MAY 2015
Vol. 29
No. 5
Mesa County’s Monthly Newspaper for Adults 50+. Over 26,827 Readers. Summer Health & Wellness Your health and wellness are sure to get a boost after reading this month’s insert. See inside.
nteers u l Voa l to the va l le
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Memorial Day Whether it be a day to honor fallen soldiers or to extend that honor to friends and family, it’s a day of remembrance. Page 6. Serving with honor At age 20, Tom Tudor received the highest honor as a sentinel of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Page 24.
2015 BEACON Volunteer of the Year nominees, from top row, left: Mike Dermody, Kathie Iles, Richard Parrish (2015 Volunteer of the Year) & Domenica Marsala. Middle row: Barb Kremski, Marianne Traver, Charlotte Maes, Celia Keslar & Sid Smith. Front row: Elicia Lujan, Mary Romero, Irene Bladow, Joy Bush & Donna Schmitz.
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May 2015
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May 2015
I bought my mother-in-law a cemetery plot By Kevin K. VanGundy
Got game?
ast year, I bought my mother-inlaw a cemetery plot as a birthday gift. This year, I didn’t buy her anything. When she asked me why I hadn’t gotten her a gift this year, I replied, “Well, you still haven’t used the gift that I bought you last year.” Actually, I get along quite well with my mother-in-law and in that regard I’d like to wish her, Ann, and my own mother, Genevra, a very happy Mother’s Day! Please be kind to your mother and if you’d like, we’ll send her a free issue of the BEACON Senior Newspaper. Just call our office and give us her name and address. Speaking of cemeteries, don’t forget to honor America’s fallen soldiers at the end of this month on Memorial Day, May 25. It’s also a good time to lay down fresh flowers at the resting place of family and friends. Try to take your grandchildren with you, as this seems to be a dying tradition.
In July’s BEACON, we’re going to include the complete schedule of events for this summer’s Western Colorado Senior Games put on by the Grand Junction Parks & Recreation Department. Last summer’s games had a record number of participants and we’re looking to make this year’s games even more competitive with your participation. ■
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Summer travel Are you going anywhere this summer? Did you visit any place exciting last year? In June, the BEACON will present you with a myriad of suggestions on places to go and things to do. What we’d really like to know from you is what to include and what not to include. Please send your suggestions and/or travel photos to:
EDITORIAL 3
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4 COVER STORY
Florence Balbier, 92, has spent over one-third of her life serving others. She was recently honored for her 30 years of active volunteerism with Mesa County RSVP at the organization’s annual volunteer appreciation event. Though Balbier has volunteered over three decades helping with various projects in the RSVP office, as well as its member agencies, she has been volunteering in the Grand Valley for close to 40 years. Balbier passes on this legacy to members of her family, as some of her children and grandchildren are also actively involved in their communities. Many volunteers were recognized at RSVP’s event for their achievements, including over 70 volunteers who had reached significant mile markers in their volunteer years with RSVP. Volunteers were awarded with certificates of achievement and a pin commemorating the number of years served. Balbier stays savvy by looking up patterns on the Internet to make hats for chemo patients at St. Mary’s Hospital. She also crafts items for the gift shop.
Florence Balbier and her son, who didn’t want to miss honoring his mother at RSVP’s recent volunteer appreciation event, even though she thought he was out of town.
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The way to a community’s heart is through its volunteers By Carrie Kellerby
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ach year over a million Coloradans donate over 122 million hours of service to worthy causes. The Grand Valley is no slouch when it comes to making a healthy contribution to those numbers. Every year the BEACON Senior Newspaper highlights only a few of these dedicated men and women by asking the community to nominate their favorite outstanding volunteers. The contributions of all of these devoted philanthropists are honored by our readers, culminating with one of them voted as the BeaconFest Volunteer of the Year. This year our readers chose Richard Parrish, volunteer extraordinaire. Rich Parrish, 67, a retired manager from XPEDX, a distributor of packaging, facility and printing supplies, moved to the Grand Valley from Utah in 1979. He currently lives in Fruita with his wife, Val. The couple has seven children and 12 grandchildren, making hospitality as integral in their home as their obvious warmth and open-heartedness. Parrish currently works part-time as a bookkeeper for CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates), a nonprofit agency that recruits, trains and supports volunteers to advocate in the courtroom on behalf of abused and neglected children. He also has a long and varied resume when it comes to volunteering. Over the years Parrish has served on boards of various nonprofit organizations, including United Way, Boy Scouts of America, Crime Stoppers of Mesa County, the Western Colorado Horticulture Society, the LDS Church, Fruita Monument High School Boosters, and Family Health West. Val pointed out that although Rich is basically retired, he’s definitely made a second career out of volunteering. Parrish also speaks Spanish and volunteers at the Mesa County Library helping Spanish-language speakers
May 2015
navigate the intricacies of English (and particularly, the troublesome bureaucratic dialect). His Spanish also came in handy when the couple hosted a player for the Grand Junction Rockies (something they do every baseball season) who was from Venezuela. For the past 18 months, Parrish has volunteered at the Community Food Bank, an organization that has been active in the Grand Valley for over 35 years, working to provide emergency food boxes to those in need. He spends two days a week at the pantry performing a variety of needed tasks. On his way in to work he stops at the Richard Parrish was nominated by Fruita Pizza Hut and three Community Food Bank and was voted the BEACON’s 201 different Starbucks and 5 Volunteer of the Year. picks up their donations of day-old pastries and breads. At the pantry Parrish divides bulk items that volunteering is a responsibility we all share and hopes that future into portions, stocks shelves, packs generations will continue to give food boxes, and delivers orders. He also drives to the City Market, Albert- time and energy to making their community a thriving one. He said son’s and the Food Bank of the Rockthere’s a great deal of satisfaction in ies to pick up groceries and donated knowing you are helping a worthy items. cause and making a difference. The Community Food Bank packs There are so many deserving orgaits food boxes with balanced meals, nizations that need volunteers. It may so items often have to be purchased be hard to choose where to donate to ensure a nutritional mix of fruit, your precious time, but don’t let the vegetables, proteins, carbohydrates number of organizations needing and fats. “It’s a huge operation,” Parrish help deter you. With a bit of self-assaid, “with hardly a dull moment. sessment and a modicum of research, And there’s always a need for more you can find the perfect match. Narfood—and money.” row your search by asking yourself a Parrish has a long history of service few key questions. to his community. He cares deeply What are you passionate about? for all the organizations and causes List some things you know you are to which he gives, or has given, his willing to support, or things that you time. would like to change or improve in “I believe the more active and your community. This will start you involved you are, the better you feel thinking in the right direction. You about yourself, and that’ll probably may decide you want to use your make for a longer life,” Parrish said. career skills as a volunteer. On the He managed to convey his view other hand you may want to do some-
May 2015 thing you know little about and learn something new in the process. You should also determine if you want to volunteer on a regularly scheduled basis or just occasionally, maybe for a special fundraising event. You may decide you only want to volunteer at a certain time of year, around the holidays, for example. There are many extra opportunities to lend a helping hand during that busy season. Finally, ask yourself if you want to volunteer your time working alone or with others, which could mean working as a team or directly with the recipients of a service agency. The answers to these questions should narrow your list and assist you in making an informed decision about where, what kind, and how much time you have to offer. There are a number of nonprofit and service organizations in the Grand Valley that, like Community Food Bank, provide vital services, including Hilltop, Gray Gourmet, HopeWest, Grand Valley Catholic Outreach, Habitat for Humanity, or the American Red Cross, to name a few. If animals are your passion you might consider, Roice-Hurst or the foster care program through Mesa County Animal Services. Other community organizations include the John McConnell Math and Science Center, The Art Center, Mesa County Public Libraries, or the Western Colorado Botanical Gardens. Volunteer organizations designed to service veterans, such as Operation Interdependence or The VA Medical Center, almost always need a helping hand. And don’t forget the school district, hospitals, Mesa County Health Department, and the Sheriff’s office; they all have a variety of opportunities for volunteers. If you’re a senior and are not sure where your particular skills and talents are most needed, you may want to contact Mesa County RSVP, a local nonprofit organization that serves the community by placing seniors who want to volunteer with the organizations that best suit them. Whatever you choose to do, choosing to volunteer is a great gift to the healthy heart of your community. ■
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COVER STORY 5
START VOLUNTEERING! Here’s a list of wonderful organizations and their contact information to help get you started. CASA of Mesa County, 242-4191 or email info@casamc.org. RSVP, 243-9839 or rsvpgrandjunction.org/home.aspx Partners, 245-5555 or www.mesapartners.org Hilltop, 244-0659 or email Volunteers@htop.org. Gray Gourmet, 243-9844 HopeWest, 241-2212 or www.hopewestco.org Catholic Outreach, 241-3658 or www.catholicoutreach.org/help_volunteer.shtml Habitat for Humanity, 263-0858 or www.hfhmesa.org Community Food Bank, 640-0336 or foodbankgj.org/how-to-volunteer American Red Cross, 242-4851 or www.redcross.org/support/volunteer/ opportunities#step1 Grand Junction Visitors Center, 256-4060 or www.visitgrandjunction.com Roice-Hurst, 434-7337 or www.rhhumanesociety.com/volunteer.html Mesa County Animal Services, 255-5005 or animalservices.mesacounty.us/Volunteer.aspx John McConnell Math and Science Center, 254-1626 or mathandsciencecenter.org/support/volunteer Operation Interdependence, 523-4217 or www.oidelivers.org Grand Junction VA Medical Center, 245-1336 Mesa County Health Department, 248-6900 or health.mesacounty.us/volunteer/
National & Regional Award-Winning Publication Publisher ........................ Kevin K. VanGundy Founding Publisher................... Susan Capps Editor........................................ Cloie Sandlin Graphic Designer.................. Melissa Trottier Production................................ Karen Jones Office Manager......................Sherry Harmon Account Representative...............Sue Bowen Account Representative............Sidney Jayne Account Representative.................Dave Hoyt Proofreader................................. Jan Weeks Cheerleader..............................Genevra Shal Delivery............................. Lauren VanGundy Delivery .............................. Olivia VanGundy Delta-Montrose Bureau Assistant Editor...................Liesl Greathouse Account Representative.......... Virginia Carlile Delivery..........................................JR Milner P.O. Box 3895, Grand Junction, CO 81502 970.24 3.8 82 9 800.536.7516 fax 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 County. 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 2015 • All Rights Reserved
Mesa County Libraries, 683-2432 or email volunteer@mcpld.org Mesa County Sherriff’s Department, 244-3500 or health.mesacounty.us/volunteer/ St. Mary’s Foster Grandparent Program, 298-9091 St. Mary’s Senior Companion Program, 298-9092
Cover Photo The BEACON’s 2015 Volunteer of the Year winner Richard Parrish surrounded by our other amazing volunteer nominees at our 2015 Grand Junction BeaconFest Boomer & Senior Fair.
6 FEATURE STORY
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ra t i o n o c e D
D DAY
By Amy Abbott Memorial Day weekend meant two important activities for a child growing up in an Indiana town in the 1960s. Race Day was about fun and family, and Decoration Day was about country and family. Sunday was Race Day, the day of the Indianapolis 500, and an acceptable reason for missing church. Family huddled around an AM radio to hear “Taps,” the Purdue Marching Band, and “Back Home Again in Indiana.” The race started promptly at 11 a.m. with the call, “Gentlemen, start your engines.” Janet Guthrie had yet to break the barrier as the first female Indy car driver. Sid Collins called the race on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Radio Network, which broadcast all over the world. Nothing speaks Race Day to a Hoosier like the static blare of AM radio, punctuated by the whizzing of race cars in the background. My mom’s distant cousin, Roy Grugel, worked at the track in the 1920s. Can you imagine bragging about “worked in the pits?” Race Day lunch meant grilling Eckrich hot dogs until they were almost black and crunchy. We drank cherry Kool-Aid, made with a cup of real sugar, and enjoyed Seyfert’s BBQ potato chips. We played Jarts, a popular game eventually pulled off the market. The Jart was a long, metal lawn dart teams threw into a plastic circle. It often found its misbegotten way through someone’s foot. Still, we kept on playing. While the federal holiday after Race Day was called Memorial Day, many old-timers called it Decoration Day. My aunt Mary Irene Brown Roller made
May 2015 sure a flag decorated my Uncle Chat Brown’s grave to commemorate his service in World War II. She also honored her parents, deceased siblings and other relatives with colorful flowers. My parents, almost 80, continue this tradition today. In May 1971, I marched with the South Whitley High School band in the Memorial Day parade. Before the consolidation movement, many Indiana schools were small township schools. I was an eighth grader, but the band needed warm bodies, so the junior high kids stepped up. We wore the same blue and white wool striped band uniforms my mother wore marching in the same parade in 1946. Wool is hot in May, and wool that old held generations of teenage sweat. The entire town turned out to watch us. Old soldiers from the War to End All Wars, World War II and Korea marched ahead of us. On the sidewalks, Legion wives and widows sold red plastic buddy poppies for a dollar. The red poppy is a symbol of the fallen soldier, and it comes from the poem, “In Flanders Field,” in which poet John McCrae penned, “In Flanders fields the poppies blow between the crosses, row on row.” We marched down State Street, playing “My Buddy,” a song that tells the poignant story of a World War I soldier who lost his friend. We marched on to the local cemetery, where veterans and officials gave solemn speeches. The officials honored those in service, in a wetland known as Vietnam. Our ragtag band played “My Buddy” repeatedly, sounding much like the out-oftune band in The Andy Griffith Show. I think “My Buddy” was the only song the summer band knew. Despite the heat, the smell of old wool and a crowd of rowdy, oversugared children, we all knew it was important to be there. This day of remembrance for those who served our country and for those who passed made us pause. I played my flute while some longforgotten tenor sang the Gus Kahn song: “Miss your voice, the touch of your hand, long to know that you understand my buddy, my buddy, your buddy misses you.” ■
May 2015
Visiting the Wall By Amy Abbott Time had caused the old man to stoop a little, but he didn’t look nearly as old as his 82 years. He walked with confidence. He had been to the wall before, but he wanted to go again on this warm spring day with his children and grandchildren. The crowd quieted as visitors walked down the Mall toward the low, black stone monument. While many of his high school friends served in the military, the old man kept the home fires burning. During World War II, he was too young to serve. And he didn’t go to Korea as he was 4F, born with a club foot that kept him from the service. Although he did not glamorize war, he held the American military in the highest esteem and raised his children to do so. As a younger man, he and his wife traveled to France to see the cemeteries of Normandy and the sands of Omaha Beach. He often quoted Churchill, “Never was so much owed to so few by so many.” The old man was a teacher for more than 35 years. He loved his work, and he loved his students. On his first visit to the wall in 2006 with his wife and daughter, he carefully sought out the names of the three boys he taught— the three boys from his small town who never came home from Vietnam. Now he wanted to find the name of one boy, a boy who had been a neighbor. He wanted to find this boy because his wife, who was also a teacher, taught this boy in second grade in a tiny, rural elementary school. The page in the roster book with the boy’s name on it was missing. The old man continued his slow walk down the hill where more than 55,000 names were etched into the stone of those who served our country and never walked with grandchildren on a spring day in our nation’s capital. The plaza was peaceful and quiet, a place that remembers the soldiers and sailors who gave the ultimate sacrifice.
