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A Colorful Look at Life After 50
Kaleidoscope FALL 2015
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Kaleidoscope Fall 2015
3
WHAT’S INSIDE Publisher: Sam R Fisher
HISTORY: In Whiteside County, one room holds many stories .....Pages 4-12
Advertising Director: Jennifer Baratta
DIXON: It’s business as usual for a longtime barber ................ Pages 14-16
Advertising Sales: Jill Reyna Kelly Shroyer
HELP: Free phones are available for people with hearing issues ......Page 17
Editors: Larry Lough Rusty Schrader
HEALTH: One trip can change a senior’s entire life ................. Pages 18-19
Page Design: Rusty Schrader
SCAMS: Not every phone call has a ring of truth to it .............. Pages 20-21 ONLINE: Social media’s face is showing a few wrinkles .......... Pages 22-23
Articles and advertisements are the property of Sauk Valley Media, P.O. Box 498, Sterling, IL 61081, 815-625-3600. No portion of this publication may be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher. Ad content is not the responsibility of Sauk Valley Media. The information in this guide is believed to be accurate; however, Sauk Valley Media cannot and does not guarantee its accuracy. Sauk Valley Media cannot and will not be held liable for the quality or performance of goods and services provided by advertisers listed in any portion of this magazine.
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Kaleidoscope Fall 2015
WHITESIDE COUNTY | ONE-ROOM SCHOOLHOUSE PROJECT
One room. Many stories It’s OK to tell tales out of school; in fact, a local genealogist group hopes you do DAVE FOX Special to Kaleidoscope
STERLING – Long before teachers unions and pension systems, years before district consolidations and property taxes being levied, one-room schoolhouses dotted the countryside across America, and Whiteside County certainly had its share. In an effort to learn the history of the area’s past educational system, the Whiteside County Genealogists are undertaking a research project to find locations, documents, and other information pertaining to the county’s one-room academic institutions. “[The group] had been talking about it for quite a while, and just started gathering materials a few months ago,” said Marilyn Huffman-Anderson, genealogy and local history librarian at the Sterling Public Library. The genealogists group houses all of its materials at the library, “which is how the library gets involved, and I’m the general genealogy staff person here,” she explained. Dave Fox/Special to Kaleidoscope Each group member has taken a township – Whiteside County Second Avenue Lutheran Parochial School, located in has 22 altogether – and the members then collect information Whiteside County, is seen here in this undated photo, one on the schools from old plat maps. of many that are being collected for the Whiteside County Genealogists’ research project on one-room schoolhouses. SCHOOLHOUSES CONTINUED ON 6
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“West Side Story”
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“Fall Festival of Crafts”
Sandwich Fairgrounds (inside & outside)
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Kaleidoscope Fall 2015
Plat maps help provide direction for project SCHOOLHOUSES CONTINUED FROM 4
Marilyn HuffmanAnderson, a genealogical and local history librarian in Sterling, looks through documents received for the old school project Dave Fox/Special to Kaleidoscope
The oldest plat map is dated 1872, and there have been updates, additions, and revisions since then, “and I’m sure there were schools in the county long before that,” she said. “The plat maps will show where the schools were located, and the members will then use that information to do whatever research they can,” Huffman-Anderson said. Probably a hundred-plus such schools have been found so far, she said, and the search continues. Results of the project will eventually be compiled and printed as a booklet that will be made available to the public. “We’ve done other publications,” Huffman-Anderson said, “and really just felt that
this project needed to be done as well.” The group is looking for materials that people may be willing to donate or provide the use of, such as old photos, report cards, and other printed materials. Already, numerous photos, report cards, and programs have been added to the collection. “We’re really encouraging people to bring in anything they may have that relates to one-room schools in the county,” she said. A number of such items has already been located, including a printed program for the 62nd eighth-grade promotional exercises in 1947. Since all the county schools participated in the promotional exercise, the program was held in the Coliseum in Morrison to accommodate the students. HISTORY CONTINUED ON 8
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Kaleidoscope Fall 2015
7
A history of caring.
Rehab/Skilled Care | Outpatient Therapy Senior Housing with Services | Affordable Housing To learn more about our community in Prophetstown, call (815) 537-5175.
The Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society provides housing and services to qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, disability, familial status, national origin or other protected statuses according to applicable federal, state or local laws. Some services may be provided by a third party. All faiths or beliefs are welcome. Š 2015 The Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society. All rights reserved.
