuously drawn to one of the most recognizable quotes in American history. “And so, my fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country,” John F. Kennedy. It’s a powerful statement; one with layers of meaning open to the interpretation of its reader. Yet as headlines regularly share the struggles of veterans returning home, I couldn’t help but wonder how it relates to those who have already given so much to this great country. I’ll be straight to the point. I sit firmly in the camp that, as a country, there’s not enough we can do for the active service and veterans who have made sacrifices most of us could never comprehend. Lives are put on hold in order to defend our country. Things are seen that can never be unseen. The physical, mental and psychological tolls can be crippling, particularly if services that can provide help are not easily available. There are some 72,000 veterans in Rhode Island. They are fathers and mothers, husbands and wives, brothers and sisters, grandfathers, neighbors and friends. Until recently, resources for our state’s veterans were often described as fragmented—veterans and their family members often not knowing the full range of benefits available or how to access them. All of that changed, however, in late September with the opening of a new Office of Veterans Affairs in Warwick under the leadership of Director Kasim Yarn, a Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy who retired from his 20-year military career in October. “What excites me about this job is the amazing opportunity to build something better for our veterans—veterans in this state have waited too long for action,” says Director Yarn. “As Governor Raimondo has said, our goal is to ensure that every veteran has an opportunity to make it in Rhode Island. To me, that is a powerful, purpose-driven statement and I’m determined to make that vision a reality.” Appointed to his position by Governor Raimondo in February 2016, Director Yarn spent nearly half of his life serving our country, reporting to basic training less than 24-hours after graduating high school. He credits his time in the Navy for making him the person he is today, holding near and dear to his heart an intimate understanding of re-acclimating to civilian life.
Here to Serve those who have Served: Staff of The Office of Veterans Affairs, which recently moved to a new facility on Jefferson Boulevard in Warwick. Left to right: Kandace Dave, Intern; Matthew Golderese, Implementation Aide; David Rothermel, Chief, Veterans Affairs; Kasim Yarn, Director of Veterans Affairs; David DosReis, Chief, Veterans Affairs; and Michael Jolin, Acting Administrator for Strategic Communications, Policy & Legal Services.
Photos courtesy of Office of Veterans Affairs
10 | PrimeTime
10 | PrimeTime
November 2016
honoring
military
“
I couldn’t have asked for a better way to give back than to serve our state’s veterans,” says Yarn. “As a veteran myself who just transitioned out of the military, I know the challenges fellow veterans face. So when I’m able to help a veteran who just a few months ago may have been lost in the system, it’s deeply satisfying.” Director Yarn and others recognize the importance of the unbreakable bonds between veterans; many veterans being most comfortable talking to someone with whom they have shared experiences. This is particularly helpful for those struggling with challenges unique to the military—combat-related injuries, transitioning out of service, long periods away from home—and best understood by another veteran. It’s why the new office is staffed with two case managers who are not only knowledgeable and experienced in working with veterans, but have served in the military and have been deployed. “There are times when a veteran talking to another veteran can make a big difference; there’s a trust there, a bond, a shared back story between them,” adds Yarn. “At the same time, there are a lot of hardworking, dedicated civilians who work tirelessly to assist veterans and their families and it’s important to acknowledge their tremendous contributions— we can’t do this alone.” Immediately after being appointed Director, Yarn traveled around the state to meet with veterans and listen to their concerns and needs. Over and over, he resoundingly heard the need for veterans to have a central hub, a coordination center to call their own. Director Yarn is quick to acknowledge the many local organizations doing great work on behalf of veterans, but also recognizes that, at times, it can be confusing for veterans to figure out where to go for help and services. Even if a veteran is connected with one agency, they may not be aware of benefits offered by another agency. But by serving as a central hub, the Office of Veterans Affairs can not only help veterans connect with organizations, it can also help various service providers connect with each other, strengthening the entire veterans support network in the process. “Veterans and their families may not fully be aware of all the benefits they have earned, so we encourage everyone to contact us to learn about what’s available to them,” adds Yarn. “There’s a robust array of programs and services in Rhode Island for those who have served and those who support them at home.” Depending on the era or war a veteran served, different benefits and programs may be available, and the range is vast. From health and counseling, which includes PTSD, substance abuse and more, housing, basic needs supports, education, workforce development and employment, to VA programs, memorial November 2016