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Photo by Cloie Sandlin One of the many veterans who volunteer at the wall approached the man and asked him, “Are you looking for a name?” The old man gave the volunteer the student’s name. The volunteer had a mobile device and tapped in the young man’s name. The soldier escorted the retired teacher to the area where the young man’s name was on the wall, surrounded by hundreds of other names of American soldiers, young, old, white, black, Christian, Jewish, Muslim, from rural America, from urban America. Although the old man had been talkative all afternoon, telling his two young adult grandsons historical facts about Roosevelt and Lincoln, and sharing their awe with the new Martin Luther King Memorial, now he was quiet. He took his left hand and placed it on the young man’s name while the volunteer read the young man’s death date and place from his mobile phone. He was 22 years old when he died. The boy who grew up on an Indiana farm died a man thousands of miles away in the steamy jungles of Southeast Asia. The old man still did not say a word. His family, including his two 22-yearold grandsons who benefit in freedom from the sacrifice of all Americans in all our wars, walked quietly behind him. The old man wept for the lost student and quietly walked up the hill and out into the sunshine of the National Mall. ■
FEATURE STORY 7
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May 2015
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May 2015
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Ask the Old Bag
Advice Column for the Over 50 Crowd By Gayle LagmanCreswick
Dear Old Bag: From time to time, I read about well-meaning children in your column, who are worried about their parents living alone, falling, getting scammed, etc. They all think their parents should move into a supportive community of some kind. That might be good for some, but not everyone. Some of us would like to stay where we are. It is true we might fall. We might not eat right. We are at risk for getting scammed. We might have a breakin and even get injured or killed. My logic tells me that can happen to anyone at any age, right? I like to think that I have earned the right to age in the way I choose. Manage my money if you want. Bring me goodies to eat. Visit me. Don’t nag at me to move. Just love me where I choose to be. In the words of Frank Sinatra, “I Did it My Way.” Signed, Dad Dear Dad: You said it so well. Thanks for writing. Note the letter below. OB Dear Old Bag: My husband died three years ago. I think I got through his death in a healthy way. For the last six months, I have been looking at retirement and assisted living communities—not because I need it, but because it makes sense to me. I am 81 years old and lonely. Pretty soon I may not be able to drive. One never knows when your health could take a turn for the worse. My neighbor had one fall that landed her in a nursing home. I believe I am ready for this change. The other day, I bounced it off my kids and was totally unprepared for their reaction. They were horrified that I should be thinking of selling the house and moving. They jumped on me and said, “You are not ready for that!” What do I do
now? Signed, Perplexed Dear Perplexed: It sounds as if your kids have not adjusted to your aging. They still think of you as being 50 or 60. If you regularly read my column, you know I am going to tell you to do it your way. I think your kids will come around. Invite them to go with you to look at a couple places. But please do not let them take control of your decision to do what you want to do. You sound like a forward thinker to me. Good luck! OB Dear Old Bag: I am a 75-yearold widower. I am retired. I go to a local coffee place a couple times a week and read my book as I sip my coffee. Several times I have seen a woman, who looks to be my age, who has coffee at a nearby table. I would like to meet her, but I haven’t the foggiest notion how to do it. Whenever I think about getting up and going over there, I feel as if my feet are planted in cement. This is the first person I have wanted to meet since my wife died five years ago. Signed, Out of Practice Dear Out of Practice: When faced with that kind of dilemma, I would say to myself: “What is the worst that could happen?” She could throw her coffee in my face. She could laugh at me. She could say something snotty like, “Mind your own business.” She could get up and leave. Once I have horrified myself with those thoughts, I realize the likelihood of them happening is pretty small, and if it does happen, I can handle it. Then I get my feet out of the cement and do it. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Introduce yourself and ask if she would like to join you for coffee. OB ■
Send your questions to the Old Bag in care of the BEACON, or email lagmancreswick@cox.net.
ASK THE OLD BAG 9
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By Kevin K. VanGundy
F
irst, I’d like to thank the approximate 2,300 people who attended this year’s BeaconFest Senior Fair. Second, I’d like to thank the BEACON staff and the staff at Two Rivers Convention Center for working so hard to make this event such a great success. Also, the RSVP volunteers who manned the doors and blew up over 400 brightly colored balloons. Of course, I can’t forget to say thank you to our main sponsors, Walgreens and Callahan-Edfast, as well as KREX News Channel 5 for being our media partner. Thank you to Hilltop Senior Services for being our bag sponsor, and to Carlson Memorials and FCI Constructors for being food sponsors.
Fantastic food The Olive Garden served up some delicious lasagna with its famous Bellini Iced Tea. Buffalo Wild Wings had a variety of wings and sauce. Rib City Grill delighted attendees with a full lunch, containing pulled pork, coleslaw, rolls and dessert.
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May 2015
A big BEACON thank you
Gelu Italian Ice was also a big hit with BeaconFest attendees striving to try each flavor. For dessert, Gray Gourmet served up delicious brownies and Hilltop Senior Services gave away cake. To help wash it all down, Purified Water-to-Go helped attendees stay hydrated.
There was music and dancing One of the great treats at BeaconFest is the entertainment, which runs all day long on two different stages. Greeting folks as they entered the show in the foyer were:
• Pianist Paula Dunfee • Country-western star Peggy Malone • Spare Parts Barbershop Quartet • Harpist Mary Jo Johnson
Entertainers on the main stage were: • Centennial Band Quintet • Beth Williams • Danny Agajanian & The Hallelujah Band • King ‘N’ Trio • bone tree • Ron Koss, who also masterfully managed the sound for our entertainers
Door prizes galore Of course, no BeaconFest would be complete without giving away thousands of dollars worth of door prizes from these kind and generous businesses: AAA Hearing Acme Healing Center Adobe Creek National Golf Course AeroCare Alzheimer’s Association American Furniture Warehouse Amtrak
ASEA & RENU 28 Atrium of the Grand Valley Bassett Furniture Battlement Mesa Golf Club Beauty by Design Big Dog TV & Internet Big O Tires Bookcliff Gardens Boston’s Brakes Plus Buffalo Wild Wings Callahan-Edfast Mortuary Center for Independence Century Casino Chili’s Grill & Bar City of Grand Junction Golf Courses Colorado State Veterans Home in Rifle Country Elegance Florist Crossroads Assisted & Independent Living Crossroads Fitness Daylight Donuts Del Taco Denny’s Devil’s Thumb Golf Club The Egg & I First Light Home Care Flowers by Jimmie Foundation Repair Golden Corral Gold’s Gym Grand Junction Harley-Davidson
May 2015 Grace Healthcare Grand Vista Hotel Gray Gourmet Great Clips Historic Strater Hotel Home Care of the Grand Valley Home Loan Investment HopeWest Il Bistro Italiano Interiors, ETC Jerry’s Pest Control Jessica E & Associates RE La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries LeRouge Restaurant Lowe’s Home Improvement McAlister’s Deli Merry Maids Mesa County Libraries Mesa View Assisted Living Midas Nightingale Home Care & Elite Care at Home Nuclear Care Partners Old Chicago Olive Garden Operation Independence Orchard Mesa Lanes Outback Steakhouse Out West Books
www.BeaconSeniorNews.com Picture Ranch Professional Case Management Pufferbelly Restaurant Residence Inn by Marriott Rifle Creek Golf Club Rocky Mountain Health Plans Rocky Mountain Orthopaedic Associates RSVP Scott VanDusen, DDS Senior Recreation Center Splish Splash Car Wash Strater Historic Hotel TrueValue Hardware Two Rivers Winery & Chateau Valley Grown Nursery Village Inn Visiting Angels Walgreens Western Colorado Hearing Clinic Zephyr Finally, I want to thank the 100 different senior-related businesses that set up booths at BeaconFest to share their information. Without them, none of this would be possible. Our next BeaconFest will be in Montrose on September 17. See you there! ■
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Retirement living with the emphasis on living
BeaconFest Seniors’ Choice Awards results By Kevin K. VanGundy
T
hank you for attending our 2015 Grand Junction BeaconFest Boomer and Senior Fair. I hope you had a fun day and enjoyed our lineup of exciting entertainers, free food from local restaurants, informative seminars and of course, the booths of over Best overall booth: Walgreens 100 exhibitors. Speaking of exhibitors, BeaconFest would not have been possible were it not for them.
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L O C A L LY O W N E D A N D O P E R A T E D B Y H I L LT O P - M A K I N G A D I F F E R E N C E F O R P E O P L E O F A L L A G E S
This year, we asked those attending BeaconFest to choose the best exhibitors in three categories: Best Overall Booth, Booth With the Friendliest People and Booth with the Best Swag (aka free stuff). The winners are: ■ Best overall booth:
Walgreens ■ Friendliest people:
Mary Kay ■ Best giveaways:
Friendliest people: Mary Kay
Rib City Grill The closest contest was in the “friendliest people” category. It seems that the folks attending BeaconFest thought that all of our vendors were real friendly. Congratulations! ■ Best giveaways: Rib City Grill
May 2015
May 2015
Life’s mysteries: the sock basket
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tears, barrettes, marbles and socks. They are part of the minutia of our child-raising years, inescapable and unavoidable. We tend to those little things as a way of tending to our children. Ask any parent who has spent an afternoon hunting for a lost mitten in a mall and they’ll tell you this is true. My children came to visit recently. One day, I looked down and noticed my daughter was wearing mismatched socks. She had wandered into the laundry room of my new house with the utmost faith that the sock basket would still be there. You never know what things might reach mythical status in the life of a family. For us, it’s a sock basket. It’s a reminder of who we once were and like a good recipe, I will gladly hand it down to the next generation of little feet. ■
running again. When the girls left home to begin their own lives, it wasn’t an easy time for me. I missed them more than I care to admit. Eventually we sold their childhood home and as I was packing, I came across lone, dusty socks in the oddest places. I filled that basket up again, as if I were piecing together the past and trying to make some sense of it. Where had the time gone? When the moving van pulled away, there was not a sock left in that house. As far as I could tell, my days of sock matching had come to a sudden end. You’d think I’d be elated. But I wasn’t. The toils of parenthood are many. So much of it comes in little pieces: LEGO parts, Monopoly money, salty
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f there is one iconic symbol of my devoted years to motherhood, it is certainly the sock basket. It sat on a table in the laundry room holding mismatched socks, but it also contained 25 years of mystery and intrigue. I raised three girls who were close in age, so for all intents and purposes, I had triplets. These girls had reason to own dozens of pairs of socks: socks for soccer, cheerleading, running and skiing. They had socks for dates and socks for boots and sneakers. At any given time, there were at least 50 pairs cycling their way between my children’s feet and the laundry room. Only half of them would ever make it back into their drawers. The rest went into the sock basket. That basket became the repository for all of my motherly woes. There was never a time when it wasn’t overflowing and for the life of me, I couldn’t understand why. Once a
Aging in Place
I
week or once a month, my husband and I would sit in front of the television matching socks and on the rare occasion we’d find one, we’d yell, “I found one!” and we’d wave the pair in the air as if we’d scored a touchdown. Other times, the disgust would turn into intrigue. Where do the other socks go? I’d set out on fruitful missions to find the missing partners, asking if I were a sock where would I hide? I’d find them under beds, in gym bags, in the backseat of our car, tangled in sheets, stuck in boots. Once when the snow melted I found one in the rose bushes. Sometimes my husband would introduce desperate measures. We decided once we would throw away all of the socks and start over with only one color for all three girls. This worked well for a time, but before I knew it, old socks would turn up again or new ones would appear, and before long the old basket was up and
I came across socks in the oddest places. I filled that basket up again, as if I were piecing together the past and trying to make some sense of it. Where had the time gone?
Nursing Home
By Margot Russell
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May 2015
Simple grandparenting: Spoil them with love, not stuff By Melanie Wiseman
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eing a grandparent is a precious experience. It might be one of the most rewarding times in one’s life. Maybe it’s because becoming grandparents allows people to relive the magic they felt when they first laid eyes on their own children. In most situations, being a grandparent involves the pleasures of spending quality time with your grandchildren without the day-to-day parenting responsibilities. However, today’s grandparents fill a true need for the American family and provide tremendous support for the parents. Most grandparents act as loving examples to younger generations. Their involvement nourishes children with a different kind of learning and sharing experience. But how you spend your time with them may play a large role in what kind of example you lead. You may hear grandparents boast, “I love spoiling my grandchildren and then sending them home to their parents.” Ignoring boundaries set by parents and allowing grandkids to overindulge in candy and junk food or ignore bedtimes, for example, can make parents’ jobs even harder. And remember, as much as you might want to tell your children how to raise your grandkids, it’s not your role. Second, you shouldn’t feel the need to buy your grandkids’ affection. It’s tempting to shower grandchildren with gifts, but consider substituting some of your gift giving with activities. Doing something with your grandchild that you both enjoy will build lasting memories, more so than giving material things. “You cannot ‘spoil’ your kids with love, only monetary things,” local grandparent Marty Christensen, 78, said. Some grandparents make the mistake of overindulging the first few grandchildren and not being able to repeat it as additional grandchildren
come along. Remember that whatever you do for your first grandchild will set a precedent that you should repeat for every grandchild after. Marty and her husband Larry combined their two young families 43 years ago and raised 10 children together. Today they have 18 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. Being on a fixed budget and having so many grandchildren, the Christensens have learned to enjoy simple pleasures with them. “[Our grandchildren] don’t talk about what we bought them,” Marty said. “They talk about what we did together.” From piling on their own nacho and individual pizza toppings, to decorating cupcakes and making pancakes into different shapes, every child has been involved in such activities, even those still in highchairs. “We spent quite a bit of time cooking and baking together,” Marty said. “Now my grandkids are doing the same thing with their kids.” The Christensens have always kept a big supply of coloring books, crayons, craft paper, and paints and glue on hand. “We blew up and played with a lot of balloons,” Marty said. “Bouncing them around is good exercise and an inexpensive activity.” Over the years, they also spent a lot of quality time playing cards and board games, sledding, walking to a park, riding bikes, hiking, playing in the sand along the Colorado River, and skipping stones. “We would take one to five grandkids at a time camping or jeeping with us,” she said, having taken them everywhere from the Grand Mesa to Telluride to Canyonlands. “They loved the history, rock formations, fossils and petroglyphs.” Grandparents are also a child’s strongest connection to family heritage. Children especially enjoy hearing about the good ol’ days and what their parents were like when
May 2015 they were little. Looking at old photos together and sharing family stories actively passes on your legacy. The gift of grandchildren is a chance to slow down and share the simple things in life, love freely and shape the opportunity to create lasting memories for future generations. Children represent the future to grandparents, and nothing can take the place of enriching their lives by spending quality time together.
6 simple ways to spend time with your grandchildren Time spent with your grandchildren is priceless. By making the most of the precious family time you spend with grandchildren, you can create deep, loving relationships by sharing the things you love and by learning about what excites them. Whether you’re a full-time grandparent, a step-grandparent, or a long-distance grandparent, you can find new ways to strengthen ties with your grandchildren and create joyful memories and valuable life lessons.
1. Go outside. Trips to the park, a canyon, or camping can be a great jumping-off point for some wonderful adventures. Things as simple as looking at leaves and bugs through a magnifying glass, feeding the ducks, building a snowman, having a picnic, skipping stones, or following a stick down a stream are simple activities that fascinate children. Starting these activities when the kids are toddlers can expand into other outdoor games as they get older. 2. Enjoy leisure time together. Everyday life for your grandkids involves full days of school, sports and music practices, and the constant noise of technology. Allow yourself to slow down with grandchildren and offer them a pace where they don’t feel they have to hurry through an activity. Play games, visit the library and read books, look at old pictures, bake cookies and share a craft together. 3. Share your interests. Engaging in hobbies and activities you or your grandchild love can be a great way to spend time together and learn about
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dreams. Play 20 questions. Take the time to talk whenever you’re going somewhere. Adults and kids often have the most meaningful conversations in the car.
Larry Christensen and great-grandson, Cody, check out the lawn mower together. each other. Sometimes activities you might not expect them to be interested in, like knitting, gardening or golf, might turn out to provide an important point of connection for you. Similarly, taking an interest in something they are passionate about, like Harry Potter books or soccer, allows them to share their special knowledge. Support them by attending their sports games or music concerts. 4. Communicate. Get to know each other. Turn off the TV, music and phone. Talk about what you remember from your childhood and talk about their friends, passions and
5. See the sights. Find a museum or activity center related to your grandchild’s interests. Go to the Colorado National Monument or Black Canyon National Park, the Math and Science Center, Dinosaur Journey, Cross Orchard Living History Farm, Museum of the West, farmers markets, the Riverfront Trail, outdoor concerts, parades and park festivals. Many activities are free or low cost. 6. Take a trip. Traveling with your grandchildren or sharing your love of a favorite place will help you create special memories together, regardless of whether it’s a day, weekend or a weeklong trip. Consider carving out one-on-one time on occasion to spend with individual grandchildren. It will give you an opportunity to bond without competition with one grandchild at a time. ■
taking care of each other is what community is all about. We’re proud to serve the friends and families of our community with personal, compassionate care.
