Issuu

JANUARY 2017

Vol. 31

No. 1

Mesa County’s Monthly Newspaper for Adults 50+. Over 28,350 Readers.

Health Wellness WINTER 2017

FREE INS IDE

Mind, body and spirit: How to make resolutions for optimal wellness

Your Guide to Health & Wellness

Visit us on the web at www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

HOLLYWOOD STUNTMAN

A rough and tumble day at the office

Photo by Melissa Trottier

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Look what you did. Gabriele and countless other cancer survivors list you amongst their friends. Your generous donations to St. Maryâ€™s Hospital Foundation fund Survivorship classes like yoga and painting, giving cancer patients and their families more motivation to fight. Read her story at facebook.com/StMarysHospitalFoundation

JANUARY 2017

EDITORIAL

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Big data + big brother = bad ads By Kevin K. VanGundy

t seems like just yesterday when local grocers implemented “member savings” programs. Give the stores your personal information, swipe your “loyalty card” at the cash register and savings will rain down upon you like manna from heaven. Let’s not kid each other—we all knew that it was just another clever marketing scheme to get into our wallets. The promised upside was that the more the merchant knew about us, the better they could serve us.

What went wrong? Our local grocer has kept a complete list of every tube of toothpaste, each Roma tomato and all the cold cereals I have bought since the mid 90s. Faithfully, every quarter, they send me personalized coupons to entice me to buy more stuff at their store. At first glance it seems brilliant. Just ask my wife how much I like coupons. Unfortunately, despite the terabyte of data they have in the cloud that’s devoted to my personal shopping habits, they rarely send me a coupon that I will use. Shouldn’t they know by now that I won’t buy Enfamil? After all, our youngest is 18. And no 55-cent coupon is going to change my dislike of Cheetos. How many bad ads will they keep sending?

An unholy alliance Individual company loyalty programs are small-time cons when compared to the massive data collection efforts being made on the World

The

Wide Web. Big brother is collecting big data on every click you make. While I’m sure that nothing good will come from this in the long run, you’d at least like to think that all of this information about you would make these social media experts, ad-serving asses and mass misinformation news outlets give you ads that you’re inclined to respond to, but no! You and I are bombarded with more garbage advertising than ever, and while yesteryear’s junk mail may have consumed a few trees, today’s electronic onslaught consumes a far more precious resource: your time.

A new hope in old media As the publisher of the BEACON Senior Newspaper I can promise you that, unlike those annoying ads on the web, none of our ads in this paper will jump out and assault your senses. Because our ads are not virtually free, they will be limited to those merchants who have something important to say and value your attention. And unlike big brother, we keep no record of who you are or what you do with the information in this paper. I respect your privacy, but am always keen to meet our readers. So the next time you see me out and about please stop and say, “hello.” P.S. Also unlike our web competitors, we will never harangue you for money. However, if you value our service to you, please keep our wonderful advertisers in mind the next time you need their products or services. ■

Your guide to aging well in Mesa, Montrose & Delta Counties

Guide

Get your FREE copy! Call 243-8829

Happy New Year from Brown & Brown, P.C.

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Trump’s Tax Plan? Facebook? End-of-Life Options Act? What you need to know about 2016 law changes that might affect you in 2017! v Montrose: January 9th, 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. v Grand Junction: January 11th, 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. v Delta: January 16th, 4:30 - 5:30 p.m.

Don’t miss this new program for the month of January! 2016 is behind us and to kick off the new year, join us at this free workshop to learn about the happenings and how they might impact you in 2017 and beyond. We will discuss: s The President-elect, Donald Trump’s estate tax plan and how it may impact you s Colorado End-of-Life Options Act (aka Proposition 106 which was recently passed) s Decanting of an irrevocable trust (sounds boring, but this really is a big deal!) s Digital Assets - what happens to your social media accounts when you die? Registration is Required for Workshops: Grand Junction office - 1250 E. Sherwood Dr. Montrose - Region 10 Area Agency on Aging, 300 N. Cascade Delta - 1501 E. 3rd St., Mesa Lakes room (Oncology Center) at Delta Hospital. Sign up by calling (970) 243-8250 or on our website: www.brownandbrownpc.com

Phone: (970) 243-8250 Baird B. Brown

1250 E. Sherwood Drive, Grand Junction, CO 81501 1825 East Main Street, Suite C, Montrose, CO 81401

Clara Brown Shaffer

Shauna C. Clemmer

COVER STORY

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JANUARY 2017

A rough and tumble day at the office:

Hollywood stuntman retires in Grand Junction By Amanda Arnold & Cloie Sandlin

magine getting tossed around, thrown off of buildings, set on fire and dangled from a helicopter. What about standing on top of the Golden Gate Bridge? While these activities definitely sound terrifying, for Michael Runyard they are all part of a rewarding career as a Hollywood stuntman. For almost 40 years, Runyard, 64, has found himself in the most interesting and daring predicaments on the silver screen. Some of his daredevil credits include “The Dukes

of Hazard” (2005), “Basic Instinct” (1992), “The Fast and the Furious” (2001), “Iron Man” (2008) and “The Lone Ranger” (2013). In addition to working as a stuntman, he has also worked as a stunt coordinator in several films, including “Fight Club” (1999) and “Twister” (1996).

A daredevil history

Runyard was involved in his first project as a kid—a bicycle safety film that was much more tame than his later work. He went on to race motocross, winning championships in Canada and the U.S., so he had a growing reputation for his motorcycle skills, which is what paved Runyard at the Daytona his way to the silver screen. Supercross, 1974 Not knowing what to do next after retiring from motocross in his mid 20s, Runyard got a job building sets at Universal Studios. His dad made him a carpenter box, decorated with motocross

photos, which Runyard would pull from stage to stage. Soon, those photos caught the attention of some stunt coordinators and directors. “My first job on a movie was ‘Gone in 60 Seconds’—the first one—doing bike work,” he said. With his motocross background, the bruising, bangem-up car scenes have always been a good fit for Runyard. One scene in “Basic Instinct” required him to do a car hit three times because he broke the windshield on the first two takes. Before the third take, the stunt coordinator asked him if he had another one in him. Though he was starting to swell up, he agreed to one more. “It doesn’t matter where you put the pad or how many pads you put on, when you do something like that, you’re going to get it,” he said. The crew reinforced the windshield with hard plastic for the third take. “I didn’t break the wind-

shield, but the only problem is when I hit it, I bounced,” he said. Some of the scenes Runyard’s been in stop audience’s hearts, but he has managed to stay out of harm’s way for the most part. He has only sustained two injuries on the job. He broke his femur laying down a bike in “The Fast and the Furious” and he got burned in a fire scene in another movie. “I got burned pretty bad—no scars or anything, but I was in the Sherman Oaks Burn Ward for two weeks. But those are the only two times,” he said nonchalantly. “But for 39 years, that’s not bad.”

LEFT: Michael Runyard has had a fascinating career as a Hollywood stuntman, working with acclaimed actors such as Sean Connery in his last Bond film “Never Say Never Again” (1983). Photos courtesy of Michael Runyard.

Runyard did stunts on “The Dukes of Hazzard” (2005)

With a background in motocross, Runyard specialized in motorcycle stunts but he has done just about everything “from high falls to being set on fire.” Photo from “Megaforce” (1982)

JANUARY 2017

COVER STORY

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

According to Runyard, his career choice didn’t concern his wife Barbara too much, as they met in 1971 while he was still doing motocross. “She knew what I was doing when I met her so it wasn’t that big of a change going from motorcycles to stunt work,” he said. Since then, Runyard has done just about everything from high falls to being set on fire.

The high fall and body doubles While he isn’t exactly afraid of heights, Runyard said that free-fall stunts are sometimes challenging. “I’ve always been comfortable with the high work, as long as I was attached to something,” he said. But in the movie “Birdy” (1984), he served as Matthew Modine’s stunt double in a 90-foot free-fall from a tower in San Francisco. “I had to do it three times because the director was shooting with one camera and wanted three different angles,” he said. As a double for Michael Douglas in “Falling Down” (1993), Runyard had to fall 30 feet into the ocean. If he didn’t land just right, it would have to be shot again. Runyard has many stories about the actors, directors and other professionals he’s worked with over the years. His favorite movies to work on were three James Bond movies. He remembered doubling for Roger Moore in the fight scene between James Bond and Max Zorin on top of

the Golden Gate Bridge in “A View to a Kill” (1985). He also did stunts in “Octopussy” (1983) and was a stunt double for Sean Connery in “Never Say Never Again” (1983). “The best one I did was ‘Never Say Never Again’ because it was Sean’s last movie as a Bond and I watched him and all his Bond movies when I was a kid,” he said. “It was way cool.” Runyard said that Sean would have 27 stunt doubles on one movie, and he doubled him on all the bike stunts. Though he’s been a stunt double for many actors, including Harrison Ford and George Clooney, Runyard found the most pleasure in serving as Michael Douglas’ stunt double for 26 years, in almost all of his films, starting with “Black Rain” in 1988. “We hit it off good so I doubled him ever since,” Runyard said. In fact, Runyard was such a good double that the two have been mistaken for each other while on and off the set. “Working with Michael is such a pleasure because he shares and invites you into his character, and really makes you feel part of the movie that you are working on together,” he said. Runyard recalled fond memories from when he and Douglas were shooting a sequence at a golf course for “Falling Down.” “Between setups and during lunch, we would go play [golf] until they called us on the radio,” he said. “Then we would go back to work. Things

like that are memorable beyond words.” To this day, they are good friends and golf buddies.

Retirement life When the crowds became too much for them in California, the Runyards followed some friends in retiring to Grand Junction in 2014. But Runyard hasn’t fully retired, having appeared in movies as recent as “Ant-Man” (2015) and “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” (2016). “I still work,” he said, “not a lot, but if they call, I’m there.” One of his favorite pastimes is riding the Harley he bought after “Sunset Beat,” a 1990 TV series starring George Clooney, wasn’t picked up and the bikes went up for sale. “I bought one and put maybe 8,000 miles on it in all those years,” he said. “I’ve put more miles on it here.” With the Colorado National Monument right outside his door, Runyard rides his Harley over Rim Rock Drive on a regular basis—sometimes three times a day during the warmer months. He’s still in awe over the career he’s had. “I feel lucky,” he said. “Most of the stuff you want to do as a kid, you end up doing something else. I wanted to race motorcycles, so I did that for quite a long time. I just got lucky finding something else I like to do and I still got to ride my bike.” ■

National & Regional Award-Winning Publication Publisher ..............................Kevin K. VanGundy Founding Publisher....................... Susan Capps Editor............................................. Cloie Sandlin Editorial Assistant................ Stephanie Summar Creative Director........................Melissa Trottier Graphic Design.............................. Karen Jones Digital Media Manager............. Paige Slaughter Account Representative................... Sue Bowen Account Representative................ Sidney Jayne Office/Sales Assistant..................Stacey Splude Proofreader...................................... Jan Weeks Delivery...........................................Cora Gentry Delivery ................................. Lauren VanGundy Delivery...............................................JR Milner

P.O. Box 3895, Grand Junction, CO 81502 ph: 970.243.8829 fax: 800.536.7516 Website: www.BeaconSeniorNews.com E-mail: Beacon@PendantPublishing.com

The BEACON is published at the beginning of the month. Our goal is to inform and inspire the 50+ community in Mesa, Delta and Montrose counties. Publication of advertising does not necessarily constitute endorsement. Columns are opinions of the writers, not necessarily the opinion of the publisher. Display advertising rates are available upon request. Deadline for advertising and announcements is the 20th of the month preceding publication. © Copyright 2017 • All Rights Reserved

Cover Photo: Michael Runyard sits

Michael Runyard, left, and Michael Douglas, right, on the set of “Black Rain” (1988).

Runyard was Michael Douglas’ stunt double for 26 years. Here is Douglas, left, and Runyard, right, on the set of “Ant-Man” (2015).

atop the Harley he bought from a 1990 TV series that starred George Clooney after it went bust. He rides it over the Colorado National Monument regularly in the warmer months.

FEATURE STORY

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JANUARY 2017

Along for the ride: Inside the world of classic car fanatics Story & Photos by Kathy Applebee

oes hitting the road for a pleasure cruise bring back fond memories? Do songs like “Get Outta My Dreams, Get into My Car,” “Mustang Sally,” “Little Red Corvette,” or “Little Deuce Coupe” make you smile and itch to get behind the wheel? If so, you may be one of a vanishing breed—the American car lover. One hundred years ago, the horseless carriage was viewed with skepticism and had to fight for its place on the streets, much like the driverless cars of 2016. Many people thought an “auto-mobile” was a bad idea. But as suburbs sprang up and manufacturing began to bring the cost down, the car found its place not only on the roads, highways and byways, but in our hearts as well. A few take their love affair seriously, composing ballads that hit the airwaves or professing their adoration

by spending hundreds or even thousands of dollars and hours on end in the garage restoring classic cars. One such car enthusiast is Ron Pene. Ever since high school, Pene dreamed about owning a 1929 Ford Model A five-window coupe. When he found one, he scooped it up, added a ’65 Chevy motor, a late 1970s Corvette 200R transmission and a Mustang rear end. “It can do 80 mph on the interstate but if I want 26 miles per gallon, I have to slow down to 70 to 75 mph,” he boasted with the grin of a proud papa. Pene shows off the Model A at car shows from Grand Junction to Utah. His car show buddy, Ron Applebee, has a similar story. “Back in 1961, when I was working in an auto parts store in Moab, Utah, I knew all the auto repair people in town,” Applebee said.

Butch Norris shows off his 1965 Shelby Cobra that he worked on with his grandson, adding the suspension, a Coyote Mustang motor and painting it Jaguar blue.

Over four decades after Ron Applebee gave up his dream car—a 1958 Chevrolet Impala—he and his wife Delphine bought another, resto ring it to its former glory.

He readily agreed to trade his 1955 Dodge Custom Royal Lancer with a new paint job for a 1958 Chevrolet Impala. With a little more trading, he got a tri-power setup for the engine. But the Vietnam War separated him from his dream car. Assigned to a submarine that spent months under the sea, he had his parents sell the Impala. “I regretted that decision and wished I’d never sold it,” said Applebee. More than four decades later, Applebee found a black Chevrolet

Impala with the same tri-power setup and had it trucked from Florida to Grand Junction. It took years—not to mention blood, sweat and tears—to restore. “I had to repair the lousy brakes, the master cylinder, add a new vacuum booster, brake lines and hoses and about three gallons of brake fluid,” he said. In addition, he needed to rebuild the front and rear end and various motors. He replaced springs, shocks, lights, the steering, suspension and a heavy transmission. It runs well now,

Ron Applebee, left, checks out Ron Pene’s, right, 1929 Ford Model A five-window coupe at the Fuoco Motor Co. Downtown Car Show in September.