and legal services, the Office of Veterans Affairs’ revamped website is a wealth of information that complements the new office. By visiting www.vets.ri.gov, veterans have an easy-to-navigate drop-down menu that allows them select the appropriate option for their military service. While Director Yarn is proud of the new website as an important resource and has staff dedicated to further refine and maintain it, ensuring it stays current with program changes and new offerings, he wants all veterans to know the new office is a home for them. The moment a veteran or a member of their family walks in, they’ll be connected with a case manager eager to learn about their needs and situation in a confidential, one-on-one setting. From there, the case manager will assist with gathering any necessary paperwork and explain the variety of veteran benefits available, including those a veteran may have earned, yet are unaware of. Case managers will also assist with setting-up referrals to partner agencies, all the while providing continuous support throughout the entire process. “We want our veterans to know that they are not alone and that we exist to serve them,” adds Director Yarn. A true one-stop shop for veterans’ needs, the new office also features work stations equipped with computers to aid veterans in researching jobs and training opportunities, and to work on and print resumes. Additionally, the office serves as space for various veterans groups to meet and discuss their concerns and initiatives. Looking to the future, Director Yarn and his staff are working on a plan with federal, state, and community partners to build a network of care that allows for better collaboration—the overarching goal of which is to maximize and streamline the work taking place on behalf of veterans. The new Office of Veterans Affairs is located at 560 Jefferson Boulevard, Suite 206, in Warwick. The office is open, including case manager availability, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Additional information can be found by visiting www.vets.ri.gov, or by calling (401) 921-2119. “Every veteran’s situation is unique, and every veteran comes home with different needs,” says Director Yarn. “The most important thing for our veterans to know is that there are resources available and we can help them access those resources—we are blessed to do this work every day.” PrimeTime | 11
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Enjoy a tour, and take home a treat.
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Wingate Residences at Blackstone Boulevard 353 Blackstone Blvd (401) 273-6565
Wingate. Where healthcare and hospitality meet. www.wingatehealthcare.com
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Please call 401-767-2574 to schedule your personal tour. 400 Mendon Road, No. Smithfield, Rhode Island 02896
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Offering daily mass and rosary. A health care ministry of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence.
12 | PrimeTime
A CAreLink PArtner
Wingate Residences on the East Side
Welcomes all to its monthly (and lively) Book Group Doris Kearns Goodwin. Willa Cather. Nathaniel Philbrick. Emily Bronte. Albert Camus. Jodi Picoult. Toni Morrison. George Orwell. Ann Pachett and Yaa Gyasi. Even Niccolo Machiavelli, the “father of modern political theory” himself. All these, the names of authors whose timeless works have lined the shelves of libraries and homes for centuries. Authors whose works have inspired, informed, enlightened, enraged, entertained and instructed. Authors whose tales of action, humor, history and fantasy are immortalized in the hearts and minds of those who immerse themselves in the pages of their dogeared books. Tales that capture the imagination Sheila Miller, still sprightly and engaging at age 90, is a and transport the reader to regular at the popular Wingate Residences Book Club – call today and join the discussions. another time and place. Books are places where minds can escape the doldrums of life and visit those places that only live in one’s imaginations. All books are enriched by the reader, young or old, who brings their life experiences to the page, and who can, in one minute become a lonely damsel on the moors of England, and the next, the fierce survivor of the doomed whaleship, the Essex or next, the spawned lover in a modern-day drama. The possibilities are endless. Reading is the lifelong passion of Karen Ferranti, the creative and dedicated Life Enrichment Director of Wingate Residences on the East Side. As the Life Enrichment Director of this warm and welcoming Assisted Living residence in Providence, Karen has been leading a lively book group for over 8 years. It is here where residents gather on the last Monday of every month to share their insights, perspectives and stories about the books that the group has read ~ from the likes of Machiavelli to contemporary non-fiction and fiction authors whose stories can at times lead to heated debates ~ or to the sharing of long-hidden, stolen memories. Intellectual discourse meets soap opera drama meets politics meets poetry. It is this open exchange of ideas that makes the book club so appealing, so enduring and so popular here at Wingate. In October, the official “Wingate Residences Book Club” celebrated the completion of its 100th book, Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi, a young author from Ghana. While this book may mark a milestone, it is just one more book checked off the illustrious and diverse list of other books that the club has tackled. This month, they are on to In the Heart of the Sea ~ so there is no rest for this club of avid readers. The books that are read in the club are provided by the program’s directors, but are also regularly lent by the nearby Weaver Library, with the generous assistance of librarian Joyce May. The club enthusiastically welcomes members of the community and invites any interested participants to call the Residences to find out how they can join. Wingate Residences on the East Side is a family-owned, regional provider that is a comfortable and inviting Assisted Living facility. Located on One Butler Avenue in Providence, they can be reached at 401-275-0682 or found at www.wingatehealthcare.com. Come along and bring your favorite book suggestion. All are welcome.