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Kaleidoscope Fall 2015
These aren’t just stories; they’re history HISTORY
CONTINUED FROM 6
Dave Fox/Special to Kaleidoscope
The classes of 1947 are seen here, from the program for the 62nd promotional exercises of Whiteside County Schools.
IF YOU’RE
“It was typical back then for all students in a county to graduate from one central location,” she said, “so there weren’t any separate graduation ceremonies at individual schools. “The kids would have to travel to that central place to take part in the ceremonies, so if they didn’t have a way to get there, they probably just missed out,” she said. “We’re really interested in stories from back then,” she said. “Any kind of story about a particular school or related event is going to be appreciated, because those tell a lot of the history. “For example, there are some really interesting stories about the different requirements for men and lady teachers back then,” she said. “There were more strict rules for the ladies than the men. A lady really had to be a lady back then.”
50+
CHANGES CONTINUED ON 10
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Call for more information on upcoming trips and events! A club with year ‘round activities for our seasoned customers 50+.
For details, call one of our Club Directors: Pam Stange 815-622-3362 • Lynn Todtz 563-242-9111
Kaleidoscope Fall 2015
9
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Kaleidoscope Fall 2015
Much has changed in schools through the years CHANGES
CONTINUED FROM 8
A book, “One-room Schools of Knox County,” by the Knox County Retired Teachers Association, included some rules that female teachers in the Illinois county had to adhere to. For example, in 1915 female teachers weren’t allowed to marry during the term of the contract, they were told not to keep company with men, they were forbidden to loiter in downtown ice cream stores, they weren’t allowed to dress in bright colors or smoke cigarettes, they couldn’t dye their hair, and they were required to be home between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. “unless attending a school function.” Similar rules for teachers, these from 1872, included such duties as filling lamps and cleaning chimneys, and told them to “make your pens carefully.” Male teachers weren’t under such strict guidelines. According to the rules. “men teachers may take one evening each week for courting purposes, or two evenings a week if he attends church regularly.” Teachers were allowed, after spending 10 hours in school on a given day, to spend their “remaining time reading the Bible or other such literature.”
This letter, dated May 11, 1919, was sent from Clara Fischer, of Fosston, Minnesota, to the Whiteside County superintendent of schools, inquiring about the requirements for teaching in the county.
Dave Fox/Special to Kaleidoscope
SCHOOLS CONTINUED ON 12
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Kaleidoscope Fall 2015
Rediscover Memory Care
Dementia is a group of symptoms affecting memory along with thinking and social abilities severely enough to interfere with the functions of daily living. Cognitive changes may be noticeable by; difficulty finding words, complex tasks have become harder, the inability to plan or coordinate events and getting lost. There also may be psychological changes such as; agitation, inappropriate behavior or concrete personality changes. There are several types of dementia and other disorders linked to dementia that your loved one could benefit from a Montessori-style dementia program which we offer at Morningside of Sterling. What makes Morningside of Sterling Memory Care different than other memory care communities? Our “Bridge to Rediscovery” program celebrates residents for who they are now, with the abilities they have today. Artists paint….teachers teach. This program is based on the cognitive ability of the individual, not what their deficits may be. Each program is designed to be used one-on-one or in small groups and can be adjusted vertically based on those “abilities”. We use color cueing for identification to each resident’s room and also have a locked memoryshadow box outside each apartment for family members to put photos and memorabilia for their loved one to identify with. Upon move-in each family is given an empty memory box to fill with photos and memorabilia too so that we can work one- on -one with each resident in finding moments of familiarity and joy! Our building was specifically designed for Memory care with a visually unobstructed hallway, built-in/ fold down shower chairs, and handicap accessible sinks along with widened doorways. We also have a beautiful secure garden with a gazebo and several seating areas to provide moments of tranquility. Feel free to stop by for a tour and discover what exceptional Memory Care is all about!
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12
Kaleidoscope Fall 2015
Researcher: There’s a real need for school history SCHOOLS
Want To Help?
CONTINUED FROM 10
Methods of financial support for those schools has also changed dramatically, as there were no property tax dollars going to school districts in the early years. “Schools back then were supported solely by the families who had students in attendance there,” Huffman-Anderson said, “as opposed to property tax support from everyone now. They didn’t have teachers unions back then, either.” One-room schools may have varied somewhat by location, she said, but the ones in Whiteside County were still pretty much the same as other schools elsewhere. “All grades attended the same school,” she said, “and the schools were all pretty small. We’re not sure at this point which one was biggest or smallest in the county.” Huffman-Anderson said this kind of research is important not only for local history, but families, as well. “There are a lot of people with ancestry in Whiteside County, and they often wonder what schools their families might have gone to. There is a real need for this research.”