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16 LAUGHING MATTERS
Laughing Matters Old maid
Submitted by Bob Breazeale Two women are sitting in a bar getting tipsy and a little snippy. One woman said to the other, “You’ve gained weight since you got married. Are you letting yourself go?” The second woman said, “Well, at least I got married. You’re still an old maid and living at home with your mommy and daddy.” “Well, I’ll have you know that there’s a man just begging me to get married,” the first woman said. “Yeah,” the second woman said. “It’s your father.”
The cowboy and the Indian
Submitted by Bob Breazeale An old cowboy is riding along when he sees an Indian lying in the road on his belly with his ear pressed to the ground. The cowboy gets off his horse and does the same thing.
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After a few minutes he gets up and says to the Indian, “I don’t hear anything. What’s going on?” Without moving, the Indian says, “Many wagons pass this way—lots of horses and cattle.” The cowboy says, “That’s amazing. You can tell all that just by listening to the ground?” The Indian said, “No, they ran over me an hour ago.”
Senior shorties
Submitted by Ralph Bechel 1) One nice thing about being senile is that you can hide your own Easter eggs and have fun finding them. 2) Frequent naps prevent old age— especially taken while driving.
Entrance to heaven
Submitted by Josephine Gonzales Three ministers and their wives waited at the pearly gates. St. Peter shook his head sadly at the first couple and said, “I can’t let you in.
You were moral and upright, but you loved money too much. You loved it so much, you even married a woman named Penny.” St. Peter waved sadly, and poof! Down the chute they went. Then came the second couple. “Sorry, can’t let you in, either,” St. Peter said. “You abstained from liquor and dancing and cards, but you loved food so much, you even married a woman named Candy!” Down the chute went the second minister and his wife. The third minister turned to his wife and whispered nervously, “It ain’t looking good, Fanny.”
Cute kids
Submitted by Brenda Hirsch A little girl was diligently pounding away on her father’s word processor. She told him she was writing a story. “What’s it about?” he asked. “I don’t know,” she replied. “I can’t read.”
Funny epitaphs
Submitted by Peter Maxwell
May 2015 Harry Edsel Smith of Albany, NY: Born 1903. Died 1942. Looked up the elevator shaft to see if the car was on the way down. It was. In a Thurmont, Maryland cemetery: Here lies an Atheist. All dressed up and no place to go. In a London, England cemetery: Here lies Ann Mann. Who lived an old maid but died an old Mann. Dec. 8, 1767. In a Ribbesford, England cemetery: Anna Wallace: The children of Israel wanted bread, and the Lord sent them manna. Old clerk Wallace wanted a wife, and the Devil sent him Anna. In a Uniontown, Pennsylvania cemetery: Here lies the body of Jonathan Blake. Stepped on the gas instead of the brake. In a Silver City, Nevada cemetery: Here lays The Kid. We planted him raw. He was quick on the trigger but slow on the draw. A lawyer’s epitaph in England: Sir John Strange. Here lies an hon-
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May 2015 est lawyer, and that is Strange. John Penny’s epitaph in the Wimborne, England, cemetery: Reader, if cash thou art in want of any, dig 6 feet deep; and thou wilt find a Penny. In a cemetery in Hartscombe, England: On the 22nd of June, Jonathan Fiddle went out of tune. Anna Hopewell’s grave in Enosburg Falls, Vermont: Here lies the body of our Anna done to death by a banana. It wasn’t the fruit that laid her low, but the skin of the thing that made her go. On a grave from the 1880s in Nantucket, Massachusetts: Under the sod and under the trees, lies the body of Jonathan Pease. He is not here, there’s only the pod. Pease shelled out and went to God. A cemetery in England: “Remember man, as you walk by, As you are now, so once was I. As I am now, you soon will be. Prepare yourself and follow me.” To which someone replied by writing on the tombstone: “To follow you I’ll not consent until I know which way you went.” From Boot Hill, in Tombstone, Arizona (This one is also outside Haunted Mansion in Disneyland): Here lies Lester Moore. One slug from a 44. No Les. No More.
Only in American English
Submitted by Alyce Watson The Washington Post published its yearly contest in which readers are asked to supply alternate meanings
LAUGHING MATTERS 17
www.BeaconSeniorNews.com for various words. And the winners are: Coffee (n.), a person who is coughed upon. Flabbergasted (adj.), appalled over how much weight you have gained. Abdicate (v.), to give up all hope of ever having a flat stomach. Esplanade (v.), to attempt an explanation while drunk. Negligent (adj.), describes a condition in which you absent-mindedly answer the door in your nightgown. Lymph (v.), to walk with a lisp. Gargoyle (n.), an olive-flavored mouthwash. Flatulence (n.), the emergency vehicle that picks you up after you are run over by a steamroller Balderdash (n.), a rapidly receding hairline. Testicle (n.), a humorous question on an exam. Rectitude (n.), the formal, dignified demeanor assumed by a proctologist immediately before he examines you. Oyster (n.), a person who sprinkles his conversation with Yiddish expressions. Pokemon (n), a Jamaican proctologist. Frisbeetarianism (n.), The belief that, when you die, your soul goes up on the roof and gets stuck there. Circumvent (n.), the opening in the front of boxer shorts. ■
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18 TRAVEL
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The Great Smokies: a great spring getaway
May 2015
By Lynn & Glenn Pribus
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n those late spring days, when the kids are still in school and the dogwoods, redbud and spring flowers are in their glory, the Great Smokies call visitors back to a quieter time. The byways in Great Smoky Mountain National Park are languid and serene. Within a day’s drive of much of the east coast, it’s no surprise this is the most visited of our national parks, yet at times it can feel as if you are discovering it alone. Dedicated with the promise of free admission forever, the park is one of only 20 World Heritage Sites in the U.S. There is a remarkable diversity of plants, animals and activities. Start with a visit to Sugarlands Visitor Center, where a movie describes the park and its history and rangers offer recommendations for the dozens of hiking trails. At over 5,000 feet, Clingman’s Dome is the park’s highest point and views from the observation tower can reach several hundred miles. There are many trailheads for parking your vehicle and getting out into the forests. Another popular spot is Cades Cove, where visitors can drive their own vehicle, bicycle the one-way loop road or climb aboard a trailer for a narrated hayride.
From art to adventure There are numerous art galleries in the nearby towns. A particularly delightful way to visit many independent artisans at once is via the Great Smoky Art & Crafts Community, an 8-mile loop near Gatlinburg, featuring more than 100 studios and galleries. You’ll find weavers, painters, jewelry makers, woodcarvers and more. Cliff Dwellers, for example, is the studio home for a group of artists that offer frequent demonstrations of their pursuits, such as spinning, yarn dyeing, painting and jewelry making.
From zip lining to “flying” there are many adventures in the area. Zipping at the Smokies in Hartford, Tennessee includes a pair of 600-foot-long “racing” lines as well as rafting on the Upper Pigeon’s Class III and IV rapids. Foxfire Mountain Outdoor Adventure Park in Sevierville also offers a zip-line course, plus traveling the back woods in an 8-wheel-drive vehicle dubbed the Bear Crawler. Horseback riding, bicycling and fishing are also popular in the area. Depending on your special interests, you might be drawn to the Tennessee Museum of Aviation with its 50,000 square feet of “Warbirds.” Gatlinburg’s aquarium is a relaxing way to end the day watching the variety of aquatic life. A Titanic sighting seems unusual at its inland location in Pigeon Forge, but it’s a truly interesting presentation of this famous tragedy. Personal audio devices add narration as visitors wander through replicas of parts of the ship and numerous authentic artifacts lend poignant authenticity to visitors’ voyage. Vineyards are replacing tobacco fields in many Tennessee locales and there are several wine tasting venues, such as Eagle Springs Winery in Sevierville and Sugarland Cellars in Gatlinburg. Ole Smoky Moonshine Holler, also in Gatlinburg, offers moonshine tasting in many flavors and also stocks moonshine jelly.
May 2015
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TRAVEL 19
Entertainment There’s an almost endless menu of music and entertainment in the area. One of the most popular is the Dixie Stampede, which opens with country music in a music hall with popcorn and non-alcoholic drinks available, then moves patrons into a huge horseshoe-shaped arena, which is home to a variety of acts. My favorite was the tricks performed by at least a dozen handsome horses. The generous dinner is served sans tableware, so it’s a very different experience for the family. Other popular venues are the Lumberjack Feud and the Smoky Mountain Opry. But the entertainment centerpiece of the region is Dollywood. Dolly Parton is widely revered in the area for her philanthropies, such as the Dollywood Foundation’s Imagination Library, which sends a book a month to children from birth until they enter kindergarten in more than 550 counties in the U.S. Dollywood itself is highly popular, as well as Splash Country Water Park. There are the roller coasters, including the Wild Eagle, the country’s first “wing” coaster.
If you go Lodging options range from campgrounds to quiet B&Bs to familiar motels. Wilderness at the Smokies in Sevierville is appealing with its indoor and outdoor water parks. The wave pool and water tubes are fun for all ages. Even the great-grandparents in our party zoomed through the tunnel slides. There are several eateries on the premises and rooms have a small fridge, small cook top and microwave if you want to economize by preparing a meal. Dollywood Vacation Cabins in
Pigeon Forge offer upscale accommodations with as many as eight bedrooms. Located in a quiet area with mountain views, cabin is hardly the right term for these lodgings with fully furnished kitchens, balconies, grills, fireplaces, hot tubs and daily maid service. Packages include special admissions at Dollywood. Reservations are essential at national park campgrounds. Gatlinburg’s Pancake Pantry is a popular eatery for breakfast and lunch. In Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, the Smoky Mountain Brewery offers beer sampling along with sandwiches, pizza and veggie offerings. Meals at The Old Mill in Pigeon Forge often include ingredients ground at a nearby historical mill. For more information, visit www.tnvacation.com, click on Regions, then on East Tennessee. For information on the national park, visit www.nps.gov/grsm. ■
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“THE BOOK OF MORMON” Returning to Denver’s Ellie Caulkins Theater in August 2015… “The Book of Mormon” is so popular Group Sales have been ongoing since November, 2013. Full payment for Theater Ticket is required at time of reservations. Golden Circle Seats ~ $148.50 (includes service fees) Trip Details & Pricing will follow. Call Margaret to reserve your spot. Call for information, reservations, and to receive a free newsletter. Payment plans available...call for details Margaret Krabbe
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20 HOME & GARDEN
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We have beautiful potted plants for Mothers Day and Memorial Day.
Hours are: Mon-Sat 8-6, Sun 9-5
Mighty mint By Lori Pelkowski
M
ints are lovely and fragrant plants. There are so many different flavors and scents to choose from. A mint collection will give a garden a variety of leaf and flower colors. They thrive in sun and welldrained soil, but they really thrive just about anywhere. In fact, they are so happy to be alive that over the course of a couple of growing seasons they will colonize and try to take over the entire garden, forcing other plants out. That’s all right if you like your entire yard completely covered with mints, but since most of us like our other garden plants, I suggest keeping mints in containers. Call them eager, persistent or invasive—I call mints garden thugs. The only care mints need is being kept in bounds. If you choose to bury a pot of mint in the garden, remove it every spring and cut out half of the plant. Also cut off half of its roots, and then repot it. Once the roots get through the drainage holes, they will creep up to the surface of the soil and take over your garden.
Here are some mints to choose from to grow and enjoy. • Black mint is a variety of peppermint. The leaves and stems of black peppermint are a dark purplish brown while those of white (regular) peppermint are green. Black peppermint produces more oil than the green variety but it is said to be of inferior quality. The oil is used medicinally to relieve sickness and nausea, and its strong flavor and smell make it widely used to disguise the more unpleasant taste of other drugs. It has mauve flower spikes. Peppermint tea is usually made from black peppermint. The leaves can either be used on their
May 2015 own or dried and mixed with ordinary tea. • Apple mint has a less invasive growing habit than others, but don’t trust it outside a container. It has a pleasant fruity taste and is sweeter than other mints. Also known as round-leaved mint, it has wrinkled round leaves with an apple-like scent. It has lilac and cream flowers in late summer. Dried apple mint leaves retain their scent and make excellent potpourris. • Pineapple mint is a variety of apple mint, but has green and white variegated leaves that make it a pretty herb to grow. It makes a lovely food garnish. Pineapple mint has long spikes of pale white to cream flowers. Try adding the leaves to fruit cups and punches. • Ginger mint comes from a cross between corn mint and spearmint, and has the strong scent of the latter. Bright yellow stripes run through the leaves of the variegated form. Ginger mint produces smallish light green leaves and small pale purple flowers that bloom along the main stem rather than at the end of the stalk like other mints. It is also known as slender mint and Scotch mint. When it’s dried, the scented leaves are a nice addition to potpourris. • Orange mint, lemon mint, chocolate mint and banana mint are refreshing to drink or add to face masks or steams. Try substituting half of the basil with your favorite mint in pesto recipes. Crush a few leaves and steep them with sun tea. Add a few sprigs of mint to fresh flower arrangements. If you like a mint growing in a friend’s garden, cut or break off a sprig at least six inches long and put it in a glass of water when you get home. It will form roots and be ready to pot within a week. ■
May 2015
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How can I garden with alkali soil? Garden Smarts By Kathy Kimbrough
Q. We recently moved in to a house in a new neighborhood. The soil has a white substance on it that my friends have said is alkali. I’m from down south and have never seen that before. One neighbor says that I need to dig it all up. Another said just to plant over it. What should I do? First of all, welcome to the Grand Valley and our unique gardening challenges. Because the valley sits on an ancient seabed, which turned into Mancos shale, we have pockets of land that are very salty. According to the CSU Extension, the “white alkali” in your yard is soluble salts and other minerals. Plants growing on salty soils appear to be water stressed because the high-salt levels hamper plants’ ability to take up water from the soil. For a permanent solution, leach the soil with water and amend it with good-quality organic matter, such as compost, at the rate of 3 to 6 cubic yards per 1,000 square-foot area. Mix thoroughly with existing
soil to a depth of at least 6 inches. If leaching and amending your soil is not possible, consider building raised beds to grow vegetables and flowers.
Q. We want to incorporate a
more water-wise landscape in our yard but we have a large sycamore tree. How can we make sure the tree stays happy while the rest of the yard uses less water? There are several things you can do. First, check your sprinkler system to be sure it’s running efficiently. Inefficient sprinklers waste more water than anywhere else in the yard. Second, group plants with similar water needs together. Typically, the high water use plants should be placed close to the home while the most xeric plants should be on the outer perimeter of your property. Third, consider eliminating turf grass in areas that are hard to mow, on steep slopes or in deep shade. Replace with water-wise ground covers. Your mature sycamore tree has an
extensive root system that can access water from all around your yard and will be able to adapt if you replace existing shrubs and perennials with more water-wise plants. Just remember that xeric plants still need to be watered on a regular basis, especially during the first season.
Q. How can I control squash bugs before they appear in my vegetable garden? Squash bugs affect cucurbits—cucumbers, melons, pumpkins, summer and winter squash. They typically overwinter around the base of plants in your garden. To reduce the number of those pesky bugs, fall clean up is essential. Remove garden debris and till the soil so there are fewer places for them to spend the winter. In the spring, protect young plants with floating row covers. They keep the bugs out but allow air, light and moisture in. Be sure to remove the covers when your seedlings grow too large or when the temperatures heat up in summer. Don’t add mulch around the plants, as this is an ideal place for squash bugs to hide all season long. ■
P lant of the Month
Japanese Lilac Tree (Syringa reticulata) If you’re looking for a small flowering tree besides the usual crabapples and
hawthorns, it’s time to try a Japanese lilac tree. With a mature height of 20 feet, cold hardiness to 30 degrees below zero, and ability to withstand our alkaline soils, this little gem deserves more attention. Its size is perfectly suited to smaller landscapes and even under some utility lines along the street. Ivory Silk is the most common variety in Colorado. It has the dark green glossy leaves like the common lilac and large creamy white flowers that bloom in mid May and last through most of June. Full sun and regular watering will keep this petite beauty happy and healthy.