November 2016
by DON FOWLER
senior
issues
The Impatient Patient I’m a 79 year old Type A guy who can’t sit still for more than ten minutes. I play tennis, work out at Planet Fitness, walk, swim, snorkel, and am out almost every night reviewing theatre, movies, concerts, and restaurants. That was my routine until a recent sixmonth checkup with my cardiologist, followed by a series of tests, concluded that quadruple by-pass heart surgery was necessary to open those nasty clogged arteries that were meant to supply blood to my heart. Following surgery, which required cracking my ribs (My first broken bones) and removing replacement arteries from my leg, other problems led to a “jump start” of the heart and the need for medications to even the blood flow. All this led to seven long days and nights in the hospital under the watchful eyes of a team of cardiology specialists and nurses that included endless tubes, catheters, ports, pacemakers, oxygen, needles, and hourly interruptions to my sleepless body. All of the above were the expected temporary setbacks to a predicted month-long medical necessity aimed at getting me back on my feet, and after another month of rehab, back on the tennis court. Loss of Control The worse thing that can happen to a Type A person is loss of control. Lying in a hospital bed, throat parched, having difficulty swallowing and unable to talk due to the breathing tube down my throat during and after surgery, the desire for a sip of water is more desirous than a Twin Oaks martini. I reach for the coveted nurses’ call button, only to discover it has fallen to the floor. The nurses who disturb my sleep every 10 minutes are nowhere in sight. Slowly, over the next seven days, breathing tube, catheter, ports, and a variety of medical paraphernalia are removed. I’m visited by a variety of mostly young nurses and aides, all with specific responsibilities. “I’m the breathing nurse,” says the specialist who covers my nose with a plastic hood that pumps oxygen into my nostrils for ten minutes at a time. With three shifts a day, I have met most of the graduates of all the nearby nursing schools, plus a variety of entry-level and trained medical aides who empty my wastebasket, change my sheets, take my blood pressure, blood sugar, temperature, blood for this, blood for that, and give me my morning, afternoon and evening medications. I repeat my name and date of birth literally dozens of times as everyone who approaches my bed scans my wrist band. I sign forms. I answer endless questions. I finally start to doze when I am graced with a roommate who has brought half his family including a wife with a voice like Roseanne . The TV is immediately turned on, drowning out the last ten minutes of my favorite program. Call buttons constantly go off from all surrounding rooms, while one of the bags
dispensing saline into my body needs to be reset every five minutes, providing that irritating and constant beeping sound. Hospitals are no place to go to get a good night’s sleep and get well. Dehydration/Nausea/Anorexia Following surgery, I completely lost my appetite. Food trays were brought to my bed three times a day. I stared at the food and drink, but could not bring myself to take any liquid besides water to swallow pills. I was on a special low carb, salt free, diabetic diet. Food was bland, but I concluded it was more of a problem than that. I could not look at food, let alone bring it to my lips. And this is from a self-proclaimed “foodie”, food writer and reviewer who loves to eat. “You’ve got to eat” medical staff and family constantly told me. Easy for them to say. I would put a bite of anything in my mouth and it would sit there until I could spit it out. Psychological? I don’t know. Result of anesthesia? I don’t know. All I know is that this lover of food couldn’t even look at it. Rehab After a week of hospitalization, it was time to move to a rehab facility, where Occupational and Physical Therapy could continue the healing process. Moved by ambulance on a Friday afternoon, I lay in bed until mid-afternoon Saturday before being formally oriented to my new home and altered lifestyle. I was able to get up and walk and go to the bathroom on my own, but I still couldn’t handle food. The first meal they brought me was Beef Wellington, a delicacy I couldn’t afford in most restaurants. Next was a beautifully cooked piece of salmon, the food I would choose for my last meal or if cast away on a desert isle. Still not in control, I continued my rehab at the mercy of nurses and therapists who decided for me when, and in some cases if, they would help me wash, take me to the therapy room, and leave my meal tray. Walking was no problem. I could climb stairs and complete all exercises beyond their expectations. I showered myself, dressed myself, and handled all of my bodily functions. But I still was nauseous and could not eat. Daughter Robin constantly monitored my care and treatment, suggesting Glucerna might be something I could tolerate. It worked, but I needed more. In walked Robin the next day with a quart of milk, banana, chocolate syrup, peanut butter, and vitamins, which she mixed together and set in front of me. Now Robin is more than a daughter. She is Dr. Robin Miller. Wife of a doctor, daughter of a nurse, mother of a doctor and a nurse/educator/administrator in her own right. I drank the entire glass and asked for more. It tasted better than a Matunuck Oyster Bar Bloody Mary. patient – page 14