JANUARY 2017

Applebee said. His wife, Delphine, enjoys car shows as much as her husband, but for an entirely different reason. “I get to take my time and shop in a lot of different stores while Ron talks cars,” she said. Other women, like Debbie Norris, are more involved. She and her husband, Butch, who are both retired from the Colorado Department of Transportation, bought a red 1965 Shelby Cobra frame in 2015. “I always wanted one,” said Debbie. “I knew Butch could convert a rust bucket to a dream. He has vision.” Working side by side with his grandson, Sean, Butch added the suspension, a Coyote Mustang motor and did body prep before painting it a Jaguar blue with darker trim. Then they went to work on a Bronco.

Sean, now a 20-year-old Army Ranger, will inherit the restored Bronco and Shelby. Three different restored vehicles will go to the couple’s other children. After many late nights in the garage, Butch took Debbie for the Shelby’s first spin. Mid-drive, the hood flew off and landed in a field. “It can do 90 mph in third gear,” Butch said. “It’s got a lot of juice.” When collectors aren’t fixing their cars, showing them off or breaking the speed limit with them, they prowl cyberspace looking for their next project. It’s a safe bet that even if most of us are being chauffeured in driverless cars 20 years from now, vehicles will continue to be adored by these aficionados. ■

Mesquite Motor Mania:

The car enthusiast’s nirvana

FEATURE STORY

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

ngines will roar as automobile fans fire them up for the ninth annual Mesquite Motor Mania on Friday, January 13 through Sunday, January 15. Over 700 vehicles and thousands of spectators will be in attendance, as the car show features all years, makes and models of classic and vintage vehicles, trucks, hot rods, street rods and customs. Also a fierce competition, the event awards participants over 260 top vehicle trophies and $15,000 in cash prizes. Visitors will have a front row seat to the action, witnessing live competitions like “Roaring Engines” and “Slow Drags & Burn Outs.” Admission is free to the public and guests can view the “show and shines” at the following sponsor properties: CasaBlanca Resort & Casino, Eureka Casino Resort, Oasis Resort and the Virgin River Hotel. Mesquite Motor Mania takes place at CasaBlanca Resort & Casino, 950 W. Mesquite Blvd. Throughout the weekend, visitors can enjoy live entertainment and specials. For complete details, visit www.mesquitecarshows.com.

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The Truth About REVERSE MORTGAGES Yes, it is a big decision, and it’s not for everyone, but it might be right for you! • You own your home – not the bank! • Live in your home for as long as you choose free of monthly mortgage payments (borrower must remain current on property taxes, homeowner’s insurance and HOA dues)! • Heirs inherit all remaining equity!!

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JANUARY 2017

Val Begalle NMLS #267890

Reverse Mortgage Specialist

970-210-5610 direct vbegalle@ccmclending.com 2560 Patterson Road Grand Junction, CO 81505

Copyright© 2016 Cherry Creek Mortgage Co., Inc., NMLS #3001. This material is not from HUD or FHA and the document is not approved by the Department of HUD or any Government Agency. HUD does not approve the material presented. Cherry Creek Mortgage Company, is not endorsed by nor acting on behalf of or at the direction of the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Federal Housing Administration, the US Department of Agriculture or the Federal Government. To check the license status of your mortgage broker, visit www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org.

Roasted Red Pepper Soup Recipe courtesy of Rebecca Sherrow at www.peanutfreegourmet.com

Ingredients: 2 red bell peppers 1 Tbsp olive oil ½ large yellow onion, diced 2 large organic carrots, peeled and diced

1 small red potato, thinly sliced 3 cups chicken or vegetable broth 1 sprig of fresh thyme a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes salt and pepper to taste

1 large clove of garlic, diced

Instructions: Place your top oven rack near your broiler and line the bottom rack with foil. (The peppers will drip). Wash the peppers and place them directly on the top rack. Turn the broiler on high. Broil the peppers until the skin is charred and black, carefully turning them so they brown evenly. When the peppers are completely charred, place them in a bowl with a tight-fitting lid or cover tightly with plastic wrap. Let sit until cool enough to handle—about half an hour. Heat the oil in a soup pot and sauté the onions and carrots slowly over low heat while you work with the peppers. Carefully cut the peppers into quarters to remove the seeds, then peel off the charred skin. (It should come off very easily after sitting in the bowl for half an hour.) Slice the peeled peppers and add them to the pot, along with the garlic and potatoes. Season with salt and pepper and saute for 5 to 6 more minutes. Add the thyme sprig, red pepper and the stock, and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes until the potatoes and carrots are very tender. Remove the thyme sprig. Run the soup through the medium blade of the food mill or puree in the blender until almost smooth. Taste for seasoning and serve as is, or with a dollop of creme fraiche.

JANUARY 2017

ASK THE OLD BAG

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ASK THE OLD BAG

Retirement living with the emphasis on living

Advice Column for the Over 50 Crowd By Gayle Lagman-Creswick Dear Old Bag: I want to know if you think it is possible for two people to fall in love online. I have been interacting with a fellow for months. We developed a good friendship and then things gradually changed to romance. He lives in another state and wants us to meet. I have not told my kids about this (they are all married). First of all, do you think it’s possible to fall in love this way? Second, if you do think it’s possible, what do I do now? Signed, In a Dither Dear Dither: If you had asked me a month ago, I would have been skeptical. However, recently my best lifetime friend fell in love online. She just went to meet him and his family in his city. They are in love! Anything is possible. What should you do? I say invite him to your city with your family present, if he is willing and your kids are supportive. That is the safe thing to do. I have an acquaintance who met a man online. When he came to see her, the magic was gone. So don’t set your expectations too high, be safe and good luck. OB Dear Old Bag: My wife and I are 66, both retired and also tired of keeping up this big house and yard. We would like to be freed up to travel and to learn new things that we didn’t have time for when we were young and employed. We have chosen an independent, active retirement community with all levels of care in the eventuality that one or both of us may need it. We told the kids this weekend, and they hit the roof. In fact, they were shocked that we were thinking of this. What do we do now? Signed, LC Dear LC: I think your kids were shocked for several reasons. They think of retirement communities as “end of the line,” because most have never visited one. If they could see

they are like fine resorts, they would change their minds. Another reason is that our kids don’t see us aging, so they are likely surprised that you would do such a thing. Another reason is that kids do not like to say goodbye to the family home. They can’t imagine family gatherings in a retirement community. I suggest you take them all on a tour of the place you have chosen. I think they will get used to the idea. If they balk at the idea, ask them which one of them is willing to take you in when you need care. I always advocate for parents to do their own thing if they cannot bring the kids around. By the way, I like your thinking. And it’s true, you will be free for traveling and taking up new hobbies and securing your future. OB Dear Old Bag: My father is in a nursing home. He was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in his late 50s. Two years ago he stopped eating and we approved putting in a feeding tube. He is now in a vegetative state, but he is getting such good care and nutrition, I can see this going on indefinitely. What do we do now? Signed, Regretful Son Dear Son: Hindsight is 20/20. I am not going to ask you what you were thinking when you approved the feeding tube. I am sure you felt it was the kind thing to do. That would have been the time to put him in hospice. And where was his living will? Mine states clearly that if I am in a vegetative state I do not want a feeding tube or any other means to extend my life. It is a lesson for all. Get your wishes made legal. Get this poor man in hospice care. My prayers are with you. OB ■

Send your questions to the Old Bag in care of the BEACON, or email lagmancreswick@cox.net

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JANUARY 2017

The secret to keeping New Year’s resolutions By Michael Murphy

t seems that when most people make their New Year’s resolutions they commit the common error of choosing things that are just too darn hard to do. For example, last year one of the top resolutions was to exercise more. Based on the number of treadmills and stationary exercise bikes that I saw at garage sales this past summer, I’d say that resolution didn’t work out so well for a lot of folks. And how about that perennial favorite resolution of promising to watch our weight? I’m sure that most of us do not have any difficulty “watching” our weight. I can do that while lying back in my recliner right after devouring a pint of Ben and Jerry’s Chubby Hubby ice cream and gazing at my belly as it expands before my very eyes. But losing weight? That’s a whole ‘nother thing. Relieving one’s stress during the upcoming year is also high on resolution lists. So why make resolutions that will no doubt increase one’s stress? My solution is to simply make resolutions that are either extremely easy to keep or that are so bad for me that I’m better off breaking them as soon as possible. Makes for a win-win situation. Here’s an example of how my strategy works. Many people vow to quit smoking during the new year. This is a very difficult resolution to keep, so I take the opposite track and resolve to start smoking, which is really easy to do. But it’s not good for me and it’s very expensive so I’ll have one cigarette, then vow to quit smoking. That way I knock off two resolutions in about five minutes.

Let me share some of my other resolutions: • I resolve that by the end of 2017 I will have less hair on my head and more hair on my nose and ears. I have made this resolution for at least the last 10 years and have carried it out faithfully each year.

• I will spend less time watching television by falling asleep in front of the TV even sooner than I did last year. • For health reasons, during the new year I will only drink beer on Saturday nights. Oh, and Friday nights, too, if something special is going on, like some sort of rare natural phenomena, such as a sunset. Most likely I’ll have to drink beer on Thursday nights since there’s always the possibility that Friday may be canceled due to the fact that TGIF violates church/state separation. I swear that I will not touch beer on Wednesdays unless my wife needs the room in the fridge. No beer on Tuesdays, unless it’s gluten-free. I’m not sure what gluten is, but it sounds unhealthy. On Mondays, beer only if football, or baseball, or basketball is on TV, so no beer during curling season. That leaves Sunday, a day of rest, except I may need a beer Sunday evening to recover from all that resting. • I resolve to start using my credit card more often when shopping. This is mainly because credit cards have helped to reduce unemployment—there are thousands of hard-working people dedicated to stealing credit card numbers. Recently my credit card company notified me that I had charged 50 cents to a Mexican catering company. My memory isn’t quite as sharp as it used to be, but I’m pretty sure I’d remember hosting a party in a place called Zihuatanejo and ordering one pint of refried beans for my guests to share. The percentage of people over age 50 who achieve their resolution each year is the lowest of any age group, at 14 percent. That’s probably because, if they’re anything like me, they forgot to write their resolution down. And if they did, they forgot where they put the piece of paper. ■

JANUARY 2017

HEALTH & WELLNESS 11

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Your blood sugar numbers don’t matter much Dear Pharmacist, By Suzy Cohen, RPH

hen you think of diabetes, the possibility of complications affecting your eyes, heart and kidney come to mind. But you never really think of your lungs having problems as a result of blood sugar abnormalities. Diabetes (diagnosed or not) spawns a ton of oxidative stress throughout your body. Lung tissue gets affected by poor blood sugar deregulation and all the free radicals killing the innocent cells. Lung tissue has an extensive network of blood vessels, and the tiniest ones are called capillaries. Capillaries allow blood cells carrying oxygen to march through their vessel walls slowly, only one cell at a time, like soldiers marching one by one behind each other. Capillaries are the most fragile blood vessel because they are so thin. Your lungs are also made up of large amounts of connective tissue. Capillaries get destroyed when excessive glucose molecules attach to them and cause stiffening. A lot of inflammatory cytokines form, too. The same occurs in your eyes, heart, kidneys and nerves— that’s why diabetic complications occur. This leads to swelling and scar tissue, which builds up in the air pockets and airways of your lung tissue. The capillary tissues fill up with inflammatory cells and fibrin. This process depletes your antioxidants like glutathione and superoxide dismutase, an enzyme in your body that neutralizes dangerous free radicals. It gets harder to breathe, you’re tired and you develop shortness of breath with little or no exertion. So you forget about exercising. But now your new sedentary state causes weight gain, which taxes your heart, increasing cardiovascular complications from diabetes. There’s good news, though—this

process can apparently be addressed, if only partially. In a July 2015 study, researchers tested the lung health of type 2 diabetic rodents, demonstrating that if they gave the critters some chromium, zinc and leucine, the animals’ lung health improved significantly. They tried the nutrients separately and in combination. In all scenarios, the antioxidant status improved and lung inflammation reduced. In some cases it diminished entirely. Chromium, zinc and leucine didn’t just reduce blood sugar, they also protect those fragile capillaries and connective tissue from the cytokine storm, while improving antioxidant status. In other words, nutrients that reduce complications of diabetes are as important as those that reduce blood sugar. In November 2015, new research focused on type 1 diabetes and mineral status. Scientists measured blood levels of chromium, zinc and magnesium and they were reduced in all participants. In fact, the most poorly controlled diabetics seemed to have the worst deficiencies. The research confirms that chromium, zinc and magnesium may be useful for people seeking to reduce complications. So many people are focused on the blood sugar number, and only judge their success by the numbers shown on the glucose machine. It’s more important to focus on capillaries, connective tissue and inflammation chemicals. We know certain herbs and minerals support healthy nerves, capillaries, eyes, kidneys and airways. If you’re taking a supplement but not seeing the numbers go down, it may still be working. You’d never even realize it if you’re just evaluating your progress with a blood glucose machine. ■

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JANUARY 2017

BEACON Senior Newspaper wins national awards By Cloie Sandlin

hristmas comes early every year for the BEACON staff when our publisher, Kevin VanGundy, returns from the annual North American Mature Publishers Association (NAMPA) convention. This year’s convention took place in Denver. Aside from seeing the sights with other senior publishers from across the country, a highlight of the convention is the awards banquet, where senior publications big and small vie for top honors in a variety of categories. Publications are independently judged on the quality of their written content, editing, design, photography, web content and more by the prestigious Missouri School of Journalism. The best are then commended for their efforts with awards. This year, your BEACON Senior Newspaper and its staff were nominated in the following categories:

General Excellence

• “Moments make the journey: Jane Johnson summits Kilimanjaro” by Melanie Wiseman (October 2015) • “Mother and daughter build bonds hiking Colorado Trail” by Melanie Wiseman (January 2016) • “Peru: Expect the unexpected” by Melanie Wiseman (March 2016) • “The question of golf” by Dan Ryan (May 2016)

• Senior Summer Traveler & Festivals (June 2016) • Winter Health & Wellness (January 2016)

Best Ad/Self-promotion (in house) • “50,000 BEACON fans can’t be wrong.” Design by Melissa Trottier.

Website General Excellence

• “Talking Digital” by Adam Cochran

• BEACON Senior Newspaper, Colorado

• “Sturgis or Bust” by Jan Weeks (October 2015) • “The Kennedy Detail: Korea vet and former USSS agent recounts moments surrounding JFK’s death” by Melanie Wiseman (November 2015) • “A positive outlook makes a world of difference” by Carrie Kellerby (May 2016) • “Life was cheap there” by Kevin VanGundy (November 2015)

Feature Writing • “It’s a dog’s life: an interview with Molly the Dog and her favorite human” by Jan Weeks (August 2015)

2nd Place: “Talking Digital” by Adam Cochran

1st Place: “Picture perfect: 12 tips for better photos” by Melanie Wiseman (July 2015)

Special Section

Column Review

Profile

How-to Feature

• “Final flight: B-17 pilot makes one last run” (November 2015). Photo by Melissa Trottier. • “Winter Health & Wellness” (January 2016). Photo by Melanie Wiseman.