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HOME & GARDEN 21
GARDEN CHECKLIST Frogs, lizards, toads, salamanders
and snakes eat huge numbers of pests, so draw them into your garden by providing shelter, such as dry-stacked rock walls, mounds of moist organic mulch, or a pile of cut branches in an out-of-the-way corner. Keep shallow dishes on the ground and keep them filled with fresh water. Avoid harmful pesticides and chemicals.
Plant colorful annuals and
vegetables in containers or directly in the ground after Mother’s Day, when there is no chance of freezing temperatures. If you use walls of water, frost blankets or other means of protection, you can plant up to two weeks earlier if desired. Remember that the soil temperature is just as important for plant growth as the air temperature.
Deadhead daffodils and tulips as
needed. Be sure to leave the foliage on until it turns brown and wilts, as these leaves are feeding the bulb for next year’s flowers.
22 FUN AFTER 50
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Fun after 50
May 22
Activities offered by GJ Parks and Recreation
T
o register for these programs, call the Grand Junction Parks and Recreation Department at 254-3866 or visit www.gjparksandrec.org. June 4 (Register by May 11)
Murder Mystery Dinner Party
The Underground War Rooms were set up in London as a safe base of
operations especially during air raids in World War II. Elizabeth Morgan is murdered as she returns from a briefing to Buckingham Palace, strangled by her own scarf and you are a suspect. Your character and costume suggestions will come in the mail. Cost is $29. Event is at 5:30 p.m. Call for details.
Movies In The Park
Orchard Mesa Pool. Cost is $4.25 to drop in or $44 for a 12-punch pass.
Watch free family movies at Lincoln Park starting at dusk.
SPORTS
HEALTH
May 2 & 3
May 14
Come watch some exciting competition at the Pineridge and Lincoln Park courts.
Sharp As A Tack Learn how to keep your brain sharp as a tack from seniors like you! Seniors will share their favorite past times, games and activities that challenge their mental capacities and keep them alert and actively engaged. Cost is $3. Event is at 11 a.m. at the Senior Recreation Center. May 15
Facts and Tracks: Insomnia Solutions
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 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Annual membership is $10.
S e n i o r R e c re a ti o n C e n te r M o n t h ly C a le n d a r
of
Ev e n ts
Monday
9:00 a.m. 9:30 a.m. 10:30 a.m. 12:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. 5:30 p.m.
Cribbage Cards Computer Classes Gray Gourmet Card Bingo & Dominoes Singles Pinochle (1st & 3rd Monday)
Tuesday
9:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m. 1:30 p.m.
Cribbage & Pool Tourney Gray Gourmet Bingo
Wednesday
9:00 a.m. 9:30 a.m. 10:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m.
Ladies Pool & Cribbage Jack & Jill Pool Tourney Free Blood Pressure Clinic (3rd Wed) Gray Gourmet Pinochle & Canasta
Thursday
9:00 a.m. 10:00 a.m. 10:30 a.m. 12:00 p.m. 7:30 p.m.
Cribbage & Dominoes Dance w/Music (1st Thursday) Membership Meeting Pokeno (Starts at 1 p.m. on 1st Thursday) Dance
Friday
9:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m. 12:30 p.m. 12:45 p.m. 1:00 p.m.
Painting Class & Pool Tourney Gray Gourmet Bible Study Bridge Canasta
Saturday
9:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m.
Bridge Bingo
Sunday
1:00 p.m.
Dance (1st & 3rd Sunday)
May 2015
Make an action plan to help you fall asleep and stay asleep. Join wellness experts for a focused 30-minute lecture on various wellness topics, then spend the next 30 minutes outside walking on the Riverfront Trail. Class is from noon to 1 p.m. at the Western Colorado Botanical Gardens. Cost is $5. May 19
Secrets of the Mediterranean diet This knowledge will benefit your body, brain and budget. Receive a complimentary tasting of delicious oils and vinegars, and a take home sample at this event at 6:30 p.m. at Bella Balsamic, 555 Main St. Cost is $9. May 29
Friday Hikes: Fisher Towers Meet at the trailhead at 8:30 a.m. for this advanced 4.4-mile hike. Bring your camera. Hike is free, but register by May 27. Lunch is included. Tuesdays & Fridays
Gentle Active Yoga
This class is designed for an active beginner and above. Students must be able to get up and down from the floor unassisted. Class is 8 a.m.-9 a.m. at Lincoln Park Barn. Cost is $7 to drop in or $50 for a 10-punch pass.
Aqua Aerobics These aerobic classes are for novice to intermediate individuals. Class is 8:15 a.m.-9:15 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and 5:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at
Regional Pickleball Tournament
May 16
Pickleball Clinic Learn to play the fastest growing sport in America at the Pineridge Courts. Cost is $10. Beginners (1.02.5) play at 9 a.m.-11 a.m. Intermediate (2.5-3.0) play at 1 p.m.-3 p.m.
Fun after 50 Softball Open to men and women age 50 plus. Call Carl at 255-6688. August 22-28
Western Colorado Senior Games Over 65 competitive events for athletes age 50+ as of August 7, 2015. Registration opens May 1. Early bird registration is $24.
DANCE Mondays
Intermediate Line Dance Class is 1 p.m.-2:30 p.m. Mondays at Lincoln Park Barn. Cost is $34 for 10-punch pass or $5 to drop in. Thursdays
Senior dances with live music Dance from 7:30 p.m.-10 p.m. at the Senior Recreation Center. Cost is $3.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
The Trail Host Program is ongoing throughout the year. Get your volunteer application in now and don’t miss any of the fun. Become an ambassador for the Riverfront Trail System. Call Lorie at 254-3876.
May 2015
Alone, but happy on Mother’s Day By Teresa Ambord “Happy Mother’s Day, if you’re a mom,” the smiling woman said. I looked up from my plate and smiled back. She couldn’t tell I was a mother because in the small restaurant packed with families, I was the only person sitting alone. “I am,” I told her. “But my son lives pretty far away and he works weekends. So today, I’m on my own.” I didn’t feel sad about that. It was my first Mother’s Day without Ryan, but he was all grown up and had a life of his own. It was bound to happen sometime. The woman lingered a moment, making small talk as her big family found a booth and crowded into it. After a few moments, she wished me a nice day and moved on. I listened as she went to every table in the place, saying “Happy Mother’s Day” to each woman, young or old. Finally, she sat down with her family. I eavesdropped, as they said grace over the meal, and talked among themselves. They seemed to genuinely like each other. I’d wanted a big family like that but when Ryan was 2, his father and I divorced and later, his dad passed away so I raised our son alone. I’d learned one cautionary tale from single parents I knew: Always have a plan for holidays. Otherwise it’s easy to lapse into depression. When the kids are really young, they can’t shop to buy you a birthday present. They can’t make a cake or even buy a cupcake. So many single parents I’ve known dreaded special days. I didn’t want that to happen. For Ryan and me, money was usually tight so our special plans might have included a trip to the dollar theater and a feast of hot dogs and Cheetos. Or we might take a hike followed by ice cream cones. When Ryan was really young, I’d do what most single parents do. I’d buy something small
and tell him it was his gift to me. When he was a little older, he’d save up some money and buy me a gift of some sort. Later when Ryan was a teenager and full of moods and attitudes, he was broke. So I’d tell him what I really wanted for Mother’s Day was for him to wash my car. He’d roll his eyes and get out the wash bucket. As I sat there thinking back on those years and listening to the woman and her big family, I felt a little sad to be alone. But overall, I decided life was good. When I’d eaten more than my share of the all-you-can-eat buffet, I realized the busy waiter had not given me a bill. I went to the cash register and told the guy what I’d ordered. He smiled. “Just one moment,” he said, and he turned his back to me. When he turned back around he handed me a bill. Instead of a total, it said, “Happy Mother’s Day! The bill was taken care of for you. Have a great day.” I was stunned, but I knew who had paid for my lunch. I turned towards the woman and her big family to thank them, and in unison they all said, “Happy Mother’s Day!” I managed to thank them well, but I was so choked up that I had to make a hasty exit. All the way home, I kept that bill where I could see it. It truly warmed my heart. That was years ago, and that bill still hangs on my refrigerator. It’s a daily, cheerful reminder to look outside myself and to look around and see who I can give a kind word, a friendly smile, or who I can bless by picking up the tab for their meal just because. At nearly 60 years old, with or without Ryan, I still make plans for every holiday. But that Mother’s Day confirmed what I already knew. The real nugget of making a holiday great is in making it joyful for someone else. ■
23
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May 2015
Sentinel
pride and perfection By Melanie Wiseman “It is the hardest thing I’ve ever done and what I am most proud of.” Tom Tudor said this to the audience at a November presentation at the Mesa County Central Library about the 16 months he spent serving as sentinel, then relief commander at Arlington National Cemetery’s Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. From February 1969 to May 1970, Tudor walked the 63-foot-by-40-inch mat 20,000 times with pride and perfection. At a mere 20 years old, he received the highest honor—the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Guard Identification Badge. Upon receiving the badge, he had completed four months of service with perfection, and after nine months of service of the same stature, he earned the right to keep the badge. This badge is the second-least awarded badge in the U.S. Army, the first of its kind being given in 1958. To date, just 629 badges have been given out. Tudor proudly displays his badge, no. 78, today at age 65. “The U.S. Army can take away my badge anytime during my lifetime if I
ever disrespect the Tomb,” he said. As an authority on the history of Arlington National Cemetery and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Tudor, who lives in Colorado Springs, has given moving and informative presentations to hundreds of groups for 25 years, covering 12 states. He is president of the Society of the Honor Guard, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. One of the missions of the society is to preserve the history and traditions relating to the tomb. “I want to inform as many young people of the sacrifices that have been made so they can live with freedom today,” Tudor said.
Arlington National Cemetery beginnings Arlington National Cemetery is comprised of 1,100 acres of land once belonging to George Washington Parke Custis, grandson of Martha Washington and adopted son of
Now known as The Arlington House, this mansion was once the home of George Washington Parke Custis and General Robert E. Lee before it was occupied by federal troops on the onset of the Civil War.
George Washington. Custis willed the property to his daughter Mary Anna Randolph Custis, who was married to Robert E. Lee. With the onset of the Civil War, the Lee family vacated the estate, which included their home called the Arlington House. Federal troops soon occupied this property overlooking the scenic Potomac River and Washington, DC as a strategic military position. Civil War casualties began outpacing other Washington, DC-based cemeteries, leading the property to become a burial location. “Arlington became a cemetery in 1864, not out of great honor, but out of necessity,” Tudor said. In 2014, Arlington National Cemetery celebrated its 150th anniversary. By the end of the war, thousands of service members and former slaves were buried there. The Lee family was compensated for the property and the land remained with the War
Top: The changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Top right: A sentinel salutes the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Right: The Confederate Memorial in Arlington commemorates the fallen soldiers of the Confederate States of America during the Civil War.
Department. The 200 cemetery acres set aside in 1864 have since expanded to 624, and is the final resting place for more than 400,000 active duty service members, veterans and family members. Approximately 35 funeral services are conducted weekly at Arlington National Cemetery, as well as more than 3,000 ceremonies and memorial services annually. The U.S. had experienced the assassination of three presidents prior to November 1963. But for the first time in history the nation was able to watch the state funeral of President John F. Kennedy taking place in Washington, DC on Monday, November 25, 1963. They were glued to their televisions as the funeral procession made the three-mile march from St. Matthew’s Cathedral to Arlington. At the end of the service, Mrs. Kennedy lit the torch, which became the eternal flame. Arlington National Cemetery is a living tribute to our nation’s past and the service and sacrifice of those willing to dedicate their lives to its ideals.
May 2015 Guarding the Tomb of the Unknowns The idea of honoring the unknown dead originated in Great Britain and France after World War I. These two countries inspired Congress to take similar action. The original 1921 Tomb of the Unknown Soldier has since been replaced with a larger monument quarried in Marble, Colorado. It includes the remains of service members from several past wars. “In 1925, a family was observed having a picnic on top of the tomb,” Tudor said. “This quickly led to a volunteer guarding of the tomb during the day. A year later, the U.S. Army took over the responsibility, and by 1937 the tomb was guarded 24/7 year-round.” The tomb is guarded by the Old Guard, the Army’s official ceremonial honor guard unit and escort to the president since World War II. Three reliefs (shifts) cover the schedule of guarding the tomb, each having one relief commander and about six sentinels. The three reliefs are divided by height so those in each changing of the guard ceremony look similar. Sentinels rotate walks every hour in the winter and at night, and every half-hour in the day during the summer. Tomb guard sentinels are considered to be the best of the elite Old Guard. Each soldier must be in superior physical condition, immaculate, possess a perfect military record and be between 5 feet 10 inches and 6 feet 4 inches tall. Extensive studying, testing and training are required for the privilege of guarding the Tomb. Tudor can do the walking mantra in his sleep. Twenty-one steps, halt 21 seconds, face tomb, move gun to opposite shoulder, halt 21 seconds, 21 steps, repeat. “You had to
www.BeaconSeniorNews.com walk so your head didn’t bob,” Tudor said. “You had to glide to be a guard.” He clicked his metal-plated heels together 60,000 times over his tenure at each halt and face, and kept track of the 21 second pauses by saying the Lord’s Prayer. “We learned to put on what we called the ‘dead man face,’” Tudor said. “No facial movement at all. No showing of teeth.” In 1969 visitors surrounded Tudor up to four feet away while he walked. Today, visitors are kept away at a respectful distance. “The challenge wasn’t the walk; the challenge was the unexpected,” Tudor said. “Once I had a bumble bee land on the end of my nose. I could feel its legs in my nostrils. It finally flew off after 10 seconds. Another time a baby squirrel went exploring up my pant leg. I was so glad when he turned around above my knee and left.” With visitors so close, they would often try to make the sentinels laugh. “They weren’t funny,” Tudor said. Tudor also guarded JFK’s tomb for three weeks prior to guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. He also had the honor of having five-star General Omar Bradley return his salute at Eisenhower’s funeral. Sentinels guard the tomb through rain, hail, heat or snow. “Summer was the worst, as we were in wool uniforms,” Tudor said. No two sentinels had the same experience with visitors. “But every day, those who walked heard weeping,” Tudor said. “The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is symbolic of everyone who went to war and did not come back. It gives people a peaceful place to honor them.” The sentinel standard is exceptionally high. “Perfection is our standard,” Tudor said. “How could you do anything less for someone who not only gave up their life but their identity?" ■ Tudor returns to the Mesa County Central Library on May 4 at 6 p.m. for a free presentation on Arlington National Cemetery.
The Sentinel’s Creed My dedication to this sacred duty Is total and whole-hearted. In the responsibility bestowed on me Never will I falter. And with dignity and perseverance My standard will remain perfection. Through the years of diligence and praise And the discomfort of the elements, I will walk my tour in humble reverence To the best of my ability. It is he who commands the respect I protect, His bravery that made us so proud. Surrounded by well meaning crowds by day, Alone in the thoughtful peace of night, This soldier will in honored glory rest Under my eternal vigilance. —Simon 1971
Photos courtesy of Tom Tudor
25
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Help Mom get organized for Mother’s Day By Jason Alderman
• Also, a living will tells doctors which medical treatments and life-support procedures she does or doesn’t want performed. • Birth certificate, marriage license, Social Security card, funeral plans, safe deposit box information, etc. • Contact information for professional service providers (doctors, pharmacy, lawyer, financial advisor, bank, insurance companies, etc.) Also give these providers your own contact information in case of emergencies.