November 2016
PrimeTime | 13
your taxes
professional perspective
b y meg chevalier
About Your IRS Notice or Letter Invites you to…
n a l n P i ng 101 e t a t s E Imperial Room at Rhodes Place The McIntyre Room One Rhodes Place, Cranston, RI 02905
November 10, 2016 Registration 5:30 • Workshop 6:00-7:30 BuffeT Meal TO fOllOw
Topics to be discussed from our panel of experts:
How to avoid Probate what happens if I am incapacitated & unable to make my own decisions? How is my estate affected due to long Term Care costs? what are the advantages of having a trust over a will? estate war stories from the trenches
These & other questions, including yours, will be answered by our distinguished panel:
Kevin Hackman, elder law attorney, Hackman & Phillips elder law RI llC Michael aaronson, CPa, aaronson, lavoie, Streitfeld, Diaz & Co., PC leonard Martin ChfC®, Clu®, financial advisor, leonard Martin & associates, Inc. Tina Riccio, Reverse Mortgage Specialist, Coastway Community Bank Ted Czabanowski, licensed Sales Representative Moderated by Jo anne Samborsky, Realtor, Keller williams Realty Please call or email to reserve your seat(s) now 401-781-6795 or email us at martinassc@gmail.com Please RSVP by November 7th
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The IRS normally sends correspondence in the mail. We mail millions of letters to taxpayers every year. Keep these important points in mind if you get a letter or notice: • Don’t Ignore It. You can respond to most IRS notices quickly and easily. • Follow Instructions. Read the notice carefully. It will tell you if you need to take any action. Be sure to follow the instructions. The letter will also have contact information if you have questions. • Focus on the Issue. IRS notices usually deal with a specific issue about your tax return or tax account. Your notice or letter will explain the reason for the contact and give you instructions on how to handle the issue. You can learn more about your notice or letter on IRS.gov. • Correction Notice. If the IRS corrected your tax return, you should review the information provided and compare it to your tax return. If you agree, you don’t need to reply unless a payment is due. If you don’t agree, it’s important that you respond. Follow the instructions on the notice for the best way to respond to us. You may be able to call us to resolve the issue. Have a copy of your tax return and the notice with you when you call. If you choose to write to us, be sure to include information and any documents you want us to consider. Also, write your taxpayer identification number (Social Security number, employer identification number or individual taxpayer identification number) on each page of the letter you send. Mail your reply to the address shown on the notice. Allow at least 30 days for a response. • Respond to Requests about the Premium Tax Credit. The IRS may send you a letter asking you to clarify or verify your premium tax credit information. You should follow the instructions on the letter. For more information about these letters, see the Understanding Your Letter 0012C page on IRS.gov/aca. • You Don’t Need to Visit the IRS. You can handle most notices without visiting the IRS. If you have questions, call the phone number in the upper right corner of the notice. Have a copy of your tax return and the notice when you call. • Keep the Notice. Keep a copy of the IRS notice with your tax records. • Watch Out for Scams. Don’t fall for phone and phishing email scams that use the IRS as a lure. We will contact you about unpaid taxes by mail first – not by phone. Be aware that the IRS does not initiate contact with taxpayers by email, text or social media. IRS.gov offers tax help and info on various topics including common tax scams, taxpayer rights and more. PATIENT – FROM PAGE 13 My blood work was still out of whack, so the doctor sent me by ambulance to Miriam Hospital, where a team of doctors, nurses, and pharmacists worked together to get the right medication combinations. After 24 hours in the hospital, and rehab expecting me back for at least another week of alternating staring at the ceiling and doing basic exercises, my cardiologist asked me what I wanted most of all – to go home. Home He wrote the order. My wife and daughter got me home and settled in my Craig’s List lift chair. “Would you like anything?” Joyce asked. “Two meat tacos,” I blurted out. It was Taco Tuesday at Poco Loco, the closest place to my house with food. I devoured them, topped it off with Graham crackers and peanut butter, followed by cookies. And I haven’t stopped eating since. Epilogue Major surgery with complications and side effects can be a most traumatic experience, leading to depression and frequently an anorexic-type experience that can slow the healing process. Recounting my story to friends resulted in dozens of tales of similar experiences. I’m one of the lucky ones. I went through Hell, but I will recover. I’m grateful every day for the little things, like the sun shining, a friend calling to see how I am, a taco, sleeping through the night and awakening feeling refreshed. I’m determined to get back on the tennis court as I look forward to more rehab.