The Whiteside County Genealogists group is collecting all types of information on one-room schoolhouses in the county, including report cards, photographs, teacher contracts, student rolls, faculty lists, school activities, and all other information that may be of interest. All items will be photocopied so the owner of the items can keep the originals. The group is also interested in talking with anyone who now lives in a one-room schoolhouse, with a focus on the history of the building, how it has been changed, and any other information. Photographs are also welcome. Philip Marruffo/pmarruffo@saukvalley.com Materials, along with This class photo from Como School was brought to questions or comthe Whiteside County Genealogists. ments, should be directed to Marilyn Huffman-Anderson at the library, 102 W. Third St., Sterling. The phone number there is 815-625-1370, and the fax number is 815-625-7037. She can also be reached by e-mail at SPL-Genealogy@comcast.net
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Kaleidoscope Fall 2015
DIXON| KEN’S BARBER SHOP
It’s business as usual Ken Masters isn’t going at quite the same clip as he was 50 years ago, but he’s not ready to hang up his scissors just yet BY ASHLEY POSKIN Special to Kaleidoscope
DIXON – It might be considered a counterproductive business model: He doesn’t advertise, doesn’t really want any new clientele, and has never taken appointments. The only way to get in touch with him, in fact, is to stop in: There is no telephone at Ken’s Barber Shop. Still, at 72, Ken Masters has gotten along just fine, thanks, for the better part of 5 decades.
Ken trims John W. Jacobs’ hair. John’s been coming to Ken’s shop for 50 years.
KEN’S CONTINUED ON 15
Ashley Poskin/Special to Sauk Valley Media
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Kaleidoscope Fall 2015
15
He sticks to the basics, and customers stick with him KEN’S
CONTINUED FROM 14
He graduated high school, enrolled in barber college, then moved into a shop at 208 W. First St. downtown. A full half-century later, he’s still there. Back in the day, he charged around $2.25 for a haircut, offered straight razor shaves and paid a 30 percent commission on all of his services to the previous shop owner until it became his, all his, on April 1, 1972. A handful of things have changed – Ken’s haircuts now are $10, and straight razor shaves are passé – but much has stayed the same. One noticeable change that has come at the tail end of Ken’s 50 years are his hours. Even a few years ago, a typical work week ago was somewhere in the neighborhood of 40-plus hours, Tuesday through Saturday. And he worked for 38 years without taking a single day off. He’s making up for it now, though, cutting back on cutting hair to spend much of those hours on the golf course, bowling, or gambling at the casino. On this particular day, he had a full
house; half the people who showed up were clients. The other half just wanted to socialize. If you’ve ever wondered what goes on in a truly old-school barber shop, keep reading. Longtime client Roddy Lowry walks in, and Ken makes a Santa Claus reference. “You come in for the BS?” Ken asks. “Nope, just gotta look pretty for the weekend,” Roddy says. They talk about golf. A lot. They talk about what pains in the rear women can be. They discuss current events. They talk about golf some more. Then Ken turns on his Wahl Clipper vacuum clippers, and you can barely hear him over the roar. He has two extra motors for the rare vintage machine – once he goes through the both of them, then he’ll retire, he said. He doesn’t seem too excited about the prospect. His current schedule allows him to play a lot and work a little, so there really doesn’t seem to be any reason for him to leave it all behind. CHAT CONTINUED ON 16
Ashley Poskin/Special to Sauk Valley Media
Ken Masters holds up an old memo book that shows all the income he’s taken in since the 1970s.