M
other’s Day is May 10. If you’re wracking your brain for ways to show your mom appreciation for all the sacrifices she made while raising you, here’s a thought: Why not offer to spend some time helping to sort through her financial, legal and medical paperwork to make sure everything is in order? While flowers and candy offer immediate gratification, I’ll bet your mom will truly appreciate the long-term value of getting her records in order now so that she—and you—will be able to take appropriate actions later on, should the need arise. Some of the areas you might want to organize include: Retirement income sources. Gather these documents so your mom will have a better idea how much income she’ll have available throughout retirement: • Register your mom at mySocialSecurity (www.socialsecurity.gov/ myaccount) to gain access to personalized estimates of retirement, disability and survivors benefits, lifetime earnings records and estimated Social Security and Medicare taxes paid. • You’ll also need your dad’s statement to determine any potential spousal or survivor benefits for which she might be eligible, so sign him up as well. • Annual statements for pension, IRA, 401(k) or other retirement savings plans for which she’s eligible. (Check your dad’s statements, too, in case she’s eligible for spousal death benefits.) • Bank statements for checking, savings, money market and CD accounts. • Company stock and bond certificates, and statements for other investment accounts.
May 2015
I’ll bet your mom will truly appreciate the long-term value of getting her records in order now... Outstanding debts. Also gather monthly statements and outstanding balances owed for major expenses including: home mortgage or other property loans, home equity loan or line of credit, car loan or lease, credit cards, medical bills and personal loans. Other important documents. Your mom should have documents instructing how she’d like her affairs to be handled, both while she’s living and after death. Look for: • Medical, homeowner/renter, auto, life, disability and long-term care insurance policies. • A will (and possibly a trust) outlining how she wants her estate managed after death. • Durable power of attorney and health care proxy specifying who will make her financial and medical decisions if she becomes incapacitated.
Review these documents regularly and make updates whenever her situation changes. For example, make sure that designated beneficiaries for your mom’s will, life insurance and retirement plans accurately reflect her current wishes. If you need help guiding financial discussions, Social Security has created a special website for women (www.ssa.gov/women) that provides information on retirement, disability and other issues in English and Spanish. They also have a Retirement Estimator (www.ssa.gov/estimator) that enters her earnings information from their records to estimate her projected Social Security benefits under different scenarios (age at retirement, future earnings projections, etc.) Another good resource is the Women’s Saving Initiative, a program jointly developed by Heinz Family Philanthropies, the Women’s Institute for a Secure Retirement (WISER) and Visa Inc. This program features a free book called “What Women Need to Know About Retirement,” which you can download as a PDF or audio file at www.practicalmoneyskills.com/ resources. If you need professional help, consult a licensed financial planner who can design a personalized retirement strategy. If you don’t know one, try the Financial Planning Association (www.plannersearch.org). ■
May 2015
Who doesn’t love a hug?
27
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By Marti Healy
M
y brown and black RottweilerShepherd mix, Indy, will carefully sidle up, sit close, and lean against you at every opportunity. He’ll lean against your legs, back, side—any part of you he can reach. And there’s nothing halfway about it. He puts intention into it. Determination. Heart. I believe this is the canine version of a hug. Being wise and sensitive creatures, they know how important hugs can be. Whether warranted or unwarranted, a dog knows the significance of a well-timed, good and proper hug. Indy is one of the best at this. According to experts, we humans are now catching up with this knowledge and understanding. At last count, the necessary number of hugs for sufficient well being is eight a day (12 is better, four is an absolute minimum). Additionally, I’ve learned that the duration of each hug should be at least three seconds long. Apparently, that’s the time it takes to release all those good brain chemicals that make us feel good about life and ourselves and each other. Also according to recent scientific research, nothing else comforts or connects us like a good hug. Hugs share our joys as well as our sorrows. Hugs are a delighted hello and a sincere goodbye. Hugs are inclusive and erase boundaries. They disarm our enemies and confirm our friendships. They heal. Babies can’t thrive without
them. Neither can oldies. Hugs don’t just hit the spot with our brains either. They actually have a measurable effect on our skin, hearts and tummies. (Who knows what great stuff is going on even at the cell level?) And one more bonus: Hugs spread fewer germs than handshakes. I’ve always been a great believer in hugs. I was one who personally cheered Michelle Obama, who unwittingly threw all royal protocol into the Thames when she spontaneously hugged Queen Elizabeth after their first meeting. Even Her Highness had to smile and hugged her back. Hugs are pretty much guaranteed to get a grin and a squeeze in return. I’m sorry for cultures that don’t appreciate hugging. But I’m also not surprised that most non-human mammals get it. I’m also quite sure that the culture of dogs has probably always intuited the importance and benefits of the gesture, both giving and receiving. I’ve further observed firsthand that most cats appreciate it as well, even though some of them would rather not get caught at it. When Indy is leaning on someone, he is rarely the first to move. He’ll stay with it as long as you do. Perhaps it’s the perfect example of something else I read recently about hugs: “When hugging someone, always be the last one to let go. You never know how long they may need it.” Apparently, Indy already understands that. ■
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Celebrating 50 Years
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May 2015
Worship with the gospel songs you grew up with By Karen Jones
H
as it been too long since you’ve heard old gospel tunes such as “I Saw the Light,” “Mansion Over the Hilltop” and “I’ll Fly Away” in church? You can worship along to these songs and more at Bethel Assembly of God’s monthly Old-Fashioned Gospel Song Service at 6 p.m. on the last Sunday of every month. Their talented musicians and vocalists perform with a conviction that will bring you to your feet and make you want to join in. Performers are David Huslig (electric guitar), John Bayley (bass guitar and vocals), Matt Kellerby (drums) and Todd Graesch (piano). Phil Hice, Jack Albright, Carol Huslig, Esther Murrain, Sarah St. Martens and Deborah Donathan sing vocals. Sound and
Dave Huslig on electric guitar. video are controlled by Dean Donathan and Skip Drake. There is also some lighthearted entertainment between songs, usually presented by Carol Huslig and Pam Branscom. Visitors are always welcome. Bethel Assembly of God is located at 2945 Orchard Ave. in Grand Junction. For details, call 243-8247. ■
May 2015
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The spies inside your phone
ASK THE COMPUTER GUY 29
Many apps can track your location and share your information
Y
ou just had a flat tire along a dark country road. Luckily, you downloaded a flashlight app into your cellphone and can now put it to use. But that flashlight, handy as it is, may be just one of many doors you unwittingly opened to let spies take up residence inside your phone. “Most free flashlight apps are creepware,” said Gary S. Miliefsky, CEO of SnoopWall (www.snoopwall.com), a company that specializes in cybersecurity. Creepware is malware that spies on you and your online behavior, and could pass along information to others. For example, Goldenshores Technologies, the company behind the popular Brightest Flashlight Free app for Android phones, agreed in 2013 to settle the Federal Trade Commission’s charges that the software secretly supplied cellphone locations to advertising networks and other third parties. The problem doesn’t begin and end with flashlight apps, though. Many seemingly innocuous apps that people carry around with them on their mobile devices have the capability to eavesdrop on their activities. “Consumers trust first and verify never,” Miliefsky said. “As a result, most of their smartphones are infected with malware that they trust in the form of some kind of useful app or game.” Miliefsky offered these tips for ousting those spies inside the phone. • First, assume you’ve already been compromised. It’s nice to think all is
probably well, but most likely it’s not. Somewhere in the phone the spies are at work and it’s time to take the privacy behaviors and privacy policies of these apps more seriously. • Verify the behavior and privacy risks for apps before installing them. Do some research and ask the question: “Why does this app need GPS, microphone, webcam, contacts, etc.?” Most apps don’t need these ports unless they want to invade your privacy, Miliefsky said. Find an alternative before installing risky apps.
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• Do a smartphone version of spring cleaning. Delete all the apps you don’t use that often. Replace the apps that take advantage of too many of your privacy settings, such as GPS, phone and text message logs, with similar apps that don’t. • Turn off WiFi, Bluetooth, Near Field Communication and GPS except when you need them. That way, if you are at a local coffee shop or in a shopping mall, no one can spy using nearby hacking attacks. They also can’t track where you were and where you are going on GPS. • Check to see if your email has put a tracer on you and your phone. “If you use a Google email account and have an Android phone, you’d be surprised that even with your GPS off, it’s tracking your every move,” Miliefsky said. You need to go into the phone’s settings to turn off that tracking feature, he says. In your Android phone, go to “settings,” then “location.” Select “Google location reporting” and set “location history” to off. ■
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30 CAREGIVER’S CORNER
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May 2015
Take the right precautions for a family member with dementia
N
ot every person struggling with dementia lives in a nursing home or assisted-living facility. In fact, more than 15 million Americans, usually family members or friends, provide unpaid caregiving to people with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, according to a 2014 report by the Alzheimer’s Association. Although it’s wonderful so many are willing to assume that responsibility, it’s also important they take steps to make sure the home is a safe place, said Kerry Mills, co-author with Jennifer Brush of the book “I Care: A Handbook for Care Partners of People With Dementia.” Part of that is to focus on potential hazards. The concept is not unlike new parents making a house “childproof.” Many of the concerns are similar, such as stairs, electrical sockets, sharp objects and swimming pools. At the same time, it’s easy to go too far, Mills said. Ideally, the environment for the person with dementia should be as unrestricted as possible. “For example, if your loved one enjoys cooking for a hobby and can safely cut and peel vegetables, then by all means, encourage it,” Mills said. Mills suggested several ways to make a home safer for someone with dementia. • For the front and back doors: Use bells on the doors, motion sensors that turn on lights or alerts, or other notifications that make the care partner aware when someone has gone out. Add lamps or motionactivated lighting so people can see where they are going when they are entering or leaving the house. “Another way to discourage someone from wanting to leave the house is to make sure that he or she gets plenty of outside exercise whenever possible,” Mills said. • For stairways and hallways:
Add reflective tape strips to stair edges to make stairs more visible. Remove obstacles, such as mats and flowerpots, to minimize risks of falls on or by the stairs. Also, install handrails in hallways and stairways to provide stability, and install a gate on the stairway to prevent falls. Improve the lighting around hallways and stairs by installing more ceiling fixtures or wall sconces. • For the bathroom: Install grab bars and a raised toilet seat to help both the individual with dementia and the care partners so they don’t have to lift the person on and off the toilet. Add grab bars inside and outside the tub, and a non-skid surface in the tub to reduce risks of falls. You can also add colored tape on the edge of the tub or shower curb to increase contrast and make the tub edge more visible. Lower the water temperature or install an anti-scald valve to prevent burns, and remove drain plugs from sinks or tubs to avoid flooding. • For the possibility the person becomes lost: Provide your loved one with an identification or GPS bracelet in case he or she wanders. Label clothes with the person’s name, and place an identification card in his or her wallet with a description of the person’s condition. Notify police and neighbors of the person’s dementia and tendency to wander. Kerry Mills, MPA, is an expert in best care practices for persons with dementia both in the home and in out-of-home health care residences and organizations. She is a consultant to numerous hospitals, assisted livings, hospice, home care agencies, senior day care centers and nursing homes. Her book, coauthored with Jennifer A. Brush, “I Care,” (engagingalzheimers.com), is the 2014 Gold Award Winner of the National Mature Media Awards. ■
May 2015
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Anyone can pose as a financial planner By Teresa Ambord
A
nyone can claim to be a financial expert. Too often, members of the public accept a professional appearance, the right jargon, and a business office as evidence that the person behind the desk is qualified That’s a mistake. The list of fakes is only exceeded by the trail of tears and lost fortunes. An actual certified financial planner (CFP) undergoes rigorous testing administered by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards. To become certified, an individual has to not just be tested, but commit to continuing education in both finance and ethics. Of course, ethics can’t really be taught to a person with thievery in his or her heart. Bernard Madoff was long on credentials and woefully short on ethics.
What should you look for? Before you trust anyone with your money, The Wall Street Journal recommends you get answers to these questions: • Have you been convicted of a crime? • Has any regulatory body or investment industry group put you under investigation, even if you were not found guilty or responsible? • Ask for references from current cli-
ents with similar finances and goals to yours. The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) also advises you to ask, “Are you licensed to sell me this investment?” If they say yes, check it out for yourself at brokercheck.finra. org. You can also check an adviser with the Securities and Exchange Commission (adviserinfo.sec.gov). If the adviser claims to be a certified financial planner, visit cfp.net. WSJ also suggest you steer clear of money managers who work on commission: “These advisors may not be the most unbiased source of advice if they profit from steering you into particular products.” Better to opt for a planner who is paid an hourly fee, flat fee, annual fee or a percentage of the assets he or she manages for you. For people who don’t have a great deal of assets, WSJ suggests an hourly payment might be the best fit, as they cater to people with simple needs. In addition, these planners may be building a business and relying on your good recommendation to get new clients. Other things to keep in mind: Regardless of how good the interest rate is or appears to be, don’t put too large an investment into one fund. Remember the Enron debacle? A key reason so many people lost their
on Rocky Mountain PBS
SENIOR SCAMS 31
life savings is that they put all their money into Enron stock, rather than diversifying.
Have you heard of affinity fraud? That’s when the scam artist uses your faith or a shared church affiliation or charity to get you to invest in what turns out to be a fraud. It’s also called faith-based fraud. Here are some examples that were detailed on CNBC’s “American Greed.” Bobby Thompson raised millions for an organization that claimed to help Navy veterans. He became a big shot in Washington, DC, a friend of many highly placed political leaders. But the charity he claimed to represent didn’t exist. After doing time in prison for financial fraud, Barry Minkow turned his life around, he said. Minkow even became a minister and led a church in San Diego. He also formed a company, Fraud Discovery Institute,
which he used to help the public avoid investing in scams, and assisted the FBI uncover financial criminals. But fraud fighting wasn’t as lucrative as fraud itself. Minkow and accomplices would also target certain businesses and publicly accuse them of fraud, then extort money from them. It was easy, because as a minister and a now-respected fraud fighter, people believed him when he cried fraud. But Minkow met his match when he pointed the finger of blame at homebuilders Lennar Corporation. He succeeded in making Lennar’s stock prices plummet by accusing them of fraud. But when Lennar executives met with him and proved their innocence, he offered to drop his campaign against them, if they gave him $2 million. Lennar held firm and Minkow went to prison. After his arrest, the church that trusted him for years took a closer look at the finances. That’s when they learned he had also defrauded them, to the tune of $3.5 million. ■
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Local festival returns cowboy culture to its Glade Park roots
May 2015
By Diana Barnett
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ll it took was one fall afternoon of listening to Peggy Malone sing, and Terry Nash and Donnie Wynkoop recite their original cowboy poetry to hook Joanie Dahlen. The words and emotions that pronounced the words could tug memories from your heart and bring tears to your eyes. These talented performers shared stories that described their lives and feelings. It sure was something—this cowboy culture—and it was slowly fading away. As Dahlen and her long-time friend Alice Monroe talked about the event on the way home, they recalled similar stories they had heard the old-timers in Glade Park tell. What a great way to share the history of the western lifestyle, they thought. That’s when Joanie had an idea to rekindle this cowboy spirit in her own community of Glade Park. Dahlen and Monroe were both long-time residents and trained nurses who had served on the local fire department together. They had come
to the area early enough to become acquainted with families who had homesteaded here, and had listened to their stories of a hard rural lifestyle. Many of these early residents had already passed or moved to town, and newcomers were moving in. Who would remember what life was like in Glade Park in those early days? As the two friends brainstormed that fall and winter, the dream for the Glade Park Cowboy Poetry & Music Festival started to take shape. “It was all Joanie’s idea,” Alice said. “I was there for backup. She spent hours on the phone and on her computer getting things organized.” They decided a local festival could take place outside behind the community center, with the perfect backdrop of fields of sagebrush and Pinyon Mesa in the distance. The venue would add more history to the
Photos by Color With Light Photography.