Extreme nausea is an area that needs a lot more study. While there are medications, the side effects can often be as bad as the nausea. One friend found his solution in medical marijuana, an area that needs closer study. We all need support of friends and family, plus the best medical care available. I also discovered that Twin Oaks baked stuffed shrimp and a sticky bun from Little Falls is absolutely mandatory for the healing process. And the prayers and positive thoughts can’t hurt, either. The Road Back While I like to remain as independent as possible, the reality of major surgery followed by rehabilitation dictates the need for help. VNA services help to coordinate my care, medication, and physical progress. In my case, help, love, and caring came from my wife, family and friends. Joyce was at the hospital and rehab facility every day, bringing me my newspaper, get well cards, and all those little things I needed to make life tolerable. She’s the one who spent hours on the phone and internet, fielding questions and providing updates. She’s the one who is now there for me, encouraging me to “keep moving,” helping me out of bed and low chairs, and driving me around like a chauffeur, as I sit in the back seat to avoid the possibility of an air bag that would crack my sternum. Once the doctor “releases” me and I can drive and become the Independent Man again, I owe her big time. November 2016
wHAT DO YOU FINK?
LIFESTYLES
by MIKE FINK
Amy & John It was over a half century ago. I had a student with a calm and assured manner. I was team-teaching a composition course, in tandem with a poetess. We had put together a series of assignments suggested by the drawing department here at Rhode Island School of Design. You know, still life, architectural perspective sketches, landscapes, figure models with charcoal sticks, that sort of thing, but using descriptive words instead of ink and graphite. Well, Amy was my, our,perfect disciple. She rose to each challenge, brilliantly, boldly, but also gracefully. She was quietly competent and always cool, collected, and cordial. Well groomed, for the 60s generation of drop-outs! Amy is not an alumna: she left us before earning the MFA degree. She drove her V.W. to a New York beach, drew a seascape, walked into the mild surf, and was never heard from again. Only by her teeth was her body recognized by her parents. I wrote a eulogy as an editorial in the student newspaper, for which I served as faculty advisor. This was more than fifty years ago, but I got a letter from her best friend of long ago, a fellow named John, who is writing a book about her disappearance and the guilt and loneliness from which he has suffered despite his marriages, his children and grandchildren, and his successful career as a photographer...and now, as a writer as well. He joined me for a luncheon with a long conversation tracing the details of Amy’s creative and promising life, decline, and death. And of his search and quest for the causes of the tragedy. John sent me a paper she had written, for our “room” rendering. He wanted me to read something psychological into her choice of details. I had, as a youthful instructor, been more concerned about her grasp of the idea of the task we had set before her. “Don’t just pile up details arbitrarily, shape a mood, even an implied meaning,” was the sort of thing we would say, my colleague and I. We believed we were crafting a rather unique idea of RISD writing, as distinct from Brown writing---less abstract and more concrete, less opinionated: subtle, based on interpretive observation, not judgment. No political agenda, only poetical. Another of my composition concepts was, write only admiring things about somebody you genuinely dislike...and only the shortcomings of a person you love and look up to. An exercise in balance and paradox, plus ambiguity and consideration.
I re-read this essay from another chapter in my school’s evolution. Amy had written of her dorm chambers with a certain “hippie” contempt for new buildings without craftsmanship, fine materials, a past. In sum, she felt she was confined to a cell, crushed into a solitary and mean-spirited prison, airless and ungenerous. I could feel her anger and anguish, which I had not at all suspected until John pointed it out to me. He told me all the fine points. They had met as they were entering the start of the teens, barely out of childhood, their first dates for each of them. Looking back, he could see when he had perhaps disappointed her as an egotistic boy, showing off his book-reading, his learning, and his play-acting. “She admired me, looked up to me...maybe I took that for granted.” When she was accepted at a School of Design, he told her she wasn’t aiming high enough. “That was certainly the wrong thing to say!” he acknowledges honestly and openly. The last few times they met, he could detect her troubled state, and when she left school, he tried to visit her at her home. “She would answer the door slowly and greet me strangely, with a mix of sadness and even a dark touch of suspicion. I knew things were going wrong, but I was also hurt. She sent me a large picture she had made of her car under a troubled sky. I showed it to an artist comrade who told me it looked more like waves of water, not clouds.” Sure enough, Amy’s family called him to ask if Amy were staying with him, and the rest is dreadful destiny and history. Until he started researching the progress of her plan to punish the world by leaving it...and her own future within it. “But who cares by now? Publishers say, with respect, ‘who will want to read such a mournful account of the depression that can strike students of intelligence, perception, and of a solitary nature?’ and so I am searching for a way to bring Amy back and to find solace for my own aching sorrow that endures and goes on and on.” John said this to me as I listened deeply. I am writing this for many reasons. Both collective---I have known other remarkable people who leave us thus---and individual: I like to believe that the departed look and listen to us as we remember and recall them. They desire that we should understand them, finally, in the spirit of fond friendship and transcendental elevation.