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Kaleidoscope Fall 2015
A little chat. A little sass. A little off the top CHAT
CONTINUED FROM 15
Ken and Roddy talk some more. About the weather. The kind of soil surrounding their homes. Water in the basement. How much rain we’ll get this summer. There’s a short lull in the conversation, and Ken turns off the vacuum and reaches for a different pair of clippers. These just hum. More talk about the weather, and corn. There’s just enough time for an off-color joke before Roddy rises from the old Paidar barber chair, no longer looking like Santa. He pays for his haircut and turns to leave, just as John W. Jacobs, 87, a client for all 50 years, walks in, trailed by his son, also John, and his daughter-in-law, Sherrie. The elder Jacobs takes a seat in the old barber chair, his son in one of the five chairs lined up against the wall in the waiting area. Sherrie stands and chats with another couple who’ve stopped by to harass Ken. The couple stick around a few minutes more and catch up, Ken harasses them some more, they sass him back and turn
to head out. Ken looks up from clipping John W.’s hair, waves goodbye and says “Glad you got to see me!” As that other couple walks out, another friend stops in to stay hi. If you’re counting, that’s one client in the chair and three people on the sidelines for Ken to entertain. As much as he says he could live without it, you can tell he’s enjoying himself. There’s an old sign in the shop, one of those you see at concession stands, with the felt and grooves and the little plastic letters. “Haircuts 10 00, Kids Under 12 10 00, Wed Senior Day 10 00, and All Saturday Cuts 976605.” He hasn’t raised his prices since Nov. 1, 1999. And it’s pretty amazing that over the course of 50 years, his prices have increased only by $7.75. He’s flown solo all this time. Has he ever thought of having another barber work beside him? “No one could ever work with me, because I’m such an ass.” Hmmm. Maybe, maybe not. Ken’s the kind of guy who will stop a haircut to tell you all about his late dog, Bruiser, a pug that kept him company at the shop – for 14 years, 7 months and 19 days.
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Ashley Poskin/Special to Sauk Valley Media
The sign outside of Ken’s Barber Shop in Dixon, where Ken Masters took over in 1972. The kind of guy whose bark is worse than his bite (just don’t let him know you’ve figured that out). OK, and also the kind of guy who keeps a girlie mag or two in his cabinet. A man’s man. A good ol’ boy who’s managed to run his life on his own terms, in a time capsule of a shop where men and their fathers, men and their sons, can escape the PC world and talk about the important things in life: golf, the weather, women, and golf.
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Kaleidoscope Fall 2015
17
Help is just a phone call away People with communication issues can get a free phone STAFF REPORT news@saukvalley.com 800-798-4085, ext. 5501
Do you have trouble hearing, or speaking? Does it make it hard to stay in touch and engaged with your loved ones? Did you know that you may qualify for a free, amplified phone or other equipment to help with those all-important communication issues? For example, the Illinois Telecommunications Access Corp., the nonprofit state distributor of specialized telecommunications equipment for people with hearing loss and speech disabilities, offers a new amplified phone at no cost to seniors and anyone else with hearing or speech issues. The XLC3.4, an easy-to-use cordless phone with talking caller ID, amplifies incoming sounds up to 50 decibels. It also has a caller ID screen, and large, high-contrast buttons that are easy to press and see. It’s one of four free phones available.
To qualify, a person must be a legal resident of Illinois with a working landline phone service in the residence. An application must be signed by a medical professional stating that the applicant is unable to use a standard phone. There are no income requirements. Locally, you can try out the phones to see which best suits your needs at RAMP, 2155 W. Galena Ave. in Freeport, at the Lee County Council on Aging, 100 W. Second St. in Dixon, or the Whiteside County Senior Center, 1207 W. Ninth St. in Sterling. Applications for a free phone also are available at the sites. Call 815-233-1128 in Freeport, 815-2889236 in Dixon or 815-626-7707 in Sterling for more information. There are more than 2 million Illinois residents who have some degree of hearing loss. Amplified phones can help. The ITAC also provides a range of other phones to meet different hearing needs. Go to www.itactty.org or call 800841-6167 to learn more about the services offered to the hard of hearing, the deaf and the blind.
The XLC3.4 is one of four free phones available to people who have difficulty using a standard telephone.
The health care needs of today’s seniors are changing. And, we are changing too! For more details call Dennis Grobe, Administrator, at: (815) 379-2131 HeritageofCare.com/walnut • Facebook.com/HeritageofCare 308 S. Second St. Walnut, IL 61376
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Kaleidoscope Fall 2015
SENIOR TIPS | FALLPROOFING
A trip can change your life Falls can be fatal; here are some tips to avoid them The Associated Press
Each year, one out of every three adults age 65 and older experiences a fall, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Falls are the leading cause of both fatal and nonfatal injuries among elderly adults. These statistics put into perspective the importance of reducing fall hazards and keeping seniors safe. Where do most falls occur? Research shows the majority happens in the home. For seniors, falling at home can be a frightening experience, especially if they live alone. Fortunately, there are ways to reduce risks and create a safer home environment. Here are some tips from the American
Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons:
Bedroom Use a bed that is easy to get in and out of to reduce the risk of falls in the bedroom. Select comforters and sheets made from non-slippery material, like cotton and wool. Keep a lamp, phone and flashlight near the bed so they can easily be found in the dark. Finally, eliminate floor clutter and install a nightlight between the bedroom and bathroom.