May 2015 setting, as the building was the old Pipeline School, almost 100 years old and listed in the Colorado State Register of Historical Places. Of course, it was a no-brainer that this fledgling event needed music. The entertainment lineup was up for consideration. Dahlen knew Glade Park local Deb Bukala was as talented as they come, but she had no experience with cowboy music per se. However, aware of Bukala’s training as a vocalist and in classical piano, Dahlen knew Deb could do anything she put her mind to. In addition to Bukala making her western music debut at the festival, Dahlen also invited the entertainers with whom she had been so impressed that fall day it all began: Malone, Nash and Wynkoop. As the pioneer promotors continued their work, community members became excited about sharing part of their heritage on their turf, and more wanted to be involved. Local caterer Sheli Mayo signed on to prepare the food, and some residents volunteered to assist with publicity. Others
www.BeaconSeniorNews.com pitched in to clean and update the venue a bit for the festivities. Festival day arrived and the hard work paid off. Over 200 meals were served, the entertainment was more than enjoyable, and the planner and her committee were exhausted. The show went off without a hitch and Dahlen’s dream of a Glade Park festival became a reality. Over the past three years, the Glade Park Cowboy Poetry & Music Festival has taken on some changes. New faces have come on board. Roger Dingman has assumed the role as chairperson. Susan Bilbo, who also serves on the planning committee, acknowledges that Dahlen is a hard act to follow. “Joanie is so organized,” she said. “She’s almost a one-woman show.” The venue, which had humble beginnings with only a small tent and makeshift stage, has a cemented area and more of a shelter for performers. Debra and Gerald Pace have provided historic wagons and a carriage, including a complete campsite set up with a chuck wagon for western
ambiance, and Judy Morehouse and Jim Cook of Color With Light Photography preserve event memories digitally. This annual family-friendly event helps return cowboy culture to its Glade Park roots. Proceeds from the festival support the upkeep of the historic community center, which accommodates a regular Sunday church service, the local 4-H club, funerals, wedding receptions and family gatherings. The event offers an opportunity to enjoy quality cowboy poetry and western musicians from near and far. Top-of-the-line performers are the highlight of the event, with regulars and newcomers invited as headliners. The event brings the community together to rally around a common goal. The festival planners are currently putting the last-minute touches on the 2015 festival, which will bring the finest in western literary and musical talent to the local community. This year’s festival will take place on Saturday, June 6 at the Glade Park Community Center. Gates open at 5
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p.m. with food provided by Famous Dave’s BBQ. Entertainment begins at 6 p.m. and features Bukala and Nona Kelley Carver, a cowgirl poet from Mesa. Also performing, and new to the festival, are Beth Williams (“Miz Lizzie”), a Texas yodeler and Academy of Country Music nominee for best new female vocalist of the year; and Tom Sharpe, a Trinidad native and cowboy poet, who now lives in the area. Since the event takes place outdoors, bring warm clothing and your own chairs. Tickets can be purchased at the gate. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children under 12. Food can be purchased separately. Invite your friends and family to experience a little of the old west in Glade Park, Colorado! If you’re a regular at Glade Park’s “Movies Under the Stars,” you’ll know exactly where you’re going. But for others, turn north at the Glade Park Store, on 16.5 Road, travel two tenths of a mile, and the festival will be to your left. ■
34 RESOURCE DIRECTORY HIGHLIGHT
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May 2015
Grand Valley hosts a melting pot of cultures By Jan Weeks Just as America is the melting pot of the world, so the Grand Valley has also welcomed varied races and cultures. There are several cultural clubs here and several stand out. The German American Club was originally formed as the local chapter of the national organization of the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia, which was quite a mouthful. Later it became the German American Club of Western Colorado in order to attract people from any German-speaking area, or those who were simply of German ancestry or interested in things German. Jim Witt has been active in the local German community for many years and now serves as president of GAC. There are 30 members on the official roll and 15 active members from the entire Western Slope and even one from Utah. To join, one must simply have an interest in things German:
language, culture, history, travel, music, and so forth. “We host at least three German events during the year,” Witt said. One is Fasching, the German equivalent of Mardi Gras. The club also sponsors Maifest, but perhaps the best known is Oktoberfest. Beer, brats, alpenhorns and polkas make for a merry party, and many participants dress in traditional German clothing, such as lederhosen and dirndls. The Hansel and Gretel lookalike contest attracts children. These big events aren’t the only fun things. On the last Tuesday of every month, members gather at the Rockslide at 5 p.m. for Stammtisch, an informal get-together where people eat, drink, visit and practice and speak German. Witt emphasizes, “One does not have to speak German to come to Stammtisch or any of our events. Many of us do so, and there are several native German speakers in the club.”
Although reasons for joining the club vary from person to person, almost all would agree that the main reason is for Gemuetlichkiet, a word that implies friendship, comfort and kinship with others. Those Germans know how to pack a lot into one party, too. Maifest, a celebration of German culture and heritage, as well as the German Labor Day and a welcome to spring takes place on Sunday, May 17, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Edgewater Brewery, 905 Struthers Ave. in Grand Junction. Drinks and food can be ordered from the Brewery menu, which includes brats. Local Bavarian band Alpine Echo will play. Best of all, it’s free. Bring your chair to this outdoor event. The group meets bimonthly at 6:30 p.m. in the activities area of the Atrium, 3260 N. 12th St. Dues are $5 per year for individuals or $10 a year for a family. For more information, contact Witt at 242-2657 or jkwitt811@gmail.
com. You can also “like” German American Club of Western Colorado on Facebook. The Latin-Anglo Alliance was formed in 1956 when a group of Latino and Anglo ladies got together to discuss how to promote a better relationship between the two cultures. “They wanted to bridge the gap between the Latino and Anglo community, and introduce cultural and educational events that would enhance understanding among the groups,” Connie Martinez said. “Our focus is to promote education, civic and cultural awareness in our community and raise funds for scholarships for local Latino high school students.” One scholarship recipient went on to attend Colorado State University in Ft. Collins and graduated in 2006 with a construction management degree. He credits the generosity and financial support of the LAA for allowing him to follow his passion for construction.
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May 2015
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Each August the group holds a dinner for scholarship students and their parents. In September they sponsor the oldest golf scramble tournament in the Grand Valley, usually at Adobe Creek in Fruita. The golf tournaFolklorico dancers perform at Grand Junction’s Cinco de Mayo celebrament raises tion. This year’s celebration will be on Saturday, May 2 on Main Street. funds for scholarships. Generous sponour relationship with other Nordic sors also donate money. countries.” While the LAA works quietly year The Vestafjell Lodge meets on the round for education and cultural second Sunday of the month at Shepunderstanding, the first Saturday of herd of the Valley Lutheran Church May rolls in with the annual Cinco in Grand Junction, and sometimes de Mayo celebration, as it has for meets in Cory, Delta and Montrose. 35 years. Folklorico dancers, bands, The local chapter isn’t just about singers, great food and a street dance meetings. Barnelopet offers superbring that fine fiesta feeling to downvised winter sports for kids, and town. This year’s celebration will be members participate in parades on from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday, May 2 Fourth of July and Veterans Day. They on Main Street. also have classes in woodcarving, “We have monthly potluck meetneedlework, rosemaling (decorative ings,” Martinez said, “but when planpainting or carving in Norwegian ning for an event, we usually meet every other week until the event hap- peasant style), cooking, and learning to speak Norwegian. Members pens. We meet at 760 Winters Ave. can also be seen picking up trash in the building where the Head Start along the highway they’ve adopted. Program is housed.” The Tubfrim Stamp program benefits Yearly dues are $20 for an indineedy children in Norway and dovidual, $30 for a family and $5 for nates food to local needy people. seniors. For more information, call “We emphasize cultural, social and Martinez at 241-5753 or Mike Archuleducational programs,” Sehler said. eta at 216-7332. Sons of Norway was the brainchild “We go to local schools to demonstrate tools used centuries ago in of Anita Seitz, who initiated the first Norway, and other members tell gathering in Delta in 1988 for the stories to young students in schools. purpose of uniting people of NorweThat’s in addition to our book club, gian heritage. The Grand Junction chapter, Vestafjell Lodge, became the a ladies’ breakfast group, genealogy instruction, and hands-on lefse mak54th lodge of Sons of Norway Intering.” national on June 12, 1990. AccordThe local group averages about ing to Marge Sehler, the lodge will 100 members. Anyone of Norwegian celebrate its 25th anniversary next descent or who has an interest in month. Norwegian culture is welcome, as are “Our mission is to promote and visitors and guests. For more informapreserve the heritage and culture of Norway,” Sehler said. “We celebrate tion, contact Sehler at 434-0803.
RESOURCE DIRECTORY HIGHLIGHT 35
In the spring of 1992, a small group of Swedes led by Vern and Alice Nelson decided to meet and enjoy Swedish customs. Swedes of the Grand Valley is a very loose-knit group, according to Norm Kronvall. “We don’t have dues, officers or formal membership rules,” Kronvall said. “We meet a couple of times a year. We celebrate Midsummer in June, which this year will be June 7 at Hawthorne Park around 4 p.m. We’ll have Swedish food, a summer pole (May Pole), music and a lot more.” Every December the group observes the St. Lucia Celebration at Unity Church on North 12th Street with Swedish food, music, stories, a
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silent action and more. “We love visiting with people about Sweden and its culture,” Kronvall said, “and many of our members have lived in or visited Sweden. We also have Swedish musical and dance groups visit the valley.” Swedes of the Grand Valley is a member of the Swedish Council of America, which has member organizations throughout the U.S. and Sweden. The SCA publishes a quarterly magazine, “Sweden & America,” with a discount on the subscription price to members of the organization. Anyone interested in joining or finding out more about activities can call Sharon Cannella at 263-8406 or Kronvall at 245-0673.
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May 2015
Mesa County Club Activities Compiled by Liesl Greathouse
• Friendship Force meets monthly at 6:15 p.m. on the second Thursday at Community Hospital’s lower conference room. Call 260-4653 or visit www.thefriendshipforce.org. • 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. Call 241-1770 or visit www.gjcoinshow.com. • Two River Sams, Good Sam RV Club, meets at noon on May 16. For location, call 523-5625. • Grand Valley Knights meets at 7 a.m.9:30 a.m. Saturdays at Spoons Bistro & Bakery with their sport and classic vehicles. Call 462-6762 or visit www. grandvalleyknights.com. • Mesa County Genealogical Society meets monthly at 7 p.m. on the second Thursday at The Commons of Hilltop and at noon on the fourth Wednesday at the Museum of Western
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Colorado. Help sessions are at 1 p.m. on the first Friday at a library branch. Call 640-2388. • Two Rivers Cribbage Club meets from 6 p.m.-9 p.m. Thursdays at the Masonic Center. Call 261-1670. • Vestafjell Lodge, Sons of Norway will meet at 2 p.m. on May 3 at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, 3133 F Road, for several different activities, including guest speaker Anniken Ruud, a foreign exchange student from Oslo, Norway. Call 2455649 or visit www.vestafjelllodge.org. • Happy Feet Rounds offers basic choreographed ballroom dancing at the Masonic Center on Sundays (beginners from 5 p.m.-6:30 p.m. and intermediate from 6:30 p.m.-8 p.m.) and 7 p.m.-9 p.m. Mondays (Phase 3 and 4 dancers). Call 243-5858. • Grand Valley Woodcarvers meets monthly at 6 p.m. on the first and third Wednesdays and at 1 p.m. on the second and fourth Wednesdays at Redlands United Methodist Church. Call 245-8817 or 523-5965. • Grand Valley Woodturners meets monthly at 7 p.m. on the second Tuesdays at Redlands United Methodist Church. Call 245-8817 or 856-3632. • Levis & Lace Square Dance Club meets monthly on the second and fourth Fridays at the Masonic Center. Rounds at 7 p.m. and square at 7:30 p.m. Call 434-6541. • Art Jewelers’ Guild meets monthly at 6:30 p.m. on the second Monday at the Grandview Apartments, 1501 N. First St. Call 243-1220. • Stamp Collectors meets monthly at 7 p.m. on the second Wednesday at White Star Electric. Call 986-1502. • Western Slope Non-Smoking Singles meets monthly at 1 p.m. at Starvin’ Arvin’s in Clifton for lunch and games. For more activities, call 4340803. • Mesa Fiberarts Guild meets monthly at 6 p.m. the first Thursdays at Color Creek Fiber Art, 1150 N. 25th St. Unit B in Grand Junction. Call 243-3598 or visit www.mesafiberartsguild.org. • Blue Lodge Masons meets monthly
May 2015
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at 10 a.m. the first Saturday at the Masonic Center. Call 245-5312. • 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. • Western Colorado Decorative Artists meets monthly at 9 a.m. on the second Saturday at First Congregational Church. Call 640-2751. • Fleet Reserve Association (FRA) Branch 244 meets monthly at 7 p.m. on the second Wednesday of the month at the VFW Post #3981. All former, retired and active sea service, U.S. Navy, Marines or Coast Guard welcome. Call 434-0868.
37
• Grand Junction Toastmasters meets at 7:10 a.m. Tuesdays at St. Mary’s Life Center. Call 242-4863. • Talk of the Town Toastmasters meets at noon Thursdays at the Business Incubator Center. Call 250-3969. • Western Slope Rovers RV Club meets monthly at the Egg and I for breakfast on the first Thursday. Call 858-3907 for time and details. • High Desert Diamonds is a plus-level square dance club that dances from 7 p.m.-9 p.m. on the first and third Fridays monthly at the Masonic Center. Call 241-7457. ■
Grand Junction High School Tigers Class of ’65 reunion By Jan Weeks Calling all Tigers from the Grand Junction High School class of 1965! The 50th reunion is coming up and we want to see you the weekend of September 1113. The Friday night class ice breaker will be held in the ballroom at CMU (Mesa Junior College, for those of us who remember it back when), as will the Saturday night dinner and dance. Sunday’s picnic will be at Canyon View Park, just south of I-70 on 24 Road.
There will be plenty of time to catch up with friends and, if you live out of town, revisit the old stomping grounds, although the Falls is now a housing development and it’s hard to find a “parking” place on Jacob’s Ladder among of all the houses. Golfers can spend Saturday afternoon at Redlands Mesa. For more information, call Russ Carson at 361-7462 or visit www.gjtigers.org/1965. Register or update your information on www. gjtigers.com.
1965
THE BENEFITS OF A
CHARITABLE GIFT ANNUITY
If you own low-yielding assets and are seeking higher income, a charitable gift annuity or charitable remainder trust may be worth exploring.
Contact the St. Mary’s Foundation to learn more about making a gift today!
In exchange for your charitable gift of cash or appreciated securities, you reap multiple benefits: • Receive a lifetime income • Generate a current income tax deduction • Bypass all or a portion of capital gains on appreciated assets
Every dollar of your contribution stays right here at St. Mary’s Medical Center 2635 N. 7th St . Entrance #6 Grand Junction CO 81501 (970) 298-7569
38 MESA COUNTY
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Mesa County Calendar Compiled by Liesl Greathouse May 2
Comic Con and Free Comic Book Day
Wow Only $ 195 per YEAR!*
*Seniors 65 years & older
DOES YOUR Need
The Housing Rehabilitation Loan Program could help YOU “Age in Place”. Call to see how we can help you today.
Fixed Repaired or Replaced?
• Our staff secures the bids.
HOME
SOMETHING
The Housing Rehabilitation Loan Program provides financial assistance to income qualifying homeowners in need of repairs to maintain and continue living in their existing homes longer.
Contact: 970-241-2871 Ext. 101
524 30 Road, Suite 3, Grand Junction, CO 81504
www.housingresourceswc.org
May 2015
Eligible homeowners now have access to low interest-rate loans. Payments are customized for the homeowner through the non-profit, Housing Resources. Payments are based upon the client’s ability to pay, not necessarily the amount borrowed.
If you like comics, sci-fi and superheroes, you’ll love Library Comic Con from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Mesa County Central Library. Stop by for free comics, a comic swap, activities for all ages, workshops, presentations, film screenings, a costume contest and more. There will also be a photo booth where you can take your picture with 501st Legion costumed Stormtroopers. Bring your camera! For details and a complete schedule, visit the library or call 243-4442. May 3
Rose Hill Rally St. Mary’s Hospital Foundation is proud to sponsor the annual Rose Hill Rally. Riders begin between 7:30 a.m. and 9 a.m. for both the 50K & 100K distances. Proceeds benefit the Rose Hill Hospitality House, a service of St. Mary’s Hospital, which provides lodging to patients and family members residing outside Mesa County. Cyclists of all ages and abilities will enjoy the wonderful scenery of the Grand Valley on this fully supported non-race ride. Support vehicles, rest station refreshments, a quick breakfast and a hot lunch, minor bike maintenance, complimentary massage, entertainment and prizes are all included in the registration fee. Registration is open and T-shirts are available until April 29. For location and to register, call 242-5940.