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November 2016
PrimeTime | 15
senior issues
R I H ealth C are A ssociation
b y M ichelle L a F rance
senior
alzheimer ’s association r hod e island chapter
issues
During Diabetes Month, Culinary Challenge For A Cause November 30 • 5:30-9:00PM Take Steps to Better Health Wednesday, at Rhodes on the Pawtuxet According to the American Diabetes Association, one in 11 Americans have diabetes and another 86 million are at high risk of developing the condition. It is especially prevalent among those over the age of 65 and for that reason, the incidence of diabetes is commonplace in skilled nursing centers. As in all centers throughout the state, at West View Nursing & Rehabilitation in West Warwick, the staff provide education on diabetes for both those just diagnosed with the condition as well as residents who need help managing it. “We share information on diet and exercise, and instruct them on how to monitor their blood sugar,” explained West View’s Director of Nursing, Cheryl Edwards, RN. “The goal is for both shortand long-term residents to manage their diabetes on their own. West View also holds exercises classes three times a week and the doctors at the center regularly monitor residents’ progress in concert with their personal primary care physicians. “It takes a village,” said Edwards. In honor of American Diabetes month going on now, below are three key steps those living with or at risk for the disease can take to improve their health. 1. Eat healthy. Making a few small changes can have a big impact. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Ser-
vices recommends plenty of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and fat-free or lowfat dairy products as well as seafood, lean meats and poultry, eggs, beans, peas, seeds, and nuts. Limit unhealthy foods and drink 2. Move. For those with type 2 diabetes, physical activity is key to managing the condition. Starting a physical activity program can help you lose weight or maintain a healthy weight and keep your blood glucose levels on target. Even without reaching a healthy weight, just a 10 or 15 pound weight loss makes a difference in reducing the risk of diabetes problems. 3. Follow your plan. Your doctor can help you best manage your diabetes through a personalized treatment plan. If prescribed medication, be sure to take it as ordered. If you take other medicines – either over-the-counter or prescription – ask your doctor how they may impact your treatment. It is also important to test your blood sugar regularly throughout the day to track how food, activity and medicine affect your levels. Results will help determine if your treatment plan is working and if you are able to stay in your target range More information about diabetes and how to help fund diabetes research can be found on the American Diabetes Association web site at www.diabetes.org.
elderly Housing Must be 62 years of age or older. Rents are based on 30% of adjusted household income. FEATURES InclUdEd in your rent: Heat, Hot Water, Appliances, Elevators, Emergency Pull Cords, Laundry Facilities, Parking, Intercom, 24-Hour Emergency Maintenance Service, Cable Ready Apartments, Community Room equipped with Computer, Out Door Patio and Furniture, Flower Gardens, On-Site Management FEATURES NoT included in your rent:
Electric Lights, Monthly Cable & Phone
16 | PrimeTime
Do you love the show “Top Chef,” watching the food network challenge, or trying a new restaurant? Then you will love our annual event at the Alzheimer’s Association, Rhode Island Chapter, called “Culinary Challenge for a Cause.” Chefs from Rhode Island’s own assisted living communities including South County Nursing and Rehab, Village House, Greenwich Bay, Bayberry Commons, Coventry Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation, Elderwood Scallop Shell, Bethany Home, and Capitol Ridge, will participate in the ultimate cook off to see who is the assisted living “Top Chef.” And who will be the judge you might ask? You! Plus an exciting panel of celebrity judges including: WPRI12 Anchor Mike Montecalvo, Johnson & Wales Chef Terranova, local artist Paul Cote, and more! The public is invited to sample delectable gourmet cuisine, take part in a silent auction, and to cast a ballot for your favorite chef. Doors open promptly at 5:30 p.m. for the cocktail reception, then at 6:15 p.m. the chef stations open for sampling by the general public, and visual display judging. Later that evening, the award presentation will take place when the celebrity judges determine the “Top Chef,” based on presentation, taste, and creativity. Tickets are $35 per person in advance, $30 for parties of 10 or more or $50 at the door. You will not want to miss this event! RSVP by November 23 to 1-800-272-3900 or visit www.alz.org/ri. About the Alzheimer’s Association: The Alzheimer’s Association is the world’s leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer care, support and research. The office is located at 245 Waterman Street, Suite 306, Providence, RI 02906. Phone: 1-800-272-3900, Fax: 401-421-0115, Website: www.alz.org/ri, Facebook @alzas