Annual Senior Resource Guide

• “Picture perfect: 12 tips for better photos” by Melanie Wiseman (July 2015)

Column Review

Front Cover Photo

• BEACON Senior Newspaper, Colorado

How-to Feature

AND THE WINNERS ARE…

• 2016 BEACON Guide

Congratulations to you all! Putting together a BEACON isn’t easy. It takes novel ideas, creative design and photography, careful editing, intriguing and well-written stories, supportive advertisers, and a dedicated staff. I believe that the number and quality of the local articles we publish in the BEACON make us stand out at such competitions. Many of our award-winning stories about local people and local issues might never have been written if it weren’t for our wonderful, local writers. Thank you! But above all, the BEACON would not be where it is today if it weren’t for you, our readers. As always, thank you for reading the BEACON. ■

Special Section 2nd Place: “Summer Travel & Festivals” (June 2016) 3rd Place: “Winter Health & Wellness” (January 2016)

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Judy Collins promises to impress at the Avalon By Michael Murphy

inger-songwriter Judy Collins came to fame in the folk revival of the early ’60s and she’s still going strong. More than 50 years later, Collins is still loving her work and singing with as much soulful intimacy and beauty as ever. On February 3, “Judy Blue Eyes” will appear in Grand Junction, brought to the Avalon Theatre by Singer & Simpson Productions. Collins began her impressive music career at 13 as a classical piano prodigy. Her focus remained on the classics until the passion and sensitivity of folk revival music of Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger launched her lifelong love affair with the guitar and the pursuit of emotional truth in lyrics. Soon Collins began embracing the work of her contemporaries. Her 1966 release, “In My Life,” contained the song “Suzanne” by then-unknown Canadian poet and novelist Leonard Cohen. Her success with the song helped establish Cohen’s career as an award-winning singer-songwriter. Collins also helped launch the musical career of Joni Mitchell. Collins fell in love with Mitchell’s song, “Michael from Mountains,” and recorded a beautiful version of it on her album

“Wildflowers.” Another Joni Mitchell song, “Both Sides Now,” was featured on the flip side of the album. “Wildflowers” was entered into the 1967 Grammy Hall of Fame. In 1968, Collins won a Grammy for her hit single version of “Both Sides Now.” She also had a hit single with the a capella hymn “Amazing Grace” and Stephen Sondheim’s “Send in the Clowns,” which led to a Song of the Year Grammy in 1975. A true artist, Collins continues to create music that lights up the world and speaks to the heart. She was recently nominated for a 2017 Grammy. “It’s almost unheard of for a pop soprano in her 70s to surpass her younger self in stamina, precision of intonation and vocal command,” Stephen Holden wrote in the New York Times last November. “But that was what Judy Collins, 77, did at Thursday’s opening-night show of her latest engagement at Café Carlyle.” She’s sure to bring the house down at the Avalon Theatre. “An Evening with Judy Collins” will be held at 7:30 p.m. on February 3. Tickets are $39-$49. To purchase them, visit www.singerandsimpson.com or call 406-250-5527. ■

Courtesy photos

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Home Care Beyond the Expected

JANUARY 2017

Letting go of clutter, letting go of pain

And holding on to what really matters By Jan Weeks

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ast fall, I spent weeks getting my house and yard ready for winter. Since early June my to-do list had grown exponentially as more tasks came to my attention. I meant to whittle it down during July and August, but summer invites procrastination. Why waste cool mornings and golden evenings clearing clutter? But there’s always a price to be paid. Nature abhors a vacuum, so life overflows with things, events and people. Photos, gifts, souvenirs and chaos accumulate. Everyone seems to want a piece of our time. Where did our desire to accumulate come from? Some ancient gene from a time when survival depended on food and furs we stockpiled to last through the cold months? Or from the houses that used to come equipped with an attic and basement just begging to be filled with Christmas decorations, broken toys and outgrown clothes? Those spaces became obsolete after World War II, when returning GIs and their families wanted something more modern. Off-site storage units now hold all the things that used to stay home, and a lot of those things never see the light of day again. Thus we have TV programs like “Storage Wars” and “Auction Hunters.” Often the cost of storing possessions for years exceeds the cost of the items themselves. My husband, Rocky, a child of the Great Depression, died just over four years ago. Born without a left forearm, he made a career as a jazz pianist, hanging out with Bill Basie, playing with Bob Hope’s USO troupe overseas, jamming with Jay McShann and starring at clubs around the country. He hated to give up anything he’d accumulated, whether

he’d paid for it or someone special had gifted him with it. Trying to get him to part with a threadbare bedspread that a buddy had given him 40 years earlier was like trying to get him to part with his firstborn. When the pain of losing him dulled, I gave away clothes, old furniture and pictures of his first wife’s grandparents. Still I kept much more than I disposed of, needing to hang on to him. As time passed, I cleaned a closet here, a cupboard there, purging out-of-date paperwork and mismatched silverware, whittling down duplicate tools, tossing used engine gaskets he’d saved “just in case.” I barely made a dent in what he’d accumulated over a long, full life. Guilt, nostalgia and plain old exhaustion keep us hanging onto the tea set a child won at a carnival booth in 1953, the 1962 Kentucky Derby program, bank statements from institutions long gone and ancient power saws that can’t be repaired. How can we get rid of Aunt Martha’s ugly china we inherited? Or the thousands of pictures that recorded our children’s birthday parties and school plays—in duplicate? Will the IRS track us down if we shred 20-year-old bank statements? Yet too much stuff wears us out. Disorder is the bane of clear thinking. Constantly moving things from place to place without making progress drains precious mental and emotional energy. How do you know when it’s time to finally take action? When you can’t find one more surface to pile things on. When you buy duplicates of things you know you have because you can’t find what you bought last year. When you can’t remember why you purchased that dress that makes you look like an overripe cucumber or that bright pink lipstick that turns

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which had become a repository for everything I was too tired to deal with. I sorted and pitched hundreds of cassette tapes, DVDs, pictures in nice frames, dress patterns (mine, not Rocky’s!) and more. After all, who needs four automatic card shufflers? Or condolence cards left from his first wife’s passing? I kept a color 8-by-10 photo of Rocky and Count Basie living it up. I organized the music and movies we both loved, but gave away the oneand-done DVDs. I’ve kept our most precious things, the intangibles—the memories of grilling on the deck and playing dominoes at the picnic table; our musical evenings sitting at the piano, him playing and singing and me harmonizing; camping with our great-nephew and playing endless games of Uncle Wiggily; road trips to California, Kansas, Wisconsin and Montana. Memories come clearly, easily and take up no space except where it really matters: in the heart. ■

you into an anemic clown. When every nook and cranny overflows. And when you’re ready to move on. Life is based on the law of circulation. If you want to change your life, clean out your closets. When anything—water or life—stagnates, it stops moving, changing and growing. It begins to smell bad, literally and figuratively. After almost four years, Rocky still lived in my memory but his things were overwhelming me. I didn’t want to forget him, but I didn’t want to stay stuck in a dead relationship. So I cleaned out the shed, stuffed with things that hadn’t seen the light of day in more than 30 years—things I didn’t recognize, broken furniture, half-used quarts of oil that wouldn’t work in any mower or vehicle, rusted hoes and old spark plugs. Then I tackled his workbench in the garage. Five hours later I had organized the tools and filled a box for Habitat for Humanity, as well as several boxes destined for the dump. Next I went after the armoire,

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LAUGHING MATTERS

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LAUGHING MATTERS An affair to remember Submitted by Larry Church

Jake was dying. His wife sat at the bedside. He looked up and said weakly, “I have something I must confess.” “There’s no need,” his wife replied. “No,” he insisted. “I want to die in peace. I slept with your sister, your best friend, her best friend and your mother!” “I know,” she replied. “Now just rest and let the poison work.”

An invaluable lesson Submitted by Don Forsman

First-year veterinary school students were receiving their first anatomy class. They all gathered around a surgery table with the body of a dead cow covered by a white sheet.

The professor started the class by telling them, “As a veterinarian, it is necessary to have two important qualities as a doctor: The first is that you must not be disgusted by anything involving the animal body.” The professor pulled back the sheet, stuck his finger in the cow’s butt, then withdrew it and stuck his finger in his mouth. “Now you do the same thing,” he told his students. The students hesitated, but eventually took turns sticking a finger in the butt of the dead cow and sucking on it. When everyone finished, the professor said, “The second most important quality is observation. I stuck in my middle finger and sucked on my index finger. Now learn to pay attention. Life’s tough, but it’s even tougher if you’re stupid.”

Blondes at work Submitted by Janette Kowalski

Two blonde girls were working for the city public works department. One would dig a hole and the other would follow behind her and fill the hole in. They worked up one side of the street, then down the other. Then they moved on to the next street, working furiously all day without rest, one girl digging a hole, the other girl filling it in again. An onlooker asked the hole digger, “I’m impressed by the effort you two are putting into your work, but I don’t get it. Why dig a hole, only to have your partner fill it up again?” The hole digger wiped her brow and sighed, “Well, I suppose it probably looks odd because we’re normally a three-person team. But today the girl who plants the trees called in sick.”

JANUARY 2017

A church noise Submitted by Rick Manchester

An elderly couple is attending a church service. About halfway through, the woman writes a note and hands it to her husband. It says, “I just let out a silent fart, what do you think I should do?” He scribbles back, “Put a new battery in your hearing aid.”

Exercise for people over 50 Submitted by Gary Palmer

Begin by standing on a comfortable surface, where you have plenty of room at each side. With a five-pound potato bag in each hand, extend your arms straight out from your sides and hold them there as long as you can. Try to do that for a full minute and then relax. Each day you’ll find that you can hold this position for just a bit longer. After a couple of weeks, move up to 10-pound potato bags. Then try 50-pound potato bags, and then eventually try to lift a 100-pound potato bag in each hand

JANUARY 2017

LAUGHING MATTERS 17

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

and hold your arms straight for more than a full minute.

The farmer said, “Okay, but don’t go in that field over there.”

After you feel confident at that level, put a potato in each bag.

The sheriff verbally exploded, saying, “Mister, I have the authority of the sheriff’s department with me!”

Doing great Submitted by Travis Palo

Morris, an 82-year-old man, went to the doctor to get a physical. A few days later, the doctor saw Morris walking happily down the street with a gorgeous young woman on his arm. The doctor said to Morris, “You’re really doing great, aren’t you?” Morris replied, “Just doing what you said, Doc: ‘Get a hot mamma and be cheerful.’” The doctor said, “I didn’t say that. I said, ‘You’ve got a heart murmur; be careful.’”

Driving Submitted by Lori Palma

As a senior citizen was driving down the freeway, his cell phone rang.

Removing his badge from his pocket, the officer proudly displayed it to the farmer. “See this badge? This badge means I am allowed to go wherever I wish on any land. No questions asked or answers given. Have I made myself clear? Do you understand?” The farmer nodded politely and went about his chores. Soon, he heard loud screaming and spotted the sheriff running for his life, the farmer’s bull hot on his heels. Clearly terrified, the sheriff kept running and with every step, the bull gained on him. The old farmer threw down his tools, ran to the fence and yelled at the top of his lungs, “Your badge! Show him your badge!”

Answering, he heard his wife’s voice urgently warning him, “Herman, I just heard on the news that there’s a car going the wrong way on I-70. Please be careful!”

Winning the lottery

“Hell,” said Herman. “It’s not just one car. It’s hundreds of them!”

She slammed the door and shouted at the top of her lungs, “Honey, pack your bags. I won the lottery!”

Respect the badge

Submitted by Perry Tucker

A woman came home in a rush, screeching her car into the driveway, and ran into the house.

A sheriff stopped at a ranch and talked with the old farmer.

“Oh my God!” said her husband. “What should I pack, beach stuff or mountain stuff?”

“I need to inspect your ranch for illegally grown drugs,” he said.

“Doesn’t matter,” she said. “Just get out.” ■

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LOCAL LORE

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

JANUARY 2017

LEFT: Jim Bernal (middle row, second from the right) in his first year of school, which he said was the toughest time in his life. BELOW: The Bernals as newlyweds while Jim was in the service.

Farming is in his blood:

Jim Bernal passes traditions on to growing family By Melanie Wiseman

Finding Grand Junction

t first glance, the corner of 16 and Q Roads in north Loma seems serene against the majestic Bookcliffs. Take a closer look and you will find a flurry of activity. At the center of the activity is 88-year-old Jim Bernal, a man of high integrity, a firm handshake and a spirit of gratefulness and joy. Bernal knows the value of hard work—up until last year, he was actively farming the more than 700 acres he owns. “I was on a tractor just yesterday as a matter of fact, and I still keep an eye on the books,” he said. “I don’t want to just sit down and watch.”

At the beginning of the 20th century, money was tight and education slim, but hard work and farming smart paid off for Bernal’s father, Joe. In the mid 1920s he sold his 80-acre farm in Hone, Colorado for $300, a small fortune at the time. “My dad read a lot about the Highline Canal, which opened in 1912,” said Bernal. “In 1925 he and six other relatives, including my grandparents, traveled together with their gear in a 1922 Essex, taking four days through the mountains to get here. They were pretty brave. They had never been here before, had no maps and only knew Grand Junction was on the

western side of Colorado.” The family settled into one of many colonies in the north Loma area, where workers were housed until they earned enough money to rent on their own. Their hard work paid off and after just a few months, Joe returned to the San Luis Valley and loaded a railroad car with horses and an old wagon used for hauling beets to be shipped to Grand Junction. Joe married Placida Lucero in 1927 at the old brick Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Fruita, also where Bernal was baptized the following year. “My family leased various houses in the area and farmed using a walking plow for years,” said Bernal. “But we

felt wealthy because we always had enough to eat.” His childhood was similar to those of other farm kids, spent swimming in the canal and helping with chores. There was one big difference, however. “I grew up speaking Spanish,” Bernal said. “So when I started school, I spoke very little English. The hardest thing in my life was the discrimination I experienced and the names I was called. But my parents said, ‘You are as good as anyone else,’ and I had some very kind teachers who encouraged me. In six months, I was speaking English like everybody else.” Bernal said he excelled in school,

JANUARY 2017

LOCAL LORE 19

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graduating from Fruita Union High School in 1947.