• Coordinates with contractors.
May 3
• Assists with necessary paperwork to complete the project securely and safely.
Come with or without a partner to La Puerta Ballroom, 523 1/2 Main St. in Grand Junction (upstairs in the Margery Building). The dance is 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Adults are $8. For details, call 260-5852.
• Helps with inspections.
The program is designed to finance essential repairs to improve health, safety, energy conservation, structural deficiencies, and modifications such as:
• Accessibility Modifications • Electrical • Plumbing • Heating • Foundations • Windows • Roofs
English Country Dance
May 4
Who’s buried in Arlington? Tom Tudor will share a collection of fascinating stories about people laid to rest in Arlington National Ceme-
tery. Don’t miss this free presentation at 6 p.m. in the Mesa County Central Library Community Room. May 6
Spiritual leader visits Grand Junction Two Rivers Center for Spiritual Living presents Rev. Dr. Roger Teel at 7 p.m. at 251 Colorado Ave. in Grand Junction. Teel is a gifted inspirational speaker and the senior minister at Mile Hi Church in Denver. He is the author of “This Life Is Joy: Discovering the Spiritual Laws to Live More Powerfully, Lovingly and Happily.” Seating is limited. Tickets are $20 in advance and $30 at the door. For more information and to purchase tickets, call 433-7799. May 10
Refuse to Be a Victim seminar This free crime prevention seminar provides a lot of valuable information on cultivating a positive self-defense philosophy and offers many safety strategy options. Course takes place from 3 p.m.-6 p.m. at Sky Adventure, 817 Falcon Way in Grand Junction, near the airport. This is a non-firearms based course. Seating is limited. Register by calling 270-3203. May 13 & 27
Free estate planning workshops The attorneys at the Law Office of Brown & Brown, PC present the following classes from 4:30 p.m.5:30 p.m. on estate planning at their office, 1250 E. Sherwood Drive, free of charge. The May 13 seminar is “Handling estate matters after someone dies,” which will discuss important issues surrounding the estate administration process. May 27 will be “Estate planning Q & A,” where the discussions are solely based on your questions. Registration is required for both classes. For more information and to register, call 243-8250. May 21
Rock Art of the Colorado Plateau Celebrating Colorado’s Archaeology and Historic Preservation Month, the Grand Junction chapter of the Colorado Archaeological Society
May 2015 presents cultural anthropologist and archaeologist Dr. Carol Patterson, who will give an illustrative talk on the cultural affiliation represented in the rock art of the Colorado Plateau. Presentation is from 7 p.m.-9 p.m. at the Grand Junction City Hall Auditorium. For more information about the talk or to become a member, email CASGJinfo@gmail.com.
May 24
May 22
Centennial Band concert
AARP Driver Safety Course (Fruita)
The Grand Junction Centennial Band will perform at JUCO at 6 p.m.
The Fruita Community Center will host the AARP SMART Driver Safety Program from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at 324 N. Coulson St. Save money on insurance and keep up on newer traffic laws. Cost is $15 for AARP members and $20 for nonmembers. Preregistration is required. For more information and to register, call 639-2433.
River City Singles
Collbran Historical Walk & Butterfly Release The annual event features a historical walk of Collbran at 10 a.m. and a butterfly release at 1 p.m. Proceeds benefit Plateau Valley cancer residents. For details and to order a butterfly to release, call 250-5188.
MESA COUNTY 39
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SERVICE LIKE IT OUGHT TO BE!
Light weight small trailers in stock.
May 29
June 23
Evil Editor Tells All writing workshop Learn what writing mistakes editors hate and how to keep your manuscript from ending up in File 13. Class is from 6 p.m.-8 p.m. For more information or to register, contact Jan Weeks at 255-6679, visit wccc.coloradomesa.edu/cec or call 255-2800. ■
Rockwood Trailers
BOB SCOTT RV’S SALES 2322 Hwy 6 & 50 Grand Junction, CO 81505 245-2175
20 ft. R-Pod Trailers
BOB SCOTT RV’S PARTS & SERVICE 2302 Hwy 6 & 50 Grand Junction, CO 81505 245-2175
quality assisted living in a residential setting
MAY 2015 Activity Schedule
“Young-at-heart adults getting together for fun and friendship!” Calling all singles over 55! Come meet new friends and join us at 5 p.m. Fridays at the Travelodge on Horizon Drive. You’re sure to find people who are young at heart with like interests. Fridays at 5 p.m. - Friday Afternoon Club (FAC) meets in the lounge at the Travelodge (formerly the Country Inn), 718 Horizon Drive. The first FAC meeting of the month is the business meeting. Cards and games will follow the meeting. Tuesdays at 9:30 a.m. - Early Start Breakfast at Denny’s on Horizon Drive. Visitors welcome. Call Debbie at 245-4995 for details. Wednesdays at 5 p.m. - Dine out at the following locations every week. Visitors welcome. Call Debbie at 245-4995 for details. • May 6 - Feedlot • May 13 - Dos Hombres in the Redlands • May 20 - Chili’s • May 27 - Red Lobster Sundays at 12:30 p.m. - Bowling Sunday and card games at Orchard Mesa Lanes, 295 27 Road. RSVP to Bob at 263-8462.
We Provide For You • Medication Monitoring • HoMe cooked dietitian approved Meals • ADL assistance • Help witH daily living activities • daily Housekeeping services • individual and group activities
Your private room comes complete with ……. all furnisHings • tHree quarter private batH • eMergency call systeM • cable tv and pHone Hookups • 24Hour security Wendell Gates 970 549-6554
Saturday, May 2 at noon - Enjoy billiards, games of pool and lunch at Bank 8 Billiards, 2460 Patterson Road. Kentucky Derby begins at 4 p.m. Call Mary at 255-7370. Thursday, May 14 at 11 a.m. - The Fun Lunch Bunch meets at The Ale House for lunch on the patio. RSVP to Penny at 712-2588. Thursday, May 21 at 5 p.m. - Restaurant Rove to WW Peppers. RSVP to Jim at 4640578. Saturday, May 23 at 8 a.m. – Daytrip to Ouray. Meet at the Orchard Mesa City Market. RSVP to Judie at 639-2197. Monday, May 25 at 5 p.m. - Memorial Day BBQ. RSVP to JoAnne at 263-0520.
2395 H Rd Grand Junction www.beehivehomes.com
40 MESA COUNTY
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THE FACT THAT IT’S INVISIBLE MAY BE THE LEAST REVOLUTIONARY THING ABOUT IT. INTRODUCE YOUR EARS TO THE FIRST AND ONLY INVISIBLE, EFFORTLESS, 24/7 HEARING AID.
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Compiled by Liesl Greathouse
Museum of Western Colorado activities
• May 8 - Behind the Scenes Tour at 5:30 p.m. at Museum of the West, 462 Ute Ave. Cost is $5.
970-464-3062
www.HearingRehabCenter.com Certified Lyric Hearing Professional
GRAND JUNCTION
PCC Kara Miller and Ryan Crawford, Au.D.
Mesa County Beacon Bits • May 2 - Spring Day on the Farm at Cross Orchards Historic Site, 3073 F Road. See 4-H animals and learn about bee keeping, blacksmithing, prospecting, antique cars and more from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Cost is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors or $15 for families.
NO BATTERIES TO CHANGE
120 West Park Drive, Suite 111 Grand Junction, CO 81505
*Individual replacement needs may vary. Duration of device battery life varies by patient and is subject to individual ear conditions. **Lyric is water resistant, not waterproof, and should not be completely submerged under water. †Professional fees may apply. Annual subscription begins the first day of trial. Talk to your Lyric provider for more information. Lyric is not appropriate for all patients. See your Lyric hearing professional to determine if Lyric is right for you. Lyric, distributed by Phonak LLC © 2015. All Rights Reserved. MS038431 NEW922
• May 14 – “Hatching the Past: Nesting with Dinosaurs” exhibit opens at Dinosaur Journey in Fruita. This exhibit explores the mysteries of dinosaur family life. Cost is $9 for adults, $7 for seniors and $25 for families. • May 14 - Changing Landscapes of Science lecture at 7 p.m. at the Whitman Educational Center, 248 S. Fourth St. Topic is “Making a Little Candy for a Few of Our Friends,” hosted by Doug Simons of Enstrom Candies. Cost is $5 for members and $10 for nonmembers. • May 21 - Oral History Presentation at noon at the Whitman Educational Center, 248 S. Fourth St. • May 22 – “Dine Bits’aa’Bahane: The Story of Navajo Baskets” exhibit opens at the Museum of the West, 462 Ute Ave. This exciting and colorful exhibit traces early Dine history and how the first baskets were manufactured. Cost is $7 for adults, $6 for seniors or $20 for families.
A photographic appreciation for the artistry of fly tying
You Can Trust Us In Your Hour of Need 729 37 3/10 Rd. (970) 464-5333
May 2015
Mesa County Libraries is hosting an opening reception and fly tying demonstration from 6 p.m.-8 p.m. on May 1 at the Central Library, 443 N. Sixth St. in Grand Junction, for a new art exhibit to be displayed in the Central Library Corridor Gallery. “The Art of the Fly: A Photographic Appreciation for the Artistry of Fly Tying” will be on display during regular li-
brary hours from May 1 through June 13. In a series of photographs, “The Art of the Fly” celebrates the artistry of some of western Colorado’s most skilled and experienced fly-tiers. For details, call 683-2437.
Vendors needed for Father’s Day Car Show benefit People are invited to showcase their unique car, truck or motorcycle at the third annual Father’s Day Car Show, with proceeds benefiting Relay for Life. The car show is 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, June 20, at A Taste of Heaven Catering, 2817 North Ave. The event will feature unique and unusual vehicles, live music, food booths, demonstrations and more. Entry fee is $20 per vehicle and application is required in advance, as space is limited. For more information and application, call 720-934-3588.
Subsidized spay/neuter program for pet owners The Mesa County Animal Welfare Partnership is partnering with area veterinarians to offer spay and neuter vouchers for Mesa County pet owners. With these vouchers, the cost of the procedure will be $20 to the pet owner. These vouchers will be given out on a first-come, first-serve basis and are valid through September 30, 2015. For more information, call Mesa County Animal Services at 242-4646. Participating veterinarians include: All Pets Center - 241-1976 Animal Birth Control - 523-5487 Animal Medical Clinic - 434-4094 Arrowhead Veterinary Hospital 858-8881 Cottonwood Veterinary Hospital 245-0135 Desert Spring Veterinary Services 858-8063 Dr. Jean Fromm, DVM - 434-0811 Footprints Animal Hospital - 241-4247 Kokopelli Animal Hospital - 858-4299 Orchard Mesa Veterinary Hospital 241-9866 Redstone Veterinary Hospital - 243-3130
May 2015
Community Country Dance Join in these community dances from 7 p.m.-10 p.m. the second and fourth Saturdays of the month at the Grand Junction Senior Recreation Center, 550 Ouray Ave. Cost is $5. Music by Bill Bartley.
Support groups
• The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is offering support groups for adults diagnosed with mental illness and separate groups for their families. The Family to Family group meets at 5:30 p.m.-6:45 p.m. monthly on the first Tuesday at the Family Health West Nursing Home Conference Room, 228 N. Cherry St. in Fruita. For more information, call 462-3989. • Western Slope Visionaries, a low-vision peer support group, meets from 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Wednesdays. Call Joanne or Cathy at 241-0315. • Mending Hearts Support Group is for any adult who has experienced the death of a loved one. Call HopeWest at 248-8844 for more information. • Grand Junction group meets from 2 p.m.-3:30 p.m. Thursdays at the Miller Homestead at HopeWest, 3090 N. 12th St. • Fruita group meets from 2 p.m.3:30 p.m. in the Lions Room at the Fruita Civic Center, 325 E. Aspen St. • Caregiver Connections is open to all caregivers and meets from 10 a.m.-
11:30 a.m. every Tuesday at the Miller Homestead at HopeWest, 3090 N. 12th St.
MESA COUNTY 41
A Great Place to Call Home!
• St. Mary’s Stroke Support Group meets from 1 p.m.-2:30 p.m. on the third Friday of each month in the Grand Mesa Room of St. Mary’s Life Center. Call 298-1929 for details.
New & Pre-Owned Homes Quiet 55+ Adult Community Resident Club House Free RV Storage On-Site Manager
• Breast Cancer Support Group meets monthly from 6 p.m.-7:30 p.m. on the third Tuesdays in the Reflection Room (Entrance 25). Call 298-2254.
BUY ONE MEAL, GET 2ND MEAL AT 1/2 PRICE
• MACHO Men, a cancer support group, meets monthly at 5 p.m. on the second Wednesdays at St. Mary’s Java City Café. Call 298-2351.
Volunteer opportunities
EXPIRES 6/30/2015
Excludes Daily Specials
One Coupon Per Two People
urs Mon-Thly On
• 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. • Mesa County SOS needs volunteer drivers to give seniors rides to grocery shopping, pharmacy and medical visits once a week. SOS will reimburse for mileage. Call 248-2746. • HopeWest seeks volunteers for a variety of positions. Volunteering can be as simple as one hour a month. Call 623-8816 for details. • Mesa County Libraries are seeking volunteers to fill a variety of needs. Apply online at mesacountylibraries. org or at your nearest library location. For details, call 683-0383. ■
Buying for CASH! • Coins & Coin Collections • Gold & Silver Coins • Old Currency • Foreign Coins & Currency • Pocket Watches • Sterling silver • Gold & Silver Jewelry • Antiques • Guns and Ammunition • Military Items • Cowboy Spurs • Native American Items
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Check with US before you sell! We Have Over 40 Years Experience Buying and Selling Professionally. Paying $14 per gram and up for Scrap Gold!
Homestyle Cooking • Breakfast • Lunch Open Mon. - Sat. 6am to 2pm
Closed Sun.
970-243-2133
241 Grand Ave.• Grand Junction, CO
Come tour our
5-star manufactured home communities. Peaceful walk paths, beautiful views, community garden and lots of amenities. These land leased communities are very affordable and have all you need. Your choice of home sites and various floor plans available or relocate your existing home to our community. Relocation incentives offered. All homes are owner occupied. Families welcome. Homes starting in the $40ks. Pet friendly.
Move in Ready! The grass is greener and your spring is brighter!
Open: Monday-Friday, 10-5
North Avenue Coins 1005 North 12th Street, Suite 211 Grand Junction, CO 81501
970-261-8368
The right community.
(970) 434-8193 435 32 Rd. Grand Junction Open: Mon.-Sat. 8:30-5:00 www.midlandsvillage.com
42 CROSSWORD PUZZLE
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There’s A New Prosthodontist In Town! I’m Jake R. Atwood and although I am new to town, I am not new to Prosthodontics. I served in the United States Air Force where I polished my skills and learned the value of self-sacrifice and service. As a prosthodontist, I primarily deal with the replacement of missing or worn teeth. Whether it’s just one or all 32 of them, I can help you achieve a comfortable bite and a beautiful smile. And remember, it’s important to get your dentures checked annually! Having 4 kids, I know what it’s like to want the best for the ones you love. That’s why it’s not just about teeth. It’s about providing the best care in a comfortable, friendly atmosphere. So, come on over, get to know us, and leave feeling like one of the family! *Dr. Atwood is the only Prosthodontist in the Western Slope of Colorado.