Bathroom Reduce bathroom slip-and-trip hazards by installing grab bars on bathroom walls and placing a slip-resistant rug adjacent to the bathtub for safe exit and entry. Place a rubber mat or nonskid adhesive strips inside the tub for stabilized bathing. A raised toilet seat or seat with armrests can be helpful, as well.
nty Council On Ag u o ing eC e L
Post House Community Center • Lifescape Lunch Served Daily • Outreach/Info and Assistance from 11:30-12:00 for State/Federal Pharmaceutical and other programs. • Educational Programs • Coffee & Conversation • Health Screenings Every Day! • Daily Activities • Free Tax Filing Assistance • Zumba/Linedancing February - April • Computer Classes
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FALLS CONTINUED ON 19
Come Together
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Lunch Served Daily from 11:30-12:30 Educational Programs | Senior Services Daily Activities | Social Trips Computer Resource Center
WHITESIDE COUNTY SENIOR CENTER 1207 West Ninth Street, Sterling • 815.622.9230 • 888.622.9230 www.whitesidecsc.org • Monday-Friday 8am - 4pm
Kaleidoscope Fall 2015
19
Fallproof your home both inside and out FALLS
CONTINUED FROM 18
Living areas
wood and tile steps, add non-slip treads. For carpeted steps, consider replacing patterned or dark carpet with colors that show the edges more clearly.
Keep common areas safe by Outside arranging furniture so there Keep pathways from the house is plenty of room to move in, to the driveway and mailbox out and within the room. Keep clear of hazards and well-lit with pathways free of clutter, includmotion-sensor lights. Cover extering plants, cords, footrests and nal entryways and add ramps to magazine racks. Repair loose replace steps. For homes in cold floorboards or tile, and always weather climates secure area rugs with with ice and snow, slip-resistant backOnline keep a shovel and ing. Bright, easily Learn more at sidewalk salt next to accessible lights are a www.orthoinfo.org/falls. the door during winmust. In the kitchen, ter for easy access. remove throw rugs In addition to and always clean up spills as soon maintaining a clutter-free home as they occur. free of fall hazards, it’s important for all seniors to wear properly Stairs fitting shoes with nonskid soles. If light switches are not located Both men and women should at the top and bottom of stairs, avoid heels and always tie shoe install motion-sensor lights that laces securely. Instead of walking automatically turns on when indoors in stocking feet, wear someone walks by. Handrails on comfortable shoes or use well-fitboth sides of stairways make it ting slippers with rubber bottoms. easier to get up and down. For
By The Numbers The Centers for Disease Control offers the following facts: One out of three adults age 65 or older falls each year, but less than half talk to their healthcare providers about it. In 2013, 2.5 million nonfatal falls among older adults were treated in emergency departments and more than 734,000 of these were hospitalized. In 2013, the direct medical costs of falls, adjusted for inflation, hit $34 billion. Many people who fall, even if they are not injured, develop a fear of falling, which might cause them to limit their activities, which leads to reduced mobility and loss of physical fitness, and in
turn increases their actual risk of falling. In 2013, about 25,500 older adults died from unintentional fall injuries. Men are more likely than women to die from a fall, by about 40 percent. Older whites are 2.7 times more likely to die from falls as their black counterparts. Older non-Hispanics have higher fatal fall rates than Hispanics. Rates of fall-related fractures among older women are more than twice those for men. More than 95 percent of hip fractures are caused by falls. White women have significantly higher hip fracture rates than black women.