Service and devotion to home Bernal farmed with his father for seven years after high school before being drafted into the Korean War. While in Denver for an Army physical, Bernal had a chance meeting with a young woman named Helen Lopez, but neglected to get her telephone number. “I could have lost her!” Bernal said. He had been stationed at Fort Carson in Colorado Springs for two years as a combat engineer, when chance reunited them once again. “They would bus in women when we had dances,” said Bernal. “And there she was! It was just one of those things that was meant to be.” They married in 1954. “When my service was complete, I wanted to come back and farm. Helen was supportive of whatever endeavor I wanted to take on,” Bernal said. “Things could have been a lot different if Helen hadn’t been so loyal to me and such a beautiful partner.” After returning to his parents’ farm, Bernal studied agriculture at Mesa College in the evenings, but

soon put all of his efforts into farming. “When you farm you really have to put all your thoughts into it and not mess around,” said Bernal. “You borrow from the bank in the spring to run the farm and you better be able to pay them back in the fall.” Their first son, Jimmy, was born in 1955, followed by Cindy, Vera, Veronica, David, Donna, Joe and Paul. All eight children went to Loma Grade School and Fruita High School.

Family and farm values As their family grew, so did the land they owned. In 1958 the house and farm Bernal was born on came up for sale. With the help of a Fruita banker who believed in them, they were able to buy it. He feels raising his children on a farm provided them with many valuable life lessons. “Living in the country, you have a better opportunity to show your kids what hard work is, how to be good money managers and what good work ethic is,” said Bernal. “We taught the kids they weren’t going to get anything easy, even though we had the money.”

The Bernal family has grown to eight children, 27 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren, one great-greatgrandchild and counting. Family photos are out of date almost as soon as they are taken. The entire group no longer fits in the Bernal home, so family functions are now held in the farm’s 3,000-square-foot workshop. One thing that hasn’t changed is Bernal’s passion for tradition. His son Joe and a grandson now manage Bernal Farms, growing alfalfa, corn and winter wheat. “Helen and I could have sold this farm for a million dollars and traveled, but I don’t want to sell it,” said Bernal, choking back tears. “I want it for the kids.” With one son running the farm,

BOTTOM LEFT: The eight Bernal children taken in the early ’70s on the sugar beet wagon their father shipped to Loma by railroad in 1925. BOTTOM RIGHT: The growing Bernal family on the family’s farm.

four others living a stone’s throw away, and three in nearby Grand Junction, the Bernals have built a lasting legacy. “We’ve had a good life here. I have no regrets,” said Bernal. “My dream is that the farm stays in the family through the generations.” ■

Photo by Melanie Wiseman

20 HOME & HEARTH

Don’t wait until the t s o r f t T s r fi

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JANUARY 2017

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he holidays are behind us and we are knee-deep in winter. We still have several months of cold ahead of us, so it’s not too late to winterize your home. Weatherization helps homeowners and renters by saving them money, improving home comfort, increasing the home value and helping protect the environment. The cold can be especially troublesome if a furnace goes out in the middle of the night when there is no help available. If your house is not insulated properly, it will get cold very quickly if the furnace fails. The cold also presents financial challenges—keeping a poorly insulated house warm can result in high energy costs. Thankfully, there are resources that can help. Colorado’s Low-income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) is taking applications until April 30 for assistance with heating costs. Housing Resources of Western Colorado (HRWC), in partnership with the Colorado Energy Office, will visit your home to assess its weatherization needs.

LEAP into energy savings

analyzes the efficiency of the home. Scott Layton, HRWC’s part-time deputy director, explained that his staff will help install insulation in ceilings, walls and crawl spaces. They also replace windows with storm windows, install water-saving devices and replace appliances and furnaces. “It’s a complete and substantial list,” Layton said. “It’s a very impressive program for those who qualify.” Layton said insulation is the first line of defense when it comes to winterization and energy savings. It’s important to seal cracks and cover the evaporative cooler vent. He also suggested lowering the thermostat and keeping a day and night temperature. Every homeowner should be aware of weatherization, Layton said, even if not participating in the LEAP or HRWC programs. Those who are on LEAP are automatically qualified for help from HRWC, but Layton explained that even those who are not on LEAP can apply for weatherization assistance. Even renters can apply for weatherization help with permission from the landlord. ■

LEAP is a 100-percent federally funded program administered by the Discover Goodwill of southern and western Colorado. The program gives heating bill assistance based on income. Applicants must be responsible for heating costs through an energy provider, fuel dealer or in their rental agreement. “Last year, nearly 98,000 Coloradans applied for LEAP, receiving an average benefit of nearly $389 per household,” LEAP Manager Aggie Berens said. “We want to make sure that all eligible Coloradans are aware of LEAP’s assistance so they can receive some help with heating costs this winter.”

Weatherization services provided by Housing Resources of Western Colorado include:

An expert home assessment

Those interested in Housing Resources of Western Colorado should visit www.hrwco.org or call 241-2871.

HRWC’s inspection includes a complete energy audit that computes and

• Energy audit • Insulation in attics and walls • Furnace replacement • Furnace safety testing • Refrigerator replacement • Sealing air leaks • Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL) • Storm windows • Energy conservation information In order to apply for LEAP, applications must be mailed in to: P.O. Box 39200, Colorado Springs, CO 80949 or faxed to 719-633-9098.

JANUARY 2017

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St. Mary’s first Cancer Day offers education and support By Sandy Higgins

ancer patients, survivors and their families have a new resource in 2017. On January 28, the St. Mary’s Survivorship Program will host its first Western Colorado Cancer Day at Colorado Mesa University. The free event features more than 65 informational booths and speakers, as well as a keynote speech by Wendy Reece, the mother and caregiver of Delaney Clements, who died of cancer in early 2016. According to Debra Hesse, coordinator of the Survivorship Program, the idea for Cancer Day emerged as a result of patient surveys conducted by St. Mary’s Patient Advisory team. The surveys revealed some of the concerns cancer patients had during and following treatment. This inaugural event, a year in the making, will focus on diet, lifestyle changes and the impact the disease and its burdens can have on caregivers. Western Colorado’s cancer resources will be fully represented at Cancer Day, including nonprofit and for-profit organizations, such as the Veterans Affairs Medical Center and Rifle’s Grand River Hospital District. It will also feature speakers from the University of Colorado Cancer Center, a designated National Cancer Institute and an affiliate of St. Mary’s Hospital. Hesse said it was important to make Cancer Day free to ensure no one is left out. The event was fully funded by donations made to the Survivorship Program. Hesse, a cancer survivor herself, knows all too well what cancer patients and their families go through. She served as a volunteer at St. Mary’s to support other cancer patients, survivors and their families before becoming the Survivorship Program’s coordinator. She oversees 40 volun-

teers and a variety of support groups that serve different groups of cancer patients and their families. St. Mary’s Survivorship Program was established 10 years ago with a grant from the Lance Armstrong Foundation. Its volunteers work as a multi-disciplinary team to educate cancer patients and their families about nutrition and finances, and to provide emotional support. The program also offers a variety of classes and provides free massages, hats and scarves. Hesse said the program is designed to “[meet] the non-medical needs of the patients.” “Medicine doesn’t fix everything that’s going on in your world and it’s not just the person who is diagnosed, but the whole family is thrown into this vortex in dealing with cancer,” she said. The Survivorship Program also has a library that provides free pamphlets, educational materials and assistance for online research. This resource is available to patients and their families. The library is housed in St. Mary’s Cancer Center at 750 Wellington Ave. Hesse said she hopes attendees will gain knowledge that will translate into positive change and outcomes for patients and their families. She also hopes it will lead to future Cancer Days that address additional issues faced by the community. Invitations were mailed to 18,000 western Colorado cancer patients, survivors and their families. The luncheon is restricted to 400 people who reserve a place in advance. An RSVP is required by January 13. To reserve a place at the luncheon and Reece’s keynote speech, visit www.stmarygj.org/livingfully or call 298-2351. ■

HOME & HEARTH 21

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22 SENIOR SCAMS

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JANUARY 2017

Psychics appear to know all—but do we know them? By Teresa Ambord

ven people who seem otherwise sensible sometimes fall for scams. If you think an older person who never touches a computer is relatively safe from scams, you could be wrong. Scams come in the form of snail mail, newspaper ads, phone calls (and phone ads on TV) and in person. An enormously successful scam has hit roughly 1.4 million victims in nearly every country, mostly via snail mail. It started in 1999 when “psychic” Maria Duval began sending out simple letters. Decades later, federal prosecutors can’t say if Duval is a real person, or just a front name. Regardless, in this ongoing scam, Duval has stolen more than $200 million just from victims in Canada and the U.S. How? Millions of letters were sent out each month, each of which appears to be personalized and promises guidance, for a fee, of course— usually $40. In return, the recipient gets what looks

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like handwritten notes, lucky numbers to use to win the lottery and sometimes a lucky charm. Federal officials said some of the letters they intercepted were marked with coffee stains, to add a “personal touch.”

Who are these victims? Most Duval victims are elderly, poor and sick. She purchases what is known as “sucker lists” from data brokers, who use software to comb bits of data and put it together to form a file on individuals. Most of us know better than to reveal a lot of personal information on social networking sites, such as Facebook, but we might reveal a little here and there—a favorite color, your occupation, your dog’s name. When someone takes the time to combine the bits, there’s enough for thieves to use, especially a so-called psychic. Duval (under another name) has also had success posting ads, directly asking people for information. Why would anyone respond? Because in exchange, they are told the information will be used to determine their lucky numbers. At some point in the future, Duval takes that information and uses it to convince a victim that there’s a psychic connection between them. If this sounds ridiculous, keep in mind it’s been enormously successful. Federal officials say that before being stopped by alert family members, some elderly victims were sending envelopes full of cash every week.

What about phone psychics? You’ve seen the ads for psychic hotlines. Most of these are staffed by out-of-work actors, people who are

Most of us know better than to reveal a lot of personal information...but we might reveal a little here and there...enough for thieves to use, especially a so-called psychic.

JANUARY 2017

SENIOR SCAMS 23

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good at reading reactions and feigning interest in the callers. Usually these failed actors make more money on bogus psychic hotlines than they ever did in entertainment. They start by throwing out vague statements that are general enough to hit the target in some cases, and keep the caller listening. How successful is this scam? It’s a billion-dollar-a-year industry. They lure people in with the promise of a free first reading. Then they make the most of those free minutes by throwing out intriguing statements and promising certain results, but of course not giving away too much. The idea is to hook the callers into an ongoing service. And then the charges really begin to roll up. And the psychics are careful not to say anything they can be held accountable for. The mail scams and phone scams are atrocious. But sometimes the in-person scams are worse. Take a look at what happened to a single man named Ralph Raines who made the mistake of visiting a psychic shop one day.

The Raines fortune gets clear cut In 2004, a psychic in Bend, Oregon was visited by a lonely man in his late 50s. That was the beginning of a complex scam that would span a decade. Ralph Raines was the only heir to the Raines Tree Farm, worth about $15 million. He’d always been interested in the paranormal, so when he saw a psychic shop, he went inside and plunked down $10. Money had never been important to Raines, but as he talked, self-proclaimed psychic Rachel Lee was paying attention. She saw a golden opportunity to gain his trust and then his wealth. At one point, he told her, “I wish I was married and had a family.” With that information it didn’t take long for Lee to weave a complex scam that included a bogus marriage— which Raines thought was real—to someone who turned out to be Lee’s 17-year-old daughter in a bad wig,

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using a fake British accent. Lee even managed to come up with a child that Raines believed was his. It took time, but for her efforts, Lee stripped Raines of nearly his entire fortune. In the end, all that was left was a clearcut tree farm where a majestic forest had stood. It was only when someone near the psychic shop got suspicious of the luxury cars that Lee and her husband were driving that someone looked into what was going on in that psychic reading shop. Even after Lee and her husband and daughter were all sentenced to prison, Raines still has trouble believing his psychic friend misled him. Could something like this happen to your elderly relatives or friends? It may seem ridiculous. But in many cases the common factor is loneliness. Seniors who live fairly isolated lives, like Raines, crave human contact. And a smart “psychic” knows how to provide that. They don’t just make the obligatory call once a week or less, but they become best friends. They’re warm, caring and they record details about the lives of victims. Life is busy. But keep your elderly relatives and friends close. You could be protecting them from costly and dangerous scams. ■

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Living history in

Beach near Matanzas

Clara that reads Hotel sign in Santa llet You can still see bu “Thank you, Fidel.” lution in 1958. holes from the revo

Flower cart on Camagüey street

JANUAR

Story and photos by Melanie Wiseman

ur plane landed in Cuba the day after Fidel Castro died. My husband, Dan, and I joined 16 other travelers from around the U.S. on the short, 45-minute flight from Miami. We left behind thousands of people celebrating in the streets of Little Havana and arrived in a country observing nine days of mourning. Our living history journey had begun. Our guide, Yanet Baute Montero, welcomed us at eastern Cuba’s Camagüey

CUBA

Airport, assuring us that despite “the situation,” our experience would be filled with countless memorable interactions with the Cuban people. While we anticipated that living through this historic moment would be the highlight of our Cuban adventure, it actually took a backseat to our experiences with the Cuban people, who stole our hearts and opened our eyes.

It’s complicated...or is it?

The U.S. Department of the Treasury still regulates travel to Cuba. One of the authorized ways for U.S. citizens to travel to the country is via “people-to-people cultural exchanges.” These tours open communication and generate positive relations between the two countries. “Cuba is complicated,” said Montero. “I will answer any questions you have, but it will always come with a lengthy explanation.” Throughout our travels, “It’s complicated” was a frequent joke among the group. Some things certainly were complicated, but the freedom we enjoyed there wasn’t. We Bicitaxi tour of Camagüey were able to talk to Cubans

at leisure and uncensored, and explore cities day or night on our own. Due to the U.S. embargo, I anticipated the Cuban people being apprehensive over visits by U.S. tourists. Nothing could have been farther from the truth. They were very welcoming and accommodating.

Feelings about Fidel Castro’s passing offered us a unique opportunity to hear firsthand the varied views Cubans had of him. Montero compared him to a complicated father figure. “Fathers do good and bad things, but you still love them,” she said. As one young man I spoke with said, many Cubans had never known anything but life under Castro’s rule. Like Montero, the people I spoke with had mixed emotions about the man. “I hope that someday, sooner than later, I will be able to do what I want to do and not what someone tells me to do,” said a man named Sandoval, 53. After 60-year-old Sibario watched the funeral procession carrying Castro’s ashes, he put his hand over his heart. “We watched glory pass by into eternity,” he said emotionally. No one forgot Castro’s positive contributions. “He freed the Cuban people from the dictator Batista,” Montero said. “After the revolution, Fidel’s first priority was land redistribution, followed by education, health care and road development. He also gave huge support to music, dance and theatre.”