ATWOOD PROSTHODONTICS Jake R. Atwood DMD, MS
1317 N 3rd Street
241-2430
Grand Junction
WESTERN COLORADO
COMPOST Think Compost…It’s the Natural Choice
Give us a call to learn more about using compost in your next landscaping project
(970) 263-9319
Organic Materials Composting Facility 3071 Highway 50, Grand Junction www.mesacounty.us/swm
Crossword Puzzle
Across 1 Group of like-minded voters 5 Ulan ___, Mongolia 10 A comet, to the -superstitious 14 Succotash bean 15 Where the action is 16 Tabula ___ (blank slate) 17 Translucent Apple 18 Hyper 19 Catch sight of 20 1972 movie 23 Field pass? 24 Born, on the society page 25 Car ad letters 28 Carriage return key, nowadays 32 Try again, as a court case 34 Incomparable ending 37 Musk-secreting mammal 39 Bart’s schoolteacher Krabappel 40 1993 movie 44 Overhead projection? 45 Punch -spiker 46 Computer keyboard key 47 One-named folk singer 50 “___ to the people!” 52 9 of 9/30 53 Eyeball 55 Some antiques 59 1986 movie 64 Lens type 66 Louisiana feature 67 Speck in the ocean 68 Tolstoy’s Karenina 69 Ridiculous 70 “Pygmalion” author 71 Theater or party add-on 72 Like a -certain attraction 73 Billboard listings DOWN 1 Spots on a radar screen 2 Word at the express checkout aisle 3 Man from Muscat 4 Laugh like the Wicked Witch 5 Cry like a baby 6 Song in ‘’Summer-time’’ 7 Prison -sentence 8 “There’s ___ every crowd!” 9 Original “Saturday Night Live” star 10 Three-part cookie 11 Newspapers, radio, tv, etc. 12 Debatable power, for short 13 House call? 21 Process stolen goods
May 2015
22 “___ whiz!” 26 Group of experts 27 Join plants 29 Up to, -informally 30 Really, really bad 31 Newscaster’s summary 33 “Love ___ Madly” 34 Ideology 35 What umbrellas provide 36 Bell’s ringer? 38 Crunchy sandwich 41 Start for shot or belly 42 Like Roosevelt’s Deal 43 Mark indicating a short vowel 48 Pull along 49 Lawrence’s peninsula 51 Salad -ingredient 54 X, for one 56 Japanese menu item 57 Brilliant achievement 58 Distorts, as data 60 First name in bridge 61 Pair 62 Concern of a musician or bodybuilder 63 Colored 64 Half of a stitch 65 Lennon’s widow
May 2015
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Real Estate For Rent
SOUTH EAST
senior living in a parklike setting 435 32 Rd #568 & #485 • Enjoy low maitenence living! • #568, 3BD/2BA, large kitchen • Fully remodeled, move-in ready! • #485 2B/1BA, nice landscaping • Newer kitchen, move-in ready!
Las Vegas Luxury Resort Condo For rent on the Strip. Sleeps 4 – one week for $800 or three days for $300. Also Disney World Condo - $955 for seven days. Call 970-862-8424.
Anna Rickenbach RE/MAX 4000 970-241-4000 annasellsgj@gmail.com NORTH EAST
• Brand New Construction! • 3 Bedrooms, 2 Baths • Energy Efficient – Low Bills • You Own The Lot – Small Yards • No Maintenance Exterior $159,900 Heath & Company Realtors/Metro Brokers Hal Heath 970-250-9515
RIO VISTA MHP BEAUTIFULLY SHADED lot available in Palisade’s premium 55+ mobile home community. Ideal for a single-wide modular home. Ph: 4647798 for details.
19.95
Monday-Friday 7:30-5:30
gas engine
synthetic oils slightly higher
54.95 diesel engine
Saturday 8:00-5:00
No appointment necessary
2728 Railroad Ave • 970-625-1680 • www.columbineford.com
Bring Bring in in this this coupon coupon and and receive receive aa
FREE APPETIZER
with the purchase of of any any 22 entrees. entrees. Expires Expires 7/2015 7/2015
647 Brooks Court
• 1256 sq. ft. Rancher • 3 bed/ 1¾ bath • Built 2001 • Attached 2 car garage • New carpet &new paint $169,900
448 Pear Lane
Service hours
$49,900 & $31,999
Real Estate For Sale SOUTH EAST
“Baby Boomer” Special
Oil chAnge SeRvice any make or model
Friendly Affordable Safe Convenient Comfortable
nellie Bechtel senior apartments 245-1712 • 3032 North 15th Street
It’s worth the drive!
REAL ESTATE 43
Hill & Homes, LLC Ben Hill 970-250-5002 www.benhill.com ben@hillandhomes.com
MOBILE HOME, 7 YEARS OLD 2 bedroom, 1 bath in 5-star, secure, pet-friendly park with clubhouse. Mobile home has retractable awning and large covered porch. $40,000. Call 623-6709.
Did you know the BEACON has a Facebook page?
Like us! www.facebook.com/BeaconSeniorNews
*Offer *Offer *Offer not not not valid valid valid with with with any any any other other discount discount or or special special
Join us for: Happy Hour: Mon- Fri 2-7pm & 10pm-12am Military Discounts Daily 65¢ Traditional Wing Tuesdays 65¢ Boneless Wing Thursdays Mon-Fri Lunch Specials
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Classes Free Meditation Class Introduction to KRIYA Meditation – Ancient teaching from KRIYA traditions. Tuesday nights. 7 p.m., YOGA West, 1025 Main St. Call 523-5685.
Help Wanted WENDY’S NOW HIRING! Shift supervisors and crew members. We are looking for smiling faces and positive attitudes. We offer competitive pay, discounts and a great working environment. Full-time and part-time employment available. Please apply at your nearest location in Grand Junction.
sales person wanted The Beacon Senior newspaper is growing and we’re looking for a mature, loving sales person to grow with us. Send your letter and resume to beacon@pendantpublishing.com
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QUESTIONS? Call us M-TH, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., 970 243-8829 www.BeaconSeniorNews.com
writers wanted The Beacon Senior newspaper is looking for writers in Mesa, Delta and Montrose counties. Send your letter and resume to beacon@pendantpublishing.com
Finance SEEKING INVESTOR To hold $50,000 first mortgage on $225,000 income-producing property. Strong credit / payment history. Offering competitive terms. Reliable monthly income. Call 314-2421 or email jaydonahoe@yahoo.com.
For Sale PRISTINE, GENTLY USED 2006 Rochwood Travel Trailer. All the bells and whistles, ultra light, tows like a dream. $14,500. Please call 858-0421.
May 2015 STUCK IN A WHEELCHAIR? Stand up with an Invacare Stander and Live Longer! $500 OBO. Call Anne at 275-1414.
Home Care PASCO/SW, INC.
Skilled and unskilled homemaking and/or personal care. Skilled nursing, specialize in wound care, physical therapy, occupational therapy, CNA, social work, pre-op, post-op services. PASCO/SW carriers certification for Mi, children’s hospice and Tbi waivers. Please call for courtesy evaluation of your home care needs. Serving: Archuleta, Delta, Dolores, La Plata, Montezuma, Montrose, Ouray, San Miguel Cortez (970)565-6833; Durango (970) 247-1211; Montrose (970) 240-1771; Toll Free (877) 685-6833
www.pascosw.com
Home Services WILL DO ERRANDS Shopping, appointments, light chores. $10 per hour. Call Linda 5230218. HOUSE CLEANING Do you want a clean house? A onetime cleaning or on a regular schedule, let’s talk about what works for you. Also, I will give a 15% discount to seniors. References available. Call Benni at 241-2611. SCENE CLEARLY, LLC Window cleaners specializing in making your day a little brighter! Grand Junction area. Call Frank Cordova at 242-1264. RELIABLE ESTATE SALES Are you in the midst of a stressful relocation or passing of a loved one? Let us handle the burden of personal property liquidation from start to finish. Contact Mark Bluhm at 2602327, cash4@bresnan.net or www. reliableestatesales.net.
May 2015 ANTIQUES, APPRAISALS, ESTATE SALES With over 30 years in the antique, appraisal and estate sale business, Great American Estate Sales is the valley’s leader in appraisals and estate liquidation. Settling an estate, moving into a smaller home or just simplifying your lifestyle? Great American Estate Sales can provide a worry-free and quick solution. Free consultation. 216-8236. ACCESSIBILITY SERVICES Grab bars. Walk-in tubs/showers. Licensed plumber/handyman. Serving Western Colorado since 1989. Free estimates. Compare and save! 985-1403. TREE SERVICE Get ready for summer – Tree trimming, tree removal, stump grinding. FREE hauling, boom truck to 85 feet, FREE estimates. Licensed and insured. Chris 260-0222. SKILLED HANDYMAN SERVICES Fast, reliable handyman services available. No job too big or too small. We are licensed and insured and have over 35 years’ experience. We are ADA (Special Needs), CAPS (Aging in Place) and NHBA (National Home Builders Association) certified to meet your individual needs. All services include carpentry, plumbing, electrical and misc. services. Western Interior Builders, LLC. Call 241-2029 for appointment. CID Property Maintenance Ltd. Your one stop/shop for year-round needs and excellent customer service. Senior services/discounts, home repairs and maintenance, vehicle services and more. 589-9233 www. cid-propertymaintenance.com.
Professional Services
National Classifieds May 2015
LINKHART QUILTING New Gammill Longarm in town. 3,500 Designs. Available for as low as $.02/sq. 210-6220. Linkhartquilting@ gmail.com. Like us on Facebook.
ADOPTION PREGNANT? CONSIDERING ADOPTION? Talk with caring adoption expert. Choose from families Nationwide. LIVING EXPENSES PAID. Call 24/7 Abby’s One True Gift Adoptions 866-413-6296 Void In Illinois/New Mexico/Indiana
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AUTO’S WANTED CARS/TRUCKS WANTED! Top $$$$$ PAID! Running or Not, All Years, Makes, Models. Free Towing! We’re Local! 7 Days/Week. Call Toll Free: 1-888416-2330
USED BOOKS BUY, SELL OR TRADE Gently used books on hundreds of subjects. Westerns, Romance, Mysteries, Suspense, Kids, Young Adult, Inspirational, and many others. Large print. Special orders. 242-3911. Twice Upon a Time Bookshop, 2885 North Ave., Ste. B. Located in front of North Ave. Walmart and next to Subway. 10-6 Mon-Sat, 11-4 Sunday. **Bring this ad in for $10 Trade Credit** CASH Paid for Old Stuff Wind-up men’s wrist/pocket watches, gold and silver jewelry, pocket/ hunting knives, antique firearms, fishing gear, toys, BB guns, old Colorado bottles, old motorcycles, radios and amps, railroad, military, mining items. www.cash4oldstuff.net. Mark 260-2327.
Yard Sales Nellie Bechtel Senior Apartment Complex Yard Sale. What treasures can you find? Coffee and donuts served early AM. 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, May 2. 3032 N. 15th St.
Did you know the BEACON has a Facebook page? Like us! www.facebook.com/BeaconSeniorNews
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Finding Senior Housing can be complex, but it doesn’t have to be. “You can trust A Place for Mom to help you.” – Joan Lunden
(800) 217-3942 A Place for Mom is the nation’s largest senior living referral information service. We do not own, operate, endorse or recommend any senior living community. We are paid by partner communities, so our services are completely free to families.
46 KUDOS & KVETCH
kudos\ku·dos “My husband and I have been coming to your BeaconFest for several years now and I think this was your best yet. But my husband liked it when you had the belly dancers.” - Stella T., Grand Junction
“You had a nice turnout at BeaconFest even with the weather being less than cooperative. I really enjoyed Laura Wayman’s presentation on dementia.” - Gail H., Grand Junction
Kevin: “I want to thank all of the speakers at this year’s show. We have received several letters about people who liked Laura’s presentation, and I’d like to thank Comfort Keepers for bringing Laura to town.” “Congratulations on a very well attended event (BeaconFest)! You and your team do a great job on so many levels. I was amazed at the amount of people there, considering the weather was TERRIBLE.”- Dean R., Gateway “Congratulations on a huge and successful BeaconFest!”- Arch A., Palisade “I read the article ‘Montrose has worms’ in the Montrose-Delta BEACON and am very happy with it. Liesl did a great job. Thank you.” - James B., Montrose
“I just read the article (‘Bringing home the bacon and the bling: Local veterans live up to their CHAMPS nickname’). I loved it. Thanks for putting it in the BEACON Senior Newspaper.” - Emma Folnsbee, CHAMPS Team Captain, Grand Junction
Wanna give a shout out? Pass out a compliment? Write us at Beacon@PendantPublishing.com.
www.BeaconSeniorNews.com
Those were the days By Laverne Bardy
T
oday’s kids have no idea how much things have changed over the years. They view today’s sexually charged language, revealing clothing and casual sex as routine: Boy meets girl. Boy and girl jump into bed. Courtship not required. I visited a college dorm recently and was blown away. Not only are there coed dorms and bathrooms, but all kids have to do to request privacy is hang a tie or a hat on the door knob and everyone knows to steer clear of that room because sex is happening. When I was in college, girls had a curfew: 10 p.m. on weekdays and midnight on weekends. We were required to sign out and sign in. Show up five minutes late and the front desk warden dispensed severe penalties. College boys, on the other hand, had only one rule. They were only permitted on the lower level of the girl’s dorm, where guards stood near staircases and elevators. In the 1950s, if an unmarried girl became pregnant, she was disgraced. She left school and disappeared for the duration of her pregnancy. When she returned she did her best to hide from the harsh tongues of people who judged and condemned her. The alternative plan was to marry the father as soon as possible. Today, teenage pregnancy is little more than business as usual. Sure, there are inconveniences attached, but the stigma has been removed. In fact, many high schools include baby nurseries so girls can have their babies cared for while they attend class. I watched a group of teenage girls in micro-mini skirts that had me holding my breath every time they moved. I’m thinking there might be fewer pregnancies if girls wore longer skirts, or were made to take classes in the art of sitting. Another change is the style of maternity clothes. Skirts used to have large holes cut out of the front to make room for a woman’s expanding belly. Baggy blouses shaped like
lampshades concealed those large openings. Today, pregnant women show off baby bumps with spandex and beachwear, consisting of minuscule tops and dental floss bottoms. I like that pregnant bodies are flaunted today. I never thought a woman should have to hide such a beautiful process. Every generation has their fashion fads, but there are some nowadays that I’ll never understand—like girls wearing short shorts and fur-lined boots at the same time in 95-degree temperatures. Make up your minds, girls. Are you hot or cold? Back in the ’50s, girls wore men’s large dress shirts tied in a knot at the waist, and black ballerina shoes that my father assured me would ruin my feet. Guys wore pegged pants and hairstyles that emulated Elvis. Both sexes wore club jackets that identified who they were or who they wanted to be. But unlike today’s suggestive clothes, nothing we wore back then shouted, “I’m available. Let’s hook up.” TV commercials have gone way too far. A laxative commercial has a woman walking down an airplane aisle asking people if they’re constipated. Seriously? I enjoy fantasizing about what I’d say to her if she asked me. In an erectile dysfunction commercial, (Who ever heard that term back in the day?) a man smiles mischievously because he got lucky the night before as a result of taking a pill that helped him get the job done and didn’t leave him with an erection that lasted more than four hours. People on Facebook post things I can’t believe they think readers care about, like “I just ate a bologna sandwich,” “I’m going to sleep now,” and “My dog threw up.” Who cares? Why are we so desperate to connect with people? If I sound like a ranting old lady, it’s because I am. It’s one of the few perks that comes with being old. Wait. Don’t get me started on technology. Lord, help me. ■
May 2015
kvetch\kfech “Well, what a fine fix we Montrosians find ourselves in. Our county, using our money, is suing our hospital. Our hospital, using our money, is fending of the county. Taxpayers lose while the attorneys win big!” - Steve M., Montrose “Montrose Memorial and Montrose County suing each other; it’s a damn shame!” - Frank R., Montrose “Can someone tell me if the (Montrose) county’s and the (Montrose Memorial) hospital’s attorneys are at least local? Or are we paying for attorneys out of Grand Junction or worse, Denver?” - Carolyn B., Montrose “So the lady bitten by dogs doesn’t wish to sue the dogs’ dimwit owners. As a taxpayer, I’d like to suggest that Medicaid sue them for us.”- Anonymous “Put them puppies down!” - Anonymous
“As an animal lover and owner, it is my responsibility to look out after them and make sure that they are secured on a leash and fenced in my own yard.” - Brenda N., Grand Junction
Wanna give a shout out? Pass out a compliment? Wanna pitch a fit? Write us at Beacon@PendantPublishing.com.
May 2015
H I L LT O P’S S E N I O R D AY B R E A K
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procasemanagement.com 4/7/2014 8:45:05 AM