AdelAnte Apts. Providence, RI AllegriA Court Johnston, RI lACAsA Apts. S. Kingstown, RI
• ApArtments AvAilAble •
plAzA esperAnzA Apts. West Warwick, RI sAugAtuCket springs Hopkinton, RI
• ApArtments AvAilAble •
Scenes from the 2015 Culinary Challenge (photos courtesy of The Alzheimer’s Association)
Wildberry Apts. West Warwick, RI rodMAn CoMMons South Kingstown, RI • ApArtments AvAilAble •
HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES CORPORATION 861A Broad Street Providence, RI
401-941-2900 www.wdchoc.org November 2016
retirement sparks
senior
issues
b y elaine m . decker
It’s Not Easy Being On the High Road My Facebook friends have been posting some extremely funny comments about the upcoming Presidential election. Throughout the primaries, I also quipped about the candidates. Lately I’ve sworn off sharing my own opinions on this. Too many friends of a different political persuasion were adding snarky remarks to my posts. Many of my high school friends strongly support Republicans, while most of my college friends are decidedly liberal. Though I’ve no longer been doing election posting on my own page now that we’re in the general stage, I still respond to political commentary on other folks’ Facebook pages. I recently shared the following on a cartoon posted by someone else. Oh snap. Glad I had deadlines the last few days and have been taking a break from CNN. Trying to stay on the high road is like having to pee something fierce, but there’s no bathroom nearby, and you’re forced to walk around with your knees pressed tightly together. After I read what I wrote, I thought:
There is definitely a Retirement Sparks column in this. Here then are some other things to which staying on the high road is akin. It’s like going to confession as a teenager and telling the priest that your sin was that you lied to your parents. Meanwhile, you know you should really confess to what you and Buzzy were doing in the back seat of his car last weekend. But you also know that if you share that, there will be hell to pay. So the guilt is killing you. Taking the high road is like going to a wine tasting when you’re the designated driver. You can have just a tiny sip of a few of the offerings. Meanwhile your friends are flying high on the Barolo, the Brunello and the Prosecco. You’re following the waiters around the room, eating as many canapés as you can grab off their trays, but you’re still bitter and resentful. Everyone else is having a great time and you… well, you’re committed to taking the dry road. It’s like finding the quintessential pastry café in Vienna. Your tongue is literally hanging out as your mouth waters over the elegant sweets. Your traveling companions
Westbay Café…More than a Meal Making a luncheon reservation at our eight Westbay Cafes is as easy as 1, 2, 3!
Special
november Meals
Bring A Friend Day – Tuesday, November 2 Cottage Cheese with Fruit, Baked Chicken w/Lemon Butter Sauce, Brown Rice Pilaf & Baby Carrots, Pudding. Pub Option: Beef & Swiss on Wheat Veteran’s Day Meal – Thursday, November 10 Chili w/Beans, 1/4 Rack of Baby Back Ribs, Cole Slaw, Sweet Potatoe Fires, Roll and Cake. Pub Option: Seafood Salad on Wheat Thanksgiving Meal – Thursday, November 19 Italian Wedding Soup, Turkey with Gravy, Stuffing, Cranberry Sauce, Butternut Squash, Mashed Potato and Holiday Pies
CLOSED FRIDAY, NOV. 11 AND THURSDAY, NOV. 24 Our caterer provides the following three options (two each day) for your meal • Hearty Traditional Meal – Appetizer, Main Entrée with sides (potato, vegetables) • Pub Option – Delicious Sandwich • Spa Option – Lighter, healthy option for those on the go All luncheons include an appetizer, bread, dessert and coffee or tea
For more information, please call patty martucci, Assistant Director of Senior nutrition program
401-732-4666 ext. 142
Senior CenterS Charlestown 401-364-9955 East Greenwich 401-886-8638 Jamestown 401-423-2658 The Center–S. Kingstown 401-789-0268 West Warwick 401-822-4450 Westerly 401-596-2404 Senior ApArtmentS (you do not have to be a resident) Park View-Westerly 401-596-4918 Shalom Apartments 401-737-0180
We invite seniors age 60 and older and individuals with disabilities to join us at these Cafes for a nutritious lunch. The suggested donation is $3/person. Reservations are necessary and should be made by Thursday for the following week.