Exploring Cuba In Camagüey, we navigated labyrinths of narrow streets via whimsically

RY 2017

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Touring Havana in a 1958 Dodge convertible painted bicycle taxis. We visited with talented local artists displaying amazing works of bronze, leather, wood and ceramics. At the renowned, historic Conservatorio de Música José White, students performed for us on their chosen instruments. We also learned about the rich Spanish and African heritage of the Cuban people. Country roads took us past miles of sugar cane before we were escorted to King Ranch by horsemen, who carried the U.S. and Cuban flags side by side. The quaint town of Remedios was a group favorite. Centered around a large square park, we visited with a group of elderly men who congregated daily, referring to themselves as the “local philosophy club.” Everywhere we looked there were children in crisp school uniforms, often holding the hand of a grandparent. Homes are generally multi-generational and traditions are passed down. Santa Clara, the liberation of which ended the Batista regime, was a hub of activity following Castro’s funeral procession. In Caibarién, tobacco factory workers showed pride in their work—rolling cigars in Cuba is considered a highly skilled trade and art. A personal highlight for me was visiting the Finca Luna family farm in Matanzas. I spoke at length with the owner’s son-in-law, Jorge, who taught himself English. He was thrilled to share the notebook he used to study. Matanzas also led us to Palmar de Junco, built in 1874, the oldest baseball diamond in the western hemisphere.

Hotel Camino Del Principe in Remedios After a talk from a former professional player about Cubans’ love for the sport, our group took to the field to play some baseball ourselves. The following day we spent hours on one of Cuba’s gorgeous beaches, swimming in the refreshing, turquoise ocean. When we finally arrived in Havana, the sound of music was in the air once again—the mourning period for Castro was over. We enjoyed a breathtaking performance by the Malpaso Dance Company, several walks through Old Havana, Revolution Plaza, jazz and traditional Cuban bands, the lively Coro Vocal Luna (the only all-female Cuban choir) and Club Melen, where we joined locals for spirited games of dominoes, their “second national sport.” Walking through Havana is like stepping back in time. There are old cars in a rainbow of colors everywhere, dating from 1927 to 1961. Seeing the sights from the back of a bright red 1958 Ford convertible was pure heaven. We marveled at the locals’ ability to keep these cars running. “We are innovative people,” said one car owner with a smile. “When you don’t have access to all imports, you have to improvise. We may use parts from a broken TV or blender to fix our car.” Cubans greet each other with a kiss on the cheek and take pride in being a culture without racism. Wherever our journey took us, they were friendly and full of good humor.

Havana artist Rogue Rodriguez

“If you have two Cubans, you have five opinions!” they joked.

What the future holds Castro’s death is unlikely to change Cuban society immediately. “‘Communism’ is not a word you will hear in Cuba today,” Montero said. “It’s ‘socialism’ and we are always learning how to do better. We know our model is not perfect.” Cuban economist Jorge Egozcue said that change will be complicated, as Cubans have been used to a government that takes care of them for more than five decades. With just 90 miles separating the U.S. from Cuba (the distance from Grand Junction to Glenwood Springs), we are definitely neighbors. The Cuban people are thrilled with President Obama’s outreach and simultaneously anxious to see how the new U.S. presidential administration will affect them. “In the end, we have more in common than you would think,” said Egozcue. “There is no rationale to be enemies. We are neighbors.” We returned with a love for the Cuban people, and continue to pray that they have a chance to play a role in their own future. Our journey came full circle as a taxi brought us home from the airport. The young cab driver asked where we had been, and I told her that we arrived in Cuba the day after Fidel Castro died. She paused and said, “Who was he?” Well, it’s complicated. ■

Two best friends in Remedios

Anna, a Santeria religion practitioner in Matanzas

26 FAITH MOVES

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Experience God's love in a traditional setting.

Fake it ’til you make it By Barbara Ward

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8:30 am Contemporary Praise Service 9:45 am Christian Education (all ages) 11:00 am Traditional Service with Choir

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JANUARY 2017

e have all heard the phrase, “Fake it ‘til you make it.” Most of us have had moments when we needed to live by that phrase. Deep within our souls lies an inner strength that we don’t always realize we have. Sooner or later, a time may come when you didn’t know what you could do until you had to do it. Many people have found strength where they thought there was none. The persons who move towards their greatest fears find true courage. The challenge when we feel weak or ill equipped is to look beyond closed doors like great achievers do. Achievers think in terms of “I can” rather than “I can’t.” When faced with a daunting task, we can perceive it as an obstacle or an opportunity. We can think of 100 excuses why we can’t do something. It’s always

easier to let someone else do something we don’t want to or think we can’t do. In Exodus 3, Moses used many excuses we’ve also been guilty of using. When Moses had the encounter with God and the burning bush, he had the proverbial excuse of “Who am I to do it?” But God counteracted his excuses and didn’t let him out of the challenge of leading the Israelites out of Egypt. In essence, Moses was told, “Fake it ’til you make it and trust in me.” Just as he did with Moses, God will help us find the strength to overcome life’s obstacles and will lead the way. When faced with what seems like an impossible task, take a deep breath, and then step out in faith. Perhaps you realize that you had the strength and direction to do it all along. Then look back and say, “I did it.” ■

JANUARY 2017

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New Year’s resolutions for your computer

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t’s the new year, and I am going to invite you to set three New Year’s resolutions for your computer. If you follow this advice, there is a good possibility that you will also be able to accomplish at least one of your own resolutions.

Organize your computer Your computer can become disorganized in many ways. You may have a rat’s nest of cables under your desk. You may get aches and pains from a monitor that sits too high or an office chair that doesn’t support your back. If you spend a little time correcting these issues, you will discover that using your computer will be a more enjoyable experience. Your data can also be a digital rat’s nest. Do you know where all of your photos and documents are stored? Is your digital filing system similar to the card catalog in the library or family’s junk drawer? Organizing your computer’s data can be a time-consuming process, but it will decrease your stress level immensely when you can easily find any document, email or photo that you need when you need it. It also makes backing up your computer a much easier process.

Do something useful The second resolution addresses the reason you bought a computer in the first place. I used to teach senior computer classes for the local parks and recreation department. The first thing I taught my students was that they would learn how to use their computer faster if they learned how to do some-

thing that interested them. Too many people stress trying to “learn the computer” instead of learning how to do something specific, like research genealogy, shop on Craigslist or edit old family movies. This year, try to teach your computer to do something new. Use it as a tool for something that you are interested in and you will discover that your computer actually enriches your life.

Give your computer a checkup Like the human body, your computer can be unhealthy even if it’s not technically sick. Your computer will run better if you remove all unnecessary programs. You may have to ask a tech-savvy friend or computer professional (I don’t recommend asking big box store computer technicians) to help you determine what is necessary and what is not. Your computer will surf the internet faster if you use Google Chrome, which has all of the necessary features. It is also responsive and pages will load faster than in Firefox or Internet Explorer. Lastly, your computer will run better if you limit who uses it. Don’t let your kids or grandkids use your computer for personal reasons, no matter how old they are, and no matter how much they know about computers. Too many computer problems are the result of well-intentioned family members trying to customize or improve things. When family comes to visit, I suggest “losing” the computer’s power cable until the visit is over. ■

Adam Cochran is a technology instructor at Colorado Mesa University. You can email your technology questions to Adam at adamc@talkingdigital.org.

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JANUARY 2017

Prepare for Medicare Part A and B price changes in 2017 By Nathaniel Sillin

f you’re eligible for Medicare, or will be in the coming year, there are a few changes you should know about for 2017. An increase in the Department of Labor’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) means there’ll be an increase in Social Security benefits and Medicare Part B premiums. For most recipients the increases almost offset each other, but those who aren’t covered by the “hold harmless” provision (about 30 percent of recipi-

ents) face a larger Part B premium increase. These changes, along with several others, will go into effect soon and you should consider how they could affect your budget.

A slight increase in Social Security benefits Since 1975, Social Security benefits have an automatic cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). The adjustment depends on the CPI and helps keep your benefits in line with the rising cost of goods.

There wasn’t a COLA for 2016 benefits, but there is a .3 percent adjustment for next year. Meaning you’ll get an additional $3 per $1,000 you receive in benefits. The estimated average monthly benefit for all retired workers is expected to increase $5, from $1,355 to $1,360. Medicare Part B premiums will also rise. The COLA also affects Medicare Part B premiums, the part of Medicare that covers some types of procedures and medical equipment. However, for about 70 percent of Medicare recipients, the Social Security Act’s hold harmless provision prohibits an increase to Medicare B premiums of more than the previous year’s COLA adjustment. According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, hold harmless recipients will pay $109 per month, an increase of $4.10. If you aren’t held harmless, Part B premiums could increase by about 10 percent. The remaining 30 percent of Social Security beneficiaries will have their Part B premium increase by about 10 percent.

You could fall into the non-heldharmless group if you: • Are a new enrollee • Enrolled in Medicare but don’t receive Social Security benefits • Get billed directly for Medicare Part B • Receive Medicare and Medicaid benefits and your state Medicaid programs pay your Part B premium • Are a high-income earner subject to an income-adjusted premium For the non-held-harmless group, the premium depends on the recipient’s adjusted gross income (AGI). • The lowest monthly premium, for individuals who have an AGI of $85,000 or less ($170,000 for cou-

ples), will increase from $121.80 to $134 a month per person. • On the high end, for recipients with an AGI over $214,000 ($428,000 for couples), the monthly premium will increase from $389.80 to $428.60 per person.

Medicare Part A and B deductibles will also increase. Most people don’t have to pay Medicare Part A premiums, but you could still have to pay a deductible or coinsurance for some Part A benefits. • The deductible for inpatient hospital coverage, which helps cover the first 60 days of care, will increase from $1,288 to $1,316 per benefit period. • Daily coinsurance for the 61st through 90th day of treatment will increase from $322 to $329. • Daily coinsurance for day 91 on will rise from $644 to $658. • Each day past day 90 counts towards your lifetime reserve. You have a maximum of 60 lifetime reserve days, after which you could be responsible for all costs. • Skilled nursing facility care is completely covered for your first 20 days. • Daily coinsurance for day 21 to 100 of skilled nursing care will increase to $164.50. • You could be responsible for all costs beyond day 100. The Part B annual deductible will also increase, from $166 to $183. Generally, after you’ve met your deductible, you’ll pay 20 percent of Medicare-approved costs for services covered by Part B. Social Security benefits, Medicare Part B premiums and Part A and B deductibles and coinsurance will increase in 2017. Whether you’re held harmless or not, take steps to understand which changes could affect you and alter your budget accordingly. ■

JANUARY 2017

Age on stage By Kathy Applebee

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ging brings with it the inevitable concerns about cognitive decline. Are computer programs, Sudoku and medication the best options to slow down or keep mental weakening at bay? Maybe not. Recent research conducted by Elmhurst College professors Helga and Tony Noice revealed a surprisingly different route to staying sharp: Activity in the arts, specifically acting, keeps the brain in shape. The Noices’ study indicated that when older adults are exposed to acting instruction, both their memory and cognitive functions improve significantly. In addition, the social aspects of drama probably make it a better choice than solitary activities. Local senior actors agree. Ginger Blanchat, a Grand Junction veteran of the stage and screen said, “Theater teaches me how to express myself more effectively. I can better communicate my thoughts and feelings to others, plus I understand better how my mind and the minds of others work.” These skills directly relate to her working life, where she assists older customers struggling to learn the ins and outs of their new cell phones. “I have the best time performing, including coming up with a costume and working with the other actors,” Blanchat said. Senior theater is a relatively new phenomenon. In 1999, only 79 senior theater companies existed nationwide, primarily in larger cities. Today the movement has exploded, with 770 senior acting groups—including two local ones, Mesa Murder Mystery and the Grand Junction Senior Theatre (GJST). Actors from both companies described why walking the boards helped them stay well. “Learning your lines and blocking

are mentally challenging,” said Helen McKinley, a GJST board member. “Plus the dancing and choreography improves your balance. The camaraderie and working together [is fun].” McKinley began making costumes for children’s theater and Colorado Mesa University in the ’80s. At age 57, she made her acting debut in “Dancing at Lughnasa” at the Western Colorado Center for the Arts, and has since done more than a dozen shows. She is currently performing in “HMS Pinafore,” GJST’s 2017 musical, which runs March 17-18 at Grand Junction High School. Michael Hardesty enjoys working with Mesa Murder Mystery because “you never know what might happen next,” he said. Part scripted and part improvisation, Hardesty finds dinner theater an outlet for his creative, spontaneous side. “I like interacting with the audience and playing crazy characters,” Hardesty said. Research by the late Dr. Gene D. Cohen, one of the foremost investigators on the benefits of creative activities for senior citizens, confirmed that creativity reinforces essential connections between brain cells, including those responsible for memory. In addition, he found that participation in theater strengthened morale and emotional resiliency, relieved sleep and mood disorders, and promoted a positive outlook, which in turn boosts the immune system. “I recommend getting involved to anyone interested,” Hardesty said. It’s never too late to revive your interest or start participating in drama. After an 80-year career in Hollywood, Norman Lloyd is still making films at 100, and Maggie Smith was in her 70s while filming the popular television show “Downton Abbey.” ■

Grand Valley seniors can find out more by contacting Grand Junction Senior Theatre at 640-0351 or gjseniortheatre@gmail.com, and Mesa Murder Mysteries at 628-1987 or mesamur dermystery@gmail.com. Photos by Kathy Applebee

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om Guido has always had an interest in healthy living. Drinking clean, purified water has been especially important to him. “I’ve always been drinking water that doesn’t come from a faucet, ever since I went to college and graduate school,” he said. While searching for a replacement part for his in-home water filtration system, Guido met the previous owner of Purified Water to Go and bought the business in 2002. Originally located on North Avenue, the company has since relocated to 1206 Ute Ave. Guido prides himself in providing the purest water possible to the community. His state-of-theart purification system consists of two systems and 13 stages, which includes reverse osmosis, an ion exchange, UV light, granular activated carbon (GAC) and sediment filters. It also includes H2O3, which is used to purify refilled bottles brought in by customers. Every bottle that Purified Water to Go uses for its water is cleaned with H2O3, which leads to a drink of water so pure you can smell the freshness. Guido explained that the water at Purified Water to Go comes from the City of Grand Junction, which gets its water from the Grand Mesa. However, the City adds chemical elements like chlorine and fluoride and doesn’t remove certain contaminates that are allowed in the water by the EPA. “We don’t believe [in] that,” Guido said. “We believe the only thing you should put in your body is pure water.” Guido assures the purity by sending the water to the Grand Junction Health Department for regular testing, and in 14 years, there have never been problems.

