New Horizons Former artist in Bellevue found
PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID OMAHA NE PERMIT NO. 389
A publication of the Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging
Celebrating 50 Years
May 2025 | Vol. 50 | No. 5
meaning of life through sculptures
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By Ron Petersen culptor Ira Olson was on a mission to make as much art as he could and make it meaningful for others to see around the world. Olson never did it for the money or the fame, he just wanted millions of people to see his artwork. “I enjoy doing it all,” 71-year-old, Ira Olson said. “I am presented the rocks, and I was given the challenge to create nothing out of something. I made the art with my imagination.” The Texas native, always had a knack for art, but before he found his love for sculpting, he was involved with transportation in the Air Force. “You name it, I can drive it,” Olson said. “I chose the Air Force because all of the other military branches had to look up to us.” With his parents both being in the military, he followed in their footsteps as he travelled the world in the military. This helped him get familiar with the various cultures in Germany and Spain. This all led him to Lead, South
COURTESY PHOTO Dakota, where he’d spend his time with a hammer in his hand.
“It was a time that changed my life,” Olson said. “Art was always
a hobby of mine, and I felt at peace when I did it.” Olson began his career as a sculptor, as he provided services like bronze casting, enlarging, mold making, restoration, welding, mounting, patination and modelmaking. “It’s my hobby and it relaxes me,” he said. “I started to do subliminal carvings and that’s where I learned to be a sculptor. I have been told that I’m a jack of all trades and a master of most.” As someone who is self-taught, he’s done art pieces for people around the world. He has bronze pieces in Germany, rock carvings in England and other pieces of art in Africa and Japan. He would also submit art pieces at the Central States Fair in South Dakota, where he would win first place every time. “I have done hundreds of pieces of art, and they are all around the world,” Olson said. A typical day of work on an art piece would take anywhere between five to eight hours a day, which --Olson continued on page 8.
Taking charge of high blood pressure: Tips for older adults
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By Theresa Coleman eart disease is the number one cause of death in the United States with hypertension, or high blood pressure, as the leading cause of heart disease. For people living with blood pressure, managing this condition is a step in reducing your risk of developing heart disease. Diet plays a significant role in blood pressure levels. Managing your blood pressure often starts in an unexpected place: The grocery store. Let’s take a closer look at how nutrition plays a key role.
least 25% has been removed from the original product.
UNDERSTANDING THE LABEL LINGO The supermarket is full of foods labeled reduced sodium or light in sodium. But don’t assume that means they’re low in sodium. It just means the products have less sodium than do the regular versions. Another label to look for is the heart-check mark from the American Heart Association. This may be found on heart heathy foods in the grocery store. This shows foods that meet certain requirements for sodium, beneficial nutrients like vitamin GROCERY SHOPPING FOR A, vitamin C, iron, calcium, protein, HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE or dietary fiber, and are limited in While grocery shopping, you can saturated or trans fats. An example also look for labels that say “low so- of this checkmark can be found on a dium” or “reduced sodium.” By law, box of Cheerios because of the fiber these statements must be true and content per serving. follow certain criteria for the claim. When choosing foods to reduce If a food item says low sodium, it sodium, fresh is best. But that does must be 140 mg or less per serving. not mean frozen, boxed, or canned If the label says reduced sodium, at --Blood Pressure continued on page 2.
Book clubs impact local communities
Book clubs are vital in inspiring deeper levels of learning for older adults in their reading of literature, and essential in developing self-motivated responsibility for deeper levels of conversation within communities. Learn more about local book clubs on Page 16.