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Avonlea Cottage of Dixon 503 Countryside Lane, Dixon, IL Phone • 815-288-6044 Cell • 815-499-1682 www.avonleacottage.com
Avonlea Cottage of Sterling 2201 E. LeFevre Road, Sterling, IL Phone • 815-626-5439 Cell • 815-590-6582 www.avonleacottage.com
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Kaleidoscope Fall 2015
SENIOR TIPS | AVOIDING SCAMS
Not every call has a ring of truth North American Precis Syndicate
Unscrupulous people will exploit just about anything they can to reel in another victim. One tactic has scammers masquerading as medical alert system providers and targeting seniors with high-pressure telemarketing scams. Bay Alarm Medical, a California company that sells medical alert systems, offers some tips for seniors – a favorite target of criminals, by the way – on how to avoid being taken.
Don’t ...
Metro News Service
Don’t get hung up on a deal that sounds too good to be true. Hang up and keep scammers from skimming money out of your bank account.
Do not provide personal information over the phone. Under no circumstance should you divulge bank names, credit card numbers, birth dates or Social Security numbers. Do not tolerate bullying, coercion or intimidation tactics. A good business shouldn’t pressure you, limit time to respond, use threats or coercion to get you to make a purchase. Do not believe that products or services are free. Scammers may say you’ve won a free gift or product in order to solicit per-
sonal information or insist you pay a fee or shipping and handling to redeem a prize. Do not press any buttons if you receive an automated or recorded robocall. If you hear a recording when you answer the phone, you have received a “robocall” and should hang up. Even if instructed, do not press buttons to speak to a live operator or have your number removed from lists, as that could trigger future robocalls. Do not entertain unsolicited sales or cold calls. If you don’t want to speak to an unsolicited telemarketer, just hang up the phone.
Do ... Register your phone number with the National Do Not Call Registry. The registry gives you a choice about whether to receive telemarketing calls, and once your number has been on the registry for 31 days, you should not receive any. Register your home or mobile phone for free at www.donotcall.gov. SCAMS CONTINUED ON 21
TRUST
Over 50 years of combined trust experience
L to R: Amanda Walter, Angela DeVries, Sarah Wittenauer, Cathy Lauer
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1314 N. Galena Ave.• 728 S. Crawford Ave 800-216-0008
AMBOY
220 E. Main St. • 301 E. Joe Dr. 815-857-3625
Kaleidoscope Fall 2015
21
Scams can come in many different forms SCAMS
CONTINUED FROM 20
Do ... Request information about the salesperson and company, and say you will call if interested. If you are refused the information, it is likely a scam. Research and verify the information. Information about known scams can be found online at the The Better Business Bureau (www.bbb.org) and your state Attorney General’s (in Illinois, www. Online illinoisattorneygeneral. FBI info and tips: gov/) office can provide www.fbi.gov/scams-safeinformation. ty/fraud/seniors Seek counsel from National Council friends and family. If on Aging: www.ncoa. you are interested in a org/?s=scams telemarketer’s product or service and it is legitimate, ask for a call at a time and date you prefer. This gives you time to discuss the information with your friends and family. If you think you are a victim of a telemarketing scam, report the incident through the FTC consumer hotline at 1-877-FTC-HELP (877-382-4357), the Better Business Bureau at 703-276-0100 or visit www.bbb.org.
Top 10 Scams The top 10 scams targeting seniors, According to the National Council on Aging: 1. Medicare/health insurance fraud – Scammers pose as Medicare or insurance agents to get personal information, or try to sell bogus services. 2. Counterfeit prescription drugs – Besides paying money for something that will not help a person’s medical condition, victims may purchase unsafe substances. 3. Funeral and cemetery scams – Scammers try to ply money from a widow or widower. 4. Fraudulent anti-aging products – Renegade Botox labs creating versions of the real thing might still be working with the root ingredient, botulism neurotoxin, which is one of the most toxic substances known to science. A bad batch can have serious health consequences. 5. Telemarketing –This can take many forms: Fake donations for
natural disasters, sending money to people posing as a relative. 6. Internet fraud – Pop-up browser windows simulating virus-scanning software will fool victims into either downloading a fake anti-virus program (at a substantial cost) or an actual virus that will open up the user’s computer to scammers 7. Investment schemes – These are usually targeted at seniors looking to safeguard their cash for their later years. 8. Homeowner/reverse mortgage scams – Scammers take advantage of the fact that many people above a certain age own their homes, which can be a valuable asset. 9. Sweepstakes/lottery scams – Victims are told they’ve won a prize but need to make a payment to access it. 10. The grandparent scam – Scammers pose as a grandchild of the victim to obtain money.
LEE-OGLE
TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM Lee-Ogle Transportation System will take you where you need to go in the area Monday through Friday from 6am to 6pm.