Bottled water from the store is often from an unknown source. Guido explained that both artisan and spring water often contains some of the same impurities as tap water. It’s also difficult to know for certain what’s in the bottle. “I can tell you what’s in our water—100 percent pure water,” Guido said. Since the human body is composed of almost 80 percent water, it’s important to drink water every day. According to Guido, people should divide their weight by half to figure out many ounces to drink each day. Health problems such as migraines, gastric disorders and kidney stones can occur when one doesn’t drink enough water, especially in a desert environment such as Grand Junction. About 40 percent of Guido’s customers are seniors. He explained that it’s important for seniors to drink purified water because as we age there are things that the body cannot process very well. Water helps our bodies get rid of impurities that are held by fat tissue. Not being able to flush out these impurities may lead to various health issues. “We have a lot of customers come in who have health issues, and they realize they have to drink better water,” he said. Purified Water to Go/The Water Store offers a delivery service of three- or five-gallon containers. It’s also open for walk-in service and the outside water teller is open 24/7. Customers can bring in their own bottles or purchase them from the store. The store also carries shower filters, vitamins, organic toothpaste and more. For more information, call Purified Water to Go at 243-5744. ■

JANUARY 2017

BEACON GUIDE HIGHLIGHT 31

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

Under their spell: Spellbinders connects seniors and schoolchildren

By Diana Barnett

ing tradition alive.

t’s one thing to read a story. Being told a story is something entirely different. When someone tells us a story, the language processing parts of our brain activate. But so do all the parts of the brain that we would use if we were experiencing the events of the story firsthand. Spellbinders, a nonprofit organization with the goal of keeping storytelling alive, began as a pilot intergenerational program with the Denver Public Schools. Created by Germaine Dietsch, the program was designed to connect seniors and schoolchildren to make each aware of what the other had to offer. Today, Spellbinders has 18 chapters in six states and Canada. The group took root in Grand Junction 15 years ago after a local administrator heard Dietsch speak at a conference. The Mesa County chapter currently has 42 volunteers who visit District 51 classrooms monthly to keep the oral storytell-

Many backgrounds, one goal

Anne Saunders, who joined the organization more than 10 years ago, oversees the Spellbinders’ board. She also visits third grade classrooms at Tope and Pomona elementary schools every other month, alternating with another volunteer. Program volunteers come from all walks of life. “I came from a corporate background,” she said. “We have nurses, psychologists, ministers, lawyers and accountants who work with kids as well. You just have to like children and enjoy telling stories.” Other volunteers are retired elementary school teachers who wanted to continue their connection with children. David Foster, a fairly new recruit and former accountant, enjoys the interaction with students. “My typical day includes visiting two to three classrooms, spending about 30 minutes in each one. I usually have time to tell two stories

and then spend the remaining time visiting with children,” Foster said. “Because I see kids each month, they remember me. It’s exciting to have kids come up to me at the mall and introduce me to their parents as the ‘story guy’ from school.”

Casting spells

One perk of volunteering for Spellbinders is the ability to choose the stories you tell to students. “Around Valentine’s Day, I told my third graders the story of Eros and Psyche because I wanted them to know the background of our Cupid character,” Saunders said. Later, the instructor told me that one of the boys, who had difficulty with retention, recited the entire story to another teacher. He was so taken by it, he had no trouble recalling it.” Volunteers also put their unique slant on stories. “Some involve students by using puppets to tell the story. Another uses musical instruments, which allows students to be actively involved in the stories,” said Foster. The group hosts a workshop once a month to talk about their classroom experiences, work on skills and share stories. At each meeting, three volunteers tell favorite stories to the rest of the group. ■ David Foster spins a tale to fouth graders in Ms. Laurel Saims’ class at Thunder Mountain Elementary.

What’s your story? Spellbinders is seeking volunteer storytellers, as there are 30 District 51 classrooms on the waiting list to have a storyteller. Anyone who has time to visit an elementary school once a month, likes kids and enjoys telling stories should consider volunteering. The local chapter encourages potential volunteers to attend a workshop to get a feeling for this important work. The group meets from 9:15-11:15 a.m. on the second Thursday of the month at American Lutheran Church, 631 26 ½ Road. Volunteers must attend every session of the mandatory training and pay a $65 fee that covers a background check, a school badge and training materials. The next training will take place January 16, 20, 23 and 27. To volunteer, call Saunders at 243-7299. For more information, visit www.spellbinders.org.

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JANUARY 2017

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t wasn’t an unusual sight to see my mother sitting at her sewing machine as I walked into the kitchen. She was a fabulous seamstress and could turn the simplest patterns into masterpieces. “What are you making, Mom?” I inquired. “Oh, I had some scraps of fabrics and thought I would make a few aprons. Mine are looking tired,” she replied as she stitched away. My mother never entered the kitchen without wearing an apron. Neither did my grandmother, my great-grandmother, and any grandmothers before that. Aprons were as important a staple as a fry pan. Until the day she died, when I prepared a meal, my mother would ask, “Where’s your apron?” She would then reach in my pantry, find an apron and tie one around my waist. “Why take a chance of ruining your clothes?” she would say. After Mom passed away I was going through her things. I found the drawer where the aprons lay neatly waiting to be touched again with those loving hands. I picked them up one by one and looked at the detail. One had appliques she had hand stitched along with cross-stitched detail. One had patch-worked fabrics and lace. All of

them were wonderfully made and as precious as a $1,000 pair of Jimmy Choo shoes or a Prada bag.

The birthday gift My friend Mimi was getting ready to celebrate a birthday. The two of us and a few of our girlfriends still like to make our birthdays special as we turn a page on age, so we still buy each other a small gift and go out to lunch. I lived in Georgia at the time, and we drove to Mimi’s restaurant of choice—a French café in the heart of the ritzy Buckhead Shops of Atlanta. The café is surrounded by luxury hotels, fine dining and stores like Prada, Gucci, and of course, Jimmy Choo. As we dined on the patio, we watched a parade of luxury cars, as well as luxuriously clad people of all ages pass by. Mimi’s heritage is part French. She can even speak the language. She is a tiny thing with impeccable taste and was raised in all things proper. She became an executive for a major company out of college and retired from the same company. Her clothes are of the finest quality with an array of purses and jewelry that always coordinate. She was right at home sitting among the finest shops and the exquisite food of the French café.

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As she reached to open her present from me, I wondered why in the world I would give her the gift that was in the black and white wrapped box. I had gotten the old sewing machine out a few weeks prior and decided to make an apron or two—a lost art. Since Mimi had everything, I thought this would be something different and possibly something she didn’t own. Yes, you can buy an apron for a song, but not the ones like my mama made or grandmothers—“homemade” is the true apron. I selected a French fabric with shades of roses, blacks and greens. I carefully applied trims and gathered the skirt. I centered designs and cut it shorter for my petit friend. I pressed, folded and wrapped it in white tissue and placed it in the box. Now, as I was sitting among the glitter of midtown Atlanta, I felt that maybe I had the wrong gift for Mimi. What was I thinking? After our delicious meal, Mimi opened her present. Her eyes lit up and she said she loved it. She held it up to look at it, smiled and then put it in her large, beautiful purse. After we ate, we walked around to the various shops to window dream.

Jimmy Choo shoes We turned the corner and Mimi walked right through the doors of Jimmy Choo. We all followed. I stood in the center of this small shop and looked at all the elegantly

displayed shoes on every glass shelf. My mouth was wide open. The shoes were enticing me with their beauty. When I picked one up and saw the price I almost dropped it. However, I could clearly see why they were treasures to those that could afford them. “I have a pair on and I love them!” Mimi said, prancing around and displaying her shoes. As we started home, we decided to stop for a coffee. Mimi was sitting in the back seat rummaging through her purse. She pulled out the apron. “What are you doing?” I exclaimed in shock as she stepped out of the car and tied on her apron. “I want to see what it looks like on me.” Truthfully, it looked adorable and fit perfectly. “Well, I love it so much I’m going to wear it!” she said. So, off went little Mimi in her Jimmy Choo wedges wearing her handmade apron through the shops near our homes with not a worry in the world. Proper was out the window. Magnificent were the shoes, precious was the apron, and beautiful was the birthday girl who abandoned all that was normal for her to joyously celebrate friendship. With a twinkle in her eye, Mama would have proudly tied the French apron strings around Mimi’s waist while proclaiming, “Why take a chance of ruining those Jimmy Choo shoes?” ■

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JANUARY 2017

Western Colorado Writers Forum crafts better writers and people Story and photos by Ryan Cook

or writers who love the challenge of an essay, story, memoir or novel, there is a community in western Colorado dedicated to nurturing that love. The Western Colorado Writers Forum (WCWF) is a nonprofit organization that exists to stimulate a passion for writing in its members. Sandy Dorr, the organization’s inaugural executive director, envisioned a network of writers throughout western Colorado who would elevate the profession of writing. She saw a demand for professional development and community amongst Grand Valley writers. “I wanted to help writers find their voice,” Dorr said during a recent event held at the Center for Independence. Behind her, forum members created strokes on rice paper, inspired by Sumi-e, a style of Japanese painting. Approximately 20 members, ranging from millennials to baby boomers, were attending a lecture and hands-on expression workshop led by guest author Neltje. Neltje is newly published, the author of a memoir, “North of Crazy,” sharing

Approximately 20 members from the Western Colorado Writers Forum attended a lecture and expression workshop led by guest author Neltje, top right.

her unlikely journey from Manhattan socialite in training to Wyoming cattle rancher, artist and writer. In town for a book signing at Lithic Press, Neltje was also the featured guest at this WCWF workshop, brought in to share her stories, meet the forum writers and provide guidance and help as they strengthen their craft. “Sumi-e art is about controlling one’s strokes,” Neltje said. “With acrylic paint and canvas, one can paint over mistakes. But in Sumi-e, the mark that is made is the mark that is always there. You learn to work without fear of making mistakes in your art. All artists, all writers, are afraid. Fear gets us all. I am here to give tips on how to overcome fear.” The WCWF’s regular programs provide workshops and professional development training to area wordsmiths. Seminars teach valuable skills, such as online publishing, technique and how to become published. “There is a lot of the craft to learn, from developing your voice to responding to a deadline,” said

Dorr. “Reading aloud to others is challenge for many. We work on increasing confidence. We look to provide honest critique of writing, with the goal of having our writers produce that one great piece of writing.” In addition to building community through professional development and activities, the group has made a lasting, positive impact on literary culture in western Colorado. Born of a Grand Junction Commission on the Arts grant in 2010, WCWF first brought Poetry in the Streets to Downtown Grand Junction. In 2016, the group brought in acclaimed Front Range slam poet Bobby LeFebre for the first-ever poetry slam in Grand Junction. Forum members bring their knowledge and experience to the community with “Write Now,” a free program that teaches writing and poetry to groups including students, veterans and seniors. Despite the many benefits that WCWF provides its members and the community, chairwoman Paula Anderson said there is still a struggle getting new people to engage. “We put a lot of effort into a very small crowd,” Anderson said.

“There are many writers and other creatives in Grand Junction. How can we entice them in?” New membership is low—there are only four volunteers on the incoming board of directors, and Grand Junction recently cut WCWF’s grant funding as the city manages budget shortfalls. “We are looking for new board members who have experience on a board, will be regular attendees of the meetings, are writers themselves, and are not afraid to put in a little bit of work to grow the organization,” Anderson said. These challenges have not crippled the group. As Neltje worked with members, teaching them to trust their stroke and not languish in fear, warm laughter, jovial conversation and personal introspection took place. The group doesn’t just craft better writers, it crafts better people. The WCWF is a place where any literary gift can be nourished. Aspiring or experienced writers just have to take that first step. Learn more about the forum at www.westerncoloradowriters.org. Neltje’s memoir, “North of Crazy,” is available at Out West Books in Grand Junction. ■

JANUARY 2017

6 questions to ask before hiring help Written by Diana Conner, MLS Senior Care Agency

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

ith a recent surge in scams targeting the elderly, it’s apparent that crooks are becoming more diligent in their quest to take advantage of them, which makes it more important than ever to investigate the company before inviting them to provide services in your home. Whether it’s a home care agency, a company hired to perform home repairs or another service provider, be sure to check their credentials and references. Although cost considerations may be a factor in whom you choose, take into consideration exactly what you’re paying for. In the long run, it may not be as costly as you initially thought. When hiring a caregiver, personal care provider or home care agency, be sure to ask these questions: 1) Are they licensed through the state? 2) Do they have liability insurance? 3) What training have the workers received or provide? 4) Have they performed/received background checks? 5) Do they have a backup plan in case of emergency or illness? 6) Who will provide workers comp insurance?

When hiring someone to run errands or provide transportation, verify their auto insurance information. Take the same precautions when considering someone to perform home repairs or upgrades, especially if you are modifying your home to meet a medical or aging need, such as installing a grab bar or safety seat. Although it may seem cost efficient to hire a friend or family member to perform such tasks, it’s best to hire a professional who can meet your unique needs and has experience in working with the aging population. Never hesitate to ask a service provider to wait outside while you call to verify their credentials. Learn more at Senior Care Day Don’t miss the wealth of information you’ll learn from guest speakers at Senior Care Day at Mesa County Libraries’ Central Library on January 14. This event is open to the public free of charge and will be filled with information from local, senior-oriented organizations that address the medical, legal, educational and social aspects of growing older. There will be tables with information for browsing and presentations are scheduled from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Diana with MLS Senior Care will present at Senior Care Day. For more information, call her at 314-2993. ■

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JANUARY 2017

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FUN AFTER 50

Activities offered by GJ Parks and Recreation To register for these programs, call the Grand Junction Parks and Recreation Department at 254-3866 or visit www.gjparksandrec.org.

ART New public art exhibits will be installed at City Hall, Tiara Rado Golf Course, and the Avalon Theatre beginning mid January. These exhibits feature local artists and most exhibits last for three months.

HEALTH

Senior Recreation Center 550 Ouray Avenue - 970 243-7408 The Senior Recreation Center offers activities for seniors age 50 and older. The center is open Monday–Saturday from 8 am–4 pm. Annual membership is $15.

Senior Recreation Center Monthly Calendar of Events MONDAY THURSDAY 9:00 am 9:30 am 10:30 am 12:00 pm 1:00 pm 5:30 pm

Cribbage Cards Computer Classes Gray Gourmet Lunch Card Bingo & Dominoes Singles Pinochle (1st & 3rd Monday)

9:00 am Cribbage & Dominoes 10:00 am Dance w/Music (1st Thursday) 10:30 am Membership Meeting 12:00 pm Pokeno (Starts at 1 p.m. on 1st Thursday) 7:30 pm Dance

TUESDAY

FRIDAY

9:00 am Cribbage & Pool Tourney 12:00 pm Gray Gourmet Lunch 1:30 pm Bingo

9:00 am 12:00 pm 12:30 pm 12:45 pm 1:00 pm

WEDNESDAY 9:00 am 9:30 am 10:00 am 12:00 pm 1:00 pm

Ladies Pool & Cribbage Jack & Jill Pool Tourney Free Blood Pressure Clinic (3rd Wed) Gray Gourmet Lunch Pinochle & Canasta

Painting Class & Pool Tourney Gray Gourmet Lunch Bible Study Bridge Canasta

SATURDAY 9:00 am Bridge 1:00 pm Bingo

To make Gray Gourmet lunch reservations, call 243-9844. Cost $3.50

TUESDAYS & FRIDAYS Gentle Active Yoga This class is designed for an active beginner and above. Class is at 8-9 a.m. at Lincoln Park Barn. Cost is $7 to drop in or purchase a 10-punch pass for $50. MONDAY-FRIDAY Aqua Aerobics These aqua aerobic classes are for beginner or novice individuals. Class is 8:15-9:15 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and 5:30-6:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at Orchard Mesa Pool. Drop in for $4.50 or purchase a 12-punch pass for $46.50.