November 2016
have plates full of the little morsels. You order just herbal tea, because you’ve promised your GP you will not put on one additional ounce during this trip. You’ll keep to 1100 calories a day, pushing toward your goal of losing another ten pounds. Women who have ever worked in Manhattan will appreciate this highroad metaphor. You’re forced to wear five-inch heels every day so you look professional and have more height. What you long for is ballet flats. They’re so much more comfortable. But no; flats are not an option, because you’ve chosen a career on the high-heel road. The cover story of a recent issue of Time magazine brought to my attention a reason why taking the high road is especially challenging. Those who treasure a well-turned phrase have dozens of zingers careening around in their brain, but on their restricted path, they can’t use any of them. I was particularly inspired by some of late-night-TV comedian Samantha Bee’s bon mots. (She has her own TBS show, Full Frontal.)
Because I’m on that high road, I can’t tell you who her target was. You’ll just have to guess. Remember: I’m not saying these things. “People” are saying them. OK. Not “people;” Samantha Bee, according to Time. Here are three of her more imaginative aphorisms: “tangerine-tinted trash-can fire,” “screaming carrot demon” and “America’s burst appendix.” Speaking of bursting, my brain is about to explode. It’s so full of colorful descriptions I’d love to hurl at people, all of whom shall remain nameless. It’s a cruel world. And it’s even crueler up here on that high road. Copyright 2016 Business Theatre Unlimited Elaine M. Decker’s books—Retirement Sparks Redux, Retirement Sparks Again, Retirement Sparks and CANCER: A Coping Guide—are available at SPECTRUM-INDIA, on the East Side of Providence and on Amazon.com, including Kindle editions. One of her essays appears in the anthology: 70 Things To Do When You Turn 70. Contact her at: emdecker@ix.netcom.com.
REMEMBER – FROM PAGE 9 It’s hard to feel sorry for a guy who has worked so hard on preserving the stories of deserving. In fact, you have to envy him when you read about his adventures. Gray’s film travels have taken him to Guadalcanal, Corregidor, Bataan, Manila, the Philippines, the Solomon Islands, the Russell Islands, Banika, Pearl Harbor, Normandy, France (11 times), Holland, Belgium, Luxembourg (twice), Poland, the Czech Republic, and Germany (twice). Before getting behind the camera, Gray worked in television sports and news for over 15 years in several states, including Michigan, Washington State, Florida, New York, and Rhode Island. He was with Channel 10 from 2000 to 2004. He has a journalism degree from the University of Rhode Island. Gray may worry about getting to everybody who has a story before they’re gone, but he thinks he’s got enough material to keep him busy for a long, long time. “Since we started this in 2006, we have done well over 300 interviews, many of which haven’t seen the light of day,” said Gray, meaning himself and Jim Karpeichek, his photographer and fellow Channel 10 veteran. “So we’ve got plenty to work with.” “Remember Pearl Harbor” is an 84-minute documentary narrated by Hollywood icon Tom Selleck. The film will make its official premiere on Sunday, Dec. 4 at Pearl Harbor as part of the official 75th anniversary ceremonies in Hawaii, then air on more than 110 PBS stations nationally. Ticket sales benefit the World War II Foundation. “While we are recognizing the veterans of World War II specifically and marking the date of America’s entry into WWII, this is an event to say thank you to all veterans who have served,” Gray said. “They are a special group of people.” Gray said his was the first film allowed to fly a drone over the Arizona. He said you can clearly see the front and rear of the ship, and you can see the oil slick that has been slowly leaking from it for the last 75 years. The slick poses a problem for its caretakers, the tanks are getting older and eventually, all that oil will have to go somewhere. Not as easily dealt with as you may think. People are reluctant to disturb the ship. You have to remember that it is also the resting place for 1,100 sailors. Remember Pearl Harbor. Sneak Peek showing at Veterans Memorial Auditorium on Sunday, November 13 in recognition of all Rhode Islanders who have served. Tickets are free for all Veterans and current military personnel with proper ID, and must be claimed in person. Ticket are $13 for civilians and the funds benefit the mission of the 501c3 World War II Foundation. PrimeTime | 17
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