Provides Transportation for all residents in Lee and Ogle County Regardless of age, ability, or disability
Lee-Ogle Transportation System is a not-for-profit public agency that welcomes donations to keep the wheels on the road.
Call 815-288-2117 to schedule a ride or to provide a donation today! Lee-Ogle Transportation System is located at the Reagan Transit Center at 210 E. Progress Drive in Dixon!
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Kaleidoscope Fall 2015
CENTENARIANS| ONLINE
This Gray is rather colorful Social media’s face is getting a few wrinkles, thanks to 102-year-old’s following on Facebook Tribune News Service
AKRON, Ohio – George “Lefty” Gray was born before the radio era. Now he’s a minor celebrity on social media. Gray, who turned 102 on April 20, is a regular contributor to Facebook by way of niece Debra Canale, who often shares bits of his wit and wisdom on her page, www.facebook.com/deb.canale. Her 500-plus Facebook friends have come to look forward to what she calls “Advice from Lefty,” such as this recent post: “I asked Lefty what advice he had for people who hoped to be as old as him one day. He said, ‘How old am I?’ ‘102,’ I
said. ‘Well who the hell wants to get that old?’” Canale visits Gray and his 97-yearold wife, Helen, every Sunday at Western Reserve Masonic Community near Medina, Ohio, where they moved after more than 60 years living in the same house in Akron’s Kenmore neighborhood. GRAY CONTINUED ON 23
George Gray, 102, is getting a little face time on social media, thanks to his niece, who shares his wit and wisdom online. Tribune News Service
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23
Social media’s popularity eludes salty centenarian GRAY
CONTINUED FROM 22
Canale prepares a question to get them talking and reminiscing, and she usually comes away with some gem from Gray’s unfiltered and occasionally salty discourses. He’s sometimes poignant, sometimes wise and very often funny. A little more than a week ago, for example, Gray was admiring his wife’s newly curled hair. As Canale recalled it, “He looked at her and said, ‘Helen, you look like you’re 80.’” Gray grew up on Akron’s North Hill and learned to drive at 9, before licenses were required. “I knew which was left and which was right,” he said. “That’s all you needed to know.” He spent hours playing baseball with his friends on a field near a local school, developing a pitching talent that landed him a spot on a Yankees farm team until he injured his shoulder. Later, he coached Little League and helped coach baseball as a volunteer at a high school. Gray retired in 1968 from Seiberling Rubber Co., where he worked as an inspector.
He still gets up at 4 a.m. every day, a habit ingrained by years of early shifts. It was at Seiberling that he met the former Helen Kepnes, whom he first spotted when she hiked up her skirt to climb onto another man’s motorcycle. “I said, ‘Ain’t nothin’ the matter with her,’” he recalled with a grin. “Oh, Lefty,” Helen replied with a smile. It’s the way she often responds to his comments. He proposed by simply declaring he’d marry her on a Wednesday, “I said, ‘Dammit, Helen, you’re always talking about getting married. I’m gonna give you one chance,” he recalled. “If you don’t show up, that’ll be the last time I ever ask you.” She showed up. And she laughs at the memory. Their marriage, Canale said, has been a good one. With joy, however, came heartbreak. Both of Gray’s children are dead – a son David, whom he had with Helen, and another son from a previous marriage, Tommy. Yet their marriage has endured, and they still love to laugh together, Canale said. They have separate rooms at their nursing facility, but Gray spends so much
time in his wife’s room that his family decorated it with some of his mementos, including the clock he received when he was inducted into the Greater Akron Baseball Hall of Fame in 1986. His wit is still quick, although he tends to meander in conversations and cling tenaciously to a topic, especially if it’s a memory he’s intent on recounting. Although he uses a wheelchair now, he was still riding his three-wheel Harley motorcycle when he was 96. Canale remembers him asking whether she wanted to go for a ride one day, and he got on the freeway and drove her to a friend’s farm in Mechanicsburg, Ohio. Canale has shown him some of her Facebook posts, but she said he doesn’t entirely understand the social media site or his popularity among her friends. But he doesn’t object. You might say Canale is just following her uncle’s advice about getting older. “Stuff you like to do, you still do it – just not so much,” he told her during a visit late last year. “Stuff you don’t like, just don’t do it anymore! … Who can yell at you? Nobody! “And if they do,” he added, “I can’t hear anyway.”
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