DANCE MONDAYS Line Dance The first 45 minutes will focus on beginning steps and the last hour will build on those steps to create more challenging dances to a wide variety of music. No partner needed. Classes are 12:15-2 pm. Mondays, January 9 through February 13, at Lincoln Park Barn. Cost is $15.

THURSDAYS Senior Dances with Live Musi Dance from 8-11 p.m. at the Senior Recreation Center. Cost is $3.

SPORTS DROP-IN PICKLEBALL Play pickleball at Lincoln Park Barn. Cost is $5 to drop in or purchase a punch card for $30. • Monday, Wednesday & Thursday: 8:30-11:30 a.m. • Tuesday & Friday: 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 5-8 p.m. • Saturday: 9 a.m. to noon • Sunday: 1-4 p.m. SWEET 16 PICKLEBALL TOURNAMENT See schedule below. Register by January 9. Cost is $25 and events take place at Lincoln Park Barn January 16 - 3.0 January 18 - 3.5 January 20 - 4.0

PUBLIC ART IBITS

JANUARY 2017

MESA COUNTY 37

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

Mesa County Club Activities Art Quilt Association (AQuA) meets

monthly at 9:30 a.m. on the third Saturday in Grand Junction. Location is generally the Goodwill meeting room, but can vary. Updates at www.theartquiltassociation.com. Blue Lodge Masons meets monthly at 10 a.m. the first Saturday at the Masonic Center. Call 245-5312 for details. Bookcliff Duplicate Bridge Club

plays at 1 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and 6:30 p.m. Thursdays at 2923 North Ave. Call 243-7874. Cribbage Lite meets at 5:30 p.m. every Tuesday at IHOP. Call 2017823. Fleet Reserve Association (FRA)

Branch 244 meets monthly at 7 p.m. on the second Wednesday at the VFW Post #3981. All former, retired and active sea service, U.S. Navy, Marines or Coast Guard are welcome. Call 434-0868 for details. Friendship Force meets monthly at 6:15 p.m. on the second Thursday at the Red Cross Training Center. Call 260-4653 or visit www.thefriend shipforce.org for details. Grand Junction Chess Club meets from 6:30-11:30 p.m. every Monday in the Safeway Starbucks, 2901 F Road. If you don’t have a chess set, sets are loaned out at no charge. For details, visit www.jctchess.com. Grand Junction Gem and Mineral Club meets at 7 p.m. on the sec-

ond Thursday and 6:30 p.m. on the fourth Thursday of the month at 2328 Monument Road. Email grandjunctionrockclub@gmail.com for details. Grand Junction Newcomers Club

meets monthly at 9:30 a.m. the second Wednesday at First Christian Church. Call 549-0439 for details. Grand Junction Petroleum & Mining Club meets monthly on the third

Thursday. Visit www.grandjunction pmc.com for details.

Grand Junction Toastmasters meets at 7:10 a.m. Tuesdays at St. Mary’s Life Center. Call 241-1900 for details. Grand Mesa Chorus, Sweet Adelines International, rehearses from 6:30-9 p.m. every Tuesday at the Redlands United Methodist Church. Call 2559419 or 523-3464 or visit www. grandmesachorus.org for details. Grand Valley Pets Alive meets monthly from 4:30-6 p.m. on the third Wednesday at Church of the Nativity. New volunteers welcome. Call 462-7557 for details. Grand Valley Woodcarvers meets at 6 p.m. on the first and third Wednesday and at 1 p.m. on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month at Redlands United Methodist Church. Call 245-8817 or 523-5965 for details. Grand Valley Woodturners meets the second Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Redlands United Methodist Church. Call 245-8817 or 856-3632. Great Old Broads for Wilderness

Mesa Fiber Arts Guild meets monthly at 6 p.m. the first Thursdays at Color Creek Fiber Art, 1150 N. 25th St. Unit B. Email rickihowe@ aol.com or visit www.mesafiberarts guild.org for details. Mt. Garfield Daughters of the American Revolution will hold their

monthly meeting at 1 p.m. on January 14 at the Whitman Education Center. Call 242-7074 for details. Not Going Quietly meets from 1:303:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month at Two Rivers Center for Spiritual Living Grand Junction. This group is intended to create a space of empowerment, grace, community and wisdom for individuals age 60 and older. Call 433-7799. Orchard Mesa Lions Club meets at 7 p.m. on the first and third Mondays of the month at A Taste of Heaven Catering. Call 424-4980 for details. Talk of the Town Toastmasters

meets at noon Thursdays downstairs at the Mesa County Public Library Study Room B. Call 250-3969 for details.

will meet at 4:30 p.m. on January 30 at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 536 Ouray Ave. Call 2559900 for details.

Thunder Mountain Camera Club

Help Heal Veterans’ Craft Center,

meets monthly from 7-9 p.m. on the

1670 North Ave., supplies hundreds of free therapeutic craft kits each week to military service members and veterans receiving medical care. Call 424-0499 for details. Knitting Club meets monthly from 6:30-8 p.m. on the fourth Tuesdays at Community of Christ Church, 2880 B ½ Road. Call 623-1455 for details. Mesa County Genealogical Society meets at 7 p.m. on the second

Thursday of the month at The Commons of Hilltop and at noon on the fourth Wednesday of the month at the Museum of Western Colorado. Help sessions are at 1 p.m. on the first Friday at a library branch. Call 640-2388 for details.

River City Singles

fourth Tuesdays at Western Colorado Community College. Visit www. thundermountaincameraclub.org. Two Rivers Cribbage Club meets from 6 p.m.-9 p.m. Thursdays at the Masonic Center. Call 261-1670. Two River Sams/Good Sam RV Club will meet at 11:30 a.m. on January 14. For location, call 523-5625. Vestafjell Lodge, Sons of Norway, meets at 1:30 p.m. on January 9 at Golden Corral. Call 245-5649 or 858-6702, or visit www.vestafjell lodge.org for details. Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) #3981 meets monthly at 5:30 p.m.

on the first Wednesdays for a family style dinner and meeting at the Post Hall, 503 ½ Florence Road in Grand Junction. Call 778-8242 for details. Western Colorado Decorative Artists meets monthly on the second

Saturday at 9 a.m. at First Congregational Church. Call 640-2751. Western Slope Coin Club meets monthly at 6:30 p.m. the second Wednesday at the VFW Post #1247. Get a free coin/currency evaluation at 5:30 p.m. Visit www.gjcoinshow. com. Western Slope Rovers RV Club

meets monthly for breakfast on the first Thursday. Call 985-9004 for time and details. ■

JANUARY 2017 Activity Schedule

“Young-at-heart adults getting together for fun and friendship!” Fridays at 5 p.m. - Calling all singles over 50! Meet new friends and play games at Friday Afternoon Club in the Hideaway Lounge at the Travelodge, 718 Horizon Dr. You’re sure to find people who are young at heart with like interests. Membership in River City Singles is only $20 per year Sundays at 12:30 p.m. - Bowling Sunday at Orchard Mesa Lanes, 295 27 Road. RSVP to Bob at 263-8462. Tuesdays at 9 a.m. - Early Start Breakfast at Denny’s on Horizon Drive. Visitors welcome. Call Debbie at 245-4995 for details. January 12 at 11:30 a.m. - The Fun Lunch Bunch Lunch meets at Red Lobster. RSVP to Penny at 712-2588. January 18 at 2 p.m. - Game day at Mary’s. Play pinochle, Rummikub, dominoes, hand and foot and more at 727 Birdie Dr. RSVP to Mary at 242-0630.

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Mesa County Calendar JANUARY 4 Zen classroom lecture Join award-winning author Jan Weeks for an “Intellecture” at Fruita’s Lithic Bookstore, 138 S. Park Square, at 7 p.m. The topic of this 20-minute talk is “In Praise of the Zen Classroom and Beyond.” For more information about this monthly series, call 858-3636 JANUARY 4 & FEBRUARY 1 Medicare 101 RSVP SHIP (Senior Health Insurance Assistance Project) will hold a free educational seminar for new Medicare beneficiaries from 10 a.m. to noon in the lower level of the US Bank Building, 422 White Ave. Seating is limited. Call 243-9839 to reserve your seat. JANUARY 5 Leg screening clinic Did you know half of Americans over the age of 50 have varicose veins and more than 30 million people are living with undiagnosed varicose veins? Varicose veins are more than just an eye sore—they can lead to serious health consequences. In order to bring awareness to the problem of varicose veins, Valley Surgical, Aesthetics and Vein Care is offering a free Leg Screening Clinic from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at it’s office, 2478 Patterson Road, Suite 4. These screenings are by appointment only. Call 773-1946 to schedule yours.

JANUARY 6 “Stories: a Panel Perspective” at The Art Center “Faces and Voices: Homeless in America” is a multimedia exhibition designed to educate the public and inspire empathy. This event, which starts at 7 p.m. and takes place at The Art Center, provides an opportunity to hear people share their stories live. Admission is free, but please bring an item from Homeward Bound of the Grand Valley’s or the Joseph Center’s wish lists to bolster the lives of community members in need this winter. JANUARY 7 Family Dance Learn fun and simple dances for people of all ages from 5-6:30 p.m. upstairs in the Margery Building, 523 1/2 Main St. in Grand Junction. Dances are taught and cued by local elementary school music teachers. Admission is $14 for the family, $6 for adults and $4 for children under 18. Live music by Fifth Reel. Contra Dance There will be a new dancers’ workshop at 7 p.m. upstairs in the Margery Building, 523 1/2 Main St., followed by contra dancing from 7:30-10:30 p.m. Come with or without a partner, in casual dress. Admission is $8 for adults, $5 for students and $4 for children age 10-17. Call 260-5852 for more information. Live music provided by Fifth Reel.

JANUARY 11 & 18 Sandhill crane viewing Watch elegant sandhill cranes return to their evening roost with the Grand Valley Audubon Society. Participants will meet at City Market on Orchard Mesa at 3 p.m. and return by 7 p.m. Limit 12 participants each date. Contact trip leader Mike Henwood at 720-8405070 to register. JANUARY 12 AARP Smart Drivers course Save money on insurance and keep up on newer traffic laws with the AARP Smart Drivers course, to be held from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at The Commons of Hilltop, 625 27 1/2 Road in Grand Junction. The cost is $15 for AARP members and $20 for nonmembers. Registration is required. Call 639-2433. JANUARY 14 Mesa County Libraries Senior Care Day Mesa County Libraries will host Senior Care Day from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Central Library. The event features information from local organizations that address the medical, legal, educational and social aspects of growing older. There will be informational tables as well as short presentations throughout the day. The free event is open to the public on a drop-in basis at no charge. Visit www.mesacountylibraries.org for a tentative schedule of presentations. Chili fundraiser for Lions Club Clifton Lions Club hosts a chili supper and cake raffle fundraiser at the Clifton

Remember When... Grandpa was the DJ at our wedding?

JANUARY 2017

Hall, 126 Second St., from 4:30-7 p.m. Funds will go towards the purchase of a shade structure on the Riverfront Trail and support of the Clifton Hall. Tickets are $6 for adults, $5 for children age 6-12, free for children under 6, and are available from any Clifton Lions Club member or at the door. Call 208-5849 to learn more.

JANUARY 16 Effects of pinon-juniper woodland thinning on avian communities The Grand Valley Audubon Society brings Dr. Patrick Magee from Western State Colorado University to First Presbyterian Church for a free presentation about his work, examining how the thinning of piñon-juniper woodlands in the Arkansas River Valley to reduce fire risk influences piñon-juniper bird communities. Several piñon-juniper obligate birds are high-priority conservation species with declining populations. Presentation takes place from 7-8 p.m. JANUARY 25 “Railroad History of Palisade” presentation The Palisade Historical Society presents the “Railroad History of Palisade” from 7-9 p.m. at the Veterans Memorial Community Center, located at Eighth and Main Streets in Palisade. This free program focuses on the vital role the railroads played in Palisade’s history, as presented by dedicated railroad buff Matt Darling. Darling has a degree in U.S. History from Mesa State College and has been a member of the Rio Grande Modeling and Historical Society

Funerals can celebrate life. 99

88-005 Grandpa a t-a1n9ry- l2 -m2010 randcle S he G Un C nt Au

JANUARY 2017

MESA COUNTY 39

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for over a decade. He also volunteers at the Loyd Files Research Library at the Museum of Western Colorado. For more information on the Palisade Historical Society, visit www.historic palisade.org.

JANUARY 27 Cats Meow Benefit Concert Pianist Linda Jenks and her musical friends perform Broadway show tunes, heavenly harp, Russian art songs and more at 7 p.m. at Redlands United Methodist Church, 527 Village Way. Prizes will be awarded to attendees for the best animal costume. There will be a dessert buffet and pet-related items for sale. Proceeds benefit Grand Valley Pets Alive. Suggested donation is $10 for adults, and $5 for children and seniors. Call 434-7554 for more information. FEBRUARY 3 An Evening with Judy Collins Singer-songwriter Judy Collins came to fame in the folk revival of the early ’60s and she’s still going strong. More than 50 years later, Collins is still loving her work and singing with as much soulful intimacy and beauty as ever. On February 3, “Judy Blue Eyes” will perform at 7:30 p.m. at the Avalon Theatre. Tickets are

$39-$49 and can be purchased online at www.singerandsimpson.com or call 406-250-5527.

FEBRUARY 4 Lions Club fundraiser The Grand Junction Lions Club hosts a chili supper at Independence Village, 225 N. Coulson St., from 4-8 p.m. Tickets are $5 for adults, $3 for children age 6-12 and free for children under age 6, and benefit Fruita Monument High School scholarships. Call 639-9781 for more information.

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WORKSHOPS AT THE ART CENTER The Grand Junction Art Center presents several workshops this month. Learn more at www.gjartcenter.org. January 14 and 18: “Batik for Beginners” with Susan Metzger from

9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Learn an ancient technique of waxing and dyeing fabric. Registration is $90 per session with $15 is due to the instructor on the day of the class. All materials are provided. January 28-29: “Courage in Creativity” with

Paula Jo Miller from 1-4 p.m. Find the courage to explore the creative unknown without a roadmap. Registration is $90 for members and $130 for nonmembers, with $12 due to the instructor on the first day. All materials are provided. January 25: “Intro to Cyanotype” with Gary

Hauschulz from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Expose chemicals to light to create a variety of images. Registration is $60.

JANUARY 2017

Mesa County Beacon Bits Local Giving Clubs award more than $25,000 every quarter The Giving Club and Guys’ Giving Club, now with more than 240 total members, recently selected Diabetes Counts and Western Colorado Suicide Prevention Foundation as local recipients of more than $25,000 in members’ quarterly gifts. Both the all-women’s Giving Club and counterpart Guys’ Giving Club benefit the vital projects and ongoing services of Mesa County’s nonprofit organizations. Members utilize a simple nominating process to consider three organizations for receipt of donations, with the full membership voting to determine one agency to receive all contributions. Club members pledge to make four $100 tax-deductible contributions each year. The next gathering of the Giving Club is scheduled for 5:15 p.m. on February 6 at Springhill Suites. Guys’ Giving Club will meet on February 7 at the same location. Additional information and membership applications are available at www.gjgivingclub.org. Hoffman Eye Care welcomes cataract surgeon and corneal specialist Hoffman Eye Care/ICON Eyecare welcomed Michael Waggoner, DO, a cataract surgeon and fellowship-trained LASIK/corneal specialist to the team. Waggoner is the only full-time practicing specialist in the region providing medical and surgical treatment for eye conditions, such as Fuch’s dystrophy, keratoconus and dry eye. In addition to corneal surgery, Waggoner is a cataract and LASIK surgeon. He specializes in medical and surgical treatment for cataracts, including laser cataract surgery and premium lens options. He also performs laser vision correction including LASIK and PRK. His expertise also includes dry eye disease and common complications of dry eye, including pterygiums and corneal scarring.

Daughters of the American Revolution to award scholarship Colorado State Regent Margaret Norton will be present as six local high school students are honored as Good Citizens by the Mt. Garfield Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) chapter. Each student participated in a scholarship competition. The winner will be announced on January 14 at 1 p.m. during the chapter’s monthly meeting at the Whitman Education Center. The DAR Good Citizen award is given to high school seniors, nominated by their schools, who demonstrate qualities of good citizenship—dependability, service, leadership and patriotism. Each student completes an application that includes a resume, a grade transcript and letters of recommendation. In addition, they write a timed essay. The applications were judged by three local citizens. The winner will be awarded $1,000 by the Mount Garfield Chapter and advance to the Colorado state contest. Heal Vets Civil War maps and memorabilia display The Help Heal Veterans (formerly Help Hospitalized Veterans) presents an exhibit of Civil War maps and memorabilia from January 17 through March 31 at the Community-Based Arts and Crafts Center, 1670 North Ave. An exhibit opening will take place from 2-4 p.m. on January 17. The memorabilia was provided by three U.S. military veterans, Mike Warick, Jim Hodge and George Austin. Community Hospital physician earns third board certification Community Hospital physician Brent Woodson, DO, with Advanced Pulmonary and Critical Care of the Grand Valley, earned his third board certification in November, making him triple board certified in internal medicine, pulmonology and critical care/intensivist. Woodson specializes

JANUARY 2017

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in advanced pulmonary and critical care medicine. He provides consultations for individuals with diminished lung function as well as patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Woodson prides himself in maximizing the quality of time he is able to offer his patients at his office. In addition, he eagerly works with other highly specialized physicians and staff within Community Hospital to ensure the best possible care for each patient. Opera and ballet at Regal Cinema See world-class entertainment at Regal Cinemas in Grand Junction with the following productions shown in HD: • “Nabucco” by the Metropolitan Opera at 10:55 a.m. on January 7, and 6:30 p.m. January 11. • “Romeo et Juliette,” also by the Metropolitan Opera, will show at 10:55 a.m. on January 21 and 6:30 p.m. on January 25. • “Sleeping Beauty” by the Bolshoi Ballet will be shown at 10:55 a.m. on January 22. Tickets for the operas are $24 for adults, $22 for seniors and $18 for children. Ballet tickets are $18 for adults and $15 for seniors and children.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES • Mesa County RSVP connects individuals 55 and older to volunteer positions in any of our member agencies. For a list of volunteer opportunities and to register, call 243-9839. • AARP Foundation TaxAide is seeking volunteers to help Colorado taxpayers who need assistance preparing and filing their 2016 tax returns. For more information, visit www.aarp.org/money/taxes/ aarp_taxaide/ or call 1-888-6872277. The application deadline is December 15. • Mesa County Spellbinders is looking for volunteers to learn a few story-telling skills and make a

difference in children’s lives. Spellbinders tell stories to students in kindergarten through fifth grade once a month during the school year. To join, call 462-7346.

SUPPORT GROUPS • Mending Hearts is for any adult who has experienced the death of a loved one. Grand Junction groups meets from 2-3:30 p.m. on Thursdays at the Miller Homestead at HopeWest. Call 248-8844. • National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) offers support groups for family members of adults who have a serious mental illness and connection groups for adults living with a mental illness. Groups meet at various times and locations in Mesa County. For additional information, please visit www.NAMI WS.org or call 462-3989. • Western Slope Visionaries, a low-vision support group, meets from 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Wednesdays. Call 241-0315. • Compassionate Friends offers friendship and understanding to bereaved parents, siblings and grandparents. The group meets monthly at 7-8:30 p.m. on the first Tuesdays at Unity Church, 3205 N. 12th St. Call 434-3822. • MACHO Men cancer support group meets monthly at 5.-6:30 p.m. on the second Wednesdays at St. Mary’s Hospital’s Java City Café. Call 298-2351 for details. • MS and Men, a support group for men living with MS, meets monthly on the third Thursdays from 11 a.m. to noon at the Artful Cup. Call 241-8975. • MS Breakfast Group meets monthly at 9 a.m. on the first Tuesdays at Village Inn, 757 Horizon Dr. Call 241-8975. • GriefShare is a nondenominational Christ-based support group for those mourning the death of a loved one. This no-cost group meets from 1 p.m.-3 p.m. Mondays. For location and details, call Vicci at 628-1453. ■

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Across 1 Cairo league 5 Letter on a frat house, perhaps 10 Kind of bag 14 Oak support 15 Punic Wars soldier 16 Dude ranch prop 17 Renders suspect 19 Protected, nautically 20 Tom and Dick, but no Harry 21 Fruity-smelling chemical compounds 23 Brontë’s Jane 24 Homesteader’s stake 25 Farm areas 27 Flourishes 30 Which cheek to turn? 31 Percussion instruments 32 Twisted Sister’s Snider 33 Commando’s mission 34 Cleaners’ concern 35 Copper piece 36 Building adjunct 37 They play “The Feud” 38 Suburban emporiums 39 Having a finger in every pie 41 Lariat 42 Appears 43 Columnist Barrett

FUN & GAMES 43

Turn to page 45 for your puzzle answers 44 Commuter’s computer 46 Certain relative 50 Perry’s creator 51 Western wagon 53 Drop of sorrow 54 Chomping at the bit 55 Wrigley climber 56 Verb for Simon 57 Generals’ pride 58 From scratch Down 1 Grade school basics 2 Gallivant 3 ___-ran 4 One-upped 5 Marching ___ 6 Boxing’s Archie 7 They won’t get off the ground 8 Some consider it a gift 9 Deer playmate? 10 Without charge 11 They’re often emulated 12 Copycat 13 Some are killer 18 Less vocal 22 Talk trash to 24 Bucks 25 Whale of ___ 26 Simple task 27 Word with up, down or about 28 Edison’s park

29 Movie locales 30 Neighbor of Provo 31 Mission start? 34 Sneaks a peek 35 Legendary lover 37 Nile figure 38 ____-depressive 40 Frightens away 41 Introverts 43 Received, at NASA 44 Rents 45 ___ 51 (secretive site) 46 “Roots,” e.g. 47 Placed down 48 Problem that breaks out? 49 Sigh of relief 52 Tit for ___

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 “I thoroughly enjoyed your Local Lore on the Soupeaters—very informative, well written and excellent photos. We need more local history stories just like your article.” - John W. Miller, GJHS 1964  “I’ve been sending lodge activity notices to you for a number of years and I’m retiring. I’d like to thank you for your gracious help in including the information in the BEACON. Many people have read about the lodge in your news magazine and called for more information or just come to our meetings. The BEACON definitely serves a real need for a number of people on the western slope! Mange Tusen Takk (Many Thousand Thanks in Norwegian).” - Annette Helgelien Kevin: “Congratulations on retiring. Thanks for reading the BEACON Senior Newspaper.”  “Due, in large part, to your cover story in December, my wife and me went out looking at Christmas lights this year. Boy! They sure have come a long way since the ’70s. (That’s the last time we decorated the house.) Thanks for the story. It was illuminating.” - Travis & Jeanette

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Fitness is key to wellness—boy, was I wrong! By Jim Cotsana

hen I was in my late 20s, I would often over hear much older adults around me complaining about their hips, knees, cholesterol, back pain, poor hearing, things they could no longer eat because of acid reflux, etc. None of this made an impression on me. Being a former Marine officer, I continued with my physical fitness routine for years after I left active duty. I felt I was in great shape and would never have to confront any of these issues or ailments. Well, things change. About seven years ago, my left hip started bothering me to the point where I couldn’t get a good night’s sleep. Whenever I turned, I would wake up from the pain. Thinking it was my hip, I had an x-ray which showed it to be bursitis. About the same time, I started to get ringing in my ears. This turned out to be tinnitus along with some significant hearing loss. Vanity kicked in and I decided I was going to put off hearing aids as long as I can. Then about two years ago, I started to get lower back pain that radiated down both legs. I let it go thinking it was the result of too much exercise. However, it just kept getting worse. Finally, an MRI showed severe spinal stenosis. I refused surgery and opted for periodic lumbar injections. The real kicker happened one day in February. For a couple of weeks prior, I felt pressure growing in my chest along with some shortness of breath and occasional nausea. I thought I might be having the big one! I decided to go the hospital and have it checked out. I told the emergency room nurse how I was feeling and was immediately tak-

en in for an EKG. Negative. They hooked up a heart monitor and took blood. A little later, a doctor said my numbers looked fine except for one which was a little off and could indicate a blood clot in one of my lungs. Off I went for a CAT scan. Also negative. I really wanted to go home but they recommended I stay the night to be monitored and take a stress test in the morning. Trying to sleep through the night in a hospital is pointless, which I suspect many of you can relate to. The cardiologist said my heart and lungs were in great shape and he wished more people had my insides. “That’s all well and good,” I said, “but what’s the issue I’m having?” It turned out to be acid reflux. So now, I have to put up with the ringing in my ears, asking people to speak up a little louder, bouts with bursitis, acid reflux which requires me to watch what I eat, and lower back pain from spinal stenosis— those same issues I remember being discussed by adults when I was much younger. Because my orthopedic doctor advised me to no longer lift heavy objects, I call on my adult nephews when I need help. When I do call, they jokingly say, “What do you need help with now, old man?” I tell them, “I was like you at your age so just remember this is going to catch up with you someday soon, so keep laughing. Also, keep in mind that I keep an eraser next to my will, so don’t push it.” As I watch them place two heavy and bulky window air conditioners in my home, I reflect back on those days listening to all the complaints about this or that ailment and never thought I’d ever be in that situation. Boy, was I wrong! ■

JANUARY 2017

kvetch \ kfech  “The right wing got its way! I hope they don’t squander it like we did.” - A lil’ left of center  “Clifton didn’t happen by accident. The county made that ghetto with their back door deals, and look the other way zoning. Now they’re doing the same damn thing in the desert at the base of Mount Garfield. Who’s going to clean up that blight?” - Willard T.  “I thank your paper for the stories you write about local veterans. I am always surprised and thankful by the service of people in my defense. If I had a complaint it would be that you don’t have these types of stories every month. I never get tired of reading them.” - Arch A. Cloie: “Stories about our local veterans are some of my favorites to read as well. I’m sure you’ll enjoy the story about Jim Bernal in this month’s BEACON. It’s not a story about his service, per se, but it is an integral part of his story and how it shaped him today. I appreciate the feedback and thanks for reading the BEACON.”

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Beacon@PendantPublishing.com

OFFICIAL BALLOT Photocopies will not be accepted

BEST

Best Antique Store___________________________________________ Best Bike Shop______________________________________________ Best Clothing Store__________________________________________ Best Shoe Store_____________________________________________

L OCAL

LOVED

2017 Share the LOVE!

Help the BEACON determine the best and most loved hotspots for boomers and seniors in Mesa County. Nominate your favorite locales in the following categories and return this page to the BEACON by January 16 to be entered to win a prize. We will give away three $50 gift certificates to the most loved locales nominated on the ballot. The winners will be announced in a special insert in the February BEACON. Mail your ballot to: The BEACON, PO Box 3895, Grand Junction, CO 81502 or drop off your ballot at: The BEACON, 524 30 Road, Suite 4, Grand Junction, CO 81504 CONTEST RULES:

• • • •

One entry per person. One vote per category. Entries must be clearly printed. Entries must include voter’s name, address and phone number. Entries become property of the BEACON, which reserves the right to publish nominations in an upcoming issue. • Entries must be received by January 16. Winners will be published in the February BEACON.

Best Place to Buy Gifts________________________________________ Best Liquor Store____________________________________________ Best Second Hand Store______________________________________ Best Optical Store___________________________________________ Best Pet Supply Store_________________________________________ Best Financial Planner________________________________________ Best Auto Dealership_________________________________________ Best Auto Repair____________________________________________ Best Tire Store______________________________________________ Best Carpet Cleaner_________________________________________ Best Garden Nursery_________________________________________ Best Heating and Cooling Service______________________________ Best Landscaping/Lawn Care Service____________________________ Best Plumber_______________________________________________ Best Place for Breakfast_______________________________________ Best Place for Lunch_________________________________________ Best Place for Dinner_________________________________________ Best Date Night Location_____________________________________ Best Coffee Shop____________________________________________

Name:______________________________________________________

Best Place to Get a Stiff Drink_________________________________

Address:____________________________________________________

Best Winery________________________________________________

City:____________________________State:_______ Zip:____________

Best Hiking Trail_____________________________________________

Phone:______________________________________________________

Best Place to Take the Grandkids_______________________________

Email:_______________________________________________________

Best Place to Golf____________________________________________

The Beacon & Hilltop Senior Living Communities

For Those Age 55 and Better!

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11 THE COMMONS OF HILLTOP GARDEN ROOM 625 27 1/2 ROAD, GRAND JUNCTION

7:30 - 10:30 pm

CASH BAR & APPETIZERS MUSIC BY CLARK GAULTâ€™S SWING CITY EXPRESS FOR TICKETS CALL 243-8829 A D VA N C E T I C K E T S $ 2 0 P E R P E R S O N / $ 4 0 C O U P L E

AT T H E D O O R $ 2 5 P E R P E R S O N / $ 5 0 C O U P L E